Psalm 121:8

Is your sword being sharpened? Are you ready for battle?

Today is the last day for our memorization of Psalm 121. Eight verses! I must confess that I am still working on yesterday's. I copied the chapter on a piece of paper so I could read it whilst out on the lawnmower for over four hours; however, I forgot I had it in my pocket until after I came back into the house. haha.

So, today and tomorrow I can concentrate a bit more on it. Probably tonight I'll work harder on it since I have a bridal shower to attend this afternoon. (Best wishes, Helen!)





Without further delay, let's bring on verse eight.





Psalm 121 (NIV)
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Nice to know, eh?... that the Lord watches over our coming and going. Not just today, but FOR-E-VER-MORE! That's a loooooong time, folks. God's got your back... and your front... and your sides... and overtop... and underneath... You're fully covered.

I'll let you know what chapter I'm going to work on next. I should probably spend some time polishing Psalm 139.... I'm still having trouble with a couple of verses. But for a few days, I'll continue working on Psalm 121, getting it etched in my brain. ANY memorizing of the Scriptures that we do will sharpen our swords for battle.





The fight before the victory.... are you ready for battle?

Psalm 121:7

And moving right along...... haha





Sorry about the delay in getting these last two verses posted. With Blake's hospital trips and tests this week, along with everything else that's been thrown my way, I'm just a bit behind. (Just ask the lawn! It's about a foot tall!) But, pressing on, we will complete this chapter by tomorrow.





How are you doing at it? If you haven't been joining me since the beginning of our memorization, might I suggest you tackle this chapter, Psalm 121. It's not difficult at all. I can't believe how many times I've quoted it this week, to simply ease my mind and keep me from worrying. We don't know what lies ahead of us on the 'road of life'; but we can be assured that God is still God and is still on the throne.... He is keeping us from all harm and watching over our lives, even when we can't see what's around the next bend.





Psalm 121 (NIV)
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life;





What a good, reassuring verse. No need to worry.... He's watching.





The fight before the victory.... let's get ready for battle.

Praying for my Blake

Ooopsie... my apologies.....

I have fallen just a tad behind on the Scripture memorization. I should have posted verses for yesterday and today, which would have completed our whole chapter of Psalm 121.


.....BUT.......


Sometimes life has a way of changing directions unexpectedly.


Jon and I had a wonderful weekend away with our "adopted son" Justin and his family. It was a well-deserved relaxed weekend for us, and it wasn't NEAR long enough!



We arrived home around 1am on Monday and my week started off with a "bang". I ended up spending the afternoon with Blake in the emergency department of our local hospital. His health has been "not so good" the last year, but rapidly taking a turn for the worse in the last month or so.


A particular symptom caused me some concern, and I felt it needed to be attended to..... so, since our own doctor was not in her office, off to the emergency department we went. Then we found out why she wasn't in her office.... she was on duty at the hospital. That was a blessing because we did not need to explain everything to a different doctor.



She ordered MORE bloodwork (Blake has been poked with a needle too many times to count in the last year!) and also ordered an x-ray for some back pain that Blake was experiencing. The bloodwork came back fine and the x-ray came back fine. She said the symptom that he was having could possibly be addressed with a test being completed the following day.




.... which brings us to today.


Today Blake had an appointment for a gastroscopy in a city about 45 mintues away from our home. My poor little boy looked so sick laying on that gurney.




The set up at today's hospital was similar to the above photo that I pulled from the internet.




I spoke with the specialist after the scope was completed, and he indicated all looked well. However, he'd like to set up an appointment to do another scope..... in the other end.


You can imagine Blake's enthusiasm with that announcement! Actually, he was still suffering from the anesthetic and was basically stoned, so I don't think it really completely dawned on him at that point. haha Poor kid has been loopy all afternoon! He told me the story about the I.V. four times! At least it was accurate each time. haha.


So, please pray for my firstborn! Yesterday he finally realized that he is NOT healthy enough to travel to the east coast for school in September. The look on his face nearly broke my heart. My eyes welled up with tears, and I called Jon into the room. I explained the situation and the new symptom Blake was experiencing, and Jon started to well-up, too. It's a very scary time, that's for sure.




The doctor has confirmed that white cell counts are perfect; he is right in the middle of the range. Thank you, Lord. Hemoglobin is just fine as well.


Blake is frustrated that they just can't take an x-ray or an ultrasound and find the problem. I've tried to tell him that it just doesn't work like that. I have faith in our doctor (yes, I have faith in our Lord as well); our doctor is aware that Blake's health is not good. A 19-year-old boy should not lose over 40 pounds unexplainably. He had no extra weight to lose in the first place!





Please pray for my Blakey.

*Pray that tests will move along at a quick rate of time.

*Pray that he is able to keep eating.

*Pray that the pain in his stomach and back are less intense.

*Pray that this new symptom will not get worse.

*Pray that he gets more energy and is not so fatigued.

*Pray that he is not too disappointed about starting college a few months later than planned.



Blake is trusting in our Lord and Saviour to heal him. He's frustrated with tests and medications, but he knows that God is Sovereign and is our Healer.

Remember our Scripture of Psalm 121? It tells us that our help comes from the Lord. He's made heaven and earth; He won't let our foot slip; He watches over us and doesn't slumber; He'll keep us from all harm; He will watch over our life.

Guess He directed me to just the right chapter at just the right time, eh?

We'll get back on track here soon, folks, with the memorizing. Until then, review! Keep going! Keep memorizing!

And pray for my boy. Thanks.

Psalm 121:6

Today I am out of town at a friend's wedding, but that doesn't mean we slack on the Scripture memorization, folks!

Keep memorizing! Keep praying! Keep asking the Holy Spirit to help you retain what you've learned.

Day 8's verse is:

Psalm 121 (NIV)
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

Yesterday's verse was "shade"; today it's "sun & moon". Let those visuals help you remember.

The fight before the victory.... let's get ready for battle.

Wedding Bells

I am excited about going out of town tomorrow to a new friend's wedding.






Summers are always busy times for weddings, but this is my first one for this year. And it's a little different than your average wedding, because the bride and groom have been married for 25 years.







Happy Anniversary, Terry & Susan







They have decided to renew their wedding vows for their Silver Anniversary. When they were married 25 years ago, Susan said they got married by the Justice of the Peace. She has always wanted the church wedding with the gown, so now she gets her wish.








Terry and Susan are the parents of "my adopted son" Justin.





(What a nut!)




Justin lived with us for a while during the late winter/early spring this year, as he was working on a job site in the area with Jon. He's such a funny kid.....



Sorry, Justin, I meant to say "funny young man"..... and I meant funny as in "funny-ha-ha", not "funny-weird"..... although you can be odd by times..... not odd in a bad way...... uhhhhhhhh.... you know what I mean.




We are looking forward to spending some time with "our boy" and getting to know Terry and Susan on a more personal level, as opposed to just our few chats on the phone.

And the ceremony is in a little white church in the country. How beautiful it's going to be!

Psalm 121:5

Do you realize we have memorized HALF of this chapter already?







It's only eight verses, so I knew it wouldn't take long. But how exciting that we've halfway reached our goal!





So, here we are on Day 7; and we're working on Verse #5 today of Psalm 121.





Psalm 121 (NIV)
5 The LORD watches over you — the LORD is your shade at your right hand;






And with all this humidity, man oh man, have we ever needed shade! So that might help in remembering this verse.





We are working our way to getting God's Word in our heads.... don't stop now. And if you haven't started...... git goin'! This is a fairly easy chapter for beginners!





The fight before the victory.... let's get ready for battle.

Psalm 121:4

'
Today I feel as though I've been run through the ol' wringer washer.
'



'
I woke up with a terrible wicked migraine that, I believe, set my stomach churning. I thought I was getting a stomach flu; however, after sleeping the whole day.....
'

Yes, you read that right......

