Trusting Simply

Say good-by to this blog

2010-02-25T21:47:00.005-07:00

I haven't posted here for a very long time, and now when I want to get back into it, I'm having some "technical" problems, so I'm starting a new blog. The URL is:
http://www.blossomsandbutterflies-verlyn.blogger.com - come and visit.

I need to remember to save the post....

2009-11-23T17:47:00.003-07:00

I just wrote a long post -- then went to insert a picture, and lost the entire post.

Oh well - I'll do it again later. But here is a picture of my husband and me, our two grandchildren, our new great-grandchild, and Joey's doll-baby.

Welcome Sunshine

2009-06-17T11:04:00.002-06:00

June 17, 2009
After 8 days of storms, rain, hail, tornado warnings and sightings - it's finally going to be a beautiful day (I hope). My bones tell me it is! The damp coolness that we've had the last month or two has really caused me a lot of pain, but today I feel much better. The sky is blue and the sun is shining and it's absolutely beautiful outdoors! It even inspired me to sit down at the piano and play - which I haven't done for a long time. Maybe it will also inspire me to practice my harp! At any rate, Thank you God for the rain and for the sunshine - all are blessings!

Good news/bad news

2009-06-13T18:39:00.003-06:00

June 13
My husband bought me something today - that's the good news. The good news is also that the prices were right (he bought the items at an estate auction sale), and that most likely I will be using the items in the future. The bad news is that most likely I will be using the items in the future. The two items are a "Rollator" (a walker that has a seat and wheels) and a power wheel chair. I am really glad for both items and they will be so helpful, but it makes me sad that I am in a position where I am glad to get those items. Arthritis has made many of my activities very difficult, and also makes me think twice before going any place where I will have to do much walking. I always thought I'd be completely healthy till the day I die and it is a total shock to my system to realize that I am not immune to chronic disease!

Spending time with an old friend

2009-06-13T18:33:00.003-06:00

June 13 - Today I met an old friend for lunch. I first met M sometime in 1990; we became close friends as we were both single. I was teaching a Bible study for people going through loss such as divorce, and M was one of the people who started attending the Friday night class. We listened to each other's woes, encouraged each other and also had a lot of fun together. Then our lives took different roads; I married Paul and Myrna moved to Texas to live with her father for awhile. She remarried a year ago and now lives in Fort Collins, and we had a lot of 'catching up' to do. It was so good to see her again! I can't believe how much time has passed and it will be good to maintain contact.

A new member of the family

2009-06-13T18:30:00.002-06:00

On May 29, Rachel Nicole joined the family, weighing in at 8 lbs, and looking beautiful with lots of dark hair and long "musician's fingers". Rachel is posing for a four generation picture with her mother, grandmother and great-grandfather.

2009-06-13T18:25:00.002-06:00

Little Man Joey with his hard hat - he loved going up and down the ramp that his grandpa made fo him.

And Sweetheart Carly is all girl and loves playing with the doll.

2009-06-13T18:22:00.000-06:00

I love this photo of my daughter and the two little ones.

Where have I been???

2009-06-13T18:12:00.003-06:00

June 13, 2009
Oh my goodness, it has been such a long time since I've been on this page! I have no excuse except some days I was "down" and just didn't feel like making any entries; other days there was nothing to write about - and some days I just forgot! So now this Saturday evening, I'll bring this blog up to date (sort of).

Mother's Day weekend -- we had a party at my daughter's home, partly to celebrate Mother's Day and partly to celebrate my great-nephew Josh's graduation from School of Mines. His parents and brother from Houston were here; his mother is my niece Jackie, and it was so good to see her again. I have always felt close to her.

Then on Mother's Day, we left for Branson, Missouri and our annual "cousin reunion"; going as far as Lawrence, Kansas that day and then on to Branson the next Day. There we met my brother and his wife from Houston, my cousin and his wife from Nebraska, and my cousin from South Dakota (she's only 25 days older than I). Usually we go to quite a few of the Branson shows, but this time we only went to one (it wasn't very good), and the rest of the time was spent in visiting and shopping and sightseeing. We spend a lot of time remembering our childhood; our parents and grandparents always lived close to each other, so the four of us grew up together, and we've been re-connecting annually for about 10 years now. Each year when we part, I wonder if we'll all be back next year. Last year cousin Vern developed lung cancer which was a huge scare, but he is much improved and it was good to spend time with him.

As always my grandchildren give me much joy. In the last few weeks I babysat a fair amount, and they even stayed here overnight. We had so much fun, but my goodness, was I ever tired by the time they left! They are so busy and so inquisitive!

It doesn't take much to make me happy

2009-04-25T21:06:00.004-06:00

Saturday, April 25
Joey called me Grandma today!! For the first time.... Today it's 4 months since he arrived in Denver from China, and what a little sweetheart he is! Dearly loved by all of us.

