My Hope is in the Lord

This is a necessary thing to state at this point in time.  Let it be known that regardless of the awesomeness of Mayo Clinic (and it IS an awesome place…very intentional in their application of good medical practices), our hope is not in the doctors, or the procedures, or the great nursing care.  It is not in the stem cell transplant.  Our Hope is in the Lord. 

The Lord is the one who manages the ordained days of our lives.  Not a “successful” stem cell transplant.  Now, He may choose to use the stem cell transplant to give Daryl his ordained days. He may choose fewer days than we would want.  His goodness is not dependent on doing what we want. His goodness just IS. At the end of the day, it’s all the Lord. 

Just had to be said! 

Thankful for my heritage…

I’m thankful for my heritage.  Every part of where God leads you, every person He allows you to be related to, contributes to who God has made you.  I come from a very loving family.  They love the Lord.  No matter what anyone does or doesn’t do, they love you.  I was born in Indiana (NORTH of the Mason-Dixon line!) and grew up in the deep south of East Tennessee.  Our Dad left us, but our Mom took good care of us.  We escaped the baggage of a Dad who wouldn’t have been a good influence.  I married into a loving family.  God has taken it all, and used it to His glory in my life, and I appreciate all those wonderful influences of my heritage!

Thankful for Scripture

Tuesday’s Post:

I’m so thankful for Scripture. 

It convicts me when I sin.

It tells me what sin is!

It comforts my heart.

It led me to salvation.

It tells me how to treat others.

It tells me how NOT to treat others!

There is no situation in my life to which Scripture does not speak. 

It has given our family a rock to build on, the rock on which, when the storms come and the winds blow, it stands firm.

Thank you, God, for Scripture!  The living, breathing, Word of God!

Thankful for computers

I’m thankful for computers.  I’m thankful for the way they have allowed us to do our work more efficiently.  I’m thankful for the way they let us communicate with each other…email, facebook, skype…what marvelous inventions!  I’m thankful for Word and Excel programs, for printers, for photo editing, for all those programs that make our lives more fun.  Yes, for all the headache they can be at times, I’m thankful for computers!

Thankful for our Church and Sound Doctrine

I am so thankful for our church, and for all those churches out there who are unashamed to teach the sound doctrine of the Bible. My son Daniel teaches sound doctrine at his church in Illinois.  I am thankful for his adherence to the Word of God.  There is still a remnant of men who are willing to teach God’s Word.  We aren’t alone!

The elders at our church are careful to teach sound doctrine, to shepherd the flock with truth and not with opinion, or “I think” statements.  Doctrine determines how we live, and how we flesh out the gospel.  Doctrine determines our perspective of heaven, life, Jesus, salvation, etc. Good doctrine gives us hearts of mercy and compassion.  Good doctrine makes us think less of ourselves, and more of God.  It trains us that our lives are meant to glorify the God who made us.  Yes, I’m very thankful for our church, and its sound doctrine!

Thankful for Medicine

I’m so thankful for the medical care that we are privileged to have.    Daryl spent the last week ill with a high fever.  We have a great doctor, and he was given a prescription, and then a different prescription when that one didn’t work.  Our doc called us back, after hours, and listened to our needs on his own time.  God has blessed these medical personnel with great knowledge, and hearts that care. He’s starting to get better now, and I’m so thankful!

A Month of Thankfulness...

I think I'll see if I can post a thankful thing for every day in November.


November 1: I'm thankful for all the little babies who have been born healthy the last couple of weeks. Our church and family and friends have had several births...and they have all posted beautiful pics of adorable little ones. As "Uncle Gus" always says as he lays his hand on their heads, "This one for Jesus!"


November 2: I'm thankful for the Lord's grace in my life. He has saved me, given me life, granted me salvation.


November 3: I'm thankful for the peace and grace God gives in times of trouble...a dear young couple found out yesterday that their baby is not alive, on the day they were to discover the gender. They are trusting God for His sovereign good in their lives. They are hurting, and trusting.

November 4: I'm thankful for Daryl. He's such a wonderful husband, dad, and friend. He's courageous and keeps going even when he doesn't feel good. He's my real life hero. Every season of life together is a fun, interesting trip!