A SLICE of JOURNAL PIE

Another Snowy Day

2012-01-29T14:33:00.002-05:00

Just when I thought we were having a sunny, mild weekend, I opened the front door to a snow covered environment yesterday morning. It was beautiful...the snow looked like cotton balls on the bushes...like you could pick it off. This afternoon we had another blowy, snowy front come through. But the sun is shining now, and everything is just snow white outside. A nice day to stay inside!!

I've been spending my evenings studying about Route 66, the historical Mother Road that was initiated in 1926 and became the major route from Chicago to Los Angelos mid-century. Alas, the cry for speed was heard and the interstate system was put into place, bypassing the icons of where you could get your kicks on route 66. I ordered materials from AAA and from Amazon.com to better understand this part of our American history.

We plan to make a trip down that route in a couple of months or so. I like the idea of the road trip itself, being our "destination", rather than a place. I'm not one that wants to go to the cookie-cutter cities of our nation to shop the mega malls that have all the same stuff, or to eat in chain restaurants that serve the same food. I like "distinctively different" routes, rests, and eateries. I guess that is why Route 66 is beckoning to me. I am so enjoying reading about it.

We had a camp board member take us out to eat this week. That was a nice treat!! Then we turned around and took our camp head nurse out to talk about the upcoming camping season. Time to start getting everything lined up and ready for another fun-filled summer!

We have a scrapbooker's retreat going on this weekend in our Learning Center. Several women gathered around tables, some in their PJ's, with their paraphernalia spread out in front of them. Lots of yakking, nibbling, clipping, some games, a good time to relax with a favorite hobby and friend. I am not a scrapbooker, but I enjoy visiting with the ladies.

The first month of 2012 is almost gone. January went sort of fast for me, as I was quite busy at the office all month. I don't mind the winter months slipping by. My favorite season is just ahead....SPRING!!!

Now for my weekly devotional recap:

January 23-29, 2012 Devotional Thoughts

The Word for You Today

1. “How to Handle Bad News” (1)

Honor God as Lord of your situation
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. (Ps. 91:15)

2. “How to Handle Bad News” (2)

Before you act, stop and pray, think rationally, gather the facts
Responding in faith makes a crisis into an opportunity
Don’t get in God’s way when trying to help others

3. “Trust God’s Word, Not Your Feelings”

He was strengthened in faith. (Rom 4:20)
If you live by feelings you will be messed up
Get over your feelings of hurt and bitterness
Trust God’s Word, grow in faith, practice love

4. “Keep Your Sense of Gratitude”

Forget not all his benefits. (Ps 103:2)
Each morning God’s mercies are new, and so should our gratitude begin afresh each day
His love, faithfulness, and mercy are there when we wake up, and we should being our day very grateful for that
Don’t look at the problems, but see the blessings, count on His Promises

5. “The Power of Perseverance” (1)

Let us not grow weary while doing good. (Gal 6:9)
Quitting is more about who you are than what’s going on
“stop trying” is a guarantee of failure

6. “The Power of Perseverance” (2)

We shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Gal 6:9)
With faith in God and confidence in ourselves, we can make it
Dreams unfold one day at a time
God will give you grace and strength for each assignment He gives you

7. “Don’t Give in to Bitterness”

Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. (Eph 4:31)
Bitterness is contagious – it affects others
Overcoming bitterness is a way to spread God’s blessing to others
How to overcome it:
acknowledge it
don't rehearse it in your mind or in your speech
repent of any un-Christlike attitudes
ask God to give you self-control
submit to His authority
forgive others so you can be free to enjoy your relationship with God and others
find ways to be kind to those who have hurt you

Sparkling Gems

Colossians 3:16 (NLT)

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

As a child of God I am a spiritual billionaire
“richly” – incredible abundance, extreme wealth
When the word of God dwells in us, , our hearts are full of joy, our minds are full of wisdom and understanding, and our spirits are rejoicing
When we are filled with the Word, we affect others around us in a positive way, we are encouragers

Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

“surrounded” – completely encircled by something that is stacked high on every side
We are surrounded by Godly examples of people in the Bible who faced difficult challenges yet held fast to their faith in God.
It’s not a matter of “if” I win, but “when” I win, for God will bring the victory

2 Timothy 2:4 (NLT)

Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.

“entangles” – being caught in a vine that is woven together; running, hindered by a long robe
We are not to get too involved in non-eternal matters
Our focus should not be on material things
We can wrap our hands around material things, but not our hearts…we must be willing to let “things” go
Stay balanced by focusing on what truly matters, things that have eternal value

Hebrews 10:32 (NLT)

Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering.

“sufferings” – mental pressure, attach on your mind
satan likes to attack the mind with negative thoughts, accusations, past reminders, anything to divert you from God’s plan
Be encouraged because you must be following God if satan is attacking you, trying to stop your effectiveness
Hang on, don’t give up, trust in God and His Word
Resist the devil and he will flee from you

Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)

Your environment will impact how you think and act
“easily trips us up” – something around us that feels comfortable
Your must leave behind the comfort zone of your sins if you want to become a strong person of faith
Avoid relationships and places that drag you down and entice you away form Jesus

John 14:18 (NLT)

No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.

“abandon” – like a child left without a mother and father, or a student abandoned by his teacher
When Jesus ascended to heaven, He did not leave the world alone…He sent the Holy Spirit as our guide and comforter, and teacher

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT)

So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

“ambassadors” – agents or representative of a king or country, authorized to speak on behalf of the one who sent them
We are representatives of heaven to the world around us, our neighborhood, our family, our work place
As representatives for God, we have given royal power and the authority of the blood of Jesus and all the resources of heaven are ours for the asking

Mid-January - Is Winter Over Yet???

2012-01-22T19:00:00.003-05:00

One could only wish!! It's not been a bad winter, but I don't like having to put on coats and boots and hats to go outside, and then walk carefully so as not to fall on ice. The dogs' paws get cold, so they don't walk as much either. We are all tired of being inside so much!! I take the dogs to work with me just to give them a change of atmosphere, and some fresh air in between. We have had lots of snow and sleet this past week, not the best of weeks to be out and about. So glad I live close to where I work!!

Well, hubby had to help me with fixing my blog today, so I am just now getting around to post. I obtained a new email last fall, and today I tried to delete it from the blog domain, and ended up deleting the blog. He was able to get it back for me. Without him, I wouldn't be able to navigate very well on computers. I'm just not naturally technologically savvy. I need icons to direct me, and I need to have procedures written down. And when everything should be getting easier, it seems "they" change things to be more difficult...too many choices, and they don't always make sense to me. So glad hubby is patient with me!! Hey...want to see his picture? I have a picture on my profile that shows my husband, my two sons, and myself. My second profile shows my granddaughters and myself. I have the two profiles because of having the two emails...can't seem to get rid of the original one without deleting the blog, as previously mentioned.

I spent a lot of time at the office this week. Annual invoices were due, so there was a lot of mail to process. I enjoy that kind of work, and paying the bills with the income!! We had our first staff meeting this past week in preparation for the summer camps. We took a friend out for a steak supper one night...our belated Christmas gift to her. I had to get a new key programmed for my vehicle so as to have a spare. I have locked my keys in my vehicle twice in the last few months, and I needed a back-up plan in case that happens again (a sign of aging??). Anyway, it's not cheap to get a new key programmed...costs pennies under $100.

Our cats have been missing for a couple of weeks now...the regular ones that visit the porch for food. I still have a few, and I have two new kittens starting to visit, but about half dozen of the regulars seem to be gone. I hope they found a warm place, like a barn on a farm. I don't want to think of them being hurt or trapped somewhere. I can only do my part, and the rest is up to nature.

Let me share my week's devotional highlights:

The Word for You Today

1. "Learn to Respect Authority"

Work...as though you were working for the Lord. (Col 3:23)
until you know how to take orders, you won't be qualified to give them
to be treated with respect, you must treat others with respect

2. "Stop Condemning Yourself!"

There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (Rom 8:1)
when God forgives you, and you don't forgive yourself, you are making yourself more important than God
forgiveness comes by faith, not feelings
tell satan how your sins are covered by the blood of Jesus and he will flee
learn from your failure, grow stronger, testify to God's grace, and move forward

3. "Building Up Your Faith" (1)

Building up yourselves on your...faith." (Jude vs 20)
mechanical faith - flipping on a light switch
intentional faith - believing God can do the impossible
faith is like a muscle which must be exercised or it will become useless

4. "Building Up Your Faith" (2)

We are more than conquerors. (Rom 8:37)
to be a conqueror you must fight to win the battle
to be more than a conqueror means Jesus fights the battle, which He already has, and He won!
the power He has for us comes through praying and allowing the Holy Spirit to live in us and work through us

5. "Caring for God's Creation"

God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. (Gen 2:15)
just because heaven is our destiny does not mean we have the right to trash the earth, God's beautiful creation

Sparkling Gems

1 Timothy 4:16

New Living Translation (NLT)

Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

to effectively serve others, you must set aside time to develop your personal relationship with God
your spiritual development must be a priority because you can only give out from what is within you
when I am in tune with God and filled with His power, then I can adequately serve others

1 Thessalonians 2:18

New Living Translation (NLT)

We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us.

"prevented" - hindered, a road impassable because of its dangers; a runner shoved out of the way; dangerous and unexpected bumps along the way
the devil never gets the last word in God's plan, so hold on because what God has promised will happen

2 Corinthians 1:9

New Living Translation (NLT)

In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.

some of life's problems cannot be handled in our own strength, and death seems to be the only way out
the end of our road is only the beginning fro God to step in if we will trust Him
a loving Father always brings us hope and a way to move forward
God's life-giving power can turn dead-end situations into new beginnings

1 Thessalonians 5:27

New Living Translation (NLT)

I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.

"brothers and sisters" - born from the same womb; coming from the womb of humanity we all experience similar emotions, feelings, difficulties in life
we are also brothers and sisters when we are born from the womb of God through the blood of Jesus, belonging to God's family
brothers are soldiers who fight the battles together with their weapons
Paul wrote to the Early Church and called them brothers because he recognized they were in the same fight together, overcoming the enemy...satan
he encouraged them to stay committed to the cause of Jesus Christ and to be faithful in their struggles against sin and worldly powers
it isn't how well you fight the battles of life, but that you continue...keep on fighting

Romans 8:37

New Living Translation (NLT)

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

"overwhelming victory" - more than conquerors - over, above, and beyond, superior and unrivaled; overcomers, victors, masters
people will perceive you as you see yourself
with Jesus Christ we are an overwhelming force who always wins...we are never a loser
we must see ourselves as God sees us and live in that power so others will also see us as sources of God's power who can defeat any foes satan may send our way
we must quit looking at our failures in the past, and focus on the resurrection power Jesus has instilled in us

Ephesians 1:17

New Living Translation (NLT)

asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

"wisdom" - special or divine insight beyond natural ability
"insight" - revelation - something hidden that is made clear suddenly, like pulling back a curtain to see what has been there all along, but hidden by the curtain
the kind of wisdom we need must be revealed by God to us, for He alone can replace our ignorance with clear understanding...we just need to ask for it

Jude 1:23

New Living Translation (NLT)

Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

sin is life threatening as it separates men from God
"snatching" - pulling, seizing others out of danger
when people don't want to change their sinning habit, we must have a sense of urgency to speak forcefully to them and truthfully so they see their need to be freed from that which is destroying their lives
we must continue to pray for their deliverance if they refuse to listen to us

Winter Finally Arrived in Michigan!

2012-01-15T09:48:00.000-05:00

Up until Thursday night, I would have to say we have had a pretty mild winter in Michigan thus far...not much snow, not super low digits...just lots of dreariness. Things changed on Thursday, and it's been snowing off and on ever since. I think we are at around 12-14" of snow...only measured by the height of our doggies. The snow is as deep as our doggies are tall. Hubby had to shovel out a path for them out back. The snow has been pretty, and I love seeing all the pine trees covered in snow. But there is ice under that snow, and I do not like driving or walking on it. And this morning we woke up to a temperature of 5 degrees. Brrr!! I'm warming up with oatmeal and raspberries for breakfast.

I was delighted to finish my 2011 tax paperwork for the office this past week! It's something I dread every year, but when it's done I realize it's not really that bad. Now I'll be glad when we get our personal taxes completed! I did spend quite a bit of time at the office keeping up to date and learning new systems.

I had a Girls' Night Out one night when hubby was gone to the district office for a meeting. Four of us went out to a Mexican Restaurant and then did some shopping. It was a fun evening.

Hubby and I have been playing Sequence almost every evening...the best two of three. We end up having to play three games most of the time, but he's usually the victor, of course! Yesterday we ran some shopping errands in Portage and had lunch at a Mexican Restaurant (couldn't get it enough of it earlier this week!!). Last night we were invited to some friends house for supper and games. So it's been a busy, full, and fun-filled week, and we are surviving in the snow. As long as the sun shines, I can handle most anything weather-wise. I just don't care for dreary days...and it seems that Michigan has more than her share in the winter.

Today we are going to church in Battle Creek and then meeting family for a birthday lunch for my father-in-law, who turns 83 today. He has chosen to eat at, guess where, a Mexican Restaurant!! I can handle that!!

I'm still enjoying my new devotional book with the word studies. Here's my highlights for this past week:

The Word for You Today
1. "Overcoming the Fear of Loneliness (2)"

Nothing can ever separate me from God's love. (Rom 8:38)

2. "Get Up and Go On with Your Life"

you must first make things right with the ones you have offended and with God, then you can confidently move on
deal with your emotions of grief and/or guilt through God's forgiveness to experience the joy that lies ahead
move forward with your life and leave the past behind

3. "When God Calls You"

Follow Me, and I will make you.... (Mark 1:17); when God calls remember:
there's a price to be paid for God's best
there's a path to be walked in faith
there are principles to be followed, for you must do God's will in His way
there's a promise to remember - God will be with you always

4. "Christ - There's No One Like Him!"

Then Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been give to me." (Matt. 28:18)

5. "Dealing with Uncertainty (1)"

We do not know what to do, but we are looking for you to help. (2 Chron. 20:12)
I will instruct you...in the way you should go; I will guide you. (Ps. 32:8)

Sparkling Gems

Ephesians 1:16

New Living Translation (NLT)

I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,

"thanking" - an overwhelmingly good feeling with love and grace flowing from the heart to someone you love
when we think of our close relationships God has placed in our lives, we should have a deep sense of gratefulness and appreciation for these people

Romans 8:14

New Living Translation (NLT)

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

"led" - to lead - we are to let the Holy Spirit be the leader of our lives
our surrender to His leadership causes us to be obedient followers
our human nature rebels against not being in control of our lives and choosing our own way
the human nature must be crucified so that the Holy Spirit can lead and we can follow
be sensitive to the nudge of the Holy Spirit in your heart so you can follow Him - His way is best for He is all-knowledgeable and loving, whereas our human nature is limited and selfish
He has a plan for you - follow Him

James 1:21

New Living Translation (NLT)

So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

"filth and evil" - refers to bad attitudes, being negative, pessimistic, cynical, gloomy, uncooperative
lay aside old habits and attitudes and never pick them up again
do this in the power of the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 6:10

New Living Translation (NLT)

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

"strong" - explosive power in some type of container
God's divine power is deposited in us as we open our spirit, mind, and body to Him
God gives us supernatural strength to overcome the attacks of the enemy
we are created by God to be a container/vessel for the Holy Spirit to live in and give us dynamic power to live for God and against the enemy

Hebrews 10:25

New Living Translation (NLT)

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

we need the fellowship of other Christians to encourage us
we need to feel the presence of the Lord, and that should be found in fellowship with other believers in the church

James 1:22

New Living Translation (NLT)

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

be creative to accomplish the tasks given us
we must put into practice what we have read and heard from God's Word
the Holy Spirit will guide us in opportunities that come our way

Sparkling Gems

2012-01-08T18:36:00.001-05:00

A new year, full of promise and hope. There does seem to be an optimism in the air about this year. I am choosing to expect great things to happen this year...and I expect God to see us safely through 2012, no matter what comes our way.

I am excited to begin a new devotional book for this year. It was a book given to me by a former Greek student of mine. "Sparkling Gems from the Greek" is a book of 365 Greek word studies for every day of the year, designed to help sharpen my understanding of the Word of God. I am 8 days into this book, and I am loving it. Every day the author, Rich Renner, takes one verse and chooses one or two words out of the verse to expound on. There is a lesson to learn from each verse. I'll probably be blogging my notes on these daily readings, for those of you who read my blog as a devotional for yourself.

I gave an in-depth detail of our Christmas vacation trip in my last blog, and closed out 2011 with it. I spent the rest of this past week catching up at work, including working on the year end tax papers. I always dread doing that, but once I get started, it really isn't that bad. I have the W-2's ready to go out this week, and everything else goes out by the first of February. Whew...another year behind me!! Will I still be here to do 2012 tax papers? God only knows.

I love changes. I am ready for changes. Only my granddaughters love coming to visit us on this campground, and I want to be here for them. That's why it's best to leave our future in God's hands, for He alone knows what's best for all concerned.

I'm back on the cash only basis for daily expenses. Time to pull the belt in a little bit. But that's okay...I need to. I am also starting the new year with continuing on the fasting plan I was on last year...Sunday night 6 p.m. until Monday night 6 p.m., liquids and fruits only. I was ready to quit for the new year, then the sermon we heard last Sunday was on fasting! Who ever preaches on fasting?? The Lebanon, MO church is on a 21 day fast starting today. I am going to give up chocolate from today until February 1st as my special fast, but I intend to keep the weekly fast part of my routine. I need it. It's the least I can do for God after all He does for me. I take that 24 hours to focus more on His will in my life, and my need of Him in our camp finances, home finances, and our family. He has way out given me. In fact, I give Him all the credit for protecting us and our son and his wife in our freak accidents during our vacation (read previous blog).

Today we attended morning worship at Family Valley Church. Very good sermon on making goals for 2012 so we have a direction to move in to living lives more pleasing to God. I believe my daily readings are also going to help me do that as it chips away at the ugly things hidden within me. I want to be more Christ-like as I walk through this year. I want to have His attitudes, His responses, His compassion, His patience...all areas of my life that I need to strengthen through Him.

Now to my devotional reading for this past week:

The Word for You Today
1. "Launch Out"

be willing to leave the safety of where you are, and go where God wants to take you
set goals, make a plan to reach them, and become accountable
devote your life to something greater than yourself
stay in sync with God's will, confront your fears with the attitude"God is with me. I will fear no evil."

2. "Who Are You Relying On?"

you will never know what God can do until God is all you have

3. "Gossip"

Troublemakers listen to troublemakers. (Proverbs 17:4)
people who gossip can't be trusted
stop them by asking "Why do I need to know this?"
ask these three questions to determine if it's gossip:

Is it true?

Is it kind?

Is it necessary to tell?

4. "Overcoming the Fear of Loneliness" (1)

The Lord...will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deut. 31:6)

understand who you are - a unique being created by God Himself

understand who God is - He is your Father, and He exemplifies warmth, security, acceptance, concern, compassion, assurance, provision, etc for His children...and you are one of them!

Sparkling Gems

Colossians 3:15

New Living Translation (NLT)

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

allow God's peace to dominate and govern every emotion and situation you face
"rule" - God's peace works like an umpire or referee in our hearts, minds, and emotions. (it is a choice we make to allow His peace to rise from deep within us.)
peace calls the shots, not anxiety or worry
when you feel overwhelmed by problems or emotions, stop and deliberately set your heart and mind on Jesus and God's Word.

Philippians 1:19

New Living Translation (NLT)

For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.

when it looks like your resources are drained and you can't go on, that's when Jesus Christ steps in to provide a generous contribution of the Spirit's grace and power. He will give you all the strength you will ever need.

2 Timothy 1:6

New Living Translation (NLT)

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.

"remind" - recall memories of God's faithfulness, and play them over and over again
we must take our eyes off our current troubles and remember how God has never let us down, and He never will

Ephesians 6:18

New Living Translation (NLT)

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

"at all times" - at each and every occasion
pray anytime there is a need - no matter where you are or what you are doing
use every possible moment, in every season, on all occasions to pray

Ephesians 4:30

New Living Translation (NLT)

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

"bring sorrow" - grieve - the kind of grief that is experienced between two people deeply in love
the Holy Spirit deeply loves us...He longs for us and wants to be close to us. We are in His thoughts all the time, and He wants to show Himself to us
when we deliberately choose to sin, it brings deep sorrow to Him, just like being unfaithful to a spouse

James 1:21

New Living Translation (NLT)

So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

"get rid of" - lay apart - laying something down and pushing it out of your reach
you don't go to bed in clothes that are dirty, and you should not go to bed with an attitude that is wrong
the negative things in your life must be removed

James 1:22

New Living Translation (NLT)

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

being a listener only is like auditing a class rather than taking it for credit...you are entertained by the information, but nothing is required of you
God wants us to act on what we know from His Word

Jude 1:23

New Living Translation (NLT)

Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

"rescue" - save - a present imperative, a command calling for immediate action, continuous action
we are to act immediately to help deliver our fellow believers from situations that are brought about by their sin; we must confront them, but be merciful to them
speak the truth in love

2011 Wrap-up

2012-01-07T22:05:00.000-05:00

The first week of 2012 has quickly passed, and I am ready to move forward!! However, I want to complete my journal blog for 2011. I will attempt that tonight, and tomorrow, Sunday, I can get back on my regular blogging schedule.

