Under His Wings

 It's been a very emotional week. My dear mother was diagnosed with a devastating illness, a form of dementia, last week. The news hit me hard to be honest.  I'm also dealing with a chronic sinus issue, which I had a CT scan for today. A few exits from the hospital, there is an amazing park I love to sit at. It brings me such enjoyment as I listen to the birds and waves of the small lake.  Today I wrote in my freewriting journal and just sat back and listened to the birds and squirrels around me. Such a peace came over me. Freeing my mind of build up emotions,  relaxing, and taking in the beauty of this late winter day, oh what a difference it made. I call this is my park therapy. It's what my weary mind needs. This and to remember God's promises. God will never leave us or forsake us. I can cast my cares on Him. He cares! 

  James 1:2 ESV Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds because I know the testing of your faith developed perserverance. I love how the English Standard Version words this verse. I have faced many kinds of trials through the years.  I also love how themes come up from time to time.  Joy has come up the past few days. My husband Tim referred to this theme of joy during his sermon last night. He was preaching from John 15:7-17.  Tim focused on verse 11.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. Tim mentioned joy in trials. He used the example of the biggest trial we faced together in 1999.  Finding out at 5 months that our second child, Gabrielle Renee, had a fatal birth defect called anencephaly. He talked about our decision to carry Gabrielle despite my doctor encouraging us to induce labor early. "What is the use of carrying a child who is going to die?" He kept on asking.  ...

  I have been blessed to be able to visit Sperr Park a lot lately. Today it's an extra special blessing. A few months ago I discovered a swinging bench. Today I discovered that it's directly across the lake from the flag pole.  I'm singing the Star Spangled Banner in my head. I posted a reel on my Facebook page with the song It seems fitting as this beautiful park was founded as a memorial of State Trooper Andrew Sperr, who died nearly 20 years ago in the line of duty. He was shot by men who had just robbed a bank near the land that was transformed in his honor. I love to come here, especially this particular place, to relax and listen to the varied nature songs. My favorite here is the red wing blackbird.  I'm thinking of Psalm 19:1 NIV The heavens declare the Glory of God, the skies proclaim the works of his hands. Here it's the birds, bullfrogs, the rolling hills, the trees and  much more.  I'm sitting here with my eyes closed taking in the warm breeze and th...

 It's official!  I'm now a senior citizen.  I made my appearance in the world at 7 PM on January 11, 1970.  Now I am eligble for senior discounts.  Tim told me that includes Michaels. That will come in handy.  On Facebook, I've received greetings from people from all times of my life.  That's been fun to see. It's brought back so many fun memories.  Some from my schools, my churches, and extended family.   I've been such a blessed woman, that is for sure.  I still have my parents who still support me and show they love me.  I've been blessed with many friends and I continue to make more. I have an amazing husband and three wonderful kids.  My youngest, my daughter Anna, is planning on getting married next year.   I have a special church family who have taken Tim and I under their wings for almost a year now.  We have had so many opportuntities to serve at Christian Faith Fellowship. Most importantly I have a...

My pastor, Stephen Crupi, preached about Lamentatations 2 on Sunday morning.  Verse nineteen caught my attention. “Arise, cry out in the night,   at the beginning of the night watches! Pour out your heart like water   before the presence of the Lord! Lift your hands to him  for the lives of your children, who faint for hunger   at the head of every street." (ESV) Thankfully today, most of the children of the world are not suffering with physical hunger, but they hunger for the things of this world.  Many adults are the same way sad to say. When Pastor Stephen read the verse in Lamentations, another cry out to God verse I heard over fifteen years ago at a ladies conference immediately came to mind. Thankfully I had noted the passage so I could find it. The verse is Psalm 57:2  I cry out to God Most High,  to God who fulfills his purpose for me. On this particular day in June of 2008, my Mom and I sat listening to Joanna Arp with heavy hea...

This year has been a year for reunions.  In April, I was reunited with many of my teachers and friends from my elementary/jr, high days at Central Baptist Christian Academy.  That was so amazing seeing so many special people in a very special place. It's also where I attended church for the majority of my childhood and young adult years. The fellowship hall also served as my kindergarten and some of my Junior High classrooms. The one end was a stage used for both church and school. We had youth group in that part of the room also.  I am so thankful to have had the Christian education to form a great foundation for me to move on to public high school and beyond.  More thoughts on my Chenango Valley reunion later. On September 30, I was reunited with one of my best college friends, Charlene Martin.  We hadn't seen each other in about 30 years, but kept in touch through Facebook.  We had an amazing time catching up. It was like no time had passed.  We wil...