A Hot Week

Sometimes when life seems gentle, and blessings flood my way, I turn my gaze away from you and soon forget to pray; But when the skies grow darker and courage turns to fear, my anxious voice cries upward, with words you long to hear… ‘Lord, I need you when the sea of life is calm; O Lord, I need you when the wind is growing strong; Whether trials come or cease, keep me always on my knees; Lord, I need you; Lord, I need you.’

~Ron Hamilton

We serve a God who wants to abide in us and wants us to abide in Him. What a joy and a privilege to belong to Him. Our pastor is preaching through the book of Romans, last Sunday we were in chapter 8. Nothing can separate us from the LOVE of God, which is in Christ Jesus! He wants us to abide in that love. Most recently my heart has been lead to read and reread John chapters 15 and 17. After 30 years of being a Christian, these truths of abiding in Him, abiding in His love and in His Word are becoming more and  more dear and real, all by God's hand and His grace. What a blessing to be holding the very living WORD of GOD in our hands!

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:2,3

I don't know if you can see this, but as Mom and I were sitting outside yesterday we noticed this clump of daises which I'd dug up from growing very close to the front of the house. I had intended to stick them in a hole somewhere else but had not gotten to it yet. Though then only tight buds, here they are, in full bloom...persevering where they were plopped. It reminds me of the above verse from James 1. When preaching through this book, our pastor explained that these "divers temptations" that we fall into are when we are set down into a certain situation that we find "all around us".  

Around here lately:

On these past two hot days, Mom and I spent the early mornings outside as long as we could stand it, then moved in to finish up the rhubarb that our generous neighbor shared with us!! Thank you, Helen!

The last cool break before heading inside.

I hope your week is productive and that you can beat the heat somehow. I still have people coming to the post office window saying, "well, at least it's not SNOW!" You know it was a long Winter when we are still talking about that snow in July. Thanks for stopping by the Hill today.

An Evening on the Water

A couple of weeks ago we realized that this is Syd's mother and her husband Bob's 15th wedding anniversary. Not many people would think that 15 is a milestone that merits a party, but when the two people are 75 and 78 years old, it really does. Knowing that we didn't have nearly enough time to plan a party, we looked into a very special place to eat, the Dinner Cruise. It has rained for the past two or three days but weather reports said that yesterday it would likely be clearing by noon. It was still sprinkling as we drove down to pick Mom and Bob up, and really until we reached the lake. Though we had kept it a secret, as we pulled into the harbor, Bob said that this is where they had come for dinner on their way to their honeymoon. That was a surprise and it made us very happy that they could return 15 years later. About 1/2 hour before we boarded the sun came out so nice and the skies really cleared. It was a beautiful afternoon and evening!

Yes, Mom was really having fun. I had just said, "hey guys!" and I caught her by surprise

You hit the borders of at least three towns while on this cruise. Of course the captain tells you what township you're entering and the names of all the harbors. This little island has been owned by one family for several generations. Many of the cottages have interesting stories.

We left dock at 6:30 p.m and returned right around 9:00. It was a memorable night and we were especially happy that they had a happy 15th anniversary. Both Mom and Bob's spouses passed away and the two of them got together after being alone for 5-15 years. Mom is careful to tell people this, as I heard her do so on at least two occasions last night. We had about 18 people on the upper deck (I'm not sure how many were below) and 6 or 7 couples on the cruise who were sharing anniversaries. It was fun and we're sorry that we didn't get a group picture.

Joy Cometh in the Morning

The rains have surely been plentiful! It makes me pray for those who may be going through low times in their lives right now. We can certainly claim the promise that, "Joy cometh in the morning", from Psalm 30. I think of those who have lost their closest loved one, as we know many these days. I pray that they just remember that the sun will come out again.

Last night on our way to church, Mom listened to us as we rejoiced in the rain that is replenishing our dug well. She patiently responded with, "Yes I'm sure there are many who have dug wells that are glad for this rain." This is when the thought struck me, two or three days of rain are harder for those who are physically alone. It reminded me to pray for them more.

Christians, those who have taken Jesus as their Savior from sin, have an even surer hope. The Lord will snatch us up to meet Him in the air, perhaps today! We will ever be with the Lord. In the meantime, if it is not today, the sun will come out again!

I'm looking forward to the sunshine this afternoon too. In the meantime, Lord, help me to remember your promises.

Planting and Showers

I love it when it sprinkles while you're planting stuff! My neighbor, Deborah, asked me to stop up and divide some of her hostas, which are PLENTIFUL on the shady side of her garage. They're HUGE!
I took Syd's truck over, divided several, loaded them in and even helped myself to some composted manure that she said that she no longer needed. What a blessing!

In front of our house gets afternoon shade, so I thought they should do pretty well here.
As you can see, an unruly paper mache (spelling?) chicken has invaded the garden.

I put another up on the bank, and there are still more, waiting in the wings. With the damp day I expect they'll be fine till tomorrow. Another friend, Evelyn, gave me the hens and chicks. Someday I will take a picture of her stump that is just OVERLOADED with them.

The bank still looks quite wild, especially due to the strawberries that are plentiful (and I hope, fruitful this  year). I've never had a gerbera daisy actually bloom while planted in the ground. I was happy that this one to the right is doing well. I'm enjoying the flowers on the bank more than I did the veggies that we'd had in the past. We moved those to where they'll be getting more afternoon sun now.