We left on Friday, December 23, for our family Christmas vacation...destination Branson, MO. We were to spend two nights in St. Louis at our son's house, and leave on Sunday morning, Christmas morning to drive on down to Branson, where we would meet up with our son and his wife from New Mexico (they drove in also).

We were on I-70, an hour's drive from our son's house in St. Louis, when it sounded like a tire blew out. We quickly pulled over to the shoulder of the road, and found that our wheel was about to come off. A tow truck took us to a Firestone Auto Repair near our son's house...60 miles away. The shop was already closed for the day, but they had said they could look at it on Saturday...Christmas Eve day. I was sure we would end up having to rent a vehicle to go on to Branson, but sure enough, they were able to fix the wheel by mid-morning on Saturday. Now, if that wheel had come all the way off before we got pulled over, or it if had been in the midst of St. Louis I-270 traffic, we could have had a real disaster! Who but God could arrange the details to our best advantage? Instead of having to rent a van for $1,000 for the week, we were able to drive our own van on down to Branson. And believe me, it was loaded to the hilt, plus five people!

We had a wonderful week with the family in our time share resort. We actually had three apartments that were connected. Each family had their own place to escape to...each had a bedroom, two baths, living room, kitchen/dining area, and washer/dryer. Two of them had Jacuzzis. Having all that space allowed everyone to be together when we ate, played games, had sharing times together, but gave room for getting away to a quiet spot and relaxing, reading, taking a nap...whatever. We also had an indoor pool with two hot tubs two buildings down from where we were located.

It was our intention to spend most of our time together at the resort, and not spend any money on the tourist traps of Branson. Believe me, there's a show for everything and everybody, but starting at $35 a ticket. That's just not how we wanted to spend our time and money. We ate our Christmas Dinner out at the Grand Country Buffet (where I got to have my favorite meal...turkey & dressing), but most of the meals were prepared at the resort. I had asked everyone to tell me what their favorite entrees, salads, and cookies were so I was ready with a menu. Monday morning I did my shopping for the week. Everyone pitched in with the cooking and the cleaning, but I loved preparing meals for my family!! By the way, we did drive around Branson on Christmas night to see the lights...very pretty.

Every day my granddaughters and I made a batch of cookies...everyone's favorites. We also worked on crafts together, played games, and watched movies. Each night a different person was in charge of sharing time. Here's what transpired each evening:
Christmas Night, Sunday - Carol - we as a family walked down memory lane recalling all of the previous time share trips (one every other year) since 2003. Lots of laughter there. Read Max Lucado's story "The Crippled Lamb", and read the Christmas story from Luke chapter two, and had prayer. We then celebrated first son's birthday and second granddaughter's birthday, after celebrating the birthday of Jesus. We played a game "Wits and Wagers". First time to play that...it was fun. Also played "Apples to Apples".

Monday Night - second son - shared the movie "Toy Story". Prior to watching it, we played a card game of "31", which is a game where people drop out one by one. As each one dropped out, they got to open a gift...a box of candy. The next person could either steal candy from another person, or draw a new gift. I had made sure to get each person's favorite theater candy. We all ended up with our choice of sweet and had that to munch on during the movie. By the way, this son also made supper for us that night...Fiesta Burritos, his meal of choice.

Tuesday night - daughter-in-law - asked us to share family traditions around Christmas. That was interesting. On this day we took a drive to College of the Ozarks, which is where one of our granddaughters thinks she would like to attend college...very nice campus. We also spent time driving around Historic Hollister and Historic Branson. We played a game of "Pit". DIL's favorite meal on this night was beef and noodles. Tuesday morning I gave out craft gifts to everyone...each adult receiving their favorite power car...a model to put together, and the girls received one to do with Dad, plus they had butterfly jars to make and some foam art.

Wednesday morning our New Mexico couple made us breakfast burritos...a staple in their diet. Some of us went to the pool and the playground on this day...nice weather out (pool was indoors). The meal this night was the request made by my two granddaughters, Curley's Spaghetti. They, along with Grandpa did the sharing time for Wednesday. The youngest one had drawn a picture of herself and Grandma to share with all of us. The oldest one had written a poem/song about "The 7 days of Christmas my Grandma gave to me...." It was funny. Grandpa had us play a game of Bingo. We had a basket of snackies and goodies, and whenever a person won Bingo, they got to pick something from the basket.

Thursday was shopping day...shopping at Thrift Shops and Outlet Malls. This was more or less for the girls. The guys did their own thing. We had Ground Beef Stroganoff for supper, choice by first son. He had sharing time and we talked about what it meant to be good. We played a game of spoons, and I gave out white elephant gifts on this day. Simple things from our home that seemed to be a right choice for each person.

Friday our New Mexico couple took off for Kansas City to spend the night with friends, and would be back on Saturday. The rest of us went to Silver Dollar City, where we met up with Nana and Papa, the girls' other grandparents. The day was sunny and nice, and we spent most of the day at the park riding rides, seeing shows, and watching the lights at night during the parade and on the train. We ate supper at the Golden Corral buffet, and then Nana and Papa came back to stay with us at the resort for the night.

Saturday the girls left after breakfast with Nana and Papa to head back to the St. Louis area for their family Christmas. Hubby, myself, and second son drove to Springfield, MO to meet up with New Mexico couple for lunch at a pizza buffet. On the drive back to Branson, we were leading in our van, and the other car was a couple of miles behind us. We got a call from them, and their vehicle was totaled in a freak accident. We turned around to go back to pick them up and assist them in the situation.

What happened was that a metal cow feeder fell off a trailer right in front of their vehicle...no time to stop or avoid it. Their air bags went off, and the windows were pushed outward instead of glass being shattered all over them and the car's interior. The car was pretty mangled by hitting/running over the metal feeder. A tow truck was called to haul the car off, which was deemed totaled. They were not injured at all. This could have happened to them in Kansas City or on their trip, instead it was two miles behind us...and we were there to pick them up. They could have been extremely injured in this accident, and they came through without a scratch or a bruise. Who but God could have worked things out in such good ways. They ended up flying back to NM from St. Louis (rode up with us from Branson on Sunday), and got a rental car for now until their car can be replaced.

New Year's Eve we spent just chatting, talking some about where to go in two years for our next time share gathering. Hubby was sick and went to bed early. The rest of us saw the New Year in, and then went to our bedrooms.

Sunday we checked out of the resort and headed back to St. Louis, stopping in Lebanon, MO to attend church were a former pastor of ours now preaches. They joined us for lunch at a Mexican restaurant after church, and then we drove on to St. Louis. Flight back to New Mexico left early evening. Hubby still sick, pretty much slept most of the day and night.

Monday morning we left St. Louis to head home to Michigan. Hubby drove a couple of hours, but then too weak and tired to drive, so I took the wheel of a van I wasn't used to driving...too big for me. Ended up driving all day, and we still didn't make it home. Weather prohibited us driving any farther than South Bend, IN. Snow was coming down in sheets, fast and heavy, and it was after dark. With hubby being sick, and me not sure how much snow would be out on the dark, unplowed roads, I opted for a motel room for the night. We checked in, ordered a pizza, and had a nice relaxing evening. The next morning we drove on home, picked up the doggies, and was home by noon. Spent the afternoon getting unpacked and settled back in, doing laundry, catching up on mail, email, bookkeeping, and planning a menu for my weekly shopping trip.

We are now into the new year, and that's for the next blog. I need to wrap up this long, detailed vacation blog with my devotional reading for the last of 2011. I did complete reading "The One Year Bible". Revelation and the minor prophets didn't speak to me a lot, but there are a few verses to share here in the blog. Here goes:

The Word for You Today
1. Your Habits Determine Your Future

if you can do something consistently for 21 days, you have proven that you can do it for 21 years
your success is found in your daily routine
"continuing" is the secret of greatness

2. Start the New Year Right

Forgive whatever grievance you may have. (Col 3:13)
grudges isolate you from others and shorten your life because of the deadly enzymes produced in your body that lead to physical ailments.
people who are at peace with themselves have learned to forgive and let go

Zechariah

Here is your part: Tell the truth. Be fair. Live at peace with everyone. Don't plot harm to others; don't swear that something is true when it isn't! How I hate all that sort of thing - says the Lord. (8:16-17)

Revelation

See, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay everyone according to the deeds he has done. I am the A and the Z, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Blessed forever are all who are washing their robes, to have the right to enter in through the gates of the city, and to eat fruit from the Tree of Life. (22:12-14)
He who has said all these things declares: "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! (22:20)

Psalm

The Lord is fair in everything he does, and full of kindness. He is close to all who call on him sincerely. He fulfills the desires of those who reverence and trust him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. He protects all those who love him, but destroys the wicked. (145:17-20)
Let everything alive give praises to the Lord! (150:6)

Proverbs

Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn't last, but a woman who fears and reverences God should be greatly praised. (31:25-31)

Daily Scripture

2011-12-21T07:21:00.002-05:00

I'm getting ready to leave on a trip, and I know I will not be blogging until after I am back. Therefore, I thought I would post my scripture for this week thus far, especially since one portion is quite long. For those who stop by...may Jesus be in the midst of your Christmas festivities, for He is so worthy!

Psalm

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me, and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment, you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede me and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head.
This is too glorious, too wonderful to believe! I can never be lost to your Spirit. I can never get away from my God! If I go up to the heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there you hand will guide me, your strength will support me. If I try to hide in the darkness, the night becomes light around me. For even darkness cannot hide from God; to you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both the same to you.
You made all the delicate inner parts of my body, and knit them together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous---and how well I know it. You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion. You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breath. Every day was recorded in your book!
How precious it is, Lord, to realize you were thinking about me constantly! I can't even count how many times a day your thoughts turn towards me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me! (139:1-18)
Search me, O God, and know my heart, test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (139:23)
The Lord will work out his plans for my life---for your loving kindness, Lord, continues forever. Don't abandon me---for you made me. (138:8)

Do You Hear What I Hear?

2011-12-18T19:37:00.000-05:00

My post title tonight is the sermon title from this morning. Once again we attended Lansing First CON as we were meeting family for dinner to celebrate Paul's Mom's birthday. Basically the sermon asked us if we just approached Christmas in the same old manner, having heard the Christmas Story so many times, and gone through the celebrations year after year so that it has become not that meaningful to us.

There are still people out there who are hurting, even crying, and they need the Hope that only Jesus can bring. Can we hear their pain, their cries? Are we offering them the Hope we have, the gift of the Savior? Jesus didn't come so that we could have a party every year...He came to seek the lost, heal the hurting, and provide a way that leads to eternal life, and gives hope for this life. If we have accepted Him, it is our responsibility to turn around and offer Him to others. Do you hear what I hear?

Spent quite a few hours at the ILNC office this week. We are using a new program for our annual invoices, so there was some learning involved, some trial and error. I also began archiving files, getting ready for 2012. We had a residents' pot luck at the Learning Center one night, after which we wrapped gifts for a homeless men's shelter in Kalamazoo.

It's been a cold, rainy, snowy week. Hubby and I treated ourselves to a pizza night in Vicksburg at our favorite pizza place. Just the smell of the restaurant is warming and tantalizing, and it was so nice to walk in and relax after a long frustrating day.

Yesterday was my semi-annual cabinet treatment. I have to get in the mood to treat the oak cabinets and shine them up....and yesterday happened to be the day. The mood hits me about twice a year. I gave a good cleaning to the appliances and counters as well.

I don't do Christmas cards any more, but I have been sending out some Christmas emails to friends I don't keep in contact with on a regular basis. It's the time of the year that I think about the various people God has given me the privilege to cross paths with. I like to keep in touch, especially if they move, and get updated on their lives now and then.

We had another spell with Tuxedo this week...another time of him having seizures or stroke symptoms and his body being limp. But once again after about three hours he seemed his normal self again. I sure hope we can be with him when his final hour comes. With a vacation just ahead, I dread leaving him behind.

I'm in the midst of planning my shopping list for our time share week meals and cookie making. I made up the menu and activity schedule this weekend...always open for flexibility. I just needed to know what I need to take from home, and what I need to buy when I get to the other end. Everyone is going to pitch in and help in the cooking and baking process...something we will do to have fun together, along with a nightly sharing time (directed by a different family member each night), and games and activities each day to keep us entertained and interacting with each other. It's going to be so much fun!!

Well...I need to get back to my list and my Christmas emails. Let me share my weekly devotional highlights. Keep in mind I am now in the minor prophets and Revelations. Won't be quite as much scripture to share from these books. Two weeks and I will be done with the One Year Bible, read through in 2011.

The Word for You Today
1. "The Blessings of the Compassionate Heart"

"You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving."

Revelations
1. The Sins of the Seven Churches (ch 2 - 3)

Ephesus - they lost their passion for God
Smyrna - they were afraid of persecution
Pergamos - they were tolerant of sexual sin & idol worship
Thyatira - they allowed immorality in the church through their leaders and teachers
Sardis - the church is dead and their deeds do not please God
Philadelphia: I know you well; you aren't strong, but you have tried to obey and have not denied my name. Therefore I have opened a door to you that no one can shut. (3:8)
Because you have patiently obeyed me despite the persecution, therefore I will protect you from the time of Great Tribulation and the temptation, which will come upon the world to test everyone alive. Look, I am coming soon! Hold tightly to the little strength you have---so that no one will take away your crown.
As for the one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God; he will be secure, and will go out no more; and I will write my God's name on him, and he will be a citizen in the city of my God--the New Jerusalem, coming down from heaven from my God; and he will have my New Name inscribed upon him. (3:10-12)
Laodicea - they were lukewarm, comfortable with status quo, indifferent
Look! I have been standing at the door and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me. (3:20)
O Lord, you are worthy to receive the glory and the honor and the power, for you have created all things. They were created and called into being by your act of will. (4:11)

Habakkuk

Even though the fig trees are all destroyed, and there is neither blossom left nor fruit, and though the olive crops all fail, and the fields lie barren; even if the flocks die in the field and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be happy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will give me the speed of a deer and bring me safely over the mountains. (3:17-19)

Proverbs

Pride ends in a fall, while humility brings honor. (29:23)

Worship the Christ of Christmas

2011-12-11T19:34:00.001-05:00

I'm just in from our Sunday evening service at the local Nazarene church. We sang some of the old traditional Christmas hymns tonight...such a Spirit of peace was amongst us...it felt like we were truly worshiping the Christ of Christmas, and not just going through a program.

Friday night we went on the church bus to Grand Rapids to attend the Gaither Christmas Concert at the Van Andel Arena. It started at 7 p.m. and didn't get over until 11 p.m. What a concert! All of the artists were good, and God's presence was there. I took a box of chocolates to pass around the bus. I told them I don't do Christmas Cards, but I do chocolates..so this was my treat. We had fun.

We installed Sky Angel on our TV this week. We used to have it through our satellite until they quit broadcasting that way. Now we can get it through wireless internet, as long as we have their box. We made the investment as I missed having the good music and family programming that Sky Angel offers. Now I can have my Hallmark movies once again, and I've spent the week with them. They are so heart warming, always a happy ending, and good family values promoted. Plus I can get gospel music any time I want it. It's a good source of entertainment when I am tired of reading. I just have to discipline myself and not let it consume my life...planning my schedule around the programs.

I took our littlest kitten, Snickers, into the Humane Society this week to have it fixed, and found out it was too little...didn't weigh two pounds yet. But someone at their office wanted to adopt the kitten, so it now has a warm home for the winter. Today I noticed two of its siblings on the neighbor's porch. Only a matter of time and they will be on our porch where the food is. There is always another cat/kitten to watch over. We had gotten quite attached to Snickers, but we are happy he is safe and loved.

I spent yesterday getting all the gifts wrapped for our Christmas time with the family. I'm ready to go...and can hardly wait. The highlight of my year is to be with my family. I never take it for granted. It's been a year since we have seen our oldest son and his wife.

It's been cold this week. Had a snow and ice storm on Friday. So nice to hunker down at home during such weather. But I am glad to have Sky Angel to keep me entertained!

Well, now to my devotional highlights from this past week:

The Word for You Today
1. "Stop Waiting for Perfect Conditions"

things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out
those who "think right" succeed
failure is just part of the learning process - you learn what not to do
keep trying, keep learning, keep moving forward

2. "The Grace to Handle It"

only in having the perspective of Christ can we replace our resentment with rejoicing

3. "Seeing the Hand of God in It"

we can't avoid problems, but we can change how we look at them
ask god to show you His hand at work in your problems

Hosea

I don't want your sacrifices -- I want your love; I don't want your offerings -- I want you to know me. (6:6)

I John

Loving God means doing what he tells us to do, and really, that isn't hard at all; for every child of God can obey him, defeating sin and evil pleasure by trusting Christ to help him. (5:3-4)
Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts. (21)

2 John

And now I want to urgently remind you, dear friends, of the old rule God gave us right from the beginning, that Christians should love one another. If we love God, we will do whatever he tells us to. And he has told us from the very first to love each other. (1:5-6)

Jude

...in the last times there would come those scoffers whose whole purpose in life is to enjoy themselves in every evil way imaginable. They stir up arguments; they love the evil things of the world; they do not have the Holy Spirit living in them.
But you, dear friends, must build up your lives even more strongly upon the foundation of our holy faith, learning to pray in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit.
Stay always within the boundaries where God's love can reach and bless you. Wait patiently for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you. Try to help those who argue against you.
Be merciful to those who doubt. Save some by snatching them as from the very flames of hell itself. And as for others, help them to find the Lord by being kind to them; but be careful that you yourselves aren't pulled along into their sins. Hate every trace of their sin while being merciful to them as sinner. (18-23)

Psalm

God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest. (127:2)

Proverbs

Where there is ignorance of God, crime runs wild; but what a wonderful thing it is for a nation to know and keep his laws. (29:18)

Walk in Love...as Christ Did

2011-12-04T20:32:00.001-05:00

This past week started off with a scary incident. Our 13+ year old Pekingese, Tuxedo (dog on left in picture above), woke us up on Monday by dragging himself across our wood floor in our bedroom...he couldn't walk or even stand up. We started rubbing him down, and his body didn't respond in its normal way, and he wasn't making any of his normal sounds. However, he didn't seem to be laboring in his breathing. We called the vet, and then decided just to observe him for a while. We figured he had a stroke or was having a seizure, as his eyes and head were a little jerky. We were afraid we were witnessing the end of his life.

Within a couple of hours I took him outside, and he was able to stand and walk around a bit. As the day went on he returned to his normal self. That was an answer to prayer! We know he is probably drawing close to the end of his time, but we are grateful for every day we have with him. He's been such a good dog. Seems like he's been with us for a long time. He was our "empty nest syndrome" answer. Sons moved out, and puppy moved in. He has brought us so much joy. What a faithful companion!!

Tuesday night we took another couple with us and drove into Kalamazoo for a "Christmas in Kalamazoo" concert with male chorus, brass, and bell ringers. It was an excellent concert, and it was right across from Bronson park which was all lit up with Christmas trees and lights and decorations...beautiful. To make the night even more "Christmasy", we were in the midst of a heavy snowfall, and our drive in was like taking a sleigh ride while it was snowing. Very nice way to usher in the season!

We've been nurturing a young kitten that was deserted on our porch by its Mommy. With some milk, some canned cat food, and a set up of pens and chairs with blankets, it seems to be doing well. It tried to interact with the older cats, who shunned the kitten at first, but now they seem to be accepting him, and let him sleep with them. He's a smart little kitten, knowing how to take his time and work his way in to be accepted. We are calling him SnickerDoodle.

Paul was out of town all day Thursday in meetings, and then had to go back to our state District office in Grand Ledge again on Friday afternoon. I went with him, and he set me up on his computer in an office there so I could work on a data input project while he was in his three hour meeting. Afterwards we "double-dated" with his boss and his wife. What a nice evening with them. We went to a restaurant in Lansing.

Saturday I did something I've wanted to do ever since we moved here. I went with a couple of friends into downtown Kalamazoo to shop. They've made their downtown into an outdoor mall with unique shops...no chain stores. We ate lunch on the mall also. It was an enjoyable day, but there weren't that many stores I would care to go back to. Most of them were too expensive. We hit the dollar store and resale shop in the way home...more our budget!!

This morning for morning worship we visited Westwood Church of God in northwest Kalamazoo. It was a very friendly church. We had lunch at Cracker Barrel, did some shopping, picked up a friend at the airport who needed a ride home, and then napped until time to head out to Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene for their Christmas musical, "Mary, Did You Know?" Lovely musical...some of my favorite songs. Another evening of welcoming the spirit of Christmas. This coming week we have a Gaither concert to attend...that should be very good!!

For anyone who has been reading my blog this year, you have been reading the One Year Bible along with me. Each day in my daily readings I have a passage from the Old Testament, a passage from the New Testament, some verses from Psalms and a verse or two from Proverbs. I highlight those verses that speak to me directly, and then I write them in this blog on a weekly (almost) basis. I am down to the last month, and just about to start into the minor prophets and Revelation. By the end of this month we (you and I) will have read through the entire Bible in 2011. I already have a new devotional book for 2012 that will take me into scripture in a whole new way...a look at 365 Greek Word studies to sharpen my understanding of God's Word. I'm looking forward to continuing to study God's Word on a daily basis, but in a different light.

So, on to my verses from this past week:

2 Peter

...a man is a slave to whatever controls him. (2:20)
But don't forget this, dear friends, that a day or a thousand years from now is like tomorrow to the Lord. He isn't really being slow about his promised return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But he is waiting, for the good reason that he is not willing that any should perish, and he is giving more time for sinners to repent. (3:8-9)
But we are looking forward to God's promise of new heavens and a new earth afterwards, where there will be only goodness.
Dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen and for him to come, try hard to live without sinning; and be at peace with everyone so that he will be pleased with you when he returns. (3:13-14)

I John

But if we are living in the light of God's presence, just as Christ does, then we have wonderful fellowship and joy with each other, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from every sin. (1:7)
How can we be sure that we belong to him? By looking within ourselves; are we really trying to do what he wants us to?
Someone may say, "I am a Christian, I am on my way to heaven, I belong to Christ." But if he doesn't do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar. But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did. (2:3-6)
...as we obey this commandment, to love one another, the darkness in our lives disappears and the new light of life in Christ shines in. (2:8)
Yes, dear friends, we are already God's children, right now, and we can't even imagine what it is going to be like later on. But we do know this, that when he comes we will be like him, as a result of seeing him as he really is. And everyone who really believes this will try to stay pure because Christ is pure.(3:2-3)
Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions. Then we will know for sure, by our actions, that we are on God's side, and our consciences will be clear, even when we stand before the Lord. (3:18-19)
And this is what God says we must do: Believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another. Those who do what God says---they are living with God and he with them. We know this is true because the Holy Spirit he has given us tell us so. (3:23-24)
Dear Friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know him better. But if a person isn't loving and kind, it shows that he doesn't know God---for God is love." (4:7-8)
Dear Friends, since God loved us as much as that (by sending his only Son into this wicked world to bring us to eternal life through his death), we surely ought to love each other too. For though we have never yet seen God, when we love each other God lives in us and his love within us grows even stronger. And he has put his own Holy Spirit into our hearts as a proof to us that we are living with him and he with us.(4:11-13)
God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him. And as we live with Christ, our love grows more perfect and complete; so we will not be ashamed and embarrassed at the day of judgment, but can face him with confidence and joy, because he loves us and we love him too. (4:16-18)

Psalm

Jehovah himself is caring for you! He is your defender. He protects you day and night. He keeps you from all evil, and preserves your life. He keeps his eye upon you as you come and go, and always guards you. (121:5-8)

The Word for You Today

1. Before you can move ahead:

some of our past ways must discontinue
we must give up our doubts (low self esteem, fears, anxieties, critics)

The Season Is Upon Us!

2011-11-27T15:38:00.001-05:00

I hope you were able to enjoy this past week, especially Thanksgiving Day, relaxing with family and friends, grateful for all of God's goodness to you. He has been very good to America...more than we are deserving of. Oh, I know we have had our share of disasters this past year. My heart goes out to the Joplin, MO community that was so tornado ravaged last spring. In other areas there have been flooding and fires and many other reasons for us to turn to God and ask for His protection, His guidance, His help. I hope we are all taking time to acknowledge Him and how He is always with us...how He has abundantly blessed us in so many ways, in spite of some of our personal discomfort at times. I bought a plaque that reads:

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.

Amen? You see, it's all in our focus. What do we dwell on? We can always point to what's going wrong in our lives, but that's when we need to shift our vision to what's going right. And that's where our emphasis needs to be, along with "Thank you, Jesus!"

That's why I hope you took time to share gratitude with your loved ones and with your Father in heaven the last few days, during the Thanksgiving holidays. What I am seeing happening in our country, and I don't like it one bit, is that we get down to what should be a time set aside to be grateful, and it is becoming a season of greed. Now the stores are open ON Thanksgiving Day...instead of waiting for Friday. Or they open at midnight to get a jump on "Black Friday". It's all about the almighty dollar. The stores want your money...and you want to save it, so you go early...or plan your whole weekend around where all you plan to shop to get the "bargains".

Please don't get me wrong. I am a bargain shopper...I love to shop the clearance aisles, refusing to pay full price for anything. I'm not a big shopper, though, so I'm not as tempted to get out in the crowds as some people are. I don't condemn them. My problem is with the commercialism of our holidays...both Thanksgiving and Christmas. It doesn't focus as much on spending time with family as it does spending money. I would prefer simpler times. I'm living in the wrong era, or my age is showing...which is more likely the truth.

So...the Season is upon us! Will you spend it shopping or sharing? Grateful or grumbling? Singing or sighing? The choice is yours. I want my focus to be on pleasing Jesus, showing gratitude, loving others.

This past week found me working at the ILNC office a couple of days. The office was only open one day this week due to Thanksgiving holidays. We had our Thanksgiving meal on Thursday with some co-workers and their large family...16 of us. I didn't have to cook a thing, and the meal was plenticious...plenty of it, and very delicious. We were even sent home with leftovers.

Friday we met with Paul's family at a restaurant in Hastings for the noon meal. Then we strolled around the little town (mostly resale shops and antiques), and then spent the rest of the afternoon at his parents' house. So food preparation has been very easy on me the last few days. We had our Thanksgiving leftovers for our Sunday lunch today.

I did do some shopping, just to get out of the house and to walk. We've had some rainy dreary days lately. I went to a small town south of here, Three Rivers, on Wednesday to walk through three stores. Mostly got groceries. Then on our way home from Paul's parents house on Friday we stopped at a Walmart and Walgreens to pick up a few things on my list. So, as you can tell, I am not against shopping...I am against the attitude of greed...grab all the customers you can...grab all the sales you can...beat the others. I don't do crowds...whether at an amusement park or a store. I like to browse through life, take my time, give thought to what I am doing. Take Jesus with me...keep the right attitude because I represent Him.

Hubby and I have been playing Sequence often in the evenings. He usually beats, and that's okay. I started decorating the house for Christmas. Not doing much. Each year I unload more stuff at the summer "donations only" tables. I don't even have a tree this year. I have a wreath on my front door, and the olive wood nativity set from Israel on my buffet, and a few other touches of red and green around the kitchen and living room. Keeping it very simple this year. I do love to have lights on our roof and on the pine trees outside...but that's a hubby project, and I try not to nag.

I've started getting ready for our Christmas trip to be with our family. We'll be together for a week, and we plan to cook at the resort rather than eat out...huge money saver for all of us. So I'm planning meals (requesting their favorites from them) as well as planning to bake cookies with the granddaughters...also fulfilling requests. I have planned a game where everyone will eventually get a prize...their personal favorite candy. We'll have that to munch on while we watch movies. "The Crippled Lamb" (Max Lucado) is going to be our Christmas movie. It will allow our littlest one to understand Jesus coming as a baby, God's love gift to us.

We'll be honoring three birthdays while we are together...Jesus, my oldest son, and my youngest granddaughter. Then I have two rounds of gifts planned. One is a round of white elephant gifts...giving each person something from our house to take home to theirs (small items). The second round is a craft kind of gift...something for each of us to work on all together around the table. I can share more about those gifts next month...after the fact. I think it will be fun. We keep gifts to a minimum and very simple.

We started doing a time share Christmas with our family back in 2003 to focus more on making memories than giving gifts. We get together every other year, so they have the in between years to be with the other side of their families. Thus far we have gone to Orlando, Hilton Head, Phoenix, Orange Beach (Alabama), and now this year to Branson. One week to play together. Games, food, movies, food, crafts, food, side trips...even a little shopping. And time to talk, time to pray, time to love, hug, and laugh...and even cry. We try to be vulnerable to each other...trusting each other...knowing we have each other to count on. I hope you have those kind of feelings in your family also. They are precious!

Now, on to my weekly devotional reading:

The Word for You Today
1. "You've Got to Pay Full Price"
"When you get what you want in the struggle for self,
and the world makes you king for a day;
just go to the mirror and look at yourself
and see what that man has to say.
For it isn't your father or mother or spouse
whose judgment upon you must past;
the fellow whose verdict counts the most in your life
is the one staring back from the glass.
He's the fellow to please; never mind the rest,
for he's with you clear to the end.
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test,
if the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
and get pats on the back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
if you've cheated the man in the glass." (author unknown)

2. "Why You Need Courage"

to honor God - to bring honor to His name
to encourage others as they see your faith in the face of difficulties
because your attitude and influence passes down to your children and grandchildren

James

The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results. (5:16)

Psalm

Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your word. (119:18)
Keep me far from every wrong; help me, undeserving as I am, to obey your laws, for I have chosen to do right. I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can. Lord, don't let me make a mess of things. If you will only help me to want your will, then I will follow your laws even more closely. Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I will wholeheartedly obey. Make me walk along the right paths for I know how delightful they really are. (11:29-35)
O, Lord, the earth is full of your loving kindness! Teach me your good paths. Lord, I am overflowing with your blessings, just as you promised. Now teach me good judgement as well as knowledge. For your laws are my guide. (119:65-66)

Proverbs

A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance. (28:13)

I Peter

Dear friends, God the Father chose you long ago and know you would become his children. And the Holy Spirit has been at work in your hearts, cleansing you with the blood of Jesus Christ and making you to please him. May God bless you richly and grant you increasing freedom from all anxiety and fear. (1:2)
There is wonderful joy ahead even though the going is rough for a while down here. These trials are only to test your faith to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it---and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold, so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of his return. (1:6-7)
...you have been chosen by God himself---you are priests of the King, you are holy and pure, you are God's very own...(2:9)
Show respect for everyone. Love Christians everywhere. Fear God and honor the government. (2:17)
Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on jewelry or beautiful clothes, or hair arrangement. Be beautiful inside, in your hearts, with the lasting charm of a gentle and quiet spirit which is so precious to God. (3:3)
And now this word to all of you: You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't snap back at those who say unkind things about you. Instead, pray for God's help for them, for we are to be kind to others, and God will bless us for it. (3:8-9)
If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Try to live in peace even if you must run after it to catch and hold it! For the Lord is watching his children, listening to their prayers; but the Lord's face is hard against those who do evil. (3:10-12)
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore be earnest, thoughtful men of prayer. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each others, for love makes up for many of your faults. (4:4-9)

II Peter

Do you want more and more of God's kindness and peace? Then learn to know him better and better. For as you know him better, he will give you, through his great power, everything you need for living as truly good life; he even shares his own glory and his own goodness with us! And by that same mighty power he has given us all the other rich and wonderful blessings he promised; for instance, the promise to save us from the lust and rottenness all around us, and to give us his own character. But to obtain these gifts, you need more than faith; you must also work hard to be good, and even that is not enough. For then you must learn to know God better and discover what he wants you to do. Next, learn to put aside your own desires so that you will become patient and godly, gladly letting God have his way with you. This will make possible the next step, which is for you to enjoy other people and to like them, and finally you will grow to live them deeply. The more you go on in this way the more you will grow strong spiritually and become fruitful and useful to our Lord Jesus Christ. (1:2-8)

An Attitude of Gradtitude

2011-11-20T17:18:00.001-05:00

In a personal note below, I mentioned how God has been faithfully meeting our needs here on the campgrounds. I have decided for the next seven days I will not ask God for anything, but simply give him praise for all he has done. I will live my life with an attitude of gratitude this coming week, for I am truly grateful for how he continues to supply all our needs...not just physical ones, but mental and emotional as well. He is greatly to be praised.

Here are the words that stood out to me this past week in my daily devotional reading:

The Word for You Today
1. "Do Not Be Afraid"

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Or Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Ps 4:8)

2. "Expect Good Things from God"

your prayer may not be answered when or how you think it should be, but God will answer in the way that is best for you -- just trust him.

Personal Note

After many weeks of asking God each week for a specific amount needed to pay the bills and payroll and taxes...and seeing him do that...I still had fears and doubts He would. This past weekend I was praying for $15,000 - the sum needed to cover payroll and bills this week. Monday in the mail came a check for $14,300 and three small checks. Combining them with 4-5 checks received on Saturday in the mail, my deposit was over $15,000. Praise the Lord! I felt him showing me he hears my prayers, he knows the camp needs, and he will supply! I must always trust him!!

3. "What God Expects from You - Faith"

Without faith it is impossible to please him. (Heb 11:6)
narcissism is the worship of our own intellect; we believe in ourselves, not in God.
only when life hands us a problem we can't solve do we realize our desperate need for God.
it is the strength of our faith in God that will bring us through.

4. "Grace"

"When you operate in the freedom that comes with grace, you're okay letting other people chart their own course and make decisions you may not make."

5. "Conformed or Transformed"

you must crucify the flesh whenever it wants to take over and lead you away from your spiritual commitment
God's holy Spirit will indwell you and give you strength to resist the world's pressure to conform
when you give in to your temptations, sin results, but when you surrender to God, he will bless you
surrender is an act of worship that should occur 24/7 - all the time
repentance is a response to the love of God and obedience is a response to His promises
decide to NOT conform to the world and be enslaved by its influences, but choose to be transformed by the indwelling guidance of the Holy Spirit
make the commitment to renew your mind to have the attitude of Christ Jesus and transformation will occur day by day

Ezekiel

For the good works of a righteous man will not save him if he turns to sin, and the sins of an evil man will not destroy him if he repents and turns from his sins. (33:12)

Hebrews

Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.
Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards; and now he sits in the place of honor by the throne of God.
If you want to keep from being fainthearted and weary, think about his patience as sinful men did such terrible things to him. After all, you have never yet struggled against sin and temptation until you sweat great drops of blood. (12:1-4)
God's correction is always right and for our best good, that we may share his holiness. Being punished isn't enjoyable while it is happening--it hurts! But afterward we can see the results of a quiet growth in grace and character. (12:10-11)
Try to stay out of all quarrels and seek to live a clean and holy life; for one who is not holy will not see the Lord. (12:14)
Since we have a kingdom nothing can destroy, let us please God by serving him with thankful hearts, and with holy fear and awe. For our God is a consuming fire. (12:28-29)
Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never, never fail you nor forsake you." That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, "The Lord is my Helper and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me." (13:4-6)

James

A Christian who doesn't amount to much in this world should be glad, for he is great in the Lord's sight. (1:9)
Happy is the man who doesn't give in and do wrong when tempted, for afterwards he will get as his reward the crown of life God has promised those who love him. (1:12)
Dear brothers, don't ever forget that it is best to listen much, speak little, and not become angry, for anger doesn't make us good, as God demands that we must be. (1:19-20)
Faith that does not result in good deeds is not real faith. (2:20)
If you are wise, live a life of steady goodness, so that only good deeds will pour forth. (3:13)
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace loving and courteous.. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness. (3:15-18)
Don't you realize that making friends with God's enemies---the evil pleasures of this world---makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy the evil pleasure of the unsaved world, you cannot also be a friend of God. (4:4)
But he gives us more and more strength to stand against all such evil longings. As the scripture says, God gives strength to the humble, but sets himself against the proud and haughty. So give yourselves humbly to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. And when you draw close to God, God will draw close to you. (4:6-7)
Don't criticize and speak evil about each other, dear brothers. If you do, you will be fighting against God's law of loving one another, declaring it is wrong. But your job is not to decide whether this law is right or wrong, but to obey it. Only he who made the law can rightly judge among us. He alone decides to save us or destroy. So what right do you have to judge or criticize others? (4:11-12)
Remember, too, that knowing what is right to do and then not doing it is sin. (4:17)

Psalm

In my distress I prayed to the Lord and he answered me and rescued me. He is for me! How can I be afraid? What can mere man do to me? The Lord is on my side, he will help me. (118:5-6)
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. (118:24)

Proverbs

When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily; but with honest, sensible leaders there is stability. ((28:2)
To obey the law is to fight evil. (28:4)

Zonked Out!!

2011-11-13T18:40:00.001-05:00

Here it is, Sunday evening, and I am just waking up from a long afternoon nap. I don't generally sleep that long in the afternoon, but today was an exception! I'm guessing it was to catch up from all our travels and change of pace lately. I'd say I needed it, and I will be refreshed for the new work week...I just may not sleep tonight very well!

It's been a couple of weeks since I blogged, so I have a little catch up to do. I don't know why I even blog...this is more or less a journal of my life's journey...the events of my life more than the emotional thoughts. I'm wondering, who really cares? And yet each week there are a few who check in. I've thought about stopping this blog, but for now I am being persistent.

I am so tickled over the number of page views I have on the Genesis blog, for I quit publishing that almost three years ago, yet the traffic keeps coming. I've never published a book, but I have readers all over the world reading my reflections on Genesis. That's cool! I wish I could get motivated to get back to First Peter. Maybe that will happen this winter, but for now I am still too "busy" to spend the time with it. I think it's a great book of the Bible, and God has much to teach me in I Peter. I just need to discipline myself to put my focus there. It will come...I hope!

Well, a recap of the last couple of weeks... We left after work on Thursday, November 3rd, for Cleveland, TN, to attend my college reunion/homecoming. We drove to Louisville and spent the night. I think that is such a cool city. I want to go back sometime with the granddaughters and spend some time there. They have a neat city skyline. I'd love to go to Churchill Downs, and some of the horse farms in Kentucky. I'd like to walk the streets of down town Louisville...many neat places. Perhaps we will go to the Gospel Quartet Convention some year...it's always held in Louisville. Definitely a destination spot for the future! We spent a few days there last February at our denominational conference M-11, and that was when I was first enticed to make it a vacation spot some day.

Back to the TN trip. When we arrived in Cleveland on Friday afternoon, we went to Lee University to register for Homecoming, picking up our tickets for weekend events. The campus is absolutely beautiful. The president has been there 25 years now, and it was stated that he has basically built a new building each year of his presidency. When I attended there in the late 1980's (I was a late bloomer...graduated from college at the age of 41), there were 1500 students. They are now approaching 5,000 students. The campus has grown with the student body, and it's mostly done in colonial style...lots of brick, stones, and columns. Very nice landscaping. I noticed on this visit some of the staff now use golf carts to get around...just like our campground!!

We drove around the town and out through our former housing subdivision. We drove past our golf course, which has discontinued to be a golf course. How sad to see the fairways overgrown and ragged. Some condos for senior living has been built where the former swimming pool area and roller rink was. I could live there! Whenever we move to the next stage in life, I'm all for getting a maintenance free condo!! We met a friend for supper at our favorite restaurant...The Gondolier. Paul and Bill had pizza, but I opted for my old standby...Italian Steak Sandwich... mozzarella cheese melted on the outside of the sub bun...sooo good!

We stayed at our friend Marilyn's house for the weekend. She had her two grandchildren with her for the weekend also, and it was nice to get to know them, and get updated on Marilyn's life. We weren't at her place very much due to the weekend activity, but it was so nice to go "home" to her place while in Cleveland.

Saturday we attended the Homecoming Basketball Game, and Lee won, of course. Very interesting...close...game. We met a couple of friends for supper. Dick and Paul started work at Olin Chemicals on the same day, fresh out of college back in 1976. Again, it was good to get caught up to date. I love going out with friends from the past and just picking up from where we left off. Dick mentioned that many others we knew from that company are planning to retire in Cleveland because that's where their friends are. Maybe that's where we will have to retire, for we certainly have most of our friends there, even though we moved away in 1994...17 years ago! Funny how on this visit (we had not been there for several years) we brought up the topic of retirement with most everyone we met with...tells me we are at a different stage of life, preparing for what's ahead. We had planned to retire in Hendersonville, NC, on the other side of the Smokies, but Cleveland would not be a bad choice. It's just more humid there compared to Hendersonville. North Carolina still gets my first vote as far as a unique place to live. Cleveland gets it if we base it on friends.

Saturday night we attended the Musical Festival put on by all of Lee's musical choirs, groups, ensembles, brass, and even a couple of performances by a group of fiddlers! Now that was down south!! Yee-ha!! Fantastic two hour concert. By the way, we grabbed some Chick-Fil-A for lunch that day (can't get that in Michigan), and had supper at our favorite Cleveland Mexican restaurant, The Monterrey.

Sunday morning we attended a former church of ours...Cleveland First Church of the Nazarene, and went out to eat with a group of friends from church...11 of us. We chose to go back to The Monterrey...group choice. Sunday afternoon we drove out to Polk County to our friend Bill's house. He has a organic farm now (sheep and pigs) and we wanted to see it, plus meet his new wife. They've been married three years now, and she is perfect for him, as he is for her! Great couple. Felt like we have known her as long as we have known Bill...34 years. We spent the afternoon with them, and they drove us up into some of the foothills of the Smokies...the fall colors were beautiful. They took us out to eat at the Gondolier...another branch of our favorite restaurant.

We chatted with other friends, but did not have time to see them. Sunday night we spent time with Marilyn (her grandkids were gone home). She was a terrific hostess, putting up with us coming and going as we felt like. She had to head to work the next morning, and we headed out to our next destination...West Harrison, Indiana, Higher Grounds Camp and Conference Center for our annual Nazarene Camping Assn. conference. As we left Cleveland, we drove by the Olin plant where Paul worked almost 18 years. Sometimes I wish he could go back there.

The Cleveland years hold for us the best of times, and the worst of times. But God has brought healing to my memories and my past, and I can recall the worst of times without any pain, and I cherish the best of times. We were blessed to have lived in Cleveland most of the time we raised our boys. I am glad to be a graduate of Lee University and The Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Cleveland is a very nice city...has grown tremendously since the time we lived there. It was there we fell in love with dogwood trees, Bradford pear trees, and azaleas. There is no prettier place to be in the springtime than Cleveland, TN in its full bloom!

On our way to Cincinnati....West Harrison, we stopped in Florence, Kentucky at a mall and walked the mall just to stretch our legs, and to get Paul a pair of Clarks shoes. Got to Higher Ground in time to check in and join several other couples/camp directors and family for supper at O'Charley's. We had two staff members join us at the conference...our Facilities/Operations Director and Events/Hospitality Director. We also met up with our two closest friends in camping...the directors from the Adrian, Georgia campground. We met them in 2004 at our very first camping conference, and have been good buddies ever since.

Tuesday - Thursday noon we enjoyed our time at the conference, getting to know many of the other directors. There were about 70 of us from around the US. Each year we meet at a different campground to get exposed to how other campgrounds are laid out and running their programs. Next year we are headed to Camp Taconic in New York. Look forward to that as I have never been to New York. Wednesday night we were all treated to a riverboat dinner cruise on the Ohio River...after dark, to enjoy the city lights of Cincinnati. Very nice time.

We drove home Thursday afternoon, and as we crossed the Michigan state line, it was snowing. By the time we picked up our dogs from the boarding kennel, and picked up my suv from the repair shop, snow had accumulated enough for me to have to brush and scrape my windshield! Welcome back to Michigan!! Our first snow of the winter. It melted the next day, but it was a bit nasty Thursday night.

Friday was a long day of catching up on all the mail at the office, after being gone for a week. I worked on Saturday for a bit also, plus getting all the laundry and things at home caught up. Did my shopping in Portage, including some Christmas shopping. I like to get it done early and avoid the crowds after Thanksgiving! It gets so nutso with the traffic then, so I don't even enjoy going to Portage for that month. Hubby spent Saturday mowing and mulching leaves on the campground. They've been piling up for a while!!

Today we attended worship at Chapman Memorial and then took a friend out to lunch at Logan's Steakhouse. Spent three hours chatting with her. She's a widow, and very lonely. She has health issues that give her some limitations, but her mind and her spirit is so very energetic. We enjoy our time with her. When we got back home I walked the dogs...found a mommy and five new kittens (oh, no!! more cat trapping...I'm so weary of that!!). Then came that long nap, and then this long blog. Let me insert my devotional material...rather brief for two weeks...but I did keep up with it!!

The Word for You Today
1. Don't Limit God

with humility comes wisdom
God values truth and honesty - be truthful to Him, other people, and yourself
speak truly, deal truly, live truly

2. Pray Every Day

there is no recovery at the physical or emotional levels without paying attention first to the spiritual level within us --- that means spending time with God

3. What Paul Prayed For

understanding the will of God and obeying it
living lives that please God
bearing fruit for the kingdom
being strengthened by power from God to be able to endure
having grateful hearts and an attitude of praise

4. Don't Be Afraid

there are 365 "fear nots" in the Bible...one for every day
God does not want us to worry -- it means we don't trust him

Hebrews

For God is not unfair. How can he forget your hard work done for him, or forget the way you used to show your love for him -- and still do -- by helping his children? And we are anxious that you keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, so that you will get your full reward. Then, knowing what lies ahead for you, you won't become bored with being a Christian, nor become spiritually dull or indifferent, but you will be anxious to follow the example of those who receive all that God has promised them because of their strong faith and patience. (6:10-12)
You need to keep on patiently doing God's will if you want him to do for you all that he has promised. His coming will not be delayed much longer. And those whose faith has made them good in God's sight must live by faith, trusting him in everything Otherwise, if they shrink back, God will have no pleasure in them. (10:36-38)
If anyone sins deliberately by rejecting the Savior after knowing the truth of forgiveness, this sin is not covered by Christ's death: there is no way to get rid of it. (10:26)
What is faith? It is the confidant assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. You can never please God without faith, without depending on him. (11:1)
Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely look for him. (11:6)

Psalm

How can men be wise? The only way to begin is by reverence for God. For growth in wisdom comes from obeying his laws. Praise his name forever. (111:10)

Girlfriend Getaway

2011-11-01T20:05:00.000-04:00

Went on my second annual Girlfriend Getaway this past weekend. Last year I went with three other gals to Colonial Williamsburg and Mount Vernon. That was for a week, and a marvelous week it was!

This year I joined three of my friends from my high school years...we all attended church together as teenagers and young adults. A fifth person joined us for part of the weekend, but four of us went for a four day weekend.

We headed up to Big Rapids and spent the night in a Quality Inn near Ferris College. We had supper at Applebees after walking the streets of downtown and picking up some fudge and apple cider. We also went shopping at Peebles, one of my favorite stores. I was the only one who did not buy clothes. I opted for some jewelry for my granddaughter instead of something for me. After supper we played Apples to Apples.

The next day after our breakfast buffet at the motel, we headed toward our true weekend destination...The Shack in Jugville. It's between White Cloud and Fremont, and is a fairly large lodge with various kinds of accommodations. Very unique place, built on several acres on a lake, log cabin style. There's a museum and prayer chapel and various gazebos and a large pavilion, plus walking trails. We did take a walk on a trail, but mostly we opted to stay inside and chat and play games.

The room price included our supper meal and breakfast buffet. We had lunch at a cafe in down town Fremont on Saturday, while we were browsing through the little town. That town is the home of Gerber Baby Foods, so we drove around the plant, and by the Gerber House...now a bed and breakfast. It was the original home of the Gerber Family.

Sunday morning we had our own worship service, with each of us sharing some scripture, our thoughts on it, and a song. Then we had a time of sharing our prayer concerns and praying for one another. We had The Shack's Sunday Brunch. And I can't forget to mention that every night they serve banana splits. I think it's the key to longevity of life, as the owners served them each night, no matter how large the crowd was, and they must be close to 90 years old. They've been serving them every night for 33 years.

While we were there this weekend, one of my friends' 100 year old grandmother passed away. It was good for us to be with her and help her refocus for a while before she came back home to the funeral. I think God ordained this time for her. She had lost her mother earlier this year, so it's been a tough year for her.

Monday morning we stopped by an apple orchard on our way home, and we stopped in Lowell at a small town cafe for lunch. One of my friends lives on the campground also, and we were back home by mid-afternoon that day. Was glad to see hubby and the dogs and cats!!

Now hubby and I have a little get away together. We are going to my 20th college graduation/homecoming down in Cleveland, TN. We look forward to seeing friends, staying with a close friend, attending a concert and a basketball game, and our old church on Sunday. Next week is the annual Nazarene Camping Association Conference in the Cincinnati area. We'll be stopping at that on our way back home from Tennessee.

This week I'm getting things caught up at work and preparing to be gone again for a few days. I'm filling in for one of our office staff who is in Florida for the month of November. It's a slower month, so things will be fine.

We bought our second high top conversion van...a 2002 Ford, Tuscany Edition. It replaces our 1997 GMC Savanna, which has come to its final rest for us. Someone may want it for parts, but we didn't want to put any more money into it. We enjoy traveling in a high top van, even though the gas mileage isn't the greatest. It's a great way to travel with granddaughters also!! We will get our use out of the Ford van, even though we will be using it just for travel. It's our travel investment, which should take us right into the retirement years.

I'm looking forward to our trip back to Tennessee. We basically raised our boys there, and it seems more like home to us than Michigan does, even though we were both raised here. I could easily move back to Tennessee. But we will be content wherever God has us...we just want to be in His service!

Time to look at what God has been saying to me the past week or so.

2 Timothy

But you must keep on believing the things you were taught. You know they are true for you know that you can trust those of us who have taught you. You know how, when you were a small child, you were taught the Holy Scriptures; and it is these that make you wise to accept God's salvation by trusting in Christ Jesus. The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God's way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone. (3:14-17)
Stand steady and don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Bring others to Christ. Leave nothing undone that you ought to do. (4:4)

Psalm

Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer. (94:19)
Worship the Lord with the beauty of holy lives. (96:9)
I will try to walk a blameless path, but how I need your help, especially in my own home, where I long to act as I should. (101:2) (Amen!!)

Lamentations

Yet there is one ray of hope: his compassion never ends. It is only the Lord's mercies that have kept us from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his loving kindness begins afresh each day. My soul claims the Lord as my inheritance; therefore I will hope in him. The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him, to those who seek for him. It is good both to hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. (3:21-26) (This is the passage I used for my devotional at our weekend worship service. I also brought in the verse God has given to me this year in I Thessalonians 4:11-12: Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands, just as we told you so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders, and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.)

Hebrews

...we Christians are God's house---he lives in us!---if we keep up our courage firm to the end, and our joy and our trust in the Lord. (3:6)
For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as we did when we first became Christians, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. (3:14)

Time To Get Ready

2011-10-23T09:14:00.000-04:00

We had a gorgeous Saturday yesterday so we took advantage of it and started winterizing...it's time to get ready for winter. I hear tell that the white stuff (a four letter word I'm not allowed to say) may be falling or flying by the end of this week. So....time to get ready for another season of hunkering down.

To winterize...and we have a cabin without any form of heat...means that we wrapped the air conditioning units. I cleaned out the cabin...washing the linens one last time for this year, bringing all of the liquids/cleaning agents over to our house so they don't freeze up over the winter, and covering the furniture on the porch. All of our house porch furniture was carted to the cottage porch for the winter. I took the flag down, and Paul disassembled my golf cart shed. We put the golf carts away until spring.

We blew leaves away from the house and cottage, and mulched them. I trimmed the bushes back. In place of our comfy porch furniture, I assembled the cat resort for the season ahead. I take three pet kennels, put some rugs in them, set them up under some metal chairs we leave on the porch year round, and cover everything with old comforters. The cats can rest on the covered chairs, or they can go into their "caves" and hide. I like to think that it's warmer in the kennels with covers over them. Last night I watched the cats checking it out, and by this morning most of them came out from hiding when the food came out.

The World Series is underway, and at this point St. Louis Cardinals are leading. The Texas Rangers have been making some good plays, and either team could win. We lived in St. Louis for ten years, so we obviously root for them...but they are both good teams.

We had a staff member in the hospital, so we made a couple of hospital visits this week. This weekend we have had two scrap-booking groups on the grounds. Therefore we had the ILNC Breakfast Buffet Saturday morning, and an evening buffet meal last night. That's the last time we will be using the Dining Hall until February (the groups coming in are smaller, and we can feed them in other settings). We want to shut down the Dining Hall...winterize, if you will, to save on heating expense the next few months. We are looking for as many ways as possible to cut back on our camp expenses through the winter months. We want to be good stewards of what God has given us.

Today we are having a big luncheon to say goodbye to one of our volunteer couples who are headed back south for the winter, and also to say goodbye to one of our RV couples who are on staff seasonally with us. I'm providing roast, Sea-foam Jello, rolls, and French Torte (dessert). Should be a good meal, and a fun time.

For worship today we will head back to the corner church close by...Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene. I'm ready early this morning, thus I am blogging to fill in time.

I talked about it being time to get ready...to winterize. Have you given any thought to it being time to get ready for the rest of your life...your earthly life and your eternal life? Where do you plan to live eternally? Are you prepared for that destination? Have you made up your mind to follow Jesus? Are you walking in obedience to God's Holy Word? Are your attitudes like that of Christ Jesus? Are you working on it? Are you in step with the Holy Spirit's guidance? It's time to get ready, for we do not know what lies just ahead for each of us. There is such peace of mind knowing whatever happens, I'm ready. How about you?

Here's my devotional readings from this past week:

The Word for You Today
1. Moving on to Maturity

focus on what unites us, not the petty issues that divide us
be more concerned about others than yourself
love one another
be compassionate
be humble: give, serve, learn
when you are the child of the King, your words should reflect it

2. Trials

trials test our faith and bring us back to the basics, making us look at our priorities
trials will make us stronger if we wait on God as He refines us through the process
failure is not fatal, but the fear of failure can keep you from trying
failure is a learning experience that gives you another opportunity
you are only defeated when you allow the past to take your focus off the future
failure makes you less likely to judge others
success does not come without mistakes and messes

Jeremiah

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In these days when you pray, I will listen. You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest. (29:11-13)

I & II Timothy

...let them follow the way you teach and live; be a pattern for them in you love, your faith, and your clean thoughts. (I Tim 4:12)
Keep a close watch on all you do and think. Stay true to what is right and God will bless you and use you to help others. (I Tim 4:16)
Do you want to be truly rich? You already are if you are happy and good. After all, we didn't bring any money with us when we came into the world, and we can't carry away a single penny when we die. So we should be well satisfied without money if we have enough food and clothing. But people who long to be rich soon begin to do all kinds of wrong things to get money, things that hurt them and make them evil minded and finally send them to hell itself. For the love of money is the first step toward all kinds of sin. Some people have even turned away from God because of their love for it, and as a result have pierced themselves with many sorrows. (I Tim 6:6-10)
The Holy Spirit, God's gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong and to love them and enjoy being with them. (II Tim 1:7)
It is he who saved us and chose us for his holy work, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan long before the world began---to show his love and kindness to us through Christ. (II Tim 1:9)
Work hard so god can say to you, "Well done." Be a good workman, one who does not need to be ashamed when God examines your work. (II Tim 2:15)

Proverbs

A man without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken down walls. (25:28)

Psalm

Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should. ((90:11)
We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods. This I declare, that he alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. (91:2)
For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. (91:11)
For the Lords says, "Because he loves me, I will rescue him; I will make him great because he trusts in my name. When he calls on me, I will answer; I will be with him in trouble, and rescue him and honor him. I will satisfy him with a full life and give him my salvation. (91:14-15)

Home Again!

2011-10-16T21:07:00.001-04:00

After a week of relaxation in the prairies of Canada, we are back home in the saddle again. Had an interesting train ride, and I can verify that if you plan to travel by train, plan to sit back and forget your schedule. You are on the train's schedule!! We were ready for that, and decided whatever happened, it was to be part of our trip experience.

Arriving in Shelby on October 7th, the train was two hours late. Since we were being picked up by a designated driver to take us four hours north to our final destination, we had to keep in contact with her to confirm arrival. She ended up waiting for us an hour, not too bad.

On our trip back, our train didn't take off from Shelby until 1.5 hours late, and by the time we got to Chicago, where we were to switch trains, we were four hours late. Our connection to Kalamazoo had left an hour before. But it's part of the trip, right? So...no anxiety, no worry, just go with the flow.

Amtrak delivered us to a Holiday Inn for the night, gave us $100 for food, and picked us up the next morning so we could catch our noon train to Kalamazoo. Hey...got to have a shower (after two days on the train), order a pizza, watch some baseball, have a terrific breakfast buffet, and arrived in Kalamazoo much more refreshed than we would have the night before. A very good part of our trip! Yes, I would take the train again, and remember that schedules are out the window on the train.

Most of the scenery between Chicago and Shelby, MT wasn't all that terrific. No real color...just sort of bland. Mostly prairies, some rivers, lots of junk yards (why do they place those along the train tracks?). It was relaxing for hubby to be able to nap or work on his computer rather than drive all those miles!

I believe I already covered our stay in Rosebud in the last blog. Not too much to do there. We did go into Drumheller one day to do some shopping, but the rest of the time we walked to church (on the other side of the hamlet from where we were staying...half a mile), walked to the restaurant...halfway between the house and the church. We walked to the golf course one day, but it was closed for the season. We had very nice weather, and lots of time for being with our friends and getting to know about how they were doing in this little country area without even a place to buy milk (or chocolate!!).

When we got back into Kalamazoo yesterday, it was strange how all of a sudden I loved seeing all the stores and gas stations and restaurants and car lots!! I just wanted to embrace it all!! I am not a city girl...I consider myself a country girl, but not a wilderness girl. I need a few people to see, a few places to go, a few things to do. So I am home, and I am happy.

I'm missing the St. Louis Cardinals baseball game, so let me wrap this blog up with my devotional readings.

Jeremiah:

The heart is the most deceitful thing there is, and desperately wicked. No one can really know how bad it is! Only the Lord knows! He searches all hearts and examines deepest motives so he can give to each person his right reward, according to his deeds---how he has lived. (17:9-10)
But if you obey me, says the Lord, and refuse to work on the Sabbath day and keep it separate, special and holy, then this nation shall continue forever. (17:24-25)

I Thessalonians:

For God wants you to be holy and pure, and to keep clear of all sexual sin so that each of you will marry in holiness and honor. (4:3-4)
For God has not called us to be dirty-minded and full of lust, but to be holy and clean. (4:7)
This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and doing your own work, just as we told you before. As a result, people who are not Christians will trust and respect you, and you will not need to depend on others for enough money to pay your bills. (4:11-12) (cdc note: this has been my verse this past year that God has given me to read over and over and implant it in my head and heart...pretty good verse!)
Always be joyful. Always keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you to belong to Christ Jesus. (5:16)
May the God of peace himself make you entirely pure and devoted to God; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept strong and blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes back again. God, who called you to become his child, will do all of this for you, just as he promised. (5:23-24)

2 Thessalonians:

God chose from the very first to give you salvation, cleansing you by the work of the Holy Spirit and by your trusting in the truth. (2:13)
With all these things in mind, dear brothers, stand firm, and keep a strong grip on the truth. (2:15)
But the Lord is faithful; he will make you strong and guard you from satanic attacks of every kind. (3:3)
May the Lord bring you in ever deeper understanding of the love of God and of the patience that comes from Christ. (3:5)

Psalm:

I am listening carefully to all the Lord is saying---for he speaks peace to his people. (85:8)

Proverbs:

It is a badge of honor to accept valid criticism. (25:12)
Be patient and you will finally win, for a soft tongue can break hard bones. (25:15)

The Word for You Today:

1. Three Rules for Living:

decide what's important
prioritize your time
learn to motivate yourself (encourage yourself, pray and build yourself up)

2. Learn to Delegate:

let go of the burdens God did not intend to be yours, and pay attention on what He has called you to do

3. How to Turn Your Life Around:

select a mentor that is right for you
select the right field for you
allow God to guide you in these selections

Monday, Monday...

2011-10-10T22:58:00.002-04:00

Here I sit with our friends...everyone watching Monday night football (Detroit and Chicago) and baseball playoffs (St. Louis and Milwaukee), and me blogging. Works for me. I can keep touch with the games, and also do my weekly blog (one day late).

This past week was spent preparing for and packing for the trip to Canada by Amtrak. We left last Thursday morning, and arrived at our destination (train station) at 7 pm Friday night...then we had a four hour car ride up into Canada to the home of our friends.

The train trip was okay. It was going just fine, really, until two people took the seats ahead of us, reclined them, and cut out about one foot of our leg room overnight. It was hard to sleep with cramped leg space. I would say taking the train coach class is okay as long as it doesn't last more than 12 hours or so. Ours ended up being a 34 hour trip, so by the time we arrived at the home of our friends, we were ready to stretch out on a bed. Not really looking forward to our return trip later this week.

The first leg of our journey was only three hours long, from Kalamazoo to Chicago Union Station. We had a two hour layover, so we had lunch there. Then we got on the train for the long haul...all the way to Shelby, Montana. The prettiest part of the trip probably occurred during the night when it was dark and we couldn't see. The train followed the Mississippi River for over 100 miles between Wisconsin and Minnesota, and we were not able to see it. During the day on Friday we went through North Dakota and Montana, and there wasn't much too look at.

We ate in the Dining Car on Thursday night, and we had a hamburger from the canteen in the observation car on Friday. Otherwise we just snacked on the items we brought in our cooler. That worked out fine. I thought the dining car meal was overpriced and not that good. It was nice dining with a new couple and sharing life stories with them.

We are in Rosebud, Alberta, Canada now. What a unique village. It boasts of a population of 100, has one church, no gas stations, no grocery or convenience store. It has a couple of restaurants, and several gifts shops. It's claim to fame is the Rosebud School of the Arts where a four year degree can be earned. There are about 30 students and they have mostly come to learn to perform and produce. The town has an Opera House, and between the students, staff, and towns people, they put on 4-5 shows a year (each show lasting a couple of months). The tickets cost $15 and includes a buffet dinner prior to the performance. Our guests treated us to "Queen Millie of Galt"...very well done, lots of humor. The buffet was very good also!

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving. We celebrated it last evening in the home of our friends with six other guests....turkey, potatoes, dressing, gravy, sweet potato casserole, rolls, relishes, cranberries, salad, pumpkin cake and apple crisp...the big traditional meal we are used to in USA. We had been to church (our friend is the pastor) in the morning, and completed the day with the big celebration meal.

Today, the actual holiday, we took a drive to their nearest town where there is shopping...a typical town of 9,000. It's about 20 miles away...Drumhellar. We stopped by the Canadian Badlands Passion Play to see the setting... beautiful...hard to describe. I guess you will have to look it up online...hopefully they have pictures.

We are having a relaxing time, and the weather has been wonderful...in the 60's and sunny. Now let me finish this blog with my devotional highlights from this past week.

The Word For You Today:

1. Stop Hiding!

when you hide, you become a phony and it will be hard to be honest with God, others, and yourself
allow God to cleanse you, clothe you, and comfort you so you can be who he made you to be

2. The Importance of Waiting.

waiting is a time of training and learning
waiting corrects you and helps you focus on God for your answers
waiting reveals those around you...trust God, but test others
waiting forces the truth to surface
waiting gives God time to solve the problem

3. When Nobody's Looking:

God sees you all the time
make yourself accountable to good counsel
avoid situations giving you too much privacy
the more open and honest you are, the less likely you'll be to stray

4. Change Can Happen for You

you don't need to change others to change yourself
all changes must start by building your relationship with God
you must change without conditions
you must let go of the past in order to change
there is risk in change you must accept
change will happen if you don't allow failure to stop you

Jeremiah:

The Lord said to me, 'I knew you before you were formed within your mother's womb;before you were born I sanctified you and appointed you as my spokesman to the world...for you will go wherever I send you and speak whatever I tell you to. And don't be afraid of the people, for I the Lord will be with you and see you through. (2:4-8)
Obey me and I will be your God and you shall be my people; only do as I say and all shall be well!! (7:23)

Philippians:

Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. (4:8)
I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gave me the strength and power. (4:12-13)

Colossians:

...for Christ's death on the cross has made peace with God for all by his blood (1:20)
...as a result, Christ has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are standing there before him with nothing left against you---nothing left that he could even chide you for, the only condition is that you fully believe the truth, standing in it steadfast and firm, strong in the Lord, convinced of the Good News that Jesus died for you, and never shifting from trusting Him to save you. (1:22-23)
...Christ in your hearts is your only hope of glory (2:7)
And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust him, too, for each day's problems; live in vital union with him Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done. (2:6-7)
Let heaven fill your thoughts; don't spend your time worrying about things down here. You should have as little desire for this world as a dead person does. Your real life is in heaven with Christ and God. And when Christ who is our real life comes back again you will shine with him and share in all his glories. (3:2-4)
Since you have been chosen by God who has given you this new kind of life and because of his deep love and concern for you, you should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others. Don't worry about making a good impression on them but be ready to suffer quietly and patiently. Be gentle and ready to forgive, never hold grudges. Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony. Let the peace of heart which comes from Jesus Christ be always present in your hearts and lives for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body. And always be thankful. (3:12-15)
And whatever you say or do let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus. (3:17)
Don't be weary in prayer; keep at it; watch for God's answers and remember to be thankful when they come., (4:2)
Make the most of your chances to tell others the Good News. Be wise in all your contacts with them. Let your conversation be gracious as well as sensible, for then you will have the right answer for everyone. (4:5-6)

Psalm:

O God, your ways are holy, where is there any other as mighty as you? You are the God of miracles and wonders! You still demonstrate your awesome power. (77:13-14)

Leavin' on a Fast Train...

2011-10-02T22:39:00.001-04:00

Well, it's almost time for our fall get away. We are looking forward to having some "alone" time to ourselves as we take the train west. We have some Canadian friends who will be meeting us and taking us to their home for a few days, and then we will bring the train back to Michigan again. First time to do the train. Very excited about it! I'm practicing how to pack for a train. I bought a medium size cooler that has rollers and a handle...easy to transport about. We are trying to save on food expense on the train. And to save on the expense of boarding our dogs, we have friends who have offered to stay here and take care of our "kids". That's a huge money saver!!

This is one of those trips we are trying to do inexpensively, as much as possible...just a trip to relax on...not necessarily spending money on "things to do" or shopping. We expect to have a good time with our dear friends, playing games, yakking...sharing our hearts and lives. We anticipate seeing beautiful scenery as we ride along in the train, and as we pass through parts of Canada. And we are counting on the Lord Jesus to revive our souls, refresh our spirits, and reveal Himself to us in His many creative ways. This trip is more about renewal than rushing from place to place. We feel it is a God ordained time for us. Thank you, Jesus!!

This past week has been rainy and cold. According to the weather forecast for the week ahead, we should see sunny days and warmer temperatures. Sounds good to me!!

Hubby and the guys transformed the tabernacle into a winter boat storage this past week. That's a lot of pews to stack (well over 100 he says). Things are looking more and more like a place buttoned down for the winter.

I trapped three more kittens this week...that's a total of 16 feral cats I have trapped since June. We are trying to keep the cat population down by not having any more kittens!!

Went shopping with a co-worker/friend mid week, getting ready for the train trip. Hubby took me to Olive Garden for supper one night (one of my favorite places, not his). I filled in at the office for two days for one of my co-workers who went to "Come to the Fire". She deserved a break...I'm glad she could go. I'll be filling in again for her in November and January and February as she takes her winter breaks to spend with family in far off places. It's good for our budget for me to work the extra hours, and good to keep me busy during the long, cold winter months. I'm not complaining at all!!

Yesterday we took one of our volunteer couples to hear the Booth Brothers (Southern Gospel group) at the Gospel Barn, and then out to Bill's Steakhouse afterwards. Then, of course, a stop at the Dairy Queen on the way home. Nice day with them.

Today we headed back to Lansing First CON one more time for morning worship. We had another supply minister today, and he was very good. He reminded us that the purpose of the church is to make disciples. Kellogg's makes cereal; GM makes cars, and churches are to make disciples. It was a good reminder for me as to why we have church...I had sort of forgotten that! I could sit under his preaching and grow! Today was a glimpse into the future of the church...I truly believe that it is going to rise up and once again be a lighthouse to bring people to Jesus...and to make disciples. Several testified this morning, and it was a great encouragement to all of us who were there.

After morning worship we met Paul's sister and her husband for lunch at Cheddars (I really like that place!!). Then we all went to visit Paul's parents for the afternoon...sort of an early anniversary celebration (58 years). Nice day. The dogs went along with us again. Always a nice break for us to leave the camp grounds for several hours...a change of scenery!

I have spent this past week reading some very encouraging passages in God's Word. I speak to God in prayer. He speaks to me through His Word. Sometimes He reminds me of what I should be doing, how I should be acting. Sometimes He lifts my spirit up by letting me know He is with me and loves me. Sometimes I just feel prompted to copy the scripture in my blog for whoever might be reading, and needs to read that particular passage from God's Word. So sit back, take a deep breath, empty your mind of "all that jazz", and bask in the presence of my Holy Savior...allowing Him to speak to you in the passages below:

Ephesians:

Follow God's example in everything you do just as a much loved child imitates his father. Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins. (5:1-2)
So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don't be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to...be filled instead with the Holy Spirit, and controlled by him. (5:15-18)
So again I say, a man must love his wife as a part of himself; and the wife must see to it that she deeply respects her husband---obeying, praising and honoring him. (5:33)

Psalm:

All who seek for God shall live in joy. For Jehovah hears the cries of his needy ones, and does not look the other way. (69:32-33)
I've trusted you from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth and have helped me constantly---no wonder I am always praising you! My success...is because you are my mighty protector. All day long I'll praise and honor you, O God, for all that you have done for me. (71:5-6)
I will keep on expecting you to help me. I praise you more and more. I cannot count the times when you have faithfully rescued me from danger. I will tell everyone how good you are, and of your constant daily care. I walk in the strength of the Lord God. I tell everyone that you alone are just and good. O God, you have helped me from my earliest childhood---and I have constantly testified to others of the wonderful things you do. And now that I am old and gray, don't forsake me. Give me time to tell this new generation (and their children) about all your mighty miracles. Your power and goodness, Lord, reach to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things, where is there another God like you? (71:14-19)
I saw myself so stupid and so ignorant; I must seem like an animal to you, O God. But even so, you love me!! You are holding my right hand! You will keep on guiding me all my life with your wisdom and counsel; and afterwards receive me into the glories of heaven! Whom have I in heaven but you? And I desire no one on earth as much as you! My health fails; my spirits droop, yet God remains! He is the strength of my heart; he is mine forever! (73:22-26)
But as for me, I get as close to him as I can! I have chosen him and I will tell everyone about the wonderful ways he rescues me. (73:28)

Proverbs:

For God, who knows all hearts, knows yours...and he will reward everyone according to his deeds. (24:11-12)

Isaiah:

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call upon him now while he is near. (55:6)
This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are my thoughts the same as yours! For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than yours, and my thoughts than yours. (55:8-9)
Be fair and just to all, the Lord says. Do what's right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you. Blessed is the man who refuses to work during my Sabbath days of rest, but honors them; and blessed is the man who checks himself from doing wrong. (56:1-2)
If you keep the Sabbath holy, not having your own fun and business on that day, but enjoying the Sabbath and speaking of it with delight as the Lord's holy day, and honoring the Lord in what you do, not following your own desires and pleasure, not talking idly---then the Lord will be your delight, and I will see to it that you ride high, and get your full share of the blessings I promised. (58:13)
"As for me, this is my promise to them," says the Lord: "My Holy Spirit shall not leave them, and they shall want the good and hate the wrong---they and their children and their children's children forever". (59:21) (cc note: I want to claim that promise, Father!!)

Philippians:

And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns. (1:6)
My prayer for you is that you will overflow more and more with love for others, and at the same time keep on growing in spiritual knowledge and insight, for I want you always to see clearly the difference between right and wrong, and to be inwardly clean, no one being able to criticize you from now until our Lord returns. May you always be doing those good, kind things which show that you are a child of God, for this will bring much praise and glory to the Lord. (1:9-11)
For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that will cause me to be ashamed of myself but that I will always be ready to speak out boldly for Christ...and that I will always be an honor to Christ. (1:20)
Then make me truly happy by loving each other and agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, working together with one heart and mind and purpose. (2:2)
Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing. Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ. (2:3-5)
...at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (2:10-11)
...be even more careful to do the good things that result from being saved, obeying God with deep reverence, shrinking back from all that might displease him. For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants. In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of people who are crooked and stubborn. Shine out among them like beacon lights, holding out to them the Word of Life. (2:10-16)
...God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith---counting on Christ alone. (3:9)
I don't mean to say I'm perfect. I haven't learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be. ...Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us. (3:12-14)

"The Word for You Today":

Meditate on God's Word (read it, study it, think on it, act on it!)
I do not seek my own will but the will of the Father who sent me. (John 5:30)
Intimacy stems from desire - how much do you desire God?
You are as close to God as you desire to be.
Decide to be close to God and discipline yourself to be in his house, read his Word, communicate with him.
God does not give out assignments that do not require His wisdom and strength...we are dependent on Him, and He wants us to be so.
When Jesus is Lord of your life, you give up your right to what it will cost, where it will lead, and how you will be changed.
When you walk in obedience to God, you receive His best for your life.
The grace of God that brings salvation...teaches us to say 'no' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives. (Titus 2:11-12)
If I truly love God, then I will also love: my brother and sister; God's Word; spending time in prayer with God.

Good Words from GOD

2011-09-25T17:15:00.001-04:00

It is a rainy Sunday, and since I already napped on our trip back from Lansing, I'm ready to just sit and blog. This is the third Sunday we have attended Lansing First CON, and the second Sunday Paul has led the singing, as a fill in for the regular song leader who is recovering from surgery. This past week the interim pastor had emergency surgery for gall bladder, so there was another fill in pastor this morning. We had lunch with Pastor Erwin and Gladys after the morning service.

I have enjoyed seeing Paul in an old role he used to be in...worship leader. He is very good at just talking from his heart in between the songs, and he has a good strong voice for leading. I know people enjoy him. Wish the church was closer so we could continue to attend and help them as they try to revive. It used to be one of the largest churches on the Michigan district, but it's down to about 50 people now. So sad. I hope and pray God has a future for that church.

This past week our friends from Florida helped us put landscaping rock around the house and shed. We probably need two more truck loads to complete our project, but for now we have the house and shed outlined in rocks instead of bark. Next year we will do the same for the cottage and its' shed. Our friends left yesterday to start on their journey back south. They stay in our cottage for 2-3 months each summer, and do much to help us while here. This year he painted the exterior of the house and all the window and garage trim and shutters. Big job, well done. They have been long time friends, catching up with us at most every place we have ever lived. That's why we are now privileged to have them spend their summers at our cottage next door. We still are the recipients of their kindness and skills. They are also interior decorators as well, and gave the inside of our house a face lift again this year.

The dogs received their bi-monthly grooming this past week. Last haircut before winter. Those days of ice and snow are just ahead for us, I fear. So many people have been busy cleaning up and putting away things, getting ready for the winter season. Is it going to come early? Seems like we have started earlier this year. Cooler days make us think that way, I guess.

I entertained a couple of times this week, despite fighting a head cold. I had our Florida friends in mid-week for white chicken chili, and last night I had in two couples that work or volunteer with maintenance and housekeeping. It was a pooled together kind of meal...one brought BBQ ribs, another two pies, and I fixed beans, potato salad, squash, macaroni salad, and rolls. I think Fridays are going to be designated company nights as much as possible this winter. I've already got plans for next Friday. I can only do two couples at a time, due to my table size, and house size. That works for me. I usually serve Buffet style since my table is small. That way everyone can help themselves and then go back for seconds if they wish.

Thursday I was in a loner kind of mood. I took off work in the afternoon and ran the banking and post office errands in Vicksburg, and then headed out to Schoolcraft. Got a sweet tea and an ice cream cone at McD's and just sat in the car thinking and praying as I treated myself, alone. That night hubby and I went to see the pastor who had the gall bladder surgery...still in the hospital at that time.

Friday was a long day trip for hubby and me. We took the dogs along since we planned to be gone all day. Went to Grand Ledge to get signatures on some documents from Paul's boss. Then went to the state water labs in Lansing to drop off some samples. From there we drove to Leslie to meet some volunteers/friends for lunch in a converted railroad depot. Tried to look up an RV couple in Jackson, but couldn't find them, so then we headed to Spring Arbor to attend a visitation for another RV person who had passed away this past week. (That makes four funerals in the last two weeks). From there we drove to the northwest corner of Kalamazoo County to Menard's to get some items needed for the camp. Had supper at a Mexican restaurant before coming back home. A long day, but a nice diversion from the campgrounds!!

So that's been our week! It's been a good one. It seems that God had a lot of good things to say to me in His Word this past week. So once again I share from my devotional reading for the week:

The Word for You Today:

When your dream is from God He will also give you the necessary skills and gifts and resources to fulfill the dream
There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure...(I Peter 1:6)....Don't Give Up!

Isaiah:

For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, says: only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved, in quietness and confidence is your strength. (30:15)
Yet the Lord still waits for you to come to him, so he can show you his love; he will conquer you to bless you, just as he said. For the Lord is faithful to his promises. Blessed are all those who wait for him to help them. (30:18)
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (40:31)
I have called you back from the ends of the earth and said you must serve but me alone, for I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. (41:9-10)
But now the Lord who created you...says, Don't be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up---the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, your Savior, the Holy One of Israel. (42:1-3)
I have created you and cared for you since you were born. I will be your God through all your lifetime, yes, even when your hair is white with age. I made you and I will care for you. I will carry you along and be your Savior. (46:3)

Galatians:

For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other. For the whole Law can be summed up in this one command: "Love others as you love yourself." (5:13-14)
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (22-23)
If we are living now by the Holy Spirit's power, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Then we won't need to look for honors and popularity, which lead to jealousy and hard feelings. (25-26)
Don't be misled; remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it: a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows! If he sows to please his own wrong desires he will be planting seeds of evil and he will surely reap a harvest of spiritual decay and death; but if he plants the good things of the Spirit, he will reap the everlasting life which the Holy Spirit gives him. And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't get discouraged and give up. That's why whenever we can we should always be kind to everyone, and especially to our Christian brothers. (6:7-10)

Ephesians:

So overflowing is his kindness toward us that he took away all our sins through the blood of his Son, by whom we are saved; and he has showered down upon us the richness of his grace---for how well he understands us and knows what is best for us at all times. God has told us his secret reason for sending Christ, a plan he decided on in mercy long ago; and this was his purpose: that when the time is ripe he will gather us all together from wherever we are--in heaven or on earth---to be with Him in Christ, forever. (1:7-10)
...that out of his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you the mighty inner strengthening of his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soils of God's marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God's children should, how long, how wide, how deep and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so at last you will be filled up with God himself. Now glory be to God who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare or ask or even dream of---infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. May he be given glory forever and ever through endless ages because of his master plan of salvation for the church through Jesus Christ. (3:16-21)
...live and act in a way worthy of those who have been chosen... Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Try always to be led along together by the Holy Spirit, and so be at peace with one another. (4:2-3)
...we will lovingly follow the truth at all times---speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly---and so become more and more in every way like Christ... (4:15-16)

Looking Good on the Home Front!

2011-09-18T21:43:00.000-04:00

Here I am...it's Sunday night, and another week has gone swiftly by. We again went to Lansing First CON for the morning service. Hubby assisted this morning and led the congregational singing. It was good to see him in that role again...it's been a while! He is so gifted in that area...knows what to say, and relates well with the congregation. He filled in for the regular song leader who had surgery on her jaw and has it wired shut currently.

Our Florida friends went along with us this week, and after church we had an excellent lunch at Cheddars. If you have a Cheddars near you, it's definitely worth your time to check it out. Very reasonable in price, and lots of choices on the menu.

On the way back home we stopped at a funeral home for a visitation for one of our RVers who passed away mid-week. She had a long battle with cancer. We also attended a funeral this week for one of my older ladies that I have kept tabs on the past few years. At 91 and a long time victim of stroke effects, she is finally at home with Jesus and her husband and son. We had another leaseholder death this weekend...a gentleman in his 90's.

They say these things come in threes, so I hope that's it for a while. I can only rejoice with those who have gone to their heavenly rest, no more suffering and pain and frustrations that this life brings across our paths.

This past week we hosted the fall workshop for our District CON pastors and staff, called "Changing the Climate". It was three days of looking at how we do church, and how it needs to change to be more effective in ministering to the world we are in today. Paul attended, and the sessions were quite thought provoking....much for the church leaders to chew on and digest and utilize in their own church settings.

Took another cat into the Human Society this week to have it fixed and returned. This is our first yellow kitten, named "Peaches" by my husband. So cute, so gentle, but now out there with the other 8 feral cats we have "transformed" this summer. This is the only light colored one we have. If we could have an inside cat, this is the one I would have kept. We do have a pack of coyotes and will be working on that situation, hopefully before they find the cats.

Wednesday night I had a lasagna supper for a couple of couples. Nice evening. Doing more entertaining these days than I normally do. But then again, we have had more volunteers this year than in previous years, and I want to show them how much we appreciate them. We want them back!!

Yesterday hubby was in the "clean up" mood, I guess. He washed the van and utility trailer and put them away for the winter (van needs transmission work). He spray washed the house and driveway. He fixed the mower (needs new starter). Combine his work with all the painting and decorating that has been done on the house by our Florida friends and the place is looking pretty good!! (Thus this week's title). Feels like we are getting ready for a long winter...don't know what that means! We are having some more landscaping rocks put around the house also.

