The Lord's will ..........

91. the Lord's perfect will and timing

92. surprises

93. watching a new baby come into this world

94. new life, spiritual and physical

95. that the Lord saved a wretch like me

96. praying as a family

97. having the Lord meet me in the midst of grief and comfort and "hug" me

98. knowing my dad is perfect and standing in the true son's light!

99. having our cat who was gone for three days come home (for my kiddos who were so thankful)

100. the Lord preserving my mother in law

101. our salvation and in the Lord's strength to be a light for others

102. my precious little girl's smile and back rubs

103. late night talks with my son

104. date with my hubby

105. finding his perfect Christmas gift and hoping to surprise him

106. learning to be fulfilled and content (thankful the Lord is patient)

107. thankful to be able to cry out to the Lord anytime, anywhere

108. thankful He collects my tears in a bottle

109. finding joy in house work

110. helpful little hands

111. traditions: new and old

112. Knowing the Savior LIVES and that my daddy is with HIM and he lives too

113. loneliness

114. change

115. health

116. projects with my kiddos


I have to say that when this post started I was feeling down and lonely and a little lost. I miss my dad and although that has been said so many times it still is fresh and extremely hard. I feel lonely and lost somewhat at times but then I sit and read and worship the Lord and get to know Him better and realize that He alone is in control and that He loves me. He understands my pain and the loss.....
Bonnie was discharged yesterday. We love her and continue to pray for her salvation and for her to experience the Lord as her Savior. We are so thankful for her recovery.
My little girl is five and my boy is 6.5 and I rejoice over them. At one time we did not know if we would have any little ones and I have two bundled on the couch this morning..... ( plus and extra because we had a friend spend the night and it was a great time)
I am thankful that my Savior was willing to come as a baby and live in this human state to die for me a wretched sinner and for the sin of the whole world.

During this season as Christmas is quickly approaching and I am learning to look at everything I do have and what the Lord has given me through trials and bringing me and my family through His refining process I think of this verse;

John 10:10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

What are you thankful for? What is the Lord teaching you. What ever the Lord is taking you through to refine you or if you are sad or discouraged take heart. Our king has come that we may have life and have it abundantly!!!!
Let us draw near to our KING and take advantage of HIS ABUNDANCE this season not what the world thinks of but what Christ IS!!!!!!!

1000 things to be grateful for part three

61. Good talks with my mother in law

62. moving to the rehab floor and watching my mother in law start to heal

63. special times with my love

64. having to totally and utterly rely on my Savior

65. knowing when you stand by a loved ones hospital bed the Lord stands there with you

66. Family and friends help

67. having my kiddos home!!!

68. colds

69. cooking at home

70. sharing my salvation and testimony

71. Christmas tree lights

72. my home

73. laundry

74. warmth

75. beautiful snow fall

76. my kiddos hugs

77. my mom and brother's birthday

78. family get together

79. remembering my dad and all the memories

80. learning to laugh and find the humor in things

81. having a medical background to help understand what is going on

82. peace

83. strength from the Lord

84. snuggles and reading to my kiddos

85. hearing my son read

86. Christmas

87. life

88. eternal life

89. my daughter's sweet laugh

90. my son's jokes :)

I have been so privileged this last week for to watch the Lord work!!!


Psalm 27: 1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

I have to say that when the call came on Monday and we knew Micah's mom had to have emergency surgery and we were not sure of the outcome this is one number we reminded ourselves of..... we have nothing to fear because our Lord and Savior is in control!!!! What a privilege to trust in Jesus!!!!

Next thirty things.......

