THOUGHTS..............HUMBLE YOURSELF

James: 4:6 " But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.


This past Sunday morning and evening our pastor taught on humbling yourself. No matter what the problem you may have or have had in the past the answer is to humble yourself before God.

I thought of how my past week had gone. I was certainly pleased with this past week. But as life goes it was a week of good things and a week of days that were not so perfect.

I was thankful for things such as a date with my husband after a ballgame where we enjoyed a little dinner together; time with my granddaughter and getting her pictures done and my girls; no more sickness for everyone; daily things that had gotten finished and checked off my list; and time at church with good friends and a sermon that made me look inside my heart.

But there were days I spent worrying about things I couldn't do anything about; times I murmured to myself about this and that. Times I tired myself after eating poorly; complained about something not being done when in reality I could have planned better; I felt sorry for myself when I looked inside my heart I could see that the pity party could have been averted and the balloons never taken out! ha Dishes always needing scrubbed; laundry to be done; papers to go through; groceries to be bought and meals to be planned; ways to save on this and that as gas prices soar; people to tend too; and work to done all are part of my days.

Here are a few things I have learned from this verse :

1. Know each day if from God. Get up and thank Him each morning and several times throughout the day.
2. Yield to His will and what He has for you or me!
3. When you fail; humble yourself ; ask forgiveness and go on and leave it behind.
4. Look for ways to care and serve those around you in humbleness. It will come back to you in great fullness.

* I noticed times when I applied these principles . One day this week; I meant a wonderful lady who's dear husband is dying. God allowed me to do something for her that day. I had been praying for her for a long time but I never saw her. My hearts desire was to someday speak with her or do something for her but our paths never crossed until that day. * A simple grocery clerk that was slightly slow in speech helped me out with my groceries. I chatted with him and hoped I encouraged him as he talked of his life and goals. * I had to humble myself several times and remember the goodness of each day.:

THIS AND THAT...... A FULL WEEKEND

SWEETEST GIRL AT THE END OF THE DAY

AUNT RUTHIE TAKING IN AN ANTIQUE SHOP

A NICE LITTLE ANTIQUE SHOP FILLED WITH FUN

OUR TOWN SQUARE 'FARMERS MARKET'
GRANDMA AND US STROLLING ALONG

4TH OF JULY PARADE

MY HUSBAND AND GRANDDAUGHTER TAKING IN THE PARADE

I AM READY FOR THE BIG PARADE TO BEGIN

GRANDMA M. AND AUNT MICHELLE TOOK ALL OF THE GIRLS TO THE MALL

I am sure you all had a wonderful week. Grandma M. and Aunt Michelle came to visit and we had a nice time visiting nearby. The 4th of July parade; a visit to the local Farmers Market and nearby antique shops. Then off to the mall and had a nice lunch of Chinese.

These are a few of my favorite things this week. Maybe you didnt have everything go as planned. Oh did I mention; everyone in our family got the stomach flu; we had tons of laundry to do later; my husband worked many long hours to be home on the 4th and I had a ton of baby ants attack my desk and paperwork. But................you see it all works out for the good if you keep you eyes on what is good and what is right.

I had precious happy memories through it all!

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

SUMMER SCHEDULE......STOP/PAUSE/RESUME

SUMMER SCHEDULE
STOP/PAUSE/RESUME
'LOVE IT BACK TO LIFE'

In keeping with my summer schedule God reminded me that He is the one in charge of my summer and its ways...........

I have enjoyed so much of each day that God has given me this summer with family; work and fun. As I was reading my Bible early the other morning a verse caught my eye........
Luke 22:39 " And he came out, and went as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him."

........He went somewhere to talk and pray

Luke 22:43 " And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him."
Luke 22;44 "And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."

..............An angel was there to strengthen him and he went to pray with all his heart

Luke 22:46 "And said unto them,Why sleep ye" rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."

.........Did you forget to pray?

What does this all have to do with my "wilted plant?"............I was gone for almost a week helping my mom move in with my sister. When I returned that day, I saw that almost all my hanging baskets were wilted and dead. The one basket in particular was given to me by my daughter -in-law Jenny on Mothers Day and I guess I loved that one because I love her and missed her so much. Another thing that happened was that my whole family had come down with this flu bug that needed attention right away in help and laundry.

I had to Stop/Pause/..........life. Things had to be tended to at hand. I also ended up with the "bug" for a few days which brought me back to my Bible when all had passed. As I was reading these verses and looking at my now half brown plant I also was reminded of a favorite book of mine called: "First We Have Coffee". In one of the chapters she has a "little plant" a child gives to her and the child tells her to Love it Back to Life! She nurtures that "little plant" and it begins to grow again......

God reminded me to Stop/Pause/Resume and Nurture that little hanging plant of mind. I have been everyday and it is coming back to life!

He reminded me that sometimes He needs me to Stop and and Love those in our lives back to life. Do you know someone who is discouraged? Do you have a child who needs some extra attention? How about a friend or neighbor who needs some life loved back to them. I am so glad
God loved me enough to remind me of this simple little truth.

I pray I can Stop/Pause/Resume and Love it Back to Life!

THE HOME.....A TIME FOR "COFFEE"

THE HOME........' A TIME FOR COFFEE"

I want to thank so many who sent get well wishes. My family all seemed to get this "little bug" that was pretty strong for 2-3 days. We are now on the mend.

Last week I was with my sister as we brought our mom home from "rehab". She is doing so well at my sisters house. They have made it so very nice for her in every way! I told my sister last year I called her place the "holiday house" because so many come and feel welcome and loved there!

One day last week another sister that lives in town called to have coffee early in the morning.
Of course I knew our days were busy with things for mom so I told her we would have a "coffee" out on my sisters back screened in porch! I also wanted to make it special ( all of us girls like that kind of thing) so I searched in Barbara's cabinets and found some beautiful tea dishes.
I then made "Starbucks" coffee . ( thanks to Barbara again ha) and found a nice smelling candle and lit it. Found a beautiful pink; cream; yellow striped cotton table runner and pink round place mats. When she walked in she was carrying something from the nearby bakery and some juice for us to share!

How fun it is to make a simple "time" together special! A time for you and a sister; you and your husband; you and your child. Whatever you choose it can be special with a little effort.

By the way, when we were finishing up my moms caregivers came out to see what was going on out on the back porch and we ended up giving away the rest of the "sweets" and some coffee.

Sharing is fun too! What special times have you done? I would love to hear about them.

It got us finally.......

We spent the whole winter not getting sick once but this past weekend, everybody got something. Some of us did get to go to the 4th of July parade so i'll post pictures later:). Right now, We're heading to bed......:)

SUMMER SCHEDULE.............DATE TIME

SUMMER SCHEDULE

DATE TIME

In keeping with my "summer schedule" I must include "date time"! I know many couples

who have a regular Date Night. That's a great idea but that doesnt always work out for us.

We have a "date time" whenever we can!!

I love to sit out on the front porch in the evening with our little lantern lit and just listen to the frogs way out in the pond. I love Saturday morning eat out breakfast at the old fashioned diner in our small town with a cup of hot coffee. I love going to work with him ; grab a sandwich and help him with doing books or cleaning up papers ; whatever needs done. I love walking out to the garden and working together planting ect.... I love snuggling in bed..... I love watching a PBS history story together or any PBS story on lands far away. We talk and laugh about these stories and I have learned so much about many towns ; lands and even hot dogs!

I love to sit at the ballgame and watch him umpire and then ride home and maybe stop for a small bite. I love to sit in church and he puts his arms around me and makes be feel so secure.

I love to go to the alter and pray with him. Its not a real date but a close time with him.

A date doesnt have to cost anything. A date doesnt have to be a long time. A date can be whenever or wherever you are.

This week I plan to have a date to the "4th of July" parade in our hometown. I encourage you to enjoy many dates with the one you love!

THE HOME.............THE TOMATO GARDEN

THE TOMATO GARDEN

This year my husband said we were going to plant a garden again. I thought we would get "some tomato plants " and peppers and odds and ends. One day while my husband was working my girls and I decided to surprise him with "tomato plants and more" ready to go in the garden.
I didnt know it but later that evening he came home with "his surprise" of plants for our garden.
So we now have a huge garden with many "tomato's ; peppers; and other salad veggies.

We go out each day and weed; water; give a little this and that and pray for them to grow.
I plan to give out several to others this year. This has been a great project for our family and its a wonderful thing to watch it grow and thrive. My husband loves to come home ( even later after working such long hours ) and gaze and water that garden. To him its relaxing . I like that.

I pray we get many tomatoes this year but my husband also added that he would like me to "can" these tomatoes. I thought what?? I did make jams and jelly's years ago but gave all my jars and such away. I am now 51 and done with that.... or so I thought. But.............I know he thinks this would help us save money this winter and also that it would be fresh and homemade.
I also know that he would enjoy this so I have been collecting jars and such and looking for other products I will need when the time comes.

I am excited about my little plants ( like children) ha . They are about over my knee tops.
My sister Barbara's tomato plants are the size of a small tree so I am thinking maybe mine are not so big! ha

I will let you know how my little garden comes out. Meanwhile....enjoy some tomatoes of your own. If you dont have the space a little pot filled with soil will do. Happy gardening!!