OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES!

Of all my blog entries through the years, this is right at the top of the list for blessing a grandmother's heart. 

"Keep your heart with all vigilance for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23)

Think words....prayerful words from a first-grader.

Just click below to see & hear.....

@ goodgollygal

......a prayer that shares a first-grader's version of John 3:16 to be heaven-bound, and thankful for dinosaurs, parents and his sibling as he hopes God has a good week. 

His words greatly blessed my heart; I hope they blessed yours.

*Thx to John McCormick of reminding me "out of the mouth of babes" label..

HERE COMES THE BRIDE!

Saturday's Blessing....even if it was Livestream.

A beautiful bride. An awestruck groom.

A sanctuary filled with answered prayers.

Here comes the bride.....

.........There goes the family.

A beautiful event, orchestrated by God!

KINDNESS : PAID FORWARD

Saturdays have been a special prayer time for me for 25 years now. As the years have gone by, many young folks have been a part of those prayers. 

My K4K list----Kids for the Kingdom.

Just last month I met an answer to one of those prayers for a godly spouse--Michael, Sara Beth's fiancé. I've loved attending weddings of couples who are answers to those prayers as well. 

For the last couple of years the focus of those prayers has been on kindness. Practicing kindness without prejudice. 

Meet Charlotte one of my Kingdom Kids. A girl with a heart for kindness.

This morning, I received a text from her Grandmother, Linda, telling me that she is one of 10 finalists in the Seasalt Kid's Superstar Search.* When I heard her interview, it was if receiving affirmation for praying for her and other youngsters on my list to practice kindness as a way of paying it forward.

* If you want to hear her "super power" answer just click on the  blue Seasalt Kid's link above---you can even vote for sweet Charlotte, who knows the One who is the true power in her life.

Sa-TEA-sfaction of Answered Prayers

A cuppa served in Tyler's Georgia Tech gift mug was a satisfying way to begin my day! It spoke of kindness and generosity of a young adult, who has been the focus of my Saturday prayers for many years. 

Watching him hug his "Grammy" recently at The Varsity evoked all these memories!

It also stirred my heart to pray for all my Saturday "Kingdom Kids," especially those in college, that they not grab at the "things" the word offers. May they empty themselves today and fill themselves with "all the fulness of God" as they grasp the deep love of Christ, which is the only true and lasting satisfaction! (Ephesians 3:14-19)

Memories from a mug of sa-TEA-sfaction and God's Word satisfied me this morning with a reminder of "God's steadfast love." (Psalm 90:14) 

"ON HOLD"

FRUSTRATION!!

Please hold!!......Please continue to hold!!!
The phone feels glued to my ear. My shoulder aches from holding it up.
Next option---speaker phone. The "hold" continues! Phone is carried from room to room!

"Your call is very important to us." Yeah---right!!

The worst offenders are Comcast, Insurance and Government Agencies!

3 hrs on this one---just had pic taken at 2 hr point. Multiple calls occurred because so many came in while on hold. With 3 hours "holding", one can expect that.

How grateful I am that the Lord NEVER puts me on hold!
I can "call unto Him and He will answer me."  (anytime night or day)
(2 Samuel 2:24)  (Psalm 17:6) (Psalm 50:15) (Psalm 120:1) (Isaiah 58:9) (Jeremiah 33:3)

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: LONG ISLAND

7/14/13 Long Island: North Fork---the quieter more rural side. Perfect for time with little Lucy and family---lots of open spaces, a beach just down our walking road, outdoor shower experiences, horses and goats and ducks and chickens, picnics, dinners at the open air pier, outdoor grilling w/ fish, scallops & shrimp, lots of ice cream, roadside stands and thriving flowers. A vacation very much an answer to prayers!

Lucy mailing postcards to her 6 cousins.--all boys

As if we had our own private beach

Lace-cap hydrangeas--almost indigo in color

Porch Time

What does the horsie say? Lucy knows.

Fields of sunflowers 

Organic berries & veggies & goat cheese at KKs

Chickens and ducks and goats, oh my!

Lavender on steroids!

Certainly shoes must match sunsuit.

Snuggletime for Daddy &Lucy

Last morning "cuppa" with Shug, in a china teacup, no less!

Great News from St. Jude for Michael B.

9/20/12  CaringBridge Posting from the Brady's made my day. Having spent a little time with this Chicago area family as they were waiting to go in for the results, I understood how, even in the midst of hope, there is always that element of apprehension that comes from having cancer in your rear view.

"ALL CLEAR!!!!!!" Praise God! Prayer works! Thank you St Jude!!!!!!! We are meeting with Dr Furman then heading to the airport. Details to come! We love you all so much and are so blessed and thankful!!!!!!
Love, Anne

More info to follow with pic when I receive one since my camera battery gave out on me.

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!

1/17/12 That's it----that's just what I want. His voice of direction. If I can't hear it, then I'd like to see it---something I can't miss! (My quote from yesterday's blog.)

Mail left on my kitchen table yesterday afternoon. A 2012 program booklet from the Billy Graham Training Center. (The Cove)
Can you hear me now, Dotsy?

My answer---As if on auto-pilot, I turned to Anne Graham Lotz seminar for next November.
I registered. Wouldn't you?

When reading the description, I stood amazed----actually, I had to sit down. "If we want to hear more of His voice....."

Could it be any clearer? Could it be any louder?

I think I can hear Him now.

ANSWERED PRAYER

Answered prayer----Here's what it looks like---a car for Ruben in Mexico City to use for frequent travel to the Tlapaneco Indian mission in the mountains and incredibly great news from Michael's St. Jude report. So grateful.
Ruben and team still need prayer for safe travel and Michael still has bone marrow aspirate report due as well as one questionable spot---So.....keep on praying!

An update from Michael's mom----

Hello Team Michael!!!

Great news!!! We received the results of Michael's Cat Scan and MIBG scan. The Cat scan=clear. On the MIBG, the three spots on Michael's skull, tibia and femur were gone! There is one tiny light mark on the femur that they are calling "equivocal" which means that they cannot say for sure if it is neuroblastoma or not neuroblastona, so there is a question mark, but that aside, there was no other evidence of disease!!!!!!! I wish we could say "all clear" because technically there is NO disease showing up but since we have that TINY questionable spot we will go with INCREDIBLY GREAT NEWS!!!!
We will not have his bone marrow aspirate results until Tuesday and we ask you to continue praying that he will be all clear. After we receive those results we will speak with Dr Furman and decide our plan of action from there!!
We feel so BLESSED!!!!! Please give all praise to God as I BELIEVE that He has healed Michael! Please give prayers of Thanks to Him and ST Jude Hospital and continue to BELIEVE in the amazing power of prayer!!!!! Thank you all so much. We love you dearly and are forever grateful! PLEASE KEEP PRAYING for continued great news next week!!!!!

Thank you God!!!!!!

KEY TO PRAYER

12/7/11 Prayer is key in every aspect of life. What key do you (I) need to unlock your (my) heart for prayer and worship?
"Chapel closed." That was the info I received yesterday in the clinic waiting room at St. Jude after Michael, with his dad, had gone back for testing. Sitting in the rocker, I sensed a need to "Be still and know that I am God." Did that mean I didn't need to kneel at an altar to fully concentrate on God?
Remembering that "Prayer is the slender thread that moves the hand of God,"(Corrie Ten Boom) I just rocked and prayed for a little boy I barely knew. Praising the Lord for the timely way I had even found Michael in the labyrinth of hallways and walkways of the hospital, I began to seek the Lord on his behalf---not using Michael as a bargaining tool, but expressing gratitude for the mercy and grace shown him and his family this past year. I saw them once more between tests and saw his cheery little face---
an innocent face filled with grace and an extra measure of mercy.

Leaving the clinic area, I found a gift shop. Jesus Calling was available. What an answer to prayer.

With it, I found a card of "hope" that included the verse that I had used for meditation the day before---
what an affirmation that I was right where God wanted me to be on a rainy, dreary Tuesday. How blessed I was!







Prayer is the key. The key is prayer. Interchangeable keys that move the hand of God!

PRAYER BRIEF

10/20/11 Brief 2. using few words; concise; succinct: (Dictionary.com) Edges of His Ways, uses the phrase “little prayers.” (Carmichael, p.192) Friend Margie H. calls them breath prayers. Spontaneous prayers. Hardly prayers at all in the “formal” sense.

Prayers evoked by a mere thought and a touch as the woman in Matthew 9:21 who reached to touch the fringe of Jesus’ cloak. “for she was saying to her self, If I only touch His garment, I shall get well.”

Wordless prayers. “Breathe's,” metaphorical lyrics for that close communication with the Lord ….”This is the air I breathe,
This is the air I breathe, Your holy presence living in me….” (Michael W. Smith) In such close communion that the Lord knows your prayerful thoughts.

I call them necessary. Lately mine have been, “Lord, forgive me.”

STRENGTH FOR THE WEARY

3/28/11 GLUED TO THE BED. That’s what my body has felt like these last few days. I’ve reset my alarm from 4:14 to 4:24 and now tomorrow it might well be 4:34. (I know the numbers are odd. Remember, I’m time compulsive.)

I’ve slept a lot in the car while sweet hubby drives Miss Dotsy. Friday night I tried to stretch out on the hospital bed in room 2019B. No rest there, I set off an “escape” alarm that was set for Daddy. Saturday I even slept on the workout platform in the therapy gym on the 2^nd floor at the Vandy Rehab Hospital. I just can’t seem to get my “energy” legs back.

God had answered my Job 4:4 prayer for Daddy that the Lord might “help(ed) the tottering to stand, And….strengthen(ed) feeble knees.” I’ve even prayed for His strength and might and praised Him to others for His provision. Yet, here I was battling fatigue again this morning. So………..more strength verses (KJV) for meditation. Hope you join me whether you need emotional or physical strength or you are praising Him for the strength He has already provided.

Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Psalm 59:16 But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold And a refuge in the day of my distress.

Psalm 71:9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Isaiah 57:10 "You were tired out by the length of your road, Yet you did not say, ' It is hopeless.' You found renewed strength, Therefore you did not faint.

God's Answer

11/2/10………for Hannah Helen Hasslen is “Hannah’s home in heaven.” Early this morning Larry told me our son, Buddy, called last night with news of Hannah’s death. I felt punched in the stomach, sad all over, and at the same time grateful for God’s mercy. Just yesterday I had cried out to the Lord for mercy for that sweet little girl and an extra measure of grace for the family. Death was God’s answer.

Though death seems like a hard answer, God's goodness was evident as Hannah spent her last 3 nights at home. Doctor Hannah was able to see some folks, trick or treat (briefly) alongside her brother, Iron Jake, in a wagon & then have the best night’s sleep of the last month---in her own home. Sunday night did not bode so well as nausea and pain resumed along with anxiety of returning to the hospital. Monday’s plan was to take her to the American Doll store to look for a Ruth doll on the way back to the hospital for her noon appointment---as I understand it Hannah was never “fully” readmitted to the hospital but was sitting quietly in the transfusion area with her mom and dad as they stroked her hair when, as her father said, “it was as if the Lord just swooped in and took her home.”

Last “tweets” from the family that give insight into her final day.

November 1 Updates:

• 7:24 a.m. From best to worst! Han & Amy had rough night with no sleep! Han nauseated all night---anxiety about going back to hospital today. (Remember the night before had been best night of sleep in over 1 month! Thank you Jesus!)
  
• 1:03 p.m. Need prayers for Han! Very sick in doctors office! All main blood tests came back worse! Jesus - we need You now!!
• 1:39 pm Waiting for dr. on next steps. Giving her fluids, blood & anti nausea meds. Prob readmit to hospital. Should feel better soon.
• 5:30 p.m. Update - doctors had decided to let Hannah go home after blood but then Han had crazy reaction. She's being admitted to hospital.
• Tonight @6pm, Hannah Helen Hasslen passed away & went home to the Lord! Her death was unexpected, sudden, peaceful and without pain.

11:01 pm We would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of prayers, support & love given to Hannah in her last days and to our entire family!

Hannah’s parents have requested that her service be a testimony to the character of God and a celebration of Hannah’s life. Also, in lieu of flowers, gifts could be given to the Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child because “Han loved filling those shoeboxes.” They have asked that the song “Majesty” be sung as that’s the song they sung over her when she was born.

Majesty, worship His Majesty 

Unto Jesus, be all glory,
Power and praise 

Majesty, Kingdom authority 

Flow from His throne, 
Unto his own, His anthem raise. 

So exalt,
lift up on high
The Name of Jesus

Magnify, come glorify,

Christ Jesus the King

Majesty, worship His Majesty 

Jesus who died, now glorified,

King of all Kings.

Hannah Helen Hasslan was God’s answer to a young couple’s prayers and now, though heart broken, her parents accept God’s answer as His best for Hannah and look forward with great hope to the day they will see her again.

A Wednesday Disclaimer---(on Saturday, no less)

3/6/10 Comment from last Wednesday’s “confession” blog created some illusions about my “ease” and immediate actions in turning things over to God. Truth be known, said actions and the ensuing answers don’t always come quickly---I mull and stew and pray sometimes for days and then…answers come....and then… I write a blog---there are no “Presto” answers in my life. Well, technically the answers are there---it just takes me a while to get to them---sometimes a long while. But God……(and His truth) is always there. I’m the one who often has to relearn an old lesson. Here’s some additional truth I’ve learned about lips---actually, same truths, new version for easy reading.

How can a young person (or old like me) live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I'm single-minded in pursuit of you; don't let me miss the road signs you've posted. I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won't sin myself bankrupt. Be blessed, God; train me in your ways of wise living. I'll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth; I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches. I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you've done it. I relish everything you've told me of life, I won't forget a word of it.

(Psalm 119:9, The Message)

Let my cry come right into your presence, God; provide me with the insight that comes only from your Word. Give my request your personal attention, rescue me on the terms of your promise. Let praise cascade off my lips; after all, you've taught me the truth about life! And let your promises ring from my tongue; every order you've given is right. Put your hand out and steady me since I've chosen to live by your counsel. I'm homesick, God, for your salvation; I love it when you show yourself! Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well, use your decrees to put iron in my soul. And should I wander off like a lost sheep—seek me! I'll recognize the sound of your voice.

(Psalm 119:69, The Message)

Praying today for self and readers that “praise will cascade off my (our) lips.