Love.....

It's time for some more photos!  They may not be the best I've taken...in fact, I'm sure they're not, but today the sight of these hummingbirds brought me joy.  They have taken their sweet time making their appearance this year, and I really wasn't set up to get great photos....but the memory of these few minutes of surprise and joy will be with me for a long time!

 

I just love the detail of the wing in this shot.....

And here is one of our MANY cardinals, keeping watch from a nearby tree.....for some reason, they seem to stay away from the bird feeder when the hummers are out and about!

Now to the title of  today's post....."Love".  Where does that fit in, you might ask?  Well, today I received a call from the nurse at Dad's nursing home.....they have been unable to arouse him since 5 p.m. last night.  I am SOOOO grateful that Mr. Man and I made the trip over yesterday and were able to spend a couple of hours with him, even if most of it was spent soothing him and holding his hand.  One thing that gives me peace and that I can treasure is that the last words we spoke to each other were, "I love you!"

Life is a gift, and the people that God puts into our lives are gifts...not to be used or manipulated, but to be loved with no expectation of anything in return.....God's unconditional love is our example....the love of a Father who would send His only Son to die in our place....THAT is love!    John 3:16....check it out.....

Today I actually have a few minutes to catch my breath...that is between catching up on laundry and housework and getting medical records together for a an appointment on Friday!  So I thought I'd do a little more photo "catching up" on the last few weeks around here.  One of Sierra's (11 yr. old granddaughter) requests was that we make at least one dress, so I thought it might be a good opportunity to help her learn to sew, even just a little bit.  Well, she caught the bug, and once we started on one, she was already to do more.  So more we did....four dresses (one for her sister) and a skirt.  From what I hear, she now wants a sewing machine for Christmas! 

 I love the look of concentration on her face!  She found out it was a lot harder to make a straight seam than she thought, but she loved the results of our labor.....

 

 

It was nice to share something with her that my mom had shared with me many years ago....I first learned to sew on Barbie clothes....ugh!

On another note, as I was browsing through recent pictures, I came across these....and I was struck by how the skies change from day to day, moment to moment.....but God's love remains the same, and for that I am forever grateful!

Are you resting in His love today?  I am....it's the only way I can make it through the changing winds and storms of this life....resting in His steadfast love and grace!

Going back in time for a little catching up....

Earlier this month I was trying to make use of more of those apples from the trees at the back of our yard....after peeling and cutting up the apples for the two batches of apples for apple butter, I decided to get out the SpinAPeel and Corer that Willie had gotten at a yard sale for.....$1.00! 

I had tried it last year and had not one lick of success, but after reading some reviews of the product I decided to give it another try.  Actually, I decided that I would find a way to make it work, by gum!  I started with the peeling....no luck there, so I ventured on to the coring and slicing application.  Ah ha....FINALLY...some success.  Then I thought I'd give the peeling thing another try....and was I ever glad I did!  

Just look at all those lovely peelings in the sink....and the best part was that it was soooo easy!

I haven't quite figured out how to get the tension right to do the peeling, coring and slicing all in one operation, but it still cut down on my time invested by quite a bit.  And the results were absolutely wonderful.....

 Apple pie filling....

 Cooked apples....and

.....apple sauce!!!!

Today was spent in another type of activity.....once again spending time with my dad.  Today was rough....the only time he really roused at all was when they fed him a little bit.  Our time was spent in just being there with him.  I don't think he even knew we were there.....but we knew that we were supposed to be there with him, and I don't regret one second of it!  It was heartwarming to listen to the staff talk to and about him....in the short time he has been there he has already had an impact on them in some way.  It's a reminder that it often doesn't take much to make an impact on someone....our smallest actions - or nonactions - may have consequences far beyond what we will ever know.

Today has definitely felt like an autumn day....nice cool temperatures and partly sunny skies.  But there are still signs of summer all around....

...this hummingbird moth being one of them!  Yesterday was the first time that I had seen three of these creatures on the butterfly bush at one time.

And as a continuation of my "obsession" with flowers, butterflies and bees...

These small snapshots of beauty in a world that is beginning to change from summer to autumn remind me of the seasons of life....and the seasons that we pass through in this life.  Dad is in the winter of his life....yet his life has beauty and his sweet spirit has continued to touch those around him.  There are days when I let the stresses of life and the circumstances around me dictate my spirit more than I like to admit.  Oh, Lord, may I dwell in your presence to such an extent that my spirit is an extension of Your sweet spirit......! 

Life...

Isn't that just like life?  When you get on a roll....well, sort of a roll, anyway...then something comes along that knocks you off track.  Tho', this time I don't think I really got knocked off track.  Instead, I think I paid attention to the things that matter more than posting a daily photo on the blog or keeping up with what everyone else is doing.  You see, I was spending time and energy on things that really matter....my dad, for one!  Dad is 91 years old and has served the Lord faithfully for most of his life.  Now as he approaches the end of his time here on earth (and God is the only one who knows the time of his passing), I want to be there by his bedside whenever I can....it's the least I can do. 

So when a few days....or longer...pass without any posts from me, understand that I am taking the time needed to let a warrior of the faith know that he is still important, that he is loved and appreciated.

Last week when Mr. Man (aka my hubby) and I were talking with him as he was preparing to move from hospice to another nursing home, we were telling him the latest on our deer sightings at the back of our lot.  Mr. Man had spotted the doe (a frequent visitor....enjoying all those apples falling from our trees), and all of a sudden he blurts out, "There's a dog chasing her!"  It didn't take me but a few seconds to realize, that, no, it wasn't a dog....it was a FAWN!  When we shared that with Dad, he gave a huge smile and tried to laugh.  THAT made my day....knowing that we could bring even the smallest bit of light and life to his world in a not-so-easy situation.  

Sometimes I know that I try so hard to do everything right (ouch!), to get everything right...but often, it is the little things, the little moments that make a difference in someone's life...not the extensive preparations for a get-together, or the effort that goes into the perfect meal, or the stylishly decorated home but rather the touch of a hand, the hospitality of a loved one or friend, the kind word or even the understanding look of someone who cares what you are going through. 

I know that Dad and his ministry have touched countless lives through the years, but probably none more than those closest to him.....I am humbled by the legacy of faith that he has passed down through the generations and feel blessed to have had him in my life.  Thank you, Dad.....I love you!

Maybe tomorrow will lend itself to more blogging, but all things in God's timing!  In the meantime, remember....it's the little things.....

Our trip to Virginia Beach derailed my ability to keep up with the photo of the day deal, but I promise to catch up.  But first, I have a very big request....

My dad, Euel Fox, is in the hospital in Madison, TN with double pneumonia.  This has been an ongoing problem for him this year, and he has not been able to shake this last bout of the nasty stuff.  He is on several antibiotics, along with some other medications.  I am leaving very early in the morning to go over and be with him for a little while, at least until my brother and sister-in-law get back in town.  Please remember him in prayer...and also remember me, as I will be driving by myself (we just picked up another grandchild and even tho' Willie wanted to go with me, I don't feel it would be good for Sierra....a loooong drive [4 1/2 hours there and 4 1/2 back], plus it would not be the best setting for her).

Okay...now for the picture of the day.....

Sierra, holding one of our neighbor's roosters!

And here are a couple more to aid in the "catching up"...

The butterflies were really attracted to the apple trees today....this fella' is a little worse for wear, tho'!  But it just goes to show that you don't have to be perfect to be beautiful!