Green Thumb or Dirty Fingers?

Some people just seem to have the gift of a green thumb--although I have come to the conclusion that a lot of the "green thumbness" is about simply being willing to get one's fingers dirty and plant a garden.  

Today Hannah and I spent a couple hours up at our friend's garden hoeing, planting, and mulching--

because basically, if you sow, you reap. 

Therefore, if you want green beans, corn, beets, or zucchini, you probably should get outside, till the garden, buy seeds, and hoe rows to plant. 

Or you plant perennials like rhubarb, asparagus, and mint, and tend, fertilize, and water them so that they abound each year. 

Otherwise, the most likely thing that will happen is that you will have to purchase your vegetables at the produce section of Walmart or King Sooper or WinCo or some other grocery chain store. 

I am not so sure that a lush garden is about having a green thumb so much as about simply doing the work. 

Our friend Mathel has a beautiful garden every year, but this year, after cancer surgery on both herself and her husband last year, she just isn't able to have much of a garden. That meant we decided to step up to help her, and she allowed us to have the bigger part of her garden to plant ourselves. 

While Danny tilled for her a few weeks ago, I went around admiring the fruit tree blossoms and caught this scene of him tilling in the background with the cherry blossoms in the foreground. I can't get enough of the beauty around Mathel's humble little home. She shows me the newest blooming (or about-to-bloom plant or flower each time I go, from tulips and grape hyacinths to hen-and-chicks or peonies or bleeding heart bush that she thought died last year but has resurrected.

I stood by helping and watching every detail to see how she did things. Did this lady with a green thumb plant each tiny carrot seed lovingly an inch apart? No, she scattered the carrot seeds and had it done in a matter of less than a minute. She didn't act loving or fond of the seeds or the soil; she didn't coo or sing to the plants (as I've heard of some people doing in their greenhouses, more power to them).

She just got out there and got the job done. Then while we planted our part of the garden, she pruned the suckers coming up around the fruit tree or bush. Those things don't produce fruit; they just suck the energy out of the real, fruit-bearing branches of the tree. 

So they had to go! 

Snip! Snap! And they were gone. 

Here was a strawberry blossom on one of her three strawberry plants at the far end of the garden, a token of stillness and beauty in the middle of a boisterous and stormy world. 

And today, this lady minus a green thumb but boasting dirty fingers, felt a gamut of emotions as I gardened and watched. 

So many memories flooding back of gardening back when I was a teenager and in my 20's at home.

And then I stood, with emotions tangling, just feeling the peace of being out in nature, in the middle of a garden, watching the robins coming to search for worms, and feeling a closeness to God that I hadn't felt in a long time. 

Does God draw near to dirty fingers minus a green thumb,

when we don't sense a gift inside us for what we are doing but just get busy and do it the best we can?

Does He meet us in an unexpected garden in the middle of the soggy mulch we are spreading and the holes we are digging for tomato plants?

Lord, bless every dirty finger today that gets out and plants good, life-giving seeds of whatever kind whether it be garden plants or kindness or love or encouragement.

And turn those dirty fingers into green thumbs!

Mothers Day Specials

Mothers Day weekend had some special joys for me, 

including a picture with my two daughters in front of blooming lilacs near our church. 

Also this one with son Danny included.

This was also the weekend when my middle son Tim was best man at his friend Hunter Saylor's wedding at Ranch Haven in Colorado.

Here's a photo he sent of himself with the groom behind him and the other groomsmen, Nathan, and Josiah.

Rose sent a few photos of the ceremony.

She and Tom got this snapshot at the same gazebo where their wedding pictures had happened last June! Now she is almost to give birth to their first baby! Just two or three more weeks!

Mothers Day morning Tim messaged me a happy mothers day and sent this picture of his pork chops browning in his oven in the glass casserole dish I had sent with Rose and Tom last week for a housewarming gift for him. (By the way, he was so amazed a few weeks ago, after closing on a home in Crawford, CO, to have the ladies of his church shower him with a bunch of housewarming gifts! Bless their gizzards!) I was happy to see my extra, new casserole dish already being used!

