Welcome to my "Open Window"...a place of hope, encouragement, and adventure as we journey down the road from "Closed Doors" to the new opportunities God places in our pathway. I hope you will take the time to go back and follow the trail of mixed blessings and fears, failures and triumphs from the past and side-trips in the present. Perhaps it will conjure up some of your own special memories, and be an invitation for you to share with others. I look forward to spending this time with you!
What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!
This was the sunrise on 9/11/2026. A little bit foggy, but that just seems appropriate for the remembrance of this particular day.
Yesterday was September 11, "9-11", and I shared a post that I've been adding to over the past 15 years. I intentionally turned off the comments for yesterday, so I don't know if you read it or not, but that's okay. I mainly want to keep a record of current events each year at this time so see where we've been and how much has changed with each passing year of remembrance of that horrific event. For me, it is a solemn day and one that cannot be ignored or glossed over. We need to make sure our future generations are taught about what happened on that day, and we ourselves must never forget.
With that being said, I will tell you that I am not able to sit and watch the coverage of that event each year. It brings such overwhelming grief to my heart, and my emotions are just not able to bear it. So we usually try to take a ride and go someplace peaceful to help find some comfort and release of the pent up emotions. It seems our favorite go-to place is the Christian camp about 20 miles from us known as "Lake Swan Camp". If you don't remember me sharing our history with this camp before, HERE is a link to a time that we went there before and I shared the story of why it is so significant to us. Please take a moment to go back and read the whole story when you can, and you will understand more of why I love this place so much.
This is the main view that you see when you get into the grounds of the camp...this beautiful cross down by the water...
I always find myself heading straight to this spot first of all. There's just something about the cross that gives me peace, especially on a day like 9/11.
Maybe because it reminds me of this cross that was discovered in the rubble of the Twin Towers after they fell on that fateful day...
A Cross in the rubble at Ground Zero made from the steel beams
A poignant reminder that even in the midst of such horror and sorrow, Jesus Christ was there in the midst...bringing comfort and peace to others as they were reminded of His great love for us...a love so great that
"Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2
Here's the whole passage...
Hebrews 12:1-3 NKJV
"1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."
It truly was a lovely day here yesterday...such blue skies and smooth waters...
A perfect day to just enjoy the beauty of God's creation and reflect on the good things that He has done for us, even mixed with the sorrows of this world.
Here's another link. You don't have to read them all. I just like to add them to these posts so I can find them again someday.
Of course we had to play a game of Miniature golf, which ended in a tie. We didn't make it all the way through to the end of the course, but we still had fun.
Some of these signs are a little worse for wear after the long summer. I think they are still in the process of repairing and cleaning up now that the summer camps are over.
We had fun, but then it was time to get going back home.
Oh, but first I wanted to see this newly renovated old chapel building, which was the original chapel for the camp years ago, and more recently has been used more as a recreational building because they have a much newer modern chapel for their regular services. Through a LOT of hard work by many volunteers, they have completely renovated this old building and made it now available for multi-purposes...
I would love it just for porch sitting and relaxing
Inside is so beautifully done...it still retains its rustic charm and old bead board ceilings, but it is very lovely and functional...
I love the doors with the crosses on them.
They've even added a commercial kitchen and dining area for smaller groups when they don't want to use the much larger dining hall for large groups.
This beautiful quilted cross really captured my attention:
I'm sure there are some quilters out there in blogland who may have made one like this, but I find it really really special and meaninful in this location...the blue waters of the lake behind the cross. I love it.
Well, that was our day and it was very comforting and soothing. We ended the day with a beautiful sunset...here's what I managed to capture before the sun totally sank down behind the trees around Still Waters Pond...
This song is fitting after such a day of difficult memories and emotions...
Today is September 11, 2025. Between the horrific events of 24 years ago on this day, and then the very tragic event of yesterday, September 10, 2025, i.e., the assassination of a very fine Christian young man, Charlie Kirk, who was killed because he stood up for his beliefs and spoke the truth to a new generation and the evil ones in this world could not stand it, so they tried to stop his voice from speaking by killing him, between these two very sad events, I just wanted to withdraw from social media for a day and take some time to pray, mourn, and seek God's peace in my own heart again.
So we took a ride to one of our favorite places not too far away, Lake Swan Camp. (You can click on that link for an old post telling more about why this place is so special to us.)
Jeremiah 31:9 NKJV
"9 They shall come with weeping,
And with supplications I will lead them.
I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters,
In a straight way in which they shall not stumble..."
It was a picture perfect morning...our early morning temperature was all the way down to 68 degrees! The sun was shining, and the skies were clear and beautiful and the lake was smooth and calm...
Isaiah 33:2 NIV
"2 Lord, be gracious to us;
we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress."
When my soul is troubled, it's always a good idea to just get away from the noise and the news and the turmoil in the world and find a place of solace and peace for a little while.
