I was about to burst with excitement as I expectantly prepared for my parents and sisters to come to town for a visit. I love “sister weekend” it’s going to be so much fun to have them all here! I cleaned and fussed about plus, unlike my general rule, I decorated my Christmas tree to enhance the atmosphere.

Next, I looked at possible menu items and made a brief list so I could run to the grocery store. I was also about to make reservations for dining out for our big celebration.

But I quickly found myself operating in “Plan B Mode” after I received word my mom wasn’t feeling up to traveling. My head knew it was all going to be fine, but my heart sunk and sat stuck in disappointment.

Then it hit me like a tidal wave as I began to spiral into a saddened state. I didn’t stay there long, but I cried and went to God in prayer and reached out to friends to pray about it.

So, instead of hosting visitors from Iowa, I traveled to Iowa for a visit. It was a quick switch-a-roo and I began to move ONWARD with the new plan. This view, from my sister’s window, is what delighted me this morning.

Wow! I need to grab my camera!

“Good morning LORD! Thanks for the sunrise. It’s a beautiful crisp day in Iowa. I’m glad to be here visiting my parents and my sisters. Who knows what’s lies ahead for this ‘sister’s weekend.’”

As I reflected on our past times together and previous “Sister’s weekends” I began to visualize…

I can bank on these things: there will definitely be giggling and story-telling. We’ll all talk at the same time and the volume will increase. I suspect we will make something/ a craft or project as well. And then there will be food, both going out to eat and eating in.

I am extremely blessed!
I’m blessed this very weekend to celebrate my parents’ 68th wedding anniversary, my mom’s 88th birthday and mine as well…notice how I left the number off that one!

I sat still this morning and thought about the goodness of God. Thanks for the day ahead LORD you are a master painter and planner and I know you have good plans for me, I’m forever grateful.

As I moved ONWARD, I began to count my blessings and concentrated on them versus my concerns, worries or disappointments. (We move in the direction of our most dominant thought.)

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Let me encourage you to push past disappointments-ONWARD!

I’m counting my blessings and I’m truly thankful! Onward, Rachel, onward! .

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