Confidence in the Name of the Lord

"Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared." Pr 3:25-26

Well, my dad is in the hospital again.  But this time it's under much better circumstances when compared to his last stay in June/July.  ...Let's consider the blessings, shall we? :)

#1

Mom got to drive him there herself,

instead of having to call 9-1-1.

#2

He's fully responsive,

instead of being totally unresponsive.

#3

Well... I can't think of anything that fits here. 

It just seems like there's always a "number three!" ;-D

Last week (and the week before) Dad started to slowly go downhill again.  We noticed his balance and coordination were off and that he was having more trouble cognitively.  Each day his symptoms seemed to gradually worsen.  Mom ended up calling his MS doctor last Thursday and the doctor said he wanted to do an MRI.  On Monday they got that done, and then yesterday they called and said he needed to be admitted in the hospital!  (Even with all the surprises we've had thrown our way, we honestly weren't expecting to hear this one!) We found out he has a new, large 'enhancing' lesion on his corpus collosum.  He also has a smaller lesion on his medulla, which controls the swallowing.  Thankfully that lesion isn't considered to be enhancing.  They were able to get Dad started on IV steroids last night, which they'll administer every 24 hours through next Sunday.  They are also going to get him started on plasmapheresis treatments, hopefully sometime tomorrow.  That being said, he will probably be in the hospital for a minimum of 10 days. 

I can honestly say I'm feeling quite confident right now.  And while the doctors, nurses, and entire medical staff are awesome at this particular hospital, our confidence does not lie in any one man's ability alone--but solely in God's healing power and provision!  "For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh..." Philippians 2:3b 

Like always, God is in complete control of everything and we trust that He will work all things out according to his perfect will.  In the mean time, we will continue to pray, trust, hope, and believe. :)

The fruit of righteousness will be peace;

the effect of righteousness will be quietness

and confidence forever.

Isaiah 32:17

This is the confidence we have

in approaching God: that if we ask anything

according to his will, he hears us.

1 John 5:14

Time for Another Miscellany Monday!

{Click to join the fun!}

 

#1

Clouds.

Shelly took pictures of some beautiful clouds that were in the sky last night, but there's just no way these photos could do them justice!

 Isn't God's handiwork amazing?!

 

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the works of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge."

Psalm 19:1-2

#2

I Love Doodling.

Yes, it's true.

 I love doodling on sheets of paper. That being said, it's not unusual for someone to find something lying around the house with "Taylor" written all over it! 

#3

Dad's New Toy.

*wink* My dad now has his very own scooter! (Really a motorized wheelchair.) It belonged to my mom's aunt, but since she doesn't use it she gave it to our family. We need to buy a new battery before it will work, but it was so funny to see dad sitting in the seat moving the joystick around and making "vrooooom" noises! Haha! He can't wait to get that thing working. :D

#4

"Punch it Margaret!"

Ever since I was a little girl my parents have often used this phrase when driving.  Of course, my sisters and I never really understood what it meant. We just knew it was supposedly from a really old commercial.

Well...
Mom and Dad,
I found the commercial!

↓

...Tooo funny! :D

#5

En el principio creo deos los cielos y la tierra.

TRANSLATION:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  Genesis 1:1

I learned to say this yeeears ago. (And it's still pretty much the only sentence I can successfully speak in Spanish!)

#6

Skirts + Too Much Wind = Prepare for Lift Off!

Today has been TERRIBLY windy. 

On days like this I've learned through trial and error that you want to wear longer, heavier skirts when you go out.  ...Preferably something denim. ;)  Otherwise, you just might fly away!

#7

Random Bible Verse

Alrighty, time for a random Bible verse to finish...

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Ephesians 5:19-20

I pray you all have a very blessed week as you give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! ;-)

Random Questions Tag: 8 + 8 = 16

Since I was tagged twice with the same "8 Random Questions" tag, I decided to combine both of them together in one post... Therefore making a grand total of 16 questions! ;)  

The first set is from

Buttercup at Soaring on Wings Like Eagles 

and the second one is from

Polka Dot at Life's Too Short Not to Wear Red Shoes. 

Thank you for thinking of me girls! :) 

Here are the rules:

Answer the eight random questions. Then come up with your own eight questions and tag eight people to answer them!

***************

Tag #1
***************

1) Are you a "talk on the phone" person or an email/texting kind of person?

