Not Alone In My Pasture

Today began with a squirrel committing suicide in our kiddy pool. I am NOT kidding. Many would have crawled back in bed at that point and don't think I did not consider that as an option. Next, came the sickness of my precious little cocker spaniel. She is 16 years old with re-occurring cancer. She and I have been through a lot together (good and bad). I called our vet who agreed to see her (Macy) at 4pm. During the day I fretted and worried. Actually, I sobbed. I thought I would be faced with putting her to sleep. Worry would be putting it mildly. I am not normally found in this state of mind. My family will tell you, I am the strong one and I pride myself in this roll. God had many lessons to teach me, today.

I could not contain the tears. My vet and the staff have never seen me this way and they have seen me a lot over the years. I cried through Macy's entire visit. Dr. Jordan said, "She is going home with you. She has an intestinal inflammation. We can treat this....I am giving her nausea medicine (shot) and antibiotics." No matter what he said, I cried!  They hugged me, I paid the bill, and left.

Upon leaving, I thought about my day. I worried about Macy's death and lack of presence in my life. I worried about telling Wil, who has grown up with her. I worried about so many things.....I was NOT sure I could live life without her. For now, she will live and cuddle with me. I wasted hours in tears and distress. I asked for prayer and boy am I glad, b/c our Heavenly Father answered in a big way. He answered in more ways than giving Macy more days with us. He reminded me of all the people who care for me....each of you, my facebook friends, and many others. You all rallied to pray for me and my dog. Not just anyone would pray for a dog. I know this to be true. You guys are the best. Family comes in all shapes and sizes. I feel a bit like the cow in the picture. I was in a pasture..feeling alone, today....but I could not see the lucious grass or any of the blessings my Heavenly Father had for me. It was after feeling alone and distraught, I recognized HIS blessings and the gift He has given me through blogging and writing.  I am never alone in my pasture. He is always with me and He has given me many others to journey along side, whether I can see them or not.

Thank you, prayer warriors and friends. I will never be able to tell you how much you mean to me. You come here, time and time again and read the words I have posted. You leave beautiful comments of love and encouragement. Each of you are the LOVE OF CHRIST daily in my life. I praise GOD for you. Thank you all for faithfully being the people HE created you to be. Thank you, most of all for your loving prayers!

With much love, thankfulness of heart, and prayers,

Andrea

Laughter Amidst Blog Issues

"Laughter is carbonated holiness." Anne Lamott


Today, I am trying to laugh rather than cry. Blogger has been quite the challenge the last week or so. I am currently working on resolving the technical issues. I should say, I have friends who are kind enough to try and help me resolve them. If you are a new follower, please leave me a comment. I would like to visit your blog.

As for laughter, it is great medicine for our soul. How we handle small problems, such as this one or big ones greatly affects the outcome. No, the problem may not go away, but our spirit is affected by how we look at the problem. Stress is proven to cause medical issues. So, today I ask you to look at your problems (great or small) through the eyes of your Heavenly Father. Surrender them to HIM! Learn to laugh in the midst of it all.



"He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." Job 8:21 NLT

"We were filled with laughter,and we sang for joy.And the other nations said,“What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Psalm 126:2 NLT

Praying each of you have a blessed weekend,

Andrea

A New Look

Edie at Rich Gifts designed a "new look" for Arise 2 Write. Once again, she has outdone herself! I am amazed as she captured my love of God's Creation, Writing, and rolled it all into a beautiful new look. GOD BLESS YOU, Edie!

To my followers:

Thank you for your faithfulness. I appreciate your love, prayers, and encouragement more than you could possibly know!

Hugs and prayers,

Andrea

Home

"Don't force me to leave you; don't make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I'll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I'll die, and that is where I will be buried." Ruth 1:16-17 The Message

Lately, I have been thinking about family and home. Home is wherever my husband Doug and I are together. Whether a large home or a humble tent, I am content to be with him. The things of this world will pass away, but our love will last forever. I praise GOD for bringing him into my life.

Thanking HIM,

Andrea

*Tomorrow (Thursday), I will spending time with my eye doctor. I pray each of you have a wonderfully blessed day! See you when my eyes recover from my doctor visit!

Lifted From The Garbage Heap

"He picks up the poor from out of the dirt, rescues the wretched who've been thrown out with the trash, Seats them among the honored guests, a place of honor among the brightest and best. He gives childless couples a family, gives them joy as the parents of children. Hallelujah!" Psalm 113:7-9 The Message

Most of us have felt battered, bruised and a bit like garbage, at times. For many years now, these verses have served as a beautiful reminder of the love of GOD. He "lifts me from the garbage heap" and "sits me among the brightest and best." Indeed, GOD redeems and pours HIS love into our lives, filling the emptiest places!

Be encouraged! You too can find freedom and hope in HIS word! Do not listen to the comments of those who tell you "you are no good....you are worthless." Know: Your value is beyond measure. Each of you have a special place in this world. Allow your Heavenly Father to "pull you from the heap" of despair and heal your heart!

Lifted from the heap,

Andrea

Squeezing Lemons

Both these lovely ladies gave me the lemonade award:


Being Me
Audrinna

I hope you will jump over and visit each of them.

Each follower on this blog is special and loved. As I pondered the lemonade award. I thought of how each of us have or are experiencing lemons in our lives. That makes us understand each other. We are all in some way kindred spirits.

What do we do with all the lemons? Do we allow them to rot in our midst or do we make lemonade and share it with others. As I pass this lemonade award to each of you, I pray you will make lemonade and share it with the less fortunate around you.
Let's not allow a single lemon to rot and stink up our lives! Get to squeezing, dear friends. Take all the "yucky stuff" in your life and make lemonade!

Squeezing lemons,

Andrea