iona's blog 8/28 - 9/3/2005

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Sunday, August 28, 2005

Normally FBC has two Sunday services, but once a month there is a "combined" service, and I love that. Today's Sunday School class, church service and pot luck meal were delightful!

Sadly, I still suffer some side effects from my head injury and was pretty much out of commission by late afternoon so missed the evening service and concert in the park. Likewise, this blog is also cut short. I still praise God for what I can do. Tomorrow is another day.

Monday, August 29, 2005

Monday, Monday... I hate that day
Do you recall that old song from the Mamas & Papas? Some folks hate Mondays. I usually like them fine. Monday.. a day to make new work week starts. A defining day in the secular arena. Having prepared ourselves spiritually the day before, we sally forth on Monday to make an impact on the world... No? Not quite.

While the spiritual enrichment of corporate worship, Sunday School and fellowship with other believers is vital, we need a more constant form of spiritual fuel, an ongoing supply, as it were. So for me, Monday, like all other days must start with prayer and prayer must be my ongoing attitude throughout the day.

So Monday is an okay day... It's even a wonderful day that the Lord has made and may I always rejoice in each Monday He sends my way. But this particular Monday has not been my best. In fact, I didn't make it through my two scheduled therapies today... I didn't get anything much done at all.

After finishing all my testing, one doctor warned me - several times... "Choose wisely where you will spend your time and energy because you will pay a price for each thing you undertake." I find that to indeed be true. Case in point Sunday afternoon through Monday evening.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

As you know if you have visited my blog pages before, this is a new look. Pastor Rob dubs me The Epicenter's newest blogger, and indeed it was through my home church, First Baptist of Galt (The Epicenter) that I was led to put this blog online. But my original blog pages did not match the style of the church web site.

Even though I suspect many of my readers linked in from various of my other pages, etc. and are not associated with FBC, I don't want folks coming here from FBC to think they are lost when they reach my blog pages! Sooo, I built this simulated FBC page. It's sort of like the originals, but still not quite.

Being slow like I am, it took me most of the day to redo the blog page and archives. I did get to visit the Vine & Branches Christian Bookstore this afternoon, though. Very nice! Both Richard & I were impressed.

As I worked today, I watched TV recaps and news about Hurricane Katrina. And I prayed. Now, as I type this, I am still praying and watching. I know so many people in the south, in the areas hit... along the gulf coast. My son David may have been in New Orleans when the storm hit. The last we knew, he was there. We've had no word from him since the storm. We continue to pray. We ask you to pray as well... for David and for all those who have been "hit" by Katrina and her aftermath.

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

David Bills - Have You Seen Him?
I have been watching Katrina coverage almost non-stop, hoping to see David and praying for him and everyone who is effected by this disaster. In my heart of hearts, I believe David would have left when warnings were issued... but the hard truth is, I just do not know for sure.

David is a special case. I doubt he would think of calling to let us know how he is. David was diagnosed with Autism at age 6. He was "committed" by the state of Utah because social workers and teachers assumed his fascination with shiny things, including knives, meant he was dangerous. Autism was grossly misunderstood in those days and people tend to fear what they do not understand... even a little six-year old boy! So, even though we filed appeals, and lost, David spent most of his childhood in a state mental hospital.

Now, David is a man, 43 years old. He loves his freedom and has wandered all over the country making his "living" as a street clown. He has a special talent making amazing things with balloons. His favorite place to be is New Orleans and he seems to return to the "Big Easy" after his trips to other areas. He left Utah in May and has supposedly been in New Orleans since then.

He was in Florida for a time last year but left because of frequent hurricanes, one of which he "rode out," but said he never would do that again! Hence my belief that David would have fled before the storm hit New Orleans.

Another ray of hope is that David's favorite area of the city was the French Quarter and the area around Bourbon Street. It looks on TV like this area might have been one of relative safety during the storm. At least the buildings are still standing.

I have been unable to find out if there is an information clearinghouse yet to help folks locate loved ones or even find a list of the known dead or injured... not yet and maybe not for a long time. So, we pray. We watch all sorts of news coverage. We hope you will pray with us, for prayer and faith in GOD is what will get us through.

It is especially comforting to know that there are loving family, friends, members of our church families (present and past) and internet visitors who are praying with us and who care that we are hurting right now. Thank you all!

Thursday, September 1, 2005

The Power of Prayer
I am ever amazed at the Lord whose mercies continue even in the face of my weakness or worry. I cannot contain the news any longer... DAVID IS SAFE!!!!!

Yes, so many of you prayed, and God responded quickly and in a wondrous way. David called his older brother and is safe in Rogers, Arkansas. He had fled New Orleans the day before the storm hit.

Only those who know David would understand why it is God's hand that prompted the call. I will simply thank you all for your prayers (so powerful) and God for His loving kindness... and then I will sleep for maybe a week!

Another praise report: The Women of Grace met for the first time today, and all went well. I am so honored to work with such a lovely group of ladies! The Lord calmed my spirit and enabled me to focus on our new Small Group. I am truly excited about what the Lord is going to do in us and through us... I can't wait to see His handiwork in our lives.

But for now, I am in dire need of sleep.

Hope to see some of you in church tomorrow. I'll be up front as usual. If you don't see me, look on the floor, I may have dozed off... doubtful. Our music and Pastor Rob's preaching is just too good to sleep through!

Saturday, September 3, 2005

Prayer Vigil
I am and have been on what I call a Prayer Vigil. Filling my head and heart with the plight of those whose lives have been so devastated by Katrina and her aftermath, I pray through the lonely watches of the night when I know these hurting people need it most.

In the midst of my sleep fast, I find I can hear God's call and I am prepared to answer because, although completely unqualified or unworthy in my own right, He will suit me to the task. But I must admit when I first heard His still, small voice, I tried to think is was not really what He wanted...

We will begin making arrangements to place refugees in our house in Dothan, AL. There are already refugees from the coast in our old home town. They need homes. We have one... It's really God's house anyway. We will offer free rent for a while and then offer a rent to own deal if they want... We'll let God lead the way.

Also, I am awaiting God's final word to me about going out as a Red Cross Disaster Relief Worker. It is not something I had considered until the Lord began nudging me and reminding me that I need to be available to His call, no matter what, when or where. That is what I have long desired... If He opens that door, I am going through it!

If you are in good health, have no physical mobility problems and can spare three weeks to live in primitive conditions, perhaps with few supplies, sleeping on cots, visit the Red Cross site and sign up for a training class (one day). You'll know if God is calling you to do this... or if He needs you to stay right where you are, doing equally important work for Him at home.

So, now on my sixth night prayer vigil, I find that I am the one most blessed. So there may be some changes in plans... I'll leave that in God's hands... He's a mover and a shaker!

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