A Real Work Week!

Today Gary actually had to go to work! :) We truly have been spoiled with the extra time together. Today begins our first "work week" at our new home. I"m thankful for so many things in this home. One of them being the dishwasher! Who knew one of the keys to happiness was not having to do dishes? I am really enjoying cooking again! A few months back I got to go to Amish country with Jackie and Connie and I bought a Mennonite Cookbook. I've made three new things from it already, as well as pies recommended to me from Pillsbury's website. All delicious! I did tell Gary, though, if we're going to eat like Mennonites, we'll need to work like them. This stuff is very high calorie!

I'm also enjoying having more windows. I'm seeing they will be a lot of work to wash this spring, and dusting this morning took longer than the old apartment, but what a joy to be able to look outside and see God's creation. And natural light!!! And NOT be looking right into someone else's house. :) I can't help but wonder how much people can see in through the curtains we have. A whole area of the house has no curtains because the nearest place would have to have binoculars to see in. I'm excited to see what Spring brings. We have many trees and to see them bloom and grow, then change in the fall will be awesome. I also know that there will be flowers. Those might not live past this spring, but I'll do my best! We have a blacktop driveway and large garage so we won't have to walk down the street to a parking lot to ride bikes... we also have a yard where we'll have plenty of room for running, swinging, playing ball and a garden.

I try not to be someone who takes things for granted, and I also feel weird mentioning the things i'm thankful for, as if I'm bragging. I assure you that is not my intention. I really just feel led to record things going on in our lives, and part of that is this move, the blessing of this house and I want it in writing how thankful I am to the Lord, and to Gary for his hard work, to make this home ours here on earth. I know so many dear to my heart and strangers alike, who struggle daily with even the basic necessities. I feel like as I pray and ask God to provide for those, I need to also thank him for providing for us. And He has. He always has. There have been times where we too struggled, and people came beside us and encouraged us, prayed for us, and gave us gifts of generosity. I know that they were tools used by God and I pray I too can be an encouragement, a faithful prayer warrior, and someone who shares.

Gary's parents returned safely from their trip out of the country. They had a wonderful, restful time even though it was a work trip. I"m excited to hear more about it and see pictures of the sun! A friend from High School's 4 month old daughter had surgery to remove what turned out to be a cyst on her brain. They thought it was a tumor. What relief they must have felt when the surgery was so successful. Having a 4-month-old myself, that one was easy to pray for. Many other friends and family members have great prayer needs right now. I make new year "goals" most of the time, thigns I want to improve so that i don't "fail" and give up. I also usually use Lent as an opportunity to reasses and recharge those goals. This year I heard something on the radio about not only giving up something for Lent, but "taking up" something for Lent. Taking up something for 40 days seemed like a great idea. I decided to make a commitment to walk on my treadmill and pray every single day. I've not done it to be honest, but the praying I"ve done. :) I'm excited about it because I hope it will create a habit that I definately want. What good is a treadmill you don't use?

Now that we're moved in, and hopefully getting into a routine, I'm also excited to get back to some things I've not TAKEN time to do for months, like memorize scripture. So I leave you with a few passages that have touched me this weekend/week. I hope they encourage you too.

Phillipians 4:4-20 ⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.¹⁰I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do everything through him who gives me strength.¹⁴Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. ¹⁵Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; ¹⁶for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. ¹⁷Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. ¹⁸I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

²⁰To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

And Isaiah 40- I love the whole chapter, but especially these more well known verses--28-31.

²⁸ Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

²⁹ He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

³¹ but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.