It's Going to Be Alright

The Father is good, and it's worth blogging about. : ) Last weekend was so very nice. I finally was able to venture out with our family to the most wonderful old, old church in Midtown yesterday...I put my super-glued Sarah Palin glasses on, threw cotton balls in my purse for my ears in case of wind (yes it affects me being sickly lately) ; ) ... didn't even bother with contacts, threw my plaid skirt on with my trusty belted black turtleneck, put that make-up on.. and clipped up that hair-do ; ) and away we went. As we walk up the old wood stairway to the balcony, I hear the most beautiful sound of the choir singing, Holy, Holy, Holy....Lord God Almighty....Now that song is one of my favorites ever, there is something about that song that brings me to tears. And in this old church it really does something within my heart. It is one of the most beautiful hymns ever and I've thought so ever since I was a little girl. As we file into our seats the choir's voices sounded just like angel voices. It was breathtaking. It was as if you were afraid to move much, as if it would break a holy anointing of sorts... Now you must know by now I'm a student of people. I watch them, I listen to them, I watch their attitude and where their eyes go. I am such a student of people I can even watch and perceive a person in my peripheral vision of another student of people watching me. Yes indeedie. I suppose it goes back to me being an artist of sorts. There are some spiritual gifting too that go along with that, the world would correctly call it being an HSP. (highly sensitive person). The Bible calls one part of it discernment. : ) As I sat above int he balcony listening to a most wonderful sermon on witnessing to others about Jesus, it was very good by the way...I kept finding my eyes looking down upon a lovely, lovely elderly lady down below. Her hair was perfectly coiffed in a bit of a dark silver modified flip of sorts? She wore a pretty dark coral pink jacket and she had pretty cheek bones. I bet she was a knock out during World War II. A classic beauty. But not a cheap beauty, a sweet looking beauty. After the service we file down the stairs...promises of hubs taking us to that neat Greek restaurant and eating outside too. A treat for us. The girls and I go into the Ladies room and while I was in my private little world of listening to the sounds of lady's voices and taking in the oldness of even the bathroom tile...I hear the sweetest voice. She tells the lady next to her she hasn't been to the church but twice since New Year...I thought to myself, well I sure know how she feels but she's been feeling better than I obviously. She proceeds to say she watches on tv, and of course is faithful to her Sunday school lesson. This woman's voice was soooooo sweet...Noticeably so. I hear the lady next to her say... "I'm going to have to call you." The most sweet pretty elderly voice says: "Oh please call me, I would love it if you would call me, that would be so nice, and I could talk with you about your grandchildren." Oh my I thought, this sweet lady, she's been lonely, she's willing to talk to the other lady about the other lady's grandchildren. Oh my.... I guess I could relate to her in a very small way, I have been so sick since January. Thank God for my girls and of course Hubs when he's not working of course. Plus... the lady's voice reminded me a little of my mom's too, just a little older. I said a little prayer that I would be able to talk with this sweetheart later when I opened the door to see and identify the mystery lady...I figured I could find her later? I opened the door and it was the beautiful sweet looking lady with the pretty dark silver hair, she was taller than I and I smiled as she and the other lady talked. No, I didn't see her later, we were off to the car in the sunshine walking through the foyers by many older men in their nice suits...I'm fascinated by the older gentlemen, I just know most of them must be the cutie pie soldiers I see in the 40s WWII movies. Yes, these gentlemen are older and now in older age they recognize and appreciate goodness and family when they see it. It's nice to see them and make that eye contact, trade smiles. I see so many smiles from all of these people, a breath of fresh air. I suspect I'll see the pretty, sweet lady again one Sunday too. I'll be ready for her with a compliment and smile. : ) As we get into the car it feels so nice to be there in that downtown area...the oldness of it all, I could drink it up. The hospital where Hubs and I were born in walking distance, we were both delivered by the same doctor, good ol Dr. Salerno. Yes, most all the Italian women delivered with Dr. Salerno. I really do hope and pray I can see the pretty older lady one Sunday in the reasonable future. She has no idea but I may just know how she feels in small ways of course, although she would never guess. God does things like that. Yes He does. ..................................................................................................... Saturday. I