Tuesday, October 25, 2011

A Fall Market

This past Saturday I was blessed to attend a small market in Monroe. I really enjoyed the day, and the Lord blessed my sales as well!

I had stayed up til 2 am that morning getting ready for it, and had to get up at 5 to load my truck. But I did it. And while walking outside that morning, while the sky was still navy bean blue and filled with stars, I was blessed with a brilliant sight. I witnessed an extremely bright falling star. I *so* needed to see that. I literally said out loud to myself, "WHOA." I then whispered a "thank you" as my warm breath made smoke in the cold autumn air.

I proceeded loading my truck, feeling cozy with the thought that I was not alone. Feeling blessed that the same God that made those gorgeous stars also made me. Feeling loved with the thought that He also holds my future.

I got to the market site. I had beat the sun. My tent was up before it was. It was freezing. But it was beautiful when the sun decided to wake.


I love this photo. It captures the feeling of that morning so well. It's a few men with their old GMC pick-up. They made very good Barbeque.

My table was filled with my herbal goodies. :)

And I, of course, had to bring what few zinnias I had left.


Silently one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven
Blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels.

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

A Few Things on Fall...

Tonight is the full hunter's moon. I went outside to take a look, but it's too cloudy out here to view it in its full glory tonight. But I know it's still shining. And ever so brightly.

The clouds just cover it.

You all know how I love analogies. Here's another occasion for one. :)

I know a lot of people who are going through hard times right now. Whether it's education, family, relationships...whatever it may be. Life is hard. There are ups and downs. I am struggling right now. There are a lot of unanswered questions. I feel like I have used the words "why" and "I don't know" way yonder too much the past several months. And sometimes, even when I know the moon is full, I look up, and all I see are clouds.

Does this make sense? I know God is in control, I know I can trust Him, and I know everything is going to be okay. Yet I look to the sky and wonder why I can't see the moon in all its brilliancy.

Oh it's there. It is. I promise. But sometimes there are clouds that block its full view. Just like if you were walking down a road. Maybe you know you are on the right road. But maybe all you can see are the steps you are taking right at that moment. You know it's a good road you are on..... (I have another analogy I could use, but I shall spare that for a later time. ;) Okay, back to the moon and such..... :)

I remember reading a journal entry I had written several years back. I was trying to be poetic I suppose at the end of my entry and said something to the effect of how it was so dark outside, and how brilliantly the sun must be shining on the other side of the world. I thought that was neat.

So tonight as I think on that beautiful hunter's moon that is right outside my bedroom window as I sit here typing this....yes, I may not see all it's brilliancy right now and I may not even be able to see it tomorrow night... I know that it's there. There. Where it has always been. Shining with such great vigor that it glorifies its Maker.

And that same Maker has plans for me. My life and His plan...kinda like that moon. There will be times when I can see the full glory and beauty of it all, and there will be times where all I can see are the clouds. But I must live with the contentment, joy, and peace that comes with the same knowing as when a moon is still shining on a cloudy night.

I hope this makes sense. It does to me. Sometimes it's hard to articulate what's in my heart. But I think it's good to make an effort.

On a simpler and slightly more light-hearted note, let me just say how thankful I am for Fall right now!! The cooler temperatures and the changing mural of leaves is a welcome stranger. Autumn truly is a beautiful time of year. I was looking through some photos from last year, and came across a few from a trip on the Blueridge Parkway I had taken with some great friends last October. They capture the beauty of Fall so well I thought I'd share some. :)







Amazing. Absolutely amazing how our Creator blessed us with such beauty to behold. :)


Well, a little update.....we found wonderful homes for all four of our precious kittens, so we are thankful for that. :) We do love our kittens so much.



A few days ago, Makayla's friend Betsy came over to play. It was so precious to see them play and spend time with the kittens. Made me wish I was a small girl again. Mmmmm.... :)




Now that, is brilliancy. :) Love these sweet beauties of childhood.

Hope everyone has a beautiful rest of the week!

And don't forget.... that glorious hunter's moon... it is shining... ever so brightly

Psalm 8:3-4
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?