31. unexpected trials that bring unexpected strength and peace

32. my mother in law

33. hearing my son pray wholeheartedly for his grammy's salvation

34. God's wisdom in not giving us info until needed and then abundant grace and strength

35. surgeons

36. headaches

37. pain

38. friends

39. family

40. prayer

41. my children's growth and watching the Lord grow them into more of his character

42. reminder that little eyes are watching for a response to the trial

43. cuddling with my hubby and holding his hand at the hospital

44. prayer with my hubby for wisdom

45. learning to fully cry out and fall on the Lord

46. Cuddles with my kiddos

47. knowing in the middle of the night when pain is strong and can not sleep that I am not alone

48. living so close to the hospital we can walk over in the snow

49. a neuro surgeon who is kind, patient, explains things thoroughly and very kind at night for an emergency surgery

50. physical symptoms that remind of eternal promises

51. a hospital staff that has been kind, compassionate and understanding

52. redeeming love

53. my daughter's fifth birthday

54. my mom's encouragement

55. movies

56. hearing my little girl sing amazing love and thinking of my dad and this songs promises

57. learning what true submission is and what it brings when we obey

58. God's example of perfect care

59. watching my husband lead us through trials, loving the Lord and looking to Him

60. PEACE



This week has been a hard one but I have been thinking of things to be thankful for and how the Lord is leading and guiding us. Providing us with what we need. Being comforted by who the Lord is and what He is doing. Everything filtered through his fingers of love.....
Habakkuk 3: 17-19
Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the Labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls -
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deers feet,
And He will make me walk on high hills.

I rejoice in the God of my salvation!
Please pray for us as we make decisions about placement for Bonnie for sub acute care and rehab. For endurance as we are tired and having to make so many decisions. But most of all as my son prayed as he looked out the window at St. Francis last night for her eternal salvation. For her to know the Lord as her Savior instead of judge.
What a peace and hope knowing the Lord loves us and has His best for us.
We are so thankful for our family, friends, and family of Christ- your support is so incredibly needed and helping us.
Thank you

someone to be thankful for.........

Today I want to share my thankfulness for my oldest child...... he is a miracle. I have endometreosis and PCOS and when I came home from our honey moon I was very ill. The doctors when diagnosing said that if we wanted children we should start immediately. We miscarried a baby two months later. I had many surgeries and they had started me on medications that my body could not tolerate. One of my surgeries was to fix some of the organs that they could carry a baby full term. I thought I was pregnant when my family was all going on vacation together and Micah had to stay behind and work. I found out that I was not and was very distraught. I took a long walk and remember telling the Lord I was done and just really did not want to go on trying. I was exhausted. Micah was as well and well if this was not going to happen then I wanted to go to school and build a life. I was pregnant a month later. At six weeks they wanted a sono to make sure everything was ok. I have never cried so much at a heart beat and this beautiful little pea on the screen. At thirteen weeks I was very sick and started bleeding. Micah took me into the doctor to my midwife( I happened to work there). Everyone was outside the room while they looked for a heart beat and they could not find one so they sent me over for an emergency sono. There he was now a little pea pod and his heart beat was strong. Home on bed rest. I was so amazed at the Love I felt for this little man. There were some bed rest off and preclampsia at the end but on June 10, 2003 I woke up with contractions. I woke Micah @ 8:00 and asked if he thought it was a good day to have a little one...... When my labor got going it took five hours and then this little guy was laying on my chest staring at me and I at him. He was so beautiful, precious and worth every bit of bed rest and all the trials. His name Christian Benjamin Daniel: Christian (follower of Christ), Benjamin (son of my right hand)
He has been so precious. He adds so much life. when I am sick he is always asking what he can do to help or if I need anything. He loves the Lord and is interested in what the Lord desires of him and how he can make a difference. He is full of compassion for people and longs to be a comfort to those who are sick or disabled.
He told me one day that he was so thankful for me to be healthy and that he loved me.
He has been a source of comfort and strength when I have not been able to be what I think or want to do for them as a mom he always points out what I can do or that it is ok because this is God's plan.
He is such a great big brother and takes care of her so well. When I have been to sick to get them to bed he has helped her brush her teeth, prayed with her and tucked her in.

I just am so privileged to be his mom and watch him growing into a young man who loves the Lord.
He loves to run and love life like his grandpa.

In short he is a precious gift from the Lord and I am thankful for me to be called his mom. I look so forward to watching the Lord work in his life and mold him into the man of God he desires for him to be.

I love you sweet Christian and thank the Lord for you my first born and miracle!!!!!!!! My prayer for you is to be ruined for the world and chase after the Lord and His work with your whole heart!!!!!!