must write this praise report too. Our baby, Grace is graduating homeschool this year. She is our fourth born and my thoughts on homeschool graduation have changed drastically. I had no idea when my older girls graduated that many homeschoolers even in Christian support groups do not homeschool for the Lord as Lord. Academics evolves into their god of sorts...even if they throw the name of the Lord in here and there. My oldest two girls were part of a huge beautiful graduation but underneath it all sadly were politics and vain philosophies of man. To make a long story short, my thirdborn Zuzu after much prayer and me as a mother begging God to show me another graduation Zuzu was able to graduate with a smaller sweeter more independent graduation where was God was glorified. A blessing. Now that we've moved further out, the graduation was once again a matter of prayer once again, this time for Grace. I've been praying we could go out of the box for her after attending a really sweet and very nice homeschool home-graduation that I thought was very nice last year. But it was up to Grace on this one. I was so wanting to be a part of a certain homeschool church's graduation ceremony but they seem to have changed their rule and now it is for church members only. That caused a good cry for me and Grace trust me...We were disappointed. Maybe they will still change their rules. Hubs and I dutifully took Grace to the graduation meeting an hour and a half away, me with cotton in my aching ears and cough drops in my swollen throat for this smaller graduation ceremony's committee meeting. It would be the same ceremony Zuzu participated in. It was cold outside and trust me, it was a labor of love as sick as I was to attend that meeting. It was a long, long way to the meeting but what is a mother to do? We three talked about it all on the way home...I could tell Grace was not decided at all and really in a quandry. I pray. We all pray. Sisters are praying too, in our family graduation is a big deal. Last Saturday it was so very wonderful! The sun was streaming in as Grace, Joycie and I were in the kitchen and to my delight as we talked of graduation, Grace suddenly said..."I'm going to do a doubly nice graduation party for my ceremony, here at home. I just decided. It just donned on me!" With the sun streaming in and the Holy Ghost so strong in my heart....I knew our prayers had been answered. This may sound silly to many if you haven't homeschooled or maybe have boys who don't care about all of that stuff. : ) But I think this is going to be a big season of creativity for our family. Just think of the memories we are going to create! We already had so much fun brain storming in the kitchen! Grace is my artsie one and I'm artsie enough to understand her perfectly and I think this is going to be GREAT. The great thing about homeschooling is our four girls have friends of all ages, Grace is friends with Janie's friends and vice versa etc. So this is going to be the party extraordinaire. The sky's the limit here in the country...Grace's photography can be on display and everything. Good food will abound. The outdoors, the trees are our canvas. True friends will be here to join in. The theme? It will be a fanciful one I assure you! Nothing else like it. : ) Oh wow, the ideas are flying! God is good! AND MAY GOD BE GLORIFIED. HE ALREADY IS. God is with us. : ) He answers prayers. I'm feeling better, thank the good Lord. I do not know what was going on, if it was the flu or strep and then a cold, relapse and then another virus or what or perhaps one big virus but it was horrible. The sickness had me so worn out, it was depressing, and the depressing part was making me even sicker. I've even wondered if it wasn't something akin to mono? Every now and then my throat feels a bit swollen and my ears crackle but the Lord is so good, no more advil, no more claritin. Only vitamin C and a few other supplements, some for detoxing, green tea with good healthy foods and no sugar of any kind. Next winter and Christmas? I will take better care of myself and not take things so to heart and stress out. I must learn. My hubs tells me the same. My husband was reading to us last night in devotions... He makes us lie down in green pastures. So this is my time capsule of words from March 5, 2012. This morning I was able to go out by the pond and sit in the sun for 15 minutes. Glory Hallelujah! Here are some photos from last winter (Jan.) before my relapses. Janie, Joycie and Zuzu at an Italian restaurant after Zuzu's birthday. It was such a blessing,  Zuzu's sweet family she works for gave her a gift card for her birthday to this family favorite of a restaurant. : ) A blessing! I love the way they decorate this restaurant, it's a family restaurant, but the atmosphere is wonderful! Bright lights, suburban city... Hubs going to the car....We girls were laughing and going on checking out some of the goofy clothes in the windows. *big smile*

