She seeketh wool, and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.
Proverbs 31:13 KJV

Hello brothers and sisters! So glad you have come back to me and my random thoughts. The Lord truly is wonderful and He has us even when we cannot see it. This week has had a lot of those times happen for my family. The Lord said we are to work willingly with our hands and I am excited! I am getting ready for plant babies and planning out my garden.

In the years past I really did think that somehow my mom’s green thumb was going to somehow be mine without the knowledge or learning process that she was raised from childhood in. Let me just tell you, the more I learn about gardening the more I realize I know nothing… A plant whisperer I am not. Plants come to my house to die normally. Every spring I skip off to the plant orphanages and I gather new little ones to bring home and nurture.

I think I can almost hear the new arrivals scream out in horror as I happily walk them past last year’s victims… You know that saying about indoor plants… How you can tell the heart of a person from the condition of their house plants… Well mine died of thirst and so was I for so long. I knew I was thirsty but I refused to truly drink from the well of living water. However, that has changed and I just know I will see the side affects of that in my garden this year!

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
John 4:13‭-‬15 KJV

SO this week we will be starting the following seeds inside Lord willing.

• Bok Choy
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Brussels Sprouts
• Eggplant
• Callerds
• Onions
• Peppers
• Swiss Chard
• Tomatoes
• Spinach
• Garlic

This is the list that I am going by. I am in zone 7 but you will have to check and see what zone you are in. These have been handy in helping me plan my garden. I also am more than willing to take any and all advice. Don’t allow this generation of plant babies to die if you have life saving information…

Along with the planning on paper and looking through all my seeds and finding random packages of new seeds I would like to grow someday… I have started to use graph paper to lay out my garden. I have a “dream garden” and a “reality garden”, this way I have a goal to work towards as an “end” result. Of course it will change over time in little ways but over all I will have a direction to go.

There are a lot of things I want in the garden, trellises and arbors and the like for my vine plants. Raised beds and a greenhouse are also on that list of things wanted for the garden. However, this year will not be the magic year I get all those things but I do plan on it in the future. For now I need to make sure I have a great place for my chickens and rabbits to live and we will see how all the rest of it works out.

As I try really hard to finish up the winter projects I gave myself, I am feeling better about the things I have coming up. The voice of experience here… things only back up the longer you wait… and read the directions! Anyways, today I will be working on my largest canvas and tomorrow finishing the epoxy pour on my table. I think I only have one left to do before I can start to sand the top. Then I will polish it, and it will be done.

I have a few other paintings to finish and of course the day to day stuff. With the grace of God I am going to be able to finish it all before the real work begins. Once the weather breaks, boots head out the door to clean up what winter left behind. I have to admit, I have a bit of cabin fever. The need to feel the earth between my toes and fingers is strong. No, I never garden with shoes on. I like to connect to the earth God took us from. There is science behind the effects of grounding and it is remarkable how much we need to be a part of this earth.

Well family, my time on the computer is drawing to an end and I must say good bye for now. I want to remind ourselves that we need to tend to our spiritual health in the same way that we tend a garden. Planting is hard work and so is our spiritual walk. Working with our hands, tending life in whatever form it comes in is a fantastic way to empty out your heart before the Lord. As you put in the hard, strenuous work to till the soil, plant the seeds, water, weed, harvest and preserve… remember that your soul needs the same kind of work. Yes, the Holy Spirit, if allowed guides and directs our path but we are to work with Him to change ourselves.

And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:18 KJV