The Best Monday Feeling.

I am so enjoying joining Ann Voskamp in counting my blessings.  My attitude is slowly turning through the week as I think about what I will include in my next list.  Those who have visited before have made several comments about the photos that I have been including.  This has inspired me further to try and include a photo with each of the blessings - I have a very picture visual memory -  I can picture my blessings rather than just remembering words!  I hope you might join me in enjoying some of this weeks:

141.  Celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary in simple style during the day while the children were at school.

142.  First borns socks and t-shirt hung by himself after an afternoon kayaking to celebrate a friends birthday.

143.  This beautiful Acer tree which reminds me of prayerful people in the North everytime I look at it.

144.  Water fun in the garden.

145.  Finding a use for all those sweetie wrappers I have been saving - bird scarers to keep my seeds safe.

146.  Shaded space and make do games.

147.  Time to design, bead and create.

148.  Gorgeous summer weather.

149.  A house that stays reasonably cool when the temperature soars outside.

150.  Finding a use and new way to use discarded CD's/DVD's, in the garden.

151.  Lots of beading!

Another week of blessings to look forward to and I know that there are going to be blessings, because I KNOW that he wants to give me more than I can ever imagine possible.

Walking in Love.

Yesterday was our 14th Wedding Anniversary.  We had a lovely day reflecting on our wedding day and particularly on the words that were spoken to us by our vicar during the service.
  
¹ Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  Ephesians 5, 1-2 TNIV.

We went for a walk along the beach.  It was an unusual spot - it's still used as a firing range on occassion!  There were so beautiful plants to see:

The way varied, some was stoney - very difficult for me to walk on, some was grassy - much easier for me.  There were some big stone hills which my husband was able to climb but which I needed to found a way around.  Rather like our life really though it is incredible to be reminded that we are not required to walk this life by ourselves.

In fact if we are in a relationship with Jesus then we we are charged with 'walking in the way of Love' a love that can only be gained allowing him to walk with us.  I am absolutely certain that when we do this we will get to see more and more of the beauty that is on the path around us.

More Blessings.

 

Another week, no new trauma's/drama's this week, just lots of clearing up of the week befores!

230. Tools lovingly cleaned by my dad so that they can be sold.

231. Watching my dad sort out his tool box.

232. Beautiful Horse Chestnut 'candles' decorating the trees.

233.  Seeing the complete joy on my grandma's face, dementia has taken most things away but not her mischievious laughter.

234.  Home grown rhubarb crumble.

235. This beautiful delicate butterfly, desperate to get into my Aliums before they can open.

 

236. The joy of watching this lovely new family.

 

237.  God's sense of humour in making such funny looking animals as the Lama.

238. A walk with my puppy and my two dear friends and their 3 doggies!

239. Pippin falling in love with Drogo and learning some more sniffing techniques. 

240.  Pippin meeting her first Swan and being very respectful towards it!

Bloom Where You Are Planted.

Laura at By The Bushel had this title on one of her blog posts the other week.  She was talking gardening, however straight away I could not stop thinking about people.  Do we ever consider trying to bloom where we are planted.  Or do we sit and long to be planted somewhere else before we start blooming?

I know for myself, there is often wishfull thinking going on, I could be the most fantastic children and youth pastor if :

• I was in the 'right' sort of church.
• I had the 'right' sort of volunteers to support me.
• My health was better.
• My family situation was not so difficult and time consuming.

 My family life would be so much better if:

• We had just a little bit more money
• We could get my parents to move closer to us.
• The house was just a little bit bigger.
• We had more time to see friends.

Is this how God wants me to live, does he want me to try and hide my blooms unless they are in what I consider to be the perfect place - NO. 

I may not be terribly comfortable where I have been planted at the moment, however that is where I am.  Do I think that God can make me bloom where I am planted - YES.

Help me to trust you more this week Lord.

I will Praise Him.

As the weeks go on they seem to be getting harder, but I am determined to follow Ann's example and continue to journey in thankfullness........

215. The pathway He guides me on, Trusting on what is round the next bend.

216.  The care and the beauty that God puts into the smallest and most temporary aspects of life.

217.  Trees to jump off.

218.  Trees to climb.

219.  Beauty unfurling on the woodland floor despite the canopy darkening.

220.  Friends children enjoying our pets in the garden.

221.  Carpets of bluebells.

222.  My home grown border, everything given or split from existing beds.

223.  My veg patch, all ready for this years seeds.

224.  My new Rose garden.

225.  A precious curl.

226.  The beauty of my first born.

227.  Rhubarb and sponge pudding - yum yum!

228.  Being warmed by my puppy when the afternoon gets chilly.

 229.  Husband and youngest ready for their 'date' at the theatre.