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!

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Yes, I Am Still Here...

Yes, I am still here... I know it's a been a while since I last posted anything. If you are a Facebook friend, you know that I've been a bit "under the weather", and not just Hurricane Dorian weather, which, praise God, did not do us any harm at all...but now we must focus our prayers on those living in its track up the Ga., S.C., N.C. coasts, and especially pray for the folks in the Bahamas. What a horrible tragedy for them.  Here in Florida we were protected by what I would consider a true miracle of God, holding that storm just enough off shore to keep it from doing any serious damage to our state. We want to thank the Lord and give Him praise for sparing us.

I am still in the throes of unpacking, and at the current rate I'm going, I'm hoping to be unpacked in time for Christmas...but even that is questionable.  I look around and when I consider all of the things that are still waiting to be opened and put into proper places, I just want to go outside and sit on the deck and forget about it...

This was our view last evening after the hurricane had passed by, leaving us with a gorgeous sunset and balmy breeze.



Our "kids" came over and joined us for pizza on the deck...a no stress way to end the day.


Remember a few weeks ago when I wrote about "An Interesting Coincidence?" HERE...

Well, here is my real front door after being painted...and actually we hired some guys to paint our door and shutters... They gave us such a good deal that we couldn't refuse. If it had been left up to us to get it painted, again it would probably be Christmas before we got it done, if then...

They did a great job and I didn't have to sweat a drop...



We are also happy to get our flag put out in time for Labor Day, but then the hurricane came and we had to take it back inside...

But hopefully we won't be getting anymore storms for a while, and we can wave our flag proudly and begin to settle in and enjoy our home.

Some of you have wondered if I will have a place for The Secret Garden here at our new home.  Well, the special bench made it,


and this is the view from its current vantage point:

I may still move it to a little more secluded spot but am waiting for cooler weather to clear that area out a little more to make it more appealing for sitting and praying, reading, meditating on God's Word. So for now this is better and not as "buggy".  When you live in Florida that is always a consideration when sitting outside, especially in summer.

We have already "christened" our house with the first birthday party for our oldest son. 

His sweet wife helped make our dinner of lasagna and also made the delicious cupcakes for his cake.  We are enjoying having them live about a mile away from us...such a blessing to have family near.

We are still using paper and plastic products, but we did dress up the table with candles for dinner! Took a few minutes to find them and the candleholders, but it was worth the search.

As you can see in this picture below, there are still many boxes stacked up in the kitchen waiting to be unpacked. That was last week, and it still doesn't look much better. As I said earlier, I've been a bit under the weather, and had to be put on benadryl 4x a day to counteract an allergic reaction I had to a strong antibiotic.  So I'm taking lots of naps in between opening boxes...and I am basically just very tired. God apparently wants me to rest, and so I am doing just that.

Today is the first day I didn't have to take the benadryl, and so little by little I hope to regain my energy.  Maybe we'll get unpacked before Christmas after all.

Meanwhile, hubby has been busy trying to get his shed/workshop in order. That is another big project, and when it is so hot outside it is hard to spend much time in there.

But our son helped him build a workbench, and that will be a good start. Next we need some good strong shelves to hold a lot of storage items,  but that will come. One thing at a time.

I haven't really taken any pictures of the inside of the house yet because I am still unpacking and rearranging things a little at a time. That will have to be a post for the future.


This is where I am sitting right now, writing to you. I love my little desk area, 


And especially love this little lamp with a bear roasting his marshmallows over a campfire, while the owls watch from the tree and a squirrel begs for a marshmallow down on the ground...
I also love that the scene on the lampshade is of a pond...

I also love that my little office/den is a room with a view...

I am hoping this will become an inspirational place to write and pray and connect with you dear friends.

See? I haven't forgotten you. I've just been a bit busy. I've tried to catch up with you on your blogs and/or Facebook, but I know I am way behind.  Please don't think I've gone away...I will be back...just having to take my time and prioritize what I do each day...

Praying that you are all safe and healthy and doing well. I know many have been through some difficult times, and others are rejoicing over good news in their lives.  We are all  connected to one another as sisters in the Lord (many of us)...and if you don't feel that you truly understand what that means, please feel free to ask...we'd love to introduce you to the "family".  


