200th Post!

Good news for the 200th post! Syd and I got our computer back last night and it appears that nothing was lost in the lightning jolt! They said that our "logic board" was hit. I never thought computers were logical. I guess it just didn't have the sense to boot up when told to!

We are praising the Lord that He answered prayer and that I don't have to go onto facebook and the blog to retrieve our photos, many of which would have been lost as they were ONLY on the albums in the computer. When I take photos off my SD cards, I tell it to delete them. From now on I will save them to a thumb drive right away!

We have had a gentle rain all last evening and through the night. It was beautiful and our gardens must be so happy. I am sorry for you all out midwest and other places that are in drought conditions. I do try to remember to pray for you and that the Lord will send rain soon.  The sun has just come out and I am about to head out for lunch, to let the dogs out and go see Mom on the hill. Lately Ruger has been staying with "Grammy" and keeps her good company. When Syd went to pick him up the other night he saw them through the door; Ruger's head on Grammy's lap as she wept, telling him that her husband had died. He said that it was a touching sight and that he was glad that Ruger was there. My hubby is so great, as he went in and talked to her and eventually changed the subject. Before he left she was laughing and happy again. He is such a blessing. That is one man who loves his mother-in-law! He calls her on the phone to say 'hi', usually once a day, from work or as soon as he gets home. I love that guy.

Every few days I try to notice which flowers are about to unfurl along our driveway or road. Today I see that the daisies are getting ready to open. I love daisies and I keep several wild patches of them in my garden area. As I was weeding last week, the nicest surprise met my eyes. The cosmos that were so prolific last year have re-seeded themselves! There are probably two dozen of them springing up in the patch. This year is the best for this to happen, as I had already decided not to spend much money on buying plants. I now have several perennials coming back and we could use the money in other areas anyway. The Lord really blessed my heart by giving me these cosmos! He is always so good to us, isn't He?

Monday evening Syd plowed up a small patch for Mom to have a tiny vegetable garden. When I left from lunch today, she was turning over some of the sod so that it could dry in the sun (while Ruger layed there waiting to take her for a walk). Her patch is about 4 X 7 foot. She has three tomato plants and will have a row of radishes and one of carrots. I have extra snap peas which I'll probably put in around a pole or something to climb on in the corner. He put it just off her porch area so that it will be handy for watering but still gets all-day sun.  I will post pictures of both her and our tiny gardens. Mine is below each kitchen window in front of our house, two small patches with the walkway in between. They should be quite handy for picking and weeding. Keeping the dogs out can be a challenge. I have a short metal fence, but Ruger's legs are so long he hardly notices it's there. I am planning on putting up rustic signs that say: 'Dogs', 'Chickens', 'Keep Out', but though Ruger does know how to spell, he doesn't yet read.

Life, Indeed

When a seed falls to the ground he must die;
 die, that he may live again
 to feed a child, to cheer a heart,
 bearing seed to begin again.

Every green herb points his eyes toward the heavens
 from whence all life comes.
He died that we might live; to feed,
 or chance to die for some.

Risen! alive! He sustains all flesh;
 warmth of sun and soaking rain
Those who feed on this life-giving stock
 shall n'er hunger again.

Fall to the ground, die at His feet
 a stirring within the seed
New life springs forth, breaking the earth
 Now this is life indeed!

"Verily, verily except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." John 12:24


"Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed and my blood is drink indeed; He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me and I in him." John 6:54-56

A Happy Lump of Clay

II Thessalonians 3:3 "But the Lord is faithful who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil."

I was reading this the other day and it struck me how often I look back to different situations that could have turned out very bad, or where I could have gotten spiritually sidetracked and yet the Lord either directed me right out of the path or walked me straight through it, unscathed. Aren't you glad that He keeps the Christian from evil. I used to think that, now that I am a believer, God will not allow certain "bad" things to happen to me. Not so. With God, all things that come into my life are for GOOD. He does everything perfect and is always right. I'm so glad, because there is no one else who does, or is!

As I meditated on the verse above I realized how often I am tempted to "categorize" God as always doing things in one particular manner. Yet, He works in such different ways in each individual life. This does not make God "changing". He is always the same. It is so easy to think that, because you do not have a certain thing that another believer may be blessed with, it is a mark of being out of the will of God. Then I am reminded of the verse, "and having food and raiment, therewith to be content." He has blessed us with so much more than food and raiment. Jesus Christ shed His blood and died on the cross for every one of our sins, past, present and future! He adopted us into His family and has given us a new name! Don't let Satan fool you into thinking that because you do not have certain "blessings", that God has not blessed you immensely. Contentment and joy in the Lord Jesus is the greatest blessing one could possess!

