The Call

Ever had one of those situations where things go steadily down hill and before you know it, there's a meltdown, it's not a pretty sight. Had one of those last night, details unnecessary, difficult week, a little battle weary, long story short, broken people living in a fallen world, results often messy.

Here is the amazing part of the story, in the midst of all of this drama we get a call from a woman who was instrumental in leading me to the Lord when I was a young bride. I have not seen her for 32 years, I talk to her maybe once a year, her explanation for the call, she was praying and the Lord put us on her heart, so she called. That call changed our evening.

It was also a reminder to me to respond when the Lord leads. When the Lord puts someone on your heart, pray for them, then respond as He would lead, call, send that email or text,  write that note or make that visit.  You never know what that person may be going through, but the Lord does, you could be used  to change that persons day, glorify Him, and get blessed in the process.

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus
Philippians 3:13b-14

A Sorting We Will Go

We have been trying to declutter around our house, it's not that my home looks like it could be on an episode of hoarders or anything but there are things that we have stored that could be used by others, we are to be good stewards

That being said, cooler temperatures have arrived and its time to pull out all the sweaters and winter wear, perfect time to sort and purge. This year I am also doing it for my SIL, she doesn't live with us but because of limited storage space we keep her off season clothing at our house. I started this sorting process for her this summer and thought I had done a pretty good job but when it was time to bring out the winter stuff I realized there was still work to be done.

Sweet Lady lives in an Assisted Living, this is what we have learned about her clothing needs

• Keep it simple. She likes separates, we made sure all the tops went with all the bottoms, so no matter what she chose it worked well together
• Keep it minimal, too many choices is confusing
• Make sure everything is machine washable, no dry cleaning, no ironing, no special care
• Shoes need to provide support, no heels, no mules, no slip on shoes

Those were the guidelines I used, then of course the climate is totally different than where she lived, no parkas needed here. I also eliminated it if it wasn't the correct size, had any wear and tear or didn't fit her lifestyle needs. So Sweet Lady is now ready for winter, I have her summer clothing neatly stored until next year and I have one bag to donate. Now on to my wardrobe, you know a lot of those guidelines could be applied to my own closet.

She Smiles

My youngest grandchild is now almost four months old.  She is very aware of all the activity going on around her and is just a wee bit mobile, she can turn over and wiggle and squirm. Her older siblings love to talk to her and show her toys. Sometimes grandma worries because they get a little close with toys that are not exactly baby friendly, mostly though, this little gal finds her siblings quite entertaining

                                                          And best of all she smiles

With Eternity In Mind

A comment from a friend made me stop and take notice the other day. We were talking about praying for unsaved loved ones. She said simply, I just pray Lord, do whatever you have to do. That's trust talking, that's letting go and giving the person to God.

 I  pray for the salvation of loved ones..."but do whatever you have to do"... think of the implications of that statement, I had conditions, I hadn't really given those loved ones over to the Lord to "do whatever he had to do" to bring them into fellowship with him?

The discussion continued, I was reminded that God's plan often does not look like ours and what would seem like a horrible scenario could be just the plan God would use to bring someone to the end of themselves, and yes it can be painful. Could I get to the point where I could trust God with the life of one I loved? OK not just say it but really mean it?

I know God is good, I know he is sovereign and in control, now I just need to live as if I believed it.

Who has understood the mind of the Lord or instructed him as counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who has taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?  Isaiah 40:13-14

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of heaven and earth, He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom  Isaiah 40:28

A Promise

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not what is seen but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal  2 Corinthians 4:16-18

More Kidlet Time

Weekend flew by, three oldest grandkids spent the night with us Saturday, we love spending time with the kidlets and will make any excuse to have them over. They came over this weekend so mom and dad could have a date night. Baby too little to spend the night but she got to have some Nana time with her other grandma.

They came over Saturday afternoon and we spent some time gardening. We took the planters apart, they were looking very end of summer and replanted with pansies and mums. Kids love digging in the dirt.

