Blank Pages Can Be Intimidating

Greetings from the bower on Church St.

Yes, blank pages can be intimidating sometimes.

I sat looking at this one for quite some time thinking about what to say and thinking that I don't have anything to say today. But then...

Hasn't life taken a strange turn lately? I feel like I'm in a B-rated movie at best and a nightmare on bad days. What happened to my somewhat orderly life? Oh yeah, a little, teeny, tiny virus raised its ugly head and roared the world over. Dang. Sometimes even the tiniest among us can raise such havoc! Some days it feels a little surreal, doesn't it?

I may have mentioned before, I don't remember, but I lean toward hermit tendencies so staying at home isn't such a problem for me when it's my choice. I'm finding now that I have to I can feel a mite rebellious about it. Of course I'm being a good citizen and only going out for essentials and an occasional ride in the county to keep my sanity in check. That doesn't keep me from dreaming about running away to see my children and grandchildren or my favorite aunt who lives a little over an hour away and friends still living in my hometown. I ache to see them and hug them. Share a meal or two. Shop in the stores without seeing a mask.

I am confident I will be able to again. This won't last forever, even though some days it feels like it will.

I'm finding joy and gratitude in the daffodils and hyacinth blooming my garden,
the little buds on the maples,
the blue skies,
the warm days.

Look for the joy in nature, in the earth waking from its winter slumber.
It will okay.
God is in His heaven and all will be right with the world again.

Blessings,
Deborah

The Lord Has Risen Indeed!

Hallelujah from the bower on Church St!!

Happy Easter!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC1Nvn4Bk0Y

Blessings,
Deborah

Virus Boredom Busters

Blessings from the bower on Church St.

How are you holding up? Are you finding enough to keep your mind and hands busy?

I decided it was time to do some crafts today, so I finally opened the "Bless His Name," kit. I shared the kit a few posts back. Beautiful tags and a study of the names of Jesus.

I'm putting it in a Traveler's Notebook instead of my Bible or putting the cards on a key chain of some kind like others are doing.

I covered the notebook in purple paper.

Title page.

First name in the study is Almighty.

I would appreciate your prayers for two people.
1. My 92 year old MIL, Mary took a little tumble on Saturday and has a mild sprain in her right ankle. Thank you, Lord it wasn't worse! No trip to the doctor needed or the hospital for x-rays.
2. A dear friend, Darrel found out he has intestinal cancer.
Thanking you in advance for your prayers.

Gratitude:
1. A beautiful day in the mountains
2. My family and friends are still safe and well from the virus
3. God's grace and mercy

Blessings,
Deborah

Revelation 1:8
"I am the Alpha and the Omega,"
says the Lord,
"who is, and who was,
and who is to come,
the Almighty."

A New Way of Living

Welcome from the bower on Church St.

"What day is this?"

That is the most commonly asked question in our house these days and not only by my 92 year old MIL.

I've lost my anchor. Tuesdays I'm normally at the church with my Covenant Group in the morning, lunch with the Community Lunch group at noon followed by our afternoon Christian Book Club. It's a wonderful day full of fellowship, laughter and studies. Wednesday the housekeeper/caregiver comes for four hours so hubby and I can enjoy lunch together at some restaurant in the bigger town over the hill and then do the weekly shopping. That is all gone now. My life was ordered and because I had those anchors in my week, I usually knew what day it was.

I don't like this befuddled mind I am now living with. I'm the organized one. Everything is not always in its place, but I have files in my drawers and on my computer. I know where things are and everyone else's calendar of events. I'm the go to person if you can't remember, because I've got you covered and I've got your back. Or, at least I used to be.

Tuesday nights at our house is Taco Tuesday. I only use a 1/2lb of hamburger, because MIL and I only eat one each, hubby has two and that is plenty of meat. I opened a new taco seasoning packet and dumped the whole thing in. I usually get three nights of tacos out of packet. It was way too much seasoning and tasted...not so good. Hubby just smiled at me. He understood.

I just had to share what this little invisible virus is doing to my mind. In comparison to the people out there who are sick and dying, this is nothing. No one in my family has it yet. I know I lead a blessed life and thank God everyday for it.

But I miss my life.
I miss my brain.
I'm scared for all us.
I'm grieving the tremendous loss of life this virus is causing.
Can you imagine the grieving that is happening in Italy with over 10,000 dead? If the person who died only has two relatives that is 20,000 people grieving at once! I can only imagine the gut wrenching sobbing that is happening there and in heaven.

We have a lot of introverts in our family on both sides, including myself. One of them said the other day, "I'm an introvert and I find myself wanting to hug strangers."

I've always loved the quote, "Out of everything bad, something good always happens."

There is a lot of good happening out there. Look for it. It will help your sanity.

Gratitude:
1. A sunny day with the Son
2. My family's health
3. Books to read

May the peace of Christ be always with you.
God Bless you.
Stay safe.
Deborah

Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you
and give you peace.