Category: Stray Gifts

In the Midst of Our Circumstances

Published on by Rebecca Gilbreath2 Comments
  1. In the midst of our circumstances, we have an upholder who cannot be burdened.

Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

2. In the midst of our circumstances, we have an understanding that cannot be bewildered.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

3. In the midst of our circumstances, we have a union which cannot be broken.

Romans 8:38, 39 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I saw these notes written in the margin of my Bible while we watched a church service online today. How relevant these verses are in the midst of our uncertain circumstances right now! My blood pressure is going down steadily, I had blood work done last week, and a follow-up appointment is scheduled for this week. John will be requesting another round of shots in his back for relief. Jonathan is looking at various links online for work and has applied for quite a few jobs in the last few months. Thank you to friends and family who check up on me and who are praying for our family.

Newest Stray Gifts:

Top Row (left to right): •This rose bush just hasn’t done much this year and all of a sudden, a beautiful bloom arrives towards the end of the season. A picture really does not show the magnificence and detail of this rose. •This purple Morning Glory looks like a silk flower. So pretty! •And last on this row is the hardy mum. With all the pressures and stress of the last year, I hate to admit that most of my mums and all of my allysums have withered away in the summer heat. I just didn’t have the mindset to keep everything up this year. I have two mum plants that have survived my neglect and I’m thankful for them.

Bottom Row (left to right): •I used to decorate with cows and sunflowers way back when and I have a few friends who remember that. A long-time friend of mine sent me a sunflower tablecloth for fall. How thoughtful! •This year has been full of card orders! These four cards were made for a friend who wants to start mailing a card each month to her grandchildren. I had fun making these cute cards with the kids in mind! •I saw this truck in the parking lot during one of my dad’s doctor’s appointments. My dad doesn’t talk about the Vietnam War much, but he has mentioned the neglect and disdain of fellow Americans towards the soldiers as they returned home. I am always moved by those who display a “Welcome Home” message specifically for Vietnam War veterans.

Stable for the Situation

Stable for the Situation

Published on by Rebecca Gilbreath2 Comments

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Psalm 62:5-7

It has been a while since I shared a life update. We have had many ups and downs in the last few months – days of hope and days of “what’s next, Lord?”. John is in physical therapy for his back and is still under the care of a good pain management doctor. He is receiving care from the VA neurologist for his migraines. He is trying a new treatment using an Alpha-Stim device which is supposed to help with overall chronic pain relief. In the short time that he has been using it, he has had more days of feeling “ok”. He is able to stay awake longer and perform small tasks such as walking to the mailbox and back, helping wash dishes, or working on paperwork for full disability compensation. He has trouble sitting for long periods of time. Some days he feels stronger, and some days, not so much. Things I take for granted every day, he has to fight for constantly. He feels more hopeful, though, since he started this new treatment.

I haven’t been feeling all that well in the last few months. It has been quite a long time since I have seen a doctor for any kind of health update. I have been feeling strongly that I needed to see a doctor for a general check-up and with a gentle nudge from a friend who recently had a health scare, I scheduled an appointment with a local family doctor’s office. I have several friends who are struggling with health issues and frankly, it’s scary. I have always been in good health up until recently. My doctor visit naturally started with a blood pressure check – and the doctor and I didn’t get past much else. My blood pressure was (and still is at present) dangerously high and I was immediately told to take medication while I was there. I was given several doses during my visit. While I have other issues needing attention, my blood pressure is the first to get under control. I now have to take medication for that and something to help me relax at night. The blood pressure number has us all very concerned.

Jonathan has been helping me with my dad and with John. At times, doctor or therapy appointments are on the same day for the two men and Jonathan goes with John while I go with my dad to his appointment. Jonathan is updating his Resumé and Curriculum Vitae for employment applications. While not needed for all job applications, they may be useful depending on what he will apply for.

In spite of all that, we are “stable for the situation”. We are processing changes which need to be made. We are working to limit stressors and make wiser health choices.

It has been a while, too, since I’ve shared a few stray gifts! I still look for them and absolutely love when friends text me various gifts of their own they see through the day!

Top left: Our passion flowers have been blooming quite nicely this year! Such a gorgeous flower. Top right: The roses were blooming last week, but have since all faded away. It might be the last time they bloom for the year. This coral color is stunning! Right middle: With as much rock and sand as we have, there is still plant life that does well. The Morning Glory vines need next to no help and they cover bare rock walls nicely. They do tend to grow everywhere, so we have to weed them away from the roses and honeysuckle as needed. Bottom right: As always, the pink oleander is a pretty site. Bottom middle: Jonathan has been making breakfast more often which is a huge help! Bottom left: The last of the butterflies, I believe, for the season. We have enjoyed seeing more bees and butterflies in our yard this year.

The Struggle Is Real

Published on by Rebecca Gilbreath2 Comments

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:

Isaiah 26:3-4

Have you ever heard the expression, “The struggle is real.”? We have been feeling it lately with the many ups and downs concerning John’s health. Discouragement knocks on the door as we seek balance in all things. John had an appointment with his rheumatologist this week who prescribed a pain medication that may help with the fibromyalgia. I don’t know what it feels like to be in constant pain, not knowing the right answer as to what will bring a sense of well-being. There may not be one single answer. Watching him struggle with illness and even depression as the days go by is difficult. This week, he is scheduled to receive shots in his back to relieve pressure in his lower back and legs. Migraine medicine is hit and miss as he tries different treatments. It has helped to understand what is happening in doing research on Gulf War Syndrome. While he never served in the Gulf War, his ship which supplied ammunition, oil, and explosives was in the Gulf around those times. Many of the veterans who were on the same vessel as he was are experiencing the same disabilities. Focusing solely on health has brought some peace because he isn’t trying to go back to Radiology school or do too many things at once. We are taking one doctor’s appointment at a time and praying for wisdom.

I saw a church sign a few weeks ago that said, “The struggle is real…but so is God”. Sometimes a statement comes in a still small voice. Other times it pierces through the heart like an arrow. What a timely reminder! Thank you, Lord. I needed that.

While seeking answers, we are still looking for stray gifts in life – bits of God’s presence throughout the day. We have had several really good rainy days here – and in the desert, they are a few and far between. We lost power for just a little bit, too, one night. It was fun to light candles and just sit and talk without watching television.

Top Row (left) Passionflower! We planted this vine last year and never saw one flower. We had caterpillars on the vine, which, at the time, we thought was exciting because we knew butterflies were coming. The butterflies were exciting to see, yes, but the caterpillars ate every bloom. This year, we watched carefully so that the flowers would blossom. We have a whole vine of them now blooming in different stages. (middle) A McAlister’s Deli recently opened near us. We used to hunt for this restaurant during our deputation days because we knew we could find a good sandwich or soup and of course, sweet tea. (right) Mums are still one of my favorite outdoor plants as they need little maintenance.

Bottom Row (left) I saw this art piece displayed in a doctor’s office while with my dad a few weeks ago. It is made from colored glass tile and is stunning. This piece is a depiction of a popular bit of scenery here in El Paso. If interested, you can read about the star on the mountain’s significance here. (right) Our daylilies are back in full force right now – especially after the rain. I may need to repot them next year!

Thank you to those who share your own stray gifts with me through text messages! I love the ripple effect this has had! I am thinking about sharing some of them here on the blog as I think others would love to see them as well.

The Grace To Be There

Published on by Rebecca Gilbreath4 Comments

“Be aware of what season you are in and give yourself the grace to be there.”

K. Dalton

It has been a while since I have written. I received an email recently informing me of my upcoming due date to renew this blog, so I am taking a look at the stats, drafts, and published work wondering whether or not to keep up with my writing. There are so many things I have shared here that I do look back on now and then and I would hate to lose all of that. Nothing has been written since last December for good reasons. So much has been happening with John’s health and with my dad’s as well. John is having tests done to investigate the cause of his migraines. He has ongoing pain management care which has included physical therapy and soon, he will be getting shots to relieve back pain. He also had ankle surgery in February which was a long ordeal in healing. My dad is having testing done for memory loss which means quite a few doctor appointments. Some days, my dad is just fine. Other days, he has trouble remembering how to get to a place he has been driving to for years or difficulty doing something on the computer he had no trouble with in the past. This has been a season of doctor appointments one right after the other and I have had to let some things go in order to be all here – present. This meant letting go of Facebook and trying to keep up with everyone. It meant burgers or pizza for dinner sometimes because we weren’t home all day or I forgot to put something in the crockpot. It means a lot of things for peace of mind. We try to be easy-going and take one day at a time.

Jonathan is doing well and is in a season of big decisions. He has been volunteering for the local Historical Society since he graduated from college last year. He may be leaving that position soon to look for a paid position elsewhere. He has enjoyed his time there very much and has learned so much! He still lives at home and is a HUGE help to us all.

In the midst of all that, I received orders one right after another for handmade cards! In a few months span, I made over eighty cards for friends and family and still have an order of birthday cards to complete. So exciting! Writing has been on my mind, too (somewhere way back there), during these months but I just have not had the time to “be there” for all my creative pursuits and for family and home life.

I am still keeping up with stray gifts and collecting them from friends who share their own gifts with me through text messages.

Left Row: Top: We believe this is a grackle egg. It’s so tiny! Bottom: There was a train exhibit in town last weekend all about how the train affected El Paso’s history. There was even a skit performed by a group called, “Six Guns and Shady Ladies”. It was a reenactment of the first deadly train robbery in the west. We enjoyed our time out together.

Right Row: Roses, Chrysanthemums, and Star Jasmine are a few of the beauties in our yard. We also have honeysuckle and alyssums blooming.

Exalted Simplicity

Published on by Rebecca Gilbreath2 Comments

He who marvels at the beauty of the world in summer will find equal cause for wonder and admiration in winter…. In winter the stars seem to have rekindled their fires, the moon achieves a fuller triumph, and the heavens wear a look of a more exalted simplicity.

John Burroughs, “The Snow-Walkers,” 1866

I have been interested in decorating for the seasons versus decorating for any holiday in particular. I do not enjoy putting things up only to take them down a few weeks later. And I am not one who likes to get out the Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. I love arranging seasonal accents, knowing we have three months to enjoy the change of pace each phase of the year brings. This year for winter, I was inspired by the simplicity of winter light. The other day, I was looking outside our living room window at the Chinese elm tree in the front yard. The tree was bare of leaves, the bark a mix of brown and gray and the sky above was a blue-gray color. In the tree, there were finches with the same brown, gray, and blue easily seen on the branches. It was such a simple scene- devoid of the green leaves of spring and summer with just a few yellow leaves left from fall. I realized that this time of year is the only time I can see all the birds in the tree and I was struck by the clarity of the view. I stood for quite a while watching the finches happily singing away.

In keeping with a winter home decorating theme, you won’t find a lot of Christmas decorations in the house. In fact, we didn’t even put any ornaments on our tree! As Jonathan and I were unpacking the Christmas decorations and figuring out how we wanted to display them, we just loved the way the tree looked all lit up with nothing on it but tiny lights and the pinecones and berries that were on the tree when we bought it. With simplicity in mind, we were content with the way the tree looked as-is. What you will find are bits of light here and there through candles and Christmas lights in other places. What you will also see are bits of greenery from the japonica bushes that are in the front yard. Instead of buying greenery that doesn’t match our natural surroundings, I used what we had and cut fresh branches to put in a vase. The branches and leaves which stay green year-round add a natural element to our simple decor.

In the living room, we have tall ceilings with a very high shelf. We have decorated that shelf with lanterns, baskets, greenery, and other home accents. We put Christmas lights up there and I think we are going to keep them up all year. We like to plug them in at night as the sun goes down and it gives the living room a nice glow.

The longest dark hours are in winter and as the sun goes down early, my battery-operated candles light up on their timer, our Christmas lights get plugged in as well as the high living room shelf lights. We light candles and keep the bright lights off enjoying the cozy feel. It makes winter nights a bit more comforting as we settle in for the evening. All of us look forward to that time of day very much.

In the kitchen, I’ve been changing out the curtains to transition into the next season. During the fall months, I had orange, brown, and white in a tablecloth, in curtains, and in accents. For winter, I swapped out the warm colors for cool, using gray and white curtains and tablecloth with just a hint of Christmas in red and green glass bottles with a few japonica branches for more color. The bottles are displayed in the kitchen window and when the sun hits them in the afternoon, the bottles look like lanterns.

A few weeks ago, we were out late at night for an event at the local Historical Society (a 1912 historic home) where Jonathan works. John and I had stepped outside for a few minutes to get some fresh air and we happened to look up at the sky. Orion was right above us- big as life -spread across the sky and the stars were just so bright and beautiful! Later that evening, I went upstairs because I knew there would be an amazing night view of the city lights. Seeing the stars and the night lights confirmed that I wanted to bring that feeling of wonder from outside to the inside of our home.

