In Times Like These

Oh my!  In times like these, we sure could have used a strong, muscular, hard-working man today!  I did not realize what I was getting myself into this evening with the new wheelbarrow we just bought today!

Remember the cedar trees we had cut down a couple of weeks ago?  Well, the stumps that were left were to be ground up by another company, we thought, within a few days afterwards.  So when they didn't show up and we never heard from them, I contacted the company who cut the trees down to find out when said stump-grinder would be here to do the job.  I was told that the stump-grinder was behind due to the tornado that ripped through Greensboro (?) a couple of weeks ago.  But, they gave me his name and number and I left a message with him.  He called me back and apologized for the delay and said he would try to hop over and do the job after he finished a job in Lexington on Saturday.  Saturday came and went, but he texted me and asked to do the job on Sunday.  OK.  The job was done by the time we arrived home after the morning services. 

The 3 cedar stumps to be ground.

After being ground yesterday.

LOTS of great cedar mulch left!  AND a big hole (3 actually) we will need to fill!

Ilene wanted the mulch that was left from the grinding to be put on the flower beds, for starters.  That was not a job I wanted to tackle in the heat of the day.  So, when the wind kicked up this evening around 6 and really began cooling the air off, AND with it looking like we were finally going to get rain, I told Ilene I was going to go ahead and begin the task of loading the wheelbarrow to spread around the flowers before it rained and made a mashed-together mess of the cedar grindings.  I grabbed a shovel and the wheelbarrow.  She grabbed a rake.  I began filling the wheelbarrow with at least 12 loads of the mulch.  I dumped it on the flower beds and while I returned to fill the wheelbarrow again, Ilene spread the mulch.

Where's my man when I need him?

Maybe this is why.....dirty feet and no sweetheart!  :D

I don't know what I was thinking when I thought it would only take about an hour.  Nearly 2 hours later, and after missing the Mallard Ridge Services, we had the front 2 flower beds done.  We called it quits for the night!  Tomorrow is another day!  Thank You, LORD, for giving us the strength to do the work!

I had told Ilene that we would probably arrive at the Mallard Ridge Services late, but at least we would have the job done!  I tried to send a text to let them know where we were when the job turned out to be more than I expected, but it would not go through, so, unfortunately, they worried about us not being there.  I'm sorry about that!

Baths are done.  Time to relax!

Weekend Adventures

Tim's mom and sister arrived Friday afternoon.  They spent lots of time on the road and even more time than usual due to a couple of accidents that cause traffic problems.  But they arrived safely and got settled in and then we sat down to supper:  pork roast, baked sweet potatoes, broccoli, fried squash, biscuits and black berry cobbler and ice cream for dessert.

We spent the evening chatting and looking at Ilene's family pictures so Jeanne and Jennifer could get "acquainted" with Ilene's family.  Bed time was fairly early as we had a big day planned for Saturday.

On Saturday, Ilene had a High School graduation and party to attend for her granddaughter.  Jeanne, Jennifer and I planned to go to the PTI Farmer's Market at exit 208 on I-40 East.  The best part of the Farmer's Market is the AB Garden Shop that is on the same property.  I could spend HOURS there looking in every nook and cranny!  However, while I love to look, I don't love to buy because of the prices!  I managed to spend less than $2 on a plastic 16" plant dish that I plan to use as a bird bath.

After the Farmer's Market, we continued on to Greensboro with the list of thrifts that Tim and I frequented at intervals on his day off.  It was so hot that we didn't spend much time thrifting, but headed home around 2:00 after eating a sandwich at Subway.

Ilene came back just a few minutes after we got back home.  After Jeanne and Jennifer took a nap, we went to Olive Garden for supper.

Sunday was church, of course.  And, just like that our weekend was over!  Jeanne and Jennifer changed clothes after church for their trip home and left from the church.  Again, their trip was NOT uneventful.  At one point, they spent 1 1/2 hours going through 6 miles of road construction!  There was a problem at another point with blocked lanes due to a semi being on fire!  AND bad storms and rain in VA and WV!  OY VEY!  Finally at 9:00 they were eating their supper at Olive Garden!

