Freda's Garden

Welcome to my Garden:

I DO NOT KNOW
I do not know
What's ahead of me,
But I know...
Who walks with me, you see.

I do not know
What the future may hold,
But I know...
Who holds the future of my soul.

I may climb
A mountain steep.
I my walk...
A valley deep.

I may suffer
Pain or sorrow,
But I know...
God's with my tomorrow.

Wherever I go,
Whatever I do...
I know God's bounty awaits
For me and for you!

Freda Fullerton
January 31, 2012

Freda's Garden

Welcome to my Garden:
This is a postcard of the NewPort Bridge between NewPort
and Jamestown Rhode Island. The photographer was lucky to catch
a double rainbow. Every time I see a rainbow, it reinforces my faith
and belief in God and His promises.

I BELIEVE
I believe...
That God created heaven and earth.
I believe He is the creator
Of the miracle of birth.

I believe...
He placed the stars with His hand,
Set the boundaries of the sea,
Counted each particle of sand.

I believe...
He keeps the storehouse of the rain,
That He holds the secret
Of each kernel and each grain.

I believe...
He placed the rainbow's bright ray,
That His promises are sure
And will endure day by day.

I believe...
His Son endured a cross of pain
So, that for us,
Heaven would be our gain!

Freda Fullerton
January 30, 2012

Freda's Garden

Welcome to my Garden:
This is our three treasures when they were small. John was about
six months old, Julie was seven and Janet nine. Every mother
with small children knows that whatever she has planned for her
day, there will be interruptions. We should see them as a blessing,
children are small for such a short time. When you reach your
senior years there will be interruptions of a different sort
(Dr. Appointments and such) But we can still find a blessing
if we look for one!

BLESSED INTERRUPTIONS
Blessed interruptions:
Look for God's purpose if you can.
Have patience with diversions,
When things do not go as you plan.

Blessed interruptions:
As you go through this day you go
Know there are plans made by the Father,
That you may not know.

So let the Spirit lead you,
When your plans go astray,
Know the Father's will may be different
Than your will anyway.

If you follow the leading
Of our Father up above
Blessed interruptions...
Will be just what you love!

Freda Fullerton
January 29, 2012

Freda's Garden

Welcome to my Garden:
This is a " Christmas past" as evidence of the packages under the
tree, we all received a lot of things. Most Americans get a lot of
things, perhaps more than we need!

THINGS
Things get in the way
Of our worship to our Lord.
Things sometimes overwhelms us
And we buy things we can't afford.

Things take the place of love
Within our lives, you see,
We try to replace people
And that should never be!

The more we seem to gather,
The less we seem content,
This is not the life...
For which we were meant.

Things will soon decay
Or be out of date...
People will move on,
Love will not wait.

So, take a look at life
And the things that you chase,
Know that they should never,
Your loved ones replace!

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures
on earth, where moth and rust destroy and
where thieves break in and steal. But store
up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
Matthew 6:19-20

Freda Fullerton
January 28, 2012

Freda's Garden

Welcome to my Garden:
This is Jim and our granddaughter, Katie. when she was small. Katie
is sitting on a chest Jim built for her. Certainly " love and the eyes  of
faith," built this lovely piece.

LOVE AND THE EYES OF FAITH
Love and the eyes of faith
Give us reason to hope.
Without faith, without love,
We're not equipped to cope.

Think of life without love,
No hope when life is at end.
No spirit there to guide you.
No one on whom you can depend.

But again, think of our Savior,
For love, He went to the cross
Giving hope to all who believe
And faith that all is not lost.

Our eyes will be adjusted,
To faith through our love,
As we are led through this world,
To our heavenly home above.

Freda Fullerton
January 27, 2012

Freda's Garden

Welcome to my Garden:
This is Jim with his big catch! Fishing certainly will help
one to exercise patience!

EXERCISING PATIENCE
When you exercise patience
In trying circumstances,
People take notice...
And give God a second glance.

If you exercise patience,
When other's falter along the way
People will see Jesus...
In your life today.

When you exercise patience
When others seem so rude
You can change their life,
Change their whole mood.

If you exercise patience
When everything goes wrong,
You will follow Jesus footsteps
And know, to Him you belong!

"The end of a matter is better than the beginning
and patience is better than pride" Ecclesiastes 7:8

Freda Fullerton
January 26, 2011

Freda's Garden

Welcome to my Garden:

EVERY DAY IS A GIFT
Every day is a gift...
That comes from God above.
A gift to share with others,
To express our abiding love.

