Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a good week. We are so thankful to be home again after our wonderful week with Mark’s family. Thank you for your prayers! We got surprised by snow  but it is truly beautiful out my window. Al had a good men’s group this morning and I’m going to my exercise class now. . The house is full of aroma as I have been busy in the kitchen. This afternoon I am going to get the winter clothes and boots out.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
I am so often amazed at God’s perfect timing and how important it is to listen to His instructions. Our trip to North Carolina, was especially a time to pay attention to how He was leading us. We usually take two days to go the 1400 miles although one time we did it in 25 hours straight, but were left feeling very tired. This trip both Al and I felt impressed to be more leisurely and do it in 3 days which made it so enjoyable. We spent late afternoon and evenings at motels relaxing and having mini retreats. In the mornings we also had time for devotions and prayer together before we started out again, instead of heading out early. We specifically prayed to be led to the right motels and most of them had pools where I loved to praise the Lord as I swam; on God’s time there were never other persons in the pool!  We had a blessed time and so much fun with Mark’s family; even the games seem to go over big with the grandsons. We had time together as couples and time alone with the kids too. When we had to go home again, both Al and I felt impressed that we should leave after church on Sunday so as to do it in 3 days rather than two. It’s good we listened or we would have struggled getting home because of snow. We had no knowledge that snow was heading our way as the forecast when we left home was good all the way. But on the last night we got snow in Iowa City and watched the radar for what was coming….the same way we were going. Both Al and I were awakened at 4 a.m. the next morning and impressed to just get up and leave for home. Again, God’s timing was perfect as we got through the cities just as the snow was beginning; and when it started snowing hard and our vision was limited, we were off the freeway without heavy traffic. I kept thanking the Lord for guiding us and instructing us. The Lord says in Psalm 32:8(ESV), “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Now our trip was just a small example of his guidance but He wants to advise us with the best path for our entire life for He is watching closely over us.  Let us pay attention!
Challenge for today: Pray and listen and then follow the guidance the Lord gives you.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy