I told you about the teen girls’ all nighter I was to have last Friday night, so let me report. It went very smoothly. It ended up being the smallest one I’ve had with only five girls coming, but you put five teen girls together, and they have a grand time. I had lots of yummy food for them: Paul’s famous enchaladas, veggie plate, chips and salsa, banana bread, brownies….. The girls had plenty of room and gathered in several places to chatter, chatter, chatter. One girl played my piano for quite a while and demonstrated a pleasant and broad repertoire. One girl loves to sketch, and showed her stack of fashion drawings and made some more. They chose some games from my wicker game chest. They stayed up late and I went to bed, trusting them not to burn the house down.
They arose earlier than I expected, so at 10:00 we had a lovely brunch and lots of happy talk in the sun room . Then we had our our devotional in the living room and sang around the piano. The girls really interacted in the discussion on blessing: “To bless your heart, oh God, is my desire.” We prayed in a circle, and I prayed the Lord’s blessings on each of them and their families. They left cheerful and thankful.
I drove two of the girls home and had the delight of driving on the highway north of Prescott Valley which overlooks the broad, undeveloped, rolling meadow rimmed by the Mingus Mountains. On the other side of the mountains is the beautiful Verde Valley and the red rocks of Sedona. Again, I thanked the Lord for the handsome setting in which He has placed Paul and me for this period of our lives. I recognize this high desert region as God’s blessing with a message to us.
What is God’s message in this blessing? “And seek the welfare of the [land] where I have sent you . . . , and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare, you will have welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7). (This is God’s welfare plan, not the government’s.) “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture” (Psalm 37:3). “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2). Thank you, gracious LORD.
Here’s a prayer you can pray for anyone at any time, and I pray it for you now:
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Journey North Character 
You are such a blessing, Karen.
Barbara
Thank, Barb, for sending your encouragement. I hope you are getting stronger and feeling better. May the LORD encourage your heart in many, creative ways. You are a blessing, Barb.