Time has slipped away, and I have shared a thought. I was going to do this, this morning. But now the day is ended and it hasn't been done. Can anyone relate?

Phone calls, planning for our upcoming trip on Thursday, office work, meeting, and play with my grandson. It has been a good day. Walking went very well today. I walked in Walmart just by walking behind a shopping cart. Wow, that felt good. I looked around and was doing what everyone else was doing, just not as fast!

The encouragement I want to share is to not lag behind in sharing Jesus with someone. Don't feel like it is a worthless effort. Yesterday in church we had an unusual experience. At the end of the service, a lady stood, she had tears as she spoke. She thanked us for helping her parents find the Lord. She is now married and has 3 children. She was 8 years old when we had known her parents. She said she remembered us, and still had our photo in her house. We had totally forgotten about them. This was over 25 years ago!!

I am not saying this to compliment ourselves. I am saying this to encourage you. We never know the impact our testimony will leave. Let's not look on the reward but on obedience and sacrifice to share with others.

I hope you had a wonderful day. May God bless you each one.

1 Peter 1:7 "that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ"

The testing of our faith is more precious to the Lord than gold. And yet when we are tried, we complain. We do not see the value of it. There is so much to praise God for when He tries us. It is for our purification. When all goes well we tend to look away from the Lord. We don't pray as much. We are comfortable. God is more interested in my relationship with Him than my comfort. So next time, maybe now, when you have trials, remember that God sees this as precious, this faith it produces.

Good day, busy day. Wonderful fellowship with friends tonight. Agape is still down. Rachel is nursing him back to health.

Have a great weekend. Be blessed.

Another Step

2 Corinthians 1:24 "Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand."

But for the grace of God, we would all fall. We don't go scrambling for faith when we need it. We walk with the Lord, and He is the source of faith. When we have a intimate relationship with the Lord, then faith will be there when we need it. Isn't that wonderful!

For by faith, I stood and ran the vacuum cleaner. The first time since "ages past". I didn't remember it took so much effort to balance while using it. Ok, so I confess, I didn't last long before I was tired and hurting. So now I'm resting. Maybe just maybe I can do a little more later. Oh, don't tell my daughter what I'm doing. :)

It is fun watching a bit of progress every day.

Pray for Agape, he has strep throat. It has been making its rounds in the apartment complex. Rachel had it last week.

I pray your day was blessed.

Being Confident

Philippians 1:6 "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;"

Isn't it wonderful that we can be confident that God will complete the work He has begun in us? How many jobs have I left undone? Or should I say, how many jobs do I not even start. I'm glad He started on me and hasn't given up. He is patient, kind and love. What more can I want!!

Quiet day. No pain. Walking without any support. Thank you Jesus!

Patrick is well. Agape is sick. Rachel and Nate are getting ready to move back to GA.

God bless you

Choose today

Joshua 24:15 "And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

We do have the choice to choose whom we will serve—god of this world or The Lord our God. One tells the truth and the other tells lies.

Today was a day of choices. For the first time since the quake, I actually walked through a store to make my own choices. I'm so glad Rachel was with me. I hardly knew how to choose. ha. Yes, I had the walker, but I did walk!! Felt so good. The doctor was also pleased with my progress since he had seen last me. On the humorous side, I wanted shoes that were a bit more dressy than tennis shoes. We didn't get any...my shoe size is 6 but my prosthetic foot can't even begin to fit in a 6, or a 7, and finally an 8 was good!! I think I have another challenge to conquer.

I pray you had a wonderful day. May God bless you each one

God's Grace

Revelation 22:21 "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen"

This is the last verse in the Bible. What a way to end the Book. To know that we have the grace of our Lord with us is such an encouragement.

I was blessed to be led to that verse today. For you see, today was one of those days which would have been easy to list the unpleasant. Oh nothing that is specific, but you know the headache-kind- of-days. So when one thing isn't right, we find myriads of other things that also aren't in place.

God knew we would have those times. Yet, He gives us the blessing of His grace so that we don't need to keep our eyes on the unpleasant, but rather on Him from whom all blessings flow.

We are back in Tallahassee after spending a week in Sarasota. Patrick is home from Haiti. Great trip. It was fun connecting with friends in Sarasota.

God bless you each one

From mess to victory

God can turn a MESS into a MESSage, a TEST into a TESTimony, a TRIal into a TRIumph, a VICTim into a VICTory. GOD is GOOD...all the time! (Els Vervolet)

I wish I could say this quote is original with me. The quote isn't but my life is all of this, and I can also say God is Good, all the time!!

He is good even though there is pain again. But it will be better.

This week has passed very quickly. A lot has been accomplished. I met the publisher and am very excited to see my writing going into print soon. Today was so fun fellowshipping with friends.

Have a blessed weekend. Trust God for all your needs.

