Mentri is this week's pet. Mentri He is sitting under our lunch table. What was he doing? He was begging for food. . Ayse said, "He is not hungry." He is hungry for attention."
Trust me, I think he was very hungry. Look at his face!
"Time and good friends are two things that become more valuable the older you get."
"Time is more valuable than money.
You can get more money
but you cannot get more time."
Source: Unknown
Always take to time to tell you love ones that you love them.
One day it will be the last time you have the opportunity you will tell them.
"A hundred years ago around 14 percent of farms in the United States were owned by black Americans. Today only 1 percent are. And although more than 80 percent of farm labor in the U. S. is currently performed by Latinx workers, they own just 3 percent of farms."
Tracy Frisch July 2019
While the numbers of black farmers are small in number, they do have an organization for black farmers. What is the name of the organization? National Black Farmers Association. What do they do? They represent black farmers and families across the United States.
Last week, I spent time digging in dirt, planting seedings, dragging pots, pulling weeds, and enjoying the process.
"We are supposed to be walking through the valley of death's shadow, remember not running, not even a light jog. Maybe the point is to take our time. To move our bodies slowly through the ravine of darkness, to feel it's astonishing weight and then to realize we are not crushed."
I wish I could give credit to who penned this words... I don't know. I wish I did.
In this season of graduations, it is a joy to see some of my former Sunday School students prepare to graduate from high school. It is especially dear to see my friend see the youngest of her children achieve this milestone.
What is her next step? She will be attending college here in the state. And... she will be playing volleyball.
🎓🏫💌
Perennials are a must in a garden. They bring joy each year. The Lily of the Valley plant ia favorite of mine. This plant is considered invasive. I consider t great spring ground cover. It is a woodland flowering plant that blooms in the spring.
"The scent of the Lily of the valley is considered by some the most attractive of any wild flower."
Yesterday, after planting and weeding in the rain, I took this picture.
"When you stand before men, ask little, and expect less; but when you stand before God, ask much, and expect more, able believe that He is able to do for you exceeding abundantly above all that you ask or think."
C.H, Spurgeon
I am humbled to call my hair stylist my friend. For over a decade, she has always helped me look my best. Our conversations have made us laugh, pause for reflection, and give us reason to pray.
"M" and her fellow stylists recently shared their creative skills with creating Derby Hats.
"Blessed are the hairdressers for they bring out the beauty in others." Unknown
"Leftovers make you feel good twice. First, when you put it away, you feel thrifty and intelligent: I'm saving food! Then a month later when the blue hair is growing out of the ham, and you throw it away, you feel really intelligent: I'm saving my life."
George Carlin
this couch offers a comfortable space to sit... the table looks like it was organically crafted and sourced from a forest ... here are some instructive words to have helpful conversations from Bren`e Brown:
"Empathy has no script. There is no right or wrong way to do it. It's simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of "You're not alone."
Hands of students from Leadership Academy.
What is Leadership Academy? It is a volunteer program that teaches students the potential that each student possesses and their potential to become a leader. Once a week, students and their mentors met to learn about the challenges and possibilities of Leadership.
I love the eight habits for thriving. What are the eight habits?
"When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women. and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of our Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who had believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her."
Luke 1: 41 - 45
What is the definition of Oxford? According to Merriam Webster the word Oxford is first defined as a a low shoed laced or tied over the instep.
That is the dictionary of the word. Today, Oxford is the pet of the week. Oxford is the sweet pet of my nephew. Retrievers are intelligent, dependable, loyal and just plain wonderful.
As a woman of a certain age, exercise is a priority for me. My goal is to be a good steward of my health. I'm grateful an amazing group of women that I now consider, my exercise buddies.
Over the years, I have often benefited from so many locker room conversations. My friends are quick to offer encouragement, shopping tips, and recipe suggestions. As a result of conversations, we have had anniversary celebrations, birthday brunches, and holiday get-togethers.
Most recently, one friend shared shopping information on where to purchase her cute shoes. They are simply darling!
Sometimes, our conversations, go to sensitive topics. Diane is modeling these shoes. Recently shared how her daughter is graduating from college and will soon begin a career teaching elementary age students.
She also shared how her daughter has struggled with painful miscarriages and fertility issues. This weekend may be an especially tender one for women who have faced the pain of miscarriages.
Pray for the women who have endured miscarriages. It is my hope and prayer that Diane's daughter will be blessed with the gift of a child and be able to carry the child to term.
This quote touched my heart ...
"How very quietly you tiptoed into our world, silently, only for a moment you stayed. But what an imprint you footprints have left upon on hearts."
Unknown
patience, love, and someone
who will never give up on them.
Nicollete Sowder
"Solitude is very different from a "time-out" from our busy lives. Solitude is the very ground from which our community grows. Whenever we pray alone, study, read, write or simply spend quiet time away from the places where we interact with each other directly, we are potentially opened for a deeper intimacy with each other."
Henri Nouwen
"In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams,
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
And everyone who calls
on the name of the LORD will be saved."
Joel 2:28 - 32
