Unexpected Blessings

Today, I am linking up with my friend Joan to share His Beauty. Click on the image below to read more of His Beauty…

Beauty in His Grip Button

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(Romans 8:37-39 ESV)

Last week I had shared with my readers that I had ‘A Perfect Day’. Let me share a little more with you how it came to pass and how it ended up a day of unexpected blessings.

You see, since I am not a US Citizen (by choice I keep my German citizenship), I have to renew my ‘green’ card every ten years. Honestly, I was a little nervous; much has changed over the past 10 years. Since 9/11/2001 (the year I renewed last) as you can imagine, applications to stay in this country as a foreigner have become more complicated.

The biggest changes were put in place last year with a new law on how you have to renew your ‘green’ card. You no longer can go to the local office; you have to fill out a form online to receive an appointment for the local office.

On my appointment day I was so nervous, I sent a couple of text messages to some very close friends to pray for me. On the way to Phoenix I thought my husband would have to pull over; I was sick to my stomach. My heart knew that everything would be fine, but I could not get my tummy to follow my heart.

When we got to the USCIS office in Phoenix, I was still nervous.  I noticed that I was not the only one how had butterflies in the tummy đŸ™‚ …I have to say, the employees at the USCIS office were the nicest people. There were many people with appointments that morning, but I was done within 45 minutes (fingerprints, photo etc). I almost skipped out of the office.

Pancho's Enchiladas As I mentioned, my husband went with me and we took the opportunity to stay for almost 3 hours in Phoenix. We had a wonderful lunch and took a walk, photographing. I had a smile on my face all afternoon (the weather was perfect too). I told my husband at least a hundred times how much I enjoyed spending the day with him.

By the way, we even found a parking spot we didn’t have to pay for (long story for another day :))

You see, sometimes God blesses us unexpectedly. Even if a day does not start out to promising, God will give us something to remember. I sure will remember the day I had to renew my green card for years to come…and will be smiling.

Thanks for stopping by.

Love and peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday ~ A Perfect Day

“I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever.”
~ Psalm 86:12 (ESV)

This week, we are meeting at my friend Lynn’s website “Spiritually Unequal Marriage“. This will be the last time my dear friend Lynn is hosting the event. It saddens my heart, but I know that God is moving mighty in Lynn’s life…Lynn, I will always be thankful for your friendship!!!!

I had a perfect day today. Sleeping a little later than normal, having my morning devotions as usual (including my first coffee)…Having breakfast with my husband. Yes, I took the day off work :). I had an appointment at the USCIS office to get my alien status renewed so that I can stay in the United States.

I am thankful that my sweetheart agreed to go with me; I was a little nervous. But the people at the Phoenix USCIS office were so nice!!!! And it was quick to get through the lines to get my fingerprints and photo taken.

Salsa Chips_Sams CafeAfter the appointment, my sweetheart and I stayed in Phoenix for several hours. We had an incredible lunch at Sam’s Cafe at the Arizona Center. I think the restaurant will become one that we will visit often when in Phoenix.

We also went through down-town Phoenix to take photographs. Phoenix has changed so much over the past 20 years we live here. The city is still changing, but thankfully they are keeping some of the landmarks in tact like the Luhrs Tower.

Yes, today was a perfect day…and that my friends I am thankful for.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: take every day a gift and be thankful.

Love and peace,
Iris

Lynn’s & Dineen’s New Website Lauched



If you have some time this weekend, I would encourage you to check out my friends Lynn’s and Dineen’s brand new website “Winning Him Without Words”. Their first book will be released later this month. The website has wonderful resources and you can even win some prizes đŸ˜› . Just click on the image above to get to the website.

Thanks for stopping in today. Have a blessed weekend!!!

The Battery Incident

“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” ~ Romans 8:34-35

Would you believe if I told you that God used a dead battery to get to my heart? Let me explain…

Please read the rest of my devotion this morning over at…

Blessings on your day…

grace_iris1