Babysitting Grass? Or The Mangy Mutt?

Not the best picture due to morning sun placement, but I am blogging while watering.

I've been a little MIA.

Last Friday, our sod arrived.

We no longer live on the red planet,

Or in a dry desert.

Of course, hubby says it looks like a mangy mutt,

Varying colors, directions, and seams.

Now we have grass and are trying to walk the fine line of keeping it watered, not burning it, and not flooding it.

So for 2-3 hours a day, I multitask and move sprinklers about.

We are supposed to have more rain next week, so that will help.

We are glad not to be tracking red clay anymore and can now think of pots of flowers or other landscaping ideas.

Timing is Everything

 This post has been in my mind since Thanksgiving,
but I can finally sit, breathe, and actually write it ...
and give it a Christmas twist.

Timing is everything,
especially if it is God's timing.

But when the fulness of the time was come,
God sent forth his Son,
made of a woman,
made under the law,
Galatians 4:4

The birth of Jesus seems anything but perfect.
Poverty, stables, shepherds, death plots.
But God knew what He was doing.
He sent His Son at the perfect time.

A year and a half ago,

we uprooted and crossed the country 
knowing that it was what God would have us to do.
But just because we knew it was God's plan did not mean that it was without struggle.

It came with human struggle.
We missed friends in NC.
We were far from our family in the east.
We were "useful" for 6 months of the year
and seemed to wander for the other 6 months.
We were in a liberal state during riots and protests.

The struggle was human.
Because God had told us to go
we should have let His peace reign.
He provided a home,
in a pleasant neighborhood close to town,
with a job not 10 minutes from home,
with "flexible" hours,
and He had made it all happen.

But He, in His grace, chose to show us His perfect timing this fall.
He moved us at the perfect time.
In October, we found out that this was the time we were needed.
Our family in Oregon was now in need of care,
not just a little care, but possibly end of life care.
Cancer and heart disease had struck and hit hard.

God moved us before Covid.
He got us settled before we were thrust into a new world of medical appointments.
There were no months of warning,
there was no time to prepare for a move,
there was no time to quarantine when we were immediately needed.
God knew that.
God set it up.
He could see what we could not.

And now you know where I have been,
and you will excuse any long absence.
For a little while at least, the medical appointments have slowed down.
We are enjoying a simplified Christmas season - 
one that had to cut a lot of the pleasant, but "fluff," elements of the celebration
in favor of our most focused Christmas ever (I think.)
I have enjoyed writing 3 verses of the Christmas story or Christmas prophecy each morning and really dwelling on small pieces instead of the whole story.
I have been more thankful for God (and His timing)
and am, at least for now, remembering to trust His way as best.

Back to the Bench

This week, I am humming and singing one of my favorite hymns.

When hubby was leading hymns regularly,

this hymn was in the "oft-repeated" file.

On Sunday,

I returned to the piano bench after nearly 6 months of rest.

I was excited, but, there were also some nerves.

I was quickly set at ease when the first hymn chosen was ...

"Come Thou Fount."

God once again showed that He cares for every aspect of my life.

He met a need and calmed my nerves with one hymn.

A Day of Prayer

My little nephew Timothy was born with holes in his little heart. 

Currently he is in the hospital to gain strength and will be there
until God heals him or until a surgery can be performed..

We are planning a day of prayer on Monday, October 3.

I have broken the day into 1/2 hour increments,
but the prayer can be anytime 1-30 minutes within that frame.
The prayer chart is here.
**I fixed the chart on Friday 9:00 pm so that you can sign up without permission.**

We are praying for a miracle,

for Timothy to gain strength,

for strength for his parents,

for the children still at home,

for safety traveling between home and the hospital,

for those caring for the children at home,

for wisdom for the caregivers and doctors,

for wisdom in making decisions,

for grace and peace during difficult days.

When the chart is full, then we will send it to my brother and sister-in-law.

I know that it will be an encouragement for them.

For any family who sees this, feel free to send the link to other family members.

If you know my brother and want to share in the day as well - 

feel free to join as well.

Thank you in advance.

**Thank you to the Facebook Contingency who quite obviously spread the word.**

Using my Passions

I love all things home.

I love peaceful places.

I love entertaining.

I love meeting needs and solving problems.

In my absence from the blogosphere,  I have been using those passions.

Last year, at this time,

a flood in the church led to a major remodel:

fresh paint, new carpet, reconfigurations of rooms, a removal of JUNK, refinished pews ...

Not long ago, we renovated the bathrooms in our fellowship hall.

