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Hello Sugar Pies! Well, it’s been a while since I’ve blogged! A lot has been going on! In fact this has been one of the most challenging seasons that I’ve been through in a long time! This summer has been very difficult for our family. Although, I’m so excited about the fall season and all the cozy goodness that Autumn brings that I’m so looking forward to blogging about, I felt it was important for me to share with y’all how the Lord has brought myself and my family through the last few months.

Some of you may be facing stormy seasons in your life and I want you to know that we have a God who cares, heals, redeems, restores, comforts, loves, and rescues us! I also want to point out that behind all the creatively styled pictures that we see on social media, including my own, that’s just a part of someone’s life, their creative side.  We don’t always get to see behind the scenes. Many times we don’t know their personal stories and struggles unless they are willing to share them. That’s what I want to share with you today. My hope is that you will be encouraged to know that we all go through hard stuff…you are not alone. And if I can make it through so can you!

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Here are a few of the hardships we have faced this summer:

  • My dad (age 93) was in the hospital for Pneumonia for a week (he is home and well now, praise the Lord!).
  • My mom (age 88) fell and broke her hip (she is still recovering, prayers appreciated!)
  • My brother was diagnosed with cancer for the second time (receiving treatments, prayers appreciated!)

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  • A few of my kids had health scares (they are all doing better, praise the Lord!)
  • My house almost burned down on the 4th of July (the same day this family photo was taken.) It was the Lord that prompted us that evening to check the garage, where our two cars were parked, before going to bed. Our home was just minutes away from being fully engulfed in flames. We are so thankful we caught it in time!
  • One of my grand-babies had several seizures due to a high fever and was hospitalized for a week and spent time in the ICU.  Mama and papa were by their baby’s side every minute of every day as we all were praying fervently for healing. My grandbaby was healed! Our sweet twinkly-eyed baby is  home…healthy and happy! Praise the Lord!

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  • In my hometown, Branson, Missouri we all mourned the horrible accident of a tourist boat that sunk on Table Rock Lake during a severe summer storm where 17 people perished. This was devastating to everyone in our small town. Our community had a candlelight service in the parking lot of the Ride the Ducks attraction to pray for the families that lost loved ones. The cars of those who perished were still parked there.

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  • In the middle of all of this I was trying to catch up on all of my yearly doctor, dentist, and dermatologist appointments, including some medical procedures…all of which are emotionally draining especially when you’re waiting for biopsies to come back. Thank the Lord all is well!

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Matthew 7:24-27 says ““Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

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It is so important that we build our life on the rock who is Jesus and fill our hearts and minds with the Word of God, because when the storms of life hit we will be strong to withstand it. Doing so builds our trust and faith in the Lord in knowing that He will take care of us.

Here are a few go to scriptures that I meditate on when I am facing scary things:

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Proverbs 3: 5-6  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Deuteronomy 31:8  “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Psalm 103: 2-5 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 

God is so good! He is such a comfort and loves us so much! When facing hard times please know that “This too shall pass!”. IMG_5793

Bless your hearts dear ones!

I’ll be back soon with some cozy fall goodness!

Aunt Ruthie

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