Reflection on New Years Eve

The end of the year is almost here and we all look forward to a better year tomorrow.   The news channels are broadcasting doom if the fiscal cliff happens.    Tonight perhaps the gavel will drop on the congressional floor,  as does the ball in New York City, and we will all tumble over the fiscal cliff.  We don't know.

As this year ends we need to reflect on our own lives and how to live a better life and how to cut wasteful spending, monetarily and emotionally, out of our lives.

I can't thank our Lord enough for the special people He has sent into my life.  One was my husband.  I was rebellious from teenage years on, looking for adventure and love.  Also, I was terribly naive and shy, I didn't know about life or about people and was hurt many times.  I put up a wall around me, and no one got in.  Getting married was the greatest thing that ever happened to me.  It gave me a family, it gave me a home, it gave me security and it gave me love.   Tim, himself, was naive and innocent in many ways, and that is what made me trust him.  He gave me strength and the ability to believe in myself.  During all our years in marriage he always bought me the most wonderful gifts, and some I didn't appreciate until years later.  Like the sewing machine....the Kitchenaide Mixer with all attachments....beautiful heavy sweaters, robes and coats --- he always gave me quality items.  Likewise, over the years, I stayed away from the bargain bins for his clothes and let him choose his own from the finest men's shop in town.  All was good.  He was a gentleman, in so many ways, but still not grown up in so many others.

Satan comes into the family life with his lies and methods of corruption, so there were many ups and downs, but through it all, believing in the best of each other, and having faith that God will get us through, we made it to the end.

Its been seven years since Tim died, almost eight.  I tease the children that one day I'm going to find me a farmer husband and have my own home  again, so they are invested into the dream that I might one day leave my new home with them.  My daughter-in-law was going to try to hook me up with some of the elderly farmers and ranchers she met, but I want all things to given by God and I will wait on Him for what He has planned. When God gives something, He gives His best and I will wait on Him. Yet, if there was someone in my life, then is God still at the forefront in my life? Perhaps His idea for my life is something else, I don't know.   If God doesn't wish that to happen, then all is good.  I have had a good life with a good man, and he has blessed me with children that I love.   He will reign in my life.

For New Years the only resolution I am going to have is to dance at least one dance every day.  The rest, I leave up to the Lord.  The babies love to dance, so that should keep us busy.  The Lord loves busy hands, so I am sure He will keep us busy too.  God is good, I look forward to the New Year.

HAPPY NEW YEARS - May the New Year bring you the hopes and dreams that you have desired and may God be with our Country and may His presence be known to all the world. 
 

Second Childhood

My Dad had a good sense of humor and was really outrageous at times.  He would say he was just getting into his second childhood.   Laughter is good for the soul.

 

I found the Big Bopper's songs on youtube and the babies and I have been rocking to them.  It is amazing how a fun song can make your heart so light and life is good.   The babies love to dance and so do I.  Of course, neither one of us will make the American Bandstand (if its still on), but someday they could!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6owndpRu28

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSRYTqkIh_I


When the Lord gives you a heavy burden, He is there to lift you up. 

Matthew 11:27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

I Am Ready!

Finally!   The last page rolled through the printer yesterday and it was then collated into a finished product--a recipe book!  Today was busy with stapling and mailing the last of the booklets off.  Yea!!  I got them done in time for Christmas.

 

During the last few months, I had gone through all Mom's recipes and recipe books and scanned them.  Then, I gathered together a box of cards and stuff that were sent to her, along with photos from her albums, and photos already scanned onto the computer.  This last week I spent all my spare time putting together a recipe book of her recipes.  She was a big fan of scrapbooks and had made one for each of us kids.  Mom also loved her photo albums.  So the recipe book was styled like a scrapbook.  I wasn't sure anyone would like it -- maybe too hoakie or something.  But, then I got feedback that the recipients liked it, so I ran off another batch and finished sending out to the married girls in the family.   

 

Hopefully, all will appreciate the recipe book and use Mom/Grandma's recipes to make the traditional cookies that she had made every year.  Her cookies were sent out to each and every family, within the family and beyond!    This year, my sister and her daughter, and Kat (my daughter) and I made up boxes of "her" cookies and sent them to my brothers and their families.  Then a box of cookies was sent to my son and his family, and my other daughter and her family, all of which live out of state --so we kept up the tradition for this year. 

