Giving in...

to rest that is...I've been a bit tired today and had a nice list of things to do. I sure didn't get all I wanted done today. I think I just got laundry and dishes done...

Isn't it interesting when you set out to do a lot sometimes God has other plans? I must need the rest. :) I'd rather rest here then in the hospital. ;) Ryan had vaccinations today for Haiti. He is asleep now after that ordeal...It was a longgggg wait. He has a couple more to go and then he's all set to go. He's excited about going to Haiti and I know it will be a great experience for him.

It's snowing here...again. I don't mind it. I actually love to watch it fall. It's just so beautiful. The woodstove is so comforting on snowy evenings like this. I pray everyone is enjoying their evening. I've been thinking about loved ones lately and miss them a lot. Oh how I wish....oh nevermind. No need to wish. :)

God holds us in the palm of His hand and comforts us, guides us, and keeps us. I'm so thankful that I serve a Lord who is compassionate in my times of sadness, doubt, fear, and uncertainty. He is there to lift us up out of adversity and draw us closer to Him. No matter the circumstance, I have hope that the One who has overcome the world is with me. I am so glad.

Hug your loved ones close and give them a kiss. It's such a blessing to be able to do and shouldn't be forgotten. They will remember it forever. :)

Winter cave....

It's blustery here in Cental Illinois. We didn't get a whole lot of snow yesterday, but what we did get is blowing all over. It's days like this we stay home in our "winter cave." Our home becomes a place of rest and coziness. I warm the house more with baking and take some time to sew. We even tackle some of the chores we've put off all summer, such as organizing the office. It's nice, too, just to sit inside and look out into the white wonder. It is so pretty. I love all the seasons really, beauty wise, not temperature. LOL

On a different note...This is a picture of Glacier National Park, MONTANA :) I've always, my whole life, have wanted to go to Montana. The beauty I see from pictures is so breathtaking, it actually makes me emotional. God has created something so wonderfully beautiful! It is rustic, raw, wild, and just awesome. It reflects my personality (simple, yet complex, rustic, quiet but has a lot to say, and slow paced) I hope to visit there someday. I'd like to go the fall of 2011. We'll see...







I pray everyone has a blessed weekend. Enjoy your family and hug them tight. It's a precious gift to be able to do that. Don't take it for granted...

Overcoming fear...

Earlier this week, I lost a bit of sight in my right eye for a bit. The following day I decided to go ahead and go to the eye doctor. They did some tests and found that my cup-to-disc ratio in my eyes are not normal. I have a very large cup and very little disc. The disc is the nerve tissue in your eyes. Anyway, it means glaucoma. In both eyes. This glaucoma is not due to high pressure in the eye. They are not quite sure what has caused this. Possibly poor circulation to the eye. They just have no way of knowing why it's that way, just that it is and it's not due to high internal eye pressure. So I can't take drops to lower the pressure because it doesn't need it. I was told to take baby aspirin to help the circulation to the nerves in my eyes. I will start that tomorrow. There is no reversing the damage and I may have some dimness periodically. The good news is that the damage has not progressed. I will have a recheck in 4 mos or sooner if I have more vision loss. So far it's just been transient vision loss. I'm praying it continues to be a slow progression. The doctor said that vision loss can sneak up on you and one day just be snuffed out. But, with the slow progression and regular checks, hopefully I will have a warning. And who knows, it may progress so slow that I won't experience permanent loss ever. :) The temporary vision loss is ok with me because it comes back. :)

I said all that to say this....I was fearful at first when the doctor told me what he did. I was afraid I'd lose my sight someday. He joked and said "You sure do go for the rare things." LOL I had to let the fear go because I realize that God is in control and if He sees fit for me to lose my vision some day, then that's what He decided and I know He knows best in every situation. It makes me appreciate all the beauty He has created even more. Oh, I have always wondered at His creation for as long as I can remember. I want to see even more now. I believe He will give me many more years of sight. I don't know how many, but I will savor every moment I have. :)

God doesn't want us to live in fear. He didn't give us a spirit of fear. He wants us to TRUST Him in ALL things, great and small. I have had many opportunities to learn that throughout my life. My God is a good God and He gives us what we need for each day. He is compassionate, loving, strong, and has concern for His children. I TRUST Him....and I know, There is a day....

What is your house built on?

Is your house built on sand or on the solid Rock?

"The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." Matthew 7:25

Many of you know that we have had a large storm in our lives recently...Through that, we have been able to see what we built our "house" on and how strong our foundation was. We have built our house on the solid Rock. Although it has been whipped by fierce winds, it still stands. Our foundation is strong, but we did see where there may have been some cracks in it. So we reinforce that foundation.

Our "house" suffered surface damage, shingles lost, siding ripped, and some broken windows. BUT our foundation was stable and there was no deep damage. Jesus can repair ANY damage that is caused in a storm. He is a master Carpenter. :) He can repair it to where it was better than it was before. We just need to give up our hammer and nails and allow Him to do the work. Sure, we need to participate in the repair, but just by assisting perhaps by handing him the tools He needs and then allowing Him to do the work. He, after all, knows a lot more about repairs than I do. :)

God is moving and repairing several hearts, including mine. I am so glad He is so faithful to us that no matter the storm, He is always there ready and willing to repair the damage. I am looking forward to the remodeling He is going to do with His mighty hammer. :) He can repair relationships and broken hearts. He can chisel away years of dirt and grime that build up on our "house." I have to TRUST Him that He will finish a work that He has started. I have to TRUST that no matter what happens in my life, He is looking out for me and wants the best for me.

*Side note* The pictures above are pictures of Canyon de Chelly. (pronounced Canyon de Shay) It is in Arizona. We visited it when we were missionaries in New Mexico. It is a breathtaking place to go. Amazing beauty. I recommend a visit someday...

Weekend break...

Taking a break from blogging this weekend...I have a lot on my mind and I can't really gather words together to post.

See ya Monday...