Showers of Blessing

2009-04-17T13:13:00.003-06:00

Friday, April 17
For several days we have been hearing warnings about a severe winter storm heading this way with up to 12 inches of snow for this area. So far we have not had the snow but it has been RAINING! ALL DAY! We have needed it so very badly as it's been a very dry winter after a very dry summer. Our pasture has been struggling to survive, so this rain is a wonderful blessing. Thank you Lord!

Easter + Resurrection = Hope

2009-04-12T17:35:00.004-06:00

Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009:

How beautiful Easter Sunday is! No, not because the weather was good today, because it wasn't -- it was cold and rainy and dreary. Not a good day for wearing frilly new spring dresses.
But it was beautiful because I am able to worship a living Savior - and it's because He is alive that I can live.
The Praise Team with the orchestra sang Chris Tomlin's song, "I will rise" -
Here are some of the words that really touched me:

"And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagle's wings
Before my God, fall on my knees,
and rise, I will rise."

I've had too much sorrow in my life, and my arthritis keeps me in constant pain, so I find it exciting to be reminded that in heaven there will be no sorrow and pain; and I will actually be able to fall on my knees and rise! (I can't get on my knees very easily now - that's another thing that will change when I get to heaven.)

Our two pianists played "The Hallelujah Chorus" as an offeratory and is was amazing; everyone in the sanctuary stood and worshipped. It was wonderful.

And the rain -- yes, it was cold and dreary but we needed the rain so badly. Thank you Lord!

Thankful Thursday

2009-04-09T18:20:00.002-06:00

April 9, 2009
I am glad that I committed to "Thankful Thursday" - it makes me stop and think about how blessed I am!
Here are 10 things I am thankful for today (in no particular order):

1. I am thankful for successful surgery for 9 year old Eliana who came to the U.S. from the same orphanage that my grandson J came from. She had facial deformity and plastic surgery was performed this past Monday. I continue to pray for her.
2. I am thankful for the wonderful lesson we discussed this morning in the Bible study at our ladies group at the church I attend. It reminded me that God knows everythiing about me - and loves me anyway!!! Amazing!
3. I am thankful for Good Friday - and for Resurrection Sunday - He is Risen!
4. I am thankful that my doctor is willing to prescribe some painkillers for me; I just can't decide which prescription I want to try.
5. I am thankful for good friends who encourage me in spite of a very upsetting incident this past weekend.
6. I am thankful for the good report on my medical tests from Tuesday; a few problems need to be addressed, but there are remedies available. I keep praying about one situation for which we do not yet have an answer.
7. I am thankful that T's meds are working and things are going so much better in her life.
8. I am thankful for God blessing a young family with a new baby boy after much tragedy in the past years.
9. I am thankful for SPRING!!!! (I think it's coming soon....)
10. I am thankful for sound mind and body (most of the time...).

Reliving my Childhood

2009-04-05T15:29:00.003-06:00

Sunday, April 5, 2009
I grew up on a farm in South Dakota (many years ago), and we didn't have electricity, running water or central heat. Staying clean was a challenge, especially in winter when we would have to heat some water on the wood-burning range and wash up the best we could.

I was reminded of those years this weekend. Yesterday our furnace stopped working. After a repairman made an evening visit, he determined it was not the furnace, but a blockage in the line leading from the propane tank to the house, which meant the water heater wasn't working either. By then it was too dark and cold to try and fix anything, and fortunately we have a wonderful word-burning fireplace, several space heaters and an electric blanket so we were able to stay warm all night. This morning I tried to wash up as best I could - just like in the "olden days", and went on to church, but Mr. Hubby stayed home from church and was able to blow out the line and I came home from church to find everything working again. It reminds me of why I am thankful for electricity, gas heat, running water - and all our other luxuries!

Springtime in the Rockies

2009-04-05T15:24:00.004-06:00

April 5, 2009
Evidently our springtime comes in February -- that's when we had lovely, warm days. Since the first day of spring, we've been having winter! This past Friday the weather forecasters were warning us of an approaching storm; we would have 12 inches of snow and 40 mph winds. Yesterday morning I opened the drapes, expecting to see huge snowdrifts outside -- but all I saw was a smattering of new snow - but there definitely were very strong winds. We never did get the blizzard here, for which we are thankful; evidently it moved around us into northeastern Colorado and the midwest. But that's Springtime in the Rockies - we never know quite what to expect.

Thankful Thursday

2009-04-02T13:16:00.003-06:00

Thursday, April 2, 2009:
Ten Things for which I am Thankful:
1. I'm thankful for the recent snow (even though this is supposed to be spring) because our parched soil was badly in need of moisture.
2. I'm thankful for the delicious dinner last night at Famous Dave's - a thank you dinner for those who served on the Water Board this past year.
3. I'm thankful I was feeling well enough to go to Bible study this morning.
4. I'm thankful for the bright sunshine today and the hints of green grass poking through the snow.
5. I'm thankful this country - its freedoms and blessings.
6. I'm thankful I live in Colorado. I spent much of my life in different areas in the Midwest where winters were REALLY cold.
7. I'm thankful that my eyesight has been restored.
8. I'm thankful that the economic indicators are looking better.
9. I'm thankful for my husband who is so good to me.
10. I'm thankful that my grandson J is recovering so nicely from his surgery.

Too Blessed to be Stressed

2009-04-01T15:14:00.003-06:00

In yesterday's newspaper, there was a little article about a local TV anchorwoman who has successfully battled cancer, and is now selling t-shirts with the phrase "Too Blessed to be Stressed". Her fight with this deadly disease taught her to appreciate all the blessings that surround her.

So I started thinking about the stressors in my life:
- the global financial meltdown
- the threat of terrorism
- I'm at an age where stroke, cancer, Alzhiemers are happening to many of my peers
- the unfair criticism of President Obama
- the constant bickering between Republicans and Democrats
- aging
- worries about my family - wanting everything to be good for them

And what are the blessings in these things?
Most of all, I believe in Romans 8:28: "For we know that all things work together for good to them who love God and are called according to His purpose"
- the financial meltdown hasn't touched our family
- we haven't been directly impacted by terrorism
- other than my arthritis, I am in good health
- Our president is intelligent, wise, bold, courageous
- there must be something good about the two-party system but I can't think of it now
- all of our family members know the Lord and Romans 8:28 also applies to them.

I found this poem on the internet:

I refuse to be discouraged, to be sad or to cry.
I refuse to be downhearted and here's the reason why:

I have a God who is almighty; who is sovereign and supreme
I have a God who loves me, and I am on His team.

He is all wise and powerful; Jesus is His name;
though everything else is changeable, My God remains the same.

I refused to be defeated! My eyes are on my GOD!
He has promised to be with me, as through this life I trod.

I am looking past my circumstances, to Heaven's throne above.
My prayers have reached the heart of God, I am resting in His love.

I give thanks to Him in everything, My eyes are on His face.
The battle is His; the victory is mine; He will help me win the race!

I'M TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED,
TOO ANOINTED TO BE DISAPPOINTED!
(Author unknown)

I'm changing my look

2009-04-01T14:54:00.001-06:00

I have just been using one of the Blogspot templates, and I'm looking for another template on the Web that I like better - haven't decided yet on which one so there may be different looks in the next few days.

A Perfect Day for a Birthday Party, and a New Look for a Little Boy

2009-03-29T18:14:00.000-06:00

J's birthday is 3/23; C's birthdday is 3/31, and D's birthday is also 3/23, so we had a family birthday party today. It was a beautiful day (after a blizzard just a few days ago) so we were able to spend a lot of time outside and the little ones had great fun with riding toys and Grandpa even got out his new little tractor and gave them rides around the farm.

This first picture of J was taken on Jan. 3 of this year - the first time he came out to the farm to visit us.

This next picture was taken today, March 29; tomorrow it will be two weeks since his surgery to fix his palate and do some corrective work on his nose and above his upper lip. He is doing well and has the cutest nose now!

Welcome Winter (not)

2009-03-27T10:59:00.000-06:00

I just knew it!!! We had hardly any snow all winter, and I knew that about the time everyone else is having spring - we'll be having snowstorms! And sure enough, yesterday morning, after many warnings from the weather forecasters, the blizzard of 2009 started. It snowed hard all day and the strong winds were blowing the snow sideways - much like the blizzards I experienced while growing up in rural South Dakota.

As you can see - it's not time for a picnic yet -- the patio table and chairs, and the gazebo are all snowed in. The mountains in the background are not very clear this morning after - but they got a good new covering of snow - and all the people who ski whould be very happy!

And the poor robins -- a few days ago they were enjoying 70 degrees of sunshine - and now they're huddling in the cold....

But as Little Orphan Annie sings in the musical, "the sun will come out tomorrow" - and yes, today is yesterday's tomorrow and the sun is out and the snow is melting. That's what's great about Colorado!

Reconnecting with old friends

2009-03-22T22:26:00.000-06:00

Back in the '90's, I was close friends with M and P; we were all going through difficult times and we supported each other through the hardships, but we also had a lot of good times...and then we lost touch with each other. Last fall M reached out to me by phone, but we haven't been able to actually get together in person. In the meantime, I wondered whatever had happened to P; I tried all the resources to find a phone number for her, with no success. The other day I tried one more avenue: I signed in to Facebook and found her daughter R and sent her an email, asking for her mother's phone number. I received an email back today from R, and this afternoon called both P and M, and hopefully we'll be able to get together soon. While I really love the friends I have now, it will be good to reconnect with the friends with whom I shared so much during the "valley" times in my life.

