For today, August 6, 2019
I am joining in with Peggy Hostetler of The Simple Woman’s Daybook, who has provided the template for this glimpse into our days. Her link is live throughout the month for anyone who wants to participate. Come along with me as I journey through my moments, looking for traces of Jesus along the way.
Looking out my window:
The hydrangea blooms are hiding underneath the giant foliage that decided to explode this year. The wild woods on our small plot still continue to bring me peace, as I usually spend some moments with God looking out here every morning.
I am thinking that those leaves will soon be wearing the colors of autumn!
I am thankful:
All of these beautiful gifts came this month: cards from family and friends, a book won in a giveaway by Jill Lynn, The Bull Rider’s Secret, and art supplies from @The.Butterfly.Artist. What an encouragement these have been!
I am creating:
This is a new-to-me art medium of gelatos used on my art journal page. They were part of a giveaway for the Instagram #Gluebookparty offered the first Saturday every month. A big thanks to @The.Butterfly.Artist for hosting and stirring up creative inspiration!
I am wearing a simple knit skirt and knit tee, my RA/fibro “uniform” of sorts. Loose clothing seems to help my flaring joints and skin find a bit of ease during this time of prednisone withdrawal.
I am reading a book that had a profound effect on me this past month. Dividing Sword by Katrina D. Hamel is a fictional retelling of the Gospel of Matthew. As I found myself identifying with the young Pharisee in the book, I was so convicted over the legalistic mindset that still lurks in hidden places within me. But when I came to the Crucifixion account my whole mindset had what felt like an earthquake into joy. We are so blessed to live in this age of Grace, under the cross. Without His mercy, I would be utterly lost. I encourage you to get a copy of this book. It’s offered at Amazon in both Kindle and paperback versions.
I am hoping for answers this week as I get an MRI of my brain. I’m not looking forward to the tight space of that machine, but I am so grateful for a Neurologist who is looking for reasons for these head pains and dizziness. After so many years of feeling minimized by past Doctors, I am grateful to know that Jesus has been my Great Physician through it all.
I am learning to listen and wait in the fragrance of my Lord. His life was given as the true fragrant offering. And yet, He allows us to bear His own dear aroma:
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.
2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV
In my garden:
The tiger lilies from my sweet friend, Patricia, are blooming with an abundance this year. It feels like a kiss from Heaven since she went to be with Jesus just a month ago.
Post Script:
This song is playing on repeat today as my heart is so blessed to know that He brings His own heart to mine.
Shared Quote:
The words in this flip calendar that belonged to my Mom are based on the writings of Elisabeth Elliot. The handwritten words in the top corner are from 1997, the first year that my Mom was learning to lean on Jesus as a widow. She was invited to a sweet friend’s home that day in the middle of her loneliness. On this same day, in 2019, only God could have known how much I needed to read those underlined words of comfort. And only He could have arranged for the daughter of that very friend to connect with me and send gifts of encouragement into my own days of trial and pain.
A moment from my day
Sitting on the deck on these chilly mornings, I am cozy in the shawl handknit by another friend. And while I over-extended myself by trying to cut my hair so short, I am thankful that God is not overwhelmed when I feel undone. He is so gracious to re-set my days and help with the pacing that He knows is best for me.
Closing Notes
I would love to offer a prayer with you, my friends:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for the gift of Your presence within the moments of our days. Thank You that You bring to us Your own patience, peace, joy, and love when our own resources are so depleted. I pray that You would open our eyes to see You even here today. May we rest on Your faithfulness. Help us to cling to You in the middle of our fears and weaknesses. Let us lift our voices to praise You for the gift of Your own blood shed on the cross that we might know true grace.
In Your name, we pray,
Amen.
I am linking with:
BettieGsRAseasons 
So nice to see your smile at the end of this post. And what a beautiful yard and blessed gifts you received! May God’s comforting hand be on you bringing stillness from the peace He bestows as you have your MRI this week.
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Thank you, Lynn, for your prayers and sweet words. I do long for that peace and stillness to cover me during that test. So I will remember your words as I go there! Blessings and love to you this week.
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I read and love every one of your posts and never comment. This one, I have to let you know how wonderful it was to get a glimpse of your day. I miss seeing you and sharing life with you so this post was so fun to me. I love you and will not stop praying for you.
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Dear Suzette, I miss sharing daily life with you so much too! We were so blessed with all of those moments that God gave to us. I am grateful that He is still our bond and connection, and I am truly so thankful for your love and prayers. Love and hugs to you across the miles!
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Thank you so very much Bettie for sharing part of your day and beauty that surrounds you. I love how you always close your posts with a prayer and as always, your prayers touch my heart. Prayer sent up for you this morning.
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Dear Wendi, I’m so thankful that Jesus brings blessings here as we share in praying! Even though it feels like it’s only “digital,” I believe that our Lord brings His Spirit even through these interwebs! Your prayers are such a blessing to me also. Love and hugs to you today!
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God is everywhere – even here in the digital world! 🙂 God bless you my friend.
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Amen! Thank you for that sweet reminder and for the blessings of our Lord. May He bless you today too.
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thank you so very much Bettie!
