Frustation

  Having the major pain of a fractured vertebrae under control, this week has been filled with the little annoyances that come and build unrest.  The computer locked up and I needed to depend on brains bigger than mine to get it up and running again. and that took time.  I inadvertently deleted my favorite and much used Bible app.  I have tried repeatedly to reinstall it, to no avail.  I dropped and broke my water bottle, the only one in the house.  I had recently cleared the cupboard of all the extras.  I woke up with more pain today.  Who knows why.  And a host of things too small to mention, but I would love to complain about.  So.  Now that I have that off my chest, I can get on with, once again, choosing joy.

  Having long ago received Jesus as Lord of my whole life I also have to be willing to take the long winding trail of patient, persistent perseverance.  Although it is not easy, it is so good to be obedient to the call of suffering for Christ's sake; to be conformed to His image; to better understand His strength in me.  I still would give anything to be conformed to Jesus, His will and His way.  Whatever it takes.

  Jesus came out of the wilderness filled with the Holy Spirit and with power.  I want the same thing.  The Holy Spirit and power to speak His words, do His works and watch His miracles happen with my own eyes.  Revival is near, at the very door.  I hold my breath in expectation.  Jesus has great plans.  I will be part of it.


John 14:12 "Most assuredly, I say to you
He who believes in Me,
The works that I do he will do also,
And greater works than these he will do,
Because I go to the Father."

Two Weeks After the Fall

  Although, I don't yet know all the details of my fractures, life has become more bearable.  The first week was unreal I hurt so much.  This past week the pain has calmed down just a little more each day.  Now I feel I've plateaued somewhat.  It is probably right to expect a slow down.

  Each day I am still rising in the morning to extra pain from night stiffness, but the same joy greets me and is mine for the taking.  And, yes, I have to choose joy and act on it.  But it is a wonderful way to spend the day.  My dad always said, "Attitude with gratitude."  He has a valid point.

  I believe there will be stories for a long time to come as the Benson kids had a great time with their PapaJim.  He enjoyed their company also and I'm so glad he could go.   Eric and Emily had an unfamiliar time figuring out how to do vacation with just two opinions about what to do next.  It was good for them.


  1Thessalonians 5:18  Give thanks in everything:
  For this is God's will
  For you
  In Christ Jesus.
 

Yes! It Is

  This post is on the heels of the other intentionally.  The post was written on Monday.  On Tues. morning I slipped in the shower, fell straight down on my backside and broke my back.  Although I am still waiting to see what other damage was done via MRI,  X-rays show a fractured T12.  I have another visit with the doctor this afternoon to go over test results.

  Jim has tucked me in here at our daughter Chelsea's house.  She and Andy were so gracious to have me so Jim could still get down to the Bensons and stay with them while vacation for Eric and Emily went on as planned.

  I am counting it all joy when I encounter various trials, Knowing that the testing of my faith will work in me the patient perseverance that I seek, in order to be conformed to Jesus.  I know that my Redeemer works everything for His glory and my good.

  The pain is severe, but, I hope to be thankful for the way all of this was orchestrated.  I couldn't be in better hands.  I can still use my arms and legs.  I can still smile through the pain, or not, it doesn't matter if a grimace escapes.  Who's counting, anyway?



James1:4  But let perseverance and patience
Have its perfect work,
That you may be complete
And perfect
Lacking nothing.                  

Always Good

  My health has improved this past month or so and I am looking forward to some time nurturing the young of our little clan.  The oldest of our grandchildren is 15 years old.  She is independent and wonderful.  Margaret is small and feisty and strong of character.  I absolutely adore her.  Josephine is her sister, 14 yrs. and a budding artist.  She is creative in many of the arts, but I think she is stellar in the performing arts of music, and acting.  She is truly a girl after my own heart.

  Then there is David.  What a unique young man, at 11.   He has a soft heart but a strong body.  I have seen that kid do somersaults all over the house.  I think he could even do them up the stairs.  But even more than that, he is more of a sponge than I have seen in most kids.  For example, he knows more about birds than I would care to come up against in any contest.  He knows more about other things too.  Absorbing is what he seems to do best.

  Laura, the youngest of the family, is pure gold!  Although she is only 9 she has told me (at least four years ago) that he had known Jesus all her life.  She loves just everybody.  She is active and caring and packed with gifts that will explode into nurture and care of others.  A darling to be loved and to learn from, as are all of them.

  These are the children we are going to be with for the next week.  I am really excited  as their parents have a long awaited vacation.

  I am so very glad that our children were brave enough to have children of their own.  It takes courage these days to bear children and raise them in the hard life of Christianity.  A life in and with God is not always easy, but it is always good.


Psalm 127:3  Children are a heritage
From the Lord,
Offspring a reward from Him.

Am I Home Yet?

  This past weekend there was a women"s conference here in St. Cloud called Thrive.  I was fortunate enough to go.  On the first day of the two day conference, my husband, Jim, drove me to and from.  Because my middle name may as well be "Lost," I thought he could show me were to park and the best way to get there.  He was out of town the second day so I was on my own.

  As I exited the last session, I must have gone out of the wrong door of the Convention Center. and proceeded to walk a distance to one of the parking garages I guessed was the one where I had my car parked.  I found, at the far end of the garage, a stairwell.  I climbed the five stories to where I remembered I had parked the car.  No car.

  Down I went and exited into an alley quite full of garbage bags, and among the other trash, discarded van seats.  By that time my feet hurt really bad and those seats had a certain appeal.  Ignoring the draw of the seats ( I REALLY wanted to sit for awhile) I plodded on to the street and it gave me no clue as to where my car was located.

  I remembered that I might find it's location on my cell phone. As I looked on the phone it also turned out to be rather confusing as I didn't know if the blinking thing was me or my car.  After walking the exactly wrong way for a block or so, I turned and realized that the little arrow was me.  (Did I mention that my feet really hurt?)  I turned and followed the map in the correct direction, and about four blocks later my phone said I'd arrived at my destination.  (Did I mention that my feet hurt?)

  Up to the top I went and actually found my car.  Although I turned the wrong way to get out of the ramp, there were very few cars left, so I had plenty to room to turn around.  Once out of the ramp, I took another wrong turn, and, over the river I went.  I decided it would be lovely to do a little drive around Clemens  Gardens.  After that I found my way home.
 I  loathed my shoes and every other pair in my closet.  I really wanted to burn all of them.  End of adventure.

  I am reminded over and over lately that this is not my home.  Once I finally get home I will never be turned around or lost.

  2 Corinthians 5:20a  Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ...  I might add, in a strange and foreign land.