Thankful Thursday

2009-03-19T19:24:00.000-06:00

1. I am thankful that J is recovering from the surgery he had on Monday. Here is a picture of his face today; to me he is just a beautiful boy -- look at those eyes!

2. I am thankful that I was able to babysit J today; he is my little sweetheart and I am so lucky to be his grandma!

3. I am thankful that there are signs of improvement in the nation's economy.

4. I am thankful for the beautiful weather we have been having last month and this month.

5. I am thankful for my close friends who care.

6. I am thankful for M who is careful with her scissors when she cuts my hair - I don't come home looking like a peeled onion!

7. I am thankful that when all we hear on the evening news is negativity, we can keep our eyes on Jesus, and think on those things that are true - that He keeps us in the hollow of His hands!

8. I am thankful for my CWC friends with whom I have worked in ministry for several years.

9. I am thankful most of all for my family.

10. I am thankful that we have not lost any money in all the financial calamities that have taken place in our country's banks.

When a child hurts

2009-03-16T18:58:00.000-06:00

J's third birthday celebration (but his first party) was held early this past weekend because he was having surgery today to repair his palate and fix some other problems, the most minor was putting tubes in his ears. The palate repair was actually quite extensive, and then there was also plastic surgery on his nose and lip. When we saw him about six hours after surgery, he was in a lot of pain, but he loves his Grandpa so much that he brightened up a bit when Grandpa held him. It is so sad to see a child in pain, but we know it will get better soon and he will be his happy self again.

J was a real trooper before the surgery, he didn't fuss at all in spite of not being able to have anything to eat or drink. And what was really neat, the surgery staff had J's mama bring him into the operating room (properly washed and gowned) and be the one to put the anesthesia mask on his face, and once he was asleep, she did have to leave. I had never heard of that being done and I think it's much more reassuring for the child to have his parent go with him into surgery. The tubes in his ears should help his hearing and balance, and the closed palate should help his speech as well as his ability to eat properly. There still is a risk of the palate opening again, and he may eventually need to have a bone graft in the palate, but not until he's much older. Sweet little J, I hope you have a good night and sleep well and feel much better in the morning.

Our three year old's first birthday party

2009-03-14T20:01:00.000-06:00

Our grandson, J, is turning three years old soon, and we celebrated his birthday tonight - and it was his first birthday party. He has been part of our family for only 2 1/2 months, coming to us from an orphanage in China, where he was one of over 650 children. It's understandable that they did not celebrate birthdays in that institution, but our family enjoys making birthdays special. J wasn't sure about the birthday cake and candle - because of his cleft palate, he's unable to blow, so the lit candle just didn't make much sense. However, it didn't take long for him to learn that opening presents is really fun.

Living the parable

2009-03-13T18:23:00.000-06:00

Remember the parable Jesus told about the woman who lost a coin and wouldn't stop looking for it till she found it - or the shepherd who counted the sheep and one was missing and he wouldn't rest till he found it and brought it home?

That was me today. I lost my car keys. I ran some errands this morning including shopping at Costco, came home, unloaded all the groceries, took care of a few details, and then was going to drive the car in the garage. But my car key wasn't on the key ring! I have this key-ring-thingy that screws open when you want to add or take off some keys, and sometimes it opens by itself and keys fall off - and that's what must have happened. At least I knew the key was somewhere here at home, because the car was parked right in front of the house. So I retraced my steps - several times. Let's see, where did I go when I got home from the store? First stop was the bathroom - no, the key isn't there. Oh - check my jacket pocket, it's not there either. Look in my office, my bedroom, look under the front seat of the car, look under the car, look in the bushes, look in my jacket pockets again. Go to my storage shed and look because I took some boxes out there -- but no keys there either. My stepson is here and is also looking, even opens the trunk of the car again, but no keys. By that time I am REALLY tired, because nothing makes me as tired as shopping for groceries, so I sit down in my easy chair to read my mail, but I can't sit still - I have to find those keys!!! So another trip out to the storage shed, and look in the car again, still no keys. Now this is getting really strange because they can't just disappear into thin air, so back to my easy chair again. Then my hubby the General comes home, and I tell him about it and his first question is - how did I get home without keys? Well that's easy to answer - I lost the keys somewhere after I got home. But just then I think of where they might be - I had carried one package into my office when I first came into the house - maybe? So off I limp into my office, check out that package - and sure enough, there are the keys to my car. YIPPEE! I am free again! The lost is found!
There's a lesson somewhere in here, but right now I can't think of it...

