Tuesday, March 22, 2016

This Week

Hmm. It's only Tuesday. Maybe this post should be titled "Last Week." But I haven't posted in a while, so here's a jumbled recap of what's going on ... or more likely, what random photos are on my phone.
 Everything here is shouting, "Spring!!!" Above is a lovely spot in the county. Their pear trees are stunning each spring and fall.
 A friend has these irises blooming already.
 This past week I took a vase of ruby red camellias to church for the sanctuary. The previous week it was a vase of daffodils, forsythia, and ivy.
And two dogs. Because two dogs is what we are severely lacking. These two adorable pups were being friendly to strangers at the farmers' market on Saturday. Adam has been looking for puppies online. We found some collie/golden retriever mixes, but they were all taken. Still looking.


Our big pine tree is putting all its effort into reproduction right now. It's covered with candles. As I stood by the greenhouse one day last week I noticed a hazy cloud of smoke across the pasture and wondered which neighbor had a fire going. I then realized it was this pine tree, buffeted by a little wind, releasing a cloud of pollen all around it.
 Speaking of pups, here's where we buried Sandy and Maggie Moo. Sandy is on the right with her favorite soccer ball, and Maggie is on the left with her football. There's a forsythia planted between them. And Adam left a little block of wood there also because these two dogs LOVED chasing blocks of wood he'd throw, and starting up what he called a "bark war" as they stood over it, facing each other down. We miss them all the time.
 The orchard is slowly coming alive. It's had such a hard recovery. The scuppernong grapevines are weeping where they were cut.

Anna has been gone a week. She is doing very well. She's posted a little bit on facebook, plus we had a good Skype chat with her Saturday night (her Sunday morning).
Anna said she's been bike-riding. She's been out to eat with friends, as you see in the photos above, which I shamelessly lifted from facebook, and I do hope her friend doesn't mind! She's been to the supermarket. And although she looked mighty sleepy when we saw her on Skype, she didn't seemed stressed or anxious at all. I think she has a good personality for adjusting to international travel and living. She successfully acquired her one-year work visa in one day! She likes all the people she's met, and really likes the family she's staying with (for now). She'll be house-sitting for them for a few months in the summer while they travel. Later she will find her own digs. She's up-to-speed on her teaching responsibilities, and I believe she'll start her teacher training in April before the new school year begins. Their school year is on a different schedule from ours.
We are so very proud of her, even though we miss her so much. I love to see her happy and following her dreams. Mostly, I am quite content in sending her off into the world because I know from our conversations that she is in a good, personal relationship with God, not shallow, not insecure, not merely religious, but deep and real and personal to her. With that knowledge I can peacefully send her far away knowing that she's not alone. Jesus is always by her side. God is laying out His path before her feet.
It hasn't been an easy few weeks, I can tell you that. Too much going on. Too much emotional turmoil. Too much sadness and a bit of gladness. A blog is no place to burden others, as all we bloggers know. But God is still in His heaven and this world is still at His feet. I rest in knowing my place there.

4 comments:

gretchenjoanna said...

I know I have never gotten used to my empty nest. It always feels better when some of the chicks come back for any length of time. God bless you, Dear, and keep you in His joy and rest.

happyone said...

Oh that is good news about Anna and glad she is doing so well. : )
Love that first picture. Wow - beautiful.

Lisa Richards said...

Amen! I feel the same about my boys. They are close to God and following their dreams. You still miss them, but you wouldn't want to keep them from doing what they were created for. Yes, you've had a lot to deal with in a short time. Take good care of yourselves!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

So glad Anna has such a close, personal relationship with Jesus, and that she's doing well in new surroundings. That gives you and Adam much peace, even though you miss her terribly.

The right dog/s will come to you.

Love, hugs & prayers and have a lovely Easter ~ FlowerLady