When the storms come...........

Feeling so grateful.

I asked God to show me the importance of community.

Sometimes the days trials can feel physically like you are actually carrying heavy burdens.
You can feel so worn/laden with the problems of the day, the hour, the month.

Tom was out of work for 3 months March, April, May with several different back problems.

I started a new job in May to try to help with the bills.

Traveled to my dad's funeral September, came back home....  Sewer lines busted.
Our beloved watchdog and pet of over twelve years was diagnosed as very sick.
Tom ran a 103 temperature on and off for a week.
His job said if he called out again, he was fired.
That same Friday the dryer broke,
the brakes went out on the Jeep. ...
even the coffee maker gave out.
Saturday went to Urgent care with Tom,
he was
sent immediately to the emergency room.
He has been there since Oct. 1.
Then the hurricane came.

These past weeks I have been blessed by the care of others.
I am so thankful.

I felt the weight of a burden lightened as I shared with Lori , Liz , Anthony,                                                   Peter, Francis, Bernadette and others.

I felt the weight of a burden lightened  as TJ and Sandy worked to remedy our broken dryer.

I felt the weight of a burden lightened when TJ, Cayci, Matthew and Cathleen brought me D batteries
as my power outage after the storm continued.

I felt the weight of a burden lightened as I spoke with Liz on a dark night alone in the hurricane.

I felt the weight of a burden lightened as Suzanne went to the library to try to find books/video's for Tom so   that as he recuperates his time can be used to learn and discover more about something he enjoys (gunmithing).

I felt the weight of a burden lightened as I look to God
                                                                .......and through His people the load lightened.

I felt the weight of a burden lightened as my boss and associates
(from a job I just recently began)           
rearranged their schedules so I could care for Tom.

I felt the weight of a burden lightened as Sandy came over and helped me move yard items into the garage so
that they wouldn't blow around during the hurricane.

I felt the weight of a burden lightened as Susan would text to see how we were doing.

Even in the greatest distress, search until you find causes for thankfulness.

I felt the weight of a burden lifted when Matthew and Cathleen came over and got the window of the suburban to go back up by taking the door apart.  (The day I was picking Tom up from the hospital to take him home, I used the valet  service.  The valet put the window down, not realizing that the window would not go back up.)
                                                             
I felt the weight of a burden lightened  when Suzanne brought us over vegetables and food after the storm as our refrigerator food had spoiled with the power outage.

I felt the weight of a burden lightened as my neighbors Jammi and John checked on me after the storm, and   my other neighbor brought over some ham/turkey for sandwiches since I will be going back to work and looking for easy meals for Tom.

I felt the weight of a burden lightened as I heard that family and friends were safe after the storm.

I felt the weight of a burden lightened as I sat in the hospital and my thoughts wandered to finances, an ailing pet, the new sewer lines, Tom's job, ongoing home care, recuperation, and what the future would bring.  Then I  would remember the love of a cousin who started a fundraiser to help lighten the anxiety and worry.
She said, " saying yes to charity and the way it lightens the load is beyond measure."

Charity is Love.
Not Pity.

She was right!

I am so thankful and humbled by the generosity and kindness of those who have contributed.  
Thank you so very much.  

Even in the greatest distress, search until you find cause for thankfulness.  "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered Me from all My fears.   They looked to Him and were lightened, and their faces were not ashamed."   Psalm  34:1,4-5

When fear and anxiety overwhelm you...........

When anxiety and turmoil overwhelms you..............

My husband was out of work from the end of
March, through April, May, and June.
His back was causing him great pain.

I started a new job, to help pay the bills.
It was stressful at almost 60 to learn a new
job.   Humbling to be trained by a 22 year old!
I am thankful for the new job.

My husband got sick with some kind of bug.
He missed more work.   No paid days left.
Thankful that he got better.

My dad passed away.   The beginning of this month, September, was the funeral.
It required us driving 2000 miles in 4 days, attending a funeral, dealing with finances for
the trip etc.  Thankful for an aunt and uncle that helped us with some of the finances.
Thankful for a dad that lived a full and meaningful life.

 Got home from the funeral. and the dog had to be taken to the vet.
He was untreatable. . . after they charged us $500.
He is dying of cancer.
Thankful that my son got me this dog twelve years ago to fill my
aching heart.

