~ ♥ A Walk Through My Town ♥ ~

Won't you come on a little stroll with me through my town? This is just a small view of some of the things that make me smile! I live in the beautiful and quaint little "Dutch" town  of Lynden, Washington. Some call it "Little Holland!" I call it "home!"

This is Front Street. The main entrance to town. My Granfather planted these trees many, many years ago. They are called "Pin Oaks!" I think this is what Pinochio must have been made from!

Our landmark! The windmill at the Dutch Villiage.

                                     

And . . . now some of my favorite cottages!

Trish . . . the owner of this cute cottage has her own blog. Why don't you stop in and take a look around!

http://trishabrinkdesign.blogspot.com/

Tami . . . the owner of this wonderful home has her own blog. Why don't you go and take a peek!

http://theladyinthestonehouse.blogspot.com/

And one of my favorite old barns! We are a community of dairy farms and berry fields!

The cherry blossom entrance to one of my favorite old homes.

This is the Stremler Home. Stately and Gorgeous! I grew up just across the street from this beauty!

and . . . back down the pretty lane of trees as we end this stroll through "my town!"

Hope you enjoyed your visit! I know I enjoyed sharing!

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~♥~ Heartfelt Words ~♥~

"This is my wish for you. Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, love to complete your life."

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I read these beautiful words today and wanted to share them with all of you. Even though I am not the author of these words, nor do I know who the author is, I share them from my heart.

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If you are the person who wrote these words please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due.

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~♥~ Letter From God to Women ~♥~

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity. From one bone, I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone, I shaped you. I modeled you, created you perfectly and beautifully. Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body. You were not taken from his feet, to be under him;nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side. You are my perfect angel. You are my beautiful little girl.You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart. Your eyes... don't change them. Your lips, how lovely when they part in prayer.Your nose, so perfect in form. Your hands, so gentle to touch.I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep. I've held your heart close to mine. Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me. Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me. He could only feel me.So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me,I fashioned in you; my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and support. You are special because you are an extension of me. Man represents my image, woman my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God. So men......treat women well. Love them, respect them, for they are fragile.

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For Simply Saralee.....♥ with love

This is a beautiful and heartfelt gift I received today from a dear, sweet friend. It has touched my heart and made me smile! Although we have never met in person, I feel I know Cherry Layne by the essence of her words and her beautiful heart. If we don't get the chance to meet in person here on earth, I know we will meet someday in Heaven! I sure hope there is tea in Heaven because I plan on sharing a cup with my sweet friend!

Thank you Cherry for blessing me today! I love your beautiful heart!

Artwork by Cherry Layne

Dear Sara, You are a special person....God has shined upon you and you have let His warmth come through, in life and to others, polyvore, your blog... Thank you for being such a special lady.... maybe someday we shall meet and share tea and cake.....Cherry

If you would like to view Cherry Layne's beautiful work on Polyvore

please go here ~

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?id=404020

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~♥♥~ The Gift of A Name ~♥♥~

"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." Proverbs 22:1

This is a story about . . . . ME!

When I was a little girl, like most children, I had a favorite bedtime story. I loved this story so much I wanted to hear it over and over again. It went like this . . . . Once upon a time there was a Pastor, his wife and two teenage daughters, who wanted to add a baby to their family, but the wife wasn't able to have any more children and the two daughters wanted a baby more than anything! So the parents, Cornie and Joan, told the girls it would take a miracle for them to add a baby to their family. These two girls, Eleanor and Joyce, decided to pray that God would send them a baby. These young girls faith was strong and they believed God had a baby just for them. They heard on the news one night that someone had found a baby at a garbage dump so on the next dump day they begged their Dad to let them go along. They were sure they would find their new baby there. To their disappointment all they found was garbage! Their next great plan was to get babysitting jobs and hope and pray that someone wanted to give their baby away. When all of this failed and they were so disappointed, Cornie and Joan told the girls to keep praying and have faith. One day, out of the clear blue, in October 1949, the phone rang in the Rientjes household. Joan was home alone and took the call. The ladies voice on the other end said, "You don't know me, but I heard your husband, Pastor Rientjes, on a Christian radio broadcast give your family's testimony about being missionaries in Alaska and having an orphanage there before you came to Bellevue, Washington. I am having a baby and my husband isn't the father so I would like you to adopt it. Would you be interested?" Joan almost dropped the phone before she replied, "Would we be interested? This could be the answer to our prayers!" Then, click! The lady hung up! Was this a joke, was this lady serious, would she call back? When Cornie came home Joan told him and they decided not to tell the girls and get their hopes up in case this might not be for real. Now it is November 1949 and the Rientjes family is at the breakfast table having their morning devotions. Joan is reading the Bible and has just read Romans 9:9. "For this is the word of promise. At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son." Ring, ring goes the phone! Joan jumps to answer it and the voice at the other end says, "This is Eva, your baby was born on the 22nd and it is ready for you to pick up. I am at the Sandpoint Naval Hospital. Please come as soon as possible!" Click and the call has ended! Joan goes back to the table with the amazing news! Our baby is ready to pick up! Cornie says, "I wonder if it is a boy or a girl?" To which Joan replies,"It is a girl and we are to name her Sara!" Cornie laughs and asks, "What makes you think that?" Joan says, "Think about it. We just read Romans 9:9 and it said Sara shall have a son. I believe God is telling us our baby is a girl and we are to name her Sara!" Cornie and the girls chuckle and say, "Maybe it's a boy!" A little later at the hospital, with much joy and anticipation, the Rientjes family go to Eva's room. They chat a bit and Eva says, "I want to tell you something. The baby is a girl and I gave her a name. You don't have to keep it, but I have five sons and I always wanted a little girl. I know I can't keep her, but I wanted to give her something, so I named her Saralee." Now you might say this is a coincidence . . . but our family believes it is divine providence!

