Family, Flowers, Friends

I left home early this morning to pay a spontaneous visit to my parents.  I was "homesick".  Even though I've never lived in the home they live in now, I needed to see THEM.  They were surprised to see me.

They had plans to attend the funeral of a 95 year old woman who had served for many, many years as a "home missionary" in Kentucky.   Though it was not in my plans, I attended with them before returning home.  While in high school, I spent a summer as a counselor at the camp her ministry sponsored for children in the hills.  The experience greatly impacted my life.

This afternoon, my husband mowed our lawn, thick and lush following the rains of recent days.  I pulled some weeds and took pictures of the many, many beautiful flowers blooming in our yard. 

This evening we enjoyed a sweet evening with friends.  Donna (of  Donna's Booknook) had invited friends to their home to celebrate her husband Lynn's birthday.

(We allowed enough time to stop and stroll through one of our favorite yards in Woodburn, IN.  It is FULL of interesting yard art and a variety of perennial plants.  I always glean ideas for our own yard there.)



We feasted on lemon cake, rhubarb crisp (I really need to get the recipe), ice-cream and a variety of drinks and candies.

Thank you, God, for family, flowers and friends!

18 comments:

  1. It's nice that you and Donna can get together so often, Rebecca and share lemon cake and rhubarb crisp.
    Your pink Tulips are stunning against that really green grass. Enjoy Spring!
    ♥...Wanda

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  2. I'm glad you got to go to your parents- I know that homesick feeling. I feel like it's been a while! :) I finished my papers early this morning. Only one more major project to go before I'm done with the semester. I'm feeling really good over all! Love you!

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  3. I think it is wonderful that you went to see your parents (I would love to be able to do that again) what a nice surprise for them.
    Happy Birthday to Donna's husband.
    I just can't get over how green everything is where you are, we won't need lawn mowers here for weeks yet.......:-) Hugs

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  4. So true, Bernie! Things ARE green here. I think our flowers are a little slower to open than other places - Diana's for example. Seems like even here other people's irises are blooming, but ours have yet to open.....

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  5. You are so fast at getting things posted! I haven't even uploaded my pics yet! Lynn said he had a very good time; I'm glad we got together.

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  6. I understand your urge to see your parents and it's wonderful that you can do that. I still have the urge to call my mom a lot. And Saturdays can be difficult because she would always stop over after getting her hair done. So Saturdays are strangely quite here most of the time. It would be our day to catch up!
    The celebration at Donnas house sounded tasty! And very sweet! Glad you had that time together.
    Oh and that photo of your flowers was very good Rebecca. Sometimes I think there is a professional photographer in you!
    Love Di ♥

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  7. Diana - Seems to me that blogging has almost eliminated the need for professional photographers! ALMOST EVERYONE seems to be able to produce wonderful, wonderful pictures.

    I surprise myself sometimes - but deep in my heart know that all I do is aim my little cell phone at what I HOPE to capture...sometimes I do; sometimes I don't. Then I can edit with Picasa....

    I can't imagine the emptiness and sadness that will sweep over me when my parents are gone! I will try to think/pray about you on Saturdays especially.

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  8. Rebecca,

    Yes, I understand about being homesick for your parents. Every now and then I just get lonesome for my dad. One of my son's friends from when he was in 4th and 5th grade found Andy on the internet and then asked for my phone number as well. It was so wonderful to hear memories he had from so many years ago. He did not know "Mr. Rowell" had died and told a few sweet stories so I wallowed in joy and lonesomeness for a little while.

    The flowers are so very beautiful this year. I remember thinking that about the fall as well. It is probably a sign of old age. They do fill my cup--literally and figuratively.

    I am glad that Donna had a party for Lynn. I am glad that you attended. Donna is blessed with her "new" Indiana friends!

    I am trying to think about our Kentucky team . . . We were so blessed to have such a wonderful generation of godly people just above us.

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  9. What a beautiful day...one you truly treasured! I wish I could have tagged along! But your post certainly made me smile! Love you, Janine XO

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  10. I followed you here from Di. I smiled at your comment giving your address to get one of my watercolor note cards from Di.... Don't worry ~ I jotted down the address...be watching the mail box for one from me.
    Thanks for the nice compliment!!
    Wanda from Brushstrokes.

    You have a lovely blog.... I will be coming back to read your previous posts.

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  11. Sounds like a perfect day! Family, friends, nature, and worship.

    And I know well that 'homesick' feeling for your parents, and it has nothing to do with any house they may have lived in.
    Both my parents hospice rooms felt like home, just because my Mom and Dad were my 'home'. I remember the night before my Mom passed, I lay at the foot her bed and it felt so right, and I wanted that night to go on and on, and I remember closing my eyes and thinking 'This is home. I am home'.
    Love to you,
    Eileen

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  12. It sounds like a beautiful day, both in the people you shared it with and the beauty you found in nature! One thing I always notice about your posts is how you truly enjoy and appreciate the details of life, the things that make a day precious. I feel you share a sense of optimism when you write.
    Thank you!

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  13. I love that fact that you visited your parents on impulse. That was a kind act!

    And I love the flowers you showed... what loveliness you see around you.

    And the pictures of your friends...the lemon cake, makes my mouth water!

    Thanks for sharing the joy of your day. It has gladdened my heart too!

    Love
    Lidj

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  14. Lots of "warm fuzzies" in this post, it makes my heart warm.
    How wonderful to stop and see you parents, I know it blessed them as well as you, one day..I will have that grand reunion with my parents in their heavenly home!
    I love your pink tulips! Mine are yellow, but I think I like the pink even more! I have a mound filled with iris's at our cottage, no blooms yet, they are my favorite!
    Hugs!

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  15. It's not by any chance Red Bird Mission in KY? I'm well familiar with the ministry there, having grown up in KY. Love that you have Donna close by to "do life" with... and that cake sounds delicious. I love cake! Any kind. Just love cake; yes, get the recipe.

    peace~elaine

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  16. Oooo, rhubard crisp sounds fabulous! Be sure to share the recipe when you get your hands on it.

    Life's richer when we lean into the love that spawns drop-in visits to parents, and wiling away time with good friends. I'll bet this was a special week because of it!

    Blessings,
    Kathleen

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  17. I am so happy you visited your parents. I am sure they were blessed by your visit. And lucky you to be able to visit Donna. She is such a lovely person. Your day is what I call a glad day.:)

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Writing a Song a Week #3

Writing a Song a Week #3
♪ I wait for the Lord; my soul waits and in his word I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning ♪ (Psalm 130:5-6)