Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Welcome....

As I sit here in front of the computer, I see the sunshine dancing off the water and reflecting onto the beams of this old cottage that I call home.
The air is crisp, and the leaves are falling lazily to the ground.
It's the time of year when I bring the things that adorn the gardens inside.

I decorate with garden ware inside the cottage year around.
In the colder months, I bring things from outside.... inside to enjoy until the gardens are ready to wake up, and welcome their beloved ornaments back into the "family".

Gardens seem to give a home a warm...welcoming feeling.
When you see a lovely garden, don't you want to take a stroll through it?
For example, when I visit Bella's blog (Bella's Rose Cottage) I always enjoy taking a walk through her gardens. Her photos, and narrations give you the feeling that you are right there along side her.
She doesn't use fancy words, or try to impress you with her eloquent writing. Bella talks to you like you are a friend, stopping by to say hello.
She keeps it simple, yet says so much!
Bella doesn't need to impress you with her words...she lets the flowers say it all.

There are situations in your own neighborhood that  might touch on this idea of feeling welcomed.
It's difficult to move into a place when friendships are already established.
If you are someone that isn't very outgoing, it makes it even more difficult.
As time passes, and you see people gathering for parties, you feel more and more isolated.
When you do get the courage to join in, you just feel like an outsider. People converse with you, but not for long. You don't seem to connect with anyone. You go home feeling worse.
In my situation, I work. My hours don't permit me to attend things that the other women go to.
Just last night I was driving home from work and passed the home of the hostess of the Fall get-together for the women in the neighborhood. It isn't their fault that I had to work. But I did feel sad that I couldn't attend.
I'm trying to make more of an effort to step out of my comfort zone in the area of making friends here. In doing so, I've made a friend. She's been a real help to me.  I'm thankful that God put her in my life.

Places of employment are also another place that we should be mindful of welcoming new people. It's very intimidating to start a new job. You are trying to fit in, and you know you are low man on the totem pole. The pecking order seems to start the first day. Certain people seem to be watching your every move.
Thank goodness there are helpful people in the workplace. They were new once themselves. They remember what it was like to be the new employee. Those people will take you under their wing, and stand by you to make you feel welcome. They understand. 
Just remember that when it's your turn to welcome the next new person to the job.

There are other ways to welcome someone.
Like...a hurting friend.
Opening your heart, and letting them in.
If they need to share something very private that is happening in their life. Something that no one else needs to know. Be that person that they can trust.
Maybe you have something you can share with them that will let them know that they are not alone.
Something that will touch their heart in a way to relate, and reassure them that you understand.
No judgement, or condemnation.
Just a welcome heart.

Knowing what to say is not always necessary;
just the presence of a caring friend
can make a world of difference.
Sheri Curry


I truly hope I've always made you feel welcome to my blog. 
It's not the most elegant blog.
The background is never decorated.
I am not the well versed writer that others seem to be.
My images aren't the best....but...I pray that God has used this blog to convey a message to someone, at sometime.
Open your hearts to the love God instills....
God loves you tenderly. What He gives you
is not to be kept under lock and key, but to be shared.
Mother Teresa

xoxoxoxoxo

Sunday, October 20, 2013

A Warm Heart.

Good Sunday morning!
It's a crisp, sunny Autumn morning here at our sweet cottage on the water.

So much nicer than the rainy, cold day we had yesterday.

Although, it was a great day for reading by the fire.

After some Bible verses, I read my book I received from Sue (Shabby ESP). Sue sent "Words to Warm A Woman's Heart" (Summerside) while I was recovering from illness three years ago.

The pages are well worn, and dog-eared. I keep the book next to my favorite chair. It's full of scripture verses, and quotes from women like Helen Keller, Mother Teresa, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Joni Eareckson Tada, and many others.

There are various topics, or chapters.
My favorite one is Finding Joy.
"To be able to find joy in another's joy,
that is the secret of happiness."

