Posts made in July, 2010

THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE

GUESS WHAT, FRIENDS? OREO IS HOME!!!!!

A man who lives about 2 miles from Tara and Will was off on a trip last week. He had someone coming in and feeding his dog for him while he was gone. He arrived home after dark, and noticed there was another dog in his yard. That did not surprise him because someone was supposed to bring him a new dog. He went on in and went to bed. The next morning, he noticed the dog again, and it was not the dog that was supposed to be coming to live with him. I’m not sure if he recognized the dog or checked his tags, but he called Will soon after and told him Oreo was there. Will went right over and got him. Tara said when Bullet saw his buddy in the back of Will’s truck, he went wild with excitement!

Now, I know that all of you are not dog lovers, and that’s OK. But, with all the bad news we keep hearing everywhere, isn’t it nice to just be happy that a lost dog was found and returned to those who love and care for him? You know, God cares about everything that we care about. If we are unhappy or sad, God cares. Isn’t it neat how Oreo found his way to a place where there was food and water outside? And, isn’t it wonderful how well the angels on duty protected him from the lions and tigers and bears in the woods? Just kidding, but, Joy said they were afraid a coyote would get him. I think she said coyote…bobcat?…wolves? I don’t know about all that, but I just thank you for your prayers for this sweet family who was hurting.

Sweet Suzanne is feeling better. She says when she went back to the doctor, the one she saw the previous day was not there, so she saw another one. He told her that he did not think it was a spider bite. He thought it was an allergic reaction to something. She came by here to let me see it and I do not think it is a spider bite either. I have had one, and this does not look like it. She put some ointment on it and she said it is feeling better today. But, it is spreading to her neck and chest. But, she’ll be fine. Thank you for taking that to the Father as well.

I do not have any other reports, yet, but will pass them along as soon as I do. One other thing. I have several good friends who are in Guatemala right now on a mission trip. Please remember them and their safety…both while there and while travelling.

Thank-you, friends, for the encouraging words and thoughts you have sent to me. Alex is about the same. And, I know it breaks God’s heart as much as it does mine. But, prayers not answered the way we want, are never prayers in vain. God hears them all, and does as He sees fit. And, I want you to know that I am OK with that. It does not change my faith. Because I have forgotten much of what happened in the past, today goes by so quickly, and I have no idea about the future. But, God remembers all that has happened before…He was there. This day is owned by Him. And, He is my future. And, because of this, I trust the decisions He makes…because I trust Him! That does not mean I don’t try to change His mind now and again…but He loves me and understands me. God bless you, my friends. And thank you for reaching out and praying for us. Please be so kind as to let me return the blessing at any time.

“How precious it is,Lord, to realize that You are thinking about me constantly.” Psalm 139:17

Posted by tonja on Jul 18, 2010 in General | 27565 commentsTHANKSGIVING+AND+PRAISE2010-07-18+23%3A20%3A44tonja

SUNDAY PLACES

“I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord’.” Psalm 122:1

(Above) Cades Cove Tennessee…NC

(Above) Grand Wialea Resort Maui, Hawaii

(Above) Townsend Baptist Church…….Georgia

(Above) Southside Baptist Church Dothan AL

Posted by tonja on Jul 18, 2010 in General | 27383 commentsSUNDAY++PLACES2010-07-18+12%3A17%3A52tonja

“PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER.” James 5:16

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

I believe that so many times in life, we miss out on things because we do not open our mouths and make our wants and needs known. We are afraid, oftentimes, of what people will think. Will they think I am not strong enough to do things by myself? Will they think I am always whining about something? Will they begin avoiding me because they don’t know what all is going on? And, if they do know what is going on, they will surely drop me from their ‘friends’ list.

My friends, I am here to tell you, if any of those things were ever to be thought by one of my friends…I’d sooner not have them!

But, I am blessed with wonderful friends…Godly friends…friends who don’t care about all those things, they care about me and what I am going through. And, even if they don’t know the details, it is of no matter. They don’t have to know…they just know I asked and they answered.

“‚Ä¶The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

My family has many needs at this moment, and I am asking for your prayers.

My sweet Suzanne and Adam are going through some very trying times at the moment, in regards to a medical issue. I have asked for prayer for them before for this same reason…and nothing has changed. But, there is a glimmer of hope and I ask that you pray that God will answer their prayers, if it is His will. Please pray that Adam and Suze will have peace and comfort as they go about their daily lives while waiting on God.

Suzanne was bitten by a spider during the last few days. She went to the doctor and he told her there was a large amount of infection in her blood. They have started her on some meds, but it seems she is having some rections to it. Please pray that the meds will take effect soon.

Sweet Tara’s dear dog, Oreo, is missing. They live way out in the country, and they think he may have gotten lost in the woods. The other dog came home…but is obviously in much distress. He is missing his buddy. They are always together. Tara and Will have had this dog as long as they have been married. Will rescued it. And, they both love him dearly. I have prayed that the Lord give Oreo an extra dose of tracking skills, so he will find his way home. And, to put His angels that are on animal duty around him to keep him safe. Oreo is the same kind of dog that our sweet Scooter was.

Ian is also having some very hard decisions to make in regards to his health. Don and I can not make these for him, but the outcome of his choices will affect his life for well over a year. This is not an easy decision to make, as he has walked this path before. Please pray that he will have wisdom to make a clear decision, and that things in regards to doctors will fall into place.

Alex has been doing very poorly lately. He has not even been up since Father’s Day. His pain is at a very high level, so he stays medicated most of the time. This is a so hard to witness every day. Please pray that God will give him some relief. Please pray that we will find a doctor who knows more about his disease, and can actually help the pain. Oh, friends, he suffers so much every single day.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15).

The only reason I am not more specific on some of these is due to respect of their privacy. The telling of details should be up to them.

Thank you for being the kind of friends that I can come to openly and without hesitation, knowing that I can trust these situations to your caring hearts. Thank you for praying with me.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).