Welcome Spring!

A Prayer in Spring

by Robert Frost

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfil.

We are celebrating our little granddaughter today who turns 4. Happy Spring everyone! Photo overload will be coming soon.

Loose Ends

The struggle is real. Some progress on this puzzle. It’s a tough one. We congratulate ourselves when we find one or two pieces to fit!

When we finally get the owls done we will move on to this one which was a 70th Birthday gift from my friend Jeaneen.

Looks like a fun one from my favorite country to visit.

My sister Kathy made this for me for my birthday. I love it!

Josh and Laura sent this beautiful bouquet that arrived after we returned from our little getaway in Idaho.

Tonight the celebrations continue with a meal in Spokane with our family except for Andrew who has work obligations. Our newest toddler has not had many restaurant experiences and it will be interesting to see how a fancy restaurant and JJ get along. I’ll let you know how it goes.

We are moving into a busy weekend. If I’m scarce you will know why.

Truth from A to Z Bible Verse Challenge, Y is for…

We are winding down on our A to Z Bible Verse Challenge with 2 more letters to go. This weeks letter is Y. Please share your verse/verses in the comments and I will add them to this post.

I’m sharing a portion of scripture from 2 Corinthians this week.

Y is for Yes:

2 Corinthians 1:17-22 (ESV)

…Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

From Vera:

Y is for YOU AND YOUR

“And He said to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:37‬ ‭(NASB1995)‬‬

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:6‬ ‭(NASB1995)

“that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:9‬ ‭(NASB1995‬‬)

From Patricia

Y is for Yes:

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.
Philippians 3:10

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 22:20

From Happyone:

Y is for YOUTH,

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy YOUTH; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Click over to Bethany’s blog, Raindrops and Rainbows to see her verses with the word YET!

From Oceanmist:

Y is for Yoke
Matthew 11: 29-30

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Springing Ahead Hodgepodge

Hodgepodge lands on St. Patrick’s Day this week so Jo From This Side of the Pond has come up with questions surrounding that theme. Thank you Jo for your creative questions!

1. This week’s Hodgepodge lands on St. Patrick’s Day.

Will you wear green?

Yes! (If I remember)

Eat corned beef and cabbage?

We enjoyed corned beef and cabbage last evening at our son and DIL’s home.

Drink green beer?

No to drinking green beer but I have used a Guinness pint glass as a flower vase coloring the water green.

Have you ever been to Ireland? Is it on your travel ‘bucket list’? 

No never been but would love to!

2. Something you think is ‘worth its weight in gold’? 

My riding lawn mower. And very soon it will be time to start riding it again.

3. Something that makes you ‘green around the gills’? 

When someone else ‘tosses their cookies’.

4. What puts a ‘spring in your step’ these days? 

Whenever I know our family will be gathering like this coming weekend!

5. Write a limerick using one of the following as your theme….March, St. Patrick’s Day, Covid, 2020 and/or 2021, the color green, or life lately. Yes, you can do it. 

I’ll admit up front that hubby helped came up with this.

There was a nice gal from Seattle

Who rarely engaged verbal battle

She blogged with her friends

Entertained to no end

And tried to avoid empty prattle!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My kids have planned the following for this Friday. Our DIL Laura created this gif. It will be good to be together! My actual birthday was March 14th but our kids are flying over to celebrate two birthdays in one trip. My family dinner party is Friday night and Addy’s 4th birthday will be celebrated on her day, March 20th.

St. Patrick’s Prayer

May the Strength of God pilot us.
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.

May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.

May the Host of God guard us
Against the snares of the evil ones,
Against temptations of the world.

May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!

May Thy Salvation, Lord,
Always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and evermore. Amen.

The Roosevelt Inn

For my birthday getaway we chose to stay at The Roosevelt Inn which is a Bed and Breakfast in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Welcome to The Roosevelt Inn,  a stunning Coeur d’Alene inn.  This grand brick building was the first permanent schoolhouse established in 1905. Now, experience historic elegance at The Roosevelt Inn a romantic and relaxing bed and breakfast located in the heart of beautiful downtown Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

We chose The Principal’s Suite for this stay. When we checked in they delivered a welcome small portion of a very tasty bread pudding along with a fresh rose and water.

This elegant executive suite offers the best of both worlds; beautiful stylish accommodations with a separate sitting room.

We enjoyed our breakfast. Once upon a time they would have a large breakfast buffet along with choices for you to choose from the kitchen. Now because of you know what everything comes from the kitchen with no buffet service.

After we made our reservations we found out that the owners have sold the Inn and new ownership takes over in April. I don’t know what the new owners are like and how they will continue or modify the Inn so I’ll hold back on our recommendations. We did enjoy our stay.

Celebrating

We enjoyed my birthday meal at the Wolf Lodge Steak House in Coeur d’Alene.

