let's go jogging

Growing Conditions

    My move to CA and desire for a garden has required me to learn about the plants that grow here and their growing conditions.  The climate and temperature pattern is very different; rain only falls in the late fall and winter and the temperatures stay milder.  This requires sprinklers in our yard if we want anything to grow, but also opens up a lengthy list of perennials since the plants don't die in cold winter temperatures.  Instead of apple orchards, you'll see almond orchards.  The leaves are starting to change (finally!).  The maples and oaks are scattered among Chinese Pistache trees.
    This weekend was a hard one to be away from my family.  They gathered together to take part in a very exciting event.  Up until Friday, I didn't realize that I'd be the only one not present.  Secondly, there are some things that need to be taken care of that would be so easily accomplished if I was there and could do them myself.  However, relying on someone else makes it more complicated. 
     Yes, I miss being home, but you know what?  Lately, in spite of these challenges, I feel thankful.  Life is always changing and no season is ever permanent.  There are many reasons to be thankful for this exact time in life because there will never be another season exactly like it and when it is gone, I will remember it with a smile of thankfulness.  As I was reading the "Thanksgiving" sections of New Testament letters this morning, God drew this analogy: 

 "what grows in one season (climate, location, or set of circumstances) can't grow as easily in another"  

Just as it is for plants, so it us for us.  He brings us to specific circumstances to accomplish specific purposes and fruit. God is growing a different kind of fruit in my life during this season.  As he guides me along his perfect path, here are some of the things uniquely specific to this season that I'm thankful for.   

•  God, who continues to be near and present in each step, continually forgiving me because he loves me
• my marriage to Paul and the opportunity to experience life together
• our church and church family,  the genuineness and desire to grow in Christ and the constant ways they reflect Christ to others, their openness to let people serve.  This church of around 100 members just raised over $26,000 for missions at their fall bazaar!
• my students.  teaching them for 2 years in a row gives the opportunity for strong connections and to gaze upon so much growth!
• my team at school.  This unique group of women is encouraging and supportive.  We're united as a grade level.  This past week we gathered to celebrate an upcoming wedding, two of us traveled to San Francisco to preview a possible field trip, and two of us are starting a Bible Study together.  
• the progress toward making our house into a home
• Cleo, the friendly neighborhood cat, that realizes I want a cat so she visits me often.  

• friendships in the area.  This evening while jogging I ran into my friend, Ericka and her little Lucas.  It's amazing how many similarities we have and how easy it's been to become friends.
• the frequent communication I have with my sister, brother, and parents 
• my in-laws, nieces and nephews
•  as life continues, the list grows...

     

the quilts

It's interesting to think about the symbolism behind gifts and how this represents our relationship to the giver.  God, the perfect Giver, always has purpose and symbolism behind his gifts.  Just what we need, during the perfect season, for the growth and purposes he desires.  Often the themes of his gifts are similar, yet the representation and timelines are different for each of us. 

So it is with these quilts.  The quilter interpreted the theme of growth (in a gardening sense and beyond), love, and life differently, yet each is symbolic of the path God guides me along. 

Quilt 1:  Shortly after Paul and I were engaged, my aunt, Debbie, told me she wanted to make us a quilt for our wedding gift.  When she asked me for ideas, I shared with her the idea of "growing" and seeds.  The front has fabric patterns representing this and the back has a "vine-like" stitch.



Quilt 2:  When Paul and I returned from our honeymoon, this quilt was on our bed.  His mom's friend, Michelle, sewed it using batik (very African like)  patterns in purples, browns, and greens.  On the back, the fabric is a vine. The stitching is hearts, perfect for a wedding quilt.

 


Quilt 3:  Have I mentioned that our church is FULL of quilters?  A few weeks ago, one of the ladies in my Bible Study group gave us this quilt at our CA wedding reception.  It has many batik patterns, with a forestry background.  Paul's parents said it had "his" and "hers" sides.