So Proud~

I am so proud....of my Gabby! We spent the afternoon working on her blog~ She is my twelve year old aspiring writer. She really is talented and I am not just saying this as her mom...hahaha I know your probably thinking....sure. But! She loves to write...forever in her journal....in notesbooks...on her computer...When she thinks I am not looking. She is writing a story which is quite good...a little sad but~ So..check out her blog~ Projectpeacemakergoingblue@blogspot.com I think you will be very surprised. On another note entirely different we spent this weekend at church being very much encouraged by the teaching of Pastor Brian Houston from Hillsong Australia. He is a very good teacher and just what I needed~ Tom was down last night with another migraine but was able to go this morning. Amanda sang in the choir this weekend so that was an added treat. She is so funny..giving me instructions on how I shouldn't look at her when she is singing or she will burst out laughing. So I looked everywhere but at her but Tom couldn't resist and she said he stared at her the whole time...proud dad that he is~ The munchkins came to church last night first time in a long time for them...I am praying for my sister-in-law that she would just release all the anger and hurt she has toward my brother and just rest in the Lord. I am afraid that she is drifting quite far from the Lord...looking at the wrong things to help to fulfill her. I can only encourage her and pray. Lord-willing we will be off to see my dad this evening..he is not well. I pray the Lord would hear our hearts cry and begin to prepare that arm so that he may have the dialysis. I am praying for strength for my mom during this difficult time. She has no support system besides Tom the kids and I and my two brothers...my other brother is still off doing his own thing. I know my parents have a burden for his salvation. We keep praying and hope that he will see that without the Lord all he has doesn't matter~ It is sad because I miss him and yet he wants nothing to do with us because of my sister-in-law. But she has no family and I won't stop helping her...what would that say about Christians too her...what sort of testimony would that be~ So many needs but God sees them all and in His timing everything will fall into place.

God is faithful~

I walked into my grandma's room today and to my amazement she was sitting in her recliner wearing the new dress Tom had picked out for her. She looked wonderful and she recognized Amanda and I right away. She was so talkative and so happy to see us. She told me she was so happy we had come to see her and that she misses me when she doesn't see me. I knew she would remember that I was unable to come yesterday. But she was concerned for me and my health. And to think the family doesn't think she is improving~ If only they would come and see her...but they find it depressing. I don't know ..grandma has always been my confidant and we have always had such a close relationship. I am truly blessed. She expressed to me that it is frustrating to her that her mind is not working the way she would like it too~ I told her that each day she is improving and our God is faithful and will continue to heal her. I spoke with my mom today and my dad is not doing well at all...he really needs to begin dialysis because the toxins are beginning to cause many problems..such as breathing issues. The doctor wanted him in the hospital today but he refused. He is tired of being poked and prodded. I am praying very hard that the vein that was operated on for the dialysis would lift up..so that they can begin to get all of the toxins out of his body. I know first-hand that we have a mighty God who can do anything. The kids and I are relaxing at home tonight and it has been storming quite a bit. They are going to watch a movie on Disney tonight. Poor Tom has been in bed all day with a horrible migraine..so I am trying to keep the house quiet..which can be hard with teenagers. I am thankful that I am not feeling as poorly as yesterday...I am actually feeling better. Praise God! Tom is waiting still to hear about the job in Kentucky. Whatever happens I know that God is in control. Our God is faithful~

Couch day~

Today is one of those days when I realize...I am someone who has an illness. Woke up this morning feeling ill and exhausted. But I am so thankful that I have a husband that understands and propped me up on the couch to rest. The kids have been cleaning the house today and now we are all just having down time. Tom and Austie are off to my parents house for company and so Austie could get a haircut from my mom. Amanda is baking...of course..brownies. Amanda has always loved baked goods since she was a baby....So now she bakes alot! Gabby and Austin benefit from her efforts. We are still waiting to hear about the job in Kentucky for Tom. I was hoping that they would have called him earlier in the week but we honestly have no choice but to wait. He'll be going to a job fair in Melbourne on Monday. We will see what will happen I know God has something in store for our family. Amanda is very excited she'll be singing this weekend with the choir and we have a special guest from Hillsong. She was hoping to have some friends in but a sick animal has changed their plans but Tom the proud dad will be in the front row. We are getting ready to start back to school shortly and I have been busy selecting curriculum and plotting out our year. It will be exciting~ Amanda is starting her junior year and Austin will be a freshman and Gabby will be starting seventh grade. I can hardly believe it..I honestly don't know where the time went. But I must say Tom and I are really enjoying every moment with them..even with all the teenage hormones! God has been good~ Our children love the Lord and we as a family have been blessed.

Trust~

These are notes from a sermon that helped carry me through some very difficult times...We as believers were never promised a life that would be easy going but He our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ promised to be with us every step along the way~ I hope that this will serve as a blessing and encouragement.

Pastor Todd Mullins
Sermon

1. Expect hard times.
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

2. In the storm you can peace.
Phil.4:6-7
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

3. Through the storm you grow stronger.
Romans 5:3-4
We know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character.

James 1:2-4
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an
opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

4. In your darkest moment, God is doing His greatest works.
Romans 8:28-29
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son....

WHEN THINGS ARE UNCERTAIN ....GOD IS NOT!

No Matter What Storm You Face, God Promises...

To care for you. Matthew 6:28-33
To give you rest. Matthew 11:28
To give you strength Phil. 4:12-13
To bring you joy. Psalms 126:5
To reward your patience. gal. 6:9
To give you wisdom. James 1:5
To be with you always. Isaiah 43:2-3

Footprints~

Footprints in the sand~ Many of us are familiar with the poem..when we saw one set of footprints it was because God was carrying us...I read this aloud to Grandma tonight as it is one of her favorite poems...she said He is carrying me. Yes , the Lord is carrying her through this~ Tonight as we watched church service online because Tom had a migraine it was an uplifting message on marriage...getting through the tough times..having that companionship that is so important..that friendship because when the days are long and there seems to be no end in sight for the troubles of life..I know that I have my very best friend along side me for the adventure we call life. Sometimes I wish it were a little less exciting with all the trials but along the way there have been so much joy with the children...with each other. God is good...these joys give us only a little glimpse of how much we are loved..can you imagine? Our heavenly father loves us and will never leave us nor forsake us..I have seen it in our lives over and over~ When I don't think I can take another step...when I am filled with pain and I lay in bed at night and simply pray..I know He is there and He comforts along the way...It is well with my soul~

What a busy day I had today~ Amanda and I went to visit with grandma for a little while before we were off to the airport to pick up my aunt..grandma's daughter but not before we made a Starbucks run...because I needed some energy! Grandma seemed to be a little less together than yesterday but I think it was to be expected after the very long day she had yesterday. It was nice though when we got there and she had on one of her new dresses that we got her yesterday..she couldn't wait to tell me how much she liked her new dress. Isn't just like us ladies to be cheered up by a new outfit! I was so happy that she was happy~ So Amanda and I picked up Gabby and off we went to the airport where we sat for an hour waiting for my aunt who unknown to us had arrived an hour earlier and did not think to call us to let us know that she had been waiting outside...I keep telling her she needs a cell phone. So she treated the whole family to Chinese food at her house..which was a blessing because I was completely to tired to cook. Than I stopped by to read to grandma before she went to bed...I read the Psalms to her and several hymns and each time I would finish one she would say Praise God! I left her sleeping~ God is good I made through all I had to do..Like the saying goes..Tomorrow is another day but with the Lord it is always doable and always special in one way or another.

Gigi~

Tom and I took grandma to the doctor today to have her eyes checked..just as I thought she has an eye infection. The doctor was very kind to her as was the office staff which makes it so much easier for grandma with everything that she has been through with the stroke. She is progressively getting better..she is speaking a little more each day and starting to piece her thoughts together better. I think it is a shame that my dad is expecting so much from her~ a little too much if you ask me. Grandma recognized both of us and knew us by name..Tom got so happy when grandma called him Tomas~ He and grandma have always been so close..anytime we have needed advice we have always gone to grandma..she is a true woman of God who really loves the Lord. She has given my children a godly example and my children adore their Gigi. I pray each day that the Lord would restore her to complete health. Should Tom get the job in Kentucky we have a lot to consider~ Grandma said when she was well and she knew we might move that she was to go with us..which we had planned all along...it is just a matter of finding a facility of the same quality that she has now. We have further assistance from Vita hospice now...not because she is terminal but due to the severity of her stroke..so they send in extra nurses and therapists to assist in her care which I think keeps the facility more on their toes and gives me greater peace of mind should I be having a bad day and am not able to get there to check in on her~ My grandma..Tom and I promised her we would look after her and it is the very least we can do after all she did for so many people through her life.

Where does our help come from~

Psalm 121

I look to the mountains~
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
He will not let you stumble:
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel,
never slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever~

Praise God that our Lord loves us so much and takes interest in every aspect of our lives. Tom got a call on Friday about a potential job in his field of reprographics in Kentucky. You know it's funny sometimes how God works just when we had given up hope of a job other than trucking the Lord just may open that door. God is merciful~ So we wait to see for the next call...he was told they would need someone immediately and he is ready to go and work. I am off to take care of grandma today..she is not doing well and I may have some tough decisions to make..I pray the Lord will give me wisdom and compassion in all things. I am having a bit of a flare and have been under the weather as of late but even with the lack of energy and pain the Lord has given me strength to get my daily tasks done. God is good and still on the throne! He is mighty and just and I try to remember this through the difficult times and I must also remember to find joy in the everyday...this is something that the Lord has impressed upon me lately...and so I am finding joy~ Thank you Lord for you faithfulness!

Work~

Well...Tom got a call from a recruiter today....Praise God! The company that he was really wanting to call did so we will see what God has planned~ We are ready....for whatever He has in store. He continues to apply here there and everywhere really..simply wanting work. I am not used to seeing my husband not doing anything~ When we had our business he would work ten and fifteen hour days ..so to see him home with nothing to do is "different" to say the least! He'll be going back to Jacksonville next week to take his driving test..can't help but think it is the stress of knowing so much is riding on him passing that is messing him up with a few points here and there...he'll really needs to relax but I know this is easier said than done. So we continue to wait on the Lord~

This is the day~

This is the day that the Lord has made...I will rejoice and be glad in it! After a week of being so very sick to the point where I couldn't get up off the couch..the Lord granted me a wonderful day with the kids and some very wonderfully encouraging and godly girlfriends. We had such a blessed day with our kids and the cousins. I can only go to the beach here in Florida early in the morning or late in the day because the sun and I are not friends~ Can't really take sun ...not good for my illness...so we ventured out early this morning until noon and we had a blast! What a blessing a good day of fellowship can do a soul~

So my heavenly Father I thank you for the many blessings you have given me ...my friends and family and my health~ I am a walking miracle and I must remember that the Lord will never leave my family nor will He forsake us~

Staying focused~

These past several days..I have been having trouble with staying focused...Which is a symptom I believe of my weariness because I am naturally a focused person. I have been praying for sometime for my children that the Lord would keep them on the straight and narrow and the He would keep their eyes ahead of them to Him..so for me to feel like this was defeating to say the very least and than I remember our circumstances and my life begins to swirl around me~ Ever have days like this when you find yourself simply crying out.....Lord are you there? Lord do you see the mess I am ? Lord do you care? Tom was away at school last week..he had failed his air brake test...well, they made him take all five exams again...even though he had passed them all....talk about pressure. My poor husband missed it by two points..and than he got a ticket coming home...he too feels worn and weary...and yet a friend said to me today..hold on your breakthrough is right around the corner...and you know...I believe that...what is that old saying it is always darkest before the dawn~ Our God is a God of miracles one who I believe can do all things...My plaque in the kitchen reads: "GOD ANSWERS KNEE MAIL"....So Lord I am on my knees~