July 2012 Memories and Thanks...

Hello blog friends,

I trust you had a wonderful July, and that your summer is ending well (gasp...is it really almost over?!)  I have been moving, travelling, visiting with friends and family, and prepping for my new teaching job!  Here are some of my favorite memories & thanksgivings from the past month:

~all the help from our church friends for our move!
~finding the lovely place where we are now living, and at a great price, location, etc.
~celebrating ONE YEAR in Florida!
~my sister and her family visiting us
~Paul's high school and college friends visiting

My adorable nieces and nephews at our annual WI Perry Family Reunion

~eating too much pizza, ice cream and junk food
~having fun with my school-year prep/lesson planning, and presentation
~travelling up to PA to see friends and family
~getting all settled in our new place, including hanging up pictures and curtains!
~joining in long-distance games and Skype chat with my family reunion up in WI (hopefully we can go next year...and see the darling kids posted here in the pics!)
~killing lots of roaches in our new place
~setting up new routines, finding new places for cheap dates :)
~God opening doors for us to serve in our new church (have we told you how much we LOVE it?)
~discovering the Emeals service (you might love it too!)

Mom, brothers, sisters, and lots of cute kids at our recent reunion

~and much, much more!

Also, I wanted to let you know that because of my busyness with the beginning of the school year, I will try to post once a week at most, and then hopefully get back to more frequent posting as we get things running smoothly in my new classroom :)  Please pray for me with this new endeavor, as I am excited and nervous to have my own classroom!

Your blogging friend in Christ,

Ruth

Recording 1000 thanks, and seeing that He cares...

This morning I sat with my newly revamped 'art-prayer-thanksgiving-goal-dream' journal, meditating on God, where He has me in life.  A bit surprised, I must say, that I did finally reach 1000 thanks...{with thanks for this book, this author...}  It's just that one thousand snuck up on me!  I started recording my thanks, knowing it was good for my soul; it was also reminiscent of my childhood at Faith Chapel, and Mr. Haynes leading us in 'Count Your Blessings'.  But what I didn't know is that it really would change me. Reading One Thousand Gifts was a delight, don't get me wrong...However, I love reading, devouring words really, and unfortunately many of them are a 'feast of words', that I never share with another soul.  Sadly, I do admit this.

But I suspect this lesson is different, and penning #1000 this morning underscored exactly what I have learned: "I enjoy the fact that You care deeply for me..."

15 months of marriage and counting...

Counting blessings, gifts from my Father God, has shown me just this...He DOES care deeply for me, and fill me, not because I give thanks, but giving thanks gives me eyes to see His goodness!  No need for me to doubt this, again.  Period.  Everywhere I look, in big and small ways, God has shown up these past 15 months of our journey.  There have been challenges, for sure...but years past, it has been easy to give in to self-pity, doubt, and many other sins that separate me from my Father.  This year, with weak, and sometimes doubting faith, I have opened up my journal, and five, ten, fifteen blessings come spilling out of my pen each day.  I'm shocked every time it happens.  But why?  Doesn't His word tell me it will be so?  The Israelites doubted God's provision, even as they accepted the gift of daily bread {read more on that here}, and so do we all.

As I type, listening to the Christian radio artist singing of God's power to overcome, I make this choice:  I will trust.  I recall this passage from Habakkuk 3:

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in Yahweh; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! Yahweh my Lord is my
¹⁸ strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights!"


And my own version:  though my life is not what I thought it would be, it feels as if I have failed more than I've succeeded, the budget is tight, doubts and fears plague me, yet I will rejoice in my perfect God and Savior, He will help me walk through the coming days....with joy...and thanks!  Amen.
¹⁹ Related: One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

Choose Thankful Submission...and Restore Childlike Wonder and Joy

A reminder every morning to value our union

It was Saturday afternoon, and I had had a rough morning. There was some tension between me and my sweet man, and it was largely my fault. I had spoken harsh words, and was not willing to yield some of his ideas...and the result was a collision of wills.  My lunch had burned, and it added insult to injury...but my audio book version of 1000 gifts struck a chord with my hard heart.  Thankfully, I was now willing to listen. She spoke of the joys of surrender, of opening ourselves up to the ways of God, and how this restores our childlike wonder and joy.  I recalled my photo adventure just a day earlier, as I had chosen to look for little displays of grace and beauty in my world.  God did not disappoint. I will leave you with some of those grace-moments, and urge you to pick up your camera, and go on a beauty-hunt yourself!

