Colors of Life

There is nothing quite like the lively colors of spring emerging from under the monotone blanket of winter cold.

I do love the crisp, fresh, winter white for a short time.  

But it stretches out for so very long and this year Spring has been creeping in oh so slowly and carefully with many cool, cloudy, blustery days surrounding the few really lovely warm ones.

But here we are! 

Enveloped in myriad shades of green...brand new leaves dancing on branches. leaving their shadows on a fresh carpet of grass below.

The blue sky arches benevolently above and fluffy white clouds scuttle overhead in the cool breezes.

Last year's gardening attempts were pretty much useless so this is my concession, a few sunflowers started on my window sill that will hopefully survive in my flower beds.  

Their eager growth and little arms reaching for the sun make me so happy.

Apparently they make God happy too. 

"May the glory of the LORD continue forever! 

The LORD takes pleasure in all he has made!"

Psalm 104:31

My birthday began rather early with a 5:00 AM global online gathering that lasted a glorious 3.5 hours and involved prayer, primarily for North Korea, communion and the lighting of a candle.

Because HE IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD... and as a result we are too, because He lives in us.

Elsie kindly kept mom at her place for an extra night so that I could spend my birthday in a more leisurely manner. 

Although the word leisurely and life with a puppy are not really compatible.

But I am having FUN!

O

Some dear friends came up to celebrate with me!

We sat somewhat distanced from each other, braving the cold wind and ate snacks and a delicious mocha cake.

It was impossible to light the candles due to the blustery conditions but we sang and indulged in spite of the wind. 

The sun was glorious!

I had lovely phone calls, text messages, a car visit with my free drink and a friend and some "face-time" with my kids to round out the day.

And today I was surprised with lovely local bag of deliciousness delivered to my front door!

A sweet birthday greeting from one of my book club ladies.

I"m glad to be alive, trusting God to fulfill His purposes in my life as I lean in and submit to His ways and endless goodness.

Passover to Resurrection!

Despite being "isolated" in the natural realm it has been a very rich season in the spirit!

There was another online gathering on Passover where many leaders prayed, repented and shared before we all took communion together.  

Thousands of us were online for over three hours but time flies when the Spirit is moving on our hearts and we are praying in agreement.  Many are believing for the angel of death to "Passover" and that the virus will lose it's power.  Prophetic words had been spoken last fall concerning this coming plague and that it would begin to diminish following Passover.  

So I'm encouraged by the many who have been fasting and praying in response to God's decree in 

2 Chronicles 7:14

I'm encouraged by the many leaders from around the world who are setting aside personal agendas and platforms to cry out with one heart and one voice to our one God & Father. 

John 17 is beginning to happen for real!

On Good Friday my prayer gals came over and we had a sweet time of sharing and prayer on the back patio while maintaining an appropriate distance from one another. 

Oh how I love these ladies and their hearts of faith, hope and love. 

Once again everyone brought their own elements so that we could finish with communion.

I heard Cori's daughter Annika was having an isolated birthday so I did a drive-by gift drop-off and let them play with the puppy.

Such sweet girls! 

The whole yard had been decorated and they were having a picnic outside for supper so there was lots of celebrating going on despite the lack of friends. 

I prepared a chicken dinner with all the fixings for Easter and Elsie brought Mom and Tante Hilda over for supper. 

It was a joyous, cozy, delicious time!

Tante Hilda had baked a big poppy seed cake for desert so we were well satisfied and full of the joy of the Lord. 

Little Winnie kept Tante Hilda thoroughly entertained.

What a blessing that there are four of us here, praying with faith, believing for miracles and standing firm until Jesus calls us home. 

It was His great desire that He would find faith on the earth when He would return! 

May it be so. 

MY SWEET COOKIE!

Something completely amazing happened up here in the middle of this social isolation.

I had said a prayer on Monday morning about getting a dog and then I rather spontaneously checked the puppy ads.  There was a newly posted one about a poodle/terrier cross pup that was available so I quickly shot off an email to inquire about it.

An hour and a half later I had this little darling in my arms.

They had people willing to travel to get the pup and someone was supposed to show up at noon to check her out, but somehow I scooped the dog at 11:45?!?

I have a feeling that if Barb hadn't been here visiting when they dropped off the pup I might not have fared so well.

When the husband mentioned that maybe I wouldn't be able to handle the pup and were there wolves out here?? the wife replied, 'no she's got help' and the deal was sealed. 

It was providential timing indeed. 

Ladybug is a little put out.

The pup, named "Cookie" when she arrived, is thrilled with Ladybug and wants to bite her face whenever she gets the chance.

This was their initial meeting out on the lawn.

Mom is happy about the new addition, and I'm happy for the extra lap to put the Cookie on when needed.

Her eyes are just lovely - one is more blue and the other more green.

And she's kind of pink somehow...

I'm always drawn to the unusual!

I think she's beautiful and I am in love!

Also, I'm kind of exhausted, but that's what comes with the territory.

I'm spending a great deal of my time outdoors trying to ensure that the bathroom business happens on the lawn and not on my carpet.

I've decided to continue her kennel training for the nights to make the potty training easier.

She has been sleeping through the nights, and the whining is getting less and less.

Such a delightful surprise.

Thanks be to God for His endless, delightful, gifts.