Encouraging Thoughts

 

Thought I would share some encouraging thoughts today.  Hope they bless you as they did me.

These are all from Pinterest.

Yes gratitude makes the world a much better place!

Is not life's small things the best?

Praying today you are experiencing good moments and enjoying each one.

May each one of us keep showing up!

God Bless

Debbie

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact your are doing."  1 Thess. 5:11 (NIV)

What a...

 

lovely August day.  The sky was so blue with white puffy clouds...

The zinnias that were just seeds in the ground two short months ago are joyfully drinking up the sunshine.

 With all the rain we have had in the past few weeks...mushrooms have popped up everywhere.  I thought these red ones were quite pretty.

Each morning brings an abundance of colorful veggies and fruit.  Today was no exception.

The Rose of Sharon continues to provide sustenance to the hummers.  They were visiting as I selected a few tomatoes for our dinner.

Hay got baled this afternoon.  It is so pleasant to see those round bales sitting awaiting winter's sojourn.

On another happy note...my brother's arm and leg and fingers are healing nicely.  He is now able to care daily for his burns at home.  Thank you for all your wonderful thoughts and prayers.  Prayer really does work!

Well God Bless you all and thank you for letting me share this lovely August day with you.  In sharing, this makes the day even more special.

Hugs

Debbie

"...whatever is lovely...if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things."  Phil. 4:8 (NIV) 

Rain

 We have had so much rain during the first part of August that our fields look like it is June.  It may be time to build an ark and start rounding up the animals (LOL)!   Seriously though, there are many folks struggling with floods and bad storms.  My heart goes out to them.  

The end of July flew by and August has had its challenges.

 My brother was tending a brush fire a little over a week ago.  Something exploded and he sustained 2nd degree burns to his right arm and leg.  Perhaps many of you may have experienced such pain.  The "scrubbing" they have to do to make sure there is no infection is extremely painful.  So please if you would remember my brother James in your thoughts and prayers I would so appreciate it.  We are being told it may take 21 weeks before he is fully recovered.

On a lighter note the garden is flourishing with all this rain and I am hearing there may be a sunny day or two coming our way next week.

Take care and God Bless  - will be back around visiting each of you soon.

Hugs!

Debbie

"...He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."  Matt:5:45b (NIV)

Sabbath

 For the next couple of weeks I will be taking a wee bit of a blogging Sabbath.  

The charms of the garden are calling me...

Some new pastels arrived and I am excited about getting a painting started.

Veggies are clamoring to be picked...

and lastly these two pooches want me to come rest with them.

Will be back in a couple of weeks.

In the meantime...everyone stay safe and enjoy July's farewell and August's hello!  See you soon.

Hugs

Debbie

 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy."  Exodus 20:8 (NIV)

Whisper

Have you ever noticed a shout may draw your attention but a whisper invites you to stop and lean in.

It means something is being said to you and you alone.  My beloved often will whisper in my ear "I love you."  Those words are for my hearing only and that makes them very special.

Sometimes though in the bustle of life we often miss the whispers.  We fly through our days rushing and only listen to the shouts.  

Distractions are everywhere taking away the peace we were made to receive.

One can get so caught up in the noise and clamor of  living that we fail to hear the fluttering wings of a butterfly, a soft song of a bird or the buzz of a bumble bee.

 

Every day holds whispers of some sort or another.  Perhaps it means we have to get quiet and take time to lean in.

Hope you hear a whisper or two today.

God Bless

Debbie

"He stilled the storm to a whisper, the waves of the sea were hushed."  Psalm 107:29 (NIV)

First Week

The first week of July brought 

the garden a large pink daylily...

tomatoes growing by leaps and bounds...

a sea of blooms...

and time to enjoy them.

Would love to hear what the first week of July brought you! 

Hugs

Debbie

"And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of  the ground - trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.  In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."   Gen.2:9 (NIV)

Happy 250th...