A welcome to others by our front door--the joys of hospitality

You will be amazed at all the beautiful things around you, that will open you up to living with childlike obedience.  

Reminders of our special day

Stepping out on our patio for some fresh herbs!

Bird of paradise flower, thoughts of our eternal paradise that waits

This happy hibiscus

Mama duck and her babies

 I pray that moments like these will help you turn from your rebellion and hardness of heart, and find the joy and wonder that I have found in true surrender.  I have realized again,

that choosing to submit to God and my husband, is really a door to joy, that can be found no other way.  Choosing my own ways over His, over my husband's (apart from following into sin) is really not the answer.  Joyful surrender is becoming more and more of a delight.


And finding the beauty all

around me in these joy moments, little snippets of grace, makes the hard days oh-so-bearable.  How do you fight through the hard days?  Please share in the comments.


As for the conclusion of my tough day...in his ever gentle ways, my honey helped me find my way back to repentance, the refreshing streams of Grace that only God can offer, but that often come to me through Paul's words and actions.

When the Mundane Saps Your Life...and Needing a 'Gratitude Adjustment'

Source

I've been feeling a little down, emotionally and physically, and the mundane has seemed well, very mundane!  My students have both been sick and I may have caught a touch of that.  So there have been lots of naps :)  But I realized of late that I have gotten off track with my gratitude journal, and it is showing in my attitude!  I need a 'gratitude adjustment'!  :)

As providence would have it, it was recommended to me that I pick up 1000 gifts.  {Our kind pastor's wife had no idea that I've been trying, ever so imperfectly, to do just what the author suggests....for months!}  So this gentle nudge, that I believe was from the Lord, has gotten me back on track.  And you know what?  It's been such a delight, as I go about my day, with my journal in hand, blissfully recording all the ways that God shows up in the mundane.

I hope you have been able to stay faithful with this gratitude discipline.  Share your thoughts on how you keep your heart going in that direction, even more so than just picking up the pen to record the daily delights...

Below are some of my thanks, recorded over the last few days.

~we made it through another day (can I get an amen?)
~Paul's loving protection
~a weekly day of rest--such a blessing
~electricity going out and prompting an unexpected (and needed) date night :)
~patient husband and his wise convictions
~lunch-time phone calls from my honey
~the gift of giving
~renewed intimacy with my Savior
~shared moments, learning to love
~a muffin in the middle of the night, prayers too, and stomach calmed
~Blueberry Banana Oatmeal Smoothie--a new favorite--yum!
~learning to window-shop, make wiser purchases
~marriage waited for, and all its sweetness
~lazy Saturday mornings
~choosing to serve immediately--growth!
~learning to really hear, absorb what the other is saying
~living in the moment

....and so, so many more!

I trust you have had a joy-filled, thankful day.  Choosing thankfulness is SO worth it, for your good, and God's glory.  {remind me too, please?}

Blessings on your day,

Ruth

Following Christ When We Think We Can't....

Several weeks ago, I accepted a job to teach a 5th-6th grade class in the fall, and am waiting for the class to be filled so I can be offered a contract.  In the meantime, I've been all over the place in my thoughts and actions, doubting more than I'd like to admit.  Today at lunch my husband's questions both pierced and healed me:  'Why don't you think you can do this?'  'I don't want to fail, to disappoint anyone.....,'  I trailed off as I thought of how ridiculous that must sound....knowing I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  I have heard the opinions of others.....and I have to go back to what God is calling me to, for this season.  I will keep you posted on what happens, but will leave you with some thoughts from my journal, and my thanks on this Multitude Monday.

"Thank you for speaking to me [Lord]....You are helping me to trust my husband……and therefore trust you.  I’ve met with the love of my husband, and unconditional acceptance and support that I have known no where else.  He gives it to me freely, and shows me Christ in this.  I waver, and he stays true…..moving forward every day towards Christ.  I doubt and fear and wonder...and he keeps loving me, u.ntil I believe that I am loved.  

Lord, help me to do this job you have called me to!  Help me to prepare, believing that You will give me all I need to do this job.  I have wavered....You’ve already gone before me and prepared the way.  Why would I not come?  Why do I trust my own understanding more than your perfect will....Oh that you would crucify my flesh and make me new in you again, my Lord.  That you would kill the part of me that resists your goodness and grace.  That I would rise with confidence in all you are doing.

I come to you empty-handed, expecting a feast as I sit before the enemies that plague me—doubt, fear, unbelief, stubbornness, sloth, the opinions of others, and so many more.  Feast with me, my Lord, let us fellowship together at the table of Love.  Amen."

Inspired today by this Chris Tomlin song....

My multitude of thanks:

~my dear husband, who can speak to me with confidence, grace, and truth, always in love guiding me towards Christ

~the job that is waiting for me in the fall

~the ability to do what you have called me to

~this season of rest that I am in right now

~new friends who accept me as I am, encourage me to be more

~the fun Segway tour this weekend--happy birthday to Paul and anniversary to us both!

~evenings reading and watching BBC Planet Earth, TED talks, and Ray VanderLaan with hubby

~my new HCSB iPad app--can't wait to dig into this more!

~the chance to sing in this River Oaks Easter Choir this past Sunday, See What a Morning, indeed!

~my Science student passing his semester test missing only 1/2 point out of 40....and the encouragement on this from Paul
~the eternal life brought to us through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ

And some photos of our weekend:

Our first stop on the Segway tour....yummy bakery!

Outside the resort where tour was offered

Ron Jon Resort Lobby

Paul takes a break while I snap photos at the beach

A small jet flew over the beach to wish us all Happy Easter!

Risking Identity for Christ-like Love

I'm re-reading The Mystery of Marriage as I think through our first year together, looking at how God has worked and how I'd like to see Him work in me in the months to come.  I came across this passage from the book that sums up exactly where I am.  I hope it is encouraging to you as it was to me.  I've recorded some of my one-year thanks down below as well {smile}

From The Mystery of Marriage, by Mike Mason, in reference to losing our self in our love for our spouse:

What is called for is an abandonment so deep and drastic that what we ourselves perceive to be our identity will almost certainly be lost sight of, set adrift.  We must be prepared to enter a no-man's-land, a limbo of self-perception, a state that for any other reason but love would be insanity.  Was this not what the Lord Himself chose to do when He threw away the transcendent, invisible cloak in which He had been wrapped since the beginning of time and became a man--and not only a man, but a tiny baby?  He must have entered some limbo of self-identity, a limbo such that all the theologians of twenty centuries have been unable to pin down exactly who or what category of being this Bethlehem baby was.....it is not that the death of our identities, in and of itself, has any grand meaning or importance.  Such a death may accomplish nothing more than to gain us entrance into a psychiatric ward.  No, what is necessary is to die for another.  If we go out on a limb, we must do it for someone else.  We must get so close to the center of another's soul that we feel the ground slipping out from under us and fear our sanity.  We must come our from our dark, protected corners and go near the edge, consenting to the dizzy, bewildering pull that others are able to exert on us.  For God has not kept Himself immaculately sterilized in some hermetically sealed heaven....We do not really want our Lord to have hair on his body, let alone blood oozing out of His wounds.  We do not really want love to be breathing down our necks.  We never asked for that.  Yet that is the sort of God the Lord is, and the simple truth is that in Jesus Christ this God has drawn far too close to us for comfort, knocking against our heart and leaving a messy broken body on our doorstep.  And this is supposed to be the pattern fo love.  Getting too close for comfort.  Identifying whole heartedly with others, regardless of the messiness, heedless of the risk to our own identity, in order that we might be identified with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Grateful for:

~my Savior and King, who is so patient with me as I learn to love
~my wonderful husband, who is an excellent model of this Christ-like love
~our time here in FL, to get away and really build our new life together
~all the challenges, for they have drawn us closer to Christ and each other
~the many encouraging words we have received from others along the way
~new opportunities springing up to help us grow
~River Oaks church, and the encouragement it has been to us
~our lovely little 2 BD apartment, a place to call home
~new grace for each day
~learning to understand and appreciate each other more every day
~the year ahead, and all the surprises, blessings, and challenges it will bring
~our Faithful Father, King, and Shepherd, who has and will lead us every step of the way

When You Have to Pinch Yourself Because You're So Blessed

The weekend was like a photo, beautifully framed with love, sincerity, and blessings from above.  And then I read this morning from Mark 14, the story of the woman with the alabaster jar poured on Christ--do you know it?  It hit home.  I'm finding that pouring love on another only splashes back on my hungry soul.  Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.  Nothing special done on my part, except some gifts of a favorite soda, a special meal, and lots of kisses.  I remember the missions trips I took in college--how I always returned home feeling as if I had been given more than I had given.  And here I am again, but on a different mission--to love my one husband, in this one life, as beautifully as is possible with Christ-love.

[source]  --  Gemini Springs Park

I offer my thanks to the One who makes it possible:

~beautiful mild weather for a hike in God's creation
~Mom's famous chicken and dumplings--almost like Mom's?
~peach pie made with love
~clean and creative rental--the movie Hugo points us to live with purpose
~a new favorite Mexican restaurant
~the celebration of baptism with the little one of dear friends
~chances to express and receive love
~long walks and long talks
~learning guitar together
~help with dishes....every night....with no complaints!
~learning to lean in, and listen to his heart
~watching him, helping him, find his way in this crazy world
~time with old friends, so dear, gift from above

Wishing you a week filled with the delights of a thankful heart (it can be yours too!)

Ruth

Who I Am in Christ: Justified by Grace through Faith

It was early 2005.  A series of unfortunate events, brought on by genetic chemical imbalances, this fallen world, and my own weaknesses, and I found myself in a place I never would have imagined.  I was unable to work, unable to pay my bills, and very, very discouraged.  Imagine my elation when I got a call from family, and then friends, that both were willing to take me in for a while as I got back on my feet.  It was nothing I could have deserved, but still desperately needed.  And all I had to do was admit my need, renounce my confidence in my own resources, and accept the gift that was being offered to me.  

This experience was the first in a line of gracious events that showed me a crystal clear picture of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Namely, that I did not have what it takes to save myself.  Have you been there?  Have you come to the end of yourself and realized your own need for Christ, apart from your abilities to justify yourself?  I pray you did not need the lessons I learned (the very hard way), but I'd imagine God has spoken to your heart in similar ways.  I learned that my identity is not found in my own abilities or achievements, but rather in the finished work of Christ on the cross.  I had known all the Sunday school answers up to that point, but the heart knowledge of extravagant grace paired with my own depravity had escaped me.  I was miserable, but not broken or contrite (to steal a phrase from a friend).  The gift of grace slowly drove me to repentance and the lowly spirit that is of great worth in God's economy.

Though the sacrifice of my friends breaks down in comparison to the Grace of God's sacrifice, there were many similarities.  There was grace through faith (Romans 11:6) and the gift was not of my own efforts, it brought deep peace (Romans 5:1), I escaped the consequences of my own choices (Ephesians 2:1-10), and I was given mercy (1 Tim 1:16).

May we continually come to the end of our own resources, so that we may know the true wealth we have in the riches of Christ's love for us.  I will leave you with this song...

...and my gratitude list, on this Multitude Monday:

~grateful for the sacrifice of Christ
~grateful for the Body of Christ that reached out to me
~thankful for the awareness of my own depravity, that sends me running to Christ
~thankful that my sweet husband is safely home from his trip

Be encouraged, the price is paid for you!

Ruth

When Disappointment Turns Us to Thanks

photo credit

We woke tired this morning, after a busy but oh-so-good weekend full of new opportunities, wonderful people, and plenty of reasons to praise our King.  My dear husband was working hard for us this weekend and I was spinning words over at Letters to My Sisters.  Disappointment was the theme in our writings this month and I found myself in that spot, without even trying.  I have struggled with disappointment not only with life, but in myself.  This salutatorian, private-schooled, straight-A high-school athlete and musician has lived with too-high expectations for herself and not God-expectations--and often.  What's the difference?  I'm learning.  It's a slow process.  But it seems to always dance around the workings of my heart and not just the final results, like grades on the term papers.  It's like a light in the dark places of my soul, this realization that I am the beloved of the Most High King of Kings.  You are too, if you have called on His name and asked to be covered in His spotless Grace and Righteous Robes of Compassion.  Today, because my Father God has nudged me, and not of my own volition, I'm thanking God for who He has made me (Psalm 139).  Count the ways, the wonderful ways He has made you, my dear, unique friend.  And read on here, if you want to see my latest letter....

God bless you with His Grace so lavish,

Ruth

Experiencing Healing from Christ for Hard Times

Greetings, my friends and readers.  :)  I trust you are enjoying this start to the week.  I am having a rare Monday, where my list is full of ideas and projects and I am not yet overwhelmed by all that needs to be done!  Thanks be to God.  But I digress....  The topic for today:  I have been thinking through some of my struggles from the past, and experiencing continued healing from Christ in my heart and mind.  I would like to extend what I'm learning to you.  I've been through some really rough spots, and sometimes it is still hard to understand why God would allow such difficulties.  But through some of my recent reading, I have been encouraged.  I hope that whatever trial you might have been through or are currently experiencing, you will find encouragement in what I will share.

For one resource, I would recommend Martin Lloyd-Jones' book, Why Does God Allow War?  It was written in Europe, during WWII, so he has a lot of relevant things to say about suffering (not just war).  One important point he makes is our attitude towards prayer, and why some of our prayers may seem to go unanswered. He also spends a lot of time discussing the majesty and sovereignty of God, and our relative smallness.  He balances this well with God's perfect love for us as His beloved children.  Overall, I have found his discussions in the book to be very helpful.


The other resource is What Happens When Women Say Yes to God, and although I have mentioned this before, I'd like to focus on another topic dealing with suffering from her book.  This is the author's 4 P's to watch for during times of trial, in order to find comfort and encouragement.  


Protection:  What ways have you seen God's protection during trials, despite the reality of how hard they can be?  The author gives several examples from her life, and I see them in mine as well.  I can think of my hardships out in CO with medical concerns, and how so many people came to my aid from church, as well as family and friends, to assist me during that time.  I had the care and concern of some of the best doctors, counselors, and others in the area.  For that I can be thankful.  As hard as those times were, it could have been much, much worse.  


Provision:  What have you seen God provide during hard times?  I have seen God use hard times to provide for financial and physical needs time and time again, starting as early as childhood, when we were growing up on the farm, with a house-full!  I saw my parents pray for God to provide, and often He did in the most miraculous of ways.  God cannot display His glory as a Great Provider if we are never in need!


Process:  This one is hard for me, but also SO important.  Let's look at Hebrews 12:  


⁵ And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, 
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, ⁶ because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”^{[a]  7} Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! ¹⁰ They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.


We are called to holiness, and as hard as it can be to accept at the time, the trials allow us to be further created in the image of our Savior and Lord.  


Portion:  Have you found Christ to be your portion?  If not, I pray that you would.  This aspect of the Christian life is what keeps me going when the heat gets turned up.  So many nights I have fallen asleep in the pages of the Psalms, reflecting on the nature and character of our Great God and the sweetness of our union with Him.  From Psalm 16:  ⁵ LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.  And my personal favorite, from Psalm 73:  ²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.


May you be encouraged and find grace to even be thankful and joyful in the midst of suffering.  Count your blessings and you will find the strength to do this!  From Nehemiah 8:10b:  Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Blessings on you today,

Ruth

Thankful Prayer

This morning I found Jesus in the quiet...in between my lament and thanks, woven with confession, He was there.  He is always there when we go looking for Him, is He not?  He is in the still moments when we need the reassurance to keep pressing on.  To guide my quiet time this morning, I grabbed my trusty "Devotional Classics" and found the page marked at a discussion of prayer, thankful prayer.  I must share, in hopes that it will encourage you, as it did me, this Multitude Monday:

"In prayer itself there is not fixed order, but both a primary impulse and the experience of praying people show that the first stage may be thanksgiving.  A lecturer to a group of businessmen displayed a sheet of white paper on which was one blot.  He asked what they saw.  All answered, 'A blot.'  The test was unfair:  it invited the wrong answer.  Nevertheless, there is an ingratitude in human nature by which we notice the black disfigurement and forget the widespread mercy.  We need deliberately to call to the mind the joys of our journey.  Perhaps we should try to write down the blessings of one day.  We might begin:  we could never end:  there are not pens or paper enough in all the world.  The attempt would remind us of our 'vast treasure of content.'  Therefore the prayer of thanksgiving should be quite specific:  'I thank thee for this friendship, this threat overpassed, this signal grace.'  'For all they mercies' is a proper phrase for a general collect, but not a private gratitude.  If we are 'thankful for everything,' we may end by being thankful for nothing.  The thanksgiving should also probe deep, asking, 'What are life's abiding mercies?'  Thus gratitude would be saved from earthliness and circumstance, and rooted in Life beyond life.  'Count your many blessings,' says the old hymn, 'and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.'  This prayer should end in glad and solemn resolve:  'Lord, seal this gratitude upon my face, my words, my generous concern for my neighbors, my every outward thought and act.'"  --George A. Buttrick, A Simple Regimen of Private Prayer

And for my Joy Dare, gratitude list:  3 old things seen new...

~the practice of the morning walk and prayer with my husband, thankful for his strength and protection
~the 50 year old (or more) quilt on our bed, given as a wedding gift from my parents
~photos of old friends hung in our living room, lighting the way with their hard-won victories of faithfulness

and more:
~the grace given by new friends
~lunch-time talks with my love
~good health, winning the hard battle
~Chinese tonight with a dear friend
~my hard-working husband (can I give thanks enough for him?)
~the new bloom of the paper-whites, breaking into this winter day (though it doesn't seem so in FL!)

Have a Blessed and Thankful Day!
Ruth

Multitude Mondays

Oma is looking pretty in pink at 93

 Hello online friends!  I am coming off of a great weekend with family!  I've included some photos for your perusal.  Perhaps you will see some family resemblances.  There's nothing like home-cooked food (Mom, aunts and uncle were here) and good fellowship.  We got to see lots of fun places and caught up on many important topics.  I trust you had a wonderful weekend as well.

Blue Springs Park

Aunts Christa, Ruth, and Ortrude

Uncle Werner and Mom

The crew in front of the historic Thursby house

Enjoying authentic German food at Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe

But on to the rest of today's post:  here at RL I'd like to join up with Ann Voskamp's Multitude Mondays hosted on her site, A Holy Experience, as it is a great endeavor.  I hope you are keeping your list of gratitude in your own way....whether with a journal public or private, online or old-fashioned.  There is even an app to help you in this joy journey.

I find that whenever I make the choice to turn my mind to gratitude, my spirits lift, my God is honored, and out of my heart flows words, actions that are more in line with what God calls us to in His Word.  Now, I am not suggesting that any 'formula' can guarantee Christ-like behavior, far from it...but I believe that God's word also teaches that a heart of thanksgiving leads to much joy.  More on that here.

All that being said, here are highlights from my gratitude list for this beautiful Monday.  (It was in the mid-70s down here in FL today and will be all week...visitors are welcome :)

~chance to connect with Mom and her siblings
~Saturday afternoon at the beach
~time to think and reflect, apart and together
~times of closeness
~being cared for by my love, my family
~rest being offered by my Father God
~beautiful Florida weather
~tutoring jobs are popping up--God is faithful!
~home remedies to bring renewed health and hope
~special moments caring for my love, who is not feeling well