Amazing Love

I love those who are loveable.  What an amazing, incomprehensible thing is God's unconditional love.  His love has nothing to do with our loveability!  Is this type of love possible for humans?  It is not just possible, it is commanded!  "Love your enemies..." Matt. 5:44.  All things are possible through Christ, even the ability to love those who we view as unloveable.

One Day...

One day He will set all things right... but not today.  Trust.

And I heard a loud voice from heaving saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people.  God Himself will be with them and be their God.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."  Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new."  And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." - Revelation 12:3-5 (NKJV)



Sun rays break through behind a Lamb of God sculpture in Oberloiben, Austria



Just in case you wondered what I do every day...

Forecasting Grief

I have been struggling quite a bit lately with looking into the future and fearing it.  This is a struggle I used to have in my teens and early twenties that God delivered me of.  But for some reason, it has reared it's ugly head again.  I think it comes partly from having a deep fear realized in the death of my brother, Rocky, and also in the unanswered cry of my heart to have children.  Ultimately, I've had a hard time trusting God and relinquishing all of it back to Him.  So, right now I'm still in the process...

Today I am finding quotes for the paper due shortly in one of my college courses.  In the book by Elisabeth Elliot, "Keep a Quiet Heart," she shares these two separate poems that I thought I would pass along.  Both of them warn against borrowing tomorrow's troubles and forecasting grief in your life.

Anonymous

I've many a cross to take up now,

And many left behind;

But present troubles move me not,

Nor shake my quiet mind.

And what may be to-morrow's cross

I never seek to find;

My Father says, "Leave that to me,

And keep a quiet mind."

The Discharge by George Herbert

God chains the dog till night; wilt loose the chain

And wake thy sorrow?

Wilt thou forestall it, and now grieve tomorrow,

And then again

Grieve over freshly all thy pain?

Either grief will not come, or if it must,

Do not forecast;

And while it cometh, it  is almost past.

Away, distrust;

My God hath promis'd; He is just.

Baby Melon

I saw this little baby melon this afternoon when I got home from work and was inspecting my plants.  I was surprised I even spotted it as it is less than an inch long.  Here's hoping this cute little baby melon will grow up to be a large, juicy, delicious melon!  I planted one regular watermelon plant and also one yellow melon.  We shall see!

Carolina Sunset

Fruits of the Labor

Here are a few pics of the first fruits from my garden - or veggies in the case of the cucumbers!

North Carolina looks just like Minnesota!

That's what my friend, Katie, said when she came to visit a couple weeks ago.  She brought along her friend Lizzy and they both felt when they were driving around like they hadn't even left Minnesota.  I think that's why I don't get homesick very often down here because it really doesn't look all that different.  Surrounded by trees but with a farm out front - it's like a cross between Minnesota and Wisconsin.  Maybe the best of both worlds plus the added bonus of mild winters!  Thanks for stopping by, Katie and Lizzy!

Katie and Me

Major was in heaven with the attention of two beautiful girls.
He could hardly contain himself which you can see on his face!
It was hilarious!!!

Relaxing on the porch after our guests had left

Just a little cute?

Oh How My Garden Grows

Here are some pictures of my garden taken a couple of weeks ago already.  Hard to believe how fast things grow, especially my tomato plants.  Major is my little gardening buddy!

Cucumber

Main garden bed

Basil

Cilantro, Parsley and Sage

3 Pepper plants in front of 3 Tomato plants

Watermelon

Blueberry Bush

Asparagus

My Hydrangea Bush

I think this is the prettiest that my hydrangea bush has been.  Usually I don't even notice it because it is on the opposite side of the house from where I drive in but this year it just sticks out.  Obviously I have acidic soil since it is completely blue.  It is certainly gorgeous and I know will make Missy jealous!!!  I'd send you a transplant if I could, Melissa!

Lisa Strong

My friend, Lisa, got married on June 1st.  She is a former coworker who lost her first husband after a 9 month battle with cancer.  It was a blessing to see her marry another "strong" man of God - John Strong.  Lisa is pictured here with me and two other coworkers, Rebecca and Jessica.

Memorial Day Weekend Cooking

For some reason I decided to spend a good portion of this Memorial Day Weekend cooking... oh, and of course, cleaning up the kitchen after myself.  Just thought I'd share some pictures of what I made.  Sorry if the pictures aren't all that great as some were taken a day or so after the fact of leftovers!!!  Just wanted to include it all.  Hope you had a good holiday!

Chocolate Crinkles

Chicken with Rice - new recipe and was yum-yum!

Lasagne - probably should have left this pic out.
This is the remaining portion chopped up so that it
will reheat in the microwave easily! :-)

Maple Pecan Scones - about as rich as anything I've
tasted.  Should have expected that since they called
for two sticks of butter.  Mark loved them.  I was
looking for some lettuce to nibble on as dessert!

An empty crust crying out to be filled!

Delicious peach pie!  This was a recipe I had from
my mom that I don't believe I had made before.
It was delicious - especially with the added
scoop of vanilla ice cream!  Now starts the
post-holiday diet!!!

2012 Gardening

Here are some pictures of the gardening work I did this spring.  I'm enjoying the bed I built for vegetables.  My tomatoes are probably 10 times the size of what is in these pics so I'll have to post a new picture soon.  And hopefully I can post a picture of some of the actual fruits of my labor as well - cherry tomatoes, roma tomatoes, green and red peppers, cucumbers, etc.  I've already been able to use some fresh cilantro and basil for recipes, plus but some apple mint in as I'm brewing iced tea for Mark.  He said it was good!

I also planted some blueberry bushes and asparagus that aren't pictured here so we'll see how those do.  Otherwise, I just put in quite a few different perennials such as a honeycomb butterfly bush that is now flowering.  Definitely fun to see things coming together in my yard as this is probably the first in five springs that I have felt like I am getting somewhere!!!

Planted rose bush between two
emerald and gold bushes

Rose bush in the middle that was planted last fall
Put hostas behind it and creeping jenny to the sides

Put the rose bush in this spring

Here is the vegetable bed - basil, cilantro, parsley,
sage, 3 kinds of tomatoes and 3 kinds of peppers.
I also planted cucumbers in a whiskey barrel and two
kinds of melons on the other side of the yard.
Hoping for some fresh veggies and melons this year!

Baby cherry tomatoes.
Aren't they cute?!?

Trip to Helen, GA

I took a quick trip to Helen, GA, to visit with family. Molly and Major came along and were very happy to see Grandpa and Grandma! 

Major on my lap

Molly in the passenger seat

My aunt and uncle's bed and breakfast in Helen, Georgia. 

My aunts Julie and Lou Ann with my mom.

Dad and Uncle Dwayne

Molly & Major playing by the river

The River House

Mountain views in Georgia