Who is He to You?

As I move slowly but steadily onward this week, I am reminded that "He is my hiding place; he will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.  He will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go; he will counsel and watch over me." Psalm 32: 7,8   Ahhh, songs of deliverance.  I can't begin to count the times I have been in prayer when the Lord brings a song to my mind.  I'm sure you've experienced the same thing.  I love that our Lord tenderly reminds us of his presence through music. There is a passionate connection when we worship our El Roi, our loving God who sees exactly where we are at all times and knows the intimate details of our heart. This vulnerability of my heart before the Lord allows me to change my focus from why, how, and when to who.  Who is my hiding place? Who is my provider?  Who is my help? Who is my morning song? Who is my everything?  Who is my salvation?  Who is my El Shaddai, my Lord Almighty.  There and countless songs that remind me of who God is in my life and for this I rejoice. 

There are ministering angels in our lives disguised as friends.  I am blessed to have many.  This week a very special friend encouraged me with a verse that has been very meaningful to her.  I hope you are blessed by it as well.  It is a little treasure tucked into the end of Habakkuk.  

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.  

I am happy to report back on several of the prayer requests from last week with positive answers. 

Baby Ella is doing much better this week.  After several uncertain days and unexpected delays, her PICC line was taken out today and they are getting ready to come home.  Thank you Lord for your mighty healing work in this little one's life and for holding the family in the palm of your hand.  Lord we ask you to go above and beyond for this family and abundantly provide financially for them to cover the lost work time. 

Mark got an extension to his unemployment.  Thank you Jesus.  We have two weeks where we will only get half to pay back a weeks payment for the time we were gone but we can live with that.  We are still earnestly seeking the Lord for provision of a job.

The team that went to Joplin arrived home safely and three days early.  They had a very good, productive trip.  They got to meet some of the people who's houses they were helping to clean up and sort through.  Some of the stories from this disaster are both heartbreaking and nothing short of pure miracles at the same time. It reminds me of so many other stories we have heard over the past year or so from Haiti and Japan.  Continue to pray for these people who have lost everything and are starting over.  They are no where near the end of the clean up and the volunteers are decreasing.   Like the Haitians and the Japanese, these people desperately need our prayers. 

The tumor was successfully removed from the brain of baby Reese. She has since had another operation having to do with the shunt in her brain. It wasn't draining properly.  She will continue to be at Children's for the next 6 months for intensive chemo.   Please continue to keep this family and precious little one in your prayers as they face a long, hard road to recovery. 

The next precious little one was due to arrive last week but after having an amnio, they determined that her lungs were not quite ready.  Three older siblings anxiously await tomorrows anticipated arrival. Not to mention mom and dad.   Lord we ask you to be with the Dr.'s as they deliver little Gracie.  Give them wisdom and strength.  Bless the family as they increase tomorrow and keep your mighty hand upon them all.

The move for Theresa and Roy went better than expected which is always a good way to have a move turn out.  They were able to get some what situated and make the rooms feel like home for themselves and the boys.  It is a great house in a nice neighborhood with a perfect yard for two boys to play and grow in.

I continue to press in and press on.  I am grateful this week that I may have discovered one culprit to the stomach issue that is controllable.  We control the ones we can and let go the ones we can't.