Hidden beauty... and a great reminder!

Yes, I was very frustrated yesterday while trying to blog about finally being at home.  I started trying to upload a photo to my blog (something I do all the time) and every time I tried, the page would freeze and I would lose everything that I had written.  I did this several times (I know, I should have figured it out after one or at the most two times, but I really wanted to write the blog).  Then I tried a couple of other things, like restarting my computer (also tried lots of times) and restarting the blog program (many times).  I looked on line for help (not much available), posted a comment in a blogger forum (no one responded) and then tried several other browsers and still nothing worked.  I finally posted that short blog, shut off my computer and went to bed very frustrated.  This morning I tried my usual browser and it did not work.  So I decided to try another browser AGAIN.   And on the first try, it worked.  I have no idea why, I am just feeling thankful and blessed that it did!

This picture above is one of my favorites from vacation.  At first you might think that this is just a picture of sand.  But look closely.....very closely, right in the center of the frame and you will see the crab!  He would dart out of his hole and if we moved, he would shoot back in.  Ken actually laid on the ground in the sand with the camera poised to get this picture as the crab ventured out of the hole.  I love how he is so camouflaged that you can almost not see him.  He is truly, hiding in plain sight!   What a great gift it is for these crabs to be able to protect themselves, just by getting so covered in sand that you can't see them.  I was thinking of a recent Facebook post I saw, that called for all Christians to be OPEN and obvious about their faith.   It  is time for us to declare to the world that we are here and we are fighting in a war against evil.  The time for all of us to hide and blend into the background of society is gone.  All that strategy has done is allow evil to walk all over us and advance their plan. So I am going to purpose to NOT be like the crab in this picture.  I will not hide and blend in.  I know that it will take practice and lots of covering and prompting of the Holy Spirit, but I am going to do it.

Last night, as I lay in bed, very frustrated by this blog, I was thinking about the last post I had done.  I blogged about Ken's dad and his end of life struggle and our family.  After that post, I got many comments from people thanking me for being honest about this.   One person said they thought it was the best post I had written on this blog!  And then I heard the whisper of the Holy Spirit reminding me that Satan wants to prevent me from sharing encouragement and truth through this blog.  I went to sleep thinking that there would be an answer today.  And there was!  Isn't Jesus just amazing?  So I will keep blogging.  Sharing and truth telling through these writings.

Jesus, thank you for providing that little crab to remind me not to hide YOU from the world.  Give us all courage and boldness to strip away the covering and let your light shine through us.    Holy Spirit, thank you for reminding me that even when it seems like evil prevails, you will provide another way.  What an amazing and wonderful caring God you are, that even understands us in all of those frustrating moments. Thank you for the internet, Facebook, and blogging programs that allow your words to go forth to the nations.   Amen

The best kind of "Tea Party" around!

 

 

Yesterday I got invited to a very special "Tea Party", hosted by Ellie.  It was sort of an impromptu party when I watched the kids at the last minute so Gwen could attend a meeting.  



Zeke was also invited!  He was quite happy to attend.  Fortunately, Anna decided it was a great time to take a nap, so she skipped the festivities and slept peacefully in the playpen right next to me.   Just that morning Gwen posted a picture of Ellie and a tea party they were having!  I commented that I would like to be there.  So it was wonderful when Ellie proceeded to set up everything and ask me to attend!  That was simply the best 45 minutes I have spent in a long time.  Ellie and Zeke both talked about so many different things!  We had some wonderful conversation about food (based on the play food that was being served!) but there was also some interesting information shared!  Regarding the food, I found out that Ellie doesn't really like anything right now and Zeke likes everything!  (This is actually pretty true -  Ellie did finally say that she likes "ice cream, Frosties, donuts, and pizza."  And after a short pause she added "daddy's pancakes").  Then the conversation got serious.  Ellie shared several versions of some books she recently read.  She told me all about her recent vacation to Florida (she was surprised that I knew that the ocean was salty and tasted bad).  And then she revealed that she is nervous to go to school in a few weeks (she starts Kindergarten and will be riding a bus with Lia and going for the WHOLE day!) It was so wonderful to have this concentrated time with these two amazing kids!  I am very blessed. 

Isn't it true that when we sit down and eat with someone, we share more if there is food on the table?  I love that the Bible is full of stories that include food and meals.  And I especially love that Jesus gave us clear instructions to include food every time we gather together, during his instructions at the Last Supper.  I suppose it is no surprise then, that most churches have food at the majority of events held.  I can assure you that I have attended more than my share of "church suppers" which ALWAYS include a "hot dish" (this is just another word for a casserole that must be "Minnesotan") and jello in some form.  And I have at least 6 church cookbooks that I use often!  Yes, I appreciate all that food has added to my church experience. 

My home group always has food and I really believe that is one of the reasons we are so close.  We talk about so many different things over our plates of food.  By the time we sit down to do our Bible study and to pray together, we are already bonded together in the meal.  I am very grateful for this special group! 

I love that Jesus gave us lots of incentive to eat together.  And when Jesus is in the center of the eating, when you are spending time talking about things that are really important, when great discussions happen, it is simply the best. 

Now don't you just want to go and find something to eat and someone to be with?  Don't you want to plan a tea party for some friends, or relatives, or neighbors?  Well, I say, GO and DO THIS!     And be blessed!

Jesus, thank you for this special tea party with Ellie and Zeke.  Thank you for that very sweet and relaxing time just listening.  Holy Spirit, what a wonderful gift you have given us to draw us together over food.  Give us all a nudge to invite others to eat together!  Give us courage and boldness to ask and follow through with this and then give us wisdom and grace to really listen and share!  Thank you for this reminder that fellowship with food is so important.  Amen

A story of sisters........



I took this picture this morning of Anna grabbing a handful of Ellie's hair.  Even though the lighting is not great - I love this photo!  It reminded me of another special photo.

In this photo, Ellie is the baby grabbing a handful of Lia's hair.  And this is my mom, Great Grandma Nona, holding them.  In this photo Ellie is 7 months old and Anna is 6 months old now in the picture above. 

