Everything

I know that most of us have been experiencing some really hard times..this video always puts it into perspective for me. No matter where you're at or what you're going through, Jesus is there drawing you back into his arms, ready to fight for you.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.

But a breath

This morning we got the bills for Jim's ER visits (yes visits!) I have to admit that I've been secretly stressing over this. It seems like lately things have really hit the fan. I keep asking God "haven't we been through enough, yet?" Oh, what a patient and loving Father he is! While I am sitting here stewing over our problems I have forgotten to Believe and Trust in him!

Yesterday afternoon I was able to sneak in some one on one time with God. I turned to Isaiah 40 : Here are the verses that stuck out to me.

He tends his flock like a shepherd
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
or weighed the mountains on the scales, and the hills on a balance?...

Do you not know,
have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow weary or tired,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who put their hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not grow faint.

So through all of these trials I am coming to understand that God has it all under control (he is gracious enough to keep reminding my stubborn heart!!!!). My Father, who created all the universe, who can hold the oceans in the palm of his hand, can certainly handle my minuscule problems!

Psalms 62 tells us that we are but a breath, our lives are so short....too short to spend it worrying over things that in the grand plan don't add up to dust!

Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.

Sooo, back to the ER bills: I was expecting the worst. He had x-rays, stitches, two ER visits....and both bills add up to less then $2000! To some people that may sound like a lot (don't get me wrong, that is a ton of money for us to spend, but I was thinking something with maybe another 0). I truly believe that God kept Jim's hand from being damaged far worse then what really happened (he basically cut down to the bone of his first finger, but he still has a finger and he didn't damage the tendon!). In my mind those bills could have been so much worse and for some reason we are still financially surviving even though he hasn't worked in over 2 weeks!

GOD IS A GOOD SHEPHERD!!!!

busy bee

bumble bee
Originally uploaded by princess and the purl

I just love watching the bees buzz around my neighbor's flowers. She is so gifted with her gardens...I on the other hand am destined to have rock gardens!!! (Jim bought me a pond for my birthday a couple of years ago. It's been pretty easy because I don't have to remember to water or weed it!!)

I have been on a total crochet kick lately. If you would have told me a month ago that I would be crocheting instead of knitting I would have said your NUTS!!!! I hated crochet! I hadn't done much of anything craftwise in quite awhile...now I've got 6 FO's and a blanket for J in the works, plus a few things in my head that I want to try!!!! I started the blanket for Jamie while on vacation. The first picture that I saw was typical spiderman colors (red and blue), but J saw one that was Spiderman 3 themed and he had to have it..too obsessed!!!! I have a couple more sections of black and white to do and then add the white through the vertical points to make the "web". So far it has been really easy..good car project! The other two want their fav super hero's now! Thank God for Ravelry and the geniuses who can graft out the logos!!!!