Brian asked me to pick out a favorite photograph for him to practice his water painting. I’m sorry, but I think he’s way beyond the practice stage!
I love this picture — the colors, flowers, picket fence — the whole bit! But I especially love the artist. Thanks hun!
A package arrived on our doorstep Saturday morning. It was my favorite kind of package… plain, brown… and with the words “Live Plants” plastered all over the side! The problem is, when I placed the order for it last November, I had specified it to be shipped after April 15 (the supposed last frost date in our area). I also noticed that the package appeared to have been re-taped and it seemed a bit dry.
So, this morning I figured I had nothing to lose by taking a minute to call Jackson & Perkins, letting them know about the condition and to see if it was okay to plant the rose in our freezing temperatures. I spoke with a horticulturist on staff, Steve, who should win awards for customer service. He was extremely helpful by sharing what I needed to do with the rose until I could plant it later this week (when the evening temps climb a bit). As we were getting ready to hang up, he told me he thought I should get a brand-new rose and that I could keep the one that arrived on Saturday free of charge! Two roses for the price of one. Ah, the Lord is good.
Check it out. It’s an antique rose by the name of Zephirine Drouhin. I will be planting one on either side of the pergola that will one day sit in its reserved spot. Until then, the roses will get a jump start climbing to around 8′. They’re a beautiful shade of pink, very fragrant, and practically thornless. Three of my favorite features!
Since the first planting season at this “old” house, I’ve kept a gardening journal, which includes information on each plant, it’s origin, and where it was planted in the yard. The first year tallied well over 125 perennials and shrubs. The second year, 100, and this past year it was around 75. Obviously, I’ve lost my share, but it’s still hard to believe that number of plants exist in our yard.
I’ll never forget pulling up to look at this old house for the first time. Brian was checking out the house. I was checking out the yard, which was… well, downright depressing. It was rather small, and totally barren except for weeds, some unruly shrubbery and one rose bush (which died).
2009, however, will be much more about maintaining and much less about purchasing or building hard scapes, for a variety of reasons. But that’s a good thing. It’s necessary and it’s also rewarding. Don’t get me wrong, this novice gardener becomes weak in the knees when I spot old-fashioned roses or hydrangeas (okay, basically any plant), but this Spring/Summer will need to be more about mulching, weeding and finishing the projects we began last Fall.
Am I still daydreaming about the plans Brian drew up for us last summer? You bet! But when the gardening fever hits (and it will!), I’ll grab my hoe instead of my Visa.
But hey, a girl can reminisce, right?
Today was our second Sunday in the “40 Days of Love” church-wide series at FBC. It’s been a very practical and powerful study (the best kind!)
Last week’s lesson in our C4 class (all Sunday classes work in conjunction with Randy’s messages) focused on how love is a choice — and the importance of loving others, regardless of how we feel (1 John 4:7,8)
On Monday, I received an email from someone in the class that set me ablaze with thankfulness throughout the week. You see, this person has struggled for quite some time with another person in the church (and can I add, understandably so?) She has avoided this person at all costs. That was, until Sunday, immediately following our class. Who do you think God placed in her path on the way back to her car? Yep. You’re right! In obedience to what she had just learned in the Word, she chose to not only speak to this person, but to do so out of genuine love as his sister in Christ. Granted, the “liking” factor is still in the works, but she took a GIANT step forward in her faith and I could not be more proud of her. That is LOVE in action!
Now, speaking of action, I can’t close out tonight’s blog without mentioning three words I’ve been longing to hear for the past few months, which are… BOOGITY, BOOGITY, BOOGITY!!!! Yes, NASCAR is back in action and I couldn’t be more delighted. Today’s race was a let down as it was rained out with around 60 more laps to go — and the guy who won had led only ONE lap — but it was the most important one… the final one just prior to the rain delay. As I type these words, I can’t help but be reminded of the criminal on the cross with Jesus. It wasn’t until his final few breaths that he accepted Christ, but those were the most important breaths taken as they were heavy-laden with faith in Jesus. He entered Paradise on the “final lap” of life.
I close out tonight with a very thankful heart — thankful for the ability to see love in action (God glorified!) and thankful for the gift of time which has allowed me to “run the race” for almost twenty years.
Thank You Lord!
Last night’s class was simply amazing. Obviously, it had nothing to do with me, but EVERYTHING to do with my faithful, omniscient, loving, merciful and amazing Father!
The fact that Paul never knew this group he prayed so fervently for fascinated me several weeks back (and still does!) while preparing for this lesson. Knowing that we wanted to implement a “Go & Grow” challenge at the end of each session, I asked the Lord to show me a group of people our Tuesday night group could pray for… “a group of people we would never know.” Well, the Lord didn’t give me an immediate answer… so I went to Starbucks!
Pulling out of the parking lot, I turned on my radio (106.9), and this is what I immediately heard one of the morning pastors (I believe Chip Ingram) say: “Do you know that there is a group of people that you will never know who could be eternally impacted from your prayers for them today? They would be your great, great, great grandchildren and the generations to come.”
As I continued to drive home, a song from a few years back by Sara Groves, “Generations” immediately came to mind. There was no doubt whatsoever that our group of women needed to pray for the generations to follow — and to leave something behind for them to know they were covered in prayer long before they came into existence.
After last night’s Go & Grow challenge I asked the group to write their prayer for the generations to follow, using Colossian 1:9-14 as a partial guideline. Following the challenge, we played Sara Groves’ song, Generations. Due to copyright guidelines, I can’t write out the lyrics but I encourage you to read them here.
Or even better, take a listen.
Everyone then received a packet, which included stationery and a personalized envelope (thanks to my sweet hubster).
Tammy Slice and I were delighted last night when we realized we would be praying for the same great grandchildren! I have no doubt that Megan’s sweet mom, Desi, is already praying for the generations to come on that side as well. The thought of having all our great, great-grandchildren encircled by prayer pretty much leaves me speechless and in complete and total awe of my faithful Pappa God.
“My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone… Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.”
Psalm 71: 15-16, 18
