Answered Prayer

 "Lord, every morning you hear my voice.  Every morning I tell you what I need, and I wait for your answer," -- Psalm 5:3

    This verse was in my Jesus First For Women devotional and it made me think of a specific time I had prayed for something, and even though it took quite a few frustrating years, it was answered in a way I'm so thankful for.  

I believe whatever we deal with becomes part of our testimony.  I've been witnessing how my son's struggles are turning him into a young man God is going to use for good.  As he's entering his senior year of high school and just months away from turning 18 he's been focused on what college to attend and what major to study as he envisions what his future as a man is going to look like.  It's a very challenging, confusing and overwhelming time for anyone of his age and with these decisions he's been focusing on building a relationship with God and allowing Him to lead the way.  Since coming home from church camp, I've seen such a difference in his attitude and his ambition.  Every night he studies the Bible, pushes us out the door when it's time to go to church and has even been excited to attend the extra church services and Wednesday night Bible study/youth group they have.  Last Wednesday night he joined the pastor and some other members of the church to do some door knocking, inviting people to attend this Sunday's patriotic service.  He's spent several months searching for the perfect college to attend while getting a degree in forensics where he can also run cross country but in just the last few weeks I can see a call he's receiving to serve in ministry.  I'm excited to see where he goes with this.  

For Matthew, things haven't been so easy.  Since being a very small boy he was always very shy and had an issue with his speech, not being able to properly say anything with the letter C, S or TH.  After receiving speech therapy and wearing braces it seems to still be a struggle.  Then, at the start of middle school, where we were coming out of the Covid lock-down, he began getting terrible headaches and motor tics.  Every day when I'd pick him up from school he would tell me how hard it was for him to get through the day.  We made the choice to allow him to do school from a quiet, peaceful home while attending a neurologist and trying to figure out what was going on.  The testing showed nothing, every medicine tried ended up failing and my poor boy was suffering.  I can admit, I was getting frustrated through it all and did not always properly handle myself at times.  My baby was suffering and I was not okay with that.  In those days I prayed hard.  I even yelled and screamed at God, asking how he could allow such a thing to happen to such a precious, innocent child.  When he entered high school we wanted him to go back to in person so he could have some normalcy, hoping that the migraines would have settled by then.  Both 9th and 10th grade was difficult for him and most days it was a struggle to get him out of bed.  Both years he made it through the first half of the year but by the second half we allowed him to work from home through their cyber school.  Their cyber school is awful and it only made things more stressful for him.  My angry shouts to God continued and so did endless tears.  I believed it would have been better for him to just be at home learning in the quiet of the house but there were pressure from others to keep him in school, where he needed to learn how to navigate through the noise.  I felt bad, it was awful, but I kept encouraging him the best I could.  I also kept praying, even when my prayers to God were filled with those shouts of anger.  He understood.  Then came 11th grade and my son found an interest in running as he joined the cross country team.  He also told me he wanted to join the marching band, which was confusing to me because being in the band meant dealing with noise.  But something very strange and wonderful happened suddenly.  His migraines went away.  He went to school every day and completed the year, being one of the best on his cross country and track team.  His grades went up and he even began coming out of that shy shell he was living in for so long.  I still have yet to understand why he went through that kind of pain but now I can see how he's been delivered from it and I am so thankful.  I'm also understanding why the push to keep him in school was happening.  God is using all of this to make Matthew into the man he is to become.  

I am grateful for answered prayers, even if it comes in a way I wouldn't have preferred.  God knows better.  

Brooke's Not So Fun Adventure

After getting harnessed and put in the car it was time for a fun morning adventure with human Mom.  

Or so she thought.  Where did we end up going?

The vet!

Brooke usually likes her yearly visit with Dr. Rick but today seemed a little different.   She was as energetic as usual but she also gave the nurse a run for her money when she refused to settle for the blood work and vaccines.  It took a muzzle, a doctor, 2 nurses and me to hold her down.  Then she left a little present on the floor while waiting to check out (yes, I did clean it up).  

Ah, Siberian Huskies are quite the breed.  My husband always wanted one.  I, being used to smaller dogs, wanted to experience having a large dog at least once.  I'm not sure the husky was the right pick for us, especially when it comes to neighborhood walks and outings or when visitors come over.  At home with just us she's fine.  In fact, she can be pretty chill most of the day.  I'm just still not completely convinced we selected the correct breed for us.  But she is ours and I love her despite all the chaos.  

Vet check up for the year: COMPLETE

Heat Wave

 Last Monday the weather was unseasonably cool with scattered showers and heavy wind.  Today we will be reaching temperatures of 100 degrees with threats of potential danger from the heat.  Here in Pennsylvania we go through one extreme to another, without much time in between to adjust.  

Because of all the rain and mixed temperatures my garden isn't doing the best it should.   I was late in planting but there seems to be life happening with the pepper plants.  No sign of tomatoes yet and the green bean plants have a ton of chew marks and no sign of harvest.  

I've never been a green thumb but seem to do well with gardening so I hope to see plenty of life soon.  I also hope to see consistency in weather.  

I've always been a lover of summer and the heat was never a big deal to me but as I'm getting older it's starting to become a little difficult.   Also, with my genetic disorder of constant skin cancer it's best to stay indoors, anyway.  

Last week my kids had fun at church camp and came back with a strong desire to serve the Lord.  It warms my heart to see the love they have for God.  I just pray that they continue to hold Him close, especially as they navigate through school and life.  

If you're in an area that's experiencing this extreme heat I hope you find ways to keep cool.  Crank up the a/c and drink plenty of water.  

I'll leave you with a picture of my daylillies.  

