Faithbooking Hobbies

My parents enjoy the summer so much, as they can be outside walking, gardening, mowing the grass, and bird watching.

I used Close To My Heart's Boom Di Ada papers and embellishments to highlight Dad and Mom's hobbies. Mom is planting herbs in a hanging basket, while Dad is finding friends to talk with on his 2-meter radio. While we sat on their patio, a hummingbird came to have his dinner. Their big backyard is so peaceful and conducive to meditation! And I so enjoy being with my dear parents in real life visits and in phone visits.

I thank God for my parents' hobbies that give them joy. I journaled about them on the named-pullout paper sections that hide under their photos.

Thanks to my faithbooking friend, Hope, for helping me to focus on Scripture verses for these pages!

"This is the day the LORD has made ..." are the first words my parents say when they wake up in the morning. And in whatever they do, they always speak words of wisdom as they glorify God and keep Him in their days and nights. These verses truly help describe my parents and their hobbies.

Double click on the photos to enlarge them.

Enjoy the day that the LORD has given to you!

Anniversary Photo Collage

Before I head to bed for a great night's sleep on our own sleep number mattress (ahh!), I want to share this photo collage that my DH and I created and gave to Dad and Mom for their 63rd wedding anniversary. I took the photos when we visited in April, and though the photo of the gift project doesn't show the rich colors well because of some reflections in the glass, the greens and ivories in the photos look so nice with the wood tone of the collage frames. The photos are 4 x 6's and 5 x 7's.

I just knew that my parents' comments would be, "Oh, we don't want OUR photos on our wall..." and I also knew that I'd have to promise to switch out the photos with those of grandchildren and great-grandchildren during our next visit ... well, maybe I will, maybe I won't ...

Aren't they the cutest couple? Click the image to enlarge and to see their smiles and shining love even better.

God bless you real good, Mom and Dad!

Our Visit in Ohio

... included celebrating Dad & Mom's 63rd wedding anniversary, enjoying the beautiful red bud & dogwood trees and tulips blooming, picking johnny jump-ups, hanging a wren house in the tall cedar tree, scrapbooking with Deb Butler and the Scrapping Buckeye Babes, having dinner and planning a summer family reunion with cousins Peggy, Dianne, Bev, and Sue, photographing people, blooms, and shadows in the area.

Here's a shadow from Dad's tall radio tower. I hope to get back to participating in HeyHarriet's shadow shot Sundays soon!

Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad!

Jesus, lead Thou on till our rest is won; And although the way be cheerless, we will follow calm and fearless. Guide us by Thy hand to our fatherland.

If the way be drear, if the foe be near, Let not faithless fears o'ertake us; let not faith and hope forsake us; For through many a woe to our home we go.

When we seek relief from a long-felt grief, When temptations come alluring, make us patient and enduring. Show us that bright shore where we weep no more.

Jesus, lead Thou on till our rest is won. Heav'nly leader, still direct us, still support, console, protect us, Till we safely stand in our fatherland. (Text & tune: Public domain)

This was the congregational hymn sung at my parents' wedding ceremony 63 years ago today. Mom and Dad were married on Easter Sunday afternoon in a church ceremony with their family and friends present.

Dad had served as a radio communications specialist in the European Theater during World War II and returned home to begin a new job, propose to Mom and marry her, buy a small home, and begin their family life together. Mom was an RN and wrote faithfully to Dad during his war years, and then visited him in the hospital when he was shipped back to the states. She continued to work as an RN and also on the farm to help Dad.

What a devoted, Christian, caring couple Mom and Dad are! They have been wonderful examples to us kids and to everyone who knows them.

God has blessed them with 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad! I thank the Lord for you.

And I pray God's blessings be yours each day as you remember "the best is yet to be."