My Folder

I have to give God some glory, so here goes... This week we started back with Homemakers(a "small group" that happens every week, I may have mentioned it), and I couldn't find my folder. Everything is in my folder, notes, lists, everything! All evening I looked for it, but couldn't find it. Frustrating, to say the least! I ended up going to Homemakers without it.
When I came home I really wanted to find it, so (why I didn't do it right away, I don't know) I prayed. I said "Lord you know where that folder is so please help me find it", and do you know, I walked right over to where it was and found it! It couldn't have been easier, unless it walked up to me and jumped up on my lap. God is so good. So, the next time you need some direction, what will you do?
Just ask!

John 14:14 (The Message)

11-14"Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can't believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I'm doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I'll do it. That's how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I'll do.

A New Year

Jeremiah 29:11 MSG ~ I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

Good News for a New Year!

Merry Christmas

Psalm 37:7 Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him...

A friend of mine told me a "story" about being on a plane in a holding pattern.
Not a fun place to be.
She related it to how we can get ourselves so worked up about "life". Worrying over the "hows" and "whens" and "whys".
I have felt like that. When I feel like that, who am I trusting in? Myself, and my ability to do something about the "situation". Can I do anything, really? I can do as the verse here says, be still.
It's the best thing we can do.
I pray the New Year brings all the blessings you can imagine, with love

HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone!!

God loves me

This is how this verse makes me feel, happy!
True confession. I have had a skewed picture of myself (in my mind). This week Renee spoke about how much God loves us. She gave examples from her own experience. It made me sad, at first, to hear her talk about her feelings about herself. But I realized I had some of those same feelings about myself. I think it made God sad, to hear it. When God made me He said "it is good!", who am I to argue? But when it comes down to daily life, do I believe it? Not always.
This self acceptance needs to be reality. It affects every one of our relationships. I want to have healthy relationships. When we do,(really believe how much God loves us) we will truly have the Glory of God manifest in our life.
So here I am Lord, saying, I'm glad you made me the way I am, I'm thankful for all my seen and unseen blessings, and for the gifts You have placed in my life, I purpose to use them for Your glory, to make sure everyone knows just how much You love them too!


Ephesians 1:4 (The Message)


The God of Glory
3-6How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

I was tagged by my dear friend Tammy- I've linked to her blog- She is a mighty woman of God, and has some mighty cute kids!

Here's how it works.1) Link to the person who tagged you.2) Post the rules on your blog (copy and paste 1-6).3) Write 6 random things about yourself (see below).4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

1) In this lifetime I've considered being a nurse, a baker and landscape designer.
2) I would love to own a successful business.
3) I was born and have lived most of my life in Minnesota, but have also lived in Florida (which I lovingly call my 6 mo. "vacation"(it was nothing of the sort!) I had a 2 and a half year old AND a 4 mo. old baby and by the time we left, was pregnant with our 3rd. Evan (the baby) cried non stop the whole time, until we came home to MN, when he promptly stopped. But, don't get me wrong it wasn't ALL bad.
4) When I was a girl, my parents, who were both disabled, took us on many summer road trip vacations, camping along the way. I still have fond memories, of helping set up camp.
5) I have also daydreamed of giving away everything and traveling across America with my family in an RV.
6) My prayer is that we would find the right "job" and that we would be able to see our children and grandchildren (that live far away) more. Though I love them one and all!

I have tagged these wonderful women and friends!


Ella Bella
The Sparrow Talks
El Norteno
Happy Wife of Eliud
This is my Life
Renee Burt

Halloween

O.K. I dressed up for Halloween! It was fun. For weeks we have been discussing costumes. At first the boys wanted to be commandos. Now, I didn't really have a problem with it except that they wanted to carry air soft guns. And I was pretty sure our neighbors wouldn't care for that. As it turned out, they didn't go to even one of our neighbors homes. We ended up in Fridley where the Browns live. But back to the planning phase... My suggestion was, be a band. I knew they would all want to be together anyway, and they all already have the "look". But of course they went extreme, KISS. With a little help from my dear friend Elizabeth, we did a shopping trip to "Savers" and found shoes, clothing and wigs, then we did some alterations of the clothing. It finally all came together last night. And I think it all came together quite well. They got some nice comments on their outfits, had they gone to a party, they would have won. I pretty sure it will be their last year going house to house.
Elizabeth and I were pirate wenches, as last minute costumes. The weather turned out a bit chilly, but the kids were fine without coats, though I needed one.
All in all we had a great time!