Thankful Thursday

2009-03-12T20:31:00.000-06:00

Ten things I am thankful for today: (In no particular order.)

1. The Ladies Bible study I attended today with a group of sweet ladies from my church, and then the great time of fellowship we had as we all went out for lunch afterward. It was really good Chinese food at a restaurant in Erie.

2. I am thankful for my country, even with all the problems our nation is experiencing now. We are still so very blessed!

3. I am thankful for my President, Barack Obama. Most of my relatives and friends did not vote for him, but I did and I think he will be a wonderful president.

4. I am thankful for this COMPUTER!!! It allows me to enter worlds I would otherwise never know, and especially allows me to be involved in the lives of cyber-acquaintances whom I have never met in person, but by reading their blogs I feel I know them personally. And when I read about their children having surgery, or their financial needs concerning adopting from China, or their blessings and joys of the children they brought back from China - I can pray with them and celebrate with them.

5. I am thankful for my husband. He is a good man, but he works far too hard. There is nothing that is too hard for him to do and he can fix anything.

6. I am thankful for the two grandchildren who came to us by way of international adoption. They are the most precious little girl and boy you could ever imagine.

7. I am thankful for the difficult times in my life, though at the time I didn't feel like giving thanks. But it was in those times of adversity that I learned, REALLY learned to pray and really learned what faith in God was all about. Would I want to go through those times again? Not really, but I am thankful for the lessons I learned through them.

8. I am thankful that I had parents who cared for me, did their best for me, provided as well as they good in difficult circumstances and took me to church from the time I was an infant.

9. At a time when there are millions of people around the world who go to bed hungry, I go to bed planning how to cut down on my food intake. Thank you God, for providing for me.

10. And there are also millions of people around the world who have no home or shelter. Thank you God, for my home.

My voracious appetite

2009-03-11T18:59:00.000-06:00

I have an insatiable hunger for books.
I love to look at books.
I love to read books.
I love to buy books.
I love bookstores.
I love to read book reviews - knowing they will pique my interest.

Last year I read over 60 books, which is more than one a week.
I have several shelves full of books I haven't read yet.
And some shelves hold books I've started but haven't finished.
I would be happy if I could spend the rest of my life in a comfy chair with a good book.
There are so many books and so little time!

I just started a new book today and I know I will love it because I already do, and I've only read the introduction and the first chapter. It is The Promise, by Robert J. Morgan (www.robertjmorgan.com) (B & H Publishing Group, Nashville, TN). It is about how God works all things together for good, based on Romans 8:28 which just happens to be one of my all-time favorite Bible verses. This is a quote from the preface:

"God's promises are not magic wands that instantly make problems disappear like rabbits in an illusionist's hat. But we do have a God-given assurance that every single circumstance will sooner or later turn out well for those fully committed to Jesus Christ. That knowledge changes our attitude every day about every event in life -- or it should."

And later in Chapter 1, he says

"The Lord moves heaven and earth to keep this promise. He puts His eye to the microscope of providential oversight and scans the smallest details of our lives, working them into a tapestry of blessing, making sure that goodness and mercy follow us all our days. He turns problems inside out, transforming bad things to blessings and converting trials into triumphs. He alone knows how to bring Easter out of Good Fridays."

My best friend

2009-03-11T13:47:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure just when it happens that your daughter becomes your best friend. I think it's probably when she leaves home and is established in a marriage and/or career. Before that you still are "Mom" and have to be an example and teacher and guide, and sometimes have to hide the real you.

I love this picture of my best friend and me, taken about forty years ago when we lived in Cleveland. Sometimes I would like us to be that young again - those were precious mother-daughter times and I would love to re-live them (with a few changes to make them better). But on the other hand, the mother-daughter times we have now are just as precious - and maybe more so, because now I don't have to be the example and teacher and guide - I can be ME.

After T left home to go to college, she lived in various cities far from where I was living at the time and I missed her very much. About ten years ago she moved to Colorado, and even though we don't see each other that often because she is very busy with her family and her career, we are very close. My day always goes better if I can have a brief conversation on the phone, or exchange emails, or actually spend time together with her. I am still "Mom" in that I still worry when things are not going right for her, and I know I always will be like that.

I remember my dear Grandma Fast once telling me that when her children were little, she worried so much about them and could hardly wait till they were grown up and she wouldn't have to worry any more. But then they grew up and had children and she had to worry about her grandchildren, and she could hardly wait till the grandchildren were grown so she didn't have to worry about them any more. But then the grandchildren grew up and had children and she had to worry about them.... I thought that was so sweet, especially since she had plaques on every wall of her house that had sayings on them like "Why worry when you can pray". But I knew it was because she loved us all so much that she still went on worrying. It was her way. I surely do miss her.