The sermon this morning gave us all something to think about. So I will ask you, my blog audience, the same question we were asked: If you knew that Jesus was coming back in one week, how would you spend this week? What difference would it make in your life if you only had one more week here on this earth? I think I'm most concerned about my family. Will we all be together for eternity? I'm a Mom. I'm a Grandmother. My attachments run deep. I can't bear to think of being eternally separated from those I love. What would I do if this were my last week? How could I make an impact that makes a difference? That's my prayer this week...Jesus show me what you would have me say and do before my life is ended.

And with that, let's move to my devotional reading for this past week.

Psalm

But when I am afraid, I will put my confidence in you. Yes, I will trust the promises of God. And since I am trusting him, what can mere man do to me? (56:3-4)
This one thing I know: God is for me! (56:9)

Isaiah

He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord! Trust in the Lord God always for in the Lord Jehovah is your everlasting strength. (26:3-4)
Lord, grant us peace; for all we have and are has come from you. (26:12)
Yet we have this assurance: Those who belong to God shall live again. (26:19)

Proverbs

Don't envy evil men but continue to reverence the Lord all the time, for surely you have a wonderful future ahead of you. There is hope for you yet! (23:17-18)

Galatians

I am trying to please God. If I were trying to please men I could not be Christ's servant. (1:10)
For even before I was born God had chosen me to be his, and called me---what kindness and grace...(1:15)
I have been crucified with Christ, and I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. (2:20)

Proverbs

Don't refuse to accept criticism, get all the help you can. (23:12)

Personal note: I need all the help I can get! I've been stubborn, protecting my rights, instead of being a submissive servant. God has opened doors, and all I could look at were the negatives in the way, rather than the beauty of new territory, and the challenge of growing stronger and deeper. Now I've reduced my effectiveness and my ability Lord, I am so weary of my stubbornness and self defense mechanisms. Help me to once again find a way back to being the servant you have called me to be...by love, serving one another...one by one. Amen.

The Word for You Today

1. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Tim 1:7)

faith is given by God in order for us to conquer our fears and live to the fullest, as He intended
fear is a spirit that can control us, but God has a better way: power, love, and a sound mind

2. Confront your fears:

when you are controlled by fear, your destiny in life will not be fulfilled
faith in God helps you to be pleasing to Him and to overcome your fears so you can do what He created you to do

3. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit. (John 4:24)

4. "In the stream of God's presence:

our deepest thirst is quenched
our wounds are healed
our strength is renewed
we are placed beyond the reach of the enemy"

5. Keep your priorities in place

know your purpose, align your priorities and live by them
be fully committed to Christ, then to one another in Christ, and finally to the work of Christ
make God's Word and communication with God through prayer your first priority

Friends

2011-09-12T11:11:00.001-04:00

We took the day "off" yesterday, and went to Lansing to church and to the Meridian Mall to check in on the "He Cares, We Care" mall ministry. When we got back home, we had friends that wanted to come over and share a fresh baked peach pie with us. It was yummy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Oh, the pleasures of life...friends and pie!!

One of my dear sweet ladies that I check on periodically, here on the campgrounds, went home to be with Jesus and her husband Saturday night. I'm so happy for her...she's been a victim of strokes across the years and it was hard to walk and hard to talk. Sharp mind, but so frustrating when you can't use your body the way you want to, or say the words you want to. Therefore I have been praying God would take her home. She was in her 90's, a former pastor's wife, and a saint of God. Her funeral will be later this week.

I understand we have a pack of coyotes on the grounds, out in the woods and corn fields. There's a momma and 4-5 cubs, we hear. That's a pack, and that's a problem. We will have to address that. I had a talk with my porch cats yesterday and told them they need to stay under houses/cottages at night, where the wolves cannot get them. I don't know if they understood me or not, but last night they didn't show up! I do fear for their lives, especially as winter comes on.

I went shopping with a friend this past week. I don't do that very often! Not much of a shopper, and it's not in my budget, but we did have a very nice day out. We had lunch at Applebees, where I like their soups.

We also had friends in for supper last week. What a lovely time. We ate the main course here at our house, and then six of us went to another's house for dessert and to watch a Southern Gospel DVD of Greater Vision, Legacy Five, the Booth Brothers, and Mark Trammel Trio. Thoroughly enjoyed our evening with friends. We don't do this often enough!!

The camp staff got together for a debriefing meeting last Thursday afternoon and then had sub sandwiches delivered for supper. We talked about what we should do different next year to help the camps run more smoothly. Lots of good ideas. And now we have a few months to implement them into our camp organization. We have a very good staff...some paid, some volunteers, but all working for the Lord in this camping ministry here at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp.

Let's take a look at what God had to say to me this past week in His Word:

Ecclesiastes
Here is my final conclusion: fear God and obey his commandments, for this is the entire duty of man. For God will judge us for everything we do, including every hidden thing, good or bad. (12:13-14)

Psalm
What I want from you is your true thanks; I want your promises fulfilled. I want you to trust me in your times of trouble, so I can rescue you, and you can give me glory. (50:14-15)

...true praise is a worthy sacrifice; this really honors me. Those who walk my paths will receive salvation from the Lord. (50:23)

Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires. (51:10)

You don't want penance; if you did, how gladly I would do it! You aren't interest in offerings burned before you on the alter. It is a broken spirit you want --- remorse and penitence. A broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not ignore. (51:16-17)

But when I am afraid, I will put my confidence in you. Yes, I will trust the promises of God. And since I am trusting him, what can mere man do to me? (56:3-4)

This one thing I know: God is for me! (56:9)

The Word for You Today

Do what you love to do, something that engages both your mind and your heart. Ask God to give you a clear vision and an undivided heart.

Labor Day Weekend

2011-09-04T17:47:00.000-04:00

For those of you following my blog, my apologies for taking a short break. I have been in back pain again, and just not in the mood to blog. Seems like I am tired all the time. I have finally made an appointment to have my physical condition examined. I'm sure I'm opening a can of worms, but I need to get back to good health while I'm aging, as much as I can.

This has been a tremendous weekend for ILNC. For the first time ever, the Nazarene Evangelists' Homecoming has been held here at ILNC. There have been preaching and singing all weekend, and tonight there is a concert by the song evangelists. The good news is that they have chosen to come back again next year and have plans to do a recording of a musical tribute to Jim and Rosie Green, who were song evangelists for 65 years, and a tribute to camp meeting choirs and music. They plan to fill the choir loft as it used to be (100 people +/-) and sing the old camp meeting songs that the Greens used to sing. I think it will be well attended, for there are people still living who used to be in those services and sang in the choir, and are hungry to hear the older songs once again. I am one of them. As a teenager I was in the choir under the direction of the Greens. I still recall some of the choir specials, such as "There's Going to Be a Meeting in the Air". This will be a great event, and we have a year to plan for it.

We had a mini family reunion a couple of weeks ago. Paul's brother and his family (wife, four children) came from Washington State to visit, and we all met at Paul's sister's (and husband) house. Her daughter was home from Baltimore, and an aunt came, as well as Paul's parents. Nice time of visiting and eating together.

A week ago we spent the day with our cottage friends (up from Florida for the summer months and staying in our cottage) to celebrate our anniversaries. We chose to go to Edsel Ford's Home at Grosse Pointe on Lake St. Clair (north of Detroit). We did two tours...one was "Behind the Scenes", which gave us the maids and Butler's side of the mansion (30,000 square foot mansion, plus 80 acres of grounds), and the House tour, which led us through the side of the house where the family lived. It took 3 years to build, and was completed in 1929. Edsel was the only son of Henry Ford, and became the president of his father's Ford company.

Edsel and Eleanor had three sons and one daughter. The daughter had a play house that was 2/3rds the scale of a real house, and cost $15,000 to build in 1932 when she was 7 years old. We toured that house also, so cute...all the furniture and appliances and commode built to the scale appropriate for a 7 year old. Whenever she went to the Playhouse to play, she was accompanied by her governess for security's sake. This was the time period when the Lindbergh baby was kidnapped, and there were attempts on the Ford children. When the little girl grew up and married, her wedding reception was held in the 25'x60' ball room in the house, designed for dances.

The house was amazing, and built with the best money could find...many of the walls and items coming from Europe, Germany, China. They would not give us the value of the house, but one of the antiques in the house was in the millions alone. All of this built at the beginning of the depression. Edsel Ford died of stomach cancer at the age of 49, and Eleanor lived 30 more years in that house. She wanted to leave it for the public to enjoy, and set up a fund to provide $15 million a year to maintain the house and cover the expenses. At one time the Fords had 25 on their housekeeping staff. There is a tunnel from the house to the power plant, perhaps 500' long, which we also went through. The Edsel Ford home was just something I wanted to see for a while, and this is the year we made the trip to see it. Interesting how the rich and famous live!

When we got back to the camp grounds that evening, we had an outdoor concert with Smith and Smith, who both play guitars and sing the oldies (country, rock and roll, gospel). I love to listen to them and sing along. It was such a relaxing evening, so nostalgic and mellow.

Last week I went to Shipshewanna, Indiana with my small group to shop, see a play "The Confession" (Amish setting, Beverly Lewis author), and have supper at the Blue Gate. There were about 30 of us (more than just our small group went). That was a neat treat...excellent musical/play.

We are cresting the hill and tomorrow, Labor Day, we will be descending into fall and winter in the life of the camp ground. RVers will start to pull away, and soon after that our snowbirds will leave for the winter, and our crowds will be gone for another season. We still have several families here during the winter, and we will have weekend groups, retreats, etc throughout the next nine months...but all the summer busy buzz will be gone. Life will be quieter. And that's okay. We still keep busy in the office wrapping up this year and planning for next year. Paul and I will have a fall and winter get away to refresh ourselves. We've had a good summer, and look forward to the months ahead, just not the snow and ice. It's pretty, but we don't like cold weather, and I fear falling on black ice again...as my back has been messed up since I fell last March.

Well, on to my devotions from the last two weeks...

"The Word for You Today":

A good idea that is not God's idea can complicate your life, and not only will you suffer, but so will your loved ones.
Others may give up on you, but God never will. God will keep wrestling with you until your attitudes are changed as well as your words and actions, your willingness, your relationships.
The pursuit of a dream is the difference between ordinary and extraordinary people. A God-given dream will motivate you to make important decisions and changes in your life. Your dream is both a goal and your change-agent. The time to pursue your dream is NOW!

Job:
But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last. And I know that after this body has decayed, this body shall see God! Then he will be on my side! Yes, I shall see him, not as a stranger, but as a friend! What a glorious hope! (18:25-27)

It is not mere age that makes men wise. Rather it is the Spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, which makes him intelligent. (32:8-9)

I will speak the truth with all sincerity. For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. (33:3-4)

Ecclesiastes:
...so let your words be few...being a fool makes you a blabbermouth. (5:3)

To enjoy your work and to accept your lot in life---that is indeed a gift from God. The person who does that will not need to look back with sorrow on his past, for God gives him joy. (5:20)

I Corinthians:
Keep your eyes open for spiritual danger; stand true to the Lord; act like men; be strong; and whatever you do, do it with kindness and love. (16:13-14)

2 Corinthians:
...we have been pure and sincere, quietly depending upon the Lord for his help, and not on our own skills. (1:12)

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our inner strength in the Lord is growing every day. These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won't last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God's richest blessing upon us forever and ever! So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not seen yet. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. (4:16-18)

Proverbs:
Teach a child to choose the right path and when he is older he will remain upon it. (22:6)

Psalm:
Yet day by day the Lord also pours out his steadfast love upon me and through the night I sing his songs and pray to God who gives me life. (42:8)

Stand silent! Know that I am God! (46:10)

It's the Cat Lady Again

2011-08-21T16:28:00.000-04:00

Well, I trapped three more kittens this week. One black, two gray, and I thought I had them all, when sure enough...a fourth one showed up on our porch, part of the same litter. But my traps were already full. Had them fixed and returned to us, healed for a couple of days, and now they are out roaming the campground, hopefully keeping our varmints under control. They may be too young yet. I guess they are about 4 months old. My question is, when will it ever stop? When will we quit having kittens? I'm trying to catch the older ones who are producing these litters, and sending them to the "farm". I just can't handle animals getting hurt, so I'm trying to do my part.

Had a good week, nice weather, final week of camp. We had 2-3 weekend groups. We are pretty well booked up on our fall weekends. That's good, keeps the operating monies coming in.

We took one couple out for Friday evening. They have spent their summer volunteering in our camping programs (they live in Florida 9 months of the year). We took them to Shipshewanna (Amish country) to eat at the Blue Gate Restaurant (family style...wonderful food), and then to a southern gospel concert in their theater after supper. Greater Vision was there, hubby's favorite group. It was a blessed night...God's presence was among us. Greater Vision is a genuine, from the heart, group who believe in honoring God in all they do, say, sing. They are funny and entertaining, but they also had us in tears as we worshiped and sang along with some of the old hymns.

You know, there is a large segment of us who miss the traditional way of worshiping...we are tired of the choruses on the wall and the rock and roll bands. I'm sure that has it's place, and it reaches young people, but what about the rest of us? Why do we have to change our method of worship? Can there not be a blend of music? I was told at lunch that the senior adults are the largest group of people leaving the church. They can't worship with loud "rock and roll" type music. It goes against the standards they were raised by, it goes against their traditional way of being led into the presence of God and ready for Him to speak. I'm one of "them".

During the three summer months we hold "Come As You Are' Sunday morning worship services on the grounds in our Learning Center. I've seen more and more people coming to those services, because they are looking for church as it used to be. They would like to have this become a year round church. I don't think that will happen with a denominational church one mile down the road, but I understand their frustration, their hurt, their desire to worship in a way that is meaningful to them. What's the answer? Wish I knew. I'll be searching for that answer as our CAYA services draw to a close after Labor Day.

Here are my devotional verses and thoughts from this past week:

The Word for You Today:

1. "Don't jump to conclusions! (I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue. Ps. 39:1). Before you jump to conclusions about someone, stop and ask God for wisdom, then sit down and make a list of their best qualities. That way you can approach them with the right attitude and say things you won't regret."

2. "Live as God intended. (1) Guard your tongue, say less than you think. (2) Make promises sparingly, and keep them faithfully. (3) Always say a kind word. (4) Be genuinely interest in others. (5) Be cheerful. (6) Keep an open mind, get all the facts. (7) Discourage gossip. (8) Be sensitive to feelings of others. (9) Pay no attention to ill-natured remarks about you. (10) Don't worry about the credit, just give your best and be patient!"

I Corinthians

...no temptation is irresistible. You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says. He will show you how to escape temptation's power so that you can bear up patiently against it." (10:13) (sent this one to my granddaughter as she starts back to Middle School. I can't imagine all that she is up against in her world, but I pray God leads her through the maze, and she comes out strong!)
...you must do everything for the glory of God, even your eating and drinking. (10:31)
I try to please everyone in everything I do, not doing what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them, so that they may be saved. (10:33)
Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty, or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him. All special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end, but love goes on forever. (13:4-8)
Let love be your greatest aim; never the less, ask also for the special abilities the Holy Spirit gives, and especially the gift of prophecy, being able to preach the messages of God. (14:1)
But one who prophesies, preaching the messages of God, is helping others grow in the Lord, encouraging and comforting them. So...the one who prophesies, preaching messages from God, helps the entire church grow in holiness and happiness. (14:3-4)

Psalm:

Do you want a long, good life? Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from lying. Turn from all known sin and spend your time in doing good. Try to live in peace with everyone, work hard at it. (34:12-14)
The Lord is close to those whose hearts are breaking; he rescues those who are humbly sorry for their sins. (34:18)
Be delighted in the Lord. Then he will give you all your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it and he will. (37:4-5)
Rest in the Lord, wait patiently for him to act. Don't be envious of evil men who prosper. Stop your anger. Turn off your wrath. Don't fret and worry---it only leads to harm. For the wicked shall be destroyed, but those who trust the Lord shall be given every blessing. But all who humble themselves before the Lord shall be given every blessing, and shall have wonderful peace. (37:7-11)

Proverbs:

Keep your mouth closed and you'll stay out of trouble. (23:23)

Seems like this week there was quite a bit of instruction about guarding the tongue and the way we speak. I am forever trying to learn this. In fact, I have written a verse and put in over my desk to remind me: Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders, and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (I Thess. 4:11-12) God has been speaking to me in many ways and means the past eight years since we have been here on the campgrounds. Perhaps I'm listening better now that I have lots of time to myself, less distractions. May I continue to learn, and put into practice that which I learn. May God keeping working on me!!

A Sunday Getaway

2011-08-14T21:39:00.000-04:00

We took a break today and got off the campgrounds for the majority of the day. Felt good. Hubby is watching the St. Louis Cardinals against the Colorado Rockies at St. Louis ballgame right now, and I'm going to join him as soon as I finish this blog. Having lived in St. Louis (hello to my Maryland Heights blog follower...drop me an email sometime!), for ten years, we still consider the Cardinals "our" team. That team in Detroit hasn't caught our attention yet. We enjoyed going to the games in St. Louis...that's one of the things I miss about not living there any longer.

So, last night we heard that Dr. Dobson was going to speak at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland. We were there in time for the 9:15 a.m. service (left home at 7:20). Large church...guessing it seats 4,000, and it was almost full, plus there was a second service. We enjoyed the worship, led by Melinda Priest, a daughter of some friends of ours, and the worship director at "Come to the Fire", an annual ladies weekend event for holiness women across the nation. It was powerful music, full orchestra, huge choir. We enjoyed hearing Dr. Dobson speak again. He talked about leaving a legacy to our children, grandchildren, and beyond. He talked about his own heritage.

After the morning service we drove around Saugatuck and Douglas, both touristy towns. Then we headed cross country to my husband's parents place to visit them, after having lunch in Hastings. We were back home by early evening, just in time for all the rains. Chatted on the cottage porch with our Florida friends who are staying in the cottage for a couple of months, and now home to blog and watch a ball game.

Boys camp ended well, we had beautiful weather all week. It's been a mild weekend, relaxing. Windows are open instead of AC running. This is Michigan at its best. We have one more camp this week, a women's soccer team. Then we head on into our big Labor Day weekend hoopla with the Nazarene Evangelists' Gathering, and many weekend guests throughout the fall season. It's been a good summer over all!

Not much from my devotional journal, since I blogged on Wednesday, but here goes:

The Word for You Today

I have been crucified with Christ. (Gal 2:20)
Coming alive means dying to self
You can only bear fruit when you are willing to die

I Corinthians

But although being a 'know-it-all' makes us feel important, what is really needed to build the church is love. If anyone thinks he knows all the answers, he is just showing his ignorance. But the person who truly loves God is the one who is open to God's knowledge. (8:2-3)

Wednesday Night Blog Update

2011-08-10T22:08:00.001-04:00

I did not post a blog on Sunday, as is my normal routine, so thought I would catch up tonight. We flew through Girls' Camp last week, lots of hot and humid weather, one stormy night. All went well, girls went home with happy memories. This week is Boys' Camp, our last official camp of 2011. We will host a college soccer camp, but they sort of run their own camp. We house and feed them.

This week is much nicer camping weather. It was in the 70's today, down in the 50's tonight. The boys are enjoying so many activities, as did the girls. ILNC has much to offer now. Canoeing, Zip-line/Climbing Wall, Archery, field games, Frisbee Golf, swimming in the lake, Gaga court, Tether Ball, Dodge Ball court...the list goes on. There's something for everyone.

Both my sweethearts started school this week. I talked with them tonight, and they both like their schools. That's good!! I asked Little Princess if she made a new friend at school, and she replied, "I have a lot of new friends!" Good deal!! Big Sis has got her group of friends back together. She really likes her school, she tells me that often. I'm glad she looks forward to each day.

I woke up in the mood to clean today. I had a long list, but I ended up only getting the front porch cleaned. It looks good. I spent the afternoon on the boat with the canoers and out at the zip-line. I swept floors tonight, but I was intending to do much more in-depth cleaning today. The weather was so great, I started outside, and didn't get beyond the porch. Oh, well, I have the rest of my life to clean, right?

Here's my devotional verses and thoughts from the last week and a half:

"The Word For You Today":
1. God gave us discernment to enable us to pray for one another, not criticize.

2. Let your spouse know how much you appreciate him/her.

3. God is doing a work in you. You can count on tribulation as you walk with God, but you can also count on God's grace to see you through. Whatever you ask God for (patience, wisdom, strength, success), He works in you to develop you through His process so that you might grow into that for which you asked.

4. Are you a good listener? (a)Listen actively: paraphrase, restate what you hear; Clarify: ask questions; Feedback: share your own thoughts without judging. (b)Listen with empathy, put yourself in their shoes. (c)Listen openly, try to understand. (d)Listen with awareness. Are they consistent, factual, honest? (e)If you don't understand their point of view, don't attack them; just thank them for sharing with your their perspective.

