P E A C E

P E A C E
It's early in the morning and snow is falling from the sky. I am listening to a soft piano music. I love to watch the snow fall. I hope you have peace today. Peace in knowing that God loves you and he is in control of your life, hopes and dreams. Blessings

Cleaning out my house....

I went to my women's group this Wednesday. This past summer it was such a blessing to be in the presence of all of these great, safe, Christian women. Our group has grown to 25 women now. There is such a need for women small groups. A place where we can go and let it all out. Nobody will judge you. Somewhat like Jesus. I am so thankful to Shannon who was so willing to open herself and say all that she has done. That is who we were, that is not who we are now. I have had many sins in my life where I was so far from the Lord, but not really realizing it. I do now. I know that to be close to him I have to read his word and talk with him daily. I talk to him all of the time, but reading his word is very hard for me. This summer I did a lot of that. I need to continue. It gives me strength. I need peace and strength.
So we were told to clean out our house. Look for things that don't need to be there. Past loves...bad memories. My house has been a huge mess, and I am one of those people who can't do anything until it is clean. For some reason I have had some issues lately. I know that I am having a hard time at the moment, but I am still wearing the face of "I can do it. Everything is great in my life."
So I began to clean and I have to say the most painful thing is reading about my past marriage and how horrible he treated me and how awful it was to watch him fall apart slowly. Letter after letter I would beg him not to make me make the decision to leave. I would ask him to get help and he never did. It was such a painful past that I would rather not go there too often. Should I? I really didn't write that often, because I couldn't bare to put it on paper. That would mean I would have to face it.
The blessing is that God came to me and carried me. That was the old and this is the new. So many people bless me. I'm not sure why. Someone in my group gave money to go toward sitting so I can keep coming. The aftercare told me to not pay this month and that they would pay it. They also want to bring my family Thanksgiving Meal. My neighbor is giving me a printer. I am so thankful, and blessed. I love the verse about God's plans for us. They are plans for good and not evil. I truly feel that. Thank you Lord for all that you have given me.

Dinner talk

The kids and I were sitting down to dinner and we pray for others at that time. It's always "pray for Sarah and her baby then pray for Dan and the children in Russia without any Mom or Dad" and "Pray for Daddy"



Tonight we were talking about Christmas gifts, and Erin said "what if we could give a gift to the orphans that Dan works with." Then Maddie said "Well we couldn't give just 3 that wouldn't be fair to the other children." Erin said "Well that just means we need to get more people to give gifts too." Simple!!! They wanted me to ask Dan, but since I've cut off real contact with him, it's not so easy.

I googled his name and found a blog about what he is doing over in Russia. As I read I felt such sadness for these forgotten children. I also felt so selfish for ever thinking or praying that he would stay and be with me. God is using him to touch the lives of these children. It also made me think that we as a nation are so selfish. Why are we so concerned about getting more, when there are children and families that have so much less.
This past week I was so blessed by people who do not know me that well. Someone in my bible study gave me 100$ to go towards babysitting, then the aftercare told me not to pay that they would pay it for me...no questions or comments, then Maddie's Sunday school teacher gave me 25$ to buy her a bible. He said that he knows that the money is nothing compared to what she will bring to others through his word. What a blessing it all was. Then last night I really needed a printer and I have needed one since last year. I was going to go out and buy one, but I truly didn't want to . My neighbor brings over this great printer that she can't use anymore. What a blessing!!!
So I'm asking myself...why am I being blessed all in this short amount of time. I know that God provides for every need that I have. Every prayer has been answered. There are times when I feel his presence and He is showing me something. I may have to do some searching to see what he is showing me. I am wondering if this is one of those times. So I pray that God will show me what he wants me to do. I give him all glory and praise. I am thankful that he has blessed me. So thankful. How awesome is the God we praise. He is who he says he is. He can do all that he says he can do!
Praise God!!
Kristin