All Things Good.....

So, it's been a few years since I last blogged. 


I love to write, mostly for myself, so here I am once again, putting the mundane into words. And this is good.

The past 5 years of my life have changed me in ways that I simply can't explain, but that most everyone with any life experience can understand. After a couple of rough years with our oldest child, grandparents struggling with dementia, the loss of my Pa, the engagement of our daughter, and the finishing of our homeschool journey....I do not want to let worry, stress, grief, guilt or fear keep me from writing. One small joy.....it brings me relief from the chaos of my mind.

So here it is.....read if you like. It will be here either way.

Always, when life has dealt pain, I tend to look outwards and think of how much worse things could be. Counting my blessings in a way.  Not so long ago, I let life rob me of that....and now I'm grappling to pick it back up. It's life's truth.....that no matter what we face, there are so many more struggling with worse situations. 

My life is changing seasons, and I struggle under fear for my children. I hope that they understand the importance of staying close to God, growing in their salvation, and living their lives centered around Him. I pray in a world that has forgotten morals and standards they strive to maintain theirs.

Some days, these thoughts and fears start to overwhelm me. I'm endeavoring to reach deep and remember all things good in my life. And there are many.

Today I am grateful that I have been married to my husband for nearly 23 years....that he is the Father of my children....and the only man I have ever loved. My one and only.  I'm grateful for our mutual devotion. There have been trying times, but the level of love and respect maintained even in the most difficult of situations is something that I'm increasingly aware isn't the norm.
I'm thankful my children grew up in a home with both parents, void of divorce. It's not that I am any better than anyone else, I'm just thankful.

My daughter.....I can't even begin to express my gratitude of how easy she has made parenting be. I'm thankful for her kind spirit. Julia is a caregiver in the truest sense. My fear has always been that someone would take advantage of her kindness and devotion. However, as she dips her toes in adulthood....I see determination, awareness and grit that I am proud of.  My very first prayer for her was for her salvation. That prayer was answered when she was 10 years old. Such good things in this life....

My Son....there were a couple of years of struggle that removed something from my heart that will never be whole again, but gratitude overwhelms my heart that he came through that time with his life intact, an unbroken spirit, and a sorrowful heart.  From the very start Alex was articulate, sensitive, gifted with words.....As with Julia, I prayed for Alex's salvation. When he was saved a few weeks shy of his 10th birthday, I was overjoyed. I'm proud of Alex and how far he has come the past two years. My heart is always on edge.....ever fearful....hoping, praying...  But looking back....I know that God overshadowed our home....and blessed us with people willing to help out. The good things....

And every day of my life....I'm grateful for my salvation. I often wonder how people make it through life without it. I think about a testimonial I read in a church history book my dad has....the speaker was likening his burden and conviction to being weighted down as heavy as if here were carrying buckets of water....and salvation was lifting of that burden. I could relate to this. A sinner saved by His grace is all that I am. I'm thankful for the conviction of my heart years ago after a sermon preached by Bro. David Woosley. I'm thankful for the altar at Millerstown Church where I wept and repented my way to eternal salvation. I would not want to leave this life with anything less. It keeps me. My soul's keeper resides in my heart.  And this is the best of all life's good things......