As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.
I have a confession to make. When MIL comes to live with us in January, I give up all hope of my husband, Danny, and I ever being able to vacation at a cabin for an extended period of time. It just isn't in the cards. Yes, we have the blessed one-night stay at Lake Rabun Hotel and Restaurant, for which we are both so grateful as son, Daniel, can stay with MIL, but the chance of a real vacation? A pipe dream at best.
Now, I may give up hope on this possibility, but never do I give up hope in God. I know He can work miracles, in His time and in His way. He hears our prayers, the longings of our hearts, and answers in love, even when that answer may be a gentle, yet firm, "No." And I can't begin to tell you all how much His strength, grace and comfort have buoyed our spirits during this time of service to beloved MIL.
But never in my wildest imaginings could I envision how promptly God would act to restore our hope in a mountain holiday. Dominic, Danny's brother, who lives in Oklahoma, calls two weeks ago with some unexpected, but much welcomed, news. He has decided to take a week off from work in order to stay with MIL for a week! Hallelujah!!!
Danny wastes no time in booking this lovely cabin, A Walk in the Clouds.
At 3,500 feet in elevation, this cabin sits higher than any other in which we have stayed to date. Just look at the views that await us!
Needless to say, Danny and I are walking on cloud nine with anticipation and excitement about this impending trip. And as usual, this will be a special time for us to unplug as much as possible from social media, so I won't be posting here again until Tuesday, May 8th. Hope you will bear with me, too, as I won't be reading/commenting on favorite blogs during this much needed retreat from the everyday demands.
Dear friends, we would so appreciate your prayers for safe travels for us and for Dominic, and continued healing for MIL. Know you all will be in my prayers, too.
And may all of us, each and every day, always have hope, and praise our Father more and more.
Amen!
Bon voyage et au revoir when you return. Praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your much earned holiday and have fun.
God bless.
Thank you, Victor, I'm sure we will. Hoping your book arrives before the trip so I'll have something delicious to read!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Have a great time away Martha. Retool. Refresh. Renew. I'll miss your comments on my blogs but will know it wasn't me! LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bill, for the well wishes for our time away. I will miss your blogs, too!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I just love how God doesn't have to grant us these types of desires, yet He loves to do so. This was an encouraging post!
ReplyDeleteYes, Emily, God is truly amazing, isn't He? So very grateful for His mercies.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Our God is personal! I'm thrilled for you and Danny. I'm praying for God's covering over Danny's brother and mom while you're away and of course, for a safe and blessed trip.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful, time! That cabin is breathtaking.
Thanks so much for your prayers, Beckie! Yes, our God is so very personal, it absolutely boggles my mind on a daily basis.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Safe and blessed travels...Praise God for Hope and for all the Joy he gives...<3
ReplyDeleteAmen, Marla! Thanks for your prayers and thoughts.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, What an amazing blessing this is for you, Danny, your MIL, and Dominic. The retreat place Danny found is stunning, breath-taking (and that's just from photos!). The rest will do you and Danny a world of good--a Sabbath's rest.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
Yes, Kim, a much, much needed Sabbath rest for both of us. Thanking God daily for His marvelous blessings!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Joy!! Have a wonderful time! God does indeed answer prayer and you all will have mine these next few weeks!
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DeleteTerri, thanks so much for your love and affirmation here! If you see "deleted comment" it's only because I was distracted and left words that needed correction. We all need correction from time to time, don't we? So glad that our Lord loves us unconditionally, in spite of our errors.
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I'm so happy for you and Danny, Martha. What an unexpected surprise from God! :) May He give you a much-needed rest, and may you return refueled, refreshed, and rejuvenated! May He be with Dominic and your MIL as well. I hope Danny gets some pics that you can share with us. :) I'm sure he's excited about using his new lens there, too. Love and hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Trudy, Danny is SO looking forward to opportunities to use the new lens on his camera, and we are giving thanks each and every day for this opportunity to simply get away and be together. To many, this could sound selfish and shallow, but I always recall how Jesus bade the disciples to come away and rest. God wasn't fooling around. He knew/knows what we need, and He provides. Such a good, good Father, the One who knows and provides for our needs.
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What a blessing for you!!! I know God arranged this little vacation for you because He knew how much you needed it. What a wonderful gift DAnny's brother has given you. You are truly blessed. Now enjoy this time and make the most of it. We will look forward to seeing the pictures and hearing all about it when you return. So happy for you.
ReplyDeleteYes, such an absolute blessing for us, Pamela. God is so good, all the time, knowing our needs even before we ask. I will definitely be sharing photos when we return.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Praise the Lord. He always comes through. When He sends us a blessing, may we always be appreciative and joyous. Faith carries us through. Have a lovely time on your God-given vacation.
ReplyDeleteYes, Nells, we are praising the Lord, indeed, and are so appreciative of God's mercy, we have no words! Thank you for sending us good wishes for our upcoming trip; God's healing hands are all over it.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh wow, Martha. I love how God cares about all the details in our lives. I am often amazed at I see Him unfold the next right thing.
ReplyDeleteHe's so faithful ... why am I not surprised at what He's doing in the midst of the crazy?
Bon voyage, friend.
I know, Linda! God cares about every detail and is so very faithful to keep His promises. I cannot begin to tell you how relieved we are to get away for this week. I'll be reading The Listening Life while we're away. :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
Glad things worked out so well, Martha. STUNNING views from your cabin; you're gonna love your time there. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Frank! Yes, we will certainly love every moment of our time at the cabin.
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Praying for rest and restoration of your spirit and energy. Rest well in each other and Him!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, My Friend!
Thank you, Lulu! We'll be sure to get that rest in God and each other, that's for sure.
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That is so great. All around goodness for everyone. Danny certainly finds some beautiful places for "forest bathing." Enjoy your time away together.
ReplyDeleteI love that term "forest bathing," Galen. Yes, Danny certainly has a knack for that. We leave tomorrow, and I can't wait!
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Yay! I'm so happy for you! Have a wonderful time!! <3
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deb! We had a most amazing week filled with God's blessings in so many ways. We are home now, but feeling so refreshed and rejuvenated.
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I'm thrilled for you. Have fun.. You two deserve it!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jean! We had a terrific time, with much needed rest and time spent together and with the Lord. Home now, but filled with inspiration for blogs and renewed spirits to face the days ahead. God is so good!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Good for you, sister. God is good and the seemingly little things can mean so much. I also appreciate the way you appreciate every good gift!
ReplyDeleteWhat a kind and thoughtful compliment, Floyd - thank you! Yes, God's gifts are everywhere and in everything. During this time of rest, I became so much more aware of His presence, especially in the smallest, most mundane of things; that still, small voice . . .
DeleteLove and blessings!