Can we conceive what humanity would be if it did not know the flowers?
Maurice Maeterlinck
I had to get pictures today of our camelias and the neighbors' Tulip trees (from the Magnolia family)Pictureds taken today at 3:00 pm, Wednesday, March 2, 2011. We're expecting rain tonight and tomorrow so that might be the end of the blooms. Just had to share with you and I wanted pictures anyway. The camelias were all planted by my Mother-in-law many years ago.
Neighbor's Tulip tree photo taken today, 2011.
AND NOW, FOR THE Pièce de résistance (or the best one)
That same tulip tree in the photo above - only instead of 2011 the pictures below were taken of Bob and I in 1968 - much skinnier and with brown hair no less.
This was taken just before we left for the Army in Kentucky.
Was I ever smart! It is hailing right this minute so it is so great I got the photos when I did. Probably many of the pedals are all over the lawn now.
One last picture - our kumquat tree in our front yard. I make kumquat marmalaide with them.
As I rode along that early Sunday morning, crying out to God about my problems, I happened to glance down to my left because something caught my attention. When I looked, I only saw what appeared to be a grease spot in the road. I turned my head back so that I was again looking forward down the road ahead. I had just turned my head forward when it seemed almost like an invisible hand had placed itself on my right cheek and pushed my head to the left and downward. In that brief second, while I was still in forward motion on the bike, on the very outer edge of that grease spot, I saw one feather. I immediately realized that it had been a bird but that it had been run over by vehicles so many times, it was flatter than the proverbial pancake. I know for sure that I would not have turned my head and looked on my own since all I saw was a grease spot - no reason to turn and look down. Again, as I had so many times before, cried out to God to please forgive me for my unthankful and unfaithful spirit regarding His mercy, grace and His provisions for me. I told God that I was so sorry that I have continued to complain and grumble, even after such a long time.
(Here is a good spot to ask anyone reading this blog, where do you see yourself? If you picture a scale with grumbling, complaining and gripiing on one side and thankfulness and positive attitude on the other side, which side would be heavier or be holding the most? We know what the answer for me at this particular time and day in the story.)
After telling God how sorry I was, I straightened my back, raised my head, set my jaw as I rode, tears streaming down my face and announced to my Heavenly Father that now I understood why he had not given me someone to ride with the last several months because I was destined to ride alone in the bike ride. I told him that if that was His plan then I was okay with it and I would ride by myself if that were necessary. I made up my mind that I would stop complaining. I told God that I was sorry to criticize Him for giving me a hybrid bike and that I knew I could not have ridden a road bike. I realized that even though my bike was heavier than recommended, it was the one He intended for me to use – He hadn’t made a mistake! And, if the Lisa on the list wasn’t my Lisa , I was all right with that too. As I turned the corner onto the next road, I could feel in my heart that after almost a year of complaining, crying, and grumbling, not only had the bike and I turned the corner, but so had my heart. I felt different inside and for the first time full of confidence!
Philippians 1:6
...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
NIV
No more whining!!!
Maurice Maeterlinck
I had to get pictures today of our camelias and the neighbors' Tulip trees (from the Magnolia family)Pictureds taken today at 3:00 pm, Wednesday, March 2, 2011. We're expecting rain tonight and tomorrow so that might be the end of the blooms. Just had to share with you and I wanted pictures anyway. The camelias were all planted by my Mother-in-law many years ago.
AND NOW, FOR THE Pièce de résistance (or the best one)
That same tulip tree in the photo above - only instead of 2011 the pictures below were taken of Bob and I in 1968 - much skinnier and with brown hair no less.
 |
What a stud!
We were mere babies -
Bob was 26 and I was 24This was taken just before we left for the Army in Kentucky.
Was I ever smart! It is hailing right this minute so it is so great I got the photos when I did. Probably many of the pedals are all over the lawn now.
One last picture - our kumquat tree in our front yard. I make kumquat marmalaide with them.
I'm still not getting much exercise because of my arm and not getting very much sleep either. Next week though, I'm going back in the pool and at least do the conditioning class even if I can't swim laps. Now back to the bike ride story.
The Journey - Installment Sixty-Seven As I rode along that early Sunday morning, crying out to God about my problems, I happened to glance down to my left because something caught my attention. When I looked, I only saw what appeared to be a grease spot in the road. I turned my head back so that I was again looking forward down the road ahead. I had just turned my head forward when it seemed almost like an invisible hand had placed itself on my right cheek and pushed my head to the left and downward. In that brief second, while I was still in forward motion on the bike, on the very outer edge of that grease spot, I saw one feather. I immediately realized that it had been a bird but that it had been run over by vehicles so many times, it was flatter than the proverbial pancake. I know for sure that I would not have turned my head and looked on my own since all I saw was a grease spot - no reason to turn and look down. Again, as I had so many times before, cried out to God to please forgive me for my unthankful and unfaithful spirit regarding His mercy, grace and His provisions for me. I told God that I was so sorry that I have continued to complain and grumble, even after such a long time.
(Here is a good spot to ask anyone reading this blog, where do you see yourself? If you picture a scale with grumbling, complaining and gripiing on one side and thankfulness and positive attitude on the other side, which side would be heavier or be holding the most? We know what the answer for me at this particular time and day in the story.)
After telling God how sorry I was, I straightened my back, raised my head, set my jaw as I rode, tears streaming down my face and announced to my Heavenly Father that now I understood why he had not given me someone to ride with the last several months because I was destined to ride alone in the bike ride. I told him that if that was His plan then I was okay with it and I would ride by myself if that were necessary. I made up my mind that I would stop complaining. I told God that I was sorry to criticize Him for giving me a hybrid bike and that I knew I could not have ridden a road bike. I realized that even though my bike was heavier than recommended, it was the one He intended for me to use – He hadn’t made a mistake! And, if the Lisa on the list wasn’t my Lisa , I was all right with that too. As I turned the corner onto the next road, I could feel in my heart that after almost a year of complaining, crying, and grumbling, not only had the bike and I turned the corner, but so had my heart. I felt different inside and for the first time full of confidence!
Philippians 1:6
...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
NIV
No more whining!!!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY -
Does my heart good to see such beautiful blooms! All I see when I look outside is snow!! lol I had never seen a tulip tree before last year when I came across one while in Niagara Falls and had to ask what it was. Absolutely gorgeous. Love your camelias as well. What a hoot to see those pictures from 1968...weren't we all skinnier back then!! lol
ReplyDeleteI love reading about the conversations you had with God while you were training. It's funny how we sometimes think that we're all alone and He's not listening to us but then we realize that He IS with us and there was a reason for everything that happened. xoxo