Overflowing!

"Gratitude to God makes even a temporal blessing a taste of heaven." William Romaine (1714-1795)

This week I had an occasion to use the above picture on a card. Some of you have seen this snap before and heard the story behind it.

I love telling the story! Over the years I've taken many snaps of doe and fawn, but hardly any of buck. So one November I prayed a special prayer: "Lord, You've given me many opportunities to take pictures of doe and fawn, but I've got very few pictures of buck. Please give me some opportunities to take pictures of buck."

I forgot about this prayer until the next summer when eight buck came up to our back fence to eat corn we put out. Actually, they came up every morning and every evening for three months: July, August and September! Every day! All eight buck!

Then that August I remembered the prayer I had prayed the November before and got goose bumps! To think, God answered my prayer by bringing these guys up to my back fence.

I've never seen more than three buck at one time. They just don't travel in big groups. So this was especially awesome to have eight buck together.  When he provides a miracle he does it BIG!

This week I went back to the knee doctor for my two month checkup, and I took two plates of my chocolate chip coffee cake and lemon loaf to say thank you for making it possible for me to walk without pain. I used the picture at the top of the page for the front of his thank you card. And I put these words with it:

A GIANT thank you to Dr. Blue for his skill, dedication and commitment. He's definitely a big guy in my book! No cane! No pain! Full to overflowing with gratitude!

If you discern God's love in every moment of happiness, you will multiply a thousandfold your capacity to fully enjoy your blessings." Frances J. Roberts

Last evening found three visitors, with already nice racks, at the back gate. They started coming up last week. Smile.

A Little Heart

Wouldn't you like to go sit in this garden and enjoy the beauty surrounding you? This was created by  my talented friend, Kathy, in earlier years. She's also the one who helped me plan my first garden. Rather nice, don't you think?

"The happiest moments my heart knows are those in which it is pouring forth its affections to a few esteemed characters." Thomas Jefferson

There's those words again. I can't get away from words that speak to me. To read what others say. To align myself with people of like mind. Kindred spirits.

My friend, Diana, also has a way with gardens. Walking through on the red carpet was delightful!

I've always liked this little story. Don't know where I found it, or if it is true, but it always brings a smile.

"An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of. He calmly came over to me; I gave him a few pats on his head. He then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep. An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

"The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks.

"Curious I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'

"The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: 'He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under 3. He's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?'"

My sister-in-law, Bobbie, creates lovely gardens also. I've had the pleasure of coming to her home early in the morning and taking snaps of the beautiful flowers.

These words by Denzel Washington caught my eye . . . "Why do we close our eyes when we pray, cry, kiss or dream? Because the most beautiful things in life are not seen but felt by the heart."

"When you put something into words, it leads to so many other thoughts." Madeleine L Engle

I don't think I'll ever tire of reading words. They touch my heart and spur my imagination.

And because of the advice and help of the three friends I mentioned above, Kathy, Diana and Bobbie, I have my own lovely gardens to walk through. Aren't I the lucky one!

Well Done

Many of you saw this snap on Facebook last Saturday, but I wanted to share it here too. It was my second "fawn spotting" morning and I found this little one lying down in the woods 30 to 40 feet from the road. I've always wanted to come upon a fawn lying in the woods waiting for Mom. It was indeed a thrill for this girl's heart!

My faithful friends, this post is to say thank you for all the work you do as you live your life for Christ. The multitude of gifts you give over and over again to multitudes of people make a difference.

I've been touched by your service and blessed by your love. And this day I just want to say thank you.

Read the words written by Cindy Morgan and then listen to Kim Hopper sing this lovely song.

"Well Done Well Done"

"One step then two, then a million more,
Sunday morning you, walked the old wood floor,
To lift a song to heaven, and let the praises ring,
Let Him use your life, and heard the choir sing.

Well done, well done, dear faithful one,
Though the mountains were steep, Now the race is run,
See the Father smile, Father and the Son,
Well done, well done, dear faithful one.

When pain is deep, and grief is great,
And it's hard to make it through the day,
Walk onward soldier for the gospel truth,
For the crown and the glory, is waiting there for you.

