Friendship

Last Friday I spend the day with one of my best friends. Usually, we only have to an opportunity to call or email each other. However, this time she came to Las Vegas on a short family vacation and we spent a day together. Bliss!

A friend, especially this friend, is a gift from the hand of God. He placed her in my life, my ministry, and my heart. God special delivered her to me when I needed someone in my life. She filled a gap that no one could fill, but her.


So, on our day together we ate, we laughed, and we talked about life. When it was time to say good-bye we both were stoic. (At least until I shut the car door, drove away and bawled my eyes out.)

Friendship—an irreplaceable treasure from God.

Honey Crisp Apples

I discovered a delicious harvest snack last year—Honey Crisp Apples. Their sweet, succulent crispness delights my taste buds. They are a perfect snack when the weather turns cool and the leaves crunch beneath my feet.

There happens to be just one problem with my newfound craving. The price of the Honey Crisp Apples exceeds my apple budget. However, I have decided that the fruit is worth the expense.

Which brings me to today's topic—the fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23) This fruit, too, is not cheap. The price is being willing to give up our self-will to the will of our Lord. We have to pay a price to produce a rich harvest of this fruit in our lives, but this fruit is worth any sacrifice.

Will you join me in the harvesting of this blessed fruit?

Let’s run into the arms of Jesus,

Susanne

Puppy Love

This week my sister-in-law, Karen, and I went on the search for puppies. We are on the hunt for Shih Tzu pups. Of course, we fell in love with all the ones we visited. It was puppy love at first sight.

It probabaly will be awhile before we make our "purchase." I want two. She wants one. We want them to be sisters from the same litter. So, it will take a few months to find the perfect threesome.

Anyway, puppy love is a joy.

Susanne

Football Season

Football has returned to our family. Sunday, Monday or whenever football rules the men in my life. (And some of the girls.) It's Baskin-Robbin's season for "quarterback crunch." Chicken fingers and pizza become part of the food pyramid. Various team fans lounge on the couch. Dallas Cowboys and the Raiders bring the most cheering or groans.

Oh, the fun of football! Gotta go,it's almost kick-off.

Susanne

Michael Brandt

He's here! Michael E. Brandt arrived on August 23rd, 2007. He's adorable as you can see--blonde and cute as a button. Michael is my third grandbaby, but my first grandson.

We are enjoying him have him close by. I can run over to squeeze him anytime I want. What a blessing!

Pins and Needles

I jump every time the phone rings. “Is it time?” I wonder.

My son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first baby within a week. My daughter-in-law, Wendy, looks ready to pop. Her belly button is pointing straight out and up. It salutes the world announcing, “A baby boy is about to arrive!”

They promised to call the minute they think she is having regular contractions. So, I linger by the phone with anxious expectation. I wait for it to ring and praise the Lord for His faithfulness in life.


But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children. (Psalm 103-17.)

10,000 Boxes

I just moved from one house to a new home. It wasn’t far. Only about five miles, but it was exhausting. I felt as if I packed 10,000 boxes. Then, I needed to unpack them. One week I emptied endless boxes into the correct cupboards and closets. I am still not finished. It seems as if I still have 500 boxes to go. Moving is overwhelming.

However, it has given me a new appreciation for Abram and Sarai.

Then the Lord told Abram, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you. So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth—his livestock and all the people who had joined his household at Haran—and finally arrived in Canaan.
Genesis 12:1, 4-5 (NLT)

Abram and Sarai moved “all his wealth” which would have included camels and sheep. They couldn’t rent a moving truck. The couple slept in dusty tents. Sand filled their sandals as they traveled to their new home. Plus, Abram was seventy-five years old. YIKES!

My moving adventure has caused me to pause and consider “all my wealth”. Although, my wealth fit into tidy cardboard boxes the move truly did seem as if I had 10,000 boxes of stuff. Stuff, I really do not need or use very often. I admit I have grumbled about the inconveniences of moving all my wealth.

However, after reading about Abram and Sarai, I think I will stop the grumbling and with gratitude go unpack my last few boxes. I will be thankful for my new home and for the abundance that God has blessed my family.

Now which room is box 499 in?

Susanne