Perfect Love

I was blessed to attend an annual women's retreat this past weekend, with an awesome group of women from my church. The theme of the retreat weekend was 'Can You Hear Me Now' and focused on what we can do to hear God's voice. The verse that seemed to really grab a lot of the women was
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Fear is real. Fear is all too present, all too often. In the wake of yesterday's tragic events in Boston, fear will resonate with so many, invading their very lives. There is an answer to this fear, a counter to fear. God's perfect love. It casts out all fear. Fear does NOT come from God, rather it can keep us from hearing God, and His will for our lives.

Father God, we ask that you would enter into the chaos in Boston in a powerful way, casting out all fear, anxiety and panic. Replace it with your perfect love, bringing peace, comfort and healing to all those who are hurting.

Romans 8:6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Texas Fun!

Here I am, for what seems to have become my semi-annual post. The truth is, I was having trouble accessing my blog and just never took the time to try to recover the password, etc...lazy, I know! In any case, I really have wanted to get back into the swing of blogging/writing. And I do miss visiting so many of your blogs too! With the dawn of Facebook, I keep connected to so many of you that way, still...it isn't quite the same, and I don't get to see ALL of you there.

Life is moving right along for us...my dear Benjamin and I. Hard to believe that he will actually be three years old in just a few months! We just got back from a visit to my parents, who are wintering in TX this year. While we did endure some cooler than average weather, we were able to soak up a few really nice days and make some memories! Benjamin loved the Gulf of Mexico, and had fun running back and forth throwing seashells in the water. I could have stayed there all day with him, just watching him splash and scream...but the water was quite cold!

My little man is quite the social butterfly and his thing lately is to ask virtually EVERYONE (or so it seems somedays) what their name is. Fortunately, for him, he met some pretty nice and indulgent people along the way. We met 'Cowboy Jack' at a restaurant and he was able to try on his fancy hat!

Benjamin is also a real animal lover...too bad our kitty is so skittish and still uncomfortable being out and about when he is around and awake. I know someday they will be great friends!

One of the nicer days was spent at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, TX! The picture with the goat above was taken there, at the petting zoo. Well, that's a kind of petting, right?

 

It was great to have a week with grandma and grandpa, who he hadn't seen since they headed south back in October. And now we won't see them until mid to late April, so it was great to have the time with them!

 

I hope this post finds all of you well and enjoying the new year. God's blessings to you all!

Look Who's Two!

I guess I should think about trying to blog a bit more often, not just after Benjamin has had another birthday. I miss writing and getting around to visit all of your blogs too. Here is a peek at my little man and a Happy Independence Day to all of you!