When the kids get married and have their own families, as well as in-laws, it's often difficult to work out a date for getting together that works for everyone. That was why we had our Mother's Day celebration a week late.

Last Sunday was a beautiful day - perfect for a picnic. Amy and Christy and their families came down to catch the 11:00 showing of the kids' musical drama that Dawn was directing. After that, everyone came over for burgers and dogs at our house. Because it was so pleasant, we were able to eat on the deck. That makes me happy - not as much mess to clean up!

After lunch the men and boys played ball while we girls sat at the table and chatted. Don't you love the casual way some of the kids play!!!
 

Amy brought me this beautiful bouquet with a robin she had felted. The flowers lasted all week and made the kitchen smell so sweet.

I couldn't help thinking this morning as I threw out the wilted flowers, that I wished I had the creativity to make beautiful bouquets. I love the fresh flowers on the table but my arrangements are so pathetic, it's hard to take pleasure in them. Well, I guess my creative juices lie in other directions.

After the party last week, Christy and her family and I went over to visit with Andy. It was an especially encouraging time. I was on my way to Andy's room to get him, when one of the staff stopped me to tell me she had asked Andy to pray for her because of something she was dealing with. She said he prayed for her right then. Then as he left her, he continued to pray for the next person he saw. 

I continued on my way into his living area, when another staff person stopped me to tell me that one day she had been complaining that this was wrong and that wasn't working right, etc. Then Andy came over to her, placed his hands on her shoulders and told her: "Stop complaining. It could be a lot worse." She said she was so brought up short...he is telling her that it could be a lot worse. 

We enjoyed a little time visiting with Andy but then he announced he "had to get going." It was his way of letting us know he was tired and had had enough. So I proceeded to lead him back to his room. As I opened the door to his area, R was there. We had seen him earlier wearing gloves! (He often eats his dinner wearing his winter coat.) This man talks constantly but doesn't really say anything intelligible. R started "talking" to Andy and me. I tried to pull Andy along to get him to his room, when he turned to me, and basically told me to stop, he needed to take care of this. I had been trying to protect Andy because of his weariness, to get him to his room, but he felt compelled to "listen" to R. R rambled on about a lost boy, going up a hill, etc. etc. and Andy made comforting, affirming noises until R was finally satisfied that we had heard him tell his tale.

I am so astonished every time I observe Andy's empathetic, compassionate heart in action in spite of his infirmity. It's an obvious indication that the Lord has not abandoned him. What a comfort - even if we forget God, He does not forget us.

Even though I had an appointment on Tuesday to have my car serviced, I was still able to fit in a visit with Andy, meeting Dawn and the kids there. We had our usual ice cream, and Kasey was dressed for the occasion in her tutu!

I was able to fit in some yard work this week. It's that time of the year when everything is growing like crazy, then needing to be trimmed back. Unfortunately, the ticks are out, too. I found one on the back of my ear on Friday morning, but it was in a spot that I couldn't see well enough to get it out myself. Although it was attached, it hadn't become engorged yet. I had to ask someone to get it off for me. And now, every time I feel an itch, I wonder if it's another tick.


Here are some more flower pictures. These cherry laurels smell so sweet and lovely.  

Pink Gumpo Azalea

I think these are my favorites: mountain laurels. If you live in Mt. Laurel, you must have these!

Then today, I had an adventure - of sorts. On Mother's Day, I was feeling a little sad that I couldn't see my own mother who lives in western Pennsylvania. I hadn't seen her since last July. So I had this idea to make the trip. I could make it there in 4 hours, spend a little time with her, take her out to lunch, then drive back home. I really didn't want to spend overnight anywhere (except in my own bed), or be away from Andy more than a day. I feel it's important to keep a routine going where I see him every day - but maybe a day now and then would be ok. I felt I could fit in a trip there and back all in a day. 

