Affliction Brings Glory

Do not lose heart...For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17

China

david and i visited China in April. what an experience it was. from the "squatty potties" and the extraordinary things we ate, to the people. it was a time i'll not soon forget. this was my first out of the country adventure (you can't count mexico, well not right across the border anyway or the same into canada!) to travel my first time to a communist country was quite surreal. I have a new appreciation for like-minded people living there and "working", they are my new heros. america with all it's troubles has never seemed sweeter. we, my friends, are blessed. I was glad to be home. the country was quite beautiful. there is a wind blowing through that land and it is growing stronger...

here are a few pics of us and the people we traveled with. the great wall was incredible! the pictures can not take it in. just imagine what you see here extending over 4,000 miles. I have over 400 pics so be thankful this is all i'm posting. We visited Hong Kong, Xian, & Bejing.

over looking Hong Kong view of Hong Kong from our hotel window

the first of MANY chinese meals. Did you spot the chicken head?

the infamous "squatty potty," the joy of my journey

me at the Terracotta Soldiers

such talent with the chopsticks. that is 2 peanuts, the goal was 4.

David and I with a little Chinese boy on the street.

The Chinese love to have their pictures made and
want you to show it to them. You could make friends fast with a camera.

Here I am on the Great Wall of China!

Ti Chi in the park, a very common morning occurence.

The gals & guys we went with.

Okay, already, THAT'S ENOUGH!

Never defeated!

Isn't it just like the enemy to hear your proclamations. I will not waver. My focus be ever on you, Jesus.

for I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in me.

Romans 8:36

Return to Me...

Most of my peeps know i've been really struggling with a health issue over the past 3 years. a real thorn in my flesh. i know how paul felt. how he kept it from consuming him and kept his focus on his mission, is truly a miracle of God. that is where the lord has been leading me in the last few weeks, to focus on him and not on the problem. that sounds easy enough. but anyone who has struggled with something for an extended period knows how it can become all too consuming. i really laid it on the altar again tonight. i wasn't so focused on that as i was on Him. i was really praying for my focus to change. to focus more on him. suddenly someone was there beside me praying for me. this doesn't happen often to me. i must say, i don't recall anyone praying over me like that in years. thank you... her words were directed by the Holy Spirit. she spoke of my focus and confirmed through other specific words exactly what i've been praying about over the last couple of months. it was what i needed. she has no idea. i'm so thankful that even as we hold others up, the Holy Spirit will lead others to hold us up as well. and i'm so thankful for the person of the Holy Spirit that always draws my heart back to His.

Turn to me with all your heart, says the Lord God... Joel 2:12-14

What Beauty!

Okay I'm about to cry. I just read Sarah's blog and when I opened it and saw this precious baby, I thought, "Is that my Ellie girl?" It's been too long. I feel a road trip coming...soon. Told ya there would be repeats, but how can I take my own pics if I'm 300 miles away!

Ellie, Grama's coming!

More Mashmallows Please

At times my husband says the most simple but anointed things. this morning in his message, he spoke of a young woman that had been missing and how over a thousand volunteers turned out to search for her. what would the mother of this young woman have thought if they built a fire to keep these volunteers warm, made them some hot cocoa with marshmallows, trained and gave them their instructions to go out and search, released them to go and they wouldn't leave the fire. they just wanted to drink more hot cocoa and complained because they didn't have more marshmallows. this is life and death but they stayed where it was comfortable. how frustrated and sad this grieving mother would be...

the harvest is white...

Keepers of the Light

Keepers of the Light~

This keeper of the lighthouse does not launch any ships, it is true, but he keeps many a good ship from going to wreck. The light shines farther than the keeper can see. Two things he has got to remember ~ to keep the light burning, and never to get in between the light and the darkness he is set to light ~ John T.Faris

Not only are we a light to a world full of darkness, but we as mothers are a constant for our children as they journey this sea of life. Although we do, in a way, launch our children into life and all we have to assure their safe passage is our love, and prayer, we really don't know where or how far they will go. We only know it will be farther than we can go with them. But no matter how far, they will always look over their shoulder to the constant source.

Lord, may I never get in Your way...

It has begun...

no more than I get started in this little journey, so feeling like I stepped off, bit the bullet, started blogging after soooo many months of blog addicting, anonymously sneaking back and forth, jumping here and there getting my fix on the 10 or 12 blogs I frequent multiple times throughout the day...

when I jump from mine to jo's and there it is...in writing!

official...

get a tissue, I'm telling you...

run.

Here we go...

I did it. I joined the ranks. A groupie turned blogger! The addiction has risen to a new level. I made excuses too long, I'm taking the plunge.

I don't know how this will work. I am usually very private. Be it my pastor's wife role, I don't know, but the only one who usually reads my journals is God Himself and HE even has to read between the lines at times. Bearing my soul to all...I'm gonna give it a try...

I'm sure there will be alot of repeats of other blogs since the largest thing in my life right now is my Ellie, the most beautiful baby girl in my world.

But changes are coming, so sit back, get a tissue, because hormones are at an all time high and the emotions are like a roller coaster ride!

Get out while there is still time...

or...

walk with me...