New Bloggy Friend!

Our friend Eunice has joined the bloggy world. Please give her a warm welcome over at

www.grandmasugie.blogspot.com

Life changing ideas....

'Oh yeah,' I thought this morning as I was looking at a friend's photos online. 'I have one of those things called a blog, too.' Unfortunately, my blog has not been the only thing that has been neglected as of late. But, I'm working on it :o)

So, although there are MANY things that have happened since my last post in September, I have only 2 things I want to share today...

2 things the Lord has really seen fit to impress on me as of late...

maybe they will mean as much to you as they have to me!
(p.s. - should note here since my last post that my sister has been cleared of skin cancer scare - all was successfully removed - praise the Lord)

#1 - Death is a good thing. What????? There is no denying that death has it's sting... and, oh, how it hurts. Death has touched our lives only because of sin. I hate it. I hate it that my husband, my children whom I just want to protect, my friends... have to feel the sting of death. But, remember, after Adam and Eve ate of the fruit, how they were kicked out of the garden? What if they would have stayed in their sinful state and eaten of the tree of life? Immortality.... in a sinful, fallen state. Yeah, I'm thankful for death, in a way! Because death for a believer means eternal life, not in a sinful, fallen state, but in heaven, with the Lord Jesus! I hate experiencing the sting of death, but oh how glad I am that for a believer, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!!!

#2 - God gives grace for the day! My mother-in-law shared a devotion with me that I think is going to change my way of thinking. You know, those days when you wake up in the morning, the day's tasks looming large ahead of you, and you start the day feeling like you just can't do it? Well, stop it! You can't think that way - because you can't measure what you can do today by the strength you had yesterday, or the day before, or any day before that! God's grace is sufficient every day! I am no longer going to wake up feeling intimidated by the circumstances of the day, because the more challenges that face me, the more of the Lord's strength is at my disposal! (Deuteronomy 33:25 As your days, so shall your strength be.)

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9

Trusting in the hard times

It's been a super tough month - really I can't begin to tell all the reasons why - but the past couple of days it seems like things have been snowballing. Ever feel like that? Why is it that when you feel like you are just trying to keep your head above water that the waves seem to come taller and stronger?

A month ago Scott's dad passed away of pancreatic cancer; 2 days ago, my step-dad's brother died of cancer; my older sister has skin cancer that is in the second layer of skin and they are running further tests; a good friend's dad is very sick and they just discovered he has leukemia.... and there are more stories just like this. Maybe one of them belongs to you...

It's been a month of learning to trust. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding... Well, I definitely do not understand, but I keep committing it to Him - and I DO trust Him - but that lack of understanding keeps trying to push it's stubborn head over the top. Have I ever told you how much I hate sin and the effects on this world that it's had? Stinkin cancer.

The Lord has a marvelous way of reminding me over and over again that He is here, He is in control, His understanding is the best, and most of all, He Cares!!!

This morning we read this:

Returning from an unsuccesful fishing trip (a whole night's worth) the seven disciples were astounded when they followed the instruction of a stranger on the shore. They let down the net on the right side and caught 153 great fishes in one cast. "It is the Lord," said John to Peter. John understood that only He could do such a thing. In our times of disappointment or need, it is assuring to know that the Lord is on our side and all power and authority belong to Him. Perhaps by the end of today's work, you too will be able to exclaim, "This is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous." -Roy Hill


Thanks Lord for the reminder - again!

I fully expect that I will continue to fight my own understanding and disappointment; and I fully expect that every time I do - the Lord will graciously remind me yet again that He is able! And yes, He is marvelous!

A gentleman, yet a boy...

Yesterday Danny took two lady friends out for coffee (one of which could drive)... They walk into World Cup as Danny holds the door for them. Then he says, "Ladies, order whatever you like!" After they all order, he adds 3 cream puffs, one for each of them. He was absolutely suave, and quite the gentleman!

......... yet earlier that day.........

in he runs from outside with a mischievous 'sweet' - grabs something and takes back off outside.
Look out the window, and what could you see? Danny standing over the slug, with the salt shaker - the salt GRINDER to be more precise - a. slow. and. painful. one. turn. at. a. time. I'm. going. to. burn. the. slug. to. death.

Ah, the joys of having an 11 yr. old - it's fun to watch him in both of his worlds!

What a day!!!

...had a friend spend the night for D's birthday

...helped Eunice move in this morning

...unpacked

...fed all the movers lunch

...took Danny, Rebekah, Christian and Abby to the pool to swim

...bathed kiddos

...helped unpack more boxes

...made birthday dinner for Danny

...had birthday dinner (yummy biscuits and gravy - his favorite)

...cleaned up

...unpacked more boxes

...put 4 kids to bed

...did laundry for hubby's trip tomorrow am

...got food ready for potluck tomorrow

...rearranged furniture

...going to pack hubby soon

I was actually SO busy that I forgot my coffee this morning - that's practically insane!!!

But, it's been a great day!!! Being busy is not so bad when one is joyful :)

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice!

Car talk...

Christian: Auntie Lynn, what would happen if a wok tocked?

Me: Hmm, I suppose I would know when dinner was done!

C: But what if a wok talked?

Me: Well, it might say, feed me, I'm hungry.

C: No, I mean a Rock

Me: OH!!! If a Rock Talked! (I was a little distracted by driving)

C: Yeah!

Rebekah: Maybe our family should speak Spanish

C: Ola

Abby: How do you say grill in Spanish?

Daniel: Well GIRL is chica, and boy is chico

C: My cheek can say 'oh'

April showers....

Yeah, it's been pouring cats and dogs around here lately... lots of rain = lots of people with wet basements, and some with more than just water... yuck!

It seems like April's been a tough month - you know what they say - when it rains, it pours! I'm sure you can think of a few struggles that you've seen some of your friends, maybe yourself, going through... maybe it's 'water' related... flooding banks, basements (or waiting for your water to break :) ) ... or maybe it's the tears that have flowed for other reasons...

But, don't be discouraged!!! April showers bring May flowers... and not just in children's rhymes!

Psalm 84:5-7a

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca (weeping),
They make is a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools (blessings).
They go from strength to strength.

Isn't it just beautiful? It doesn't need my commentary - the Lord said it perfectly!

So, my friends, cling to His Word today... and be encouraged that those flowers are sure to come after the rain!!!

"There shall be showers of blessing:"
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy drops 'round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.