Life continues to be interesting...

Well, another eventful weekend in our household. In my almost-30 years of marriage to this wonderful man, Buddy, I have only seen him VERY sick about 3-4 times. Borderline pneumonia years ago, appendicitis, and this weekend. We are waiting on results and think that he may have Lyme's disease, but won't know til bloodwork comes back. He was so sick though, that we got him to an ER on Saturday night, due to dehydration and a headache that was excruciating for him...couldn't keep anything down to help with that. Sunday started showing some improvement and he slept most of the day away. And he took his first sick day today in 10 years-ish! It was a pleasure to serve him and drive him to the ER, but I am certainly worn out today! It was worth it, and glad to do something for him for a change...very thankful he is showing some improvement and resting today (although, while I was gone this morning, he cleaned up the family room and kitchen..even scrubbed my stovetop! Now he is cleaning up around the pool. THEN, he intends to take a nap and read the paper! He does NOT sit still easily!)


This song has been repeating in my heart and mind lately. I have no choice but to rest in His everlasting arms...

O Wondrous Love
O wondrous love that will not let me go
I cling to You with all my strength and soul
Yet if my hold should ever fail
This wondrous love will never let me go

O wondrous love that’s come to dwell in me
Lord who am I that I should come to know
Your tender voice assuring me
This wondrous love will never let me go

CHORUS
I’m resting in the everlasting arms
In the ever faithful heart
The Shepherd of my life
You’ll carry me on Your mighty wings of grace
Keeping me until the day
I look into Your eyes

O wondrous love that sings of Calvary
The sweetest sound this sinner’s ever known
The song of Your redeeming Son
Whose wondrous love will never let me go

O wondrous love that rushes over me
I can’t escape this river’s glorious flow
You overwhelm my days with good
Your wondrous love will never let me go

Another thing this weekend - I said goodbye and God bless to our team from church that heads to the Spruce Lake Retreat center for Joni and Friends family retreats...first time in 8 years I have not been able to go, and my heart just aches. I have NO doubt the Lord will do wonderful things, and I know He works VERY well without me! He doesn't need me, but has allowed me to serve there, and I don't like missing it! Purely selfish motives, and I pray that those serving in my stead will be a blessing and be blessed as well. Such a wonderful place, and I have been thankful for it over the years on many levels. Just another evidence that He has a different schedule than I do, and I know His timing is perfect. That being said...I still don't like being home when I know camp is happening!

In that light, please read the following form Jesus Calling this morning:

You are my beloved child. I chose you before the foundation of the world, to walk with Me along paths designed uniquely for you. Concentrate on keeping in step with Me, instead of trying to anticipate My plans for you. If you trust that My plans are to prosper you and not to harm you, you can relax and enjoy the present moment.  Your hope and future are rooted in heaven, where eternal ecstasy awaits you. Nothing can rob you of your inheritance of unimaginable riches and well-being. Sometimes I grant you glimpses of your glorious future, to encourage you and spur you on. But your main focus should be staying close to Me. I set the pace in keeping with your needs and My purposes.

Joni and Friends Retreats are some of the glimpses He gives me...it is a little piece of heaven here on earth...not perfect, but pretty close!

Thankful thoughts:

• My rose bush. Planted last year, beautiful this year!
• The strength to help Buddy this weekend
• Cool nights for sleeping
• A faithful puppy keeping my toes warm
• All the ladies serving on the front porch at camp as I type. Miss them, and so thankful for them!
• People telling me they loved my baldness and like the cropped hair I have so far!

One verse that has struck me recently:

Proverbs 16:9

In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.

I'm thankful for a heavenly Father who knows what He is doing. We make plans, but He is he one directing. So much wiser than I. May I be established in Him, sensitive to the steps He wants me to take.

This picture was taken on my last day of radiation treatment.  I have more hair by now! Have a blessed day.

Andi