What God has done

Psalm 44:2-3 "We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what deeds thou didst perform in their days, in the days of old: thou with thy own hand didst drive out the nations, but them thou didst plant; thou didst afflict the peoples, but them thou didst set free;"
As I read this verse, it struck a cord with me. Many times in scripture we find people telling others what God had done in the past for the children of Israel. Peter told the same story in Acts as David did in Psalms. They told of God's goodness and miraculous works among the children of Israel. So my question is, what consumes my conversation the most? Do I speak of God's mighty works more, or is my conversation more of current events, jokes, politics, etc.
Does this make sense? Are we really proclaiming God's message to the world? Are we telling our children the miraculous works of God that He performed among the children of Israel?
Walking is good. Patrick returned home last night. He had a good trip. We had a birthday party waiting for him. Hopefully today I will hear some Haiti stories and news.
Have a blessed day.

Is anything too hard?

Genesis 18:14 "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" This is a question the Lord asked Abraham concerning Sarah having a baby at an old age.

Can we believe God for our "off the wall" challenges that we feel God is calling us to? Can I really?? Or do I sit back and say, "Look God, this is just not the way we do it. No one will understand this, including me." (Setting the record straight, no I'm not having a baby now. haha) But I am challenged. What is my limit in trusting God, when I don't see the end results? Do I have a limit? Or do I need to see the end from the beginning before I step out of the boat?

Is anything too hard for the Lord?? You answer the questions. I had to, too.

Walking is improving daily. Feels so good to walk. No pain. That feels good too. I will be gone for this week. I am not sure I will have internet all the time. So if you don't see new blogs, please be patient. I will return.

Pray while I am gone. Pray for Patrick's return from Haiti on Wednesday. Pray for Rachel for total healing. She has strep throat. Pray for Agape, his kids have returned home to their mother now.

Be blessed today. God is so abundantly good.

Bittersweet

Tonight was the last evening with our grandchildren, Promise and Zion. They are returning to the Dominican Republic tomorrow. It was a wonderful 2 months with them. We cherish every moment. Nate will miss his cousins.

Today was a milestone again. I went out to lunch with a group of ladies. I was using my cane. One of the ladies asked me which leg was amputated. I was thrilled that finally it wasn't obvious which leg it was. It means I was walking quite normally. So exciting!!

God is abundantly Good. We serve an Awesome God. He loves us each one.

Have a wonderful weekend and be blessed tomorrow.

Attacks

Since yesterday, it seems the enemy attacks are strong and keep coming. Isn't it strange, it comes after I declare the Abounding Goodness of God!! God is good. The enemy really hates when we declare the Name of the Lord. But we need to continue to praise Him, and the enemy will flee. Oh he may return with more attacks, but God won't even leave, He sticks right to us. He holds us in His righteous right Hand. We are protected.

When we take our eyes off the Lord, and look at the situation around us, that is when discouragement, depression and questioning God sets in. Lift up the banner of the Lord before the enemy!! Speak out the Name of the Lord!

Still walking, going good. Feels so good to be free to walk and have something in my hand, besides the handles of a walker!! I haven't used the walker now for 3 days!! Weaning time. Yea!!

Fun afternoon with friends.

Let's not forget to pray for each other.

God bless you each one.

The Name of God

Exodus 34:6 "And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth"

We do serve a great and awesome God!! As the Lord passed before Moses, this is the name He gave. So if we should ever question God, let's consider His name and it says it all. I'm so thankful for each of these names. Abounding in goodness? He is not only good, but is ABOUNDING in goodness. I'm so thankful He is long-suffering...patient. He never gives up on us. We give up on ourselves, but He never does. His Love abounds toward us.

With this, we can have a great day!!

Got up this morning, with this rash all over "Peggy". Not sure what this is about. So I put my "leg" on and started walking, hoping that the rash disappears. Walking goes better every day. The walker is seldom used, and am trying to stick with the cane, and hopefully before long it will be a thing of the past too.

Promise had a sleep-over at grandma's last night, a last fling before she returns home to her to mama's. So this morning when she woke up, and I hopped over to the chair to put on the leg, she said, "Grandma, shall I help you put on your leg?" Children are so unassuming. I love it!!

I pray you will have a good day. If it is not so good, check out the Name of the Lord again.

Don't forget to give someone a smile today.

God bless you each one

Straight Paths

Hebrews 12:12-13 "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed."
Funny how often I have read these verses, but this time it really makes sense!! Lame I am, but guess what? Not for long. At least not if the improvement continues. For the first time today, I left the house using a cane instead of a walker. That's what I'm talking about! I've almost got the walking rhythm down. The pain is almost gone. The work-out continues.
We have come so far since January!! Then I think of all those in Haiti that haven't had the opportunity to come so far.We must continue to pray for them.
Patrick is doing well in Haiti. Busy, but well.
God bless you each one

Walking

I am now on a walking regime. It is going much better. My hope is that soon I will be walking with a cane/or totally without support. The pain is much better. The pain in my knee.

There is another pain...the one in my heart. We have one more week with Agape's children, then they return to their mother. It has been a wonderful 2 months with them. The parting will be difficult. But even in this God will give us grace and strength.

Psalm 1:3 "He is like a tree planted beside streams-- a tree that produces fruit in season and whose leaves do not wither. He succeeds in everything he does." What a beautiful picture of a blessed person. We stay near the streams of living water. We stay rooted in the Word, and that will produce fruit.

Colossians 2:7 "Sink your roots in him and build on him. Be strengthened by the faith that you were taught, and overflow with thanksgiving." Here we have the success formula.

Let's be fruitful tress this week. Rely on the Lord, be intimate with Him. Share His love with others.

God bless you each one.

Joshua 14:12 "Now give me this mountain region which the LORD spoke of that day. You heard that the people of Anak are still there and that they have large, fortified cities. If the LORD is with me, I can force them out, as he promised."

This was a request by Caleb. Where are the Caleb's of today? We want mountain top experiences but not the climb to the top. We are want to wander in the valley where it is comfortable. I feel like I have been trying to climb the mountain, but it is painful, heavy and uncomfortable. I also don't want to stay where I am, walking with a walker. I want freedom. So I must put forth the effort, joyfully and thankful. I'm convinced it is the only way to freedom.

The rest of that verse is amazing. Caleb knew the mountain had enemies and he still ask for it. He knew he could fight them. I think we pray more, "Don't send me there, Lord, there are people who don't like me." Let's rise above the rubble of our lives, take the challenge, and take the mountain before us.

Walking is better, very little pain now. Patrick is doing well in Haiti.

Have a great weekend. God is so God

God bless you each one.

Greatest

John 3:16 For God...greatest being, so loved...greatest love, the world...greatest community, that He gave His only Son...greatest gift, that whosoever...greatest infinity, believes on Him shall not perish...greatest deliverance, but have eternal life...greatest security.

A wonderful day...walked with a cane for a bit today instead of a walker. Lunch with friends. Then off to a camp to speak with the youth. Great worship too. The worship team was so good. And a wonderful time with Agape on our way to and from the camp.

Now I'm off to a wonderful bed for some wonderful sleep.

God bless you each one.

Near the Cross

Today was a busy day with Promise, our grand daughter. Actually we had a sleep over last night. So funny, she woke up around 3:00 am, and said, "Grandma, the sun has woke up yet? Is the sun still sleeping?" Fun day.

In spite of that, a day of burdens, with different issues in lives of different people. I'm sitting here, and flipped the radio on, and "Jesus, Keep me near the cross" was being sung. Remember that hymn. They sing it often in Haiti. That is what I needed to hear. No matter the burden, I can lay it at Jesus' feet. He will carry it for me, or at least give me the strength to carry it, if it is mine to carry.

Still pain when I walk, but it is no worse. Tomorrow we will try again. I would love to be over the "hump" of this before Patrick returns in 2 weeks.

Pray for Patrick while he is Haiti.

Pray as I go to the campground to share with teens.

Be blessed. God is God.

John 11:25-26 "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
Today at the doctor's office, I again read the placard on the wall. This time the last question that Jesus asked Martha came through quite "loudly", do you believe this? Do I really believe that even though I am as dead, Jesus is still the life within me. I am not alive without Him. I exist. There is a big difference between living and existing. What a wonderful promise we have to cling to that Jesus is my resurrection, my life, and I shall have life eternally. What a mighty God we serve!!
I'm still dealing with the pain in my knee. The doctor made some adjustments with my prosthesis. I will continue to practice walking. Perhaps the knee is just screaming out, "ouch, you haven't walked with me in a long time. It hurts. Please stop!" :{{ But we will keep on working with it.
Patrick left today, and on his way to Haiti tomorrow.
God bless you each one

Detour again?

Today it is 2 steps forward, one step back...or so it seems. Having pain in my knee so that I cannot walk without a walker at all. Will I ever be on the road again? That is my question. Tomorrow it is off to the doctor again to see what the problem might be.

Reminding myself not to see the situation but the God of the situation. He is my ultimate healer. He is my strength. I still have it so much easier than a lot of Haitians. I have my husband, children, and grandchildren. Many in Haiti lost all their children and their spouse. So sad.

"Stand still and see what the Lord will do." Let us stand together. We all have situations that need waiting and believing that God will do something. Sometimes the waiting seems endless, but one day we will see the waiting period as a treasure, because in it we can be more of who God wants us to be. Well, we will if we are thankful during this time and not murmur. We can rejoice in the waiting. God is God.

Patrick leaves tomorrow. Pray for safe travels

Pray for the pain in my knee.

We pray for you. God bless you each one