'
the whole day...........

'
....I am feeling a lot better. Mr. Migraine has turned into Miss Headache, so I'm sure I'll soon be coming around. I think it's because of the drastic change in humidity today. Even though it went from a sickening humidity to a much fresher day today, the sudden change affects me drastically.



'
'
'
OK, enough about that. On to bigger and better things.

'
I am posting Verse #4 today of Psalm 121.


'
'
Psalm 121 (NIV)
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.


'
'
What an appropriate verse for ME today! Isn't it wonderful that the Lord never dozes off or falls into some deep sleep and leaves us hanging on our own?
'

He---does---not---sleep! He is always watching over us.

'
I slept all day today, only up a few times to answer the phone or visit the Little Girls Room. Other than that, I remember hardly anything of the day. I was zonked out. I slightly remember Jared returning from his job and I remember Jake cooking us up some lunch. That's it.

'
Our Lord is not like that. He remembers it all because He does not slumber nor sleep. He's on duty, watching over us. 24/7.

'
What a comfort.

'
The fight before the victory..... let's get ready for battle.
'

Psalm 121:3

We are already on Day 4 of our Scripture memorization of Psalm 121. Yesterday was review day and today we are working on Verse 3.




Psalm 121 (NIV)
3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;






I'm going to have to crack the whip on myself to stay at this. I always have such good intentions when I start at something, but somewhere along the line I get sidetracked.

Keep me on track, folks! Hold me accountable for what I'm doing here!

But I know this is a project that the Lord is happy about. Why wouldn't He be overjoyed that His children are learning His Word......

C'mon along for the ride. It's not too late to start (Janna!).





Now I'm off to clean the kitchen and work on some laundry... all the while quoting Verse #3. Won't you join me?





hahaha... feel free to help me with the kitchen clean-up and laundry; but I was more referring to the memorization of Verse #3.





The fight before the victory..... let's get ready for battle.

Psalm 121:2 ~ The Fight Before The Victory ~ Let's Get Ready For Battle

And moving right along to Verse #2 of Psalm 121.....



Psalm 121 (NIV)
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.



How did you do yesterday with Verse #1? Get it memorized?

I hope so.


Today is Verse #2, and tomorrow will be a review of Verses 1 & 2.


So.... shall we get crackin' on Verse #2?








The fight before the victory..... let's get ready for battle.

Psalm 121:1 ~ The Fight Before The Victory ~ Let's Get Ready For Battle

You may recall this post where I threw out a challenge for you to exercise your brains with me. I have decided that today is the day I'm gonna get crackin' on Psalm 121.


So, dear fellow eager-to-learn Christians, might I suggest that you pull up your socks and we'll give that ol' cranium a workout?




OK, pulling up socks might not be a good idea right now.... too humid for wearing sockies. But you get where I'm goin', eh?.......


So, I'll be memorizing Psalm 121. Today, August 15th, will be Verse #1, which is:



Psalm 121 (New International Version)
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?




Then tomorrow we'll do Verse #2, then Monday will be a review of Verses 1 & 2. OK? That's not too hard. Then we'll keep taking these baby steps until we're done the chapter. Only eight verses.... that's not very many, really. Psalm 119 has 176 verses, so now quit your whining before I flip back two chapters!





I just feel like today I have some mental, physical, and spiritual battles going on (gee, I'm a wreck!) and I need to get more of His Word in me so I've got some armour and weapons when the fiery arrows get thrown at me.





Are you having a good day today? GREAT. That's wonderful.





However, the fiery arrows are heading your way soon. You're either coming out of a trial, you're in one, or you're heading for one. So you need to be ready. I'm not being pessimistic here, which is my humanly natural first instinct; however, I'm being realistic. We will have some battles to fight before this life is over and we go to be with Jesus. Today I'm just cheesed enough and in the right mood that I want to say to that ol' devil, "Bring it on!". But I'm not quite that stupid. I need to get ready for battle, ready for war.





Come battle with me. Psalm 121:1.





Read it.





Say it out loud.





Memorize it.





The fight before the victory...... let's get ready for battle.

Let the Name of the LORD be Praised

'

Let the name of the LORD be praised,
both now and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised.
The LORD is exalted over all the nations,
his glory above the heavens.

Psalm 113:2-4

As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
Psalm 42:1-2a

The birds of the air nest by the waters;
they sing among the branches.
He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;
the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
Psalm 104:12-13

Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net
that was let down into the lake
and caught all kinds of fish.
When it was full,
the fishermen pulled it up on the shore.
Then they sat down
and collected the good fish in baskets,
but threw the bad away.
Matthew 13:47-48

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favour and honour;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.
Psalm 84:11-12

You care for the land and water it;
you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it.
Psalm 65:9

Let the name of the LORD be praised,
both now and forevermore.

All photos by Michelle Found
Point Petre, Prince Edward County
Gull Pond, Prince Edward County

Update on Soccer Tournament 2009

Today was "do or die".





Jake started off our day at 9am with a win in the semi-finals. He was to play again in the afternoon..... more info on that in a minute......





Jackson and Fraser's game was at 10am, but they were unsuccessful in scoring any goals against the other team and were defeated. Done for this season. Good job, little yellow Timbits. (Oooopsie Update - my sister just informed me today (Aug 10) that the boys actually DID score a goal.... it was 2-1. She said I should ensure that I get my facts straight before going to print. Well, if I knew she actually did read my blog, without me having to TELL her to read it, then I might be more accurate on the info! Feel free to proofread anytime, Wannetty!) :O)





Bruce lost both of his games yesterday so he was automatically out of today's games. Sorry, Bruce. Great defence, buddy.





Jared played at noon, but just as the whistle sounded for 1/2 time, everyone was instructed to go to their cars but remain at the fields and not go home. The thunder clouds had moved in and it started to pour! They can play in the rain, but not in the lightning. After a half-hour wait, the lightning moved on, the rains let up a bit, and it was "game on". Unfortunately, they could not overcome the opposing team and lost. Good try, guys & gals.





So we hung around the field for a couple of hours watching friends play from other teams, then watched Jake play for the final game of the day. Games were all an hour behind this afternoon because of the weather and also because of a fantastic shoot out between two teams in the Under 13 division. Shoot outs are always intense! (Matt, how do you spell intense? tee-hee)





So Jacob and his team worked hard and........





drum roll please.....................











THEY WON!!!!!!





First place!





Congrats to Jake and his team of navy blue!





It was fun to watch everyone play from May to August. I am now exhausted, sunburned, have a migraine moving in, (and I didn't even play!) and am actually disappointed (somewhat) that the season is over. Nine more months and we start all over again!





I'm very proud of my boys (and my nephews) in their accomplishments in soccer. You guys are very entertaining to watch, and no mom is more proud than me.

Soccer Tournament 2009

THIS is soccer weekend.




WE are tired.




WE are sunburned.




but.....




WE love it.






Jake and Jared are involved in House League Soccer, as well as my nephews (Bruce, Jackson, and Fraser).





Today (Saturday) all teams in all divisions were guaranteed two games. Working with a point system, the teams with the highest points move on to tomorrow to semi-finals and finals.




Looks like Bruce gets to put his feet up tomorrow and just watch his brother, Fraser, play. Bruce's team worked hard today; however, they lost both their games. This knocks them out of play, but he can return to try again in only nine short months! (Believe me, it will be here in no time).




The other boys move on to play again on Sunday morning. Finals will be in the afternoon, if they make it. Unfortunately this means we must play hookey from church and we'll miss the Youth Service (sorry Blake).




The Lord held off the rains for us today.... we'll see what Sunday's weather holds in store for us........ Anyways, here's lots of photos of our day.

Michelle watching the games.

Jared watching Jake's first game..... don't think he's quite awake yet.

Jake (in the Under 19's), with Katelyn (centre of photo) setting up a plan in Game #1 of the day.

Jake completing a "throw in".

Scott and Jake after their first win of the day.

Jared (in the Under 16's) playing goalie at his first game, which ended in a no-score game. A tie (Zero to Zero!).

And just how ADORABLE is THIS? Jake is sitting with team-mate Mallory...... sharing an I-Pod as they await their next game...... ahhhhhhhhhhh. I just COULDN'T resist taking a snap of THIS!

She is a cutie (and has the prettiest eyes!), and she's a darn fine soccer player as well!

Scott, Brad, Jake, & Mallory.

Bruce is in a different league than Jake, of course, but they have the same coloured shirts. He had jumped on Jake's shoulders and I noticed the number sequence.

Bruce and Jake.

'

'

Speaking of number sequence, here is Jared (#20) with his two best friends (as well as our "adopted sons") Matthew (#18) and Christopher (#19). This photo was taken earlier in the season. Matt & Chris were at a baseball tournament today and couldn't make the soccer tournament.... hopefully they'll be available for semi-finals tomorrow! (Boys... get your priorities straight! [wink, wink])

'

Three VERY proud soccer moms! Me (centre) with my two sisters, Wannett (left) and Danielle (right).

'

'

A very kind person donated ice cream cones to all the soccer players as well as any parents who wanted a little treat. Here are Fraser and Beulah (my nickname for my niece, Celia) decorating their faces with vanilla ice cream.

'

'

Jackson sat not too far away enjoying his cone as well.

'

'

Carley, my niece, enjoying HER tasty treat.

Jackson actually looked like he had a moustache.

'

'

Jake's team was in need of a goalie for Game #2. Their regular goalie was out of town and their second goalie had to work in the afternoon, so Jared filled in. He did spectacular. A little while later, the second goalie showed up (her boss was kind enough to let her slip out of work for a while).

Jared (third from right) as goalie for Jake's team in Game #2.

'

'

Jake (third from left) getting ready to score another goal in Game #2. He said he's made 25 goals this season.

Jared (centre of field, wearing white socks) was required to play more time even though the other goalie showed up. The referee said he must play equal time in the second half as he did in the first. That was a rule that no one else had heard of, but Jared certainly didn't mind getting some extra time on the field. Jake's team won this game and so they move on to semi-finals on Sunday.

'

Fraser and Jackson awaiting their second game.

Bruce coming off the field for a water break from all that hard, fast running! He had just finished eating a red popsicle at half time, so that's why he looks like he's wearing lipstick!

Jared (white socks) at his second game. A win! Off to semi-finals on Sunday.

This lady's name is Nancy. (She actually is a fantastic nurse and was in the delivery room for both Blake and Jacob's deliveries. She was supposed to be around for Jared's delivery too, but was on maternity leave with her own son and she selfishly would not come back to work to bring Jared into the world. I have, since, forgiven her.... well, not quite, but almost.....I'm tellin' ya, she's a great nurse!). I couldn't resist taking a snap of her new Golden Retriever puppy, Bella, who was zonked out for part of the game.

Bella woke up when I moved in for a close-up. Isn't she ADORABLE?

'

'

Well, that's it for photos, folks. I can't believe how long this post has taken me.... I started about two hours ago! I'll do an update tomorrow on how everyone placed in the finals.

'

Part of me is disappointed that the season has come to an end, but I'm reminded of that verse in Ecclesiastes 3 where there is a time for everything. And once soccer is done, there will be a time for supper meals at the table again; there'll be a time for saving all that gas money from trips to town two and three and four times a week; there will be a time of no more stinky soccer cleats; there will be no more times of hearing, "Is my soccer uniform clean?"........

'

And there will be seasons of memories that I will cherish.

'

I'm proud of you, boys, and I love you dearly. XO

'