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February 2016, a short month but nevertheless a learning month! Linking up with Emily P. Freeman, here we go…
Lesson #1. Add sports to the topics not to be discussed on Facebook. i.e. the poor sportsmanship of certain Super Bowl players. #Iwasputinmyplace.
Lesson #2. I am glad I was not chosen to be Moses. Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers, y’all. Have you ever? How did he remember all those rules and rituals without a computer or a smart phone? (insert winking face!)
Lesson #3. God is into details. I mean D E T A I L S. As in even underwear…LINEN underwear…Exodus 28.42-43
Lesson #4. When on vacation, why take pictures of people when you can fill your lens with these beauties:
Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge – Pink Spoonbill
Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge – the White Ibis
Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge – Al. E. Gator.
Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge – a huge wild Boar.
Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge – Ants, anyone? The Armadillo
Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge – a very handsome Hawk (not sure what kind)
My sister’s neighborhood – the Sandhill Crane
My mom-in-love’s deck: a Leaf Cicada with broken leg.
Palm Beach in an undisclosed, secret place – A Classic Great Horned Owl – & his name is Solomon.
Lesson #5. This little guy is the best road tripper EVER…oh yeah, I already knew this!
Lesson #6. Another thing I already knew, and confirmed over and over again…I love these guys!
Lesson #7. And, my friends, this one causes me great grief. While we were away vacaying, I learned my dear friend passed away. She was 69 years old. We shared the same row at church for over ten years. We worshiped together. We praised together. We cried together. We prayed together. We giggled together. We got the “you two behave” look from our pastor, together! We loved one another – a lot. She was a very private person in her personal life. She loved missions and she loved children. She was a giver with a kind spirit. She was a private person. And to that end, I’ve learned my greatest lesson this month of February 2016. You see, I’m a private person too but I have learned when you are ill and not up to par, or looking your best, and your house isn’t in the best shape because you’re too sick to do anything…don’t keep your dear friends away – don’t forbid them to visit you, to do things for you, to serve you. Because as badly as the sick person is feeling, the others in your life NEED to do something tangible for you. Don’t allow privacy to become pridefulness. My friend would not “let me in” and, today, that causes a grief and sadness even beyond losing her. It is a lesson I needed to learn, and learn it, I have.
What did you learn in February?
xo
The wonderful Lenten Season story of Malchus is available FREE this week at Amazon. Please take advantage of the offer HERE and read it to the children in your world – or to yourself and have HOPE restored!
Some exciting and sobering lessons there. Amen to the last one, something I’ve witnessed and grieved as well. Love the pictures and the humorous quips, cheered my morning! Blessings from #TellHisStory
Bethany so glad it brought JOY!
Well put, my Friend!! Especially the Leviticus and the law references. My sweet man and I usually chuckle as we make our way through it! And the details…well…being a somewhat (insert wink) loosely recovering OCD perfectionist, I love the details!
XO
Tammy
Stay in recovery, my friend, it’s worth it!!! INSERTING WINK. 😉
Gorgeous photos. I would love to see those beauties up close. The dog looks so sweet. My heart hurts with you about losing your dear friend. Thank you for the life lesson of being open to letting others help. I am not good at this but after a message at church on Sunday, I know it is an area I need to work on.
Mary, YOU would be in heaven at the wildlife refuge – so much beauty to behold. This “privacy” thing? Let’s help one another, ok?
Oh Susi! Love this. I’m so sorry about your sweet friend. Its a lesson we all need to learn, let our friends in when we hurt. That’s a gift from our Lord…Friends. Love all the pictures They are breath taking. Love ya, honey!
HM, I will always let you in!
…apparently we can keep people out while not realize it…
…I learned that I kept people out this past summer re my encounter with breast cancer and never realized it…
…sorry to be hurtful to people whom are loved…
…learned that the word BRAVE is to be my word this year….BRAVE whether it’s getting on the phone to contact someone or to step out into something really different than my personality to wear: I now wear cowgirl boots a lot…who would have thought such a thing…
…I’ve learned more about the Sovereignty of God…rather than be confused or fearful…learning to embrace it with great joy…
…I’ve learned kindness goes further than harshness…especially between spouses…
…there isn’t time, space or interest in all I learned during the month of February…I’m just glad the LORD hasn’t stopped teaching…
A hearty AMEN to that last paragraph, my friend!!!
Glad you n hubs so enjoyed our wildlife (God’s way of stopping to smell the roses) along with the friends n family. I would love to have hooked up for lunch. Next trip for sure you call us!!! So sorry you lost your dear friend. Wish she would have known to reach out. Have a wonderful day. Hugs
Merry, promise next year we hook up!!! Lord willing and the world doesn’t implode!
Valuable lessons learned here, friend. I’m so sorry about your dear friend’s passing. I wish you could have said goodbye better.
Also the whole Leviticus/Numbers thing – WHEW!!!! I always feel like I’m wading through these books. Struggling, even. And yes, God even cares about underwear – great point!!!
Love ya, sis.
Gigi…soon, very soon, we will fellowship around your table. xo
Hmm, what a sobering lesson from your friend. So sorry for your loss. 🙁
Thank you Melissa…
Dear Susan … I’m so sorry for the loss of this dear sister of yours. I hear your heartbreak and sorrow. May His comfort overwhelm your grief with peace …
Linda, such kind words and thank you for your continued encouragement. xo
Susan, I so enjoyed this post in both word & photo. Some powerful lessons in a very short month 🙂 Blessings!
Thank you very much Joanne.
Susz
I learned that visiting with friends is one of the greatest joys in this life. I learned that sometimes there is a lot to do and you just have to put 1 foot in the front of the other and walk ahead. And I learned that sometimes good
Friends are willing to jump in and help! The load is much lighter with friends along side.
I am so sorry that you lost one of
yours. But I am glad that You were very blessed with her friendship.
I’m glad we are REAL friends, Ali, speaking truth to one another and being willing to HELP! I love you.
Oh friend, I am so sorry that she didn’t let you in. But I am glad that you had each other as friends. That was a great blessing in its self. Oh and Super Bowl players and their actions. I am oblivious to what happened. I was too busy enjoying my first ever Disney anything experience! Great list again friend!
Be glad you missed it. Mickey Mouse is far more amusing than Super Bowl Drama.
I am afraid I might be someone like your friend if that day ever comes. Thank you for sharing that lesson with us.
I know that I hated watching my mom wither and die from cancer. Why would I put anyone through that? But then again, I’m not the one who should be making decisions for other people.
We all handle things differently. I know my mom (and many who visited her in those final days) received great joy from being able to reminisce and say goodbye.
In February I learned to appreciate my husband once again. Not that he has gotten less amazing over the many years of marriage, but I’ve been taking him for granted. Bad idea. Thank the Lord for setting me back on the right track!
Sharon, trust me – this whole “private person” thing? I am that person but I’m going to change NOW.
Thanks for sharing, Susan. I’m so sorry to hear that you lost a dear friend and at such a young age too! That’s gotta be so hard, especially since you weren’t able to minister to her in her final days. Love the photos, especially of your cute furry traveling buddy! 😉
Thank you Beth – my friend knew the Lord – that is the greatest peace and HOPE.
So sorry about your friend, Susan. (((((HUGS))))) My hubby says I am “too open”…..I don’t think I agree, but, let us just say that I am really not a very private person. I will “let you in” (friends….family)…..if you desire to be “let in”. I try not to share my intimate heart with those who have shown no care about such things. Hope that makes some sense.
Your trip looks like it was absolutely terrific and I LOVE the pictures, but, I’ll admit I would have loved to see more people……..PLUS the nature shots! I enjoy both equally, I guess.
What did I learn in February…..the month in 2016 when I had the privilege of celebrating my “16th birthday”…? I learned there is much value in making a commitment (and sharing that commitment openly with a group….in this case a class at church I’m attending)…….and the following through. I could go into more detail on this particular one, but, that really is what I think my #1 thing learned in Feb. 2016 is.
AND I am also one who wades through and stumbles through those OT books you spoke of.
Love you! Keep on sharing!
I’ll keep on sharing! I want to know more though about the commitment. 😉
Susan, I loved this post. I’m so sorry about your friend. It’s a good lesson to us all to be willing to let people in even when we are not at our best. Blessings to you and may God give comfort in your loss! Love you!
Gayl, thank you friend.
Susan, I laughed at number 2 and nearly cried at number 7. Sorry to hear about your loss but the lesson you learned really hits me, as I’m sure it will others. I do wonder what March has in store for all of us. I can’t believe it’s already here! Blessings to you on this Wednesday.
Crystal, glad we can laugh and cry all in the same post!!! Our March is coming in like a lion here in NW North Carolina!
So sorry for your loss, Susan. What sweet memories you share and there is a lesson there for all of us. Looks like you had some great fun in February and got to share it with some special people – and birds. 😉
Lots of special people but I always forget to take pictures! Crazy, huh?
I really like this post, Susan….love hearing about your trip and I am “with you” about photos of neat things versus people standing in front of neat things. I was especially touched by the story of your friend who died. I learned a similar lesson when a close friend of mine died in 2006. Not only did she not have people in, her family actually encouraged her not to and made it nearly impossible to see her before she died.
Pam, then you share my angst. Very sad.
I love your pictures too. Congrats on your trip. I am sorry too that you lost a dear friend. I will pray for you today.
Thank you, Mary. I’m sorry too.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend, Susan. I’m lifting you up in prayer. I was lucky enough to see a few Roseate Spoonbills when I was back east two summers ago–they are so much fun to watch! Your hawk looks like a Sharp-shinned hawk. Beautiful photos!
Thank you, Anita…it’s a toss up between Sharp-shinned or Cooper’s!
Beautiful photos, Susan. The picture of your dog makes him look very much like our maltipoo.
I’m so sorry about the loss of your friend. Thank you for sharing from your heart about this painful but valuable lesson.
Renee, I bet you love your Malti as much as we love our Sam!!!