Tuesday 4~The Four Seasons

 

Four Seasons, Four Questions

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4...


1. Do you have a favorite day of the week and how about a favorite month of the year? Why?

Hmmm, favorite day of the week...since I am retired, all the days are pretty much the same. I do love Sunday, however, because we go to church and worship the Lord, sing songs of praise, have fellowship with our friends in Christ, and then usually we have some family here for lunch, which is always nice!  This past Sunday our "kids" were all here, but I didn't take one picture! Imagine that! And we had ribs, chicken, corn on the cob, salad, potatoes, rolls, and watermelon!  It was a lovely day.  So yes, Sunday is my favorite day.  

My favorite month?  Well, September is my birth month, and so that has always been a special month for me.  But right after that comes October, and I probably love the season of October even more than September. 

To quote my favorite character, "Anne of Green Gables"...

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.  It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn't it? " 

2. What’s the most beautiful or magical thing about each of the four seasons?

Oh goodness:

Spring: The end of winter and the beginning of new life once again. Flowers blooming, birds singing and building their nests, all of nature seems to come back to life. 

Here's some wildflowers from our walk the other day...

The Bluebirds and Cardinals have all been very active...

Summer:

Well, what can I say?  Summer tends to make me go crazy with the heat! LOL:

This was at our church Memorial Day Picnic yesterday, when it was about 90 degrees in the shade, but at least there was a nice breeze and some cloud cover...but no rain...

And thank you all for your kind and supportive comments on my post yesterday.  Staying busy and being with special people made it a much more bearable day.

Here's hubby hamming it up...

And son Benton was there too, but sadly Rose had a headache and wasn't able to go. It was definitely too hot to be outside with a headache...

One of the highlights of the day was our church family singing "America The Beautiful" together at the beginning of the picnic...

As far as the rest of summer goes...we stay indoors in the air conditioning a LOT, because of the high heat and humidity.  And although we need rain, we pray for no bad hurricanes to hit our country this summer.

Fall:  Ahhhhh, the summer fades and the air begins to change to less humidity and cooler temperatures. Our "fall" isn't as dramatic of a change here in Florida as it is further north, but still there are subtle changes and we are very grateful for them.  It is also a time when we normally try to take a little trip north to the mountains where the leaves are beautiful and the air is cool and crisp like the apples we find at the orchards there...but we are not too sure about going this fall. It's just getting too expensive, so we will see.

Winter:  I love the Christmas holiday season and all that it means, Advent, the celebration of the Birth of Christ, family time, the lights, the trees, the beauty all around.   Thankfully here in Florida, our winters are more like fall up north...cool and wonderful. We can get out more and do more.

3. Summer is coming... what does this mean in your life? How will things change, stay the same ,etc?

I think I already answered that above.  No major changes expected, but we must always be prepared for hurricanes here in Florida. When I was a child, summer was wonderful! We'd take a vacation and go up north to visit relatives and camp in the campgrounds all the way up and back through the Smoky Mountains. Those were very happy times for me as a child.  We don't do that now. I sometimes wish we could, but I don't see it happening...So mostly we stay home and try to stay cool.

4. What do you look forward to in each season?

Again, I think I already answered that in #2.   So since this post is already too long, I will leave it at that...Each season has it's own beauty and magic and wonder.  We just have to look for the beauty and enjoy it.  

I will close with this passage from Ecclesiastes chapter 3:

"1 There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him."

Whatever season of life you may be in, look for the blessings and joy in life, no matter the weather or the storms in life...keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, and He will carry you through.  

"The Mighty One" - Updated 5-25-2026

I originally posted this on 5/31/2014, just one week after the passing of our son Matthew...after his 4 year battle with a deadly foe that just wouldn't give up.  (Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor- DSRCT).  Today, 5/25/2026, marks 12 years since his passing from this life into heaven. I have reposted this before in 2018, but what was said here originally 12 years ago and also in 2018 is still so real. I repost this today to hopefully encourage someone out there who may be going through a similar trial and time of grief.  I can honestly say that it does get a little easier with time...but only in the sense that we move from raw, unabashed sorrow and tears to a quieter, sweeter kind of grief. Acceptance? Perhaps.  I know that in my head I do accept the fact that our son is gone from this earth forever...and that he is now in heaven...forever.  But I still miss hearing his voice and seeing his face and feeling the warmth of his hugs.  I will say that there are many times that I feel his presence near me...I really don't think heaven is all that far away.  If only we could just reach through that veil and grasp onto each other again...but that is not to be...yet.  

Someday I, too, will pass through that veil from this life into the next...and I truly believe that my son will be standing there, next to Jesus, with arms open wide...ready to welcome me "home".  Until that day we will continue to carry on his memory in our hearts and in little things that we can do to keep his flame burning brightly.  I pray that these words will bring comfort to someone today whose grief is still fresh and glaringly painful.  May God's peace be your peace today.  May you place your hope in Jesus...and trust Him to carry you through. He will.

Our Memorial Garden in our back yard, in loving memory of our son. A wonderful place to pray, meditate on God's Word, and remember a marvelous son.

Original Post 5/31/14:

"The LORD your God in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing."

Zephaniah 3:17

It is hard for me to realize that it was just one week ago today that I said my last farewells to my son Matthew.  It would be several more hours, in the wee hours of the next morning that we would receive the word that he had taken his last breath here on earth.  Can it be that a week has already passed? I believe I have been floating in a cloud mixed with sorrow and relief all week long.  Sorrow that my wonderful son is no longer with us here on earth, and relief that my wonderful son is no longer suffering from disease and that he is now totally healed and safe in heaven.

I know, I have already said these things to you.  I don't need to remind anyone about these events that have transpired this past week, especially not myself.  Everyday brings fresh reminders to me as we prepare for his memorial service and think of ways to honor him and keep his flame burning bright.  Sweet memories flash before my mind's eye, pictures of a precious little baby born earlier than expected and who lived a marvelous life and  left this earth earlier than expected, 41 years later.

The one thing I am mindful of is how the Lord has been carrying me in His arms this past week. This morning as I read my daily devotions, the verse written above stood out in bright highlights to me. Especially the part about "He will quiet you with His love..."  Yes, He has done just that. I have felt His love tenderly quieting my heart every time I have given over my mind to grief. When the tears began to overflow out of my eyes, I felt His hand gently wiping them away as He caressed my face.  I believe I could hear Him singing a sweet lullaby as He held me close and rocked me like a little child who needed to be comforted.

This same One who saves us, rejoices over us with gladness, quiets us with His love, and rejoices over us with singing. I've heard Him singing...He has filled my heart with songs of joy, peace, promise and love.  I have been flooded with songs in the night, the daytime, and at times when I didn't even think I could or should be singing.

Some of you may not understand how I could feel this great comfort...you may think I'm a bit daft in the head. But for those of us who have been there, we know how wonderful it is to have such a "Mighty One" as this Lord our God in our midst. "The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save..."  

I take comfort in knowing that this "Mighty One" takes the time to notice my sorrow...He is touched with my grief.  And He assures me that 'Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)

I cannot say enough about this "Mighty One"

"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."  (Psalm 34:1)

This is the way I love to remember our "Deer" son.  Always smiling and full of joy and mischief.

Back to the present, 5/26/2026...today we are heading to a Memorial Day Picnic at our church. I am baking a cherry-blueberry cobbler.  It's good to keep busy on this day.  Benton and Rose will be there too. Hopefully I will have some pictures to share later.  Yesterday Scott was here and the "kids", and we cooked ribs and chicken on the grill,  along with corn on the cob, a salad, baked potatoes, and we had watermelon.  I didn't take one picture!  I wanted to plant something in memory of Matthew, as is our custom, but it was very hot and we were all tired and I didn't have what I wanted to plant, so we decided to wait.  Hopefully we will get some much needed rain this next week, as the storms that others are having in Florida continue to bypass us.  Once we get more rain it will be a better time to plant something.    I can smell the cherry/blueberry cobbler baking, and it's almost time to get it out of the oven, so I'd better go. I will write more probably tomorrow.  Thank you for bearing with me.  Hug your family tight whenever you can. Life is short.

