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!