Sunshine At Last

This past week has been unbelievable to say the least. We had to cover our flowers 2 nights - the days were for the most part cold, rainy, and dreary. We spent most of the time covered up in the recliners, still sick with the congestion type thing that everyone  is getting - some folks in various stages of  discomfort. Fred's doctor apt. on Thursday revealed that we just need to ride it out - we are on the road to recovery though. We can function, eat decent meals, (I even cooked a roast on Friday in the slow cooker and made muffins). But just when we think we are doing well, bam - it hits again and a person has to rest for an hour or so. When the sun and warm weather came in on Friday and Saturday, I realized that this is how Noah must have felt when he stepped off the ark and saw (get it, Arkansas?) dry land and the sun. The sun felt so wonderful as well as being a blessed sight. The grayness was very depressing even though we were sick. Just continue to keep those who are still ill in your prayers - this is an awful thing to have!

As I seem to say every week, God never ceases to amaze us - despite the cold Fred made the deliveries to the colonias on Friday - last week we received about 23 blankets which were delivered to help ward off the cold - this week we received more than that number. These were not really blankets, but sort of material that was felt-like on one side, and a bit furry on the other. A bit heavy you say for blankets? Yes - but these were used to put over the cardboard which was laid over the dirt floors in the colonia homes. Yes folks, even in this day and time, there are many with only dirt floors. By adding this covering to the cardboard the cold coming from the earth was held back a bit - can you imagine your child trying to learn to crawl or walk on cardboard over dirt? How blessed we are!!!God also provided enough produce, canned goods, and dry goods to feed over 120 families this last week. Just when we think He has met all our needs, He goes above and beyond that.

stacks of much need floor covering - even the rolls of felt in the back were distributed as needed

Today we are going to dinner with friends - the very first time since Christmas. It will really feel good to get out in the real world again and try to feel normal. We did manage to attend church this morning which was such a blessing. Pastor Robert provided an insight to preparing for the best based on Matthew 13:1-9 describing the parable of the farmer sowing seeds on the ground where the birds ate it, sowing seeds in the rocky soil where they grew but soon withered  and died, and then in the good soil where produced 100, 60, or 30 times over. Christ is always casting seeds in our life. We need to focus on the soil - will these seeds be devoured by Satan, or spout but die because they were not fully rooted, or will they sprout as we continue to build our relationship with God?  He always brings new opportunities to our lives - it is up to us to nurture them and watch them grow To lead a life as a covenant servant of God is to spend time with Him daily - not just once in the morning and call it good. Find spare minutes to just give Him thanks for opening that parking spot because we are tired and do not want to walk so far, for opening up  new line at Wal-Mart, or smiling at the sight of a flower blooming, or even allowing us to beat the rush hour traffic. God is a good God - He always wants to do everything to make us happy, but we need to be in relationship with Him. We need to try to serve others just as He commands and become a beacon for him. Expect great hings from God because we have prepared ourselves to expect them.

Praying that this New Year is all that you dream about - a year to change your lives in more ways than one.