Keeping Balance

Another day...more laundry...pay bills...a walk outside...roast in the crock pot...it's been a pretty good one. I hope yours went well. We got out missionary packet today...the information about the missionary we're supporting through Gospel For Asia...Borsing. Very humbling stuff when you see how someone else is willing to live and sacrifice to share the love of Christ. How little we see and understand! I hope we are equal to the task of supporting and praying for this man and his family.

Thought for the day

I stole a little more sleep this morning and skipped my morning reading time. I thought I was doing better, but I still almost dozed off at work. I just can't get caught up...HAVE to do better! Maybe God could just squeeze a couple of more hours into my day while I'm sleeping and not tell me so that I spend that time sleeping instead of "getting more done". We need to take better care of ourselves in the process of doing all that is put in our hands to do. Eating better, sleeping more, getting some kind of exercise when possible...I know how hard it is to fit it all in, but we need to take the small steps we can and let God fill in the gaps.

Reason to Pray

We went to the zoo today with Tabbi, Tre, and Tru. Even though they went on the carousel and we all went on the train, it felt like a lot of walking and I was ready to drive back. We did see a couple of areas that we don't remember ever seeing before, so that was fun. It's back to work tomorrow and on Friday, then the weekend...this was a great break in the week.
Please be praying for Kelli. She's been having the worst asthma attack I think she' ever had this last five days or so. She did avoid a stay in the hospital, but is taking lots of meds and had to cancel daycare for the week. Rest, slow deep breaths, rest, fluids, rest, quiet, rest, rest, rest...pray, pray, pray!

Thought for the day

Psalm 4:3, 5, 7-8: "But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the Lord. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety."

More Faces

Joan, Debbie, Betty, Bud

Jon, Tre, Adam, and Tabbi in outfield

Michelle, Bob, and Ryan

Kent, Julie, Adam, Connie, Larry

Alan, Dean, Jordan, Rebekkah, Zac, Bob

New Faces, Old Faces

Rebekka and fiance Jordan

Loren and his date

Parents Marcus and Chrissy Upton with Aunt Carrie holding Matthew

Rachel and Elijah

We had new faces and old faces at the Wiuff family reunion on Sunday. There were the two new babies that you see in the pictures and Rebekka's fiance Jordan (getting married on Saturday!). The numbers of first cousins was down this year...eight, I think plus Alan and Shawn's family. Only Bob and Daylene and their kids (minus Tabitha) were there from the Norgaard clan. Dean, Arleatta, and their kids, Beth Ann, all of Connie's family, Paul and Joanne with Michele's family, Randy and Joan with Bill, Debbie, and Jon and I with Tabbi and boys. Mom, Bud, and Betty represented the brothers and sisters. So we did have 4 generations well represented which is pretty cool. It was a beautiful day and nice to be outside as well as inside. There was playing on the playground, shooting hoops, scooter riding, and some baseball practice.

Thought for the day

We are blessed with a family and a heritage that we can embrace and appreciate. God has been faithful, but we must carry on. We must always remember that righteousness is not genetic. We must always be faithful to teach and train the next generation and lead them to salvation. There are no automatic passes just because it's "in the family".

Garage Sale, Chapter 2

Well, tomorrow is Garage Sale, Chapter 2. We have some new things, old things, even borrowed things, perhaps a new thing! But, no, it's not a wedding...just a garage sale. I'd tell you to come check it out, but the only people who will read this live out of town! Jon is out on call tonight and doesn't know when he'll be getting back. On Sunday we will be going to the Wiuff family reunion in Irwin...great fun stuff!!!

Thought for the day

It's still there...26,500 children every day...today, tomorrow, and the day after that. I'm not trying to be a downer, but it's just a reality that I hopefully will never forget. It just helps me keep my life in perspective. Father, meet needs through us where possible...supernaturally where not possible. Help us to see with Your eyes.

The Cemetery

I love that "America's Got Talent" is on 2 nights in a row every week...fun way to start the week! It was not too busy at work today, and I got caught up on some extras. I'm making it my goal this week to get to bed a little earlier...which means I have to have supper ready earlier...which changes the way I cook because the grill takes longer than the stove. As a result, the chicken tonight was dried out...rats...But the veggies were good...YAY!!
Two more work days to go then it's garage sale Saturday followed by Wiuff reunion Sunday!! It should be fun...need more sleep!

