His grace is truly AMAZING

Though this is a copy of an email to the Mom, written a few months ago. The gratitude extends not only to her, but to others (many who read my blog), who have been a source of stability, encouragement and love in my life for decades.  You may not realize how big of an impact you have made in my life, because often I am lousy at receiving love. But those of you who have "always been there" the ones that I can easily take for granted,  the words that were directed to Mom, fit you as well.  Without your unconditional love. Without your encouragement.  Without your prayers. Without your esteeming me higher than I do myself. I could not have come this far: "I catch a glimpse as I'm washing my hands, and I do a double take. Who is that? Me? I wish. She is pretty, happy, confident, healthy, loved, capable, comfortable in her own skin/with who she is... then I realize, it is me! How is that possible? The easy answer is God did it. How? I don't know. One day at a time. I

November felt like a year all by itself. And the last 10 days, like 6 months. The month was too busy to begin with.  Crammed with work, doctor and dentist appointments for all 5 of us. Mom's surgery taking a full week by itself just because of the distance from home and pre-op and other preparations. But God is so good! He knew what was coming and He knew the perfect circumstances for His plans for what was about to happen.  Mom's surgery was supposed to be the end of September, but she got a cold. The medical staff decided it would be best if the surgery was postponed until November. We were all a little unhappy about that because we were all set for it to happen in September.  But whatever. We've learned to roll with unexpected changes... The kids were able to go to Oregon for a teen conference with their dad's church, and I suggested the kids stay through Sunday and come home Monday, giving them opportunity to visit with their dad, an extra unplanned visit--good for

Those who read my blog seem to mostly be my Facebook friends. So you know the craziness my life has been the last couple of weeks. I don't mind the busy, the unexpected and the "inconvenience" of caregiving for My People. It's an honor and my joy comes from seeing them improve and the grace and strength God gives is most humbling and amazing to me. I know without doubt I could not do half of what I do if I wasn't strengthened by God to do what He obviously has for me to do.  But sometimes I get tired. That may be an understatement 🙂 The problem with tired, is I spend a lot of time alone in my car tending to the things that must get done. And I have an enemy who enjoys trampling my spirit.  Though I know much of what plays through my mind when I am so tired is half-truth, exaggerated or taken out of context, the fact that there are bits of truth (no matter how small) makes it so hard for my tired brain to resist or ignore.  When I'm not tired, these thoughts d

I am reading this book for the second time right now, and will most likely start it for the third time as soon as I finish it, and then I might read it again!! I have had this book in my possession for at least 10 years, actually I somehow ended up with two copies of it, which I never read until about a year ago.  I was so fascinated with the first reading that I loaned the other copy to the Mom. She has claimed it and assured me I will not get it back. 🤣😂🤣 It is a fascinating and different perspective on the person of Jesus Christ. Of his humanness. Though it is a little difficult to get in to at first, it gives an amazing new dimension to the idea of "Relationship vs. Religion". We both just love the book, and the depth of personality and perspective the book gives on who Jesus was and is and how we can relate to him, without the need for rules and propriety, but just as we are.  Yesterday, as we were diving down the freeway heading for home, after a doctor&#

Many people were surprised to hear I got baptized today!  And my church family was filled with joy and pleased as they witnessed the event. I am sure there were some who had thoughts like: "What? She's a Sunday School teacher!" "What?? She was a preacher's wife!" "She lead an adult women's Sunday school class in Oregon?!!?" "She knows more Bible than I do!" "She's been in church forever!" "I heard her testimony! She always said she was saved and baptized at the age of 12! Why is she doing it again?" And probably some other questions I can't imagine (maybe even a few "Ha! I knew it!!--though those would be wrong...) Most of you who read my blog posts, have heard my testimony and know I have always claimed saved at 12, left church completely about 6 months later and started back about 4 and a half years later. But there is more to the story.  As a Baptist I have been taught "once saved always saved&

I actually thought about writing this yesterday, but never got to it. Sixteen years ago yesterday was one of the hardest days ever of my life, and certainly the hardest to that point in my life.  I was home alone, most of the people I would have turned to were gone to camp with Brad, I was pregnant... It was a beautiful summer Sunday morning in Oregon.  I was up and getting ready for church.  Then, the telephone rang. I answered it and it was "Aunt" Louise. She asked for Brad (sort of unusual). I told her he was gone for the week to camp, wouldn't be back until Saturday.  She didn't know what else to do, so she blurted out the news. Her mother passed away that morning! It took my breath away! She was doing better! She was supposed to coming home soon! I didn't get to tell her goodbye before she left on vacation! This could not be real! Not right! (But I couldn't say any of that on the phone to Louise, or out loud to anyone!!)  And I had nobody to t

Summer. I love it! It is warm! The sun is out longer than the stars are, but the starry skies are so beautiful. And night is warm enough to sit outside and enjoy the stars...  It's quiet.  The kids are in Oregon. I spend much time with the Parents, or home alone. There is suddenly time to think, to remember,  too see for myself where I have been and where I am now... Then the thanksgiving follows. There is so much to praise the Lord for.  He's given me a family that loves me unconditionally.  I've been adopted into two of the most amazing families ever known to exist.  Families who live Christ like examples, blessing those who will never be able to repay... He has given me good health, and has provided everything I have needed.  Though life seems to always have one challenge or another, it seems easier to trust Him with each passing day. I don't know what tomorrow has in store, but He does and He can handle it... I just hope I can listen and do exactly what He wants me