Dancers, Inc. Competition

Our girl had her first dance competition of the season last weekend.  It was held in Lancaster very close to where my parents live and since it was a two day event we made plans to spend the night at their house.  With a snow storm coming Saturday we made a last minute decision to also spend Friday night there, too.  It was a weekend of little sleep and not much eating but what a joy it was watching our little girl on stage and hanging out with all the dancers and their moms in the dressing room.

My little one has come so far as a dancer and she loves it so much.  This year she is in a duo and a group dance.   She was phenomenal and I can't wait for the second competition next month. 

Praying for Ukraine

 I've heard people ask why is there evil in this world?  The answer is because we have sin.  Because we have people who make evil, sinful choices every day.  It all started in the Garden of Eden and continues today.  We, the people, make the choice, but there is Someone who can deliver us from that evil.  I pray that President Putin finds Him and allows Him to enter his heart and change his mind and allows him to look at all of the heartache and destruction he has caused.  

My heart continues to hurt for the people of Ukraine.  I'm hurt for the people of Russia who are largely against what has been happening.  I pray for peace.  I give thanks that in this moment I am allowed to live in a country that is filled with comfort and contentment, but I know that can all change for us in a blink of an eye.  

During the last election I asked God why all of this is happening.  I could sense some sort of destruction was coming.  Then I realized that we are a country so filled with greed and carelessness and the only way to wake people up is to let them live through these things they claim will be good.  So now, we witness what is taking place on the other side of the world while we find ourselves in sticker shock after pumping our car with gas.  Will it get better?  Well, maybe not right now.  Maybe not for a while.  But somehow, in some way, there is a purpose for all of this.  Our world has experienced these things before and we will continue until the end of time.  How soon will that time come?  Only One knows.  So until then, I will put my faith and trust in Him.  And I will continue to pray and seek ways of how I, just one tiny person from the state of Pennsylvania, can somehow help the people in Ukraine right now.  

This morning I managed to get myself up early enough to have some quiet time before the chaos began.  This is something I strive for every single morning.  I turned the Bible to the very same verse that kept me going during the beginning days of Covid.  I believe this also pertains to the terror we see unfolding today.

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you make the Most High your dwelling - 

even the Lord, who is my refuge -

then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.  

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

My prayers are with you, Ukrainian people!  May you find peace tonight.