Back for the drive to the country! Praise God for our home here. Love, ~Amelia

Mrs. Amelia's Most Very Real Daybook

This our oldest daughter 29 Janie, Gracia Burnham, and our daughter 22 Zuzu at a Voice of the Martyrs conference. Gracia Burnham has a sobering testimony, she and her husband were taken hostage by jihadists for over a year on their wedding anniversary in the Phillipines wandering and suffering through the jungle with their captors. Her husband was shot and killed after a year's captivity. I just cannot imagine. She has written two books, one on the tragedy and one on trials. The girls said this precious lady and saint of God had such a sweet spirit. Janie is reading one of her books, "In the Presence of My Enemies". She found it at the library, so that was very nice. Today Outside my Window? It looks nice outside but a bit grey...the green looks pretty against the grey. The sun blinks a few times... but quickly hides away.... I am thinking... I am sleepy and am going to take a nap. I must take care of myself. Repeat. I must take care of myself. I am thankful for... Life. All my blessings, my family, my girls friends who are so precious. A beautifully written letter mailed to one of my girls, just a very neat letter. Also a neat testimony of a kind young doc resident friend who plays his violin for the I.C.U. patients. These things tell me life is okay, there is hope for the world? A couple of my girl's friends who take the time to ask how I am. I think that is so sweet. I am wearing... Okay this is a joke. *chuckle* The top isn't a joke, it's a blue chambray boyfriend-look long blouse with a collar that looks just like those striped fruit gum sticks I chewed as a kid. But the bottoms..oh dear me... The bottoms are ridiculously baggy knit navy capris with cargo pockets... I'm thinking I have GOT to go shopping soon for some new britches. In the learning room.. A box from College Plus for Joycie It has a neat tshirt that says: "I am reinventing college" : ) Yes, Joycie is going for journalism since she loves to write. This is college at home and I've heard great things about it. She's 26 and unmarried and at this point....says to heck with it and is going to get some schooling in on what she loves until she marries one day. Real Estate and owning her own Modest Clothing boutique really threw her some bad curve balls. Let's just say there are some people I'd like to punch or tell a thing or two to. Enough said. : ) And for any analyzing folks ...My heart is: I just wish people would understand what it's like to be in business for your self. And we must remember jealousy and envy will always be a problem in this world. Even the Bible says... Envy. Who can stand against it? My hubby always reminds me of that.

I am remembering... From my childhood: Mrs. Neeley and my mother would throw stale bread in our yards for the little birds. I remember hearing some acquaintences make fun of Mrs. Neeley for doing that and I remember thinking... My mom does that too. I feed the birds now too with stale bread and I think it's great.: ) Why not? I can't imagine speaking against people for doing that! Snobs. (If Santorum can call people snobs I can too and I agree with Santorum too!) So just count that as a "That goes for you too" moment like George Bailey to Potter, from It's a Wonderful Life. : P Speaking of God's creatures, I need to bathe three of our doglets today. I am going... Nowhere. Maybe a little walk on the property to get some fresh air...probably to the pond to read. I must get well. I am currently reading.. First We Have Coffee by Margaret Jensen. This book is so very wonderful. If you go to my other blog, I have excerpts. Vision for a Godly Home blogspot. I bet you'll want to read it too! I am hoping... I get completely well soon, I hate being on meds, they've made me feel very odd. I want off the meds. I do herbal too and am sick of it all. On my mind... Oh dear... Let's see on my mind... A lot. A lot. I plead Claritin in my system. Noticing that... The cat is on the table in front of my computer. She's not supposed to be there but I'm too tired to do anything about it. She don't mean nothin'....(spoken like Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird) Pondering these words... Oh I don't know...So many. One thing is the devotional I was reading in Streams. ...How Moses went to meet with God alone. Also these words that have been sitting up on my kitchen window above my sink since Jan. 1. Life seemed to stand still since I became sick. The words on the flip calendar? "I said to a man who stood at the gate of the year, 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknwon.' And he replied, 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the hand of God. That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way." From the kitchen... Joycie and Grace went to the store happily to get goodies for veggie burgers with homemade buns (hopefully!) if they return in time and all kinds of neat stuff like nachos etc. We're going to have a movie party tonight. Rumor has it that we may be watching the old Alfred Hitchock's "Vertigo"... Wooooooooo (scary music plays)..... Around the house... Quiet. Very quiet. Just the hum of the dishwasher and little birds singing every now and then. Michelle is exhausted and taking in a quick nap. Her nanny job was canceled today. Even the doglets and kitlet are sleeping and I am next. One of my favorite things... My girls being here today. Yay! All of them!... and we are going to have a spa party when Joycie and Grace get home. Yep, two parties in one. Hey, life is too short not to do things like that. Not everyday do I get all four girls home in one day! Janie will be home from the office bout that time too. I might get Joycie to cut my hair...I don't know... Photos I would like to share... Ha. I've got some great shots of the cows around our home the other day...Oh how I love that! But. I'm too tired to load them and choose them. So...The cows will come soon. But in the meantime...The top photo of Janie and Zuzu with Gracia Burnham at the top will be my photo. I think Gracia and my two girls are much prettier anyhow than cows. : ) The End. Love, ~Amelia