Insomuch as any one pushes you nearer to God,
he or she is your friend.
French Proverb

Some days, it is enough encouragement just to watch the clouds break up and disappear,
leaving behind a blue patch of sky and bright sunshine that is so warm upon my face.
It's a glimpse of divinity;
a kiss from heaven.
(Taken from the chapter, Encouragement for Your Heart)

So even though yesterday seemed to be gloomy outside....
inside I was warm, and content.
I hope you are enjoying your weekend, no matter what the weather is.
"Live your life while you have it. Life is a splendid gift-there is nothing small about it."
Florence Nightingale.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Pumpkin Picking Time.

Friday was such a beautiful day, I decided to go to the fruit market and pick up some decorations for the potting table on the porch.
Pumpkin hunting is quite a process, so I like going by myself.

When looking for pumpkins...I like to find just the right ones that will stack correctly.
The base pumpkin must have the perfect shape to sit squarely on a surface, have a nice squatty shape around, yet have a semi-flat top for the next pumpkin to rest upon.
Oh yes...the colors MUST be pale, or white.

I don't usually get a traditional orange pumpkin.
I prefer the Cinderella shaped ones, that are a shade of very pale blue, or slate grey.
The pink, peanut pumpkins are adorable...don't you agree?

Then....there are the gourds.
They must be unique in shape, and color design.
The hubs tends to mock me in my quest for Fall decorations.
He says I'm a conte-sewer of pumpkin picking.
That might be the reason I go by myself when shopping for decorations.

It doesn't bother me (much). When I return home with my trunk load of goodies, and start to put everything together on the potting table, then stand back and look at what God created for us to enjoy..... I smile.
All of the extra time it takes to find "just the right one" is so worth it.
At least it is to this pumpkin picking conte-sewer.

Friday, October 4, 2013

An update on Michele.

First of all I'd like to thank you for the prayers sent up for my niece, Michele.
On Tuesday, while she was receiving another round of chemo, she text me( I was at the hospital with my hubby while he was getting a procedure done).
Michele was so excited!!!
Her tumor count had gone from 224 down to 8.7 as of Tuesday!
Praise God!!!!
That means Michele has one more round of chemo, then she starts on the maintenance drugs.
As long as the tumors stay where they are...don't grow, or spread, she can stay on the maintenance drugs. It gives her more time with her babies.
She is over the moon with joy!
Michele has to be very careful of fractures because of the bone cancer in the spine, and hip.
Also, infections, and all of the other precautions that go along with cancer patients.
It's just so wonderful that Michele can breath a sigh of relief, and know that all of the trials that she's gone through so far have been worth it.

Later that night I started to think about how fragile life is.  Like fine china.
It can be such a beautiful thing...but we must treat it with care.
Over time, some pieces become worn, and chipped. We still love the old pieces, but take extra care with them to keep them safe.
Some pieces are difficult, if not impossible to replace.

Time is such a precious thing, but we are so careless with it.
There are people who beg for just a few last breaths....and we squander our days.
We complain about the hours we have to spend doing things we dislike, when others would LOVE to have the time to do the same things we are able to do.
Time doesn't seem important, until you know you don't have much left.

There are moments that I wish I could preserve like roses under glass.
The first time my daughters looked me in the eye, and said I love you momma.
When a grandchild takes your hand and kisses it.
When your husband pulls you to himself in his sleep.
When I first realized the meaning of I John 1:9.

There are the things that I think Michele will want to remember, and look forward to.
Like...the scents of her children's hair, their clothes.
Her daughter's first dance class.
Her son's first ball game.
Their first day of school.

And all of those things that come later on......


That's why she works so hard to get well.
Michele never gives up hope.

She has a strong will, and a strong faith.

He will never leave us or forsake us.
He will be with us...always.

During my own struggles with a brain tumor, crohns disease, a perforated bowel, and uterine  cancer I was assured of this one thing.
I pray for this for Michele, and for you, too. John 14:27