If you are a fan of meat this is the place for you!

The restaurant was dark inside so the photos taken with our phones are a bit muddled.

My birthday started out earlier than usual since it was Spring Forward time of year! First thing in the morning I was greeted with the sweetest video of our grands singing happy birthday to me on a video. A wonderful way to start the day. On the way to church our daughter called with her sweet wishes. Our church service was so good with lots of laughter and then a more solemn time of Communion. After church we drove to Idaho and the texts and phone calls continued. Both our sons called with their wishes. Another call from my brother with his family singing happy birthday to me. Another dear friend called and then my college roommate from the University of Redlands called out of the blue. I’ve been overwhelmed with the many wonderful birthday greetings I have received through phone calls, texts, and Facebook messages. And now that I’m in this new decade I need to document all these things so I can remember.

Thank you to all my blogging friends, too, who have left such encouraging words on my birthday posts!

Come Down, O Love Divine ~ Hymn

Come Down, O Love Divine

Come down, O love divine,
Seek Thou this soul of mine,
And visit it with Thine
Own ardor glowing.
O Comforter, draw near,
Within my heart appear,
And kindle it,
Thy holy flame bestowing.

O let it freely burn,
Til earthly passions turn
To dust and ashes
In its heat consuming;
And let Thy glorious light
Shine ever on my sight,
And clothe me round,
The while my path illuming.

Let holy charity mine
Outward vesture be,
And lowliness become
Mine inner clothing;
True lowliness of heart,
Which takes the humbler part,
And o’er its own shortcomings
Weeps with loathing.

And so the yearning strong,
With which the soul will long,
Shall far outpass the power
Of human telling;
For none can guess its grace,
Till he become the place
Wherein the Holy Spirit
Makes His dwelling.

Words: Bianco of Sienna, 1434.

Seventy

Tomorrow is my 70th birthday, March 14th.

The fifth child of Russian Immigrants to the United States after World War II settling in the Los Angeles Area of California. Raised by parents who sought after God and taught us Christian values. Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord at twelve, repenting and being born again spiritually. Married to a fellow believer for 46 years. Blessed with two sons and a daughter. Blessed again with two daughters-in-law and a son-in-law. Crowned in our old age with two grandchildren. Thankful to God for all He has done in my life, my husband’s life, our children’s lives and our grandchildren’s lives. Keeping on the straight and narrow until He returns or we are called home.

I’ve been so humbled and joyfully weepy over all the greetings, gifts, and flowers that have been delivered by friends and family via Amazon and USPS with postmarks from the USA and Canada.

The gift and flower senders! Top of the collage my dear friends since the 70’s Jeaneen and Heidi. The bottom of the collage my brother Leonard and his wonderful Mandy.

My brother’s family sent me this Borscht in a container. We are all curious how it will turn out. You just add broth and then meat if you want.

These ‘girls’ (Mennonite Girls Can Cook) are part of my tenship. They’ve only been in my life for a little over a decade. They have become the best of friends. We communicate almost daily and we share life together praying for one another and encouraging one another. We laugh and we weep together. Waiting for that day for the border to open so we can celebrate in person again! It was fun to get birthday cards for my 70th from across the line. Thank you girls!

As with my 60th birthday celebrations my 70th will be going on for as long as I can stretch out the fun. A lot of changes in a decade of life. There will be a photo in the near future with me wearing my Fabulous 70 crown and sash.

Happy 10th Anniversary!

These four were able to go out together to celebrate Katie and Andrew’s 10th wedding anniversary. They sent the photos via text. I wanted to memorialize ‘as they were’ on their 10th!

Lots to celebrate this month in person or from afar. I’m thankful to enjoy these moments!

Our little grandniece (close to 9 pounds) was born on March 9th and mother and baby are doing well. Looking forward to meeting her in person later this year.

Truth from A to Z ~ X is for…

This Thursday we are on that tricky letter X. Remember you can pick any word that has an X anywhere within the word. After you choose your Bible verse or verses add it in the comments and I’ll post it below. Thank you all for your excellent contributions each week.

X is for Examine:

Lamentations 3:40 ~ Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord.

2 Corinthians 13:5 ~ Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? -unless indeed you fail to meet the test.

From Vera:

X is for eXact

“And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭NASB

From Patricia:  X is for Examine:

Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine and probe our ways,
And let us return to the Lord.

1 Corinthians 11:27-31 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.

From Ruthie: X is for Exalt.

Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool. Psalm 99:5

From Bethany: X is for Exalt.

Click over to Bethany’s Blog Raindrops and Rainbows to see her post.

From Happy One (Karen): X is for Exceedingly

Mark 4:41 And they feared EXCEEDINGLY, and said one to another, what manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

From Cheryl:

“Exalt” is a repeat, but this is the verse that came to mind, and I love this invitation to His people!

Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.