BUT GOD...Ephesians 2:4 begins and today my thoughts are on Sue and in spite of wishing things were different in our dear CA Ostby family and often wondering how they continue on as well as they do with the challenges each of the 5 face daily, I come back to those beginning two words..But God: Who keeps them, sustains them, upholds them, sends them prayer support, surrounds them with physical friends and bands of angels and therefore they can continue on.

Sue's physical health is still on a slow decline; yet spiritually she uplifts everyone in her presence so greatly evident is her love for and trust in Jesus.

My last trip out was to see Karis graduate from AGHS and it brought such joy to the whole family, Sue especially as she saw the fruit of her labors as a home schooler reflected that evening.

Now I leave soon to spend a month with Sue as Dana and the kids head for Indonesia first, for a close friend's wedding then for ministry with some others of their church and teams from the CA Central Coast.

It will be a stretch for Sue with them gone so long; a dear friend of ours here who loves Sue greatly is taking a week from her family to spend there with us, and my honey, too will come for a week.

Please pray that I, along with others who love Sue, will make this month fly by for her with interesting, creative, joyful activity.

I saw this poem the other day and in it I sense God and Sue.

Your Cross

The everlasting God has in His wisdom

foreseen from eternity the cross

that He now presents to you

as a gift from His inmost heart

This cross He now sends you

He has considered with His all-knowing eyes,

understood with His divine mind,

tested with His wise justice,

warmed with His loving arms

and weighed with His own hands

to see that it be not one inch too large

and not one ounce too heavy for you

He has blessed it with His holy name,

anointed it with His consolation,

taken one last glance at you

and your courage, and then sent it

to you from heaven,

a special greeting from God to you,

in alms of the all-merciful love of God.

St. Francis de Sales

Thanks for listening,

Maxine