Sisters

I'm tired tonight. I enjoyed having our little grandson here but it's also nice to relax awhile. I've been texting a lot with my sister and sharing pictures back and forth of all sorts of things. She's my best friend and we laugh and cry together. I hate that we live so far apart but we stay close at heart. Texting is nice sometimes. If she is off work we send each other random notes through the day as well. It's fun! The picture above is my sister and I when we were little. Mom told me I had some kind of bandage on my kneww in it. Thats what the white thing is. I hurt myself I guess.

The picture with mom is the last one we got of the three of us together. Mom passed away a couple months after that picture in January 2021. My sister and I talk a lot about mom, we did just today. My sister has a Christmas cactus that is blooming. I smile at the thought of Christmas in the last week of March. I told her it's a gift from Heaven on a cold snowy Spring day in the U.P. of Michigan. I really do think the Lord has ways of showing us that He cares for us and He knows when we need comfort.

Speaking of sisters there are also people that God blesses us with in our life. They may not be related through birth but they are just as close at heart. Some are there for a season and some have been there for many seasons or even since childhood. I thank God for the wonderful family and friends that He has blessed me with, I thank God for the old and the new friends here on Blogger too.

Pictures from when my sister and I were teens and we had the youth group meet at our home. Mom was so awesome to welcome the group. We had so much fun singing and having devotions and prayer,

Busy with the baby

I shall get around more later . We have our almost 2 year old grandson here and almost every minute is busy it seems, but fun

Tuesday’s Trinkets and Treasures

The little Jerusalem vase is a gift from a friend. I love it. It is small enough to hold the Springs early violets and the minature daffodils from my yard .

Some of my most precious jewels are not precious stones but precious children. They are genuine gems that sparkle with life and bring laughter and love to many hearts. The world can have its gems and jewels but my grandchilden are more precious than gold and jewels.

The photos of the children are my three youngest grandchildren The curly head boy is our grandson the other two are great grandchildren. We had a family visit Sunday. Trinkets and treasures may lose value in time or become lost but grandchildren help our hearts to grow in love. THERE IS ALWAYS toom for more! we are expecting another great grandchild in June.

You Are Beautiful

I've always loved butterflies. There is a story of a butterfly and it's necessary struggle that I like but this morning I came across this quote on a google search." Wouldn't it be sad to go through all the pain and struggles , see the light at the end of the tunnel and to emerge to be criticized for being different? I think the best thing is to not allow others to keep you from using your "wings" whatever they represent to you. Some rejoice with you and applaud but some are like gloom clouds, just trust your wings and rise above !" The photo above is from Lincoln State Park here in southern Indiana. Those type of butterflys are not out here yet but I have seen a few butterflies on our warmer spring days. Today it was only 23 degrees this morning. It's gotten to be crazy weather. We get some days of 70s and then another cold spell.The daffodils are doing ok though and the flowering trees. It's up to a whole 39 degrees F now brrr! On the bright side the sun is shining!

It looks like the bird was watching me the day I took this photo of the cardinal. I love being able to see nature from my patio window when it's too cold to go outside for long. I have the perfect spot for taking photos of my visitors

Sometimes in life I think I get caught up in the way I percieve others to see me and there are all kinds of mixed messages in the media and advertising. Our worth is not measured by our size, shape, color or wealth or what society may deem important. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

I think that may be the number one verse most people who know scripture have memorized. The truth is profound. We are all loved with an everlasting, unfailing love.

This is a writing that showed up on my FB memory page. I did not write it. I like how it reminds me of the gifts God has given.

