His Grace is Sufficient: "More About JESUS" in My Own Backyard

"Dixie"
Our beloved friend and companion
2000-2012

"Blessed be the GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO has blessed us in CHRIST with every spritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as HE chose us in CHRIST before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before HIM in love." Ephesians 1:3-4

"GOD is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

As i began to write, i am curious to see what direction the LORD is going to take this email. I have a general thought, but many things rolling in my head. As i was preparing myself to write, i was getting my Cabela's lounge chair out on the back porch, and the LORD reminded me that this time last year, i was just beginning my journey through PreCalculus. I spent A LOT of time on my back porch in that Cabela's chair studying PreCalculus. Having not been in a college classroom in over 20 years, and struggling with ongoing health issues...it was a daunting task to this old girl who cheated her way through high school geometry, and Algebra 2. GOD graciously worked out all the many details it took for me to be able to get through that class. After attending the first day of class, i realized with fairly new carpet in the classroom, i wasn't going to be able to stay in the room. There were lots of tangles, lots of tangles to iron out, when finally GOD made the way....through me being able to watch the lectures at home through the online program, yet still take the tests and get extra credit through my teacher on campus. I didn't do the full online program, because the online teacher was not willing to take the hours and hours of homework i had already done, and my teacher on campus, welcomed me and was willing to work with me in any way she could and she did. She allowed me to take all my tests at home, she allowed me to get the extra credit the rest of her students did, bringing in my scratch paper and all so she could see i did the work, and was very sympathetic with my situation. GOD provided me three tutors, including my son, who worked with me many evenings after he had spent a long day at Calhoun tutoring other needy students. He also provided a dear math teacher in our choir, who came over and worked through the pre tests with me, problem by problem, and lastly, when both my son and friend from choir were out of town, I "ran into" my old high school Algebra 1 and Calculus teacher in Walmart one day, and without asking for her help, she asked if i needed her help. GOD's timing and provision was perfect, and she came over one day to help me work through a pre test and homework. One of the glitches that coincided with me taking this class, is my health took a turn for the worse, and my normal everyday challenges became escalated with anxiety, and itching, and weird feelings in my legs and arms, and going through all kinds of trials trying to take my thyroid medicine. I finally had to totally get off of it which certainly wasn't my plan or desire at anytime, much less in the middle of Precalculs. To say it was a rough and rocky road would be an understatement. To say GOD's grace was sufficient and HIS power was perfected in my weakness would be the TRUTH. When i received an A in the class...it was once again a testament to me of the power of GOD to supply my needs in my overwhelming weakness.

I am thankful HE reminded me of that as i continue to seek stability in my health in the midst of my health storms. He continues to help me learn more and more, and put the pieces together...but to be able to take something and heal all my problems just hasn't happened. Instead, it seems that everything i try to take to make myself better, ends up escalating my issues. To say i get frustrated is also an understatement...i do, and i loose my patience with GOD and my family. I will spare you the details of my loosing my temper this week, just suffice it to say, i did on more than one occasion with my family and i ask for your prayers for me and my family to help me through this time that "GOD has engineered for me."

"Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in GOd, for I shall again praise HIM for the help of HIS presence." Psalm 42:5

When i came out on the porch to write, i received an unexpected blessing...these days to be able to think and write is a great blessing:). Our neighbors, Shane and Trisha, have their house up for sell and we are going to miss them dearly. They are moving to a home in the historic district of our town. I am happy for them, but we sure will miss their family and their Saturday nights watching movies and Auburn football games on the garage door, playing outside with their kids, and being great neighbors to us. Their real estate agent was outside, as they are having open house yesterday and today. She too is a neighbor, and we began to talk about praying about the house selling, and we were talking about patience and how that doesn't come by just being passed down. She began quoting Scripture, and giving testament of how GOD has worked out everything in her life. She prays and believes she has already receives it and waits for GOD to work it all out. I reminded her of Abraham and how he and Sarah had to wait many, many years for GOD to give them the promised child Isaac. They are like me, they took matters in their own hands to "help," GOD and boy do we still suffer from the consequences of that...the Muslims still fighting against the Jews, and everyone else....a direct consequence of Sarah and Abraham taking matters in their own hands and trying to help GOD out. Written on Monday: God reminded me last night on the way to church about praying for my neighbor's before Shane and Trisha moved in seven years ago. I prayed a year and a half that GOD would bring me not just a good neighbor, but a really really good friend.... GOD brought me my friend Wanda, who is that indeed, and more than i could ask or think. They lived in the house before Shane and Trisha, and i have no doubt the LORD is going to bring HIS best to live beside us...HE knows what is best for our lives.

