Just Nestle

"Don't wrestle, just nestle." Corrie Ten Boon

What a thought! What a picture of peace. Psalm 25:15 "My eyes are ever toward the LORD, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net." Was David fighting the situation? His eyes were ever toward the Lord, not just at times. He knew God. He wrote Psalm 23. He knew God's provision for His every need. Yet now his feet were in a net, basically saying he was trapped and unable to remove himself out of his situation. YET his eyes were on the Lord.

I'm a bit feeling trapped with this leg of mine. Yesterday was MRI day at Outpatient, all afternoon. And now wait for results. Trapped?? Probably not, but wanting to move on with life. Just like the ducks by the lake in our back yard. Some waddle across the lawn, some limp, others fly across the lake. Those that waddle keep on going, and they get to the other side of the lake, maybe not as fast as those that fly, but they do arrive.

Encouraging, waddling, that's me. But I will arrive.

Have a great day, God bless you.

More Testing

More tests tomorrow. Trying to rule out infection. And then decide what can be done for the pain so I can wear my prosthesis. I do not have pain constantly until I wear the prosthesis. The swelling is gone, color good, but the phantom pain is much more severe than it had been.

I return to Habakkuk, "How long Lord?" David Jeremiah says it so well, "You can demand all the answers, neatly gift-wrapped. You can insist that God quickly resolve every trial and injustice in your life...or you can choose to lift up your eyes to the heavens, pour out your tears and grief and anger, and say in the very midst of them, "God I have no clue what this turmoil is all about or where it is leading, but this is my resolution: I will put my trust in You, and I will praise You with all of my heart, unconditionally!"

Where do you find yourself in your trials?

God bless you

Anxiety vs Joy

Psalm 94:19 "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."

What a powerful verse and promise!! David had much anxiety running from a mad king. He wasn't running for a day or two, but for years. He knew the throne was his, yet Saul kept him running. As I wrote last night, "Lord how long?" When will it end? Whatever your circumstance is...there hasn't been a light at the end of the tunnel for a long time. No end of the suffering, illness, rebellious child, death, loss of job, loss of home. The list goes on. Stress pull the strings tight. Anxiety, when will it end?!!

Maybe never. I don't know, you don't know. All I know tonight, is that this is my promise to claim. It is yours too. We can find joy in the midst of anxious moments (days, weeks, months, years). God wants to console us. He is so gentle, so patient. He has a plan.

So the question is, if hung in the balance—joy and anxiety—which would win in your life? It seems I've been forever trying to walk, to overcome the obstacles of the amputation. But I have seen those who have no legs. I have one. Thank you Lord for that one leg. Thank you Lord for tile floors and an office chair that has become my mode of "travel" in the house. Yes, you read it correctly. No wheel chair, only an office chair. :))

God bless you

Through the Eyes of a Child

Habakkuk 1:1-5 is an interesting few verses of feelings of a prophet. Sounds quite like you and me when our problems are surrounding us—Lord, How long? You aren't listening, evil is taking over. You just don't seems to care. You seem to be busy with other things.

As I listened to Pstr. Bob Coy preach on this today, I was encouraged that even though it seems at times that God isn't listening, I can know He is. He has a plan for my cries, but that plan is far beyond what I know and what I can imagine even if He would explain it to me. Sometimes the answer to my cries seem so long in coming, but also in a way that I would never have guessed.

Just like a 4 year old, Promise is going through a stage of thinking life revolves around her wishes and she should make her decisions, but of course they would be made through the eyes of a child and her understanding. That is how we are, we only see our situation through our eyes and our understanding. God sees the eternal side of me, and what it will take to get me there. He sees my situation in light of the future and not just the present.

Heaven is more than anything we can imagine, even if He told us. John saw heaven, and in the book of Revelation there wasn't words to say what it really was. The phrase "as like, like" etc. is often used.

Let the Lord hear your cries, contend with Him but let Him give the ultimate answer and know that it will be for our good and what is best for us for now.

