FOTD, July 18, Jacks Beanstalk

Spring and summer are such fun times for those of us who love playing in the dirt. Cee’s fun challenge of Flower of the Day, allows us to share this fun. I also love my birds and sometimes they help me by planting flowers with me. This year I wanted to plant a couple of sunflowers so then the birds can eat from those as we share in flowers together. So today we have “The Sunflower Collection” including one that reminds me of the story of Jack and his beanstalk. A few of these are easily 10-12 feet high but it has been so much fun watching them grow. People walking down the sidewalk always stop and enjoy them. The taller ones have not even budded out so I guess they are still growing. When fall comes and they die, I will measure them and let you know their full height.

Here is the group by my gate. My fence is 5 feet tall.

These are the ones the birds planted. Not quite as tall but lots of flowers, some not even open yet.

This one has a flower down low while it still reaches for the sky. It has a huge bud at the top.

This next one is the one I call Jack’s beanstalk. Look at the size of the stalk.

Getting under it, I was able to shoot for the sky. It gives us an idea of what Jack was seeing…sort of.

So much summer fun. I hope you enjoyed my sunflowers. I will drop off pictures as the giant ones bloom. In closing I remind us always the share the value of kindness. It does not have to be as large as a bean stalk but to the one receiving it, it may very well feel that big.

Encouragement from a ‘shroom

All aspects of life have the ability to encourage…even a mushroom.

With us having rain for over a week, it is inevitable that mushrooms would show up…everywhere. But I am a firm believer that all things created in nature come from God and have the ability to show forth some sort of value. In my devotion today, I was reminded that ALL of creation has a purpose. Even these dreaded mushroom has a purpose. For those that are edible, they are high in nutrients, for those that are not edible, they provide much nutrition to the soil which feeds the plant life around it. They provide a sustainable value.

Every tiny bit of life has value. Oswald Chambers

There are some people who feel their value is no longer needed but that could not be further from the truth. During this past year and a half, we have all been shown the enormous value we all have. While we were hunkered down for safety, we realized the love, faith and confidence we have in Christ. And many turned their inside experience into ways of sharing love, kindness and perseverance. By being able to reach out with phone calls, letters and through the internet with email, we have shown Christ’s love to others. Our seemingly small efforts brought enormous joy and encouragement to many as the bright light of Christ was shared to dispel the dark gloominess of fear and uncertainty.

Today, faith and confidence in the resurrected Christ can change your fear to hope and your disappointment to joy. Billy Graham

Now as we wait for these rain systems to move on, we know that bright sunshine will once again find us and bring us its warmth and joy. Let us wait patiently for those days where we see the sun, but knowing we have the Son inside of us to share His light with others and bring joy. Never forget your enormous value, while you think your contribution may be of little value, it could be the one single act that gives the hope needed for another individual. And as always, remember to be kind in all you do. Every small act of kindness has huge value.

Evening Encouragement

Good evening friends. I hope this was a good day. In reading my devotions today, I was reminded of two main things – Life is about choices and Jesus is the correct choice, always. Billy Graham reminds us that while we all come from different backgrounds, it’s our choices that drive our direction. When we get discouraged we need to refocus on the future, not next week’s future but the future future – Jesus returning to make things right. When we focus on the brokenness around us, it can be depressing and gloomy but if we gather people who love us close to us and combine that love with Jesus’ love, then we can sustain our position and focus on the blessed day of hope.

The sunlight of His love can still shine in the darkest part of your life. Billy Graham

Succeeding in life has to do with choices and we can choose how we react to any situation. We can blame this broken world for our situation and wallow in the muck of it, or we can accept our responsibility of our choices and make better choices. Think how perfect the world was when Adam was here…and the choice he made. God has always given us the power of choice.

We have to remember that Jesus was also born into this broken world but he changed it by changing people. Billy Graham

I have a new favorite t-shirt that I got from the church t-shirt sale and the back of it says “God’s got my back”. And I think if we choose to hang onto that truth, He will not only have our back but will walk beside us and occasionally carry us when needed. So hang on to His blessed love and His promise of hope that one day we will be face to face with Our Lord.
Have a wonderful and calming evening and may you feel His peace surround you. And as always, remember to be kind. It helps you be calm as much as the one to whom you are being kind with.

FOTD – July 13, Hollyhocks

I love joining in on Cee’s FOTD to see all the flowers others post. Such a happy challenge. Today I give you what I call an old southern flower. Other places had them I am sure but when I was growing up, the older gardeners always had them.

When I bought the plant, I thought I was getting the white but it seems that there were three plants in one pot and they are all different colors – white, pink and rose. And there petals seem different as the pink and rose are ruffled or curled where the white is straight and smooth. In the south these pare perennials so I will see if they can survive the winters here in Iowa.

As you enjoy the beauty of flowers, remember the beauty of kindness and share it where you can.

Amazing Stonework, July 11

The beauty of Stone, Brick, Marble or other stonework

Good afternoon friends. I started this challenge to share the beauty in older designs and architectures of yester year that are in my area. So join in and share the beauty of stonework, brick, or concrete buildings in your area with interesting designs. Include the tag above so that others can tie in with you.

We are at week 2 of a beautiful church here in Davenport, St Johns United Methodist Church. As a reminder, its architecture style is Gothic Revival and today we are finishing this building by covering some of the windows. The church does have a more modern addition but I am focusing on the older structure built in 1902 and opening in 1903. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 7, 1983.

