Good morning,

I hope you are doing well today. It's been a long weary time since I spoke with you last...

My mom was scheduled for hip replacement surgery this Monday, and I wanted to come help her for a few days.

She had told me a couple of times to maybe wait until Monday to come, especially due to the recent bad weather. However, I was determined to come on Saturday so that I could be here for her birthday on Sunday, February 6th.

Her birthday started off rather pleasant. I asked her, "Are you having a good birthday so far?" I was so tickled to be there with her. (I don't think I've been here on her actual birthday for years.)

The afternoon turned rather to a sad turn of events. I was standing near her when she got a call that my brother, Joey, was found deceased in a tunnel somewhere.

He had been missing for two weeks, but we had still hung on to hope that he would be found alive and well. The call on her birthday swiped that hope away.

And so on Monday, we went in to take her for her hip replacement surgery. The most difficult part at that time was the emotional state she was facing.

She is doing well in her recovery. She is quite a trooper. My mom is one of the hardest-working of women I've ever known. It's hard to keep her down! LOL

My husband is also anxious for me to return home, and so I will be seeing him soon.

Change of topic...

This year, I'm trying something new in my Bible reading & Bible study. I'm reading a book of the Bible several times in a row.

Since the word I chose this year is "Rejoice," I've started off with choosing Philippians. Since it's nicknamed the "Book of Joy" I thought it would be fitting.

I'm on my second round and will probably read it two or three times more before choosing another Book. I'm hoping to get it well ingrained into my mind this way.

I also read Proverbs 10 this morning. Proverbs 10:3a says, "The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish:"

This may be talking about the physical need of nourishment, but I think it could also be talking about our spiritual need of nourishment.

As my devotional last week was on God's sufficient grace, we are now getting our own dish of God's extra grace this week.

Staying in God's Word is also a great source of encouragement and spiritual nourishment. Sometimes when we're hurting or going through a trial, it can be hard to keep reading your Bible and praying, but that's when you need it most.

I pray you stay in God's Word. The one reason I've kept HCH blog going for this long is my hope to encourage other women to grow in the Lord, to read their Bible more, to pray more and to stay faithful in the things of God.

Well, I will end here today, and Lord willing, chat with you again next week.

Love in Christ,

Rhonda White, herChristianhome.com