Well, it has sure been a minute since I visited this blog. A long minute really. Like a 9 year minute. But something has stirred a desire in my heart to write again so I thought this would be a good place to start. Let's start with an update. I'm an empty nester now. It's hard to believe, but my five sons have all left home. Seems like only yesterday, they were snuggling up against me in the church pew. I can still smell their clean buzz haircuts and feel the big purse I carried full of snacks and toys to occupy them on Sunday mornings.  They still have the buzz cuts though. They're all active duty now. Two of them are NCO's in the Army, one is a cadet at West Point, one is a Coast Guard seaman and the baby just left for the Army. I have grandchildren now and we live in a cute tiny little house in North Idaho with our new pup Zuzu. Life looks a lot different for sure. The house is cleaner too ;)

I continue to practice medicine as a nurse practitioner and remain passionate about health, wellness and fitness.  The events of the last year have challenged me, saddened me and inspired me, probably in that order.  The thought of writing again came with a challenge the Lord gave me to begin to share with the world the things that He has done for me. To proclaim His goodness in the darkness of the world in this time.  So that's what I intend to do. In an age of masking and distancing, I intend to tear off the facade and get up close and personal. 

This week I have been burdened.  Burdened for my sons in their military service and for the state of our nation in the midst of lockdowns and restrictions. I have been depressed, anxious and hopeless. I am guessing that I am not the only one feeling this way and in the midst of my sorrow the Lord brought me a word of encouragement from a sister in Christ. She sweetly asked me about my boys. She wanted to know how she could be praying for them.  I should add that she's never even met them.  But she lives out the love of Christ by pouring out His love through praying for my kids.  It humbled me greatly.  Throughout our conversation, she proclaimed the goodness of God and she challenged me to live out the truth of Psalm 91.  "We should be living fearlessly right now, Rebekah", she said.  "We should be living like we have the highest King in our corner, because we do."  I hugged her, thanked her and continued on my way.  The Holy Spirit continued to remind me of the truth of Psalm 91, and of the need for me to knit the words in my mind and heart in order to speak its truth over my anxiety and fear.  So I have committed to memorizing it this week. I am hoping that if you're reading this you will join me and in conclusion, I will leave the words here. Be strong in your faith, rely on the One who made you, knows you, forgives you and loves you the most.  Do not despair in the failings of this world.  We know how this all ends and it ends with Victory!  Live like you know it!

Psalm 91:

He who dwells in the shelter of the most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."  Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with his feathers and under His wings you will find refuge.  His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that strikes in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.  A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.  You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.  If you make the most high your dwelling - even the Lord who is my refuge - then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift  you up in their hands; so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.  "Because he loves me, "says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.