Holiday Shopping

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

Christmas is nearly here and if you are like me it is time to get gifts sent to far away family and friends. Consider giving artwork or my book —Life in Letters: A Christian Young Person’s Guide to Virtue, Integrity and Peace. Save 10% on your entire order from my store PLUS get free standard shipping (USA only).  Hurry!  Offer expires Dec. 16, 2020.

library-bound, full color book for children and families

Life in Letters is a library-bound full color book in which the letters of the alphabet are contemporary versions of ancient illuminated letters. If you are a parent or a young person who has questions about how the Bible pertains to everyday life, Life in Letters is for you. Combining arresting color illustrations and hand-lettered advice to children with Scripture passages and discussion questions for parents, Life in Letters is straightforward advice for young people and solid help to parents seeking to obey Scripture’s call to teach God’s commands and ways to the next generation–“Tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD…teach them to know that they should put their confidence in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments…” Psalm 78:4-7 (NASB). Readers of any age will find that Life in Letters provides an effective tool for building moral character and an inspiration to life a life pleasing to God.

Everything in my store is on sale so be sure to look at the artwork and cards. Click on images for more information about each item. Some are original, glassed and framed art.

Save 10% on your entire order from my store PLUS get free standard shipping (USA only).  Hurry!  Offer expires Dec. 16, 2020. Go to the “My Store” tab above and enter coupon code DEC2020 at checkout.

Thanks for coming to visit! Have a very happy Christmas!

 

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

Here in the West we have had days and weeks of smoke hanging heavy in our skies from the fires that have ravaged huge numbers of forests, fields, homes and lives. The pall of smoke has been miserable and in many situations downright dangerous. Our air quality went to “hazardous” and stayed that way for days. Even while staying indoors my eyes stung, my head clogged and even my mental outlook was clouded by the gloomy overcast that kept the sun hidden, the sky murky. This is such a vivid picture of our spiritual condition when we are not looking to God for His pure “breath of life.”

I have been enduring the actual smoke but also a spiritual “smoke haze”. My pre-occupation with social media accounts, computer games, and all the political upheaval have distracted me from clear view of the glory of my God. It is a dangerously toxic spiritual smoke haze. Consequently my focus on the here and now has blurred my spiritual vision, clogged my mind, and nearly paralyzed me with anxiety. Every aspect of the spiritual smoke haze has me walking farther and farther from Jesus’s side.

Don’t get me wrong. These things are not sinful or wrong, but they have become my focus. They have covered my gaze with toxic spiritual smoke. There is an old song titled “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus.” It goes like this:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

 

Oh soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free

 

Through death into life everlasting
He passed and we follow Him there
O’er us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conquerors we are

                                                             Is your gaze on Jesus?

 

You can listen to the song sung by Lauren Daigle here:

 

This song reminds me that my gaze has been in the wrong direction. I need the Holy Spirit to blow away the smoke of Satan’s lies, and distractions. I need the breath of God to revitalize me. God tells me he will give me clean, fresh, spiritual air:

“I will put my Spirit [Breath] within you and you will come to life…” Ezekiel 37:14

I cry out to God for clear vision of my beloved Jesus.

“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on jus, that we would be called children of God; and such we are…Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.”  I John 3:1, 2

I ask Him for more of Jesus as Living Water to sooth my parched throat.

“Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:14

I call for His Word of wisdom to break the clogs of wrong thinking.

“O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to your dwelling places…to God my exceeding joy…” Psalm 43:3, 4

I beg Him to whisper to me again that I am in His care and under His protection no matter the day’s alarming news.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty…He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.” Psalm 91: 1, 4

My soul cries “Come, Lord Jesus!”

““I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.” Revelation 22: 16, 17

QUESTION: Is your spiritual vision clouded by Satan’s smoke of lies and distraction? What will you do now to “turn your eyes upon Jesus?”

Honor- An Anniversary Reflection

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

A few days ago my beloved husband and I celebrated a big milestone anniversary. Thinking about the days and years that brought us to this occasion has been very profitable to my own daily life. Let me explain. Here in the West we mark significant occasions with many kinds of celebration or commemoration. The hallmark of these is ‘honor.’ We participate in the solemn ceremony and vows of marriage, mourn the death of a loved one at a funeral with various memories and words. Cities and nations honor fallen heroes and great leaders with parades, speeches, statues or even naming streets, buildings, and bridges after them. As we participate in these events, we take time to give honor—respect and recognition of the worthiness of another.