1000 things to be thankful for.............

Alright I am going to do this idea that Shawna has done because I love it and being able to look back at it when I am done and remembering what was happening at the time...... so here is the first list......

1. being married to my best friend

2. falling in love deeper and deeper as time goes by

3. family hugs and tickle fights

4. the excitement of my children when I run and chase them

5. hear my children pray

6. being able to be involved in holiday activities

7. walking up stairs with loads of laundry

8. walking period :)

9. times of quiet with my Savior

10. teaching my kiddos

11. tears

12. loss

13. my daddy

14. being refined

15. messes

16. cooking

17. lessons learned

18. being set aside by my Savior

19. early mornings

20. memories

21. forgiveness

22. friendship

23. family of Christ

24. wise counsel

25. brothers

26. time

27. healing

28. Lyme

29. security in Christ

30. family traditions



These are just a few of the thoughts running through my head. I have thought so often today of the psalmist saying oh taste and see that the Lord He is good!!! How I long to remember this and base my reactions off of this precious fact.
Micah was wondering of the things I remember of being sick and there is a very high percentage that I do not remember at all but I do have to say as I teach my kiddos and do alot of house work today I have to remind myself it is a privledge to walk, talk, use my hands, read....... those are for another list but my heart could burst with song for how grateful I am to be well. To be functioning. To be learning. To be actively participating in life as a wife, mom, sister and friend!

Enjoy today! As Anne of Green Gables says: Lets drink it in!! Or soak it up. In other words take a moment and reflect on all that we have!

My prayer is to work on having an attitude of thanksgiving and praise and to abide in the vine!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Psalm 13:5-6
But I have trusted in your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

Today as I think of all the many things I have to be thankful for I was thinking of my dad. He was so very thankful for many things. He showed an appreciation for the little things and wanted to share that with people as an encouragement. He would enjoy some one's dish at a potluck and seek them out to thank them, he would appreciate what someone shared on a Sunday and tell them, he would look at a situation and choose to be thankful and find the good in it.
I miss him so much. I miss him so much that sometimes it feels as though I could go a little nuts not knowing what to do with the grief but then I think about the Lord and his perfect plans for me. My dad wrote this verse to me in a card on my 18th birthday when I was really living in rebellion and he said with it this is my prayer for you this year to discover the Lord's will and way for your life and not to compromise or settle for anything less:
Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for me with all your heart.

The Lord has awesome plans for our lives and we do not always understand them. This may seem trivial but it was hard when we got an illness this week and Thanksgiving got moved. ( thank you Lynn for being flexible and willing to have it at your house) I was really looking forward to having everyone here as a family. Remembering dad and talking about what we are so thankful for and what we have seen the Lord doing this year. Being together all of us for the first time as a whole family when we can sit and enjoy one another and support one another. But the Lord has a different plan for me this year. He has chosen to sit me aside and to lean on Him tomorrow. He has seen fit that it is best for me to be with the kiddos and to be a mommy. Lord willing I will go for a little while and then come home and be with my hubby and kiddos ( and pie) before Micah goes to work. :)
I am praying today for a heart of gratitude and for being thankful and seeing the good of the Lord's plan even if it was not what I desired.
He has dealt bountifully with me and given us all good things!!!!
I hope each of you has a wonderful Thanksgiving and that it is filled with rejoicing over your salvation and hope in the Lord!!!!!!!! If you do not have that sure hope my prayer for you is that you will not go any further without knowing for sure where you would go if you were to die today.
Although I miss my dad more then I have ever missed anyone before I have to say in the words of my son, " Papa is going to have an awesome Thanksgiving!!!!" Praise the Lord for our eternal Hope!!
Happy Thanksgiving from the Daniel family to each and every one of you!