That's a good question.  You see, I don't care much for talking OR texting... but if I had to choose I guess I'd go with talking!  Although, texting would actually be more comfortable for me just because I inherited the dreaded "I hate talking on the phone disease" from my Daddy. ;)  Nonetheless, talking is more personable and I appreciate that more!

2) Post the lyrics to your favorite song.

Well, I have several favorites... but this is one of them:

HEALER

by Kari Jobe

You hold my every moment

You calm my raging seas

You walk with me through fire

And heal all my disease

I trust in You, I trust in You

CHORUS

I believe You're my healer

I believe You are all I need

I believe You're my portion

I believe You're more than enough for me

Jesus You're all I need

BRIDGE

Nothing is impossible for you

Nothing is impossible

Nothing is impossible for you

You hold my world in your hands

And here's a video with the song if you'd like to listen... :)

3) If you could re-live any day in your entire life, what would it be?

I don't think I would choose to do that because I can honestly say I'm content with everything that's happened in my life!  Each mistake has been a chance to learn and grow and (to be honest) if I got the chance to re-live something I just might make it worse!

4) If you were the ruler of a desert island what would you do to get people to come live there?

Well, I would only want people living there who were 100% sold out to and in love with Jesus Christ.  That being

said, I would do my best to promote the Truth and leave the results up to God!

5) What is your favorite book of the Bible?

I think I'm gonna have to go with the book of Hebrews.  I just love how it contains so much Old Testament history and applies it to the New Covenant.  It's amazing how everything points towards Christ. 

God is THE BEST author, for sure. ;)
.

6) Where is your favorite place to be in the entire world?

Yepper. :)
.

7) If you could do anything you wanted for one whole day, what would it be?

Serve God, help make a difference in someone's life ...and maybe even celebrate with a Sonic Java Chiller.  ;-) tee hee

8) What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?

I'm a thinker.  So I love the opportunity to sit in peace and quiet with nothing to do but think, read, pray or meditate on God's word!

.
.

***************

Tag #2

***************

1. What character from a fictional book/movie do you most identify with?

This is such a tough question for me to answer!  I know it's not a fictional story, but the first thing that always comes to mind is Mary Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie. 

↑And you gotta love Pa Ingalls too! =)

2. Do you have any new obsessions? (a movie you can't stop watching, a CD you keep listening to, etc.)

Hmmm.... nothing comes to mind! 

3. What is a clothing accessory that you couldn't live without?

This is gonna sound silly, but that would be my black undershirt.  I seriously have to wear it with 80% of all my blouses!  ...You should see me in my 'panic mode' when I can't find it. lol!  I only have the one, so when it's missing I have to search high and low until it's safe and sound again. ;)

4. What is your favorite color combination (for clothing)?

I know I am sooooooo boring, but I have to say I love black and white together.  Someday I'm gonna be really sick and tired of those two colors! lol  Someday...

5. Do you own red shoes? ;-)

Yes!  I have a pair of slip-on tennis shoes that are red with white laces. ;) 

6. Do you have a signature scent, or a scent you generally like to wear?

I don't typically wear perfumes, but when I do I use Juicy Couture.  Love that smell... :)

7. What is one thing that you want to do before you die?

Witness the impossible made possible through Jesus Christ.

8. Is there something you wish more than anything that you could do but know that isn't possible during your life on earth? ;-)

I'm sure there's something I could think of... but nothing comes to mind at the moment.  Besides, with God *all* things are possible, right? :)

*****************

Alrighty.  I'm going to cheat a little bit and skip out on tagging eight others.  How 'bout this:  If either of these tags look like fun to you... then they're all yours.  Go for it! ;)   

Have a blessed weekend, everyone!

Top 5 Reasons Why I Love This Time of Year

First off, I have to say that the ultimate reason I'm in love with Fall is because of the beautiful weather!  Without the cool, crisp air that actually makes a Texan appreciate the feeling of warm sunshine... this season just wouldn't be the same. :)

Now that we've got that covered... *wink*

#1

The colors... 

I love earth tones.  From the chocolate browns, to the dark greens, to the golden yellows and deep reds -- I love 'em all! 

#2

  The books...

For some reason, this weather puts me in the mood to sit and read a good book outside... and our back porch is the perfect place to do it! ;) 

#3

The jackets...

I'm cold-natured and love a good excuse to wear cute jackets, sweaters, blazers, etc. 

Denim, suade, courdoroy, fleece -- you name it, I'll probably be wearing it. :)

#4

The coke floats?

