Keli Marie

I just talked with Mark, and Keli Marie is being discharged from the hospital. It was a kidney stone, and apparently was taking too long to pass, and it caused one of her kidney's to enlarge. She is doing much better, and I know He and Kim appreciate all your prayers...will keep you posted as I hear more from Kim!

“Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people.” Ephesians 6:18
(I Hate to Burden You)
Renee Swope

Friendships....

I had the most lovely conversation with my faraway friend late last night, and I must thank my dear Deena for my lovely new background here. She is so knowledgeable of these things...she also manages The Primitive Gathering where you will find most necessary things from very talented friends.
Deena is so graceful while battling breast cancer, and brain tumors. She speaks of not being afraid...so courageous she is. A fine example for sure. Our paths crossed many years ago, and I am most honored to have her in my life. She does so much for others...not asking anything in return.
She's also doing a fall banner gift away...go on over for a visit.

So I thank Deena for all she has done for me, for her teachings, and for being such a faithful friend and fine example in my life for so many years.
I love you Deena!

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-- what is good and acceptable and perfect. -Romans 12:12

"A faithful friend is a strong defense: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure." --Ecclesiastes 6:14

***I just heard from Kim Argenzio***
Her daughter Keli Marie is very sick, and the Dr's are having a difficult time finding the cause. From a frantic mother, please pray for her, and for Kim also to have hope and peace.
Thank you kindly...

So far away

Until today, I have been able to speak to Mom and Dad each morning and evening. They've been gone for five days now. I just realized how far they really are. We are communicating through email, and I really don't like that. I'm glad to know what they are doing, but I'd rather speak with them, and hear their voices. Sounds like they are really having a good time in Canada. Tuesday they were in Medicine Hat! How cool is that.
New message from Mom & Dad.
Good morning , it's 48 degrees F. here this morning. We hope to be in Banff Park this evening. Travel has been good. Windy yesterday. Hope Cody's back is better. Tell Cody and Jesse hello. Yesterday we saw the true meaning of Amber waves of Grain. Love, Pop and Mom

From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. -Psalm 61:2

Summer storms can come up quickly on the water. I learned this on a nearly perfect day when I was about 10 years old. The water was calm as my dad maneuvered our boat around the river while my brothers and I fished. Then without warning the wind shifted and the sky grew dark. Lightning came down in great streaks, as if looking for little kids in a metal boat.

"Everyone lie down!" my dad yelled above the sound of the wind. We lay on the floorboards and closed our eyes while Dad guided the boat. We hadn't gone far when he called to us again and pointed to a rock cliff. He pulled up to the shore and helped us climb to a small cave in the side of that rock where we huddled in safety until the storm passed.

When life suddenly changes or danger lies in my path, I think of that day and the psalmist's words in Psalm 46: "God is my refuge and strength, a present help in trouble" (verse 1). I still have to face what frightens me, but _I am not alone. God is that "rock that is higher than I," a safe place to go when the storms of life are raging. We can trust in God, no matter what happens.
(Judith Fulp-Eickstaedt)

Shelter us, O God, and guide us to places of safety when we are in danger. Calm the storms in our lives and in our souls and keep us close to you always. Amen.

Autumn giveaway at Simple Joys

Lana, over at Simple Joys, a fellow Tennessean, is having a sharing party. Sounds like your missin the fun, so get on over and send her some ideas for motifs, icons, objects and symbols you like to use and you'll be entered in her Autumn giveaway.

Sharing goodness...

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you
-John 15:12

Today's Upper Room devotion, led me to share these thoughts...

I was thinking of how much my Dad enjoys gardening. He shares his bounty with everyone. We've enjoyed lettuce, tomatoes a plenty, beans and corn, the absolute best potatoes...It's not just earthly harvest he has shared. He and Mom plant seeds of kindness where ever they go. They shared their love and wisdom with my sisters and I while we were growing up. So, is it not my job to do the things I'm taught...

Each year, as summer closes, they plan a trip...a long trip, going out West, or where ever the road may lead them. Last night I as walked up the steps to the back door to say goodbye, I stood looking at the cover on the pool. Summer has gone, we've enjoyed so many days on the deck, and now it is time for their trip. They have worked for this trip, and every one before. I will miss them greatly. I speak with them daily, and will still be able to do so, it's just an emptiness knowing they are more than mere miles from me. This trip, they are traveling up into Canada. As I map it, I can't imagine my Mom and Dad being so far from me. I am comforted knowing I will still be able to call on them. Is it not the same with our Father in Heaven...when he seems so far from us, it is then, he is calling, beckoning us to call his name. He is but a whisper away.

"Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me"
Sow kindness, help, feed, care for others as He has cared for you...

Working with my Aunt Helen in her flower shop during my teenage years, I learned many Christian lessons. One of the most powerful was in her succinct sermon, "Give your flowers to the living."

She went on to explain, "I have spent much of my life arranging beautiful flowers to help people show their love after someone has died. Imagine how much those flowers would have meant to the person while he or she was alive."

As I've grown older, I appreciate the Christlike message of my aunt's words. Yes, in love, Jesus gave his life for our eternal future after we die; but Jesus also demonstrated God's love continually to the living while on earth. He walked and talked with those around him; he healed, cried, and rejoiced. Jesus gave the gift of love to all those he met as he walked the earth, as well as to all humankind through his death and resurrection.
(Jill Marie Clawson)

I am preparing to share my harvest with you...soon I will be posting a give away, as a thank you for your kindness, a "pay it forward"...keep in touch!