Thankful spirit

I have to say that I have been thinking about what I have to be thankful for lately as I have been fighting an attitude of loneliness and well selfishness.
Micah met me at 20. I had recently gotten saved and was struggling with many things from my past and before he ever came to salvation he was in a study group with me. We started talking one night after study group and he was so kind that I found it very easy to be open with him. So every day in class a little note would come my way and he would ask me to list three things that I was thankful for...... even as simple as a flower or the sunshine. His point was to get my mind off of the things that was hard and struggles of the past and present and teach me to see life as the cup half full.
I am so thankful for him. He started studying with Todd became a believer and then when he told me of his love waited patiently until I felt like I could get engaged and get married.
He is a source of strength, peace, guidance and has been a wonderful example of faithfulness to the Lord and to me even when that required carrying me, my wheel chair, being my nurse, holding my hand, praying with me and being so careful when I was at one of the most vulnerable points in my life.
He is an incredible dad who loves his children and is committed to raising them in the Lord and all of this when he never had an example of what a dad is much less a godly one while growing up.
In short I am so thankful to be married to my best friend and to have the privilege of walking through this life with him hand in hand.
I am most thankful that he loves the Lord Jesus to the point of being upset when I came to the chapel when we were friends because of the distraction. Because of this we did not talk or sit together at chapel and people were very surprised when we got engaged. We still laugh at their shock because obviously my family knew we were looking at becoming more then friends when he was always around and even watched the Anne of Green Gables series with my mom and I when we were all sick. He asked for my hand even though he was 27 and explained to my dad from scripture what he desired for our marriage. He has stuck by me through good and bad, health and sickness. He has kept his vows. He has/does love me.
In this time when we are looking at what we are thankful for I just wanted to encourage each of us to let others know that they are valued and that we love and are thankful for them. It is so important and one thing a man speaking shared recently was so good that people live up or down to what people think and say of them.

Let us encourage one another!!!!!!!! Thank you for what each of you do for the Lord and others. Thank you for being a part of my life.

We want to encourage people in the Lord and in godly attributes and ways. This is the way to life: abiding in Christ and in His ways alone. John 15: I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let us choose live in that abundance!

The Lord's timing and faithfulness

Well, I have been quiet on here for a long time..... I have had so many thoughts going through my mind since my daddy went home to be with the Lord. One of the main ones though was something my dad said before his surgery. We were all standing with him and obviously it was an emotional time. We knew they were coming very soon to get my dad and go. He said the thing I want people to know and the thing I have thought so much about and matters the most is God is Holy..... he said other things to go with this but this stands out the most right now.
Because God is Holy and perfect we can have a peace and strength that we can not imagine doing on our own.
A friend gave me this awhile ago when I was very sick and it has meant so much to me through that period and through this time of grief.
Words that cost:
Whether it is a financial crunch, a sudden illness, or a personal defeat, if you fix your heart on praise to God, then you have offered a sacrifice. If you've ever cried during those heartbreaking difficulties, " Lord, I will hope in You and praise You more and more," then you know you have offered words that have cost you plenty. Praise in those circumstances is painful.....
I've been told that the Hebrew word for waiting means "quiet trust." Those words don't sparkle with effervescence. Its like saying, "I have prayed about this burden, and now, Lord, I will quietly wait on you even before I see the answer. I expect it. And this is my sacrifice of praise to You- I believe and trust."
Please remember this: Most of the verses written about praise in God's Word were voiced by people faced with crushing heartaches, injustice, treachery, slander, and scores of other difficult situations. They knew that the sacrifice of praise was a key victory on their spiritual journey.
Joni Eareckson Tada from Seeking God


