Prayers for the nation

One of the things to do
today: pray for our nation.
We felt like we live in
a parish, a smaller town than
the suburbs of Charlote, a bit
of Mitford AS we went to the
local Farmer's Market this
morning. So many of the farmers
were talkative. I have my
favorites. In those small conver-
sations , I found out one had
had a hip replacement and one
taught me more about herbs.

We mulched our garden after
returning,
which was put in late with the
wedding and graduations and
May being so busy. April then
was even more! To my surprise
were some cucumbers growing
under the leaves. I praised God
for that fruit to harvest. Now
to pray for that for our nation.

Happy 4th.

Feels like a beach trip

Here at home , it feels like we
live at the beach during a vacation.
We get up later, eat later, stay up
later and there's not much looking
at the clock! Restful.

Today I found this book at B&N for
5.00. It looks very good for narration,
reading a bit, writing a bit, for Emma in
the Fall . Now wouldn't you have loved
to have met C.S.Lewis at age 8!
I love the beginning of the first chapter.
Look inside:

PTO

These days are ones that we
are thankful to have jobs. Today
my newlywed son has a Paid Time
Off , mandatory. AND Monday too.
Tomorrow being a paid holiday!His
dad just has tomorrow off.
It's probably a way to reward their
workers after the June 15th tax deadline
that demanded overtime.
We don't hear so much
of that to give us hope. Gratitude.
It's more of no jobs, layoffs, and
firings in this financial city.

Beans, squash and banana peppers
in abundance came to a kitchen of
a friend in need by her brother!
"Call to Me and I will answer" saith
the Lord in Jer. 33:3. Jeremiah had
prayed "nothing is hard for You , Lord,
who shows lovingkindness to thousands..
great in counsel and mighty in deed"
( Jer. 32: 17-19)

My heart enlarged with hope reading this
this morning.
"A thank offering to the house of the Lord
( 33:11)... I will restore....and make it a
habitation of shepherds who rest their
flocks." I'm looking for those shepherds
amongst us! Seen any?

Alice in Wonderland

Due out in March 2010:

Johnny Depp as the Madhatter
Ann Hathaway as the White Queen
Alice is Mia Wasikowska

Pray.........Gratitude

Thinking about the Gratitude
Community today amidst prayers
for those out of work , health issues,
our children's lives and plans, and
the Word of God sustaining.

This week brought news of
two cars given to the
need of when a transmission died.
I told that friend to SING when she
looks at the cars. Amazing grace.

Another friend is out of work and
has a free townhouse to live in for
whenever the job comes. It hasn't come
yet, yet all her needs are taken care of.
Amazing grace.

I'm thankful for fortitude given to
each to stand strong.

Amy Carmichael writes about "Mr.
Standfast" by John Buchan:
" One of the men here was speaking
about that kind ( courage that keeps on
when there's no fun nor profit, that never
lets go when your insides are empty,
trouble's not over in an hour or two but
lasts for months and years)
and he called it 'FORTITUDE.'
I reckon fortitude's the biggest thing
a man can have ~~just to go on
enduring when there's
no gut or heart left in you.
And Peter went on enduring , nourished
by the strong meat he found in his two
only books, his Bible and his Pilgrim's
Progress; and he wins through
and makes a gallant end."

Luther and Isaiah

" This passage ( Is. 52:13 -
Is. 53: 12) is considered the
most magnificent chapters
in all the Bible. Martin Luther
wrote that this passage " ought
to be written on parchment
of gold and lettered in diamonds,"
and then memorized by every
Christian." Mike Ross from
50 Days of Prayer for the PCA

Very convicting this morning.