Summer Afternoon

It's hot out today, 97 in the shade. There is a little breeze which helps make it bearable when you are out working. The goats have sought the shady spots in the pasture, just laying about chewing their cuds. The chickens seem to be seeking shelter from the sun under the trees too.

I hung clothes up early this morning, washing them late last night just before I went to bed so I could get them out on the line first thing this morning. This kind of summer heat can be hard on the clothes. The sun is so strong. Everything was dry in less time than it takes a clothes dryer to do the job. I hung out a pair of bright red long johns, made me dream of cold weather when such garments are a blessing to have on under your clothes. I had found them in a stack of clothes that somehow didn't make it up to the attic for storage. It made me smile watching them dance around in the breeze, the air scented lightly with the fragrance of the Italian pine mixed with the smell of sweet ripe peaches needing to be picked from the trees.
Each and every day I count my blessings that I have time to enjoy the small simple things of life.

Enjoying the marvels of creation that show me over and over how much God loves me.

Lately I have been re-reading books that Emery and I read together early in our marriage, when we were seeking wisdom on what sort of things really matter. Its been eye opening to see so many concepts that we took to heart, buried in our hearts and even now, nearly 32 years later, we see how influenced we were by what we read and how much it has impacted almost every aspect of our lives. Wise words that told us how to live and what is really important. Looking back at it all now, the path we chose according to what we prayed about and what we took in as solid guidance has made all the difference in the world.

I smiled as I re-read these words, looking around at our simple furnishings and realizing what influenced us to live this way..

"Furnish your home with things plain and simple, things that will bear handling, that can be easily kept clean, and that can be replaced without great expense. By exercising taste, you can make a very simple home attractive and inviting, if love and contentment are there. {AH 150.3}Happiness is not found in empty show. The more simple the order of a well-regulated household, the happier will that home be. {AH 150.4}Avoid the Spirit of Rivalry.--Life is a disappointment and a weariness to many persons because of the unnecessary labor with which they burden themselves in meeting the claims of custom. Their minds are continually harassed with anxiety as to supplying wants which are the offspring of pride and fashion. . . . {AH 150.5}"

and..."Find Spiritual Lessons in Daily Living.--God has surrounded us with nature's beautiful scenery to attract and interest the mind. It is His design that we should associate the glories of nature with His character. If we faithfully study the book of nature, we shall find it a fruitful source for contemplating the infinite love and power of God. {AH 144.1}"

It matters not to me who wrote these words, but that they were full of wisdom that has worked so well in our lives.

Even advice on marriage was heeded and we are all the better for it...so in love, so blessed each and every day to be together. More in love every second of every day.

So long ago we read these words and have not forgotten them. "Express Love in Words and Deeds.--There are many who regard the expression of love as a weakness, and they maintain a reserve that repels others. This spirit checks the current of sympathy. As the social and generous impulses are repressed, they wither, and the heart becomes desolate and cold. We should beware of this error. Love cannot long exist without expression. Let not the heart of one connected with you starve for the want of kindness and sympathy. . . . {AH 107.2}"

Love notes still find their way to one another and saying I love you is often and heartfelt. What a blessing to still feel butterflies when we see one another cross the room.

Life is good, and it is full of abundance of the things that matter.