Yesterday was, in effect, a day of losses. In the middle of packing and storing our home of 2 years, Gabe called to fill us in on Jen's latest doctor visit. Just a short time later began a series of increasingly sad calls. On her way home, she had severe abdominal pain. He rushed her to the ER and they took her by ambulance to another hospital. She had an ectopic pregnancy which resulted in internal bleeding and miscarriage. She was doing well last night, but due to the blood loss, they were watching her, with the possibility of going home today if she continued to do well.

Jen's physical recovery will be fast because they were able to do the surgery laparoscopically. But the emotional impact of losing their baby tugs at my heart. Miscarriage is as real and tangible as losing a child you've held in your arms. Hopes, plans, and dreams are crushed and scattered. It challenges your view on life, death and what is fair. Faith is battered.

Sometimes we don't get what we want. The job we thought would materialize disappears. The child we hoped and prayed for does not come home in our arms. Doubts and tears appear without invitation.

These trials give us the opportunity to answer the question: "Who do you love most of all?" The answer will shape our lives and future for all eternity. Are the doubts put to rest and the tears dried by God's love and care? Are we willing to abandon our dreams to trust in His superior knowledge of us?

Even at my age I sometimes struggle with this. But I have found that I will only truly be happy if I trust every aspect of my life to Him. Even when things seem out of control, I trust the One who is in control of my 'here and now', and my eternity.

Detour

When taking a journey, often we are forced to take detours. Signs along the way take us around obstacles and dangerous situations. How we respond to these may help or hinder our final destination.

Obviously, I'm going to make a connect to life's journey here. We made our plans to move and here we sit, not knowing our destination. It looks right now like we will take a detour through our son and daughter-in-law's home before we find our own landing spot. Not the route we planned on.

But fighting the detours is dangerous. I remember a college acquaintance telling of a trip his mother took. She saw the signs saying, Do Not Enter, but wanted that particular road anyway. So around the barrier she went, up the ramp and stopped just short of a steep drop where the ramp ended, unfinished, in thin air.

We are often like that determined lady. We have a destination in mind, and a route, and onward we march (or drive) unwilling to be detoured by obstacles or signs. Now, sometimes we need to be that determined, but we must be willing to watch the signs along the road to go where God guides us, and not let the temporary detours upset our plans. We do not know what God has in mind while we stay in that temporary home. Perhaps our new place is not ready for us yet, or perhaps he has a lesson I need to learn first.

Lessons along the road come from quiet trust in God's bigger plan. I don't need to rush or panic and hit the gas, so to speak. Sometimes we need to put on the brakes, take a deep breath and watch the signs for direction.

The best road map is God's word, always up to date and current on every detour and road condition!

Life's An Adventure!

Today stands as our two week mark. In two Wednesdays, Rodger will give his last devotional at our loving congregation. We will, most likely, store our household goods until we find a more permanent home. In the meanwhile, Michael and Emily have offered their home to us and our youngest daughters. Little did we know 4 months ago that we would land, even temporarily, 20 miles away! I feel somewhat like Sarah of old when her dear husband announced that they are moving - - but all he could tell her was that they would know 'where' when they got there. :o) (Gen.12:1)

So, in the words of my dear friend Joyce, "Enjoy the journey!" I believe I have two choices on this journey, kick and scream or look forward to the adventure. Now, I'll let you in on a secret; I've done a little of both! There are days I want to know if the curtains are going to fit. Should I take that extra dresser or sell it at the yard sale? Do I pack the boots in a box or put them in my suitcase? So many decisions to be made, the wisdom of which will only be known in the future.

So, like Sarah of old, I make those important decisions not knowing where we will land. I'll do my best to pack the important items and leave behind those which will only weigh us down.

And I'll do my best to look upward, remembering that God has promised to care for us and bless us!

Transitions

Welcome! I am new to the blog world, so bear with me as I develop this site. I hope to work on my writing here, and in the process, share some thoughts I hope are worth reading!

After some 30 years with my dear husband, we are in the process of, once again, finding a new church home. Our destination is 'unrevealed.' But we know and trust that God has something in mind: He simply has not given us the details yet.

Transitions are always difficult. I liken them to a parachute jump. We take the leap of announcing our intentions of moving, and then wonder where and when the free fall will end. :)

But God is faithful and will see us through.

Psalm 27:13-14 is a great comfort:

"I would have despaired unless I had believed

that I would see the ^{D)" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">}goodness of the LORD

in the ^{E)" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">}land of the living.

Wait for the LORD;

Be ^{G)" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">}strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the LORD."