Wednesday Treasures~Light in the Darkness

 It's the last Wednesday of October already! Yikes! Where has this month gone?  It's been busy and beautiful...we've enjoyed some cooler weather that actually feels fall like, even though it's kind of warmed up a little and is a bit humid, but I'll take these 70's over the 90's any day! 

Someone asked if the Sand Hill Cranes were showing up on Still Waters Pond more often now that there's a little bit of water on the pond...Well, yes, as a matter of fact, they have been flying in and hanging around for a while most every day lately...

They, like the rest of the birds (and me too) are anxiously awaiting for the algae bloom to dissipate and some more fresh water to fill the pond...

Here's how it looks out there right now...

We are supposed to be getting some more rain throughout the rest of the week and into next week, so here's hoping it will break up that algae and add the water we need...

Meanwhile, on another note...

So many of you do the Wednesday Hodgepodge, which can be found HERE, if you wish to link to it. I don't usually participate, just because I can't remember to do it every week and I don't want to start something I can't keep up with. But I do read so many posts from this weekly meme since so many of my friends do participate.  This week there was one question that I wanted to answer, so here it is...

"3. Pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, poppy, chia...your favorite seed on the list? What's something you like to make/eat that calls for one of these seeds in the recipe? "

Here would be my answer if I were doing the Hodgepodge...I eat this Nature's Path Organic Pumpkin Seed and Flax Granola almost every day on my bowl of yogurt. If I have fresh fruit, like strawberries or blueberries in season, I will add them to the dish, and it makes a wonderful snack and/or breakfast.   It's really yummy!  I order this online from Amazon, but Walmart also carries it in a smaller package.

Now, moving right along to one of my favorite topics...did you know that yesterday, October 27th, was National Black Cat day?  I didn't either, until I saw it on Facebook.  Of course you know that I'm rather fond my my Black Cat, "Blackie".  So here is where he was just a few minutes ago when I started working on this post...and I captured this picture before he decided it was time to go, which he did a minute ago...when he starts biting at my hand while I'm trying to type and grabbing my hand with his paws and not allowing me to handle the mouse or the keyboard, then it's time to go...and outside he went.

Okay, so that brings me to another question from the Wednesday Hodgepodge, which I am not doing, but I am sort of doing.  Thank you, Joyce, for your questions. 

2. What does Halloween look like in your home and/or neighborhood these days? Do you participate? 

Well, yes, I do participate in my neighborhood, and somewhat in my home, but in a very fun and happy way. I don't get into the darker side of Halloween at all, but I do enjoy the trick or treaters who come to our door, and I try to make it a more positive experience for the children.  

Here's what I wrote last year on October 30th about my feelings about Halloween:

"It's hard to believe it's already the end of October and tomorrow is Halloween. I know many of you don't "celebrate Halloween", and I really don't celebrate it either. But I do participate in one way that I think is meaningful. Our neighborhood actually gets a lot of trick or treaters, and to me, I think it's a good way to show some love and appreciation for the children of our community. We've never had any unpleasant things happen on Halloween here, just a lot of little children with their parents, walking through the neighborhood dressed in their fun and pretty and interesting costumes, "begging for candy". I love to welcome them and make over their costumes, and give them lots of smiles. Last year I started a new tradition of including a card with a scripture verse written on it with their little ziploc bag of candy. It is my hope and prayer that the parents will take the time to read the verse to their children (or the child read it for themselves), and that it will raise a question as to what it means or where did it come from. I call it "planting a seed of faith". We just never know how that little verse of God's Word might take root and bloom in the heart and life of the child and/or the parents. This might be the only opportunity we have to share the love of Christ with these little ones.

I know not everyone has a lot of children come into their neighborhoods anymore, and a lot of places don't even do door to door trick or treating. But if your community does, maybe think about the opportunity you could have to share some words of hope and love and faith with others before you turn off your porch light. Remember, Jesus said in Matthew 19:14 ~

... “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

This might be the only opportunity these little ones have to hear any positive things about God. Just a thought to ponder..."

So that being said, that is what I am planning to do again this year, and I already have the candy ready to put in the little bags, along with the Bible verses that I've been collecting all year long with this in mind.


I also saw these cute Halloween cards with black cats on them at one of our dollar stores, and I bought them intending to send them to someone, but never got around to mailing them out on time, so I am sharing them here with you so you can all enjoy them. Consider these a gift from Blackie to you!

 

"The card on the left says "Little thoughts of YOU keep crossing my path."

The inside says 'And nothing makes me happier than that! Have a Happy Halloween."

The other card that says "Happy Halloween" on the front says "Hope everything's happy and bright on your side of the pumpkin patch!"  

Now that we have a black cat, I just couldn't resist those cute cards!!

Speaking of Blackie again...here he is doing what he loves best...attacking my shoe/foot anytime he can either catch me sitting down or even when I am standing...he grabs my shoe and starts biting on it and hugging it like it's a long lost friend...

Who Me???? Do I look like I would attack my mommy's foot like that???

Uh, yeah...see that pink tongue? He is licking his chops for a bite of my tootsie. Thankfully he can't bite through the shoe (yet!).  

"What are you looking at me like that for? I'm just having fun!"

Yes, he does have his sweet moments, in between attack mode! LOL.

Truly, life with our Blackie is never dull.  Ya Gotta love him.

I wonder if you all have been enjoying the full moon this week? It has been so gorgeous. These pictures were actually taken today in the early morning, around 5:30 a.m., when I got up to feed Blackie.   I loved having a few peaceful moments on the backporch, giving thanks to the Lord for the light that He gives us, and for giving us the opportunity to let His light shine through us! What a joy and privilege it is to carry His light into the darkness...

John 1:4-5 NKJV

4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 

15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, 

and it gives light to all who are in the house. 

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

John 8:12 NKJV

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

These are my treasures for this last Wednesday of October.  As we close out this month I look forward to preparing for Thanksgiving, and spending more time in giving thanks to the Lord for all He has done for us! We are blessed to be His children!!

Have a blessed and wonderful rest of your week...and go let your light shine in the darkness!!

P.S. One more thing...for those of you who have been concerned...I finally have a CT Scan scheduled for next week, Nov. 3rd.  I am feeling fine, and am not anticipating anything bad, but it will be good to rule things out.  Thank you again for your kind thoughts and prayers.