Our Summer Gardens

How can gardening give so much joy? Maybe it's partly because we have front row seats to the beauty of God's creativity!

We're so blessed to live on a half an acre in the middle of small town Nebraska, very near Omaha. Close to the city where we are often, but far enough away to experience the quiet of small town living.

We love having enough yard room to have a small veggie garden, an herb garden which is right near our patio, easy to slip out to snip a few herbs as I prepare a meal. We also have a number of flower garden spots throughout the yard. It is really quite glorious, and we are so thankful!

The digital scrapbook page above gives a quick glimpse into some of the beauty that God gives us to enjoy ... all right in our own yard. Our veggie garden, herb garden, and flowers are changing day by day; such a joy as we observe the growth. It's a great time of the year!

How Do You Wait?

When we're in need

of comfort, or direction,

wisdom, or peace,

where do we go?

And where do we go amidst

this very challenging year 

in our country, in our world.

One challenge on top of

another, running together,

never-stopping.

Keeping up with the news

is good; but keeping our eyes

constantly on the news doesn't

bring us peace, or even answers.

For our hope is not in news,

or even in man's best efforts.

But I can give my prime time,

my best time, my everyday time;

 all that I am

to waiting on God.

For our hope is in Him.

And we will find comfort,

direction, wisdom,

and peace.

"Let all that I am

wait quietly before God,

for my hope is in Him.

He alone is my rock 

and my salvation,

my fortress where

I will not be shaken.

He is my refuge,

a rock where 

no enemy can reach me.

O my people,

trust in God at all times.

Pour out your heart to Him,

for God is our refuge"

(Psalm 62:5-8 NLT)

Praying these words for my own heart, and also for yours. And for each one in this troubled world filled with pain and hurt. He is the source of hope, of refuge, of all that we long for.

Embroidery: A New Project

Things have been quieter than usual here on my blog, and also on my Instagram account. We've just recently made a huge transition in our lives, having moved off from ministering full-time with Cru, to a new position of "Staff Emeritus"! We've loved our 29 years with Cru, and now, are loving being able to enter into this new season of retirement!

Even though we're continuing to honor the COVID-19 recommendations for the "vulnerable age" category of life we are in, life has been full these past few months! Lots to care for in big transitions, in addition to cataract surgeries for my husband and some other recent medical appointments as well. 

But in the midst of it all, I've been continuing to love a new hobby that I picked up in April ...

I have loved continuing on with some embroidery projects. A great thing about embroidery is that it can be picked up for just 15 minutes at a time, in the midst of a full life. Click here to read how I got started on it the beginning of April. I completed my first project (above) the end of May. I loved this tutorial (with videos) teaching some of the many stitches while creating these beautiful little flowers.

My second project is learning with another embroidery artist - click here. For a small price you can purchase this pattern (above), and with it comes a YouTube tutorial where each stitch is demonstrated. I am loving this project, and already have my sights on more of her patterns for the future!

What a perfect, relaxing way to finish off a day ... stitching and creating a beautiful embroidery design which points to the beauty of God's creation. I love having flowers growing outdoors on our patio and in our gardens, and also, I love these indoor flowers coming to life as I stitch!

What are some hobbies that you're enjoying these days?