Day four of vacation....

 So far so good, one might say.  We had a stay in day again yesterday, but I am guessing we may venture out for a bit today.  I think hubby is starting to get antsy staying in one location.  Who knows, we might find something to see if we go out.   Yesterday was nice though.  I got so excited to be able to sit on the porch and watch a soft steady rain fall all about us.  It was beautiful.  I love watching the rain fall and just be quiet and behold God's blessing of rain.  It is a beautiful sight to behold.  Unless you are in a flood zone, that is!

I awoke at my usual 4AM this morning but stayed in bed until nearly 5AM before I got up, shut the door to the bedroom and came into the front room to begin my quiet time.  I had about 40 minutes before hubby stirred and came out.  Coffee made, he walked outside to watch the sunrise and drink his coffee.  I opted to stay inside where I am comfortable with my blanket around me to keep the cool air off and continue to write in my journal after reading.  Not sure what's going on with me; the last three days I have been sneezing quite frequently - and the last two mornings I got up and had a nose bleed.  Interesting.  Not sure what either of those are about.

Finished reading in Zechariah this morning; it's interesting how even in the old testament you can see where they refer to the Lord riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.  And when Jesus came, He brought the scriptures back to life and and fulfilled them.  When you read the Bible and you know about the stories in it, when you read a prophesy, it's really cool.

The youngest son called yesterday to tell about his daughter's latest doctor visit.  Seems she is dilated to 3 now and the baby has dropped.  Sounds like the birth could happen any time.  He says 'they' have changed he name of the baby - nothing definite yet, but making the first name 'Jay' instead of Ezekiel as she had told me.  I must say I am disappointed.  Greatly disappointed.  Yes, the parents should be able to name their babies anything they want, but ....  I'll leave it at that.  It hurt my heart for I have so prayed for baby Ezekiel to follow his namesake.  Even though my granddaughter, nor her boyfriend, knew the name meant anything.  I do have two grandsons named after great prophets - and one a king at that!  Of course they were not specifically named after them, but still..... 

My next reading in the Bible is going through the book of Psalms.  Psalms contain many written by David, both as a Shepherd, and also as King of Israel.  Some are full of praise, some of anger, some of seeking, some of .... well, you name it.  All emotions that we feel even nowadays.  There are several of the Psalms that are my favorite, but I still love to read through each one and ponder on them.  We all pretty much know the 23rd Psalm as many of us memorized it as we were growing up.  Many times when I have difficulty sleeping, I will begin reciting the 23rd Psalm in my mind, and before I know it, I have drifted off to sleep again.  And many times I also say the Lord's Prayer when I have trouble sleeping, both help me to relax and fall asleep.

Have you ever really read Psalm 23 and thought about what it means?   Did you know that you can make it your own prayer as well?   I'll share more about that - if I don't forget - perhaps next week when I get back to reading it.  Starting with Psalm 1 tomorrow.  Taking my mine.  And spending time praising the Lord, for only He is worthy of praise.

As I sat here this morning and before hubby got up, I was able to be quiet and think about the goodness of God to us and His blessings upon us.  He has been so good to all of us.  He loves us so much, He allows us to suffer the consequences of our mistakes, and yet, He walks with us through them.  Sometimes I think I keep Him pretty busy.  Sigh.

Finished reading a second book yesterday and started on a third book.  I love to read and am enjoying this time that I can read without stopping all the time to work or whatever.  Grateful that hubby cannot figure out how to turn the TV on (thank You, Jesus) and we have constant quiet.  He spends a LOT of time on his phone.

Oh - hubby found out something yesterday.  He wears a Versa 2 Fitbit.  When his phone rings, it pops up on the Fitbit and tells him who is calling, and it has a phone (to answer) or a red something (to disconnect it).  We both usually hit the red - usually not the green phone.  Yesterday, he accidentally hit the green phone and he was able to talk via his Fitbit!  How?  He has hearing aids and when he answered, it answered on his phone, which is connected to his hearing aids and as long as his phone is in reach, he will be able to talk on this Fitbit without having to run to his phone to answer.  I didn't know that - I knew I could hit the green phone (when I had the Fitbit), but I always had to pick up my phone to chat on it.  (With my new Apple watch that I got for my birthday, I can answer (as long as my phone is in reach) on my watch and talk.  BUT, everyone can hear my conversation ... whereas with hubby, only he hears his because of the hearing aids.   I miss my Fitbit in that it gave me all my information on the face of the screen, whereas with the Apple watch, I have to look at my phone.  I'm told I'll 'get used to it'.  And I probably will.

Need to get moving and start breakfast.  Maybe we will go in to town for breakfast... naw... maybe a little later.  We can have lunch 'in town' and then come back.. it's to rain again this afternoon.  I love to watch the rain.  Peaceful and my thoughts turn to praise.

So when you can sit out and watch the rain, where do your thoughts go?  I choose to think about God's goodness and faithfulness.  And spend time praising Him and thanking Him for loving me so much. Try it.  You will feel such great peace.

Blessings!