We have had some amazing weather in our parts that make our grass grow faster and the need to mow more frequent. I’ll be mowing again today. We had some visits from some local deer recently and I’ll be uploading those photos soon to share.
Hope May is starting well for you!
Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise
Hail the day that sees Him rise, Alleluia!
To His throne above the skies, Alleluia!
Christ, the Lamb for sinners giv’n, Alleluia!
Enters now the highest heav’n, Alleluia!
There for Him high triumph waits, Alleluia!
Lift your heads, eternal gates, Alleluia!
Christ hath conquered death and sin, Alleluia!
Take the King of glory in, Alleluia!
Circled round with angel powers, Alleluia!
Their triumphant Lord, and ours, Alleluia!
Conqueror over death and sin, Alleluia!
Take the King of glory in! Alleluia!
Him though highest Heav’n receives, Alleluia!
Still He loves the earth He leaves, Alleluia!
Though returning to His throne, Alleluia!
Still He calls us all His own, Alleluia!
See! He lifts His hands above, Alleluia!
See! He shows the prints of love, Alleluia!
Hark! His gracious lips bestow, Alleluia!
Blessings on His church below, Alleluia!
Still for us He intercedes, Alleluia!
His atoning death He pleads, Alleluia!
Near Himself prepares our place, Alleluia!
He the first fruits of our race, Alleluia!
Master, (will we ever say), Alleluia!
Taken from our head to day, Alleluia!
See Thy faithful servants, see, Alleluia!
Ever gazing up to Thee, Alleluia!
Grant, though parted from our sight, Alleluia!
Far above yon azure height, Alleluia!
Grant our hearts may thither rise, Alleluia!
Seeking Thee beyond the skies, Alleluia!
Ever upward let us move, Alleluia!
Wafted on the wings of love, Alleluia!
Looking when our Lord shall come, Alleluia!
Longing, gasping after home, Alleluia!
There we shall with Thee remain, Alleluia!
Partners of Thy endless reign, Alleluia!
There Thy face unclouded see, Alleluia!
Find our heaven of heavens in Thee, Alleluia!
Words: Charles Wesley and Thomas Cotterill
This is a long post as I included all the rest of the fun we had at JJ’s fishing birthday party and the 2nd party on that day for his Uncle Andrew. The venues changed but the fun continued.
When it was time for present opening our little fisherman was getting very tired from all the excitement and he quickly had a melt down but then daddy stepped in and held him and helped him through.
He was pretty disappointed with that underwear but don’t worry Baba and Gramps bought you a bicycle, too.
The fish cake that JJ’s mommy made for him was really cool. The sand is graham cracker crumbs.
Happy 2nd birthday to our precious grandson. He is full of life. He has a few clear words but regardless has many a tale to tell and we are excited for the day the words become clear and we understand the whole story. He loves to do whatever big sister is doing. He enjoys food and is verbal while eating letting everyone know his enjoyment. He loves sticks and rocks and yard equipment.
After cake and before his nap there was time to play with some of the new toys he got for his birthday.
After naps the party venue moved to our country bungalow for a belated Steak birthday dinner for Uncle Andrew who was another year older the week before.
We had birthday pie!
The other birthday boy got to try some Root Beer!
What a fun full day we all had.
These are the people who made up the fishing crew for JJ’s birthday party back on April 17th.
I’ve got a couple more posts to complete our Jaymison’s birthday party fun for the history books.
This week we mowed the lawn for the first time since the beginning of Fall and we have been clearing out some stuff out of the garage and visiting Habitat for Humanity with donations. Hard to believe today is the last day of April. What will May bring? Time will tell.
Today is the last Thursday in April and the last day of our current Bible Verse Challenge. Post any verse that are the words of Jesus and I’ll share them below. Thank you to all who have shared.
For the month of May and June we will share verses from the Psalms.
Back to this month’s challenge. Jesus said,…
Matthew 7:24-27:
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Did any of you sing the song in Sunday School about the Wise Man? The wise man built his house upon the rock…
From Vera:
“Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.””
John 4:10 ESV
“Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.””
John 4:13-14 ESV
Time for Wednesday Hodgepodge where Jo comes up with the questions and we come up with the answers. Thank you Jo From This Side of the Pond.
