A missionary dies-

Posted on December 8, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

Today, December 7, 2016 – Dr. Helen Roseveare, a famous English missionary to the Congo, passed away at the age of 91.” Below is the link to the incredible story of her life.

When Helen ask God why specific horrors happened to her, God answered with a question of his own, “Can you thank ME for trusting you with this experience- even if I never tell you why?” 

 Her story reminded me again today, God does not owe me any explanation. Indeed He may never give me one, this side of heaven. He didn’t give one to Job. He just showed him that he was God and there is no other.

Will I trust Him? Can I trust Him?

An interview with Helen can be found at: https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/justintaylor/2016/12/07/a-woman-of-whom-the-world-was-not-worthy-helen-roseveare-1925-2016/

YouTube has a video about Helen’s imprisonment and sufferings in Africa as a doctor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssl5vUxJgqw

I have also posted these above links under “testimonies” in my blog’s header. 

ForGlorySake – Anna

Dr. Helen Roseveare – Be Inspired
Posted in Devotional, Spiritual Growth, Trust | Tagged , , | Comments Off on A missionary dies-

In Him

Posted on November 25, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

all things are made new
all things are possible
all things reach completion
all things have purpose
all things bring blessing
all things come together
all things work for good
all things hold together
all things are restored
all things are under His power
all things are for Him
all things are searched by the Spirit
all things are judged by us
In all these things we are more than conquers
…all things were created for His Glory and good pleasure! In Him (anna)

I was reminded today that there have been some really dark and desperate moments over our past holidays… times when the future looked bleak. It was so hard for me to see any light, so hard to imagine change. But I could not let myself lose hope. Without Hope there is total darkness. And God always offers light.

I had to trust Him, and believe me my ability was tiny. But God… does not despise small beginnings and He always searches to and fro for those who desire to seek after Him and He promises to grow what we entrust to Him.

I can not hold back the tears when I look around and see my husband alive, a sober son, my children happy, food on the table and a place to call home. Even a car in the garage! These are things beyond my wildest dreams – at least they are when I look back.

I don’t know where this holiday season finds you. I don’t know what you’re facing and I don’t presume to say how it will end. All I know is that He hears you and He loves you and there is Hope -in Him.
 
ForGlorySake! – Anna

Posted in Children, Devotional, Spiritual Growth | Tagged , , | Comments Off on In Him

Table Talk

Posted on November 18, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

For years we sat down at the table every night to eat dinner together. Then… the older kids turned into teenagers. Sports, jobs, homework caused varying schedules and we began to eat as needed: different times, different locations, different food. It happens. Plates on laps in front of the TV became norm, with dinner at the table being a “special occasion.”

I have tried several times since to instill the old routine, never making much headway. Recently our 14 yr old, who felt “jipped,” laid on the guilt moving everyone to again try. Low and behold it’s happening. And I will tell you something intriguing, togetherness takes practice!

Common courtesies such as allowing others their opinion, not raising one’s voice or walking away in disagreement, manners etc… take Grace. Another curiosity I’ve observed is, spending time face to face (connecting) seems to create a greater difficulty “disconnecting.”

After several nights of eating together, no one leaves the table quite as quickly. Conversations linger a bit. Teasing is more humorous than harsh. Cards or other games have been brought out. Genuine interest in someone else’s interests happened spontaneously. Pretty cool.

As a mom, the thing that pleases me most is, not so much help around the house (although I do appreciate that), but rather when my children get along and love each other! I can’t make them do it – and oh how I have tried. But I can help to create an opportunity. Who knew time around the table meant so much. For that reason, we will keep on trying 🙂

ForGlorySake! -Anna

back in the day
Posted in Children, Devotional, Practical Life | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Table Talk

No Panic-mode

Posted on November 12, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

I’m just finishing up another terrific 7 week Biblestudy with my girlfriends. The story of Gideon has taught us so much about God using the weak not only in-spite of our weaknesses… but because of them! Meee

God meets us in that Gap between what we personally can get done and what’s impossible for us to achieve. I’m so thankful to hear that, because my weariness only shows me that I’m not enough and I can’t do any of this alone. Even the doctors need our prayer to discover what is going on. His strength is what we need. 

In the midst of this crazy season with so many unanswered questions and challenges I’m learning to trust God in new ways. These are all opportunities to put my hope in God. Another chance to pray the prayer that never fails: “Your will be done.” And, bless my soul, it’s a daily choice.

