Reflections...

12 years ago today..I had heart valve replacement surgery. It was such a scary time...everything was so new and frightening.  I am so thankful for my family, friends and church family, who were there for support!  So thankful to the Lord that I have had these years to experience and enjoy life. I am looking forward to many more years:) I have been so blessed!

Fall

I have enjoyed this summer and fall. Looking out the other day as the snow was falling...the grass still a brilliant green and the leaves on the trees so colorful...reminded me of how much God cares for us. He sees what we're going through and when we don't understand or think things are appropriate for the season...He knows us, loves us and is using everything in His season:) I am reminded of the song...He makes all things beautiful in His time:) So thankful today.

Wedding!!!

I'm sitting here reflecting on the day. So excited for our youngest son and his new bride...Joel and Brandi. A beautiful and worshipful ceremony. Have a great honeymoon!

Family

So Van got me thinking....about Family.
No matter weather we like it or not....we can NOT choose our family...God has done that for us:) Fuss if we have to about Mom, Dad, Siblings...Mother-in-laws, father-in-laws, children, children-in-laws...cousins,etc....We do and did not chose them!~

There is one person we can chose in our family.....Our Spouse!!! Thankfully when we are following the Lord, we will chose the right one for us.
I have had many of changes in the last few years.....empty nest, regrouping in many ways...but thanking God for his grace and mercy in my life. God knows what I need and He is using each person he has placed in my life and the one I chose to make me who I need to be.... It's not always fun or comfortable, but it is all part of His plan.

So if you are fussing, do not want to face or deal with those God has placed in your life.....reevaluate.....are you willing to accept those God has given to you?

One other Choice you have.....how you respond to your family!!! My prayer is that I will grow in God's Grace and hopefully continue to encourage my family in the Lord.
I love them all very much!!!

New...

Haven't posted in a long time....
Thanking the Lord that He makes all things new. The song goes...He makes all things beautiful in His time...
So much to be thankful for....
won't list them now....but the newest one is
Joel and Brandi are engaged:)
My youngest son...that means time is marching on...
very pleased with all my guys and their ladies:)
Hot Hazy day of summer, today!!!
Getting ready for vacation....yea!!

Healing Happens

Tonite after picking up the old guitar that is hanging around and not knowing any chords anymore, Van later picked it up to show me....he then continued strumming...
Too me that is monumental. His music has been stuffed way under everything for a couple of years. He is feeling better and it is showing. We sang together....my heart is thrilled!
My continued Prayer is that the Lord will continue to use us and show us what His purpose is for us.

Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever

Ps 118:1 No matter what.... His love endures forever...towards us. How thankful am I for that?
Not sure who reads this and although these are private thots, I know He has me share them for a reason.
Lately, I have been reminded that Happiness is a Choice.....if you're not happy...look at yourself in the mirror...nothing has happened by mistake...God knew you before the foundation of the world and he knows everything that is, has and will happen!!!
I have been grumpy lately, bemoaning my circumstances in life, trying desperately to regroup and somehow..... I was stuck....in my own emotions...
The verse jolted me into remembering .... things I am thankful for!!!
Last year when my husband was in the hospital, completely unable to think and function in life, my life took a sudden turn..... Roles shifted quickly and I wasn't prepared for it.
Lately, I have been thinking of how things had been and wishing and wondering if they would be like they were.
I thot he was carefree and flowing. Now he is calculated and planning, only able to think of one thing at a time. When that is completed, then the next thing will be in focus.
He is slowly and gradually coming back...able to think beyond just daily tasks. It is hard for him to believe that people do not view him as who he was....I remind him that right now he is still coming back. His memory of the whole mania episode is sparse..... He wants to be who God has planned for him. He still has the passion for the Lord inside him, it is so hard for him to formulate and share unless asked and prepared ahead in his mind.
So where does that leave us....in the natural.....dangling....between past and future...not sure what the present is.
I do enjoy...
-Having him around more often
-seeing his warm smile after I remind him of our blessings
-knowing he is still able to pick up a chainsaw and shovel and cut up a tree and dig to fix sewage tank.
-knowing that each day he is here to let me know he loves me.
-knowing that I am blessed, living in the knowledge that God has it all under control

So do you struggle with being Happy?
Remember...God said he would never leave or forsake you....
You can be Happy!!!
I am also so thankful for family and friends...
Thank You....