Refinement

Over these last few weeks after I shared my anger, sadness and frustration, God has lifted the veil of darkness most days. I still do and probably always will have days and/or moments that darkness descends but the light prevails.

Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.
Ecclesiastes 7:3 NLT

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
Romans 8:18 NLT

We’ve had some pretty sweet blessings! The very biggest being the addition of our second grand-daughter on June 23rd. She has an amazing birth story to share, making her fast and furious entrance into the world unexpectedly at home with a student paramedic to catch her. She is beautiful and perfect in every way.

To help curb some of the sadness of missing our pup Zoe, we added two sweet kittens to our family. They love all the attention lavished on them daily. They will be well socialized kitties. They are barn cats, for our little farm, that get plenty of inside snuggles and play time. They come meowing at our back door when needing us. Lol

As summer begins we wrapped up our school year and prepped for our first camping trip of the season. The weather didn’t quite cooperate. Our four night trip turned into two and was still a little soggy. But the kids loved it anyway, I love being outside in front of the fire and it turned out to be a sweet time of fellowship. Several families we know and are privileged to call friends were also camping so this made it so much more full and fun.

Our kitties even came camping with us. They loved running around exploring on leashes or stretching out on someone’s pillow.

Ribfest and the splash park were thoroughly enjoyed last weekend. Our girls also have had the huge blessing of DVBS with a ride to and from this week. Our children enjoying things that I would have always done with them, blesses my heart in an indescribable way.

My health has stayed pretty much the same, which is both frustrating and comforting all at the same time. I have good days and bad days, very dependent on the weather and my activities. My stomach is doing better but I’m still losing weight and battling a persistent UTI that will not go away. Continuing to pray for complete restoration of my movement. I get so very frustrated not being able to really do anything physically. Sitting is utterly mentally exhausting, every day. I continue to have monthly iron infusions to try and keep my energy up. My finger ulcers are healing, very slowly.

I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.
Isaiah 48:10 NLT

Thank you so much to everyone that has offered to drive for us. This has been an incredible blessing, having a list of willing, helpful friends is amazing. You are all very much appreciated.

I have had God nudging me towards being joyful and content. Carefully refining my attitude, my frustration at my circumstances. He has me in this place in life for a reason, I can’t understand, I don’t like any of this but trust there is a purpose. That His plans are greater than my suffering.

I will have a CT coming soon to check on my cancer status. Cancer seems to be a blip in the background. If it were my only ailment how different life would look.

May this time of frustration, pain and sadness glorify you Lord. Refine me to who you want me to be.

And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come.
Daniel 11:35 NLT