Thank you all, again, for your sweet thoughts and prayers!  I’m still under the weather and, unfortunately, didn’t make it to church Sunday, but as I’ve told some here, I’m hopeful … I think I may be at the tail end of this … at least I’m praying for that … it’s been a very long week+!  One blessing was that on Sunday, and Monday, I woke to crisp, clear, bright sunny mornings.  Morning sunshine always makes a body feel good!  The birds were singing, and they were hopping around the bushes by our porch, along with our resident squirrel!  I think he was wondering what the chirping was all about!  They’re just excited … spring is in the air … even though it’s cold, and there are still icicles hanging from the house, catching the sunlight!  My hubby went to church Sunday, and had a blessed time.  He shared with me about the first session of the John Bevere series, and he went back for the next session that evening.  Last night they repeated the ones from Sunday, but still, I was not up to going.  I’ve been told that I will be able to borrow the DVD’s, so I will still get to see it!  And thinking ahead to spring … they also had a meeting after church on Sunday, for those who are interested in planting a garden at the church this spring.  Those who do, will have their own garden plots, to plant what they choose, and each will be giving a portion of their harvests to a local mission house.  It will feel good to be able to bless others with fresh vegetables from a homegrown garden, and I’m also looking forward to doing some canning this year, with what we reap for ourselves!  So, how does your garden grow?  Are any of you planning one this year?  What are some of your favorite garden foods?  It doesn’t feel much like gardening weather here just yet … it’s in the teens here now, but we’re going to get spring like temperatures close to 60* by the end of the week.  I need to get some gardening catalogs!  Any suggestions on where I can get some good ones? 

My adorable kitty, Pookie, is adjusting to life indoors!  She is so petite and small, and weighs less than a feather compared to the Moosh!  She is very loving, and wants to stay close to me, unless she’s sitting in the window watching the birds, and squirrels.  I’m falling in love with her more and more each day!  It’s fun having two, 4 legged fur balls to keep me company!  Which reminds me … my hubby is headed out of town for a few days to work on another Panera Bread Company store.  We’re thankful that work is picking up … it’s been a rough few months, with him being off with that broken ankle, and work being so slow.  God is providing for our needs, and we are so thankful.  His ankle is doing much better, and he got the all-clear from the doctor … although he says it is still a bit stiff.  He just needs to exercise it more, and working helps to do that.  He may be gone through Saturday, and I plan on working at decluttering all the ‘paper piles’ we have accumulated.  Do you find that piles of magazines, etc., can just walk into your house and grow overnight into small mountains?!  Well, I have a couple of mountains to ‘climb’ here, so keep me in your prayers this week!  I’ll be around on here as well, visiting, and catching up.  Seems like I’ve been away too long.  My sister and her family moved this past weekend … I miss her being close by already, even though they are still traveling back here every day to work … it’s still not going to be the same.  But I am anxious to get up to see her new house very soon!  She is even making up the extra bedroom so we can spend the night when we want to!

Ian called the other day … he’s going to be housesitting during the months of May, through August, and he’s asked us to come stay … for free … food included!  We’re not sure if we’ll have the money to go, but we’re praying that God takes care of it all for us.  It might be hard for Lewis to get away from work and his crew, for very long, but Ian told me I could stay with him the four months he’ll be there housesitting.  Not sure if I want to be away from my hubby for that long, though!  We’ll be praying about it all … I’ve even thought we could just store all of our stuff, and just move there for awhile … I shared that with hubby … he looked at me funny!  Like I said … we’ll just have to be praying about it!  I lived out there in California for a short time when I was younger … don’t think I’d want to live out there indefinitely, though … don’t think we could afford it!  Lewis has talked about living in Washington State … he used to years ago when he was a logger, before I knew him.  That would be a major change in our lives if God would lead us in the direction of moving out west!  Anyway, in the meantime, we’re working on decluttering our home now … we feel this is what God is wanting us to do … get our home in order.  Then He’ll take us from there, and we’ll follow, wherever He may lead us! 

Well, that’s about all for now … I’ll be around to catch up soon … I’m going to finish getting things packed for hubby’s trip later today … I will miss him this week.  I’m going to bake up some pumpkin bread for him to take along on the trip, too, with pecans and raisins!  A little extra treat, made with love, for him!  He walked in the door after work last night with SUNFLOWERS for me!  That brought such a glow to my heart!  I am a bit concerned for him, though … he’s going to be working some very long, overnight hours this week, so if you would, please keep him in your prayers for a safe trip later today, and also for strength, and energy to get through the next few days!  I know he would appreciate it so much, as do I!  Thank you, too, for keeping Marcia in your prayers as well!  (see previous post)  I pray that each of you receive a special blessing in your week, something that will bring a warm glow to your heart, too!  I’ll see you soon!

Hugs,
                     ~ Deborah <><

“May soft be the grass you walk on, May fair be the skies above you,
May true be the joys that surround you, May dear be the hearts that love you.”  
~ Old Irish Blessing