It's still winter

2009-03-10T11:44:00.000-06:00

After quite a few days of warm weather - days in February and March where the temperatures were in the 60's and 70's, WINTER made its appearance again today. It was 16 degrees this morning, with several inches of new snow on the ground. We are thankful for the snow as we are in dire need of moisture, but we are not thankful for the 16 degrees!!! Even the robins had a problem this morning, as you will see in this picture, taken of the very cold spring birds, huddled in front of our garage where there was a dry spot and some sunshine.

Nursing home

2009-03-08T19:42:00.000-06:00

On the second Sunday of each month, The General (my hubby) and I join a group of people from our church to minister at a local nursing home. We sing some hymns and someone shares a devotional from God's word. Including travel time, it takes about two hours out of our Sunday once a month. It is an interesting experience because we are there to bless the residents of the home, but we also come away blessed by the experience of ministering to them.

There is the lady in a wheelchair who cradles a doll in her arms, thinking it is her real live baby.
There are a man and woman holding hands - looking at each other with love in their eyes; one is in a wheelchair.
There are several who are old and frail and very bent from various diseases.
There are some who obviously have suffered a stroke.
There are some who sit in a wheelchair, staring straight ahead with no expression on their faces; are they even present? Or are they just so resigned to their life that nothing registers anymore.
There is a man who makes bitter remarks about what we are doing there.

And then I wonder - is this my fate? Will I someday be one of them? I have arthritis, and it becomes harder to walk and I wonder when I will be wheelchair-bound.

And so I come home to my comfortable home, make my own meals, set my own schedule, and take care of myself. Will I live a long fairly health life? Or will I live long but really not live?
Only God knows. A friend and I were discussing whether or not it would be good to know what will happen to us in our latter years; would I want to know that I might become crippled and bedridden? How would it change the way I live my life? What would my mother have done differently had she known that five weeks after her 64th birthday, she would die suddenly and unexpectedly? What would I have done differently had I known that would happen to her? But God has chosen to keep our earthly futures a mystery, and that is good. The lesson to learn is to live each day so that is the best day possible so there will be no regrets.

Choose JOY

2009-03-08T19:30:00.000-06:00

"Though the fig tree does not bud
and there is no fruit on the vines,
Though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food.
Though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls
Yet I will triumph in the Lord;
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!
Yahweh my Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights!"
(Habakkuk 3:17-19, HCSB)

What Habakkuk is saying is that when everything else fails around us, God's love never fails. And when we can trust God's love, we can have joy.

I am the first to admit that I am not there. I do not have joy, and I have struggled for years to understand joy and get to the point where I can say that I have chosen JOY and my heart is JOYFUL! Some years ago I was diagnosed with clinical depression, and take a daily dose of antidepressant, which I will have to do the rest of my life. In spite of the medication and in spite of the fact that the circumstances of my life are good now, and in spite of the fact that I do trust God and believe His Word, I do not have joy. Some mornings when I awake with a black cloud hovering in my brain, I think about just choosing to be happy and joyful (are they the same?). But it doesn't happen for me - try as hard as I might. There are many reasons for my depression including genetic and life experiences, but is it possible to get beyond that and really be joyful?

Strength for today

2009-03-06T08:57:00.000-07:00

. . as thy days, so shall thy strength be (Deut. 33:25)."
God never gives strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the minute" (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, August 2nd).

I am tired today, which is not unusual. My arthritis takes so much of my energy away from me; if I accomplish a lot during one day I know that the next day or two will find me really wiped out. I hate that!

This morning I just kept thinking about the phrase "strength for today" - because I have so much I want to get done today, there are so many unfinished projects waiting for me. So I Googled the phrase "strength for today" and found the above quote from Oswald Chambers. It reminds me that God promised me strength for the moment - the next minute - the next hour, but I have to rely on Him - my strength-giving God. And as I wait on Him, I feel His power coursing through my veins, and I can face the cleaning and ironing, and everything else that's on my list for today.

Thankful Thursday

2009-03-05T20:37:00.000-07:00

Ten Things for which I am thankful:

1. I am thankful I live in Colorado - especially on this beautiful March 5 with the temperature hovering above 70!

2. I am thankful that my eye surgery was successful.

3. I am thankful for my girlfriends.

4. I am thankful that all my years of working at a job that I did not like but I did not dare leave, has paid off in great retirement benefits and financial security.

5. I am thankful that my mind is still sharp when so many people my age are showing signs of alzheimers.

6. I am thankful for the ladies Bible study that I teach the first Monday of each month. It is a wonderful group of ladies that really care about each other.

7. I am thankful that I am still able to do my work, albeit rather slowly at times, in spite of my arthritis.

8. I am thankful for the way God keeps His promises.

9. I am thankful that T is recovering from her P.A.D.

10. I am thankful for my washing machine and dryer and all my other labor-saving appliances. I grew up on a farm with no electricity and no running water and no central heating or air conditioning. Believe me when I say that "the good old days" were not that good!

The love of a grandchild

2009-03-05T16:10:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday evening, my husband and I were babysitting two of our grandchildren - C and J. Both of these precious little ones were adopted from orphanages in China; C came home in August of 2006, and J came home on Christmas Day, 2008. C will be four years old this month, and J will be three. Since it was a balmy evening, we played outside for a while before bedtime, when C turned to me and said "I sure love you guys". This sure does make a grandmother's heart melt!

The eyes have it

2009-03-05T08:29:00.000-07:00

I have always treasured my eyes; I thought I would never allow a surgeon to take his surgical instruments to my eyes, but when the time came for that very thing, I didn't hesitate at all. Last fall I had my eyes tested to get new contacts, and while the left lens was right the first try, the lens for the right eye was not correct. I went back to the eye doctor several times, and she tried two new prescriptions and it still wasn't right. I was getting very annoyed, but fortunately I wasn't nasty to her, even though I wondered why she couldn't get it right! She finally referred me to an eye surgeon in her office and I had that appointment the morning of January 7th. This doctor ordered many tests with the equipment in her office, and while she thought there was a problem with my retina, she wasn't sure, so she arrange for me to see a retina specialist that afternoon in a downtown location. That doctor had even more tests done, and made the diagnosis of a macular hole, which fortunately is not the same as macular degeneration. He recommended surgery and it was scheduled for January 28. It was just coincidence that my symptoms started at the same time that I was being tested for new contacts.

It was very strange that I had complete confidence in this surgeon after meeting him just this one time, and I had no fear going into the surgery. It was scheduled for 10:30 that morning, and I was home by shortly after noon, and then had to stay face down for seven days. We had rented a massage chair with the circular head rest so I could sit with my face down, and also a circular head rest for the bed so I could sleep with my head down, but it was terribly uncomfortable. My checkup after one week was good, and I could once again look up at the world. It was really hard to talk to people without being able to look into their eyes. The reason for having to stay in this position was because during the surgery, he had to drain the vitreous gel from my eye so that his instruments could enter the eye and do the repair work. After repairing the macular hole (and the torn retina which he found during the surgery), he filled the eyeball with a gas bubble which was lighter than air, so I had to stay face down so that the bubble would float to the back of the eye and press against the site of the hole and tear. After I could start looking around again, I could not see out of that eye because there was a big black bubble in that eye - it was like looking through a black balloon. Gradually it diminished and about a month after surgery it was gone except for many small floaters that looked like gnats flying around me. My sight now is about what it was before all this happened, but I can't get new glasses yet because I have to have a cataract removed from that same eye.

The amazing thing is that I had no fear before the surgery and no pain after the surgery. I firmly believe that it was because so many people were praying for me during this time. And that is one of the biggest blessings of having many Christian friends and being part of a church body that really cares and really prays. I am so grateful for my eyesight; I love to read and do crafts and to be out and about - I can't imagine not having good eyesight. Thank you Jesus!

I found the answer

2009-03-04T19:12:00.000-07:00

Yes - I found the solution to the problem of letting go of clothes that I really don't need anymore. Yesterday I was sorting clothes for the new season, but found it hard to narrow down my ample supply, so today I started again - hoping to make a few hard decisions. I turned on the TV to the The Learning Channel, and one of my favorite shows was on: "What Not to Wear"!!! What great timing! There's nothing like hearing Stacy London and Clinton Kelly make fun of someone's wardrobe -- I can only imagine what they would say about my closet! For a few minutes it was easier to discard some sweaters and pants. But alas, there is still too much!

Another beautiful day in the neighborhood

2009-03-04T08:44:00.000-07:00

My favorite weather forecaster predicts it will be about 75 degrees today - amazing for March 4. I'll open all the windows and let that wonderful fresh air in - and with it the sounds of all the birds who have decided it's spring. Unfortunately, the forecast for next week doesn't sound as good, but let's enjoy this weather while we can.

I had an email last night from a dear friend - someone I got to know 52 years ago. We don't see each other very often as she lives in Canada and I live in Colorado, but our friendship is as close as it ever was and it is a wonderful blessing. She was 33 when we met, and I was 23, and now we are both "elderly", but it doesn't feel like that, although we both have major health issues. In my mind we are still the young women who spent many hours visiting around the kitchen table.

