House Shopping

For the past year, my husband has been dragging me along to look at houses with a few acres. He is a very high energy person and now that he is semi-retired, he doesn't have enough to do. We built the house where we've lived for seven years because it has no yard, except a bit in front and that's all he could keep up with while he was working full time. I love this house because it has a loft where I can paint.
When we first started looking, we tried to buy 4 acres, close to our son, where we could build. But that didn't work out. I've been going along, silently hoping we couldn't find anything and I wouldn't have to move. A month ago, we found a beautiful house that I fell in love with. That didn't work out either and I was ready to wash my hands of the whole process.
God is sooooo Good! God constantly amazes me with how perfectly He works things out! This week, the 4 acres we originally tried to buy, close to our son, along with a lovely old farm house came on the market. It has everything and more that my husband and I wanted.
"Now all glory to God, who is able through His Mighty Power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen", Ephesians 3:20.

The Voice

"The gatekeeper opens the gate for Him, and the sheep recognize His voice and come to Him. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.After He has gathered His own flock, He walks ahead of them, and they follow Him because they know His Voice", John 10:3-4. There is a popular reality tv show, "The Voice". Some of you may have watched it. The contestants have lovely singing voices, and there is fun comradery between the four judges. But there is another, better Voice, The Voice of The Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ. This Voice cares for His people, keeps us from harm, and communes with us tenderly. This Voice leads us through our life, loves us through our pain, and lightens our pathway. This Voice surrounds us with Peace, saves us by His blood, and smooths out our rough places. I am for Team Jesus! "But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them", Isaiah 26:7.

41 Years

My husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary Wednesday and I think that deserves a blog post. Our lives portray the absolute Goodness of God's Grace. Only His Grace could have brought two damaged strangers together and made it work. We are total polar opposites in every way. He likes white bread and I like multi-grain; He sleeps cold and I sleep hot; He loves mayonnaise and I love mustard. You get the picture. We made a commitment when we were first married to stay together. This was not just our wedding vows, but a deep down knowing that one of us would never ever leave the other no matter what. Leaving was never an option. However, there were times I would have killed him if there had been a gun in the house. It hasn't been easy. We've weathered the storms of my depression and dysfunction because of childhood sexual abuse. We've weathered his two serious, life-threatening health issues. We've weathered our daughters' teenage years full of pain and addiction. Only God's Grace could have brought us this far, and I praise Him for my husband, my friend, my companion. "I said to the Lord, "You are my Master. Every good thing I have comes from You", Psalm 16:2.

First

My first grandchildren (the boy and girl on the left), turned sixteen this week. It brought back so many memories of God's Goodness. My daughter-in-law's water broke at 30 weeks. She was rushed to the hospital where they tried to put a stop to things. I remember so clearly the fears, the prayers, and then the miracles. They were born at 2 1/2 pounds each. They had to stay in incubators in the hospital for six weeks. The family had to learn CPR before they could go home. At home they were attached to heart monitors for six months. When I see them now, tall and healthy, my heart is so full of praise I can't contain it. It could have had a very different ending, but by God's Grace it didn't. "Let each generation tell its children of Your Mighty acts; let them proclaim Your Power. I will meditate on Your Majestic Glorious Splendor and Your Wonderful Miracles", Psalm 145: 4-5.