There are really no real reasons but excuses are plentiful for not reporting in here more often.
I am feeling better so long as I don't 'overdo'. July was, in some respects, full of surprises, gifts from our wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus as well as lots of 'work' - things to do, 'fires' to try to put out and even new challenges (sometimes seemingly on a daily basis).
One lady who is currently residing at the farm here has a horse. She has figured out how to get out of her area so as to get much greener grass other places - and that is very true, the grass is greener on the other side. My hubby and I have been working from time to time on 'upgrading' the horse pasture so that the horse can have a better source of grass. In the meantime Mary (her name) has taken to the people and other animals very nicely on her daily meanderings around the place. She at times comes up to our door but we have told her that she is much to big to come inside :)
Another lady who currently resides here loves animals so Mary goes over to her window and either talks with her or her little dog or cat. At first we thought that the cat had quite a relationship going with the horse but right now it seems that the little dog, may have the 'upper hand' at the moment.
I have been so bless
ed by our little 'garden' this summer. Just about the time we were going to put in our vegetables was when I came down with the severe case of lymes so not much was planted for the spring garden. We did get a few tomatoes in (the big plant in the middle is a yellow tomato plant) and they are bearing beautifully.
We also have a yellow pepper plant that has done very well.
The part of the garden that has been particularly healing to me has been the flowers. That part of the 'garden' is right outside our door and so when I step outside it is as if God is whispering 'I love you' from every one of the flowers. Our stargazer lillies have just finished their blooming for this year. The pink/yellow/white dahlias are just beginning to bloom and will probably continue until frost
. The wave petunias have been very lovely and I was surprised by 'wanderers' from past years returning to add their beauty. I am guessing that a few seeds 'made it' through and volunteered their beauty for another season. I had purchased purple petunias for this season and the volunteers are a deep pink and a lighter pink, so they look very nice together.
I also bought some Zinnias this year which are doing very well right near the water fountain. My carnations from last year didn't survive so I bought one pink plant for this season.
We put one tomato in the middle of the flower bed (as we did last year) and it is getting close to 6 feet tall as well as producing lovely yellow tomatoes.
I have also been learning more about myself and my Saviour recently. He so much wants to give me His kind of peace, but so often I seem reluctant to participate in what it takes to receive His peace in my heart. Since my husband has been unemployed since near the beginning of the year it has been a temptation to 'worry' about 'finances'. Yet God has been so good. It is not always money that supplies our needs. And just yesterday God spoke to my heart in the following words which I heard in our home worship time.
"
We try too hard to take care of self ourselves. We are uneasy and greatly
lack a firm trust in God. Many worry and work, contrive and plan, fearing they
may suffer need. They cannot afford time to pray or to attend religious meetings
and, in their care for themselves, leave no chance for God to care for them. And
the Lord does not do much for them, for they give Him no opportunity. They do
too much for themselves, and believe and trust in God too little. I thank the Lord for teaching me bit by bit as well as the many blessings each day.
I must go for now but until we meet again may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Yours in Christ,
Bringer of Peace