For the past two weeks - and into this coming week,

I am working to renovate our Prophet's Chamber rooms and kitchen.

So new paint, new carpet/tile, fresh bedding and window treatments,

and an assessment of what would make our guests stay more pleasant.

So I practice home making and decorating, creating a peaceful place,
practicing hospitality to those who pass through,
and meeting the needs of those who need a place to rest.

Our first guests will be here April 14 or 15 and then another family the second weekend in May.

I am tired from the long days,
but the work is pleasant and enjoyable.
Looking forward to seeing the finished product SOON!

Non-restrictive

Psalm 119:45 

And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

Unfortunately, many people view Christianity

as a restrictive list of "dos" and "donts."

Not exactly the way the Psalmist saw it.

There is liberty when following God's plan.

Freedom from "people pleasing."

Freedom from worry.

Liberty ... Peace ... Rest

Better is ... Part IV

Proverbs 17:1 

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, 

than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

For the fourth time, Solomon reminds us of what true riches look like.

... the fear of the Lord (15:16)

... love (15:17)

... righteousness (16:8)

and now 

... quietness

It is easy to be taken in by covetousness,

but there are things that money can not buy that are available to all -

or at least all who will turn to God.

Quietness is a true gift.

Only God can give true peace.

Do you cultivate peace in your home through a genuine relationship with God?

Is there an air of rest?

Are you a calming influence or an escalator of stress in the home?

Do the children know how to be still?

Do you soothe stress or encourage strife?

Better is little, a dinner of herbs, and a dry morsel

with the fruits of a godly home ...

Creating Peace

While God is the source of ALL peace,

we can do our part to create environments conducive to His peace.

Removing Clutter,

Relaxing Music,

Pleasant Scents,

Breaks from media, 

Restful Lighting

I like to create oases both in and around my house.

My guestroom receives the first rays of sun and gives peace in the morning.

My own bedroom with electric candles in sconces on the wall 

gives me the B&B, "stay-cation" feeling any time.

Perennial Gardens,

Vegetable Gardens,

and Potted Plants ...

all create an outdoor sanctuary.

It is perfect that my birthday lands in the spring,

for hubby never has to question what to buy.

For YEARS, we have always filled my gardens or porch with flowers in May.

We went looking last Saturday and filled all but 2 pots.

Herbs and flowers ...

my peaceful getaway without getting away.

Oh - and a face lift for my bistro set.

It was showing its age - 10 years - and now looks nearly new with a coat of green paint.

Next step ...

pressure washing the deck ...

and a coat of stain, maybe?

The Safest Place to Be

 Psalm 91:1 

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

 

It is easy to get riled up with the abominations around us.

Yet timeless truths remind me to rest in my Holy God.

It does not matter what Constitutional rights my President disregards.

It really does not matter which sin the government chooses to honor.

 

The safest place to be is dwelling in God.

While the external body may suffer persecution,

while sin around me may flourish,

my soul and future is secure in His shadow.

My Greatest Fear

Yes, I have some typical fears (and maybe some atypical) ones.

I have a fear of heights, snakes, large bugs, and frogs.

I am easily startled.

But perhaps my greatest fear is that I might try to "move" God's hand.

I know, that is "dumb," right?

God is so much more powerful than I.

But I have done it many times.

Getting my way by orchestrating my circumstances such that it looks like "God's will."

Turning a trial into a sign from God that it is time to go somewhere else.

Setting out a ridiculous fleece and asking for a sign.

Perhaps it doesn't make sense to you,

but I have such intense longings sometimes,

(for children, to move away from NC,

 to have hubby in a position where he can do what he loves all the time ...)

that it is easy to want to make things happen on my own.

And then I am reminded ...

 

 

Psalm 37:7

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: ...

 

Lamentations 3:26

It is good that a man should both hope

and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Peace

It is a common desire all around us.  You can see it in the increase of retreats, spas, massage, ...  It is so easily given up - unexpected challenges that we allow to upset our days and lives.  I value peace in my home and life.  I like quiet, order, soothing sounds.  While we can orchestrate peace to some extent, lasting peace can only come from God and a constant, healthy relationship with Him.  I have been singing this song to myself since Sunday night and enjoying the reminder to keep my mind and heart on God and His ways.

Like a River Glorious

Frances R. Havergal

Like a river glorious Is God's perfect peace,

Over all victorious In its bright increase;

Perfect, yet it floweth Fuller every day,

Perfect, yet it groweth Deeper all the way.

