Spring is in the air!

I felt compelled to write since tomorrow is the first day of Spring. (!!!) I adore this time of year, nothing energizes me more to clean and "play" (which really means work to some) in the yard than warmer temperatures, singing birds, flowers peeping through the mulch and leaves and the smell of freshly cut grass! I think I love being outside, immersed in nature because that is when I feel the closest to God. Seeing, smelling, touching, moving, and playing in His creation. It makes me long to go camping, and wish that I was brave enough to go by myself, but that will never happen! I adore Winter, everything about it, the snow, being bundled up, winter sports and snuggly nights with cocoa, but I'm ready for Spring. I can't wait to have cookouts again, to have my nieces over and cook hotdogs over a campfire in the field, and have a yard brimming over with beautiful flowers!

So this week has been my spring break week, and it has been a wonderful one! I've gotten to visit several friends, and grew closer to some new friends that I just adore! Today, coming near the end of the week I find that my spirit is very quiet. I feel the Lord is drawing me near to Him so that I can rest in just who He is. I have been overwhelmed, very overwhelmed with His goodness and provision not just in the past few days but over this past year. I guess that's why I'm in a quiet place right now, just reflecting on His goodness. I'm thankful for times like this - and especially today because for so long after I moved back to Henderson my life felt so chaotic. Running, running, running. This year I've been more intentional in slowing down and I wish I would have done that long ago!

Well, so I've been rambling. Just a few of my thoughts from today, a quiet, introspective, reflective and beautiful day filled with nothing but thoughts of the Lord and quiet intercession.

I'm thankful for such days! And even more thankful for the renewing of life that is taking place as the temperatures warm and the trees, flowers, grass and wildlife come back to life.

God is so good!

There will be showers of blessings

John 1:16

¹⁶And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

I have to confess, I am utterly overwhelmed right now. These past five days especially have been blessing upon blessing, grace upon grace. I had an amazing weekend with my family, it was beautiful chaos of laughter, talking, music, games, late nights, food, birthday candles and smiles upon smiles as we gathered together to celebrate Madison's 11th year with us. On the heels of that, I went home Sunday afternoon after an amazingly wonderful Lord's day - filled with worship, spiritual food, fellowship and renewal - to find that someone or a group of someones came to my house while I was gone, and labored for who knows how long clearing away the last of the tree limbs I could not physically move.

I cannot convey in any amount of words my complete shock when I realized that there was no longer fallen debris all over the deck. I think I stood there for a good solid minute with my mouth gaping open, my eyes scanning the scene before me and then seeing the sawdust from the chainsaw, the freshly cut limbs piled with the other large pile in the field and Kevin's lawnmower that was now free from it's former trapped state. I immiately went and got my phone to see who was responsible and who I am eternally indebted to. But to no avail, I cannot track down those who are responsible. I have my ideas, but have been told to let it go.

I am overwhelmed because I know it seems so silly that tree limbs in the yard would burden my soul so much, but it was the sheer fact and reminder of my own limitations. Living alone I am forced to take care, handle, repair and move many things on my own. I don't mind, in most cases the Lord equips me to take care of things just fine. But these limbs were beyond me. I gathered what I could, but needed help for the rest. And yet again, the Lord has proven Himself my provider. Oh, that He loves me so much to do this for me. Grace upon grace. If I can trust Him to clean up my yard - how much more can I give over to Him!?! If He loves me this much, can I not give every single worry, every single care, no matter how silly it may seem?

The timing of the Lord's provision is wonderful because I just finished a study on Ruth and Oh! How God provided for not only Ruth but Naomi also! From the beginning of time God ordained the events that would prove to Ruth just how Mighty He is!! And oh so worthy to be praised!!

So, yes. I am overwhelmed. If you are responsible, and you are reading this, please, you will never know what you have done for me! Thank you for being a willing vessel for the truth of Christ and ministering to me in such a huge way! I love you and am blessed upon blessed by you! May the Lord this very moment shower you with even more kindness, love and grace than what you have shown towards me.

For the glory of Christ.

Finished Art project and Birthdays

I finished another print in my four-series art print. I don't have an image yet for my fourth one, but I want something green to balance out all the blues and yellows. And since Spring is just around the corner, this gives me the perfect excuse to plan a photo day for myself where I hop in my car and photograph whatever catches my eye. It has been so long since I've done that!

Before I pack it in for the night and head to bed to read for a bit, I wanted to share a verse that I read today that speaks worthy words of praise to a Mighty and Wonderful God!! Oh! That those who do not know Him would be called by Him this very night! And experience the saving grace of Christ.

Psalm 40:5

Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.

I hope to post the pictures from Madison's birthday party at Nana's tomorrow. I'm too tired to look through more pictures and post them tonight. Something to look forward to!

I Can't believe Madison is now 11. It seems just like yesterday we were sitting in the waiting room anxiously awaiting the arrival of the first child, first grandchild (both sides) and first niece/nephew (we didn't know it was a girl until she was born.) What a blessing that beautiful little girl has been!