Spring - A Season of New Beginnings

For everything there is a season

It seems for us it is the season of new beginnings. 

After a long winter slumber, the world around us is coming to life. 

photo credit: Gabriel Sears, 10 years old

The melting snow and fresh rains have quenched the thirsty ground. The sun is warming the earth, making it ready for my garden seeds.  

Our family took time to soak up scripture that tells us of the events of the last days of Christ's life on earth . . .

the tomb is sealed - such a dark hour. But wait!

. . . and His Victory O'er the Grave!

Easter morning-the stone is rolled away! He is risen!

Life after death. A new beginning.

We watch as Grandma's sweet cat tends her brand new kittens. One will come home to live with us in a few weeks. Oh, but which one?! So hard to choose. New life, new beginnings.

Sophie Cat and her 5 precious kittens

 Can you imagine how difficult it is to choose from five adorable furballs? The grey one? Or the black one? Or the one that shows tiger stripes when the light shines just so.

Maybe this cutie? Esther gets to name him

And then there's the beginning of life without daughter, without sister. Such a happy event, an exciting time. But filled with some sadness too. It seems when a child of mine leaves the nest, there is always just one more thing (or two or three) that I wish I had said, or done before they were gone.  We'll have new moments, make new memories. New beginnings.

photo credit:  http://saltandlightphoto.com

My girl belongs to her husband now, that is as it should be. Life is new and different without her right here in our midst where we were accustomed to having her. We'll adjust, we'll cope. A new beginning.

And there's this blog, this online journal of sorts, this cyber-place to share. 

behind-the-scenes view

I am spending time these days to breathe new life into what I share here with you. There are big and exciting things to come. 
New Beginnings.

Something New . . .

 The bride will be wearing a brand new gown on her wedding day, but she won't allow me to give a sneak peak. But the flower girl (littlest sister) has agreed to let everyone have a glimpse of her new dress (made by mama).  

Our days are busy this week and the air is filled with excitement and anticipation. Only 4 more days!

Something Old . . .

As any good mom would do, I am making sure my daughter starts off her marriage right.And so I'm going to bring to you a quick little series based on that old saying:

Something old,

Something new,

Something borrowed,

Something blue.

To fill the requirement for the first line of this little poem we took my own wedding dress down off the shelf. No, she won't be wearing it. Honestly I don't think anyone will ever wear it. I remember feeling like a princess on our special day nearly 30 years ago but much of it has yellowed with age time. Besides, some of the fabric was, well, from an era long ago and of a rather polyester-ish quality.

   Ring Bearer Pillow 

I decided to create a few Keepsakes with bits and trims and layers from my gown. I'm hoping these will become Family Heirlooms, used by our children and grandchildren as they take that next big step in life, committing themselves in marriage the one they've chosen to walk through life. 

 Flower Girl Basket

 All materials used, aside from the pillow stuffing, a few little ribbons on the pillow, and the touch of red rose came from my wedding dress and bouquet. 


I thank my daughter for letting me get all mushy and sentimental, and for allowing me to take on these little projects. I hope it comes to mean as much to her as it does to me. 

[Afraid] - Five Minute Friday

Taking five minutes today, Friday, to let the words flow from my fingertips, joining others who freely jot down thoughts, at Five Minute Friday.

Today's word is [Afraid].

Go!

Afraid.
I am afraid of the dark.
I am afraid of saying the wrong thing.
I am afraid I might make a mistake.
I am afraid of disappointing others.
I am afraid I will not measure up. 
I am afraid of what others might think.
I am afraid.

But in the shadow of the cross there is no need to be afraid. Jesus has already had victory over the world, has conquered death, has given me freedom from fear.

Stop.

Opportunity

It's time for Five Minute Friday with Lisa-Jo Baker, The Gypsy Mama. 
She took a break from her weekly writing challenge, but she's back!
It's really a wonderful exercise, tapping out my thoughts unedited. 
You can see what it's all about and read what others have written in their free-for-all-five-minutes.

OPPORTUNITY

GO!

I read just this morning that the difficulties in life bring about opportunity (or something to that effect). That little statement grabbed my attention and set me to thinking about a conversation with a friend recently. 
"I see the glass has half empty." That's what I told her. 
Ugh! It's one of the things I hate most about myself, that I see the negative so much more clearly than the positive. You store up regret that way. At least I do. And the missed opportunities, I can only imagine all that I've missed.
As I sit on Wednesday nights and soak in all that others share about Jesus and Who He is, as I read through the words penned by John and inspired by the Holy Spirit, I think about Hope and Peace and Love.
And then I read about Difficulties and Opportunity. It's all about my frame of mind, the state of my heart. I so badly want to face the difficulties, the challenges with an attitude that asks "what opportunity is presenting itself here?"
I've heard it said that opportunity presents itself, so do I just wait around until it shows up?
Or do I make opportunity happen by opening my eyes, my heart because it's always there and all I have to do is see it?

STOP.

Speaking of opportunity -- if you have not yet taken the opportunity to read about my office organization project this week, would you please do so? And then, if you like what you see could you hop on over the OrgJunkie.com and vote for me? You can find my space is you scroll on down to #125 (hsmominmo - The Office).

Simple Woman's Day Book

 

 

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... Bright Summer Sunshine

I am thinking... Does God allow the extremes, like this drought, so we will turn our attention to Him?

I am thankful... my mother-in-law, who happily transports the younger guys to the summer library program each week.

 
In the kitchen... breakfast dishes, the smell of freshly baked bread, and tomatoes ready salsa-making.

I am wearing... a comfy jersey knit skirt and a heather-colored top, and my well-worn apron, of course!

I am creating... a quilt for a niece's wedding gift, crocheted baby blankets for future grandbabies and crochet/beaded candle toppers for a friend.

I am going... wherever the Lord leads. First, to the stove to preserve some of the bounty of our garden. And then once the work is done, a roadtrip south will be just the thing.

I am wondering... why do some have so much energy and get so much done, while I do not.

I am reading... Galatians; 28 Days to Hope for Your Home; Grace for the Good Girl; Smooth and Easy Days

I am hoping... rain will return soon.

I am looking forward to... the return of our daughter and her family, and the chance to have ALL my children together in the same place at the same time again.

I am learning... yes, always learning, to stay out of the way and allow my children to learn some of life's lessons on their own.

Around the house... it is very quiet here (thank you Grandma, for taking the kids this morning!) and so I have time to ponder and sing and pray while mopping up spilled lemonade.

I am pondering... will I ever truly be ready for my chick-a-dees to fly the coup? It gets easier, but is still a hard thing.

One of my favorite things... the imagination of my 6-year old, who just this morning dressed a 2 1/2 foot tall dinosaur in cowboy boots and a wrist watch to keep guard over the snack bin.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  salsa-making, list-making, shopping trip, packing

A peek into my day... several phone calls to make, garden produce to put up, water the garden (again!), Bible Study tonight

Did I mention the imagination of my 6 year old?

this post is written in participation with Simple Woman's Daybook

Refreshment For Your Soul

Our song service this morning ministered to my soul,

and I wanted to share with you the words of one hymn

we sang as we assembled together today.

"Sometimes I feel discouraged

And think my work's in vain,

But then the Holy Spirit 

Revives my soul again.

If you cannot preach like Peter,

If you cannot pray like Paul,

You can tell the love of Jesus,

And say, "He died for all."

There is a balm in Gilead 

to make the wounded whole;

There is a balm in Gilead

to heal the sin-sick soul."

('There is a Balm in Gilead' a Traditional Spiritual)

Taking Care of the Little Things . . .

. . . will Lead to Great Things.
And so I say "Thank you, Lord" for
little helping hands
little inquisitive minds
little eager faces
little voices singing
little socks strewn here and there
little kisses pecked on my cheek
in only a little while the little ones will be grown.

This little post is a reminder to myself to seek out joy in the little things of the day.

Starting a List

This winter I read a book highly recommended by a good friend. One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp. The author journaled about seeking joy, grace, peace in her life. She began to see that if she just paid attention to the gifts God had given her each day, maybe she'd be closer to those things she sought after. And so, she set out to list 1000 gifts from the Lord. And she wrote them down as they occurred to her. The impact this had in her life led her to write the book. 

Here I am, looking for the joy of the Lord and desiring it to be my strength, wanting to wrap my heart around the grace He's gifted me, to live abundantly, listing out my 1000 gifts. It's easy to look around and say "I'm thankful for this, I'm grateful for that. Oh! I could write just ANYthing down, EVERYthing down."  But I want to list out the things that truly grab hold of my heart, make me stand at attention. I want to notice things I've never noticed before. 

And I begin my list. I may share a few items from my list of 1000. Maybe it will grow to be more than 1000. We shall see.


1. adult children who are still children enough to have fun and enjoy life


2. good coffee, good conversation with a good friend


3. giggles bubbling out of 9 year old son




Consider reading Ann's book. It will give you pause to think, and maybe come to know yourself better. Her writings are really lovely. She has a poetic turn to the way she uses words. They make me want to write.

You can find her on-line journal at A Holy Experience, if you'd like to read more of her writings and ponderings.