Hi, Sifted! I saw you post on NoMas's thread. <P>How are you doing? Haven't heard anything from you for awhile. Are you doing okay?<P>Just wondering how you are! Let me know!

Hi Momma!<P>Nice of you to ask how I'm doing. Well, I haven't fallen away - still staying the course. Lots of thoughts going around in my mind, reading a lot, visting this forum, trying to keep my mind disciplined and focused on what is true (listening to my music helps a lot in this).<P>Feelings, as you know, come and go, and do whatever they want! There is sadness, discouragement, hesitancy, hurt, anger, but also expectancy, peace and hope. It helps me to realize that I should expect all these feelings, so when they come, I just let them be, knowing they will pass (and come again another day). <P>For sure, it is a time of barreness, of unknown answers, of darkness - and yet there is hope in this barren place.<P>These lines from a song encourage me:<P><BR>I have tried you in the fires of affliction,<BR>I have taught your soul to grieve,<BR>In the barren soil of your loneliness,<BR>there I will plant My seed.<P>In the deepest hour of your darkness,<BR>I will give you wealth untold,<BR>When the silence stills your spirit,<BR>will My riches fill your soul.<P><BR>And because of that I have hope, expectancy and peace, even in the midst of sorrow and hurt.<P>I still read here each day, but don't always have time to post, or more often, don't know what to say. I'm still trying to understand so many things, just don't often feel I can offer much to others. The journey isn't easy, but in the midst of each day, there are moments of rest (friends to come alongside who can understand, this forum, nice walks) and things to find joy in (gardening, children, enjoying nature). God is faithful and good.<P>I'm glad you are confident about the course you are on. Keep it up! Thanks for asking, momma!<P><BR>[This message has been edited by siftedlikewheat (edited July 18, 2000).]<p>[This message has been edited by siftedlikewheat (edited July 18, 2000).]