Blessed be the name of the Lord

The Lord giveth, (first picture is the binder front I made in 2015 to store all my important house papers and plans)

and the Lord taketh away

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Choose Joy!

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." I've been making some alterations to my mental habits. I was recently given a devotional book (not my favorite things) but its called 40 days of Joy so I started it. Today I wanted the full context of the quick devotion section. A quick read of the entire book of Habakuk ends with a 4th of July fireworks style finale! I've been learning the joy of the Lord in new ways. Being still and waiting while choosing the joy of the Lord. Not waiting for the feeling to come. Choosing to rejoice. I don't have a bad fig tree or empty livestock barn, but there's some sad spaces in my life. Today I choose joy. Some rewards are worth waiting for. Some rewards are found in the waiting. Joy is both.

Helpers

The children are helping me run a popcan drive to earn money for our new house!

Peace

Peace I leave with you. My peace, I give to you. I do not give to you, as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Picture Perfect

I think Norman Rockwell grew up in a family like ours!

Money train

The little boys like playing train. the big kids took over and started a money factory!

Oh Yes He Cares!

I was listening to some 8 hour YouTube collection of comforting Christian hymns and heard this one. I don't remember ever learning it. I shared it with my Mom and Dad started singing it with tears in his eyes. Yep. My father here has shown me, my heavenly Father most definitely cares! Does Jesus Care. This sweet lady even tells the back story after she sings. If you feel like crying, this is a great one to cry with. https://youtu.be/PI2nm4gB7Sk?si=IVXL_dmf3Ni90LyB

Waiting on the Lord

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

I recently have been thinking a lot about this. I've been very intentionally waiting on the Lord. Not the style of waiting that a pedestrian does. Not like coming to a busy intersection with a crosswalk button, but just sitting back and waiting for traffic to clear, that's not the style waiting I've been doing. I've been doing the desperate-toddler-style. When Mom is in the bathroom with the door shut. My toddler "waits" at the door. He bangs his fists and cries, "Mom! MOOOOOM! MOOOOOOMMMMMY!" Then he lies flat on his belly and tries to wiggle himself under the door. He puts his little fingers under as far as he can, trying to get close. He profusely begs with tears and howls. Toddler style. That's how I've been waiting on the Lord. And He heard my cry!

He Binds Up

I've been going to the wound clinic. I've been using the bandages and ointments like I should. But my pressure wounds are still open! I'm not a diabetic, I've been eating well and following all the recommendations...except I can't keep the pressure off. I've tried all kinds of different pressure relieving tricks, but I still have gaping wounds. But I know where to go for healing! He restores my soul. He binds up the brokenhearted. Evidence based practice says, by His stripes we are healed. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those crushed in spirit. I have wounds that are open. My spirit is crushed. I've been doing all I can to heal my pressure wounds, but they won't. I'm a trained RN. I know what I'm doing. They have to heal from the inside out. If I just get some skin to close over the top, its not really healed and will make even more major issues. Maybe even kill me, they could get infected and spread throughout my body! God help me. You sent your Son to bind up. I need bandaged. I need healing. I need miracle ointment applied to my heart. I wish you'd just take away the pressure, so my sores could just stop feeling worse. But really, my wounds are too deep. I need healing from the inside out. I can't keep the pressure off. I know you can restore my soul. I know you are restoring my soul. I know you can heal my wounds. I know you are healing my wounds. I'm going to keep coming to the wound clinic. I'm going to keep asking for the best bandages and ointments. And I know, you have the miraculous power to bind up my brokenheart. Jesus was sent to bind up the brokenhearted. And thats good news!