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Welcome!
Let's talk...
Step back in time, just a little, to when gathering on the porch to chat was a tranquil way to spend an afternoon.
the season of warmth is upon us!
We've waited for you! Do you know how wonderful you are?
Signs of spring
Where is Old Man Winter Now?
Sweet Aroma!
Spring has a way of enveloping all our senses. Beyond the first burst of color that appeases our sight, we can't help but take a deep breath. Go ahead, right now. Doesn't that sweet aroma of blooms just fill your soul? As I embrace this season, I'm reminded of the giant, and I do mean giant, lilac bush outside my childhood bedroom window. Intoxicating, its fragrance was like no other. It makes me wonder if I'm a pleasing aroma to others. Do I carry the fragrance of Christ? Do you?
The First Mow
In the Midwest we have an unspoken holiday, but photos of it flood Facebook as much as Christmas. It's called the "First Mow". The frozen earth is coming out of hibernation and emerging green and glorious and lush. That scent of fresh cut grass for the first time pulls me out of hibernation too! Surely, my friends, I'm not the only one. "While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, cold and heat...shall not cease." Genesis 8:22.
Stop and Smell the Roses
Well do you? Stop and smell the roses, I mean. Man, sometimes we get caught up in the rush of life and forget to do this. Sometimes it's life that catches us by no fault of our own. But these blooms are like spring cleaning for our soul, and their bursts of colors are a reminder that we've endured the dark, cold winter and have hope for something new! For some of us, it's more than winter we've endured, and we have HOPE for more than spring! Grab hold of that Hope. It's for you!
PORCH TIME ~ NO AGENDA
Porch Therapy Now in Session
It’s been a while. My heart's desire is to return to in-person porch time. Many of you know that other than an online presence, I haven't been able to have porch time because I'm still recovering from a life-threatening spell I had last summer. You can read more about "The Incident" in my blog below. I will say this though. My gratitude for God's mercy is deeper than I could ever put into words. He pulled me back when my life was slipping away. Likewise, the same is true for the gratitude and love of my family and friends. This is what porch time is all about -- life-giving fellowship. Fellowship can be another word for friendship. It's not always about laughter and lightheartedness with a glass of tea. Sometimes it's serious junk. Sometimes it's tears. Sometimes it's on your knees.
Most of you know I battle a great deal with health issues so I am keenly aware of those who are shut in. It was for that reason that started this website, to bring you all to “my porch”. I know what it’s like to be stuck, if you will, and have that sense of missing out. So, while I do have in-person porch time on my porch, I’m hopeful that my website brings hope and smiles to those who can’t be there. Because, life is better "on the porch".
Know this: You belong here. You matter. You are important. You are loved. Read that again. And again. Fred Rogers said it best when he said, "Won't you be, my neighbor?"
PORCH DECOR
The Changing of the Porches
As spring and summer come forth, the changing of the porches goes from dormant to vibrant!
All across America flower baskets are being hung, welcome mats are being placed and porch swings are being donned with fresh pillows. This charming porch is as sunny and bright as they come.
Your porch doesn't have to be picture perfect though. The key word is invitation. Wouldn't you love to be invited to sit here on this porch? How 'bout you do the inviting my friends? We can learn a lot from our porches. They all gleefully exclaim something different, but they all believe in the importance of compassion, kindness and encouragement...and so should we!
As spring emerges, porches everywhere are reclaiming their personalities and their arms are wide open for conversation!
Sun Tea, Prayer, & Porch time
Sun Tea
Porch Time
Sun Tea
Sun tea - a hundred year old recipe with just 3 ingredients: sun, tea bags, and water. Those are my kinds of recipes you guys! Simple. Can you see it? Folks sittin' here a century ago with a glass of tea in that porch swing?
Prayer
Porch Time
Sun Tea
I think of prayer the same way. The sweetest prayers are those right from the heart. God just wants us to talk to him. He yearns for it in the same way we yearn to gather on the porch and talk with our beloveds. Go to a bookstore and you'll find armfuls of books on "how to pray". Let's not complicate things people.
Porch Time
Porch Time
Porch Time
It sounds a lot like a country song: sun tea, prayer and porch time. Prayer is like sitting on the porch talking to your best friend with a nice glass of sun tea. Unhurried.
Uncomplicated.
Refreshing.
Summer Evenings
The Summer Symphony
The evening has cooled, the day has slowed, and the sound of summer begins its symphony. Toads and critters from the creek, crickets and many other "what is that" sounds serenade us. Lightning bugs dance for us, a falling star gives way to a wish, and God's creation makes itself known.
Sitting on the back porch to watch a summer storm roll in with bursts of lightning in the sky and deafening claps of thunder can be quite a show. It's much like the opening act on Broadway. Time goes by. Until one exceptionally thunderous loud boom bellows with a quick decision that "that one was close!" A furry of scurry ensues, almost comical, gathering blankets and tumblers of ice-tea in a flash, and we scamper back inside. But not without one last peek over the shoulder.
Let's be intentional about appreciating all that summer is worth!
Ps. 104:19 "He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down."
April Showers Bring.....Mud
Okay, yes, April showers do bring May flowers, but first it brings mud. And like life, sometimes lots of mud if I'm being honest.
But a spring rain can be refreshing, reassuring and even life-giving. "...he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth."
Hosea 6:3
Look at this sweet boy. (Yes, he's my grandlove!) He's finding pure JOY in the mud puddles. Notice how he's watching the splash and the ripples he created in the water? So simple yet so inspiring. We can learn a lot from the little ones.
Do we just see the mud or do we see joy?
We've all tossed a pebble into a lake and watched the ripple effect it made. What kind of ripple effect do we have on those around us?
Does it create that kind of joy?
Summer & Water Go Hand in Hand
Life-Giving Water
Water... In the summertime, it's delightful, playful and emits squeals of laughter. Whether from a water balloon, a garden hose, a pool or a lake, nothing beats a cool splash! The kids just love it. It also makes our garden thrive whether veggies, or flowers or fruit trees or ornamental grasses. It's also essential for us!
It's powerful.
It heals.
It's cleansing.
It's life-giving.
Spring up, oh well, within my soul,
Spring up, oh well, and make me whole.
Spring up, oh well, and give to me,
That life abundantly!
(Song lyrics from Numbers 21.)
One Nation Under God
God Bless America
I don't know about you guys, but one thing that comes to my mind when I think about summer is Memorial Day and the 4th of July. I love all the cookouts, warm weather, pool time and fireworks!
We celebrate by flying our flags all summer long. Maybe it's because the Midwest is so patriotic which is abundantly clear with fireworks galore. Maybe it's because my husband is a veteran along with many of our family and friends., Maybe it's just because we love America.
There's a lot of struggle going on right now, and I'm not going to get political. But I still love my country, I respect veterans and those serving now, and I cling to the hope that we are one nation under God.
Pray for our leaders for blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD. Ps 33:12. Pray for all in authority so that we can live peaceful lives marked by Godliness. 2 Tim 2:2.
About ME
PASSIONATE ABOUT JESUS. LOVE MY FAMILY FIERCELY. DEVOTED FRIEND. BLESSED.
I hope you got it by now that I love the Lord, my family, my friends, and this amazing creation. So what else? I'm pretty simple really. After about 20 years of children's ministry and teaching, God began to shift my passion and called me to women's ministry. I was a teacher at a Christian school, and also taught Sunday school, Awana, & served as a camp counselor. I've had the privilege now for over 10 years to help with women's events, lead a ladies' Bible study with some amazing women, and co-lead a couples' life group with my husband. We live in the Midwest, have two married sons, two lovely daughters-in-love, and five beautiful grandsons!
Lest you think I have a picture-perfect life, I don't. I have had a 45 plus year history of complex orthopedic issues, 16 surgeries, chronic pain & fatigue, many serious and life-threatening medical diagnoses, and blood cancer with no cure. But God.... Have you noticed that life stories often have a "but God did this" scene? But God has showered me with iconic moments, times of celebration, acts of kindness bestowed upon me, and opportunities to bless others.
I'm sure you can say the same.
Whether you gather on the porch, in the house, in the yard, in the garage, on the driveway, or in the barn, "porch time" is about making memories and being intentional about passing along your faith. It's about the kind of legacy you will leave. What will define your next stage of life? I hope it actively involves pointing others to Jesus.
More about all that to come. Let's get to know each other.
~Guest Book~
If you've sat on my porch but don't see your name, use the contact link above so I can add you!
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Family
Dale Matthew Heather Lucas Elijah Noah Taylor Adrienne Milo Dolly Tom John Donna L Antoinette Suzanne Glen Liz Joshua Alexandria Kay Marge Marvin Gwen Dean Elise Raymond Sue Jesse Lorie John N Elmer Hannah Mac Angie Mary E Mark E Bob Jenny
Bible Study Gals
Donna Jackie Judy Joan Cindy H Gail Claudia Joanie
Denise T Denise C Shelly Diane J Susan Sherry Diane D Tracy Pat Debbie Marcia
Life Group Couples
Tom Sara Roberta Mike Stan Diane Norm Laurie Jeff Reba Cindy Jake Roger Kathy Tim Carol Cindy B Todd Forrest Sonia Trina Dale Cathy Tom
Special Beloved Friends
Kathy Tony Nancy Victoria Josiah Lincoln Vicki Ron Jennifer Sheldon Brigitte
Terri Trevor Deb Rhonda Tabitha Ron Lois Nicole Mark Donell Mav Kaylee Kendra Val Laurie Rhonda John L Tom Joanie Sue M Sharon Hugh Dianna Denise R Bonnie Phil Davis Brittany Tim Clara Tim K James Lynda Damon Jenny Matt R Jon R Michelle Pat Joe
In Memory Of
Darlene Johnson * Kris Hood