Daily Musings on the Hill

Darling Hill is a quiet place with a narrow, welcoming lane. The view from the top is breathtaking and its vistas change many times throughout a day. I hope that you can visit often and enjoy it as much as my dear Husband, family and I do. God has allowed Syd and I to sojourn here until He leads us on to another place of service or until He takes us Home to Heaven. The little cabin He has provided sits alongside Darling Hill Road, nestled in, on a northwest corner.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Our Baby Kangaroo

See the little Joey in this picture? I couldn't resist. Don't you hate it when people take a picture of you while you're asleep?

A Poem on Friends

As I'd mentioned in an earlier post, we've been blessed with visits from many friends of late. What a blessing it is to see one another again. Some friends came from afar and others we see often. When we come together within the walls it is always a special time.

"Oh how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity; it is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard; that went down to the skirts of his garments." Psalm 133:1,2

In early July Mr.Grant came down to be with us from Maine. I snapped this photo when at church. Little Ruth was on the move and I'm afraid it's the only one I got so wanted to get it into the mix of recording our most recent visits from friends. All of our church children sure love and miss Mr. Grant!

I have Sarah on the blog prayer list. She is seeking the Lord's direction as to where He wants her to serve and what kind of job He wants her to have. She grew up with us and we are thrilled that God has brought her back into our lives. She is a blessing. As you saw on a much earlier post, she came to us with the Richardsons. They are always a GREAT blessing to have on the Hill. We love them and thank the Lord for giving us such good friends as they.

Brother Bill is a neighbor who Ruger once only knew from a local Post office. Ruger used to be able to come with me to work (new rules no longer allow that). He looked forward to biscuits and pats from Bill. As you can see, he has missed him.

Our friends, Bill and Norma

We were thrilled to get a phone call one evening from our South Carolina friends, the Powells. They had visited last summer also and were traveling down from Maine to stay overnight with us. What a joy. We had a nice evening and a great visit with Mom also.

We wish they could have stayed a few more days!

Here is their Boaz, posing on top of the hill. Pretty boy. He, Ruger and Sturm had MUCH fun playing.

While we all visited, Ruger showed up at the door with a fresh "catch" -- one less red squirrel under Mom's porch. He chewed on it while the other dogs sniffed and watched from a distance. He couldn't wait for us to see what he'd gotten, while his entire rear end wagged!

Truly, Friends Indeed

Cyndy Veysey

You brought your smile and a hearty, "hi",

into our lives today.

It let the memories flood over us,

like you'd never been away.

The door thrown open; to humble halls

a cheerful spirit walked in.

It rested on our fireside

and settled deep within.

And while the room with laughter rang;

you spread your words of love;

A story told, a thought provoked;

It pointed us above.

Memories sparked; as days of old

were brought to mind again;

Our heads thrown back, our hearts refreshed

while we all remembered "when".

Slowly through the yard we traced

a path we hoped would lead

us back together in future, near;

Truly, friends indeed!

As up the hill, tracks lead you on

to paths we did not know;

A wave of parting; a light tear shed;

"God be with you", as you go.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The Beatitudes, Within

What mild and poetic words...the Beatitudes. I was reading them today and am reminded, how thankful I am that Jesus, as Teacher, gave them; but am more thankful that He is not first and foremost the Teacher, but the SAVIOR of the world! What an impossibility it would be for the natural man to read and obey the Beatitudes. Without Jesus' saving grace no man could ever live up to these. The first one, "blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." We all had to come to Jesus, poor in spirit - knowing that we could not save ourselves and were in desperate need of His cleansing! That is where it all begins.

A quote from Oswald Chambers: "The Sermon on the Mount is not a set of rules and regulations; it is a statement of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit is getting His way with us."

I just wanted to share this blessing to my heart from God's Word this morning.
I hope that God blesses you with sweet truths from the Bible, on your "hilltop with Him" this day.

Aunt Jan's Wild Corner

This is just the kind of recipe that my Aunt Jan would have loved to share with you. I have no doubt that she made syrups from many edible flowers.

Violet Syrup

3 handful of violet heads (remove stems)

Boil 1 1/4 cup of water. Pour over the violet heads and let sit overnight or for up to 18 hours.

Drain the light blue water into a glass pyrex pot.

1 cup white sugar. Add to the violet water.

Bring the sugar water to a boil, stirring with a wooden spoon.

Slowly add a very little lemon juice (I do use reconstituted) but do it very slowly. The more you add, the PINKER it gets. Just a small amount will bring the violet purple hue. Too much will get "bubble gum" pink. (I did add a little too much this time).

Allow it to come to a light, rolling boil and allow to boil (stirring) for at least two minutes, three minutes is better.

Immediately pour into clean glass jars. Enjoy!

The Reason For This Blog

The number one reason is stated above...to declare what God has done for my soul! Sometimes we can sit and chat with other ladies about our wonderful Lord Jesus, but time limits and distractions do not often allow those intimate times. Why life must be so harried, it's hard to say. Many have children, jobs keep us running in opposite directions, life in general is fast-paced these days. Even at church we are scurrying after children, getting lunch, practicing for special music, cleaning up, etc. Sadly, even when we do talk to one another it is often about worldly pursuits, funny stories, our week-happenings (nothing wrong with these subjects); not as often about the things that the Lord has been teaching us. This blog started out to bless the Lord for His greatness and to simply share my heart concerning these things; first to my Christian sisters (and brothers, if they read, and their families) who I go to church with and those who live in other towns, states and other countries. Secondly, to keep in touch with a friend who was moving out of state. It is also something that I wanted to leave with my nieces and grand-nieces, to my husband and to my friends. When you read a blog that shares truth from God's Word and the way God is using it on a day by day basis, it does serve to be in touch with the writer's very heart. I'm happy to think that if I go to be with the Lord, perhaps today, that I had unashamedly declared God's working within and that there will be parts of my heart left here that people can read and relate to, things that reflect upon my wonderful Lord Jesus. On a daily basis I want the things written here to point others to God, to Jesus Christ, our Creator. Because of our great Savior, we can say with the Psalmist, "My foot standeth in an even place; in the congregations will I bless the Lord." Psalm 26:12 and "My tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long." Psalm 35:28

Some Special Prayer Requests

'Free Course' -a newsletter from our local church, has been sent out to approximately 4000 people, covering several communities. We pray for hearts, open to receive the salvation message of God's Word.

Local church pastors, as they uphold the Word of God, spread the gospel to the unsaved and disciple the believers.

Local church members, as we grow together in unity, showing the love of God to one another and that it spill out in our testimony to the unsaved. That all Christians will be obedient to the Scriptures and not cause anyone to stumble.