Pre-Rummage Sale Jitters!!

I'm a little worried about the weather for this weekend.  

TODAY it is beautiful outside!  It is Sunny and Clear and Warm with a nice Breeze.  

(no, this photo isn't mine)

Tomorrow starts our rummage sale and it is supposed to be Cloudy with an 80% of Thunderstorms!!  There is a 90% chance of Rain and/or Thunderstorms on Friday!

(this one isn't mine either)

We have been preparing for this Rummage Sale for weeks.

We are taking days off of work to hold this Fundraiser to help with our Adoption Fees/Expenses.  

We have Purged, Collected, Sorted, Organized, Cleaned, Priced ... 

(there's nowhere to move in our garage)

... we have Created Posters, Signs and Labels.

We NEED this fundraiser and we Need it to do WELL!

Did I mention tomorrow starts our rummage sale and it is supposed to be Cloudy with an 80% of Thunderstorms!!  There is a 90% chance of Rain and/or Thunderstorms on Friday!

... he (the evil, nasty, you-know-who) threatens to steal my Joy and Motivation each day.

But here's my devotion for today:

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

What a tremendous claim Paul makes in this verse!  He does not say, "We know that in some things," "most things," or even "joyful things" but "ALL things."  This promise spans from the very smallest detail of life to the most important, and from the most humbling of daily tasks to God's greatest works of grace performed during a crisis.

Paul states this in the present tense: "God works."  He does not say, "worked" or "will work."  It is a continuing operation.

We also know from Scripture that God's "justice [is] like the great deep" (Psalm 3:6); at this very moment the angels in heaven, as they watch with folded wings the development of God's great plan, are undoubtedly proclaiming, "The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made" (Psalm 145:17).

Then when God orchestrates "all things" ... for the good," it is a beautiful blending.  He requires many different colors, which individually may be quite drab, to weave into the harmonious pattern.

Separate tones, notes, and even discords are required to compose melodious musical anthems; a piece of machinery requires many separate wheels, parts, and connections. One part from a machine may be useless, or one note from an anthem may never be considered beautiful, but taken together, combined, and completed, they lead to perfect balance and harmony.

We can learn a lesson of faith from this: "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand" (John 13:). - J.R. Macduff

In a thousand trials, it is not just five hundred of them that work "for the good" fo the believer, but nine hundred and ninety-nine, plus one. - George Mueller

I'm a "believer" and I know that God can do anything and that He is for me, for Us, for these children we are adopting ... so I want to not worry.  It IS hard sometimes to believe that "God is working" even when things are not all 'sunshine and rainbows' ... but I also believe that HIS WORD IS ALWAYS TRUTH and that means that He IS working ... in ALL things ... for our GOOD.  I am thankful that He is always working ...

 ... and I AM Thankful ... for what He has already done!!

So far, we have raised almost $6,000!!!  That is really pretty AWESOME!!!

Origami Owl Fundraiser - $125

Odd Jobs - $1,045

Compelled Designs Pottery Necklaces Fundraiser - $146

Baking for our Boys - $424

Donations - $4,112

We are SO THANKFUL for all of you who have donated and participated in our fundraising  SO HUMBLY GRATEFUL and BLESSED!!   

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. ~Isaiah 26:3-4

Father God, You are unchanging and ever faithful; You are always true and You never disappoint.  When we trust in You, we are at peace.  When we remain focused on You, we are calm.  Help us, LORD, to keep our focus on You and Your truth ... as we do You lift us up; we cannot fail!  ~AMEN

 NOW BRING ON THE SHOPPERS!!!