Lost In the Prairies.....Found by God

It has been a busy week this week, however, God has been busy.  I have witnessed or been told of amazing things that have happened this week.  Not that things this week haven't been stressful or there hasn't been some stories I have heard where there is sadness, but there has been joy and amazement.

Andrea, at My Cup of Joy, had a little baby boy.  He is quite cute.  He was born with a few complications during delivery but it sounds like both he and mom are well.  He also was able to have his surgery to correct his omphalocele today due to a cancellation.  He was scheduled for surgery for Monday.  God is good.

My friends mom had a angiogram and the doctors were able to do an angioplasty to clear some blockages to her heart on Tuesday.  Everything went fine and her mother is already doing better.  

Earlier this week I had Thomas' Specialized Services Meeting for therapies to assist him at home and in the community.  It went so well.  I am blessed to have these women involved in Thomas' life.  They are all focused on him doing his best.  I have also been able to do this within one month, when many providers have a year waiting list.  I also had an interview with a service provider for Sam's therapies for the fall.  It too went well.  I am excited.  I have one more interview in two weeks and will hopefully have this all organized by the end of the month.  This has been very stressful trying to organize this for the boys at the same time. 

I love when good things happen.  I love seeing God in action.  I love seeing His plans come to fruition.  It encourages me and brings me hope.  I know that sometimes things don't work out the way we think either.  I have heard of some stories of deep sadness this week.  However, though I mourn with these individuals, I am focusing on hope.  Focusing on God moving.  Trusting God's bigger plan that I don't fully know, nor do I get to see.  This is a place of contentment.  I place I have been trying to strive for this year and a place that I am getting comfortable in.  

How have you seen God work this week?

Now there is another thing to be happy about.  The winner of last week's giveaway.  I know I said that I would do it on Monday, but as I said it has been a busy week.  I want to thank Mrs. Miller and Jennifer for their pictures.  It was nice to see people playing along.  I am glad I am not the only crazy person to share what she looks like at 6 am.  I also want to thank the people who said I was brave.  It's nice to hear, but I still think it proves more how crazy I am. 

So the winner of the $10 Starbuck Gift Card is .....drumroll please.........

Shanda Oakley of A Pause on the Path.  

Man charged with blasphemy in Pakistan (Source VOM/USA)

Dildar Yousaf, 28, was arrested and charged with blasphemy after defending his eight-year-old nephew who was being attacked by a group of Muslim boys last June. Dildar's nephew, Ehtasham, was passing by a "madrassa," a school where Islamic students study the Qur'an, when seven boys surrounded him and tried to force him to say, "There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet." Ehtasham refused, and the boys began to verbally and physically assault him. Dildar happened by and pulled his nephew away and took him home.

A rumour then spread that Dildar had disgraced the Muslim proclamation of faith. Crowds gathered and began to demand his death. Police picked up Dildar from his workplace, put him in protective custody and charged him with blasphemy. This particular charge carries a potential three-year sentence with the possibility of parole, unlike other blasphemy charges in the country that can result in a death sentence.

Dildar's wife, Naseem, and their two children, as well as Ehtasham and his family, have all had to leave their village. VOM is supporting the family and providing legal assistance to Dildar. Dildar's village has a history of persecution. In the past, a Christian's house was burned, a pastor was killed, and another believer was charged with blasphemy.

The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying.

 He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work and prayerless religion.

 He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray (Samuel Chadwick)

I know I have mentioned this before but I am not a morning person.  I prefer the night.  Maybe that's why I love vampire stories, I get the being awake in the dark.  However saying all this it's much harder to stay up later since having kids.  I am often struggling to stay up to watch some of my favourite shows because I've been busy throughout the day.  I like the night because it's quiet.  There is no whining, no yelling, no grabbing, and no messes.  It's quiet and serene.  I know it doesn't sound very motherly, but sometimes it's just nice to soak in the peace.  

However, I have now discovered a new time that is quiet and peaceful and uninterrupted for at least 1 hour and it's dark.  It's 6 am.  Sometimes I miss it because my bed is so warm and comfy and cozy and I stayed up way too late the night before.  I never really knew this time.  I was introduced to this time of peace through Hellomornings last year.  I participated early last year.  It was actually easier than I thought for the first bit.  I found that I got my study work done and had time with God alone.  I was able to watch the sunrise over the prairies from my favourite chair, that was until the kids figured out my plan and then I hid in my old laundry/craft room.  The door closed and locked.  

After our move it was hard to get back into the routine.  I was sporadic in my Hellomornings, but I did finish.  In the fall I decided to go gung ho and try to lead a group.  I ended up bombing out.  I struggled, not just with getting up but with personal issues.  I think I also tried to take on too much, as I was involved in Good Morning Girls.  I certainly struggled.  I decided this January not to do Hellomornings, but just keep going with my Good Morning Girls group, whom I have grown to love and depend on.  We have been through a lot together and bonded even though we barely know each other.  

I try to wake up at 6 am.  I go to the kitchen and I make my coffee. I sit at my desk in the kitchen and pull out my bible and notebook.  Turn on my lap top and then log into YouVersion.  I do my study.  Make another cup of coffee.  Pray.  Read a bit.  Sometimes I pin.  Sometimes I make the kids a special breakfast or fold some laundry.  I have found now that if I don't do my study at this time, that it won't get done during the day, even if I try to make time for it.  I still get to see the sunrise.  Sometimes I see amazing sunrises that look like a tunnel of light.  Sometimes I just sit and hug my mug.  

As the title of this blog states, mornings are peaceful, not beautiful.  There are some beautiful things about them that I have come to appreciate.  However, I'm not beautiful at that time.  I'm a little scary. Here's the proof (WARNING:  The following picture may scare and invoke nightmares in small children and bloggers)

The only thing beautiful at 6 am is my coffee mug.  Isn't it pretty with it's pink mug cover.  It even has a lid so I don't spill anything. 

So now I'm going to challenge you and do my first giveaway.  I have a $10.00 Starbucks gift card to giveaway to one lucky person.  If you post a picture of yourself at 6 am and comment and link it up then you will get 5 entries. For random links, you get 3 entries.  For commenting, you get only 1 entry.  I will randomly choose a winner based on the entries (the old fashioned way via the names in a hat).  Your chances of getting the gift card increase for being brave enough to share your "morning beautiful"  I can't wait to see everyone.  This giveaway is open until Sunday, February 26 at 11:59 PM.  And I will post the name of the winner on Monday, February 27.  Good luck!

Come and join the fun no matter what!