April 29, 2010

Safe in God's Care
I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
Psalm 61:4 NIV

All who have God's blessing
Can rest safely in His care,
For He promises safe passage
On the wings of faith and prayer.

Yesterday we left at 4:45 for Grand Forks.  About 7 a.m. Dad went for the tests and they did both before he came back after 9.  We ate and then did an errand and then went home.  I had called from Grand Forks and we could get Brutus in to see Judy Gibbens.  I left Brutus there and Judy is going to communicate with Janet about what she had done previously.  He is very sick.  I stayed in Cando and visited with a family from church.  Lottie and I ate together.  I went to Bible Study and Jack met me there.

April 28, 2010

Hear My Plea, Lord
Give heed to me, O Lord, and hearken to my plea.
Jeremiah 18:19 RSV

Lord, I'm unworthy, I know,
    but I do love you so--
I beg You to answer my plea.
I've not much to give, but as long as I live,
May I give it completely to Thee!

It was a good day, spent some time with Frank and Dorothy and then in the evening planted the onions.  Dad has to be to Grand Forks by 7 a.m. so we have to leave really early, there seems to be some confusion about his appointment so don't know how this will go.

April 27, 2010

Sweet Blessings
I will send down showers in season;
there will be showers of blessing.
Ezekiel 34:26 NIV

Wishing God's sweet blessings
Not in droplets but a shower,
To fall on you throughout the day
And brighten every hour.

Father, thank you for the showers you do give us, times when we don't even recognize your hand in our lives and we don't give you thanks for your goodness.  Thank you for blessing and caring for us each day and being with us in each situation that we face.  In Jesus Name. Amen


Yesterday, school and after school I cleaned church, visited with Gladys Neidlinger and then drove to Starkweather for piano recital.  I was really impressed with the students, the youngest was in kindergarten and the oldest in grade 8 and they all did really great. 

April 26, 2010

Enfolded in God's Love
"if you abide in me, and my words abide in you,
ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you."
John 15:7 RSV

I said a little prayer for you,
And I asked the Lord above
To keep you safely in His care
And enfold you in His love.

Yesterday was Sunday School and church, I had two little boys in Sunday School and they are so precious....We were home the rest of the day, enjoyed resting and relaxing.

April 25, 2010

Love overlooks Offenses
Love must be sincere.
Romans 12:9

Love makes us patient,
    understanding, and kind,
And we judge with our hearts
   and not with our minds,
For as soon as love enters
   the heart's open door,
The faults we once saw
   are not there anymore.

Friday after school I drove to Devils Lake and then out to Tolna to a shower for a girl who has been on camp staff, I stayed at camp and helped Paula organize the office, then we had to make a trip to New Rockford to get a girl.  Another girl who is going to the mission field came to stay there.  After that I came home, it was a beautiful day.  Men are preparing to go into the field.

April 23, 2010

Put your Past Behind
Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
Isaiah 43:18 NIV

No matter what you past has been,
Trust God to understand,
And no matter what your problem is,
Just place it in His hand.

All I can say is amen, even if it so very hard to let go and let God....

It was a good day, after school I sat and visited with my friend at school and then came home and made supper, Jerry came and ate with us, I spent time out in the flowers and loved the sounds that are outside.  Great day.

Happy Birthday to Addison yesterday and to Brenna today.

April 22, 2010

New Hope
The hope of the righteous will be gladness.
Proverbs 10:28 NKJV

No matter how downhearted
    and discouraged we may be,
New hope is born when we behold
     leaves budding on a tree,
And troubles seem to vanish
     when robins start to sing,
For God never sends the winter
     without the joy of spring.

We are experiencing the new life here on the farm, and it makes our hearts sing, especially I know it does mine, Dad is very gracious, he was actually out in the field for a few minutes yesterday and in the evening I was working out in the back where I want to plant some potatoes,  he came and leveled it off for me, and I burned some more, remember the wire spool that was like a table? it is gone, that is good.  Hope that you each had a good day.

April 21, 2010

Small Deeds, Big Results
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding
the paths of justice and preserving the way of his saints.
Proverbs 2:7-8 RSV

Seldom do we realize
The importance of small deeds
Or to what degree of greatness
Unnoticed kindness leads.

Father, I pray that each of you would see God's hand in your lives this day that you would recognize the small acts of kindness you are experiencing.  In Jesus Name. Amen.

Yesterday was a school day and it was good.  After school I came home, In the evening I showed Dorothy how to crochet potholder and we visited for a while.  I was outside for a while til it was almost dark.

Happy Anniversary to the Williams!!!!

April 20, 2010

Marvelous Might
O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has
done marvelous things! His right hand and
his holy arm have gotten him victory.
Psalm 98:1 RSV

God's mighty hand
Can be felt every minute,
For there is nothing on earth
That God isn't in it.

What an awesome thought, that everything that  is happening for me God is in it.  Are we focused on God thinking and desiring to be that/experience that in our lives?

I couldn't get into this program yesterday.  We are enjoying the beautiful weather, Dad was working on a cultivator, and I was at school. I cleaned the church after school, visited with Jay and Illa Mae Brandt and then came home.  I like to be outside so I was till nearly dark.  Have a great day. 

April 18, 2010

Brand-New Start
He who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty,
and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a
doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing.
James 1:25

It does not take a special time
'To make a brand-new start;
It only takes the deep desire
To try with all your heart.

Yesterday I had a DAR meeting at Devils Lake, I had the lesson it was about orphan trains, then for a brief time at fiber guild, where they were learning to crochet flowers, I don't know crochet stitches very well, so I need to get that straight in my head first.  I went to Bible Book store and talked to Donna for a while, then talked to Edna on my way home.  She has one more week and then the new owners take over the farm stead. I came home and we ended up burning some more, and ofcourse just before we went to bed it was moving and so we were out behind the farmstead, Dad had to get into the water so his feet were wet,   It was a beautiful day.

April 17, 2010

Trust Him
Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord
his trust, and respecteth not the proud,
nor such as turn aside to lies
Psalm 40:4 KJV

God, in His wisdom and mercy, looked down
     on His children below
And gave them the privilege of choosing
    the right or the wrong way to go...
So trust in His almighty wisdom
    and enjoy the fruit of His love,
And life on earth will be happy
    as you walk with the Father above.

I am thankful that we get to choose, it is in our hands and with his help we can choose the right path.

Yesterday, the last day of the work week.  I stopped to see Frank and Dorothy and here at home enjoyed the beautiful weather,  Dad came and helped and we have cleaned out some of the dead trees.  Later in the evening, he told me he was surprised that I hadn't burned them, I told him we needed to start earlier in the day, I hope he will help me.

April 16, 2010

The Road Called Remembrance
Think of other people as more important than yourself.
Philippians 2:3 NLV

Memory builds a little pathway
     that goes winding through my heart.
It's a lovely, quiet, gentle trail
     from other things apart.
I only meet when traveling there
     the folks I like the best,
For this road I call remembrance
     is hidden from the rest.

I guess this is why I like to tell you things from the past, things you don't know or remember.  Memory is important, we need to remember what happens now and what happened then, and memory can also be good and bad we sometimes have a hard time letting go of memories that are bad, as for example, something we did that we regret, it is like we can't forgive ourselves......


Father we give you this day, we thank you that you are helping us to make good memories with those around us. Heal us of memories that are not good, things that we are having a hard time forgiving ourselves.  Set us free to go on with our life.  In Jesus Name. Amen

Yesterday was the instrumental music day so a lot of our students were away.  It was somewhat of a quiet day and some staff was away, so we had to do some juggling,   After school I went to Devils Lake and helped at the Bible camp.  they are moving Osborns as their house has to be destroyed for the dike.  Mostly I helped make beds, etc.  Then Dad and I ate together(as he had been helping, too)  I went by the school for the meeting they have every two years for the people of the community.

April 15, 2010

God's Will, Not Ours
Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him,
because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
1 John 3:22 KJV
There can be no crown of stars
Without a cross to bear,
And there is no salvation
Without faith and love and prayer.
And when we take our needs to God,
Let us pray as did His Son
That dark night in Gethsemane--
"Thy will, not mine, be done."

Life isn't about us it is about God and what he does through us, how we live out the challenges put in our lives demonstrates what God means to us.
Yesterday, I needed to call Roger Dix(he is actually your cousin)  I have had other really conversations with him and he just told me a lot of special things that God is doing in his life, it has been 21 years since he gave up alcohol.  He truly is loving life.  That is the way it should be for all of us.  We need to love life,

Father, help me to look past the challenges and to love the life you have given us,  Help us to pass that on to those that we rub shoulder with today.  In Jesus Name. amen.

