Who would have thought that earlier in the day this picture was taken, Jack suffered a Pulmonary Embolism, blood clot in his lung. He had tuned a piano, walked several flights of stairs that he thought caused him to nearly faint. Sudden shortness of breath, nausea and a feeling of being, as he put it "really sickish". After resting for several minutes, still feeling weak, he drove from Castle Rock to home. A quick afternoon nap and he was ready to go to the park with Ben, Stacy and our grand kids, Meghan, Mike and Elana. We had a grand time at the park and as the sun began to set Jack got chilled. Walking up hill back to the car was a real chore for him and he puffed on some oxygen we had in the car for when we were in high altitudes. Jack slept soundly and on Sunday morning our Pastor asked him to play his clarinet for the evening church service. So home again for a nap and about 45 minutes practice. Jack still short of breath, but felt the nudge of the Lord to play. At church he asked the pastor and Bishop to pray for him before he played. Such anointing. "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" with piano (Ben) and drums (Sam Kelly) really blessed the entire congregation. Jack was thrilled to have to opportunity to use the talent God has gifted him with in such a beautiful and anointed song. Home again, he continued to feel weak and short of breath. Monday he rested all day, little exertion caused a winded sensation. Tuesday resting for the day and in the evening we went to church, afterwards Jack commented on how his breathing was frightening at times, but he was glad to be over "the worst of it", or so it seemed. Wednesday I was up early for work, kissed Jack and headed out, Jack still in bed. By the time I got to work, Jack was on the phone. He could not put his pants on, breathing very difficult. I checked with work and returned home immediately. After a call to our doctor we went to the ER at our local hospital. North Suburban. Tests were inconclusive, but the doctor felt he should be admitted. A day later and some tests in, it was determined Jack had a blood clot from one of his legs let go and travel to his lungs. He survived. He played with his grandchildren, went to church, played his clarinet with the gifted anointing of a master...all with a very serious and life threatening condition! My man is a strong man! He is anointed of God for a purpose and the Lord will not allow him to leave this world until that purpose is done...praise the Lord. Jack is now on medicine to dissolve the blood clot in his leg, and home from the hospital. Thank you Jesus for your mercy and your grace.

The Blessing of Submission and the Power of Sacrifice

Is submission giving? God loves a cheerful giver. God blesses those who give without strings, without grudging. Is submission a sure road to disaster and despair? God never allows disaster nor despair when we fully trust in Him, lean on Him and not our own understanding. What awesome blessing flows from resting in His everlasting Arms. Is submission labor? Come unto me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest, says our God of ultimate submission. "Not my will, but yours". Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Is submission an art, like the weaving of a tapestry. A perfect blending of God's will and command to create a beautiful masterpiece in me when I am submissive to His perfect plan. No greater blessing comes than with the assured knowledge one is in the perfect will of God, no matter how it may "feel". Is submission a sacrifice? Can I live peaceably within my own soul, without stress and without anger, without complaint. Godliness with contentment is great gain. The ease and strength with which one submits is directly related to ones total sacrifice of self to following the will of God. And there is no greater power, no greater assurance of a fulfilled life, a life pleasing to God than one of submission and sacrifice. Submit to prayer - sacrifice your time. Submit to fasting - sacrifice your pleasures. Submit to authority - sacrifice self will and selfishness, follow God's plan not my own. Submit to leaders, husbands, study, the great commission of teaching Jesus Christ to the lost, again sacrifice self will and selfish goals. What comes with all this submission? THE POWER of sacrifice and the strength through that power to do God's bidding and His will. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". "When I am weak, then am I strong"
Now dead to sin and selfish ambition, cleansed by the authority of the Word of God, now truly content and fulfilled like never imagined. Beyond comprehension is the power and peace that comes with submission and sacrifice. I thought I would find heart ache, disaster and ruin in submission. When I finally rested in the truth and assurance of God's word and without anger, nor complaint, refusing to allow stress and worry to overtake my heart and mind, I submitted. Immediately I found instead, perfect peace and a power to live for God like I have never experienced. I have experienced a deeper respect and love for my husband than I ever imagined possible. I am truly happy and content. God is in control. He is taking care of all my children and grandchildren. He is there for my brother and sisters and their families. All they need do is call upon Him.
There is no sweeter blessing than submission and no power more profound than the personal power of sacrifice.

Still Enjoying the Birds

We have been 3 weeks in our new location. A house. A garage and a coming together workshop.
A tub, very skinny, the plug doesn't work to keep the water in. A new neighborhood in winter when everyone is inside. I think a neighbor is some sort of either Ham Operator or CB - large antenna outside.
The bird feeder went up the first day. In Colorado there are birds of prey a plenty and the smaller birds of "catch" are very wary.
Yesterday I saw evidence that our feeder was being frequented by feathered friends. I sat at the window, camera in hand and waited. Not long and some sparrows and chickadees made their hasty snatch of seeds and flew quickly away. Some finches came as well (I think). I cannot explain the shear happiness to see those birds, especially the black capped chickadees. After all Blackcapped Chickadees are the Maine State Bird...and knowing that makes me feel like they flew all the way to Colorado to stop by our feeder for a visit to say hello. I am so very happy to see them. I know that is probably not the case. They probably live here year round. Still - I love their song, and I love seeing them at the feeder. This was a true blessing, especially this weekend, as family and friends gathered to celebrate Tucker's first birthday and I was here so far away. The chickadees came to visit. And I am very thankful.

Anniversay Movie Treat

I just watched the movie "Julie and Julia" with my husband and have been stirred to blog again. Over the Christmas holiday we moved from our apartment to a house. One bedroom to three. One bathroom to two. One car garage to a very large two car garage. Jack is building a shop in the garage for his instrument repair hobby/business. I am thinking about stained glass. I took a class once, the instructors were dishonest and after shelling out more than twice the stated fee for class and a piece I angrily quit. There are some reputable places here in Colorado where lessons are taught. Who knows. Maybe I will give it another try.
It is quiet in our house. In the morning we can hear a train whistle off in the distance, we like that a lot. We see birds flying around, but as of yet, they have not found our feeder. Hope they do soon. In driving around the neighborhood we found a very nice park about a mile away. I can ride my bike there and around the park and back home, I like that alot too.

When the clutter is stored away and boxes are unpacked and stored away, I will post pictures of our new place