Mothers Day evening at Hope Family Chapel the two high school graduates, our Hannah and Jonah Musser, were honored with star quilts. 

And last but not least, my nephew who is spending a few months in Africa filling in for missionaries on deputation, sent me this picture of him with seven young people who recently gave their hearts to Jesus. I have been praying for these seven, and even though I'm not their mom, it warmed my heart to receive this photo of the seven on Mothers Day. 

A Young Child Worships--but Do I?

Sunday a week ago found several of my family and me attending the worship service at the church in Kiowa where Sam and Caitlyn and her family attend. I've been curious about the church ever since Sam started attending there. 

One has to be up early Sunday morning to arrive in time for the 9:00 morning service! Rose was up early, making delicious baked blueberry oatmeal. Despite our best efforts, somehow we were just a wee bit late, but we slipped into seats at church near family and friends who had decided to visit along with us. A preliminary worship song was being sung, followed by announcements and a rich message about how Jesus brings peace. And then the worship music, Caitlyn's mom explained later, follows the message as the people's response to the Word of God.

It was a new church for me, and unusually large, and I didn't know anyone there except Caitlyn's family and a couple friends who recently began attending. So I felt a little like this turtle that Tom brought back to Rose from his time in Maryland where he was helping to pack and deal with his grandmother's belongings. 

Tom just knew Rose would love these turtle and hedgehog planters, so he saved them from disposal otherwise and brought them all the way back to Colorado where they could hold her marigolds and violas, all the time their eyes bugging out at company. So there I was, standing during worship music at Majestic View Church, listening to new renditions of old hymns, thinking about the words, wondering what was appropriate personal worship in this new setting (hopefully not with bug eyes!). 

That is when I noticed the young child just ahead of me in the next row. We were singing "I need Thee, oh, I need Thee," a new tune to the words of an old hymn that was one of the earliest hymns my mom and dad taught us children when I was growing up. And suddenly that child's hand was in the air. 

"I need Thee, oh, I need Thee! Every hour I need Thee!"

The girl's other hand suddenly slipped around her father next to her, who noticed and looked down at her. She looked quietly up at him, her other hand still in the air. 

And he broke down. His arm slipped around her, too, and his other hand went up in the air, too. 

"I need Thee every hour; stay Thou nearby.

Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh. 

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee!

Every hour I need Thee! Oh, bless me now, my Savior;

I come to Thee!"

The two worshipped, arms around each other, hands raised to heaven, swaying just a little bit, 

gently, while the dad (and more than one person standing behind them) wiped tears.

How should I worship in this new church or any church for that matter? Is it okay to lift my hands, to cry, to respond to the words of the song with something besides stoicism?

"A little child shall lead."

"I need Thee, every hour, Most Holy One.

Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son!"

Yours, like the girl belonged to her father,

Yours, like the father belonged to the little girl. 

"I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;

Come quickly and abide, or life is vain. 

I need Thee, oh I need Thee.

Every hour I need Thee! Oh, bless me now, my Savior;

I come to Thee!"

Tornado, Tulips, and National Day of Prayer

About a week and a half ago, on April 27th, a tornado over a mile wide tore through an area south of us, the Sandhills of Nebraska. A column in the local paper, Farmer and Rancher Exchange, told how uneducated comments on storm chaser posts were saying, "Thank goodness, it happened in the middle of nowhere."

People who lived in the affected area differed with those commentors--including us. At one of our SIM churches in St. Francis, the roof blew away from the shed and has not been found. Other roofs were torn off or severely damaged in the same community. Our own basement had water pouring inside from two different places. In Bingham, NE, an entire train of 130 cars was toppled except for the engine. Ranch buildings and equipment, fences, and windbreaks received much damage. "Nowhere" was actually "WHERE your food comes from," one rancher stated. It is also WHERE our mission operates. Praise God for four men from the reservation who showed up to work that next day and helped Jonathan fix the roof of the church shed. 

