Random Brain Ramblings

I haven't posted much of late as I've been sort of in a low spot in many ways and have had trouble pulling my brain out of the fog for more than is required for just general life a lot of the time.
We've had a very long stretch of cycling snow storms and freezing cold temperatures and that has caused it's own issues as well as creating a certain amount of drab feelings and cabin fever alternatingly (is that really a word?).

We've had frozen heat pipes, a giant frost heave just outside the garage door, the chicken coop is at a definite angle - probably also due to frost heaves, we've had ice dams and leaking into the house, and as of yesterday, a different heating pipe has begun to leak and the plumber can't come until next week Tuesday.  I've had a weird tendonitis thing in my right hand/wrist that has made life very challenging and has completely thwarted my self-therapy of sewing.  The dog had surgery and then a weird doggie vertigo episode that has resulted in lots of vet visits and bills.

All this is fairly negative on the surface, however there have been many good things and bright spots as well.
There are things to be thankful for even when things are hard:

• After my temper-tantrum with God back in September (mom-camp), we started attending church in Peterborough (Monadnock Congregational Church) and that has been a tremendous blessing and source of peace.  Steve and I even attended membership class with the Pastor and are planning to become members during the month of March (Lord willing).
• We've had some rough spots with friends and family that have required us to speak up and step out of our normal non-confrontational lifestyle to deal with uncomfortable issues - this has resulted in shifts in relationships that prayerfully God is putting on the right track again.
• Almost all of the house issues have resolved - mostly - without any really dreadful situations or too horrendous of expenses.  And we are really evaluating what is needful for projects and home improvements both long and short-term.  I do see having to paint the family room this year after the water leaking in left water spots on the ceiling, but that was sort of needful anyway.
• My chiropractor has made great improvement in my hand/wrist with a new technique.
• Today it is 40 degrees and the sun is peaking out!
• The kids are healthy and doing well with their school work and we are working on our plans for next year including starting to look at colleges for Jess.
• Ben is learning to drive.
• I'm reading several books right now.
• Steve built Jess some fun built-in bookshelves in her room.

• Steve is working on building me a design wall for my sewing room.
• My chickens are all still laying and seem to be surviving their first winter okay.
• My new cat Gypsy is settling in nicely and loves to sit on my desk with me.
• We have had some great silly laugh-fests when we get a bit stir crazy.
• I've got lots of projects to work on once my hand heals enough to get back to sewing.
• There is prayer meeting on Thursday evenings at church and it's wonderful.
• There is coffee and chocolate and fudge in my world.
• I have a husband who is truly amazing, loves me so and cares for me completely, and we've just celebrated 19 years of marriage!
• My kids are awesome, smart, funny and very helpful.
• I have dear friends to share with, laugh with and who will keep me in prayer.
• I know that Jesus loves me and will carry me through the toughest things by His grace & mercy.

Blessings on the journey~

Life is hard for everyone

You know those days when you feel like you are dealing with some big, huge, awful thing?  And then you read something, or talk to someone, or see something on the news that makes you suddenly realize that what you are facing maybe ISN'T so big, huge, and awful?
I've had a lot of those days in the past year or so.  I mean... a lot.  God continually reminds me that even in the face of whatever it is I'm dealing with at the moment - He is with me, and someone else is dealing with something worse.
Now, all that being said... when you are facing something that for YOU is a big, huge and awful thing.  God cares.  It really is big - for you.  It is huge - for you.  It is awful - for you.  But really... in the scope of eternity, it isn't about you.  God will carry you through the darkness if you lean on Him. 
A friend of mine once wrote a devotional study on Psalm 23 - that famous one everyone (or almost everyone) knows by heart.  She wrote one line that stuck with me. "When you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death; keep walking and don't stop to pitch a tent."
We are not supposed to wallow in our big, awful and huge situations.  We are supposed to keep walking along the path that God has marked out for us, even when we only have the light for just the most immediate next step.  God sometimes lights the way with small lights instead of big floodlights.  Though I will admit, in my human frailties, I'm afraid of the dark and crave sunshine and bright lights.  I even have a nightlight in the bathroom at home. :-)  I'm learning to walk in His light, that is sufficient if not always comfortable for me.
Part of my point is that I've realized (albeit slowly), when I try to look outside of myself and my immediate circumstances or issues, things seem to be a bit better, a bit brighter, a bit lighter.  Maybe because I can leave whatever my load is at Jesus' feet and move on to attempt to lighten somebody else's load.
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
And he says in John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
 In Psalm 71:19-20 David writes:
  Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things.
       Who, O God, is like you?
  Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

Today I am dealing with some issues in my life.  But I know God is in control.  Nothing surprises Him and He has a plan for everything in my life - even when I can't possibly see how it will play out.  It is really hard, but I have to pray on it all and leave it with Him.  He will carry me through if I let Him.  I have to trust Him. 
And realistically, what choice do I have?  I can't change anything by worrying or fretting.  Jesus said in Luke 12: 25-26  "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?"  He is right, of course.