"Good things come to those who wait." *

 

What do you think of when someone says wait?

 

Maybe long lines at the grocery store?

....stuffy waiting rooms at the doctors offices? 

Maybe it brings to mind more serious concerns like test results? 

Or delayed dreams like a husband or children? 

Are you waiting for short hair to grow long?

Or a financial payoff for work already done?

Are you waiting for salvation of a loved one?

 

Whatever it is, silly or serious, waiting is never fun....even at amusement parks!

 

What are you waiting for right now?

 

I know a bit about waiting.  I have waited.  I should be really good at it by now, but I am not.  I waited 6 years for my husband, I waited 20 years for a dream and continue to wait for the completion of that dream, I am still waiting for relationships to be fully reconciled. 

 

Maybe more important than what you and I are waiting for is; What you and I are doing while we wait?

 

 

Jeremiah 29: 11-13 says:¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

 

God has an amazing plan for me.  God has an amazing plan for you.  He wants to give us good things; prosperity, hope and a future. 

 

I tell my kids that if they want to know what they are to do with their lives they have to "stay friends with Jesus".  A bit elementary (they are 9 and 6.5) but isn't that TRUE?  How will we know what God's will for our life is if we do not seek Him, the "PLANNER" of our lives. 

 

There are promises found in this verse "call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you."  "....seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." 

 

We are all waiting on something, but are we seeking Christ and His will in our lives while we wait?

 

Join me as we commit to spend our time waiting in prayer.....

 

Dear Lord,

I hate waiting.  I ask that during this time of waiting that I would seek you and your will in my life and in this situation.  I pray that you would make me more like YOU!  Please give me strength as I wait....knowing you have the answers to my questions, the results to my tests, and you hold my loved ones and my future in the palm of your hands.  I thank you that you know me and that you desire the best for me, that you love me, and that you patiently wait for me to come, pray and seek you.  I thank you that you are a good God that wants to give good things to me, your child. I thank you for your great love that led you to die on the cross in order to give me salvation and a future with you in heaven.  I love you Jesus.

 

Meditate on this verse:

 

Psalm 27: 13b -14

    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
¹⁴ Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

 

*Devotional written for  CNY Ladies Retreat 2013

Christmas Treasure Boxes

Shelby and Josephine in my treasure box

Gathering supplies for our Christmas Treasure Boxes



Maggie in her Treasure Box

 



Ross in his box

Elf Day 6

Oh no! Elfia is sick!

Dear Santa, its Ross, my Dad and Sister aren't feeling good.  The worst part is Elfia is sick.  We don't know how.  Sorry.  Love Ross

Santa sends a reply and medicine to make Elfia better.

Sitting on the couch watching movies.

What movie?  Frosty of course!!!

Maggie taking good care of Elfia.

Elf - Day 5

Elfia and her friends had a late night of cards.

Looks like she had a great hand!

Waking up to find the party animals!

Elf - Day 4

Elfia strung toilet paper from one end of the downstairs to the other... Here she sits waiting for Ross to find her.

Silly Elfia!

Elf - Day 3

Elfia was nice today... she gave the kids a special snack for their lunches.

Elf - Day 2

Elfia decorate the family Tree with Ross and Maggie's underwear!

She hung around to see the reaction.

Elf - Day 1

Elfia has just arrived and she is already making herself at home.  Captain Crunch Christmas cereal for everyone.

She made a mess!  5 bowls dirtied.  Spilled milk and cereal.

Elf on the Shelf- Arrival



Santa Sent a Letter explaining that Elfia Noel was here with Ross and Maggie to learn right from wrong.  He said they were perfect for the job because they knew Jesus and could help her.

Elfia Noel arrived on November 30, 2012 addressed to Ross and Maggie.

Christmas ideas 2012

Elf on the shelf

 

Santa Sacks....I will keep track of the year and the gift from Santa.

 

The Santa Sacks

 

It isn't about happiness...it's about HOLINESS!

Why do I expect life to be easy and happiness for the ones I love and myself? I pray for success, for healing, for good days. Shouldn't I be praying for God's plan in the lives of those I love? Strength in the face of sickness and hardship? Spiritual growth through all of life's circumstances? We are called to be like Christ in every way. His life was successful because his goal and focus for his life was, and still is, that of redeeming sinners. I want to be more like Christ but I don't want to suffer in order to get there. Neither do I want my children and loved ones to suffer. Yet this is not the life that Christians have been called to. My life, your life, the life of your loved ones is not about happiness, it is about holiness. God's goal for us as we face the struggles of this world is to make us more like Jesus Christ. To make us Holy. In living a holy life in the face of tough circumstances we have an opportunity to show others that living with joy and strength can be done when in a right relationship with a loving heavenly Father.

How do you teach your children that living life is not about being happy, having worldly success, or the American dream? We live in a fallen world with fallen people. Financial struggles, health issues, and marriage stress should come as no surprise considering we are not home. We need to face these with this thought in mind, "What does God want me to learn from this?" . Not any easy focus to have. God promises to be with us and that there is eternal glory waiting.

2 Corinthians 4:17 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

Unconditional

The goal of life in its successes and struggles is to make us more like Christ, I have determined to love like Him. We may pull away from the relationship. We chose to distance ourselves. Christ is constant. His character and love for us can not be altered. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. This how I intend to love my friend. Unconditionally. Even if the friendship is never restored to the way it was. I will be there for her.

.

I was not prepared for this and my friend-heart is truly broken.

My wilderness, God's manna.

I have spent alot of time in the wilderness...not literally of course, but figuratively.  To even consider my struggle wilderness territory makes me a bit uncomfortable.  I feel it may be a little exaggerated... but if wilderness means desolate and hopeless then it "fits the bill".  My wilderness isn't financial struggles or a struggle with illness.  It is a different struggle.  It does seem so hopeless.  But isn't hope what Christ came to bring.  Hope to the hopeless.

I know that Christ's hope is the hope of a future in heaven, but doesn't he also bring hope of a better, not perfect or trouble free, but better life...a more abundant life?  I have wandered in this wilderness for so long I have worn familiar paths...it feels like home and I have settled here....

......I have settled.......

I have settled for a physically painful, mentally trying and emotionally hopeless wilderness. 

Why?

When God offers so much more!

God offers manna.  What is it?  That is what the Hebrew word manna means "what is it?".  Of course for the Israelites it was food.  I don't need anymore food!  I need more encouragement....Daily.  I need determination....Daily.  I need acceptance and love....Daily.  I need God...Daily!

God gave manna.  However it didn't land on the Israelite's plates!  They had to go and gather it...they had to do a little bit of work for it.  It is time for me to work for my manna....to go and gather it.... I have only to work for TODAY.  Tomorrow I have only to work for tomorrow.  Each day there is enough manna for THAT DAY!

Excuse me while I go and gather!

Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree 2011

Last year at Hunt's Tree farm I saw a Pine Tree I knew would never be chosen. It was a perfect shaped tree if you overlooked the 8 inch gap all the way around about a foot and a half from the top. This tree had a strange and silly effect on me. I felt bad for it. This poor tree would never be chosen to become a family Christmas tree, something I assumed all pine trees aspired to be. It would never be decorated with lights, tinsel, and ornaments. Or have gifts tucked underneaths its branches. I wanted it for our Christmas tree ....however Frank did not. He mistakenly said, "If it is here next year we will cut it down and take it home." I reminded him of this promise throughout the year. We returned this year to find my misfit tree was gone or given a face lift....meaning they chopped the top off and reshaped it....I was not deterred. There were others that needed a warm cozy living room to experience this special milestone of a "Christmas Tree." Here is the story:

The Chosen One

I grew perfect and tall.

I had only one flaw.

I waited to be picked.

Why wasn't I called?

One by one my friends were chosen.

My heart slowly grew sad, cold, and frozen.

I'd say to myself, "Next year its my turn.

I know someone is sure to want me."

My heart continued to yearn.

They'd come around again tagging.

Bragging how perfect it would be.

My heart was lonely, for it was never me.

People whispered and giggled. They pointed and gawked.

Then they would go,
and continue their walk.

I heard all their words.

I was loosing all hope.

Again! This year?

How could I cope?

Then it happened one day.

She stopped. And she smiled.

She said, "She's the one!"

My heart jumped a mile.

"She'll fit just perfect. She'll fit just right.

We'll put her in the corner and wrap her in lights."

The man wasn't certain. He had his doubts.

But she knew of my beauty, on this she could count.

"Wrapped up in tinsel, lights and beads.

Ornaments hung on her branches, you'll see!

She'll twinkle and shine like the prettiest tree!"

I stood even taller.

I lifted my branches.

I knew I was chosen.

Today was my day!

They saw beyond flawed, saw beyond sad...This man and his family

made my heart GLAD!

He took out his saw. It hurt just a bit.

They bundled me up and packed me to go.

Why were they driving so very slow?

We headed to home where decorations awaited!

This was my dream.

I was just so elated!

They stood me up straight.

Hung all my lights. They added the tinsel.

I twinkled so bright!

Every branch was adorned.

I was finally home

and now I just waited,
 for Christmas morn.

