I am loving my new little hide-a-way which I also call my prayer garden.
As soon as I wake up and check on Louis Dean, as to his where-abouts, before I slip out our bedroom door with my memory verse cards and spend my first few minutes in my private place.
I usually turn on my coffee and take my first cup out there.
I have my devotional books, prayer journal and daily diary and spend some quiet time in reading, prayers, praise and meditating. This morning the Lord impressed on me the blessings of summer and the enjoying these blessings.
Summer time has been my least favorite season for many years.
The Texas heat is oppressive and as I have grown older, it is more difficult to tolerate than ever.
I'm not sure when this happened as I enjoyed the summers when Summer and Jesse were young and I continued to enjoy and embrace the season all through the years Amber and Benjamin were growing up.
Maybe age had something to do with it but I have been dreading the season for at least the last 20 years. Maybe more.
As I sat out there this morning, I looked up into the trees and heavens and it came to me that God is redeeming the summer months for me.
I was moved to tears when I realized how God has blessed this special prayer spot for me.
The shade cloth, the rug Summer gifted me, the honeysuckle the Lord had the bees plant for me.
If I wake up too late to sit on the kitchen deck for my quiet time, I have another retreat available.
I can even go out there at night!
As I was finishing up my prayers, I looked up and there was Louis Dean! He said, "Ifound you!"
I've told him where he could find me and I hope he always remembers.
It was a super sweet moment!
I confess that Louis Dean is losing some ground and I am treasuring our every day together.
I think this book may help me understand how to treasure and cherish this time of twilight with Louis Dean. I am adapting life as best I can to make sure he prospers and doesn't have to struggle.
That means limiting our time away from home as he does best when he is in his primary environment.
We stayed at the ranch for a week and it took five days for him to 'get his act together' again.
This isn't his fault. It's just the way it is.
Our next visit to the ranch will be from Thursday to Sunday and I am praying that will work for him.
I admit that I dearly love escaping to the country and I am praying we don't have to give that up!
Since we can't go out socially as often as we used to, I purpose to bring social ocassions to us.
Or to me. LD doesn't always join in on our Saturday night drinks, dinner and movie, but he does at least make an appearance.
The menu worked great except for the apricot bites!
They had great potential but I failed to capture it!
I meant to trash the recipe but since decided I will try again!
The pineapple wine, tonic water and sparkling water plus fruits and mint made for a delicious cocktail!
I had a great appetizer tray so we were full before dinnertime!
This was Louis Dean's plate since he had been in his music room while Ilene and I were grazing.
Our movie of choice!
It was really slow in getting started but when it finally built up speed - it was great!
Louis Dean came in to eat his supper and he watched the last - and best - part of the movie!
Win! WIN!!
We have been sleeping late the last few days and I think that's a good thing after Louis Dean staying up all night for several nights.
We watched Fellowship Church online and then Louis Dean watched an Ed Young, Sr sermon after that.
I cleaned Louis Dean's bathroom yesterday and I love the John Wayne theme!
Very western and very Louis Dean!
Have you ever heard of drain flies?
We are expiercing a real battle with them.
They come from moths that feed on the 'gunk' in the drains.
We've poured boiling water down the drains. Sprayed insecticide.
Covered the drain holes.
Still - they remain!
I bought some Drano and I will be using that tomorrow.
This American Indian vase was made by Sherry and gifted to Louis Dean years ago.
I am in love with shade cloth and Louis Dean said he would staple up some between the Christmas house and our bedroom overhang soon!
So I am embracing the summer months and I purpose to enjoy them, according to the grace of God!
The Bells have enjpyed the best Hawaiian vacation ever!
Trystan, Kailey, Harrison and Logan celebrated their 13th birthday in Paradise!!
How perfect is that??
My beautiful daughter Amber celebrated her 40th birthday also in Paradise!
Aloha!
The most beautiful 40-year-old I've ever seen!
I was 36 years old when I had my daughter, Amber.
I remember thinking to myself that when Amber was 40 - I would be 76!
Back then that seemed so far away and yet - here we are!
I'm grateful that I am still here and still a big part of her life - and the lives of her four children as well as all my other grands....Sam, Faith, Levi and Rayne...and Summer, Jesse and Benjamin.
And I'm so proud of all my children and grands!
Amber has been to Hawaii several times!
Once when she was a young girl....maybe 10 years old?
If I had the energy tonight, I would look up in my diary as to the date.
It was a family vacation and we had a good time.
Then she had a couple of swim meets in Hawaii and we had good times then too, always staying several extra days after the competitions.
I took Amber to Hawaii in 2003 for her 18th birthday!
I was in the midst of divorcing Jesse, Sr and this was a very special time for us to spend her birthday here together.
Amber has always been so beautiful!
Inside and out!
The memories she and I had back then will stay with me always.
Now we are making new memories!
Levi's graduation party will be next Saturday and we are so looking forward to that!
The Bell grands will be coming to stay with us soon after and we can't wait!
Good night and God bless you everyone who read my words.....
11 comments:
I do not like summer, either. The heat really gets to me. BUT, every moment is a gift at our age. And you are right, we need to find ways to make the most of it. Is there any way Louis Dean can increase or change his medication. I have dealt with this myself, and know how hard it is. Harder for the caregivers than the affected I believe. Amber is small, just like you! You two are just the cutest!!
I can't handle the heat the way I used to but for me, winter is the season that gets harder all the time.
Hawaii has always been a dream vacation of mine. I doubt I'll ever get there though
Life is a mixture of the happy and the sad, isn't it?
What a wonderful trip for you grands and their parents!
Regarding the bugs, I once had them and poured some ammonia down the drain; waited a bit and then flushed it with water. That did the trick. Maybe try that?
From Maryellen
I want to love summer but it’s hard when it’s so hot. Yesterday 104 and today 106. I get up early to be outside in the morning. The evenings are unbearable until the sun sets.
I miss cool breezes already and it’s only June!
Love the John Wayne bathroom. What cowboy wouldn’t love that. You are so good for LD.
I smiled all the way through every happy and joyful word of this post. so happy you have your special places and that LD still has good moments. you are right, Amber is beautiful and good and kind just like you... wow on the 5 people birthday trip of a lifetime...
Linda, I’ve read your blog for several years now and never commented. I have to tell you our solution to sink gnats/flies. Dump some baking soda over the drain and gradually pour some vinegar over ( like school science fair volcanoes 😊). Follow this with a pot of boiling water. Sometimes it takes a couple of treatments. One year they were so bad we pours about a quarter cup of bleach sown the drain, put in the stopper and left it overnight. Hope this helps!
Kathy in Mississippi
Good Morning sweet Linda. Oh how I loved your post today. Your "Spiritual Hideaway" makes me smile and praise the Lord. I have always had a "Spot" wherever we have lived. Some were better than others and I just adore you new spot!! Right now, mine is on the loveseat with a basket of my favorite devotionals, Bibles and song books.
My heart goes out to you as Louis Dean is slowing down...so is my dearest, but only in his body. Most days it's from the Recliner to the bed and back to the recliner. But bless his heart, he continues to study like he was preaching every Sunday. Love the pictuers of Amber and the family in Hawaii. Such a beautiful family. I'm so excited Jill and Tristan are coming from Oregon for a week. How I miss them. Sending love and hugs!!
I don't like summer the heat really gets to me. But I guess it really is a gift. We do need to find ways to make the most of it. I love how you want to savor your moments with LD. Gosh Hawaii sure looks nice.
Linda, That sweet handsome face of L.D. smiling at you, squeezed my heart. I too am not a big fan of hot weather. I am cold most of the time because of thin blood, that aspirin a day thing. When humidity is high it's hard not to be drained. I loved the pictures of the kids. I had my Angie when I was young and she was complaining of sore muscles from trimming trees, I said you are so young!! She said she used different muscles than when she does Zumba. Gotta love it. Blessings to all of you there. LOve you, xoxo, Susie
Be careful about putting something harsh like bleach down the drain. It isn't good for the plumbing. Bleach reacts with metal and is very corrosive, with rust or oxidation caused by the trading of electrons between the metal and bleach molecules. Copper pipes can also be damaged making them more prone to plumbing leaks. With PVC pipes, bleach dissolves the sealant used around the pipes.
Linda, I went through the Alzheimer's caregiver experience with my mom. Some resources I found helpful: alz.org (alzheimer's association), alzconnected.org (a supportive and educational community on the alz. assoc. site ) and the book, "The 36 Hour Day." Best wishes on your journey.
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