Special "Celebrations" and Blessings

 Good Sunday Morning...the First Sunday in Lent for 2026!  This first part of the post will be a "repost" from years past as a devotional reading for today.  Then I will follow up with some current events...

(This photo was taken in our previous neighborhood several years ago)

Good Morning!  As we continue along in our journey through the Lenten season in preparation for the remembrance of Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross on our behalf, I would like to revisit this post from many years ago.  Praying that it will be a blessing to you today as well...


Original Post 3/11/2011:

I love to sing the old hymns of the faith...and I want to keep them alive for future generations.  This morning in my devotional time with my husband, we focused on this old hymn as a prayer:

"Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,

Jesus, I come, Jesus I come;

Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,

Jesus, I come to Thee;

Out of my sickness into Thy health,

Out of my want and into Thy wealth,

Out of my sin and into Thyself,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of my shameful failure and loss,

Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;

Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,

Jesus, I come to Thee;

Out of earth's sorrows into Thy balm,

Out of life's storms and into Thy calm,

Out of distress to jubilant psalm,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of unrest and arrogant pride,

Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;

Into Thy blessed will to abide,

Jesus, I come to Thee;

Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,

Out of despair into raptures above,

Upward for aye on wings like a dove,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,

Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;

Into the joy and light of my home,

Jesus, I come to Thee;

Out of the depths of ruin untold,

Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,

Ever Thy glorious face to behold,

Jesus, I come to Thee."

Written by William T. Sleeper, 1819-1904

Wow! Doesn't that hymn speak to you?  This is one of those songs that we often would sing as a prayer of commitment and surrender at the close of a church service.  Even though these words were penned by the composer over one hundred years ago, they are still applicable and powerful to me today.

During this Lenten Season, rather than focus on what you are giving up, why not consider what new insights you can glean from God's Word, the faithful messages found in the hymns of our faith, and other devotional writings as God leads you.  Then, share those thoughts with others throughout your day...whether by email, Facebook, notes written in cards, or by word of mouth in your conversations with friends and loved ones. If we could manage to share a word of encouragement and hope with another person each day, what a difference there would be in our world!

Have a glorious day...and give someone a real hug today.  God bless you real good! (((((HUGS)))))

Back to the present, Feburary 22, 2026...I love that picture of Jesus hugging that woman above, don't you? It makes me think of several things...one, how He holds us and cares for us now, during our times of sorrow and grief and pain, and secondly, how He will welcome us into heaven one day, when all of our sorrow and grief and pain will be over.  What a glorious day that will be!  This afternoon we will be celebrating the life of one of our dear friends from our church...(She's the one who made that beautiful shawl for me HERE).  She went to be with Jesus after her 2&1/2 year battle with cancer, and I can well imagine Kim being held in the arms of Jesus just like that as she entered heaven's gates. I am so happy for her, but very sad for her dear husband and parents and family. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

On another happier note, yesterday we had a different kind of celebration...the celebration of my sister Doris' and her hubby Art's 60th wedding anniversary!  We gathered with friends and family at a wonderful restaurant about an hour and half's drive from us, but well worth the trip to be with family and celebrate this happy occasion!  Here's the pictures:

Art and Doris, 60 happy years of wedded "bliss"...

My sister Doris is wearing the antique lavalier necklace that belonged to our maternal grandmother. She also wore this at their wedding as "something old", and so did I and every other bride in our family since my mother inherited it from her mother. It's a "family tradition" that I love. Doris is the "keeper of the lavalier" nowadays, and someday she will pass it down to her daughter to be used in all future generations of brides marrying into our family.

Sisters!!

Family...too busy eating to show their faces! LOL.  I was very neglectful in getting everyone to look  up, and sadly we forgot to get a group photo of the whole family together...we were all too busy enjoying our dinner and time together!

Here's my part of the family...my hubby is appalled at this picture...sorry, honey, I caught you with your mouth full!  Oh, and Scott was unable to attend. He lives a bit too far away to drive this distance from his place and back.

And this is my hubby's brother Billy and his wife Peggy. 

This restaurant, "Cook's Buffet", in Deland, Florida, is well known for it's wonderful salad and vegetable bar and meat buffet, with choices of leg of lamb, roast beef, chicken, ham, etc., that they carve off the bone and serve you.

