Guaranteed

I want to start with a few thoughts on a passage in Ephesians that grabbed my attention yesterday morning:

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:13‭-‬14‬ ‭- In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians chapter 1 is so rich with spiritual truths about the work Jesus Christ accomplished for us so that we only have to accept His free gift - a secure future in Heaven - by admitting our sins and failures, asking for forgiveness and believing that Jesus paid the penalty for those sins by dying on the cross and that He destroyed death by raising Himself from the dead and is alive in Heaven today - Savior, King, Lord, Friend.  

But the way we KNOW our spot in Heaven is reserved is that Jesus sent us a guarantee.  The Holy Spirit is inside of every true believer.  He is the voice inside our hearts that convicts us, motivates us and teaches us how to live in a way that is pleasing and honoring to the Lord. The Holy Spirit also intercedes for us with the Father when we are overwhelmed and don't know what to say.  

All of Ephesians Chapter 1 was read at our Breaking of Bread service (also called the Remembrance Meeting or Worship Meeting). The purpose of this meeting is to remember, contemplate, meditate on and celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection and to thank, praise and worship Him for loving us so much that He made the ultimate sacrifice for us - to save us from eternal death and punishment. There were many verses emphasized out of this passage yesterday morning but not verses 13 & 14. However, as soon as these verses were read, it’s as if Jesus spoke directly to my heart - “Here’s proof you will join me in Heaven one day. I gave you the Holy Spirit and He guarantees your reservation.”

I have had this promise on my mind since then. And this morning, 2 of the devotionals I read brought out this exact same thought! The Lord is so gracious and is such a loving Savior! I wasn’t doubting my salvation, but He loves me and it seems He wanted to make sure I feel it. His love is guaranteed!

And now, I want to share a few other things with you. Last week was our daughter’s Spring Break. She had been begging all week to go visit the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Last year she went with her friends at the tail end of April and the flowers were mostly wilted and spent. It was her first visit to the Tulip Festival and it was somewhat disappointing. Our daughter is such a flower lover! She has adored flowers from the time she could toddle over and smell them. She had a perpetually yellow nose when the flowers were in bloom from smelling every flower she could reach. She never really played with dolls - her favorite toys were plush flowers with bendy stems and smiling faces. She has a collection of “stuffed” flowers and at one point she had given them all names. She has a favorite one though and she carried that one with her everywhere she went when she was younger. She even took it with her to summer camp! So it’s no surprise she wanted to visit a field of flowers over her Spring Break.

We decided the best day to go would be Thursday, after she was mostly healed up from her oral surgery and after a few sunny and dry days so the fields wouldn’t be muddy. It was also supposed to be the best weather day of the week and, that day was also our 26th wedding anniversary 😊. It was beautiful and we got lots of great pictures! Our sweet daughter made sure we had beautiful anniversary pictures too.

Thursday morning I was reading my Bible before we left for the Tulip Festival and the first verse I read was Isaiah 40:8 - The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever.

What a fitting verse to read that morning! It was something I kept thinking about throughout the day as we admired the beautiful fields of colorful tulips that would fade away in a matter of weeks.

Speaking of our anniversary, I have officially been married for half my life😁. We went to a nice dinner on Friday evening and then a walk on the beach down to the water where we watched a beautiful sunset and picked up a few shells. Another beautiful day and so many reminders of our amazing Creator!

And I hate to bust up the lovely pictures I just painted but there was a LOT of walking and other activity going on during the last 2 days last week and my husband and I were BOTH so tired by Saturday that we ended up taking a long nap together 🤣! I was so thankful to have a day to rest with no big plans before church on Sunday. I don’t like to start any day out fatigued but I especially don’t like being tired on Sunday mornings because when I’m fatigued, I yawn through the service which looks rude and like I'm bored.  

The reality of my situation is that everything special and fun takes energy - physical,  mental, emotional... even the positive experiences take a toll.  I have to plan for the fun but also for a period of rest afterward.   The amount of rest needed depends on how much energy was expended.  It's kind of a bummer that I can't jam-pack my days with activities when I have active teens and a husband who travels for a living.   But honestly,  when my schedule was that busy in my healthy youth,  I was sick more frequently,  had regular migraines and no time to truly enjoy the activities I loaded my schedule with.  I still feel that MS is a blessing that forces time for rest and a slower pace to enjoy living my life.

