Encouragement

Years ago, my friend Sandee in my writer's critique group gave me a little devotional book called TouchPoints for Troubled Times. It has been such an encouragement to me. It has different topics one can turn to. For instance, "coping", "depression", "overcoming", "encouragement", and today's topic, "Assurance". I'll type it out for you. (I've posted some pictures I took at the Los Angeles County Arboretum.)

It's good to remember that there is beauty in "Troubled Times".

The narrative is also from the devotional book.

Romans 8:35, 38-39 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity?...I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love...Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away.

Life's circumstances don't come between God and his people. You can rest assured that through deep waters and great trouble, he is with you. Nothing can separate you from him.


How can I feel more sure of God's assurances? What can I do to increase my confidence in him?

Psalm 108:1 My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises? Wake up, my soul!
Praise will increase your assurance. As you focus on the Lord instead of your problems or fears, your confidence in him will increase.

Psalm 34:4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears.
Frequent prayer will deepen your assurance. Your conversations with God remind you that he is truly there.


Trouble is an opportunity to watch God work...an opportunity to depend on him to do the impossible. Presently, in our family life, we have an impossible situation. It cannot be solved with a human mind. The humans have done everything in their power, and this human is tired. The job has to be done by God. I look up expectantly.

God Knows About It

A miracle brought this dog house to us. My oldest son is trying it out.


My son wanted a certain type of wood dog house, but I told him we couldn't afford it. We couldn't agree on things. I breathed a prayer about it...then went on with life. Three weeks later, the weather began to change. Diamond would be cold, sleeping outside on a blanket.

My neighbor had an old used plastic doghouse with permanent stains on it, and I thought...well its better than nothing. I went over and started cleaning it up. I wondered what my son would say to me.

Well...on the very day I was cleaning up the dog house....a dog house showed up at our place! A beautiful wood dog house. Someone brought it to a donation pile at a church and and my parents saw it...grabbed it....my dad made a sign...and they brought it over for a surprise.

I was surprised! And my son loves it!

This was a little thing...but if God is so merciful in these little things, He must be taking care of all the bigger things I'm worried about.

Seeing that dog house out the window (when it first showed up) really made a strong impression on my heart. God said, "I KNOW your trials."

He has the answers to our prayers in the works...before we even breathe the prayer.

"Be anxious for nothing. But by prayer, let your requests be known unto God, and the peace of God shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Under the Weather

Diamond was spayed today. She's a little lethargic tonight, but doing well.


I'll be glad when she's back to normal.

Our oldest son and a neighbor will put in the fence.

(Above) We are preparing to put in an L-shaped fence in the back yard for her. She likes playing outside. And she likes to be inside, too. It's been hard having a dog without a fence. We also have people stopping by, including clients, and they may not appreciate her hearty welcome. She is going to be a big dog. (Oh my! The back yard looks so bad right now. We stopped watering it to conserve. And Diamond's "toys" are strewn here and there. Her favorite being an old plastic gallon milk jug.)

Looking in the opposite direction you can see the area where our company comes. I'm trying to keep the grass green. I'm looking forward to sprucing up this area.
This is how things used to look (below). Our yard certainly changes with the seasons.

You may be wondering how Snowball, our neighbor's cat (who lives with us) is doing. Diamond has been disciplined not to chase her. So now Snowball struts by right in front of her. Diamond sits and watches...and do I see a little grin on the cats face?

Snowball lounges on the steps while Diamond watches.

But it's pay back time, when we're not around. We've looked out the window more than once and caught sight of Diamond streaking across the yard and then staring in wonder as the cat sails over the wall.

Speaking of seasons, I'm back at work as an instructional aide in the Special Education classroom. I help Letty in the afternoons. And tomorrow is my writers critique group. I'm looking forward to it!