Finding Joy In

An unexpected package marked,

on my front porch.

30 plus years ago, a niece lived with me in Alaska.  She was in high school and like so many of her age, she was struggling with who she was.  She was taking wood shop and we had purchased the wood for her to make a shelf for my antique tea cups and saucers.  As with many things in life, she did not complete it.  Every time I would see her, she would 'remember' that she owed me a cabinet.

As soon as I saw the box on my porch I knew exactly what it was.  I did not even have to open it or the packing slip to know.

I got Stan to hang it up immediately in my sewing room and very quickly had it decorated with many of my favorite cups and saucers.
Thank you Gwen, darling, I will think of you every time I see this.
Sad footnote is that she is in Renal failure and desperately needs a kidney.  There are no matches in our family and we are waiting for her only hope, which is a non-related donor.

My garden waking up.  This is a Poppy plant my mother gave me years ago.
One spring, I came home and Stan was out weeding the garden.  I was talking to him and he told me about the huge thistle he had dug out.  I had this terrible fear that it was my poppy and went to look.  Sure enough it was gone.  I was able to dig it out of the compost pile and replant it.  Thankfully it thrived.

A peony I rescued from Karyn's Garden last fall. I believe it is a light pink.
I am so happy to see the buds on it.

My very favorite garden plant is my Wisteria.  I wait every year for its blooms.  When it is in full leaf, it makes my back yard very private.

My Cherry tree is beginning to awaken also.

A reminder that even though it may be Spring, we can still have inclimate weather conditions.

There is also much joy in granddaughters who sing on the Worship Team in their Church.  This little head belongs to Olivia, who is standing beside her daddy at the piano.  David is worship leader at their church. This was the first week she sang with the group.  During first service she stood out front with her sister, but something embarrassed her and she insisted on standing beside daddy during second service.

Her sister Amanda, who sings regularly on the team.

Olivia after the church service.
I apologize for the fuzzy pictures, but someone else was taking them and I did not realize they were not in focus.

Finishing a sweet little sweater and dress for my niece's first baby.

Because a daughter counseled me to find joy in the things around me.
Jeremiah 15:16
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine hear: for I am called by thy name O LORD GOD of hosts.