I finished the third book the other night and yes, I forgot to mark it read until this morning when I read my son's blog with the reminder. Now I have read all three of the books he gave me for Christmas and I loved each one. They all had parts that brought back memories of some kind, and many that made me smile - and even chuckle. I did enjoy all three books. I need to get the books I am currently reading set as reading in Goodreads so that I can get those counted. Must make myself a note each week to update. I am trying to read more this year.
Well, hubby made a decision this weekend. We had talked about it last season and he let it go. We've discussed it briefly over this year and he has now made the decision he is going to quit speaking at the RV parks after this Sunday. He only had two sessions this season - this Sunday, and January 29th. He told our friends the other night from that RV park that he would like for them to find someone else to do it, if they couldn't, he would go ahead and do it, but that he was finished. This week is at the other RV park and he dilly dallied around so much about his decision that he doesn't want to call up with just a few days notice for someone to do it. I know there is a back-up pastor there so it wouldn't be a problem, but it will be his last message. I'm curious as to what it will be for what he has told me, he has different things in it - but then again, it may be his best one yet. Kudos he finally made the decision to stop. I have two left - one at each RV park and I need to get on finding a message to give.
I'm supposed to meet a friend for lunch today and am looking forward to it. She lost her husband the week of Thanksgiving as they were getting on the plane (I know I told you about it) to fly to Mexico for the week. It will be nice to meet with her and catch up, but I am also praying that God will give me the right words to say of comfort and peace.
The board retreat is finally coming together. The other group that was going to meet my group for lunch have changed their date and pulled out - which is ok. I just revised my totals for the room and lunch and got it confirmed by my boss yesterday and sent it on to the hotel. I'm feeling much less stressed about it. I'm used to being hands on for these meetings and I don't need to go down - which is nice as well. Although I have been toying with the idea of taking off for the weekend and going down so we can see our granddaughter and family.... but don't really have a free weekend until after the retreat. Oh well. I got a guy in finance to sign the contract and my boss is doing his own thing with it - I'm content to be left out of it.
Psalm 118:5-6 (NKJV): "I called on the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
Oh I remember those times when I called out to the Lord when things were difficult. When I've had a difficult director to deal with (really! I had one who screamed at me and slammed her hands down on her desk (and caught everyone's attention!) and I would cry out to God to help me be kind and do what I needed to do. I'm sure I've shared it over the years. After she yelled at me and slammed her hands that day, and I didn't respond to her, just stood there smiling at her, she paused and said "You have a nice smile." LOL And I honestly believe that because I didn't respond, but allowed God to fight that battle for me, that a few years later she came to me and asked me to pray for her and the baby she was then carrying. Surprised, I did pray for her and her baby. And God relieved her fears.
Can you recall times when things were really difficult, or you were in a difficult situation and you didn't know what to do? I can. Many times with work (mostly because I didn't want to DO it), and the Lord gave me what I needed. Just like He gave you what you needed to get through your situation. He is always there, always waiting for us to call on Him, no matter what,. He will always answer. It may not always be the answer we want, or we may have to wait for the answer, but He will answer. The Lord is on your side, just as he is on my side.
This body will grow old and fade away. But the Lord's love for me will never grow old or fade away. And it won't for you either. We serve a good, good, Father who loves you and cares about everything that you care about.
Work going rough? Don't like it? Don't enjoy it? (which is me a lot lately) Ask Him to help you get through it. You will be surprised how easy it is to get through the day. Difficult things going on at home or within the family? Ask for His advice; His help. He is just waiting to comfort you and give you what you ask for. Finances tight? Ask Him for wisdom. He will show you what you need to stop spending your money on and what is more important. I know this for a fact. I've learned to weigh over the years of how important is this item that I'm buying; do I really need it. Sometimes I override my thoughts, yes, but overall, I've actually managed to save a little bit.
My #1 weakness is buying books. I do need to quit doing that so much... I have a TBR stack in a couple places. And several on the shelf that I want to read. Plus I am still downloading books on to my Kindle Fire. I get a couple emails daily about books I can get at a cheaper price that day... Bookbubs I think it is... and I skim it most days - and if I can get a book by an author I like for $.99 or $1.99 or even $2.99 - when they are normally $15-$20 - yeah, I'll go ahead and buy them. And because of that, I have numerous books in my Kindle to read. Those are the ones I can read on a road trip or a getaway so that I'm not lugging books around with me. Sometimes I do both. Sigh. I just love books.
My #2 weakness, which I have managed to gain control of, is buying yarn. I haven't bought any yarn since I bought to make an afghan for my son for Christmas. I need to make one more for a family member, and then I'm done with the family pretty much. I have been working through the yarn that I get free from our Needles of Hope when they bring it. Problem there is that it may be just one skein and then I have to match another color to it, even for a baby blanket. If I do a project, I need to have several of the same color. Some day I'll go get it, but in the meantime, I have 3 knitting projects going and 3 crochet projects. Every once in awhile I'll pull one out and finish it, telling myself to not start another one until I get all the unfinished ones completed. And that works, for awhile. Why? Cause I go someplace and don't want to take something that I will probably finish there... so will take a new project and of course I don't get it finished...which means I have another incomplete project to complete. It's a 'vicious circle', you know. :-)
It's Wednesday and I took my pill this morning (almost forgot!) so have been sitting upright in my chair. Tonight we plan to go to prayer meeting at our church. Tomorrow night we want to go visit a friend who is in a rehab. We really meant to go earlier in the week, but honestly, we just forgot. So, unless I can talk hubby in to going without me, it has to wait until I get off work. Hope to go tomorrow evening.
Day four of our fast and we have stuck to it. I pray for new ideas of how to fix vegetables and, believe it or not, God has helped me create some dishes I have no idea how to do it again. Of course hubby doesn't eat lunch until I fix it because he can't figure out how to fix vegetables. LOL I picked up grapefruit and lemons and oranges yesterday so we can also snack on those. If anyone wants any - our neighbor's trees are ready to be picked... and we have the pole to pull them down with - but I'm too short (and so is hubby in reality; plus he can't manage the pole) to pull the limbs down.... please let me know and I'll be out to help pick up as you (or someone much taller than me) can pick from the limbs. The tangelos are delicious. As I was getting some yesterday another neighbor told me to take lemons from his tree, which is overly abundant this year.... so I dutifully went over and picked a bag full. Was thinking I'd make lemon meringue pie... then remembered I was fasting. But I may still make a couple and pass out to the neighbors. I love to do that. If my children lived closer and showed an interest, I'd be doing some cooking more frequently and giving it away. One of these days, and I have thought of it, I may fix a meal and have my daughter-in-law run down when she gets off work - she is actually the closest! - and pick up to take home. It will be a surprise when... and probably after the fast. I generally want at least one meal out of it. :-)
Ok - I'm back to rambling so will hush this off. Continue to pray for specific family members and prodigal children. So what are your prayer requests that I can add to my list? What would you want me to pray for? I'd love to see God answer your prayers. Let me know....
In the meantime - hope that you have a good day and that it is full of.........
Blessings!
