sandra jean's blog

Sunday, August 22, 2010

BLAST OFF!

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Hope you love it.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

What I Did This Summer

Summer is winding down...
School has started for some and will begin soon for all.

Some folks take long lovely Cruises, go RV-ing for a month across the United States,
visit their "summer home" at the beach or in another country...

Those things are wonderful, and I am sure I will do something like that some day.

However,
this summer,
the summer of 2010
I can say it wasn't as much where I traveled,
it was what I learned along the way that has great value to me.

I am grateful to look back and see that God
provided me with certain character strengths I didn't think I possessed.

I found Strength in deep weakness,
Courage in difficulty,
Love beyond explanation,
and Peace amidst great turmoil and uncertainty.

I've done things this summer I never thought I was strong enough, wise enough, or tough enough to handle.
I've felt God's hand in all things, even the ones that made me sad, or scared, or angry.

If I had to sum it up in one quick sentence I'd say:

I've learned that He will, without fail,
provide me with whatever I need for that moment.


What a blessing.

CHECK BACK MONDAY.
New blog will be launched!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Slow Going . . .

I read this today while out running errands and it spoke deeply to me:

PEACE: It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. (unknown author)



The recovery from back surgery is taking a bit of a toll on our household, particularly the poor guy who actually had the surgery.


It's very. slow. going.


Lots of pain, small snippits of sleep, (nothing over a couple of hours at a time), and did I mention pain?


Bless him.



So, how do you keep calm and steady amidst such different chaos? I mean, there's normal chaos...like children growing, lives being lived, schedules overloaded with activity.



Then, there's the abnormal chaos...a loved one very ill, losing jobs or homes, or in our case, trying to recover from something that the doctors have told you will take a good year to get through. A year...



All day long, I've had a song playing in my head.

Now, I know lots of songs. I can't imagine just how many are rolling around in my little noodle. But this one, it stuck today.




There is a place of quiet rest,

Near to the heart of God.

A place where sin cannot molest,

Near to the heart of God.


Refrain
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,


Sent from the heart of God,

Hold us who wait before Thee

Near to the heart of God.


There is a place of comfort sweet,

Near to the heart of God.

A place where we our Savior meet,

Near to the heart of God.


Refrain


There is a place of full release,

Near to the heart of God.

A place where all is joy and peace,

Near to the heart of God.


Refrain



Maybe everything is rolling along smoothly for you today.

Kids are out of school.

Summer is in full swing.

Life is good.



But maybe, just maybe, there will come a moment when you feel empty.

Your insides are exhausted, worried, void of depth or wisdom.

Each day seems a little worse than the previous day.



It's then you can think about the Savior who holds you close...near to the heart of God.



I love the comfort it brings knowing my Savior quietly, gently, safely holds me close.



“He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart.”

Isaiah 40:11



Blessings. . .

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Still in Process

Still in process . . .

However, during this time of transition a few things have happened.

Husband has had successful back surgery. He's had plates and screws and such put in his back to (hopefully) alleviate the difficulty he's lived with for a year. We have no doubt that God's hand was directly guiding the surgeon. LONG recovery, but at least we're on this end of the journey and not the "waiting for surgery" end. That end was a bit anxious.

Daughter has successfully graduated from ACU and has come home for a bit of time until God directs her path in a clear way. She will be a FANTASTIC teacher. Any young student who has the joy of being in her classroom will be blessed indeed!

Son is working very hard, handling the "man-chores" around the house while his dad is down for the recovery period, successfully finished up another year of his college path (with honors!), and generally, continues to be a joy to us.

There are things in my head...a checklist if you will...that were weighing on me in a most burdensome way. For the most part, those things have come and gone and I'm still standing.

I know, without a doubt, my Father has been holding and sustaining me and my precious family.

SO...soon, friends. Very soon I will be able to show you my new blog digs!

You are loved!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

It may take a moment or two, or maybe a day, or a possibly a couple of weeks,
but I WILL return with a happy new site!
(well, some will think "WOW, this is great!" while others will let out a big YAWN!)

However, don't give up.

Check back soon!

Monday, April 05, 2010

Come Awake!

This was the opening of the service yesterday at College . . .beautiful day.
I woke up this morning wanting to view it again.
I hope your Sunday was a blessed day.
Enjoy!







Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Waiting . . .


I've been waiting
Waiting to have something important to say...
Waiting for some inspiration to knock me down...
Waiting to be able to report some great bit of news...
hmmm...
I'm still waiting.

In that past few weeks I've:
cooked lots of yummy things,
gained a couple more pounds,
sent my girl back to school to finish her Senior year,
ignored the need to exercise,
read a very good book and a few great excerpts from other books,
been very sick with a cold that won't go away,
enjoyed 70-ish degree weather,
worried about the next step for our family,
had coffee with a good friend,
contemplated my value,
seen a couple of good movies,
had an unexpected wonderful lunch with my big brother,
marveled at the beauty around me,
wondered how people make it without God.

There's more, but for now, I believe that's enough.

Blessings, sweet friends!