Gloomy and Grey

It's a little gloomy and grey this morning. Yet, the birds are diligently seeking their food. I hear their melody of chirps and tweets. I watch as they wander about the yard checking my tomato plants.

I'm thankful that my Great God provides for their every need. Their creator and sustainer also created and sustains me. And, best of all, He created me in His own image. I am loved. I am cherished. I am His child. I choose to believe what He says is true. I trust Him. I talk with Him. I love Him because He first loved me.

(Father God, thank You for being the great I AM. Thank You for showing me that there is so much even in what I consider a gloomy and grey day. I pray that You will continue to remind me of all that You are. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.)

Another Cancer Adventure

Well, Mom has been diagnosed with bladder cancer. We are going today to schedule the surgery required. Mom has been a tower of strength even though she's now only about 5' 4". She has been such a sweet example through all this.

I haven't been such an example. I've been whiny and stressed. My flesh thinks this isn't fair. Why does she have to do this again? Why? Why? Why the changes to her way of life? I have many questions and can't see the answer right now. I rely on the knowledge that God has the answers.

(Father God, thank you for your care. Thank you for the answers that I can't see. You know and that's all I need to know. Please heal according to Your grace and mercy. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Something Always Changes

It has been an incredible academic year. The 5th Grade Class' treasured year is over. Now, my role is changing again. I'm a little unsure of this new change, but I know that God will see me through. There is excitement and nervousness.

I will be working in my husband's business. I've got to learn everything about it in a short time. I know that God has prepared me for this time. I have a degree in Business Administration that I have never used. Now, it is time.

(Father God, please lead as I venture into this new area. I pray that you will strengthen my husband and give him clear direction. Show me where I can support him and how to be an encouragement to him. Thank you, Lord, for the jobs that are on our plate. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.)

Beginning a Treasured Year

Today begins a Treasured Year. Yes, I'm teaching a 5th grade class and our theme is "A Treasured Year". God has been faithful in providing for me. He's made it possible for this position. He's showing His control. It's an awesome thing.

I love 5th graders. They have a zest for life and learning that is contagious. It's incredible. We'll be learning about what real treasure is. We'll find out who has treasure and how to get more treasure. We'll be learning nautical terms, music, drama, visual arts, reading, math, science, and history. Oh, it will be exciting.

(Father God, thank you for the blessing and opportunity to teach. I stand amazed at your goodness, grace and mercy. You are an awesome God. I pray that you will watch over each child in class and grant me the ability to show them just a little bit of you. Thank you. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Marriage and Job - Update

As I was reviewing my blog the other day, I realized there were many entries concerning the stress of my job at the University. Well, I no longer have that job. When the job went, so did the stress. I have been continually amazed at what stress I was under without realizing it. The peace that fills my soul now is incredible. I believe that God provided that job for as long as I needed it to keep my family stable but He had something better in store for me.

Oh yeah, God placed a wonderful man in my life and we got married. I made reference to this exciting event in these entries:

• Fallen in Love (3/11/09)
• Mary Kept (2/18/09)

(Father God, thank you for giving me the strength to wait for what you had in store for me. I am so blessed to have my sweet husband by my side. Please bless him now. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Mom and Cancer - Update

One of the first things that I needed to update is how my mom is doing with her cancer. Praise God, she is doing wonderfully well. She has completed all her chemotherapy. She has completed all the radiation. She has had her first follow-up visits and the doctors are pleased with her progress. A scope has been done on her nasopharynx and it looks clean with only minimal scarring.

However, she is having difficulty eating. The radiation basically destroyed all her taste buds and nothing has much flavor so she doesn't enjoy eating.

She has returned home and is no longer living with me. We are thankful but still we miss her.

For background information visit these blog entries:

• Rejoicing (12/16/08)
• What comes next? Random Thoughts... (12/9/08)
• Cancer = Caretaker (12/2/08)

(Father God, thank you for working in Mom's cancer situation. Thank you for placing everything just where you did and just when you did in order to ease the stress. Thank you for giving the doctors the knowledge to attack the cancer cells. Thank you for healing that comes only from you. Now, Father, I ask that you touch mom's taste and heal there as well. Encourage her to taste You through Your Word daily. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Going Over Things - Reviewing Blog

I reveiwed my blog yesterday. I wanted to make sure I didn't duplicate any blog entries and I discovered that there are some things that need to be updated. So, over the next couple of days I'll get updates to you on various topics. But first, let's review the purpose of the blog...

If you wonder what this blog is about, visit these entries:

• Welcome to the Daily Swim
• Sharing the Story with Caution
• Slack and Stopping Slack

If you wonder why penguins, visit this entry:

• Why Penguins?

If you wonder what the archives are, visit this entry:

• Defining the Archives

If you wonder what the soapbox is, visit this entry:

• Soapbox - Chain Letters

That should get you up to speed on the purpose of the blog and it's features.

(Father God, thank you for the ability to share about you. I pray that You will use this blog for Your glory. Help me to keep You as the center of it. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)