"Blessings In Disguise"

When I mentioned in my blog post HERE yesterday, that I was reading the Sugarcreek Amish Mystery Guideposts series book one, "Blessings in Disguise",

the neatest thing happened.  One of my long time ago high school friends, whom I haven't seen but maybe once in the past 50+ years since graduation (and she was in a younger class than I), sent me the most astounding message....but first let me get the timing right for how this happened. 

I finished reading this library book around 9:15 p.m. last night. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to find out if our library had any more of this series available. So I went online to the library website and discovered that they only had the next two books out of some 27 books in the series.  I was kind of bummed about that, but at least thankful that they had the next two, so I placed my order online for them to be sent to my local library branch, and then I would be able to get them in a few days when they arrive.  During this time of confinement I am doing a LOT of reading, and I like to read good Christian fiction, and especially enjoy "mysteries".  This is my evening entertainment since I rarely watch TV.

Well, no sooner had I taken care of that order, I looked at my cell phone and saw that I had a message from my friend.  Now, we knew each other in high school and because we have the history of attending/graduating from the same school and from a hometown where everyone knew everyone, we have gotten reacquainted on Facebook. Nevertheless, I was surprised to get a private message from her. And even MORE surprised at her message at that particular moment.
She said that she saw that I was reading this book series, and that she has practically ALL of the books in that series, and that she would LOVE to GIVE them to me "if you can use them".  She also reminded me that she doesn't really live very far away, maybe 20 miles, and that she would be very happy to deliver them to my front porch today so that I don't have to come out...

I was flabbergasted in a very happy way...I couldn't believe the timing of her message...but I thought, "God, that was YOU, wasn't it?"  Yes, I am sure God put that thought into my sweet friend's mind to bless me today with these books...and what a "Blessing in Disguise" (not so disguised) it is:

 Just look at this bag ripping open at the seams it is so full of good books to read:

Overflowing with wonderful stories to keep me entertained for quite a while, and then I will pass them on as she requested...

I LOVE the card she printed to give me along with the books:  Isn't that the truth? Except I haven't been thinking much about cleaning the house since my surgery...I let the guys take care of that...

My friend Linda is a retired nurse, and she was very careful that we practiced "Social Distancing", so no hugs allowed.  But we did meet on the back deck so she could see the pond and hubby took our picture together. But, Gosh, I really wanted to hug her!!!! What a blessing...no disguise about it at all.

And even though we weren't able to have "church" today, I think we had "church". This is the church in action, Christ's body reaching out to another to bless us.  A bag of great books to a person who is in "confinement" due to surgery recovery as well as the current corona-virus crisis is a very special gift, and I am so very thankful for my friend being an ambassador of God's love to me today.  Thank you, Linda, and thank YOU, Jesus, for giving her that idea at the perfect time! Just another example of "God's perfect timing".

Now I need to cancel that order at the library, and go sit down and start reading!  Wow! I am still amazed! 

Here's another of those "Amish Proverbs" found in one of the books:

Good thought to close on today.  Kind of goes along with "'Tis better to give than to receive", but in today's situation, I am very blessed to be the receiver. But when I get finished with these, I hope to be a good giver and spread the blessing forward.

Have a blessed day, my friends!!!

Tea Time and Summer (Tanager) is Here!

This afternoon when I woke up from my nap...yes, ladies,  (and gents), I do take a nap...how about YOU?...Anyway, when I woke up I wanted to have a cup of tea.  Instead of just making my usual ordinary mug of tea and sitting in my recliner reading a book, I decided to give myself a little impromptu tea party.

After all, I am still recuperating from my surgery of exactly one week ago, and I think I still deserve a little pampering...even if everyone around here seems to think time's up...but that's another subject, when you live in a house full of men...but I'm not complaining...actually, they are all being quite sweet and thoughtful...most of the time.  

  

I had just sent my husband out to the local store to see if he could find some yogurt.  Ladies, you will understand this...when you are on strong antibiotics for any length of time...yogurt is your friend...and I fear I waited too long to remember my dear old friend... But anyway, I am wandering and digressing here...He went to the store, which is about 2 miles away, and found some yogurt, but it wasn't the kind I liked or wanted, and it was a whole carton of it...and so I thanked him kindly, but asked if he wouldn't please take it back to the store and get me the kind I originally requested, even if they only had a few and even if it was more expensive...it was what I wanted...

Well, you can imagine how well that went over, but he "cheerfully" (Ha!) got back in the car and took it right back and came back with two small individual containers of what I wanted...and I profusely thanked him and said how much I appreciated the extra effort and trip...so, anyway....I think my recuperation time is wearing thin on the caregivers...Ha Ha Ha!


So anyway, back to the TEA PARTY:

As I sat here by the window in the sun room, which looks out into the Secret Garden and also the Memorial Garden areas, I was relaxing and enjoying my cup of tea and watching the activities of the birds as they frolicked from the bird feeders to the bird baths and back and forth in the trees...just enjoying a warm summer afternoon...

I noticed this male cardinal splish-splashing in the bath, and he was having a good time...

and then I also noticed this other red bird sitting in the ferns nearby, waiting his turn...

From a distance I thought it was just another cardinal...but when I zoomed in my camera lens I could see the distinctive beak of the male Summer Tanager!  So now things were getting more interesting! I mean, I can watch Cardinals in the bird bath any time...we have so many of them here...but the Summer Tanager is a rare sight!  I know this "couple" (male and female) of Summer Tanagers have spent their summers here every year, but the opportunities to see them and actually photograph them are few and far between!

A minute later the Summer Tanager got tired of waiting for his turn in the bath, and he flew up and drove the Cardinal away...

And then he stood guard over the bird bath for quite a while, daring any other birds to challenge his right to take a bath in the Secret Garden spa!  (Sorry these photos aren't real clear, but it was at a distance and through the window,  and in the shade of the huge magnolia tree)

Isn't he beautiful?  You can see the differences between him and the male Cardinal more clearly...

  He has more of a hooked beak, and no black mask on his face...and no crest on his head...

What a wonderful surprise and treat for my afternoon tea time!

And by the time hubby came back with my yogurt, the birds had flown away and the tea party/Summer Tanager bath time was over...but I was feeling mighty blessed and thankful for the lovely little ways the Lord blesses our days with His beauty and peace.

And hubby is back to being his sweet self, happy he found the right thing and he can go back to doing what he loves best...relaxing in his recliner on a summer afternoon...

After all, we are retired...

Just Takin' It Easy

I really don't have anything special to say...just "takin' it easy" since my little visit to the hospital this past weekend.  I guess when I decided to make my "One Word" for 2017 the word "REST", there was something prophetic about that!  You know, getting older has a way of creeping up on us and eventually all our over-zealous activities of youth catch up with our bodies, and "things" find ways of breaking down and needing repairs.  My suggestion to you ladies, in particular, is take good care of yourselves when you are younger and when you are older you won't have as much "body work" to be repaired.   In my case, I had the joy of giving birth to three very large babies, and add to that many years of just tackling any job that came my way without giving much thought to what it could possibly do to me internally. When your mother tells you that you shouldn't lift so much and other bits of motherly wisdom, we should listen.

(This is an OLD picture of me, relaxing in
what is now the Secret Garden, before
it became such a well-known secret!)

But enough about that. What I would like to say is how thankful I am for a successful surgery with no complications, and for a loving family awaiting my arrival at home, ready to tackle the "big" jobs for me and basically make me behave and take it easy in my easy chair. Thank goodness for a good public library, where I keep stocked up on excellent Christian fiction and literature for easy reading and relaxation...as long as I can keep my eyes focused and awake.

 And that's exactly what I'm doing.






I haven't been outside much to take any new exciting wildlife pictures yet.  It's been a bit too warm to venture too far from the AC, and I'm not quite ready to resume my daily walks with hubby.  So he's been walking without me and going to the local grocery without me.  I know he'll be happy when his traveling companion can rejoin him.  I'm looking forward to that as well.

Well, I guess I've got nothing more to say today.
Kind of dull in the brain...(anesthesia brain...at least that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!)

I do like the scripture verse on the lily above from Matthew 6: 27-29.  I think this is where Jesus is teaching His disciples not to worry about what they are going to wear or what they will eat, or anything at all...and He closes this little discourse with the following words:

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,

and all these things shall be added to you.

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will worry about its own things.

Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Matthew 6:33-34

So, even though I don't have anything particular to say to you today, listen to what Jesus said...and don't worry about tomorrow...or any other thing!!  Seek God's kingdom first...and His righteousness...and He'll take care of the rest!!  And that includes the "rest" that I'm needing...so so long for now friends.  I'm ready for a nap!