Happy Anniversary, Mike!

Here’s the thing: I’m contemplating keeping a diary of my 60th year; of course, it isn’t quite here yet, but today starts my 40th year of marriage to Mike, so I’m starting today. Funny how time has gone by so fast and I don’t really feel any different than I did 40 years ago (although I really have no recollection of the day itself, 6/27/1970). When I see pictures of myself or catch myself unexpectedly in a mirror, I’m shocked that I’ve changed so much physically, but I feel the same on the inside. Oh, I’m much more secure in myself and my relationship with Christ, I’m more content and much less fearful, but still basically the same awkward girl who wanted so desperately to fit in.

Mike and I have seen many changes in 39 years, moved a lot, made life-altering changes (some with prayer, some without), but it’s fascinating to look back and see the hand of God in it all. Dalton, Ithaca, Titusville, Plymouth, Dalton, He has brought us full-circle. Eric, Philip, Zachary, He has ordained that we should live as a family and guided us to where we are today. Teaching/coaching, Gerber Feed, Living Water, He has led us gently through it all.

I have retired from secular employment, but life is both full and fulfilling. Being a grandma has been an unexpected joy. Being a mother-in-law has been a blessing.

I continue to grow into and cling to Psalm 91. Here it is for me, insert your name and let me know your thoughts as He speaks to you:

Psalm 91 for Robin

Because Robin dwells in the shelter of the Most High,
she will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

She will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Surely, He will save her from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover her with His feathers, and under His wings, she will find refuge;
His faithfulness will be her shield and rampart.

She will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at her side, ten thousand at her right hand, but it will not come near her.

She will only observe with her eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

If Robin makes the Most High her dwelling--even the Lord, who is her refuge--
then no harm will befall her, no disaster will come near her tent.

For He will command His angels concerning her to guard her in all her ways;
they will lift her up in their hands, so that she will not strike her foot against a stone.

She will tread upon the lion and the cobra; she will trample the great lion and the serpent.

"Because Robin loves Me," says the Lord,
"I will rescue her; I will protect her, for she acknowledges My name.
She will call upon Me, and I will answer her; I will be with her in trouble,
I will deliver her and honor her.
With long life will I satisfy her and show her My salvation."

I Corinthians 6:12

So here's the thing.........The single most difficult stronghold that I have allowed to remain in my life is my fixation with weight. I’ve been married nearly 39 years and have allowed my weight to fluctuate nearly 75 pounds over that time. I talk about it all the time; when I’m with other women, discussion inevitably turns to weight and the newest diet. Well, I’ll be 59 years old in a few months and I want to be done with the bondage to weight. I don’t really want to be a size eight again, I want to be strong and healthy! I want live out the remainder of my years with food as my sustenance, not my enemy! I recently received the following e-mail from my daughter-in-law, Jenny, who is one of the joys of my life. I want to share it with you. I have removed some of the personal references, but I believe the rest applies to many of us.

To Robin, from Jenny, 6/17/2009 “I think food may be one of the hardest areas in everyday life to submit ourselves to God. Food is something that we must have everyday; that we can't live without - unlike smoking, alcohol, or pornography. I think many times we write it off because it's not "that bad", but food is an addiction; in many ways can become a god that we serve. We allow it bring us comfort or sometimes punishment, we judge ourselves on how well we do with it, we can't stop once we start having it, we overindulge, under indulge in it, we crave it even when we don't really need it. Because food directly affects our physical image, we find that our minds are constantly centered on it. And on top of that, unfortunately our society revolves around food. The more the better, and the worse it is for you the better we think it tastes. Gatherings, meetings, and parties all revolve around food!! I'm not saying that food is bad, and actually, I'm a fan of enjoying a feast. But there is a big difference between feasting and gluttony. I'm not saying that's what I think you do, but I think it's important to step back, truly recognize all the areas in life that as a society we allow food to serve a purpose other than what God intended it for. Foods, tastes, family meal times are all wonderful gifts from God. We need to honor Him as we enjoy and celebrate these gifts.

I believe that your battle will truly benefit the Body of Christ as a whole. Your story & perseverance will reveal God's goodness & desires to others who struggle with the exact same thing. I believe that you are not only fighting yourself, but that you are fighting something that is generational. When I get older, I want my life to be consumed with so many other glorious things & not be wasting those last years on dieting.

I am here to help however, you need. Not so you can lose weight (although it's a great benefit), but so that you can live as more than a conqueror. That you can go through your day & know that you have submitted to God & served him wholly in every aspect of your life. That you have honored, as best as you can, this earthly body that He has given you. That you can look in the mirror & love the person that God sees there, and see the amazing beauty that God sees when He looks at you - both internally & outwardly. That you will feel confident in the compliments Mike gives you & understand why he finds you so incredibly attractive. And not in some weird prideful way, but in an understanding of being a living, breathing, temple of the holy, amazing, and unblemished God.

Zechariah 7:5-6 "Ask all the people of the land and the priests, 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?" Food has been a selfish god throughout history. God did not despise either the fasting or the feasting, but he wanted both to be to His glory and not our own. I will continue to ask you how it is going. I am praying victory for you!! I am confident God will reveal many new, formerly hidden, things to you as you run this race.”

…..end of Jenny’s e-mail

Zechariah 7:4-6
(NIV) Then the word of the Lord Almighty came to me: "Ask all the people of the land and the priests, 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? [6] And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?
(The Message) God-of-the-Angel-Armies gave me this Message for them, for all the people and for the priests: "When you held days of fasting every fifth and seventh month all these seventy years, were you doing it for me? And when you held feasts, was that for me? Hardly. You're interested in religion, I'm interested in people.

Do it all for Jesus! Jesus, test my motives, only let me act, eat, drink for you!

Blessings, Robin

I never considered having a blog. Who would be interested in what I have to say? But, I've come to learn over the years that there are many Christian women who share the same frustrations, doubts, fears--OK, let's stop and call it what it is, SIN--that I have and still do in some respects. So many places we turn heap more condemnation on us or offer solutions that seem out of reach.


So here's the thing, Jesus loves us with a love that is beyond description; he desires for us to have life and have it to the full. We believe it, but do we have faith in it? Is there a difference between belief and faith? Do you desire to live the life that God intended when He knew you before the creation of time? Let's explore together.


John 10:9-11--I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

I am no expert; I have no credentials. I just love Jesus and would love to share with you what I have learned over the years and what I continue to learn daily as He gently leads me. I want to provide a safe place for discussion and prayer. I love the technology that God has allowed us to develop; it has opened up a whole new world of ministry!

Blessings, Robin