5. Love cares more for others than for self. (I Cor 13:4) Here's some hints on building good relationships: (a)Disagreements will either give you ulcers or understanding. (b)Make conflict a time to learn, not loose. (c)Be gracious to others as God is gracious to you. (d)Allow those who fail to keep their dignity.

Psalm:

Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises. (25:14)
Assign me Godliness and Integrity as my bodyguards. (25:21)
The one thing I want from God, the thing I seek most of all, is the privilege of meditating in his Temple, living in his presence every day of my life, delighting in his incomparable perfections and glory. There I'll be when troubles come. He will hide me. He will set me on a high rock out of reach of all my enemies. (27:4-5)
Don't be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and he will come and save you! Be brave, stouthearted, and courageous. Yes, wait and he will help you. (27:14)
Weeping may go on all night, but in the morning there is joy. (30:5)
You alone are my God; my times are in your hands. (31:14)

Proverbs:

Don't repay evil for evil. Wait for the Lord to handle the matter. The Lord loathes all cheating and dishonesty.
He who guards his...tongue keeps himself from calamity. (21:23)
We can justify our every deed but God looks at our motives. (21:2)
God is more pleased when we are just and fair than when we give him gifts. (21:3)

I Corinthians:

But, strange as it seems, we Christians actually do have within us a portion of the very thoughts and mind of Christ. (2:16)
Now the most important thing about a servant is that he does just as his Master tells him to. What about me? Have I been a good servant? Well, I don't worry over what you think about this, or what anyone else thinks. I don't even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but even that isn't final proof. It is the Lord himself who must examine me and decide. (4:2-4)

"Sail On....."

2011-07-31T13:51:00.000-04:00

I'm listening to KHYM Christian radio on my computer, and they were just playing that song "Sail On"....so I used it for my title. I never know what to use for a title in my weekly devotional blogs. I would just say that "It is well with my soul" (now playing), and I intend to "sail on" to my heavenly destination...taking life as it comes and giving it to Jesus.

I need to kill about 20 minutes before I head out to church, so thought I would try to get my blog done this week before church. It's been a terrific week. We had 225 campers and workers in from Chicago Central District Church of the Nazarene this past week. This group returned to us for their second year, and we so enjoy them being here. They are quite organized, and clean up after themselves...always putting equipment away and keeping the grounds clean. Plus, they just seem to appreciate being here.

They come to us on four large chartered buses, and when they leave we stand there waving goodbye, almost with tears in our eyes because we enjoyed having them here, and hate seeing them leave. We look for them again next year!! We had only one day of severe weather in the middle of the day, so they switched their cabin time and chapel time to the afternoon, and had their outdoor activities after supper. Worked out well, and everyone got to use the zip line and do archery.

This weekend is our annual "Eagles' Wings" biker group....motorcycles. They are a group that keeps decreasing in size each year...a group of only 25 or so. But they will use the tabernacle for their morning service, and ride their bikes in to the altar. They are a good group, but I've chosen to check out another church this morning instead of joining the tattooed group. I am on a quest to find a church that is Spirit filled, and where I can sense God is at work. I so enjoyed the family camp meeting services we had this summer, and it only makes me hunger for more of Spirit anointed services.

My four cats that were neutered, spayed, and given rabies shots (Cole, Marley, Shadow, Smokey) keep coming around for food and water and to lounge on the porch or play in the yard. That's the only cats I've seen for quite a while, after having 12 on my porch last winter. However, this morning two new kittens (obviously weaned) showed up...another totally black one and totally gray one...they are smaller replicas of Cole and Smokey. Haven't seen them before, so I wonder if someone dropped them off? Or are they Emmy's babies? I sent four of hers to animal control a month or so ago, and I haven't seen her since. But these would be about the same size as the ones I sent off would be. I hate to hurt animals, or see them hurt. I hated sending the four kitties to an unknown destination...probably cat heaven, but we just can't keep that many wild cats on the grounds. People complain. But I guess I now have a reputation for being the cat lady.

We made our fall get away plans this past week. Going to do something totally different for us. We are going to take the train from Kalamazoo to Shelby, Montana, where some Canadian friends will meet us and take us to their home four hours north, and an hour east of Calgary. We'll spend a week with them, and then return by rail. It's a 32 hour trip, and I'm counting on it being a pretty time of the year to travel through the north. It will be a very nice break from the camp grounds, and well deserved after a busy, hot summer. It has been much warmer this year than the past few years.

Let's look at my devotional reading highlights from this past week:

The Word for You Today:

1. "God Will Fulfill His Promise": between praying for a miracle and getting one, you'll be tested you'll grow, and you'll learn to trust God more than you thought possible.

2. "Use Your Authority": When Jesus died and rose from the dead, He took away the devil's power and said, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me (Matt 28:18)...so go in His power and strength and name and you will reinforce His defeat over satan.

Psalm:

God's laws are perfect. They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light. God's laws are pure, eternal, just. They are more desirable than gold. They are sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb. For they warn us away from harm and give success to those who obey them. But how can I ever know what sins are lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. And keep me from deliberate wrongs, help me to stop doing them. Only then can I be free of guilt and innocent of some great crime. May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer! (19:7-14)
Who may climb the mountain of the Lord and enter where he lives? Who may stand before the Lord? Only those with pure hands and hearts, who do not practice dishonesty and lying. They will receive God's own goodness as their blessing from him, planted in their lives by God himself, their Savior. (24:3-6)

Romans:

(10:9-10)
Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his wisdom and knowledge and riches! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods! For who among us can know the mind of the Lord? (11:33-34)
And, so dear brothers, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy---the kind he can accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you. (12:1-2)
Don't just pretend that you love others, really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of good. Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and prayerful always. When God's children are in need, you be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner, or, if they need lodging, for the night.
If someone mistreats you because you are a Christian, don't curse him; pray that God will bless him. When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow. Work happily together. Don't try to act big. Don't try to get in the good graces of important people, but enjoy the company of ordinary folks. And don't think you know it all!
Never pay back evil for evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honest clear through. Don't quarrel with anyone. Be at peace with everyone, just as much as possible. (12:9-18)
Pay all your debts except the debt of love for others---never finish paying that! (13:8)
...love your neighbor as you love yourself. Love does no wrong to anyone. That's why it fully satisfies all of God's requirements. It is the only law you need. (13:10)
You have no right to criticize your brother or look down on him. Remember, each of us will stand personally before the Judgement Seat of God. For it is written, "As I live," says the Lord, "every knee shall bow to me and every tongue confess to God." Yes, each of us will give an account of himself to God. (14:12-12)
For, after all, the important thing for us as Christians is not what we eat or drink but stirring up goodness and peace and joy from the Holy Spirit. (14:7)

Proverbs:

It is a wonderful heritage to have an honest father. (20:7) (I agree with this whole heartedly. My Dad was a person of utmost integrity. His word was his honor, and lying nor deceit had any part in his life.)

Hot and Humid

2011-07-24T16:53:00.000-04:00

We are having a bit of break in our hot weather today. It's 84 currently, and feels like 91. Not too bad. This past week we have been in a hot and humid spell here in lower Michigan. It was in the high 90's every day, with a three digit heat index. So glad we did not have a camp going on...it would have been almost dangerous to be outside doing high energy activities. I know we don't have it as bad as Oklahoma or St. Louis, but the fact that it stayed so hot for so long is what made some new records around here. The week ahead should be just slightly cooler. Good thing, as we do have a camp coming in from Chicago...about 225 campers. For their sake, I hope it's not too wicked out there.

I've been catching up at work this past week, with the granddaughters gone, and Family Camp being behind us. By Friday afternoon I was just ready to get off the grounds. Was going to visit a cousin in Hastings, but she had other plans. I went out to lunch with a couple of friends, but then I didn't know what to do with my time. I went into a few stores looking for a sweeper for my kitchen, but I just wasn't in the mood to shop or spend money. "Stuff" almost gets to me sometimes...and the stores have way too much stuff!!

I took off driving, stopping by McDonald's to get an ice cream cone and a sweet tea. I didn't go that far, but spent a couple of hours just meandering down some country roads. Driving makes me sleepy, so I don't like to get too far from home. If I could have done what I was in the mood to do...I would have found a motel on a beach and taken a good book to read...just spending a day or two in solitude. When I got back that afternoon, I curled up on the couch with a book, and took a nice nap.

Hubby and I spent Saturday cleaning the grounds and mowing, between rains, getting ready for the next camp coming in. I also cleaned out my vehicle finally. Been meaning to do that all summer. I took the dogs for a golf cart ride...they love the wind blowing in their faces. At one point we got caught in a down pour, and Miss Kefli looked over at me as if to say, "Mom, I'm getting wet over here....can't you see?"

Well, I've entered into Romans into my daily Bible reading, so I have some good scriptures to share from my Daily Devotions Journal. Here's my weekly update:

The Word for You Today:

"Life Stabilizers":

decisiveness - choose to serve the Lord
faith - mediate on and live by God's Word
submission - to the will of God
self-sacrifice - give yourselves fully to God

"What Sank the Titanic?"

they thought they were immune
they were asleep at the wheel
it wasn't one big thing, but a series of small things
the problem that finally destroyed them was hidden out of sight beneath the water line
no one is immune to failure - stay close to God

Psalm:

But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing you and knowing all is well between us. And when I awake in heaven, I will be fully satisfied for I will see you face to face. (17:15)

Proverbs:

Kindness makes a man attractive. And it is better to be poor than dishonest. Reverence for God gives life, happiness, and protection from harm. (19:22-23)

2 Chronicles:

...If my people will humble themselves and pray, and search for me, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land. (7:14)

Romans

So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. Oh, what a terrible predicament I am in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature? Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free. (7:25)
So there is now no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit -- and this power is mine through Christ Jesus -- has freed me from the vicious circle of sin and death. (8:1-2)
So now we can obey God's laws if we follow after the Holy Spirit and no longer obey the old evil nature within us. Those who let themselves be controlled by their lower natures live only to please themselves, but those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those things that please God. Following after the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace, but following after the old nature leads to death, because the old sinful nature within us is against God. It never did obey God's laws and it never will. That's why those who are still under the control of their old sinful selves, bent on following their old evil desires, can never please God. (8:4-8)
You are controlled by your new nature if you have the Spirit of God living in you, (and remember that if anyone doesn't have the Spirit of Christ living in him, he is not a Christian at all.) (8:9)
For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts, and tells us that we really are God's children.. And since we are his children, we will share his treasures -- for all God gives to his Son Jesus is now ours too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. (8:16-18)
And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit in us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us -- bodies that will never be sick again and will never die. (8:23)

So may we walk in the Spirit this week and defeat the enemy who wants to destroy us!

Thank you, Father, for the gift of the Holy Spirit...may I listen intently and follow closely as you guide me through daily life. I want to please you most of all!

Devotional Thoughts Update, Continuing

2011-07-19T18:24:00.000-04:00

The Word for You Today

1. The benefits of memorizing scripture:

prayer life strengthened
witnessing more effective
counseling more in demand
changed outlook
mind becomes more alert
enhanced confidence
faith solidified

2. How to memorize scripture:

choose a time free from outside distractions
repeat the reference every time you repeat the passage
read each verse several times, as a whisper and out loud
break passage into natural phrases, learn one phrase at a time, adding phrases
learn a portion perfectly rather than a long passage poorly
review verse throughout the day, several times
use the verse, speaking it orally in conversations, in opportune moments, in your daily situations

3. God Will Bring You Through

you must listen to God, not man
God's purpose overcomes man's plans
whatever you've lost, God can restore

4. Empowered for a Purpose

you must spend time in God's presence building a relationship with Him, then carry His Word to those hurting around you
God has only one reason for filling you with His Spirit, that's to pour you out in service to others

I Chronicles

...get to know the God of your fathers. Worship and serve Him with a clean heart and a willing mind, for the Lord sees every heart and understand and knows every thought. If you seek Him, you will find Him. (28:9)
...who will follow my example? Who will give himself and all that he has to the Lord? (29:5)
Everything we have has come from you, and we only give you what is yours already! For we are here but for a moment...our days on earth are like a shadow, gone so soon, without a trace. (29:4-5)

Romans

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials for we know that they are good for us---they help us to learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (5:3-5)
...the more we see our sinfulness, the more we see God's abounding grace forgiving us. (5:20)

Psalm

Lord, who may go and find refuge and shelter in your tabernacle up on your holy hill? Anyone who leads a blameless life and is truly sincere. Anyone who refuses to slander others, does not listen to gossip, never harms his neighbor, speaks out against sin, criticizes those committing it, commends the faithful followers of the Lord, keeps a promise even if it ruins him, does not crush his debtors with high interest rates, and refuses to testify against the innocent despite the bribes offered him---such a man shall stand firm forever. (15:1-5)

Devotional Thoughts Update

2011-07-19T18:04:00.000-04:00

I'm way behind on my devotional thoughts. While the girls were here, I concentrated on their activities, but I still had my daily devotionals. It may take more than this one blog to get them up to date, but with it being 98 degrees out, I think I'll stay inside and blog some.

The Word For You Today:

Looking forward to better days? When your desire to go forward becomes greater than the memories of your past, you will begin to live again
You will win! With every opportunity God gives you there comes obstacles, but you must rise above them. That is how you grow and mature. The most secure place in the world is in the center of God's will.
Real growth requires seasons of struggle as well as seasons of success. Seasons of struggle destroy pride in your own ability and increases your dependence on God.
It's time to move on. To get beyond the past, you must forgive...and keep no forgiving until the past no longer has a hold on you.
Closing the door the right way involves: closing the door with grace; with forgiveness; with promises fulfilled; with courage; in God's timing. When God closes the door, it's time to move into the future He has prepared for you.
Your destiny is a desire that won't let you go. It will be more than a job, it will be joy.
Giving your best means rising up early and prepare for the challenges of the day through being with Jesus; and it focuses on endurance, not speed.
Nothing will change in your life until it first changes in your mind. God sees you as a new creation, so start thinking and acting like one!
You can change your family without argument or discussion...do it through prayer. You can do nothing of eternal value until you have prayed.
It's wonderful what God can do in just one day (recall creation), so give Him all the days you have left.

Proverbs

The man of few words and settled mind is wise; therefore even a fool is thought to be wise when he is silent. It pays him to keep his mouth shut. (17:27-28)

Psalms

God is kind and merciful, slow to get angry, full of love.(145:8)
The Lord is fair in everything he does, and full of kindness. He is close to all who call on him sincerely. He fulfills the desires of those who reverence and trust him. He hears their cries for help and rescues them. He protects all those who love him, but destroys the wicked. (145:17-20)

Romans

So, it is that we are saved by faith in Christ, and not by the good things we do. (3:28)
Being saved is a gift; if a person could earn it be being good, then it wouldn't be free---but it is! It is given to those who do not work for it. For God declares sinners to be good in his sight if they hive faith in Christ to save them from God's wrath. (5:5)

What a Week that Was!

2011-07-18T21:09:00.000-04:00

The girls went home over a week ago, and I have not had a moment to update their last couple of days. We were at the beginning of our annual district conventions and Family Camp as Daddy and the girls headed back home on Sunday, July 10th. Let me finish their visit first.

On their last Friday here, I bribed them into helping me clean and organize their stuff, their room before going to the beach. We had run into Vicksburg for a little shopping and errands run, and Grandpa was at a golf tournament all day that day. Princess helped me make some chocolate scotcheroos and a fruit salad that day, and Big Sis made the key lime pie. We were planning a big dinner for Daddy the next day.

We got the rooms cleaned and the bags packed, and then, true to my promise, I took them to the beach for two hours...twice as long as usual. Daddy arrived in the night, and slept in a little bit the next morning. We had our big dinner at noon, and then Princess and I took a nap while Big Sis spent her last time at the Craft Barn. Grandpa, Daddy, and us girls all took a pontoon boat ride in the late afternoon, and then went to Jaspare's for subs and pasta for supper. We hit the snack bar for ice cream, and then watched our last movie together.

Sunday morning Daddy and girls headed back home with a very loaded car. I sent all of the ceramics home with them, along with a shelf unit to display some of them. They arrived safely back home in the late afternoon. We sure missed them this past week! Life isn't the same without two girls coming up the stairs in the morning to give me a hug and a big smile and twinkly eyes. Even the dogs have missed their attention. We are still adjusting to the quiet life again.

Sunday morning was the first Sunday of our annual Family Camp, and our District Supt., Dr. John Seaman, was the speaker. That night was the ordination service, the kick-off of the annual District Assembly, which ran through Monday.

Monday night our Family Camp speaker was Dr. James Diehl, and he shared the pulpit with Dr. Bob Broadbooks, alternating each night/morning. Our Bible teacher was Dr. Chic Shaver. I tried to attend most morning services and evening services, working at the office in between. It was a full week. The musicians were the Michigan District Music leaders across the district...a praise team of strong leaders and voices.

Our friends, Bonnie and Fred, from Florida had arrived while the girls were here, and they are spending two months in our cottage next door. They have many friends on the grounds...lots of social outlets. The cottage porch is such a great gathering place.

The camp meeting services were very well attended, and they were very Spirit anointed! Many at the altar this past week. May God continue to work in their lives as they leave the mountain top and head back to the main stream of life. I did get to some of the 7 a.m. prayer meetings also...a great way to start the day. My friends Judy and Kay were here staying with their mother, so I had plenty of time to visit with them throughout the week also.

Now we have a week off before our next youth camp comes from Chicago Central District, and then a week of Girls' Camp and then our final camp of the summer...Boys' Camp. After Family Camp, we feel like we've crested and started back down the hill to a less busy time on the campgrounds. But we do still have those three camps, and then a big hoopla Labor Day weekend, when we will have the Nazarene Evangelists' Gathering for the first time. That will be a great time!

One reason I haven't blogged for a while is that our Internet at home was down/disabled. I need to blog my daily devotional material from June 26 to date, but just not feeling like it right now. Perhaps another day this week. It's going to triple digit heat index for a while, so staying inside may give me an opportunity to get the blog up to date soon. Thanks for checking in.

And the Beat Goes On!!

2011-07-07T22:42:00.001-04:00

With only a couple of days left with the girls, I want to capture the last two days before I forget our activities. What I am not capturing, and I wish I would, are the cute expressions, the cute sayings, thoughts, the creative ways both girls have in living every day life. It's like you have to be there to truly enjoy it. So I stick mostly with activities, but life is so much fuller with all the chatter and antics that go on along with the activities and the down times.

Tuesday evening the girls helped me out in the yard, weeding, dead-heading flowers, spraying for weeds and bugs, and watering. We did half the front yard on Tuesday night, and half the front yard on Wednesday night. It looks very lovely.

Wednesday we went to Meijers to do our shopping, and did our banking in Vicksburg (for the office), and mailed the flip flops out to Susan. Paid $1 for them at a yard sale, and $6.45 to ship them. But they were orange, her favorite color, and she couldn't be with us this year for family festival, so we wanted to let her know we were thinking of her as we went to the yard sales on our golf cart.

Most of this week I have been going to office for a couple of hours in the morning (6-8) and again in the evening (7-9) to try to keep up with my work out there. The girls stay with Grandpa during those times.

We've had terrific beach weather this week, so that's been a daily activity, in the afternoons for an hour or so each day. Big Sis has been riding her bike almost every day. Today she put together a ceramic vase she made last year and some wild flowers she picked here on the grounds and made a nice arrangement for Miss Nancy, her housekeeping friend. Tonight she took a bike ride with her, and Princess took a golf cart ride with her.

We delivered brownies to Miss Dorris and Miss Kitty this morning, and we shared some with Miss Norma after she spent time with the girls at the playground and riding bikes.

We put out our yard sale again today, and kept adding things as we cleaned the basement (girls' room) and went through outgrown clothes. Our trip to the beach today was with two of the Lewis girls, long time friends of the girls. Both of those girls and another friend of Aria's all got to choose a Barbie Doll from the collection we got at the yard sale last weekend. It's a great way of the girls learning to give and share, which they do very well. Both girls are so loving and caring...not selfish nor self-focused.

Princess pretty much has John 3:16 memorized, as well as the Lord's Prayer (from last year's Grandma Camp). She's had fun taking a bunch of pillows and making a "house" around her room and bed downstairs. She even has a storm shelter under her bed!

Well...two more days. We're having too much fun, which will soon come to a close for this year. But every moment has been a memory!

Family Festival and Beyond

2011-07-05T16:42:00.000-04:00

Sunday morning when we got to the Tabernacle for the morning service, we found that there were 105 children that would be marching around the Tabernacle waving the American Flag in honor of celebrating our American freedom. Little Princess decided she wanted to be part of that. When the march was done, the children went to the Learning Center for their own service, but Princess decided to stay with us and Big Sis.

