Trees and Humans

On our 52nd Anniversary Joel and I went on a little jaunt to our favorite area by the lake not too many miles from our micro-city.  In a normal world, we would have probably gone to our favorite little coffee shop where Joel would sip a specialized coffee while I enjoyed a 100% fruit smoothie.  If we were really rebellious we would buy one of their large cinnamon rolls to split.  That was before coronavirus.  Our world has changed in so many ways, so on the morning of our anniversary we took our own drinks from home and headed west.

As we sat by the lake watching both humans and nature out on the water, I noticed a large tree in our vision. I love trees in every season.  There is nothing more beautiful than a tree dressed in it's finest during the summer months.  And then when fall brings my favorite colors?  Amazing.  And there is also a sense of pure beauty when a leafless tree continues to spread its arms into the gray winter sky.  The contrast of light and dark holds it's own gift.  And so does a tree in Spring when it begins again to release new life.  Trees are one of God's greatest creations.

This tree, on this morning brought to mind how important it is for all of us to have deep roots of faith to walk through all the seasons of our lives.  Those roots help us grow strong, stand firm, and become all God has for us to be, just like this tree.

Yes, there is so much to learn from trees. Planted in good soil they grow strong, they live long.  They flourish.  They serve a purpose. The earth would not survive very long without them!  I'm thinking God knew what he was doing when He created such a wide and beautiful variety of trees.

In some ways we can be compared to trees.  We, too, need to be nourished in order to flourish...... through God's Word, through prayer, in worship and praise, by the wisdom and teachings of others, staying close to God.  Feeding our souls certainly gives us strong roots and those strong roots enable us to open our hearts to others giving us purpose.  You know, maybe God knew what He was doing when He created humans too!

 I am so thankful for trees.........and most of the time I am thankful for humans too. (ha-ha) At this time, in this season it is good to remember that not only are the trees God created meant to give Him glory. but so are we.

"Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31

Where's Your Happy Place?

Do you have a "happy place" that you retreat to where your surroundings bring about deep sighs and upturned corners in a smile?

Our oldest daughter and her family have a lake cabin amidst the trees and water in the middle of WI where they love to go year round.  Their "happy place".

I believe that our friends have a happy place they are living in as full time RV'ers.  They call Arizona home in the winter and travel to new places, experiencing new adventures the rest of the year.  Whether they are relaxing at a beach or giving of their time serving as volunteers where needed, they can return home each evening to their happy place.  They take it with them wherever they go!

In our younger married years we moved so often, our happy place was defined by those we were with....our family.  And I can't help but think that in this season of my life Joel is my happy place!

Our middle child lives in the country with her family, surrounded by the land they farm and decades of family history surrounding them.  I believe they have created a happy place space for themselves there.  I love to sit on their front porch and enjoy the quiet in the early morning hours.  As I have shared before, peace permeates the air there and relaxes me.

Pondering the many different kinds of happy places, I cannot help but question where ours would be now.  Would we want an RV to travel around in, or a lake home that would call us for weekends and vacations?  Would we love a front porch in the country where cars are scarce and fields are not?  Just where would our happy place be?

When Joel was young the outdoors was his happy place.  He enjoyed the woods and lakes of MN where he grew up.  When I was around 10 I lived with my mom in a small apt at the front of a house.  My bed was the living room sofa, but there was a larger closet/storage room upstairs with a window where the sun would come in.  I used to love to be in there, playing with my dolls or reading.  A small cozy warm place where I felt safe and happy. I still enjoy small rooms that have a cozy feel, and Joel still enjoys being outside in nature.

Neither of us are particularly eager for a lake home in the woods.........nor anxious to be full time RV'ers.  And it does not seem practical to have a country home as we look ahead to our senior years. Still, a "happy place" sounds so inviting. I told Joel maybe we need a home where we love it so much that we don't want to leave it for a cabin or RV.  Is that even possible?  I expect so.

So, again, I ask the question, "Do you have a happy place you retreat to where your surroundings bring about deep sighs and upturned corners into a smile?"  And I ask yet another....."Do you live in that place and call it home, or do you find it in someone you love?"  Happy places come in all shapes and sizes, and so many different places. Where is your happy place?

Saturday's Scribbles: Missing Minnesota

Good Saturday morning to you from our corner of Iowa where we woke up to 34 degrees.  Joel had tucked away our flowers in pots just in case frost came to call.  It did come calling, on the rooftops but not the ground.  It is almost time to take out my "Woolie" ~ that wool comforter is all I need to keep me warm on cold nights.  Too much for Joel, but a warm cocoon for me!  

We celebrate quite a few birthdays and two anniversaries in the fall.  Our oldest was married in Duluth at the church of her husband's parents.  It was a beautiful, warm fall day and a wonderful celebration.  Duluth was our home from 1972-74 while Joel forecast weather for Air Force pilots.  Lake Superior holds it's own beauty....so vast......with rocky shores and strong waves and chilly winds.  And 23 years after we left that place Bethany and Kevin said their vows in Duluth.  They never knew each other as kids, but God brought them together as adults. They both love the area and visit when they can.  Our oldest son and his wife were married in the fall, too.  On a beautiful fall day in a stunning chapel on the college campus in southern Mn. where they met.  Another relationship orchestrated by God.  In fact four of our children were married in Minnesota..........two raise their families there.  Just like our Lutheran heritage, our Minnesota roots run deep.

Today I am missing Minnesota.........our home state.  Joel was born and raised in the same place, Fergus Falls.  We will be buried there in the cemetery right next to his country church.  I was born in Washington, lived too many places, but spent the longest amount of time in Austin MN, graduating from there.  When you are military, you have a home state and it has stayed that way for us while in ministry, too.  We have lived in northern Iowa for 22 years now, but Minnesota is where we are from.  When we were in CA we would tell people we lived in Iowa but people would almost always mix it up with Idaho!  It was like Iowa did not exist.  I started telling people we were from Minnesota, but lived in Iowa now and that seemed to resonate in their brains.  Crazy.  

"I'm From Minnesota"

Yes, in the Midwest we call casseroles "hot dishes".  We call soda "Pop".  We don't turn our furnaces on until the end of October no matter how cold it gets.  Winter lasts longer and is colder than cold.  And our Minnesota accent hangs around even after years away.  Or so I am told.  When we were in the military, we often would be asked if we were from Canada ~ I way we said certain words. I guess... And of course Fall displays Minnesota's best in nature.  Although having 10,000 lakes makes summer good, too.  This song pretty much says it all!  Joel and I laugh every time we listen to it!

Yeah, today I am missing my family, missing Minnesota and all it has to offer.  It is not perfect, but it certainly holds a place in my heart and more memories than I can count.  

Our Resident Wrens

We have Wrens who are residents of our backyard and the two houses we have up in the trees.  They first created a nest in the house located at the end of our deck, then when those baby birds "flew the nest" they moved over to the other birdhouse and built a new nest.  It has been fun to watch them on their journey.  We love listening to their songs too......they seem to be a happy couple!

We have laughed often as they chase away anyone and anything that gets near.  We once saw a squirrel running up and down and all around our big locust tree and then realized the wren couple were chasing him and he was trying to escape their wrath.  The same thing happened with a crow that came to visit with the hope of snatching an egg or two.  It was driven off by the parents as they fought to protect their offspring from a bird that was 20 times the size of themselves.  They are amazing little birds.

I could not help but think about our family that came for our 50th celebration.  We enjoyed having them here for 3 nights and 4 days....longer than most visits.   It was hard to have them go.  They are definitely grown and "left the nest" with our youngest being 32 years of age.  They have their own busy lives and we are always thankful when we get to spend time with them.  Our oldest son has said to me often, "You raised us to be independent, capable, people, going out into the world to make our own way............and now we have all done that.  And there is sadness for you in that too, because none of us live nearby. "  So true.  So very true.

Like those wrens that visit us every year, we, too, did what we could to protect our children.  We raised them in a  Christian home, fed them well, loved them deeply.  We made plenty of mistakes, but our children have turned out well in spite of and because of us.  They each walk their own journey.  We are very proud of our children and their families.  They are good people, and do life well.  Of course they have their ups and downs, their challenges and hardships, but they know to rely on God.  Their faith sees them through. 

And now they are seeing their own children grow up and leave the nest.  Watching them find their way, and stepping back to let them "fly away" into their own future.  Not an easy thing to do, but necessary.

And here we are, finding ourselves in the autumn season of our lives.  So grateful to be here to celebrate each new day, but pondering our future and God's plan for us.  Our grands are growing up, our children are well settled with some coming close to 50.  My goodness, when did that happen"!   How often our prayers are about them, for their protection, their success, their health.  With gratefulness of course.

I wish our Wren families well as they nest, raise and teach their little ones to leave the nest.  I wish our children well as they nest, raise and teach their own children to be adults who one day leave the nest.  It is an amazing journey filled with mostly joy and always God's presence.  Be proud of them.  We are. 

Saturday's Scribbles: "Forest Therapy"

Appalachian Trail

While watching CBS Morning news, I saw a segment on what is called "Forest Therapy" .  It described people who take guided walking tours into the woods, to sit in the silence and alleviate stress. This form of therapy is based on a Japanese study that revealed how important it is for people to stay in touch with nature.  In Japan it is called "forest bathing".  The study stated that chemicals released by trees, foliage, etc. actually releases stress in our bodies.  Amazing.

The past couple of days we have been able to have the doors and windows open, and as I enjoyed the solitude, I could not help but hear our resident wren serenade us from her wren house Joel has hanging from the tree in our backyard.  As I listened to her song, I also noticed the wind blowing through our Maple.  It made me smile.  Wind, trees, and wrens.  A nice way to de-stress from any distress.

When Joel rides bike he loves to ride where he can take in the smells, sounds, and sights of nature.  The greens are so vivid during spring and summer in Iowa, and earthy smells come from the planted fields.   Nature has always been a place where God speaks to him.

It does not surprise me that a scientific study is telling us that nature itself releases chemicals to help people relax and be still.  As Creator God formed all this beauty, He had a plan and purpose for everything.  Isn't it just like our loving God to use nature to help His people.  I love it.

I miss being out in nature.  I am not brave enough to walk where ticks trod...........and I have to avoid the sun right now due to the vit. D drama and other things.  But where there is a will there is a way.  You know that porch we build 10 years ago?  It is a wonderful place to spend a late evening...........taking in nature from a comfy chair.  And night time walks are actually kind of romantic.  (wink).

One of our daughters and her family live miles from town.  I love to sit on their porch where in the silence nature has it's own voice and peace reigns in the midst of it.  It is almost tangible, the quiet.  Sometimes I wake early and sneak downstairs to the porch, where I can feel my muscles relax and anxiety drain away.  Besides forest therapy there is a country therapy too.  Nothing like it.

A relaxing country view

Joel and I like to live in houses near the edge of town.  We are blessed to have our present home near a river and corn and hay fields.  The place where we live deer walk through on a daily basis.  Raccoons sometimes can be seen and coyotes heard.  Rabbits and squirrels scurry around and ducks, wrens, robins, cardinals, and hummers grace our presence with an occasional goldfinch thrown into the mix.  Country without gravel roads.  Our kind of living.

Thinking back on the forest therapy segment we saw yesterday, I find it fascinating and a bit of a wake up call for we humans.  It is important to take care of the earth God has created for us,  We have been entrusted with the responsibility to care for it and it seems when we spend time with nature, we care for our bodies too.   My thought is that we have this gift of nature to embrace for our own well being while doing what we can to preserve it for our grandchildren.......our great grands and beyond so they, too, can enjoy a little "forest therapy".

Saturday's Scribbles: Let There Be Light!

candle and fireplace glow

It is Saturday, in our corner of the world and nature has completely lost her mind.  Mid April and we are in the midst of yet another snow event.  At the moment we are watching it snow......while listening to it thunder!  The forecast is for "only" 3-6 inches here, while just north of us they are to get 6-8.  About 100 miles north of us they are in blizzard conditions with 10-16 inches of wet snow on the way.  Seriously, this is gone beyond strange to crazy.  Spring has lost it's way!

It started last night with a thunderstorm and high winds that took out our electricity for an hour or so.  We had just turned in and were settling into sleep when the TV came back on downstairs and the beeping and whirring of technology came alive........"I'm back.....I'm back."

There is something calming about sitting in the dark with candles for light.  It is peaceful and the silence is almost palpable.  One small candle in the dark provides enough light to see our way.  God's light in the darkness theme in the Bible holds great truth.

Of course that light is the One......Jesus.  Our light in darkness to lead the way.........His Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.   The Light of the world.   Jesus.

We are not looking forward to any more storms or  winter with weather or in life, but comfort is near. Even with darkness around us, there is light to be found. In a candle.........and in our Jesus.

 Let there be light!

Ordinary or Extraordinary?

As I read Ann Voskamp's blog post describing her journey with unexpected heart failure, two words resonated with me....."ordinary glory". Ordinary glory.....finding the glory of our Papa God in the ordinary ~ the laughter of children, the rising or setting of the sun, the beating of our own hearts.  As I shared with Joel her written words he responded with....."There really is no ordinary glory". This does ring true.  The glory of the Lord comes into our ordinary and makes it all extraordinary.

When we walk through the valley and find ourselves looking back on that season, it is important to use our spiritual eyes to see how God released His love and wove His goodness, His glory into each step along the way. He makes the ordinary extraordinary.

And what is the ordinary?  Well, I mentioned a few above.....the laughter of children, the beating of our own hearts.........the rising or setting sun.  I guess it is those things we take for granted in life, like our next breath.......or the food set before us.  Yeah.

When we traveled West through all the wide open spaces in the winter of 2015, I noticed all the different sunsets...and began to photograph them as I realized each one held it's own beauty.  In our neighborhood it is hard to find the sunset or sunrise with all the trees and houses that block the view. Not so on our favorite farm where I can wake early and view the sunrise from the window that brings it right to me on the upstairs landing.  It never fails to bring gratitude to my heart.  So, too, the sunset over our favorite Iowa lake.

Our favorite Iowa lake at sunset

The sunset we saw in Kansas was different than those we experienced in Arizona.  I hope I never tire of pausing to experience God's ending to another day created for our enjoyment.  We were not able to see the eclipse here with our overcast skies, but even watching it on our TV, we were completely in awe of this unusual occurrence.  Our Creator's intricate detail and power displayed!  Those events do amaze us and should!   But I throw out there the idea that the ordinary can amaze us too.

Bill Johnson in his book, The Supernatural Power of the Transformed Mind, said we need to live in the "everyday miraculous". and it should just be the norm.  Miracles seen as normal.....now there's an idea worth contemplating.

Ann Voskamp has encouraged millions of people to write down every single thing they are thankful for in each day......it changed her life, and when she shared her story with the rest of the world it has changed others too.  Being grateful for it all....because we are here to experience it.  Because we are here to receive it from our Papa God and share it with others.  Because when we do give thanks for the ordinary it does become something more.

So, maybe there is no ordinary when we let God into our lives.  Maybe it is all extraordinary.......and maybe when the Lord's Prayer reads.....thy Kingdom come on EARTH as it is in Heaven.....that here on earth does include the everyday miraculous.  And the extraordinary includes not only a rare eclipse, but the every day sunrise and sunset.   Thank you Papa for making the ordinary extraordinary!

God's Handiwork

God's brushstrokes

Pink!

Good-bye sun

God was showing off last night when we went for our walk.  The wispy clouds looked like brush strokes and reminded me of a watercolor painting.  They turned from white to pink as the sun shifted. Each photo gave us a different look, and the sunset photo at the end is from the same sky, but a different direction and time.  Fascinating.

Last night we were able to see the "Supermoon" too.  It was definitely brighter, lighting up our whole house at 4 am.  With my phone the picture I took does not do it justice, but just had to share. Last time it was this close was the year I was born.

Seeing God's handiwork in nature is comforting. Yesterday the sky spoke God's message to us as we walked together arm in arm.  All is well.  I am God.  See what beauty I bring to your world?!  Seek it, breathe it in, be in the moment.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

GOD

Is

In
The

Details

A Trip To The River

Yesterday we took a trip to the river!

Granted our river is only 3 blocks away by foot path

and one mile by car~

But it was the first time I had left our home in 28 days.

It felt wonderful!

Our cleaning lady was here so we grabbed my devotional basket

and headed out to the van for a short trip to the river park

where we drove in under a tree,

cracked the windows

took in the fresh air

and enjoyed the view of the river.

For at least 15 years whenever we would travel I would

take along with me my basket.

My handwoven basket holds my devotional books, a Bible,

a couple of tablets and pens and pencils.

It was made by a tribe that lives up in the mountains of Baguio

in The Philippines.

We spent 2 yrs living there.

I have had this basket for over 30 years

and carried it with me in the car for over 15,

The rest of the time it sits in my living room~

It is a companion so to speak~

It holds things most dear to me

It holds memories I cherish.

I have hope and dreams for the days ahead

when I can pack it up and travel once again.

For now I am just thankful I was able to take a trip to the river!

Wednesday's Wonders Of Nature

These pictures were all taken from inside our house, from the yard or in the yard. I thought I would share our autumn views I am blessed to enjoy from my sanctuary. Have a wonderful day!

"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it."

Psalm 24:1

Wednesday Wonders of Nature

We took these photos in S.E. Minnesota this week on our way to our Lyme Doctor. I am always amazed how we can go a short distance and leave flat farm land behind for cliffs, valleys, and winding roads. God has created a vast universe with such a variety of beauty to enjoy. The views below remind me of the hymn that starts out~
"For the beauty of the earth....

For the glory of the skies....."

Minnesota farm
Down in the Valley

Cliffs

Rugged beauty

Lake in town where we had a picnic lunch

There is so much beauty around us to enjoy. May you find beauty in your corner of the world today and have the time to enjoy it.

Wednesday Wonders of Nature

This basket of blooming ivy geraniums can be seen from our living room window. My husband Joel gave it to me for Mother's Day and after the first blooming, we never saw another flower. With tender loving care the leaves grew big and strong, but there were no blossoms for weeks and weeks....and then all of a sudden the flowers started blooming a week ago, and came back in two different shades as you can see above. They are more beautiful than ever and are heavy with buds that will soon flower!


Sometimes we are like this flowering plant. We look good and have beauty we share, but we need a lot of nuturing to grow deep roots and sturdy shoots and leaves before we blossom. When we take the time to delve deep into God's Word and become stronger in our faith through time, learning, and experience, we are able to blossom~ established and rooted in love, and glorifying God in ways we never thought possible! We, too, are able to be our best with God's help!

"I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your heart through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with the saints......"

Ephesians 3:16-18

Wednesday Wonders of Nature

"Jesus said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let Him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him"

John 7: 37b, 38

Living water

the Holy Spirit....

Empowering our bodies

blessing our souls

Gifts

freely given

freely accepted

Eternal life

The Holy Spirit

Thank you

Jesus

Wednesday Wonders of Nature

Thought I would share a few more pictures of flowers blooming in our part of the world. There is so much beauty to admire this time of the year here in Iowa. It brought to mind the first verse of a song.....

"Praise and thanksgiving

Father we offer

For all things living

you have made good."

Wednesday Wonders of Nature

"And God saw all that He had made, and it was very good."

Genesis 1:31

God has created some beautiful birds for us to enjoy, and one of my favorite up here in the Midwest is the Cardinal. We have resident Cardinals who grace our space year round. This couple has built a nest in our lilac bushes this year, so daddy Cardinal is around quite a bit and does not mind posing for pictures. I thought I would share a few with you today. Enjoy!

