I'm Sorry

Glad you are both okay, Sarabeth and Travis! Hopefully, the other guy never runs a red light again.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." (Ps. 91:1-2)

It Does Good Like Medicine

Last week was a busy one.  It was extra difficult, because my car remained stuck in the snow in Estes Park.  My home desperately needed cleaning,especially since I had weekend guests coming.  Preparations & decorating for the baby shower had to be finished.  Tragic breaking news brought distractions.  A close friend's husband passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday. I had 2 doctor appointments scheduled and it seemed every time I turned around another event would pop up.

One of those events was one Sarabeth brought to my attention.  "Oh by-the-way, Mom, Travis' mom asked if you and I would like to attend a Ladies Event at her church.  I told her yes, so she bought the tickets."

Sure, I'd be happy to go.  It would be nice to get to know what most likely will be my daughter's future mother-in-law.  "So when is this event?" I ask.  That would be Friday evening.  Yep, the Friday night we were scheduled to decorate the home of the woman hosting the baby shower,the same Friday I take my mother-in-law to her weekly hair appointment, the same Friday Michael and I had planned to drive to Fort Collins to spend the day with Hilary to view the Engineering Students Senior Design Projects.  She isn't a senior yet, but her boyfriend is. Not only did we want to be supportive of him and also Hilary but we don't get to spend that much time with them. It is also a fun and interesting time of learning just how smart these kids are.  I was also hoping to squeeze in a 2 1/2 drive to Estes Park to retrieve my poor little baby. Another snow storm was to blow in on Saturday and I didn't know when it might be clear again. Would there be time to visit with my daughter-in-law? I'd planned to make food for the shower on Friday since the shower was Saturday morning and I am NOT a morning person.

I realized something had to give.  Who do I disappoint?  I let go of the trip to get my car, and the trip to see the Senior Design Projects.  I was glad Michael was willing to go without me to be with Hilary.

Late Friday afternoon I put dinner in the crockpot, threw on some clean clothes,Sarabeth and I arrived at the church. It was a few minutes early, giving us time to meet up with Janet and meet her friends.  The program began promptly at 6:30.

It was a night of music, comedy, and dessert. The first song was comedic and I smiled.  By the second of the piano duets, I was melting into my seat.  I hadn't realized how much I had needed His Peace.  The music washed over me, and I realized it had been awhile since I'd felt so relaxed.  I silently thanked God for His overwhelming presence and peace.

By the time Kerri Pomarolli began I was able to laugh heartily.  She truly was hilarious.  Not only did I feel peace, but the more I laughed, the more rejuvenated I became.  Joy filled my heart.  I thanked God for prompting Janet to invite us.  I thanked Him for Sarabeth and that she listened to the Holy Spirit and accepted the invitation knowing that we really didn't have time to add one more event to our calendar.

The evening ended with a lovely dessert buffet.  I'd skipped dinner and figured we wouldn't find anything gluten free, but went to the Fellowship Hall anyway.  To our surprise, on every table was a selection of the most delicious looking gluten free cakes.  They were heavenly! 

Thanks Sarabeth. Thank-you Michael & Hilary, for taking the extra time to pick up my car.  I got teary-eyed when I pulled in the driveway and saw her sitting there.  Thank-you Elisabeth & Christina for decorating without us.  Thank-you Lauren for spending all of Saturday with us.  Thank-you Christopher for sharing your wife and baby with us. Thank-you Lord for blessing me so abundantly beyond what I could ever ask or think.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"A merry heart does good, like medicine,
But a broken spirit dries the bones." Proverbs 17:22

It's Almost Thyme

Twenty-eight years ago, I began praying for a little girl. I didn't know who she was at the time, but I wanted my son to have a wonderful wife, one who would become the mother of his children, and my grandchildren.  I asked God for very specific things.  He more than exceeded my expectations and hopes when Christopher married Lauren. I suspect she too will begin praying for her little one's future mate.

Here is Lauren, at 28 weeks, with my girls. We celebrated her this weekend with a baby shower.

I didn't take all of the pics I'd intended to take.  On the right in the above photo, are the "It's Thyme" plants.  In the background you can see one of the mobiles that was made. Thanks to Grandpa for watching Ethan during the festivities. Ethan had a great day working with him.

 So proud of my girls for their love and hard work they put in to bless Lauren (and Christopher.) 

I was so busy watching Lauren open her presents, I missed taking pictures of the lovely gifts she was showered with.

So many of the out-of-town relatives really wanted to come to the shower, but just couldn't make it.  We would have loved spending time with them, but are thankful for everyone who did attend.

Lauren's mom is a sweetheart! 

Lauren didn't grow up with sisters, but look at how many sisters she has now!

Wait, how did Derek get in there and is he pregnant too???? (Lauren's Brother and fiance)

The blessing of extended family:  To the left are Christina's inlaws, on the right Elisabeth's future mother-in-law, all came to bless Lauren and Christopher.  This is what family is all about.

Of course a party wouldn't be a party without good friends willing to share baby sweetness making it that much more difficult for us to wait the remaining 12 weeks to see the new baby.

Truthfully,
Joanne

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Ps. 133:1)

Betrayal

The past seven years have been good ones. I love spending time with you and do every chance I can.  Right now, I don't know what you are feeling or what you are thinking. Do you feel betrayed?

Our relationship works, always has.  I've done my best to take good care of you, provide for your needs, pamper you, protect you.  You in turn have been there for me, a faithful friend, going along for the ride whenever I'm available.  You are always up for whatever adventure I choose.  I treasure your company.  You make me smile.

I know some family members find you irritating at times. You are not up for crowds, it is too much for you to handle.  Your comfort zone is pushed to the limit when more than two of us try to join you.  Some say you are difficult to deal with and choose not to come along when we go out. I'm okay with that.  We always have fun together.  We have a good relationship. 

I hope you have not misconstrued what is happening.  I know too well what it is like to be judged, how my actions can be perceived to be something they are not.  Please understand, nothing has changed.  I still love you.

I know it is not like me to leave you vulnerable, exposed to the harsh realities of the world.  I care about you and would give anything to keep you from getting hurt. I don't send you out by yourself, or leave you alone for long periods of time.  Where you go, I go.

I know you are confused.  Don't be. There is an explanation for why this has happened.  You may hear well intentioned people question my motives, wonder aloud if I care, ask if you'd like to live with them, and hear promises of better treatment.  I'm sorry you have to hear such expressions.  I'm sorry for the fear, stress, and worry you may be going through because of the words of others.

Please know, it was never my intention to hurt you.  I'm truly sorry for my actions.  I'm very, very busy this week and with the weather being such a huge factor in getting things done, I can't spend time with you.  I can't come get you. You can't come home right now, but soon.

Baby, I'll try to get there by Sunday. Here is a pic of me on the last day we spent together.

And there you are, sheltered beneath that great big tree.  You will be okay. Twenty-seven inches of snow is a lot, but I will get you out of there. I truly had no idea this would happen to you, or I would have left you safely at home.  Don't think I betrayed you, see it as an adventure.

Truthfully,
Joanne

"Be merciful and gracious to me, O God, be merciful and gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge and finds shelter and confidence in You; yes, in the shadow of Your wings will I take refuge and be confident until calamities and destructive storms are passed." Ps. 57:1

Romantic Getaway

We arrived in Estes Park yesterday afternoon for a romantic getaway. For Christmas our girls bought us a weekend getaway. Hoping for the best weather, we waited for the last available time. The roads were clear and the weather pleasant so at the last minute we decided to drive my car.

The view from our room was beautiful. The drive up here was equally lovely. We had a delightful day. We were to head back this morming but encountered a slight problem.

Doesn't look like a lot of snow but there is about a foot of fresh snow and it's predicted to contine falling for the next three days.

Here is our view this morning. Looks like our getaway will last a little bit longer, weeeeeee! Twenty plus inches headed our way.

Truthfully,
Joanne

 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”, yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

I Make A Bad Patient

Not sure if I ever mentioned I am in the process of a dental implant.  The oral surgeon I use is pretty insistent on using drugs that cause his patients not to remember anything about their procedure.  I am not real excited about this type of sedation.  His explanation satisfied me so I submitted to this type of anesthesia for the first procedure.

This is the same Dr., same meds used when Hilary had her wisdom teeth removed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys9Dg-HYo78&feature=share

When I went in for my bone graft, as soon as they placed my IV, I don't remember a single thing.  It was very disturbing.  I awoke 6 hours later.  Like Hilary, I wondered how I'd gotten to the car, how I got home.  Did I change my clothes?  I had a hazy recollection of spitting out the gauze in my mouth and saying that I had to rinse my mouth.  Apparently the aftercare instructions explicitly said not to spit within the first 24 hours, or rinse my mouth.  Oh well.  Michael claims I also refused to keep the ice pack on my face, the one I was supposed to wear for 24 hours.

I'm a bad patient.

Yesterday I went in for the second part of the procedure.  In case anyone is wondering, this is usually about an 8 month process.  I started mine in August 2012 and still have a ways to go.  I was to have the same type of sedation again.  The Dr. suggested I bring one of my daughters to this appointment.  I wonder if he thought they'd do a better job at helping me follow the aftercare instructions.  I told Michael he could videotape me if he'd like.  A part of me wanted to be see myself, and to know what I said during this weird sedation state. Was I really a bad patient?

Funny thing is, it was different this time.  The nurse had a hard time getting the IV started, but finally got it to run.  She added Propoful and I believe I faded out for a bit.  But then I seemed to come to.  I was draped in paper drapes, the kind you see on television for surgeries and such.  My hands were confined with straps on the arms of the chair.  The only exposed area was my face.  I opened my eyes and saw the IV pole.  My IV was no longer dripping, which could explain why I was no longer in a twilight state.  I could tell I had a block in my mouth to keep it open.  I needed to swallow very badly but couldn't with this block in place.  I was able to move it and flip it to the side.  I could then swallow, but then pushed it back in place because I knew that is where is should be. I also couldn't keep my legs still and kept shifting around.  I heard a nurse say, " She needs more Propoful.  This is the same drug Michael Jackson used for sleeping.

I wriggled my right arm loose.  I'm not sure why, but I didn't like it stuck in the strap.  After about the third time of swallowing with the block pushed to the side, I reached up and removed it from my mouth, then just held it in my hand.

I'm a bad patient.

I heard a nurse groan.  "I can't get that block.  My hands are sterile and she has it in her hand."  I couldn't really open my eyes.  I felt someone take the block from my hand and place my arm back under the drape and into the strap.  I waited a moment before I slid my hand back out and just left it hidden under the drape, just in case I needed it again.

I'm a bad patient.

I don't remember much after that.  I have another hazy memory of Michael going through the Starbucks drive thru because I wanted a coffee.  I think I said something about needing to go to the bathroom and he let me walk into Starbucks all by myself.  He waited in the car.  The only memory I have is running into someone on my way out, and that is it.  They must have thought I was drunk or something so early in the morning.  I can only imagine what I must have looked like-especially since the doctor doesn't allow eye makeup for procedures.  I asked Michael why he let me go in Starbucks by myself.  He said he didn't want to talk about it because:

I'm a bad patient.

I went to bed when I got home, without my ice pack, without even finishing my coffee.  Apparently I answered an email too, as when I went to respond today, and found that my friend had answered the one I sent yesterday.  Oh well.  I also wasn't supposed to start the antibiotics until today.  Ooops!

I'm a bad patient.  I'm glad I don't have to take care of myself when I'm in this state.  I only have one more of these procedures to undergo, (poor Michael) and then I will be finished with sedation.  Next time, I'd like to have at least one video tape to see if I really am a bad patient.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O9sAqqEbbkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O9sAqqEbbk

Secrets

Oh my word, on one hand I LOVE a good secret.  On the other, keeping a secret gets harder and harder the older I get.  When I was little I could easily keep a secret.  I prided myself in keeping a secret, unlike my sister Carolyn. I wrote a post about that here.  The reason I wrote that post was because I knew a secret.  I knew that my son was going to propose, that he'd already asked her parents permission for her hand in marriage.  All the remained was the actual proposal.  He did NOT share that information with us.  It would be a surprise.  So I had to wait with the secret knowledge until the event happened and I could share the great news.

Okay, I did post once that I HATE keeping secrets, but that was different.

Another secret I kept, but posted about it on my blog, was a trip we took to surprise my inlaws.

Last week, I took Hilary to Arizona to celebrate her 21st birthday.  My mother had planned dinner at her home to celebrate my birthday, Hilary's 21st, and my brother's wife Kathleen's birthday.  My sister Carolyn, her husband, Larry, and daughter Cara even drove down from Flagstaff ( a nearly 3 hour drive) for the event.  It was so much fun to see family.  Towards the end of the evening, my niece (I can't mention names just yet) passed out colored Easter Eggs for a game we were to play after dinner.  When she said we could open them I squealed when I saw what was inside.

I was so excited for them I squealed.  Then I ran to the happy couple and hugged them both.  Somehow I missed the bigger surprise.  I hadn't thought anything of the TWO eggs inside.  I heard my sister, Laurie ask if they were having twins.  Yes, they are expecting twins.  Talk about keeping a secret!

Anyway, I am thrilled for the happy couple, but since they haven't made it public on Facebook, it is still sort of a secret.  I know some of my kids claim I can't keep a secret, but they will realize that I can keep a secret.

Time

Why, in the 21st century, do we continue to participate in Daylight Savings Time?  If we covet more daylight hours in the evening, why don't we stay on DST year round?  Sure, many would argue that if we did that, kids would be standing in the dark, waiting for school buses to arrive.  I found that this happened regardless of whether or not we were on DST or standard time.  So let's pick one and stick with it.

The arguments once used to validate changing to DST really no longer apply.  I won't bore you with all of the arguments of saving energy by using natural lighting and such.  It doesn't happen anyway.  Many people indoors have their lights on in the daylight anyway.  We will use electricity regardless of the time.  Construction work on freeways is often done in the middle of the night thanks to portable and fixed lighting.  If we really want to adjust our lives to the operation of the sun, we should be daily adjusting the time work/school starts according to the sunrise. That would make way more sense than twice-a-year change does.

Why do we torture ourselves with something as ridiculous as springing forward and falling back?  Babies and children don't understand the concept.  We both suffer until we manage to trick ourselves into the new time schedule.  It is RIDICULOUS.  Just because the actual change happens very early Sunday morning, doesn't give us time to adjust.  That takes weeks.  The older I get the more my body protests such change.  Why do we do this to ourselves, our children, even our pets?

 Sure, the pet owner who has a dog that wakes him up every morning at 4 a.m. probably loves springing forward with the hope that the dog never catches on to what has happened.  In the Fall, that one night of extra sleep doesn't mean much when that same dog now wakes up at 4 again.

Please, for the love of sleep, can we quit the nonsense of twice-a-year changing of the time?  Maybe it is time to move to Arizona, the smartest state in America.  They don't want or need the extra hour of daylight.

Truthfully,
Joanne


"Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years" Gen. 1:14

Today I Feel Special

My Victoria's Secret card came in handy today. If you aren't familiar with it, let me explain.  It's a  little card any Victoria's Secret employee will happily give you. It lists all of their bras. You can check off your favorites.  There is also a space for you or your bra specialist to write in your perfect size-just in case you forget.  Of course you can also share this special, little card containing your Secret information with friends and family. They too can buy special gifts for you.

Today, though, the card might have saved a life.  It was a lovely day when I went into the store, but when I came out, it was snowing. I was caught off guard, as the weatherman said possible snow beginning after 3 p.m.  It was only noon.  I don't carry an ice scraper in my car because normally I don't drive my car in the snow.

I attempted to brush the freezing cold stuff off with my hand. My fingers were freezing! Plus, it had already begun freezing.  I found my Victoria's Secret card tucked in my pocket. I pulled it out and voila! A perfect snow scraper. Because I could see out my back window, I didn't hit the bicyclist, I nearly didn't see.  Apparently I wasn't the only one caught off guard by the snow.

Guess I won't be sharing my bra size with everyone.

Truthfully,

Joanne
"You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Luke 12:40

Thunk Thursday

Healthcare Costs:
I didn't realize mail order prescriptions offered me free shipping.  How generous of them.

And yes, I did actually have to pay $1,075.97 for this drug.

My daughter, who just turned 26, will lose her health insurance at the end of the month.  She works two part time jobs but cannot afford Cobra's cost of  over $500/month.  We have yet to find an alternative for her.  She doesn't qualify for any government assistance, but if she became pregnant she would. To get healthcare from work would require her to work longer hours. Healthwise, she can't be on her feet for that long.  Plus, she'd lose her second job which pays more, but isn't full time.

In addition to having to pay 100% out of pocket for healthcare, she will now have to pay a penalty fee, thank-you-Mr.-Obama, because she can't afford insurance.What a novel tax idea that was.

Truthfully,

Joanne

 "A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor,
But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days." (Proverbs 28:16)

Happy Birthday Elisabeth

Elisabeth, even though I don't really have  my blog up and running where I want it to be, I had to take this day to celebrate you.  When I see this smile, I remember the little girl who never met a stranger.  In the grocery store, you'd greet people as they passed, melting the hearts of many.  On more than one occasion I watched grumpy faces brighten as you happily chatted with them. You seemed to know instinctively who needed cheering up.

You are fearless!  Remember when you were the only one of your siblings willing to pose for a picture holding the first fish you caught?

You are thoughtful of others, recognizing when they need encouragement.  Even though you have a tender heart for others, you aren't afraid to speak up to make right a wrong. 

All these years later, you regularly brighten my day.  You are such a joy.  I can always count on you to send a text just to say I love you or ask how my day is going. 

I never realized how much fun it would be to have grown up daughters, but it is wonderful.  Thanks for the many hours spent hanging out together, talking, listening, laughing, and loving each other.  Happy Birthday Elisabeth. I love you.

Truthfully,

Joanne

 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. (Proverbs 16:23)

Thank-You

Have you ever had a sense that someone was praying for you?  Unsolicited, undeserved intercession by a friend, loved one, or even an acquaintance for the sole purpose of seeking the Lord on your behalf. That person may not have any idea what you are going through at this moment in life, but prompted by God, chose to spend a few moments of time petitioning our Heavenly Father for your good.

Last night, I experienced an assurance (by the Holy Spirit) that someone had indeed been praying for me.  For that, I thank-you.  You gave me incredible hope, comfort, peace, and renewed inspiration.  Of course, my first thanks has to go to the Lord who inspired you to do this.  That's how awesome God is, that His thoughts were towards me and He allowed you to be part of His encouragement.

How often has He brought someone to my mind, wanting me to pray?  What about you?

How often are these promptings wasted because instead of interceding for that person I've chosen to simply have pleasant thoughts about them, or worse: negative thoughts or recalled an unkind word they've spoken?

" ...Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance" (Romans 2:4)

I don't know who prayed for me last night, but again, thank-you. I choose kindness.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Phil. 4:8)

Good Wednesday Morning

I miss my littlest buddy.  Except, he isn't little anymore.  Last weekend we were video chatting.  Christina tried to get him to put on a pair of Denver Bronco slippers.  He refused.  He didn't even want to show them to me, in typical 10 1/2 year old fashion.

Something happens to boys between 10-12 years old. All of the sudden, it is necessary to look "cool." Wearing character slippers, like babies wear, is definitely not cool. Friday was crazy hat day.  Christina said Danny gave Ethan an offering of wild hats, ones that back-in-the-day she would have killed for. (I was a practical mom, choosing to spend money on warm clothing, not silly stuff.)  In spite of the wide variety of crazy, Ethan chose to wear a ball cap.

Before I had a junior high age son, I never believed it possible for my sweet boy to become a middle school kid, who needed to be cool and fit in with his friends. My son was loving, not a boy who was embarrassed to be seen in public with his mom.

But it happened. I hadn't noticed it until one day in fifth grade, Christopher forgot his lunch. As a doting mother, I arrived at his class, toting his baby sister. I will never forget what I saw. My sweet, adoring son, upon seeing me, began to sink down in his chair. Lower and lower as if he was melting. He must have thought nobody would notice him and he would slowly disappeared. I saw a look on his face that I didn't recognize. His expression read, "I am dying of embarrassment, please leave now." Do boys think nobody else has a mother? Are they okay with other parents showing up at school, but not their own?

Not too long ago, Christopher and I were driving down the road. We noticed a group of silly boys crossing the street. Christopher shook his head.  "I wish I could tell those boys that they are NOT cool, they look ridiculous." He admitted that if someone had tried to tell him at that age, he wouldn't have listened.

I never thought I'd say this, but I am thrilled to see my grandson acting like a typical junior high boy.  This means wanting to fit in with the crowd, yet trying to act cool so you get noticed. I will die if Ethan ever acts like he is embarrassed to be seen with me in public. Inwardly I will praise God that he is like every other boy.

