Bring the Rain

The pouring down rain this afternoon reminded me of the discussion we were having last night, and that carried over to this morning for me about the passage in James "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. "We looked at this song from the group MercyMe in our small group last night. Part of our discussion centered on this song from the group Mercyme Bring the Rain. It's a stunning request-send the rain in order to glorify God! Life truly is not about me. I wish I had that down right. I wish I didn't dread the trials and the difficulties. I really don't trust God enough, and I have so much more to learn!

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You Jesus, bring the rain
I am yours regardless of the clouds that may loom above because you are much greater than my pain you who made a way for me suffering your destiny so tell me whats a little rain

Laundry Room

Ok, Here's what I'm talking about. If any place in our house needed a remodel, this is surely it! Don't you think we ought to do something? How can people live like this? This is what we're working with: We moved in with it looking like this, and it's going to take a bit to fix too. This is after we've cleaned some things out, too, so it's already looking a bit better. But like they say, "Rome wasn't built in a day...." Check back and I'll post the finished project in...oh who knows? A few days would be nice, but if I'm realistic, it will be weeks. Keep this in mind, though.

On the mend

My fingers, as you can see, are normal size now. You can't really see the lovely blue stitches that are intricately woven into the flaps of flesh. Ugh. It freaks me out. My hand doesn't feel too bad as long as I'm not clomping it with a book or accidently pounding on a desk, or pushing off of something. I definitely have feeling back. I'm down to just using a bandaid to cover the scar, but the stitches itch like crazy right now. I know I know, that means it's healing. Hmph. It also looks freaky hideous. So the bandaid is a good thing in that regard! At least when my fingers were fat I couldn't feel anything...including itchy stitches. I don't get those taken out until next week. I won't be in a hurry to have this done again any time soon. Even if my other hand should need it. Did you see the news report about 'scarless' surgery? They're doing gall bladders, ovaries, appendixes etc. through the belly button so no one can see any scars at all! Cool. Wonder how they'd do that on a hand? Anyway. Enjoy the pictures. Ha!

planning

Well, we're back to planning a bathroom remodel...and a new garage...and a new roof...and a washroom paint job...and a 'secret' garden! Ok so there's lots of we need to get done in the house, and we aren't sure where to start first. We headed to Lowe's and Menards to check out prices, cupboards, tubs, pick up paint chips, look at plants and just think about what needs to be done! Painting seems the easiest right now so I think we might move all the stuff out of the laundry room, paint the walls and put up a shelf or two for some more storage and change out the sink that should keep me for a little while. I have decided what to do in the little bathroom and we'll work toward getting that accomplished this winter. Ha! I think there is more to house upkeep than I really wanted to work at, but I'll give this a go. Paint in the basement will be burnt oranges with blue accents. How does that strike you?

Rainy Days and Tuesdays

It's the second time within the last week that I've gotten to walk in the rain! We had a question at our small group meeting about things that were "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" and I had to give a big "thumbs up" to walking in the rain! (walking as in: purposeful, 3 mile, speed walking) The first was very early last Monday morning and I was dressed in a rain coat and walked with a friend. It was wonderful. The next was this morning at 6 a.m. and I forgot the raincoat. (and the shampoo.) Needless to say I got soaked through, but it was worth the walk! It's a time I like to use to remind myself of how blest I am with abundance. I don't consider the rainy days quite like Longfellow, but you have to enjoy his poem anyway on a day like this!

The Rainy Day
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;

It rains, and the wind is never weary;

The vine still clings to the moldering wall,

But at every gust the dead leaves fall,

And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;

It rains, and the wind is never weary;

My thoughts still cling to the moldering Past,

But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast

And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;

Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;

Thy fate is the common fate of all,

Into each life some rain must fall,

Some days must be dark and dreary.

Getting ready for another Season

The weather has been decidedly fall like the past few days. So, I've been looking around me at all the signs. It's time to pay attention! Time to put the storm windows back on. Get the tulip bulbs in the ground. Enjoy the last fleeting songs of the summer birds. Watch the morning Star (actually Venus and Saturn together brilliantly) There was a dash of frost on rooftops this morning, though we haven't acutally turned on our furnace. That will be only too soon. (remember my moaning about this expensive addition to our house that I will be only too glad to have in days to come.) Indian Summer days are coming. If we get some good cold weather the trees might actually be prettier so I guess I don't mind that at all! Above are some shots of late summer: Dahlias and crabapples.

Those grandkids!

We spent the past two days (well really, Ron spent the past 2 days, I only had 1 day) with the two grandsons from SD. Are they ever busy! They love to eat, make noise, play in the park, jump, run, bang the remote, the phone and throw. I barely kept up. And then only because I got a short nap in on Wed. afternoon. I guess I shouldn't feel too bad since that was only the day after my surgery and I guess I have a good reason to feel exhausted. But let me tell you how great they are:

1. Isaiah says please and thank you


2. They take scheduled naps promptly and as advertised!


3. Isaiah is potty trained


4. Phin loves Buster (Isaiah will, too, eventually)


5. They weren't homesick at all!

I think it can only improve from here. Ron was pretty great with them, too, as he did all the inhaler, nebulizer, medicine, diaper, feeding, etc. What a guy!