Indeed - I am blessed with many friends. There were many years when I was very lonely as I moved around to various cities and had to start all over with getting to know people, but I have lived in my present location for almost 10 years and have met some wonderful ladies who have become close friends. There is a small group of us who regularly have "ladies day out"; fortunately our husbands also enjoy each other's company so we often have Sunday lunches together. We used to go to the same church which is how we got to know each other, but three of us have since moved on to other churches, but we still are close friends. It is such a blessing to have close women friends who care for each other, pray for each other, and with whom you can be "real". On Monday, the four of us are going for pedicures and lunch afterwards. We enjoy going to this nail shop owned by some Vietnamese who do a great job on our feet. One of my friends has MS, another friend has arthritis in her hands, and I have arthritis all over and so we all have a hard time taking proper care of our feet. As the gals doing our toenails chatter to each other in their native language, we enjoy visiting with each other and just relaxing in the wonderful massage chairs while our feet are being massaged and pampered. I can hardly wait for Monday, especially since it will soon be sandal weather.

Cleaning and organizing

2009-03-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

We are having wonderful weather here in the Mile High area; today it was in the 70's -- and with that comes inspiration to get my spring and summer clothes ready and organized. I've lived in this region long enough to know that we'll probably have a few snowstorms before it's really spring - actually, we don't get spring - we go right into summer. Whoever wrote the song "When it's Springtime in the Rockies" must not have actually lived here.

Our house is very small and closet space is limited, so I store my out-of-season clothes in a storage shed on our property, so today I brought in all the warm weather items. This winter I've been reading a lot of magazine articles about organizing which sounded very good to me - theoretically - but applying all this knowledge is quite another thing! All the "experts" say to discard anything you haven't worn in a year, or at least two years. So I look through my clothes - there's this one dress I really like, uh, I bought it in 1989! I still like it, so I just took the shoulder pads out of it and I'll wear it another season. Then there is this blouse I bought about four years ago and have never worn. It looked so beautiful in the catalog, but I never quite liked it on me - but someday I might like it so I couldn't possibly part with it. And so it goes. Am I the only one who gets emotionally attached to clothes? They are like old friends, and even if I haven't worn them for a few years - it would hurt to discard them. And so my closets continue to be overstuffed. Maybe next year I'll be able to follow the advice of all the experts; this year I'll still keep my 5 pairs of white slacks (how many I actually need is not important), 10 pairs of cotton pants, 18 knit tops, etc., etc. Maybe next year?

Ten things that make me happy (in no particular order)

2009-03-03T07:29:00.000-07:00

1. Hearing my precious grandchildren giggling and laughing with joy.
2. Snuggled in my chair, reading a really good book.
3. Listening to the birds singing on a beautiful spring morning.
4. Spending time with my best friend - my daughter.
5. Watching a beautiful sunrise or sunset.
6. Hearing the group Ill Divo sing "Amazing Grace" - magnificent!
7. Working on my crafts (scrapbooking or cardmaking) and having them turn out great!
8. Enjoying a ladies day out with my best friends.
9. Reading my Bible and having a verse "jump out as me" - knowing that's the Holy Spirit emphasizing that verse for my need of the moment.
10. The beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

Ten things I wish I had learned when I was young...

2009-03-02T14:37:00.000-07:00

1. I don't have to be perfect. Only one person was perfect and they crucified Him.
2. It's OK to ask for help.
3. Just because I failed at something, doesn't mean I'm a failure.
4. A house doesn't have to be dust-free before I can welcome guests into my home.
5. I can express my opinions, even if they are opposite of everyone else's.
6. When I have a huge decision looming in front of me, I need to wait till I have a clear answer from God. An answer will come in time.
7. Most mistakes aren't permanent.
8. I am loved.
9. God has a plan for my life - a plan to prosper me and not to harm me.
10. When Jesus took my sins on the cross, he also took my shame and my gilt. I don't have to hang on to the same and guilt.

My New Blog

2009-02-28T18:17:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday, the last day of February, 2009, and this is my first attempt at blogging...
I love to read everyone else's blogs, but since my days often have very little excitement in them, my posts will probably be simple thoughts about trusting simply and living simply as I stumble along the path of my life. I chose this title from the old hymn "Simply Trusting, Day by Day", because it pretty well represents how I live my life. As the hymn says, "trusting Jesus, that is all".

I know people who find it impossible to believe in Jesus because it all seems like a fairy tale; yet they have no trouble believing in Darwin's theories and ideas like "my higher power is an oak tree". Many years ago, I chose to believe in Jesus and to trust Him with my life. That doesn't mean my life has been easy or trouble-free - just the opposite. I've gone through some terribly rough times and there were times that I thought Jesus had abandoned me - like everyone else had. But whenever it seemed like there was no light at the end of the tunnel (or the light at the end of the tunnel was a train speeding towards me), I found that Jesus was waiting to help me and to love me and to meet my needs.