Sitting Under the Shelter Tree

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.  ~Leo Buscaglia

Encouraging Others

What I love about shelter sightings is that everyone's tree looks just a bit different. I sit under Avis' tree and am blessed by her appreciation of my writings. I sit under Melanie's tree and am sheltered with fun surprises -- a magazine, a container of cookies she baked for her family, a blog link she knows I'll love. I think sometimes we think sheltering is just the big blessings, the big gifts. To me, it's primarily the little things. It's Joann sheltering with a hug, my mother celebrating my writing accomplishments, Janene's "I'm praying for you," and Emily's "Sit still, Momma, I'll get it."

One Autumn sighting I've had is on Stephanie's Somewhat Simple blog. Stephanie came up with a special way to shelter her family by making a fun pumpkin garland. This is what she says: 

This garland is not only cute and festive, it is a sweet reminder of what we love about each person in our family. Now everyone in my family has their own hanging pumpkin telling them just a few of the reasons why their family members love them!

The second sighting is Stacey from A Delightful Home. One of the best things a momma can teach her children is to shelter. I was delighted to find this tree (you know my fixation on trees) card her children made for special people in their lives. She says:

[This is] a sweet (and earth-friendly way) the kids can show love and gratitude to special people in their life. Help your child think of specific things they appreciate about an individual and write them inside. (This is my favorite part. It is always fun to hear what children come up with!)

I've been sheltered the last couple weeks -- among them an invitation to dinner, crisp delicious apples, sweet blog comments and a letter from a blog friend.

I hope reading of these sightings will bless you as well as spark a few ideas of your own. I'd love to hear about them. Remember, it's the love bundled into the gift that blesses -- or as George MacDonald says, “the loving thought.” If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give.

God's heart smiles when we shelter.

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Pumpkin Chocolate Bread

This is one of my new favorite shelter idea. I made it and believe me when I say it’s delicious! No reason for me to recopy the recipe. Go to Amy’s blog at My Name is Snickerdoodle. It makes a large heavy loaf. Next time I’m going to make it in smaller pans.  

And for a gift tag idea, check out these from Esther's at Shoregirl's Creations.   

What Daddy Does Best

It is a wise father that knows his own child. ~William Shakespeare

Recently I heard a talk-show where callers were encouraged to phone in and explain instances of how they were like their father. I was shocked to hear some saying how they wished they were NOT like their father. Ouch!

For those who have never yet had the privilege of knowing my father, I will share some ways he, as a parent, has sheltered me.

I remember when we moved to a new city I just had to have some privacy so I could soak in the sun’s rays. Dad, being the ‘do for others whenever’ dad that I love, went to the store and bought one [big] section of privacy fence for his seventeen-year-old daughter. He fastened that thing right to the top of our silver Skylark Buick (in lieu of the pick-up truck he had always wanted!) to cart it home. Hilarious, when I think back.

I WANT to be self-sacrificial just like my dad

I AM just like dad - I have the nail cutting chore around here for our family. So, guess what I tell them? “Papaw used to cut my nails with his pocketknife scissors!” (Because it seems more challenging, harder and frankly, downright scarier using scissors, I opt for clippers – in my hands those are scary enough!)

I am reminded of my daddy when my daughter takes her shoe off, props her foot in my lap and demands, “Rub my foot!” Oops. This has come back to bite me…I am sure my daddy is chuckling, thinking, “Payback time!”

 I KNOW what love is because of my dad -- I am one who never had to wonder all the time if God would love me, comfort or take care of me. I had an earthly father that showed God’s love through his own life. I am sure when we become parents, we don’t stop to think how this will help build the character of our grandchildren by the way we live in front of our own children. Dad would stay up so late in the evening for his special alone time, relaxing in the old blue lazy boy and also kneeling there in prayer before heading to bed; after giving of himself to his family and work all day.  

I can count on one hand the times my father spoke angrily or spoke out in frustration to or about my mother. This teaching and guiding -- letting me help with chores (whether it took longer or looked worse after I had helped) has showed that he loved me by doing and finding things I would eventually come to enjoy and/or need to do later in life.

    “Lord, I pray I can use these examples

       as stepping stones in my own way

          as I am raising my children

to become good little missionaries for You.”

Dear Dad,

Thanks for sheltering me with your gentleness, compassion and self-sacrificial love. 

                                                                                                   Happy Father’s Day!

                                                                                                         Love, Molly

                                                                                        Aka Melanie Lynn (Kuhn) Clemens

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Personalized Cards: Free through Shutterfly

Ethan signing his name

Cards ready? Check!

Shutterfly Mug

Happy Father's Day!

Tableware packages for Father's Day
Tied with Love from It's Always a Party at the Parkers

Picture Perfect Cards

What do we live for, if not to make life less difficult for each other? ~George Elliot

In the United States 7.8 billion cards will be sold this year. That averages out to about 30 cards per person. 235 cards a second! I love sending--and making cards to send. Now I'm not a professional by any means and if you're looking for that I'd suggest you check Shore Girl's Creations. (And you'll find many other projects, too.)

I do love making cards with Emily's photographs. First of all is the joy I get from knowing she took the photos. But it is also makes a striking card with a small amount of time invested.

The top card says, "God's answers are better than our prayers."

This is the inside of the above card.

Excuse the strange "hues" of these pictures--the photographer was babysitting.

I like the flag card for the men who are protecting our country.

Emily took this at the dedication of this flagpole honoring her Pawpaw Sankey.

My Daddy bought these roses for my Mother.

We were visiting them and Emily took the pictures. Very vintage looking in sepia tones.

These are some that I've made into cards or plan to.

I like to include a Scripture verse with my cards.

Some of my favorite ones to include are:

Praise the Lord; Praise God our Savior! For each day He carries us in His arms. Psalm 58:19

Those who hope in me will not be disappointed. Isaiah 49:23

I am glad from the inside out, ecstatic; I have pitched my tent in the land of hope. Acts 2:26

The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land,

and will strengthen your frame. Isaiah 58:11