Gerber Daisy

Today's Joy: Height of the Growing Season.
It's hot today, Reader. You can feel it in the air when you step outside--that heavy, wall of humidity. We're about to hit the dog days of summer. So, before it gets so hot I can't stand myself, I'm taking a good look around at the lush, summer landscape. The evenings are still cool. The Japanese beetles have yet to emerge from the ground to devour our roses. The grass is still vivid, emerald green.

Hard to believe spring is already over and this past week marked the longest days of the year. It's all shorter from here! But that's okay too. Just part of the life cycle. Season to season, we ebb and flow and move with the rhythm of the earth as our little planet circles the sun. Such a precious gift, life. To be blessed enough to live in the safest country in the world, with the best medical care and opportunities available, and where we are free to make our own choices and live as we wish is simply amazing. The odds of that happening randomly are staggering. Just something to keep in mind when you're feeling a little mistreated by life.

Here are a few lush summer photos I took in the garden this afternoon. Doesn't God do good work?


Bunny Ballerina Planter


Foxtail

Pink Gerber Daisies

Bunny's Boyfriend

More Foxtails

Can I please just sleep now?

Today's Joy: Bedtime.

Reader, after working shifts at both jobs Friday (and squeezing a much-needed hair appointment in between), I was POOPED! I came home and caught up with all the homefront news but then it was off to bed. Never underestimate the combined power of a down featherbed, comfy pillow and orange tiger cat purring beside you. I was dead to the world in seconds. Slept so soundly, in fact, that I completely missed the horrendously loud thunderstorms that woke up everyone else I know for miles around.

What can I say? Few things come between me and my eight hours of zzzz's. Thank you, Lord, for watching over peaceful dreams!

Hanging On

Today's Joy: Tenacity.

A big day at the new job, Reader. I was turned loose on the inventory system and started applying all the new skills I've learned. It only took 5 minutes before I was knee-deep in invoicing questions. Fortunately there are a plethora of people to answer my queries. Asking was a great opportunity to get to know my team better. Bless their hearts, they answered every annoying question and we laughed quite a bit. I stayed a few hours late to finish some work and was all in but the shoe strings by the time I left. Tomorrow will be another day of firsts as I tackle the weekly store reports on my own.

I really love the fact that in this position I have to be on my toes all day long. It's a refreshing change from the monotony of retail sales. Plus it's interesting to see this side of the inventory equation. There were a couple moments today when I felt in over my head, but then I'd learn something new and everything somehow fell into place again. Whenever I felt a little panicky, I took a deep breath and thought, God, you put me in this position for a reason and in order to do whatever it is you have in mind, I need to figure out how to do _________. Sure enough, the answer would come. It pays to be tenacious!

What are you tenacious about, Reader? What gets you fired up enough to throw your best at it everyday?

Phalaenopsis Orchids, Platthill Nursery, Algonquin, IL

Today's Joy: Being A New Creation.

I shot the above photo earlier this week while shopping at a few local plant nurseries with Aunt & Aunt Chef. It's fresh new-ness seems indicative of how I feel today, Reader. You know I love Orchids for their incredible diversity, originality and the longevity of their quirky blossoms. All characteristics I admire. They are a fascinating part of Creation.

Well, I was driving home after another day at my new job and it hit me. I too am a new creation. It wasn't until I really gave my life over to God these last months that I let go of where I thought I should be in this life. Now, it doesn't matter if I meet everyone else's definition of success. I know He has a plan for me and it's certainly better than the flimsy failures I've been coming up with. I made a commitment to follow His lead and my life path began to change literally that day.

And now, here I am, feeling so amazingly grateful and peaceful, with a wonderful new job that challenges me everyday, a blossoming community of fellowship at a new church and with my personal relationships stronger than they've ever been. Unbelievable. Inviting God into my heart was a choice. I had exhausted all my earthly options. Nothing was filling that void of inadequacy I had inside. I needed something bigger than my flawed attempts to 'be someone'. When I finally realized that, I asked out loud for help. I asked out loud for proof that He was really there and that this love I was hearing so much about was real. Then I admitted my flaws and asked for forgiveness for the things I've done that have hurt others. I asked God to come into my heart and that immediately began to change my perspective. Once I wanted that connection with Him earnestly, all the the things I'd been chasing for so many years began to happen naturally.

I know that life is far from perfect. I know that there are many difficult challenges ahead. There will be pain and sorrow and things that don't make any sense to me at the time. I also now know that I don't have to be afraid of what might happen. Whatever lies ahead, God has more than enough strength to get me through. And I believe that whatever happens He will use for good. Tragedy does not defeat us. It can't undo the love we know and give. Fear and pain are not the boss of us. Big stuff, this inner-transformation.

The gang's all here: (left to right) Mom, Brother, Cousin, Aunt, Norma, Todd, Julie, Aunt Chef, Jamie & Uncle.

