^{Psalm 105:39} He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night. ⁴⁰ They asked, and he brought them quail; he fed them well with the bread of heaven. ⁴¹ He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert.

There are some things that bring joy to my heart, Quail being one of them. I bought a cement set of mother and babies quite a while ago, like several years earlier. My neighbour and I discuss them fairly often, she hates them as they dig up her garden, I  love the way they run and talk to each other and I don't mind that they make a mess as I have two dogs and they certainly do. There was this fantastic stand in at the Salvation Army store the other day with three burls and a root of sorts. I jumped at it and brought it home. My quail were needing paint and fixing so that was my project last Friday. I will be setting these darlings out in my garden and hopefully the quail will enjoy them as well. I just have to seal their cotes and let it dry and then they will be au natural, at least in my mind. 

My newest family of Quail guaranteed to stay put.

There are so many joy givers in my life, in my garden and surrounding me. The trees will be pruned soon and as they have been neglected they should be much happier. Gardening will be beginning soon and that will bring me some much needed exercise. There are so many chores to begin, planting all my begonias will start soon. They do so much better if I start them in my kitchen but oh the clutter, each year they survive and I have more and more. If I were to have one wish is they could smell like  a lily or gardenia. Maybe I just want too much. The perfection of the blooms is amazing and they are so elegant, I plant them right outside my dining room window  past the quail and the humming birds flutter around there at meal times. 

Spring in the garden

James 5:7-11

 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. 9 Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!  10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. NIV

There is a time of year that life awakens afresh, my heart sings and the birds chirp, the quails run around and the sun once again shows it's lovely face. The snowdrops present their pure white faces under the fallen leaves, pushing aside the clutter to be fresh and new again. The garden is always patient, no matter the winter snow or storms or winds. Broken branches, broken trees, lying waiting for the sun and rain to complete the breaking down into soil or at least a living home for bugs, animals and plants. Leaves lying waiting for the rain to beat, the sun to shine and break them into great new soil. 

I wonder why I am not so patient, wishing for the next step in the journey, wishing for the surgery so Don could enjoy his meals and we won't be so anxious waiting for the choking to end. The truth is we don't even know if that will accomplish the desired results. We will get the call and make plans to go to Vancouver for the week sometime in the next few months.  

 Not so Don, he patiently passes each day, just pleasantly waiting the next directive from me or the Dr.s. Patience in the face of suffering, endless headaches, not much sleep at night, every day an endurance test  and doing his routines. He cuddles with the two white snugglers who adore him and wait patiently for him to arise each morning at 11 as is his habit. Dancing around in glee as he appears, waiting to see if he forgot that they had their wake up cookies and just maybe they will get another one. Breakfast and cuddles with the main man on the recliner. Their days are simple and delightful. 

The winter wind blew in our daughter in January for an extended stay. She brightens up our lives and brings a form of spring, many phone calls, lots of friends, busyness and adventures each day. A life force that cannot be denied is present when she is in a room. Laughter is always at the ready, stories are endless and new friends made as she presents each of her friend with their lives and stories.

I will persevere in this journey of living in the presence of spring's arrival. Expectant and cautiously optimistic, planting again the seeds for the crops to harvest later in the year. Spring is coming and clean up begins. I want to be patient and established in the Lord, not fretting, not fearing, standing firm for what is right, unafraid, and dear Lord, make me holy as you are holy. Celebrating each day and enjoying the moments. Waiting for the moment that He comes in His glory. Maranatha! Even so come Lord Jesus.