“An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” ~ Thoreau ~
“A blessing is a circle of light drawn around a person to protect, heal and strengthen.”
~ John O’Donohue ~
“You must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing.” ~ Andrew Jackson ~
“Almost everyone has experienced some sort of loss, perhaps the greatest is the life of a family member. There is a truth to this; you never get over it. Time wounds some of it but not all of it, so the scars will remain, but interestingly, scars are tougher than the previous skin that was there. The skin where a scar is at can take a greater force without tearing. In a similar manner, what we lose in life and what pains we suffer can be used for good. They can help us come alongside someone who’s hurting from the same thing we did. Our pain can help others. God never wastes suffering. What seems a great loss at the time can be great gain later.” ~ C. S. Lewis ~
Please pray for ~ Gladys and Jim ~ Marti and Ray ~ Dan and Leigh ~
We’ve had late March snows and are expecting more mid-week but today was wonderfully sunny, warm and absolutely perfect. Earlier this week I moved 70 bales of orchard grass hay, twice, and have paid for it ever since. Apparently, I’ve developed hay allergy and it’s been brutal. So brutal, I have laryngitis, swollen eyes and a terrible lethargic feeling that’s been a constant companion. Today, after church, I came home and took a long nap…felt wonderful and I was able to shake the slight fever I’ve had for a few days. If someone had offered me a nickle, I would have laid down in the pew and napped, that’s how rotten I was feeling. To my right, the sun streamed through the window and my poor eyes took a beating until I just gave up and kept them downcast.
Pastor Mat’s sermon was terrific and I always take notes; he’s continuing his talk on hero’s and today was quite inspirational. He asked, “What is Your Superpower?” and gave the following:
1. Spoken word – Prov 18:21, Ps 33:6 (Do we speak blessings or curses over ourselves and others? For example, do we say, “You’re an idiot” or “That was a idiotic thing to do?” It makes a HUGE difference in the way we perceive ourselves or others. As Pastor Mat said, “Say it and the ears hear it and the heart believes it.” We all do stupid things but we are not stupid. How do you talk to yourself, your spouse, your children, your friends, etc.?)
2. Praise – Ps 22:3 (Shake yourself out of a bad day…good music, uplifting talk with a good friend, read Psalms and, my favorite, I talk to the Good Lord and, yes, He answers me.)
3. Say the name of Jesus – Acts 3:6 (There’s power in the name of Jesus! I like to sing Jesus Loves Me or a little song I made up, Thank you, thank you Jesus.)
4. Live a righteous life – Job 17:9 (Live a right life before God.)
5. Be kind – Prov 16:24 (Kindness is SO lacking in this cold, mean world!)
6. Pray – James 5:16 (Trust me, if God doesn’t get tired of hearing me, you’re quite safe!)
7. Have Faith – Heb 11:32 (This, the “Faith Chapter” of the Bible is a good reminder of why we should remember. Knowing others have walked similar paths, bolsters our faith and gives us strength to carry on.)
8. LOVE – John 3:16 (God loved us so much, He sent Jesus, the Light of the World to show us the way Home.)
9. Live in Truth – 2 Cor 10:3-4 (The truth, Jesus, sets us free!)
Lately, I’ve gotten so lax about updating this blog; actually, I’m lax about all social media, e-mailing, snail mailing, telephoning…some of it has to do with so many boxes still to be unpacked. In a box, somewhere, is my address book and when I first moved, Century Link (my telephone company) told me the problem was with my telephone and I had to buy a new one. So I did, only to find out, two months later, the problem was with Century Link but they graciously gave me a $30 credit for not being able to telephone for those two months. My old telephone system had my contacts and phone numbers but without the address book or that phone system, I’ve been at loose ends. The only numbers my head contains are those of siblings and parents. I’ve missed talking with old friends and only wish they felt the same; I’ve not heard from them since I’ve moved…wonder what’s going on there? It certainly can’t be something I’ve said…chortle!
Finally found my pots and pans; I’ve been making do with one smallish pot and a soup pot. Some years back I bought a convection oven and that gets a lot of use. The box containing kitchen knives turned up as well so I’m moving closer to having an actual, usable kitchen! There’s a good chance my furniture will be delivered this coming weekend; yes, the restored furniture of the Epic Mess of January 2017!
I’m helping with family and moving closer means I’m able to help with medical appointments. Since Mom has been home from hospital, I’ve been making and delivering meals with Beloved Siblings and their spouses doing their bit; it’s been a family affair.
The animals are doing well, thank God, as am I (except for the hay allergy) and life is good. As a treat, I’ve bought Acorn TV and have enjoyed a lot of Agatha Christie and other such that I enjoy greatly. (By the way, Acorn has a special…$49 for the year…and it’s been lovely!) If those blog ‘bots don’t stop giving stupid comments, I’m going to go to comment approval (or whatever it’s called).
Sadie just told me it’s well past her bedtime and as I look at the clock, I see it’s dangerously approaching tomorrow. This is one reason I’m slow to update, it’s because it takes me so long to post. I’ve been on the computer for hours. So, I’ll leave you with a blessing…
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Gosh, I hope whatever you reacted to in the hay turns out to be something that rarely appears – or else is something your body will build up a tolerance for! Every once in a while I go through a period of itchy arms which I attribute – perhaps incorrectly – as a reaction to some plant or other that has appeared in one of the fields that grows my hay. I start wearing sleeves and gloves, but soon slack off again and take my chances.
