Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to all of you from sunny Iowa where our temperatures will be in the 40's  for the weekend, although just south of us they will hit the low 60's.  It is unusually warm, which should once again melt some of the snow.  Spring is coming, people!  Spring is coming!

Joel went to the local "Home Show" yesterday at our fairgrounds to look over the latest garden and home ideas.  We don't have room for a garden here because our yard is so shaded in the areas where we could plant, but we do have some ideas for sprucing up the house and the first one is to put a mantel over our fireplace.  We have been searching for what we want and we are hiring a friend who is an excellent wood craftsman to put it together for us.  There are a few projects on our agenda that we hope to accomplish now that we can take our focus and energy off the last 16 months of neverending medical stuff.

Speaking of medical, after next Tuesday's dental and eye injection appointments we should have three weeks off from seeing any doctors.  Yahoo!  Three whole weeks....yes!  This past week Joel had a couple of big tests to rule out a health issue.  I found myself on the other end of it.....watching him go through something and waiting for him, and for the results.  It gave me a taste of what Joel has experienced and I did not like it one bit.  The doctor gave him all good news, so we are giving thanks here!

Last Sunday afternoon my brother Todd and our sister-in-law Jeannie who live in Minnesota came by for a suprise visit.  It was so nice to spend time with them!  It certainly brightened our day.  We are hoping to go on a few mini excursions to visit family and friends now that we can.  It is always nice to connect with others, isn't it.  We were made for relationships ~ with each other and with God.  It is so important to keep the lines of communication open with those we love.  In the past we spent many years far from family.  We lived in New Mexico, Utah, Montana, and The Philippine Islands besides Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa.  When we lived in the P.I. we did not get to hug on our extended families for two years.  When we lived out west we saw family once a year during our vacation times.  Once in awhile someone would come to visit.  As we have aged we have realized more than ever how precious family and friends are.  Hold them close, see them the way God sees them, and be thankful, so thankful to have them in your lives.

This week I have been listening to teachings from a Prophetic Conference out at Bethel Church in CA.  There is so much to learn and so little time..........and I love learning.   It feels good to have the energy to not only learn but "do".  I spent Thursday morning cleaning the bathroom, dusting the living and dining room, and one of the bedrooms, ironing a few things ( Yes, I STILL iron) and cleaning up the kitchen.  As I did each task I listened to teachings on my phone.  Multi-tasking at it's best!  There are many times I think how much my mom would have loved having a phone where she could text, receive pictures, and listen to sermons/teachings. How thankful I am that I have all that  and more right at my fingertips! 

So, I am guessing everyone has been thinking about the coronovirus and what it means for us.  We certainly are hearing about it constantly.  How do we prepare?  Have your seen any of the Keep Calm quotes/images on Facebook in the past?  Well the latest one makes me chuckle....even with the turth it holds.  The first thing we need to do is pray, and then our best line of defense is to wash your hands......again and again....over and over. And stay isolated until you are well!   I really wish that those who have the flu or even bad colds would follow the same "rules" and stay home and get well before exposing the public.

I hope your weekend is filled with sunshine, good health, and family and friends to hug on!  And remember to stay calm as our world shakes with fear.  Keep calm....was your hands.....and be sure to lift them up in prayer to the One who shields, protects and loves us.

A Story To Be Pondered

Yesterday we had pancakes for supper.  Shrove Tuesday, "Fat Tuesday", the day before Ash Wednesday is a time to "feast" as 40 days of lent means for many a time of sacrifice.  We do not practice that ritual of giving up something for Lent, but we do celebrate Shrove Tuesday with pancakes covered in almond butter, fresh strawberries and blueberries, pure maple syrup and coconut based whipping cream.  Any excuse for pancakes in this house!

Today is Ash Wednesday, a time when many protestant denominations fill the pews of their churches for a service of worship.  Where they receive communion and ashes on their foreheads as a reminder of our mortality.  Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.  Lent is a time to reflect.

I read a story over on Ann Voskamp's Blog about a woman named Ndubaayo, whom she met in Kenya.  This woman had walked 26 miles taking 8 hrs, barefoot across hills so that she could hear the Word of God.  She learned to read in her language and was able to hear and read the book of John at a church so many miles away..  She did this 5 days a week for 2 years.  Take a moment to think about that.

When this Kenyan woman became very ill and eventually bedridden her neighbors wished her to be dead and gone.  But she talked to God about those who said she was ill because she gave so much time to Him, and she asked for His courage.  As she talked to Him, she heard a voice say, "I hear you and I see you, and I know the goodness that your are doing."  And then she heard words she had never known in her life:  "Galations, verse 9".  She had no understanding of what it meant so when the "church mamas, 40 of them, came to see her she shared it with them.  They did not know either since they only had the book of John that had been translated into their language.  Someone there actually had an english Bible and they eventually realized Galations was a book in the Bible.  They went through all the chapters until they came to 6:9.  One woman could read enough English so she translated what it said.  "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow wearly."  It confirmed what God had told her.  She became well and recently Ann Voskamp was able to sit in a church in Kenya and listen to her tell 1,000 people about her story.   Only God.

When I read this story to Joel over lunch I could not stop crying.  It still brings me to tears.  Oh, people, we are so spoiled here in America.  We have so many Bibles within our reach and not one of us has to walk 26 miles barefoot to hear the word of God.  This woman, Ndubaayo was hungry for the Word of God.  She was willing to sacrifice much of her day, her energy, her life to be able to hear it.  She understood the importance of God's Word and His presence.  Ann Voskamp said when she met Ndubaayo her face was radiate with God's love.  Recently the whole Bible became available to Ndubaayo and so many others to read in their own language.  When she first received her own Bible?  She slept with it on her pillow right next to her.

So here it is, Ash Wednesday.  A time when we focus on those days before Good Friday.  A time when we focus on God's love for His people and Jesus sacrifice for us.  A time when many give up something for Lent....whether it is a food you love or a TV show you just can't miss.   Ann Voskamp's story about Ndubaayo, in a small village in Kenya, is there for me, for us to reflect on during this Holy season.  I am undone by it.  Humbled, repentant, and hungry for more time with God. Shaken by this woman's faith and willingness to sacrifice so much to hear and read God's Word.

As I walk up to the front of the church tonight to receive communion and the pastor puts the sign of the cross on my forehead with ashes, I will hear the words, "Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return"  Without Jesus those words would be frightening,wouldn't they, but with Jesus we know that our bodies may be mortal but eternal life awaits us.  God's Word came alive in Jesus.  I don't think I will ever look at Lent quite the same way again as I think about  Ndubaayo's sacrifices for God and His response to her.  Would I be so willing?  Would you?

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you from our home in Iowa where the temperature will try to reach 40 degrees after yet a couple more days of below zero wind chills.  The sun is shining and a bit of the snow is melting.  We'll take it while it lasts ~ there is a lot of snow on the ground!  This time of year you just gotta remember that Spring WILL come!  Spring always comes.

I enjoy living where there are four distinct seasons, but as years go by, I could do with a shorter winter.  Like 1 month instead of 4-5 months of cold weather and snow.  My favorite season is fall and sometimes I think God could have made fall a bit longer and winter a bit shorter!  Of course He did not ask for my opinion on the matter!

When we lived in the Philippines we had one season.  Hot.  Every morning we would wake at 6 am to 85 degrees and super high humidity.  We did not have central air, just air in the master bedroom ( Joel worked shift work and had to sleep sometimes during the day) so a few fans tried to keep us cool.  Once we moved on to the base we had central air.  So nice!  I don't mind the heat, but I do mind the humidity.  It is easier to tolerate dry heat for sure.  When we lived in Montana I decided to paint our bedroom and while painting the one day I thought, boy it is hot.......but I kept on painting away.  Later I discovered it was 103 degrees outside!  We had no air conditioning, but when the air was so dry it never felt really hot.  If it had been 103 degrees with high humidity it would be a different story!  For many reasons, dry air included, I miss the West!  I would love to go west again and especially travel through Montana where we lived for 4 years..What wonderful adventures we experienced.  Some affirmed the "wild west" label for sure!

Speaking of "wild" this past week has been another soap opera drama politically that has played out in our living rooms.  Avoidance in near impossible unless you keep the TV screen blank.  There is a fine balance between staying informed and being pulled in to the middle of it all.

We talked with a long time friend last night, who has just moved to a senior center.  Her husband had died last fall and Joel was able to attend the funeral.  We met this family in 1970 while living in Salt Lake City Utah.  We met at church and have stayed friends the past near 50 years.  They eventually moved to MN and so did we, making it easier to see each other.  They were and are such good, kind, faith filled people.  M. was telling us that she felt God had completely guided and directed her to her new home now that she is alone.  Her four children live in the cities area so she is blessed to have their support and help when needed.  I love when God takes over and leads us right where we need to be.