Every day is a gift...
Given to you and me,
So thank God, for His bounty,
For He has set you free.

Every day is a gift...
Given from God's own heart;
Make the most of this gift,
As blessings you impart.

Every day is a gift...
Use it wisely I implore,
For you will exchange it for something
And it will be gone forevermore!

Freda Fullerton
January 25, 2012

Freda's Garden

Welcome to my Garden:
This is a clipping from the Santa Ana Register of protesters.
They come into a California city claim to occupy it by
camping on public property, move on and leave the mess for
taxpayers to pay for the cleanup. No one seems to know what they
are protesting about? To me this is joyless living!

JOYLESS LIVING
Joyless living...
An unthankful heart,
Seeing the glass half empty,
A life that joy is not part.

Joyless living...
A life that does not see God's blessing,
Blames everyone for their problems,
Thinks the world owes them a living.

Joyless living...
Boredom faces each day,
They find life uninteresting,
Never help others along the way.

The answer to joyless living...
Be thankful for everything.
Reach out and help someone,
For the joy it will bring!

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:
This is Cyprus Point on the coast of California.

MORNING PRAYER
Here I am Lord,
Ready to begin the day.
May Your hand guide...
My footsteps all the way.

Here I am Lord,
Ready to do Your will,
Keep me on the pathway,
Over every rocky hill.

If You see me falter,
Take me by the hand,
Lead me through each valley,
Give me strength to say, "I can."

Here I am Lord,
The day is completely new,
My prayer... may I use it,
So I'll be renewed in You!

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:
This is Mirror Lake in Foridland National Park on the South Island
In New Zealand.

MIRROR IMAGE
Are you a mirror image
Of Christ today?
Do you follow in His footsteps,
As you go along the way?

Do people see the image
Of Christ Jesus in you too?
Do you carry Jesus' imprint
In all you say and do?

When Jesus returned to the Father,
To His followers He did beseech,
To fulfill His promise
And be His hands and His feet.

By their fruits you shall know them,
So the Scriptures say...
It is not in some secret society
That Christians live today.

You must not only acknowledge Jesus,
Your very life must be
A mirror image....
Of the One who set you free!

And don't worry if you're not there yet,
like me, He's still working on you!

Freda Fullerton
January 22, 2012

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:
This is the house where I was born. I was born in the room
where you can see the window and I've been told it was a very
hot July afternoon. The men cut tree branches to shade that
window. (no air-conditioner in those days) It was my maternal
grandparents house Lester and Rosie Johnson

THE HOUSE WHERE I WAS BORN
The house where I was born
Was not a mansion fair,
But it was a place where God was known
And love abided there.

It was unpretentious in its looks
It would never be on view;
It was humble in that way,
As the folks, there were too.

It represented peace...
It represented love...
It was guided by our Father
And His angels up above.

It made welcome every stranger,
That happened by that way.
There was always food upon the table
And an invitation for all to stay.

It was to my grandparents house
That I came to abide...
I found security there
And joy and love and pride!

Freda Fullerton
January 21, 2011

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:
This picture is on some notes my daughter, Janet sent me for
Christmas. The Scripture mentions sanctification, which means set apart or
called out, as Christians, we are called to be different from this world.

CHRISTIANS ARE ORDINARY PEOPLE
Christians are ordinary people
Who serve an extraordinary Christ,
Who has paid all our debts,
With a none repayable price.

Christians are still sinners,
Who has had all their sins forgiven
A work still in progress...
With blessings from heaven.

Christians are, but servants,
Faithfully serving each other,
Putting others first...
Each sister and each brother.

Christians are ordinary people
Who are called right from the start
To be in the world...
Yet set apart.

Christians are faithful people,
On whom you can depend
And will always be there for you,
When you need a friend!

Freda Fullerton
January 20, 2012

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:

This is a friendship quilt that my grandma and my mom started for me
when I was a girl. Mom set it together after Jim and I married. I quilted
it. It is all hand done. I have written a short bio on each person whose
name is on each block.

PIECING QUILTS
I remember grandma piecing quilts
Around the old fireplace...
Winter winds howling around the house,
Like a tiger on a chase.

New snow on the ground,
Ice hanging from the trees,
But sitting around the old fireplace,
We would be as cozy as you please.

Grandma's pieces all spread out
In such a bright array...
That we would soon forget,
It was a winter day.

There would be pieces just as red
As a robin's breast...
Or as blue as summer sky
Or a bluebird on her nest.

