Blessings Abound and Time Rushes On

Well, it's been a while since my last blog, to many things have taken priority. 

My trip overseas worked out very well. I made a visit to the museum in Russia, purchased another copy of "The Prodigal Son", cried when I got to see the original painting. It was the highlight of my trip, the balance of the museum was awesome, but time there rushed by quickly! The Russian ballet "swan lake" was the other important stop for me on this cruise. As I imagined this was one of the most beautiful ballets. These two items stand out in my mind more than anything else on the trip.

The other countries we visited were wonderful experiences, but I longed to be back home. I don't like traveling abroad without my husband.

As Thanksgiving approaches next week, we mark the departure for yet another extensive cruise

down the west side of Africa. Regent is the cruise line and its very nice. The flights from

America to Toronto to Germany to Portugal will be lengthy to be sure. My husband has not been down this area before so it's a treat for him as well. This will be a longer trip, as we leave the 27 of November and return on December 25/26 to Maryland. Cold weather to very warm weather is the challenge for health as well as cloths packing. I like to have plenty to do while on a cruise so my crafts will be joining me. I'm actually bringing a small Christmas tree to put up in our room 

with a nativity as well as a bow for the door. 

I have an obligation to deliver cards to the nursing home Monday so I will have to get them folded

tomorrow. I feel bad if I miss a Monday!

Life has bestowed a new health challenge that certainly wasn't expected.  Not cancer, Alzheimer or Dementia, but something that has no cure but a list of side affects. I had retired from GriefShare this year and I ended up helping the pastor do one more.  I really wanted to get back the Gods Cozy Acres and get some Bible Studies going again. That is on my bucket list for planning and starting 2019, Lord willing. I miss the farm, the seasonal changes, the animals, the neighbors and the peace.

I have been married 6 years as of October 12, 2018 and as of September 29, Dennis has been gone 9 years. I do thank the Lord for allowing my life to have the changes it has, including the heart attack,

just from moving a few tree limbs. I certainly don't want to let Him down, so I am working two get

my work at the farm back on track. There are some real needs out there with the building, because

Dennis is gone, its hard to find people who want to help. I really want to put up a ladder and climb on the roof like I had done with Dennis in the past, but I know that won't work out well.

My bucket list for the farm is paint and wood and people who can help! I do look forward to having a fire in the fire place at the farm when I come back from our trip. Its so peaceful.

Well, I need some sleep, getting up early to go to 2 churches in the morning. God's blessings on all!

your sister in Christ Maryanne

each day is a blessing...live every day as if it is your last! Remember to Thank God!

On A New Path Comes Discovery...

Every day is a new day on my path in life, no longer living on a small beautiful quiet farm and now in a lovely noisy golf community, growing in the Lord and trying to help others.

I will tell you, keeping your eyes open does help! One wrong turn and you can stumble, so you must watch your focus.  My work now is focus on things that will please the Lord, which sometimes gives me pause. But, as I move along I have been introduced to people I knew, learning their story and listening to their insights.

I am always amazed to see or hear something new. Paul David Tripp, is a pastor, writer and speaker, I met in our GriefShare program over the last 8 years.The Tripp DVD programs have really inspired me so much! I need all the help I can get! I feel more connected to the Lord, by what I have learned. I understand more now about my life as its progressing between the Cross and Forever. I am understanding "Tough Grace" and why its important. I understand more about being a sinful person married to a sinful person, and that really put us on a level playing field right away. Gods not done with us yet!

 I have decided to retire from working with GriefShare and move into nursing home visitations, of some sort. My husband and I now share a small Bible Study, on Wednesdays with nursing home residences in Loudon Tennessee.  I have kept my visitation of two widows and one other nursing home on Mondays. Its hard to stop something you have been doing for a long time, but if you listen hard you can hear the Lord telling you its time.

