Things that bring me joy...

I've had a bad week so last night I decided I would try to focus on the positive and let the Lord deal with the junk for me. So here are some things that bring me joy:

1 - Roses in the spring. The scent of them in my house.
2 - My beloved coming home to me every night.
3 - My beloved waking up next to me.
4 - My kids telling me they love me.
5 - Charlotte when she comes out with some totally adult comment. It blows me away that she is five and knows what random means. And uncomfortable - that she uses them in perfect context. She is FIVE!
6 - My girls joy in learning new things. That is such a blessing. I see so many kids who are bored learning and my girls thrive on it.
7 - Knitting with new yarn.
8 - Knitting with old yarn.
9 - Who am I kidding? Just plain knitting makes me so happy. The colors, the texture, the smell of the wool and oh yes the finished project. God is so good in allowing me to still learn new things.
10 - A good book.
11 - When my Lord speaks so clearly to me.
12 - That my Lord bothers to speak to me at all brings me such joy. Amazement - daily.
13 - My girl friends - old and new.
14 - Seeing my girls become accomplished at life.
15 - Knowing my babbies are with the Lord and I'll get to meet them (and him) face to face one day.
16 - A cold glass of perfectly sweetened iced tea.
17 - A hot pepperoni roll.
18 - A good piece of chocolate.
19 - A diet coke - cold.
20 - Phone calls with my girlfriends. I praise the Lord daily for all of them. I would never make it without you all.
21 - A warm shower
22 - Air conditioning that works.
23 - Time to knit with a friend.
24 - Time with my Lord.
25 - A kiss from my beloved.

So that's my list for tonight. What's your list look like these days? I keep reminding myself that the Lord is in charge and he has plans for me. Plans only for my good. Plans to prosper me. And I'm open to and thankful for His care and plans.

In Christ's Loving Arms,
Peg

Praising the Lord in the Storm.

We just got back from my folks house a couple of hours ago. Most of you know we went for just a few days to help out with some things. Well, a few days turned into 6! Yes SIX!

Just as a bit of background: My beloved had taken our van in (like he does every time we travel) for an oil change and to get a funny sound we'd been having checked out before we drove 8 hours to my folks. That was a week ago today. And the mechanic said everything was great. It wasn't! (And we're looking for a new mechanic.)

When we got off at my folks exit (7 hours into our trip) we had the engine light come on and we had to take it to the shop. One rental car later and a really nice car shop (we highly recommend Cottman's Transmission) and 6 days later we have our car back.

So here are some of the praising things:

PRAISE THE LORD the transmission was still under warranty.
PRAISE THE LORD we were already headed for my folks and didn't have to get a hotel etc.
PRAISE THE LORD we had the extra three days because on Saturday we had huge thunderstorms and had to stop working on the deck we went there to build.
PRAISE THE LORD for family. We had help on Sunday that we wouldn't have had on Saturday (my brother-in-law and nephew and sisters) which enabled my beloved to get way more done on the deck than we could have ever done on our own. And for the family here that offer help without question! We are so very blessed.
PRAISE THE LORD for the extra days because I got to be with my father and mother and just be!
PRAISE THE LORD for good friends who kept our girls while we were gone. And for our girlfriend who stayed at our house and kept the girls until today. And she did SCHOOL with them so we didn't lose any days.
PRAISE THE LORD for my girls and my girlfriend who cleaned my house and did my laundry. My laundry room looks fabulous and the rest of the house looks great too.
And PRAISE THE LORD that I got to say goodbye to my daddy in a special way. I hope to see him again on this side of heaven but if I don't I know we're ok.

God is good. And I'm praising Him in this storm.