After our gardening duties were done and the little one woke up from her nap we headed to the beach playground. Our thoughts were, kids could play and we could sit and watch from a nearby bench. Nice thought but that wasn't the way it happened. Playground was big, couldn't sit and keep everyone in sight, especially the two year old, so we decided to divide and conquer. Husband kept track of two I kept track of the other, then we would switch. When I told my husband later that evening that they were gonna sleep well tonight he looked at me and said, you mean we are going to sleep well tonight.

When I am tempted to get frustrated with life's events, which seems to be daily, I know I need to remember the many ways I am blessed instead.

He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord, for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he breaks down the gates of bronze and cuts through the bars of iron   Psalm 107:14-16

A Walk in The Park

This past year has been a whirlwind for our family, so many changes, new responsibilities, some challenges, in the end its all been good but sometimes I feel like I am on a treadmill and just need to get off...so we did...

...for the weekend anyway, we took care of the things that had to be done and then we just disconnected for a little bit (and in the process reconnected) The weather was beautiful, so an outdoor destination was the plan and although I don't really consider what we did "hiking"  we did do some walking and it was wonderful.



We headed out to York River State Park for a picnic and later that day we went to Williamsburg. Its a pretty area, lots of history and because we are local we don't do anything except walk the streets and wander through the shops. One year we took our bikes and rode through the colonial section. I think fall is one of the best times of the year to go

So we had our break and did come back refreshed...yup just what we needed. What surprised me was that even though we were much more active than we have been, we felt more rested than if we had napped all weekend. Guess we need to get moving a little more, little less napping after church on Sundays. There is a time for everything, there is that time when you have to do the things you have to do, but I think we have realized you also have to take the time to rest and refresh. This is going to look different for each person but for us it was grabbing that picnic lunch and heading to the park.

It Will Be There When We Get Back

There will always be projects to do but time together without distractions can be precious and few. Our picnic basket is packed, camera battery fully charged....we are going to take a little break.

To Paint or Retreat

My husband and I have a long weekend coming up. The weather looks to be perfect, sunny with mild temperatures. We have a decision to make, what do we do with the time.

I have a kitchen that has been in the process of being redone. Wallpaper was pulled off the walls two weeks ago. Paint has been purchased and my husband has even begun taping around the windows and yet we are at a standstill. My kitchen is still quite usable so there is no pressing reason to get it finished....and that's the problem.

Back to my original dilemma, three day weekend coming up, we could get so much done around the house, yet feeling the need to retreat, the need to get away, to spend some time together away from the demands of everyday life.  Feeling very weary and sense it in my husband as well. What ever we decide to do, just having some time together will be nice. We shall see what happens...this is pretty typical of us.... indecisive to the last minute. Should be a no brainer right?

On another front I continue to weave through the medical maze, with appointments that are starting to stack up like cord wood. I won't be through them all until the beginning of December. The good news is my most recent MRI was negative for cancer...thank you Lord! I still don't like having to do them but I have accepted the fact that it's going to be a part of the routine. Being reminded daily that the control I think I have over my life is an illusion...continuing to learn to trust the Lord.

I have asked for friends to pray that I would have peace and that is exactly what I have experienced, that unexplainable peace, that peace that passes understanding, so thankful for that.

Decision will be made tomorrow on what our weekend plans will be...I think we did this very same thing last year...last year we ended up staying close to home to get things done...ended up being a good decision but it was a very different time.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus  Phillippians 4: 6-7

Grandchildren

WARNING...Shameless grandparent post

 My son and his wife wanted to paint this weekend, it was a big job so we offered our help. We were told the best way we could help was to take some of the children. My oldest granddaughter wanted to stay and help paint and the baby is too little to be away from mama too long so it was decided the two middle children would come over to our house. To make things even easier for everyone, we would make it a sleepover and exchange at church the next morning.

No real plans, we just hung out at the house. Kids played with their toys, then we watched a movie, they helped Pop Pop with some chores and to make the evening a little special we did smores My husband said his favorite part of the weekend was when he took "Big Guy" to the grocery store. I had sent them out to buy the ingredients needed for smores, husband said grandson helped him buy just the right brand of what was needed and talked nonstop the entire trip.

A great way to spend a fall weekend. We know we are blessed and do not take it for granted for a second.