God With Us . . .

 

Emmanuel ==

Matthew Card in his book, Matthew, The Gospel of Identity  

In the end, Jesus defines himself as the one who is with us.  That is his identity and it gives birth to a new identity in us. We are now the ones who are not alone -- who will never -- can never be alone.  In a world that seeks to isolate and discourage us -- they are the perfect words.  They are the perfect words, if for no other reason than Jesus spoke them.  

"And remember - I am with you always, to the end of the age"  JESUS - Matthew 28

God has been with us -- during this time of being set apart -- or stuck at home -- in cabin fever terms --

God has been so near and WITH  us.  We have enjoyed listening to podcasts and discussing our thoughts and ideas.  

People have texted or called at just the RIGHT time.

During this time our Grands have shared their insights and thoughts with us.  This past Sunday night - sitting around our table hearing them share what they believe about Noah and the Flood, Creation, even their questions about Demons.  It made our hearts soar as we heard their words and the faith that was growing in them.  What a GOD - ordained time of blessing for us!!!

God has sent me children to teach to sew -- subbing days at just the right time -- friends who have shared their prayers.  

I have loved spending time sewing and decorated the house to the max for the holidays.  The more lights inside and out the better.  

Years ago -- Jesus - the light of the world o- became my theme as I added strand after strand.

 Having my man sitting beside me in services this past Sunday was a God-gift for sure!!!

Season of Suffering

NOV. 2

 It has been a difficult season for Terry - he has been limited to home, losing track of how many Sundays that he has been unable to attend Church services.  

I have watched him suffer with brutal pain for months.  We have spent two years going to two different orthopedic doctors and two different neurosurgeons.  His back was the issue we were told.  He was also told that for the level of pain he was enduring his back, though a mess, was not all the cause.  

BUT GOD - (Terry has always said those are the two most powerful words) put him in a Journey group class with a young physician that Bethany and Mat had met on their mission to the Dominican Republic last Fall.  This young doctor - who knows the specifics of rheumatoid  - has been a source of spiritual and medical support and took Terry as his patient -- though he has a very full case load.

Dr. Geister has left no stone unturned in finding the help Terry has needed.   He sent Terry to a neurosurgeon who - upon examining him felt that his hips were a problem to be considered.  The test revealed severe damage to his hips and so Dr. Geister recommended we see Dr. Scott Reid as a hip surgeon, well known for his skill and ability to have a patient heal quicker and free of pain.

Terry has been on a walker for months.  HE NOW IS FREE OF THE BRUTAL PAIN ON HIS LEFT SIDE AND AWAITING THE SECOND HIP SURGERY DECEMBER 2.

I found myself consumed with the suffering I was witnessing in Terry.  My mood was often somber and it was always a part of my conversation with others.

We found ourselves doubtful that finally Terry could get some relief.

I fasted from social media - to give myself more fully to praying.

The morning before his surgery as we finished up reading the Old Testament, God gave me this verse that I had never read before --

The Sun of Righteousness will rise up with healing in its wings and he will go out leaping like calves from the stall.  Mal. 4:2

In that moment, I knew that a brighter day was coming.

Countless people have been praying for it.  We are humbled by how many people have prayed.

Surgery day - Sept 30, within an hour - Terry was helped to his feet and the therapists began working with his walking.

TODAY - almost 5 weeks later THERE IS NO PAIN IN THE LEFT HIP.

Thursday night - Halloween- Terry said he wanted to get out his old Children's ministry gorilla costume and hand out candy to the kids who came by.  He later said -- "I don't know when I have felt like having fun."

I don't fully know the purpose of trials and suffering - except that each time we go through a difficult season - we lean in more completely on our Father.  As we have been home bound - He has shown us in HIS WORD that HE is with us. 

DEC. 24

As the left hip healed the right hip pain became more and more intense.  Dr. Reid scheduled the right hip replaced on Dec. 2.  The healing at first was slower as post surgery pain was intense.  HOWEVER after one week, Terry could feel himself turn the corner.

Each day he sets new goals and has after 3 weeks been able to attend Church services on this past Sunday.  

God has sent us two spirit-led Physical Therapists and yesterday, Linda reminded him that his weakness was because of two major surgeries within two months.  

HOPE has returned once again.

I awoke this morning with 1 Peter 5 on my mind where the apostle talks to those enduring suffering -- "After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you."

I don't know what God has in store for this man of HIS in the months ahead -- 

Through it all - God has sent him classes to teach, people to counsel by phone - ministers to encourage.  May Jesus be lifted up and God be glorified.

One thing I have said to Terry in all of this season -- "You gotta get your hips healed - you have more Grandkids to baptize".

Jesus Has Blessed Me Big

 

I have been blessed – I have been challenged to study deeper – and I have experienced God’s touch as I have had the privilege to teach children and women God’s Word. During these years, I have been awakened with a WORD- a confirmation-or a verse to guide me in whatever study I was undertaking.  As I looked into the eyes of little ones when they tasted the Passover Lamb or shared from their heart what the Master Teacher was teaching them – I saw Jesus and I left that classroom changed! 

un

As I now sort over 50 years of teaching aides from guiding littles, coordinating Sunday School curriculum and writing lessons for workshops and women’s classes my heart is touched anew.  It’s been difficult to toss those old Bible Game posters that were over 50 years old – it was like walking away from an old friend.  I sorted, saved and yes, even tossed some – but my heart was touched and I was reminded anew as the old song says, “Jesus led me all the way.”

 Recently I was asked to write a devotional for Seniors -- these thoughts came during my quiet time.

