Of chocolate pies and friendship....

I cannot believe how lazy I have been this week, trying to get rid of this pneumonia! Goodness... I'll be so glad to be up and going strong again......... it has really just worn me out, though, and, though I have felt reallly guilty..... I've had strong admonitions from friends and family to "rest and get well!" They left out the "or else" part, but it was definitely implied... hehe.
And my dear sisters - in - the - Lord and precious friends have encouraged me through it all! One has emailed me repeatedly to check up on my progress, and today one called wanting to know what kind of pie I would like her to make.... I picked chocolate, and it has been delicious, and so appreciated!

But most of all I am thankful for people calling my name out to the Lord... What a blessed person I am that someone would take the time to do that for me! As the old song says: "His eye is on the sparrow andI know He watches me....." I have noticed that sometimes when I'm ill, God will talk to my heart about certain things; things I need to work on, do a better job at, or things such as a need to spend more time in prayer or reading God's Word, or even the need to be kinder, or to show more compassion to others....... and that has been the case during this week of illness.... Oh my! I want to take these things to heart.....

Just sharing with you all some ramblings that I have been thinking on during all of this "resting".....
I hope each of you has a wonderful weekend!

Special Time with Grandma

(This is a picture of my Grandmother from a few Christmases past) Since so many of you have been so kind with your thoughts, prayers, and comments of concern about my Grandmother, I thought I would post a photo so y'all could see what she looks like...

She has developed a touch of pneumonia in one lung, the doctors think, and has been running fever, but when I left the hospital a little while ago, her blood pressure was good and the fever was normal, Praise the Lord!

Tonight when I went to releave my Mom (so that she could go home and take a bath and wash her hair) I brought my Bible with me. I thought Grannie might enjoy hearing from God's Word since she hasn't been able to attend Church in quite a while.... She was reallly doped up on morphine and phenergan for nausea, but I decided to read aloud to her anyway.....

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..." I began, and she listened a moment and then started quoting with her eyes closed..... "That's from 23 Palms" she murmered.... meaning of course Psalms, but the meds were taking affect... "Yes, that's right," I said, and kept reading... and she would quote some along with me..... I felt tears in my eyes..... God's Word is so Powerful! You can feel the power of those precious words as you speak them, and even though she was ill and out - of - it, she remembered that beloved Psalm!

I read some other Scriptures to her, and then we prayed together..... and I thought "I am so thankful to have gotten to spend this time with my grandmother"...... what a blessing it was for both of us!"

A Lovely Spring Day.....

(More of my "happy splashes" of watercolor from this Spring.. click on photo for a closer look, if you'd like)

Today is lovely for many reasons. Grandma has come through her second surgical proceedure this morning and is now resting comfortably.....

The doctors removed her gall bladder today, as well as cleaned up a few stones they didn't get yesterday.

The only real worry is that her blood pressure is still very high....... so they are giving her meds and we are praying...... Mom just fed her some apple juice, broth and jello... She hasn't had anything to eat since Monday afternoon, so we are very glad that they are starting her on clear liquids.......

Thanks to all of you for praying too! God is so good and kind to hear and answer prayer......Prayer is such a Priviledge! We have a personal audience with the King above all Kings, and He takes the time to listen to US! Wow!

I hope that all of you are having a wonderful, healthy, and joyful weekend.... if not, just talk to Him about it.... He Cares and He will listen!

"What a Friend We Have in Jesus"

My family has been going through something rather frightening since last Friday.... it has been stressful and worrisome....

About an hour ago, however, I heard that Beloved Voice speaking to my Soul....to come and spend time with Him.... and to lean on Him.... and to tell Him all about it.... and to rest in the Comfort of His Spirit.....

Oh what a beautiful call! Oh what a Beautiful Voice! There is no music ever written; no melody yet to be created that can match the beauty of that much loved voice.....

And so I talked to the Master..... and those moments spent in His Prescence are beyond precious to me... for I found the peace and reassurance that I so need right now...... as I prayed, the words to an old song came to my heart, and so I thought I would share them with you......

"What a Friend We Have in Jesus"
words by Joseph M. Scriven, music by Charles C. Converse

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilidge to carry, Everything to God in prayer
Oh what peace we often forfeit, Oh what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry, Everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations, is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share
Jesus knows our every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer

Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care
Precious Savior still our refuge, Take it to the Lord in prayer
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer
In His arms He'll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.