A Song of Praise

 

We are all doing better – Yay!  Doug's energy is returning.  Isaac was very vocal last night, singing with the radio and fussing when he dropped his toys, so I'm thinking he's feeling better too! ;)  I am also feeling a little bit better, and think I might just live through this.  When I do, I think I deserve a t-shirt:  "I Survived the Flu 2012!", don't you?!! 🙂

 

 

I have a song swirling around in my head this morning.  My sweet friend sang it at church last night, and as I watched the service via the internet, I was so touched by the truth of the song, as if it were the first time I was hearing it.  I thought it might be a blessing to you too. :) 

This is the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, the first group I ever heard sing the song.  Damaris Carbaugh is the soloist.

 

 

 

Dwelling on His faithfulness today,

Alesha

Resting the Body, Working the Mind

Oh my goodness.  We are such a sleepy bunch here at our house!

Isaac slept until after 10 a.m. yesterday, then – mercifully – slept all night too. Yay!

Doug came home from work and slept for several hours, as well.  Thankfully, Isaac was his angelic self and played quietly while Daddy slept.  Of course, the fact that we turned on his favorite radio station had a lot to do with his contentment! 🙂

I didn't actually sleep, but I was very happy to quietly watch videos on the computer all afternoon and evening too.  I was pretty convinced that, at some point in time, my head was going to explode due to the sinus pressure and barometric pressure combo, but it never did.  Secretly, I would have welcomed the relief! :o(

Doug and Ike are not going to try to go to therapy today.  We are all still dragging, and there is no need to push it.  Continuing to rest seems to be the best option.

I have been loading up on every supplement that I think will help me fight this cold: oregano, echinacea and vitamin C especially.  I am taking quadruple the usually dose of C and I really feel like it is helping.  It is not upsetting my stomach at all, so I just keep increasing the dose.  If my stomach can take it, I know it is certainly helping the rest of my system!

 

 

Newtonthemagnificent

Newton the Magnificent

 

On a sad note, we are pretty certain that Newton (our 8-year-old Labradoodle) has some sort of growth on his spine.  We have been giving him supplements and he is moving around much better than he was, but he has developed a knot right on his backbone.  Since his movement is good, and he doesn't seem to be in pain, we are not pursuing a diagnosis at this time.  We'd appreciate your prayers for wisdom and peace, as quite honestly, we are having a hard time with this.

My devotions this morning were about "mortifying the deeds of the body" and "mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth" (Romans 8:13 and Colossians 3:5).  Not a popular subject on any day, but especially when I am sick and don't feel well!

Honestly, though, I could come up with that excuse all the time, because due to fibro, I always have "something" that hurts!  I know it is a work of the Holy Spirit when I can set aside my physical pain to do whatever task is before me.  That is something that I can almost never do on my own.  It is just too hard. 

Even though I often ignore my physical body and do what needs to be done, there are always other areas that still need work.  My mind is usually the most rebellious "member" that I have to work on!

  • Am I indulging in self-righteous thoughts? 
  • Am I harboring hatred toward anyone? 
  • Am I letting coveteousness to control my mind? 
  • Do I allow lustful thoughts to linger? 
  • Am I catering to self-pity?

So, even while I am taking it easy, due to illness, I can still work on strengthening my inner man through the obedience of my mind to the Word of God.

Today's word for me:  "Mortify".

(I've got a feeling it might be a l-o-o-o-n-g day!)

;o)

Alesha

 

Joining the Resistance

 

I know I've been lax on daily or even weekly updates on us, here on the blog, for quite a while.  I plan to do better about that – honest! :)  I'm going to try to allow myself to write shorter entries, and to be less critical of each entry.  It's true that we tend to be our own worst critics, yeah?

So, on with an update:

We had a pretty miserable weekend here.  We are all sick, and it's a good thing misery loves company, because neither Doug nor I felt up to church yesterday.  We all slept most of the day.  I even missed listening to the morning church service online because I was asleep.  I can't even remember the last time that happened.

We are all taking our supplements, especially the new vitamin C powder we added to our arsenal, and I am p-r-a-y-i-n-g that we will be feeling better soon.

Of course, yesterday was supposed to be Doug's first Sunday working in the children's ministry at church.  I cannot help but think this illness had some devilish assistance in finding our house! 

On the days when we feel particularly unimportant, it would be wise for us to remember how hard our enemy fights to keep us from doing our work for the Lord – whether that work is in your home, in your church ministry, or at your job.  The devil would like nothing better than to keep us ineffective in our own personal circles.

 

I Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour"

 

We must remember that even though we have a powerful adversary, we have an even mightier Advocate!!!

 

I John 4:4 "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

 

Have things been difficult at your house too?  Believe me, I understand!  Let's pray for one another, and encourage one another to continue strong in our faith, as we do the work the Lord has entrusted to us today.

If you have a particular prayer request, share it with me here in the comments or by email.  I will pray about it with you.  I would appreciate your prayers for us, too. 🙂

Blessings,

Alesha

Twenty-Four Years Ago

…on July 15, 1988,

 

Two crazy kids…

 

Thisman2

 

said "I do."

 

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And my life has never been the same!

 

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Oh, how I love this man!!!

Happy Anniversary to Doug – my amazing husband and very best friend.

Looking forward to the rest of our adventure together,

Alesha


Ask and Ye Shall Receive

 

It's been quite a rainy day today, here in central Florida.  In between the rain showers, I was admiring the blooming magnolia tree across the street.


tree

 

After lunch, my hubby came in with this:

Magnolia

Pretty impressive, huh?

Um, I mean my hubby's thoughtfulness, not the blossom.  (Although, that is quite impressive as well, isn't it?)

I am so thankful for that man!

;o)

HopeFULLy,

Alesha

 

When God Answers, He Answers BIG!

We went to the car dealership, signed papers and came home with this vehicle – free and clear.  I have no idea who all was involved or what deals were made…I'm absolutely sure it was all legal and Christ-honoring, though!!! 🙂

This is a 2012 Ford Transit Connect.  It is brand new, as you can see by the odometer.  Right now, it seats Isaac beautifully, as well as stores his chair completely upright in the back.  Our little ramp fit right across the back for storage, as well.

We are in the process of applying for a grant that will hopefully allow us to have it modified with a ramp/lift for when Isaac gets bigger.  That will cost between $16,000-$20,000, and we will be without the vehicle for a month as it is shipped to Indiana for the conversion.  It will be a while before that happens, obviously.

So, I leave you with pictures and verses of praise and amazement.

"Our God is so great, so strong and so mighty…there's nothing my God cannot do!!!"

~~~~~

Isaiah 48:6 "Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them."

 

Newthing

 

Newthing2

 

Job 42:2-3 "I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not."

 

Newthing3

 

NewthingK

 

Newthing4

 

Psalm 84:11 "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

 

NewthingL

 

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(of course, we had to try out the Sync program and call Doug's mom in Ohio to tell her the good news!!!)

 

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And THIS…

NewthingJ

…this makes it worth the wait.

I am so full of gratitude and we are overflowing with thanksgiving!

Our God is worthy to be praised.

Please join us tonight by leaving a comment in honor of His mighty work on our behalf!

AND tomorrow is Isaac's 12th birthday…could the timing have been any better?????

HopeFULLy,

Alesha