May 30, 2010

Great in God's Eyes
Thou art my hope in the day of evil.
Jeremiah 17:17 KJV

Let me say no to the flattery and praise
And quietly spend the rest of my days
Far from the greed and the speed of man,
Who has so distorted God's simple life plan,
And let me be great in the eyes of You, Lord,
For that is the richest, most priceless reward.

As one gets older the things of the world seem less significant.  I guess my big struggle now is with flowers, I really enjoy them and always seem to find some new ones to enjoy.

I drove to FaHoCha on Friday late in the day, stopped in Devils lake and saw Carolyn Thorson at the hospital, she is doing much better but has been hospitalized for over a month, except for one night when she tried it at home.  I didn't do so much the night before, mostly putting away things in the kitchen, but yesterday we did a lot of jobs, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning.  I think Jay should have been pleased with the progress.  I am ready to rest today.  Have a great weekend.

May 28, 2010

Love without End
Love never comes to an end.
1 Corinthians 13:8 NIV

Love is like magic and it always will be,
For love still remains life's sweet mystery.
Love works in ways
    that are wondrous and strange,
And there's nothing in life
   that love cannot change.

Yesterday, I did more cleaning and throwing, can't ever seem to do enough of that. Dad wasn't coming home for noon meal so I decided that I would do some errands, I went to Cando planted flowers and got groceries, and some plants for here.  New gal in the greenhouse and she is doing a good job.  Later in the evening I took some dirt and flowers over to Dorothy and planted a container of flowers for her, and cleaned out the flower bed by their house, they would like some vegetables planted there so I will get them some.

It was a good day.

May 27, 2010

Cherished Friends
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:
and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24 KJV

Life is a garden, good friends are the flowers,
And times spent together
      are life's happiest hours....
And friendship, like flowers,
    blooms ever more fair
When carefully tended
     by dear friends who care.


Yesterday was my birthday, I was blest to have company in the morning though I don't think she knew it was my birthday.  Stella Blake came over in the morning and brought me some pansies, so I planted them in a pot and set them outside by the back door.  It was a good day at home, jsut doing some cleaning, I am getting ready for summer, fabric needs to be put away, etc.  In the afternoon I was outside for a while.  Beautiful day.  Thank you all for the greetings.

May 26, 2010

Everlasting Love
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
Jeremiah 31:3

Nothing on earth or in heaven can part
A love that has grown to be part of the heart
And just like the sun and the stars and the sea, this love will go on through eternity,
For true love lives on when earthly things die,
For it's part of the spirit that soars to the sky.

I am thankful for that everlasting love that has drawn me to Jesus and kept me there.

Yesterday I finished the annual, and then cleaned the church, I came home and Dad and I ate in town, I got my hair trimmed and then we mowed all three lawns.  In the evening I was outside, as it wasn't quite so windy and I could use the weed eater.

May 25, 2010

Build "Em Up
Each of us should please his neighbor
for his good, to build him up
Romans 15:2

God lives in the beauty
     that comes from spring--
The colorful flower, the birds that sing--
And He lives in people as kind as you.
And He lives in all the nice things you do.

Yesterday was a good day to work on the annual it was cool and wet.  I hit the button that sent it off about 5 last night.  I need to go back and do some paper work this morning and then it is done.

We seemed to be having some stormy weather, power flickered occasionally, I was just thankful we had a comfortable home to live in.

May 24, 2010

Our Faithful God
Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God,
the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.
Deuteronomy 7:9 KJV

sometime when faith is running low
And I cannot fathom why things are so,
I walk among the flowers that grow
And learn the answers to all I would know...
For among my flowers I have come to see
Life's miracles and its mystery,
And standing in silence and reverie,
My faith comes flooding back to me.


What does it take for us to be reminded of God's presence, a new flower blooming, a sunrise or sunset, a kind word   God can be in all of those and many more.

Father help us to be focused on you and who you are to us and what you have done for us.  In Jesus Name. Amen.

Yesterday was a busy day, after church and Sunday school I headed south to Minnewauken for a girls graduation, right after the ceremony I then went to Leeds for another girls graduation, I stopped at her family home right by the school and then on to Cando, to an open house at our church, just as I am coming to the door, there is Dave and Connie Sjostrom driving by, so I got to visit them, after that reception for Tia at the church, I drove over to Calvin Tuebners and visited with people there, skipped the food and then to Egeland for Cassidy's graduation party.  Jack had driven over for Tia and Cassidy's party, He stopped to see Frank and I drove home to rest and then we went to Travis Hermanson's party, we have covered them all.

May 23, 2010

Marvelous Works
I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
Psalm 9:1 KJV

I come to meet You, God, and as I linger here
I seem to feel You very near.
A rustling leaf, a rolling slope
Speak to my heart of endless hope.
The sun just rising in the sky,
The waking birdlings as they fly,
The grass all wet with morning dew
Are you telling me I just met you.

Yesterday was the day that 11 students had waited for, graduation.  There were a lot of scholarships give, but there were also a lot of students who plan to leave high school and 'work'.  Aaron Saur's Mom and his children came, this is the last class of students that he taught. I was impressed with the students thoughts, and especially the prayers of the priest from Munich and Pastor Rob, only out in a little North Dakota school could the ministry expound in such a way and invoke God's presence upon these students lives.  I doubt that they realize what was being said, but They have been committed into God's hands.....Our band gets smaller each year and yet they give us a good tone.  Carly Werner and Katie Loehr lead the graduates, Katie is in a wheelchair.  Since there two families that had two students graduation that meant there were 9 homes to visit.  I called Dad before I visited the Hampden home, he wasn't in from the field yet, but when I told them I would have brought him with, they sent some food with me, and that was good.  I was really tired.

As I left thelalst home and drove on to our house, I felt a sense of completion for that group of students, but also a sense of the importance of the choices they make.... How much it will affect their future.  Today is another day of graduation.

May 22, 2010

Love Beyond Description
In this was manifested the love of God toward us,
because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
1 John 4:9 KJV

What is love? No words can define it--
It's something so great
    only God could design it.
Wonder of wonders,
    beyond man's conception--
And only in God can lvoe find true perfection.


I have been reading some of the things believed by the ism's of the world, so disgusting, but if they knew the love of God they wouldn't believe as they do, they would have respect for life, for people.  Only God's love can change a heart and make it into a new/loving heart.  Thank you God for sending Jesus to die for our sin and to set us free from the power of sin.

Yesterday i went to Grand Forks, did some errands, ate with jacqui, Shaun, Brenna and natalie and then we went out to Alicia's and I got to see them.  I actually took a nap and then started for home, I got some flowers so when I got home I planted them.  Today is graduation and it is raining.

May 21, 2010

Love's Blessing
I have loved you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3 NIV

Love is the language that
    every heart speaks,
For love is the one things
      that every heart seeks....
And where there is love
    God, too, will abide
And bless the family residing inside.

Only love will ever change the world, we have to be so careful that we don't get caught into feelings that aren't lovely...

Yesterday was the lat day of school, seniors have senioritus,  we had awards program and afterwards I worked on the annual until it froze and I decided we needed a break from each other and went home.  I decided I needed a no brainer job so I mowed lawns.

May 20, 2010

God at My Side
When you pass through the waters I will be with you:
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
Isaiah 43:2 RSV

My cross is not too heavy,
My road is not too rough,
Because God walks beside me,
And to know this is enough.

Yesterday, after school I went to Cando and cleaned at the church and went to Bible Study, it is the last time for the year, it has been a good time together, we appreciate this family for welcoming each one of us to their home.  Today is our last day of school, awards is at 12:30 and then students are dismissed.  Sr. class hasn't done their pages for the annual so they are to come after school, otherwise we will eliminate those pages.  Graduation is on Saturday.

