GOD'S GOODNESS

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. 
                                                                                                  Psalm 23:6a

This has been an unusually cold and snowy winter for our neck of the woods  However, we have seen the beauty of God's creation in many ways. There have been amazing sunrises and sunsets, the beauty of the snow, the warmth of a fire, the beauty of birds in the backyard, and beauty in the kindness of friends. We have enjoyed watching Patsy and Penny playing and chasing each other in the snow. They have taken to the snow like a duck to water, and they seem to think the snow is just a big ice cream cone for them.

                             Patsy and Penny enjoying the snow.


It has greatly touched us to see the outpouring of kindness by neighbors and friends since Paul's knee replacement surgery. With all the snow, our driveway has needed a lot of attention. Amazingly, we have had several people show up unexpectedly, plowing or blowing out our driveway which has reduced the amount of shoveling Gail has had to do. The doctor is not allowing Paul to do any shoveling for quite a period of time. We are so grateful for the display of goodness and thoughtfulness. This reminds us of the Scripture where it talks about being the hands and feet of Jesus.

                         Winter sunset over our neighbor's backyard.


Even though the winter seems to be dragging on and on, we have so much for which to be thankful

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny

BE STILL

Be still and know that I am God.    Psalm 46:10    

Early Sunday morning we discovered that we had received a blanket of snow that night.  Knowing that we would be entertaining company later that day, Gail was anxious to clear the sidewalk and porch for our guests.  Usually this is Paul's job, but with his recent knee surgery, this workload has been shifted to Gail, which he has temporarily inherited.  So Gail put on her fuzzy coat, heavy gloves, and snow boots to face the battle with the snow.  However, when she went out to shovel the snow she found the air to be so still and quiet that it caused her to realize God's presence in her life. 

As she shoveled in the quiet of the early morning, she began reflecting on the many blessing that God has brought her way.  The entire time she was clearing the sidewalk, she was able to name blessing after blessing.  Her thoughts ran from the freedom to worship to a warm house to the strength to shovel to the beauty of snow and the list went on the entire time she was laboring with the shovel.  This environment soon became her tabernacle in the snow.

               Gail shoveling as the piles of snow get higher and higher.

Interestingly enough, our Sunday School lesson for this past Sunday had to do with the importance of simplicity and solitude.  The writer of the lesson chose the account of Elijah's encounter with God on Mt. Horeb.  God was not in the wind nor the earthquake nor the fire, but God was in the whisper.  Those moments of quiet and solitude help us to reflect on and listen to God.

Blessings and Encouragement,


Paul, Gail, Pasty and Penny

PAIN, OUR FRIEND

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.   Romans 8:37


Paul has been going to Carter Rehab Center for physical therapy on his knee due to his knee replacement surgery that took place four weeks ago.  He was talking with Aaron DeLine the physical therapist and the subject of pain came into the conversation.  Aaron talked about a book he read while in PT training called, Pain-The Gift Nobody Wants.  Pain is a gift since those who do not feel pain often hurt themselves very badly because they don't have this sense.  While Paul goes through his exercises and therapy, he has to endure a lot of pain.  However, he knows that the pain is necessary if he is going to be able to gain the full use of his knee and leg again.  The muscles that were cut for the new knee to be put in place have to be strengthened and brought back to full use.  If these muscles are not worked, they will soon atrophy and not be useful in moving the leg properly. 


Yesterday in our devotions we were reading from Streams In The Desert and the article had very much the same theme.  To quote a portion of it the article read, "So it has been commonly thought that protected ease is the most favorable condition of life, whereas all the noblest and strongest lives prove on the contrary that the endurance of hardship is the making of the men, and the factor that distinguishes between existence and vigorous vitality.  Hardship makes character."


God has not promised to give us an easy life, but he has promised strength to endure and that He will be with us through those difficult times.


Fear thou not; for I am with thee:  Be not dismayed; for I am thy God:  I with strengthen thee; ye, I will help thee; ye, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.  Isaiah 41:10


Blessings and Encouragement,


Paul, Gail, Patsy and Penny

GOODNESS OF THE LORD

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.      Psalm 33:5b


It has been three weeks since Paul's had his knee replacement surgery and since then he has been recovering at home under the excellent care of his wife, Gail. Not only is she his wife but she is nurse and coach with an exercise program that he has to do every day. During this time we have definitely seen the goodness of the Lord through the acts of kindness of many people. We have had meals and food brought to us, phone calls and get well cards have been in abundance, couples from church came and sang to us one evening before Christmas, our driveway has been shoveled out so that Paul can get out for his physical therapy and other appointments, a very special treat is that all of our family was able to fly home for the Christmas holiday and the surgery. It was a blessing to be able to be together with them during this time.


Not only did God show His goodness through the care and concern of many people but also through the beauty of His creation. We have enjoyed the winter sunrises and sunsets and the snow laden pine trees. While we are eating our breakfast, we have been visited by a red cardinal. The vivid red next to the white snow is breathtaking. As an added treat, some mornings his mate joins him for the visit. God has supplied us with plenty of firewood which we have enjoyed burning in our fireplace these cold wintry days. Gail's Campfire Girls' experience from the past has come in handy.


As we go into the new year let us keep our eyes open for the goodness of the Lord that surrounds us every day.


Blessings and Encouragement,


Paul, Gail, Patsy and Penny