Sunshine in My Soul......

(Click on photo for a closer peek, if you'd like)

I am so happy! My heart is full to the Brim with the Joy that Jesus gives....Tonight at Church I received such a blessing from the Lord..... The message was about drinking your fill from the Well of God's Spirit. There is a never ending supply of that Life - Giving Water! (I have blogged about this in the past..... and my goodness! I drank deeply from that Well tonight!)

As I stood with my hands lifted, Praising my Lord at the Altar, tears of happiness ran down my face......and Joy like a River poured out of me..... Praise the Lord! Oh He is so Good! I could never ever thank Him enough.....

And that Well is available for all who desire a drink!!!!

In Jeremiah 29:13, the Lord says:

"And ye shall seek me,and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

Photos of Single Flower Bride's Maid's Bouquet

I had taken this post off the blog, without realizing how many people were looking at it.... so decided to put it back up. I hope it helps! (I didn't make the red and purple, just the hot pink.. which has a fine misting of spray glitter for sparkle) It seems like only one flower would be kind of lonely, but if you add some filler and Ribbon, and if the flower is larger, it is pretty! Click on the pics for a closer look, if you'd like

Even More wedding decorations.....

Some details of the wedding decorations I made, added to the blog for the benefit of a friend, who is looking for ideas

More wedding decorations

These are some bows I made to use as decorations in a wedding. As I mentioned before, all of these wedding decor posts are for a dear friend needing some ideas....

I may not leave them up on the blog permanantly......

Bride's Maid's Bouquet

This was an arm bouquet I made, using three large flowers, some feathers, greenery and ting....... wrapped the stem in brown ribbon and criss crossed and tied with gold

Bride and Groom's table and decorated columns

Click on photos for a closer look, if you'd like

A Flower/Feather Pin

(Click on photo for a closer peek, if you'd like) Do you ever make things as a sort of "de-stresser"? There is just something about working with one's hands; the act of creating something and seeing the finished product that is just so enjoyable......

I wanted a certain color of flower pin to wear on Sunday Morning to Church..... and so I got the idea to make one. Now, I have made corsages for weddings before, but never a flower pin just to wear.... ( my friends Tara and Jaime are really good at it) but I tried my hand at it anyway, and I guess it turned out ok.....

I added ribbon, feathers, and gave it a good spritz with the spray glitter, and I wore it with my brown chiffon skirt and cream lace poet's shirt (since it was see - through, I layered it over a brown long sleeved tee).....

It was fun!!

Special Time with Grandma

(This is a picture of my Grandmother from a few Christmases past) Since so many of you have been so kind with your thoughts, prayers, and comments of concern about my Grandmother, I thought I would post a photo so y'all could see what she looks like...

She has developed a touch of pneumonia in one lung, the doctors think, and has been running fever, but when I left the hospital a little while ago, her blood pressure was good and the fever was normal, Praise the Lord!

Tonight when I went to releave my Mom (so that she could go home and take a bath and wash her hair) I brought my Bible with me. I thought Grannie might enjoy hearing from God's Word since she hasn't been able to attend Church in quite a while.... She was reallly doped up on morphine and phenergan for nausea, but I decided to read aloud to her anyway.....

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..." I began, and she listened a moment and then started quoting with her eyes closed..... "That's from 23 Palms" she murmered.... meaning of course Psalms, but the meds were taking affect... "Yes, that's right," I said, and kept reading... and she would quote some along with me..... I felt tears in my eyes..... God's Word is so Powerful! You can feel the power of those precious words as you speak them, and even though she was ill and out - of - it, she remembered that beloved Psalm!

I read some other Scriptures to her, and then we prayed together..... and I thought "I am so thankful to have gotten to spend this time with my grandmother"...... what a blessing it was for both of us!"

A Lovely Spring Day.....

(More of my "happy splashes" of watercolor from this Spring.. click on photo for a closer look, if you'd like)

Today is lovely for many reasons. Grandma has come through her second surgical proceedure this morning and is now resting comfortably.....

The doctors removed her gall bladder today, as well as cleaned up a few stones they didn't get yesterday.

The only real worry is that her blood pressure is still very high....... so they are giving her meds and we are praying...... Mom just fed her some apple juice, broth and jello... She hasn't had anything to eat since Monday afternoon, so we are very glad that they are starting her on clear liquids.......

Thanks to all of you for praying too! God is so good and kind to hear and answer prayer......Prayer is such a Priviledge! We have a personal audience with the King above all Kings, and He takes the time to listen to US! Wow!

I hope that all of you are having a wonderful, healthy, and joyful weekend.... if not, just talk to Him about it.... He Cares and He will listen!

Meet Delilah Duck

(Delilah is about a foot and a half tall, though you can't tell it from the photo)

Last weekend, I went shopping at T.J. Maxx Homegoods with my sister, and saw this adorable duck. She is made by the Annalee doll company, famous for their mice and elves and bunnies and ducks... and all sorts of critters. I just had to have her! I thought she would be the perfect Spring decoration to place in the room where I teach piano lessons...... I really enjoy doing little things to see my students smile.......

And she is doing what I purchased her for.... you should see the smiles that she has gotten when the kids spy her..... one dear little man named Aiden (I have blogged about him before) named her "Delilah"..... I asked him to choose between some names and he liked Delilah the best, so Delilah it is!

Also: thanks for all of the kind comments and thoughts and prayers for my grandmother...... she is supposed to have surgery in the morning if all goes as planned. She was sleeping very peacefully when I left the hospital a few moments ago, and I prayed for her as she slept, knowing Jesus Christ, Who is the God of the Universe and the ages... is also the Great Physician!!! So there is no better place to be than in His Tender Care...... How I love Him!

Still Singin' In The Dark.....

Well, wouldn't you know it..... since I last posted about Songs at Midnight, a Trial (several actually) have come our way...... Spent last night into this this morning with my Grandmother in the E.R. She will be 80 in June, and was sooo sick......violently throwing up and in severe abdominable pain..... they think it Pancreatitis and a lodged gall stone, and they think she was passing the gall stones as well........ it was terrible to see someone you love in terrible pain.....

I am on my way back up to the hospital to relieve my Mom, right now........ As I sat in the E.R. early this morning I kept thinking about singing Songs at Midnight, and kept praying and reading some scripture cards I keep in my Purse......

Oh I felt Jesus near! He is a very present help in time of trouble...... He is so dear... a strong arm of Strength to lean on, and then.... when we can't even lean, He carries us....... I feel His nearness now......

and I will keep on singin' in the dark........

Songs at Midnight.......

We had a beautiful Church Service this evening....The Power and Prescence of God was so Strong.... I am blessed beyond measure to have been able to worship in His Glorious Prescence.... Praise His Name above all Names!
So tonight I have been thinking about how He has been my song in the midnight hour so many times.... My midnight hours have been very dark, very stressful, very frightening or worrisome experiences; and yet, because I am His and He is mine, I can sing songs of Praise, songs of devotion, songs of love to Him, and those dark hours are lit with the bright torch of His Spirit.... of His comforting nearness..... of His peace..... and of His deliverence!
Acts 16:25-26 speaks of Paul and Silas being imprisoned for doing the work of the Lord.
They were bound in the prison house, with their feet in stocks, and yet they dared to pray and sing songs of Praise!!!
25: "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26: "And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed."
Great things happen when we Praise Him in the midst of our circumstances! Tonight our Choir sang a song called "Praise is what I do" (written by William Murphy)
some of the lyrics go:

And I vow to Praise You,
Through the good and the bad
I'll Praise You
Whether happy or sad
I'll Praise You
In all that I go Through
Because Praise is what I do!
That's how I feel tonight..... Oh, my Heart is full of Praise to the One Who is Always My Song in the Midnight Hours of My Life......His Beautful Name Is Jesus.......

Spring Decor Part 2

(Click on photos if you'd like a closer look at the details)

Hurray for Spring.... I am really getting into it this year... and I thought that maybe some of y'all might like a peek at the finished product.... so I decided to share more of my antique Piano in all of it's Spring-y "glory"..... and yep, good 'ol Mr. Elk is still standing guard over everything, but the lady bunnies don't look too disturbed... Smiles

.

Have a happy day!

Spring Decor

(Click on photos for a closer look at the details, if you'd like)

Those of you who are regular visiters to this blog know that I really enjoy my old, antique, upright piano. I treat the top of it rather like a fireplace mantel, and have such fun changing the decorations to match the Seasons.....

So I thought I would share a little of what I have done for Spring with all of you....

Isn't Spring fun?

Tears for Japan

(This photo of gray skies over water just appealed to me today; it was taken at our 2009 Broken Bow Reunion)
My heart feels broken for the Japanese people who are suffering from the terrible earthquake and tsunami last week....... I keep thinking of the little children and the elderly; both age groups are so vulnerable. And so I have been turning my worries and sadness into prayer. All of this has brought an old song to my mind today.
"Tears Are a Language God Understands" by Gorden Jensen
Often you wonder why, tears come into your eyes
And burdens seem to be, so much more than you can stand
But God is standing near, He sees your falling tears
And tears are a language, God understands
God sees the tears of a brokenhearted Soul
He sees your tears, and hears them when they fall
God weeps along with man, and He takes him by the hand
Tears are a language God understands
When grief has left you low, it causes tears to fall
When things have not turned out, the way that you had planned
But God won't forget you, His promises are true
And tears are a language God understands
May God Help, Heal, and Strengthen the dear people of Japan.....

Springtime Roses Bouquet

(Click on photo if you'd like a closer peek at the little faux bird's nest or the wee chick)

I guess it's the Spring weather! For the last several weeks I've really enjoyed keeping fresh flowers in our home....

I thought that my dear blogging friends might enjoy a glimpse of the latest "bouquet", along with Mrs.Bunny and her tiny friend "Peep"..... **Smiles** So here they are....

I hope you have a weekend full of smiles and sunshine....if not literally, then at least in your heart! Remember, Someone loves you more than you could ever even begin to know..... His Name is Jesus......

Jenni

He's the beautiful Rose of Sharon....

(another photo of a lovely rose in our friend Jack's rose garden)

As I was reading the Bible last night, this scripture really touched my heart:

Song of Solomon 2:1: "I AM the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys."

Not only is He the "rose of Sharon", He is the "Lily of the valleys" plural... that means more than one valley......

So I got to thinking about my wonderful, amazing Beloved Savior..... In every valley of trial, tribulation, or sorrow that I have walked through, HE has been the ONE lovely part present in every valley..... how I love Him! Walking with Him, and trusting Him, grows sweeter every day....

So here is the Chorus to another of my favorite old songs:

"I Found The Lily in my Valley" by Quinton Mills

I found the lily in my valley, I found strength when I was worn

I found a place to leave my burdens, I found a refuge from the storm

A place where I could trade my dark skies, for beaming rays of sunshine

I found the lily in my valley, And now He blooms all the time

Joyful Spring

(click on photo for a closer look at the little "critters", if you'd like)

Is that her? Yes! I believe it is! Shy Lady Spring is peeking around the Corner, today...

She is so pretty! And her arrival is a joyous occasion, as Nature begins to wake up and streeeetch and yawn after Winter's long sleep....

Have a happy day.... and I hope there is a "Spring" in your step as you remember that God loves you and Spring is on the way......