Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart

All Creatures Great and Small Gosling Cuteness Overload

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When a pair of fluffy little abandoned goslings come along, one can’t help but stop all activity and take in all their cuteness. These two puffballs were found wandering between parking lot traffic at a local WAWA by our daughter. Of course she brought them home for us to see before taking them to a nearby wildlife refuge. 

Be sure to scroll down to the photos of these cuties in the grass. The pics are blurry because every time they were set down, they made a beeline straight to our daughter, reminiscent of the movie, Fly Away Home.

All Things Bright and Beautiful
Ce­cil F. Al­ex­an­der, Hymns for Lit­tle Child­ren, 1848
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
He made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

The Will of God

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The Will of God
The will of God will never take you
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.

(The rest of this encouraging poem follows below)

The will of God will never take you
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot not overrule for you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you,
Everything happens for a purpose. We may not see the wisdom of it all now,
but trust and believe in the Lord that everything is for the best.
Author unknown

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 

Crochet Inspiration and Gift Ideas

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Are you making any gifts this Christmas Season?
There are just too many adorable projects abounding all over the web that I have more than I can accomplish on my to-do list!  I’ll share as I complete them but for now, here are some past projects that might inspire you!
They are all relatively quick to make, so you have plenty of time to complete a few if you’d like.


{Click links below to take you to post with instructions or links to patterns}
Vest and Hat for American Girl size doll
Things to do with crochet Rosettes
Baby-size Crochet Stocking
Oh, I never change!  Why oh, why, don’t I start projects earlier in the year?
Seems I just can’t think Christmas until December!
Maybe you relate?
Listening to the classic holiday song, Winter Wonderland on Pandora today, these words popped into my head
🙂

let the little children come

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“JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN” 
Words by C. Herbert Woolston, music by George F. Root
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red, brown, yellow
Black and white
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus loves the little children
Of the world.
Jesus died for all the children
All the children of the world
Red and yellow
Black and white
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus died for all the children
Of the world.
Jesus rose for all the children
All the children of the world
Red and yellow
Black and white
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus rose for all the children
Of the world.
source
Saturday morning, we watched grandchildren while our daughter ran in a race.
The moments were filled with impish playfulness with PopPop.
This little one is at the age of constant activity with every emotion written clearly in her expressions.  Who can resist those soft cheeks!  Not PopPop!
and the stare-down winner is….
Pup and toddler always ready for a treat!
each child with their own unique personality and special talents
sisters ~ brothers ~ sibling love
and look at our girl…
She ran with a friend in the Philadelphia 5K Rocky Balboa Run finishing 9 mins 7 sec miles; 28:22 finish.
Having seven children must be what keeps her is such good shape!

Welcome September

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By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer’s best of weather
And autumn’s best of cheer.
Helen Hunt Jackson

I’ve been reluctant to cut the hydrangea flowers because I love the view from the kitchen table.
But I also want to enjoy these pretty, chartreuse-colored flowers in my home through the year.
So, I cut the huge blooms and stood them in a large pitcher filled with water where they will remain for about a week, until they are dried.
 This post from last summer, shows how I dry hydrangea blooms.
 Here they fill a bowl for a vibrant centerpiece
And, a few more ideas for using the dried blossoms to create a wreath can be found here.
Our grandchildren will all be heading back to school this coming week and my thoughts turn to the anticipation of autumn and all its beauty.  I love the month of September!
Hope its a good month for you!

when brother is sick

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baby Jet has been sick for a bit unable to shake a fever, croupy, bronchial virus illness that sent him to the hospital for a couple of days.  He is home now with meds and should start to feel better soon.
Four of his siblings came to my house so Jets mom and dad could take care of him.
I should be running around, cleaning up and getting ready for our three up-state New York grandchildren coming down on Friday to spend the week. Instead, I am sharing some glimpses and moments of our time together…
Sick little brother
hospital stay
siblings at Mom-Moms
ready for play
trip to the playground
slip down the slide
twirling and dancing
places to hide
snooze with the pup
splash in the sink  
swishing those bubbles
drawing with pink
buckled in car seats
noodles to eat
bedtime stories
Incredibly sweet
library visit
more books to read
pieces in puzzles
tummies to feed
climb in the playhouse
French fries to munch
peeking from high spots
all during lunch
toys scattered about
sink full of mess
washer still running
house in distress
tickles and smooches
diapers to change
fingers need wiping
smells that are strange
snuggles at bedtime
piggies and toes
bath time all finished
soon they will doze
sleeping so sweetly
my eyes behold
blessings from heaven
worth more than gold
by Lorraine @With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart

The First Rose Of Summer

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It excites me to see the very first rose buds appear each spring knowing they will soon bust forth into beautiful blossoms with sweet fragrance. This is a hybrid tea rose called Broadway with shades of pink, yellow and peach. It has been in our garden since 2012.
Growing alongside purple spiderwort. 
Pink Knockout Roses are just beginning to bloom too.
 The First Rose Of Summer
‘Tis the first rose of summer that opes to my view,
With its bright crimson bosom all bathed in the dew;
It bows to its green leaves with pride from its throne–
‘Tis the queen of the valley, and reigneth alone.
Oh! why, lovely stranger! thus early in bloom,
Art thou here to assure us that summer is come?
The primrose and harebell appear with the spring,
But tidings of summer the young roses bring.
Thou fair gift of nature (I welcome the boon),
Was ‘t the lark of the morning that ‘woke thee so soon?
Yet I weep, thou sweet floweret! for soon, from the sky,
The lark shall repose where thy leaves wither’d lie.
Oh! if beauty could save thee, thou ne’er wouldst decay,
But, alas! soon thou ‘lt perish and wither away;
And thy kindred may blossom, and blossom as fair–
Yet I ‘ll mourn, lonely rosebud! when thou art not there. 
Robert Gilfillan (1798-1850 / Scotland)

Cardinal in Winter

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I saw a cardinal on a branch outside our powder room window. I was able to get a few photos.  I wanted to add a verse or poem for my Sunday post but couldn’t find something I liked.  Our granddaughter, Keri Jill, told me she likes to write poetry and in a few minutes read to me the following poem.

Winter Cardinal
by Keri Jill – age 10
When a cardinal’s
nose hits winter breeze
it shivers and
shivers and starts to freeze.
But, God gives a
blanket like shimmering gold
and even in
winter, he never gets cold.
Pop-Pop went to watch her play in our church Salao soccer league Saturday morning then brought her to our home for a visit and sleepover. She requested mashed potatoes and green beans for supper. I threw in BBQ chicken for good measure. Making Valentine’s Day treats, jewelry making with Aunt Abbey and a movie were on the list of things to do.

Aunt Abbey working on a project with Keri
and
few more photos

just suppose

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I heard this poem while listening to Alistair Begg and thought it a great reminder to myself to be careful about my words.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

Morning Sky

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At this time of year, if I look out the window toward the eastern sky a few minutes after 7 o’clock am, I often see the most amazing sunrises. This photo was taken from my front porch on the 19th of this month. I am usually in the kitchen at the back of the house each morning and will notice a bright reflection from the back windows of our neighbors house.  It is a reflection of a gorgeous sunrise.  Grabbing my camera I run to the front of our house and stand in awe for a few minutes as the colors change right before my eyes.
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
Psalm 65:8

dog days of summer with my schnauzer buddy

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Dogs… man’s best friend. This one is my best friend. His name is Raider and he is a miniature schnauzer. He is an important part of our family showing unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship each and every day.
He is attentive, playful and engaging. And, he knows how to chill with the best of us. Here is a peek into his life on a hot summer day.

After me and food, I think his favorite thing is a pillow. He can spot a comfy pillow and will even paw them into the perfect position. He has even been observed plopping down onto a tossed article of clothing or a single sock on the floor if there is not a pillow around.

This boy knows how to relax and get comfortable. But don’t let those sleepy eyes fool you.

One little sound or movement catches his attention and he is on it. It is part of his protective personality. Nothing slips by Raider. I love my dog 🙂

If you have a sweet pup you love with all of your heart, I think you will enjoy reading the quotes below.

~*~
dog quotes
Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.

Orhan Pamuk, My Name is Red


I believe in integrity. Dogs have it. Humans are sometimes lacking it.
Cesar Millan



Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear.

Dave Barry
It’s just the most amazing thing to love a dog, isn’t it? It makes our relationships with people seem as boring as a bowl of oatmeal.
John Grogan, Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog
The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.
Andy Rooney
Dogs are minor angels, and I don’t mean that facetiously. They love unconditionally, forgive immediately, are the truest of friends, willing to do anything that makes us happy, etcetera. If we attributed some of those qualities to a person we would say they are special. If they had ALL of them, we would call them angelic. But because it’s “only” a dog, we dismiss them as sweet or funny but little more. However when you think about it, what are the things that we most like in another human being? Many times those qualities are seen in our dogs every single day– we’re just so used to them that we pay no attention.
Jonathan Carroll
You can say any fool thing to a dog and the dog will just give you this look that says, ‘My GOSH, you’re RIGHT! I NEVER would’ve thought of that!
Dave Barry
Perhaps one central reason for loving dogs is that they take us away from this obsession with ourselves. When our thoughts start to go in circles, and we seem unable to break away, wondering what horrible event the future holds for us, the dog opens a window into the delight of the moment. Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, Dogs Never Lie About Love: Reflections on the Emotional World of Dogs
Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.
Agnes Sligh Turnbull

People leave imprints on our lives, shaping who we become in much the same way that a symbol is pressed into the page of a book to tell you who it comes from. Dogs, however, leave paw prints on our lives and our souls, which are as unique as fingerprints in every way. 



Ashly Lorenzana





The greatest fear dogs know is the fear that you will not come back when you go out the door without them.” 
Stanley Coren

You’d help if you could, wouldn’t you, boy?” I said. “It’s no wonder they call you man’s best friend. Faithful and loyal and true, you share in our sorrows and rejoice with us in our triumphs, the truest friend we ever have known, a better friend than we deserve. You have thrown in your lot with us, through thick and thin, on battlefield and hearthrug, refusing to leave your master even when death and destruction lie all around. Ah, noble dog, you are the furry mirror in which we see our better selves reflected, man as he could be, unstained by war or ambition, unspoilt by- 
Connie Willis, To Say Nothing of the Dog

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