Catching Up

Finally, the wind which has battered and beaten everything in its path the last two days has died down and today, May 31, 2011, has dawned sunny with just a little breeze.  My little digital camera I purchased at WalMart a couple of years ago was a victim of my carelessness and yesterday's wind.  I left it in the swing at my brother's house and the wind blew so hard it blew the cushion it was on up from the swing seat, which threw my camera onto the ground.  There's a couple of cracks in it, and although we tried to get it to come on, it is done for.  I LOVED that camera, and I will need to replace it with one like it if I can find one.

Another Memorial Day has come and gone.  Although I was raised to be more of a pacifist, I am so grateful for those who have given their lives for this nation and my home - so that I have the right to hold and speak whatever viewpoints I choose.  I love hearing the stories of veterans, particularly, those of WWII.  I posted on facebook this video of a 93 year old man Larry Hatteberg interviewed for "Hatteberg's People".  If you haven't watched this, I would encourage you to do so.

http://www.kake.com/hattebergpeople/headlines/Hattebergs_People_-_Pastor_H_O_Lindeblad_122809924.html

Notice what this man learned to do at age 91. 

Back to Memorial Day, my young niece and nephew enjoyed wading in the Little Ark river, and, very much enjoyed playing in the mud pit their Uncle Kevin fixed for them.  After baths, they were almost as good as new.  If I can get the pictures off of my memory card from my broken camera, I will try to post some on here and on facebook.  We went to the cemetery the day before, but it was so very windy and hot that it was not conducive for visiting.  We ran into a relative I hadn't seen in awhile, and I was sorry we weren't able to stay longer. 

I also wanted to mention that my daughter-in-law's parents were here over the weekend.  Her mother is an landscaper extraordinaire, and they brought all kinds of plans and plants for my son and DIL's home.  She is what I would consider an "adventurous" landscaper.  She plants things that look really neat, but it takes a brave person to do that and not worry about killing everything.  I'm not a landscaper, and just mow my yard, but, I have experienced good success with my raised garden beds.  I have 2 larger ones, then a smaller one for tomatoes and peppers.  I LOVE it.  I have harvested lettuce, which is done now, and so far, one "vidalia" onion which was planted from an onion set I planted last spring.  As I explained on facebook, it's not a true Vidalia onion, as they only grow in Vidalia County Georgia - and, the one I used in a salad yesterday was kinda spicy!  My potatoes are huge, and peas are blooming.  Beets are up, radishes are up, and green beans are doing well.  If you are thinking about a raised bed, get some good dirt!  I have a recommendation I can give you. 

Today I'm having lunch with Rebekah and getting my hair cut etc.  I love not working at school for awhile, but it seems my days fill up with other stuff pretty quickly.  I have a lot I need to accomplish in the next two months.  I'll keep ya posted. 

Words of hope

This is a chilly, overcast, drizzly, windy Sunday morning.  I am sitting here at the computer, and from my vantage point, I can look out the front window and see a red-headed finch picking up sunflower seeds from my hanging feeder.  He is a spot of sunshine in an otherwise gloomy day.  I am listening to John Michael Talbot's "Pathways of the Shepherd", and this instrumental music brings me peace. 

I take comfort in the fact that my Heavenly Father sees me, as surely as He sees the finch outside.  His presence is here - and it is a reassuring comforting Presence.  Although circumstances in several areas of my life are far from peaceable and pleasant, I rest.  Tears of relief come.  

Truly, the Lord is my Shepherd, and I shall not want.  The words of this familiar Psalm echo in my mind, and center themselves in my heart, in my very being.  I rest in the knowledge that I am never far from His thoughts, I am never away from His Spirit.  I am not ever abandoned or forsaken.  I am weary, but not discouraged.  I am saddened, but not in despair.  I am sheltered and loved. 

I hope whatever you are going through that you find hope in the Shepherd's Presence.  May you feel His comforting embrace as His arms encircle you.  May He bring you healing from the hurts and wounds of life.  Allow Him to annoint you with oil, and fill you to overflowing.  God bless you in your journey to wholeness.  It's worth it.