Last Tuesday, as I mused over what images I could use to depict this week’s theme “Lifted Spirits,” something wonderful happened which lifted mine.
April is usually the month we move our travel trailer to our windsurf campground for the summer. Of course, this is on hold since the campground is closed until further notice due to the California Stay-at Home order. I had driven to our local storage center to pay for another month on the trailer.
Feeling a little sad for the delay, as I turned the corner to my house, I saw a car parked in front and saw that it was our Pastor and his wife. They had just dropped off the Easter lily many of us had pre-ordered for today’s Easter Services.
Our Pastor creates a podcast of his message each week which is the smart thing to do in these times, so we haven’t seen each other in the last three weeks. Every Sunday, our pastor walks through the sanctuary and stops at each pew and prays for us…he knows where we all sit since we tend to be creatures of habit. He e-mails the link to the podcast each week with scriptures and words of encouragement
We sat in our cars and chatted for a moment and I thanked him for his efforts.
As they drove off to deliver more lilies, I felt so blessed to receive them this week, as the spring sunshine enveloped us after a weekend of rain. My spirits were lifted indeed!
For many, the beautiful trumpet-shaped white flowers symbolize purity, virtue, innocence, hope, and life—the spiritual essence of Easter.
The media has been buzzing over churches that are insisting on holding services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only did our pastor remind us to “Love Our Neighbor” by staying home from church services, another clergyman, Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church echoed this important message about social distancing:
“This is one time when I believe that, frankly, we are doing God’s will by not going to church,” Curry told ABC News’ T.J. Holmes in an interview that aired Friday on “Good Morning America.” “In this pandemic, we are being called to show mercy and compassion, to love our neighbor.”
Rev. Michael Curry, via Good Morning America
My husband and I sat in the comfort of our home in our Easter pajamas listening to our church’s Easter service. Knowing that members of our congregation were doing the same thing today, also lifted my spirits.
Here are some other images that lift my spirits. Some of these are at the “TOP” of my list for inspiration this week!
I said earlier that we usually move into our Sacramento Delta campground in mid-April. This was last year’s April sunset.
Does the Word of God lift your spirits?
Notice the words in the bottom left corner? Weird how the random page I chose for the photo has a warning against gathering…
Perhaps you are more literal with the word “spirits.” I’m told sales of alcohol are up while we are all staying home!
It lifts my spirits to walk the trails in the Sierra Nevada foothills with my “top dog” Aero.
The Easter lilies are submitted for Cee’s Flower of the Day. Other images are shared for Becky B’s April Squares Challenge: Top.
What is something that lifts your spirits during these uncertain times? Show us in an image, poem, song, story or other creative ideas!
I pray that you find spiritual renewal during these trying times. Enjoy your Sunday and beyond. Happy Easter from my family.
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Those Sierra Nevada foothills would tempt me out of lock-down! Great photos, Terri.
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My dad lives up there, Stevie. Its covered in snow now!
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Beautiful lily and sunset, they would definitely lift my spirits. As does a walk with my dog.
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Thank you, Cathy. Happy Easter!
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Happy Easter to you too!
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Sorry, forgot to add url https://picture-this.org/2020/04/12/sundaystills-what-lifts-your-spirits-nature-photography-forest-gardens/
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A lovely, peaceful way to celebrate a joyful occasion despite circumstances Terri, well said and shown.
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Thank you, Tina!
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[…] Sunday Stills: Lifted Spirits […]
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Such beautiful flowers Terri and what a lovely gift at this time. Wishing you and yours a blessed Easter and our contribution for this week is here: https://tranature.com/2020/04/12/silent-sunday-let-there-be-light/
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It smells beautiful, too, Xenia! Happy Easter!
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Thank you Terri! 💖🍃
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oh how wonderful, what a wonderful and supportive church and community
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Happy Easter, Terri. Lovely image of the Lily.
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Thank you, Jane! It is really growing more so after just a few days! Happy Easter!
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Beautiful flowers, Terri! I’m not surprised that the sale of alcohol has gone up through these difficult times. In some countries, buying alcohol is prohibited during this pandemic to avoid upheaval. Having friends all over the world, it is interesting to read the different approaches of the officials and the residents.
Yesterday, the sun lifted my spirits. Today, it’s cloudy, but our dog lifts my spirits. Happy Easter!!
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Thank you, Liesbet! It is cloudy here too, but it should reach 70+ degrees when this fog lifts. I’m not much of a drinker, but an occasional wine or margarita is good enough! Maya is a sweet dog! Enjoy your Easter Sunday!
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Happy Easter! What a treat to get such a beautiful lily and a lovely selection for this week. Stay safe!
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Thank you so much, Maria! Happy Easter!
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I love your lillies. Much of the news here is quite grim. But I have enjoyed sitting in my garden in the sunshine.
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Thank you! That is the best thing, Anne. In the afternoons, we sit outside on our backyard deck and just chat and enjoy the sunshine and our own backyard!
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Gorgeous pictures for Easter, Terri. I am glad you managed to have a good Easter service. Our church is also doing live streaming.
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It was a great message and we heard it in our Easter best…our PJs! Happy Easter, Robbie!
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[…] For Terri´s Sunday Stills Challenge. […]
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[…] This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Lifted Spirits.’ See more offerings here. […]
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Happy Easter, Terri. I hope you’re able to get out and about again soon. Sounds like your lockdown is quite strict. Here, we’re still able to go out for exercise so long as we keep our social distancing, but I tend to practice that year round anyway! Keep your spirits up.
Here’s my offering this week: https://grahamsisland.com/2020/04/12/horsing-around/
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Happy Easter, Graham! I could go for a bike ride. The American River bike trail is open.
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Well, that’s something.
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Wonderful post. Happy Easter! My best to you and Hans.
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Thank you, Ingrid, Happy Easter!
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[…] Terri Webster Schrandt chose a wonderful theme for this week’s challenge- what lifts your spirits? You can view Terri’s photos or join the challenge here. […]
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Your lily is lovely! We may not be able to visit our favorite places at the moment, but photos bring back memories of better times ❤
Happy Easter!
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Easter Blessings to you Terri! I am doing a Zoom call with all of my family this afternoon. I’m sure there will be mad chaos with thirty people talking all at once, but that is not unlike a normal gathering! It will certainly life my spirits! Stay well!
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That sounds like fun, Michele! I’m sure all of your spirits will be lifted after that. Happy Easter and stay well, too!
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What a lovely thing for your Pastor to do. It is simple acts of kindness like that that will get us all thorugh this challenging time.
Wishing you a safe and happy Easter.
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The timing couldn’t have been better! Happy Easter, Donna!
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[…] Webster theme for today is Lifted Spirits Here’s what’s lifting mine hope it does the same for […]
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Great post, Terri! Hope you have a wonderful Easter.
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Thanks, Amy, and may you enjoy your Easter Sunday!
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Hi Terri, lovely thoughts and shots in your post. I agree we all need something to lift our spirits at this time and so I chose to share some photos from around my house and town, of our glorious autumn colours. They certainly lift my spirits. Happy Easter and take care. https://debs-world.com/2020/04/12/what-lifts-your-spirits-sundaystills/
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I read and scrolled waiting for a photo of the spirits cabinet…..I was not surprised 😀 😀
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Hahahaha, I blame my husband…
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😀 😀 😀
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[…] Terri’s Sunday Stills: Lifted Spirits […]
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I have entered the spirit of the challenge Terri 😀
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Love it!
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Happy Easter Terri, hope you had a beautiful day
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Thank you, Alice, I did! Happy Easter to you!
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[…] https://secondwindleisure.com/2020/04/12/sunday-stills-lifted-spirits/ […]
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Lovely post. I’m glad you had a good Easter even though it was different this year.
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Thank you, Dawn. Listening to our pastor’s message in our PJs was fun!
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[…] /sunday-stills-lifted-spirits/ […]
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[…] stop sharing your spirit lifting tops, you are keeping me sane as I peer from my room at the […]
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This beautiful post actually brought some tears to my eyes. There is a lot of love and kindness here. There is good in this world. Perhaps this horrible event of the virus will “allow” us ot be a little kinder to our neighbours in all the little things, even in the future?
Your blog design looks extra beautiful!
Happy Easter!