Today's Joy: Celebrating.
Happy Tuesday, Reader. Today was a special milestone birthday for Aunt. As one does not reveal a lady's age, we'll just say it was important that we 'do it up right'. She requested a gathering of friends and family at Cabana Charley's in Sycamore, a crazy-fun tiki bar crossed with a sports bar and Caribbean cheeseburger joint. It's the sort of place Kenny Chesney & Jimmy Buffett might open, if they ever went into the restaurant business together.

What a great evening! We all had a wonderful time laughing and relaxing. Mom, Brother & Uncle all tried fried alligator tail for the first time and liked it! Tastes like chicken, Uncle said.

While I don't often have a drink, I did succumb to the charms of the $6 bucket (see the Shipwreck pictured below) and something wonderful called a Swing Wam Cherry Bomb (also below). Both were fruity deliciousness. I love these evenings when we get the usual cast of characters together and all try something new. You never quite know what will happen, but whatever it is, it'll be darn funny.

After we had our fill, the waitress presented Aunt with a decadent birthday dessert which was quickly passed around the table. All agreed it was a most enjoyable birthday. Here, for your enjoyment, Reader, are some favorite highlights:


Having a ball!


Swing Wam Cherry Bomb

Birthday Girl

Crawfish Etouffee

Somebody's fabulous!

Umbrella Girl

Shipwreck

What's inside?

Freshly Showered

Birthday Dessert

Fried Grouper Sandwich

Mmmm, oranges...

Verigated Leaves

Today's Joy: Hard Work Paying Off.

Well, Reader. Today marks the end of Week 2 of my No Grumbling, No Complaining Challenge. In some ways it was harder than Week 1. But I'm grateful for the test of my resolve. The more of a habit it becomes, the easier it will be to stay aware of how my words and actions impact others. I already feel so much more positive and proud of myself for finding opportunities to lift others up, rather than lament the things that aren't perfect in my life.

Today was also my last day of farm-sitting. My cat will be very glad to see I'm actually sleeping at home tonight. It will also be nice to sleep in my own bed. That being said, I really came to enjoy doing chores every day. Taking care of the critters and cleaning stalls became a familiar rhythm. It even turned into time spent with God, once I found the barn radio and got it tuned in to K-Love.

I love infusing God into little moments during the day. After all, He wants a living relationship with us. That means going beyond attending Sunday service and prayers before bedtime. It means sharing our thoughts and concerns, joys and disappointments with Him as we go about our day. It means being focused on that love throughout the day--and how we can demonstrate it. What a difference it makes when all of your actions originate from a place of peace and fulfillment. Makes life a lot less frustrating too. Give it a try, Reader. See how an attitude of loving compassion changes your interactions with people this week. You might be surprised...

Golden Spiria

Today's Joy: Doing Good Things For Others.

I love it, Reader, when the lessons we learn at church on Sunday morning about God and giving and loving one another spill over into the rest of the day. Today's message was the third installment of Dave Ramsey's video series on biblical finance. It was about giving and the power inherent in wise & thoughtful stewardship of the resources God has placed in our care.

The gist is this: no matter how you slice it, everything belongs to God. The earth, the animals, us, all of our talents and resources--we don't truly own any of it. Everything we have is on loan from God. He has lent us gifts, skills, funds and the breath in our bodies to complete his work. So, in not managing our money and resources properly, we are, in essence, misusing what God has provided. We are not being good stewards.

That is powerful stuff. If it all belongs to God, who are we to deny giving? Who are we to choose not to help others--when He has clearly given us the means to do so? And how could we ever manage His resources effectively if every month we have to choose between paying bills or feeding our families? I keep thinking about the difference I could make in the lives around me if only I didn't have debt hanging over my head. Oh, the ways I could serve if I weren't living paycheck to paycheck!

I left the service this morning and went directly to Mom's house to help her remove the ancient evergreen bushes from her front yard. After attempting to pull them out via truck-power, we resorted to sawing off the limbs and then digging out the stumps. God took pity on our poor, out-of-shape bodies and sent us Joel, the neighbor across the street. A stone mason and very kind soul, he spent the rest of the morning helping us dig out all 9 thick-rooted bushes. In return, he asked only that we help if he ever has a project that needs doing. Tomorrow, I will also bake him some cookies.

It was so inspiring to see this man out there in the sun, sweating and wrestling those bushes out of the ground for people he doesn't even know. What a blessing he was to us.

In the afternoon, we took all the project refuse out to the burn pile at our family farm. While there, I helped Aunt Chef prep some window boxes for her lovely flowers. The family seemed tired from working on the farm all day so I also volunteered to make dinner for everyone. Whipped up grilled chicken with a special marinade and my favorite homemade mac & cheese. It was a simple way to give and gave me great pleasure in the process.

Today was full of hard work, sunburn and big revelations. I wouldn't have missed it for anything. Hope this gets your neurons firing, Reader. How can you be a better steward of the gifts and assets that God has provided in your life? What could you do if you weren't hampered by financial constraints?