25 or 6 to 4

I haven't written much lately (ok, nothing) because: 1) I've been busy planting flowers in my new flowerbeds; 2) I've been busy spring cleaning our house; and 3) I just have no clue what to write about. I've started several blogs, but I figure that if I'm bored writing them, then the reader(s) will be extremely bored.

If you haven't been to my husband's website lately, check it out (www.suffering.net). He has worked very hard on it recently to give everyone daily updates on his sister, Debby. She is currently in Seton Specialty Hospital to recover from being placed on a trach vent. The goal is to get her weaned off of the vent completely, and she has been off of it since Saturday. She does still have oxygen hooked up to her trach, but in the past she was not able to exhale well enough to keep her carbon dioxide levels at a safe level. So, she's doing better, but there is still a long road ahead for her. She desperately wants to leave the hospital and go home, so we are all praying that God will strengthen her enough to be able to do that.

As stated earlier, I've been planting flowers a lot lately. We had new flower beds put in along both sides of the house, so I spent at least a week moving bushes, splitting out daylillies and irises, and planting new annuals and perennials. I also did my own planters for the deck, and I'm just praying that I remember to water them!

My mom has always had the most beautiful gardens ever. When I was younger, she grew almost all of our vegetables, but now that my sister and I are grown, she only grows flowers. She tried getting me interested in gardening when I was younger, but she failed miserably. To me, spending time in the garden was worse than being sent to your room.

However, now that I've grown up and matured, I have a whole new appreciate for flowers. I love planting them, watering and feeding them (thank God for Miracle-Gro), and watching them grow. (Still not fond of the whole weeding thing, though) Daffodils always make me smile when I see them, and my collection of daylillies never cease to amaze me. The house just seems so much more inviting with flowers planted around it.

I'm also amazed at how hearty some plants are. I always line the front flower bed with red begonias, and these things are indestructible. A couple of years ago, I was awoken by a horrible growling sound. I had no idea what happened till the next morning when I went outside and saw two of my begonias completely shredded. My best guess is that a rabbit or other small creature was being chased by a fox and the begonias were collateral damage. I was devastated by the destruction, but was utterly amazed when those flowers grew back! They were noticeably smaller than the rest of the begonias, but they did grow back. Isn't God's creation amazing?

Tending the garden just reminds me, in this world full of pain, suffering, death and destruction, that God is still in control. Plants and flowers that He created are still glorifying Him just by growing and being beautiful. May we all seek to glorify Him in all that we do with the gifts that He has given us.