Mrs. Amelia's Daybook

Photo by Robert Stock

Outside my window... It's an overcast day, very grey, warm. neat little breezes, the trees sway and leaves flutter down. I'm praying it won't rain on the driveway (if it does rain) because the propane man is supposed to come tomorrow and won't be able to deliver if the driveway is mushy, his truck is too heavy. We are getting very low on propane! (The sun looks as if it is coming out now)

I am thinking... It will be fun watching the debate tonight as a family, we can make a party out of anything over here. Yes indeedie. We're already talkin' about all the neat food to make. Delle just called about a healthy cookie recipe perhaps going to the store to get the ingredients.

Something funny... Last night we were watching a Duggar's episode and Anna Duggar was talking about cloth diapers for her babies. Delle and Lea were remarking how disposables are so much easier, a worthy luxury so to speak...I commented that the cloth were probably more comfortable for baby. Lea (29) pipes up: "I don't remember disposable diapers being uncomfortable." : P

I am thankful for... My family, God's faithfulness. So thankful my girls know how to cook and assemble meals etc. It was like music to my ears to hear Delle remind me to take the bakery fresh buns out of the freezer for supper. I think that's great.

Also thankful for a wonderful little health store with owners who will help us even with things we already have on hand.

I am wearing... A grass green turtleneck with a black v-neck quarter sleeve sweater layered over it with black nylon workout pants.

In the learning room... Beccs reading "Sinking of the Bismark"

I am remembering... I need to keep my washer and dryer running...and I need to bathe our four doglets if I'm able today....and take my meds and eat a quick lunch.


I am going... Nowhere at all. I need to do a few essentials today without overdoing it. Being ill has kept me from much.

I am currently reading.. So many books right now it's almost comical. My Bible and devotional as always. "First We Have Coffee", Paul Bragg book on Nerves, Patricia Bragg cookbook, "Try Giving Yourself Away" (excellent!)

I am hoping... I will get 100 percent well soon but am thankful to God I'm better.

On my mind... Our family presidential debate party! Yay! All my girls will be home!

Noticing that... I need to put another load of wash in... I'm spending too much time on here. Lea is still out from her walk, it's been a while...Hmmm.

Pondering these words... God you know, it's all of this and so much more...But God you know that this is what I'm aching for...God you know I just can't see beyond the door...So right now.... from the song below by Steven Curtis Chapman

From the kitchen... Supper will be veggie slopppy joes and sides with a healthy cookie desert from Delle.

Around the house... A dripping in the kitchen, Beccs turning pages of her books, sleeping doglet noises, Lea drinking her water after coming in from he walk.

One of my favorite things... This poignant Steven Curtis Chapman song I listened to this morning, if this doesn't touch you nothing will. It also gives me strong feelings and appreciation for my baby Beccs now 18 still feeling free to lay her head on my shoulder as I touch and comfort her face in my palm, or sometimes she takes my hands and place them around her shoulders from behind as she lays her face upon my arms....Thank you Jesus.




