Saturday Reflections

We had a group gathering last night. It had been awhile since we were all together. Even with the bad weather, our friends came. We gathered to share our lives and to encourage each other. Several of us had experienced tough weeks. The sharing happened and the burdens got lighter. We shared more over supper, some great enchilladas, sloopy joes, veggies, popcorn and other things: we each had brought something to share. We laughed, talked and enjoyed true friendship. A group gathered over lifetime experiences, but also around a deeper understanding that we all share. We came together to share around our love of Christ. Church was happening, though only in our small home. We packed the kitchen and living room. Eventually we made room in the living room for all of us, while kids played downstairs. Wow! What fun fellowship. We share our thoughts over the past weeks, things the Lord has been doing in our hearts & lives. We shared about "walls" we have run into, while sharing other struggles as well. A friend brought his new custom made guitar - a gift from an unknown doner. He shared a song & we all joined in. The presence of the Lord filled the room & touched our hearts & lives. Joy broke forth & we found ourselves thanking Him for all He is doing in our midst. It was an evening of such closeness in so many ways. What a blessing to have such friendships! Today I am thankful! Today in the silence of the day - I rejoice in Him and in friends.

Pauses to be thankful

Wow! You have one day of fun and find another to stop because of the sorrow one feels. We were home one day and our little dog came out to see me. She all the sudden had a huge seizure which went on for a couple minutes. When it was over she got up and seemed fine. Still - it is just the next phase of her aging. She has been having mini-siezures for sometime now. She falls down lots of times a day, she falls off things - like our bed and we hope she does not hurt herself - once even went down our stairs, which was awful! You stop and have to consider how far to let things go. You cry thinking about the decisions and feel for your parents who have been through it before. Life is hard in these moments! It makes one identify with the fact that "creation" groans for something better. Yet, this is such a small thing in comparison with the suffering that goes on around us. Our neighbor had a friend commit suicide - and you stop and shed a tear for the loss of someone so young. It makes you get on your knees and share your heart with the "Creator". It makes you feel His heart for all that happens and how He longs to make Himself real to each one who cries.

Appreciating the moments

After two days away at a "Gals Night Out", which consisted of my closest "female" family members, I pause to think how wonderful it is to have the times to stop and create memories. We had a blast, out at a hotel, swimming in the pool, resting in the hot tub, eating out, watching DVDs we brought, getting a make-over from a friend, telling silly ghost stories late at night... not getting much sleep BUT WOW the fun memories! So much to record in the wonderful memories with my mom, my neice & my girls. Laying in the pull out sofa bed while my girls laughed so much and told such silly stories... my mom got laughing so hard she could hardly stop. All of us just enjoying each other's company and finding fun in each moment.

I stop pausing to thank my dearest friend for this opportunity. Thankful to friend to be able to leave the office with confidence, while throughly enjoying being away. Thankful for the PAUSE in what has been a very busy couple of months.

What an incredible day!