Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Happy Fall, Y'all

Hello Ladies!

I hope you saw the "Save the Date" notice in the Headlines last week which promised more information on "A Sweet Taste of Christmas".  We're having a Christmas party for just us girls on Thursday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Lake Valley Church.  This invitation is for all Lake Valley women.  The night will revolve around a dessert tasting, and will include door prizes, announcements about Women's Ministry, and a surprise at the end of the evening.  Please join us, it won't be as sweet if you're not there!

Please leave a comment if you plan to attend.  I would love to hear from you!

On another note:
It was an eventful weekend at the Russell home.  Sunday afternoon as Mark and I settled in with a fire in the fireplace and books to read, listening to the storm going on outside, Mark suddenly had a pain in his left shoulder. Being a physician and quickly ascertaining that this was unlike anything he had ever experienced, he laid down on the floor and asked me to get an aspirin for him as is the recommended protocol if you suspect you may be having a heart attack.  It was only a few minutes later that we took off for the emergency room.  Not a minute too soon I might add, because very quickly the pain went from distressing to nearly unbearable.  The very efficient ER doctor and nurses evaluated the situation and set about relieving his pain.  It was the third attempt that gave him the much needed relief.  After it was decided that he should have an angiogram the following morning, we moved to our room for the night.  As many of you know, there is NO rest through the night in a hospital.  The great end to this story is that Mark did not have a heart attack, nor was there anything wrong with his heart.  On the contrary, the test revealed that his heart is very healthy.  We may never know exactly what did happen, but I'll take a false alarm every time.

Why am I telling you this?  I'm not completely sure.  Maybe it's because this experience was difficult and Mark and I got through it.  Together.  And a lot of friends were praying for us.  It was one of those experiences that helped me focus on what I cherish most-the man God gave to me to love.  God was good.  But here's the thing that kept going through my mind: "My grace is sufficient for you".  I was afraid that I was about to know the depth of God's grace in a way I wanted to resist.  But I didn't resist it.  I embraced it and I was not as much afraid as I was determined to hold on to the strength God gave in the terrible moments.  Real comfort is hard to describe, but it was very real and I am grateful.

As we approach the season of Gratitude, I am praying for you to be certain of the sufficiency of God's grace in your life;  that you are strengthened and encouraged by that truth to face the challenges that are yours.  May we be truly grateful for the abundant life that is ours in Jesus Christ as we celebrate a day dedicated to giving thanks!

Thankful for you,
Suzanne




4 comments:

  1. Praise God your husband is ok. I plan to attend the Christmas gathering.

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  2. Thanks, Leslie. And thanks for being the first to respond! So glad you are coming. I look forward to seeing you.

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  3. Kathy Wallace

    Also happy that your husband is ok! I plan to attend A Sweet Taste of Christmas.....very excited about it!

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  4. Great, Kathy. I look forward to seeing you there.

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