Thursday Thankfulness

 Happy Thursday!  There's nothing in particular on my mind, but as Thursday seems to be the day to think about being thankful, perhaps that's what I need to do!  

Here's the current weather report...91 degrees and do you see what I see?  Thunderstorms are expected around 9:00 p.m. today!  Although we have found this phone weather app to oftetimes be less than accurate, we are going to pray and claim by faith that this is true! Also, it is predicting rain for the next 3 days and then again several days next week! SO, if this is accurate, we will be doing some happy rain dances!!  Please pray with us that it is true! We need the rain SO badly.  It is SO hot and dry right now. The one thing I am very thankful for is our air conditioning.  After we had been outside a little bit this morning, as soon as we stepped back into the cool comfortable house, I said, "Thank You, Lord, for our AC!"  I don't take it for granted as they can be temperamental things, especially when you need it most, so I thank the Lord for it regularly.

I am thankful that even though our Still Waters Pond is still totally dry, life goes on...there's some green grasses growing out there on the pond, which tells me that there are some lower areas with moisture in them, and the grass is still growing around the pond (and we had to have our friend mow all the way out there and he didn't get stuck in the mud because there still isn't any mud).  

I am thankful that the flower seeds I planted are all growing in spite of the fact that I just kind of dumped them all in there together. Hopefully that ring of sprouts will soon be full of flowers! Oh, we got those terra cotta stones at our local building supply place and put them around the little garden. It looks a lot better than it did before. However, that is on a slope and it was tricky getting them to stand up.

I am thankful that our little vegetable garden is still growing and producing "fruit"...Look at those tomatoes!!!! Praise God!!

Aren't they beautiful?   

I am thankful that even though we have to pay for our water here since we are on a community water system and not our own well, we are able to water our little garden and keep it going in spite of the drought. However our water bill is a bit higher than normal, and we are also on a bit of a watering restriction, so I have to be careful...that's why I am really looking forward to this rain so I won't have to do so much watering.

The squash plants are looking good too...

That's a baby squash!! WooHoo! Growing your own food is so much fun!! Thank You, Lord!!! We are in this together!!!

Here's my sweet garden helper...well...I'd say he's more of a "supervisor" than helper, but he sure is sweet.

Did you say you wanted to see more pictures of Blackie?  Okay then, I think I can manage that...

Here is where he managed to jump up onto this morning,  and thankfully hubby alerted me to come get him before he could do any damage to anything on top of the buffet, but of course I saw it as a photo op and had to take a few pictures first, keeping a close watch on him  (and that tail) to make sure he didn't knock anything off. After I took my pictures, I kindly removed him from the danger zone.

When I first got there (and before I could get my phone ready to take a picture) he was actually over there by the dolls and their tea set. I think he wanted to have a tea party with them, but then he noticed his reflection in the mirror and that was something new and interesting...

Then he noticed the little bird on the little church birdhouse, and was studying that when I decided it was best to get him down from there before he decided to eat a little stuffed bird. LOL.

My hubby wears these flip flops in the house and has some Dr. Scholl's insoles on them to make them feel better on his feet, but Blackie found those to be quite interesting and was enjoying playing with them.

I am thankful that we have fun with this kitty, and that he really isn't destructive, just curious. 

He has been a joy and a blessing in disguise to us.  

One day last week we took a walk at a little park in our community that is beside a little lake.

Hello!

I really wasn't going to go down that slide, but I can pretend...

Hubby was working hard at some chin ups...

 (of course his feet were on solid ground, LOL)

Some people never grow up!

The lake was calm and smooth as glass.  I didn't have my good camera with me, so the pictures were whatever I could get with my cell phone.

Well,looky there! A beautiful Great White Egret was flying across the lake:

You can see along the shore that the water level is quite low in this lake also, but at least it isn't dry.

That's because this is a real lake, and our pond is just a pond.  

It's still beautiful, and I am thankful that there is water for the birds and fish here...

Here's some food for thought from God's Word about not giving up, but continuing to "run with endurance the race that is set before us" in this life.  It may look different for each one of us, but when we keep our gaze on Christ, He will help us make it safely to the finish line...

Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

The Race of Faith

"1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

I am thankful for that encouragement as I face my daily struggles and routines. My struggles are nothing compared to what Jesus had to endure for my sake. He ran interference for us, and is there waiting at the finish line to welcome us "home".  That is truly good news to me.  I hope it is for you as well.

Okay, friends. That's it for today. I just got a notice that a book I requested is ready for me at the library, so I can go pick it up and have something new to read in my "spare time".  

Blessing to each and every one of you!!

I Am Not Alone - Revisited Again

Here it is a Wednesday, the middle of the week, and I honestly had nothing new to share with  you. Then I was reading a few of our friends' posts, and there was more than one mention of  "being alone", or "feeling alone", and I thought to myself, "I wonder how many others are out there with feelings of loneliness or who are currently going through a difficult time and feeling like they are alone in their struggles."  I have a feeling there are more than just a few.  We all go through those times, when we are literally alone, or when we may feel alone even though there may be many people around.  We may feel like we don't belong, or that no one really cares whether I live or die. My friend, if you find yourself having these kinds of feelings, first of all, please don't isolate yourself completely. Reach out to someone...even if it's someone here in blogland. We may not be physically close, but we are close in spirit and heart, and there are many here who will be more than happy to pray with you, listen to your fears or concerns, and may even have some words of wisdom and encouragement to share with you. But most of all, reach out to God and tell Him about your concerns and pain. It is amazing how much prayer helps when we take our needs to the Lord and leave them there. I have included many scripture verses in this post of hope and faith and promise and how much God cares for you. Please take the time to read through this and perhaps even save the verses for future reference. You personally may not feel the need for this right now, but there may come a time when you will...or you may know someone who needs to hear this message...so please share it.  And may you know beyond a doubt that you are not alone, because The Father is with you.

Previously posted on 4/9/2020, during the "pandemic":  Sharing this post again...perhaps there is someone out there who needs to hear this message today, especially during this time of "social distancing" and isolation.

May you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are not alone..."the Father is with me"...

"And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me."

John 16:32b

The above drawing used to hang in my husband's study when he was serving as a pastor.  I drew this for him years ago after seeing this same picture on a card that someone had sent to us...so I can't take full credit for the idea...but it struck me so strongly that I had to duplicate it for a constant reminder that God would be with him through all the difficult days and times of searching for answers from God's Word to share with God's people.

Perhaps there is someone reading this today who needs to be reminded that you are not alone...because the Father IS with you...always!  How do we know this?  Because His Word promises...and God never goes back on His Word:

"Be strong and of good courage,

Do not fear nor be afraid of them;

For the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.

He will not leave you nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6

"And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you.

He will be with you,

He will not leave you nor forsake you;

Do not fear nor be dismayed."

Deuteronomy 31:8

"Fear not, for I AM with you;

Be not dismayed, for I Am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

"Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your Presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell,

behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the morning,

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there Your hand shall lead me,

and Your right hand shall hold me.

If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall fall on me,'

Even the night shall be light about me;"

Psalm 139:7-11

Jesus tells His disciples the following promise just before His departure from this earth into heaven...which is for all of us who bear His Name:

"Lo, I Am with you ALWAYS, even to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:20

Also Jesus promises to send us a helper...a comforter:

"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, 

that he may abide with you forever..

the Spirit of truth,

whom the world cannot receive, 

because it neither sees Him nor knows Him;

but you know Him,

for He dwells with you and will be in you.

I will not leave you orphans; 

I will come to you..."

John 14:16-18

So, my friends, if you are feeling all alone in your battle with grief, disease, disappointments, tragedies and anxieties...if you cannot feel Christ's Presence in your life, I encourage you to claim these promises above for yourself today.  Rest in His loving arms, knowing that He is with you and will never leave you or forsake you.

There is a song that came to my mind while writing this that I would like to share with you...perhaps you've heard it...or maybe it will be new to you.  Click on this link to the song "Just Be Held" by Casting Crowns.    

Here are the lyrics:

"Just Be Held"  by Casting Crowns

Hold it all together
Everybody needs you strong
But life hits you out of nowhere
And barely leaves you holding on

And when you're tired of fighting
Chained by your control
There's freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go

So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

If your eyes are on the storm
You'll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
You'll know I always have and I always will

And not a tear is wasted
In time, you'll understand
I'm painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands

So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your worlds not falling apart, its falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

Lift your hands, lift your eyes
In the storm is where you'll find Me
And where you are, I'll hold your heart
I'll hold your heart
Come to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who won't let go

So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your worlds not falling apart, its falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held (stop holding on and just be held)
Just be held, just be held, just be held, just be held

So, no matter what you are going through right now, my prayer for you is that you will remember that you are never alone...God is with you always...and now, lay back into His loving arms and "Just Be Held".

"Peace I leave with you,

My peace I give to you;

not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid..."

Words of Jesus, 

The Gospel of John 14:27

Tuesday 4~ Selfless Service

 

Tuesday 4

Selfless Service


(Note from Annie, our hostess):

Hello dear friends and welcome to another edition of Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4. Thank you so much for taking part and heloing make this a lot of fun.
Mister Linky, the site I use to help you sign in for Tuesday 4 is down right now, so if you want to take part, please leave your name and a link to your site in the comments HERE so people can visit you and see your answers. As soon as Mister Linky gets straigntened out I will place it at the bottom for sign up so please check back again later.


Memorial Day is a time to remember those who gave their lives in service to the nation. But if you
think of it, you don't need to be a combatant to serve others.

We rarely celebrate those people who serve in the shadows unseen and largely unknown.


1. What are ways people can serve others?

There are so many needy people around us these days...homeless, elderly, widows and widowers, and those who are battling serious illnesses.  Look for ways to comfort them, provide a meal, run errands, call and check on them, send cards of encouragement and let them know people care and are praying for them, offer to do little things to help them.  If you are not physically or financially able to do much, often times just that phone call or card is the best way you can help, and it means a lot to others.


2. What areas of service do you see as being very important today?

There are so many...people who have been displaced by disasters such as storms...hurricanes, tornadoes, floods. We may not be able to do much personally, but we can donate to organizations who do have the resources to provide the help that is needed. On a local level where I live, there are many people in need of food and clothing, and there is a lot of poverty among the children in the schools.  Our church tries to provide for children in the elementary schools by donating backpacks, shoes, underwear throughout the year, and then we always have a drive to provide gifts for them at Christmas...not just toys, but also clothing and school supplies.  Our community also has a "Soup Kitchen" that provides a hot meal every day, and there are several food pantries that provide food to those in need. Our church supports these ministries.  We also support a Children's Home for children who are orphaned for one reason or another.

Our church has a Thrift Store, where we can donate clothing and household goods. People can buy items at a very low price, or, if they are truly in need (due to fire or homelessness or other disaster in their lives) they may get whatever they need without having to pay.


3. What service organizations do you think have gone above and beyond in service to others lately?

Samaritan's Purse is a very good organization that goes to disaster sites and provides workers, food, clothing, whatever is needed.  Also many church denomination organizations have Disaster Relief programs that do the same thing. The Salvation Army is another good organization. With so many hurricanes and tornadoes in our country, these types of organizations are kept extremely busy and they definitely deserve whatever support we are able to give.

St. Jude's Hospital for children is another exceptional organization.


4. Do you know of anyone who has served their fellow man selflessly or have you anything to add on the subect of selfless service?

There are so many people throughout history and currently who go beyond the call of duty to help others. On a local level, there has been one woman in our church who organized the programs to help our elementary school children at Christmas and beyond and worked so hard behind the scenes purchasing items out of her own resources to make sure every child had a gift at Christmas. She is also a retired nurse, but has used her nursing skills tirelessly to help others in our community and church as needed.  There is another woman in our church who battled breast cancer herself, but even throughout her own struggles she continued to care for others as a caregiver, even when she herself needed to be cared for. Thankfully she is cancer free now, but still has had some serious health issues, and yet she continues to look out for the needs of others first and foremost, even to her own detriment sometimes. I admire these women because they are the kind of people who always put others first and do so with a smile and with much love and concern.  

James 1:27 says this:  "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Jesus said this in Luke 6: 27-31

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you."

Amen!