PORCH
a soft place to land
a calm weekend haven
a gentle pause from life's busyness
so we may experience
the tender lovingkindness of Jesus
as we do life together
in community
a soft place to land
a calm weekend haven
a gentle pause from life's busyness
so we may experience
the tender lovingkindness of Jesus
as we do life together
in community
TGIF!
Thank goodness it's Friday. If ever a week could drag slowly and zip by all at the same time, it'd be this past one. But here we are, ready to roll into another weekend. What've you got planned?
Meet Nugget, one of my gorgeous grandchickens. It was sheer love at first sight. The five feathered beauties knocked each other over racing toward me like I was a long lost relative. My kids promptly informed me that their excitement was only because they thought I had meal worms for their afternoon snack. But I know better.
Can you even believe how much oldest granddaughter looks identical to this snapshot of her grandfather 50 years earlier? Freaky weird. She'll turn 20 this summer and the cool thing is how very close their relationship has turned out to be. Right from the beginning.
March 1st was Mom's birthday.
'She would allow herself only a piece of the second-best peach, the subpar pear, the plum that needed another day, so that her company might taste the very best fruit. It was like that with everything, really.'
'She would allow herself only a piece of the second-best peach, the subpar pear, the plum that needed another day, so that her company might taste the very best fruit. It was like that with everything, really.'
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How Can We Avoid Putting a BandAid on Others' Grief & Pain by my friend/spiritual mentor Michele Morin really hits home for those of us who have loved and lost. BTW, that's all of us, yes? A must read article with thoughtful insights that make us sit up and take notice.
And if you haven't settled in to some sort of Lenten devotional, I'm highly recommending Michele's concise yet profound words for each day. Scroll down on that page to sign up.
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GATHER is a a four-day, web-based live event specifically for women ministering overseas. This is the third year I'll be doing 1-1 pastoral counseling during this March 23rd - 26th conference. What a truly humbling experience to hear heartfelt stories from women serving all around the world, many in difficult situations.
Please share this link with your ministry friends ... and consider gifting the weekend to them. Please pray us through.
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Hey Kristin - I know that Easter breakfast is the last thing on your mind right now, but maybe this gorgeous coffee bread ring should end up on the menu. Frozen bread dough means the girls and I can pull this together. I'm guessing that the jelly beans will be pretty much picked over before it hits the table.
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You guys! After the grand debut of the dining room shelves, you kicked us right into high gear for the long hoped for/dreaded kitchen re-do. Thanks to your enthusiastically brilliant ideas, we're finally on our way ...
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In His Love
Linda
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Good luck with the kitchen remodel! I hope all goes well!!!
ReplyDeleteSlowly but surely, one decision after another ... it's going amazingly well!
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Such a sweet photo of your mom! And don't you look proud as ever of your grandchickens!!:) Love it! Congrats on a kitchen redo. That sounds like fun (in a tiring, challenging kind of a way!) Here's to a lovely weekend ahead!!
ReplyDeleteIt IS a sweet experience to remember those we love as they were when they were healthy and happy. It eases the hard memories of final days. Sheer grace, a blessing indeed.
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Don't know whether to offer condolences or blessings for that kitchen reno. It's a long and bitter slog to the end, but I can reassure you that you will be glad you did it--once it's done.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling a little bit like a celebrity, finding that you've shared my post and my Lenten devo here in a place I so esteem. Can't begin to tell you what a privilege it is to know that we're walking through Lent together.
And... It's good news to me that you will be offering your gifting and your heart to ministry women. So wonderful!
Women in ministry have always had a very special place in my heart. It's always been a privilege to sit with them. I remember what a challenge it was when I found myself on a church staff a couple decades ago. I wish I had had someone a little bit further down the road to walk with me.
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It's amazing how similar those two baby pictures look! Have fun with the kitchen renovations. I would guess that might be the hardest room to redo. But it will be so nice when done.
ReplyDeleteThe family couldn't believe how identical they looked. Our gene pools are amazing facets of who we are, even generations later (for good or not so much). What a truly awesome Creator!
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There's so much here that caused me to smile, Linda. I love the pic of your mom and your grandchicken, your start on the kitchen, and yes, it is uncanny how graddaughter and grandpa look alike at that age. :) Michele's post is so insightful. And thank you for the recipe, too. Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteI'm smiling with you, friend. And I hope your weekend is going well ...
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It made me laugh that the chicken is called Nugget! The photo of your mom is lovely and the two baby pictures do look incredibly similar. I hope your kitchen work goes well. I am having my bathroom redone next week and I have that same feeling of dreading the upheaval but looking forward to the finished result! I hope you have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear how your bathroom re-do goes, Lesley. Keep me posted. I'm thinking the upheaval is worth it. We're living out of boxes with kitchen gear strewn all around the house. It is unsettling but all will be well!
