Wednesday morning praise

It seems to help me to put a picture of my two sleeping puppies here. I started to call them my pretty girls, but remembered that my pretty girls might read this, so i wisely didn't! it is a good day to praise you, my LORD!

Lord, i praise you for this wednesday morning. i had a chance to swim early (since our bathroom has been blitzed in renovation... which will be nearly finished when my sweet misty comes home in 6 days!) i also got to drive marge to work, to read this morning in Lamentations and jeremiah, both are so sad and talk about the consequence to the nation for the choices of a few of her people. Lord, i want to have you help LLoyd with his friend Steve, from lovington, he visited our church for the first time this week, and his mom died this morning. i drove lloyd to get his car to go and help his friend, bless them both today, LORD. help

this was the lead article in our newspaper today, i had andrea as a camper and preach to her every week, she has made many mistakes, had set backs, and has failed often, but her faith in Christ is strong, and she is sharing her faith. i am so proud of her. here is the content of the article... the lead headline was, "Luckily, all my friends are dead or in jail." it caught my attention!

"College, job help meth addict through recovery

By DAVE FOPAY, Staff Writer Tuesday, December 6, 2005 6:08 PM CST

MATTOON -- The threat of going to prison and several attempts at rehab haven’t been all that’s kept Andrea Goldsmith off drugs for nearly three years.

“Luckily, most of my friends are dead or in jail right now,” she said Tuesday.

Speaking at a meeting of the Coles County Meth Awareness Coalition, Goldsmith credited an employer who was willing to take a chance on her and her entering college as a big part of her road to recovery. It really came down to anything that kept her away from the people with whom she used to associate and use drugs.

Now working as a waitress, nearing graduation at Lake Land College and soon to enroll at Eastern Illinois University, Goldsmith said having those benefits in her life will keep her on the right track.

“God didn’t bring me through all this to bring me down,” she said. “I’m going to keep trying.”

I was so proud of her, because i know that her change is genuine and has cost her a lot to maintain. LORD, bless her, and help her to live the decisions she has made.

Mike Nichols called and has the tickets for our flight to japan in March. i still can't believe it is going to work out, LORD, give us your help with the details and the flight, and the two weeks there. we really want to do all that you have planned for us, so prepare our way, and prepare us to serve you. What an honor to serve a God like you.

LORD, please bless my children today. all three have surpassed me in passion, integrity, and accomplishments. that is the way it should be. i praise you LORD for the privilege of serving you...