on this side of COVID-19

"Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass." Joshua 21:45

Our pastor shared this verse with us recently, and it was just what I needed to hear. I have been reading and rereading the same verses the past few months to comfort and reassure my anxious soul. This verse is the one that brought them all to life. They are more than verses that comfort. They are promises. Unfailing promises. Promises made by the one true God. Promises that will come to pass.

I often find myself dreaming about life being back to normal or being on the other side looking back at COVID-19, but it leaves me so unsettled and more uncertain. I simply do not know how the story will end, but I do know the Author of it all. In my Bible reading plan, I just finished reading the book of Isaiah.  I kept thinking of how grateful I am to be on this side of the promised Savior. I am on this side of God's fulfilled plan to redeem his people, to redeem me. I am on this side of the cross. I am on this side of the sacrificial blood that was shed in my place. I am on this side of the completed work of Jesus.

So while I keep hearing about the unprecedented time we are living in, my trust is in the All-Knowing God whose promises never fail and will come to pass. When doubts and uncertainties overwhelm my thoughts, no expert or data will provide more comfort and assurance than what the cross has already given me.  "When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay."

Pictures of God's grace on this side of COVID-19...

Chloe really stepping up her game and making breakfast for dinner on her own. (Eggs and sausage, roasted peppers and potatoes, and smoothies)

1st day of homeschooling. I love you guys, but this was much more challenging than I anticipated. Your entire 4th quarter was at home and it was a lot to keep up with, but we did it. I am trying to mentally prepare myself for the fall.... grace for each moment. 

 
nature walk

online music

last day of school pirate zoom

you still fit!

but we upgraded for just $25!

first day in the 80's and I walked on to the porch to this

Noah completed his first 5K with dad

Grace learned to ride her bike around our loop

and gets needed rest time

2 days after purchasing a ripstik, a fractured elbow

never a dull moment

Family Photo shoot

It had to take a pandemic for us to stay put for a day in order to get family pictures. We met a new friend (and photographer), Ally Stepp, during Covid and she came over and really go to know the family! It was hard to pick a few but I'll scatter the rest through later posts  :)