tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460932704091976962024-02-07T19:14:58.227-06:00Living, Laughing, Loving, LearningA servant of Jesus Christ, military wife, homeschool mom, talking about a little bit of everything. Joy, Pain, Fear, Faith, and the learning that happens every day.Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.comBlogger795125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-19524199820045173112023-09-06T14:19:00.000-05:002023-09-06T14:19:04.954-05:00Preserving more than fruit<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwhMVlfsHDD6cSGtHOtLzmYrKrvJkkb7oC4AXBC6WmocfCb6uA8ULZjnhRDM3IVI0ifdGhAK70qKugbxkBmZ2aCfUHpnEX2iRRwdKenrgEN3-KtmtM7RlVcuzFqzaEEyVe3MGyY_2g2HM7fZ8sdNT9-vKwMHCkMzEC0qOYj6nIaPX34CXrdjtF7jtWGk/s1280/save-image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwhMVlfsHDD6cSGtHOtLzmYrKrvJkkb7oC4AXBC6WmocfCb6uA8ULZjnhRDM3IVI0ifdGhAK70qKugbxkBmZ2aCfUHpnEX2iRRwdKenrgEN3-KtmtM7RlVcuzFqzaEEyVe3MGyY_2g2HM7fZ8sdNT9-vKwMHCkMzEC0qOYj6nIaPX34CXrdjtF7jtWGk/w640-h640/save-image.png" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I spent almost all of last week with my mother-in-law, Ellen, making jams and preserves. She has both apples and pears on her property but something had been stealing more than their fair share, taking a bite or two, then leaving the rest behind for her to find on the ground. Squirrels? Raccoons? She decided to just pick the fruit when it was not quite ripe yet, a day or two before the thief animal wanted it, save it in the fridge and make jam with it. Most of it wasn’t yummy enough for eating plain, but cooking it made it delicious. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had 4 of these buckets overflowing with apples, and nearly 3 full of Asian pears. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs89BXRZ-rHVhmy5Ivd4zjDoL5sCi4PFFAvJGQ7uRugNdUQA3Qiay08GcU0_CAVigsqYT3z0_SiLqcsEYRf8tanIxCdBTsQhJLZTrp5gmAh5o8Wid3haBxQ99TRP-qCbxtvlbQCOyVgUO8BRyUkLYhMkpoVo2fF1Mg7YzDVTeDuLjqyfJ1ZcyNcSn1gwI/s4032/IMG_8430.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs89BXRZ-rHVhmy5Ivd4zjDoL5sCi4PFFAvJGQ7uRugNdUQA3Qiay08GcU0_CAVigsqYT3z0_SiLqcsEYRf8tanIxCdBTsQhJLZTrp5gmAh5o8Wid3haBxQ99TRP-qCbxtvlbQCOyVgUO8BRyUkLYhMkpoVo2fF1Mg7YzDVTeDuLjqyfJ1ZcyNcSn1gwI/w300-h400/IMG_8430.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">It was a LOT of peeling and slicing, some at Ellen’s house and some at mine. </p><p style="text-align: center;">(So, enjoy the variety of kitchen pics!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The beautiful thing is that goats, chickens and worms (all of which I raise!) love the scraps that are left behind. Peels, cores and even the bruised parts that we picky humans don’t want were all put to use on my miniature little farm. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqH6Y5DH4lR60qoLbKXt_PAgQKbti6NY55vHlURd45Zl2z1erQz1iKnL1-avjRoOUILKVdP9C2-XLD3GZcCFeyWJyPoMHnhjlsVzo46BgXM0aI2CkUn0MXzEUNvcyyPklZySG_dD1fFriEAXRF2vDawQomPJbFZi2onsMLJCV40rV_RwaoeFkWZtnK0HU/s4032/IMG_8434.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqH6Y5DH4lR60qoLbKXt_PAgQKbti6NY55vHlURd45Zl2z1erQz1iKnL1-avjRoOUILKVdP9C2-XLD3GZcCFeyWJyPoMHnhjlsVzo46BgXM0aI2CkUn0MXzEUNvcyyPklZySG_dD1fFriEAXRF2vDawQomPJbFZi2onsMLJCV40rV_RwaoeFkWZtnK0HU/w400-h300/IMG_8434.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">All we did on Tuesday was peel and slice, then peel and slice some more</span>! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVWdScSR8HzeeW9hAILn8kH0NKLPa6fCT0z0PfeP1uyte7wAgJN46tI0XiR_9Qr10Ycr2WS5d2GnbC35B8C9hTZfCipBeiyf0eYDtciqBqthuwkxCH-wNP0Jwg3Zz3wRV0_RUk1PncsrttmYaSVouQV8ze_3GEO3Eh6eMTwdZSUVZA_LO0CuRjruJ1mg/s4032/IMG_8435.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVWdScSR8HzeeW9hAILn8kH0NKLPa6fCT0z0PfeP1uyte7wAgJN46tI0XiR_9Qr10Ycr2WS5d2GnbC35B8C9hTZfCipBeiyf0eYDtciqBqthuwkxCH-wNP0Jwg3Zz3wRV0_RUk1PncsrttmYaSVouQV8ze_3GEO3Eh6eMTwdZSUVZA_LO0CuRjruJ1mg/w300-h400/IMG_8435.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">But on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we were able to actually create beautiful new things also.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OVZuPmq62PwnGBQGKI2tSZgBmgNAvhbsLgHF73PiBqR8_US_XuoolvNf5tnadDVsIg2xyUAW0dFHVL2gmoH9-sBpf2qsHCKaqtq5wb0k_v-I0hflqgO96ZJS2hWckgFGr6-cEJ4CCVGpN3Neh9NXuejAt2A45jB_iiiEwIBdtkAdrWzhqWWyAjX_ZQg/s4032/71526995182__F24BD825-271B-4FA2-ACAC-4012589ED351.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OVZuPmq62PwnGBQGKI2tSZgBmgNAvhbsLgHF73PiBqR8_US_XuoolvNf5tnadDVsIg2xyUAW0dFHVL2gmoH9-sBpf2qsHCKaqtq5wb0k_v-I0hflqgO96ZJS2hWckgFGr6-cEJ4CCVGpN3Neh9NXuejAt2A45jB_iiiEwIBdtkAdrWzhqWWyAjX_ZQg/w300-h400/71526995182__F24BD825-271B-4FA2-ACAC-4012589ED351.jpeg" width="300" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We ended up with four types of jams, 76 jars total, all different sizes and styles. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Because that is how you do it on “the farm”, lol. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Use what you have!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX13PTCrwOdsISkQjsaysPE5cIXysosvDEQWxKP3yEsttQOj1H5VilVwjDv0bSKGlsCO5lOTdps2O3WCz4DFPx2bmudrtzVO718O_yMZZY6R2Q51KDyxTERZAma1F4v1OEX8mudQe4_-c20RY_DMcrypEFy-6hNkqcYA1jFlusYc8rdI6g3SU5kv75VNk/s3264/IMG_0830.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX13PTCrwOdsISkQjsaysPE5cIXysosvDEQWxKP3yEsttQOj1H5VilVwjDv0bSKGlsCO5lOTdps2O3WCz4DFPx2bmudrtzVO718O_yMZZY6R2Q51KDyxTERZAma1F4v1OEX8mudQe4_-c20RY_DMcrypEFy-6hNkqcYA1jFlusYc8rdI6g3SU5kv75VNk/w300-h400/IMG_0830.jpeg" width="300" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Fbf-V6MTfJHdedfiguKHL1prPvKInznTBrqvbClvkyeA5UlkBR3--xSkdDefrcv7VdeSn0kUu4oZ_YWsaXFdfwew3x2Qxs4IvO3jvktIo0iGcLGzt1yG6OzFJ28xl3CjW8A1HvEtHY31fGhcm09F6VkaBupLgGuboa0gQJaKuTWbe3eLRNHB7U0f1rc/s4032/IMG_8437.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Fbf-V6MTfJHdedfiguKHL1prPvKInznTBrqvbClvkyeA5UlkBR3--xSkdDefrcv7VdeSn0kUu4oZ_YWsaXFdfwew3x2Qxs4IvO3jvktIo0iGcLGzt1yG6OzFJ28xl3CjW8A1HvEtHY31fGhcm09F6VkaBupLgGuboa0gQJaKuTWbe3eLRNHB7U0f1rc/w400-h300/IMG_8437.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioy_YGzTfU5nnVRzePncdIWTojXycN0qbuiArxjd6VDJkab833Qh2abdKgLpNaRzsS2uxcES2wdb8AGos9MUHOQ5WVDwZOOBgmfHjAk1AOqGNuqaJMNdmPpAFnyvY5QPmazJzvfq7QtiptSpkh_zURYHTk9gI97l5mqBnCCHhhlQhTlFIYDTNd-DYTXhw/s4032/IMG_8441.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioy_YGzTfU5nnVRzePncdIWTojXycN0qbuiArxjd6VDJkab833Qh2abdKgLpNaRzsS2uxcES2wdb8AGos9MUHOQ5WVDwZOOBgmfHjAk1AOqGNuqaJMNdmPpAFnyvY5QPmazJzvfq7QtiptSpkh_zURYHTk9gI97l5mqBnCCHhhlQhTlFIYDTNd-DYTXhw/w400-h300/IMG_8441.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have been planning to write about my adventures with fruit for several days now. Not surprisingly, God has brought the Fruit of the Spirit into my morning reading twice in the last few days. Isn’t it lovely when He reminds us of the connections that He already took the time to make between our regular daily life and our call to a life that is pleasing to Him? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmA5vF7jOsPqqtOYx0PLnzXaPJyPMEDU-J60udZc0P9zj6mETaMCjTQTJHUflj8eWwgoosZMSkCx-PwJoHOwG2YZ2qY_7sn2AcEIWT5ls3Eecq2RqltRhaWeC74Lze373CMhQdEOKNy-M1bkTIPwQvQ1JGemBH07IY3GQ1DKWHl4PiqQzFDIF9GzjK4k/s1280/save-image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmA5vF7jOsPqqtOYx0PLnzXaPJyPMEDU-J60udZc0P9zj6mETaMCjTQTJHUflj8eWwgoosZMSkCx-PwJoHOwG2YZ2qY_7sn2AcEIWT5ls3Eecq2RqltRhaWeC74Lze373CMhQdEOKNy-M1bkTIPwQvQ1JGemBH07IY3GQ1DKWHl4PiqQzFDIF9GzjK4k/w640-h640/save-image.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Even our modern, city dwelling, grocery store buying selves know that fruit has to grow. It has to start small and become more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That is what I want to remind you about the fruits of the spirit too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Even when they are small, in you or the annoying people around you, remember that the fruits of the spirit aren’t done growing. Some days it will feel like the enemy has snuck in and stolen the whole crop. Don’t get discouraged. Just find a different plan- maybe you need to “harvest” early!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Share your fruit with those around you, my friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Patiently help them ripen theirs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The more you share, the more you will have.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I promise!</div></div>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-22671298011131522882023-08-28T21:49:00.001-05:002023-08-28T21:51:10.781-05:00The battle belongs to the Lord<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj1vPz2Nr93r5y5bEVm0vdRs3B2dSJVDrx9Lviu5bM0tL4swxssOf0qgqT_2_zFqBxOvG8MJdlXz_igWl7hq2oZmWNHo4SrhHhCWHn7bFe29N-viHR0DM4Z96NsoW8sxadhC72wXXcMfmsj9T38g4oK2SP3AFGK7c6eV9hAkfbiLN6fLyTViuI1D7uTI/s640/save-image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj1vPz2Nr93r5y5bEVm0vdRs3B2dSJVDrx9Lviu5bM0tL4swxssOf0qgqT_2_zFqBxOvG8MJdlXz_igWl7hq2oZmWNHo4SrhHhCWHn7bFe29N-viHR0DM4Z96NsoW8sxadhC72wXXcMfmsj9T38g4oK2SP3AFGK7c6eV9hAkfbiLN6fLyTViuI1D7uTI/w640-h640/save-image.png" width="640" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>“So David prevailed over the Philistine with the sling and with the stone, and he struck down the Philistine and killed him, but there was no sword in David’s hand. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it from its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.” 1 Samuel 17:50-51 LEB</p><p>The battle was not over yet when Goliath fell. The rock that David slung may have killed the giant, but it hadn’t completed the battle. The warriors around him couldn’t tell that Goliath was dead. David had to grab that sword and do the ugly work of cutting off the head so that those enemies could to see him win more completely. </p><p>The giant fell, and that was beautiful. </p><p>Please, my friends, remember to see the success in every single battle as it happens.</p><p>But… don’t get lazy. </p><p>Sometimes you think the battle is over before it is ACTUALLY over. </p><p>Sometimes you think it was the last battle when there are still more to come. </p><p>Don’t let the giant falling be enough. Cut off its head too. </p><p>David proclaimed that first verse before going into battle. He knew that God had things under control. But David also took the action of gathering stones, using his slingshot, running toward the enemy and picking up someone else’s sword (that the was laying there, available to him, provided by who?!) before he declared the battle <i>over</i>. </p><p>He declared it won, belonging to the Lord, before it began. </p><p>He was ready to fight every step of the way. </p><p>Please, hear BOTH of those things. </p><p>So now, be blessed with courage and strength as you go out to fight, for the battle is the Lords!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-89005010181199375492023-08-25T20:48:00.000-05:002023-08-25T20:48:28.561-05:00A very belated surgery recap!<p>Hello my friends! </p><p>It has been nearly a year since I have written and I am sorry. So, first, an update on life. </p><p>I had another brain surgery last December. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSE9ivVhZ6jUQbLCrmLftohFOKmak-bIOxE1jQEoj4EtGADCV0y-FVnBnL39jIjplLNbufFuYqehyvaaXX2ZxC3sRjGEJCxmXDJ9YmoljdYPcsG4_5pVJni8XseimwhFS34LjbNiPB2T1vgLbkHIOhR0vuYcm-7YUBt2Ev05wDSNGo3SVvamzSlkq08A/s4032/IMG_0256.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSE9ivVhZ6jUQbLCrmLftohFOKmak-bIOxE1jQEoj4EtGADCV0y-FVnBnL39jIjplLNbufFuYqehyvaaXX2ZxC3sRjGEJCxmXDJ9YmoljdYPcsG4_5pVJni8XseimwhFS34LjbNiPB2T1vgLbkHIOhR0vuYcm-7YUBt2Ev05wDSNGo3SVvamzSlkq08A/w300-h400/IMG_0256.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A computer, like this, is in my head, doing a pretty good job of stopping the seizures.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is sort of like a pacemaker for the brain. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdX9znfngfHiLFcSKBvtEUBdRD2Hgoq-o2hqIpaemHBIz2r0cvvrOLSNxLrE42859ss-qwDti5t-J7EdNd3RDanop8iZkPzo0xbfw0T6QUxKwd3uqpDkYztWpFa7kGHc5EC9IrH1SyhfVxYJD1AkH_DKobk2Z5NHRILkeHb7FU8FEzeIHnGuJLjScIrb8/s1280/IMG_7729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="1280" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdX9znfngfHiLFcSKBvtEUBdRD2Hgoq-o2hqIpaemHBIz2r0cvvrOLSNxLrE42859ss-qwDti5t-J7EdNd3RDanop8iZkPzo0xbfw0T6QUxKwd3uqpDkYztWpFa7kGHc5EC9IrH1SyhfVxYJD1AkH_DKobk2Z5NHRILkeHb7FU8FEzeIHnGuJLjScIrb8/w400-h321/IMG_7729.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It just took a lot of cutting, and then stitches, to get it there!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A beautiful spring rolled around while I healed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1WHrKIkscgcbZ0Z8PcGBTlgukXb-0cwp8X4a3JRtiiaz61EX3_CQlNuVCWaK5kREuHtWyGtOI6FUjJmH_nxzVqoCmhB-R-B9ocRgYKjwSB7R7Z8wYZpLbbju-3w-dsIECX80drPOs1o9U1qFDZjxVSgWC02xgDgHa1nukU6HpHGug-jZYhxJ7NR19K0/s4032/IMG_7983.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1WHrKIkscgcbZ0Z8PcGBTlgukXb-0cwp8X4a3JRtiiaz61EX3_CQlNuVCWaK5kREuHtWyGtOI6FUjJmH_nxzVqoCmhB-R-B9ocRgYKjwSB7R7Z8wYZpLbbju-3w-dsIECX80drPOs1o9U1qFDZjxVSgWC02xgDgHa1nukU6HpHGug-jZYhxJ7NR19K0/w480-h640/IMG_7983.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I love this tree, the boy in it, and the family photo shoot we had with it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAA-8VYDxio8_FBFH3mpRl8wnbZx_Vv7u4v1wvF5ITEWcr6Ek-V7oCfcLZtu8UU52HytCNWXN-ltNaClwIeOxVLZnWvOj0WmyT0_cnA0msK3XoKdbucXU7uj6NEOXSX3kh9Vg0JDdjxUEydj6WkaSJYSYeGxIdY0PqZz51nCmXzw6mXQxich4Q8roX1qI/s1600/mi-17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAA-8VYDxio8_FBFH3mpRl8wnbZx_Vv7u4v1wvF5ITEWcr6Ek-V7oCfcLZtu8UU52HytCNWXN-ltNaClwIeOxVLZnWvOj0WmyT0_cnA0msK3XoKdbucXU7uj6NEOXSX3kh9Vg0JDdjxUEydj6WkaSJYSYeGxIdY0PqZz51nCmXzw6mXQxich4Q8roX1qI/w400-h266/mi-17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We took some great family pics…</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavQn99lschE7c7xRwlvzMLFLw7fVL1uPphDzE4TwJ6gASQVC7GaV5ginDEHcKBKXWHCBJKGxxFX9hInYNsggyrhzUpJ2HV1bJPDPR2JXcMhMr38OnY_bNKkVKaaaNz08dXxk4yMH6rmukFo5ug-LJ1_SZ5XGakF3YL6EemoLOo4oa8vPI1Va8ktVZEhw/s1600/mi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="1600" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavQn99lschE7c7xRwlvzMLFLw7fVL1uPphDzE4TwJ6gASQVC7GaV5ginDEHcKBKXWHCBJKGxxFX9hInYNsggyrhzUpJ2HV1bJPDPR2JXcMhMr38OnY_bNKkVKaaaNz08dXxk4yMH6rmukFo5ug-LJ1_SZ5XGakF3YL6EemoLOo4oa8vPI1Va8ktVZEhw/w640-h482/mi.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tUiuNcLKWQgJ2RgIxVJZH9dvYkvYftfLAMDuvMtaI4aVpk8l6mXjcecxlnp-e6ha-7-S-Gw63PwgLvbQHQoF-NnLaAmp5Ye0v0HmnX9oAFxY8NyjyqringezmyxD1WlFZ54ZeYl6B2NoANdar1xtBPSgyr8Z1g-j3EyWFQqnlN34MfVKXAq66ste_EY/s3088/IMG_8035.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tUiuNcLKWQgJ2RgIxVJZH9dvYkvYftfLAMDuvMtaI4aVpk8l6mXjcecxlnp-e6ha-7-S-Gw63PwgLvbQHQoF-NnLaAmp5Ye0v0HmnX9oAFxY8NyjyqringezmyxD1WlFZ54ZeYl6B2NoANdar1xtBPSgyr8Z1g-j3EyWFQqnlN34MfVKXAq66ste_EY/w400-h300/IMG_8035.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And had a quick family trip to Savannah before Canaan deployed to the Middle East. </div><div style="text-align: center;">He keeps in touch every single week and I cannot complain. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;">So I try not to!</div><div style="text-align: center;">But prayers for my deployed boy are always appreciated!