Merry Christmas!

I hope you have a wonderful, peaceful and joyous Christmas! 

I hope you are as cheerful as the snowmen on my Christmas tree this year!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Kathy Green and family: Bill, Josh, Zack, Tad and of course Pookie, JoJo and Annie, 

It's a Trust Issue

A couple of years ago, I kept hearing God say, “It’s time for you to retire, take care of your little back yard nursery and be available for all the people I will put in your path.” But God”, I said, “we will starve, lose the house, we can’t live on social security”. God said, “Trust me.” I fought it for two years but this year I tossed in the towel and am loving every minute of it! Yes, I still slip into doubt but God comes through in the most unusual and unexpected times!

I had started Mimi's greenhouse, a little backyard nursery that is doing well but not enough to support us yet. I donate 10% of all my sales to Chad and Ryan Morgan who I've talked about a bunch in this blog. I figure God will bless the nursery so I can bless Chad and Ryan. There seems to be a constant stream of young (well, younger than me) women who want to visit and talk to me. I have had many bumps along the way and have learned valuable lessons - most of them the hard way. I love sharing the things God has taught me, praying with these girls and sometimes just being there to listen. I knew I needed more time to be available.Also, My son is a single dad and custodial parent for my grandsonTad. It helps both of them if I am available to pick Tad up at school or have him for sleepovers so dad can have a little time for himself. 

God has always provided for us but it was nearly always in additional hours at work, a bonus or raise - rarely did He hand me cash outright! It has happened several times this year. I worried because I don't have a" ministry" with a name or place that I can say is mine and people could donate to. God doesn't care about all that. When He calls you to serve Him in any way, He will provide what you need to do it.

An opportunity came up a few weeks ago to go up to Kentucky and teach my girlfriend how to blog. See this post. Some other friends were going too and they made reservations at Solomon's Porch in Lynch. On a whim, I listed for sale some rooted cuttings I had done and seeds I had received free form my brother. They sold in 24 hours for enough money to pay for my room!

I wanted to take Tad to the beach this fall. He hasn't been since he was two and doesn't remember much about it. I prayed. "God, if you want us to go,please  provide the money. I'll know we are not supposed to go if you don't." Of course, I began to try to figure out ways I could help God do that. I had a little cash stashed away for some Greenhouse future expenses. Probably enough for condo but nothing left for food or entertainment. I waited. Several weeks later I was visiting a close relative and she said, "I know you want to take Tad to the beach and I want to give you this to help with your expenses."  She handed me a check for $1000.00! After the tithe, it was enough to pay for our condo and have some left over!

So if you are feeling called, pray. Pray and wait. When He confirms through His Word (the Bible), other people, circumstances and the Holy Spirit step out and trust that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it! (Phil 1:6)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” Matthew 6: 33-34

There's a New Kid on the Blog

Ryan Concentrating on her new blog 

No, that title is not a typo. I can't remember if I've written about my missionary friends Chad and Ryan Morgan before or not. I'll have a post soon about the antique rose I got from them this past spring and what I'm going to do with it.They are serving in the Appalachian Mountains smack in the middle of coal mining country. Today I want to introduce you to Ryan and her new blog. She is very knowledgeable about natural diet, gluten free recipes how to make your own cleaning supplies and all things God!

The lake and bunk house at Shekinah Village

Ryan and I have spent the last two days here at Shekinah Village blogging together. I have had so much fun getting her started with a new blog site and hearing all about what has been happening in her life here in the beautiful Appalachian mountains.

Her Blog is called "God Girl Kind of Life" and she has her first post up now and one scheduled for next week. Please check her out if you want to learn about Gluten free, simple living, money saving goodies and faith based lessons.

Look at Ryan and her hubby Chad's ministry too. You might just want to rent one of the beautiful cabins for your next retreat! Shekinah Village

Gardeners on a Mission

The cabin at Coldstream Christian Camp

I've written before about my "Thursday Girls" who meet at my house for fun, fellowship and support.. Well, last week we went on a mission trip together. A gardening mission trip! I bet you think of going to Africa to save souls when you think of missions. That is not always the case. God can and does use all our gifts to help others.

My long time friends Jo and Linda Goodman from Adams, TN, donated their farm years ago for a Christian Camp so kids who normally could not attend camp could come and enjoy the camp experience. They called it Coldstream Christian Camp because the wonderful big spring that rushes out of a stone bluff near the center of the property. The camp has evolved over the years to include many other aspects of "outdoor and nature retreat" ministry. Rowena's cabin there is one of my favorite places for a personal retreat. It is close to home, quiet and beautiful. The perfect place to get away, regroup and refresh!

For a year or so, I've wanted to landscape the front yard of the cabin. It is on a hillside, water rushes through it down to the lake when it rains and the deer in the woods are frequent visitors too. Grass refuses to grow there (too shady) so it was a challenge. I had lots of nice Purple Winter Creeper here in my little Back Yard Nursery  so Jo and Linda gave me permission to come plant it in the yard. I figured it was the perfect opportunity for my "girls" to dig in the dirt and have a weekend away too.

Shirley, Kay, Me, Cyndi (baby of the group!)

Turns out the young ladies in our group couldn't make it so the four "mature" girls went and got it all done in record time!

We planted the whole yard with Winter Creeper, added a couple of Gold Mound Spirea and two Dark Knight Bluebeard shrubs near the porch and I planted a Graziella Miscanthus by the road. We are going to come back in the spring and finish the little porch garden. We had time left over to eat the yummy lasagna that Cyndi made, drink lots of tea and coffee and have lots of "girl talk". Everyone but me was going to attend Sunday School Sunday morning so they left me alone Saturday night and I had a wonderful night and early morning - just me and God on the big deck overlooking the lake- Bliss!!

If you would like to take a retreat at Coldstream yourself or help them out financially or otherwise, there are ample opportunities to do both. Check out all the things going on there including the Potter's House, a great facility for a large group retreat. http://www.coldstreamchristiancamp.org/ 

30 Good Things to Practice Daily

Not exactly garden tips but if you do these things, your garden will probably flourish! 

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day un-rushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and un-clutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself.  Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns.  If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety.  If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13.. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut).  This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Every day, find time to be alone.
17. Having problems?  Talk to God on the spot.  Try to nip small problems in the bud.  Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
18. Make friends with Godly people.

19. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus .'
20. Laugh.
21. Laugh some more!
229. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
23. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

25. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
26. Sit on your ego.
27. Talk less; listen more.
28. Slow down.
29. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
30. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.  GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.

'If God is for us, who can be against us?'
(Romans  8:31)

To Lift or Not to Lift, That Was the Question

Brown Turkey Fig Tree Babies

Everyone who gardens seriously has learned how to carry several nursery containers at a time. I think nothing of picking up four gallon size pots (6 if I'm really busy) and marching off across the garden with them. 

Last weekend I had potted up a flat of Brown Turkey Tree plugs. I was so excited to find them and couldn't wait to put them in 2 gallon pots to grow bigger for next year's sales. I wanted one for myself too. I was feeling pretty froggy (it's a southern thing) so I picked up two of those wet two gallon pots in each hand (four all together) and headed around to the front of the greenhouse. "Ouch!" A muscle in my back yelled, "Slow down! Put some of these down!" Did I pay attention to that pain? No... lived to regret that one. I carried all 18 of those babies, four at a time, to the front space.  This was Friday afternoon, by 6 PM that night I couldn't find a comfortable position to sit or stand. Spent the weekend  hobbling around like the old lady I am. Usually these sprains go away in a day or two with a little rest and a few Naproxen. Well, it's Wednesday, I've been walking the green-way every morning and I'm getting a little better but am still aware of not being back to the old me - pun intended. 

The good thing about all this is (there is always a good thing) I've spent much time on my swing reading a really great book, making lists for when I feel better and enjoying the garden sights and sounds. Speaking of books, I highly recommend 

Walking with God: Talk to Him. Hear from Him. Really  by John Eldredge. If you are a "get it done" person, A list maker, someone who can't sit still, you will totally identify with John. You may even learn a few helpful things too. 

So next time you start to get in a hurry and think you might be superwoman or man, slow down or you may not have a choice later. 

Check out John's website Ransomed Heart 

The Most Important Garden Tip I Can Give

I come from a long line of gardeners - all the way back to my Great, Great Grand parents on both sides of my family there were farmers and backyard gardeners. We all had one more thing in common, Jesus. Most of my grandparents were baptized in a creek somewhere in the South, probably on somebodies farm.

So what does all that have to do with a gardening tip? Here is is: before you put on your garden gloves and grab your spade, grab your Bible, a journal or Devotion Book and head to your favorite seat in your garden (mine is the porch swing) and spend a little time with Jesus. Thank Him for your beautiful garden (His creation) and while your at it, ask Him what He would like for you to do with this day He has given you.

Trust me, you will be amazed at how much better your day will go if you can find time for God's direction at the beginning. It is one of the times I enjoy my garden the most. For the most part I am so busy checking off the "to do" list that I often don't even see the beauty around me. Slow down!

Following is a little video I made this week of my view from my swing. Notice the quiet -wind chimes and bird song is all I can hear.