Obtaining Mercy

Lessons from the Storm

(Here in Florida we are enjoying the absence of Tropical Storm Debby today.  She dumped massive amounts of rain on us, and sent through some big, gusty winds for several days.  I wondered how our little garden would survive.  You can see my last update here.  After inspecting my plants today, I have come to three conclusions that are quite powerful, I think.)

 

1.)  The storm can destroy you.

 

(Our lovely cucumber that had been producing so well, stripped and broken by the high winds.)

 

2.)  The storm can cause you to grow.

 

(Our yellow pear tomato had dropped all of its tiny green tomatoes just before the storm came.  We just knew it was completely dead, and we had no idea what had killed it.  It is now literally drooping with the weight of dozens of new tomatoes that appeared during the storm.)

 

3.) Even if you've never produced anything, the storm can teach you to try something new.

 

(Our yellow heirloom tomato plant had experienced wonderful growth and dozens of blossoms, but had never produced one fruit.  Here, the day after the storm was over, is our first tomato, growing beautifully, all by itself.)

 

Are you in a storm?

Do you feel your storm is destroying you? 

I ecourage you to wrap your drooping tendrils more tightly around the strong Support that is anchored in the Word.  Drink in the waters of sorrow and allow them to feed and nourish your soul.  Brace your branches in the Lord as the winds of turmoil bend you almost to breaking, and allow God's storm to sink your roots even deeper into Him.

Then watch in amazement as HE produces fruit from the very life that you thought must certainly be dead.

There are so many lessons we can learn from God's nature. 

Let's be encouraged by the miracles that we see there...knowing that the very same God can work those miracles in our lives too!

A Garden Photo Update

 

I've been listening to an audio version of The Secret Garden; and every time I go outside to check on my plants, I hear the following refrain (by the mean children who teased little Mary):

"Mary, Mary, quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockle shells

And marigolds all in a row"

I love the way good literature seeps into your psyche, and colors your thoughts with lovely rhymes and prose and wonderful little quotes to fit some of life's more interesting moments!

So, in case you've been wondering how my garden is growning, I thought I'd let you see!!!

We moved all the plants out of doors, and that is working really well for us.  Doug was so innovative to find another "trellis" for the cucumbers when they grew taller than the one we had provided for them.

He sunk a discarded chain link gate into the ground near the house and the cucumbers had twined around by the next morning!

It was pouring when I took this picture, so sorry for the "fuzziness".

 

And here's how every little thing is growing:

Tiny, tiny baby yellow heirloom tomato plant

 

So big now, and still growing...new blossoms every day, but no tomato yet.

 

Yellow Pear Tomato

 

Pretty little tomatoes, growing nicely!

 

Pickling Cucumber

 

This will be cucumber #3 for this plant, and it has many more growing.

 

Here's the first one we picked.  It was delicious!

 

Crazy 8 Cucumber (because the cukes are supposed to reach 8 inches long.)

 

This guy is about 6.5 inches.  It is killing us to leave him out there!

 

As you can see, everything is growing very well; and we are so thankful for that! 

Other than our garden, we are all doing well.  Doug and Isaac have been to therapy twice in the new vehicle and we are so thankful for it.  Every time we drive it, we find something new to love! 

On Friday, I went for my first solo drive.  It was so easy, all the buttons, knobs and gizmos are in convenient places.  I usually hate to drive in the rain, but Tranny even made that a fun adventure. :)

 

Praying you all have a blessed weekend,

HopeFULLy,

Alesha

Whew! What a Week!

We have had such a great and busy week this week; and today my mind is tumbling and twirling with so many thoughts that I thought I'd stop by and share some of them with you.

Shall we do a Bullet Blog?  We haven't had one of those in a while, and I find those little round dots are very freeing...no need to connect the thoughts as we go along!

