Oops, I forgot again

 

As I get older, I find that my memory gets the best of me. I am not good with remembering names. I have always had trouble with this. I recognize faces and think I know them but for the life of me, I can't remember names! Especially if it is out of where I know you from, like work or church. 

But this week, I had a memory scare. I'm laying in bed and my mind is wallowing around in all my thoughts. For some reason, and I think it is because I have 3 doctor appts this week, I start to think about how old I am and I forgot my age! So I start to question myself and I am thinking, "oh no, I am turning 60 this year!" Then I think, no way that is right. I start to panic, because I am in no way ready to be 60. I pull out my trusty calculator and had to figure it out! 

Whew! I am still 58.

Getting older is a hard. You just gotta laugh at yourself and move on. I am encouraged with God's word that helps me accept what is to come. 

“Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old” (Job 12:12 NLT)

“Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever” (Deuteronomy 34:7 NLT)

That is why we are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Love to all,

My story isn't finished

 

My story...it isn't finished. God is not done using me yet! I want to share with you my story, and I am sure I have done this before here, but in case you have not heard it.

Short version...I was saved at 8 but really didn't know what that meant. Then I got caught up in the world, frustrated with the whole church thing and decided it was not for me. I realized, life is miserable without Jesus, so I came back. But really didn't commit until I had to trust an lean on Jesus throughout the trials in my life. And boy, have I had some doozies, but we all have had some of those. Now I live for Jesus. I trust him to carry me, provide for me and help me when life is rough. And that is where my smile and happiness comes from, Jesus. Not things of the world.

Kinda long version....When I realized life is miserable without Jesus and came back, that was a struggle. I went to a large church and was able to get "lost" in the crowd so I wouldn't have to talk to anyone or "make friends". But what church is about is community and relationships. I went through infertility during this time, God carried me through. Blessed me and hubs with 2 amazing kids! Then about 15 years later, I went through cancer, God carried me through. Blessed me with healing and remission. I have gone through life changes of different jobs and different salaries, God has carried me through. Our needs are met and bills are being paid. Not only in my life but during this time, hubs went through back surgery, blessed with recovery. He still has trouble but God is working through him and he is still able to do all the things he needs to do. Going through our kids moving out and one of them across to the West coast! That is still a challenge but God blessed her with a great job, friends and support there. 

Now in our life, we have more life changes. You know as we age, things change. I always knew that one day we would have to care for our parents, but it has crept up so quickly. Not to say that our parents need us now to care for them, but we are in the process to prepare, in case that happens. So my hubs parents will be living with us in about 2 weeks. It is a change, not only for us, but for them as well. I know it will take some time to get accustomed to this living arrangement. 

It can be scary. 

Living with my parents again. 

And I am sure they are feeling it too. Just when you think you have us kids kicked out of the house, we are back! There is more to my life story, more to come, more experiences to be had. I am here for God to use me and work through me. 

So trust me when I say, God is with you through it all. Hard times and sorrow may come to us because we live in a sinful world. But we can pull through it. YOU can pull through it. And the other side? Full of grace, joy and happiness. 

Ephesians 1:7; "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace"

Ephesians 2:8-10; "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Love to all,

Recover time takes longer now

 

No filter. Gray hair, wrinkles...all of it. No filter. I look at my picture and think, when did I get so old? Take this past weekend. Friday, I started with a stuffy nose and it turned into a head cold. A stopped up, can't breath, stuffy nose and it turned into being sick! I remember when I was young, I would start feeling like that, I could just shake it off. I would go on with life as usual. But NOOOO! I get a stuffy nose now and it turns into a raging head cold where I am laid up on the couch, in my PJ's all day, taking Nyquil every night. What happened to me?? 

Sometimes I wish I could turn back time. But then I think, I wouldn't have my life, my family, that I have now. So, when you start to think how hard life is, or how it is hard to accept growing old, look at your many blessings you have. Look at what you have been given. Remember all that you have experienced so far. If you didn't live, you would not have any of that.

Proverbs 16:31 (NIV); "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness."

Isaiah 46:4 NIV; “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you” 

Love to all,