Through The Ashes Of Pain

There is a little spot in the 98 acres that recently got bulldozed (to make entering the property easier for vehicles). That small spot was now a mess of broken branches, mud, and remnants of a small cherry tree. It looked pretty bad.

But despite the wreckage, a small patch of daffodils still came up and bloomed.

Even through the ashes of pain, they still bloomed.

That thought came to me today, when I looked at them.

They reminded me of myself.

These past couple of months have held some painful experiences for me...

But through the ashes of pain, my Saviour lifted me up.

And now He asks me to bloom for Him.

Father God, grant me the strength to bloom, even through the fiery trials of life. Amen.

Friends and Flowers, Year # 2

Sunday afternoon shone bright and fair ( if not a wee bit hot) as my dad, a sister, two friends and I, went to the annual Lavender Festival of Oregon! :)

This was actually my third year to go, but it's only the second time that I've blogged about it.

If I could only have one flower in life, I would choose lavender....

Dear Emily is not in this pic, as she was the one behind the camera! From left to right: A friend of Emily's (as well as one of my friends :D) , my friend from Garden of Glory and me. :)

We had perhaps a leeetle too much fun out there.... (although, I have to admit that this is one of my favorite pictures!)

Daddy trying very hard to capture some pictures of the busy honey bees. (he got some bee-yew-tee-ful ones!)

Did I mention that we were having too much fun? ;D Friends amongst flowers....

I LOVE this picture!

All in all I think we had a great time together; and I even bought a bundle of fresh lavender for mom.... :)

~Caitlyn

Just as He unfolds the rose....

I found this poem and liked it so much that I just had to share it with you all!

It is only a tiny rosebud,

A flower of God's design,

But I cannot unfold the petals,

With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers

Is not known to such as I,

The flower God opens so sweetly,

In my hands would fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,

This flower of God's design,

Then how can I have wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust Him for His leading,

Each moment of every day,

And I'll look to Him for HIs guidance,

Each step of the pilgrim way.

For the pathway that lies before me,

My heavenly Father knows,

I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,

Just as he unfolds the rose.

~Anonymous

~Caitlyn

A forest Gem.....

Wild Trilliums are so lovely.....

Of Friends and Flowers

Saturday, July 11th, was Yamhill County's annual Lavender Festival. During this time, all the local lavender farms open up to the public, selling their goods and showing off their beautiful lavender. This year, Emily and I went along with two good friends of ours, as mom was not able to come with us. :( It was a day filled with bliss (and lavender!) and I am so thankful to have a photographer for a sister! Because now I can share with my readers what our day looked like....


Friends...



Red Ridge Farms was our first stop. I highly recommend this place!! Everything was beautiful and they have picnicking areas so you can eat amongst the flowers.

So this isn't lavender, but it has the colors at least! ;D

We walked through some lovely knot gardens that day...

I loved this sign!

Lavandula angustifolia....

This year I am having my senior pictures taken... I'm thinking on having them done in a lavender field. What do you think?

A view at Red Ridge Farms...

A wheat and Lavender wreath.

Breathtaking...

Echinacea Purpurea. Purple Coneflower. (fourth favorite herb!)

More Wheat and Lavender. Isn't it pretty?

Three maidens wending their way through a sun dappled path....

Only to find themselves confronted by three different paths to take....

Gros Bleu Lavender next to French Field White Lavender.

A lavender field with a wheat field right behind it! Can life get any better than that?

One of the farms we visited had alpacas. They were soooo cute! They had all been recently shorn, so they looked a little comical.

I miss my alpacas...

Lavender and wheat. Wheat and Lavender. A beautiful combination.

Art...

A young rose in all its blushing glory...

Art...

More art...

It was a lovely day with our friends and I can't wait until they do it again next year! Maybe next year mom can come with us.... I believe that would make everything perfect. :)

~Caitlyn