1. What are some memories you associate with spring?
Strawberry Stands in Southern California. Fresh strawberries right from the fields were so juicy, sweet and delicious! Both of our grandchildren were born in the Spring and that is a very special memory being at the hospital waiting to hear about their entry into this world. Addy was born on the first day of Spring. Easter celebrations are also high on the list of things I associate with Spring. Easter is a favorite of mine to celebrate with joy. After we moved to Washington State a trip to the tulip fields in April make for a wonderful visual picture of Spring!
2. April showers bring May flowers…was that saying proven true where you live? Snapdragons, anemones, carnations, lilacs, sweet peas, tulips, lily of the valley, orchids, roses, gardenias…which one on that list is your favorite May bloom?
If I have to choose one I’ll say lilacs!
Here’s a lilac memory from April 2010 of my niece and grandniece at Descanso Gardens in Southern California.
3. What are your top three distractions and how do you deal with them?
Noise, Empty chatter, devices as in smart phones.
If I can’t get away from the noise I have my headphones.
If I can’t get away from the chatter I try to tune it out. I do tend to sigh when the chatter stops.
Devices, I turn them to silent, or turn them off.
4. Do you eat beef?
Yes!
In the course of a week, how often is beef on the menu?
I would say at least 3x’s a week.
A hamburger, steak, prime rib, or a roast beef dinner…which beef entree would you choose and yes you have to choose. Unless you’re a vegan, and then you may pass.
In a restaurant I would most likely choose Prime Rib if it’s on the menu. If not then I’d go with a hamburger.
5. In what way were you creative during the month of April?
I was creative in planning, organizing, recruiting, cooking and serving 58 pastors last Thursday and Friday. We served dinner, a dessert social, lunch and dinner.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
These grabbers are a favorite with our grands. Toys just don’t hold as much interest. They were trying to grab uncle Andrew’s feet.
Continuing with JJ’s Fishing party and the fun we had watching JJ and Addy casting their fishing line to catch some treats.
Enjoying his ‘catch’.
This girl has form!
There was some fishing out of doors, too.
Fishing was fun and we still have more to share from this special day.
This week we have a forecast of temps that rise each day reaching a forecast of 77 degrees this Thursday! What’s happening in your corner of the world?
We were greeted in fishing style for JJ’s 2nd birthday celebration.
O-fish-ally Two!
This would be where the littles could cast and fish for treats.
Fun fish party themed events and food for the day.
Puffer Fish fruit kebobs.
Fish Veggie tray.
Cattails.
The tackle box with worms and bait.
Fishing floats.
Lunch was fish themed, too, with tuna sandwiches, fish sticks, shrimp, etc.
Our daughter in law always finds the best ideas for themed parties.
Too much fun to make it into one post. More to come.
Happy new week everyone. We are looking forward to a low key week that will end in May!
O Happy Day, When Saints Shall Meet
O! Happy day, when saints shall meet
To part no more—the thought is sweet;
No more to feel the rending smart,
Oft felt below, when Christians part.
O happy place I still must say,
Where all but love is done away;
All cause of parting there is past;
Their social feast will ever last.
Such union here is sought in vain,
As there, in every heart, will reign;
There separations can’t compel
The saints to bid the sad farewell.
On earth, when friends together meet,
And find the passing moments sweet;
Time’s rapid motions soon compel,
With grief to say, Dear friends, farewell.
The shepherd feels the smarting shock,
Of parting from his weeping flock;
His feelings for them, none can tell,
When forced to say, My friends, farewell.
The happy season soon will come,
When saints shall meet in Heaven, their home;
Eternally with Christ to dwell,
Nor ever hear the sound, Farewell.
Words: David Barnard, (1681-1770)
Things are really greening up around here. We are getting some rain today and tomorrow which I’m thankful for. I enjoy my plants being watered from above. I already am behind in mowing because of being busy in the church kitchen for the conference last Thursday and Friday. Speaking of the conference, everything went really well and we had good teams in the kitchen helping and others who volunteered and brought dessert items. Being in charge meant lots of mental and physical exertion. We are recuperating today with our feet up and laying low. Thank you to everyone who prayed.
Happy Weekend everyone!
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 