A prettier scene was in the courtyard of the cancer center where Jonathan and I had an appointment a couple weeks ago. Just five tulips, but they were so beautiful I had to take a picture of them. 

Tulips in the middle of my own personal tornado. 

Thank You,  Lord!

The flags were beautiful that day as well, fluttering in the breeze outside the same cancer center--fluttering on despite the tornadoes happening in the political and international world. 

On May1st, the National Day of Prayer, Mrs. Ambrose organized a time of prayer at the flagpole at the courthouse in White River. We ladies attended, along with others, thirteen in all, not bad for a very small town. 

Mrs. Ambrose read a National Day of Prayer proclamation, reminding us that the first Thursday in May was proclaimed a National Day of Prayer by Harry Truman and turned into law in Congress in 1952.

How few people actually observe this day! I know I have often forgotten about it, or been uninformed. It was wonderful to have someone organize a prayer event. Hannah took her guitar so we could all sing, "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less than Jesus' blood and Righteousness."

Prayer focused on the military, the media, education, families, and churches. 

It was good to be part of this simple but meaningful event.

My Niece Esther's Wedding

Last weekend, my niece Esther, Dorcas's daughter, married Zach. 

The groomsmen were his three brothers, and the bridesmaids were Esther's three sisters.  

I watched the live stream.  

There I was, wrapped in a blanket and hat, because the windows had to be open that cool morning to air the allergens out of our house.

Another brother sent a photo of my mom watching the livestream with him, too. Happy times in our clan!

My sister Dorcas sent several pictures. Here is Esther, about to go down the aisle on her father's arm. 

The minister's message reminded us all, new or old couples, that our marriages are supposed to reflect the relationship between Christ and His church. That is a high goal to live up to. I had to pray for myself, that I would do a better job of my part in our marriage. 

The new young couple, Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins

The much older couple--still a couple!--my dear sister Dorcas and her husband Ben. 

Bridal Shower for Sam's Fiance Caitlyn

Yesterday Sam's fiance Caitlyn was blessed with a beautiful, happy bridal shower! 

I had been afraid I'd not be able to attend, but in the end, I was able to travel down to Colorado with Danny, Hannah, and Crystal to join Rose and Carrie at the shower at Caitlyn's church. (Danny worked with his brother-in-law Tom and brother Sam while we ladies attended the shower!)

It was hosted by two of Caitlyn's friends and Brianna, Caitlyn's sister-in-law, who has been recently blessed, after about 16 years of infertility, with a beautiful little baby girl. "Our miracle baby!" Caitlyn's mom Brenda tells me over and over. (Crystal and I got to visit a while with Brianna today at the Sunday dinner the Kellys invited us to, as they had most of the family in plus us!)

But back to the shower. Here we're addressing envelopes to ourselves, as requested, so it will be easier for Caitlyn to send thank yous! It was good to see my friend Mary Hagerty again, Tom's mom. 

A few simple decorations made the event festive. "Caitlyn's off the market!" announced this banner over the wonderful refreshments. There was hardly a single food there that I was not allowed to eat! How wonderful to be able to enjoy a couple slices of homemade, gluten-free, sourdough bread along with veggies, fruits, and gluten-free crackers with various cheeses. 

Caitlyn and other relatives must eat gluten-free, so I am not alone with this dietary difference.

"Miss to Mrs," cheered this swag. 

It was good to meet Caitlyn's 90-year-old (or is it 90 plus) paternal grandmother, her only living grandparent at this time. Grandma Kelly was enthralled with the joy of holding one of her newest grandbabies. 

The baby's mom is Caitlyn's older sister Meagan who traveled with her whole family back for the wedding from their mission in Zambia, the mission where Sam went on his medical mission trip last year. That is where he learned much more about the Kelly family and later decided to ask Caitlyn's father for permission to date Caitlyn. 