Have you ever felt like not praising God in a hard situation? I have struggled with not wanting to do anything but when I do in the Lord's strength obey and praise Him the most beautiful sweet thing happens: my heart follows and I want to sing, worship and be in the Lord. It is not always a happy moment but joyful, peaceful and a surrender of my will that the Lord refines a little piece of this sinner that is saved.
I do not deal well with loss. I tend to rebel and freak out. I have to say that I started thinking of this and praying about it long before my dad's diagnosis. I was laying on the end of his bed in the hospital and he was rubbing my feet and we were chatting...... ( what is wrong with this picture? I should have been rubbing his feet, but that was my dad being my daddy) I told him that I was struggling and that I was scared. He looked at me and with tears he said the Lord will be all I need when the time came for him to go home and that I just needed to be sure to obey. I love that and it has been one of the things that has encouraged me so much. Right up until my dad's last words he was taking care of and looking out for his family.
The day we found out it was terminal and we all walked into talk with dad it was really hard and so emotional. He was honest about things but his focus was the Lord. Micah asked how I was doing later that day and I told him I felt like dad was teaching me one of the most valuable lessons he could ever teach me: to be peaceful and trust. As hard as that is at that moment and through an experience that is unknown he trusted.
The Lord gave us time to be a family: we all prayed together multiple times, laughed, cried, sang. He gave us time to be alone with dad and have those talks and moments that are so incredibly precious and private. He was merciful in that my dad was not terribly sick for an extended period of time.
I have stood by the bed of people dying so many times and I tell you what it does not prepare you for when it is personal. I was so thankful for the knowledge of what my dad needed physically and to understand the process of dying but I remember at times feeling like I was going crazy. I just wanted to shake someone or something and tell them to do their job and save him but as Scott said at my dad's service someone had already saved my dad and was in the process of completing that.
My sweet little girl the other day said I want to pray for Grandpa. I said ok we can pray for him but I want you to know he is doing awesome. Christian chimes in: He has the good life, we don't but he does!!!! How sweet their child like faith is. They are so simple in thoughts at times but that is where we need to be at times. My dad does have the perfect life now and he is with his precious Savior. How I long for that time when it is the Lord's will.
I have to say the grief comes more intensely at times and right now that is where it is. I miss my dad so much sometimes I feel well overwhelmed and not know where to even start going through it but then I stop and slow down and pray and call someone( thank you) and the Lord shows me He is sufficient and enough for that moment and every moment always......
I guess what I want to finish with is how precious and beautiful to see what the Lord is doing. To know that everything that happens He has looked at and planned. Nothing can touch my life without His approval first. How awesome is that? What a different perspective that puts on things then if we were trying to do it alone or in our strength.
To often I take my eyes off of Him and start looking at myself and having a BIG pity party. But that just makes me so much more miserable and not a good example for my little ones or encouragement to anyone and it is SIN..... I just want to cling to the Lord, let Him refine me and mold me, to truly say You are the potter and I am the clay......
The message yesterday at chapel was so encouraging. It was on suffering. I have thought of this verse but was so glad to be reminded of it:
2 Corinthians 12:9 & 10
And He said to me, " My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak then I am strong.
I struggle with this but when I focus on Christ and His plan and serving Him not my struggle and trial that is going on at the time I am so much better off.
As my dad said so many times growing up: the happiest people are those that are not thinking of if they are happy. You can substitute happy with so many other things and it is so true.
Please pray for me as this trial is a hard one and let me know what I can pray for you about if you like. We need to labor together. Bear each other's burdens and be actively seeking how we can truly be loving each other in Christ. One thing I am trying to remember and learn is love is a verb. And we want to be doers of God's will. Making it an active example of Christ.
Thanks for listening........
Thank you Lord for your plan, salvation and promise to complete this work!!!!!!

My dad- and the Lord's faithfulness

Where to start: yesterday morning we went to see my dad's new primary. He is excellent and was right on the situation which we were so thankful for. He immediately had my dad admitted to Stormont. When we arrived at Stormont we got him settled and the staff were wonderful all day. We had a pulmonologist come in and talk with my dad. We need him to come off the blood thinners so biopsy can be done. There are to diseases they are leaning toward but we will see. The biopsy is a critical factor at this point for diagnosis and treatment options.

He is comfortable and they are watching him carefully. I am so thankful for this but what we are all thankful for more then anything is the LORD. He walks before us and controls all things. What a privledge to know our Savior goes before us and nothing is an accident when it comes to life if we are in His will.

Psalm 146:5



Happy is he who has the God of Jacobfor his help, Whose hope is in the Lord!!!



vs 6b Who keeps truth forever.





I have to say this am as I sit here thinking about my dad and health that it is precious to know we are held in His loving arms, He alone is the blessed controller of life and everything is a gift from Him.

I am thankful for this promise. I do not know or understand how people walk through this life w/o Him and His promises.

The other thing I was thinking is this earth is not our home. We are on a pilgrimage through and have all eternity to rest and this life is but a moment for our service to the Lord. Let's all work together and run this race well for His glory alone.

Choices

I have to say that as I sit here on a Sunday morning I am thinking of the fact that the Lord is utterly and totally faithful. I need to say that He is so incredible and carries us through and for that I am incredibly thankful.
There are ups and downs with my health. It comes in waves and well I am thankful for being able to accomplish more at home and with the kiddos. I am so thankful for the kids to be the ages they are and to be so able to adjust and role with whatever a day brings......

O.K. I have struggled some with my attitude and ability to say what ever happens I will except. I really think this life is about the Lord stripping us of ourselves and preconceived notions of what is success and looking to Him to define that...... I have sooooo much to learn and sooooo much farther to go but one thing the Lord has impressed on me is that we need to be focused on Him alone. We all have trials and things the Lord is taking us through for His glory alone so what are we going to do with this?

I have to accept that I can not be everywhere at all things........ I can not commit and do alot of the things I desire...... but one thing I know is this. The Lord desires our whole heart and our willingness to submit to Him and His plan..... He does not want part of us or a halfway commitment but all of us completely..... there are so many things I want, long to do. But when you are set aside and physically not capable you learn to go with it or go crazy......

I guess what I am trying to say is I struggle with this. I get lonely and it is hard to be set aside and at home alot. Parenting from a bed, chair or floor. But I have seen the Lord give me moments with my kiddos and hubby that I may not have if He had not slowed me down.

I think of Job and at the end of the book he says that he has truly seen the Lord. It was not until after the Lord had carried Him through the trial and stripped him of himself that he could say that......

Each one of us is going through the refining process. Whether we allow it or not to change us is our choice but it is and will happen...... what is our response going to be.......

This is the question I ask myself all the time..... I may not see/ know what the Lord has planned for all of this but our lives and the things we go through are not in vain unless we do not praise the Lord and allow Him alone to mold us through them.......

Appearances are one thing...... the world is watching us and what should we show them is important...... following the Lord with our whole heart, giving Him alone our all, grace with one another and understanding that His plan for each of us is different and what He takes us through we are commanded to love one another and bear each others burdens........

I guess one thing is appearances....... my ducks are not always in a row. Actually quite rarely. But where is my heart and motivation coming from..... this is the most important thing we must ask ourselves. I think the thing I struggle with most is pride...... I struggle with being sick because it makes it very obvious that I do not have it all together..... but the Lord does and PRAISE HIM alone for that......

That is all. I just needed to write out the things I have been thinking on and praying....... if not for anyone else just so I can look back and know what was happening at this point........

What is the Lord teaching you? What is He longing for you to give Him. What lessons are you learning.......

Monday

Well just an update before the week starts. Micah flew home on Saturday and is with the kiddos and headed back to work today. Please pray for him as going back and getting in the swing of things is not always easy. The kiddos are doing well but my sweet Abby Grace is struggling with me being gone although with the help of daddy and Scott and Lynn (thank you so much for being there for them and for us!!!!) they have a positive or I do not know how to word it but they are learning a lesson through all of this as we all are and I pray that it is taken in and fully remembered this time of the Lord's growth..... in our family and time of healing.
My weekend was good. I was able to run errands and get the apartment back in shape..... cleaning a one bedroom apt is not hard my house when I get home will be the test..... :)
Nicki Kemp is flying in and will be here this evening and I am very excited for that and looking forward to it immensely. I am so thankful to have her come and have time with her......
I am praying for the Lord's timing alone...... I am praying that the treatments go well and that we can move as quickly as we can toward me being well and home with my family. With that being said we/I am learning patience and that this is where I need to be right now.... we want this for the long run and need to be committed to that and seeing it through......
The Lord is my constant source of everything. He alone is in control. He is the great physician and my precious Savior. I would just ask for prayer that I would be at His feet and in constant communication with Him......
The 18 yr old that has shown interest in the Lord has had a very hard Sunday and I am really praying for a great week for Him. It is tough but I want him and his mom to start seeing results.... it would really help I think. That is what helps you as you go through things and it is not fun.... the progress...... makes a huge difference in your attitude and will to fight....... please pray for wisdom and opportunities...... I am going to write out the Romans road and some verses for them.... I do not want to offend but I do not want to not give the truth as well......

Thanks for your prayers and for your friendship........ I can not wait and long to be at home and see all of you......

Lord bless your week.........

Anne

Total Surrender- Healing in more ways then one....

Well I think the Lord has been really teaching me about surrendering my life to Him in all aspects and knowing He is: the Great Physician, the God who sees: the God who holds all things together: the God who in one breath can heal, take away or leave something to teach and show us His will alone and who He is.
With that in mind we are still making progress but with what has been going on we call an onion: that is me...... as you treat you peel back layers and see what you are going to find. You revisit symptoms in my mind that were not coming back but it is going through those as layers come off that is hard..... you see the things you have been through like not walking, the walker not holding anything down and that whole system being shot........ how to get it going again w/o false ways doing it..... this is where I am right now: it is a great weight loss program but not the fun way to do it....... I have found through the doc a lady that will help me with these things. I wish I had a blender because it is time to juice everything. My body is not getting nutrients but we are watching it carefully. But knowing the Lord of hosts is watching it even more is so wonderful...... I think when I got here He needed me to see what it is like to be walk, run, jump and now I want it and will fight for it with His strength alone!!!! I was unable for only 24 hours then the walker now me. It is a tired walk but it is a walk I will take. Hard for Micah to go but he needs to for work and also the kiddos need to see Him. That does not mean that well the Lord knows when I can be alone and not....... so prayer requests.......
1. The Lords will, protection and me not fighting it.
2. The Lord giving me and the doc wisdom to not rush but as quickly as we can get me better and home.
3. I have Nikki Kemp coming for a week...... possibly more but we will see. She is such a gift and encouragement. Please pray times and flights and the gap I can do alone......
4. a mom with her son and cousin are from K.C. : their son has been very sick. They happen to be in the same apartment complex and are so graciously willing to have me around/ and check on me with the gap. Please pray for my testimony as it has been given and I long to see the peace of having a Savior brings. She is so generous and sweet and I really appreciate her and her giving heart........
5. Thanks: their have been other strong believers out here and it has been awesome to have that fellowship and their prayers.
6. We are seeing progress: an illness especially as long as I have had it is serious and more then that complex..... but we are fighting it and we are building my immune system and my bodies ability to fight this itself. We had a recent blood marker and we can see the Lyme diminishing..... but I had several secondary things that had found my body to be great due to an immune system that was over run so we are dealing with everything at one time but the goal is to build the immune system and response so that it will fight its battle...... we are starting to go into deeper areas of treatment not just blood but tissue and joints and neuro which can be more difficult..... this is where we must go to get well for a future not just temporarily........
7. Ability to be alone, comfortable in my own skin and time with our Savior. My time with Him has been precious and I have learned so much but if I get to a point where I need to be out here alone and physically can do it then that I will accept the Lord as my constant companion take the time to let Him set me aside......
8. Wisdom for Micah and I to be consistent with, the Lord, each other, the kids ( schedule, time, and consistency in all areas). They have really been showing they need that and thrive on that while we have been gone...... We knew this and have done our best but we need to lean on the Lord to do it as much as possible and let Him fill what we can not.
As a wife, mother, friend, sister in Christ, daughter, sister, child of the mighty God I thank Him He alone can do that and fill every space where we in His strength can not be.
9. Take resistance away from me and surrender. It sounds so sweet and awesome yet my flesh wants to hold onto other emotions and the I am strong and can do this...... I am not strong just stubborn and it does not serve me well...... I want to learn to be joyful, at peace and ready to FULLY say it is well with my soul.
10. Finally but not last is my sweet kiddos: I have seen rather heard a growth from both. My oldest especially. My youngest yes but also some quiet and sadness I think some is missing me as I miss her/ both desperately but this is for them, the Lord, me, and my family. Not that I would feel guilt but love and knowing that this time away is a sacrifice but needed. Let's just be honest: I knew that I was not getting better and that it was a matter of time at home....... that was confirmed out here and well the bottom line is I need to be here right now I had less time then I knew....... but we will see what the Lord's will is...... right now it is for healing and that is where I rest.... that He has given me a huge gift a place that understands my illness and is willing to fight for me as much as I am and even more when I am having a rough time and they need to pick up that end. The staff are so compassionate and caring..... they want you to get well.

