Just for Fun

These pictures are here just because I like them. The pink ones with the butterfly is wild azaleas. They are just starting to come into bloom here. Another 2 to 3 weeks and they will be in full bloom. The wild ones out in the woods are very delicate looking and are actually fragrant, unlike the cultivated ones. The front of our yard has azalea bushes that are 6 to 8 feet tall. Some one has not trimmed them in a long time...me. Gary's idea of trimming is with the chainsaw and cutting them off at ground level.

With the gorgeous spring weather there will be more flower pictures coming soon.

What is Love?

What is love? I've really been thinking about that today. Several things come to mind right away.

The first is from the Bible, I Corinthians 13:1-13, NASB. It talks about having several different public ministry gifts, having faith to remove mountains, giving away everything to help the poor but ultimately without love what is it?

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears[Or covers ] all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy[Lit prophecies ], they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest [Lit greater ] of these is love.

I think that mostly speaks for itself. One of the greatest examples of love I have has been my parents. They have been married for 60 years. They are not perfect, nor have they claimed to be. My mom took care of us during the early years while my dad worked. Now that they are older, and my mom has cancer, my dad is taking care of my mom. He is not complaining, just doing what needs to be done. He's setting an example of love by being patient and kind and caring for her needs. Thank you dad!

My father in law was here recently to help my husband on a wood working project. Another form of love. Teaching and showing your children how to do something. Did you ever wonder about the furniture that Jesus made? He learned his trade from Joseph, his earthly father. Children learn from example, watching and absorbing what their parents say and do. Mostly by what they do, or their actions. Watching the two of them work together made me think about Jesus and Joseph. Working side by side in someones home or working out in the court yard to finish a project. Countless generations of sons have learned by working alongside their father. Thank you Gary Sr for helping my husband make this project be the best possible because of your vast knowledge base!

Closing?

It's probable that we'll be closing on the construction loan to start the house this week. We have all of the colors, carpet, and tile chosen... just waiting to sign. Once we sign, they'll let us know how long it will take to build it. I'm not sure if I want 2-3 months to build up some money or 3 weeks and have it over?! It will be what it will be. I'm learning to trust in the Lord and not fret over things I have no control over.

Gary's parents were here on Saturday and Sunday. (The picture is of his dad and their "puppy") They came up to see the house and for his Birthday. We had a really nice visit and it was fun to show the model home to more family! We are really excited to get into the house and start having some cooking parties, olive oil tasting parties, who knows what else.