Ellie just loves Anna.  She always wants to hold her and play with her.  And Anna just lights up when Ellie is around.  Yes, I think these sisters will always have a special bond. 

And this got me thinking about my sister Julie.  Julie is 8 years older than me and I know that I have blogged about her before.  Actually Lia and Anna are just about the same age spacing as Julie and I.  Today while I was watching Ellie and Anna together, I was remembering some special little things about Julie and I.

So here is another not so great picture, but I just had to include it today.  This is my sister Julie and I and I think this was taken 1963 Christmas when I was in 3rd grade.  Julie most likely does not know WHY this picture was the one I picked today.  So, here is the reason!  I remember a special day sometime just before school started that year.  I was going into 3rd grade.  Julie took me shopping, downtown St. Paul.  We went into all of the "Big" stores - places I had never been before.  And she picked out this skirt and vest I am wearing in this picture.  She let me try it on and then bought it for me, with her own money!  I loved that outfit.  It was so special to me.  I know that I realized that Julie was working very hard to earn her money and yet she made a choice to get this outfit for me.  Plus, it was the memory of that day that was special.  Going shopping with Julie, being downtown, having lunch out, and then getting this special surprise.  Whenever I look at this picture, I am so thankful to have had this sister time.  

 

I love that Jesus planned our families.  And I love the bond between sisters.  Even that hair pulling stage!  I learned such a valuable lesson from my sister on that shopping day.  She taught me about being generous and making sacrifices and about that special love between siblings.  Sometimes our best teachers are those that are closest to us.  I am sure that each of us has memories like this.  It may not have been a sibling, maybe it was a friend, or some other relative.  Possibly it was a teacher, a neighbor that first got our attention by showing us special favor.  This past weekend I saw a couple of videos on Facebook.  Some young guys are sort of "testing" society to see how people react.  They went to a shopping mall food court and approached various people.  They said they were hungry and asked for food.  All of the people said "no" or "sorry".  But not a single person gave them food or offered them money.  The next scene was these same young men bringing a fast food meal to a homeless man.  They just walked up to him and offered him a couple of cheeseburgers, fries and a large drink.  The homeless man accepted the meal with gratitude.  The young men left him to his meal.  At that point another young guy approached the homeless man and said he was hungry.  WITHOUT A BIT OF HESITATION, the homeless man gave him one of the burgers and offered him fries and the drink.  This story brought me to tears!  But the message is clear.  That homeless man knows exactly what it is to be hungry.  He knows what it is to have nothing.  When he has something, he is very generous and gives willingly. 

 

I don't think there is anything else to say about this.  I know that I will be considering this story in the days ahead.  And I will be looking for that person who Jesus may be directing me towards.  And I think I will call my sister!

 

Jesus, thank you for giving us examples of your very important lessons every day.  Thank you for family and friends and thank you for those young men that brought a visual reminder for all of us.  Holy Spirit, give us eyes to see and ears to hear the cries of the people around us.  Thank you for your great love and care.  Amen



Day 17 - a couple more stories from 20 years ago

So continuing from yesterday. I was on a mission trip to a small village in northern Mexico.   We were doing lots of  fellowship with the moms and the kids who came to the Vacation Bible School program.  We had outdoor activities like bubbles, balls, jump ropes and a parachute.  And we got to speak with many of the women - a few who could speak English.  This was an eye opener for me in so many ways.  First of all, these people LOVE their children.  The children were all clean and neat, even though they did not have new clothes (in most cases), they had on their best for us.  You could tell that the children had a wonderful relationship with all of these women.  This sweet little baby's name was Pearl Jasmine.  I got to talking to her mother when I asked her name.  She told me that it was unusual for a baby to have a name before they turned 1.  Usually their "naming" ceremony happened on their first birthday.  The reason for this was that many, many times the children didn't survive infancy.  It was easier to lose a child that did not have a name.  This mother had gone against the norm and named this baby because she believed that Jesus was taking care of her.  We also heard a sad story that 6 years earlier they had experienced a bacteria in their water reservoir and many of the children under 6 had died.  There were far fewer kids between 6 and 12 than there should have been and this was the reason.  Wow, we are so removed from this kind of thing in our comfy life in the United States.  It was a sobering reality for these people and experiencing it in a small way, changed how I looked at my own life.  I remember Pearl Jasmine's mother and her resolve to trust totally in Jesus.  What a testimony that is.

Then there is this testimony of multiplication......  The majority of the food for the team came with us on that bus.  We ate lots of peanut butter and jelly.  And a lot of canned food.  On the final night in the town we prepared a meal for all of the people from the church who had hosted us in their homes and also all of the elders of the church.  Many, many people turned up at the church for this meal.  As a matter of fact, the people just kept coming down the road.  It became very clear that we would not have enough food to feed everyone.  We told all of the kids to wait to eat until given permission and then we prayed over the pots of food.  We had several large cans of Spaghetti pasta "0's" that we had not intended to use that night, that were opened and heated.  And the people ate.  And the team ate.  ALL of the people ate.  And that pot of pasta was about 1/3 full at the end of the night.  It was a multiplication miracle.  I don't think I appreciated the scope of this miracle until after we were home from this trip.  I know that this miracle happened because I held the spoon in that pot and scooped out plates of food for people.  Yes, it was an amazing testimony of the provision of Jesus.  And it was also an expression of Jesus' great love for these people. I later found out that this kind of multiplication of food happened often on these mission trips.  It was certainly the first time I had ever seen and experienced this.

I was greatly blessed and changed by this trip so long ago.  Thinking about this trip has made me remember that I have so much to be grateful for.  And I am reminded that Jesus is faithful and He cares for and provides for His people. 

Jesus, thank you so much for who you are.  You are an amazing God who provides for all of our needs.  You cover us with your love,  you empower us with your faith and strength and you do miraculous things every day!  Holy Spirit, thank you for prompting me to share these stories each day.  What a great blessing it has been for me to remember your faithfulness and goodness to me.  Again, bless the people in this town in Mexico and remind them of your love.  Amen

Day 16 - When you know you've been sent

I think I mentioned that in 1994 I went on a mission trip to Mexico with the youth from my church.  Gwen was actually one of those youth.  This was my first real experience with any kind of mission experience.  My job was to plan the Vacation Bible School program that we would hold in the village we visited, and to train the youth to lead this program.  This was certainly interesting since I do not know Spanish!  I confess that I really had no idea WHY I was on this particular trip.  It was also the first time I had ever been out of the United States. 

We traveled to Mexico in a VERY OLD BUS..... think very old school bus.  Not one of those comfy kind.  This was just an old bus with plastic seats and a metal floor.  And it was a LONG drive from Illinois to Mexico!  We drove through the night several times and sleeping was just a joke.  Not to mention the fact that there were 25 high school kids as well as 8 adults crammed into this space. 
It was a memorable trip.  Then, when we finally arrived in the small village in the mountains near Monterrey, Mexico we received the first of many surprises of the trip.  The Pastor and his family had gone into Monterrey to get supplies for our team.  While there, they were killed in car crash during a very bad storm.  So this small little town had just lost their pastor and his entire family.  Yet, they rallied together and welcomed us.  The elders who greeted us and gave us this news, told us that they knew our time in their village was important since Satan was obviously trying to stop what Jesus intended.  They were upbeat and committed to whatever God intended. 

On these trips, all of the team were divided up and stayed with "host families".  The home I stayed in had a roof (some did not) and an actual outdoor toilet facility (some homes had just a hole in the ground).  The water supply was a rain barrel with a large system of pipes to catch the rain water.  The first morning I saw a bird swimming in the barrel.  Yuck!  Needless to say, we did not drink their water or eat their food.  The picture above is of all of the host senoras.  It was a very big deal for these women to open their homes to all of us. 

We had a wonderful week. There were over 200 kids from the town that came for our program.  We had a great time playing and just being with these children. One of the projects that we did was the construction of two banners for their church that the children helped construct.

On the fourth day of our stay in this village, this women found our translator and came to see me.  She was one of the "Matriarchs" of this church.  Through tears, (and the translator) she told me that she had praying for ME to come to her church for the last 15 years.  She knew that the children were not getting the education that they needed and Jesus had told her that He would send someone.  When she found out that the banners had been my idea, she knew that I was the one Jesus had sent.  I was stunned.   She grasped my hands and cried and cried as she prayed for me.  It was an experience that I will never forget.  Yes, I knew that I had been sent.

I don't think I had ever thought about why I was there.  And I sure didn't have any idea that I could have been the answer to prayer.  I will never forget this women's faith.  She continued to pray and seek even when she didn't see an immediate answer.  She touched those banners and spoke about all of the love that went into them.  And she told me she loved all of those children. 

That's it for tonight.  I am thankful for the chance to reflect on this.  There are a couple more things to share from this amazing trip.  So watch for future posts! 

Jesus, thank you for using all of us to complete your plans.  Holy Spirit, thank you for reminding me of the great faith of that dear woman.  Give us all a renewed faith in your power to work through us.  Keep us all moving forward in your plans, even when we don't realize that it is your purposes being fulfilled.  Thank you for this village and these people.  Continue to bless them and meet all of their needs.   Amen

Day 13 - And then there was M&M's!

So after a couple of years of doing Sontime on Sunday mornings, and HizKidz as an after school program, the leadership of the church started talking about having a "family night".  The idea was that there would be something for everyone.  Bible Studies for the adults, the youth program for the high schoolers, a confirmation program for the junior high school kids, and something else (including a nursery) for the rest of the children.  It was decided that this event night would include a simple meal for a small charge.  The hope was that people would come and have a dinner together and then each go to their own area.  I remember coming up with the idea for "M & M's" - Meals and Ministry nights.  So, once again we were "inventing" a program for the children.  We wanted to do something different than our Sunday program. It had to look different because we only had 4 adults from our leadership team to lead the small groups.   So after a brainstorming meeting we decided to do a worship focused hour at the beginning of the time.  We taught the kids songs that we were singing on Sunday mornings during worship.  There was also lots of education about worship.  And we also did some quiet times of just listening to Jesus.  It was during one of those times when a little 2 year old girl raised her hand when I asked for kids to share what they were hearing or seeing from Jesus.  She had a limited vocabulary, but she said "colors.....so many colors".  We all knew that she was, indeed, seeing Jesus.  After worship, we did Bible study for the kids - (Nursery, 2-4 year olds, K-2nd grade and 3rd-5th grade).  I taught the 2-4 year olds.  During that time I discovered just how much these very little kids really understood about Jesus.  I began to see how the church - including me - had underestimated these little ones.  Somehow these hungry little soles memorized the books of the Bible - including knowing a basic one sentence statement with the subject of the book!  I was amazed.  We talked about prayer and started prayer journals that were just simple drawings that had the words added by the adults as they were spoken by the children.   There were some powerful prayers and answers to prayers from these kids. 

It was around this time that I knew that Jesus was calling me to be a voice for the children.  While it was about teaching the children, it was more about speaking to the parents and the leadership about the importance of including the children in all aspects of the church.  Somehow it seemed that the children were just to be kept out of worship and entertained until they were somehow supposed to WANT to be in church when they hit confirmation age.  What??? This was a real mystery to me.  It was no wonder that so many youth just endured church until they were old enough to leave.  

Yes, this revelation really changed my life and led me down some very different paths than I could have predicted.  And, of course, there is STILL more to this story!  I am being so blessed by these blogs.  Each memory reminds me of the faithfulness of Jesus.  Every story brings to mind the working of the Holy Spirit in my life.  It feels like I am putting together a huge jigsaw puzzle and every story is a piece of that puzzle.  I can't quite see the finished picture yet, but I think I am growing in understanding that there is a "big picture"! 

