Random Thoughts and Praises

Does Minnesota ever get really hot?

90's or 100's Fahrenheit?

This lemonade looks very refreshing today

for it felt almost

"hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk"!

 It's going to be hotter tomorrow.

So thankful for air conditioning.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

James 1:17

I spent the day quietly.  Extra time in the Word this morning.  A couple of phone calls to friends who I haven't talked to for awhile.  Getting things put back in order.  All our company has gone home.  Though we loved having each and every one of them here, we admit to being just a little tired.  (For the last 6 weekends in a row we have had overnight company staying with us. The last two weeks we have had company. And the 4 weekends before the last 6, in which we had overnight company, were filled with graduation events.) Yesterday after church we all took very long naps.  A few days ago, I thought that this upcoming week would still be a little busy, because I would be attending one Bridal Shower, and co-hosting a Baby Shower at church for about 60-70 people the next night!  But, in just a few days time, both events have been wiped off of my schedule.  This morning, I spent quite a bit of time planning out my week, so that I could get everything done and, especially, not forget anything.  About 11:30 a.m., I got a phone call and found out that, due to scheduling conflicts, the Baby Shower which my friend and I were going to be hosting on behalf of our church was going to be postponed until the end of the summer.  I sat down, took out my notebook and looked at my schedule for today and this week, and found myself checking things off, saying, "Don't have to do that...don't have to do that...don't have to do that..."

Remember last week when I re-posted the article about not worrying or fretting because, in my past experience, God has always canceled something whenever I felt overwhelmed or He thought it was going to be "too much"?

Well, He did it again!

I guess He thought I needed a break.
(or...maybe He has other work for me to do?)

Today, though....I went outside...
sat on the deck in the shade...

and read a book.

It is the first time all summer

that I have done that!!
It was wonderful.

Gratefulness

Tonight, friends came by to borrow our chairs

and a table for their youngest daughter's wedding,

a small family affair,

which will take place on Saturday.

We heard again how God has marvelously brought

their daughter and her husband-to-be together, 

how wonderfully matched they are

and what a blessing it has been for

the whole family

and all the little ways God has been doing

"abundantly above" all they could

ask or think. We have been praying for a few years

for God to bring around her "special one," in His time.

We are reminded of the

perfectness of God's timing, and

how He continues to show His

love to His children in very special ways.

The girl's mom assured me, as she left, of her

continued prayers for "others."

(near and dear to us...)

Seeing God answer prayers so beautifully,

rejoices the hearts of those who've been praying,

and gives hope to those who are

still waiting for their "special one".

We know that God's timing is perfect,

and we are so grateful for the ways He's shown His

love and for all He has given.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

 Ephesians 3:20-21

Hope you're all having a great start to your week, and realizing in a special way God's amazing grace and love for you!