Oh and here is Evan and Ginny and Liberty. I was at their house early in the day, babysitting, so I had to have a picture. Aren't they cute!( It's from my cell phone, so it's not that great, sorry)

Card

I took a picture I had, of my Mom (from when she was young) and made a card from it as a tribute to her. I miss her and love her always. She's been gone for awhile (2001). I spent alot of time with her those last few years, and I'm so glad. She was not only my Mom but she was also my friend.

New puppy and end of the garden

We finally were able to meet Scotts new puppy Dottie. She is a 12 week old pug mix and cute as a button.
While we were there Scott dug his carrots, from the garden. Not a huge patch but plenty for a couple of meals. We tasted one and they were sweet and crunchy. There were also plenty of cherry tomatoes and a few peppers ready to eat. We still haven't had that first freeze, but I think we're on borrowed time as far as the garden goes. Katie has a picture of Scott with a rake standing in the garden, so I'll have to put that one up too (when we upload it from her camera).

Manna

Acts 18:10 (Amplified Bible)

" For I am with you, and no man shall assault you to harm you, FOR I HAVE MANY PEOPLE IN THIS CITY."

We have to remember we're not outnumbered. Sometimes this world seems so evil, we feel outnumbered. And don't get me wrong, I believe we still have a lot of work to do for the Lord, but it's all about what we think is true.
Yesterday I was listening to some people talk about President Lincoln and his general, General George B. McClellan. Now McClellan was a good man, but many times he didn't believe he should win or even could win. In his mind he was outnumbered. Before we can have any impact we must believe we are conquerors, we are the winners. Now Say- I am a winner!"

manna

Here is a new card. I picked up some Cosmo Cricket paper, I love it and it inspires me. They have a website, check it out! http://cosmocricket.com/ and also Paper Whimsy, http://www.paperwhimsy.com




The Message (MSG)


Isaiah 40.27-31

27-31Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
"God has lost track of me.
He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?
God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind.

God wants us to look to Him, trust Him. Here's another website to visit-
http://smallgroups.lwcc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=51&Itemid=146

My friend and leader Renee Burt. She's the BEST!" Renees Daily Scripture".

We're not quitters!

Hebrews 10:22-25(Message)
"So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching."

My manna for today. That phrase "Let's keep a firm grip" made me think of my manna from the other day, about holding on to God's promises with both hands.
And vs.39
"But we're not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We'll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way."
That's what I want to do, Keep a firm grip on what I believe and stick with it all the way.
Sometimes it seems so hard. Yes, but really what seems hard and what is hard are two very different things. It says earlier on in the chapter about how God feels when we turn our back on His sacrifice.
"what do you think will happen if you turn on God's Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit?"
Now that would be hard. Facing the Most Holy God, after turning your back on the One Who loved you enough to give His Own life? But that is what we do when we doubt.
Oh, no, it's not too hard for me to stay on track and survive, trusting all the way!

September

Hebrews 6.18-20 (the Message) We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.

I read this today and it made me think of my feelings recently.
Scottie came through once again. There were a couple of times when I was doing just that, holding on with both hands to the promise God gave me.
John 4:50 (The Message)

Jesus simply replied, "Go home. Your son lives."

The man believed the bare word Jesus spoke and headed home. On his way back, his servants intercepted him and announced, "Your son lives!"

But Scottie is good! No more pacemaker, no wires! That is victory.
I went over this week to his house and helped make salsa . Pretty much everything came from the garden! I wish I had a picture, but I don't.But we're not finished yet putting things in jars, so I'll get one.
I hope you all had a great Labor day. We did, Dave and I spent it together at the MN state fair. It was great, a perfect day.

