A Garden For All Seasons

~ In honor of Wayne ~

Dear Janie:

Praying this new garden is a place of healing

for you and your family

in this season and in the seasons to come,

as you grow your roots deep into

 His comfort and love. 

"...being rooted and grounded in love..."

Ephesians 3:17

"It seems that some people make life a garden,  

they warm and inspire, cultivate and nurture.

They water the dry rows in our lives, 

they sprout hope in barren places.

I call this person YOU."

by Alda Ellis

Delightful Garden Buffet

Chelsea's Lavender Muffins

Beverage Buffet supported by 

 T.J.'s cute antique wooden ironing board!

And don't you love Ruth's 

cups in the old suitcase?

Janie's brother Bob Mull praying over 

and dedicating the garden.

Some of the wonderful godly men 

who helped make this garden a reality. 

(Including Dave Seabert 

who missed being in our picture.)

They work great together, they clean up really well, 

what can I say??

"He has made everything beautiful in its time." 

Ecc. 3:11

"Now to Him 

who is able to do

 immeasurably more than

 all we ask or imagine..."

Ephesian 3:20

Janie told me this verse in Joshua 

had been their anchor verse 

through this journey, 

I think we can benefit from it's instruction

 as it continues to anchor us all.

"Be strong and courageous; 

do not be afraid, 

nor dismayed, 

for the Lord your God is with 

you wherever you go." 

Joshua 1:9

Tools of My Friendship Garden

The Wheelbarrow...to bear a load when it is too much for us to carry alone.

The Trowel...to break up the soil, encouraging the roots of friendship to grow deeper,

 It separates  the weeds so they can be tossed and friendship's flower nurtured.

A Rake...to make tidy and neat our friendship gardens 

and help gather up what needs to be carried away.

A Watering Can...to replenish and nurture as it spills out on friendship's blessings.

from 

A Flower for My Friend

by Alda Ellis

"And I pray that you...

may be filled to the 

measure of all the fullness of God."

 Ephesians 3:19

T.J., Linda, LeAnn, Christy

T.J., Chelsea, Jeannie

"I pray that out of His glorious riches 

He may strengthen you with power 

through His Spirit in your inner being..." 

Eph 3:16

"Welcome Home"

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, 

I have kept the faith."

II Timothy 4:7

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.

Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,

For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

As a recipient of God's grace, you know that you are protected
by a loving Heavenly Father.  When you are afraid, trust in God.
When you are worried, turn your concerns over to Him.
And then, place your life in His hands.
He is your Shepherd today and throughout eternity.
Trust the Shepherd.

"To every follower of the Lord there comes a time
when the voice of God will say,
"Welcome Home."

There is a special comfort in
knowing that the words
"Welcome Home"
have been heard in Heaven,
as the beautiful memories
of  Wayne
remain here in our hearts." 

"...Our Citizenship is in Heaven"

"But our citizenship is in heaven..."

Phil. 3:20

How nice to get caught up with our sweet Helen!

I delivered her rosebush to her from us in honor of her Dad: 

Joseph August Clahassey
who passed on October 10, 2012.

It's never to late to honor such a godly man

who left a wonderful legacy for Helen and her family.

"You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Ps 16:11

"Set your hearts on things above..."

In honor of

Ruth's parents:

Zola & Ramona DuBois

Zola (2003)  & Ramona (2006)  DuBois

  

I was so glad to get over to Ruth's this week and deliver her

 "Welcome Home" rosebush

 from her Heart & Keeper sisters!

 Her Dad - Zola passed away in 2003 and her Mom - Ramona passed away in 2006.

Ruth (and Katie) had just joined Heart and Keeper when her Mom passed away. 

We had the privilege of helping serve at the reception that followed Ramona's Memorial.

Ruth said she had just the spot in mind to plant her rosebush,

once planted she will take a picture for us.

 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, 

set your hearts on things above,

 where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 

 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."  

Col. 3:1

A Rosebush for Pam

In memory of Pam's Mom and Dad - 

Ed & Elaine Rodgers.

It was long overdue but I delivered to Pam her

 "Welcome Home" rosebush.

Pam wants to have us all over to help
plant her it soon!

"There are many rooms in My Father's home, 

and I am going to prepare a place for you...

so that you will aways be with Me where I am."

John 14:2

It was so nice to get together tonight!

"Monthly 10"

We continue to celebrate our 10th year together 

by highlighting someone in our group on the10th of every month!
 This month we are highlighting

 our Christy who has....... 

retired!

I talked her into meeting me for coffee at the Lift.

I asked her to give me a sentence summarizing her years of raising her
beautiful and godly daughters, I couldn't agree more with her answer:

"As a Mom, I am blessed to see what amazing woman
of God my girls have become."

Here's what she shared about her retirement -

"I am excited to see what doors God will open for me

to serve Him in this new season in my life." 
So are we Christy!
_____________________________________

I have a new feature to this "Monthly 10"
segment of my blog,
it is titled:
______________________________________

"10 Minutes That Changed My Life"

Here's what Christy shared:
"A conversation I had with Linda in Target years ago when 
she invited Kayla and I to join the Heart & Keeper family. 
It truly changed my life!"

Christy, we just weren't complete until you and Kayla joined us
and the Lord knew that!

In Galatians 5:22-23 we read-
"But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience,
 kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
 gentleness, self control..."
 that came to my mind when I was thinking about
 the kind of wife, mother and friend you are.
Thank you for displaying that fruit in your life
and for being an example of a woman surrendered to the Lord.
Thank you for investing in your personal walk,
your marriage and family, it is evident!


A Look Back:

Here's a picture of our Christy and Kayla about the time I think we'd just met.
 We were all at a Mexican Restaurant on La Sierra.
(L to R: Kathy, Christy, Kayla, Me, Janie, Brittney and LeAnn.)

Do you ever make lists?
Well I asked Christy to and here it is!

"10 Things/People I Can't Live Without"
1. Jesus
2. Bible
3. Mel
4. Tara/Anthony/Kayla
5. My Kitty
6. Iced Tea
7. Bible studies
8. My H & K Sisters :)
9. Hawaii
10. Hume Lake

How grateful we are that the Lord brought you and Kayla to H & K!

You have brought so much to our group.

Your whole family has.

Lastly a verse Christy wanted to share with us:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."

Proverbs 3:5-6

In Loving Memory of Jayne Johnson

In honor of T.J.'s Mom

"...In Your presence is fullness of joy..."

Psalm 16:11

Pastor Ron Case spoke
of the hope and comfort we have in Jesus
when we believe, trust in, cling to, and rely upon Him.
He quoted Jim Elliot, a missionary -
 "I desire not a long life but a full one."
Jayne lived a full life,
for which we are thankful.

My son Daniel played some of the families favorite hymns, 

It was so touching to close the service with everyone singing 

"How Great Thou Art".

At Riverside National Cemetery
where we were summoned to attention
by the beautiful notes of a bagpipe player.
With family seated and friends gathered

Pastor Ron continued his words of comfort
by reminding us what Psalm 37:7 says.
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him..."
Jayne's waiting was over
 and Christ's promise realized
 of a place He had prepared for her.
He assured us that if Jayne could speak to us today
 she would tell us eternity is REAL!

As a daughter stood to honor her Mother
T.J.'s sweet voice stilled the warm afternoon air
sharing from one of Jayne's favorite devotion books.
Dogeared and well read she repeated the words
on our handout that had ministered to Jayne so many times.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul."

Psalm 23:1-3

The Heart & Keeper of The Home

gave T.J. and Chelsea a 

"Welcome Home" rose bush.

A beautiful yellow rose that in "flower language" mean friendship. 

 Jayne has most certainly been Welcomed Home!

"Monthly 10"

As we continue to celebrate our 10th year together

I have some exciting things planned and some surprises up ahead 

and today I want to introduce you to my 

"Monthly 10"

On the 10th of each month I am going to highlight one of you from our group!

This month it is our 

Chelsea!!

Surrounded by family and friends cheering her on

Chelsea completed college early in December.

Here is how Chelsea summed up college:

 "Three and a half years of growing, learning, seeking, 

loving, stretching, dreaming, 

and praying that I wouldn't trade for anything. "

Chelsea and Luke got engaged!!

When I asked her about the new season ahead she shared:

 "I know that this year is going to fly by 

but I am looking forward to enjoying 

each and every day while excitedly 

and anxiously awaiting the day that I become Mrs. Luke Astfalk."

Chelsea would also like to share a scripture verse 

that continues to be a staple in her foundation with the Lord:

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."

 Psalm 37:4

You'll all remember last January I had you select ONE WORD as an anchor

 instead a long list of resolutions that are soon forgotten. 

Chelsea's new word for this year is:

Patience

Please let me know what your new WORD for this year is.

Thanking the Lord for our wonderful Seabert family!

Keep Yourself

"Shut out every other consideration and keep yourself before God for this one thing only -

 my utmost for His highest. 

 I am determined to be absolutely and entirely for Him and for Him alone...

surrender your will to Him absolutely and irrevocably." 

Oswald Chambers

"He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

Hebrew 11:6b

Engaged!

                                                        Chelsea and Luke are Engaged!

                    

                                                             CONGRATULATIONS!

Heart & Keeper Christmas Breakfast at Ruth and Katie's

Everything was all decorated and ready for us!

The Merry Christmas blocks on top of the mirror

 were something Ruth made with her Dad when she young!

We had a drawing for a beautiful Christmas lantern and it went to PAM!

His birth - the JOY for the season! 

The table was set,

The centerpiece beautifully placed.

There were gifts to be given!!

So nice to be together!!

And just in time to make for your Christmas morning breakfast.

Here's the recipe you were all asking for:

Hash Brown Quiche

ingredients - 

3 C. loose - pack frozen hash browns, thawed

1/3 C. butter melted

6-8 oz. diced, cooked ham

8 oz. mild cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 C. milk or Half n Half

3 eggs

1/4 tsp. seasoned salt

optional - 1/4 c. chopped tomato,

1/4 c. sliced green onions

Directions - 

Press hash browns between paper towels to remove moisture.  

Press in a 9" pie plate to form a crust.

Drizzle melted butter over crust and bake at 425 degrees for 20 min. 

Remove from oven and reduce the temperature to 350 degrees.

In a bowl mix the remaining ingredients together.

Pour mixture into pie plate over crust.

Bake uncovered in 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.

Let stand 10 minutes before serving.  

You can substitute any meat and veggies for this recipe.

Originally from TJ

A last minute VERY EASY wrapping idea straight from Apple Farm:

You'll need a brown bag, tissue and twine.

Take your gift and put it in your tissue, nestle it into your bag.

Tie with twine, you could easily attach an ornament or pine boughs too.

Simple and quick!

How about a cute little place to tuck a small gift?

Take a empty plastic pill bottle

and embellish with scrap paper, rhinestones, charms etc. 

Just adhere with use glue gun, glue stick or decoupage.
If you want to hang on the tree just glue ribbon to the lid.

Lovely!

I was showing everyone something I've added to my journaling this year -
pictures, text from facebook and some email snippets!
It makes it all much more personal and refreshes my mind
to all the Lord's done and is doing.

Thanking the Lord for all of YOU!

and

M E R R Y    C H R I S T M A S!

"And you will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at His birth."
Luke 1:14