fact or fiction?

If you had told me 6 months ago that I would be required to wear a mask wherever I went, would I have believed you? At first, we weren't supposed to, only healthcare workers. en it was optional, now it's required by most stores, although the actual wording in our state is "if you can't maintain six feet distance".

Contact Tracing is another term we never heard of before the last few months. In some countries, such as India, it's optional to download apps onto your phone, but you won't get on a train or bus without the app. So it's not really optional. It's coming soon to the U.S. of A, New York is probably going to be first.

I don't think that the elected officials are consciously power grabbing, except for our governor. I think it's just the spirit of the times, the spirit of socialism...it's just oozing into the policies, taking away civil liberties, for "the common good."

It would be terrifying, if my kingdom were of this earth.

It IS written in Matthew to be anxious for NOTHING.

If a sparrow doesn't fall to the ground without our Heavenly Father knowing, and the very hairs of our head are numbered, we can rest assured that all these things are taking place for a reason.

But, in it all, I can make the best of my days. I refuse to be weighed down by things I cannot control. That doesn't mean I agree with it all, or that I won't point out the injustices to my kids. But this is our life! We need to be thankful for each day, our very existence is a gift.

To be honest, I have had nights where I've tossed and turned, plagued by dark thoughts and worry. But we are not debtors to the flesh, we do not have to give in, just because we are tempted. We can say NO. I trust God, and say NO to giving in to those thoughts. Jesus said, "Follow me." He didn't give in, and we don't have to either. It's very simple, and a very restful way to live.

Humanly speaking, I do not have the best life. I am lazy, I have no discernible talents, and I procrastinate all the live-long day before making a simple phone call. But I have a hope in God, so therefore I am happy. Jesus was anointed with the oil of gladness, because he loved righteousness and hated iniquity. If I love righteousness and hate the iniquity in MYSELF, then I'll also be anointed with that oil of gladness.

Anyway, this is a post I started a few days ago, but then Sam called, and then life happened. Why do I still find myself so busy?

Today, we were sitting on the deck...Abigail, Evelyn, Sonja K., Char, Cam, me...and I mentioned a bottle of wine I had in my bedroom closet, from a wine tour last spring. It was one of the best wines I've had, and I was saving it. For what? No idea. We decided WHAT THE HECK, and opened it! Remember all those cold dreary days when we wished for, longed for...good weather? To be sitting here in the tree-top resort, which is our deck's name, and here we are? That is cause for celebration! And because this wine is so very delicious, we had to put it away before we drank the whole bottle.


Confession: I haven't brushed my hair in at least three days. And my Walmart shorts, aren't they lovely? So comfy though.

Anyway, it was supposed to rain, but it passed us by, and everyone is back out on the deck. All those years of work when the kids were little, the sleepless nights and tired days, the little ones brought joy, but nothing compared to the blessings these older kids bring me.

Also: pray for peace in our country! The riots and unrest are getting worse, and the National Guard has been called in. The National Guard: young guys who want free college, older people, "weekend warriors", who get some benefits from doing their one-weekend-a-month...Americans...and I can tell you this, they would probably rather shoot their own foot off than actually fire at a fellow American. So pray for our country. (A few years ago during the Baltimore riots, Samuel was almost called in for "peacekeeping". He is in the Army Reserves, so pray he doesn't get called into action!).