Whew!

I love changing out my blog background to reflect the seasons! It's so much pressure, though! *Crooked smile*

I just spent over an hour searching for a background I could live with for the next month and finally found what I was looking for. I had found one I really liked that had stockings at the top, but it only had 3 stockings and I wondered which 2 children were unintentionally being left out. This one I found is the colours and mood I wanted to reflect and I can now enjoy the Christmas season in peace knowing my blog looks as I'd like it to look!

Now, may the Christmas festivities begin!!

P.S. And I even figured out how to change the font so now I am a really happy girl! It's the simple things in life!! ;O)

Praise!

Ashley had her surgery yesterday and it went so very well. The doctors were able to remove the AVM, the blood clot and the aneurism! Such a praise! If all continues to go well, she may be home before the holiday weekend is over!!!

Thank you to all of you who prayed for our sweet friend! We are exceedingly grateful!!

Psalm 107:17 The Message ~ So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves; Offer thanksgiving sacrifices, tell the world what he's done—sing it out!

Thankful!!

As we begin this "Thankful Week" I find my heart overflowing with things I am thankful for, yet burdened at the same time! Our sweet friend, Ashley, faces a tough couple of days and I wish we were closer so we could be with them. She must have a test done today and then she faces brain surgery tomorrow. She is understandably scared and I am sure her Mama and Daddy find their hearts constricted at the thought of all their baby must endure! I am asking Papa to minister to this family as only He can and to encourage their hearts in such a way that they will know they have had an encounter with Him!!!

I am, at the same time, most thankful for so many things...

* For the opportunity in a few days to celebrate 20 years of marriage with an amazing man who has exceeded all my expectations

* For 5 awesome kids who bring me more joy than I could have ever imagined

* For an extended family who loves us and supports us

* For a Bible study group who has become like family over the years! Their love and encouragement and the way they have sharpened and challenged us is a beautiful thing to behold!

* For the ministry of UPI, which we have poured our hearts and souls into for 20+ years

* For a new church family who has welcomed us with open arms and hearts! The possibilities that lay before us there excite us!

* For friends who support us and hold up our arms when we become weary

* For provision, shelter, food and added comforts that exceed what we could have imagined

* For the opportunity to homeschool for the past 16 years

* For the way Papa has prepared my heart for the writing and speaking opportunities He has brought my way

* For a garden I can tend to

* For a great camera that allows me to express my creative side

* For all these things and too many more to list...

*But most of all for JESUS...the One who completes me, challenges me, cleanses me and quiets me...I would be nothing without YOU!

Good Medicine...

Proverbs 17:22 ~ "A joyful heart is good medicine..."

We went on a couples' retreat with our new church this weekend. We had to miss the first night because of a prior commitment, but we were able to join them for the last 24 hours. There was some great time of meeting and sharing together, but the highlight for me was the time we spent laughing!

Laughter is an instant vacation. ~ Milton Berle

Saturday night we played 2 rounds of The Newlywed Game and what a hoot it was. Our MC had some priceless lines and the couple interaction was hysterical. We laughed so much and so loudly that we actually had to move to another room because it was late and we were running the risk of disturbing some guests who had come in for the night.

It's been a long time since I was with a group that has made me laugh quite as much and quite as long as we did Saturday night. While we had not even met many of the couples in attendance, it was amazing how laughter broke down any barriers of reserve that may have been in place and allowed us to bond quickly. Makes me realize Victor Borge was onto something when he said...

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.

I am thankful for the opportunity we had to go on this retreat and get to know our staff members at a deeper level and get to know some other couples in the church. The transition we are experiencing can be a little overwhelming at times, but moments like we had this weekend give me a glimpse into the amazing opportunities to connect at a heart level with those we are being called to minister to in the years to come. I am not naive enough to think that it will be without its struggles because that is the nature of human relationships. I am thankful, though, for the reminder that laughter really is a powerful tie that can cut through relational distance and help create a bridge for deeper communication!

Scripture Pics!

Amazed!

I don't know why I am always so amazed when Papa speaks directly to my heart in a way that is obvious He knows exactly what I am going through! It is trippy sometimes, though!

Yesterday I had a very bad day. I was struggling through some issues and spent much of the day in tears. By last night I was worn out and looked like something the cat had dragged in! LOL! Everyone else went to church leaving me in a gloriously quiet house ~ just what my worn out soul needed. I piddled around doing some tidying up and sewing and then I put on some praise music and sat down to do my Bible study. I decided to read Streams in the Desert for November 3rd first and this is a portion of what I read...

Wrung from the troubled spirit, in hard hours

Of weakness, solitude, and times of pain,

Truth springs like harvest from the well-plowed field,

And our soul feels it has not wept in vain!

I just cannot tell you how that stopped me in my tracks and made me realize He knew exactly what I needed...yet again. Truth had sprung up yesterday afternoon and there was healing that took place in a relationship. I did feel that my tears had not be wept in vain, especially the ones cleansing tears that took place after peace had been restored!

I am so thankful that I have a Daddy Who is so intimately involved in every detail of my life that He knows just what I need and when I need it! The timing of that verse of poetry was much more poignant late in the day after the healing had taken place than it would have been had I read it earlier in the day. He cleared out the house, allowed me to sit in silence and then He leaned in and gently whispered that my tears had not been in vain for He had counted each one!!

Psalm 56:8 (The Message)

⁸ You've kept track of my every toss and turn

through the sleepless nights,

Each tear entered in your ledger,

each ache written in your book.

In Light of His New Occupation...

In light of Tim's new occupation, this is a classic! My friend sent it to me and I thought it was hilarious and the timing for a good laugh was perfect!