WHAT A SUMMER!

What summer is right! It all started right after school was out when Andy went to the emergency room with chest pains.  Many doctors appointments and tests later we were told Andy has an aneurysm in the brain by the optic artery.

Tucked in the middle of all these appointments God suddenly provided a week of vacation in Pigeon Forge with Ted and Debbie, my brother and sister in law.   It was a special time for all of us, a much needed time away from daily activities and time be with each other enjoying that beautiful area of God’s creation in the mountains.

On the way home from that trip we picked up the grandchildren from Ohio. They stayed the first two weeks of July then went home and came back for the first two weeks of August.  Lilly is 8 years old, Lucas is 6 years old. Most of the time, Addi, who is 5 and Reagan, who is 13 were also with us.  Jenna and Reagan were such a big help during this time with unexpected doctor appointments to get to and regular every day activities.

Talk about high energy, those kids have it and like I said, I was very grateful for all those that kept things going when I was about spent physically.

The last two weeks of July were supposed to be catch up and rest up weeks but that’s not the way it worked out.  The first week I had a health issue that needed doctors and medicine.  The second week I went to be with Andy as he was working out of town.  It seems like we have been on the road a lot this summer.

There was also a great happening this summer during the first week of August at Vacation Bible School.  Lilly invited Jesus into her life to be her Forever Friend, a more understandable way to introduce her to Jesus as her Lord and Savior.  I believe she truly understands the decision she has made and I am thankful that God has touched her life at such an early age. She has a new Bible and a Survival Kit workbook that is helping her to learn to grow into a strong Christian young lady!

Andy is still out of town working and will be for the rest of the summer but that won’t stop the weekend fishing trips to the little creek by the church.  It was a blessing to see all the little ones around him enjoying learning to fish, all except Reagan that is, she is the pro of the bunch having much fishing experience with her dad.

Yes, what a summer it has been full of ups and downs, good days and hard days, fun days and prayerful days, confusing days and emotional days.

Through it all God has been right there with us giving us strength to keep on keeping on, rest when we needed it and constant provision as always.  Even with news of the aneurysm, God has been ever present with us giving us peace and hope that He has a perfect plan and purpose for all things, even the uncertainty about the future.

Think about it! Are any of us certain of our future? Do we know what will happen tomorrow?  It is my hope and prayer that you know God as your personal Savior and Lord then you too can have peace and hope in the uncertain and changing times of today’s world.

God never leaves us. God always has time for us. God’s love for us never stops. God is our hope and strength for everyday and all days no matter the busyness or the circumstance or the diagnosis.

Psalm 32:7-8 New Living Translation (NLT)

⁷ For you are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory.

⁸ The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.