Although my daughter and I are only able to visit in person 2 or 3 times a year; it is important to plan a day "away"...to find a flee market (particularly those with a delightful selection of splendid, aged books) primitive and country craft shops, just ordinary yard and garage sales and a quaint, curious out of the way 0ld resturant. Sounds like Holmes Co., Ohio....mmmm....!
It is delightful to take a step back in time where the decor is simple but elegant in a "turn of the century" atmosphere. Tea is served in delicate, old-fashioned china. The serving staff are dressed in period clothing of the vicitorian era.
I am thankful for these times that we can spend with those we love.

A DELIGHTFUL OLD RESTURANT

INDIFFERENCE


Love will find a way...indifference will find an excuse.

Some people take a stand for Christ and never move again.

After all is said and done, more is said than done.

You cannot expect to feel God's presence if you are too busy.

Tis a beautiful morning in these hills and ridges of Pa. Abundant sunshine and temp.'s near 80. What more could we ask for?
I am thinking of calling one of my favorite friends. It is such a wonderful day to take a walk down my forest path to the pond. Come, take my hand and walk with me a ways. No matter how we are feeling inside, just being out in this great outdoors could be the right medicine. It is so wonderful to know that God cares for us. He knows when we feel alone and blue and wants to lighten our load. That is why he sent us friends. A true friend listens. A true friend will pray for you and your concerns. A true friend will suggest a "quiet time" alone with God.
I enjoy reading this short poem written by Sandra Lytle. It is intitaled...
QUITE TIME..."I need some quiet time alone with God...to help me through the day...A little time to read His Word...a little time to pray. From this I gain the strength I need...to carry me along. It lifts me up on wings of joy...And gives my heart a song."

HOME


A house is built by hands, but a home is built by hearts.

A house is not a home unless in contains food for the soul as well as for the body.

When love adorns the home, other things are secondary.

A home is a house with a heart inside.

Lines Written in Early Spring
William Wordsworth (1798)
I heard a thousand blended notes, while in a grove I sate reclined, In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts bring sad thoughts to the mind. To her fair works did Nature link the human soul that through me ran; And much it grieved my heart to think what man has made of man. Through primrose tufts, in that green bower, The periwinkle trailed its wreaths; And ’tis my faith that every flower enjoys the air it breathes. The birds around me hopped and played, Their thoughts I cannot measure:--But the least motion which they made, it seemed a thrill of pleasure. The budding twigs spread out their fan, to catch the breezy air; And I must think, do all I can, that there was pleasure there. If this belief from heaven be sent, if such be Nature’s holy plan, Have I not reason to lament what man has made of man?

GOD'S WILL

Be sure...if God sends you on a stony path, He will provide you with strong shoes.

Don't expect God's approval of plans on which he has not been consulted.

When you go through trials, you are not being picked on; you are being picked out.

The Lord opens doors for each of us to become avenues of His love and grace on a daily basis.

FRIENDSHIP

A friend is one who helps you bridge the gaps between loneliness and fellowship, frustration and confidence, despair and hope, setbacks and success.

Christ's friendship prevails when human friendship fails.

Friends are those rare people who ask how we are then wait to hear the answer.

Life benefits from serving others, for as it reaches out to help, it gathers something for itself...friendship.

Blog hopping again this morning. So many wonderful and clever ideas. So much inventive ability out there. I stopped by La Tea's blog (Gracious Hospility). She had posted a most delicious poem. I believe I shall have a Tea Party myself.
"I had a little tea party this afternoon at three...'Twas very small, three guests in all...Just I, myself and me. Myself ate all the sandwiches, while I drank all the tea; Twas also I that ate the pie and passed the cake to me."...Author Unknown

EDUCATION

School is a building that has four walls...with tomorrow inside.

Intelligence is like a river...the deeper it is, the less noise it makes.

The highest knowledge is the knowledge of God.

If you divorce education from religion, you will produce a race of clever devils.

DETERMINATION

God doesn't ask you to be the best...only to do your best.

Courage isn't having the strength to go on...it's going on when you don't have the strength.

Lincoln was not great because he lived in a cabin but because he was able to get out of the cabin.

If you don't climb the mountain, you can't see the view.

The Backyard Pond is a wonderful place to come and visit. That was my intentions when I began this blog. However, I happen to live in the northwoods of Pa. and spring hasn't fully arrived. In fact, we had snow yesterday, I believe about 2". I thought the verse was..."April showers bring May flowers". Do you know that God knows what we have need of and so I am thankful for the moisture in whatever way He deems fit to send it.
If I were out in the wooded area that surrounds our little town, my heart (and feet) would be leading me to a path that I had not been on before. Of course; I would have a favorite friend with me, perhaps 2 or 3. We can sence the "feel" of Spring that is in the air. Even though it's a tad chilly today, the sun on our backs is just wonderful! It will be grand to take this path again...once the leaves and ground foilage fills out. Can't wait for those wild flowers to bloom and perfume this forest. Is that a tinkle of water we hear? Awww! It's not our backyard pond but it looks so restful. Let's sit on these larger rocks for a bit and visit.
I have a poem I'd like to share written by one of my favorite poets, Annie Johnson Flint.

"When thou passest through the waters, deep the waves may be and cold,
But Jehovah is our refuge, And His promise is our hold;
For the Lord himself has said it, He, the faithful God and true;
When thou comest to the waters
Thou shalt not go down, BUT THROUGH."

"Seas of sorrow, seas of trial, Bitterest anguish, fiercest pain,
Rolling surges of temptation, Seeping over heart and brain...
They shall never overflow us, For we know His Word is true.
All His waves and all His billows...He will lead us safely through."

"Threating breakers of destruction, Doubts insidious undertow,
Shall not sink us, shall not drag us, out to oceans depths of woe;
For His promice shall sustain us, Praise the Lord, whose Word is true!
We shall not go down or under, For He saith, "Thou Passest THROUGH."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY "ONLY" DAUGHTER

Today is my "only" daughter's birthday. Just on the slim chance there are some that don't know...! I love you, Sharon Marie.

Children

The strongest faith is often found in a child's heart.

Children are often spoiled because no one will spank Grandma. :o)

It's funny that the things your kids did that got on your nerves seem cute when your grandchildren do them.

Lead a child to Christ...Save a life.

I was looking through my snail- mail the other day and found a card from one of my favorite sisters. I must share the wording on in. It was titaled, "GOD CARES About Every Detail of Your Life..."

He collects....every tear in a bottle. Psalm 56:8

He numbers....every hair on your head. Luke 12:7

He knows....every hurt in your heart. Psalm 34:18

The Lord knows all that you are going through.
He loves you, He cares for you,
and He will make sure
not one detail
is overlooked in "your life".

This card came just when I needed it! Thank you, sister.

Anger

Don't be angry with the people who are smarter than you...it isn't their fault.

Anger is only one letter from danger.

A man is never in worse company than when he flies into a rage and is beside himself.

One load that is too heavy for anyone to carry...a grudge.


Bible

A Bible in hand is worth two on the shelf.

The value of the Bible is not knowing it, but obeying it.

The Bible is a window through which we look at eternity.

The Bible is not only the world's best-seller...it is man's best buy.

"I was crushed...so much so that I despaired even of life, but that was to make me rely not on myself, but on the God who raises the dead." (2 Cor. 1:8, 9.)

I was reading this morning in Streams In The Desert. I don't think I could have found anything that would have encouraged me more. He is so faithful. I'd like to share what I read penned by A. B. Simpson

"The pressure of hard places makes us value life. Every time our life is given back to us from such a trial, it is like a new beginning, and we learn better how much it is worth, and make more of it for God and man. The pressure helps us to understand the trials of others, and fits us to help and sympathize with them.
There is a shallow, superficial nature, that gets hold of a theory or a promice lightly, and talks very glibly about the distrust of those who shrink from every trial; but the man or woman who has suffered much never does this, but is very tender and gentle, and knows what suffering really means. This is what Paul meant when he said, "Death worketh in you."
Trials and hard places are needed to press us forward, even as the furnace fires in the hold of that mighty ship give force that moves the piston, drives the engine, and propels that great vessel across the sea in the face of the winds and waves."