The past week and a half has been full of snow, ice, and below freezing temperatures. The schools in our area missed over a week due to the weather conditions! On Saturday night, everything in our small town was coated with an invisible layer of ICE. It was the worst I’ve ever remembered it being here. Our walk way, the gravels, and even the grass were all like an ice skating rink. Vehicles slid off the road, cats were skating across porches, and I found myself nearly on all fours as I walked out to my Grandma’s Sunday morning until I was able to grab a couple of sticks.  It was truly amazing. Our local newspaper said that it had not been that bad since our last ice storm in the 1970s. As I cautiously eased my feet forward on the ice glazed ground, realizing that at any moment I could be on my face in the ice with a broken bone, yet praying the entire time,  a Scripture came to mind;

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.

1 Corinthians 10:12

Wow. Such a short verse, yet so much meaning and power behind it. In other words, “Be careful!” or “Don’t become too confident that you’re doing well and there’s no need for improvement”. When we think we are soaring to great heights (in our own strength), God, in His grace and everlasting Fatherly love for us usually allows us to fall hard enough to see that it was never “us” who did good to begin with, but Him alone. And we find, as we sit cold, wet, and bruised on the ice of our own doings and endeavors- ice we didn’t even see when we stepped out that, ”Me – Jesus= Nothing”.  I ended up making it safely to my destination. God was faithful and gracious as always. He heard my frightened whispered prayers and answered.

Oh dear sisters, deception in the world and in the Church is at an all time high. Many, many preachers, teachers, and well respected people who claim to know Jesus have turned away, believed the lies of the enemy, and are now preaching a “different” Jesus. Beware! Their messages may sound legit in the beginning, but they give way to a web of lies-the trap of Satan. If they deny that Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father, then we know they are deceived and are seeking to deceive others. Now, more than ever, we must weigh all things against God’s Word, meditate on the Word that has been hidden in our hearts, and pray to hear and know the voice of the precious Holy Spirit within us.  The days are evil. We must be wise as serpents. Anything less is walking on a thick sheet of ice with no skates and nothing to hold on to.

Though the ice was brutal, it left us with the most glorious looking giant icicles I believe I have ever seen, clutched to the rocky mountains that border our town. We also got some nice soft, fluffy snow. I adore snow! I love to just go outside and walk in it as it falls. There’s something so refreshing, so pure, so exciting about falling snow. It’s soft silence whispers the story of God’s grace and mercy. It is a reminder that never grows old that, “Though our sins were as scarlet, He has washed us white as snow”. Thank You, precious Savior!

It has been quite a harsh winter so far, at least more than we are used to. Temperatures have dropped to single digit numbers several times already.  Its such a blessing to have a heating system, oodles of quilts and blankets, scarves, gloves, and coats. Warm fuzzy PJs and slippers. We truly do not realize how blessed we are. Oh Lord, please forgive us for taking your tender mercies for granted every single day.

Last Tuesday night, just before the snow started, I went to a baby shower. I love baby showers! I love giving them, helping with them, going to them, blessing new mommies and mommies of many. I just love celebrating new life!

Congratulations to Tommy and Maria on baby #4, a sweet little girl due to arrive in early March!

Around this time last year, I helped bless a mommy of 5 with a “Blessing Celebration”. We wanted to make it extra special. We served desserts and warm drinks. We decorated with pictures of the very pregnant mommy and her family, framed Scripture, Scripture plaques, a “clothes line” of mothering quotes and more Scripture and pictures. We washed this tired mommy’s feet in a warm lavender bath. We offered prayers for the remainder of her pregnancy, and for a smooth and beautiful labor and delivery. I put Scriptures about babies and children into a basket and the guests all took one and we read them, one by one. We made her a little “crown” from flowers. We wanted her to feel like a queen for the evening.   A few days later, I had the delight of getting a 2 am call that my dear friend was in labor. We had, had the shower just in time. Off I went with my pre-packed bag and frozen cookie dough I had made the week before. It was such a treat to stay with the other children and celebrate this new baby and his life and homecoming. We decorated cookies the next day. What fun!

Happy Birthday sweet little Samuel (asked of God)! I can’t believe you are nearly 1!

So often, moms only get 1 or 2 (at most) baby showers. I love to help bless mothers of many with each new blessing. I am always so blessed! I’m excited to have two more dear friends expecting in the Spring. One is expecting #10 and the other is expecting #5! I look forward to being able to help bless them during this sweet time of their lives as well.

Maybe that’s something you would like to do to minister and bless others during your single years, while you are free to give more of  your time to the Lord and His Kingdom. What a delightful blessing it would be to a dear mother in your life!

*WFTM UPDATE:  Issue # 6 is finished! It is now being proof-read and Lord willing, will be printed next weekend. Hopefully, it will be in your hands at the beginning of February. Thank you so much for your patience, a fitting virtue for this season in your life . Though this issue did not go out when I had planned, it will be going out at God’s perfect time, no doubt! Please pray that all goes smoothly with printing and shipping!

*Family Update:   My dad seems to have improved slightly since Christmas time, but a few days ago, he started losing his appetite. We think he may have had a touch of a stomach bug. He ate better today. I am so thankful for God’s amazing grace upon our family. He continues to pour it out on us, and we stand so undeserving of it. Many thanks to all who have uttered a prayer for us in this difficult time.

Many blessings to you all as you follow Jesus, the One and Only!

~Candace

Hello and blessings to all family in Christ, friends, and readers of WFTM newsletter and blog!

I just wanted to quickly thank you all who are praying for my family, especially my dad as his health declines, and my mother as she is faced with decisions on how to get him the best care. You could never know the value of your prayers to me and my family. They are truly priceless and appreciated beyond words. May the Lord bless you richly for every moment spent on your knees in petition for us, precious ones.

My dad has had 5 falls in the past two weeks. Amazingly, he has not broken any bones, but it is hard to even sleep at night, knowing that at any moment he could fall again. It seems he is indeed growing worse, and his Alzheimer’s which brings aggression has made him nearly impossible to help. He did celebrate his 72nd birthday on December 30, and I delighted in preparing a steak dinner for him, and making his favorite- an old fashioned apple butter stack cake. He was able to enjoy that, I think. God’s grace in the midst of the battle is truly amazing.  

We have no idea what tomorrow will hold, as there has never been a more seemingly uncertain time in our home, but we know WHO holds tomorrow, and we know He is forever faithful. We can take great comfort in knowing that He is WITH us and He is carrying us, and working all things together for those who love Him.

I do ask for prayer for strength, peace in the right decisions, and comfort. I also ask that you would pray for the softening of my dad’s heart, and that God would renew his feeble mind to desire Jesus, and that we could see the fruit of that decision even now. That is the primary concern at this time.

Let’s also remember to pray for Israel with the attack they are under at this time!

Again, I hope and pray that WFTM #6 will be able to go out this month. I think you will be blessed by this issue. There are some wonderful submissions this time, as always. It has also been so exciting to see more dear young ladies subscribe. If you have happened upon the blog and would like to learn how to subscribe, you may leave a comment here and I’ll be glad to give you the info you need. The publication is free of charge to all that desire to get it as God provides the funding.

I want to leave you with a Scripture from Habakkuk. This Scripture has meant a lot to me this year as I have seen my dad’s health decline and my family as I’ve known it change. It is also a reminder to all of those who are waiting on the Heavenly Father to move on their behalf, and yet, with natural eyes are not seeing His mighty hand at work. A sweet little sister in Jesus sent me a CD with these words put to music. How beautiful! I’ve been singing it ever since. Be blessed by God’s perfect, beautiful, life-giving Word: