Ever notice...

....how when you're waiting for something really, really, really important to happen that TIME sometimes doesn't seem to cooperate?

I'm thinking in particular about my dad---he and my mum and brother were hit by a drunk driver back in November and the residual effects/post-whatever/"after" of that event have been astronomically great in our life. Nothing is the same and nothing is simple.

It seems like it's been such a LONG time since November and we've been waiting and waiting and waiting for Dad to "get better," yet the better part has been slow-going. We get better to a certain point, and then stuff happens and we have to get MORE better. Like better isn't good enough...we need to get better-better, whatever that is.

This Thursday Dad's going in to have his shoulder/rotator cuff repaired for the second time. He'll be on no duty/light duty for TWELVE WEEKS! I look at that and wonder why on earth couldn't the first 11 surgeries have been good enough---why do we need to have yet another surgery? Why do we have at least 3 more on the docket? Why can't we just be done with this whole ordeal? Some days the adage, "One step forward, two steps back" is so vividly personified in our life. My dad is literally taking steps forward, inch-by-inch, foot-by-foot----yet we are continually sideswiped by other problems. Progress in one area; setbacks in another. Joys and sorrows. Highs and lows. Hope and frustration.

What gives? What's God trying to teach us? Are we really this thick-skulled/hard-headed that we don't get it? Or perhaps we've gotten it and He's simply reminding us that HIS TIME isn't necessarily OUR TIME and we have to rely on HIS SCHEDULE? Or maybe He's teaching us patience and dependence? Perhaps He's trying to get our attention? I have SO many questions, yet very few direct answers.

In the midst of so much uncertainty and frustration, I am drawn to the passage in the prophets that speaks of God's thoughts and ways as being so high above our own. Who can comprehend them? Certainly not I! Can I continue to have faith in a God who seems in no particular hurry to answer my questions? In a word: YES. Why? Because I am firmly convinced of the character of my God----I may not know His ways fully and I might not be able to make heads or tails of what He's doing every step of the way, but I am without doubt certain that He is the God who does what He says He will do and is who He says He is. And I know He has a place for me in His plan-----"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps; Many are the plans in a man' heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails" (Prov. 16:9; 19:21).

The Lord's ultimate purpose----what does that look like in my life? Apparently I love one-word answers because I've got one for this question too: JESUS! All the major/minor details of my life, everything that happens to me is for one expressed purpose----that in this life God might be glorified through my becoming more like Jesus Christ.

The Patience of Faith...

"Because thou hast kept

the word of My patience." (Revelation 3:10)

Patience is more than endurance. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says, "I can't stand any more!" God does not heed; He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God's hands. For what have you need of patience just now? Maintain your relationship to Jesus Christ by the patience of faith. "Though He slay me, yet will I wait for Him."

Faith is not a pathetic sentiment, but robust vigorous confidence built on the fact that God is holy love. You cannot see Him just now, you cannot understand what He is doing, but you know Him. Shipwreck occurs where there is not that mental poise which comes from being established on the eternal truth that God is holy love. Faith is the heroic effort of your life, you fling yourself in reckless confidence on God.

God has ventured all in Jesus Christ to save us, now He wants us to venture our all in abandoned confidence in Him. There are spots where that faith has not worked in us as yet, places untouched by the life of God. There were none of those spots in Jesus Christ's life, and there are to be none in ours. "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee." The real meaning of eternal life is a life that can face anything it has to face without wavering. If we take this view, life becomes one great romance, a glorious opportunity for seeing marvellous things all the time. God is disciplining us to get us into this central place of power.

--Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest"

Heheheh...

...how time does fly! My sweetie pointed out that I should probably update this thing---my last entry said "one month to go" and we've already seen that come and go, and then some!

Our wedding was a little over a week and a half ago: April 27, Arbor Day. As far as days go, it was a beautiful one. The minute-by-minute details of the ceremony and such will likely fade in my mind with time, but there were sure some memorable moments that I will NEVER forget!

