To plant and to harvest

Having lived in a farming community for most of my life, I have come to love watching the the whole process of preparing, planting, and harvesting.  I enjoy seeing the planters roll out in the spring, placing precious seed that soon sprouts endless rows of corn and beans.  So much hope of better things to come.  Then the heat and humidity of Illinois summers make that corn grow tall and produce big ears of golden kernels that will feed nations - what a responsibility!  Finally, my favorite - harvest.  To see those combines roll out and glean fields, depositing corn and beans into huge semi trucks and pass many on their way to storage makes my heart happy.  Yes, I simplify the process for certain as I am not a farmer.  Yet I can relate to some of what they experience.

This year has been particularly difficult for our nation of farmers.  In fact, I am certain that difficult doesn't begin to describe what they know as reality.  I don't think I have prayed more for our farmers than I have have this year.  Two of my favorites are just finishing up harvest today.  It's been hard from start to finish.

That's how I have felt about this season of my life related to sharing the Gospel.  Trying to plant seeds in hearts that are not interested in the truth of the Scripture is labor intensive.  Part of this falls on me to just do it.  Still, part of it is the culture of relative truth...truth being whatever I choose it to be.  However, I can't allow culture to dictate my obedience to what Jesus tells me to do - share Him with others.  I have the cure to spending eternity in hell and I MUST share that with those who don't have that cure.  I have to work as hard as our farmers have in 2019 to feed the world.  My prayer for 2020 is to see a bountiful harvest from seeds I plant now for Jesus.

If you are reading this, do you know Him?  I would love the opportunity to sit with you and share what the Bible says about salvation.  PLEASE reach out to me ... your eternal destination is worth it!

Psalm 126:6 - He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

A Thankful Heart

I would say the last 18 months have been the most difficult time I've yet to experience in my life.  I lost my Mom so quickly to cancer and embarked on a journey that truly only Jesus could have orchestrated.  It's not over by any means, but tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of my weight loss surgery and I sit here abundantly thankful and need to share that with anyone who cares to read it.  My top ten things I am thankful for this year...

• I am thankful for a reclaim of my health. Oh.My.Word!  I am pretty certain that I was thisclose to major cardiac problems.  Now?  My blood pressure is superb, my labs have been great, my A1c has been great...and I NEVER thought it would happen.
• I am thankful for how my body moves more efficiently!  I can move better, expending less energy and accomplishing more.  I am not tired all of the time, I can actually get projects done and ENJOY doing them! Kayaking, hiking, cleaning, gardening...loving it! :)
• I am thankful for insurance that would cover this drastic of a move for health. When I sat defeated in my Doctor's office and was arrogantly not going to choose "the easy way out", boy howdy, did the Lord humble my sorry hind end! This wasn't easy by any stretch.  I was an idiot and am glad to have seen the light!
• I am thankful for the providers at Genesis Weight Loss Clinic.  They put me through the paces to make sure I was certain and that I was going to be as successful as they could help me be.  I know long term results depend upon my choices, but they are wonderful cheerleaders to help me get there!
• I am thankful for others who have been down this road before me and walked alongside of me to cheer me on.  Their war stories and 'atta girls' have been a tremendous encouragement.
• I am thankful for my Jesus girls.  I have a most incredible group of women who encircle me and have been unbelievable prayer warriors, encouragers, shoulders to cry on, comedians, etc!  
• I am thankful for my roommate.  She has had to endure so much with me and around me all the while enduring some difficult circumstances of her own.  She's never wavered from her support.  My Mom was a mom to her so that loss was felt, my surgery and recovery were huge adjustments for both of us, we experienced a kitchen remodel in the middle of recovery so she dealt with that when I couldn't, and then she lost her aunt in the spring.  Tough, tough year...yet she has been a rock through it all!
• I am thankful for my Dad, Sisters, Brother, Nephews and Nieces.  I have the best family.  They've helped in so many ways this year and amidst the grief and pain, I feel closer to them than I ever have.
• I am thankful for my Mom.  She knew I was going on this journey and was 100% supportive.  That woman is so missed by those who love her, yet we rejoice in two truths - she is 100% healed and she has started the eternal journey of life present with Jesus.  I can't wish her back here on earth because of those truths... so I look with excitement to my start of the eternal journey with Him!
• Jesus.  This process has had His fingerprints all over it. I believe with everything in me that He allowed all of this for His glory because He knows I can take credit for zero of it!  That being said, I am committed to use ALL of it for His glory... by ministering more intentionally, by giving Him the glory when I am complimented on the weight loss, by saying yes to risky adventures for Him (Zambia 2019!), by working hard to use this gift He's given me of a healthier life to its fullest until He calls me home.  Jesus, you are my all in all!

These photos were taken almost a year apart.  Yeah, I've lost weight.  Yet, the joy I feel in feeling better and being closer with Jesus shows on my face and THAT makes my heart sing!

2019

2018