Pool Time!

This is where the boys will be all summer!

Heart-Soil

I have a little book I like to peruse every so often. It's a devotional book of sorts that uses the idea of gardening to explain a person's relationship with Christ. Well, gardening is one of my favorite past-times. And I definitely need reminders to continue growing closer to the Lord on life's journey. Thus, "Down a Garden Path" by Karla Dornacher was written for the likes of me. :)

One of the points in this book reminds us that "beautiful blooms and a bountiful harvest require good soil." To quote more insightful words from this book...

"Good heart-soil is an ongoing, never-ending process. As you open your heart to the tender hand of the Master Gardener, He is able to till the hard places, remove the rocks, and pull up the weeds of the world that would entangle and choke out the life of His love. Take time to cultivate your relationship with the Master Gardener. Ask Him to show you any areas of your heart-soil where you need to let go and let Him work. Seek to be the beautiful and bountiful garden He designed you to be."

And then Karla Dornacher quotes a phrase from a familiar psalm, "Search me O God, and know my heart".

Wow, those words! I remember many a church communion service where the hymn, written from that psalm, was sung. The words brought my heart, mind, and soul into a quiet and reverent place of humility and dependence. I couldn't help but do some soul-searching and vow right there in the church pew to allow the Master Gardener to cultivate my heart-soil.

I've often wanted to write out the words to this hymn and post it where I could read them daily. I need a regular reminder to weed out worldly influences, plant seeds of God's Word, and cultivate my heart-soil in order to attain a beautiful and bountiful life in His eyes.

So, as I enjoy my spring planting, thank you, Karla Dornacher, for this timely reminder. And in case you're not familiar with the psalm she referenced, read these verses and see if they don't move you in some way.

Psalm 139:23, 24

"Search me, O God, and know my heart:
try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."

Cabin Fever

Well, it has been a very long week, but yesterday, Memorial Day, my sick little boys and I were able to step outside and enjoy some long awaited sunshine. Sickness hit our household last week (exactly 24 hours after the boys attended Sunday School-amazing how that happens). So started a week of sleepless nights, miserable days stuck inside in front of the tv, tissue boxes adorning every table top. Only to begin the holiday weekend with a doctor's visit due to pink eye and an ear infection. At least the week had been just as miserable outside with very cool spring temperatures and lots of rain and wind. Inside, even if it was a sick-house, was definitely the better option.

My sweetheart gave up his three-day weekend plans of a family trip to Cabela's, target shooting, turkey hunting, and whatever else he could squeeze in, to babysit us sicko's and do some long awaited around-the-house/yard projects. Having him around for three whole days all to ourselves was just the medicine we needed, and by yesterday we were feeling up to spending the day in our back yard on a most beautiful day. The boys "helping" daddy, of course, as he did some electrical wiring for the fishpond and some outdoor lighting. And me relaxing on the back porch watching the many motorcycles that drive by on a sunny holiday. OK, I did work in a load of laundry or two in the middle of all that relaxin' ('cause clothing mountains were forming in the basement after a week of neglect!)

And here I would like to pause and say a big THANK YOU to my husband's new company for actually using a uniform service! No more washing work clothes for me! Yippeeee!!

So, today, the hubby is back to work, it's dismal and rainy again, and me and the boys are lounging. We're not back to full steam yet, and yesterday's outside fun was exhausting. Ours was a very low-key Memorial Day weekend spent at home, but we were together as a family and life doesn't get much better. Hope you enjoyed your holiday as much as we did.

My Boys in Trees

This is my boys' idea of a weekend well spent...







helping Pop Pop and Daddy cut up tree branches and stack wood piles. Does it get any better for little boys?


. . . and big boys? :)

Spring Blooms

I've been anxiously awaiting my garden's first blooms,
and here they are...

Spring shows God's detailed handiwork so brilliantly, doesn't it?