My dad received clearance from his doctors the Wednesday before the ceremony to bear FULL weight on his legs (he'd been given 100% on the left and 50% on the right up to that point), so he decided if he could do it without looking "crippled," he'd like to walk me down the aisle.

And walk we did----he used a walker and we waited at the back of the church until the very last minute for him to stand up. I told him and everyone else that I was bound I wouldn't cry on my wedding day. As soon as he stood up and we moved to the door's opening, I started bawling. :o) That was probably the greatest gift I've ever received from the Lord, 'cept the joy of knowing Him and being His! I can't put into words how I felt walking down that aisle with my dad at my side---yes, some of it I know was the excitement of getting married and of seeing D at the end (a little misty-eyed himself, mind you), but a big part of it was the exuberance of that moment---WALKING after so many months of not knowing and not being sure if it would ever happen again.

OUR GOD IS MARVELOUS---AND A GRACIOUS LOVING FATHER! He gave to me what no person could ever give; He answered our prayers in such a way that we can say with confidence, "This is of God." In the midst of dark days, many upon many, He is the giver of hope and peace and life and joy! To Him be the glory for this and all things!

More to come, but all for now!

Less than....

...one month to go! Yesterday we crossed over the one month threshold and though we're still not counting down, I can't deny that giddy-night-before-Christmas feel welling up inside me. We have much to do before the BIG day, but God has been so good---clear heads, joyful hearts, many helping hands. I'm so glad we're not doing this alone!

The tuxes are picked out; the cake is confirmed; the wedding site and reception have all been planned; my dress is on its way to being done; the music is coming together; the food is a go; all parties involved in the BIG day are on board; invitations went out; RSVPs are coming in; and my list keeps growing longer and longer. Cabinets went up at the house this week--flooring and painting are next, along with installing a countertop and gathering our appliances from all corners of the house! I have a stove in my living room and a fridge in my garage, a picnic basket and couch on the second lower level, and a tempermental dryer in the basement. :o) Setting up house is a nifty venture in insanity...but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

In the midst of all this excitement, my Dad continues to make progress. He reports in (frequently) on the happenings of his day; that, or he calls to rub it in that my niece is over and he's playing with her and I'm not. :o) My ol' man is a priceless gem--he and my mum both! I love them dearly and I pray for them often. I hope you do too....Dad still has a long road ahead of him. He wants to stand at our wedding---it's his goal, not mine. I told him it doesn't make one bit of difference to me either way, in the sense that it's not going to ruin our marriage if on April 27 he can't stand. More than anything I want my Dad to walk again and live a rich life on this earth, but I know God has purposes for us far beyond what we could ever imagine! His way is best and His timing is always perfect. His plan for my Dad pales in comparison to anything we could dream up. So, we'll keep "walking" by faith and trusting in Him--and leave sight-seeing to eternity.

Taking heart...

“…when the darkness of dismay comes, endure it until it is over, because out of it will come that following of Jesus which is an unspeakable joy.”
--Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

Something to think about...

“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong…because someday in life you will have been all of these.”
--George Washington Carver

Nothing profound...

....just me today. :o) It was Board Meeting day out at the office --- I particularly enjoy it 'cause I get to catch up with some of the board members that I've forged relationships with and I get to help out in the kitchen. Talking to people and cooking -- what's not to love about that??? I also worked some today on redesigning a logo for one of our local mission churches. Dan and I help out there on Wednesday nights with their Olympian program. I lead a small group for 1st and 2nd grade girls, and Dan is on the flip-side with the 1st and 2nd grade boys. I really love it, but the kids we have in this program are a lot different than the kids we have at West Cannon, mainly in their home lives and spiritual background. These are needy kids in a way that strikes me as different from the "churched kids" at WCBC --- and I am really excited to be able to work with them, form friendships, and hopefully be a loving influence in their lives. The neat thing about my particular group is that 4 of my girls live in the trailer park about a mile from where Dan and I bought our house. I don't know what church we'll end up at after we get married -- whether we stay at West Cannon or go elsewhere -- but I don't think it's by accident that we live so close to some of the kids we spend a lot of time with.

