Easter Eggstravaganza!

Proverbs 17:6
Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

Holidays bring back memories of precious times spent with family, and Easter is no exception.  I find myself recalling all the Easter egg hunts that my husband, Danny, and I host for our granddaughters.  I locate photos from the last several Easters, though for some odd reason, there are none for 2014.  Go figure!  Please allow me to share some of these special moments with you.

Virginia's first Easter

What a special occasion that was!

By her second Easter, she's old enough to hunt outdoors.

Savannah joins in for the first time!

Alexandra is just taking in her first Easter.

Now, all three have at it!

And the last Easter together?  Virginia has discovered who the true Easter Bunny is, so she volunteers to hide the eggs for her sisters to find.  So grown up!

Virginia at our church Easter Egg Hunt last year.

Virginia wasn't too thrilled when I ask her to pose with her sisters!

Now that they are all living far away from us, and with the travel constraints imposed by the Covid-19, seeing them, or anyone else for that matter, on Easter is prohibitive.  Still, I'm hoping that my daughter, Sarah, and her husband, John, will be able to hold their own Easter Eggstravaganza for the girls.  Can't wait to add their photos to my collection!

Have a blessed Holy Week, my friends!

Fifteen and Counting!

Mark 10:6-8
"But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.'  For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be unified to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.  So they are no longer two, but one flesh."

Yesterday, April 2nd, my husband, Danny, and I celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary.  Wow!  Can that much time really have flown by since we said, "I do?"

We have traditionally marked our anniversaries with glorious trips to mountain cabins.

Of course, in these unprecedented times, travel is out of the question.  Our state of Georgia is now in full lock-down for the remainder of the month, and Governor Kemp has cancelled the rest of the school year for K-12 students.  Absolutely surreal!

So, this anniversary, Danny and I will stay put, recalling the blessings and the joy these years have brought to both of us.  Has it always been an easy road?  Not by a long shot!  We've had our share of bumps and potholes along the way, but never anything that the two of us, with God's help, couldn't overcome.

And we will persevere together as the coming days unfold, thankful to the Lord who brought us together, and who keeps us together, strong in the faith.

Happy Anniversary, Danny!  I love you now more than ever!

Even if the only view we enjoy this year is our own back yard.

Amen!

Let's Go on an Adventure!

Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

In these unprecedented times of self-quarantine and social distancing, perhaps your spirit is feeling rather crushed right now.  You could use a healthy dose of cheerfulness in your life, something to brighten your world and distract you in an entertaining, uplifting way.

May I suggest reading The Glade Series and Adventures in The Glade?  Yes, I know I'm tooting my own horn here, but from the critiques of many, many folks, I can guarantee that you, too, will be enchanted by the adventures of Davy, Racer and the whole gang at The Glade.

Here's a brief overview:

Spending the summer at Grandpa Will's farm with his family is the last thing ten-year-old Davy wants.  How will he survive without his friends, the pool and his computer?  There isn't even a television at Grandpa's house!  Doesn't anyone see how miserable he will be?

In his frustration, Davy turns his anger on his mother, Kate, his sister, Anna, and especially his stepfather, Jim.  Davy is determined to make their summer as dismal and disappointing as he believes his will be.

But then, Davy has a most surprising and unexpected encounter . . . one which will change his heart, and his world, forever . . .

Okay, okay, I can hear you now.  "Hey, this is a kid's story!  Why would I like it?"

Oh, but you will!  As I've told people numerous times, these stories are for "children" ages nine to ninety-nine.  You'll enjoy every moment of discovery, mystery, suspense, and humor that these novels impart.

You've already read them?  Then why not order for friends or family members who are isolated right now?  How about sharing this blog post on Facebook or Twitter so that you can spread the news, reaching out to others not acquainted with either my blog or my books?  That would be such a blessing for me and to others in need of inspiration.

We may not be able to physically touch one another during these days, but we can share our love with a gift of memorable books to read.  It's medicine to cheer the heart, and comfort food for the soul.

Amen!

The Gardener

Matthew 13:21
But since they have no root, they last only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

It thrives here, now

In recesses of grainy

Soil collected over

Time by deck wanting

Pressure wash, cleansing

Sprout, hope's fountain,

Will not be deterred

In spite of mounting odds

Every day, new promise

Believing above all

That soil, rich, will hold

When the Gardener sows

Amen!

Survive or Thrive?

Jeremiah 17:7-8
But blessed is the one who trust in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

The spread of the Covid-19 virus is causing millions of us to change the way we go about our everyday lives.  If the daily news regarding the pandemic isn't stressful enough, being in close quarters, quarantined with immediate family, can create an atmosphere of breaking-point tension.  Does that apply to you?  How are you surviving the situation in your home?

Here are some things I'm doing to alleviate apprehension and emotional strain.

