Be Strong and Courageous

Monday seem to be rolling around here at lightening speed. Here we are again telling of His grace and blessings that grow in number and seem to be easier to spot at the days go by. Go Here.... To see a wonderful community of  people listing the grace of the days that He has given us. God is so AWESOME!! Double full arch rainbow, that I could not capture half it's brightness of; our sight being so greater than any camera. The skies turning hazy yellow, pink, and blue before the misting of rain. Baby showers for a miracle baby due to arrive any day... of course all babies are miracles, but this couple  thought it was impossible, unless God stepped in, and He did just that. Cannot wait to meet the miracle! Cherries from a friend's orchard... so sweet and a blessing for sure. Visits from the Scott family on their way to Alaska to serve with Cadence International .

Some times friendships come to an end, really by no fault but a moving on, or in different direction. It is not easy for children to adjust to loss of a friend and sometimes harder for us as adults sometimes. This article  put my last few weeks into perspective for me.  God is good, always there. Grace is needed in all areas of life, and I am glad to be so taken care of by my Lord.

The blessing just keep coming, counting them always and more often. Finding the JOY in all things, of course god has been so gracious to bless with the easy as of late and I am thankful. Today's post by Ann is such a rich blessing, to see so many will have the opportunity to take in her story and begin their own journey of gifts. Every day that I come to blog land and read the eloquent words of many  of you, I am blessed beyond measure with the grace and mercy of our LORD.  Our days are filled with the mundane so much, the dishes, the laundry, gathering of things. But to daily seek the joys and grace that our Lord has to offer readily to us is more than blessings for this one soul. I love this community of believers who wants to take it in and then pass it along to help others see the deepness and richness of His blessing pouring out, not just in the Pollyanna sunshine of the days, but in the darkness of the sorrows of ones spirit. He is there, walking along side, ...

This passed week we had dinner with a family in the neighborhood, it was great to get together and get to them a bit more. The family was so gracious to provide the meal, we took dessert. I tried my hand at a new one and it turned out nice (at least everyone said so).  While the older boys watched a civil war movie and talked a bit, the mom and I along with Emma sat and chatted for while the youngers played outside in the pool, inside and then finally came up with the train of animals down the stairs like a parade. It was great fun to see the 3 of them giggle and get along so well. On Monday 7 - 11  - 11 I took the kids to you guessed it 7 Eleven and got in on the free Slurpees, for their give away. the free ones were 7.11 ounces, it was really funny to see how full you could top it with out a lid. I of course bought a 'big' one for sharing, as we were headed to do errands and such.

So after moving into our new home, we had promised Emma a new Beta fish and Puablo 'skills' Bob Jr entered the house just a little over a year ago.   He has been a great little guy, sitting in the sunlight on the island of the kitchen surrounded by the day and night activities of the home. Two weeks ago  he began to lilt around every now and then and finally last week he gave up his last bubble of a breath and that was that. Addysen instantly feeling bad that Emma was so upset, went to the craft room alone, searched out the mulberry paper and card stock, drew a picture and then made a replica of him for Emma to keep forever. She was so very proud of her creation and I was so proud of her kindness.  (She even cleaned up the mess in the craft room)

The prompt this week is LOSS   from the Gypsymama , what an amazing topic to consider and ponder, and like her I will need more than 5 minutes today. Loss - where does one start, do we list it all; Boompa (grandpa) 2/02 years of smoking - COPD and enphasima, Grandma 10/02 -culmination of Lung cancer that spread through body, dementia and the loss of her mate 6 months prior, Father 5/04 (Mother's day) - a life long battle with his weight, unchecked diabetes that ended with a rapid destruction of his liver and stage 4 Non-Alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver almost over night,  and the latest loss - my brother - took his own life, the loss of him in such a way is a struggle for me. The loss of my brother who had served over seas in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as multiple civilian jobs there, had received orders once again to go in late October 2008.  On Veteran's day 2008 he took his own life in my childhood home. He left no note, no why or how come. Th...

Wow ~~~~ the Lord is so gracious! I have missed reading and participating in such a great community of believer's and counting the grace, the good and the 'not how I planned it' but God knew what He was doing days. Jeremiah 29:11-14 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the L ord . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the L ord . I have taken a pretty long break since posting last in this catagory and the passed month  and 1/2 since I last posted gift 465, I have written just uner 100 gifts of grace and life from my LORD. I will not take time write all of them today just a few ...... 469. Bounty of rain 470. Strawberry buds  473. Being told I am an asset to someone 478. Teenagers cooking dinner for family  483. (written in  my daughter's handwriting) A beautiful and joy...

Summer just seems to be rolling along. We have had weekly park playdates and time with friends at the house as well.  There also seems to be a lot of July birthdays out there; we attended a few as families and the older two are each attending some this week. Good thing no Civil War events this month, there is enough going on around here. We are also going to be blessed to have some friends from out of town stop by on their way to there temporary missions home in Alaska before going back to Europe again. We first met the Scott 's in Germany at the Schweinfurt Hospitality house in 2001. They work for Cadence International and minister to Military families worldwide.