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Wow, Bettie! I nearly didn’t recognize you with your new hairdo. You look wonderful though. Hope you pain is eating. My neighbor just texted yesterday to tell me she learned she has RA too. Hoping that having a diagnosis is a good thing for her. She had really struggled.
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Dear Mandy,
Thank you for your prayers and sweet comments. And I will join you in praying for your neighbor. My neighbor also has RA; the Lord even has planted us in these places of connection too, hasn’t He? You are in my prayers also, hoping that your new medication levels are settling in with some more relief too. Blessings!
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Such a comforting place to be with yourself and God. I think we all feel like Pharisee’s, and if we don’t we are probably not looking very hard. Best of luck with the MRI, and I’ll send up a word of prayer for you. All the best and God bless!
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Thank you so much for your prayers and kind words! I’m sorry that I did not respond sooner, somehow your comment ended up in the spam folder! I am glad that I found it today. May you be blessed as well.
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No worries…
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Love your new haircut! You are beautiful! Thank you so much for your messages. Your words always mean so much to me. Have a blessed day!
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Dear Melissa, I am so grateful that Jesus allows us to bring encouragement to each other! I just recently read your chapter in “Heaven Sightings” also, and was so blessed by the miracle story that you shared about your Mom there. God is so good to keep us looking up to Him. Blessings to you also!
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Dear Bettie, I love your view from your deck. It looks so peaceful. And the lilies are so beautiful! But the most beautiful is seeing your face and lovely smile! I love how you are learning to use the gelatos. I think they are such fun to use, though I have a lot to learn. 🙂 Thank you for your prayer. May we truly rest in His faithfulness. Love and hugs to you, my dear sister! xoxo
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Dear Gayl,
I would love it if you could sit on the deck with me and have a cup of tea together. Maybe someday! I have so much to learn about gelatos also, maybe you can share some of your tips with me sometime. 🙂 I am so very grateful for all of your encouragement and prayers sweet friend. Blessings, love, and hugs to you! xoxo
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I read a lot of Katrina Hamel’s work about Bible women, though I have not yet read the book, I know it is good. Pretty tiger lilies and I like the haircut, it is really cute Love and prayers, Isaiah 53.
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Dear Rebecca, oh yes, I think you would really like Katrina’s book. I hope you are able to get it. Thank you for your sweet comments and the beautiful Scripture also. Our Lord has carried so much for us. May you have a blessed week!
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Well good morning my brave sister. It was sooooo beautiful to read your post this morning. I felt so invited into your life, the wholeness of your life. My sister, praying for Jesus to give you unimaginable peace while laying in the MRI machine and praying for His wisdom to flood the staff and asking Jesus to clear all the symptoms if it be His will. Love, Julie
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Thank you so much for all of your prayers and words of encouragement dear Julie! I am so thankful that you could walk together with me through a day here. It’s really a blessing to be able to share over these pages–God has opened up ways of sharing that I never would have known otherwise. His grace is so abundant! Blessings and love to you!
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Bettie, After a long time again we are here..Nice to see your pic and your word always keep up a power to spread His Love to others Bettie…Today its poured into my heart too..
Thank you Bettie!!!
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Oh dear Athira it’s good to see you here again too. I am thankful we can share His encouragement together! I’m praying for you today too. Love And blessings to you!
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Oh, sweet friend! My heart goes out to you in so many ways! I just had the brain MRI the other day, and I can surely relate to your apprehension over it. I had one years ago, and it was so difficult due to me being so claustrophobic. I dreaded the one the other day, but I just kept my eyes closed the entire time and didn’t dare look at my surroundings. I focused on Scripture over and over and over and also spiritual songs. God saw me through, and He will do the same for you. I so hope you can soon find relief for your pain. Much love to you today!
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Dear Cheryl,
I thank you so much for your sweet understanding and prayers! Yes, God really did see me through the MRI yesterday. I had been in so much pain the night before that I was unsure if I would even be able to lie down. But the tech was so kind, and the pill that had been given for sedation of the fear-of-tight-spaces all worked to help me be at a deep rest. And then they gave me headphones with music, and the 3 songs that I was able to hear over the noise of the test were such favorites: “Tremble,” “I’m no longer a Slave to Fear,” and “Jesus Christ, my Living Hope.” Only God could have arranged that! He is so faithful to us. I am so grateful we can pray for each other, my dear friend. Blessings and love to you.
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Bettie, I loved hearing about all the things you are doing. I so enjoyed the pictures and quotes and the crafty things inspire me to get back to some of the things I love. I’m sending you a private message, too!
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Dear Leslie,
I’m so glad that you were blessed here, and inspired to get back to some of your creativity also! God is so good to bring us just what we need. Isn’t His faithfulness such an amazing blessing? I so appreciated your email, and we will be replying to it soon. Blessings and love to you today!
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I enjoyed spending time with you in your day Bettie! Those Tiger Lilies are stunning & how lovely to get that special message from the Lord in your Mum’s calendar!
Bless you,
Jennifer
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Dear Jennifer, I am so blessed that you were encouraged here today. Aren’t those flowers such a gift from our Creator? He truly sees each moment and knows just when to send us His thoughts and words. Blessings to you today!
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That He does Bettie! 😀
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