I have to admit with my health issues, i have tried every way in the world i know how to deliver myself, and i can't do it...i can't and i often end up making a bigger mess. I need to remember the lesson of patience that my friend and i talked about and trust in the LORD. I know trusting doesn't necessarily mean that we aren't to make and effort and try things...that's part of persevering is trying something, and if it fails, to get up and try again. Just as GOD provided all my needs for Precal last year and they were great and many, and just as HE has provided all my needs in CHRIST JESUS up until now...HE will continue to. I have to remind myself of that, because in the midst of the uncomfortableness, i loose sight and think wooo is me, i will always be like this....

Naaaaaaa....i won't always be like this. GOD has delivered me over and over through the years and writing this email has helped to remind me of those deliverances. This afternoon, i read about Elijah, and how GOD provided the widow to meet his needs after the brook dried up due to no rain. So often in life what we were depending on to meet our needs dries up...only to make us look to GOD who meets all our needs in CHRIST JESUS. We sang a beautiful song, powerful song at church this morning that i have used even recently called, "JESUS SAVES." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPIc4UFwR0Y&feature=share

"JESUS SAVES" Prestonwood Baptist Church

Our Minister of Music reminded us that JESUS does save us, not only from hell, but from the trials we go through in this life. He read this passage to us from 2 Corinthians 1:8-9:

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.

Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

"He delivers magnificently, and showeth lovingkindness" Psalm 18:50

"He calmeth the storm to a whisper." Psalm 107:29

If GOD doesn't take us out of the situation, HE gives us the grace, the things we need, to live in the midst of the situation...like my IV's i take to give me "gas" to go every couple of weeks. That in itself has been quite a journey of GOD providing my needs through the pharmacy, my doctor, homehealth nurses, and my husband who works so hard to make money to pay for all of it, the business that GOD brings us, etc. I wish i didn't have to have the IV's, but i do, and GOD continues to supply that need through many vessels of HIS love.

Yesterday, as i wrote this, the LORD reminded me of the chiropracter i used to go to help alleviate some of back upper back symptoms. I had not thought of that, having not gone in recent years because my back is so much better....time for a readjustment! Thank you, LORD for reminding me and delivering me once again from some uncomfortable circumstances. I praise you in advance, as i am waiting to get in to see him.

So thankful He provide our monetary needs...of which we have had a lot of out of the budget needs this past month. We got in a "domestic" over that on Friday, and the next day, the LORD sent us a large refund check from some insurance changes that were made earlier in the year. Even though Johnny said it has to go back in insurance, it sure did remind me that HE has always been faithful to supply our needs and always will be...thank you, JESUS!

Sweet Dixie

Yesterday, i had my dog Dixie put to sleep and it was very difficult. If you've been reading these emails very long you know that Dixie has been a member of our family for about the past 10 years. When our daughter was about 10 she wanted a Golden Retriever. Her Daddy said only if we got one free. Hannah Beth started praying and it wasn't long after that, that our friends, the Wahl's called, and said their UPS man had a one year old Golden Retriever that he was looking for a good home for. I don't think the Wahl's even knew that we were wanting a Golden Retriever, that was the amazing thing for them to call and ask us...that was a GOD thing. We all loaded up and went up to look at Dixie one day. She was the most beautiful Golden Retriever, and she was in a small pen. The UPS man had bought her to be a hunting dog, but she was gun shy, so he didn't want her. She was a great hunter though, often on our walks she would bring turtles to me, baby rabbits, and anything else she could manage to catch. She was very affectionate and a perfect companion for our family. Dixie had struggled with a crippling sickness the past three years, and her kidney's were failing. She could barely walk, but still managed to get up and go relieve herself. After her options with medicine ran out, i changed her diet and she perked up some. I was hopeful she might turn around. We went back and forth with trying to decide to have her put down. I took her to the vet more than once thinking i was going to have her put to sleep, only to come back home with her. Friday, my husband said we needed to do something with Dixie, and i knew he was right. My friend Wanda, asked if she could go with me to have her put to sleep and at first i told her no...i thought i would be okay and didn't want to have to take up her morning. Later i called my brother to see if he would go with me. He had his Golden Retriever put down about a year ago, and went to the same vet. My brother wasn't home when i called so i left a message. In the meantime, Wanda called back and insisted on going with me. I was glad for her to go with me, and i'm so glad she did. I don't know if i would have gone through with it if she hadn't been there to support me. I was torn about what to do with Dixie's body, and on the way to the vet, my brother called me from my message the night before. I told him what i called for and he offered to help me bury her. Even though i could barely talk for crying, i called him back in a few minutes and told him i would like for him to help me. GOD provided that for me...something that wasn't that important where to put her body, but it was to me. I didn't want to leave her up there. Now i have Dixie buried under our apple tree...giving life to the apple tree in her death. My brother came over and we talked and dug the grave together. He lost his father in law recently and we talked about different things GOD was doing in their family through his death...good things the LORD is bringing about....Life out of death, beauty for ashes.

Rest in peace Dixie

I don't know if animals go to heaven, but if they do, I sure will look forward to seeing Dixie not suffering anymore. I like to imagine her running in the fields like she used to be able to do. Dixie was such a good dog, and so mild mannered. The only time she ever growled at anything was if they were trying to get her food which she did this past week. Our new little kitten, Henry, was trying to eat Dixie's food, and Dixie, growled loudly and barked. Henry, usually unafraid of anything, scatted away in a hurry! I guess that's where the saying, "Scat Cat," came from...

Henry eating out of Dixie's bowl after

Dixie finished eating

Dixie poking her head through a snow fort our neighborhood boys built.

I have a lot of great memories with Dixie on our walks, and how she always loved to be petted and close to me. GOD taught me so many lessons through her life, and i have recorded many of them in these emails. As she got older and less active (and me too:), she stayed closer and closer to me...the way we should do as we grow older in life and are nearing our heavenly home with JESUS. She wanted to be with me, as i should want to stay close to my SHEPHERD, instead of the things of the world. The last time i brought her home from Dr. Galbraith's, she stayed in the back of the car for awhile, and when she eventually got out she planted herself right by the back door where she is in the picture above. Her last few months, that's where she stayed the most. It was only a few weeks ago, i took Midnight and Troy for a walk, and we were about a block away when i looked back and coming behind us was Dixie trying to catch up. She wasn't able to make it back home before she had to stop and rest on her badly swollen feet. It was heart breaking to see her suffering as she did...wanting to go, yet having to be left behind. I was reminded of the story of the Crippled Lamb, favorite CHRISTmas story, and Dixie was the Crippled Lamb. It seemed just enough for her to be close to us, even if she wasn't able to walk...she loved being near the back door. It sure was hard for me to have her put to sleep...and i do wonder if i did the right thing. I have enough teaching and faith in me that i think anything can be cured with the right nutrition and detoxing the bad stuff out of us if there is enough time. I'm not sure if i was just weary of the journey....but i have to trust the LORD was leading and guiding my paths. The vet was very patient as i wavered trying to decide if i should have her put to sleep. Wanda was very kind...and in the end, i felt like i had to do it. She had suffered enough and we were all weary. Even as i write i have tears and regrets of wishing i had taken her on more walks when she felt like it. But oh, what a good dog she was, and i am so thankful for the 10 almost 11 years we were blessed to have her.

Dixie loved to play in the creek no matter what the temp was!

Well, i don't really have a point to this except i have been grieving and reflecting and thinking a lot about adoption lately. We were blessed to adopt a Golden Retriever named Dixie 10 years ago, and though she was neglected at times, as the kids got older and she and Midnight were left to play in the backyard by themselves, she had a pretty good life with our family. She had her own dog, "Midnight," our black lab that my friend Wanda called "Dixie's dog." Midnight would groom Dixie, lick her ears, and sore places, and do what Dixie wanted her to do. Dixie was definitely the dominant dog, and Midnight would yield to her to let Dixie get treats first and just about anything else. She was a great companion to Dixie in the times we didn't spend much time with her.

Dixie and Midnight

We recently adopted our little kitten Henry, and before that our Maltipoo "Troy," and it's amazing the love that we give our pets. We have several friend's whom the LORD has put in a desire in their heart to adopt children from China, and one from Ethiopia. My friend Wanda's daughter is adopting a little girl from China and they will be going to get her in July. Another friend in my Sunday School class has just become a grandmother again, and her son and daughter in law adopted a little girl from Ethiopia i believe. Last Sunday, as our SS class ate lunch at our restaurant, she told us how when her son and daughter in law went into the room to meet their new daughter, the little girl reached up to them with open arms and melted the hearts of her Mother and Daddy. My friend's son who is a pastor, said it was such a picture of how GOD seeks us, and searches for us, and goes after us, and HE even gives us a new heart, and new spirit giving us the right desires to live for HIM. HE also paid for us so that HE could adopt us for now and all eternity. I am just amazed the love that GOD puts in our hearts to adopt pets, and adopt children. He puts HIS desires to care for animals and people and puts them in such a wonderful family that is willing to love and care for their needs. You can read about my friend's new granddaughter here: http://theheartofpastormatt.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/introducing-birtukan-birti-elizabeth-pearson/

Together with her new adopted family that chose her as CHRIST chooses us.

So cute, and so very, very blessed by GOD
as we are whom HE chooses!

"In HIM we live and move and have our being." As some of your own poets have said, "We are HIS offspring." Acts 17:28

If we people being evil can do that...how much more does GOD love and care for those HE has purchased with the blood of HIS SON JESUS? I am talking to myself, reassuring myself, reminding myself how much GOD loves me. We made so many trips up to Dr. Galbraith's to try to help Peach and Dixie, and spent lots and lots of money on them. If we being evil care for our children and our pets, how much more is JESUS WHO gave HIS life to pay for my sins, is going to care for me and provide all i need in CHRIST JESUS?

"He who did not spare HIS own Son, but gave HIM up for us all--how will HE not also, along with HIM, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask HIM?" Matt. 7:11

Does this mean that GOD is going to heal all our diseases here on earth...no, but HE will heal us for all eternity. Last week, i watched the Memorial Service for Noah Crowe, an adorable little four year old boy, who won his battle with cancer. The LORD JESUS took Noah home to be with him on my husband's birthday, May 18th. Noah is no longer suffering and in his short life, JESUS used him so mightily to lift up HIS name...you can watch the service here www.prayforNoah.com and you can listen to the beautiful song his Daddy wrote about his son, "Beauty from Ash.

"HE Knows My Name"

We are learning a beautiful song in choir called, "HE Knows My Name." As we sang it last night, i thought this is so perfect for the thoughts GOD has given me to share this week. "I have a MAKER, HE formed my heart, Before even time began my life was in HIS hands. HE knows my name, HE knows my ever thought, HE sees each tear that falls, and hears me when i call. I have a FATHER HE calls me HIS own, HE never will leave me, know matter where i go..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC8puwexBBo&feature=fvsr

Yesterday, i went to the park with my dear Mom and Dad and we had a little picnic by the Tennessee River. At 85, 82 and me at 49 it was a great joy to be with my parents and they have the same love for me that Noah Crowe's parents have for him. I am ever reminded that my Mom and Dad are not going to be here forever and it hurts me. I want to spend time with them while they are still here. Mom and Dad took their dog, Foxy, and i took Troy, and it was a sweet little outing together eating hamburgers on the park bench facing the river. As we were getting ready to leave, we walk past a lady, and she asked me to pray for her. As Mom and I stopped to talk to her, she told us she had buried her son last week...that suddenly jolted me out of my sorrow of burying my dog that morning. Please remember this dear lady who Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home, and the LORD use it to bring her to Decatur. Pray the LORD will comfort the hurting heart of this lady, of Noah Crowe's Mom and Dad, and even mine in the death of Dixie.

Our preacher preached a powerful sermon this morning on the importance of being obedient to CHRIST, and telling others about the salvation that is ours in CHRIST JESUS. That is the driving motivation for me to write these emails to be a witness of what CHRIST has done for me, and others, and hopefully make us all more thirsty to know CHRIST, and make HIM known to others. CHRIST died for your sins and mine and if you have never repented and trusted HIM to be your LORD and SAVIOR you can do that right now where you are reading this by crying out to HIM. Wherever CHRIST has put you and me to serve HIM, whether it's the lowliest task that no one sees but HIM, or the President of the United States, HE wants us to be HIS witnesses. That is a great comfort to me, who seems to be searching at times for what GOD wants me to do in this season of my life.

Our pastor closed this morning telling about the song, "More About JESUS," how that should be each one of our desires....to know JESUS more and more. When i got home i looked up that song and read about the lady that wrote it suffered from an illness that kept her confined for a portion of her life. Later on her health got better and she was able to be more active, but during the time she wrote this hymn she was sick. It was a great encouragement to me, as i desire the LORD to use these emails, and use the every day life HE gives me to know HIM and share HIM with others. Here is a neat video with beautiful pictures on you tube of the song i learned as a little girl growing up in the Methodist church my Mom and Dad took us to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqyNeJ6BUXo.

"More About JESUS" by Eliza E. Hewitt, 1851-1920

"More about JESUS would I know, more of HIS grace to others show, more of HIS saving fullness see, more of HIS love who died for me."
"More about JESUS let me learn, more of HIS holy will discern; Spirit of GOD my teacher be, showing the things of CHRIST to me."
"More about JESUS-in HIS WORD holding communion with my LORD, hearing HIS voice in every line,making each faithful saying mine."
"More about JESUS on HIS throne, riches in glory all HIS own, more of HIS kingdom's sure increase, more of HIS coming-Prince of Peace."
Refrain: " More, more about JESUS, more, more about JESUS; more of HIS saving fulness see, more of HIS love who died for me."

Well, i wasn't sure which way the LORD was going to take this email...but the bottom line is "More About JESUS." In everything one and everything, and in every season of our lives...HE desires us to know HIM more, and help others to know HIM more. That is my heart's desire for me and my family, and my prayer for you this week as you read these words...that you would see JESUS in everything, and know HIM more, and make HIM known to those around you more. Please pray that for our family.

Our church is having a "Backyard Bible Club"next week in our town, and we have been prayer walking, visiting homes in the neighborhood, preparing to teach Bible stories, and it's almost time. This coming Saturday we will be having a cookout at the playground at Athens Elementary and you are invited to come and help us reach out to the children and parents who will be coming. If you can't come please pray for CHRIST to use our efforts in a powerful way to lead others to know JESUS and "More About JESUS." The club will take place June 11-15 at the Athens Elementary playground so please come join us each night at 6:00 p.m. and invite your friends and family to come! I am so excited i am going to get to be the nurse at the Backyard Bible Club and at our VBS this year. This is an awesome privilege for this ole gal who felt called to be a nurse on the mission field and didn't make it to a foreign country...now GOD has brought the mission field to us with Hispanics and families of all kinds right in our own backyard...thank you, LORD JESUS, for giving me this special blessing of serving you on the mission field. If i had been able to pursue the Nurse Practitioner route i was headed down last summer...i wouldn't have been able to serve in this way...GOD has a plan and a purpose, even for "The Crippled Lambs" like me.

Thank you for spending this time with me this week...i pray the LORD will use this email to be a blessing to you and encourage you to know "More About JESUS," in your own backyard and everyday life. It has encouraged me to think on the things and to remember HIS great faithfulness in my life and in yours. We all need to be encouraged and i sure do. GOD bless you.

With all HIS love,

mitzi

"A righteous man may have many afflictions but the LORD delivers him from them all." Ps. 34:19