Recently completed projects

Despite the arm-wrapping (which continues, and shows a little improvement) I have been able to complete a few creative endeavors, and I thought I'd share...

 When Nikki and Emma were here the week before Easter, we made these little egg-shaped Easter cakes and cupcakes. They were double-chocolate cake with ganache icing and royal frosting decorations.  We took little plates of them to the neighbors, along with a little book about the true meaning of Easter.

I also finished a couple of matching pillowcase dresses for the cousins.

And, inspired by my friend Melissa and my creative card-maker Nikki, I made a bunch of note cards using my own photographs and a few scrapbook supplies.

Every once in a while, you've just got to make something beautiful, Gentle Reader.  It reminds you to notice the beauty around you, and reminds you to praise the God who cares about beauty.

Sabbath Songs

I Greet Thhe Who My Sure Redeemer Art by Jean Calvin, 1545

I greet Thee, who my sure Redeemer art,
My only trust and Savior of my heart,
Who pain didst undergo for my poor sake;
I pray Thee from our hearts all cares to take.

Thou art the King of mercy and of grace,
Reigning omnipotent in every place;
So come, O King, and our whole being sway;
Shine on us with the light of Thy pure day.

Thou art the life, by which alone we live,
And all our substance and our strength receive;
Sustain us by Thy faith and by Thy power,
And give us strength in every trying hour.

Thou hast the true and perfect gentleness,
No harshness hast Thou and no bitterness;
O grant to us the grace we find in Thee,
That we may dwell in perfect unity.

Our hope is in no other save in Thee;
Our faith is built upon Thy promise free;
Lord, give us peace, and make us calm and sure,
That in Thy strength we evermore endure.

Fires and other natural disasters

Today we walked in Frijoles Canyon at Bandelier National Monument.  This is our "local" park, and we have spent many hours there every summer for more than 25 years.  We have done school in the picnic area, played in the stream, hiked, and camped. It is a beautiful place that is dear to our hearts.  My last trip there was a hike with a friend last summer, prior to the Las Conchas Fire.  Fires and other natural disasters change things.  Not only did they back-burn in the canyon, but the massive floods and run-off following the fire have changed the place forever.  The lower part of the canyon is much the same-- the ruins trail remains unchanged, though there is no bridge to the picnic area, and the old visitor's center is closed for renovation.  There are barriers and sand-bags all around that area.  It is once you pass the ruins that the trail up to the Ceremonial Cave is almost unrecognizable. The stream has completely changed course, all the foot-bridges were washed away, along with most of the picnic area. While it is still a thing of beauty, it will never be the same old canyon we knew.

Yes, fires and natural disasters change the course of things. Whether it is flooding or cancer, earthquakes or disease, normal shifts around us in this fallen world. We loose our footing at times, and our perspective and sense of orientation at others. But the amazing thing is, the beauty still remains.  We grieve the losses, and struggle with the recovery, but the One who allowed the trial in the first place redeems even the disasters in our world and in our lives. The old normal is gone, but a new normal will eventually take its place, because God causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust, and continues caring for us, and for our world. His grace amazingly brings spring after blizzard, and new growth after fire, and refocus and healing after cancer.

He brings beauty from ashes. May He give us a glimpse of that beauty even today, Gentle Reader.

Grateful

When I am discouraged, I go to this little box.  It is chock full of the cards, letter, and notes I've received since my surgery in January. When the day looks bleak, I pull out a few at random as tangible reminders of those who love me and are praying for me, and I don't feel quite so glum.

After I posted about how to be a friend to those who have cancer, I received e-mails, comments, and calls from several of my dearest friends.  They were all apologizing for being terrible failures at being my friends after they read that post. I hadn't anticipated that response at all!  And what's more, they have all been wonderful, caring friends to me. Now, if the Holy Spirit pricked your heart as you read my words, I would not want to discourage you from heeding His voice. But let me say this for the record: some of my "learning" that went into that list did come from thoughtless people.  But even more of those points came to me by observing the loving care my family and friends offered me. It has humbled and blessed me, and I am grateful.

Wednesday without words

Today

Things accomplished today:

• Had a lovely left-over breakfast of yesterday's omlet (green salsa, mushrooms, tomatoes and avocado)
• Planted flowers outside into four different beds, and fertilized all the green growing things outside.
• Completed my lymphatic opening exercises.
• Walked for about 50 minutes down a canyon and back.
• Had a lovely left-over lunch of cresent lasagna, celery, apples, and some apple-fritters for dessert.
• Planted and arranged pots for outside the front door.
• Made camping reservations in Zion National Park for next September.

Things yet to be accomplished today:

• Unwrap my arm, shower, do MLD, and rewrap my arm.
• Have a lovely left-over dinner of potato soup and popcorn.
• Practice music for tomorrow- my first time helping with worship since last January, though I will only sing, NOT play the guitar.
• Prepare food for our monthly Koinonia Dinner at church- a macaroni casserole and some kind of strawberry trifle, I think.  And maybe a salad.
• Try to read the current chapter of my Sunday school book.
• Fall exhausted but happy into my comfy chair, and fall asleep to something like a rerun of Psych.

Wednesday without words