So I have been very open and honest to the point of being out there and vulnerable but is this not what He asks of us to share with one another and say I need your help in prayer and to stand with me in this. That is what the family of God is and needs to be. We need to be looking at what we can do, barriers need to come down and we need to lean on each other, pray for each other, love each other in the verb sense and tell others of His gift...... I have learned there is no room for pride when sick or otherwise..... there is only room for the Lord to be in everything and every area of our life...... shining through for others to see Him and that be the bond that ties and binds us........

How are you dong with your walk, what is He teaching you, what do you desire for Him to take over and change or help with....... I will be praying for you. I miss fellowship and all of you. I appreciate your cards, encouragement, prayers. More then I can ever say.

How to finish..... it is the wee hours of the morning and all is quiet except this clicking of keys...... I was lying in bed unable to sleep and the Lord kept bringing to mind...... It is well with my soul.... When sea billows roll...... whatever my lot ...... it is well with my soul.....
and May the mind of Christ my Savior live in me day to day........ that people would see only Him..... I know these are bits and pieces of beautiful Hymns but they are the bits the Lord had given me as I sit here. Thanks for reading this rambling on note...... thanks for caring and standing with us as this journey continues......

Psalm 139
you knew me before any of my days came to be:
I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.....
you know me and your hands formed me
your thoughts toward me outnumber the sands.......

Praying for you today, praying for VBS and the hearts of the kids and parents..... for Ken Miller and all of you who are busy preparing, praying for souls to be saved and for the Lord to win those and grow them and change them...... precious ones who need a Savior and need Him to be the Father, mother, everything they do not have or do not understand.....
If there are other things please let me know........

I am off to sleep some more. Resting on His promises and that He alone holds me in His hands....

Please know my kiddos know that I am getting better, not all the steps so when speaking with Micah when he gets back please be careful of that. We are being open with them but they do not need to know the hard details at this point...... They need to know the Lord is in control and we are thankful for what He is bringing........
Micah flies out Saturday AM and will land in KC at 735 pm where to little ones are eagerly going to be waiting....... I wish I could be there but know I will snuggle them soon, read in our nook and I am their mom even this far away....... thank you Lord for my two precious miracles and for my husband who stands by me, loves me and cares for me but most importantly LOVES you.........

update/prayer

Thank you all for your continued prayers... Anne had a couple of good days and was able to join our ladies Bible study last night. We talked about Jehovah Shammah - the Lord is there! Such a great thing to know without a doubt that He is there for all that we go through! We can have joy in all situations because of the hope that is in Christ!

Please pray for Anne today. She is getting weaker and having more problems again. Her speech is very labored today and she is having problems communicating... Pray also for Micah and the kids as this makes things more trying for them in some ways. It is hard not to focus on all the negatives when one deals with such a disease... pray they would all be encouraged in the Lord today!!!!

Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever...the nearness of my God is good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all Thy works.
Psalm 73:25-28

thanks, friends
Maranatha!
Lynn

Beginning the year

I have a bigger blog is coming about my prayers and what I feel that the Lord is doing and teaching our family. I have been praying for alot of wisdom about time and energy. That I have a constant dialog with the Lord and we are busy doing His work even if we are not able to drive......

I want to know the things the Lord has to serve as a wife, mother and sister in Christ, time saving things for our family but able to pick the ones that work well for our life and schedule. School routine for the kids. Wisdom for decesion making and excitement for a new year......

We are in a renovation time as Micah's mom will be here April 4. We will probably need some willing hands the 5th after chapel lunch included. We are very excited to see God bringing her this way and the changes He has brought in her heart...... we are praying for wisdom and very excited.....

so be fore long we will have our Christmas/ new year letter up.......

please pray

I have been upmost of the noc and can noyt get pain under control.... please pray........

The Lord holds us and cares for us. His Joy is my strength