Monday, September 15, 2008


Sofa, shawls, surgery, storms, and seasons change!

News, news, news! I should have my car back this week, by Wednesday possibly! God be praised! I've been driving a big black Dodge Charger - not my 'type', but was thanking God for this safe, smooth riding vehicle. I've had my needs met, and then some. I am blessed. I asked God to show Himself strong as my car was in need of much repair and the outcome could be more than we were ready to handle. He did it! He did it! He really did it! He can do so for you!
Knittingwise I need to start a prayer shawl for a new friend who has a form of cancer that is only treated by surgery. She is going to MD Anderson at the end of this month and will be there for about 6 weeks. I am praying for direction as to type of yarn and color. Then I will knit and pray with great focus as much as I can make time in the remaining days in order to get it completed for her trip to Houston. 
We have ordered a sofa! We have none in our living room and we were finally able to shop, decide on style/fabric, and place an order. I'm so happy! The man who helped us could 'see' the atmosphere we want this room to have as we begin to fill it with furniture. We have waited 2 years and it will be worth the wait. Its easier to live without a sofa if its 'just the 2 of us' but I so miss hospitality and we've had to alter our means of having groups over in the past 2 years. I can't wait to once again have a room to offer when we meet with people. In 4 to 12 weeks we'll have the sofa. Then we'll look into other chairs, coffee table, etc. 1 thing at a time. Paying cash bit by bit - so it will be a slow process but a happy one as God guides us to building a welcoming home, good quality, well priced choices. 
Pray for my aunt, she fell last night and had brain surgery today. I went to visit this afternoon but no family was present and she is in ICU so I was unable to visit her. I think I saw her reflection on the door's glass window as I peeked into the area looking for family members. I have been praying since I heard - she has a dear husband, son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandkids, and great-grandkids. She is dearly loved. Thank you for praying for her with us!
My Bible study has begun again and we are spending this week reviewing the gospel of John. It makes me think of the saying "how do you eat an elephant? one bite at a time" It should be a fun discussion tomorrow to list all the events/themes of the 21 chapters of John and then to list how Jesus is portrayed. What a time of heart felt application this is! It is always timely to study God's Word. How often we forget that fact, neglect the practice, or think of it as tedious, boring, out-dated, etc. But when we turn our hearts and eyes to it - we find truth, comfort, direction, correction, peace, hope, and strength.
We had the deeeeeelight of visiting our granddaughter, daughter, and son-in-love this past weekend. What fun! We spent hours playing with Avery, talking to her, taking photos, working hard to get her to laugh, smile, and encouraging her in her new accomplishments of cruising about their living room. Speaking of living rooms - they have less furniture in theirs than we do! They are selling 90% of their belongings to prepare for their move to south Africa. If they didn't feel called, this would be a terribly difficult process. Instead its a hard one but they have their hearts set on missions in Sudan. 
We drove home Saturday afternoon getting some of Ike's wind and rain - it made for a bit longer trip but we made it home safely. Once home, we had some rain but today is a fabulous sunny, blue sky, puffy clouded day with cool temperatures. It inspires us all to have such a day!
I'm so glad that God made seasons, we find something to enjoy and delight in as each new season arrives, and the former one passes. He watches over us and demonstrates His loving care, sometimes immediately, sometimes slowly, but He loves and cares.
Happy Fall Ya'll!
Truth For Life
Each day that we live, He provides for our needs
and gives us the strength of a young eagle.
For all who are mistreated the LORD brings justice.
He taught His law to Moses 
and showed all Israel what He could do.
The LORD is merciful!
He is kind and patient,
and His love never fails.
Psalm 103:5-8