And as an update: I’ll begin writing this blog again very soon ~ I’ve missed writing here and would like to return to sharing encouragement, ideas and what the LORD is doing in our lives.  I’m continuing to reorganize and reprioritize [...]]]> I have written up the story of  our son Timothy’s miracle and would like to share it with you.  We continue to thank and praise the LORD for this marvelous gift.  You can read the story here on our website.

And as an update: I’ll begin writing this blog again very soon ~ I’ve missed writing here and would like to return to sharing encouragement, ideas and what the LORD is doing in our lives.  I’m continuing to reorganize and reprioritize my life and home.  In order to live what I write and write what I live, I’ve had to carefully examine and continually refine these priorities.  To God be the glory.

♥  This morning ‘melia told Hannah that it would be 73 grees today.  I think she thinks the de in degrees is sort of an article of speech and not particular to the word degree.

♥  Reminds me of when she [...]]]> ♥  ‘melia told me she loved the beautiful ‘drangeas’ in the front.   I said,  O, ‘melia, it’s hydrangeas — further enunciating: HY-drangeas.   She said, O — no mama, not the high ones — the low ones — the drangeas.

♥  This morning ‘melia told Hannah that it would be 73 grees today.  I think she thinks the de in degrees is sort of an article of speech and not particular to the word degree.

♥  Reminds me of when she used to say, that’s a good dea, when commenting on a thought or idea someone else had — as if to think that *i*dea is only used when expressing an original thought or a personal opinion – thus, the *I*dea.

♥  I so wish I’d taken my own advice and had written down all the cute “ism’s” of each child.   Some “______-ism’s” have remained or have become part of our family vocabulary, but many most have been forgotten in  the sea of experiences once lived.  I know I thought at the time that I’d never possibly forget each cute word or comment different youngers said.  But I didn’t write everything down and I haven’t remembered all the things I thought I’d never forget and I didn’t take enough photographs of things, days, events that would have been perfect moments to capture.

♥  So, today’s welcome home is:

1. write stuff down.
   
2. take a photograph of today.
3. record a child’s voice or play.
4. record a prayer request, lay it before the Lord – just watch and see, it will not be unredeemed.
   
5. smile.  you look so much prettier that way.
   

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

O will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever… He has once again – in a remarkable, amazing, loving and merciful way – that He alone is Lord and He alone (Romans 8.28-29) works all things [...]]]> Truly, the devil does only seek destruction.
God is only good. All the time.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10

O will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever… He has once again – in a remarkable, amazing, loving and merciful way – that He alone is Lord and He alone (Romans 8.28-29) works all things together for good to them that love Him and are the called according to His purpose. (29) For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son.

Though sometimes painful and seemingly hopeless, things the LORD allows us to experience are for our good and His great Glory. We do praise Him and Him alone for the great love wherewith He has loved us and for His watchcare over our little lamb. We can only take that sweet cup of salvation and say: Thank You.

When a prodigal returns, walking back down the lane, sees the lights of Home and is welcomed into the arms of her father & mother, sisters & brothers, there is much joy and rejoicing — the kind known only following much travail, heartache, pain and sorrow. Sorrow endures for a night, but truly, truly, Joy does come in the morning!  Praise only the Lord.

more later.

I could not have known as I wrote my last blog entry that that night my [...]]]> I thought I’d write a bit tonight — perhaps an update of sorts or maybe just an “I’m checking in” sort of post. Whatever it might end up being, suffice it to say, I’ve missed blogging, I’ve missed this sort of portal to the world and I’ve missed looking for things that might encourage, inspire or give some help or hope to someone else.

I could not have known as I wrote my last blog entry that that night my life or, rather, life for our family would take such a dramatic turn or that we would face something for which we were absolutely and completely unprepared. Not lost on me is the irony of the timing of the content and, thus, the subject of my last post – “Rejoice with me.” As a matter of fact, I’m in awe of the marvelous presence of the Lord.

