tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:39:00 +0000The little flashes of insight that God gives are to me, like flowers from heaven. Not that every piece written here is a 'flower' but I hope what you read here will tickle your nose and you'll find the scent of the Father as you walk through this garden.http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)Blogger470125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-837710354291084038Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:18:00 +00002009-12-03T19:24:46.498-08:00I've never actually been in a tornado, but I think I have an inkling of what it might be like. Every once in awhile a tornado in the form of my son rips through our house leaving devestation in its wake. Broken things, hurt emotions, frayed nerves. How do people survive who live in 'tornado alley'? Why do they stay there when they could move? Why do we stay here for that matter and endure http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/12/tornado-warning.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-5436624923626953058Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:54:00 +00002009-09-29T08:50:21.843-07:00"Slow down mom, you're going too fast."This from my daughter while I'm reading Ann's post about that very thing. I am almost always too impatient, wanting things to happen. Not wanting to take the time for things to come to me. Wanting for everything to fall into place the first time. And in my hurry I rush towards anxiety, fear and disaster. Help me slow down, Lord, help me wait a little, learn http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/09/slowing-down-713.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-5478876783134071519Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:02:00 +00002009-09-18T08:14:59.254-07:00I am officially tired of harvest. My husband puts in ridiculously long hours. There are days when we don't even see him except for the indent in the bed, so I know he splept at some point. We are nearing the finishing line and I'll be doing a happy dance when we do!I know I shouldn't complain there are tons of single moms out there doing this ALL the time, I pray that God will give you much gracehttp://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/09/more-grace-690.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-8361832418874202665Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:43:00 +00002009-09-04T07:57:37.310-07:00Mmmm, just had to write something today, it's been too long for someone who loves playing with words, juggling, casting, auditioning. Words are such a powerful too to convey so much. Think about what we use words for, we convey every emotion, spill out our thoughts, teach. Words, what a lovely gift the Lord gave us. (677)The other day my daughter and I got a little giddy! We started going http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/09/joy-of-giving.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-7441176104040248310Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:11:00 +00002009-08-29T12:34:34.350-07:00I think 'school' may have started today in my house. I wasn't intending to, it birthed itself. My 5.5 year old wanted to learn to read something before he starts grade 1 on Monday. So we learned the 'at' family of words, wrote a little story, he illustrated it and now he has a book he can read all by himself. I LOVE the lights that come on in their face when they realize that they're gettinghttp://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/08/school-started-676.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-1586568591076815888Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:56:00 +00002009-08-24T17:11:38.316-07:00Today is my birthday and I have so many things to be thankful for. I want to give all my praise to the author and finisher of my faith, without that, I would be nothing and have nothing. Without Him, I deserve nothing and yet I have so much.641. Salvation - spiritual birth that is worth more than life itself.642. Grace - I so need Him to get through each and every moment.643. Mercy - cause Ihttp://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/08/birthday-gifts-672.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-5755323564997603170Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:16:00 +00002009-08-21T15:39:04.526-07:00There is nothing like a near death experience to bring you face to face with the reality of the gift of life, especially when it's one of your kids. My oldest son almost died today but because of God's grace he did not. Some people may consider all that happened a series of lucky coincidences, we say that is the hand of God sparing us a tragedy beyond words.Kelly and Josiah were moving grain thishttp://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/08/passing-from-death-to-life.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-693723017167779706Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:31:00 +00002009-08-18T09:47:29.927-07:00I think maybe we have a 'glasses angel' looking out for us. Between Sasha and myself we keep that fella busy. However, for the last month I was pretty sure that our angel was on vacation. Last September we noticed that Sasha's eye was turning in and he was closing it in order to be able to see. Off we went to the eye doctor, sure enough glasses were in order. I made sure we got the most http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/08/glasses-angel.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-3485622878158194991Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:58:00 +00002009-08-17T19:09:43.259-07:00I am toying with the idea of moving to a new blog page. I can't seem to edit any of my layout and it's really annoying me. Hmmmm...gift #630. My littlest boy is excited to start school (Grade 1).631. My oldest son came back to the house and did his chores that he had failed to do earlier without me reminding, nagging or yelling.632. Got all the laundry caught up today.633. Sewed up a really cute http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/08/thoughts-for-today-634.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-953558407997221084Mon, 17 Aug 2009 03:16:00 +00002009-08-16T20:31:59.104-07:00613. Not my news, but news of our good friends who've been waiting FOREVER to find out who they will be adopting from Ethiopia - they know and now can wait with anticipation! You can read their story over here.614. My baby chicks are home. As lovely as it was to have a quiet, clean house, the level of life was a little less than I liked! I missed so many gifts that I take for granted...615.http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/08/gifts-629.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-1331775259093509851Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:06:00 +00002009-08-11T09:17:39.031-07:00I slept in until 9:30 because no one woke me up. 588. getting a full night of sleep is a gift.Had breakfast.Devotions out on the deck. 589. Warm sun on my back. 590. Birds flititng in and out of the trees and near my feet. 591. A great devotional book that I'm going through (90 Days With Jesus by Beth Moore). 592. Leaning agains the deck rail - I love that deck even if it http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/08/yesterday-612.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-7552239222103588960Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:27:00 +00002009-08-04T10:44:33.442-07:00we are home from a powerful weekend of worshipping, listening and participating with God in what He wanted for us...a weekend full of gifts...551. God's amazing provision for a place for this gathering to be held, He literally took the wheel off our truck on the highway way back in April so that we could meet the owner of the lake where we wished to hold the gathering.552. the gift of lovely http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/08/gifts-from-this-weekend-587.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-1390027994255759107Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:52:00 +00002009-07-31T11:57:05.864-07:00scattered thoughts...random tasks... having a hard time grasping the next thing... "Cast off and throw your nets out.""But we've been doing this all night.""I know, just go and do what I said." murmers, wonderingwhat could he be thinking? "Look at that, hey, we need help, come over.""Why?""Fish, tons of fish!!""You're kidding, we've been out all night with nothing to show for it.""Well, we've gothttp://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/07/fishing-with-jesus.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-6349830652175471115Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:16:00 +00002009-07-29T11:30:26.882-07:00"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they excaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!" Mark 1:35-37I have to admit that getting to the Word is often difficult. Doesn't seem to matter how early I get up or how late I stay up, http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/07/example-from-word-by-word.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-8596449820507502679Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:31:00 +00002009-07-28T10:43:42.028-07:00I find myself in the unusual position of having only 2 kids at home. All 4 boys are off somewhere else. It is exceedingly quiet. My dear husband's plans for today were rained out, so he is taking a much needed rest on the living room floor watching a movie with the girls. One can almost hear oneself think, it's a little shocking to my synapses!I wrapped myself up in a blanket (it's really http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/07/awakening-550.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-6545271741882521148Sat, 25 Jul 2009 05:10:00 +00002009-07-24T22:33:13.832-07:00This week my friend and 5 of her kids were out for the week. Usually, we enjoy ourselves and have a great time, however, we have dubbed this week, the terribe, rotten, horrible, no good, very bad week....Monday morning - my youngest son cuts holes in the trampoline with a pair of scissorsMonday afternoon - our two oldest daughters disappear without a trace for about 45 minutes due to a lack of http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/07/terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-week.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-1161844226007222322Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:11:00 +00002009-07-17T15:13:32.229-07:00Sorry K, Salsa gets its very own post. Cause salsa is definately a gift from God and deserves recogition as such. Not just any salsa mind you...the recipe I make, which isn't originally mine or anything, its just perfect salsa, really.http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/07/addition-to-wonderful-tastes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-8864679019365476826Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:08:00 +00002009-07-15T21:16:38.230-07:00Taste. What an amazing gift, so unique to each person, what I love, you hate. Such variety...516. Chocolate, melting in your mouth...I'm partial to those Lindt ball chocolates - hint, hint.517. Creamy Earl Grey Tea with just the right amount of sugar and milk.518. The first chip519. Really good pizza.520. baked potato with butter and salt (Krista I tried the cheese whiz thing and that http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/07/wonderful-tastes-537.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-1675941665685861807Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:48:00 +00002009-07-11T08:57:59.072-07:00After yesterday's post on smells I lay in my bed, listening. I realized there are many gifts that God has given through our senses. So today, I want to hear, wonderful sounds of God, walking in my day...501. Cries of, "Mommy, I missed you." as they tumble in the door from a week at camp.502. Stories spilling out of excited lips of all they've learned and done and friends they've made while http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/07/wonderful-sounds-515.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-4701935335692142777Sat, 11 Jul 2009 02:27:00 +00002009-07-10T19:34:44.960-07:00As I was driving home today I was thinking about wonderful smells. What a gift God has given us in wonderful smells. I was going to say close your eyes and let the memories of these smells waft over you but then you couldn't read them. I've heard it's very hard to read with your eyes closed unless you are familiar with Braille. Anyways, this is a bit of my 'wonderful smells that are gifts' http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/07/wonderful-smells-500.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-6394243615548884035Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:45:00 +00002009-07-06T15:10:57.010-07:00We've just returned from family camp. It was different this year than it has been in other years. Good but different. I read a lot, was somewhat anti-social and ran after my three year old for the most part. I think I need to add to my gratitude list, it's about that time...449. I am thankful for authors that make me think outside my boxes. I've read some excellent books recently and I am http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/07/beginning-of-summer-gifts-477.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-4708349102517642488Sat, 06 Jun 2009 18:55:00 +00002009-06-06T11:57:12.448-07:00It's Saturday and for a change I have absolutely nothing on my calendar. It's quite shocking to my system. I have spent the morning talking to friends, reading blogs, writing - wow, haven't done that in awhile and just generally being relaxed. Eating hasn't been important, the kids are all cruising around having fun. Just a nice day. Think I might go sew a bit...http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/06/slow-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-5603902921145160193Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:49:00 +00002009-06-02T20:31:19.203-07:00After researching modesty both through what the Bible has to say and polling the male citizenry for their opinion I have come up with two equitable solutions. In the spirit of Jonathon Swift I offer you this modest proposal...Our current society seems not to view modesty as an important issue. There is no regard for hemlines or bustlines whatsoever. Young women are not taught how to sit, stand orhttp://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/06/2-modest-proposals.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-6990996843840012098Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:07:00 +00002009-06-02T20:27:10.894-07:00A week later and I still haven't written about our Spring Tea...Last Sunday we had a lovely tea-party with moms and daughters and women of many ages. We drank tea, ate cheesecake and talked about why modesty is important. We had a funny little 'unfashionable' show as our older youth demonstrated some of our current fashions and how NOT to wear them and then how to wear them in a modest way. Jodi http://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/06/spring-tea-and-modest-proposal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127548.post-4160217682629252891Mon, 11 May 2009 05:05:00 +00002009-05-10T22:19:15.293-07:0011:00 PMMother's DayBegan aloneEnds aloneSandwiched in-between...warm bathhandmade cards from schoolworship practiceSunday School discussionsdisciplinelate arrival to the platformchurch servicerandom lunchlovely napfamily birthday party at grandma'sdelicious suppermuch laughter and warmthchildish anticsrefereeing disagreementsfamily meeting to discuss behaviour issuesbedtime hugs and kissesgentlehttp://freshflowers01.blogspot.com/2009/05/mothers-day-gifts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lani - the flowerlady)1