Under His Wings

 This morning, the pastor of my home church, Central Baptist in Binghamton NY, announced that Central Baptist Christian Academy is closing at the end of this school year.  I started CBCA as a Kindergarten student in 1975. On Sunday, when I saw one of my classmates, who is a pastor in the Cleveland OH area, preaching on Facebook I realized that I have known him for just over fifty years. I loved my nine years at CBCA.  I had amazing teachers and I made the most incredible friends. I loved being involved in music.  I had my first solo in first grade. "Jesus loves the little children the whole wide world around" I sang with laryngitis. I took piano and voice lessons starting in second grade. I sang in choirs. My classmates and I had so much fun! We sang in Christmas and spring programs.  We went on many fun field trips. In first grade, we went to the florist shop my great Aunt Kay worked at.  In sixth grade I had an adoptive Grandma from Elizabeth Church Manor...

 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.  ...