Another thing I want to mention briefly is that May 1 is the National Day of Prayer.  I want to call it to your attention early in case it isn't already on your radar.  Not only are the people around us in desperate need but our nation, states, counties, schools and local governments need LOTS of focused, intense prayer.   I have a prayer list alarmingly long just of friends and family members with serious concerns.  I urge you to pray continually for the needs of everyone around you - some of whom will likely never tell you what their needs are.  But on May 1, in addition to those prayers,  pray for our church leaders - pastors, elders and deacons; pray for our missionaries taking risks daily to bring the Gospel to people around the world; pray for our elected officials,  for our judges and for school boards across our country; and most of all, pray for a spiritual awakening and revival throughout our nation - and around the globe.

We have busy, complicated lives.   But don't let your daily life cut in to your prayer life or get in the way of your testimony.  We want everyone to have a reservation in Heaven- confirmed by the Holy Spirit within them, don't we?

Sensory Overload!

When I was first diagnosed with MS I did a lot of reading.   I read several articles, forums and blog posts that advised that I not be defined by my illness.  I HAVE MS but I am NOT MS.  And there's wisdom and truth in that but if I am being honest (and I try to be),  MS may not define me but it is always going to be a part of my identity.   My son once told me when we were discussing a future cure for MS that "If you didn't have MS, you wouldn't be you."  And he is right.  I would be a different version of myself.  I have limitations that I must acknowledge but I have a unique perspective on life that can be a strength if properly applied.  People who interact with me need to know that I have MS and what that means so that they have an idea of what to expect from me and how to effectively pray for me.  MS is a part of who I am, like it or not, and I must accept all the challenges that brings into my life.

So, this brings me to the point of this post.  MS causes me to be overwhelmed much more easily than I was before.   In my last post I mentioned multiple serious prayer requests that piled up in a matter of a couple of days but what I didn't know at the time was that there would be many more to come.

The most recent one came yesterday.  A girl in her 20's that attended our church off and on over this past year had been mercilessly tortured by our enemy (Satan) for years -  anyone at the chapel who knew her understood she was struggling with real demons. But Jesus pursued her and captured her heart. She was saved - I was there when it happened. But the enemy was extremely unhappy about it and last night I got word that she passed away a few days ago- her sister found her body in her apartment on Monday. I didn't know her well but I am deeply troubled.  No one else in her family is saved and now she is no longer here to be a witness to them.  But she is at peace in the arms of Jesus so I at least have comfort in that knowledge. 

I had a headache that kept me awake all night.  It is not ideal for anyone to lose a night's sleep but when you have MS, you REALLY NEED all the sleep you can get.  I ran through my list of prayer requests (which now included the unsaved family and friends of this girl from our church who passed away unexpectedly) multiple times last night.  I prayed all night.  Sometimes the Lord allows our hearts to be troubled.   Sometimes people need prayer in the middle of the night and God keeps us awake to pray for them.  I prayed and prayed and prayed.   I don't know who on my prayer list was struggling last night but they were covered by prayer.

And this morning I got a timely text from someone who was thinking about and praying for ME!!!  The Lord is so good!  He knew I would need the strength only He could provide to get me through this day after a restless night.  He knew I would be overwhelmed by all the needs of the people around me and He provided help for me so I could continue to stand in intercessory prayer when I am emotionally and physically exhausted.   

I kind of feel like Moses in Exodus 17 with someone on each side of me holding up my arms while the Lord fights the battles I bring to His feet.  

Praise God for His unspeakable gifts!!!

It's Easter! And I'm So Tired!

It doesn't feel like we are this close to Easter.   I am too tired to really enjoy all the preparation I have been putting in.  I started early but I have just put a plan together bit by bit over a couple of months and I haven't spent any significant chunk of time considering our Easter celebration. 

Yet, this is the first year I have spent truly considering the events each day of "Holy Week" that Jesus walked through and that led up to His crucifixion and ultimately to His victorious resurrection on Easter Sunday.   It has been an emotional week in that regard. 

