Small and Wonderful Things . . .

 

"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny?...It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. what you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard

A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best.

  

I was feeling a little bit low yesterday morning as I was getting ready to go to church.  In truth I have been feeling a bit low in general lately.  The day before at the wedding, I had really struggled to move about at the wedding and so we had gone home early.  Yesterday morning I was struggling to get my pantyhose on. Its the knee thing. The way this impacts even doing the simplest of things is mind boggling.  I had thought I was going to wear the same thing I had worn to the wedding, but then at the last minute I changed my mind and decided to wear my blue dress.  I have a simple 3/4 length sleeved sweater that I always wear with my blue dress. Its one of my favourite sweaters even though it is old.  It has little bunchy pockets on the front.  As I put it on I realised something was in one of the pockets.  A little folded piece of paper.  I took it out.

"Always remember your Heavenly Father loves you 

and desires for you to be happy, 

for this is the design and purpose of this life."

There, handwritten in pencil in my own handwriting, an excerpt from my Patriarchal blessing.  I must have written it ages ago and stuffed it into the pocket of that sweater . . .  but there it was giving me just the boost that I needed on a morning that I was struggling.  God does work in mysterious ways. The tender mercies of the Lord are real, and not random.  The exactness of it always amazes me. 

 

The in Sunday School we were talking about the struggles of the early Saints when they were being persecuted and how it would have been so easy for any of them to just give up and walk away.  The thought occurred to me . . . in our troubles we need to always be on the lookout for the blessings. They are always there and except were it for our troubles, they might be overlooked, but our troubles help to highlight them.  An aha! moment for sure.

So, always look for the blessing.

You can't find it if you

are not looking

for it

...

  

We know that He is always there, ever present, all knowing . . . but sometimes He just likes to be asked and invited in. Not just taken for granted.  Invite Him in.  That's when the miracle occurs.  I know this to be true. 

 

Roof top companions.  I was watching the crows this morning.  There were quite a few on different roofs in the neighborhood.  I watched these two for a while and took random photographs as I did.  I love the clear blue skies of early morning . . . unspoilt as yet by the business of the day . . . 

  

No jet trails . . . no noise except for the birds.  I found myself wondering . . . what are these birds thinking, doing, planning . . . I was almost thinking that one of these might be a fledgling, but maybe its too late in the season for that.  

 

Having someone to share things with . . .  feelings, opinions, tears, laughter . . .  everything.  And not just someone, but someone who makes all of these things more meaningful.  A life partner.  A companion.  A lover and a friend.  For long as I have it, I will never take this particular blessing for granted.  My cup runneth over . . .  truly. 

  

We have been watching Joanna Lumley's India on the telly and it is totally fascinating.  I am so grateful that I have been born at a time that I can get a peek at these interesting corners of the world, without having to leave the comfort of my own home.  India is a country of vast diversity.  Incredible wealth and at the same time incredible poverty, and by that I mean a poverty that we cannot even begin to comprehend.  All that is modern is also inextricably entwined with the superstition and tradition of the ancient and the Holy.  Its just completely fascinating on many levels.  Not sure if I am explaining it correctly, but if you get a chance to watch the series, you should.

 

I did it. I ripped out all the blue that I had done previously and replaced it with a darker blue, and then completed it.  Cute. 

  

Other colour combinations I have been working with that I like.  Until I added the white scalloped border I was not sure about this one, but the border made it come alive in a way I really like! 

 

Even the scraps are being used up and this might be mu favourite one of all!  Love the colours and happy feeling I get from looking at them. 

  

A simple weekend supper of baked beans, ham and potatoes. Brown bread and butter . . . this time the beans were tinned, the potatoes leftover cold potatoes fried, and shaved ham from the shops.  Not gourmet, but oh so good.  A taste of my childhood.  do you think that it is the memories associated with such a meal that make it taste even better? Perhaps  . . . 

My life is filled with so many blessings.  Each day

brings more.  I am grateful for a heart

that seeks and acknowledges the

goodness of God in

my life.

...

A thought to carry with you . . . 

.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.˛.° ˛°. . Every good and perfect gift is from above.

~James 1:17  .° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

 spiritual enlightenment 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Cheddar Macaroni Salad.  Nostalgically good. Very simple and very tasty. 

Have a wonderful Monday.  I hope your week ahead is filled to overflowing with an abundance of all the things that matter most.  Don't forget along the way . . . 

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════

and I do too!