"Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last."
~ C.T. Studd

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Saturday, April 28, 2012

P52: Green


This past Saturday, we packed up and headed to the Loch Norman Highland Games.  We've been looking forward to this for quite some time ~ sure, the Highland Games are loads of fun, but there was something special about this trip . . . it was Sara's first time competing! (another post coming later . . . )

You could say that she's a little green, never having done anything like this in her life.  But, in spite of that, she did remarkably well!  And with the April showers coming in abundance, there was a lush greenness about the whole place.

We had a great time paying tribute to our Scottish heritage!  How about you?  Is there any Scottish blood running in your veins?

P52 is hosted by my3boybarians.com

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Catching Up on P52

I have been very negligent of my P52 posts.  It's not that I haven't been taking pictures . . . far from it!  But it's just been VERY busy around here, so blogging has taken back burner.  However, I decided to share my entries for the past two weeks just for the sake of keeping up with it.  Hopefully, I'll be back on track this weekend.

 ~ Sacrifice ~

This theme was in recognition of Easter week.  Of course, there is no greater sacrifice than what Jesus gave for my sins and yours on Calvary.  He paid the ultimate price so that we might live eternally with Him!  But, more than that, if we trust Him alone for salvation and forgiveness of sins, not only does He give eternal life, but He gives freedom from guilt, abundant joy, peace that passes all understanding, and daily fellowship with Him!  What a wonderful Savior!

But of all the pictures I took that week, this one probably sums up the theme the best.

My grandparents.

They have sacrificed many things throughout the years.  Growing up through the Great Depression, then WWII . . . they've made many sacrifices for their families and for their country.  Then 5 children came along.  (Any loving mom or dad knows that parenting = sacrifice.)  And 12 grandchildren (of whom I am so blessed to be counted!).  And, eventually, 6 great-grandchildren.  Even now, they make great sacrifices for each other.  What wonderful examples!  I love you,
Pa Paw and Ma Maw!!!
 
~ Things That Grow ~

It's probably bordering on obsession right now, but I absolutely LOVE taking pictures of the beautiful flowers that are practically everywhere I turn this time of year.  As I was taking pictures of a tractor part Ray had painted, I realized I hadn't taken any pictures of the Buttercups that are covering our yard.  These are some of my favorite flowers.  Consider them a weed if you want, but I adore the tiny flower with such a bright, shiny yellow petal! : )


And, of course, a dandelion. : )  We found out very quickly as children that blowing these to make a wish was fun, but the person in charge of mowing the grass wished we wouldn't blow them!  Let's just put it this way . . . they multiplied so rapidly you'd have thought we had wished for more dandelions!

P52 is hosted by my3boybarians.com

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Please Pray . . .

(5:00 AM ~ Wish I looked that good this early in the morning!)
 
I know many of you already know and are already praying, but I would like to ask you to take a few moments to pray for Allison.  She was headed to the operating room at 8:00.  I won't go into any details here, but surgery of any kind is risky with her condition.  God has given us a peace beyond human comprehension, and we know that He holds the future in His hands.  Would you pray for her and for us . . . that we would accomplish His purpose through this?

For more information and updates, you may click here.

Thank you in advance!
Valerie ~ for the bunch of us

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Christ Is Risen!!!


"And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.  Come see the place where the Lord lay."
Matthew 28:5-6
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I serve a risen Savior,
He's in the world today;
I know that He is living,
whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy,
I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him
He's always near.

In all the world around me
I see His loving care,
And tho' my heart grows weary,
I never will despair;
I know that He is leading
thro' all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing
will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs
to Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him,
the Help of all who find,
None other is so loving,
so good and kind.

He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives,
salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

~Alfred H. Ackley

Friday, April 6, 2012

P52: Foolin' Around

What more can I say???

P52 hosted by my3boybarians.com

Ever wondered What's for Dinner? . . . . ~ and other not-as-exciting tales ~ : )


We were finally able to take a trip back out to our property this past weekend.  Dad, Ray, and Sara took off ahead in the red dually, and the rest of us followed a little later in the van.  We weren't expecting the surprises that lay ahead. . .

 We were within 30 minutes of the campground when Christina said, "Look!" and pointed  toward the field we were passing.  The next thing we knew, we heard a Whomp!, Christina moaned, and a few of us looked behind us only to see a turkey doing cartwheels off the side of the road with feathers flying everywhere.  The turkey had been running toward the van, but Christina thought he would surely stop before running into the road.  We wondered if maybe the squeal of the serpentine belt acted as a turkey call. (????)  At any rate, she bagged a turkey that made a wonderful Sunday lunch.  Best tasting roadkill yet. : )

By the time we arrived, the threesome had already made great headway in setting up camp.

He was pretty proud of his sister's achievement.  They took Jake over to our land and undressed him there.

Since the last time we were there, they had done a control burn.  It was beautiful to see the new growth coming up amidst the burnt underbrush.  (Just a little warning . . . there are a lot of pictures of the new growth.  It was just too fresh and green to pass up.)


Just in case you're curious . . . this leaf is full of pollen, not sand.




We really enjoyed decorating with these lights!

It added so much!

Friday, Allison wanted to go down to the lake, so we took a little walk.  Due to some slight misjudgment of someone else, Allison got stuck in the wet sand.  She had to call the "rescue team" to pull her out. : )


It's really neat to see the plants pushing their way through the pine needles that literally cover the ground.

Isn't she growing?!?

Allison just can't resist clipping flowers, etc. to Lickerish's ear.  Pup didn't quite enjoy it as much as her mistress. : )

Later that day, we took a walk down a path through the woods out to the pier.  Very peaceful and relaxing.  We were glad the wheelchair didn't have any issues with the trail.  

Chillin' . . .

And what camping trip would be complete without a campfire????

It began raining late Friday night and continued off and on all day Saturday.  Not the perfect circumstances for packing up the camper, but we did need the rain.

And, of course, the new growth is always fresher and greener right after a shower. : )

There is no end to the marvel of God's creation!

The only word that accurately describes her?  
 S-P-O-I-L-E-D . . . and if another word is permitted, it would have to be R-O-T-T-E-N. : )

And when we came home, we had another surprise . . . our roses are blooming! : )

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 3:13-14 

Monday, April 2, 2012

Moments of Meditation


Only one life to offer --
Jesus, my Lord and King;
Only one tongue to praise Thee
And of Thy mercy sing;
Only one heart's devotion --
Savior, O may it be
Consecrated alone to thy matchless glory,
Yielded fully to Thee.

Only this hour is mine, Lord --
May it be used for Thee;
May every passing moment
Count for eternity;
Souls all about are dying,
Dying in sin and shame;
Help me bring them the message of Calv'ry's redemption
In Thy glorious Name.

Only one life to offer --
Take it, dear Lord, I pray;
Nothing from Thee withholding,
Thy will I now obey;
Thou who hast freely given
Thine all in all for me,
Claim this life for Thine own to be used, my Savior,
Ev'ry moment for Thee.

~ Avis B. Christiansen