Ivy Sue and You

I didn't know Matt Swanepoel his whole life but I can only begin to imagine the number of people that love him and who's spirits he's touched and lifted. The joy that Matt has brought to our lives by his kind words, hearty laugh and enormous smile will be cherished into eternity. Our hearts and prayers go out to Mindy, Taylor, Becca and Gracie, as well as all the rest of his family as they cling to Jesus during this time. Please join us in prayer for them that they find peace and comfort in the arms of God in the coming days, months and years to come. "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:8b

This Thursday is Thanksgiving and I have so much to be thankful for: my husband, my children, my parents, my siblings and extended family, my job, our home and vehicles, my church and church family; I honestly could go on and on down to the tiniest detail, God has blessed me beyond measure. I'm not trying to be a braggart but merely returning thanks for all my God does for me. Take extra time this week to thank God for all the many blessings He's bestowed upon you. "Shout with joy to the Lord , all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation." Psalms 100:1-5

Spending time with family or old friends often times end in trips down memory lane. Many of the memories of the past are not always ones we are proud of or that we want to remember, a time when we were younger and less wise to the ways of the world. While talking of past events and how things used to be, I so many times thank God that I no longer live that type of lifestyle, that he delivered me from my waywardness and replaced, what I thought was a good life at the time, with far better blessings than I could have imagined. Looking back, the number of times he delivered me from destruction and despair are innumerable. Psalm 143:5-6 “I remember to think about the many things you did in years gone by. Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you." Remembering those times is not a bad thing, it reminds me of my need for God and my need to trust in him to quench my dry thirsty soul.

The colors of fall are absolutely awe inspiring! My commute has me in the car at least an hour each day and often times much more than that. I have never minded the commute as it is absolutely beautiful at all times of year but none more than fall. The vibrant colors and the falling leaves make it so peaceful. I use my car time for prayer and worship before I get to work and also before I get home to rid my mind of the stresses of the day before returning to my family. Driving through God's beautiful creation does a world of good for sloughing off the worries of the day. I'm thankful God located my family in this part of the country that we experience the beauty of each season. "Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together." Colossians 1:15-17 NLT

This week I had the privilege of speaking at SWHS FCA. I always enjoy when I get to speak with students there, they are always so attentive and appreciative. But this time was even more special to me because my Dad, Mom and sister joined me, helping me serve lunch to the students and they were able to also sit in on my talk. Although I still get so nervous I had a reassuring peace that God was speaking through me and having my family there added to that peace! I love working with teenagers and getting to share what I love with people I love makes my heart so thankful and happy! “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15