Two down, One to go!

 We had such an enjoyable day yesterday with the oldest son and his family.  We missed getting to see one grandson who wasn't feeling well, but we did see him at Thanksgiving.  Another grandson was so tired after working 16 hours - and he mentioned to me separately that he actually hadn't slept in nearly 24 hours, I think he said.  He was exhausted, but I am so glad he came.  I think it all went well - even with lunchmeat sandwiches!  I got to spend extra time with our great-granddaughter as 'Memaw' and 'Oma' sat with her at another table while we had lunch together.  Seeing our granddaughter was exciting too - and knowing that next month we will have another great-granddaughter!  I love how she loves on me and shows me loves.  She is amazing.

I had a great Christmas - again - and I think hubby did as well.  My son and DIL surprised me with a very large bag - and I'm thinking it is only one gift and held  off to the end to unwrap it.  Was I ever surprised when I pulled the tissue paper back and found several packages wrapped INSIDE the big bag!  It was so fun unwrapping each one - and knowing I can put each one to use!  My granddaughter and her family gave me little diamond art projects that I can do when I just have a little time available.  I love it!  And gorgeous stationary!  I do need to write more letters.  The first one, when I get new stationary from her, is to write her the first note.  Hmmm, one letter a year (sometimes) from me, maybe that is why I get new stationary?  

I was able to give to one of the grandsons some of the 'overflow' of Christmas gifts I had purchased.  He needed a new hoodie and I had several!  Was able to pass on a hoodie, a flannel shirt, plus a couple t-shirts for him for work.  Had a nice sweater too that he thought might fit.  Maybe that is why I overbought?  So that I could help supply a need? Grateful to God I did.  Yes, he could buy them on his own, but I had them, so he didn't need to.  Thankful, and grateful I could.  

We have one more Christmas to go and that is Monday around 2PM.  We already got our gifts from this son and I don't know why - but as he had already brought his gifts over, hubby opened them Christmas morning, along with ours.   I think they had just gotten put under the wrong tree and hubby wasn't thinking.  I had already gotten my red slippers.  As hubby opened two gifts from this son, and I had no more, I am thinking one was mine - but it's not a big deal. I looked for the paper to see, but he had already wadded it up.  One was a book - a devotional, I think, and I forget what the other thing was.  I have my slippers, so I'm good.  Oh yeah, hubby got the t-shirt.  So I'm thinking the devotional should have been mine - but that's ok.

I'm speaking today at the RV park and the first thing I did was go through the message this morning and made some changes.  One paragraph just didn't seem to fit so I marked it out. I think I have it down enough now.  We will also do communion this Sunday so I need to remember to take my Bible with me so that I can read the passage.  I picked up a book to read, as I had a little more time in here - and I remembered I hadn't written in here yet.  Wow. Usually I am thinking right away about what I could write about - and this morning I nearly forgot to even write!  Ot type, rather.  Maybe that's a sign that it is time to wind this down.  But then, what would my son read every morning as he wakes up? LOL

We will probably go on over the SA church with our friends after church at the RV park - depending on time.  Then lunch, possibly.  I'm sure this afternoon will be naptime (hubby has already told me as he brought my coffee in that he didn't sleep well, that he was awake since 2AM).  I finished a crochet project last night so now want to get back on the baby quilts I'm making for two great-granddaughters coming in 2025.  The crochet project was for me.  A great-granddaughter gave me to colorful skeins of yarn for Christmas - I had to make something of them and send a photo so that she could see I used them. It is big enough to be a cover for my legs when I'm on the couch; it seems I'm always cool or cold - depending on how high hubby has the fan on. 

Speaking of hubby, he was acting strange at times yesterday.  I had two crockpots going (one with soup, one with cherry cobbler) and the ceiling fan was on in the exercise room - and for some odd reason, he commented he was afraid I'd blow a circuit.  We have often had both fans going, the oven, stove and a crockpot or two without any problems - but yesterday, he voiced he hoped I didn't blow a circuit with just the two crockpots and a fan.  Sigh.  

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

That is one of the scriptures I am referring to this morning in the message.  The message is about love. We just celebrated Christmas and it is the love of a Heavenly Father who sent His one and only Son to earth to be born of a virgin, and live a life that ended with His body crucified on a wooden cross.... so that we could live.  And why did God do that?  We can come up with many reasons - to reconcile us back to Him; to turn our lives around and know that He alone is God; to... well, you can fill in the blanks.  But I tell you, God did it all because of LOVE.  

God loves you so very much that He allowed His one and only Son to be your  (and my) sacrifice for our sins.  Our sins are many, whether we acknowledge them or not.   We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  Jesus is our sacrifice for all time.  We don't have to butcher cattle or sheep.  All we need to do is confess our sins and He will forgive us.  Is there something you need to confess this morning? 

Sometimes you just need to sit down and get honest with God.  He will reveal what you need to confess to Him.  Why not take a moment this morning and just sit in His Presence and wait upon Him. Listen for His still voice.  Talk with Him. He's waiting, and listening for you.

