In bed w/strep throat

My annual case of strep throat hit yesterday like a ton of bricks. I'm hurting (all over) worse now than that obviously mild case of the flu a month ago. Please pray!

Home with sick little one

Hannah has had cold symptoms for the past couple of weeks now. Yesterday she was crying in class she had gotten to feel so bad, but she got better and was ok through the evening. This morning whenshe woke she was feeling really bad again, complaining mainly about her throat and runny nose. I can't help but to wonder if her throat is hurting because of drainage. The bad part was the ride taking Jackson to school and back- she got sick to her stomach. Twice. However, this is a child who is prone to carsickness. She hasn't gotten sick since we returned home this morning so I'm leaning towards that.

Please pray this turns over quickly. We have the school fall festival tomorrow night that she is greatly looking forward to!

Also, please pray for my Pastor. He is in South Africa preaching in evangelistic services this week at our church-plant there. We have been praying for 100 souls to be saved. As of yesterday, 54 had professed Christ as their Savior (Glory be to God!).

As a parent .... would you?

There's no doubt about it, parents feel for one another when something is not going well with their children. It's a natural, ingrained empathy once you become a mommy or daddy, you can just imagine how you would feel if you were in another parents shoes and they were going through trials with their children. Sometimes we have "been there done that" ("BTDT"), or we can only .... literally imagine. I've never had an autistic child, but if my child had to sit through a reading from his/her kindergarten schoolmates of what they did not like about them, and a teacher leading a vote against them "Survivor style" to kick them out of class, suing would be mild. (Update: said boy is now in a private school and is an honor student.)

I sat here yesterday and watched Dina Thompson in a news conference doing what every mother in her position would do: PLEAD for whoever took her child to return the child safely. Somer, seven years old, was last seen walking home from school with a group of schoolmates and siblings before she disappeared. Last night, her dead body was found in a Georgia landfill. As a parent, that has to be our worst fear, our child dying. Or is it?

The article states:

"The cause of death hasn't yet been released, but the Georgia Bureau of Investigation planned an autopsy Thursday in Savannah.

"We hope to learn the cause and manner of the death that will assist us in the criminal investigation we are actively undertaking at this time," Beseler said. "The early discovery will be tremendously helpful in this investigation to help find the person or people responsible for the death of this beautiful child."

"He wouldn't talk about what evidence police have recovered, or whether investigators believe the crime was committed by one or more people.

He said police have questioned more than 70 registered sex offenders in the area, and that process was continuing."

I think about that last line.

I go to Family WatchDog.us, which is the National Sex Offender registry, and I find: there are 180 sex offenders in my zip code. From the looks of the map, 90% are offenses against children. There are two within a mile of my house.

Then I consider- what really is my worst fear?

If one of my children were murdered, would I want to know HOW they were murdered? What kind of abuse they endured before they took their last breath? The things they saw before it all ended? The things that autopsy will reveal?

It was enough to learn Jordan suffocated to death. He did not die of SIDS, peacefully in his sleep. His trachea folded and his neck muscles were too weak for him to be able to lift his head, to straighten his neck and trachea to allow life giving air to flow to his lungs. (He head wasn't slumped over, either, only turned slightly.) It He was an infant. That is hard enough, but to be a seven year old kidnapped little girl. Hannah is seven. She has experienced joy, laughter, sadness, fear, friendship, gladness, trust, compassion. She come in the living room last night with a sad, concerned look on her face: "Mommy, there was a mommy on TV just now crying because she lost her little girl.", bottom lip pooching. I know what she saw- she saw a replay of Dina's pleads from earlier in the day. I said "I know", and she walked back into the bedroom to change the channel to her shows.

I would NOT want to know. The only thing that would matter for me at this point, if I was Dina Thompson, is to try and rest in the knowledge that Hannah has accepted Christ as her own Savior, and that Jesus was with her each and every second before He carried her home.

You?

Pray for Hannah and me

Both of us have the crud. She's coughing, sneezing, and has a runny nose. I'm coughing, aching, and bordering a low grade fever. Just in the past hour I've started that "fever stretching" that I usually get before I start running one. She's pushing on through, but I just feel awful. I just had the flu three weeks ago, and am not ready for us to make another trip to the doctor.

Jays broke toe is healing. They want to remove the entire nail, but he is not afforded time off of work to be able to do so. So we need the Lord to intervene and make sure everything heals sufficiently on its own.

Thanks!

Prayer requests

We have a few things happening right now:

• Jackson is feeling very cruddy. Normally he does not get sick. I'm not sure if it is because I have been kicking up so much dust in the past week his allergies are aggrivated or not. He looks quite puny. Benedryl helped him sleep last night. I gave him some before school but my fear is that he's going to be sleepy all day. Not to mention school pictures are today, I can only imagine the expression he's going to have *g*
• Jay is working a LOT. His new job is very stressful and requires long hours. The Lord knows what's really needed to get those issues resolved, we're hoping this is a temporary thing and after a while can be remedied. This is a real strain for our family right now, but my biggest concern is him.
• My headaches are becoming more frequent. I'm starting to be in a zone where I'm constantly waiting for a migraine to "kick in", cause all of my headaches feel like they are potential migraines. That's no way to live. I'm wondering if I have me eyes checked and get glasses or contacts if that would make a difference. If thats the case, we need to figure out how to work that in the budget. We need to get Jackson's glasses, first, though.
• I have family traveling from PA to NC (here) Friday. They need travel mercies.

Thank you!

James 5:15-17

15And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

17Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

It deserves it's own post

My cousin called this morning and told me she was coming home today! Praise the Lord! I even mentioned it on my birthday wish-list that her coming home was one of my wishes, but that was between God and I. Thank you Lord for this most perfect birthday wish! :O)

Continue praying for her. She has along recovery ahead of her and she needs a lot of grace to get through it.

The improvement is amazing

I spent a good while at the hopital yesterday and my cousin is doing SO good. She walked around her unit twice in a row right before lunch, and she had already walked three times before I got there! I cried a little, she cried a little, then a counselor from cardic services come in and talked to her for a while explaining what to expect in coming weeks. He was very helpful. I'm glad that they have someone like that on staff. All he does is counsel with cardiac patients on the floor. It's sad when you think about it though because, he has a full time job doing that- that means there are that many people sick each day!

My other cousin who works in the cath lab and was there with her when she had her heartattack come in for a visit while I was there. She had a printout of her heart when they took the first couple of pictures at the beginning of her procedure. It showed the blockage and she explained it a little and WOW~ definately a HUGE difference between what it was supposed to be and what it was.

Keep praying. She might get to go home today!

She's in a regular room!

Cousin update 7/28
She's doing SO well. They moved her to the special cardiac unit yesterday, which is a regular room with no designated visiting times. She's up, walking some, ALL of the tubes are out, praise the Lord! She has certain goals they want her to meet each day, like yesterday they wanted her to walk "around the block"- the unit four times. She done one here, one there, not all at one time of course. She has her "pickle" she uses for her respiratory therapy- it's a green plastic thing that looks like a pickle that has replaced that blue thing they used to have you blow in and however high the white ball inside went, was what your progress was. The pickle is cooler (no pun intended!) and seems more efficient.

She remembers three of the ten shocks of the paddles. She has the memory of the pain, in that it hurt, but not the memory of the physical pain, if that makes sense. (I remember going to Disneyworld when I was five, but only that we were there. I cannot tell you how I felt when I met Pooh, even though the pictures say I was happy beyond belief.) That, I'm thankful for. That she doesn't remember. (I wish I could remember meeting Pooh!)

She might get to come home Wednesday or Thursday- isn't that amazing?! They will do an echocardiograham to determine that physical state of her heart, and then decide from there when she'll come home.

So much to be thankful for this gratituesday. To read more gratituesday posts, click here.

Cousin update 7/27

I went to see her yesterday. She was awake and talking, praise the Lord! They took the tube out and had her sitting in a chair beside her bed Saturday night. She just keeps getting better and better. She's not out of the woods yet, we're awaiting an echocardiogram to see the true condition of her heart. They are expecting a certain degree of damage to her heart.

I am SO thankful the Lord had His hand in all of this. She was supposed to go in second Friday morning, at 6:30 thereabouts. The first patient's doctor was running late, so they took her early. It was only a few minutes into her procedure when she had the heartattack. Because of the abnormal circumstances in the lab, a lot more people were available to work on her during her heartattack, including another cousin of mine on my dad's side of the family. She had already seen Tree before she went into her procedure. She said there were about 20 people helping. She was able to sit with Tree and talk to her through everything that was happening.

Only God could make that happen.

more to come :)

She's doing better

I'm happy to announce my cousin is is still improving little by little. Even the things that could happen and still be normal, is not happening, praise the Lord! I went for the 6am visit this morning and he rpotassium went from low to normal. Her heart is now beating on its own, where they had a balloon inserted beside her heart helping it beat yesterday. The goal today is to wean her off the ventilator and possible excabate (sic?) - take out the tube from her throat. She's still communicating well when she's not overly sedated.

The capacity of what happened yesterday:

She went in for a scheduled heart catherization. They found the 90+% blockage in her main artery- thick plaque. They tried to insert a stint and couldn't, and tried a balloon to open up the vein. When they done that she had a heart attack. Her heart was in a lethal rhythm, and they had to shock her with the paddles TEN TIMES to get her heart back to normal.

more to come.

Cousin update

Praise the Lord, it's the end of the day, and she is doing MUCH better. There is so much to say, but I am exhuasted. I just got home from almost twelve hours at the hospital and I plan on being back at 6 for the 6-6:30 visit. She's a loved gal and there are a number of people to squeeze in in such little time frames as what the Cardio Vascular Surgical Unit allows ;) By 9:30 tonight she was not only aware of her surroundings but purposefully communicating with everyone in every way she possible could considering the fact her chest had been wide open, she had a tube down her throat, tons of iVs it seemed coming from every which way ... it was overwhelming at best. She was answering simple questions with the squeeze of her hand, nodding her head, she even tried to wave bye when her mom and I were leaving. THANK YOU JESUS!!

more at a later time, please continue to pray!!

Prayers please!!!!

10:20am:
update: this is the story: her main artery was 99.9% blocked, and when they tried to put a balloon in she flatlined. They just got her stable enough for the surgery, and she went in right at 10am(ET), and it should take 3 hours. Mom is watching the kids and Im headed over there soon. My aunt's a wreck, she just lost her husband 6/22/09 and now this.

9am update: she has already been taken for pre op. They said they needed to do the surgery asap.

My cousin went in this morning for a heart catherization. My mother called at 8am saying it is done and they've told her she will be having open heart surgery ... TODAY. She needs salvation, she's overweight (I know that sounds bad but in terms of surgery weight is an issue, right?); and she has MS. The MS is not dibilitating by far but it's still a factor in her life. PLEASE pray for her, the Lord knows her name. She's one of my closest relatives. This is the daughter of the uncle that passed in June (22nd). My aunt is a wreck. She needs prayer as well.

pray for me- I was up most of last night not able to sleep. Got to sleep for less than two hours when I woke to horrible stomach pain. Got back to sleep for an hour before mom called. (This is coming off a migrane Tuesday night - yesterday morning.)
I also need to find somewhere for the kids to hang out. Please cover us all today!

We're home, we're home!

Thank you to all who prayed for safe travel for the kids and I in the past week. Our vacation was wonderful. I've told Jay we need to start saving now so we can go back for a full week ourselves next year. I could not believe how beautiful the weather was. You would think the second week of July would be blistering heat midday, but we literally stayed outside almost the full day! The only reason we come in between 2-3 was for our late lunch! The ocean was the perfect temperature, perfect waves- not too rough, just enough to give us a nice workout we didn't realize we were getting. I knew it when I got home and was not moving, though!

I want to share some more pictures with you this week from the trip. My new camera- remmeber the one I got fo Mother's day? It's so awesome! I got some terriffic water shots, and with the 15x zoom, some really great expressions, too! Right now we're getting ready to take Hannah to the doctor. She's been complaining about her left breast hurting on and off for about three weeks, minus last week. Im not sure if it was not hurting, or if she was too busy to notice. She woke up this morning with it hurting though and there's 'something' there that wasn't there before, so I got her an appointment so have things checked out. Seven is too early for puberty so I'm concerned considering our family history of cancer. We'd appreciate your prayers!

Have a great day, and from our Pastor's devotional this morning:

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." -- Galations 6:9-10

I have a giveaway coming up in the next couple of days, too! I'm working out the details right now, it's going to be GREAT!

Prayer request for my family

Hi everyone. Yesterday my uncle passed away. He had been sick for a long time. I do not know what his relationship with the Lord was at the time of his passing. If you could remember his wife and (grown) children during this time I'd really appreciate it.

Also, yesterday, mom went to her appointment with her surgeon. They are doing surgery TODAY- Tuesday! Yes! The next day! (She has a herniated disk). Please pray everything goes well today and she has a short recovery time.

Thanks!

412 Family Friday with a Jay update

I just found the cutest site I cannot wait to dive into reading, homemakerbarbi.com . I found her through Twitter @HomemakerBarbi. Her Friday Meme is Family Friday.

