She’s Good Lookin’!

Yes, “she” is… the one hundred-year-old farmhouse we’ve called home for the past year.  This home belongs to our dear friends.  They are missionaries in Portugal at the moment, and we have the joy and fun of living here until they return.  Not a stitch of this is ours- except maybe the chickens. We got them last spring- just two days old.  We let the kids name them… Zoe, Delilah, Jay Z, Pollo Loco, Hella (Named by Bella- then age 2 1/2) and Fiona.  The chickens have been a blast.  They are the sweetest things.  One of my favorite memories by far is watching Isabella march around the yard as the chickens follow after her in single file.  She FINALLY has someone to boss around!  Ha!

Below is the view coming up the driveway…those silly chickens always ready to greet us. 

 

The middle picture below is on the way to the garden.  It’s a sight to behold.  Can you see the little tunnel through the shrubs?  One of the best parts!  The garden is definitely my happy place.  My man and I love to spend time out there together.  Our friends tease us relentlessly about what we actually do in there.  And, no, we do NOT pretend to be Adam and Eve… as far as you know!  Haha!

Irises and roses are my favorite flowers.  If you stop by, you are guaranteed to leave with a bouquet!

And here’s that (What shall we call it?  Unique?) piano in the yard.  The one that inspired THIS post.

This place is definitely a diamond in the rough around here.  I’ll give you a little tour of the backyard and inside the house, too.  They’ve furnished the house with period pieces, and it feels sometimes like we live back in time!

                      Love!

Soul’s Joy

This is my kitchen unkempt-

yet my morning sanctuary.

I sit with full cup of coffee in hand

While children and husband sleep

And it’s here I soak it in-

Peace.

Stillness.

Grace.

I melt in His presence.

He feeds my famished soul.

I feel my God so close.

Takes my breath away.

The air is weighty

The presence thick.

This radiant, all-consuming love.

Soul’s joy.

May He appear unmistakably in every place we go.

With love,

A Backyard Birthday Tea Party And Some Thoughts

Throughout my blog break last year I still took tons of pictures!  Too many, in fact!  I thought I’d better start chronicling them now!  Blogging must be in my blood because everything we do as a family I recreate in my imagination as “blog posts”.  I see the picture layout in my head, and I give the imaginary post a title.  Do you bloggers think the same way…See it all in your head even before it’s an actual post? (This is where you nod and smile so I don’t feel like such a weirdo. Ha!)

Anyway, here are a few pictures from Beach Bunny’s backyard tea party.  I absolutely LOVE hosting parties.  My personal goal is for each guest to know that they are adored and loved.  That’s the gift that Jesus gives to me each and every day, and I just want to give that same gift away to each and every person that comes over…To know and feel Jesus’ love and acceptance will ruin you for anything else.  It’s THAT good! Beach Bunny and I play “tea party” in the backyard all the time, so when it came time for her party last year the theme was cinched!  She’s a big fan of cupcakes and, quite frankly, so is her mama! ; )

Beach Bunny shared her party with her beautiful little cousin, Sara.  They share the exact same birthday, just one year apart.  They are so opposite in looks, but share the exact same sweetness, love of dress up, and all-things-girly!  Oh, to grow up with cousins you adore!

We just invited family to the party, and everyone was so sweet to drop by on their lunch breaks to have sandwiches and tea with us.

It’s been SO FUN to just be able to grab flowers out of the yard and make simple arrangements for special occasions… or for no occasion at all.  I’m going to miss this when we move back home.  Sniff!

Jeremiah 31:3 comes to mind when I remember her tea party… "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”  That verse reminds me of my love for my daughter and also shows me how approachable God is.  That inspires me!  God’s love has been so powerful in my life and, as a result, I can’t help but to want to BE loving-kindness to those I serve- making myself a little lower so His name can be lifted higher- just like those helium balloons.

It’s funny how a little tea party gave me a fresh perspective.  What a gift- I needed that!

Today I’m also participating in Gifts of Thanks, all the ways that God gives.  Click link below to be inspired!

 

If All of Life is a Song For Him

Edited to add:

My sweet friend, Kim, added something so thoughtful in the comments that I just loved! I had to post it here. I love her words and what the Lord spoke to her heart. Powerful! Thanks, Kim!!

" I couldn't help but be taken aback by the worn out piano. Then I realized, I am that worn out piano, run down by life, dirty from sin yet so much potential within. Praise God that like that piano, I have a beautiful song to sing & a Savior to wipe me clean!! Love it!! Kim B."

If all of life is a song for Him,

What is the melody?

This harmony of lives in tandem

Walking in humble obedience.

The tender notes of mercy,

and grace-

A rhythmical tribute to the one who

Laid it down

And

Paid the way.

If all of life is a song for Him,

What is the cadence of

sweet surrender?

Oh, my soul!

What is your song?