 

Next project:  The family book.  Hopefully by next summer the girls will all be here and help me with it.  It has gotten a start, but we have a long way to go to finish it.

 

The world seems to be falling apart.  Everywhere there is contention and strife.  From the heights of our country, in our Congress, to our every day lives, it is contention!   We need to draw our families closer together, despite our differences, and give our children strength and support when all around us there is chaos. 

 

Sometimes I will feel a terror start to come  over me and it will feel like I am on sinking sand, but I know the power of God and I know the love of God.  There is nothing I need fear and I put my trust Him and the feeling of terror is gone.  I have witnessed His answers to prayers time and time again and I have been so amazed--and thankful.  Stand strong, keep the faith, Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, is returning soon.

The People Have Spoken

,Shopping can be fun--well if you are 16 months old and riding in a little red car!  It was fun to watch the girls, as they rode through the store, in wide-eyed wonder, trying to take in everything they saw.   Other shoppers stopped to look and as soon as they saw them, their eyes lit up and they smiled as they greeted the girls. 

Time goes by so swiftly.  There is no way we can stop it, we just try to keep up and keep moving one foot in front of the other.  Goals keep getting set back, as unexpected events happen.  But, we deal with it, and try to get back on track and prepare for the days ahead.

 

The days of keeping up with the campaigning in both the primary and election, was very time consuming, as I tried to follow events and make comments and share information.  Between slow internet and 20 baby fingers trying to help type, I am not sure all my comments came out all that clearly.  However,   I believe everyone should do something, even if it just to participate in the dialog, somewhere, somehow.  I am glad it is over.  It certainly did not turn out the way I wanted it to, but God is in control.  He has a reason to allow those who were elected to be in office at this time.  

 

The world is full of callous people, an overwhelming number of which would sacrifice an unborn baby for their own freedom.  And, then those, who are of innocent hearts, that are deceived by the comforting and deceiving words of those who have blood on their hands, as they await the money payment for the life of the child.  That precious life, once taken, is gone forever.

 

The world is full of rebellious people, an overwhelming number who declare that homosexuality is natural and of God.  And, then those, who are filled with zeal for "freedom", who fall in the homosexual trap that ensnares them in perverted lifestyles.  Innocence once taken, is gone forever.

 

We see all kinds of laws in our land - the legalization of marijuana, the legalization of euthanasia, the legalization of same-sex marriage, the expansion of abortion.  

 

We live in a free country, where the people make the choice of their government.  We can choose to follow our conscience, using God's Word,  or let worldly freedom dictate our laws.  God has let the people speak.

 

I can't speak against the people.  I, too, am a sinner, and know what it is like to have a rebellious heart and I know what it is like to have a callous heart.   Fourteen years ago the Lord came into my life with love so overwhelming, that my heart has forever been changed.  He will come into the lives of all those who seek Him.   We don't always seek Him in the literal sense, but in a life quest to follow Him, to trust Him, and to put all our Hope in Him.  To walk with Him and to follow His ways.  We know that God means what He says.  We know that this awesome God, whose power is all-encompassing, and the absolute of all power, does have the power to keep His Word.

 

God be with us all in the days ahead, wherever they lead. We know that whoever has the power in this world, has been granted it for a short time.  The God and Lord of All, our Creator, our Comforter, and our Great Deliverer, will return soon to reign forever more.

 

 

Nothing is Impossible with God

The song "If It Couldnt' Be Done" on you tube: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eBlxPaTWHM

This song sure hit the spot with me.  The Lord has put impossible paths in front of me!  Impossible, that is, unless it is the Lord that opens that door.  Nothing is impossible for Him.

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

 

His design

Of all the stupid things to do, I think one of the worst is to park your vehicle in another vehicle's blind spot.  The other day I parked the pickup, but I didn't pull up, like I usually do.  Then yesterday, the grandkids and I went to leave in the SUV.  I piled the unused car seats together in the middle of the back seat, which then blocked off my view in the rear.  I went ahead and backed up, looking out my side mirror.   The next thing we knew there was this big C-R-U-N-C-H sound.  I stopped, got out and checked.  Yep, I backed one vehicle right into the other.  As if the day wasn't frustrating enough!   Both driveable, so that is good.

We continued our trip to town.  On the way home, I stopped and checked out the river.  The water level was back up.   It is AMAZING how much water can fall from a rainfall!! 

It takes 65 gallons of water just to water the lily beds, and with that they just get a stream down the middle.   Just imagine how many gallons had to fall in order for the beds to be soaked, and then the whole countryside too!!  God is good.  His plans and designs are higher and greater than we can ever imagine.  That He, in all His glory, would love a sinner like me, I find that, also, a great mystery.
 

Canadian Cold Front Moved In

Tuesday was nice.  We went out and emptied the water tank and drained the hoses, as we knew it was going to freeze.  The water was dumped on the lily beds which lined the drive.  Only with damp ground could the weeds be pulled--the ground becomes hard like cement when it is dry, which would have resulted in the weeds breaking off with the roots still in the ground.    The lily beds were then weeded.  The flower stalks, now decaying as they stood straight and resolutely held on to their dried and withered, once beautiful, flowers,  were snapped off and tossed into the bag with the weeds. 

By late afternoon the wind turned brisk and cold.   The horizons held dark clouds that promised rain.  It was turning dark,  as I tried to race to the end of the flower bed.  The far side, of the last row did not get done; but, it did not get hit by the wind, so fewer weeds grew on that side. 

The rain started, then later turned to snow, and back to rain and it continued through Wednesday.  Beautiful fall weather!  Today is still cool with a damp chill in the air.  The clouds on the horizons have lifted somewhat and snow is visible in the mountains.  

The farmers are happy, they got moisture.  The hunters will be happy, hunting season is about to open and the elk, deer and antelope have come down from the higher elevations, and I am happy we don't have to spend next week watering the trees.  God is good.  Praise and thanks be to Him for the blessings of rain, snow and all good things.

The Mighty Missouri



Pictures are of the Missouri River today.   It is amazing how far down it has gone!  

 

The gravel roads, out where we live, turn into a dust bowl everytime someone drives down them.  No need to wash your car, as once you drive home the car is once again covered in dust and dirt.

 

Rain is predicted for next week with a 40% chance.  Let's pray that it materializes.  God be with us all.

 

Fasting

I, who can't get through the day without numerous breaks of tea and "something", am going to fast tomorrow. 

There is a number of Christian Conservative churches meeting in Philadelphia for 40 days of fasting and prayer, asking for help from the Lord,  that the moral depravity, which is taking over our country, and our economic meltdown will end.

Also, the North Central LDS Church will have prayers and fasting tomorrow that the Lord will end the drought conditions we have experienced this fall.  We now haven't had rain for quite some time.  We did have some rain forecasted, but it never materialized.

So tomorrow it is fasting and prayers for the end to homosexuality, abortion and the other sins destroying our land.   Also, prayers that we will have a bountiful rainfall.

"Matthew 18: 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

God be with us.

The Crud

If I was into the stock market, a definite good bet would be Mucinex, Ibuprofen and whatever company is responsible for Zithromyicin antibiotic.  We have had the Crud and it just won't go away.  Huimin and I have both been to the doctor and gotten Mucinex and a Z-pack.  (different doctors)  Kathleen and Andy have had it for weeks.  Next week Serena is going to the doctor.  A lot of chest congestion, fluid in the lungs, accompanied by ears or sinus infection.

Today the babies are back with Kat, so Timmy and Serena and I will be working outside tomorrow.  It is supposed to be a beautiful day and I am hoping maybe some of that fresh air will help clear everything up.  I forgot to call in and report the antelope that someone hit and left lying in the ditch up the road a bit, and on the other side, so hopefully it is not smelling by tomorrow! 

Everything this summer seems to be two steps forward and one backwards.  But, we have survived summer with all its challenges and now have to prepare for winter.  

The Lord has been good to us.  Life isn't perfect, but our needs are met and we have good work to keep us busy.  Whatever His plan for the future--I look forward to it unfolding.   So much is happening in the news and I think, "Oh, it has to be now", but I wait on the Lord, He is on the throne and He is in control.  All will be done on His time.

More rain!

Rain clouds are coming in again!  It has been so nice not to have to worry about the trees getting water.  We replanted four pine trees that died on us last year because we did not get them watered.   The first two weeks were hot and dry and we were not here to water them every day.  One did not make it, but that might have been more from the gopher killing off its roots.  Thank the Lord that He sent rain, He saved them! Well except for the one that turned brown.  Next year maybe we will try a more sturdy tree that can survive us!

Our lives have been so busy this summer, but hopefully it has all served to prepare us for the future.  I will miss all the grandchildren when they return to school!

Waiting for the End

Living He Loved Me:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu_fm0oedGU 

Beginning with the babies last Sunday, our household has, one after another, come down with the flu.  This is no 24-hour bug, but one that hangs on for days.  We are all still trying to recover.

As the fireworks lit up the sky, on the 4th, I laid in bed hugging my pillow, trying not to move, waiting for the sickness to pass.  When the end comes, won't God's judgments be the same.  As He has told us, so will it be, and we can do nothing other than hang on to our faith, and wait on the Lord.

No More Coffee Chats

The thunder boomed across a darkening sky and lightning was all around.  Areas in the vicinity reported hail and we waited to see if it would fall on us too.

Usually I would call Mom to find out what was going on in town and hear the latest news of where the storm was heading.  But, now, the phone is quiet and I watch the clouds go rolling by. 

Preparing for the End

Here is Mom, with Miranda and I, a few months ago.   There aren't too many pictures of Mom, unless there is a baby getting held, played with, or being cared for.  She has been there for each of her children.  She has been there for each grandchild and great-grandchild and loved them all.

Now, her time has almost come.  I went over to visit her today, with Serena and Timmy bouncing along beside me.  They slept in today and were in very high spirits.

What a shock it was, when I went to hold her hand, to find out that her left hand was ice cold.  As I read the daily notes, I see that she is now being given morphine for her heart. 

She cannot walk - a tiny step to pivot to the wheelchair is a great accomplishment.  She does not stand without assistance and holding onto something, and that is very difficult. 

Pete and Ginger left to go to the store, so the kids and I watched Mom.  I put on a country western cd and read her from the Bible.  Then the kids started talking about how they wanted to die.  Shocked, I went to shush them, then thought well, no maybe we should just let them talk this out.  So they talked about dying, about heaven, about Jesus, about others in heaven and then they wanted to play.  So, I put on a christian cd, Serena took off to play in the yard and Timmy and I played cards until Pete and Ginger returned.   Mom had fallen asleep and was softly snoring--I didn't know she did that!

Mom cannot speak, except, maybe a "hi", although I don't think I heard her talk today.  She has moments when she will focus on you if you talk to her or do something loud, but it will be for a short time.

A few weeks ago I was sitting with her up at the hospital and she was sitting up in bed.  I don't know what I was doing, maybe reading the paper.  Suddenly she said, "There is sure a lot of dead people here."  I was startled and looked over at her.  I then looked around and kinda out the hall and through the window to the hallway, but there was no one there and very few people crossed her door to go to the only room down the hall from her. (I wrote first that Mom looked around-but it was I that looked around.   Mom was looking ahead and kinda to the left, which does face the window to the hall which is next to the door and this is the side she has vision on.  I can't say for certain that she was actually looking out in the hall or out the window.)  I now wished I had asked her where these people were and if they were standing or lying down!  At that time, she was talking to us and was totally lucid.  Although she might have difficulty remembering now, she still recognizes and knows us. 

We all grieve that there is nothing we can do to take away the hurt.  The woman that spent her whole life dedicated to her children and their children, to make things better for them, has to now fight this battle on her own.  We can do nothing, except pray and hold her hand.   And, give her comfort care, which her children provide--an act of gratitude, love and respect to the one that gave so much.

My Mother

The 90 year woman now sits, staring blindly at nothing, barely aware of her own children, as they care for her.  This is the same woman who just weeks ago had started her garden inside in containers, waiting for the frost to end.  The woman who knew everyone's birthday, their friends, and the history of all those around her. 

My sister took her to the doctor a couple of weeks ago.  The aging mother of six, who had never been to a doctor, except for the birth of her children, now went to the doctor for help.  She was sent to the hospital and tests were run and now she, who had never sought help for herself, was sent home to die.

As a teen, she helped her brother watch for the Nazi as they came over the Norwegian mountains and he then radioed that position to the Americans on a navy ship.  After the war she sailed to America.  Speaking no english, she found refuge with norwegian relatives in Minnesota and then traveled on to Montana to live in the mansion my great-uncle had written home about.  The mansion on his homestead turned out to be a tarpapered shack, with a bedroom, living room, kitchen and a porch, where the oil burning stove warmed up the little home.  All the farming was done by horses and fields were watered by ditch irrigation.