While all church windows are amazing to look at, most people focus on the beauty of the glass. I want you to focus a little more on the stonework around them that is supporting them and in some instance highlighting their beauty.

The BIG one…I have seen it on the inside as well and it is quite stunning.

Check out the details of the stone within the window design itself.

This next window is a favorite as it is small, probably an attic window. I think I see AC vent tubes. But the stone decorative arch around it is so delicate and an artwork by itself.

All along the sides of the church are these lovely small arch windows with beautiful colored glass.

Windows allow the light of love to shine in through them which can brighten any room.

I hope you have enjoyed walking through the beauty of this church and can develop and eye for looking at other older churches and buildings. These buildings no only reflect the beauty of the architecture of the era but the compassion of the artist who made sure the details reflect their own beauty. I also tie in with Ludwig’s Monday Windows, to share the beauty of these windows.

And as always, remember the beauty and the power of kindness. When used correctly, they reflect the inner beauty of your own heart.

Tribute to Mimi

Those of us who are dog owners, know the close and valuable relations we have with our furry friends. This morning I say goodbye to Mimi. She was a loving friend and mighty protector of mommy but she could not get past her illnesses.

At 3:30 this morning she went on to join the rest of her family in heaven.

The companionship from a dog shows a pure form of love and devotion to its caretaker. When that companion departs from us, we can feel the severity of that loss only to acquire another – not to replace the companion we lost but to strengthen us and to expand that love we had been shown. May we always be deserving of that love. Anita Neal, from my book Our Home of Love

Mimi, may you enjoy the beauty of heaven and the rest of your family as y’all wait for me.

Yes, I believe they are in heaven. Remember to love on your fur babies and be kind to all kinds. Their quest of love is short here on this earth but they remain in our hearts for a lifetime.

CFFC Orange

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge gives us an opportunity to look at things differently if need be. Her challenge this week, Orange, could be fruit or color. I went with color and I first look to nature for that.

Then you have the garden where multiple shades of orange show their likeness.

Then we have a purpose. Orange is a standout color to grab attention what what better way to show people the much need value in fresh water to those in need.

I did not take this picture of the young boy who is reaping the benefits of clean water, but what a happy face. I do walk for this cause – multiple times and what a great way to show orange.

Remember in all that you do, the power of kindness. It has unquenchable power.

FOTD – July 5, Verbena

When watering my yard today, it was hard to pick a favorite. So many were showing their happy faces to the morning sun. But I settled on the verbena because of its varied color and multiple blooms. Some blooms even went through the fence to be seen inside the yard.

Remember to share the happiness of kindness wherever you go, it adds to the sunshine smiles of the day.

Amazing Stonework, July 5

Good afternoon friends. I am a little late getting this posted for it has been a fun and busy day. I started this challenge to share the beauty in older designs and architectures of yester year that are in my area. So join in and share the beauty of stonework, brick, or concrete buildings in your area with interesting designs. Include the tag above so that others can tie in with you.

Today’s building is a church I pass everyday going to work or my church. No it is not my church but one across the street that has amazing stonework – St. Johns United Methodist Church. Its architecture style is Gothic Revival and I will cover it for two weeks as there is so much beautiful detail I want to share. Today we are covering doors, 4 of the older ones. The church does have a more modern addition but I am focusing on the older structure built in 1902 and opening in 1903. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 7, 1983.

***This is a column support for a two side corner archway to the sanctuary***

The details at the top of each of the individual columns are fascinating to be made out of masonry. Then the columns, one round and one octagon shaped I am sure have some meaning. The next picture shows the full doorway on one side. With the door being on a corner, you have duplicate archway for each side of the corner.

**The corner column** ***structure is rounded all the way up to the roofline.***

This is a stained glass window on top of the sanctuary door and the masonry work around it is also interesting.

Another door on this same side further down the building goes to the church offices. It has interesting details for it as well.

The top masonry details above this porch are intricate and simple at the same time making it pleasing to the eye.

On the opposite corner from the sanctuary is a side door that I am not sure where it goes but carries the same red theme and detailed archways. Red doors in churches generally means you are on holy ground and safe from evil. Along side is the detail of the arch work above the door. Maybe a statue once stood there.

The last door for today goes to the parsonage and while it seems to be the least decorated door, the archway above it is quite detailed.

I do hope you join in with me to share the beauty of older structures. You probably could not afford to build this beauty today.

And in closing, I remind us all the the beauty of kindness and how it can change the darkness of a moment for an individual to brightness.

Encouragement for Monday

Yesterday the US celebrated the 4th of July, a day we celebrate our independence. So, belated Happy Fourth of July to others in the US. A lot of us have today off as well so bonus for us. I also hope you are having a good day today wherever you are. It is bit hot already but after watering, I did get some beautiful pics of my yard and thought I would share them with you, they will be at the bottom.

Last night’s devotion in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, combined with the Fourth of July celebration, really gave me pause for who we are. Peter spoke to the Israelites making them understand that they were a chosen people for God’s purpose. For any of us who follow Christ, it does not matter what nation we live in, trust in, or love. That is all temporary. We are His nation regardless of location…even if a nation of one.

The gratitude we feel when we draw near to God, enables us to perceive more clearly the love relationship we have in Christ. Nothing can separate us from His Loving Presence. Sarah Young

That is a huge comfort because I know I mess up every day. We can’t control everything around us but we can control how we react to it. Instead of worrying, trust! In stead of panicking, trust! Instead of clinging to old ways that no longer do us any good, trust! He is always doing something new for us, protecting us for His use. Trust!