The Wood's Secret Garden

Sometimes everything is just right.  The lighting, the shadows, the colors, and the timing.

I have actually never met Elle from South Boston, face-to-face. In 2012, she had me hand paint a pair of boots for her and through that we became friends and have kept in touch from time-to-time over the past three years. Some years, we may have only touched base a couple times. The other night I was thinking about Elle (for no particular reason.  She just popped into my head).  Since I was thinking about her, I sent her a quick email letting her know that I was thinking about her, and crawled into bed for the night. Littl e did I know, that all the way in South Boston, Elle had been painting her fence, inspired by the pictures she had seen of our move to this little mobile home.   When she read my email, the next day, she was blown away at the timing.  She sent me a few pictures of what she had been doing the very day that I was thinking about her.  There was Elle, holding a picture she printed off the internet of my fence, as her inspiration.   It...

One warm and sunny afternoon, only weeks after arriving in California, we invited Deni over to the apartment for a late lunch. We were gathered around the table. My back was to the far wall and I was facing the sliding glas doors which lead out to the balcony. As we were enjoying a wonderful meal and delightful converation, we heard the most unusual cracking, popping noise. As I glanced up, I could hardly beleive me eyes. It was as if things were moving in slow motion. A 50 foot old oak tree, which was growing on the opposite side of the creek, was actuall falling towards the balcony. Michael and Deni, hearing the noise, also immediately turned to see this huge tree falling towards us. It appeared that the top of it would come craching down onto the balcony. We all sat there almost bracing ourselves for the impact. As it hit the ground, the sound was that of an explosion and it shock the entire apartment. It did, however, miss the balcony by at least 10 feet. Phew! T...

Five years ago today, I was in North Carolina sitting in Alamance County Register of Deeds Office, signing a Marriage License with Michael in preparation for our wedding the next day. Although we had corresponded for over a year and a half, long distance, we had only been in each others physical presence for approximately 21 days before the day we were to marry. The past five years have been th e most wonderful years of my life. Michael is an amazing man! There has not been a single day that has gone by these past five years that he did not begin the day by leading us in prayer and I have never placed my head on the pillow at night without him praying before we fell off to sleep. My relationship with Christ is what gives me joy - My relationship with Michael is what brings me happiness! I love you,  Michael Wood .