Saturday, September 30, 2017

Forward Progress

Good afternoon Folks ~ Thank you all for your kind comments. It’s almost three weeks  since I came home after being away from it for 4 days due to Hurricane Irma. That first week or so was like walking in a fog, but, that has lifted and I’m feeling much better emotionally and physically.

Was able to get dairy, eggs, fresh veggies once again. Boy how they are appreciated after not being able to get them.

I’ve had help with trimming things and clean up. One thing I have to tell you about is an almost immediate answer to prayer.  What I mean is, one morning I was walking through the caravan’s arbor below,

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and prayed something like, “Jesus you know I need help, more than I know it. Help me.”

I walked on toward the cottage, then picked up some branches and took them out to the growing pile by the curb. While I was out there, a young woman walked by, our eyes met, we said hi, and she walked on. Then she stopped, backed up and said “Hey.” I looked up and she came up to me and said “Do you need any help?” What?

She said she has a 15 year old son who could help me and it wouldn’t be for $, but because it was the thing to do. I said I’d have to pray about it, as I don’t know her.  She said that was fine, gave me her name, cell#, address. I also told her that I had prayed for help just a few minutes before and here she was offering help. It was amazing.

Well, I did pray about it and decided to take her up on her offer. She had told me her son is interested in getting into landscaping design. While sitting, thinking and praying, the garden design book I had gotten to write a book review for, stood out among my books. I thought, aha, I can give him this book.

He came Sat. morning. In fact, he, his Dad and Mom all walked here, quite a walk I must say. Then I learned more. She was ‘not’ a regular walker like I see going past here, in fact, she had never walked this way before. She had just felt like getting out that morning. After we connected with hello to each other, as she walked by, she felt like she should say something to me about help. Oh my goodness.

God is truly amazing. He heard FlowerLady’s heartfelt cry, and within minutes and literally steps, he answered. I am so thankful for an answer to prayer so quickly. In the overall scheme of life, this is a small matter, but it means a LOT to me.

I found out she is a registered minister in the state of NY. They have recently moved to FL. Her husband is a veteran with 4 tours of duty to Afghanistan behind him. They were kind to this widow, and their son who is somewhat shy, and I got along fine and worked together well.

I had been praying about the jasmine vine in the front hedgerow needing to be trimmed as it was about 10 ft. tall. I kept trimming the sides but can’t reach the top myself. Well, Hurricane Irma blew from the south on the back side of the storm and blew the hedge top over into the inside of the garden where it could be reached with a ladder. This young man worked on that for a full hour and it was not a small job. It was ‘hot’. I was beat and told him we’d done enough for one morning and for him to head on home. It was Saturday afterall, plus his family was moving from a 2 bdrm to a 3 bdrm apt. in his complex. Before he left, I gave him the book, thanking him for his work and said that I hope to work with him again, when it is cooler.

Jasmine below, after haircut. Still have more to do on the left, just didn’t get to that yet.

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I still had to cut up and bag those trimmings, but Sunday was church and a quiet day. Tuesday I went to the grocery and got some things. Then late in the afternoon, one of the guys, Johnnie, who had been here putting up shutters on Plum Cottage wanted to come by as he’d just gotten off work, to take the shutters down. I texted back ok and he got here about 15 minutes later. (It is so wonderful to have light coming back into the cottage.)

We got started and just took the ones off the cottage, leaving the workshop boarded up at least until after hurricane season is over. We were starting to stack everything back where it had been stored when Vincent, the other guy pulled up. Vincent and I continued to restack, while Johnnie got the chain saw ready so that he could cut broken limbs of the tree near the house, that were touching the roof. He did a lot more than that, giving the tree a buzz cut except for a limb or two that couldn’t really be reached or done without falling on either the house roof or the porch roof. That will be done later.

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Lots of sunlight in the area now, it’s a good thing summer is on the wane.

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Humongous pile of limbs & brush, maybe 10’x10’. Who knows when it will be picked up. I’ve heard not for months. Yikes!

