Great Sunday Service!

This morning's service was quite inspiring. Evangelist Roosevelt Hunter was with us for the day. When he stepped into the pulpit, he seemed a bit quiet. He was very gracious and complimentary of our church. And then he began to preach! Pastor Hunter talked about how easy it is for our focus to get scewed when we are doing the work of the Lord. The discussion went back to the 10 spies Moses sent into the Promised Land. All 10 came back with rave reviews of Canaan. All 10 of them went on and on about the food, the land itself, etc. Then all of the sudden 8 of the spies began to put fear into the hearts of the people by telling them about the people of Canaan. Roosevelt pulled out a pair of reading glasses and likened using them to enlarge our view to the negative view that the enemy can bring from time to time. hmmmm..... pretty cool, huh?

It got me to thinking about how I view circumstances in my life as well as how I fret and worry over circumstances in other people's lives. Lately I seem to forget that nothing takes my God by surprise. Not that He causes these things to happen mind you, and I DO know that. But I DO believe that what the enemy means for evil, God WILL work out for our good and for HIS glory!

Words from a song come to mind right now:

He's been faithful, faithful to me.
Looking back... His tender mercies I see...
Though in my heart I had questioned...
Even failed to believe...
Still He's been faithful, faithful to me....

So.... my goal for this week is to rely more on God's Word and less on my thoughts... to continue to fervently pray for those that I KNOW are going through tough times right now, and to put my faith and trust in Him, knowing that His hand will continue to be in EACH and EVEY situation. Won't you agree?

Be Blessed!

Such a Heavy Heart

My heart is so heavy right now. Tears have been a mainstay since late last week. One of my close friends has been told that she has 8 tumors in her brain. She is such a dynamic woman with a dynamic testimony. You see, this lady has just completed her final radiation treatment for breast cancer. 10 months ago, she was diagnosed with stage 2, breast cancer. She faced it valiantly, to say the least. Her mother was going through stage 4 ovarian cancer at the same time, and my friend was her mother's primary caregiver as well. Her mother is in remission, PTL! This woman also home schools 4 of her 6 children, and is an icu nurse, working full time hours. If that isn't incredible, I don't know what is!!

After going through genetic testing, she discovered that she was a prime candidate for a recurrence of breast cancer as well as ovarian. So, my friend had her other breast removed and ovaries as well. All of this to be proactive, to prevent the chances of anything else occurring. And yet..... She had been having headaches for the past month and doctors thought it was due to radiation, etc. Sent for a ct scan last week, this wonerful lady has been told the breast cancer has metastasized to her brain. Hence 8 tumors.....

Being a nurse, while working, my friend did some investigating only to find the life expectancy is 3-4 months and that's with 2-3 tumors. She could lose her memory tomorrow, next week, no one knows. The doctors want to do a specific form of radiation to shrink 2 of the major tumors. Problem: treatment will cause loss of memory and loss of cognitivity. If this occurs, she will be unable to work. If she doesn't work, there is no insurance to pay for treatment.

I keep trying to focus on the words: BUT GOD..... Pastor says those words all of the time and I truly believe them! It's not easy right now for me to say them and yet that is what I am clinging to for my friend and her family. I am praying that God will direct their steps and that a complete MIRACLE will occur that will set the medical community on their behinds! :-) 2 other very dear and close friend are going through complete nightmares within their families as well.

Sometimes I sit and think of how difficult things are for my own family right now and then God brings to memory my close friends and their lives. It's then that I realize that my mother is still alive, in remission, and with our family, that my own diseases are under control, that my hubby has an incredible job that allows him to pray with folk for their salvation as they prepare to enter into eternity, that my 2, beautiful daughters are healthy and happy. I could go on and on and on.

None of what is happening is taking God by surprise. I am not saying that He has caused it to happen by any means. But I do know that He is in control. We need to hold God to what His Word says. I think He likes it when we do that. It shows Him that we do believe in His Word and His infinite grace and mercy. So tonight as I lay my head down for one more night's rest, I will hold to His Word that provides grace, mercy and peace for EVERY situation.

Be Blessed,

I Added Something!

To be honest, I have no idea how I was able to add a bookshelf to my page, but I am excited that it's there! I am so hoping that when my friend gets home from California, she will be able to show me the ropes, so to speak. I just love how she has laid out her blog page. It is so fresh and bright.

Blessed to have a long week-end ahead. Dh is off Saturday and Sunday but is working Labor Day. It's one of his scheduled holidays to work. He is a hospice nurse and works in people's homes. He is the one who is there when someone passes, more often than not. God has blessed him with a tremendous gift of compassion. Who knew that after 21 years at one job, climbing the corporate ladder, awesome benefits, etc. that God would place this in his heart. He truly finds joy in being able to pray with and, yes, lead folks to the Lord while working. I just love him so much!

With the windows done and framing complete, we are now on to pressure washing, sealing and ultimately painting. So much going on in my mind regarding paint colors. We picked up paint samples to paint on the wall before we actually buy. We will put up the samples first, but I fear that I already do not like the color we chose for the trim to which hubby just rolled his eyes. He says "choose before we buy, lady! Once it's up, it stays up." He's so cute. ;-)

We have a team TBQ party on Saturday. I am a bit apprehensive to go, but am learning to work within myself to be able to stand tall and not be the door mat that I have been with certain people and situations. God is showing me grace and mercy as well as strength. I need to be a role model for my girls as well as others and am praying daily and searching God's Word for confirmation and wisdom. Parties are supposed to be fun, right? So...... I am PLANNING on having FUN!

Be Blessed.

Too Much Going On!

I am not quite sure how people keep up with blogging! There is so much to do in a day's time. I guess this becomes a part of daily living, huh?

Our newest addition is adjusting pretty well to life in our household. The girls just love her and want to carry her everywhere. Funny thing about this little kitten she doesn't like to be held and carried. She loves to be touched and scratched, etc., just when she is on the ground. We have changed her name to Rilee. She looks like a Rilee and the name seems to roll off the tongue a bit easier. I think maybe we got a new addition a bit too early for us humans. There are times when both cats get called by the name of our baby who recently passed: Allie. Bringing Rilee into our family was great timing for our other cat as Suzie is 1 year old and truly needs a playmate. They get along famously!! If only I could get Rilee to quit cleaning my eyelids in the middle of the night.

The changing of windows has been quite a venture. We replaced the 2 windows in the front of our home. We went from 6 foot windows to 4 foot, which is quite a shock when you watch the process. Our home is over 30 years old and in need of window replacement. While replacing windows we decided to do away with shutters and add a chair rail and frame the new windows. It looks so nice. Next step: pressure wash and painting of the house. Now that will be a fun venture! The girls are so looking forward to helping. Hopefully, dad will be as excited about their wanting to help as they are! :-)

Be Blessed.

I Guess I Need Some Rest

I can now say that I have been embarrassed to the point of a hot, red face.

Two of my Thursday meetings run back to back, one being at 530 and the other at 700. Following the 530 meeting, I began a "getting started session" for the new members who had joined. Around 615 or so, some members for the 700 meeting began lingering out in the hall. I told them to, "Come on in." When I had completed the gss, I stayed in the meeting room and began chatting with the 700 members.

For some reason I glanced at the clock and got concerned that I was going to start the meeting late. So.... I began the meeting, at 640! The entire time, I was thinking, "Where is everyone?, I can't believe they would stay home because of the rain!, Take care of the few who did come out." About 645 or so, I told the members that since I had started the meeting late, I would run the meeting until 10 after. That's when one of them reminded me that the meeting wasn't supposed to start until 700! OH MY GOSH! I stared at the clock, and that's when I felt my face get hot, hot, hot! I ran next door, to the weigh-in room and, sure enough! There were the members, in line waiting for their turn at the scales! I sat down next to my receptionist, who just smiled at me. I told her what I had done, and she broke out laughing as did the rest of the members in line. I have never done anything like that before. Needless to say, I began the meeting, AGAIN! at 700.

And that's the rest of the story.
Be Blessed,