Adoption Finalized, Sudden Sorrow, & Prayer Requests

I haven't shared anything on here for awhile, but I am still alive!

An Adoption Finalized 

I was happy to see that the adoption story that I've been following finally is complete. It was wonderful that they didn't have to wait until next year after all!

Sudden Sorrow

I heard a sobering yet encouraging message by Don Green this Sunday that is something that I believe could be both sobering and encouraging for many people. 

I plan to put the link with the title on here when/if they get it online (see update).

I remember how the Trusting God in Trying Times series made a difference to some people who listened, and I think that this one was good too.

Even when the hurricane of sudden trials comes upon you, there is still hope, though it has been obscured by the present trial.The sun may behind a cloud, but it is still there.
Earthly darkness cannot quench the Heavenly light which is in Christ.
(This was from listening to Don Green..not perfectly the way he said it.) 

Update: All You Need & So Much More 8/30/2020 message by Don Green.

Prayer Requests:

A family member is scheduled for a serious surgery this week which means it would involve a few days in the hospital if all goes well.

I would appreciate Christians praying for us.

Please also continue to pray for Grace Community Church and other churches like them who are facing difficulty from health and state leaders.  

Grace's next scheduled court date hearing is September 4th.

Difficult Times

I've been going through a low time lately which has been both sad and stressful. 
There are times when a person feels they cannot face going through a difficult time,
and all I felt I could do is pray for God to help me at first. 
I didn't even want to do much more than that for awhile.   I did my usual Bible reading, but I wanted to shrink back in fear and from hurt. 
I'm still struggling, but after some days I did read some more from Words of Cheer by Charles Spurgeon which was helpful...as well as some Bible verses. 
It will take time to heal, and I may continue to avoid some things for my emotional well-being (not out of anger or bitterness thankfully).

I have also been having quite a bit of physical pain at times ... even with typing.
That is an additional reason why it was good that I took a few days off of and slowed down on computer use especially last week.

Some things that I want to focus on from the Spurgeon book I mentioned are that when half the wells are frozen that I should not allow the other half to be frozen by my despairing or unbelief, and to try to focus on the light of hope that I have.

I shared this song before that Josh Wilson did about his panic attacks, but now there is this newer video version that I just watched this morning that I thought I would share.
It is one song that I still found encouraging some ... even though I have sometimes avoided other music that adds to my feeling low.