Jon and I got married 36 years ago today. That sounds like a really long time. It's weird, because in some ways I feel no different, yet in other ways very different. We started dating when I was 14, so most of the time it seems like we've never not been together. I thought we were all grown up when we got married, but now when I look at pictures we look SO young. And when I see people that age I can hardly believe they're old enough to drive! We've had our ups and downs, our betters and worsers, richers and poorers (though the gap between was pretty small :)), and a little sickness and mostly health. We're not done with those roads yet, but we have a pretty good track record so far!
If you are among our friends, thanks for being part of the journey. If you are our family, we love you SO MUCH!!! Blessings on all of you!!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Habit of Praying
I'm reading "The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer". It's eight books together in one volume. It's a great encouragement to pray and to keep praying. This a quote I read yesterday.
"The habit of praying is a good habit, and should be early and strongly formed; but to pray by habit merely is to destroy the life of prayer and allow it to degenerate into a hollow and sham-producing form. Habit may form the bank for the river of prayer, but there must be a strong, deep, pure current, crystal and life-giving, flowing between these two banks."
I really like that. Prayer must stay fresh and living rather than becoming form and rote. Better to pray "poorly" than not pray at all. Prayer is an occupation that is definitely on the job training. We learn by doing, and the more we do, the more we learn. Always be open to learning and growing in prayer. The Bible is full of amazing promises about prayer, and we must begin to believe that God is telling the truth. As we begin to trust God's promises we grow in confidence and pray larger and deeper. Don't be afraid to launch into deeper waters and pray for greater things. Don't worry about the "what ifs", just press on to know Him better. He will be faithful to lead you on.
"The habit of praying is a good habit, and should be early and strongly formed; but to pray by habit merely is to destroy the life of prayer and allow it to degenerate into a hollow and sham-producing form. Habit may form the bank for the river of prayer, but there must be a strong, deep, pure current, crystal and life-giving, flowing between these two banks."
I really like that. Prayer must stay fresh and living rather than becoming form and rote. Better to pray "poorly" than not pray at all. Prayer is an occupation that is definitely on the job training. We learn by doing, and the more we do, the more we learn. Always be open to learning and growing in prayer. The Bible is full of amazing promises about prayer, and we must begin to believe that God is telling the truth. As we begin to trust God's promises we grow in confidence and pray larger and deeper. Don't be afraid to launch into deeper waters and pray for greater things. Don't worry about the "what ifs", just press on to know Him better. He will be faithful to lead you on.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Warm Week
It's supposed to be in the 80's every day this week. Better than the 90's! Tonight there was a potluck for Roger and Jodie Manning. Sunday will be his last day here then he goes to a church in Council Bluffs.
Not much exciting happening here this week. We did get the second part of the first bid on the addition today. One more step....
I may go over to Tre's first baseball game on Friday even if Jon can't find someone to cover calls for him. Otherwise we don't ave any real plans for the weekend since Jon is on call.
We're still tinkering with plans to go north...nothing definite yet.
Not much exciting happening here this week. We did get the second part of the first bid on the addition today. One more step....
I may go over to Tre's first baseball game on Friday even if Jon can't find someone to cover calls for him. Otherwise we don't ave any real plans for the weekend since Jon is on call.
We're still tinkering with plans to go north...nothing definite yet.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Good Weekend
We had a fun weekend. We kept Tre and Tru overnight Friday night and spent some time with Tabbi here on Saturday then went to Brandon's graduation party Saturday night. Today we went to church and I cleaned house and did laundry while Jon finished a wiring job. Then we went to Elizabeth's then Rob's graduation parties. It's been very warm and VERY windy all weekend, but the wind has died down a little bit tonight.
Tomorrow we start another work week and will get a second bid from the first contractor and, hopefully, one from the second in a day or two. The BIG news for tomorrow is season finales of both "Chuck" and "24"! I can't wait. Both are two hours at the same time, so we will be doing some taping and staying up late! The plan is to tape "Chuck" so don't give away anything before we can watch it!
We're trying to make some plans to get to North Dakota...stuff is in the works...we shall see. :)
Hope you all have a wonderful week, and God bless you all!
Tomorrow we start another work week and will get a second bid from the first contractor and, hopefully, one from the second in a day or two. The BIG news for tomorrow is season finales of both "Chuck" and "24"! I can't wait. Both are two hours at the same time, so we will be doing some taping and staying up late! The plan is to tape "Chuck" so don't give away anything before we can watch it!
We're trying to make some plans to get to North Dakota...stuff is in the works...we shall see. :)
Hope you all have a wonderful week, and God bless you all!
Monday, May 17, 2010
He Is Faithful
God trains us to trust Him, to trust His character and His word whether circumstances are agreeable or not. Listen and see if you hear His voice:
"The promises that are given in My word are not coupons to be cashed in at your next shopping trip to the throne of My grace. They are, however, glimpses into My heart and My great love for you. The relationship I desire with you is full of life, vitality, and communication. I want you to bring your needs to Me because you love and trust Me. I want you to count on My promises because you have found Me trustworthy, not because you are looking for a way to manipulate Me.
Faith is not a matter of superstition or holding the upper hand; it is a relationship of trust between friends. In this case only one friend has proved to be completely unfailing; that one would be Me. The other friend, which would be you, is incapable of honoring the trust placed in him. What I have provided is the substitution of My faithfulness for yours. My payment at Calvary pays your debt and provides for the completion of our covenant. My faithfulness replaces your unfaithfulness.
My love and care can be counted on because I can not be anything less than faithful. Nothing touches your life apart from Me. Therefore, all that you encounter will work for your good and My glory as you trust Me. Will you trust Me in spite of the seeming difficulties that may argue against My goodness? This life is a shadow, and you can trust Me to carry you safely both through and beyond it. I love you and will never let you go."
"The promises that are given in My word are not coupons to be cashed in at your next shopping trip to the throne of My grace. They are, however, glimpses into My heart and My great love for you. The relationship I desire with you is full of life, vitality, and communication. I want you to bring your needs to Me because you love and trust Me. I want you to count on My promises because you have found Me trustworthy, not because you are looking for a way to manipulate Me.
Faith is not a matter of superstition or holding the upper hand; it is a relationship of trust between friends. In this case only one friend has proved to be completely unfailing; that one would be Me. The other friend, which would be you, is incapable of honoring the trust placed in him. What I have provided is the substitution of My faithfulness for yours. My payment at Calvary pays your debt and provides for the completion of our covenant. My faithfulness replaces your unfaithfulness.
My love and care can be counted on because I can not be anything less than faithful. Nothing touches your life apart from Me. Therefore, all that you encounter will work for your good and My glory as you trust Me. Will you trust Me in spite of the seeming difficulties that may argue against My goodness? This life is a shadow, and you can trust Me to carry you safely both through and beyond it. I love you and will never let you go."
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Recital
Bria had an awesome recital and you can see it on Kelli's blog. She's doing SO WELL!!! Yesterday we went to look at some houses with Greg and Megan. They have a couple of great options to pick from, and they are SO ready to get back to a house instead of an apartment. We went to Joe's graduation yesterday afternoon and will go to Luke's later today. It's that time of year again...
Check out Bria's recital...she's doing so great!
Check out Bria's recital...she's doing so great!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
No Regrets
Regrets are so useless. We start today. It makes no difference whether our circumstances are the result of obedience or of disobedience. We wake up this morning and start fresh right where we are. Our past is behind us and dictates nothing-no part-of this day or the next. We can obey today in any circumstance and be completely in God's will one day at a time. Don't get me wrong. I'm not talking about repentance. Repentance is absolutely necessary. We must call sin sin and turn our backs on it. We must agree with what God says is true about us and our thoughts and actions. What I'm talking about is, having already forsaken sin, continuing to beat ourselves up and filling our days with regrets, if onlys, and what ifs. When we have repented we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus...powerful stuff. "Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Forsake then forget the past sin, then start fresh every day. His mercies are new every morning.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Hodge Podge
It was warmer today and WINDY again. My windchimes are really getting a work out! I sure do like them...it just makes me happy to hear them!!! I'm not sure what to read next, but I'm still soaking up the goody from the last one I read. I hope I haven't bored you silly with the quotes. On Sunday we went to see Greg and Megan and were so excited to see her cute little bump. :) She is feeling good and in about 3 weeks we should know if they're having a boy or girl!! YAY!!! So glad they'll be sharing that information!
So what's new with you???????????
Thought for the day
"I hear men praying everywhere for more faith, but when I listen to them carefully, and get at the real heart of their prayer, very often it is not more faith at all that they are wanting, but a change from faith to sight. Faith says not, 'I see that it is good for me so God must have sent it,' but, 'God sent it, and so it must be good for me.' Faith, walking in the dark with God, only prays Him to clasp its hand more closely." Phillips Brooks
So what's new with you???????????
Thought for the day
"I hear men praying everywhere for more faith, but when I listen to them carefully, and get at the real heart of their prayer, very often it is not more faith at all that they are wanting, but a change from faith to sight. Faith says not, 'I see that it is good for me so God must have sent it,' but, 'God sent it, and so it must be good for me.' Faith, walking in the dark with God, only prays Him to clasp its hand more closely." Phillips Brooks
Saturday, May 1, 2010
WWII Book!
It's a beautiful weekend here! Around 70 degrees, sunny, pretty sky, a little windy. Very nice. Yesterday I got a special shipment from FedEx. The book Kelli made with the pictures my dad took in WWII while in England and France arrived! It is great, and my mom was really happy to get her copy. THANKS, KELLI!!!!!
Today Tabbi and the boys came over for a while because she couldn't wait to get her copy of the book :) Tomorrow we're going to see Greg and Megan (and take her book to her :)). I suppose I should clean the house sometime....:) maybe.....:)
Thanks again, Kelli for all your work!!
Today Tabbi and the boys came over for a while because she couldn't wait to get her copy of the book :) Tomorrow we're going to see Greg and Megan (and take her book to her :)). I suppose I should clean the house sometime....:) maybe.....:)
Thanks again, Kelli for all your work!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)