It’s Not the End

The time has come for me to stop investing my time in this blog.  How my heart still beats for you precious women on the mission field of nations and cultures not native to you.  How I still desire to help you, encourage you, be a go-between for you to share what you’re going through with others who can understand because they’ve been there, or are there now.

 

The numbers have shown for a long time that this just isn’t happening.  The blog will remain up for a while, but there will be no new posts.  I do understand that time is precious, and that it takes so much more of it to do normal daily activities in many places; so, reading a blog and getting involved in that kind of give-and-take is one more thing to add to an already full plate.  I also understand how much Facebook is used now, though this blog would be a better venue for what the Lord showed me it was to be – but never was.

 

Anyway, while it might be the end of this way of reaching out to my beloved sisters around the world, I truly believe the Lord will open other doors for me that He will use to touch your hearts and lives with His encouragement and love.

 

Thank you for the time that you have spent here.  I truly hope your spirits have been lifted at just the right moments, and you were able to refocus on the One Who is right there with you always.  As much as I love you, He loves you so much more and is for you in ways I never can be.  Be blessed with all grace, love, and peace that are in Jesus Christ, Who is in you!

We Know . . .

I’m back from oblivion (where writing is concerned), my sisters.  The day after we returned from the first visit to the new grandbaby, I had cataract surgery.  Only a day after I was released to be back to normal, our precious Colton was admitted to the hospital with big stomach issues.  We thought he would have surgery, but the Lord has moved, glory to His name!  Mom and Dad, however, were pretty wiped out from it all, so I flew back to Texas for a few days to help – forcing myself to love on that baby some more in the process!  Before I even returned, the non-operated-on eye flared up with iritis, so I’m putting drops in both eyes at different times right now, and seeing fuzzily!  But I am determined to get back into a rhythm of writing and doing all the other things the Lord has for me – all because of His amazing grace!

 

Meanwhile, I saw this video clip – a little more than 4 minutes in length – from Joseph Prince, and thought it might charge you up as it did me.  The question would be: Does what you know line up with what God really wants you to know?

Can’t Help Myself

3 weeks later

3 days old

You have no choice but to allow me to deviate from my normal posting.  You see, I am no longer a surrogate grandparent to friends’ children.  I am now Nana, just back from a trip to see and hold my first-ever grandchild, Colton Lewis Stocking.  He was born September 1, weighing 8 pounds, 5 ounces, and measuring 21 1/4” long.  Three weeks later, he already weighs 10 pounds, 15 ounces, and has grown to 22 1/4″. You experienced grandmothers understand my elation, and those of you yet-to-be grandmothers will have my full enthusiasm when your time comes around.

I’m overjoyed with this little fellow, even though he is 1100 miles away!  At least the days are gone for film cameras, waiting to develop pictures, make copies, and stick them in the mail.  Now we have digital cameras, card readers, internet, and instant sharing of the most up-to-date pictures.  How thankful I am for these technological advancements!

Mom, Dad, and son

My heart overflows with thanksgiving to the Lord for my children and my children’s children, and for His promises to them of righteousness and truth.

Psalm 103:17 NIV  But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord ‘s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children —

Isaiah 59:21 AMP  As for Me, this is My covenant or league with them, says the Lord: My Spirit, Who is upon you [and Who writes the law of God inwardly on the heart], and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouths of your [true, spiritual] children, or out of the mouths of your children’s children, says the Lord, from henceforth and forever.

Thanks for letting this proud nana beam!

Quick to Listen?

Formula for handling people:

1. Listen to the other person’s story.
2. Listen to the other person’s full story.
3. Listen to the other person’s story first.  George Marshall

I must admit, this short quote stopped me in my tracks.  How often I think I’ve been a good listener; yet I’ve zoned out when something the speaker said reminded me of a similar story in my own life.  Or, maybe I wasn’t really all that interested in what they had to say, so I only listened halfheartedly.  Jesus listened with His whole being, heard everything spoken, and heard so much more than words – and changed people’s lives.

I think I’ll quit “speaking” now, so I can practice listening like Jesus.  Won’t you join me?

James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry NIV

Good Medicine

Proverbs 17:22 A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing . . . AMP

Today seems like a good day to cheer your mind so you will have the good medicine of a happy heart.  I don’t know that there is really any other spiritual significance with this clip, but it’s clean and it’s enough to bring a smile.  Enjoy, my sisters!