"Life, but it wasn't mine"

If I told you my story

You would hear Hope that wouldn't let go

And if I told you my story

You would hear Love that never gave up

And if I told you my story

You would hear Life, but it wasn't mine

 If I told you my story
You would hear victory over the enemy
And if I told you my story
You would hear freedom that was won for me
And if I told you my story
You would hear Life overcome the grave

 If I should speak then let it be
Of the grace that is greater than all my sin
Of when justice was served and where mercy wins
Of the kindness of Jesus that draws me in
Oh to tell you my story is to tell of Him

 This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long

- Big Daddy Weave, My Story -

A Week's Progress

"the glory that will be"

 

I had a great joy today. Mom and I made "my" caramel rolls together. After two and a half years of hardly touching gluten (literally), I dug in and enjoyed every minute of the caramel roll making process.

 

The familiar smells of rich dough, caramel bubbling and sweet cinnamon.

The silky, soft feel of dough under my fingers.

The stretching, rolling, coaxing springy dough into a flat rectangle.

The rolling into a log and quickly cutting two inch rolls to keep the knife from sticking.

 

Sure, I now have an itchy face. Who knows what affect the allergen breathed will have on my energy and pain levels tomorrow. But the joy of those moments of working along side Mom, doing something that still is second nature was worth the pain.

 

"Pain is gain." While I don't believe the adage to be true in all instances, it certainly is true in many. Sometimes the pain is after the gain, like in this case when the allergy flared after the joy of baking. Other times the gain comes after the pain, like sweating over a garden only to later enjoy its beauty and/or produce.

 

I am reminded of one of my favorite verses. "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). Praise God, this is true for us whose sins are forgotten because of Jesus shed blood!

Sweater Begun

Finishing

 

Mom is in the last stages of stitching Jason's quilt before putting it back in his hands for binding.

Swan Migration

 

Expand these pictures to see only a few of the thousands of swans that have been making their way through our area these last few days.

Supper in the Porch

We had many unseasonably warm days now followed by moderate cold. It didn't cool off before we enjoyed our first meal in the porch for the season. Welcome, Spring!

In Which...

...Jason turns forty...

...has a party...

... and eats pie.

Several of us got to hold Maren and Jason's newest neighbor, too.

Where Have You Been?

That title needs to be pronounced with a long "e" and a British accent. Recognize it, Pride and Prejudice fans? Hint: Lady Catherine de Bourgh

 

Quotes aside, here is a run down of my days since last posting... in no particular order:

a birthday party for Jason (pictures coming soon)

soaking up sun on the deck

cooking

resting

hot detox baths

taking oral treatments and supplements at least ten times a day

eating

knitting

a birthday tea with young friends

sickness from increased treatment

unexpected sunshine

greening grass

reading/listening to audio books

studying up on Etsy

church (so nice to be strong enough to make it one Sunday)

washing dishes

folding clothes

taxes

sorting unruly files

stretching while listening to God's Word

first robins

trial of a low FODMAP diet on top of autoimmune protocol

a much appreciated day visit from Maren

eating a midnight snack to quiet a  crying body

watering plants

laughter

tears

and more resting

 

 

These child sized mittens were one of my knitting projects these last weeks. As you can see they need a little finishing off of loose ends. Watch for them on Etsy come Fall.

Sky with Friends

Enjoying the blue, blue sky...

...with these friends.

Embedded in Ice

Monumental Birthdays

 

February 26th was Dorothy's fifty-seventh birthday. Each year with this "little girl" is a gift as she has so many challenges. She was a sleepy birthday girl (as usual) and had a bit of a cold (not usual).

 

Dorothy had fun anyway. Maren came home to celebrate!

 

The same day was Grandpa's 100th birthday. Grandma would have been ninety-seven on the same day.

 

On Sunday the family put on a party for Grandpa. Many friends and relatives came to celebrate. When asked if he ever thought he'd live this long, Grandpa quickly answered, "No." He has now quit saying every year that this could be his last. Instead he says, "You never know."

 

 

"...even to your old age I am He,
    and to gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear;
    I will carry and will save."

Isaiah 46:4