Photos I would like to share... These are photos of Mr. Lundy's cows on our property yesterday morning. There was a line of electric fencing between me and the cows. I walked up to this huge white cow along with the elsie cow and they startled and started to run away. I sweetly told them:

"Don't run away, I won't hurt you...It's okay..."

And it was so neat. When I had started quietly talking to them, he stopped and turned around and looked at me for a bit. It was as if he said...

You won't hurt me?

It was so neat as I talked to the two cows and they peacefully chomped away once they sensed I wouldn't hurt them and meant them no harm.









When I came from my morning visit with the cows, still in my robe, two of our four doglets greeted me:

Guiseppe


Muffie:


Have a nice evening, love, ~Amelia

Hodge Podge of Thoughts on Getting Well and Kicking Wastebaskets

A little of this and that, hope you enjoy my Barbara Stanwyck clip of "me" kicking the wastebasket later in this blog...as well as Meet John Doe. 1941. Any of you ever feel like kicking a wastebasket? Any of you fighting this bug going around?

Oh me oh my I'm trying to get well with the good Lord's help of course. The nurse I talked to wasn't kidding when she said 8 weeks recovery.

I came across this as I was reading last night, It's from the book:

"First We Have Coffee" by Margaret Jensen, it's a story of a Swedish immigrant family. A poignant Christian book...

This excerpt takes place after a whooping cough outbreak...

"Very shortly, the dark clouds of another impending storm broke and a flue epidemic engulfed the immigrants. Mama went from one house to the other, caring for the sick and dying. Her own house also needed her. She arose to tend a crying child and the ailing furnace. There was no use in calling Papa; he was critically ill. She would have to do the fixing herself. Walking toward the cellar stairs, she crumpled, her own strength suddenly drained from her. To us, Mama (in her early thirties, slender and beautiful) was ageless, the symbol of life itself, the Statue of Liberty built on the Rock of Ages. This night she wept alone."

"Oh God she cried. "one day in bed, is that so much to ask? Oh God, strength to tend this furnace, is that so much to ask?"

"Softly as a whisper in the night, a Presence drew near. "Why don't you ask Me to heal you? There is nothing too hard for Me."

"Oh yes, Jesus. Heal me, and I will use my strength to serve You."


I too have asked God to heal me, it's becoming a weary time for me and I have "crumpled" several times in the past week.




One day I was by myself, I felt so strange, the rest of the family was at Uncle Sam's funeral. The funeral sounded bizarre. The hurst had to back up as well as the car procession from the major freeway overpass in Midtown! My husband tells me he couldn't believe it. An entire funeral processional including the hurst backing down backwards from a huge and high overpass. Can you imagine?





I went to the health store with Mar and Becs in old town Saturday, it's the place where I took my mother to meet her nutritionist once upon a time. The owners, a sweet middle aged married couple are very well read and have a computerized machine that analyzes our health (specifically) on a given day. After I had crumpled on Friday, Mar. asked if she could either take me health store or the doctor's office. Afterwards Mar. bought me a wonderful lunch to go... Isn't that sweet?




I'm listening to Rush Limbaugh and am shocked at the question of Santorum being too conservative. I've heard it all lately. Our country is in such trouble.

Many people put pocketbooks and "fill in blank" before the Lord and the unborn babies. They seem to think compromise is the answer. The tower of Babel once again?

They look at people like me or my family and they think oh how nice, but we don't like how you got there.

.............................................................


I become aggravated sometimes...discouraged. My husband called today with a Mr. Potter and George Bailey situation, he being George Bailey. Breaks my heart, it seems it's always someone we thought so much of...

Picture me kicking a wastebasket
...like aggravated Barbara Stanwyck in the beginning of "Meet John Doe". (1941) Oh how could I relate to her when I saw that the other day! Or....Picture Jimmy Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life" yelling: "And that goes for you too!"


Barbara Stanwyck kicking that wastebasket : )



Here is the powerful end scene of "Meet John Doe" (1941)

Barbara Stanwyck will refer to Christ on the Cross 2000 years ago...


It looks as though you can see "Meet John Doe" (1941) in entirety on youtube. It is a wonderful movie.

It's another Frank Capra movie great. You have to love that Frank Capra, his story is amazing, the real American success. He was from Bisiquano, Sicily, Italy where my grandpa was from.

.............................................................................

Here is a shot this morning, our country neighbor had come trying to round up her cows that had mosied onto our property... She moved here from Midtown. She tells Mar that one day she realized herMidtown home owned her and thus she moved here to the country in a smaller cottage home. I really get tickled with her cows and ponies. One morning she was out in the road in her robe rounding up her cows. The little calves are so cute. : )



My husband's tractor this morning resting by the fresh tilled earth...


The beautiful roses hubby brought me for Valentines!





Our little toy poodle, Esther on Valentines Day.



Aren't these pink carnations so pretty? Lea brought them to me when she knew I was crumpling one day. Isn't that sweet?
Lea set this little table up outside with the retro tablecloth for a Valentines lunch outside. My mother was here so they all enjoyed the outside lunch.



Better run, this is a hodge podge I know. Thanks for sticking with me. Life is a hodge podge isn't it? : )

Supper? Lea and I just put on some canary beans for a nice cozy supper. Things have turned overcast.


Live, laugh, love and get well! Love to All, ~Amelia

This Evening and Before

Before. I figured I would take a walk last week or so...I was under the weather but I thought a walk would do me good and I made sure to cover my ears with a fleece hairband. Little did I know as I walked my doglets on the back of the property my eyeglasses left the scene, I suspect when I was taking pics. (I slip them on top of my head many times, I'm near sighted and don't need them for up close as in spying through my camera) You see my eyeglasses are may times my hairband too. Still haven't found my glasses, I'm wearing twice superglued ones now and I think that second walk to the back to try to find my glasses didn't really do me a bit of good in getting well. Being even slightly chilled and having a cold don't agree with me. In the pic? That's little Muf strutting in front ahead of me. He thinks he's ten feet tall he does.


Lea and Hubs brought this so-cute get well balloon home to me a couple of weeks ago! I think this is neat, it looks like one of my retro men bravely sitting on top of the Brooklyn bridge as they have lunch back then is holding my balloon for me. Only a highly sensitive person would notice such a thing? The balloon is much cuter in person, it has little doodle bugs on it and when the light hits the balloon it reflects it's "Get Well" upon the wall!




Michelle brought these to me day before yesterday and I thought they were so very pretty! They are fascinating I think, the white and the lavender together. So puffy and pretty!

Do you like the Valentine table cloth? Lea gave it to us for an early Valentines gift. I think the colors with the pink and turquoise are kind of retro!


Day before yesterday, I zoomed in the view from across the bedroom, from my side of the bed as I rested. My Bible and Hub's Bible setting there. I love watching the trees sway in the breeze and the different colors of light on the trees at various times of the day and evening through these windows.



This evening around five I thought I'd venture out to the pond at Hub's encouragement...This shot tells the tale. My little old phone, a box with the name of my drugstore medication on it, Delle was going to pick some more up for me and I was ready-teddy for her call. And what relaxing time is not complete without a Grace Livingston Hill book? This one is the 'Substitute Guest' published in 1936, a wintery Christmas-time tale. As usual, I didn't have much time this past Christmas season so I'm enjoying it now. Grace Livingston Hill, what a testimony she has as a Christian author. Many old church libraries have volumes of her books...I enjoy collecting the old copies when I am able, I love seeing the beautiful inscriptions in the opening pages to the recipient of the books from years ago, many during WWII. People were so much more thoughtful then it seems, so much more mannerly. The copy on my lap is obviously a used paperback I picked up online when I first heard of Grace Livingston Hill.



My buddy-boy, Charlie. He is very protective, so emotional. Look at those Einstein-eyes would ya?



Winter-winter sky...



Winter reflection in the pond...



I spy golden light coming behind me...



Aha. The gold evening sun against the trees against that dark blanket of the sky. Fascinating I think.



