Saturday, August 25, 2007

WHEW!

Well...it went..the week that is ;) I need to relax and enjoy it...that is where I am struggling-but God is working on that.

Thank you so much for the emails and prayer requests and updates. I will try to go around and catch up with you all tonight. My heart just aches for the trials that many of you are facing- it is so wonderful that we are not alone. I *do* pray for you and think of you.

One friend in particular is saying goodbye this morning to her beloved as he is boarding a plane for Iraq...they are at the airport as I type this, and I am literally in tears for them as I type this. The Lord has been holding her hand and she has been so strong because of the Lord. Please be in prayer for her..the longest they have been apart is 8 weeks. God is so good all the time. I am so thankful for the brave men who fight for a freedom that is by no means "free". We must always fight for what is right-whatever the cost.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Quick Post

Just a quick note to say that we started school this week, so things have been very very busy. I am *so* tempted to go around and visit with you all on your blogs, but I can't if I am going to find out what schedule is going to work best this year. If there are any urgent prayer requests or anything *please* email me as I will be trying to stay away from the blog temptation this week. Hopefully next week, things will start to settle into something of a routine :) I miss you all already...email any *big* news so I don't completely miss out ;) That is so bad lol....life without the blog is just *not* the same. ((hugs)) and love-Heather

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Blessed Beyond Measure

God is so good. I can't praise Him enough for the blessings of the special people He brings into my life.

My friend Pam and her daughter Melanie sent me a little surprise-A story of God's Gift of Purity. It is just beautiful, and my husband read it to the girls the very night we got it. What a blessing. Pam is very thoughtful and generous and is currently living in Israel. Pam has left to me the Ladies' Visitation Ministry which she headed up while here- which I had so grown to love and her seat in choir is sorely missed as is her seat in AWANAs, baking team, costume maker, cullotte maker, bus-seat cover maker ;). *tear*I sure miss her.

My friend Lauren spent her Thursday afternoon teaching me, Brianna, and a friend and her daughter how to crochet...this was after blessing my 3 girls with beautiful prayer shawls that she had beautifully crocheted (which I need to take a picture of). She originally crocheted one for Anjolie, and as she crocheted she prayed for Anjolie, for her little broken arm. That is why it is called a prayer shawl. She then made one for Brianna and Lily who were just thrilled and tote them around and sleep with them ;) What a blessing...her husband is getting ready to deploy for 7 months and her trust in the Lord in spite of this is amazing.

And recently, a kind word...though undeserved, just blessed my heart-really. Becky from church, her husband and their precious little baby son Blayne were staying after church for a bit and my girls got to spend some time with her son-which they were thrilled to do. Becky and her husband are faithful and quiet servants...it may seem at times to them that no one notices when they stay late to set the fellowship hall up for school, or their tireless service for the GI ministry, working in the nursery, orchestra, baking team, their work in Awanas and various other ministries in which they beautifully and faithfully serve- but we do notice- and we praise the Lord for His beautiful Saints. When she offers a kind word my way...it fills my cup to overfowing-it is a hug from the Lord.

We *all* wear many hats...most of our ministries and duties we don't have the room or time to share about in a blog setting- but they do touch everyone around us in one way or another. We serve our LORD and even though we may think that noone notices or something is done in vain...if we do it as unto the Lord- even the smallest thing is made great-because HE is in it. I could go on and on about many of you readers and how you have touched my life in so many ways, blog buddies, family, friends...((thank you)) for allowing me to see His light in your life. Even an email sharing a struggle or a bit of encouragement or a prayer request... you just bless my heart my friends. We will have many conversations about God's Grace when we all get to heaven...I can't wait. You are such an encouragement. God is so good.

I find that there are blessings around every corner in the way of friends. I see such beauty in my friends who love the Lord, I am blessed to have some of it shine my way.

Friday, August 17, 2007

What Do You Think

about Classical Christian Homeschooling? Most of you (homeschoolers) are probably familiar with the Trivium and how it applies to the way our children learn. If you are NOT familiar with it...well, that makes me feel a whole better lol seeing as how I had only recently come across the details :) I have a friend whose children attend a Classical Christian School, but I did not think a whole lot about it. I about abandoned my plan to use Abeka again this year when I came upon this, but realized that there is no reason I can't incorporate a good bit of the suggested material into what we are already doing. Not to mention...I am not confident enough to pick and choose curriculum without fearing I am missing something. Anyway, just curious about what you seasoned moms think?

Homeschool and Prayer

We have been using the Abeka curriculum for Brianna, but this year we enrolled her in the fully accredited DVD program. I feel "safe" this way. Having 4 small children...2 of which are ages 2 and under...can throw one into survival mode in a hurry. I am very *green* as this is my 2nd year of official homeschooling. I will be adding some things here and there such as her Japanese class and a Homeschool Coop so.....yeah...I need alot of prayer :)

Please...also...I have one unspoken prayer request concerning a dear friend. PLEASE pray for her situation. This dear one is hurting over a very ill family member. *love you* I am praying.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Mulberry Muffins and Family Night

I have not posted any HIT updates lately (homemakers in training). It has been a lazy summer, I must admit...well, as far as my little HITs are concerned. But, Brianna, who loves to pick the mulberries off the bush in our back yard, begged me to help her make something with the berries she picked. Wellllll, we decided on muffins :) They were very good actually, and she was just glowing the whole time...lol.
We have been so blessed with this dear little girl. After the muffin making...it was time to start thinking about what to do for family night. Brianna said she had a great idea and scurried off with planning and preparation.

Friday night is family night in our house. You never know what the night will be filled with, but you can count on dessert playing a part. On this particular night it was milk-shakes mmmmm. Brianna had planned all day, and wanted a performance. And boy did she and her sisters and brother give one. We could not stop smiling...Brianna and Anjolie ran and got on their Sunday Best. In stark contrast to the girls' dresses, was Ayden with his dinner belly hanging out LOL. Brianna started the night off by saying into her little keyboard mic. "Thankyou, and it is a pleasure to be here".Brian and I choked back giggles. We prayed and then the Children's choruses filled the house. Brianna made pictures to tell a story...our story...mama heather and her 4 baby bunnies. It was precious. I just know that our Heavenly Father had to be smiling at the love and innocence in their hearts.

Some made more of a *loud* noise than a joyful one....




Little mic hogs...the lot of them.

After Ayden pretty much *eating* the microphone...it was all but sopping wet. Oh, it was funny. I had such a wonderful time. Just precious moments of listening to our little ones Praise the Lord in song :) Thank you Lord for these beautiful moments...there are no words.

Monday, August 13, 2007

There Were No Strings in The Part I Played

My heart is heavy laden...because I asked for it? It sounds strange I know, but do you ever look back over your life and see that there are sins that you have repented of and asked forgiveness for, but never were *broken* over? When I would revisit, or rather the memory of sin would revisit me, it would seem as if I were visiting an empty stage..the actor's were gone, there was dust everywhere and only the frame of the set remained-rickety and gray-as it had been almost a decade since its last use. The musty smell of rot made me ill. I would feel empty as I looked around, I felt as if I were a stranger in a dream where everything seemed vaguely familiar but I had no feeling about it at all. It would even cross my mind that perhaps I had not been here? Had I even played a part? I would leave knowing I would have to come back again and again until I could associate myself with the role I played-own it as my own choice and the protective walls I had built around myself were torn down. I took my dilemma to the Lord. Should I never visit the old theatre again? Should I just rest in knowing that bill was paid? If so, why can't I fully acknowledge and grieve over such a failed act?

The Lord has since then taken me to visit- Himself- He has held my hand and helped me remember the part I played and reminded me that He had been sitting in the audience the whole time. He was in attendance because He is my Father and I can do nothing apart from His watchful eye. I did not see Him or His grief because I was blinded by the footlights...dazzled by applause...or lost in the tears of the sorrowful role I chose to play. At the time, it seemed that the applause and reward would outweigh the sorrow. I never planned to return to the memory of it. Then, as He held my hand, I sat with Him in the empty auditorium and watched the stage...the actors appeared, only they, including myself, were in rags and dirty. There were no lights, no applause, just actors going through the motions. There were no strings attached to their mouths or arms or legs...everything they did was of their own will. I saw the actor that I hate to call myself... If I didn't look at her I could continue to disregard my part. But, to my dismay, I found an old program on the floor and sure enough, my name was listed there...I was one of the many prodigals who shared the stage. Oh, but the other actors had worse parts to play than I did surely the Lord could see this. I looked to see if the Lord was looking at the others and thinking the same thing. No, He was looking at me...the me on stage...tears were streaming down His cheeks. I wanted to close my eyes and turn away, but I knew I had to watch, had to acknowledge my role- the part I chose to play. I could have invited Him onto the stage at any time and asked Him to take over...but I didn't. He was given a seat in the back. I was broken as I watched, broken as I remembered those I hurt in the audience, those I deceived on stage...most of all, I was finally broken as I thought of my Saviour in the audience...who had to pay- for it all. He didn't pay with money, but with His very own life. I thought of the tears He shed, the blood He had to pay- for me. I thought of Him in all His glory sitting in the filth of the theatre of my life.