From her website:
"Family Friday is a blog carnival at HomemakerBarbi.com where you can link your best family-oriented blog posts or website articles each week. "

So now I've met a meme that matches with what I've noticed is a weakness of mine- I don't really post that much family related topics here! I really need to, I believe. What do you think?

So, family related, I need to update everyone on Jay. He went to the appointment on Monday, to learn it was a "pre op" appointment. No one told him. He had fasted the whole day! According to this specialist, after looking at the test results from the test Friday, he did have the hiatal hernia, but they also believed him to have esophogeal spasms, as well. After scheduling the endoscopy for next Monday, they prescribed him some medication. He took it Monday evening, and woke around 1am having an allergic reaction! He could barely swallow! But what does every man usually do? He never woke me to tell me. So he suffered through the night breathing swallow waiting for the swelling to go down in his throat. (I could have ringed his throat after he told me what happened.) So no more medicine for him. So the test is this coming Monday (5-11) at 3pm. Please pray! (I also have a special unspoken concerning this issue, the Lord knows what it is but if you would pray along with me, I'd appreciate it.)

More family posts:
Awesome soccer picture of Jackson, and the story behind it.
How the kids are doing in their new school.
Remotes. That's all I'm sayin'- check it out ;o)

Please pray for us today- important

Update: Fri night 11pm
He's still very sick and now has a headache along with it. Please continue to pray for him! (Hannah's also complaining about her head hurting, too, totally unrelated to Jay though.)

Update: (Friday, 1:35 pm)
He come home very sick to his stomach. They first done a "swallowing" test where he took a swallow of some extremely nasty drink, and they took x rays of it going down his throat. They done this in a couple positions. He is VERY sick to his stomach now, and has been for a couple of hours, ever since he got home. Poor thing. Since he is so sick, they've moved up the other test until Monday because that test requires them numbing his throat and if he's currently vomiting they cannot do that for his safety. He just finished some wonton soup I went and got him 5 minutes ago and it's already .... uh hum.

So keep the prayers coming, now that this mixture runs a quick course and doesn't ruin his weekend!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jay is leaving shortly to have more tests done from his appointment with the dr yesterday. They believe it is a hiatal hernia that has grown to the point it is pressing down on two arties of his heart, and his lung. Apparently the sharp pains he's been having is the same pain one feels when they're having a heartattack :o(

If the tests turn out like his dr believes it will, they're going to do SURGERY- THIS MORNING!

Please pray for him, the drs, and everyone involved in this that things turn out well. Thanks!

Family Update- April 24th

It's about time for an update, isn't it?
I'm doing ok. It seems if it's not one thing it's another going on (with me). If I'm not hit with a migraine I'm just overall feeling ... "uhg". I'm sure a lot of it has to do with my weight, so I am going to be focusing a lot of attention on that in coming weeks. I really do need a lot, a LOT of prayer regarding my motivation and will power as it pertains to eating habits and exercise. The problem with exercise is hip pain due to arthritis and now my right knee has been hurting significantly. I know it has much to do with the pressure my weight is putting on it. I'm still working on habits and routines, we're better than we were, but have a long way to go ;o) I did apply to Gymboree, but never heard anything back, so I'm going to assume it was not the Lord's will for us right now. Thing is, I have no peace about anything else, other than keeping children at home during the summer.

Jay's traveling a lot more with his job. We're so thankful we have not been affected job-wise because of the recession. The thing is, with his line of work, they are always hiring (not for what he does, but ...)- but you have to be physically fit to qualify. Oh~ and drug free :p Please do not apply for a job and waste yours and the company's time if there's a remote possibility you're not going to be able to pass a drug test! And do not think companys don't do random drug testing, because people are getting fired there for that, too! (Hence additional openings.) Very shocking news the other day was his boss as fired, which is bad because he really liked him and respected him. If you think about it please keep that situation in prayer- that his replacement won't be a royal jerk (it's true, right?) and that his new boss won't have a problem moving on to bigger and better things.
We got to take a mini vacation over Spring break in Virginia Beach and .... another town (lol) where a friend of Jay's lives. It was very nice. More pics to come, but you can see quite a few here.

We're looking forward to getting a garden planned soon (we're late!) and having a HUGE yard sale. We have SO much stuff we can get rid of, we're going to have to have a few yard sales just to get rid of it all. There's just too much to be able to get everything out at one time.

