Let the little children come unto me

A pastor in our church has a daughter who just lost her 20 week old in the womb baby. She has adopted one, had in vitro for another, had a miscarriage, and was very surprised to be pregnant this time. She is at least 39 years old. They went in for the anticipated ultrasound for the sex of the baby only to find out it was dead. I have been weepy since then. The graveside service was yesterday.

Each time there is a temptation to sin, remember the far-reaching effects. Look at the far-reaching effects of the sin of Adam and Eve! God never intended the world to be like this. It was NEVER his plan. If a person says something like "A God of love would never let something like this happen" or, "Why do bad things happen to good people", you can boldly say that we chose it! We would rather have our sin than obey. He weeps at the death of our sweet babies and holds us when we are sorry yet again for our own sin. His perfect plan was completely disrupted by us, not the other way around.

There is a movie I want to see, and I think you should see it too, if it is in your city. It's called "Bella" and it opens this weekend. It has been recommended for church groups and Christians to support. It is a wonderful pro-life movie. You can go to www.bellathemovie.com to see trailers and get information about the movie and the theatres where it is showing.

We are called God's children, what an appropriate name for our relationship. How fiercely he must love and try to protect us, as we love and protect our own children. We would die for our own children. He died for all of his children.

I know who you are, and I know what you've done!

My daughter has a best friend. He has an uncanny ability to calm, refresh, encourage, and share by just existing. He is only a few ounces in weight, and is furry. Cowie has been with her since she was one. In times of crisis he just listens, he sleeps beside her head for suport, and never gets mad at her.

It is a privilege to have friends. Most people don't have more than 1 friend they could truly count on, and having more than one is very rare. We have old friends, casual friends, new acquaintances, phone-calls-two-times-a-year-friends, and deep, lasting, nourishing, constantly growing and changing friends. The latter is something so rare, that usually most people would consider their spouse their one and only true friend. While spouses should be that person, if you are blessed enough to have another friend or two like that, you know what I mean. It's rare.

There aren't limits to the relationship, hurts and fears only deepen the friendship. The Lord had friendship in his disciplines, he loved them very much. They were always together. He had Lazarus and his sisters. The Bible talks about friends a lot.

The Lord has blessed me with so many wonderful friends. My family is at the top of the list, of course. Going to a Christian college also expands my list. Our goals are similar as are our lives.

So, here's to you my dear ones, who continually are there for me, enrich me, encourage me, lift me up, and challenge me. You know who you are, and I know what you've done!

How much is in your savings account?

When we hit hard times financially, we may have to dip into our reserves. If you lose a job for any length of time, you may almost deplete what you've saved.

What do soldiers do during peace time or when there is a lull in the shelling? They bolster themselves, get rest, repair things and fill up their storehouses with fresh weaponry and ammunition. The momentary rest does not mean it's over.

If our savings account is empty at the time of the next crisis, we are in even worse shape. My daughter has been memorizing Ephesians 6 in school. We have to fight against the tricks of the evil one consistently. When our faith is stretched and we feel broken, the time of rest following is for healing and refilling. I used to think that the verse about God not giving us more than we can bear meant God wouldn't let it get too bad. I've seen all around me it "getting really bad". The amazing thing that God does when times get rough cannot be explained in words. You have to have put enough in your savings account, and then God will display his power. Situations may not change, but you will survive and feel God's amazing, limitless storehouses of fresh weaponry and ammunition.

I had a friend who lost her baby of only 5 months old a few years ago. I am still reeling from it myself, I can hardly imagine what they feel like. Their savings account would have to have been stored up well to truly experience God, who holds us in his hands and cries with us.

Stuff happens to all kinds of people all of the time. It doesn't matter if you are godly or ungodly. But, you can save up and make a withdrawal. Plus, God does employee matching. He gives us extra deposits during times of suffering. Experience it for yourself.

McDonald's Monopoly, how I love thee

Our family loves McDonald's Monopoly. Not to mention that I love McDonalds. It's all American, you always know what you are going to get, and you can just limit yourself if you are worried about the health risks.

We are even playing our pieces online, for a double chance at the big winnings!! I must admit that my favorite pieces are the free food pieces.

I don't mind that it is a ploy to get me to buy more McDonalds, in the words of Irving Berlin "God Bless America, Land that I love . . ."

The hospital is only fun when you are there having a baby . . .

My oldest daughter was given Morphine and Zophran in the E.R.!!!!!! I had to wait until I was pregnant and throwing up to get Zophran (thanks for the tip Judy), and, thankfully, I've NEVER had Morphine.

She had abdominal pain off and on Saturday and we thought she better get checked out for appendicitis. It ended up being a kidney/uti infection, so they say. I've had great experiences with that area of the body, as well as my dad and my grandmother. And a certain family who shall remain nameless, where I strained my urine for a few days.

After being in the E.R. from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m., she was then admitted to the pediatric unit. She had a cat scan which was negative. However, the drinking of the dye was the horrible part. Oh, and the fact that there was nothing on t.v. except football. She is recovering at home and is feeling much better. I am always impressed how the Lord enables us to step up to the plate. I am an anxious person when medical things come up. In case you DIDN'T know that, I felt I should mention it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For some reason, that is my hot button. The Lord allowed me to be there for my daughter, mentally and physically. I learned it from my mother how to be there for your child. I was emotionally drained and it felt good. I was able to pour myself into my daughter for her well being. It may seem pretty ridiculous to some, but I felt a major victory when I allowed the Lord to fill me up and spill me out onto her.

I also gained a new respect for the family members who had to sleep on those horrible chair/beds when I was having my babies. It took me a day to work out the hip and leg kinks.

My life is much richer for having denied myself. Funny how that works.