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CQA5TbaVAb1tWC1sb2ofNUlsuflc1ol2Z3eJI_vLsztcxd7m738-pj_SteCTyNwrtsfq3xS-36Jrw6XW4Zk9E36TAVoPvLc21mtSZWnFlIXdZKca3S1cnrYH1kyjFOXSIGXXs6pJDt9msmTV-_S1Xe0woa2tBp8w3cs_G7UgWeNwKyOXnOqjCJYS0e4/s4032/IMG_8181.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CQA5TbaVAb1tWC1sb2ofNUlsuflc1ol2Z3eJI_vLsztcxd7m738-pj_SteCTyNwrtsfq3xS-36Jrw6XW4Zk9E36TAVoPvLc21mtSZWnFlIXdZKca3S1cnrYH1kyjFOXSIGXXs6pJDt9msmTV-_S1Xe0woa2tBp8w3cs_G7UgWeNwKyOXnOqjCJYS0e4/w300-h400/IMG_8181.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I got more chickens…</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLMrJTX-waZlk0qkZ8rZGNX_RmIrI_-6wpDGp8Afyyer4yZZ5vCeBOodTp-8ud1dagsl8iAcg1CIpK-TF60QaWI-CJcHqBj2zURdAcktesT81hygB63HKDekmjb_LBvPAxGgS0rrBZJKItO1MU4Q7cYVaNmTWQSrhYoihZZyxtzM9SBKSSzzf5eI6z3s/s4032/IMG_8375.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLMrJTX-waZlk0qkZ8rZGNX_RmIrI_-6wpDGp8Afyyer4yZZ5vCeBOodTp-8ud1dagsl8iAcg1CIpK-TF60QaWI-CJcHqBj2zURdAcktesT81hygB63HKDekmjb_LBvPAxGgS0rrBZJKItO1MU4Q7cYVaNmTWQSrhYoihZZyxtzM9SBKSSzzf5eI6z3s/w400-h300/IMG_8375.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And more goats…</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRwowZov8g0eo6l-4qQuC21_Pov415uxoIw0UWJAeU3eJCvPmGZWBcdEqwV-Co_v3w9l4xZlPKEAXcA0znSF0hr1x0E-m2QMU_ov0gvas4DORzWutcaxxo-5GkOu3UZn2vjJYZGuxzSZ5IAFFmDg8hezAOWS7DcITGroEjlEFvrcDi1__pelURhg4MHQ/s4032/IMG_8376.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRwowZov8g0eo6l-4qQuC21_Pov415uxoIw0UWJAeU3eJCvPmGZWBcdEqwV-Co_v3w9l4xZlPKEAXcA0znSF0hr1x0E-m2QMU_ov0gvas4DORzWutcaxxo-5GkOu3UZn2vjJYZGuxzSZ5IAFFmDg8hezAOWS7DcITGroEjlEFvrcDi1__pelURhg4MHQ/w400-h300/IMG_8376.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaOUgC2SmFA1Y41scsWaeZ__f2_aRCa-UjbCV9WeNfveitnJiDCKNawS93QFfPf3jZvYMkMVS_tDRecH4jV6RadIDkkyfOfQfT529McDdojwZsjgKyk5XCxAKuFZTa-tqTrpGQQEonVnJvwjYSvTcWAuPkRAS7E5FwlAURXh43w5Ra_BJ7ZaHbATv-ac/s4032/IMG_8383.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaOUgC2SmFA1Y41scsWaeZ__f2_aRCa-UjbCV9WeNfveitnJiDCKNawS93QFfPf3jZvYMkMVS_tDRecH4jV6RadIDkkyfOfQfT529McDdojwZsjgKyk5XCxAKuFZTa-tqTrpGQQEonVnJvwjYSvTcWAuPkRAS7E5FwlAURXh43w5Ra_BJ7ZaHbATv-ac/w300-h400/IMG_8383.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>I am settling into farm life and healing really well. </div><div>Andy has settled into a new job, not military any longer.</div><div>This is my last year as a homeschool mom. Zion is a senior this year! </div><div>Lots of transitions and changes for our crew. </div><div>So, I am seeking what God has next for me. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is time to write again, I hope. </div><div><br /></div><div>Check back again soon. I am trying to find words. The brain is healing. I just have to make my typing hands work now too!<br /><p><br /></p></div>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-71093755933318258252022-11-16T15:29:00.000-06:002022-11-16T15:29:33.469-06:00Past, present, future<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> I have been looking through old</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> blogs again. It is like reading an old diary, reliving those old memories, and it is beautiful. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> I am so very glad that God allowed me to write at different times in my past. He didn’t always, and what He has impressed upon me recently is “speak, even without words”… so I haven’t been posting much. I pray my actions are speaking, and my smile is speaking, and my eyes themselves are simply sharing His love.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">But while I am learning, again, something new, I am so very glad to have this old to look back on. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">————————————</span></p><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 32px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;">Marriage: Anticipation and Planning</h3><div>Originally posted Sept 18, 2010</div><div class="post-header" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4702194389768277046" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 694px;"> Most of us, at least us ladies, plan our marriage well before the event. Not just the wedding - the marriage. The dress and the flowers and the cake are always talked about as the thing every little girl spends her childhood dreaming of. I would venture to say that there are plenty of young women who spend a good bit of that time budgeted for wedding planning dreaming about the groom also.<br /> Not just <i>who</i> he will be, but <i>what </i>he will be:<br /> "Tall, dark, and handsome." "Rich, dashing, and debonaire." Or even "Bold, strong and courageous."<br />I knew exactly what I wanted.<br /> I was the daughter of a missionary, granddaughter of a preacher. I was looking for someone with a similar background. I was a bookreading, high GPA, classical music loving nerd, who wanted to settle down, have kids I could homeschool and shine Jesus wherever I was. Once again, I thought I would find someone similar.<br /> Everyone I dated, or even had a serious crush on, was serious minded, slightly bookish and had very set plans for their future. Not that we didn't know how to have fun - I am making us sound like a bunch of sticks in the mud. My life was just very planned out. How can I put this...<br /><br /> Ever watch <a href="http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1911948057/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">X-men</a>? I was planning to marry a <a href="http://film.guardian.co.uk/pictures/image/0,,-10304657757,00.html" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Cyclops</a>. Good man. Steady, strong, full of love and ready to work hard to get the job done, whatever the job may be.<br /><br /> But then, <a href="http://film.guardian.co.uk/pictures/image/0,,-10104657757,00.html" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Wolverine</a> showed up. Simply rode into town, and threw everything in my world out of balance. I was introduced to Andy one night at a concert on our college campus. He was a transfer, fairly new to town and needing friends. One of my girlfriends said, "Bethany, this is that guy I was telling you about. The one who got arrested last week."<br /> I was 20 years old, and nothing in my life has EVER been the same.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6dNhDJhu4Drjmn0y3HMOr07ileD6oulqKy-Ceu8rqV6o8ctcVMfD0RDQeGl3D11H4VWaDrHwQ41vvNlT91-ykO9ojQDBhi8Z_Rl1GkFktj495xwf48kcL0q6HBCGXtqwMs6SHaH0T48/s1600/Shorter,+couch+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #888888; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6dNhDJhu4Drjmn0y3HMOr07ileD6oulqKy-Ceu8rqV6o8ctcVMfD0RDQeGl3D11H4VWaDrHwQ41vvNlT91-ykO9ojQDBhi8Z_Rl1GkFktj495xwf48kcL0q6HBCGXtqwMs6SHaH0T48/s400/Shorter,+couch+pic.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><br /> He had sideburns and tattoos, and was an art major. Where did that fit into my plan?<br /><br /> But, he loved Jesus, and he loved me, and somehow, that was all that mattered.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(He always wants me to clarify the whole "arrested" thing. That was mostly a wrong place, wrong time, 19 and stupid thing. He sat in a holding cell for about two hours until his parents came and got him and he ended up with a ticket. Still, it makes a great story!)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />Having a plan is a good thing. Thinking ahead, preparing for what might come. But even more important is the ability to be flexible. Sometimes what we plan for just can't work. If we get our hopes set on something and focus all of our attention on it, then when something changes we get lost.<br /> Last night when I was trying to take a picture of Zion I zoomed in from across the yard. Then, he moved. That super focus on just one spot was nice and clear, but the object I wanted was no longer in that spot. I had to change my point of view entirely, drawing back to see the big picture first, before I could zoom in again.<br /> In fact, in the meantime, I got some really great shots from farther away.<br /> Those close ups are precious, because they show facial expression so nicely. But sometimes seeing the wider angle, looking at more then just one face at a time gives just as amazing of a picture.<br /> Not what I originally planned, but it made me just as happy when I sat back and rolled with it.<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"> So Wolverine and I keep making our little plans. Every day we are learning more about each other, where we are going, and how to get there as a team. </div><div style="margin: 0px;"> We have changed each other, but in wonderful ways. He loosened me up. I toned him down. He taught me to ride a motorcycle. I make him balance his checkbook. </div><div style="margin: 0px;"> There are moments when we fight over who has control over the zoom button on the camera - and what exactly we focus on. In the end we always reach the same conclusion though-</div><br /><br /> Who is making the plans around here anyway? Certainly not us!<br /><br /> "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11<br /><br /> And after all, "the foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans and God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength." 1Cor 1:25<div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4702194389768277046" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 694px;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4702194389768277046" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 694px;">———————————————-</div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4702194389768277046" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 694px;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4702194389768277046" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 694px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Over 20 years later, I am so glad God changed all of my “plans”. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">As we wait for God’s plans, again, I am so very glad to have my Wolverine to wait with still. </span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4702194389768277046" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 694px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4702194389768277046" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 694px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Be blessed my friends, as you look back and remember to see the good. </span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4702194389768277046" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 694px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Be blessed while you wait right now, with Joy. </span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4702194389768277046" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 694px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Be blessed as you choose to have faith that the future is in the hands of our God. </span></div>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-42495205087077057992022-10-05T17:24:00.000-05:002022-10-05T17:24:28.787-05:00The Whole World<p> I grew up with the song “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDBJNQiugnM" target="_blank">He’s got the whole world in His hands</a>”. </p><p> I grew up with lots of songs about my Jesus, but that one popped into my brain very strongly as I was writing a text message this afternoon. I had just finished a fairly intense Bible study about listening to God’s prompting. About Elijah and Elisha being amazing men, but reminding us that God was the one who was even more amazing. </p><p> Deep thoughts. Heavy thoughts. Inspiring and beautiful.</p><p> Yet what God gave me to write was a children’s song. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTRvgPT4ES3PQ3uc1ioGRVRRKDjwJlv5kF9yUhcE2rE0SMGreSok_AzK8ufSuQZL9QXh6oMTnnWKUY71F910WFxgVeENP47RRikV6fYiMgBxYueYB792Et3ojBFio9tPNiDsi8G9zC5loncNgYzS49wO5hUXzBlZeIoVmj-U_I3QQZxWtjeb_juH4/s640/4D8E8FBB-E634-48BE-82D1-B0DF29F038CA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTRvgPT4ES3PQ3uc1ioGRVRRKDjwJlv5kF9yUhcE2rE0SMGreSok_AzK8ufSuQZL9QXh6oMTnnWKUY71F910WFxgVeENP47RRikV6fYiMgBxYueYB792Et3ojBFio9tPNiDsi8G9zC5loncNgYzS49wO5hUXzBlZeIoVmj-U_I3QQZxWtjeb_juH4/w400-h400/4D8E8FBB-E634-48BE-82D1-B0DF29F038CA.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I felt the need to look into those words. To see what I was missing, what God was teaching me, what heavy thoughts God was leading me to. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikOOh8aVqesWsiPcPgnUzArbiF6hL4vnzM7WPdpKSYPdSatJpi2fvyx6Z-L5AnoyQ3fbrejAciqVF_I7TwVVVZv8nllfj3OgQN2JMFt-PxiwbqIHl6jLQFTNuFAgh-zx1PkauGpJrkXhIqNHDsPRjDfQaMLsjnGkEMH5e17NQ9-AK7KjkZheEsyHq/s1280/6D03DF8D-3ACC-4FC0-BF49-4B59AF4F1F88.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikOOh8aVqesWsiPcPgnUzArbiF6hL4vnzM7WPdpKSYPdSatJpi2fvyx6Z-L5AnoyQ3fbrejAciqVF_I7TwVVVZv8nllfj3OgQN2JMFt-PxiwbqIHl6jLQFTNuFAgh-zx1PkauGpJrkXhIqNHDsPRjDfQaMLsjnGkEMH5e17NQ9-AK7KjkZheEsyHq/w400-h400/6D03DF8D-3ACC-4FC0-BF49-4B59AF4F1F88.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSu7OILAOanRn96onqdQ4YFK4j00CWS832d0Zax2zkElQ3aiFceE3VWeXXSt5L1jjCLpwD9WHzX92CdEiU1Hc_1vul0ZqfSJUeT4LX5dubxHz59TiX-Yco1jQaTaVkW99Io1KX6U4SR8b1nzu_VljiLHgm4_DcElYgxCnDsfDxk5uoFX5_uEi14nE/s1280/11718602-C620-46D0-A0A4-59EA5E9ED784.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSu7OILAOanRn96onqdQ4YFK4j00CWS832d0Zax2zkElQ3aiFceE3VWeXXSt5L1jjCLpwD9WHzX92CdEiU1Hc_1vul0ZqfSJUeT4LX5dubxHz59TiX-Yco1jQaTaVkW99Io1KX6U4SR8b1nzu_VljiLHgm4_DcElYgxCnDsfDxk5uoFX5_uEi14nE/w400-h400/11718602-C620-46D0-A0A4-59EA5E9ED784.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BwB4MkgzIDCrZu9Rv71yMvQKM0xxtiqSBYEszYryrJLvq1ouLiRszfeMY_dE_9ke4lgrS1alQcgQLR3Fi-wsyvUsterYVe6Jpv8I-QYFIifUrNMJl595RZ7BiI2ln_mTpCSxCzr3WL8NbjWbeeYlOpwuvBn1UvhkAz1IOs3lXotsJvM898xSsxY3/s1280/628097BF-417D-44BE-98C9-335FCE736C4D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BwB4MkgzIDCrZu9Rv71yMvQKM0xxtiqSBYEszYryrJLvq1ouLiRszfeMY_dE_9ke4lgrS1alQcgQLR3Fi-wsyvUsterYVe6Jpv8I-QYFIifUrNMJl595RZ7BiI2ln_mTpCSxCzr3WL8NbjWbeeYlOpwuvBn1UvhkAz1IOs3lXotsJvM898xSsxY3/w400-h400/628097BF-417D-44BE-98C9-335FCE736C4D.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What I found was beautiful, and inspiring, and breathtaking and yet… simple. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Truth often is, my friends. Simple. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-elH7cCHSxtqsMaIwHAEXK-jH6qlCWky3ivhRUrAGQGCoeXnAxU6tFZN16pFgrpS8gRcmKOx-FWbpQwxQJIOZ2vG7hHfOksT_jmtnaze1HCUL3Sto3Zyp1BtAeiPlIAMhiGlY9v0mC7mlsQPTj8yPajAXoScseHZieH7HhD0neEgxrDaydKLdrkC/s640/B46BD3A6-67E1-4616-9D87-3305FA5EC144.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-elH7cCHSxtqsMaIwHAEXK-jH6qlCWky3ivhRUrAGQGCoeXnAxU6tFZN16pFgrpS8gRcmKOx-FWbpQwxQJIOZ2vG7hHfOksT_jmtnaze1HCUL3Sto3Zyp1BtAeiPlIAMhiGlY9v0mC7mlsQPTj8yPajAXoScseHZieH7HhD0neEgxrDaydKLdrkC/w300-h400/B46BD3A6-67E1-4616-9D87-3305FA5EC144.png" width="300" /></a></div><p>Just as Zion held this baby chick a few weeks ago, God holds us. In His hands!</p><p></p><p>Plain and simple.</p><p> Now, what He asks us to do isn’t always simple. How he asks us to respond while we are in His hand…. that is a different story. </p><p> But He holds us, in His hands! </p><p> Be confident of that my friends. When you ask, He hears. </p><p> Please, look at that first verse again. </p><p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTRvgPT4ES3PQ3uc1ioGRVRRKDjwJlv5kF9yUhcE2rE0SMGreSok_AzK8ufSuQZL9QXh6oMTnnWKUY71F910WFxgVeENP47RRikV6fYiMgBxYueYB792Et3ojBFio9tPNiDsi8G9zC5loncNgYzS49wO5hUXzBlZeIoVmj-U_I3QQZxWtjeb_juH4/s640/4D8E8FBB-E634-48BE-82D1-B0DF29F038CA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTRvgPT4ES3PQ3uc1ioGRVRRKDjwJlv5kF9yUhcE2rE0SMGreSok_AzK8ufSuQZL9QXh6oMTnnWKUY71F910WFxgVeENP47RRikV6fYiMgBxYueYB792Et3ojBFio9tPNiDsi8G9zC5loncNgYzS49wO5hUXzBlZeIoVmj-U_I3QQZxWtjeb_juH4/w400-h400/4D8E8FBB-E634-48BE-82D1-B0DF29F038CA.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>All things- the Whole World- is in His hands. </p><p>Be blessed my friends and be confident that He is holding you! </p>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-45080505006051570602022-09-06T19:27:00.000-05:002022-09-06T19:27:36.532-05:00Still beautiful <p> This post is originally from April of 2020 and I called it “beautiful scars”. </p><p> Covid was in it’s beginning. I was waiting for my first Litt brain surgery, but already waiting for my hair to grow back from being shaved off during testing. Andy hadn’t retired from the army yet, both my children still lived at home, which was in a different state then now, and the questions of life then were different than the questions of now. </p><p> Yet now, even with so many things different, I don’t think I would change a thing it says. </p><p> Beautiful scars are still beautiful, if we choose, and remember, to see them that way. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mfZe8O0bzBvXJs4jCnyS_om2jo4V-mpfCEY5dvkcHrbXVnnnhXx_eIxCXVyf_SQBWxyX-kSddCFCeqH2iegCnzOmOXKuEWwqoyKJAm1w-RR-Ley5-H2QkHOuA1Z2_z9VOln-0O5s-E0/s1600/48449897-27FD-49E7-A2EF-82DCFD5A2831.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mfZe8O0bzBvXJs4jCnyS_om2jo4V-mpfCEY5dvkcHrbXVnnnhXx_eIxCXVyf_SQBWxyX-kSddCFCeqH2iegCnzOmOXKuEWwqoyKJAm1w-RR-Ley5-H2QkHOuA1Z2_z9VOln-0O5s-E0/w640-h640/48449897-27FD-49E7-A2EF-82DCFD5A2831.png" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Those wounds that need binding come in so many different shapes and from so many different sources. Some are deep and need stitches to stop the bleeding. Some are more shallow, but so very wide that they seem to stretch out forever. Others will scab over, then get opened again and again and again. I have seen emotional and spiritual wounds that require “surgery”, the complete removal of a limb, for healing to happen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> But healing is always happening, if we allow it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> The thing is, there are often scars left behind. Healing stops the bleeding. Healing closes the wound.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <i><b>But the scars are still there. </b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> What do you see when you look at a scar? Do you see something ugly or the mark of a battle won? Are you inspired with pride because you survived? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i> I think they are beautiful. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> As time passes the scars smooth out. They show how we have grown and changed and matured- but they remain, as gentle and beautiful reminders of the battles we have won and the wounds that our Savior has already healed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> There will be new battles and new wounds. We will need new healing, over and over, and there will be new scars along the way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i> And they will be beautiful too. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">“He heals the wounds of every shattered heart.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Psalms 147:3 TPT</div>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-71967028505900314742022-08-24T14:42:00.000-05:002022-08-24T14:42:29.574-05:00We know in part…<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">There is so much we can’t see. For example…</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEQPjKXtEYBJFUYOMQJJGvIbE3ormiuVG1lB4jlgCyWEDLOpkACSUsQD0_v_vfBRu86TnsjAPTHkn0hVkIiqL7UHCjjtOk3W86GJBGySNq6Zl2vqh2KZkuV--_y0pkSDfnlsDZjR3OjwIOfV1DVu-3XUpJ3Qk3d6i4u1EHvm7qUjZ3R8vsGfJIjrQ/s640/BECA8D40-0DE6-4AB2-BD10-8244E6EA37A7.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEQPjKXtEYBJFUYOMQJJGvIbE3ormiuVG1lB4jlgCyWEDLOpkACSUsQD0_v_vfBRu86TnsjAPTHkn0hVkIiqL7UHCjjtOk3W86GJBGySNq6Zl2vqh2KZkuV--_y0pkSDfnlsDZjR3OjwIOfV1DVu-3XUpJ3Qk3d6i4u1EHvm7qUjZ3R8vsGfJIjrQ/w640-h640/BECA8D40-0DE6-4AB2-BD10-8244E6EA37A7.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Do you see the giant tree in this picture? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Let me rephrase that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Do you see the small portion of the giant tree showing in this picture? It is solid and strong. It has roots going deep into the ground and branches reaching high into the sky. Small plants grow under it and around it. Deer sleep in it’s shelter. Rabbits play in the shade it provides. An annoying armadillo digs holes all around it, looking for interesting things to eat. Under and on and in it there are oodles of insects. In the branches there are a multitude of birds. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> But this picture shows one tiny portion. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> That is what was impressed upon me so deeply with that Bible verse as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> “We know in part.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> In our modern times with our “search button” allowing us to know more all the time, we want to know it all. We want to see the whole thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> But as this beautiful picture reminds us, we can’t. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> You can’t see both the front and the back at the same time. You can’t see above and underneath. You can’t see inside the tree- you will kill it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Sometimes we have to simply look at what we can see, what is visible to us where we stand right now, and have faith that what is on the other side is doing what it is suppose to and going where it needs to. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> We have to trust that our Heavenly Father is doing amazing things on the other side of the tree. Even when HE isn’t explaining it to us, HE is still involved. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I am confident. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg067XLHgjkaQVtHSEk5391nl4L_MASzZUYxs9vb2HhBwDFhxMpPahO7YAF5ulQTrrIxyjN7lUn4UK5DDHBOJHPaFsqtpNIrZvx4uW-Cxj6RsguDYW1qXVEbeGgZ-aMGaa29l3DrNaS6pGIg5tE3XSb9q29YKwVI2lvQRamEcWC0HzaBYmP-e_UnQCy/s1280/5CEAD322-6B3C-47E4-BA0C-010C4EC1EB03.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg067XLHgjkaQVtHSEk5391nl4L_MASzZUYxs9vb2HhBwDFhxMpPahO7YAF5ulQTrrIxyjN7lUn4UK5DDHBOJHPaFsqtpNIrZvx4uW-Cxj6RsguDYW1qXVEbeGgZ-aMGaa29l3DrNaS6pGIg5tE3XSb9q29YKwVI2lvQRamEcWC0HzaBYmP-e_UnQCy/w400-h400/5CEAD322-6B3C-47E4-BA0C-010C4EC1EB03.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be blessed with faith my friends, even though you can only see one part of the picture!</div><p></p></div>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-42167769448077157372022-08-10T18:58:00.000-05:002022-08-10T18:58:39.624-05:00A Summer Recap<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOIULo2ULEgf0zjQjgSgX1NBuguSD1R25JJHqq6k-vGx1vLau8ExNBrqLzjy61s5DoQuCjm36bjrpDxqBkZkq5FWDn-BQPqsdFBhqtGUHTmaUYNO7O8X-IWCF-FcPLi-sDgcKmz06r5Ua1w2x2S0TWfUYvI37Plibwl0FTWQ8Cr6Xrb0sm6vVfclW/s1280/27D4A22E-1E17-42F7-8E0C-AE3D888039AE.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOIULo2ULEgf0zjQjgSgX1NBuguSD1R25JJHqq6k-vGx1vLau8ExNBrqLzjy61s5DoQuCjm36bjrpDxqBkZkq5FWDn-BQPqsdFBhqtGUHTmaUYNO7O8X-IWCF-FcPLi-sDgcKmz06r5Ua1w2x2S0TWfUYvI37Plibwl0FTWQ8Cr6Xrb0sm6vVfclW/w400-h400/27D4A22E-1E17-42F7-8E0C-AE3D888039AE.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Summer sort of flew by. Suddenly it is time for school again! How did that happen? I will show you a few pictures of what we worked on, before I dig into some deeper thoughts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got chickens for my birthday- a wish for years and years! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMKW6KDF5XPKGgjkXvMj_oqx-kd0GTB5Pfq6nvO3sQrXQjBycECCXxtFJ-Aj8ZlL54x48c1SKI2sP2gwf7RmKDByeJgdO7wwurXOlqTbMtMQ2PAmAfQc6xN39RW6v1Y4ze_s1cyVxLWaLyRiIc-BZfvEHVZeHKtMYCVqcCEMAK67uRJlBs9sGCmmk/s4032/2B200404-8118-44BB-9144-A56AE54D4C33.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMKW6KDF5XPKGgjkXvMj_oqx-kd0GTB5Pfq6nvO3sQrXQjBycECCXxtFJ-Aj8ZlL54x48c1SKI2sP2gwf7RmKDByeJgdO7wwurXOlqTbMtMQ2PAmAfQc6xN39RW6v1Y4ze_s1cyVxLWaLyRiIc-BZfvEHVZeHKtMYCVqcCEMAK67uRJlBs9sGCmmk/w300-h400/2B200404-8118-44BB-9144-A56AE54D4C33.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sweet little babies :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(The big redhead included, haha)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKzUpkzzVc_ZaO4Z-nAqK4-DYpDpmENbCVQj8rrU_6xRmlQZt8b5v1Ts1gyqjoVsRel6MezscuFXPVODK-nCySa37Y6okLOZwqOilDkdnCGnmjKblXpxVkHvJVOLGKbnoe-7sAB_iWsDMbTippjDbGDIALXqSvGKyfFLUkaFez_40u5D_lKpuCn4m/s4032/79A17718-C187-43C9-907F-2EB177F3FCD2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKzUpkzzVc_ZaO4Z-nAqK4-DYpDpmENbCVQj8rrU_6xRmlQZt8b5v1Ts1gyqjoVsRel6MezscuFXPVODK-nCySa37Y6okLOZwqOilDkdnCGnmjKblXpxVkHvJVOLGKbnoe-7sAB_iWsDMbTippjDbGDIALXqSvGKyfFLUkaFez_40u5D_lKpuCn4m/w400-h300/79A17718-C187-43C9-907F-2EB177F3FCD2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Andy got me 4, then my friend Amanda got me 4 more, just a few weeks younger. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPKzz4IXusaFenX5fqr2WkggDJ-jYk2XvlcB7UH5VAg6owCLHIZfBmNu2Yoshc2K2QB6-8wQHXM7K3UFg_Vnme6h-uR1hzkdIvblmRsPAdo-_kYmTt5Zq2YSYZ8KDUUenWGZDgvX_N88VGA-mdLYfGlrOVHYywl6_Kdlxp3CIrlap72wWnaFb8v0g/s4032/D6FDBA17-396D-4C61-B53F-698361351277.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPKzz4IXusaFenX5fqr2WkggDJ-jYk2XvlcB7UH5VAg6owCLHIZfBmNu2Yoshc2K2QB6-8wQHXM7K3UFg_Vnme6h-uR1hzkdIvblmRsPAdo-_kYmTt5Zq2YSYZ8KDUUenWGZDgvX_N88VGA-mdLYfGlrOVHYywl6_Kdlxp3CIrlap72wWnaFb8v0g/w400-h300/D6FDBA17-396D-4C61-B53F-698361351277.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Andy built this chicken coop completely out of recycled things. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The only thing new is the nails. Everything else was part of something else originally, or a scrap piece, not able to be used for it’s original purpose. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I LOVE it, and my amazing man for building it for me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWj_bzexKKr_W6o0LtflzmBuXOfpoM7T4w2zr_v58acXRdh6OpDdAnJbSZAu1i4C_3rSB6mZG6ACerNnFdGsfzD3e9jnU3hh0ATVXrYN9S6DPZNRVy-biCqYKxRN7Kbw00PJyls12BN9tcGYqWUNmopl1oHlBkRuSkp37U2O-ftc66jEhWjwYoeEhc/s4032/5A6ACACF-63B7-4E8B-B389-8DC5AB5D3B87.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWj_bzexKKr_W6o0LtflzmBuXOfpoM7T4w2zr_v58acXRdh6OpDdAnJbSZAu1i4C_3rSB6mZG6ACerNnFdGsfzD3e9jnU3hh0ATVXrYN9S6DPZNRVy-biCqYKxRN7Kbw00PJyls12BN9tcGYqWUNmopl1oHlBkRuSkp37U2O-ftc66jEhWjwYoeEhc/w300-h400/5A6ACACF-63B7-4E8B-B389-8DC5AB5D3B87.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBzbwOIlKjDFyBZ3X1VCgl1ROb8qyLZyRBeUu7JUcFyT-ms74xdjYvM7qBjpWkzVgM2t75xIzmPGlDlTuY8hm5CVK0dbVAbjlbCicPkQDC7ALe8RVLerJGf7QzYoBZxxPcPUoOmx-kF8wuV8z2pwdo4QcUnGJBQImhuE49IQr32mx26f383-A7wgq/s4032/8E27A86B-F4E5-460A-937E-06066D24E2F3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBzbwOIlKjDFyBZ3X1VCgl1ROb8qyLZyRBeUu7JUcFyT-ms74xdjYvM7qBjpWkzVgM2t75xIzmPGlDlTuY8hm5CVK0dbVAbjlbCicPkQDC7ALe8RVLerJGf7QzYoBZxxPcPUoOmx-kF8wuV8z2pwdo4QcUnGJBQImhuE49IQr32mx26f383-A7wgq/w300-h400/8E27A86B-F4E5-460A-937E-06066D24E2F3.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Only 7 made it all the way to adulthood, but they are loving the coop life so far and will hopefully start laying eggs soon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next, we got goats. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZ6OD8cjVW7ou85xXN7RmxBcjsZVw_F_ul1DZEa3avKN5dQTN8hw7Dv_B-njVsUDSLfngqVbZ5f2_4RUoJxZ4Z9UJUbZDLQ5KEfbbJ-Ih-Nu2Z4oYfOmDvDOmqZBILKI76LKKT8KDO2I/s4032/10910D11-398A-4A90-AA40-C57C3742B67E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZ6OD8cjVW7ou85xXN7RmxBcjsZVw_F_ul1DZEa3avKN5dQTN8hw7Dv_B-njVsUDSLfngqVbZ5f2_4RUoJxZ4Z9UJUbZDLQ5KEfbbJ-Ih-Nu2Z4oYfOmDvDOmqZBILKI76LKKT8KDO2I/w400-h300/10910D11-398A-4A90-AA40-C57C3742B67E.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Peanut. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He is a Pygmy, probably around 10, so getting old. We are his third owners, and he has been well loved and spoiled. He is extremely easy going and fat, lol!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMk5XjMZzLtX3HfEJnjfvFZ_1igXH5NtWMD8HUtzqLvDF2zpI21OSGOO-YUok5IQnQMxtGs4HZxhQb16XSPCOeVlrrmzgj8SxFXtw0qdXiTVZYpsQXt4dGP7Y5aEPs-lXHGNEMh2J8J68c2177pnePlLYjMrIYmpiSh0JTAfB7dJ8dgY_3GxWS1hBN/s4032/40693FDC-0D99-4AEA-A0C3-AC22151D1122.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMk5XjMZzLtX3HfEJnjfvFZ_1igXH5NtWMD8HUtzqLvDF2zpI21OSGOO-YUok5IQnQMxtGs4HZxhQb16XSPCOeVlrrmzgj8SxFXtw0qdXiTVZYpsQXt4dGP7Y5aEPs-lXHGNEMh2J8J68c2177pnePlLYjMrIYmpiSh0JTAfB7dJ8dgY_3GxWS1hBN/w400-h300/40693FDC-0D99-4AEA-A0C3-AC22151D1122.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Penelope.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She is a Nigerian and is around 3 years old. Like Peanut, she is a people lover. I am hoping to get her some babies… but need to meet someone who can make that happen, haha.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>They are both easy going and laid back, obviously loved on and raised more like pets by their prior owners. I can’t promise that I give them attention as often as their prior owners, and there is no pizza served here (which is the story of what was served to Peanut by his original owners!) but I have gotten very attached to them already. We are hoping to add a few more to the flock, after we get a fence put up. For now they have to be leashed or on a run, thus moved often. The fence is coming in just a few weeks!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F-28hALNMmDMvEgOUa7qNahjyM_EHpMw2zMupGMp29HMWRzDM94WDwmWgzqnK9NbVKSHyyOzr7zhTALebfH4FMuelh3dINZ7khM5Gmtmdr-gIcDFbR8VczRQFjnMtNHgERTdjFGKeA-9wwwgwrtXvoZgeW5yL-5sZYyG1ERTj54Z1QvV-qP2zXzT/s4032/57DFA4EC-518F-4AC8-BB66-AE44997B45B5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F-28hALNMmDMvEgOUa7qNahjyM_EHpMw2zMupGMp29HMWRzDM94WDwmWgzqnK9NbVKSHyyOzr7zhTALebfH4FMuelh3dINZ7khM5Gmtmdr-gIcDFbR8VczRQFjnMtNHgERTdjFGKeA-9wwwgwrtXvoZgeW5yL-5sZYyG1ERTj54Z1QvV-qP2zXzT/w480-h640/57DFA4EC-518F-4AC8-BB66-AE44997B45B5.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also had a bird’s nest with sweet little babies in it, right on the front porch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I very much enjoy living “in the country”.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Summer was beautiful, and peaceful and calm. <div> Canaan came home over the 4th of July to get some of his belongings. He was in training almost his entire first year in the military, but is now stationed about 4 hours away and working and living a more normal military life. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HRZ79PXFLwkAIeuhBYiHIVrwBY5ksVHxbA0WzKHO8ZoHQNuWi24P9AmqUnAJGEYk2eYjR7X6KEsUOgip0ac77vE25-Kh4--VcihltbGFroZ4PuriQKYVfea9ZNCd3uX8CnHUGmBCSUCMDt0dn59CXErvLlom2Wjz2b983pphZl-lLQtx2T-kKGQR/s4032/BBD15202-216A-4282-86E1-C5EF6AD93E76.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HRZ79PXFLwkAIeuhBYiHIVrwBY5ksVHxbA0WzKHO8ZoHQNuWi24P9AmqUnAJGEYk2eYjR7X6KEsUOgip0ac77vE25-Kh4--VcihltbGFroZ4PuriQKYVfea9ZNCd3uX8CnHUGmBCSUCMDt0dn59CXErvLlom2Wjz2b983pphZl-lLQtx2T-kKGQR/w300-h400/BBD15202-216A-4282-86E1-C5EF6AD93E76.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Somehow, this is the only picture I took during his visit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">His Grammy sent him home well supplied with candy. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrJTxjVa59cTvio9J_NiW_uK3-j3WYXzwzLq0rKj__Ack1clGaJAonLNhYWWDmvp4Ewgsy2Hhsmewh-RUiqUnSxtRI-b4db0c1uf1-dnk0NTfZHZ6rXrzK6kp4m4od-IQrhmJyJSodo-bUUbIk6pRBuAc87kxJvUDaCsbn786Yz8GF6QSASgwUXrr/s3088/D6E72299-D9EE-419B-B98C-2AEF9E67344C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrJTxjVa59cTvio9J_NiW_uK3-j3WYXzwzLq0rKj__Ack1clGaJAonLNhYWWDmvp4Ewgsy2Hhsmewh-RUiqUnSxtRI-b4db0c1uf1-dnk0NTfZHZ6rXrzK6kp4m4od-IQrhmJyJSodo-bUUbIk6pRBuAc87kxJvUDaCsbn786Yz8GF6QSASgwUXrr/w300-h400/D6E72299-D9EE-419B-B98C-2AEF9E67344C.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last, but certainly not least, Zion is loving his time at Chick-fil-A.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My mom’s brother and SIL dropped in and surprised him on their way by (from TX!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He started his Junior year last week. Where does the time go?</div><br /></div><div>My family is strong. Our Jesus is faithful. We are blessed. </div><div><br /></div><div> There are still many, many questions about what we are doing and how we are going to do it. But over and over (and I have to say it a third time) over again our Jesus gives us what we need, when we need it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlv9Ii7ru3t16KRYaan7HccX-gDExCDo0UTc8yfsIxeNcVBb6Nf44cikvqlnsq0esc-Phx5avfJVVYx5FSsfu5KBlWHDKQf_58P4vgMrXD1paGx_wN-anN6qC7LVqVUKESpMPIuXF6X0aASvXO6xTKPRBFcrMwY5yW7OPcwS8b8jEjpeunXQiHFyx8/s1280/E6E75CE5-ED40-4209-BB9E-A62F81F68675.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlv9Ii7ru3t16KRYaan7HccX-gDExCDo0UTc8yfsIxeNcVBb6Nf44cikvqlnsq0esc-Phx5avfJVVYx5FSsfu5KBlWHDKQf_58P4vgMrXD1paGx_wN-anN6qC7LVqVUKESpMPIuXF6X0aASvXO6xTKPRBFcrMwY5yW7OPcwS8b8jEjpeunXQiHFyx8/w640-h640/E6E75CE5-ED40-4209-BB9E-A62F81F68675.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div> This verse is what God was asking me to remember today. </div><div> What He pointed out, repeatedly, was the word ALL. </div><div><br /></div><div> We want to praise Him for good. We want to celebrate and rejoice if those “mighty works” line up with our ideals and wishes. Sometimes, although amazingly mighty and still His Plan, those “mighty works” are not what we would have wished for. </div><div><br /></div><div> But ALL is in almost every translation. </div><div> The old fashioned KJV says, “I will meditate also of ALL they work”</div><div> The more modern Passion Translation says, “I ponder ALL you’ve done, Lord”</div><div> The NIV that I grew up with, “I will consider ALL your works”</div><div><br /></div><div> ALL. </div><div><br /></div><div> Whether they are what we would have picked or not, ALL. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73h_fMicm1bceCeVIwMvjhFvB9ohoB16gbwvtlCdXUs63-M5IszbtVUOWDfSBaTrCtinLFQuZXhfTlXgtJD10ztw3dnO1x9KaMc7JYEymgkBzFC31D_O2-kAKBy0hMU1KHWDIhXr8O_ZrxlN3fKAx0fWKW6ypEWN5I-3JrUTIoJz7NcpDyf7eQYYr/s1280/3FCA85AC-61CC-4859-B4FE-81BD8469C906.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73h_fMicm1bceCeVIwMvjhFvB9ohoB16gbwvtlCdXUs63-M5IszbtVUOWDfSBaTrCtinLFQuZXhfTlXgtJD10ztw3dnO1x9KaMc7JYEymgkBzFC31D_O2-kAKBy0hMU1KHWDIhXr8O_ZrxlN3fKAx0fWKW6ypEWN5I-3JrUTIoJz7NcpDyf7eQYYr/w640-h640/3FCA85AC-61CC-4859-B4FE-81BD8469C906.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div> Be blessed my friends, with hope and faith that overflows onto others around you. Keep smiling, even when it is hard. Keep loving, even when you are tired. </div><div> Perhaps pet a goat, or feed some chickens, or weed a garden full of beautiful produce. But choose to enjoy your life! <p></p></div><div> All of it. </div>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-21762702472559420892022-05-06T21:45:00.000-05:002022-05-06T21:45:06.236-05:00Choose what you see<p> You can’t always get what you want… but as The Rolling Stones say, you get what you need. </p><p> I have to be reminded of that sometimes. That line, sung by a drug addled group of hippies who I disagree with on most points of life, called out to me today. My amazing Savior used their words to speak His truth. Isn’t it beautiful how He does that? </p><p> Here is the simple truth- what I “want” isn’t happening a lot recently. </p><p> I am caught in a complicated question- when is “fighting for what you want” no longer good? How long are you suppose to push for what <u>seems</u> right before you simply say “I must be wrong”? </p><p> But as God, and The Rolling Stones, reminded me today, I have what I need. </p><p> There are multiple unanswered questions in the lives of Bethany and Andy right now, but we have a roof over our head, delicious food in the pantry, and each other. </p><p> We are amazingly blessed to have Zion right here with us and Canaan able to call multiple times a week. Both of our moms are near by and many priceless family and friends are within reach. </p><p> I can’t always get what I want. </p><p> I don’t even know for sure which things I am suppose to fight for and which things I am suppose to let go. </p><p>But….</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoL0wKP2Cu4MdF13ZNiWlJCYH8zjowoze8bTq0TtwiI6m1RX3RXjJN5TJK588V-YrXuEfonCY3n22n1CgJBbD9xpBNRAUk2VI7I7bDi303Q3YW1Z_QeSxr6g-Yfc8CzvBeWndCcMntsLFxtHxnfuJycHlpaVYXgcVcqe0zIP4t0_iYHuEC7n_fXyd/s1280/5F177FEA-4263-4717-89EA-B3C0097CF53A.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoL0wKP2Cu4MdF13ZNiWlJCYH8zjowoze8bTq0TtwiI6m1RX3RXjJN5TJK588V-YrXuEfonCY3n22n1CgJBbD9xpBNRAUk2VI7I7bDi303Q3YW1Z_QeSxr6g-Yfc8CzvBeWndCcMntsLFxtHxnfuJycHlpaVYXgcVcqe0zIP4t0_iYHuEC7n_fXyd/w640-h640/5F177FEA-4263-4717-89EA-B3C0097CF53A.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;"> I am Oh So Amazingly Blessed!!</p><p style="text-align: left;"> Remember to count your blessings too my friends.</p><p style="text-align: left;"> Find the good. </p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWE8WC-19vHR4LxYSDKX1b0IgNuq-Y_QKTZD2XIjNuotTS3kmCtBNQEuToragwbR322ibea7pK6A8wQgDX0_NIuJ2jRY7I-rR1SR7QRwukBPkjhfiI01CenuCjuxpWlntaLokhfG05-0sKmvqDiEvKEvcg85L2fmmn721Jnq3IYmDNwuHF02HafW2/s640/7ABB69CC-BACA-4659-A396-52C614A0DC86.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWE8WC-19vHR4LxYSDKX1b0IgNuq-Y_QKTZD2XIjNuotTS3kmCtBNQEuToragwbR322ibea7pK6A8wQgDX0_NIuJ2jRY7I-rR1SR7QRwukBPkjhfiI01CenuCjuxpWlntaLokhfG05-0sKmvqDiEvKEvcg85L2fmmn721Jnq3IYmDNwuHF02HafW2/w640-h640/7ABB69CC-BACA-4659-A396-52C614A0DC86.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>See the beautiful. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOCljSJyQN68H9bKNJPxRL15Yz0AJOyFGrWFYUkHu6hak5fh9MhHF_ZWqst_ULEGl-01OCplw0ytOuN179udLyI33QxVp3veu9jDBq5g4bk56eaOonPaidj1INbWp8Oo0fPX0HpWPl9AtUriHSJCnvkL_hYidTQrxpe0GzPKrJFSdkSqX9wj3FGp8/s828/DFC31239-CECC-4173-A155-E01C98E974B4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOCljSJyQN68H9bKNJPxRL15Yz0AJOyFGrWFYUkHu6hak5fh9MhHF_ZWqst_ULEGl-01OCplw0ytOuN179udLyI33QxVp3veu9jDBq5g4bk56eaOonPaidj1INbWp8Oo0fPX0HpWPl9AtUriHSJCnvkL_hYidTQrxpe0GzPKrJFSdkSqX9wj3FGp8/w640-h640/DFC31239-CECC-4173-A155-E01C98E974B4.png" width="640" /></a></div><p> Make that choice. </p><p> I am asking for your prayers my friends. There are unanswered questions and decisions for the Freeman crew. Always… but it seems heavy right now. </p><p>In the meantime…</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6stSaAK8jYrxGYxGjEFC9Sg63H2XxvT2JInzCc1Yo8BJ9fAdbgpQHVZ-_6ylI64e7jYmj6jP_wT3KYWpQHQDCl9_HElGATsFZaBwhxa_PANYxWSFazcVvohunC0h5jSTRzt1lvlXJdaucMn3MLGPFbYd-U3PhpKQM6y0aObGXanHFTzMiCFsmigfK/s1280/C3E57ECD-AC5C-45F4-824F-5CAE9BBE649D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6stSaAK8jYrxGYxGjEFC9Sg63H2XxvT2JInzCc1Yo8BJ9fAdbgpQHVZ-_6ylI64e7jYmj6jP_wT3KYWpQHQDCl9_HElGATsFZaBwhxa_PANYxWSFazcVvohunC0h5jSTRzt1lvlXJdaucMn3MLGPFbYd-U3PhpKQM6y0aObGXanHFTzMiCFsmigfK/w640-h640/C3E57ECD-AC5C-45F4-824F-5CAE9BBE649D.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>“Again I say, rejoice!”<br /><p> Be blessed my friends! Make the choice to see the good, every step of the way! </p>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-10836080934175527852022-04-26T18:14:00.000-05:002022-04-26T18:14:16.907-05:00In ALL things- <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh540GaTQ04l_IidERchNhcMSPeOhGV59MzJDYUSTO6czUwaJmQSRDyW2o7CCC__XyEZf0OdLAcS7xuF_iEf4o1v_8iuI-9zVh5HWh66aToP0kl5SHfn0TeK7aErrvYIMR2lzu0bYHFh2W-ZzU-A0bvu3YemBO9txc9JTFBpp2tEkLhVUsA4AmUr17v/s1280/C7540ECA-227A-47A0-92C1-05A3F28F65FF.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh540GaTQ04l_IidERchNhcMSPeOhGV59MzJDYUSTO6czUwaJmQSRDyW2o7CCC__XyEZf0OdLAcS7xuF_iEf4o1v_8iuI-9zVh5HWh66aToP0kl5SHfn0TeK7aErrvYIMR2lzu0bYHFh2W-ZzU-A0bvu3YemBO9txc9JTFBpp2tEkLhVUsA4AmUr17v/w400-h400/C7540ECA-227A-47A0-92C1-05A3F28F65FF.png" width="400" /></a></div><p> Most of us who know Jesus know this verse I think. We claim this verse. We hold on to this verse with both hands. We might simplify it a little too much sometimes….</p><p> But it is beautiful, and I love it. That promise is breathtaking. </p><p> So, when you get to see absolute beautiful good come directly from ugly bad, you have to take a moment and rejoice in it. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRpFWc1NQmbg_Vd-VLegPEr3QuK4deg0E5wVhoX60leDz-gC_0qw2_v6UAtqomsiCRLfPnJrrC5pqH3SxoAEGoJEu_PqdxGQi9nyEaYlCOoza5pGQYptNIN-mQidsISQ8KcPsLoQEzb9SSwUQqEgmTPmWSmWadSvou8UEu4HobyFJcWHT1fefTFus/s4032/CA4A250D-C1F4-4016-AFBF-DC555741C1EC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRpFWc1NQmbg_Vd-VLegPEr3QuK4deg0E5wVhoX60leDz-gC_0qw2_v6UAtqomsiCRLfPnJrrC5pqH3SxoAEGoJEu_PqdxGQi9nyEaYlCOoza5pGQYptNIN-mQidsISQ8KcPsLoQEzb9SSwUQqEgmTPmWSmWadSvou8UEu4HobyFJcWHT1fefTFus/w300-h400/CA4A250D-C1F4-4016-AFBF-DC555741C1EC.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is mom’s hand, just a few weeks ago. She fell, and in a beautiful gift from God didn’t break anything on the front of her face, which is the direction that she fell. So, that is the first thing that we celebrate. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> However, there was a nasty break in her middle finger. Not a nice simple crack, but a spiral all the way down one of the bones. Requiring multiple pins to fix. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ36_yyg6onyKubFfU6RccIwGa_-KE00rP6_w_o63yOf-JaoXSojd7oMVMR6ivVNE6NX7USLjhZDG2sUh8MSK402qxLg0Y0AsEAtC8Tu8IwbZR5uhiPKYQLIGj743H9aH2frI91RaWDHfw-iJFo8nN83YiBNszB5KxMdWDli3IMlKCLK6daaAp7A-F/s3234/B10300A3-25D1-4DAF-BC33-BBD416D94B83.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3234" data-original-width="2898" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ36_yyg6onyKubFfU6RccIwGa_-KE00rP6_w_o63yOf-JaoXSojd7oMVMR6ivVNE6NX7USLjhZDG2sUh8MSK402qxLg0Y0AsEAtC8Tu8IwbZR5uhiPKYQLIGj743H9aH2frI91RaWDHfw-iJFo8nN83YiBNszB5KxMdWDli3IMlKCLK6daaAp7A-F/w359-h400/B10300A3-25D1-4DAF-BC33-BBD416D94B83.jpeg" width="359" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That required her to be unconscious, putting those pins in. And that is where this story gets beautiful, in my opinion. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> You see, she needed an anesthesiologist for that, being unconscious. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xUVfMg9e_5x5kPX6_t3Lhq0vUiQvr6Ddx3pU3P0LNZWk_28xlzpJJQJ_bvwvOMR82fOYs32AQl6ksSpTxp4okz8Kn7xT-Ozrlif-YIB8Nqz_bmMTSM08GNsZN3JZ1zRfATrRSGSaAQyNXoMZ33qNVuhYG4KTwdjr8UlAQYxxoGmvA59sfDLnxf-F/s640/DC64FD8C-7339-45D7-8BB5-1262265213CE.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xUVfMg9e_5x5kPX6_t3Lhq0vUiQvr6Ddx3pU3P0LNZWk_28xlzpJJQJ_bvwvOMR82fOYs32AQl6ksSpTxp4okz8Kn7xT-Ozrlif-YIB8Nqz_bmMTSM08GNsZN3JZ1zRfATrRSGSaAQyNXoMZ33qNVuhYG4KTwdjr8UlAQYxxoGmvA59sfDLnxf-F/w400-h400/DC64FD8C-7339-45D7-8BB5-1262265213CE.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And that anesthesiologist needed her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I don’t suppose he needed Nina specifically. Anyone willing to be the hands and voice of Jesus could have filled that roll. But my mom was there, and willing, and able to hear him saying that he was hurt. She knew to let God lead her and to let God do the speaking when it was time. She knew to admit imperfections and stand for strengths and allow both love and discouragement to be allowed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> That young doctor knew Jesus, but he had been hurt by humans, and disappointed by the ones suppose to be strong and he needed someone to say that they understood. Mom understood, and was willing to remind him that humans fail, but Jesus doesn’t. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDB9XimqCViIxmWmzfuO9hfkgmOlG-S_mGkwDTctqGWDdVYItT3KXuRlrNzfv6B59sawt3I2Rr0Q7A5ihRS3r529q9OwaNPnIRfh6czsdUUQU7VvRxiSRF5ibp2Dw-Wu3iYL-teFcsbkFVvCqe9BKaCDT32uCl31D0-mwJbG_LTWGJOJeAkuhSqSAD/s640/67CC0FBF-5CDD-4D3F-8E88-288971503A57.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDB9XimqCViIxmWmzfuO9hfkgmOlG-S_mGkwDTctqGWDdVYItT3KXuRlrNzfv6B59sawt3I2Rr0Q7A5ihRS3r529q9OwaNPnIRfh6czsdUUQU7VvRxiSRF5ibp2Dw-Wu3iYL-teFcsbkFVvCqe9BKaCDT32uCl31D0-mwJbG_LTWGJOJeAkuhSqSAD/w400-h400/67CC0FBF-5CDD-4D3F-8E88-288971503A57.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> That young doctor let her pour the love of Jesus on him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I just watched, and nearly cried. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Then he took fabulous care of her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiXjCLJbRjKOslEIqWvOP3UE5P9haM5LuSFRlyIR6b_FvxBNbS0iNqfqk4P1_342nT0QL7KLz7MRY-GwPpjtQb1CVVzNlkE3UJ7kq3tcseFGyYLTtPow1aZhQ4W-dhoPqPyEc3b3BvRzMbSJ3j-2Cp6RYc1tugQPJBlJu8FZ7-UB36l8cjJzB-V_F/s4032/E17E2D12-A1AE-4A3C-8715-04A436E8D502.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiXjCLJbRjKOslEIqWvOP3UE5P9haM5LuSFRlyIR6b_FvxBNbS0iNqfqk4P1_342nT0QL7KLz7MRY-GwPpjtQb1CVVzNlkE3UJ7kq3tcseFGyYLTtPow1aZhQ4W-dhoPqPyEc3b3BvRzMbSJ3j-2Cp6RYc1tugQPJBlJu8FZ7-UB36l8cjJzB-V_F/w400-h300/E17E2D12-A1AE-4A3C-8715-04A436E8D502.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> When we came home that evening she said that giving him the love and joy he needed at that moment was enough of a reason to break her finger. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I love my mom!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Please, join me in praying this verse over her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVI0Zt3xxHRAi6gtCmvC7iCMEVGOfFWy4ZxiepckUNsb8huMjHwx2g1gdy-ERXefWg30LVqdCpnpTQ_qCOVtnOUmxltL4L_V05R-32L0G10ZtOHuW1IFO3BCpf8Lf28KS9hfTSOBXfWem5Cy6DpmX4Imwc2YfZdgiRQ4Iu3jzscJH7592TtVJZF27D/s1080/26C42D68-163A-407A-854D-71E88EDE56C0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVI0Zt3xxHRAi6gtCmvC7iCMEVGOfFWy4ZxiepckUNsb8huMjHwx2g1gdy-ERXefWg30LVqdCpnpTQ_qCOVtnOUmxltL4L_V05R-32L0G10ZtOHuW1IFO3BCpf8Lf28KS9hfTSOBXfWem5Cy6DpmX4Imwc2YfZdgiRQ4Iu3jzscJH7592TtVJZF27D/w400-h400/26C42D68-163A-407A-854D-71E88EDE56C0.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>Her literal feet may not be as strong as they use to be but those “high places of challenge and responsibility” are still there, as is her calling for HIS purpose. </p><p> Pray that reminder over her then, please my friends, grab ahold of it for yourself. </p><p> God places us in strange, hard, heavy places sometimes. I know that. I understand. I promise. </p><p> Please, take a moment to read these pretty picture verses again. “In All things”. “You alone Lord”. “planned in advance.” “Walk on my high places.”