Happiness is. . .

Dear Friends,

We extend a warm welcome to all of our new friends who may have recently come upon us, and thank you so much for your sweet comments, as always! We had to laugh at Lady Farmer's comment on the last post; eating baby robins, eew! :) The robins made their nest in our neighbor's poplar tree, four feet off the ground, which makes us nervous about cats. We've been taking pictures of them every other day, and are amazed at how fast they've grown!

Here they are at four days~

~And already getting their feathers in at six days.

Mama robin does not appreciate the photo shoot!

In between rain, snow, and high winds, we've been having lots of fun going for nature walks in our favorite spots~

And finding lots of interesting "mutant" dandelions!

This one had three "heads"!

And these had three and eight!

The more we learn about nature and the wonders of God's world, the more amazed we are at the sheer variety within each and every species; truly we ourselves are each unique and have our own gifts to offer the world!

As far as job and baby news, Mr. Graham is still patiently waiting to hear back on several offers, and we are now officially one week from our due date. Things are bound to get mighty interesting around here :) ! We are still full of faith that the Lord has a plan for this little family, that He will reveal in His own due time. How wonderful to know that we are not the ones in charge of our lives, but that One who is perfect and knows what is best for us, is indeed leading and guiding us always.

May you also be blessed with the peace "which passeth understanding", in whatever situation you may be. Know that you are loved more than you could ever imagine.

***************************

"Hate"

I used to hate to sweep the floors and mop and scrub and dust.
I used to hate to wash and iron and wonder why I must;
The dishes too, that awful task, that came three times a day.
I sometimes thought I'd call a strike, or maybe run away.

A gray-haired neighbor came one day, when I was all upset
With churning, baking, washing, and dinner yet to get.
I told her how I hated it, my life was but a grind;
She smiled and said perhaps my trials were mostly in my mind.

I doubted her, and yet her hair was white as driven snow.
She'd lived a heap more years than I, and surely ought to know.
"These tasks are not so hard," she said, "I've done them all my life."
It's just because you hate, my dear, that causes all the strife."

I thought perchance she might be right, and so I tried her scheme
And brought about such changes it seems just like a dream;
I ceased to hate and lo, behold! my home became a shrine of love.
And all the hated humble tasks seemed like blessings from above.

~Agnes Just Reid