• We had an AMAZing Bible Conference this week.  I mean we literally had several services in-a-row where we listened to preachers preach the Bible!  There was no grand-standing.  There were no overinflated "preacher" egos.  There were no personality conflicts.  It was just GOOD BIBLE Preaching!!!  (For the record, we don't usually have all those negative things in our conferences any way.  I just wanted you to know what kind of services we really had!)
• My tomatoes and cucumbers are growing so well.  I am really pleased.  I put the lattice work in to the cucumber pots this morning, and we moved the tomatoes outside to get a little more sunshine.
• Ike's caregiver is not here today.  She is "caregiving" for her son.  He broke 3 fingers yesterday and is making all the necessary doctor's visits today.  Please pray for Nathan's fingers to heal quickly and completely.
• I am so SO weary of reading CHRISTIAN blogs with CURSE words!!!  You know, I expect it from the world, but NOT from fellow Christians.  I think this whole "being real", "being transparent" trend is just giving us excuses to live and act according to the flesh.  I know there are times when we all slip and say (or think) a "cuss" word.  However, to type that word out and proudly hit the "publish" button???  Shame on you!  You ought to know better!  It shows a lack of class and a serious lack of imagination and creativity.
• Isaac is sleeping the day away today...and has done that several times in the last few weeks.  I think he's going through a growth spurt.
• We are attending a family reunion on Saturday, and for the first time in years, I am excited to cook for it --- because of PINTEREST!!!  There are just so many easy recipes that it makes it really fun to pick out a few things to try.
• Next Tuesday I will be posting a "Do Over Challenge" post on my jewelry blog.  I am looking forward to that!  I re-made the necklace that was sent to me a couple of weeks ago, and have already worn it twice!  Now I just have to discipline myself to take some pictures for my post!  I'm looking forward to seeing what the other jewelry bloggers have done with their "do over" pieces!
• My cousin Joy, of Case Crossings, had her baby girl on Monday!  We are all so excited about her.  Joy and her husband like to "meet" their babies before deciding on a name, so we have called her "Tadpole" for months.  It was very difficult for 3-year-old Josiah to accept that his baby sister is now called "Joanna"! LOL!  Hopefully, he will pick up on it quickly, as he hears other people say it! :)

Yep, we've had a fun and busy week!  So now, I'd best get up from here and see what I can get accomplished!

HopeFULLy,

Alesha Kay

What a Wonderful Weekend

Managing My Monday - Ike and I are hanging out by ourselves this morning.  Julie is not feeling well today.  I did manage to get all of his dvds back in their jackets and videos rewound and on the shelf.  That's something that Daddy doesn't manage to keep up with on the weekend, and it is no problem to do them on Monday morning. :)

We had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday together yesterday.  As I stood up in the choir and looked out at the church congregation, in their spring-colored clothing, singing "I serve a RISEN Saviour.  He's in the world today!  I know that He is living, whatever men may say, " it seemed to be the happiest holiday ever!!!

Really, it is a day of such victory, such triumph, such incredible sacrifice ending in Christ's resurrection.  How can we not LOVE the celebration of all of that?!

Of course, I also indulged a bit over the weekend in my favorite Easter candy eeeeever - Robin's eggs.

We didn't get any pictures yesterday.  We were focused on the basics - all of us getting to church together. :)  So some of the fun extras were dropped; but we had a good day!  The weather here was just gorgeous!  Ike and Doug spent some time out on the front porch while I was at church for the evening service.  They were able to listen to the service on the radio out there. :)

I do have a pic of our newly planted veggies, though!  Our friend, Mike, potted some plants for us and Doug brought them home last Tuesday.  I am trying really hard not to kill them! ;)

 

 

From left to right these are Yellow Brandywine Tomato, Yellow Pear Tomato, Boston Pickling Cucumber and Straight Eight Cucumber.  He also sent this little pot of Basil.

 

 

They are on my front porch, but are getting plenty of sunshine and fresh air.  This is really an experiment of sorts, to see if I can grow things on this porch.  We do have bamboo stakes and a mesh that is used for gutters that we'll be inserting into the pots for the cukes.  The tomatoes are a determinite variety and will not need to be staked.

I just got an email from him, reminding me that these will need to be pollenated, since they aren't outside to get the help from the bees.  I'll be researching that to see what needs to be done.  If you are knowledgeable about this process, I sure would appreciate some advice or perhaps a web site that might help.

Well, I have several more things listed on my "To Do" list on my phone for today, so I'd best get busy!

Wishing you a happy week,

Alesha

 

 

It's the Little Things that Make Me Smile

 

I really think she needs a name, too.  Any suggestions???

Foto Friday - Macro Vision

 

I'm trying to learn how to use the "macro" setting on my camera.

 

Hmmm...seems like my focus is a bit skewed,

Sorta like my internal focus sometimes...

Only seeing clearly the dried, dying, ugly parts of my life...

Somehow overlooking the new, vibrant bits of color that are popping up all over.

I need to appreciate the new growth, the new beauty...

Inspite of the barren background.

What are you focused on today?

Blessings to you,

Alesha

Drilling for... Juice?

I've been spending some time outdoors each morning, when I take the dogs out for their morning exercise.  We've had some absolutely beautiful weather, and I'm trying to enjoy it while it lasts.

The last few days, along with Kepler, I've had another friend join me in the backyard.  Can you see him?

He's a cute little red-headed woodpecker!

Some days he fusses at us, but other days he has a little breakfast while we watch.

I had no idea that they drilled right into the fruit!

He was not bashful at all, as he enjoyed his daily dose of vitamin C!

I was talking with my dad today about growing some vegetables in the backyard this spring. 

I sure hope our little friend will not be peck-peck-pecking into my tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers!!!

Hmmm...I might need to do a little "googling" about what woodpeckers eat and then we could plant something especially for him.

Do you plan to do any gardening this spring?  Have you started your preparations yet?  I'd love to hear what you have planned!

Blessings,

Alesha

 

Bloomin' Idiot?

 

I had this thought today:

If we want to bloom for Christ...we will.

It matters not the position in the garden,

the nutrients of the soil, 

the loveliness of the container,

the adoration of the crowd,

the heritage of the seeds,

the salubriousness of the climate.

If a plant decides to grow and blossom and thrive, it just does.

Are you blooming for Him today?

If not, why not?

"For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground..." ~Isaiah 53:2

If you want to be a gorgeous, blossoming, thriving Christian, then just decide that you will be; and go to the Master Gardener for your every need.

"For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody."~Isaiah 51:3

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."~Phillipians 4:19

Bloom on, my friend!

Alesha

The Weekend Harvest

I just barely got the tractor back in the barn before the big rains hit!  It was a bumper crop, I tell ya!

: )

Did you know...? (Fun Food Facts)

...green peppers are actually unripened red or yellow peppers?  They should mainly be used for cooking.  Red and yellow peppers are sweeter and taste better in salads.  If you are picking green peppers, pick the ones with red streaks as they will be sweeter.

...when celery is too green, it tends to be bitter; but if it's too white, the nutrient value is low.  Try to pick stalks that are in between.

...asparagus becomes tougher the longer it sits.  For the best flavor consume within a few hours of picking. 

...cucumbers are technically a fruit, as are avocados and tomatoes.

...summer squash - including yellow crookneck and zucchini - are interchangeable in recipes.

...avocados should yield slightly to gentle pressure when ripe.  Store unripe avocados in a closed paper bag on the counter.  When ripened, remove from bag and refrigerate immediately.

...the sweeter the carrot, the higher its nutritional content.

...cauliflower is known for its cancer-fighting properties.

...bananas are not ripe until all the green has disappeared and speckles begin to appear on the skin.

...green grape stems indicate fresh grapes, while those that are old will be dark.

...a well-ripened mango will be multi-colored and aromatic, and will yield to pressure, but not be mushy.

...the best way to choose a cantaloupe is by smell.   Also when ripe, the end of the cantaloupe opposite the stem should be soft and yield to gentle pressure.

...pineapples do not ripen after they have been picked - they only rot.

All Fun Food Facts taken from Recipes for Life from God's Garden by Rhonda J. Malkmus.