Truthfully,

Joanne

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.(1Cor. 13:11)

Home Alone

Have you seen the movie Home Alone?  The mother is desperate to get home, knowing she has unintentionally abandoned her youngest child. I felt this same desperation in the days leading up to Christmas.  Every force within me fought and clawed to get back to my kids, but realistically, Michael and I had made the choice to be where we are.  There was no going back.

In the movie version of Home Alone, the family plans to join extended family members in France for their Christmas Holiday.  Similarly, our vacation plan to Arizona, was with the intent of spending it with not only my husband's side of the family, but mine also.  Unfortunately, our accommodations didn't accommodate everyone.  Don't get me wrong, the place is amazing, it simply won't sleep the 25 of us from out of town.

We devised a plan for my children, their spouses, significant others, and my grandson to come the weekend of December 15th for an early Christmas celebration. We also had a white elephant gift exchange with the 20 family members from my side of the family.

The three days we spent together were the best.  I have so many pictures I can't possibly share them all.

  Sadly in the blink of an eye, it was over.  

Christopher, Lauren and their wee, unborn babe, went back to New Orleans.  

 (That's their pregnancy announcement/Christmas photo up above.)

Christina, Danny, & Ethan went home too.

Our three youngest went back to our empty alone.  

As Christmas approached, an uneasy feeling crept over my being, just like the mother in Home Alone.  In spite of being surrounded by family,  something didn't feel right. I know why I am struggling to enjoy our vacation in the desert.  I immediately want to rush home to the ones I've left home alone.

Merry Christmas

Missing my little elves,

First Christmas not spent with at least most of them,

Missed a White Christmas with 'E'

But had a great time with family.

Truthfully,

Joanne

Psalm 16:6 "The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance."

Dozens

Since today is 12/12/12, I'm sharing 12 of my favorite bible verses.

Twelve Favorite Scriptures

1.  "For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Mt. 6:33,34)

2.  "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

3.   But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. 
(Is. 40:31)

4. "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

5.  "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;" (Psalm 127:3-5)

6. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."  Jer. 29:11

  
7. "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God."  (Romans 8:26-27)

8. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  (Romans 8:28)

9.  A merry heart does good, like medicine,
But a broken spirit dries the bones. (Proverbs 17:2)

10.  "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 4:19)

11. Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12)

12.  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”  (Luke 4:18, 19)

Truthfully,
Joanne

"Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;
When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive." (Proverbs 17:28)

Dreaming Of A White Christmas

About this time every year, I begin dreaming of a White Christmas.  It won't happen for me this year.  I'm spending December in the Arizona Desert.

There is something magical about waking up to freshly fallen snow that blankets the earth.  As the white covers over every object and space it brings a stillness of quiet.  I want to break out in Silent Night.  I think my fondness for a White Christmas began as a child, growing up in Arizona.

As we listened to Christmas stories each night, read by mom, it was hard to envision Santa's sleigh without snow.  We lived in a small town and occasionally snow fell, but never accumulated much.  Santa in a big, red winter suit, flying over cactus and palm trees with his eight reindeer, somehow seemed all wrong.

Before we went to bed that Christmas Eve, my sister Carolyn and I wished on a star that it would snow.  The excitement made it difficult to close our eyes.  It didn't help that every few minutes Carolyn would whisper, "did you hear that?  I think Santa is here, I heard reindeer hoofs."  Quickly, I'd roll off the bottom bunk bed, stand on my tip-toes in front of our small second story window and pull back the curtain to see if Santa was on a nearby rooftop.

We lived halfway up a hill.  A couple of doors down a streetlight shined.  The house next door was a single level, so I could see quite a ways down the street, peering at a lot of rooftops.  I scanned each one for that shadowy red figure and his sleigh.  Sometime after midnight, we must have fallen asleep, at least I did.

It was still dark when I awoke to Carolyn peering over the side of my bed.  Startled I sat up as best I could.  Still hanging upside down, my sister said excitedly, "Santa's here!"  I bounded out of bed again and pulled back the curtain.

I couldn't believe my eyes!  Everything was covered in thick, white fluff.  Against the soft glow of the street lamp, huge snowflakes were falling.  I'd never seen anything so beautiful in all my life.  I didn't even notice my sister had pulled herself out of bed this time and was standing next to me.  I forgot all about Santa.

I have no idea how long we stood watching the glistening flakes fall.  I silently thanked God for this wonderful gift. I look for His gift every year.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool." (Is. 1:18)