I had been reading emails from readers, thinking of events in the past and current trials friends were experiencing. I could not have known a storm was brewing and about to break over our home. As I was reading emails, I decided to look into Luke 15 — which was, incidentally, near to where I was reading in my personal study [in a series of events I now marvel were quite obviously of the Lord].

So, these have been 94 of the most arduous and sorrowful days I have ever faced or experienced in my whole life. Perhaps I’ll write about them sometime, but for now, I just wanted to communicate that we’re experiencing joy in the Lord like we’ve never known and, at the same time, a sorrow we cannot fully articulate and some days feel we cannot bear. It is in those times we know the Love of the Saviour afresh and His loving kindness and presence is our All in all.

I pray my next post will not be a quote from the Scripture, though it would be, but an enthusiastic request: rejoice with me. In the meantime, I would ask that if it comes to your mind, I’d appreciate prayer for a precious lost little lamb.

God bless you all.

“It will be worth it all when we see Jesus… life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ – one glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase, so bravely run the race, till we see Christ.”

—pamela

8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she [...]]]> Enthusiasm’s contagious!  Isn’t it interesting how quickly our mood or emotions can change by being around someone who’s enthused about something? Or, someone who’s elated over accomplishing some great thing? It’s kind of like the bible verses in Luke 15:

8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

I just got off the phone with my brother… he didn’t need to say: Rejoice with me!  It was in his voice, though, and the words couldn’t come tumbling out fast enough when he was telling me of his new job — every sentence as if to say: Rejoice with me!

I think of this sort of rejoicing from time to time.  I think of this sort rejoicing when talking with a loved one a long distance away.  I think of it when I pray for my family… when I pray for friends… when I pray for people who’ve lost their way — or never knew.

Another few verses (Again, Luke 15):
4  What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6  And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7  I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Think of the enthusiasm in heaven!  Because I have a page on our website dedicated to Prodigals and Waywards, I receive mail from mothers and dads who are grieving the lostness of their children.  I marvel that there’s not more grief in the church over the lost sheep — it is grievous, really.  But it seems our politically correct society even infiltrates the church and no one seems to want to offend anyone.  Imagine: hell will surely be filled with unoffended souls — for we already see the church is filled with presently unoffended, unaffected and ineffective souls. Is it because we haven’t told the Truth?  Is it that we’re too ashamed to speak the Truth plainly?  Hell will be filled with the souls we were too afraid to touch… too afraid to offend… too afraid to talk to… too afraid to say, Rejoice with me!

Be enthusiastic about the Lord!  Tell others what you’ve seen!  You’ll be a true and faithful witness!  Try it: Stand up for Jesus: Say, Come and See!  I know I was blind but now I see!  Rejoice with me!

Last night he read us a story — the incredible story of survival of a group of Holocaust Survivors… who escaped certain death by [...]]]> My husband reads to us at night. He has done this for many, many years. The things he reads don’t always sound like they’re going to be the most interesting and certainly not necessarily ‘entertaining.’ I’m always glad for what he reads, though. It’s never a waste of time — far from it.

Last night he read us a story — the incredible story of survival of a group of Holocaust Survivors… who escaped certain death by hiding in one of the world’s largest caves. You can read this story for yourself here.

God has been so very, very merciful to us all. I kept thinking of the times we’ve fretted life… considering our small. small. inconveniences and trials. I shall never forget this story. Ever.

BO: “Our most urgent task upon taking office, was to shore up the same banks that caused this crisis [Wow.]. It was not. easy. to. do. And if there’s one thing that’s unified Democrats and Republicans and everybody in between – is that we all hated the bank bailout! I [...]]]> In light of yesterday’s post regarding the real state of the union… here you go: The State of the Union Address – part one. Listen. if. you. can.

BO: “Our most urgent task upon taking office, was to shore up the same banks that caused this crisis [Wow.]. It was not. easy. to. do. And if there’s one thing that’s unified Democrats and Republicans and everybody in between – is that we all hated the bank bailout! I hated it. (applause) I hated it (chuckle – applause). I hated it (more applause). You hated it. It was about as popular as a root canal.”

O wow. Think how many…