Salgate ... Go out!

Celebrating Dad!

"You are not done here yet!"  I heard it as clear as the neighbors boom-booming base that has interrupted my Sabbath.  I actually heard it twice.  The first night I questioned if it was for me and the next night, there was not doubt, He was speaking to me.  

But Father, I am weary, I don't care if "we're not done here" I can't do one more thing!  I need a reset.  I need a refocus.  I need a rest ... the kind My Cave, (The Cave) from nearly 2 years ago, provided for me.  

As I sat dwelling on the solitude of My cave, filling my spirit with praise music from a pastor friend, the worship ended and he started speaking about the miracles Elijah saw/preformed in 1Kings.  I was ready to forward past the sermon to the next set of songs when I realized ... this is the story I just read to Adam AND, he may be referencing the passage about "MY" cave!  Yup ... he did.  

In summary ... Elijah saw 'all these miracles' then he fled in fear of Jezebel and hid in a cave!  He even cried out to God, "Let me die!" (aka take me away from all this, I'm done!).  God's response ... Imagine the annoyed mother tone one might take when discovering your child is hiding in the closet eating a whole bag of peanut butter cups.  "What are you doing here Elijah?!"  Blah blah, blah blah, blah blah, blah blah (hiding in fear and worry after I saw Your miracles) Elijah whined.  Father simply said, "Go out! ... Go out and stand on the mountain in the Presence of God!" 

Then, He tenderly whispered to my spirit, "This doesn't mean do anything except to be in My Presence ... you've seen miracles, you've felt my hand upon you, now leave this desert of anxious worry and despair, step out of the comfort of the cave and daily make the decision to be in My Presence."  You see, in His goodness, He wants to restore me/us because ... 'we're not done here yet'.   Rest is coming, but more importantly, His Presence is here.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, (not the problems), delight in, commit to and be still in His Presence. 

"Good God Almighty, I hope You'll find me praising Your name no matter what comes!" 

Life on the Mountain

Feeling the cloud starting to lift ... Lots to celebrate: Dad's day, 8 years of life with Adam and 9 years of eternal life for Jedidiah ... Teaching Adam what his name "Bringer of Light" means and being challenged to do the same ... A week of exams ending in 2 weeks of vacation feeling hopeful for the return of in present classes ... Lots of Vida Missions activity, airport runs and sickness.  Thankful for 12 negative Covid tests! ... Half of our 6 are in the states, looking forward to the return of 2 of them! ... Birthday parties, play dates and sharing life with our community ... Choosing thankfulness brings light and focuses us on being in His presence.   

Praise

Sisters who care and desire healing with us

Seeing light in Adam's soul

Jedidiah's companionship

I boldly disposed of 4 spiders and a large centipede in the span of 24 hours ... missing my mighty men! 

A sabbath retreat

God ordained meeting, walls coming down

Safe flights and Daryl's time with our two oldest MM in the States

Prayer

Home leave housing and timing 

School options for our boys - virtual school is not working well

Readjusting to be a family of 5

Renewed vision

Inner healing from a year of grief, we are weary

God to ordain our steps 

Choose joy and gratitude

Go out in His Presence! 

Yes he ate it all ...
 Yes it was his supper ...
and Yes, he did sleep that night!

Kai is happy that 'Uncle Daryl' finally held him : ) 

Celebrating our Bringer of Light! 

"YES Mom, please let him smash my face in the cake?!"

Precious friends to help Adam celebrate ...
His faithfulness, NEVER runs out!

"I could get used to this!"

God's favor is on this one ...
Thankful for summer employment ...

Tee time with the guys ...
My heart is happy! 

How many hours did they spend here? ...
Lego creativity knows no bounds of time!

All creatures great and ...
thankful this one is small! 

Psalm 118:24 

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.

Little Black Dress

His faithfulness ...

Every gal needs one.  I'm not talking the simple/elegant cocktail dress that is reserved for "that" occasion . I mean a versatile, "can dress me up or wear me to a summer picnic" little number.  I've had a few in my lifetime and unashamedly, I can very specifically remember each one ... I know, forehead slap, right ... But that's just how important this particular material possession has been to me!  

Each one, for all intended purposes, needed to serve well through: weight gain or loss, life-bearing belly present or deflating, summer heat or sweater accompanied winter, be perfectly paired with flip flops or boots, and could be adorned with dangly antique gold, simple pearls, or colorful stones depending on my current mood.  Finding the absolute perfect little black dress was like finding treasure of pure gold.  Seriously, there was such elation upon finding each of these regal garments over my lifetime.  Recently, I laid to rest the current token one without having a replacement in hand.  It had far surpassed its years of glory and its $6.99 price tag had served my earthly physique well ... probably 2 years to many!

Least you be concerned with my focus on said earthly treasures, rest assured, He's laughing with me at this post.  You see, HE knows what my heart longs, even faints, for.  While this earthen treasure has captured my eye, I sensed this 'symbol' was a reminder of His faithfulness. Seriously, while He's asking me to let Him hold all the seemingly monstrous mountains of trouble, hardship, sadness and strife, He cares enough to place this unexpected treasure along the road in my valley.  While serving Him, as I discovered said treasure, a giggle of excitement erupted from my heart.  His simple reminder came as a tender whisper ... "My child, you need to laugh again.  Don't miss the joy of My Presence by carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders."

For some, reminders of His faithfulness comes in the form of a heart shaped rock, a cross shaped stick, a flower hidden beneath the dead twigs, an obedient choice from ones cherub or a perfectly painted sunset.  And now, for those who are reading this and laughing with me, reminders of His faithfulness may just come in the form of a little black dress.  

The following morning, His promise adorned my soul much better than said treasure adorned my body ... Proverbs 31:25 "She is clothed with strength and dignity (and a little black dress), she can laugh at the days to come."  He knows this promise is the desire of my heart, it's how HE created me ... I just needed the reminder.  I'm curious, how is He reminding you of His faithfulness? 

Green in my soul ... Black dress on my body ... Father, help me laugh again! 

Life on the Mountain

Micah was home for 3 weeks and returned to PA to graduate from high school.  Joseph is stateside for a month and has his driving permit.  Jedidiah is cooking supper weekly and more if I have the patience to let him invade the kitchen.  Adam will be 8 in a few days and is loving his adventures with Gabe! Daryl and I are finding treasures that remind us of Father's faithfulness while walking through the valley ... (Look up, remember!).  We're in the midst of hosting our 2nd Vida Missions team and feel blessed to receive their energy and joy for life!  May brought an all time high of Covid cases here and driving restrictions are implemented again.  Lots to learn as we choose to reflect on His faithfulness instead of donning the weight of the world.  And, learning to laugh again ...

Praises

His faithfulness NEVER runs out

Heartfelt communication with my soulmate

Glimpses of renewed vision

His gentle reminder, "we're not finished here yet." 

Lives impacted through teaching and drama

Prayers

Home leave housing and timing 

School options for our boys - virtual school is not working well

Renewed vision

Inner healing from a year of grief, we are weary

God to ordain our steps 

Choose joy and gratitude

Stand tall Mighty Men! 

Still in shock ...
wishing I could experience this first hand!

MTO breakfast!

The longest his hair has ever been ...
6 months and counting! 

Put that boy to work ...
He willingly said yes to scrubbing a greasy floor! 

Vida Missions bringing us life and laughter

Taking us to the foot of the cross ... 

Partners in adventure ...
water boy companions!

Micah's graduation gift ...
Joseph was along to celebrate ...
Rocket launch, lots of Space to explore, Florida heat ...
Young at heart grandparents! 

Left over night has never looked so plentiful ...
Missing our two oldest Mighty Men! 

Come to Me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest 

... rest for your souls as you focus on My faithfulness!