Taking a day to be still ~
Chessie and I arrived in the little town of Crawfordville, Indiana last night ~ travel weary and needing a reprieve. Tuesday night's hotel guests in the room above us didn't need rest & were stomping around till 3 a.m. in the morning & then were up again at 5 a.m. when my alarm went off. Lol. Yesterday, with only 2 and a half hours sleep was my hardest. I, literally, sang the words on signs to the tune of a nursery rhyme (Nick Nack Patty Wack) to get this far. Was just wiped out last night!
My stomach started giving me trouble night before last, thought it was the food at first, but know now, it is a need to de-stress.
Felt lead this morning, that it would be a good day just to be still and quiet. Sound crazy? You may be thinking, "Finish the trip!" I know, but as I prayed this morning and spent time with the Lord, I felt Him saying, "Be still." Lol. Activity and business are the watch words of our generation, our first response to anything & everything but to be still. We are so busy running to and fro, that when the opportunity arises to rest or to be still, we, actually feel guilty doing it! I can spend one day resting, or hours and money at the doctor's office for a prescription. Why ignore what's needed, just to be able to say, "I did it in five days!" What's the point?
This trip has been stressful, with the truck engine light coming on, the front tie down strap on the car I'm towing, coming off three times. There's been construction with narrow lanes with concrete block walls on both sides. With "no wide loads allowed."Complaining? No, I didn't, actually think I was that stressed. But yesterday with little sleep, brought a meltdown & I just know when it's time to "be still" renew and refresh! What's the hurry? One day, to be still and seek God's will ~ to know His Presence and to entrust the next chapter of my life unto His Sovereignty? It's called a relationship!
The Lord willing, tomorrow, Chessie and I will finish the last leg of our trip. Chessie's ready to be done! She use to love to go to ride, but we've taken it to new levels, so don't know that she will be so anxious to go for awhile. Wait till she sees the 2 loving standard poodles, her cousins, that look like ponies that are waiting to greet her in Ohio. Lol. They are both very loving and friendly dogs ~ Can't wait to see Chessie's response to their welcome! "Jackson" is a black standard poodle and weighs 95 lbs. dry and when on his hind feet with his front paws on my shoulders towers a head length above mine! (Chessie's had some culture shock of her own with the elevators, luggage carts and automatic doors & of course, a different room each night!) But wait till she sees the cousins! Cody is only 85 lbs.
I'm looking forward to hugging the necks of my family! Some of them that have called daily and some twice a day, for months, like my sister and my daughter, Jill and Aunt Jill. I wish I was hugging you all tomorrow, but one day at a time, one step at a time! My love to you all! There are not words to express my gratitude to so many that have checked in on me, sent cards and letters and have been a part of what God is doing in my life. My thanks to each one of you!
"Chef Missy" sent along some of her famous granola with me on this trip! If you're ever in Jackson Hole, WY it's a must on the list of to do's. Missy takes granola to a whole new level! Love you Missy!
The Lord willing, we only have 221 miles to go tomorrow, till our final destination! Thanks for all the prayers and those of you that are texting & calling & following us with your atlas in hand! It's been more adventure than I would have ordered, but God has been with me all the way and so many of you, as well! Chessie sends her love! (She loved the long walk this morning!) We'll do it again this afternoon. May God bless you all!
Of Like Precious Faith,
Sheryl
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
From The Majestic Mountains To The Open Plains
What great blessings we enjoy and take for granted by just being able to travel this great country of ours without question or visa ~ the freedom to rome it's highways and byways, yet we don't give that freedom much thought ~ we can take it for granted!
I'm making a move from Driggs, Idaho to Columbus, Ohio for now, trusting God to show me what's next. My husband, Jim went home to be with the Lord 9 months ago tomorrow and what happened next was amazing! You don't, expect to hear "amazing" following losing someone you treasure so deeply, but God met me in my deepest grief. He's taken the intimate relationship I've had with Him for years and has only driven it deeper through my loss. He's shown me Himself up close and personal. These months have been filled with great trials, but with even greater blessings! The trials are the opportunity to experience God's presence, His help, to know He is with you in every situation ~ to know He's got you. He's taken the time to show me, with great detail, that He is very present with me; it's been life changing for me.
