It's been a long time!

WOW.
Wow! Wow. Wow, wow, wow. Wow!

I can't believe it's been a year since the last time I've posted!

I've started numerous posts, especially in the last couple of months...but the time has just never seemed right. I haven't been able to share everything on my heart the way I've wanted to. And I still can't, exactly. But I would like to at least share a little bit of what's been on my mind lately and what's been happening in my life -- if for no other reason, to make some people, that I haven't had a chance to keep up with on a week-by-week or month-by-month basis, aware of where I'm at and what I'm doing.

It would be a complete understatement for me to declare that a lot has happened in one year.

It goes way further than that.

In a multitude of ways, and for a plethora of reasons -- I am literally not the same person I was last year. I'm just not. It's a whole new day, and a whole new game...God has done things in my heart in the past 365 days that I couldn't have even imagined. And yet, He always has been and always will be so far beyond what our finite imaginations can conjure up, yes? Yes. He is. He really is...

Things have happened in my life, in my heart, in my family...nothing is as it was. Except for God. Only He has been sure, steadfast, and unchanging.
And even then -- no, He hasn't changed. But my perspective of Him certainly has. I have never seen God or understood Him to be as I do now. I'm not even sure what was "wrong" with my previous perspective. But I know it's changed now...I see Him with a degree of reverence and Godly fear and awe that I never knew existed. He is not "just God" to me anymore...He is the Creator of heaven and earth, of things I don't even understand...He is Lord of all, of every thought and life and joy and sorrow. He knows all, He is everywhere, and He can do anything. There aren't even words fit to describe Him. He is GOD! What else is there to compare Him to?

Praise His Name!

At any rate, I have much along those lines to share -- but in the meantime, I'd like for you all to know what I'm doing right now...why I'm so busy, and have a glimpse of what's happening in my life (on the outside, anyway [smile]).

I have spent much of the last two months (and all of the last 2-1/2 weeks) with a family located approximately 2-1/2 hours northwest of us. They are dear friends of ours...we have known them for quite a few years now! Currently, the mama of the family is very soon due with her 8th child (and her oldest is only 13!), and they are needing some help right about now. :)  It's been a joy spending time with them...I love this family! <3
So, yes. I am busier than...than...well, than I ever have been! :)  There is always someone needing something -- a dispute to resolve, an owie to bandage (or kiss!), a story to be read, a game to be played, a meal to be made, an area to be cleaned, a kiddo to cuddle, a conversation to have, confidence to build up, baths to be taken, promises to keep...and in the meantime, the great outdoors and the spring air and the sunshine are SCREAMING our names! :)  (That has been wonderful indeed!)

So for those of you who are wishing I'd have a bit more time to spend with you in some way (you know who you are) -- please know, I miss you big time too and I truly want to spend time with you. But right now, I have to have priorities. I know you understand, and are gracious about it...but I want you to know I am NOT putting you off. I am truly so busy most of the time, I hardly have a moment to breathe! :)  Though that poses its challenges, it is also truly a delight -- not to mention excellent practice for whatever other callings life and the Lord may bring.

So between all the extreme busy-ness of my day-to-day life right now, a large chunk of the little spare time I have is eaten up by "inside work" -- things the Lord is doing, miraculously, wondrously, beautifully and mightily in my heart. And in the larger scheme of things, this IS the most important thing in my life right now -- this needs to be (and most of the time, I hope and believe it is) my very top priority, above all others. More on that later!

So while I love all my friends dearly, and I miss you all too!, I am in a season of life right now that does not allow for much free time to laugh and chat and "catch up". I am praying for each of you, though! I love you TONS!

(Also, I forgot to mention -- another thing that has kept me on my toes [or off of them!] has been sickness. All of the children, except for one, in the family I'm helping out [the Christenson family] have come down with strep throat in the last week or so, and so that was pretty hectic for a bit! But this winter has been a really rough one for me as far as health. I have been sick over a dozen times in the last few months, with a couple episodes being very severe. This too has added to my list of things that had to be backed up and postponed, etc.)

So, all in all -- God is working in a huge way, and I am excited and content with where He has me right now. Much has changed, and I'm sure there will be much more to change as time flies by. But now y'all have a little taste of what's been keepin' me -- umm -- BUSY!!! :)

Don't forget -- you're in my prayers. And I covet yours as well.

Blessings to each and every one of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ.