It has been a long time ... feels like an eternity. But much has been going on, personally, professionally, guess we have just been living life.

There has always been struggles. At any given moment all one has to do is look online at any news site. But recently those struggles, troubles, hardships are much closer to home, with friends and family right in our community. Illness, death, injury, marital problems, miscarriage, job loss. The old saying, "when it rains, it pours," feel so true. It feels heavy.

My running group of five has dwindled to down to one, me. The others all have been distracted by or are dealing with one of the reasons mentioned above. Then there are other friends and family members ... the list goes on and on.

I have talked to, listened to, cried with, prayed for all the people in my life going through hardship right now. And part of me wonders, "whats next?" Or the phone rings and the I think, "what can this be now?" The thought of locking our family inside our little home sounds appealing. Not realistic, but appealing.

A sign of the times ... perhaps.

For me, the struggle is a business centered one. I lost a major client. To top it off I found out about it through social media. My own emotions have been like a roller coaster. It has turned into a continuing saga with twists and turns, and living in a small town ... well, sometimes you just can't get away from it.

I don't believe God wants me to get away from it. There is a reason this has happened to me, and to all of us in our own troubles. God has a plan. I don't know what it is, but He does.  He has promised to never give us anything we cannot handle. My human response in my own situation ( a situation I will gladly accept when I see others issues) can be "But I don't want to handle it."

Proverbs 3:5&6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths ...

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts I think towards you; thoughts of peace, and not of evil. I know the expected end.

A spontaneous quick photo shoot with Pie and Bub ...

On another note ... we now have chickens! I have always wanted to have them and this was the year. A whim really. But whatever it was, we have four chicks, soon to be our laying hens. We are slowing becoming our own little farm. The kiddos love them, have named them and spend hours holding them.

(from left to right ... Amy Pond, Rose Tyler, Donna Noble, and Martha Jones)

Pie's hamster escaped four days ago in the night. We turned the house upside down and inside out. No Bemo. Our house looked like we were moving, complete chaos! After three days of searching, leaving out bits of food, and lots of Pie prayers, we had one last idea, a live animal trap. Brilliant. Set right before bed, another heartfelt Pie prayer, we slept. And then it happened. Around 1am or so we were awakened to the sound of the trap snapping shut ... and yes, a little Bemo in the middle! Her prayers answered :)

Here's to a peace filled day ...