Delaney Looks Back So She Can Look Forward

Every time I start one of these ladies I wonder what in the world she will turn out looking like.

Just one little shadow here or there can make them look totally different than they would otherwise.

It makes me cognizant of the way God made each one of us--the fact that he was there in our mother's womb when we were knit together (Psalm 139)--the same hands that hurled the planets into space, that set the earth on its axis, and crocheted billions of stars into exquisite doilies that light up the night sky, these same hands knit us together.  Just a little purl stitch here, a little slip stitch there and we all are different and unique.

To me Delaney has a far away look in her eyes--I like to think that this verse is what she is thinking about-- Psalm 91:3-6 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

So looking back over our lives--the things He has done for us--the way He has seen us through every trial and tribulation that tried to consume us--the looking back and seeing His faithfulness is our shield and rampart.

Only when we look back and see His steadfast love, mercy, faithfulness and goodness do we have the courage to forge ahead into an unknown future.

Be encouraged today, my friend, and take a gentle look back in the rearview mirror of your life and I am sure you will find the memory of faithfulness you need to break the barrier of tomorrow's fears and doubts.

© all photographs, art and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

Delaney was started as a watercolor and enhanced in Photoshop

 

Every Good And Perfect Gift

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

Linking to

Backyard Tour

We've had a fairly mild summer this year and we are finding that it sure helps the lushness.

We transplanted this Dusty Miller this year and it has grown so much I can't believe it--and even has little yellow blooms on it--we've had it several years but this is the first time we've ever had the yellow blooms.

The green foliage to the right is a white lily--it is so delicate and pretty--blooms in early spring.

This grass (not sure what variety) is getting huge.

The Shade Garden--azaleas, hostas, camelias, and ferns are located here--

The Butterfly Bush and the potting bench--I think I've showed you this one before--

I love Asian jasmine--

Clematis

Knock-Out Rose bush that is overtaking the area.

Solomon's Seal--love, love, love it--

We planted a couple of little plants a few years ago and it just pops up here and there in the beds.

Starburst lilies and windchimes

We had hundreds of gardenia blooms this year--I took these pictures after they had finished blooming.

Hope you enjoyed the tour of our backyard.  To be in the middle of the city, we are blessed to have a beautiful backyard.  It is very private and had good bones when we moved in but we've done a lot of work to it--transplanted more bushes than you would ever want to know about.

We live on a fairly busy street but here in the backyard you can hardly hear a car going by--I don't know how that can be except the house acts as a barrier, I suppose, and our lot slopes up from the street and that may help some also.

My favorite backyard would be to live on a coastline but this will do in the meantime--we are blessed.

Thank you, Lord.

Linking to Friday Finds

and to Wow Us Wednesdays

and to

Common Ground (Be Inspired)

I Love Wednesdays--

Ipromise I won't make a steady diet of the collages but wanted to share this one with you.

 This is what my day consisted of today--driving the 45 minutes or so to the Ranch and teaching for an hour and then visiting with the guys.

 God is so good, so awesome, so faithful.

 When He shows up in all His glory, it is so awesome.

 I love to hear what the guys have to say about God.

 It blesses me so much I can hardly stand it.

 Today they spoke of His faithfulness, His love, His Worthiness. and His plans--

yes, plans for us to succeed--

plans for us to have a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

View From the Hammock

Just a fun Instagram photo I posted.

 Wrinkles--please don't judge--ha--the texture I put on this magnified 'em a whole bunch although I have plenty to go 'round.

 Love you all. Have a great day.

I love Psalm 84

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted