Pure Joy....

4/26/13....when the grandaughter you haven't seen in 9 months arrives!

First, Lucy & Shug have tea, naturally....

...followed by a snack.... 

......and washing up our tea set! 

After the rain a little red car ride..... 

....and swinging at Ava's and playing with the doggies. 

"Say Cheese," Elmo!

And there's even a "tub" Elmo at Shug & Pop-Pop's!

Shame on you, Victoria's Secret!

4/24/13 Today's mail held a CCV newsletter with an excerpt from Evan Dolive's blog.

Victoria's Secret is launching a new line of undies aimed at middle-schoolers. Their "Bright Young Things" line will feature "lace black cheeksters with the word "WILD" on them. There's even a lace thong with the words, "Call Me" on the front. As a dad of a 3 yr. old daughter, this made him sick.

It makes me sick as well. As 18 month old Lucy's Shug, I don't want her self-worth during her adolescent years "conforming to the world"(Romans 12:2) by focusing on words emblazoned on her under panties. 

Dolive (3/22/13 & 4/4/13) put it well listing the appropriate concerns he wanted in his daughter's mind at that age....

• Should I be a doctor or a lawyer? 

• Should I take calculus my junior year? Should I go to Texas A&M or U of Texas? 

• Should I raise awareness of slave trafficking or lack of water in developing nations? 

These are questions that he hoped she would be asking, NOT will a boy (or girl) like me if I wear a "call me" thong?

VS told ABC news and W'ton Post that the focus is for their  "pink" group not just tweens. When it's about money, do you believe them? I don't. I'm trying to find the petition that parents are signing to voice their  disgust. If I find it, I'll let you know. Til then, just know that VS greed and exploitation of young women makes me sick. Shame on Victoria's Secret!

I cannot do it.....

4/22/13.....that declaration is so relevant in many new ways and situations as I age. But God.......has been my strength or has provided the answer time after time. Thus that phrase, But God, as my blog readers know, is one I often hang my emotional hat on, especially when I need encouragement or the reminder of God's sovereignty. 

Imagine my excitement this week as I found both the sentence and the phrase in one verse. Joseph was speaking to Pharaoh in regards to a dream interpretation.

I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires. (Genesis 41:16, NIV)

The underlines are mine because that's what I'm meditating on this week as I seek to tackle a new teaching assignment. I cannot do it, but God will----because He has called me to this task. Where God guides, he provides. That's what I'll be thinking on this week, how about you?

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: GOD, Creator & Gardener....

4/21/13....so evident thoroughout Blackberry Farm in Walland, TN this past week. From blooming dogwoods, abundant wildflowers and roaring creeks to wild turkeys, domesticated horses and truffle dogs, God's hand was clearly seen.

The heavens are declaring the glory of God, and their expanse shows the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1)

Truffle Dogs--15 Lagotto Romagnolo puppies awaiting their owners 

Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. (Genesis 9:3a) 

A godly man...."is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, " (Psalm 1:3)

He makes grass grow for the cattle,
    and plants for people to cultivate—
    bringing forth food from the earth: (Psalm 104:14)

He makes springs pour water into the ravines;
    it flows between the mountains. (Psalm 104:10)

And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. (Genesis 9:3)

How many are your works, Lord!
    In wisdom you made them all;
    the earth is full of your creatures. (Psalm 104:24)

I will sing to the Lord all my life;
    I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

May my meditation be pleasing to him,
    as I rejoice in the Lord. (Psalm 104:33-34)

Blackberry Bye-Bye

4/20/13 So grateful we stayed an extra day! I do so love a rainy day---when you don't have to travel.

Final breakfast treat---"pastry chef" Judy's cream crepes with strawberry, raspberry and "blackberry" sauce , of course. YUMMY!

Night light off

Bye-Bye Blackberry Farm---I'm sure gonna miss you!

ENDING MY DAY....

4/18/13 ....the BLACKBERRY way---with a Luke Bryan concert on the lawn just across the fence. Great temps. Great seats. Great music. Great fun. Great ending to the day.

Luke Bryan concert was good and I loved the drums the drummer used. (far right)

STARTING MY DAY.....

4/18/13......the BLACKBERRY way----with Chef Rick's homemade rhubarb and strawberry pie and a BIG dollop of REAL whipped cream. Add to that a cuppa, a screened porch and a cacophony of singing birds.

 

Easing into and Enjoying a Day..........

4/17/13  ....the "Blackberry" way.

Starting the day with yummy, healthy breakfast, good conversation and an abundance of laughter.

Celebrating Blackberry Farm's Master Gardner,  John Coykendall's, 70th birthday .

Ah-h-h-h those rocking chairs and that view!

BF luncheon appetizer with the BEST bleu cheese ever

Wine cellar tour at The Barn----and Doris got a box.

Farmer John and "his" visiting ladies

MOUNTAIN MAJESTY

4/16/13 A picture is worth a 1,000 words as the old adage goes.

This plaque says it all.........

....except I would swap the word lucky for blessed and add....especially if one is with 3 great friends at Blackberry Farm!

God Speaks--- "Hearing God's Voice in Creation"

4/14/13 Last week's word search on "simple" lead me to meditate on Psalm 19 which lead me to an Old Testament reminder of God speaking in a general way through creation. His fingerprints are carried throughout nature. That speaks volumes to me. God speaks through nature. Springtime has His voice singing to me. In living color! A colorful melody.....but His voice all the same. No wonder this song was written by David "for the director of music." 

The heavens declare the glory of God;
 the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4)

Mayapples covering the Greenline Trail

God also speaks through His people. As we worked all day Saturday at the Kingdom Camp, I thought of what our actions were saying to those who would enjoy the fruits of our labor. When we are the hands and feet of Jesus, His love to others speaks through us. I hope the kids who walk those trails and pathways we created will hear His voice and heed.