As we left the house this morning to walk the dog I had to run back inside after my camera. It's funny the things that mesmerize me. This morning it was the grass. Yes, I can be mesmerized by grass. Throughout our walk to the park and back the grass was glorious! Every blade had a tiny droplet of water at its tip. How did it get there? Why did it stay there? What is it about the barometer, or what, that made this phenomena (or is it a phenomenon)? I don't know, but it was beautiful. None of my pictures capture it well. But here are a few.

You could see it best when facing the sun, but then it messed with the picture.

Ten Gifts of Encouragement for Less than $2

Back in April I started an encouragement campaign for some friends. It has been fun for me and I hope encouraging for them, so I thought I'd share some of the ideas I've had. Each bit of encouragement comes with an illustrative gift for one or two dollars. (Gives real meaning to "it's not the gift, it's the thought that counts!") I think you'll see what I mean by illustrative as we go. The encouragement primarily comes from God's word, so that's how I'll list these. Scripture verses with key words highlighted and gifts.

1. Proverbs 30:3,4 Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name? Surely you know! Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Gift: dish towel (Can you imagine wrapping up a sink full of water in a dish towel? Our God is able!!)

2. Colossians 1:16b-17, 19-20, 12 All things were created through him and for him. and he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. for in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Gift: super glue (v. 12 Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light!)

3. Psalm 40:5 You have multiplied, O LORD my God, wour wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.

Gift: calculator


4. Psalm 56:8, Rev. 21:4 You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

 

Gift: tissues

5. Psalm 84:3,4 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!

Gift: a ceramic bird (I found a pretty little bird at an antique store in town for $2, but there are lots of little bird items at the dollar store too.)

6. Psalm 63:1,5,7 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, ...for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

Gift: lip balm

7. Psalm 9:9-11 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!

Gift: clothespins (I decorated a few clothespins with printed cardstock and added magnets to the back, but a package of clothespins would be fun too.)


8. Psalm 139: 17,18a How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them. If I would count them, they are more than the sand.

Gift: list tablet or calcutor

9. Colossians 3:14; Ephesians 5:2 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a frangrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Gift: paper clips

10. Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?









Gift: a bag of bird seed

Okay- so ten is plenty for now, maybe I'll come back with some more later. Scripture is so full of encouragement and has many "pictures" within the verses.

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us... Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thess. 5:9-11)

A Surprise Party

With a milestone birthday approaching, my sweet family planned a surprise for me. Actually there were several surprises. It began Friday evening, Steve and I were watching t.v. and Annie was on the computer when the door bell rang and the dog barked. Company! For some reason, I just sat there. I usually get up and go to the door, but this time I didn't. Annie got up, Steve got up, and I stayed on the couch. Steve said, "Hey, this is someone we know, come on in!" And I turned around and SURPRISE, there were Kami and Andrew, who had driven up from St. Louis to wish me an early Happy Birthday. We enjoyed the evening together and laughed at the fact that I hadn't suspected a thing when Annie announced she was going upstairs to clean her room earlier in the day.

The next morning was lazy and uneventful. Late in the morning, Steve and I went to take the dog for his regular walk. When we came back to the house, another SURPRISE! Dusty, Will and Eldon had driven up from Tuscola. The table was set beautifully, there was a vase of roses, food cooking in the oven, and all of the random clutter that adorns the house was picked up and put away neatly. We weren't gone that long!! We enjoyed a delicious meal of fresh garden salad, baked lasagna, and garlic bread. The girls not only prepared everything but also served us. It was lovely. For dessert we had a hummingbird cake that was absolutely delightful.

The table set with Kami and Andrew's fine china and a lovely tablecloth.

The beautiful rose bouquet. Two purple ones for me and Steve, eight red ones for our six children and two sons-in-law, and one salmon rose for our grandson, Eldon.

I received very thoughtful and wonderful gifts as well, and each one held another SURPRISE as I pulled out the tissue paper or untied the strings. Andrew got the coveted "cry" as I read the very sweet words he wrote in my card. (Once at Christmas I opened a present that brought tears to my eyes and ever since then my children try to make me cry.)


One of the greatest gifts of being a family is that no matter how undeserving you are, there are those who love you just the same. They can see you at your worst and continually forgive you. They also instill a desire in you to be better than you can imagine yourself to be. Forgiveness and encouragement are "good and perfect gifts," and my family are good at giving them. It's no secret why- they take after their Father above, the Giver of all such gifts.

Me, Annie, Kami holding Eldon, Andrew, Dusty, Steve, Will holding Indy (not pictured are our sons Calen, John and Jacob)