Celebrating 43 Years!

In the fall of 1966 my sister and her good friend were

visiting me at Bible college in Mpls. MN

They took a tour of the campus and met Joel.

Later they told me they met the man

I was going to marry....

when they pointed him out to me, I said

"You have got to be kidding!"

" He wears boots and he is loud"

They said, "OH we will pray about it!"

Just 18 mo later we were married

And today we are so thankful for the

prayers that brought us together!

Happy Anniversary Honey!

The You-And-I-Together Factor

This morning as my husband and I were having devotions, we read from Sarah Young's devotional, Jesus Calling.   One sentence stood out for me.  "It is this you-and-I-together factor that gives you confidence to face the day cheerfully."  Isn't that the truth!

Each day we wake up to another 24 hours to celebrate life.  Some days it just does not seem worth celebrating, other days our hearts burst with the joy of being alive.  The sun may be shining, or storms may be on the horizon.  At times the storms may be so loud and heavy over us that we wonder if they will ever end.  It is easy to feel we are alone.  Not so.  Whatever comes our way, we have the you-and-I (the I AM) together factor to get us through.

Yesterday I wrote an honest post about my journey the past few months.  It has been up and down physically and emotionally I have put myself through the gamut, choosing to worry, to focus on my circumstances, to try to get God to heal me my way and right now.  I am no longer in that dark place. I have come through the heavy depression I felt for the first time ever.  I am resting more in God's loving arms as I wake up each morning.  My resistance has turned to resting in Him.

One thing I am learning over and over is that I am not on my own.  Inviting Jesus into our thoughts as Jesus Calling says, gives us the best perspective.  What a precious gift that is ~ the you-and-I-together factor.

Broken Down By Life And Broken Open By God

For everything there is a season

a time for every activity under heaven...

Ecclesiastes 3

I have been struggling for months to write here on my blog...or to express myself in the written word as I have done for so many years.  I have been going through a dry season where life has broken me down.  So many health issues, so many diagnoses, so many worries, so many changes and challenges. 

I have been dealing with stomach issues since the end of January.  I have gone through several doctors appointments and tests to rule out cancer and seek answers.  All tests came back normal which we are so grateful for, yet the stomach keeps complaining!  A month ago I started a new treatment and it was just too much for my body to handle.  I ended up sitting in my recliner or laying in bed, feeling at times like I was dying.  After 3 weeks, I began to function once again at a very low level, but function I am.  Still, the stomach issues continue.  My Lyme doctor believes that one of the co-infections that came with Lyme has entered into the lymph nodes in my stomach and that along with the Lyme have caused me to be unable to digest normally....and nerve pain is now in my stomach too. I could go on, but you get the idea....Not fun and not going away, for awhile at least.

Broken down by a tiny tick.  Broken down by my fears.  Broken down by shattered dreams and expectations.  Broken down physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

I am a person who likes to know what I am dealing with, fix it, and move on.  This is not an easy fix.  There is mystery involved with no rhythm or reason behind the ups and downs of symptoms.  Each day is a surprise and out of my control.  Ahhhh, there is the catch.  Control.... I cannot make it go away. 

God has allowed me to be broken down in order to be broken open.  It is a slow and sometimes painful process.  It is also an opportunity to grow, stretch, and become closer to my Lord Jesus. I am hanging on to His promises and the knowledge that He loves me so much that He would never leave me broken without using it for good and His glory.  He is reshaping me, renewing me, restoring me.  In due time this dry season will produce fruit.

Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday

It has been a challenging week again with my health, so it is a good time to give thanks for the blessings that surround me ~a dog that is our companion and makes us laugh, a laptop that I can use right from my recliner, soft rain on the windows, clean sheets, and a new Angels on Earth magazine.  I also am so thankful for my sweet husband who is 65 this week!  As the Bible tells us....pray without ceasing!

Prayer Requests:

*Joel's extreme Lyme fatigue


* Linny and family~ as they begin a new ministry to support orphans on a larger scale in Uganda and her husband Dw who came home from Africa sick. 

*Georgia ~ her heart concerns to be resolved with healing

* Dominique~ her ME/CFS relapse and severe light sensitivity
* Ron ~ colon cancer

* A friend who is having heart problems

*A friend who's lung cancer has returned

*Prayers for our grandson Evan's 20% loss of hearing to be restored.

*Prayers for my low levels of health and energy to resolve with new treatment

*Joe needs a kidney transplant

Lord Jesus, we lift up to you your children, your faithful servants. We ask that you reach out and touch each one of them and bring healing into their lives. You are a God of miracles, a God of healing, our Jehovah Jehri ~ our provider, our Jehovah Rapha~ our Lord of healing. We ask that you move mountains on behalf of them and grant each one healing, wholeness and peace.

In Jesus name
Amen

Thankful Thoughts and Prayers

Oh, it is a beautiful day here today in Iowa with sunshine, a gentle wind and temperatures heading for 80.  The grass is greener than green after all the rain off and on the past few days, and flowers are praising the Lord with their vibrant colors.  It is a good day to pause and give thanks for all the blessings of nature.  A few days ago a deer walked across our lawn and crossed the street on it's way back from the river.  I always enjoy seeing these visitors, although I confess I worry about the Lyme ticks they carry.  Our resident male Wren is back and was able to bring a female to nest in the birdhouse Joel made, with his special song.  Now as they await their babies to arrive, he sings yet another song of joy.  Today I give thanks for the solitude and quiet that bends my ear to his song.

Prayer Requests:

* Linny and family~ as they begin a new ministry to support orphans on a larger scale in Uganda
*                            ~ protection for her husband and two older children on a mission trip in Uganda
* Georgia ~ her heart concerns to be resolved with healing
* Dominique~ her ME/CFS relapse and severe photophobia
* Ron ~ colon cancer
* A friend who is having heart problems
*A friend who's lung cancer has returned
*Prayers for our grandson Evan's 20% loss of hearing to be restored.
*Prayers for my low levels of health and energy to be completely healed.
*Joe needs a kidney transplant

Lord Jesus, we lift up to you your children, your faithful servants. We ask that you reach out and touch each one of them and bring healing into their lives. You are a God of miracles, a God of healing, our Jehovah Jehri ~ our provider, our Jehovah Rapha~ our Lord of healing. We ask that you move mountains on behalf of them and grant each one healing, wholeness and peace.

In Jesus name
Amen

A Trip To The River

Yesterday we took a trip to the river!

Granted our river is only 3 blocks away by foot path

and one mile by car~

But it was the first time I had left our home in 28 days.

It felt wonderful!

Our cleaning lady was here so we grabbed my devotional basket

and headed out to the van for a short trip to the river park

where we drove in under a tree,

cracked the windows

took in the fresh air

and enjoyed the view of the river.

For at least 15 years whenever we would travel I would

take along with me my basket.

My handwoven basket holds my devotional books, a Bible,

a couple of tablets and pens and pencils.

It was made by a tribe that lives up in the mountains of Baguio

in The Philippines.

We spent 2 yrs living there.

I have had this basket for over 30 years

and carried it with me in the car for over 15,

The rest of the time it sits in my living room~

It is a companion so to speak~

It holds things most dear to me

It holds memories I cherish.

I have hope and dreams for the days ahead

when I can pack it up and travel once again.

For now I am just thankful I was able to take a trip to the river!