COME to ME ...

Even if you do not know French, or have no desire to learn -  today I want to share 3 songs in French that have come to mean a great deal to me (moi, pronounced mwah). 

I do not yet understand either, but this Leonise (a French speaker/singer from Florida has captured my heart through her album "Brisée mais Relevée" which means "Broken but Lifted Up". 

These songs have touched me. As I listen, God speaks to my heart in ways I cannot fully explain. Trust me - I don't even understand most of the words yet! But I am learning, little by little, and I have come to appreciate the heart behind Leonise's music. It is no surprise that she is known as "HeartNotes by Leonise". 

It aMazes me that God can reach the deepest places of my heart through music in a language I am only beginning to learn. Sometimes it feels as though I understand, not because I know every word, but because the Holy Spirit speaks beyond the words directly to my heart. 

For this granddaughter of a French-speaking Grandpa Henry, that alone is enough motivation to learn his language. Listening to this beautiful repertoire of songs has become part of that journey  as God uses them to reach into the deepest places of my heart.

<>

MUSIC is a LANGUAGE

like no other

when it connects with the

Listener

Healing can come through Music

with the touch of God

 

* "Reste près de moi"  

was the first one that caught my attention and my ear, and later learned its meaning. 

Now you don't think I plan to reveal that ... if you're interested, you will 

SEARCH

for the

HEART

of

God

yourself - whether it's through a song, a book, the Bible, a reading plan, nature, your daily life encounters with the Living God speaking and inviting you, actually calling you too - to LISTEN.

This is the next one that moves me by the Spirit of God * "Mon Secours Vient de Toi" (and I somewhat caught some words surprisingly) but once again, I invite you to find out the meaning

* "Tu répares ce que je cache"

This should have been the first to open my eyes that God was in my room and 
"He Touched Me"
[now that's a totally different song that most of you are familiar with and know]
Perhaps 
God used that last song to touch you one time!
If not, click on it, listen and allow Him to touch you (again)
or whenever you may need it
<>
HE chose to use this for me: 

and yes, we also learn by repetition 
The reason for 
"Venez à moi"
to be repeated 4 times
but I am learning that Bible verse
because it is one of the verses in my
ReFRESH
image
{maybe you can figure this one out}
<>
So 
let's give God
THANKS & GLORY
once again for 
how 
HE WORKS 
IN US
THROUGH US
and
WITH US
by
HIS
aMazing Grace!
{yes, that's a song that impacts many still}

<>
I guess I have the JOY of the Lord
coming through many songs
and 
the many blessings
GOD
has been bringing to me
and His continual flow
while
"HE
walks with me
and talks with me"
{yes, yet another song}

[image credit: GPT and me]

and HE tells me
I am His Own💙
<><><>
Many special days this week for one special family
and later in July, for the other special family
but
they are only my special families because
of July 8th, 1985
when
I (we) adopted our son and daughter
so that makes
WEDS.
Got'cha Day
[an extra birthday that they were given when they became ours legally]
and ever since
it's been a day close to my heart
💙

Come ... and be REFRESHED!

A Truly Wonderful 
Journey
for 
July 4th, 2026
for me
{as I am beginning to learn French}
through
God's Word

[credit image: GPT and me!]

in fact, you might say it that it was one that 

REFRESHes

my soul

and 

will be treasured

[not ever forgotten]

as the

Shepherd

of my heart

walked with me

and

I responded to His 

ReFreshing Invitation to

"Come to Me ..."

and so I did on this glorious

Saturday afternoon

<>

and I invite you to Him

also to

REFRESH

RESTORE

and

RENEW

yourself in this

cool scene

by His Grace

aMazing Grace it truly is!

and it simply started

with a verse

then

with a song

 in French for children

of this well-known Bible verse
Matthew 11:28 / Matthieu 11:28
and an invitation that I gladly respond to
Yes, Jesus, I come ...

{oh and I have so much more gathered this day}
SOUL CARE
continues
being
ReFreshed & Touched
by the Master's Hand & Heart
to mine
<><><>

TO ALL AMERICANS
a 
Happy 250th Fourth of July!
❤🤍💙

MY MID YEAR DECLARATION for 2026

This is officially the middle of the year 2026; not the 1st of the year - January, when one usually announces their 2026 One Word (or at least that month, not July) but I am finally ready to make this my One Word for 2026:

It has been a journey for me 

through many RE- words

the 1st half of 2026.

However,

I knew that I wanted

JEREMIAH 31:25

{and I just didn't want to focus on "weary" (although I was, and at times, still find myself there}

MATTHEW 11: 28-30 (TPT)

specifically

verse 28

in

The Passion Translation

has been a mainstay frequently in this last decade

since moving home from 20 years in Mexico

and no longer driving back & forth

permanently back in MN

in our house, but

not feeling

"at home"

The other two verses: Acts 3:19 (TPT) and Psalm 84:5-6 (NLT) have REFRESH + ing, yet still spoke to my heart and offered me further comfort from the Lord, a time to REFRESH my soul.