Yellow pieces, just as bright,
As a July afternoon...
Or a softer yellow yet
Of a harvest moon.

A bit of pink, the color
Of a summer hollyhock,
Scraps left from a long forgotten
Easter Sunday frock.

A pretty piece of lavender,
From grandma's summer dress.
Winter time and piecing quilts,
A time that I liked best!

Freda Fullerton
January 19, 2011

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:
These roses are from our garden, when you arrange a
beautiful bouquet of roses you may get pricked with a
thorn, but the beauty of the bouquet is worth it. Life
is like that, we have to accept the bad with the good!

"Shall I accept good from God and not trouble?"
Job 2:10

THE BAD WITH THE GOOD
God hands out blessings
To us everyday...
Should we not accept the bad with the good,
The negative things that come our way?

Should we only accept good
From the hand of God
And not expect some cloudy days,
As through this world we trod?

Should we blame God
For the wrong choices that we make?
Shall we turn our backs on Him,
When the wrong path we take?

Should I shake my fist at God,
When it rains on my parade
And not remember sunshine days
Or His comfort when I'm afraid?

There are thorns with each rose,
Stormy days and days of calm
Should we not accept the bad and good
And be thankful all along?

Freda Fullerton
January 18, 2011

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:
This is my mediocre talent in oil painting. Someone like
Kinkade with extraordinary talent must find it great temptation
when there are so much admiration  for their work.

TALENT IS GOD GIVEN
Talent is God given...
So you should not boast.
Develop what God has given you
Of your talents... make the most.

Fame is man given...
Those who receive it
Must be very careful,
Or they will soon believe it.

Conceit is is self given...
The other two can bring conceit,
An unhealthy self-love
Of which God cannot compete.

When we receive compliments or honor,
We must be careful or they...
Will surely cause conceit
In our lives today.

Freda Fullerton
January 17, 2011

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:
This is our wedding picture. We've been married 58 years today.
Jim is my best friend and the love of my life! Today's poem was
written by Jim for our Fiftieth Anniversary in 2004

FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
The vows were said, the wedding done.
Our life together had begun.
The years have slipped into the past
Some were slow, but some were fast.
Three kids we have-what a joy!
Two beautiful girls and a handsome boy.
Fifty years and we're back to two,
Where we started-just me and you.
That's not true, that we're alone,
All our family is as close as the phone.
The Lord above is always on call
He is closely watching over us all

Jim Fullerton
January 16, 2004

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:
This beautiful angel is past Christmas gift from a teen prayer partner,
Ashley Royal. She is so pretty I don't put her away, I leave her sitting
out all year. Today's poem is just something to think about!

DO ANGELS CRY
Do angels cry...
When we're in sorrow?
Do you think they care
About your tomorrow?

Do angels cry...
When pain fills my life?
When I am suffering
Are they filled with strife?

Do angels cry...
When I've been betrayed?
Are they in sympathy
When I'm afraid?

If angels rejoice...
When to Christ we do come,
Then they surely do cry
When we're suffering some!

"I tell you there will be rejoicing in heaven over
one sinner who repents. Luke 15:7

Freda Fullerton
January 15, 2011

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:
This is our granddaughter, Katie, when she was in grade school.
They were performing a patriotic salute to America. And of course,
in grandma's eye she was a winner, just as we are all winners in our
heavenly Father's eye!

AND THE WINNER IS
We watch the Oscars,
With great anticipation
Wondering who will be the winner
Of the coveted adulation.

When the envelop is open
And they hold it up for view,
Announcing "and the winner is,"
Only one can win that's true.

So it is in the game of life,
Winners are but few,
With disappointments left behind
For dreams of winning too.

But those who follow Jesus,
There are none who are elite.
He invites everyone to come
And worship at His feet.

There are no exceptions,
No talent, beauty, wealth or fame,
"And the winner is"...
All who wear His name!

Freda Fullerton
January 14, 2012

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:

This is a picture of the Grand Teton Range at dawn, from
Ideals Magazine. Our prayers may not move mountains such
as these, but they may remove things much more important!

DOES ANYTHING HAPPEN WHEN I PRAY
Does anything happen when I pray?
You can't move mountains, it's true,
But you can remove fear and hate
That maybe eating you.

Does anything happen when I pray?
You may not make the lame to walk,
But know God hears you,
When you talk...

Does anything happen when I pray?
You may not make the blind to see,
But there'll be a clearer vision
Just for thee.

