tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41630184168322061342024-03-13T19:41:44.977-04:00Work in ProgressSusan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-44855237107345830622017-09-28T05:59:00.003-04:002017-09-28T05:59:50.797-04:00Inside OutAs I was working in my Bible Study in Colossians this morning, something the writer wrote struck me. I am in the beginning of the second chapter and reading about being established in my faith, firmly rooted and overflowing with gratitude. She wrote "What we believe is always evident in our lives, and evidence is the proof of our inner belief. Who we are on the inside will spill over onto our outside for all to see". It made me think, what am I spilling out? Am I angry and irritable? Am I spilling love and encouragement? How do I fill the inside with good things that will spill out? By being established in Him, grounded, walking daily with Him so I can grow the fruit of the Spirit in my life. These are the things I want spilling out: love, patience, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. That's what makes me different than the world. God spilling out of me, being so big, I can't contain Him. This is my desire...Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-26297138757953764812017-09-23T09:31:00.002-04:002017-09-27T06:17:56.028-04:00Hiatus and CharacterSo I've taken a very long hiatus from this blog. It's not like anyone reads it but it is a nice journal for me to look back on and remind myself how God has faithfully come through, directed and guided us and lovingly and abundantly provided for us. Since my last post, so much life has happened. My mom passed away in July. So sad but I know her mind and body is whole now as she is with our Lord and Savior. Dad is doing well. He is getting used to his new normal and has dinner with Greg and I every night. Josh and his now fiancee, Kristen have set a date of 10/5/2018 to get married. My daughter Kristen is dating a fellow for over two years now.
I am currently in a women's study on the book of Colossians. I love going through a book of the Bible verse by verse and just tearing it up!One of the quotes in the side notes is "Character is always a choice". Taking life step by step, our lives are made up of moments, of one decision after another. Each small, or big, decision makes a difference. When we make a decision to do the right thing, for the right reason, decision after decision, we are developing character. I have often said my husband is a man of character, honest and giving. He has proven himself that way to me through example, time and again, by the decisions he has made, often subconsciously. One good deed does not prove character. It is in our way of living day by day. I can change me and choose to live differently by making one good decision at a time. I cannot change what life brings me, I can only choose how I will act/react to the situation. Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what's good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-80725696038477797672014-11-20T07:01:00.000-05:002014-11-20T07:01:14.109-05:0021 DaysSo, they say it takes 21 days to form a habit. I must be one of those very stubborn people because I don't seem to form habits quickly. You can see from my lack of posts that it does not come easily for me to form good habits. I've taken to working out again during my lunch hour at work. I have struggled with my weight for many, many years and it just doesn't get easier. Seems to me that's the way it is in my spiritual life as well. I struggle with the way I want to be vs the way I am. I want to be transformed. Paul says that we need to take up our cross daily. It is a daily action, not a once and done. God's mercies are new every morning. Each morning is a brand new start. And yet there is still a need for the past. I keep a small note book with my Bible and the devotional I am using at the time and I write prayer requests, things God lays on my heart,etc. I pray through these very morning and often times throughout the day. I can look back and see so many answered prayers in that little book! Often you don't realize how far you've come unless you look back to where you have been. On a side note, they showed the video of the struggle of 2013 for Greg and I, at church this past Sunday. Somehow, our story resonated with some folks at the church and that is so encouraging to me. I can look back over the past two years and see God's hand in everything! Until next time...Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-56091405470980452652014-05-19T14:44:00.000-04:002014-05-19T14:44:02.475-04:00The Next GenerationPsalm 71:17-19
O GOD, You have taught me from my youth; and I still declare Your wondrous deeds. And even when I am old and gray, O GOD, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come. For Your righteousness, O GOD, reaches to the heavens, You have done great things; O GOD, who is like You?