Seems to be a life-long lesson to learn: trust and wait… another year, another circumstance. Yet there is peace in this place. I found contentment before and I’ll find it again as I leave the whole confusing tangled thing at His feet. That’s freedom.

There is no panic-mode. God will never fail me. 

FirGlorySake-Anna 

 

tiny canvas/acrylic
Posted in Devotional, Practical Life | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on No Panic-mode

Growing Weary…

Posted on November 4, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

Keep going… Do the next good thing… Don’t grow weary… But have you ever had a day- a week- a year- that just takes all you’ve got and then some? When sleep is never enough and the coffee pot needs an auto-fill button. My list grows longer because I didn’t get it all done yesterday. Heaven help anyone near me with an attitude. There’s just nothing left for that!

I love Mandisa’s song “Press On.” She just sings it like I feel:

How many storms have I been through
How many led me right to You
You’re using the pain, the hardest days
For my good, my good
So what do I fear
God, You are with me
Guiding my steps today

Through the mountains, valleys, sun and rain
Lord, lead the way, lead the way

I will follow, I will press on
Even when the walk feels long
Your hands hold me together
Your love is with me forever
Through the broken, through the victory
I will praise You through it all
And run hard ’til the race is done
I, I’m gonna press on, press on, 

How I need that encouragement, as Sarah’s medical saga continues with more detox, a new doctor, blood work, tests…. but no new answers! What is going on? All we are collecting is bills. Sigh. Sarah is having mild eye-sight improvement, lessened allergic reactions to fruit and some days, less nausea (that’s something).

“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. ” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:9 ‭Message

“GOD ’s there, listening for all who pray, for all who pray and mean it. He does what’s best for those who fear him— hears them call out, and saves them.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭145:18-19‬ ‭Message

Thank you, Lord, for Your word and the nice weather.

ForGlorySake! –Anna

Dr. Black & Sarah’s brain
Posted in Children, Devotional, Illness | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Growing Weary…

Perfect Endurance

Posted on October 27, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

Trials… what a pain, the up side however is that they bring about a perfect work – the work of completing me. God in His great and mighty faithfulness promises never to leave us as we are. He aims to complete us before He returns or calls us home.

Pretty cool to know I’m on a journey toward Him… and how comforting to be assured every incident is helping me toward that goal. Whether monstrous, or mild, each event plays into an equation for perfection.

We struggle on daily with our daughter’s illness. Watching her struggle to be faithful with an impossible detox regiment along with all her physical pains is difficult to watch. Visits to doctors are still on the calendar. She’s pretty tired of giving blood and other body fluids… don’t ask. But for now it’s become the “new normal” as we wait for healing.

“… and let endurance have its perfect work, so that you will be whole and complete lacking nothing.” James 1:2

Endurance hopefully bringing wholeness.

ForGlorySake! –Anna

Posted in Children, Devotional, Illness | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Perfect Endurance

Sure and Certain

Posted on October 8, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

With all of the questions still swirling over our daughter’s mysterious health challenges… I’ve been searching for any nutritional support. We were directed to a new doctor, an ENT who specializes in looking at the whole person, their environment, nutrition and all symptoms. Our neighbor found great help with Dr. Dennis. He can hopefully solve the sudden and growing food allergies, along with the rest of her issues!

After lots of blood work, and a scan (of her sinus cavity), we were told she has a severe mold allergy! A VERY limited diet and $1000 of supplements should do the trick. She was told to follow every direction of an intensive detox for 6 weeks. Our darling girl has been put through the wringer. Grueling. I’m so impressed by her commitment to try.

Surely the blood-work results will loosen up some of her restrictions and give some freedom. Right now in addition to a short list of foods she can eat there are 23 supplements and compounded medications she has to take every day! We will go back in a week.

So what is sure and certain today? God. He remains the same. He has promised to direct our path. He has promised to provide for our needs. He continues to choose us, call us, persue us.