So I thought about the idea, prayed about it, ran it by my daughters and a friend and decided to give it a try. I left this morning (Sunday) at 7:00, then called my mother around 7:30 to let her know I was coming. She was totally and thoroughly surprised. It was fun to be able to make her so happy. I was there long enough to have lunch with her at a local restaurant and visit with several of my aunts.

I was amazed at how quickly I was able to make the trip. Perhaps because the speed limit is higher, but it only took 3 hours and 20 minutes instead of the 4 hours I was expecting. Of course, it's still a long time to  be driving in the same direction. I'm glad I was able to do it, it was nice to see my mother and spend a little time with her.

Sometimes when you hear a song, it rattles around in your head the rest of the week. I Have this Hope has done that for me.

As I walk this great unknown
Questions come and questions go
Was there purpose for the pain
Did I cry these tears in vain
I don’t wanna live in fear
I wanna trust that You are near
Trust Your grace can be seen
In both triumph and tragedy

I have this hope
In the depth of my soul
In the flood or the fire
You’re with me and You won’t let go

But sometimes my faith feels thin
Like the night will never end
Will You catch every tear
Or will You just leave me here

So whatever happens, I will not be afraid
‘Cause You are closer than this breath that I take
You calm the storm when I hear You call my name
I still believe that one day I’ll see Your face

In the flood or the fire
You are with me and You won’t let go
In the flood or the fire
You are with me and You won’t let go

@ Copyright Tenth Avenue North 2016. All Rights Reserved.

In 1 Timothy 1:1, Paul tells Timothy that Christ Jesus is our hope. And Romans 15:13, God is referred to as the God of hope. I love this verse where Paul says "the God of hope [will] fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." 

Overflow with hope!!! "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." (Hebrews 6:19)


Lamentations 3:19-23, 25
"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have HOPE: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness...The Lord is good to those whose HOPE is in him, to the one who seeks him."

Andy is not the only one who forgets. I need constant reminders of the Lord's unfailing and abiding love, grace, mercy and kindness to me. 

On Tuesday's Morning and Evening devotional by Spurgeon, I was so moved by the words he used to convey God's amazing love for us. I'm writing it here as a reminder to myself of how good God is - always, even when I struggle with grief, sad times and difficult experiences.

Spurgeon based his thoughts on 1 Timothy 6:17: "God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy."

"Our Lord Jesus is always giving and does not for a single moment withdraw His hand...He is an ever-shining sun; He is manna in unfailing supply; He is a rock in the desert, sending constant streams of life from His pierced side; the rain of His grace is always falling; the King can never die, so His grace can never fail. Every day we pluck His fruit, and every day His branches bend down to our hand with a fresh supply of mercy. There are seven feast days in His weeks, and as many banquets in His years. Who has ever returned from His door unblessed? Who has ever risen from His table unsatisfied? His mercies are new every morning and fresh every evening. Who can calculate the number of His benefits or value the extent of His provision? Every passing day we are the beneficiaries of a myriad of mercies. The wings of our hours are covered with the silver of His kindness and with the yellow gold of His favor. The countless stars serve as the standard bearers of incalculable blessings. Who can measure the benefits that He bestows on His servant or recount the extent of His mercies toward His own? How shall my soul extol Him who loads us with daily benefits, and who crowns us with loving-kindness? O that my praise could be as endless as His provision."

"You are good and what You do is good? Psalm 119:68

"Turn to me and have mercy on me, as You always do to those who love Your name." Psalm 119:132 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all -- how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32

God gives us no room for doubt - He loves us and wants our best. 

Dawn and I went to visit Andy again on Tuesday. He was in good spirits and enjoyed the children. 

The rest of the week was a mix of watering the flowers in the evening because of the unseasonable heat and several meetings with friends. The gardens are full of color right now and so beautiful. I can't get enough of them.

I've been listening to two songs in particular this week, both express a resolve to trust God no matter what we're going through.

