Hello everyone...I'm back after a long silence! I've been busy finishing school with my children, helping a missionary family settle back into the States from Haiti, hosting church services in my home, trying to get ahead of spring weeds, enjoying my gardens both from inside the house and from the porch swing, picnicking, watching the sun set over the lake, playing King's Base with the children (both young and old :) from church, sitting in the stillness of the midnight on my porch swing talking to my Father in heaven, helping friends move into their new home in our area, sewing clothes for my family and a friend, planting and tending a vegetable garden together with my husband and children and two other families, reading good books, opening my home to a teenager in need of love and discipleship, getting my daughter ready for summer camp, reading Bible stories to my son, together with all the regular things a mom does...washing, cooking, cleaning, nurturing, and repeat process. I'm loving life and loving my Jesus and just glad to be alive and well.

I've been thinking alot lately of my own mortality and it's caused me to really think about the things I do and for what purpose? I want my life to tell for Jesus and I really want to make the most of the days  he gives me.

Flowers abound outside my windows. Gardening being one of my hobbies, it shows from April to November around here. I am at the point now where I can relax a bit and enjoy them. When it became warm enough to work outdoors, it seemed every kind of weed imaginable threatened to take over! My 9 year old daughter shares my love for flowers and she can often be seen out in the gardens, picking beautiful bouquets, decorating garden hats with blossoms, or just picking a hatful of blossoms for floating bouquets. The other day my 12 year old daughter, who is not a gardener but an animal lover, came into the house with 3 wild daisy blooms, found while she was out with her horse. It's so special when they come and say I thought of you, Mom...another day she came in with a single yellow rose. She searched for a "perfect" one to bring to her mom...Those kinds of gifts have a special spot on the windowsill at my kitchen sink where I placed a small hurricane glass for that purpose. Beside it is a wooden sign, another gift from my daughter that reads "Have I told you lately that I love you?" and my small collection of willow tree angels, all gifts from children and a friend. I enjoy putting things like that out-they hold meaning and when I glance up and they catch my eye, I remember the one who gave me that gift and it warms my heart.

The children are enjoying their freedom from books and school work. We like to put our books away for an 8 week vacation before we get them out again in August. I'm actually looking forward to starting school again, altho it's enjoyable to have a good break. I will have 3 scholars this coming year, a 1st grader, a 4th grader and a 7th grader. The older two can pretty much go ahead with their work, with Mom looking over their shoulders, giving me more time for my 1st grader.

May your summer be happy and may you seek to honor God each day that he gives you life.