I have...

Good morning Folks ~ before I get started with 'doing' things, I wanted to say that I have much to be thankful for. Your prayers, words of encouragement along with listening to 'The Blessing' and other uplifting music on you-tube, reading scripture, devotionals and other bits and pieces, has lifted my spirits. Jesus is my strength when I am weak, and I certainly have my weak moments. So many in this country and around the world are going through so much hardship right now, that my moments of weariness and depression seem very petty in the overall scheme of things. May God have mercy on us all.

Beaches are now open, more stores are opening and there is 50% capacity happening at restaurants. Traffic has picked back up on the roads as workers are now going back to work. I'm not planning on going out again until maybe next week when I'll need to go to the grocery store again, wearing my mask and gloves.

We've had some much needed rain, which of course makes my tropical jungle cottage garden grow all the more. Will share next some of the blooms happening around Plum Cottage.

 This amaryllis surprised me as I did not plant this in this location. I did pull up a bunch of bulbs from a pot and a little one must have fell in this space, gotten buried a bit and then decided to grace me with it glorious presence.  This is in my 'secret garden' space.

Next, are the blooms of this wonderful hibiscus with it's huge deep red blooms. I bought this last year I think, or the year before.

Here is a sweet little rose with a wonderful 'rose' scent. It is 'International Herald Tribune'.

Below is 'Don Juan' climbing rose, which is blessing me with lots of blooms. Wonderful rose scent as well.

Here is a huge aloe, it is beautiful in it's form and in the coloring. Great for putting on skin as it has healing properties.

Here are two leaf hearts found recently.

Last but not least by any means, is my sweet little Miss Tork. This time she is sleeping in the laundry basket on top of clean laundry waiting for me to stop procrastinating and fold and put it away. I also need to find the right spot for this wonderful old painting bought many, many years ago.

Ok, that's it for now. I need to get up and get 'doing', part of my 'being' present in the moments I am blessed with.

Love, hugs and prayers ~ FlowerLady

The Blessing

Good morning Folks ~ well, this morning I woke up feeling weary and a bit depressed. This isolation from others is starting to get to me. I am missing the camaraderie, the hugs. It's been two weeks today since I ventured forth to the grocery store and I don't plan on going out this week. 

 The past few days, I've been watching different church groups, different nationalities, singing the song 'The Blessing' by  Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes. This morning I saw some new versions of this uplifting song taken from scripture and have been blessed once again. The two versions that got to me today are below. 

The first one is sung in their native tongue, Dutch. God speaks to all of us no matter what our nationality is, and uses us all to share His love and tender mercies.

The next one is by kids. Here is quote from their version on you tube. 

"Recorded in 5 days during 'lockdown' in May 2020, and featuring children from the UK, USA, NZ, AUS, SA  and many other nations , 'The Blessing (Kids)' unites the voices of children to sing these powerful words of scripture over friends, family, cities and our world."


Out of the mouth of babes we are blessed.

 Here is the scripture that this song was inspired by.

 The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
 
the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.

 Numbers 6:24-26

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Here are the lyrics to the song.

 The Lord bless you
And keep you
Make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you
The Lord turn His
Face toward you
And give you peace

Amen

May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
And your family
And your children
And their children
And their children

May His presence go before you
And behind you
And beside you
All around you
And within you
He is with you
He is with you

In the morning
In the evening
In your coming
And your going
In your weeping
And rejoicing
He is for you
He is for you

He is for you

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Here are more versions and I'm sure there are others and more being produced. A blessing for the whole world.

"A gift from the Churches of Hawai‘i, The Hawai‘i Blessing was recorded during the first week of May 2020 by worship leaders from 25 churches across all 6 major islands of Hawai‘i. During this time of sheltering-in-place, isolation and uncertainty about the future, we could all use a blessing and a sense of togetherness. In Hawai‘i, we call that ‘ohana - family. "

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The Blessing South Africa

"During the April 2020 lockdown people from across South Africa united to sing a blessing over our nation. The heart of this is to bless you - to give you hope and peace! Sing this in your homes, proclaim it over your family, your community, your city, your province - over our nation and our continent Africa! Share this with your friends, make it your own - sing it in your language "

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"Zimbabwean musicians heeded the call to unite and come together as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although physically we have been forced apart due to social distancing, we hope this performance serves as a message of peace and blessing upon your lives as we power through these challenging times - together.

Be blessed and inspired."

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The above is by the writers of this song.

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The Blessing (Symphonic Version) - Passion City Church

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The Blessing & Way Maker | Eastside Worship | Live From Anaheim, CA

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I will end with the video above. Jesus is the way maker and He is always working.

Love, hugs and prayers,

FlowerLady