The story she shared has me recalling when we went to Joel's Internship in Malta Montana.  We owned a house in St. Paul with a rental apt. upstairs.  When it was time for Joel to have a year long Internship there were only 3 places available outside of the Twin Cities for a big family like ours.  We had four kids at the time.......  Joel did not want to leave the Twin Cities because of the house we owned, but we knew there was a place in northern MN, a church in my hometown, and an Internship available in Montana that might be possibilities for us.   It took some deep discussion  on us selling the house and stepping out in faith, but eventually God guided and directed us both to take the Internship in Malta.  It was one of the best and most important years of our lives.  We have been forever grateful that we followed God's lead to Montana!

Speaking of Montana, recently someone asked Joel how long he has worn a western hat.  It took some time to go back in time but eventually he replied, "Since 1982."  He has always worn boots but the hat came after we moved to Montana.  He has had a western hat on his head for 38 years. That is my cowboy preacher.

Enough reminscing............

I am reading yet another mystery by Dave Rosenfelt and continue to read the non fiction book, The Warrior's Dance by Ana Werner.  What are you reading?  Hope you have a good weekend!

Gifts That Keep On Giving

There are times I find myself saying, "Chemo is the gift that keeps on giving."  I haven't meant this in a positive way, of course.  The after affects of chemo, some visible and some not visible, are a reminder of what it does to the body while killing cancer cells. There is a list of symptoms that whisper, talk, and sometimes yell at me.   Yeah, chemo is the gift that keeps on giving.

Radiation is also a gift that keeps on giving, but in less obvious ways.  It is there in print, in black and white, the side effects of it. Yesterday I had a conversation with my radiology oncologist, Dr. S.  He is the nicest man, filled with wisdom and compassion.  His words confirmed my thinking on the gripping/grabbing pains I periodically get in the radiated area.  Radiation is also a gift that keeps on giving.

So how can these two treatments be  described as gifts?  Joel said to me recently that he thought I was doing amazingly well considering that the treatments for this cancer were to cut and remove, use poison, and burn it away.  That is the way we fight cancer right now.  I believe in the future these treatments will be replaced with more powerful and less harmful ways to kill cancer, but these are the "gifts" we have right now.  This is how we fight for a cure, to live our best life.

BUT we cannot forget the One who fights for us.  When I had radiation treatments I would ask Jesus to not only be in the room, which He promised me He would be, but that He would also be in the beam...the proton beam that penetrated my body.  Now, I am in the process of "adjusting" to a tiny little pill that carries a powerful punch.  A hormone inhibitor that is causing me increased pain and at this moment major stomach issues.  I have started thanking God for this pill....a gift that will in the oncologist's words "be most affective in keeping the cancer from returning."  I have not only started thanking Him for this pill but asking Him to work through the pill while at the same time praying for healing.  The healing of a miracle that comes from only Jesus.

I am not one who has found the medical world very comforting.  I would avoid doctors and medications to the point of being unhealthy.  In this journey, especially the past few months, I have learned to appreciate the medical world and even the drugs and treatments used to help me.  They are gifts from God, but we cannot forget that the ultimate gift for our salvation and healing is Jesus.  Jehovah Rafa....the God who heals.   Let us worship Him!  Our Way Maker, Miracle Worker!

And isn't Jesus the gift who keeps on giving?!  He has given us the gift of eternal life but He loves us so much that that is not the only gift He offers.  He offers His love....deep and wide......endless.....He offers us forgiveness......He offers us healing of body, soul, and spirit.  He is the ultimate and most important gift that just keeps on giving!

So, while I use what is available in the world to bring healing and fight the enemy, I keep my eyes on Jesus, who is bigger than any of my ~~ any of our problems.  Never forget.........."The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be calm."  Rest in the truth of it.

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you from northern Iowa where winter temps plummetted Thursday and Friday.  We woke to -18 Friday with a windchill of -40.  Bitterly cold!  Those two words remind me of when we were at Hope Lodge and dealing with colder weather.  We had walked through the tunnels and then just over a block outside to get back to the Lodge from Mayo one morning.  Two women were sitting in the lobby as we came in, one a familiar face.  The woman I did not know asked us if it was just cold outside or bitterly cold outside?  I paused and asked her where she was from and she told me Florida!  My reply?  "If you are from Florida then it is bitterly cold outside!" 

