Just thought I’d put a picture here to show that I actually did have irises in my front yard. . . before the frost. . .

Today I just have gunky-looking stubs growing out there. I’m happy I got to see what the iris bed actually looked like this year though – I’ve never seen it in bloom before. The first year I planted them too late to bloom, and last year we were gone.

There were quite a few that hadn’t bloomed yet. I’m hoping they will still bloom later, but if not, that’s ok. There were a ton of white buds too, but I’m pretty sure the frost got those. I like knowing what colors are in the garden though. When I got the irises, all I knew was that they were a mix of colors.

Guess I should have covered them up before it got so cold at night. . .

We did cover the tomato plants we set out last week, but the wind blew our covering off so we’re probably going to have to replant at least a couple of them. I’m thankful it’s still early in the growing season!

We had quite the surprise this week. Our alma mater has a section on their website for alumni, where we can post updates and email other grads through the site. They send out an email every month with a list of all who have updated their profiles that month.

We like the list because it’s a great way for us to see how our friends are doing, especially those whose contact information we no longer have. A couple of months ago, we noticed that there was a couple who had been called to start a church here in our little town.

When we went back later to contact them, we couldn’t, for whatever reason. Then this month we were able to get in touch with them.

What a surprise – not only are they starting a church here in our town, but there are two other families here from the school that came with them, along with the parents of one of the couples. One of the families lives right about a mile away from our house, and their parents actually live 4 houses down from our house! You can actually see their property from ours.

I was able to meet some of the ladies Thursday evening and it was so fun. It was neat to be able to make some new friends who live so close!

I suppose after this morning I’d better only allow myself to drink coffee at the computer with a lidded cup. I reached up to gesture while talking with Stephen and knocked over my coffeecup. Unfortunately it was still mostly full and the thing holds a good 16 ounces. The coffee soaked my keyboard – I’m surprised that it works, but I’m thankful. We do have an extra keyboard sitting around here somewhere though that I could use if this decides that my coffee was too much for it.

You’d think I would have learned when I spilled red Kool-Aid on it a year ago, but no. I just went and brewed another pot to replace what we mopped up. The coffeepot just beeped to tell me my happy juice (that’s what Little man calls my coffee) is done. And yes, Annie, I know you think I drink too much coffee. :O) And no, I’m not going to cut back. I love coffee. I am going to hunt down one of my travel mugs though – we only have 5 or 6 of them. :O)

I guess I’m glad I use Splenda in my coffee – at least it’s not a sticky mess!

I just added two new necklaces to the store. The first is one of my favorites. It’s made of genuine freshwater pearls and amethyst chips, Swarovski crystal, silver beads, and opalescent seed beads. The Faith Necklace costs $39.95.

The second necklace is a very simple and understated design. It is a combination of silver and Swarovski crystal. I like it because it can be worn with everything. The price for the Simplicity Necklace is $19.95.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

God has been answering our prayers so mightily the past few days.

When we moved back here, we didn’t have a lawnmower. We have a pretty big yard so not having one wasn’t an option. We began praying for a lawnmower. Stephen came home from a men’s fellowship Saturday evening to tell me that someone had given us a riding mower – and a brand far nicer than we would have been able to afford had we bought one. We would have been happy with a push mower, but that is a lot of work with our yard so we are very thankful for a riding mower.

As if that weren’t enough. . .God provided even more of our needs, in a way that far exceeded my expectations.

Since losing weight, I had very few clothes that actually looked nice anymore. Most of what I had was too baggy, so I started praying that God would provide. I had planned on doing some altering, but hadn’t had a chance to do much yet.

Yesterday at church a friend of mine came up to me to ask what size I wore and if I wanted some clothes that she had sitting around. I told her I didn’t think I could wear that size, but I’d love to try and see.

What she brought me was far beyond what I had in mind when I was praying. She brought me more clothes than I have had in years. I had so much fun trying them on when I got home! Almost all of the clothes fit me, and the few that didn’t fit were so close that I put them in a back closet for when I lose a little more weight. There were almost a dozen dresses, both casual and dressy, some jumpers, a few skirts, several cardigans, and a couple of blazers. She even brought me three pairs of shoes. I got a giggle out of the shoes – I needed a new pair of black dress shoes and the black pumps she gave me were brand new and fit perfectly!

She told me that she had been holding onto the clothes wondering what to do with them.

I just kept saying, “Oh wow!” over and over as I tried on the clothes. God has answered my prayers exceeding abundantly above anything that I had imagined!