Ahhhh…  I was so tired last night when I penned my devotion about the postcards – but MUCH BETTER NOW – AND WOW I appreciate this trip down here…  And wow I have now made a post (not postcard) of photos in an album from this first leg of my trip to see cousins on “my cousins world tour” – here is Virginia since last night.  Tomorrow will be down to NC for more cousins – it is simply good to have this time to take and good to take the time.

I also have to say that Virginia is for Lovers, like the old ad campaign said – and that being in Virginia I love God even more it seems day by day when I got to experience the why I came here when I stepped out of the car and wow felt embraced by this place of peace in the woods (really out here) in deep Virginia – and acres of woods and the birds and the deer and the trees and wow – the nature – the creation growning for the Lord and me sigh-ing for Him too – it is just so good to be here – AND TO BE WITH FAMILY – and walk their property and drive to a local town famous in an old way…

(and wow we sprayed the repellents on for the walk in the woods – and yes I checked for ticks !!! Ticks and their diseases are the frustrating part of life here now – and we do have to tolerate and prepare and take action – just like the rough parts of life… that’s the brokenness of life here – hoped to be healed sooner than later by Jesus returning – Lord please come)

And so from just this small trip so far –  we know that ‘Virginia is for Lovers’ – and for Lovers of God – and so it also is time for us to Love God no matter where we are – as God and love of God surpasses time and place. 

So while resting after our hikes I checked over my recent photos from back home and I see the beauty of the photos of the lovely vintage Valentines that I photographed from the family farmhouse collection. AND I also found a letter nearby – which I read and photographed – an evangelism letter – send to my grandfather after his dad passed away and he had to fly to Florida to get his effects and him – in the mid 50’s. The letter is truly a blessing of scripture of encouragement – to “the bereaved one” – I read it truthfully and in love of the ability to use the Word in word sense in writing to people – and in sharing no matter what the age.  “WE WANT TO HELP YOU TO UNDERSTAND WHAT JOY THERE IS IN TAKING JESUS FOR YOUR OWN.” – yes – JOY…

Joy is in the journey always – and to know God is to wait on Him and accept the amazing and the not – and keep moving forward…

Here is the letter typed out (just excerpts): “When we are born into this world, we come into it as sinners. In Psalms 51:5, David writes, “Behold I was shapen in iniquity…  “But in John 3:17 the Bible says that God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. II Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise….” … “Accept Him today as your Savior and the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and mind through Jesus Christ.”… “WE WANT TO HELP YOU TO UNDERSTAND WHAT JOY THERE IS IN TAKING JESUS FOR YOUR OWN.”…

AMEN – JESUS IS FOR US – FOR LOVE – FOR FOREVER…