February Favorites

Woke up to a fresh snowfall.

And dangerously icy roads on the way to school.

But Spring is COMING!!!

It has to be. Winter is getting so old.

The days are getting longer which is just incredibly wonderful

I loved the light and blue sky outside my bedroom window today.

And it is staying light till 6:00 pm at least!!

There are many lovely things I've been enjoying, even in the midst of the ridiculously cold long winter. Here are my February Favorites:

A big mug full of Chai, almost every day, to warm and cheer me.

My puppies are endlessly cute and entertaining even though they've been obsessive about the chickens and gumby.

Ladybug survived an alleged coyote attack and I am now being much more vigilant.

My sweet housemates and our dinner cooking schedule is so much fun.

Teaching such precious kids and seeing progress, slow and steady.

A free car wash after getting my car fixed today and a visit with a dear friend while waiting.

Quilting!! Under the most excellent tutelage of my gifted friend.

Sewing those lovely pieces of fabric together is a most soothing activity.

E-mails and skyping with my beautiful daughter whom I have been missing.

Meeting my sister at Bible Study every Monday night and seeing her walk in increasing wholeness and joy.

She brings me drinks and snacks and is very happy to see me every time.

That is truly a beautiful gift.

Our regular Saturday night gatherings. Cozy and comfortable.

Watching "The King's Speech" at a downtown theatre with my housemate on a cold night. I clapped when it was over. A grand movie indeed.

A sleepover with my niece's daughter. Making pancakes, doing a craft and watching Oklahoma in bed together.

Visits with Mom and Dad. Bringing popcorn for tv nights, books on CD to keep mom company and muffins or cookies since mom can't bake right now.

Fasting on Mondays for salvations. God is giving grace.

Listening to CS Lewis' book Mere Christianity while I drive around the city.

The thoughts and words are just delicious and inspiring.

Truth is that way.

Tante Hilda's 80th Birthday Celebration was a huge success with a hymn sing, hugs and gifts from the little ones and so much laughter. She was absolutely overjoyed!

The blessings are innumerable. It's important to take the time to put them down here for my eyes to see and to remember that I am seeing the goodness of God in the land of the living.

Thanks be to God.

He is quite marvelous.

Made My Day!

Yesterday He filled up my cup

Over and over and over again.

I was Surprised by pure JOY!

So many words of affirmation brought on by a simple post on facebook about half my life being spent in a wheelchair on that anniversary date. Wow - I was completely overwhelmed by the loving response and I basked in the kindest words spoken over my life.

It matters so much to know that we are noticed.

That we are loved by someone and that our lives matter.

After teaching and heading out into the cold grey day, a providential meeting of two dear friends in the parking lot made my day.

They shared a conversation they had just had.

They were discussing death and both gasped out "NO" when, for some reason completely unknown to me, they entered my name into that discussion.

Well, let me just say that it made me so happy to know that they cared so much about me being alive!

I matter!!

From there on it was more and more goodness.

Pressed down and spilling over the sides of my cup.

Lunch out with someone I have been longing to spend time with and a conversation full of God, which is always so GOOD. We both left uplifted and full of Italian food.

Beautiful orchids and a homemade card from my future daughter greeted me on my arrival home. We did homework together and I fought off a migraine which was not able to steal even an ounce of my happiness on this day of love.

Daffodils from my sweet sister at Bible Study in the evening and a gigantic bouquet from another dear friend made my car smell like Spring and my heart sing with JOY.

And to top it all of, like a marashino cherry on a peanut buster parfait, my daughter wrote me the kindest words in an e-mail wishing me a Happy Valentine's Day.

And it was.

Half and Half

It's the 13 of February.

Not Friday this time around.

But it marks an unforgettable occasion.

Hawaii, the Big Island

Walking home from YWAM worship.

24 years old.

Husband ahead, pushing baby in his stroller.

Mom beside me

We're unaware.

Happy

The future so promising and bright...

The drunk driver bearing down on all of us

My life spun upside down and backwards in an instant.

Literally,

Figuratively.

Angels bowed down to the will of the Father.

Who allows trials to strike for a greater glory.

His glory.

A battle ensued,

Prayers rose up from far and near.

He breathed life back into me

Through many dangers toils and snares,

I have already come...

And my earthbound journey was allowed to continue.

Struggling, upheld by ongoing prayers,

the unbelievably great love of a mother,

Family, Friends and

Hope. Faith and Love.

Challenges multiplied. But...

Underneath were the everlasting arms.

So, 24 years later I continue to

Wait on the Lord.

Because those who wait on Him will renew their strength.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint.

Hallelujah.

He always, always has the final word, and

When we've been there, ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the son.

We've no less days to sing His praise

Than when we've first begun

Yes, truly the best is yet to come!

Wounded to Heal

At Bible Study tonight there was alot of amazing material,

So many passages and so many words passing with rapid fire succession before my somewhat dazed stare and through my rather dull ears.

About rebellious Kings,

And repentant Kings...

A compassionate God

Who is eager to show mercy, but

Who will wound to heal.

About the suffering Christ.

Those mind blowing scriptures in Isaiah 53.

He was wounded for our transgressions.

Marred beyond recognition.

By His stripes...we are healed.

A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

He was pierced through for our transgressions.

Pierced through...

Beth taught how back in Genesis the sign of the curse on the ground was thorns.

She carried with her a branch with long, long thorns. One like the one which had pierced through her runner, into her foot and outside the top of her foot.

Thorns can be that long and that sharp.

Pierced through...for our transgression.

The crown of thorns pierced his head

The thorns were soaked with blood.

And now we can walk in victory because of that piercing and soaking.

"The God of peace, will soon crush Satan, underneath our feet."

Behold, I will make all things new...

Oh Oh OH what a glorious Savior.

I can barely comprehend and I weep with amazement and joy.

Overwhelmed again with the horrific beauty of that sacrifice.

It was for freedom that He set us free.

And such a cost He paid.

"But the Lord was pleased

To crush Him, putting Him to grief

He would render Himself

As a guilt offering" vs. 10

I glory in this glorious God of Love.

Who crushes to Save the likes of me.

I cannot comprehend but I humbly bow

Kiss those blood stained feet

And receive.

Sweet Communion

With some trepidation I ventured out tonight to a home church being held in the neighborhood! Wondering what I would experience,

Realizing I'm a little nervous and hesitant but wanting to experience Jesus

with His Body.

Just like He said we should.

I've been lonely for Him and for sweet fellowship where He is the center.

It was warm and welcoming

A table loaded with goodies beckoned me

Friendly faces and warm hugs.

A place saved for me.

I was tucked in and loved.

Thank you Jesus.

Worship and sharing and prayer.

A recorded teaching on communion. So good.

Followed by real communion.

The Eucharist.

The Body and the Blood.

Laid down and poured out for me.

For the remission of sins,

For healing and deliverance,

There is Life in the Blood.

I ate and I drank... so grateful, tears of realization

The cost so great and I simply take it in.

Feeling like I still understand so little.

It is a profound mystery and a beautiful connection.

His life flowing into mine,

Oneness...

mirgrations and emotions

It's the first of February!

Absolutely delightful to be out of January for some reason.

Even though it was a good month in so many ways.

It was cold of course.

But my dear daughter was still home, warming the days with her sweet presence.

There was work to be done for all - routines were recommenced and there is comfort in that.

There were emotional upheavals galore.

And there continue to be.

Each day brings something new and there are fresh feelings to be explored and discussed and worked through.

Just imagine.

Three beautiful young women all in the midst of some sort of relationship transition.

One entering in with uncertainty and excitement mingled with disappointment.

Another in the throes of a sudden harsh conclusion to a long friendship causing one very broken heart.

And a disappointing attachment that came after the fact, resulting in so much sadness.

So there were many discussions, tears and prayers.

And there continue to be.

We are all delighted with the presence of the doggies to lighten the mood with their wild shenanigans and chicken chases.

They migrate around the house after me.

Ladybug at attention, behind or before me, following closely and staring, waiting for my next move. Those beady brown eyes gazing at me with intense attention. Oh that I would be so faithfully watching my Master and moving where He moves and stopping where He stops...

She leaps happily on the bed when I finally settle in and finds a comfy spot to continue her watch.

Moose migrates more slowly.

After we settle in I will hear the steady clipping of his toenails on the hardwood as he joins us. His heavy breathing commencing as sleep overtakes him again.

Steady Eddy. He is so beautiful.

And there was the "snowbird migration" with my dear daughter heading south to California to continue her Bible studies.

I am content with this even though tears filled my eyes as I drove away after dropping her off on that incredibly snowy day at the end of January.

It's the best place for her right now and I am trusting God with her beautiful heart that is growing more like His as she choses Him again and again.

I'm incredibly blessed.