My mother had a green thumb. I inherited a green pinky, not totally inept, just not a savant. I still enjoy spring planting and do my best.
Last year at this time Dani was very ill. We’d spent nine days with her in the hospital, exhausted, depleted, wondering if she would survive. About the time she got on the mend, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, another painful wave that impacted our family with a hard hit. The year was a blur, only the most important things were done, planting spring plants were not on the back burner, they weren’t on the stove at all.
This year is different. God is blessing us with a breather. I have the itch to enjoy nature like my mom always did this time of year and I thank the Lord for this blessing, after all that is what His creation is for…our enjoyment! I praise Him with each pat atop potting soil, whiff of scented bloom, and leaf’s twirly dance in the wind. It’s a wondrous joy. Last year’s pain has only served to enriched His gift. Here’s a few pics of this beautiful morning’s work.
Today’s planting was in the front of the house so I drudged up the bottom third of the flag pole and hitched the dogs to it like a couple of horses on Bonanza so they could watch me work. Otherwise I must endure their whining to be with mama, which I love cuz it makes me feel special. They watched me like hawks.
I sit out each afternoon waiting for Dani’s bus (queen’s carriage) to arrive. I park on the porch with my phone, book, and cup of ice tea. I thought it would be wonderful to plant spearmint and lavender in this pot so I could pick mint leaves for my tea while enjoying lavender’s smooth scent. I watched a video on how to make your own essential oil from mint and lavender, now that DIY is brewing in my brain.
I look forward to sitting by this pot each afternoon as I wait for my baby girl.
I’ve never put plants in this tiny wagon thinking the soil would dry in a flash and be too difficult to keep fit for plants. This year I lined it with a moss-type liner to hold water. We’ll see if my theory works when Kansas City’s August heat hits.
I have only a few bits yet to get till the whole shebang is complete. There’s just enough time to run to the nursery for the finishing touches before I get to sit by my herbs and wait for Dani this afternoon. I am grateful for God’s creation and how spring heightens our awareness of His glory. Take time to smell the roses, herbs, or whatever you enjoy. Even a moment will suffice. Just don’t miss God, He’a all around. Discover Him and you will be blessed!
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20 (NIV)
It was a great weekend. Worth the seven-hour drive in pelting rain to, and seven-hour drive under sun slit skies back. The women at First Baptist Church of Scott, MO were a delight. I walked away praising our ever-present Lord for being there. The place was new to me but not Him.
Here’s a few pics from the trip.
Jimmy was with Dani at her prom, so I walked out the door saying good bye to these two mugs.
I’d been a hair from giving this purse away. Got it at a steal but haven’t used it in the three years I’ve had it. Patterned purses don’t mix well with other patterns so it sat forgotten and unused. I pulled it out on a whim all to discover it holds as much as a briefcase. It didn’t collide with my outfit so we teamed for the weekend.
Loaded. Glad for an SUV.
The long cold rainy drive got the better of me. A caffeine boost perked this old gal.
It was temping but I didn’t have time to stop.
Stopped at Herculaneum, MO for a burger. (Did Hercules just pop into you mind?) Saw for the first time a pop machine that dispenses nearly every beverage on the planet, from a single spout. Once the burger gal filled the missing flavor, a kind man gave me a tutorial how to get my pop. I told him I was from Kansas City and had never seen such a contraption.
He’s hard to see because he’s so dark but this is Miles, a chocolate Labrador who greeted me when I arrived at the women’s ministry director’s home. We fell in love. I wanted to stash him in the car and bring him home.
OLM product table. (It looks like a memorial with my picture so big.)
The ladies let me snap a quick pic. They were so happy!
On the way home I went through Springfield to see our son, it was his birthday. His dogs offered a warm welcome. Look close and you’ll see Lyla, his black Labrador, on the long dark pillow.
It was 9pm and I hadn’t eaten since lunch so we swung by Taco Bell for a fill up.
Drew works nights as a producer for KY3 TV in Springfield, so he went to work while I slept. The next morning, before he got home, I made a brew and sat down to watch the program he created through the night.
Saw a swan cloud on the trek home.
Someone special appeared when the garage door lifted.
A nice surprise waiting on the bathroom vanity.
I love speaking to women, it’s a privilege, but I do more than speak, I join the group. During the day at Scott City I attended an inductive class that focused on gratitude and a session on how to make homemade body care and cleaning products. I walked away with wonderful memories, a few new friends, and many helpful hints.
It’s good to be home with the family, my primary, prized, responsibility. Now it’s time to prepare for the next event, another chance to share the greatness of our God.
Blessings!
I strive for short, sweet, and to the point posts. This may be a challenge because Mark 6 is packed. I’ll do my best.
