Rainbows

Today was a good day. (#446) I was feeling a bit down because I wasn't strong enough to go to church and then a graduation party but then God used three separate things to encourage me.   First before Angelica arrived home from church and the celebration, ML asked me for a ride to C. (#447) It means a lot to me that ML felt the freedom to ask for my help.  I told her I couldn't drive her because I was too weak today but I would ask A when she arrived home.  Of course, Angelica said yes. (#448) Second, since Miracle is in C working as a nanny, I rode along and we had the chance to visit with her. (#449) Third, I arrived home and found an email from a new *friend* and in it she had mentioned two verses, both of which an encouragement to me. (#450)

2 Cor 4:16

Therefore, we do not give up, but even if the man we are outside is wasting away, certainly the man we are inside is being renewed from day to day.

Hebrews 6:10

"For God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name by ministering and continuing to minister to the holy ones."

The verse in 2 Corinthians is a needed reminder that no matter the state of my outward body, my spirit is constantly being made new by the grace of God. (#451) Hebrews reminds me that even though I am not strong enough to physically serve in the church anymore that God has not forgotten all I have done for Him these past 20 years. (#452) It also reminded me of a conversation I had with a pastor friend years ago when he said that it is always easy to replace the acts of service done by the younger crowd - tangible things like scrubbing toilets - but the loss of an older servant who no longer serves in tangible ways but instead prays without ceasing was always felt and impossible to replace - that people don't stop serving the church but rather graduate to a more important form of service. (#453)

Plus, on the way home I saw this:

(#454)

It's not the best picture I know but you can just barely make out the faintest rainbow. Rainbows of course remind me of the promise God made that He would never again flood the entire earth at one time but more than that they remind me that God keeps His promises - ALL OF THEM. (#455) So today was definitely a good day.  :)

It's Official!!

Miracle has graduated! (#437) I am so proud of the young lady she has become! (#438) God is going to do great things in and through her! (#439)

A Soft Place To Land

This morning, Angelica and I packed the car before heading off to the college to meet up with Miracle for the campus visit.  I should say, Angelica loaded the car while I sat in the lobby after paying the bill. (#288) She is always quick to help me. (#289)

After leaving the college, we finally found a Chick-fil-A and had a quick bite before beginning the journey home.  (#290)

Angelica drove all the way home. (#291) I am so proud of her and how well she handled the responsibility of driving this whole trip. (#292) She has grown and matured so much these past few days.  (#293)

This sign was a welcome sight... (#294)

I am thankful that we were able to make this trip, (#295) that travels were safe, (#296) and to be back home. (#297) Now it's off to bed for me. (#298)

Taking It Easy

Today started with us getting ready and checking out a church here.  Since we are moving here, we thought it would be a good idea to get a jump start on finding a church.  I'm not sure that church is for us, but it was a good experience overall. (#283) Among other things, someone prayed for my ankle to be healed and Angleica's allergy break out to be cleared up.  Both of those prayers were answered before the end of the day. (#284 & 285)  

Then we headed in search of a Target to pick up a few things we needed.  Finding it was easy enough.  After yesterday's attempt to find a restaurant that was a huge blessing. (#286) When we arrived at the shopping center, we looked for a place to eat.  Angelica walked ahead and asked if they served anything she could eat.  They didn't but were willing to make something fresh using only ingredients she could consume. (#287) That is not something a fast food restaurant typically can do, but this little Asian store did.  Plus the food was good.  Less "Americanized" than most.  :)  

After that it was time to drive Miracle to the campus for her overnight stay.  Angelica opted not to stay the night because the risk of encountering corn is just too high.  She and I will head out to the college in the morning to meet up with Miracle and start the tour of the campus.  

What An Adventure!

The plan for today was to spend the day at Mall of America.  It was overstimulating and they didn't have a place that Angelica could eat so we left after only a couple of hours.  It is HUGE and it is so much more than a mall.  Miracle and I both want to go back - just not this trip.  Angelica is so stressed from being the only driver that she can't imagine enjoying it - well, that and the reality that places that are that busy are not her cup of tea.  Still, going was fun. (#275)

We left with directions to Chick-fil-A and ended up driving for over 2 HOURS trying to find anywhere that Angelica could eat!  At least part of that time we were lost. I am thankful for public libraries with free wifi (#276) because that is how we finally found a restaurant!

