Friday Foto Friends - Outside My Open Window and Beyond...

I challenged my blogging friends to share whatever they see outside their "open window" HERE, and it was such fun to see your responses!  I'm hoping that some of you will follow up with pictures on your Friday Foto Friends post today.  It was really interesting to see the different kinds of responses...we are a varied and unique group of people who come from all walks of life and from many different kinds of "neighborhoods".  I LOVE this connection we have here. It's like a weekly gathering of "old friends" (not OLD in the sense of AGE, but old in the sense of people who enjoy each other's company and look forward to visiting each week.) Some of us visit every day almost! Such fun! I do wish we could all meet in person and have a real group hug!!

So, here are a few pictures from my "Open Window" from this week...and some from beyond my open window...but a window into my world.  You are welcome to come along for the ride today.

Signs of Spring progress...

The little maple tree in our yard is putting forth its new spring leaves...

 This is how it looked a week or so ago...

And this was it today...interesting, huh?  I think so.

Also in my front yard this morning...these double spider webs...it's as if they are dancing a minuet waltz together. So graceful and lovely...

 I enjoyed watching this little video "The Second Waltz"...maybe my imagination went a little crazy here, but I can see it all now...can't you?

Now back to reality...
This picture was taken from the window of my car as we journeyed to visit my MIL at the nursing home.  It was a huge crane, so huge I couldn't get it all in the picture, and we had to keep moving in traffic.  This is over the hospital in Ocala, so I guess they are doing some kind of renovation there...progress in progress...When we drove back by after our visit I could see two men at the end of this crane, but we couldn't stop to take a picture! That would have REALLY been a good picture!!  They were brave souls...  I took this picture so you could see that I do get out of the woods occasionally!

  Now, back to my open window at home... (and this was literally taken through the window, hence the quality is not too great)
 
We have enjoyed seeing a lot of sparrows flocking into our yard and at our bird feeder this week. They must be passing through to somewhere because we do not see them all the time like this...

Makes me think of the song "His Eye Is On The Sparrow"...

Matthew 10:29-31 (NIV)

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

And that brings me to the sweetest part of my week.  This wasn't outside my open window, but it is in the bigger picture window that God is looking through as He works in our lives and ministers to and through us.  I've mentioned my dear friend Sharon to you several times and have asked you to pray for her.  Well, there has been a lot of wonderful things going on in her life lately, with loved ones coming from near and far to minister to her and bless her life...and in turn she is blessing them in so many beautiful ways.  Well, today (writing this on Thursday) I was blessed to be able to extend a special blessing to her.

As most of you are probably aware, I retired from working at a large Presbyterian church a couple of years ago.  One of the very special ministries of that church is their Prayer Shawl ministry.  Ladies come together to knit/crochet beautiful shawls that they pray over while they work on them, and then especially pray when a new shawl is completed...they pray for the person to whom it will be given, even though many times they do not have any idea where it will end up...but God knows...and the prayers are woven into every knot and link...prayers for healing, comfort and strength for the recipient.

I made a special request of these dear ladies and asked if they could provide a prayer shawl for my friend Sharon. They were extremely happy to do so, and had just the perfect one ready for her...a lovely teal shawl that would truly bless and brighten her day.  And so today I had the privilege and joy to present this prayer shawl to Sharon...and it was such a time of blessing for both of us I can't begin to tell you here.

 Here we are praying as she was enveloped in the warmth and love and prayers of this beautiful gift

And we continued to visit and talk about things that are on her heart right now...one being her dear son. Please pray for Robb.  Her doggy Chloe  was supervising our time together...she is very protective of her mistress.

I just praise God for this precious friend. May God grant her strength, peace, grace, and come with healing in His wings... 

And a BIG thank you to the lovely ladies of the FPC Ocala Prayer Shawl Ministry.

Your ministry is much appreciated.

Now let's go over to Deb's place at Breathing in Grace to see what our other friends have been seeing outside their open windows this past week!

What Do You See Outside Your Open Window?

When I woke up this morning I looked outside my open window and this is what I saw...the glorious sun coming up through the trees...

Very bravely I took off running to the neighborhood pond to see the sun coming up over the water.

