encouragement sometimes comes on a poster or on a beach

My women's bible study started up 2 weeks ago, my leader Sherry is guiding us through the book of Genesis. At first I was disappointed when I heard we'd be doing Genesis, as at my church we spent 3 years going through verse by verse, just the year before. I felt like I wasn't ready to delve back into that same book, not that I knew it all, but that I was hoping for a fresh taste of the Word.

I sat doing our first lesson on the beach...we had a day that hit in the 90's and my 4 little ones asked for a "swim." I toted my bible study bag (a large gardener's bag, green canvas, surrounded by many pockets for storage-though each week I desperately try to find the pocket that I deposited my car keys into)~ a chair and an iced coffee to the lake. We were surrounded by others who had a similar idea of how to spend the school day afternoon, much to my surprise.

As I prayed and reread my chapters (1 & 2) and began to answer the lessons questions, I found myself crying. The thought and care that went into creation, the order that God set in place, the authority that was given to mankind through Adam. It set my heart full of His Holy Spirit, it washed over me and covered me with the loving arms of my God. I apologized to God as I looked out over the "creation" he set before my eyes on this day that He had given me. I was reminded that God's Word is active, alive and speaks constantly to us, no matter how many times we have read it or studied it. Many times God needs to remind me, how true that is today.

When I got to class Thursday morning (yes, my whole family goes-minus my Knight who is off in his daily battleground)...and sat chatting with the women that too desire to grow in their love and knowledge of Him. I looked up and saw this poster on the wall- I knew it would be important to me in the coming days, so I scribbled it down in my notebook. Back then I didn't know about the situation in Guatemala and how it might affect my family.

Today as I await the phone call from our adoption agency, and get the current information of Guatemala and the status of our adoption-these words soothe my heart and remind me that He is able to keep me today (and tomorrow...) I will share them with you, maybe you too want to scribble them down-or link to me to encourage someone else that may need a reminder...

Trust in His timing

Rely on His promises

Wait for His answers

Believe in His miracles

Rejoice in His Goodness

Relax in His Presence

Psalm 37:34 Don't be impatient for the Lord to act! Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you, giving you the land (the whole earth, a territory, a city, the people of the land, the inhabitants). You will see the wicked destroyed.

Psalm 27:14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous (grow strong, be encouraged, press on, prevail!) . Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.