Pray and Watch

I am reading a book called Pray and Watch by neal and judy brower about a new way of thinking and behaving in our Christian walk. It is scary to evangelize; we make all kinds of excuses. This book says it is NOT our job to do that. It is our job to pray. It is our job to pray and watch to see what the LORD does. He is the One who stirs the hearts of man; He is the One who draws people to Himself. So, I've begun this new lifestyle and want to share it with you.

This is often, and mostly, a gardening blog, so I included, above, a picture of the lovely Morning Glory at my friend Connie's cottage garden. I love the rich and vivid purple velvety color. Growing and photgraphing flowers is my passion, but another passion has overtaken it. Below is a picture of my granddaughter and great grandson (Mandi and Cameron), two for whom I pray the 5-second prayer.

There is also the couple below, a Chinese doctor who was my friend and companion while I taught there for a year. He has since married and had a baby. He is the first person who asked me for a Bible in China. I also pray the 5-second prayer for him and his family.

Here it is:

Father, please send Your Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of these people.

Draw them to Jesus and make them kingdom laborers.

I have lists of people I'm praying for in this way, from the folks on my street, to the bank teller, to the checker at Cash and Carry. If I'm in contact with them, they get prayed for.

Join me in this; let's rock the world with an explosion of Holy Spirit work. I often say, "Holy Spirit, go!"

Let's pray and watch to see what God does.

Pray...and Watch!

Tour Mine!

Finally it has warmed up to produce a little fruit. This is a Costata Romanesca Zucchini with a nutty flavor surpassing all others, in MY opinion. I like to slice it lengthwise, paint a hint of olive oil on the slices, sprinkle Kosher salt on top of that and broil them until crispy. A scattering of parmasean cheese helps too. Yum!

Some Cosmos has begun blooming in the nursery bed where I start perenniels like Hollyhocks and Coreopsis. Don't your just love to capture a picture of a pollinator at work?

These Gailardia, below, have 'volunteered'. I cannot recall planting any such thing in the nursery bed. I LOVE the color...maybe the 'Arizona Sun' variety of Blanket Flower (its common name).


Out of the nursery bed came this favorite Hollyhock, of which I'm truly fond. It probably has a 'right' name, but I merely collect seeds from ones I love at other people's gardens. Putting them in small zip-lock baggies with lables like 'Double, bold pink, HH from Janet' is how I get them started.

It is Lily season here; one apple tree and one Honeysuckle tree are surrounded by a large circle of these Lilies.

There are more...Calendulas, Coreopsis, and others. You'll just have to come by for a visit in order to feast your eyes on what's blooming. See you soon!

A Tisket, a Tasket, God Provides a Basket...and a Short Cut

When God called me to China in order to teach spoken English for a year He impressed upon me to 'touch' everything I owned in order for Him to impress me with what to 1) keep, 2) give away, and 3) sell. I had a wonderful garage sale that earned enough to pay for a small storage unit (8' X 10') to hold all the 'keepers'.

Below is a basket with the story of God's provision. I had picked up an Asian basket at a yard sale in Sacramento when visiting my son. Southwest Airlines was so enamoured of it they let me bring it on as a carry-on. Then the call on my life came to go to China, the basket was to be sold. A sweet Asian lady came to my garage sale and burst into tears upon seeing it; she told me of how she used one like it in her homeland. I gave it to her, gladly.

Last week I was called to teach Vacation Bible School for my church, and, in setting up and decorating for the African theme, a dear lady brought this basket in for a prop. I was shocked, told her my story; she smiled sweetly, telling me to take it home with me when VBS was finished. I nearly cried. It has come back to me! Isn't God the ultimate Provider?!

Also, I've been praying for new hair. The style of my hair has been with me (below) for about 15 years. It is time for a change, but it is scary to go short, joining all the brave women who are willing to sacrifice what we think of as our femininity in order to affect some change, have a freer life or to simplify. I prayed up someone who would give me something sweet, cute, easy and yet still feminine.

Old hair (above) was good, it was easy, it was simply old. Below is the first of the "Pixie" pics of my new hair. Even my DH loves it, calling me a "Little Pixie" this morning. Now, THAT'S progress!

So, am I the cutest girl on the block? I know, I know, I'm the only girl on the block. I love this new and easy hair. And I thank God for providing it too.