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After we/they cut up and hauled out the limbs, the pile I had made which was large, was twice the size. We called it a day, it was nearly 7 p.m. and I told them they’d both be getting the promised peanut butter/chocoloate chip cookies I’d promised. (I had the ingredients, and had just gotten eggs that morning to make them. But they came before I got them made.)

This post was started the other day, it is now Saturday. A new day to be thankful for. We’ve had rain and more rain, which keeps things green and growing like crazy. I need to mow, weed-wack, and trim things. At least cooler weather will be coming.

I’ve been blessed by seeing a tiny finch-sized bird, black and orange, lots of butterflies and hearing birdsong galore. Scents from various flowers fill the air, the weather is a tad cooler, I baked delicious homemade peanut butter/chocolate chip cookies for Johnnie and Vincent, and enjoyed a few myself.

BSF Bible study group for ladies has started up again and it’s a joy to see ladies from the past two years. There are around 200 or so ladies in our area, from different denominations meeting together to study, and this time it is the book of Romans. This is my third session, the first was the book of Revelation, which was fantastic and last year was the wonderful book of John. We divide up into smaller groups of around 15, to go over lesson, and then meet for the lecture for the upcoming week.  I highly recommend this study. They have it also for men, and a children’s ministry. Check them out to see if there might be one in your area. You won’t be disappointed. Find a class near you.

I’m still working on living room. Hurricane Irma put a halt on that project for a bit. I’ve still leaning fencing to fix. All in good time, a little at a time.

This is a wonderful rose, ‘white Maman Cochet’. I spied two blooms on the climber and picked them to enjoy indoors, where I could take in the lovely scent.

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I love the coloring of this rose in different lighting of the two days that I took these photos.

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I am thankful to God for His beautiful creation. I am thankful for the gifts of each new day I am blessed with. Thankful for strength and energy to do what I need to do. Thankful for help from others. Thankful for prayers and encouraging words.

Have a wonderful weekend whatever you may do, wherever you are.

God loves you.

FlowerLady

23 comments:

Terra said...

What a lovely luminous rose and photos, and isn't our God amazing to send you an immediate answer to your prayer for help? The landscaping book you had on hand is an ideal book for you to give the young man.

Nancy J said...

You give and you receive, how wonderful the young man and his family came, and the others helped with cutting and the shutters. Down here, we truly cannot imagine the huge scale of the damage, I am so thankful your Plum Cottage stood strong and well, and supplies are slowly coming through. Hugs from NZ, a cool Sunday morning after 22C yesterday.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I smiled as I read about how God answered your prayer so quickly. That is just like our God to do that. I'm so happy for you.The white roses are gorgeous.

lil red hen said...

After so much protesting and division in our country this year, it's thrilling to hear there are still good people willing to help others. We do thank God for those who came to work with you in cleaning your space. Romans is a wonderful book to study! God bless!!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Lorraine it is so wonderful to read your update and to see the help that you are getting ( and some of it clearly sent supernaturally :)

Kit said...

Wow! Simply wow! So wonderful for that family to help you out. It does my heart good to hear of folks helping out others. :) Love, KK

Dewena said...

Oh Lorraine, your pictures of the white rose are so very lovely, what a gorgeous rose! But I am praising the Lord for his instant answer to your prayer! Tears were in my eyes reading about this and I just thanked Him for letting my dear friend know instantly that he did indeed know you needed help in your beautiful gardens.

I've never attended BSF classes but my daughter-in-law is in the new Romans class and a dear friend teaches it in her city. One thing my young d-i-l said last year when she went was how she was enjoying such a diversity of women in her class, all ages.

So glad you had help getting the shutters off and I hope that there is no more need of them.

Take care. Love,
Dewena

Rebecca said...

I'm SO encouraged to read of how the Lord heard and answered your prayer in such a short time! What a "lift" that must have been for you. I'm so thankful you're getting things back to (kind of) normal....

And you KNOW I always enjoy photos of the Caravan :)

NanaDiana said...

What a beautiful post, Lorraine. A real testimony to God answering prayer...and to have it answered immediately like that is an even bigger blessing. Amazing isn't it?

It looks like you came through Irma pretty good- considering what some lost. That is a lot of branches, cuttings but it is getting done and it will be so nice to have it all picked up and gone. Hopefully, it won't be months!!

If you get a chance pop over to my blog to pray for my son-in-law, Jason. He has cancer and is having surgery on Tuesday. Any prayers are appreciated.

Hope you have a good upcoming week. xo Diana

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

Thank you, Lorraine, for telling this story about the power of a prayer. Hug you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Anonymous said...

God truly takes care of your needs and I'm sure your new friends appreciate knowing you and feel just as good for helping you! Andrea

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Rainey, it's not a small thing...it's a HUGE thing! Coming from one who has been/is in a similar situation, I know how HUGE it is. There's not a day that goes by I don't ask for God's strength and help. A couple of weeks ago, I needed to move a 3-prong front end hay spear...between God and I, it was loaded onto the Ranger, took to the shed, off loaded, placed on blocks and WOOHOO! God is faithful; He has a plan for your good and His glory. Keep calling on Him, keep praising Him, keep testifying to His goodness...HE IS FAITHFUL!
xoxo with prayers

Deborah Montgomery said...

What beautiful roses! White is my favorite. And what a wonderful answer to prayer, and great people willing to help out a stranger, now a friend. That young man is learning some good lessons about giving help. xo Deborah

September Violets said...

I'm so happy for you that your prayers are answered in what you call "small" ways. But I know how much these small things can weigh on us if we don't ask for help. I find your story amazing. The white rose is just heavenly, and you have taken some beautiful photos of it. Hugs to you Lorraine as you continue with your clean up.
Wendy xox

M.K. said...

Oh, FL -- I do not think it is a small thing to talk to God and ask sincerely for something, and then have Him answer it immediately. That's wonderful, and such a REAL assurance that He is right there, listening, working, preparing, helping. He caused that woman to walk that way ... even before you ever uttered your prayer. Isn't that amazing?
So glad you are able to have help and get cleaned up, letting sunlight in, and baking delicious things. Life will be normal and peaceful again.

L. D. said...

God is so good. I am glad that people kept coming your way to help get you back on your feet. Taking the jobs a few at a time is what you would do normally but now with all the mess you still just need to pace yourself. My gardening style is sort of that way anyway, doing things here and there as the days go by. I hope that this will be your last hurricane.

organicgardendreams said...

Dear Lorraine, I am so glad you made it through the hurricane and for that your prayer for help got answered. It is actually an amazing story almost too good to be true. Truly wonderful that these people showed up at your house!
Warm regards,
Christina

Darcie said...

I can't tell you how much your story of your prayer being answered touched my heart! God is a miracle worker, and he answered yours in a big way, with such wonderful sounding people. Makes my heart sing!! So glad you are surrounded with blessings! I consider you one of mine! Much love Lorraine!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi, Wow--there really are so many nice people in this world... My friends in Texas all talk about 'people helping people' after their hurricane and flooding... That is all just so awesome... When we read the news and feel horrible about what is happening in our country/world---it's always great to hear your kind of stories.... Thanks be to God.

Glad you are making progress --in getting things back to 'normal'...

We just got home from a wonderful trip out west...
Hugs,
Betsy

Rue said...

I'm always shocked when a prayer is answered that quickly, but so thankful! I'm glad you're getting help and that you're doing better.

That rose is lovely, my dear friend :)

love to you,
rue

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

This is such a lovely, heart-warming start to my day, dear one - to read about the kindness of others and your sweet, attitude of gratitude. I am so very glad that you are getting answers to prayer. I think a pure heart receives all :) Your rose is so beautiful - a lovely gift from the angels. Sending hugs xo Karen

GretchenJoanna said...

It is so heartening to read the stories of your friends that God has provided, including the brand-new ones so immediately responding!!

And those roses take my breath away!

outlawgardener said...

Thank God for such a quick answer to prayer! Your faith and positive attitude in the midst of all the storms of your life are an inspiration to me.