I was really thankful when hubby suggested this ride. He could see that the news from yesterday was really getting to me, and I needed a break away from it all to be refreshed and restored in my mind and spirit.
The camp has this fun little putt putt golf course that we always enjoy playing, even if we don't do very well at it...it's still relaxing and fun and takes our mind off of our worries or concerns for a little while.
Don't ask who won the game. We sort of lost count of our number of strokes and decided to call it a tie.
It was a peaceful diversion that we needed today. I am thankful for God's provision in a time of need.
Psalm 16:8 NKJV
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
I don't know how you are all dealing with these double sorrows today, but I am sure it has affected most of us in similar ways.
Below is a link to the post that I wrote regarding September 11, entitled "I Didn't Want to Remember Today". I originally wrote it on September 11, 2011, on the 10 year anniversary of 9-11-2001. Then I added updates each year for several years with information that was current to each year. Rather than update it again this year, now I have this new sad event to add.
because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Tuesday night we started back to our choir practice at church. Appropriately, the song we practiced to sing this coming Sunday is this one:
It is a medley of One Day We'll See Jesus, and Soon and Very Soon We are Going to See the King...
We didn't record our choir singing it, but this video is the song we are doing. I think you will enjoy it...we didn't know then what would happen the next day, but I feel like we are getting closer to Christ's return every single day. I know I'm ready for Christ to return anytime...I hope you are as well.
I just found this picture and message on Facebook and thought it was worth sharing... from "Beauty for Ashes, Hope and Healing in Jesus Christ" facebood page, regarding the passing of Charlie Kirk.
"Seeing what happened yesterday through spiritual eyes.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 KJV
The devil tried to assassinate the truth, yesterday.
The devil tried to assassinate The Truth more than 2000 years ago. But the grave couldn’t hold Him! His name is Jesus Christ, and He is the way, the truth, and the life!
Because Jesus lives, you can’t kill a Christian, you can only change their address.
The martyred hero Charlie Kirk stood for the truth, he stood on the word of God.
The truth will never be silenced. What the enemy meant for evil, watch God turn it for good.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Lord, raise up a generation of young Jesus loving, God-fearing Americans by the millions to continue the work of Charlie Kirk! The gospel will go forth! In the name of Jesus.
After last night's post, I wasn't sure if I'd have anything new to share with you today...but it was such a beautiful day we decided to take a little ride this morning and get out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.
We rode up to one of our favorite places to visit, Lake Swan Camp. I've shared stories from there before, as we have a history with this place that goes way back to our children's first summer camp experience, and you can read about that and other visits again if you wish at the links down below the pictures at the end of this post.
As you can see, it was a glorious day...look at that lake...and that sky! Wow! Absolutely stunning and perfect! The temperature was about 65 degrees, with the sun shining and low humidity...the days we wish would last all spring and summer long!
And then I noticed this...the Cross...oh yes! The Cross...this is what makes Lake Swan Camp such a special place...so many lives changed here at this camp...children, youth, and adults too...even our own kids when they were there so many years ago...
These birds will dive down under the water and come up some where else. They also love to sit in the sun and spread out their wings to dry in the sunshine.
But today he just wanted to swim!
It was a perfect day for it! Glad we got to see him!
It was a little low to the ground and tended to go cockeyed, but other than that, it was perfect!
Doesn't take much to make me happy! LOL.
This also makes me happy:
Now that's what I call a beautiful sight!
Next we walked over to the fire pit/devotional area...a place where I'm sure testimonies are shared around the campfire...Oh, how I'd love to be there when that's happening...I can just sense the Presence of the Lord in this place...
Such a beautiful, prayerful setting...
I kind of wandered off into the woods by myself while hubby went to check out the "facilities"...
Found this lovely clearing with some more benches...and I can just imagine sitting there to pray and meditate on God's Word...just me and God in His woods...I really could have stayed here all day and have been perfectly happy...
Oh, look at those beautiful azaleas blooming off in the distance, so of course I had to go check them out:
Oh my, aren't they gorgeous? Right out here blooming in the woods for the glory of God!
Really perfect!
Then I made my way back to the cross...really, life begins at the cross...and it ends at the cross...in a sense. While I was writing this post I was listening to our Easter Cantata so I can get more familiar with it. And one of the songs in the cantata is "It Is Finished"...an arrangement of the original song by Bill and Gloria Gaither. (Actually, that's the title of the whole cantata, come to think of it!) When I came back to this picture at the end of the post, that song was playing..."It is Finished..." and even though that may seem "coincidental", it really isn't.
As I said in the beginning, the cross is the place where lives have been changed, people have been saved...where God tells His children, "It is finished! The Battle is over! It is finished! There'll be no more war...It is finished, the end of the conflict;
Final thought...Is it finished for you? Is the battle really over? Is Jesus your Lord? There's no time like the present to accept the free gift that Jesus is offering you...let Him fight your battles for you, and let Him be Lord, both now and forever. Amen.
Matthew 11:28-30
"28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:
