Go. Be. Do.

"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with a shout of joy." Job 8:21 Today, I had the wonderful pleasure of sharing lunch with some wonderful ladies I am privileged to call friends.  During a time in my life where I was feeling very "alone in a crowd", they welcomed me in with open hearts and arms and surrounded me with love, joy, prayers, and laughter.  Tons of laughter. I am all about being thankful for modern medicine when it is necessary, but laughter has once again lifted my spirit to new heights.  No medicine can bring such joy and relief as the stories, hugs, and tears from laughing so hard did for me today. Thank God for my friends...and thanks to my friends for being such a blessing to me! You are loved!

As we were riding home from Alex's baseball game, talking of the game, the memory of the defeat was lingering like a thick fog around us. A soft, gentle voice from the backseat was heard, "My spirit hurts."   My firstborn.   Lover of baseball.   Excited player of a "real" team. Defeated pitcher. Last man at the plate.  My reply, "Mine does, too, Sweetheart."  And, it does. For him, the team, our family...my football team (but that's a whole other story unfolding). He tries so hard at games.  Practices hard.  His heart is in it...and, so far, nothing has paid off. Before, I would encourage him that even the pro players get walked (and stranded on base) or strike out more times in a game than get a hit or a homerun.   Tonight, I offered hugs and a little extra "me and Mom time" after everyone else was asleep. Some hurts heal best with no words spoken.

our First Aid clinic mascot I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.   Jeremiah 32:40-41 Preparing for Alaska last year, there was something new on our agenda.  Tuesday evening had a new item.  A "clinic" would be held back in our community park after dinner.  I read the list of clinics going to be held...they all sounded fun and exciting. All except one...First Aid Guess which one was during our week. First Aid. I was paralyzed in wonderment at what we could come up with to tell about First Aid and be fun and exciting for the kids to enjoy. I Googled "First Aid for Kids" and was given many links to coloring sheets and "what to do if" lists. I borrowed a First Aid kit. I went with my team to the park...defeat...

"At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness,  and laying His hands on each one, He healed them."   Luke 4:40 This verse sums up how I feel when I am able to enjoy a beautiful sunset!   Revived.   Refreshed.  As if Jesus is laying His healing hand on my weary body and soul...and, I know, He is.

One afternoon after having enjoyed our morning on the beach while Spring Break-ing in FL, we decided to take the boys to a place where they could experience something new for them.  A place in Sandestin had a kid-friendly area where they could zip line across a pond and back. Alex geared up and was ready to roll (or glide)....Tim, yeah, not so much. But, he conquered his fears and took off. After the zip line, they conquered the ropes course. Watch out world...

Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way He has opened for us through the curtain (that is, His flesh), and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.   Hebrews 10:19-25 Easter was celebrated with friends over for an afternoon, family coming for a stay with us, and a Sunday filled with worship and celebration of our Risen Savior. Over the past few weeks I have seen many Facebook and blog posts about the "do's and...