It Finally Feels Like Spring ~

Last year I was sooooo looking forward to Autumn, even Winter, I realize there are those of you who cringe at the thought of cooler / cold seasons, but I really don't care for the dry, sometimes, intense heat of the desert. Now don't get me wrong I do love the beauty the desert has but the heat last longer than any cooler weather we might have. This past fall and winter it was un-usually dry and mild, not good for fruit trees that need a good chilling. 

When I took these pictures of what made it through the winter I was very impressed.  Even the cheap clearance plants from Tractor Supply came through. When I took the first group of photo's it was a cooler cloudy day which was sought after by me since March was awful and unusually hot! All of us here were commenting about it, but not holding our breath in hopes it would turn to the normal Spring temps. And then it was finally a reprieve. Yay!

He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses. Psalm 135:7 ESV

He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. He hurls dsown his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow. Psalm 147:15-18

Today I took the pics below and so excited about the blossoms on my Meyer Lemon - As I'm hoping for lemons! Last year I got eleven.

 

God is good always, I wasn't able to tend to anything the last few years and I was blessed with what harvest we got. This year the only thing I'm not certain about is the fruit trees. They took a beating with the heat and several limbs didn't make it. I hope they come around and I pray I'm able to help them along.

Here we are almost halfway through April and this past week has been beautiful and what a blessing to go from the stark - dust - and heat of March. I am truly thankful. They say summer is going to be a bear, but my son mentioned we might get El Nino this year that could interfere with our weather I hope that reprieve will last longer ~ a lot longer. :)

"While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease." Genesis 8:22 ESV

Weather is always changing like our seasons ~ But He is in control of them all and I'm glad He is.

Spring Is Around The Corner ~

Winter, and I will include Fall, really was not what I enjoy about the seasons.  Many times I have said Fall is a favorite and Winter is up there as well.  This time I can actually say I'm looking forward to Spring though not the heat of Summer.  ARGH

Fall wasn't as lovely and restful as previous, there barely was any color to speak hardly any changing leaves or even the crispness of cooler air. Winter was mild and rather boring. I missed the calm, restful breather I've had in the past from running and taking care of the whatever's you do when it's warmer out. It just wasn't appealing. Maybe I just missed it being to busy ~

I had been told years ago when I went to get my hair done; I frankly was sick of it and told my hairdresser I can't stand it anymore - I'm in need of a change, she replied - It's February! It isn't really Winter but not yet Spring. In the desert it's dry and dirty - wind gusts start and leaves are barely starting to come out - I'd be lying if I didn't mention some blossoms and flowers we've planted are coming out early making it a bit concerning if we have another freeze. 

Now into March and only a week or so away from Spring my head is spinning with optimism and hopeful I will make time to enjoy it. This past Tuesday I decide to take a drive to Willcox - I love going to Willcox and the drive. We had a rain over night and there was that fresh smell if a coolness in the air. I took a few pics on the way back as I was surprised (not really) that the desert was starting to bloom. 

I first grabbed a shot as I left hoping it would continue to rain. But it didn't only a bit on the drive. Willcox got dumped on and I would love it if we got more rain like them.

Though getting back and opening I wasn't a bit disappoint - look at that sky!  

Spring is around the corner,

Only a week or so to go.

Will it be what I hope for?

Only the good LORD knows.

So I wait with anticipation,

Are you waiting too?

Let's pray we have a good one,

That's the best we can do ~

Happy Spring!

VLB 3.10.26

He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about. The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens. Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening. Psalm 104:19-23 ESV   :) 

When Someone Is Missed.

 

I must have been dreaming.

But it was so real.

There was something exciting to tell you,

Excitement I could feel ~

I jumped up and went out to find you,

Then I remembered you were gone.

I must have been dreaming.

It was sad to recall,

You weren't there at all.

I thought, how stupid!

What was I thinking?

I was stunned to remember,

Then, I couldn't remember

what I wanted to tell you.

I thought how stupid.

To not just think, but

to feel it was so real.

It was sad to recall,

You were no longer there at all.?

Were my thoughts

playing a trick on me?

I wondered off and on

throughout the day.

I truly can't remember,

what I even wanted to say.

This odd feeling just came over me.

It took me back in time.

All it was, was a memory

Of knowing you were mine.

Now it's just a dream

That felt so real to me.

I guess that's just the way it is~

And will remain to be.

Whan someone is missed.

3.6.24 VB

Possibly the blossoms

Coming into bloom

A time for new beginnings

A time we long for ~

3.8.24 VB

My beloved speaks and says to me; "Arise, my beautiful one, and come away, for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away." Song of Solomon 2:10-13 ESV

O' Spring ~

O' the sweet smell and sounds of Spring!

Blossoms open on the once bare limbs.

Happy bees arrive from a hidden winters home,

buzzing busily with a very important job.

