Independence Day

Hi,
I am sitting here wanting to share something wonderfully wise or deeply spiritual. But the truth is that would come from who I want you to see. Today I am in a strange place. Very much looking forward to spending time with friends this evening and the time with family this afternoon - probably playing games, etc. But always in the back of my mind I'm thinking about a family member who is trapped by the lies and blindness of the devil.

Today is Independence Day for which I am truly grateful. Not just for the freedom our country enjoys but more for the new levels of freedom Christ has been bringing me to. With each level of freedom and healing I experience I long for the same for those I love. I know Jesus can do more than I ask or imagine and I know it is His to do, not mine. So I am left with the power of prayer - which I willingly do, but is there more He may be asking of me?

I have shared that I'm been in a group called Christ Life Solution. In this small group I have delved deeply into my past. Some may say why would you want to do that? Leave the past in the past. What I know is that the past NEVER stays in the past. All the ways I have viewed myself and God spring out of the paradigms that were formed in the past. Believe me, I have a Psychology BA and a Masters in Social Work. I understand family dynamics and have analyzed myself from every direction. It is one thing to understand; it is another to be healed. Only Jesus heals! It is not easy - but oh, it is SO worth it!!

I don't know exactly what my future holds, but I know who holds the future and I will do my best to follow where He leads me.
I ask you to pray for the family member I mentioned earlier. Pray that God will give her enough courage and opened eyes to seek the help she needs. Pray for protection for her children. Pray that God will continue to reveal to me the role I need to play.

My hope for each of you on the Independence day is more and more freedom found only in Christ. You are loved and cherished by your Creator - always.

Gina

Summer, vacations, accidents

Thank you to all who shared their fasting experience. It was good to catch up and read how my fellow women of grace engaged the time of fasting. I engaged the fast, too, but not with food. Those 21 days were the beginning of a new journey for me. (I see that now!, but didn't before) I failed in many ways, but do not feel condemned. God always welcomed me back after my failures. In the past, I would have been too entrenched in my own guilt to see that. Praise the Lord for new eyes to see more of who He is!
All in all June has been a strange mix of good and bad. Our family took 5 days away and went to Missouri. We spent a lot of time on the lake, which is always fun. Then a week later, Jeremy and I celebrated our 15 year anniversary! We spent three days ALONE...no kids...no computers...no work. It was marvelous!
In between the two vacations, our youngest child (Gabe, 2) sustained an injury to his lower eyelid. He had to have surgery to suture the wound and repair the tear duct. Even through that scary experience God was so good! He provided exactly what & who we needed at just the right times that day.
We've enjoyed a lot of pool time, riding bikes, celebrating birthdays (mine and Jacob's), etc. etc.
This past Thursday, I was driving home from running errands and was hit by another car who failed to stop at an intersection. Sigh! Lord, what now! Again, God was good. The impact wasn't too hard due to slower speeds, and no one was hurt. The driver door on the van doesn't look too good though. Needless to say, I am praying for a July with fewer surprises!

....learning to truly mean it when I say "Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow."
Jodi Vos

My summer so far

I read your email Joy about sharing our summer so far, well here goes. Even though we have no children at home anymore, I do believe that we are busier than ever. I think I can account for this because of our precious children and grandchildren. So far in June we have had the pleasure of attending a nieces wedding in Michigan (my grandson and granddaughter were adorable ringbearer and flower girl)....the next weekend we celebrated Drew and Laurens first birthday, my how time flies. This past weekend we had the joy of witnessing the baptism of our other twins, Hailey and Brynn. In between all the fun family events, we have been busily preparing for the 2009 Cadet Counselors Convention that will be held in West Des Moines next week Thursday - Saturday. We have around 200 adults and kids coming for a wonderful weekend of fellowship, fun and spiritual renewel. Wayne and I are the host/hostess of the event and have been working on this project, along with wonderful couples from Hawkeye council for the past 20 months. I would ask that you pray for safe travel for all those coming from across the US, Canada and even one from Kenya, pray also for the messages that will be brought through speakers, workshops and song.
Now for a easy recipe:
Grape Salad
8 oz cream cheese
8 oz sour cream
1/2 cup white sugar
1tsp vanilla

Stir together well.

4#'s grapes (washed and dried)

Stir this into above mixture. Just before serving sprinkle top with 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2-3/4 cup chopped pecans mixture.

Wishing you all a great weekend and summer.

Marilyn

This has been an unusual week for me full of contrasts. I have felt success and failure, anxiety and contentment, fear and peace, grief and happiness, acceptance and rejection. I am a woman so I don't think this is too uncommon. But I woke up this morning overwhelmed with all the things I think I need to do. I do not like it when I am overwhelmed before I get out of bed. This is supposed to be a nice vacation day. Relaxed and enjoyable. So I stopped and I turned to where I should have turned on Tuesday-Jesus. Isaac went up town one day and went to his favorite local Christian bookstore and came back with a present for me. It was a little rock with "Jesus" on it. This means more to me than he knows. As you can tell I can swing like a giant pendulum in my emotions, moods, decisions and I know more than anyone I need that Rock. The One who doesn't shift or change. The One, who when I keep my eyes on Him, keeps me steady and from swinging this way and that. I don't do that very well on my own so I keep that little rock as a reminder.
So this day I am doing what He gives me time, energy and focus for. I spent some time in journaling and in the Word this am, did a few items on my "to do" list. I will enjoy the afternoon at the pool with my kids and then a pedicure (if He cares about the hairs on my head I know He cares about my toes too:)-sorry....) Maybe a nice dinner out with my man. I am looking forward to spending some long overdue time with old friends this weekend. Stuff can wait. It won't go anywhere. There is no better way to spend time than to spend it with people you care about.
Have a great 4th of July.
Blessings,
joy