Practice, practice, practice.  None of which has made me perfect. (Dratz!)

My first blogging 101 assignment is to publish “who I am & why I’m here.” I know that the title is an opportunity to introduce myself, describe what I’m about, and explain why ANYone would care to read my blog.  But…the annoying deep thinker that I am could not help but answer internally (to myself, I did NOT talk out loud  to myself…even though I was tempted.)

“THAT’S WHAT I’VE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT FOR THE PAST 40++ YEARS!!”

Who would have ever thought that this defining question in my life would one day be reveled to me by writing an assignment for a blog.

A scratch the surface answer would be: I am a creative-spirited red head who often needs to temper her passion for what she believes in & who has been privileged, humbled, and honored to have been a Domestic Engineer for the past 29 years. I am writing this blog because I have always documented my thoughts, prayers, joys, and struggles through journaling since a very young girl and blogging will be my 21st century rendition of this.

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The deeper answer is: I am a woman of faith who enjoys closeness with God and seeks Him out in all ways, always.  In the year 2000, while recuperating from surgery, I stumbled upon a book written by a seventeen century French monk, Brother Lawerence, who learned to practice the presence of God at all times.  The book, The Practice of the Presence of God,  promised “and you can, too.”   This has been my truth.

The book revealed to me how to practice God’s presence and see His glory in every facet of my life.  Even if it were only standing at the kitchen sink doing dishes.

“Lord of all pots and pans and things…

Make me a saint by getting meals

And washing up the plates!”

– Brother Lawerence

Thus, Brother Lawerence was able to turn even the most commonplace and menial task into a living hymn to the glory of God.  And so too my journey began by attempting to put into practice the presence of God at all times.  How have I done these past 15 years, you may ask?  Terrible, I’m sure most would say!!!  (Especially when that human, less than perfect, side of me comes out! wink-wink!)  And so I practice, practice, practice, and practice some more.  And I am eternally grateful for my progress.  I see God abunduntly working & it has nourished my soul.

This past year, in particular, I have turned a huge corner.  I have come to experience, just as Brother Lawerence, that the soul that seeks the companionship of God may (and does) find Him.

I am certain my blogs will always, in all ways, include Him.

Hugs n’ blessings,

Dawn Marie