Learning to Trust God in All Things by Joyce Schafer

After spending the last few weeks cleaning, painting walls and finishing floors I have come to a few conclusions. First of all I am definitely not as young as I think I am. I used muscles that had been dormant for a long time.

Secondly, how great it is to have family and friends that will help you. Our kids were great helping to tear up carpet, sand floors and moving the heavy items. Our grandsons helped us tear out the old brush and our granddaughters helped us put in the new flowers and trees. Plus everyone made lots of trips back and forth carrying things from the old place to the our new home. My brothers who just live down the road from us now were in daily to check on us to see if we needed anything and our church friends prayed us through all of it-the closing of this house, the renovation and the selling of our place in town.

After the hard work was done it was time to celebrate with a party. It was so nice to see our former neighbors and our new neighbors, our relatives on both side of the family and our friends all coming together to share in our happiness at being back in the country. Once again our kids and grandkids pitched in with the cleaning and cooking. We are truly blessed.

The most important thing I learned through all of this is if you put everything in God's hands he will take care of you. This happens in his time not my time. I am an impatient, Type A personality that expects instant results to all my problems and goals. If I pray about it in the morning by nightfall I should see results. I am working on this and it has been one of my personal goals for the year. I need to keep reminding myself to pray and trust that God will answer my prayers in his way and in his time.

One of my favorite verses in the bible is James. I always feel like he is speaking directly to me. James 1:2-6 reads: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. but when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

Are you Hungry? by Theresa Zuber

I recently read this line in a prayer “Give me a hunger to get into Your word and let Your word get into me.” Although I know that I need to be in His Word daily, I forget that I can pray for him to help me have that hunger. It seems silly, but life gets SO busy – so filled with commitments, activities, work, etc. It’s easy to forget what should be my priority. Yet somehow, I never forget to eat 3 meals a day. My hunger tells me it’s time. Am I ignoring the hunger pangs for time his Word? Am I noticing the “deficiency” when my steady diet is missing such a necessary ingredient?

I’ve recently been trying to memorize scripture. I’m convinced that hiding His word in our hearts is important. However, I’m coming to the conclusion that these “snacks” from the Bible are not enough to sustain me! They are an anchor in a storm, a guide for my life, a comfort and a hope, but they can’t be my steady diet. I hope that you will join me in praying that God will give me a hunger to get into His Word and that His word will get into me!

His Eyes by Donna (Ensign) Woods

His eyes that watch over deep blue sea,
Also watch over you and me.

With perfect timing sees setting sun
Every moment, when day is done.

His eyes see cattle on a thousand hills
And even notices the daffodils !!

Watching over the eagle's nest
While He carries me...through trial and test.

His eyes survey mountain and lake
...And sees every step I take

Over sees labor of tiny ants,
The fruit of trees and wild plants.

His eyes see yesterday and tomorrow
Knowing full well the depth of my sorrow.

Sees captivating dance of the butterfly,
Yet knows every tear I cry

His eyes caress the sick and the poor,
Giving them hope, beyond closed door.

A guardful watch on the unborn child
And aware of every smile I ever smiled !

His eyes...always on the sparrow
While leading us on the straight and narrow.

Seeing the path of winding streams
...And into my heart of hopes and dreams.

His eyes that know and see
Always watching out ...for you and me !!