Twenty-five days ago I embarked on a new leg in my life's journey. My goal was to do my part to make this journey, though challenging, a God-honoring one.  I did not want this to be about me....I wanted it to be a time where those around me will say, "Look what God has done." One of the ways to accomplish that is to mediate on God's Word, pray boldly, and trust Him.     Have you noticed that trails aren't usually flat, and their surfaces may be marked with stones, roots, and in the snow, unforseen areas of treachery?  What happens if on this journey you receive an unexpected … [Read more...]

  Rose of Sharon husks. Long forgotten blossoms. A nod to Cotton Bolls. Frozen crystals. Snow.    Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they do when they stick together. Verna M. Kelly   Today I walked to the grocery store.  A pleasure I have living in a small town.  School buses and travelers were filling up the main street so I elected to walk a half block over...down the alley way....on my return home.  Roasting chicken in hand. The journey turns into a wander as I forget the falling flakes and see new shapes and wonders enhanced by … [Read more...]

  Beauty for your day....   "Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart." Victor Hugo Whether you're enjoying snow or milder climes.... know it's what's in your heart that counts. Love, Diane   Please “Like” An Extraordinary Day ~ A Place of Joy & Inspiration on Facebook.   To receive bits of inspiration like this in your inbox or reader, subscribe now. Sharing with Scenic Weekends + Weekly Top Shot + Simple As That  *   *   *  *  *  *  *    *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *  *  *  *  *  *   *  *  *  *  *  *   Thanks so much for reading! Please stop … [Read more...]

  Have you come across a pretty picture, a great quote, artwork, or even a Bible verse that you thought was unique or special in someway and you pinned it?  Just because? Somewhere online I came across the artwork of Peggy AplSEEDS.  I love the spirit and style of her art.  And yes....I had a pinning frenzy.  You'll see if you visit my Pinterest board. This morning I went to my boards to pick something to share on Facebook.  This sweet piece of art was inspiring and encouraging to me.    Peggy AplSEEDS   And then I read it again. And felt the power of the words. Do you have a … [Read more...]

  Watching the setting sun and seeing the colors dance, refract, and saturate melts away the cares of the day.  Late in the afternoon, we went for a walk.  From one end of town to the other.  We live almost at the end of our road.  Just as we rounded the corner to our house I happened to look back and see the sky coloring.  We proceeded a bit further, hoping to get a good look at the setting sun.  And maybe a few pictures.  Without telephone poles and wires marring the magical moment.   Peace is seeing a sunset and knowing who to thank.   Isn't it lovely? I don't know about you, but … [Read more...]

[An Extraordinary Day now has its own Facebook page!   Please take a second now to click the icon on the right and "Like" our page!]   Many of us are going through something right now.   If we aren't, then most likely someone we are close to needs our support.  That something might be a job loss like what we are experiencing at our house.  It could be physical or emotional illness, a challenging relationship or a break in a relationship, finances, even death.  The journey is difficult.  And my words sometimes seem empty.   One thing I know for sure.....     This is true. … [Read more...]

  So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.   Hebrews 4:16 - NLT   What is the feeling that comes over you when you read this verse? Me? I feel empowered.     Picture someone in your mind who is wonderfully wise, strong, and loving.  He knows you well.  He truly cares about every. single. thing. in your life.  He always wants the best for you.  He has all the time in the world for you...to listen and to talk.  And he has every resource available to make things … [Read more...]

  The blog has been pretty quiet this past week. The week began with a Joy Day! post.  We welcomed 2013 with a prayer by The Reverend Billy Graham.  I then hinted at my quietness when I invited you to join me in Ann Voskamp's Joy Dare, the following day.  So many times I wanted to write here, but just didn't have the right words.     Today, I still don't know that I have the right words.  But, my mind is camped on this scripture verse... God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1 And then it is interesting to me that if we continue to read the … [Read more...]

