I WENT TO BED SO COLD

There's not a happy medium for me right now. If I stay outside too long, I get too hot. When I'm inside I'm wrapped up in a blanket. The other night I went to bed and I was SOOOOO COLD! I had my winter pajamas on and fuzzy socks. My head was freezing, so I put my sleep cap on. Covered up over my head. I just couldn't get warm. It was about 11:30 and I finally drifted off to sleep. The next morning, when I picked up my phone to check the time, I saw that there was a Text. It was from my sweet friend Ashlee. The text was sent at 11:40 p.m. and read:

Hi Debbie! Just wanted you to know that while I was chatting with God tonight you were one of the topics! Praying for a Heavenly slumber for you tonight! May you be warm with His arms wrapped tightly around you! Love u!

The choice of her words was evident to me, that truly, God had warmed me with His arms wrapped tightly around me. I slept through the night and awakened refreshed.

SO GRATEFUL FOR THE MANY PRAYER WARRIORS that God continues to bless my life with. Your prayers continue to sustain me on this TRUSTING Journey.

THANK YOU FOR EVERY PRAYER PRAYED ON MY BEHALF!!

WAITING ON RESULTS

Last Monday morning I was up early (3 am) drinking water, preparing for my PT/CT Scan, the first since my treatment was completed in April.

This morning, although I have been a little anxious, waiting on results, I have tried to stay calmly conscious of God's presence, no matter what!

My devotion this morning was a poignant reminder to me that God knows exactly where I am on this TRUSTING Journey.

REST WITH ME A WHILE. You have journeyed up a steep, rugged path in recent days. The way ahead is shrouded in uncertainty. Look neither behind you nor before you. Instead, focus your attention on Me, your constant Companion. Trust that I will equip you fully for whatever awaits you on your journey.

I designed time to be a protection for you. You couldn't bear to see all our life at once. Though I am unlimited by time, it is in the present moment that I meet you. Refresh yourself in My company, breathing deep draughts of My Presence. The highest level of trust is to enjoy Me moment by moment. I am with you, watching over you wherever you go.

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Genesis 18:15

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8

(Jesus Calling - Devotion by Sarah Young)

STILL TRUSTING!!

WEEKEND WITH THE PATTERSON FAMILY

Several months ago, Shanda called and told me that she wanted to surprise her daddy for Father's Day and needed to check the calendar to make sure he would be available. She wanted to take him to the PGA Byron Nelson Golf Tournament. When the time came for her to let Gary know what she was giving him for Father's day, you would have thought it was Christmas. He was so excited!

We went to Bridgeport, Texas on Friday night. Adolfo and Shanda have been hosting a Bible Study for some of the Texas Troopers that Adolfo works with. He had ask Gary to come and speak for the Study. We had a great time with everyone and definitely knew that it was a God ordained appointment. God showed up and hearts were ministered to.

Saturday morning, Grammy had Cinco all to myself. We slept in, had a late breakfast, went for walks, had snacks under the shade tree, talked about every bird that flew over, had more snacks, sat on the porch and talked about everything and nothing. Treasured moments with my grandson.

I made Cinco scrambled eggs (with ketchup) for breakfast. In the middle of eating, he laid his fork down and looked up at me and said "Grammy do you feel better this morning". Through my tears I said "Yes, Cinco, I do feel better" and he said "Good Grammy, we can play" It was then that I realized, that even my 3 year old grandson was aware and sensitive to what was going on.

The new addition to the Patterson family is "Toodles" Such a cute little schnauzer. She follows Cinco around like a shadow.

Gary and Shanda had a great time at the Byron Nelson Golf Tournament, but I am convinced they didn't have as much fun as Cinco and I had:)

S.A.Y. Revealed

From day one when we shared that I had been diagnosed with cancer, the outpouring of love and support from family and friends was overwhelming! As the days began to unfold, I began to receive cards and gifts and they were simply signed " S.A.Y." Some days I would receive 3-5 cards a day from S.A.Y. It became evident that it was a network of people that was sending the cards, because there was a variety of handwriting. I have shared on the blog before, how intrigued I was. These cards were coming with messages that were so timely with what I was experiencing at the time. I told Gary, "whoever this is, does not need recognition, they are simply coming alongside me in prayer and encouragement!
There was not one day that I did not receive something from S.A.Y.

