Consider Him

Last nights message was entitled "Consider Christ".
Do we really consider Him the way we ought? We make decisions everyday without thought of Him; whether big or small. We should seek Him and ask that He order our day according to His plan & purpose.

Two main thoughts stuck with me:
1) His ways are perfect. 
2) His work is perfect.

Over the past year and a bit there have been many changes in our lives ... so many losses & heartaches, YET just as many blessings & encouragements. In ALL these things, God's ways & works have been PERFECT! Do I understand everything? Of course not, sometimes we just have to trust. Can I take God at His Word and know that He will work it for my good and His glory? YES!!! Why? Because He loves me and has my best interest at heart!

FAITH~ Forgetting All, I Trust Him!

Isaiah 55:8-9, "[8] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. [9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." {KJB}

Blessings,
Sis. Tammy

WHEN JESUS SPEAKS PEACE

When the storms of life come and rage against me and when I'm tossed about and feel completely bruised and battered, I'm so grateful for a loving Father that whispers peace to my heart.

Often times I have wondered even in my darkest hour,

Would His faithful ears still harken to my needs and my desires?

Then I hear His voice so tender, speaking softly in my ear.

I kneel down and pray in my secret place, and I know He will hear.

He's always near.

Chorus:
When He speaks, "Peace", the raging storm must,

New hope becomes new life

When He whispers, "Everything will be alright".

When He speaks, "Peace", the dark night slips away

Like the breaking of the day,

When Jesus speaks, "Peace".

When my friends have failed me and I'm standing all alone,

When my spirit is discouraged and I feel all hope is gone,

There's no need to be dishearted, for I have a friend who cares.

When my faith becomes weak, I can kneel at His feet

And my burdens He will bear.

He is always there.

Chorus:

Refrain:
I feel the dark clouds gather 'round me

And I don't seem to understand.

Then I feel his presence go before me

And I know, He's holding to my hand.

Chorus:

God bless,
Sis. Tammy

Daddy & I

Today marks 7 months since Daddy went home to be with the Lord.  It is still hard to believe he's gone, but I'm thankful that I have the hope of seeing him again!  This picture was taken 4 years ago at the airport while we were waiting to board the plane back to England.

Some days, I think about how much time we missed getting to spend together because of the distance that being on the mission field brings.  Then, to encourage myself, I make mind move over to eternity.  WHAT A PROMISE! 

A New Season In Life

These days, most everyone has Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat & etc., and I have come to realize that these make great places for simple posts but sometimes God lays things on your heart to long to share on these formerly listed places.  Even if no one ever reads this, it feels good to express myself in someway. It's somehow therapeutic.

I have entered a new season of life.  My dad unexpectedly passed away in September of last year, thankfully I was there, and I have been learning to live life without one of my parents.  The Lord knows how difficult that is. 

Daddy was diagnosed with Stage 4 Throat Cancer in the summer of 2016.  He had very invasive surgery on Sept. 8th 2016.  They had to cut him from ear to ear.  He couldn't eat for many months and had a tube to feed from.  He underwent Radiation & Chemotherapy simultaneously from Oct -Dec.  He had just started to regain some of his strength when he felt unwell, around April/May time.  By the time we arrived in country, August 7th, he was once again feeding from only the his tube. 

A couple of Dr.'s visits later and it was thought that he had severe scar tissue that was not healing and needed removed, as well as a few other issues that needed to be addressed.  He went into surgery again on Sept. 6th 2017.    This is the last picture I have of me and my Daddy together ... it makes smile & cry at the same time.  He hated having his picture taken but he did it anyway ... for us.  I'm so thankful for these photos.  I will treasure them for ever & always!!

After surgery he was doing so well!  They'd removed his scar tissue and found a bit more cancer which they had removed to viable tissue.  They had him up the first day and he was feeling pretty good, tired, but doing great! 

The 2nd picture is the last picture I have of Daddy.  He was a bit tired because they had plugged his Trach and he was getting a bit congested.  When he'd had his previous surgery the year before he'd had a bit of cancer on his carotid artery, which they had scrapped to remove.  As you can see in this picture, he had a LOT of swelling in his mouth and throat.  They'd had to remove some of his jaw and replace it as well.  It was a very invasive surgery.   His carotid artery was just too thin and he coughed really hard a few times and that caused his artery to rupture.  Not going into all the details, it's just not necessary.

My Daddy went home to be with His Lord & Saviour at 10:28, Friday September 8, 2018;  exactly 1 year after his 1st surgery. 

By God's grace & design, He allowed me to be present & in country.  Never in a million years would I have dreamed that our short furlough would include the funeral of my precious Daddy.  It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do thus far in my life.  But in saying that, God has been the most precious Comforter imaginable.  His grace & strength have definitely been sufficient.  Even though I have not yet come out on the other side of grief, I know that He walks beside me and is holding me up when I feel that I might just crumble.   On days when the grief hits so hard that I feel I can't even breathe, He is there!!  I couldn't make it through this life without Him.  He takes care of His own!