by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Thanks to the freeze warning predicted for tonight, I had a good excuse to clip some of my old-fashioned lilacs to enjoy inside. I also “worked out” for about an hour draping sheets over some of my favorite plants. I knew it was time to stop when I ran out of sheets. Freezing temps should come as no surprise this time of year… but I could do without them! I’m ready to PLANT!
This was a great day, though, because it began with my meeting Desi (Megan’s mom), Oma (Desi’s mom), and Vicki (Desi’s best friend) at the mall. It’s always fun catching up with these ladies. Always! I feel so blessed to be a part of their extended family. π
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Last summer I had the pleasure of meeting Edie Melson, a local freelance writer and speaker, at a Christian Writer’s Circle. Little did I know at the time that Brian and I would end up at FBC, allowing our paths to cross once again.
Edie’s most recent article was sold to a secular magazine, “Centered”. God swung the doors of opportunity wide open for her to share about her trust in Him during the recent deployment of her son, Jimmy. The editor liked it so much he made it their featured article this week. Check it out!
His job is working a bomb dog.
Here he is with his best buddy, Seger.
Please join me in keeping Jimmy and his troop in our prayers. May God bless all those who serve our country so faithfully!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Here’s what I discovered growing in my garden this week:
I’ve been unable to identify this Camellia but it’s one of my absolute favorites! It sat in my yard for a few years with not one bloom. I relocated it to a sunnier spot and found one bloom on it last year. This week? There are 8-10 flowers ready to bud. Who would have guessed that a relocation could be so beneficial? π
And thanks to a few sales on Craig’s List last week, here’s what you’ll find growing in my garden very soon. Two arrived today:
Madame Isaac Pereire
Madame Pierre Oger
Rosa Mundi
All are older varieties and full of fragrance.
When given the choice between a new spring outfit
or heirloom flowers…
would you like to guess which one will win?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
On Tuesday night, our “Women in the Word” Colossians study came to a close. Each season (Summer ’08, Fall ’08 and Winter ’09) has been special in its own way, but this particular study stood out for a few reasons in my opinion:
- Meeting in a home environment seems to put people at ease. All the “walls” are dropped and the heart is opened. Thank you KT! We’re already looking forward to meeting on your breezy screened-in back porch beginning in June for our summer study in Galatians.
- There were several more people from CRCC this time around that I had not seen since our departure last March. I had missed these ladies so much. What a blessing to have our paths cross again!
- I learned something every week from these godly women. I left KT’s house every Tuesday night in awe over the women God brought together for this study. I can’t wait to see who He’ll bring in June!
On Wednesday morning, I had the pleasure of visiting my sweet 90 year old grandmother “Ma-Ma”, who resides at NHC — a wonderful and safe place for her to be. Although her memory is quickly slipping, her smile is as steady as ever. This past weekend, I came across this photo taken back in 2004 when my grandfather “Pa-Pa” turned 90. I was struck by the twinkle in their eyes for each other even after all those years together (60+). Although Pa-Pa is now in heaven, the twinkle in her eyes still sparkle when she says his name. A sweet love story indeed:
Today, there were errands to run and a lesson to prepare, but I’ll be honest. In between all these moments, ideas for my yard were swirling around in this head of mine! I wish I’d been able to plant a few things before the rain comes, but time did not allow. That’s okay, though, planning is half the fun anyway, and I hope to have some time tomorrow to do just that while sipping on a cup of tea surrounded by the pitter-patter of rain.
Lesson Prepping + Garden Planning + Cup of Tea (and coffee!) + Cold Rainy Day = A fine day indeed!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
I’ve always LOVED music. Dad used to tell me that if I could put lyrics to my homework I’d make much better grades. I tried, but it didn’t work. π
Certain songs stir specific memories of a time and place, don’t they? Here are several that came to mind within a few minutes (scary, I know):
- Frank Sinatra’s,”It Was A Very Good Year” – My earliest memory of music. Uncle Bud sang this to me upstairs in my grandparent’s home while packing for California one day. I was around 7 or 8 years old.
- Elton John’s, “Your Song” – another early memory from the 70’s. My cousin, Billy, who passed away several years ago, played this song over and over while visiting my grandmother. I was only 8 or 9 at the time but I remember loving the idea of a song being a gift (lyrics) and sitting on a roof, kicking off the moss π
- Chicago’s “I’ve Been Searchin’ So Long” (1974) – The radio was playing this song as we drove to my Aunt Shirley’s home after attending my great-grandmother’s funeral. I remember gazing out the window as we passed by my future Junior High School in Fairforest and listening to the lyrics. I couldn’t tell you the day of the funeral if my life depended on it but this song immediately takes me back to that drive home.
- Minnie Riperton’s, “Loving You” (1975) – In my kitchen on Oakleaf Drive in Spartanburg, at the age of 13. It was a beautiful sunny day and the song seemed to match it perfectly. I loved the melody, but didn’t understand all the lyrics. That’s a good thing.
- Chris Tomlin’s “Amazing Grace” – this song played on the radio as I returned home from my grandmother’s funeral. How fitting.
- And last, but not least, every time I watch the Mary Tyler Moore show (yes, I still watch it – love it!) and hear the theme song, written by Paul Williams, I am immediately taken back to the early 70’s, watching it as a 9 or 10 year old, and marveling over how much Mary reminded me of my mom at the time. She, too, was newly independent, thin with a winsome smile and might I add, very capable of throwing a cap up in the air just for the fun of it. I can’t help but smile every single time I hear the theme song. π Can you blame me?
Well, I’m not sure why I’ve always seemed to mark milestones with music, but that’s what has obviously happened over the years. One day soon, I’ll post some of the many songs God has used to minister to me along the way. There are so many that I can’t begin to comprehend them at this time of night. π
What about you? Are there specific songs that take you back to a place in time?
