What Lies Ahead?

While hiking Mt. Baldy late last month with my son and a friend as we continue to train for the Freedom Climb, I came to a place where there was a large rock and the trail seemed to disappear. I thought how life is like that. There are times when we have big rocks and boulders that seemingly block the path of our life, the path of our life in the way that we thought it would go.

I was up front for a little bit on this hike and I was clearly on a trail but up ahead: there was no path that I could see. I continued moving forward and upward towards that boulder, wondering if I was taking the right path or if I had missed something. As I continued on this journey up the mountain and climbed over the boulder, there was the path on the other side. 

Life is like that sometimes for us. We have boulders that seem to be blocking our way that we never expected and yet, with God's help and presence, we keep moving forward even though the journey is not clear to us. Sometimes it takes way more effort and strength than we ever could imagine, but that is when we remember that "when we are weak, He is strong". He is the One who helps us to move forward on this path of life, one step at a time, one day at a time. 

"Step by step He leads me and I will follow Him all of my days." This was just a simple reminder of His presence with us and He is leading us even when things are not clear. Lord, help us not to worry about the boulders ahead but to remember that you will help us as we take the step we are taking now and will see us over and through what lies ahead.

So thankful for Jeremy for hiking with his Momma!

Give Someone You Love an Extra Hug Today!

36 years ago!  Really? 36 years ago Lonnie and I were married!

It seems in so many ways like a lifetime ago and then in other ways like just yesterday.  He was fun-loving, full of life, loved God and his family with all of his heart. He took care of me so well from the beginning and I miss him. We miss him. 

Tiffany sent met this verse today: "He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of His people He will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken" Isaiah 25:8 (ESV). Thank you, Tiffany, for this fills me with hope and I rejoice in the resurrection life that we have in Jesus! 

I was reading about Mary, Martha and Lazarus today and how they sent word to Jesus regarding Lazarus saying, "Lord, the one You love is sick." I talked to God about how I knew He loved my husband when Lonnie was dealing with his health issues and was sick--"Lord, the one you love." I wish we had been able to comprehend that the combination of medication (Simvastatin) and Lonnie's low cholesterol could lead to serious side effects and harm. (The FDA has since added more warnings regarding statins). 

I will never really be able to put all the pieces of this puzzle together but I know God is the One who understands and is putting things right for all eternity. I trust Him and there is no other that I can turn to but Him. Daily I need Him and desire to know His heart and His love even when things happen that I don't understand.

Last Saturday I was listening to praise music and was thinking about how Lonnie used to talk about the "promise of His presence" in his sermons, prayers and conversation. As I contemplated this, I said those words out loud but very quietly, "The promise of Your presence." Just as I finished whispering them, a song  (Who Can Compare by Emerging Voices) came on and these words were softly spoken, "We love your presence, God." What a special, precious moment this was for me. 

Today, can I encourage everyone to give their spouse and loved ones big hugs and lots of love? 

Here are some things Lonnie used to say. He would tell his daughters that they were "pretty, pretty, precious, pretty, pretty!" and to his sons I would hear him say, "I love you and am so proud of you! Man, I love you!"

"Time for a run." "Do you want to go for a walk?" How he loved to get out and run and also walk with me. I think he would be happy that I am hiking and preparing for the Freedom Climb in Colorado this summer. 

A few more Lonnie-isms just for fun.  "Oh Man, what's wrong with my driving?" "If you see something on the ground, pick it up as you go--that's what my grandmother used to always say to me!" "Thank you for your support!" 

But above all else, "I love you!" 

"Love you bunches and bunches!"