TAKING NOTES

Fighting feelings of being too tired sometimes, I'm sure it's a common symptom of the human condition. Stayed up all last night and got a few things accomplished. Couldn't stop blowing my nose and sneezing. Feel much better today. Thank God. Going to try to catch up on letter writing some tonight. Heard a message by Charles Stanley at Intouch.org that really seemed to say aloud what I have been thinking...every time I do not read my bible or do not take time to pray...the enemies schemes has worked. He wants me to be too busy, distracted, tired, or thinking of everything else, but God's word. I'm going to try real hard, not just to take note of the things I hear, but put it into practice. I am so thankful for all the Lord has done in my life. He is so faithful. He deserves my praise day and night. I will praise Him with my life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DYLAN!!

Dylan was gone on a trip for 4 days and came back in the afternoon. Met him at school to pick him up with a caramel mocha happy birthday hot drink. He is so HANDSOME! Even after no bath for days and weathering all that he does... he is such a hottie. Knew he was going to be Exhausted from the trip so we didn't make any birthday plans. I had dinner on the stove and lit all the candles in the house, had the table set with the cookies that Luna had given me, and I had written him a note, and put Monica's birthday card (came in the mail) and Rebecca's card on the table beside the zucinni bread. We ate some dinner and afterward sat by the fire sharing the last few days worth of happenings, catch up conversations. Jared and Jean stopped by and dropped off gifts and card and took pictures...(Happy Birthday to Jared too!) We ended the night with hot brownies out of the oven and chocolate ice cream. I love this man that gets his JOY from doing what JESUS says and belonging completely to Him. I LOVE YOU DYLAN... we can celebrate every day.

FULL DAY

Yesterday was an incredible full day. My wonderful husband left for a short trip to the mountains with the school. I do end up missing him a lot more than I imagine I ever would, even though I should be used to him going on trips by now... My friend Colleen stopped by the house and we hung out for a bit. It's always a Joy to see her and to share in the greatness of what God has been doing and is doing in our lives. As my sister in law Jean has said, GOD RECYCLES OUR PAIN, He doesn't waste a bit of it. And then Jean came over around 7pm and we went to eat and enjoyed laughing and sharing and later came back to the house to finish some painting projects and wood burn.

I WILL TRUST IN YOU

There is a song coming about the prayers I have yet to pray... and I WILL TRUST IN YOU. When I look around and see there is so much to do, so much I have not done, and all the things I meant to do yesterday, but never got around to it. I imagine a "TO DO" list a mile long, pages and pages of prayer requests, people whose hurts and pains and trials I earnestly long to contend for, but have yet to contribute tears and time to bringing them before the throne of grace. I have blurted out prayers in the shower, muttered requests while doing the dishes, and did I mention I have found myself continually behind on "doing the dishes?" I read this morning from a devotional about being "CHOSEN OUT OF THE FURNACE OF AFFLICTION..." Doing dishes is not the furnace of affliction. Being behind on chores and daily duties is not as much the problem, it is not taking the adequate amount of time to intercede for the Saints and for those everywhere... but even in this ...I know the Lord hears and is listening and is working and has never left me or you in all that we do or do not do. He is faithful. And He sees all that is on you today, the weight of the world on your shoulders, the children that follow you around asking a hundred questions, the little ones that seem to never be content no matter how much you give them, and how tired you are in the midst of your circumstances. One of my dearest friend's dad is in the presence of the Lord today. Ten months ago she was there for me when my mom took her last breath. Some of my friends are going through marital separations, divorce, custody battles, broken limbs, fighting cancer, losing everything to a house fire, and trying to figure out what reality looks like after losing a parent months ago and now a spouse just yesterday. The Lord is everlasting strength. He is our rock and our salvation. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:14

HIKING CAMPING

A couple beautiful pics so you can see what we saw when we were hiking/camping. It was twenty something degrees in our tent, but Love and thankfulness kept us warm. Much fun.