What a calling! Not just for those who pastor or evangelize. This is for every mother, father, grand parent or mature christian. Until I declare You to my children and my grandchildren Lord! I need to pass on what God has done for me to those younger in years and younger in their faith. God is always faithful, He always provides, always loves, leads and guides. He shows up again and again! His mercy and grace are never failing and He pours it out on us so lavishly. I must tell of His goodness so others can see and know that He is God, there is proof in my life of how richly He blesses.This is my prayer as well, that I can declare to the next generation how mighty my GOD is and how He always comes through for me.It is never about what I have done, it is despite what I have done and only because of His great love for me, for His children, that He shows Himself all merciful and steadfast.Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-81066794731962229792014-02-13T10:05:00.001-05:002014-02-13T10:05:44.444-05:00His NameIsaiah 9:6b ...And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Oh how wonderful! I have never stopped to really consider those names individually! Counselor, the one who listens and counsels. We usually seek counseling when we are in a difficult situation. God is there, He is the wise and compassionate counsellor. He is Father. As children we seek our father for comfort, for direction, for strength. Mighty God. He is all powerful! He can do all things. Not only do we see the wise and softer side of God but we see the strong, powerful, super-hero side of Him! He is all things wrapped up into one God!I am so grateful for very side of Him! When I don't know what to say, I only need to say Jesus, there is power in the name!Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-70192920494937256972014-01-18T08:56:00.000-05:002014-01-18T08:56:04.540-05:00Clarity in DirectionI was reading in my devotional a few days ago, and this line was in the prayer.....Lord, give me clarity in direction. Isn't it amazing what God uses to get our attention, to let us know that He is in control and involved in all aspects of our lives?! Greg and I are at a cross road right now. After an amazing year of His provision, this is a year of direction. Greg has an interview on Monday, so unsure what way to go. He wants his own business, but starting out is so tough. This opportunity presented itself and we ask, is this God's timing? How do we know what His plan is? I am fervently praying for clarity in direction. I pray that God would make His will so clear, but it isn't always black and white, is it? Sometimes we need to step out in faith, and that isn't always easy. Please pray with me that as we go forward, God will continue to lead us and that we will continue to seek His will. Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,and He will make your path straight. Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-39403375480070366082014-01-07T18:54:00.000-05:002014-01-07T18:54:31.748-05:00Preserved1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In my devotional, Growing in Grace, the writer emphasizes the word "preserved". I have done a lot of preserving. After preparing the fruit/vegetables, washing/cleansing, cutting to the desired size, removing debris like stems, seeds, skins, I place the prepared fruit/vegetable into jars and then into a hot water bath and boil. When the jars are removed, I place them on the counter over night. I listen for the "pop" to tell me the jar is sealed. In the same fashion, God has sealed my spirit, soul, body without blame at His coming! I am set apart, sealed and preserved for Him. Completely forgiven by His grace, preserved by His love and power. I pray that He will preserve me and help me to walk in faith. Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-61613797161456142992014-01-01T09:52:00.000-05:002014-01-01T09:52:00.673-05:002013 and New BeginningsWow! 2013 is behind and a new year has begun! What a year 2013 was for us! The beginning of the year saw Greg resign from his job of 15 years to start his own company. Shortly into his new venture, he cut his finger off of his dominant hand, requiring three surgeries, but the finger was saved! He was admitted to the hospital in early summer with high fevers and possible blood infection. My man who is NEVER sick! During that hospitalization, they ruled out the infection but while testing everything possible to see where the infection was, they found pulmonary nodules. I was unfairly terminated from my position of 7 years in July. My mom, who was diagnosed with Lewy-Body Disease 7 years ago, but showed no real signs of anything but some minor Parkinson's symptoms, started having some major medical issues in July. So while unemployed, I was able to help my parents as mom was requiring more and more care. Kristen went away to college at the end of August to Eastern University, a christian college that has really positively impacted her! Mom was in the ER/ hospital 8 times in July and August,her last stay she developed seizures and her weight had dropped 35 pounds since May. Greg had follow-up pulmonary studies which came back fine! Yay, no worries about the pulmonary nodules! Mom was sent to the nursing home right next to our property for Rehab. Dad spent all his time with her there, wearing out a path from his porch to the front door of the home! On the day we were supposed to bring mom home, she had a seizure and was transferred back to the hospital. A feeding tube was also put in through her stomach during this hospitalization as her weight was down to 85 pounds. Mom was doing so poorly, we weren't sure she would be with us at Christmas. Mom went back to the nursing home for more therapy following that hospitalization and came home the Friday before Christmas. She is still very weak, unable to walk and her mind is sketchy. She has unrealistic fears and doesn't remember names but seems to recognize faces most of the time.She requires total care which my dad does. But she is eating and we have not had to use the feeding tube except for a few medications which are hard for mom to take. Josh had a great year, still living in Emmaus and working at Ward's Oriental Carpets. He received a good raise and benefits this year. He started his own side business doing parties at Penn State main and has been booked for several since starting. He makes digital music and DJs. He is still with his girlfriend of 2+ years. She is finishing her degree at Drexel this spring.He also has a cat, James, who keeps him company. Kristen loves Eastern, as I mentioned above. She decided to run Cross Country and knocked 6 minutes off of her time from the start of the season to the end! She loves Spartan races, Tough Mudders, Color Runs, any kind of challenge. She is doing very well in school and I have seen such a positive change in her relationship with Jesus! Greg had very few jobs in December, next to none. But God knew and provided as I started my new job at the end of November. I absolutely love this job and could not have imagined anything better! I have weekends and holidays off, something unheard of in nursing! I wear jeans to work and it is only 7 miles from our home! I was traveling an hour to/from work with my previous job. In July,I was wrongly accused of taking 4 controlled substance pills.I won't get into details but this employer reported it to the nursing board and from July until December 30th, it hung over my head as unfinished business, threatening to destroy my nursing license of 29 years. I was interrogated by an inspector from the nursing board several times. They requested records from my attending physician and the surgeon who repaired my shoulder in October 2012. I had to undergo a psychological evaluation, drug and alcohol testing and much waiting! I knew that I was innocent, but waiting for the authorities to see it was rough. God is faithful! My relationship with Him has strengthened and grown this year as there was nothing I could do but wait and trust Him. Finally, late in the evening on December 30th as I went through our mail, there was a letter from the prosecutor stating that they had closed my case! Greg and I both felt that this was our year of hope, and as each challenge presented itself, we turned to Him and thanked Him for the story we would be able to tell! I couldn't worry or I would have folded in on myself. I could only put this year in His hands and trust. Great is Thy Faithfulness is a hymn that I claimed in August. "Great is thy faithfulness, oh God, our Father. There is no shadow of turning in Thee. ALL I have needed Thy hand has provided, great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me." We did not have in abundance, but we had what we needed, when we needed. It will take us a bit to get back on our feet financially, but He has been faithful in giving us what we needed.January promises many jobs for Greg.It promises new challenges, new growth in Him and opportunity abounds! What a year 2013 was, what a year 2014 will be! Stay tuned!Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-30912591756289279272013-12-07T09:05:00.002-05:002013-12-07T09:05:48.323-05:00Passing it OnPsalm 145:4 " One generation will praise Your works to another, and will declare Your mighty acts." Wow! That's a lot of responsibility! What am I passing on to my kids, to those I come in contact with on a daily basis? To those I meet or deal with during the course of my day, especially those younger than me? The Jewish people have passed on traditions such as Passover for generations. I don't think we have been as successful. I need to be intentional in sharing, showing God's faithfulness in my life. There was a song I used to sing as a young girl involved in Pioneer Girls that went like this; "It only takes a spark, to get a fire going. And soon all those around, can warm up to it's glowing. That's how it is with God's love. Once you've experienced it, you want to know, you want to show, you want to pass it on." I didn't even think of that song until I had already titled my post and was into writing this! God just brought it to mind. Lord, help me to pass it on, to be intentional in showing and telling others of the wonderful things You have done for me, of how You have met my every need.Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-13717537190180147172013-12-04T06:29:00.000-05:002013-12-04T06:29:18.582-05:00Grace2 Peter 3:18a "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" I was reading in my devotional about that verse, growing in grace. What is grace? God has given us grace abundantly so how do I grow in grace? I was challenged to do an acrostic of grace.
