Eyes ever open

"Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall!

Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!"

Psalm 144:15

I have had opportunity to travel quite a bit this year:

To the South Carolina beach in the winter.

To beautiful Northern Ohio in spring

To the NC/TN Smokey Mountains in the late summer.

To eastern Virginia surrounded by history! :)

Something that occasionally strikes me is how alert my senses are when visiting a new place:

the white fences against the emerald grass of Virginia plantations,

the salty, sandy scents of Hilton Head,

the roaring of heavy rain in the mountains.

And then I come home.

Back to the daily routines and daily work.

My eyes fix on my feet, and off the magnificent creation around me that shouts out the Creator's beautiful name, and calls me to worship my infinitely creative Father.

What's even worse is that I often treat the tremendous treasure of Jesus Christ--

His life, 

His love, 

His sacrifice, 

His salvation

as ordinary things that I've looked at so long that they've lost their wonder.

I don't THANK Him for bearing my sins and giving me life.

I don't TREASURE His Word of Truth.

I don't TAKE His promises by faith and live by them.

I don't TRUST with my life, the One who gave His life for me.

Or if I do, not NEARLY to the extent that He deserves!

Oh to see myself for who I am.

And God for who HE is.

Oh to have a LOVE that matches His WORTH!

To marvel at the very LEAST of the blessings He gives me, because, as a sinner, I am utterly undeserving of the SMALLEST demonstration of His love!!

(I know, lots of capitals! Bear with me!)
:)

I say with Jacob:

"I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant...'" Genesis 32:10 

And with David:

"'Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?" 1 Chronicles 17:16

It's astonishing to contrast these mens' lives with the blessing the Lord poured out on them.

Jacob was a liar and cheater--

yet the Lord gave him increase and prosperity and blessing without measure.

David committed adultery and murder--

yet the Lord set him directly into the line of Christ.

And I belong to this same God who has "searched me and known me!" (Psalm 139:1)

He knows the depths to which my sinful nature goes. Even deeper than I myself could ever know. After all, He bore that sin for me--and suffered its consequences.

"Behold, you were angry, and we sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved? We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away."

Isaiah 64:5-6

"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 

BUT

when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 

he saved us, 

not because of works done by us in righteousness, 

but according to his own mercy, 

by the washing of regeneration 

and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 

whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Titus 3:3-7

This is blessing heaped upon blessing to one SO VERY unworthy of it!! Even my good deeds done in righteousness are worthless and filthy when compared to the holiness and holy expectations of God.

Oh to see this mercy and blessing in every breath I take, 

every sunset my eyes see, 

every hug I get from baby sister.

Oh to see it in every illness, 

every heartache, 

every need.

"Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?" 
Job 26:14

Lord, may I never become accustomed to Your wonderful ways of dealing with me. Or become so proud as to think I know how you ought to bless me. Keep my eyes ever open to Your great mercies! And my mouth full of thanks and praise!

"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!"

1 Chronicles 16:34

May we all live lives of Happy Thanks-Giving!!
:)

The Two Houses

I pity that house

whose snow-bedecked yard

lacks good-hearted snowangels

standing their guard.

Where a squirrel eating seed

needn't sharply petition

more accurate throwing

of white ammunition.

Whose steepest descents

lie smooth and so fair

with narry a grass

by tobogan laid bare.

Where lacking are cries,

"My nose feels frostbitten!"

And, "Wouldn't you know?

I've misplaced my mitten!"



Whose guests are not greeted

by families of white

Carefully crafted

to look perfectly right.

But blessed is that house

with doorway of puddles

where shoes of the many

get into great muddles.

Where Christmasy lights

are of color! Not bland

and preferably blink

when switched on by the hand.

So perhaps a bit lively

with plenty of chatter

'specially when cocoa's

to be had by the fire.

But I'll take that house

full of kids to the top

to the serenest abode

happy children, has not.



He HEARS!!

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

(Mark 11:24)

Just had to post that it's been pretty neat on our trip to NJ for Luke and Katie's wedding.
We were kinda concerned about how little Selah would do on the 12 hour trip.

As you can see...

She did fine. :)

And was as contented awake as she was asleep! A very excellent seat mate! We had dozens of people lifting us up on this trip: for safety, for Selah, for Mom's and Abbie's headaches, for health (since the majority of us were sick or became sick on the trip!), and mostly for a lovely wedding for Luke and Katie.

All were abundantly answered!!

It was a blessed week. :)

It's just so neat to me how our dear Father should care about "little" things like keeping a tired 8-month-old contented in the car.  And if in such "little" things...how much more in big things! He's just so GOOD!

To those of you who prayed so faithfully...we're praying God's blessings back on you! :) You have no idea how much your prayers blessed us during this past week! 

Winter Snow

Winter snow falling lightly,

And it shines so very brightly.

When it's cold and icy too,

Then your toes turn quite bright blue.

Dark clouds come

Gathered round.

Then the snow

Will soon be found.

Sledding can be so much fun,

But you'll see grass when you're done.

Now I've told you about winter snow,

Now

I

Must

Go.

--Kate vdH

:)

Stampeling Heart Confetti...

There has been much Valentine's Day card-making going on around here lately, and Hope, this evening, was punching out little hearts (for not much other purpose than to collect them all in a little bag...but it was a good opportunity to practice her counting...those -teens are so tricky!)

When Dad came home, he asked her what she was doing.

She answered that she was making lots of little hearts.

Daddy: "Do you like punching out hearts?"

Hope: "Yes. It's fun stampeling!"

Back to the Grind

I don't know if I should be labeling this post "happy thoughts" or not... For you see, after a LOVELY two-month break, I'm going back to work on Friday.  Tomorrow!!  Maybe just a half day. I'm undecided.  It's been a pretty productive couple of months.  December, of course, was spent Christmasing, but this past month I finished a couple books and got caught up on a bunch of projects (sewing, embroidery, art things, etc.) as well as emails. Plus I did more baking and cooking at home. :)  It's been wonderful!!

Vacation just spoils one. :)  But back to pies and preserves I go!  Three months of stocking up before they open for their 2010 season.  Okay, I'm getting a little more excited.  I just LOVE seeing spring come to the Orchard.  The warm days before they open, when I can sit way up in the playground eating my lunch...the baby leaves and flowers on the apple and peach trees...the smell of freshly mown grass...

I think I've got a mild case of spring fever. :)  We had quite a bit of rain a few weeks back, and warmer-than-usual weather, and our daffodils started poking up!  A very small promise of what will start coming in another month or so. :)  That said, though, I love snow, and would be happy to have more before spring gets here! 

So to the Orchard I go again! For my third year. 

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Colossians 3:23-24

Have you heard?

BBC has a brand new version of Emma out!!

When it comes to Jane Austen, they can make as many versions as they want, as long as at least ONE of them:

1. Is well-acted

2. Follows the book reasonably

3. Is as long as possible :)

This version has great actors

I've HEARD it does a good job following the book...still to be seen.

And is FOUR hours long!!

I'm popping some popcorn...

December, December

How in the world did it get to be December?

I feel like it was Christmas, and then the New year, and then that spring, summer and fall came and went, and then, without warning...

it was December again.

Do you ever get that feeling?

And yes, I'm far behind on blogging, and have a large backlog of pictures I want to post. :) A visit from a very dear friend, Thanksgiving (and many many food pics!), recipes, Christmas activities. And doubtless the pictures will just keep on piling up because...well, that's just what seems to happen during this busy time of year! :)

Mostly I haven't posted lately because I've had other important things to finish up first. You know. Things that had to be done by December 25th, if you get my drift.

Funny thing.
I always plan to get all those sort of things finished and put away far in advance, and then it doesn't get done until THE month of December while I'm also trying to get dozens of cookies and candies made. Does that mean I'm a procrastinator? I didn't used to think I was...until I noticed this recurring habit regarding Christmas "secret projects". Hmm.

So anyway, as I have time, I'll hopefully be able to get this blog up to speed again with what's been agoin' on. Fun stuff!

Home again, Home again

What a month! I've got so much to blog about, and pictures to post, but haven't had any time. I flew home from the delightful Utah visit on April 28th, and 2 days after that, we drove up to Ohio for my brother Luke's graduation from Cedarville University (woohoo!!). Then 2 days later I started work back at Evan's Orchard which is now opened for the season! And in between was lots of unpacking, repacking, catcing up on sleep (hee hee!) and sorting through emails. :) I think I'm beginning to catch up with myself now, however, and am enjoying sitting out on the porch with my laptop, on this delightful spring afternoon, debating what pictures to post first. The picture above is one Michelle took (my batteries died :( ) of the Tetons under cloud cover. I love those mountains.

Spring-y-ness

I am really looking forward to spring! No, our redbuds aren't out yet...this is an old picture. :) But I just LOVE the gradual coming of spring, as there get to be more and more warmish days and breezes become balmy. Got into the 60s just barely today, and we had a lovely warm rainshower this morning. I was out at the orchard today (organizing boxes, cleaning drawers, and making peach preserves) and as I sat in the car eating lunch (soooo nice and quiet) it was fun just to look at the apple and peach trees, still bare, and know that before long they'd be full of blooms! Also fun to watch were some pesky sparrows who have made their home under the eaves of the orchard porch. I call them pesky because I've often had to clean up after them...but they're really kinda fun (apart from said problem) and have very cheery songs. I'm so glad God decided to invent seasons. We'd get so bored of the same weather all the time, I think. :) And I'm glad I live in a place where the seasons are so distinct and different! But early spring has always been a favorite, as all things seem to come alive, fresh and new. There's just something about the smell of fresh baby leaves coming out, daffodils, and wet dirt that just gives me "thrills" (as Anne of Green Gables would say). :) We still might (ummm...will) get another round of snow or ice before winter gives up, but today was just a little taste of spring, and it made my heart happy. :)