It was by His Hand....

Sometimes we wonder if God is in our situations. We wonder if He even thinks of us at all. We wonder if He listens when we call out to Him, we wonder if He even cares.

I feel He does all of the above. And, I can cite a recent example, although there are many others where I have seen His hand in action.

Earlier this month we took our son to the airport to fly to another city for training, and then eventually be sent overseas on an Army 'mission'. Although I knew he wasn't going to be where there was a lot of danger, I still didn't want him to be so far away from us, but I prayed and put him in God's hands.

Just before his being 'deployed', this son had received back-pay check on a disability he has acquired. He was able to pay off some bills and have some as a cushion for while he was gone. He left that Sunday morning, and God began to pull the reasons for everything together. By the middle of the next week, my son was sent home because of sleep apnea, and had 30 days to get re-tested. He retested a couple nights later. I understand that 2 years ago when he had the testing, it came out as severe apnea, at 52. This time the score came out as 15.4, with 15 being the line drawn for severe apnea. He immediately set plans in motion to get a device fitted in his mouth that would prevent his snoring and help with the apnea.

The children's uncle, their dad's brother had a heart attack, a stroke, and an aneurysm (if I heard correctly) and for the next week or so it was touch and go - then he passed away. This youngest child of mine not only had the time available, he had the money to go back to Indiana to be there for the funeral. He and his wife packed their bags, made arrangements for the grandchildren, and took their time heading to Indiana, arriving a day before the viewing.

During their visit to Indiana, I believe they were able to see every one of their dad's family, as well as my family. He saw his grandparents, who I have heard are in pretty bad health with dementia and grandma is nearly blind as well. Both seemed to know my son when he first saw him and told them who he was, but after that, neither of them recognized nor knew who he was. I think that hurt a lot, besides seeing how "old" and disabled they had gotten, both in wheelchairs. It was a tough visit, and he was asked to be a pall bearer.

And this is where I see God showing His hand. My son was sent back home from the base. He had the money, and the time. He had a sleep study but didn't pass. He was fitted for a device. He made the trip over a ten day period. He got back home on Sunday. He picked up the device on Tuesday. Had another sleep study completed on Tuesday night - and passed with a "1". He goes today to complete paperwork and send off the paperwork from the sleep study. Looks like he will be leaving again around April 8th.

God provided the money, provided the free time, provided a reliable vehicle, gave them travel mercies there. This son was able to stand in the gap for his father, and his siblings, and represent them at their uncle's funeral. He was able to take his time and drive back safely. Within two days of arriving back he has his device, passes the sleep study, and now completes what he needs to in order to leave. I truly believe that God provided all this.

Sometimes we take God for granted on the things that fall into place - or do not fall into place. But His hand is truly upon each and every one of us. When things are tough, look to see where He is working. When things are good, look to see His blessings.

and in all things, whether good or bad, give praise to God our Father, for it is He who is working in and through you to bring about all things. He is always working for your good.

Blessings!

It's Monday again!

Monday seems to roll around quite quickly anymore. The weekend barely gets here and poof! The weekend is gone and Monday is here. But this was a good past weekend. I had lunch with my oldest son on Saturday and it was a very nice time. The time flew by and before we knew it, 2 1/2 hours had flown by. I treasure those moments when I have him to myself.

And then, I got to pick up a grandson for a few hours. I had not gotten his $ to him for his birthday so asked if he wanted to go for 'cold stone' and shopping - or 'cold stone' and get his $. He opted out for 'cold stone' and shopping. It WAS to his benefit! I enjoyed having the grandson with me and he helped remind me I needed to stop at the drug store as well. He makes me laugh. It was a very good day.

Sunday it was a service at one of the RV parks we speak at. Pressure is on. I speak there on Easter Sunday and the person who schedules us told me yesterday that she wanted a 'dynamic' message on Easter Sunday. Seriously? Pressure! I speak next week at Pioneer Village and then am done there until November. Easter will be our last scheduled service this season at Desert Shadows. After the service yesterday we both were totally lazy. I finished reading a book I had a few chapters left in. We took a nap. It was a very, very lazy day.

Then this morning I get up for work - and beat myself up for not doing anything over the weekend. That's the way it usually is though. I need to apply myself to the things I want done during the week - which I don't do much of either. Tonight we are having dinner with a former co-worker and her husband. She and I try to have lunch, but with my office moving about 3 miles further away, it makes it a bit more difficult to meet, talk, and eat within an hour's time, so we opt for dinner with the spouses. We just can't talk like we normally would.

And now it's time to get busy here at work. I have a new form to create, minutes to type, and other things to get completed. My boss is out of town Wednesday - Friday this week so I won't be near as busy as I am when she is here - but I still always have work to do. But I really need to get a lot done as I am taking next Monday and Tuesday off work - and then we are off Good Friday! It will be so nice to have time off. If I didn't have a meeting on Thursday next week, I might have taken the entire week off. Oh well. Save my days off for another day.

The message yesterday at "church" was standing on the promises of God. And I do. Psalm 91:4 "He will cover you with his feathers, he will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection." And they are. There are many times I ask God to cover and shelter not only us, but also our children and grandchildren. When I put them under His protection, under His wings, nothing will happen to them that has not first been filtered through His wings. Stand firm on His promises - they will get you through each day.

Blessings!

How can I write what I feel....

when there is so much going on? When my emotions run high and low. When I find myself mellow and yet, ok. It has been a "moody" weekend, to say the least.

We went to a deployment ceremony on Saturday. Yeah, our youngest son is once again leaving us for awhile. His wife was there, of course, and we arrived, as well as his sister and hubby and son. We watched the ceremony being rehearsed, and then the final. It was a beautiful day, sunny, yet cloudy. Warm, yet a cool breeze would occasionally come through. The ceremony was outside with a General and a Colonel speaking. I forget who else spoke. My favorite was the last speaker. He said he had a speech but wasn't going to give it. Just wished them luck. Two minutes max. Nice.

Good thing, too. Four of the soldiers collapsed during the ceremony and had to be escorted from the field to hydrate and cool off, I'm guessing. But, they had stood out there nearly an hour and a half to two hours, I'm guessing. We got to sit on bleachers so it wasn't bad. The ceremony was interesting. Afterwards we all went to lunch and for a change, I got to sit across my from son so that I could talk with him. It was quiet talk. I reminded him that we never got that 1:1 that I had asked for before he left.

Yesterday we took our son and his wife to the airport and sat with him for about 3 hours before he could board his flight. It was casual talk, and coffee. Well, I had my green tea. After he boarded the plane, we left and his wife took us to lunch, then we all went home.

I'm speaking at the two RV parks over the next three weeks so I got to spend the afternoon working on my message for this Sunday. I need to get a new computer, I think. I'm thinking about a desktop this time - but I am not sure. I have so much difficulty with the printer I have - it keeps going offline and I can't figure out how to get it online. I messed with it for over an hour yesterday - then tried hubby's printer and it wouldn't connect with it either. I finally emailed the message to my office email and I printed it out here this morning. Now I can work on it and see what I need to change. At least with speaking at one place this Sunday and another the next Sunday I can use the same message - but Easter Sunday I need to have a new one so that will be my focus once this one is completed.

In the afternoon yesterday I received information that a former brother-in-law had had a heart attack and stroke. Memories flooded my mind, good memories. Some people just can't understand how my memories of some things can be good. Perhaps it is because I choose to not focus on the bad and choose to focus on the good of it. My heart breaks for the family, and for my children. This has always been a tough time for them - and reading a daughter-in-law's post from last night, I had forgotten her father had passed at this time - it is tough for her as well. So many things to pull memories, good and bad. I hate it that my children hurt. And all I can do is pray. And yes, I pray also for my former brother-in-law. I've prayed not only for a miracle that he should live, but that he could go home soon. I haven't heard anything so don't know how God will answer all the prayers prayed by many on his behalf. I imagine they would be surprised to know I prayed for him. But why shouldn't I pray? I am sad he is at death's door.

I still believe that God answers prayers. That He still hears my specific prayers and answers. That with combined prayers, He will respond. I have prayed many prayers at which there has been no response. At least none that I've seen. But God answers in His way, and in His own timing. I've learned to pray and wait. And be patient. Which is a lot harder.

My oldest son asked me to lunch next Saturday. Just me. I'm excited to spend some 1:1 time with him. We rarely have time alone together so that I can hear what he has been doing, what is going on in his life, what is he feeling, etc. I rarely see him because our schedules and priorities are sometimes different. And that's ok. That's why these 1:1 sessions are so important to me. I'm looking forward to it.

My daughter, granddaughter and I are actually going to get away for a "girls weekday outing" soon. Just a Sunday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon running away time, but it will be fun and I truly pray we make lots of good memories. Who knows if we will ever be able to do this again. I've begged for it for three years - and finally - we can get away. I will have to work on a weekend where hubby and I can get away.....

So my emotions have been up and down this weekend. Today I'm doing well. Work keeps me very busy. Praying for others is also keeping me busy as it is unceasing to cover those who need a special touch.

I'm just rambling... but I know that God is in all of this. His promises are true. One thing I have learned over the years is that His promises are my armor and protection. He covers me with his feathers, He shelters me with His wings. His promises are my armor and protection. And they also are yours.

Blessings!

Time.... either passes quickly or takes it slowly.....

I had a revelation last night. No, not a REAL revelation, but information given to me that finally sunk in. I mean, I knew, but I guess time flew by me before I realized that time was here.

I'm on the treadmill last night when I get a text from my daughter in law if I could take them (as in she and my son) to the airport on Sunday. She tried to explain it to me, but being confused, I kept saying - this is for the two weeks, right? Then my youngest son called me to clarify.

It's THAT time. The time I kept putting off in the way future in my mind. The time I didn't want to face again. The time that has come way too quickly.

My youngest son leaves Sunday and I won't see him again for nearly - or at least - a year. He goes to Texas for a month, then flies overseas with his unit. I'm grateful he is not in a fighting unit, meaning being out in the fight, but he is still not 'home'.

It is in these times that I learn to trust God more and more. I have to. I don't need to worry when I put my son in God's hands. God determines his future, I do not. My heart aches for I don't want him far away, although I rarely saw him when he is but a few miles away.

But the good part is that with modern technology, there are cell phones and computers that we can still correspond with. It will 'almost' be like he is still here.

While he is gone, there will be another 'yellow ribbon' gathering in Texas for the family, and he has asked me to go with his wife to it. Just me and her. I'm willing to do it for I want to know more about what is going on, and I feel it would be helpful to have 1:1 time with the wife so that I can get to know her better. My prayers now will be that hubby will "allow" me to go. That is another story for another day. One of my biggest anguish points.

So today I'm thinking of my youngest son and the fact he will be leaving soon. I broke down and cried last night - something I haven't done in a long, long time as I told hubby about the request for us to take him on Sunday. I felt admonished because I broke down. I've been 'strong' a long time. Age must be getting to me for my heart breaks so much easier now.

Today, once again, I place all my children and grandchildren in my Loving Heavenly Father's arms and ask Him to watch over them, keep them safe, and bring them home safely again. I trust Him.

Blessings!