Yes, my life won't ever be the same without Jim, the grief, at times has been unbearable, but God has met me, so personally, that even in those deepest hours of grief, when I had to be peeled off the floor, He (God) met me in ways that caused me to soar. He's been my source of joy in the grief. To live in His presence and to serve Him is how I want to choose to live my life. I want to fill the vast void left in my life by Jim's absence with God. Only God can fill it ~ He, alone, is enough!
Life happens to us all ~ there are storms and problems, but He is our Anchor in the midst of them. We search for better times, for our dreams to be fulfilled and for happiness, but they are fleeting. True joy and peace is found in Him right in the middle of all that life brings our way. True joy is found in an intimate and on going relationship with the Living God.
I don't know how anyone could go through such loss without Him; He's has carried me, sustained me and met my every need. If we didn't have needs, we wouldn't know He could meet them. If we didn't have problems how would we know He was the solution.
This move has been filled with trials ~ I rented a moving truck & dolly to make a move across the country after selling all I could in a two day moving sale. Wearied from moving 2 floors of stuff outside for the sale, I watched God make it all go away. He is so faithful! There was packing of what little was left, more throwing away, cleaning the house from top to bottom and then the move itself.
Upon renting the truck and dolly, the sweetest couple loaded my car for me and showed me all the steps, tie downs and chains; He handed me my keys and said, "It's ready to go." Forty minutes later I arrived back in Driggs, at my house, with the car in tow only to discover that my car had not only had the emergency brake left on, but was still in park. (I'd felt no drag!)
Of course, my journey across country was delayed ~ insurance companies & paperwork. It was the holiday weekend and no one was available to come out and access the damages & take pics and etc. (Fully understandable) So, I tried to accept the delay, to take a different perspective ~ I chose to believe God was acting on my behalf and to take advantage of the time to get some much needed rest.
Thursday, was when the damage to my car took place, my church family loaded the truck for me while I made all the calls. Friday I was given the okay to tow the car to my mechanic and the engine light on the moving truck came on which added more calls. All on hold till after Labor Day, till the adjustors could agree on who was going to come the hour and a half to access the problem.
The house was all but empty, the truck loaded. I'd cleaned out the refrigerator, stopped the garbage service and turned off my internet service and now had no vehicle that was drivable. The insurance companies said, "No." to a rental. So, I chose to believe God wanted me to rest and took the holiday weekend to do so.
Our mechanic had always been a blessing, but was a God sent in this situation! He knew our car inside and out and he'd saved Jim and I money over and over again. This time he went over and beyond again and again. He did all the work on my car himself instead of letting one of his mechanics do the work. Aaron worked long hours, with the adjustor coming out 3 days in a row & both documenting every move. Aaron had to prove reason to take anything apart ahead and prove that the brakes, clutch, and differential were burnt out. He saved my bacon many times over! His ordering parts ahead saved me days and on Saturday when I was loading the last things on the truck and closing the door behind me, he was test driving the car and calling the moving truck company demanding they switch out the dolly for a full tow trailer at no extra expense. How many mechanics can you claim have your back in a situation like this? (Yes, I tipped him big!)
Saturday's departure was delayed by the time to change trailers, but once it was loaded, the long planned journey began. Sunday as I was coming into Laramie, Wy. the engine light on the truck came on again. There were more calls, to cover myself. I'd had it checked by my mechanic the first time only to find it was "a random misfire". With that information and no noices or changes in the engine, I was given the go ahead to continue with the light on.
The first night I'd spent in Rawlins, Wyoming, with the challenges of finding parking for the truck & trailer & hotel that was pet friendly. I'd started late and drove late which left me finding a room and parking hard to find.
