I need more of this While I am waiting

I need more of this



I need to be more hopeful.
I need more time reading His Word.
I need to learn to listen.
I need to learn to be patient and rest and prepare while I am waiting.
I need to learn to soak in His presence more and more each day.
I need to be courageous.

I need to have more time in my hammock cuddled up in my blanket listening to praise music.

I need more of Him

I am weak

I discoverd an astonighing truth; God is attracted to weakness.
He can't resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need Him.

Jim Cymbala, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire

The Bush and Vine

Today we went for fresh strawberries.
We go to a produce stand in York called the Bush and Vine.
I remember my mama taking me here when I was about Maggi's age.

This is also the place, we went right before my wedding to get fresh ripe strawberries to place on the tables for my wedding guests.

Dave and I go here for fresh veggies in the summer.

We have picked many strewberries from here. The best part is the that they have strawberry slushies. They make them on the spot. They are the best thing you can have after picking gallons of strawberries in the Southern Humidity.

This is one of my favorite things to do, pick big fresh strawberries. I look forward to this every year.



Today, while I was there with Dave I thought about the name (after I was shocked by this year's price). YIKES.

The Bush and Vine.

I was reminded about the Scripture.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. . .

I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is my Father's glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." . . .

Lately I feel like I have been pruned, either that, or that I may be withering on the vine.

Literally.

The pruning process is hard. I feel so inadequate. I feel lonely. I feel like I have been left on the vine after the harvest has been brought in.

I can't figuere out if i am being pruned, of if I am like the branch that has been thrown away into the fire.

Am I fruitless? Am I already dead? Am I dormant?

My prayer tonight is,

Lord, keep me on the vine. Prune me, that I will be fruitful.
Remain in me. Lord, be my gardener.
Rain on me Lord, as I feel so dry.
Bring sunshine on me Lord, I seem so dark.
Wrap me around the solid surface, I feel lost.
Teach me to wait for the harvest Lord, I am fading.
Prune me Lord, so that I can have fruit. I feel like I am growing wild.

Just like a Gardener watches and waits, do that for me Lord. Watch me, anticipate that I am going to bloom, and then produce beautiful fruit. Let me sense your presence Lord. Let me feel your rain of refreshing, your gentle hand.

Keep me on the vine Lord.

The Arrow and the Song

The Arrow and the Song
by Henry W. Longfellow

I shot an arrow into the air;
It Fell to earth, I knew not where;
For, so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.

I breathed a Song into the air;
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong
That it can follow the flight of Song?

Long, long afterwards, in an oak
I found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song, from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


The girls and I joined an American Girl Mother Daughter Book Club. We are supposed to read a book, and then meet with a group to discuss the book. We are also to come dressed as the character we read about and bring a food that they may have eaten in that time period.

We co-hosted this month's meeting with a great friend. We chose the book Kaya. Kaya was a Native American girl from the Nez Perce Indian tribe.

I had such a nice time with this. We had the party at my dad's house, and it was a perfect place for these little girls to "discover" what life may have been like. My mom made the costumes, and they turned out spectacular! My "cali" mom sent some authentic decorations she used in the classroom, and made wonderful beaded nametags. My friend was so easy to work with, and I enjoyed spending time with her adding the perfect touches to this party.

This became an EVENT (a song if you will), and came together with love and thoughtfulness from so many.

But the best part of the day, for me was after.
I looked back, and had truely enjoyed it.
If you know me, you know I get really stressed out and nervous with these types of events. I often get so caught up in the details, I miss the big picture.

Not this time. I enjoyed the day, with my girls.
I enjoyed sitting under the trees, listening to what the girls had learned.
The girls and I are still laughing and talking about how bad the salmon jerky smelled.
I loved adding beads to our costumes the night before with our friends.
I love that there are other moms who invest in their daughters.
I loved making this memory, and having this time with my girls.

I hope that long from now, my girls will find this "song" in their hearts.




"let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart" Proverbs 3:31

Spring Break Photo Review