And then came Tuesday....
Our bags were all packed and we were ready to head to Wisconsin. Jill and Adam had purchased a home and we were going to go to help them paint and do some other projects.
However, there were last minute situations at work and Allen called me to say we would not be able to go. He would have to work and couldn't get away.
I unpacked all our things and uncanceled our "hold mail". The LORD says "Do all things without grumbling or complaining. Give thanks in all circumstances." so this is what we do. The LORD had other plans for us.
One evening as we were taking a walk around the lake, the stillness of the lake made me think of the verse Psalm 37:7:
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him."
Also I thought of 2Co 3:18 (NLT)"So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image." What a thought! May it be so, more and more!
Because we did not go to Wisconsin, I was able to visit with a friend at Presbyterian Manor. We talked about drawing near to God. I have a study book called Draw Near. The first chapter and teaching talked about how burdens can weigh us down like carrying very heavy water buckets on a pole.
I went home and made me a little picture of what it would look like. I began to write down what some of these are, and I will continue to add more as I have them. But Christ says to give our burdens to Him. We need not carry such heavy "buckets". Fill my bucket with the Living Water, instead of the cares of this world!
I was able to go to the women's prayer meeting on Wednesday. There were some heavy things to pray over. And we gave these to Him, who is able to carry them.
I was able to go to my women's Bible study on Thursday and it was such an encouragement! Plus one of the ladies brought some Hershey's chocolate from her trip to Hershey PA with her husband. Another brought some fudge from her trip to Mackinac Island with her husband! And a friend brought me a fun mug for my birthday!
I was also able to help clean out a home for a friend who is moving next door to her kids! What a joy to help her out!
We sure did enjoy sitting by the pool with refreshing drinks! I was very tempted to jump in the pool, sweaty clothes and all!!
I was able to go to the women's swim class at the lazy river the following night! That is so fun!
And we were able to take Filipino friends to the Pretty Prairie rodeo! That was a new American experience for them!
One of the bulls trampled the cowboy he bucked off, but he was able to walk away from it! Incredible!
On Thursday evening I was able to go to our ladies progressive dinner too! Had we gone to Wisconsin, I wouldn't have been able to do that either! It was so fun!
His ways are not our ways. We trust Him, however He leads us. And we experience things we would not have been able to otherwise.
