There's something especially lovely about an arrangement of flowers fresh picked from one's own garden. . . .

Thanks to Mom, for planting her retired Easter lily in our backyard. =)

Sparrows at Springtime

What a delight it has been this spring to observe a little family of birds, nestled in the geraniums in the window box just outside our kitchen window.

I marvel at the complexity and precision of God’s design in these little birds. The more I learn about nature, the more in awe I become of God’s immense power and detailed attention manifest throughout His creation. How do the father and mother bird know what size to make their nest—something small enough to provide warmth for the eggs, but big enough to hold four rapidly-growing young? Amazing how fast those tiny babies grow! In a matter of days, they transform from eggs to scrawny fuzz balls to full-size feathered birds ready to fly on their own. I took this picture on June 3, just two days before the young birds left the nest. 

I miss peeking at them through the geranium leaves, since they flew away last week. Watching them grow over the course of the past few weeks daily encouraged my faith. This spring I needed their tangible reminder of God’s precise design and intricate care in my own life. Luke 12:6-7 puts it well. “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Back to Blogging

My, how the time flies! Amazing how a day turns into three, then a week, and before I know it two months have gone by. . . . This spring I've been trying to develop a personal routine that includes more cooking, more cleaning, and more sleeping—which has come at the expense of blogging. After such a long unintended hiatus, I have amassed quite a back-log of pictures, book reviews, etc., that I hope to eventually get around to posting. . . .

In the meantime, I'll start with photos I took today along my daily neighborhood stroll. . . .

Backyard Blooms

Check out what's blooming in our backyard! In the three years that we've lived in our current home, my mom, especially, has put a lot of effort into making a small, unattractive backyard as beautiful as possible. It makes all of us so happy to sit on our back patio and see these flowers blooming around the yard.

Spring Fashion Week Continues

Earlier this week I posted pictures of the spring fashion show taking place around my neighborhood. More and more trees are joining the party. What a delightful time of year! There's one rosebud tree, in particular, that I've been admiring every time I drive past it. This morning I decided to walk to it, to take pictures of it. Along the way, I noticed a number of other beauties too. Check out what's hot on the runway (er, blooming along the sidewalk!) today . . .

This maple sports bright green leaves—a fresh look paired with the beautiful blue sky. 

This maple is all about scale—the tree's majestic frame combined with its delicate leaves showcase the beautiful harmony of contrasting scale.

I can't get enough of this frilly, blush-pink ensemble—soft, feminine, romantic.

I'm definitely loving the the vibrant color scheme this tree pulls together. Nothing says Spring like pink, green, and blue!

This tree favors a sculpted, minimalist look. Notice its dramatic silhouette against the verdant carpet.

Unfortunately just as the magnolia trees around town were coming to their peak last week, the temperatures dropped to the point of frost, killing the blooms. This tree maintains its poise, confidently letting its browned petals dance in the sunlight.

 All-over lace, yes please! 

Another lovely color scheme—splashes of deep pink add interest to the gold-drenched hues, while the blue contrasts and balances the warm palette.

 Isn't fun to see how God adorns His creation?! Which tree is your favorite?

Springtime Trees

Don't you just love trees in the springtime?! It's like they've agreed to throw a party. And what a lovely celebration! The giants drape themselves in dainty lace, their tiny verdant leaves uncurling in the sunlight. Take a look at my neighborhood's spring fashion show going on this week. Which tree do you think wins "best dressed"?

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thankful Thursday #21! This past weekend I drove to Ohio to visit one of my old roommates, Evangeline. What a fun weekend we had together!

Vange and I, ready for another day of adventures together!

1. I'm thankful for nice driving weather. (Several times I canceled the trip because of the snowy road conditions. Finally, after months of trying to get together, we found a date that worked! Hooray!)

2. I'm thankful to live within an easy driving distance from Evangeline. (That is, when I don't get lost! Which brings me to #3 . . .). It's a quaint drive between my home and hers, that weaves through the villages and farmland.

The peaceful view from Vange's front yard.

Hyacinth blooming in Vange's front yard

3. I'm thankful to have a cell phone and family members to call, to help me figure out my way, when I find myself on the wrong highway. And I'm thankful for family members who point out that I'm on the wrong highway!

3. I'm thankful for girlfriends--both old and new. It was delightful to hang out with Vange and her mom at home on Friday night, shop with her sister-in-law and nephew on Saturday afternoon, scrapbook with her friends on Saturday afternoon, and run into another old friend of mine at church on Sunday!

Mom's Diner, downtown Archbold, OH! Photo courtesy of Evangeline Rupp

Girlfriends! Photo courtesy of Kari Ernst

4. I'm thankful for Saturdays, to shop, eat out, and scrapbook together.

5. I'm thankful for the haircut that Vange gave me. I like my new look. =)

What a special weekend! I am so blessed!

Running Early

This morning I was running a few minutes early in my morning routine. What a spontaneous luxury! On my way to school, I decided to treat myself to a mini photo-shoot of the daffodils growing in the Center for Arts parking lot...

Rains

Wow, the air conditioning is unusually noisy, I thought, as I stepped out of the meeting room into the hallway. Or am I hearing heavy rain? Strolling down the hall toward the front entrance of the church, I couldn’t distinguish the source of the “white noise.” Nearing the door, I saw several girls dart inside, drenched.

A downpour! I got giddy with excitement.

This semester I’ve been attending a weekly women’s Bible study by Beth Moore, about the book of James. It’s been a rich and very meaningful study so far. I appreciate how Beth opens the Scriptures for us women. This evening we listened to her message on DVD, titled “Between the Rains,” based on James 5. “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See [how] the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (vv. 7-8). Beth emphasized the theme of the rains, as well as that time between the rains. She explained that this recurring theme in Scripture is always tied to God’s faithfulness. She shared that the times between rains are part of the laws of harvest. In our own lives, like in the farmer’s field, when it’s dry and we don’t see anything happening, we need to be mindful that God hasn’t moved to other ground—He’s working underground. She quoted Hosea 6:3, which promises that as surely as the sun rises every morning, our rains will come.

Having been living “between the rains” for a long time now, I was deeply encouraged by Beth’s insightful message. And then to have the message validated by such a timely rainstorm at the end of the study. Wow!

Yes, Lord. You are faithful. My rains are coming!