This is a picture taken today in my back yard. 4 years ago we were hit with 3 hurricanes back to back. In those storms we lost over 30 beautiful old oak trees. I was crushed, for I knew that I would never live long enough to see them come back if we planted more. God moves in mysterious ways! For in place of some of these oaks, these beautiful magnolias have come up - we did not plant them. This is the first year that we have seen them bloom, and this beautiful tree is loaded with with blooms and buds. I now have several magnolias coming up on the property, and can not wait to see if they can be as majestic as the oaks once were.

Lovely, I don't have any Magnolias. Wish I did, but don't have the proper spot to plant one. I'll pass a trick my Mom used to root another one. She pulled down a low branch to the ground and put a brick or two on top to hold down and in no time, she had another one.

Speaking of Fl and hurricanes, I live in Winter Haven (unincorporated Polk county) not far from Lake Wales. We were in the eye of all three of them!
dlonna, the magnolias are beautiful...truly God's work!

1 comment

by dlonnahawkins 21 Apr 2008

You are not that far away - I am above Sanford - about 20 miles from Daytona. Charlie went right over our house, and of course, had tornado spawned from the storm too.

in his time.....That is so beautiful and I love to smell them. Sip a mint julip under that magnolia for us southern girls!;)

That is lovely. I believe you were given something in replacement to enjoy seeing how you said you doubt you'd ever live to see the oaks come back. A very beautiful, lovely smelling replacement God gave you. More 8's4U

Replaced one beauty with another!

What part of Fl are you in? I'm in the panhandle (Pensacola) and we were hit with the same hurricanes, that's why I ask.
Sue

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by dlonnahawkins 21 Apr 2008

I am in Volusia county - about 20 miles from Daytona. We sold our beach house in Panama City the Wednesday prior to Ivan going through up your way - we sure lucked out with that one!

Perfect!

Isn't that just something....thanks for sharing.

dlonna, you may never see the oaks come back to their glory, but what a beautiful replacement! God is quite the landscaper.
Thanks for sharing.

dlonna, this was a pleasant site for me - I was thinking about the magnolia's that must be in bloom today around our house that we left - they took down alot of the big tree's so we could move into our lot - I was upset at a couple of them that came down - but notices this last fall that there were some small magnolia's coming up and today thought about them and wondered if they were blooming - so you warmed my heart when I saw these. Thank you, Shirlene *4U

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by dlonnahawkins 21 Apr 2008

Glad you liked them too. We did not have magnolias when we were in NC - but sure missed the redbuds and dogwoods when we came back down here.

I love Magnolias. Just goes to show you that "Life goes On". Where are you located in FL? I was living in Vero Beach when Francis and Jeanne hit the East Coast. It was very scary. We were very lucky and only lost our stockade fence. First storm took the north side and before we could rebuild the 2nd storm took the rest. I am back in Md. and have no intention of ever living in Fl. again. Won't even visit during hurricane season!!!!!! Wish I could give you a whole bouquet for your beautiful Magnolias.

Isn't that amazing! God always has something better down the road, we just can't see it at the time of loss. His plan is always perfect. Enjoy the blooms and remember His Grace and the beauty that He puts around you each day.

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by kezza2sew 20 Apr 2008

This is so true, our Grand Creater always provides us with much beauty. We are indebted to God for everything.

This reminds me of the fires we had last year in San Diego...as I stood around me, houses were burned to the ground, but today, we have green growth from the rains and new life beginning. Yes, GOD does work in mysterious ways, but it's always for the good... may you truly be blesses as you enjoy His beauty through your lovely flowers.

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by dlonnahawkins 21 Apr 2008

Thank you so much - I have a sister in California, and always wonder just where the fires and all are.

Oh I love magnolias & their lemony smell. Sorry you lost the majestic oaks, but isn't God wonderful The magnolia is such a beautiful flower & I love the pretty green leaves. Like to use them in Christmas Decorating. God took away but gave you something else just as beautiful.

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by dlonnahawkins 19 Apr 2008

So right!