Tree Hunting

The past few days have brought many adventures. Thanksgiving day was spent with family and we had a great time. My mom and sis came home with us, and while my dad went out deer hunting, us girls went out hunting in our own way. Of course, since my husband has been laid off, I mainly drove, had fun being with my sister and mom, and just enjoyed people watching. The finds of the day came when we stopped at the thrift store! We also received our first nice snowfall on Friday.

Today, we went out with family to find Christmas trees. It was a foggy, drizzly day, much like Seattle weather. I always enjoy finding Christmas trees in the snow, but all that had been there from Friday had melted away by today. My nieces enjoyed slopping through the mud in their boots, which once were pink. They thought it sounded funny when the mud slurped between their boot and the ground. We had fun tromping through the woods, anyway. Our tree this year is much smaller than last year, at least so I think. It's not in the house yet, so official word on that is yet to come, but I don't think we will need to get the ladder out to decorate it like we did last year. My parents had found a couple trees they liked earlier in the Fall, so they had marked them with ribbon, and just had to decide which tree they wanted to take home with them. My sister and her family took another one dad had marked, and my cousin found a tiny tree for his cabin. As usual, I am the hardest one to please when it comes to finding a tree. We looked several over, walked through a lot of wet underbrush and over a lot of logs, and came back to one right next to the road. Hey, I have a reputation to uphold when it comes to taking hours to find a tree!! We had a good day and enjoyed the time with family.

Thank You

The most important prayer in the world is just two words long: "Thank you." ~Meister Eckhart

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118:1

The LORD is my God! I will praise him and tell him how thankful I am.
Psalm 118:28

Come to worship him with thankful hearts and songs of praise. Psalm 95:2

Thanksgiving

Even though there has been a lot of not so great stuff happening, I have a thankful heart. There is always things to be thankful for, no matter how bad things may get. Look around and see them, they are there! There are blessings waiting for you to grab hold of them and make them yours. As we approach Thanksgiving this week, I challenge you to join me in being thankful in the little things. One example I have is I had to buy some more memory for our laptop so my husband can use it for this new job he was offered as an independent insurance appraiser. I know memory is expensive so I was wondering how I was going to pay for 2 gb's of ram today. I walked into Office Depot, handed a very nice clerk what I needed, and she took me to a wonderful surprise-a sale that was over half off the regular price!! Woo hoo! I went to my truck and immediately said thank you to God for the blessing of the sale, that saved us over $44!!

There are many things I am thankful for: a wonderful, loving husband, my supportive parents, my sister and her husband, my nieces who brighten my day anytime I see them and they always make me laugh. My mother-in-law. The fact that a close relative who disappeared from our lives for a few years is now back in our lives, is a blessing. The sun was out today. I live in a beautiful area with mountains, trees, and lakes and wildlife. Sunsets always make me thankful because they remind me of God's majesty. My dog is a blessing because she always loves me no matter what. My job and the people I work with are a blessing . My church. Friends who are there through good times and not so good times. My Bible is something I am very thankful for as it allows me to know God's thoughts and plans. Sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. I am grateful that I live in a free country. Most of all, I am thankful for Jesus and his death upon the cross for me.

My list could go on and on, and on and on, but for today, anyway, I will stop, but I encourage you to add the things you are most thankful for to this list. Despite the economy and other challenges facing each of us, let's go into Thanksgiving with a heart this is truly thankful.

Psalm 100
A psalm of thanksgiving.
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Support in Times of Trouble

I get a daily Bible verse, a quote for the day, and a daily devotions in my email. I also have a short Beth Moore devotion that I read every morning. Below are the ones that have shown up from the day my husband got laid off through today. I think God may be trying to tell me something, what do you think? Is He telling you anything as you read through these verses and thoughts?

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33 NLT

John 14:1, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (NIV)
(This one showed up twice this week!)


"So you should realize that just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you to help you." Deuteronomy 8:5 NLT

"God has called us to be holy, not to live impure lives." 1 Thessalonians 4:7 NLT

“Is anyone of you in trouble? He should pray. Is any one happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” James 5:13 (NIV)

Remember... One day at a time. We can't let fears or worries over tomorrow steal our joy for today. One prayer at a time. We can't forget the source for all wisdom, perspective and peace is but a prayer away. One step of faith at a time. If I'm going to call myself a woman of faith, I'm going to have to be willing to live a life that actually requires a little bit of faith.

