Roots Exposed ~

The ride to the bluff was a treacherous one...

bumps, washouts and ruts

it was twenty four days into November

we made the late afternoon ride to mark it with
 a 2 and a 5
 to remember the day we said "I do"
~~~

the tree that bore the first markings

as fresh sweethearts

 was no where found after a lengthy search
we had hoped to mark the years spent
underneath the first

maybe the wind, man or other forces

 had taken toll?

~~~

the knife with skillful hands

 carefully scratched the years

in the smooth bark of a new beech 

as I waited with camera in hand

my eyes and heart were not able to miss

the sight of the tree's base down below, 

 the beech tree roots

 running on the ground

 reaching for nourishment

but exposed so raw

 tall and straight
roots bare and sprinkled with colors of beauty

but exposed to forces of nature and man

My hearts condition lay bare
at the base of the tree
the LORD stirring my heart

with full exposure
the shutter clicked

convicting thoughts tugged
~~~
send your roots deep
prepare for the storms of life

desire a fresh word
~~~
how am I to withstand the
"mama said, there'd be days like this"

standing straight to the trials and the forces
 that come with the living-life
~~~
 the inevitable but unseen and unknown
making their unwanted visits


The unwanted is no respecter of persons
~~~
My roots must be covered
they must run deep into God's Word,
be buried in His way.

Landscaping using His Word to cover
and watering with prayer to add beauty
of My Saviour's Love

 within a few short weeks,
of the ride to the bluff, life storms blew
the inevitable was encountered
death visited our family
...How did we stand?

with the support of God's ever-ready
 comforting peace
and the love of family and friends

“The tree on the mountain

 takes whatever the weather brings.

 If it has any choice at all,

 it is in putting down roots as deeply as possible."

---Each New Day” ― Corrie ten Boom

I found this on pinterest

a few weeks ago - 

just another affirmation

of His desiring us to be grounded

In HIM.

Source: be-the-change.tumblr.com via Karen on Pinterest

I pray you are sending your roots down deep.

In Him,

Karen

12 days + 25 years

12 days....since my last post

oh my!

 How time passes when you are having fun.

We have traveled to Louisiana during those 12 days

to visit family and enjoyed our week stay.

We returned home on Sunday with lots of

 memories, (blogging posts - can't wait to share)  pictures,

 and suitcases to unpack.

Yesterday, our first day back, we took time

 to remember the events of a special day

 that took place 25 years ago.

Our Wedding Day

November 28, 1986

Oh how the hands of the clock have moved quickly.

But, I must say alot of water has run under the bridge, too!

We've learned to love with a much deeper love

and communicate in different ways.

We shared a fun evening together.

(pizza & Wal-mart) = your morning laugh!

I have plans to prepare a nice dinner tonight...

just could not put it all together yesterday.

We are planning to celebrate our 25th

with a memorable get-away

after the first of the year.

It is such a busy time for us,
 this time of year.

Dinner Menu

Petite Dinner Rolls
Wild Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms and Toasted Pecans

Cornish Hens with Lemons and Rosemary

Green Bean Bundles
Iced Lemon Tea

Chocolate Mint Brownies topped with cream

I am not promising pictures - due to food prep overload. :)

The dishes are Lynmore Golden Rose.

My grandmother gave me

 two demitasse cups with the saucers

approximately 30 years ago.

  I have collected for approximately 20 years

and now have a large collection of this pattern.

~~~

Hope you are having fun

 preparing for Christmas.

We are getting our decorations

 down from the attic tonight and

I'll be sharing my home with you.

~~~

I have missed visiting with all of you.

Hoping to play catch-up soon.

:-)

Karen

~head over heels~

Sustaining Love

Long Lasting Intimacy & Passion

Why did we marry?

"we were head over heels in love"

Courtney @ Women Living Well

has kicked off today

I first questioned the word "challenge"

should it be a challenge  to do these things that I

 need to already be doing?

Admiration, Praise, Appreciation &.......

I looked up the definition to the word.

Challenge  - n. to compete in a sport

:-)

I was instantly reminded of the scripture passage

in Genesis 26 of Issac & Rebekah

(I think sweetheart has read this one to me before)

Issac was sporting with Rebekah his wife

vs. 8

However, the commentaries or dictionaries explain this one

laughing, playing, they were enjoying one another

So ironic this "challenge" to be presented today.

This morning sweetheart found this -

Week ONE begins today

and I have a head start!

Here is Courtney's challenge for this week:

Look for ways to praise your husband verbally.

 Praise him in front of the kids, friends, family, co-workers, on facebook, tweet it -

 get praise out anyway you can!

 Try to mention something noteworthy he has done - in his role as provider, father, husband, lover, or friend.

 If the thought of trying to come up with one terrifies you,

 then pray right now that God will give you new eyes to see your husband as God does.

 Then open your mouth and say something kind and uplifting to your husband

 today and tomorrow and the next day until Valentine's Day arrives!

Of all things~

I went to the bookshelf last night and

pulled out

Fall in Love and Stay in Love

by Willard F. Harley, Jr.

and started re-reading it.

I highly recommend this one. 

***

We plan to celebrate our

 25 years of marriage this year.

I'm hoping to

rekindle, restoke, renew

 and whatever else

I can do to keep the love alive.