well so its july, moving slowly as i opened this blog back in march!! someone special told me they'd love it if i blogged again. wellllllll............

okay so life keeps marching forward, changing, challenging. i am so thankful to see God at work all around me. for natalie's brother & his new journey with Christ, for the new creation he has become because of Christ's work on the cross........for little precious judah and all that he has accomplished in the few short weeks of his life!! all because God is in control, watching, guiding, loving, holding. each and every one of us. for aaron & lydia and their new journey into married life. for all God brought them through to bring them together. for andrew, natalie, phil and amy and the years they have completed as spouses already. for their faithfulness to each other, their desire to honor God with their marriage. for those precious, priceless 6 little beings that are my grandkids. oh how they lit up my life with their antics, conversation, belly laughs, smiles, yes even their carnal moments make me giggle!! then theres my hubby of 35 yrs. who has been by my side, through the thick & thin of it all. i love him and thank God for him. it wasn't but a few wks. ago when my back was bad that he stayed up with me, and was just very tenderhearted toward me. now it's my turn as his back is bad & i don't know that i've been sooo sweet as the days have turned into a wk!

so life moves forward, with a new path ahead, at least a new place to hang my belongings in the near future. not all of this path is clear either. there are unknowns, fears, frustrations. i know i need to look at the God that has been by my side all these years whether i felt it always or not. and feelings by the way are sooo fickle! undependable! so i need to step out, just one step at a time, with the One who has not changed, even if i've been disappointed, He never changed. His promises remained intact. i have been tried, sifted, and this will continue through my life. He wants me to be more like Him, draw near to Him when pressures hit, to rest in Him. i'm His child, slow to learn, to even choose that next step He has placed before me. i'm super thankful for His patience, loving kindness, & mercy. for i am a sinner saved by grace. He is perfection yet wants relationship with us all. amazing grace!!!!

so you see i have much to be thankful for & do see God at work around me. its just that when i look closer to my situation it feels

one year ago

well it's been at least a year since i've blogged it seems. i'm enjoying amy's & natalie's & hear beth has one too?

i had a great day starting off with bible study this morning. there were a lot of praises & many trials lifted up in prayer. i feel like i have landed splat in the middle of a 'field of grace' with these ladies. they are mostly older than this young chick, wink, wink....collectively they have walked many years with their Lord. it makes me miss my mom & realize i have been the older lady for many years as i enjoyed young moms. in a time when our society doesn't value much when people age, i value their wisdom & experience with life & seeing God work on their behalf. they have been through the fire, tested, fallen at times, been discouraged, & disheartened, but still trusting the God of yesterday, today & forever. it a very good place to be just now, & i will take it all in & learn with these ladies more about my Savior.

then i met my shirt tail relative as we like to call each other.......rose! we had a brunch then started out on our trek to shop & secure items to ship to nebraska to be carried to italy soon. we had a great time, as we always do. what a blessing in my life!! anytime we get together is a good time!

then i got to get my hair cut after waiting a looong time. it needed some shape back into the layers. so it was a busy day dashing in & out of the rain. but no complaining here as its smelling like spring. finally!!!!! the winter does take its toll & make me so appreciate when browns finally turn into greens & birds can be heard again.

so that's about it for post #1 here. not sure if i'll keep at it..........we'll see............