Month: June 2012

One of the greatest blessings of a sabbatical, a time set apart, is the time set apart for reading the Bible and hearing from God. He is always faithful in giving me new insights when I am faithful to take the time to listen! This is what He said today as I was reading Ps. 92:

We hear the slogan, “Go Green” which encourages care for our environment. Ps. 92 tells me how to stay fresh and green along with bearing fruit even in old age (got another birthday in 2 weeks!). “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree…planted in the house of the Lord.” Can you even imagine the type of loving attention and care a palm tree in the Master Gardner’s house would receive?! Isn’t it amazing that HE gives US HIS righteousness when we receive HIS gift of salvation? AND THEN HE rewards our lives as we walk in that righteousness! We stay fresh and green as we proclaim, “The Lord is upright; He is my Rock.” May we flourish, flower and bear fruit as we faithfully follow and hallow our Father!

Today is the “longest day of the year” since we will have more daylight minutes than any other day. Following today, the number of daylight minutes diminish until December’s next solstice. Then the daylight minutes will increase until June of next year, the subsequent solstice.

But the days will keep being 86,400 seconds long – they’re just a bit darker.

God exhorts us to make the most of each day especially as we seek to be “salt and light” in dealing with another kind of darkness in our world.

Hope MacDonald’s comments on Psalm 91 from my devotional Bible address this and give us encouragement. Her 6 year old grandson slept with his grandfather’s well-worn Bible under his pillow, declaring it was almost like sleeping with Jesus. Ms. MacDonald asked herself if she were also resting in the shadow of the Almighty. She challenged us to daily read Psalm 91 for 30 days because this triumphant song of faith reminds us that God is our dwelling place and refuge in the midst of the universal evil surrounding us and the dangers and heartaches we face in this lost and fallen world. However, Psalm 91 also reminds us we are not left alone, that God’s faithfulness is our constant shield, and that He is so close that we are covered by His shadow. She states, “We are given a fresh glimpse into all that is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord. We come away from this psalm with an overwhelming sense of awe and wonder at God’s continual provision for us.”

What will we do with our 86,400 seconds today??? Since I am on Sabbatical, I will again deliver Meals on Wheels, have a doctor’s appointment, do laundry for missionary friends moving their daughter to NY today, exercise, and hopefully encourage YOU! Also, I have begun my daily reading of Psalm 91 for 30 days in hopes that the light shed on life by the Light of the World will give me encouragement, courage and blessings to pass on in hopes of lighting the way for others.

Shine long and brightly!

Since I am thinking about not accomplishing all the grandiose plans I had in mind for these two weeks, I needed this reminder from a devotion I read this morning:

“Take each day one day at a time.
If things did not work out yesterday, it does not really matter.
If they don’t work out tomorrow, it does not matter either.
What does matter is today.

Too often we get caught up thinking about all the things we haven’t done or dreaming of all the things we ought to do, and we have no time to actually do the things we have set before us right now.

God’s people live in the present. They learn from the past and hope for the future, but they make the most of every single moment of every day.

Live for today and see the miracles and success!”

I heard last week about a book called MY HAIR AND GOD’S MERCIES – NEW EVERY MORNING. True dat!!! May we recognize and enjoy His fresh mercies each new day! May we enjoy the journey! I plan to rejoice and be glad today – good idea!

Yesterday was the end of my sabbatical week  and I have to say I had an amazing week. I spent my time volunteering  at Pregnancy Resources. My days were mainly filled with office work, I helped with stocking the rooms with folders and pamphlets if needed. I also made additional folders and charts for them and copies of whatever they were running low on.  I was given a tour of the building and was informed of different areas that they help out with and counsel. I was hoping to be able and sit in on a sonogram but it was a slow week due to the nurse being out.  I also learned that they have volunteers who are doing their internship and from many others who just enjoy volunteering or from stay at home moms.  I am very thankful  for all that Pregnancy Resources provides for our community and that all who are in need or have no one  to turn to can seek their guidance.

During the week I was also able to get appointments and tests run  that I have been neglecting.  I was able to visit friends and family that I usually dont have time to go visit. I was able to assist them in their yard work that they have a hard time doing due to their age which really meant alot to  both of  us.  This also gave me the time to visit my parents more often and spend quality time with them, my kids and a cousin who is here on her vacation. I was able to spend time and talk with my youngest niece and counsel her with some problems she is going through.  My yard, garage and storage bldg. also look so much better.

This week really meant alot to me it was truly a blessing.   I am very happy that Ray got me in contact with the ladies at Pregnancy Resources and that I was able to help them out.  I want to especially give my thanks to Kris and the Board and everyone else that has made this possible, especially my coworkers who have taken care of my duties while I have been gone.  Thank you All!!  

In a devotional reading in my Bible entitled “Wise Use of Rest,” the author, Glen Karssen, states that a person needs 3 attitudes to use a time of rest profitably: gratitude for previous blessings, a desire to correct past mistakes and prevent them in the future, and a willingness to occupy himself constructively.
1. Attitude of gratitude — I am blessed, blessed, blessed! And I am taking time to express this to the Lord and to FDLIC for this provision. THANK YOU!!!
2. Correction and prevention – I am taking time for people with lunch dates, going out of town to visit friends who moved a few years ago, and extra hubby time. Also correction and prevention is happening with check ups, eye exam, dentist, etc. (I have FIVE appointments!).
3. Constructive occupation – I am serving a number of times as a substitute route volunteer for Meals on Wheels, cleaning up with deep house cleaning work that has accumulated, cleaning out and giving away other accumulations and organizing what remains, hoping to learn and use our I-Pad and Pinterest and DIG-U, wanting to complete the Living Family Journal, planning to spend some time going through my current 492 messages in my email box and reading and filing or tossing them, scheduling exercise time and reading my Bible and book study material — these are a few of my favorite things that I want to wisely use this time off to do.
When I get rid of clutter, whether it is in my mind with negative thinking, or in my house with STUFF, or on my computer with unread/unfiled material, I gain a sense of accomplishment and freedom and a special kind of peace, and yes, rest and renewal. I am really looking forward to this profitable use of rest and I am very thankful for it!

I got to spend the last week working at Pregnancy Resources.  Their facility is wonderful and they have an amazing staff.  I got to do a lot of clerical work: putting together information packets, making new charts, filing charts, stocking exam rooms with information packets and pamphlets, moving boxes, and unpacking many boxes full of dozens of donated bibles and setting things up for the spiritual counseling room.  Although I didn’t really have any interaction with patients or visitors at the facility it was really touching thinking about and praying for the many people that would receive the information I was putting together.

I was also blessed with the opportunity to help a family member and his wife prepare to move into their new home.  They had several items that needed to be completed before they could close on the house so my husband, Jeremy, and I went over one night and did some painting for them.  They also happened to be expecting their first child which finally arrived 10 days after her due date this week.  It was a huge blessing to be able to pass along almost all of the baby items we are already storing from having out two little ones to them.  I am so glad it will all get some more use!

Jeremy and I also went and delivered Meals on Wheels together one day.  It was exciting introducing him to the process and he really enjoyed it I am hoping that we will get the opportunity to go again together soon!

My time off was a huge blessing spending time with family and getting to volunteer it truly was awesome and I want to thank Ray for helping coordinate my time at Pregnancy Resources and also thank Kris, the Board of Directors, my coworkers, and really just the whole FDLIC family for allowing such a wonderful opportunity.   🙂