Okay, our family doesn't typically get the chance to indulge in drinking a good coke float (or in my particular case, a Dr. Pepper float. ;)  But when we were talking the other day and realized Eliza and Samantha had NEVER drank one before, we just *had* to splurge a little bit. :) 

Hey, that was the first time we had gotten sodas in at least 4 months! 

And let me tell you... it was reeaallly gooood.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Okay,

by now you're probably wondering about my "reason number five". 

SoOo, here it is...

-------------------------------------------------------------------

#5

This month (October 23, to be exact!) marks 10 years since the day I was baptized! 

(It's really weird to think that I'm old enough to say that now. lol!  10 years ago???  

I can remember the night like it was yesterday... :)

*Praise the Lord all the earth!*

 

What's in a Name? ;-)

For the purpose of remaining (somewhat) anonymous on my blog, I've always been careful to share little personal information about my family--including the real names of my three sisters.  In the past I've referred to each of them by number (Sis #1, Sis #2, Sis #3... you get the idea!)  Needless to say, I figured it was time I come up with something a little better than that.  So, while the new Blogger names I'm giving them are not their true identities, they will have to do. ;) 

***********************

Introducing

Without further ado

Shelly

currently 16 years old

{previously known as Sister #1}

Eliza

currently 13 years old

{previously known as Sister #2}

&

Samantha

currently 11 years old

{previously known as Sister #3}

********************************

Photo Credits

Yours truly - taken by Eliza

Shelly - taken by Mom

Eliza - taken by Yours Truly

Samantha - taken by Yours Truly

*********************************

There.

It's officially official. ;-)

Have a wonderful Friday, everyone!

♥

For Emily ...

I wanted to take the time to direct you all over to sweet Emily's blog, as she is undergoing current treatment and preparations for a stem cell transplant in hopes of curing her cancer.  She has such a sweet personality and her faith in the Lord is a true inspiration.   I'm sure she would love to hear from you and know that more people are praying!                 

                                *Also*

As I've been following Emily's story for awhile now, I recently heard about a fast that is being held in her honor called OPERATION: COMBAT.  The idea is to have people fasting and praying for Emily's healing during the duration of her treatment and one-month hospital stay in isolation.  It is scheduled to begin on October 15 and last ideally through November 15.  You can click the COMBAT button for more details. :)

To quote the Blogger heading up this challenge: 

"We're praying and fasting to the One True God, who sent His Son to die on a cross for us (Jesus, who was raised up to life after He died). We believe that Jesus can heal Emily and wipe all traces of cancer from her body. We are praying in faith that He will heal her."

If you feel led, please join us as we fast and pray for Emily! :)

"So we fasted and petitioned our God about this,

and he answered our prayer." 

{Ezra 10:23}

My First Miscellany Monday

I decided today I would join in on some "Miscellany Monday" fun... 

So, here goes!

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# 1.

"Therefore love joy and peace."

Confused?  Well, I was at first. 

Quite a few weeks ago, I came across this Bible verse in Romans and could not make sense of it!  For some reason the wires in my brain must have short-circuited because this sentence just wasn't clicking.  I thought, "Where is the verb here?  This is an incomplete sentence!" 

After re-reading it a couple several times and applying some second grade grammar, I finally found it. :)

      Okay, maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration... but it sure was fun! ;)       

        

# 2.

100+ lb. Mama's boy. 

...Enough said. :)

# 3.

Picture of an Orange Car. 

A friend of ours owns this really neat Porsche:

I took a picture of it awhile back, and figured now would be a good time to share! ;)

# 4.

Coke vs. Dr. Pepper

While my family doesn't drink sodas anymore, I still find myself missing the days when I 'd have a yummy Dr. Pepper (along with a king size package of Reeses)... Mmm.  The rest of my family typically preferred drinking a good ole' Coca-Cola. 

Do you drink sodas?  If so,

which do you prefer?

# 5.

I love roller coasters.

From the twisty-twirlies to the loop-the-loops,

the calm, relaxing to the giant thrillers... I love them all!

Okay, maybe there are a few exceptions. :)

(Personal footage below *wink*) 

# 6.

I dislike snakes with a passion.

But they're tolerable when they look like this. :)

# 7.

Random Bible verse...

I just prayed for a verse to share with you all and randomly opened my Bible to Isaiah chapter 12.  Since it's fairly short, I'll just type the entire passage!

In that day you will say: 

"I will praise you, O LORD.

Although you were angry with me,

your anger has turned away

and you have comforted me.

Surely God is my salvation;

I will trust and not be afraid.