I am happy that He can keep us from the evil and He will not lead us into temptation. Our Potter can work us, His clay, into any shaped vessel He wishes.  Lord, please make and keep me a happy lump of clay!

A favorite Hymn:
"My Goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace, nor even blessing, but Himself, my God.
'Tis His to lead me there; not mine, but His; at any cost, dear Lord, by any road."


I'm so glad you stopped by Darling Hill today and hope you'll visit again soon.

Happenings on the Hill

It's a warm summer day that promises, so the weatherman said this morning, thunderstorms this evening. Aunt Janet will be happy to hear that I have been picking my milkweed tops and plan on having them with tonight's supper. I am ashamed to say that it is my FIRST time (imagine that, of a country girl like me!). I had been planning to serve them last night with chicken, but my sweet hubby came home  with TWO LARGE pizzas! He had been thinking about surprising me by cooking dinner - but decided on pizza on his way home. It certainly did surprise me! I don't know what he thought we were going to do with TWO. He said that he was thinking of having Mom come down, which we did, but even the three of us couldn't polish those off! We all had our fill then each were able to have some for lunch today and there's still enough for Syd to have some tomorrow. He is one for doing things up big! With full bellies we still managed to each get a cup of coffee and waddle out to the new back porch to enjoy the rocking chairs and a quiet evening gazing down into the woods. I LOVE the porch Syd has put on and the fact that he has now opened the "spare room" (enclosed end of porch) into our living room. Previously there had been a temporary wall. With a wide opening there now, it gives the appearance that our living room is much larger!

Other evening happenings on the Hill:
I was walking the dogs on Monday evening at the top of our driveway - still "broad-daylight", when suddenly both their noses went to the edge of the road. Ruger's hair went up on his back and he started toward the neighbor's house. It was right then that I heard the bear give a loud hoot. It sounded as if it was just on the other side of  their place. Ruger growled and was headed down when I called him back and we went inside and phoned Joe & Janine. Yes, Joe had been outside when their visitor sounded off. He was inside when I called them! Syd stepped out on the porch and hooted to the bear, he did not answer.They're roaming around looking to see if their berries are ripe yet, I guess. We still do feed the birds up at Mom's but we're pretty diligent to take the feeder in at night. I know that it doesn't matter though, as  I posted a couple weeks ago - another neighbor had one come up on her deck in the middle of the day. I'm glad that, "they're more afraid of you than you are of them" - what a funny saying.

I never even think of seeing one though. I am famous for not seeing bears. It's a family joke, actually. Everyone had seen a bear but me. Syd sees bears on his way to and from work. Our nephews have both reported sightings, though Dallas hesitated to tell me, not wanting me to feel bad. The ONE time I did see one (in the exact vicinity of where one was calling out the other night) it was running SO fast and so low to the ground I hardly got a chance to know it was a bear. We were on our way to prayer meeting and I was excited to tell Dallas that "I've seen a bear!".  Syd had a dream one night. We were on a ride with Mom and Dad, out on a back road (typical) when Dad pulled over and he, Syd and Mom were all watching a bear. I just could NOT see it! Mom and I were in the back seat. I even got on Mom's lap and she was trying to point it out to me - I still never saw it. Even as I am typing this I'm laughing very hard.

This is a rather rambling post. I just miss blogging and have checked out all the posts on my "reading list". I got a cute picture sent to me by Aunt Jan today. She took it in town the other day. These ducklings were enjoying a dip and a sip from a puddle. I read "Make Way for Ducklings" while in a doctor's waiting room on Tuesday. This adorable picture makes me think of them.

They're all here...Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Oack , Pack and Quack! plus TWO (Rack and Sack, I suppose)

I hope that you all have a blessed evening. Thanks so much for stopping by the Hill.

P.S. Syd just called and wanted to know if he might stop at Subway! I don't know why, but he must be going through a fast food withdrawal. We just never really eat at these places - really! I told him what I have planned and he thought that was a better idea...THIS time.

"Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." I Thess. 5:16-18

The Burning Tree

As I had stated in my last post, the thing that I miss the most about not having my computer is being able to blog. The best time for me is early morning after being refreshed from God's Word. The house is all quiet and there is space to think.

One other thing that I do miss though is being able to edit my photos! This promised photo needs enhancing badly. I dared not get too close to the tree at this point, as burning branches were falling off. On the computer I am using today there is not way to crop and edit this photo so you do not really get the full effect. Being that it was a very drizzly, dark morning, this is a drizzly, dark photo too. Sorry. I will at least post both of them.

Oh, and THANK YOU ALL for your comments! Wow, how fun it is to read them and just know that you're all out there. I'm sorry this one is so short, but I am doing this one from work, so can't take alot of time (though they do allow it). Thanks for checking in to Darling Hill.