Written by:

Aaron Michelle Pentz

A New Journey

I read an article recently in the "Vista: Journal for Holy Living". It was called "Fasting for the Spiritual Power". I fasted as a teen while doing the 30 hour famine. As an adult I have started a fast at times and found my legalistic mindset kept it from being spiritually meaningful. It was about following rules. My rules, "the" rules, not sure what rules were in place but I was sure that I had broken them and not done it right. This article shared spiritual reasons for fasting and pitfalls to avoid. It referenced several books, one of which I have ordered and am looking forward to receiving in the coming week. I plan to study fasting and read Elmer Towns' book called "Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough". This topic has always been fascinating to me and I have heard of how God has worked and revealed himself during others times of fasting. I too want to draw closer to God in this way. And so begins................... A New Journey.

"The box I live in is comfortable" or "Someone get me a Saw!"

I am realizing more and more I live in a box. The same routine over and over. Familiar schedule, familiar stores, familiar places, familiar meals. I am rigid in doing it like I think it should be done. Every time I do it my way I am driving another nail in my box, making it stronger. Thinking outside the box is not so easy for me. Let me give an example.

I am CONSTANTLY after my children to get play clothes on, to stay out of the good clothes in their closets, OR I am picking up clean clothes mingled with dirty clothes off their closet and bedroom floors. And telling them AGAIN this isn't acceptable. I find this to be a HIGHLY annoying conversation, mainly because I have it nearly EVERY DAY. But I captured an idea in the midst of a conversation the other day. My cousin said she put all the play clothes in the mud room bin. Hmmmmm mud room bin.....play clothes.....easy access for the kids, big bin...means no folding/hanging for mom. So I thought and thought on this. I have no mud room.....only the grooming room...that won't work...Maggie usually comes down stairs to dress... The solution....ONE BIG BIN IN THE DINING ROOM TUCKED TO THE SIDE. Easy to just pick up and hide when company comes yet accessible to the kids.

I do this with food as well. In the course of the last few days my GREAT friend Maggie has found delicious meals hidden in my measly left overs or random fruits and veggies in the fridge. I have been amazed at her resourcefulness.

I have become wasteful and undisciplined in my living. I say "NO LONGER!"

...I have determined that my mind likes its comfortable"box". But starting today I am going to train my brain to think OUTSIDE THE BOX.... I am going to become more RESOURCEFUL. I love that word. I want to be that word.

Someone get me a saw!

This is going to be the BEST summer!

We "put out" at the southern shore of Seneca Lake. Josie loves to go and she seems to be a big hit. People get a kick out of her ride.

She loves her ride too! She is on the look out for water fowl.

We kayaked to the base of Hector Falls. It is pretty spectacular.

Maggie, Josie and I at the base of the falls. This gives a little perspective.

What a view. We had a great time together.

Maggie being silly. I told her I needed to see her mouth....she'd been hiding behind the crate.

Sunset on Seneca.

The end. Headed home after a great "outing"!

I hate needles!

I have seen my share of needles in the past 4 months.

Maggie had surgery on a her bump in February.
Ross had blood work done in May.
I had a tubal ligation in May.
Cana-del, my 13.5 year old dog was Euthanized in May.
I had a filling done in May .
I don't want to see another needle for a LONG time.
Have I ever told you how much

I HATE NEEDLES?!

Did I Share too much?

Tuesday
I had a tubal ligation at Corning Hospital.
I felt great.
I spent time with Mom and Maggie after Frank brought me home and headed back to work.

Wednesday
I fell apart.
I realized I couldn't do all I wanted to the day after surgery.
Was the painful day.
I realized how tired I was and that I needed a 3 hour nap.
I came to the conclusion I had to continue sleeping in a vertical position.

Thursday
I overdid it.
With the help of a friend I tried to clean the whole house and do all the laundry.
Was my bloated and painful day.
Was the day that ended with tears and a conversation with the on call doctor.
Was another night trying to sleep in an upright position.

Friday

Was the day of swollen feet.
Was the day I got reacquainted with the bathroom.
Was the day of the bowel movement.

Was the day I felt better, thought clearer, and wondered, "Did I share too much?"

I love God's beautiful things.

I love simple garden decorations. This little sign I got for $0.79 at Salvation army

I am not sure what this bucket was originally intended for. But I love how it looks in my flower garden. Frank and I went away for our 8th Anniversary and I purchased it at a garage sale.

My sister-in-law, Susan gave me mums for "Mum's Day".

Lots of color.

Our neighbors, the Robins

This little girl reading was given to me by a customer.

My little bird is another great garage sale find.

A welcoming front door.

Blossoms of early spring.