Moving Forward

 

My brother and sister-in-law had me over to their place two days ago. I've been here two weeks now moving my parents and their possessions, and helping them acclimate to their new independent living apartment in the Assisted Living Manor. I was looking forward to the time with my brother and his sweetie pie. We wandered their cute little historic town and had a fantastic dinner. (Family is everything.) The next day was my last day making sure my folks are all settled in to their new apartment. They are fitting in quite well. I spent the day with them, and had dinner and lunch at the Manor. It was delicious! I took them on a long drive through the country, and we saw three turkeys, four herons, and a corral of horses that came over to visit with us. The folks were worn out. 

 While they snoozed, I went for a walk again at the spectacular gardens just down the street from them. There was a wedding going on in the beautiful gardens, as well as several babies being photographed amidst the flowers. I sat and watched. Their faces all beamed with hopeful expectation of a future that shone with promise and delight.
 

But I lingered only a short time. The whole Manor was abuzz with excitement. It was "candy Bingo" night. I couldn't wait! Mom had been anxious all week for Bingo!

We excitedly rushed through dinner, and hurried up to the Bingo room. We were worried it would be so crowded they wouldn't get a seat. Praise God, two seats were open! First, the director gave the rules, and then they began. It was very solemn. You could hear a pin drop. These folks take their Bingo seriously.

I leave this morning after two weeks helping my folks take this next step forward in their life journey. I pray it is joyful. There will be challenges. There always are. My hope and prayer is that God will increase their strength and guide their steps. Maybe even let their hopes shine as brightly as that of the new bride and groom in the beautiful gardens, knowing God loves them and their future is in His hands as they move forward.

By the way, guess who won first place at 5 in a row Bingo?

And then quess who won second?

And then guess who won first place in the first game of four corners?

And guess who won first in the second game of four corners?

And then guess who won four more times? The director said no one had ever won that many times, and it was the most astonishing "beginner's luck" she had ever seen. And Mom who loves candy has a huge stash, since the winner chooses the candy of their choice.

The woman sitting next to them said, "If all goes as well here as your Bingo game, you will have no problems." See, God has a future and a plan, and if we trust Him, we win.

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Isaiah 40:29 

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

1 John 3:1-2 

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.