Monday Monday: First Monday of Summer!

 

This morning's Sunrise!

This old hymn came to my mind as I was enjoying this beautiful sunrise this morning...

When morning gilds the skies,

My heart awaking cries:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Alike at work and prayer

To Jesus I repair:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

2

To Thee, my God above,

I cry with glowing love,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

The fairest graces spring

In hearts that ever sing,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

3

Does sadness fill my mind?

A solace here I find,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Or fades my earthly bliss?

My comfort still is this,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

(I left out verses 4-5)

6

Be this, while life is mine,

My canticle divine,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this th’ eternal song

Through all the ages long,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

You may not be able to see it in this picture, but there is a big Pileated Woodpecker sitting in this tree below:

Now you can see him!

Up, up, and away!   There were actually two of them flying around, and maybe even another one in the trees back behind us as we took our morning walk Saturday morning.  If you aren't familiar with this prehistoric looking huge woodpecker, you can read more HERE.  It's always a thrill to see them.

Reminds me of this song..."I'll Fly Away"...

Some glad morning when this life is over

I'll fly away

To a home on God's celestial shore

I'll fly away

I'll fly away, oh, Glory

I'll fly away

When I die, Hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away

When the shadows of this life have gone,

I'll fly away;

Like a bird from prison bars has flown,

I'll fly away (I'll fly away)

I'll fly away, oh, Glory

I'll fly away

When I die, Hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away

Just a few more weary days and then

I'll fly away

To a land where joy shall never end

I'll fly away

I'll fly away, oh, Glory

I'll fly away

When I die, Hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away

Yeah, when I die, Hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away

Source: Musixmatch

I guess I am full of music in my mind this morning.  Why?  Well, this song above in particular...You see, yesterday morning, (Sunday, to be exact, Father's Day, and the first day of summer), when we got to church I was told that yet another of my dearest friends had just that morning "flown away" into heaven.  My dear sweet Opal, our former pianist and choir member and very dear friend had left her earthly body, and she entered her eternal home on "God's celestial shore", and she, like that "bird from prison bars has flown"..."to a land where joy shall never end."...

I had just recently told you about my friend Opal HERE, on her birthday in May,

and she had been recuperating so well from the past couple of years since she had a stroke and other complications. She'd been at home for the past few weeks and doing really well. We talked on the phone every week and she was making such good progress. But then, yesterday morning  God called her home. Apparently a massive heart attack.  It was time for her to "Fly Away"...we sang that song together as she played it on the piano for our church so many times in the past years...and finally it was her turn...like that big old woodpecker we saw flying away...Opal heard her Master's call, and she answered and flew away to glory.  

Needless to say, I was a bit of a cry-baby in church yesterday morning. It was quite a shock for all of us, as we all loved Opal.  But I can see her healthy and strong again, running through the fields of heaven, and also able to play and sing beautiful music once again.  Oh, how I will miss her! But I am SO happy for her!   Please remember her dear husband Larry and her daughter and family out in California in your prayers, as they mourn her loss.

I'm so glad I listened to the Lord prompting me to do something special for Opal on her birthday on May 1st.  One thing I've learned in the past month regarding friends...listen to the voice of God when He prompts you to make that phone call, write that card, visit that person...we just never know when it will be the last time we will see that person or hear their voice.

So, after an emotional morning, we came home from church and the boys were here for lunch to celebrate Father's Day with us. Rose had to work, sadly, but we are going to meet up with her and Benton this morning and drive south to The Mason Jar to meet John's brother Billy and his wife Peggy for lunch, so I have to get a move on!!

We had grilled chicken thighs, scalloped potatoes, corn on the cob and tossed salad. It was wonderful. So happy our boys could be with us.

And Blackie says hello this morning from my desk...

He's looking out the window into the dark to see what's going on...

And he took over my desk chair...He's a rascal...but we love him.

And look at that rose! It came from the same bush as the other two...totally different! God's gift to us today.

Okay, I must run. 

Hug your family. Call your friends. Visit the sick. Send cards to those you can't visit.

Life is short. None of us knows when it will be our turn to "Fly Away". Be ready to meet Jesus every day.

Monday, Monday!

Good Monday Morning!  I woke up after a restless night's sleep with disturbing dreams to see these beautiful skies:

And I know I've shared this old hymn many times before, but it is worth sharing again:

When morning gilds the skies,
My heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer
To Jesus I repair:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

I was so thankful for the beautiful skies and the peaceful serenity of Still Waters Pond, soothing my mind and soul...

