I Don't Believe in Coincindences

Sunday morning, we got up and went to church as usual, although I spent a lot of  time sitting on Saturday, listing new items in the ebay store. So much time in fact, I was stiff and achy. I have to admit that that I was getting a little discouraged.

Anytime I have a bad day, it sends me into a mini panic that things are headed down the rabbit hole that I was falling into pre - hospital stay.

The heat had been causing a few little blisters to form and my ankles are swelling daily. I can't seem to take into account that I am no longer taking a daily water pill and just freak.

Sunday afternoon came quickly and we headed back to church for an award ceremony for Daniel to get his 3rd grade memory work trophy. I was thinking about how bad my legs had started to look. I had Randall take a pic of them later that same evening....

The only reason I wanted these pics was for comparison. Comparison to what, you ask? While we were sitting and waiting for the ceremony to start, Randall happened to come across a set of pics on his phone, of my legs, that we took when I was having them wrapped last year. We took them because they were looking so much better than they had been, and I was so excited and watned to show them to my Mom.....

I asked him if he knew when they were taken, so he checked.
July 24, 2015.
Exactly one year ago.

I don't believe in coincidences. I believe 100% that God had Randall find these pictures as His encouragement to keep looking at the bigger picture, at how far I have one in one short year. It totally worked, too. Thank you, Lord.

VBS Then, Then, Then and Now

Vacation Bible School has been a favorite of Daniel's since he went back in Kindergarten.  The Theme that year was Colossal Coaster. He had a ball. By the end of the week, he was pretty tuckered, and I was worn out. I thought about how neat it would be to volunteer to help out next year.

Next year came, the theme was Agency D3. He was in first grade, and was so excited. I took him diligently each day, although it was so hard on me. While the thoughts of volunteering was fleeting, I just knew that I'd get back into shape in time to volunteer next year.

Next year, which was last year, came. Not only was I not in shape enough to volunteer, I was not even well enough to take him. I spent the week shedding guilty tears to myself, knowing that I was the only reason he was missing a week that he so looked forward to each summer.

 As VBS time approached this year, I realized, I was well enough to volunteer this year. I was so excited - probably as excited as Daniel was. So, as the days for our Sumerged VBS arrived, Randall joined in, taking a week off of work to volunteer, too....

It was a long, hard week, but we went all week, then to Sunday School where our teacher said he was surprised to see us, figuring I'd be too worn out to be there that day. Not only were we there, we went to VBS Family night that night, getting a chance to hear Daniel sing before the festivities....

 

I'll admit that I nearly didn't make it out to the street with everyone for my aching legs, and that I grouched around, but it was fun, and I did make it.  

 

 

2078 children were registered that week, with an average daily attendance of 1731.

168 children prayed to receive Christ, and we got to see 16 kids baptised that last night.

Praise God!!!  

 

So very thankful for the ability to serve at long last. 

A Year Ago, and A Year Before That...A New Meaning for Independence Day

July 4th. When we as Americans celebrate our independence. Yet, these last few years, I have been anything but.

Let's get into the wayback machine....

July 4, 2014.
I sat on the couch.
All day.
We went no where.
Randall grilled, and nightfall came. He and Daniel went out onto the screened back porch to light sparklers. I shuffled out and sat om the steps with them, and came right back in after the last spark went out.

July 4, 2015.
I sat on the couch.
All day. We went no where.
Daniel and Randall went to the porch with sparklers. I stayed on the couch.

July 4, 2016.
I got up, packed up some online sales, then got some ribs on for the cookout we were going to take to Mom's later.
Randall went out to mow, and I crushed up some herbs that I grew, harvested and dried. He came in and said that our neighbor had stopped by and told us to get some of the tomatoes that she had growing in her yard. I packed up the herbs in containers and took them to her, and picked a whole bowlful of beauties.....

 

Then, we went to Mom's, where instead of heading in the kitchen, parking my butt at the table and not moving for the whole visit, I went outside to watch the kids have a water battle....

 

Then go back in for the cookout, only to come back out as the sun got lower to have some s'mores for dessert...

 

Followed by sparklers, smoke bombs and a few other shiny things....

 

It was the best day so far. So thankful for a wonderful day with loved ones. Its been so much fun, making up for lost time....