Sunday, November 13, 2016

Thankful and Grateful ....

It's a beautiful cold crisp sunshiny day here in the Ozarks. It's a day to stoke the fire or turn on some heat .. just to take that little bit of coolness out of the air. 

It's Sunday .. another beautiful day to Serve our Lord Jesus and to give him all the praise and glory
for the blessings that have been bestowed to us. I am so thankful and so grateful for all the Lord has done for me and my family. We have walked some precarious paths and wondered where they would lead and why in the world our Lord would take us down them ..but in the end each path has had it's reasons, each path has had it's lessons, each path has had it's way of growing us and bending us in new directions which we never would have chosen for ourselves. Many times we grow comfortable and complacent in our lives and God finds ways to grow us in the direction of his will for our lives. Sometimes the growth is painful other times it's uncomfortable .. and sometimes we have fun when we are growing and don't even know that's what he is accomplishing in us until one day we look back and realize how much change has taken place in our Hearts and Minds .. 

 this is a picture I took a few weeks back of an old dliapadated house that sits on a hill overlooking a beautiful green valley... it made me think ... a house... for God.... is a house that will stand forever and weather the storms with him by it's side ...








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18 comments:

  1. Lovely picture, Sara, but it pains me to see a house allowed to die. Such memories within those walls and now...none. Yes, to God and His perfect will in our lives. He has a plan. It's been so just plain hard since Dave died but I choose to trust...God has a plan.

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    1. Oh gosh .. it is so sad the amount of Old houses that sit in shambles along the roadsides here. There is a beauty to them for me. I love the forlorn look of them and knowing that even disheveled they still stand ..kind of like us sometimes. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it's been Sandra. I did not Marry and it's been me and my parents for my entire life so I have not experienced that element of Love .. but I have seen friends and family lose spouses and I have witnessed their tremendous loss and the pain that comes with it. I know God has a plan for you, for me .. for anyone who seeks him and his plan .. sometimes the plan unfolds slowly and patience is sometimes an unbearable thing to endure ..but in the end I have seen the difference it has made in my life and in the end it's been worth it. Although I didn't feel that way always going through it. You are in my prayers .. hugs and blessings ..Sara

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  2. Beautiful and exactly how I feel! Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!

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  3. This is a beautiful post. I love the photo with scripture.
    I would love if you would come over and share this beautiful message at The Fabulous Fall Thanksgiving Party.
    http://myjourneyback-thejourneyback.blogspot.com/2016/11/ideas-for-christmas-shopping.html
    Come join the party and share the love and the message! Have a good week.

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    1. Thank You for the invite I will sure come and share it .. Blessings .Sara

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  4. It reminds me of this poem by Joyce Kilmer - The House with Nobody In It...one of my favorites. Have a blessed week. I enjoy your posts so much but this one in particular...But a house that has done what a house should do, a house that has sheltered life,That has put its loving wooden arms around a man and his wife,A house that has echoed a baby’s laugh, and held up his stumbling feet,Is the saddest sight, when it’s left alone, that ever your eyes could meet.So whenever I go to Suffern along the Erie track,I never go by the empty house without stopping and looking back,
    Yet is hurts me to look at the crumbling roof and the shutters falling apart,For I can’t help thinking the poor old house is a house with a broken heart. Joyce Kilmer

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    1. Love that poem .. thank you so much for shaing it !!!!

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  5. Your pictures and writings are such a blessing in my life, as I am sure they are to others. Have you ever considered being an author? I would buy your book for myself and give as gifts to my loved ones! 'Just a thought. I'll be thrilled when you get your Etsy shop up & running again, as I am having serious withdrawls! Ha! Ha! Until next time----God bless you & your family. Sincerely, Cathy Robinson.

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    1. Well Cathy .. I am very humbled by your sweet words and I am so thrilled that you enjoy the blog .... Thanks for patiently awaiting our re-opening it's been a journey we will get there soon .. Hugs and Blessings sent your way ..

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  6. This is a beautiful, touching post. The old home, though aged and in disrepair is still a beauty to behold.

    Praise be to God, our Heavenly Father for ALL things!!!

    (off topic- but I love the font on your page, on the post & comments! Please share how you did that! Love it!)

    Thank you for sharing! God's Blessings! Net

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping in and so glad you enjoyed the post. In regards to the Header on my blog .. I believe you are talking about the header with the 3 photos and the name of my business/blog ? Well I can tell you I use PSE a photo program and created it with that software. As to all the steps involved I'm not a very good teacher .. I am self taught when it comes to designing graphics. I would recommend googling how to make a Blogger Header and there are many talented people that share tutorials for free on such things. Also I believe but have never used that you can make headers for your blog at PicMonkey which can be accessed for free there are some things you have to have a paid subscription for but that's just personal choice. Hope that helps some. Blessings ..Sara

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  7. Empty falling down old houses affect me that way also. Why was the house left to crumble, what happened to the family who had lived there, why hadn't somebody taken it over to bring it back to life? Used to see many un- occupied houses in MT out on country roads, some in KY, many other places we'd go. My hubs was truck driver, I accompanied him as much as I could. Would go by homes at night and wonder what family was doing inside. Guess I have curious nature.Loved photo of old house, would love to know story of it. Enjoy your blog very much.

    Hope you have wonderful Fall week

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    1. Oh I know don't you wonder the stories of the old houses .. I'm sure you saw a lot traveling with your husband across the US. This one sits opposite side of the road from another old farm that is beautiful and up and running ..I think it may be part of that property it may have been in the family from years back. I know my great grandparents home in KS was let go by the family over the years and also sat in disrepair just because at the time it was outdated and run down and the family kept the land to raise cattle and just left the house standing and over years it too became dilapadated. I don't think the old houses were treasured then like they are now. Then they were just outdated and after the depression era and new homes were available and affordable they wanted nicer, warmer places to call home and let many old ones go. Plus the cost of fixing them was just too much so they moved on. So many reasons ..but I still love seeing them stand even in the state they are in there is a beauty about them I love. thanks for stopping .. Blessings ..SAra

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  8. Hello Sweet Sara! So good to see you here. I have missed you and Abbey! So happy to hear you made in to MO! I knew that is where your heart wanted to go. Love your words of wisdom and your love for the Lord. Sending lots of hugs your way! Love, Maryjane xox

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    1. Hey there miss Maryjane .. thanks for stopping in so great to have a comment from you ! Have missed you too .. and yes we are so happy in our new home state of MO. thanks for the hugs and sending some right back at ya ! Love and Blessings ..Sara

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  9. Beautiful post and so well said! You are truly blessed and have honored our Lord beautifully! What a great picture too!

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment ..We love hearing from each and every one of you. We always try to get back to you .. via a reply in the comments section or back to your e-mail address if you have it enabled ...but if We don't... please know that we appreciate you leaving your thoughts.

Many Happy Returns of the Day ..Sara of Sweet Magnolia's Farm