I was not disappointed in my early morning jaunt...

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)

22 

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

    for His compassions never fail.

23 

They are new every morning;

    

Great is Your faithfulness."

This was a beautiful way to start the day.  Following this time of prayerful meditation and rejoicing in the awesomeness of God displayed, my son and I headed out for his dental appointment to have his wisdom teeth extracted.  Everything went well...he'll be a little sore and looking like a chipmunk for a few days, but the deed is done and hopefully he will feel a lot better in the future!

So, dear friends, what do YOU see outside your open window?  I've had this question posted at the bottom of my blogger profile for all these years.  I don't know how many people have ever read it...or even if they have answered the question...but it is something to think about.  What DO you see when you look outside?  Do you see birds, trees, flowers, or perhaps you live in the city and you see other buildings, people, traffic...or maybe you live on a farm...and you see animals, cows, horses, dogs, cats? 

I know one of our blogging friends sees a beautiful church building from her apartment window...another sees the bay of the ocean...some see mountains...perhaps others see a river or a lake?  Maybe you see glorious sunsets or sunrises? I sometimes see bears or deer...glad I didn't run into any of the bears this morning on my little jaunt. God was watching over me. 

Whatever you see, I hope it causes you to pause and pray and thank the Lord for His mercy and goodness and beauty, whatever it may be.  Take a moment in the morning and look out your window...and let me know what you see, okay?  That should be fun!  Maybe that should be the theme for our Friday Foto Friends this week...just a thought.

Anyway, have a blessed and glorious day, evening, or whatever time it may be in your part of the country/world.  It's always so interesting to see and hear about your world.  God bless you every one!!

Never Fear - UPDATED 2-6-18

2-6-18  UPDATE TO THIS STORY:  Thank you all for your words of kindness regarding the break-in at my MIL's house last night. Thankfully it appears that the robbers did not get anything from inside the house, even though they had broken down the door to the laundry room and left their crowbar inside. They did steal some items that were in the carport. It appears that they may have been scared off before they could take anything else. Praise God! And it also appears that they did not do any other damage inside the house.  My husband and I both said it is as though an angel may have guarded the interior of the home and kept them from moving forward.  We give thanks to the Lord for His protection over her home.  


I've been sitting here reading my blogging friends' various posts from today and over the weekend, and I'm thinking that I should be writing something, but it seems as though I can't get my brain in gear to say anything.  Stayed up last night and watched the Super Bowl, which is unusual for me, but hubby would have had to watch it alone if I didn't, and that didn't seem like much fun for him. Normally, or at least in times past, there would have been at least one or two of our sons here to watch with him.  But since one got married this past fall and the other works evenings on the weekend they aren't around so much to watch the games with him.  So, I actually got into it and enjoyed the game. I wasn't rooting for either team in particular, but was glad to see the Eagles win. They truly played the better game, and in my opinion, they deserved to win!

So that being said, as I was sitting here typing this, my brother in law called to tell us that he had just had a phone call that my mother-in-law's house has been broken into.  He was on his way to check it out and see what kind of damage has been done. Sadly, her house has been sitting there empty for sometime since she has been in the nursing home.  Due to circumstances beyond our control, we aren't able to sell her house yet, so this has been a major concern that vandals would discover it. We had removed most of the more valuable items from the house, but there was still quite a bit of furniture and appliances inside.  This is not good news.

Yesterday's sermon verses seem to fit here:

John 10:10

"The thief does not come except to steal, 

and to kill, and to destroy.

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

II Timothy 1:7

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

I John 4:1, 4

1.  "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets 

have gone out into the world."

4.  "You are of God, little children, 

and have overcome them, because

He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

(Pictures from the beautiful camellia bushes that are blooming at the church)

When fears and disappointments come our way, we have a tendency to run and hide and throw up our hands in fear and surrender to the enemy. 

(For a little comic relief, I just had to throw this picture in, which is at a three way intersection on our way to the town where the church is that we attend.  It is someone's way of getting our attention so that we don't drive straight into the woods! )

But God has come to give us a spirit of "power, and love and a sound mind."  We need to remember that our God is able to deliver us from the hands of the evil one...