This is my plate... I had been looking forward to the leg of lamb ever since I knew we were going there. This restaurant used to be called "Holiday House", and there used to be a chain of them in central Florida when I was growing up.  Now there is just this one, but it is owned by the same people who founded it, and the food is all just like it was when I was a child and we used to go there with my grandparents years and years ago!  Here is the website, in case you want to know their history.

(website photo)

It was a very wonderful celebration of two dear people, and we give thanks to the Lord for their life and testimony of God's grace and love.

On our way back home we did a little journey down memory lane and took a little side trip to two places where we had previously lived while serving churches in that area.  I took pictures of the houses, but not the churches...here's the first one:

This is the Parsonage at First Baptist Church of Pierson, Florida, where we lived while serving at that church. That front porch is new since we lived there.

And this was a manufactured home we had "built" and placed on this lot in Whispering Pines, Georgetown, FL., while we served at another church nearby, Beulah Baptist in Fruitland, FL.

These were both homes during special seasons of our life, and we give thanks to God for the blessings He bestowed upon us and for the privilege of serving Him during that time.

Well, it's time to get a move on and get ready for church today. Retired now from the pastoral ministry, but still serving the Lord any way He leads us.

Here's some thoughts from Psalm 139 to consider for today's prayer...

"1  O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off.

3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,

And are acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word on my tongue,

But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

5 You have hedged me behind and before,

And laid Your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is high, I cannot attain it.

23  Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me, and know my anxieties;

24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting."

Amen

The Secret Garden Chronicles: Waiting and Watching Updated for Lent 2026

Good Morning on this first Friday of Lent, 2026.  I haven't been out and about much this week due to all the previously discussed issues we were working through, so I don't have anything new to share today. Therefore, I decided to go back into the archives of previous years to see what I was writing about "Lent".  This particular post goes back to March 25, 2017, when we were still living in our home in the national forest and also where my "Secret Garden" orginated.  I hope you will enjoy this walk back to the Secret Garden with me..

Original Post 3/25/2017:

I bought this beautiful old antique bowl today at the local flea market....

with the idea of using it for a bird bath in the Secret Garden.  So, I've set it up here

And now I'm just sitting here waiting and watching to see if the birds will try it out.  They probably won't while I am sitting here...and where it is placed it can't be seen from the inside of the house...so I may have to rethink this plan.  It is so pretty...I do hope the birds will appreciate it!

Meanwhile, while sitting in the garden my attention was drawn to Lamentations 3:22-26, which speaks a bit about watching and waiting:

22.  "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed.

Because His compassions fail not.

23.  They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

24.  'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul,

'Therefore I hope in Him!'

25.  The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,

To the soul who seeks Him.

26.  It is good that one should hope and wait quietly

for the salvation of the Lord."

What are we waiting for?

We are waiting for God's mercies and compassions...

they are new every morning.

We hope in the Lord..

We wait for His goodness,

because He is good to those who wait for Him...

We wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord...

In verses 40-41, as we sit and wait on the Lord:

40.  "Let us search out and examine our ways,

and turn back to the Lord;

41.  Let us lift our hearts and hands 

to God in heaven."

If we already know the Lord, we have nothing to fear...but it is good to take time to examine our hearts and repent of any lack of trust, lack of faith, and lack of honesty before the Lord. Let Him cleanse our hearts anew and refresh our spirits so that we are able to worship Him in spirit and in truth.

This is a wonderful time...during the Lenten season leading up to Easter...to prepare our hearts for renewal and revival.

I noticed that one of our local churches is having a revival this week...and I wondered in my mind, "Do people still go to revivals?"  And if they do, who goes...the "sinners" or the "saints"?

It's been a long time since I attended a true revival, and it seemed as though only the "saints" were there...but guess what?  A lot of "saints" recognized that they were also "sinners", and there was a lot of soul searching and repenting going on.  So, I guess a revival is a good thing for both the saints and the sinners...we never know when a "lost sheep" will come home to Jesus and be saved...and perhaps there might be some sheep who truly needs to make things right with the Lord as well.

So I'm praying for this church and its revival services. May the Lord do a mighty work that overflows into our whole community, resulting in a true revival where hearts are changed and souls are saved.