Thought for the day

I've been kicking around the way we go about living the life...trying to have a good attitude, trying to resist temptation...how we walk out the reality of being a "new creation". It's tough to get my mind around it in some ways...Why doesn't the TRUTH of who I am come out naturally in the rough and tumble of the day and when the challenge comes? This is the picture I have...There is a cemetery full of old dead bones, and just further down the road is the LIFE that is mine in Him. At any given moment I must live that moment by choosing to stop and go into the cemetery and mess up those bones and try to dress them up, turn them over, rearrange them...or I can go on past the cemetery and continue down the road to the LIFE that is mine. In my mind the cemetery is like trying to live from the flesh...from my own strength. Living in Christ is walking on down the road to the LIFE. But the cemetery is always there...I will always have to see it, walk by it, choose not to try to find life among the dead bones. I'm not sure I can put this in words well, so let me know if this is making sense and what you think!

Laughter

Problem solved! During just a routine visit to the grocery store I found both a new sudoku book and a new crossword book. Too bad that all the world's problems can't be solved that easily, but I will delight in the ones that can! So now I have books to share during our ride to Grand Forks in a couple of weeks.
We missed "America's Got Talent" last week, so we're getting caught up tonight. It's hard to imagine that you can have such bad and such good stuff on the same stage. The old man Elvis act was really horrible!!!!!!!!
FYI-----another stellar garage sale at my house this Saturday!! Be there or be square!

Thought for the day

If laughter is good for the soul, then "America's Got Talent" can heal anything! And I really like the emcee Nick Cannon...hysterical! I don't really know why this would be a "thought" but I do agree that laughter is REALLY GOOD FOR YOU!!! SO JUST DO IT!!!!

Problems, Problems

It was a Monday!! I had a terrible time just staying awake at work this morning. The afternoon was better, but I think that about 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep would be awesome. If only I could do that without something hurting and waking me up over and over. This steady rain tonight makes me think sleep would be a good thing! Oh well, tomorrow is another day. I hope you all had a good start to the week.
I have another more pressing issue. In my desk at work I keep a crossword puzzle book and a sudoku book for break time. I have reached the "hard" section in the sudoku book which means I'm all done. I finished my crossword puzzle book today. So now I either have to get new puzzle books right away or find a book to take with me to read. Problems, problems. I guess I'll get it resolved somehow... :) Amazing what can qualify as a problem in our safe little worlds!

Thought for the day

I'm still wrestling with the fact that over 26,500 children dying every day. When I'm tempted to complain or feel sorry for myself that little fact comes to the forefront of my thoughts, and that's a very good thing. I'm thankful, Lord, that You have let me learn these things and that You don't let me forget them. I need that perspective on a daily basis. And yet we can have joy and enjoy the blessings You have given...even more so when we realize we aren't "entitled" to them.

Gospel For Asia

It's Saturday and we have several things going on. Jon spent the morning working at the parsonage at a work day. This afternoon he's been painting more on the house. I helped at a shower from 11-2 at the church, and we both will go back between 5 and 7 for a birthday party. Jon is also on call, but so far has not been called out. It's a beautiful day again...sunny, breezy, low humidity, and cool...we were only about 50 this morning again...I love it!!

After reading "The Hole in Our Gospel" we have decided to work through Gospel For Asia. We'll support a missionary and sign up to be part of the prayer team. There may be other involvements later, but this is what we know now. I'm excited to be a part of something "bigger" and look forward to keeping up with what's going on and how to pray!

Thought for the day

It doesn't cost anything to be a part of the Gospel For Asia prayer team...and nothing will be accomplished without prayer!!

A DAY OFF!!!!

It was a wonderful day off! Last night we went to the tractor pull with Trever, Tabbi, Tre, and Tru. Because it was a late night, the boys slept here and I took the day off. They got to sleep in a little while and then I took them to kid care. Saw Tabbi then went to the city for a little shopping. It was raining on the was there and while I was at Target, but by the time I got home in the afternoon it was GORGEOUS...sunny, breezy, low humidity, and 74 degrees. I went for a long walk. Jon was able to stay home when he got off work and mowed. I baked cookies, grilled chicken for supper with corn on the cob (compliments of Trever and Tabbi)!