On May 29, the LFA Singles held their dinner and a movie. Gary said he would like for me to go even if it was just for a little while. This was the first Sunday night I had felt like attending. So when we arrived and walked into the Youth Center, there were tables set up in a circle, with one table in the center and that is where they ask me to be seated. I thought how thoughtful of them to welcome me back, little did I know what was happening. I HAD NO IDEA.

After the meal, one by one, people began to stand up and quote a verse from Psalm 91. I quickly realized they were quoting the scripture to ME! (many times in the cards, Psalm 91 was referred to). Then Aletha, (our coordinator of LFA Singles) stood up and said "Pastor Debbie, we know that you have been receiving cards, gifts, and flowers from S.A.Y. and you have wondered who that was. Well, look around at the faces and you will know. S.A.Y. stands for SINGLES AROUND YOU. I burst into tears. They had no idea how TIMELY the cards and what they wrote in them were. They had ministered to me from afar, touching the depths of my heart so gently with each of their encouraging acts of love. They truly displayed what love and compassion is really all about.

I still receive a card now and then from S.A.Y. and it makes me SMILE! The point is not to know who sends the card, but to know THE SPIRIT that the card has been sent with.

THANK YOU S.A.Y. for every prayer you prayed, every card, gift and flowers you sent. My TRUSTING JOURNEY was strengthened by your faithful, consistent encouragement.

HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERSARY MATT AND LISA

In the United Sates, 3,000 couples get married each day. On June 17, 2006, this couple was one in a million in our books. Matt and Lisa dated through their High School years and through Matt's 4 years at West Point. Two weeks after graduation from West Point, they were married. Lisa married our son, knowing what the Military life would expect of her. She knew there would be separations, both from Matt and her family, many moves and untold sacrifices. And yet, she loved our son and was willing to become an "Army Wife". I well remember their wedding day, when I stepped into the Bridal Room and saw my son's bride. She was radiant! I took her face in my hands, and said, "I came to welcome the newest Mrs. Pratt into our family." Lisa wrote a song for their wedding that she sang to Matt, "Keeper of My Heart". Actually, it was a poem Matt had written for her and she put it to music and sang it to him. It has been evident over these past 5 years that Matt and Lisa have been the keeper of each others hearts. They have endured one deployment already. On June 6 they embarked on another journey, as Matt was deployed to Afghanistan. Two days after Matt left, Lisa received word that her brother, JT, who has been battling cancer, was hospitalized in Houston in critical condition. Lisa and her family have been by JT's side, as he continues to fight and KEEP THE FAITH. JT came through the surgery that replaced his heart with an artifical heart. Although he is still in criticall condition, they are seeing progress and Miracles are happening every day, as many continue to pray and KEEP THE FAITH for JT.

So today, I want to wish Matt and Lisa a Happy Anniversary. Although they have been faced with unusual circumstances and unwanted separations, they continue to embrace their love for one another and their committment to serve our nation.

I pray that each of you, my friends and family, will continue to pray for God's shield of protection around those who defend this country, so they will be delivered out of harm's way!

I invite you to join me as I pray Psalm 91 over Matt daily!

On June 4th, Matt and Lisa revewed their vows in a beautiful ceremony in Colorado Springs, officiated by their Pastors, Todd and Kelly Hudnall.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MATT AND LISA PRATT

SEE YOU SOON, MATT!

(June 6, 2011)

This morning my son kissed his wife and told her he would "see her soon" (goodyes are too hard). He left Fort Carson, Colorado headed to Afghanistan for his 2nd deployment. If you would like to follow their blog, go to mattandlisapratt.blogspot.com.

We are so proud of Matt and Lisa. Although nothing can prepare you fully for a deployment, we are assured that God's grace will carry us all through.

During my treatment, Matt and Lisa came to visit. I told Matt I had gotten a hair cut just like his, "a high and tight".

Moments shared at our Ordination in April, 2011

Our last morning with Matt.

Every day that Matt is away, I will faithfully pray Psalm 91 over him.

God Bless America

God Bless our Son, CPT Matthew L. Pratt