Those Who Hope In the Lord Will Renew Their Strength

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. — Isaiah 40:31 

Today we woke to the news that Spencer, Iowa was flooded.

The Little Sioux River overflowed its banks and sections of the town and cemetery are under water.

Our prayers go out to the people of that town and others that were affected.

Here's the Dairy Queen Kirk and Ernie stopped by on their way to Akron a couple of years ago.

We are shocked and saddened.

We hope in the Lord even when the world sends us disasters and floods.

In Christ, we will walk and not be faint.

A Great Cloud of Witnesses

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. — Hebrews 12:1 

This past week we've lost many parents of friends and relatives.

Today Kirk's cousin Cindy lost her mom.

It was a blessing that she's now with her husband but still hard, especially to lose your mother.

Kirk stopped by to visit them in 2021 on his way to Ohio.

And we are so thankful to God for that time together.

Within the year Uncle Bob had passed away.

Over the next year, Aunt Doris began her decline.

This has been a week of loss and a year of friends losing their parents.

We are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses.

It is encouraging to know that we're not alone on our journey.

They encourage us to run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Thank You, Lord.

You Will Shine Like Stars in the Sky

Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. — Philippians 2:15-16

When we don't grumble or argue, we shine like stars in the sky.

God calls us to hold firmly to His Word, the word of life.

And when we do that, we will be able to boast on the last day.

The day of Christ is coming soon.

We do not want to run or labor in vain.

Rather, we want to follow Christ and honor Him in everything we do.

Let Us Run With Perseverance

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. — Hebrews 12:1

La Jolla Shores Beach

We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.

Over the past few weeks, even more saints have gone to be with Jesus.

Sharon's dad, Gale.

Sue's mom.

Ron's mom.

And many more.

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders us.

And let us throw off the sin that so easily entangles us.

Let us run the race before us with perseverance. 

Hope in the Lord

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. — Isaiah 40:31

We hope in the Lord.

And He will renew our strength.

We will soar on wings like eagles.

And run without growing weary.

We will walk and not be faint.

God will lead us through dark valleys.

He will guide and direct us.

 

Hope in the Lord

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary. — Isaiah 40:31 

We hope in the Lord.

He renews our strength.

He guides me through each day.

And He upholds me with His strong right arm.

Here's the pork dinner Kirk cooked on his new Traeger smoker.

It turned out delicious.

He cooked it to perfection.

Quite the grill master.

Shine Like Stars

Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. — Philippians 2:16

Paul tells the Philippians that through Christ they will shine like stars.

God can shine through us, too.

Shine among them like stars in the sky.

We hold firmly to God's Word, the Word of Life.

On the Day of Christ, we will be able to boast in the Lord.

What an exciting day that will be.

Memorial Day Celebration

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. — Hebrews 12:1

Monday we celebrated Memorial Day with friends and family.

Peggy made this delicious and beautiful flag poke cake, Kirk barbecued steak, Kelly brought potato salad, and Marion made a wonderful green salad and chocolate cake.

We had quite a feast!

And we prayed for those who have given their lives for our country, remembering them on this Memorial Day. Praising God for His goodness.

Running with Perseverance

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. — Hebrews 12:1-3

Today I did not take any nausea meds, for the first time since my chemo began on Friday. I made sure to eat small meals or snacks throughout the day but did not feel any stomach upset. Hopefully that will be a trend. We'll see.

Our sweet neighbor Leslie brought us a healthy chocolate brownie dessert, which tasted really good with vanilla ice cream.

I'm enjoying having and appetite and taste buds, especially since I know both will be going away over the next week or two. 

The good news is that both will also come back again in about five months when my chemo is over.

I will speaking at our women's retreat this weekend, talking about our beautiful feet and how God equips us for the journey so we can tackle the mountains and valleys that come our way.

This is one of the photos I chose to convey the image of mountains before us.

Running the race with perseverance!