The birds are singing with beautiful melodies,

cleaning and foraging sprucing their nests. 

All the wonderful activities of nature at Spring ~

They make me smile 

each time they show up.

Little wildflowers of purply-blue,

here today and gone tomorrow.

They fit right in ~

Apples, peaches, and nectarines

Always showing early.

Soon there will be apricots

with following later 

pomegranates. . .yippy!

The apples haven't produced - yet,

peaches are the best but

the biggest showing of all is at the

end of summer near to fall

POMEGRANTES ~ 

VLB ~ today.

I went down to the nut orchard

to look at the blossoms of the valley,

to see whether the vines had budded,

whether the pomegranates were in bloom.

Before I was aware,

my desire set me 

among the chariots of 

my kinsman, a prince.

Song of Solomon 6:11-12 ESV

Our Focus

The weather has been a beautiful start into spring, and if you could pick one thing that can be gained from our present situation is that you make the most of it.  Get out and enjoy what the Lord has blessed you with.  As you can also see social distancing at its best and frankly to many people an eeriness to what might cause you to think of the movie "Left Behind."

I've been posting so much the past twenty or so days, specifically, writing to encourage others during this time, posting on my church Facebook pages, sharing in part on my (FB) page and here.

Yesterday my grandkids and I were out biking and in the picture you can see my grandson who has learned to ride with no hands and he's very good at it! He's also 7 years old and let me tell you I had a difficult time trying to keep up and get a picture of him!  I even tried doing a video clip, barely, lol.
My granddaughter who's 3 uses training wheels and just recently had her seat raised but she thinks in part she can do most of what her brother does. Though, she shares, using one or two hands not no hands.  :)

Watching them got me thinking of  how we learn and grow as believers, moving forward in our walk with God,  exercising our faith.  Specifically, what our focus needs to be on.  Him!  As children, as we grow we are learning, being trained continually.  Ideally, our training will keep us as adults having a good foundation. For new believers in Christ we start out much the same.  Children have an eagerness to learn and grow in new things; like Logan, learning how to ride a bike with no hands.  He is excited telling everyone,  "it took me two days!"  But he didn't start at three years of age getting right on to a bike and start to ride without hands.  Gwen riding with training wheels and however good she might be when she looks back losing her focus and starts to tip.  A few times she's fallen.  She takes her focus off what she's doing.  Logan knows he has to focus, he no longer has training wheels he's moving on the meat of it knowing he has to keep his balance.  Focus is a must.  Now I'm sure he sees in fromt of him and at the sides so to speak, but focus is on what he's doing.

Where is our focus this morning?

When I was thinking of Logan on his bike I was reminded of a verse in part, not turning to the right or the left.  2 Chronicles 34:2  Also in 1 Kings 22:2  King Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, also he became king when he was eight.  He followed in the ways of his father David!  WOW

Another verse is in Isaiah 50: 7 But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. Of course, this is a prophesy telling of Jesus and what will be happening to him leading to the cross.  We are to take up our cross daily.  Our focus is on Him and we to need to set our face as flint.  Not looking backward or side to side,  Though we mess up God helps through it all.

One scripture I just read caught my interest.  In Isaiah 30;21 Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."  Suggested reading, Isaiah 30:18 - 21.

Let's trust Him today to get us through this to His return.  God is good always!  VB

Staint Patrick's Day~

Whether you're Irish or not, yesterday most people celebrated St Patrick's Day. With corned beef and cabbage, green beer, festive parades and for many it might have been mass in honor of the patron saint.  But for me I'm always reminded of the love and desire Saint Patrick had for his Creator and to do His will reaching the lost of Ireland.  His life was one of many hardships and of miracles as the Lord worked in and through his obedience to Christ.

Saint Patrick's example is one we all could follow.  As believers and followers of Christ - He's never left us unequipt to do His bidding; He has given us all that's needed through the Holy Spirit. He has also given us examples as we read the words of Paul who was inspired by the Holy Spirit to showing us how to live by his example.

If you are fighting in a battle or I hope not running from snakes equip yourself --

The Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.  Ephesians 6:10-18

Remembering to pray for each other --

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:19-20

I've always loved reading the prayer on St. Patrick "Breastplate," with a portion I love saying for myself.  It is also called the Deer's Cry (more on that another time) also there are slightly different versions.

I bind unto myself today,  

The strong Name of the Trinity,

By invocation of the same,

The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever.

By power of faith, Christ's incarnation;

His baptism in the Jordan river;

His death on Cross for my salvation;

His bursting from the spiced tomb;

His riding up the heavenly way;

His coming at the day of doom☘️

I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power

Of the great love of the cherubim;

The sweet 'well done' in judgment hour,

The service of the seraphim,

Confessors' faith, Apostles' word,

The Patriarchs' prayers, the Phrophets' scrolls,

All good deeds done unto the Lord,

And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today

The virtues of the starlit heaven,

The glorious sun's life-giving ray,

The whiteness of the moon at even,

The flashing of the lightning free,

The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,

The stable earth, the deep salt sea,

Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today

The power of God to hold and lead,

His eye to watch, His might to stay,

His ear to hearken to my need.

This wisdom of my God to teach,

His hand to guide, His shield to ward,

The word of God to give me speech,

His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,

The vice that gives temptation force,

The natural lusts that war within,

The hostile men that mar my course;

Or few or many, far or nigh,

In every place and in all hours,

Against their fierce hostility,

I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan's spells and wiles,

Against false words of heresy,

Against the knowledge that defiles,

Against the heart's idolatry,

Against the wizard's evil craft,

Against the death wound and the burning,

The choking way and the poisoned shaft,

Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in the hearts of all that love me,

Christ in the mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,

The strong Name of the Trinity;

By invocation of the same.

The Three in One, and One in Three,

Of Whom all nature hath creation,

Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:

Praise to the Lord of my salvation,

Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

☘️"Day of Judgment."

My Old / New Digs -

I've been wanting to post for sometime now, I do collectively take pictures for future posts as well as, starting new drafts I go back to and work on here and there until I post; lately I have been to active to get things finished to post. I do want to share what I've been calling my old / new digs - for how long, I haven't the foggiest clue - but it's a room I'm hoping will inspire me to get creative again. If it doesn't I'm not sure what will.
Since we moved here about 8 years ago this room has been a few things. It started out first for sewing, then a quest room, then a make sift bedroom / storage room and now back to a sewing room women would love to have. I've always wanted my own room! The sad thing is in all the almost eight years I've not taken the time (that is - made the time or use my time wisely) to take advantage (use to the fullest) the talent or gifts that the Lord has given me. I don't know if anyone well admit to the same thing but I know you're out there with excuses just like me.
I've been working on many projects with the hopes to sell what I make or I should say create with the Lords direction and help in all that I do.
Pictured below is a crafting table my husband made for me with my inspiration. I have started using it recently and I love the space to work on as well as, being able to drop the sides down when not in use. (Though I haven't done that yet). We kept the sides open so I can have full use of the storage beneath and there also are casters to roll it out of the way. The side supports are yet to be constructed because we have several ideas - it's just picking the one to work best.

There are a couple scripture verses that came to mind while I was thinking of this post.
John 14 :2 In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. (other translations my have rooms or mansions) and the next verse is Ephesians 5:16 - making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

We recently celebrated Easter or better yet Resurrection Sunday and I do want to post even through the "holiday" already has pasted. Resurrection Sunday is something that should be on the minds of believers and celebrated daily. It's a wonderful thing to know He prepares a place for us. A place of our own to enjoy for eternity. We should want to share the good news with others. Future days are increasingly coming at us faster and evil seem to bound even more, let us make the most of our time here advancing in the knowledge of Jesus that went to prepare a place for us who believe. Remember He said "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:3

Spring Outside My Window

Spring officially started March 20. But it doesn't always seem like Spring until you see its beauty and smell the freshness of outside after a light shower.

When you wake up to Robins singing and a warm breeze coming through your bedroom window. You then know Spring is really here. These are just a few of the pictures I took yesterday. While walking around our yard.

Robins Nest

Bradford Pear

This is also the first year of living here we're able to enjoy in its splendor. In previous years, the frost and snow even ice storms robbed us of seeing full blooms. And, for this length of time. I so longed to see it, finally here it is. Thank you, Lord.

Weeping Cherry

Chirping Sparrows Nest with 4 eggs.

Such a blessing it is.

On a funnier note. Spring isn't always Spring without all the doings of critters...Like your dog's getting skunked and raccoons hitting your feeders. With possums doing their thing, mostly being yucky strange or playing dead when bugged by one of the dogs; and squirrels... Yes, let's not forget the squirrels. These rodents with furry tails can truly be a handful and troublesome to all Jack Russell's. If you are one of the many who have such a dog - you know exactly what I mean. Our Miki is no exception to that fact. As I was out walking enjoying the beauty of it all, a squirrel was hiding on the deck. As I moved closer towards the deck and not seeing the squirrel; (our deck is fairly high off the ground) I heard the screen door slide open. When out like a rocket came Miki! (I could hear her running). I looked up just in time to duck out of the way from the squirrel sailing overhead. Spread eagle! That squirrel was just as surprised seeing me, still freaking from Miki to begin with.

How dull would life be if we didn't stop to enjoy the many blessings? Blessing that are woven in and out of life's unpleasantries. Blessing we often don't appreciate or even recognize. God's gifts to all of us.

~

Robin Red-Brest,
Sings his morning song.
A nest's been made,
Worms are dug.
Robin Red- Brest
Sings his evening song,
Well pleased with his day.

4-10-08 VLB

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV