Tuesday, July 25, 2006

The Lord encouraged me in a personal way on Sunday morning as I read a devotional called "A Gentle Spirit". The reading was taken from writings of Ruth Bell Graham and was titled EMPTY NEST. Does that sound like something I've been worrying over? Here is the notable quote which I am turning into a prayer: "From my vantage point I can look back on circumstances involving our children, situations I once felt were hopeless, only to see in disbelief and amazemant as God brought order out of chaos, light out of darkness." What a great God He is.

This morning my readings took me to Deuteronomy, Ezekiel, Micah, Psalms and finally to Romans 8. It was there that I was reminded again that if we hope for what we do not see, then we can eagerly wait for it with patience. And while we wait and pray, the Spirit Himself intercedes for us when we don't know how or what to pray. Thank God for His wonderful promises and His faithfulness that keeps those promises.

Yesterday (Monday) I went in to Newark with Steve, having not been in for several weeks. How good it was to see some of our school kids who are enrolled in our summer daycamp program. I was mobbed with love and reminded again to be faithful in prayer for them. Steve and I went over to the apartment on Eighth St. to see what we might need while we live there. It will be fine and will also help World Impact for us to find out firsthand what needs to be done before any other missionaries come to live there. The only major things were a hole in the ceiling that needs to be repaired and no cold water in the bathroom faucet. We have pretty well figured out what we absolutely need to bring there and the rest will be stored.

Hey I figured out what colors to use in the kitchen when I found an adorable knob to use on the cabinets. I'll paint the cabinets "BROWN BAG" and the walls will be "COZY LIGHT", both Glidden Paint colors. The knobs are antique-looking ceramic knobs the color of the wall paint with flecks of the counter paint color. It should be very warm and welcoming. I'll keep y'all posted on other decorating decisions. Nancy can let me know how I'm doing. (o:

Saturday, July 22, 2006

I'm packing again. Now that may not seem like news since we do move in a month. It is though because I've somehow been stuck in inertia. I couldn't understand why I was just doing ANYTHING else rather than pack, until today when the lightbulb came on, dim though it may be. I think if I just don't pack, I'm just not moving. And if I'm not moving, I am not sending my daughter out in to the world separate from me. I keep a pretty tight lid on my anxieties but now and then I let them up for air. So now I'm packing again.

It seems the house will NOT be ready for several more months, so now I am packing two types of boxes: boxes for storage till the house is done and boxes for the temporary apartment we will move in to. Wonder if I will just feel like pitching most of our stuff once we are reunited with it? Actually I promise not to toss it, I will sell it at one of our famous sales at World Impact instead. We pretty much see how little we can sell it for and still let people keep their dignity as they buy it.

I had a happy phone call a little while ago. My dear husband will be home this afternoon instead of tomorrow morning. I really miss him when he is gone. I can't believe I would be separated from him for a month or more at a time when he worked for Touch the World! Of course I worked full time so it seemed a little easier.

I do realize it is a wonderful thing to miss your husband of almost 31 years as much as I miss him. (o: !

Thursday, July 20, 2006

I read Psalm 119 this morning; all of it at once. In the past, I have the sections separately, one a day but decided this morning to read it all at one sitting. That gave me the desire to study it, section by section. I know there is so much more meaning than I get from a read-through. I have a favorite Bible study site on the web:
www.blueletterbible.org. They have all sorts of helps there including written and AUDIO of Ray Stedman. He was a wonderful pastor/teacher from California. I'll start this morning and see how I do.

Even if no one (besides my sister Helen)ever reads this blog, I find focus as I think about my days. It's a good thing for me.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

I've created another refreshing iced tea for all those who are watching their sugar intake. Brew a pot of tea using 4 decaf teabags and 1 mint teabag. When it has steeped for about 30 minutes, pour it into a heatproof pitcher (2 quart). Add 1 container of Crystal Light raspberry lemonade mix and fill the pitcher to the top by adding cold water. We really like this one and it is not too sweet. The hint of mint makes it special.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Have you heard of the dog days of August? In New Jersey we manage to also have the dog days of July. It should hit 99 to 100 degrees today and tomorrow and Steve is staying in Newark all week to host a visiting group. I can't imagine what the temps will reach in the city.

I've been reading through the Bible during this past year using an unusual method that is quite enjoyable. The ideas is to read 1 chapter each day in 5 sections of the Bible, beginning with Genesis, Job, Isaiah, Matthew, and Acts. I have reached the point where all my reading is in the Old Testament so I pick a chapter in the New Testament to re-read. I have to keep a good Old Testament commentary with my Bible so I can begin to understand some of what I read. For instance, I am halfway through Ezekiel and have to read explanations every day. Imagine my happy surprise when my pastor preached from Ezekiel 1-3 last week and Ezekiel 18 yesterday. I was so appreciative of his insights. If you want to hear some excellent sermons, go to www.cornerstonenj.org on line and click on sermons. We plan to listen on line after we move because his teaching is so good.

Keep cool everyone.

Monday, July 10, 2006

Well it's Monday afternoon and I have just returned from a Nuclear Stress Test Part I: Just routine, no worries.

Our week off was great. We wound up spending Saturday and Sunday nights with our niece and nephew in Manahawkin, NJ. That is officially "down the shore" for anyone who doesn't know NJ. They are two of the best hosts I have ever met! Especially since we called on Saturday to ask if we could come. I love you, Kathy and John. We had fresh crabs caught off their pier, a wonderful Sunday afternoon on their boat in the bay, and lots of good conversation and time together. Oh, and not to forget showering outside in the sea breezes and sunshine. Lovely!

Our other highlight was going to the half-price matinee of Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. Half price but the price still made me gasp! It was absolutely the most wonderful experience. The music is breathtaking and the voices were flawless. The scenery and the pyrotechnics were also quite amazing. What a memorable day. It was quite rainy and humid so we found a little bread and soup restaurant to eat before the matinee. If I never see another Broadway play, I will have seen the best.

To round off our week, we also went to Turtleback Zoo...it will be more fun with the grandkids. From there we went to visit Thomas Edison's estate which has just undergone several years of restoration. Quite interesting to see how the other half lived at the turn of the century.

We cut our week short one day to babysit our boys. We took them to a local farmstand
that has animals to feed. Caleb puts his hand behind him and says "No Thanks" when asked if he'd like to feed the animals. Isaac has no fear, just has a little trouble grasping the cracker. It was fun and relaxing and tiring all at once.