NIAW

Tomorrow begins National Infertility Awareness Week!
I want to challenge all my friends to reach out to those dealing with this disease. Send a card/gift, say an encouraging word, pray, do something as 1 in 8 of us are dealing with infertility and chance is you know someone who needs your encouragement this week!

Spring is in the air

Spring is in the air. Flowers are blooming and our birds are back to nest for another year. It's been a difficult spring. My mom went in for a routine check up and came away with a biopsy and diagnosis of breast cancer. We are on week two after she underwent a lumpectomy and removal of 4 lymph nodes. Thankfully the cancer had not spread. Tomorrow we go to see the oncologist to see if radiation is next for her. Last few days she's had a bump under her arm little arm swelling so concerned about lymphodema. It's been difficult for her but so far she is doing well.

No sooner did my mom get her diagnosis then my husbands mom called to tell us she has lung cancer. We took a trip up north to see her yesterday. April 16th she will have to have 1/2 her lung removed and some lymph nodes. Praying our mom's come through this all. It makes me sad knowing we still have been unable to have a grandchild for them to hold and worried they will be gone before it happens. Only God knows the plan but I sure wish he'd hurry it along.

For me I've kept busy with the HBW store and making handmade items. Also been on call all month for jury duty. I had to go last week which was not fun and another date this week and next. Things are slow, this period of waiting and saving seems like it will go on forever but I know Jan. will come around soon enough and we will be able to continue treatments. Trusting in God's plan.

God's many Blessings

Do you ever catch yourself asking God, why don't you bless me like you bless everyone else?

At the end of the day, is it difficult to recall the blessings of the day?

Do you ever pray for a cup that overflows with blessings beyond measure?

If you're like most people, you probably answered yes to one or all of these questions. Answering yes doesn't make us less of a Christian and it doesn't mean we don't love the Lord with our whole heart. All it means is that our focus isn't quite right—it's on the things that don't matter in the grand scheme of things.

The truth is that God takes care of us and provides our daily needs (Matthew 6:25-34) and He loves to give us good gifts (Matthew 7:11). The problem isn't a lack of God showering us with daily blessings, it's that we fail to recognize them.

We have become too busy. In our fast-paced life, daily blessings quietly sneak into our day and they can sometimes be impossible to find because we don't slow down enough to appreciate them and be thankful for them.  Keep a little journal to jot down the many ways God showers you with love throughout the day. Intentionally slowing down and holding out our hands in a receiving position allows our hearts to be ready to receive what God delights in giving us.

Choose to be aware and grateful for all of God's gifts.  
Dear Lord, help me to not miss a single blessing you give me!