Grandchildren are so wonderful!

Last weekend we babysat our grandchildren. We spent some time outside catching bugs. The boys loved it - but Izzy wouldn't touch any bugs. We had hot dogs, beans and grapes for supper. We watched a donut Man video, and later on, Alladin. Izzy and colored pictures for over an hour, while Jake played with wrestling characters and cars, and Drew toddled back and forth and played with toys and books. Izzy asked Papa for some ice cream. When he said that he didn't think we had any she said, "Go check." Each one cuddled with Papa on the couch at one point or another during the evening. We loved the hugs and kisses. We just had a wonderful time with them!

Wild football video

Have you seen this football video? I've never seen a play quite like this one. Wonder if the MN Vikings could take a lesson. It'[s mostly about heart - and the determination to win.

Spiritually Hungry? God's Word Satisfies

Over and over I have experienced being fed by God's Word. Whether it's during morning devotions, working on my Bible study lesson, in church on Sunday morning, listening to christian radio in the car - God's Word speaks right to my soul. The Holy Spirit nudges me and says, "This message is for you. It will fill you up. Listen." If I am hungry I will be fed by God's Word.

Sometimes, though, I'm too full of junk food. I have fed myself meaningless stuff - TV, magazines, gossip, books, etc. and I don't realize I'm hungry. Unfortunately I substitute junk food for the meat of the gospel.

Other times my busy schedule crowds out my devotion time. I know that I should take the time to eat, but I'm just too busy. And just like my physical body wears down, and I get grumpy, and I'm so hungry that I don't know what to eat because nothing sounds good, my spirit wears down when I don't take time to be in God's Word.

When I'm busy I'm also tempted to eat on the run - take some food with me to eat in the car, or drive through a fast food restaurant. While this food helps with my hunger for a while, it's rarely nourishing, and it doesn't really fill me up. I'm often tempted to get my spiritual nourishment as I go. Now, I don't mean that I shouldn't listen to Christian radio in the car - but I can't substitute that for devotional time. Just as it's important to sit down at the dinner table, take my time when I eat, and to eat at regular meal times it's also important to have regular times for devotions and Bible study and to have a special place to do that.

Are you spiritually hungry? Start by expecting God to feed you with His Word. Spend time in devotions. (If you need a devotional, Max Lucado has several good ones!) Start going to church. Then keep a journal of the verses that God uses to fill you up - because He will fill you up!

Ideas for Christmas?

My daughter-in-law and I have started talking about what we should do for Christmas this year. For the past few years our kids have exchanged names, we have bought presents for eveyone, and everyone bought presents for the grandkids. Money is a bit tighter this year - and we feel that we don't really need anything. We know that Christmas isn't just about the gifts. we've always tried to celebrate god's gift to us - His Son, Jesus Christ. I want the day to be special for everyone - so what should we do? Do you have any ideas or traditions that have been really special for your family?

Wonderful Wednesday

Today is our all school BBQ at work. Parents, siblings, grandparents and friends are all invited to come have lunch. A big grill is set up outside to cook hamburgers on. It's a western theme so everyone will be dressed up like cowboys. It's a very fun day. When I worked as a para it was kind of a hectic day because everyone eats lunch in the gym or outside on the lawn and the paras had to supervise. Then the kids would go around the side of the building for recess, there'd be cars parked in back where the kids usually play so we'd have to watch to make sure no one got hit by a car. We had lots of areas to supervise and not too many adults doing the supervising. Now that I am the secretary I can just stay in my office, watching the people coming and going, and seeing how much fun the kids have today.
Another plus to today is that the sun is out again! I never really appreciated the sunshine until this month. It has been soooo cloudy and rainy in October. The sunshine just makes me smile. Its going to be a wonderful Wednesday!

Time with my heavenly Father

I have been participating in a Beth Moore Bible Study on Isaiah. She has identifited 5 benefits of being a christian:
1. To know and believe God
2. To glorify God
3.To find satisfaction in Him
4. To experience God's peace
5. To experience His presence

Next she identified a major obstacle to experiencing each of these benefits:
1. unbelief
2. pride
3. idolatry
4. prayerlessness
5. legalism

As I have been thinking about these obstacles I see that at different times I struggle with each of these obstacles. The one that impacted me the most this morning was that my prayerlessness keeps me from experiencing God's peace. When I get too busy my prayer time gets shorter, or even forgotten. Then I wonder why I am feeling hassled or frazzled. From now on I will try to spend time with God in prayer before I start my day. And when I start to feel worried or frazzled I will ask myself, "Have I spent enough time today with my Heavenly Father?"

A Day of Sunshine is Good Medicine

We have had so many gloomy days lately, that I was really starting to feel tired and down. Saturday, however, was glorious. The sun came out, it was about 60 degrees, and very little wind. It was a perfect day. My husband and I spent this glorious day together oustide. We really enjoyed each other's comapny. We went to two different nurseries to look at trees, and bought two at the second place. We enjoyed spending about half an hour talking with the owner of the nursery and he told us about different varieties of maples, how to care for our trees, etc. We bought a fiesta maple and a rvier birch. They are the prettiest little trees I think I've ever seen!
After we brought the trees home we went to a local landscape outfit and bought a load of wood chips. We spent the rest of the day planting and spreading wood chips. We are so happy with our yard. We've worked hard on the landscaping - there was none when we bought our place. It felt great to be working outside, enjoying God's creation and each other's company. It also felt good when our neighbors commented on how nice our yard looks and how much they are enjoying it. So our labor benefits our neighborhood as well as ourselves.
The day of sunshine really helped my spirits. I need to remember to bask in the Sonshine of God's Son each day for the health of my soul. The physical work outside was good for my body. I need to remember to work at my Bible study each day for the health of my spirit. And being with my family was good for my heart. I need to remember to spend time each day with my heavenly Father too.

Wonderful Wednesday

It's been a while since I've done wonderful Wednesday. The sky is still gray and it's cold and windy. But today is wonderful because in my devotions this morning I read again about David - a scrawny shepherd who was chosen by God to be the second king of Israel. He won battles because he kept his eyes on and placed his trust in God rather than looking at his foe or his own shortcomings. And, in spite of his failures, God called him a man after his own heart.
My grandchildren love to watch the Donut Man video when they come to my house. And their favorite song is about David and Goliath. They sing, "Goliath - stomp-stomp" and march around until David sings "The battle's not won with spears and swords, the battle is the Lord's!!" What a great lesson to sink into our hearts - the battles we fight, every day (gossip, lack of self confidence, temptation, etc.), are not ours to fight alone. The battle is won by God. We need to keep our eyes on Huim and trust Him.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Some Random Thoughts

In no particular order:
*I am so tired of grey days and rain.
*I love my job when I have big projects to do on the computer.
*I am rather obsessed with rubber stamping cards right now. I have made almost 100 cards in the last three weeks.
*Except for the rain, I like the cooler weather of fall. What I don't like, is the days getting shorter. I hate it when it's dark by the time I get home from work.
*I am missing my husband more this week. I wonder if that's because we had only a short weekend together.
*I wish the MN Vikings had a better team this year. I love watching football, but I don't know what team to watch since the Vikings are so mediocre.
*I started reading a book by Max Lucado about David and Goliath and I wonder - do I focus on God or on the giants in my life? David focused on God, and God described him as a man after His own heart. What a compliment!
*It's 9:45 pm and time for bed. How sad is that, that I'm tired so early.

Too much stuff

Lord, I am surrounded by so much stuff. All my physical needs are met, but sometimes my spirit is starving to death. Will you change my “wanter”? Help me to want you above everything else. Help me to seek you for direction, to feed my spirit on your Word and to want you more than anything else, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

This prayer, at the end of todays' devotion from Proverbs 31 Ministries really hit me. I too am surrounded by so much stuff - and yet I "need" new clothes and a pair of nice brown shoes, and some more paper for making cards, and another book to read, etc. My needs really aren't needs. they are "wants." It's so easy to fall into the trap of thinking I need things that I don't really need.
I am going to try to make this prayer my daily prayer - help me, Lord, to want you above everything else today. Change my view, from what I think I want, to what You want for me. Help me to feed my spirit on Your word only. Help me to be thankful for what I have, and generous to those who have less. Amen

Live and Laugh

We live, we love, we forgive and never give up

Cuz the days we are given are gifts from above

And today we remember to live and to love

We live, we love, we forgive and never give up

Cuz the days we are given are gifts from above

And today we remember to live and to love



Have you heard this song from the SuperChicks? This message has been spoken into my life in many ways during the last few weeks. I am learning not to worry about tomorrow - to live today, appreciating that this day is a gift from God my Father.



I am also learning again how important it is to laugh - with others, and - though it is very hard for me, to laugh at myself. I need to take myself and life a little less seriously. My husband and I listened this weekend to a talk by Dr. Dennis Swanberg that was played on Focus on the Family. It was a wonderful message on laughter - from Scripture "Laughter doeth like a good medicine." (Proverbs 17:22)



God is SO good. He gives us what we need, just when we need it. Do you need to laugh? To let go of your problems and worries and let God give you a joyful heart? Start with prayer. Then look around you for something that brings you joy - and stop and take time to really enjoy it. Then find something/someone that makes you laugh. Don't know anyone? Check out Dr. Dennis Swanberg's website. Maybe you'll laugh as you listen to him, like we did.