As I get back into gear, there are so many things that I wanted to mention.

Today, January 14, 2013 we are taking time to thank the Lord for His sovereign protection over us just four years ago on this date.

For those new to our Place Called Simplicity, on this date, four years ago, with Dw out of town, I woke up to our smoke alarm {that had, by God’s grace, been fixed the day before} alarming.  Six of our kids sound asleep {including Elijah and Elizabeth who had only been home from Uganda for less than 4 weeks}, I groggily plodded my way through our beloved log home wondering in that not-so-alert state what in the world was going on.

Before long I discovered that our treasured ol’ log home was on fire.  The rest is history, but there is no doubt that it was a defining moment in all of our lives.  Yes, God allows pain.  He allows heartache.  He allows loss.  Losing our home and it’s contents to a fire will always remain a place that we refer to as Our Holy Ground for many reasons…first and foremost though, as that is the day that we saw a scripture come to life in a very real way like never before:

“The angel of the Lord encamps round about 
those who fear Him.”  
Psalm 34:7

There will never be a doubt in our minds that the true angel of the Lord was present that day four years ago, keeping the wood wet until I was awake enough to wake the older children who helped get the little ones out in to the 15 degree temperatures…or there is no doubt that we would have all perished.  I was just too sleepy when the smoke alarm first started sounding.

A couple of years ago a kind bloggy friend sent me a wall cut-out decal of Psalm 34:7 and I had never gotten around to actually putting it up {the Lord knew that we would be moving several times before we would permanently be in our home – yippee Jesus!} and this home we now live in has the perfect place for it, right above the front door.  I am certain that when the builder built this home several years ago he did so under the guidance of the Lord, because the spot is truly perfect for the words, {which I will be putting up before long}.

Another date that stands out for our family is Friday the 10th of January as this is the anniversary of Almighty God’s healing touch on my arm from the Multiple Sclerosis.  I shared my miracle story here.   
My body had become quite a chore until January 10th, 2006. Faithful God – seven years ago – already!

Graham and I were talking about my healing on Friday as he remembers so clearly how bad I trembled and shook.  We were mentioning that one does not often hear of true miracles in our modern society very often – but our family has seen so many, and huge ones at that!  We are humbled at God’s daily work in our lives, in both seemingly little and ginormous, humongous ways!

And no, I will never apologize or feel bad about telling our stories over and over and over…because it is in these miracle stories that joy is found, hope is encouraged, and true faith is built.

The most beautiful part of it all is that the Lord is not just faithful for us.  He is faithful, no matter who you are or your station in life.  He keeps His promises – always.  His word never changes.  And you can take that promise to the bank.