Dragonflies and my little boys...

So we're at market today and it's about 12:30ish... all of a sudden I see a dragonfly... I can't believe it... right there in the middle of the market!  Then as it got closer I noticed it was a mating pair, the smaller male was riding on her back as they fluttered and hovered about... but that wasn't all, suddenly I see another and another... seven pairs in all!  I love dragonflies and I always tell the children when I see one in an unusual spot I know the Lord sent it for me to admire and think about Him... His wonderful handiwork in nature... perfection in the smallest and intricate details.  They hovered over the green area until we left at about three o'clock... so peaceful and beautiful...

Last night as I lay sandwiched between Evan and Aaron, I was laying them down for bed, Aaron is all cuddled in and stroking my cheek... Evan is 'nuggled in behind me holding on tight... by the way I am very claustrophobic... it is getting a little to 'nuggly for mom... Evan usually dozes off first and then Aaron is not to far behind... they are so sweet.  As I lay there looking into Aaron's big blue eyes I remember when I was expecting him and remember looking at Evan in what is now Aaron's 'spot'... I remember thinking as I looked at him, 'how could I love another child as much as loved this little one?... I was fortyish and feeling it.  Now I look at him and can't believe I ever wondered... I look at him and the love I feel is sometimes overwhelming to tears... it's that way with each of them... especially when they are sleeping <smile>... They each have a heart string that tugs... so many mother heart prayers sent up for these children...

"There seemed to be something huge and important to say; But somehow, then, we could never think of the words.  Anyway, they would keep, so it did not matter, And there would be time and time enough to remember; so we laughed as the years flew over our heads like birds.  And then, one day, we remembered them; ran all the way, breathless came running, and beat and called at your door; at the door of a house whose silence and emptiness mocked us, for you had slipped out the back way, quite quietly, leaving "I love, and thank you," unneeded, unsaid, ever more." Margaret Willy

Love is a wonderful to have and to give... share it as often as you can... some day they will be gone...
Until next time,
Jean

Shut down...

Have you ever just stood in front of a piece of machinery or an electronic gadget and just have no idea where to begin?  Well this recently happened to me with my computer...  I didn't know what the problem was and everything I tried failed... but as you can see we got back on track...

Isn't that the way life can be too... we're traveling along, all is seemingly going well and then suddenly we hit a speed bump and go down.  These speed bumps can be a multitude of things... a personal sickness, financial pitfall a broken down vehicle... (or p.c.)... whatever it may be we suddenly find ourselves standing there, mouth hanging open and saying, "What happened?"  Some things are easily repaired while others are a long process to recovery... such is life!  But on to perspective once again, it is how we deal with these bumps in the road... positively or negatively... faith again must be had... we need to constantly look up to Him to lead and guild us on our life's path... I can't imagine how life would be without Him showing the way.  Even when life's way is foggy and I can't see far ahead, I know He is there and He is ever faithful!  With Him there is a peace that passeth all understanding...

"After the clouds, the sunshine; after the winter, the spring; after the shower, the rainbow- For life is a changeable thing.  After the night, the morning, bidding all darkness cease; after life's cares and sorrows, the comfort and sweetness of peace."  Helen Steiner Rice

Until next time...
Jean

Happiness Is A Choice

"Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect.  It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections."  Author Unknown

 As a human race much of our happiness is dependant upon what we have in the way of material things... what a person's income is ... whether or not they have children... being married or single... the neighborhood one lives in... what kind of car one drives... and the list could go on and on!  Life is filled with stuff and distractions, but not a lot of true happiness. 

When we look outside and see the big blue sky... listen to the birds singing... watch a butterfly flutter about... hear the trickle of a gentle brook... watch a sunrise or a sunset... listen to a child laugh... we can find a bit of happiness and peace.  There is happiness that comes from the world around of course, but it is fleeting...  

True happiness and inner peace can only be found with a personal walk with Him... daily looking to Him for everything in our lives... daily walking side by side with Him...