The kids are both playing soccer, and enjoying it a lot. Last week was their first game, they've been practicing about a month now. There are only three teams in Jackson's age group, so every other week he will be playing two games back to back. He has been deemed the primary goalie for the team though he's going to have opportunities to play in every position throughout the season. As active as he is I find it funny he'd choose goalie as a preferred position ;o) Hannah's just excited to be there, which makes me glad.

Some may have been wondering the stories behind my Wordless Wednesday post this week, I'm gonna share that separately. One hint- nothing to do with soccer ;o)
Hannah is still dealing with some degree of bullying (previous post), but what's being reported now is more regular mean-self-centered kid-type bullying. Jackson is determined he is going to make straight A's this quarter, after bringing home his best grades this year for 3rd quarter- two As and 3 Cs. That sounds good but for a child that has made all As his whole life ... not very hot- and he knows it.

I've always said that I would never pay or reward my kids for their grades, because they should get good grades anyway. Considering how rough this year has been, knowing he needs more motivation than fear of failing 4th grade (no danger at all, but apparently his teacher has brought it up enough generally speaking to the class it's been a fear of his...). We've told him he would get $20 for every A he makes for 4th quarter. He wants a new, "good" skateboard so he has a goal in sight. So we'll see how that goes. I know it's excessive, but I wanted to do something that would not only "get" his attention, but KEEP it for ten weeks. Please continue to pray about them getting back in their old school for next school year, that the Lord will give Jay wisdom to make the right decisions for our family concerning the many factors that plays into their return. We'd greatly appreciate it!

Jackson and I went to the local TEA party on tax day 4-15. We had a good time and enjoyed the experience. I was so proud to be an American that day. I had never attended a protest before, but it was so peaceful, and respectful. For us to be a group of extremists, we sure were nice! I thought it was hilarious when I saw on TV the next day some guy from Vanity Fair was saying "oh they weren't mad at all, they just seemed a little miffed more than anything" (paraphrase). Apparently, the liberal left thinks that you have to scream, holler, vandalize, interrupt speeches, and otherwise act like 5 year olds having a hissy fit for it to be a "real" valid protest. Apparently peaceful protesters just don't know what they're doing. Hmmm ... I'd be willing to disagree and call them to the floor on that!


Our local reps are planning more TEA parties in the future, and definitely one on Independence Day. It meant a lot for me as a parent to take part in it, and include Jackson in it. A long time ago our old Pastor said (paraphrase) "...one day when this country has went completely downhill, my grandkids are going to ask me what I done to stop it- and I want to be able to tell them I done everything I could...". I'll never forget that, and hold the same opinion. When Jackson is an adult, after conservatism reclaims this country through conservatives getting involved and finding their voices, and using them- he will be able to say "My mom and I were there when it all started ...". Some people think it's a moot point to talk politics with their children, but for me, that's HISTORY. I know nothing of the Regan years from first hand experience, and I was the same age then Jackson is now. Hannah is too young to appreciate what's going on, but Jackson is genuinely interested. Saturday we're going to the first meeting of our local 912 project. It's more of a meet and greet than anything I believe, but it's going to be fun. We're meeting at a local park and having potluck, etc ...

Hannah had her first field trip for the year. I know! They had one planned earlier in the year but it was cancelled. It was to this Health Center that was SO neat! I wish I could testify to how informational it was, but the models of internal organs freaked Hannah's little friend out, and we had to stay in the break room the WHOLE time we were there (2 1/2 hrs!). We had a nice time together though, it wasn't boring or anything. Time went by fast. Since her friend got NOTHING out of the field trip its self, I took the girls by the Krispy Kreme we passed on the way in (we were out of town). We had two of her buddies riding with us, and one her never been there before, so that was really exciting, especially since they were making the doughnuts when we got there!



Church is going great as always. I've been going out on Monday night visitation for a few weeks now, and it has been a great blessing. I've been wanting to start going for a good while now. I hope our family routine allows me to continue to do that :o) Jackson went out with some guys this week and he really enjoyed that. I learned Hannah has the option of staying at the church while I go out if needed, so that was a relief. Some weeks she's ok, others she's fickle about it. So we'll see.

Hope you all are doing well, and please link me to your own family updates by commenting! Don't forget about the giveaway!

