I am home and must say that I MISSED you all very much. As I lay awake last night this post came to me so bear with me as I share some pictures and a story:).
I realize that I have shared the picture of the 'Loaves and Fish' patio that I built a few weeks ago but it's part of the story:). I built this one afternoon with some leftover supplies. I used crushed gravel to fill in between the pavers. With only four buckets left from a previous project I began to empty the gravel onto the patio when I realized that there was not nearly enough to finish the project. Disappointed, I realized I would have to call hubby to bring some more home after work. But I had another thought. I asked God to please give me just enough gravel to finish the project (I realize that this is an unimportant project in the grand scheme of things but I talk to God all day anyway so it just seemed natural to ask for help:). It was really amazing as I continued to spread the gravel-there seemed to be more and more of it. Once finished, the pavers were filled and I shoveled enough gravel to fill half a bucket! It reminded me so much of the 'loaves and fish' parable that I now call the patio the 'loaves and fish' patio. Faith in all things carries you a long way. The patio is an insiginificant part of life but it goes to show that God is there in all circumstances.
But then...
The true circumstances of life become all too real.
Fractured skull, cracked bone in the neck, removal of the spleen, fractured pelvis, broken bones in the back, ER, airlifted to another hospital, drug induced coma, serious but stable...
these were the words that welcomed me home as my mother-in-law and her fiancee had been in a horrific car accident Friday night. The injuries were not 'life threatening' but serious none-the-less.
Mother-in-law was in the hospital with injuries to pelvis and back while her fiancee had been airlifted to another hospital where emergency surgery removed his spleen and a drug induced coma would keep him confortable. As of Saturday morning the fractured skull and crack to his neck were a concern and surgeries were predicted for both he and my mother-in-law.
Prayers began.
By Sunday morning surgery was no longer an option for mother-in-law-PT would be pursued instead. Fiancee (a fabulous wonderful man that we adore) was taken off of life support and neck surgery was no longer being considered. A neck brace for several weeks would be the treatment. He was talking and asking about mother-in-law.
But then...
By Sunday night, his neck brace was removed-he was doing very well.
The power of prayer. The power of faith. Two people in a horrible accident with very significant injuries healing and getting stronger before our very eyes! Although there will be a long recovery and a good deal of therapy both are recovering nicely. The possibilities through God are endless! Prayer in all things makes a difference!
And so I leave you with this Bible passage,
"Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26, NIV
Got to go on a car ride...
Sat in mom's lap and watched the birds...
afternoon napping...
resting on the chair watching birds...
posed for more of mom's incessant picture taking...
boredom...
grooming...
napping...
got an itch...
more bird watching from mom's lap...
bird watching from the porch floor...
and another car ride home:).
I realize that I have shared the picture of the 'Loaves and Fish' patio that I built a few weeks ago but it's part of the story:). I built this one afternoon with some leftover supplies. I used crushed gravel to fill in between the pavers. With only four buckets left from a previous project I began to empty the gravel onto the patio when I realized that there was not nearly enough to finish the project. Disappointed, I realized I would have to call hubby to bring some more home after work. But I had another thought. I asked God to please give me just enough gravel to finish the project (I realize that this is an unimportant project in the grand scheme of things but I talk to God all day anyway so it just seemed natural to ask for help:). It was really amazing as I continued to spread the gravel-there seemed to be more and more of it. Once finished, the pavers were filled and I shoveled enough gravel to fill half a bucket! It reminded me so much of the 'loaves and fish' parable that I now call the patio the 'loaves and fish' patio. Faith in all things carries you a long way. The patio is an insiginificant part of life but it goes to show that God is there in all circumstances.
The true circumstances of life become all too real.
Fractured skull, cracked bone in the neck, removal of the spleen, fractured pelvis, broken bones in the back, ER, airlifted to another hospital, drug induced coma, serious but stable...
these were the words that welcomed me home as my mother-in-law and her fiancee had been in a horrific car accident Friday night. The injuries were not 'life threatening' but serious none-the-less.
Mother-in-law was in the hospital with injuries to pelvis and back while her fiancee had been airlifted to another hospital where emergency surgery removed his spleen and a drug induced coma would keep him confortable. As of Saturday morning the fractured skull and crack to his neck were a concern and surgeries were predicted for both he and my mother-in-law. 
By Sunday morning surgery was no longer an option for mother-in-law-PT would be pursued instead. Fiancee (a fabulous wonderful man that we adore) was taken off of life support and neck surgery was no longer being considered. A neck brace for several weeks would be the treatment. He was talking and asking about mother-in-law.
The power of prayer. The power of faith. Two people in a horrible accident with very significant injuries healing and getting stronger before our very eyes! Although there will be a long recovery and a good deal of therapy both are recovering nicely. The possibilities through God are endless! Prayer in all things makes a difference!
Today we toured the only tea plantation in the US-the Charleston Tea Plantation.
Shaded benches beneath ancient oak trees offer seating to those waiting to take the tour.
An old trolley used for tours is from Philadelphia.
The plantation was filled with beauty...
and acres of tea plants!
A small bridge leads to fields of tea.
Along the road we travel listening to the history of this marvelous tea plantation while warm breezes waft through the open windows of the trolley.
One of the ponds used for irrigation.
Another irrigation pond.
These are mature tea plants.
Young tea plants.
Once the trolley tour finishes we head to the tea building for the factory tour and a sampling of tea:).
One of the many steps in the tea process.
Talk about tea bags!
Everything the tea connosoire could want!
From the tea plantation we headed to see the Angel Oak tree.
This tree is said to be about 1500 years old.
The Angel Oak is majestic as well as graceful.
Hubby stands by the base of this ancient oak.
Sun dapples through the crooked branches.
From the Angel Oak tree we headed for the vineyard.
Hmmm...looks like someone was tasting too much of the wine!
Beautiful flowers bloom around this garden shed.
Grape vines grow amongst live oak trees.
Have a seat and enjoy the views.
Grape vines.
Let's go taste the wine:).
Hubby makes some friends:).
We tasted five varieties made at the vineyard.
After a long day of touring a tea plantation, viewing the majesty of the Angel Oak tree, and tasting some local wine we headed home. 