My ‘Island of
Rest’ was a quiet space of bustling activity – here, in the PNW, we have to ‘make
hay while the sun shines’: and that can be a tricky undertaking, as the
sunshine in the PNW usually shines through briefly … and behind schedule 😉
I try to make sure all my weekly tasks are completed before Shabbat kicks in Friday evening; and I don’t plan on leaving my personal space (house and property) until Sunday rolls around – this is flexible, as this weekend proved 😊
I am a Messianic Christian, blending my Jewish heritage with my Christian Faith: I bend to the Will of Elohei, rather than to religious observances. Under the Law of Grace, I am not bound by the Shabbat ordinances … but I CHOOSE to incorporate the Shabbat ‘Island of Rest’ observance into my life for the refreshment it brings into my life: while, as a Christian, I have communion with Elohei 24/7/365; the Shabbat 24-hour period of rest is enjoyable, as well a necessary – during this span of time, time kinda stands still … passing in a slow pace, basking in Elohim’s favor, and reflecting on all God’s glory, faithfulness, love, and mercy.
I LIKE setting that 24-hour period of time aside to spend with my Father (Elohim) and my Husband (Yeshua): I am glad Yeshua thought of this ‘Island of Rest’ … taking time to make time for refreshing body, mind, and soul … concept when He had finished with Creation 😉
Friday morning blew in wet and stormy – getting out of the house was not going to happen; so, I did three loads of laundry … went outside to the shed, and pulled the eight metal trellises I use for pea supports in my garden area … and laced bird netting to them in preparation for my Spring garden:
The last load of laundry finished drying as I tied off the last lacing knot on the last trellis 😊
I hauled the net-laced trellises back out to the shed – and walked the basket of laundry to the bedroom, and started folding/putting things away; and then settled in for a relaxing evening of Youtube black-n-white movies while I ate Supper.
After Supper dishes were washed and set to drip-dry, I finished up the preemie baby gowns I had started earlier in the week. Preemie babies have a special place in my heart.
I had a friend in high school who gave birth to a premature baby – that baby was so small, her adoptive father (the man who married my friend), could hold her in the palm of one hand: that little bit of humanity grew up strong and healthy … and is today, a mother, herself.
My youngest brother’s third child was a preemie – Jamie Lee was the size of a Barbie Doll when she was born … she looked so small and fragile in that incubator! Today she is in her thirties, is taller than I am, and weighs more than I do.
So, making
these little preemie gowns brought back a lot of memories – and I knitted each
one with love to honor the little warriors who will wear them.
Saturday, the sun showed; so, I decided to get the primroses I had bought Wednesday, into the front garden beds:
The garden beds may not look so spiffy now, but they will look real pretty in a couple weeks when the dormant perennials spring to life in the warming weather. There are Cabbage-leaf Begonias, Shasta Daisies, Delphiniums, Calla Lilies (smaller variety), Carnations (mat type), Daffodils, Crocuses, Alliums (smaller varieties), and creeping Stonecrop sedum already established in each flower bed (I planted all those in 2017 after we bought this house – I brought those transplants from our previous home); the primroses will add early color to each front flower bed before the rest bursts forth with renewed life 😊
Also, when the rains let up, and the sun shines longer than an hour between rainy periods; I plan to tackle the moss issue on the flower bed decorative edges. People have suggested bleach to kill the moss … but I don’t want to damage my flowers. An internet search suggested using soda as a safe and effective moss killer, without damaging my plants: we’ll see – I’ll try that when I am assured the soda powder will have time to work its effects before the inevitable PNW rain showers wash it away.
Today – this Sunday, I am still enjoying my extended hiatus from socializing: either in person, or through social media; I am enjoying the solitude, and the rest from the world’s stressful madness.