Hi friends– If you’ve been reading here for a while you know Larry and I are going through some difficult life circumstances (that I really can’t spell out here). It’s going to go on for a while and while I would never say, “Yes let’s do this again!!,” it’s been a blessed time in many ways for us.
When friends and family started to come around and encourage us, I started to keep a notebook– words of love and strength from friends, from the Bible, texts and notes and things I read… One friend texted me every morning for weeks last summer with fortifying thoughts and I wrote those all in the notebook. Plus I listed over 50 people who told us they were praying with us.
All these notes are a joy and a picture of of God’s care for us. I love reading over the pages. Here’s a few things from the notebook:
“In order to realize the worth of an anchor, we need to feel the stress of the storm.” –Corrie Ten Boom
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” — I Peter 4:7
“Everybody has stuff– No one gets a stuff free life” — my friend Betty Key
“A season of suffering is small price to pay for a clear view of God.” — Max Lucado
“Love you guys and so sorry you have to go through his, but we are praying something good comes of it” — text from Joanne
“Nothing escapes the hand of God, especially when it involves his beloved, you. xo” — text from Debbie
“Some advice from “Finding Nemo,” –Just keep swimming!” — text from Jenon
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you with his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17
“Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” — Psalm 86:3-4
“I lie awake at night thinking of you, of how much you have helped me, and how I rejoice through the night, beneath the protecting shadow of your wings.” –Psalm 63:6-7
There’s more in the notebook, but I just wanted to say what a help and strength all words have been. So thankful.
The Thankful Heart 
Sending you and Larry so much Light and love Rhonda. God is with you 💜💜💜💜 hugs my friend xo
You are always so encouraging Debbie, thanks thanks. xox
God is good & generous. He will show his love, blessings & miracles at a time we need them the most. Thanks for sharing your story. Truly an inspiration
So kind of you– and so true. thank you for your encouraging words. and– I checked in over on your blog, but wasn’t able to leave a comment– You summer photos were amazing– made me wish it were summer now! thanks.
So sad to hear you are going through this tough time, but glad to hear how he is blessing you. You are his beautiful child and he is with you, at the painful cross and all day long. Praying for love and comfort and peace for you Rhonda! xo
Debra, you are so dear. thank you for your true words. This is a legal thing that will go on for a couple years, it seems. But we have felt God’s care through these months… So glad to have found your blog. You are so wise. thankful. xox
Thankful to have found you too. You are in my prayers.
Yes, loving God doesn’t protect us from suffering, but it helps us through it. Prayers for both of you.
You are so right Cindy. Thank your for always being so encouraging. xox
I’m so sorry that you and Larry are being tested like this. I’m praying for you both, that you continue to be held and uplifted by Him. I do believe that good things come from trials and so I wish these hopeful tiny moments of peace and love for you, friend. Blessings to you and Larry❤️❤️❤️🙏
Mary- you are so dear. and it’s so true that there is good in all of this, even when it’s scary. Thanks for always being so kind. xox
You’re always welcome. You guys are in my thoughts and prayers!😇🙏
What a wonderful, life giving idea. Add me to the army of friends whose heart aches that you are going through this. I certainly have experienced that God does not “waste” these times. I have no doubt that someday these words you are writing down will be comforting to others. I admire how you are walking along this difficult path. With grace and faith and vulnerability. A great witness to all who have the privilege to observe. Praying God continues to give you what you need, everyday, to meet the challenge.
thank you Christine– so encouraging, especially coming from you. I think we’ve lived long enough, to have seen God not “waste” our difficult times. You’ve been a model of that for me. thank you friend. hugs!
Sending you both lots of love Rhonda! The notebook is a wonderful way of writing down your thoughts.
Hugs❤
thanks Ursula– it’s good to keep a record of God’s care. I need it! Happy weekend! xox
Sending you lots of love and blessings for you and Larry. I hope in these times you can find moments of peace and love. Know He will always take care of you.
That is so true Lisa– thank you for your kind words. You are always so kind. xox
Sending positive thoughts your way, Rhonda. And as always, thanks for the inspiration: words, photographs, recipes, and book recommendations. (I love your notebook idea.)
Sending Big Hugs, too,
Theadora
So kind Theadora. thanks for your encouraging words! I have to get over and catch up with your blog!! My daughter is going to Paris in April–she’ll want to read your posts too! xox
What a great idea to journal and chronicle particularly this “hazardous journey.” As so many have said, nothing is wasted, and your yielded and trusting-in-Him heart shines through. Love you so much and YES–we pray on!!
You’re the best Jenni– It means so much to have you and all the JH praying with us. More happening this week, but it’s going to be a very long process. Love you friend xo
I hope you are both OK. Wishing you happy thoughts.
So kind Lisa. thank you. It’s a legal thing that is going to stretch out for a very long time. But we know God will see us through it, no matter how it all comes out. It gives us a lot of peace. You’re so dear. xo
Good luck.
What a great notebook and a friend (the one who texted every morning!). Our family is still praying for yours.
You are so dear Lacey. thank you. It’s going to be a long process, but truly, we are feeling a real peace through all this (and I’m so good at worrying normally!). No matter what happens, we have God’s care and provision for what we need. thanks friend. xo
Rhonda, I know that you have mentioned before that you are going through trying times and I am so sorry. I just want you to know that you are an inspiration to me and reading your words shows that strong faith and love of friends and family can help us through hard times. I pray that things get better for you and Larry.
So kind Suzanne. thank you. It’s going to be a long legal deal ahead, so all we can do is rest in God’s care and wait for now– trust him to see us through no matter how it comes out… Love you friend. xox
Might have to write some of these down myself…it’s so easy to fall into a dark place without the comfort of God or friends…thank you for your openness, I pray your situation gets better ❤️
x
thegrlwhoblog.wordpress.com
So kind Lis. thank you. That’s what we’re depending on for now– God’s faithfulness and care through the months ahead. xo
He will see you through your hardships ❤️
it’s true. thank you. xo
Hi Rhonda, I just love all your book posts and recipes! I’ve also been praying that your situation will resolve sooner than you expect. Sending you continued blessings for calm thoughts and peaceful rest!
You are so dear Debbie. thank you– we are glad to be able to find some rest in the middle of this, knowing God’s care whichever way it goes… How are you doing??! Been hanging out with the grand-kids?? And what are you reading lately?? (always need suggestions.). hugs!
I truly hope your difficult times will soon be over and life will become easier for you. Sending hugs!
So kind Marcia– I think it’s going to take a good while, but we really are at peace about it all, no matter how it plays out, God is caring for us… so glad to be your blog-friend! xox
Praying things turn around for you!
So kind. thank you. We really are surprisingly able to rest in God’s care through these days… I’m thankful.
Hi Rhonda, I found your blog recently when I was looking for recipes online and have since read many of your posts because I really love your positive outlook and enjoy seeing your family time, as well as book recommendations. I saw this post and wanted to comment to let you know that even though I don’t know you personally, I am truly hoping for the best for you and your husband. I hope this is not strange but I find your faith very inspiring. I am praying for you and wishing you the best as you travel this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Dorothy
Hi Dorothy– so good to hear from you– and your kind encouragement. And I don’t think it’s strange at all to be inspired by someone else’s faith. I feel like I grow by seeing the faith the day by day lives of people around me– friends who are trusting God through cancer, or job changes or family ups and downs. I’m thankful to learn from them. — And- I checked in on your poetry blog. So bright and succinct. It looks like it was from a while ago. Are you still writing?? And do you still live in Hong Kong?? Our son lived in Shanghai for 10 years and we have a soft spot for China. So glad to hear from you… xo
I actually live in California again, after finishing my internship in Hong Kong during college. I loved it there and it really forced me to write and inspired me to complete my degree in creative writing back at UCSD. I’ve never been to Shanghai though and would love to visit one day (hopefully Beijing as well). I have been living between San Francisco and Los Angeles as I finished my law degree (another reason I’ve enjoy your blog posts about San Francisco). Thank you for your kind words about my writing, as I hadn’t read those poems in a long time with my brain focused on the bar. I’m hoping to get back into it and maybe prepare a manuscript to fulfill my dream of writing a book. I hope you have a lovely day!
Wow Dorothy– sounds like you have had some fine full years, and have accomplished a lot. We live south of Los Angeles and get up to SF every few weeks to see kids. We love the time up there. Let me know if yo start up blogging again!! Or someday when that book is written. Wonderful to hear from you. Blessings. xo
Sending virtual hugs your way (a hug is never wasted) xoxoxo -Kat
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