The Secret Garden Chronicles-Visitors in the Garden

I am writing this on Friday evening...and it's been a busy and happy day.  First, let me thank all of my friends who commented  on my Friday Foto Friends post earlier today about "My Cabin Rules".  I loved all your comments, and would welcome all of you to come visit here anytime, and we can enjoy the "cabin rules" together!  Just give me a little notice!  I still don't have that special cabin, but we can still have a great time together with all that God has provided for us to enjoy!

These were my earliest visitors this morning, running down the road in front of us, doing the "turkey trot":

And off they trotted into the woods away from all the prying eyes and busy traffic.

I apologize that I haven't yet had a chance to get around and visit all of your posts today...because we DID have REAL company here, enjoying the cool breezes and the wildlife and The Secret Garden!  These were very special friends from over 35 years ago!  They were members of one of our early churches in another state, and have been faithful friends ever since...visiting us in so many places throughout the years.  It was such a privilege and joy to be able to share The Secret Garden with them today...and they pronounced it "very peaceful and beautiful".  Actually...they agreed that the Presence of the Lord was in that place, and they found themselves wanting to sing and praise the Lord just while sitting there...The first song that came to mind was "Our God Reigns".

How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him

Who brings good news, good news;

Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness:

Our God reigns, our God reigns!

Refrain

Our God reigns!

Our God reigns!

Our God reigns!

Our God reigns!

(This song was based on Isaiah 52:7)

"How beautiful upon the mountains 

Are the feet of him who brings good news,

Who proclaims peace,

Who brings glad tidings of good things,

Who proclaims salvation,

who says to Zion,

"Your God reigns!"

And as we sat there watching the trees swaying in the breeze we started singing "The Trees of the Field 

will clap their hands" 

Isaiah 55:12 says: 

 "For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; 

The mountains and the hills shall break forth 

into singing before you. 

 And all the trees of the field shall clap their

hands."

Here is a picture of my sweet friends today in the garden:

And here is a picture of these same friends when they came to visit me way back in 1982:

 We had moved to the country from the city (where they lived), and they thought it would be great fun to dress up like a couple of country gals when they came to visit!!!

Here's the three of us.  I didn't have the appropriate country garb at the time...but I do now! (No, I didn't wear it today.)

They are still a lot of fun...they couldn't believe I had these pictures!! Won't they be happy to see them on here?  I love you girls!!!

Here we are with our hubbies today also...enjoying some Strawberry Shortcake:

After spending some beautiful moments together in the Secret Garden, we came inside and joined the men

for some strawberry shortcake...and then we went to the living room and sang hymns while my friend Evelyn

accompanied us on the organ.  

What a marvelous blessing to have these precious friends after so many years.  

So tonight I am just resting in the joy of this beautiful day, and thanking the Lord for my friends, both here, and you out there in "blogland", many of whom I have never met in person, but I count you as very special friends and thank God for you.  

(Internet Photo)