Jesus, thank you for this blog and all who take the time to read this.  Bless them all as they take time to share their own stories.  Holy Spirit, what a joy it is to know that every day you are guiding and directing me.  Thank you for helping me to see the big picture you have for my life!  Amen

Day 8 - Following a nudge of the Holy Spirit

I just had to start this blog with the sweet, sweet picture of my little Anna.  I was glancing through Gwen's recent pictures, getting ready to print some for my wall, and I was suddenly reminded of the following story.  (This is the way these blogs have been going.  I never know what I am going to share until the last minute!  Isn't that exactly like Jesus?)

Okay.... the story.  One day I was walking through a large "department" store (you know, the kind that has everything - groceries, clothes, housewares etc, - you get the point).   When I walked in the store I saw a young women with a small baby in a carrier with a cart full of diapers and groceries.  She was sort of wandering around near the checkout counters.  I went about my business of choosing my own groceries but I could not get this women off of my mind.  I kept asking Jesus to give her peace and whatever she needed.  Suddenly I knew that I was supposed to give her $20.  I rarely carry any cash, but I had just gone to the ATM for some cash for Ken and kept $20 for myself.  So, I made my way to the front of the store and there she was.  I approached her and just said, "I'm a Christian and Jesus told me that you really need this right now!"  And I handed her the $20.  She broke down crying and explained that she couldn't believe that I was there.  She told me that she was also a Christian, and her support money for the baby had not arrived the day before as expected.  She had no family in the area and simply did not know what she was going to do.  She needed things for the baby that could not wait until Monday when the money might arrive.  She prayed and Jesus told her to go to the store and what she needed would be provided.  So, in faith, she did exactly what she was told.  She selected the items that she needed and waited.  She told me that she had been in the store for 2 hours and the baby would soon be needing to eat.  So she was getting desperate.  She was just about to leave the cart of items and take the baby and go home when I approached her.   I asked if I could pray for her, which she greatly appreciated.  I waited as she went through the checkout line to make sure that she had enough money.  Her bill was $19.72.  I wanted to make sure that she could get home okay and she assured me that she had a full tank of gas and a short way to travel.  Yes, this was a good day for me!

Isn't it so amazing when we see how Jesus can use us?  I didn't just "happen" to be in that particular store - I was sent there.  Just like Maria (the women) and her precious little baby were sent to that same store.  And then it was all dependent on both of us listening to the Lord.  I learned a valuable lesson that day.  All of us need to be aware of those everyday moments when Jesus might want to use us to do His work.  For many, many months I always looked around when I walked into a store.  Looking for that person that I might need to reach.  But as time went on, I forgot about this.  And now, I don't remember the last time I actually did this.    Yep, I am sure that I needed to be reminded of this story.  Today Jesus used that picture of my little Anna to remind me of a mother in need that Jesus helped!

Jesus, thank you for your body of believers.  Keep us all ready and available to reach out and help others as the Holy Spirit prompts us.  Jesus, please bless Maria and her child, wherever they may be.  Thank you for Maria's faith that got her to the store that day.  Jesus, it is amazing how you use us!  Thank you for your provision that we can share with others.   Amen

Day 6 - Writing - An important part of my testimony

You can't see very well in this picture, but this is my first journal, and it was started on December 2, 1988.  Up on the top shelf of my closet are a couple of storage boxes filled with these journals.  I stopped numbering them at 59 and then I switched to just dates.  And now, many of my "journals" are actually saved on my computer.  In the last year and 3 months, this blog has been a journal of sorts.  But rest assured, these journals are far more than just words on a page.

It was during that prayer group that I mentioned this week, that it was suggested that it is a good idea to write down your prayers and your thoughts.  So I decided to give it a try.   I guess that writing has always been a part of what I was supposed to do.  Within a very short time, I discovered that many, many answers to my questions came though the words I wrote down in my journals.  A couple of years later, I complete a study called "Communion with God".  This revolutionized my journaling.  I began to wait and let the Holy Spirit speak to me as I wrote words on the page.  I can't describe how much closer this brought me to Jesus.  I am so thankful that I started this memory keeping.  I have gone back many, many times to be reminded of a word or a revelation that would have been forgotten had it not been written down.  I have kept notes from conferences and events and speakers and retreats.  What a blessing these little books have been to me.

I have learned so much about myself through this journaling process.  It has been the best sorting out of feelings and emotions and thoughts that I could ever have had.  There has been so much growth and change and I am sure that there is still much, much more I have to learn. 

If you have never kept a pen and paper with you during your quiet time, I encourage you to give it a try.  Or start an electronic journal.  Just don't miss out on the insight and revelation that  comes with putting words down on a page as you pray. 

Which brings me to the following devotional that I wrote many, many years ago for a Sunday School newsletter.  It's a good message and I need to point out that I would not have it to share today if I hadn't kept a written record of it.

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Making a “PB & J sandwich

Almost every child in the USA knows that a “PB & J” sandwich is peanut butter and jelly on bread.  As a matter of fact, this is such a staple in the average home, by the time many kids hit 12 or 13 years old, the LAST thing that they want to see is a “PB & J”!  Today the Lord spoke to me about a very different kind of “PB & J” sandwich that should become a regular part of everyone’s diet.

Every good sandwich starts out with good bread.    A trip to the supermarket bread aisle is enough to confuse and confound even the most dedicated shopper.  There are white breads, wheat breads, whole grain, seven grain and even “mixed” grain breads. Sandwich sliced, thick sliced, round loaves, short loaves, and even “1/2 loaves”.    Fortified, vitamin-added, no sugar, low-carb, low-calorie.  Raisin bread, cinnamon bread, Italian bread, French bread, and Roman bread, to just name a few of the choices.  It is quite possible to spend many minutes making a decision before any bread actually hits the shopping basket.  We need the best daily bread that you can have – THE Bread of Life – Jesus.  

In John 6:35, Jesus declares “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry…”  Any sandwich made with this bread, will be food that truly satisfies!  

When we begin to think about Jesus not only occupying a place in our hearts, but also covering and holding together and protecting everything we do in our daily lives, just as the bread holds the sandwich together, we begin to get a deeper understanding of Jesus saying that He is the “bread of life”.  So our sandwich must start with Jesus.  Every family must choose this bread for themselves.

