Dear Dot

Yes, this is a new heading of an old girl's blog. Times have changed. Places have changed.  And Jo is a-changing, too.  Let me first explain why I will now show a  salutation on my blog which I have never done before.....

Dear Dot:

Now, for those of you who do not know Dot, and I regret that you do not know her, I wanted to continue a special friendship with the lady that you may come to know as Dot.  Dot had a terrible stroke some years back.  She couldn't speak.  She still can't walk without help.  But Dot has a fighting spirit and is learning all sorts of new things.  She does puzzles.  She does some printing of numbers and letters.  And she loves to be read to.  We have read all kinds of things from fairy tales (and she has a great collection) to some stories about people who have found themselves in difficult situations and triumphed.  The last time we read, Dot followed with her eyes as I read the pages.  Dot is a true lady, was a fine pianist, and is a real friend.  My blog will be written to her, that she will believe I will never forget her and that she and her husband, Dick, are forever friends.

So, if anyone else is reading this today, just know that I'm writing to her first- to keep my promise- but you are welcome to read whatever "stuff" I need to say to Dot.

Well, Dot, we arrived here safely if not somewhat exhausted.  The house was in pretty good shape with minor changes to be made. But one big change happened immediately.  Our eldest daughter, Peggy, if you remember,is a Trauma Nurse.  Now, she hurt her back sometime ago and still suffers.She had an old house which she had done lots of work on and because her job put her on a temporary schedule called perdium, she decided to sell her house so she wouldn't have such high  expenses every month.  She did just that, but found she wasn't able to get another job except in hospital work...and she would be right back where she was before.  So, rather than have her be a vagabond (her own word), she stays with us in a trundle-type bed in our second bed-room/office.
She is looking for another job, but so far no takers. We love having her here, and she is a great help in getting our health needs sorted out properly and in keeping appointments with our new docs.

 New Docs!  That took some effort, but think all is going to be good for us.  The new dentist to replace my tooth?  I haven't seen him yet. but he is close by.

I'm sad to say that I haven't been as faithful in my Bible Study as I was but so many things keep coming up...like taking our tests for new driver's licenses!  Yuck!  That's tomorrow morning!

But I did have a special message a couple of days ago, but couldn't get into the blog yet.  Our son, Mitch, got me in just tonight. ( He is a dear!) I'll give you a bit of my journaling.

In First John 4:18, John says to us, "There is no room in love for fear.  Well-formed love banishes fear.  Since fear is crippling, a fear of life- fear  of death, fear of judgment- shows one is  not yet fully formed in love."  The Word goes on to say:  "We, though, are going to love- love and be loved.  First we were loved; now we love.  God loved us first."

This really hit home. So many of my problems with people have been rooted in fear.  I can see it so easily now.  Fear of not being understood, fear of being inadequate, fear of being wrong.  REALLY! Then Sunday, at a new church, the young minister said, "There is not room for fear!  Stand up and stand tall!" That's what I'm going to do.

You, too, Dot!  Stand as tall as you can!  And in no time you're going to be walking without help!  And I hope and pray for you daily that this will be so. And that you will come to love my Lord so that someday we will be in HIS house together.

I am praying for you and me that God will help us to recognize fear and go immediately to Him where He will help us to stand tall.

Reaching up there and on my tippy-toes!  Love you Dot, and all others who may have peeked in!

Number One Blog from MN!  Jo

A new blog for a new state from a substitute blogger

Hi this is Jo's son Mitch writing.  I have often read Mom's blogs at 'Josnewlife' and always marveled at her insights and ideas.  Well, she's back with a new blog! You can still read all the old blog entries at Josnewlife, but now her new posts will be coming from ....... da daaaaa!

Minnesota Jo!

You heard it first here, folks.  Enjoy!  --MJ