About The Rapture

 

I decided to take some time this morning next to the sunshine and a cup of coffee to begin reading through the book of Revelation.  I've read this book before, which left me feeling a bit confused.  Revelation is a hard one to understand but I do believe it's a very important book to read and I've been getting this feeling that it's time I truly dive into it.  

With certain things going on in the world today it becomes evident just how close we are to the coming of Christ.  Now we'll never know when exactly that will happen, whether it be today or in another 100+ years, but I do believe it will happen and the best thing we can do is to live each moment as if it's about to.  

I've also decided to take another social media pause.  I've been reading some things people write about how Jesus would think of certain things (that are happening in our country) but as I've read and studied who Jesus is I know He would not be okay with these things.  People are quick to say Jesus is loving and compassionate, and although that is true, He has also spoken very clearly on the importance of not sinning.  As I read what people write, I feel this strong desire to leave a comment.  Then I stop myself and ask, who am I to correct them?  Is it even for me to do?  Would it even help if I did?  Would they even listen?  Would God prefer I do say something?  We believers are called to be witnesses to help others, not to hide our beliefs inside us for no one to find.  The Great Commission calls us to spread the gospel so others may hear it and be saved.  Even though others call me weird and say they don't want to hear it I must abide in Christ.  I'm just now sure how equipped and ready I am for doing so, or how to do so.  

Going back to Revelation, when I hear about the current events happening in Israel it had struck an interest in me.  I once heard a pastor say, if you want to know how close we are to the Rapture keep your eyes on what happens in Israel.  Israel, God's chosen people.  I've been praying for them and I pray for the other side, as well.  

My kids are coming home today from their week-long trip at church camp.  I'm excited to see them and hear about their time.  I'm so grateful my kids, like my husband and I, want to invest their time in learning more about Jesus and how to serve Him.  This life isn't about us, it's about Him.  

Wow!  I'm not sure where all of that came from.  I allowed my fingers to do the talking today and this is what happens ... LAUGH OUT LOUD ... 😊 

Why Summer Is My Favorite

Can I get an Amen?

What is my favorite thing about summer?  As someone who works only during the school year with children who are of school age with a hectic evening schedule afterwards, I appreciate the slow and unstructured days of summer vacation.  I wake up when I want and move slowly as I sip my coffee while still in my pajamas.  There's no set time of waking my kids up either.  I'm without a set routine but will take the time to water the garden and pull weeds and I've been making it a habit to read and study my Bible.  We also get to enjoy this thing called boredom.  I'm not sure there's any time to be bored during the school months so I'll take it when I can.  When we do anything it's usually for fun.  

I can celebrate that I made it an entire year as a school van driver without any accidents.  I can celebrate that both of my kids passed their grade and will be on to the next one.  We can rest from the stresses of keeping those grades up.  It's a much needed break.  

These summer breaks will not always be as they are now.  There will come a day when I will be back to work full-time year 'round.  When my kids are grown and finished with school they will be in the working world that will most likely fill their schedules in the summers as well.  This is why I feel so fortunate to have had this opportunity to be home with my kids.  If only I had a chance to go back and start over, this time with a much bigger appreciation for it.  

I may not enjoy the sweltering heat, or even all this constant rain we've been experiencing lately, but I do enjoy summer the best.  

Summer Vacation Time

 Today I turned in my keys, paperwork and the white minivan into my boss and am officially on summer break until a new school year begins.  I asked my dad if he could follow me to the bus garage and then take me home, in return I made them lunch on the new Blackstone.  I'm loving this Blackstone griddle but standing outside and cooking in a mid-80 degree day is probably not the best idea but I got it done and everyone seemed to enjoy the food.  

I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow and not having to rush out the door.  Year two of my job as a school van driver is complete.  It's been a good two years and I'm grateful for it.  I love having a way to help financially while also still being home in the middle of the day and on weekends and holidays.  Being at home with my kids has always been important to me and I know a lot of women have not been able to do that and I know some who would prefer not to.  

Every evening this week is being spent sitting in a high school auditorium while my daughter rehearses for her upcoming dance show.  Monday and Tuesday were rehearsal, Wednesday and Thursday are dress rehearsals and Friday night and Saturday afternoon will be the shows.  I've been sitting in the auditorium chatting with other moms, watching as they run through some parts over and over, keeping watch of the time as they are running later than scheduled and trying to take some videos and pictures.  I'm soaking in the moment unknowing if this will be a last for her.  In the last few months she's talked about losing the joy for dance and not wanting to go back but suddenly as the June show is coming together I see the spark again.  The shows are amazing but the classes take up a lot of days and time, leaving her little room for other things.  As she's about to enter high school she's trying to explore other options and is feeling confused as to what to do.  

But for now, it's summer vacation time and I want us to enjoy slower paced mornings, laid back days, some fun events already scheduled and hopefully we can squeeze in a vacation or two.  This is the last summer before my son is officially an adult *gulp* and I want to make the best of it.  

Happy Summer, friends!

Five For Friday

 Here are five entertaining things from my childhood that I miss and my kids don't get to experience today.  Born in the late 70's, a child through the 80's and a teenager in the 90's these were five things I did not realize I would one day miss.  

1.  Spending Friday nights watching T.G.I.F on channel ABC which including shows like Full House, Family Matters, Step by Step and Perfect Strangers.  

2.  And then waking up the next morning for Saturday Morning Cartoons.

3.  This phone, which was popular among teenage girls to have in their bedroom in the '90's.  

4.  Waiting by the radio to hit record once my favorite song came on the radio.

5.  Browsing the shelves at Blockbuster to pick out a movie to rent.