While visiting my brother last weekend he asked if things were better, better than 2012. I reported a complete turn around. Last year God seemed to hold back any good thing, allowing only trials and hardship, which was ordained but difficult. 2013 shows to be calmer, more peaceful. No one is in the hospital or fighting cancer, we are grateful.
At that my brother pulled out his Bible and shared from Mark. I sat. Listening.
“Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. 47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.” Mark 6:45-52 (NIV, emphasis mine)
“I’d never noticed before that it says Jesus saw the disciples straining in the boat. That means He saw them from several miles away” my brother marveled looking up from the thin pages.
I hadn’t noticed it either and it sparked an interest. I went home and looked deeper into the passage and observed He also made the disciples get on the boat without Him (vs45), it was in the middle of the lake and the middle of the night when the storm hit (vs 47-48 MSG), and they were amazed when He walked on the water, not because of faith but because their hearts were hardened from not fully grasping who He was when they witnessed the feeding of the 5,000 hours before. Apparently more was expected of them considering their spiritual level of development.
Like bumble bees questions buzzed,
- When Jesus makes me go to a scary place, do I trust He sees me and is fully in-tuned?
- Do I see Christ and flag Him down amidst hardship, or focus on the dilemma, missing Him all together?
- If the disciples were amazed to see Jesus walking on the water because their hearts were hard and unbelieving after what they’d witnessed on shore, is my heart callous to what He is doing before my very eyes?
- Do I observe His wondrous work one moment and forget Him the next?
- Am I taking note of His hand in my life, marking, remembering, meditating on it?
Oh, sisters. Am I the only one who needs the reminder that God is in control? Do you too forget, even for a moment, Christ has His eye on you even as you struggle to keep afloat? He may be on a hillside miles away praying to His Father but one eye is always on you, on me.
Some days are tough aren’t they? But to know, trust, and rest in the fact we are not alone or forgotten…well it blankets my soul with a peace that passes all understanding. I need to remember this day in and day out, alone in the middle of the night, and in broad daylight amidst a crowd. It’s powerful stuff that warrants a swift tuck into our hearts.
If you are in a storm, sit tight lovely lady, grab an oar, one in each hand, and look for Jesus. He’s strolling your way. Don’t miss Him!
Sometimes the very thing you need is right under your nose, perhaps even in the pantry. I’ve been searching high and low for a box to store my most meaningful Bible verses. Recipe boxes had hinged lids and looked kitcheny, I wanted something open and dainty. I had an inkling the answer was near so I asked God to open my eyes a little wider, then I saw it, a mac & cheese box!
The contents inside joined dinner’s menu.
A careful slice down the side of the box to empty the contents rendered a receptacle ready for repurposing.
My mood voted for light green paper, a buttoned flower, and an itty clothespin clip. It’s prissy, but not too, occupies minimal space, and reminds me of spring, like God’s refreshing Word.
The verse on this card, Deuteronomy 32:39, takes first place in this new residence. It helped me through a very difficult time last a year when Dani was so very ill. We were exhausted, she was in great distress, and I need a buoy. It sustained.
“See now that I myself am he!
There is no god besides me.
I put to death and I bring to life,
I have wounded and I will heal,
and no one can deliver out of my hand.”
Deuteronomy 32:39 (NIV)
It started on family travels to Kansas. We’d cross the Missouri border and begin snaking through gold wheat fields. Heading out to my grandmother’s farm, we three kids sat in the back seat trying to keep our selves busy. We’d scout out license plates from other states, guess if folks were coming or going, and hold up signs to other travelers. I had a paddle that held flip cards with print that said things like, Hi or Have a nice day; nothing to trigger road rage. We’d giggle, fidget, pester, and poke one another till dad pulled off at Stuckey’s, a weary traveler’s oasis.
Scuttling out of the car with energy to spare, we’d hitch a bee-line to the bathrooms, do our thing, and then come out searching for one another so we could meander through the gift shop as a family pack. We’d traipse through the store looking for a prize. There was so much to see, cedar trinket boxes, moccasins, smoke pipes with feathers dangling, and candy, lots and lots of candy! I loved stopping at Stuckey’s.
Perhaps that’s why long spins compel me to spy out a layover. Like blinking, I can’t help it.
This past weekend we visited a familiar stop, one we frequent when heading south, the Osceola Cheese Company.
Ecclesiastes and Cocoa Bean stayed in the car whining for cheese.
Found each other after the bathroom break.
Now…shop for cheese!
Samples galore.
Taste test.
Narrowed to three.
Quick pic before heading out.
The day was breezy and Dani loves wind. She wiggled and giggle at the foot of the mouse until Jimmy decided this was the best he’d get of her. Then we headed back to the car, cheese in hand, and rejoined the dogs.
Another little stop under my belt.
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by Nancy
Cheryl Barker - Love the flowers in the wagon. And so glad to hear that God is blessing you with a breather this year. Continue to enjoy your spring, Nancy!