Author: Deb L Waters

I am an avid reader. I read mostly Amish fiction but also read other novels. I enjoy romance, mystery, and Christian devotionals. I enjoy hiking in the outdoors, especially in Greenways and State or National Parks. I love my grandson. He is my favorite subject, so I'll post about him and his antics.

Favorite Photo

On Lake at Andrew Jackson State Park

I have more than one favorite photo if that is even possible. This photo was taken at my favorite place to visit, hike, and camp. The place that I like to spend my free time when possible is at Andrew Jackson State Park in Lancaster, South Carolina. I enjoy walking around the lake and enjoying the sun reflecting off the water and the “visitors” that, sometimes, show off their beauty. The lake is where I like to spend time in nature, reflect on my life. It is the place I enjoy observing the beauty and wonders which God has created.

Why do I consider this photo my favorite? I love how the sun is reflected off the water and the visibility of the water ripples. I photograph the lake and the nature trails each and every time I visit the state park. No two photos are ever alike and the views even though the same are different. It might be the same location, but the glimmering of the sun is different on each visit.

To find out more about the lake or about Andrew Jackson State Park, visit https://southcarolinastateparks.com/andrew-jackson .

This post is one of several I am posting as part of the bloganuary challenge. Feel free to like, comment, and or share my blog with your friends. #bloganuary

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Strength From Above

What makes you feel strong? Feeling strong can mean something different for each person, as well as where they draw their strength.

According to Google, being strong means having the courage to admit that you are not okay. Being strong means being able to talk to someone about how you are feeling. Being strong means you have healthy things that you do that help pull you out of dark spaces.

Do you feel like you are strong? I do not think I am strong. I know that I do not admit that I am not okay. Most times I will say that I am okay even if I do not really feel like I am okay. I keep things bottled up a lot and do not let others know what I am thinking. My one release is through my writing, whether it be in a personal journal or within a blog. I put down on “paper” my thoughts and feelings rather than sharing them with others. I am thankful for friends, some of which are only online, but they are ones that I trust and can confide in and will pray for me when I have the strength and courage to share.

Where do I draw my strength? Where I draw my strength maybe different from where you draw yours and that is perfectly all right. As stated in the Bible verse in the picture above, my strength comes from the Lord. Exodus 15:2 “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” (ESV) When I am weary or troubled, I turn to the Lord for help to strengthen me. He always sees me through whatever circumstance may come my way, even when I do not see how I am going to make it.

A passage in the book of Isaiah is one I recall to mind when I am struggling. The verses are located in Isaiah 40: 29-31 (NKJV); “He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

The Lord is my strength and without Him I do not know where I would be. He is my ever-faithful companion, my comfort, my protector, and my guide. I may not know the path in which I am headed, but my God does, and he is the light at my footpath. He gives me strength to see me through each and every day.

These are my thoughts for the #bloganuary challenge of the day. Feel free to comment and like my blog.

My Dream Road Trip

My grandson, my traveling companion.

What is a road trip you would like to take? Have you ever thought about what your next road trip, your next big adventure would be if you had all the time in the world and finances were not a problem? I have thought about it quite a bit off and on over the years.

I retired two years ago, and I had planned to take a long adventure. My plans got derailed and were delayed indefinitely due to shutdowns and stay at home recommendations from the Covid-19 pandemic. Have you ever had the best laid out plans and something came up to ruin, delay, or prevent those plans from occurring? What would you do if your road trip plans had to be cancelled or delayed?

What plans did I have for my road trip? Let me tell you. My plans were to travel across the USA and visit every state in America. I had planned to tent camp in at least one state or national park in every one of the 48 connected states in the USA. I had planned to visit relatives, cousins, that I had never met in person before. I had also planned to visit various cemeteries where my family and ancestors are buried. Do you like to visit cemeteries? Visiting cemeteries is not something everyone enjoys doing, but it is one thing that I enjoy.

I love to research my family history and visiting family cemeteries is just one aspect of my research. It helps bring my ancestors closer to me, helps me to feel close to them. Almost as if I’m able to communicate with them, and get to know apart of who they were, what they were like when they were alive. I have been able to meet a number of cousins online, some of which are DNA connections I’ve learned about through AncestryDNA, 23 and Me, or one the other genealogy websites that are available.

One of my many destinations was, and still is, South Coffeyville, Oklahoma. South Coffeyville is the location for some of my maternal cousins. They are descended from my maternal grandmother’s sister. I have become friends with them online through social media after finding out about our DNA connection. From there I was going to visit a family cemetery in Coffeyville, Kansas where my maternal maternal grandparents are buried. It may seem confusing to some, but what I am trying to say is my mother’s mother’s parents are buried in Coffeyville. In visiting my maternal great grandparents’ graves, it will help be to know more about my maternal grandmother’s side of the family and, in a way, more about me.

I could go on and on about the different places in each state that piques my interest and the reasoning behind my desires to visit them, but that could go on forever. So instead, I’ll just ask what a big adventure is, a long road trip, without having someone to be by your side while you are on your adventure? The person I would be having alongside me for my dream road trip is my grandson whom I adore. He is only 2 right now, but he is my life, my world, the love of my life. I would love to show him as much of the USA as I possibly can, to pass on my love for nature, the great outdoors, and camping. I hope to teach him about our family history and let him meet his many many cousins throughout America.

    Bloganuary 23

    Have you ever wanted to ask a fictional character a question? I’ve never really thought about it before, but now I wonder who I would most like to converse with and what would I want to ask that person. What are some questions you would ask if you could interview any fictional character past or present? Which fictional character would you interview? I’ve that about interviewing Biblical characters, but to me, they are not fictional they are real. So, it is a hard decision for me to make. If I chose a Biblical character, I would interview Mary, the mother of Jesus. Since I am going to interview a fictional character instead, I will interview Laura Ingalls Wilder.

    Me: Laura, what did you like about growing up on the prairie?

    Laura: What I enjoyed most about living on the prairie was the closeness of my family, the community, and with God.

    Me: Growing up, what was it that you liked the least?

    Laura: What I liked the least was moving. Just when I would make friends and feel like we were home, we would me again.

    Me: What inspired you to put your thoughts and life experiences down on paper?

    Laura: I always enjoyed writing my thoughts and experiences in a journal, or should I say journals as it turned out the more, I wrote the more journals I filled up with my thoughts on how the day went and about what new and exciting adventures occurred. In actuality though, it was my daughter, Rose, who encouraged me to write about my childhood experiences.

    Me: Just one final question, did you ever imagine that your writings would be read and enjoyed by many generations of children and adults alike?

    Laura: Honestly, I am amazed to learn that my writings, and eventually my books about my life, my childhood has fascinated so many people. I really was just thrilled when a publisher agreed to publish my stories. I am overwhelmed that my books still inspire children and adults to read.

    Me: Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. May you and your writings continue to inspire the love of reading and imaginations for many, many more generations to come.

    Thank you for taking the time to read my bloganuary post and feel free to comment.

    Winter 2022

    My favorite quote is a Bible verse. It is from Philipians 4:13 which states “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Sometimes I am not so sure about that and need to be reminded that God is always with me and will give me the strength to do whatever I need to do.

    #bloganuary is a new adventure for me. I haven’t been on the computer for awhile and it has been a couple of years since I wrote my last blog. The bloganuary challenge is one I’ve decided to accept. My site here is mainly a reflection of my thoughts and reflections about life and the world around me. They are my thoughts, my reflections, and strictly my opinions. I mean no offense to anyone and hope everyone will be kind and responsive.

    This month has been a winter to behold. The area in which I live usually has mild winters seeing very little snow. So far this month we have had either ice, freezing rain, and/or snow. This has occurred two weekends in a row so far and who knows, but God, has much more wintery weather we might get this month or even this year. This year, this month, this winter has been the first time that my grandson has seen snow, ice, or freezing rain. Coleman, my grandson, loves being outdoors, so even though I would rather not be outside in the freezing cold, I have taken him outside so he could see, feel, and enjoy being able to walk around and play in the snow and ice. I do this because I love him and enjoy giving him new experiences.

    Since shortly after Covid-19 begin I’ve been staying with my daughter taking care of my grandson. There are blessings and misgivings at times. I love my daughter very much and really enjoy taking care of my grandson, but it can also be very tiring and sometimes frustrating. He wakes up by 7 am every morning bright eyed and bushy tailed. He is always extremely sunny and cheerful. I, my nature, am not a morning person. Like it or not I start each morning getting him out of bed, taking him to the potty, getting him dressed and fed. He is two years old and I’m trying to potty train him. The training has its ups and downs, good days and not so good days. The important thing is we spend quality time together and I love the time I have with him. You might wonder why I said that it could be frustrating at times taking care of my grandson. Simply put, there are times when he does not listen or want to do as I ask. Sometimes he will not nap and during his nap time is when I am able to get housework done or simply have a time to relax myself. During those times, i can become overwhelmed and have to breathe. Remember he is really young and needs my kind words and guidance. He will learn God’s love by my example. During these times is when I need to rely on God more for patience and wisdom on how to guide and instruct him.

    I will leave y’all to reflect on Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who stengthens me.” #bloganuary @bloganuary