turtlehead

We're trying to sell my Mom's motorhome. On the one hand, it feels very practical and right to sell because it's been a year and a half since my Dad died and my Mom doesn't want the burden of upkeep and doesn't drive it either. On the other hand, it's sentimental and another letting go of my Dad - or rather living on without him. Will he seem to just get farther and farther away until I can't remember him? I don't want to forget him and I also know he's more than a motorhome in the driveway. It's strange how grieving is still happening.

Grace and Peace,

Jane

japanese anemone

Summer is winding down. I know this is true because Josh is getting his books this morning, I'm attending more soccer games, and our japanese anemone are in bloom.

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zeph 3:17

Grace and Peace,

Jane

morning glory

"A morning glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books."

Walt Whitman (1819-1891)

Grace and Peace,

Jane

tricyrtis, toadlilly

This small flower is by my front door.

Last Sunday I attended the church service at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. It is quite an experience to worship with men and women in uniform. There was a choir of plebes (1st year students) all in their white uniforms. A cool sight to someone unaccustomed to seeing the military. One of the hymns we sang had this verse:

Cure Thy children's warring madness,

Bend our pride to Thy control.

Shame our wanton selfish gladness,

Rich in things and poor in soul.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

Lest we miss Thy Kingdom's goal.

Lest we miss Thy Kingdom's goal.

It gave me hope.

Grace and Peace,

Jane

swiss chard

I just got back from visiting my sister.

I LOVE MY SISTER!

Grace and Peace,

Jane

blueberries

My 11 year old niece is visiting for a few days. We went blueberry picking last night and today we are making a pie and some muffins. yum!

Grace and Peace,

Jane

purple coneflower

Yesterday at church a father and his daughter who has autism sang a song for the congregation. When it came time for them to sing, she said (with a few strong words) that she didn't want to and went back to her seat. He started singing and said she could join him if she wanted. At about the 3rd or 4th verse she got up and joined her Dad.

To me it was the sermon and illustration for the morning of God's love for us and our being drawn to Him. My heart is often unwilling to join Him but He is gracious and kind and keeps on singing. We can't resist His call. Oh, the song they sang was Trust and Obey.

Grace and Peace,

Jane

tomato

It's Mike and my 27th wedding anniversary today. Strange how time flies. I remember standing with my Dad at the back of the church. He asked me if I was sure. I said yes and thought I was going to throw up. Maybe not the most romantic memory, but it's been a great 27 years and I would do it all over again.

Grace and Peace,

Jane

rudbeckia, black-eyed susan

My sister lives in Maryland so I was very happy to read that rudbeckia is the state flower of Maryland! I now have another reason to enjoy this perennial.

"where morning dawns and evening fades

You call forth songs of joy."

Psalm 65:8b

Grace and Peace,

Jane

lunaria annua, money plant, silver dollar

Growing up, I spent many summers camping up north. Although I have given up the camping, I still love it up there and being up there just feels like vacation. This plant reminds me of my Grandma who would often be with us. She loved camping and walking in the woods and would often make arrangements and terrariums of plants she found. I think that now this would be frowned upon by the DNR.

Grace and Peace,

Jane

queen annes lace

If I had to come up with a phrase to describe our vacation like the reduce-reuse-recycle slogan, I might say relax-renew-refresh and for Mike and Josh I would add re-tee.

Grace and Peace,

Jane