All Nana Knows

Set your mind on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1

When our oldest granddaughter was about 3, she was in Redeemer Pre-school and the time rolled around for Dr. Suess’s birthday.  Campbell asked her momma, “How old is Dr. Suess?”  Bethany replied – “I don’t know – ask Nana”.  To which Campbell replied – “All Nana knows about is Jesus.”

I’ve often thought about that – wondering is that still true?  It was a time in my life that because of the time I spent planning curriculum and teaching the Bible weekly to different groups of children - I was saturated in the stories of our Jesus.  My life was enriched – these stories came to mind as I walked through my days.

When I became the children’s Sunday School coordinator for our church plant, God impressed this message on my heart as I sought Him about  how to handle this challenge – I heard --“It’s all in the Bible stories”.

Many today have found their faith enlivened by The Chosen.  While the writers have created a back story not always found in Scriptures word for word, we find ourselves falling in love with Jesus over and over again- hungry for the next episode.

Living in the life and love of Jesus guides our days. 

We as grandparents and mentoring seniors to children. not always our own, have the opportunity to help them live in the love and life of Jesus.  We pass on a legacy of faith to our little ones and our adult children. 

I remember watching and learning from my parents how to handle the life changes that come with aging and health difficulties.  I witnessed their prayers and saw them lean on the sacred scriptures.

As they encountered transitions, their challenges were met with faith.  They were already “moving in” to their eternal home in their minds.

I recently read – the more we think of Heaven the more our lives are filled with purpose and Joy.

Living in the life of Jesus glorifies our days.

 

Father,

Our thoughts go many times throughout our day to our family of children, their spouses and our grandchildren and extended family.   Guide us as we pass on our legacy of faith to give them the seeds for their faith to flourish.   You promise your love to a thousand generations of those who seek you. We know that it even surpasses the love that we have for our big and little people -- 

Thank you Lord,

In your Son Jesus

 

Happy New Year - Welcome 2024

 

We began 2023 celebrating our 50^th anniversary.  Our kids planned a wonderful family get together.  In March we were able to take an anniversary trip East to see family and revisit special places we had lived in our 50 years of marriage. (We’re planning the West trip hopefully this year.)

We are in the season of life where we look around and say “thank you God” over and over as we enjoy our family and friends.  Our pace has changed– we walk a little slower and limp at times – but enjoy the journey. Though Terry deals with extreme pain, he has developed new hobbies – wood crafting and has made some beautiful tables for our girls and for me. 

We enjoy studying together and are involved in classes at Church.  We stay busy with teaching: Terry online and my substitute teaching a few days a month.  It’s a true joy is getting to be with our Grands -our hearts soar as we watch these young ones profess faith in Jesus and desire to follow Him.

The kids are learning so much from their Pawpaw as he teaches them from his woodcraft studio in the Garden room.  

Campbell 13, Sydney 11 and Jack 9 are just down the road and Clara 8, Charlie 6, and Calvin 4 are only 1 ½ hours away.  Campbell and Sydney have transitioned to new schools.  Bethany and Katie are deeply involved in the various schools.

Our family makes sure that I see the world – I was blessed to get to go to the Dominican Republic where I celebrated my 73^rd birthday in June.  

                                                        

– 

  Katie and Marshall invited me to travel to the Bahamas with them Fall Break! So much fun!!!

Bethany and Mat traveled to the Dominican Republic for a week in 

early November to serve on a Medical mission.  

Our big holiday fest was on Thanksgiving with

 Katie and Marshall hosting.   It was fun and fantastic with a Latin American menu complete with a Pinata.  They  named it “Accion de Gracias”

 We feasted on Brazilian steaks with all the trimmings.  The kids roamed the acreage and never slowed down the whole time.

Marshall was on call during Christmas and Mat is on call for New

 Years weekend.  Terry and I were able to celebrate Christmas with

 both families. Most of our Bell/Good clan will be taking in a

 Thunder Game in OKC on New Years Eve—our plans are to see the

 old year out in our recliners at home! 

One thing we know in these uncertain times is that God is still on

 His throne.  May He bless you more and more in 2024!

 Pawpaw's  Art

When Terry's sciatica impedes walking he resorts to new hobbies that he has developed: rock and wood carving and woodworking.  He never found a branch or a rock he didn't see as a future work of art.

 A man and his tools!  Every time Terry has a special day -- the kids want to know what he "needs" - well of course,  there's always another item from Harbor Freight!   Luckily Terry had a new chain saw to work this wood up.

Father's Day Gift

T's 75th brought more gift cards and cash for a new Lathe!

First projects were tables -- and bowls --

Mine are cherished pieces --

Katie's birthday 

Bethany's table has been a long time coming from finding this slice of a tree that was being taken down in their front yard on Valentine's Day --

July 5 found Jack and Terry sanding and shaping --

 The wood was called "punk wood" and had to be hardened and treated with several layers of epoxy.

Pieces of the slice broke away and the finished table became a beautiful side table.

The beginnings of a bowl ...

Stone Carving

Wood Carving   - called for a new dremel -- having worn out the old one!

A lazy susan from a slice of one of our trees.

Teaching the grandsons . . . 

Jack's Christmas gift for his teacher this year.

Jack's first rock carving -- on the back is his LaCrosse number "66"

Wood burning became a fun hobby as he received another new tool for Christmas.

Thanksgiving this year at Katie and Marshall's was the Accion de Gracias.  Terry made this ornament.

Woodcrafts that Terry has created this year . . .