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Not even sure where to begin....September is flying by so quickly and it seems like only yesterday I posted on the Eve of the first day of school and here we are into week three. 

I didn't think it possible that I would be physically working as hard as I have.  But the surprise has been worth while.  The physical exercise on my body has been good for me.  There was a day when I felt overwhelmed with all the work that "I" was doing alone.  But in truth it's something our family has chosen and there are seasons to our lives and this is the season of preparation before harvesting.  The netting alone (to keep the birds away), has been the most difficult.  There were so many holes in the netting (literally 100's) and the expense to purchase new this year was not feasible considering the cost of $3,000-$4,000.  So stitching each hole individually has been my task this week.  My shoulders and neck have been crying out against me but the positive is that I think my posture has improved and my shoulders and neck might be straightened permanently.  The tips of my fingers don't seem to "feel anything, so they don't care what I do.... and my legs... well,  when this harvest season is over I WILL have "great legs" from going up and doing the ladder hundred's of times a day... ok, maybe not great legs... but, I hope so and that's all that matters since I have been the one giving my thighs and hips a work-out.... one can only dream... right?

I also seem to have lost my fear of heights...at least now if I had to live in an apartment, I might be able to live on the second floor....being that I have been nine feet in the air on a ladder with no one on the bottom holding this piece of metal to support me or soft matter to land on, I think I am doing quite well.

Anika's first day of piano lessons has come and gone and she is doing awesome.  She is already on book took and now a workbook.  The teacher is very impressed with her gift of music and ear.  I was a bit concerned, but her teacher has been my concerns and fears to rest.

Oh the smell of beautiful roses.  The colours are magnificant and so was the smile on the girls face who got them from her "boyfriend", for no reason just because...aren't those special gifts when there really is no reason...unless it's my birthday, Christmas, Anniversary etc...I just love gifts for any occasion...hint, hint to dh if you are reading this.

And yes, trauma inflicted upon one's self is part of growing up...the bumps and bruises of life happen and hopefully we learn from them in what to do and what not to do (or try).

Then there is Autumn a time decorate for Harvest....seemed fitting to get those things out as harvesting is our time around here.  There is so much to be grateful for as soon we will be celebrating our Canadian Thanksgiving. 

While working in the vineyard and having so many hours to myself to work and pray, I see the hand of God in everything around me...the quietness of the day...birds flying (but not getting my grapes)  The neighbours horses Neighing in the background. And a sound of a train whistle in the distant. God is good...His loves endures forever.  How quickly I can forget that my Lord is with me every moment of the day.  I can be so preoccupied with the task at hand that I forget that it is He who provides everything for our vineyard...it is He who gives me strength....and He who desires for me to talk with me throughout my day.  Share my dreams, sorrows and worries.  He lifts me up when I am down...he fills the heart when it feels weary...He fills my spirit when I think I am all alone doing this work and no one cares...but He cares for me and cares about every aspect of my life.  So is it possible that while I think that no one cares to help me, that I really didn't need help at all but that God gave me this time so I would turn my heart and mind to Him with no interruptions or conversations with others?  Yes, I feel it is true...I have had many hours these days to pour out my heart and soul to my Heavenly Father who desires this intimate relatiionship me....so, after confessing my "feel sorry for myself" attitude, I praised and thanked the Lord for allowing us to live on this beautiful, quiet and secluded vineyard for a season....how ever long that might me...and to work as hard as I can for a season not for others but for MY GOD who gives life and breath to me each day...Blessed be the name of the Lord.

And the harvest has begun...this is the first of our Concord's...these grapes we do NOT sell...this is for our own personal use....these grapes (as you all probably know) make the best grapejuice and grape jelly in the world....the flavour is priceless and therefore no one can pay me enough for the juice from these grapes.  Reserved for family and friends and special occasions (which to my new SIL---every day is a special occasion---he requests this juice EVERY time he comes over--and of course I always want to oblige. 

So to wrap up my first post after a long pause...God teaches me something new every day....and hopefully I am tuned into his heart  and then putting into practice the wisdom of Himself that he tries to impart into my every day life as I serve my family and friends...humbled with the realization that I have a Saviour who loves me no matter what.

Thursday, September 18, 2008 - How soon we forget!

Posted by Anonymous
DH here! I just read your post... Umm... need I remind you DW that a dozen flowers arrived in your hands for NO APPARENT REASON just last week!

Love you dear and love your post!