Well, I’m going through my things; completely going through my things. I’m not kidding. I’m slowly going through my books, pictures, things and what not. You realize that you have way more than you thought you had and way more than you can use. Today I spent the hours going through my pictures. I have a lot of pictures from the years when my children were young. So, it was fun too. Aw, the memories!

We lived in Westwood in the mountains for four years. I loved looking at those pictures. Forrest was born while we lived up there. We made some good friends in Westwood. Next we moved back to the Chido area. We lived at Meridian Road in Chico for a few years. Once again, my youngest child was born while we lived there (I have five kids). We had some precious times while living there. We went to Southern Calif. to visit Grandma Weigold while we lived southwest of town. In fact, there was some debate about her next steps, whether she would come to Chico. But she stayed in southern Calif.

Then we moved to the house on Nord Hwy, where my folks had the orchard. I was already farming the orchard, so it worked out for us. We farmed the orchard for 20 years. Dad made it profitable for me so that I could help my kids with their college education at Biola. The orchard was good for us. He was so wise. After we moved to Nord Hwy, I moved where I am now in Chico, CA.

I live alone now. Yet, my youngest daughter and her husband come around. They are wonderful in helping out when I need it and looking after me, besides being friendly and jovial. I can’t complain at all about any of my kids. I am so fortunate. They care about me, and that’s something to be thankful for. There’s something wonderful to say about looking at the pictures. God has been good to me, to all of us.

I used to feel bad about the hard things in my life, the things I’m not talking about right now. You know what, God had a reason for it all. He took care of all of us, even my ex. He always takes care of his children. He wanted to teach me some things that I needed to learn. I learned how to wait, to listen, to contemplate, to consider, to remember his goodness, to rejoice in his care, to be thankful for even the smallest act of kindness…and recognize he is taking care of me.

I think of all the prayers I prayed. All the troubles I navigated. And all the answers to prayer. It got to where I learned to pray before I acted about most things. God became my rudder. I acted according to how I felt about the answers to my prayers. I reviewed, I considered, I waited, I believed, I set my heart and my mind in God’s direction. I learned it is unwise to act without praying first. God brings peace when the answer is affirmative. I learned to wait until I sense his leading. I learned to listen for his answers. He taught me to wait until He was ready to act. I also learned it is best to not act if you sense something is wrong in your actions. He will make it abundantly clear if you wait and listen. Sometimes you have to wait a while before he gives you an answer. It’s worth the wait.

God bless you.