G= generously given
R=received unworthily
A=accepted gratefully
C=covered abundantly
E=eternally saved.
Maybe thinking about, meditating on and being thankful for the grace He has given me and trying to share His grace with others is all part of growing. Our pastor has been talking about starting big things that will go on after we leave this earth, something akin to a legacy. Could I leave a legacy that shows His grace? I have spoken many times in this blog about this year. God is doing miraculous things in my life this year. Many things have been and continue to be hard. I want to be a rock, a tree, planted with roots deep and standing firm. I want to show love and mercy. His grace has covered me so I need to show that same attitude in my day to day interactions with others. I have done nothing to deserve His grace and yet He heaps it on me. How can I not give it away freely to those around me by forgiving, showing kindness, and downright just loving on people?! John 1:16 says from His fulness we receive grace upon grace. It reminds me of standing with my feet in the ocean as the waves just keep rolling in, grace upon grace. But I can only grow in grace and show grace to others if I stay fully abiding in Him. His grace will overflow to those around me if I am intentional about being rooted in Him and allowing Him to use me.Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-37129144617502137132013-11-22T20:34:00.000-05:002013-11-22T20:34:14.152-05:00His WaysI am so thankful for Isaiah 55:8&9! Isaiah 55:8&9 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." God most certainly has the best plan for us. If you had told me in January of this year, that I would be where I am today, I wouldn't have believed it. When I lost my job in July, it felt like chaos and uncertainty and downright fear. Greg and I were intentional in trusting Him with providing for us, to meet our financial and basic daily needs, as well as my mental need to feel like there was hope. Did I think that what I was going through was best for me? For us? No way! Even though this situation is not yet closed, I am far better off than I was in July! God has provided me with a new job that pays more, better benefits, better working conditions, closer to home and much opportunity! I could not have asked for more! One week into this new position and I am absolutely loving it! One of the mission statements of the company is to do the right thing for the right reason! God is giving me an opportunity to share the good news and shine His light and love into the lives of others! I was reading in my daily devotional about being "root bound". A plant can look healthy from the top, but will not produce new growth if its roots are in a tangled, compacted mess. A plant will grow, be healthy and produce new growth when the roots have room to spread.I am like that plant! I must keep my roots in Him, but continue to grow deeper. It isn't always comfortable. I need to step out in faith, to be confident through a deeper relationship with Him, to go beyond my comfort level and trust Him to do what is best for me. I am not in control, He is. He is the driver. This is my year of giving Him control and watching while He blows my mind with blessing!Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-14219875353230369692013-11-18T19:08:00.004-05:002013-11-18T19:08:52.254-05:00Ever FaithfulOur God is ever faithful and always provides! Started my new job today, challenging but once I get this under my belt, I am going to love it! Great company and terrific coworkers! He has been faithful to guide Greg and I this year and boy, what I story we will have to tell of His peace, provision and direction in our lives! Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-91256739385110082072013-10-31T12:20:00.000-04:002013-10-31T12:20:29.582-04:00The Shadow of His WingsPsalm 36:7" How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! The people take refuge in the shadow off Your wings." I'm seeking refuge in Him. It's probably not a good day for me to post as I don't want to come across negative. Dad, my brother and my sister and I did a conference call and have decided to put a feeding tube in mom. She's down to about 90 lbs. and not eating. It is so hard to get her medicine into her, she spits it out. This is really hard on my dad. He sits with her at the rehab center from 7:30 in the morning until the staff puts her to bed at night. Most of the time she is fine but days like yesterday and today are tough because she tells him to leave and this morning hit him in the mouth. It's the Parkinson's playing tricks on her mind but it tears my heart. She has always been so loving and kind. Dad reads the Bible to her and prays with her but I know she doesn't grasp anything right now. Yesterday, dad and I were able to get mom to eat a jello which felt like such an accomplishment, today, nothing. On a positive note, the follow-up CT scan that Greg had done last Friday was clear! Thank you Jesus! Whatever was going on in his lungs in June/July has resolved. In our online Bible Study, the hashtag this week is #Movingforward. The author spoke about being intentional in listening to the "right" voice. We will hear many voices in any given situation. When going through troubled times, I need to be still and seek Him, listening for His still, small voice to speak truth in my life and in my heart. I picture myself still and small, nestled under His wings, listening for His voice of love, mercy and kindness to lead me in the path of His choosing. It is in taking refuge in Him that I feel the most at peace, the most comfortable with the situations in my life. I don't have to do it alone, I only need to hide in Him, to claim His promises as His child, knowing that it is His strength that will get me through! But even so, I do not want to stay rooted in uncertainty but move forward knowing that my God will perform wonderful things in my life.He is my all in all!Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-68973405181931492952013-10-24T15:04:00.002-04:002013-10-24T15:04:30.673-04:00A Big DayI'm confident in my God's ability to clear me. I know I'm speaking somewhat veiled but I cannot go into this any clearer right now. My God is my all. If not for Him these past few months, I would've given up. He can do all things. Psalm 63:7
"For Thou hast been my help, and in the shadow of Thy wings I sing for joy."Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-90610131173354214542013-10-16T20:00:00.000-04:002013-10-16T20:00:54.428-04:00#PerfectloveIn reading Chapter 2 of Renee Swope's book "A Confident Heart", she says,'if we only live on the surface with God, we'll never experience the intimacy we long for or the acceptance and security He offers." She goes on to say, "A personal relationship with God sets us free to be all we were created to be". These two ideas really made me think. I want to go deeper. I believe there is a hole in each human that longs for Him. We try to fill that hole with love from another, alcohol, parties, whatever. We search to "find ourselves" thinking that something is going to give us that moment when we say, "Yes! I've reached my self-fulfillment". But, only through a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him, will I finally find satisfaction and fulfillment. I was created to love Him, to serve Him, to be in a relationship with Him. And not just an acquaintance but in a meaningful relationship. When self-doubt tells me that I will never be good enough, that there is something that I'm missing and am too dumb to figure it out, that He wouldn't care to spend time with me or to watch over me and be intimate with me, I will remember Philippians 1:6 "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ".Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-3716311762652419992013-10-14T11:08:00.001-04:002013-10-14T21:35:13.710-04:00A Confident Heart and bearing fruitI just started an amazing study with many women, online! I have only read the first chapter and I am already blessed and so excited to read more! God blesses us with many different blessings when we need it the most! He uses something different each time. I had been clinging to Jeremiah 29:11 since July when it felt like everything in my life fell apart. I have 2 new verses this week, Jeremiah 17:7-7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes, but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit." Both Greg and I have talked about what a story we will be able to tell at the end of this year. God is so faithful! Greg went into business for himself in February. He cut off his finger in March and has had three surgeries and miraculously, it does not look too bad! We continue to pray for jobs for him. Being self-employed is difficult. Mom's health has been deteriorating, at first slowly. I was fired in July, with an ongoing saga that will hopefully be finished after my appointment on October 24th. God knew that dad and mom would need help and so, being unemployed, first time in my life!, I have been able to help out. Mom has gotten worse so quickly since July. She is currently in the hospital, the tenth time in the past two and a half months. She has new onset of seizures, never had seizures before. Kristen started college at the end of August. Greg and I are adjusting to our "empty nest". And Lord-willing, I will be starting a new job November 18th, in a field I have been interested in for several years but never had the confidence to try! If I do get this job, my pay is comparable to what I had been making, and the benefits exceed all that I have ever had! God is amazing! Please pray that through all, Greg and I will remain like that tree, planted by the water with our roots extended to Him so no matter what comes in our lives, we stand strong and yield fruit!Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-24794505796630740342013-10-01T17:10:00.001-04:002013-10-01T17:10:17.764-04:00OctoberWow! It's October already! So much going on. I was indeed offered the position and am now just waiting on the background check. Starting date is November 18, 2013! I've got my fingers crossed that this works out and I'm very excited! More of that later. Greg has a job through next week and then nothing, praying something comes about. God is able! He alone provides and cares for us like no one else can. Greg and I went to the cabin this past weekend for a much needed rest and get away. Awesome time together! Short and sweet!Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-208934774001635362013-09-27T07:52:00.001-04:002013-09-27T07:52:09.311-04:00God is GoodGod is so good! I have been trying to have peace over this situation with my previous employer and I keep leaving it in God's hands only to take it back again. I received a call the other night from the job I interviewed for 2 wks ago. I am one of their top choices! I completed Step 2 of the process yesterday. Praying that He will work this out as I really would love this job, but only if it is His will and where He wants me to be. I have been doing my Bible study in Isaiah. I read this , Isaiah 43:1 But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! Isn't that awesome?! Our God, Creator, Ruler of the universe cares enough to call me by name! He desires a relationship with me and wants to show me how His plan is for my greatest blessing!Family update: God is giving Greg work on a week to week basis. I know He will meet our needs. Josh is doing well, working a lot. Kristen is loving college and I see real changes in her walk with the Lord! Me? Well, to be continued...!Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-31665542600421767292013-09-17T17:31:00.000-04:002013-09-17T17:31:40.183-04:00Who Can You Trust?That was the title of today's study that I am currently doing. It is a study on the book of Isaiah called Trusting God in Troubled Times. I read two verses that grabbed me this morning, Isaiah 30:15 & 18 vs 15 says:For thus the Lord God,the Holy One of Israel, has said, In repentance and rest you shall be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength. vs 18:Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. Isn't it amazing? Repentance AND rest, quietness AND trust. He LONGS to be gracious to us, to have compassion on us if we just repent, rest, be quiet and trust. I should be getting an answer this week as to whether I will be offered the case management job. The interview was long but went very well. I am really interested and I think it would be a great change and a good fit with where I am at in my life.I am also still waiting to tie up a more important loose end. More on that later. I'm trusting you, Lord!Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-84355112006016258822013-09-11T08:25:00.002-04:002013-09-11T08:25:50.542-04:00Awesomeness!I don't know if that is a word, but to me it describes God! I was very nervous regarding my unemployment hearing yesterday. When I opened Facebook, God spoke to me, right away. Psalm 118:6 The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? I remained nervous but felt my confidence in Him. Anyway, my previous employer did not show up to the hearing even they were the ones appealing my unemployment. Thank you Jesus! I have an interview this Friday which I am so looking forward to. Greg's work remains steady, thank you Jesus, and as my brother, Sean said, God is really giving us our DAILY bread. Not our monthly or yearly, but our daily bread, learning to trust Him for our day to day needs. God is good all the time!Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-6308921533123392812013-09-06T08:16:00.002-04:002013-09-06T08:16:39.127-04:00Another reminderStill waiting. I was scrolling through the blogs I read almost every morning and on Pastor Pete's blog I see this verse: Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord;be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. God is definitely teaching me patience!Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-16705227641153221522013-09-05T15:14:00.001-04:002013-09-05T15:14:45.953-04:00WaitingExodus 14:14 Remain calm; the Lord will fight for you. His job is to fight, my job is to trust. Just trust. Not direct, not to question.... my job is to pray and wait.Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-38012621051299905912013-08-26T13:25:00.000-04:002013-08-26T13:25:58.966-04:00Great is Thy FaithfulnessGreat 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!Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-88701529602346928232013-08-13T08:36:00.000-04:002013-08-13T08:36:03.326-04:00My GardenI 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.Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163018416832206134.post-51159516048426116712013-08-12T08:36:00.002-04:002013-08-12T08:38:45.311-04:00MondaySo 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.Susan Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221437492515203677noreply@blogger.com0