Later Mom got a job at the Snack Shack in Shelby and she soon caught the eye of her future husband.  She loved getting teased and loved dancing and he loved teasing her and taking her dancing.  He also played with a small band at the local school where neighbors gathered for dances.  He was the son of a rancher and worked as a ranch hand.  He had fought in WWII and after the war he got his own plane.

Mom and Dad married.  They lived first with her Uncle Pete, and here their first child was born.  Then the Ekholt farm went up for sale and my Dad bought it and took his little family to their new home and soon the little family turned into a family of eight.  Life wasn't easy, there were very harsh winters, there were summers with no rain with a hot sun that dried up the crops, there were emergency repairs to the machinery done by hammering out parts taken from the iron pile, or salvaged from somewhere else, or if unfixable a new part was gotten.  She survived the summer with five little children the year my Dad was almost killed in a car accident.  Dad survived and spent the summer recouperating, while neighbors helped with the farm operations.

They farmed and ranched.  Depending on the year there were range cattle, sheep, chickens, turkeys and geese.  There were always milk cows to milk and gardens to grow.   Fruit bearing trees were put in and although there was no money, life was good.

Summers were fun and Dad, Mom and Uncle Pete would work from day break and on into the night, but they always had their coffee breaks.  Mom, Uncle Pete and visitors, who might stop by,  would sit at the table and enjoy listening to Dad's stories of his earlier days.  He enjoyed people and the stories were almost always witty and humorous. 

As always seems to happen to families, bad times happened.  Irreconcilable differences between Mom and Dad separated them.  The farm was lost and my Dad almost lost his life when he had a massive heart attack. 

Mom got a place in town and she set up a daycare that became a 24-hour operation.  I don't remember what her fee was to begin with.   Years later, when in Great Falls, she increased the rate to .50/hour and $3.50/day.   Even with the small fee she charged some parents still did not have money to pay her charges.  Many times the mothers would just abandon their children and not return until the next day, or days later, without a word being said to Mom. Or, the babies would come with no bottles, or food, and Mom would spend her money to purchase it for them.  Then she moved out of the town and down to Great Falls.  She started by getting a job cleaning at a local motel, but then ended up setting up another home daycare.    Then she bought a home with her great-uncle who would now live with her, in the basement apartment.  With her child care, she finished getting her kids through school and getting them into a vocational school.

Uncle Pete died and the children left home.  Sometime later she put the house up for sale and moved to a country home, which was a mobile home on five acres.  Dad returned and moved in with his camper, which he now lived in, and they began raising a huge garden, surrounded by a shelterbelt.  She had all the family over for holidays and had an open door for anyone that came to town.  Some time after Dad died she sold the home in the country, that she loved, and rented a mobile home in a mobile home park.  The landlady eventually sold the trailer that Mom was living in.  My sister bought a mobile home on a fenced lot across the alley and it became Mom's last home.  Her lawn was always weed free and freshly trimmed.  Every year she had a bountiful garden harvest which she then sent to her children.  Every winter she spent the evenings baking cookies and sending them out, in huge containers, to her children as they came to town.

Now this woman, who always made the best out of a bad situation, and turned it to good, by working hard and never giving up, will lose the final battle to death.  But death is not the end.  I was with Mom one night and I asked her if she remembered Dad's death and she said "yes."  I then asked her if she saw the light, and she said "yes" and nodded her head and I knew all would be ok.  This woman, who in the days when the family was together, took the time to get the family to church and the children to sunday school, vacation bible school and confirmation, was not forgotten by the Lord.

The day my Dad died he was in pain, he had been in pain for quite some time but he complained of a pain in his throat, not his heart.  He was to pick up his granddaughter and take her to school that day, which he did, and he then drove to the hospital ER and collapsed as he tried to get out of his car.  He was having a massive heart attack.  He was put on the ventilator, IV's and I don't know what else.  He was in a room on the cardiac ward and the family stood around when visiting time came.  Dad was out of it, but the very odd thing was that he was laying in a semi-reclined position with his head up and he didn't seem to be aware of any of us, but I could see this light that seemed to be above and in front of him and it was shining down and into his eyes and he was just staring up into it.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing and asked the nurse about it and she said it happens every once in awhile and couldn't explain it but said it may be just the morophine.  The light was not going out of his eyes, it was going down from above. He held on for five days before the end. 

