Who am I? A wife for almost 40 years. A mom for over 36 years. A sister and a friend, of course. Each of these help describe me. But, even more, I have been a Christian since accepting Him as my Savior when I was 12 years old and, this truth defines each area of my life. I have enjoyed some mountain top experiences but have been through some very deep valleys as well. Valleys of incredible grief and even pits of depression. However, most of my days are ordinary, routine kind of days. But in every one of my days, God has been faithful. He has walked with me whatever the day. He strengthens, comforts, encourages and blesses me with life "most abundant."

A favorite life verse: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Why do I write? Though not quite as private as my dad, I am definitely my father's daughter. I find it difficult to share. And to let others in. But I do love to write. I love to put words into sentences and sentences in paragraphs that help express my thoughts. I hope my words help me share my heart. Share the life that God has given me and all that He has done for me and through me. I write with the hope of giving Him at least a bit of the glory He is due.

A verse to guide my writing: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:7

Trying to Bloom Where I am Planted

Posted on By jennifer

It is another beautiful day in the neighborhood!  Am I beginning to sound like a broken record?  Glancing at today’s Hodge Podge questions, you might have to bear with me, at least for one more post.  Or ten:)  Funny thing…every text I get from brother begins with an effusive update about the weather.  A picture of the latest tree in bloom.  Or a description of the most recent bird visitor to his patio.  He gets me:) (and I appreciate him)!  So, with spring in the air, and on my mind, let’s look at these Hodge Podge questions.

1. Spring has officially sprung (in the northern hemisphere anyway).  Did she roll in more like a lion or more like a lamb in your neck of the woods? What needs more of your attention in terms of a good spring clean this year-your house or your garden/yard? Spring arrived as a lovely lamb!  I’ll admit, it does not always happen that way which might explain why this one has been extra enjoyable.  She (is spring a feminine noun?) has “sprung” most beautifully.  Now, around the house, a good spring cleaning is definitely in order.  We have been devoting most of our attention to the yard and, quite honestly, I am okay with that.  The dust and smudgy windows can wait.  It is, for sure, they are not going anywhere.  For now, Lowe’s is our happy place!

2. What’s put a spring in your step lately? For sure and for certain, the weather.  You knew that answer was coming but it is the truth.  Yesterday, a friend showed up at Bible study and asked, “Anyone up for lunch after class?”  I didn’t have tons of time but spontaneous lunch dates, even quick ones, also put a bit of a spring in my step:)

3. When you were a kid, what was the best snack to find in your lunchbox? If you didn’t do the lunchbox thing, tell us what was your favorite after school snack. My mom both packed my lunch (every day) and had an afternoon school snack ready for me and my brother.  This I know but what we had in our lunches, or after school, I really cannot recall.  Interestingly, although it has been quite a few more years since he was in grade school, my husband knew exactly what he looked forward to after school each day.  The bus dropped him at the corner market/grocery not far from his house.  (Not this store but something quite similar.)  Not only would his dog be waiting for him (true story), but he would get a soda and a bag of potato chips at the market before walking home.  His after school treat cost him twenty-five cents:)

4. In what area of your life are you planting seeds? Ok, I think this is a figuratively speaking type question.  Right?  If so, I would say I “plant seeds” each week as I teach Junior Church.  For sure, some weeks it is much more of scattering seeds (and hoping something lands on fertile ground).  But the past few weeks, the children have really been soaking in the lessons, etc.  Nothing is more rewarding for those who desperately want to teach!

5. Why do you live where you do? Would you consider living somewhere else? Why or why not? I live in the surburban jungle just south of the nation’s capitol.  Traffic.  Congestion. Endless construction.  Way too much politics.  And, oh yeah, traffic.  I have lived here my entire life (well, since age four).  I would love (read that LOVE!!) to live somewhere else.  My dream would be to move internationally but I would be beyond thrilled to simply move to a different state.  I’m not sure either of those things will ever happen.  Why?  My husband is quite rooted here.  Deeply rooted.  I have tried as much as I am able to convince him to uproot.  To move.  To try someplace new.  I have pulled and tugged on those firm roots, but convinced he is not.  I used to have a very poor attitude about living here but, truthfully, there has been much improvement.  Certainly not perfect but I am trying my best to “bloom where I am planted.”

