AH SPRING!

Oh give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.
~Robert Frost

THE CROSS IN MY POCKET

These pretty little crosses in their pockets were made my an elderly lady in a neighboring church. The last I'd heard she had made more that 500 of these little crosses. Inside each "pocket" typed on a small piece of paper is this poem:

I carry a cross in my pocket

A simple reminder to me

Of the fact that I am a Christian

No matter where I may be.

This little cross isn't magic

Nor is it a good luck charm

It isn't meant to protect me

From every physical harm.

It's not for identification

For all the world to see

It's simply an understanding

Between my Savior and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket

To bring out a coin or a key

The cross is there to remind me

Of the price He paid for me.

It reminds me to be thankful

For my blessings day by day

And to strive to serve Him better

In all that I do and say.

It's also a daily reminder

Of the peace and comfort I share

With all who know my Master

And give themselves to His care.

So, I carry a cross in my pocket

Reminding no one but me

That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life

If only I'll let Him be.

The poem is from "Creative Communications for the Parish" located in St. Louis, MO.

A WEEKEND VISIT

Here is Mommy and I doing the "Hamster Dance!" Wow is this ever fun - now if I could only figure out where that silly Hamster IS!!!

Whee! Bebe has so much fun playing with Daddy! They have such a good time together!
If you look really closely, you will see me (in the lower left of the mirror) taking their picture.

She LOVES to bounce in her "bouncy seat" as I call it. It is an apparatus that is hung from a doorway frame and has elastic straps that are like bungee cords that when BeBe makes the least little jump - it bounces and bounces which, of course, makes us all laugh and laugh. Then, Jillian puts on some Disney tunes and it just adds to the fun! One of their favorite songs is "I am Tigger" and as it is a bouncy tune it just "goes with" the bouncy seat! That is her pal, "Cat in the Hat" in the background along with Mommy. Who wouldn't have a good time with all of this going on!?

Here she is playing in her exersaucer (an invention that, I think, will make loose toys in playpens obsolete!) There are so many things for tiny hands to pull, tug, flip, bang, bop and flop - it keeps her busy for, oh, 10 minutes tops!

The deck with some very pretty Spring flowers

I have had such a good time with Jillian of Jillian's Pages , her Dear Hubby and, of course, BeBe!

This picture was taken on their back deck and it started out as a beautiful Spring day - lots of sunshine and balmy breezes - then it turned cloudy and chilly so BeBe is now dressed in her pink jacket with the flower petals on the hood which makes her look just like one of the Spring flowers! Too Cute!

Monday morning came too soon and before I knew it, I was on Amtrak headed back home with lots of pictures and happy memories.

I Searched For Him

Sophisticated, wordly-wise,

I searched for God and found Him not,

Until one day, the world forgot,

I found Him in my baby's eyes.

Thanks toMellowYellowMonday even though I'm posting this on TUESDAY! I love the brightness of these yellow daffodils in my garden.

THE MEANING OF TENEBRAE

Our church has had a Tenebrae Service every year on the Thursday before Easter for about 10 years. I didn't have any idea what Tenebrae meant as I had never been in a church that presented it. Here, from the script that was used in the service, is the meaning of Tenebrae:

The Service of Tenebrae is one of the oldest traditions of the Christian Church for the observance of Holy Week. The word means "shadows," and the service takes its name from the ceremony of extinguishing the lights, and the gradual darkness and loneliness that surrounded Christ as He drew nearer to his sacrificial death on the Cross.

After Jesus and his disciples left the Upper Room, and as the Passion Story unfolds, the darkness increases until the crucifixion, when only one candle is left burning - - the Light of God's Love. Like God's Love, it is never put out, and burns alone in hopeful anticipation of Easter.

Using songs and readings of scripture the story is told by readers hidden from sight and the congregation only hears the singing and recitations. Finally a cross is brought in and a recreation

of the crucifixion is portrayed in pantomime until all candles are extinguished except the Christ Candle. Finally, the cross is lit by a spotlight and draped in black.

When the service ends, the congregation leaves the Sanctuary quietly, maintaining the spirit of worship just completed.

It is a very moving and beautiful service and if you haven't had a chance to see one it is something that I would highly recommend.

This service is one that leads up to the glory of Easter morning. 5Then the angel spoke to the women, "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead, just as He said would happen. Matthew 28: 5-6.

A CHALLENGE HAS BEEN SENT MY WAY

Dana of The Stone Rabbit sent a challenge my way! I am to open my photo folder on my computer, then:

*Open the 6th folder of photos

*Select the 6th picture

*post the picture on my blog with a description

*Invite 6 friends to join the challenge

*Link my 6 friends to my blog post

The picture you see at the top of this post is of two of my very best friends, Peg and Pearl. I met them at church about 10 years ago and we have been friends ever since. They are so loving and giving...I just have to call and they are right there. One day I was out in the garden and picked up a birdhouse and didn't realize that some wasps had built a nest in it and one stung me on my thumb...and chased me to my patio door!

As I was standing at the sink running cold water over my thumb, and getting woozy (allergic reaction?) I remembered that Pearl had raised 4 boys. I knew she would be able to tell me what to put on the bee sting. I called her and told her what had just happened and that I felt like I was going to "black out." She said, "Just sit down with your head in your lap and I'll be right there!" In a matter of 15 minutes, she showed up at my house with an emergency kit that had bee sting ointment. Within a few minutes, the pain of the sting was subsiding and I was feeling much better. God has blessed me abundantly!

Peggy (in the lilac sweater) is someone else that I can always count on. One time I had asked her to pick me up at the airport at 7:30 pm. But my flight was delayed, delayed again and then delayed once more. I called her from Tampa and told her what was happening and said I wouldn't be getting in until 12:30 or 1:00 in the morning and not to worry that I would get a cab home. She wouldn't hear of it and told me she would be there to meet me no matter what the time was...and she was!

This picture was taken at a Silent Auction/Mystery Theater we attended a few months ago. They were looking over the baskets to be auctioned off.

Here is who I have chosen to take the photo challenge if they haven't already done so as this challenge has been around the blogs awhile.

Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage & Inspirations

Sue atBeautiful Pear Tree Lane

Lu at All in a Day's Work

Saleslady371 at Pile of Smiles

Jillian at Jillians Pages

Charlotte of At Home In Scottsdale

Have fun!

FINDING YOUR MIND AFTER LOSING IT

I received this in an e-mail and thought it was interesting enough to post today...I hope you enjoy it.
Many years ago, at Texas Tech University, I was in a class that was discussing child rearing tactics. I do not remember much about the class, but I do remember the advice of one successful mother. Her children were grown, and she had returned to school to improve her lot in life. She said she had an approach - especially for her smallest children when they were throwing fits - that really worked. She would approach the child with a switch behind her back and say, "Child, you done lost your mind and I am going to help you find it." A few seconds later the child would be in his or her right mind again. The appearance of the switch was an instant sanity-finder.

To a large degree, we are only as crazy as we can afford to be. Stories have been told of mental wards that have caught fire. Suddenly, everyone became much more sane. We go from the petty to the essential by crisis. It looks like we are about to have an opportunity to do that on a grand scale. "Global warming" has suddenly taken a back seat to the economy. Petty lawsuits have retreated to the back pages, while stories of job losses and suicides have made the headlines. It is time to wake up and get very sane!

"God disciplines those He loves!" That is a good phrase to remember. God helps us get our little minds back, especially when we are throwing petty social tantrums over who gets what materially. A volcano, fire, earthquake, or hurricane can sure change your focus - and rather suddenly. People band together in a severe crisis. We thicken our skin and drop our personal agendas, then we help people dig out from under the rubble of what was once their lives.

Through these decades of mateial indulgence, I have often heard old timers say, "What we really need is a good depression." They have reference to the strength of character that difficulties bring. We get our minds back when we cannot afford to be petty.

There is no telling what may happen today. If it is a crisis of some sort, I am going to remind myself that God may be helping me find my better mind.
by Dale Andrews

SHOP IN HEAVEN'S GROCERY STORE

I was walking down life's highway a long time ago.

One day I saw a sign that read Heaven's Grocery Store.

As I got closer, the door came open wide.

And when I came to myself, I was standing inside.

I saw a host of angels; they were standing everywhere.

And one angel said, "My child shop with care."

Everything a Christian needed was in that grocery store,

And all you couldn't carry, you could come back the next day for more.

First, I got some patience, love was in the same row.

Further down was understanding, you need that everywhere you go.

I got a box or two of wisdom, a bag or two of faith.

I just couldn't miss the Holy Ghost for He was all over the place.

I stopped to get some strength and courage to help me run the race.

By then my basket was getting full, but I remembered I needed some grace.

I didn't forget salvation, for salvation that was free.

So, I tried to get enough of that to save you and me.

Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill.

For I thought I had everything to do my Master's will.

As I went up the aisle, I saw prayer and just had to put that in.

Peace and joy were plentiful, they were on the last shelf.

Song and praises were hanging near so I just helped myself.

Then, I said now how much do I owe?

He just smiled and said, Just take them everywhere you go.

How much do I really owe?

He smiled and said, My child, Jesus paid your bill a long time ago.

~Lorine Woody

A Milestone for sure!

Little BeBe is now six months old! How did that happen so quickly? I no sooner turned around and here she is in her exersaucer entranced by all the sights and sounds supplied by this very neat toy!

We all say the same thing, I can't believe how time flies! Yet, time has a way of creeping up on us and then, whizzing by without so much as a by your leave! We really should slow down enough to smell the flowers now and then. Shouldn't we?