FIRST RESPONDERS!!

       It's amazing for me, that the Lord dropped it into me July 8, '08.  I had thought of being at the murder sites and helping people and praying for them.  I've known some of them for a long time.  
       Since a lady at the hospital had checked me on December 12, '15, she had indicated I could could not ever drive again.  I'm upset, to say the least.  I couldn't go to the First Responders in December as a driver.  My husband drove me a few times, and in the winter it was filled with snow and ice and lots of coldness.  Dave couldn't always do it, b/c he's working at churches and giving piano students around town.  The blessing is that a lady where her home is about 5 street areas from here, she indicated she wanted to pick me up.  She has done it for about 2 months now.
       Last Tuesday we had 2 situations.  We went to one place first and it was a special place.  A 29 year old guy had been shot twice at a party time and when in the hospital, a couple days later he died.  The family and friends came to us when standing at the home of his mom.  Well, his sister and grandma were within a block of that home.  We did a lot of praying and ministering to the family and friends.  Eventually, all the men were on one side of the street and all of the women were on the sidewalk by the home.  We all were holding and praying to and for them.
       After that, we went to another portion of this side of town about 2 miles from where we were.  No family or friends were there on that alley time, and we did the praying.  But, when a few police were there with us, we prayed for them and thanked them.
       Anyhow, last Friday evening, when my husband was home and free, I told him to drive to that location where the family homes were.  It's about a 1-1/2 miles from our home.  When we went, I saw a wonderful family piece put right by the street near his mom's home.  I'd sure love to meet more of the family!  They were wonderful!!!

          Whenever I can, I'll go!!!  Dealing with the murders is very strongly in my heart!!    SO, here's the picture.  AND another one of me a couple years ago when my husband was with me in summer and it was in a distant portion of our town.  He took a picture.  I'm smiling to share this to you!

 

FIRST RESPONDERS -- GABE -- and baby coming

Buried in important and serious activities.  Some good, some stressful... all God-connected.

At this present moment, I am at our local hospital where I have been a baby-delivery helper for the Bhutanese.  Baby number 5 is probably arriving later today.  Can't take any photos until later when it's official, obviously.  Last night we arrived about 9:30.  I couldn't sleep on the couch here; hurt my legs/back too much, so I went home at 4:30 this morning and hit THAT couch and rested [didn't sleep much] until 8:30 this morning and came back.  The baby will probably arrive late today or overnight.  To prepare for sleeping more effectively, I brought a sleeping bag and can stay on the floor, if necessary.

So, now I'll hit the important element from yesterday.

==============

Our First Responders were needed to go to a part of town we have rarely, if ever, been in the 4 years I've been involved.  When I arrived, I talked to neighborhood people and they were so horrified.  On Friday night/Saturday morning, on their street, 4 people were shot, 2 were stabbed, and one died soon.  As his family and friends arrived the story about him was a real heart-toucher/breaker.

Gabe was 18, had been a writer, a worker, had graduated through GED, and had been a football player at the high school that is 2 blocks from my house.  His sister was holding his picture when she came.  I was given permission by his family to take a photo.

What could we do?  We prayed, we touched, we held, we encouraged, we loved.

I had a prayer shawl in the car and we were blessed to lay it over his sister's shoulders [she was small, it was small] and pray over and for her, and it looked absolutely lovely on her.  I so would love to have a photo of that, but praying and touching her didn't allow my fingers to be pulling out my camera at the same time.

When we left, the family and friends moved closer to the house where the tragedy had occurred.  All we could do was leave them behind, knowing their hearts were buried in Gabe.  Our prayers were that they would know that our Father could bring truth to the light, hearts to Him, souls and spirits to healing.  Will we know soon?  Probably not.  When will we know?  When we are in heaven.  We get an answer when someone contacts a church, but that rarely occurs.  What must we do?  What our Father calls us to do.  Period.

The rest of it is laid on His Hands and His Hands, alone.

Nothing else counts.

=============

I reached home about 4:00 in the afternoon.  Thought I would have a quiet evening, do some writing and post reading.

Life changed rapidly.  My tiredness was filled with adrenaline... and now I'm "on the road again."  [One of my main godly mottoes.]

[And, dear friends, if this is not perfect, please just put up with me.  I'm one tired cookie today and didn't want to wait until tomorrow or Wednesday after some rest.  Wanted to share so you would have hearts for these dear ones who have faced such critical and stressful phases in life.  Thank you.]

 

HAND-RAISING LIFE

OK.  Here's the story.  Life, obviously, never changes.

When I was 16 years old in Klickitat, Washington, I was walking on the main street of this small town on a Saturday and saw one of my teachers, Mr. Warner.  I have no idea what we were talking about.  I only remember what happened.

While I was talking to him, he suddenly reached over and grabbed my hands and forced my arms to my side and said:  "Now talk."

As a result, I had Big Eyes, staring at him, and my mouth frozen shut.

In all these years similar events have occurred.  I get teased.  For instance, I was interviewed by a news reporter after a local First Responder prayer time when two murders had taken place.  Even though a number of people were pleased by my comments, I also was told that it was so "me" to see the hands and arms winding around.

WELL, I was up in northern MN a couple weeks ago, visiting my "sister" and dear friend, Susie.  First, this is a picture of us.  See what she's holding in her hand?

 When I was talking to a couple guys who were rebuilding her deck and ramp, I had no idea what she was doing.  She has known me since I was 15, so in nearly 52 years she has seen each part of my life that changed -- salvation, for instance-- and what hasn't.  THIS is what hasn't.

 

Sometimes I would like to be a quieter [even with hands and arms], less filled with arm exercise during talks.  Do I remember what we were discussing?  NO!  But Susie obviously enjoyed taking the "Normal Joanne" pics.

[And I'm not upset; just chuckling at how some things never seem to change.  Will I be that way in heaven?  Will my personality still be an overwhelming arm-raiser, swinging and swaying them during worship?  Might not be too annoying there, doncha think?]