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Aww, thank you, Maria. I suppose there is nothing like a global catastrophe to bring people together. I’ve gotten to know my neighbors much more these weeks than ever before. And I pray this trend of seeing our neighbors continues!
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❤
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What lifts my spirits? Why, the blogging community does, Terri. It doesn’t matter what is happening in the world or to ourselves; the support and encouragement from the blogging community never fail to lift my spirits. Even in my recent crisis of losing my writing mojo, the blogging community came together and helped me find it again. Now I sit at my computer most days and have no problem knowing what to write.
Hope you’re having a lovely Easter and that there was also some chocolate involved.
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That is so true, Hugh! My fellow bloggers lifted MY spirits this week with their wonderful images, comments, and support! What would we do without our online community? Your goofy pic brightened my day (although our spectacular weather is running a close second)! I’m glad your urge to write is back and we are all the better for it. Easter was unusual yesterday, listening to our pastor’s podcast in our PJs from our lounge chairs. There was chocolate involved… I hope your Easter was fun, by the pic you shared I have no doubt!
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I cheated a little as that photo was taken a few years ago, Terri. I took it when taking up a challenge to write a haiku. I used to write lots of them back then, but they’ve all dried up now. Poetry is something I have the most trouble with when writing.
Have a terrific week. I hope the sun continues to shine.
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So peaceful. Thank you, Terri. I do find peace in the Bible.
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What a beautiful Easter Lilly Terri, I can see how that lifted your spirits 🙂 Although a little different for you this year, I do hope you are enjoying Easter. Stay safe x
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It was a nice quiet day, Sam! No stress!
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Beautiful gesture dropping off the beautiful lilies.And yes, that quote was perfect. God understands about not coming out to church. He is also demonstrating to man what has become of his world. We are doing penance now and hopefully taking in lessons 🙂 x
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Very well put, Debby! Let’s continue to follow the rules so we can get back to our lives!
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Amen Sistah! 🙂
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That sunset picture is stunning!! We also enjoyed Easter service via Facebook Live on our comfortable recliners this year 🙂 Hope you had a great Easter!
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Thank you! I could used to church on a recliner!
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[…] what is does and does not do well. I did, however, still end up with a nice handful of shots that Lifted My Spirits, and which I will share over a 2 day period. (Please click on each photo to […]
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[…] Sunday Stills: Lifted Spirits […]
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Hello again Terri, Eivor and Pearl’s contribution for this lovely challenge is here: https://whippetwisdom.com/2020/04/14/haiku-wild-sea-2/
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[…] Shared for Sunday Still’s, Lifted Spirits. […]
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Wonderful photos and sentiments! We all need our Spirits Lifted! Here’s my offering! 🙂 https://catsandtrailsandgardentales.com/2020/04/14/lifted-spirits-in-the-garden/
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Thanks, Susanne!
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How lovely to find that lily on your doorstep, Terri. It would definitely have lifted my spirits. 🙂 🙂 A brief chat with my son on video link, while he cooked the supper yesterday evening, cheered me up a lot. Stay safe and content, hon! 🙂 🙂
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it was quite wonderful, Jo. Nice to be able to see family with technology.
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That macro shot of your Easter lily is so lovely. The pollen on the flower, the texture of each petal so beautifully captured.
We are enjoying church in our backyard on Sunday mornings. We are walking up to a corner market for doughnuts (with masks in place) and then come back home to enjoy them with coffee and the Word.
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Thank you, Leslie! Your Easter Sunday sounded so relaxing as well as spiritual!
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[…] To Lift Your Spirits. […]
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[…] at Trent’s World weekly Smile Challenge and Teri’s Weekly Photo Challenge. The idea is to visit these sites and share something that makes you smile or lifted your spirits […]
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[…] SUNDAY STILLS PHOTO: Lifted-Spirits […]
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[…] Sunday Stills – Lifted Spirits […]
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A much appreciated theme for this week. 😁
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I especially enjoyed the image of the lily, Terri. Beautiful photography and lots to ponder on.
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Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Terri, your flower photos are lovely really sharp and clear. The area around the foothills looks amazing.
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Thank you so much, Suzanne. It really is a beautiful area!
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