I remember when we moved to The Philippine Islands and how long it took to adjust to the high heat and humidity.  Ugh....not sure we ever did fully adjust, but when we came home two years later in May, we all promptly got sick from the "cold weather".  Our bodies had acclimated to the P.I. and it took a good year or two for our bodies to adjust to the 4 seasons again. 

In the past week we spent time with doctors again, Joel in the sit and wait mode and me as the "patient"~ laser surgery on my rt eye, an eye injection, and a surgical procedure to remove the port kept me resting more at the end of the week.  My husband is more than curious, so he observed the surgeon remove the port from a close and personal position.  His comment?  "I was surprised by how much they cut into you."  Needless to say, I was not watching!  The cold virus returned for the weekend so church was out of the question.  That may be okay with all the flu out there!  My body is also trying to adjust to the hormone inhibitor I am taking.  My goal is to go a whole month without seeing a doctor!  It's coming!!

In the world at large, things just seem to get more unbelievable, unpredictable, and incomprehensible. At times like this it is good to focus on what we can rely on, God's faithfulness, His promises, His plans for good and not for evil.  Yeah.....that will bring the blood pressure down.  Although mine is low enough at 99/63 last time it was checked!  Since our bodies actually heal best when we are in a state of peace and rest, it makes sense that we keep Jesus at the center of it all.  "I will be in perfect peace when I am focused on You, because I trust in you."  Isa. 26:3

We have friends who are spending time in Hawaii.  It is on our bucket list.  We came through Hawaii in 1976 when we were returning home from The Philippines.  We came through the military base, and there are two things I remember well.  One, it smelled wonderful there, even in the airport. A fragrant with flowers smell.  A woman Joel worked with in the P.I. met us at the base with leis!  Two, we were coming into the US with two children holding "green cards".  The two beautiful children we adopted in the P.I. were not yet US citizens so it took longer.  I remember we had 9 pieces of luggage (all our other stuff was being shipped home) and 4 kids ages 6, 5, 18 mo. and 14 mo.  Our hands were full.  As the airman looked at all our luggage and kids, instead of going through every single thing while we waited in the heat, he waved us on through.  I was thinking he did not want to go through it all, but since it was his job, I choose to believe he felt sorry for us and just waved us through as honest people who were not bringing drugs, etc. into the country! After a very long plane ride to get there, we were so grateful!  Reflecting back on Hawaii, I do wonder if people are more relaxed there with all the water around to soothe them......hmmm

This week I finished the David Rosenfelt mystery I got for Christmas, and am on to the next one.  After a trip to the library I have a few light mysteries to choose from.  What are you reading?

Enjoy your weekend!!  According to where you call home, stay warm or stay cool, stay safe, stay at peace and rest in His arms.  All is well...................

Easily Offended, Hyperly-Divided?

We were listening to a sermon Sunday, live stream from Lutheran Church of Hope. and one statement by the pastor drew my full attention.  "The world is easily offended and hyperly-divided."  Isn't that the truth!  He went on to say that one pastor had shared he had an active small group in his church split up.  When he asked what had happened, one of the members of that group said, "Well, we discovered we did not all hold the same political views."  This "offense" broke up their well established church group. 

Several times in the past week my attention has been drawn to the word offense or offending.  It has come up in a devotional, a sermon, on TV, and in a book I am reading.  When things come up in 3's or more, I pay attention because usually that means God is trying to get my attention.

The book I am reading spoke about how offense can get in the way of our faith growing, even our relationship with God.  God does not want us to cause offense or hold on to offenses.  I was challenged by what I read and wanted to study it more.

Hearing what the pastor stated about the world resonated with me.  Just think about it for a minute......A church group, a group that follows Jesus and his commandments was so offended by their differences politically that they split up.  Can I just say that made Satan very happy.  Mission accomplished!  United we stand, divided we fall.

Yes, we are an easily offended nation.  Recently Gayle King had her life threatened because someone at CBS, her employer, took an interview she was part of and aired it out of context.  She was asking someone about Kobe Bryant's past accusations of sexual misconduct.  Kobe had recently died in a heliocopter crash, and someone was offended enough to threaten her life?

When did we become a nation of easily offended people?  When did we become so hyperly-divided politically, religiously, or just as human beings in this broken world?   When did it become okay to threaten someone's life because you don't like what they have said?  And why?

I have had to reflect on my own offenses.........do I owe someone an apology?  Am I holding a grudge against someone who has caused problems in my life?  Are any offenses getting in the way of my relationship with God?  Do I hold offenses at God?  There is definitely room for improvement when I answer these questions honestly!

Our hearts hold the offenses we have, the unforgiveness that festers within.  It is so important that we bring them before God and leave them at His feet.  It is important for our physical and spiritual health, for our relationships with others and most importantly our relationship with God. 

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you from our corner of Iowa where we woke up today to a chilly -5 degrees.  The sun is shining and all appears well, but it is the calm before the storm ~ the next winter storm which should dump somewhere around 6-8 inches of the white stuff on us before Monday.  Temperatures will rise, winds will pick up. and snow will fall.  February in Iowa!

Speaking of February in northern Iowa, can I confess that I envy those who are enjoying Arizona or Florida weather right now.  Sigh.....I would loved to be somewhere, anywhere rather than here where I am still recovering from radiation and have spent two days visiting doctors again this past week, my oncologist here in town, and my regular eye doctor for an exam for the glaucoma (and MD).  The first appointment resulted in a scheduled procedure next Wed. for the removal of the port that is still in my upper chest.  The second appointment resulted in a laser surgery on my right eye due to scarring that they felt was affecting my vision.  It only took a few minutes and you feel nothing, but my body knew something had gone on.  Again.  My vision was not good for the first time in a year, so it will be rechecked this next Tues. when I go in for an eye injection.  Can I just say loudly here, "I am so sick of going to doctors!!!!!! Still, God is good.  Circumstances don't take that away.

Speaking of things I am sick of, I am sick of all the political drama in Washington.  This past week was especially challenging with the impeachment vote, continual spotlight speeches, and our state of Iowa in the limelight ~ and not in a good way!  I find that for me there is a sense of craziness that wants to pull me in, coaxing me into the drama and urging me to join in the deep and wide division that is separating America.  I'm thinking a fast from it all would be the best way to go.

And that brings up the Super Bowl halftime show.  It was disgusting.  Two talented women dressing and acting like they were  I would guess, at a strip club in Vegas.  What confusing messages we send to our young girls in America.  It saddens me that even family entertainment has to be censored by parents in their living rooms. The football game itself. though, was a good one to watch.

Yesterday our son Matt came for a visit, bringing with him a Christmas gift for his dad ~ a very unique, engraved cribbage board.  It says "The Dahlen Family" and has two scriptures referenced.  At our family gatherings cribbage boards come out and just about everyone gets into a game or two.  From the youngest to the oldest, cribbage is the game of choice. We had a nice visit with Matt, shared our thoughts, hugs, and a meal together and Joel and Matt got in a couple games of cribbage.  It was a good day.

I find myself often reflecting on our time at Hope Lodge, on the people we met, the challenges they faced, the strength they displayed, the hope that at times seemed palpable.  I have the orgami heart art project I created at a Mayo class on my coffee table and the quote on it says, "Be brave with your life."  That is what I saw in the people there~ a bravery displayed.  That does not mean they were fearless, who would be?!  But they were/are being brave with their lives, they had "pitched their tents in the land of hope".
Acts 2:26 (The Message)

I hope your weekend is a good one!  Pitch your tent in the land of hope and it will be!!

Blueberries and Cinnamon

We were at the grocery store in Rochester getting a few things to take back to Hope Lodge.  I picked up a pint of blueberries and Joel stuck them in the top of the cart.  Unfortunately, unbeknown to us, do to their packaging, they slide down the side of the cart.  As they slid the lid opened and blueberries spilled out all over the floor.  We were oblivious until I squished one with my shoe.  I looked down and saw blueberries everywhere.  Before us, behind us, around us.  I was afraid to move.  The cart wheels had squished blueberries coating one wheel, our shoe soles had blueberry spots, and who knows who else was leaving a trail of blueberries in their wake.

Joel tiptoed through the tulips ~ oh that is right~ he tiptoed through the blueberries to find a clerk.  The young man was so nice, reassuring us that it happens more often than you think.  He accepted our apology, took a broom, and began to attempt to sweep up the mess.  And blueberries are great at leaving a mess when squished.  We both just shook our heads, exasperated but at the same time finding the situation a bit humorous.  Especially later. A side note:  ever since that day, we carefully place the blueberries in the bottom of the cart after checking the lid!

It reminded me of a time we went to another store in Rochester several years ago.  We were picking up a few organic items and decided to buy some cinnamon in bulk.  Joel took a plastic bag and then grabbed the cinnamon's container, opening what he thought was the lid, and shaking it into the bag.  He had not opened the container correctly and cinnamon went everywhere.  A cloud of cinnamon went up in the air and landed on the floor, on the shelves, on other containers, on us.  It was a big mess.  Joel even found cinnamon on his boots when we got home later!  The older clerk that came to help us that day was not so nice, nor friendly or reassuring, but kept giving us dirty looks as he scowled at us for the mess we created.  Our apologies were not received well at all.

What a difference in responses to these two messes.  There is something to reflect on here of course.  We did not expect what happened to happen at all.  Sometimes life surprises us that way.  Stuff happens and we have no control over it.  We only have control over how we respond.  It can be as simple as a clerk's response while coming upon 2 shoppers who accidentally scattered blueberries across the floor, or it can be as complex as our response in a messed up relationship.  And let's not ignore how unkind both sides of the aisle act regarding politics in government, cities, neighborhoods, and families.

Treat each other with kindness and grace.  We are to be more like Christ in how we live, and He treated everyone with a heart of love.  A Father's love for His children expressed with  the blood of His only Son.  Kindness and grace comes from a loving heart.  A forgiving heart.  Life is too short, dear ones.  Forgive, embrace with love and be rich in kindness.

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you from our corner of Iowa where cloudy skies. snow, and above average temps have been the theme of this week's weather.  Today we woke up to sunshine for the first time in over a week!  We are supposed to get up to 42 degrees tomorrow, which is unheard of in early February.  I expect Joel will be able to get the outdoor Christmas lights down now.  With the past five weeks being spent in Rochester (coming home most weekends) they are not yet put away.

Speaking of Rochester, we have now been home a few days and are getting back into the routine.  We definitely miss the people we met there and the activities.  Awfully quiet in this place!  It has made us more aware than ever that it is mostly "just the two of us" and even though we enjoy each other's company, we miss our family.  We miss our good friends who stepped into a new lifestyle over a year ago.  We miss having a church to call our own.  With all the Interim and fill-in work Joel has done over the past few years, we have not had one church family.  The church has always been the spiritual AND social center of our lives, and with the center missing?

Speaking of church, last Sunday we were in Rochester and went to a church we chose after reading about it online, but to be honest, we were very disappointed in the service.  Not only disappointed but stunned by how little God was mentioned by the Pastor or worship leaders. We went back to our room after and live streamed (on my laptop) Lutheran Church of Hope which is in West Des Moines IA.  We really enjoy their worship, their focus, their expressed faith in Jesus.

We have greatly enjoyed watching BritBox which is all British TV shows. Since there was no cable in our rooms at the Lodge, we used and HDMI cord and hooked up my laptop to the TV in our room so we could watch Netflix, BritBox, Youtube, BethelTV, etc.  It was nice to have something to watch at the end of the day.   One of our favorites is a very light half comedy and half mystery detective show called "Shakespeare and Hathaway".  In the midst of challenges it is good to laugh.

Speaking of TV, watching more news this week has made me aware of how much stress it brings into our lives.  I know it is important to stay informed, whether it is a virus coming out of China or a political drama taking place in Washington DC ( and when is there NOT drama there?) but our world can seem very unstable and scary when we tune in to the news.  Somehow we need to keep a balance~ remembering that no matter what is coming or already here, God is with us.

Today is one of our grandson's birthdays and it is also my sister Jan's birthday.  She has been a blessing in my life from the time I was born,  She is 11 years older than me, but looks younger.  Now I ask you, is that fair?  Ha   I love you Jan~ Happy Birthday!!

Jan and Renee 2015

Laughter is the best medicine!

So, what books are you reading?  I have a David Rosenfelt mystery in one hand and Ana Werner's book "The Warrior's Dance" in the other.  One opens my world to more of the Spirit realm, the other, gives me a mystery to escape into.

Have a good weekend!