He is Risen

Wishing you and your families a Blessed Easter +: )

Fairies in the Garden

~Wind chimes in your yard will serenade garden creatures...

squirrels, fairies and angels.~

author unknown

"And as the seasons come and go,

here's something you might like to know...

there are fairies everywhere

under bushes, in the air, playing games just like you play,
singing through their busy day

 so listen, touch, and look around - in the air and on the ground
and if you watch all nature's things,
you might just see a fairy's wing"
~author unknown~

 "When the first baby laughed for the first time, 

 it's laugh broke into a thousand pieces, and they all went skipping about,

and that was the beginning of fairies.

and now when every new baby is born

its first laugh becomes a fairy

so there ought to be one fairy for every boy or girl"

~Peter Pan~

"If we opened our minds to enjoyment

we might find tranquil pleasures spread about us on every side.

We might live with the angels that visit us on every sunbeam,

and sit with the fairies who wait on every flower"

~Samuel Smiles~

Garden Tour

Last May, Michelle and I visited some beautiful gardens near her home. I am hoping we do it again this year, we had so much fun roaming around from garden to garden, ooohing and aaahing...

I thought I would look through the pictures since I'm working on getting my garden pretty again after the freeze we had. Mine will not even come close to the lushness found in the southern California gardens.

but I can certainly try

~sigh~

I had to take a closer look at the vine below

it was a geranium vine... are you kidding me???

a geranium can do that?

I had have garden envy

then we stumbled into this sweet cottage

so charming
I wanted to sit and have tea

we found some wonderful ideas to take back to our own gardens like this heart among the pavers♥

and the handprint pavers♥

found a lazy lounging frog

and fairy gardens♥ which got me to start my own.

we had tons of fun on this tour and left with lots of garden envy.

But then we went home and I think Michelle's little garden is just as pretty.

 but that's California gardening for you

 and having this gardener makes it even better♥♥

Ash Wednesday

An Ash Wednesday prayer

Henri J. M. Nouwen

How often have I lived through these weeks without paying much attention to penance, fasting, and prayer? How often have I missed the spiritual fruits of the season without even being aware of it? But how can I ever really celebrate Easter without observing Lent? How can I rejoice fully in your Resurrection when I have avoided participating in your death?

Yes, Lord, I have to die--with you, through you, and in you--and thus become ready to recognize you when you appear to me in your Resurrection. There is so much in me that needs to die: false attachments, greed and anger, impatience and stinginess.... I see clearly now how little I have died with you, really gone your way and been faithful to it. O Lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones. Let me find you again. Amen. (A Cry for Mercy: Prayers from the Genesee, Orbis)

Nouwen (1932--96) was a Dutch priest, writer, lecturer, spiritual guide, and leader at the L'Arche Daybreak Community for people with mental and physical disabilities.

May I have a drum roll please

The scan results have been revealed.

But I think Michelle should be the one to blog about it first.

Some of you already know.

But I still can't blog it before she does.

I cried.

(: happy tears along with a happy dance :)

thank you Jesus

ps...Happy Birthday Dan

update: she posted here

Praying for a clear scan

Michelle has been on chemo for two years now. The first year for breast cancer and the second year in her lungs. Her last scan showed the cancer decreasing in size. This morning she is having a pet scan and we pray for amazing results. Please lift her in prayer. I thank you for all the prayers and support. God bless +: )

From Psalm 91

"You have the Lord for your refuge;

you have made the Most High your stronghold.

No evil shall befall you, no affliction come near your tent.

For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways.

With their hands they shall support you,

lest you strike your foot against a stone.

You shall tread upon the asp and the viper, trample the lion and the dragon. Whoever clings to Me I will deliver;

whoever knows my name I will set on high.

All who call upon me I will answer; I will be with them in distress;

I will deliver them and give them honor.

With long life I will satisfy them and show them

My saving power."

Happy New Year!

Jesus Calling

Sarah Young

January 1, 2013

"Come to Me with a teachable spirit, eager to be changed. 

A close walk with Me is a life of continued newness. 

Do not cling to old ways as you step into a new year. 

Instead, seek My Face with an open mind, knowing that your journey with Me involves being transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

As you focus your thoughts on Me, be aware that I am fully attentive to you. 

I see you with a steady eye, because My attention span is infinite. 

I know and understand you completely; 

My thoughts embrace you in everlasting Love. 

I also know the plans I have for you: plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Give yourself fully to this adventure of increasing attentiveness to My Presence".  Jesus

Romans 12:2; Jeremiah 29:11