"Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you....
In the cover of your presence you hide them
from the plots of men;
you store them in your shelter
from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the Lord,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me" Ps. 31

I have spent the day going back to Ps.31 over and over. I have found great comfort in these truths of scripture, but tonight as I was listening to my audio guy read this Psalm I felt faith rising up in me as these verses were read and reread. God's goodness is abundant (present in great quantity, fully sufficient; plentiful; in copious supply), and He stores His goodnesses up for us and protects them with His presence and no one and no thing can change the good things God has for us. No failure on my part or someone else's, no plans or schemes of men can change the goodness God has already planned for me. Isn't that an amazingly comforting truth???!!! It silences all the what ifs and all the if onlys and it takes my eyes off of the situations and places them on the Lord. There are many twists and turns in this life that we never would have expected, but they cannot and will not prevent the Lord's goodness from overflowing to us and nothing can stop Him from being steadfast with His love toward us. Nothing.

Help!!

I need your help!! I used to have a computer program entitled "Mangia" (eat in Italian) that I had my recipes in. With this program I could plan my meals and print out my grocery list. But, that was over 10 years ago and I no longer have it and it is not made anymore. Does anyone use a program where you can input your recipes, plan meals and have it generate your grocery list?

Also, just 9 more days till we get to see Tyler and Mindy!!! WOOHOO!!

This past month has been fun for us due to a steady rotation of company. I love having people come stay with us and so I have been really enjoying the past weeks as one guest after another arrives. In February the Shanks came for a real visit, no work involved!!! We just hung out, shopped, ate, played and chatted. They got to meet our sweet Annie and got to know Violet better. It is always so great to have someone stay with you who knows you well. I love coffee in the morning just sitting in PJ's visiting with a dear, lifelong friend. Here is Janis with my baby girls:
After the Shanks left, we had several different waves of singles come for various reasons. Then My mom and dad came at the same time that our niece Becca came to visit. The weather had been gorgeous for about 2 weeks and then it rained and was cold the whole time they were here! But, they came for family fun and that is what they got. we all hung out everyday enjoying the little girls. It was their first time seeing Annie! Violet warmed up right away which was a huge treat. Mom and Dad took her to ride the carousel and to the Disney Store. It was so cute to see how excited a 21 month old can get over horsies and Mookey House (mickey mouse). We hung out and had dinner together every night and played lots of games. I loved having them here. Now, we have a 10 day break and then more guests! It is truly a delight to be able to have people come and enter into our lives with us. Beeeeg Papa and Annie


Becca and V

Relentless Grace

Since the middle of January, our church (Grace Church of Frisco), has been in a series on the relentless grace of God. We are studying the the book of Genesis, the lives of the patriarchs. Over and over we are seeing how, regardless of human failure, God's grace triumphs and accomplishes the will of God. Every week the main message is the same and yet every week I am freshly aware of God's grace as if it is all new to me. Week after week I am awed that in spite of me, God's will will continue to be accomplished in my life and the lives of others and even my sin will not thwart His plan.

Here are 2 thoughts I have meditated on that were in my notes:
"No sin can stop the grace of God. He works through the sinful choices of man. The way of God will not be explained, it is to make us marvel at God's plan."
"God uses sinful man to fulfill His redemptive purpose. Mercy triumphs over sin."

My thinking says "You erred and so now things will not go according to the good plan of God."
God's character says "I knew you would sin, my will goes forth in spite of it. I am good and powerful and I will have my way."

God's grace IS relentless (persistent, never ceasing). He never stops working and acting on our behalf. He knows we are frail and weak and yet, He still delights to carry about His good plan for us. Isn't it so reassuring to know that we are not as powerful as we thought and we don't have to rely on our own successes and isn't it comforting to be reminded of how incredibly amazing God's grace is?