Was working outside, sliced my finger on some glass.
After two weeks it still wasn't healing.
I felt it closely and realized there was still a
good sized piece of glass in the cut!
The cut had been so deep that I just kept it
wrapped most of the time.   So this was the
first time I could actually see the glass!
I am thankful that I found the glass and
the cut healed almost overnight after that!

Still in the same month of September.
Our sewer pipes collapsed.
We were without sewer for a few days.
Then, had to pay $4,000 to have the pipes redone.
Had to take out a loan.
Thankful that we qualified for the loan.

My husband has been sick again.
Started Friday.
Going on a week.
He now gets no sick pay because he used it all up
when his back was out.
Thankful that his back has been doing better.

He has been running a fever on and off of 103.
The doctor said it was gastroenteritis......
I guess they say that when they don't really know.
Thankful that there will be an answer.

So, my husband with 103 fever,
had to sign a paper today at work.
It says that if he misses any more work,
he is terminated from employment.

So it is finally September 30.
The brakes on the Jeep went out
while my husband was driving.
Thankful he didn't get in an accident.

The dryer just went out.

I feel lonely sometimes.
It is still September.

But I am thankful that I can:

Run to Him.
Be anxious for nothing.
Go forward into the future bravely and unafraid.
Focus on Him and not the problem or the person.

Remember that you are:

Treasured by God.
Empowered by God.
Provided for by God.
Cared for by God.
Loved by God.

He is the One who matters the Most!

DO NOT BE AFRAID!

SPEND MORE TIME IN PRAYER!
PRAYER GIVES YOU NOURISHMENT, STRENGTH, PURPOSE, DIRECTION!

2 Kings 6:16

"Do not be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

A KING sends SOLDIERS to destroy
an old blind man!
An Army!
Elisha says, "Do not be afraid!
Those who are with us are more than those who are with them!"


It does not matter who it is,
they have no power over you.
Like the blind Elisha,
when I send you to do something it is MY power, strength, wisdom that shines.
DO NOT BE AFRAID!
I keep telling you this!
Do not be afraid!
What I have called you to do,
I have equipped you to do!!
Stay very close to Me.

Does your job make you feel like you are missing out on life?

Look for the loving, the true, the kind, the brave in the many around you.

"With toil and labor we worked day and night that we might not be a burden to any of you.   
If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat."

If circumstances opened up, if you prayed, if you found yourself here by much prayer and care then,

"God has put you where you are at this job.
You should now display His worth in this job.
Remain at this job WITH God.
Your aim should be to make Him look great in all you do."   -Don't Waste Your Life 

MARRIAGE:
Too Often our inner stress and turmoil spills ou onto our loved ones.
We become impatient or withdrawn and unavailable.
At these times,
Divine intervention is needed.
Time alone to cast our cares on Him.
Time for His peace.
Now harmony is possible. -Intimate Moments

God's Guardianship is great.

Do not be anxious but ask Him for whatever you need.

"Fear not,
For I am with you,
I will strengthen you and uphold you.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.

My hosts throng to serve and protect you.
You are children of a King.
Picture bodyguards in the unseen,
waiting, longing, effecient to do all that is necessary for your well being.
Feel this as you go through the day." -God Calling


POWER- PURPOSE- PRESENCE- PROVISION- PROTECTOR- PEACE

By Your Presence, You give me purpose and peace, power, protection, and provision to
do what You ask of me. 

I have so much fear and anxiety. I don't need any more fear of the future.

I have so much fear and anxiety.   I don't need any more fear of the future.

I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord,
plans for good, not for evil.
Plans to give you a future and a hope.   -Jer.

Don't try to measure your life by other's experiences.
Their relationship with Me is different then yours is with Me.

I am tender with you.
You are like a little child who needs tenderness and protection.

I am your champion.
I am your defender and protector.
I am all these for you.
I am tenderness and power and might.
I love you.
You have nothing, no one to fear.

I fight for you.

Stores of blessing are awaiting you in the months and years that lie ahead.

Superstitious Spike

Our lab/Great Dane mix will randomly swing himself around and go backwards.  He is now

twelve years old and continues to back out when he wants to go outside.   

Near hit lightning caught on video - Extreme Lightning - August 9, 2011

Storm came up quickly while my husband was working on his vehicle. The images that appeared when I put the video on my computer were unnerving. I had not seen any of this lightning when I was videoing......