Bella

 Bella is this week's pet.  The word Bella means beautiful in Italian. Indeed, I think she fits the description of the word.   This sixteen year old is living the dog life riding in a stroller. 

Friendship Friday

 Today we celebrated hubby's birthday. It was a day filled with  phone calls, texts, cards, cookies, a cake, cash, and family. Most of all we are grateful to God for this incredible gift of life that God has given hubby.  Thank you Jesus! 

Happy Birthday to my friend and husband. 

Thrifty Thursday

By simply planting and growing your own vegetables you can save money You might consider planting  a small vegetable garden. After planning,  visit your local garden center. 

Your garden does not have to be large  to make a difference. What about tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and herbs? You might ask, "Is it too late to plant seeds?" Well, I am going to find out. I will plant some small plants. In addition, I will plant some seeds. I will  share my progress. 

"The love of gardening is a seed that once sown never dies."

Gerttrude Jekyll

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Monday Musings ... stained glass

 

In medieval times before the majority of people were able to read stained glass windows were considered, "the poor man's bible". Stained glass windows would depict biblical events. Source: Online

The beauty of the stained glass often invite those who were viewing the window to ponder their meaning. The windows are virtually a story book.  

Today, at this church,  we celebrated the life of my niece. 

Her memory will be a blessing.

... poets have said

 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven  and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 

Nor is He worshiped with men's hands. as though He needed anything, since He gives all life, breath and all things.

And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed  times and the boundaries of their dwellings.

so that they should seek the LORD, in hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each of us.

"For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some your own poets have said, "For we are also His offspring.

Therefore since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising. 

Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere repent...

Acts 17: 24 - 30

Garrick

 Garrick is the pet of the week. He is a guide dog that offers assistance to his owner who is legally blind. He relaxed while she participated in an Aqua Fitness Class. 

"All dogs can be guide dogs of sort, leading us to places we didn't even know we needed or wanted to go."  Carolin Knapp

Friendship Friday

According to Verywellmind a there are six reasons  Friends are important

1. Friends are good for your physical health.
2. Friends encourage healthy behaviors.
3. Friends give you emotional support
4. Friends help you build your confidence.
5. Friends help you beat stress.

I think I will add another reason. Friends can offer you opportunities to learn from their faith tradition. 

Earlier this year,  we enjoyed a meal with friends on Friday. My friend lit the Shabbat Candles and offered the prayer.  While my husband and I are not Jewish, we loved listening to the prayer in Hebrew.  Whether we visit in each other's home, in a restaurant, or sitting in on a patio, we are grateful for this friendship.  

Thrifty Thursday

better little than

too little - 

Cameroonian Proverb

A Tulip

"A tulip doesn't  strive to impress anyone ...

it just is. 

Marianne Williamson 

Monday Musings... connections

 "By connecting Passover, Holy Week, and Easter, we bridge the Old and New Testaments, and can see the overarching themes of God's redemptive acts on behalf of His people. Passover and Easter - it's not "either or" it's both

Melanie Leach, Passover for Christians: Creating a NEW Easter Tradition 

The connections between Christians celebrations and the Jewish Feasts are deep. Followers of Jesus cannot adequately understand the New Testament without understanding and studying the Old Testament. 

afraid yet filled with joy

 "The angel said to the woman, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead you to Galilee. There you will see him. How I have told you. 

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples."

Matthew 28: 5 -8 

Table conversations

 Food was the celebration, conversation, and nourishment.

The table is where the big decisions of the family are made

and all the arguing takes place."

Adriana Trigiana 

 This table is on display at the Durham Museum

This is where passengers would dine. 

I can imagine that many passengers would be on their best behavior.

What do you think? 

 

Monday Musings... Holy Week

Holy Week ... 

"The week that changed the world

continues to 

change our lives."

 

Hosanna

  "Blessed is the King who comes in the LORD! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest."

Luke 19: 38 NKJV

Thrifty Thursday

Nothing New...  Would you buy something new when what you have is working well? Do you buy something new for its novelty? Are your  current possessions  working well.

We have a card table that is over thirty years old. It has served us well. This table has provided extra seating for dinners at my parents home, space our guests, held items for yard sales and offered space for playing games.  

If this table could talk, it would share stories from children,  college age students, and adults. Over the years, the table has traveled from apartments, to home,  and from state to state.

This table holds so many memories. It still serves us well. 

The Durham Manufacturing Company in Muncie, Indiana made chairs and tables. While this company no longer operates, the products continue to serve many families. 

beautiful

 "Nothing is more beautiful than

 a woman who is brave, strong, and emboldened

 because of who Christ is in her." 

Source: She Rises to serve 

Tasty Tuesday

 It is the first Tuesday of the month. It must be Cooking Light. Our group has transformed over the years. In the past, we would meet in our homes. We would bring a dish to share from the recent Cooking Light Magazine. Now... we make reservations and go to local restaurants. 

It is always good to share a meal with friends.