8/3: Patty likes the book I picked. It’s “God In You” by David Jeremiah. When I finished reading, she had a load of questions. I answered the ones I could and told her I’d find the answers to others. I absolutely love to see someone who longs to know more! These questions made me realize how little I really know about the Bible. I’m so happy she’s unknowingly making me learn more.

8/4: Mom and I went to see the Cincinnati Reds play. We signed up at church and many ended up driving separately. We ended up parking in a sand lot. We were surrounded by them. I knew her pretty white car was going to need a good bath after this.

We ate dinner at a little park on the river and headed to the game. Ran into some of my relatives and had fun being with church family.

The Reds won! Mom and I left before the fireworks started because we didn’t want to get caught in traffic. On the way, we sat on a glider swing that overlooked the skyline and river. It was a beautiful evening. We watched the fireworks and then headed home.

8/5: Got my car spiffed up for the car show cruise-in and hog roast at Ridgewood Health Campus. I love car shows! There were a lot of people there and no room to sit with my mom, dad, aunt, and uncle so I decided to plop down with my plate of food by people I didn’t know and allow God to take care of the rest. He did. They were older couples, but we hit it off quickly. I was so at ease. I went around greeting the assisted living residents who come to my program each month. I even had the delight of meeting some of their family members.

Mom and I went to Wal-Mart, and by the time we got back, we were dead tired. When I walked in the house there was a gift card for $65 from a hair salon. Mom said my aunt and uncle probably stopped in while we were gone. Yep, they did. They said my number was picked out of the jar of car entries. Yay!

Babysat Ava for a few hours. I read her a cute story about an armadillo. Now she knows what one is and how to pronounce its name. Taught her about our garden too.

8/6: The demonic spirits have been oppressing me heavily all day. When I begin entering intimate prayer, I sense the demons more frequently. They are my indicators that I’m on the right track in my walk with God. I was so tired and down that I didn’t go to church.

I wrote another devotion and worked on a birthday gift for a young lady at church. The arthritis-like aching throughout my body lingers. I feel like a 90-year old. Who knows what’s causing it?

8/7: Work went OK. The atmosphere seemed cold and empty. It could be a result of the gloomy, rainy day. I noticed the demonic oppression lifting at about 4PM. It feels so good to be able to smile again.

I have been doing what I wrote in one of last week’s devotions: praying and singing praises to God. It seems God uses me to write devotions that I can apply to my own life. Funny how that works. I posted a devotion about salvation. I believe Satan did everything he could to stop me from posting it. I had one computer problem after another. I was determined to get it done and did.

8/8: I switched to a different insulin yesterday because I had a feeling this might be causing my physical problems. It seems like every time I try to use Apidra, I become ill. I feel fine now. No body aches, no headache, I’m not fatigued, my blood sugar level is back to normal. I guess I’m allergic to it.

LITM had a meeting tonight. It’s is so awesome to see how God can work in each individual heart to work out something that needs group effort. God laid it on my heart a couple of months ago that if LITM ever did another disordered eating group that I needed to answer the call. It just so happened that Raelynn brought up the topic and wanted to get a group going at the hospital again. Melody quickly volunteered to lead and said she’d like a co-leader. That was my call. God arranged our lives and schedules to come together at this specific time. I am so excited to see what He is going to do during this program!!

8/9: After I read to Patty, we talked a while. I really see a ministry need. I know if Patty has all of these questions about the Bible others do too, including me. I told her about my dad and his gift of teaching. I also briefly told her that I thought this would be a perfect opportunity for him to get back into serving God and using his giftedness for others. She agreed and said she’d be in prayer about it. I asked dad if he’d start a Q & A and, without hesitation, he said yes. It was almost as if God had already prepared his heart for this moment. My heart took a giant leap of joy!

The Holy Spirit has urged me to pray many times today for a friend whose son went missing in April. I can’t get her off my mind. Tonight, I spent a long time in prayer for her. I don’t know what’s going on in the spiritual realm, but I do know the Spirit knows her need and has urged me to pray for her. He cares deeply for His children and knows each and every detail of Linda’s life.