God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. [Selah] There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. [Selah] Come, behold the works of the LORD; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations; I am exalted in the earth." The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. [Selah] -Psalm 46 (NRSV) It is Sunday. I always go to church on Sunday at home. And when we are traveling, if at all possible, I attend church. I could tell last night that church was not going to happen this week for me. My feelings of guilt are enormous. I saw a church bus pass by outside the kitchen window this morning and thought of church. And then the kids had the TV on this morning, and an evangelist was speaking. God has been nudging me all morning. I know that He is forgiving, but with all He has done for me, it would seem that I could get my body to church without excuses. The above Bible verse is the daily devotional from the Upper Room today. It speaks to me, as I am nestled here at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. There are also roaring waters. And yes, the nations are in an uproar. War is a frequent topic of conversation in this home, as it affects everything in the daily lives of this family. The verse is a gift to me. I slept in until 8:15 am this morning. It was delicious. But the price was that I didn’t get my first cup of coffee until after 9 sometime. I fixed bacon and eggs for the troops, and then monitored arguments while dear Son-in-law (DSIL) went out to mow, weed, edge, and spray the yard. Our house guest was kind enough to hose off the deck where the boys had “dug” through dinosaur eggs (clay) for bones this week. It all looks so nice. The flowers that DSIL and I planted in the flower beds over 3 years ago are so full and beautiful. I am amazed that they survived while the family was living out of state for two years. Dad, the house guest, and the boys went for a jog in the neighborhood. All came back drenched. More laundry. A joyful heart for healthy bodies... After a showers for all four of the male persons, we enjoyed a quick lunch. Then DSIL, the boys, and I set off to see our son and daughter-in-law who live up the road about an hour away. The younger grandson enjoyed a quick nap before our shoe shopping expedition for the two little boys. At our son's home, the boys, wearing their safari shirts, took a bottle and went searching for grasshoppers. And we gave them a bath because.... We enjoyed brats and hamburgers before heading home to another round of baths and bedtime. Since I just discovered that all swimsuits are in the laundry, I am now finishing up the laundry so that the older boy can have his suit for his Furry Critter Camp tomorrow at the Y. The upsetting news is that both our DSIL and me missed our daughter's phone call because I couldn't get to the cell phones in my bag in time. The other upsetting news is that my replacement who was to arrive on Friday is backing out. It is looking as if I may have to change my flight and stay an additional week. I love these boys, this family, but I really miss home. Blessings on you and yours, Sandy