We have no idea where this kitty came from. He/she (I hope it's a "she") sits on our log below the house and doesn't seem to be bothered by us. The neighbor said that it was on her porch the other night, talking to her.

And then there's Ruger and all the burdock. Anyone want to dig burdock root? We have lots!

Sturm keeps his eye on everything too

We hope you are all having a wonderful week. Thanks for stopping by Darling Hill.

A Joy-ful Week

We had a nice weekend and now are enjoying a good start to the week. I hope you all are too.

Syd smoked a pork roast...oh the smoky smell and great TASTE!

...some of this was for us to enjoy with company, some to share with neighbors.

Syd's been keeping his eye out for a mower deck to go on his tractor. The Lord opened one up, and very reasonably priced too!

Mom's property was in BAD need of mowing - haying really! We are praising the Lord for this blessing.

Our friends, Denny and Dottie, came for a visit. Here they are with Mom, Ruger taking in the view (actually looking for squirrels, of course)

Syd has taken the week off, his first in quite a few years. Very exciting for getting things done around Darling Hill. I love just having him around.

Syd bought boards (shiplap, but he'll be putting them up like clapboards). Eventually I'll post before and after shots of the gable ends of the house)

Syd's first day off was spent entirely on brush-hogging (but all by hand, using a trimmer with saw blade) down behind our house - phew! then mowing the top of Darling Hill.

Such a blessing was in God's Word this morning reading the section in the gospels describing our vital relationship of abiding in the Vine in order for us, the branches to bear fruit. Verse 5 says that if we are truly abiding, we WILL bear fruit, much fruit. It is amazing that our minds can become so self centered that we could think that we humans could just bear this fruit by effort. Impossible. If we could get our hearts always wrapped around the fact that the Lord does the work, what a transformation that could be in our Christian lives. "If ye abide...and God's words abide...continue ye in my love" (the same love that the Father has for the Son, the Son has for us) "keep my commandments"...these all the result of abiding. 

The last verse in this section hit me, "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full." In the past I've focused on this portion of Scripture having been given so that we'll "abide", yes, then get out there and bear that fruit!  I'm glad that the Lord never gives up on us.

It is a rich blessing to continue learning that God does the fruit-bearing and would stoop to using vessels such as us; but obedient vessels only. Oh, by God's grace, may I learn these lessons.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

John 15:4, 11

Testing, Time & Tenacity

The three chairs (a winter project) that sat in the living room all Winter are done and headed out the door. I started out with an inferior cane which kept breaking. It didn't matter if it was dry or soaking wet, it broke when tugged on very hard. With the new cane, woven into the pattern it was designed to bear, I trust that these seats will stand the test of time. Along with the seat I included a sheet that gave instructions on how to keep a caned seat in good shape for years to come. It read (to this effect), "once or twice per year, spray the underside of your caned seat thoroughly with water and leaving it upside down (therefore, the seat not bearing any weight), allow to dry completely for 24 hours. This done, especially for the first five years of its life, should lengthen its life and allow it to stand the test of time."

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 

I Peter 5:6-10

We all know people, Christians as well as those who do not yet know the Lord Jesus, who are going through sufferings. As I read from I Peter this morning my heart and mind were jogged to remember those who are enduring hardship right now. I used to believe the Christian myth, that believers will be spared from suffering. We endure the same afflictions as the world. God has a purpose for you and I to suffer. He has his reasons for our sufferings. Since I am a believer though, I have this great assurance...He cares for me! I can simply cast my care upon Him!

If you would remember a couple from our town right now, Frank and Sherry, it would be so appreciated. My mother doesn't know what a testimony she was the other day when, while Sherry was sharing with her the burden of her heart; her husband, Frank, going through cancer treatments. Mom simply said, "Can we sit down right now, so that I can pray for him?" They did. Sherry went home and told Frank (who has said that he recently asked the Lord Jesus to come into his heart as Savior), he was thankful and said that he had just been praying about these things also. Sherry stopped at the Post Office to relate this all to me. Believers never know what a testimony our word and actions give. Aren't you glad? We are simply given instruction to "walk" in God's Word and let the results come from Him. For example, "Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." A command and a promise. God cannot lie! 

Mom, Mom & Me

We had a great afternoon on Saturday. It was Father's Day weekend, so Syd wanted to spend it like last year - golfing with his "Dad", Bob. Like last year, Mom V and her husband, Bob, were camping in the neighboring state. We took my Mom and all went over to visit.

Here they are, one year older and ready to head to a different golf course this year, Syd's pick. From the reports they didn't do very well, but with as little practice as each gets, it's just for fun anyway. Syd had new golf shoes this year and blames them for messing up his game (I never would have bought them for him if I'd known that!). Bob says, "I don't think it's the shoes!"

While the guys were away, we girls decided to go to a thrift store and for a little ride. Mom V was able to pick up a really NICE, heavy rag rug runner which just fit down the length of her camper, just what she was looking for. While we sat outside, snacking, I gave a call to my nephew's house - timing was just right - the twins were just getting ready to get up from their nap! Since it was right across the river, we went over.
They are 10 mos and one day here.

Great Grammy and Madison. She looks just like her Auntie, Anna here!

Madison, left and Katelyn, right.

The guys called us from the campsite, both hungry, so we headed South to get the beans & hot dogs ready. Had a nice feast and said our goodbyes. It was such a delightful afternoon!