Don't Let Your Heart Rot !

"...as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other , whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you." Colossians 3:12, 13

"Not forgiving will rot your heart ~ forgiving before you are asked will set you free." author unknown

Happy Birthday Baby Sister!

Happy Birthday Baby Sister!A whole year has come and gone since we shared your 50th birthday together in Hawaii.I am on the far left ( wearing green ), our youngest sister is on the far right. What an amazing time we had and a whole year has passed by so quickly with so many changes in each of our lives. It is a comfort to me in the knowledge that no matter our differences and circumstances in life, we are there for each other, thank-you. Happy birthday Tricia, I love you !

Bird Of Paradise Tea For One

One of my few souvenirs to remind me of my trip to Hawaii with my 3 younger sisters, this teapot / teacup combo. The colors are true to the tropical foliage painted on them. Teapot on top of teacup, on saucer. Look at the Bird Of Paradise flower and foliage painted on them. They are just as I remember the Bird Of Paradise plants my mother and father had growing in our gardens when we lived in Hawaii. Growing these beautiful flowers in Hawaii is very easy, and the flowers really do look like exotic birds, hence the name. Do you know when you get off the plane in Honolulu and stroll through the airport you first encounter beautiful gardens full of these flowers? "Designed In Hawaii, Hand painted in China" is written on the bottom of the set, and the company name "Island Plantations". This set is called "Bird Of Paradise Tea For One".

The set looks like pottery but is very fine in feel and heft.

Although I cannot grow the beautiful Birds Of Paradise here,I do have orchids that will bloom again and again for me in my sun room. Bird of Paradise, meet my yellow bunny and her orchid! To see more tea cups, and all things tea, warm yourself by sipping a hot cup of your favorite tea and visit these ladies:

• Martha at Martha's Favorites *
• Terri at Artful Affirmations *
• Wanda Lee at The Silken Purse *
• Lady Katherine at Lady Katherine's Tea Parlor *
• Pam at Breath Of Fresh Air *
• Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage *

Aloha !

I have been away, in Hawaii,enjoying myself with my 3 younger sisters as we celebrated the 50th birthday of our baby sister. We lived in Hawaii many years ago. I and 2 of my sisters attended elementary school there, took hula dance lessons there, swam in the ocean and played on the beaches. Our parents grew bananas, plumerias and hibiscus in the yard of our home on Schofield Barracks - the Army base on the island of Oahu. ( Above is a picture of myself, in red, with my 3 younger sisters.) My sisters Karen and Joni were very clever in hiding this banner to present to our sister after our climb of Diamond Head , on her birthday. What a great hike ! When you get to the top of Diamond Head you can see the most beautiful sights of Hawaii and Honolulu. ( Baby sister is wearing orange)

Lighthouse seen below , from the trail leading to the top of Diamond Head.

Our rented condo is over there, can't you see it?

I have a certificate to prove I climbed to the top!

Diamond Head, as viewed from a boat on the ocean.

As we 4 sisters shared a week together, and shared our lives with each other, it is very apparent all of us will encounter difficulties, tragedies,and disappointments along life's road.Yes, there are great joys and blessings, and hopefully a lot of laughter along the road too. Sometimes though, the sadness and even despair cloud our lives and heavy-laden hearts hold us back from remembering there are sunshiny days to come if only we can hold fast to what we KNOW in spite of the hard times we are seeing and experiencing ." The Lord tests our faith, leading us into hardships, teaching us wisdom, showing us His ways. Our first reaction may be a surge of panic and a sense of alarm, but we must learn to consult the Scriptures for guidance. So, take a deep breath and recall this deeper secret of the Christian life : when you are in a difficult place, realize that the Lord either placed you there or allowed you to be there, for reasons perhaps now known only to Himself. The same God who led you in will lead you out." The Red Sea Rules by Robert Morgan. ( Thanks Mildred for the heads up on this book. ) We had a good time in Hawaii,and I am thankful to God for my 3 younger sisters and with the life He has blessed us. My prayer for each of us is to seek God's wisdom and discernment regarding all aspects of our lives, and more importantly, remember when times seem dark and depressing that God can and will work in us for His glory, we just need to remember... "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." Psalm 34:19