Yesterday after school I went to Cando and cleaned the church and then went to Bible Study.

April 14, 2010

Springtime Miracles
To us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are
all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom are all things, and we by him.
1 Corinthians 8:6 KJV

The sleeping earth awakens,
      the robins start to sing--
The flowers open wide their eyes'
      to tell us it is spring.
These miracles of Easter,
     wrought with divine perfection,
 Are the blessed reassurance
     of our Savior's resurrection.

Does this sound like spring to you.  We actually have some flowers blooming and I can look out the window and see them.  It was a good day, good conversations in the study hall.  I showed Lu Hermanson how to make something and spent the evening here at home.

April 13, 2010

All-surpassing Peace
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 KJV

"Do not be anxious," said our Lord,
"Have peace from day to day--
The lilies neither toil nor spin,
Yet none are clothed as they."
The meadowlark with sweetest song
Fears not for bread or nest
Because he trust our Father's love
And God knows what is best.

Oh, if only we could allow our faith in God to be that trusting.....

Yesterday was a good day at school.  after school I took a little gift over to Mykal Morstads and visited with them.  They have a sweet little girl born about the time of Leah.  Then at home I sewed two aprons for a mother and daughter.  A teacher at school asked me if I would do it.  It sound wet and windy out this morning.

April 12, 2010

Only Believe
If thou canst believe, all things
are possible to him that believeth.
Mark 9:23 KJV

All we really ever need
Is faith as a grain of mustard seed,
For all God asks is, "Do you believe?
For if you do, ye shall receive.

God's plan is simple and we make it complicated.  We need child like faith.  
Father help our faith to be child-like and accepting.  In Jesus Name. Amen.

Yesterday, Sunday School and church, and after a nap I went to see Michael and her family in a play at the college.  It was the homeschool students.

April 11, 2010

Glad heart, Happy Face
A glad heart makes a happy face
Proverbs 15:13

Cheerful thoughts like sunbeams
      lighten up the darkest fears,
For when the heart is happy
      there's just no time for tears,
And when the face is smiling
      its impossible to frown,
And when you are high-spirited
       you cannot feel low-down.


What kind of people do you like to be around?  ones who are happy, cheerful, or sad and downhearted?  So How do you want to be?  What can change your spirit and attitude?


It was a beautiful day, I went to a baby shower in Hampden for Shane and Brandon Hamre.  Shanes baby is still in the hospital, but getting bigger.  Spent some time with Frank and dorothy.  Later in the evening when the wind went down I burned out some trees.

April 10, 2010

Spring Thanksgiving
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
Psalm 136:1 NKJV

April comes with cheeks a-glowing;
Silver streams are all a-flowing.
Flowers open wide their eyes
In lovely rapturous surprise.
Lilies dream beside the brooks,
Violets in meadow nooks,
And the birds gone wild with glee
Fill the woods with melody.

  I am not sure if all the above really happens here in North Dakota in April, but the process starts and we love it, we have been blest to experience a really early spring this year.  It isn't usually that way.  I have been enjoying the presence of the sounds outside, I love it, the birds singing they are so happy, we could take lessons from them.  Enjoy the creation around you this day.

Yesterday was a good day at school.  I covered for the phy ed teacher for the last hour of the day,  Good kids.  After school I drove over to Wolford to see my friend.  She is discouraged, for 5 years they ahve lived in the basement of a house they are remodeling, they have come a log way, but there is still much to do, and she has paid for this by doing medical transcription over the internet, now the companies are going to voice activated technology and won't need her services, so she is really troubled because she still doesn't have the floor covering.  I could only be a listening ear.  I enjoyed a bit of time outside and look forward to some time today.

April 9, 2010

Earth-Shaking Power
God has power over all things forever.
1 Peter 5:11 NLV

We have God's Easter promise,
      so let us seek a goal
That opens up new vistas
      for man's eternal soul....
For our strength and our security
      lie not in earthly things
But in Christ the Lord, who died for us
      and rose as king of kings.

Amen, I was thinking of comments being made by people of the terrible things happening in this country,  if I didn't know that God was in control I could feel really upset, but God is in control, what is happening is evidence of a world that needs Jesus and he is the answer to the problems around us, the problems in the choices that this country is making.  But what does it take to wake people up?  How bad does it need to get?.......

Thank you Jesus for being my Savior and Lord, my life may not be very exciting in the eyes of most people, but I thank you for saving me and keeping me and being my guide and strength.  In Jesus Name Amen.


Yesterday after school I visited Stella Blake and came home and finished supper.  Jerry came and ate with us.  We had the rest of the birthday cake and it was Dad's birthday.  Kelly Hamre came over later in the evening to do some farm business.   It was a good day.

April 8, 2010

Wider Vision
If you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you
today--to love the Lord your God and to serve him
with all your heart and with all your soul--then I will
send rain on your land in its season, both autumn
and spring rains, so that you may gather
in your grain, new wine and oil
Deuteronomy 11:13-14 NIV

God, give us wider vision
       to see and understand
That both the sun and showers
       are gifts from Thy great hand.

Thank you God for the blessing we are experiencing here, just enjoying your beautiful creation.


Happy Birthday Jack

April 7, 2010

Heaven-Sent
He who gives heed to the word will prosper,
and happy is he who trust in the Lord.
Proverbs 16:20 RSV

Happiness is giving up thoughts
'That breed discontent
And accepting what comes
As a gift heaven-sent.

How much better we feel with good thoughts,  I have just been with someone who is having a hard time dealing with a choice they are making and need to make, it is so hard for them to let go, It is controlling/consuming their mind  Father my prayer is that you will set them free, free to again listen to you and walk close to you.

It was a good day at school, and good to be back.  We have a sub for a teacher who had surgery, and we always enjoy having Dorothy, she is a professional sub, and goes to all of our schools.  After school and a rest I enjoyed being outside,  the yard is looking different.

April 6, 2010

Springtime
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
Psalm 108:5NIV
April comes with cheeks a-glowing,
Flowers bloom and streams are flowing,
And the earth in glad surprise
Opens wide its springtime eyes.

Our lives are in God's hands and we are in his care, and spring is evidence of his presence.  Late yesterday I was out in the yard, and just before I went in I heard a concert from the bird population, a bird in a tree that was singing and the sounds of the geese in the distance,  Such a reminder of how awesome God is in what he has created for us.  Thank you God for this day and for the privilege it is to see and be a part of your creation.


I enjoyed my one holiday, Julie left late in the morning, Dad and I ate and then took the pop cans to recycle, and did other errands, drivers license renewed, etc.  It was a good day.

April 5, 2010

Happy Memories
I thank my God everytime I remember you.
Philippians 1:3 NIV

Memories are treasures
Time cannot take away,
So may you be surrounded
By happy ones today.

Thank you to each one of you who helped to make memories as we were together this weekend,

Yesterday, Janet and her family went home in the morning, and we went to Cando for breakfast and church together.  It was a good day.

April 2, 2010

Radical Kindness
Love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest.
Luke 6:35 KJV

It's not fortune or fame or worldwide acclaim
That makes for true greatness, you'll find--
It's the wonderful art of teaching the heart
To always be thoughtful and kind!

Do you think we could improve on that, it is truly the beginning of God's desire, compassion and more compassion, it is a growing process and God is doing it in you and me as we yield to him.

We have heard from most of you, and we are excited to have Saturday together.  Yesterday was a good day at school and then i went to Devils Lake and did some errands, so today I will try to be prepared for all of you and our time together tomorrow.  We love you.

April 1, 2010

Heavenly Stepping-Stones
Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written
for our learning, that we through patience and
comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Romans 15:4 KJV

Life is a highway on which the years go by,
Sometimes the road is level,
            sometimes the hills are high...
But as we travel onward
            to a future that's unknown,
We can make each mile we travel
           a heavenly stepping-stone!


What does your road seem like today, when I looked at the photos from Janet, their physical roads were a disaster, almost impassible.  But we all have roads that we are traveling that we may not like, events and happenings that we would say we would like to do without, but God is there, he desires to help us take each step, some in areas we don't want to go, but he tells us I will never leave you or forsake you and I am with you always,  just trust in me.....Trust him he does care about you.

Yesterday was another school day, and it was a good day, I went to Cando after school and cleaned the church and then went to Bible Study.