I'm glad God has all the answers, 'cause I barely understand the questions. ~Barbara Johnson

Down through the centuries in times of trouble and trial God has brought courage to the hearts of those who love Him. The Bible is filled with assurances of God's help and comfort in every kind of trouble which might cause fears to arise in the human heart. You can look ahead with promise, hope, and joy. ~Billy Graham

We have ample evidence that the Lord is able to guide. The promises cover every imaginable situation. All we need to do is to take the hand he stretches out. ~Elisabeth Elliot

Beth Moore thoughts:
It is in our weakness that He is strong. It is as we bend the knee to his lordship that God is able to deliver us.
O Lord, you are my lamp. The Lord lights up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. “God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights. He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow. You have given me your shield of victory; your help has made me great. 2 Samuel 22:29-36 (New Living Translation)

Believe even when you do not feel. Know even when you do not see. He gave the life of His son to demonstrate His love. Believe!
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Completely surrender your hurt to Him, withholding nothing, and invite Him to work miracles from your misery.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

Perhaps the most profound miracle of all is living through something we thought would kill us.
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:16-19 (New Living Translation)

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6

Much Needed Drive

On Wednesday, we decided to spend the afternoon in the mountains. We both needed that getaway for a few hours. There's nothing like going to the woods to help me relax. It was very cold, but it was a good time, and a great six hour retreat from all the stress.

The road we were driving on had a freshly fallen tree, probably from that morning because the winds were quite high. Even though the tree was much larger than my hubby's chainsaw, he decided to cut it out anyway. The chainsaw got stuck once, but he got it out and the road was cleared. Plus, we were able to load up some firewood.

I am thankful for the time I spent with my husband, just getting to talk, to take in the beauty of God's creation all around us, and for a few moments, to leave the troubles of this world down in the valley floor.

Words of Wisdom

I received a lot of support yesterday at work because of my husband's lay off. It's so great to work in a place where people are so caring. One of the pastors came into my cubicle and had me get a bible out. He told me to open to Philippians 4:4-13.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Thanks for Their Gifts I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

He had me read through this pretty much word by word and really, really see what it was saying. He also added in thoughts and comments. Like in the first verse, it says rejoice twice. He asked me if I got that, and told me no matter what I should still be rejoicing because God is still God, I still have my friends and family, and life will go on, it just may look different than what I am used to, but that's okay. Then he brought up not being anxious for anything......yes, I really, really struggle with this one!! I really struggle with worrying, and I pray but I have an issue in totally turning everything over and not trying to fix it myself. These verses are loaded with great things, especially in the times we are in right now. It says: I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. Have you? Have I? No, but I'm hoping that God keeps being patient with me and helps me along in this journey of fully and completely trusting in Him and in knowing He will take care of me.

Take time to really, really go through them and really, really dig into them and see what it says, don't just buzz over it. Find comfort in these words today!!

Here it is in the New Living Version:
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Vulnerability

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.” ~C.S. Lewis

How are you doing on your heart? Do you allow it to be out there, for others to love you and be in relationship with you, or do you close it off because it's supposedly not so painful that way? I believe it's much more painful to shut down the heart, to put it in a safe place. I have done it in the past, and it's lonely. It's much better to put it out there, and let people in your life, knowing that you will face hurts, but you will also face a lot of joy and comfort. We can't think of the negatives; we just have to try to trust and allow others to see who we really are. I know it's hard if you've been hurt, believe me. I shut my heart down for a number of years, only allowing close family in, but then I decided to open up and be vulnerable a few years ago. The result is an amazing friendship that God brought into my life, which has grown deeper over the years. Since moving three years ago, it would have been really easy to shut my heart down and live in a dark, somewhat safe place, and I did for the first few months, but then I started to open my heart up a little and let others in. I have been blessed by doing so. Many of the people aren't what most would classify as super close friends, but they are there if I need them, to talk, to cry, to pray with me. If I would have boxed up my heart, I would miss the support and care and love that these people have given me over the past couple of years. Many also call it as it is and if I'm out of line on something, they gently try to restore me. Most of the relationships go both ways, and I hope I bring blessings to those in my life like they do to me. Take a chance and open up your heart today. Put the hurts from the past behind you, and be willing to let others care about you.

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

Ephesians 4:2

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Romans 12:9-10

Crazy Times

Ever have one of those months???? Those times when you sit and scratch your head and wonder why??

Life has been interesting lately. I have been dealing with some health challenges, that are still unknown after a lot of tests and doctor visits. It starts to mess with my whole being when I don't feel good for a number of weeks, and I don't get any answers as to why, but the medical bills keep pouring in as each 'specialist' brushes me off and sends me for another test.

Mid-week brought an unwelcome phone call from my husband's 401k broker, explaining that we have lost almost half of his retirement investment in the past couple months.


Today, my husband called me around 3:30 and asked if I was home. I said yes, and I jokingly asked where he was, since I knew he was at work. Well, I thought he was at work. His answer to me was that he was at the department of labor. My heart sank, as did my stomach. Seems he is the latest to be laid off at his place of employment. I must say, it's a lay off that doesn't make any sense to me since they are bringing a new person on next week in a different role, but same department. Could they have moved my husband to this position? YES! He has years of experience and training for this job, but he didn't get the offer, just asked to turn in his keys and told he would be brought back 'when things pick up.'