I must have been REALLY ready for a day off...it was AWESOME!!

Thought for the day

We're doing some more research including asking a couple of organizations some specific questions by email. The book I've finished has cemented a determination on our part to be involved in some kind of international outreach. BUT I maintain that no matter how great the need around the world, we MUST find a way to make a difference where we are. I think it's sometimes easier to write a check to send around the world than it is to reach out to someone who lives where you do and can find you when they want to. However true that may be, it is IMPERATIVE that we help where we live somehow. The Gospel has always traveled best in the shoes of a neighbor...when someone that lives where we live and faces what we face shares Christ and demonstrates the reality of His love to us, we have a sense that God actually "gets" us and loves us.

Feeling Better

Another great "America's Got Talent" was on tonight! There was a 9 year old boy that could play a guitar like a pro and a group of postal workers that could really sing! Of course there were the crazies...don't these people have a friend or family member who loves them enough to shake them silly and stop them from getting on stage? I mean seriously,......scary stuff! Oh well, that's why we like it...a little of everything!

I'm almost done with the book "The Hole in our Gospel". It is seriously challenging. It, along with the book "Revolution in World Missions", have really brought the world and our responsibility in it into sharper focus for me. They definitely make "America's Got Talent" seem less than the most important thing in the present realm! Now...what to do....

Thought for the day

Thanks for praying for me. My back was still bad through the night and this morning, but by late morning the Tylenol had kicked in and I haven't needed any since. I'll take my usual dose at bedtime, but I've been much more comfortable today. Thanks!!!

Book Update

Well, it was back to work today!! How did that go for you today? Work was fine, but I'm taking regular doses of Tylenol today without noticeable relief. It still scares me when my back acts up, so I'm trying to take it as careful as I can. Some time this week I need to make a run to the city and get some stuff, but I'm not sure yet when I'll do that. I need to do some baking later in the week, too. Jon's been working hard all weekend scraping, priming, and painting the house. I've been no help whatsoever...I hate that I can't keep up.
I promised you some updates from my book reading, so here goes. The book, again, is "The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns. This book will definitely get your attention and make you realize how self-centered and unaware the church is as a whole and at least I am personally. Did you know that 40% of the world population lives (?) on less than $2.00 a day? In this day of access to so many resources there is no excuse for us not helping them. We're presently trying to do a little research on a couple of groups to decide how we want to be involved.

Thought for the day

This is a quote by Bob Pierce "Don't fail to do something just because you can't do everything." That encourages me in the face of statistics on poverty that are overwhelming. God only asks us to do what He places in front of us with what He's given us.

Pictures From the 4th

Can you tell who some of my favorite people are? These are some pix from the weekend...I'm pretty sure only Jon and I avoided the camera lens! I need to look at these closely and remember all I have to be thankful for. Do you sometimes have a day that tempts you to forget those things? It's amazing to me that things that are so little in the grand scheme of things can get under my skin and grind on my heart till I think of nothing else. Time to give myself a good slap...I know...get in line!

Thanks, Lord, for Jon, all these, and many others who are precious to me. You've been so good!

Great 4th

We had a really great weekend with all the kids. Jon, Kelli, and girls came late Friday night then headed to Logan in the morning. We met them and Tabbi's family and Jon's family in Logan for the 4th of July parade. Megan and Greg were at our house when we got back. Tabbi, the boys, then Trever came later in the afternoon and we grilled supper. Kelli's family was here in time for all of us to go to the fireworks together. Almost everyone stayed overnight, and on Sunday Greg made us a great pork roast on the grill. Later the girls and I took all the kids swimming. They had a great time. That's the first time I've done any swimming in years and it felt great. Greg and Megan went home in the afternoon, Tabbi and boys later, and Kelli's family left this morning. We played the new Monopoly card game...very fun...you need to try it! I hope all of you had a fun weekend and I wish you a great week ahead!



Thought for the day



Today I started a book called "The Hole in the Gospel" by Richard Stearns the president of World Vision. It's about the failure of our faith to be the hands and feet of Christ in our world. I'm under conviction just reading the title. I'm very sure that we, the church, have failed to care for the poor and effectively bring much change to our society in the present. I'll keep you up on what I'm getting from the book, or better yet, read it with me!