Looking Ahead to the New Year

I can sense that this is going to be a year of wonderful new beginnings.  I remember hearing a motivational speaker once say that when everything is in turmoil around you, and when the pressures of life close in; get ready for something wonderful to happen, because it is on its way.

After a series of crazy health issues, Paul and I are celebrating our anniversary tonight with a box of Puffs Plus in front of me.  I woke up this morning with a suspicious feeling in my head and by evening, I am thinking of ways to find comfort for my aching bones and running nose.  I have been able to walk on my foot for the last couple of days and did some grocery shopping, so that is praiseworthy!  

The first and foremost thought I have is that God sees our need tonight.  In the hardships and struggle, our faith continues to grow, and one day we will see how all of this "holding on to hope" has worked together for good.  I'm believing God has spoken in a special way to our family.  He gave us direction, and a plan for Qavah.  We are closer now than we have ever been to seeing His spoken word come to pass. It is hard to believe Him by faith for answers when at times the promises are slow in coming to pass.  In the day of David the King, it was written in Psalm 107:29 "He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed."  People might have heard those words and wondered as they looked around, "So where's the storm?"

Fast forward through history and see the word of the Lord.  "One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out.  As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.  The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.  "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." Luke 8:22-25 

The name of the Lord be praised, for it is He Who hides us in the safety and shelter of His wings until the appointed time. I'm looking for a miracle in the coming year;  and it is my hope that you might be too.

Looking Ahead to the New Year

I can sense that this is going to be a year of wonderful new beginnings.  I remember hearing a motivational speaker once say that when everything is in turmoil around you, and when the pressures of life close in; get ready for something wonderful to happen, because it is on its way.

After a series of crazy health issues, Paul and I are celebrating our anniversary tonight with a box of Puffs Plus in front of me.  I woke up this morning with a suspicious feeling in my head and by evening, I am thinking of ways to find comfort for my aching bones and running nose.  I have been able to walk on my foot for the last couple of days and did some grocery shopping, so that is praiseworthy!  

The first and foremost thought I have is that God sees our need tonight.  In the hardships and struggle, our faith continues to grow, and one day we will see how all of this "holding on to hope" has worked together for good.  I'm believing God has spoken in a special way to our family.  He gave us direction, and a plan for Qavah.  We are closer now than we have ever been to seeing His spoken word come to pass. It is hard to believe Him by faith for answers when at times the promises are slow in coming to pass.  In the day of David the King, it was written in Psalm 107:29 "He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed."  People might have heard those words and wondered as they looked around, "So where's the storm?"

Fast forward through history and see the word of the Lord.  "One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out.  As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.  The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.  "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." Luke 8:22-25 

The name of the Lord be praised, for it is He Who hides us in the safety and shelter of His wings until the appointed time. I'm looking for a miracle in the coming year;  and it is my hope that you might be too.

Role Reversals

Paul has taken over responsibilities of getting the girls to doctor appointments, and making grocery runs.  I have been trying to mend after a series of health issues.  I have been given antibiotics and also had a  corticosteroid injection into my heel for what is called Plantar Faciitis.   I can't walk on my foot very long before it begins throbbing.  This is a challenge for me. I don't like "sitting" and find my legs begin to twitch when I am inactive.  I have to make this adjustment to rest my foot because I was told yesterday by my physician to expect a six week recovery time.  After reading about it on line, I also saw that middle-aged people develop this problem from standing all day on hard surfaces.

I stayed in bed most of last weekend hoping to wake up without a migraine headache.  During that time I thanked God for Kathryn, who has been facing pain and miseries of all kinds for five years now.  I know her strength can only come from the Source of strength Himself.  She has been helping with Qavah and helping in the kitchen. At times during the day I would wake up to hear her praying over me.  The house isn't decorated for Christmas, and Qavah asked for a horse again this year.  We'll see how the days unfold between now and Christmas.  I have a feeling that Jesus is wanting some undivided attention from me.  Without the ability to perform the traditional Christmas preparations, I have time for Him.  I would not want to miss His Christmas program.

Some Family Fun

The announcement that a donor match has been found for Qavah has led to a long "to do" list. Kathryn spent nearly two weeks scanning a complete set of records for Qavah's new doctors and has them ready to send on a disc. My van passed inspection but I was told that the tires needed to be replaced before a long road trip. They will be ordered and replaced this week. We'll celebrate the holidays and then start the visits to Pittsburgh, Lord willing.

Paul has been busy working on the sun-room whenever he has a chance. We are hoping to have it usable within a few weeks. Today, we visited Mom and Dad Campbell and sat in the warmth of their sun-room which overlooks the valley and the Blue Ridge Mountain range. It was quiet, warm, restful, and pleasant. It gave us a strong desire to get back to work on ours.

One of the highlights of the weekend was hosting a special tea party for Annelise. Qavah wanted to have a special tea for Annelise's birthday, so the girls had their fingernails painted, their hair made into a little "up-do", and they put on their dresses for a memorable event. These two little girls are a joy to watch. Their friendship warms my heart.

Click on any picture below to enlarge the collage.