JUNE 2023 RAIN OR REIN OR REIGN

June 2023 

Word/ words of the month

rain /rein /reign

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish so it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater. Isaiah 55:10. A blessing for sure. Thanks to God.   The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad…psalm 97

Painted tiles by Bailey 

I guided them with human kindness, with loving reins. I acted toward them like one who removes a yoke from their neck I bent down and fed them   Hosea 11:

7 GREAT THINGS TO THANKFULLY DO IN JUNE

Dig in the dirt (maybe 🌿🌿🌿plant herbs) 

Take a walk in the 🌧 rain or 

Walk in the early morning to see the wild birds 🦢 

Go strawberry 🍓 picking 

or make strawberry rhubarb pie 

Drink and dine outdoors (some favorites iced tea,steaks, 🌽 

Hike for wildflowers 

or a night walk to see the ✨ and moon 🌙 

Build a stone 🪨or rock project 

Make summer blue Jean patches 

Summer officially begins June 21 also the longest day of the year. Summer and sunshine ☀️ go hand in hand and I for one will appreciate the sunshine and the extra daylight hours we receive this year   God is always present to strengthen us and enlighten our paths psalm 84. You can see I’ve been reading psalms lately 🤩

Choose to follow the light🌤🌖🌤

MAY. 2023 shall

 MAY. 2023. SHALL

Happy Memorial day 🇺🇸

  Memorial day began as Decoratiin Day after Gettysburg in the Civil War for all the lives lost in that battle and the war to unite us   Let us remember all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms this day

It is also the start of 100 days of Summer enjoy your adventures let us be prepared responsible and thoughtful 

Also that same weekend is Pentecost the 50 days of Easter has ended so we are to embrace the Holy Spirit and thank Jesus for eternal life

We here in Montana shall cherish  our summer as we had a long and amazing winter   The word shall makes me think of Psalm 23 and my mom   They have revived it in the church services lately too💕😇🙏

The dogs and ducks are enjoying the pond each and every day They have the play all day mastered These are moments I shall cherish as well 

Summer brings sunshine that’s what we all remember yet the wildflowers are just popping up so take a couple home and press them in between pages of your books and you’ll remember and cherish summer all over again another time.  Rides, hikes, water ways, and work give us plenty of sunshine  

 I shall cherish all the little things and moments of the summer for sure probably better now   Forget me nots are special  

APRIL 2023 RISE

April 2023 

Rise 

May Jesus be the light of your life

I have always been an early riser, the morning light is always so hopeful and peaceful, I call it God’s time The mountains show their strength and sovereignty, the light streams in at a perfect angle and you rise with a grateful heart, enjoy the sunrise!

HAPPY EASTER 

March always has had both lion and lamb moments. Mostly an iced glaze over everything. In grade school, it was the saying “in like a lion out like a lamb or vice versa but this March has been lion,lamb,lion, lamb, lion, lamb, etc.  working with livestock and newborn calves has been challenging ; thank a rancher if you get the chance.  Also, skiing has been snowy with lots of unstable layers so thank the ski patrol if you get the chance. And if you’re down south enjoy the sunshine.

 Rise and Shine!

Mornings are great to see or hear signs of spring; the Sandhills cranes are back, even saw some robins, sparrows, and starlings, ducks are looking for open water and are paired up. Crows are still annoying the owls, the calves are trying to warm up and move around, sheep are ready to lamb and And we love looking for hopeful signs!

For I have told you these things, so that 

in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble but take heart, I have overcome the world. John 16

What to do with old jeans. Patch them with flowers!

2023. MARCH. Grow

MARCH  

 2023

Word of the month. Grow. 

We need to grow in so many ways. Grow more patience. Grow more wisdom. Grow more in our faith (love) are three ways that come to mind immediately. What are your three growth areas?

I have been envisioning Spring a lot lately   Don’t get me wrong I still love skiing and working with my animals but with these extreme weather swings I am hoping for spring a little more than I should be therefore I have brought a twig from every plant that blossoms into my house and am forcing them to bud out so I have lots of little green buds growing on my table  I am encouraging willow, dogwood, and lilac buds at this time.  I have now set a table with turquoise and greens for st Patrick’s day which always make me think of treasure hunting (last year I really found my first 🍀 four leaf clover.  Thank God 

 My lemon tree has three 🍋 almost ready and my saved summer geraniums are loving the few extra minutes of daylight  

Now to grow a smile I am resorting to some teaching memories…I used to tell the littlest ones about a grandma making yummy pancakes for her grandsons Ryan and Kevin and as they raced down the stairs they were fighting over who should get the first pancake so grandma thought she’d use this time for a life lesson so she said, “boys if Jesus were here He would say I would give the first pancake to my brother…so Ryan turns to Kevin and says, “okay Kevin, you BE Jesus “   

 We all Enjoyed  ☘️ shaped pancakes, with whipping cream and syrup as they listened to Tim McGraw song, “always stay humble “so I hope your smile is growing as well

Happy Lent, hope you're growing closer to our Lord.  Happy St Patrick's Day on the 17th.  Happy spring equinox on the 20th of March. Hope you see lots of spring signs: seven dandelions, bluebird or robins, a gopher or two, spring calves, a lamb, and more sunlight 🌞Happy Birthday to my sister 💗

2023 FEBRUARY. LOVE

 February.      2023         4*word -  Love

Whatever is true

Whatever is lovely

Whatever is admirable-

If anything is excellent or praiseworthy—

think about such

Love is probably the number one need of a human being. So find time to share moments with those you ❤️ 💕 💗 love. 

OK my blog has been pretty reflective and thoughtful for a while so

since what I most want to share is a smile or laughter with my family and friends I’m going to try and tell a joke in hopes that whoever reads this will share a smile with me.  keeping with my theme of unwavering faith here It is. (I learned this from EM a few years ago) 

A soul came to the pearly gates and Saint Peter said “well if you want to enter here you must answer three questions correctly”

“OK what’s the first?”

“ what are the two days of the week that begin with T?asked Saint Peter. 

The soul thought for a minute and replied “I’ve got it today and tomorrow” just as he replied the Holy Spirit  flew by Saint peter was about to say no but the spirit said I think you have to give that one to him , it’s kind of clever. 

So Saint Peter said “OK are you ready for question number two “

The soul said “yes what is it?”

“How many seconds are there in one year?”

The soul thought for a moment and exclaimed I know there are 12”

Saint peter shook his head and said “what made you say that number “and the Holy Spirit was cruising by while the man said “well there is January 2 February 2 March 2 April 2 May 2 etc for twelve. “

Saint Peter looked up and the Holy Spirit said “I think you have to give him that one , that was pretty clever”

So Saint Peter said “are you ready for question number three?”

The soul replied yes 

Saint Peter said “what is God’s first name?”

He said “oh that’s a tough one let me think... oh I know it’s Howard”

Saint Peter  tried not to roll his eyes and said how did you come up with that name as the Holy Spirit was hovering by and the soul said “well our prayer is said, “our father Howard (hallowed) be thy name and of course the Holy Spirit said that was clever as well so Saint Peter let him through the pearly gates.  Ha ha ha

Love God with all your heart and mind and love your neighbor as yourself 💗. God loves you 💕

Anew January 2023

 2023            JANUARY.               ANEW

After the wonder and majesty of Christmas holidays the new year can seem a little daunting but let’s simply come forth anew. 

Here a few simple  inspirations to anew a room. A tiny string of lights or jingle bells can keep the spirit alive so feel free to add those to these displays or simply hang bells 🔔 on the door handle. 

*. A centerpiece of old fashioned time pieces; special clocks, pocket watches work well 

*. Array of pine cones and deer 🦌 sheds give a clean new look to any wooden table. 

*. Or set out a painting with a path or trail leading some where and pair that with your favorite pottery and bowl of nuts with a nut cracker by a favorite  chair. 

Look up anew!

L

BaileyArt4U 
Crossings 28 is my Etsy shop

Enjoy a starry night

2022 DECEMBER

 DECEMBER 2022                                     Wait 4*word

word of the month:  wait

Winter is wrapping all around nature and our perspective is reflective, hoping that we have learned in some ways how to handle the freezing temps.  Even though we have a lot less light during the days, we can be thankful for the beautiful starry nights.  Wait is just a four letter word for anticipation and oh how hopeful that can be, finding the little sparkle in the quiet moments is true harmony. Speaking of harmony sing along with your favorite Christmas carols or just listen to the beautiful harmony of groups like Pentatonix, the little drummer boy is my fave! Playing Silent Night is one of my traditions also.

Sending painted holiday cards is another great gift to give while waiting or anticipating Jesus’s day.  These are this years: 

Children always find it hard to wait through the month for Christmas yet as we get older and hopefully wiser, we wait with a lot more grace.  I have some good ideas for the reluctant waiter so here goes:  wait with good picture book stories, wait with songs,or wait with the warmth of memories and appreciation, wait by candlelight, wait with the Lord, trying to wait with unwavering or unshakable faith,(just imagining that is a full-time job), wait with a ball game in the snow, wait with skis on, wait by playing games or inventing new ones, our latest was charades of traditional Christmas carols or just sing them at home.  Whatever way you wait ask Jesus to help and you will be amazed!

 

Rustic & Sash waiting 

Sundogs at Christmas 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that who ever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”