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.  

Thankful Thursday~Special Blessings

So much to be thankful for in these turbulent times. Thankful that Hurricane Sally, that went nearby yesterday, did not cause us any harm, and as far as I know, the people that I personally know in the panhandle area were not seriously affected, but there is much devastation around them. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who may be dealing with the effects of this storm.

I was blessed and thankful to see this little rose blooming in the Memorial Garden yesterday.

It is reaching toward the sun and the pond...

and toward the sign that is there in memory of our son. I am always thrilled to get a flower from his garden. 

It is like a special gift from heaven, usually close to some special event. My birthday is coming up in a week, and as I don't see any other buds forming on the bush currently, I will accept this as my birthday rose from my son.  Thank you, Matthew!  I hope it will last all week. Sometimes they do.

Not sure what kind of bugs these are,* but they seem to be a pair and both are enjoying the nectar of this little yellow wildflower where we take our walks:

I am thankful for these special little blessings from nature. Always a treat to see something new and interesting.  Another amazing part of God's Creation.

*Note: it is a "Notch-tipped Flower Longhorn" type of beetle.

Another special gift this week, as I was sitting inside at my computer in my "room with a view", all of a sudden this hawk flew up onto the porch railing outside my window.  I wish the pictures were a little clearer, but I had to use my phone camera and zoom, and the shadows were kind of dark, so it isn't as clear as I'd like, but what a neat surprise!

I've never seen one come up this close to the house before. 

At first I thought it was our usual Red Shouldered Hawk, but after looking at it more closely, I believe it is a Cooper's Hawk, because of his white throat and hooded forehead.  Whatever he is, he was a total surprise and a blessing to me.

Another blessing was lighting this little fireplace the other night...

No, we didn't turn on the heat..., just the flame for the ambiance. The nights are getting darker a little earlier,

and it was fun to pretend it was cool enough for a fire:

We were celebrating the fact that our kids made it home safely from their trip to Minnesota.

Here is our sweet daughter in law Rose (right), with her sister Sherri, who came with them to stay  for awhile.

Here is our wonderful son Benton:

And my handsome hubby John:

Thankful also for our son's help in spreading some dirt in our back yard.

We are dealing with some erosion issues because of all the rain, and adding dirt is a temporary solution, while we figure out a more permanent fix.

Just so thankful to have strong people to help us!

I am also thankful that my cold seems to have pretty much gone away. It really acted more like a bad allergy/sinusitis attack. Whatever it was, I am glad it is going, going, gone!

Our Psalm of praise from this morning's devotion came from Psalm 118

1.  "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever."

14.  "The Lord is my strength and song,

and He has become my salvation.

15.  The voice of rejoicing and salvation 

is in the tents of the righteous;

The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.

16.  The right hand of t he Lord is exalted;

The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.

17.  I shall not die, but live,

and declare the works of the Lord.

18.  The Lord has chastened me severely,

but He has not given me over to death.

19.  Open to me the gates of righteousness;

I will go through them,

and I will praise the Lord.

20.  This is the gate of the Lord,

Through which the righteous shall enter.

21.  I will praise You,

For You have answered me,

and have become my salvation."

29.  "Oh, give thanks to the Lord,

for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever."

Amen.

What are some things you are thankful for today?  I hope you have a blessed and beautiful day.