Wednesday Wonders of Nature

Wild Tigerlilies

Burgundy impatiens peeking out.

Morning dew on a Mexican Wedding Plant bloom.
.

A geranium shares it's beauty!

Wednesday Wonders of Nature

Several days of dense fog gave our neighborhood a beautiful coat of white. Joel took these photos so we could share God's blessings of nature with others. Today we are expecting up to 1/2 inch of ice on everything. What a strange winter it has been!

For Love Of Pansies

Pansies are one of my favorite flowers. My love of this velvety flower started when I was a child~ ~I remember planting pansies at school for our mothers and presenting this gift to my mom on Mother's Day. The joy she expressed stayed with me for many years. When she died at age 92 we had pansies at her funeral. They hold a special place in my heart and every year Joel gives me pansies for Mother's Day at my request. Here are photos of this year's bright colorful array! Aren't they beautiful?
The Pansies we grow today originated in England and were created by cross breeding several plants. They are ancestors of the viola and wild Pansy, and their name is derived from the french word, "penses" which means thought or remembrance. I have also heard them called "Hearts-ease", and that they are. A little tidbit for you: they are edible!

On a personal level, I have always been fascinated with how delicate pansies look, but how strong they really are. They have such narrow stems, I am amazed that they can hold up such a large flower. I have watched them droop and close down in a rain, or be blown around in the wind, but they come right back up and stand tall sharing their beauty with us again when the storms have passed. They are very resilient.

Of course I can't resist comparing these delicate but sturdy flowers to those who live with chronic illness or other challenges. We often have a delicate body and find ourselves blown around by the wind or bent over with the heavy rains that come into our lives....but with God's help we are able to be strong ~ sharing our own beauty ~ the gifts we are given and what we have learned on our journey ~ with others. We are resilient.

The First Day of Spring

March 20th is the first day of Spring. What is it about spring that gives us an extra bounce in our step? In the upper Midwest where I call home, the first day of spring lets us know that winter is behind us and once again we will be able to go outside without bundling up in winter gear. I have already started opening windows to remove the stale air from the house, and Joel has removed the blankets of leaves covering our hibernating flowers. Viewing the outdoors from my sofa sanctuary, I have noticed the robins are back in full force and the squirrels and rabbits are busy with their own spring festivities. The time change has also had a positive affect on all of us with darkness holding off till 7:30pm. Of course up here in north country nature has been known to bring us a few snow storms even into April, but for today I am not thinking about that. Spring has officially arrived and I am looking forward to our having a little more color in my view. Last fall Joel planted a few tulips around our mailbox so I am waiting for them to pop out of the ground! We have peonies and "wild" day lilies that will soon begin their journey out of the earth, and the neighbors lilac bushes and our crab apple tree will both send sweet fragrances our way. Everything is coming alive once again...

There is another reason I enjoy March 20th, the first day of spring....it is my birthday. Today I am 61 years old. Last year when celebrating I was over the top at turning 60...because with the health issues I have dealt with, I never thought I would reach age 60! I was thrilled to get there and made the decision to enjoy every day from then on. I remember saying often last year, I am still here! I am 60 and I am still here! This year at age 61, I am better...not where I want to be, but not where I was by any means. I was talking to Joel about it last night because while living in the trenches of Lyme treatment I often lose perspective on seeing any improvement ~~but Joel does not, and I grasp tightly to the positives he sees in my health. There are plenty of other blessings to focus on from this past year also.....our "winter season" seems to be over (1 house...1 mortgage :) and we are able to enjoy the newness of spring. I have so much to be grateful for, so much to look forward to!

Today I am grateful for another birthday ~ cards and letters to enjoy, phone calls from family, a fun visit from our son, daughter-in-law, and grandkids, and an afternoon and evening at home with my hubby. Spring is here, I am still here, and along with tulips, spring rains, robins, and the first day of a new season ~ I am able to celebrate my birthday enjoying family, hugging a few grandkids, and looking forward to what this year will bring!

Photos by Renee and Joel