Showers of Blessing

I woke up yesterday to the sound of thunder in the distance.  My first thought was, "Oh no! Not rain! I need to work in the garden!" There were weeds to pull and green beans to pick.

I sat on the sofa and looked at the window. It was almost daylight. The only sound to be heard was the steady falling of the rain. I decided to take advantage of the quiet time and have my devotions.

Then I began to rack my brain for "inside" things to do to keep the children busy for the day.  I had some dried lavender blossoms from herb garden, so we could make lavender jelly. We just got some new watercolor paints, so art time was another option. And I knew that the children love to have reading parties on rainy days.

So after the children woke up and did their chores, we began making the jelly. They love helping me in the kitchen. And even though it takes much longer for me to accomplish what I need to, they learn best by helping. So it's worth the extra time. We made 5  1/2 pints of jelly and of course, the children's favorite part is taste testing.  :)  The prep and clean-up takes a while, but we were finished by 11:00. 

During lunch, we had a discussion about modesty. (I'll save that for another post.  :-} ) It seems as if we have some of our biggest theological discussions around the lunch table. I love that!

After lunch,  Ian and Aaron did some reading while Asher, Natty, and Mimi painted pictures.

Then the sun came out. I waited to hear, "Mom, we're going outside!"  But instead I heard, "When can we have the reading party?" Wow! So we sprawled out on the floor, ate some goodies, and read a few chapters of the Boxcar Children.

We ended up having a blessed day after all...in spite of being "stuck inside". The showers were a two-fold blessing: I spent the day making memories with my children, and my thirsty garden got a drink of water.

And after supper, I did get the garden work done - with the help of my 5 "heritages".  :)

"There shall be showers of blessing..."   Ezekiel 34:26

Have a blessed day,

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