</p><p> Remember that He is there, walking with you. In ALL things. </p><p> Be blessed my friends. </p>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-60402959697519408782022-03-12T11:52:00.000-06:002022-03-12T11:52:03.771-06:00Whatever state I am in…<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I have been missing for a while on here. It is not because I had nothing to say. It was just that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart need to be acceptable in HIS sight before they come here, and sometimes that is struggling. (Psalm 19:14)</span></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Not that they were filled with evil :) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Just sometimes they are lacking in hope or joy, and at moments filled with pride. None of those attitudes are what I want to share. </span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdQQmAkHBF15J-G3ubrG9zHMtofBFnq5eQbZRxjEjv7s41E1uL7aD2PPmkp20tE20Pd9XePhYdj83oscmyuiopxCPwNdxfDlLHmmDeXK8qvq7Q8GBPGhq9R--HoaXgw2odfzv-XbXOyJDgw6vLI-eyXKU0YWMYp6kixcDZQgNJtOz5ljT2CLEX5FHp=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdQQmAkHBF15J-G3ubrG9zHMtofBFnq5eQbZRxjEjv7s41E1uL7aD2PPmkp20tE20Pd9XePhYdj83oscmyuiopxCPwNdxfDlLHmmDeXK8qvq7Q8GBPGhq9R--HoaXgw2odfzv-XbXOyJDgw6vLI-eyXKU0YWMYp6kixcDZQgNJtOz5ljT2CLEX5FHp=w640-h640" width="640" /></span></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Romans 12:16 was pointed out to me by a devotional I was reading this morning as I contemplated writing again</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> So, I am slightly afraid to write again, still. However, these verses came too. </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFeYn4jD9awSkGiVMpJwRhGy2awraPOptR6j6r3I5eZekO2i_I344ND-Mr7XPsuWNtu7kCpKYPYy7BzxLsPXIC-AlRi8pY67MsytujPDjzRg3LHO92bG6lFg6WYpnrLLHar80jV4SS3WLlOcTuIesTY_wkttuRkPUFrS81qhqnloBzgmcQ9z-LOXAj=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFeYn4jD9awSkGiVMpJwRhGy2awraPOptR6j6r3I5eZekO2i_I344ND-Mr7XPsuWNtu7kCpKYPYy7BzxLsPXIC-AlRi8pY67MsytujPDjzRg3LHO92bG6lFg6WYpnrLLHar80jV4SS3WLlOcTuIesTY_wkttuRkPUFrS81qhqnloBzgmcQ9z-LOXAj=w400-h400" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He isn’t done working on me. My body is less than perfect, obviously, and perhaps that has to just be accepted. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But He is working on me in other ways too and I will do my best to listen and learn. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Because…</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhitSjc3LU1NWxFW8W0yQf79wPOSHQSwBLcP0Vo-0sDG-CwjP9cmwqk5rW0qeGx7TEGhmx8PPTAfDq4gJgtNEz-UVliHEWrB2BX1_SzPG2bbG3qmZ67xhmRmrq50C78T4q3UHrSkq0UfAd0O7myHwdXWD79wdctHiLo41pexaJrXaW1VAA1-Yh78STd=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhitSjc3LU1NWxFW8W0yQf79wPOSHQSwBLcP0Vo-0sDG-CwjP9cmwqk5rW0qeGx7TEGhmx8PPTAfDq4gJgtNEz-UVliHEWrB2BX1_SzPG2bbG3qmZ67xhmRmrq50C78T4q3UHrSkq0UfAd0O7myHwdXWD79wdctHiLo41pexaJrXaW1VAA1-Yh78STd=w400-h400" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All things my friends. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Read it one more time. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ALL THINGS work together for good. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes we don’t get to understand, but we trust and believe. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All things work together for good, in His timing, for His plan. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So…</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDjhILkWB3-NwZWseu_itgS8KlmydJ9jkFOzNasXRJMawvDI8FEH3OUdUoxlQSbKSg8jtdoWeOhhVq94zASyxa5RALTA7qowuiLK1JwlqYhiyXGsJLD3XRMAb9AKo7bJkKH9ujmmNhuXxargSatWz2VHoiD6TWTKt4YnI2OU-c7Gk2SLvL7vo1oLB-=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDjhILkWB3-NwZWseu_itgS8KlmydJ9jkFOzNasXRJMawvDI8FEH3OUdUoxlQSbKSg8jtdoWeOhhVq94zASyxa5RALTA7qowuiLK1JwlqYhiyXGsJLD3XRMAb9AKo7bJkKH9ujmmNhuXxargSatWz2VHoiD6TWTKt4YnI2OU-c7Gk2SLvL7vo1oLB-=w400-h400" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Because this last verse is the final goal. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The overall goal. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The one I keep hoping to learn, and I hope you will join me in seeking. </span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0gB7ptzpAYhGBYq46gF0dPWmrPyAOFAt6g0PuiI7xSPnCOO1xFzYyU1S2harQsvvOIl5p2bBvwci6hzUFsLYLHaocg9LJ6ziVbsDQbE7tg9ppUmQH26OduMB_0oXAq4rTU8ipPCQGNeYU31tMRcycYPypfAmGEirULKy6ac7Dl-QTkl8U_d5_PpkN=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0gB7ptzpAYhGBYq46gF0dPWmrPyAOFAt6g0PuiI7xSPnCOO1xFzYyU1S2harQsvvOIl5p2bBvwci6hzUFsLYLHaocg9LJ6ziVbsDQbE7tg9ppUmQH26OduMB_0oXAq4rTU8ipPCQGNeYU31tMRcycYPypfAmGEirULKy6ac7Dl-QTkl8U_d5_PpkN=w640-h640" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Choose to be content. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Choose to see the good. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Choose to see the hand of our Father in every single moment. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope I am back to writing, but I can’t promise. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I do promise that many of you have been on my heart and have been lifted up to our Savior. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(And some of you don’t even want me to do that for you, I know!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">People I have never even met in “real life” but only online, or met once while waiting in line and friended on FB years ago. People I share blood with, or college with, or the career of my hubby with. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You are loved. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, grab ahold of hope my friends, then turn around and share it with those around you!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Be blessed!</span></div></div>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-33833956333390115022021-10-22T08:48:00.003-05:002021-10-22T08:48:23.231-05:00Seeking jars to fill<p> There is a story in 2 Kings about the prophet Elisha encouraging a widow whose sons are about to be taken away as payment for debts. She has nothing left but a small jar of olive oil and she needs a miracle. Elisha tells her to gather as many empty jars as she can find. Clean out the closet. Borrow from neighbors. Maybe even talk to people she doesn’t like (?) to ask for more. Find empty jars. </p><p>“So the woman went into her house with her sons, closed the door, took the small jar of olive oil, and poured oil into the jars as her sons brought them to her. When they had filled all the jars, she asked if there were any more. “That was the last one,” one of her sons answered. </p><p>And the olive oil stopped flowing.” 2 Kings 4:5-6 GNBUK</p><p> The MSG translation says it so simply- “Then the oil stopped.”</p><p> Her one little jar of olive oil filled all of the others and it didn’t stop coming until she stopped having someplace to put it. </p><p> God provided exactly enough. </p><p> Hear that please my friends. Exactly enough. </p><p> Enough oil. </p><p> Enough money. </p><p> Enough patience, or health, or energy, or joy. </p><p> BUT- we have to ask for the containers to put it in. We have to expect it, and seek it, and trust that it is coming. </p><p> I have never been the “name it claim it” type. I don’t think God just gives you what you want if you ask hard enough. However, I POWERFULLY believe that HE gives you what you need, always, and if we have enough faith to prep the jars that are good and right, HE will fill them all. </p><p> (For example, the woman in this story was trying to keep her sons, not buy a Mercedes. HE provided what she NEEDED)</p><p> Andy has two months of military pay left then we officially retire, and that retirement paycheck is not enough for us to live on right now. So a new job is needed. But the job market has not been friendly or encouraging and fear started sneaking in. Jesus sent this story to remind me this morning that HE will fill my jars. I just need to gather them from the neighbors. So, my amazing, wonderful neighbors, please loan me your jars by praying your blessings over us in this job search. </p><p> I know we are not alone. Others are searching too. Others I love are searching for new jobs and new homes and new places to serve and worship and shine our Jesus. </p><p> So my friends, loan out yours jars and don’t be afraid to ask to borrow others as well. </p><p> We are a team and we need each other. </p><p> Be blessed my friends, with oil that overflows, then turn around and pass that overflowing oil along to someone else. </p>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-21756308133652691102021-09-20T21:42:00.000-05:002021-09-20T21:42:23.136-05:00One step at a time<div style="text-align: left;"> We saw a chicken crossing the road yesterday, oblivious and unconcerned about anything else, and it was beautiful. Colorful. Happy. Content. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Andy, Ellen (his mom) and I had to laugh.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> There has been so much heaviness recently: Losing my Father-in-law, Dane, to Covid. The rest of us being sick, and Andy much sicker than I was comfortable with, at the same time. Canaan away at Basic Training. Our new house needing more work than we thought, and all of the work being delayed by all the sickness. Andy on his final leave for the army and trying to adjust to the non-army world. (And find a new job)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Seeing that chicken cross the road was simply beautiful. Laughing was so very needed. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> It brought back the memory of the <a href="https://proverbs2six.blogspot.com/2009/01/on-way-home.html" target="_blank">chicken crossing the road </a>before. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> My life has been filled with so many interesting moments. Really good ones and some really bad too. But full of interesting moments. I have to remember to celebrate. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> This last month has been rough, but as HE reminds me over and over, I can trust Him. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6KEwms0UBDWDFZgHlFD8H5d69H1-tsO5VsMSZQWwXoh5Amt96D4V_ZVDhI8_ITGZ7zsgNyNvjbBtYxNH5Hjt_L2G6wsbbVsg8WiZMoEeUld9O2TkmDkVsllCbLcYvE8wBEzFfUXtR1A/s640/E4720159-211E-4EA4-9D44-92AADE03F7B4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6KEwms0UBDWDFZgHlFD8H5d69H1-tsO5VsMSZQWwXoh5Amt96D4V_ZVDhI8_ITGZ7zsgNyNvjbBtYxNH5Hjt_L2G6wsbbVsg8WiZMoEeUld9O2TkmDkVsllCbLcYvE8wBEzFfUXtR1A/w640-h640/E4720159-211E-4EA4-9D44-92AADE03F7B4.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> The sweet little frog in that picture, barely peeking through the scripture, brought me a joyful reminder last week in the garden. The garden was Dane’s. Most of what I know about gardening I learned from him, and the garden is where he and I shared our love for God’s amazing creation. In 20 years as his Daughter in law, that has been our common bond. Growing. (And loving Andy) Without Dane here to help I have not maintained his garden well. All I did during the several weeks of covid and then the heaviness that it left behind, was pick what was ripe every few days. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> But it has also been where I am able to mourn, and that sweet little frog was a beautiful reminder that beauty is hiding. Lovely things are often there, harder to see but definitely there, if we are willing to look. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Hear that, please. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Lovely things are there. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> We just have to be willing to look. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> I won’t pretend that the ugly things are not there. They still exist, and at times are almost overwhelming. But I was reminded, and I want to share with you, that the lovely things are there! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> This quote was in one of my devotionals this morning. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="-apple-system, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><i>“No matter what you face, trust God, and know that He will surely answer at the right time.” New Life Church, Bandra</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is the key thing that stood out to me. “At the right time.” </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> I am holding to that promise. I hope you will too. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Be blessed my friends. One step at a time, remembering to look for the good and allowed to cry in the bad. </div>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-45879863360427173452021-08-09T21:28:00.004-05:002021-08-09T21:28:57.529-05:00Stop and enjoy it<p> That old saying, “time flies when you are having fun”… well it seems that it is true about life in general. </p><p> Even the moments when you aren’t exactly having fun…</p><p> Time still flies. </p><p><br /></p><p> My firstborn rode away this week, off to start Army basic training. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1uaV_cL40nNaOtHYfzuPRWfS-b6CJM_cwV9g4OatCEx1pNHBkACfZOeKTN3B7KpqIMSiEdGmqFj903mrSttg8XqeMWuVXYnFqCgSk-pcwG0oYg0eDveObVM2CyNtSV5NDstAF4JF29A/s2048/49520AD4-D434-456B-9C06-32F0B6C557B8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1uaV_cL40nNaOtHYfzuPRWfS-b6CJM_cwV9g4OatCEx1pNHBkACfZOeKTN3B7KpqIMSiEdGmqFj903mrSttg8XqeMWuVXYnFqCgSk-pcwG0oYg0eDveObVM2CyNtSV5NDstAF4JF29A/w640-h480/49520AD4-D434-456B-9C06-32F0B6C557B8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>My “baby” is more than 8in taller than me. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQKMkLlpRoEhOXDFR_v-KwqijEFAM2ZX00VmnbWSw0CovK4HC7RNzyj9MKDgwA4fAEujP7wAhMSd1d_5ebtnQ4yvyxl_rQww-hcjbJ5SVZOEyHEEftSrSX83zpDCNud5ICip-OGTlG5U/s2048/6D33AA61-4087-4920-B627-F3EF53285D3E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1685" data-original-width="2048" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQKMkLlpRoEhOXDFR_v-KwqijEFAM2ZX00VmnbWSw0CovK4HC7RNzyj9MKDgwA4fAEujP7wAhMSd1d_5ebtnQ4yvyxl_rQww-hcjbJ5SVZOEyHEEftSrSX83zpDCNud5ICip-OGTlG5U/w640-h526/6D33AA61-4087-4920-B627-F3EF53285D3E.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(This is not a good picture, but in the last minutes before Canaan left I had a meltdown and needed a “family picture”. This is what I got.)</div><p> My husband, that boy I met in college, has completed almost 20 years in the military now. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJEohIuOtTZevvfwXvguT1LsP2yecWhip-_QFo3OHz-cNppWGOPTC4PMODIOB7wqtdQf7qtj9dmMrmn75vNsXq-UAm0nbzifSGOQNt-f36ES4roAkokcz8XpuVgfgoMybpcDiBRVGI7g/s2048/127F8797-79EC-4829-8B9D-E9FDBB208504.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1381" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJEohIuOtTZevvfwXvguT1LsP2yecWhip-_QFo3OHz-cNppWGOPTC4PMODIOB7wqtdQf7qtj9dmMrmn75vNsXq-UAm0nbzifSGOQNt-f36ES4roAkokcz8XpuVgfgoMybpcDiBRVGI7g/w432-h640/127F8797-79EC-4829-8B9D-E9FDBB208504.jpeg" width="432" /></a></div><p> We might be getting “old”, but don’t tell him that!