One way I try to keep my heart stirred and close to the Lord is by listening to good radio broadcasts while I’m getting ready in the morning.  The other day after listening to Revive Our Hearts’ program, they said there was a video that went along with what they had just aired.  I was still fixing my hair, and needed a way to keep my phone propped up so I could see the video.  Then it hit me!  I had seen (I think it was on Pinterest) a really clever item that would make a great phone holder; a cassette tape case!

I ran to the box of old tapes that were on their way out of the house (we don’t even own a cassette player anymore!) and set my phone inside the case.  It was perfect!  My phone could sit up so I could see the video and I could continue to get ready for the day!

Here’s the old cassette case in its new function:

It’s great to have a place to put your phone – whether or not you’re watching a video.  It will keep it from getting wet or from getting knocked into the floor.  What a great idea!  Hope this will freshen up your phone use!

Today is Graduation Day for our Alli!  We’re so excited to see her march down to get her diploma. I am going to cry.  No doubt.  All graduations get to me – it’s such a milestone.  Mix all that with the joy of Alli’s completion and our joy in all that’s going on in her life.  Bring on the Puffs.  God is so good and I praise Him for the blessing of this special day!

Be refreshed as you head to church Sunday to be faithful to your local church.

With love,

Yesterday morning when I got up, the sun was rising over the hillside in all its glory.  Not to be outdone, a half moon was shining brightly as well.  It was a glorious sight!  I looked up at the moon and said to my husband, “I love thinking about how God makes the moon reflect light of the the sun.  It’s amazing!”  I snapped this picture of the moon before grabbing my cup of coffee and heading to my Quiet Place for my devotions.

Then opening to Proverbs 1, I read,

How sad when we ignore God and His ways and choose instead what we want.  This passage reminds us that it is our choice.  We learn what we will get as a result is the fruit of our own way as well as our own devices.

I thought back to the moon I had looked at earlier.  Could I make a moon like that?  Of course that is ridiculous!  If left to my own devices to create a moon, mine would look like an elementary child’s science fair project:

Yes, I would make it with Styrofoam balls and skewers.  It would not reflect, it would not rotate on its own.  It would not create the tides.  It would not travel at over 2,000 miles an hour.  It would have no astronauts footprints in its surface.  My moon would not rise.  It would not set.  It would sit be there…because that is all I can do with my own devices.

Looking into all the details of our life, how could any of us think we have a better plan than God has for us?  When we ignore His ways and His Word, we are left to our own devices.  So, how will we work out the trial when it hits us with a force, not of a tidal wave, but more like a tsunami?  Remember, if we go our own way and ignored God’s promptings, when trouble comes we’re left to the device of our own hands.  How will we provide for ourselves or our families when the money is gone?  All we have is the fruit of our own hands.  How long will that last?

The real question to answer today is, which are you trusting in, an omnipotent, creative God’s plan for your life, or your own Science Fair entry?  There’s a huge contrast, not just in looks, but in results!

Don’t be left to your own devices because of your stubbornness.  Submit to the God who loves you.  Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you.  James 4:8

With love,

Wow.  It’s May 1st – May Day!  The yard at the parsonage is coming alive.  Each morning when we walk, I love looking at what’s sprouting and growing.  The yard has really changed in the years we’ve lived here.  I took a walk around the yard yesterday afternoon to see what’s blooming or beginning to bloom.  How about walking with me?

See the bunny near the middle of the picture?  Adorable.

Thyme in the bundt pan that fits around my umbrella on the table. Love this – it’s so accessible and makes a pretty centerpiece.

Liza is only allowed to go out and stay up on the deck. I took this picture from the side of the deck floor. She’s a little irritated that I won’t let her follow me.

My HUGE Knock-out Rose Bush. I let it grow tall to hide the gutter and electric meter box.

Clematis that I bought for $1 at Lowes 2 years ago. It’s filled with blooms!

Iris hidden in the Day lilies. I think the wind blew the seeds in there.

Dogwood outside the shed

Hey, Come get me!

Chives in bloom in my herb garden

The Rosemary that will soon take over the backyard!

I love these wild strawberries down by the lower patio.

I’m still waiting!

This vine is special – it was given to me by Jim Ward, who went to heaven a week and half ago.

Daisies grown from seeds my sis gave me several years ago.

Love the way this vine is climbing the stairs.

See?  I’m still sitting here, just like you told me to!

My yard needs some major attention.  I hope to get to it very soon. I need to prune and weed and add some mulch.  I’ll also add my annuals after Mother’s Day, but still, I thank the Lord for all He is allowing to grow and bud in my parsonage yard.  

From my parsonage yard,

Today was the last day of our challenge and I finished my tasks by cleaning the electronic devices in our home.  Phone, Kindle, computers and televisions all got a good wiping down.  They all look better!

As a matter of fact, my whole house looks better after this challenge!  I’m not afraid to open closets and cabinets now!  Yay for completing the whole process!  I thank the Lord for strength to work!

How about you?  Did you do all or even part of the challenge?  Isn’t the feeling a great one?  

I just got back from the grocery store.  Yowie (that’s my word – you won’t find it in the dictionary).   That simply means Oh.  My. Goodness!  I brought in five small bags of groceries and it was just over $50 and many of the items I bought were on sale or even clearance. I also used some coupons.  We’re all looking for ways to cut back and save at the grocery store, aren’t we?

Oh, and what about gasoline?  The people driving those “smart cars” are probably the most extreme ones striving to save on gas prices.  I guess the bicyclers would count, too. But we are always scouting out good gas breaks.

Goodwill stores are doing the business these days with people buying furniture and accessories and up-cycling them.  Ideas like these pictured are really hot these days.  These creative ideas keep folks from spending a fortune on furniture for their home.

With all the need to save on so many areas of our life, there is one area that we can be really extravagant!  That’s in the area of dishing out love!  How could you dole out a generous dose to those most important in your life?

Let’s start with the greatest love:

Our love for God ~

Go ahead!  Be extravagant and pass out generous helpings of your Christ-like love to those around you.  The pay off is even better.