Morning Has Broken

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

Psalm 5:3

Morning Has Broken

words by Eleanor Farjeon

Morning has broken, like the first morning

Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird

Praise for the singing, praise for the morning

Praise for the springing fresh from the Word

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven

Like the first dewfall, on the first grass

Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden

Sprung in completeness where His feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning

Born of the one Light, Eden saw play

Praise with elation, praise every morning

God's recreation of the new day 

Morning. Even before the sun makes it's way above the horizon and shows it's face...

...that is my favorite time of the day. 

It's the only time of the day when everything is new.

A fresh start. A new beginning.

How many times have you gone to bed the night before with a heavy burden on your heart?

Maybe even cried yourself to sleep? There's just something about the morning...

Your world seems to be crashing in around you and the answers you need just don't come.

You pray for peace.

You awaken when it's still dark...just the way it was when you finally were able to fall asleep,

tears on your pillow and all.
But something is different.

Somehow, even though you know that the burden is still there...

...it doesn't seem quite as heavy.
Something has changed.
Your spirit seems brighter and your countenance is much more peaceful.

There seems to be hope now.

What happened while you were sleeping?
How did things change during the night?

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

I hope you have a blessed week.

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Fancy Gap...a little closer to heaven

Fancy Gap...ever heard of it? I had noticed the road signs for several years before I actually came to know this heavenly little place.

Having lived in North Carolina for the past twenty plus years, we traveled through this area of southwest Virginia numerous times as we went back and forth to visit family and friends in Ohio, where my husband and I are from. Just the sound of it intrigued me—Fancy Gap—and never did I imagine that we would ever come to own a piece of it in the form of a few acres on top of a mountain where we built our little log cabin. There are many "gaps" in this area of the Blue Ridge Mountains but I just love how putting the word "fancy" in front of it gives it a certain sense of wonder. So...what is so fancy about Fancy Gap anyway? Probably nothing anymore than some of the places that you have visited...or maybe even right where you actually make your home. I am just a little prejudice I guess. Here are a few reasons why.

The road to the cabin is lined on either side with an array of wildflowers in the spring, summer and early fall.

The sweetpeas are my favorites...I think...

...they look like little pink ruffly collars...so delicate...

 ...or maybe it's these tall purple ones... I don't know what they're called, do you?

Then again, I think it must be the orange tiger lilies, or "ditch lilies" as I call them because they always seem to grow along the side of the road in ditches :)

I don't know...it's so hard to decide...

...I can't seem to make up my mind...

From the moment you turn on to the nearly two mile long gravel road that leads to the cabin, it's like taking a trip back in time—to a simpler life, free from the worries and stresses of the day.  

These are such sweet cows. Sometimes I can almost get them to come over to the fence so we can have a chat. They just stand there and look at me like I'm crazy :)

On both sides of the road, all way up to our driveway at the very end, wild blackberries and black raspberries are abounding during the summer months. 

This little cabin on top of the mountain—where the road dead-ends in our driveway—has been our home away from home and our go-to retreat for peace and quiet for the past eleven years. It has been a place for countless get-togethers with family and friends...where echoes of laughter from our children and grandchildren can still be heard if you listen carefully.

There is nothing quite as relaxing as just sitting on the porch swing or maybe in one of the rockers, looking out over the mountain on a breezy summer day—just listening to the wind in the trees and the rushing of the creek down below. I tell you, it's like you can almost hear the voice of God, Himself. Whispering. Calling your name. Telling you how much He loves you—truly a worshipful experience.

Looking out over deck, the steep driveway curves down and then down again and crosses the creek bridge.

This is my grandson, Dacey, as he makes his way across the creek.

Every where you look, pieces of the past are still lingering. 

When I see these old buildings, I'm always so curious about the people who came in and out of them throughout the years...and the lives they lived.

Just a few miles away, off the main road, you can get onto the Blue Ridge Parkway which is altogether lovely on it's own. The speed limit is only 45 miles per hour so if you're in a hurry this may not be for you. Just a short trip down the parkway you will come to Mabry Mill...maybe you have heard of it. It's actually a very popular tourist spot and also one of the most photographed gristmills in the United States—in fact, a few other states have "stolen" photos of the mill and put their own name on it, taking credit for it being theirs. Shame on them, I say!

Every Sunday afternoon down at the mill, the sounds of banjos and fiddles echo throughout the park. The old time mountain music that this area is known for is played by some of the area musicians. Old and young alike enjoy a little flat-footin', the old time mountain dance.

The silhouette of Buffalo Mountain in the distance can be seen for miles and miles.

In the summer, folks come from miles around to visit the peach orchards.

Mmm... they are always so sweet and juicy!

I just couldn't resist getting a picture of this sign :)

Well, I could just go on and on but I won't...

...just let me show you a few more reasons why I love this place.

For me anyway, it's just like this cute little pillow says... heaven is a little closer in Fancy Gap!
I hope you have enjoyed our little visit... 

...so please, come back, kick off your shoes and let's sit on the porch for a while!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Ol' Glory

Today is the Fourth of July and I just returned home from spending a few days at our cabin in Virginia. While we were there, my grandson and I decided to take a ride up the mountain on the golf cart to a piece of property that one of our neighbors owns. It is a meadow on top of a steep hill, all green and lush with a "pop" of red, white and blue where they have attached a flagpole to one of the trees. It was a beautiful day with a gentle breeze and that flag was just glorious as it billowed in the wind among the trees.

I came across this poem that I would like to share with you.

Ol' Glory

~H. Fred Jackson

Ol' Glory, she's called by those who know her best,

She stands head and shoulders above all the rest.

Ol' Glory, she's called by those who know her best,

Because down through the centuries she has stood the test.

From the earliest of battles she has stood proud and tall,

Always ready and willing to go when given the call

From the shores of America to the shores of foreign lands,

Her stars and stripes waving in the breeze always reminds us of our free land.

She may get knocked down, dirty, torn, worn or soiled

But She will pick herself up and knock off the dust and continue to toil

She is the symbol of our great land, freedom and liberty we all hold so dear,

A symbol of strength, courage and a spirit that will not disappear. 

When all the dust and smoke has cleared and even the shedding of a tear,

Then we look up and see Ol' Glory, the one we hold so dear

She's standing prouder, taller with more spirit than ever before

She's called Ol' Glory for all of us to love and adore.

May we always be reminded of what She stands for.

May you have a blessed Fourth of July...and thanks for stopping by!

Debby