Happy Anniversary, Dear Friends

One year ago today, 2017

Happy 1 year Anniversary, Dear Friends!!  

May this special milestone bring sweet joy for knowing the One who ordained your oneness for His glory!  

Thank you for sharing this special year of your togetherness with me.  I treasure your friendship!  

LORD bless you!  

Because I know how much you treasure this man's life and love of our Father and his wife...

"Dear purchase of a Savior's blood, you are to me a Savior's gift, and my heart is full to overflowing with the thought of such continued goodness.  I do not wonder at His goodness, for it is just like Him; but I cannot but lift up the voice of joy at His manifold mercies.  Whatever befall us, trouble and adversity, sickness or death, we need not fear a final separation, either from each other, or our God. 

I am glad you are not here just at this moment, for I feel so deeply that I could only throw my arms around you and weep.  May the choicest favors be thine, may the Angel of the Covenant be thy companion, may thy supplications be answered, and may thy conversation be with Jesus in heaven."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Today, Happy 1st Anniversary Get Away, 2018

May We Abound in Hope

Come, Desire of  nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman's conqu'ring Seed,
Bruise in us the serpent's head.
Now display Thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.

"Hark!  the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King!"

Adam's likeness, Lord, efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place: 
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the inner man: 
O, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart. 

Hark!  the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"  

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739, alt. 

The month of December began for us with much concern for our parents.  Mark's mother's fall, her surgery and recovery, and this while preparing my parents for a move from their home of 33 years to a new, smaller home in a retirement community.    
Since my father's mini-brain stem stroke in September, talk of downsizing quickly became a reality. 

I am so very thankful Mark's mom is doing well as she rehabilitates in her daughter's home; my parents are now in their new home, and enjoying it very much.  

Some days it seems I still run a circle track to accomplish the things I am called to, so I am in much prayer for those the LORD has called me to love and serve.   
I am learning to be at home with the LORD through prayer... to trust He has called me to this season, to rest in His mercies, and not depend on my circumstances, trusting 
"... the God of hope to fill [me] with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit [I] may abound in hope (Romans 15:13)!  

I pray the same for whoever reads this.

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 

that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcome you, for the glory of God (Romans 15:4-7).  

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13). 

Good Tidings of Great JOY

It's easy to remember back on days I cherish and be thankful for God's gracious gift of time and energy to have fun with our children.  They were such a joy at this age.  Christmas was always a season when everything we did was exciting!  Their enthusiasm for the simplest of activities made our time together very special.  

One of our traditions was to read and recite the Christmas story.    As they became accustomed to listening to me recite it, even from their earliest days as babies, they learned and began filling in words I'd leave out, until eventually, they could recite the passage without my help.  

When I see this picture, I thank the LORD for giving me children that were teachable and eager to be impressed with Biblical truth.  I am thankful for every morning I could sit down and read God's Word to them. That simple practice of reading together impressed me, and I pray it has marked them as deeply.  

Luke 2:1-14 says,   

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

God is Our Present Help

It would create an almost miraculous change in some people's lives if they made a point of speaking most of the precious things and least of the worries and ills!

Why always the poverty?

Why always the pains?

Why always the dying child?  

Why always the husband's small wages?  

Why always the unkindness of a friend?  

Why not sometimes- yes, why not always- 

the mercies of the Lord? 

That is praise and it is to be our everyday garment...!

Charles Hadden Spurgeon  

Mawmaw stumbled and fell last Tuesday on her front walkway while covering her tender plants in preparation for the impending cold.  After attempting to get up by herself and not being able to, her neighbor arrived home within 20-30 minutes and heard her yelling.  

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).   


The neighbor came running to her assistance.  

Thank you, Father!!  

Per Mawmaw's request, Yell went inside to retrieve the phone numbers of her son and daughter off the kitchen chalk board.  Mark and Matt were able to respond quickly, as it was the providential day Matt was off work.  While one of our trucks was in the shop for repair work, Katherine drove the other to work that day.  
What a blessing to see God's loving hand in the circumstances of our lives and know right away, "Father God, you are gracious in your care, and we can trust you!"  Mark called rescue, because Mawmaw had much pain with every attempt to move.  Tricia arrived shortly thereafter, so she and Mark followed behind the rescue truck to the hospital.  
Soon after examination, and a few scans, it was determined Mawmaw had fractured her femur, the neck of the ball joint, and she would need surgery.  

