Dear Ones,
  Hope you have sunshine within, even though it is overcast and raining. Al is at Men’s group and I just baked choc chip cookies so the house is full of good aroma. I plan to go down for Donut Day and then we have Bible Study this afternoon. 
My aunt of 97 years old went home to be with the Lord and would appreciate prayers for the family. She was so loved by all. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
 Sometimes the Lord has little surprises for us in our day and it’s like a way of letting us know He sees us and is close with us. I had such an experience last Saturday as I went with my daughter to an Art Fair. We went early and since my daughter is into rock collecting, we went first to the basement of the school where there were displays of rock jewelry.
  We felt sorry for the vendors/artists as we saw only a few people; so, I bought a pair of earrings and Ann bought a bracelet. I also saw a necklace of a pink rock wrapped around by thick golden wire that curled into swirls that held it in place, but still open enough to feel the rock. I mentioned to the gal who made it how lovely it was and I wondered if my friend who we walk with would like that necklace for Christmas. Vickie has Alzheimer’s and likes to fidget with things and it is a color she is fond of. We visited together and then Ann and I went to second floor and to an art exhibit room. All of a sudden, this same vender showed up there and told me if I wanted that rock necklace, she would cut the price in half. I quickly said, “Sold!”
   I told her more about my friend and how I had also prayed for a gift for her birthday and was led to a lovely art form of a woman in blue that exemplified who my friend is still inside even though her mind is fading. I felt like maybe this rock necklace would also be symbolic of the beautiful person Vickie is inside and yet her mind feels like it is encased in a cage and not set free. But one day it will be! As I shared with the vendor, she said that she had goosebumps and tears came to her eyes by my story. I went downstairs and bought the necklace which was placed in a pink lace bag for Vickie’s Christmas. And an added touch of the Lord was that the necklace is long enough to go over Vickie’s head as she could never do the clasp. I felt the Lord smile!
   Let us not miss the surprises the Lord may send us throughout our day. It could be a specific word we need to hang on to or an actual gift like Vickie’s. Like it says in James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift descends from above, from the Father of lights with whom there is no change or a shadow of variation.”
   Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to help you recognize His many surprises for you and give Him thanks.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy