Wednesday, November 20, 2013

WOYWW: A Mystery


A great big thank you to all of you who visited and accompanied us through this challenging time in our lives.  Your support, prayers and words of encouragement are much appreciated.  I'm sorry that I did not find time to visit back.  On my desk for What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday is today's journal page in progress...


Making a journal page, I start out with a blank page, make a rough sketch and then go on to complete it.  Looking at the blank page, it is a mystery to me what my final work will look like.

So it is with life.  We never know what will happen in our lives.  It is a mystery.

Sometimes, suffering comes to visit.  It has come to visit the thousands in Eastern Philippines who lost their homes and loved ones because of Typhoon Haiyan.  We can only try our best to help them through this time.  Here is what a corner in our living room looks like, with clothes waiting to be dropped off for donation.  


Suffering is another mystery.  I believe in God's great, great love for mankind and yet He allows so much suffering in our lives.  Suffering has come to visit my Mom, too.  She was in the hospital for a week, but praise God, although still in need of much prayer, she is back home.

But as I reflected on these past days, I realized that I can always find some good in the situation. The great need of our countrymen has encouraged so many to be more generous so that we are no longer like the rich man in Jesus' parable (Luke 16:19-31) who just looked on as Lazarus starved.  As a priest once asked us, "Who is your Lazarus?"

This time with my Mom has given us an opportunity to care for her and show her our love.  It has given me a greater understanding of the value of life, a reminder of how precious our time with our loved ones is.  And always, I turn to God's word for the truth that I proclaim...


and I share this also in Word Art Wednesday with hopes that it will encourage you, whatever your suffering is at this time.

If you would like to donate even just a little bit to help the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, here are some ways you can.  Be blessed, my dear blog friends.  Thank you again for your encouragement.
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20 comments:

  1. SusanLotusNovember 20, 2013 at 9:41 AM

    Beautiful and very comforting quote!
    Blessings!

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  2. ElizaNovember 20, 2013 at 1:21 PM

    Sorry to hear about your mum, glad she is home again. Good for you donating all those goods for the people so affected by this disaster. You are a good person with a big heart.

    Blessings
    Happy WOYWW & Happy Creating
    Hugs Eliza & Yoda 1

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  3. martinealisonNovember 20, 2013 at 1:38 PM

    Bonjour chère amie,

    Je suis très touchée par votre joli billet...
    Vos dessins sont toujours aussi magnifiques.
    Vos paroles me touchent beaucoup ainsi que l'intérêt que vous portez pour le peuple philippin. J'ai ma meilleure amie, ma soeur aux Philippines. Les souffrances multiples que subissent toutes ces familles ne me laissent pas insensible.
    Une pensée particulière pour eux.
    Gros bisous à vous

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  4. ChristineNovember 20, 2013 at 2:18 PM

    Glad to hear your Mom is home safe again.
    Like all good Fathers, sometimes God can only watch and wait for us to turn to Him, but thankfully He is always there.
    Thank you for your inspirational posting.
    Have a good week
    Bishopsmate #26

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  5. AnnieNovember 20, 2013 at 4:29 PM

    So glad to hear your Mum is home well now. I really hope things are making good steady improvement in your beautiful country.
    Hugs,
    A x # 42

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  6. Julia DunnitNovember 20, 2013 at 5:07 PM

    I love your art and think that it is showing your reflective mood this week. An opportunity to care for and reciprocate your Mother's love is something to cherish. I said to Patsy that I'm relieved to see at last that some help is getting through, especially to the remote areas; I know that mobilisation was difficult, but am quite proud of the world response to the need for help.

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  7. Art Joy of Sharing with Peg and ShelNovember 20, 2013 at 5:23 PM

    Wonderful pages. Glad you had time with your mum. Peg R #46

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  8. Lunch Lady JanNovember 20, 2013 at 8:51 PM

    Sending hugs and love to help you through this difficult time...
    Love, LLJ 41 xx

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  9. NeetNovember 20, 2013 at 9:51 PM

    Thoughts and prayers are with you all, whether hit by the typhoon or not. You see it at close quarters and what it does to families.
    So glad your mum is home - loved by you all.
    Hugs & Blessings - Neet 8 xx

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  10. sandysewinNovember 21, 2013 at 1:34 AM

    Your word art is wonderful, as always I love your illustration of the scriptures.

    In trying times I always remember Romans 8:28 & 29. God works all things (and I think especially suffering) for the good purpose of making his children more like his son, Jesus.

    So glad to hear your cook's family is safe, but so sad about their home.

    Happy Woyww,

    Sandy #9

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  11. glitterandglueNovember 21, 2013 at 5:00 AM

    Amen, Peggy!
    Margaret #20

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  12. RobinNovember 21, 2013 at 5:31 AM

    ditto Peggy! Beautiful verse...

    Hugs, Robin #76

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  13. fairy thoughtsNovember 21, 2013 at 5:41 AM

    lovely pages and interesting to see to see first sketch.
    It is truly amazing the way the world has come together to help, in times of difficulty, there is onlt one world
    janet #34

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  14. Princess Judy PalmerNovember 21, 2013 at 5:48 AM

    I really like your completed journal page this time. I think bad things need to happen so we can better appreciate the good. And I think it tests us to develop our characters.

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  15. Great-Granny GrandmaNovember 21, 2013 at 11:00 AM

    Your blog is such an inspiration.
    I've been away from Blogland for a long time, and came back today to post something, but got sidetracked and started reading your blog instead.
    Your posts, word art, and Scripture illustrations have truly touched me. What I was about to write seemed so shallow and hollow by comparison.
    You are so creative, and a real blessing.

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  16. AprilNovember 21, 2013 at 10:23 PM

    Your message and your artwork are beautiful. Thank you for sharing them. April #17

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  17. Ali HNovember 22, 2013 at 5:01 AM

    Always love to see your artworks. Hope all your fellow countrymen are finding some help getting through to them now. Ali #28

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  18. FayeNovember 23, 2013 at 3:34 AM

    Peggy, your beautiful paintings and the scriptures accompanying them are such encouragement to us all. I am praying for your dear mother. It is a privilege to care for someone such as she is, even though it is difficult and sometimes heartbreaking.

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  19. 505whimsygirlNovember 23, 2013 at 5:27 AM

    Hi Peggy,

    I'm so glad that your mom is out of the hospital; that's a huge step in the right direction.

    I am always thinking of your country and those that have suffered. It seems that tragic events are on the increase, all over the world.

    Thank you for showing your WIP. I liked seeing how you draw a line to level (?) the eyes in the drawing.

    Happy belated WOYWW
    Peace, Kay (6)

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  20. UnknownNovember 28, 2013 at 11:17 PM

    Beautiful spirit of generosity in your giving. I hope you dear Mom will not be in pain. This journal page is truly inspirational. Thank you for sharing your beautiful creation with us this week. Blessings,
    Carole Robb Bisson
    Word Art Wednesday

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I'm so glad to hear from you! Thank you so much for dropping by and taking time to leave me a comment! Be blessed!