We went to church tonight. The sermon was on priorities and not getting worried and consumed about worldly stuff, but looking to God to help you out. Most of the sermon felt like it was written just for us because life has been pretty hard lately, but what are my top five priorities, and do I live like they are my top five? My top five are God, my faith, my husband, my family, and my closest friends. Hmm, none of them seem to have anything to do with money. Yes, we need money to survive, but I have a feeling we are going to learn a new way of surviving in our country. I have a feeling we are going to be living much more like other countries, with large units of family living under one roof, just to be able to survive.

I don't know why all this is happening, but I know God is in control and He will protect us. It may not look like I want it to look, but it will be God's plan. He will always be there, helping us out. I think He allows times like these to happen so He can bring our focus back to Him. We get so easily distracted and put worldly priorities ahead of God. We get busy with life and we forget the simple things, the basics of life. This song was sung tonight in church:

Came To The Rescue
Falling on my knees in worship
Giving all I am to seek your face
Lord, all I am is yours
My whole life I place in your hands
God of mercy, humbled I bow down
In your presence, at your throne
I called, you answered
And you came to my rescue
And I want to be where you are...
In my life Be lifted high
In our world Be lifted high
In our love Be lifted high

Can I do that at times like this? Can I give it all to God, place it all in his hands, and be humble and let him rescue me/us from this time we are going through? Can I take away my need to control situations and just let God be God? I am going to work on it.

I opened my email just before posting this, at 11:30 pm, and this quote appeared. I don't think it appeared by accident. We have ample evidence that the Lord is able to guide. The promises cover every imaginable situation. All we need to do is to take the hand he stretches out. ~Elisabeth Elliot

Foreign Object in the Sky

There is something foreign out my window today! I believe it's called the sun. We have had a lot of gray days already, and it makes me wonder what the winter is going to be like when it's already been this gray and we are just part way into November. I will enjoy the sunshine as much as possible today. I do, however, have to go to work today, where my cubicle walls are gray, as well. I think I need to hang some pictures up, although my walls are pretty full of upcoming events and calendars. It's amazing how the weather affects peoples attitudes. I was out a little while yesterday to pick up a few groceries, and people were talking how the gray has really affected their moods already and they don't know how they will make it through the winter. I think part of it is that people are still thinking of last winter, the never-ending winter, and wonder if it will be another year where we still have snow in June. Today, however, it is sunny!!! The sky is blue and the sun is out and it brought a smile to my face as I went around and opened up all the blinds and curtains on the windows. So, before it's gone, I am going to go enjoy it!

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Thank You Veterans & Current Soldiers

Thank you. Two easy words, but so often not said in many situations. Today, my focus of THANK YOU is to all VETERANS. Thank you for your service to this country. Thank you for defending my rights and freedoms. Thank you for putting your life on the line so that so many others can be safe. Thank you for giving in an unselfish manner to your country. Thank you. Thank you for the freedoms you give us, even though so many abuse those freedoms. I appreciate your sacrifice of time away from your family, your friends, your home, for the limbs you have lost, and for some, the ultimate sacrifice of life. You are honored and remembered. Today I say thank you to those who have served, during times of peace and times of war. Thank you. Today I also want to say thank you to those who are currently serving. Today, I also pray for you, especially as the country goes through change. I pray that wise decisions will be made. I pray for your safety, for you to be respected by those you risk your life for on a daily basis. I pray that you are kept safe at all costs, and I pray for your families. I pray that the debt we owe you will be paid back to you, only a thousand times over. I pray for God to watch over you and to keep you safe.

Many Americans mistakenly believe that Veterans Day is the day America sets aside to honor American military personnel who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained from combat. That's not quite true. Memorial Day is the day set aside to honor America's war dead. Veterans Day, on the other hand, honors ALL American veterans, both living and dead. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for dedicated and loyal service to their country. November 11 of each year is the day that we ensure veterans know that we deeply appreciate the sacrifices they have made in the lives to keep our country free.

It is the Soldier
by Father Dennis Edward O'Brien
It is the Soldier, not the reporter,

who has given us freedom of press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet,

who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer,

who gives us freedom to demonstrate.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,

who serves beneath the flag,

and whose coffin is draped by the flag,

who allows the protester to burn the flag.

Go out of your way to thank a Veteran today. Thank them that you are free because of them!

Giving

Yesterday afternoon was cold and wet. However, our home group had plans to meet at our leaders home to cut down a very large dead tree. We kept our plans and five families met to get the tree cut into firewood. It was cut it into lengths, split, and loaded up three trucks. We had some soup, then headed to a gals home who is having a hard time right now. When we arrived with the wood, she and her kids seemed a bit overwhelmed that we would bring her wood. All of us unloaded and stacked it and made quick work of unloading those trucks. The mom cried, a lot, because she hadn't gotten any wood yet. It took four hours to do all that work, which is great! Four hours to bless someone and help her through some hard times.