While sitting there reflecting on the words of the prophet Jeremiah, the author of Lamentations, 

I couldn't help but start singing this favorite old hymn:

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

1 “Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:

“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

2 Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Refrain

3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

Refrain

Amen!

Oh How Great is the faithfulness of our Lord!!! Yes, we who know the Lord are truly blessed with all that we have ever needed...and beyond!  May we watch and wait for Him every day with hope and faith!  

Back to the Secret Garden....after waiting all that time to see if the birds would try out the new bird bath (note the pictures of the birds above...they were all watching and waiting for me to leave)...I decided to go back inside, but I moved the birdbath to a location where it could be observed from inside the house.

And then I came in the house and started writing this into the computer...and it wasn't long before my attention was brought back to the window...

And there was Mr. Catbird...taking a drink from the new bird bath.  I had put a smaller bowl of water inside the large one, which is also filled with water,  in case the birds were fearful of the deep bowl.  After he took a drink from this one, he then flew over to the other smaller birdbath that is in the garden:

And there he sat and took a bath...even though it sits a little cockeyed.  Then Mr. Cardinal also came and drank from this birdbath:

And so I decided to go back out and take out the smaller bowl from the new birdbath and lower the water level a little bit to see if they will try it out that way.

I'll keep watching and waiting!

Meanwhile...

May your day be filled with the joy and blessing of the Lord!!

For another post on this topic, click HERE

Back to the Present, 2/20/2026:

In case you are wondering whatever happened to that beautiful bowl, well, I rescued it from the Secret Garden before something bad happened to it. The birds never did take to it like I hoped they would, so it came back inside and now, at this house where we moved to from that particular house, it resides beside our bed on my hubby's nightstand:

It actually serves a good purpose for him in that he can roll up his extra smaller throw blankets and put them them there to grab during the night if needed. (no picture of that).   

And meanwhile, as we wait for the return of our Lord...let us not grow weary...

Isaiah 40:31 KJV

"31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; 

they shall mount up with wings as eagles; 

they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Amen.

Have a blessed day!

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice- Updated for Lent 2026

This was originally written in 2010 in the midst of the Lenten season, and updated once again in March of 2019.  Thought it was worth updating again, as we begin this new season of Lent today, February 19, 2026, and I really didn't have anything new to write about right now, (except for a postscript at the end of this to bring you up to date on current events).
This post includes some pictures taken of the beauty of God's creation in our previous neighborhood, which always gave me moments to reflect on the Lord and His plans for my life, and what He is asking me to do for Him...So let's take a step back in time, but with a message that is still relevant and current for today as we prepare our hearts for the celebration of the true meaning of Easter...

I Samuel 15:22  
"Has the Lord as great delight in 
burnt offerings and sacrifices, 
as in obeying the voice of the Lord?  
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, 
and to heed than the fat of rams."

(Our Sand Hill Crane Couple are still faithfully walking together-perhaps preparing a nest?)

 Participation in Lent has always been something for me that is a personal decision for each individual to decide.  If you normally do make a decision to participate in the idea of making some personal sacrifices during this season, how does it usually go for you?  Do  you find it difficult to maintain your convictions?  What happens in your mind if you "fall off the wagon" so to speak, and give in to the temptation to do whatever it was you said you wouldn't do?  Do you get back up and start all over again? Or do you just give up altogether and decide this just wasn't a good idea for you?

My approach to Lent is that it is not so much about making a "sacrifice", as it is about moving forward in the right direction, a new beginning; a clear resolve to obey rather than sacrifice.  Writing a daily journal is one way God has directed my steps during this season of Lent in the past.   It has been a way that  I believe God has directed me to obey Him and trust Him to open new windows of opportunity as a result.  Writing something new every day is a real challenge for me, but it is also an opportunity for me to stop and listen to what God is saying to my heart, and also what He wants me to share with you.  Trust me, it has been a real lesson in obedience and self-discipline!  

Reflection of the clouds on the water...
'The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders;
the Lord is over many waters
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty"
Psalm 29:3-4

So, how about you?  What new sacrifices or challenges are you dealing with?  Are you finding it difficult to stay on the course? From what source do you draw strength and energy to keep moving forward? 

