Summer 2016

Living with a Thankful Heart

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Psalm 27:4-5 says “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.”

There are Seasons of Life where it seems when it rains it pours. Is the same God on the throne during those times as He is when all is good? Is God good? Often when going through hard times we question God. Nothing wrong with that but use it as an opportunity to lean into God rather than run from Him knowing that He is God! He can handle it.

Find things to be thankful for in the midst of these hard times is crucial.  

This summer 2016 was one of those seasons for me. It isn’t the first and I am sure it will not be the last. However, this one was hard in the midst of so much grieving. But I can say as I look back on it, it was one of the most rewarding.    

Notes from my journal May 2016: I have never experienced so much at one time in my life, than this month, that I can remember. Is this spiritual Warfare? Is this a test from the Lord of my trust and love for Him, to deepen my Faith?   

 Apart from a miracle of God’s intervention I am not sure how all is going to work out. So we will walk through the doors one step at a time. We will not get dismayed, fearful (try not too) or be discouraged for YOU are with us. Give us the courage and strength to walk this path mapped out for us.  

 I must say if it wasn’t for Jim and our time away studying and reading Psalms together strengthening our souls I don’t know if I could deal with this. Remembering that God has always been there, walking with us through everything we have experienced together as a couple for 35 years. We cannot complain but be thankful. So many praying too!  

I do not want to disappoint anyone but I need to seek God to see what He wants. What are you doing God? I am taking my refuge in you. I feel safe with you but I need you to go out ahead of us and fight these battles for us

God, I struggle to keep looking to you when the pull to look the other way, or to be taken away by all these life situations but I know I can’t.  I know you have my back and will take care of me. I can’t look back. I can’t go back. I know I must keep reaching, and going against the tide, to go up stream where there are calm waters.

Downstream, there are only rough waters and maybe a waterfall. Give me rocks and branches along the way to hold onto Lord to keep encouraging my heart that I am going to make it; that I am making strides. Help me see YOU, Lord. I need to know you are with me experientially, not just in heart and knowledge but physically and emotionally.  

PSALM 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Here are just a few of my life’s challenges with emotional ramifications. Decisions that we would have to make that would affect others not just ourselves:  

1. With wisdom and prayer we transitioned out of my husband’s job on March 31st 2016. However, this now leaves us to figure out God’s next assignment.  

Psalm 27:3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.

2. My 81 year old mom was already scheduled to stay with us for three weeks.  

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3. May 2nd left for a one month Sabbatical, (much needed), also same day my mom left and my sister went into the hospital unexpectedly with double pneumonia and complications. It then became a situation between life and death for her.

Psalm 27:7-8, “Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, “Seek my face. ”My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

Thankful no 1:  In May my sister was in hospital for  the whole month with the double pneumonia sickness, touch and go but came through. June, another hospital to recover and learned to walk again (lost 40 pounds) and to breath again with oxygen. 

                                                                                                                      
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4. Ellen’s situation also affected all of us in the family because my mom lives with Ellen.

My 3 siblings, all of us are in some transitional season of life, now left to figure out what to do next.  I am thinking, “I am the likely candidate to take my mom and she wouldn’t understand if I didn’t.  But my husband just transitioned out from his job, my daughter is about to have twins of whom wants me to help her, my son is going off to college, moving and my other daughter is getting married in August. Plus, I was about to start a new job of Life Coaching, as well as seeking next assignment for my husband and I. What will all this do to my mom too?” All these ideas were running through my head. Plan was to meet with my family on May 26th. to discuss my mom. I was not looking forward to this discussion. I now understand the term “Sandwiched Generation”.  Ever been there?  

Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

Thankful no 2 : Extended Family very gracious. We decided to have Mom visit 2 more weeks where she got to see her great grandkid twins who were born during her stay. Hard juggling both mom and my daughter with twins but God gave grace.  

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Thanks no 3:  Twins born: June 20th Liam Vaughan O’Neill-Kussmaul (left) and James Matthew O’Neill-Kussmaul (right).  I got the privilege to serve Shawna and Matt. Jim watched my mom. This would have been difficult if he still had his full-time job. img_5004img_5048         img_5103img_5956

(Laim (Left) James (right) 5 months later)

PSALM 27:6; “And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.”

5. Due to job change: Do we move? When do we move, if we do? And where do we move to?  Questions now on the table. God made it clear by middle of summer for us to stay.  One less stress to think about.  

6. I had decided after two years of praying and planning to step out in faith and enroll to become a Certified “Life Coach”. I registered and plan to start first week in June. Ex Factors…situation of my sister, my mom, and timing of twins being born left me with questions: Should I do this? Will I have to counsel? Will it happen?

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Thanks no. 4:  6 months later I am now an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) going onto certifications with ICF.  Met new friends from different parts of the world.  Making an impact into more peoples lives and being more blessed myself.  (http://www.creativeresultsmanagement.com by Keith Webb)

Thanks no 5 :  I am thankful for our May Sabbath, having time with Jim, the beauty of the place, safe place, tennis, walks each day praying, all were a gift from God.  

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The extended times in Psalms together kept us leaning into Jesus, as David did as he faced difficult situations before him. David was a man after God’s own heart.  

Psalm 27:4 says  “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.

More notes from my journal May 2016:   

Thanks Lord for the hard, and tough times, for your Word and Your Presence. One night late, I couldn’t’ sleep, crying especially for my sister, so I prayed. I sensed a need to pray for Jesus to work against any evil spirits working in these circumstances and for us to see the Spirit of God work miracles, surrendering to whatever God wanted, especially with my sister. As I pray Psalms back to God and remembered my reading also from Acts 19, needing something from God,  it is then I felt God’s hand physically touch me. No one was there but I felt it. I wasn’t afraid. He was reassuring me. God, YOU are still in the business of doing miracles in people’s lives. God I felt in my spirit was saying, “It will all be okay, you can trust me. I will walk with you” Thank you Lord! Peace and thankfulness entered my heart. “Okay Lord, I will keep putting my confidence in YOU!”

PSALM 27:5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.

  1. Thanks no 6 (JULY):  Was able to be a part of  helping Shane move to Virginia to start his masters.                                                                                                                                                                                                     img_5248
  2. My sister Ellen, home again for two weeks. She was able to spend quality time with family and friends.  Also renew her relationship with the Lord. She was miraculously doing so well but however, unexpectedly had a relapse, and we started all over again.                                                                                                                                                                                                       God gave me Psalm 41:3,4: The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. I said, “Have mercy on me, LORD; heal me, for I have sinned against you.” 

Thanks no 7:  Thinking this verse was for my sister’s physical healing, giving me hope, however, later I learned it was for me. Reminding us all that the verses were for her spiritual eternal healing instead. On July 19th, my sister passed away. She is well, and fully healed. Her integrity is intact and she is with the Lord. The Lord prepared the way and we find comfort in this.

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(Sweet Memories: May 19, 1966 – July 19, 2016) 

  1.  Thanks no 8:  Aug 27th, 2017 We rejoice once again our 4th child and youngest daughter, Tiffany and her husband now, Michael Pilkey were married in Tennessee.                                                                                                      img_0239          fullsizerender                                                                     
  1. Thanks no 9: Accepted with another organization Frontier Ventures.  God provides!  More to come on this…..
  2. Thanks no 10: Larry, my brother in law, has consented for now to continue to care for my mom.

Wow! What a summer! How about your summer or even your year 2016?  Can you believe it is Thanksgiving already?  Hope you had a good one? Thought it is time to look back and see God’s hand in my summer story. Much to be thankful for even in the midst of turmoil and unsettledness.  

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(Keep Looking Up With a Thankful Heart)

Personal Reflection:  What rough waters are you going through?  How are you swimming up stream and seeing Jesus in the midst of your storm? Sometimes it is not always so clear but look for things that you can be thankful for. Would love to hear your story or someone else’s story so we can pray for you or praise God with you. Write down your comments in the section “Summer 2016”.

note:  Thanks for reading and please forgive the longer unusual length of this special article.

From One Pilgrim to another together on the journey,

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Consider how you may spur one another on towards love and good deeds….. encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

“Together empowering a movement of mission focus women so that they will see God in their story, bringing hope and an more effective life and ministry”

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