</p><p> </p><p> Time flies. </p><p> Stop and enjoy it my friends. </p><p> Take a deep breath in the middle of the rain and listen for a moment to the music the drops make on the rooftop. </p><p> Be still as the sun sets and notice the crazy colors expanding across the sky, then applaud as they disappear, just because you enjoyed the show. </p><p> Lay quietly next to the person you love and enjoy their heartbeat and slow breaths, and maybe even some snoring, as sleep comes after a long crazy day. </p><p> Stop and enjoy it my friends. </p><p> Time flies. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrLv9HNEs_oWmSGxEDFqVmh3fjOGE90yyP1hZ815NodtG0iulujqqNP718DZDAH7dlWy-a1UpnQ5dpxeKtFjCgjl9ci8t_mPRKhMocfzt6oQ5Rxg_cx60WKA7mG_k0HPPzzs6KbkrpFA/s1280/24AE0EF2-4A08-4C84-B85D-F7974A408741.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrLv9HNEs_oWmSGxEDFqVmh3fjOGE90yyP1hZ815NodtG0iulujqqNP718DZDAH7dlWy-a1UpnQ5dpxeKtFjCgjl9ci8t_mPRKhMocfzt6oQ5Rxg_cx60WKA7mG_k0HPPzzs6KbkrpFA/w640-h640/24AE0EF2-4A08-4C84-B85D-F7974A408741.png" width="640" /></a></div><p> Remember to SEE that you are blessed every single moment. </p><p> We would very much appreciate prayers for Canaan in basic training!</p>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-46502952384745624952021-07-20T10:00:00.000-05:002021-07-20T10:00:53.228-05:00A delayed update<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello my friends. Time flies! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The Troy house sold. Finally. It took a little longer to actually close than expected so we are very thankful to have family to be crashing with while our things are in storage and we are completely up in the air. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The military life is still the main one, but the draw of the civilian life is getting stronger and stronger as it draws closer and closer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> On the other hand, Canaan is working on paperwork to join up and follow his Dad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Our life seems to be a lot of “hurry up and wait” recently. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> So, I don’t have much to say about where we are going or what we are doing. Mostly, we don’t know. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> What I will say is what remains true always….</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooqsWvOktoQetPkPb8tIen5qLZjuLZzovGe5FT5K640K0eNSJyKyFz2u3Zzgt9SnoCmW-SQ6neIbvtrHc-Vx0tQLptyg8V0wyqLU9buRS7yBOUWSLd57om_91iG-Hmkrp-hzoUAG4DCI/s640/5038340B-2BBE-4124-A1E7-C87169622D68.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooqsWvOktoQetPkPb8tIen5qLZjuLZzovGe5FT5K640K0eNSJyKyFz2u3Zzgt9SnoCmW-SQ6neIbvtrHc-Vx0tQLptyg8V0wyqLU9buRS7yBOUWSLd57om_91iG-Hmkrp-hzoUAG4DCI/w640-h640/5038340B-2BBE-4124-A1E7-C87169622D68.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> One step at a time, focused on the hope set before us but living RIGHT NOW, in the moment we are given. <p></p><p> Be blessed my friends, one step at a time. I will be back on the Internet eventually, I suppose, but in the meantime you can always text or email me. Know that you are lifted up, always. I promise, God places so many of you, my amazingly wide variety of people who have loved me over the years, on my heart throughout the day and I turn around and lift you back up to Him. Know that you are loved! </p><p> Live with Joy!! </p>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-34900766194514813662021-05-26T23:53:00.000-05:002021-05-26T23:53:30.398-05:00A mist<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3st8c3ye7ZWt3tHl0p2poardfG5BJD8e4xfsK4M94xie1NrDETiJydX2CzgtQD2hshRii8LwklXV60bN41AWrBVBoKS44pdRFPkEHXBRNZWE0Ivtb1gysMxwuKlcWscAwaRLa2eyOLww/s640/58BF6118-40D0-48E1-ABC4-087E86FEFF8A.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3st8c3ye7ZWt3tHl0p2poardfG5BJD8e4xfsK4M94xie1NrDETiJydX2CzgtQD2hshRii8LwklXV60bN41AWrBVBoKS44pdRFPkEHXBRNZWE0Ivtb1gysMxwuKlcWscAwaRLa2eyOLww/w640-h640/58BF6118-40D0-48E1-ABC4-087E86FEFF8A.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /> I think some see this as a depressing verse, but it is also very inspiring. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow BUT... we have this very minute. <p></p><p> Use this minute for all that it is worth.</p><p>Choose the words and actions and even facial expressions of this very minute to be full of what Jesus is asking of you. </p><p><br /></p><p> It has been a very full and intense few weeks here, since I last wrote a blog. </p><p> My firstborn son graduated from highschool and turned 18, officially becoming an adult. </p><p> The house sold and the packing has been full power since we are moving most things out a full week before we close.... and that moving date is barely a week away now. </p><p> My mother’s health has been atrocious, so we ran “home” to spend some time with her AND to celebrate another homeschool graduation. A choice for JOY in the middle of crazy. </p><p> My health hasn’t hit the atrocious level, but neither diabetes or epilepsy are being nice to me right now, which keeps me on my toes. I had some testing done yesterday, for my birthday, which will help determine what I even qualify for as a “next step” for epilepsy. But that is a story for another day. </p><p> As I said, very full several weeks. </p><p> But, as James says, “What is your life....(but) a mist.”</p><p> When I read that verse this evening, with a blood sugar of 315 and on the grumpy level of attitude I was made aware, once again, that it is my choice how I react. It is my choice how I live. It is my choice whether my “mist” is a spring filled loveliness or a dark evening gloom. </p><p> We are all a mist. What kind shall I be? </p><p> As James sums up, just a few verse later... “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” James 4:17 ESV</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmioAQ39zw7mH0B4qLqJpNBYgIutbEhAXt1fFeK1Aymr75YziEhBPlUy1J3TRNm1Cf4PJp_wZnNmNHSdO5k__SBIm9HxliPOjeQji5EuEBU7MMX2aC9cTnMJ4B1BLw5H6A3jlIYH_Flw/s1280/131CBCB4-B5A0-4F2E-A6E5-6CB0E89F8B43.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmioAQ39zw7mH0B4qLqJpNBYgIutbEhAXt1fFeK1Aymr75YziEhBPlUy1J3TRNm1Cf4PJp_wZnNmNHSdO5k__SBIm9HxliPOjeQji5EuEBU7MMX2aC9cTnMJ4B1BLw5H6A3jlIYH_Flw/w640-h640/131CBCB4-B5A0-4F2E-A6E5-6CB0E89F8B43.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Choose to be a mist that not only does what is right, but shares it with others. Choose what brings Joy, shares love, reminds of hope, shines Jesus, plain and simple.<p></p><p> Yes, we are just a mist. But the mist, although temporary, can be both beautiful and useful. </p><p> Make that choice. </p><p> Be blessed my friends, choosing to see the beauty in as many steps of the journey as you can. </p>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-18355158915606347452021-05-04T17:03:00.000-05:002021-05-04T17:03:06.437-05:00Produce Perseverance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzp-pNuh2y6eV-IkUZDd0_Dnp6FtkUP4zfrj4pLZ-gGvBMpnkUAKPdgSqR6qmYl666OML81M630vKPqswgQn036pg-W9hyphenhyphenW2PxyksrNZxT1ODeJe0JJEnETO7EdqpFZKi5Zy_YHJ7Zj4/s1280/8DCF0E2D-64E8-4166-B1CD-F6694472993A.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzp-pNuh2y6eV-IkUZDd0_Dnp6FtkUP4zfrj4pLZ-gGvBMpnkUAKPdgSqR6qmYl666OML81M630vKPqswgQn036pg-W9hyphenhyphenW2PxyksrNZxT1ODeJe0JJEnETO7EdqpFZKi5Zy_YHJ7Zj4/w640-h640/8DCF0E2D-64E8-4166-B1CD-F6694472993A.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>While “cleaning” today I found this following message, a response to a text message or perhaps an email, that I had copied and saved in the “notes” on my phone. I don’t remember who it was originally written to, or if I even sent it, but I have people in my life that it fits. Finding it now, more than a year after it was originally written, I want to make these words available. I want to point out this truth, again. </p><p><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> “<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px;">No argument from me that some things are just bad. And many of them we never get to see any good come from. Perhaps no good does ever come from them, if no one is asking God for it? Rom 8:28 adds at the end “for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes”. If no one is seeking the good, perhaps it is just completely bad? I don’t pretend to know the answer to that. You have seen a lot more bad than I have my friend. And very different bad.</span></span></i></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I do think though that joy is a choice. And it is nothing like happiness. No, a tree cannot choose it’s fruit, but the amount of sun it soaks up, reaching out its branches with hope, and the amount of rain it reaches out for, digging those roots deeper into the unforgiving soil around it... those things make the fruit stronger, and bigger, and sweeter. The tree is planted, and it is what it is... but it gets to choose whether it shrivels up or reaches out. </span></i></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> And just because it chooses one thing one day, doesn’t mean it doesn’t get to/have to choose again, the next day, and the next, over and over, choosing. </span></i></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Some days I don’t choose to look for the good. Some days, in all honesty, I curl up and ask God to please let me die. When I have had blood sugar readings of 400 and 45 in the same day. When I have had 4 seizures in 12 hours time. When I have thrown up, for no diagnosable reason, over and over- sometimes I forget to look for the good. I forget to seek joy, when happiness seems so far away. I am just tired. </span></i></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> But Joy, not happiness, is always there. Always.”</span></i></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlPp8nks9w8PHAND8weIaz0oPPD9foEnVYhRygN4wr1hwNbIMUDGZpy8nVMQvesjTnj67gZTpNLDQIxWCbAYlGIQHKZpPzttROQhr7Y15WUYcgdWx8ByRaQGe950q5GoL4jixm06N_kI/s1280/F50C3C7B-B903-4BEA-BA87-B470FA197DEB.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlPp8nks9w8PHAND8weIaz0oPPD9foEnVYhRygN4wr1hwNbIMUDGZpy8nVMQvesjTnj67gZTpNLDQIxWCbAYlGIQHKZpPzttROQhr7Y15WUYcgdWx8ByRaQGe950q5GoL4jixm06N_kI/w400-h400/F50C3C7B-B903-4BEA-BA87-B470FA197DEB.png" width="400" /></a></div><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">JOY is strong here today. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> There is nothing new on me, medically. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> There is nothing new on selling the house, Andy getting a new job, or moving closer to our parents.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> There is nothing new on my mom’s broken body, the <a href="https://lovewithusthere.com/?p=2939" target="_blank">lack of medical equipment at the hospital</a> in Kenya my BIL works at, (please go read that one) or the angst people carry about the world in general. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Yet, JOY is a choice and I am choosing it. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Please, join me in choosing it. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I am so glad to have found that old message, written in a time of pain, reminding me that those very trials faced have already produced perseverance. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeApY9cZviVBuTs18zPNGiBTjHn3SxIu8LwmOBXA65VaDgfmBIukMkmQ1JosTlTcQDRq0g4_6gmHJChPWfRISgkmmsfHUHuHX-rE3F4mkMWqz7jeWazn3UNcp5HqNav5biWJlJYW2fsoI/s1280/DEA14F12-69FB-4EC4-9ADB-C92FE35E3DA9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeApY9cZviVBuTs18zPNGiBTjHn3SxIu8LwmOBXA65VaDgfmBIukMkmQ1JosTlTcQDRq0g4_6gmHJChPWfRISgkmmsfHUHuHX-rE3F4mkMWqz7jeWazn3UNcp5HqNav5biWJlJYW2fsoI/w640-h640/DEA14F12-69FB-4EC4-9ADB-C92FE35E3DA9.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Grow my friends. Grow those roots down deep. Soak up the rainwater, even when they sometimes seem to be bigger rain drops than you think you can handle. Grow those branches strong, able to handle the wind. Grow those leaves full and thick, able to offer shade to those around you who are having a hard day. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Be blessed as you g</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">row my friends!</span></div>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-16624771528995127852021-04-21T15:32:00.003-05:002021-04-21T15:32:58.562-05:00Ruth and Mara and Naomi, all three<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwYlEtMc51aqctYF20hWPH7BlZ6Q1lJ5CnwWwGvhyphenhyphenSYLocjXYD-aV6FoTJ9SsMgoxc0qjCgKl9g2tURxkJluvLsdLwvNGikOoN0xJQSAo45uykxkbn7JF27CjXB8TP4gR9gpbq5Z1MSI/s1280/285EA181-61F7-49F2-8CC6-481DB34D8255.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwYlEtMc51aqctYF20hWPH7BlZ6Q1lJ5CnwWwGvhyphenhyphenSYLocjXYD-aV6FoTJ9SsMgoxc0qjCgKl9g2tURxkJluvLsdLwvNGikOoN0xJQSAo45uykxkbn7JF27CjXB8TP4gR9gpbq5Z1MSI/w640-h640/285EA181-61F7-49F2-8CC6-481DB34D8255.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> On Sunday there was a baby dedication at church. The branch of the church that we worship with has the parents come to the front and, in the simplest way of describing it, ask for help in raising a child of God. We, as the body of Christ, commit to stand with them and support them as they strive to do that. It is simply a reminder that we are a team. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> This baby stood out to me more than usual because her name is Ruth, which is my middle name. Her precious baby self called to me to remember the story of my name. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The story of Ruth is one of my favorite in the Old Testament. She is a foreigner, not a Hebrew, yet she ends up in the family line of King David. She experiences pain and loss, yet she holds onto hope. She doesn’t know all of the answers, so she trusts people she loves to lead her in truth. She works hard. She loves enthusiastically. She doesn’t give up. </span></p><p> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes I think that those of us who study the Bible want to focus on Ruth too much and leave out Naomi. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5V7hcY4cnhCniS3D0xHQ_gm4i7Y2s-TRifEoRTLjI7R4WRejn5inFx5-gDRRxYZrABpeGLj5oqABxOXBeEVwpRrVyj5FsC65plSYS6kgEnFoET518ePxAo3h85HFJg0RTWA7YBfpQ-E/s640/28055482-5D7C-440C-8B4C-DBE31A5B511F.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5V7hcY4cnhCniS3D0xHQ_gm4i7Y2s-TRifEoRTLjI7R4WRejn5inFx5-gDRRxYZrABpeGLj5oqABxOXBeEVwpRrVyj5FsC65plSYS6kgEnFoET518ePxAo3h85HFJg0RTWA7YBfpQ-E/w640-h640/28055482-5D7C-440C-8B4C-DBE31A5B511F.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> Naomi had to have her time as Mara, her time in mourning, so that Ruth would come to the promised land, marry into what would become the royal line and eventually the birth line of Jesus. The bad was horrible. But it had to happen. It had to lead to the good later.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span></span></p><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> What God keeps pointing out to me, over and over, is that we have to have faith that our bad has a purpose too. Naomi didn’t get to meet King David, but she helped create his family line. We HAVE TO believe that our suffering leads to something good even if, sometimes, it is too far away for us to see.