Jesus is always the answer! This trip has been such a huge blessing in so many ways. Each one of us, including our sis Bonnie who still lives here, have been together for 6 days and all has been fun and refreshing. I can’t thank God enough for this time!

Today we head home. As I sat down to begin my devotions I started to reflect on all the details of going home and having everything in order. Instantly Jesus reminded me that I could relax as I have throughout the past few days for He has already taken care of the details. All I need to do is take the steps I know to take. He hasn’t forgotten a thing.

The other thing that has been awakening for me this trip is the time I’ve had with these two brothers of mine. I’ve always had an inner sense of insufficiency being with them. They are the ones who can do all the stuff I’ve never been good at. However, this time for the first time, I’ve been comfortable being who I am and not feeling inferior.

God never quits growing us into the image He created us to be. How I love this!

Let God be Praised! My sis Alice was the social organizer for our family. As I’m writing this blog now, I see why this time in California has been the best social trip we’ve ever taken down here. It should be no surprise that so many of our family came to honor Alice. Because of this we are able to renew so many family connections. I am so grateful for this time.

This week has been like a time warp away from the routine of life. I’m so grateful for it!

How God works is always so amazing and so touching. Yesterday’s service for my sis Alice was one of the most touching times in my life. All of it went very well and so many of our family members were there. We were able to have connections renewed with members of our family we hadn’t seen for over 20 years. The other touching piece is that today would be my mom’s birthday. Knowing that half of my siblings are in heaven with mom is so sweet.

All I want to do is praise God and thank Him for His love and care. I want to forever praise His Name!

The day is here. In a few hours we will be celebrating the life of my sis Alice. As I was reading my devotions, journaling and bible reading I was continuously reminded that today is the day to trust. All of the plans are done. We will help set the photo displays, tables for the reception to follow, etc., but all of that is planned, now we just do it. Then, the real part begins at 11:00 am when we will actually honor Alice’s life. It was rewarding to hear the things my siblings are sharing when we went through each one’s part yesterday. My nephew arrived and we were able to also practice the songs being sung. He will accompany all of them with his guitar. Alice was so full of life! The service, I believe, will also be full of life for everything each one shares exemplifies this.

This morning Jesus was reminding me that His Spirit within will complete all of this for He is the same Spirit within each one taking part. He knows how to bring all of this together just at the right time and for all of the right purposes. He knows how to bring this celebration right back to His Honor and Glory. I just need to do my part. He will amply do His.

All praise and honor go to Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. My trust is fully in them and what a blessing it is to get to take part today.

Today is the day before. Yesterday was spent getting the flowers arranged and ready for the décor at my sis’s service. Her daughter Donna took her friend, my sis-in-law and me to pick out all of the flowers and then we spent much of the afternoon putting the arrangements together. This was a joy for me. My sis Alice and I would spend hours picking out flowers for her yard that I would then plant in the various flower beds she had. I always looked forward to coming down knowing I’d get the opportunity to be with her doing this. Both of us loved these times.

Today my nephew is coming to the place we’re staying to practice the songs for the service. My older brother told me I worry too much, but I want this service to be one that honors God and my sis. Those two are together eternally now and the service is to recognize this and and encourage others to want this for themselves.

When I asked Jesus what He wanted me to know for today He kindly reminded me that He is pleased with the plans and that He has brought together just what He wants to glorify Himself. We can be joyful servants getting the opportunity to be part of this celebration of Alice’s life. My devotional was about faith and as I write this I can see that I need to put my focus on faith rather than the “worry” my brother is noticing. This will be my intent for today.

We’re in California for our sister’s service later this week. All is good with this.

I was thinking this morning as I had my devotions that Jesus was always pleased with me. He was never ashamed of me like I was for most of my life. All of the efforts I put into trying to live well for Him were an attempt to make me good enough for me, not God. He was already pleased with who He created. I was the one who hated myself and what had been done to me.

God has created everyone of us in His image. He didn’t leave something out for us to fill. Sin did that. He loves His creation and He wants me to use what He’s given to me for His purposes. I’ll live the rest of my life for Him.

