Swirling--

and not the dance kind of swirling.  I so wanted to go see my sister today after her having had another cardiac arrest last Saturday.  Cost of airfare was too much for me--twice that of the ticket I purchased for my trip next week.  I chose not to cough it up, maybe the wrong decision.  My other sister has been the rock--again--and has been our strength in our family trouble times.  She took care of Mom and Dad while I sat back this long distance away wishing I were there to help.  It seems distance has always been the barrier.  It's been two years since I've even seen my sisters.  We connected over the past year on facebook, shared pictures and messages.  It was good
 She was about to retire from teaching--next year.  It has been "next year" for about three years now.  She won't have a choice now, if she makes it to retirement.  It's notable that God seems to bring things to a halt, make us take a good look at our lives and realize how negligent we've been with our loved ones.  Why does it take a tragedy to do this?  I don't like to talk on the phone and I'm super bad about not communicating with another, even my family.  My daughter is the one to whom I go every day (besides God) and it's mainly because she contacts me.  I'm happy with my hole in the wall doing my little "ministry things," such as they are.
Another thing I noticed about this happening in our family now--Bill's going to Senegal next week.  Why do the bad things happen the few weeks before such commiting trips?  The evil one has his hand in everything good and tries to stir up our faith.  He succeeds more than I'd like to admit.  I was expecting some warfare but nothing like this.  I was alerted to it during my Bible reading sessions and sermons from speakers and my pastor.  Everytime someone uses Psalm 23 in their messages, I take notice.  Last year about this time, Bill was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  I was actually getting bored with the number of times that scripture was being used--Tricia's Bible study, Joel's sermon, a visiting pastor's sermon, my daily email devotion(s)--and all during a two-week period.  This year was the same--and this happened. 
I am grateful to be here, though, and able to help my friend this week by taking her to therapy sessions.  I had committed this month to her and I've already had to break my commitment by making plans for next week.  She has many friends who can help but some of them are physically down now, too.  More church members are sick and I go back to the stirring of the "evil pot."  I just will not let him get me down.  My trust is in the Lord God Almighty.  He's the one who can make everything right.
I was so glad to see you, T, at church yesterday.  Your hug made my day.  Hearing and seeing A's new baby helped a lot, too.  Though it was difficult keeping my mind focused, I enjoyed the sermon and the music, plus we had two baptisms.  And I think I have it bad--one of those has to go back to Uganda and face her M husband and family.  Everything in perspective, I guess.  Spouting is over.  Working has come.  "Keep on keeping on" is the mantra for the day.  "Prayers and Thanksgiving"-- the order of the day.  Amen.