</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> My grandma, who was literally and figuratively a Ruth in every way, was such a fabulous example of this to me. She loved others without condition. She gave and gave and gave. When she hurt, with my pastor grandfather in a coma for two years, slowly wasting away, I am sure she had moments when the Joy was hard to find and the Hope seemed out of reach, but she never quit loving others in the meantime. She never stopped. Then, after he died she still simply poured out love and trusted that her Savior would take care of her. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> So, my goal is to be a Ruth in every way. I have had my Mara moments. They have to happen. Some amazing Ruth’s have helped me along the way, so I pray that they were strengthened in their ability to encourage in my moments of mourning. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> I trust that my Savior used even my weak moments for good</i>. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> But now, I want to be a Ruth. I want to make that choice. I am praying that same strength over this new little baby Ruth in our church. The strength to share Hope even when it seems too far away. The ability to let Joy overflow onto others so passionately that they can’t help but absorb it. The Trust to grab ahold of Jesus’s hand and let Him lead even when the path is hard to see. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 17px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzk-ewjMKaIZes_7qjk83bOs4ibOdJpeYbin1JFu68AaCNyri-NLajaUXZhGY0rsKjq4uM-5oYxhxm8_oxYRR6CZZ92wts8Kn2n-nn6Gqof7LzPQiaQVGTQKNLq_Rd2kqga8hyth7QC9I/s640/CB98E21C-90B1-4007-99A7-04A7399E6CF9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzk-ewjMKaIZes_7qjk83bOs4ibOdJpeYbin1JFu68AaCNyri-NLajaUXZhGY0rsKjq4uM-5oYxhxm8_oxYRR6CZZ92wts8Kn2n-nn6Gqof7LzPQiaQVGTQKNLq_Rd2kqga8hyth7QC9I/w640-h640/CB98E21C-90B1-4007-99A7-04A7399E6CF9.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Be a Ruth my friends. Share your Mara past with others and help them overcome, but choose to be a Ruth. </span></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Be blessed my friends, in both the rain and the sunshine, with the reminder of the promise that He is with you just like He was with Ruth and Naomi. (And Mara too)</span></span></p>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-29420496473610884972021-04-02T17:04:00.000-05:002021-04-02T17:04:23.081-05:00Made perfect in weakness <p> When I was a young girl there was a song sung by Twila Paris that, especially after I was diagnosed with diabetes, summed up my desire, my goal, for everything I wanted to be. Everything I hoped for my future was based around the ability to sing that song and mean it. </p><p>I have pasted a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xQpRp3BxSo">link</a> to YouTube and encourage you to listen to it. It is called The Thorn and is based around 2 Corinthians 12:7. </p><p>“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.” 2 Corinthians 12:7 ESV</p><p> The ESV fits the song, calling it a thorn, but the MSG simplifies the meaning so nicely. </p><p> “I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.”</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;">2 Corinthians 12:7-10 MSG</p></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgXhFQWK-sJiHLUT2NzYgYDQPFw0rQIK7NcecQdU8qHBYXtZPRZY6s8VX1LCl1f_kak8-ulYyMB8qWgqsB8XQMs5XFmPNo-y-h407OylQCxL6yhRkV0hmlvvcqXHoQhGEaG5EC6sDLtA/s1280/D37F7091-89A7-4123-BB17-7FE0E24C9A1F.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgXhFQWK-sJiHLUT2NzYgYDQPFw0rQIK7NcecQdU8qHBYXtZPRZY6s8VX1LCl1f_kak8-ulYyMB8qWgqsB8XQMs5XFmPNo-y-h407OylQCxL6yhRkV0hmlvvcqXHoQhGEaG5EC6sDLtA/w640-h640/D37F7091-89A7-4123-BB17-7FE0E24C9A1F.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> That scripture passage has meant a lot to me, always. But for some reason just a few nights ago it was brought to the forefront, heavily, again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I am part of a Wednesday night ladies Bible study group. We are reading a book together, discussing what God is teaching us and sharing our burdens. All different ages, stages of life, backgrounds and I suppose different futures as well. Simply women. In the opening prayer, as a wonderful woman of God was lifting requests and giving thanks, I had impressed upon me SO STRONGLY the need to “thank Him for the thorn” of Covid. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Thank Him for Covid. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I wrote that, immediately, on a piece of paper in my devotional. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NAHTKZUUGZ_FKXx0S1pArm4RpCQBazyUKnjJTjAZ-KS6iU76pMpITVo3vaL-O_dPnD3SIQVcGly2UnPJWBBjWzNAJFmJywjoY7uxMN6aDNDKoLk1BIaVmjIMseaWftFAjemn_f8cVR4/s2048/E26548A4-3AE4-412B-B5A6-1EB6D5F53CEE.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NAHTKZUUGZ_FKXx0S1pArm4RpCQBazyUKnjJTjAZ-KS6iU76pMpITVo3vaL-O_dPnD3SIQVcGly2UnPJWBBjWzNAJFmJywjoY7uxMN6aDNDKoLk1BIaVmjIMseaWftFAjemn_f8cVR4/w640-h480/E26548A4-3AE4-412B-B5A6-1EB6D5F53CEE.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Thank you for Covid!? It made us be still and quiet for just a moment. Remind us of that.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Notice, I had to add a “?” at the end of the first statement. As I wrote that first line I wasn’t sure that I could mean it. However, God never stops with just the first line if we are listening. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I have mulled the whole thing over for a few days, and have been pulled back to the verses in 2 Corinthians over and over. That thorn, that handicap, was given for a reason. His strength is made perfect in my weakness. If I think I am strong, if I think I can do it on my own, then I am not letting Him be the strength. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Remember that, please, when you have a thorn poking at your side. Remember also thorns come in many different packages. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> That last line that I wrote, “remind us of that”... I want to mean it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don’t know, not really, if I meant “remind us to be still and quiet” or “remind us to be thankful”, but I want to mean both. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I am choosing to mean both. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Beautifully, this verse from Psalm 46:10 was placed directly in front of me as a confirmation of both. </div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_nIHqgCFTXQUWV9jPeBT60EMVvT_W1bt1qxdeK3ylTw7yheUTsJHKbburyCBobWBbwlIq35jjmyITnHTThHAzw4fO36GsC9_8DKyt-owdqUdVy47yXRKRwYGJhO9nfBUT2KHdScgJiA/s1280/BCCAF61A-4C26-4BB7-AFBB-9088E24198CB.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_nIHqgCFTXQUWV9jPeBT60EMVvT_W1bt1qxdeK3ylTw7yheUTsJHKbburyCBobWBbwlIq35jjmyITnHTThHAzw4fO36GsC9_8DKyt-owdqUdVy47yXRKRwYGJhO9nfBUT2KHdScgJiA/w640-h640/BCCAF61A-4C26-4BB7-AFBB-9088E24198CB.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Be still. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Know, and trust, that He is God and we can be THANKFUL for even more than we want to recognize. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As Twila Paris sings, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span face="arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Thank you for this thorn fellowship of pain</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Teaching me to know you more never to complain</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Thank You for this love planted in my side</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Faithful patient miracle opening my eyes.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Remember to be still and quiet, for just a moment, and then to be thankful for that moment even if it was painful. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Be blessed my friends as you choose to trust Him today. Know that you are loved, always. </div><p></p>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-12186301913693767802021-03-24T10:10:00.001-05:002021-03-24T10:10:37.946-05:00A simple reminder<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUW8kzcvb5_6tdAYM1xnpnbPG30Csn8dTPYGXTS1obp1w-Hb7RUNOb6P9Wm2nXHaJEqUJPT8VGqERGjMI5nR1xRqO0pOsX27ph599Kt08X2TAaNoOtNXxLVvSzFW3JT1Le4ghcFLISQqE/s1280/DD89F26A-E5B0-47FF-B88A-396B7F69B3A0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUW8kzcvb5_6tdAYM1xnpnbPG30Csn8dTPYGXTS1obp1w-Hb7RUNOb6P9Wm2nXHaJEqUJPT8VGqERGjMI5nR1xRqO0pOsX27ph599Kt08X2TAaNoOtNXxLVvSzFW3JT1Le4ghcFLISQqE/w400-h400/DD89F26A-E5B0-47FF-B88A-396B7F69B3A0.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Dear restless heart, be still; don’t fret and worry so;</p><p>God has a thousand ways His love and help to show;</p><p>Just trust, and trust, and trust, until His will you know. </p><p><br /></p><p>Dear restless heart, be still, for peace is God’s own smile,</p><p>His love can every wrong and sorrow reconcile;</p><p>Just love, and love, and love, and calmly wait awhile. </p><p><br /></p><p>Dear restless heart, be brave; don’t moan and sorrow so, </p><p>He has a meaning kind in chilly winds that blow;</p><p>Just hope, and hope, and hope, until you braver grow. </p><p><br /></p><p>Dear restless heart, repose upon His breast this hour,</p><p>His grace is strength and life; His love is bloom and flower;</p><p>Just rest, and rest, and rest, within His tender power. </p><p><br /></p><p>Dear restless heart, be still! Don’t struggle to be free;</p><p>God’s life is in your life, from Him you may not flee;</p><p>Just pray, and pray, and pray, til you have faith to see. </p><p> Edith Willis Linn</p><p><br /></p><p>That picture has been my Facebook photo for several years now. It, quite simply, is my goal. I don’t succeed, but the goal is renewed every morning with the fresh new day. This poem struck me as a beautiful summary. </p><p> My restless heart forgets the goal, over and over, but we are reminded to trust and love and hope and rest and, most importantly, pray. </p><p> So, that is my reminder to you. Stop for a moment and let all of those goals be remembered. </p><p> Trust.</p><p> Love. </p><p> Hope. </p><p> Rest. </p><p> Pray. </p><p> As always, I will add the reminder of my favorite- seek Joy my friends. One breath at a time! </p>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-81078225237999607742021-03-15T18:57:00.005-05:002021-03-15T18:57:51.927-05:00One good moment at a time<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I tried to write this post several weeks ago but it didn’t have an ending, it didn’t have a conclusion. Andy said that it “was fine”, which is about as ugly as he gets about my writing. So, it didn’t get published. Instead it simply got pushed to the back and ignored. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is strange, really, what you discover while you wait. Or perhaps, more accurately, what you learn yet again. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> I have had John 5, and especially the man by the pool, brought to my attention several times recently. Repeatedly, really. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> For anyone who doesn’t know that story... there was a pool in Israel where the water would sometimes seem to stir, to move, without any human understanding. The first one who could dunk themselves in that moving water would often receive a miracle. Those who were sick, who needed a miracle, would often congregate around the pool, hoping and praying for the water to stir and for a miracle to occur. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> However, tradition held that for them to receive the miracle, they had to be the first one in. So, even though there was joy, there was always sadness there too. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The gospel of John says “One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.” John 5:5-9 ESV</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHDhYVfQMQt3DxAaK2edCyC7UIn7_z7-Cnww_uG6bLNIJWETzPbZXjQO0uXOAzTPcsHYSarTH70Gyy0ggUguEELehbQSeF96wp4Ro_YxOSQnFnKegBGddeMB1rstt_q7L-Tf20GJfhyE/s640/4EB7583C-8400-409E-B933-A7CE0F819784.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHDhYVfQMQt3DxAaK2edCyC7UIn7_z7-Cnww_uG6bLNIJWETzPbZXjQO0uXOAzTPcsHYSarTH70Gyy0ggUguEELehbQSeF96wp4Ro_YxOSQnFnKegBGddeMB1rstt_q7L-Tf20GJfhyE/w640-h640/4EB7583C-8400-409E-B933-A7CE0F819784.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>When I say this verse was “brought to my attention”, I mean in every way. A Sunday morning sermon, of course. A friend highlighting it on the Bible app so that I see it. It coming up in a devotional I am doing alone and also one with a friend. Then in an actual paper devotional as well, not just the digital ones. Then, just to make sure I was listening, a second paper devotional. <div> </div><div> So, my friends, what am I suppose to learn from the man picking up his bed and being healed? </div><div><br /></div><div> The answer to that is “I still don’t know.” </div><div> I don’t know what I am suppose to learn specifically from that story. I have had several ideas and I think they have all been “proven” wrong... I still don’t know what exactly I am suppose to be learning right now, from that story. But what I will tell you is that it has made me read more. Search more. Ask more. </div><div> And what it has led me to is truth, over and over. </div><div> Learning that “I don’t know” has, in complete honesty, helped me know other things so beautifully. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHs_NMaqUauMaqcaQcXuqBirmCC1nwDkLUyt8NNK3W5Cs66CXTXgm727CBDZQBd2w_D5OutcIh_Rg8ooN2BpoBgU7ASPNp5AQ5tGnGYAnyf9AOdhLbXaPpslJ80ck_1rSySa5lFnoBELs/s1280/B590746C-1241-4726-B067-66EA3762F27E.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHs_NMaqUauMaqcaQcXuqBirmCC1nwDkLUyt8NNK3W5Cs66CXTXgm727CBDZQBd2w_D5OutcIh_Rg8ooN2BpoBgU7ASPNp5AQ5tGnGYAnyf9AOdhLbXaPpslJ80ck_1rSySa5lFnoBELs/w640-h640/B590746C-1241-4726-B067-66EA3762F27E.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div> I know I just used it last time I wrote, but this verse says so clearly what my Jesus is teaching me right now. The Lord establishes my steps. </div><div> I can try to plan my course, have my goals, dream my dreams. None of those are evil. None of those are against my God. </div><div> But The Lord establishes my steps. </div><div> I either trust that or I don’t. </div><div> I either live that or I don’t. </div><div> </div><div><div>That leads to one of my favorite verses.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdK37vkCKmUPPeSvD5t8ecLV5YN8kfFaC9rpqQ1iVLBN8fmcaIa-GvbiuTGU7Q8ta_4BWpZyVlN7LNu3kP1TITDm3lf0aXECf_bplAvTWwxDSKz7JGUwzDye5U7rz-MNMaXfshMOA1Oo/s1280/406245D6-E9D1-4FB6-821E-E08A09666EF6.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdK37vkCKmUPPeSvD5t8ecLV5YN8kfFaC9rpqQ1iVLBN8fmcaIa-GvbiuTGU7Q8ta_4BWpZyVlN7LNu3kP1TITDm3lf0aXECf_bplAvTWwxDSKz7JGUwzDye5U7rz-MNMaXfshMOA1Oo/w640-h640/406245D6-E9D1-4FB6-821E-E08A09666EF6.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”</div><div>Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV</div><div> </div><div> “Not on your own understanding”. </div><div> That sums it up my friends. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> Trust. </div><div> Even if you don’t understand. </div><div> He will lead. </div><div><br /></div><div> If you go back to that first verse I posted, the story in John, there is more to the story. You see, the man who was healed wasn’t brave enough to proclaim it. When he was questioned about technical difficulties he passed the blame immediately, rather than pointing out the obvious good. </div><div> Perhaps that is the lesson to learn? That one hasn’t been pointed out by any of the devotionals I have read but perhaps that is the one I am suppose to share. </div><div> Don’t make miracles more complicated, don’t make LIFE more complicated than it has to be. </div><div> Find the good. Choose the good. Share the good. </div><div><br /></div><div> Jesus makes it good. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> Be blessed my friends. One good moment at a time. <br /><p></p></div>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-73315443119889242642021-02-17T20:11:00.000-06:002021-02-17T20:11:01.020-06:00My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit<p> It has been over a month since I posted and it is completely my own fault. </p><p> The internet has worked. </p><p> My time has been free enough to write. </p><p> God has even given me words, several times.</p><p> Most of those words are simply gone. Some of them are saved in the notes section of my phone.... but most of them are just gone. </p><p>Why? </p><p>Hmmm....Good question.</p><p>I think the simplest answer is that I wanted to be the happy person. I wanted to only share good news and unfortunately good news hasn’t been as strong as I had hoped. </p><p> Sometimes in the middle of “not good news” the actual, true, undeniable good news gets harder to see. We have all been there and experienced that. JOY gets hidden under sadness and discouragement. Hope is buried under fear. </p><p> Which leads me to this word of truth...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTq3QM3b6IH814KruH0I-62AKOnI-zr10lhwL7zjcB5oBFNySadivulkOkXVIxhzJ-nygHODbUUxKvesNNcHUqdyxNwcSxNd39pv784fIaXL7A31YEWuS778pTUPPOdSV07QuDFH3U4go/s1280/0A5D4D1E-9750-4F10-8A33-8FFA1969B9A7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTq3QM3b6IH814KruH0I-62AKOnI-zr10lhwL7zjcB5oBFNySadivulkOkXVIxhzJ-nygHODbUUxKvesNNcHUqdyxNwcSxNd39pv784fIaXL7A31YEWuS778pTUPPOdSV07QuDFH3U4go/w640-h640/0A5D4D1E-9750-4F10-8A33-8FFA1969B9A7.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Who do I think I am to plan my course? Truly. I write this blog about trusting my Savior so I think I better follow through on meaning it. </p><p> So here I am, five months out from surgery, fairly confident that it didn’t work. September and October were beautiful and full of hope. Then I had 3 seizures in November. Definite, old style seizures. Slightly different, but old style. There were at least 5 in December, and then 5 in January as well, and already 2 so far this month. </p><p> Which leaves me, as I said, fairly confident that surgery didn’t work. </p><p> The whole reason I started writing (again) was to talk about this journey, brain surgery. If I only write about what I want to happen then it isn’t really writing about the journey, only the scenic stops along the way. I can’t only write about the scenic stops. That is a cheesy novel, not a story of growth. I have to write about the parts of the journey that aren’t beautiful and aren’t turning out the way I wanted them to. So, I am trying today to write the less than beautiful parts. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnP-NZ2RLlNCRYNlIbqYyfDS0qVJ3mwbaHro4P4dukKS20uZhI6Cads9cHVPyihbrplSFKPemTdy64EBsROhJ6wt_6dCYwxNcoUkmJmtn4psXMtG3TzgIIW0PVwK9xLzhraAE3ll3sNLM/s640/24949027-A280-4B42-ADB9-230179FEECAD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnP-NZ2RLlNCRYNlIbqYyfDS0qVJ3mwbaHro4P4dukKS20uZhI6Cads9cHVPyihbrplSFKPemTdy64EBsROhJ6wt_6dCYwxNcoUkmJmtn4psXMtG3TzgIIW0PVwK9xLzhraAE3ll3sNLM/w400-h400/24949027-A280-4B42-ADB9-230179FEECAD.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p> Fear and trembling will win if we let them. </p><p> I suppose the simple truth is, we don’t beat them. </p><p> It is not us who win the battle. We, those of us who are holding to the promise of our Jehovah, do not fight the battle on our own. That means we don’t have to win the battle. Our Savor already has. </p><p> So, fear and trembling are conquered for us in the end. Pain and sadness are still here, now. Human bodies are broken and human souls make wrong choices. But we do not fight alone and that is enough. </p><p><br /></p><p> That means I have hope my friends.</p><p> I have hope that I, Bethany Ruth, can shine Joy with a broken body. </p><p> I have hope that I can give love even when it isn’t asked for or returned by the world around me. </p><p> I have hope that every single morning, no matter what epilepsy, graves’s disease or diabetes has done the night before I can wake up with the ability to share Jesus in a the simplest and purest ways.</p><p> The fruit of the Spirit is truly the simplest goal, but oh so very much the goal. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtROZjXvtsqyv8QN8pEWRRVICd_TugPW6ozKeuv90a_WnReB6D41xdsXt3T5EpNm_2sa-HSmbY3Z8JqfVsjgyO-d30yfbgYD9Mq69zMv0pOjEIpJ-P1kCUxnR7xD-1ttXT7d0mqV0z1Lk/s1280/B44A27F9-B620-4104-8801-D055993DE7AD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtROZjXvtsqyv8QN8pEWRRVICd_TugPW6ozKeuv90a_WnReB6D41xdsXt3T5EpNm_2sa-HSmbY3Z8JqfVsjgyO-d30yfbgYD9Mq69zMv0pOjEIpJ-P1kCUxnR7xD-1ttXT7d0mqV0z1Lk/w640-h640/B44A27F9-B620-4104-8801-D055993DE7AD.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last reminder....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOOLhnHiaf6zbq2qj6rJM3N7GqlFxoTg17CPbmlZTSdnrODVwmYXGJb0QUo85uQ7R6AAAsexdos44Qsv_w9SZghgLn_3G5bbv2t7Ow_xoQnmULenSUeehhVapU1DLVU0xHjH7v9-hHdc/s1280/713F4F92-FDCD-4B8F-B26A-033D2FB11C48.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOOLhnHiaf6zbq2qj6rJM3N7GqlFxoTg17CPbmlZTSdnrODVwmYXGJb0QUo85uQ7R6AAAsexdos44Qsv_w9SZghgLn_3G5bbv2t7Ow_xoQnmULenSUeehhVapU1DLVU0xHjH7v9-hHdc/w400-h400/713F4F92-FDCD-4B8F-B26A-033D2FB11C48.png" width="400" /></a></div><p> My friends, don’t forget that important last reminder. </p><p> Your body IS the temple of the Holy Spirit. </p><p> Healthy body or broken. Joyful body or mourning. Focused and on track or scattered and blown with the wind. </p><p> Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. </p><p> Be blessed my friends, then turn around and return those blessings to others. </p>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-16629961319131452932021-01-15T18:39:00.000-06:002021-01-15T18:39:15.913-06:00Home? I sent out a text to a group of local friends today asking for boxes and bubble wrap. It is time for the packing to begin. Just the “pre” stuff. I have to put away most of my decor and make the house less personal (translated= “boring”) and thus easier to sell. <div> Sending that text made me look at the actual date though, then do some counting. I am pretty sure we have broken my record. I have been here longer than anywhere else, ever, in my life. </div><div> That is always striking, breaking that record. Amusing, really, considering that the record so far stays at just over three years. But we have been here 3 years and 3 months now, and I think it was only 3 years and 2 months at Fort Bragg, the second time. </div><div> I could start adding times together? We were at Bragg twice, so I think we got almost 5 full years there, added together. I was in Rome, GA for 3 years of college and two years of working afterwards... but a different dorm room each year and three different apartments after graduation. </div><div> We were at Fort Leonard Wood twice, but even added together that doesn’t equal an entire year, lol. I wrote a <a href="https://proverbs2six.blogspot.com/2011/10/32.html" target="_blank">similar blog</a> the first time we were there. </div><div> </div><div> The point is that places come and go. </div><div><br /></div><div> My thoughts on the matter are summed up beautifully in Hebrews.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX15OD4Rp7deeoupfMO50M2rhd7o5zjsoSbl5r850rSZcQCt-ZL3Vhbz-ntMwQaAshyphenhyphen06AheQ6jjdAaxxr7bKwCUXWRdzrUgJhFzQ6It1gNX616F6gQqLNJyPverRssJmfFxdqtiEtaOA/s640/1DE51820-DFDB-491A-BC0D-56F10089AE2F.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX15OD4Rp7deeoupfMO50M2rhd7o5zjsoSbl5r850rSZcQCt-ZL3Vhbz-ntMwQaAshyphenhyphen06AheQ6jjdAaxxr7bKwCUXWRdzrUgJhFzQ6It1gNX616F6gQqLNJyPverRssJmfFxdqtiEtaOA/w640-h640/1DE51820-DFDB-491A-BC0D-56F10089AE2F.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div> We so often spend too much time focused on this current home. Don’t misunderstand me- I am not saying that caring for your home and children is bad or wrong. I am only pointing out that this is not the final home. This house, big or small, new or old, decorated in just the way you like or barely holding together, this house is not the end of the story. </div><div> Make it a joyful home. Make it a love filled home. But remember this beautiful Proverb, please. </div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEpwdNiPN48V5X3dx9W3dwCdbWvwi8AS-mGk4uYDHjAmEuGn1qoNG5Ogzkc2cQy23c7RaEdkRVqqkRt8jUwRdB42R3zziK6ZI7kuI40FnPGCuqxCChVcFj7dhwk3uZp9dlm9QNJW9k_g/s640/0C15A0EE-F8F5-4C24-811A-6E745B80158B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEpwdNiPN48V5X3dx9W3dwCdbWvwi8AS-mGk4uYDHjAmEuGn1qoNG5Ogzkc2cQy23c7RaEdkRVqqkRt8jUwRdB42R3zziK6ZI7kuI40FnPGCuqxCChVcFj7dhwk3uZp9dlm9QNJW9k_g/w480-h640/0C15A0EE-F8F5-4C24-811A-6E745B80158B.png" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wisdom and understanding far outrank fancy decor and expensive furniture. They outrank the latest healthy food and cleaning fad. They even outrank organization and schedule, because those aren’t the same as wisdom and understanding. I am a huge fan of organization and schedule, don’t get me wrong, but they aren’t the same as wisdom and understanding. Build your house on the wisdom of the Word and striving to understand it, and then trying to understand with the greatest love you can the people who are put into your life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Please my friends, don’t forget where that foundation is!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Before you know it the children are driving off to college. Or as my mom pointed out, before you know it the grandchildren are driving off to college! And since I have a grandmother going strong in her 90’s, I will add for her “before you know it the great grandchildren are driving off to college.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> From someone who has never had a physical home for long, focus instead on the people within and the neighbors nearby. The humans have so much more potential to last for the long run! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> To those of you who have kept up with me through multiple moves, over multiple years: thank you! You have been the hands and feet and voice of Jesus to me, over and over! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> To those of you who have befriended me each step along the journey: thank you! You also have been the hands and feet and voice of Jesus to me, over and over! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> So, my friends, live fully. Love your neighbor, whether you have known them for two weeks or 20 years. Be the hands and feet and voice of Jesus, as so many neighbors have been to me over the years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Be blessed my friends, with the gentle reminder added: SEE the blessings. </div></div>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-70783611561208534372021-01-09T12:27:00.000-06:002021-01-09T12:27:27.541-06:00A gentle reminder<p> My dear friends, I have a simple reminder: </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKSnpD9DH2gU-MTffnBOja21DByFd3iGr7e6aZpF-j48Bbd__RsKogT8HjITdEqfMvDzioHYwg-fuYnYxW_UohQsNYfqY4wOTbAAPvc_G-h-gdWCfnviiMAtnoYmizpNhXh9kMynLTg8/s1280/DAB5403B-D21B-47E3-B2B1-8AEC3B275421.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKSnpD9DH2gU-MTffnBOja21DByFd3iGr7e6aZpF-j48Bbd__RsKogT8HjITdEqfMvDzioHYwg-fuYnYxW_UohQsNYfqY4wOTbAAPvc_G-h-gdWCfnviiMAtnoYmizpNhXh9kMynLTg8/w640-h640/DAB5403B-D21B-47E3-B2B1-8AEC3B275421.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> I will be that kind word. I make that choice. There will always be disagreement and unkindness but you and I make our own choice every single minute. So, be still for a moment and consider what it is you want to be. Who it is you want to be. </p><p>“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”</p><p>Philippians 4:4-8 ESV. https://www.bible.com/59/php.4.4-8.esv</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfF8BPHIjEZi0f0KvJiEoBxIZKFAXixxeaREae3MQcFnEfWWpTvuo_2ljmHD_owG9eOWgcnkIs4LBYX16h6N8kbjGf-bvM9Ie-RZjMASlnyW-dBNLYnr3p6viIHmipIH_JNbuwYkdkIg/s1280/0B02D4F5-3C96-4236-A2B4-BD8EB0B997BC.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfF8BPHIjEZi0f0KvJiEoBxIZKFAXixxeaREae3MQcFnEfWWpTvuo_2ljmHD_owG9eOWgcnkIs4LBYX16h6N8kbjGf-bvM9Ie-RZjMASlnyW-dBNLYnr3p6viIHmipIH_JNbuwYkdkIg/w640-h640/0B02D4F5-3C96-4236-A2B4-BD8EB0B997BC.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p> Those verses are quoted often, highlighted often, but in smaller portions, one at a time, broken up into bite size pieces. Look at that whole paragraph of truth, please. Then, grab ahold of it, claim the truth of it, choose to live it out loud where others can see it. </p><p>Please my friends, no matter what label you have claimed here in the world, remember the more important ones that you have. Child of God. Follower of The King. Brother and Sister to every single human, created in His image. And perhaps that verse 5, which so often gets skipped, can stand out. “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.” </p><p> Be blessed my friends, with Joy and Peace that cannot be explained in this time of questions and fear and upheaval. Choose to see the Joy and Peace, and lead others to them along the way!</p>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346093270409197696.post-45546519747865981052020-12-24T17:35:00.000-06:002020-12-24T17:35:22.119-06:00An even more joyful birthday celebration<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Merry Christmas (eve) my friends! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you eat delicious food and spend time with people that you love remember the reason that we do this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Celebrate the birth of our Savior with Joy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcG9TzxJKPB1-EZu3fajeiibh2evMlvmVzRgE854YihZGEqut2fNHugMvFL0ig29jjgeQnySBbDDZ62zR0Uhm5de-QFjCH_53MCxR5eCQ68B2p9mIfqAv-Bx10Ih8w_-Q4GA0fCG9aVU/s2048/FAD1B2B3-00A0-4CDD-B504-2F94DF22B9E5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcG9TzxJKPB1-EZu3fajeiibh2evMlvmVzRgE854YihZGEqut2fNHugMvFL0ig29jjgeQnySBbDDZ62zR0Uhm5de-QFjCH_53MCxR5eCQ68B2p9mIfqAv-Bx10Ih8w_-Q4GA0fCG9aVU/w400-h300/FAD1B2B3-00A0-4CDD-B504-2F94DF22B9E5.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYutoAv51YC4iSbh8gFts6llv99fAt4fCWmxCBDgTJ3k3C6IZpit7yppAeslS-bI0X354dOfOuKsqRNtxDqnjdRROQ0NgcMRX6QLQrz1tpZxRcdtutzW7toOodUKwVVd6JawE4WL3QuRQ/s2048/0166EB9C-3EF8-4BBC-9117-8C6B0EC6EB1D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYutoAv51YC4iSbh8gFts6llv99fAt4fCWmxCBDgTJ3k3C6IZpit7yppAeslS-bI0X354dOfOuKsqRNtxDqnjdRROQ0NgcMRX6QLQrz1tpZxRcdtutzW7toOodUKwVVd6JawE4WL3QuRQ/w400-h300/0166EB9C-3EF8-4BBC-9117-8C6B0EC6EB1D.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I will pray for the blessing of Joy to pour over you and out of you. </div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">Remember that you are loved, by me and even more so by our Savior!</div> <p></p>Andysbethyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04005340108039880872noreply@blogger.com0