The Three Marys...

 Lately, I've been reading "The Women of Easter" by Liz Curtis Higgs, and this book has gently stirred my heart is such a sweet way.  

It has made me think about the women who stood near Jesus in His final days....(Mary of Bethany, Mary Magdalene, and Mary of ..the mother of Jesus). Women who didn't always understand what was unfolding, but they stayed anyway.  They showed up.  They watched and they wept..THEY LOVED! 

I dare not compare myself to them, however, sometimes, I don't fully understand what God is doing either.

Sometimes I'm standing in moments that feel uncertain, or heavy, or even heartbreaking. But like those women, I'm learning that faith isn't always about having answers. 

Mary of Bethany...She was the one who sat at His feet when others were busy. She was the one who poured out expensive perfume, not even caring what anyone thought.  Her love was bold, unashamed, and deeply personal.  She reminds me that worship isn't about perfection...it is about presence. 

Mary Magdalene....She was a woman with a past.  A story that could have defined her, but didn't. Jesus changed her life and Mary never forgot it.  Her life whispers to me that no matter where I have been, redemption writes a new story.  

Mary, the mother of Jesus....I honestly can not imagine what she felt in her heart.  She carried Him, she raised Him, and she watched Him suffer.  Mary was a mother whose love stood face to face with unimaginable pain. Her quiet strength speaks volumes. 

This is a very good book and perfect for this Easter Season.  

 🌷🌸🌷🌸🌷   

Sam has treatment today which means I will be away from my computer until after lunch.  We still have not heard from the CT Scan...It will most likely be next Wednesday when we see his oncologist. 

Happy Friday...Sending you happy vibes with a little sparkle today!

               

A Grateful Heart.

 Thankful Thursday:

There are moments when gratitude doesn't come from big, life-changing events....but from the quiet beauty that surrounds us every day. Yesterday, my heart felt especially full as I spent some time reflecting on the simple gift of spring and the breathtaking blooms along the Azalea Trail, located about 10 miles from our home.  

Walking among those flowers, I was reminded of how faithful God is in every season. After the stillness of winter, the earth awakens.  The trail this year was stunning and had the biggest blooms that I've ever seen on azaleas.  

My walk felt so good as I could feel the warmth of the sun as well as a slight hush of a breeze.  There was also a sweet fragrance swirling around me.  I did not feel rushed and I actually enjoyed getting in a few extra steps as I viewed the gardens. 

So today, I am very thankful for the beauty of new beginnings, for the quiet moments that restores my soul, and for the Creator who fills the world with color, details and purpose.  

I am also thankful for a peace that doesn't rush....and a grace that meets us right where we are.  

With a Grateful Heart...

Shug...💛

Joining Michelle

here

No change..Big Lesson

 
* Note:  I did not explain the Irish pudding very well in yesterday's post.  I actually called it by the wrong name. NOT Chocolate pudding.....it is "Black Pudding!"  Black Pudding is made out of Pigs blood, barley, seasonings and sometimes mountain oysters.  Not at all anything I would eat.  

When "No change" turns into a Big Lesson....💛💛

We all make mistakes.  Little ones....big ones...and then there are those moments that leave us sitting there thinking....well...what just happened.

Sunday evening, Sam and I went into town to grab a bite to eat.  Nothing fancy...just one of those easy, comfortable meals where the conversation is good and the atmosphere is LOUD. (The Loud was definitely NOT planned)  We honestly did not know that the restaurant was going to be as loud as it was.  

We had the sweetest young lady waiting on us.  She was very attentive, kind and just one of those people who checked on us several times throughout the meal. She made sure we had everything we needed, and she kept our iced tea glasses full throughout the meal.    

As we were finishing up, Sam stepped away to the restroom, and I stayed at the table waiting on the ticket.  I had a $100 dollar bill in my hand and, when the waitress came back, I asked her: 

"Do you have change for a hundred?"

Well....

What she heard was:

"NO CHANGE"

She paused....looked at me...and her eyes got big.

"Oh my goodness," she said, "thank you!!! This is such a sweet blessing...y0u have no idea how much I needed this."

"👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀"

Y'all...I just sat there.  

FROZEN.....

STUNNED...

Somewhere between wanting to clarify and not wanting to crush that beautiful moment for her, my brain completely short-circuited. I didn't know what to say...so..I said nothing. 

And just like that, our $36.21 dollar meal turned into a $36.21 plus a VERY NICE TIP meal.  ($63.79 tip)

I met Sam out at the car and I told him what had happened...I'm sure I still had that "Did that just happen" look on my face.  

With a smile and his calm wisdom that he carries so well, he said...

"God sure has ways of putting us on the spot when He plans to bless others."

Well....that will preach, won't it?

I'm thankful for the beauty in our blunders!!  Sometimes our awkward moments become God's perfect timing and sometimes....what feels like "oh no" turns into "oh wow."

Sometimes, God uses our mistakes to make something meaningful.  

Shug...💛💛💛

** Lesson Learned:  Do Not Dine in Loud Places!!

A Taste of Ireland

 If you love potatoes, then Ireland is the place you need to visit.  There was some type of potatoes served with almost every meal.....

Every meal we had felt like a warm hug, and I will say that the warmth lingered long after we left the table.  Our tummies were full.  I enjoyed the experience that went along with the visit to our different country.  

Our meals were filled with hearty beef stew.  Beef stew was served at every restaurant we ate at.  Rich, slow-cooked beef, tender carrots and a thick savory gravy.  YUM!  A big bowl of stew and in the middle was a huge spoon full of mashed potatoes. 

Other meals were full of beef pot pie...very similar to the beef stew with the exception of having a crispy crust surrounding the stew.  One thing that I thought was very interesting was that our breakfast meals were all served with baked beans!!  Never, have I heard of baked beans being a breakfast food.  

SWEET TREATS and BAKERY WINDOWS...

I could have stood in front of those windows all day.  Rows and rows of beautiful donuts...chocolate covered, cream filled, topped with crumbs, drizzle and all kinds of pure goodness.  They all looked like a piece of art!!  I did indulge in a Blueberry donut and it was delicious!!  

Then came the HOT TEA and lots of Cozy Moments.  We all enjoyed the hot comforting tea...along with sweet cream and a sugar cube OR TWO!!  And the scones were like a little slice of heaven.  They were soft, crumbly, slightly sweet, and perfect with a touch of butter and jam.  Ours had berries tucked inside and every single bite was bursting with flavor.  

Goodness... a warm scone paired with the Hot Tea....these were moments that we never rushed.  We had several opportunities to just sit and talk while soaking up all of the goodness.  

I cannot leave off the bread pudding...It was so warm and rich and drizzled with a buttery sauce that left my tummy full of love.  It was indulgent in the best way and was the kind of dessert that you do not want to go away.  

Every meal seemed to invite us to sit longer and we took advantage of this many times.  The only food that I did not like was "Chocolate Pudding" which is a breakfast food. If you've never heard of it, you must google this and take a look at the ingredients included in a slice of chocolate pudding.  It was not for me!! 

These foods are still lingering in my mind and I am sure that I will attempt to make the beef stew in the days ahead.  I enjoyed discovering a culture through its food...it for sure opens your eyes and warms your heart and it reminded me just how wonderfully diverse this world truly is.  

I'll leave you all with this short video.  Enjoy...

* Yesterday was filled with Doctor appointments and today is test day for Sam.  I will be away from my computer again today.  Hope to catch up on reading post this evening.  Thank you for understanding.