Sunday morning..

in my aunt's backyard...

¹⁰ I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
¹¹ For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations.

Isaiah 61:10-11

The book of Isaiah in the Old Testament is one of my very favorite books in the bible. And chapter 61 is one of my favorites within the book of Isaiah. If you look in my bible I wouldn't be surprised if the book of Isaiah was one of the most marked up and highlighted books out of all of them. Well, it might be a toss up between Isaiah and the Psalms.

What's that? Do I write in my bible? Oh yes...absolutely. I mark important dates, I record specific prayers in the margins, I highlight the scriptures that leap off the page and into my heart.

Yes, I definitely write in my bible. It's a great way to look back and see God's hand at work in my life, and in the lives of others I've prayed for. I can see prayers answered. And I can see progress in my spiritual life and my walk with God.

I can also see the lessons that are not getting through my (incredibly) thick skull because God brings me back to some of the same scriptures...over and over and over again.

And, as of late especially, I can probably note the times that I've slipped into the pit...not a whole lot of marking up or date writing going on. (Which is probably the reason I've ended up in the pit. Ya think?)

The good news is that God never gives up on us. The good news is that His Word is alive and true and has power to penetrate our hearts and minds. The good news is that a walk with God is never-ending.

We just have to keep on walking, even if with a limp, until we finally reach the goal.

 

I never knew bees could glow.

Last weekend Chris noticed there were tons of bees in our Japanese maple. So...I ran and got my camera, of course!

I must have taken 40 pictures. And of those I kept a handful. This is one of my favorites...I love how she's glowing. (Or is it a "he"? I dunno.)

Someday I would love to have bees. Not now as we are still living within city limits and I'm not sure what the protocol is on keeping bees in town. Not to mention, Chris isn't in agreement on the whole beekeeping thing.

So until we are in a position to actually have a hive of our own I will be content to read about beekeeping, learning all that I can so when the time does come...I'm ready.

In the meantime, in an effort to bring more bees into our yard to pollinate our garden we planted six lavender plants. And I have to say...mission accomplished! There have been more bees in our yard ever since! Not to mention their attraction to our lemon blossoms...can you blame them?

...

I'm really glad it's Friday. This has been a pretty long week.

balance.

In our Japanese maple a week or so ago...she was one of about a hundred.

I have been attending a bible study again. Last night was our second meeting...I can feel it penetrating my heart and my mind, and softening the rough edges that have accumulated over the past couple of years.

On my way home last night, driving in the rain on a dark country road, I began to pray and thank God for the opportunity to learn more about Him and for the gift of being in a community of women who are after His heart, too.

As I drove home in that beautiful rain I prayed for my husband, and my sons...asking God to direct their paths and to protect them, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

And then I thanked God for never giving up on me.

It's time for me to find a balance.

Wednesday in the Word

¹¹ Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, ¹² so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you

will not be dependent on anybody.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Slowly but surely this scripture is becoming more and more true in my life. In our lives. We got chickens. The garden has gotten bigger each year. We are planting fruit. I am continuing to learn about preserving and storing food. I am even dabbling in homeopathic remedies for minor injuries and illnesses. There is so much we can do at home, there's no need to run to a doctor for every little thing. It's liberating to know that I can handle a lot more in taking care of my family than I realized.

Slowly but surely, this scripture that I was certain God had given to the wrong girl, is becoming real and evident in my life.

This scripture is evidence to me that God DOES know what's best for us. He DOES know what we need and when we need it. He DOES know the plans He has for us. And He DOES have our best interest at heart.

And, He knows it long before we do. All we need to do is listen. And trust. And follow His lead.

Yes. This is easier said than done at times. But with God all things are possible and we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. Amen? Amen.

Be blessed today....trust Him, He will direct your path.

it's all good.



Another dogwood photo...

• The garden is in...and happy. Everything is perky and happy and thriving. It makes me happy.
• I think I need to plant a Dogwood tree...isn't it amazing? Look how the blossoms are folded up like little packages. I can't get over it...
• Jennifer was talking about her lilac tree the other day. I love lilacs. Noni had one on the side of her house...it smelled so incredibly good. I think I need to plant a lilac tree, too.
• Next up on the backyard fix-up list...shade plants along the back fence and in the shady corner of the garden. Not sure what exactly...I know I've got hosta bulbs in the garage. And I've got wood violets in the front yard that divide easily. Then maybe a flat of Baby Tears planted here and there.
• I'm back to my original hours at work...the extra hours were nice, I have to admit.
• Speaking of work...it's time to get ready to go.

Have a great day...

a poem: 10th Summer

I've been taking a lot of photos lately.

This poem was inspired by time spent with Noni.

I'd spend a week or two with her and Papa during summertime

when I was a little girl. This poem tells of one particular

day that will remain in my memory forever.

* * * *

10th Summer

 

Remember that day –

early in the morning

 just the two of us

you sipping tea and reading

 the news – me standing close

breathing in the scent of face

cream, fresh new morning

full of promise, time spent with you.

 

Remember that day –

stopping by the garden center,

petunias and azaleas for you,

five little house plants
in four inch pots for me.

They made me feel big –

and so began my love affair

with a garden.