A Milestone And A Celebration

Today is a very special day - it's a milestone and a day of celebration. We are celebrating the life of my dear little mother who is eighty six today. She loves to laugh and say that she and Abraham Lincoln share a birthday but 'she' is much younger! He would be two hundred years old today; of course she is younger than that. And so today is a very busy day - a day of surprises and together time. A day to stop and thank God for this very special lady who graces our lives. And to thank Him for the years He has given us that we didn't expect to have with her. In just a few days it will be sixteen years since a cardiologist stood in the hallway of a nearby hospital and told me that the massive heart attack she had suffered had damaged her heart so severely that she couldn't live more than a one year. But God had other plans for her - and He touched her heart in ways that can only be explained as miraculous. There was a bit of healing and some restoration to her damaged heart and, while she always lives with restrictions, she is an amazing lady. She knows that God has kept her here on this earth for a purpose. To serve Him and to touch the lives of people around her a bit longer, however long that may be. And so today we will laugh and reminisce and share time together with family and we will celebrate this one we love so dearly. And somewhere in these hours we will quietly remember to give thanks to God once again for His grace to her - and to us - and for giving us these years together. And we will make plans for the future. We have places to go and people to see. There's still a lot on her list! Today I will take her to one of those places and this evening when our family gathers to honor her life my sweetheart and I will surprise her with plans for another one of those 'always wanted to do' things on her list. And so today my heart will laugh and celebrate. But in those quiet moments my heart will be filled with such gratitude for the blessing of this precious mother God gave to me.

Moonlight

The view through my kitchen window called me away tonight as I started to clean up after dinner. The dirty dishes could wait - the moon would not. I couldn't stay to finish my work. It will be there when I return!

Once again I am amazed at the beauty around me. And I wonder. . .

When I look at the night sky

and see the work of your fingers—

The moon and the stars you set in place—

What are mere mortals that you should think about them,

Human beings that you should care for them?

Psalm 8:3-4

The New Living Version

Master, The Tempest Is Raging

Master, the tempest is raging!

The billows are tossing high!

The sky is o'ershadowed with blackness

No shelter or help is nigh.

Carest Thou not that we perish?

How canst Thou lie asleep

When each moment so madly is threatening

A grave in the angry deep?

Master, with anguish of spirit

I bow in my grief today

The depths of my sad heart are troubled

Oh, waken and save, I pray!

Torrents of sin and of anguish

Sweep o'er my sinking soul

And I perish! I perish! dear Master

Oh, hasten, and take control.

Master, the terror is over

The elements sweetly rest

Earth's sun in the calm lake is mirrored

And heaven's within my breast

Linger, O blessed Redeemer!

Leave me alone no more

And with joy I shall make the blest harbor

And rest on the blissful shore.

The wind and the waves shall obey Thy will,

Peace be still!

Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea

Or demons or men or whatever it be

No waters can swallow the ship where lies

The Master of ocean and sea and skies

They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,

Peace, be still! Peace, be still!

They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,

Peace, peace, be still!

Song: 'Master, The Tempest Is Raging'

Words and music by Mary A. Baker

Saturday Afternoon Tea

Outside my window - the skies are blue, the clouds are like wisps of cotton and it seems that Spring may not be too far away. Inside - I am determined to clean my office/sewing room. Maybe this time I'll get it done! And maybe this time it will stay clean! I've been working my way through a stack of ironing that has been on the end of my ironing board far too long. I'm actually having fun because there are some wonderful linens waiting to be pressed and I am enjoying each one of them. Some of them bring back such loving memories of dear ones who owned them before me. Others bring a smile to my heart because of the special people who gave them to me with so much love. I love beautiful linens, especially old and handmade linens. My linen closet is full and overflowing and I often wonder if I will ever have enough occasions in my lifetime to use them all. Sometime late last fall my dear little mother's neighbor had a moving sale. Of course you know that my dear mother and I were among the first to arrive. I found that there were not many things I 'needed' but in the middle of the sale I found two matching linens. They are hand-embroidered on fine linen. The price was a steal - she nearly gave them away. I was thrilled to bring them home to add to my collection. When these two pieces came to the top of the stack today I realized that I had not shared them with you. I think you will enjoy them.The stitches are precise and gorgeous! Someone spent a lot of time making these treasures.Each side is beautifully hemmed and embroidered with care.A thought occurred to me as I ironed the first piece - it would be beautiful with the delicate teacup that my dear mother gave me for Christmas. You've not seen it before, either.Aren't they gorgeous together? I cherish the cup - and I think it makes the tea taste more delightful. The inside is so pretty.Even the saucer is a work of art.I think it's nearly time to stop for a cup of tea. Perhaps a cup of the new Jasmine Green Tea I found recently. Oh, I wish you could come join me! If you do, be sure to wear your work clothes - there's lots of work to do in my little room!

A Friend In Need

'A friend in need is a friend indeed.'

Last night I learned that Becky of Sweet Cottage Dreams lost her oldest son yesterday. At times like this the love and support and friends far and near means more than words can express. As you know we lost our son-in-law just a few weeks ago and there is no way to tell you what your prayers and kind messages of love have meant to us. Now it is time to surround our dear blog friend and hold her and her family before the Father above. I would encourage you not to leave comments here but to go to Becky's blog and leave notes of comfort and friendship for her. She needs them - and she will continue to need them for quite some time. There is nothing more precious than a friend who stands by you in life's worst moments.

Friends love through all kinds of weather,

and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.

Proverbs 17:17

(The Message)

Seen While Wandering Along The Beach

On our recent trip to the Oregon Coast I enjoyed wandering along the beach with camera in hand. We loved having time away from daily life - a time to relax and enjoy the sand and sea. . .
And morning sun on the waves.Beach walkers. . .And fishermen.Textures in the sand. . .And in the water.Beach bubbles. Crashing waves. . .And wind on the water. The colors of early morning. . .And at close of day.

Come walk with me

Along the sea

Where dusk sits on the land

And search with me

For shells are free,

And treasures hide in sand.

Poem: 'Along the Sea'

Author Unknown

He Is Able

He is able, more than able

To accomplish what concerns me today.

He is able, more than able

To handle anything that comes my way.

He is able, more than able

To do much more than I could ever dream,

He is able, more than able,

To make me what He wants me to be.

Song: 'He Is Able'
Words and Music by Rory Noland and Greg Ferguson
Artwork by Carolyn Shore Wright
From Allposter.com