"In everything give thanks:  for this is the will of God through Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  

There could be many things to fear and be negative about in these circumstances, but the LORD is teaching me concerning the things I cannot change, or do anything about, that He can be trusted!  

God is our Refuge and Strength, a very Present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear,..." (Psalm 46:1-2a).

Can I risk not putting my trust in Him?  
We are soo blessed and thankful that Mark's mom has survived this fall. 
Her surgery went very well, her recovery went as well, and she is now in a rehabilitation care facility for physical and occupational therapy.  
There are HUGE blessings to be very thankful for!   

How quickly my heart can be weighed down for concern of Mawmaw, the days ahead, the unanswered questions regarding her return home, because... "that's all I want, is to return home".  
God has not authorized us the ability to guarantee that will happen. 
He knows what is best, and He will  lead in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.  
We cannot linger there, but instead, return to the moments God has given us, to relish in who He is...", because Mawmaw knows, "He has been faithful to me!"  

Encourage and Build One Another Up

Your faith will not fail.
While God sustains it, you are not strong enough to fall away
while God is resolved to hold you.
J. I. Packer

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy." 
Jude 24

Thank you, Dear Susan, for sharing your soul sustaining Scripture and quotes with me that I may also be encouraged and sustained!  I am so very blessed by the measure of faith God has given you to endure the changes you've experienced in the almost 1 year you've been away.  

“I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

Happy 11 months of being married, Susan and Nick!! 
Your togetherness is a blessing to me, even from soo far away! 

His Unfailing Mercy

Give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good, 
for His steadfast love endures forever. 
Psalm 136

It is unfailing mercy.

It will never leave thee.

If mercy be thy friend, mercy will be with thee in temptation to keep thee from yielding;

with thee in trouble to prevent thee from sinking;

with thee living to be the light and life of thy countenance;

and with thee dying to be the joy of thy soul when earthly comfort is ebbing fast.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Family Night with Meme and Poppy

"We are to live together in families, in communities, in friendship's circle...It is certainly hard to live with other people...

The price of living with others sweetly and harmoniously — 
is self-forgetfulness, and self-effacement. 
But this cost is the very gold of life. 
It is the only antidote for selfishness. 
It is the way of Christ-likeness.

It is the self-discipline of friendship and home and human 

fellowship which makes men and women of us, which makes us like Christ." 
~J.R. Miller

How Firm God's Love

Poppy Update:

Occupational therapy has ended, but physical therapy continues twice a week. His current strides are to walk with a cane, but his therapist hasn't given him permission to go it alone.

We're immensely thankful for this progress. 

Meanwhile, he prides himself on giving bushels of pecks and hugs around the neck! 😉

Even down to old age, all my people shall prove 
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love, 
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn, 
As lambs shall they still in my bosom be borne.  

How Firm a Foundation 
"K" in Rippon's Selection of Hymns, 1787 
Author Unknown

The Author of JOY

There is enough in God to furnish us with matter of joy in the 

worst circumstances on earth.

Whatever is the matter of our joy, God must be acknowledged as the author of it.  

Matthew Henry


Though the fig tree should not blossom,,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail 
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places.

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
Habakkuk 3:17-19, ESV


You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11, ESV

Photo: A Samaritans Ministries member sent me/us this note of encouragement w/their monthly share earlier in the year.
This is just one of many uplifting notes of encouragement I received last spring to help us pay back MD Anderson for the cancer treatments I received in February and March.
From all the cards w/checks we received, I found the most meaningful  were shared by those who have walked through similarly hard trials, especially affirming their encouragement in the LORD with Scripture.
I know how easy it is to question and doubt His good for me when my heart is more focused on my circumstances than I am on Him.
“...I will rejoice in the LORD.
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the LORD, is my strength.”

Self-forgetting Adoration of God

Praise lies upon a higher plane than thanksgiving. 
When I give thanks, my thoughts still circle around myself to some extent. 
But in praise my soul ascends to self-forgetting adoration, 
seeing and praising only the majesty and power of God, 
His grace and redemption. 
Ole Hallesby