Good morning and happy Thursday. It's been a rough week and half that just passed by. My dad had some mini strokes and a surgery. My mom had her back surgery, and my mom in law had emergency surgery. The good news is that they are all doing great today. I asked for some prayers from friends and family and became overwhelmed with response. It's amazing how we turn out for each other when the need arises. I just love it. God brings us together in these times so we can see love in action and not just being mouthed. It gives us a chance to receive blessings from others and to be loved on instead of giving. We focus a lot on the giving of ourselves to others which is always great, but we have to leave room for the receiving part. If we don't, we're not letting others be a blessing. If we can't receive, then what about what Jesus did for us on the cross? That's a gift we must receive. It's given to us freely but means nothing if it's not received as the blessing it is. So when we give of ourselves to others we're merely doing what Jesus did for us, on much smaller scale I might add, but the same just as well. Being on the receiving end helps us learn to be humble and to a degree, allow ourselves to be beneath the giver. It's an awesome thing and feels so good once we learn to accept the things people want to do for us. This has been one of the hardest lessons for me to learn. And in His infinite wisdom, God taught me as I fought Him the whole way. So learn to be open to the gifts others offer. Receive them with in the love by which they were given. Jesus gave us His life so that we can have life with Him. What a gift. So with that let me say again. Thank you all so much for blessing me and my family with your gift of prayers and concern. You are all truly a blessing. In love always. <><