Spoiled

Apparently I'm getting spoiled this week! Today we traded off the pickup for a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara in dark green...low miles and very cute! Also, it won't leak in the rain and it's much easier to see out of! There's even talk about a remote starter in the future! Tomorrow I go to the dentist, and I see Sandy on Thursday for a touch up. Then sometime this week my new phone will come, too. I'm not quite sure what to do with all of this...a little overwhelming. Thanks, Jon!

Thought for the day

It never ends...we will be human for as long as we live. No matter how well we know the Lord we will always be able to sin. All it takes is to lose connection little by little, day by day. Distraction...not evil...just distraction comes in and before I know I'm coasting along in my own strength and doing fine for just a while then I start downhill...frustration and discouragement turn into anger, resentment, depression, even a little rage mixed in. And still I don't know what's wrong...it takes me a while in the hole before I realize that I've slipped away and it can feel like a LONG way back. In reality...a little time, a little focus, a little input from a good book or the Good Book and I begin to see what has happened. When I'm ready to relinquish He's right there...He always was.

Happy Birthday, Dad

It was a nice weekend! Tre and Tru stayed overnight at our house Friday night and were here until we took them back to Logan about 3:00 Saturday afternoon. They were coughing and sniffling, so we needed to keep a little quiet. We spent the rest of Saturday in the city. We looked at SUVs, went to Ruby Tuesday for supper, then looked at phones at the Verizon store. I'm due for an upgrade, and I'm going to get an LG enV Touch.

Today we went to church then spent the rest of the day on a variety of things. I did laundry and a lot of editing changes on my book. I even cooked real food for supper which I don't usually do on Sunday night. I still need to run the vacuum (at least). It's beautifully cool with a great sky today. I love it!

Today is my dad's birthday. He would have been 89...and, yes, I still miss him. I'm sure glad he's having a great time and I'll see him again!! Thank You, Jesus!!!

School Days

Tonight we're watching more "America's Got Talent". I know...addicted, it's true. It's just too much fun! We got to talk to Bria and Emmy tonight...they are SO PUMPED about starting school tomorrow. It's really fun to hear them go on and on! Tre and Tru started last week and are doing great! Tru is really tired at night...early bedtime! Jon went out on call for a short time tonight and is ready to be done now. I'm done, too...acid reflux kept me up last night so I'm hoping for better things tonight.

Thought for the day

Really tough day today...not on the outside, just on the inside. I don't know why, really, but not a good time. I don't think I would be very good at facing real adversity. I'm glad to know that God is there to sustain me to meet every thing that comes my way...because I know that I don't have that kind of strength inside me. I get a reminder like this every once in a while...it's never pleasant, but it keeps me humble and depending on Him.

Medieval Helpdesk

You might like this for future reference...in case we need to actually use books again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIuFfxg9saE

may try that again to see if I can post directly---nope can't figure that out! Apparently I need the helpdesk to do it!

Change

Even thinking about change can be a scary thing. You think you're all ready...MORE than ready...then you feel your knees knock when you start to take steps. Some things just change all on their own...your kids grow up, you get older (and better!), seasons pass, life cycles. It's the changes that you choose to make that can be more overwhelming...where to live, where to work, where to worship, whether to remodel, when to start a family, dog or no dog, cut and/or color, this car or that, regular or decaf...okay, some may not qualify as overwhelming, but some do! I can tell you that you can trust God to open and close doors and work all things for good, but I may not believe it so easily when it's me. That's another reason why we need each other...to help us walk through all of the above. I've been using more than my share of that kind of support lately, so thanks to you all! I'll try to manage at least the regular or decaf myself!

Century Farm

Today was a complete change of pace. I went to the Iowa State Fair with my sister, and we were presented with the recognition of Mom's farm becoming a century farm. We didn't do much else while we were there, but it was a nice day with my sister. The traffic was crazy, but at least it wasn't too hot!
Tonight I baked cookies...Tre and Tru cleaned me out yesterday! That's a good thing!

Thought for the day

I'm tired. Weird how doing something different makes you so tired even if it's not really "more tiring" to do. Seems like I've been up for days!! Gotta go clean up cookies!

Is a Change Coming?

It's been kind of a fun, lazy Saturday. This morning was rainy and dark with just a little thunder--YAY!!! I did get some laundry, errands, and cleaning done, but I also went to the library (we still have one...I almost forgot!) and got a new wallet. If you know me, and you do, you know that was a high spot of the day!!! I did a little writing, a little reading, but no 'rithmetic! Jon was working most of the day one place or the other then back again. Hopefully, no more today!! The plan for the rest of the evening is some supper and TV (maybe squeeze in a little more reading, too). Hope you all have a great weekend!!
I'm feeling like a change may be in order...waiting for God to show the way and the time (and the destination would be helpful, too :) ). I don't want to get ahead of Him or miss what He has! Pray for me!!!

Many Little Pieces

A quiet evening home...chicken and veggies on the grill...TV (surprise!)...paying bills...putting away laundry...sympathy cards... It's weird when you think about all the different little pieces of life that make up a day in our lives. This list didn't include the working, picking up prescriptions, talking to all of my daughters, one son in law, and one grandson. I gave a hug to a friend at the post office this morning, prayed, read, did sudoku puzzles, connected with a few people on facebook, by texting, and now on a blog. If you add them all up an ordinary day includes a lot of different layers. I (we) need to see the eternal value of operating by the Spirit of God in all these layers. I don't think that means being "out there somewhere" but rather staying in a vital relationship moment by moment with Christ that keeps us in an attitude of servanthood, humility, and dependence. I (we) don't need to "try" to do things in a "spiritual way", I (we) just live dependent on Christ and trust that He is being Himself through me (us). I'm not claiming that I live up to that, but when I list all the things in my day (or yours) they take on greater dimension and I see more possibilities and the slow unfolding of a tapestry that is being designed by God with or without my (or your) understanding. Again each of us is back to trusting that He is up to something and fulfilling His purposes in our lives.
I guess that's my thought for the day!

Blankets in August!

Cousins in tye-dye

Tre's fish

Grandpa fishing with girls

4 kids heading to fish

Just hanging out--blankets in August

We had a great time in Grand Forks! As you can see there was fishing, tye-dye projects, chilling out, even some shopping! Kelli had made new blankets for Tre, Tru, and Jon for their respective birthdays. They were beautiful and have already had lots of use. We went shopping for school supplies on Monday. It was great fun...I love school supplies. We really do appreciate all of Jon and Kelli's hospitality. Thanks Bria and Emmy for sharing your rooms and beds, too!! THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!

Packing

Packing, packing, packing. It's time to head north tomorrow after we get off work. Megan and Greg will already be here, and we'll go get all the Melby's and drive to Kelli's. Quality family time...HOORAY!!!

Thought for the day

I haven't picked out my next book yet, but I think it will have to wait till after the weekend now. No reading time the next few days!! Can't focus on any other "thought" so this will have to do!!

Some Inspiration

I'm starting preps for the weekend...making lists, more lists, and a pile or two. We're excited to go!! America's Got Talent is on again tonight...YAY!!! It even got nice enough outside to go for a short walk tonight. I'm needing some inspiration...some good reading will probably do. It must be time to dig through the bookshelves and see what's there! What inspires you?

Thought for the day

It's always good to stoke the fire...to stir up a greater desire for the Lord. I get to a point where I know it's time for some time...I just need to settle in and focus and listen. He always wants to say something to me and to you.

Gary Smalley

Okay back at work again...the circle of life. Lunch out with Jon because he isn't working on Mondays...leftovers for supper...a wedding shower in the evening with (of course) more food. Tomorrow is my day to take my mom out for lunch...ARRGGHHH! I can be pretty good most of the time, but eating out blows everything, and I can't turn down a meal out! My back hasn't been feeling so great and losing some weight would be a really good move to give some relief or to be better prepared for any kind of treatment. Need to get my act together. HELP ME if you can!

Thought for the day

We saw part of a video at Sunday school yesterday on which Gary Smalley was talking about the way to pray persistently in the face of ongoing challenge. He was facing temptation and having inappropriate fantasies about another woman. He knew in his head that he wanted Christ to be his real source and fulfillment, but he was "feeling" like he wanted something else. So he would pray every day "God, I want You. I want You to be my life, my source, my satisfaction. I "feel" differently, but I choose You." He never approached the woman, but the feelings persisted. Do you know how long he had to pray that way before there came some relief and change in his feelings? TWO YEARS. I think that is an awesome testimony of what it means to persevere in prayer and stand on the truth. Good stuff!

Louis Giglio

It's back to hot outside...not horrible, but not like yesterday. We went to church this morning and had friends here for lunch and part of the afternoon. We watched one of the Louis Giglio DVDs that we have with them and watched another after they went home. They are really excellent and we are quite willing to share if any of you want to see them!
Here's wishing you all a safe and excellent week...LOOKING FORWARD to heading north next Friday! Look out Holthe's...we're coming!

Thought for the day

One of the messages we heard today was about when life hurts. It's very powerful and makes the point that when suffering enters our life we are given a megaphone and what is inside us comes out amplified whether we want it to or not. If we've built our life on the goal of our own happiness what will come out is despair, but if we've set God's greatness and glory as our highest priority what will come out is a testimony to God's goodness in the midst of the suffering. Suffering of some kind will come, so be prepared ahead of time and set your heart on Him so that when the megaphone lands in front of you, you give Him glory.

August 1

It's a beautiful day. August 1 in Iowa would normally be pretty unbearable, but today is sunny, breezy, big puffy clouds, and 70 degrees! Who knew summer could be so nice? We went to breakfast this morning, and Jon's been working on jobs that have stacked up for other people all day. I took Logan for a walk, caught up on bookwork, got groceries, made BLT's and corn on the cob for lunch, and am almost done cleaning house. I even squeezed in a short nap...perfect!

Pet peeve of the day...people with more money than we'll ever see in our lives who ask us to hold a $30.00 check till later, after Jon already wrote a $30.00 check for the supplies to do the work he's doing for them at no charge!! Crazy people!

Thought for the day

Bearing with one another...some days harder than it sounds. Can I at least pick the people I have to "bear with"? Okay, just venting!

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!