To Thee, my God above,
I cry with glowing love,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The fairest graces spring
In hearts that ever sing,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Does sadness fill my mind?
A solace here I find,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades my earthly bliss?
My comfort still is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

I found myself looking longingly at the "Secret Memorial Garden", and wishing I could just go spend some time there early in the morning, before the busy-ness of the day takes over... (and yes, that branch hanging down needs to be cut.  There's so much work to be done, and that's what stops me from finding the "rest" that I need for my soul and body.LOL. There's just always something that needs to be done!)

When evil thoughts molest,
With this I shield my breast,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The powers of darkness fear,
When this sweet chant they hear,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Did you all see the full moon last night?  It was amazing! 

When sleep her balm denies,
My silent spirit sighs,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The night becomes as day,
When from the heart we say,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Yes, the full moon was glorious, but sometimes a full moon also disturbs my sleep.  I think I just had too much of a wonderful weekend with family and friends and blessings overflowing, and perhaps my mind and body were a bit over-stimulated and my mind wouldn't shut down like it should!

I am reminded of Psalm 4:8, which says:

"I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;

For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."

Be this, while life is mine,
My canticle divine,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this th’ eternal song
Through all the ages long,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Waking up this morning to this glorious sight restored my peace and calmed my spirit, and I must say I've had more energy this morning than I have had in a while, so I give thanks to God for His peace and grace and love.    May Jesus Christ be praised!! Amen!

So, I know you've heard enough by now about our wonderful weekend, celebrating our anniversary and also the birthdays and anniversaries of some of the rest of our wonderful family together.  It truly was a lovely weekend, and we were blessed with good weather and good fellowship. To top it all off, our son Scott came over yesterday and grilled us some hamburgers and hot dogs. Of course Benton and Rose and the pups came over as well. We just didn't take any pictures.  But we had a good time together and that made our weekend complete. Oh! We also heard from our grandson Noah, who loved seeing the pictures of us on our anniversary that I texted him. He said, "Y'all are cute, and I love you too."  I was surprised he said "y'all", because he's a Maine boy through and through, but I guess he learned the southern lingo from his daddy who was raised in the south, and from us who say "y'all" quite often.  LOL.  I don't care what lingo he used,  I'm just so happy to hear from him!  That truly was the "icing on the cake".  

One thing I forgot to show you from our family gathering on Saturday was this cute gift from my sister in law Peggy. She said she was thinking "FALL", and also thinking about my birthday, which isn't until next month, but they will be away at that time so we probably won't get together.  So she brought me this really cute little Autumn Squirrel couple.

Aren't they adorable?

Lily Grace thought so, and here she's trying to hold her dog Bailey back from chasing them! LOL.  We all know that beagles love to chase squirrels! (What dog doesn't???)

Also, Lily wanted to name the squirrels, so I said she could name them whatever she wanted. The first names that came to her sweet little mind was "Rocky and Bullwinkle".  I told her that Bullwinkle was actually a moose, and also one of these squirrels is a girl and one is a boy. But that did not deter her. She said "Rocky and Bullwinkle" is what I want to name them, and you said I could name them anything I wanted!"  (little bit impertinent, isn't she??)  LOL.  And so Mr. and Mrs. Autumn Squirrel are now known as "Rocky and Bullwinkle".  I'm sure they probably don't mind at all. They are just happy to be safe and warm and dry inside our house and not have to go anywhere else to hunt for nuts! There's plenty of "nuts" right here! LOL. 

I didn't even notice what this gift bag said on it until this morning when I was arranging things on the table.  Dr. Joyce Brothers "became famous in 1955 for winning the top prize on the American game show The $64,000 Question.^[1] Her fame from the game show allowed her to go on to host various advice columns and television shows, which established her as a pioneer in the field of "pop (popular) psychology".(Wikipedia)  I remember hearing all about her when I was a child.  I was about "Lily Grace's" age when Dr. Joyce Brothers became famous. LOL.  Anyway, I love this quote and thought it noteworthy to share:

And yes, today, after a lovely weekend filled with "family happinesses", I can totally agree with her statement.

Of course, I also believe that the "greatest happiness" comes from knowing Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord. 

Matthew 19:14  New King James Version

14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, 

and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus also said in John 14:6:

"I am the Way, The Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Without that knowledge and assurance, there really cannot be any true great happiness.

