Friday Foto Friends - Outside My Open Window and Beyond...

I challenged my blogging friends to share whatever they see outside their "open window" HERE, and it was such fun to see your responses!  I'm hoping that some of you will follow up with pictures on your Friday Foto Friends post today.  It was really interesting to see the different kinds of responses...we are a varied and unique group of people who come from all walks of life and from many different kinds of "neighborhoods".  I LOVE this connection we have here. It's like a weekly gathering of "old friends" (not OLD in the sense of AGE, but old in the sense of people who enjoy each other's company and look forward to visiting each week.) Some of us visit every day almost! Such fun! I do wish we could all meet in person and have a real group hug!!

So, here are a few pictures from my "Open Window" from this week...and some from beyond my open window...but a window into my world.  You are welcome to come along for the ride today.

Signs of Spring progress...

The little maple tree in our yard is putting forth its new spring leaves...

 This is how it looked a week or so ago...

And this was it today...interesting, huh?  I think so.

Also in my front yard this morning...these double spider webs...it's as if they are dancing a minuet waltz together. So graceful and lovely...

 I enjoyed watching this little video "The Second Waltz"...maybe my imagination went a little crazy here, but I can see it all now...can't you?

Now back to reality...
This picture was taken from the window of my car as we journeyed to visit my MIL at the nursing home.  It was a huge crane, so huge I couldn't get it all in the picture, and we had to keep moving in traffic.  This is over the hospital in Ocala, so I guess they are doing some kind of renovation there...progress in progress...When we drove back by after our visit I could see two men at the end of this crane, but we couldn't stop to take a picture! That would have REALLY been a good picture!!  They were brave souls...  I took this picture so you could see that I do get out of the woods occasionally!

  Now, back to my open window at home... (and this was literally taken through the window, hence the quality is not too great)
 
We have enjoyed seeing a lot of sparrows flocking into our yard and at our bird feeder this week. They must be passing through to somewhere because we do not see them all the time like this...

Makes me think of the song "His Eye Is On The Sparrow"...

Matthew 10:29-31 (NIV)

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

And that brings me to the sweetest part of my week.  This wasn't outside my open window, but it is in the bigger picture window that God is looking through as He works in our lives and ministers to and through us.  I've mentioned my dear friend Sharon to you several times and have asked you to pray for her.  Well, there has been a lot of wonderful things going on in her life lately, with loved ones coming from near and far to minister to her and bless her life...and in turn she is blessing them in so many beautiful ways.  Well, today (writing this on Thursday) I was blessed to be able to extend a special blessing to her.

As most of you are probably aware, I retired from working at a large Presbyterian church a couple of years ago.  One of the very special ministries of that church is their Prayer Shawl ministry.  Ladies come together to knit/crochet beautiful shawls that they pray over while they work on them, and then especially pray when a new shawl is completed...they pray for the person to whom it will be given, even though many times they do not have any idea where it will end up...but God knows...and the prayers are woven into every knot and link...prayers for healing, comfort and strength for the recipient.

I made a special request of these dear ladies and asked if they could provide a prayer shawl for my friend Sharon. They were extremely happy to do so, and had just the perfect one ready for her...a lovely teal shawl that would truly bless and brighten her day.  And so today I had the privilege and joy to present this prayer shawl to Sharon...and it was such a time of blessing for both of us I can't begin to tell you here.

 Here we are praying as she was enveloped in the warmth and love and prayers of this beautiful gift

And we continued to visit and talk about things that are on her heart right now...one being her dear son. Please pray for Robb.  Her doggy Chloe  was supervising our time together...she is very protective of her mistress.

I just praise God for this precious friend. May God grant her strength, peace, grace, and come with healing in His wings... 

And a BIG thank you to the lovely ladies of the FPC Ocala Prayer Shawl Ministry.

Your ministry is much appreciated.

Now let's go over to Deb's place at Breathing in Grace to see what our other friends have been seeing outside their open windows this past week!