365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 200

We were all packed and ready to go if we get the notice that our area is under mandatory evacuation so I went to work yesterday. It wasn’t until the afternoon that the mandatory evacuations area drew closer to my home and than I heard about the deaths and the number of homes burned(360) You hear about these kinds of disasters as history but to actually be a part of it gives you a whole new perspective. I ended up in slightly freaking out mode not because of my home and the possibility of it going up in flames but being separated from my family. I had to stop and pray and than go get some tea and call my mom. The evacuations I was told by my hubbie have created a massive block on the highway home so I planned to stop at a drive-thru for dinner and eat on the way home not knowing how long it would take me. But God was so kind and my ride home wasn’t even like regular rush hour traffic. It was like early Saturday morning traffic. It was almost eerie but I was so thankful to God to get home quickly. It is horrifying to think of the two people who didn’t make it out. Their garage door was open along with the car doors and the fire apparently trapped them in and they couldn’t get out. It is hard to imagine and I pray they were believers and are now in their glorious home of Heaven. We are not alone. In the midst of all this tragic loss, God is here and is shedding tears for us.

John 16:33 In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 221

As I pondered what to write, I looked up at my wall of scrapbook pages and all the photos, all the memories and a sadness came over me for the families that lost their homes this week to the fire. I know that for me, considering my memory is not so good, that these photos and scrapbook pages mean the world to me. Your kids grow up so fast. It really all does go by in the blink of an eye. But there are those moments that you capture on film or nowadays, digitally that show who we are as human beings. What it really is showing is a glimpse of God. The joy you see in faces, the love you see in the hugs and arms around each other, the smiles of those you love and who love you, the experiences that are captured that show how much the Lord has blessed us with. God is everywhere, within our lives if only we open our eyes to see it. And even if you don't have the photos or scrapbook pages to look at, we have the present and the future to look at and see and feel God. Praise to God for being with us at all times.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. -- Psalm 46:1

Father's Day 2012

 

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 208

This is going to sound so pathetic but right now but I am praising God for the gift of air conditioning. We have been having some record heat the last few days and our state is burning up. We have been praying every night together for the firefighters to be safe and the Lord to put out the fires. It's hard to imagine 180 homes being destroyed and all those families are probably feeling shock, loss, greif and more. So, as I sat in my cool home last night I was thankful for the comfort. We take these kinds of things for granted because we have them all the time or when we need them they are there. But life can happen and any of us can be in that position without a home, clothing, food, etc. My prayer this morning is for these people who have suffered this loss and that they will find comfort knowing that the Lord is with them no matter what the circumstance. I pray they see God in the face of the strangers who are providing them with food, shelter and other necessities. Help them to let go of the worldly and look to you. Amen.

Pslam 119:76 May your unfailing love be my comfort

Donate to evacuees using this website, http://www.helpcoloradonow.org/

If you want to help the evacuated animals, you can donate to the Larimer Humane Society online here: http://www.larimerhumane.org/.