In the Garden

The hymn "In the Garden" is one of my all time favorites. It is such a wonderful place to pray. My dad loved gardening vegetables, he took great pleasure in planting seeds, caring for them and harvesting the crop. My mom on the other hand used to say, "he told me we were retiring but I have more work canning vegetables then I ever had when I had a job." But she shared in the work with love.

Matthew 13:31-32 says, He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

Our opportunity to garden presents itself everyday and you never

know when that little mustard seed you planted will flourish into a tree. Everyone plays a part in reaching out to our friends, family, neighbors & parishioners. A phone call, an email, a card in the mail, ... plant the seed.

Now that the weather is turning to springtime temperatures, its hard to stay inside. Whether it is to dig in the dirt or just take a walk, smell the air & pray, it's a good use of time. a quote I like says, A lot of troubles can be buried digging in the dirt".

In times of trouble I would grab my trowel and head to the garden. I would vigorously pull weeds and talk to God and he would listen. It calmed me as God spoke his comforting word in my ear,
"This too shall pass"

PLEASE feel free to use the comment section for discussion, your experiences on this topic!!
God Bless Us All

EnCOURAGEment

Encouragement, I love that word. Right there in the middle of it is the word COURAGE. There are so many great examples in the Bible of incredible courage. Name ANY Bible story and in the midst of it is courage.

• David & Goliath
• Noah's Ark
• The Exodus
• The Good Samaritan 
• Job's Tribulations
• Daniel in the Lions Den
• Calming the Storm
• Ruth
• Jonah and the Whale
• Mary Joseph and the Birth of Jesus
• The Crucifixion 

The list goes on and on. In life we also experience times that require courage. Now is such a time. Courage to make decisions that are tough, courage to yield to wisdom, courage to endure solitude, courage to home school our children, courage to STEP OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONE and learn new ways to worship, fellowship and share the word of God. Hence this list goes on and on.
John 14:27 says,

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Let your faith be bigger than your fear, give God your needs, he will provide, love and care for one another. My cousin Jim, a great man of God (God rest his soul) used to say, "Go forth Be Blessed and Be a Blessing." Have Courage!Though Christ we are family.

What a Difference A Year And A Half Can Make

Hopkins Village in southern Belize is a wonderful, off the beaten track, coastal village. We spent some time there back in 2010 and truly hoped we would find a place to settle, but the availability for what we were looking for was slim pickins. We have visited a few times since - the last time by sailing down from Corozal a year and a half ago. What a wonderful trip that was!

Culturally different from northern Belize, Hopkins has more of a Caribbean feel, being heavily influenced by the Garafuna & Mayan culture. The sand stretches the entire length of Hopkins and swimming in the sea is delightful. In the evening you can hear the Garafuna drummers playing and by day there is the normal routine of children walking to school in their yellow shirts & brown skirts/trousers, while their parents get busy with the days work. Tourism is the mainstay of Hopkins. It boast every type of accommodation from the Funky Do Do  to All Seasons Guest House and then the high end resorts like Hamanasi and Parrots Cove Lodge to name just a few. There are many options for excursions from organizing through the resorts to more local tour operators such as Happy Go Luckie Tours and wind surfing instruction right in the village at Winds Chief. These are the things I love about Hopkins, there is something for everybody.

 

The sunrises over the water and sets over the mountains both are breath taking. The simple pleasures are abound, all while the village continues to grow. From just a few mom & pop stores, Hopkins has grown to now having several large grocery stores, a multitude of restaurants, a wonderful marina - even it's very own ATM (that's a biggy). You can find just about all you need right here. Then there are the delivery trucks. Right to your front door you can get water, gas,vegetables and meat from various vendors that deliver to Hopkins from Dangrega and Cayo.

Trips to Dangrega are fewer these days, but when the need arises, you leave early and hope it doesn't turn into an all day afare. The Hopkins road has always been a bit of a challenge. Recent work has made it much better but it always feels longer than the 4 miles it is. The Hopkins junction has a bus stop but in between buses there will always be a few who want to "hitch" a ride. Care must be taken by tourist with regard to this. If its just a ride to the end of the road and you have a truck they can hop in the back, thats a pretty safe bet. Check points after getting on the main road can get you in trouble, as transporting passengers, when the taxi services need the business is frowned upon and can even result in a citation. For safety, allowing unknown passengers in your car is not a safe practice anywhere in the world, so don't let your sense of safety waiver, even here.

The people here are very colorful and warm-hearted. If you ever

get the chance to venture to southern Belize, be sure to stop in and soak up some wonderful Caribbean hospitality.