Now, for the makings of the sandwich.  In this Bible verse in John, Jesus makes it clear that we are to come to him for all that we need.  The best way to do this is Prayer!  That is the “P” in our sandwich.  With the knowledge that Jesus is in us and all around us, it becomes easier to talk with Him.  The most important thing you can know about prayer is just to do it!  Any words work!  Any time and any place.  There is no right or wrong way to pray.  Just picture yourself spreading that prayer around on that piece of bread.  Cover all the areas of your life.  Anything that is important to you, is important to Jesus.  Take your time!  

Once you have taken time to talk to Jesus through prayer, you need to add the most important part of this sandwich.  Just as it would be very hard to spread peanuts on bread without the butter
consistency, prayer is more than just you talking to Jesus!  The “B” in our sandwich is beholding!  Webster defines behold as “to look, to hold in view, to see and to regard”.  Don’t just end your prayer time with Jesus without taking time to look at Him!  Behold Jesus!  Picture Him sitting across from you at the table.  Hold him in view.  Listen to him and regard what he is saying.  Prayer is a two way conversation.  Don’t miss out on the beholding.  

The sweet finish of the traditional “PB & J” is the jelly.  It doesn’t matter what kind of jelly – each person may have their own preference.  Jelly provides the complimentary flavor.    Our “J” is for journaling.  After you have talked with Jesus, looked at Him and listened to His response, make this sandwich complete by writing down your thoughts, feelings and emotions.  Don’t just focus on keeping a list of the things you prayed.  Although this can be a good way to record answers to prayer, you will be missing out on the more that is possible.  Think about how you “beheld” Jesus.  What did he look like and what was his emotion?  Write about this!  Record how you felt as you were beholding Jesus.  Make note of anything you heard Jesus speaking to you.  Journals are like the “icing on the cake” of our sandwich.  Cake is good without frosting – but it is SO much better with it!   Prayer and beholding Jesus are good. When we make record of these times, it is even better.  

Make this “PB & J” sandwich part of your family diet.  You will be satisfied!   
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Jesus, thank you for reminding me today about my journals.  Holy Spirit, motivate us to keep a record of the important things that you share with us.  It is a gift to grow and learn about you and ourselves through writing.  Jesus, thank you that you draw us closer to you.  Amen

Sharing Part 1 - where my testimony begins

So based on my post yesterday, I am going to spend the next few weeks sharing small bits and pieces of my testimony.  Some of what I will share may have already been on this blog, but I am going to assume that there is someone out there who may need to hear this today!  All day today I've been thinking about how powerful it is to hear someone's testimony.  I was remembering the many, many times that I was encouraged and uplifted hearing about the large and small miracles that happen around us day after day.  Today I decided to share my first encounter with Jesus when I was 4 years old.

I know exactly how old I was when this happened, because we only lived in Aberdeen, South Dakota for a few years.  And I was not yet in school.  One night, I had a very powerful dream that has never left me.  I was walking down a path in very beautiful garden.  Very much like the photo above.  Suddenly Jesus was with me.  He was holding my hand as we walked along.  He told me, in a way that a four year old could understand, who he was and the entire Gospel message.  I remember very clearly my surprise when Jesus said that he had died on a cross.  He assured me that it was okay, since his Daddy had brought him back to life so that all of us could live forever.  The last thing that he said to me was that Easter was about HIS story, and not the Easter bunny.  And I needed to tell everyone the truth about who Jesus is and what Easter is all about. 

I remember telling my mom about this dream, shortly afterwards.  And I remember very clearly her reaction!  Very simply it was, "We don't talk about things like this.  Don't tell anyone about this dream".   So I did as I was told.  I never said a word to anyone.  At least not until I was much older. But here's the thing! When I talk about this dream, I can still feel the way my hand felt as he was holding it.  I can't explain the powerful influence that this dream had on my life.  Shortly after this I received my first Bible.  I spent many, many hours reading that Bible.  I loved the "red letters" - everything that Jesus said.  I knew, deep down in my spirit, that Jesus was walking with me, that he loved me and cared about me.  I also knew that he had given me an important message to share. 

Most of the last 25 years I have been sharing one main message -  Children can and do hear Jesus speaking to them and God has a destiny and a plan that he will reveal for each child.  This life changing message was birthed in that dream, so long ago. 

So, this is the very beginning of my "walk" with Jesus.  I am so grateful that I had been brought to church as an infant, and became part of the family of God through Baptism.  It was a blessing to have been in Sunday School and church so that I knew who Jesus was, when I met him in this dream. 

I know that I have said this before, but here is another reminder.  God has a plan and destiny for each one of us.  That includes everyone!  Even those little children.  And more than that, Jesus wants to share this plan and destiny with us!  All we have to do is ask, wait silently, and listen!   Pick up a pen and write down those thoughts in your head.  Sketch out a picture.  Flip open your Bible and wait for a verse to come alive.  And the next time you have a chance, ask a child what Jesus has been saying to them!  You just might be surprised! 

Jesus, thank you for your presence with us! Holy Spirit, continue to empower us to share our stories.  Give us courage and boldness to testify about the miracles and wonders that happen each day.  Thank you Jesus, for this blog and all that take time to read these words.  Bless them with assurance of your presence with them.   Amen

Celebrating the power of sharing!

These two photos represent 4th of July's that I remember very well.  The top picture is Gwen at the age of 2 months - taken July 4, 1979!  We just happened to be out shopping to pick up a few items at Kmart before going on a picnic, and they were taking pictures in the store.  We decided at the last minute, to have Gwen's picture taken.  Although this had already faded badly before we got it scanned, I still love it!  She was dressed in that darling red white and blue dress with matching shoes.  I loved that little dress!  I can't help but to notice how much Anna looks like Gwen!  The bottom picture was taken on July 4, 1983.  We were on our way to spend the day at our good friends house.   I love this holiday memory, captured in a photo.

Gwen posted this picture on Facebook today!  I love that Gwen takes these pictures.  The best thing is that I will most likely get to look at this picture next year during the month of July.  Gwen usually makes me a wall calendar with pictures, so I get to enjoy them all year. 

 

It has been an interesting evening.  Ken and I decided that we would go out and try to see the fireworks.  Now we live in a very small suburb of only around 14,000.  And every town around here has their own fireworks. We decided to try to park a bit away from the park where the fireworks display happens.  We know of a small industrial area a short distance from the park, so we decided that would be a good place.  Well, apparently EVERYONE in our town decided to go there!  The streets were lined with cars.  As we drove home, EVERY street had cars and people.  One little lake had rows and rows of chairs and people on the grass.  It was really silly.  I really didn't know that there were that many people in our town!  Needless to say, we drove home and skipped the fireworks.  It was quite an adventure! 

 

All in all, this was a really nice day.  The weather was spectacular.  It was warm, but not hot.  There were a few clouds and a soft breeze.  Ken did a bit of yard work and I sat outside and watched!  Ken went on a bike ride and I just chilled.  We grilled brats for dinner and ate corn on the cob.  Yes, I would say this was a really nice 4th of July.  In spite of missing the fireworks.  It was a great day.

 

Here's the thing.  I love that because this is a "special" day, we mark the day with photos.  And memories.  Ken and I talked about the last few years and how we celebrated.  It is good to spend time talking and remembering together.  In some ways, this has become a lost art.  People don't spend time really telling stories about the past.  And we also don't spend much time giving our testimony.  Nor do we share stories of how Jesus has blessed us and answered prayers.  We don't talk about the miracles we have seen in our families.  How sad is this?  We have lost the power of our testimony!

I was thinking of these verses from Revelation 12:10-11.....

"For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God

day and night, has been hurled down.  They triumphed over him by the

blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony"

 

Wow!  Isn't that amazing?  There is so much power in our testimony, yet we don't use this gift!  I am going to remember this lesson. More than that, I am going to DO this lesson.  So for the rest of the month of July, I am going to be sharing my stories (my testimonies).  And I am going to be expecting to hear some of your stories also.  Please share them with me.  Share them with others.  Let's start a new trend and share lots of good news stories that bless others.  What a joy this will be.  This is a great 4th of July message.  Its all about freedom.  The freedom that we have in Jesus.  The freedom that we have in this country to SHARE our testimony about Jesus.  Yes, this is a reason to celebrate. 

 

Jesus, thank you for the freedom you bring to us.  Those you set free are free indeed!  Holy Spirit, thank you for the reminder and the nudge to share more testimonies of all that you have done.  What a blessing it is to be able to share openly.  Thank you for this country and the freedoms that we have. Holy Spirit, give us all courage and boldness to testify about all that you have done for us.  Amen



 



Being in the world.....

This is the view from our window, at night, just as the Falls Illumination started.  It was amazing.  Unfortunately, since it is not "summer" here yet, the fireworks are only on Friday and Sunday.  So we missed them.  It was still really great to see this.  As I said yesterday, this room is so worth it!

Today we did the "Behind the Falls" walk.  You are so close to the falls, it takes your breath away.  And you are in a constant shower of water.  And the noise is really something.  The cool thing about this walk is that you can stay as long as you like.  There is not a tour.  You can't believe how big the falls are until you are under them.  When you walk in the tunnel to the two viewing areas you are about 1/3 of the way around the falls, looking out.  All you see is white water cascading down.  And you can feel the movement of the water thundering over you.  This was the best thing we did.  While Ken was taking more photos, I had a friend that came right up to me.

 This picture is a little deceiving since you might think it was just a bird on some grass.  In reality it was much different than that! Here is a different shot of the same bird!

After he came right up to me and looked at me, he just turned and walked away.  What an environment for this bird!  He was walking right under the falls.  Just like that.  Isn't it amazing who Jesus planned exactly the right birds to live in this place?  Okay, he might seem like just a seagull, but still, really interesting.  I couldn't believe that he came up to me so close.  I love interacting with birds - especially at the beach.  So, I didn't miss the fact that Jesus sent me a little seagull, strolling along in front of me, here at Niagara Falls.  I love how Jesus knows our hearts and provides exactly what we need.  I didn't know that I needed this visit from the bird, but afterwards, I realized just how neat it was to have this encounter, under the falls. 

Tomorrow we head back to the US and leave Canada behind.  I have missed a couple of things.  I miss decent TV channels!  You can't find a thing to watch except news, news and more news.  Even the shows that I normally watch at home that are CANADIAN shows, are not on here!  What gives?? 
I miss fast food at every turn.  You name it, you can have it.  Not so much here.  AND I miss my phone!  It's not only being able to call and talk.  It's missing Instagram and missing text messages and missing having instant internet connection.  And it's missing taking pictures on my phone to upload immediately!  And the biggest thing.....no lie...... TELLING WHAT TIME IT IS!  I haven't worn a watch in years! Our plans in the US for the rest of the trip have been derailed by the weather, but we are hoping things turn around.  We are skipping the east coast and going to Ohio where the weather does not include 80% chance of rain and flooding.  Thankfully the weather has been great so far on this trip.  We could use a couple more days of sunshine and warmth!  Thanks for your prayers!

Today the Holy Spirit reminded me that sometimes you are in a place where the world comes to you, rather than you going to the world.  I mentioned yesterday just how many different languages I heard.  Today I was noticing the people because of their clothes.  Really interesting.  We had French people on the bus with us (from France, not Quebec), there are Asian people everywhere. In fact there is one whole floor of them in our Hotel.  And most don't speak much English!  At lunch today we sat across from two couples from Germany.  There was a man from Israel that I spoke to in the elevator.  And today we saw a Native American guy in full dress, singing and playing a drum.  Yesterday there was a group of Eskimos by us (and boy was their language unusual).  Yes, being in a place like this does remind you that we are citizens of the WORLD and thanks to air travel, the world comes to us.  It is good to get outside of our small view of the world and remember that there is much more out there.  Even when it means leaving behind some things that you like!