The Irish Fair

There were lots of fun things to do at the fair. Terry and Shelley entered photos they took on one of their trips to Ireland, and Terry won 3rd place. She was so excited.
There were dog breeds of Ireland. The St. Paul bagpipe band performed. Also Brooks and Jackie designed and ordered shirts for us. They had the McCoy motto, "with a strong hand" and in the back they had "Clan MacKay" .It was really fun matching.
I have a few more pics I will add when I get the chance.

Some new pictures

A couple of lilies that opened, one, when I was gone and one just yesterday.
My manna today was from Matthew 10.29-31,Here it is from the Message.
"What's the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don't be intimidated by all this bully talk. You're worth more than a million canaries".
The Amplified says "Fear not, then you are of more value than many sparrows"
I am so thankful the Lord put that in there. He cares about us and watches over us. WHATEVER it is! Jobs, kids, friends, Life, He knows it all.
I'm glad to be home. Here to enjoy the beautiful weather and summer. Fall will be here all to soon. There are LOTS of great things about fall, there's just something about summer that I'm not quite ready to give up.

Our family

Here is a super cool site! Check it out! It's called wordle.
http://wordle.net/

Scott's garden

Here are some pictures I took yesterday of Scotty and Nikki's beautiful garden. It is such a blessing to see how happy it makes him and how he delights in tending it.
I think it's done him a world of good. They have, in the garden, (just to name a few) tomatoes, beans, eggplant, peppers(both hot and mild),lettuces, zucchini, melons, peas, as well as herbs, sage, lavender, lemon verbena,and mint. And as you see from the pictures, flowers as well.
He has been in training to do his dialysis at home. It should enable him to go back to school, which is what he wants to do. It has made a big difference in how he feels. Instead of 3 times a week, he has been having dialysis 5 days a week, keeping his blood levels more consistent, and therefore more energy. So it's a good thing. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers, I know it makes a difference.

Psalm 31:19 (Amplified Bible)

Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear, revere, and worship You, goodness which You have wrought for those who trust and take refuge in You before the sons of men!

This is my hope, God's goodness.

New Art

Here are some new things I've made.
The first reminds me that I belong to Jesus, and I am from true royalty.
1 John 3:2
Beloved, we are [even here
and] now God's children; it
is not yet disclosed (made clear)
what we shall be [hereafter],
but we know that when He
comes and is manifested, we
shall [ as God's children]
resemble and be like Him,
for we shall see Him just as
He [really] is.

The second reminds me to Sing from my heart to the Lord.
Psalm 71:23
My lips shall shout for joy
when I sing praises to You,
and my inner being, which
You have redeemed.

Baby Liberty

Here she is! We went to the beach (32nd St beach) and she smiled right away, then I tried to make her laugh, by making funny noises, and she cried. It was hot, and she just wanted to be at home.

It's a law

Hey I just wanted to say a few things, as I'll be gone for 3 weeks.
First Scotty is out of the hospital! He was released on Friday. We found out that it was a staph infection, that he had. He is feeling much better.
Second, we had a visiting minister Friday night, and he was speaking of becoming Kingdom minded. Really good. On Saturday morning Dave and I had to go to Mankato (to clean a building), a 1 1/2 hour drive. As we were traveling, we listened to a message called "The Law of Confession". We passed through a shower, and saw a rainbow. I was thinking about rainbows, how they are one of Gods' laws. The conditions have to be right, but when there is rain and sunshine, there will always be a rainbow. It's a law! True and never failing. It made me very happy. It was a vivid picture of Gods' faithfulness to us. It's equally true for any of Gods' law. What you speak out of your mouth will happen. So what do you want to happen? I use a little book by Charles Capps. Words are alive, you can use them for life or death, it's a law. I was speaking some Life Words today, and I'm looking for some GOOD things to happen.
I'm going to try to post when I'm gone, but I'm usually pretty busy at camp. The picture is from camp, North Central Camp Cherith,(camp-cherith.com) flag raising every morning.
I love you and pray Gods best plan for you, see you when I get home...