It’s quite early in the morning as I write this. We are headed to the airport in 40 minutes and it’s now 4 am. I keep thanking Jesus for all He has done to guide us in putting Alice’s service together. Her daughter, when I called her yesterday, was pleased that we were putting a salvation component in the message. God’s Holy Spirit completes Himself in all that He wants done. Miles do not matter. His omnipotence and omnipresence is always thorough.

Each year when we make the trip to California to visit our family it is something we look forward to. This year, I keep trying to tell myself that it will turn out that way. In my flesh I anguish over the decline in health that is ever present. These are the ones I’ve loved for so many, many years. I do thank God for them being part of my life and being such encouraging ones. It is time for us to return the favor and encourage them in these years. My Aunt Billie who is turning 90 in May is no longer able to keep any details, yet she is hosting all of us at her home with the help of my two cousins. I know I’m lamenting as I write this, but this is today’s journey.

I know God’s Love and Grace will be very present in this week. I’m rejoicing in it. A moment to lament is now done for the day. Now, it is time to rejoice!

Early tomorrow morning my two brothers who live locally with our wives will fly to San Diego for the celebration of life service for our sis Alice. I have been working on this service staying in touch with our niece who lives there and is putting the physical details for the service together. I will conduct the service which will be Friday the 10th.

All of us kids grew up in the church during its hell-fire/damnation message years. I had never heard a Grace message until I was later in high school. All of us kids have our relationship with Jesus, but for several, church wasn’t a major part of living life. The messages, tied to our dad’s double standards for his living, gave a very tainted view of Christianity and church. This is all in the past, yet the damage it caused still rears its head at times.

There will be many 2nd and 3rd generation family at this service. I asked my brothers and wives yesterday what they thought about my including in what I say, the salvation message–brief, but concise? They thought Alice would want this, but done with Grace rather than the hellfire we knew when we were young. I’m going to talk with my niece regarding her thoughts, but most importantly, I want to honor God’s nudge. I know the Holy Spirit will make this clear. Salvation is a choice God gave us. I sure don’t want any of us living longer not realizing how important Jesus Christ is to us and His connection to eternity with Him and our loved ones.

As I was journaling this morning I asked Jesus, as I do each day, what He wanted me to know from Him for today? The first thing I heard from Him was the reminder that He is Almighty God. Then secondly, He asked me if I heeded His message during the day as I do the beginning of the day? This question hit home for me.

At the beginning of each day I am tuned into God. I am journaling, reading the devotionals and then reading His Word–the Bible. Afterwards, I pray through my prayer list. As I journal I anticipate hearing God’s Voice and writing His message in my journal. How well I listen to God’s nudges once I leave my devotional time and enter into the day itself, well, I see how different I am. At the start I am anticipating His Voice, afterwards I hope I might hear from Him when things get tough or sticky. Otherwise, I simply take care of things on my own. When I get tempted I always hear a Voice reminding me to step away. It’s at these times I know I am to obey, but the temptation seems harmless–Ha Ha!

God’s question this morning reminded me that I need to be as diligent during the day as I am as I start the day. I’m not to be an obedient, new creation only at the start of the day. God wants me heeding Him and His Spirit’s guidance throughout the day. The need to grow in my walk with God never ends. How grateful I am for a God who loves and cares so much for me and each one of us.

I don’t know how often you get to see God at work, but when it happens it is simply amazing. A couple I’ve known for several years has begun to have some marital counseling regarding a couple of issues which had arisen in their marriage. I wasn’t sure I was the right person to provide the counsel but their schedule only fit with mine.

Last night we tackled one of the issues causing the deepest distress. In so doing some very ugly things were brought forth. Some of these were fears and some were built on actual facts. As I probed with each one to go as deeply as possible into root causes with the other member listening for understanding, I was wondering if this hour was only going to end with greater grief. I had said a silent prayer for God’s 2-edged sword of Light to penetrate this darkness. All of a sudden what was being shared did exactly what was needed. It shed the Light of Truth. The one party began to cry with relief. They understood.

Later in the evening I received a text from one of them telling me they had a very nice evening following up the session. The darkness, the bitterness, the division that Satan’s deceptions cause are only penetrated by God’s Sword of The Spirit of Truth. It was so nice to see this take place for this couple. What a humbling honor to be able to witness God at work in this way.