It always feels so good to help others out, especially when you expect nothing in return. Look around you and see the simple ways to give someone a needed hand today and instead of just talking about helping, actually do it. You will bless them, and you will be blessed as well.

You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it's a little thing, do something for others - something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it. ~Albert Schweitzer

“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more” ~Anthony Robbins

Happy Birthday

Today I want to wish a very happy and special birthday to our niece!! The little princess turns 4 today! Much joy, laughter, and love is found when we are with her, and her sister. She is always in search of an adventure, it seems, and always asks a lot of questions. She gives big hugs that melt our hearts, and when she gets on the phone to tell me she loves me, it is one of the most precious parts of my day. She also can come up with some of the most interesting stories you will ever hear! We need to start writing them down. We love you! Happy Birthday!!!

49 days

UPDATE: Fresh snow down in the valleys today!

There is snow all over the mountains, and although I'm not ready for it, it is very pretty. Yesterday, I went and bought myself a new Christmas CD. I heard on the radio that Casting Crowns had a Christmas CD out, and since Casting Crowns is one of my favorite groups, I went to track the CD down, and it was on sale! I put it in my CD player in my car, and the music helped to bring peace over me. There's nothing like good Christmas music to help calm the heart. Some of the songs aren't even so much Christmas music, but are just good praise songs. You can go here to listen to song samplings:
http://www.hearitfirst.ca/go/hif/feature/peace_on_earth/casting_crowns/



Yes, I know it's early, but there are only 49 days until Christmas!

Tough Times

The news came in while we were meeting with the teens we work with last night. Most of the room felt an overwhelming fear for our freedoms, for unborn babies, for our troops, for our jobs, and for the America we have grown up in. We all just looked at each other, wanting answers as to why. As we came home, the fear in my husband who works in the auto industry, definitely increased. I think of how other nations are thrilled with the victories that came in this country last night, and that makes me worry, especially when many are enemies of this country and have been waiting for the right moment to make their move against us. It was hard to go to sleep thinking of all the what if's, but we finally did.

I don't know why, but I know God is in control. I think of how many people I know who put aside their morals that they supposedly believe in to vote for what feels good and sounds good, instead of looking to God's word for guidance and truth. It makes me sad, so I can only imagine how God feels about it. I know He has tried to wake up this nation and bring them to their knees, and it hasn't happened. Has God turned His back on this nation because it has forsaken Him? Is He testing our nation to see if we will come back to Him? I don't know. I do know that He is my God, and I know that He will lead me. I know that this place is temporary and that as a Christian, I need to remember my true home is not here. God will lead us and protect us, even though that may not look like what I want it to look like. I have to trust in Him. I have to place my hope in Him and know that He is always there beside me. I have to make the choice to stand beside Him, and stand for Him so that others see the hope I have in me through Christ.

Psalm 46 says~

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.

Psalm 62:7-8 My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

Facebook

In the past couple of weeks, my husband and I have joined up on facebook. I did it first, then hubby followed. We have found people from our early married years, who moved away and we lost contact with, along with old classmates. It's fun to look at people's profiles and try to remember who some were, to think how good some look, and to see how some have aged over the years. I would say some of the biggest changes have come in those we went to college with. It's been 20 some years since we were in high school, but through the magical world of the internet, we are reconnecting with some old friends. It's fun to see pictures, and hear stories of everyone's lives. My hubby is even finding out interesting things about our lives. It seems in the little town he's from over in Washington, there has been a story going around that we had five kids. We both shared a much needed laugh over that today, since we don't have any kids. Although catching up with people from the past is fun, I mostly enjoy the comments sent back and forth between colleagues, as a lot of fun is had by my colleagues on facebook. It seems us upper 30's and older like to spend time on facebook, probably too much time, and have a good time on each others profile. Yes, it can become a waste of time if too much time is spent there, but over the past couple weeks, when the stress levels have been mounting as election day approaches, and as we deal with other stressful things in life that have been happening, it's sometimes nice to just sit down and read comments and laugh.

As this stressful day goes on, I hope you can find someway to escape, and just spend some time laughing. It will make you feel better and relieve your stress, if even for a bit.

The Weekend

Our nieces came to spend the weekend, so we took them to our churches Harvest Festival. One was a lady bug and one was a rodeo princess. They had a blast! We all came home quite tired, but it was a good tired.







They thought our dog needed a costume, too.

The one piece of candy they ate turned their mouths bright blue, which they thought was a lot of fun!

The rest of the weekend consisted of going to the park, watching a couple movies, and just having fun. Lots of memories were made! Thanks for sharing your weekend with us, girls!