Endurance

Last Thursday evening Sarah and I went to the last session of our Ladies Bible Study, Tapestry.  What a special evening it was celebrating all that God taught us over the past twelve weeks.  I certainly enjoyed the study of James and feel like I know James as a brother now!  When I claimed:

"Consider it a great joy, my brothers,

whenever you experience various trials,

knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

But endurance must do its complete work,

so that you may be mature and complete,

lacking nothing."

James 1:2-4

last October, I had no idea that I would be studying this whole book come February and how this tiny book of five chapters would minister to me.  What an eye opening time of endurance it has been as Tom and I take each day as a gift from God and hold on to what we know endurance accomplishes:  maturity, completeness and lack for anything!  We thank the Lord for His promises that bring hope in the middle of the unknown of life.  Tom and I 'lack for nothing' because we have our full assurance in our God Who lacks NOTHING!

I was also blessed with a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Kathy Jo Cook!

Thank You, Kathy Jo for brightening my day!

Meatball Subs and Broccoli Soup

Thank you, Lisa Siders!

AND

Something new we hadn't tried...

Six differently, delicious brownies & biscotti!

Thank You, Lisa

Saturday's meal was delicious too...

Sweet & Sour Chicken, Cheesy Pasta, Sugar Snap Peas, Rolls

AND

An array of Baklava!

Thank you Jane Dickinson & Annette Condon for blessing us!

Let me pause here and mention...the meals are amazing!  I'm becoming quite lazy in the kitchen and I have to admit I'm not minding it a bit!  Anyway...on the meal website:  www.takethemameal.com both Saturday and Sunday are offered, however only ONE weekend meal is requested and we are finding that both days are being filled.  Dear friends and family...we love you and don't want to overuse or abuse your generosity to us.  We truly are amazed at the outpouring of love toward us...thank you.

A surprise visit from Dr. Buzz on Saturday night!

He always brings us much laughter...thanks Buzz!

Sundays Meal:  Beef Brisket, Mashed Potatoes, Cream Corn, Rolls

AND

Heath Bar Cake AND Gingersnap Cookies

Thank You, Ginny Englehart!

Last night Tom & I went on a "walk & roll" and I remembered my camera

so we could document the gifts from God...

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Genesis 1:1

"Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so."

Genesis 1:11

"The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good."

Genesis 1:12

 "Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other."

Deuteronomy 4:39

"Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it."

Deuteronomy 10:14

"I am the rose of Sharon,
The lily of the valleys."

Song of Solomon 2:1

"O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!"

Psalm 8:1

"The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it."

Psalm 24:1

"May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, Like showers that water the earth."
Psalm 72:6

Praying that you will be showered by His grace today.