…and green is greening.
We are beginning to see green areas springing up around the yard. The grass has totally greened up.
These little blooms put a smile on my face.
Speaking of green and smiles…
Did I mention he’s turning 2 on Friday?
Hope I made you smile. Happy Day to you.
I was driving with our daughter-in-law and noticed all these Canadian Geese on this grassy field. I grabbed my phone and tried to get the photos before they all took off.
We had a nice little road trip and are home again. Time with loved ones and lots of good food and shopping was on the agenda. We tracked down our favorite waitress at a different Mexican restaurant from where she formerly worked and enjoyed a couple meals at her new location. She wasn’t able to work during most of the restaurant restrictions but has found a place that has given her some hours. It’s a nice Mexican restaurant with good salsa. That’s a plus for us.
Today is our son-in-law’s birthday. Happy Birthday Andrew. We will celebrate Andrew and JJ this coming weekend.
We are in for a very nice week weather wise here in our corner of Washington state. Weather in the 60’s to begin the week and then climbing up to the 70’s by the end of the week. We are looking forward to JJ’s 2nd birthday and party this coming weekend so those temps will be nice for any outdoor activities. His party theme is Fishing.
As Some Tall Rock Amidst the Waves
As some tall rock amidst the waves,
The fury of the tempest braves;
While fierce the billows, toiling high,
Break at its foot and murmuring die:
Thus they, who in the Lord confide,
Though foes assault on every side;
Cannot be moved or overthrown,
For Jesus makes their cause His own.
So faithful Stephen, undismayed,
The malice of the Jews surveyed;
The holy joy which filled his breast
A luster on his face impressed.
Behold!
he said, the world of light
Is opened to my strengthened sight;
My glorious Lord appears in view,
That Jesus, whom ye lately slew.
With such a friend and witness near,
No form of death could make him fear;
Calm, midst the shower of stones, he kneels,
And only for his murderers feels.
May we, by faith, perceive Thee thus,
Dear Savior, ever near to us!
This fight, through life, our peace shall keep,
And death be feared no more than sleep.
Words: John Newton (The Death of Stephen)
Soap Lake has a large Russian/Ukrainian presence.
A Russian/Ukrainian Store.
From Soap Lake we continued on the highway to and through Ephrata.
One of our son’s friends from college came from Ephrata and his family were potato farmers.
In the last month we have been blessed with two new grandnieces. Both born in the Eastern part of the U.S.A. One in the southern states and one in the northern states. Hopefully we’ll be able to meet them in person before too long.
We were sad to hear about the passing of Prince Philip. I’m sure the Queen will miss his presence. Ninety Nine is a long time to live on this earth. Hope the Queen makes it to at least ninety nine.
If you are reading my blog today, Happy Birthday Jim!
What’s going on in your corner of the world.
We traveled some new roads this week and found some spots we want to explore more along highway 17 in Washington State between Coulee City and Soap Lake. Along highway 17 there are several lakes and deep gorges that look a little Grand Canyon-isk.
It was fun to see the pops of yellow from these wildflowers
We stopped at the entrance to this park at Sun Lakes. We are interested in seeing the Dry Lakes area and Lake Lenore Caves in the future.
The state of Washington has such an amazing variety of landscapes to enjoy.
We are enjoying a little break from our everyday routines. Hope all is well in your corner.
Happy Friday!
We are at the 2nd Thursday of our 5 week challenge to share verses from the Bible that are quotes that Jesus spoke. Thank you in advance for the verse/verses you choose to add in the comments. I will post them below.
Jesus appears to His Disciples after His resurrection.
Luke 24:44-48
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
From Vera:
“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”
Revelation 1:17-20 ESV
From Patsy:
Matthew 6:31-34
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
From HappyOne:
Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
From Cheryl:
I am the Good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. John 10:14
We’ve had some sunny days with temps getting up to the low 60’s. The ‘Grands’ enjoyed some new bubble guns in the sunshine.
This little guy loves sticks.
This stick turned on him and smacked him in the face leaving a couple scratches. When I was over last week and we went on a little walk down the drive he pointed at that stick and touched his wounds filling me in on that accident. He is still in the process of forming words and learning to communicate more with words but we have to fill in the blanks and he’ll nod yes or no if we have it right.
All these photos were taken by their mommy.
No Wednesday Hodgepodge this week as Jo is taking the week off from coming up with questions.
It was a wonderful Easter Day because we were able to gather and worship our Risen Lord with our church family. We came home after a service filled with joy and a clear message of the Truth of the Gospel and God’s love for all.
When the rain ceased we went out to hide Easter eggs for the grands to hunt.
It was a very casual Easter table this year with paper plates for the first time in the history of our home.
Dear and I dressed up for Easter service and we had many in our church family taking a second look. We are generally very country casual.
The kids and grands arrived after naps and the first thing on the agenda was to let Addy and JJ hunt for the eggs we had hidden in the back area of our home.
Addy is a pro being 4 already and was off to the races. JJ found a good number, too. Next year he’ll give his big sister a lot more competition.
Finally JJ managed a slight smile for the camera.
Our kids on the ‘coast’ snapped this photo and sent it to us. They were able to gather at their church for Easter service, too.
It was a glorious day!
I’m working on getting my photos from Easter day uploaded and will share them tomorrow. Last week our niece and her husband flew up from California and spent a couple days with our ‘Coast Kids’. Laura shared these wonderful photos from Tulip Town in Mount Vernon.
Our niece Debbee with her hubby Lenny.
Cousins…Laura, Debbee, Katie
Laura and Josh
Katie (Andrew is traveling for work)
Laura does a remarkable job taking photos with her phone.
Our son Dan flew to the ‘coast’ for a quick overnight trip to surprise his best friend for his 40trh birthday and arrived just in time to see his cousin Debbee and Lenny before they left to the airport on Friday afternoon. Now it was time to surprise Jamie D., Dan’s best friend since 2nd grade.
Surprise was a success and the celebrations were the best! Both our sons and Jamie have been the best of friends through the years and Jamie’s family is considered our family. Happy 40th birthday Jamie. Hi Beth :).
It’s a fun thing that Dan found his beautiful bride in Colville many years since meeting his best friend in 2nd grade and her name is Jamie, too. Jamie stayed home with Addy and Jaymison while Dan had his quick overnight trip.
Happy Easter Monday everyone. We’re recuperating from a wonderful day of celebrating our Risen Savior!
Christ Is Risen!
Truly He is Risen!
Khristos voskrese! Voistinu voskrese!
Христос воскрес!
воистину воскрес!
Blessings to all on this Glorious Easter Day!
One of my favorite Easter hymns growing up was Low in the Grave He lay. You just have to hear it sung in a church full of Russian Baptists! (In Russian of course) This song is sung with emotion and joy that can’t be missed.
Low in the Grave He Lay
Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior,
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Refrain
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Savior;
Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!
Refrain
Death cannot keep its Prey, Jesus my Savior;
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Words & Music: Robert Lowry, 1874.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 