I mentioned having troubling dreams last night...and so I did. Without going into all the details, just to suffice it to say that it appeared in my dream that the world as we know it was coming to a very violent end.  And just before I woke up, I saw a woman singing a song that said "Be sure your children belong to Jesus. There is nothing more important than that."    And with that I woke up and prayed, not just for my own children (although I do know that they do know Jesus), but for many other "children", both young and old, who still have not made that decision to accept Christ as their Savior.  Time is running out for this world.  People need to make sure of their salvation now, before it is too late. And with that I will  close this post, praying that if there is anyone out there who isn't sure about their faith in Christ, it's time to settle that issue now with God.  Amen.

 

Friday Foto Friends-There's Always Something to See!

"When morning gilds the sky, our hearts awaking cry:

"May Jesus Christ be praised!"

in all our work and prayer
we ask his loving care:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

2 To God, the Word on high,
the hosts of angels cry:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let mortals too upraise
their voices in hymns of praise:
May Jesus Christ be praised!


3 Let earth's wide circle round
in joyful notes resound:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let air and sea and sky
from depth to height reply:
May Jesus Christ be praised!


4 Be this, when day is past,
of all our thoughts the last:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day
when from the heart we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

5 Then let us join to sing
to Christ, our loving King:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this the eternal song
through all the ages long:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

I hope you enjoyed singing that lovely old hymn of praise with me this morning.  When I look at the skies in the morning and the evening I often break out into songs of praise for God's majesty and His masterpieces painted in the skies.  I just can't help it!

This Psalm also declares what human hearts have felt since the beginning of time...

Psalm 19:1-6

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;

And the firmament shows His handiwork.

2 Day unto day utters speech,

And night unto night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech nor language

Where their voice is not heard.

4 Their line has gone out through all the earth,

And their words to the end of the world.

In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,

5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.

6 Its rising is from one end of heaven,

And its circuit to the other end;

And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

And so these are my photos for this Friday.  When I woke up this morning I bemoaned the fact that I had nothing new to share with you. Then I looked outside and saw the sunrise...and also remembered the pictures I took a couple of nights ago of the sunset...and then a couple of the full moon in the early hours of the morning the other day...and God put it all together!  I love it when He reminds me that His beauty and glory is all around us...we just have to open our eyes to see!

The only other new photo I had was this one:   This little visitor came up on our back porch yesterday and stood there looking in at us like she was seeing into another world...

And when she got bored with staring at us she decided to jump back down off the porch and go on her merry way, stalking birds and lizards and other more interesting things...

She is one of several neighborhood kitties that wander around in search of interesting prey.  They are fed by one of the neighbors, and possibly belong to someone, but they like to come and visit us and our pond every so often. I don't mind as long as they stay away from our birdies...

So, I have some wonderful news and answers to prayer from my last post:  If you recall, I told you that our car AC had gone out and we were going to most likely have to replace it yesterday.  Well, Praise God! When the repairman did the diagnostics on the system he couldn't find anything wrong with the AC itself at all! The only thing he did find was our cabin air filter was VERY dirty and somehow had gotten twisted and stuck up under the dash board or something like that...and so they put in a new cabin air filter, and the AC works perfectly!!!  The charge was less than $100., as opposed to possibly more than a $1000.00!!!  Now that's what I call a big answer to prayer!!  We definitely did a happy dance when we got that news!!!  

Also, in reading some of your comments on that previous blog, some of you expressed that you were not aware that our kids had sold Dixie Cottage.  Apparently you missed a post way back on March 30th,, where I told you about it way at the end of the post.  You most likely got side tracked by all of the cute photos of the then baby Sand Hill Cranes and other birds, etc., and didn't read the news at the end.  Our kids had decided that they wanted to sell the business because they had other things they wanted to be free to do, like spend time with our DIL's Dad up in Minnesota, etc., and so thankfully, one of the vendors in the store decided she would like to take over the business when she heard it was available...and so that happened on April 1st, and she has been running it ever since.  It it still known as Dixie Cottage and is in the same space, etc., and our son does still put furniture in the store for sale.  But at the same time, when a business owner in the next city over heard that Benton was selling the business, he asked him if he would like to come build furniture for his store. He set him up with a nice woodworking shop in the back of his place of business, and provides all the equipment, wood, etc., and Benton builds unfinished pine furniture to sell there at the business called "Son of a Doodle".  (I know, strange name...but it works!)