We need not fear what man may do to us, for we belong to Jesus...and "Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world."  

It is sad when things that are of value to us are stolen or damaged or lost...but they are just that...things. In the grand scheme of life, those things are not what is really important.

What is truly important is our soul, mind and spirit...and when we belong to Jesus,

no man can take us away from Him.

John 10:28-29

"And I (Jesus) give them eternal life,

and they shall never perish; 

neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

My Father, who has given them to Me, 

is greater than all; 

and no one is able to snatch them out of 

My Father's hand."

You Belong to Jesus? Never Fear!

Praise God!!

A Case for Closed Doors...Open Windows?

Last Saturday I found a treasure at the local flea market!

Can you see what it is?

This lovely glass doorknob and latch was sitting there on a vendor's table, 

calling out to me it seemed.  I knew it was meant for me.

Thankfully, the gentleman came down on his price and accepted my most reasonable offer.

Do you see the heart shining in the glass knob? I knew it was just "beating" for me! 

Perhaps a Valentine from the past?

I love how there is a little worn spot on the face of the doorknob...it shows that it was used many times to open a door to...who knows?  A master bedroom? A special closet? With that lock on it, perhaps a front door? The possibilities are limitless...what do you think?

Trying to get a better view of how it would look on an old door, this is actually on our workshop door...isn't it interesting? What is it about old glass doorknobs and old doors that speaks to me so?

Perhaps this is a case for "Closed Doors, Open Windows" to solve.

Someday I hope to find a special location for this unique door knob and latch. When I do,

you can bet you'll be the first to see it here. So stay tuned to

"Closed Doors, Open Windows" for all future developments!!

Matthew 7:7-8

"Ask, and it will be given to you;

Seek, and you will find;

Knock, and it will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives,

and he who seeks finds,

and to him who knocks it will be opened."

Friday Foto Friends: Weekly Highlights

I've been saving up pictures this week for Friday Foto Friends.  I may have shared a few on Facebook, but not too many of these. I wanted to have something different to share on Friday!!
So, how has YOUR week been going?  I hope you have had a blessed and beautiful week, and that you have many pictures in your mind of pleasant days and happy memories. Here are a few of mine:

Not that this was a particularly happy memory, but in a way it was, because I talked hubby into pulling off the side of the road so I could take these pictures of this logging operation.  Do you ever wonder where your paper comes from?  Well, it comes from these trees...lots and lots of tall, skinny, pine trees.  These trees are cut down and hauled to the paper mill in Palatka, FL. It is a Georgia Pacific plant...and they make everything from toilet paper to building materials.  Even though I hate to see so many trees cut down, I do use a lot of paper products every day, so I'm glad to know that I am helping to stimulate our economy and provide job security for so many people in our area.  Georgia Pacific is one of the leading employers in that particular area, which is about 25 miles north of us.  The only thing I don't like is the smell of the plant in operation...and glad we don't live too close...

Anyway, I thought you might be interested in seeing this beginning of what you commonly use every day...

Below is one of the many logging trucks, loaded and ready to run up the highway to deposit its load and come back for another.  I really don't like getting behind one of these big trucks on the road...I'm always afraid one of those logs might come off the back of the truck...so I pray a lot when we get behind them or when they pass us...they like to drive rather fast...

Let's see, what else did we do or did I see this past week that might be of interest?
Oh yes, this little deer family out for an evening stroll. They were originally in our front yard when we pulled in the driveway, and took off running as fast as they could down the road. Of course, I dropped everything that I had in my hands except for my camera and took off after them. They weaved in and out of several other yards trying to find a way to escape the crazy lady with the camera, but they couldn't quite outrun me! I managed to catch a few quick pics before they disappeared back into the woods...

This little deer seemed to have gotten behind, and he looks like he's saying, "Which way did they go?"

We had a huge rainfall one night this past week, and so we went over to one of the neighborhood ponds to see how high the water was:

The last time I had looked at these measurements on this dock it was way below the four foot mark...so that should tell you something!