When we reflect on the day of our marriage, or celebrate in ceremony the worthiness of a person who has accomplished much, or are reminded of a loved one’s passing, we think about the noble, good and right things of that marriage union, the work of the hero and the life of the deceased. This is a satisfying exercise of thought. So it is with our honoring of God. We reflect on Him and His work in the world even as we celebrate and commemorate life events.

But even more helpful, I think, is the thought of places in those relationships and lives that were less than good.  Looking back on my marriage, I am reminded of the continuing need to  “… as [one] who [has] been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentle ness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other…just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” Colossians 3: 12-13.  In the ups and downs and daily frustrations involved in living with other human beings, this is really hard. Being changed into the image of Jesus is not a painless or simple “one and done” operation. It is an on-going work of choosing to be like Him in attitude, action and words. Giving up my need to be right, or have my needs met is so contrary to my still-fallen human nature. But thanks to my Heavenly Father, the work is happening! These many years have be marked by lots of “head-butting” and exasperation but God has used those situations to deal with me and is making me more aware of my need of Him to change my heart. I praise Him and own the truth that if it had not been for His kind work in my heart, my marriage would have ended years ago. Because of His grace, I have been blessed with the joy of companionship and love afforded by the bond of matrimony for many years. For this I honor God.

So as I reflect on this anniversary, or think of a loved one’s death on the anniversary of his passing or I join in the ceremony of remembering horrific events like 9/11, I am reminded of God’s sovereign reign over all things, His love and blessing to me and others and I praise Him for the lessons He has taught me through the good and bad of these things.

Choose to honor God by acknowledging HIS might and goodness in all things

There are so many ways to be reminded to praise God for all He is and does. The birth of a baby, the delight in graduation from school, the pain of loss in the face of natural disaster or man-made misery, all call me to remember that God is on His throne. In His almighty power and wisdom, He is still in control. He loves His own and has intimate concern with every part of His good creation. He has plans for every turn of human events even when we see them as mysterious and inscrutable. He is using all my circumstances and all the events of my life to make me more like my Lord Jesus Christ.

As I celebrate my wedding anniversary, attend funeral services for my dead friend, or participate in Memorial Day Celebrations at the Veteran’s Cemetery, I am reminded of the honor due those who are the focus of the events. But even more I am reminded to honor God, the One who brings every occasion to pass. I honor Him as “The Blessed Controller of All Things” and rest in joyful peace knowing that He is “…working all things together for good to those who love God to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Question: What life events and world troubles turn your heart to God? Have you pondered the ways God is using and has used these circumstances to draw you to a rich and eternal relationship with Himself through Jesus Christ? Will you honor and praise Him today for the good and bad of your life?

 

5 Steps to Getting Things Done Now

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

The time is now. This moment is all I have. Time has been on my mind a lot lately. I have been trying to get my family history scrapbooks caught up after years of neglect. Assembling photos and pages detailing long-past events I am struck by how much time I no longer have to spend. Then I think about what I hope and plan to do tomorrow or even this afternoon, and I realize I don’t have that time to spend, either. The only time I have is literally this moment. Right now. Only now.

My to-do lists are everywhere. I am a serious, some might say ‘compulsive,’ list maker. So many of those lists have the same projects and plans listed and often in the exact same order. One of my constant thoughts is “what is the most important item on those lists to be doing now?” Hmmm. It is so much easier to make lists instead of actually starting on the projects on the list. So, chastened by this truth, I talk to myself and say “pick one thing. It isn’t important what, but pick one things and start. Start now.”

So here I am writing. ‘Writing for my blog’ is on each list. “Good for me,” I silently congratulate myself. ‘Making art’ is on each list so I’ve made some calligraphy to go with this post. Again I pat myself on the back for seizing this moment. So the question arises, “how can I help myself stay in this mode of using the time I have now?” I’ve set up a game plan.

