things that have been in my heart since sunday

Bills message seemed especially real to us this past Sunday.. There has been so much going on here that I havent even touched on in my writeing, and this weekend was completely encourageing all the way around.. I SO needed it.. :)

One of my weaknesses is I have a tendency to be critical of myself ( is that the right word? ) .. Some things I cant help, like I will look in the mirror and see myself getting older, for instance, wrinkles and grey hair ..  Yes I know God doesnt see me that way, He looks at my heart.. There are little things He does and things that happen that are Him showing me how much He loves me.. This past week Fall has been coming fast and we've been working hard at getting  firewood done before the rainy season starts.  Once again the trees are turning yellow, orange, red and the leaves are already covering the ground... Once again the air is getting cooler.. Once again the geese are flying south and the flickers return.. Already my bulbs are sprouting and peeking through the ground and fallen leaves, thirsty for the water of life that will make them bloom this up coming spring.. Likewise, we are already cutting, splitting and stacking the firewood we will so desperately need this winter to keep us warm...    Im not sure if its the cooler weather or the heavy work that is causeing the Fibromyalgia to kick up so bad and me feeling more tired then ever lately...

So... Sunday after an awesome message  ( OK I admit, Im spoiled, I think they all are awesome! )  I went up for prayer.  While  I was being prayed for, CJ waited and chatted with a friend. He said while I was up for prayer a lady whom he didnt know asked him to give me a gift. She handed him a small square silver box. Inside the box was a pink hand beaded necklace and note with scriptures and a prophetic word.  On the outside it simply said  "Beautiful, jewels for the journey "... Inside it was Prov.31:29-30 and 1 Pet. 3: 3-4 .. Then the word was given - " You are my daughter, whom I love. You are growing in beauty and walking in peace .  Your love and reverance for me has won my heart and earned you praise. You are discovering the secret to beauty.  Like a pearl your allowing the beauty in you to be worked in you from the inside out.. Beauty that is eternal flows from character cultivated.  You are beautiful. You are precious in my sight. " ......  There are several things about this gift. First of all my birthday is coming on Oct 5th, and this necklace is pink, which is a modern version of my birthstone.. I remember a ring my grandmother gave me,  on my 15th Birthday, that used to be hers, a pink stone its one of many treasures I will always have to remind me of her..    The prophecy speaks also of a pearl, which is the meaning if my name and too a pearl is created by irritation which this fibro most certainly has been...  Then it speaks of God loveing me and saying I am beautiful. Like I said before, I have a tendency to be critical of myself, and there are times I feel anything other then beautiful.. So when God goes out of His way to tell me this, then once again I am humbled and awed... Not that He didnt before, but now, He has my attention.. I cant help but wonder what He has in store for us, as these last few months have been a roller coaster ride.. But one thing is for sure..  It wont be dull!!

:)