Prayer Request for my uncle

First, he needs salvation, he needs to realize he needs it, too. He's in his 60's and is in very bad health. He's been on dialysis 3x a week for a number of months now because of kidney failure. He has congestive heart failure. Yesterday while at his dialysis appointment he had an "episode" with chest pains. They rushed him to the "big" hospital. They've admitted him for the time being (he was just in there a few weeks ago), and he had another episode last night. It come out yesterday he also has cancer, but it will be two weeks before they know they extent of it.

His burdens are very heavy, I could tell that last time we went to visit him. He also has DNR papers, too. Thanks to anyone who thinks about him in the upcoming days and prays for him. Mainly, please pray for his salvation.

Thanks again.

How are YOU doing?

I have quite a day ahead of me! Lots to do, too little time. If politics and activism interest you, I've been blogging a bit about current events and such on my political themed blog. Hop on over and feel free to comment if you'd like.

We're doing well. I got a new dishwasher last night- for free! I'm very excited. I'm on a mission to get routines back in every aspect of our lives. I believe it would greatly help with the stress levels in our home. The kids are doing soccer now, tonight is our second practice. They're both very excited about it. I'm Twittering now, if you can't tell ;o) So follow me!

I'm going to be doing a giveaway soon here on the blog. Maybe next week- we'll see! I'll have to think more about it. It will be my first giveaway so I'm hoping it will go over well.

How is your bible reading going? How about my Bible in a Year pals? Amy? (looking around) are you out there? I'm keeping up. I have some "back reading" but it's not too bad. The routine thing will help a lot in that area.

Something to pray about:
We're desperately wanting to get the kids back in private Christian school next school year. Please pray that we will see any open doors the Lord has for us, and that His will be done. I truly believe it's His will for them to be back there next school year. Jackson needs it, badly. Also pray for Jackson. The Lord knows his needs.

Link me to your updates if you've already posted a personal update on your own blogs I have not commented to! (((group hugs))))

Hope Deferred

The blogger at His Hands His Feet got an encouraging email today and she shared it on her blog. I've had a horrible day. It started last night after church. Church was great, but when we got home this uneasiness settled upon me. I was glad it was bedtime. This morning was not a lot better. Nothing really out of the ordinary bad, but it was one of those times where if there was a button that I thought I had ripped off and could no longer be pushed, it seemed the buttons were hanging by a thread, and were getting pushed. That uneasiness of being in my own skin, and it's not PMS. So I have no idea what has been going on today but ... something is going on. I got some valuable info concerning something that is really heavy on my heart, all I can think is that Satan is wanting to rattle my chain to get my eye off the ball. Pray for me, will ya?

However, this letter was such a blessing, and just the word I needed:

Hope Deferred
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. --Proverbs 13:12

My dear child, do not be afraid to put your hope in Me, for I am good and I am kind and I take care of My own dear children.

Many of My own have been hurt or disappointed over and over again--until they reached a place where they became afraid to hope, for fear that they will be disappointed. This happens in the world, for the ruler of this world seeks to crush the life and hope out of people; that he might fill their hearts with despair. But that is not My way and I am not like that. In fact, I am calling My own out of that place of fear and despair, so that they may enter into My place of peace and joy.

Dear one, you are no longer of this world, you are adopted into My own family.[a] I have rescued you from the ruler of this world, and I have planted My seed of hope in your heart. Do not be afraid to let that seed grow and mature, so that you might be able to abide that place of endless joy and peace that I have prepared for you. It is My desire that you have a peace that passes all understanding[b], and that your joy might indeed be full[c] and overflowing.

I assure you that you will not be disappointed as you look to Me andtrust in Me. I am faithful, and I keep My promises. So open up yourheart, dear one, and dare to believe Me in all that I have promisedto you. Remind yourself daily of My nature and My character, for I amgood, and those who come to Me will receive good things from My hand.I am truth and I cannot lie to you. I am faithful and I will notabandon you or forget a single one of My promises to you. I am theGod of all power, and I able to work My good on your behalf.

Yes, dear one, I am both willing and able to take care of you. I have many good gifts for you, and I have given you a hope and a future.So do not be afraid to trust in Me. Dear one, open your heart and allow the hope of your salvation[d] and the hope of your calling[e]to fill your hearts. Simply dare to believe what I am telling you,and these things will begin to overflow you until it pours out from you to those around you. For it is My plan and My desire to fill you with all peace and joy, so that you might abound in My hope and be filled with the power of My indwelling Holy Spirit.[f]

a - John 15:19 "You do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."
b - Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."c - John 15:11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."
d - 1 Thessalonians 5:8 "But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation."
e - Ephesians 1:18 "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints..."
f - Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."