I believe God has a reason for all things.  Certainly God did not have to leave that doorway open for such a long period of time, if He was taking Dad, why not just bring him up?  The light was a witness to his family.  It was hope and comfort to my mother that indeed God does keep His children and the best is yet to come.  Her work on this earth is finished.  It was comfort to the family (well, maybe just to me)  to know that Mom. too, as a chosen child of God, saw that light.

Here is a beautiful song (Never Grow Old by Patty Griffin) that we all can enjoy, as we look forward to heaven:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW4k2Kl1s8o

Trust

I found an old message on mail that I usually don't get into.  When I first started sending e-mail messages, I use to save every one that I received and sent--little did I realize that I would soon amass a huge mess of pages that no one will ever have the time to go through!  Some of the messages that were received and forwarded are really precious and I think I will just keep that book and maybe browse through it from time to time when I get really old. 

This particular message, that I came across, was on trust - it was very long, but the message was that trust was an absolute ingredient for love.  Whether we are going to war, to school or just to work, we need to be able to trust the one we love and know that they trust us.  Another ingredient that I believe is essential is that there is a mutual trust that God will keep them both and He will bring them both safely home again.

Here is the Whippoorwill song on you-tube by Gayle Russ:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8faoPMCEu0Q&feature=related  What a mighty God we have!!

California Here I Come!

Tomorrow I head to California to see my baby boy!  He is about to be deployed and this will be my last chance to see him for quite some time.  I am so proud of him.  Twenty-six years ago, when I held my newly born baby, I was amazed at the peaceful countenance, he had.  He was just so content.   Now he is grown up and a soldier, daddy, husband, artist, mechanic and just a great guy. 

Tim and his sisters have been my greatest blessing!  I thank the Lord for blessing me with such a great love that He gave me these children!

The Wrong Turn

Kathleen's dog, Sammy, ended up having surgery, and now has to sit still for two weeks!  And then limited movement for 6 more weeks.  We have her in the front porch, which we have turned into a cozy little room for her.  She cries, and cries and wants to go out and run with Beamer and bark at the neighbor dogs and any newcomers.  She kept crying the first night (night before last) and everytime I heard her, I would get up and take her outside for her constitutional.  But, she just wants out.  After the third time, I was sleepy and twisted to get out of bed and I got a jolt as a stabbing pain rose up in my side.  Again!! --my pirformis muscle has pinched my sciatic nerve. 

I've been in therapy for it, but have to get it approved to continue with the therapy.  Today, saturday, I woke and I couldn't even hardly pick up the babies, so I tried to find a physical therapist.  There is no physical therapist available at any of the clinics, hospitals, or offices anywhere--unless you have already made an appointment during their office hours.  So, this is going to be a long weekend....  me and Sammy are both unhappy campers.

I see that some of our candidates say that God wanted them to run for President.  What I want to know, is what lead them to believe that God wants them to be president?   We are all capable of believing that God is behind us on a mission, but did God really "say" it.  Or, is it their belief, or a prayer in their heart, that God will answer their prayer.  Prayers aren't alway answered the way we think they are.  

Whatever comes, when the end of times are here, God has a plan and we just have to wait for Him to unfold it in His way, on His terms, and on His timeline.   God be with us all.

Making It On My Own

I Can't Even Walk Without You Holding My Hand:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi4xG9FcXBU

Whatever our dreams, how can they come to fruitation without  the Lord's guiding hand? Our accomplisments, what are they if You Lord are not in them?  He is our way, our path, the Hand that holds us.  Without Him there is no love, no life.

Sleepless Night

Sharing song THE LOVE OF GOD by David Phelps, Guy Penrod, Joy Gardner:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbE_xlmF38I     What a beautiful song.

The thermostat was turned too high and after a couple of hours sleep I awoke in a sweat, now three hours later, I am still trying to get back to sleep!  The babies will be waking up in less than 4 hours, so I must get some more sleep!

Rain and then snow today!  Beautiful slushy spring snow!  Thank the Lord for it, as our trees were starting to turn brown from the dryness and the wind.

The babies are standing and then trying to balance themselves without holding on to anything.  It won't be long and they will be toddling after us.  It is just so amazing that God has given each child that drive to want to walk! 

Here are some pictures of my youngest grandbabies:

                      

The first picture shows the babies STANDING and playing at their playcenter.  The next picture shows Miranda browsing through the bibs hanging from the freezer door handle.  She then found the perfect one and proceeded to play with it, stretching it out every which way and then she turned over and started to scrubb the floor with it.   Bottom picture is of the babies after they helped me with the folding of the laundry.  They browsed through the newly dried clothes and then picked out their favorite and started to scrub the floor with it, before going into a slide on top of the PJs and onesies!   The last picture is Andrea -- queen of the Johnny Jump Up.  She will wind herself up tight and let go, spinning at a pretty good clip!

God is amazing and his creation is amazing!!

Springtime in Montana!

It doesn't take much to make a day long -- babies with Roseola, babies teething, babies with diarrhea and diaper rash, plugged toilet, and long car trips-- and March has had them all!! 

Spring is here!!  50 and 60 degree temps forecasted all week.  Following the republican candidates, while watching the babies, has kept me pretty busy.  I will be glad to get away from it for a few days, as I let myself get so involved and then my patience is thin to have to WAIT for the results.  I've kept busy commenting on some of the on-line news articles.  It is hard to believe some of the comments that come through.  That commenters can say slanderous accusations and totally get away with it.   I don't have to get involved in an on-line fight, but I can look up the facts and give it to the people that read the comments.

The Lord has been good to us, watching over all our travels and keeping us safe and busy.  I am looking forward to this year and I hope that the Lord does watch my step, so that I do, indeed, walk with Him.

Growing Babies

The babies have been teething!  And, no one has been getting much sleep around here.  Today Miranda got her Orajel, then after breakfast, playtime, movies and nursing, went to sleep.  Andrea followed soon after. Being on shift work, Kat and Andy have also went to sleep and I have the house to myself.  It is nice and quiet and I am going to enjoy that for a little bit.

At seven months, the babies are everywhere.  They are starting to crawl, walk, and are into everything they see.  They love Vegetales on netflix, and the Gigglebellies videos on the internet. It is exciting to see how they just move along and go into the next step of babyhood.  We don't teach them to crawl, walk, sit or talk-- it is in their nature. 

As they gum everything, with those little teeth coming in, you realize that it also helps them develop chewing habits for their food. 

Isn't God amazing!  He created each step of baby's progress to work together with the other steps.  It is truly a miracle happening before our very eyes.   We watch and stand in awe of such an awesome God.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wishing to all the greatest love of all -- the love of our Savior!  The Lord is returning soon, be ready.

Brrr -- What a Bone-Chilling Wind!

The dogs went outside, happily checked out the yard and then settled into the garage for their food when I brought it out.  I hung up a heat lamp, in the garage, for them, hoping it would keep them warm.  However, they completely ignored the nice warm spot that was being lit up and followed close on my heels to come back into the house.  That wind is so bitterly cold!  Tomorrow it will get above freezing again and we will then be on our way to those 40 degree temps we have so enjoyed this winter!

Everywhere the political race for the republican candidate is in the air.  That millions of dollars are being infused into the economy is a plus.  The debates with their issues and the differences in candidates is a plus.  What really dissappoints me is when people call themselves the best conservative and what they really mean is the best "Christian".  Then will turn-around and discount what his opponent says, and take something the opponent says and turn it into a lie as to what was said.   I will be glad when the race is over. 

My prayer is that God will choose the candidate He wants to lead the country in these last days.  God help us all.

A Time of Healing

After the first day with the therapist, I felt so good and so back to normal that I thought I was "healed".   Then, on day two, I could hardly walk.  The therapist had gotten rid of the pain, but apparently after eight years, my joints and muscles don't just change overnight.  We are now doing progress at a steady pace with therapy and an exercise routine to keep everything in alignment and resetting it as needed.  I am looking forward to summer, when I really will be able to be normal again!!  Hopefully, there will be a complete healing before then!!

God is good.   His graciousness and His love has kept us and has given us all pathways to adventure and love.  Whatever comes, whatever happens, He will deliver us.    

Good News

Today I went to my first physical therapy appointment.  I didn't know what to expect and thought it would be painful, but it wasn't. 