Let me share with you my secret...this is what "works" for me.  Perhaps it will help you as well:

1. "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!  (Philippians 4:4)
2. Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. (Philippians 4:5)
3. Be anxious for nothing, (Philippians 4:6a)
4. But in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6b)
5. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."     (Philippians 4:7)
6. "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Is it easy to "rejoice always" and "be anxious for nothing"?  Absolutely NOT!  It is Christ alone Who gives me the strength and energy I need to accomplish whatever task I fear or dread.  Without Christ living in me, I am powerless.  In my own strength, I fail miserably. He is my Power Source.

The question for today is this: Are you plugged in to the true "Power Source"?  If not, would you like to be? All you have to do is ask! He's much closer than you think!

"Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones,

give unto the Lord glory and strength.

Give unto the Lord the glory 

due to His name;

Worship the Lord in the

beauty of holiness."

Psalm 29:1-2

So back to the present, February 19, 2026...This week has had its blessings and challenges for sure. I have had to draw heavily on those resources of faith found in God's Word, in the book of Philippians especially, that were quoted above so many years ago! Interestingly, our current Ladies' Bible Study is in the book of Philippians, and it's as if God keeps reminding me of these words of faith and hope and peace over and over again. You'd think I'd know them totally by heart by now...but this is why a season of "Lent" is so valuable...I call it an "annual check up", to see how things are going with my heart and soul and spirit. And then to work on the areas that I notice need some "tweaking" and improvement.

Speaking of "annual check ups"...yesterday afternoon we finally had our quarterly physical check up with our doctor, to go over the lab tests and anything else that needed "improvement".  One thing right away that I learned is to be patient and accept what God knows is best for you.  I had mentioned in my previous post that our appointment was supposed to have been on Tuesday, but it was cancelled for some crazy reason unbeknownst to us. It was just as well, because they were going to put us with a P.A. instead of the "the real doctor" that we wanted to see, and so by changing the appointment to yesterday, we would get to see the "real doctor" instead.  Well, who walks into our room but the P.A.!  I said to him, "I thought we were going to see Dr.---, because we were going to go over the results of my husband's PET Scan, which we had previously discussed with him prior to the test..."   He apologized, but said that he actually was the one who had made the arrangements for the test with radiology and that he had been very much involved in the report, etc., and basically he felt that he was probably the best qualified to go over the results with us...but he would get the Doctor if that is what we wanted...but I humbled myself and kept quiet and let him go on.  As it turned out, by the time we were through with both of our exams and his explanation of our VERY EXCELLENT blood work, BTW, Praise God!, my hubby and I were both very impressed with this young man and his knowledge, and I literally apologized to him for my previous questioning of his "authority".  He was very gracious and kind, and I learned a good lesson.

Remember when I said in my previous post https://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2026/02/just-quick-check-in-about-check-up.html, that God always works all things together for our good...here's the exact verse:

Romans 8:28 NKJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, 

to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Yep...that's the one...and Yes, it is still so very true. Sometimes we just have to humble ourselves and sacrifice our own selfish will and accept that God DOES know best.  Remember the old TV show, "Father Knows Best"? Yes, our Heavenly Father really does know best.

As I said above, our blood work was excellent for both of us, and the report on the Pet Scan was also excellent...two big answers to prayer!

On  another note...this "Valentine's Tree" was in the waiting room at our Doctor's Office!  Can't say that I've ever seen a pink Valentine's Tree before...

The other issue we were being challenged with this week was the loss of our use of our "plumbing".  Finally we had to go ahead and schedule the septic tank to be cleaned out...

Turns out that the pipe going from the house to the tank had shifted somehow underground, and was not properly aligned with the tank,  so "things" were getting clogged at the entry to the tank.  The septic tank fellow worked very hard to fix that, and our friends from church who had done so much work the day before on the other end of the situation came back and did some more work under the house to get the pipe better supported and angled for better "flow".  Finally after two days of having our plumbing disconnected, we were able to "flush" again and take showers and wash dishes and laundry, etc.  We are SO thankful that is fixed, and the septic tank man said we should be "good to go" for maybe 10 years before needing another "clean out".  I hope he's right. This was an expensive week, but we are thankful it's done.  