May 19, 2010

Heart Song
The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my
heart rusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him
Psalm 28:7 RSV

Thank you again
For your mercy and love
And for making me heir
To your kingdom above!

Yesterday was a busy day, school, retirement party for Mrs. Lindenberg, visit with Frank and Dorothy and some quiet time at home enjoy the quiet outdoors, Dad was in the field.  It was a beautiful day.

May 18, 2010

Hold on to Hope
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you
disquieted within me?  Hope in God; for I
shall again praise him, my help and my God.
Psalm 43:5 RSV

God enters the heart
    that is broken with sorrow
As He opens the door to a brighter tomorrow,
For only through tears can we recognize
The suffering that lies in another's eyes.
We are so human and really selfish that it is hard for us to really see what/ or feel what people are going through and why they are the way they are.   Recently I have been praying for compassion to feel what others are feeling, to help me understand them.  There is a lot of hurting out there, and plenty with in our midst.

Yesterday was a beautiful day,  after school I planted my little garden, and did some other weeding.  Dad was in the field.

May 17, 2010

Lighten the Load
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up:
God is our salvation
Psalm 68:19 RSV

Each day as it comes
    brings a chance to each one
To live to the fullest, leaving nothing undone.
That would brighten the life
   or lighten the load
Of some weary traveler lost on life's road.

What weary traveler in this life we are living does God want you to lighten their load?  I believe every day we find people in our path that God wants us to encourage that  they are o.k., that we care about them and God does,too.

Yesterday was a good day with Sunday School and church, then a fellowship dinner to honor the graduates.  We came home and rested and I did spend time on book I have been working on.  It is finally to the publisher, thank you Julie for your help.  All of you have a great day.

May 16, 2010

Childlike Faith
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance o
faith, having our heats sprinkled from an evil conscience,
and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22

Only a child can completely accept
What probing adults research and reject.
O Father, grant once more to men
A simple, childlike faith again,
For only by faith and faith alone
Can we approach our Father's throne.


We need to become the little ones in our family and accept God's love and forgiveness as a child.  What in your life are you having a hard time forgiving or letting go of?  God is waiting there his son, Jesus desiring to give love and forgiveness.

I went to FaHoCha on Friday evening and stayed over night.  We got a lot done, so I won't be back now til came starts, but there is still a lot of work to get done.  We are thankful for the people who came and helped and for the beautiful weather.  When I got home Dad was mowing, so I got on a mower, too and we got the job done.  It looks great.  It had been a busy day at school on Friday with kindergarten program, golf, and students from foods class serving the meal they had prepared on Thursday afternoon.

May 14, 2010

Footsteps of Love
A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one
 another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another.
John 13:34-35 KJV

Love changes darkness into light
And makes the heart take wingless flight.
Oh, blessed are those who walk in love--
They also walk with God above.

When I look about me and see the hurts each day, there is only one thought, only love will change it, but God has to work that in our hearts.

Yesterday was a long day.  After school I went back to help Beth with her quilt, she had sewed it all together but some of the blocks were really bad, so I ended by ripping quite a bit, but I think she now is on the right track.  I went from there to Cando, delivered food to someone who had had surgery and we are bringing the family food, then cleaned the church, back to help Beth finish and then home, I truly was glad to get home.

May 13, 2010

Forever on My Mind
Finally, be ye all of one mind,
having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.
1 peter 3:8 KJV

You cannot go beyond my thoughts
    or leave my love behind
Because I keep you in my heart
    and forever on my mind...
And though I may not tell you,
   I think you know it's true
That I find daily happiness
    in the very thought of you.

Yesterday Dad had an appointment at Grand Forks, so we went there in the morning, after his appointment we visited with Pastor Robin Storer in his office near the hospital.  We ate with jacqui and then met Jay Deckert at Sam's Club, there we got supplies for camp.  We did a couple of other errands, and stopped for some Coldstone ice cream.  We sat outside that store and enjoyed the peacefulness of the day while we ate our ice cream.  We came home.  Later went to Bible Study.  Good evening.

