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Heaven Hears . . .

Some years ago, when the beautiful Christmas season was upon us, Ron and I had finished our shopping: toys and clothes, specially selected by Nana and Papa for the grandchildren; and uniquely selected presents for our adult children, in hopes they would be pleased. The gifts were wrapped and placed under the tree, in papers coordinating with the ornaments! The house was decorated in anticipation of our beautiful family gathering on a hopefully snowy, Sunday, December afternoon. During this time, I celebrated the Savior’s birth, and I rejoiced in the influx of Christmas carols and classics  playing on every Pandora, radio, or satellite station I heard. Yet my heart hurt, more during this season than at any throughout the year. Some of you understand.  You’re feeling similar right now. I’m writing this especially for you.
 
Pangs of shame pierced me when I perceived that hurt, urging me to think on the good things and to praise God for all the joys of this season.

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The Cold Moon Supermoon Night

Luke Chapter 10 – Advent Reading

The Lord Jesus sends us out. We’re among the seventy-two. We might be “lambs among the wolves,” but He sends us, nonetheless.

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#2 Where you go, I will go . . .

 The northwest has called us, and I invite you to come along!

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”

~ Rachel Carson

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#7 Prairie Grasses Have Purpose and Deep Roots

“In nature we never see anything isolated, but everything in connection with something else which is before it, beside it, under it and over it.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Yes, all of nature is connected and has purpose. As we headed west from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula via Hwy 2, a fellow RV’er advised us not to bother driving through North Dakota and Montana – he said it was boring with no striking views. But, you see, Ron and I like to make the connections; we like to see what others might not.

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Until Tuesday

I tired of her. I was busy with my young children, my housework, and giving piano lessons.

She required much of my time. She was needy. Often invited herself over. I couldn’t get anything else done. I talked with another friend and asked advice about the situation. She offered a suggestion.

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The Apron

Do you ever find time to get away by yourself and have some quiet time with the Lord? When my children were at home, I thought it must be impossible to have quiet time with the Lord in our busy, noisy household! But then I heard about Susannah Wesley!

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Alone. Without a tissue.

The room is small. The chairs uncomfortable. I see her through the glass, waiting for the thick door to unlock, controlled by someone we don’t see. Someone in another room looking through cameras into hallways and rooms, cells and blocks.

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Your Faith Has Healed You!

I yearn to hear those words,

“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed of your suffering.”

Being raised with teaching that certainly God can heal but He doesn’t always heal,

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A Bird for His Purpose

Brilliant. Beautiful. Graceful. Pleasant. Stately. Confident. Cocky.
 
“Cocky.” That’s the trait that ended Gary Hancock.
 
     He couldn’t help being “cocky.“ That’s how God made him, the very peacock that he is (was). Through the years, I’ve witnessed  the “cockiness” of the wild turkeys that strut our yards and fields – of the pheasant that crosses the road as though he owns it, which he does! Likewise, it was the innocent, stately, God-given confident “cockiness” that brought about Gary Hancock’s demise one afternoon as he crossed the road he assumed he owned.

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#19 Our Own Oregon Trail

We left the Redwoods, our hearts full. (Have you read that post? Click here.) We yearned for more time in these forests, but it was time itself that caused us to move on. We tried not to look at all we left behind – rather at all that lay ahead for us.

We took a bit of the Redwoods with us – a seedling for our grandson, Noah. It would yet travel over 2500 miles with us. I babied it all the way.

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