I have been a Lutheran all my life and now I am married to a Bible scholar interested in making a difference in others lives with the Gospel. However, He is not satisfied with the information being left out,.as he says. This has led us to attend a Baptist Church.  Now, I think I am getting the best of all worlds because I attend BOTH churches. Makes me quite happy. In this process, my husband has introduced different pastors sermons (on Line) to me. We attended a seminar on World Religions, which I just loved. I learned there are two religions Mans religions and Gods religion. That was followed up by a visit to the Ark in Kentucky. Another wow for me.

I am trying to get ready for a trip over seas Tuesday next for 2 weeks. My husband won't be joining me, but I get the privilege of traveling with my two stepdaughters.  I must get the house ready for my departure, pack my suitcase, make a list for my husband , who will care for the cat and dog and make my greeting cards for this Monday and the next two Wednesdays. I will see how that turns out. At least I took the time to enter something in this blog.
Have a great day in the Lord and be looking to discover something new!
your sister in Christ Maryanne

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Another Year Starts

Another year has started and the label is 2018.  I have a bit of excitement. A couple deadlines that curl my toes, but I have trust in the Lord and myself working together on this.

I ended 2017 with a 35 day cruise with my husband around South America, back in time to start GriefShare January 4th at Gods Cozy Acres farm.  This is my favorite place and I am ready for the challenge of the weather.  This is a work in progress and its coming about in the Lords Time, not mine. I have to give Him all the credit for any progress we make there.The best of all is that everyone who comes out loves it there and feels refreshed and exhilarated.This is still basically a one woman show and God is the lead.  I have a new husband, of five years, but he isn't interested in being in charge. He is my intellectual hero and chief Bible scholar.

Three sessions of GriefShare in 2017 followed by the 35 day cruise has started me on a new task.My new excitement is cooking. The old me said,"  I'm an artist, I don't cook, I decorate the table and place the food on the plates to look beautiful." Well, during the 35 days at sea, I devoured Chef Jacques Pepin's cooking programs. By the time we got off the ship, my new DVDs and two cook books were waiting for me. I have learned some wonderful things and  have started putting them into practice. I am finding fun in the kitchen for the first time. I am not expecting to be writing any cooking books but I think I may learn enough to feel confident to eat my own cooking.

I have, since last year, excelled in my hand made card creations and started selling my cards to bring some funds to Gods Cozy Acres. I really want to share my love of creating cards with other women, because its a great accomplishment and it provides joy to the maker and the receiver.

Mondays I visit two widows and a nursing home. The cards I take (60) computer generated cards to the nursing home, they come with lots of love. All my cards say "Happy Monday" and I get smiles and a few hugs.  I want to share the joy I receive by making and delivering cards to those who are on the other side of life now can't get  get out any more. There are so many nursing homes all over the country, so many elderly people who are so happy to get a card, even computer generated and a word or a touch from another human being. I actually don't remember how many years I've been doing this, perhaps four. I would like to encourage others to take a little time and do this.  I felt sad and missed everyone while I was away on my cruise.

I'm back on track for 2018; cards ready for Monday, and GriefShare is up and running.
I was  afraid of some of my challenges until I put them into proper perspective. With God all things are possible and if they aren't really that important, as I think, God will certainly let me know.

My most important task is every night and every morning to have my time with God. I have really found a better way to pray from Priscilla Shirer's book Fervent. This came after the move "War Room" something else that got me started.  For me this works and I share when I can everything that has changed life for me. I know who I'm fighting now and its not my husband or family members or anyone else human, its the devil himself. Once I got that understood, I was more able to pray much better. I'm far from perfect but I have a better handle on things when I keep up. 

Well, speaking of keeping up. I need to get some sleep, and get this cold under control. This is going to be  a GREAT YEAR!

I WANT YOU ALL TO SAY THAT TOO AND BELIEVE IT.  NO MATTER WHAT LIFE IS TOSSING ON YOUR PLATE, WITH THE LORD WE WILL HANDLE IT BRAVELY!

Have a great week in the Lord, from your sister in Christ maryanne.