Bob's Struggle with Becoming an Ex-smoker

So with the official break in the weather and God's amazing grace, my life has improved so dramatically over the last several weeks that it is beyond words. He broke the anxiety in half. He gave me the chance to heal by singing at Memorial Park. He gave us an awesome albeit short night at Nemacolin for a marriage seminar. He gave me a recommitted spirit to the Breaking Free study. He gave me the amazing gift of Bob's testimony on Easter. He gave me a wonderful weekend with Ben. This last month has been everything that the previous 6 plus weeks were not.

So after writing all that when I think about how God can work in both Bob and I while he quits smoking..... I guess we don't have much to worry about..... :)

Too Busy Not to Pray Study

Life is going well! Our bible study is something we really look forward to each week. It's awesome getting to know new people and share our lives with each other. Also great getting to know my sister-in-law better. Been so grateful lately for the wisdom God is giving me with that. Last week during the communion service I felt like the Spirit was strongly encouraging me to talk to Missie about the jealousy and apologize for the way it comes out. Basically since I'm envious, I act overly critical and superior in my head about other things. Unattractive to say the least. I've been praying about it. I let her know that I was sorry for being mean and critical and I wanted to fix that because she's my sister (in more than one way) and I loved that we were getting closer and I didn't want that between us. She was very forgiving and said that she hadn't noticed anything like that but I assured her that God wanted me to ask for forgiveness so He could get it out there. I have to admit that sometimes I'm a big meany - and in order to fix it, I really have to admit it. I've already found myself less critical. God works in mysterious ways..... :)

And another example (just for the week!) of successful prayer is Bob. He's been reading the 5 love languages and he's made some significant effort. I need to work harder too.... But it's just awesome to see how quickly God can start to work on things that we persistently pray about.

I love how God works!! And as our book is reminding us, the greatest motivator for prayer is answered prayer!

The best seat in the house

Thank you so much for anyone who has taken time to pray for my friend. She and her family have been blessed over and over in the last nearly two weeks. People have stepped up and heard God calling them to be generous in spirit in some way and it has been truly beautiful. We are all growing in this. And watching has been a gift that God has honored me with. Keep praying!

A Healing Reminder

This week, I had a very nasty cold.

I slept under my desk at lunch on Monday and Tuesday - so that's bad.

Wednesday I gave up and stayed home to rest.

Wednesday night Pastor Tommy asked for any prayer requests for our big day Sunday and I mentioned my cold. I just want to sing my best on Sunday.

Thursday started out yucky.

Lunch was better as my boss suggested some medication that might work.

The afternoon saw marked improvement - I could breathe! Hallelujah!

After work I laid down to rest for a few minutes and wow! When I got up I felt like a million bucks!!

I thought, "Wow! That medicine's amazing."

Until I sat down at the computer and saw Tommy's email back asking how my cold was......

It was prayer not pills that made me feel better......

I love how God works.

Answered Prayer

Without going into too much detail out of respect for other's privacy, Bob's family is going through a terrible time with his diagnosis of Alzheimer's. Some very traumatic events occured this weekend that were pretty shattering to everyone in the family. And again - as with so many events of late - prayers went up from our church family, from my family, from friends, probably from some strangers. And God heard our cry. We went up to see the family this evening and SOOOO many things transpired that showed that God was there. His dad is still struggling - they all are. But there was a peace there that was inexplicable given the circumstances. He is relatively okay and things seem okay for the time being. Bob related to me that he's spent a good deal of time thanking God for things lately. An email circulated twice to him about an angel that stands at heaven's gate who's job is simply thank you delivery. Funny - I haven't seen it once :) But it has spurred him to really make a point of thanking God. And he thanked Him a big one this morning.

Father - Thank you for the prayers you answered and for opening our eyes to see that this was your orchestration. Your love for us is so overwhelming and I bet we miss it far more often than we catch it. Please help us to see so we can glorify you the way you so heartily deserve. In the name of the Prince of all Peace. Amen

Prayerfully Heavy Days

Yesterday and today, I have been overwhelmed with the big-ness of the things in life that need prayer:

- Emily emailed yesterday that Nana is mostly unresponsive. She and Nana prayed that last night would be the last night she'd be in pain. I wanted to join them and add Dad and Emily and Aunt Becky to the list. I want to earnestly pray that each day for her.

- Our friend who is so struggling with a marriage and personal demons. That is a fiery furnace - refining at it's most painful.

- A friend who is struggling with a God-sized problem with finances and housing and custody that appears to have no earthly resolution.

But God's also given me this big list of things to pray in gratitude about:

- Due to some staff changes, Bob is now the permanent ICC worship leader. He is stoked about it. No other words to describe the amazing work He is doing in Bob's life.

- Emily shared how she prayed with Molly and Sarah on one occasion and Ben and Grace on another.

- I think I'm starting to understand where I fit in to ICC. God seems to be guiding me to be an encourager. It might be a temporary space but for now, it's working for His plan and His church.

A little prayer...

On Saturday Bob and I headed up to Casa de Clackerino for some work on the house. The stone guys hadn't finished up the side of the house that he needed to put the meter socket on so we were going to hope it was done. They are moving in tomorrow so the clock is ticking. But before we left I walked into the computer room and told him I thought we should pray together before we left and since I prayed on Monday when he had his bad day, it was his turn. He said okay, grabbed my hands and threw one up there. What a blessing. Just being able to type those words when I dreamed of a day that I could pray to my Father with my husband.......

And then later in the day when a number of things went right, we were able to reflect back on that prayer. Okay - so everything didn't go smoothly but in retrospect, it worked out okay. He got on allen wrench stuck on the end of a bolt from the meter socket. It was freakish and weird. I shouted like I had just won the big jackpot when I pulled it out and laughed that what we thought was "wedged" stuck appeared to be more suction stuck. Then he couldn't find where the numnut contractor put this pipe out to the temporary service. They cut it way short of the phone and cable pipes and Bob probably dug for a half hour. He lost his temper pretty handily and then voila'! He found it. Nothing went horribly wrong. Lots went pretty smooth and even those things that didn't, turned out fine in the end......

More answered prayer

I got to spend last evening in the computer room with the door closed. In at least one season in my life closed in a room was punishment, but last night I found myself smiling more than once. I was closed in the back room because Bob was meeting for the second week with a great guy from church discussing the book of Job and the story of Joseph and getting to know each other and God better. They are gaining a bond in Christ and growing closer to Him. The hits - they just keep coming!! Not just one godly man as an answer to my prayers but a handful. Thank you Father for the grace that comes barreling down the pipeline daily.