Looking out my window
After a long winter, and an even longer spring, the gift of summer-like blue skies and green trees is feeding my thirsty soul with life from above.
I am thinking
that “God loves a cheerful giver” because He knows His own giving heart is being shared in the gift. This weekend God prompted me to share a gift with a stranger, and then on Monday morning my artist friend shared one of her most special paintings “The Lady in the Garden” with me. Here it is hanging next to a shared gift from another friend:
I am thankful
for the gift of prayer during this seemingly unending search for the correct RA meds. I have found another level to the grace of being carried. Jesus is showing me that when He says, “You have need of patience,” He wants to be the one to supply it for me.
One of my favorite things
The story of Ruth is one of my favorites. From several different directions, it seems that the Lord has me considering it again this spring and summer. This song always stirs a deep longing and prayers in my heart for so many loved ones.
I am creating
I am loving the gift of this poetry journal “Treasures” from my children for a Mother’s Day present. Some of the poetry that you read here has had its creation started in the scribbling of this book.
I am wearing
capris and a t-shirt, with a jacket nearby on this cool morning.
I am reading/watching/listening to
This month I began reading a book that was first recommended to me several years ago in a comment by one of my blogging friends. And it is already touching my heart deeply. “Just Show Up: The Dance of Walking Through Suffering Together,” by Kara Tippetts and Jill Lynn Buteyn, is the story of two friends who were willing to share their hearts through some of the darkest days imaginable. I am being challenged to allow the Lord to continue to deepen my own friendships. And I am excited to begin reading the next devotional by Susan Chamberlain Shipe, “31 Days of Praying Psalm 91.”
I am hoping
for this season of rehab to continue to progress smoothly for my husband. His recovery is happening slower than he thought it would, but we know that God’s timing is never delayed. He is the perfect planner!
I am learning
even more that my #oneword for this year, “sufficient,” is being proven day by day as I hold onto Jesus’ strength for me.
In my kitchen
This week my husband revived his interest in our Bread Machine, and has been experimenting with his own recipes. Since I’ve been gluten free, he has seemed to enjoy his bread even more than he used to! (Funny how that happens, isn’t it?) So, once again, the aroma of Whole Grain Molasses Bread has been wafting through our home.
In my garden
I am so grateful for the gift of this clematis. You can read my original posts about it here and here. Every year it is a reminder to me of the ways that God works in the deep places of our hearts.
Post Script
A new blogger I’ve recently begun following has such a friendly site, where she invites you to come along for a virtual “cup of tea” and conversation. In this post last week, over at Tea With Jennifer, she shared the story that helped to shape her view of eternity. Read it by clicking here.
Shared Quote
“We cannot always be doing a great work, but we can always be doing something that belongs to our condition. To be silent, to suffer, to pray when we cannot act, is acceptable to God.” ~~Fenelon
A Moment From My Day
Here we are, at the six week post-op check for my husband’s knee replacement surgery with his surgeon, Dr. Michael Anderson. He was so gracious to let me post this picture.
Closing Notes
(Graphic created with Youversion Bible App)
Where are your days taking you? Have you found the peace that comes from taking hold of the Lord’s hand? He is our ONE true help. May you find His peace this day.
I am linking with:
BettieGsRAseasons 
thank you for sharing, your sketches look lovely.
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Thank you Wendi! I hope you are finding time to create also! Blessings to you!
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You are welcome and yes, God is giving me some opportunities to do so……….!
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I love your husband’s smile with the doctor. I’m glad he is recovering.
Your day book is wonderful.I patiently read all your entries via e-mail, Bettie. It is cool keeping up with a friend’s life via e-mail.😂😂😂😂
Bear hugs to you
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Dear Ifeoma,
Yes, it is such a gift to be able to keep up through these digital airwaves, isn’t it? I am so thankful for your friendship, and I pray rich blessings for you too. God is so good to keep helping us all along the way! Hugs & Love to you my dear friend!
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So beautiful, Bettie! I loved reading your post. What a treat to have that journal as a gift from your kids! I had never heard that song by Nichole and Amy – so beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing your days with us. Much love and many blessings to you, dear sister! xoxo
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Thank you Gayl! Yes,isn’t that song beautiful? The Lord brought it to me during a time of special prayer, and it remains so important for me. I am so grateful that He gives us ways to express the heart that is within us from Him! Thank you for being such a dear poet/sister/friend! Blessings, love and hugs to you! xoxo
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I’m glad that you linked this at #LMMLinkup, Bettie so that I could meet you here today. From the looks of things you have so much to be grateful for and I’m glad you chose to share them with us.
Blessings on you and your hubby in the midst of the health challenges.
Marva | SunSparkleShine
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Thank you for stopping by here, Marva! I’m grateful for the connections that link-ups bring about. And yes, so grateful for all of the ways that the Lord is bringing help and grace. Blessings to you!
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So lovely to get a peek into your days like this, Bettie. What a beautiful gift from your friend and I love the smell of fresh bread. Mum had a bread maker. The bread here is already so fresh and good we haven’t got one. I’m sorry you can’t eat it though.
Love the photo with Barry. Your word for this year is proving so deep. Even the book you’re reading feeds into that too, I think. You have so much to teach us as you walk through each day, leaning on Christ’s strength to get you through.
