Break into shouts of joy, you forests and every tree

After the rain and wind, the walkway was carpeted with colorful leaves this morning.

I received more photos of Jerusalem from Cameron this weekend where Jews are celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles. Many Christians gathered for an awesome time of worship

Israel, I will not forget you. I made your rebellious acts disappear like a thick cloud and your sins like the morning mist. Come back to me, because I have reclaimed you. Sing with joy, you heavens, because the Lord has done this. Rejoice, you deep places of the earth. Break into shouts of joy, you mountains, you forests and every tree in them. The Lord has reclaimed Jacob. 
He will display his glory in Israel. 
Isaiah 44:21-23

Bigger than any mountain

Know that your Father God will never ever leave you nor forsake you. He has not called you to walk alone. He is offering for you to lean upon His strong arm, to lean on His understanding, and to rest in His word.

I am praying for a missionary friend who has served for decades with her family in Africa. Now in her 60's, caring for her elderly parents, she is battling depression and discouragement.

All of us go through valleys. I am so thankful to have friends and family who have lifted me up.

When I heard from my missionary friend today, these lyrics came to mind:

Bigger than all my problems, Bigger than all my fears
God is bigger than any mountain that I can or cannot see
Bigger than all my questions, Bigger than anything
God is bigger than any mountain that I can or cannot see 

Jerusalem

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,

    which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

2 

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

    so the Lord surrounds his people

    both now and forevermore.

Psalm 125:1-2

These are some of my son Cameron's photos of Jerusalem this week.

Praying for Healing and Righteousness

Yes, the Lord will give what is good;

And our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before Him,

and shall make His footsteps our pathway.

Psalm 85:8-13

Praying for the nations, 
for all those suffering from recent storms, attacks, and tragedies.

Revive us again.

Fill our hearts with Your love.

May our souls be rekindled

With fire from above.

1996

Indiana University Campus, Southeast

Back to school twenty-five years after graduating from GSU, I went to Indiana University to get certification in special education and return to teaching. I had been at home with four children, and after the death of the youngest, who had multiple disabilities, I wanted to work with children with delays.

I quickly learned that everything had to be done on a computer. My professor told me to find the youngest guy in our class and offer to buy his lunch if he would tutor me! A wonderful young man was eager to help, but shocked that I didn't even know what a cursor was!

At the end of the semester my professor complimented me for having the guts to jump back in at age 46 and tackle all the new technology. Thanks to my young classmate, I was able to present a lecture on Down syndrome using power point.

For many years, I was a developmental therapist, working with young children with disabilities.
I learned more from those families than I could have ever learned from textbooks. When I went back to teaching in public school in 2006, I had a much greater appreciation for all that my students with disabilities had accomplished..

I shared this to show that God will carry us through tough times and will later use the experiences to help us encourage someone else.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11