It has been an emotional week in other regards as well.  My last post outlined a few if the communications I had received requesting prayer.  The requests continued. And my list of serious prayer requests is even longer.   But there were some major praises mixed in as well so it has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster and that has been exhausting. 

Today I woke up tired.  I took a shower and thought "How am I ever going to be ready for Easter tomorrow if I'm already so tired?"  And then I sat down with the Lord, my Bible and a journal and by the time I was done I felt stronger.  I made myself some coffee after that and when I was done drinking my coffee I got into the kitchen and spent the rest of the day preparing fruit and coffee cake for the Easter breakfast at church; preparing a ham, peeling and cutting up potatoes,  making jello, cleaning and snapping green beans,  etc. for Sunday dinner; and fixing lunch in the middle of it all. By 3pm I had finished the bulk of the Easter preparations but it still doesn't feel like I am ready. 

Ready or not, Easter will be here tomorrow and it's time for me to get some sleep.   I pray tomorrow will bring blessings on each person who reads this blog post.  Abd also on those who don't read it!

HE IS RISEN!!!

Retreat

Our church has a weekend retreat every year.  My husband and I went once long before we had children and had since considered going almost every year but hadn't quite been able to make it work... until this year.  This year I took the kids to the church retreat even though my husband wasn't going to be able to make it.

The retreat is at a camp that our church owns and runs with several other sister churches.  It is located on Whidbey Island so it is truly a get-away retreat.   One of the organizers told me they worked hard to make sure everyone felt like they were able to relax and enjoy fellowship with one another without the stress of responsibilities at home to burden them - a TRUE retreat.  And for us at least, it WAS a much-needed break from routine and a fun way for my son to end his spring break.  It was so nice to have meals all planned and to just sit and eat without having to prepare food or clean up afterward.  

The games were fun and the free time was relaxing.  The speaker was engaging and the fellowship was sweet and not rushed as it often is on Sunday mornings. 

I didn't realize until yesterday how much I was going to NEED that retreat and the rest it provided!  Yesterday I jumped right into the fray... actually, the fray jumped on ME!

I had my annual MRI yesterday morning and normally I would talk about how much I love MRIs and how amazing my radiology tech is and one of these days I WILL post about that but right after I got into the car after my MRI I got a text from a friend needing to talk.  I called her and we talked about some very serious concerns and, while I won't go in to further detail, I will say it is a VERY serious matter that requires VERY sincere and focused prayer.   As soon as we hung up from that conversation I got a call from my husband's cousin with a distressing report about his dad's (my husband's uncle) health.  He is 90 years old and lost his wife a year and a half ago.  He has been living with severe vertigo and has had an aortic aneurysm for 30 years that has suddenly started growing.   He needs surgery but is refusing it but was told he probably wouldn't survive it anyway.   There's another option that is being considered but the doctor isn't available until next week to meet with him about it.  In the meantime,  his aneurysm could burst at any moment,  causing instant death.  He's ready to go home to be with Jesus.  He's tired, dizzy, in pain and lonely.   He and his kids need prayer!  

My Mom had a consultation with a surgeon yesterday about getting a cyst removed from her finger (surgery is scheduled for later this month), a friend from church is having a CT scan today to determine whether his cancer treatment was effective,  my daughter is having all 4 of her wisdom teeth removed tomorrow and my husband has another cousin who is having cataract surgery on Thursday. 

In addition, I stopped at the thrift store this afternoon and my friend who works there is home with a sore throat. I have a list of other things I have been praying about that include another friend undergoing cancer treatment,  a friend who had surgery after piece of metal shot into his eye and is recovering,  a neighbor who recently had shoulder surgery,  an aunt who recently had carpel tunnel surgery,  an uncle who had hernia surgery and will be going in for a hip replacement in a couple of weeks, an aunt who is struggling with her eyesight and serious back pain, an aunt battling alzheimers, etc.   These only scratch the surface of my prayer list- I have so many dear friends that I am praying for and I will tell you that I am SO glad that I have practiced being in constant prayer because I need to be in continual prayer now, more than ever!

