Sparrow News

Well, it was a cold evening last night.  We could see our breath in the morning... After such a HOT weather- this is a bit nutsy!

We did not think that mama was taking care of her babies... We never saw her in, on or around the nest.  This made me sad of course, but I left their fate in the hands of God and their mama...

This morning coffee- garden check was postponed because of the cool temps.. If she was there I did not want to scare her off the nest.


Work, work, work to do inside the house... And so at noon I did my garden check...The mama bird was sitting on the nest.... So I did a bit of watering and after she flew off I went back over and snapped a pic of the two little ones.  They appear to be beginning to get their feathers.... How cool is it to watch them grow!



And so I thank God for the flying friends in my backyard.  So very small and entertaining.

I need to pick up some bird seed today.... :)  Feeding the birds makes me happy~

For The Birds

The continuing saga of the Sparrows in my backyard....

The story began with us working in our garden.

Monday, May 21st
One of our Burning Bushes which usually was home to a Robin every year had some type of ick on it... and because it was so close to the garden I asked my husband to cut it out.  I had off and on looked for a nest in it this year but did not see one...

As my husband fired up the chain saw and began cutting it down... a bird flew from the bush.  I stopped my husband and sure enough, there was a small nest... made of grasses.  3 little blue eggs and a larger brown egg.
What to do now?

I picked the nest out of the bush and looked for a spot nearby to place the nest... The lilac was the only thing available.  I removed the brown egg and tossed it aside, before placing the nest carefully in the lilac.   My husband finished cutting the bush out.  It was late in the afternoon, and I sat on the deck and watched the birds fly around frantically searching for their little brood.  Finally we had to leave for a baseball banquet feeling a bit discouraged about the situation.

Tues, May 22
The next morning, I went outside to check on my garden and the little nest  and Mama was sitting on it.  Amazing!  Thank you, Jesus!

Well, that lilac wasn't giving much protection from the sun and rain... so we tied some branches from the pine tree in it... Well, again... Would the birds come back to the nest or abandon it?  All day we watched as the parents flew around squeaked and chirped but seemed to wary to approach... Again disappointment over the situation.... Even if they came back would the eggs be viable... I wondered.  I often said a little prayer for the feather family in the backyard.

Wed. May 23
Coffee in the garden the next morning showed that mama had indeed returned to her nest.  and so whenever I was in the garden I peeked at the nest.  still- 3 little blue spotted eggs.  Wondering if they would or could still hatch.

Saturday, May 26
My morning coffee-garden check showed 3 little blue eggs.  Later when I looked, there was a pink baby with dark downy fluff on it.  And then later another... 2 little babies had hatched.

Sunday, May 27
Still two babies...We looked them up in the Bird Field Guide and found out that they are Chipping Sparrows.  It rained really hard.

Monday, May 28
Still 2 babies at the coffee-garden check.  Later I went out to plant some seeds in the garden and the mama flew off the nest so I looked in... Nothing the nest was empty.  I looked below.  The ground below is covered with ivy... I looked at the nest again and saw that it had a hole in it.  So I searched the ivy below carefully and they were in there- still alive.  What to do... I took the nest and pushed it back together and set them in it and set it back on the branches... But this was not good.  It would just fall apart again.  What to do... I searched the house for something anything that could hold the nest yet drain.... Nothing... No idea.... I tried to tie the pine branches around it to hold it in place and together.  I sat down and said,  "What am I to do Lord?   Do I give up on these little things?  What is the lesson to be learned here?  I got my answer.  We don't give up on things.  We use our heads and our hearts.  As I searched my kitchen drawer for a small funnel and some twine... I placed the nest in the funnel and tied it in the lilac.  And again waited... and watched for the mama to return to her little ones in the makeshift nest.  To no avail it seemed-  maybe because now my scent was on the little ones or too much on the nest...

We went to bed and as I laid my head down I wondered about the birds and my husband said to me,  "I pray that the mama is on the nest and the babies will be alright." And I said, "I was just thinking the same thing."

Tuesday, May 29
Coffee-garden walk revealed that mama was indeed on her nest.  And when she flew off I peeked in and the two little babies were doing just fine.

God is so good.  He created a world filled with amazing creatures that are resilient, adaptable and strong... Creatures that we can enjoy and that we should care for and appreciate.  And if He cares about them, how much more must He care about us! I feel so blessed!  Thank you, Jesus!

Freeing Myself

I can't find my old Nike t-shirt with the "Just do it" logo on it.  That makes me sad... and I don't know what happened to it... But I know that in all things- that is what we have to do.  Set our mind to do it. Whether the task is simple or hard... We can accomplish it, if we just do it.


Whether it is a simple job or a major goal... Cleaning the house, weeding, painting, going back to school, losing weight, or writing a book...



There are stumbling blocks that get in my way....

Worry---- Worrying over the job or project only causes me to procrastinate... And so I don't get it done.  Just pushing it to the back burner-  setting it aside for later.  I don't know if worry causes fear or fear causes worry... But they go hand and hand...

Fear--- That I can't do it.. I don't have the skills or time... This causes me to focus on my own shortcomings.... I may start but don't follow through... Fear kills desire.

Friendly fire--- Sometimes friends and family kick me in the pants.... with statistics, the odds of achieving my goal... They subtly  sabotage our efforts... Either by giving no input, no encouragement or by discouraging me from trying.... It's that prison mentality... I remember hearing someone say, "Don't let the other inmates shoot you in the back while attempting your escape, because they will."

Time---  This commodity is in short supply... So many things are going on... So many commitments, places to be, things to do and people requiring my time... Sometimes demanding it... So I wonder do I have the time to get started... Waiting until I do will not work...  Time will never come... I will have to make time- set aside time.

Failing to trust... Because I am human, I often fall prey to my insecurities... I know that if it is God's will for me, then He will open doors to let it happen...   As long as my actions and desires are focused properly, why should I fret over anything.  He is in control.  And I need to remind myself of this every day!  Thus setting me free from these insecurities and then receiving more peace and joy in my life.

So today I have set a goal to try to get my book project done by the end of the summer... That is the plan.  I just have to do it!  Write a few more poems and then this summer try to get the photographs to illustrate it!  It might even be fun if I can get the whole family involved...

And maybe, just maybe someone will be touched by it and come to know
Christ through a silly little poem... That would be a wonderful thing... :)

How do you find peace?

If you want to relax, sit outside and watch all the activity.  I sat outside yesterday morning and watched a sparrow and a wren fighting for possession of a small bird house.... Loud squawking over the occupation of the this little cabin in the tree.

So I went out to do some shopping last night and looked for another bird house... Found lots of feeders but no birdhouse....

Then I remembered that I had a gourd that I had purchased about 13 years ago with the intention of painting it and hanging it outside.  I decided to place it on the pole with my fern.

And this morning while enjoying a cup of coffee on the front porch I watched the little wren bringing sticks to make her nest in the gourd.  It was fascinating.  I watched her maneuver the sticks to get them inside the house through the hole in the front.  Patiently and diligently she worked... and this evening she is still at it... Funny but the sparrow is nowhere to be seen...

I am going to enjoy listening to their song. Also watching her come and go and then see the little ones fledge the nest.

Still have not seen any hummers... But maybe soon.  I will provide new nectar tomorrow just in case...

But I love seeing, watching and enjoying nature around me.  It is one thing that calms my nerves when I feel stressed....

In Genesis, we learn that God created all things.

When things are out of control and we need to get ourselves together we can always be assured that there is someone out there who loves and cares for us... He has a plan for us and I need to seek Him and put my trust and faith in Him...

Philippians 4:6-7  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding , will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Strength

Last night I covered my peony and clematis and the garden as well.... I had actually left the covers on my garden yesterday because the temps never really warmed up... but the peony and clematis I did uncover. They are in the front yard and with their sheets on- they look like Halloween Ghosts..... So before I went to bed I decided to cover them... I didn't think it was going to be necessary but... I did it.


Well, Last night we had a hard frost...

It is kind of pretty on the leaves of the Mums, and Black-Eyed Susans.  They are hardy plants and can take it better than others. 

My peony looks pretty pitiful.... It looks sad and broken.   


And I thought about us, humans- mankind, and how we too can feel lost, lonely, and broken.  While some of us handle it better than others, we all feel that way sometimes.  


Isaiah 41:10 
Fear thou not; for I am with you:  be not dismayed; for I am thy God:  I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.


Let our strength be in Him and he will renew us... body, mind and spirit...   


As I look out my window I see that my peony is standing tall, reaching for the sky, the sun, and that should be a reminder to me to stand tall, lifted up in praise to the Son. 

Trials

This has been a trying day... started yesterday and well, just frustrating...  My daughter encouraged and admonished me to do better... She said you need to read James... and I did.  And I am glad I did.

James 1:2  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.....

My exchange student is very much trying my patience.  He is not a Christian.  He has no faith at all.  So I am being stretched out of my comfort zone...   Verses 1:2-4

I do not know how to deal with him... Verse 1:5

How do I show this young man the goodness of God... 1:16-18  3:17-18

He pushes my buttons.... Verse 1:19-21

How do I handle things.... Verse 1:22-25

Do I complain to others...  Verse 1:26-27 and Verse 2:12-13  Verse 3:1-12 Verse 4:11-12

His entertainment is to argue over everything... Verse 3:17

How do I gain strength... 5:13-16

Thank you Erin for rebuking me... Verse 5:19-20

I don't know whether he has or will be called to Christ...  but my desire is to show him the love of Christ and to not be a stumbling block in his path.

