Nature Christs Lesson Book

Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. If you sit and look at a picture like this and think of all the spiritual applications that come to mind it make one realize just how much nature is a really huge lesson book for us on the love of our Creator.  

When we (the branches/stems are connected to the vine) We have a wonderful source of life giving nutrients that produce sweet fruits. This would be our characters. When you are connected to Jesus you can't but help to be full of His goodness, His sweetness, His beauty. 

When you look at this picture what lessons can you pull from it and what do they mean too you. I would love your feed back. We are all growing in Christ so lets share together.

Remembering a fun trip makes sad good byes a little easier

We said good bye to two of our kids tonight as they left on their long road trip back to LA. We surely will miss them so much. Lots of tears and hugs and then we all reminded each other that as grandpa Pete would say, the only thing that really matters in life is a saving relationship with Jesus. So that is where our hearts will turn as we said our goodbyes.
I thought I would share a few pictures of our trip up north last Sunday with Jessy and Perry. It was a lot of fun and I am sure I will post more as I get them. We had such a delightful day.

This of course was the first pictures we took along the way. The kids needed coffee so using our apps we found there was a Starbucks in Gaylord. We drove all over looking for it. Our phones kept telling us we were there. Finally we discovered it was in the grocery store. I think the kids were talking about pictures they have been taking and of course as usual Joe and I are holding hands. Thats an all the time thing with us and its the best.

It seemed like they moved the UP and we would never get there. But lively conversation and cameras clicking we finally reached the mighty Mackinaw Bridge. It was beautiful as usual with the sun shining off the towers against the blue blue skies. There was a lot of ice floating on the lake too. I am to short to have captured that out the window as we passed by though. But it was really pretty.

We finally got to Taquamenon Falls. We decided to eat first as we all were starving by the time we got there. We opened a new jar of crunchy peanut butter and grandmas homemade grape jelly and made some yummy sandwiches and had apples and cookies. Then off to the falls for some pictures. By the way there was about 30 or more inches of snow out there.

• Joe and I had walked on ahead of the kids and were enjoying the view and the warmer air outside. The kids caught up and I took a few pictures of our little photographers. It is fun watching them enjoy the simple beauty in the world around us that we has country MI people take for granted. If we lived in a big city such as LA we might feel the same. 

This is what the kids were taking amazing photos of. Now tell me that is beautiful isn't it??? It was so pretty that day. And the falls were gorgeous. So worth the trip. there is usually not this much snow here in April. It made for pretty pictures though. There was not much wind either. So that was even better.

Enjoying some cuddles by the falls in the warm sunlight. Are they not just the cutes couple?? We have been blessed having them here. Going to miss them so much. I love all our kids. 

Sitting on the fence waiting for the kids to finish up taking pictures. There is nothing like the fresh air of nature, the warmth of sun rays and the sound of the water rushing and the birds singing. I think this was a perfect day. I needed this day to give us a fresh new perspective on our life at the moment. So again thank you Jess and Perry for making this day so wonderful and special and possible. We love you!!

Joe playing on his phone while we waited on the kids. I did the same just looking at pictures and doing some editing. I sure love this man. He has made my life complete. 

Well I think this will end this post and will share more pictures of the rest of our trip a little later. Remember wherever you are to look for the beauty around you. God has so many lessons for us out in nature. Ask our Heavenly Father to open your eyes to the world around and take every moment to make the best of everyday. Take time with those you love and take time to put Jesus first and formost always. We serve and amazing God and we must always remember that. 

Changes in life

Sometimes life hands us all kinds of changes that we don't see or want. But I am certain that when we finally make it home to Heaven we will say that life's journey was cheap enough. 

My husband and I have had so many challenges and changes lately that it is hard to know where to begin. For sometime now my father in-laws health has been declining and he lost his battle with cancer just a few weeks ago. 

My husband and I worked hard to keep our business open but there just was not the financing to do so and it closed at the beginning of March. ( crystalhavenmemories.blogspot.com )

This was a huge loss and I have struggled with so many feelings through this process. But God is good and my sweet mother in law opened her home and my husband and I are staying here with our two little baby girls. (Chihuahua's Koko and Stella)

We were able to be here though, during the final week of dads life and that was good. Mama needed us and we needed to be here. I started looking for work and was hired in at a chiropractic clinic here in the area. I am learning so many new things. I have not been a huge computer person. Just enough to get by with Facebook and a blog and my banking on the computer. Well needless to say there is a lot to learn and at times I am completely overwhelmed but other times I feel that I can get this. 

My prayer everyday is that where I fail as a human that God will fill in with His Holy Spirit. He does say that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. I will forever claim that promise. 

We should not ever complain but remember that this world is not our home. We are just passing through and should ever praise and thank the Father for the gifts that He gives and for the love of His son that gave His life for us that we might live. 

So I guess in many ways I am saying all this as an encouragement to my own heart. It is always good to remember that life is never as bad as it seems ever. Keep looking up. Always and forever.

Changes Can be good

Changes can be a very positive things sometimes. I have decided after having some medical issues that I am going to follow the Gersen Diet that can kill cancer. I just know that no matter what I need to eat to live not live to eat. I love cooking and making a pretty plate and yummy foods. But for now will have to set that love aside and eat to live.

I have been really careful for the most part for sometime and lost 65 lbs. but now I have a feeling that the last 30lbs will be nearly gone after the next 12 weeks. I will blog the next twelve weeks. Praying all goes well and that I will be whole and healthy for my family and most importantly for my God.

Yummy Vegan Breakfast Burritos

Here is a yummy morning feast for the wonderful man of mine. He had to go out and shovel about 5 inches of fresh snow this morning and will soon have to go and shovel some more. It is falling and blowing like crazy. These are made with fried potatoes that had peppers and onions from yesterdays breakfast, tofu eggs. jalapeno peppers onions and peppers with a little diaya cheese. We grilled them into yummy perfection. A little fresh fruit on the side and we are all set. And note the Green Bay Packers hat. My husbands added touch to the photo. Love Him :)

Winter or Spring

Yesterday we woke to the glorious sunshine and birds singing their praises to their Heavenly Father. This morning as I sit here in the dark I can see the snow falling softly and the sound of the wind whistling at the window. Yesterday I could smell the earth as my husband was raking the gravel from the front yard that is compliments of the snow plows and today I will be making him a cup of coffee to warm him when he comes in from shoveling the snow.

Everyday is an adventure here. As owners and operators of an adult foster care home we never have a dull moment. Today is the preparation for the Sabbath so there will be the extra cooking and cleaning along with the normal daily tasks.

I am so grateful everyday for our Heavenly Father that brought Joe and I together when neither of us thought we ever wanted another relationship. God saw what we couldn't see and we are so thankful. Never take the little things for granted and always remember to tell them you love them in their love language.

Time to go and begin breakfast for the 5 elderly that live here in our home with us. And my sweet man of course, he will be rising soon as well.

Praying Hands

I am so grateful to God for the man He has brought into my life to love me and to cherish me. It is wonderful too because he loves the love that I have to offer back to him. He is always reaching out and taking my hand. It makes me feel his love and the safety and strength that is there. You will probably see lots of pictures of our hands. It is a symbol of unity oneness and our love for God.