Whether you love to go all out for decorating every holiday or you enjoy keeping it simple like me, may we all see cause for wonder and admiration in every season.

Working in Shifts

Published on by Rebecca GilbreathLeave a comment

Nature bestows her own, richest gifts and, with lavish hands, she works in shifts…

Gertrude Tooley Buckingham, “The Four Seasons,” 1940s

Our winters are mild here in the southwest, but we are starting to feel the shift of the season. The heat is kicking on in the morning, but by afternoon, the sun is up and the house heat gets turned down. Jonathan opened his bedroom window the other day and there was a nice breeze coming through the back of the house. There’s a shift in the yard as leaves are falling and the plants are changing in appearance. I have a few roses blooming for the last time this year, yet my chrysanthemums are shedding off. I don’t think I’ll see those bloom again until spring. Jonathan put hay out in the dog house for our girl to keep warm at night. I am stocking up on dry beans and canned goods for soups and stews. Fall decorations will be coming down, soon to be replaced with Christmas and winter accents. I’m shifting slowly from this season into the next, enjoying the transition. Do you like to see Christmas come early and already have your decorations up? Or do you gradually move into seasons as they come?

The latest in my stray gifts journey:

Gifts in the yard: (clockwise) I have two roses blooming on the same bush at the moment. Morning Glory flowers are still around in various places. I spotted this yellow leaf on the ground and loved the bit of fall present. The tomatoes seen in the photo are now turning red and will soon be eaten by whoever picks them off first! The passionflower vine had been eaten up by caterpillars earlier in the year. They ate most of the leaves and all of the flowers. The butterflies that came after were pretty, but I did not like that most of our new vine had disappeared. The leaves are growing back now quite nicely and we will be watching the vines like a hawk for any caterpillars come spring. I didn’t buy as many mums as I would have liked this year when they were on clearance, but I did get a few. By now, I have ‘deadheaded’ these and just the green leaves are left.

Gifts Unconventional: Instead of cooking a turkey and having leftovers for days, we decided we wanted to grill steaks this year for Thanksgiving. My dad said we can give thanks for a cow as well as for a turkey for the special day- and we all agreed. We had mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, and peas, too. Jonathan made a pumpkin pie from scratch that turned out amazing.

Gifts in the Kitchen: Jonathan and I wanted a cake mix for something a few weeks ago. I can’t remember what, but I don’t keep cake mixes in the pantry. We looked up a recipe on the internet for a homemade cake mix and tried it out one day. It was very good! We included shredded coconut so that it wasn’t plain. Instead of frosting, we added whipped cream on top before each piece was served.

Homemade bread is always a gift in the kitchen. By now, Jonathan and I have perfected our recipe to the way we like it. We make the recipe and keep it in the fridge in a vented container until we’re ready to bake. Cold dough is easier to work with. Fresh, hot bread goes well with the soups and stews we’re having lately!

Gifts from Others: From time to time, friends and family send me photos of their own stray gifts and I love it! A sunset in New Mexico is stunning! I’ve seen beautiful fall photos from Pennsylvania and a snapshot of snow from the same friend yesterday morning. A friend in Texas shared with me a photo of a new bread recipe she tried which used einkorn and kefir. It looked tasty!

A handmade card from my 10 year old niece in Alabama and a card, also, from a distant cousin in Wisconsin came in the mail last week. What a nice surprise!

Gifts from around the world: Our former church in Mexico is doing really well. The church held a teen conference recently, and the building was full of people. Our hearts bust wide open when we see photos of what God is doing.

Pleasure is spread through the earth in stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find. -William Wordsworth, 1806

Just Baggage Enough

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Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough.

Charles D. Warner

We have been going through the house again making decisions about what is serving us well and what is not. We have a nice arrangement with a man who has a second-hand shop. He stops by the house every once in awhile to see if we have anything we are getting rid of. He comes to pick up the stuff, pays us a little bit of money, and we all agree this is a good thing we have going. I don’t know why we hold on to things as long as we do – clothes that do not fit anymore, exercise equipment not used anymore, furniture we don’t have space for anymore. We are ready to move on and to travel lighter through life in the days ahead.