THE BEAUTY OF YOU 1. YOU ARE ALIVE. Life is a gift. Mornings are gifts. Every time you wake up, stretch out those arms and say, “thank you for the gift of a brand new day!” 2. YOU CAN SEE. Oh to have the gift of sight! What a blessing! With your eyes, you can watch the magnificent world you live in. You can see your face in the mirror. You are able to enjoy the beauty of a leaf, a flower, a snowflake, a child, a star, a rainbow and the look of love. 3. YOU CAN HEAR. The thousands of fibers found in your ears could pick up the whisper of the leaves in the trees, the waves of the ocean, the raindrops falling on the roof, the loud thunder, the laughter of children, the ringing of the phone, and hear the words “I love you.” 4. YOU CAN SPEAK. You can utter words that can encourage, inspire, teach, guide, comfort, uplift, motivate and say the words “Thank you”; “I am here for you”; and “I love you.” 5. YOU CAN MOVE. You are joy in motion. You have the ability to dance, walk, run, hop and skip as you travel the road of life. 6. YOU CAN EAT. You can enjoy different food…the sweetness of ice cream and cakes, the crunchy veggies, mouthwatering seafood, the tender juicy chicken, pork or beef. Aren't we thankful that that the healthy food we eat gives us energy and helps us to grow? 7. YOU CAN DRINK. And be merry? (Grin) You can drink and allow water and fresh juices to quench your thirst. You can drink a toast to celebrate a wedding, a romantic evening, or warm your body on cold winter nights. 8. YOU CAN SMELL. Your sense of smell can enhance the taste of food. It can connect you to wonderful memories like remembering your baby cradled in your arms, the perfume of your beloved, or their sweet smelling hair. 9. YOU CAN TOUCH. Your hands can caress and soothe a loved one. You can touch and feel the different textures- soft, rough and silky smooth. With your touch you can express your love without words. 10. YOU CAN READ. When you look at the words and letters, they are not jumbled or inverted. Having the ability to read has open your doors to knowledge and wisdom found in books, magazines, newspapers and the internet. 11. YOU CAN SING. Whether it be extraordinary talent or simply singing in the shower, you can sing. You can sing your favorite song. You can hum a tune. Or even a lullaby. You can sing as you cook or clean the house. 12.YOU CAN WRITE. You can write and share your experiences. You can write love letters, thank you notes, and compose songs and poetry. Or write a check list of the things you need to buy in the grocery. 13. YOU CAN THINK. You have the ability to think, to plan and to analyze. When problems arise, you can come up with solutions to solve them. 14. YOU CAN FEEL. You have the ability to feel and experience all sorts of emotions - happy, sad, angry, confused, surprised, and disappointed and so on. Your feelings add spice to your life. 15. YOU CAN SLEEP. You can rest when you are tired and exhausted. Your body has been given the gift of sleep so it could recuperate and re-energize itself.

The Lord is My Shepherd

When I was a young person growing up in northern Michigan my uncle and aunt had a sheep farm. I remember auntie taking the baby sheep that were not doing well and caring for them. It was quite an experience! One of my fondest memories is when my dad and mom took our church youth groups to my uncles farm and he taked to us about his experiences of tending the sheep. It was a living illustration.

My mom used to have records of Jim Reeves , some were hymns. He had such a soothing voice. I love the hymn Gentle Shepherd. So often Jesus speaks to us in His still small voice and we need to be still and listen to what He speaks to our hearts. We live in a world full of noise and distractions and it is so easy to be caught up in the fast paced buisiness of the day but our Lord wants to lead us beside the still water, to draw us to a place where we can rest and be refreshed and have our souls fed by His Word. Those times of rest and refreshing strengthen us and enable us to rise in His strength and to shine the light of His love to others.There are so many hurting people in the world who need the love of Jesus.They may be closer than we think.They may be in our own homes and workplaces and even in our own places of worship. Just like I remember my aunt bringing the weak or sick sheep into her home and giving them the extra care they need we need to also care for those we know who are injured emotionally and spiritually. This is showing the love of our Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd. He loves us as we are even though sometimes we get in messes of our own doing. My uncle told us sometimes the sheep would get caught in a fence or place that they should be able to get out of but seem helpless to know what to do. It is the shepherd who rescues them. I know I have been in need of rescuing before. What does the shepherd do when the sheep do something unwise? Does he leave them because they were stupid and didn't deserve rescuing? No, he tenderly pulls them out of their tangled mess. Jesus the Good Shepherd spoke of leaving the ninety and nine for the one lost sheep. I have been the one lost sheep and I am forever grateful He rescued me! The photos with the sheep are from The Lincoln Natinal Park and living farm when we were there with grandchildren. They loved the sheep.

Have a joy filled week!

Saturday 7 Ups

Good days, bad days, happy or sad days, Your Father up above is looking down with love and grace that is new every morning.

We always are loved but we also have a choice whether to recieve and believe in that love and to look up to the One whose ways are much higher than ours! Isaiah 55:8-9. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, said the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD THE 7 UP'S? THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND A WHILE!

THE 7 UPS 1. WAKE UP!! Decide to have a good day."Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalms 118:24 2. DRESS UP!! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks."The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart" I Samuel 16:7 3. SHUT UP!! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul" Proverbs 13:3. "Gossip betrays confidence. Avoid men who talk too much" Proverbs 20:19 Listen to advice, accept instruction and in the end, you will be wise" Proverbs 19:20 4. STAND UP!!... For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10 5. LOOK UP!!... To the Lord. "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13 6. REACH UP!!... For something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path". Proverbs 3:5-6 7. LIFT UP!!... Your Prayers. "Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING" Philippians 4:6 Happy Saturday!