I've neglected writing for so long and now I've got much to catch everyone up on so I'll split this into several posts. Check back often over the next few days!
Things are rocking along here pretty well. I've been trying to get Ron out more, good for him physically as well as emotionally to be out and about interacting with other people. So I've been walking his little tushy off...one weekend we went to the Nasher Sculpture Center (did you know it's FREE! the first Saturday of each month? My kind of place!) Another week I took him to the arboretum (Wednesday's are buy one get one free with Star Telegram Press Pass!) He did pretty well at both places; we walk about 10 minutes then sit and rest 15-20 minutes then walk some more and rest some more; as soon as we get home, he's ready for a NAP! About every other Friday night we have a hot date with Laurie and Tony and have game night with Grandma and Papa at their place! As you can see, we've become quite the party animals!
I'm always on the lookout for free (or very inexpensive) things to do to get him out of the house more; activities that don't require too much exertion so let me know if you have any good ideas. I know he's looking forward to trying to ride along with his golfing buddies some day soon (probably just nine holes, though...I don't think he'd be up to riding a full round since that would be at least 4 hours!)
We've also been able to go to church each Sunday morning for at least a month now and he seems to be tolerating the activity better all the time, no longer requires a 2 hour nap afterwards.
A few Sundays ago we had a very sweet prayer time with several of our deacons (and a couple of wives) here at our home. What a blessing! Thanks, Bev, for taking the initiative to make this happen!
We had a very busy Easter weekend with a very moving Cross Service at Ryan & Stacee's church Friday night, dinner and egg hunt with family on Saturday, church Sunday morning and dinner and a couple of games of washers on Sunday afternoon with even more family (no, I was not invited to play so Ron escaped without harm this time!) He was definitely wore out after that weekend and had quite a bit of tightness in his belly for a few days but bounced back pretty well by the end of the week.
Ron has also ventured out driving a few times and has increased to within about a 10-15 minute radius. He has really enjoyed this sense of normalcy, but it does tend to tire him.
God continues to speak to me in so many ways as we settle into our new lifestyle...below are a few of my thoughts.
I Kings 19:6 “The journey is too much for you.”
Elijah had just accomplished, through God, some of his most amazing feats…he had proven God was more powerful than Baal by prophesying a drought, by defeating Baal and Baal’s prophets on Mount Carmel, and by his answered prayer for rain. Then, he ran for his life! He was afraid of Jezebel and her threat to kill him. What became of his faith in God’s ability, strength and sovereignty?
There are times that I, like Elijah, experience tremendous spiritual victory, only to take my eyes off Jesus and become frightened by my circumstances. I “grow weary in doing good” and become discouraged. I doubt the One who gives comfort and peace when life seems overwhelming.
Still, God remains faithful. Just as he fed Elijah and gave him rest; He provides for my every need. Yet, I will only hear Him when I get still before Him. I Kings 19:9b-13 tells of God “passing by” Elijah...not in the wind, nor the earthquake, nor the fire, but in a gentle whisper. It makes me wonder, how often do I get still enough to hear God speak? Do I expect Him to come in a bigger, more spectacular way thereby missing His gentle whisper?
Spiritual valleys often follow tremendous spiritual victory but I need to remember He still has work for me to do even if/when I am afraid. And I can rest in knowing He has more resources available than my finite mind can imagine. The “journey” may be “too much” for me alone; but God promises “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Phil 4:13)
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