We had a great weekend and are waiting for our next gathering so Ilene can "pal" around with us on our thrifting trip!  Hopefully our schedules will be free so we can shop til we drop!

Great picture of Ilene with her granddaughter, Savannah, after graduation.  The event took place outside in 90 degree weather!  Oh, my!

Beautiful clematis at the Farmer's Market

Jeanne's plants she purchased.  Jennifer also bought a blueberry bush that she hopes will survive in the north!

A yard decoration I saw and thought of my daughter-in-love, Jessica, in Alabama.

Waiting to be called to our table at Olive Garden.

Good food with good friends and family.

Jeanne, looking beautiful for church, and waiting for time to leave, took a few minutes to worry about her trip home.  She is a worrier, yet she agrees that most of what she worries about NEVER comes to pass!  And that is the way it is with ALL things we ALL worry about!  Worry is a sin that the devil entraps us all with!  Lots of times it paralyzes us!  I always have to quote, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee" from Psalm 56:3

Thanks, Mark, for the great picture! 
We had a great weekend and are looking forward to our next gathering!

The stump-grinder came during church and ground out the cedar stumps from the trees that were cut down a couple of  weeks ago.  Ilene and I are going to get a wheelbarrow so we can spread the cedar in her flower beds.  It is so fragrant!

Even thought it was pretty hot, we spent some time in the afternoon under the trees with the breeze and did some reading.  It finally got hot enough that we had to retreat indoors!

 

A little lizard that watched me from the porch through the glass door.

Have a wonderful week!

Draw Near

I'm reading in Luke 15:1 which spoke to me in the following way: the tax collectors and sinners drew near to Jesus while the Pharisees and scribes grumbled. I have to ask myself if I'm a grumbler or am I longing to draw near to Jesus? And do I receive sinners or do I think myself to be better than they? Sometimes I act like the Pharisees who thought they did enough good to merit heaven and that makes me better. Oh my Lord! Please keep me humble, I pray! I want to draw other sinners like me to You and I won't be able to do that if I'm being Pharisee-ical!

We have guests staying with us this weekend, namely Tim's mom and sister. They arrived after sitting in traffic for quite awhile after a couple of different accidents. We started the weekend off with a delicious pork roast, baked sweet potatoes, broccoli,fried squash, biscuits and blackberry cobbler and ice cream for dessert. Then we spent the evening chatting. It's going to be a great weekend! Hope you have a great one, too!

Jesus Is The Cornerstone

I went to the parsonage today to do some work.  I mainly worked on getting things out of the basement.  Lots of plastic totes to pack things in to store in the shed I have ordered.  I also found some items to take to Goodwill and to Elisabeth for the yard sale she is having tomorrow and Saturday.

During my work, I was deep in random thoughts about my life with Tim when I was suddenly brought to remember how my life was and still is being ordered by the LORD.  Psalm 37:23 reads, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way."  He is the cornerstone that my life is built on.  I'm not building it, He is!  I have to tell you, that is comforting!  That is very useful information when I go through a season of missing Tim and feeling very lonely.  It gives me peace to know that He is in charge and taking care of the details of my life!

Cleaning out a couple of nasty totes.  One had a dead bird in it!  Gross!

This is what brought my thoughts captive towards the LORD while washing the totes.

I love how the LORD uses things in our everyday lives to bring us into focus on Him.  I used to sing this song as a special in our church in Buffalo, WV.  I don't sing specials by myself any longer because my voice seems to keep getting lower as I grow older!  Sometimes I can put the men to shame, LOL!

Jesus Is The Cornerstone

Jesus is the cornerstone
Came for sinners to atone
Though rejected by His own
He became the cornerstone
Jesus is the cornerstone

When I am by sin oppressed
In the stone I am at rest
When the seeds of truth are sown
He remains the cornerstone
Jesus is the cornerstone

Rock of Ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee
Rock of Ages so secure
For all time it shall endure
'Til His children reach their home
He remains the cornerstone

'Til the breaking of the dawn
'Til all footsteps cease to roam
Ever let this truth be known
Jesus is the cornerstone
Jesus is the cornerstone

Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

1 Peter 2:4-8 ¶ To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Jesus wants to be the Cornerstone of your life, too!

