What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Friday, February 9, 2018

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!

32 comments:

  1. Loved this post, Pamela!!!! I, too, feel like many of us are 'old friends' and even when I meet someone that is new to me in blogland I feel like there is an old friend connection.

    My husband was the recipient of one of the prayer shawls when he was dealing with a year long bout of cancer and recovery. Stage 4-incurable---and by the grace of God he has been cancer free for two years in March. The shawl gave him GREAT comfort and he used it daily. I would wash it when he was sleeping-lol..

    Have a wonderful weekend. xo Diana

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    1. WOW!

      They ought to quit using the word incurable.

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    2. Diana, Thank you for your confirmation that the prayer shawl is something very special. Also, praise God for your hubby that he is cancer free...and after such a dire prognosis. Our God is an awesome God...and He is ruler over all diagnoses in life.

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    3. Sandi, you are so right...Nothing is impossible with our God!!

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  2. The prayer shawls are truly a beautiful blessing and wonderful ministry. I am so happy to read that Sharon has good things happening in her life right now and YOU are one of them. Friends who cherish and encourage one another. Thank God for them. And speaking of friends, a group hug with the bloggers we have come to know and love would be very special. Your pictures are lovely and being "out of the woods" reminds me of the song from Wizard of Oz! Haha. Love your pics, but especially the sparrow pics and, of course, your pics with Sharon. God bless you two.

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    1. Thank you Nonnie...yes, I was the recipient of a prayer shawl when my son Matt was ill, as was also Matthew a recipient. It was a great comfort to me so far away from my son. God works in mysterious ways...

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  3. "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 am unable to think of the right words, but I love that you do this-- a nest of firey crocheting ladies (perfect disguise) who are superheroes. Sure, you make coffee cake, and you sit still, and you chat about your kids and your grandkids and flowers, but really you are quietly kicking a#&. I feel like I should that wordout because it fits. But I won't because I am not sure.

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    1. I LOVE your description of this "nest of firey crocheting ladies who are superheroes"...that is so cool...and I believe very accurate! Yes, I wish I could show this post to them...not sure if any of that group read my blog...I may have to send it to them so they can see how this group appreciates their work and ministry. I'm glad you used that word...it fits!! You are one cool lady, btw.

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  4. I love the prayer shawl, a great ministry for all that suffer from any disease.
    Thanks for the glimes of Spring, The birds are so cute, love bird watching.

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    1. Thank you Sylvia. It is a great ministry because it shows that people are doing something tangible with their prayers...and it brings such comfort to the recipients. I am so thankful for these ladies. Glad you enjoyed the little snippets of springtime... it's coming!!!

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  5. Pam, I enjoyed all of your pictures...and that was some crane! Wow! I love sparrows...they have been coming to our feeders and I love to watch them. And those spider webs were amazing! That is the first time I've ever seen two woven together like that. Such beauty!

    I certainly enjoyed the part of what God sees out of His window...your time with Sharon. What a precious lady...and what a precious friend you are to her. I know that the prayer shawl is something that she will cherish...but your friendship, well, that is something that will go on for eternity. xo

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    1. Thank you, Dianna, for your visit and look into this window. God uses so many ways to bring comfort and encouragement to His children. The prayer shawl is just one of many ways. I so appreciate the work these ladies do in Jesus' Name.

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  6. Just said a prayer for Sharon and her son. What a precious friend you are to her. The prayer shawl is lovely. God bless you!

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    1. Thank you, Carol, for your prayers for Sharon and Robb. That means everything. God bless you as well!!

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  7. It would seem to me that the recipient would always be reminded that they are wrapped up in prayers of people who really care and love God.
    That is so very important when you are sick.
    She is in my prayers and her son and you as well. You are such a dear person. You care for people so deeply and it shows.

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    1. Thank you, Annie...yes, it is truly a ministry of love and prayers wrapped in a beautiful gift made with love and prayers...I do pray that Sharon will feel that love whenever she wraps it around her shoulders. It is something that transcends our understanding... Thank you for your prayers as well. I am just the delivery person in this case...God is doing all the work and caring through each and every one.

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  8. I haven't seen one new leaf or bud yet, I know it won't be long now. Prayers for your sweet friend, also for her son. It's so nice that you visit with her, I'm sure it lifts her spirits.

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    1. Thank you Mary. You have blessed me today, and you know how. Thank you. And spring will be in your neighborhood before you know it!!!! Thank you for your kind words and thoughts today.

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  9. I forgot...I loved the waltz, it gave me a boost this morning.

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    1. Thank you for appreciating the waltz! You are the only one who mentioned it! I enjoyed it so much I watched it over and over and listened to the music of that and other waltzes while writing this post. It gave me a boost as well. So graceful and delightful!!! Thank you for sharing this moment of pleasure with me!!

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  10. Gorgeous prayer shawl, Pamela, and I can't think of a more deserving recipient. Praying for Sharon and Robb.
    Have a blessed weekend!

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    1. Thank you, Martha. Yes, I wish I could introduce all of you to Sharon in person. She is an amazing person...and God is working through her in such a beautiful way in these days. Thank you for your prayers for her and Robb. That means so much.

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  11. Signs of spring appearing in the yard. Lovely!

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    1. Yes...spring is on its way! A little more each day!!

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  12. What a lovely post! A church that we used to attend had a prayer shawl ministry too. It is a beautiful way to bless those who are struggling with health issues. May your dear friend be blessed by your gift!

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    1. Thank you! It is truly a blessing. I benefitted from it when Matthew was sick...one for him and one for me. So comforting. Thank you for your visit today. Have a wonderful and happy weekend. Blessings to you and Joe.

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  13. Pam: When our church merged (12 years ago this June) with another church here in town (a sister church), the other church had a prayer shawl ministry. It has continued to this day. Between my own hospital/rehab center stay, Hubby's short stay in the hospital, and his sister's stay, I have three of those prayer shawl. One's in my writing room, One's on my couch, and one's on the settee on our front porch. People seem touched to receive such a gift from the church. A man who used to go there lost his mother. When she was in the hospital, she received a yellow on. At her calling time at the funeral home, the family had hung it on a rack and attached the card that explains how the shawl came to be. I can't crochet or knit, but I enjoy things made that way.

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    1. Thank you for your confirmation of the ministry of the prayer shawl. It is truly a beautiful way to extend the love and healing balm of Christ to those in need. I cannot knit or crochet either...no one could teach me since I am left handed and also I wouldn't sit still long enough to learn! But I so appreciate those who can do this and love what they do...especially when they bless others by using their talents for the Lord in this way. Just another way the Body of Christ ministers to each other.

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  14. We were birds of a feather today showing signs of spring. I love the fotos of you and your friend. So special to get to give that to her and pray with her. Thanks for sharing! 💜

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    1. Thank you, Debbie. Yes, we both have "spring" on our minds...which is a time of hope and renewal...(renew-my one word for 2018) This was a very special time and I thank the Lord for the ladies who used their talents to serve the Lord in this wonderful way. Such a blessing to be a part of it by being the messenger. I can't knit or crochet, but I can appreciate those who do and who bless others.

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  15. Beautiful, beautiful photos Pamela. Out my window is not so pretty Just cloudy cold no sun dirty piles of plowed snow. It warmed my heart to see your Spring buds. You are a blessing to your friend. Her prayer shawl is a true gift of love. Those photos are special and thank you for posting them.

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  16. Another beautiful post, Pam, thank you for sharing! I love the prayer shawl ministry many churches have developed--my church has one. Prayer shawls bring so much comfort to the recipients!

    It appears that spring is coming to Florida!

    Blessings!

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