A side note...

Had to do two posts today because God is just that good! We had a final TAG (Teen Accountability Group)worship night tonight as a farewell to the school year, and I can't even explain how awesome it is to see God working RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU. Sure, some of the teens were goofing off or whatever, but then there were others- kids I pray for and dearly want to see in love with Jesus, lifting up their hands to their Creator and singing with unexpected abandon. What a blessing to me, as I worshiped with them to realize these young adults are growing, and no matter what kind of mess they might make, God is in their lives and will give them grace and love and joy, and a good ol' whoopin' when they need it too!

One of the songs we sang said that God is our living water, without Him we perish. And God just brought that truth home in such a real way to me. I planted our awesome palm tree on Saturday, and today it looks pathetic, palms all curled up, yellowing tips. I was so bummed, and then I felt the soil. I hadn't watered it enough after transplanting. DUH! I know plants need lots of H2O at transplant time, but I thought palms needed way less. Apparently not. Without water, my poor tree is going to die. Wither up, suffer, and die. And that is exactly what happens to me when I choose to turn away from the "water" that only God can give, my nourishment and my strength. Oh, God, bring that truth home to me every day, and make it real to Felida's youth. Show them your glory, Lord. Forgive me for the times I make other things more important than spending time with you, "drinking" in your words and your ways. And God, please make my palm tree live. :)

The New Editions!

Steve and I had such a blast yesterday, which has been a long time coming. We haven't been able to be alone together much, because he is off during the week while I am either working or schooling the kids, and then he works the weekend. Well, not yesterday! I asked him to go to an iris garden with me in the morning, which he actually liked (Wahoo!) and then we went to garage sales, had breakfast and found some more plants to add to the patio. He even got a palm tree- which he has been wanting but wouldn't spend the money for. So we were stoked to find one on sale at Yard and Garden for under $30, now we just need to keep it alive!


(as an FYI- if you want to plant something this big in a pot, plan to use over 2 cubic feet of dirt- yeah, that is like 60-80 pounds of the brown stuff!)

Spending time with Steve is truly one of my favorite things to do, he encourages me to "do better" and makes me laugh. I feel so blessed to get to live this adventure with him.

I have been missing my horses terribly. It makes it harder that all my friends mares are having babies, and sending me pictures, and I know my Woodie is raising her gorgeous colt. I miss China and all her sass, and it makes me sad that the girl we sold her to isn't having fun with her. I can't help wishing she was still ours- I would be riding her around right now, and I know we wouldn't have any trouble. Every sunny day is a reminder of trail rides, ground work, and the amazing smell of horse flesh. The girls would have shedded out by now (I would have groomed them bald to enjoy their new summer coats) and be glossy and breathtaking in the pasture. Ahhh, why doesn't everybody get the beauty of horses- my family in particular? :)

Oh well, enough self torture. In reality, my world has become a garden, and it is helping so much to distract my mind and ease the melancholy. I love playing with my plants and watching them grow, and it is almost as much fun to pick out a new flower for the patio as it was to buy grain and beet pulp. Almost. Flowers were specially created by my God too, and I am finding more peace in training them to grow up a trellis or down the edge of a pot then I thought possible. God is so good, when he removes one thing from our lives, he always gives something else- something GOOD.
"He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." Acts 14:17


I am thanking God for His faithfulness to me, and praying that we are all becoming more and more faithful to Him. Believe Him at His Word, my friends, and let's see what mighty things He wants to do!