Thursday, November 4, 2010

Grandchildren

It's been awhile since I've updated photo's of the grandkids and they all just get cuter, sweeter and smarter with each passing day!


From left to right: Taye, Caleb, Evie, Jaden and Carter J.

The  adorable Adrian and Addie!

It's always fun when they have their portraits done, but it is impossible to chose which I like best! Each one is perfect in it's own way!

Caleb

Taye
 
Carter J

Evie











Adrian

Addie

Monday, March 29, 2010

Gifts from God

How did I get so blessed with these 'beyond amazing' grandchildren? So often I hear that grandparents are supposed to spoil their grandchildren, doting on their every whim. For the Christian grandparent, that's an absurd idea. Why would a grandparent set out to undermine the hard work of the parents? It's our job to shower the love of God on our grandchildren and to come along side, instilling grace, mercy, godly instruction and encouragement into their lives so they can thrive in becoming the men and women God created them to be. Nothing do I desire more, than to see my children and grandchildren walking with God, obeying Him because they love Him. I will stand behind my children as they discipline my grandchildren and I will be happy, for love without discipline is no love at all. May my children and grandchildren always have their eye set on things above and not the things below.

From smallest to biggest, Evie, Carter J, Taye, Jaden and Caleb.



 Adrian and Addison





















Evelyn (Evie)   







Addison (Addie)












I don't know why the photo's warped out so oddly. If I accomplish getting this fixed, well... then we won't look so funny. Or at least not warped out funny.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Tired of Snow

Yep. Officially tired of snow. I don't tire of it easily. I love snow. I love cold weather! But right now I would dearly love to be out planting a bed full of snap dragons. Well, maybe not RIGHT NOW. It is 1:30a.m. Kind of dark for planting. But you get the idea. I want to feel the warm, moist dirt in my hands. I want to see the plants returning to their full glory, showing off heavy blooms and filling the air with their heady fragrance. I want to sit on the porch with friends and kids and grandchildren. I want to pluck a sprig of lemon balm and stick it under my nose. I want a pitcher full of lilacs adorning my kitchen table again. It's time. Almost.


One of the first signs of spring is the arrival of Ben. (Any robin will do. They're all named Ben.) Every year, it was almost a contest of who would see Ben first. One of the kids would come running to tell me that Ben was 'home'... and there was great rejoicing! One year, I tried my hand at building a birdhouse for Ben. A wonderful thing with many doors, a good sturdy roof and a porch. Silly bird didn't care for the inside of the house and built a nest on the porch. (See photo above.) But I can't really blame Ben. I'd rather sleep on my porch than inside during the summer too... if it weren't for bugs and raccoons and skunks and mountain lions and bears. Oh my. Okay, I'm not really much of a camper, but it sounds nice in theory. I have no doubt that in Heaven I'll be an avid camper. There won't be any creepy crawly things there. And I won't look like a chicken dinner to whatever critters are about!

We're supposed to have snow showers tomorrow. It's time for an oldie but goodie happy song...

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Suckers



Fruit trees grow slender branches that arch out providing havens for birds as well as producing delicious, nutritional fruit. Fruit trees also grow another kind of branch called a  sucker . Suckers shoot straight up and
produce nothing. What they do is steal from the rest of the tree. They steal water and nutrients necessary to the health and continued production of fruit.

There is no way to reform these sucker branches. They will never bear good fruit.  Self  is a sucker. Self preservation, self esteem, self fulfillment, self importance, selfish ambition, self pity and selfishness. How contrary to what Jesus teaches us. Selflessness, denial of self, humility, humbleness and death to self.

As a Christian I can fluff out my leaves and give the appearance that I'm a healthy, productive part of the tree. Until it comes time to produce fruit. It is impossible for self to be transformed into a fruit bearer. Fruit is
used to feed others and to bring glory to God. Frankly - self just isn't interested in the needs of others or in glorifying God -  unless it does something for self.

The only way to deal with a sucker is to take an ax to the base of the branch and be rid of it.

When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

God Is Faithful

Moments after receiving the phone call, telling me my sister had gone to be with the Lord, I played this song off her CD. There are no words to describe the wrenching, tearing pain in my heart, nor the comfort. As I listened to her sing, it was as if she was singing it to me from her new home... Heaven. She was singing it with new understanding, new absolute certainty, as she stood before the Lord... God is faithful. God is faithful to see you through this, trust Him. God is faithful to see you through everything He's allowed in your life, trust Him. He's right beside you... even now... trust Him.

Sometimes I am overwhelmed, but He isn't. Sometimes I'm taken by surprise. God is never surprised or taken off guard. Sometimes I 'feel' abandoned, yet He is faithful and never, no never leaves me or forsakes me. I often don't understand why He allows some things, but He knows exactly why. My beautiful sister is with Him now and all is made right. She loudly and beautifully proclaims that He is Faithful and trustworthy.