[I have now begun learning how to REFRESH that dormant desire to create artistically and I created (with special assistance) the image above and in the creation of this image, I found peace that indeed "ReFresh" is the 2026 One Word that I need. Thanks to Jolene and her creations on her app, I have found another one that helps me better & inspires me each time.]

I hope to share some of that special journey towards this from the middle to end of June below

but if I don'tLet this image, created on June 22ndsum up much of it until I dofill in that box

Many of my previous blog posts with
RE -
also fill in some of the details.
"Peace like a River"
just keeps flowing through my heart
and really does
REFRESH
me
again and again
[RE = again]
just sing through all of the verses
and let's move
forward
like a peaceful, bubbling brook or river
with His continual joy 
through
those "*rock"y moments
(*obstacles, hard times, or rolling over the rocks)
WE SHALL OVERCOME!
{whatever the enemy throws at us}
1 John 3:1
🙏

[created on June 29, 2026 with a very special friend 🤍💙]

It's an incredible memory of a significant day in my journey of healing!

I give Thanks to this aMazing friend GracePeaceTransformer and 

of course, GOD, for His aMazing Grace

transforming my life

day by day!

while I press in to 

REFRESH

🤍💙

"You Say" Lauren Daigle (really)

"TU DICES"

Danila Vassalo
{significant song for me for quite some time}
Today
I understand 
WHY💙

"... Hope Beyond the Hurt" - HOLY GRIEF

TODAY
I just would like to share some of my personal
RIVER JOURNEY
{this past week has been some real soul searching and soul care}
I hope you are able to read the intricacies
along my "river journey" and the precious stones
I pursued not just my regular YV
reading plans and ebooks, etc
but much of this above
is soaking parts
from what
I gathered from today's tears
and the day 5 of my "REsilience REset"
- my first draft -
(maybe the second, because I needed to lighten the stones)
Meaningful memories of His Mercy 
& aMazing Grace!
Miracles in the making each morning ... as I rise
Just Give Me Jesus
<>

Nothing else
in fact 
I was planning to just share the created image
it's
HOLY GRIEF
not
only
RELIEF
<><><>

[if you can't read it all, I hope you're able to enlarge, so you don't miss any]
God's Blessings,
💙
Thanks for rolling and strolling along my "river" with me!
(songs came to mind), but at least it wasn't "cry me a river"

HE's CLOSER THAN my NEXT BREATH

[my created image]

I have been on quite the journey these last few days, maybe weeks, or even years. Yet this last week, I am sensing God "closer than my next breath" ... noticing that each and every day, He is revealing His heart and closeness to me personally like I have never experienced in this way. It seems to be like a journey into God's Presence, where He is speaking into from so many places and inviting me to go deeper experiencing more of His Presence, as He consistently shows me that throughout my life, He was and is here - there - everywhere with me, each breath, each step, drawing me to seek and pursue more of Him and more of His heart through His Word, as He brings healing. He is gently awakening an awareness of more thirst and hunger within me, that He placed within me so very many years ago. He is putting the pieces together as He continues to write a complete story of my life, intertwining the tapestry, crossing one part with another, that is taking my very breath away. And it's so intimate and personal that I cannot even begin to express, or put it altogether in an understandable way the intricacies as I reflect and He reveals. As He does this, I come upon so many resources and readings that seem to be written just for me to see and understand. Even my last blog post, the books presented, the change of pace and studies are all preparing and tending to my soul care in such a unique way. It's not a struggle, it's not a battle (yet) but it's so very clear that God is omnipresent as Scripture points out that He's HERE, THERE and EVERYWHERE, all at the same time. This is a series also that the local church has done before, maybe every year but is doing it again because it's the mission that they believe and live out, inviting others to join in and take the next step for their life.

[my created image 6/25]

Once again, I have put aside "The LIE ..." study and now I am setting aside the "Strong in Battle" book for something more peaceful and calm for the summer; but I'm continuing to daily take up, or put on the full armor of God as I declare 5 personal affirmations; and I don't know why, or how I proceed yet it's with the same author as that one for now ... 

He has moved me to "Ponder His Presence" more. 

<><><>

Today (which was a few days ago, when this publishes) I woke up, thanked God for the day and my breath as I read the 2nd day of a Bible plan, focusing on RUACH ... until noon. 

I began with this (like this): 

{how I wish this was me, but it is my creation & represents me}

The words are from my reading plan:

the title (on top) and a quote

then the prayer

with the scripture notation of Psalm 46:10

[the tiniest print by the notebook]

<>

another creation of the same devotion

personalized

from the storm last night

to the application from the devotion

to the same quote with another element added:

"Your breathing right now is proof

that God hasn't abandoned you."

[my created image 6/24]

Drinking in once again:

Breathe

Trust

He's near

And there was so much in-between ... Notes on RUACH & more:

"RUACH already moving"

The pine bending.  The lake resting.  The wind moving.  The Ruach present

RUACH (רוּחַ) is a Hebrew word that translates to "spirit," "wind," or "breath". Used nearly 400 times in the Hebrew Bible, it reflects a deeply physical, ancient understanding of the life-force: the unseen but undeniable energy that gives all living things vitality. The concept of ruach is best understood in three interconnected ways: Breath: The physical act of inhaling and exhaling that sustains life. In Genesis 2:7,   God breathes ruach into Adam to make him a living being. Wind: The invisible, untamable force of the atmosphere. Just as you cannot see the wind but can feel it and see the leaves move, ruach represents God's invisible but active presence. Spirit: The immaterial essence of a human, or God's divine life-force (Ruach Elohim).

The truths that resonated with something I already knew deep down:

• You do not have to earn your worth.
• God's silence is not abandonment.
• Strength is not rigidity.
• The wind can pass through without uprooting you.
• Your next breath is evidence of continuing grace.

I heard these truths in a new FRESH way!

"Peace is not the absence of wind. It is the presence of something deeper than the wind."

I felt comforted, encouraged, seen and drawn CLOSER to God.
RUACH 
already moving
<>
Then I encountered when I didn't expect it, or go looking for anything more ... many other pertinent resources and research in the afternoon hours and finally the book that I mentioned again, purchased in 2023 for a birthday gift and I am now opening this new treasure, since I had only scratched the surface of the Introduction and maybe the first two chapters and now opening it with FRESH eyes, with a new thirst and hunger for His Presence - with new hopes of reading all 10 chapters before something new touches my spirit by His Spirit. So, now I draw into a sweeter realization of a new REFRESHING of RUACH through a new journey (and book) beyond the pages and into a very personal connection. 

I've been reading Lysa TerKeurst's "Come Close to Jesus" and I feel "He's Closer than my next Breath" - His Spirit alive in me!

On the day, I am writing this, I was on "Blindsided" was the devotion and I guess I was - in a sweet yet powerful way of His Presence delighting me from moment after moment of His healing touch ... "Against the Wind" came to me, out of nowhere, not my genre. So I will be pausing for now in a good place, right before Lysa's Declaration and then her Letter before the next devotion of "Be with Him". I'll still be doing the Declaration, which is "The God who Makes the Sun Rise" with Lamentations 3:22-23 and close off the week with Lysa's letter, as this blog post publishes. And I begin with Him, CLOSER than Your Next Breath (and mine) until July ... one post publishes July 2nd and then after the 4th of July, beginning with a quick sample of Max Lucado's "Seeking after the Heart of God" (the full book is 52 weeks) but the YV plan is just 5 days. 

May His Spirit

BE WITH YOU

🙏

I am NOT

unlovable, or worthless

nor helpless.

I am God's Child

CHOSEN

REDEEMED

Accepted

Secure

Significant

FREE & LOVED

filled by His Holy Spirit

[just keep scrolling to the "bell" shape verses

and "Who I am in Christ"]

Declare daily and break the hold of any lie!

<>

*NOTE: the the created images are mine, inspired by Jolene Reason from our online group; because this is my new artistic learning that I am thoroughly enjoying doing creations from my readings ... On this day, I discovered a video RUACH Journey, but not sure about that pursuit. There was also a long one in You Version "Uncharted" (70 days) and one for (30 days). I recently took a Character Quiz with "Chosen" - the results matched me up with JOHN, the apostle. [CHOSEN CHARACTER JOURNEY] developed by Jesus (dot) net. They have been sending emails about my character John since I did the Character Test. 

SOUL CARE to be "STRONG in BATTLE"

[Credit: Jolene Reason]

Over this past weekend, Jolene Reason made some really beautiful graphics on our OBS for Jennie Allen's book "The LIE You Don't Know You Believe" (the *one for Sunday, June 14th caught my attention, at first on God's Everlasting Love - but truthfully all of them that she does, are beautifully captivating) under "SEEK My Face & My Will" (almost to the end) she lists Jeremiah 31:3; Isaiah 61:10; 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) and I decided that I really needed this reminder so beautifully created for my soul and my heart and just me. Thanks Jolene! I enlarged the following image created by Jolene, so you are better able to read & receive it.

But the first image at the top, Jolene created just for me - from *Susie Larson's book that I had made an image from a screenshot then gave those verses in a comment, which is all she used to create that opening image * "Strong in Battle"...she did not have the book or all as follows.

