Expecting God's miracles ...

In my life, I have needed miracles over and over again. Every prayer we pray has value to God. One thing that I learned years ago is that God does answer prayer. Yes, He still performs miracles! I will say that God has never responded to my prayer for a miracle on my timeline; always his. Twenty years in a valley is not the overnight fix that I thought I needed, but the prayer was answered. Everything fell into place precisely needed here for His miracle to be laid out before me. Over and over again, God has responded to my little prayers, and my huge miracle-sized prayers. Again, not according to my timeline or how I think it needs to go, but always His and better!

We must trust that God has our best interest at heart all the time. We must also believe that God is good all of the time. God's goodness is not established, nor does it change, based on how God chooses to answer our prayer for a miracle. God's goodness is forever sealed by what Jesus did on the cross.

So, when we need a miracle...

ASK

BELIEVE
GIVE THANKS
WAIT

It is in the waiting that Satan begins to attack us. In our brokenness, we are most vulnerable. Stay in close fellowship with God, in Word, praise, and always have a thankful heart. In our deepest valley is the very time that the peace of God is unveiled to us. Be teachable. Breathe.

PEACE to you!

I discovered a long time ago that this life isn't the Phyllis show. This life is not about me. It is about how God can use his child in mighty (to me) ways. I love connecting people to their passion. Along this connectivity path, I pray that others see Jesus in me.

God blesses me with wonderful ministry opportunities, and I'm always excited to see Him at work in someone's life and mine. I wake up each day, stumble out of bed like a Tin(wo)man, and God lubricates my joints (and my soul) as I move into the day he has for me. If someone were to ask me what I enjoy doing the most in this life, I would say that I love to make life a little easier for those that God places in my day. If I can do this every day for the rest of my days ... I will be most blessed.

We must look for ways to make a better day for someone else. How we look at any given situation is a matter of perspective. It is hard to read others when we can't see their heart. God sees, and he lifts the veil for us to serve those who need his love. Be ready.

Joseph Edward Garnett ... It depends on how we look at it!

Our grand sisters love this tree, and we added the pully buckets for their pleasure.

Robins mate for life. They return each year to where they were born to create a family. They have traditions or structures that define them and live as a community. We always say that when we see the Robin, we see Spring. I'm ready!

Signs, signs, everywhere the signs, how do we recognize Asperger's in our adult friends? Here are a few ways to help you understand someone with Asperger's. If you know an undiagnosed adult and they are searching for answers, you might suggest this quiz. It's where my journey of understanding began. 

Portrait by Joseph Edward Garnett

Social awkwardness.

• Adults with mild autism may come off as socially awkward
• Unintentionally talking too much
• Don't read body language
• Give the impression that they are uninterested

Difficulty understanding jokes or sarcasm.

• They tend to take things more literally.
• Challenges making or keeping friends.
• Because of interest immersion, they find it difficult to have friends or be interested in anything outside their personal obsession

Sensory issues.

• Common characteristics (but not always for every Aspie) might be
• Sensitivity to bright lights
• Sensitivity to certain types of touch
• Sensitivity to loud or high-pitched noises
• Sensitivity to strong smells
• Poor balance
• Low sensitivity to pain
• Clumsiness 
• Being extremely picky about food

Avoidance of eye contact.

Their eyes will look away as their brain is processing thoughts. The more tired an Aspie is, the harder it is to control the focus.

Lack of adherence to social rules.

Things like being quiet in a quiet mandated situation are complex. Those with Asperger's also find it difficult not to dominate a conversation.

Very strong and particular interests.

Whatever the interest is, the Asperger individual is hyperfocused on it. It can change, and most likely, they will have many focused interests in their lifetime.

Difficulty with change.

Routine is the balancing agent for controlling the stress level in an Aspie.

Strong ability to focus

Those with Asperger's are able to spend long hours on a task, often losing track of time.

Strong attention to detail

One of the strong suits of an Aspie is the ability to maintain a high degree of accuracy, and they can recognize errors better than others.

From the earliest days, the tumbleweed has been a part of the American West scene. We have our share here. Tumbleweeds also have a place in exterior and interior design. People stain, paint, hang, light, and enjoy the mystery of the famed wild west tumbleweed.

In the many days of high winds that we have been experiencing, this giant tumbleweed ended up in our home's outdoor space. As I was thinking about getting rid of it, I started thinking about how strong the tumbleweed is. I was thinking about our friends from Ukraine and how strong they are. As I prayed for the great people of Ukraine, I thought, I'll just hang this beautiful and tough tumbleweed that represents the freedom of the open plains to remind me to lift our friends in prayer.

I'm sure its seeds are all over our yard. They are a determined creation.

Muthukumar Bagavathiannan, an associate professor at Texas A&M University, says, "The plant seems to have evolved to resist attempts to rein them in." Be strong, Ukraine! We pray for peace.

^{The Withered Fig Tree/Matthew 21:17-22}

Early the next morning Jesus was returning to the city. He was hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree alongside the road, he approached it anticipating a breakfast of figs. When he got to the tree, there was nothing but fig leaves. He said, “No more figs from this tree—ever!” The fig tree withered on the spot, a dry stick. The disciples saw it happen. They rubbed their eyes, saying, “Did we really see this? A leafy tree one minute, a dry stick the next?” But Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Yes—and if you embrace this kingdom life and don’t doubt God, you’ll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. This mountain, for instance, you’ll tell, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God.”

As I read this story, I realize how quickly we might become unfruitful if we focus on what can be seen vs. what is at the root of our being. Despite the fig tree being beautiful, it was bearing no fruit. When something loses its purpose, it slowly decays and becomes worthless. It is instrumental to our faith walk that we not portray but walk. We must fulfill our purpose and not become false witnesses.

Being one in the spirit will be reflected in these ways...

 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law” Galatians 5:22-23.

Many years ago, we were sitting in the beautiful sanctuary of First Baptist Plainview. The man preaching was a guest Word deliverer. He was speaking words that someone I loved deeply needed to hear. Within me, I cried out to God, asking why this person's ears were not present to hear.

At that time, a 2 x 4 came crashing through a stained glass window and hit me in the side of the head. I saw it coming in my peripheral but was unprepared for the blow.

Following the impact, the Holy Spirit shared this message, "You take care of YOU and YOUR relationship with Jesus and lay every worry you have at the cross, pray for your heart's desire, but do NOT carry the load, and know that I hear your prayers."

It was at this time that this scripture became my lifeline...

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33.

Peace to you, sweet readers.

Organization is what my passion is. To organize brings me great satisfaction. Today, it was my workbench "play" area. There is so much in this area that brings forward sweet memories of my childhood, my parents, grandparents, my husband, kids, friends, including Ukraine friends, etc. 

The trashcan was my grandmother's. I've mentioned the stool being my grandfather's. His Evenrude dealership plaque is here, as is a framed calendar from his office. The pink feather duster belonged to my mom, and the craftsman screwdrivers belonged to my dad. The little oval display table came from Gabriel's when they closed. The framed card of Ukrainian eggs from our interpreter when I visited. I could go on and on about what each item means to me. I really do use the tools we have. I work quite often in this area. A fun way to spend an afternoon inside on a horrible-terrible, no good windy day outside!

Yesterday at church, we heard about being a friend. I am so blessed to have beautiful friends. But, it is a difficult road when it comes to friends and Aspergers. Throughout my life, because of my wiring, it became clear that I annoy others, and my pattern has evolved not to overstay my welcome. However, some allow me understanding, space, and love me, and I cherish them. They are God's refreshing gift. I pray I am the same for them.

Sometimes it is important to follow the direction of the wind. At other times we must go against the gale. Regardless of which way we go, it is essential that God is the one guiding us. In each day, He delivers an abundance of friend opportunities. My best friend is Jesus.