It has been a long time since I blogged. I am not even sure what to say. It has been cold here in Florida and I am enjoying it. I like to be able to wear a long sleeved shirt or sweater and not be hot. Of course, our dog likes to wander and take her time in the cold.
We found out last week that we are able to keep the truck. That is a blessing. Of course the engine light came on this week so today we took it to the mechanic and we now have new brakes, spark plugs and a few other things. We knew it needed some work and are glad it is now safer to drive.
My parents have been visiting for the last two weeks. They leave tomorrow morning to drive back to PA. We celebrated Christmas, Bill’s birthday and Taylor’s birthday while they were here. Now it’s time to get serious about the Biggest Loser contest that I am in at the office.
So, nothing profound for tonight. Just a little randomness.
It is quiet. Everyone else is in bed because they need to get up early tomorrow to go help set up at C3. I am done for the day trying to put things away in the house. There is a baseball game on the tv but it is muted and I am catching up on e-mail and blogs.
It is nice to sit here and see things in “their place” even thought it is a new place. Well at least new to us.
We went to IKEA and Old Time Pottery today. There was so much to look at my brain was on overload. Another reason why I think it is nice to sit here in the quiet. No one wanting anything or asking questions or anything.
I am an aunt again. My sister had a little boy yesterday. Jacob Benjamin. He weighed 9 lbs 2 oz and he was her smallest so far. My mom sent a picture of him. He’s cute. Not sure when I will get to meet him in person and hold him.
Time for me to head to bed so I can get rested for tomorrow. C3 and then small group at our house. Maybe if I am not watching the game Tampa Bay will win. Of course, then I will have to choose who to root for in the World Series. Phillies because I am a PA girl or Tampa because I now live in Florida.
Worship was awesome today at C3. The music was great. Pastor talked about the fact that God does care about the details of our lives. Sometimes we might feel like He is unaware of what is happening to us and that He does not care and we wonder why He doesn’t do something about it. Especially when things keep happening to us that just don’t seem fair and are hard.
But Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has a plan for us. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” When man disobeyed God in the garden sin entered the world. Because of that sin, things aren’t perfect in this world and go wrong. We have to remember that we have an enemy who wants us to get our focus off God and focus on the problems. He wants us to think that God does not care about us. However, that is just not true. We have to remind ourselves that God does have a plan for us and that we are just passing through. Earth is not my home. My home is in heaven.
Another thing is that as we struggle through our difficulties others are watching us. What I am going through is not all about me. Yes, God wants to grow me and use me. But it’s not all for me. He wants me to be an example for others. So I guess the question is, when I struggle, do I kick, scream and whine or do I allow God to shape, grow and build character in me? Do I allow Him to use me so others can see Him. I am on a journey that impacts others. Am I having a good impact or a bad impact on them? In that I mean, am I leading them to God in how I handle things or are they being driven from God by how I handle things. I need to keep my focus on God instead of what is happening to me.
Thanks Pastor Byron for allowing God to use you to share a great message this morning.
Anyone one to go to Zumba class with me this Friday at 4:45 at the Avalon Y? I went on Wednesday and it was fun. Can’t do the foot work or move like they want us to but it certainly was a workout.
I want to ask you to pray for our brother-in-law, Rif. He is Bill’s sister’s husband. He is in the hospital. He has suffered from Crones for years. He had a fever of 103 and they have gotten that to come down.
He has 2 infections. A grand positive and a grand negative. The grand positive is a staff infection in the valve of his heart. If they cannot get it under control it will destroy the valve. A staff infection is like a tree and parts can break off and go other places.
The grand negative they are hoping to find out tomorrow. The doctor called it a volatile situation.
Rif, his wife Deb and son Ben live in South Carolina. They are not christians.
Many people have been on my mind lately. The first one is Josh. He just lost his wife to cancer a few weeks ago. I met Wendy and Josh while I was in PA this summer. What an amazing testimony they have. Even through her pain they were praising God and seeing His hand in everything. I am privileged for having met them even if it was only for a few hours one night. During that time she was in extreme pain but I was blessed for having known her.
Sandy (name changed for her safety) is a missionary. She was recently medically evacuated from her country because she was sick. She almost died but God spared her life. She will hopefully be in the US in the next few days. I had the privilege of sitting in her debrief last year and hearing her story from the country she serves in. She is a nurse and the things that she has seen are horrendous. But she has an impact on many lives. She is a go getter for God.
Then there is E. She recently lost her husband. They were missionaries as well. She is now in the states with her 2 year old daughter. Reading her blogs breaks my heart. But she is being open and honest with her grief. He was another go getter for God.
And of course all those make me remember Jim, my co-worker and his wife Beth who he left behind.
There are so many people who are making a difference for God and He is using them all in many different ways. Their lives have touched so many people.
It makes me wonder who my life has touched. Are there people who see my life and how I handle it who see Jesus or do they just see me. I pray that they can see Jesus light shining and that I would not be a stumbling block to them because of how I reacted, acted or what I said or did.
I am sitting outside right now on the patio in PA. There is a nice breeze – it is almost cold for this Floridian. There is no humidity. The birds are chirping. Earlier there was a humming bird at the feeder outside the kitchen window. It was cool watching him drink. The lightning bugs are just starting to come out. God’s creation in its beauty.
The trees here are so big compared to any around where we live in Florida. Some of those trees were so little while I was growing up. This is the house I grew up in. Actually it was built when I was born. So it is definitely home when we come.
It is so peaceful here. A nice change after the last couple months. The only thing missing is that Bill is still in Florida. We can’t sit and enjoy it together.
Tomorrow night Taylor and I are going with friends for a cookout and then to see the fireworks. Again, the only thing missing is Bill. I love you honey and miss you.
Well, what can I say. Life is unfair and it is hard sometimes to see what happens and be okay with it. Those who do wrong seem to win over and over again and those who are hurt keep getting hurt.
We cry where is justice and no one seems to hear. Or you can’t afford to make justice happen.
Just when you think things are going a little more smoothly, something else happens and those old feelings come up and you just don’t know where to go with them or how to deal with them. You would rather scream at someone and do something about it. But that isn’t necessarily the right response.
Knowing people are watching to see how you handle things makes it hard because sometimes you just are mad about it and want to say whatever comes to mind to others.
God give me the strength to go through these times still glorifying you even when I don’t feel like it. Help me hold on. And when I can’t hold on, hold on to me and let me feel that you are holding onto me.
Filed under: Uncategorized — by pattisherman @ 4:19 am
This is one of my favorite songs right now. It is by Natalie Grant. I am going to try to upload it but in case it doesn’t work you can google Natalie Grant Will not be Moved and listen to it.
I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my
prayers feel like
They’re bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won’t let me go
And is the reason why…
[ Chorus: ]
I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved
Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams
and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It’s grace I’m standing on
[ Chorus ]
And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I’ve worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved
Well, today was a tough one. One year ago today we opened our cafe. We are no longer running it. A lot has happened in the last several months. Hard things. Knowing today would have been the one year anniversary added to the difficulty of dealing with it. Watching your husband’s dream die is hard.
Also, 2 1/2 weeks ago a co-worker and close friend suddenly passed away. It hit me today that I really miss him. He is not away on a trip and he is not coming back. Pray for his wife. I talked with her a little today. She had a hard day today too.
Today between the two things it really hit me. Grief is not an easy emotion. In fact it is filled with many emotions.