In the end, He wiped my tears...though I know they will not be the last I shed over this memory. Now, when the memory of this painful part I played of a prodigal revisits my mind, I will look at the empty dusty stage with sorrow and regret as always, but now, I will mostly remember this most recent time I went with my Father, hand in hand- sorrowing together. I will remember the sweet fellowship of His forgiveness and unconditional Love. I deeply love the life I lead now...with Him as the Director. Sure, I make mistakes, but He is right there correcting me with free reign over my part. He is the producer, the script writer, the Director of my life. Visiting old sets where He was not Director makes me appreciate Him all the more and to fear ever leaving His beautiful production that brings glory to Himself.



The following was part of my Bible reading today...in fear, I ask the Lord to search me and try me. My sins have been great. I don't always know when they will come to revisit me that I might receive healing through my sorrow over them. I know the Lord has forgiven me and cleansed me, but in order to heal, I have pleaded with the Lord to hold my hand as He allows me to share in the sorrow of them. I don't mean to make anyone uncomfortable with this type of sharing what is on my heart, but perhaps it may help someone. I am just a simple person and you must always be discerning when reading my posts (most of you know this ;) ) always take questions to the Lord. edited to add: If you are a prodigal, please ask the Lord to forgive you and let Him take control of your life *right now*. There are no sins that are secret from the watchful eye of God. There is no sin over which we will not one day sorrow. God in His grace will carry us through these times of brokenness, yes, but it is more painful than I had ever imagined...this business of healing. Start today...He will carry you until you are ready to crawl then walk and finally be fit to run the race one day at a time. God is so good.

"Those that will not lay their hand on their heart in godly sorrow, which works life, shall be made to lay their hand on their head in the sorrow of the world, which works death."-Matthew Henry commentary Jer2

"Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned. Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them." Jer 2:35-37

"Those shall be made to know how much they deceive themselves, 1. Who say that they have not offended God, that they are innocent, though they have been guilty of the grossest enormities. 2. Who expect that God will be reconciled to them though they do not repent and reform. They own that they had been under the tokens of God’s anger, but they think that it was causeless, and that they by pleading innocency had proved it to be so, and therefore they conclude that God will immediately let fall his action and his anger shall be turned from them. This is very provoking, and God will plead with them, and convince them that his anger is just, for they have sinned, and he will never cease his controversy till they, instead of justifying themselves thus, humble, and judge, and condemn themselves." -Matthew Henry Commentary

Friday, August 10, 2007

A Day in August










Little Things by Julia A Carney

Continuing with the poetry theme





Little drops of water, Little drains of sand, Make the mighty ocean And the beauteous land.




And the little moments,
Humble though they be,
Make the mighty ages
Of eternity.
















So our little errors
Lead the soul away,
From the paths of virtue
Into sin to stray.












Little deeds of kindness,


Little words of love,
Make our earth an Eden,



Like the heaven above.


The Barefoot Boy

by John Greenleaf Whittier (1855)an excerpt







Blessings on thee, little man,
Barefoot boy, with cheek of tan!
With thy turned-up pantaloons,
And thy merry whistled tunes;
With thy red lip, redder still
Kissed by strawberries on the hill;
With the sunshine on thy face,
Through thy torn brim’s jaunty grace;
From my heart I give thee joy,—
I was once a barefoot boy!
Prince thou art,—the grown-up man
Only is republican.


Let the million-dollared ride!
Barefoot, trudging at his side,
Thou hast more than he can buy
In the reach of ear and eye,
—Outward sunshine, inward joy:
Blessings on thee, barefoot boy!


Wednesday, August 08, 2007

The Hard Things

The battle of the mind involved in surrendering every thought to God
Revealing of the deep suffering of others
Being misunderstood by others
Being falsley accused
Utter exhaustion in daily trials
Grief over loss, sin, family etc
Suffering injustice
A sense that God has hidden His face or forsaken us
Loneliness
Suffering a Betrayal
Slander
the list goes on..and...they are imposssibe to bear, actually, without Christ. These are things that sometimes hurt in a way that noone else knows about or sees. But when we ask for a deeper fellowship with Christ...we must enter into that fellowship with Him- alone. With Him alone we will sorrow in these that we might better see Him. The trials will be ones that we will not always be at liberty to share with others or even have the words describe. They will seem, at times, to come from every direction- sometimes small as raindrops but rained down in such volume to create such a flood that if it weren't for our blindly (at times) grasping for God we would be swept away. Part of the difficulty in bearing up is that noone can see or understand these sufferings...they are for us alone...to give to Christ alone...for our own good. Should others be included- self pity and pride might be given occasion to hinder any growth that might have been attained. When we plead for a deeper love, deeper fellowship, deeper understanding we must be prepared to cling to Him as we can in no wise bear the understanding of His sufferings much less the burden and pain of them. I tremble at the thought of what I have asked of my Lord...of what I have surrendered to. It is too big for me to even understand what I have agreed to...I am rendered *dumb* in an explanation of it. I have failed many a time in the little He has shown me- I am so small and weak. What I do know is that He will lead and I will follow and know that He has equipped me to stand in the face of all trials...I will drink continuously from the Living water which He provides. I will remember to encourage and pray for my fellow Saints along the way- whose sufferings I don't know. Ps 31:3 For thou [art] my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

Let's not underestimate or overlook the unseen sufferings of our fellow Saints regardless of our own opinions of them. We may not see evidence of the battle, but if they love the Lord...KNOW they are either preparing for battle or in the midst of battle. A kind word or even a small touch on the arm goes a *long* way, a warm embrace- is there anything better than a listening ear?! I am sure we all desire these things at one time or another. Ps 30:5b "...weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning" Dear suffering Saint, the Lord hears your prayers and prompts Christians to pray...I don't even know who I am writing this to (besides myself ;) )..but the Lord does-I hope you are encouraged in Him.

Phl 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

Ps 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Psalm 121:1-8
Eph 6:10-19
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

He Leadeth Me


That would be me, the "dumb blonde" type sheep losing focus and dawdling...

"Experience has taught me that the Shepherd is far more willing to show His sheep the path than the sheep are to follow. He is endlessly merciful, patient, tender, and loving. If we, His stupid and wayward sheep, really want to be led, we will without fail be led. Of that I am sure."-Elisabeth Elliot

...then, I panic....when I realize, I have looked away for a moment (or days) at something else...and I have to cry out to Him. The moment I "hear" His voice, my worry melts away. To leave His side for even a moment is something I never *plan* to do but I must purpose to remain there, moving along with Him, at all times or I will get distracted and lose my way. I can be wayward in the simplest of things, like time management for starters ;) - I panic when things start to get out of order and overwhelming due to - yep, lack of time management and idleness. He is so patient to forgive and lead me back. I love being His little lamb, I feel so safe in His arms.
picture courtesy of allposters.com

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Just Laughing

No sooner had I hit "publish" for my post yesterday when, in all my cheerfulness, a tornado of sorts swept me up. Nothing horrible...just LOTS of the messy,-consequence of not using my time wisely and results of having 4 small children stuff. I went back to Lily's room to get her dressed because my husband and I had an appt at the hospital for Ayden's birth abroad registration stuff. Did I mention the child does not even HAVE his official birth cert yet? Oh yes, my husband's schedule is just THAT crazy....anyway. As I entered her room, I was greeted by the overwhelming smell of onion ring dip. Oh, could it *really be* that what I am seeing has truly happened immediately after writing such a post about how grateful I really truly felt about all the very real blessings in my life? I had even asked for prayer about trials that I knew would come...ok, I knew I had better just roll up my sleeves and buckle down. I prayed aloud for the Lord to help me...and chuckled a bit too. This was trial # 1. Lily had managed to maneuver her toddler bed mattress off her frame and over to her nature sounds fountain so that she could thereby drink the NASTY water from the fountain. Oh...#2 was close by...good, consistent, keep the mess in the same room...She had found the aforementioned onion ring dipping sauce (probably in the trash) unopened and left it in her room for Ayden to step/or stamp on and *blast* it onto the dresser drawers..up his leg and smeared onto his diaper. Oh yeah...got the mess cleaned up while Lily, who is quite adept at opening doors now, takes advantage of my preoccupation by getting into my bathroom...this is FOR REAL folks...and gets into the white polish of my french manicure kit. #3 Lily has painted her lips and arms with WHITE nail polish. I literally wanted to laugh-but suddenly felt ill as I only had 30 minutes before Brian would arrive to pick us up for the appt. I was able to, by the Grace of God, scrub the white off her lips, but there would be no time for her arms OH WELL- and sorry, at this point, taking a pic was far from on my mind.
Brian came home and off we went. I had not had time for my breakfast after feeding the kids, so I grabbed an unrefrigerated Slimfast (oh..yuck..it was just gross) to make it through the morning. Suddenly, taking the time this morning to write that post just didn't seem like such a good idea...go figure.

The remainder of the morning and early afternoon went fairly ok...lunch was fun as the girls are determined to learn to use chopsticks. No wonder they are hungry an hour later. #4 Only about 1/4 of the food makes it to their mouth-the rest is on the table, the chair, the floor and on them. Nap time, YES! The afternoon was more of the same, but I got to chat with my dear friend Pam and was only interrupted by trial #5,6,7,8 and9 -2 times to take Lily potty, once to clean up an ice tray that Brianna got out and Lily dumped on me as OF COURSE the cubes were not set yet, about 5 times to take care of Ayden who will be a future gold medalist in climbing...anything, once to clean Anjolie's finger which she cut on a leaf?!, and a few times for water because of course I NEVER give them anything to drink so they were DYING of thirst during my chat (which, she informed me was longer than I had originally thought).

Ok, so, when Brian gets home and offers to take us for a fast food dinner before Wed night Bible study, I was thrilled! He told me there was a new Wendys out in town...WENDY'S, Oh boy!!! I have not had Wendy's in YEARS! Remember we are in Okinawa...Wendy's is a BIG deal :) Off we drive out in town to go to Wendy's...my mouth is watering as I read my Stepping Heavenward Book in the car (gotta fit it in where I can!). We see that Wendy's is located in a plaza type setting, and there is no free parking in the vicinity, so we drive around the block looking for parking. Parking in Okinawa is almost always an adventure...and a gamble at times. The only parking was pay parking, well, who wants to pay almost half of what it would cost to eat a meal in order to *park*. Hello, we are talking fast food..not expensive steak dinners like some people I know are treated to *ahem* GB and Pam ;)
Anyway, we would have to settle on the Japanese McD's since we already exchanged dollars for yen. I then soothed my taste buds with the thought of a 100yen spicy chicken sandwich...yes that would do. We pull up to the drive through only to see there was no spicy chicken sandwich...only some new McPork. McPork? I mean...that is just funny. Maybe my brain had about overloaded at this point, but I had to try the McPork just so I could say the name...McPork. Maybe I was just tired, but that just struck as so ridiculous. (this is a real pic btw of one courtesy of Japan News Review Society).What were they thinking with this thing? It was a *puck* of pork...as in hockey puck lookin' thing, with an asian flavored sauce.... That thing has been officially renamed in this household as the McPuke (Brian called it something else that was really just not quite as PC as *my* created name- for shame, I was quite shocked that he was that repulsed! ;) ) 'cause that is about what it tasted like and what I felt like doing after I ate it. Yes, I ate it. If I had realized that I had left half a can of the morning's slimfast on the floor in the center console area...I would rather have drank that.
Speaking of the half full can of slimfast (chocolate flavor, in case you asked) on the floor....I discovered that I had failed to throw it out when Brian made a turn and dumped it all over his foot. He stopped at the shoppette to get the kids a treat and I about fell over I was laughing so hard...Brian...very red but not saying a word, glanced up and at least smirked, "glad YOU find this funny". Poor Brian and his repugnance concerning any *messy* situation ...lol. And funny it was...oh dear, what a day. I laughed until my stomach ached and Brian finally laughed too. We made it to church in good spirits...heard a good message and came home. Our day ended in peace...Brian put the babies to bed, and I read some of the Elsie Dinsmore book to Brianna and Anjolie- they were sent off to bed as well, stretching and yawning. I chatted, this time uninterrupted, with my dear friend Pam again- (BTW, Pam, I hope I didn't offend you with the McPuke story...you didn't write LOL ;) ) and I finished this post, which I was going to do in the morning, but I def. don't want a repeat of yesterday. So, I will schedule my day responsibly tomorrow. And, Brian, who is laying on the couch, said the *clacking* of the keys on the keyboard soothed him so he insisted I finish my post if I wanted to. He is now snoring away peacefully...*sigh* and another day comes to a close :)

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

SPEAKING of Answered Prayer...

..I do want to thank all of you who prayed. I feel tremendously better today!! Even my energy has returned! Praise the Lord, and thank you dear Saints for taking a moment to speak to our Father on my behalf...I more than appreciate it!! ((HUGS)) for everyone. :)

The "Little" Prayers



I LOVE when I offer up the "little" requests to God and when He answers them, it is such a BIG blessing. These are such faith builders.


I was browsing books online about 2 weeks ago and spied a few that I would have loved to order. Among them were "Stepping Heavenward" and the Elsie Dinsmore series...specifically the first one since my girls are so young. I also was looking for a missionary story book for the girls as I believe they should be missionary minded. The books just were not in our budget at that moment so I offered up a simple prayer letting the Lord know that "it would be nice" to have those books...it was not a formal prayer..more of a conversation really. A week later, some blessing literally "poured out"...onto a table in one of our fellowship halls at church :) Our Pastor was clearing out some of his Library and was just asking donations towards the Japanese Building Fund (for a service room for them) for the books. A friend found a Missionary story style book for me which is PERFECT "Missionary Stories For Little Folks" by Margaret T. AppleGarth copyright 1917 lol it is precious and nearly falling apart...and that was just 1 among the MANY that we donated for and a stack that Pastor just gave us! I can't TELL you what a blessing it was on countless levels...to have books that our Pastor has read and recommends... such a neat work of God. The 2 books that I mentioned above were not among the books on the table nor were they in the stack that Pastor gave us...God intended something even better as the "icing" on the cake. A dear friend of mine (who happens to be older than my mom-but a dear friend none-the-less) who has been taking a Personal Evangelism Course through Faith Bible Institute with me (yes, a little plug there ;P ) bought me both the Stepping Heavenward book and Elsie's Endless Wait as gifts! She knew nothing of my prayer! She was Brianna's Sparks leader for AWANA's this past year, and she wanted Brianna to have the book for all her hard work memorizing scripture during club...she admired Brianna and wrote a touching message for her in the front of the book. Oh, the gifts were like manna! They truly were heaven sent! The Lord has put many precious books into my hands as gifts that He would have me read via good friends...I am so thankful.


God blesses us in such unexpected and unexplainable ways...it is so humbling. I take so very very much for granted and don't *treasure* the countless blessings He has given me. Sometimes, my attitude plain *stinks* -yet He continually pleasures to be long suffering with me, chastening, forgiving, restoring and blessing me. I rejoice about this blessing today and glow with love for Him-then when even the slightest trial comes that rejoicing-the undeserved blessing is so quickly trampled underneath my fretting feet. He hears my "little" prayers and it pleases Him to bless them in such beautiful BIG ways...How much MORE He is there and very present when a trial comes that I might even more be able to rejoice and give Him the Glory! I know I say it alot, but for lack of a more eloquent praise of Him-my Banner, my Comforter, my Friend, my Savior...God, You are SO GOOD to me.


(Pray for me as I *know* there will be attacks on this shamefully wishy washy grateful spirit I am enjoying- may I stay just as strong in Him during the trial) Please forgive my lack of proofing and editing many posts as my time is demanded in *many* different directions ;) sorry you are on the shorted side in reading some poorly put together posts! Thanks for understanding!!