Blessings!

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Last day of work before vacation.....

and both of my bosses are working today so it will be somewhat busy.  I do have a couple meetings I need to attend as well, and one with the bosses to make sure everything is covered for next week.  I have an executive admin lined up to help my male boss as needed... my female boss is self sufficient, but if need be, she can contact this person for help as well.  It's only a week I will be gone, so they both may very well hold things until I get back.  That Monday may be a challenge!  I don't plan to take my work computer with me so may need to check messages once I'm back home.  Last time I was off I had over 300 messages.  Oh well - all in a day's work, right?

Had a great dinner out last night.  Food was delicious and surprisingly, I didn't feel stuffed.  I ate all my food - except for the dessert - and didn't order extra stuff, so although I ate well, I didn't feel over full.  It was a good feeling, for I was able to enjoy my food.  

We no sooner got back in the house when my cell phone was ringing.  It was the neighbor's daughter.  She must have been sitting outside, watching for us to get home.  When I answered, I mentioned we just got home and she said "I know, I was watching for you."  Ok.... she just wanted to tell me she got her mother moved to the facility.  I did further research and they do have assisted living and that is where her mother is.  I will be going on Saturday afternoon with the daughter over the facility as she wants me to see where her mother is at so that I can visit her.  The daughter will be going back home to Florida in another week.  That leaves the mother alone in this state, so if I don't go see her, she won't have visitors.  She doesn't seem to have many friends.  I'm praying, though, that she will get out of her room and make friends.  It will be hard as she is not active at all, but if she can stay 30 days and get her medications under control and get stable enough to stay alone... but then, at 87, she does need someone with her.  She is very frail. And I cannot check on her every day.  I will visit her occasionally at the assisted living place, but I am learning I need to start setting boundaries.

I am still reading in Revelations (again) as I finish up reading through the NT.  Still learning a lot and new things are being revealed as I read.  But this morning's devotion was really good.  It was on a scripture in the book of Nehemiah.  Have you read that one?  I think I might do a study on that some time.... but I need to finish up John as I have a few messages to write on John for this upcoming 'preaching' season at the RV parks.  Preparation!

Nehemiah 4:6, 23:  "At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for th epeople had worked with enthusiasm ..... During this time, none of us - not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me - never took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water."

If you remember the story, starting in chapter 1 of Nehemiah, he heard about the devastation of Jerusalem and it grieved Nehemiah greatly.  He was the cupbearer for the king.  One day, after days of fasting and praying, Nehemiah was asked by the king what was wrong, why was he so sad.  Now one was not to be sad in front of the king at all!  But when asked, Nehemiah shared what was on his heart, and God softened the king's heart and the king gave Nehemiah time off 'work', and supplied him with all he would need to rebuild Jerusalem!  It was definitely a miracle!  But besides the miracle, it was going to take effort to get the job completed.  Nehemiah and the people, despite all the obstacles they faced as they rebuilt the wall, persisted in building.  They continued to work hard and endure.  That was their part in this miracle. 

Unfortunately, when most people get a miracle, they stop working.  They allow things to get in the way of their miracle, or they abuse the miracle.  Say for example, this latest big win of the Mega whatever it was.  Billions of dollars.  Now, if you got even $100 out of that, wouldn't you consider it a miracle?  So what did you do with it?  We've read so many stories over the years of people who have won the lottery, only to a few years later filing for bankruptcy.  They came into money and instead of using this miracle for good, they squandered it.  They lost it all.

But Nehemiah took his miracle of getting permission, money, and help from the king - and worked hard for the Lord to make it successful.  They finished the wall in 50+ days!  Remember the story?  You gotta read it!  It is a testimony of what persistence and good hard work will do for you.  The job was completed.

What is your part in the miracle you receive?  Whether it be financial, a good health report, good news you weren't expecting.... what did you do when you received it?  Maybe God opened a door for you and you have no doubt that He provided that job, or He provided that good report.  But now, you find you don't like what you do, or your don't think you have enough money, or you think that twinge is something serious... but it can't be just because you didn't take care o fyour health.....

Sometimes God opens the door and blesses us because He wants to use us in that miracle!  Have you ever thought of that?  The new job may be something that connects you to someone who perhaps needs some of the wisdom that you have.  The financial blessing may be given to you, so that you can bless others.  What are you doing with the blessings that God has given you... and are you doing YOUR part in using them?

I guess that is the question.  I know we have been blessed because we no longer have to live from check to check.  I've done that for as long as I can remember.  And yes, I do spend some foolishly.  But I also try to help others when I hear there is a need.   I'd rather do it personally, rather than for companies.  Why?  Because we needed to 'give' more last year (to reduce our taxes), so I gave to places like Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army, etc.  And they are relentless in sending requests for more money this year.  That always irritates me.  I don't want to feel like I have to give - I want to give because I want to help others.  And I know giving to them helps, but still.....   we are also called to be good stewards of all that God gives us.

Are you doing your part in your miracle?    Something to think about.

Blessings!