When the service was over, we headed to the Dining Hall for our Sunday dinner. After dinner, we rested for a while before taking a pontoon boat ride on Indian Lake. It takes about an hour to go around the lake at a leisurely pace. We saw lots of boats, jet skis, tubing, a fun packed lake!

Sunday evening we went to the Olivetians' (Olivet Nazarene University) concert at the Tabernacle. Sunday morning our building was packed, probably 1500 people there. Sunday night the crowd size was about 400 or so. Still a good turn out for a holiday weekend night. Following the concert (Princess fell asleep) we went to the snack bar.

Since I couldn't sleep well, I finally went to the office at 3 am to catch up on some work. I came back home and went to bed at 5:30, and slept a couple of hours. Monday was a full day, and I needed to be part of it. Big Sis was back in the Craft Barn while Princess rode the ponies....about six times! It was a free pony ride, and the line was short. We had lunch at the snack bar, and then I took the girls to the beach for an hour. They had friends to play with, and the time went by too fast for them!

I had mowing to do after supper, so Grandpa took the girls to the ball field to practice golf club swings with wiffle balls. At dusk we went out on the pontoon boat to watch fireworks for a couple of hours. Quite a show, both Sunday and Monday nights!

Today we slept late this morning, watched a video and played around the house a bit. We set up a yard sale, donations only, and we took down the 4th of July decorations. We made some cookies, and then after lunch went back to the beach with our new friends (the Smalley children). Princess is napping right now, and Big Sis is watching a movie (Chitty, Chitty, Bank-Bang). This should take us up to supper time. Now I need a nap!!

Family Festival 2011 - Part 1

2011-07-03T10:11:00.000-04:00

Every year over the 4th of July (or weekend closest to the 4th) ILNC puts on a three day Family Festival to celebrate our freedom and our families being together. This has been a tradition for over 25 years. When it started we tried to bring our boys up to the campground to visit their grandparents, and to take part in the festivities.

As they left home, married, moved to other states, we made it a family tradition to set aside those first few days in July to all meet at Indian Lake Nazarene Campground. No matter where we lived in the United States, July 4th was the time for us to come together to celebrate that we are family, and to be grateful for our freedom. I think this may be the first year that our sons are not here, just our granddaughters...but at least we have the girls!!

Family Festival activities kicked off yesterday morning at 8:30 at the ILNC Breakfast Buffet at the Dining Hall. Prior to that there had been a 5K walk/run (which we did not participate in...perhaps in future years). After breakfast there was a Bike Around the Lake, which we also did not do, nor were we involved in the Volley Ball and Basketball Tournaments, nor the Dodge Ball Tournament. Instead, the girls chose to spend their time in the Craft Barn painting ceramics....something they've been doing for two weeks, but love it enough to keep starting new projects. I bought a small shelf unit just to display their ceramics, and it's already overloaded!! Oh, we did go to garage sales on the grounds also...didn't get much.

While Big Sis stayed at the Craft Barn, Little Princess chose to go on the Extreme Obstacle Course (inflatable), play Air Ball (another inflatable), and do the Quad Bungee Bounce. She was too small to do the Bumper Cards, and chose not to do the Climbing Wall and Zip Line. She also rode a toy tractor in the Kiddie Car Races.

It was so hot yesterday...93, with a heat index of 102. We kept drinking water, and finding places in the shade, and riding around with Grandpa on the golf cart to cool off. Our lunch was at the Snack Bar. Other events we did not participate in was the Indy 5oo Golf Cart Race, the Horseshoe Tournament, and the Outside Family Flick after dark. Oh...Big Sis did go on the Zip Line twice in the afternoon. Flying through the air was another fine way to cool off!. We went to Vicksburg to Jaspare's Pizza for supper. The girls ordered spaghetti, while we had a pizza.

The other event that we did participate in, thanks to Big Sis, was enter Tuxedo and Miss Kefli (our two small black dogs) in the Dog & Pet Show. They were dressed for the occasion (hat for Keflie, scarf for Tux), and they performed some tricks (speak, play dead, sit, shake). They ended up winning a red ribbon for second place! They were very hot, though, and needed to get back into air conditioning.

After supper I went to the Smith and Smith oldies, but goodies concert while the girls helped Grandpa prepare the tabernacle for this morning's service. And it is time to head on out to service...so I will complete this in part 2, when Family Festival 2011 is over (Monday night).

Friday - July 1, 2011

2011-07-01T06:37:00.000-04:00

Wow...half of 2011 is over. Time just keeps picking up the pace as the band plays on!

Yesterday was a more relaxed day. I spent a little bit of time at the office, but mostly I just spent it with the girls. We headed into Vicksburg to do banking and shopping, and we stopped at two garage sales along the way. Both girls made some nice purchases with their own money. I bought a small shelf unit for their ceramic display, and it's already full!

After lunch we headed to the beach for a couple of hours...very relaxing time. Then it was time for Big Sis to work at the Craft Barn until supper time. Princess and I watched a video and she rode her bike around the block and we walked the dogs.

After supper I cleaned the cottage next door for my nephew and his wife who are coming in from California for the Family Festival this weekend. They will be here until Monday. The girls stayed with Grandpa, doing whatever they chose to do, until it was time once again for Big Sis to head back to the Craft Barn. I visited her at work to see what her chores were and to observe the ceramics she is working on. She so enjoys being over there, and loves painting ceramics! She's made some for friends, choosing their favorite animal and color.

We made it an early to bed night for Princess. She watched "Winnie the Pooh" and then went to bed and fell asleep very quickly. She had purchased a Queen's crown at one garage sale and wore it to lunch, and she had a sun dress on today, so she looked very much the Princess. She liked to wear the crown upside down. She also purchased her own Barbie doll with a purple dress...purple being her favorite color. She bought a bag of beads and a little purple pouch. The big purchase was a play oven that really bakes, along with a play mixer and blender and two baking packages (cookies). I have a feeling we'll be baking today.

Big Sis bought a soft green pillow, a make-up kit, and a furry white cat that looks real. We tried to buy a dresser for her room back home, but it sold just as we got there. We'll keep looking.

Today is the beginning of our annual 4th of July celebration, called Family Festival. It will run through Monday, and each day there are plenty of activities going on. There will be many garage sales here on the campgrounds the next few days. Senior High camp will dismiss after lunch, and the weekend crowd will start filling in. We usually have about 3,000 people here...our largest event of the year.

I'm excited for the people to see our renovations and new sports equipment. We have redone the snack bar, the four unit efficiency cabins, and the tabernacle bath. Our District Superintendent's cottage is in the process of being painted. Our new sports equipment are: Frisbee golf, tether ball, nine square, human Foosball. We also dressed up the playground with fresh bark. Indian Lake Nazarene Campground is a great place to be!! For sure, the girls love it here!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

2011-06-29T21:35:00.000-04:00

We are having absolutely lovely Michigan summer weather this week. The temps are in the high 70's, low 80's, with very low humidity. Sunny days, beautiful blue skies with white fluffy clouds, light breezes. Loving it!!

Yesterday Big Sis had a project to help Miss Wanda paint the wheel hubs on our second camp hay wagon, which didn't take very long!! In the afternoon she worked in the Craft Barn.

Meanwhile Princess and I had to work at the ILNC office. She is everybody's assistant now, so she has a variety of office jobs, and loves helping people. We took a DVD player out to the office, and in her free time she watches movies (mostly Veggie Tale, which she says she loves).

Last night was Big Sis's annual sleepover with her two ILNC sister friends. They stay in the cottage, and normally they sleep on the porch and Princess and I sleep in the queen bed in the bedroom. Last night Princess stayed in her own bed here in the house with Grandpa, the three girls slept in the bedroom at the cottage, and yours truly slept on a reclining love seat on the porch. I enjoyed hearing the trains in the nights, and watching the security guards go by, and we had lit a large candle in the yard, which burned most of the night. I didn't sleep much, but it was a nice night over all.

Big Sis had planned a scavenger hunt for her friends (something I used to do for the three of them), with clues that led them to ten different locations on the campground. They rode their bikes to find the clues, and they had a walkie talkie to call Big Sis, if they were "clueless". The clues eventually led them back to the cottage where she had treats waiting for them (snacks). They had a lot of fun chatting and working on crafts and playing on a keyboard. They've been good friends now for 7 years.

Princess is still making friends her age. We mostly meet them at the beach or the playground. Last night she and I watched a movie together ("Babe") with Grandpa and had our own snacks. We sat cat traps, and this morning we sent two kitties to animal control for adoption. She didn't complain at all about not being part of Big Sis's party this year (she's been part of it in years past, but it's time for Big Sis to have her own friends without Little Sis around all the time).

The girls slept until almost noon today, which was fine with me. Princess and I had things to do on the porch, and she played some computer decorating games. We spent some time at the office today, but not much. We took the dogs on a golf cart ride while Big Sis worked the Craft Barn today, and we had an afternoon video and time of rest.

After lunch the three of us spent over an hour at the beach. We had it to ourselves, and it was just perfect weather. Even I didn't want to leave when we did, but Big Sis wanted to get to her "job". She is loyal!

After supper Miss Wanda helped both girls do a butterfly craft out of plastic soft drink bottles. It was good she was with them, for hubby and I had a medical emergency with a camper which we tended to during that time. Afterwards the four of us rode around on the golf cart for a while, then came back for the girls to watch a movie, "Mouse Hunt".

It is bed time for Princess now, so time to go have our bedtime chat! This is a less structured week, and we are just enjoying each day as it unfolds.

Monday Night 6/27/11

2011-06-27T22:47:00.000-04:00

Princess had quite a day. After breakfast she was playing on the porch as a one-man band. I asked Miss Norma if she would like to come and play band with Aria, and she was tickled to do so. Sister was working on glass artwork on the porch, and I was working on the monthly budget. Mid-morning I dropped the girls off at the Craft Barn to work on ceramics while I went to work with Senior High Camp Registration.

After lunch at the Dining Hall (a repeat schedule of meals from last week), I worked at the office with Princess as my assistant, plus she helped the other ladies in the office also. Big Sis was at the Craft Barn all afternoon. She is working as an assistant, helping campers get their paint colors. She loves doing this. She gets free ceramics in exchange for her help. She's working on a train/village setting.

After supper Big Sis went to visit her girlfriends for the evening, and they took a bike ride around the camp. Tomorrow night they will have a sleepover at the cottage.

Meanwhile, Princess helped at the office again until she had a chance to ride around on a golf cart with Miss Chris. They stopped for a Popsicle at the Lewis' and then went to the play ground, which is where I joined them when my work was done. She had three little play mates her age to play with, so we spent quite a while there. Then we came home and played in the bathtub for a while, before watching a Veggie Tale movie and going to bed.

Big Sis was back at the Craft Barn at 9:30 for half an hour to once again assist campers with their paint selections and ceramics. I picked her up and we drove around to check out the traps we had set for the cats...six traps. Nothing caught so far. She's watching a movie with Grandpa (Beethoven), winding down for the night. She has a paint job in the morning with Miss Wanda. They are going to paint the hubs on the camp wagon a bright yellow.

So both girls had quite a busy day, plus play time with the dogs throughout the day. Big Sis helps me by walking the dogs when I am busy with other things. Princess helps me around the house...setting the table, dusting, taking care of things.

All in all, a lovely day. We have about 210 senior high campers this week. This will lead us right up to Family Festival this coming weekend (annual 4th of July celebration Friday-Monday). A very busy time, a busy month ahead. It will all be over far too soon, and life will once again be quiet. So let's enjoy it while we can!!

Monday Morning - Beginning of Senior High Camp

2011-06-27T06:54:00.000-04:00

Today starts another week of youth camps...this one being Senior High Camp. Registration is at 11 a.m. this morning, and the camp runs until after lunch of Friday.

My granddaughters are now in their second week of their summer visit. Big Sister will help out in the Craft Barn this week as an assistant...passing out paint, pouring ceramic molds, working on projects. She's also been given a painting assignment...to paint the wheel hubs on one of the new hay wagons. She'll have a fun week, for she loves ceramics (Craft Barn), and painting. Princess will be on a less structured schedule this week...just going with the flow. Beach every day is her highest desire.

We sat six traps for cats/kittens last night. Have to go check them out soon. I'm going to continue to trap while I have the girls here to help me, then I may take a break until fall. I don't want to trap cats and keep them in cages while it is rainy or hot. Last week was a rainy week, so I only trapped one night. That's when I caught two little kittens that I had to send away. That's hard...they are so cute. But we have plenty of cats, and more to come, I am sure.

Yesterday we attended the Come As You Are service in the Learning Center. Both girls were dressed very nicely and looked absolutely stunning. They are as well behaved as they are beautiful. Such a delight to have them with us. So many people speak with them, for they have come to know the girls across the years since we have been here at ILNC. We are not the only ones who anticipate the annual visit of Big Sister and Princess.

It was hubby's 57th birthday, so the girls made him chocolate chip/oatmeal cookies. We also took a pontoon boat ride yesterday afternoon...our first boat ride of 2011. It was a gorgeous day...high 70's, a great day for a boat ride. The girls also rode their bikes in the afternoon. At night they caught fireflies and helped me set the traps.

I had to go with my dear friend yesterday afternoon to transport her mother to the hospital, first to Vicksburg, then to Kalamazoo. Her mom, who is 96, was having migraine headaches, and she hardly ever even has a headache. Turns out her blood pressure was extremely high, and they thought she might have the symptoms of a stroke. She is back home now, thank the Lord, but I have a feeling this is the beginning of the rest of her journey to her heavenly home. I pray both daughters will be with her when that time comes. She has lived a beautiful life, very calm and caring, but she longs to join her husband and others who have gone on before. I pray her prayers are answered soon. This friend I went to the hospital with is my "confidant"...the one person I can talk to about anything (in lieu of not having Mom any more).

Well, time for the day to begin...got to go check my cages, The girls will be up soon, and I'm fixing strawberries and biscuits for breakfast, another birthday meal for my hubby. I didn't have time to fix it yesterday because of my hospital trip. He could use some extra treats these days...these are stressful times making sure the camps are all running smoothly.

Saturday Night 6/25/2011

2011-06-25T22:52:00.000-04:00

Camps ended yesterday and we are still trying to catch up on our sleep. I woke up early this morning and went to work at 6:30, back home at 8:30, just as the girls woke up, and hubby had to leave. I spent another hour after lunch working at the office, getting ready for the next camp coming in...Senior High, which starts on Monday.

I took the girls to Vicksburg to do some shopping...the resale shop (clothes for big Sister), and groceries at Family Fare. Late afternoon we all went to Portage. While Grandpa and Big Sis went to the driving range, Princess and I did our Walmart shopping. Then we all went to El Jimador Mexican Restaurant for supper. Back at the campground we went to the snack bar for ice cream. The girls are in bed early tonight.

A recap of my weekly devotions:

"The Word for You Today":

Having the right focus comes about by simplifying things: a simpler life style and a saner schedule gives you direction, energizes you, and determines your legacy. What matters is not what others say about you, but what God says.

Protect yourself spiritually by taking time to rest in Jesus to renew your strength. Weariness makes you vulnerable to satan, who starts with attacking your mind.

Give your marriage a tune up...the secret to closeness in marriage is old-fashioned thoughtfulness and kindness. Show respect, sensitivity, attentiveness, and care. Hug, do small things which show thoughtfulness, have good manners ("please", "thank you", "I'm sorry"). Compliment each other. We need to feel valued by the one we cherish.

You can get beyond the past. Through God's grace, you can live in the present and let go of the past by spending time in God's presence and allowing His love to touch the hurting places within you.

Psalm

O, Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me, and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede me and follow me, and place your hand of blessing on my head. (139:1-5)

You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book! How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! (139:15-17)

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (139:23-24)

Proverbs:

A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick. (17:22)

Friday - The Treasure of Helping Others

2011-06-24T21:12:00.000-04:00

After a typical breakfast, today we went to Topaz River (lakefront at the point) for our lesson on Helping Others. We read the story "Help, Help" from God's Word for Me, about the prodigal son. We watched The Story of Esther on Charlies Churchmouse DVD and played a game of decorating cookies for the king. We printed out picture pages to color, which we did, and we made a Princess Castle. It needs to have sparkly stickers put on it yet. We were going to make cookies to give to others today, but we ran out of time. We'll probably do that on Sunday afternoon.

After lunch (pizza, salad bar, cake) it was time for sister's camp to dismiss. We picked her up on the golf cart and checked out and took her stuff back to the house. Then we rode around on the golf cart for a while, showing her where all Princess had been this week (Diamond Mountain/tabernacle; Ruby Cavern/prayer cottage; Emerald Forrest/craft barn; Sapphire Glacier/snack bar; and Topaz River/the lake at the point. She had her lessons in these various spots, and she learned about Jesus, Prayer, Sharing, the Bible, and Helping Others.

We also rode around to see the boundaries Sister's camp had stayed within. They had a wide spread area which contained all their various activities. They listened to a missionary tell stories in the morning, and had another cool speaker for the evening worship service. He was funny and related well with the kids, according to Big Sister. She made many friends and had a great time over all. Some of the activities weren't her favorite, but she participated in everything.

Princess learned the Bible verse John 3:16, and she has asked to say the Lord's Prayer at meal time all by her self the last three meals. She remembers that from last year. Today she watched the Veggie Tale video on "Esther, the Girl who Became Queen", to go along with her lesson.

This afternoon it was misty and cool out, so we just snuggled in blankets on the reclining couch and watch two Christie videos, Sister's choice. We went out to Logan's Steakhouse for supper with Wanda and Dave, our summer volunteers. We came home, Princess had a bath, and went to bed early. Sister is taking a shower, we will watch another video, her choice, and then straight to bed. I trust all of us will sleep in tomorrow morning, and do some catch up on our sleep!

It's been a terrific week in both camps...everyone is happy and ready to come back again next year. Sister learned how to do table rhythm slapping to kill time while they waited for their turn to go through the food lines. She's teaching Princess. They also were stacking cups at supper tonight. Oh, yes...the things to do in groups to kill time!! As Sister said as we rode around on the golf cart after the campers were gone..."It's so quiet!"

I'll try to update our activities over the next couple of weeks every day or so, in case parents or other family members are interested. Good night!

Thursday - The Treasure of the Bible

2011-06-23T21:09:00.000-04:00

This has been a rainy cool day, and we had raincoats or jackets on most of the day. We did not go swimming. In fact, we spent a lot of time at the office. While I was working, my little helper shredded papers, put stamps on the envelopes for mailing, and worked on her own paper crafts (cutting and pasting or taping). We didn't even start Grandma Camp until after lunch (hamburgs, homemade potato chips, salad bar, brownies). Breakfast was pretty much the same. Princess chooses to have oatmeal and pink and green cheerios (I don't know the name of it) with milk, and a little bit of orange juice. She has had a couple of toaster pastries since she's been here. Her favorite things at the salad bar are pickles, black olives, jello, and chocolate pudding...and sometimes cantelope.

Today we went to Sapphire Glacier (the Snack Bar) for our lesson after picking up some M&M's with our Sweet Treasures dollar. Tomorrow we are going to skip the candy and just save the dollar for a Barbie doll at the yard sale during Family Festival. She has several treats left, as we have spread them out, and given some away.

Our lesson was about "The People Read Their Bible" and Charlie Churchmouse was about "The Prodigal Son". It had a game to play and we printed and colored a picture page. We continue to work on our Bible verse, John 3:16, and singing some songs as we ride around on the golf cart. The Veggie Tale movie today was "God Wants Me to Forgive Them?", since we learned about forgiveness in our stories today.

Craft Treasures with Wanda tonight was decorating a picture frame, playing with play dough, and going to the playground. Princess is ready for bed and watching the Disney movie "Bambi" while I blog. It's an earlier night tonight, plus we had a good nap this afternoon.

When we go to meal times at the dining hall, Princess has so many adult friends to chat with...Miss Wanda, Miss Ranae, Miss Norma, and so many more (but those are the main ones she goes to).

Today we had to transport one of the life guards from the canoe landing on the river back to the beach front, so we got to take a golf cart ride through the outback. We went back out tonight to watch Grandpa load the canoes on the canoe trailer and transport them back to the beach front where they take off from. Sister was the lead canoe this morning, having the life guard with her in her canoe. Her group also did archery, the mud pit (yuck) and super slide bowling today during activity time. Looks like she's been hanging around with a redhead named Katy. She says she's having a great time. Now that she has a steady friend, I'm sure she's enjoying camp much more. Plus, there are so many activities...such a variety to choose from...that she's not been bored!

Such a damp day today, it feels good to cozy in tonight. One more day and the camps are over for this week.