6. Insert your own random thought here.  The other day I mentioned, in my post, that there had been a lot of accidents on my street and that the county seemed to ingore and/or dismiss all ideas of trying to slow the traffic.  The very next day, our neighborhood HOA send out an email saying site work was being done to investigate the idea of creating a roundabout.  That’s progress but I was just surprised with the timing.  Coincidence or…no such thing as coincidences??  What do you think?

Here’s to a good Wednesday for everyone.  Let me know….has the pollen arrived in your neck of the woods??

Hodge Podge

Comments (11)

  1. Enjoyed reading your answers! Enjoy that weather and don’t feel bad for talking about it. My brother and I discuss the weather almost every time we talk (which is just about every day). The neat thing about the seeds you’re planting is that you are planting them in such a great “fertile” if you will time in the kids’ lives- when they are still really young. One is never too old to learn truths but there’s something about learning them in the young years that will (hopefully!) impact them for the longest amount of time. I’ve no doubt but that you’re blooming where you are! Have a great day, friend!

  2. I’m sure I talk about the weather way too much, but it’s hard not to mention a beautiful day, a bright blue sky, blooming things : ) It’s nice to see kids soaking up some of what you’re teaching. And for sure a role such as the one you’re filling is planting seeds. Have a great day!

  3. The sunny days and warmer weather really has put a spring in my step.
    How wonderful to teach Junior Church, it sounds like the kids have been enjoying the lessons lately.

  4. No… probably not a coincidence! Roundabouts can be a blessing!

    I loved your answer, my friend, to what you are sowing. I have no doubt in my mind but what you are doing that very thing with the children in Junior Church! God bless you.

    Loved your husband’s after school treat. Especially that his dog was waiting for him at the store when he got off the bus! That’s so cool!

  6. The pollen has been here for quite some time (Florida). I’ve been using a rag to wipe the yellow stuff off of the front porch chairs and bistro table. After our morning bike rides, we usually sit out there with our water to rest before getting on with the rest of the day.

    As for treats in the school lunch box, I don’t remember that far back except that a bologna sandwich was the norm. I’ve had about as much bologna as I need in this life and seldom eat it now as an adult.

  7. I’m sure some pollen has arrived but thankfully it doesn’t hit me hard as it does to others. I love the story about your husband and his afternoon stop at the shop for a soda and chips. I never had a nickel in my pocket, let alone 25 cents. That’s a fun memory. Teaching Junior church is a very worthwhile service. May those seeds grow deep roots! Happy Hodgepodge and happy Spring to you.

  8. I have friends that live near DC and while I like to visit them I wouldn’t want to live there. We are only at 36 today, so while spring has sprung, the spring weather is taking a vacation, we had snow flurries this morning. It can be SO hard to bloom where you are planted, but it’s good that you are trying. It sounds like you are succeeding as well, you have friends, Bible Study and are active in your church, all good things.

  9. I liked your take on blooming where you’re planted, and I think that is kind of my attitude about where we live right now. There is a lot to love about where we are, so I do try to focus on that. Too bad it took some accidents in order for the authorities to consider the roundabout as a solution. Coincidence or not, I hope the problem is resolved soon! Happy Spring!

  10. I had to giggle because as much as I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to live somewhere else my husband too is deeply rooted here and it’s all I can do to get him to take a week’s trip here or there (he’s happier with shorter weekend trips!). I’m not giving up but I realize that this is one area/argument that he is quite likely to win.

  11. We are enjoying some beautiful Spring weather at the moment and I am loving it. I think the return of the frogs has put a big spring in my step over the last week.
    I have always lived within a mile of where we currently live on the border between Birmingham and Worcestershire in the UK. I’m happy here and I don’t think I want the upheaval of moving again.

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