Pray for a good harvest...but keep on plowing

Dear God, help me to remember you are but a whisper away...help me to love others each day as you love me, show me your grace and mercy so that I may sow seeds...good seeds... Amen.

Clean on the outside...

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. -1 John 1:9

When I was a young wife, my husband brought home a new kitchen stove. A few days later, the man who bought our old stove gave me a humiliating lesson in cleanliness. He inspected every part, looking inside the oven and lifting each burner. Then he raised the top of the stove. To my dismay, a heavy layer of grease and crumbs coated the entire surface.

Later, a thought occurred to me: It wasn't only my old stove that was clean on the outside, but filthy within. My soul is sometimes in the same condition. I might appear self-controlled and kind in public, but when I became angry at home, my voice rose in anger, aiming hurtful words at my family. Judgmental of others' behavior, I was tempted to behave the same. I often harbored unfriendly thoughts, and I could hold on to a grudge.

But a sinful soul can be fully cleansed. When we confess our sins, God will faithfully forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It depends not on our effort but on God's grace. Just a heartfelt "Please forgive me" brings cleansing.
(Marie E. DisBrow)


O God, help us to be aware of our inner condition and to turn to you for forgiveness and cleansing. Amen.

I'm also reflecting on Welded rest...from Ann

I've gotten so behind on posting...wanted to share this picture-Jesse Ray attended a birthday party at the movies. All the Jedi had a blast. They viewed the newest Star Wars movie. I was pretty impressed. They managed to created the entire movie using only one ugly word. Could've done without that "one", but I'm just thankful the entire movie wasn't bleeped!
So, here's Jesse Ray and Moses...

The one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
-Philippians 1:6

Today, my friend Karen goes for her mammogram, and then a cat scan. Please join me in praying for the large mass on her breast be completely gone.

Be merciful to me, O Lord; for I cry to You daily. -Psalm 86:3

Unexpected gifts...

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase
To added affliction He addeth His mercy
To multiplied trials, his multiplied peace

When we have exhausted our store of endurance
and our strength has failed e'er the day is half done
when we reach the end of our hoarded resources
the Father's full giving is only begun

His love has no limit. His grace has no measure
His power has no boundary known unto man
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
-Annie Johnson Flint

Today, I am most grateful for:
-His promise
-snuggles with Mark
-Cody's understanding of God commissioning him to do something
-Jesse Ray's butterfly kisses
-the little book of promises I received in the mail yesterday (thank you Evalene)
-friends
-going to Walmart and being able to go in and out in less than 30 minutes;)
-the prayer of Jabez

Permanent...

Early this dreary morn as I reflect on the words in Ann's post, I remember to embrace the gift of what is.
(more on this later)

PERMANENT! The paper said PERMANENT. What does this mean?

per·ma·nent (pûr'mə-nənt)

1. Lasting or remaining without essential change: “the universal human yearning for something permanent, enduring, without shadow of change”
2. Not expected to change in status, condition, or place: a permanent address; permanent secretary to the president.
Existing or remaining in the same state for an indefinitely long time

His love is Permanent...

The news came early. Too early for me to gather myself when the words flooded from his mouth. "I lost my job!" Time stopped for a second, felt like more. My body was numb, and I was speechless. The big manila envelope he was holding looked heavy, weighted with things I didn't want any part of. My seemingly happy life was somehow displaced. Moments later, I realize the truth in his words. He tells Mother and Father, I do the same. He says meekly, "God has closed this door." With cutbacks in the auto industry, (muffle, muffle, muffle) was all I heard. There were others also, many who'd been there most of their lives, and nearing retirement, but not quiet able to draw fully. Calls flood in and I stand in awe with how he is dealing with the news. Working there 17 of his 36 years of life...must he not feel some sort of illness? So I think I'm comfortable here, in this place, throughout our marriage. The day goes quickly, and I realize suddenly, I am relieved. Is that possible? I should not think the words, nor should I express them openly. I awake the next morning, Mark still in bed, still trying to gather this in my head, my heart. When he comes down the hall, I see a look of relief on his brow. One I haven't seen for years. It is then I realize, God's plan has changed for us. He has something far greater for this small family of four, not including cats, horses. He has not been happy for some odd years. Graveyard shift taking it's toll. Wanting to make a change, a move, questioning if it would be possible (sensible) to do such a thing having so many years and honest pay at this job. I realize also, that I have not been happy here, almost since moving this way in late 1995.

Two days pass, and I become angry when we are told things we really don't need, want to hear. But truth is always hard to take, especially when you learn people are trying to sabotage your character. What good can come from purposely inflicting pain on another...I can not, will never understand what makes a heart so hurtful towards others. He tells me it's not the end of the world. I do realize this is truth, and he is no better than anyone else to lose their job. It's just something you don't think of.
(letting go of bitterness)

Answered prayers, understandings are flooding in one by one now, but selfishness takes over, I want the full path laid out for me. To quote words from Mandisa's song, "He’ll do, and He’ll use whatever He wants, to show us he's enough"

One week and two days have passed, no, it is not the end of the world. Doors will open, and we will see them. He will guide us to them..."Peace be still, and know that I am God!" After facing the truth, the surrealism of it, I realize "what is", Mark's face filled with joy, and smiles once again...

"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." - John 10:28-29:

(picture: Mark against the amber sky)

School

Cody returns to school this week...the house seems so empty, quiet. I miss him deeply.

Dear God I pray that you shield him with protection as he drives to and from school each day. That he has the courage to persevere, knowledge to take in important information he will need, love and laughter to share, protection from the temptations he shall face, and the sure and certain knowledge of Your unfailing love. Help me, O Lord, as I let him go, I give him to you...Amen