June 20, 2011
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Goodness and Good Grief!
God extended His extraordinary goodness to me recently, not only by allowing everything to come together for Hubby and I to go away on a cruise to Bermuda with my sister and her Hub and my 2 cousins and their Hubs, HE also allowed me to meet dear, dear Cindy (down_onthefarm). That girl drove a good couple of hours in dreary PA weather to meet me at a mall near where my cousins live. We agreed on Starbucks. Hubby was with with me (only for a bit) and when we walked into Starbucks, I didn't see anyone remotely looking like Cindy. Then from behind, out in the mall, I heard my name called. I turned, and there she was. We ran to each other and had a good greeting hug and then had a wonderful visit, sipping our drinks and sharing life, the hard parts and the good parts. The meaning of GOODNESS to Cindy. That oh, so meaningful verse..."I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." (Psalm 27:13) Thank you, Cindy, for bringing that verse alive to me! Today, I am reeling after a very unpleasant confrontation between Hubby and my in denial neighbor lady who just wants to attack us and not see what damage she is doing and allowing her kids to do. This loud situation at our front door was something unexpected and unsettling, but we know we are not wrong. These people have attacked before and I attempted to speak calmly and lovingly to this gal and to her eldest son. Sheesh! This is NOT the stuff I wanted to come home to, along with other "stuff", but you know.....this episode and the other "stuff" has been GOOD, along with good grief for Hubby and I. We feel more like a team with the loving and the dealing with the struggle together. THAT IS what I needed. But it just kind of hurts to get that in this form. Yep, it bumps me alright! Kind of makes me want to pack up and go away again. Or, preferably, move. But it seems that no matter where you go, another human will drive you nuts. And or hurt you deeply. I've heard the Drop the Toxic People message. I've heard the RUN message. I've heard the Stay and Stick It OUT message, that the difficult people are What and Who God uses to scrape the ickiness off of us to turn us into a vision of beauty. Now to the photos. You can see who the beauty is. And she is, inside, too. I'm all slimy sweaty chubby with hair that hates humidity. But. I AM so happy to be there, acquainting myself with this Xanga friend who shared the Goodness and the Good Grief with me. I am so blessed!
Comments (17)
You are BEAUTIFUL! Love that you got to meet and got to go to Bermuda and have fun! How awesome! We've had neighbors like that. You just have to smile, shake your head and PRAY HARD! We had some that I prayed and begged God to move. They were into a alot of illegal activities and I didn't want my kids raised anywhere near them. He moved them out in a months' time. Maybe you need to just pray!
I clicked on your blog, then I did a double take and then another double take. Is that Cindy?? Looking so pretty and young in that pink dress? Well, it must be! It totally looks like her!
So glad you got to meet her and hang out. She's such a special lady!
I'm so glad you had such a wonderful time on your cruise -- and such a good visit with Cindy!
Oh, I am so jealous that you got to meet Cindy, how fun! Of course I will tell you Gail, that Cindy was blessed too, cuz you are a sweetie, and loads of fun. So Yahoo all around!
I am dealing with new, less than desirable neighbors too. Praying a lot. Hoping they settle down. They are loud and obnoxious, and unfortunately like to use their deck a lot, from which place yelling, and loud conversations happen. Looking for what He wants in this.
@SealedbyGrace - Thank you Dear for understanding! We think there was also illegal stuff over there, too. I have prayed SO much about this situation and for each family member, for a long time. Please pray with me!
@appalolly - Yes, that very one and yes, so pretty in that pink dress...with black leggings underneath and a cute, strappy pair of sandals. Very well put together, she was! You're so right; she IS very special! I know you've had the priviledge of hangin' out with her, also. You kind of leave with "Oh, why couldn't this visit last longer, huh?"
@slmret - Thank you, Janet! I am so grateful for my entire time on and off the East coast! You'd LOVE Cindy, by the way!
@ABAHM - Ohhhh, Jenny! I did tell Cindy about when I got to meet you, and Janet, and Mary and how wonderful that whole visit turned out!!! I told Cindy she'd love you. And I'm telling you, YOU would love HER! A Sweety, indeed. I'll pray for you about that neighbor situation. It IS SO hard...I just keep having my angry thoughts interrupted with "Well, Jesus suffered so much worse..." That kind of helps. Hugs, me
So glad you were able to go on the cruise and to meet Cindy. It is so special to get to meet Xanga friends in person! I will stand with you in prayer for your neighbors. He is still in control!
oh gail. you are tootoo kind. i'm sitting here with a big smile and red cheeks. my word.
what a privilege to meet YOU irl, my sweet and beautiful friend. i'm still like what? i really met richgem? gail!!!
every minute of the drive was worth it. of course!
you shared so generously...
not just meaning the coffee, lunch and another box in the mail, yeah those things too.
but far more than the tangible...
your offering of understanding,
the "you've been theres,"
your listening ear without judgement
your compassion and encouragement
all just reached beyond what felt weary inside, gently turning my eyes to HIM
as i experienced His goodness through YOU.
love you much.
@oldfatgramma - It is SOOOOOO very special! I am still amazed that I have been blessed in person by my xanga friends! Oh, my goodness, what a treat! And thank you, Linda, for standing with me in prayer! Hugs!
@down_onthefarm - Experiencing goodness....All I ever really want is to let the love and goodness of Jesus to come through me and help others see the truth....that they, YOU are so precious in God's sight! I love you bunches and bunches and bunches.
Hello, I have so much catching up to do, you met with Cindy and you went to Bermuda and what more...I will be back to read backwards through your posts and I look forward to more pictures...Bermuda: what a dreamplace ! ( it's no Normandië, France for sure ! )
Lieve groeten
Godeliva van Ariadone
ahhhh, you got to meet CINDY!!!!! what a HUGE blessing. i got to meet her friend (and my friend) Amber on my vacation and it was such a sweet blessing finally being able to connect with my dear blessed xanga sister, so i can only imagine how glorious it is for you. it is strange to think that those who aren't on here with us don't understand the strength of our connection with one another and the wonder that is the stretching of our 'sisterhood' in Christ through the wires and even in real life sometimes. i had never met amber before and it felt like we'd always just known each other..i'm sure it felt that way with Cindy as well. sounds like it was a much needed breathe of goodness in life.
what a difficult situation you face with your neighbor, especially after just coming home from such a glorious time away. I pray that the Lord surrounds your house with his protection and that he gaurds your heart against these attacks. i can imagine how hard and debilitating it becomes when you feel that you are under all these false accusations, especially when your dear family faces the assault. i am not a mom but i'm part of a family and no one can mess with my family without me getting all riled up so i totally hear you.
thank you so much my dear for sharing from your heart about this part of the journey.
@Ariadone - Bermuda is a dreamplace! But, I REALLY wanted to go to France and we still hope to some day!
@mytoesareblue - You sound like such a sweetheart...THANK you for your prayers! You have an understanding here that I appreciate SO much and I love how you've written it out...like you KNOW and you GET it! What a huge blessing that you were able to meet Amber! This connection we all have is a sisterhood and it's one that NOone can break! I've told some of my In Person Friends about meeting my online friends and they look quizical about it. Some think it's pretty cool, others are like, "weird!", and , why and what a strange concept, etc. But I feel that we are more blessed! Have a fabulous week, Dearie. Again, thank you for the much needed prayer for protection! Hugs, Gail
How'd I miss this post? Looks like a grand and glorious time!
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