October 28, 2008
Abiding, and living!
Today I continue to pray for those I love. It is so comforting to meet with God by my fire, coffee in hand, heart prepared by His Word and spend some time talking and listening to Him. I am so thankful that abiding in Him can be done because He left the Holy Spirit to be in us, keeping that connection stable and strong. He says in John 15 that IF I abide in Him I will bear much fruit which is what I want to do for His glory. Abiding means a continual sense of His presence in my day, thanks to the Holy Spirit. I am relying on this today.
I know I did not sleep well last night. My eyes are so sore and puffy. My sister and I agreed to pray and trust God when we talked last night before bed. I believe I did that, but my face does not show that this morning. God spoke clearly to me by my fire that I am to trust and move on with my day.
So…….. my day.
It is still very dark here, but, I love mornings where I can light a candle for breakfast. There is something about the smell of a pumpkin-spice candle to make the house seem more homey and warm. Since I did not get a roaring fire going this morning I am hoping that the candle smell will make my children “feel” warm despite the 58 degree temp in the house. Mind over matter right?
We will get school going very soon as we have a full day. We have to get wood again from a friends home where they asked us to remove a pile. It is already split and ready to go. What a delight! We also have a dentist apt. for Annie. She had a fit when I told her last night. She just went through a root canal for a tooth that was having pain, can anyone say enough about the curse of enamel deficiency on teeth! The girls did not want to go to our old dentist, a woman, who I thought was wonderful. Come to find out she had moved to Sturgeon Bay, 40 miles away, which made her less available to use. I decided to try someone local who I had to see as well as a couple of older daughters. Well, as of last night Annie does not like him and thinks he is mean. Can anyone say dental-phobia? Actually it could be more of a familial issue just coming to light in this teenager! Most of us have a strong distain for dental offices from the sound and smell of the waiting room to the hard chairs they make us sit on. If the waiting room is so distasteful you can only imagine our thoughts about the actual work areas……. you do not want to know. Hence all the excitement when a few weeks ago the children heard me make an appointment for their Father. The youngest could not wait to announce to him the audacity of my decision. After much discussion I called and canceled his appointment……..
Our dentist is 15 miles away so while we are in town we will need to make other errands as well. Groceries, Pamida stop and a quick visit with a friend who lives south and I rarely get to see. Rick really appreciates my limiting trips to town and with all the driving to Green Bay it is essential that I am careful. On the bright side, I did find gas for $2.49 at a little town on the way to Green Bay. It is $2.98 locally so the saving made Rick very happy. Unfortunately it is at a station where I do not feel comfortable letting our daughters go in alone, their coffee is horrible and their restrooms are not clean, ever! So we pay at the pump and move on quickly!
I need to get supper in the crock pot so that it is ready when we return later this afternoon.
Rick is again on the water and it is blowing. This is one of the hardest times to be a fisherman’s wife… He is exhausted and his muscles ache. I need to have a roaring fire later for him to warm up to, better than last night’s. What a man!
We also need to pick up supplies to play a prank on one of the teen boys who TP’d our home a month ago. Worse than TPing, they left a Obama sign in our yard and stole our signs……. yikes! I asked permission from his mother to TP and balloon his car, which is his prize possession. She said to go ahead and suggested quite a few ideas. I will stick with fun stuff and will leave a plate of cookies in the car for him as all of this is in fun and love. The girls who come to my Wed. night Bible study will be my cohorts in this adventure. Gotta love Gills Rock living.
We will also need to get out our winter clothing today and tomorrow, the chill in the air is permanent!
Graciously abiding in Him today,
Blessed
Joyce
October 27, 2008
There is a Season
I am thankful that the Word of God speaks in places about seasons. Season in our lives where things are not of the ordinary, the normal pattern of life. We are in one of those seasons.
Our son had a flare up of the condition that he came down with a year ago. I spoke of it a few weeks ago thinking it would last a few weeks as it did the last time. It hasn’t showed signs of improvement even tho he has had three medicine changes since then. I have been down to see him every 3-4 days the last few weeks. He is discouraged as he does not feel well and has had to quite working the last few days to try and help his body heal and regain strength. His sisters are worried and are talking about moving in with him to take care of him, after all, who wants to cook and clean when you don’t feel well. WE are praying for God to heal him soon.
It is interesting to care for an adult child. He is a man and I am limited in what I can do as I need to honor his decisions and how he perceives his needs in this illness. I am thankful that he has been willing to listen to the wisdom I have in my health books and to make important changes for his health’s sake. He has been sweet as he is such a kind man. I hope that he soon will feel better.
My father ended up back in the hospital and that has given us great concern. He has a long road to being healed with a sore that developed on his hip. Being handicap makes healing harder but my sweet father still responds “terrific” when I ask how he is doing each day! What a godly man.
There are other heartaches at this time, to great to mention. Or hearts are in near constant prayer as we lift up loved ones and try with our human minds to express our heavy concerns before the throne. How good that we were left the Holy Spirit to intercede for us. There have been times in my crying out and weeping when I have felt such peace knowing God is hearing.
God has used Psalm 121 to bless me the last two weeks. He spoke to my in the night about the verse which says “The God of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.” God explained to me in my tears that not only does He NOT sleep, but He doesn’t even blink……. He never has His eyes off of those He loves. I wept with comfort in my heart that when all I can do is pray, and often from a distance from those I love, I can trust that His eye is on those I am interceding for in prayer. He is so loving and so kind. He knows a part of my heart is aching with pain for others and He holds me close.
Yesterday at church we ended the service with a song that had a bridge which proclaimed:
Mourning will turn to praise
for our God Saves!
I worshipped with hundreds of others testifying that our God saves, He rescues, He grabs us as we fall, He reaches with His Shepherds crook, He will give us reason to praise. Oh how I rejoiced in those words of truth.
Mandy still has no work and is seeking God’s will for her life. In the meantime she continues to connect with her friends from work, a family of unbelievers who just love her, a Buddhist friend who needs Jesus and others who God has put her with to spread the Gospel.
Praises— Fishing went over the top the last week. I prayed for a HUGE amount of fish the last week as there had not been an abundance up until then. God is AWESOME! WE had a pile of fish, more than I had prayed for a week ago. I rejoice in God’s provision, His faithfulness.
I am so excited as we can now get the window we need for the living room and then finish the siding. I may have a finished house to live in……… in a year! Whoopee!
We already have a shower on order to finish the old bathroom. I can’t wait to have our master bath back in my control!! No more multitudes of shampoo bottles and conditioners for every possible hair situation………. The girls buy their own shampoo but the rule is if it is in our bath then it is up for grabs for their Father to use!
Praise- my toe is getting better……. slowly. I found quality clogs that have a steel front, kind of a “biker” look. The doctor said I could wear them so I am back in shoes!
Praise- the last cottage renters left this morning. It is good to have this season of renting done.
Praise– we are getting school in a great routine, I am surviving Spanish and Latin and Algebra….again!
Praise — Lilly, our horse got out of her pen yesterday morning and the neighbor up the road walked her back our way for us. She did not spook and a car did not come down the highway, double praise!!
Praise — Rick texted me a few hours ago ( that in itself is a praise!) to let me know that although it was nasty out there with gale winds, they made it safely back in and got five nets pulled. What a blessing.
So although this season is on the heavy hearted side God continues to bless.
I am off to finish laundry and start supper.
The girls are carving pumpkins to put on the porch while listening to Christmas carols………..
I know, I know, what is really normal in this house??
Blessed in it all,
Joyce
October 14, 2008
What a Day
First off, we are under a situation with our broadband where we have limited access due to an unnamed, but much loved person within our home. The good news is that the control over the internet has been taken by our broadband company and that makes it easier for me!!!! I now understand better the ruled of broadband usage. I wish we could get cable up here in boonies!
So, I cannot for the time being load pictures. Maybe I will be able later this week, we’ll see!
It has been quite a weekend and start of a week. Jeni came home for the weekend and we had such a good time together. We ran a garage sale for Rick’s Aunt Ruth who needed to get rid of her belongings which won’t fit in her little room at the nursing home. The whole family was able to pick some treasures from her things and we took some china, jewelry (nothing valuable), vases, some pictures etc.. Jeni took a setting for four of Bavarian China which is just beautiful. Mandy took different dishes and some neat jewelry. I got a coffee mug made in Germany, which is my favorite china! It has a chip in it but I do not care because I will be using it quite often to drink from. Rick’s rule is that I can have all this neat old china and depression glass but ONLY if I use it! Let’s just say that we have the prettiest table settings for most meals! One of the things that I got from Aunt Ruth were four dishes Wedgwood dishes in the dark green cabbage leaf pattern. They are mid size and perfect for lunch each day. Fill a crystal goblet with juice and the meal is complete and beautiful!
Yesterday I headed to Green Bay with a number of errands that had to get done. I got the truck’s speedometer fixed (no more driving 120 MPH through town). Let’s just say that driving without knowing my speed was the strangest and unsettling experience.
I also visited Matthew who has not been well recently. He looked better and it was fun for Jeni and I to see him in his home. We talked for a while and I gave him the healthy food for his fridge. He really has stepped up to the plate in his cooking and eating healthy, I am so proud of him!
I said good bye to Jeni at Matthew’s place and then went to get a very special birthday present for our KJ who is about to turn 18, although no one can believe it! We have a big party planned for her on Saturday night and all her siblings plus friends will be home. It will quite a house full, but so much fun.
Then on to SAMS club to stock up on some groceries. I made it though as quickly as I could due to my toe giving me warnings that it was time to quit walking. I accomplished what I wanted; lots of meat and not paying over $3.00 a pound and some much less. THat is great compared to the prices up here. Oh, and gas was 25 cents cheaper down there also.
I stopped to see our precious Mandy on the way home. Yesterday she was called in to work and was told that she and about 6 others were being released. The economy has now affected our family in a serious way. Harder than losing the job was the fact that she LOVED her work place and the people there. She was good and had sold over 14 cars in the last 3 months. Her bosses told her yesterday that she had far exceeded their expectations and that she should reapply when they are able to hire again.
Scary, yes, but what an opportunity for growth in her, and our, faith. God knew this day would come, He loves her more than we do and has great plans for her. I know that this is for a purpose and God is going to be moving her on to where He wants her next. THis is a messed up economy but we are still in God’s family and so we are secure.
Matthew commented saying “Great, I do not feel well and now I have to find a job for Mandy!” What a loving brother! The little sisters ran to the store and bought ingredients for Mandy’s favorite cookies and made a batch for her. Jeni tried to figure out a way to take he to Ill. for a few days to get away. Our family all rallied around her with phone calls all day and expressions of love. The hard economy can be great for pulling families together!
She will come home today as she has some work up this way and so we will visit and pray together, she will spend the night and we will take care of her and try to bless her. Hot chocolate and a roaring fire can do great things for the soul!
Talked to my Mom and my Dad did not get good news on how he is healing. There is much need for prayer. That weighs heavy on my heart and I am praying about how to get down there to help in a few weeks when my foot is better.
Full day with many emotions and tears. I would not know how to deal with this life if it were not for God and His Holy Word. He is faithful in ALL things. All things work together for good….
Blessed to serve Him
Joyce
October 2, 2008
Grateful from a Couch
I just heard the girls come in from working in the garden. They have picked a half a bushel of tomatoes, bunch of green beans, cucumbers and squash. Our girls are such a blessing. I can not say enough about how much training our children early has made life so wonderful in times like these. It is work for our daughters, on top of school and other commitments, but they are doing very well with it all. God is Good!
I am thankful for helpful, kind and caring daughters.
My Dad came home from the hospital last night after 5 days. I talked to him this morning and he sounded so much better, after all there is nothing like home and one’s own bed.
I am thankful for answered prayers for my Dad’s health and for a Mother who is willing to care for him and who is so brave. You are my hero mom. I am also thankful that they love and trust God.
Last night I talked to my sister in Florida who is healing from a badly broken foot. She and I have been in contact quite frequently lately due to our injuries and our Dad being ill. Last night I told her that I am struggling with patience as I wait for my toe to heal enough to be up and on it, and I am trying to stay calm about the things that need to be done. Laurel, in her usual delightful humor, responded “Make some lists, at least you feel like you are accomplishing something!” She went on to say that she has lists all over her house from while she has been laid up. I laughed and laughed.
I am thankful for a sister who makes me laugh, and for a family that has always laughed even at the most absurd things! I guess that’s why we would call it “familial” humor which helps us understand why our husbands just shake their heads at us sometimes!
I have the sweetest husband. He has been so kind and loving and caring to me. He has been a blessing from the moments in the emergency room to now. Every night I tell him that I will wake up to my alarm for my midnight medication, and every night my sweet honey wakes me up as I soundly sleep through the alarm. He has not complained about it once! I know he is tired as we both sleep warily, knowing that there would be extensive pain from the slightest bump to my foot. He has been a trooper. Being a commercial fishermen, he has had many injuries that have not slowed him down a bit, that man works no matter what! I know there is a popular movie out named Ironman, well let me tell you, I am in love with an Ironman.
I am thankful for a caring husband who has not made me feel less in any way for the fact that my injuries have put me on the couch. What a precious gift he is.
I am thankful that today my foot looks a little better. I have hope today that it is going to get better even quicker than expected… at least that is how I am praying!!
Thankful for a God Who is the Great Physician and heals. Thankful that He cares enough to deal with me in His love and grace.
It has been trying to be tied to a couch, but God, as always, is teaching me so much. I am learning to be still and wait on the Lord. He is completing me in His Sovereign grace.
I am Blessed,
Joyce