Does anything happen when I pray?
You may not change the world in a day,
But you can change your life,
When you get on your knees and pray!

Freda Fullerton
January 13, 2011

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:
This is a rather obscure view of king Ludwig's castle in Bavaria.
This is somewhat like our view of the future, only God knows
what lies ahead and I for one am thankful for that!

WE SEE IN PART
We see in part,
But God sees the whole
What we know of the future,
By prophets were foretold.

We see a small picture
As we live day by day
God sees the whole journey
Form the beginning... all the way.

Our vision is obscured
What's before us, we only see
We cannot foresee the future,
What's ahead for you and me.

But we don't have to see the picture,
As through this life we roam.
We have a loving Savior
That's here to guide us home!

Freda Fullerton
January 12, 2012

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:
I guess we had arrived when this picture was taken?
Some of one of the kid's friends TP'd our house!
You should be careful of your footsteps, when you
do something like this, they may follow you home
and repay the favor! You don't see this much anymore,
what kind of destructive things do they do today to
show their friendship?

BE CAREFUL OF YOUR FOOTSTEPS
How far reaching is our influence?
In this life, we may never know,
But we must keep making progress,
As though this world we go.

We may not see a difference
In the lives of those we meet.
We may think we have no value,
With those we pass upon the street.

Be careful of your footsteps,
Make certain that it's so...
Others are sure to follow,
Wherever you may go.

We may never see our effect on others
Until we reach heaven's throne,
Then we may be surprise to know
Who has followed our footsteps home!

Freda Fullerton
January 11, 2011

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
This is me with my two lovely daughters, Janet and Julie.
Julie is on my right. Today is her birthday. I enjoyed my
girls when they where small, but I also enjoy them as friends,
peers and Christian sisters. They have blessed my life!

DAUGHTERS ARE SPECIAL
Daughters are special...
They see from a woman's view
They grow up to be friends,
Who can relate to you.

They grow from needy toddlers
Into difficult teens...
And then womanhood,
Suddenly arrives on the scene.

Mom becomes a friend,
Who has walked the path they walk,
Who has experienced the same experiences,
One, with whom they can talk.

Now, that I have grown older,
It is very plain to me...
I find that I'm the needy one,
The roles have reversed, you see!

Freda Fullerton
January 10, 2012

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:
This is a small chapel in Richmond, VA. The picture is
from an Ideals Magazine.  I love small quaint churches.
I understand it s just a building and Christians are the
"church," but it helps to ,"Seek Him," in such a
reverent atmosphere!

SEEK HIM
Seek Him...
When the day is new
When the mind is still fresh
With no problems in view.

Seek Him...
Before plans have been made
Be sure to take time,
To call on His aid.

Seek Him...
With each thought and each prayer,
Take time on your knees,
Know He will be there.

Seek Him...
With a heart that is whole.
Tell others about Him,
A love story retold!

Seek Him...
When the day comes to an end.
Tell Him your troubles,
For He is your Friend!

Freda Fullerton
January 9, 2011

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:
This is beautiful Milford Sound, on the South Island.
in New Zealand. A good reminder that God is our
Rock!

WHEN THE WORLD AROUND YOU IS CRUMBLING
When the world around you is crumbling,
You think you can't go on, but you can,
For God is right there beside you,
The Rock on which you can stand.

When the nights seem oh, so lonely,
You wish daylight to come...
Know others have suffered,
Even God's only Son.

You may think there's no tomorrow,
No comfort you see in sight...
But know God is still working,
He will make all things right.

So reach out and touch Him,
Know He is always near...
He will be there today and tomorrow
And He will wipe away every tear!

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Revelation 21:4

Freda Fullerton
January 8, 2011

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!
This is a picture taken from our room on Waikiki beach in
Honolulu, Hawaii, many, moons ago! I love the rainbow. I
always feel blessed when I see a rainbow!

A PROMISE FROM GOD
As long as the earth endures,
Even through the sands of time,
No more earth destroying floods,
A promise given to all mankind.

Seed time and harvest...
Will march to nature's tune.
Day will follow night,
Springtime, winter's  gloom.

The most visible promise by far,
Is the rainbow that will appear,
After the storm has passed,
It tells us God is still near.

As we endure sorrow and pain
The rainbow is a reminder to me,
That God is still God...
And He keeps His promises, you see!

Taken from Genesis 8:22 "As long as the
earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold
and heat, day and night will never cease."

Freda Fullerton
January 7, 2011

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden!

This is a Rembrandt of Jesus. One of my favorites.