Even If
I know You're able and I know You can
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don't
My hope is You alone

They say it only takes a little faith
To move a mountain
Well good thing
A little faith is all I have, right now
But God, when You choose
To leave mountains unmovable
Oh give me the strength to be able to sing
It is well with my soul

You've been faithful, You've been good
All of my days
Jesus, I will cling to You
Come what may
‘Cause I know You're able

I know You can

I know You're able 

Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don't
My hope is You alone

I know the sorrow, I know the hurt
Would all go away if You'd just say the word
But even if You don't
My hope is You alone

It is well with my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul

Songwriters: Bart Marshall Millard / Benjamin Glover / Crystal Lewis / David Arthur Garcia / Tim Timmons

Even If lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Music Services, Inc

Trust in You

When You don't move the mountains
I'm needing You to move
When You don't part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don't give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You

Truth is You know what tomorrow brings
There's not a day ahead You have not seen
So let all things be my life and breath
I want what You want Lord and nothing less

When You don't move the mountains
I'm needing You to move
When You don't part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don't give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You I will trust in You

You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
There's not a place where I'll go
You've not already stood

Songwriters: Lauren Daigle / Michael Farren / Paul Mabury

Trust in You lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol Christian Music Group

Life has its ebb and flow, good days and bad days, highs and lows, mountains and valleys, agonies and ecstasies, pain and joy, tears and laughter. 

At this point in my life, a good day means a bit of a spark in Andy's eye; a bad day is conversation that doesn't make sense, severe tremors and a vacant look.

I never know what to expect when I visit Andy. I go to see him every day, and sometimes twice a day. I'm trying to go every Tuesday morning so that Dawn can see her dad. She takes the kids with her, so it's helpful if I'm there to lend extra hands and arms. He's always responsive to the kids, and they seem to love being with him, too.

This past Tuesday was a beautiful spring day, so we were able to sit outside the facility. Of course, they had to have their ice cream. Then the older kids were able to put their energy into running up and down the sidewalk.
 

I love Kasey's girly outfits - all the sequins, sparkles and tulle! And that's her favorite necklace. She always wears it. Today she told me that necklace gives her power.  I think I need one of those.

Friday was Andy's birthday so I made a carrot cake, intending to party it up at his facility when I went in to visit him. When I got there, though, he was lying down and saying he felt awful. I had a hard time getting him up, but he finally did when his brother and a high school buddy came to visit. No one else was in the dining area at that moment, so I cut 4 pieces of cake for us.

I told him to smile before I snapped the picture, and this is what I got! He's such a good sport.

Today was Mother's Day and Dawn invited me to join her family at her in-laws'. I was happy to be able to do that. I brought some goodies to add to the meal, having spent most of yesterday indoors because of the rain. It was a happy time for me making/creating in my kitchen.

It's been unseasonably cool so I've put off planting annuals. But I couldn't wait any longer as we got toward the end of the week. Now that all that brown mulch is down, we needed some color to liven it up a bit. And is there anything more cheerful than the color yellow?

 

I was sad to see the condition of this yellow rhododendron. The bush has all these dead branches, except this one brave stalk.

 

 I came across a youtube video of John Piper talking about God's love: God Didn't Wait for You to Believe. It was such an encouragement to me. I'm so thankful that God didn't wait for me to respond to him, but He initiated. He set His affection on me, He chose me, (Deuteronomy 10:15; 1 Thessalonians 1:4 and 2 Thessalonians 2:13).  Ephesians 2:4 tells us that God is "rich in mercy" and because of the "great love with which he loved us," he made us alive, even when we were dead in our sins. 


These are beautiful truths to give us the strength to keep on keeping on. It's a great comfort to know God, to experience His faithfulness, His unchanging nature when we face uncertainties and disappointments.

Lamentations 3:19-26, 32-33
"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him.'
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.
For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men."