And one fine day, when time is through,
And you journey on to a land brand new,
To shout Hallelujah, as you step through the gates,
And feel the Saviour's arms, and hear the angel choir say,

Well done, well done, dear faithful one,
Though the mountains were steep, Now the race is run,
See the Father smile, Father and the Son,
Well done, well done, dear faithful one."

https://www.youtube.com . . . search for Kim Hopper Well Done Well Done or
click on the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5_MUbtNVoA

"Kind thoughts are wasted if they don't become kind words." Kim Meeder

And all I saw were the two little ears as I glimpsed the area. Looks like I still have eyes for my favorite subject to snap!

A Sleepy Drive

"If you have never heard the mountains singing, or seen the trees of the field clapping their hands, do not think because of that they don't. Ask God to open your ears so you may hear it and your eyes so you may see it, because, though few men ever know it, they do, my friend, they do."

                                                                                                                                  McCandlist Phillips

Yes, it's that time of year once again. Fawn spotting. One of my favorite things to do. But I had a dilemma. I hadn't driven since surgery.

This will be my fifth year of fawn spotting. During the summer months I leave the house at 6 a.m. on Saturday mornings and drive where I know deer will be. When I first started I only went out in July and August. But last year I started in June and was rewarded with the smallest fawn I've ever seen.

Last Saturday was the first Saturday in June and I wanted to go! So I talked Jerry into letting me drive to my physical therapy appointment to see how I did. Success! I had no problems with my knee.

So bright and early Saturday morning I was up and out to do my favorite thing. It was overcast and foggy and a lovely morning to drive around. I was so excited!

I didn't see any fawn this time, but there were plenty of deer in fields to provide me with something to snap at. Like the lone deer at the top of the field in the snap at the top.



We all need the time to do something we enjoy and that inspires us through life. The time I devote to "fawn spotting" is mine. Jerry volunteers at the gun range one morning a week to help with repairs.

My outing lasts about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. The land is quiet, no cars behind me and the day is just waking up. A wonderful time to be out and about enjoying the beauty of nature.

When I came up on this guy above, he never did turn around. He was doing the same thing I was. A quiet interlude before the day begins.

Take time to be silent. The joys of heaven come down and refresh your soul. Take a sleepy drive!

"The best thing is to go from nature's God down to nature; and if you once get to nature's God, and believe him, and love him, it is surprising how easy it is to hear music in the waves, and songs in the wild whisperings of the winds; to see God everywhere in the stones, in the rocks, in the rippling brooks, and hear him everywhere, in the lowing of cattle, in the following of thunder, and in the fury of tempests."                                                                             Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)

not a fan.

  The beautiful peony is now in bloom. Some of my favorite snaps are below. Enjoy their beauty!

On a serious note . . . a friend gave me the book not a fan. written by Kyle Idleman. I'd never heard of the book or author. The subtitle is: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus. I've now read the prologue and first four chapters. There's no doubt at what the author is saying.

I'm a fan of a lot of things. Hallmark movies. Christian authors, both fiction and nonfiction. Photographers, amateur and professionals. Baby animals. Ice cream. Artists. Longaberger baskets.

These are the things I'm an "enthusiastic admirer" or supporter of. That's the simple definition of a fan. Idleman wants to know if you're a fan or follower of Jesus. He focuses on D.T.R.: Define the Relationship.

If you're a follower, how has your life changed? Have you made any difficult decisions about your life that has cost you? Are your decisions based on His decrees, even if your entire life is changed?

The first example he talks about is Nicodemus and how much it cost him to stand up for Jesus. He could of lost everything. He had a powerful position. It would cost him his source of income and livelihood. It would cost him friendships. The respect of his co-workers. There is always a cost.

I know following Jesus has cost me relationships. It has left me broken hearted and still burdened for those I lost. And yet my conscious is clear for I've chosen what I believe. I've lost a few other things that I was definitely a fan of!

And just who am I? Nobody really. The worst of sinners. Nothing special. Nothing to brag about. A fan or a follower?  At the end of each chapter there is a testimony, written by no one I know. At the end of their testimony, the person writes: "My name is ____________, and I am not a fan. I like that.

I'm looking forward to reading through this "in your face" book. No, I wouldn't have picked it up on my own. But at this stage in my life, when life can be snuffed out in a moment, I think it is good to examine my commitment to Jesus. And this book is giving me opportunity to do just that.

I'm not just a fan of Jesus. I've chosen to live for Him no matter the cost. A follower.

Do you want to be cross examined about your faith? A fan or a follower. not a fan. is for you.