Doors and Window

More done...wrapping is done (except for one I can't finish), made caramel corn and cheese ball tonight. Tomorrow Kelli will be on the road, and I'll make oyster cracker snack tomorrow night. I need to go get more groceries tomorrow, too. I work on Thursday, but have Friday off. That is the day I'll make soup, salad, birthday cake, and maybe rice pudding so I have it ready ahead of time.
We're looking at some weather moving through on Thursday, so hopefully will be done by Friday when more people will be on the road.
Good news at the house today...we got three doors and the big window in the entryway. It looks so nice. We can begin to see what the end will look like even though we have a LONG way to go!

Thought for the day

"What are you waiting for? Return to your God! Commit yourself in love, in justice! Wait for your God, and don't give up on Him--ever!" Hosea 12:6 The Message
...ever...ever...ever...ever...not just till it seems too long...ever...ever...ever...not just till you can't stand to wait any longer...ever...ever...ever

Pray for the Week Ahead!

Today we were home all day...well, I was. Jon went over to the shop for the afternoon. He's still working on trying to put in a remote start on the Suzuki. He has a ton of hours in it...so wishes he had hired it done. I cleaned, baked, and listened to lots of great music. It's getting close. I'm done shopping but still have some wrapping to do.

Mom had a stomach virus and ended up in the hospital for dehydration. She was MUCH better after a 24 hour stay and is home again doing okay.

The weather looks dicey for the week ahead. Pray for clear roads and weather!!! Pray, too, that Emmy gets much better and no one else gets sick!! My stomach is off tonight...don't need that!!

Busy Time

Tonight Jon was working till around 7:30, and Megan got here around 8:30. In the meantime I made a couple of more Christmas goodies. Tomorrow Trever has his left rotator cuff repaired after way over a year of dealing with the injury. Jon will be going to the hospital to wait with Tabbi, but I have to be at work. Please pray with us for a successful surgery and a quick recovery...it's time for EVERYBODY to be on the mend and healing up. We're also praying for a reprieve from the storm that they say is on its way for here. We just want the roads to stay clear especially for Megan getting back and forth to Des Moines. The next couple of days at work will be busier due to some specials we're running, so run, run, run!!

Thought for the day

I'm tired and need to go to bed. I've been getting up a little earlier which has really improved the quality of my day, but I've got to balance by starting to go to bed earlier, too!! So off I go..sleep well!!

Call to Prayer

It was a beautiful day today, but just as I was finishing up some computer work so I could take a walk I was hit with a nasty sinus headache and had to take some drugs and try to sleep it away. It worked a little bit, but it keeps coming back so I didn't get a lot more done. I did do some laundry, but didn't accomplish much more. I did get some work done on a computer project so that was good. Jon was able to work on GPS, mow the yard, and give Logan a badly needed bath which I greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jon!!!!

I really enjoy these nice days even when I spend them inside---it's just very pretty out there. There is supposed to be more rain in a couple of days which will slow down harvest again, so we'll see what happens.

Thought for the day

I have been encouraged these last couple of days reading some past records of what God has told me. I am convinced again, as evey other time, that my purpose is to pray. I'm also reading "The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer" off and on, and it is such a great encouragement to pray and never give up praying. He says over and over that God has set it up that we are to pray...pray about everything, and He intends that we receive what we pray for. So simple...yet so incredible. It is, of course, based on a relationship with Him where He is Lord and we are seeking Him first. When our heart is truly His we can begin to have confidence that He is directing and purifying our prayers. The fact that we come to Him in prayer to start with means we are acting in His will, for it is His will that we pray. Please be encouraged to bring EVERYTHING that touches your life and heart to Him in prayer, no matter how big or how small. Pray over and over and trust that He sees all and has your best in mind as He answers.

Keep Praying

I think we have a pretty quiet weekend ahead. We went out to eat at Victoria Station tonight and came back home so Jon could do some GPS work. I'm planning on spending a little time on the treadmill when I'm done here. Tomorrow by afternoon he'll probably be helping with combining again. All week I've been wanting to bake...with some input from Jon I've settled on baking oatmeal fudge bars tomorrow. I don't think I even remember the last time I made those. Baking is one of the things I miss about everyone leaving home and me working full time. I can still do it, but it's pretty risky when there aren't others around to help eat it. I'll have to figure out a sharing plan.

I love fall, but these last few damp days have been more challenging. It makes my joints hurt more, so I'm looking forward to some sunny days again. The weekend is supposed to be better---don't mean to complain, but I won't mind feeling it less in my joints.

Kelli is really sick with respiratory crud--pray for her please. Keep praying for Greg and Megan's house to sell, too, please. They are spending the weekend in Winfield, so I'm sure they'll be well fed and cared for. I would like to work on a computer project this weekend, too...we'll see if that happens.

Thought for the day

I'm always surprised how little it takes to distract me from prayer. I've believed for a long time now that if God has a "calling" for me, it is prayer. I believe He calls me to prayer for my own blessing as well as for intercession. There are so many needs to pray for, yet I'm constantly pulled from that quiet focus into the busy and transitory things of the day. Still my truest longing is for that fellowship and sense of destiny that are a part of real prayer. I'll have to keep trusting Him to bring me into the fullness of all that He has put in my heart because He's the one who has to do it. Like every other part of our walk it is His work, not mine.

Value of Life

It rained lightly almost all day. I love the sound of rain, but the down side today was no thunder or lightning. Our whole family likes thunderstorms...probably because we've never had a really bad experience with it. I'm okay with that...no bad experiences and we still enjoy the storms. I always feel sorry for people that get really afraid of the weather...my only concern is if we've got kids on the road.

Tomorrow on the Today Show a 7th generation Wallenda (the Flying Wallendas) is walking 235' on a tightrope then riding a bike back across it for a world record---I can't remember how high, I'm thinking over 200'??? Why??? I don't think I'll ever understand that kind of thing...29 years old, married, 3 kids and they'll all be there watching. Oh, did I mention NO NET???? That's right, no net. I don't get it. I know it takes all kinds, but really? I think we can all get along just fine without this "contribution". Well, I hope he lives through it. Me...I'm just tickled that I had a clear mammogram...don't need to walk a tightrope, thanks anyway.

Tabbi, I tried Far Side again...we'll see if it changes!!

Thought for the day

How valuable is life to you? I'm sure most of you would be on the side of pro-life, but I'm wondering about the value of a daily life lived with a sense of purpose, destiny, hope, and respect...both for ourselves and for others. How do we help a checkout clerk at the store feel that what she or he is doing is important and appreciated? Or how about the attendant at the gas station? I'm not just talking about positive reinforcement, but helping someone see themselves the way God sees them. Living in that way really means walking with God in a way that brings us into the light and lets His light reveal to us what He sees in others. It requires a sacrifice of assumptions, biases, judgments, patience, preconceived notions, and self-righteous smugness. Do you, do I, value life enough to take a second look?

Sunday

Jon was called out again last night from 10:00 till about 12:45 a.m. We went to church; Megan left around 8:30; Tabbi and boys came before noon till about 5:00. The boys spent most of the time outside riding their bikes as you can see. Talked to Kelli and both Bria and Emmy earlier. About 5:30 Jon got called out again, soo.....we'll see what the rest of the evening brings. What beautiful weather we've had this whole week. There's supposed to be rain coming this week, but that's okay, too.

I hope all of you have had a great weekend with a great week ahead. Me, I'm going to try to remember to not work from my own strength but to rest in Christ and let Him do what He wants when He wants to do it.

Thought for the day

I hope that the life and love of Christ Himself will be seen through me and that I will know His fellowship also in the "sufferings". Whatever I see in my life as "suffering" (which is generally something pretty lame), let me realize that as a point of fellowship with Him in the sufferings He endured.

Some Weather

Okay it's really Thursday, September 18, 2008...not sure why the post says yesterday...sorry. Hooray!! Our top five picks made the final five on America's Got Talent. Okay, so we get excited about the simple stuff. It's been a beautiful week--fall is always my favorite season, followed closely by spring. Today when I was home for lunch the trees in my back yard were dropping leaves like crazy. The leaves are only beginning to turn a little so I was surprised to see so many falling. Again, I get excited about the simple stuff. I love the overall change of seasons. I can't imagine living somewhere that didn't ever have both the highs and lows even though I don't enjoy the most extreme cold or hot days, but I can stay out of those elements most of the time. I really enjoy the different skies we get here along with the changeable weather. I have a wonderful friend who has taught Bible studies for years who used to ask the question, "When we complain about the weather, who are we really complaining against?" Ouch. (Thanks, Nancy) It really does make you think about all the complaining we either do or hear about the weather. Almost any casual conversation with near strangers includes whether God has any idea what He's doing in regard to the weather--isn't He paying attention? Doesn't He know? Wow, I guess that applies to lots of things besides weather--like everything. Complaining is a cancer of the soul that spreads and invades all that was healthy and whole. Lord, help me to resist every murmur and complaint that would rise from an ungrateful heart, for all murmuring comes from ingratitude.

Thought for the day
When I realize how many times a day I murmur or complain (at least in my heart) it makes me see how ungrateful I am. And worse, it's usually a "little" thing that I let stick in my craw...something that's not even important in the long run. Lord, help me keep my focus on Your goodness and grace.
Child, I know your heart...that you want to please Me, and that is the heart I see. Rest in My love and let Me fill your heart, and you will find that our fellowship will sweeten and soften all that comes into your life. If you will allow Me to rule in your heart, gratitude will be the outflow that will characterize your walk. This outflow will make you a blessing to the world around you and to My own heart. Start now.

Saturday

It's been raining the last few day here, but this afternoon we're seeing sunshine again. The rain was welcome, but now it's time to mow again. My husband's company has its Christmas party tonight, yes, I said Christmas. They do it in September and have golfing in the aftern00n for those who want. It's nice because it's one less thing to fit in in December. Been watching some of the coverage of hurricane Ike hitting Texas...wow, am I glad to not live in a place where I have to deal with that. I'm sure many are so thankful for warnings and evacuations...God help them all. What a mess. I'm baking cookies today--my world-famous oatmeal chocolate chip. I'm pretty sure that if I ever run out in my house that my family will just disown me. Iowa and Iowa State are tied at 3 at the end of the 3rd quarter. Got much more interesting in the 3rd.

P.S. Final score Iowa 17, ISU 5. My sons-in-law really know how to pick winners. Right, girls?

Thought for the day
You know, I'm not much in thinking mode today. I am really just enjoying being home and working around here. It's good to know that God is with us even when we're "just doing the normal stuff" and we don't have to be what we would think of as spiritual to know His fellowship and presence. "Lo, I am with you ALWAYS..."