You capture: hopeful

HOPEFUL

We used to live by the beach in Southern California. We were used to 65 degree winters and 80 degree summers. That was the extent of our seasons.

We moved into our first house (no longer by the beach) last July. Back then, everything was green, blooming, and well-manicured from the previous owner's gardener. We spent the summer enjoying all of the flowers and bright green grass.

In Autumn, we saw glorious shades of red, orange, yellow and brown that were simply amazing. Everyday when we drove down our street and rounded the corner to our house, we all looked in awe at the beautiful foliage and decorated yard we had because of these colors.

And then winter came. A real winter. Where rain falls, wind blows, temperatures go down to almost freezing levels and windows get frosty. And our yard followed suit. Trees lost all of their leaves, rosebushes lost all flower buds, shrubs turned brown, and bushes looked like big, blobs of brown twigs. Since we had never gone through a winter in this town, let alone this very house, we weren't quite expecting it. It's a little shocking to see your grass get big patches of brown spots. And your bouganvilla change from green with beautiful violet flowers to completely brown twigs (and thorns, don't forget the thorns).

A few days ago, I drove down the street and rounded the corner to our house and saw these for the first time since last September. I couldn't believe the shades of purple and the volumes of flowers that erupted in what seems overnight!

Such a simple flower but so decorative and hopeful to see!

On a completely different note, this is bringing a lot of hope into my world these days:

Rick and I are at a stage in our relationship where we are agreeing to disagree.

Religion.

Totally different views. I pray that this is only for the time being, but ultimately, it's out of my control and in the hands of God. But in the meantime, I feel very strongly that our kids get introduced to Him while they are young. This is the best time in their lives to minister to them. Rick has been EXTREMELY open to this and willing to compromise, even though he doesn't have the same views as I do.

Loudoun has even jumped right in and is so excited to read, pray and learn. See? He even helped create his own Bible bookmark.

Spring this year has brought hopeful new flowers and hopeful hearts. Hopeful blooming.