In this photo I was trying to get a picture of that Giant Blue Heron who had just landed, and when I looked at the picture up close, I realized there were several turtles and other birds over on that little bit of sand bar in the pond. (Sand bar...mud bog, whatever...it's interesting!)

Evening Reflections on the pond...so pretty.

The Camellias are blooming...

This one is called "Pink Perfection"...can you see why?

I just had to cut it and bring it inside so I could enjoy it...

So I put it on the kitchen windowsill, right next to the little teapot my friend Sharon gave me to remind me to pray for her each day...see that verse?

"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings." 

Malachi 4:2    

That is my prayer verse for Sharon every day...and the pink perfection camellia is how I think of her.  So beautiful.

Speaking of my friend Sharon, the highlight of this past week had to be the time spent with her and her wonderful BIG family...members of which have been arriving all week from as far away as Minnesota, North Dakota, Texas, Arkansas...and more are still coming...  Sharon comes from a very large family...and they are all trying to come and spend some wonderful time together, encouraging her and enjoying the blessing of who she is.  We were privileged to be invited to join the family...Sharon calls us her "Florida Family"...and we had a great time together, eating, praying, singing...and listening as Sharon shared her life story and testimony with everyone, much of which was in song.  Such a beautiful Christian woman. I feel so humbled to be counted as her friend.

Here is a video of us singing the grace for our meal:

And here we are together:

I had some other pictures of stuff, but I think I will end this with these pictures and with a reminder to please pray for Sharon. In addition to the chemo for lung cancer, they did find a spot and some microscopic spots in her brain, and so right now she is undergoing radiation treatment for that through next week. Then they will evaluate her situation and determine what she needs next. Please pray that they are destroying this disease in her so that she can continue her beautiful life as a dear friend, sister in Christ, mother and loved one of so many.  Here is a picture of Sharon and her son Robb:

Psalm 103:1-5

1.  "Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

2.  Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all His benefits;

3.  Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who HEALS all your diseases,

4.  Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5.  Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

Amen.

Thank you for your prayers. You are each a blessing to me...and to my friend Sharon.  

And now, let's glide over to Deb's place at Breathing in Grace and see what everyone else has been up to this week.  Have a blessed Friday!! 

Savoring the Brightest Part of My Day!

For my Facebook friends, you've already seen these pictures...but for the rest of my friends out here in Blogland, I just had to share these with you!  I don't know if you are a tea connoisseur or not, but today I made a discovery that perhaps some of you have already seen and this is old hat to you...but it certainly made me smile today!

When I opened up a new box of Lipton Tea Bags I was so surprised to discover that they have added tag lines to their tea bags!!  What a delightful way to start my day:

 "Brew Your Taste buds into a frenzy!",  "Embrace a world of possibiliTEAS!", and "A Sip of Sunshine to Soothe the Soul"... (some of us would like to make that "SONshine to soothe the soul!", Right?

 This one on my morning teacup:  "Never quench your thirst for adventure!"  What a wonderful way to start my day!!!  Just what this old gal needed...a new "thirst for adventure!"


And so, this afternoon I brewed another pot of tea (we make our iced tea from these pots of tea...and as an added bonus I get a cup of hot tea to "savor the brightest part of my day"...

"Inspiration is just a sip away!", and "Why not brew up a little ray of sunshine?"....

Thank you, Sir Thomas Lipton, for these words of inspiration today!!  You certainly helped start my day on a brighter note!  I think this is to help make up for taking away the individual tea packet/envelopes  a couple of years ago...which totally made me unhappy...so I will forgive the Lipton tea company now since they came up with a way to make me smile with my cup of tea!

I hope this brought a smile to you today as well!!  I guess this could go into the "Thankful Thursday" category!...Let me add a few more things I am thankful for:

1.  Friends and Family who have come from across the country to encourage and support our dear friend Sharon during her battle with cancer.  Such a blessing...I may write more about that later.
2.  That same dear friend Sharon encouraging our son and his wife with a joint business venture that helps lighten her load and blesses them with added income.
3.  Answers to prayer in different areas of home and family life.
4.  Sunshine, Flowers and  God's beauty all around.  The way God's Word brings inspiration to my day, every day!

Psalm 34:1

"I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth."