Notes to Self ~ 6/30/07

I studied "Experiencing God" with a small women's group once and it got me the habit, at least for a while, of writing down the things God was speaking to my heart and then re-visiting them after a set amount of time. The messages He was sending were clearer than I thought they would be.

I think this blog will enable me to do the same. It is helpful to learn from our own patterns.

This morning I had coffee with Robert. I love hanging out with Robert - he's so comfy to be around. He's a sweetheart. He seems to brighten up and have a good time around me too. I pray the Lord continues to strengthen him and build him up, one day at a time, toward the goals he has called him to in this life. Robert has survived cancer and lost his mother and lost over 100 lbs in his short life. He has been through much. Now he counsels addicts over the phone. He's a wonderfully caring person, and I am blessed to know him. I am grateful the way the Lord has done so much clarifying work in him in the last year or so to get him where he's at today.

Next I went to Dottie and Linc's and spent some QT chatting with them. How adorable are they? The squirrels constantly eating out of their birdfeeder, the kitty hiding in the closet, their onslaught of medical issues..God bless them. I was thinking how blessed they are to have each other - it will be 60 years soon, by God's grace. Linc's first question to me is always, "How's Dad?" He loves my father very much and I am grateful for their friendship. I'm glad my dad has a few men in his life his father's age that he can have fellowship with. It is truly a blessing, once one's own parents pass away or if one never enjoyed a bond with a parent to have spiritual parents. God is good to provide these things. I have been provided a cloud of witnesses to serve as "relatives in Christ" over the years. What a gift to me!

Speaking of gifts, I gave myself the birthday present of a Tea Tree Pedicure at ONI salon this afternoon. Picture this...aromatherapy...massage chair...silly gossip magazines...fresh cold water...spa for my feet...tea tree massage by this very gentle young Asian guy...ahh...I almost fell asleep! *BIGSIGH* So now my toes are gorgeously shaped and vehemently red and I feel great. Happy Birthday to ME!

I came home, did some dishes and clean up then fed the kitties a treat on the back porch. Funny - Gummi's in here on the living room carpet now. (Fancy that, he prefers my company to a sunny porch! Ah, I am so blessed.) I did some praise singing to the Lord and He directed me to Psalm 93. (1993 - the year I graduated High School, btw.)

I was struck by verse 1b which reads, "The world is firmly established; it can not be moved." I oft wondered what would happen if the earth were suddenly swung out of orbit and drifted off into the cosmos - we would all instantly die - no atmosphere - or what if everything in the universe just suddenly dropped from its hold and spun out of control? Ah, those random, strange fearful thoughts of a child. (I was plagued by "What ifs" when I was a child!) Interestingly enough, the world is spinning - but it is in God's control - at all times. It can not be moved. Some might interpret this verse as "the ways of the world," but I prefer the geological meaning - the physical meaning - in this context. It makes the song true to me, "He's got the whole world in His hands." I am safe in my Heavenly Father's arms always. Perfect love like His casts out all fear - He ever reminds me.

Oh yeah, hehe - forgot to mention that I awoke this morning to my wedding song, "Pachelbel's Canon in D" on the radio. Ally and I had a laugh over it. While I don't believe in coincidence, I'm not sure I want to read too much into the significance of awakening to this beautiful song. It sure started me off on a happy note though.

Babysitting Zane and Oscar tonight and I can't wait. It was sure challenging last time, but I think Oscar's getting out of "fetus" mode and ready to be a baby boy with us shortly. Hope we can play the nose game again tonight. "This is my nose...*pat*...and this is your nose...*pat*!) I love that game.

Well, one day, I pray, I won't have to live vicariously through my friends. :) May it all be to God's glory.