Okay, that's all for today. Speaking of laundry...I am way behind in that and other cleaning jobs, so if you need me, that's where I'll be.  

Be blessed my friends. God IS in control!!!

The Secret Garden Chronicles ~ What A Difference The Light Makes! - A Lenten Devotional -Revisited

Currently: I got to thinking about the fact that I have not posted much about this Lenten season we are currently walking through.  It's been a kind of crazy month...just a lot of  "stuff" going on, little things that have thrown us off track and have kept us from focusing on the full meaning of this journey toward Easter we are currently treading.  Palm Sunday is this coming Sunday already! Wow!  Perhaps the "little things that have thrown us off track" have actually been a part of our learning to trust in the Lord and lean not unto our own understanding so much. (Proverbs 3:5-6)  That is a big part of Lent. Learning to follow what it says here in Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, 

who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, 

despising the shame, 

and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Here is what I wrote a few years ago:

3/7/2019

Here is another reposting of a previous devotional for Lent.  Many of you have already seen this and commented on it a couple of years ago.  The message is still shining through for us today, just as God's Word continues to SHINE in our hearts and lives forever...because His Word is truth and is eternal.  Let us let our lights shine for Jesus each and every day...not just during Lent, but always!!
May your day be filled with the SONshine of Christ...so much so that it brightens your path everywhere you go, and draws other people to that Light.

Original Post 3/2/2017:

Yesterday morning as I was taking a walk, I couldn't help but notice this palmetto standing tall  and proud and actually glowing with the sunlight shining through, giving it a radiance that could only come from the sun.

Today I walked past that same palmetto and was astounded by the drab and dreary difference in this once glorious palm...why?  Because there was no sunlight shining through.

I couldn't help but think about what a difference the sunlight makes, not only in drab palmettos, but in our lives as well!  But now I am thinking of a different kind of LIGHT...the SON-LIGHT of the world...Jesus Christ, the SON of God!

Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees in John 8:12 when He said:

"I AM the Light of the world.  

He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness,

but have the Light of life."

In John 1:3-5, we learn more about Jesus Christ, the Word of God:

3.  "All things were made through Him, and without Him

nothing was made that was made.

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."

And in verse 9, we understand that Jesus Christ was that true Light...

9.  "That was the true Light which gives light

to every  man coming into the world.

In Matthew 5, Jesus' great "Sermon on the Mount", He tells His disciples:

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."

As we continue in our Lenten journey toward Easter, let us focus on letting the SON Light shine through us, shedding His glorious Light on everyone we meet.  Don't be drab and dreary like that palmetto was this morning...let Christ's Light shine through you and light up the world!!

Wednesday Treasures for Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday

 Valentine's Day Love Is...building a new nest...

Yes, that is our same Mr. and Mrs. Sand Hill Crane building a new nest out on that little scrap of a marshy island early this morning...and they are working at it diligently morning and night...so it must be time for a new baby crane "colt" egg to make an appearance any time now.  Last year the first egg appeared on Valentine's Day, and another one right after that.  

These pictures are rather grainy due to it being right before sunset tonight, but they were both right back at it tonight, working away, pulling up lily pad stems from the pond and tossing them into a pile to create the nest.  They took the day off to go feed somewhere else, but came back this afternoon to get back to work. 

They were making quite a lot of noise for a while this evening, and I thought maybe she had already laid the egg...but it's too hard to tell from these pictures.  Hopefully I will be able to see them better in the morning.

Meanwhile, during the bright afternoon sun today, Mr. Turtle was enjoying sunning himself on top of their newly constructed nest.  I have a feeling Mr. and Mrs. Crane will be standing guard over their nest once the egg appears and Mr. Turtle will have to go sun himself elsewhere!

Today was a rather conflicting day...it was Valentine's Day, a day to celebrate the love of friends and loved ones, and Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season, when we remember the great sacrifice that Jesus made for us and we realize just how unworthy of His great love we really are, and yet He chose to love us and die for us anyway.  So maybe it isn't such a conflicting day after all?  It really is all about LOVE.  I guess the conflict comes in wanting to celebrate at the same time as feeling a sense of needing to make some sacrifices in order to draw even closer to the One who loves us so much.  

John 15:13 NKJV 

"Greater love has no one than this, 

than to lay down one’s life for his friends."

1 John 4:10  King James Version

"10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, 

but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

Romans 5:8 NKJV

8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, 

in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Rather than write a new post regarding the practice of Lent, HERE is a link to a previous post that I wrote originally a few years ago about what I believe about Lent.  You may find it interesting.

Meanwhile, since today was also Valentine's Day, there were other things happening as well.  Our Women in Faith group met for their monthly gathering.  I went with full intention of staying for the luncheon at the end, but I really wasn't feeling up to par and decided to head back home instead where I could have a bowl of soup and take a long nap. I was just very tired and my tummy wasn't feeling great, so that was the best option for me today.  But I was there long enough to get this fun little Valentine game that one of the ladies brought for each of us to enjoy.

It was one of those papers that you have to fold all different ways and make a little hand game. I never did get it right, so here is what it looked like originally:

I thought the questions were cute and fun, and maybe we should try to answer them as a Valentine's Day quiz.

1.  What food do you dislike most?   I like most foods, but probably nothing too overly spicy. I don't eat Sushi or stinky cheeses like Bleu Cheese or Limburger. (Does anyone really eat Limburger Cheese?)

2.  What's your hidden talent?   Not sure...it must still be hiding...I used to be quite artistic, but not so much anymore. Most of my talents aren't really hidden as I try to use them so I don't lose them...I love to sing, take pictures, and write this blog.

3.  Who do you like?  Gosh! Where do I begin? I like all of YOU!!

4.  What's your favorite candy?  Payday candy bar.  (the Original one...not the chocolate one).

5.  What's your biggest fear?  I really can't say that I have any big fears because I know God is in control and He is handling everything perfectly. However, I must say that I really would not want to live alone. I've never had to live alone in my whole life, and I have a hard time imagining that I would adapt to a solitary life very well.  I know God is always with me no matter what, but still, the thought of living without anyone around to talk to or just be close to is something that I hope I never have to do.

6.  What's your favorite animal? I am more of a dog person I think, but I love horses and little kitties are so sweet.

7.  Who's your favorite TV star? As a child I would have said Lucille Ball (I Love Lucy). Now, I really can't think of any one favorite TV star as I really don't watch much TV.  I like old movies, but those would be movie stars.

8.  What's your go-to dance move? I have no clue. Slow dancing with my hubby. What could be better than that?

Now it's YOUR turn! I would love to hear what you have to say about these little questions. Feel free to copy them and answer them on your blog if you wish.

It's getting late, and so I guess I will close this with a few pictures of tonight's sunset on Still Waters Pond. It really was magnificent...another of God's masterpieces...a Love gift for Valentine's Day from God!

Here's the beginning, just as the sun was dipping down below the trees...

The skies became all golden and glorious...

This reminds me of a hymn that I remember singing often growing up: "For the Beauty of the Earth". You can listen to it here and sing along with my pictures if you wish...

1 For the beauty of the earth,

for the glory of the skies,

for the love which from our birth

over and around us lies.

Refrain:

Lord of All to Thee we raise

this, our hymn of grateful praise.

2 For the wonder of each hour

of the day and of the night,

hill and vale and tree and flower,

sun and moon and stars of light, 

Refrain:

Lord of All to Thee we raise

this, our hymn of grateful praise.

And then the skies turned to this lovely shade of pinkish-orange-blueish.  Or "sky blue pink".

3 For the joy of human love,

brother, sister, parent, child,

friends on earth, and friends above,

for all gentle thoughts and mild, 

Refrain:

Lord of All to Thee we raise

this, our hymn of grateful praise.

It was about this time that Mr. and Mrs. Crane were making lots of noise out there on their little island while building their nest.  You can't see them, but they were singing praises to their Creator for the beauty of the skies around them while they work against time to get their little nest ready for their new eggs to be developed and lovingly cared for until the babies are born...and then they really get busy!

4 For Thyself, best gift divine,

to our race so freely given,

For that great great love of Thine,

peace on earth and joy in heaven. 

[Refrain]

Lord of All, to Thee we raise

this, our hymn of grateful praise.

Amen.

May you have a blessed season of Lent as we prepare our hearts for the remembrance of the Passion of our Savior Jesus Christ..."Lord of all, to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise!"