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You're right: the resemblance is uncanny! Such fun when members of the new generation exhibit traits of those who came before. Our one granddaughter greatly favors her mother. The other night she was telling a story and gestured just like her mother. Don't know if that was learned or inherent. Either way it was fun to note! / Of course those chickens are delighted to see Nana Stoll--look at the affection they enjoy when she comes! / God bless you with wisdom, discernment, and strength, Linda, as you minister at the GATHER conference!
ReplyDeleteI especially like when God allows the next generations to somehow inherit the GOOD traits we may have! Seeing the not-so-good make an appearance can be quite startling.
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Oh, Linda the photo definitely shows the resemblance. That is a beautiful photo of your mom. I keep a photo of my mom on my kitchen counter, she was always in the kitchen baking and cooking! Happy Weekend!
ReplyDeleteOh Pam, something in me sparked and sparkled when I read about the photo of your mom on the counter. When the paint dries and the dust settles, I'm going to find the perfect snapshot of my mom to place front and center. She'd be so excited about the kitchen. And that makes me happy. Thank you, thank you for this prompt, friend. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate it.
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the kitchen is really coming along. How exciting. yes those two certainly look alike but my favorite pic is the grandchicken! Made me smile and of course they love you!
ReplyDeleteI hear that it won't be long 'til some little chicks join the throng. Can't wait! I feel like a kid again.
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What a great photo of you and the grand chicken? I love chickens! We have four ourselves! I love visiting here on the porch and the grab bag of goodies I always find here! Best of luck with the kitchen - looks to be off to a great start!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear more about your chickens, Barbara! There's something very compelling about these creatures ...
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Loving your grandchicken! Made me smile this Sunday afternoon. WOW! Can't wait to see final pictures of your kitchen. Those two baby pictures surely do favor one another. Isn't that something though? We have a picture of one of my nephews that looks so much like his great-grandfather whom he was named after! CRAZY! Hope your March is beautiful! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteGreat-grandfather. Wow. That's so cool. One of my cousin's grandchildren looks like one of mine when he was that age. You can't make this stuff up!
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It's always encouraging and nourishing to visit your place, Linda. Thanks for your gentle way to help us all feel accepted and loved here (even Nugget! lol), regardless of what we're going through.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love how the Lord uses our online spaces to nourish and encourage in some way? Those are the sites, the relationships, I return to time and again. So grateful that you and I have continued alongside each other all these years. What a gift you are to me, friend ...
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I’m sorry to be a few days late, but sending you a warm hug in honor of your mom’s birthday, Linda. ❤️ Your kitchen renovation makes me so happy … I hope you show more pics when it’s all done.
ReplyDeleteLois, thanks. She would have just loved you and been fascinated by your life ...
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Oh gosh, that bread ring looks delicious! I look forward to when I have more breathing space in my schedule, and I can get baking! The kitchen renovations looks lovely, and very well suited to your home setting. Have a blessed week, Linda!
ReplyDeleteI know, I know. I could have a slice or two right now. I'll wait for the chocolate rabbits and leave the jelly beans to someone else.
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Happy Belated Birthday to your Mom - I love the quote you gave about her sweet spirit. Your space feels like I've stopped by for a cuppa something good - and found refreshing. Your kitchen remake is beautiful! Shalom, my friend!
ReplyDeleteAnd your note is refreshing to me, Maryleigh! So good to see you ... and thanks for the Shalom.
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Here it is Tuesday. The weekend a blur in my rearview mirror. But it was a good one. A movie (Jesus Revolution). A day off with my bride. A wonderful day of worship with an overflow crowd. Answered prayer. Heart-wrenching incidents. But the peace and love of a good, good Father.
ReplyDeleteBill, isn't it astounding that heart-wrenching and peaceful can mingle so well. I'm fascinated by how God has shaped us to be able to grieve and yet have faith all at the same time, sifted together.
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So many things here, Linda! The bread roll...yum. I've wanted to make something like that for a long time and just haven't gotten around to it. Something like what you did would be perfect. Yummy. Your part about Nugget cracked me up. I love your pics of your kitchen! Wow! Those beams and that window—beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAshley, thanks! Your enthusiasm is contagious, girl.
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Love that sweet photo of your mom.
ReplyDeleteThe 2 baby photos do have an uncanny resemblance.
That bread ring looks divine.
Hugs and blessings, Linda. 🧡🧡🧡
Where did this week go? I hope it's been a good one.
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The Easter coffee bread ring is a fun and tasty treat!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your " After" kitchen reno pics.
Thanks for the visit!
My sister and I had a lovely lunch at our favorite tea room last week and I thought of you as I admired the wonderful display of teapots there.
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