I would have liked to take lots more photos, but as it was, I was borrowing one phone after another, since mine doesn't take good pictures, and I preferred to be in the moment and relating to people around me instead of glued to a phone or intimidating other people by taking pictures! In this photo above, Caitlyn has opened Carrie's gift of a clothespin apron with clothespins. We learned recently that Cait was hoping to hang some laundry outdoors in the summer, so of course, someone had to make her a Morley/Lucas specialty--a clothespin apron! 

As Caitlyn opened gifts, one of her best friends and bridesmaid-to-be collected tissue wrap or a bow from each gift and created a bouquet for Caitlyn to use at the rehearsal (coming up in just a few weeks!)

Caitlyn's niece, Ashlyn, from Zambia, loved bringing gifts to Caitlyn to open--and also loved posing with a huge smile for her mom!

The little girls must have saved this big box for one of the last because it was big and heavy--a Kitchen Aid mixer! It took two of them to bring it to Caitlyn. I had seen Kitchen Aid mixer of the color cardamom on Caitlyn's bridal shower registry, and knew almost right away that was what I really wanted to give her. I didn't notice till later that it was marked "Most Wanted," but when we had some puppy money come in, Jonathan and I decided that is what we wanted to give Caitlyn for a wedding or bridal shower gift--and I ordered exactly the one she wanted to make sure it was the right color for her color-coordinated kitchen. And when her mouth dropped open, and she gasped, "What I wanted most!" I lost it. In no way had this mother of the groom planned to cry, but that is just what I did!  All I could do was sit there wiping tears from my eyes, and feeling kind of anything but in control. I just felt so happy that we got to be the ones to gift this to our first daughter-in-law!

Only a few hours earlier, I had been outside Rose's little home wrapping the big box on the back of Tom's truck, trying unsuccessfully to wrap it really nice. Somehow the box was not centered on the wrapping paper, and I had to patch in one spot while the other side overlapped too much. 

As if that was not enough wrong, as I tried to place the box in the back of the Honda, rushing a bit because we were trying to do too much that morning, to my utter dismay, it fell out and landed in the mud!

I nearly had a heart attack, but thankfully only a corner of the package got a little mud on it, and thankfully it was not terribly wet mud, and I was able to clean it off well, and hopefully, I thought, no one would ever know. 

(Though now everybody knows because I can't possibly keep things like that off my blog.)

It was a comfort I was not the only one dismayed by a disaster with a gift. Caitlyn's pastor's wife, who shared a delightful devotional about the importance of contentment with simplicity in making a house a home, showed me the tin cups she had purchased for Caitlyn. She had based some of her devotional on quotes from books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, especially the statement about how little Laura was so very excited about being so very rich with an orange, a piece of candy, mittens, a tin cup, and a single penny for Christmas! So (along with a set of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books and a devotional book) pastor's wife had ordered two tin cups for Caitlyn--and one arrived scraped and damaged! 

She and I totally related to one another about dismay over the gifts we had so lovingly tried to give with perfection--only to have some sort of disaster happen! So even if the little disaster didn't happen for any other reason, her little disaster comforted me about my own disaster! I was not alone in trying so hard and having something awful happen!

Caitlyn and her older sister. 

Caitlyn and her mother who has already been a sweet friend to me, sending me real letters snail mail and keeping in touch about wedding plans. 

I feel so blessed to have wonderful mothers-in-law for my married daughter and soon-to-be-married son. How was I so blessed? I know for one thing, I don't deserve that, but I hope I can be a good mother-in-law to their children as well. 

All of us Lucas ladies are delighted to include Caitlyn in our family. She was just beautiful yesterday, and added to it is that she is a girl of excellent character and so respectful and kind to us. 

"You son is in good hands," Caitlyn's grandma told me at the end of the shower as I told her how glad I was to get to meet her. "He is in good hands."