Reflections on a Year at the Lake

Copyright 2014 by R.A. Robbins
Copyright 2014 by R.A. Robbins

Last year Bob and I left a big, violent city and moved to a beautiful place in rural Oklahoma on the shores of Grand Lake ‘o the Cherokee.  So, how are things a year later?  Any regrets?  Please excuse me while a recover from the giggles …. NO!

This is not something we could have even imagined just a few months before we made the move.  We had something else planned.  In life doesn’t it seem that we always have something else planned?  Bob had planned to work at least five more years.  We had planned to travel when he retired.  We had not planned on Bob losing his job and there not being another one due to obvious health issues.

So what did we do?  We started making other plans — all of which gloriously failed.  To make a long story short, we ended up where we were meant to be.  One of our neighbors told us “The world puts us out to pasture and we end up here so God can bless us.” 

Weren’t we frightened during the whole ordeal?  You betcha!  When Bob came home and told me he had lost his job I wondered how we would survive.  Bob was upset and frightened by his sudden vision loss.  We knew we needed to get out of the city, but where would we go and how?

Fortunately Spirit kept me calm.  This is not something I am good at on my own (major understatement — stop laughing Bob).   We began a daily prayer and meditation practice, we studied, and we trusted God — most of the time.  Of course we had our moments, but when we put our trust in God and made the move having no idea what was ahead of us, we found ourselves in a beautiful place, in our own home and enjoying life.

Thank You God!

 

Thought for Today

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“Hope is important because it can make the present Moment less difficult to bear.  If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.”Thich Nhat Hanh

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Thought for Today

Copyright 2014by R.A. Robbins
Copyright 2014by R.A. Robbins

“Danger is real, fear is a choice” Will Smith [Source: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/fearlessness]

Thought for Today

Platte River (2) Bridge -- web ready

“Faith isn’t the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It’s simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step.” — Joni Eareckson Tada   [Source: http://www.inspirational-quotations.com/faith-quotes.html]

Thought for Today

Copyright 2015 by R.A. Robbins
Copyright 2015 by R.A. Robbins

“Acceptance means: For now, this is what this situation, this moment, requires me to do, and so I do it willingly.” — EckhartTolle

 

Thought for Today

Copyright 2014 R.A. Robbins
Copyright 2014 R.A. Robbins

“Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.” – Albert Einstein  [Source: http://www.alberteinsteinsite.com%5D

Callie Cat is Home!

We had several reports of sightings by neighbors yesterday.  That gave us hope, knowing that at least as of yesterday morning she had not left the community.  We live in a close knit lakeside community and people were searching for her and asking, “have you found Callie yet?”

We were upset last night when we had severe weather.  Not unusual here in Oklahoma, but not good for a lost cat.  I was up early this morning and when I realized the rain had stopped decided to go back to the location of the last sighting.  I thought that maybe she would be out in the early, quiet morning.

When I reached the top of the hill and looked out over the lake I was crying and praying, “God please keep my baby safe.”   When I rounded the corner and looked between the two houses where she was last spotted I saw a familiar little face looking out of the grass.  She didn’t run to me when called but I was able to easily pick her up with the help of her blanket and a few of her favorite snacks.  She  must have found a place to hide during the storm because she wasn’t even wet.  It was the longest walk down that hill I have ever made, I was so anxious to get her home.  After checking out each room in the house and having some food and water  she curled up on a pillow and is now asleep.

Some might call the way she was found coincidence, but I call it Divine intervention.  Thank you God!

I also want to thank  you my readers and followers for your concern and prayers.

12 Tips for Gluten Free Living #5: Learn Other Names and Forms of Wheat

Wheat, rye, barley and oats are easy to remember but what are some of the other words we need to look for on food labels?  The list below includes varieties and hybrids of wheat, trademarked names for wheat and wheat products, flours and products or ingredients made from wheat.  Keep in mind this list is just intended to get you started, there are more.

  • Kamut® (pronounced ka-moo)
  • Triticale (pronounced trit-ih-KAY-lee)
  • Spelt
  • Semolina
  • Graham Flour
  • Bulgur
  • Farina®
  • Couscous
  • Seitan (pronounced: “say-than”)

I hope this list will help you get started in learning some of the other names for wheat and wheat products.  Feel free to share others you may have found.

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Rogene Robbins is the author of The Gluten Free Good Life and other books available at Espirational Books  and Amazon.com’s Kindle Store. Please visit her Healthy and Gluten Free page to learn about Rogene’s own gluten free good life.

Thought for Today

Entrance to Grotto of the Redemption in Iowa Photo taken by R.O. Robbins 2005
Entrance to Grotto of the Redemption in Iowa
Photo taken by R.O. Robbins 2005

“Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.” — Martin Luther      Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth379055.html#RbMeAVKTcbkO6Ti5.99