A little perspective, part 4

After crying out to God, hearing His words to me, and then my heart-cry prayer, I was exhausted. By that time it was nearing 2 am. I stepped out of the Suburban for a breath of air before I curled up in the back to sleep, and the Lord blessed me with one of the most awe-inspiring sites available to us in Northern Oregon - a clear night's sky, filled with billions of sparkling stars, completely unhindered by any man-made lights from shining their brightest!

What a brilliant reminder that the God who breathed out the stars and set the heavens into place, was more than able to hold me together and bring me back to a restored relationship with Him!


In the morning I awoke to the sound of the rushing river, and the sun softly glowing just below the eastern ridge-line. I sat at the picnic table refreshed, and I penned these words:

"August 4, 2009

You are the lifter of my head. Your lovingkindness is better than life and I will praise You, my lips will praise You.

You are with me always. Matt. 28-20

All things work together for good to those who love You. Romans 8:28

Greater is He who is in me that he who is in the world. I John 4:4

Thank You for restoring peace to my soul!"

God has faithfully worked in me since that night, and He has made me new. I am completely changed and I live for His glory!

A little perspective, part 2

It was mid-July, 2009, and Charles was again being charged with all sorts of infractions and insubordinations.

And I was mad at God.
I felt like a little girl throwing a temper tantrum, held safely in Daddy's arms, beating her fists on His chest, yelling her anger at the injustice.

This time I pursued Him in the solitude of the mountains and rivers. On August 3rd, 2009, I took a long drive, with no real destination in site, but needing to get away from the Hatchery and finally give God a chance to talk to me.

I drove up Mt. Hood, checking out the sites as I went. The view from Timberline was amazing, but unfulfilling. The view of the Mountain from Summit Meadows was breathtaking, but only briefly. Finally I quit puttering around and just asked the Lord to show me where to drive.

I followed Hwy. 35 around the Mountain and north toward the town of Hood River. Just after having crossed the East Fork of the Hood River, I came to a small, unimproved campground, Nottingham by name. I pulled in, hungry for peace for my soul, and the campground was right on the river, so I thought I might find refreshment there.

The Lord is faithful, ever faithful and I praise Him!

There were only a couple other people in the whole campground, and most of them chose the northern loop to stay in. Only one family was camped in the southern loop, and I chose a beautiful spot backed right up to the river, all blanketed in fine gray/black sand.

There were no distractions as all I had with me was a sweatshirt, the big picnic blanket that's always in the back of the Suburban, a big water bottle, my Bible and notebook, and some CD's. I sat at the picnic table, listening to the rushing water, watching the sun set behind the mountain. Then, driven into the Suburban by the mosquitoes, I put in a CD, picked up my notebook and started organizing my thoughts.

I cried out to God and He spoke to me. I heard His answers in the songs on the CD. I read His comfort to me in His Holy Word. I felt His presence as I poured out my heart to Him... and then I just listened.