Crape Myrtle

Natchez Crape Myrtle or what we fondly refer to as "the big one with white blooms" is beginning it's yearly display. In North Texas - we plant crape mytles as specimen plants in our landscape. CMs (as we'll call them for the rest of this short posting) can range from dwarf charmers for a border or planter to these 20 foot tall trees with interesting bark and huge bloom heads. CMs tolerate heat well, are reasonably drought tolerant and provide a focal point in our otherwise plain driveway. It is good to be pretty just for the sake of being pretty - at least that's how I see it with plants and some animals - not so much for people. It is a hot, clear Sunday in July and on Buhlaland it is good to have something flowering.

Wondering why

Here on Buhlaland - we are aware of our blessings, express our gratitude and try to share with others the abundance over which we've been made steward. For a time now - we've struggled with "why is it so HARD?" - to run a business attempting to reflect God's glory, to have a small ministry which effectively reaches those who come across our path, to relate to people in positive ways, to be healthy so we can serve? It all has seemed hard recently. "If only" people weren't so --insert appropriate negative adjective of your choice -. During our devotional time this morning what I read reminded me we have an Abba Father not a cold God who doesn't see our "wronged" hurts. Even in things/people which seem to hinder what we believe we are supposed to be doing - He is working out His plan. Knowing there is a reason - a plan -behind hard times makes for lighter burdens. Not claiming I won't chafe at times even under the lightest of burdens-- but for now - I can record today's lesson so I'll remember to see the lily and know - while it is good on Buhlaland -- it will be glorious in our eternal home
Luke 12:27-28 (New Living Translation)
27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?"


The Way Appointed by Elisabeth Elliot

One aspect of the mystery of God's sovereign will is how the calculated evil of men is not only permitted, but actually becomes a necessary part of the divine plan. We are tempted to think of the wrongs done to us as hindrances, frustrations, interruptions. "What has this got to do with the will of God?" we ask, irritated and, we suppose, justifiably impatient with human interference. But the truth is that both our time and our way are in God's hands--they are "appointed." Surely it is so for all his sons as it was for the Son of Man. When He was on the verge of being "handed over for crucifixion," and betrayed by one of his own disciples, He said, "My appointed time is near....One who has dipped his hand into this bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man is going the way appointed for him" (Mt 26:18, 24 NEB).
Out of the deepest depths of human evil the good God brought salvation--the very salvation of man whose sinfulness killed the Son He sent.
Nothing can reach us, from any source in earth or hell, no matter how evil, which God cannot turn to his own redemptive purpose. Let us be glad that the way is not a game of chance, a mere roll of dice which determines our fortune or calamity--it is a way appointed, and it is appointed for God's eternal glory and our final good.

Playing Catch up!

No bright ideas about what to say - here we go with a list of what the pictures are.
Camouflaged bird is a real roadrunner (they don't say beep beep) - actually are fast runners, good at killing snakes and lizards.









The representation-in-fruit-of-a-flag cake is the dessert we took to BFF's for Independence Day meal and fireworks fun. It was actually a WW recipe so quite legal for our weight loss plan.

The courthouse in our little town likes for people to notice national patriotic holidays - there are flags all around the town square and the courthouse grounds.

Tincan Garden - lots of green - not many vegetables. VERY hot weather.

Chickens getting big - eating a LOT no eggs yet.

Been bizzy as a bee with not so much to show as accomplishments - it is good and hot on Buhlaland and we are grateful for chickens, gardens, bees and air conditioning!