APRIL ASSENTS

Oh to see through this window from the inside.
What beauty in the shape much less in what we see.

Assent means to approve or accept as in positive words for each day.  I give my 'assent' to seeing everything in a positive light and relating it to anyone curious enough to be looking a these notes.

APRIL is such a divided month, filled with hope of better weather, jonquils popping up amid sleet storms and warm weather woven through drastic changes in temperature.  It's a month of adventure as I venture outside to take shots of beauty that do not happen in a garden - yet.

#2278-2280:: Sun shines with hope of warmth; Our long drive today is filled with new sights before trees begin to bud-nice; I'm open to FOOLISH things on this day of crazy pranks.

#2281-2283:: Puddles dry up as a scant piece of sun sneaks through the clouds; WARMER! A very nice night for going to another meeting.

#2284-2286:: So nice to get my hair cut and washed; Fun gathering with church women to decorate hats for Easter - who knows if we'll wear them; As I breathe deep I embrace the possibility of buds on rose bushes very soon.

The long lost art of beauty in glass is a
wonder for us passersby to enjoy.

#2287-2289:: Gray and quiet lead me to introspection and contemplation today, which I enjoy; The Spring newsletter for church means lots of writing today; I breathe deep as I think of Jesus' life that he gave just so that I might live eternally - I'm in awe.

#2290-2292:: Saturday is relaxing; Snug inside as chill winds blow; Words for tomorrow show that the impossible is possible with Christ Jesus, our Lord.

#2293-2295:: Sun for Sunday and hope in the Cross; A glorious day to fertilize the yard; Through Christ's example, the impossible become possible.

#2296-2298:: A warm drizzle soothes the soul as I sit inside and spin with God; I remember to b r e a t h e; Two weeks of 'crazy' and I can linger longer in a sunny spot.

We had never seen a Coptic church.
This church had beautiful artwork on
its facade.  The wonders of exploring.

#2299-2301:: Up early for a long ride but friends and good conversation are at the end of this journey; A meeting that assures us that we are well balanced in our retirement; Spring pops up all around us as we see more green and even a few blooms!

#2302-2304:: Attending a study on Worship invigorates the soul; A quiet space in a very hectic time of year; Hubby's health is good

#2305-2307:: Breathe . in . out . slow . and . even; Prepare for possibilities in late afternoon and evening meetings; I feel a bit of warmth in between the blusters of wind.

#2308-2310:: "Be prepared" turns to "Prepare to BE." Overwhelmed by God's love; Embraced by the precious Present.

A rugged winter brings vibrant life, green meadows and rain.

#2311-2313:: Steamy pains of glass melt with the early morning sunshine; Green and buds and hope of new life explodes in the garden; Preparation for Jesus' entrance into the royal city places me in a quiet, thought-filled place.

#2314-2316:: What a beautiful procession to main street and back to the church as we celebrate our 'entrance into Jerusalem' waving our palms; Smells and bells and choir sounds lift us high at the beginning of the service; Triumph turns to tragedy as we all take part in the reading of the Passion according to Matthew and feel strong emotions when the Music Director plays "Via Dolorosa."

Sunday mornings are AMAZING!

#2317-2319:: Bold orange sun greets me at 6:30am as warm breezes gust into my kitchen through the window; Gray clouds pressing into the wind invite me into the still-warm day; preparations for Holy Week make me mindful of every minute.

#2320-2322:: Our jaunt to Philadelphia in pouring rain is still a lovely journey; The cathedral was filled with art that tugged at the heart as we walk the Stations of the Cross; So happy to be home after being swept up in soggy splash for two hours each way.

#2323-2325:: Lingering longer with God's Word

Jesus poured out His life for us.
I think of this as I linger by this
lovely waterfall.

as I ponder on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday lessons; Jesus took the brunt of all my burdens and cares and hurts and pain so that I don't have to feel half of what I should; Sighs too deep for words . . . all day.

#2326-2328:: Softly I tread today, as I ponder on Jesus' last Passover; Quiet envelopes me as I walk slowly through the day; I want to stand still and not move for the rest of the day but I am called into the presence of the Lord for sermon, foot washing and clearing of the church of any sign of our Lord's presence.

#2329-2331:: Good Friday, or God Friday, better known as Holy Friday is for us so perhaps Jesus's death is for our 'good.' We walk the stations of the Cross as we walk with Jesus to his crucifixion - hard on the soul yet I feel a peace.
Two services and so many involved makes my heart soar.

#2332-2334:: The church is empty, save for a huge, rough cross draped in purple with a crown of thorns on top.  Later in the day we see the emptiness of death turns to new life

He is Risen!

with lilies and tulips and hydrangeas placed around the church for all to see.  Oh JOY, we celebrate the New LIGHT tonight - the Light that pierces the darkness and brings new life.

#2335-2337:: ALLELUIA CHRIST IS RISEN!  The Lord is risen indeed! As the sun rises in the East so does my excitement as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ Jesus.  A church full of lilies and so many other scented flowers, incense, gold and white, choir anthem and congregation singing.  Taste and see that the Lord is Good!

#2338-2340:: This is the day that the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice!  A great way to begin the Easter season is to be so awake at 3am that I write and read.  Now to spend some quiet moments lingering in the garden on a sunny day.  Roses and acid plants are fed for a few months.  Now to see them grow!

Forsythia blooms: time to feed the roses.
. . . and acid loving plants that I forgot last Fall.

#2341-2343:: A gorgeous sunrise; pictures of forsythia; Although many plants and shrubs died over this harsh winter, I see buds and new growth in most of my garden. Hooray!

#2344-2346:: Women's bible study looks at 'Tough Questions' which I LOVE to discuss; Almost May but Spring is just beginning - heavy winds today; A great phone meeting with much accomplished.

#2347-2349:: Almost blew off the sidewalk but nice to work inside today; A tough meeting went well; Goods for the church 'yard' sale (everything inside) look fabulous! but I am not tempted to purchase any . . . I really am but I am determined to look the other way.  I'm trying to give things away!

#2350-2352:: Nice to go with hubby to the doc to check a well used knee; Click, click, click with my new camera.  I will have new pictures as soon as I figure out how it works.

Still great sunsets at our favorite dock.

#2353-2355::  Off to the church yard sale to help sell, sell, sell; Gorgeous day to be outside connecting with others; I did not buy one thing although I was tempted - except food. . . a good way to give my support to the church.

#2356-2358:: A Glorious day to worship the Lord; Celebration, Blessing and rejoicing this second Sunday of Easter; Meetings and tying up loose ends before a bit of time away.

#2359-2361:: Great phone conversations to tie up loose ends; Packing and thinking and taking breaks-oh my!  All ready for a full day of travel.

I love this house right on the beach.

#2362-2364:: HOT! So nice after being semi-frozen for six months.  Breathe, relax, drink in the humidity - love it.  Some changes and some things still the same - like being back home.

#2365-2367::  Shop tip we drop as we pick up supplies, visit some great food stores and enjoy new sights.  A great way to end the month.