Debbie and I always encouraged one another, laughed with each other, loved each other. And I'm finding that the legacy still lives. Even though she's moved, she's only on the other side of Jesus... and He is very near.

What legacy will we leave when it's our time to move? Will we still encourage and cheer the hearts of those that are walking out their earthly journey? Will they look at our lives and know that we still proclaim that He is faithful?

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Manure?



Manure

It takes many elements to produce the most beautiful flowers and fruits. Among them is manure, generously applied at the end of winter. It can be dug into new flower beds, scratched into the surface around plants that haven't come up yet, placed carefully around plants that are up or made into a tea to water with. Care must be given with each method. Manure can burn roots and leaves. Yet the results make the risks necessary.

When your life is full of manure and everything just plain stinks - trust the Master Gardener. The creator of heaven and earth knows exactly the right amount and which method will produce the most beautiful Christlike heart in you. It's not enjoyable. Actually quite disagreeable. But, it is necessary.

Maybe God did promise us that life would be rosy after all. If you consider the dirt, the thorns and the manure.

Take heart. If you're being fertilized now - spring is near.

'We must go through tribulations to enter the kingdom of God. 'Acts 14:22b

Monday, February 15, 2010

Bloom Where You Are Planted



Little Book of Gardening Tips


God reveals so much about Himself to us through His creation. No one else can compare in their imagination and creativity. There is no color or form or fragrance that God did not create. No one thought of something first . God was first.

Most people enjoy a garden. They are soothing and peaceful. Our eyes and noses delight.

The garden is also a wonderful place to discover the mysteries of God. So when you stop and smell the roses, breathe deeply, look closer. God is with you and has many, many lessons to teach you and secrets to reveal.

Come and enjoy.
Welcome to my garden.

Bloom Where You Are Planted

A gardener will occasionally dig up a plant and move it to a new location in the garden or give it as a gift to a friend. This is the gardener's job. A plant never grabs itself by the ankles, yanks its roots out of the ground and runs across the yard to a spot it deems as better for itself.

Do you desire to run when things get hot? Or see others spots as more favorable than your own?

If you would be pleasing to God you must remember - you are not the Gardener.

Be content where God has you. Be still and know that He is God. He knows your needs, far better than you do. He knows just how much sun, shade, rain, drought - everything you need to thrive and bloom in Him. He also knows what other plants you need around you to pull out and complement your particular beauty.

Leave yourself to His care and bloom where you are planted.

 

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

In Strong Arms

 
I did this drawing of my grandson, Caleb, being held in my husbands arms shortly after he was born. It always reminds me of being held in the Father's arms, safe and secure. Caleb is so relaxed and trusting, oblivious to the dangers of the world because he feels the safety and strength that holds him.

When the Lord calls us His children and says that of such is the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 19:14) this is what I see. A child sure of his/her Father. A child free from the cares of the world. A child that trusts daddy to take care of them, love them and always do the best for them, even if it doesn't always feel like 'the best'. Especially when it doesn't feel that way! Hebrews12:11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Chastening isn't punishment... it is loving guidance through life. It is the stuff that peace and righteousness are made of.

How often have I heard someone say they're being punished with much sorrow and self condemnation. Yet the Lord demonstrates the opposite. If we are being chastened, we have much reason to rejoice! It means we are His and He loves us and is growing us up, making us useful for His Kingdom. 

Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
         Try me, and know my anxieties;
 24 And see if
there is any wicked way in me,
         And lead me in the way everlasting.


Come as a child, trusting in strong arms.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Beauty From Pain


Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings. 1 Peter 4:13

The sufferings of Jesus were not the 'ordinary' kind of suffering that mankind faces. He suffered according to the will of God. It is only when we are related to and abiding in Jesus that we may become partakers of Christ's suffering. Only then can our suffering come under the hand of God and be transformed. Only then can beauty come from pain and ashes. Only then can our Lord make use of us in our suffering. Usefulness that stretches into eternity.

I have railed against the grief and suffering that was brought to my life. I have cried about how unfair it is. And I'm right. It is unfair. Yet, if I remain in that attitude, my suffering remains mine alone and can't be transformed. Jesus went to the cross without once uttering how unfair it was to die at the hands of man.. those He created!, for their very sin - when He alone was sinless. Talk about 'unfair'.

How can God have said to 'count it all joy' when trials and tribulations come at us? We cannot know exactly why God is taking us this way, but He knows. And as we become partakers in the sufferings of Christ, new life comes forth. Jesus' suffering is still affecting lives 2,000 years later.

I don't want my suffering to be an ordinary thing. I want to be able to look back and see His light and love poured out over it, sanctifying me and using me. I want to hear 'well done My good and faithful servant.' I want to bear my cross with grace and honor Him who asked me to bear it. Let not my heart faint within me.