Beautiful Birthday Roses

Live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. — 1 Timothy 2:2

Beautiful birthday flowers from my sweet husband.

Of course, they arrived at work on the one day I decided to work at home this week!

But my thoughtful coworkers took pictures for me and even carried them up to my desk.

I was able to enjoy them in person the next day when I returned to the office.

Such a gorgeous and aroma-filled gift.

And my coworkers took me out to lunch to celebrate.

I am blessed to have such caring family members and friends.

Beautiful Flowers

"On the day I called,  you answered me, my strength of soul you increased." — Psalm 138:3


Saturday I received this gorgeous flower garden from our friend Lori.

The plants were surrounded by shells of various shapes and sizes.

She sent a cute card with this Scripture from the Psalms.

And she let me know that I'm in her thoughts and prayers. Very thoughtful.

I continue to do well with very few side effects. I can't do as many jumprope jumps in a row as I could back in January, but I'm doing well.

I am thankful.

Be Joyful in Hope

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. — Romans 12:10

Be devoted to each other in love.

Honor one another above yourself.

Here's the gluten free cake Marion made for our Memorial Day celebration. 

What a thoughtful group of family members and friends we have!

And they are all great cooks, too.

We are blessed. And a few pounds heavier.

God Is Our Fortress

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. — Psalm 18:2

Here are the beautiful flowers we received while at Abby's graduation last weekend.

A thoughtful gift from Rick, Barry, and Aunt Jean.

Kelly went over to our house and took the arrangement inside so the flowers were greeting us when we arrived home.

Even during this time of sadness, we can be at peace with God's deep joy that passes all understanding.

We are thankful for all of our wonderful friends and family members.

God is our rock, our fortress, our deliverer, our salvation.

We are thankful!

God's Love Brings Me Joy

When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. — Psalm 94:18-19

Anthurium plant

God's love has supported me through this journey with cancer.

When I felt the least bit of anxiety, He was able to turn my worry into joy and my sadness into gladness and joy.

I have been overwhelmed with His blessings and with the support of family and friends.

Yesterday my friend Mariley stopped by with this beautiful Anthurium plant. She had been to Hawaii and this reminded her of the trip. Gorgeous and so thoughtful!

Our home looks like a florist shop and smells just as wonderful.

Your consolation brought joy to my soul!

Lilacs So Fragrant

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. — Psalm 40:3


Saturday our neighbors, Stan and Susan, went up to Julian and brought back some Lilacs for us. 

What an amazing fragrance they have! And the colors are amazing, too.

Such a thoughtful gift from our sweet neighbors.

God has put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to him.

We put our trust in the Lord.

Spring Flowers

See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come. — Song of Solomon 2:11-12
 
These are the beautiful flowers that Kirk's colleague Amy sent to us, wishing Kirk a restful Easter break.

They still look beautiful as they add a pop of color to our living room.

And they looked wonderful gracing one of our tables for Easter dinner on Saturday. What a thoughtful gift!

I continue to feel good, no nausea, just a bit tired. I fell asleep when our friend Rudy came over Sunday. But fortunately I stayed awake long enough to admire his amazing photos from his last trip to Japan.

And I was still up to take a call from Abby so we could catch up before the day ended.

The season of singing has come!

I Will Sing of God's Love

I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. — Psalm 59:16

I love to sing. This Psalm resonates with me, singing of God's love in the morning.

Saturday I got my hair cut and also had my hairdresser, Vito, trim the bangs on my wig just a bit. He graciously did not charge me for the appointment, so I'll bring him a bottle of wine to thank him.

Here's a picture of me in the wig, which I'll probably start wearing in a week or so, when my hair begins to fall out.

And now that my hair is shorter, I won't have as much left to fall out. When it does start to shed, Vito has said he'll be glad to give me a buzz cut, and he'll squeeze me in so I can take care of it as soon as I want or need to.

What a blessing to have such thoughtful friends who help me look and feel my best.

I will sing of God's strength, in the morning I will sing of His love!

A New Day

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.  
— Psalm 34:4

The sun is shining again. Still. And it's a new day ahead.

Still no pain, and most movement is back in my arm. I'm amazed.

This beautiful orchid is a reminder of the thoughtful friends and neighbors who have surrounded our family during this time. 

Our neighbors brought it over before the surgery to brighten my spirits, and it did!

I opened my door yesterday to a beautiful floral arrangement from my Bible study friends and another arrangement — a combination of plants and flowers from our next-door neighbors. What a surprise!

We have been showered with blessing upon blessing. We are grateful.