You just never know....

We went out to dinner with D and "I", our immediate neighbors just north of us. They are the nicest people one could ever hope to have as neighbors and they have lived in the neighborhood since our homes were in the building stage. They are a wealth of information.

As we sat at the table I asked her if she had an update on another one of our neighbors whose son is having severe seizures. In fact, he almost died about 2 weeks ago. He was in Intensive Care for over a week. (He is doing better but they still don't know what is causing his seizures and they are still not being controlled.) Sitting there chatting "I" drops a bombshell. The young man's mother was in a polygamous marriage for a number of years. She and her husband (now) have been married about 15 years. You just never know the difficult stories of the people who live around you. She lived in such fear when she left him (the polygamous husband) because he threatened to kill her. Her mother and a friend drove a truck up when her husband was gone and they loaded anything she could take with her in the truck and then left with her and her four children. The two oldest children couldn't survive outside of the 'compound' so they went back to live with their father. They did come (and still do) to visit her fairly frequently. I don't know what the circumstances were to lead her into a polygamous relationship at 16 years old, especially against her parents wishes. What a sad, sad life!

True Liberation....

Psalm 119:33-40

Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees;

then I will keep them to the end.

Give me understanding, and I will keep

your law and obey it with all my heart.

Direct me in the path of your commands,

for there I will find delight.

Turn my heart toward your statutes

and not toward selfish gain.

Turn my eyes away from worthless things;

preserve my life according to your word.

Fulfill your promise to your servant,

so that you may be feared.

Take away the disgrace I dread,

for your laws are good.

How I long for your precepts!

Preserve my life in your righteousness.

Jeremiah 15:16

When your words came, I ate them;

they were my joy and my heart's delight,

for I bear your name,

O LORD God Almighty.

Wasps...

One of the things we have been on the lookout for this summer is where there might be a wasp nest. My dear husband, with his eagle eye located one behind the shed in the backyard and was able to 'take care of it.' However, we were still getting quite a few wasps in the front yard, especially around my hanging plant on the front porch. I have diligently been watching to see where they fly to...if there is a particular place they all seem to 'hang out.' No such luck. Until yesterday afternoon. Jim and I were sitting out front in the driveway, taking a break with cold water. There was absolutely no breeze. It was the kind of day when everything just seems to stand still in time. Jim's eyes watched as a wasp flew around the basketball standard. Then a second one joined the first one, going behind the backboard but not coming out. Then there was a third one! He gets up and mosies on over there to take a look. He was armed with his wasp spray. As he looked up he saw several flying in and out of the wholes that are in the "arm". Up went the spray and covered the area. Out flew wasps. He was kept quite busy for several minutes. He waited a little bit for things to settle down before going again and 'attacking' forcibly. Finally, he said he would wait till today to actually climb a ladder and get inside the pole a little better. He did and was able to finally get the nest wet enough with the spray, as well as a number of new wasps. It definitely looked like a wasp battleground when he was done as you walked around the area of the driveway where they just lay dead. We will keep our eyes open for more activity but I imagine that this'hang out' has been closed for the season!

I discovered another snake on the wood pile. Yes, it is a tiny (according to my husband) (but in MY book, that snake is too big) garter snake. But, I do not like snakes...at all... I never have been a huge fan of them but ever since I had a "close" encounter with one I have totally detested them!

It was a summer Saturday morning (about 2 years ago) and James had left early to go hiking up in the mountains and Jim had already gone to bed after working all night. I had slept in a little later than usual. I was up and went in to use the bathroom. I stood up and went to flush when I noticed a stick on the back of the toilet seat, right near the brackets that hold the seat on. I peered closer, confused on why a stick would be laying right there, when I gasped! It was a snake! A snake wrapped around the toilet! I guess I didn't faint because I went screaming out of the bathroom with such speed....right into our bedroom, still screaming for Jim to WAKE UP!!! HOW could he be sleeping at a time like this!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!! He opens his eyes and I scream again that there is a SNAKE (as venomously as I can) in the bathroom wrapped around the toilet! That actually brought him right up out of bed. It was so preposterous! He runs in to the room and I stand at our bedroom door, offering encouragement and helpful suggestions. He decides we should just close the door and wait him out because when he pulled on the snake the snake just tightened his 'grip' around the toilet. I told Jim that wasn't an option because that snake could slither through under the door. His only option was to KILL the snake! He called to me to hand him a coat hanger which I was able to toss into him from quite a distance out. At first he tried to pull him off but then he had visions of snake gut going all over the room (and I would NOT be the one to clean that mess up!) and so he decided not to pull the snake apart. The coat hanger proved to be the item needed and he prodded until the snake decided to make his move at which time Jim grabbed him. Jim mentioned that he would put him out in the garden and I told him, "Absolutely not!" If he thought I was going to give that snake a chance to come back into the house, he was crazy! He ended up going across to the elementary school and placing it in an area in the back where hopefully, some little boy would discover a snake and be the envy of all his friends. James came home and realized that he had missed all the excitement! *Bummer* And, I, finally realizing how close that snake had been to my backside, did just about faint! To this day we still have no idea how that snake got in. Of course, now whenever I get up to go the bathroom at night, I make sure I have my glasses on and the night light is burning!

"A Round To It"

Tonight I have a special Guest blogger, my dear hubby. Every so often a poem oozes out of him and here is one he wrote quite awhile back.

A Round To It

I wish I had a round "to-it."

Boy, would things get done;

Projects galore could be marked off

Leaving so much more time for fun.

A round "to-it" is an elusive tool

which few men ever own;

Although often mentioned

It's whereabouts are seldom known.

Men search far and wide for this

most valuable treasure;

To comprehend its usefulness

is simply too vast to measure.

Although often spoken of, it

rarely shows its head

The Round To It's most arduous seeker

often lies next to you in bed.

PROGRESS!!!! Yea!

I'm making progress! Yes, indeed, I am! This afternoon I spent the time cleaning off Mom's desk, cleaning out her magazine rack and clearing off her table beside her chair. Once her desk was cleared off I was able to Windex the glass! What a difference it makes!

When it came to her magazine rack I told her we needed to get rid of all the old magazines in it so we could make room for the stack that needed to go in. If she hadn't read the mags from 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 by now, then she need not bother. So I gathered them all up and took them to the trash outside. I do have a pile of bills etc. from her desk that I need to file away in her file cabinet but that won't take me too long to do.

I just have to shake my head. She is clipping out recipes from the newspaper and has a file started. She does not, cannot cook! They are recipes that I passed over...will not cook, have no desire to cook it etc.

Now, the next thing will be her bookshelf under her window. I'm on a roll....

I do believe she will feel better, I know I do, having just the three things cleared today! It does wonders for MY mental health!

Here I am, home from the groomers!  

Look at me...I've been to get clipped! 

Growing Old...

Psalm 71:14-24

But as for me, I will always have hope;

I will praise you more and more.

My mouth will tell of your righteousness,

of your salvation all day long,

though I know not its measure.

I will come and proclaim your mighty acts,

O Sovereign LORD;

I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.

Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,

and to this day I declaire your marvelous

deeds.

Even when I am old and gray,

do not forsake me, O God,

till I declare your power to the next generation,

your might to all who are to come.

Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O

God,

you who have done great things.

Who, O God, is like you?

Though you have made me see troubles,

many and bitter,

you will restore my life again;

from the depths of the earth

you will again bring me up.

You will increase my honor

and comfort me once again.

I will praise you with the harp

for your faithfulness, O my God;

I will sing praise to you with the lyre,

O holy One of Israel.

My lips will shout for joy

when I sing praise to you---

I, whom you have redeemed.

My tongue will tell of your righteous acts

all day long,

for those who wanted to harm me

have been put to shame and confusion.

"Old age is the season when we can give ourselves to "soul-making," as the Quakers say. We can concentrate on getting to know God better and cultivating character traits that make us more like Him. Age breaks down our strength and energy and strips us of our busyness. It's God's way of getting us to slow down so we'll take more time for Him. We can think more deeply about life, about ourselves, and about others.

Change is an inevitable part of life. We're being shaped every minute we live. Every thought, every decision, every action, every emotion, every response is shaping us into one kind of person or another. Either we're moving toward likeness to Christ or away fro Him into some sort of caricature of the person God intended us to be.

It's true, we lose some things as we age: physical strength, quickness, agility. But think of the calm God gives us, the peace He leaves us, the benefits of His salvation, and His faithfulness to us (Psalm 71:15).

Old age is the best time to grow in grace and godliness, in inner strength and beauty of character. "The silver-haired head," the wise man said, "is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness" (Proverbs 16:31)." Our Daily Bread Devotional

As I read through this the other day I was struck anew by the statement: "Every thought, every decision, every action...Either we're moving toward likeness to Christ or away from Him into some sort of caricature of the person God intended us to be."

Old age may, indeed, be the best time to grow in grace and godliness, etc. However, I do hope and pray that our son and other young people, who desire to grow in their relationship with the Lord, do not wait till they are old to begin growing in the Lord. Think about all the wasted time... Granted, time may be a factor when one is younger, but God is the giver of time and is certainly capable of multiplying one's time.

No matter what age you are, I would encourage you to seek out the Lord and take time for Him. Allow Him the opportunity to grow you in grace and godliness, to develop inner strength and beauty of character. May we all be moving toward a "likeness of Christ" rather than becoming a "caricature of the person God intended for us to be."

A New Addition....

I'm so excited! I've been PATIENTLY waiting to see if my niece, Claire, was going to post on her blog about their great news. FINALLY she has! So what are we all excited about? They are expecting their fifth child! Yea!!! She has 4 boys so there are a couple of people in the family who are secretly hoping for a little girl. However, Claire and Bob, will be happy with either one! Now, we just have to wait!

"Children are a heritage of the Lord..." (Psalm 127:3).

Black Angus

Saturday we had a delightful afternoon and evening with L and J. J had won free tickets to the theater, through her work, to see Ragtime and invited us. We made reservations for dinner afterward at the Black Angus Steakhouse. When I called to make reservations I specifically asked not to be seated by the kitchen area. The last time we had been there, I had asked the same thing but they took us to the kitchen area to seat us. When they asked if 'this was alright', I replied, "No, we had asked to be seated in a different area other than the kitchen." They assured us it was no problem to seat us in one of the other empty booths. We wanted a nice quiet area so we could fellowship without interruptions. It was so nice of J to supply us with our airfare passes to go see James this past May and we wanted to say, "Thank you!"

Well, when we arrived I made a stop at the Ladies room and when I came out our party was already seated. Jim was waiting to show me where. Yep. Right by the kitchen area. In fact, I sat so all I saw when I looked forward was the kichen doorway. I swallowed and said a quick prayer because I didn't want my attitude to ruin the evening. Our waitress, who was excellent, had already begun taking our drink orders, appetizers etc.

Now, I am NOT a confrontational person. At all. I hate to have to address "issues". But, I leaned over and told Jim I was going to speak to the manager when we were all done. After all, this was the second time, in a very short time, we had had this happen. After we were done I did ask to see the manager. She came out and was very gracious. I explained how I had called to make the reservations and had specifically asked to not be seated in the kitchen area. She told us that she had noticed the request written by our name and she assumed full responsibility since she wasn't out with the hostess to oversee the seating when we had arrived.

We all went on to say how great our waitress had been and how excellent the food was prepared. The manager asked if it was our first time to visit and I assured her it wasn't, in fact, this very same thing had happened just three weeks ago when we brought an out of town guest to dine at their establishment. We did share that it was L and J's first time to eat at the restaurant.

I truly wasn't speaking up to "get anything" but to simply let her know that she needed to make sure the hostess understood when someone asked specificially not to be seated in a certain section to make sure they were not seated there! Well, she went off and came back with two gift cards, each worth $30.00 for us! She asked when we come back to be sure to ask for her when making our reservations, etc.

Yesterday, while Jim and I were driving home from church we decided to use the card for our anniversary dinner next month. Thirty years and a $30.00 dollar gift certificate must mean something!!! :)

"Do you not know?"....

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can

fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31

I never tire of reading in Isaiah. These particular verses never fail in lifting me up, in raising my spirits and causing me to focus anew on Him, my God and my Redeemer! My spirit soars and I find I have a song in my heart!

Shoes, shoes, shoes....and more SHOES!!!

AAAGGGHHHH!!! Excuse me for my outburst but I am about to burst. My dear mother saves EVERYTHING!!! I mean EVERYTHING. Including shoes. When the movers came to her closet of shoes and opened it they stared incredulously at the number of pairs of shoes. She has been called, lovingly, the Imelda Marcos of America.

When my parents moved here five years ago they had downsized, somewhat, from their lovely home to their retirement apartment. But, not nearly enough. As my Dad and I went through things in the garage he would make a decision to "throw that away" or "put that in the give away pile". Dad and I worked wonderfully together! :) Somehow there were two BIG boxes of shoes that we didn't get to. We ended up storing them in my dear hubby's shed in the back yard. That was 5 years ago. Well, this past weekend we ended up cleaning out the shed which meant that we needed to deal with the boxes of shoes.

Bless my mother's heart, for her feet are severely deformed now due to her arthritis and severe swelling in her foot and ankle. There are not many different kinds of shoes that she is able to wear. We get the boxes into a spare bedroom and I tell her I will help her go through the shoes and determine if there is any she can wear. She put if off until today. Well, that's not exactly accurate. Yes, she did put it off and would have continued to put it off except I told her today was the day!

We sat down together and I told her that we needed to try on just the left foot first, because if she couldn't get the left shoe on she wouldn't be able to wear the shoes. (The left foot is the one she has the most problems with.) We began. Oh, she tried. She was so proud that she had kept all these shoes and kept saying what great shape they were in. There were several pairs, which were exactly the same shoe, just in different colors. We ended up keeping 10 pairs of shoes out of the 60 or so shoes she tried on.

I take them into her bedroom to put them away in her closet. I open the closet door, get seated on the floor and reach in to her closet to her shoe shelf. It is COVERED with more boxes of shoes. At least 10 boxes of shoes. She will never wear them. She doesn't go anywhere where she would dress up enough to wear them, and if she did, she could have one or two pairs that would do just fine for any dressier clothes. Not hundreds to choose from!!!! She comes into the room and tells me, "Not that closet, the other one." I look up at her and ask, "Are you aware that you have about 10 more boxes of shoes down here, in this closet, not to mention several pairs that are not in boxes?" "Oh, nooo....I guess I'd forgotten about them."

Well, the ones she is keeping are stored away and the others, I guess, we will try on some other day. At least two huge moving boxes have been combined into one box and it is scheduled to be picked up for donation on Tuesday. I'm making progress, itty bitty progress, but still progress. I'm thankful for each small victory.

I struggle with balancing the respect the other person should have and letting them have a say in the decision. She would never, ever throw anything out or give it away if she had a choice. There are three bedrooms upstairs. My husband and I gave them the master bedroom on the main floor, which had two large closets in the dressing room. We knocked out a wall between two bedrooms downstairs to make a "master bedroom" for us. My mother has clothes in both of the other 2 bedroom closets...jammed in. And, she has taken over my father's closet once he died. She has 4 closets full of clothes, not to mention all the clothes packed away in boxes. What am I to do???

I suggested this afternoon, after the shoes, that I take one of the boxes of clothes and go through it. Anything that was a "pull over" we would set aside to be given away and anything that buttoned we could set that aside for her to try on at a later date. I thought since we were on a roll with the shoes we could carry it over to the clothes. No such luck.

It makes me sad for her but my frustration is quickly overcoming any feelings of sadness. I guess my prayer is that she will soften to the suggestion that I go through the boxes of clothes. I don't even want to begin in the closets at all. I'm willing to wait on that or not do it all until it is no longer an issue. But, the boxes should and could be dealt with. May I have a loving attitude, and a respectful attitude as I deal with this issue. It would be so much easier if she was my 3 year old child and not my 89 year old mother.

Lord, grant me mercy and patience. May my attitude be one of softness and love. May my speech be sweet.

Wedding Reception...

Last evening we attended a wedding reception for the son of our Mormon friends. A few years ago we attended the reception of their daughter. Since we are not Mormons we are not invited to attend the wedding itself if it is being held in the temple. Only Mormons with a 'temple recommend' from their bishop, who are worthy, are allowed to enter into the temple. Once a new temple is built they do hold an open house for the general public to attend, but that is a whole other blog. The young couple were actually married a month ago but because of different family things going on the reception wasn't scheduled until last night.

In our years here in Utah we have been to a number of wedding receptions. Most of them are very simple with cake and nuts and mints being served. Sometimes they might serve an eclair. Last evening's event was scheduled for 6:00 p.m. so I thought in the back of my mind there was the possibility for a little more substance to the food being served. I assured my husband we would be in and out in 30 minutes. Most times you make an appearance and say hello and visit with friends, etc and then you leave. Since we never know any of the people other than the parents and their children it doesn't take long to 'socialize' since they are in a receiving line.

We arrived and the scene was a little unorganized. I didn't see any food being set out. However there were about 20 to 25 round tables set up with chairs, decorated simply but very tastefully. Our friends, the parents of the groom, told us to go find a table to sit at and they would join us later. They were going to be serving a sit down dinner and then there would be entertainment. Imagine my shock! I looked at Jim and he looked at me and we both laughed together as we found our seats.

Our friends were never able to have children so they adopted three different nationalities of children. One daughter is Korean, their son is Filipino, and their youngest daughter is African American. Their son married a young lady whose father is from Australia and is a professor at Harvard and her mother is from the Philippines. The groom was very active throughout college in the multi-cultural club on campus, as was his new bride.

The food was very delicious. They served steamed rice, chop suey, shredded pork (with a fabulous sauce) a Samoan chicken (marinated in something very delicious) and salad with mandarin oranges. And of course, the wedding cake.

The entertainment was a highlight of the evening. The bride had been involved in dance with the multi-cultural club and many of their fellow friends from all different ethnic backgrounds gave them the neatest gift....different native dances from the different cultures, with the dancers attired in the native dress. There was the Pheasant Dance which the Iroquois Indians would do, there was the Hoop Dance which another Indian gal did. She explained that her grandmother taught her that the hoops represent different times of your life and you would need to go through those different times (hoops) to become the person you are meant to be. She had tons of hoops which she placed on the ground and began by picking up one with her foot as she danced. Then she kept adding more hoops, all the while continuing to dance. She would go through these hoops and interconnect them etc. Then there was the traditional Hawaiian hula performed by the bride and several of her friends for her new husband. There was a Polynesian tribal warrior dance that several of the men performed. There was a Mexican Hat dance, and several other island dances.

It was a wonderful mixture of cultures and very entertaining and enlightening. We did not expect anything Christian or any mention of God and there was none. Our evening was a delightful show with great food. And we did manage to find time to visit with our friends, the mother and father of the groom.

We are always amazed when we are with them and we are introduced to other people. We are always introduced as "G and L's best friends, Jim and Claire." Or people will come up to us and once we are introduced they will say, "Oh, I know who you all are. You are G and L's best friends." It takes us by surprise because we don't get together but every few months on a social basis and we have nothing in common as far as a spiritual relationship goes. For us, missing the depth of that common bond of Christ is huge. Jim and I continue to thank the Lord, however, for opportunities to share one on one with them and are ever hopeful that one day they may come to know the Christ of the Bible.

Peanut Butter Memories...

I opened a new jar of peanut butter today. Now a days, we don't go through it nearly fast enough. One jar can last us a year at least! That didn't used to be the way. Our son used to make at least 4 or 5 peanut butter and honey, or jelly sandwiches for his school lunch along with his ham sandwiches. Back in those days I bought the monster size. *Sigh*

But what makes me laugh every time I open a new jar is old memories. I used to, ever so carefully, partially lift the inside cover of the peanut butter, just enough until I could get my knife inside and then I would print "JAMES" on the fresh, new peanut butter. Then I would lay the top cover back down and screw the lid back on. When it came time to open the "new" jar of peanut butter there was always a surprise inside! When he was just a little tyke he thought this was just wonderful that I could go to the store and buy any old jar of peanut butter yet HIS name would be printed on the inside. However, there came a time when he was too old for that and he tricked me and caught me in the act!!!

But, it doesn't end there! A looooonnnnngggg time later (I don't know how many years) I went to open a new jar of peanut butter and pulled the inside cover back and there in nice big print was "MOM"!!! LOL!

Here's to you, James!!! :) I love you!

Flowers vs. Weeds...

If you have read this blog very much you know that I have been lamenting the weeds that took over our beds because of our rainy spring. It has been a goal of ours to get rid of the weeds, bring in more soil and produce flowers, mainly perennials. Each day I check out Rogers Arborfield and sigh as I gaze upon all the beauty and color that surrounds his lovely home. I realize that it has taken work for his gardens to blossom.

As I have diligently been out weeding I have pondered long and hard about the weeds in my life. One thing that has been very obvious to me is weeds don't need tending. At all. They sprout up anywhere and just take over, if allowed. A bed of beautiful flowers, however, are another story. They require watering, feeding, and of course weeding. If one provides some care, flowers thrive.

As I thought about my Christian walk in relation to the weeds vs. flowers, I thought about the care and commitment needed to have a life that is vibrant, full of color, attracting others to Christ, uplifting other's spirits and fulfilling to myself. Even in the midst of all my careful cultivation weeds of selfishness and sinful attitudes can quickly spring up and overrun the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We are called to be holy. That doesn't mean that I will be sinless (until I am home, away from the power and presence of sin) but rather, blameless.

I need to make sure that I uproot the weeds in my life before they become ugly habits which snare me and keep me from exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit. If I am yielded to God, I won't give in to sin.

The Weeding Process

1. Identify sins of the flesh or the spirit (Galatians 5:17-21)

2. Call them sin and confess them (1 John 1:9)

3. Stand firm in your position in Christ (Galatians 2:20)

"I have sent you into exile..."

I was scanning through my Bible this morning looking for a particular verse when my eyes stopped on Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." My thoughts drifted... Here God is telling the Israelites, who have been uprooted from their homes and carried away into captivity that there is hope. How often do we find ourselves in situations beyond our control? I know I try like the dickens to control as much as possible in my small realm of life but I do not control one single thing....I just think I do!

I need to recognize the fact that God will send me into exile. Jeremiah 29:4 points out that it was God who exiled the Israelites, "This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon..." God had allowed it to happen. I need to remember that whenever circumstances around me are not ideal, when they may be down right horrific. Contrary to what I may believe, or want to believe, the situation is in God's hands and my life is not out of control. Nothing just randomly happened to get me where I don't want to be.

The difficult part seems to be in accepting the situation while acknowledging God's control in our life. In other words, bloom where we are planted. No matter how terrible or awful we find the situation we are in we are to go on loving the Lord and fulfilling His purposes for us. Jeremiah proceeds to tell the people of Israel how to live during their exile. "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters" (Jeremiah 29:5-6). In other words, life was to go on...they were not to focus on their pain. Life was to go on for them just as it is to go on for you and me.

Jeremiah gave them this promise so whenever they were discouraged they were to find their security and hope in God. You and I can can do that too...we should do that.

I know that God has promised to work all things for our good and His purposes (Romans 8:28) no matter what may be swirling around me at the time. He is my anchor, my security. When I find my security in God then I begin to see beyond the sorrow and suffering I am experiencing. When I don't look to God and the truths of His Word, insecurity results. If my thoughts are not in line with what the Bible teaches, I am thinking lies which will feed my fantasies and fears. Oh how easy it is for me to focus on the past or the future rather than on the present reality.

No matter what zig zagging the path of life takes, through all the twists and turns it can throw at me I can be content and at peace knowing the Father. He has promised me a future and a hope. Can I choose to turn a blind eye to all that? Yes. Will it change the Truth? No. My life may just be more difficult than it needs to be.

Songs of Praise...

Isaiah 12:1-6

In that day you will say:

"I will praise you, O LORD.

Although you were angry with me,

your anger has turned away

and you have comforted me.

Surely God is my Salvation;

I will turst and not be afraid.

The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song;

he has become my salvation."

With joy you will draw water

from the wells of salvation.

In that day you will say:

"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;

make known among the nations what

he has done,

and proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious

things;

let this be known to all the world.

Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of

Zion,

for great is the Holy One of Israel

among you."

God Has Chosen Me...Streams in the Desert...

Title: God Has Chosen Me
Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
Source: Streams in the DesertScripture
Reference: Isaiah 48:10

"I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction" (Isa. 48:10).
Does not the Word come like a soft shower, assuaging the fury of the flame? Yes, is it not an asbestos armor, against which the heat has no power? Let the affliction come--God has chosen me. Poverty, thou mayest stride in at my door; but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me. Sickness, thou mayest intrude; but I have a balsam ready--God has chosen me. Whatever befall me in this vale of tears, I know that He has chosen me.

Fear not, Christian; Jesus is with thee. In all thy fiery trials, His presence is both thy comfort and safety. He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own. "Fear not, for I am with thee," is His sure word of promise to His chosen ones in "the furnace of affliction." --C. H. Spurgeon

The burden of suffering seems a tombstone hung about our necks, while in reality it is only the weight which is necessary to keep down the diver while he is hunting for pearls. --Richter

Skin Infection update...

I never seem to do anything just "normally" including any infection. Oh well. After finishing the oral antibiotic and seeing some improvement, I began to see evidence of it rearing it's ugly head again. I did manage to get an appointment on Friday and went to see the dermatologist. They are shaking their heads. After consulting together they decided that an oral antibiotic wasn't the way to proceed and put me on an ointment antibiotic. If it isn't better in a week then I'm to call and report and another decision will be made at that time. So, life goes on...

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come?

My help comes form the Lord, Who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1-2)

A Very Hot Day...

Today has been one of our hottest days yet of the summer. It was to be 100 or higher today. Living in Utah, which is very dry (yesterday only 5 % humidity) we are able to use "swamp" coolers rather than central air conditioning. However, on days where the humidity is quite high they are worthless. Thankfully that isn't all that often. A swamp cooler is basically an evaporative cooler. One turns on the 'pump' which allows water to soak this huge corragated pad and then air moves across the wet pad which in turn blows out cool air into our home. Like I said, in very low humidity it works fabulous.

I was standing in my kitchen and I heard the cooler turn off. I listened for a minute and it did not come back on. So I went and turned the switch from one setting to another. Nothing. Hmmm. I then turned it off and tried to think through my options. I didn't want to wake Jim just yet because he hadn't slept long enough. On the other hand, it was 2:00 in the afternoon and it was only going to get hotter. As I stood there pondering I heard the cooler come back on. I walked into my hallway and checked the swith...Off. Hmmm. I switched it on and off and got it 'off' again. Around 3:45 I heard it again...on but the switch said off. I decided that I had to wake Jim. He came up and did get it turned 'off' for sure and decided it was the switch.

Because it was so hot without the cooler and my kitchen catches the western sun we took Nana and headed out to Sizzler, one of her favorite places. Their senior salad bar price can't be beat. Jim took the switch cover off and went to the hardware store after dinner. Bought a new switch and came home and installed it. Voila!!! He is so amazing! It works like a charm. So we have had the cooler set on 'high cool' and the house is beginning to be fairly pleasant again.

I'm so glad it was that simple and my dear hubby was able to fix it. He is always so willing to 'give it a try' before we have to call in help. It isn't his strong suit but I am grateful for what he can do. Now, on to our dishwasher! I'll keep you updated! :)