The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song;

he has become my salvation."

In that day you will say:

"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;

make known among the nations what he has done,

and proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things;

let this be known to all the world.

Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,

for great is the Holy One of Israel among you." 

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Well, that's a wrap!

I pray you all have a very blessed week. :)

You Were Bought at a Price

The other day I remembered something my Dad preached about, years ago at our old church during the Lord's supper.  He spoke on the topic that our salvation wasn't free--we were bought at a price. I thought this would serve as a great reminder to us all. :) 

It's amazing to think that our salvation didn't come cheaply.  At any moment God could have chosen to "lower the price" instead of sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins...

(Marking us down to 50% off, or buy 1 get 2 free, etc........ ;) 

But He didn't!  Each and every individual Christian was bought at the same price.  And a very expensive price that was! 

That price was the blood of Jesus Christ.

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For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.  1 Peter 1:18-20

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How differently things would have turned out had the Lord decided that the blood of his Son was too high a price to pay...  Nothing would be the same.

 

You are not your own;

you were bought at a price.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Praise the Lord all the earth! :)

*Jumping for Joy* -- Aspire Photo Challenge

When I saw that this week's theme for  

Hannah's photo challenge was

*Joy*

I couldn't resist entering this picture!

To me, this photo describes Sister #1 perfectly.

Fun,

Energetic,

Outgoing . . .

And always

jumping

for

joy!

Be joyful always...

1 Thessalonians 5:16

and have a blessed weekend, everyone! :)

I'm 6,484 Days Old (Yes, You Read That Right!)

I was thinking the other day about what I should post next on my blog.  I always want to write thought-provoking, encouraging, spiritual things that will benefit those who are reading, yet have fun and make it interesting too. =)  SoOoOo...  as I began thinking and praying about it several verses came to mind that had to do with the concept of "numbering our days".  I felt like I should write a post around those verses with the thought that each and every day is precious and should not be wasted.  Then the Lord gave me the idea to actually calculate how many days have gone by since the day I was born. 

----------------------------
Thus this post begins...
----------------------------

Man's days are determined;

you have decreed the number of his months

and have set limits he cannot exceed.

Job 14:5

Isn't it comforting to know that our days were ordained for us before one of them came to be? (Psalm 139)  The thought that God has pre-determined each and every day we will live out on this earth is mind-blowing for sure!  Nothing can keep us from reaching the very last day He has determined for us.  Nothing will allow us to live a day beyond that date.  Basically, because we serve an infallible God, in a sense our days are infallible!  

Show me, O LORD, my life's end

and the number of my days;

let me know how fleeting is my life.

Psalm 39:4

After reading that verse I can't help but wonder: What kind of situation would prompt such a request?  It sounds to me like David was in need of divine inspiration.  Reading through the entire chapter it becomes obvious that he was a bit unsettled.  Crying out to God, he asked to be shown the number of his days.  Now, I think that if I knew the exact number of my days, I might be motivated to live life a bit differently--with a new perspective and carefully making the most of every opportunity with what I had left!  I have a feeling David needed that kind of inspiration.  Many times, not until someone is given some kind of terminal diagnosis do they realize how fleeting life really is.  It'll make you think twice about things you would have completely overlooked in the past.  Why is that? 

It's so easy to go through a day without taking the time to thank, praise, and worship God for who He is.  With the many distractions this world holds, it's unfortunately become quite easy to forget about Him entirely.  Sadly, we have to make an effort to keep our minds stayed upon Him because that's not something that comes naturally to us.  If we truly realized how significant and holy He is, I don't think we'd have time for anything else!  Think about it.  The only reason you woke up today is because He wanted it to happen.  The only reason you are breathing your next breath is because He's making it happen.  He is 100% responsible for sustaining us through every moment.  Without Him, let's face it, we wouldn't be here right now. 

How great is God—beyond our understanding!

The number of his years is past finding out.

Job 36:26

On the opposite end of the spectrum, God's days are without number.  He is the beginning and the end, eternally existent.  That's not a God we should be able to forget. 

Does a maiden forget her jewelry,

a bride her wedding ornaments?

Yet my people have forgotten me,

days without number. 

Jeremiah 2:32

We don't want to be a people remembered for forgetting God. 

So... let's make every day count!

 

Today I am



days old.

It's a brand new day the Lord has made.

I'm rejoicing right now...

and I'm glad in it! :)

Teach us to number our days aright,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

{Psalm 90:12}