The Gratitude Of A Firefighter's Daughter

This picture is our immediate families last family portrait taken in April of 2005. Within 4 months of this picture both my parents went to meet their maker, mom in May and dad in Aug. It took years for my first thought of them to not be of their last days, but of happier times.  Yet today, I was reminded by a facebook "memory", that following my dad leaving this world, our family was show a deep love, loyalty and kindness by the firefighters  at the Fruitland Park Volunteer Fire Dept, Villages Fire Dept & Leesburg Fire Dept. 

In recent years I have tried to go back to focusing on peoples birthdays, even if they are celebrating it in heaven, which I believe to be a healthier expression of love. Maybe this story is just something I need to tell because my father's foresight was shown as it all turned out.

My dad's work with the Fruitlad Park Volunteer Fire Dept was not for the most part as an active firefighter, although he never hesitated to suiting up in his turn outs & jumping in the game. He attributed to the department through training and administrative assistance. There were plenty of young strong men & women to  handle the hoses on the front lines.

Firefighter Jim knew what a fire dept needed from his many years in the fire service and fire protection administration. His service during his career was rewarded when he was inducted to the Navy Fire & Emergency Services Hall of Fame one month before he died. Many of the firefighters at Fruitland Park Volunteer Fire Dept could tell you "Fireman Jim" stories, but the following story was revealed to me in word from my dad and in action from the fine fire fighters of Fruitland Park & the Villages Fire Dept.

 Fireman Jim knew they needed a new fire truck, but that's a very expensive piece of equipment. It took quite a while before it came to fruition. Pleading the case to the City Counsel, showing the justification and finding the resources was something right up Fireman Jim's ally. Then finally it happened. 

On a bright sunshiny day this beautiful fire truck pulled up in front of the house. Chief Gamble and a few of the fire fighters brought it by to take Fireman Jim for a ride. Dad had been sick for quite some time, but he was having a good day. He invited them onto the back porch for a cup of coffee and some firefighter chatter (fire house protocol). When they urged him to go for a ride, he said, "that's okay boys I think I will save it for my last ride." The disappointment was visible on their faces but they just smiled and said. "OK Jim" and on their way they went.

On the day dad died, he was under hospice care and had been in a comatose state for not more than one day. Mom & dad had "prearranged " all the funeral arrangements, so it was just a matter of calling the funeral home. Another call was also made to Chief Gamble.

As the funeral home was loading him into their van, that nice new fire truck pulled up in front of the house and provided escort to the funeral home. On the day of the funeral, that same fire truck loaded with Fruitland Park's finest met us at the funeral home to take dad to the church. He indeed finally took his last ride on board that new fire truck. 

There was also another fire truck. It was the ladder truck from the villages. It was one of two that had provided the Ladder Truck Flag Arch at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Fruitland Park City Hall

just one month before. The other Ladder Truck was from Leesburg Fire Dept. When our procession arrived at Fruitland Park Community Methodist Church we passed under an American Flag hanging from the extended Villages Ladder

Truck. The Leesburg Truck was not available that day (or maybe was on a call) but that didn't stop these fire fighters from making sure this honor was displayed.

I am forever grateful for the love, compassion, loyalty and honor shown my dad and our family during that difficult time.  Eleven years later, I still miss our chats on the porch Dad. Here's to the men & women of the fire service that my dad loved so much!

 

In the Garden

There have been many sermons preached using the metaphor of weeds in your garden that speak to spiritual health. Let me tell you about my garden. The words in the hymn In the Garden are true for God placed these words on my heart just this morning while in the garden with him.

Gardening is a passion of mine and healthy green grass surrounding it is icing on the cake. Matter of fact, fresh cut grass is my all time favorite smell in the world. I continue to use a phrase my dad used when people compliment my garden, "Thanks, it was grown by me & God". Because I live in Central America my gardening passion is affected by the fact that we have two seasons - WET & DRY.

During wet season everything grows leaps & bounds. Its when I do all my planting, transplanting and reseeding from flowers I harvested the previous year. Yes, even in the rain. It's God's water from heaven, glorious life giving rain, so dance in it! At the peak of rainy season it does get challenging finding a window to cut the grass, but what is a challenge other than an opportunity to stretch your ability to find solutions. Wet season for me is during fall & winter in North America

Dry season on the other hand is a tough time of year. The ground actually cracks from lack of moisture, the grass turns brown and many of the flowers I grow just do not survive in that kind of heat. I have to resort to using city water, which has a high content of lime & chlorine so I only use it to keep the fruit trees and my roses alive. Even my cactus plants start to shrivel up, that's how hot it gets.

Now back to the weeds.There is a weed that grows in my grass, that seems to grow best during dry season and it is very invasive. The branches that grow from the main stem are like a Christmas tree, broad at the bottom, tapering at the top where it grows seeds. If left alone it will spread & choke out any healthy grass. It has to be removed by pulling it up being sure to get the roots. I was traveling one year and when I returned it was everywhere. By the time I got a handle on removing it, there were 6 foot by 8 foot sections of bare dirt. It took some time for the healthy grass to spread in to fill those sections.

In our spiritual lives, God yearns to bless us with all that is good in life: growth, prosperity, joy, love & happiness (like rainy season). Be ever so grateful and try to maintain a reservoir of gladness. It doesn't mean we won't experience tragedy, hard times, challenging times like dry season and the invasive weeds that come with it. Weeds that start small, spread and grow, like resentment, despair, & hopelessness. Rid yourself of those weeds and be sure to get the roots for left unattended will destroy even the goodness you sow. Pray for rain and then, ........... learn to dance.

It's A Lifestyle Change Not A Diet

First, let me just say how very proud I am of our daughter Sonia Wilson.She and all our children make me proud for many reasons, each one for different reasons, but today I want to share the latest reason for pride: Sonia's ongoing success as she experiences a lifestyle change that ultimately is improving her health and subsequently changing her figure. That distinction is very important.   For years she has struggled with her weight and dealt with  health issues (migraines, kidney stones & gestational diabetes during both her pregnancies). She has dreamed about her figure from high school and

has always been a picky eater, trying many "diets"without success, but her weight never interfered in her happiness. She married a wonderful guy and has a beautiful family. 
 








Her discovery of Team Beachbody & Shakeology has really made a difference. As a mother of 2 with a busy career that involves a lot of travel, life was just, ........ exhausting. She knew she needed a healthier lifestyle and she found it.

What is Team Beachbody?  

It's not just "here's the stuff, good luck", it comes with a support team, coach, and accountability. Sonia has been involved in this for more than 45 days. She swears by it and says: I have never stuck with other programs, this one WORKS" The greatest value for her is more than the physical change, it's the lifestyle change, the increased energy and improved health. Even her 3 year old joins her for the workout when she is home. What a great time they have together. When she travels it is easy to take it with her and stay with it.
So of course I ask her, "What about us old foggies who have bad backs & arthritis?" WELL, it seems they have a program for us too. Take a look at this video -  PiYo Fitness

Sonia has been noticing a change in the way her clothes fit but on day 45 she got the courage to do another full length photo and this is what she discovered she has accomplished along with the increased energy & just feeling great-

Pretty impressive! They currently do not ship to Mexico, but she tells me as soon as they do, she'll be signing me up!! Could be fun! Sonia has reached Emerald Coach Status! You go girl! If you would like more information about Team Beachbody & Shakeology, I know this great coach who would be happy to share more information with you and be with you on your journey to better health & fitness. Email her sonia.wilson79@gmail.com

Self Propagating Gardens Part II

The next flowering plant that will reproduce on its own is one I call Dawn & Twilight Bloomer. 

The stem reminds me of the geranium family in that you can break off a branch at the ribbed joint, stick it in dirt and it will sprout roots & grow, but it also produces seeds (following a bloom), that will naturally fall to the ground to grow or you can harvest these seeds and plant elsewhere. As in my last post, all I do is spread them on the ground where I want them to grow. There is no need to do all that fancy potting & transplanting business. I just let mother nature do what she does best.

The seeds look like peppercorns (black & tan variegated). Most of them are solid black, but out of an estimated 25 seeds, one will be striped and be more oval. I do not know the meaning of this other than maybe there is a male & female plant. Yep, I make this stuff up as I go along, but wouldn't be surprised if I am right. The new seedlings look all the same regardless of whether it started from a black or striped seed. 

The new seedling germinate and its first few leaves will look like this.  They grow & bloom best in shady areas and around the base of larger plants than shade it. If they have something supporting them, like up against a wall they can get as tall as 3 feet and have a spread of 2 feet. 

Next blog (Part III), will be about creating new plants from a stem of an existing plant. So easy to do and you may never go to the nursery again to buy plants. Instead you may find yourself knocking on a neighbors door to ask if you can have a "clipping" of one of their plants. It's a common practice here in Central America.

Happy Gardening!

"Time in the garden, rejuvenates the earth & soul" 
Catherine Thomas March 2015