SET YOUR EYES UPON JESUS
Set your eyes upon Jesus,
Know that He is in place
And He will always be there,
If you seek His wonderful face.

Set your feet toward Jesus
Keep walking on this pathway,
Know He's walking beside you.
He is with you today.

Set you heart upon heaven,
Know it will be your sweet home,
When this life is over...
And no more here you shall roam!

Freda Fullerton
January 6, 2012

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:

This is a picture of me on my last birthday, with the gifts
from my family. The hat is a gift from my granddaughter, Katie.

I LOVE WHERE I AM NOW
I love where I am now,
But it's good for me to know,
I was loved from where I've been
And that love was not for show.

People from my past
Have helped shape me for today.
The lessons that I've learned,
As I have traveled along life's way,

Have helped me to be
Content with what I have today
With memories, Oh, so good,
Of the things of yesterday.

So I'll look back at each day,
Think of it somehow,
And not dwell on where I've been,
But love where I am now!

Freda Fullerton
January 5, 2012

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:
I'm sure there are many wise men's words housed in this museum
in Philadelphia.
Taken from Ecclesiastes 5: 1-3  "Do not be quick with your mouth."

DO NOT BE QUICK WITH YOUR MOUTH
Do not be quick with your mouth,
When words from your mouth depart.
They are gone forever...
Do not be hasty in your heart.

When you speak foolish words before God,
He hears from both heaven and earth.
Let your words be wise and be few,
Filled with sage and with worth.

The speech of fools are many words,
But God takes no pleasure in them
It is better to be silent...
If your words do not honor Him!

Freda Fullerton
January 4, 2012

Freda's Garden:

Welcome to my Garden:
Our flag is a symbol of freedom. Freedom of speech
is for everyone, not just a favored few!

I MAY NOT AGREE
I may not agree with what you say,
But I defend your right to say it.
This country was built on freedom of speech
And it is your right to display it.

I may not agree with what you believe,
But it is your right to pursue it.
I may not agree with how you live your life,
But it is your right to do it.

And it is my right, as well,
To have free speech today,
So please don't call me a racist
For the things I have to say.

We may never agree
On what is right or wrong,
But as a people, we can work together,
To make this nation strong.

If we respect the right of all,
Not just a favored few,
In what may be said
And in all we may do!

Freda Fullerton
January 3, 2012

Freda's Garden

Welcome to my Garden:
This is me, holding some red roses, a past Anniversary gift
from Jim. The 16th of this month, we will be married 58
years. We certainly invested in each others future all those
years ago, but it would not have been so successful without
God!

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
Investing in the future
To some, will surely mean,
A financial  portfolio
Following the Wall-street scene.

Investing in the future,
Might mean keeping a broker occupied,
Building up your CD's,
Keeping a banker satisfied.

But to a Christian,
These things are second best.
It is in our Lord and Savior,
That we want to invest.

When we look to the future
It is not money that we see,
It is our hope in heaven
That occupies you and me.

We must tell others...
Who may want to invest in this claim,
That they must invest time and effort
In our Savior's Name!

Freda Fullerton
January 2, 2012

Freda's Garden

Welcome to my Garden!
This is a picture on the front of a 2012 calendar.
Happy New Year everyone! Today's poem is some reflections
on being thankful in this New Year!

A NEW YEAR
Lord, I feel so ungrateful
When I'm walking down the street
And by chance, I meet someone
And see they have no feet.

I can stretch my legs and walk,
And move with such ease,
Without the help of anyone,
I can go just where I please.

Yet, I'll complain about the lines
At the grocery store...
Or whine, the stop lights
Are such a boor.

My eyes seem to point out,
All the drab, ugly things I see,
Then I meet someone that's blind,
I think, "O Lord, that could be me."

How ungrateful I am,
To not see beauty everywhere.
Help me to stop and really see,
When I go here and there.

I often talk about the noise,
I say, "It drives me wild."
Then I'll meet someone that's deaf,
Perhaps a little child.

Help me to really listen,
To the bird-song that's so sweet
And not be so annoyed
With the noise, I hear out on the street.

I talk about the food I by,
That the prices are too high,
Then I see a picture of a hungry child,
So thin, it makes me want to cry.

I grumble about our government,
The high taxes aimed at me,
Then I stop and realize
That half the world's not free!

As I face the New Year, Lord,
Help me to make it my aim,
To be a lot more thankful
And try my best not to complain!

Freda Fullerton
January 1, 2012