Absence

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:37-39

I didn’t mean to stay away from the blog for this long, Lord.  I really didn’t.  But things have been so chaotic for so long around here that it was easy to simply ignore it.  I’m back and desire to write as You lead and guide me.  Thank You for showing me the way you want me to go concerning the blog You have given me.  

The challenges of our lives continue to grow in number and intensity.  There is little or no way that we can do anything to change these challenges.  A very humbling place to be.  Sometimes frustrating, sometimes numbing.  Always a place where You must be our Refuge, Fortress and Deliverer.  We must wait on You to show Yourself strong to bring resolution to the many complications and challenges in our lives right now.  You are more than able to lead us to Your higher rock and You will do this, but You will do all these things in Your perfect way and in Your perfect timing.  In the mean time You are changing and conforming us more into the image of Your Son…. all to Your greatest glory.  You are working in great and mighty ways.  We eagerly await Your resolution… by Your all-sufficient grace.  Praise You from Whom all blessings flow.

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4:17-18

“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

Changes

“My times are in Your hand.”  Psalm 31:15

My e-mail today to those who need to know, Lord....

“For some time I have been having a lot more trouble when I drive our car/van.  I kept telling myself that it was okay and that it was still safe for me to do so.  Well, yesterday changed all of that.  I almost had a very, very bad car accident that could have ended tragically.  Thankfully the accident did not even take place, but it was a miracle that it did not.  The accident would definitely have been caused by me.  Since then I have had to pray and think hard about whether or not I could safely continue driving.  As I prayed and thought things through, it became very evident that it is no longer safe for me to drive a vehicle... not for me and not for others on the road.  As of today I am hanging up my car keys and will no longer be driving for my own safety as well as the safety of others.  It is time.  While I would love to be able to drive again one day, the bottom line is this.  Unless a doctor finds the real reason for these neurological problems that continue to adversely keep progressing and find a treatment that would heal or reverse things, I will not drive again for the remainder of my life.  It simply is not safe.  

Also I am going to start using a walking stick (think hikers) whenever I have to walk by myself.  Anytime we are away from home, Mike and I hold hands to stabilize me, however, lately, that is not helping nearly as much as in the recent past.  I have stumbled and fallen twice.  It is no longer safe anymore to try to walk by myself without assistance of some kind. 

My many cognitive impairments have also worsened as have my vision (not fixable by glasses, etc.) and the use of my hands.  I have had to completely give up my sewing and have donated my machines, fabrics, accessories and notions to a church sewing ministry that will use them to help children and others.  I believe I can still crochet (and knit dishrags) for now since they don't require fine motor coordination, but I have not tried them lately.  I am hoping to try them again very soon.  

Life has changed for me in dramatic ways recently, but I am absolutely certain that the Lord will carry me through these and other changes when they occur.  The way will be challenging and sometimes frustrating, but He will never leave nor forsake me.  He will see that I have all that I need in the midst of all these things.  Of that I have no doubt.  God is good.    

Just had to let you know what is going on in my health, especially since the changes are becoming severe.  Life changes but not my love for you.  It will last forever.  If you have any questions, let me know and I'll do the best I can to answer them.”  

Abba Father, You have a plan.  Hold me in the shadow of Your wings as we walk forward in light of these new changes.  You know what You are doing.  I’m so thankful that You do.  Praise You from Whom all blessings flow.  

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

Two Things

“Have you not heard?  Long ago I ordained it.  In the days of old I planned it; now I have brought it to pass...”  Isaiah 37:26a

Thing One-

In Your great mercy, Lord, You have sold our home.  It is time, time for our move to Arkansas.  After 4 years, 3 months and 4 days You sold our home.  Thank You!  Such inadequate words but the only words I seem to be able to muster for such a long awaited deliverance.  You have taught me much during those years.  I pray that I have learned all that You have taught this piece of dust.  Of course, all the glory goes to You because, once again, these people had come to see our home 1-2 years ago.  Who but You could have piqued their interest and sustained it for so long?  No one.  Absolutely no one else.  There is no question that YOU have done this.  May Your glory always rest upon this home and may the new owners learn to love You more and more each day.  Shower Your blessings upon them as they rest in the home of Your choosing for them.  

Thing Two-

You never cease to amaze me, Lord, in the things that You do.  The sewing that You restored to me many months ago You have taken from me again.  However this time, it is for always.  By Your grace I was enabled to give all three of my sewing machines, accessories, fabric and notions to a wonderful sewing ministry that You are blessing and using in a great and mighty way.  It was a true honor to be able to give all those things to them, because I know that this ministry is anointed by You and that You will use all the things that I gave them so that Your glory can shine brightly and bring many people to Christ.  An incredibly mind-boggling thought.  Very humbling.  

