Hi dear Chits,
Lovely to hear from you. Thanks for taking the time to both read and to respond. Wow - your parents would have been married 76 years on the 27th? How lovely. Now they are celebrating up there till we can all join them.

I like it how you say we are secure in His Hands. Very true. And yes, He does allow our boat to be rocked - perhaps so we will cling to Him.

Celebrating Easter with a joyful heart. Yes, He is Risen. He is risen indeed.
Much love,
Anu XOX

Thank you for writing this truth so eloquently dearest sis!

This truth of God developing our characters in the midst of pain is so needed in the present day. When everyone wants quick solutions and answers and yes healing....right through Scripture is the word 'Wait" and "at God's appointed time". And yes we are not promised an easy life but that He walks with us through it. Anu what you say is so so true. This has been my journey too with my osteo arthritis. a journey begun in 2003....it brought me closer to God and my understanding of Him and although I don't have a single pain free day as it were (oh no, I don't have those intensely unbearable pains either!..and not to the extent you have suffered with fybro!) yet, He makes me forget and makes it so bearable. When at times at night if and when it hurts it gives me a chance to converse with Him and pray for others in pain. It has a way of keeping us humble too isn't it?

We can look forward to a glorious future with no more pain or tears! Christ is risen Hallelujah!

Beautiful photography Jeff!

love
sal

Hi there beloved sis,
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and respond. Always love hearing from you. I know you have had a long painful walk with osteoarthritis and am inspired to see how you've coped with it dear sis.I'm so sorry to hear you haven't had a single pain free day! Wow! That is a long time with pain. Bless you for trusting God throughout and for continuing to let God shine His light through you despite your suffering.

So glad that you too have experienced what I talk about. What a blessing that He allows our trials in order to mold us and to make us more like Him. I fully agree it keeps us humble. And I also think it helps us empathise better with others experiencing tough times.

Looking forward to having those new bodies promised us and yes, to rejoicing and worshipping Him in a land there are no more tears or sadness or suffering or pain. Yes, the Lamb has overcome! Hallelujah!

Blessings dearest sis and much love,
Anu XOX

Thank you Anusha - what a wonderful post. No I am afraid that I always thought I was patient, but as I grow older I believe I need to focus on this patience even more. Sometimes I think maybe that the more impatient I am, the longer I will have to wait for certain things. One good thing is that these days I am beginning to accept more and more that everything will happen in His time, if it is meant to be. Sometimes I pray for something in particular, wait and wait - then something else better comes in its place.
Love and blessings,
Jo'Anne xo

Hello beautiful Jo'Anne,
Thanks so much for your lovely response. So you thought you were patient but discovered otherwise? I think I am a little like you - motherhood took the blinkers off me and God revealed what my true character is like - and no, it wasn't very nice! :) Sounds like you have been learning the value of waiting. Good on you dear friend. God has been teaching me too to wait for His time which is always the best time. Loved what you said that after praying for one thing - we get something far better. That has been my experience too. Aren't we blessed to have a Father who delights in blessing His children?
Much love and thanks for writing,
Anusha XOX

Dear Anusha:
Saved this article to read when I had some time to take it all in. Such lovely memories, and I so fondly remember all of you over the years as neighbours and of course your mum and dad. Aunty Anne may be gone but she will always be with each one of you in spirit, continue to cherish those memories, they will never fade away. Take care and wish you the very best.
Firieshta

Dear Firieshta,
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this post. Yes, we do have many fond memories of your family too - what a peaceful time it was but also interspersed with difficult times. Thank you for your kind words. And you are right. Our memories remain and we are so blessed to have them. Warm wishes right back to you.
Love
Anusha xox

touched me like no other post... brought tears to my eyes, of a little grief, and more of joy, along with somewhat similar memories. aunty anne surpassed anyone i personally know, so i feel blessed to have known her in her latter years at least. it is another wonderful tribute to her that you are able to carry on her legacy of writing... it blesses us all who read your words...
hugs ... r

Hi Renuka,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and also the time to respond. Really glad it resonated with you. Thinking of dear Aunty Priya too as you miss her but also celebrate her life and all she meant to you.

Thank you for your encouraging words my friend.
Much love,
Anusha xo

My celebrity friend - Anu,

I read this blog with so much of love and my heart just touched yours - as I wear your shoes (as it were).
'Relationships endure beyond the grave' I would love to have this quoted on my tombstone and preached at my funeral to bring more souls to the Lord.

Thank you for exposing and sharing your inner-most thoughts and feeling.

Over-flowing with love for you - Mich