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Dear Anna,
I’m so glad to share a snippet of my day with you. I so wish that we could actually share a day “in person,” but Heaven will be all the more sweeter, right? How wonderful to have fresh bread so readily available there. Yes, I miss gluten some days, but most of the time I am so glad to avoid the ill-effects that I’ve gotten along with other things. And, isn’t it so amazing the way that the Lord weaves us all together, even in the lessons He brings us through? We each benefit from the other along His pathway. I feel like that is just one more way He is bringing His sufficiency to us–through the gifts of the friends He provides too! I’m so very grateful for all of your prayers and support dear friend. May the Lord bring you His sweet blessings tonight!
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Betti, I always feel drawn closer to our Savior when I read your words and think on Him.
Today I thought about how He must enjoy giving us blessings. When He said it is more blessed to give than to receive, He was speaking from experience. What a precious truth!
Reminds me of the time our young daughter, Sandie, asked me, “Is God happy?”
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Dear Linda,
Thank you for your sweet words. And yes, what a precious thought–He has and does experience the blessing of giving first of all! And, I love that question your daughter asked when she was young. The cute sayings that those little ones come up with, are more than just cute when we take the time to ponder them also. That childlike heart really is so full of simple truths. Blessings to you Dear Cousin!
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Hi Bettie,
Thank you for the tag, I am truly humbled. ♥
I really enjoyed your post, you sound busy, I’m glad that you are getting some lovely time with your man while he recovers from surgery & I think journaling is always a great idea… what a great gift!
Ruth was such an amazing Godly woman, very inspiring in so many ways. Especially in trust, love & obedience!
Jennifer
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Dear Jennifer,
You are very welcome! I have enjoyed getting to “know” you in these digital airwaves. Yes, it has been much busier than my weak body is used to handling! 🙂 But thank the Lord for His grace and His gifts. I will miss my husband when he has to go back to work. We have been so thankful for this time given to us, even through the difficulties. I pray that we can continue to be inspired by the beautiful stories in Scripture that point us to trust,love, and obedience! Blessings to you!
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Amen Bettie, many blessings to you & your man, Jennifer
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I love your journal book; what a thoughtful gift!! Glad to hear your husband is healing from his knee replacement surgery! I really enjoyed his smile and hope to be smiling after my knee is replaced this fall (after some recovery, of course!) Most of all… I didn’t know you had RA! Your patience in searching for the correct meds that will help inspires me to be more patient with my boring OA! THANK YOU for sharing this!! You have brightened my day!! ❤
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Oh, I am so grateful that I could offer you encouragement here. You have brought tears to my eyes, as I have read your recent posts about the daily pain you bear. It is not easy when the Lord allows us to walk through these painful times. But He is so good to bring encouragement and help just when we need it most. I will let my husband know about your upcoming surgery, and we will both keep you in our prayers! Thank you for sharing your sweet heart! Blessings and hugs!
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I love this glimpse into “you” and what’s happening in your part of the world. It’s good to see your husband and to know he is progressing even if it’s slower than anitcipated. Also the Book of Ruth is and will always be my favorite. I love getting to know my friends better. Blessings and hugs!
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Dear Mary,
Thank you for your encouragement and sweet visit here! I am so glad that the Lord lets us share in the moments of our days. I always am so blessed when you take us along for one of your “walks.” And, I am so thankful for the beautiful lessons to be learned from the story of Ruth. How sweet to share that too. Blessings to you and to your new link-up! 🙂
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Wow, so much great stuff here Bettie. Thanks for sharing moments of your world. The Story collection is one of my favourite and I love that song of Ruth and Naomi. Your husband has a great smile while posing for that picture. I’m glad the surgery went well and you both are trusting God’s timing on the healing journey!
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Thank you Lynn for your sweet prayers and encouragement! It has definitely been a rough journey, but I am so very thankful for the Lord’s help to even bring about the surgery for my husband. Just thinking about that timing is such a good reminder to help me to trust Him through the rehab process too. I am so glad that you love that song also! It is such a beautiful retelling. Blessings to you!
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Dear Bettie, thank you for fanning the flames of my faith through the lovely poem penned in your journal.
Blessings ~ Wendy
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Oh Wendy, I am so thankful that the Lord allows us to share His encouragement with each other. Your poetry is such an inspiration to me! May He continue to shine His light in our hearts, and fan His flame within us. Blessings to you!
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Dear, sweet friend! I am so thankful to be able to take these peeks into your day! It helps me get to know you better. So very grateful your husband is doing so well and hope his rehab continues to go smoothly. I know it seems like it is taking longer than necessary, but as you said God is the perfect planner. I love the way you worded that. I trust you will soon be able to get your meds figured out and find relief. I am faithfully praying for you and sending hugs!
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Dear Cheryl,
I am so glad that we have these ways to connect with each other, and to allow the Lord to remind us to pray for each other. Yes, He truly does know how to get us through these days, doesn’t He? I appreciate your prayers for myself and my husband so much. I know that the Lord is carrying us every step of the way! Love and Hugs to you!
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Just found you and enjoyed this post greatly. Having had RA for 20+ year , I’ve only been on drugs for a couple of years. Just began Xeljanz XR six months ago, and it is a great help. You might want to look into it if you haven’t already.
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Dear Vickie,
I am so glad that you were able to come visit here! Wow, I’ve been on so many different biologics; a few have helped, but also many caused a lot of side effects. Xeljanz XR is actually the medication I just started a month ago. Your comment gives me hope to keep holding on, it may yet kick in and start helping! Blessings to you!
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