Monday, June 26, 2017

It's Good to be Back~

Hello to you, my dear friends!
My husband and I have returned home from our travels
and while we were away we found life quite relaxing
 without the Internet and cell phone.
Yes, we turned off our cell phones while we were away, it was GLORIOUS!
You were missed, and I trust that while I was away you have enjoyed your spring
and now summer as we look ahead to the beauty it affords us?
While we were away, we enjoyed God's glorious sunsets
from the shores of Lake Huron as we spent precious time
with my husband's father in Canada.


The day after we arrived my father-in-law became ill.
We headed to the World Crokinole Championships
~one of the reasons why we were in Canada~
only to find ourselves driving back to the town my father-in-law lives in
to get medical help for him.
Without going into the details, tests show that cancer was found in his colon.
May I ask for your prayers on his behalf please?
"Be careful for nothing , but in every thing by prayer
and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests
be made known unto God" 
(Philippians 4:6)
The first few days of our visit my father-in-law was in the hospital,
and our best laid plans for our vacation turned upside down.
I believe we are to be wise in the planning of our days,
but we must remember that our days belong to God.
I was reminded of Proverbs 27:1
"Boast not thyself of tomorrow;
for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth"
Isn't that so true?
Even though our plans changed
 my husband and I were thankful that we were in Canada
during the time that we were and could be with my father-in-law
during those days when we could be of help to him.
We only wished we could have stayed longer.

♡♡♡♡

This vacation was planned around enjoying the motor home 
that my parents gifted my husband and me with.
This is the motor home that I have been driving (Miss Daisy) my mother in
over the past two years to and from Arizona
since dad passed away. 


Mom has settled into a lovely home and will no longer
stay the winters in her motor home. 
I can't blame her at all for wanting something permanent.
After dad passed away mom said to me, 
"What am I supposed to do with my life now?"
Mom and dad had just gone through an estate sale and the selling of their home.
I told her to continue doing just as she and dad had been doing
until God showed her differently.
God is showing her a new path and looking after her each step of the way.
I'm so thankful God looks after His own and cares about every detail of our lives.
My husband and I are beyond grateful for the gift of this beautiful
and well kept motor home and we are looking forward to many travels
in future days as the Lord directs.
Our desire is to use this motor home for God's glory.

♡♡♡♡

While we were in Canada, daily I would find time alone and 
walk with the Lord in quietness. The boardwalk is one of my favorite 
walking grounds as the sun is rising or setting.


I had hoped that my time away would be a time of deep reflection between God and I,
but my time was used differently not allowing for much of that.
No matter what God brings into our daily lives we can always find the time
to be alone with Him, even if it's not as we planed out.
Again, we can plan our days as we so wish,
but it is God who owns our days and He makes all things work 
together for good no matter what may come our way.
"And we know that all things work together for good
to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to His purpose"
(Romans 8:28)

♡♡♡♡

It's good to be back, but I will be in and out for the next couple of weeks
visiting with you as we have our oldest three grandsons 
coming for a week and then some dear friends will
be visiting the next week.
All winter long we await the nice weather and then when it arrives
life becomes quite full with family, friends and beautiful sunshine.
Enjoy the days which God so graciously gifts you with
and sing praises unto His Holy Name.
God's blessings be upon you, dear friends. ♡

Be Joyful!
~ Debbie ~

25 comments:

Brenda said...

Hi Debbie,
I agree with everything you have said here, our days are planned for us as every one of them is written in His book before even one of them was formed. One of the first scriptures the Lord spoke to me through was about taking no thought for tomorrow for we do not know what tomorrow brings. However, what we do know is that His plans are for out welfare, and not to harm us. I love the fact that as we continue our journey with the Lord it is His word that comes into our minds and comforts, teaches and corrects us.
I will pray for your father in law Debbie, and what now comes to mind is:- to everything there is a time and a purpose.
God bless you and your family (including your beloved mum)

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear Debbie ~ So nice to read a post from you. I'm sorry to hear about your dear father-in-law. He and all of you are in God's tender care.

Glad your Mom is settled into her new place. God's continued blessings on her.

Enjoy that motor home.

Happy summer with family and friends ~ FlowerLady

Elizabethd said...

So pleased to see you back, Debbie. Indeed we never know what the next day will bring, and all our plans can be changed in a moment. I will keep your family in prayer.

Sylvia said...

It's so good to see you back, Debbie. So sorry to hear of your father-n-law. I have already whispered a prayer for him, and will continue to.
Take care and enjoy your time with family and friends.

Hugs,Sylvia

hobbyloes said...

So nice you are back Debbie.
What a pity that your father-in-law became ill when you visited him, we pray for him.
Glad that your mum is settled in a good home and the motor home is amazing!
I hope that you and your family much will go traveling by that beautiful motor home.
Hugs.

Pom Pom said...

Welcome home! Prayers for your FIL.

Ginny said...

Dear Debbie, Welcome home! I am sorry to hear that your father in law has colon cancer. My sister had it two years ago, had a portion of her colon removed, and is doing very well. Prayers for him to regain his health and healing.
I really like the motor home! Our dear friends just left after a week visit from Florida, and they are travelling cross country in their beautiful motor home. When they gifted us with airfare last March to come visit them, we stayed in their motor home, and really enjoyed it! What a lovely gift to receive from your mother!
You are so right to say that we never know what God has planned for us. Our plans are not necessarily His plans.
This summer we are not vacationing with our children, grands, and other family members going south to Hilton Head. I strongly believe that God desires us to remain home and just rest in His peace. I feel very strongly that life is changing once again for us. I am praying to try to understand those changes and what it means.
I am enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather as I am sure you are! After the long cold winter here in Michigan, it is such an exciting and welcoming time of year!
Have a great summer, Debbie! ginny

Rose L said...

I am so sorry to hear of the colon cancer your father-in-law has. Now I guess the decisions to be made must include facing whether he wants quality of life or quantity (if possible) as the treatment can make life difficult and may not extend it. I am praying.

Debby Ray said...

Hello sweet friend! It is so good to see this post of yours in my email today! First let me say how sorry I am to hear about your dear father-in-law. Prayers for his upcoming treatment and all that goes with that. We just never know what one day or another will bring but God certainly has the best plan for each of us. Your photos are just stunning...and what a wonderful motor home you were gifted...she is LOVELY! Oh my, I just imagine those morning and evening boardwalk times were so very special...absolutely breathtaking views! Again, welcome back, Debbie! HUGS!

Creations By Cindy said...

Dearest Debbie, May I say that God had you exactly where He wanted you to be and just at the moment He wanted you to be there. He does nothing by accident or happenstance. DIVINE APPOINTMENT my friend. I am so very sorry though to hear of your FIL illness and will pray for him. We never know what tomorrow holds do we sweet lady? But I praise Him so that I know He holds tomorrow. Your pictures are so pretty Debbie and I know you must love Miss Daisy. How sweet. I hope that you are feeling God's love right now. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Mrs.T said...

I loved what you said: "No matter what God brings into our daily lives we can always find the time to be alone with Him, even if it's not as we planned out. Again, we can plan our days as we so wish,
but it is God who owns our days and He makes all things work
together for good no matter what may come our way."

So very, very true. I'm happy to see you back and thank you for sharing your godly wisdom. Just what I needed to read today.

Celestina Marie said...

Dear Debbie, It is so wonderful to see you back and welcome home!! I so missed you!!! I am so sorry to read about your father in law and his illness. Cancer is not a friend as we all know and I will certainly keep him in my prayers. What a blessing that you and your hubby were with him when he needed you most. God's plans are always right!! HE makes no mistakes!!

Your photos are lovely and the motor home is a beauty. I know you will enjoy many wonderful travels.
So happy for your mother to have found a permanent place now.God is taking care of her and so faithfully showing her the way.
Have fun with your family and friends when they visit. Enjoy the summer to the fullest and God's blessings always my sweet friend. xoxo

Cheryl said...

I am SO sorry to hear about your father-in-law! God knew about this all along, and nothing surprises Him. He ordered the trip, and even though it did not turn out as you had planned, you were there at the moment He and your father-in-law needed you to be. The Scripture that comes to mind is "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way." Psalm 37:23 So many times throughout life, I have felt God leading me to do something, and I thought I could "read" the meaning and purpose of why He was asking me to do it, only to arrive where I was supposed to be and find a completely different reason and motivation for His prompt. I trust God will heal your father-in-law and relieve his pain. Praying for you, sweet friend. :) Welcome back!!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Welcome home, dear Debbie!! I know you are happy to be back, and I'm glad that you were gifted the beautiful motor home. Yes, prayers will be lifted for your father in law. I was so sorry to hear about the colon cancer, but how wonderful that you were there when needed. God surely took care in that, didn't he? Also, How nice that your Mom is in a good spot in her life.
Enjoy your sunshine, your family, and your friends. Love and blessings are sent to you.

Regina said...

It's so good to have you back! We all missed you. Enjoy your time with your family and post when you can.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Isn't it amazing how things worked out, and that you were able to be there for your Father in Law during that very difficult time? We never fully know just how each day in our lives will play out...we have to walk by faith and trust God to guide us each step of the way. Sometimes we discover that our plans are not necessarily HIS plans, but His plans are the best plans...and He has a way of blessing us in the process. Welcome back, and by all means...do the things the Lord shows you to do...He will always be with you and prepare the way.

Alessandra said...

I'm glad You are back. So sorry for Your father in law. The pictures are wonderful and very relaxing
Hugs Alessandra

NanaNor's said...

Dear Debbie, So good to get caught up with you here. So sorry that your Father-in-law is sick, but thankful you were flexible and able to be there for him. Yes the Lord does order our days! Got to say I love your motorhome. Hubby and I have talked about getting one for about 8 years,but haven't been able to. Of course, we would get a smaller one, not one designed to live in for the winter. It would just be fun to be able to get up and go explore different areas, especially in our state that we haven't seen before.
Praying for you today!
Hugs,
Noreen

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

What an inspiring post and so true, God's timing is not ours and the sooner we come to grips with that fact, the better off we are. I've lived long enough to know that well.

So sorry about your FIL and do pray he can recover.

Such lovely pictures and the boardwalk looks like a great place to have some alone time with the Lord. Just so peaceful and serene looking.

Blessings to you!

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

Glad you are home safe and sound! It is amazing how our plans can take a detour left on a moments notice. You were needed at that exact time. What a blessing the motor home is for you. You are so blessed for following His lead!

Anonymous said...

Oh my Sweet Friend...I'm sorry to hear about your Father in Law. Yes, my prayers are with you dear lady :) How wonderful that you were there to help and be with him through this new diagnosis.

What a gift! the motor home is just perfect for traveling isn't it? John and I would want something like that but right now, we are settled in our lovely cottage waiting until we can travel with our lovely daughter. So many places we want to visit...

So good to have you back sweet friend :)

Have a blessed week!

mari

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, precious Debbie, it was so good to read your post today and catch up on all the news and your travels. I am so sorry about your father-in-law's diagnosis and pray that he will receive the medical care. It definitely was of the Lord that you were there to help and encourage. Yes, we never know what a day or moment will bring, but God always does and is never surprised. I praise God that He knows all and owns all the cattle on a thousand hills. What a wonderful gift from your parents, and I know that you and your dear hubby will enjoy it and use it for God's glory. I know your dad would be smiling after reading this post. I often think about what my dad would think or how he would react at times...and then smile. I loved him dearly, as I know you loved your dear dad as well. Enjoy the summer season and the time with all the children and grandchildren. You are blessed, and you continue to bless us. May God be glorified in all we do! SDG. Hugs and love! xoxo

Margie said...

Welcome back, Debbie. I'm very sorry to hear about your father-in-law's colon cancer. I will definitely remember him and your family in my prayers.

I'm sure that you and your family will make many happy memories in your motor home. Enjoy the visits with family and friends.

Linda Walker said...

Debbie,
So very sorry to hear about your father-in-law's illness but what a blessing that you happened to be there just at the right time. Positive thoughts and prayers....sounds like it was still restful for you and your husband. It does feel so good to disconnect! Glad to hear your mom is settled now, must be such a difficult transition...Enjoy the time you have with family and friends over the next weeks. Summer is so short, so we have to enjoy every minute, no time to waste! So enjoy Debbie! Sending hugs
Linda

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Dear Debbie! I'm so sorry to be so late responding to your post... the days are just slipping by so fast! I'm so thankful you had such an incredible time away, and what a blessing that you were there to help with your FIL, such an orchestration of the Lord. I know you were looking for some rest and relaxation, but the Lord's plans are always best in the end. The sunset is gorgeous, and I'm thankful you were able to enjoy them while you were there. I have missed you so much, and am thankful you are back home safe and sound. I will continue praying for your FIL, that the Lord will touch him and help him through this. With love and many hugs!

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