We ended up eating at Ruby Tuesday. (#277)

Then we all opted to go back to the hotel to relax rather than try to do anything else today. (#278) I look up after a bit and realize both of my girls are doing school work! (#279) I LOVE homeschooling! (#280)

Now we are about to snuggle up and watch Frozen! (#281) Did you know that there is a site that has a plethora of kids movies online - FOR FREE? (#282) 

Road Trip!

I am thankful that we were able to take a trip to MN to check out a college both girls are interested in. (#265) I am thankful that Angelica was able to drive the entire way.  (#266) I am thankful that we made it here safely. (#267) I am thankful for nice weather. (#268) I am thankful for a nice hotel to stay in. (#269) I am thankful for compassionate people we have met along the way. (#270) I am thankful that I have a camera and the ability to take pictures. (#271) I am thankful for friends who help me when I get in a jam.  (#272) I am thankful that we had the opportunity to stop in Des Moines at the Ice Ridge where Angelica had the opportunity to meet Burton Powley. (#273) While we were there, he re-positioned her blades and sharpened them.  (#274)

One On One

The girls have taken on quite a few families that they regularly babysit for.  Often this means that we are all home with the girls caring for little ones in the evening.  

However, yesterday I had an appointment in the city and I needed Angelica to drive for me so we took the opportunity to have some one on one time.  We ran some errands and had dinner.  We talked and walked hand in hand.  I enjoyed her presence with nothing else demanding attention from either one of us.(#4)

Today, I left Angelica home while Miracle and I went into the city for some appointments.  We also ran a few errands and just enjoyed hanging out together.  We talked.  We ate food that Angelica is allergic to and we just enjoyed being together.(#5)

It's been a long time since we have had the opportunity to spend time together one on one and I am cherishing these moments even more now than I did when the girls were younger because I am acutely aware that these times are limited and will become less frequent as time passes and the girls continue to grow up.  I am so proud of the young ladies they are.  I am amazed at how blessed I am to have them in my life.(#6)   

Priority

I have never been one to pick a word for the year.  I have always thought it was a neat idea, but I haven't been compelled to do it - until now.  Partially I think that is because of how we celebrate Christmas and New Year's Day around our house.  I think my picking a word for the year is also partially about how we celebrated this year, or rather what we didn't do.  This year, Christmas was different.  Miracle was in pain - so much pain that we ended the day at the emergency room.  Angelica and I cleaned the house while Miracle languished on the couch in pain.  We didn't concentrate on having family time.  How could we?  We didn't bake a cake or have a special meal.  And... we didn't sit down and give gifts to Jesus.  It bothered me all day, but as I was going to sleep, I resolved to set the next Sunday aside as a day for Jesus.  And yet, we didn't celebrate Christmas then either.  OUCH!!  So, as today is nearing a close, I realize what I need to give to Jesus as a gift this coming year.  And in so doing, I realize that word needs to define my life in so many areas.  The gift I am giving to Jesus this year is to make Him a priority, something I regretfully haven't done for several years now.  OUCH again!!  

The girls and I, especially Miracle, wanted this Christmas season - and really every event celebrated between September and August of next year - to be perfect.  Miracle will be entering college in the fall but she's not just going to another state - she will be on the other side of planet earth!  AND she won't be able to come home for 11 months!!  This Christmas and New Year were less than perfect and yet I think we have all realized just how perfectly imperfect our lives and celebrations were.  In the midst of the pain and sickness, we all love each other and strive to love Jesus.  In the end, that's what it's all about.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR, my friends.  May your year be filled with the love of Christ and family.  May you always seek Jesus throughout the year.  May you find that one thing that He wants you to spend focusing on this year and pursue it wholeheartedly.

#1-Love of family