JOY IN TRIALS

Matthew 6:28-29

And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Siberian Iris from my garden.

The verse above speaks to me of how we should trust God in our care.   He has all the details of our life worked out.  This verse refers to our clothing, but it is everything.  "The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9.  I'm so grateful that He does direct my steps.  Even through the trials and difficulties of life we can trust him for all our needs.  Lily from my garden.

Isaiah 40:8 

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Crocus in spring.

A "flower" in my life "faded" recently.  It was the passing of my father's life into eternal rest in the arms of his Savior.  He died November 23rd in the early morning hours while his family surrounded him in love.  As the "flower fades," I trust the word of God for this new stage in my life.  His wife of 37 years, Diza, also trusts Him for her next steps.  Please pray for her as her life changes dramatically with a move from California to Florida. In all things we are trusting and accepting.  For this trust,  I may mourn the loss but I have joy in my heart.  I hope that you trust in such a way that you have joy ever present, despite the circumstances.   Iris, also from my summer garden.

Coleen's Dad

For those who have followed this story, my dad has been home now for some time and is doing well. My sister ordered him a hospital bed which he refused (good for him). She said he is starting to get back to his normal, "order everyone around" self. This is evidence he is fully coming back as he was so out of it for so long due to the long-term anesthesia that takes so long to recover from. Thank the Lord for his miracles are still being performed in people's lives.

California to Ukraine

Well, I am back home again. One's own bed is always the best. My dad has done a most remarkable recovery. He was still in the nursing home when I left on Wednesday, but is to go home on Saturday. It is quite incredible that after ruptured appendectomy, septicemia, breathing/feeding tube for 10 days while under induced coma that a man of 86 would recover from that at all. I guess the Lord still is not done with him. Thank you for all your prayers. We still don't know his spiritual status. He was still in much confusion from long-term anesthesia so prayers are still needed. It is good to be back home with my family and our familiar routine. God has been good and protected me again on my long journey. Now, to get passed the jet-lag.