A rough week but things are coming together.

The whole message this week has been not to give up.  I really wanted to give up on almost everything this week. Work was rough, my car was in the shop and I wasn't sure if all our hard work in the gardens would come to fruition this year. 

So, what did I do …make cookies. I like to bake. I like to see someone when they enjoy a really good cookie.  Dude had never had snickerdoodles before so I made those. He loved them.. yay! 

A friend gave me a large box of cording that was going to be thrown out. I thought it would be "easy" to make a rug from one of the rolls.  It wasn't … at all. 

I got burned, it took longer than I thought and then the glue gun died. 

Going outside always makes things better.  It was so hot the dog decided to stay indoors. 

I wanted to finish the container planting I began. I recycled cans and a coffee container. 

Painted all the containers and got to planting. 

I love how they turned out. 

Then off to mass with my mom.  There are so many times I want to give up on mass... so many rules, so many things that don't make sense at times, and at times... I just can't focus , prayer can be difficult… 

Then tonight … I went to the church my youngest was baptized in and confirmed, where my sons went to teen youth classes.... a place of comfort.  Tonight there was a visiting priest.  He took his message from the reading tonight of Jeramiah:

Reading 1 Jer 23:1-6

Woe to the shepherds
who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture,
says the LORD.
Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel,
against the shepherds who shepherd my people:
You have scattered my sheep and driven them away.
You have not cared for them,
but I will take care to punish your evil deeds.
I myself will gather the remnant of my flock
from all the lands to which I have driven them
and bring them back to their meadow;
there they shall increase and multiply.
I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them
so that they need no longer fear and tremble;
and none shall be missing, says the LORD.

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;
as king he shall reign and govern wisely,
he shall do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved,
Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him:
"The LORD our justice."

He points out that there will be times when those whose job it is to guide us will fail us... who focus on the rules more than on Jesus (who did not always follow the rules). You expect compassion and sensitivity and instead you get scolding from your pastor.   Forgive them and remind them they are here to be a good shepherd.  And for us , the flock, we are obliged to take care of each other.  We are to be open to each other, be kind, considerate, compassionate, and open our heart to the way Jesus has taught us. We need to come together as a community, as one. 

I needed to hear this.

Then home again.  It was a very hot day.  The turkeys  had their first day to roam wherever they would like. They stuck close to home. 

I love their ears. 

The sheep saw me and came running for some love. 

The horse said hello. 

Then out to the garden... finally things are taking shape!  Cucumbers! 

A friendly toad to protect the garden and eat any bugs. 

The rooster protecting his flock and...

the turkey.

Tomatoes!!! We are getting tomatoes. 

Beets, lots of beets to juice, pickle, roast and toss in salads.

The tomatoes are taller than Dude.

… and yes I am still working on the rug.  It is taking way longer than I thought it would. 

So, yes, there will be those days, weeks, even months but stick to it.  Things will begin to look up and make sense but always, along the way , be kind.

peace