The second day was met with construction and 12 miles of narrow roadway with concrete walls on both sides ~ I spent the night in North Platte, Nebraska and was really, unusually, wiped out that night. Chessi, my cockapoo, has found all the changes unnerving, but is adjusting.
The third day's challenges were some sleepiness around 11 am getting through all the interchanges in Omaha. The day ended with a stop for the night in a heavily congested area just on the other side of Demoine, Iowa. I'm glad I've been faithful to check the tie downs on the trailer for the car and all the chains and hook ups at every stop. Last night's challenge was finding a front tie down had come off one of the front tires of my car. God was good and provided two power electric guys willing to help.
Today's challenges only God knows, but it's 3:30 am and the people upstairs have been stomping around all night, so I expect sleepiness to be an issue. I want to get a jump on the work traffic and then there's Indianapolis to get through, the Lord willing. I'd like to get on the other side of Peoria today if I can. Well, it's 4:30 am and the alarm's set for 5. I say let's roll and stop for a nap when tired!
So many people praying for me, calling and texting! Several are following my journey across country by atlas ~ how blessed I am to have such wonderful friends and family! I am greatly blessed!
I miss my church family, my friends at Driver Provider and our mountains and the wide open spaces teaming with wildlife. But God is Sovereign and He makes us ready when He's ready for us to move on. I never imagined desiring to leave such a great place!
I've said good by to the majestic mountains and wide open spaces, crossed the opened plains and passed through the dust of the fields being harvested. Now, I'm moving in to the congested cities, road construction and interchanges. There's miles of open road behind me and before me and the blessing and freedom to choose anyone. Freedom is a huge blessing, that we need not to take for granted!
My greatest freedom is found in Christ! To live within His boundaries, His commands, bring freedom not imprisonment, they are not burdensome, but set me on a path to live within the joy of His intimate presence. Living in His presence, is a freedom that no one can take!
The journey I'm on is not mine, but the Lord's, because I'm not leading, but following. There's a peace that comes with letting go of the reigns, not having to be in control and trusting God to make a way for me ~ to establish me. I'm excited about this new chapter in my life! There is still the grief and missing Jim, but with God in the equation, the greatest trials, bring greatest blessings!
God is real and alive and can be known by experience, when we come to Him on His terms! He is a very present help in trouble ~ He is my All in All and without Him the last 9 months ~ well, I just don't know how people do it without Him! I am so grateful I don't have to!
May God bless your day and may you be aware of His presence with you ~
Yes, my life won't ever be the same without Jim, the grief, at times has been unbearable, but God has met me, so personally, that even in those deepest hours of grief, when I had to be peeled off the floor, He (God) met me in ways that caused me to soar. He's been my source of joy in the grief. To live in His presence and to serve Him is how I want to choose to live my life. I want to fill the vast void left in my life by Jim's absence with God. Only God can fill it ~ He, alone, is enough!
Life happens to us all ~ there are storms and problems, but He is our Anchor in the midst of them. We search for better times, for our dreams to be fulfilled and for happiness, but they are fleeting. True joy and peace is found in Him right in the middle of all that life brings our way. True joy is found in an intimate and on going relationship with the Living God.
I don't know how anyone could go through such loss without Him; He's has carried me, sustained me and met my every need. If we didn't have needs, we wouldn't know He could meet them. If we didn't have problems how would we know He was the solution.
This move has been filled with trials ~ I rented a moving truck & dolly to make a move across the country after selling all I could in a two day moving sale. Wearied from moving 2 floors of stuff outside for the sale, I watched God make it all go away. He is so faithful! There was packing of what little was left, more throwing away, cleaning the house from top to bottom and then the move itself.
Upon renting the truck and dolly, the sweetest couple loaded my car for me and showed me all the steps, tie downs and chains; He handed me my keys and said, "It's ready to go." Forty minutes later I arrived back in Driggs, at my house, with the car in tow only to discover that my car had not only had the emergency brake left on, but was still in park. (I'd felt no drag!)
Of course, my journey across country was delayed ~ insurance companies & paperwork. It was the holiday weekend and no one was available to come out and access the damages & take pics and etc. (Fully understandable) So, I tried to accept the delay, to take a different perspective ~ I chose to believe God was acting on my behalf and to take advantage of the time to get some much needed rest.
Thursday, was when the damage to my car took place, my church family loaded the truck for me while I made all the calls. Friday I was given the okay to tow the car to my mechanic and the engine light on the moving truck came on which added more calls. All on hold till after Labor Day, till the adjustors could agree on who was going to come the hour and a half to access the problem.
The house was all but empty, the truck loaded. I'd cleaned out the refrigerator, stopped the garbage service and turned off my internet service and now had no vehicle that was drivable. The insurance companies said, "No." to a rental. So, I chose to believe God wanted me to rest and took the holiday weekend to do so.
Our mechanic had always been a blessing, but was a God sent in this situation! He knew our car inside and out and he'd saved Jim and I money over and over again. This time he went over and beyond again and again. He did all the work on my car himself instead of letting one of his mechanics do the work. Aaron worked long hours, with the adjustor coming out 3 days in a row & both documenting every move. Aaron had to prove reason to take anything apart ahead and prove that the brakes, clutch, and differential were burnt out. He saved my bacon many times over! His ordering parts ahead saved me days and on Saturday when I was loading the last things on the truck and closing the door behind me, he was test driving the car and calling the moving truck company demanding they switch out the dolly for a full tow trailer at no extra expense. How many mechanics can you claim have your back in a situation like this? (Yes, I tipped him big!)
Saturday's departure was delayed by the time to change trailers, but once it was loaded, the long planned journey began. Sunday as I was coming into Laramie, Wy. the engine light on the truck came on again. There were more calls, to cover myself. I'd had it checked by my mechanic the first time only to find it was "a random misfire". With that information and no noices or changes in the engine, I was given the go ahead to continue with the light on.
The first night I'd spent in Rawlins, Wyoming, with the challenges of finding parking for the truck & trailer & hotel that was pet friendly. I'd started late and drove late which left me finding a room and parking hard to find.
The second day was met with construction and 12 miles of narrow roadway with concrete walls on both sides ~ I spent the night in North Platte, Nebraska and was really, unusually, wiped out that night. Chessi, my cockapoo, has found all the changes unnerving, but is adjusting.
The third day's challenges were some sleepiness around 11 am getting through all the interchanges in Omaha. The day ended with a stop for the night in a heavily congested area just on the other side of Demoine, Iowa. I'm glad I've been faithful to check the tie downs on the trailer for the car and all the chains and hook ups at every stop. Last night's challenge was finding a front tie down had come off one of the front tires of my car. God was good and provided two power electric guys willing to help.
Today's challenges only God knows, but it's 3:30 am and the people upstairs have been stomping around all night, so I expect sleepiness to be an issue. I want to get a jump on the work traffic and then there's Indianapolis to get through, the Lord willing. I'd like to get on the other side of Peoria today if I can. Well, it's 4:30 am and the alarm's set for 5. I say let's roll and stop for a nap when tired!
So many people praying for me, calling and texting! Several are following my journey across country by atlas ~ how blessed I am to have such wonderful friends and family! I am greatly blessed!
I miss my church family, my friends at Driver Provider and our mountains and the wide open spaces teaming with wildlife. But God is Sovereign and He makes us ready when He's ready for us to move on. I never imagined desiring to leave such a great place!
I've said good by to the majestic mountains and wide open spaces, crossed the opened plains and passed through the dust of the fields being harvested. Now, I'm moving in to the congested cities, road construction and interchanges. There's miles of open road behind me and before me and the blessing and freedom to choose anyone. Freedom is a huge blessing, that we need not to take for granted!
My greatest freedom is found in Christ! To live within His boundaries, His commands, bring freedom not imprisonment, they are not burdensome, but set me on a path to live within the joy of His intimate presence. Living in His presence, is a freedom that no one can take!
The journey I'm on is not mine, but the Lord's, because I'm not leading, but following. There's a peace that comes with letting go of the reigns, not having to be in control and trusting God to make a way for me ~ to establish me. I'm excited about this new chapter in my life! There is still the grief and missing Jim, but with God in the equation, the greatest trials, bring greatest blessings!
God is real and alive and can be known by experience, when we come to Him on His terms! He is a very present help in trouble ~ He is my All in All and without Him the last 9 months ~ well, I just don't know how people do it without Him! I am so grateful I don't have to!
May God bless your day and may you be aware of His presence with you ~
Sunday, September 9, 2012
He Is Sovereign Over Us
God is Sovereign over us, whether we accept it or not!
Acts 17:24-27 says,
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man He made everything else. From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places they should live.
Some versions say He sets their boundaries. God is changing my boundaries. I've been busy for weeks going through everything, throwing out and preparing for a moving sale; then packing and more throwing away. By circumstances out of my control He moved my departure from August 31 from our beloved Teton Valley to September 8th. I am missing our (my) church family in Wilson this morning. What a blessing they have been to me! God is writing a new chapter ~ He's taking me on a new adventure with Him.
I welcome His Sovereignty ~ I am His and long to be where He wants me to be, to do what He wants me to do. I miss Jim more than is even imaginable ~we take so much for granted! He's home now, though, and God is not finished here with me yet. I don't want to spend a life time grieving over what I don't have, but living every day to the fullest and for His glory!
I do not know where God will place me, but I will let it be of His choosing! I want to follow, not try to be god and lead. Following is not being indecisive, it is making a choice to be under His Sovereignty willingly without resistance. It's recognizing His Lordship and bowing a knee. It's understanding who He is and it's living in the freedom of His blessings over choosing to live for ourselves. Submission isn't always easy as far as the human will is concerned, but how simple it makes our lives to simply follow.
God never intended us to walk alone, but to live everyday in His Presence, to know Him intimately and to blessed by the simplicity of following in His steps ~ living the life He created for us.
May God bless your day! It's another day of travel for me as God is leading me east today toward a new place, a new life! Change isn't easy, but with God in the equation it is always an adventure!
Leaving from Rawlins, Wy this morning, with God as my guide!
Acts 17:24-27 says,
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man He made everything else. From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places they should live.
Some versions say He sets their boundaries. God is changing my boundaries. I've been busy for weeks going through everything, throwing out and preparing for a moving sale; then packing and more throwing away. By circumstances out of my control He moved my departure from August 31 from our beloved Teton Valley to September 8th. I am missing our (my) church family in Wilson this morning. What a blessing they have been to me! God is writing a new chapter ~ He's taking me on a new adventure with Him.
I welcome His Sovereignty ~ I am His and long to be where He wants me to be, to do what He wants me to do. I miss Jim more than is even imaginable ~we take so much for granted! He's home now, though, and God is not finished here with me yet. I don't want to spend a life time grieving over what I don't have, but living every day to the fullest and for His glory!
I do not know where God will place me, but I will let it be of His choosing! I want to follow, not try to be god and lead. Following is not being indecisive, it is making a choice to be under His Sovereignty willingly without resistance. It's recognizing His Lordship and bowing a knee. It's understanding who He is and it's living in the freedom of His blessings over choosing to live for ourselves. Submission isn't always easy as far as the human will is concerned, but how simple it makes our lives to simply follow.
God never intended us to walk alone, but to live everyday in His Presence, to know Him intimately and to blessed by the simplicity of following in His steps ~ living the life He created for us.
May God bless your day! It's another day of travel for me as God is leading me east today toward a new place, a new life! Change isn't easy, but with God in the equation it is always an adventure!
Leaving from Rawlins, Wy this morning, with God as my guide!
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