“If we are unfaithful, God remains faithful,  for He cannot deny who He is.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭2:13‬ ‭

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we have not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

ForGlorySake!- Anna 

Posted in Children, Devotional, Illness | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Sure and Certain

What God Uses…

Posted on September 24, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

Appointments have come and gone with a lot of medical professionals: an ENT, Optometrist, Neurologist and Neuro-ophthalmologist!  Few answers have been given. We actually know more about what’s NOT going on than what IS. The MRI readings confirm no growth on the pituitary gland, or tumor in her head, that might put pressure on her optic nerve, however hormones being secreted remain high and the pituitary gland is slightly enlarged.

It’s hard to know what to do next. We have been presented with options from more testing, a spinal tap, even regimented physical therapy for dizziness. Oh well, it’s only $$$- right??HELP. An Endocrinologist seems to be next on the list of specialists. There is a long wait however. No one seems in a hurry.Our daughter officially withdrew from college on “medical leave” in light of her on-going tests and appointments, dizziness and vision loss.

The eyesight loss remains a mystery. I keep asking God, “what’s the plan here?”  I see new awareness in Sarah’s eyes, an understanding that doctors can only go on test results and past experience. Too many times there is no quick fix. She has discovered there are many people in this world waiting for appointments and answers just like she is.

Sometimes we have to stop doing regular life to take care of our health, but it doesn’t seem fair when you’re 22. I remind her God can and will use everything, we just have to wait and see –for what.

“We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but GOD’s purpose prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 msg

“For we are God’s masterpiece. Created anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us to do, long ago.”  Ephesians 2:10

ForGlorySake! -Anna

image0014

Sarah & Elizabeth

Posted in Children, Devotional, Illness, Trust | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on What God Uses…

What if?…

Posted on September 13, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

Today is a day we have both dreaded and waited for. After the neurologist received images and readings Monday, he ordered more scans and changed our appointment for a week. Today those particular tests requested will be run today. It seems like it’s taken forever. Only a week, but to a college student, days equal grades, grades mean GPA, GPA stands for staying in school… graduation… future job. This weekend was an emotional rollercoaster of “what ifs.”

We don’t know anything more. We are just frustrated and speculating. We do understand these views of our daughter’s brain are critical. We’ve been forewarned they are complicated and may take a week to review. Our appointment to hear results is NEXT Tuesday. Sigh. I hope they will know something. Meanwhile, many questions swirl. University of Georgia is advising a “medical emergency withdrawal.” Sarah would rather have her fingernails extracted. It’s hard to watch her grapple with all of this – after she’s worked so hard.

Her medicine makes her sleepy, curbing the dizziness and nausea and for that I am thankful. Hopefully she will sleep through the long test today. Hopefully someone will see something helpful and get the ball rolling. Hopefully there will be clear answers as to her vision loss. Maybe some ideas to correct? Hope is all we have.

My Hope is found in God and His faithfulness. As always, He sees what I don’t. He has an end goal in mind. I know without a doubt that He is working behind the scenes. He is answering my prayers (always) for my children to follow hard after Him. He cares 1st and foremost for their hearts… and I’m more than ok with that!

Let Your will be done, LORD. We trust You with all the -what ifs.

ForGlorySake! -Anna

“Yes indeed -God is my salvation. I trust, I won’t be afraid. GOD -yes GOD! -is my strength and song, best of all, my salvation!” Isaiah 12:2 MSG
Posted in Children, Devotional, Illness, Trust | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on What if?…

The Part I Don't Like

Posted on September 8, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

How I remember days like these… sorely unpleasant. It’s the part I hate, where you wait and wait. God must have great ability to change us when we have to wait. And He still must be about changing me.

Today was full of calling… and waiting to be called back. Or just waiting on the phone for something to be found, only to be told that the something was never sent. Trying to get these scans scheduled for our daughter has been an exhausting experience. And once they are complete? You guessed it… more phone time for getting an appointment and waiting  to hear results.

Meanwhile, days are passing, and her college classes are being missed. Tuition and rent literally feel like they’re running down a drain somewhere. Ahh. Questions remain regarding to her job, her stuff, the bills and poor roommate.

There is nothing to do but continue down this road. She can not return without answers. We all need answers! As my stomach twists I remember -God loves us, He has a plan, He has a purpose and ALL I really need to do is trust.

Oh God of all hospitals, schedules and bills help me to find rest in the midst of this storm. You are never befuddled and Your way is always sure. I’m so thankful You are at our side. Show us what to do next. I wait only for You.

ForGlorySake! -Anna

What now?
Posted in Children, Devotional, Illness | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The Part I Don't Like