Jesus, today I was stuck by the diversity of the people.  We were all drawn here to see this amazing natural wonder, that you created.  Thank you for your love and care for ALL people.  Father I pray that each one walking here, that does not know you, would encounter you in your creation or through your people.  Thank you for your power that draws all people to Jesus.  Holy Spirit, give us all boldness and courage to be open to people who are not like us, whether we are traveling or in our own backyards.  Give us words and actions that would bring glory to you and your name. Jesus, thank you for knowing exactly what we need, even when we don't know it!  Thank you for a visit from a seagull.   Amen

The highlight of my day......talking about Anna!

I did go to work today, even with my very little voice.  I woke up with a scratchy throat and my head very heavy.  But I was determined to go to work.  My voice actually got a bit better as the day went on, but I was very, very tired by the end of the day.  During the kids "nap time" I was talking to a teacher that I don't work with very often.  She was asking about my grandchildren and I got to show off some pictures of my little sweeties.  And then she asked me about Anna's name.  So I told her a bit about the back story of all my grand children's names.   And I got to thinking, again, about Aunt Anna.  This evening I came across this picture that I got from one of my siblings.  It was not saved in the same file as most of my scanned pictures, and it is a great photo!  I wish I would have found this picture to go with a past blog post about my mom and her family. 

In this picture - left to right is my mom (Nona Johnson) my aunt Eunice, Aunt Anna Toensing, my grandfather (Henry Arnold Toensing), my aunt Phyllis, my aunt Beatrice.  My guess is that this picture is from the early 1950's.  What a treasure.  And I just love this picture.  The way that they are standing with their arms around each other.  I love the big smile on my mom's face.  And I can see the personality in each of my aunt's faces.  Yes, this picture is a keeper. 

 

Here is a picture of Anna from Monday.  She is making her "O" face!  She is such a sweet little girl.  She is calm and very laid back.  At a bit over 2 weeks old she is starting to have some more awake times and she doesn't get bothered by anything that her older sisters and brother do.  Even the loud noises don't seem to bother her!  I just can't wait to watch her grow!  I drove to Gwen's on Monday, even with the "Severe Winter Weather Warning" that had been issued for 8-10" of snow.  When I left my house very early in the morning, the sky was clear and there was not much traffic (It was President's day and the school's were closed).  I got to Gwen's in record time.  I got to help Gwen with Anna, play with the other kids.  Watch a couple of "shows"  (These are Lia and Ellie and Zeke productions, complete with music and dancing and costumes - quite fun!)  Gwen and I kept watching the weather radar, however it was very confusing since it would say it was snowing at her house and there was nothing falling from the sky.  Finally around noon time I decided that I needed to head home. It was snowing very steadily most of the way home.  We had about 5 inches at home when I got there.  And more fell over the afternoon.  But I am so thankful that I braved the weather to spend time with Gwen and Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna!

And talking about the history of the grand kids names, made me forget my lack of a voice for a few minutes!   I love that these opportunities come up to share a bit about my family, my faith and even my generations.  I know that these are Holy Spirit appointments that turn a somewhat crummy day into something quite different!

Jesus, thank you for reminding me of the amazing gift of my family.   Thank you for the time that I get to spend with Gwen and my grandchildren.   Holy Spirit, I love that you provide opportunities for me to share.   What a wonderful bright spot in a somewhat dark day.  Thank you for health and healing.   Amen



Sisters...... a special bond

The top picture is my sister Julie holding me as a newborn.  The bottom picture is Lia holding Anna.  I thought about this picture of Julie and I shortly after Anna was born.  In the top picture, Julie was going to be 8 in just a couple of weeks.  And Lia will be 8 in May.  So the age spacing is just about the same. 

Now, granted, Lia has another sister, much closer in age (Ellie) and I am sure that they will have a close relationship.  But I can't help but think about Lia and Anna and how they may relate as they get older. 

My sister Julie and I shared a room for about 7 years, when I was in grade school.  This meant that Julie was in high school and college.  Needless to say, this was not a very good arrangement.  I was just telling someone that I remember going to sleep to Elvis singing.  And then there are the stories of my disturbed sleep when Julie was in college.  She was up all hours carving teeth out of clay! She was going to college to be a Dental Hygienist.  I remember the long, long hours of sleeping with the lights on.  I was 12 when Julie got married and I was very sad that she was leaving home. 

Yes, Julie and I still have a close relationship.  As I have said, the distance makes it difficult to stay in touch.  I know that this sister bond in something very different.  I love looking at my grandchildren and thinking about their relationships in the future.  It is so wonderful to see how close they are now.  I love watching them play together.  And I love how much they  care about each other.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to watch my grandchildren grow.  The perspective is just amazing.  I think when your own children are young you are simply so busy that you don't have time to consider these things.  But with your grandchildren, you have time to ponder and wonder and look to the future.  It is a real gift.  Tonight I am thinking about sisters, but I am celebrating being a grandma!

Jesus, thank you for this reminder of family, generations and all that is important. Holy Spirit, thank you for showing me how important it is to be a grandma.  Thank you for my sister Julie and that sister bond that we share.  Continue to build a close relationship between Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna.  Thank you for family and all that you intended to do in us and through us in our family.  Amen

Forty years is a long time......

Early this morning I realized that today would have been Ken's mother's 90th birthday.  And one of the reasons that this day/date is always in my memory is that it is a special day for Ken and I also!  Forty years ago today, we got officially engaged! 

I've been wearing this ring for 40 years!  You know there are just some things that make you feel very old.  And this is certainly one of those things.  This ring feels like it is a part of my body.  I can't imagine not having it on my finger. 

 

Now let me tell you a little about that day, forty years ago.  I did not know that it was Ken's mom's birthday.  We had not discussed it and I was certainly not thinking that there would be a problem when we stopped by their house to show them the ring and announce our engagement.  It was not a happy day.  Ken's mom was not happy about her own 50th birthday and she was not very happy about our engagement either.  I was totally surprised at this and really didn't understand what the big deal was about being 50!  My mom and dad never made a big deal out of their ages and they were both over 50 at the time.  It was my first experience with a very depressed family member.  And it was made more difficult because I was so happy! 