Hidden in the hollow Of His blessed hand,

Never foe can follow, Never traitor stand;

Not a surge f worry, Not a shade of care,

Not a blast of hurry Touch the spirit there.

Every joy or trial Falleth from above,

Traced upon our dial By the Sun of Love.

We may trust Him fully All for us to ;

They who trust Him wholly Find Him wholly true.

Stayed upon Jehovah, Hearts are fully blest;

Finding, as He promised, Perfect peace and rest.

Opinions Requested

 We are currently working on a non-Christmas version of the "True Peace" tract.  Do you have an opinion?  Do any of these pictures portray peace to you?  Leave me a comment.  I am sending off the request in the morning :)  I have a definite opinion, but haven't received hubby's opinion yet.  Maybe you can sway me!

Comfort

Psalm 139:1-5

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,

thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down,

and art acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word in my tongue,

but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

Thou hast beset me behind and before,

and laid thine hand upon me.

 

I have had a rough couple of weeks emotionally, but the Lord is faithful to bring encouragement and comfort.  I read this Psalm this morning.  I LOVE this Psalm.  Though I may feel alone, though I may feel that no one understands … my God created me, he knows me … inside and out

Good News for Christmas

Our church recently found another opportunity for tract distribution in our area.  Our local fair grounds conducts a "Christmas at the Fair" in early December.  The fair is 3 days and we will hand out tracts from a booth as we did in early October.  Because of the seasonal aspect of this event, the church decided to have a Christmas tract published.  It just finished publication this morning and is available for purchase at printmytract.com.  Many thanks to all those who worked on this tract and gave much valuable feedback.

Please let your pastors know about this tract.  The smallest order is 1000, but if 10 families in a church gave out 25 tracts a week in the month of December, they would be gone in no time.  Think of all the opportunities for distribution to shopping clerks, in Christmas cards to unsaved loved ones, and on your church visitation.  The website says that printing and shipping take 2-3 weeks, so don't dawdle too long!

All My Needs

 Philippians 4:19

But my God shall supply all your need

according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

I am definitely a planner.  I like to have a plan.  I like to see how everything fits together, how everything will work out.  Our time in NC has definitely tested that trait of mine and caused me to work to develop faith and trust.  My Savior is rich - He owns it all!  When hubby took a pay cut this summer, the pieces did not look like they would fit together.  Oh me of little faith.  Hubby's part time (typically 30-32 hours) was made full time by 8 paying piano students.  Hubby's position in the "Pantry" allows him to know when food is marked down and to stretch the grocery budget.  I continue to get "hand-me-downs" that curb my desire to shop and to buy "new" clothes.  An inside, cooler job means that hubby consumes less food (plus he is getting older and can't do that any more).  God even used the TLC company to send me a free box of Pita Crisps - yummy, delicious.  A local food mart sold cups this summer that provided free refills of teas, soft drinks, and Icees all summer allowing for a FREE date whenever we need it!  God continues to provide and to teach us simplicity that just makes life easier. 

Confidence

"Without Christ, not one step;

with Him, anywhere!"

~David Livingstone~

Purple Hands

Today, I am having my first attempt at canning.  I have purple hands, because I am processing beets.  I am just a LITTLE excited about this and hope this is the start of a good stash of winter veggies.  We received a canner last Christmas and then some funds for my birthday to get started with some Mason jars.  Hopefully the jars will fill with beets, beans, tomatoes, pumpkin, pickles, apple sauce, pears, and peaches.  The Lord gave a beautiful day for starting - there is a cool breeze blowing through the kitchen making the steam more bearable.

I usually share a Psalm or song on Tuesdays, but I have a verse from Ecclesiastes 4.  It has been a tough month emotionally for me.  I don't really know why I am more sensitive to things this month, but this verse helped me through yesterday.  Ecclesiastes 4:6 "Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit."  If my hands are full or empty because that is what God has given and I have peace, that is far better than to have something that God does not want me to have and the trouble that might come with it.  I constantly need the reminder that God's ways are perfect.

Trust and Rest

Psalm 63:7

Because thou hast been my help;

therefore in the shadow of thy wings

will I rejoice.

God has proven himself over and over and over again ...

     ... silly girl, just trust Him and rest in His goodness and protection.

I shall not be moved!

Psalm 16:8-9

I have set the LORD always before me:

because he is at my right hand,

I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad,

and my glory rejoiceth:

my flesh also shall rest in hope.

Many in this world are uncertain about the future - government, health care, insurance, employment, finances ...  The list goes on, and on, and on.  If I walk in God's ways, I can have perfect peace.  I am secure in Him.