It turns out that the problem with my lower back is that it is out of alignment.   Yea!  No surgery!  My therapy session was great.  It was comfortable and when the therapist realigned my spine, there was no pain.  Actually it felt good to not feel anything, there had always been pressure on it, even when the pain was not there. 

As the night wore on, my back became tired and I am now ready for bed.  I realize that all those years of using those muscles, in that cramped position, will require a lot of exercise to get them to function completely normal again.  I know that one treatment did not fix all, but I am so happy to see the light at the end of the tunnel in this matter.

God is good.  His timing is perfect, and I believe that He has brought a healing through this therapist, for His plans.   Tonight rest; tomorrow we will see what the Lord has planned.

The Created Man

The Bible is amazing -- it tells us of the creation but does not go into detail.  To think what had to be undertaken to form this world in perfect harmony with nature and beast, so that man can live and rule here, is mind boggling.  So, for us, the Word simply states God "created".

It has always kinda surprised me that God created all the animals of land and water and air,  and all the plants, to all have the ability to multiply.  They were all created male and female--except man.  Why?  God, Himself, tells us why:  "Genesis 1:26 Then God said,“Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;... "    If God had a female companion, why would He not have created a female counterpart?  "Genesis 2:20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him."   God created a mate for Adam, in a way none other of His creation was created--from the rib of Adam.  

Going back to "Genesis 1:27  So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."  We are told that God created man in his image.  Then we are told he created male and female.  The female was not created in the image of God, but from man, yet still created by God.

We know there is only one God, "Isaiah 46: For I am God, and there is no other;  I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done,"  

So, what is Jesus, but the son of God born the son of man?  Much like the rib of Adam was used to create Eve, so was the Spirit of God put into the baby created in Mary's womb.  Jesus, born a baby, whose spirit was the Spirit of God.   We are created in the image of God and are His adopted children.  Jesus was born as the true Son of God--Spirit of the True Spirit of God.  We are told: "John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”   Most certainly the Spirit that is God is far beyond anything man can imagine!

Good Intentions

No matter how good your intentions are, you gotta put work into your project to make it happen.   I started reorganizing my stuff at home--unpacking books and setting them on shelves.  A new internet system was put in with wireless, so that I can actually work right from my room, or go to the media room, depending on what I am doing.  It seems like I am kinda doing a dance with Kat and Andy.  They make their plans and I make my plans to fit around theirs.  I can't wait until their remodeling is complete!!!   So much to do!

Winter blew in today.  It is suppose to last one day, but, unfortunately, it is just a taste of what is in store for our little outside kitties.  Somehow we need to make some sort of heating pad for their little house.  My thought is to use heat tape and pipes.  Building it to give heat without causing a fire is my greatest concern.   Hopefully physical therapy will help my back, as, if this works for the cats' home, I then want to build one for the dogs.  Tomorrow, when we get back to town, I will get the supplies.  It is going to be fun to get started!

The twins are growing so fast!  They now roll over and just keep on rolling to get where they wish to go.  What a miracle the development of a child is.  Each new development happens in its own time frame.  God is good.  The miracle of His love is everywhere.

Happy New Year!!

Didn't make it to midnight last night, but it looks like I survived to the next day, inspite of that.  Last night my back began to hurt.  The doctors do not know exactly what the problem is.  They thought it was a degenerated disk problem, but the MRI does not show enough degeneration to bring on loss of balance, loss of feeling and lower back pain.  The doctor now suspects it is pinched nerves, after ruling out moving joints with another x-ray.   So, therapy soon.  

Every once in a while my lower back will get pinched, or whatever,  and cause a very sharp pain and a lot of swelling, which makes it impossible to get comfortable or to ease the pain.  A couple of Advil early this morning finally took the swelling away so I could get on with the day.   So, on New Years Eve I went to bed early.  I missed my glass of grape juice that we had to toast the New Years coming in.  Kat, Andy and Chris made it to midnight and then they too went to bed, as today is a busy day for all.  Today, New Year's Day, the heater and defrost went out on my car. (???)  It was working yesterday, so hopefully it is just a glitch.

The New Years may have come in a little rough, but my New Year's resolution has already started.  This year I am going to do all those projects that I started but never finished--the picture album books on the computer.  I look forward to the year. 

My children are in new beginnings in their lives--new roads--new paths--new lives!  God bless you all.  May your walk with the Lord bring you happiness and joy in the coming year.