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, October 8, 2020

Friday Foto Friends and Things that Make Me Smile

 I know it is still Thursday as I am writing this, but I couldn't think of anything in particular to write today without showing all my pictures so here you go...

Last Friday hubby and I decided to take a little ride to a small town northwest of here called Melrose. We went to lunch at one of their local eateries, The Blue Water Bay Restaurant. (internet photo).  The food was good but a little pricey for lunch, so we probably won't do that again.


After lunch we took a little ride around town, and happened upon the Melrose United Methodist Church, which turned out to be more interesting than lunch.  Here is a link to some history about this church.


I love finding these historic old churches in our area. This one is over 150 years old. There are many in this part of the state,  and most that I've seen are well taken care of and most are still being used.  

I was fascinated with the lovely stained glass windows, and didn't even notice the Red Shouldered Hawk that landed on top of the cross while I was taking these pictures.


But I looked up in time to get a couple more pictures of him before he flew away. It was nice of him to photo bomb my picture! It made it a lot more interesting!! Perhaps he was just letting me know that I was trespassing on his territory!


But now, you can see the stained glass windows a little better. I was standing there taking these pictures and wishing there was some way to get inside and see them.  And then, I heard voices in the distance, and as I walked around to the side of the church, I discovered some people outside  in the parking lot!


They saw me about the same time I saw them, and they very nicely asked me if I would like to go inside!  Of course I said "yes!"


My only frustration was that my camera battery was dying as I was trying to take these pictures, and I didn't want to leave and go back outside to get my phone camera because I didn't want to intrude on their graciousness for too long, so I managed to get a couple more pictures before it just quit altogether.


Aren't these windows just glorious?  The man told me they aren't really very old. They have been given in memory of different members several years ago.

This one is my favorite, Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.

But I also love this one of the Resurrected Christ, showing His nailed pierced hands.

I love these old chairs, and that picture on the left of the young Jesus, I remember seeing that one as a child. This church was so special and so very well taken care of.  
The gentleman that we talked to said they would just be starting their in-person services back this past Sunday for the first time.  I am sure this building was happy to have them back to worship and praise God again, even if they do have to social distance and wear masks.  These churches were meant to be filled with the prayers and praises of His people!


Speaking of church, I wanted to add that I started attending our Ladies' Bible Study, and we are studying the book of Joshua, "Winning the Worry Battle" by Barb Roose.  So I am learning how not to worry. That kind of worries me...LOL.  It should be a great study and I love being with the ladies from our church. 




Today, being Thankful Thursday, I will say that I am thankful for God's blessing on us this past week. I am thankful for finding a new doctor here locally. Hubby and I were not totally thrilled with the doctor's office where we had been going...always a very long wait in the waiting room, very difficult to make connections on the phone without being put on hold for long periods of time...just a lot of annoying frustrations that made us decide we needed to try some other place. We were blessed to find another clinic even closer to home, where they very professionally handled our requests, got us right in to have a first time visit  (we each went at different times), did not have to wait in the waiting room more than 10 minutes and was in and out even after having an EKG and other tests within an hour. Today I got lab work done and will go back next week for the "real visit".  But am so thankful that we found this clinic and especially that they accept our insurance plan!!

I am also thankful that we got to talk to our grandson Noah on his 21st birthday this week. He lives in Maine, and we had originally planned to make a trip up there for his birthday this year, but with the Covid virus quarantine on people coming from Florida we could not go, and he could not travel here either or he would have to quarantine when he got back home...so that kind of squelched those plans. Hopefully next year we will be able to go. Here is his most recent photo I copied from his facebook page. He's a good looking 6'4" tall young man. Would appreciate your prayers for him as he tries to find his place in the world. He's in need of some good direction right now, and all we can do is pray and trust that God will lead him.


Here are some random photos from this past week that made me smile...this neighborhood cat was making herself quite at home on my garden bench in the "Secret Memorial Garden" this morning. She usually makes her rounds around the neighborhood every day, and often stops to watch the birds and or the fish in the pond. Not sure who she belongs to, if anyone, but she does no harm. She is one of several that we see throughout the day making their rounds.


Look closely to see the deer leaping through the woods to the left in this picture below. This was while we were on our walk the other evening. There were actually 3 of them, but this was the only one I could get a picture of as they were too quick. Just about missed him!
Reminds me of Isaiah 35:6

"Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the dumb sing.
For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness,
And streams in the desert."

One of our nice fall-like days I sat out on my garden bench (without the neighborhood cat!) and had  a cup of tea while I watched the birds and enjoyed a nice breeze beside Still Waters Pond.
I was obeying the verse on the cup:

"Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God." Job 37:14
Actually I was sitting still, but that could also work...and certainly goes along with another of our favorite verses:
  "Be still and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:10

I heard someone say they were having trouble finding cans of pumpkin for pies in the store. So I bought a couple of cans the other day when I saw them. But our store also had Mrs. Smith's pies on sale, and I bought one of their pumpkin pies because hubby and I were hungry for one and I really didn't want to go into all the trouble of making one from scratch right now. So I baked this pie, and it smelled so good, but I am "grateful" that I have the cans of pumpkin to make my pies for Thanksgiving or whenever I get the urge, because Mrs. Smith's pumpkin pie just doesn't quite measure up...but it sure smelled good while it baked! LOL.

The fall wildflowers are starting to really bloom everywhere.  Here's another of those strange bugs on this one.  It's a "Notch-tipped flower longhorn" beetle.

Seeing these pretty bright flowers always makes me smile.


And of course our sunsets always make me smile as well.

This night in particular, it appeared that there were some powerful angels flying over us, and with all that has been going on in the world and country, this gave me a sense of peace and comfort.


All night, all day,
Angels watching over me, my Lord.
All night, all day,
Angels watching over me
Now I lay me down to sleep.
Angels watching over me my Lord.
Pray the Lord my soul to keep,
Angels watching over me.
All night, all day,
Angels watching over me, my Lord.
All night, all day,
Angels watching over me

If I die before I wake.
Angels watching over me my Lord.
Pray the Lord my soul to keep,
Angels watching over me.

All night, all day,
Angels watching over me, my Lord.
All night, all day,
Angels watching over me


How about you? What are some things that have made you smile this week? What are some things that have caused you to pause and "Be Still and know that I Am God." ?  Think about it! He's always with us, and He's always trying to get our attention through people and beautiful things around us.  I am so thankful for His daily presence.  

28 comments:

  1. It is extremely comforting to know our Lord is with His children at all times. These pictures you've shared from the church you visited are really good. Those old chairs are very interesting.

    What's made me smile this week? Those storks I posted on my blog. They are still hanging around here. I guess they are resting before continuing their migration to wherever they go at this time of year.

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    1. Thank you, Barbara. Yes, that is comforting to know that the Lord is with us all the time. Even our grandchildren. Those storks must be very confused to keep hanging around the retirement community! I guess they are waiting for orders so they will know where to make their next "delivery". LOL.

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  2. Pam, I had to smile when I saw the photos of that gorgeous old church. What a joy to know it has been used for so long and has been so lovingly preserved! Another thing that brought a smile to my face were photos my daughter sent me of the girls loving on the new stuffed animal I sent them. It's Liberty, the horse, from the Rush Revere series she is reading with Virginia. I know this lucky plush toy has found a forever home. :)
    Blessings!

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    1. Oh, I know your girls will treasure that horse. I am not familiar with the series, but I am sure it is wonderful, especially if their mother is reading it to them and they are enjoying that special time. How wonderful that you found such a horse and thought to send it!! You are good grandma!!! Yes, I also smiled to see that lovely old church and to know it is still being used for God's glory! Hallelujah!

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  3. Coming to visit you through the blog is so refreshing. Reading the words and enjoying the pictures has made me smile. I love those gorgeous stained glass windows. I will be posting a couple of teaser pictures on Facebook from my day today. I smiled most of the afternoon.

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    1. Thank you, Ruth. You have made me smile as well!! I will have to go see what you are posting on Facebook now. I love that you have been smiling all afternoon. God is so good, isn't He?

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  4. I'll keep this young man in my prayers. I have a soft spot for boys anyway. Including ALL of our kids and grands....we have together 5 sons and 1 daughter and 5 grandsons and 1 granddaughter. So boys are special to me! Love the wildflowers we are seeing right now. And what a beautiful old church building! I love finding these as we drive around too. Enjoy your evening! Hugs!

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    1. Oh my, you do know about boys...but how wonderful you managed to also get a couple of girls in the mix! I need some sweet little girl to come along who loves to play dollies and have tea parties and things that I love. Otherwise all these things will go to strangers someday! Oh yes, the wildflowers are so pretty. It's like the last hurrah of the year before winter sets in! Thank you for visiting! Always a joy to see you!

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  5. Those stained-glass windows in that church are SO beautiful! Thanks for sharing your side-trip and how great that you were able to go inside the church! Of course, I love the cat on your bench!! Those yellow daisy-like flowers are gorgeous. I will keep your grandson in prayer, Pam. I am not a pumpkin-liking person but I do love my mom's recipe for pumpkin bread and I made some this week.

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    1. Hmmm, pumpkin bread does sound good! I may have to break down and do some baking after all, if this weather would just cool back down again! What happened to our nice fall days? They didn't last very long...but I know they will be back again soon. Thank you for praying for our grandson. I do appreciate that. He is too far away from us for us to be able to do much for him, but prayer is the most effective thing we can do...so thank you...the more prayers the better!! I love the cat too. She appears to be well fed and someone must be taking care of her, but she has hung around our house since the first day I saw this house, so she must like it here. Probably gets some goodies from around the pond like little frogs and lizards and maybe even some little fish. It's almost like having a cat without the responsibility or vet bills! LOL. Except I can't get close enough to pet her. :(

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  6. Funny you should mention that...I was pulling into the parking lot at a fabric store and nothing to do with anything I was heading in or had my mind on...but the Lord just brought to mind a random prayer He had answered for me in just the exact way that I had prayed for it. Now, I really believe that prayer was answered that way because He could see it was best for all parties involved but the point of this being brought to mind was that I had prayed earlier in the day ---just talking to the Lord letting him know I had no clue what to ask for but I trusted him with the matter. I think he brought it to my mind later in the day to let me know He had it all under his care ---just a quiet reminder.
    I went on with my day thanking him for his voice of calm.
    Now, one of my favorite verses is Psalms 42:1As the deer pants for the water brooks,
    So my soul pants for You, O God.
    In the KJV it uses hart for deer. My family grew up in a small country Methodist church called Hartwood Methodist and it is in a small community known as Range, but to locals we call it Deer Range.
    You made me think of it with the cross. I have a picture of my wee small church (Hartwood Methodist) in my sidebar. It was where I first learned about Jesus. Of course, I know longer live in the country but it holds a special place in my heart.

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    1. I love that you realized that God had answered your prayer specifically...that is always such a blessing...and I know He does answer our prayers...sometimes not exactly the way we think, but in the way that is always best for all concerned. I love those quiet reminders. I also love that Psalm 42:1 verse. I thought of it too, but since this deer was leaping the other verse came to my mind first. I love that you grew up in a small country Methodist church. I will have to look for your picture. I also grew up in a small Methodist church, but not in the country. My hubby and I were not Methodists for all our years of ministry, we were in a different "evangelical" church, but when we moved here we came back to the Methodist church here because it is one of the most loving and Godly churches we have ever been in and we feel like God has truly brought us "home", at least for the rest of our time on earth, then we will really be Home. Have a blessed weekend. Praying for you all.

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  7. Well...wee little kitty on your bench made me smile!!

    Those stained glass windows in the historic church are treasured works of love & devotion. Ironically, the garden of gethsemane is my most favorite work of art in the king James bible.

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    1. Thank you, Anni. Yes, the Garden of Gethsemane is one of my favorite scenes as well. I love this window. The church I grew up in had beautiful windows, one of Jesus and the lambs, and the other of Jesus in the Ascension, going up into the clouds...and I like to envision Him coming back the same way. I hope you have a beautiful day.

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  8. I love the pictures of the church! I grew up in the Methodist Church called Gethsemane! I love the stained glass windows. When my husband and I travel, I notice the old churches that have so much charm. Your pictures reminded me of the special memories I have of growing up learning hymns and children's songs like Tell Me the Story of Jesus and Jesus Loves Me. Happy Birthday to Noah!

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    1. Oh Susan, you just blessed my heart by remembering the same songs from your childhood church as I remember. Of course Jesus Loves Me...that's a given...but "Tell Me the Story of Jesus" is one that I can remember singing in Sunday School and I loved it so much as a child. And then our Sunday School teacher would tell us the stories of Jesus. Precious memories that have made a lasting impact. Thank you for reminding me of those dear songs.

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  9. What a sweet little church; and how gracious to be invited inside! Our church -- build in the 1830's -- looks very similar. Just not as bright and shiny. (*smile*) Our next Bible study is "The Broken Way" -- but at first glance, yours looks like something from which I could sure benefit. Love your coffee mug. Do you mind telling me where you found it?

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    1. First: the mug. I believe I ordered it several years ago from Christian Book Distributers online. I know they carry inspirational mugs, but I don't know if they still have that particular one. It was designed by Sandy Lynam Clough, and is copyrighted for 2014, so that may be the year I bought it. This Bible Study is good. There is a lot to it but I am finding it helpful so far. We just got started. How nice you attend an old fashioned church too. Our church that we attend is also very similar, but we don't have the really pretty stained glass windows like this one. I just love old churches, especially if they still preach the Bible and practice the faith!!

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    2. Thank you! I'll check them out!

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  10. Pam, I was captivated by the photos of the country church with such a rich history--the stained glass windows are amazing. No matter how bad things may seem (or get) God is still in control and on the throne and has a remnant of His people in each denomination.

    Love and blessings!

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    1. Yes, that is so true, Kim. Our church is filled with true believers and we are so blessed to be a part of this faith community. God has been very gracious to lead us to our church, which is very similar to the one pictured above except we don't have the beautiful stained glass windows in ours. But the have the Holy Spirit, and that is what matters!!

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  11. "He's always with us, and He's always trying to get our attention through people and beautiful things around us."

    A very good thing to remember!

    Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos with us, Pamela.

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    1. Thank you, Sandi. I am so glad you popped in for a visit, and that you enjoyed the "tour" as well as the message. Yes, I believe God is always trying to get our attention, and even here through our blogs He is reaching out to us. What a blessing to be a part of this community of friends.

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  12. Love this post! I love seeing those old country churches when we go for long drives. To me they are so sweet and so old fashioned. I always wonder about the congregations from long long ago and what they were like. Y'all sure came across a gem of one!--I've been in alot of churches and those are some of the most beautiful stained glass windows I've ever seen!! They are just gorgeous, so vivid and deep in color. Of course, love the scenes depicted too. So glad you got TO GO IN!! and get some pictures for us. The flowers growing wild are so pretty and so is the sky picture. Hope your weekend is going great! Hugs

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    1. Well Good Morning to you! You were up late, or should I say early? I hope this doesn't wake you back up! Thank you for your visit with me of the old church. Yes, I would have loved to have seen and heard the old time people and preacher in that church 150 years ago! Can you imagine? I'll be there was some good old fashioned preaching and singing going on! So thankful it is still alive and well. The church we attend is about the same size, and we still have good old fashioned preaching and singing, albeit with our masks on now, and no hugging, but we are so thankful to be together it doesn't matter. Speaking of which, I need to keep moving along this morning or I'll be late to church! Have a blessed day.

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  13. Such a nice photo of your grandson. The stained glass windows are lovely. I am happy you both were accepted as patients by the new dr, Mildred

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