  Snow has blanketed our neighborhood. So white.  And clean.  And quiet.  And beautiful.     In the quietness this morning I heard the carillon of a nearby church.  Though I was not familiar with the tune, I got caught up in listening to the beauty of the music...calling us to pull away from ourselves....calling us to communion with God...to rest....in Him.   The snow seems to do the same. Inviting us to slow down, to pause, and to reflect the solitude of that shimmering white blanket. Do you do that?   Do you cozy in with family, with a good book, or maybe - in … [Read more...]

  It's the day after Christmas.       Our friends in Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand celebrate Boxing Day today.    If you make your home in one of those beautiful places....Happy Boxing Day! I decided to look up Boxing Day to see what it was all about.  It isn't about the sport of boxing, nor is it about boxing up items.  Instead, this holiday goes back many years when the service of employees would be required on Christmas Day.  The employer would in turn give their employee the day after Christmas off to spend with family and boxes of food and other gifts to take … [Read more...]

    May your weekend be extraordinary!   Joyfully, Diane  To receive bits of inspiration like this in your inbox or reader, subscribe now.   … [Read more...]

  Joy Day!   My favorite day of the week. The day when we count blessings.... ...the good things and the not-so-good things. The day we acknowledge The One who loves us beyond anything we can imagine.     Everyday my husband drives through what is called a greenway.  The mountainside is immediately on the right and and the gorge to the left on portions of the road.  It's beautiful.  And true to its name in the spring and summer.   He sees lots of wildlife.  And dead deer in the fall and winter.  Everyday he prays that he won't hit one of those graceful creatures with … [Read more...]

  We all do it. We look for the brightest and prettiest....set them up nicely...maybe we even create a tableau to admire. We don't stop there.  We place "ours" alongside. And then we do it. We compare.     Comparison. It can be our appearance, our house, our blog, our kids, our art...you name it. Theodore Roosevelt said, "Comparison is the thief of joy."     How quickly we spiral downhill.  It can almost be a free fall. I found myself there today.  It's a ploy of the enemy. And I fell for it. I knew better. I knew what to do.  But, I … [Read more...]

  Some days my heart is heavy. When I have a day like that, I go for a walk in the woods. There I feel the awesomeness of God and his presence.     Concerned about the future? Things wearing on your mind?     Trust God. In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. Psalm 25:1 He already knows the future and he's already there loving and protecting and fighting for you and me.     Just like I used to tell the kids every week... "I know I can trust God no matter what."     What's weighing on you right now? Will … [Read more...]

Day 27   The other day I had the privilege of sleeping until 9 o'clock in the morning.  After staying up until 2 something in the morning writing a 31 Days post.  Ahem.  Always upon rising I walk to the great room window to look out on the world.  That day, I could not believe my eyes.  The light was exquisite! Immediately, I grabbed my camera, stuffed my feet into my red Sloggers, and dashed out the front door. The last thing on my mind was being concerned that my neighbors would wonder about me wandering around the front yard of another, taking photos in my jim jams.     The … [Read more...]

{Day 26}   Have you ever seen an eagle in the wild? I've been to several wildlife sanctuaries and have seen birds of prey in huge cages.  Those birds were tethered or caged because they had been rescued and were not ready to return to the wild.  It's amazing to see such incredible birds up close.  And yet, it's equally difficult to see them without the freedom to soar.     Today as we were driving along the gorge I spied a magnificent bald eagle.  He was sitting on a branch no more than 30 feet from the road.  Often I have spotted hawks, falcons even, but never an eagle.  My heart … [Read more...]

Day 24     October is an Extraordinary month. It's the month when my world is aflame with color.  Mornings begin with fog and sometimes frost.  Many mornings the sun shines bright and warm and the frost melts into gazillions of water droplets.  Indian summer comes in the afternoon.  The sun sets by seven o'clock and the moon shines clear and bright.  As the night temperature drops, the fires burn bright in the hearth....resisting the chill in the air. Lurking around the corner is the season of gray and white.  The dreaded frozen flakes may make an early surprise appearance in this … [Read more...]