Faithful

 2 Kings 22:7

Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.

A few weeks back, I was reading this passage.

This verse really stuck out to me.

No explanation was needed, no books were shown, no audit was made,

because the people receiving the money were faithful.

My testimony really means something.

Do I long to be trusted?

How am I exhibiting that I should be trusted?

Do I want to get a promotion / more responsibility / different responsibility?

How am I using the job and position I have now?

Is my testimony one of just foolishness?

Am I seen and known as a hard worker?

Do I stick to a task and a job until it is finished 

or just seek the next "shiny" thing when things get hard.

What does your testimony say of you today?

What would you hear if someone was speaking of your character?

I would like to hear ...

"...because she dealt faithfully."

Safety

 How often do we take our health and safety for granted ...

at least until they are threatened.

About 3 weeks ago, B.G. was in the path of a tornado.

I was home alone that day and watched the skies get darker and darker,

watched the wind get stronger and stronger,

and heard the alarms on my phone,

and even spent some time in the closet because it really was getting "wild" out there.

The skies were so ominous, that our nephew spending the summer just south of us texted to see if we were alright :)

We came through unscathed

and very thankful for God's hand of protection,

not just in the storm, but every day.

We currently have 4 friends on our prayer list that are battling very serious health issues.

As we continue to hold them up in prayer,

we are reminded that our health is in God's hand.

We are not guaranteed perfect health and strength despite our human efforts.

Acts 17:25

...seeing he giveth to all life, 

and breath, and all things;...

It is easy to expect God's blessing

without asking for it or thanking Him for it after it is given.

Hubby often remembers to pray for our home and for our vehicle

and I am rebuked for having a somewhat "entitled" mentality.

God doesn't owe me anything,

but He has blessed me beyond measure.

Road Trip

 Hubby and I are just back from a road trip.

We went back to visit our old town in NC.

No, it was not a romantic getaway.

We volunteered to take 9 teens from our church to a camp associated with the school hubby graduated from.

The road trip provided a chance to get to know some of the teens better.

The trip also provided a chance to see our old trailer home.

And it also provided a chance to see some old friends.

We were especially glad to see the "avocado couple" before they leave for Africa in less than 2 weeks.

We did have more of a relaxing trip on the way home (sans teens)

and made it home in time to celebrate hubby's birthday TODAY!

He made his birthday order easy on me.

One order of General Tso's chicken on rice for lunch

(compliments of Aldi in the freezer section)

and a pumpkin pie for dessert.

Expanding Backyard

 So, we didn't really gain any acreage.

but the houses that were built behind us did get sod yesterday.

So my yard looks bigger.

And it looks a little less like a construction zone ...

at least when looking in a certain direction.

And I can rejoice in that!

We enjoyed a quiet day today.

They said we would have storms all day,

and while we did get some,

they by no means washed out the whole day.

We walked this morning

and then cleaned the house together because Monday is going to be a busy day

then did some shopping for some teens that are going to camp

and enjoyed a little drink at Chick-fil-A complements of the Code Moo game going on right now.

Happy Home-iversary

It was exactly 1 year ago that we signed the papers on our home.

What a fun year it has been!

We have enjoyed our own space - inside and outside - 

have enjoyed learning about yard care and some inside maintenance

and we continue to enjoy dreaming about improvements as time or funds allow.

We have been so thankful each day for God's provision of a home.

We are truly blessed.

In addition to the home itself,

He continues to provide for the payments plus extra.

As of this morning, God has paid off 85% of our home.

It appears that on our second "home-iversary," we may actually own our home outright.

In honor of our home-iversary,

I have focused on some "Spring" cleaning this week.

When asked what this entails:

it involves moving furniture and appliances to clean,

it involves cleaning the curtains,

it involves going through cupboards and closets,

it even involves cleaning on top of the kitchen cabinets (which still had sawdust from the installation).

At this point, I have the "little" guest room with its "big" closet

and I have the laundry room left to clean.

As I have cleaned and found "homeless" things, this last room has become a bit cluttered.

I have also been waging a new war.

We have had an invasion of Japanese Beetles.

We first discovered them on the apple trees

and they have since found the cherry tree out front.

We have seen their evidence around the neighborhood.

I think we caught it before the damage was at crisis level.

I had planted nasturtium and marigolds which they were not supposed to like -

but later found them living in and under the marigolds - so much for that theory.

I tried a homemade mint spray - again a scent they were supposed to hate - 

they would fly away for a bit and then come back as happy as could be.

I tried a commercial "natural" spray which again worked for a couple of hours,

and then they were back.

I have now installed two "beetle" bags.

While I may be calling the beetles from the whole neighborhood,

they are working to keep the swarms off of my trees.

I also broke down and dusted my apple trees and serviceberry tree.

Quite the lesson to learn on my home-iversary.

 

And, it looks like we will have neighbors in the backyard VERY soon.

We are praying for nice quiet neighbors.

Two houses are just about done (but not purchased yet)

and the third should be going up in the next 2 weeks.

It will be nice when their yards get some grass to extend the green that we see :)

Prayer Works!

 I mentioned that last week our church had VBS.

I was excited and nervous.

I hadn't taught in over a year.

Usually, when I have taught, I know my students.

I know how many students I will have.

I know what backgrounds they come from.

The church had "blitzed" flyers and sent out mailers.

The bus children were excited to bring guests.

What would happen in class?

How many students would there be?

The story time was the last item of the night.

They would have a rally.

They would make a craft.

They would eat a snack.

They would have game time.

Then they would come to Bible time.

Would they be rowdy?

Would they just be ready to fall asleep?

Would they be on a sugar high?

People were praying.

They were praying for each child,

They were praying for me.

They were praying for an atmosphere conducive to learning.

And God was pleased to answer in the affirmative.

I do not believe I have ever taught a class with so little need for correction.

I do not believe I have ever taught a class where the vast majority "got it."

And it was not the teacher,

it was answered prayer.

Perhaps you used to be a visible "doer" in a ministry, 

but are now limited in your ability to be out front.

Please know that a behind the scene ministry of prayer is greater than the outward ministry.

Prayer works!

Will There Be an Asterisk?

 I Kings 11:1

"But king Solomon loved many strange women, ..."

I read this verse in my devotions last week.

I wondered ... "What would someone add to the description of my life?"

"What draws me away from the Lord?"

"But Sandra was distracted by her home."

"But Sandra shortened her Bible time regularly."

"But Sandra was lifted up in pride."

"But Sandra ..."

Solomon started well.

Remember his request for wisdom instead of wealth and fame?

Unfortunately, it ended with a "But king Solomon ..."

Unfortunately, we often have to add asterisks to Christian ministries or ministers these days.

I went to this college (*before this date or event).

This music source is good (*if you get the music before this date).

I went to this church (*before it loosened its standards).

I don't want a "But Sandra ..."

I don't want an asterisk.

I want to stay the course.

I want to be faithful.

Breathe

 For two weeks, our schedules have been changed.

While we have tried to keep Bible time and exercise on schedule,

the sleep schedule and time for relaxation has changed.

Two weeks ago, hubby had some training in MN.

Since he flew and had a coworker with him,

I did not go this time.

So I spent much of the week in Indiana with friends and family.

Then last week,

we had nightly VBS from 5:30-8:15.

Because we are about an hour from church, it was more like 4:30 to 9:15/9:30.

Because hubby and I were like ships passing as he came home for the night and I left,

we decided that it was a good week for him to visit some of the northernmost stores 

and just get a hotel for a few nights.

But this week,

oh, it feels good to breathe.

I did not have to rush through the weekly cleaning today.

God sent a gentle rain this morning so that I did not have to water the lawn or garden.

We enjoyed a leisurely dinner.

We are enjoying a quiet evening in with a candle burning and quiet music and an iced coffee.

The week is free for some extra cleaning projects and maybe some extra baking.

There truly is no place like home.

When the Need You Can Fill is Your Passion

 On this late "Thankful Thursday" edition,

I am thankful for the opportunity to teach this week.

I was given the opportunity to teach little people this week for VBS.

While VBS is not always my favorite setting to teach,

God has given the 5-7 year-olds remarkable calmness during the Bible story

and has given me the opportunity to connect with some of the church youth.

Service in church and life sometimes involves just being willing and filling in where you can,

but sometimes, it is serving in a ministry that you love.

And this is what the guest room looks like as I collect items each day for class.

Visuals, review games, visualized songs, good seat prizes.

48 Years

It is Thankful Thursday

and I can't help but be thankful for another year.

Monday was #48.

It was a typical morning - Mondays are always cleaning days.

 But hubby took me out to Mission BBQ for dinner.

It is fairly new in our area and the meal was good (though a little pricey).

The added expense was willingly paid because all proceeds support military and public servants.

After dinner, hubby took me to Lowes - 

we bought plants and then promptly put them in the ground before the rain came on Tuesday.

We didn't have room for birthday cake - but it is waiting in the freezer when we are ready.

48 is a bit hard to say,

but despite the extra creaks and changes that come with age,

I can be thankful.

I am thankful for my health.

I am thankful for a husband who works hard and loves me even harder.

I am thankful for the effort he puts into staying close to God and into encouraging others as well.

I am thankful for God's provision of a home even when the economy is "not so great."

I am thankful for friends near and far who are a testimony of where God has walked beside us through many jobs, states, and homes.

I am thankful for a new church and ministry here.

I am thankful for God's grace for the unknown in the year ahead.