These are some examples of the furniture he has been building: 

Rose still works at Home Depot, and in their spare time they also still have their Etsy site: BRCoastal Rustic Decor, for which they create coastal rustic bathroom shelves and ship them all over the country!  So they stay quite busy!!

So that's it for today,  folks!  I started out with nothing to show, and little by little, with God's help, there's quite a lot to see!  

I pray that you and yours will have a lovely and beautiful day and weekend. When you think there's nothing new out there or that life is boring or dull...take a look around you, and you will see that God has something waiting for you everywhere you look!!

Thankful Thursday and Friday Foto Friends

This morning's sunrise got me singing:

"When Morning Gilds the Skies, 

my heart awaking cries...

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Alike at work and prayer 

To Jesus I repair:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

2

To Thee, my God above,

I cry with glowing love,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

The fairest graces spring

In hearts that ever sing,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

3 Does sadness fill my mind?

A solace here I find,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Or fades my earthly bliss?

My comfort still is this,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

4 When evil thoughts molest,

With this I shield my breast,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

The powers of darkness fear,

When this sweet chant they hear,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

5When sleep her balm denies,

My silent spirit sighs,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day,

When from the heart we say,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

6 Be this, while life is mine,

My canticle divine,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this th’ eternal song

Through all the ages long,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

I hope you enjoyed the pictures from today, starting with the sunrise, and then progressing through the activities along Still Waters Pond from this morning.  The significance of the geese and the Sand Hill Crane family was that the one goose was getting much too close to the family as they made their way across the water and the island to our side of the pond. The father crane had already warned the goose sternly about getting too close to them as they escorted the young colts, "Pat" and "Val" across the mud flat and around the steep island and then across the little shallow lagoon to the shore. Whether the goose was just curious or else trying to assert his authority as the "bull goose around here", he was clearly not in the Crane family's good graces.  

But once the family was safely on shore, the three geese decided to leave the area and spent the day across the road  nibbling on some grasses  on a newly built septic drain field. Must be something tasty there because they tend to go there every day and spend most of the day doing this, until time to fly back to the big lake for the night.  I'm sure they'll be back in the morning again...like clockwork.

I had a bit of a scare today, and I must say that I am very thankful for how it ended up.

I had been to my Physical Therapy appointment, and when I drove back in the driveway at home the Crane family was walking in the back yard near where I was headed to park the car.  As soon as I saw them I stopped the car and waited for them to cross back over to the pond area before I got out of the car because I didn't want to startle them too much.  But when I did get out of the door and stood up, I noticed that there was only one baby with the parents. Of course I became alarmed and concerned about where the other baby was, and I could tell the mother was also worried and wanted to go back in the direction from where they had just come, but she wouldn't go because I was in the way. I thought I could hear the sound of a young bird calling, but wasn't sure if it was the Colt or some other bird. So I hurried into the house so they could go look for the baby.  I was feeling rather frantic myself that something could have happened to the baby.  I kept watching from inside the house and literally praying that the baby was okay.   Well, you can imagine my great relief when a few minutes later I saw the whole family, with both colts following them, come walking back up into our back yard in plain view of us as if to say, "See? We found our child who was lost, and we wanted you to know everything was okay!"  You can bet I gave a big sigh of relief and thanksgiving to God for finding this little lost Colt.   

That reminds me of the story in the Bible where Jesus was telling the disciples about the parable of the Lost Sheep, found in Matthew 18:10-14.  At first He is talking about a little child in verses 1-10, but then He tells us how much our Heavenly Father cares about each one of us and does not want any of us to perish...

"10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."

Speaking of Physical Therapy...it seems to be going well. I have my ups and downs, and was thankful today for some time on the massage table having some kinks worked out of my neck and shoulder muscles.  It was much needed.

These two signs are on the walls in the therapy center:

I thought this was apropos to my situation, and maybe to yours as well. We have to keep moving forward in life or we will become stagnant and stiff and sore...both physically and mentally and emotionally.  Staying attentive to God's Word, listening to His voice speaking to us in nature and through the people He brings into our lives for our good helps us to maintain our balance. During this Lenten season leading us up to the Passion of the Cross and the Joy of the Resurrection, may we stay focused on the things that really matter most and not stray off the path.

And most of all: 

Enjoy the Ride!

Have a blessed and beautiful rest of your week.