One last shot this evening before I went in....this looked so heavenly to me.

So that was the view from where I was sitting as the sky changed and I tried to take some fresh air in and get well...

The girls are a huge help, Marianna made a great soup tonight and even eats pressed raw garlic cloves with me like a pro and fellow partner and cheerleader. I called a local smalltown g.p, and talked with the nurse. The nurse said this thing could go on for 8 weeks. What a bug I have caught myself. Hopefully I won't have to trek to his office. At least I they are kind there. That is a blessing to know.

I'm just seeking God in how to handle things, but as long as I'm on the upswing and I know this long bug is something of a norm this year, although hard to believe, I'll watch and wait and depend on the Lord.

He is Faithful.

Love to All, please pray for me, I'm still weak but today I at least washed a load of towels, they are in the dryer and will be dumped in a basket. That's pretty good for me these days. It's difficult to keep a positive outlook at times, but how can I not? There is so very much to be thankful for! ~Amelia

God (The Surgeon) is Keeping Me Still and Quiet

Following is an excerpt from today's Streams in the Desert. It spoke directly to my heart as it so many times does! My emphasis in bold.

...Then there comes a time of establishing and testing, during which we must stand still until the new relationship becomes so ingrained in us that it becomes a permanent habit. It is comparable to a surgeon setting a broken arm by splinting it to keep it from moving. God too has His spiritual splints He wants to put on His children to keep them quiet and still until they pass the first stages of faith. Sometimes the trial will be difficult, but "the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast" (1 Peter 5:10)
A.B. Simpson

...There is a spiritual law of choosing, believing, abiding, and remaining steadfast in our walk with God. This law is essential to the working of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification and in our healing. from Days of Heaven upon Earth

“Pick the day. Enjoy it - to the hilt. The day as it comes. People as they come... The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present - and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future.” ~Audrey Hepburn

Both of these graphics and quotes are from my personal Pinterest quote board.

I'm sitting here getting well by God's Healing Hand next to our toasty woodburning stove as the flames dance with all their heart this cool eve in the country...An old Eddie Albert and Joan Leslie black and white movie is on, Hubs is next to me, Becs is perusing her new Peretti book biting at the bit to get started on it for the weekend sighing and watching the movie roll, Li Li has been singing beautifully in the kitchen to Sara Groves and is now taking the movie in previously asking Hubs if the man he is helping is the one who rides the bike with the cigarette behind his ear.... Mar and Delle are at the mission tonight...Delle called me from her Nanny job today and I could hear the tiny newborn making cute noises on her lap. Little sounds from Heaven, a wee little angel, all of five pounds.

Have a most lovely evening,
Love, ~Amelia

The Sound of Silence...

I'm not talking these days, I've discovered that I should treat this throat of mine like laryngitis. Because, the minute I start talking the minute my throat retaliates.

So it's been note writing to family members etc. And at times I look like Susan Thomas F.B. Eye. I was even writing down what Rush said to Hubby today since he didn't hear it.

By the way..When the media and the establishment tells me to vote a certain way? I run the other way for sure. It's a bit like Sergeant York when he asks the German leader which way, and of course that darling Gary Cooper - Sergeant York goes the opposite way. Quite funny, and so, so true. In life that is true so many times. Many people I know that do not hold my values...I go the other way. Politely listen and smile yes, act upon my own God given convictions, wisdom, discernment, yes and amen.

For me? The unborn are at stake here. Simple.

If you were an unborn baby in the womb which way would you vote?

My thoughts this dreamie looking evening as I look out my bedroom windows....sillouettes of the trees still a dark green and grey against an evening sky. There is something quite 60s about it, almost as if Mary Tyler Moore should be walking through the door as the theme, "You're Gonna Make it After All" That's me. And I will!

Better run, it's tea time. Been praying for so many today. So many needs and situations.

Go with God, Love, ~Amelia

P.S. Hope to get the rest of our Christmas pics up soon, maybe one day the satellite will behave. You can go back to the next page to see our tree and such from last Dec. if you are interested. Some friends have requested peeks and such. : )