thankful...

Y'know, my family in general is pretty dysfunctional. Of course, most of us feel that way, I realize.

My family's dysfunction is mainly just bickering. And not always "actual" disagreement or backbiting. It's kinda the way we communicate. My husband was so put off by this the first few times he encountered it, and then it took a long time before he ever gave voice to it. It just really bothered him to hear my parents pick at each other the way they do. Even though they've never really 'fought' the way you think of most couples fighting.

So today's Thanksgiving. How many, MANY things we have to be thankful for! In spite of the health issues my sister and I both have, and Mom's more recent dwindling health, we are all pretty healthy. For having had seizures since she was three, my sister does very well. For having had diabetes for going on 40 years now, I am in quite good health when compared to a lot of other people in the same situation. My mother's dwindling health is most likely from her pushing herself so hard for so many years and the fact that she's getting older now.

My eldest, Corey, and his wife, married going on four years now, are doing so well. They love each other more than ever, if that's even possible. *smile* Our youngest, Casey, had a serious accident on our four-wheeler about 2 weeks ago and now, unbelievably, is almost healed! He could have been hurt SO much worse than he was or killed given that the vehicle rolled over on his face and head. But God's been with him and with us every. step. of the. way.

SO much to be thankful for.

And today, it seemed that even though during the time I was at Mom and Dad's this morning, making the dumplings, and they were at each other same as always... by dinner time, there was a different attitude between them and there was none of the usual bickering.

God's good, people. God is so extremely good.

Hope you've all had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well.

God bless you!
G~

God is bigger than bad news...

Found out today that Melissa's grandmother, Karen's cancer is back. She is in the Cancer Center at UK tonight. I haven't heard yet what options she might have as for treatment, but they know the cancer is aggressive.

Please keep Karen in your prayers. Remember her doctors, her husband Bill, her children and all of us who try to minister to them and help them through whatever lies ahead. I know God is bigger than this, He's the Creator of all life and therefore can heal all sickness. If He grants healing to Karen, praise His name! If He sees fit to give Karen the ultimate healing and take her home to glory where there is no more sickness or pain of any kind then praise His name. I pray that her family will lean on Him for all they need and will give Him the glory for all.

Blessings,
G~

Wow! Just.... WOW!!

So... it's been awhile, huh Blog? Well, I'm sorry. You know how it is.. life gets crazy, my mood gets down & I don't feel like writing anything. But maybe that's all over.


Sunday evening, two days ago, I got back from my Walk to Emmaus. It was an amazing, wonderful experience that every Christian should have. The instruction is so clear, the love almost palpable, the kinship so precious, the worship so alive... I have made some of the dearest friends who I can't wait to get to know even better because, even in such a short time, I love them so much! And the super thing is?? They love me too. :)

Yesterday was my first "4th Day" and I failed to get my Bible reading and prayers in. :( I was so disappointed in myself. This morning, I was determined to do it, and boy, does God ever bless our efforts in this!! I decided that I would make it as solemn and 'special' as I could, so I have the candle that my sweet hubby bought for me the other day.. for no reason at all. It is one of those glade candles that smell SO good... you should get one because it can help set the 'mood' if you will, for digging into The Word and talking to God. I also got myself a nice new notebook, a good pen, some highlighters, my Bible of course, and yeah, the reading glasses. :)

I used my worship booklet from The Walk and read the prayer in the front out loud. I also used the prayer for the Holy Spirit in the back because it really does help you call on Jesus for support and fulfillment in your studies. The amazing thing is that after praying, I just blindly opened my Bible and found Proverbs 12 waiting on me.

Seriously! Was that not THE PERFECT chapter for me today!! From verse one, it was smacking me right between the eyes... "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid." then in very 3 No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved." ..verse 4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones."

It just went on and on, with the themes I needed so desperately to "hear". Thank You, Lord Jesus!! :)

You know, last night Tommy called his cousin Liz. She'd called me during my Walk, and I hadn't called her back. When Tommy got on FB, she popped up a chat box, so he called her. He filled her in on all the details with Casey's four-wheeler accident, telling him how wonderfully he'd healed and how God was there every. step. of. the. way. And his eyes teared up and his voice cracked as he just bragged on Jesus in a way I'd never EVER seen him do before.

What a blessing!! And what an answer to a long-time (though on-again/off-again) prayer that he would become a more Godly husband and the true spiritual leader of our family. PRAISE GOD!!

So the Walk to Emmaus... what is it, you may be asking.. I can't tell you. *hee hee* Seriously. Not because I don't want to or am not supposed to, but it's something that you can't explain. Words don't describe how wonderful it is. You have to experience it for yourself and if you haven't been, you should and if you ever get the opportunity to go? Do NOT let anything keep you from it. It's truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience you should not miss. Check out the link, find out how to start your own journey to joy in the Lord!!

Blessings,
G~

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Not so much HERE, but I'm trying. I had some fall colored template on here that is one of the standard issue from Blogger, but thought, as I'm thinking for the house too, once I finally can see the floor again, that I'd just go ahead & decorate for Christmas since between Thanksgiving and then it gets to be so hectic and this year it'll be doubly so! After thinking we'd forego our trip to the cabin this year, we have reserved a four bedroom in Gatlingburg for the first week of December. We started going in 2009 after talking it over with the rest of the family, in lieu of making several gatherings and exchanging gifts. We spend about a week at a cabin with grandparents and all, so it ends up being three generations together. Hopefully, the next trip we make, we'll have a fourth generation with us, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. ;) Last year somehow wasn't nearly as fun. My sister, who comes down on Mom and Dad's dime and sleeps in the main living area on a sleeper sofa, was pretty whiny/complaining last year. She must have got the hint from everyone avoiding her or else Mom told her she'd need to keep the griping to herself or stay home this year. Anyhow, we each chip in a portion, depending on how long we stay (Tommy and I and the kids all stay the entire week, while my parents and Tommy's split the week) and whether or not we have our own bedroom, so it makes it much more affordable. We mostly just hang out in the cabin, watching movies, playing games, cooking/eating and soaking in the hot tub. Last year, it snowed a LOT and was just gorgeous! Anyhow, since everyone but us and my sister will be in the process of moving, it's going to be chaotic before long, so we thought we'd need to just skip going to the cabin, but Casey pointed out that would be a big reason to go! To destress and relax some. So... we're going! Yay. Now to save up enough money to afford our part of the cabin, our part of the food and enough to go out to eat at least once and hopefully shop a little. *sigh* I don't know how that's gonna work out, but Lord willing, we'll be able to scratch up some extra for that. Gotta get... time for evening services! God bless... G~