I think it's an allergy to the actual hay…I sneeze terrifically and a LOT with a lot of nose moisture and the itchy eyes are the worst. I've resorted to eye drops for allergies and they help, for a while. Now I know what my poor brother has endured all of his life…pure misery!
Hi Sandra, I have been remiss in visiting lately. I have missed the Sabbith posts. Sorry about the hay fever, etc. Will visit more to see what is happening. Glad the animals are doing ok. Be glad when your furniture arrives and will be back to visit soon. hugs, lj
You're always welcome and it was nice visiting you. The horses insist on eating so hay allergy is going to be a constant in my life. Thankfully, it's not a bunch of other allergies!
Hi Sandra! Thanks for visiting my blog and for your offer of prayer for my future move! The details: I'm hoping to move to my daughter and son-in-law's property this summer. When their house is finished (expected to happen in June) I plan to purchase their current mobile home and move in next door to them. A tiny house is in the plans, but maybe next year. I would love prayer, especially that my son-in-law, Adam, and all involved in the building would be kept safe. Also, that the trailer would be a safe home and a good place to have visitors. I'm looking forward to it! Thanks for blessing me with your prayers! 🙂
All righty, Lisa…it's on my prayer journal list. Have you considered one of those small buildings like my studio? It was made at the company and trucked here. At less than 300 sq ft it's too small to live in but a larger one would be grand.
I have hay allergy too. It is miserable. I hope you will plant some vinca to enjoy each spring. Thankful the animals are doing ok. God bless you and your family members.
Hay allergy has been awful! I guess if I stayed away from hay, it'd get better but then the horses would be upset. lol
I wonder what price Andrew Jackson is talking about… I thought a blessing was a gift!
<3
Gretchen, I wondered that as well but thought someone else might know. Eh?
Thank you, Sandra. It's good to read your update.
Thanks Mary Katherine; I enjoy blogging but it seems life has expanded since the move. Perhaps it'll calm down when I'm unpacked.
Hi Sandra!
Oh, I am SO sorry about your hay allergy.
I'm glad your furniture is coming. You'll be all settled soon, but continue to take your time. Unpacking boxes can be reflective in the best kind of way. God be with your family and YOU!
Thanks Karen; allergy is "some better" and would improve greatly should I say out of the hay. That's not happening -grin- as the horses enjoy their calories. Thank you for your blessing, I claim and accept.
Your Sabbath posts are encouraging to those that come here, my friend. Bless you for your efforts. I'm sorry to hear you are experiencing hay fever and hope by now you are feeling much better. I also pray that your mother is doing better as well. Looking forward to more posts when you can. ♥
Thank you for your kindness, Martha Ellen. It's a snow day and the plan is to update, when I finish commenting. If Mom would stop self-medicating, she'd do a LOT better but so many folks do, don't they? It's a puzzle.
Dear Sandra, God's blessings for you and for all you do and all around you. You are a blessing of the Saviour!
Hope, your hay-allergy is away now. I know this feeling. Terrible! You had a heavenly nap. this is wonderful!
Your priest is a good man full of wisdom!
Thank you for the blessings at the end of your post!
Greetings fromthe bavarian forest!
At the TV in the last half hour was Joyce Meyer, but I did not look TV, I read SANDRA! 🙂
There is a HUGE smile on my face, Dori, and it's because of you…thank you! Take those blessings, CLAIM those blessings…they are YOURS. Yes, my priest is a good man, full of wisdom and of Jesus. I love him.
Are you covered in snow? I have about 3 inches on the ground, it's beautiful!
Sandra, reading your post is like going to the mailbox and seeing a letter from a favorite aunt. I'm always delighted to hear from you. I'm left with a warm, family feeling. Thank you!
Oh Cheryl, you are SO kind! Your comment is one held tightly against the cold winds of life; thank you so, so much. God bless you!
Lovely to read your post today. I hope your furniture arrives safely and soon.
Oh Elizabeth, hope springs eternal, doesn't it? I'm hoping for a Saturday delivery but will find out Saturday. In the meantime, I need to move furniture to get the restored stuff inside. I'd take photos except I'm ashamed to let folks know how I've been "living". -grin-
What a great post! I loved the quote by C.S. Lewis.
Glad you are doing well, and hope the hay reaction is over. Bless your heart.
You inspire me always dear Sandra.
Happy Spring ~ FlowerLady
Oh Rainey, I KNOW we'd chin wag a pound or two off should we sit with a cuppa and cookie. Keep on keeping on, Beloved, with His help.
I love your Sabbath Keeping posts.
And today I also enjoyed hearing a bit more about you and “life.”
Wishing you some success in the unpacking . . . and my oh my . . .
I am praying for your relief and freedom from the allergic reactions.
I liked this and believe it TOTALLY!
An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day." ~ Thoreau ~
I sing this to myself again and again through the day and night.
Any moment I might find a stress, worry, fret . . .
and Peace always follows . . .
“Oh the Lords been good to me . . .
And so I thank my Lord . . .
for giving me the things I need . . .
the sun and the rain and the apple seed . . .
Oh the Lords been good to me.
and then I sing it again . . . a thankful heart is a blessing.
YES Lynne, a thankful heart is a blessing…AND a gift!