Don’t you love when you get to chat w/ a friend? You just sit & talk about life. Nothing major, neither one is looking for solutions to anything, your just sharing. I love it, I got to do that last nite. We see each other a couple times through out the week, but to just really catch up, we only get that here & there. So it was nice. On my way home I even said, “thanks God!! That was refreshing!!” I felt like He smiled. Like He would’ve said to me, “I got you girl!! I know when you need a little boost!!” And He does. He knows when we need encouragement—He knows when we need to just be still—even when we need some discipline (ouch! never fun!) so He knows us & He takes care of us We are His children & He is our good good Father!!! We can trust in Him, in His plans for us. I was reading in Psalms the other day & chp 10-verse 17 says, “you put your ear to their lips.” Can’t you just picture God leaning down & getting so close to us, that we just whisper in His ear!!??!! I love that picture in my head. I love that He loves me that much, that no matter what it is I’m asking or saying He wants to know—wants to hear!! He does that for all of us. He loves each & everyone of us in that way!!! I hope that brings you encouragement-comfort-& peace. That whatever it is you may need right now, God is here, ready & able to give it to you!! Go to Him, speak to Him, & excitedly wait for Him to put His ear to your lips!! That will truly be the best part of our day...chatting w/ our Father!!! Jeremiah 1:5- Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart...” Don’t you love when you get to chat w/ a friend? You just sit & talk about life. Nothing major, neither one is looking for solutions to anything, your just sharing. I love it, I got to do that last nite. We see each other a couple times through out the week, but to just really catch up, we only get that here & there. So it was nice. On my way home I even said, “thanks God!! That was refreshing!!” I felt like He smiled. Like He would’ve said to me, “I got you girl!! I know when you need a little boost!!” And He does. He knows when we need encouragement—He knows when we need to just be still—even when we need some discipline (ouch! never fun!) so He knows us & He takes care of us We are His children & He is our good good Father!!! We can trust in Him, in His plans for us. I was reading in Psalms the other day & chp 10-verse 17 says, “you put your ear to their lips.” Can’t you just picture God leaning down & getting so close to us, that we just whisper in His ear!!??!! I love that picture in my head. I love that He loves me that much, that no matter what it is I’m asking or saying He wants to know—wants to hear!! He does that for all of us. He loves each & everyone of us in that way!!! I hope that brings you encouragement-comfort-& peace. That whatever it is you may need right now, God is here, ready & able to give it to you!! Go to Him, speak to Him, & excitedly wait for Him to put His ear to your lips!! That will truly be the best part of our day...chatting w/ our Father!!! Jeremiah 1:5- Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart...”

I never thought I was a routine kinda girl. I always thought of myself as a go w/ the flow type of person & maybe for the most part I am, but ever since we’ve come back from Christmas break I can not get things done, especially in the mornings, that I used too. It’s frustrating to me. At one point I thought maybe I should get up earlier, well I already get up at 5, 4:30, even 4:45, just doesn’t sound appealing in the least. So I’m struggling to figure out what I should do—need to do. Like what can I move around or change so that I’m not rushing & anxious in the mornings? I’ve prayed about this b/c it’s really important to me that I don’t give up on anything or go the opposite direction of what God is asking of me. So I guess I’m saying all this to tell you all that the devotions might start coming in the afternoon & to ask that maybe you could just say a prayer for me. Pray that I can get this thing figured out, & I won’t give up anything, just put stuff where it needs to be. I thank you all, I love you all, & I’m sorry for some of my weird craziness spilling over to you all Lol!! I hope your Tuesday is as terrific as you all are!!! Romans 8:28- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

1John 1:5- This is the message we have heard from him & declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all....I don’t know about you all, but I needed to hear this verse. I needed that reminder that no matter what it looks like around me..I am a child of light. That there is always joy that comes from being in His light. Darkness might be here for a little while, but it doesn’t stay, He doesn’t let it stay!! He calls us out of it, He walks w/ us & protects us. I just find that so encouraging & I pray that you do too. Whatever it may look like around you, always remember God is here!! He will protect & take care of you & if your feeling the weight of darkness....keep clinging to Him & know that His light will shine on you once again!!!

Test

Sometimes when I'm reading a book in the bible I like to put myself there w/ the people. I think it helps me sometimes to understand what's going on. It was no different as I was reading Esther!! I've read the book many times, I'm sure even talked to you about it...many times, but this time it was different. As I'm picturing myself there watching this all unfold, Mordacai finds out Hamans evil plot to have all Jews killed, which he & Esther are one of, he, of course is beside himself, he's torn his clothes, put on sackcloth & ashes, & is now wailing "loudly & bitterly" in the streets. So anyway Esther finds out what's going on, Mordacai says go talk to the King, she says she can't & he says these words: "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this!!" Powerful to me everytime I read it, but this time even more so. I told you about my story w/ Gods silence last week sometime, well when I first started hearing Him clearly it was as I was reading this book during VBS week!!! Now I'm not in a "royal position" but God is asking me to do something..to serve Him. I, of course ignored Him, but as I did He just kept saying, "and who knows that I haven't called YOU for such a time as this!!! Just b/c I was quiet doesn't mean I wasn't working on you. You had to experience what you did so you could be here right now!!" Oh my gosh, excitement is bubbling in me. We had a few more conversations & I did what Esther did, I called my girls!!! She told Mordacai she'd have hers fast w/ her, I asked mine to pray w/ me!! Esther answered the call that was given to her & I will do the same!!! I've talked to Him a couple times about how this would all work out & guess how He answered? Yep, through His word!!! I'm now reading in Romans & it's Pauls writing, but of course, I'm there listening too & he says: Romans 1:5- Through him we received grace... Through Him I have received grace!!! So on my own this will never work out, but through Gods grace & His strength it's going to be just fine!!! So keep listening for Him. If you think it's been quiet to long, maybe you've been in "the rabbit hole" (as one of my girls has said) to long & it's time to come out & hear, listen, & obey. Whatever God has planned for you, in His timing it's going to be good!!!!

My anniversary is tomorrow...28 years!! WOW!! How did that happen? I'm sitting here thinking of these 2 young kids (he was 20 & I was 19..young!!) and we thought we had it all together. We thought we knew everything, knew how it all went & was supposed to be!!! Boy were we wrong. These past 28 years have brought many joys (4 to be exact) some disappointments along the road, & numerous times of me telling Monte that I could no longer be friends with him, I'm pretty sure that happened earlier this week, if I really think about it. But God laid His foundation 28 years ago in this marriage & even though the storms have rocked it & at times put a crack in it, we have held tight to the One who brought us together & to each other. One of the things I've thought about for my kids is that they would know their dad & I loved each other. That the legacy we leave behind would be a legacy of love!! That they would see our faith & know there is no other way. A friend of mine asked me a few years ago, at our 25th I think, "how do you do it?? I've been married 10 & I feel like I'm sinking sometimes." I've felt that way many times, but the only way is through prayer. Lots & lots of it!!" Lol. So this text would just be a huge shout out to God for bringing us together, blessing us enormously, & sustaining us always!!! And thanks Mon for 28 years & here's to 28 more & more & more!!! Phil 1:3&4- I thank my God everytime I remember you. In all my prayers...I always pray w/ joy.

Well this was a bit of a hard morning for me. Lambeau & Ringo are getting "fixed". Which is a good thing, but the process leading up to it was traumatizing for all 3 of us lol. They were very excited to be going for a ride, although, I feel like if Lambeau could talk he would've said, "why are you taking us this early for a ride into town?" So we get to the humane society & they are still relatively excited, other dogs, cats, Ringo is thinking, "WOW!! This is awesome!!" Then they call for Lambeau. Luckily, a friend of Matts was there getting his cat fixed & so he held onto Ringo for me. Now they have this travel cage they want me to put him in. Have you ever tried to squeeze a polar bear into a hamster cage?? No! Well next time I'll call you...no fun--for him or me. I finally get him in & he turns around as the lady is putting a lock on his cage, & puts his paw up to me. Oh the guilt I'm feeling for making him go in there. I tell him I'm sorry & promise him he's going to be fine & I'll see him tomorrow. He gives a little whine & puts his head down. I take Ringo from Chase, Matts friend, & he's still pretty good. A new cat has come into the circle & he's prancing around. He just knows he's going to be able to chase him up the tree in the yard. They call his name. Here we go. She opens the travel cage door & he looks at me like, "yeah it's nice but that cat is waiting on me!" I said, "come on my precious boy-you have to get in there." You all know how I feel about that dog...I'm stupid when it comes to him!!! So he goes in, with quite a bit of coaxing & turns around & just looks at me. He's shocked that I'm doing this to him & he starts, not just whining but crying!!!! Guilt is washing over me & I feel terrible!! I know this is good for them both & it needs to be done, but I feel awful. I whisper to them both that I have prayed for them & they're going to be fine. I know the people waiting are looking at me like I'm nuts. I've declared my love for them both & told them maybe they'll even meet some new friends. The lady standing by her car, waiting her turn is looking at me w/ confusion & shaking her head. I tried to explain that I love them like my kids & if she was around them enough she would see that they even have human tendacys. She obviously didn't believe me & I think she even pulled her phone out to call for some "help" for me!! I left & went to McDs to drown my guilt & sorrow in a large cup of coffee & wait for work to start. So I know your probably thinking, "okay...& the point!" Well sometimes there doesn't seem to be a point & then God gives this verse to me...Isaiah 43:2-"when you pass through the waters I will be w/ you & when you walk through the rivers they will not overflow you...." And yes, Missi, even your dogs!!! "Thank you Father for knowing the things & people I love & always taking care of them!!" He gives me His peace, even when it's my sweet Lambeau & precious Ringo!!! Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!!