I'm hoping our home in Cedar will be a tool that God can use to help us reach people for Him. We're starting to get to know folks in the neighborhood -- mostly because we're late in paying our dues, sort of. Things got a bit confused when it came to what was covered in our closing costs and what wasn't. I got things straightened out and in the process met a couple of the ladies in our "block." Apparently we're going to be having a block party in the spring -- so people can get to know each other better. I'm looking forward to it, but I'm also a bit apprehensive. We've been in this neighborhood (granted, not living there full-time but still) for almost three months and I very rarely see people out and about. And those that I do, they don't seem to be in the mood to chat. They keep to themselves and that's about it. It might be the weather -- we did buy at the end of November -- or it could be that a lot of our 14 neighbors are in transition like we are. There are at least 5 houses that I hardly EVER see anyone at. One house, directly across the street from us, seems to be on about the same schedule as we are. I was out shoveling the driveway at 10:30 at night and they drove into the development, into their driveway, shut the garage, turned one light on, turned it off, and that was it. I didn't get a chance to talk to them and outside of one day when they had their garage open and their dog out running around, I haven't seen a person there at all! I like people watching...I wonder if they watch us??? We are, after all, rather sporadic in our comings and goings. :o)

Almost 5:00! So, for now, I'm off -- more later, I think.

p.s. For those of you who are, I would appreciate your continued prayers for my dad. This week in particular has been a painful one for him. I don't know if it's because they took the metal out of his foot last week, the fact that arthritis has already set into his "good" joints, the weather (it's been freezing, literally, all week and we just had quite a severe snowstorm move through the area), or maybe a combination of all four, but this week just seems like a rough one for him. He's healing, but it's slow-going. Even in the midst, we praise God! Thanks for praying and praising Him along with us...

Snow day....

....ha, I wish. :o) No, no snow day, but it IS snowing today and it's quite pretty if you ask me. We haven't had a good snow like this in awhile --- it's the fluffy, pretty, floaty kind. Not the heavy, wet, hard-packed variety. I like both, but the latter seems to turn to nasty slush quicker than the former. I'm going out tonight to test out my brand new SNOWSHOES!!! I've been waiting since Christmas to have a really good snow. I bought Dan some for his "big" Christmas gift and then decided that he shouldn't have to snowshoe alone, so I bought myself a pair too. We're going up this weekend with Amy to snowmobile -- it's my belated birthday present from her. I thought I'd bring along my snowshoes and my cross-country skis. That way, when it's not my turn to drive/ride the snowmobile, I can be doing something else outside. 'Course, it's only supposed to be a high of 8 on Saturday so I might very well cozy up with a good INSIDE when it's not my turn. :o)

My dad is in the hospital again -- he was admitted Wednesday for surgery on his foot. They had to remove all the metal pins and plates because the infection in the metal wouldn't go away and wouldn't allow the foot to close up and heal. Dr. Jones told us that Dad's bone had healed enough that he won't have to go back in and put replacement metal in. I was really excited to hear that and felt like heaving a HUGE *sigh* of relief. I talked with Dad last night and it's kind of hard -- on one hand, we get good news. On the other, we have to look at the reality of the situation. My dad will never walk like a normal person; he won't be able to carry heavy loads (like bags of dog food or salt for the water softener, and then I got to thinking -- maybe he won't even be able to carry his grandkids), hike on uneven ground (which nixes trips out West with my mom and running our dogs in the field); he won't be able to climb up ladders (so maybe he can't do work projects with CBM anymore and construction help around the house); and he'll always face the danger of falling and breaking something that they won't be able to fix. His bones will never be strong enough to sustain the impact of jumping off his tractor or out of the bed of a truck. His trigger finger and "good" knee already have arthritis setting in. He's in pretty bad shape and he hasn't even begun therapy or rehab to walk. We're still waiting on the bones to heal up!

All of this got to me last night --- it was pretty depressing. Thinking about all that Dad won't be able to do. But he said it himself: God will fill up his life with other things. The things that today seem so monumental, so important, so incredibly frustrating that they just can't be ---- these things God can replace! I don't know how or with what, but I believe that God left my Dad here for a reason. It might not be in God's plan for me to ever know the details of why, but I trust in my gracious and loving Father and I know He loves my Dad far more than I ever could. He desires for Dad and me and my mum and my brothers, Dan, all of us to become more like Christ through this. I can't fully tell you how frustrating it is to watch all this and not be able to fix it. I can't tell you how many I've times cried and cried out in pain because of what God has allowed into my life. And yet God doesn't do things just to do them -- He had a "good and perfect will" and He is working it out in my life. There are days when I am so thankful that the book of Psalms is included in the Bible. When I read David's heart cries -- "How long, O Lord, will you hide your face from me?" -- and see how he ultimately comes full circle, praising God and recognizing Him for Who He is, I am grately encouraged in heart. The one place where I can safely say exactly what my heart is feeling is in the presence of God. And I enter into that presence by the sheer grace of Him -- because my sins have been forgiven and I have been made alive in Christ, I can go boldly into the very presence of my God and pour everything out. The wonder in all of that? It's that He already knows and He has grace to help in my times of need--abundant grace, beyond anything I could ever imagine!

Not original to me...

...but I echo the thought, especially with all that has gone on in my life as of late. Read on, and be encouraged!

* * * * * * * * * * *

"Mountains & Valleys"

by Terri Jenkin

Are “mountains” when we are high with excitement and expectation, or are they the challenges we face? Are the “valleys” when we are low and can't see our way out, or are they the times when all is calm beside the still waters? Either way you look at it, God wants us to have the victory.

Being from Montana, I know that between each mountain range there is a valley. I think of the explorers who climbed that first mountain; the relief they felt when they reached the peak and then descended into a pleasant meadow with sufficient grass and water, only to face another mountain ahead.

Some look at challenges with excitement and great expectation for what God is going to do. For others, the challenges stop us in our tracks because our strength wanes and the peak seems insurmountable.

Last month I asked for your thoughts on how God fulfills His joy in us. Do mountains and valleys have a part in our experiencing His joy?

Right before Christmas, our son-in-law’s stepmother passed away after a battle with cancer. Dan returned from Iraq, met up with Debby and the kids in Germany, and flew to Florida. God provided, and I flew down for a weekend to see all four of our grandchildren—an exciting mountain experience. When I returned home, I was down (oops, am I suppose to admit that?). Couldn’t I just pull myself up by the boot straps (an old western adage) and snap out of it? No, but the Holy Spirit through God’s Word could: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!” (Ps 84:11-12) I was able to refocus just as David did in Psalm 13: from v. 1 “How long will thou forget me . . .” to vv. 5 & 6 “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because He hath dealt bountifully with me.”

I saw with more clarity how God fulfills His joy in us. He wants our joy to be full, but when circumstances seem contrary to that, He allows us to experience Him. He renews us with His Spirit. Yes, He may change our circumstances, but then again, He may not. In the end the choice was mine. I choose to thank Him, praise Him, and live joyfully in His presence!

As far as dogs go....

...2006 was a mutt! :o) As I look back over the past year, it wasn't too difficult to conclude that 2006 was a mixed bag of blessings and challenges. Because I can think of nothing else in the world that I like more than lists, I feel compelled to review the significant-to-me events of 2006 in just such a form:

• January: My final spring semester at the seminary began; I becames an AUNT--my little Ella Bella was born on the 20th in the midst of a massive snow storm; I turned 25; I got engaged; we set the date for our wedding and people thought we were nuts for waiting "that" long :o)
• February: My brother Jim turned 28; the groundhog saw his shadow; we bought a roomful of furniture with no place to put it!
• March: I came down with a really weird throat infection that took on the form of strep and then mono was suspect (it wasn't very fun and I got way behind in school); I started house-hunting through GRAR
• April: Finally feeling better, I think; school work, I remember, was starting to get on my nerves; we crossed into the 1 year mark as far as countdowns go.... Hehehehe!
• May: Finished up with most of my classes, 'cept one; still house-hunting -- the prospect of building a house comes into play
• June: John & Brooke turn 25, and Tom makes it to 22; Amy & I plan a "wild" trip to South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia for the end of the month; I'm sure I spent lots of time swimming....
• July: Amy & Dan turn 25; Amy & I miss the 4th of July at home and both come down with NASTY colds; mine turns again toward the strep/mono route -- mom suspects Zambia somehow plays into this (I miss a week solid of work and still feel cruddy after that!)
• August: Gearing up for school again; still wondering how to finish up Meadors' class and frustrated with my dumb school schedule (this was supposed to be my final semester but things were shaping up to look like spring school would have to be a must); planned the menu for the Labor Day retreat; school began
• September: Labor Day retreat up to Mackinaw; bittersweet 'cause it's my last summer getaway with the Therefores; school underway and the work is piling on! Dan & I make a trip out to Kansas City and Wichita to visit family and friends; we stopped to see the St. Louis arch on the way home; good times....interesting times; things fell through as far as building our house is concerned
• October: Spoke with Dr. Meadors & Dean VerBerkmoes -- things are worked out so I can be done with classes this fall and have the spring open; DJ died following a pretty bad auto accident -- lots of questions, lots of tears; in the midst of this we were still house-hunting and still making plans for the wedding
• November: Things were going along pretty much normal until the 12th, when my folks and Jim were involved in a fatal auto accident; Dad wound up in the hospital with almost every bone in his lower body crushed, mom was hospitalized, and we were wondering about Jim; life was pretty much a blur -- surgeries, uncertainties, lots of hospital food, days upon days spent down at Spectrum; Thanksgiving was at Jim & Maureen's house, sans Dad & Mom this year; we closed on the house on the 30th
• December: Celebrated Mom's birthday at First Wok -- not really a very happy occasion without Dad; Dad was moved to Mary Free Bed; released the week before Christmas for home with his hospital entourage; he ended up back in the hospital less than 5 days later for more surgery; Dad was released on Christmas Eve and able to come home to celebrate his 55th birthday AND Christmas; we went to First Wok again for Christmas dinner; finishing up school work (still finishing it up....); Dad's test results came back positive for infection, as well as MRI results that show definite and significant damage to his left shoulder that will require surgery; Dad's vision is starting to realign itself; retreat over New Year's up at Wynalda's cabin -- our last winter retreat as Therefores

As I consider 2006, I have to admit that there were times when I was angry -- angry at the circumstances of my life, frustrated with my inability to change what was going on, and just plain mad that I'd been chosen to go through the various trials. On the other hand, my faith grew, my heart was softened, and I saw God working in the midst. I developed new friendships, renewed old ones, and lost a few along the way too. My life changed dramatically in many respects this last year: becoming an aunt, turning a quarter of a century, getting engaged, buying a house, losing a friend, watching my folks suffer, and facing the uncertainties that come with ending one chapter of life and beginning another. I can honestly say that I'm not the same person I was a year ago and I'm grateful for that. I look at what I've come through to get to where I'm at today and I'm glad I didn't stay the same. God has led me and others through deep waters, yet He has proven faithful. And in some cases, the deep waters continue and I know there's more wading to come. Yet, my joy comes in knowing Him, in belonging to Him -- in being His.

I haven't any idea (beyond a few of my plans) what 2007 holds for me, but I rest in the knowledge that my life lies in the safety of God's hands and nothing catches Him off-guard. My prayer is that as I go, Lord willing, through '07 I will be reminded all over again of the goodness, greatness, and grace of my Heavenly Father.

Time...

...marches on.

We're home! After spending a combined 5 weeks in the hospital and rehab facility, Dad was finally able to go home this past Friday. We basically moved his hospital room to our living room, complete with bed, in-home nursing care, wheelchair, and all the other "fun stuff" that goes along with being, well, an invalid (temporarily we pray). Dad has physical and occupational therapists come in three times a week, a visiting nurse comes around (I think) that many times too, and we have in-home nursing aids who are around until we send them home. :o) It's been an interesting time of adjustment -- and will continue to be, thinks me. We're greenhorns at this medically immobile business --- bear with us! We were able to get a wheelchair lift installed in the garage which makes it much more simple to get dad in and out of the house. We also have a brand new wheelchair transport van -- it's a rental, but hey, not bad with only 250 miles on it! And a blue Buick to boot. :o) Dad was able to get out to Big Boy for lunch on Saturday, to church at West Cannon in the morning and Maranatha at night, to the office on Monday for about half an hour, and even out to breakfast with Jim yesterday morning. He definitely doesn't go anywhere alone and he's not able to do a whole lot on his own, but he's making progress.

He's looking at at least 90-120 days of NO weight bearing on his legs or feet at all. That means a wheelchair probably right up until our wedding in April. When I think about that, it doesn't make me sad. Lots of the ladies have made the comment that it's going to be really hard on my wedding day 'cause Dad won't walk me down the aisle. I look at them like they're nuts --- Dad's here and that's good enough for me!! Besides, we'll just rent a Little Amigo and drive down the aisle; there isn't much typical about our wedding anyhow -- why not add a little more deviousness?? :o) I admit that there have been times in this process where it hasn't been easy, where my spirits have been incredibly low, where I have been discouraged to the point of tears. But there are moments of triumph, too, and those I cling to in the midst of the hurt the others bring.

God is good, life is difficult, God is still good.

Where...

...has time gone? The past two and a half weeks have simply disappeared as far as my mind is concerned. November 12 my folks and older brother were involved in a serious auto accident on 14 Mile Road near our home. A man in a Yukon crossed the center line and struck them head-on. Dad took the brunt of the blow and is still laid up in the hospital -- due for another round of surgery tomorrow. He was broken very badly from the waist down and suffered injuries to his eye, shoulder, and hands as well. By God's grace he was spared from damage to his brain and internal organs --- what an awesome God we serve; what a loving Father we have to watch over us. A week and a half in ICU; a week and a half and counting in the regular ward; then off to Mary Free Bed for rehab as soon as Dad's body is well enough to begin. We recognize the long road ahead of us, but I find great joy in looking back over the road already traveled. I marvel at the way God has worked and the things He has chosen to accomplish in the life of my father, mother, brothers, and I.

I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene,
and wonder how He could love me, a sinner condemned, unclean.
"How marvelous, how wonderful" and my song shall ever be.
How marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior's love for me.

Thanksgiving this year was like any other and then again, very different from any other. More poignant was my praise and thanks to God for what He has done -- His ways are marvelous and though I can't explain why He would allow such tragedy into my life, I am convinced He is a God of good and love -- everything that happens to me comes sifted through my Father's hand. Nothing catches Him off-guard; nothing takes Him by surprise -- He is the same today as He was yesterday, as He will be tomorrow.

Praise be to God!

Even in the midst...

My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalm 62:1-2, NIV

I don't do countdowns...

...and I know people find that strange, especially with such a nifty event like a wedding coming up, but they're just not me. :o) I have a date -- April 27, 2007 -- in view and I know that today is October 26 meaning tomorrow is the 6 month mark, but beyond that, I don't really count. Dan and I have been engaged since January 21 (my birthday!!) and I look back over the last (hmm...hang on, let me count...umm....maybe 10 months?? Nine? No, ten...hmm...I really do have to go count now.......) nine months and change and can't believe how fast it's gone. It seems like only yesterday I was holding a little baby girl in my arms, not even a day old. And now she's starting to crawl, stick out her tongue, and change the channels on the TV (much to grandpa's delight!). It seems like only yesterday I turned 25 and went on a most Amazing Race of my own...and wound up with a pink motorcycle helmet. Hehehehe....but I know it can't be yesterday because I've already been out wearing my helmet lots and it fits (and suits) me quite well. It seems like only yesterday somebody got a ring box stuck in his coat pocket in the midst of proposing a most intriguing question, "Will you marry me?" It seems like only yesterday that I asked him if he was serious and why? Oh wait, I probably did ask him that yesterday... :o) And here I am, 9 months+ looking back and wondering, "Where did all that time go?" but thankful, all the same, that go it went because looking forward is exciting too!

It's neat, thinks me, that time doesn't stand still. Life does goes on, people change, some leave us, new come our way -- and life keeps going. It's not that I expect it to because each day that I wake up I remember to thank God for giving me just one more day. Not in a fatalistic sense in the least --- but in a rejoicing sense because I love this world and I love this life. We were created to live! Even as I shout that out in joy, I think about those who are crying it out in pain. We were created to live...and yet we die.

Thanks be to God, though, that while we may close our eyes in this life, through Christ we have life abundant, free, and eternal --- life that knows NO end! The sting of death? The power of hell? It has no hold on those who love Christ and belong to the Father. We do not weep as those without hope --- we cry out to a loving Father who holds us in His hands, comforting our every tear and sorrow.

Praise be to God, our Almighty One, who lives and reigns forever!

Rejoicing in the midst of sorrow...

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God..." (Isaiah 43:2-3)

:::First Snow:::

There's just something about the first snow... :o) At the request of my almost other half I braved the BLUSTERY winter outside (in my strappy heels) to catch a few shots of the snow and, well, the beautiful view from my office! Makes it awful hard working right next to all this pretty stuff...


 

:::Grumble:::

I realize you're not supposed to grumble and complain, but there are days when I seriously feel like spewing forth mass grumblings! *Sigh* Sadly enough, though, I realize that my urge to grumble only comes out of frustration over being inconvenienced, and I just can't justify expending the effort. I'm attempting to register for the online portion of a class I'm taking (Perspectives on the World Christian Movement) and have thus far been unsuccessful --- I register and provide a valid email address.........and then............wait.........and wait................and......wait for a confirmation email to arrive that never quite gets there. Because I can't log in, I can't complete my homework or the online discussions that are required for the class. Which puts me behind the 8 ball.....and behind in general. This is my LAST semester of school and all I really want is to be finished with the process. I like the learning part, but the homework/classwork/lecture stuff is beginning to take its toll on me. I figure I've put in my time educationally speaking....hmm, I've been doing this since, huh, I was four years old and starting out in pre-school. Yup, I did pre-school and now I'm doing post-school. :o) Ah well, hopefully Marlene will come through for me ---- she's a good trouble-shooter. Hehehehe....I need LOTS of those!

For being such a "plan hater"....

...I am certainly being called on to make an enormous amount of plans! :o) I thought about listing them all (and indeed did start bulleting) but that suddenly seemed a bit too "me-focused" so I shall just leave you wondering.

I will say, though, that plans are not always bad, but they have the potential of becoming so. They become "bad little buggers" when they suddenly morph into the end-all of life, instead of the things that really matter. About 6 weeks ago (yes, it's been that long now) I stuck a Post-It to my computer with the following thought: "Plans have a way of becoming preoccupations." My inspiration? Prov. 16:9 and 19:21 --- both of which speak to the propensity for people to plan......but the ultimate reality that God orders our steps and His purpose prevails.

I like "p's" today; or did you miss that? :o)

God is the one who holds the pen that draws out the path of my life. I don't always like that (I like getting myself from point A to point B in my own good time), but the truth is: I wouldn't really want it any other way. I trust God to do what is best for me and even though I sometimes struggle to make sense of my life, I know He knows me inside and out. That, and His way is better than anything I could dream up (yah, I've tried it my way...not so good). But then again, haven't we all?

Come to think of it, some of us still are....and sometimes I feel tempted to try again. :-/

While I was off in Kansas City, MO...

Eyes...in the back of my head!

The "City of Fountains" -- notice the bride & groom in the background....a bit of foreshadowing, perhaps??? :o)