Storms Are Likely

The question is not, will there be storms?
The question is: will I be ready?

 I have been doing lots of digging these last few weeks.Preparing my garden for winter requires that I remove all the bulbs cana, dahlia, gladiola, and cala which I plant so frivolously in the spring.
Each  needs to be removed and stored in the dark in preparation for more growth and blooming the following summer.

                            a few glimpses... the children(in upper photo)were visiting...

                          I always breathe a sigh of relief when this arduous task is done.


         Storms and seasons come and go . As I 'hide' these bulbs away in my cellar to retrieve in due season , my heart holds on to the promise of things to come, and I know that I can weather many storms if I am  prepared and  have hid His word in my heart.
                   Thy Word have I hid in my heart.... Psalm 119:11

     We can never be lilies in the garden, unless we have
                  spent time as bulbs in the dark.   (unknown)




 almost forgot this..104.shelter from the storm,105.sewing Sommer's 'Dorthy dress' 106.strength for each new day,107.anticipation 108.faith 109.apple-blueberry cobbler,cinnamon spice tea,110.music that stirs my soul,111.phone call from a friend,112. a new workout to try113.again-Divine protection,114.the rejuvenation of a shower,115.hope eternal...

Prayers to everyone affected by hurricane Sandy.

 

A Balanced Philosophy

Never be so observant you can't focus,
Or so focused, you can't observe. L.M.

Ha, how appropriate that this is what is in my head as daughters goof off in kitchen while making Sunday supper of nachos...." Mom how long?( in the microwave she asks?)

A fulfilled life is a steady walk of balance.

Reminds me of this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LSR7Rx0W34
 we watched it on live television a few months ago.I remember watching in awe as this man, a 7th generation stunt walker made history.
http://www.squidoo.com/flying-wallendas

Balance brings us harmony, and also creates a sense of order in an often rushed and chaotic world.

"There is a ditch on both sides of the road,"this is how  my husband will often sum up a discussion about things that just can't be solved with pat answers. He says it , his Mom said it, and it was a phrase passed on, for it's  simple but real reminder to keep our lives balanced and in order.

Are you like me sometimes finding it hard to know just where that balance is?
 I like to be busy, but not so busy that I feel overwhelmed in the moment!
 I like holidays and down time but too much, can make me long for the rhythm of routine.
 I love being around people but too long, and too many people, make me crave quiet.

Thankfully we serve a gracious God. He holds the tightrope we are on and balances each step.

May your week ahead bring you a beautiful bouquet of balance!

                                                                                      

 To everything there is a season......

and a time to every purpose under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3 :1

 so much gratitude here tonight....
91.a wonderful week with eldest daughter home, 92. that the little 'fender bender' she was in tonight on the way back in torrential rains  wasn't worse.THANK_YOU LORD!93.that these things help us become who we are,94.that I felt compelled to pray as she left,even more than usual for some reason,95.Mom and sister day fun, a few days ago,96.a free night in a hotel with sweet friend and four little girls with us 97. helping Carroll with a wedding she was catering and how weary can mean a job well done. 98.impromptu date at a local cafe I had never visited...sooooooo up my alley; filled with unique, one of a kind things...99.me:)100.Quiet Sunday afternoons,101. Scrabble with youngest when everyone else was away,102.second daughter cleaning bedroom without my prompting!103.everyday miracles like tidy dresser drawers,104.for kids who play practical jokes,eg: I was away for one night, and I have often said that whenever I'm away and come home, it doesn't take long for me to look around and sum up the order of their days.This time my son decided he'd hang bathing suits out on the clothes line to see if I would ask what they were up to.Didn't work so well this time, I saw them and thought 'that's funny my daughter hasn't worn that one in a while:) but it sure made me smile that he went to this trouble for me...:)





 

Instant Access

       

                                   



God ,Thank-you that when I call on you
You never say you're too busy.

You are never distracted and unable to hear me.
You don't say' what was that?'
I can't believe you'd ask me that!

You are there.
You hear every prayer on my lips.

Once!! The very first time!

It's that simple and that complex.

Thank-you, your daughter.


          It really 'hit me' today when I was praying just what a beautiful blessing
                         our direct line to heaven is.

 

 

 

 

 

81.shopping with daughter,82.visiting neighbour recovering from a bad horse accident, 83.that time heals,84.opportunity to share faith through the crisis,85,lovely fall leaves,86.canning the last beets from the garden,87.girl untangling yarn 88.girl knitting,89.nourishing muffins,(carrot pineapple)
90.books that make me ponder.




 

Sisters;Surpassed Devotion

I have learned much by watching my two youngest daughters and observing
                     their devotion to one another.

Very opposite personalities are best summed up in this humorous story.
Miss Demure had given Miss Drama her bath one night. The water temperature must of left something to be desired. I overheard Miss Drama say as she blow dried her hair, HEAT!! Feels so GOOOOOODDD!!!
To which Miss Demure staidly responds," I gave you a bath, you should be grateful!"

Needless to say they have 'carried one another's  burdens' (Galation6:2) in all kinds of ways, and shared in each others  joy.
                  I am here on the swing thinking, watching, listening....

I hear....
'what do you like better, raking or jumping? 'cos if you like raking better, I'll jump!'
no, the piles not big enough yet!
fall is my favourite season. Mom ,what is yours? Today it is fall.' I smile.

        Of two sisters one is always the watcher,one the dancer.
                                                        Louise Gluck

 

          We were sisters both bound and separated by genetics and circumstance. We were fragile and tough, stubborn for reasons all our own. (Margaret Becker)

I wanted to add my other two daughters as well, but decided it would be too long a post.

So someday I will try and capture their relationship.

It may read a little like The Tale Of Two Cities....smile.

                    

71.my four sisters,72.eldest daughter home for reading week,73.the bustle of a new week,74.daughter baking,75.trusting Him,76.the word yes,77.freedom to worship,78.lower gas prices,79.joy in the mundane,80.enthusiastic children.