Until next time,
Jean

Be Happy

"The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer someone else up." Mark Twain

What a happy thought this is... I can really appreciate it.  It is such a pleasant feeling when you make someone smile, laugh or otherwise take a burden off their shoulders with a listening ear or a sympathetic look or a shoulder to cry on... sometimes words are not even necessary.  It is easy to be this for our loved ones and friends, but what about that stranger in line behind you in the grocery store?  The other day I was shopping with some friends and an older gentleman approached me and asked if I was Amish or Mennonite.  I told him I was Mennonite and smiled at him.  His eyes seemed to sparkle and light up when I smiled.  He went on to tell me he was from Pennsylvania and he had made many Amish friends while there and that since then he had come to know the Lord as his own personal Savior. We went on to talk about how good the Lord is and what Jesus had done for each of us... it was a blessing I hope to him as much as it was to me.   Yes I was in a bit of a hurry and I probally wouldn't have made a go with a conversation on my own... but I want my heart to always be open to talking about all the good things the Lord has done for me in any and all situations. 

Until next time,
Jean 

Tribulations in Life...

"When thou art in tribulation, turn to the Lord thy God." Deuteronomy 4:30

The other day on the way to market we saw a car in the ditch and almost covered with snow.  It did not look nice at all.  I am sure when that person got into the vehicle he/she never intended to end up in the ditch.  It had to be a sickening feeling as they slid and went thump. It  appeared that no one was injured and only the car remained in this unfortunate position.  There are days when each of may feel like we are in a ditch and can't get out, stuck in the mud shall we say.  Tribulations will come and need to be dealt with even when they are unexpected, unwanted and unasked for.  Something has to be done, but what we ask ourselves, what?  When your head wants to hang low... when your shoulders feel to weak to bear another load... when your heart doesn't feel like it can be broken again... when....

So often situations come upon us that perplex us to the point of just not knowing what to do.  We try with all our might to get things fixed or repaired on our own strength, when all we really need to do is cry out to the Lord. He cares and He hears, no matter what...

Until next time,
Jean

Impossibilities

"The word impossible is not in my dictionary."  Napolean

I wasn't really feeling very well today~ sore throat, kind of tight chest, sneezing and runny noes.  Tea was my choice of drink today.  I thought how much I wanted to go out to the greenhouse, but just couldn't muster up the energy to 'just' go.  So, I didn't go.  Such is life. Tuesday will be here soon enough.

Challenges present themselves in all shapes & sizes in this life we live. Life can be so demanding at times that when we look at a situation we may be faced with, impossible seems the only answer.  We all face things that slow us down or require a serious change in plans.  What do we do when trials arise?  Do we shut down... do we get angry at the world... do we just throw up our hands and give up...  Everyone handles things differently~ I guess this could go back to a positive or negative thinking mind set. These types of situations are when I am so thankful that I can turn my eyes heavenward and send up a quiet prayer.  I know He hears and cares, even when He seems silent.   All things are allowed in life to better us, to draw us closer to Him.  If you don't know Him, today is the day!

"With God all things are possible..."
Until next time,
Jean

The Little Things...

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize that they were the big things."  Robert Brault

The little things in life are typically the things that get overlooked wouldn't you agree?  In this world of technology and all the 'fast' everything, what are we really missing? 

How often do you lay flat on your back on the cool summer grass with your child and look for shapes in the clouds.... How often do you go for a walk down a shady lane and just listen....  How often do you look at all the stars in the sky on a clear night and just gaze in awe.... How often do you sit on your porch in the evening and listen to all the night sounds.... How often do you sit by a quiet stream and just watch the water trickle past...How often do you just talk to your spouse or child... How often do we just do nothing?

I have a picture of Evan bending over to smell some lavender, he loves lavender!  It is so sweet and innocent.   I love to watch the children climb the trees, play hide 'n' seek, hear them tell spooky stories (all mostly taught to them by Neil :-) ) around a campfire eating & making a mess with s'mores.  These are the things memories are made of.  We don't have to take over priced vacations and camping trips to do these things.  We have it all around us everyday.  We just have to take the time to find them and then do them. That childlike innocence and simple way of just being, we as a people are losing faster and faster everyday.  We need to stop and grab hold of it and hold on tight!  Today, make the time. 

Until next time,

Jean

this is a poem that I think is special...

The Value of a Smile

It costs nothing, but creates much.
It enriches those who receive without impoverishing those who give.
It happens in a flash, and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.
None are so rich they can get along without it, and none so poor but are richer for its benefits.
It creates happiness in the home, fosters goodwill in a business, and is the countersign of friends.
It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and natures best antidote for trouble.
Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is
something that is no earthly good to anyone until it is given away.
And if in the course of the day some of your friends should be too
tired to give you a smile, why don't you give them one of yours?
For nobody needs a smile so much as those who have none left to give!
SMILE!

I included this in our farms newsletter awhile back, thought it seemed time again,

Until next time,
Jean