This is where I am at this point:

"Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God."  
Job 37:14

The Lord has done so many wondrous works in our lives here lately, that I just have to praise Him and give Him the glory for the great things He has done. I hope that is your testimony as well...when we stop to count our blessings and look around in awe at what God has done...how can we not praise Him?

Okay, I'm feeling the effects of the benadryl still in my system, and it is time for beddie-bye.
So good night dear friends.  Sleep Tight...and don't let the bed bugs bite.  :)


24 comments:

  1. What a beautiful blue on your door and shutters!

    So glad you are getting settled in nicely and thankful you did not have any hurricane damage. We are listening to the rain here. The storm seems to be hugging the coast which is quite a ways from us.

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    1. So glad that you are not too close to the storm. Praying for those who are. Yes, we are extremely thankful that God pushed that storm away from our shores just enough to keep us all safe. It truly was a miracle. I am glad you like my door and shutters. It turned out a little brighter than we thought it would, but now I truly love it. It makes me smile! And so do you! Have a blessed day!

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  2. Praising God with you for his wondrous works. I'm sorry you haven't been well but please do take the time and rest. Your unpacking will wait for another day. Sometimes we put a lot of pressure on ourselves. I know I do. I'm so happy that you and your husband live close to your kids now. You can visit often and that makes life so much nicer when spending time with loved ones. I do love the teal blue colour you've selected for your door and shutters. So beautiful. I also love your little lamp with the bear. That is just my style :-) Little by little everything will get done and I think you will be very happy in your new home.

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    1. Thank you so much. Yes, I am so very thankful that the Lord led us here to this place, near to our kids and also our church and this lovely little pond. All good! I am trying to pace myself and not overdo it. Being on that medication has certainly forced me to rest often. I know God was in that prescription because He knew I wouldn't slow down any other way. Thank you for your kind thoughts. Hope and pray you are doing well and getting ready for fall to appear! Be blessed dear friend.

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  3. Take your time with the unpacking, the boxes won't go away :) I love the colour of your door and the lovely aspect from your bench. You will have a lovely place for your quiet times. I hope you're feeling on top of everything again soon.
    blessings,
    Diana

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    1. So wonderful to hear from you, who is probably one of my farthest away friends! I love this way of communicating with dear ones all around the world! Thank you for popping in to visit. I feel badly that I am so far behind. I will be making the rounds again soon! God bless you!

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  4. What a beautiful thing the Lord did for you with buying this place so close to your kids Pamela! I'm just thrilled to read this, and to know that you can celebrate the big and small moments together with your children, what a blessing! Gorgeous sunset that the hurricane left behind, truly a real miracle indeed that this storm veered away from Florida, and the US coast, amazing! I do believe the power of prayer turned that thing away! Thankful to catch up with you, just doing a few minutes of reading some blogs before I head to bed too... sure hope you feel better soon! I hope to get a new post up in a day or two :) Blessings and hugs!

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    1. Yes, Marilyn, there are so many blessings in this move that I can't begin to count them all...but I try to acknowledge what God has done in some way every day. It is truly an answer to many prayers and a dream come true. We are very thankful. Thank you for visiting. I will be making the rounds and visiting again soon. I always love to see what you've been doing and also see your gorgeous vistas of your mountains and woods. I'll bet fall is coming very soon to you now...Take care and enjoy every beautiful moment!

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  5. The trim work on the house is gorgeous, Pamela! And I fell in love with your desk lamp, of course, as it reminds me of the characters in The Glade. :) The best news, however, is that you are feeling better - so hard to be under the weather, especially when things like unpacking are calling. I have no doubt you'll get it all done way before Christmas.
    Blessings to you and all!

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    1. Oh yes, It does remind me of your wonderful characters in the Glade! Oh my! You need this lamp! It was a gift to me from my sister in law, but I have no idea where she got it. But I do love it. Thank you for your kind thoughts. I am plugging away at the unpacking a little at a time. I am also trying to give away/get rid of excess baggage as we go. So that slows me down a little, but it's all good. What doesn't fit goes into the give away pile. Makes me feel happy! Blessings to you and your sweet family too.

