Jewels in the garden

Monday, February 7, 2011

My Daughter, My Strength

This is what the Lord says to you:

Do not fear or lose heart at the sight of this vast multitude,

for the battle is not yours

but God's.

2 Chronicles 20: 15-19

I struggle to put into words my feelings about Michelle's new battle with cancer.

It makes it so real and I don't want it to be real.

I want to wrap my arms around her and protect her.

I trust that our Heavenly Father is doing just that and will get her through this.

I can do the earthly things for her

but beyond that I have to trust that God is taking care of

His child.

Below are words from her brother and he describes her so well...

To Michelle

From Mikey

My sister is one of the strongest people I know.

Although she does not deserve this, no one does, I know she will look this straight in the eye because these are the cards God has dealt her.

I know God has major plans for my sister,

because she has been tested many times in her short 33 years.

Everything she has been faced with,

she has overcome and becomes better and stronger.

I often say, why her, and I know she has said why me.

We don't know why,

but she doesn't blame God,

she seeks God's guidance,

and lets God lead her the right way.

As I said, God has major plans for her.

He keeps strengthening her more and more

because she is one of God's soldiers.

Not just a soldier, a leader in God's Army.

Who would you want to lead you, someone who isn't strong,

or someone who has the greatest Strength and training God can provide.

I haven't had a tough life. My challenges I have been faced with have not even compared to my sister's challenges. Yet I will admit, sometimes I blame God or wonder why God would allow certain things to be certain ways.

My sister's challenges drive her closer to God.

I am sure she has had questions of why,

but she opens her arms wider to God.

I wish I could be more like my sister and have strength like my sister.

All I can do now is join her

by praying more and listening more to God.

I support God and I support her.

When it's all said and done our life's work will be based not on what our challenges were, but how we faced them.

I know my sister will beat the living daylight out of this with her will, strength, and grace of God.

I love you Michelle and as this journey begins,

God is here for you.

I am here for you,

all of your family and friends are here for you.

We will be here with you every step of they way!

Love,

Mikey

Monday, January 31, 2011

Trust~Faith~Hope

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

on your own intelligence rely not;

In all your ways be mindful of him,

and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

I am placing all my trust, faith, and hope for healing Michelle in God's hands.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Should I be indoors or outdoors? hmmm

I was really into decluttering and organizing closests and drawers, but I kept looking outside and I finally gave in to my urges to be out there instead of in here. First I just sat and enjoyed the warmth of the sunshine. Then I started looking around at all the work needing to be done. Trimming, weeding, pruning, raking. I decided to take inventory of the damage just a few nights of freezing temps did.

so I made myself get up from here and get to work

even though we did this...

I still lost these tomato plants. and my basil. and one bell pepper plant.

my eggplants are looking pretty droopy

but my oranges made it!

as did my lemons, but that's cause they kept their socks on : )

luckily the bedding plants do well in cold weather.
my nasturtiums, pansies, petunias, snapdragons and sweet alysum were not affected.

and the hollyhocks are growing strong.

so are the geraniums

I didn't lose all my tomato plants

and this one that grew out of my oregano

is now looking like the jolly green giant!

so all in all I think my garden did pretty good. we still have the remainder of jan and feb with unpredictable weather, but for now I will enjoy today's 74 degree temperature!

and with the help of these pinwheels,

I will enjoy color in my garden!

A Prayer to Shape My Life

by Marsha Maurer

Keep snipping, God.

Prune my weedy excesses,

my struggling imperfections,

my lop-sided selfishness.

Remove any branches that impinge on others;

trim the disorder from my life.

Fashion me in the image of Your perfection.

Shape my life into a balanced, pleasing form.

Amen

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Glendale Glitter and Glow

These cousins are soooo excited to hang out together!

Michelle and Megan

Elizabeth and Evan

Michelle and Nathan

Mikey and Evan

Elizabeth, Megan, Michelle, Nathan

Friday, January 7, 2011

When Life Gives you Lemons...Put a Sock on It!

We had a few nights of freezing temps and I did not want to lose these beautiful lemons.

Even though my lemon tree is still pretty small, it was too big to cover completely so I did the next best thing.

They each got their own warm sock to keep them from freezing!!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Soups On!

I have been inspired to warm up my home by Teresa at Meadowbrook Farm making her chicken noodle soup and Kerrie at the Sea Cottage baking her oatmeal cookies. Since I have all the ingredients on hand I will make my...

Shrimp and Corn Chowder

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 cup diced green pepper and red pepper

1 cup chopped celery

2 tbps olive oil

2 cups chicken stock (add 1/2 cup more later if the chowder is too thick)

1 1/2 - 2 cups half-and-half milk (small container)

3 potatoes, peeled and diced

1 can Campbell's Cream of Potato Soup

4 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed (shown with yellow corn, but white corn is even better)

4 tbsp Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

2 lb bag of Costco raw frozen shrimp, thawed and shelled (cut them in half so they are bite-size)

chopped cilantro

pepper

-In a medium stockpot, heat oil and saute onion, peppers and celery about 10 minutes, stirring.

-Add hot chicken stock, half and half milk, and potatoes. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook until potatoes are just tender, 15 minutes.

-Add can of cream of potato soup, corn, and sun-dried tomatoes. Bring back to a simmer about 10 minutes.

-Add shrimp and cilantro, simmer until shrimp is cooked. Season with pepper.

Enjoy with some warm crusty sourdough bread!