Southwest Trip and Give-Away Winner

Hello to you, my dear and precious blogging friends!

My blog anniversary post was published while I was

still away in Arizona helping my mother move into her new home.

 When I finally had the time to read your comments

I was overwhelmed with gratitude and touched by your

heart warming and personal words of love.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for your visits

for your sentiments and for your beautiful friendship.

Again, please consider yourself {{hugged}} and loved ♡
Thank you for taking the time to leave those lovely comments. 
I loved hearing how you found me and amazingly most of you
found me through my dear Stephanie.
I would have loved to open up my surprise box and share it with you, 
but then it wouldn't be a surprise for the winner. 
So, Marilyn from Mountain Top Spice
 will be receiving the box as a surprise, just as promised. 
Congratulations Marilyn!! 
When I think of Marilyn and her beauty, I cannot help but
see her as a women who graces her home in God's beauty. 
If you have never met Marilyn, please take the time to pay her a visit,
you will not be disappointed. 

♡♡♡

The desert was in gorgeous bloom while I was away in Arizona. 

Every year that I visit the southwest desert I see it's beauty

in hundreds of cacti, plants and wildflowers flourishing

with amazingly colorful booms with much appreciation. 

The mountains that surround Tucson seem to grow larger

with every visit I make. 

While this past visit was one that kept me busy with mom's move

I still enjoyed the beauty of the blooms every chance I had. 

While walking Donatella (My Beagle) around mom's complex I admired

a Barrel Cactus in full bloom soaking in its prickly beauty. 

Barrel Cactus are known for their blooms in late summer, 

but their blooms were out early, maybe because they have had

a lot of rain this winter. 

I was thankful the blooms arrived early so I could enjoy their beauty,
and enjoy them I did.
♡
The Bougainvillea's were stunning!
Look at those gorgeous bright pink petals in full bloom. 
I love the teeny tiny white flowers in the center. 
♡
 I kept my eye out for blooms to appear on the Prickly Pear Cactus but I left to soon. 

When my grandmother was alive we would make prickly pear jam in her kitchen while visiting; their blooms are yellow or fuchsia pink

and of course I LOVE the pink magenta color.

Just before leaving for home the Saguaro Cactus was beginning to bloom

and it was evident that they were going to be gorgeous
with their clusters of white blooms

as they towered above the other desert vegetation.

FYI~The Saguaro cactus can reach heights of 50 feet and weights of 9 tons

and can be found living more than 200 years. 

While driving home we went over a pass and the Joshua Tree

surrounded by the Brittlebrush was absolutely breathtaking!

At every turn on that pass I gasped in awe of God's amazing beauty. 
I wasn't able to take many pictures this trip, sadly to say. 

♡♡♡

Most people think of the desert as being a dry, arid, harsh land, but it's not. 
God's beautiful creation of the southwest desert
can be seen in flowers with shades of yellow, red, purple and white
decorating the desert floor and bringing glory to our Holy God. 
God's design of these cacti, plants and wildflowers
amaze me with their ability to absorb a lot of sunlight, take the heat
and yet produce such majestic blooms. 
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
*Genesis 1:1*
Created speaks of that which only God can do.

"Before the mountains were brought forth, 
Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, 
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God."
*Psalm 90:2*
In the beginning God was already there. 

"You are worthy, O Lord, to receive gory and honor and power;
For You created all things, 
and by Your will they exist and were created."
*Revelation 4:11*
Created also signifies something new or remarkable
being established out of nothing. 

♡♡♡

This trip was so I could help my mother move into her new home.
It was a fast and furious two weeks of work,
but when all was said and done it was worth every bit of those sweat and tears.
God has directed mom into a beautiful quiet and peaceful complex
where all amenities are just minutes away.
I have peace of mind knowing God is looking after her.
God looks after every little detail of our lives, doesn't He? 
We can be thankful that everything matters to God,
 He works behind the scenes making sure 
that our needs are met, not always our desires and wants, but our needs.
Thank you Jesus!

♡♡♡

This weekend we had a wonderful family gathering in celebration
of  Stephanie and our grandson's  birthday.
I thought you would enjoy this photo of my two daughters and myself
being silly and having a good ole time.
I love those girls♡

Be Gracious!
~ Debbie ~