Love is a Verb!

I know our family is not alone in the honor, respect and gratitude we hold in our hearts for our troops and their families. Recently, through a publication I receive on-line, I became aware of how serious the need is of some of our wounded troops as they have returned home. For this group of service men and women, their injuries have caused serious, life-changing impact and reprecussions for themselves and their families. They have formed a Coalition to allow people who can and will, to donate whatever amountn they choose, and it is quickly distributed to help these families with mortage, utilities and such. Most of the difficulties, as you can imagine, come from the care the service member needs, and the time it takes to make the transition from a 2 income family to sometimes no income, at least briefly, then eventually things level out, and the family makes it's adjustments. No life will never be the same again. But, with our help, it can be good again, it may mean the difference in a family making it altogether.

Click here if you would like to check this out for yourself. No amount is too small. If I remember correctly, they have suggested amounts and then you have the fill-in the blank option, that was what I did. I have found the secret to our family giving, is to give the little we can when we first have the opportunity. If we wait for the "perfect" opportunity to give what is on our hearts to give, well, we just might not ever get the chance to give.

I so very much appreciate being able to share this with you all. I think it is important enough to warrant more awareness on this subject and opportunity, and please feel free to do the same if you like!

Here is an excerpt from their site: "Tracy Keil's husband Matthew was shot in the neck by a sniper while on combat patrol in Iraq and suffered a severe spinal cord injury, leaving him a quadriplegic. The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes provided emergency financial aid to the Keil family within weeks of Matthew's injury. "The Coalition came to our aid when we didn't know where else to turn," Tracy says. "This has helped our family in so many ways."

Hodge Podge

Hidee-Hidee-Ho! I pray all is well with you sweet women and your families! This is just a quick little "Hodge-Podge" to catch up on randomness, then I will follow up with more substance! God Lord willin' and the creek don't rise!

Early last week (or was it the week before? I lose track of time now days, anyone else with me here?) the Lord raised up a somewhat dusty and crumb covered dream before my eyes and my husband's, and we have both decided to pursue it, for the pure joy of the pursuit of a God given dream. Both well aware that the pursuing of the dream is as much the point, as the dream itself. God is so good!

Some background - back in the summer of 2007, I was inspired to start writing an inspirational book based on certain aspects in the lives of Hannah and Deborah in the Old Testament, which signal out to us through the ages about the life of a woman as a tool of God to influence and administer her God given authority, for the good of those given to her care. I was on a "roll" while I worked on the first half. When I got to the second half, it got to the actual "work" (about August 2007). So, I got "distracted", and before you know it, by the middle of September 2007, I had started a blog! Yeah, not much time, what with life, home schooling, did I mention life, and then DIAL-UP! Not much time to write now! :)

Anywho, God who is merciful and longsuffering, brought the dream back to both me, then my husband within a 12 hour period, and this time we both pray that we will be faithful to stay the course! Come what may!

Note the flying bug picture above! Well, last week, as I "pushed past" a writing block, and committed to write five pages one night, and while meeting that goal, the juices were flowing and I could see the second half taking shape, and began to understand a great purpose had been served in the delay (God Works ALL things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose! {even their mistakes when yielded to His grand care! - Maria's paraphrase!}). As I sat in the loveseat recliner working on my laptop, while my husband toodled back and forth from the house to the "man shop" in the back yard, as he worked on a little "fix it" project, a lovely little treasure from the rural south flew in under the irresistable bait of the back porch light, apparently heading straight for the next shining mecca of light, the lamp shining down on my gleaming, (yet frazzled) hair.

Around here we call them potato bugs. What I found in Photobucket under that title was NOT the thing we speak of. These things are dark brown and hard shelled. They look like the dreaded roach, (eeewww!) but, they are not the same. Like I said hard shelled and LOVE the light, and beat themselves silly on the light they can find.

Needless to say, I have not outgrown my girlish frenzy to run from a bug on my person, especially when said bug is in my hair, then in my LAP! As I vaulted from recliner, dumping sweet laptop on the ground, emitting sounds which surely energized the blood flow of the men folk in the house, (and possibly putting the fear into any other potential light seeking potato bugs in the yard!)

Laptop was D.E.A.D. Breakthrough in writer's block - Gone? Say it ain't so!

OK! It ain't so! My brothers are both computer geniuses (I do not exaggerate! Just ask my Mom!! No, seriously they both are HIGHLY skilled and intuitive geeks who probably wish that gene had gotten evenly distributed in our family!) One of my brothers retreived ALL data off the laptop and has already emailed me my precious document! Yippeee!

Thank you, Bro!

I was disappointed in myself ruining the lap top. It was old (previously owned), and a present from my hubby about 2 1/2 yrs ago, in support of my writing. It is really nice to be able to hang out with him, in bed or in the family room while he reads or watches TV, and I can write.

But, I refused to believe anything other than I would continue to write and even if I lost the 5 pages (which I didn't!!), I would keep going. Because, if I believe God is leading me and inspiring me and making me able, then I BELIVE God is leading me and inspiring me and making me able!

So forward I trot and type!

At moments I may have felt a little like this! But not for long! :)

In the midst of all this has been the stubborn remnants of some financial challenges. And I just have to say that God has showed up, SHINED, strengthened and refined my faith, and is leading us into victory after victory, step after step. Is it challenging? Yes. Have I been tempted to succumb to dread, hopelessness, a sense of being overwhelemed? At times, all of those things. There were moments where I just wanted to be alone with God and wrestle like Jacob, and yet the moment escaped me, yet I knew that I had my victory, If I just wouldn't let go, If I didn't and if I won't - let go of My Word, My Jesus. When tempted to succomb, each time I would remind myself His Word is dynamic and at work in my life. Circumstances are subject to change. His Word is subject to no one.

Here is the verse He gave me for the last 4 weeks or so, as we have traveled this current path, I love it! I am sure to post on it again in more detail!

"6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers. Psalm 34:6-7 Amplified.

Sorry for all the pictures! I just loved all of them! So I indulged a little! :) I would be so grateful for any prayers on behalf of my writing and publishing this book. We have chosen to self publish through a company that seems to have the price and program that is right for us. But, first the writing continues, and pennies in the penny jar!

Be around to visit! Much love and prayers!