Hello, everyone...<P>I was soooo happy yesterday, and I tried like crazy to post - several times! We had bad storms come through, and everytime I was almost close to finishing my post, I would get knocked off line! Thank the Lord I didn't "fry" my computer in the process.<P>Well, I finally had a conversation by phone w/my H last night. Those of you who know my story know this in itself is a miracle! It's been over 12 weeks since I last spoke w/him.<P>We have a burst pipe under the house somewhere, and I was truly at my wits' end, not knowing what to do, how to tackle it, or fix it. It's not that I'm a wilting willow or anything. It's just that, this is such a major thing, and there are several ways to go, plus the stress of tearing up the floor and finding/fixing it....well, it just wasn't a thing I wanted to decide all by myself. Soooo, I called my SS and he called his dad. Told his dad (I was listening on the speaker phone) that I was stressing out, and he should call me. Before I could even get off the phone w/SS H did call!<P>Well, I almost "lost" the call, cause I wasn't off w/SS yet, so I kept saying "Hello? Hello?" and he was, too, and then he said, "Can't you hear me? It's your <B>H</B>." That was so cool. As soon as I heard his voice, and him say that, I burst into tears! My crying is NOT a LB for him, so it was OK. In fact, I am NOT a crier, so my crying actually has the effect of making him want to comfort me, since I rarely do it. I just couldn't help myself! I mean, 3 months of NO CONTACT, and it all just came gushing out - I WAS SO HAPPY to be hearing his voice. I cried throughout our entire conversation.<P>I explained the situation w/the plumbing, and kept apologizing for putting this on him, but told him I was at the end of my rope, trying to handle it all alone. He kept saying, "It's OK, breath deep, calm down, it's OK." He was sooo sweet!!! Then he asked questions, and told me which way I should go and how to have them fix it. In the middle of the conversation, when I told him it would have to wait, though, cause next week, I am scheduled to have "procedure" done at hospital, he immediately JUMPED in (cut me off, really) and said, "<B>Procedure</B>? WHY?? Did they find something wrong?? What's wrong?" I assured him, it was just an annual check-up after last year's surgery, and he said no more about it, but I think I saw the REAL feelings he had for me come out. That'll give him something to think about - that "life goes on" whether we try to run from it, or think a person will "always be there" or whatever, none of us has that guarantee.<P>We relaxed a little bit after the plumbing business, and even joked around a little bit, talked for 30 minutes. I think I was able to Plan A pretty good, and it was a very enjoyable conversation for us both. I found out about his work, and folks? He didn't change his cell #, like I thought, so he couldn't get my calls. He lost it, for lack of payment. So much for the "better life" he left to seek. <P>So, I feel the "ice was broken" and now our conversations will become more frequent. He even said, "Call and let me know about this." To which I replied (probably a LB - I don't care, it's my <B>line in the sand</B>) "I'm sorry. I WILL NOT call you at 'someone else's house' and have them HAND MY H THE PHONE." I told him I would call SS again and have him contact him, like we did today. He said that was OK.<P>Well, this is sure a lot shorter than last night's post (!) I guess that is all I remember right now! Thank everyone for their prayers, it really DOES work! And so does MB. My M <B> *is*</B> going to be restored. Believe, people. Believe God and His promises.<P>Praise The Lord!<BR>Lupo

Amen Lupo, its very encouraging to see the Lord working in our situations instead of waiting for even the smallest bit of hope. Praise Jesus for always having it all in control no matter how we feel or how things look. The lord will restore your marriage and prodigal mate. God bless you, im dozing off...lol Not used to getting off work at 5:30 in the morning. <BR>Mark

Hey Lupo,<P>What great news!! I am so excited for you. I know how hard it was for you to be completely without contact and I think you scored a double bingo...<P>Hold on tight - I think I am seeing some light too. Sometimes I think we go through a dry period and bing, bing, bing - lots of good things happen.<P>Be aware that you are going to get "nipped at" after this. There will a little backlash from your H since his feelings were reawakened and he's not ready for that. He's going to hurt you a little but if you try to keep your sense of humor (like you have been) and you keep calm, you are going to turn it into a big win.<P>I'm still on vacation so I'll post more when I get home but I wanted to tell you I've read most of the new posts and been praying, just haven't had time to answer.<P>Love, T

Wow! That is just so wonderful. (I tried to post this am but the connection kept dropping off.)<P>Isn't God just awesome.<P>God will bless us all indeed.<P>LKD<BR>

Your responses to me have been an encouragement. I'm happy that you are encouraged by your husband's response. I will pray that the Lord will (continue?) to work in your husband's heart.

Thank you so much, everyone for your responses, and positive feedback. I feel positively euphoric!! <P>I feel like a silly schoolgirl who has her first crush...."WHEN is <I>he</I> going to call again?!?! <P>Thanks, Mark. You really have NO IDEA how supportive your prayers for me have been. I can almost feel the Spirit of the Lord enter my heart whenever I read your prayers. I'm also glad to hear you had a GREAT DAY (read: exhausting!) with your son......<BR>Yes, Jesus has it all under control. Although it doesn't always sound like it when you read my posts, I DO know God is in control, and I ALWAYS believed that the burst pipe in the floor was going to be God's instrument for opening dialog. I just don't always LIKE God's method! HA!! I'm pretty picky, huh?<P>Trying, Thank you for reminding me to "be on guard" for the "Roaring Lion, seeking whom he may devour..." - I think you are right, and Satan will try to discourage me, and make me think this was just "for the house" that he contacted me. In fact, just after I talked to him, I called his son back, to thank him for getting in touch w/his dad for me. I also remembered that I had wanted to ask my H about the last letter I wrote him. I didn't believe he didn't acknowledge our good friend's mother's death (I wrote it in the letter, and I expected him to send her a sympathy card at least). He didn't. I was shocked. He didn't ask about her in our talk, either. So, i'm beginning to think he didn't get the letter. So I asked his son to ask him about the letter. SS said he would, then he said to me, "You really ought to think about selling your house and getting on with things." I said, "I understand your concern, but I'm NOT ready to give up on my M yet!" "Well," he said, "just the same...."<P>So in my mind, the "attack" came immediately! I just "shook it off" - this is a line from Joyce Meyers. Do any of you watch Joyce Meyers in the mornings? "Life in the Word" - she's VERY GOOD. Always excellent advice on how to walk, and remain in the Word, and expect God to help you walk in a Godly life. If you have never heard of her, or seen her before, I URGE you to find her, and watch! She's on FFAM or WGN early mornings. I'm sure she'll be on your cable stations, too. It's well worth it! One of the best teaching ministries I have ever watched.<P>Thank you, Joe, for your kind words. I am humbled by all your prayers.<P>LKD, I KNOW God will bless us all!! It's all just in HIS timing, isn't it? I have a hard time with that concept, but obviously there is NOTHING I can do to speed things up anyway, so I might as well just admit that, and enjoy God's company as my "H" until he brings back my flesh-and-blood one! <P>Praise the Lord, all!<BR>Lupo<BR><p>[This message has been edited by lupolady (edited August 18, 2001).]

Dear Lupo,<P>That is wonderful news! I'm so glad you received a blessing. I have finally let go of my trial and put it in God's hands. I really feel a peace in myself right now. Although I have seen no progress yet, and I still have to move out of my house, I am holding onto faith that God will move soon and bring my husband home, and deliver him as well. I talked to him today, and was very pleasant and stayed cheerful, and didn't ask him any questions. It was hard, but I did it. It can only get easier.<P>God bless you!<BR>TIG