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!

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Sunday Night Review

 You have to look closely to see the two baby cranes, Pat and Val, in this picture.  They are getting bigger and bigger every day and are so much fun to watch.


Here they are a little closer...not sure which one is which, but I'm thinking this one is "Pat", because he seems to be the bigger and more alert one...
And I think this one is "Val", who was born second, and "she" tends to be a little more sleepy and lags behind sometimes and then has to run to catch up with the rest of them.
 They definitely have big appetites and are eating most every waking moment.

What's interesting is the Bluebird parents are still busily feeding their hungry brood inside the birdhouse right next to the Crane family feeding their hungry little brood.  God's beautiful creation in nature at work all around us.

I'm glad they can all be there beside one another without any issues.  They are each minding their own business and taking care of their families.  I love this.


So, when I'm not stuck at the window watching all of this wonderful view all day long...

I've been trying to play "catch-up" with reading as much as I can of your posts. I fear I am falling behind and I hate to miss anything.  It's been a busy week and weekend and I have been dealing with some extra little nagging health issues, i.e.; dizziness, which makes you feel kind of yucky all over if you know what I mean.  So I've been moving slowly and not doing anymore than absolutely necessary to "survive". LOL.  I have been better today and was able to go to church so that was a blessing. Last evening our kids were here and we put our food together and had a great supper. That was a blessing and a real "pick me up".  So was seeing our sweet "grand pups", Sugar and Spice. 

Here Sugar is enjoying some "Grandma" time because she was sad that Spice was sitting with her Mommy Rose, and she felt left out. So we had a sweet time together until it was time for them to go home.

 

How many of you have already decorated your homes for Easter?  Our son Scott was here this afternoon and I had him bring in the big plastic tote full of decorations from the shed, so I hope to be working on that sometime this next week. I can't believe Easter is in two Sundays!

Some of our vendors at Dixie Cottage have brought in some interesting and fun Easter decorations for sale.  Here's a few of them:







Of course we know and believe that Easter is not about the Easter Bunny and colored eggs and baskets... We equate springtime and the new life of baby bunnies and birds and even Sand Hill Crane Colts with Easter because they are symbolic of the new life that is ours when we have  new life found in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for our sins and resurrection from the dead to eternal life.  

Last Sunday our choir sang "Because He Lives", which is a song written by Bill and Gloria Gaither that expresses the joy and hope and promise of Easter very well:

Because He Lives

"God sent His son
They called Him Jesus
He came to love, Heal and forgive
He bled and died To buy my pardon
An empty grave Is there to prove
My savior lives

Chorus:
And because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
All fear is gone
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

(Chorus)

And then one day
I'll cross the river
And I'll fight life's final war with pain
And then
As death gives way to victory
I'll see the lights of glory
And I'll know He reigns

Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
All fear is gone
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives (He lives)"

(you can watch us singing it and sing along with us in this video below)

I'm sure we've all been heartbroken over the devastating news out of Mississippi and surrounding areas this weekend.  I just can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to have my home totally destroyed and everything around us swept away in just a matter of moments. So many lives lost and people's worlds just shattered.  My heart goes out to them and we pray for God to intervene on their behalf to help them rebuild their lives. I wish I were physically and financially able to do something to help, but prayers are all that I can offer and trust that God will bring forth those who are able to help these dear ones get back on their feet again.  I pray that they will also know that, like the song above says, "Because He (Christ) lives, I can face tomorrow...because He lives, all fear is gone, because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living, just because He lives."    

May God give them the faith to know that life is worth the living, and that He will give them the strength to keep going.

Well, it's time for bed so I will say goodnight. I pray that you will sleep peacefully, knowing that God holds the future in His hands, and we do not need to fear.  Amen.

14 comments:

  1. I too have a hard time keeping up with as much as I want to, but I think that means we also have full lives which is a blessing. I also just feel so bad for those that go through a tornado. Such devastation is hard to watch. I pray they are able to put their lives back together even better.
    The life going on outside your window would keep me watching too. I noticed the ducks we see this time of year were there and then gone. I found out from a neighbor across the bayou and a bit down from us that they witnessed a small alligator eat one of them. I was so sad. It explained no ducks this year. It will also keep me working on trying to keep Gus out of the water.
    I love all the decor at the store.

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    1. Oh dear! Those pesky alligators!! I am thankful that so far we do not have any sign of any in our little pond. I pray it stays that way. I would hate for our wildlife to disappear because of a mean ole gator!! Thank you for visiting. I hope you are enjoying this lovely spring/summer weather we are having. Take care and stay safe where you are.

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  2. It's late Sunday night and I'm glad I came online one last time and found your blog. I, too, have been praying constantly for the people of Mississippi. The devastation is almost unbelievable. When I agreed to move to Spokane 30+ years ago, the main instigator were the tornado warning we had had that year. We spent at least 2-3 nights a week in our basement closet with three kids that spring/summer. So many warnings and they are such fickle things. You never know where they're going to touch down.
    And here we are, right back where we started. Yesterday it was 57F and overnight we got 7 inches of snow! Crazy!
    The bird families are so sweet to watch. I would be like you, sitting at the window all day watching. That's what I did in the springtime at our place on the lake in Washington. Oh, how I miss that. But God has us where we need to be right now in life.
    I will be praying for you, that you will soon feel "right as rain" again. I understand that dizziness. After I got my pacemaker I was put on new meds and old ones were increase/decreased. It took months to get everything right. I was so dizzy every day that I didn't drive for months. I would never have forgiven myself if I had been in an accident and hurt someone.
    I enjoyed your video today. I miss having a choir. Our church doesn't have one at all. I'm listening to a video of old hymns right now as I'm online. I love to have them playing in the apartment all day.
    I hope your Monday is wonderful.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. Oh yes, having to hunker down with a storm looming overhead is a terrible thing to go through, but oh so thankful when it passes over without harm. How awful to come out and find your house gone and everything changed in a twinkling of an eye. Oh, my! To have to put up with dizziness for so long would be very difficult. Nothing feels right and yes, we don't dare drive when feeling like that. I am glad you are better and don't have that now, and I am getting better. I think it is an inner ear thing, but it is going away. I am sorry your church (and so many others) doesn't have a choir. It's sad to me that so many churches have done away with choirs and have replaced them with a lot of instruments and a few singers leading worship. That is okay in its place, but I believe there can be both. Our church loves singing hymns, but we also incorporate some newer praise /worship songs as well. It's a nice blend and it works well for our congregation. I would not be happy in a church that didn't sing hymns at all. They are so meaningful. Thank you for visiting late last night. It was a welcome sight to see you here first thing this morning when I woke up! Have a blessed and wonderful Monday and week.

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  3. Yes, the news from Mississippi has been devastating, Pamela; these folks will continue to be in my prayers, for sure.
    I love that hymn, too. We can all live free of fear precisely because Jesus lives.
    Blessings!

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  4. Love the photos of the birds and cranes and babies. Hope you feel completely well soon. Take care.

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  5. It is a tremendous blessing for you to watch both bird families raise their young.

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  6. I'm so sorry to hear you're still dealing with unpleasant dizzy episodes! Nice to see, your kids brought you some 'puppy therapy.' Nope, I haven't done any Easter decorating this year; perhaps there are still some Dollar Tree eggs and colorful batting in a cupboard. Gosh, everything's in such disarray over here -- it may be Independence Day before I get around to decorating! Please, ask Pat and Val to slow down their growing spurt. Sooooo cute!

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  7. My heart goes out to all those in Mississippi who lost so much, including loved ones. One of my favorite songs...Because He lives I can face tomorrow! Amen! I enjoyed your post, Pam, and that blue bird is SO BLUE!! The colts are precious and I hope Val continues to thrive. Keep us posted!! xo

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  8. I too, have been having a hard time keeping up - I used to comment from my phone but many times I am unable to. So that means I have to get on the desktop to comment. Very annoying.

    Pat and Val are adorable. We're on eagle watch - should be any day now.

    I'm a bit slow in decorating for spring - just haven't felt in the mood with all the cold rain. Usually by this time I'm outside planting flowers and such.

    Take care of yourself - dizzy spells are not good. I was wondering how the PT on your shoulder has been going?

    Yes it's terrible about Mississippi - I have family in Alabama and there was 1 person who died and my family was 21 miles from where that one touched down. Nope, sorry - Debby doesn't do tornados or hurricanes. I'm not used to them and I don't want to be.

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  9. Glad to see the baby cranes growing. Yes so sad to see the devastation in Mississippi! Then the shooting in TN. I like that wooden church on display at the shop. I would love to have that in my home! Enjoy your week Pamela!

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  10. The storms were so bad, my heart hurts for those people who were in harms way. It's so hard to watch, and then we had the terrible school shooting in Tennessee this morning. Such a heartbreak, 3 little 9 yr old children killed and 3 employees of the school. Dear God, please help us. I'm lovin' the little sand cranes, watching them grow through you pictures. We have so much natural beauty around us if we just stop and look. Yes, yes, yes - Because I know
    He holds the future
    And life is worth the living
    Just because He lives.
    Hope you get to feeling better soon, sending you ((hugs)).

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  11. Pam: I am sorry to hear that you are having more difficulties with your health. Please know I have your name on my prayer list. I enjoy watching the baby Cranes, They are so cute. Glad you had a nice supper with Rose and Benton. Peace and blessings to you and yours.

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  12. Louis Dean would love to be a member of your church and choir! What a beautiful song of love and hope.

    I love the pretty things in y’all’s shop! If I were younger, I’d drive down there to see it all in person!

    Prayers for you, my sweet friend. Pray the dizziness goes away….

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Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.