His Power to Protect and His Grace to Restore (1000 gifts)

986. grateful for the Sati series for November on gratefulness 

987. my list lies open on the table as I count everything as gratefulness

988. the Word read aloud

989. the garland of grace I have put on

990. grateful to be preoccupied with Him this morning

991. a hug from the golfer before going off to work

992. the moments of processing aloud some hard stuff with a friend

993. Saturday morning: waking up in the golfers arms

994. This Scripture; "Praise the Lord; Praise God our Savior! For each day He carries us in His arms." Psalm 68:19

995. a caring call from our son-in-law Josh

996. grateful to be His daughter

997. grateful He is overjoyed with me

998. one new son-in-law to come .... Love you Dustin!

999. each desert I must pass through

1000. knowing His power to protect and His grace to restore both Kelley and I

# 9 Hey Dad September 7th 2007 (a great post for Veteran's Day ... Letter from one soldier to another)

Well, I'm sitting in class right now waiting for it to start. We just finished eating chow and now we have all afternoon for more classes. I'm looking forward to Sunday though we won't have any classes tomorrow either because we go to the range to see the set up and learn procedures. I'm really hoping to qualify expert with the pistol. I have to at least get sharpshooter in order to stay in "Best of the Best". Please pray that I'm able to get one of those two. How is work going? Soon enough it will be snowing so your'e gonna have to pull out that winter jacket! I hope there's not too much snow when I get home. Have you been looking at any cars for me? I don't really think I want a Saturn anymore. What do you think I should get? I know you were talking about getting a loan so I can work on my credit. Do you still think that's a good idea? How much is gas right now? I'm just curious cause I still really want an SUV :0p Have you and mom found a new RAV 4 yet? Well class has started so I need to go for now. I love you so much daddy and you have no idea how much your love and encouragement helps me through all of this. I miss you dearly. Talk to you soon hopefully. ;-)
Love Always, Ash # 5

Slowing Down

A couple of weeks ago I was able to take a drive out to Deerfield and enjoy space on a friend's farm for a 3 hour time frame, uninterrupted, to speak and hear from God.

The most important task was to slow myself down so I could find meaning in everything; every word I read, spoke, and wrote.

So when I started with 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" I knew how important it was for me to release my concerns, review what concerns actually led me into sin, and then remember God's faithfulness. These were the three areas, release, review, and remember that made it possible to slow down enough to find meaning in everything that day.

The view outside my window at the farm ...
breath-taking and peaceful