JULY JOYS!

I love how this photo of my garden POPs with color and sparkle.

It's JULY!
Celebration month!
POP, Fizzle, clang, bang . .  .
Independence is worth celebrating.

Freedom is never free.
Perhaps we can remember all the privileges we have as citizens of this wonderful United States of America.

Let's celebrate our freedom.
Let's celebrate the gift of life!

#3893-3895:: A new month, a new day.  Prepping for a wonderful change in the Sunday worship service.  Hubby and I are seeing daylight after a pretty dark time last week.  Hugs all around!

#3896-3898:: click, clack, press, print . . . goes the computer keys as I reconstruct movements of the Sunday Liturgy.  Rite I was requested . . . after a fifteen year lapse.  Love it! Step back, wait, let others do the work as many offer to take over the admin role at church that was vacated.  We'll see what happens. Patience, humility and a little humor is in order here.

#3899-3901:: Sun shines in blue skies dappled with little white puffs that seem to hang like cotton balls strung on a line.  Birds chat incessantly as I sit quietly on my precious back porch.  I could live in this little spot if weather permitted.

#3902-3904:: Rain drops on windows, sloshy streets, muddy parks but fireworks are still slated.  Independence Day reigns!
Our infamous July 4th celebrations go on as this United States of America continues to be FREE.  God Bless America! In God We Trust!  No matter how this country's decisions go against God's will for us, God reigns.  God will never leave those who believe in Him. Praise God!

#3905-3907:: Sunday, Sunday . . . this is the day . . . when we all focus on worship, where we all

attend church . . . at least those who are not on vacation.  Sparse crowd but others worship elsewhere.
Sermon is on change.  Jesus 'changed' His vocation from carpenter to . . . focus on his divine vocation . . . touching lives with eternal hope and healing so lives would change . . . repent, return to God.  Nazarenes could not understand this 'Jesus' they once knew.  Do we understand?

#3908-3910:: Clang, buzz, chop goes the tree trimmer.  Hmmmmmm, chop, chop goes the lawn mower.  Whir, whiz, swoosh goes the neighbor's air conditioner.  Ah, summer days.  I seek silence but need to wait for the rain to come so that I can find 'quiet' on my porch.  Dig in the garden and find so many weeds! I think of the noises in my brain that refuse to calm down and the weeds of my life that need to let go of so many responsibilities.  These interruptive 'sounds' s trigger productive, life changing thoughts.  It's all good!

#3911-3913::Time out! Time to grab the sudsy water and catch Japanese beetles.  They are early this year and are devouring my beautiful rose bushes.  So not fair!  But I am just as tricky as these little bugs.  I place the cup under the rose and flip it - flip, flip, plunk go these pesky fiends.  Roses continue to bloom regardless of the appetite of these critters.  It's like my life.  I may be eaten by pesky challenges but I persevere as I seek the best way to live one day at a time.

#3914-3915:: Catch up, clear clutter, seek one document gone missing.  Computers are great but nothing beats time away from it.  A few more minutes and I'm into reading and writing with real paper in my hands and a real pen.  Then back to the garden to catch pesky bugs

that take away from nutrients for the bees.  I'm all for saving the bees.

#3916-3918:: Clip, clip, snip, snip . . . feels so good to get my hair cut.  There is something special about having someone else take care of me once in awhile.  Love it.  Ready for meetings tonight.  Maybe it will even not rain? HUGE storm passed through as we made decisions in a cozy, cool space.

#3919-3921:: Cards and notes and prayers - so sweet.  I tell a few that my brother died and I receive so many heart-felt wishes.  Thanks, world, for remaining so connected! Makes my heart go pitty-pat as I continue to grieve.

#3922-3924:: Crisp, dry, bright, cool, breezy . . . can't ask for a better day to be in the garden.  A morning meeting and words for tomorrow are squeezed within a perfectly wonderful day.   I so love summer.  God's hand is everywhere as I smell roses, collect Japanese Beetles, linger in the sunshine and simply enjoy the day.

#3925-3927:: Early up, easy drive to church.  New service format was well liked.  Summer means simple so this is good.  A pastoral visit was filled with laughter.  Better health makes for a light spirit.
Dry, breezy evening greets us after a very long day.  Enjoyed the garden as I fed the rose bushes.

#3928-3930:: Thick, muggy air greets me in the garden.  Refreshing.  Plop, pick scoop, dump . . . used up lettuce plants we used for salads. YUM! We start again with a new batch in a week or two.  Organize, pack, prep for our trip to be with family.

#3931-3933:: Dark up, as Amish would say.  Sun rises as we board the plane. An easy day of planes and automobiles to find destination one.

#3934-3936:: Oooooh and Ahhhhh as we see brother's new home and enjoy a few sights where they live.  The indian pueblo is fascinating.  Moist days invite us into shades of green rather than the usual shades of brown. Brother and wife were the hosts with the most as we were pampered each day.

We enjoyed walking inside this "condo complex" that
 native indians created centuries ago.  Amazing architecture.

#3937-3939:: Miles to go before we sleep (Frost) as we meander down I-25 and detour to Taos via every tiny village of 2-3 homes.  Scenic beauty beyond our eastern scope.  FUN!

#3940-3942:: Santa Fe is a sweet place filled with adobe everywhere.  Holy Faith.  St. Francis church is the focal point of the town.  Primitive beauty draws the soul to God in this holy spot filled with silent tourists who honor God's presence in this space.