The Rientjes Family
December 1949
Cornie, Joan, Eleanor, Joyce & Baby Saralee

My thoughts . . .

The name Saralee means Princess. My Heavenly Father is the King of Kings . . . therefore, I am a Princess to the King of Kings! It doesn't get any better than that!

Some Significant Adoptions

Moses: by Pharaoh's daughter Exodus 2:10 & Acts 7:21

Esther: by her Uncle Mordecai Esther 2:7 and 15

Jesus Christ: adopted by Joseph Luke 1:34-35 & Luke 2:48

All true believers in Jesus Christ: adopted by God John 1:12 Galatians 4:4-5 Ephesians 1:4-5

First and foremost I am overwhelmed that I am adopted by God and I am a child of the King! Next, I am thankful everyday that God, in His infinite wisdom, chose for me the most awesome family that only some could dream of having! I am blessed beyond measure!

Finally!!

Finally taking time to get my blog back to beautiful and hoping to start blogging a couple of times a week. Getting ready to share some lovliness and hoping it makes your heart smile!

And for now I will leave you with this~

I wish for you faith

I send to you hope

And I share with you love from a joyful heart!

Merry Christmas

Just popping in to wish one and all a wonderful and blessed Christmas. Remember . . . "JESUS" is the reason for the season!

I know it is extrememly easy to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle that is Christmas and the holiday season and it is easy to get so busy that we don't take time to ponder all that is Christmas! It is more than parties, shopping, wrapping, decorating, gift giving and eating.

Christmas is to celebrate the birth of our Saviour. He came as a tiny baby, such a humble beginning! Yet he became the Saviour of the world. He came for you and for me. He came to pay a debt (for our sins) that He didn't owe!

What will you do to celebrate the Christ that is Christmas this year?

Many blessings . . . and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

"In The Good Old Summertime"

It has been so long since I have updated this little blog. I hate to say it . . . but life just seems to get busier and busier! The days seem to start out early and then evaporate into thin air!

Just keeping very busy caring for my 97 year old Father who has been in a lot of pain and has been needing a lot of extra help. He is getting a back procedure (Vetebroplasty) done on Monday and we pray this alleviates a lot of his pain.

Hope you are all enjoying the beauty of summer!

Don't forget to thank God for your blessings!

Until later . . .

Saralee ♥

Just thinking about Mothers and Daughters today. I was thinking about what a wonderful Mother I had and how blessed I was by her. My Mom passed away 3 1/2 years ago and not a day goes by that I don't think about that awesome lady. I miss her dearly!

I couldn't begin to tell you what and awesome woman she was. First and foremost she loved and served God with all her heart. She loved my Dad beyond measure and she loved her 3 daughters more than life itself. She spent almost 60 years in the ministry, as a pastor's wife, with my Father. She always had a smile, a happy heart and always saw the good in people. She had faith beyond measure.

I spent almost everyday with my Mom the last 4 years of her life. This was such a gift for me. My Mom suffered from dementia, but always knew my Dad and me. She never forgot the scriptures and loved to sing all the old wonderful Christian hymns. She never missed a word!

I miss YOU MOM!! I will see you again someday! I am so thankful for that wonderful promise!

Wishing you all a wonderful day . . . and take time to think about your Mother today. If she is still living . . . give her a call and tell her you love her!

"Going To The Birds"

Ahhhhhh . . . those last few days of a long beautiful summer! It will soon be full into the fall season and time for me to once again start feeding all my feathered friends. I just bought 300 pounds of bird seed. That's right . . . 300 pounds. That might not even last the whole winter! Gotta keep my sweet little friends tummies full and happy!

HAPPY FALL Y'All!