Spring has Sprung!

I was gently reminded of this beautiful Bird Feeder, which John- my wonderful husband- fashioned for me outside our Dining room window.  What a great view we had of all the purple finch, black capped chickadees, titmice, goldfinch, nut hatches, etc.  It was during the Winter while at Oklahoma Church of Christ near Linn, MO. in 1987-1990.
Reason for reminder? I've been crying the blues because we are not allowed to feed the birds in the Vintage here in Spokane, WA.

This is a couple of pics of our Apt. Bldg. 'The Vintage at Spokane' We do have a nice view from the 5th floor Apartment we have and live within an area of many restaurants, Walmart, Winko (Grocery store) besides a Dollar Store, Hobby Lobby and Michaels. 
I'm quite ashamed for complaining when I have such colorful memories of the Bird Watching we enjoyed in MO and all the blessings here in the Vintage. Pool, Hot Tub, Dining rooms to use when entertaining, Activity room, large social room, and many other amenities. 

 A view of the entrance above.

God is Good.. all the time, and we are especially glad for His provision of such a place and good friends & neighbors. 

Someone brought us a pot of straw-berry plants for our deck the other day- looking forward to harvesting those.  There are 3 or 4 strawberries on them. Then  we went to The Tomato Street restaurant on Mother's Day and they gave all the women a Tomato plant when we left. It has 3 blossoms. :-))     

 Deuteronomy 6:9 "You shall write them on the door posts of your house..." The verse that came to mind when I was trying to redo my decor in the hall outside our door. Someone had given me the beautiful 'pussy-willows' and I needed Scripture to share with my neighbors and visitors. Before now, I'd used the horizontal  type of card. So the verticle card was perfect.  and all glory to God for the inspiration. 
      The welcome mat is always out so come visit us at the Vintage of Spokane on Weile Ave.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5,6.  
     Hebrews 13:3 "Remember the prisoners as if chained with them- (reminded of the Living Martyrs of today in other countries) those who are mistreated- since you yourselves are in the 'Body' also." The Spirit world has no boundaries. While in the Tri-Cities I had a nightmare... I was living in a foreign land in a hovel, standing in the kitchen preparing food over a wood stove when I heard pounding on our outside door. Going to the door, (it was as real as day) a room with a dirt floor lay between me and the outside door- where the Police stood who had come to take me away...My heart was racing and throat constricted when I awoke. So reason for this blog today. 'We have just had a Craft and Bake sale' where I was able to sell baked goods, fudge and some crafts in order to donate the proceeds to Voice of the Martyrs and Spirit of Martyrdom. Another, inspiration came: make extra 'doorpost Scripture cards' for donations to the Martyrs. In that way, more of  The Word will be displayed throughout our Apartment Building. Hallelujah. 
  It was very successful thanks to our Lord. The attendance was poor BUT GOD (love that phrase) must have multiplied the coins and caused people to come to my table. Praises to HIM. Good night and blessings on each of you.

"The FATHER'S LOVE"

Mon. May 13, 2013.. 
Doesn't this just touch your heart? A photo from my brother last year when this beautiful swan in Lyndonville, NY hatched her goslings. How proud she was of her offspring. Reminds me of the song... "Under His Wings." 

In reading the latest BVOV Magazine yesterday was just blessed and thrilled with Kenneth Copeland's message.. ."Developing Faith in the FATHER'S LOVE." What a powerful message! (Joshua 22:5-  
"Serve Him with all your heart, soul, and mind... enthusiastically and with creativity."  He has created us to be like Him- Creative.)
      1) "If we put the WORD first place; 2) Meditate on the Scriptures concerning God's Love; 3) Act on the WORD concerning the LOVE of GOD. I John 4:11-12. Capsulated in LOVE. We will be surrounded by LOVE because HE IS LOVE.
       This not only protects us from the Evil One but also forms a 'soft pillow effect' around us... as we come in contact with others... no abrasiveness or sharp elbows that might jab, hurt or harm them in one way or another. Can't you just see this picture?  The 'Love Capsule' is a perfect fit because it is GOD and comes from above! Not man-made in China or any other place on earth. It is a heavenly GIFT of LOVE surround- ing us and like a beautiful pillow or as Joann McFatter says 'a marshmallow'- His Name. Another precious gem of revelation. Thank you Kenneth Copeland.
        As the Message Bible puts it, in I John 4:17-18 "God is Love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way Love has the run of the house,  becomes at home and mature in us so that we are free of worry on Judgement Day --- Our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear." (The capsule of love is a perfect fit for each one of us- no room for anything else.) O my this is going to be a Beautiful Day. 7:30 a.m.

Springtime in Spokane and Devotions on the Deck.

   Spring has arrived in Spokane! This photo though, was taken in Richland, but is a favorite. Such beauty from our Creator. The blossoms are large and breath taking.  How could anyone deny the Creator Loves us with an Everlasting Love.
    Oh, thank You, Lord. I'm so blessed. My new deck chair..(Mothers' day gift from my husband) was calling me this morning to come out and spend some time in the Word. My warm robe was waiting on the chair, the closet door in John's B/R was open as I retrieved my slippers.. so he wouldn't be disturbed- as he was sleeping away. It was very early.. 5:45! but the sun was shining and the air was crisp. 
    As Psalm 119 fell open at verse 100... it was thrill after thrill in following the thread.. "I understand more than the ancients (aged), because I keep your precepts." Help me, Lord. Then verse 103 "How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!, 104- Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. 105- Your Word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path." About this time I realized I needed a light blanket around me and was about to go get one, when John came to the door and asked if I wasn't cold? So he got it for me before going back to bed. You are amazing, Lord- Nothing is beyond Your attention whether small or great. "All I have needed, Your hand has provided- Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me." (a favorite hymn of mine.) Somehow...? Not really but I found myself reading Hebrews 12:25-27. "Hearing the Heavenly Voice" Listening and heeding the Spirit.  Holy Spirit, I am learning. Reminds me of a time, not so long ago, when You reminded me that I have never been very ready to listen to advice or to seek help from my Consultants while working as a Social Worker in the Nursing Homes. Thank You for your patience and loving guidance in this matter. How much easier it would have been had I given up my pride back in those days. Help me to fast and to be totally in tune with You.. that I may be useful in Your ministry. 
    Hebrews 13:2  reminds me of Jim and Diane King and when we met for the first time. "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels." I was in the entryway of the Dessert Stream Church in Richland when I spotted a couple of strangers.  In introducing myself and finding out about their visit Diane revealed they were looking for a Word of Faith church. She was working out in THE AREA for a time.  Wonder of wonders... a God thing! I had prepared a stew that morning and put it in the crock pot so it was ready for dinner after church. They agreed to come for lunch even though Diane was on a fast. Jim was hungry and had 2 plates of stew and Diane had a cup of tea. This was the beginning of a lovely and long relationship. They introduced me to the Kenneth Copeland Ministries. Thank You, Father. 
5/10/2013.

"This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it."

How GREAT is our GOD... Sing it with me... how GREAT, how GREAT is our GOD. HIS LOVE IS EXTRAVAGANT! HIS MERCY IS EXTRAVAGANT! HIS GRACE IS EXTRAVAGANT.... IT GOES ON AND ON....

This is the beautiful COLUMBIA RIVER at Sunrise.

May already!

May is here in all it's beauty.. God's extravagant beauty all around us. The Columbia River is huge and beautiful. Can't wait to walk by it again. Wind has been too strong this Spring to go on our usual walks but I can feel it in the air... it's coming. Warm air that is!

How GREAT is our GOD... Sing it with me... how GREAT is our GOD. HIS LOVE IS EXTRAVAGANT! HIS MERCY IS EXTRAVAGANT! HIS GRACE IS EXTRAVAGANT.... IT GOES ON AND ON....

Well, you might ask, "What is this all about.
This is not a completely new subject... because of where our apartment is we have quite a lot of
exciting things happening almost every day.
This was when the Trash Truck Operator failed to deposit the Compacter safely on the walk.

It rolled off and traveled down the drive by itself.
We shouted at the driver as he went around the Car Ports and he heard us and saw the Compacter as he started to drive by.




This may sound comical but it nearly hit 3 cars as it rolled down the drive. Came very close to ours and then we were sure it was going to hit another
broadside but each time it turned just enough to miss all of them and stopped at the curb without going across the alley. Which by the way, it did another time when the wind dislodged it and had to be recovered by the Maintenance Employee with the help of our Manager. (She was in heels, if you can imagine it.) Good thing it was empty.

Here the driver is repositioning the Compacter so it will stay put!!!