Walking the neighborhood - Once I conquer the Driveway of Doom and our Cul-Death-Sac, the bulk of my walking is relatively easy.

I'm used to the treadmill at the gym, so my first forays into outdoor exercise gives my leg muscles a painful wake-up call.  Yet, the fresh, cool air blowing on my face and the myriad songs of the birds, work wonders in dissolving all negative thoughts.  It's also become the perfect opportunity to pray!

No make-up!

To most of you, this will sound absurdly silly, I know.  But without appearing in public, so to speak, I've dropped this routine from my morning schedule.  This frees up some extra minutes to indulge in more . . .

Reading - The last time I visit with my mother, I borrow some books from her generous library.

I don't often read history, preferring fiction over non-fiction, but this is proving to be a positive change.  I'm in the middle of 1776, and I can't give it enough praise!  Thankful to have the other two waiting in the wings.

Watching shows that make me laugh - Right now, I'm on Netflix, enjoying old episodes of The Andy Griffith Show.

Not only am I magically transported back to my childhood, but the humor and quality of acting successfully distract me from the situation at hand.  So entertaining and uplifting!  (Fun Trivia:  Did you know that the characters of Andy and Barney are first cousins?  And that Opie (Ron Howard) and I share the same birthday, March 1?)

Playing games - Yes, my husband, Danny and I are indulging in extra rounds of backgammon!  A game of both chance and strategy, it definitely engages our minds in a positive way.

And most importantly . . .

Immersing myself in God's Word - I'm being so challenged by this Lenten study I choose, Rediscover Jesus by Matthew Kelly.

Each day, a new entry invites me to more fully understand Jesus' radical love for us, and how we can more effectively be His hands and feet in this hurting world.

And I love, love, love my new Jesus Bible that Danny gives me for my birthday!

The commentaries are insightful and illuminating, and the NIV translation makes the Scripture easy to read and digest.  I absolutely need God's inspiration, comfort and wisdom, and I look forward every morning to spending time in His presence.

Because I long to be that tree planted by life-giving waters.  Thriving, not simply surviving.

God knows our struggles, our fears, our stresses.  He stands ever at the ready to offer us His peace and grace, urging us to dig deeper into Him, to replenish our souls from His Living Water.

With our Father's help, we can all learn to thrive, not simply survive, these troubled times.

Amen!

What are you doing to alleviate stress in your life these days?  Please share in the comments!

You Are My Sunshine!

Genesis 50:20
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

A week ago, I share with you all the precautions we are taking in light of the Corona Virus invasion into our country, as well as so many nations across the globe.  This disease shows no partiality.  Conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat, believer or atheist, this plague has neither the power to judge nor delineate.

It simply attacks.

Relentlessly.

Ruthlessly.

And when we least expect it.

I never thought I would say this, not in a thousand lifetimes, but I'm glad that our grandchildren are no longer living close to us.  That they are far away, for the time being, it is actually a back-handed blessing.  If they were within easy traveling distance, our sadness would have been multiplied beyond measure as, with schools closed, and our present vulnerability to this outbreak, we would have been prevented any visitation whatsoever.

Thank goodness and thank God for Face Time!

We have been able to stay connected, face to face, and though we can't throw arms around one another, that's probably for the best at this juncture.  Just knowing that all my girls, and John, are safe and thriving gives me peace of mind and joy in my heart.

And how can I not be happy when I see how much fun they are having at Myrtle Beach?

Fresh air and sunshine . . . How much these contribute not only to healing, but to prevention of disease.

We all need more sunshine, don't we?

Can we shine the light of Jesus on others right where we are?  Can we be their Son-shine?

In these dark times, may we always remember the silver lining in the gathering clouds.  Let us cling to the promise of the Lord, that He will make good out of circumstances that, to our human perspective, may seem hopeless and irredeemable.

He did so for Joseph.

He will for me.

He will for you.

Amen!

A Table Prepared

Psalm 23:5-6
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

The squirrels in our neighborhood love the seed that we spread faithfully on the ground for them when we fill the bird feeders.  But there is another delicacy they frequently enjoy.  Pine cones!

We discover these remains on our deck.  The squirrels partake of the seeds while perched in the branches above us, discarding the inedible portions with regularity.

But one of our squirrels goes rogue!  Remember this stump from the dead pine we have removed several months ago?

This jaunty fellow has decided that it makes the perfect table for his pine cone feast.

What a sight to see, and what a mess he makes!

But what strikes me the most is that this squirrel, instead of sheltering in the relative safety of a tree limb, chooses to be right out in the open and solitary - an all too easy target for a lurking hawk or prowling cat.

Seemingly, he feasts, completely at ease, in the presence of his enemies, assured that goodness and mercy will follow him all of his days.

May we all trust that, even in the midst of the dangers and uncertainties that currently surround us, our Father prepares a table for us, and bids us to come and partake of His love and grace, to dwell in His house forever.

Amen!