Visiting The Vampire

I had fasting blood work done this morning... Not my favorite thing to do. I have postponed this for 2 months and was supposed to do it yesterday morning.... but we had a movie night on Wednesday and watched Star Trek (it was a really good flick) and my hubby offered me pretzels.... And I partook of them.... I knew I shouldn't but I did.... I knew I wouldn't be able to do the blood work but I didn't care... I didn't want to do it anyway. However, the problem is that my doctor won't refill my prescription without it so eventually I have to get it done... Today was the day.

I had a little panic this morning.... I was having a cup of coffee, just enjoying everything about my morning elixir of life... And panic... My blood work... Then I heard my hubby reminding me about my appt... Oh, I have to get up.  I was dreaming... I can't believe how real it seemed.  Probably because I went to bed hungry. My son had a track meet and it ran long... But the kids did great.  For such a small team we had a strong showing... scored some points, first in some races, set a new school record, and had many PRs.  So it was worth waiting... But I had only eaten a yogurt at 4:30 so I was hungry- very hungry when I went to bed.... 

Right now I am enjoying a bagel, and a cup of coffee, and some wonderful dark chocolate covered almonds... It only took a few minutes to draw my blood and the ladies in the office are very nice... I wish I liked the Dr. better.... It's not that I don't like her- she is nice but I feel like a piece of meat, a specimen, a number,  I don't know... I just hate going to the Dr.  I hate getting my blood pressure checked... It makes my blood pressure go up... And then she is writing that number on my chart and it is not accurate because that's not my normal number... It is a vicious cycle... Maybe if I didn't dislike it so much it would be better but ... I don't know... I don't like going to the dentist either... but that is for another day.

So next Friday she will see me to tell me my results and refill my prescription and look at me like a accident waiting to happen.  I may have a glass of vino before I go.... No, I won't, but I will think about it and laugh to myself.  Awe, well, there is much to do today.  Laundry, cleaning, and working on Super Secret Surprise #1,  SSS#2 is underway as well.  Accomplishing a few things around here will keep me from thinking too much about my husbands meeting.... Yesterday went ok, but things are still up in the air...  God is in control. So I will not worry, but there will be fall out... 

What the heck- maybe we should sell everything, buy a camper, travel and be at home on the road.... Doesn't sound like a bad idea.  Retirement sounds good... 

My George

Today began like any other and every other this year.  The alarm, make the coffee, get the boys up, get them to school and then we do our morning all over the next day....

But my husband came home to get the truck to run help out a friend.  My husband is the busiest, most productive, most humble person I know.  Hard worker, good thinker, very unselfish.

Later he came home with some trouble- and I have to wonder why people are so greedy and dishonest.  They would sell themselves out for a a couple grand.


Well, we will find out what will transpire shortly- but in the meantime, I was thinking about things and have to look at it this way.  I am a fortunate woman, I have a wonderful husband, we have two beautiful children, and some very wonderful family and  friends.... My thoughts on what is going on today are: George Bailey... I look at how he lived his life and though it is just a movie-  I see my husband.  A good, honest man.  We can not change the world around us-  and when it seems to be spiraling out of control we must trust that something big is about to happen.  To us, for us or in spite of us and try to find some purpose in it.



We serve a loving and powerful God.  But joy is not found in things- it is within us-  and only faith in Jesus can bring us out of despair and give us hope that the future will be bright.  The Light of Him shining on us, in us and through us- in the good and bad times.

But we are still human and these trials are painful.  So I pray that he will triumph over this setback and that whatever happens he is not discouraged.  He has worked hard and done all that he could do to succeed without backstabbing or trampling on others. He is like no other man on this earth.  I am so blessed and I give thanks to God every day to be his wife.

Change of Plans

Today was a drizzly, wet day.... we had a track meet and then a double header baseball game... Long day of waiting.... The baseball team has been struggling this year... many more L's than W's.  And so After watching Ryan's track meet Lex said he thinks he likes watching track more than baseball.

But the boys played well and everyone got in today. The first game was close but they won.   The second game they were running away with and then the other team came back and was threatening to overtake us... unfortunately for them the ump called the game in the middle of the top of the 7th because it was getting too dark.... 

We ended up putting 2 in the W column today.  

As we left the field, cold and wet, Lex said to me, "I prayed that they would win today."  

I asked him if he actually prayed and he said, "Yes, I did pray." 

So several prayers are being answered... God is so good and I will keep praying too!  

After the games, I brought my guys home- sent them to the showers to warm up and made them some hot soup and tea.

I had planned to go to my friends daughters concert tonight... been planning on it for a month... and missed it because baseball ran so late.... but when Lex told me that I didn't feel so upset about missing out on my plans.... God's plans are best.  I will buy Natalie's CD!  

Frosty Morning

This morning there was a very hard frost and my peony was suffering and bent over itself.... it saddened me because it would have had such beautiful flowers,   I love the colors.... the size... and the shape of them.

and I was hopeful that with the sun that it might perk back up.... maybe.... God willing....

Jay took me on a errand to look at a property for a client and then to breakfast....
on the way home I enjoyed watching a little Yorkie in a pink sweater, chasing
squirrels and birds in it's masters yard...  pretty flowers and flowering trees along
our route home... and the sun shining brightly on everything.

When we got home, my peony was perked back up.
It had a few burnt leaves and buds but was very much alive...

It wasn't focusing on the frost that hurt it... but reaching to welcome the sun, adoring, basking in it's warmth.

If we could do that... Live for the Son each day.... forgetting the about the trials and pains of the past.   Reaching for, seeking Him, living in the Light of His love and focusing on what He wants for us....

If we could remember that all of it (good and bad) is meant to glorify God the Father....

If we could do that... We would live in a world without resentment, anger, hatred, maliciousness, and fear.

It would be a world full of love, hope,
forgiveness, peace, and contentment.

Tears

Tears of joy,
     Tears of pain,
Tears of sorrow,
     and those of shame.
Frustrations build.
     I begin to weep.
I cry a river,
     and fall to sleep.

I want to trust You.
     You know what’s best.
Life’s difficulties,
     My mettle test.
My Lord and Savior,
     these trials I bear
They’re hard to deal with,
    And some days, I feel despair.

It's only through prayer,
     God’s love and his grace-
On these tough days,
     You’ll find a smile upon my face.
These little issues,
     Such minor things,
Each separately,
     Do not cause my hands to wring.
But piling up,
     They chip away
At my happiness,
     My joy each day-
Causing my blue skies
     to appear quite grey.

 It’s like the waves,
     that pound against the shore.
One after another,
     never ending,
          always one more.
Through the pounding-
    The crashing of the surf on the sand.
The powerful tide
     making it’s demand.
As the water recedes,
     A treasure’s left behind.
A seashell, so smooth,
     It’s been refined!
          All the sharp edges- now removed.

If I could see every day
     through God’s own eye,
I would understand
     all the reasons why!
but I can’t and I don’t-
     So place a label on me,
“Under construction“
     is what it should read.

God through the Holy Spirit
     is shaping- molding me,
So I can be with Him
     in Heaven for all eternity.
Lord, Please, give  me  courage
     to rise above
And share with others
     This message of hope- Jesus’ love.

Seasons

     I met friends for coffee this morning.... I jogged to the coffee shop so that was a good way to justify the time since I really need to do some housework.  My life revolves around the seasons, Sports Seasons.  Seems that with Baseball games and Track meets the house work is getting "swept under the rug"  so to speak.  But though it is going to be a busy month... It will go quickly... I think how quickly the last 12 1/2 years have flown since we moved to Ohio.  I can do a month... I just hope that no one looks too closely at the house during this month.  I do have a few projects up my sleeve but that is super secret and I will tackle them the end of April.

     This photo was taken the other day and is the swing that brought about a beauty of a line drive in which he got a base hit,  stole a base, and then scored on a teammates RBI.  It was great to see Ryan get a hit... I think it was his 5th or 6th at bat (so far this year and last) He doesn't get much playing time.  But he is my hero.... he has such a good heart and never complains about playing time... He likes all the kids on the team, and the coaches and is so glad for everyone when they have a good game or make a good play.  I don't think he has a mean bone in his body.  I pray after every game to be more like that.... and I think I am making a little progress.  You probably know a kid like that... there aren't too many out there.  I wonder how many would quit the team if they didn't play.... Everyone cheers for the kids in the field but the kids on the bench-- those kids make me proud.... their dedication to the team.... Well, that's me bragging on my son.  Can't wait for the game tonight... and then a short break in games for Easter!  Yeah for that too!

     Well, God uses everything to mold and change us and it is usually not fun.  We do hate change... My foreign exchange student says it best.... He says, "I am uncomfortable".   He doesn't ever like to be uncomfortable and really none of us do... whether we are too cold, too hot, or in a difficult situation... we want to be comfortable all the time.   But, how do we learn patience without trials and waiting.... or humility without being humbled.... Living for Christ is taking yourself, your selfish desires and feelings, out of the equation for a bit... It's always there, we will always struggle with it- "The Me Monster"  but if we look for His will in everything, we can be more satisfied with life and have more joy.  This lesson being taught to me this Baseball Season by my son!