Summer

I hear that Memorial Day is not the 1st day of summer, but it is Official start of all things summer. Pools open, cookouts commence, and word has it that gardens can officially be planted without worry of frost. I am pumped. Until we owned our own home, I never really enjoyed summer because I hate being hot. But....with our own home, we have free reign to plant, and dig, and tear up and redo and plant and dig.... and so on. This year....drum roll please.......WE HAVE A GARDEN! I got my tomatoes, corn, green peppers and carrots planted today, am waiting until after dinner to plant some more tomatoes and my cucumbers. I'M SO EXCITED!! David tilled me up a real fine patch of land and I just did it. We've got the picket fence panel all primed and painted. Our dear friend, Marlin, even came over on Thursday and put in our posts for us. I'm hoping to get that all put up this weekend. Things are really coming together. We have 7 tons of dirt that we are going to spread around the outside of the house so that water will go away from the house, and once that is down, I can plant some more flowers.

And the best part of Memorial Day Weekend is that the best in-laws in the whole entire world are here visiting from Iowa!! LOVE THEM! On the list of projects: light kit in the ceiling fan in the "Man Cave", ceiling fan and light in the guest bedroom, dirt around the house, flowers in the ground, LOTS OF EATING, cookout with the rest of the Indiana family (Mains & Scamihorns), and just hanging out! Did I mention that I'M SO EXCITED!!

I'm also waiting for the perfect opportunity to hang out in the pool with my friends. I have 2 families of friends with pools (one right across the street) and we are already trying to plan some pool time. SO EXCITED!! I just feel alive.

Well, I'll post pictures when I get some, so that's all for now. Hugs to blogger friends :)

HOPE

HOPE

I love that word. It could be my favorite. I recently had the opportunity to share some hope with someone very special to me. I hope that she caught it. I don't know if you've ever experienced a situation where you are trying to give a lot of encouragement and hope in a short amount of time, and once that time has passed, you find other things to share. Well, God is still putting hope into my heart to share, so I thought I would share some with my blogger friends.

"God gives grace to the willing humble. So let God work his will in you.

Yell a loud, "NO" to the Devil and watch him scamper.

Say a quiet, "YES" to God and he'll be there in no time.

Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life.

Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out.

The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious.

Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet."

James 4:6-10 (The Message)

Remember that whatever you are going through in your life, chances are, that someone else has gone through them too and come out a stronger person on the other side. If they can do it so can you, because you are a strong and amazing person. God never gives us more than we can handle. We wonder sometimes why he trusts us so much, but that is the time to trust him, and listen. I have several friends who are going through some really tough "stuff" and because of their faith and strength in the Lord, God is being glorified, and they are giving others Hope. Its hard to see when you are in the "thick of things", but if you just have hope and faith, there is a clearing up ahead. He promises. My favorite verses come from Jeremiah 29:11-13:

"I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home.

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you,

not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen.

When you come looking for me, you'll find me.

Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else,

I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."

I have a situation in my life right now, that I know that God is going to bring me through. I don't understand, "Why me?", but I know there is a reason. I believe that by prayer and petition to my Heavenly Father, he will answer. That gives me hope. Did I mention that I love that word!

My prayer for you is that you will find hope in every situation that you are faced with. Hope in the God who is faithful to supply all of your needs. Hope you have a great day!