 U.S.A.!

May all who are observing this holiday - have a wonderful celebration.  To each and everyone have a great end to the week.

Be back soon!

Hugs

Debbie

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24 (NIV)

How about...

 

taking a moment with me to smile...

Mine are on the line...better bring them in before it rains!

Forget the dancing...just getting out of bed can cause all these and more!

Ah my friends - were not those the days!

Well take care and hope you are smiling with me.

Hugs

Debbie

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful..."   Prov. 15:13a (NIV)

Transformation

The transformation of spring to summer is unfolding.  Even the bank of clouds are taking on a different appearance.

Quick pop up storms come. They leave - waving good bye with a rainbow.

The flowers continue to change almost daily.  Pink poppies and larkspur with orange daylilies replace the fading peonies.

Jackmanii clematis is climbing higher with each passing day.  It will continue to bloom through the next few weeks.

Something that is not changing is this fellow...He still wants to play.  In fact with daylight being longer - he thinks outdoor fun should be extended.   Guess I am feeling the same too.

Hope you all have a blessed week.  Please share what transformations you are seeing with summer's arrival.

Hugs

Debbie

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."  Romans 12:2a (NIV)

Jewels of June

Here are a few jewels of June.

Peonies dancing in the sun...

Summer apples preparing to ripen.

A shady spot to rest -

a peaceful place to take an evening walk.

All of these and so much more are lovely jewels of June.

May everyone have a joy filled week-end.

Hugs

Debbie

"Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel."  Prov. 20:14 (NIV)

"Father's World"

 The beauty of early June brings to mind an old favorite hymn "This Is My Father's World".

All of natures testifies to the Great Creator of our earth.

The garden bursts with the joy of His creativity.

Thought I would share a beautiful video of "This Is My Father's World" by Keith & Kristyn Getty.

Hope everyone has a blessed week.

Hugs

Debbie

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  Gen. 1:1

May's Reading List

Thought it would be fun to share my reading list for the month.

Springtime can be busy but there is always a few minutes to relax and read.

Some of you may recall my perfect word for the year was trust.

I have been following Dr. Henry Cloud on You Tube and discovered he had written a book on Trust.  For any who may suffer with trust issues this is an excellent resource.  Dr. Cloud addresses the importance of this essential part of living from a perspective that encompasses not only business but personal situations.  It gets five stars in my humble opinion.

Next, another author and artist on You Tube that I follow is Anna Bucciarelli.

This book is full of her beautiful art and is packed with wonderful tips.  She covers in great depth so many details to creating a painting as well as all the various techniques that go with watercolor.  Having read many books on the subject...hands down "101 Watercolor Secrets" is the best.  Highly recommend it to anyone wanting to get started painting in watercolor. 

Last but not least is "Pieces of the Heart" written by Karen White.  She is a favorite author of mine.  Have already shared other books of hers in previous posts. 

The story takes place in the mountains of North Carolina.  A young woman returns to her family's vacation home to find some peace from her stressful job.  In Karen White's typical fashion, she draws the reader into the story and makes the characters people you would want to meet.  I am only a few chapters in but want to keep turning the page.

Well thank you for letting me share May's reading list.   Hope all of you have a lovely end to your week.  

Hugs

Debbie

"Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."  Rev. 1:3 (NIV)

In the Garden

I have been spending a great deal of time in the garden.

It is my favorite place to be.

Weeding, digging, and planting has always been therapeutic for me.

When my hands are busy in the soil, the cares and trials of life tend to disappear.

 I can focus on the work at hand and appreciate the beauty of a simple flower or how the greenery moves in the breeze.

It also serves as inspiration.

 It connects me with our Magnificent Creator.

It restores my soul.

Praying each of you today can find something that brings joy and peace.  It just may be found in the garden.

Hugs

Debbie

"Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east in Eden, and there he put the man he had formed."  Genesis 2:8 (NIV)