Jesus Holds it Together

Chill air and 40 degree temperatures greeted us this morning. Gentle rain is coming down. I am borrowing a computer (not at home) this Saturday morning. Ours is at the computer doctor, still being diagnosed. It is amazing how much we rely on electronics. I had thought that I would still post the photo of Tuesday's burning tree, by simply emailing it to myself at this morning's location, but, alas, I turned to my computer to do so and...hmmm, no computer! We have now learned that our internet dish was hit, as well as my mother's phone box (which is attached to our telephone pole). When Syd went to diagnose her phone problem he found that the box had been hit severely. Pieces of plastic were everywhere and wires disconnected. He now has it temporarily fixed so that she can still have service until the phone company comes.

I just praise God that He is in control of all things. Indeed, Jesus Christ holds all things together, as we read in Colossians 1, "by Him all things consist". I am glad that, though the lightning strikes are a shock to us, nothing shocks our great God. When you lie awake at night isn't it wonderful that we can realize that our God never slumbers or sleeps? We can close our eyes in peace knowing that He is watching over His children at all times.As I read through this chapter of Colossians, I am most thankful for the following verses:
"And, having made peace, through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him I say, whether they be things in earth or things in Heaven. And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight." (vs.20-22)

Our wonderful Lord Jesus not only holds our bodies, the planets and this universe rotation together (without which everything would simply blow apart!), He is the only One who could take the hand of God and the hand of man and join them together again. That sacrifice of a spotless, perfect lamb Who died once and for all for sin allowed sinful mankind to be reconciled to our Creator again. If you are a person who has trusted the truth of this "gospel" to save from sin, I know that you are rejoicing with me!

The one thing that I have missed the most during these past few days is blogging and reading the posts of fellow bloggers. Lord willing the computer will be up and running at home soon. Take care, all, and thanks for stopping by Darling Hill today!

A Lightning Event

We weathered the storms fine and hope that you all did also. The lightning was severe. Tuesday morning at 5:00 I took the dogs out first thing and there was smoke hanging in the air. I figured that the 1:00 strike that made us all jump had likely hit something down in town and we were getting smoke from it. Syd left for work just before 6 a.m. and minutes later the dogs said that my brother was up on the road, having just come down from Mom's. He said, "You've got to come up and see this". Just a few hundred feet up the road was a huge maple tree on fire. This particular tree was dead in the middle but its outer branches still had life. It was on fire and obviously had been for hours. The flames and smoke rose from its center, making it appear as a huge chimmney fire! A small charred branch had fallen onto my brother's car, which is what alerted him to it at all. It was still raining and everything was soaking wet, so we watched it for a short time before I called 911. When our fire department came it was only a matter of 20 minutes or so before they had it completely out. I snuck up and took pictures before they got there, then scooted back before I got caught, as I knew that they would scold me for getting too close to falling, burning branches!

One sad note of that night; our computer may have been fried. Stay tuned for that one, as we will be taking it to the doctor tomorrow night and will find out. Praise the Lord, we bought the special insurance and have only had this computer for one year, therefore it will be replaced for free. The most important thing that I learned from this (other than UNPLUG everything coming into computer, satellite dish, power, etc) is BACKUP, especially pictures but also documents. We had not done so. We were bad! They will determine whether we actually did lose everything or not. Flash drives really do not cost all that much!

I do not have the photo of the tree with me right now, and do not know how long it will be before we have a computer at home, so I am going to publish this post today. I do not know when I will get to update the blog next but sure do hope that it is not too long.

Would love to see some comments now and then. I try to comment to everyone whose blogposts I read. I only keep up with about six, however. I understand, for those of you who read over 10 or so per day. It's hard to comment to everyone. It's a great encouragement though, I know.

Take care, all. Will be checking your blogs from various spots while I await my computer at home again!

Rejoice And Be Glad

When awake in the night; dark doubts trouble the bed;
  Rejoice and be glad;
Pillow your head
  on God's promise,
  "He giveth His beloved sleep."
Rejoice and be glad, though thou weep.

Joy comes in the morning; the sun rises, fair;
  Rejoice and be glad
  that God's Spirit is there
  to open the eyes to His living Word;
"Rejoice and be glad", still is heard.

This is the day which the Lord has made;
  Rejoice and be glad
  that Jesus has bade
  us to "come unto" Him, His rest He will give;
Rejoice and be glad, while you live.

Around may be trials; though temptations abound;
  Rejoice and be glad!
'Casting all your care', hear it resound
  in your ears; in the heart
  of the child of God still;
Rejoice and be glad; do His will.                             ~Cyndy

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24