This morning I received another text from a dear friend asking for prayer about a couple of her own situations.  And this afternoon I got a text from a dear missionary friend that was just a picture of her husband laying (smiling) in a hospital bed with a hospital gown on and an IV in his arm but no text so I don't know any details but have been praying for them too!

The Lord knew I was going to need to rest up this past weekend!  Yes, He knows about all our needs but He expects us to do our part by ASKING Him for His help - for His wisdom, understanding, power, strength, discernment and all for His glory.  I am not able to fix anything or anyone's circumstances.   But I know who can and I bring every request to His feet and am watching His miraculous ways!  I am seeing His hand working miracle after miracle- watching His perfect timing orchestrating every moment and bringing about incredible blessings I wish I could share with you!  But you will just have to trust me.😉

Pray continually!  And be sure to take a rest now and then.😁

Find your Whimsy! 🥸

My daughter's favorite word is "whimsy."   I have spent a lot of effort trying to instil in our children the importance of finding joy, laughter and fun to break up the monotony and the pain and sadness that often pervade our lives.

Yesterday evening we were all watching TV (blinds were all closed) when my husband decided to open the door to our deck.  I saw sunshine and I saw rain and I immediately got up and said "rainbow weather!" and went outside our front door to find that a large, brilliant double rainbow had formed over our neighborhood!  Our entire family went out to look at it and my daughter and I took lots of pictures!  My husband thought we were ridiculous- especially me since I went out into the middle of our road in the rain to capture the full rainbow with my camera.  I asked him "where's your whimsy?"  🙃

We live on a dead-end road that has a grassy field that is a utility right-of-way that leads to a creek.  The properties on either side of the right-of-way are both owned by one of our neighbors.   On one side sits their house and the other lot is an undeveloped field in the middle of which our neighbor maintains a large garden and greenhouse.  We have planted pumpkins and sunflowers in his garden in years past and we help keep it watered when they are out of town.  There is a little wooden foot bridge over the creek that allows you to cross from one field to the other without getting wet.  😁  Both fields are filled with clover and one of them has a big patch of tall grass at one end.  This was a wonderful oasis for our family during the COVID lockdowns.  There is clover growing all over in both these fields.  Whenever we walk through there I am always in search of 4-leaved clovers.  When I find them, I take a picture and sometimes I pick them to press in a book and use for a fun St. Patrick's Day craft.  I often enlist the help of my family in the search.  My son likes to hide in the tall grass and play hide-and-seek or else he's looking for bugs to observe and my daughter is always on the hunt for flowers.   If there are daisies, she will make a daisy chain to put on her head.

This week is my son's spring break and he really wanted to go to the Kidsquest Museum during this week so we spent a couple of hours there on Wednesday.   My son had so much fun with all the hands-on exhibits!  Such a fun place to explore!

This week is spirit week at my daughter's school and she has participated in all the themed dress-up days.  Today was a western theme so after the Kidsquest Museum excursion and after picking my daughter up from school, we headed to my Mom's house for more fun and whimsy and to borrow my Dad's cowboy hat and boots.  She borrowed her other Grandpa's flannel shirt that was hanging on my husband's side of the closet (he passed away in 2008) and looked like a genuine cowgirl as she headed to school!

We find moments of whimsical fun when we can.  Driving to the store this week I noticed puffy clouds and my son was telling me what shapes he saw in them.  The other day on my way to pick my daughter up from school I noticed the layers of clouds had made a square shaped hole and blue sky was showing through as if it was a window in the sky and a little cloud appeared inside the "window" that looked like a person peeking through it at the earth.  I was driving so I couldn't take a picture but I often take pictures of the clouds.

I see faces in everything.   Most recently I found the food coloring I dripped in to make green frosting for St. Patrick's Day cookies frowning at me!

I can give more examples from my own life but I see beauty, fun and whimsy because I'm LOOKING for it.  So go out and find your own whimsy and enjoy all God has to offer!  He isn't a dull or boring God.  He gave us this beautiful creation to explore and He gave us our senses of humor and the ability to laugh.  He created fun and our sense of adventure.   We just need to unlock it and allow God to show is how creative He is!