Eternity...we couldn't believe all it is even if He told us.

God bless you

What concerns me?

Psalm 138:8 "The Lord perfects that which concerns me..."

Sitting at the desk, wondering what to share. My mind is blank, I feel empty and tired. So tired. It has been a busy week, and maybe more stressful than I thought. A friend changed her address to "heaven", doctor appointment, and a bone scan.

Then I read this verse...I can rest in Him. He will perfect that which concerns me. Maybe I am making concerns that aren't mine to have. Many times we stress ourselves on things that aren't our concerns at all. I desire to give my concerns to Him. He can perfect them. Make them into good, mourning into joy, sadness into dancing.

As we begin the weekend, let's turn our hearts to Him, worship Him, believe Him for the best He has for us, which may be suffering. But it is the best for us if that is what He chooses.

Have a wonderful and blessed weekend

Pray without ceasing

I remember when I was much younger, wondering what that meant and how God expected me to pray all the time and yet get things my chores done. Many years later I learned that an attitude of prayer is what is needed.

I have told people that I have had many prayers answered while cleaning the shower. What better place...down on your knees, no one will bother you there, and you are alone.

I am truly grateful to serve a God that wants to hear from me. He is always "there". He knows my needs before I ask, but also knows my praises before I give them. Just like a mother...we know our children are thankful, but it is good to hear a "thank you" from them.

My prayer is for so many hurting, sad people. My prayer is for tomorrow...bone scan. I'll be so glad to have that behind me. Why does a bone scan seem like a mountain? Is it worse than a quake? Smile.

Time to lay me down to sleep. The Lord will keep me this night. And He keeps you.

God bless you.

Sing Praises

Psalm 30:11-12 "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever."

I think of Nehemiah, how his heart was broken when he heard the city of Jerusalem was under the rubble. Am I as broken when there is sinful rubble in my life? He went there, started a work and rebuilt the walls. Our lives are constantly cleaning rubble messes. We dig things out that have been buried under the rubble of sin, depression, rebellion. The list can go on and on.

Like Nehemiah, he confessed the sins of his people, we too must come to the throne of grace and confess our sins. Rubble dust is very dirty. It is a remembrance of what was. We must not allow the rubble of unconfessed sins to keep us from the Lord. After confession, we can remember the covenant of love and our redemption in His blood. Our mourning will turn to dancing and we will experience joy forever.

We will sing praises to our Lord, we cannot be silent, thanking the Lord forever for His work in our lives, out of the rubble forever.

More on a personal note—I have been unable to wear my prosthesis for many days. Although the doctor in the ER said I have cellulitis, the follow-up doctor disagreed. An x-ray didn't show any abnormalities, so now I'm scheduled for a bone scan. This is simply to confirm that there is no infection.

We are praying that a solution will be found so I can walk again.

God bless you.

Tribute to Elaine

1 Peter 5:10 "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."

A Tribute to My Dear Friend Elaine

You have been a dear friend to me. I loved our late night chats. Those nights when the pain kept you awake, we could chat as a diversion. You have been an example of love, devotion and endurance. You have run the race, and run it well. You have always glorified God in your suffering. You have taught me to worship.

I remember the Hope Basket you sent to me when I was recovering from the quake. What a gift that was. So perfect. You are a gift. You will long be remembered. I will miss you, yet not mourn. You are in the arms of God.

What a joy to know you are now pain-free!! You truly are an example of joy in suffering. We will see you again, you just arrived into Glory ahead of us. You changed your address to a Heavenly one. Glory!!

My desire is that one day I too will hear the words "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." I believe you have heard those words. Now you are in the throne room worshipping endlessly before the Lord.

The Joy of the Lord is our strength!

Walking

I was reminded this morning that we need to learn to walk in the shoes of others with love, not judgmental attitude. How often do I see someone and judge who they are or why they do or act a certain way without taking the time to walk in their shoes.

Patrick and I talked about how difficult it would have been if only one of us had had an amputation. Maybe it would have been so much more difficult to understand the pain of another. When Patrick was speaking to another amputee in Haiti, she listened. She knew he knew her situation. He felt her pain, discouragement, her devastation.

We are commanded to walk in love. The only way to truly love another is to be understanding of their situation. This does not mean we make excuses for sin, but we do need to approach in a loving and understanding way in order to reach them with love.

I guess my question today is, "How many people do we pass every day who seldom feel love from someone? Who seldom are encouraged by a smile?" We can do that much. Try to feel their pain, their discouragement. God has sent us on a mission.

I have felt your prayers and encouragement often. And again now, that I am not able to use my prosthesis for a time. I pray I can encourage others like you have encouraged me. Thank you.

God bless you

Long Night

I haven't been able to wear my prosthesis for long periods of time for several weeks. Pain. New prosthesis. Pain. Thinking it was just an adjustment issue, I cast it aside.

Last night I spent most of the night in the ER, needing an answer for the swollen, painful area. Another set-back. It is cellulitis. Hopefully when this is healed it will solve the problem.

Tomorrow will be a welcome day. Patrick returns from Haiti. He will love his new home. We moved in after he left for Haiti. Today former Pres. Aristide returned to Haiti. What's this all about?? Who knows!! But I admit, I'm not excited at this turn of events.

What is the Name of God for you today? He is so many things for us. He is my STRENGTH. I feel quite weary in body.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

God bless you

Waiting with Anticipation

Little Promise is awaiting the arrival of Great-Grandma. She is so excited. Already planning what they will do. Her eyes sparkle when she talks about her coming. We are all anticipating her arrival. She is 89 years old, and wanted to visit my house since she's never been to my house. For you see, since I've lived in Haiti my mother has not been able to spend time at "my" house. So this is a big event for her.

Our bodies are the temple of the living God. He makes His habitation within us. But soon, we shall go to His house. We shall see Him as He is, not as we perceive Him to be. We will no longer look in a glass darkly, but face to face. What glory!!

We have made preparations for my mother's visit. Jesus promised that He will go to prepare a place for us. Are we making preparations to meet Him? Are we dealing with the issues of heart for His place? Are we excited for His return?

Prayerfully consider your preparations!!

God bless you

Psalm 46

As I read Psalm 46, I found it interesting that in verse 1, the Psalmist says that God is our strength and refuge, out help in time of trouble. Verse 2 starts with I will not fear....that sounds quite normal not to fear when God is my strength, refuge and help in time of trouble.

But wait...listen to the circumstances where we do not fear...the earth is removed, the mountains are carried into the sea, the waters roar, and the mountains shake. This does not appear to be a peaceful situation. Sounds like earthquakes, tsunamis, catastrophes beyond imagination. Verse 6 states that the earth melted at the voice of God. Verse 8 says God has made the desolations of the earth.

Then comes the the answer in verse 10 and 11 says "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations...The Lord of Hosts is with us."

How can we be still when the world around us is raging and collapsing? The answer lies in knowing God. Knowing who God is. A relationship. Not an on/off relationship, but a daily constant walk with God. We will only know Him if we spend time with Him. Find the time to be with Him, that is an investment.

God is so good.

God bless you

God's protection

Since moving into the house, I noticed there was one wall hanging in the master bedroom, but high almost to the ceiling. I didn't want it, but it was never taken down. Well, not until today.

When it was down, I read it and loved it. I will hang it some place I can see it every day. It says, "The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you." It was a precious reminder that God will always be near me. He knows my going out and coming in.

One more week and Patrick will return from Haiti. YES!! Just time to get out of Haiti before the election on Sunday.

The house is clean, organized and time for rest. YES. I hope you all had an accomplished day as well.

Turn your clocks, have a wonderful weekend. Just remember, we can always come boldly to the throne of Grace.

God bless you.

Signs of the Times

The news today should bolt us to attention that Matthew 24 is in progress. I thought the quake in Haiti was bad, but to have a quake, tsunami and fires all in one is unbelievable. Yet we should not be troubled.

Jesus has told us this will come to pass. The encouraging verse is Matt 24:13 "But he who endures to the end will be saved." Then go several chapters further to Matt 28:20 and find an awesome promise "Lo I will be with you always, even to the end of the age."

Sometimes we feel alone, but we are not alone! God has gone before us. He knows the way we walk. Follow Him. I think back to the quake in Haiti. So alone, so many could not find their families. I remember that night I lay on the hospital grounds, people cried out names to find family members. Most heard no replies. Then there were those who were alone, and no one came to find them. Alone!

There are so many examples in scripture of people who were alone—Noah, Abraham, Hagar, Daniel, David, Ruth, Elijah, Jeremiah, and many more. Walk in their shoes if you can. Each had seasons of loneliness but also had definite encounters with God. We want to the encounters with God without any hardships.

Be alone with God, and your alone times will be with God.

God bless you. Pray for those in the quake and tsunami today.

The Bug

Promise and Zion have been sick the past 2 days. Today both Agape and I feel like the bug bit us too. Tired, tired!

Psalm 4:4b "Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah" Sounds like a wonderful way to end a day. Many times I meditate, then find myself, wondering about other things. That isn't being very still.

Maybe we are more like children than we realize. Promise can find so many reasons to get out of bed once her daddy has put her to bed. Many reasons for calling Daddy—needing a light to shine under her door, bathroom, and if all else fails its "ummmmm" She just can't think of what she may have needed. Is that how I am with my Heavenly Father. Instead of being still on my bed, I think of so much else!! Quiet my heart, Lord.

Having said that, I will hobble to bed, quiet my heart, and rest my weary body.

Good night to all.

God bless you.

Trusting with all my heart

I'm so thankful that God neither sleeps nor slumbers. That I can trust Him for my every need. He is all sufficient. I can trust Him for peace, health (the children's health while they have fever) and that may be more difficult than to trust Him for my own health. It is easy to worry about them.

Tonight as Agape put the children to bed, I told him I'd be more comfortable having Zion on the couch close to me while he had to leave for a bit. He put him to bed, and I prayed. God put a peace in my heart, reminding me that He never sleeps. I can relax and know all is well in the arms of Jesus. Ahhh, what a blessing we have to serve a God who is so dear and precious.

Today has been one of those waiting days. Waiting for so many things that needed to be completed. We are challenged to rest in Him in our waiting time. Honestly, I had no clue it is so difficult to rent a place in the States. I'm learning a lot about State side living. Haha. Haiti may be a mess to live in but it is more simple!! :))

But at the end of the day, I see that God knew we needed time with the children while they aren't feeling well. May I add why Promise thinks she is sick...so cute...She had a donut yesterday morning (the last time she had a donut she had a stomach ache afterward). So when she got sick this time, her daddy said it was probably because she ate the whole donut. So she told someone, "I'm sick because I forgot to break the donut in half."

Patrick is doing well in Haiti. Yesterday and today it has been a little easier to walk with my prosthesis. I pray it continues to be better.

God bless you

The Throne of Grace

Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

I praise the Lord for His Grace and His mercy!! What a wonderful God we serve. The justice system in our world is so far off. Grace and mercy!! How can it be that a mighty God would give us what we don't deserve—Mercy!! Incredible!!

Trusting Him in the sunshine and the darkest of night...He only sees me and has gone ahead of me to make the way, Grace and Mercy are mine for the asking before the Throne of Grace.

In a minute way, that is how I feel about this house...it is so much more than we had prayed for. Our clothes won't get dusty while hanging in the closet. The dishes will be dust-free in the cupboards. The countertops won't be gritty with dust every day. The list goes on...but in spite of it all...Haiti is home.

Count your blessings. If you are walking through the dark of night today, call on Him who has an everlasting supply of mercy and grace. He is waiting for you.

God bless you

Hiding in a Cave

I Kings 19:9- is an interesting account of Elijah, right after he prayed for fire to come from heaven to destroy the alter of baal. What a victory that was!! But right after that fear took over, and he went and hid in a cave.

But God found him there, asked what he was doing there. Elijah wrapped his robe around him and covered his face. Then left the cave. Again God asked what he was doing. The scripture does not give an indication of a response from Elijah. He went on his way and found Elisha.

Can anyone else relate to this? Really, how often there is a great victory in our life, then suddenly our world falls apart and all we see is the negative. We may not have a physical cave to hide in, but we can bury ourselves in our woes. That is where I was today. Great house in southern Florida, great location. Feeling it was God's choosing. Today the bottom fell out. More papers to sign, can't get a response from the landlord, my leg is hurting and more swollen. And some prayers I thought were answered almost became "unanswered". Is that even possible?

Then the still small voice speaks peace. Lift my eyes to the hills, not to the situation. My help does come from above my circumstances. God is greater than my emotions.

So it is time to crawl out of the cave of fear and self-pity, stand strong and go forth in the strength of His peace.

Be blessed by God's overwhelming love.

He is the Same

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

Simple verse, but powerful promise. He never changes. He never tires of our coming to Him. He waits for us.

Reading of Apostle Paul's determination to know Christ: He pressed forward, He humbled himself, He didn't look back, He gave a pattern for others to follow. He knew whom he trusted. He knew the glory that awaited him in glory.

We can do the same. Actually the same is required of us. We need to press into knowing Christ. We can only do this by humbling ourselves. We cannot do life without HIM. He is our only hope. We need not worry about tomorrow. God is faithful and God is good.

I love Corrie Ten Boom's quotation on tomorrow: "Today is yesterday's tomorrow you worried about, and all is well. If God sends us on stony paths, He provides strong shoes."

He does provide all we need. He provides in His time.

"The cross before me, the world behind me." I want this to be a reminder for me this next week. The cross is all I have!!

God bless you.

His promises are Yes

2 Corinthians 1:20-22 "For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."

I was so blessed when I read this scripture today. How awesome a God we serve! To be assured that all His promises will come to pass. They are a yes, not a maybe or probably but YES. He has sealed us with His spirit as a guarantee that we belong to Him.

No one can take us from His hand. Why would anyone choose to leave Jesus? What does satan have to offer that surpasses God's promises. Absolutely nothing!!

I remember many years ago when Patrick told me how he met a man in Haiti who was telling him that he had been a Christian but left God, quit the church, etc. He told Patrick that some people in church had severely wounded him, and he couldn't take it.
Patrick asked, "What did God do to you to make you leave him?"
He answered, "No some people in church wounded me and I just walked away. I couldn't take it." Patrick looked at him and asked, "So God didn't do anything bad to you, but you left Him because of what people did to you?" He had no response for that.

We forget all too soon how faithful God is, and blame Him when people hurt us.
God's promises are YES. We have his spirit. It is our guarantee.

It is moving week. As I am writing Patrick is on his way to Miramar with the loaded UHaul. He will return to get me and his children. Again thank you all for your prayers for this move.

God bless you

Our Nest, Our Home

The moving process has started. Agape is in Tallahassee today loading the truck. Then heading to Miami tomorrow.

Patrick left for Haiti yesterday. As Rachel said, "Mom, this is the most inconvenient time for him to leave." Yes, it is but he has had his ticket for a while, thinking we would already be living in Miami by now. Now meetings are scheduled, tickets purchased. And a one-armed mover may not be too much help. ha. Just like a one legged mover is better to stay out of the way!!

We are really looking forward to nesting into a place called home. It will be fun to use our "things". And yet this is really not our home.

We REALLY look forward to our heavenly home. We really are pilgrims here on earth.

One of these days we will be MOVING ON!! Hallelujah!!

God bless you