Shock

Lord,

I'm in shock over the loss of life in Asia. I do not understand why you let this happen. It's terrible, awful, sickening. History tells me that massive deaths like this have happened before, but not in my lifetime. It's different seeing it happen on the 6 o'clock news than in a book. Why don't terrible things like this happen where I live? Am I immune to such circumstances?
Do you love me more? No, I didn't think so.

All the children!! Wives, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends.
Life is fragile. What do you want to teach me? How will the world change?

Reminder for myself...
He knows and sees what I cannot know or see today.
I'll just have to take comfort in that.
You know all, understand all, love all. Your grace is sufficient.

Strength and focus

Lord,
I pray for strength and focus. Shopping wears me out. It's the hardest part about Christmas. I love it all, but shopping is draining.

Today I read this:
"Never lose sight of the fact that old age needs so little but needs that little so much."
Margaret Willour

Took a me a few times to really get it. The old folks home. Don't forget the forgotten. That's what your telling me. Help me to shift my focus back to you. I have tunnel vision and all I can think about, right now, is my shopping list.
Write it down!! *Need flannel fabric to make scarfs. On the calander *23rd- bring music and let Megan dance for the elderly. Give out scarfs. Wish them a Merry Christmas.

Give a little bit.
Focus Kathy

I just like this

I have a calendar with inspirational thoughts for each day. I like this one, though I've changed it a bit.

I know I am secure in the place God has made for me. He knows the rhythm of my spirit and the thoughts of my heart.
He is as close as breathing. I find peace and comfort in His truth. He knows and sees what I cannot know or see today.

Lord, I find this calms my soul. I feel your Holy Spirit whispering in my ear. You tell me to close my eyes and breath slowly. Let the world go on...be still.
Meditation is the desire of my heart to search for yours. Without you, the world is black and white. The most beautiful colors I've ever seen happened while my face was aimed at you. Your sky is brillent. No wonder the Angels adore You. You have made for them a soft and wonderous place.
I do not deserve the gifts you have given me. That's why they had to be gifts. I could never earn enough to pay the price in full. I am selfish, but I Love You. Forgive me, I want to be what you have planned.

I ask the girls at night... "What was the first gift of Christmas?" The answer is always the same...LOVE.
"For God so loved the world that He gave..."

How can I say Thank You??

Handicaped Traveling

Tomorrow Thea flies to Holland. Lord, I pray that it will go well. She is so brave. It will be a long flight without her husband, without her boys. She will have to depend on strangers and trust in you.
I remember life before the accident. Stephanie used to talk back to her mother...like all girls do. But I will never forget the look on her face that day in the hospital when she thought she might lose her. She held the straps of Thea's purse with such determination to keep her mother on this earth. Thank You that Stephanie will also be on that plane tomorrow. She would go crazy here without her.
I want to pray for Thea's mother too. She has been very sick and can't fly to the states. Give her the strength to force back the tears when she sees her baby girl in a wheelchair. Let them have a meaningful visit. The kind of visit that allows them to hold on tight, knowing you may never see them again in this world. Hours filled with questions they've always wanted to ask, gifts that truly say "I love you" and tears that turn to laughter.

Bless this family, bless them with memories they will treasure.
In Your Name, I Pray...

Gifts from You

Dear God,
You know I love Christmas. 9 years ago tomorrow you gave me a gift. Megan. I love her so much. She is an Angel. Sweet child with those big brown eyes. How can I be truely thankful? I say that I am, I feel that I am, I know that I am.
11 years, 10 months and 9 days ago you gave me Katelyn. I love her with all my heart. You know the struggles we've had. She has tested my strength and therefore made me a better mother...a better person. It's what I asked for when she was born. To be a good mother. Thank you for your answer to my prayer. However, not exactly the way I thought you'd answer. If I had any idea...I might have asked for something else...then again, no. You know what I need and what I can handle. I can guess there is a lot more to come. Please strengthen our whole family unit. She will need it just as much as me. Help me be patient and kind.
Love,
Kathy