Faith

The Bible says that faith is "confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

The internet give definitions of faith as "complete trust or confidence in someone or something" and "strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof." So then we check the definition of apprehension to find it described as, "anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen" and "understanding; grasp". My thought on the usage of the word apprehension in the internet definition of faith is that it is the second description - understanding; grasp. So faith could be described as complete trust or confidence in God and/or a strong belief in God based on spiritual understanding.

Which one looks easier? I know...it's not always about easier, but the Bible does make this MUCH MORE CLEAR. Faith is being confident of what we are hoping for - NOT that God is our magic genie - but that he takes care of us and provides for us. Faith is assurance in what we do not see. That means trusting, even when things "don't look good".

Faith is something I have been struggling with. Not my faith in who God is or what He has done. But rather, faith in His provision. I have been self-reliant on myself and Greg for providing for our family. That if we "just" do this or that, we will be fine - not even inviting God into the situation. So you see...it was me that moved....NOT God.

Now, with Greg's work life being "shook up", I am being reminded that faith is required. Daily. Give us this day our daily bread......Faith in God's provision. Faith that God alone provides. That He has a plan....and IT IS PERFECT. So, I was reading the Bible this morning and read in Mark 2 about the 4 friends that had faith that Jesus could heal their paralyzed friend. They stopped at nothing to help their friend. When they lowered their friend through the roof (so that Jesus could heal him), JESUS SAW THEIR FAITH. It made me question....does Jesus see MY faith?? The obvious answer (to me) is a resounding no. I was having faith in myself and Greg. I was having faith in the jobs. I was having faith in everything except what I should have been having faith in. And that is GOD ALONE.

We've had most of the 11 grandkids down here this summer. So, there's that. The food, the beds, the laundry, the attempt to keep everyone on some kind of schedule. Then we add to the list:

~ Spencer's hip surgery - originally scheduled for July 31, but cancelled by the chief of staff at St. Joe's hospital. Surgery is now rescheduled for August 8...in CONNECTICUT!!! What?!? The doctor that was going to do the surgery contacted his friend (and consultant) and asked if he could/would do the surgery. He said yes, and on we go.

~ Grandma had 2 spots on her right breast that were concerning, so she had to go in today to have them poked and/or biopsied. It depended on what they were. Praise Jesus they were only cysts and they collapsed upon being poked. One thing off the list! Praise the Lord alone.

~ Greg has been waiting for his manager to retire so that he can move into the position he was "being groomed for". Imagine his surprise when things went all kinds of wrong, and working with women (ugh) he is in the middle of yet another mess when it comes to him moving up. I swear (and I'm trying not to, but) this is ridiculous. I know that God has a perfect plan for Greg, but I hate that he keeps getting overlooked. So, all this stress on him has caused a diverticulitis episode and it is a dousy. Praying for his immediate healing.

~ While at Pom Camp, Grace hurt her hip. Thankfully, they have this week off of practice so she has time to heal. Praying that she fully recovers and can get back at it.


Sunday, the kids (Krystel's were already up north, so Scott and Katie's 4 and Jadyn and Grant) all went back up north with Scott and Katie for Venetian Week. They (at least mine) are thrilled to be doing something new. Mom, Dad and I have no idea what to do with ourselves. I honestly sit here some times just staring, knowing there are things I could be doing, but not being able to get my head there. The lack of routine for me is horrible. It has created a lazy monster. At least I'm getting my blog updated, right?!?!

Pom Camp

Grace is on the JV Pom Team this year. It happened rather quickly, so we weren't sure if she would be able to be added to the camp roster. Thankfully (I think), she was. It was a bit hard for me to have her away at a college.....it was a sad (for me) foreshadowing of the future. She had a great (AKA fun) time while there, but woke the first morning with a migraine and then followed that up with pulling her hip flexor and not being able to compete because she could not kick. UGH! At least she had fun!!!

Zac Brown Concert

While Greg and I were lounging at Carla and Rod's cabin, Grace was planning to go to the Zac Brown Band Concert. She had asked me to take her and Sam, but since I was going on my trip, I simply could not. Leave it to Grace to "find a way". She enlisted Krystel and Kristie, along with Sam's mom Julie, to take her and Sam to the concert. They had a phenomenal time and I am thankful that my village rocks!!

Carla and Rod's Cabin 2018

Never a dull time at Carla and Rod's. This year we let the boys come. And this year Rod was a member of the Eagle's club - which provided us the highlight of the trip. While we were there for dinner, Greg and I were playing Steve and Christine in tabletop shuffleboard. The DJ was spinning some "Whip, Nae-Nae" and Greg and Steve got caught up on the moment and were dancing fools. Suddenly, an older lady (much older - think Eagles club older) came running (yes, literally running) up to them and said, "You guys are amazing dancers!!! ....(pause, pause)....Are you gay?" They were stunned into silence. Nothing. Crickets. But moments after, and for the rest of the trip, we had LOTS to say about that moment. Hilarious!! We had a ton of fun on the boat, tubing, swinging from the tree swing, paddleboarding (or falling from the paddleboards), floating, doing yardwork, playing games and eating. So thankful for friends who share their blessings. We are blessed indeed.

Baseball

Petoskey Camping

This year we camped over the 4th of July in Petoskey. (**NOTE TO SELF: we will NOT be camping there again). It was fine, but the campsites are VERY small and too far from the beach. And too close to Charlevoix - where people could come and go....to go poop. You know who you are, Kristie. Anyway, we chose there because Jacob had a baseball tournament there. It was miserably hot, and that just might be an understatement. Too hot to camp. Too hot for baseball. And we stayed longer than we usually stay for camping. While we were there, we had a great time at the beach, on the giant unicorn, seeking relief at Big Boy for dinner in the A/C, and telling stories around the campfire and getting in trouble for being too loud (Grandma).