I have posted a few of my spring photos. The season has been spent with a bit of travel, a bunch of strolls on paths, grass and through gardens... and many dance rehearsals for my girls.
The weather has been mild all through the winter until now as the days get longer and temps grow warmer.
And run to you with open arms, All your fairytales, all your charms… I only dream about you… How?…
Yet, mother told me, now,--
That, dare I say it?! Dare I know?! Dare I even dare suppose?!… That you, dear lion, strong and brave?…
That— Thou art real, Able to save?!… Me,
as a child, I come Your way…
“Bow down,” you say… “don’t be afraid…”
Then, yes!, my childlike heart to You… I run,
You wild, untamed, fierce, true… blood. …run to her arms, now and find, A love eternal, Love to mine, Mother’s arms are mine all mine… But not equipped to hold all the time…
So, hold me Lion, I run to you With flowers I picked, My gift to you—
Embrace your mane, To know Your NAME… You roar, I tumble in place divine.
8/10 I took a plethora of photos at the gardens Sunday night (some posted in the above show), and then met Joe for Greek to celebrate the eve of our special day
8/11 we observed our 19th wedding reception anniversary. It wasn't nearly as HOT as it's been all summer here yesterday, so hot it was 19 years ago... we were married on the seemingly COLDEST day of the year 19 1/2 years ago and then celebrated with fam and friends later in the summertime on the seemingly HOTTEST day of the year. We had a good grill, too. I got clear medical results, praise God!
8/12 we ate cheesecake from the same bakery we ordered from 19 years ago... today they played "Beauty of the Lord" on KTIS on my way home from Wuollet picking up the cheesecake, they never play it anymore! I'd just enjoyed the cd, posted here last night, then there it was on the radio... Providence has His way. I need to tune into the message. I picked flowers from the weed patch and put them on the table and adorned the glorious cake with two Mandevillas (I panicked!-- they aren't toxic are they?!!?! Yes, they are! Too late...) We still ate it after my quick google research and I'm sure the pictures are lovely. We are still all here. I'm so not-in-the-know about flowers and where was my common sense? I read one web entry, "mildly toxic"... I went with that one. Since I've never died from Lilies of the Valley almost drinking them in my whole life, I figured we'd be OK with "mildly toxic"... does anyone know Lilies of the Vally are poisonous? They seem so innocent. The clouds at the beach were unbelievable today and last night a cute little gull came by and pranced about the sand. I was delighted that two orioles flaunted themselves in front of my parked car as well... what am I learning this week? I love the scent of hydrangea... and I must see the beauty of the Lord. Today will be a gift, since it is all I have.
8/13] a lil peppermint in my iced mocha today to assist my sour stomach, no power at home, at least the fridge and freezer will get entirely cleaned out! I forgot my password as soon as I registered online for wi-fi and was on hold forever to get help via phone, my minutes will be all used up I'm afraid, I had at least a few moments online before the electrical went kaput to make my payment by the deadline before the whole account would have gone up in smoke, so we can thank the LORD for His favour, protection, provision... and praise Him for His SOVEREIGNTY, that nothing can come to us unless sifted through His hand first, so let us rest as we remain in the palm of His hand. It is time to go now.
8/14 another day, another powerless house till after noon. but when the "lights came on in the house of love" AMY GRANT/VINCE GILL I started to sing in the shower "There is power, power, power in the blood of the Lamb... there is power power power in Jesus..." just a random melody. but so many cool things happened today, save for the summer colds, I enjoy the nearly daily correspondence with my cuz, was delighted that although we have to throw out a ton of food from the freezers and fridge, I picked the first 'harvest' of minute proportion, but nevertheless a delight from our garden AKA weed patch,... the joy of the LORD was brought to mind from two sources today, that this is my strength... we received word that our friends had their sixth child, we are delighted about that precious new life, we got word of tragedy last night and how that family will need to fare without the father who was taken in a car accident, four children and much sorrow, especially as that family just lost that father's father who was only 43., one never knows and so today is lived, should be lived as a gift, regardless. I heard a song with that lyric. I will live today because that is all there is and it is therefore a great gift. I don't remember how it went exactly, but I was listening. the kids last day at the beach was today and they had a blast this summer learning new things in the water. the week's been cooler and the clouds continue to charm me almost daily, they are amazing this year and very different... we look forward to friends tomorrow and today I met someone who cooks, and shares love of sushi and coffee just like me. of course it was fun to hear a lady come up to me and say, "you and your daughter look exactly alike!" with almost 40 years between us it's hard to believe but "Little Jill" and "Middle Jill" do look a lot like I did as a kid and teenager... my dear mum enjoyed sweet times with her sister who is very ill and that, too, is a gift as is the fact that my stepdad's family is very kind to my mom, she said how very much she enjoys them and I can tell. They are all so good to her... what else can I be thankful for? the email that prompts me to rejoice that God is at work behind the scenes as well as front and center, again always holding us in the palm of His hand.
8/15 Poor little guy is struggling with the summer flu now, gave a piano lesson today and the little girls played poolside, Phoebe didn't want to go home. Joe made lasagna, per my recipe via phone, I've been completely wiped out and so I slept in. Tomorrow is a new day and Isaiah rings in my ears this late summer... I rejoice for victory in sobriety for my friend's household, that and much weightloss, lots of effort and it has paid off for them, God is good and I hope and pray for more and more victory in their lives and in ours. Yours. I have to say that Sean Hannity made a lot of sense in regards to the soundbytes I heard re: Georgia... what a terrible situation. So far, in this country and God-willing (and for a long time to come,) our country remains stable in that arena. my week at a backwards glance...
8/16 What a day! I wouldn't know where to begin.8/17 Went to a farewell gathering at the park, a friend and spouse and son are moving to a Carolina. It was a lovely day, and I was blessed by the people there. Joe and I are invited to study the Gospel of Luke this fall. I studied this gospel in the spring with a wonderful bunch of women. The study was well put together, too. I am blessed amongst other Americans to study unimpeded here in this nation. Study, worship, etc.,... without much reproach usually. Without punishment, really. Currently, we are very blessed here. Brothers and sisters struggle a lot elsewhere, sometimes losing there lives. Experiencing trauma, victimization, and the like... I hope we receive fromt he hand of God an administration who is sympathetic to our freedoms as were our Founding Fathers. And hopefully the new admin will understand that bonds must remain broken and our liberties preserved. Lincoln was someone who understood this and was enlightened to fight freedoms fight and brought us to higher ground. Our friend was telling me at the park about his visit to a musesum and reading of the EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION. As an attorney he was telling me how interesting it was to read how Lincoln pulled this off... it would be worth the read. May we remain free men and women in this nation we Americans call home. Though, we know as Christians-- and must not forget-- our true citizenship is in heaven.
MANUSCRIPT COPYEMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION[/SIZE]
My Opera