So... now that I no longer sew, what do You have for me next, Lord?  For a while I will help care for my Daddy.  Forever I will pray for the lost, lonely, wayward, blessed and needy.  Forever may I be drawn closer and closer to You.  As my health issues are named correctly, we will go from there.  I know that You will use me for Your greatest glory and as an instrument of peace and grace, for You have told me just that in Your Word.  Again... incredibly mind-boggling and very humbling.  

So, off we go, Lord.  Forward together in the plan You have for my life.  Keep my eyes on You.  Let people see You, not me.  May there be less of me and more of You as time progresses.  By Your grace alone I am ready.  I’ll follow wherever You lead me.  Praise You from Whom all blessings flow!

Rejoice In Him

Rejoice!

 “Though the fig tree does not bud

and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails 

and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen

and no cattle in the stalls, 

yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.”  Habakkuk 3:17-18

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance”  Romans 5:3

“But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.”  Philippians 2:17

“But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.”  1 Peter 4:13 

“I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.”  Psalm 31:7

And again I say “Rejoice!”

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”  Philippians 4:4 

“This is the day the LORD has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24

“I rejoice in Your promise

like one who finds great spoil.”  Psalm 119:162

“The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;

let the distant shores rejoice.”  Psalm 97:1

“Instead of their shame

My people will receive a double portion,

and instead of disgrace

they will rejoice in their inheritance;

and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,

and everlasting joy will be theirs.”  Isaiah 61:7

“Let us rejoice and be glad

and give Him glory!”  Revelation 19:7a

More tough times, Lord.  By Your grace I am rejoicing in You.  Praise You from Whom all blessings flow!  

Love,

Your daughter who, by Your grace, is rejoicing over You anyway

Precious

“For You created my inmost being;

You knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Your works are wonderful,

I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You

when I was made in the secret place. 

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 

Your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me

were written in Your book

before one of them came to be.”

Psalm 139:13-16

Two precious little girls, Lord.  Ashley Kate and Rosalie.  Two little girls who are now by Your side in Heaven.  Two little girls that have changed my life in a multitude of ways.  I thank You for placing them in my life and for the privilege of praying for them, their family, friends and prayer warriors.  It is amazing to me how You have used each of them and touched so many hearts through their short lives.  You are good and You are merciful, even in their deaths.  

Lord, I pray for each of their families, friends and prayer warriors.  We will all need Your love, mercy and grace to walk through the days ahead.  Thank You for providing all we need to celebrate and honor their young lives as You are glorified in it all.  

You know the pain and grief of these families.  You have suffered as they are.  You know that they trust You and look to You for help.  Thank You, Lord, for healing their broken hearts and binding up their wounds.  You are good.   

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways My ways,”

declares the LORD. 

As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are My ways higher than your ways

and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Psalm 55:8-9

Love,

Your daughter who trusts that You know best

Solace

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

Lord, the longer this journey in the desert is, the more unable I am to express the depth of its pain.  Were it not for Your mercy, faithfulness and love, I would never be able to face it day by day.  It threatens to overwhelm me.  The pain in my heart grows greater each day.  I am broken inside and am laid at Your feet.  There is where I find my solace.  I find my peace in Your arms and in Your Word.  You are my God and there is no other.  Apart from You I cannot survive all of this pain.  

 

“The LORD is my light and my salvation—

whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the stronghold of my life—

of whom shall I be afraid? 

When evil men advance against me

to devour my flesh,

when my enemies and my foes attack me,

they will stumble and fall. 

Though an army besiege me,

my heart will not fear;

though war break out against me,

even then will I be confident.

One thing I ask of the LORD,

this is what I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD

and to seek Him in His temple. 

For in the day of trouble

He will keep me safe in His dwelling;

He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle

and set me high upon a rock. 

Then my head will be exalted

above the enemies who surround me;

at His tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;

be merciful to me and answer me. 

My heart says of You, “Seek His face!”

Your face, LORD, I will seek. 

Do not hide Your face from me,

do not turn Your servant away in anger;

You have been my Helper.  Do not reject me or forsake me,

O God my Savior. 

Though my father and mother forsake me,

the LORD will receive me. 

Teach me Your way, O LORD;

lead me in a straight path

because of my oppressors. 

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,

for false witnesses rise up against me,

breathing out violence.

I am still confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living. 

Wait for the LORD;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the LORD.”

Psalm 27

Love,

Your broken and pain-filled daughter who looks to you for help

Bombshells

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  James 1:2-4

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, Who does not change like shifting shadows.”  James 1:17

More bombshells!  Help, Lord!  

“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”  2 Corinthians 12:9a

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”  Romans 8:18

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”  2 Corinthians 4:8-9

“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you...”  Exodus 14:13

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  Genesis 50:20

Can’t wait to see how You work all these new bombshells out, Lord.  I know it will be miraculous.  You are the only Hope in these latest gifts from You.  

Love, 

Your child who sits under the shadow of Your wing