There is no encouragement like remembering all the GOOD that God has done. In that vein, I’ve added several poems to the Poetry pages that I hope you will enjoy reading. I know they encouraged me, and reminded me, that all is not so bleak as it seems.

And of course, there is the Word as well…

Romans 5: 1-4

Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Well, the word is in about the most recent position I applied for – I am over qualified and they are not interested in me.
It is really weird, ever since I have started this site, I feel like my hope has been challenged more deeply than ever before.
It is as though, by saying, this is a site to give Hope to the Hope Challenged, all stops are pulled against me to destroy that hope.
I only know one thing. Either God is in control or He is not in control. There is no half way with God. At times like this, I wonder how Peter felt when the taxes came due and he told Jesus about it. Jesus told him to go fishing….
I wrote a poem about that some time ago.

Taxes and Fish

Lord, the taxes are due.
Go fishing Peter.

Fishing?
How can I go and enjoy
what I was trained to do?
How can I go and bask in wind and sun
cast my hook and wait for the catch…
Lord, the taxes are due
now.

Go fishing Peter.

I wonder how many times
the coin has been waiting
in the fish’s mouth
and I would not?

(April 5, 1994)

Perhaps for me, fishing is working on this blog and working on my professional site. I only know one thing… the same Lord who provided for Peter has and will provide for me and our family. I will not trust in agencies, the job situation, or advertisements…. my hope is in the Lord who made the heavens and the earth.
He knows.

Work up before everyone else this morning. Sun was out for a bit. After all that snow, it was refreshing. Spent some time reading a new book by Randy Alcorn, called “Heaven.” Recommended reading for everyone.

Makes me realize that everything we really long for, is for the true reality, life with the one who made us. Everything else cannot come close to satisfying.

This holiday has not been an easy one, for many reasons. Rich’s mom is in hospital. We are leaving shortly to visit her – o that a door would open to share the only real hope there is with her…

Well, we have a winter storm warning on through Christmas Day. Could someone please tell me who decided that a WHITE Christmas is the perfect one? I admit, it is beautiful, but its a lot of work. I helped with the shoveling this morning (visit my album on Facebook…), but Emily went out again late this afternoon, and then she and Andrea went out again this evening to shovel us out yet again… and knock down snow banks so that the mailman can deliver mail in our mailbox.

At least WE still have a mailbox. Our neighbors went under with the snow plow!

O yes, winter is wonderful…. from inside. As Rich says, the view makes wonderful postcards…

Tomorrow we are having Rich’s kids here for Christmas Eve dinner. Making Turkey, and piles of other things… it should be a nice evening.

So my friends, have a blessed Christmas and Hanukkah. I love when both holidays fall together. The LIGHT of the world is come to us.

Well, my interview was postponed to 3 pm today, so that we can all get on the road safely. Yesterday was blizzard conditions, but all the kids got home safe from Missouri despite the weather. Rich and I were thankful.

The person conducting my interview called me this morning to let me know she was plowed in her parking lot and no where to put the snow to get plowed out… but she called later on, succeeded to get her car out at last, and so the interview will be this afternoon.

So we shall see what happens…

More later