Today is Sunday, October 2. Hope you enjoyed my day off from posting yesterday. :) I did... but must admit that it did feel weird. I think it was the first time that neither Ken nor I updated you since the beginning of August. I felt a little lazy. And I didn't do anything productive. I caught up on reading and commenting on a few blogs, watched a little TV, and basically frittered the day away. I guess that's OK once in awhile, right?
I had thought that today was the day that they were going to reduce my steroids again, but ends up that's tomorrow. Or we're "talking about it" at my appointment tomorrow. In the past, I've felt pretty anxious about each reduction... but not so much this time. In fact, today, for the first time in recent history, I didn't even realize that it was time for the 2:00 dose... and usually I'm sitting there for the last hour, waiting for the time to pass so I can take the pill. (I sound like a junkie, don't I?) So, I'm pretty optimistic that if they decide reducing is good idea, that it will go well. I guess we'll know tomorrow. And, if it doesn't go well... no big deal. They can just increase the dose again.
On Friday I mentioned the delicious cinnamon rolls that a friend delivered to us. And, here's what showed up on Saturday...
... a delivery from Charlotte's Polka Dot Bake Shop arranged by a dear blog friend in Illinois. (Thanks so much, Sue! You definitely know what I like! :) )
Then, a little while later we got a call from a former preschool parent (her oldest is now in high school — yikes!), and she wanted to drop by with a little delivery, too.
Actually, the delivery was a little larger... we consumed one of the cupcakes pretty much immediately. These are from a food truck that apparently frequents parts of Charlotte. If you're local and want to check them out you can click here to go to their Facebook page. The cupcakes that were delivered to us were all filled with jam or cream. So yummy! (Thanks, Karen! Loved seeing you and catching up a bit!)
We'll move on to scripture now. I had two days worth of readings to choose from and the passages that I'm sharing with you are from yesterday's selections.
Isaiah 62:6-7a
"O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord. Give the Lord no rest until he completes his work,..."
I have loved this portion of scripture for years and have found it to be a great comfort during difficult times. It encourages me to persist in prayer. To enlist the help of other prayer warriors. And I really like how it says, "Give the Lord no rest until he completes his work." I think that a lot of time we don't keep at our prayers. But remember the widow in the New Testament that kept annoying the king with her request until he finally gave her justice? (Luke 18:1-8) Well, I try to keep that in mind when I don't feel like I'm being heard or when I want to give up. Both the Old and New Testament tell us to keep at it — so do you think the Lord is trying to tell us something?
Then, later in Isaiah...
Isaiah 65:24
"I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!"
And this scripture I love because I know that sometimes God is calling me to persist and to keep at my prayers. And other times, He just grants the deepest desires of my heart without me even consciously breathing a prayer. What a great God!
Now, I know that those seem rather contradictory. And they may make God seem sort of capricious in our human way of thinking. But I'm OK with God being God and making His decisions for my life. I will persist in prayer — begging Him for help like the widow did with the king. I'll give the Lord no rest. But I'll also accept His decisions as His plan for my life.
Now I have a little something crafty for you.
The last time I showed you some cards that I made to give to people when they brought food for us. Well, here are a couple more designs for those special thank you cards.
SHOW
Very simple one layer cards. I'm pretty sure that I recently received a similar card and was going to credit the person who gave it to me, but I can't find the card on my wall display — so, if you gave me a card that looked something like this... thanks for the inspiration!
AND TELL: stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Year of Flowers: Violet); cardstock is cheap white; ink is Stampin' Up (Mauve Mist, Pale Plum, Orchid Opulence, Cool Caribbean, Pool Party, Soft Sky) and PTI (True Black).
And, once again, I'm running late. But so is CBS — so I may watch some Extreme Makeover Home Edition and then switch over to get my weekly dose of The Amazing Race.
Hope all is well with you, that you have had a great weekend, and that your coming week is full of promise and blessings. Thanks so much for stopping by for a little visit — I love hearing from you!
Janelle, man 'o man, seems like every time you open the door there are treats on your doorstep :) you are certainly loved by many! And, yes, you're allowed a day off, glad you gave yourself a "lazy day", we all need those once in a while...As a matter of fact, I usually take one a week..typically on Monday. This week my lazy day might be Tuesday, cuz I have a couple errands to run tomorrow. Anyway, hope you have a great day tomorrow...will be praying that you do well when they lower your steroids. Looking foward to reading about it tomorrow night :)
((((hugs))))
Posted by: Jen Griffith | 10/02/2011 at 08:44 PM
I was so glad you told us on Friday not to worry if you didn't post on Saturday--because that way, when there was no post, I could tell myself, "Janelle is having a nice, relaxing, fun weekend." Your cards are so pretty--I love one-layer cards! Still praying about the steroid reduction--it was a good sign you weren't waiting on the 2:00 dose. Blessings and strength and healing--
Posted by: Sharon D | 10/02/2011 at 09:06 PM
Hi, I have to admit for a quick second I did worry, then I remembered you said you might take the day from your update. I don't blame you . The snacks look good . Sorry your team did not win today, it was close though. Glad you had a nice weekend. Take care.
Posted by: Marybeth L. | 10/02/2011 at 09:30 PM
Glad to hear from you, and so happy you had a good day. Those cards are beautiful, and it's good to know that you are not suffering from a lack of sweets. Such beautiful confections you are receiving.
Posted by: Joyce M. | 10/02/2011 at 10:40 PM
Oops--forgot to sign off--Hugs from San Diego.
Posted by: Joyce M. | 10/02/2011 at 10:41 PM
Oh, Janelle! I'm soooo happy you had a great weekend!! I can actually feel your enthusiasm :) And what delicious treats!! I know I would not be able to resist! What beautiful scriptures and what beautiful thoughts about God...sounds like you're going with the flow today...just let it all flow!! Hugs to you and Ken :)
Posted by: Maureen Plut | 10/02/2011 at 10:42 PM
Hi Janele- I know the lord is grateful to have you for his child, he knows how precious you are. You are a mighty encourager.Reading your blogs daily is truly blessing many. Thank you. See u soon.
Posted by: Shirley Hunter | 10/03/2011 at 01:44 AM
You are very much loved Janelle - not only by God but also by your friends and neighbours as well as people all over the world who haven't even met you! I'm glad you had a relaxed weekend and hope your appointment goes well today.
Posted by: Vicky | 10/03/2011 at 02:41 AM
I, too, was glad that you had mentioned that you might take Saturday off. I'm so glad you were able to enjoy the day. Praying for the steroid reduction. Love you my friend.
Posted by: SueB | 10/03/2011 at 03:42 AM
Oh wow Janelle those cup cakes look wonderful!! Glad you had a nice weekend! Sending prayers with the reduction of steroids. Your cards are beautiful!!
Posted by: Jessie McLaughlin | 10/03/2011 at 06:41 AM
Now I realized that by scrolling all the way down - I can post a comment - so good seeing you in church yesterday - I so appreciate Isaiah 62 - persisting unto the Lord - giving no rest until He answers us - That is My God - I can keep coming and coming - I find that very comforting
Posted by: Jan Konetchy | 10/03/2011 at 07:37 AM
We were just talking about the power of prayer in our Life Group yesterday. What a great verse to use along with what we were studying. Glad you had a relaxing weekend. Praying for you.
Posted by: Chris R | 10/03/2011 at 04:10 PM
Why is it that every time I finish reading your blog I go off in search of cake?? :)
I like those one layer cards and especially that sentiment stamp.
Posted by: Jen W. | 10/05/2011 at 08:54 AM