ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL

This hymn was written by Mrs. CF Alexander (1818-1895)

"All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful:

The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,

Each little bird that sings,

He made their glowing colors,

He made their tiny wings."

Singing gratefulness today.....

So, we're still living "sheltered-in-place". It has been 6 weeks since our first reported case of coronavirus in Alabama, and 3 weeks since our Governor ordered "shelter-in-place". We have chosen to respect her decision and remain at home. We have, however, seen F2 on a few occasions only for short periods of time. We miss F2.

Our only trips away from home since March 13th have included 4 grocery, 4 food take-out and 1 dental trip. (I had a temporary crown on March 12th, and dental/medical offices were asked to close on the 23rd due to COVID-19. Emergency visits were seen. I finally was able to see him after a month. He felt that his temp crowns clients needed to be seen. Yay!!!)

Today as we drove to pick up our 4th take-out, you can see that this well-traveled road is void of cars. It is an eerie feeling to see NOTHING moving on the road. 

At Captain D's there is a LONG LINE of customers waiting to order take-out. While sitting in the line and waiting our turn, we noticed that some of the customers, were going inside. Hmmmmm 😨. Then we realized that you could order online and slip in to pick up your order. Hmmmm...we still would wait in line.😉

Back home, tummy fed and we settle down to our "normal" for now. 

"Normal". Even though our lives have changed for a season, we have more time together in our home. It is not all rosy (since we are 24/7) but it sure has been nice to spend some quality time together.

Also, the time at home has awakened the strength in myself and given me a more grateful heart to God's presence in my heart. 

On God, my salvation and my glory rest;

the rock of my strength,

my refuge is in God.

Psalm 62:7

His way, as we should all strive to follow, is His perfect for us. He loves us…no matter what. We may disappoint Him with our actions but He is always there to help us through our sin and give us direction and guidance to find our way back to Him.

Clothed in the Full Armor of God we make our way into any situation. Tired and weary as we may get sometimes, He is still ahead of us in any situation.

Conversation is ALWAYS needed. He loves to communicate with us…have that intimate relationship with us. He hears, listens & loves our words of prayer. What joy to receive when we talk with God!

We love control. We schedule. We run…here to there. Not wanting to…let go! But His timing is better than our timing.

In these days of coronavirus as we sit home, may we be reminded of the four things that God says to us each and every day if we just open our hearts and listen.

#trust

#ornithogalumflowersymbolizingtrust

Today I spent time with F2 working in their backyard. I had created one of the corner flower beds some weeks ago before "shelter-at-home". We finished the flowers beds. It is so pretty with the greenery and brown mulch. F2 have two more hanging basket spots. Hannah is looking for the right baskets. (She found one today while purchasing the mulch.)

Hannah and I can't wait until the blooming begins.

Last Spring we began to notice the weather was warmer than normal for our area. As the season continued on into Summer, it was blazing HOT! So HOT that it was unbearable most days to get out in the yard to work. A ten-minute stay turned me into a drenched-mess of sweat...and that was just walking around in the yard. Whew!!!

Needless to say, the backyard was left to its own nurturing. I did water the yards but for working the yards...nah! 

My plan was to get an early start on the yards this Spring 2020 as the weather offered (hopefully) some nice cool weather mornings. I would work mornings when I wasn't working with my volunteer organizations. I was ready to tackle the mess that Summer 2019 left for me...weeds-weeds-weeds!

Well, God has a plan for us, and sometimes we just do not understand His plan. Coronavirus swept the World, and eventually most areas implemented a "shelter-at-home, shelter-down" to help curb this sweeping virus. Businesses, medical offices, schools and more closed. Food, medicine, take-out food orders were our only outlets for moving about. We were being asked to wear masks for our protection as well as protection for others. Strange times.....

God has this!!! Life has changed. Having to remain at home has brought about challenges. Do we have enough food, toilet paper (you wouldn't believe the RUSH for tp we had), gas? Check your medicines...got enough?   Take-out food.....should we? We are cooking more and doing it together. Life changes.

I am more intentional with the relationship I have with God. His presence in His earth's beauty touches my heart more than ever. His presence to let me know that He is in control.

Thinking about everyday life as it is now, should have everyone focusing more on.....family. The bringing back of meals at the family table, family conversations, family togetherness. Yes, it could be difficult because we have become to attached to our phones, computers, Facebook, twitter, Instagram, televisions, video games...you name it. Make a difference in your family and your life...put these or at least some of these on the backburner and make your way back to FAMILY.

Today I took a morning stroll in our yards and thanked God for the strength and mobility to tend to His earth over these last few weeks. Most importantly, I thanked Him for His protection and provision. 

#Godisgood

#gratefulness

skies...they just get to me...thanking God

Seeing an American Flag unfurl with the wind

makes me remember my dad & his love for his country

In this time of uncertainty

my trust is in God.

Praying...

One Nation Under God

…might need to practice 6-ft distancing 

with this kitchen appliance

#eatingtoomuch

#coronavirus

#God'sgotthis!

Pandemic Beauties

#yardwork

#shelterathome

#coronavirus

#God'sgotthis!

Pandemic Grocery Life

Hubs & I went to get groceries today. He had a shopping list and so did I. It has been 2 weeks since our last trip.

There was no line at Marketplace so we entered and went our separate ways to gather the items. Not many people shopping so that was nice since we are asked to practice 6ft distancing.

And YAY!!! We were able to purchase everything from our lists except Santitas. This was our goal since we plan not to shop again for another 2 or 3 weeks.

#shelterathome

#coronavirus

#God'sgotthis!

“Standing on the promises of Christ my King…”

...another Sunday at home. We are now under the Governor’s order of “shelter at home”.... No one knows for how long.

...encouragement daily within our BIL class. Each one sharing and missing connection. Our love & strength sustains us.

...bibles and pen in hand, we sit on couches, our floor or at the table as our pastor nourishes our soul with the teachings of God’s love thru video. We miss our church family.

Thirty one days of "Promises...Promises" of God.

(unknown website)

today...the wind was blowing, and the trees were whispering

...soon, very soon...

#joy