May 12, 2010

Empty tomb
Awesome God
They were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" But when they looked up,
they saw that the stone, which was very
large, had been rolled away.
Mark 16:2-4

Miracles are all around
Within our sight and touch and sound.
As true and wonderful today
As when the stone was rolled away.

God does miracles today, too.  He wants to help our faith to grow, He needs to keep us close to him. In a situation so we see his hand in what is happening.

It was rainy yesterday, after school I went to Beth Plemels to help her cut out pieces to make a small quilt for a friend.

May 11, 2010

Words to Live by
The spirit alone gives eternal live. Human
effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words
I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
John 6:63 NLT

We all need words to live by,
To inspire us and guide us,
Words to give us courage
When the trials of life betide us.
And the words of God above,
Words of comfort and of courage
Filled with wisdom and with love.

God's word encourages us and we in turn have the opportunity to encourage someone else by the words we say.

Yesterday was a sad day because we found out that Brutus had died, he had been a part of our family for quite a few years, it was hard to see him sick and makes one sad to realize how sick he must have felt.
I went to Devils Lake after school and had my eyes tested.  Then on my way home I stopped at Beth Plemels house, she wants me to help her make a quilt.  We picked out some fabric and I told her to get it pressed and then I would come today after school.

It has rained a lot and so everything is really muddy.

May 10, 2010

New Awareness
One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
Proverbs 13:7

Thank you, God, for the miracles
We are much too blind to see;
Give us new awareness
Of our many gifts from Thee.


Are we consciously aware of his goodness and kindness and how much  our relationship with him is affecting our lives.  I am thankful for I know that my life is in his hands and yours is too.

May 9, 2010

God Our Problem solver
A wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 12:15

We all have cares and problems
We cannot solve alone,
But if we go to God in prayer,
We are never on our own.

In this world and all that is happening,  I appreciate the above poem, because we can't change the circumstances ourselves, and only God can do that.  Our confidence is in God and his help is there waiting to be a part of our lives.

I was at FaHoCha, I went there Friday.  But first after school I helped a girl finish a research paper and then I put it in the mail for her.  I ate with Edna Simon and then drove to camp.  It wa raining and the roads is not that great.  For a while I was there by myself,  I turned up heat in my room and since I have a nice easy chair, I sat and enjoyed the time.  I am doing a Bible study and it was a good time for that.  Later Paula came down when they got there, we visited and Yesterday I got up early and studied some more.  We were thankful for Sunshine.  Men from Munich came and worked on the RV hookups and walk in cooler.  Paula and I cleaned in the kitchen and pantry .  We realize we will need to wash all the bedding upstairs, we cleaned one room and I brought the bedding from that room, so I wash bedding.

Happy Mother's Day

There have been cards, notes and packages, all to recognize that it is Mother's Day.  Thank you to each one of you for your thoughtfulness.  I feel honored and blest.  I appreciate each one of you and your families, and I am thankful for the fact that I feel you really care about us here at home.  We may not be so exciting any more, but we still love you a lot and hope that we aren't to much of a burden to you.  May your day be a blessing to you and those that are with you.  Mom/Grandma

May 7, 2010

Whatever is Best
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God!
1 John 3:1

Whatever we ask for
    falls short of God's giving.
For His greatness exceeds every facet of living,
And always God's ready and eager and willing
To pour out His mercy, completely fulfilling
All of man's needs for peace, joy, and rest,
For God gives His children whatever is best.

We are so thankful that Leah has made it through surgery and we can only believe that each day will be better.  Yesterday at school right after noon lunch, I started feeling sick so I went home and went to bed, when I got up at 4:30 I felt pretty good, I am not sure what happened. 

May 6, 2010

Trust in God's Love
I trust in the steadfast love of God for ever and ever.
Psalm 52:8 RSV

Whatever our problems,
Our troubles and sorrows,
If we trust in the Lord,
There'll be brighter tomorrows.

Yesterday was a challenging day,  the two Braathen boys were to each cook a meal and we had to do it when they had a study hall.  I am glad that is done, we are coming to the end of the school year and some students have a lot on their plate yet to do.  Mostly we need to be patient and caring for them.. DJ has been going around to students who still have things to finish,  only in a school like this(because it is small) is there that personal attention to each student and their needs.  After school I returned the cat carrier to the vet and went to the church to clean.  Part way through vacuuming I was really tired and laid on a pew and took a nap.  Then I felt good and later went to bible Study.  Irregardless of what ever we are discussing as a topic, God seems to  come and cause the discussion to be what he desires.

We are praying for Leah.

Father, we lift Gregg, Alicia and Leah to you.  Father give them grace for the moment, and help Leah to be a gracious little one in the hands of the Dr. guide the doctor and give him wisdom.  In Jesus Name. Amen.

(I guess I am reminded of the times I have been in that waiting room and there were parents with babies)

May 5, 2010

Don't Despise Discipline
Blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord,
the man you teach from your law
Psalm 94:12

When we fail to heed His voice,
We leave the Lord no other choice
Except to use a firm, stern hand
To make us know He's in command.

That is the way it is even if we don't like to accept it.
It was a good day, lots is happening at school as we come to the end of the school years.  I came home and took a nap and then did some genealogy to finish out the evening.

May 4, 2010

Glimpse of Heaven
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and
peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:13 KJV

Once again I've met You, God,
And worshipped on your holy sod...
For who could see the dawn break through
Without a glimpse of heaven and You?

I did notice a beautiful sunrise...it was a beautiful evening, too.  I enjoyed being outside.  We left after dinner for Grand Forks, but on the way we got a phone call from Ronna, Steven didn't get on the bus, It would have been good to know that sooner, but thankfully she did tell us, or we would really have been frustrated.  So we turned around and went back, I went and got Brutus and the cat is doing much better.

May 3, 2010

Embrace mercy

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 6:36

Open up your hardened hearts
       and let God enter in,
He only wants to help you a new life to begin,
And every day's a good day
        to lose yourself in others,
And anytime's a good time
       to see mankind as brothers,
And this can only happen
       when you realize it's true
That everyone needs someone
       and that someone is you.


Dad and I may not feel real comfortable about this day and the trip to Grand Forks to get Steven, it is a time of entering unknown things and that takes us out of our comfort zone. Possibly the above poem is meant just for us today.

Yesterday was a good day, a good Sunday School and church and then after a nap we went to the Sr. Center.  Kari Hofmann, and Gabe Damschen and  their teacher Gladys Fluge gave a very good recital, it was much appreciated by all,  followed by a supper together.  They even had Frank and Dorothy there and I met the new lady in the Iverson house.

May 2, 2010

A Union of Love
Ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
1 thessalonians 4:9 KJV

When you walk with God each day
And kneel together when you pray,
Your marriage will be truly blessed
And god will be your daily guest,
And love that once seemed yours alone
God gently blends into Hi sown.

I am thankful for the days and years God has given Jack and I together, for the times that we can do things together.  And as we pray we see God's hands in what happens, whether he quiets our spirits or does something that demonstrates he cares.  God is there.

We got back last night from two days on the road.  We left early Friday morning for Ellendale.  It was a beautiful graduation,  Shawn and Brenna and Natalie, we are praying for you as you make this move to Massachussetts, the next step in your education.  We enjoyed the time together and then we drove to Bismarck.  We spent that time with Julie.  lots of visiting and a bit of shopping at Sam's club and then the trip home.  This time we drove up to Minot and came over to home from that direction.  Trusting that it was a good week for all of you.