  1. Make a list. What do you really want to do? Be detailed, but don’t get bogged down.
  2. Prioritize the list. Think of all reasons every item should or could be done. Given where you are in life situation, what is the priority for each item? Make a fresh, prioritized list.
  3. Start now. Start with the top item. NOW. (This step requires a bit of “self-talk” – grab myself by the scruff of my mental neck and look myself squarely in my internal ‘face’ and give myself a serious command to “get going, now!”) Begin the doing the top task.
  4. Go back to the list when you find yourself milling around with a sense of “what should I do?“ Take the top item and start. NOW.
  5. Congratulate yourself when you have taken the moment in hand and gotten one of the items done. “Good for you!” Enjoy the sense of accomplishment and maturity you have gained by this process. Don’t stop now! Go back to #3. Soon you will have a list of accomplishments rather than “to-do’s.” And won’t that feel great?
Actor Hugh Laurie puts a fine point on the way to get going. Just start.

Let me encourage you to get going on your list. Do now what you have been stalling while you get “ready.” As the quote by Hugh Laurie puts it, “There is no such thing as ready. Now is as good a time as any.”

With practice, you and I can get much accomplished and who knows, we might just improve the world in which we live as an added bonus!

QUESTION: What are you doing NOW? Have you thought about the loss of letting this moment slip by un-used?

Corona Crazy Days

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

The corona virus has inflicted more than physical harm. Fear and crazy panic are washing over us as a result of corona’s spread around the world. The mandated isolation of huge numbers of people has caused even more anxiety. Fear and isolation are a dreadful combination in our thinking. Why are we in such a dither? What can we do to “keep our heads?”

Not knowing what will happen causes fear. We are not in control. We cannot know what the next moment will bring, let alone what tomorrow or next week holds for us. Our world seems upside down and out of control just now.

It isn’t. God is still God and like the old spiritual says “He’s got the whole world in His hands.” But, this season is a severe test of what we believe about some very serious matters. Life and death are staring us in the face. A huge list of “what ifs” have unfurled before us.

Considering death we ask “What if I get sick and die?” “What will happen to my family?” “What will dying be like?” “Where will I go after death?” Considering life under the restrictions, shortages and isolation, we wonder “What will I do if I run out of food?” “If I can’t go to work, how will we pay the bills?” “If one or more of us are sick, how will we know what to do?” “Will our doctor be able to help?” “Will we get turned away at the door of the emergency room?”  “What will I do to be sure my kids don’t get behind in school?” “What will I do to fill the days and hours of enforced solitude?”

Difficult questions to be sure, but I am reining in my thinking and reminding myself of some wonderful things that are true.

God made me and the whole world. He has not “lost control.” I do not fear what I cannot see because I know He knows and sees all things.

“…I am God, and there is no other’ I am God and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established and I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;…Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it.”  Isaiah 46:9-11

The Almighty does not slumber or sleep. (Psalm 121:3) He knows the plans He has for us. When the prophet Jeremiah gave God’s people the horrifying news that they were about to go into captivity, he also relayed God’s kind and comforting promise.

“‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope…call upon Me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, ‘declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 29: 10-14

God has a plan. Think of the confusion the Apostles must have felt in the days and hours leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. They had come to believe that He was indeed the long-awaited Messiah the Father had promised Adam and Eve in the Garden. But here He was, arrested, beaten, mocked and even murdered. He, who had done not one thing wrong, was dying the ignominious death of a criminal. They must have wondered why God had let this happen. Why didn’t Jesus just speak a word and destroy the hated Roman authorities? He could have become king with the power He had. He had fed thousands from offerings of a tiny lunch, healed dreaded leprosy, caused those who had been crippled from birth to walk and run. He walked on water, calmed a storm with a simple command—“Peace, be still.” He had raised people from the dead. Why was this One who had such power allowing Himself to be crucified?

Nothing can thwart God’s plan. Nothing the world does can change or thwart that plan. The Godhead, in eternity past, determined to bring men who are dead in sin and under His just judgement for that sin to life and to make them into righteous beings for eternity. The Great, Holy, Triune God did what He planned. Jesus—God in human flesh—came to earth at the perfect time, lived and then died exactly as He planned. He was raised on the third day and He lives forever. Jesus is coming back to deal with sin and evil finally and forever. The entire flow of history from the Garden, through the Cross to this day and on to the Day of His appearing is entirely planned by Almighty God.

Not one action or circumstance in which we find ourselves is out of His awareness and control. The spread of this fearsome disease causes us alarm. It is not an easy thing to contemplate being sick and dying. Death is an enemy that entered our world when we fell into sin and rebellion. But God is using this situation to accomplish His plan. We can’t know how that will be except that we know He will use it for His glory. In the meantime, we must discipline our thinking and use what He has given to live soberly and sensibly.

How can we overcome the confusion, anxiety, fear? I would suggest several things, but first and most importantly, I remind myself and urge you to draw near to God and He will draw near to us.

How do we “draw near”? Sincere prayer, careful reading of and meditation on the Bible. His Word gives what we need in time of turmoil. Remember the words He spoke to the storm? “Peace, be still.” The Psalmist says it to us as well. “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 He has promised to hear those who call upon Him.

Question: Will you call on God today? Will you give Him your fear and trust Him to be with you and help you in this time of uncertainty?

Handwriting Letters

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

Handwriting letters is nearly a lost art. I think very few people write letters these days because of the instantaneous nature of texts, e-mails and even old fashioned phone calls. Taking pen in hand to write a letter requires time and thought. It reflects your care for the person to whom you write. It also requires a special skill set that many people of our day do not have. I am very concerned that cursive handwriting is no longer part of school curriculum in schools around our country. Even some of my own grandchildren who are home-schooled do not know how to write or read cursive handwriting. YIKES!!

Beside the concern I have about my “Grands” not having cursive under their belt, I have been convicted lately of something that I have read many times in the Bible. I need to be telling my grandchildren about our wonderful God. In Deuteronomy 6, we are commanded to teach the words of God “diligently to your [children]…” and in Psalm 78 to “tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.”

In an effort to obey the command of God to tell of His excellence to the next generation, I have decided to try to write at least one letter to each of my eight “Grands” every month. That means I only need to write 2 letters a week, which seems a manageable task. I hope to engage them about their lives and also begin dialog with them about the things of Scripture and connecting with them spiritually. Texting and even phone calls are not the best vehicles for this project.

When I began, I stumbled on the realization that 5 of the 8 don’t read or write cursive handwriting. So to make myself understood by them, I created a “decoder” that would help them read the letter I have written to them. I also made a diagram about how to address an envelope because I feel sure they haven’t learned that particular bit of arcane “stuff of daily life” either. Not knowing how to do this is rather like learning to read an analog clock, balance a checkbook or write a thank you note– there are some basics to learn.

I wonder if you, my reader, may not know how to read and write cursive. I wonder how many of you have learned how to address an envelope. Maybe you have children you would like to teach cursive handwriting. Whatever the case, I’ve made a couple PDF files you are free to download to get you started.

 Decoder for cursive handwriting- PDF

How to address an envelope- PDF

Here is a 3 ½ minute YouTube video that will help you, as well.

“Learn to Write Capital and Small Alphabets in Cursive”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTF0AhQjU0k

Once you learn each letter’s shape and the way to make it, you “string the letters together” by not lifting your pencil or pen as you write a word. The end of one letter swoops up to the next and that letter flows into the next until you have come to the end of your word. I think it is easier that picking up and putting down your pen with each discrete letter when you write manuscript style. (“printing”)

I have finished the first letters to the oldest sons of each family. One is a senior in college and the other a Jr. in high school. Here are the envelopes I made for their letters.

I’m hoping to catch their attention with a “decorated envelope.” I also have included the “decoder” and the “How to Address an Envelope” for them, and as an added prod, an envelope and a stamp and a cheery “I hope you will write back” P.S. I’m sure there will be a bit of eye-rolling, but underneath I hope they are stirred to making a regular interaction with me (Grammy).

 

QUESTION: Will you try to write a letter to someone special soon? If you don’t know how to write cursive handwriting will you try to learn?

 

 

A Little Letter Play

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

Travel and garden produce preservation projects have kept me from my studio in recent weeks. Today was a “free day” so I dug out my inks, pens and practice paper. I played with an alphabet learned from well-known calligrapher, Barry Morentz. (Here’s his website: https://acornarts.org/barry-morentz-gothicized.html  or you can find him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/barrymorentz/ His “Gothicized Italic” letters are his hallmark. I admire them very much. I used the Speedball Textbook with his exemplar to guide my letter play today. Also used my Westwind practice pad, calli red ink and walnut ink and a size 2 Mitchell nib to do this lettering.

Here is my “dinking around.” LOTS of mistakes, but it is fun to get back in the calligraphy saddle after a long time away.

practice lettering using “gothicized italic” letters developed by Barry Morentz

Hidee-ho, off I go. Time to get ready for “Girls’ Night Out” with a gaggle of friends.

QUESTION:

What have you neglected to do that would be fun and “good for your soul”? Will you carve out a bit of time to do that fun thing this weekend? Hope so!

Does Love Enthrall?

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

Here is another letter in my Alphabet of Love (see posts for July 12 and August 2). Check out the word “enthrall.” I’m not so great at pointed pen writing, but the word itself is fascinating.

The letter E

In preparing to letter the words for the letter E, I found the word “enthrall.” It is rather old fashioned and almost medieval in its connotations.

enthrall \in-thrȯl\ vt 1: to hold in or reduce to slavery 2: to hold spellbound: CHARM

I belong to Jesus Christ. He has made me His own by dying in my place under the curse of God on my sin. The book of Romans describes my relationship to Him this way.

Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?  But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.  Romans 6:8-18

 

This Scripture really impacts me. The idea of being a slave is sobering. Imagine being a servant (slave) in the household of a wealthy feudal baron. The castle is a stone structure. Your quarters are probably in an unheated attic. You must rise before dawn, dress and hurry to prepare every need for your master.  Not one hour of your day, not one day of your week not one week of your year, or one part of your life is free from the whims and needs of another. Indeed, a difficult situation if you are slave to a kind master, but utterly miserable if he is a cruel, thoughtless or demanding owner. Life is an unending cycle of work which, at best, does not enrich you one bit. At worst, your life is a grinding, miserable endurance contest.

Now, think of what Paul is saying about our relationship to sin- and ultimately the tyrannous evil lord of sin: satan. “You were slaves of sin.” (v. 17) In other words, you were “enthralled” by satan. Every single ugly word from your mouth, every mean thought, and every dishonest action was part of your slavery. “the devil made you do it” –you were enslaved by sin and couldn’t help but sin. It was part of your spiritual DNA.

Romans 6: 17-18

But hear the glorious good news! You have died with Christ so death and sin are no longer your masters. Now you are the “slave of righteousness.” You are free from the wicked, misery of slavery to sin. The shackles of shame, guilt and consequences are broken. You are free! Free Forever! Free to love God and others. Free to enjoy the perfect liberty of Christ.

Jesus’ good gift to me of His life in place of mine has me enthralled by Him. I am His Love-slave. Oh, what a happy situation! I am forgiven. I no longer bear the shame of my sin. I no longer am tyrannized and unable to keep myself from sinning. Jesus helps me live rightly and in the way of Love. I am enthralled by Jesus!

QUESTION: To whom are you enslaved? The devil? Jesus?

Alphabet of Love- Part 2

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

I’ve completed several more letters for my Alphabet of Love. (For the first two letters see the post July 12, 2019, “Alphabets”)

the letter “C”
The letter D

The letters C and D which you see here have some words that stir my thoughts about love. Listen to the definition of LOVE as a noun.

“1: affection based on admiration or benevolence. 2: warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion. 3: unselfish concern that freely accepts another in loyalty and seeks his good. 4: the attraction based on sexual desire: the affection and tenderness felt by lovers.

And hear it defined as a transitive verb.

 “1: to hold dear: cherish 2: to feel a lover’s passion, devotion or tenderness for.”

These definitions cause me to think about my relationships with God, my husband, my mother, siblings, and friends…AND with “things”.  I get a serious nudge from the Holy Spirit. I am commanded not to love the world or the things of it. Arghhh. That comes uncomfortably close! My preoccupation with my clothes, my household furnishings, my car, my “expertise” at painting or calligraphy. Anything that becomes a focus in place of my allegiance to God is the wrong way to spend my “love.”

Now that I have made these art pieces, when I look at the words I chose much comes to mind.

Beginning with words starting with theh letter C there is much to ponder.

God’s love for me will never change. He is CONSTANT. My prayer: ‘Lord, help me love You in return with constancy.’

“For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6

I continue to marvel that Beloved Spouse decided to ask me to dance in that “social dance” class at college. I am indeed CHOSEN. What a happy thing it has been these many years with him. And even greater joy is to be called the child of God. I’m CHOSEN by the Creator of the Universe! Amazing!

“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are,…” 1 John 3:1

The relationship between two people who “love” each other requires COHESION to weather the storms of life. Thankfully God has blessed Beloved Spouse and me with the gift of learning to “cohere” in spite of our totally different personalities and ways of doing things.

“But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

I am so thankful that God has promised to help me when I have no strength of my own. He will CARRY me in His bosom as His beloved lamb.

“Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.” Isaiah 40:11

God knows every thought of my mind and every trouble in my heart. He has given me His own dear presence as COMFORT in this fallen world.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4

And then there is the letter D. Let’s dive in to the ways “D” words develop our theme. (Pardon the alliteration… I love to play with words and sounds.)

Have you heard the song by Chris Rice Deep Enough to Dream?  He sings about dreaming of heaven. When I think of the love that God has lavished on me that will give me that deep and everlasting joy of His presence, I know love. His love for me is DEEP and it is such a wonderful thing to DREAM of my eternity with Him enjoying every delight of heaven.

Question: What comes to your mind when you ponder the words written by each letter so far? Can you see the connection to LOVE?

Come Tour with Me

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

Our yard and garden are glorious in summer display here at the end of July. Come tour with me and see the details of flowers and veggies. Beloved Spouse does the planning, planting and tending of the vegetable garden. Honored Mother is responsible for the flowers. Between the two of them, they have nearly 100 years gardening experience between them. When I walk in the garden I notice lots of small things. Won’t you come with me?

Let’s start with the pathway past the flowers to get to the veggies.

Let’s start our tour here on the patio at the base of the steps (coming down from our deck)

The pots at the base of the stairs are filled with a riot of red geraniums surrounded with a cloud of white and blue lobelia. To your right is a small garden with a climbing clematis. In spring the frothy pink peonies nod like debutantes swishing down the spiral stairs to the ball.

Dear Sister and her husband came to visit just before Mother’s Day and so they gave the “tie-dye” colors hanging basket to Honored Mother. The humming birds are terribly conflicted… the feeder or the flowers?!

If you could smell this rose you would nearly swoon. It is called “Double Delight.” Isn’t it a feast for the eyes? And if you were here, it would “swak” you in the nose with the dense spicy aroma of ‘rose’.

The pink rose is called “Belinda’s Delight” and I love to see it because it reminds me of a friend named Belinda who just happens to be a serious gardener (and amazing quilter). Both are beautiful.

I’m not sure of the name of this rose, but its color makes me dizzy with its intensity. It looks nearly ready to burst into flame.

You will only see the remnants of the blue delphinium this late in July, but if you’d walked this path about 3 weeks ago you would have seen the stately blue stalks swaying in the breeze.

Beloved Spouse has an amazing way with veggies. Our youngest grandson seems wired and eager to follow in his Grampa’s footsteps. Last summer when he was here to visit he came to Grampa several times a day hoping to get permission to pick –“Grampa, those cucumbers seem like they are ready to harvest.”

And now for the vegetable garden. Begin with a peek-a-boo with the cucumber blossoms. They are flanked by pots of marigolds and red verbenas that guard the garden shed.

The yellow squash are beginning to ripen. They love to stay in the center of cool below the broad leaves.

Our tomato plants are loaded with blossoms this year and there are lots of tomatoes growing bigger every day. They will probably begin to seriously ripen toward the end of August.

The chard is such a trooper. It grows and grows no matter how many times it get trimmed for the kitchen steamer kettle. The colors of the stems amaze me.

From low to high and across the way, our gardens are full of joy.

I stop to gaze at the fascinating rhythm and symmetry of the parsnip leaves. We are eager for the harvest. I love the nutty flavor. I know many folks find it a bit strong-flavored, but you really should give it a try, just cooked to tender (not to mush), lightly buttered and dashed with salt and pepper. Ahhh! Tongue’s joy.

Last stop in our tour is to look up to the (volunteer!!) sunflower plants. They are so commanding. I think they are 12 to 14 feet tall.

As we start back to the house, you can gaze across our coneflowers, petunias, daisies and sweet peas (climbing the black windmill).

Back to the patio. Have a seat and enjoy it all.

Now our tour is done, stop and have a sit in the flamingo pink chair. There are actually two of them and our standing joke is telling of the day they arrived from the big box home store. Beloved Spouse took one look at them and asked “where are the flamingos?!” (Nothing would do but for Beloved Mother and me to snatch up several yard ornament flamingos… among other garden what-nots)

Thanks for coming along on my tour!

QUESTION: What is your favorite kind of garden?