My friend, Eileen, has graciously allowed me to post her story about the turtle in her back pasture. I was unable to copy the pictures, but the story is still rather amazing.

Mother Turtle  
Holly, our miniature pinscher, and I hadn’t gone for a walk lately, but I didn’t want to take time to drive her into town to go for a walk. I decided to take her for a quick walk in the pasture behind the house.
  
We walked around the dried up pond in the pasture, and Holly got excited as we climbed the embankment west of the house. There was an 8”-10” red ear slider turtle sitting there. Holly wanted to attack it, but I realized it was probably laying eggs.

I dragged Holly in the house, against her will and came back with my camera. The turtle was so intent on her task, she ignored me and my camera.

I noticed the turtle was digging in moist soil, but the ground is very dry, due to lack of rain. She must have carried the water in her body and released it to moisten the soil.

I watched as she completed digging a hole, about an inch across and as deep as she could reach, about four to five inches. She reached her back right foot into the hole and brought up a handful of dirt, about a teaspoonful. Then she stretched her left foot into the hole and brought up another handful of dirt. She continued patiently digging until the hole was deep enough, when she could dig no deeper.
She laid a grape tomato sized egg and pushed it to the bottom of the hole. After a few seconds, she laid another egg. I watched her lay about 5 eggs and then cover them with soil she’d dug out of the hole.

I marked the site with a broken brick. The eggs should hatch in 60-90 days.

The more I see of God’s creation, the more I’m in awe of His work and attention to detail.

   Psalm 107: 43 (NLT) "Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord."

     This was written about the early Israelities. Their history abunds with the faithful love of Yaweh. Through Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David ... on in a direct line to Jesus.

     Is it any the less true of our own country? We began with colonists seeking freedom of religion. Individuials wished to worship God in ways that were most meaningful to them.

     The Declaration of Independence states that we are endowed by God with certain inalienable rights. The Constitutiion discusses freedom of religion, and separation of the rule of the nation from the church. The pledge to the flag says we are "One nation, under God."

     Our history began with men who held to strong Christian values. The strength of our nation is punctuated with events clearly filled with God's faithful love.

     While the Israelites remained faithful, their nation prospered. When their leaders followed God's lead, they were successful.But as the Israelities fell away, as their leaders followed other gods, their nation declined.

     The leaders in the United States have frequently come close to denying God's exixtence. There is a trend regarding omitting the "One nation, under God." from the pledge. Christians have become a minority. It has become fashionable to bash Christianity as "narrow-minded." Christians are scorned, and considered "non-PC" (not "politically correct").

     And that is the problem. "Political" sems to be the operative word in today's world. The word LORD has bcome the new four-letter curse.

     Our nation is declining. Are we all asleep?

Wrath of God?

Since this picture came to me through Facebook, I figure I can use it.

Does this seem like the Wrath of God? Heavy, black, and oppressive.

If so, then the light gleaming in the distance would remind me of His grace.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me."

He doesn't just stand at the other end, beckoning to me.

He doesn't make me walk through anything alone.

He walks WITH me!

What an awesome God!

The Fair on the Hill

Today, at the Chapel on the Hill, we had our annual Fair on the Hill. This even serves various missions of the church. The Youth Group (Impact) earned funds for their mission trp coming up in another week or so. Vendors displayed a wide variety of items. I showed (& sold) copies of my book. I'm not sure which ministry the general Fair funds supported this year, but it's always a great cause. I must admit, I purchased a few things. (Who can abstain??) Spent more that I earned, of course.

Great fun, great items. I'm already looking forward to next year's.

Lift your eyes unto the hills
From whence cometh thy help.

I know I have used this photo before, but it is so very appropriate. This is La Chappelle, in Paris. One's eyes are drawn upward, which is the way we should be.

Today, during my Quiet Time, I asked for God to open my heart. Each portion of my reading responded.

The Psalm for today was Psalm 64. When finished, my eyes drifted down to Psalm 65:1-2. As The Message put it, "Silence is praise to you, Zion-dwelling God, and also obedience. You hear the prayer in it all."

Usually I use the NLT or NASB translation, neither of which resonated as TM did!!

Another reading for today was in Proverbs. Once again, TM came through: v.5: "Trust God from the bottom of your heart, don't try to figure out everything on your own.

I DEFINITELY received my answers!!  Thank You, Lord.

Up in the Air

Have you ever thought you were running around, up in the air, with your head cut off?
The "What if" of my husband's minor stoke had me feeling a bit like that.
Up in the air about "What if" it had been a major stroke.
"What if" he was irreprably damaged.
"What if" he was angry about my nagging him about taking his medications, doing his exercises, or going for more doctor appointmenst? (I DID plan on nagging, if need be.)
Up in the air about what his restrictions might be.

However, God carried the day.
He did NOT have a major stroke.
He IS expected to improve steadiness, and balance, and strength.
I do NOT have to nag at all, as he is quick to remind me!
There have been almost NO restrictions (beyond having me at home, carry a cell phone & use a cane on his walks.) And so far, his walks have been uneventful .... the best possible outcome.

My head is firmly on my shoulders again. I am on terra firma, and standing tall in my faith.
Thank You, Lord!!!!!

In the storms of the night,
I know You are there.
In the storms of my life,
You comfort me.
You hold me through
The storms of despair,
And I praise You, Lord,
For You are my GOD!

Yesterday my husband was blessed with a “wake up call” of only a very minor stroke. He is in the hospital, already beginning the healing process. Thank You, Lord!