Here is the actual passage from Susie Larson:

"We must BELIEVE we can be renewed day by day, (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)" "Trust that you can live with a joy that strengthens us (Romans 15:13)" "Shine brightly in a dark world" that's lost its way (Philippians 2:15)" "and live with a holy expectancy that heaven is real and goodness is coming."  (Revelation 21:4)

[the above is missing 3 others that Susie includes on p.28 of her book]
Preceding this Susie writes:

..."Especially in this day of battle, we must throw off every shred of apathy and passivity and engage with intentionality:" Interrupt every rogue, inferior thought, and make it bow & submit to Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:5). Receive God's Kingdom power by faith          (1 Corinthians 4:20). ....  Believe ... [with the part above] Yield to the moment-by-moment influence of the Holy Spirit.(Galatians 5:16) [and finish with the rest above]

"Though the battle is real, God is greater still --greater than your fears, greater than your enemies,and even greater than the times we're in."~Susie Larson~
I NEEDED TO HEAR THIS & SAVE THIS!
{being in this OBS on "LIES..." one needs to be prepared for battle, right?}
So I just had to return to my book(s) by Susie Larson:

I did not realize when I ordered Susie Larson's "Soul Care for the Battle"(image at the bottom) that it was a companion "guided journal" to go along with "Strong in the Battle" [Why the Humble Will Prevail]. In the Introduction to "Soul Care ..." she clearly states that originally she wrote the journal in conjunction to "Strong in Battle" but "don't feel obligated to purchase that one." Well, of course I did, especially before I face "LIES" and other battles surrounding my life, so I put the 1st away until I could get the 2nd; it arrived right before "LIES" started; however, I still should have begun and done these before heading into "LIES" ... {and we're only beginning Session 3 of that} so I stopped myself from going forward, without going back to "Strong in Battle" - I'm not too sure that I can deal with the "Humble" part of the title and also an essential part of every chapter after the "Prayerful Reflective Questions" and her deep dive training writing that precedes, Susie ends with these excellent, practical application tools to help me (the reader) apply the truths that we've just read to the "battle" we're currently facing - and that begins with: The Humble Way (in this section, we "explore the power of humility in every single battle we face" {so maybe I will gain some humility}; following this are 3 more parts: Discern the Fiery Arrows; Say "No"; Say "Yes" for each of the 10 Chapters. As we explore the fear of God and the profound power of a humble heart, we'll learn to be quicker to identify the enemy's predictable LIES, so that we can overcome them with the truth. Perhaps you can see why I prefer to go back to Susie's books. For me, that seems to be the better approach. However, Susie's style of writing requires me to read, and read again; and sometimes refer back to reading it again. Thus, this could take me quite some time. Yet, as I determine to change course and study, I am seeking to "Take back My Life" (another book, by Levi Lusko; which I did a sample YV plan, have the book & read it a few years back).

So this is a REset for me, and probably another way for me to REfresh for 2026, as I continue which RE- word is God actually speaking to me for this year, which is now almost half over. I'll just keep pressing forward with all He gives me and SEEK His Heart, SEEK His Face and that will help me SEEK His Will and Way for whatever the day ahead of me holds & that's about all I can do & handle. I definitely will be SEEKING after the Heart of God this year and quite possibly for 2027 (God willing)! Starting after the 4th of July, I plan on doing a YV overview 5 day sample plan of just this by Max Lucado, but I already have his 2 ebooks on this & Experiencing the Heart of Jesus (YV has a plan for that one also).

Enjoy the rest of JUNE!

[image credit: Amazon & Susie Larson]

Now that's Good News!

So I just had to share, although I have a "peaceful little lake" with an island

not the peaceful streams that flow.

Yet

God

RE-stores My Soul 

and that's

SOUL CARE

for the Battle

(sigh)

Added Personal Note: I wish that I could change the "Sunday image" and date to June 16th because it's another Birthday date of significant people celebrating in heaven with my mom, another older sister, Irene (we called "Renie), and the twin sisters born on this day, June 16th, Doris & Dora, in 1927; the youngest of the Blanchette family of Henry and Edith (Dyson) Blanchette; so their entire family is gone. My Aunt Doris was my favorite aunt, and her twin sister Dora, passed away in 1965, way too early from cancer. Doris lived until 2013 and Renie (1917-2014), a long life and such a delight each time I was able to stop & visit her, in Tucson, AZ on my way home from Mexico. Doris lived in southern California, so I was not able to visit with her as often but Renie's son, brought both Renie and Doris to visit me in northern Mexico. The last time I saw them both. They both outlived my mom and Dora, and their other siblings; as I now am outliving my siblings and parents. I'm so thankful for the cousins that are still living and their children (and even great grand children). Since my adult children are adopted and know their biological mom (and dad?) it's good for me to have family, including 3 nieces and 1 nephew (and 2 of them have grown children, well teens). They don't live close but at least they're here.

A Very Happy Birthday Doris and Dora!!! (100 years old next year).

🎂