#3943-3945:: A sweet time visiting with

A fuzzy picture of the center of Santa Fe (Holy Faith)
The patron saint of Santa Fe is Saint Francis, of course.
The Cathedral of St. Francis is a beautiful retreat that
 hubby and I enjoyed each day we were in the city.

my deceased brother's dear friends.  Listened, affirmed, listened some more.  Amazing variety of photographers with depth and vast world travels.  Exhausted but filled full with memories of my eldest brother.

#3946-3948:: Sunday is a day for the Lord but our tour guide, my other bother, wanted to get on the road.  Five hours later we were dining at the Bee Restaurant at the Broadmoar Hotel.  A delight.  The museum of old carriages and race cars was fascinating.  Back to brother's house to repack, regroup, and enjoy their digs.

#3949-3951:: A few adventures before brother drove us to Denver to see the newest addition to the family.  Seeing my nephew and his wife was an added blessing.  Ellie was born a month early in June.  She is actually, growth-wise, about 2 weeks old.  Holding her reminded us of God's incredible ingenuity in creating life.  Thank you God!

My newest great niece is now a joy to hold.
My proud brother is finally a grandpa!

#3952-3954:: 4am wake-up but right near the airport.  Full day of flying that was easy and peaceful.  Early home.  Groceries, mail, unpacking, oh my!  And then . .  .  hundreds of Japanese beetles have eaten our rose bushes.  My handy-dandy container of water and suds and a flick of the branches and voila . . .  about 300 in the container. Another hundred got away.  Feel good!

#3955-3957:: Early up, as we have been doing for days.  This time we are adjusting to the difference in time.  More chores, more Japanese beetles to flick into my container.  Not many left.  Loads of mail (both snail and computer).  And this blog.  Oh My!  So behind.  Made wonderful memories.

Miraculous staircase to the choir loft of this
tiny church was built with no rails.
It has only wooden nails and the wood,
studied by the finest scientists,
 cannot be named. God's hand was
 in this majestic creation.

#3958-3960:: Early up to have blood tests.  Wellness is our focus.  Fond memories of family float through my head as my soul soars with JOY in the beauty of God's creation.  The Garden calls my name.  I'm in another world today.

#3961-3963:: I ponder King David's life.  He has so much but he wanted more.
"What's yours is mine and what's mine is mine" seems to be the word of the day for David.  This selfish action continues to this day.
Some selfish souls seem to be the thorn in the side of those who are willing to give if the need is there.
We met so many on our trip who wanted to give their insights and encouragement just for the sake of being kind and generous.
So refreshing.  Hubby and I are blessed.

#3964-3966:: A day to regroup, garden, study and catch up.  Feeling sloggy and tired.  It's a good thing.  Have not felt so relaxed in months.  NICE.

Station of the Cross at the Santa Fe Basilica
of Saint Francis of Assisi

#3967-3969:: I called my 100 year old dad and was surprised to here he could not see.  Conjunctivitis = Pink Eye!.  Poor guy still has a sense of humor but was not his usual positive guy.  I wonder how I would be in that situation, especially if I had a substitute helper who had no idea what to do.  He is in good hands with meds but still can't see.  I pray for quick healing for him.

#3970-3972:: It is great to be back with the congregation.  Bible study conversation included God's provision, "Soul Food."  Beautiful day to visit a dear couple, now separated due to ill health. One is in a nursing home and the other is in hospital. I wonder about my own life journey.  Am I prepared to simply have Jesus at my side and no one else? I need to practice God's provision, daily soul food, so that I am satisfied in all circumstances.

#3973-3975::  Early up, as the Amish say.  MD and I review all the tests.  My heart is sad.  All my hard work to naturally bring change to my body provides only loss of weight (always welcome).

A story of the saints greets us in a side chapel.
Ceiling painted in bright, traditional designs.
Of course, I did not take a picture of the
most amazing ceiling ever!

 Breathe deep, focus on the moment, keep moving forward with eyes on the Lord.

#3976-3978:: My head swirls with 'awake' at 2am.  Enjoy some bible study for one hour then sleep until morning.  Fog envelopes the house and gardens.  We're in a cool, wet cloud!  Perfect moment to clean the garden.  Nearly four hours later and three bags filled, feel SO GOOD!  After a shower it's time to get some 'real' work done.  Nothing beats spending time in the garden. L O V E   I T !!!!

#3979-3981::  Shop till we drop!  Cupboards were bare after three weeks so we filled them up with fresh produce from our neighborhood farm.  YUM!  Healthy salad, time in the garden, several hours of study - God is good!

Farm fresh produce.  Always a good thing.

#3982-3984:: Reflecting on chat with my brother.  Dad is on the 'edge' of this world but may decide to hang around for a little while?  'Just-in-case' decisions must be made.  First my oldest brother dies and now dad may be next, or not.  None of us know when it's our time to leave this world.  I praise God that I know, for sure, without a doubt, that I will be singing with the angels when I die . . . perhaps in the back row but I'll be there!  I know the Lord will never leave me nor forsake me and that's a good feeling.

#3985-3987:: TGIF?  Thank the Good Lord it is Friday?  It just happens to be the end of July.  I'm sad to leave my most favorite month.  Garden gleams, God's word is in my heart, Good stuff to come.