Great is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness... Greg and I took Kristen to college this past Saturday. Kristen and I drove down early with a jeep full of her things, wondering how the two of us were going to carry everything up to her room on the second floor. I have to say, worry is a waste of time! We pulled in to Eastern University and we were blown away! Everything was organized from volunteer parents directing us where to go, where to park, handing out water bottles, to getting out of our car in front of her dorm and being met by more volunteers and the boys Lacrosse team, ready to empty and carry everything from our car to her room! We checked in with her RA and by that time, the boys had all her belongings in her room! It was wonderful! The entire day was fantastic and welcoming. Kristen and I unpacked and arranged all her things, made her bed, hung decorations and pictures. We went and got her school ID and parking permit, ate lunch and had maybe 20 minutes before Greg came down around 2:40pm. There was a parent's lounge where I went while she took care of getting her ID and parking permit. In the parent's lounge was refreshments, papers to help with our adjustment of letting go, a place to write a letter to our sons/daughters which the school will deliver to her room today and some stones. Stones? Yes, small colorful stones that we could take and keep in our pocket so that every time we feel that stone, we can pray for our student. Greg, Kristen and I headed to the meeting for parents and students at 3pm and it opened with everyone singing Great is Thy Faithfulness. I haven't sung that hymn in so long and didn't think much about it other than thinking how wonderful it is to have Kristen choose a christian college. Everyone was so nice and really made us feel at home. After that meeting, there was a small reception before Greg and I headed home at 5pm, leaving Kristen for the first time away from home. Yesterday was really busy and this morning as I sat and had my devotions, it hit me! No, not the sadness of being away from Kristen, but the words to that hymn! Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God our Father. All I have needed Thy hand has provided! We are going through so much right now. I am still unemployed and waiting for some extremely stressful things to work themselves out, Greg is newly self-employed, mom is getting so much worse, so quickly and Kristen is at college.God knew that dad would need more help with mom at this time and I am here to help. God knows we are struggling financially and has the perfect solution, we just need to wait and trust. God knew we were missing our "baby" and yesterday's message was on parenting and the empty nest syndrome. God is in control and great is His faithfulness. Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed His hand has provided. What an awesome reminder!

My Garden

I just love to grow and can my own vegetables! Call me crazy but it is so satisfying to go downstairs and grab a jar of spaghetti sauce or diced tomatoes that I grew and preserved. Yesterday, I did 8 qts of spaghetti sauce. I have approximately 20-25 qts of dill and bread and butter pickles that I've done in the past month.This year Greg and I tried something new as well. We have a large crock and currently have old-fashioned dill pickles, like I used to get in a barrel at the deli, fermenting. It takes 4-6 weeks, so we'll see how they turn out.I still need to do tomato soup but that will have to wait until we get back from vacation. God is so good! Lots of basil in our garden this year! I could have used more cilantro and definitely more oregano. I'll probably plant more of each upon our return and then bring it in when it gets cold. I also did jam for the first time this year. I made strawberry, raspberry and grape and it turned out delicious! So much easier than I thought. Each year I'd like to try something new.

Monday

So much to do! We are leaving for our family vacation tomorrow afternoon to go out west! So happy as my son, daughter and husband all are going as well as Josh's girlfriend and one of my daughter's best friends. We will fly in to Las Vegas, spend a day then drive to Zion Nat'l Park then head to my sister in law's house in Utah. Spend 2 days there where we will go to Bryce Nat'l Park and head back to Vegas. Spend the night then we go to Cali- Laguna Beach for 2 days then back to Vegas for the night and come home 6:30 am the following Wednesday morning. Though we have been to Vegas and the Nat'l parks before, the kids were young and our 2 guests have not been there. Cali will be a first for all of us.Today is wash, processing tomatoes so they don't spoil and packing. Mom is in the hospital, she went in yesterday and has been undergoing testing for spinal meningitis.Prayers appreciated. My poor dad has been by her side and has not gotten any sleep.He is so dedicated. Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous... for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.

In His Hands

I have done everything I need to do in regards to the current situation I am in. It is totally in His hands now. Praying for a new job and trusting that He will bring it on! Praying for Greg to keep getting work as well. My baby, Kristen goes to Eastern in just 3 short weeks! Her cross country team will be going to Maine for some team time and I was trying to work out how to get her there for the last couple of days of it. All it takes is money! Today I'm clinging to Psalm 27:13&14 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. I'm waiting....

Another Day

Biopsies on Greg's lymph nodes around and in his lungs came back negative! So thankful! Still struggling with trust and not worrying but it is just a continual battle. Today is another beautiful day! Had an awesome time with my brother, sister-in-law and their 4 kids last week and this past weekend! So glad they came up from Georgia and we had the time to spend with them. Isaiah 41:13 I am the Lord your God. I am holding your hand, so don't be afraid. I am here to help you.