I haven’t written here since August. My mind has been on cleaning out clutter, on caring for the home and the men in it, and on making greeting cards. I’ve been making my own cards for quite awhile now and a few friends have showed interest in buying them. Being able to sell my creations has been a dream of mine and I am so thankful this stray gift came along! For seven weeks in a row, I was creating and selling cards for others. I have also had the dream of making cards for a ministry – for church, for a hospital, for a nursing home – the possibilities are endless, but I just don’t know where to start! I called a few local hospitals and nursing homes in our area, and only the Children’s Hospital said they would take handmade greeting card donations. I was so excited, I created over 70 cards in one week! I’ve never done that before. The cards were made with the thought of nurses, doctors, and volunteers having cards on hand to write an encouraging note to patients. While 70 cards is not nearly enough for the hospital, it’s a start to brighten one corner, one hallway, one patient at a time. I meet with the hospital tomorrow to deliver what I have. I hope they like the cards and will want more.

Before I share a few photos of recent stray gifts, I will update you on family matters. My dad just had another round of shots in his back for pain relief. He has struggled with degenerative discs for years and has an excellent pain management doctor. My dad is slowly regaining strength and is able to drive now as long as he doesn’t overdo it. John (my husband) has the same pain management doctor for his back and is in physical therapy lately. Even though the hip replacements went well, he still needs “maintenance”. If you have followed along over the years, you might remember an ankle problem – still a struggle to get help from the VA over this. An MRI was done last week, and we hope that care will come sooner than expected. We know the VA is overloaded and underfunded, so we try to be patient. After our move back from Waco, John was really ill for a long time. Migraines were difficult to manage, strength and balance were minimal. This year has been a year of a lot of rest for him. At first, the sleeping was out of pure exhaustion from feeling ill all the time. In recent months, he feels the extra sleep has been healing. He is more awake and alert – able to make decisions that need to be made. He was able to apply for Radiology school. He passed all the tests – so much so, he can skip all the math classes! I was impressed. He was told recently that he has been accepted into the school. The VA has a program that helps disabled veterans go to school so they can work. The next step is for him to start classes and training to be an X-Ray technician. While his ongoing health issues have been a long battle, some good things are happening, too. He is getting different treatment from a new neurologist which is helping and physical therapy is going well. Our Jonathan is still working as the volunteer curator at the Historical Society and loves helping others research their family and local history. He was hired initially to organize the archives, but because he is the only one working in the Burges House, he is secretary, researcher, and tour guide.

As far as I am concerned, I am doing ok – tired, but ok. Simplicity is key with “just baggage enough” for the day. I am content with the cooler weather when soups and stews are just right for long, busy days. I am thankful for a bit of time to be creative to make cards as I can. I love doing it! I am grateful for stray gifts in my path which cause me to stop in awe and reflect on God’s care for us all.

The latest of my stray gifts to share:

Gifts Inside (Left to right): 1) Along with getting rid of things not needed anymore, we have been doing a bit of updating in the house. Last month, my dad re-stained all the kitchen and bathroom cabinets and they all look brand new! 2) Cooler weather is here which is perfect for soups and homemade bread. 3) Cozy spaces in the house 4) I bought 2 gallons of milk that had close expiration dates. Instead of pouring the soon-to-expire milk, I made yogurt with one of the gallons.

Gifts Outside (left to right): 1) We participated in a local historic neighborhood’s Tour of Homes. One of the homes is the Burges House where Jonathan works. The yard is very well kept and it is a pleasant place to walk around. John was feeling well enough, the weather was great, and we enjoyed seeing the inside of a few spectacular homes. 2) White mums are blooming. These were bought on clearance a few years ago. 3) We’ve had Morning Glories galore this year. 4) Out of a packet of wildflower seeds, only a few have taken root. I saw this pretty little Zinnia this morning.

The Spare Moments

Published on by Rebecca Gilbreath2 Comments

Fill up the spare moments of your life with praise and thanksgiving.

Sarah Young

I like to read about efficiency. I enjoy watching YouTube videos about cleaning and organization. The topic of ‘minimalism’ has been of great interest to me in the last few years and I especially like Joshua Becker. Recently in his video, “20 1-Minute Habits to Keep Your Home Clutter Free”, he said, “Clutter free living is more than a project, it is a process.” Sometimes, the house and yard work can feel overwhelming. When I break a lot of it down into one minute tasks, they are a lot more manageable. Wipe down the counter, shred the junk mail, empty small trash cans throughout the house, sweep the front walkway, replace bathroom towels with clean ones, put away dishes – all tasks that can be done quickly when I purpose to do it. It came to mind recently that the one minute moments, the spare moments, can also be used to offer a quick praise, to read a few Bible verses, to pray for the family member or friend who has been on my mind. It declutters the mind and makes room for rest. Spiritual growth is more than a “project” we aim to achieve, it is a process of making good decisions in every opportunity of the day.

In spare moments, too, don’t forget to look for stray gifts!

Stray Gifts Outside: Alyssums are one of my favorite flowers. They smell like honeysuckle and are fairly easy to maintain. Not all are doing well in the heat this year, though, but this one is doing ok so far. • Our new passionflower vines are stretching quite nicely over the new netting we bought for support. • Our tiny tomatoes are coming in and they are delicious!

Stray Gifts Inside: Although meat prices have gone up, a local family owned butcher business we like to buy from is keeping their prices the same as they have been. • Pothos seems to be the magic plant I am able to keep alive for years on end. I have quite a few in various stages of growth in different places in the house. I am experimenting with ivy and spider plants (again). We’ll see what happens.

Stray Gifts Not Pictured: I lost my address book last week. I could not find it anywhere in the house or in the car. I went back to the postal annex thinking maybe I had left it there when I mailed a few cards out to a friend. Sure enough, an employee found it on the counter and put it in a safe place. Whew! • A yellow butterfly has been hanging around the yard lately. It was fluttering outside the kitchen window the other day – so much so, I felt it wanted me to stop and watch it. So I did. • Jonathan brought all of our clean laundry upstairs without me asking for his help (it took several trips). I didn’t even know he had done it until I went to bring them up myself later that evening. • A ladder was in the middle of the highway one day and I just “happened’ to be in the lane where I could avoid running into it. I guess it fell off the back of a truck sometime during the day. • A new (to us) neurologist listened to John during his appointment and really showed she cared. She is changing up his medicine for his migraines. It will take a few months to wean off the old and get used to the new, but she offered hope for better days. An appointment is coming up for John with a pain management specialist. This doctor is the one who has helped my dad with his back issues for years – and he is amazing. We are so glad the VA approved the consult. • And last, but not least, there was a bit of rain one night this week. It didn’t last long, but we enjoyed watching it come down for a bit.

A Steady and Perpetual Serenity

Published on by Rebecca Gilbreath4 Comments

Cheerfulness keeps up a kind of daylight in the mind, and fills it with a steady and perpetual serenity.

Joseph Addison

I have no major updates yet on John’s health as we are waiting for a follow-up appointment with the spine specialist. John had an MRI and a few x-rays done and we will know soon what the new doctor can do to help with John’s back pain. Also, a consult with a neurologist concerning John’s migraines is coming up in June, I believe. In the meantime, we try to stay cheerful and hopeful and not let dark thoughts crowd in and take over. Serenity lies in keeping faith steady and alive trusting that God cares and sees and has help on the way for the pain issues.

Here are the latest stray gifts!

I received a few birthday gifts in the mail, a few Happy Birthday texts, and some cards (even a few handmade ones)! A friend of mine in Georgia sent me a four leaf clover she found during one of her hikes. Another friend bought and decorated a nice cup for me! Both gifts were such a nice surprise.

Jonathan graduated from college this past week with high honors! The commencement was held outside in the football stadium. We were able to see him standing and waving on the end of his row. It was a miracle we were able to see him at all with the hundreds of graduates and families present. It was sunny and 91 degrees in the shade when we arrived, so we took a photo of Jonathan before we became all hot and wilted. As the night went on, that dark cloud came around the mountain bringing with it wind, sand, and rain. The night cooled off quickly and the rain was just a drizzle. The cool air was sure nice for the rest of the evening. At the end of the ceremony, we all enjoyed the fireworks. It was an exciting night!!

Last week, he had an interview with the local Historical Society for a volunteer position as a curator. He has to get experience somewhere, and the people he would be potentially working with are seasoned historians and it would a great place to ‘get his feet wet’ in this type of work. He was able to take a little tour of one of the grand old homes that had been donated which is in the process of being restored. Jonathan said he was in awe. The details! The craftsmanship! The architecture! He was thrilled to have seen a bit of the house and what the owners had left behind. I will have an update on how that’s going soon.

It is still a special time of year in our yard. The honeysuckles are gone for now, but the roses keep blooming. The roses on the left are right in front of our house below the living room window. Sometimes, when I look out, I can see the small finches hanging out on the rose branches when the birds come to the feeder that is close. (I throw a little birdseed near the window, too, hoping they will come up to the house so we can watch them up close.) The rose in the middle and on the end is from the backyard and is the same exact rose, one day apart. The roses look different day to day and it motivates me to get outside to see the fascinating changes.

Until next time, this is my newest Record of Graces and growing list of of “stray gifts”. Keep looking, keep noticing, and keep sending me your very own stray gifts! I love to see them!

Give Me April and May

Published on by Rebecca GilbreathLeave a comment

You can have all the rest of the year if you will give me April and May.

Spanish Proverb

We’ve had beautiful weather here lately – except for a few very windy days. I would be quite content to have this spring weather all year ’round. Right now, our honeysuckle vines are full of flowers and the roses are blooming. The backyard smells heavenly. We love going outside after dinner to enjoy the space and all the hard work we have put in the last few years. It has been a calming place as we live in a busy city. It’s our own ‘secret garden’.

I have mentioned here and there about John’s health. Not much has changed in pain and mobility level. He did have an appointment with a spine specialist who ordered an MRI to be done. The doctor visit was short as there is not much he can do until he sees the results from the MRI. Physical therapy starts this week and we hope it will help.

Our Jonathan will be graduating college in a few weeks. He has his cap and gown, the tassel, and has ordered a class ring. We are glad the school is having an official ceremony this year. More than being an honor student, I am proud of his grace, kindness, and humility he gifts us with every day.

Here is the latest record of graces in stray gifts:

From left to right: Yellow Lady Bank Roses have made their appearance. These tiny roses are so cute! We have been mulching our rose bush clippings and such from when we pruned in February. The mulch makes a huge difference in the yard as it covers the sand and rocks we have. Honeysuckles have bloomed once again and their sweet scent fills the air.

The yard is coming along this spring. I always look forward to roses coming back around every year. We still have a lot of mulching to do in the backyard. Once Jonathan is done with classes, we will finish working on cleaning up after winter. I have mint growing this year and Jonathan and I like to put it in water, lemonade, or tea. Very refreshing! The last photo is of more Lady Banks Roses. I first saw this kind of bush at our city’s Rose Garden a few years ago and just had to have a few in our yard. I love how they climb!

(Left) I had heard about a nursery on the other side of town that we hadn’t checked out yet. John and I were in this area one day while waiting for Jonathan who had class on campus. This nursery is not one you just happen to find as it is tucked away on an average street. When we arrived, we were surprised at how full it was of all sorts of life. It had two greenhouses on site filled with plants. There were huge, old trees on the property covered in ivy and Virginia Creepers. We liked it so much, we brought Jonathan back another day because we knew he would enjoy it. (Top Right) I was able to make it to the El Paso Municipal Rose Garden last week. Every rose bush was full of roses! Red, orange, pink, purple, white, yellow…and more colors of roses were just breathtaking. Several people were out wandering around the roses, some were sitting on benches reading or studying, and some were taking photos. I could smell the roses even through the mask I had to wear. (Bottom Right) John and I met Jonathan for lunch one day in between his classes. The sandwich shop we chose did not have indoor seating available, so we took our lunch to a nearby park. It was a beautiful day to be outside as we sat under a big elm tree.

I hope you are finding stray gifts in your area. I sure do appreciate friends and family who text me photos of interesting things they find. One friend in Pennsylvania has gorgeous peacocks from a neighboring farm roaming around on their property. A friend in the Dallas, Texas area likes to visit the arboretum often and she will text me colorful photos of her day. A friend in Georgia enjoys long hikes in the woods and takes pictures of twigs, branches, and leaves that have landed on the ground forming a cross. Other objects she discovers along the way as well which make a cross remind her of Christ’s sacrifice for us all. God has a way of drawing us to Him, don’t you think? Another friend sends me photos of the beautiful quilts she makes for veterans or of days out of the house doing something special. Recently, she and her husband visited the zoo and she shared a photo of an adorable penguin they saw. “It was a fabulous day”, she said. I love it! Jonathan and John always text me memes found on Facebook they find funny or inspirational. Stray gifts are all around! Thank you, Lord, for Your kindness and mercy.

Pleasure is spread through the earth in stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find. -William Wordsworth, 1806