It is hard to know exactly where to start.  I guess I can start with today, and then work my way back...

I took my kids (who are all either taller than I am now, or will be "shortly" -ha!) out to run some errands today, and we had a pretty fun time.  When they are all getting along, it can be such a blessing!  On the very last leg of the journey home, I was just getting into the left turn lane when a truck coming the other direction (going very fast) left his lane and headed right into mine.  I don't even remember "doing" anything, except somehow I had time to honk and swerve to my right--while he swerved back into his lane.  There is no way to explain how neither of us hit any other cars, or were hit by any other cars.  The traffic was very heavy and moving fast, the northbound cars just coming through a green light going probably 45 to 50 mph right there. 

Anyway, I consider it a blessing.

Although it shook me up I was thankful that the Lord kept us safe.  We pray together every time we get in the car, and I pray silently A LOT.  I'm a very nervous driver because the city traffic is horrendous!  I'm also a nervous rider, because I am a control freak.  Just ask my husband.  Never mind, don't ask him.  LOL!

So as we rounded the corner and headed up our street I was pondering how I had time to honk and steer out of the way without getting us killed and one of the kids said the angels must have steered us out of harms way.  I think I'll agree with that!

Just one of many blessings.

We have been working on some projects that require trips to the local thrift stores and fabric stores etc., looking for costume materials and props.  While we were at one particular store, we happened to have some small talk with a dear sweet little lady.  She told me I had a beautiful family.  (They were all getting along very well that day.)  While I was off looking at a dress or something, she approached my oldest daughter and told her that she had a beautiful Mother!  (That made my day.)  Then she insisted on giving her a wad of bills and told her to take me out for lunch.  My daughter tried to resist, but the lady persisted and said that the Lord had blessed Her, and that the Lord was going to bless my family.  I believe He did just then.

I had noticed in the store there, that they had a 50 percent discount for military, and for seniors age 50 and up.  I thought wow, in about a year I am eligible for that!  When I got up to the cashier, she asked me if I "qualified" for any of the discounts and I told her that I would next year.  She said "well, we'll just give you that discount today anyway."  That was a blessing!

Sometimes these kinds of things just happen in clusters.  We seem to be having a cluster of blessings week.

On Monday, a friend called and said she won a ticket to our state homeschool convention.  She already had bought one, and I wasn't planning to go this year but she asked me if I wanted to go now, for free!  Well, that was hard to pass up, so I said yes!  I'm going up with a group of younger ladies.  They think I am a lot of fun.  I told one of them that they were delusional.  :)

I'm excited about the convention because I'll get to see my friend Jen again.  I haven't seen her since we did the Christian Booksellers Convention together...was that 5 years ago?  Gee Whiz.  I need to check on that.  Anyway, she'll be there representing Rosetta Stone. 

There are a lot of trials and tears in our days, but there are blessings in the midst of them.  If you want to go check on the progress of Jessica Hulcy, please do.  You can even donate to her recovery fund!  Go here.  It has been a long week for the Hulcy family, but there have been blessings, many of them. 

We must remember that we are all in the Lord's hands, all the time.  Not just when we are safe, warm, fed, happy, and healthy.  We are in His hands when we are in turmoil, scared, hungry, sad and injured.  The Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever.  No one will ever take us out of His hands.  He won't leave us or forsake us.  But first....are YOU in His hands today?  He is reaching out to you...won't you reach back?  It just takes a small act of your will to say YES to the free gift of salvation He has for you.

Blessings, for sure!

Nancy