When the Roots Wither

                                                                                      

Tritoma in full bloom.

A welcome herald in the garden these days.

It has been a bit of a struggle in the yard this year.

A "misapplication" of weed killer by our 

lawn service company has taken out about 

1/2 of our perennial beds.

This is the gooseneck loosestrife bed.

It would normally be in full bloom soon.

The white yarrow would be in full bloom.

30 years of digging, planting 

and watering and weeding.

This would have been the Clara Barlow columbine.

It was challenging at first

 to see the beginning of the dying.

I couldn't really walk in the yard.

One day it looked like a plant had survived

 and then a 90 degree day arrived 

and it just disintegrated.

So I am working in pots these days.

Blooming colorful blossoms.

When I had to walk by my Fairy Rose bush here...

I went straight to the Rugosa Rose.

Survivor.

That is the code word for what

 has made it in the garden this year.

The Lawn Service manager has been here twice

 and we are working things out. 

Too hot to plant now- so planning on Fall for that.

Hard, yes.

But, in this week with the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas,

 there was also a family from our church

 who had their house burn down. 

Withered roots and dead plants 

 becomes at most- an inconvenience.

Not life altering.

I have asked God to calm my heart, 

move me through the challenge.

I have asked for resilience.

There is so much beauty everywhere.

In spite. 

Just have to keep looking.

My heart hurts for so many people

 these days.

Things beyond my control- or theirs.

The oneothera survived in the 

old slip scoop from my growing up farm.

I will work to pull up the dead plants.

(the horrid ground cover I have tried

 for years to get rid of--of course it survived)

I will stroll the yard and call plants by name-

Hello- Blue Veronica.

I will give thanks for all 

the things that are still alive.

I will sing praise for all my blessings.

I will rearrange "the farm"

 in the empty spots for now.

I will find JOY in the tiny snippets

 that enhance each day.

I won't have Astilbe this year- 

but a reminder- there is HOPE.

 There is always HOPE.

It is Still Good.

He is Still Good.

You can always follow along

 on Instagram with 

#vintagegracegardens

Charlie Is Four!

This fun guy is rip roaring and ready to go!

Hi ho- Four!!!

Mr. Speedy.

(when he gets outside)

Mr. Policeman will be checking on

 things around the neighborhood.

And this might be the beginning of 

"something."

A sleeping bag promises 

many fun sleep overs

in the future. 

Some Pokemon cards and holder

 for some trading times.

Giggles and Balloons.

That's a big 4!

A cuddle and a squeeze.

Looking forward to many blessings with 

Mr. Charlie in this next birth year.

 
 

Worship into the Week- Enlightened

 

Ascension of our Lord

Ephesians 1:15-23

Thanksgiving and Prayer

Paul sends greetings to the saints of Ephesus.

He prays for wisdom for them and that they may 

grow in the knowledge of Jesus.

May the eyes of their hearts be enlightened.

May they know the hope 

to which they have been called.

May they know the riches of his glorious inheritance.

Jesus is seated at the right hand of God in heavenly places.

He is "far above all rule and authority and power

 and dominion, and above every name that is named,

 not only in this age but also in the one to come.

And he put all things under his feet and grace

 him as head over all things to the church, 

which is body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." 

The Lord reigns and over all things on this earth-

the power of Jesus WINS.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

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Worship into the Week Printable

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Magazine cut outs

Distress ink

Colored pencils

Worship into the Week- The New Jerusalem

                                         

                          Worship into the Week-

                                    The New Jerusalem

                                    Rev. 21:9-14, 21-27

This section of Revelation illustrated the detail 

of the bride of Christ

 as she will live in the new heaven and earth.

Louis Brighton says in his book Revelation,

"The saints of God in their state of righteousness and holiness and perfection after the resurrection can now look directly

 in the face of God. 

No longer does God have to hide his glory from their view.

 No longer does he have to shield his people 

from the brilliance of his 

overpowering holiness and awesomeness. 

For God can now directly and personally 

live in the midst of his saints with his glory.

With sin and every evil having passed away, 

there is no longer a need for a tabernacle or temple

 to mediate and temper God's presence. 

For God the Father himself together

 with the Lord Christ is now the temple." p. 618.

Supplies:

 Visual Church Year Printable

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Worship into the Week Printable

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Magazine Cutouts

Colored Pencils

Distress ink 

Worship into the Week- All Things New

 

Worship into the Week- 

Revelation 21:1-7 

The New Heaven and the New Earth

We have a new inheritance.

It will be amazing- this eternity gift. 

                                 Sermon notes from worship 

with helpful coloring by grandson Isaiah.

We will dwell with God.

He will tabernacle with us.

He is making everything new.

These are trustworthy and true words-

the Alpha and the Omega says so!!!

Supplies needed:

Visual Church Year Printable

vcy-graphics-only-may-2022

Worship into the Week Printable

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Colored Pencils

Magazine Cutouts

Distress Inki

 

Jack is Six!

Mr. Jack is six!

What fun to celebrate this guy and a birthday.

Great birthday hat.

So fun to have brother buddies to have at the party.

This Kindergartener is growing up

 and a whole lot of fun.

Some fun birthday gifts- a Lego City.

Some rollerblades and gear

 to stay safe and protected.

Brother Charlie is ready to go with

 his new "early birthday" matching gear too.

A group hug is the best way 

to celebrate a family of brothers.

Some oldest cousin time is pretty special.

This car load looks like trouble.

When did Hadley get her license?

A visit with Grandpa and Grandma Meier

just made an awesome celebration.

Can't get any cooler than this!!

 A visit to the Matthaei Gardens 

in Ann Arbor with buddy brothers

was a very special treat.

Have a very blessed new birth year Jack!

Worship into the Week- The Lamb on the Throne

 

Worship into the Week-Revelations 7:9-17

 A Great Multitude from Every Nation

This section of Scripture speaks

 to the Church Triumphant.

"The church triumphant, at rest and peace and awaiting

 the final act of God's judgment 

and the resurrection of the End, 

will never again experience tribulation and 

persecution on earth."

Concordia Commentary- Revelation- Louis Brighton, p. 193

The Shepherd is the victorious Lamb

 and has come to gather His people.

The greatest work since creation 

is the redemptive work on behalf of God's people

 by the action of Christ our Savior.

The picture of eternal glory in verse 14 

is comforting to Christians.

Even our current hard things and experiences

 will test our faith and patience.

No one escapes the hard times,

every Christian will have challenges

 that rock their world.

But, God will protect His people 

in their mission on earth.

He brings faith and hope reminders 

of the glory of eternal life.

Our great Shepherd sits on the heavenly throne.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

vcy-graphics-only-may-2022

Worship into the Week Printable

worship-into-the-week-may-2022

Magazine cut outs 

Distress Ink

Colored pencils

The Little Things

 

The little things.

 God uses the little things.

As I move through a busy week and transition time,

 I am reminded of God's faithfulness.

He doesn't need big projects or accomplishments

 to extend His will into the world.  

He works through a smile, a hug, a kind word,

 a simple act of kindness, and a heart-felt prayer.

The very tiny petals of the Miss Kim lilac

 are a great reminder of how tiny things

 gathered together create a whole image of goodness.

Our world wants to applaud Big projects, Big goals and 

BIG success.

Won't you join me to make a difference with little things?

Follow #vfm_littlethings on Instagram.

Tag your reports of little things on FB and Instagram.

Join a movement of little things.

 I give thanks that our very BIG GOD uses little things.

Lord, help my heart and soul to be centered on 

the Little Things.