Changes with age

When I open this blog I often sit and look at the picture for a while. It is my favorite of the exterior of O. House. This was taken in 2009. Now, in 2021 the plants around the bench are tall. The plants around the front of the porch railing are so tall they hide the railing. Sadly, the ground covering plants on the little hill got sick a few years back and all died. We have tried to replace but what is there now is not the beautiful covering of yester year. What ever destroyed the plants actually went through Cowan Heights and destroyed the plants like these in all the yards. The porch rails all need a fresh coat of white paint. Keeping the weeds away around the exterior has been challenging but there still remain a bit of "wilderness" appeal in one area. The winds have been persistant and strong so far this year adding to the challenge of keeping the outside appealing. We are so glad in the original planning that the porch was added to the outside. Guests are able to enjoy the quiet setting to read or have coffee. The interior has a few changes. The floors have a few scatter rugs to add warmth in the cold months. There are a few new items on the walls and the fireplace mantle. The book collection grows and grows. We now have two guest books and it won't be long before we will need to add book #3. The Walkers always enjoy reading the entries written after each visit. Finally, this year we had guests during our Christmas days. A neighbor donated a little tree that future guests will be able to enjoy. COVID has affected O. House ministry as it has all areas of life. The Walkers are challenged in sanitizing the house between guests to assure good health. Again and again the Walkers express gratitude to Abba Father God for His grace, mercy and peace over O. House. It remains His house and the Walkers are grateful as well for the blessings of being caretakers.