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  6. I love, love, love the blue door and shutters on your house. That is so very pretty. Just rest and do a little at a time. It will all be accomplished in time. Glad you are starting to feel better. Happy Birthday to your son!

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    1. Thank you, Cathy! I am glad that you like the colors. I am enjoying it more and more every day. It is so much brighter and happier. And my son would thank you for the birthday greetings as well. I will be sure to tell him. Thank you for popping in.

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  7. Everything is looking good. The bear lamp is cute. I used to put a wreath on the door until birds began to try and nest in them and would fly inside the house each time I opened the front door. So.. until the dead of winter, no more wreaths.

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    1. How funny that birds nested in your wreath! Must have been wrens. They will nest almost anywhere! I hope that storm is going to veer off course and not come your way. Praying for you. Take care and God bless.

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  8. I am always to happy to see you post...please keep us updated on the unpacking...and I am wondering, where are you going to hang that lovely sign you had in you other home that was in the kitchen before...smiles (I know, I know, LINDA! KNOCK IT OFF" LOLOLOL)

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    1. Ha Ha! Love your question. I assume you are speaking of the "Let Heaven and Nature Sing" sign? I've been debating on a couple different places, but most likely it is going to end up here in my den, over the window, which overlooks the pond. I thought about the kitchen, but the kitchen windows just overlook the front yard and street, and not much nature singing...so I think it will have to go here. Gotta get someone to help me put it up. I'll be sure to post pictures when it happens!

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  9. Your front door and shutters turned out really well! They are the perfect contrast to the neutral shade of the house. I really like what you've done!

    And that lamp with the bears -- how cute!!!

    I'm glad you're off the Benadryl now. That stuff really packs a punch, but it's exactly what you needed to get past the allergic reaction.

    I think you'll be ready for Christmas when it comes. Your pace will pick up soon as you feel better.

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    1. I still feel like the benadryl has a hold on me...but I've been working through it today and got a lot more accomplished. I was starting to get a bit down because the boxes were closing in on me...and I am still struggling with what to do with everything. My "to go" pile is growing daily. And I feel good about that, but I need to get even more brutal in this...not easy for me, but I feel like God is whispering in my ear to "let go and let God" take control...so that is what I am trying to do. I do want to be ready for Christmas...and also have room to put up a Christmas tree! So gotta get those boxes emptied! LOL. Have a great weekend.

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  10. Oh man...I was in the middle of a long comment and lost it! Starting over...I do hope you are feeling better by now and praising the Lord with you that Dorian pretty much left you alone...nothing here either. We aren't able to do much packing until we have our appraisal which will be soon, I hope. I am already worn out just thinking about it. May I ask a favor? The article from your other post title "Your Address absolutely hit me in the heart and I copied and pasted to my desktop. I am working on a post for when we get into our RV and was wondering if you cared if I shared it, giving the proper credit to you and to your blog. Like you, I have NO DOUBT that God has been in charge of our circumstances. He is SO good! Blessings!

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    1. Of course you may share anything if it is a blessing to you and hopefully to others. We are all in this journey of life together because God has brought us together...we are here to encourage one another and build each other up as we go through our personal trials and adventures. I am so looking forward to watching you as you embark on this next phase of your life's story. Interesting that we are both beginning new chapters in our lives at the same time. We can pray for one another as we go. Take one day at a time and pace yourself. I know you've been struggling with some health issues, and you need to take good care of yourself. I started out pretty healthy, but because I pushed myself too hard and didn't stop and take enough breaks for my body to catch up, I am suffering now. But the Lord has got it under control and I will soon be well...I just need to keep pacing myself and not try to do it all in one day...(like I tried to today...yikes...I never learn). Have a blessed weekend and let God lead the way.

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    2. Thank you, Pam...may your Sunday be blessed!

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  11. Pam, it's good to get caught up on life and "see" you hear again. Little by little you'll get done what needs doing--resting is a good thing, allowing God to work in and through you.

    Your home is beautiful and will come together at just the right time.

    Love and blessings!

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  12. I'm glad you're taking your time with unpacking and really listening to your body (and the Lord!) and going slowly. Your little lamp is adorable! I love the blue shutters and door, I can't wait to see the inside of your house!

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