This is a picture of Ken's mom, taken at Christmas that same year.  As you can see, 50 was not old and she looks quite young.  And even though we had a somewhat rocky start to our relationship, I had many, many good times with her.  She was very artistic - in fact we have many of her paintings around our house (and so do Doug and Gwen).  She loved all kinds of crafts and I remember one year making Mr. and Mrs. Santa Dolls.  My mom had her set for years!  Because of her I learned to needlepoint - something I had never done.  She made an some amazing large needlepoint rug for our nursery -  that is the ABC's.  Ken's mom and Dad did a lot of international travel and they loved France. (Ken's dad speaks French very well.)  I was introduced to many new and different foods at their table - including artichokes and cold lettuce soup.  And, in the later years, she was especially attached to their dogs.  Around the time of this picture they had a little grey french poodle. Later they had several Bijon's, the last Bobbie, still lives with Ken's dad in Florida. Over the years, she had many hospitalizations for various problems, and years of smoking left her with serious COPD at the end of her life. She always said that she never wanted to move out of their home in Roselle, and she got her wish.  She died at home.  I wish that I had a wonderful story about her faith and belief in God. Unfortunately, she told me that she didn't believe that there was anything beyond this life and she didn't believe in God.  And this is the hardest thing.  Near the end of her life she desperately wanted to be reconciled to her sister, whom she hadn't spoken to in years.  They had fought over their mother's care and finally her estate.  Thankfully, there was a chance for the sisters to speak and finally, she had a measure of peace.  Over the years I tried to share Jesus with her.  And now I must remember that we are not responsible for others.  It is only our job to share and let the Holy Spirit do the work. 

 

But I want to encourage you now to be bold to share when you have the chance.  I passed up many opportunities to share from my heart and instead, waited till it was simply to late.  Is there someone in your family or neighborhood that you feel drawn toward?  Are you afraid of what they might think about you?  There is nothing more important than knowing that Jesus is the only way to the Father.  And that Jesus loves them.  So speak up and let those around you see and know the love of Jesus through you.  Let the Holy Spirit prompt you to share and care and express that love of Jesus. 

 

Jesus, thank you for reminding me about what is really important.  Thank you for the blessing of the last 40 years.  Father, it was your plan that brought Ken and I together.  Thank you for our families.  Jesus, surround Ken's dad with your peace and love. Holy Spirit, give courage and boldness to all of us as we consider sharing your message of the love of Jesus.  Give us the right words at the right moments.  Father you plan for us all is amazing.  Thank you for your great love.   Amen

 

 

 

 

 

Not content with sitting anymore!

This is a very old picture of our house.  The same house we have lived in since 1978 - which is when this picture was taken.  We were in the process of moving in when this was taken.  I had a somewhat surreal experience today.  I was walking back to the house after getting the mail at about 3:00pm on a Saturday afternoon.  When I reached the front sidewalk by our house, I just stopped.  The neighborhood was totally quiet.  There was not a sound from any direction.  There were no children, no bikes, no kids playing.  There was not even any lawn mowers or people working on their houses or cars.  Simply quiet. The mark of a "changing neighborhood".  Not the way some might think - but simply aging.  Now, to be fair, there are some children in our neighborhood.  In fact, right next door.  But they are not home much.  In the immediate 12 houses, the two preschoolers next door are the only kids under the age of 16.  When Gwen started kindergarten, there were 15 kindergarten kids picked up at the bus stop right in front of our house!  And that was just one of many stops in our neighborhood.  How times have changed.  I miss the noisy play of the kids riding bikes and skateboards up and down the block.  I miss the laughing and the running and the fun.   I loved to sit out front and watch the action on the block.  Some of my favorite memories are of that time, sitting!

Which brings me to today's revelation.  Today I was thinking about this year at work.  Both families that I work for are in the process of moving into new homes.  And both homes are undergoing renovations.   I am sure that Yahweh will be speaking to me about this in the coming months.  He is in the business of restoration projects!  But then suddenly I heard the words "You are not a sitter".  At first I just kind of thought, "No, I'm not a sitter, I am a nanny".  (Since I was thinking about work, this made sense.)  But then I realized what Yahweh was saying to me.  He was actually giving me some very important direction for my life.  And I love the way that he often speaks to me in word plays.  Then Jesus went on to give me some further direction.  I am not to be just a receiver, I need to be a transmitter.  This is actually what Yahweh wants for ALL of us.  We should not just be receiving from Him, without giving out.

Today's message is DON'T BE A SITTER (JUST A  RECEIVER ) BE A TRANSMITTER! 

I looked up the word transmitter in the dictionary.  Once again thanks to Websters online dictionary, I found that a transmitter is a necessary component of communication that broadcasts or sends out, to be received by others.  The second definition was, something that amplifies and modulates what it receives into a meaningful sound that can be interpreted. 

Yep, Jesus wants us to be transmitters of all that he is putting into us! We each need to take in everything that Yahweh is speaking to us, through His word, through others around us, through teachers.  But then we need to let the Holy Spirit in us, be the one that amplifies and/or modulates what we have taken in.  In that way our sharing with others will be understood and meaningful. The mistake that I have been making (and many others make) is to just be content with SITTING!  We just take in and take in.  We have learned to be good receivers.  But we haven't gone to that next level and learned to be TRANSMITTERS!  It does take practice.  We need to let the Holy Spirit remind us when and what to share.  But we need to be expectant and willing.    I am thankful for this blog that has allowed me to get some practice in being a transmitter.  And I will look for more ways to broadcast the amazing things that I have been receiving.

Yahweh, thank you for speaking to me in such a personal way.  You know exactly how to get my attention.  Jesus I love that you speak into my life and give me direction and guidance, even when I am not really asking.  Help us all to learn to listen to the Holy Spirit giving us directions and encouragement to share. Help us to remember to not just be SITTERS.  Give us your desire to be transmitters.   It is so neat that your plan is to use us as your transmitters!  You are a great and wonderful God.  Amen