I started getting overheated standing in the sun to clean the totes.  I had wanted to take some things to Elisabeth for the yard sale, but I told her I wasn't coming.  I left the parsonage with the intention of getting something to drink and heading home.  But, the sweet tea from Mikey D's perked me up, so I went back to the parsonage after I dropped some things off at Goodwill.  I worked in the house some more, gathered up more stuff to take to Elisabeth's and sent her another text to let her know I WAS coming!

The dead bird.

I took it to the back of the church property and threw it in the woods.

Loaded down!

Enjoying Liz's new swing on their new and improved deck.

"Little Bit" as Ilene calls Abby.

And, the day ended with a nice, hot shower and a movie. I got lots done!  It was a good day!  Thank You, LORD!

Petula Clark

Petula Clark
My Love, 1966

Something happened to my heart the day that I met you
Something that I never felt before
You are always on my mind, no matter what I do
And every day it seems I want you more

CHORUS

My love is warmer than the warmest sunshine
Softer than a sigh
My love is deeper than the deepest ocean
Wider than the sky
My love is brighter than the brightest star
That shines every night above
And there is nothing in this world
That can ever change my love

Once I thought that love was meant for anyone else but me
Once I thought you'd never come my way
Now it only goes to show how wrong we all can be
For now I have to tell you everyday

CHORUS

I heard this song for the first time today in MANY years!  I always liked this song when I began listening to the radio as a young teen back in the late 60's.  But love was only a dream to me at the time.  At least, the kind of love this song is referring to anyway.  But as I looked at the words to this song today, I could make somewhat of a comparison to God's Love for me.  Here's what I mean.

Something DID happen to my heart the day I met the LORD!  He quickened me!  He made my spirit to become alive!  Ezekiel 36:26  says, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."  It was definitely something that I had NEVER felt before!  It changed my way of thinking!  Slowly, but surely, through the years, the LORD is on my mind, no matter what I do.  And the more time I spend thinking about Him, the more I want Him!  Psalm 42:1 says, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God."  Only God, the Savior of my soul, can quench the thirsting of my soul!

God's love is warm.  It is soft (easy).  Matthew 11:30 says, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  God's love is deep.  Micah 7:18, 19 says, "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.  19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."  His love is wider than the sky!  Psalm 103:12 says, "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." His love is brighter than the brightest star.  And NOTHING could ever change His love for me!  John 10:28, 29 says, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."

Thank You, LORD, for Your great salvation!  Thank You for choosing me as one of Your children!


PICTURES

Monday, June 4, 2018
Visitors

Liz and the kids came up and we did some thrifting and ate lunch at Steak and Shake.

Trying their hand at walking on stilts!

Abby has lots of loose teeth in her mouth!

We took a walk  on Ilene's and the neighbor's wooded property.

The pheasant was back this morning, along with a NC towahee bird.

Even had a red-bellied woodpecker visit the bird feeder!

Ruby throated hummingbird

Wasp busy at work

A bunny in the yard

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Enjoying the beautiful weather in the late afternoon, except for.......

.....except for the lousy mospuitoes!

The citronella candles did nothing for the mosquitoes.

The towahee was back for more.

beautiful cardinal!

Lilly in the brush at the edge of the yard.

A rose in front of the house.

Anyone know what this pretty little flower is called?  It is in a hanging pot and is rather small.

Hoping to capture some birds enjoying this bird bath soon

Black birds after the yard has been mowed.

Female bluebird

Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Cloud pictures I took with my phone when I was out getting some groceries today.

It was a beautiful day today.  Hot in the sun but nice when cloudy!

Have a wonderful Thursday!  Ilene and I will be cleaning house in preparation for our company coming this weekend.  Tim's mom and sister will be with us Friday through Sunday!  We are really looking forward to their visit!

Until next time!