“So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”
Hebrews 6:18, 19 (NLT)
My friends, thank you for joining me on this journey of truth, hope, and faith. If you aren’t privy to the events that led to this series, you can catch that here: I’m Looking Forward to Looking Back… Will You Join Me? I’m tenaciously doing physical therapy to rehabilitate my right arm after shoulder surgery. I may be limited in my ability to type, but I trust God will speak to you through my photos. His words are more important than mine anyway! Thank you for your grace and prayers during this time in my life.
“The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages.”
Psalm 50:1-3
My friends, thank you for joining me on this journey of truth, hope, and faith. If you aren’t privy to the events that led to this series, you can catch them here: I’m Looking Forward to Looking Back… Will You Join Me? I’m tenaciously doing physical therapy to rehabilitate my right arm after shoulder surgery. I may be limited in my ability to type, but I trust God will speak to you through my photos. His words are more important than mine anyway! Thank you for your grace and prayers during this time in my life.
Hello, my friends! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers for me as I headed into surgery. I firmly believe God answered you with a miracle!
Although the surgeon found more beneath the surface to fix than he expected, I have had very little pain in the aftermath. My husband, who had a similar surgery last year (See: What Could Possibly Go Wrong, Part 2), keeps reminding me how miraculous it is. And I am certain this is all a direct response from God to so many who have been praying. I’m entirely grateful!
S(L)ING to the Lord a new song!
I will, however, be in this cadillac of a sling for a while, and I’m finding it exhausting to type with just my left hand. I knew I was not ambidextrous, but I did not realize just how uncoordinated I was, until now. I guess I will get a ton of practice over the next several weeks!
“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.”
Paslm 98:1-3
My plan is to continue sharing beautiful photos from Hawaii while I work through physical therapy and regain mobility in my right arm. I know you will be blessed by the images of God’s tropical island creation. I especially look forward to sharing some of the sunsets! God knew surgery would go this way, so I trust He has a plan to use the pictures to encourage and inspire you in His love.
Thank you again, my dear friends. I cannot believe what a treasure this community is. I thank God for you. And I thank you for being part of this special place; engaging with me and each other, here on the Back Porch.
If YOU have never subscribed to this blog, I invite you to do so. I cannot say enough about the people who gather here. This is the friendliest, wittiest, and most genuinely kind group of bloggers and readers you could hope to find. And God is working here. He is drawing us all nearer to Himself, day by day.
We would love to include YOU!
Join us:
I am grateful you have chosen to come along on this journey of truth, hope, and faith. If you aren’t privy to the events that led to this series, you can catch that here: I’m Looking Forward to Looking Back… Will You Join Me? Thank you so much for your grace and prayers during this time in my life!
For two weeks, I avoided the sight of planes leaving the island. They made me sad. I didn’t want to think about our departure. They say all good things must come to an end. Gladly, this will not be true of our stay in the ultimate paradise which Jesus is preparing for all who believe!
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Jesus in John 14:1-3
Many of you read and responded to Post 6 of this Photo of the Day series, and have been praying for my son, who had double pneumonia and was hospitalized for several days.
I owe you an update and I’m blessed for the opportunity to praise God for His mercy and grace in this crisis. In the days since that initial post, I have been filled in on the severity of the situation.
My son suddenly could not catch a breath. He went to urgent care, where he was suspected of having a collapsed lung and sent to the ER. There they diagnosed the double pneumonia and admitted him.
He thought he was dying. He was in severe pain, gasping for air. Treatments tried were ineffective. His new wife, of less than a year, was asked if she had power to “pull the plug” if it came to that. I can’t imagine how that question must have landed on her ears and heart.
After almost a week in the hospital, they finally found a viable treatment, and my son was sent home with meds and equipment to recover. Progress was discouraging. He lost 17 pounds, which drastically changed his appearance. He was barely able to move, and the pain with every breath was excruciating.
But God, y’all! Our Great Physician answered our prayers for intervention. A return visit to the doctor resulted in a new antibiotic, which turned things around. At last report, my son is cautiously back to work, beginning to recover his weight, and mostly pain free, as long as he doesn’t sneeze!
This weekend, my son turned 25. It was an extra special occasion, given the circumstances, and you were part of it because of your prayers. To God be the glory and praise!
“Heal me, Lord, and I shall be healed; save me and I shall be saved, for you are the one I praise.”
Jeremiah 17:14
My friends, thank you for joining me on this journey of truth, hope, and faith. If you aren’t privy to the events that led to this series, you can catch that here: I’m Looking Forward to Looking Back… Will You Join Me? Thank you so much for your grace and prayers during this time in my life!
With the exception of the two palm trees growing up through these boughs, this is one tree! The banyan tree sends roots down from its branches.
Have you ever seen a banyan tree? They grow gigantic in Hawaii, providing large areas of shade and seemingly endless space for creatures to rest. The orchestra of birdsong which can be heard from beneath their canopies is truly something special!
A banyan tree sends prop roots down from its limbs. Once they reach the ground and burrow into the dirt, these roots become structural support, allowing the branches to grow wide and thick without breaking from their weight. They also provide the expanding tree with all the extra water it needs to stay healthy and green.
Oh, what a picture of a thriving Christian!
When Jesus is our foundation, we are solid and secure. By anchoring us as we branch out in Him, He ensures we will not break. He roots us deeply in His living water, allowing us to grow and become people who invite others into His eternal life.
“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’”
John 4:13, 14
A single banyan tree in Hawaii with an array of prop roots.
“They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:8
Another species of tree with roots extending from above ground. Does anyone know what this one is called?
My friends, thank you for joining me on this journey of truth, hope, and faith. If you aren’t privy to the events that led to this series, you can catch that here: I’m Looking Forward to Looking Back… Will You Join Me? Thank you so much for your grace and prayers during this time in my life!
If you know, you know! If you don’t, I invite you to read “A Dollar Short and a Day Late on Love”. Please enjoy these reminders of God’s love from the shores (and skies!) of Oahu.
(Click on any of the photos below to enlarge and click through in slide-show view)
“…to him who divided the Red Sea asunder His love endures for ever.“
Psalm 136:13
My friends, thank you for joining me on this journey of truth, hope, and faith. If you aren’t privy to the events that led to this series, you can catch that here: I’m Looking Forward to Looking Back… Will You Join Me? Thank you so much for your grace and prayers during this time in my life!
Mama Lava's Back Porch 