Happy Friday, and Happy August, Friends! How has your week been so far? Mine has been a little stressful dealing with my mother's estate. It has been the biggest mess, and she doesn't exactly have a cooperative spirit.
I'm doing a little side Bible study on patience. I need it!
This week's lesson was entitled "Hope Does Not Disappoint." I thought it was fabulous! I have been thinking a lot this week about what hope looks like. What does hope look like to you? I like the writing/journal prompts she shares in this chapter, especially number one:
What does hope look like for you? Create a list of hope-givers: a special person, a scripture, a song, or place. Refer back to your list when negative thoughts visit.~page 154
My first thought in answer to this prompt was y'all! I have seen how God has answered our prayers. The fact that y'all show up every week and pray for each other and encourage each other makes my heart full!
I am working on my list from this prompt, and I will post it on my refrigerator by my desk. Another thing that has given me hope is that in spite of the dire predictions for our farmers (we had monsoonal rains followed by extreme heat), we are seeing beautiful crops, especially peaches. Alabama is known for our Chilton County peaches, and I drew some this week. It has been a great summer for peaches!
We are getting to know young farmers and their families who are selling their produce locally through farmers' markets and community supported agriculture subscription boxes. These little families are also giving me hope because they are such hard workers and are so brave!
This week's Bible verses:
Prayer Requests
- Please pray for our blog friend Jenna Meon. She is currently in rehabilitation for her walking. She is still struggling with her standing.
- Rita has a praise concerning her brother, Tommy: He was discharged last Friday, and he & his wife flew to TX to be with family there, and he will continue PT and OT.
- Also, please keep Rita's neighbor Chris in prayer as she battles her cancer.
- Kitty's grandson Connor is doing well as a corrections officer. Prayers that he can find a good relationship.
- Kitty's SIL Eric, Molly’s husband, filed for disability and hired a lawyer. Prayers that this all works out for him.
- Kitty's son Mike and his friend are working on a game for a company and need to have it done in three months and have a verbal agreement for another game. Prayers that they can get this done.
- Pray for my best friend Barbara who is battling cancer.
- Kris has a praise and a request: Her little grandson and daughter and SIL are loving their new home in Michigan. Her daughter landed a great job running a huge 9 practitioner clinic in Michigan. Hoping the learning center that her grandson went to will open the new one very soon near their new home in Michigan so he can go to the same daycare and structure.
- Pray that all real estate transactions for my mother will go through next week.
- Praise: Kitty's14 year old granddaughter, Ella, was baptized last Sunday, and to her DIL, Ella’s mom, who is Jewish, for supporting her decision. Julie also supported Avery’s decision to be baptized two years ago. What a beautiful blessing!
Do you have any special plans for August?
The first two weeks for us will revolve around doing things for my mother. Then we are hoping to go on a weekend trip mid-month.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Amen, to hope looks like this little group of ours! I thought the very same thing! Hope is also taking little steps that I can toward making whatever seemingly hopeless situation better. It could be praying, it could be filling out an application, updating a resume (in my past), change in exercise or eating habit. Just little things to let God know, "hey, I'm doing what I can, hoping for the best".
ReplyDeleteThis week I will keep all of you in my prayers for your specific petitions. Fingers crossed for that real estate sale!
Praise: my brother was discharged last Friday, and he & his wife flew to TX to be with family there, and he will continue PT and OT.
PS...I really love your peaches! Lol, and not the lyrics to Steve Miller's song. Also, i started a 4 week subscription to a new flower farmer in our area. All I could think when I signed up was hoping the weather delivers for their dream, and mine!
ReplyDeleteThis chapter on HOPE was as special as all the other chapters. My son Mike stenciled a rock with the word HOPE on it a while back and I keep it out at all times. It is the core of our little group and to me, it means that the glass is always half full. I thrive on hope (and Faith, Trust, and Love). Where would we be without it? Never would I ever want to be hopeless!
ReplyDeleteI give praise to your peachy drawings, Ricki Jill, and to Tommy being discharged and being in TX with family.
I would like to give praise of my 14 year old granddaughter Ella, who was baptized last Sunday, and to my DIL, Ella’s mom, who is Jewish, for supporting her decision. Julie also supported Avery’s decision to be baptized two years ago. What a beautiful blessing!
I am in agreement that hope really comes through in our little prayer warrior group. God is so good and does hear our prayers. Have a great weekend. Hugs. Kris
ReplyDeleteHello Friends,
ReplyDeleteAugust is my second favorite month. I love all the produce in the gardens and the farmers markets.
HOPE ... I agree with all, your little prayer group is a gift of hope.
Carla