Signs of Spring

What joy to look out on my own back yard! I'm indoors today, due to a bout with some kind of allergy that has left me in hives from my head to my feet and a rainy day outside. It's been a great day to spring clean, putter around the house, read a book about Dalton, and look out with thanksgiving on my little plot of earth outside our windows. The gray mist that has covered the mountains as the rain stops and the fresh smells that exist only in the mountains has added to the beauty of the flowers outside. I've seen so many different kinds of birds today, as well. The Dyke's adding a fountain to our landscaping has attracted so many feathered friends to our home. Today's guests include Eastern Bluebirds (building a nest in our birdhouse), a Tufted Titmouse, several goldfinches, house finches, Mourning Doves, and a robin. I stay in a spirit of awe and thanksgiving here. "Happy" is just not an adequate word to express my heart. I'm just totally overjoyed at being alive this spring!

The Making of a Garden

Matthew Dykes is one of our Big Buddies in Murray County. When he told me he was in the landscaping business, I asked him whether he could help us in our back yard, even though it was just postage stamp size. He said that "no job is too small". I'll be documenting his work in the next few blogs. I think he's doing a great job! We could never have cleared this "bit of earth" ourselves, but we are thoroughly enjoying the fruits of Matthew's labor! Will update with the completed garden soon!

Maundy Thursday

What a glorious day today! I have been amazed by the seasons here. The spring colors in the mountains are breathtaking. And in the very midst of this celebration of Life, God placed the Passion of our Lord Jesus. His humiliation and death so that I may have Life will never cease to bring me to my knees. Went to Maundy Thursday Services tonight at Christ the King Lutheran Church. It brought my focus to the true meaning of God's Love, exemplified in His actions of servitude. May His redemption show forth in the way I live.

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

Pictures of the Coming Spring

Little Sophie and Charley have been such delightful sources of laughter. The greening of the mountains warms my soul. The Bluegrass music seems to fill the hills. What a glorious beginning of Spring!

Irish Blessings

What a beautiful weekend! From Friday Night with the local Celtic Celebration at the Art Guild...complete with Irish Ballads, jigs, corned beef and cabbage, and delightful friends. Rainy Saturday with time to read and meditate. And a glorious Palm Sunday Service followed by a long drive in the country. These are pictures of the spring, in and around our home.

Sophie

The newest addition to the Bishop clan is precious little Sophie. An Okie turned Georgia Peach. She's a Yorkie Poo and we just couldn't resist her. What a blessing!

Visit with Anna and Philip

What a lovely time with Annie and Philip this past weekend! It was worth airsickness and lost luggage. They are such wonderful hosts and their home is just beautiful! We even got to have dinner with Lindsey! Thanks Kids!

My Oh My.... What a Wonderful Day!

Plenty of sunshine headed my way.....
Even Mr. Bluebird!

Through a Glass Darkly

Verses that kept coming to my heart this morning....

The grass withers and its flower fades away, But the word of the Lord endures forever.
1 Peter 1:24-25

For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face: now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 Cor 13:12

I've been reading a novel by Michael Phillips, who so beautifully edited many of George MacDonald's writings. As happened with so many of those works, these words took root in my very heart.

"If she had known about praying then, she might have called such times praying.Some folks think praying only happens when you're in church or actually talking to God. But I'm not so sure. I think that when you're feeling the silent mysteries of the world, and feeling the tunes that God put into it for us to listen to, and when you let His creation make you happy, then that's a kind of praying, too. But that's just one old Black lady's opinion on the matter." Angels Watching over Me

These quiet morning times, when I'm surrounded by the daily displays of God's creativity and care, have been nothing less than prayer......and humble attempts at poetry that bursts into songs of praise. Yet not a word has been written nor no note sung, save in my heart. How comforting to know that God knows my heart.......