On the Wings of a Snow White Dove

Recently a friend encouraged me to begin "running".  Since our tragic loss, I have had a few friends encourage me to do this.  Back then, most people said "you can't cry when you are running".  I guess I felt like it was okay to cry "back then".  Now?  I don't really know what has possessed me to strap on my mediocre, worn out shoes, beckon the dogs and take out on a dirt road to feel the wind in my face.  Granted, it isn't a brisk wind yet but I'm sure with time it will take on a different form.  For now I guess I will call it "a jog walk", as my boys do when they hear me say "I went for a run". 

 

As I reflected on this whole reason for this burst of release so desperately needed at the moment, I thought about the the poem "Footprints in the Sand".  For the past 14 months, 11 days, I have been carried.  Carried by the prayers of my family, my community and even those I have never met.  Carried by Jesus.  He always knows what I need and at times he sets me on my feet to test my legs but I know that when my knees begin to wobble and I reach for more than his right hand, he securely takes me in his arms again.  Just like when you are beginning to get in shape for running.  You jog when you feel the strength of God can sustain you and you walk when you feel like you might fall down.

 

So, here's to a great support system through such tragic times and moments of clarity~

Boots, Bear and his Place on the Couch

Mustard Bouquet

Nothing like boys in the house.

And boys in the field.

And boys hitting rocks with their bats. 

And boys picking a bouquet of flowers. 

Today I was blessed with my sister and her boys coming to visit.  They are so funny.  Did you ever notice that boys just like to talk about their bodily functions?  Someone will say something that is a little suspect and they all catch it instantly.  The laughing is always infectious and you just have to smile because they are cracking up....snickering may be a better word.  They tilt their heads downward and partially cover their face. 

We went to Dotty's to get a treat.  We had a van full with Grandma and Papa, the three of them and my sister and I.  The middle boy said "I get the back".  Who says that?  I know I always say "I get the front". 

We went down to the pond to see the goslings.  Today we only spotted 5.  The real highlight seemed to be the fresh cow pie.  They all were amazed by it.  Of course they liked the baby geese too.

The essence of the fun you can have with kids will spice up a bland meal and fill your heart with joy that can spill over on your toes. I highly recommend it~  Come again soon sweet family~

Steppin' Out

Stepping out in faith is something God calls us to do.  I guess it will take some getting used to because it seems like stepping is directly into a dark pool of water.  The kind of pool you can't even see your reflection in.  It's a good thing I am holding God's right hand, otherwise I might be in real trouble.

Tonight when I got home from work it was evident by the dog mobbing that the pouches wanted some attention.  So I went for a walk down in the cow pasture.  My husband's fence cobbling skills have certainly improved over the years and the cows have pretty much been contained to the upper pasture areas for now.  As I came upon the pond, I noticed one lone duckie.  This little fella was just swimming around, without a care in the world.  I thought it strange that there was only one but just decided to enjoy this one baby duck in a big pond.  I rambled around through the tall grass to the east side of the pond when all the sudden there was a scurry sound and to my amazement there were 7 more of these little handful of feathers.  As soon as they got to the center of the pond they congregated in a heap.  Soft little chirpping noises emitted the air.  I chuckled to myself.  Of course there were more.  They were probably saying "stranger approaching!"  "Sam, you need to distract while we hide".  Sam, tired of the same humdrum, obliged.  Do we do that?  Do we get tired of doing good things and at times indulge in our sinful nature?    Are we the one duckie that dares to be different and sets out to make a name for ourselves?  "Hey, do you remember when Sam saved us with his heroic jesture?"

 

All in all family is amazing.  Brothers and sisters are a blessing to be cherished.  And thank the Lord for the one who will always distract mom and dad for the rest of us. 

Frost? Really?

May 23, 2013

Freezing.  Should it be sub temperatures in May?  It just doesn't seem right.  The good thing is our garden we planted with our son and daughter-in-law a few weekends ago that is coming up nicely is small enough to be covered with little effort.  Unfortunately the one cherry tomato plant and two pepper plants are worse for the wear.  But they aren't completely wiped out.  Having a garden is not just a hobby, it is a lifestyle.  Watching the seeds pop out of the ground like they are stretching for the sky is rewarding at least twice...once when they first appear and when dinner is served.  All these years of raising a garden while paralleling with child rearing (which was way more fun), I always wondered if my boys would enjoy gardening in any aspect.  This year I learned the answer to at least one of those questions.  Tanner and Michelle planted a garden in the back yard of their first home.  What a joy it was to hear that they wanted a garden.  I guess when your children follow a path you have always enjoyed walking on, it brings joy to the heart.  I always liked the likeness of a garden to our lives.  If you keep your garden weeded and watered, it will bring forth a bountiful harvest.  Likewise, if you keep your soul free of the weeds that can invade our lives and water it with the word of God, you will experience good things. 

Tonight I planted some pea starts my neighbor lady gave me.  They showed affects of the last two cold mornings but I think they will be happy in the loomy soil of our small little garden.  They will have to grow up because space is limited if they think they need to go horizontal. 

So here I am, trying to cook for two.  What a chore.  For 25 years there has always been more plates at our table and now we lack for mouths to feed.  Through the years I didn't even realize how much I enjoyed feeding our family.  The boys would talk about their "Top 10" meals.  It seemed like they would always come up with more than 10.  Of course, this always made me smile.  Just knowing that my boys appreciated a good meal was enough for me.