"A short stay on earth will make heaven more heavenly. Nothing makes rest so enjoyable as work; nothing renders security so pleasant as exposure to danger. The bitter cups of earth will give a relish to the new wine that sparkles in the golden bowls of heaven. Our battered armor and scarred countenances will render more glorious our victory above, when we are welcomed to the seats of those who have overcome the world. We would not have full baptism of suffering among men, and we must be baptized with the same if we would share His kingdom. Fellowship with Christ is so honorable that the sorest sorrow is a light price by which to procure it."
(Morning and Evening, by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, May 6th evening reading)

These are high and lofty thoughts to dwell on and good reminders. Yes, earthly sorrows make heaven seem so much more attractive. To think that some day our struggles with sin and sickness and sorrow will be a distant memory. Because of the promise of heaven, we have hope to press on and joy in the journey (because of Jesus, not our circumstances).

But even as we hope for an end to our troubles, Spurgeon reminds us that "the wish to escape trouble is a selfish one. Rather let your longing be to glorify God by your life down here as long as He pleases, even though you live in the midst of toil and conflict and suffering."
(Morning and Evening, by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, May 2nd morning reading)

It's difficult to not become weary in the routine of my life right now. In many ways, it seems like I'm in limbo, in a "no-man's land." But I need to rest in those circumstances and allow God to do his work in my heart, even when, or especially when, I see no end in sight.

Andy continues much the same: one day he seems pretty good (relatively speaking, of course), the next day, he doesn't. Some days his health seems pretty fragile, other days, not so bad. Well, I need to be thankful that we are in a time of relative peace - no emergencies or issues that require extreme measures.

I met Dawn on Tuesday so we could visit Andy together. She gets to see her dad and I help her with all the kids. 

I love how the kids really love their Poppop. Isn't Cole's hand on Andy's knee cute?Andy really enjoys the children coming to visit him. And I'm so glad they can.

Dawn has a favorite dinner that I always make for her birthday but for some reason, I missed this year. When I realized it, I invited her to come over on Wednesday evening, and I would make it for her. Tommy says he hates seafood, plus he was not going to be home for dinner on Wednesday evening, so it was perfect timing.

In my mind there is nothing special about Tuna Ring, but she loves it...so I make it for her. 

One of my Christmas presents this past year from Christy and her family was a promise to help me with any project I wanted done. I was so blessed that they came down yesterday and mulched all my gardens. I ordered 6 yards of mulch - a veritable mountain!

Her kids are getting older and are hard, willing workers. I was so proud of them, they worked for hours without complaining. I wonder if they have sore muscles today. I sure do!

 

Last year I spent hundreds of dollars for a lawn service to mulch for me. This year, thanks to my daughter, her husband and kids, the cost was just the price of their lunch. I also had the joy of spending time and working with them. It made the day soooo fun. I couldn't help but think that Christy more than made up for all those times she found excuses as a teen to get out of working around the house! 

Even the littlest one brought her work gloves and moved mulch around. But at lunch time, she took the opportunity to hit the dress up clothes box.

What a good feeling to have all that mulching done. Now to buy some annuals and plant them around for some added color.



When I first started designing my gardens, my goal was to plant bushes/perennials that would provide flowers all year. I've accomplished my goal except for the winter. For several years, I bought and planted winter pansies in the fall, which would bloom again in the spring, even if they had been buried under several feet of snow. However, the last year or so, we've had an abundance of bunnies, who I think are the critters that eat the flowers off the pansy plants. So I don't buy them any more...waste of money.
A week ago, my deep purple lilacs were blooming, now the lilac colored ones are in full bloom. They really make the air smell sweet, too. As soon as you walk off the deck, you can smell the beautiful fragrance.

And don't you love that splotch of red among the different shades of green!

"A tested saint, like a well-cut diamond, glitters much in the King's crown. Nothing reflects so much honor on a workman as a protracted and severe trial of his work and his triumphant endurance of the ordeal without giving in or giving up. We are God's workmanship, and He will be glorified by our afflictions. It is for the honor of Jesus that we endure the trial of our faith with sacred joy."
(More of Morning and Evening, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, May 6th evening reading) 

This is my desire, to endure with sacred joy, to run with patience the race that is marked out for me. I am weak and unable, though, apart from the power of Jesus that works in and through me. May I trust Him fully and rest on His amazing grace and unfailing love.