Different vessels have different capacities!

I know I am a vessel...molded by the Master Potter.

There are some days when it is hard to tell if I am a cracked pot or just that weaker vessel? Can't decide which one best describes me...but I know one of the descriptions will work today.

I think I will opt for the weaker vessel label and just know that I will always handle things differently than a stronger vessel. And in my weaknesses...then I can see God's strength. Doesn't mean there won't be any leaks or spills. Sometimes vessels can be stretched to hold a little more...sometimes they can be filled to overflowing...and sometimes the vessel gets bumped and a spill occurs.

I think there is more hope in being the weaker vessel.

A cracked pot often gets tossed aside or thrown away...because it is no longer useful!

A Door to Walk Through

Our pastor is preaching from the book of Hosea. Sunday night, we were in chapter 2 where it talks about the valley of trouble (Achor) and the door of hope. What a wonderful picture! I read back over the passage and read through a commentary on this passage of Scripture. The Valley of Achor is where Achan was stoned for his sin in the camp. He troubled Israel, so God troubled him there. Israel struggled with their obedience to God for many years, and God in His great mercy continued to guide them...through their great trouble. Their trouble came when they looked to other gods and sought to do things their way. Time and time again, God had to bring them to a breaking point. God sent leaders to lead, to rebuke, and to intercede for the children of Israel. Hosea, the prophet, was called upon to do just that.


Sometimes the valleys of trouble are a result of sin.

Other times, the valleys are for our good! To humble us, to point others to Christ, to bring God glory, and to cause us to lean upon Him...knowing He is in complete control. "My Lord knows the way through the wilderness!" He knows each mountain, desert, and valley...He put them there! "All I have to do is follow."

The children of Israel had the hope of the Promised Land...a land flowing with milk and honey. They lost sight of that promise and turned to idolatry...yet again. How often we lose sight of what God has for us...just as the children of Israel did!
"God will by His gospel give to all believers such gifts, graces, and comforts in this life, as shall be a taste of those more perfect good things of the kingdom of Heaven, and shall give them as assured hope of a full possession of them in due time. " Dr. Pocock quoted in Matthew Henry's Commentary of the Bible.

God's grace was demonstrated many years ago to me, when I opened my heart's door. He has continued to give grace and mercy ever since!

So many doors in our lives...some open and some close. I am thankful for the closed doors...they have brought peace and protection...and in some cases, great relief! Closed doors keep things or people inside (or outside) of a space. Doors give privacy and security.
And an open door...to me is an offering of hope!
A hope of who we will meet as we go beyond the door, a hope of what event takes place on the other side of the threshhold, a hope of where the door allows us to go...
Hosea did what God wanted him to do, in the way God wanted him to do it, and he trusted God for the outcome. He took Gomer for a wife to show the mercy and forgiveness of a righteous God toward His chosen people. "...the valley of Achor for a door of hope..."

I am comforted by that phrase...simple as it is!

"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father."

I watched a little bird out the window this morning and wondered if it was one of the little birds finding his way back home after the long winter. He flitted about as if he knew where he was. Soon he was joined by several other little birds. Spring is just around the corner! There are signs of warmer weather. It is still light out at 5:00 p.m. and after. I have started to hear the songs of the birds again off and on. I would love to have a couple bird feeders...to draw a variety of birds, but the squirrels are so greedy. Our neighbor feeds them daily...so they seem to expect any food set out is for them. The squirrels scampered by, not bothered by the fluttering wings, kept warm by their thick fur coats. They basically own the neighborhood...flower pots, garden beds, and all feeders.


I am thankful for the activity of the little sparrows this morning. A little distraction in the midst of busy-ness. They kept busy...and they kept singing...fearing nothing.

"Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31

We don't always know why...

but we know how we should respond! God's Word teaches us. Yet...so often we respond to things that happen in our life in the wrong way...in the flesh...with no regard for what we know from God's Word. Is it that we forget, don't know, or don't care? Or is it that we don't take time to think...before we repsond? I had the 'privilege' of dealing with a situation yesterday afternoon...because Dad said it was a Mom situation. Great!
In the flesh, we both were ready to handle it in the wrong way. If I told you, you wouldn't believe it anyway! Most likely, you probably would have had the same thoughts about how to handle it. It took a minute or so for the offender to make her required appearance...which gave me time to collect my thoughts. I was able to handle it in the right spirit, discipline appropriately, restore, and move on.

When I was finished, Ted and I looked at each other and said, "Why?"

I wondered if that is what the Lord is constantly asking when we do wrong! "Why? What are they thinking?"

This incident was a 'little thing'...but isn't that what parenting is all about? Dealing with the little things each and every day, so when the big things come...our children will know and understand what is right and what is wrong?! When we shirk our responsibility and ignore these little things...pretty soon...we have a huge problem! And it ain't cute anymore!

I thought back to the story we shared with the kids the other night. Job's parents had to have done something right in the training of their son! His testimony before others was acknowledged by God for all of history. It was also despised by satan! Job chose to honor God...in his life...no matter the situation...no matter the influence!

We read the story of Job during family devotions. Ted had Ashlynn take notes in her new notebook, so we could go back and see what God allowed to happen in Job's life. I listened to the verses as Ted read. I listened to the explanations of a Daddy to his children. I saw the understanding light up their eyes. "Job was a real person!" It hit me, Job recognized God as his Creator, Sustainer, Comforter, Master, and Judge. His thought process centered around how God would be glorified in his life. He acknowledged the authority of God!

We don't always know why our children do certain things...but if we can consistently point them to God's authority in their life...they will know why they shouldn't do certain things! It's a choice we make as parents. The choice we make...can often explain alot of the whys? we see in the world!

"...a keeper at home..."

"The home is where a woman provides the expression of love for her husband and her children. The home is where she leads and guides and teaches and raises the godly generation. The home is where she is protected and secured from other men and potentially wicked relationships and abuses. The home is where she lodges strangers, washes saint's feet, shows hospitality, and devotes herself to every good work. That's her sphere. Whatever of that home, and whatever of the goodness of her life she can take outside, and not sacrifice the home, is between her and the Lord and her husband."


I have been spending time reading, researching, and studying as I prepare for an upcoming event. Today, I read through Proverbs 31, Titus 2, and I Samuel 1. A mother is the Bible's most honored woman...and a great emphasis is placed on the mother's influence in the lives of her children and her husband.

As I study and read, I know I have much to learn and to do...in my little sphere...our home!

Not what you would expect!

Lessons learned through times of trouble aren't always the same for everyone.


And the lessons that you learn in certain instances...aren't always the ones that you expected to learn! This week has continued to be a time of learning for our family...and it has been good for us.
God's ways are not our ways. His thoughts are above our thoughts. He has specific plans in every situation in our lives! We have learned many lessons...and still continue to learn.

For ten plus years, there have been many lessons learned in the business world. We know for sure that there is a greater good that God has in mind for all these lessons...and we are at peace. There have been many opportunities to experience many things, and we are grateful. We were not the ones who decided all these experiences, and for that we are grateful too. We know that God has meant everything for our good!

One would expect us to have learned about God's provision.
Oh, He has taken great care of us to be sure...He just does it in many different ways...not always how we hoped He would.

One would expect us to have learned to trust Him.
We have and He has been leading all the time...even when we don't see the way clearly.

One would expect us to have learned to be content.
We are grateful for every breath we take wherever we are...and know that He is our Sustainer.

One would expect us to have learned to give back to God.
Everything we have belongs to God, we are only stewards.

The lessons we have needed to learn...surrender, waiting patiently, love for each other and our children, duty, release of control, patience, consistency, priorities, respect for authority, obedience to God's Word, submission, willingness, faithfulness, prayer...

The lessons we have learned...are the ones that God has wanted us to learn.
He has shown us our weaknesses and He has brought us to this place.
Without Him...we are nothing!

There are certain things that God expects from His children...
trouble in our life doesn't give us a free pass to think, act, and talk however we feel!
We have been bought with a price...and we are to glorify Him!
Even in our troubles...let me rephrase that...especially in our troubles...
People are watching us...what are we telling them about our Heavenly Father?

If He truly is our Heavenly Father...it doesn't matter if we are out shopping, at work, at home with children, with friends, or just driving down the road...we have a responsibility to our Lord to think, act, and talk as the Bible commands. He is faithful. He never changes. He loves us. He expects us to obey His laws/statutes/commandments.

A wise man reminded me a few weeks ago of Daniel and his friends. God didn't deliver them out of their trouble...He allowed them to be thrown into that firey furnace! He was with them the entire time!
God expected them to handle those times of testing (trouble) in a certain way and according to certain commands. Their obedience brought blessing!
God never forsakes us!

We have learned a great deal over the last ten plus years...and if you happen to ask us about it...
the lessons we have learned won't be what you expect to hear!

Each Day Is A Gift

Such a pretty package was brought to me last night. The contents were not visible till I opened the box. Yum! You can't always know for sure what the box holds...you have to open it. In this case...the shrink wrap and the wonderful smell...let me know the inside content matched the outside label.


It made me think of the gift, of each day, that the Lord gives us. We don't always know what the day will hold...my, has our family learned that in the last month! God is a gracious giver. God knows what kind of gifts to give each day. More humbling...He already knows how we are going to react to each gift He sends... as the wrapping is pulled away! We can't hide our disappointment, fear, worry, or anger from Him...ever...He knows.

I remember one birthday of one of our children...not too long ago...when they opened a package that contained a gift of clothing. The reaction was shown on the face and I believe there was also a comment. I was mortified...because the givers were standing right there...and saw the whole thing. Grandparents know that children will react that way...love them anyway...and continue to meet needs that their little ones have...whether they like it or not. We, parents, do the same thing...but it is our job to train our children to be grateful and polite (You don't have to tell everyone all the time what your thoughts are about everything!). We tend to try to make up for the faux pas of our children....smooth it over...so it is not remembered for very long. Ha!

Yet...there we are...day after day not wanting or fussing about the things that come our way each and every day. Often, those closest to us don't want to 'embarass us' and point out our childish and ungrateful attitudes. They try to smooth it over and make up for the circumstances in other ways. THE WHOLE TIME WE FORGET THAT GOD HAS A PLAN AND A PURPOSE FOR EACH PART OF OUR DAY...WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT...HE KNOWS WHAT GIFTS ARE BEST FOR US!

He wants us to be thankful. He wants us to trust Him. He wants us to be a light in this dark world.

He has given us some gifts that have increased our faith and trust in Him. He has given strength and grace to face each unknown. He has given support through our church, family, and friends. He has provided for needs we didn't even know we had. He has given us the freedom to find the health care providers that we needed. We have been blessed with a wonderful team from the surgeon on down to the people who keep our room clean! He has sent little things to make the days fuller and brighter.

Not all gifts need to be big and fantastic to be a blessing...sometimes...it is the little things that make the biggest impact. For me...the gift of prayer...on our behalf by hundreds of people...has been the best gift He could give! We are grateful for all the gifts that He has sent our way...they are physical reminders of the out-pouring of hearts...to our wise and loving God

It has been a month...

since we came home from the hospital following Alisa's second surgery. It hit me this afternoon as I was washing dishes. As Alisa was telling Grammy how she was doing, I took her picture. She is a picture of God's grace...and it is a beautiful picture to us! She continues to do well...sleeping through the night, good strength, normal appetite, abundant silliness, and very active. We are thankful for the blessings and lessons that have enriched our life because of this little girl...and the grace that God offers to cover her life...and yours!
"How skillful the hands of the artist, who painted this picture of her,
He saw with the eyes of a Master how beautiful her life could be,
Where once was a portrait of gloom and despair, this masterpiece made in its place. It's signed with His blood and framed with His glory, this beautiful picture of grace."

Jesus died on the cross to cover the penalty of sin and its ugliness. Because of His love...His grace is offered to each one of us...so we might have life more abundantly!

**On May 19, Alisa asked Jesus Christ to be her personal Savior.  This beautiful picture of grace...Alisa... was signed and framed with His glory!   

It's been more than a week and a half...It's been five months since our first surgery!

**While Mari and the kids were here, Alisa did alot of calling out in the night.  I could feel my heart heave and my throat begin to close in fear again.  I don't know if I will ever lose that feeling...when odd behavior with Alisa happens...I am hit hard.  With increased activity, she gets sore...and there has been more of that lately.  When she tells me she hurts and needs an ibuprofen or would like an ice pack, the fingers of panic tighten around my throat.  I slept on the couch last night...I needed to hear what Mari heard...for myself.  Alisa wanted an ice pack again last night...after doing nothing all day.  Why?  That doesn't make sense.  Is she needing it...really?  Or is she needing the attention?  Alisa didn't make a sound last night...except for a stretching yawn as she rolled over.  She is her happy self this morning.  I am praying that she just got too tired and had too much fun with her cousins!  With a new job, changes came.  We need to have our insurance and referral questions answered before she has a problem.  We are waiting to hear back.  It maddens me that insurance companies decide what is best for patients, rather than the doctors.  God directed us before...He will do it again...I have to trust Him for what is best.  We may have to change where we go now...that is another issue that causes me consternation.  I want to stay with those who know her best and where I am most comfortable.  Downtown Chicago scares me!  As I read through this post, dated March 17,  I know God is good and He is in control of it all.  I can still request Madison, can't I?  We know our way around there.  They are so helpful and kind to Alisa.  Please pray that we can get this all settled before our November scans...and prayerfully...nothing sooner!**

We counted the days from when we came...by the time we leave tomorrow morning...a week and one day. But as I look at Alisa sleeping comfortably on her bed tonight, I realized...she was right!


If you start counting last Monday...when we learned the news through the scans that were done that afternoon...it is a week and a half. A week ago we walked through this same door...into a room that became our little home...not knowing how long we would call it our home! My how the waves crashed...the winds blew...the fog encircled...the clouds gathered...

The events of the last few days have caused us to all pause...and look up...to acknowledge the power and sovereignty of our Lord and Master. He spoke..."Peace" in the midst of that storm. He sent the reminder of His love when He sent the rainbow last Thursday. Today, He said, "Be still" and sent the sun to shine again.

Oh, dear friends and family, please don't walk away from this storm breathing a sigh of relief, "That was a close one..." like we would after the average tornadoes or hurricanes.

We pray that the storm He sent would encourage you to consider your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone was our comfort and strong tower...the Lighthouse...shining brightly across the stormy seas...and He can give you that same peace...to face any calm sea, wind, or crashing wave.

We desire nothing better...than to know that each person who knows of our storm...also knows that same blessed assurance that our Heavenly Father has given freely to each one of us. It is the gift...to be accepted. God provided that gift through Jesus Christ, His Son, who took the penalty of our sin when He went to the cross. His life gives us that hope and promise of eternal life...with Heaven to gain. We have that hope and blessed assurance. "We are the sheep of His pasture...and He knows us by name...and He gently leads us along." Oh what a Savior...Do you know Him today? We would love to tell you about Him!

Our lives have been forever changed by this storm! For He sent it...to make us strong. Today...we are realizing His provision and protection...thanking Him for His perfect plan and control in each of our lives...and praising Him for all your prayers, love, and support! I haven't forgotten about the list of 'floatation devices' I said I would share with you during this storm...I have a long list and it continues to grow. It will take me a few days...we are going home tomorrow! All systems are go...if you have ever had surgery...you will understand this! Alisa has her spark back...she is on the road to healing...and can't wait to get home to her fluffy white dog! We had tears again today about wanting to go home. The removal of the hickman was just as 'traumatic' for her as I thought it would be...even with a calming medicine...which I believed kicked in after the little procedure was done. I can't say for sure how much pain there was in ratio to how much fear was there. I will say...I am sure Laura had a huge headache when she finished...and Alisa's strength in her hand-gripping was quite firm! Aunt Kay showed up a short while after that ordeal and Alisa seemed to forget it...for now. I have a feeling...when she tells the story...it is not going to be the same version I shared!!!

We will put our focus on caring for our little lamb...He still wants us to do what He has called us to do...to train our children...and getting back on home turf may be a bit of an adjustment for her.

It has been the royal treatment...
with lots of special gifts and treats...
her "own room"...
and many special visitors! One of her SS teachers made the trip tonight to visit, and shared the story from Sunday's lesson with Alisa. They had a sweet talk together. I am thankful for all the special people that God has put in our lives.

I still have many pictures and little quips and quotes to post...but all in good time...they weren't the information that was most important to get out.

As I talked to my brother tonight, I realize that there are so many things that I have learned and will be meditating on for the next few weeks and months. Our cousin Emily told her Daddy tonight, "Hey Dad, they were 90 % wrong and 10% right about Alisa's tumor!"

I love her understanding of what God has done for us! And He never makes mistakes!

God is good.

I am so thankful for God's grace!

We are placed where God wants us...for His purpose...watching what God is doing in our lives.

I am still overwhelmed with His grace. I am finding wonderful rest in His all sufficient grace!
Another favorite from the Victorious Valley Home for Girls...Field of Grace...

Clouds are disappearing. The skies are turning blue. Only just awhile ago I told Him I was through. He did not rebuke me, but with arms of strong embrace picked me up and carried me into a field of grace.


Where all is quiet leaning on His breast. He pulled me from a stormy sea to a place where I could rest.


Told me I was loved, told me I was safe, and I could stay till healing came in this holy field of grace.

Had to pass through deserts, had to face strong winds, but I don't dread them all that much. I know He'll come again. Lead me to still waters, there He'll let me stay till my soul has been restored in His healing field of grace.


Where all is quiet leaning on His breast. He pulled me from a stormy sea to a place where I could rest.

Told me I was loved, told me I was safe, and I could stay till healing came in this holy field of grace.


Told me I was loved.


Told me I was safe.


And I could stay till healing came...in this holy field of grace.

Isaiah 40:31

"God does not say, 'Be spiritual' but 'Walk before Me'. The experience the Psalmist speaks of, "Therefore will we not fear, though..." will be ours when once we are based on Reality, not the consciousness of God's presence, but the reality of it...Why...He has been here all the time!"


After a good dose of the reality of how the prince of this world operates last night, I found myself swirling in defeating thoughts and fears. This morning, I went back and reread "My Utmost" from yesterday. I needed to refocus my mind on my daily walk...before my Heavenly Father.