Take Time to Remember

The patriot's blood is the seed of Freedom's tree. ~Thomas Campbell

Who kept the faith and fought the fight; The glory theirs, the duty ours.  ~Wallace Bruce

The story of America's quest for freedom is inscribed on her history in the blood of her patriots. ~Randy Vader

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. ~Joseph Campbell

The dead soldier’s silence sings our national anthem. — Aaron Kilbourn


This Memorial Day, let us remember that our freedom did not come without a price. Without the sacrifices of the many brave men and women who died for our nation, we would not enjoy the freedoms and liberties we know today. I humbly say thank you to all veterans. Your service to this country has kept us free. Take time to remember, with gratitude and a humble heart, over this Memorial Day weekend.

Afternoon In The Park

Last week, my mom, sister, and nieces came down and we enjoyed some time at Manito Park. 

It was a beautiful day, as we walked through the gardens, smelled the lilacs, and enjoyed some time relaxing and having fun.  The girls thought the hills were perfect for somersaulting down.

It's fun to walk through the gardens and look at things through a child's eyes.  The girls notice a lot of details, and got so excited about colors, bugs, and the beauty in the park.

Both girls love to take pictures.  They used my mom's and my cameras, and captured some pretty great images, especially for a 5 and 6 year old.  

I am now going to be a bragging aunt, and share some of their photos.  All of the following photos were taken by nieces.  I think they both have a pretty good eye, especially for the age they are.  These are their images, no editing, just exactly what they shot.

Voting

"People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote -- a very different thing." ~ Walter H. Judd


This post is for those living in Idaho.  I would like to encourage you to get out and vote tomorrow in the primary election.  Voting is our right, duty, and privilege, for which many men and women have fought and died to allow us to have that right and freedom.   This link will take you to a list of those running, so you can look it over, and do some research today so you know who to cast your vote for tomorrow:  Idaho Candidate List


The list may seem long, but as far as legislative state senator, look for your area as that is the only one in that long list of people that you vote for tomorrow. 


Voting is a special freedom we are blessed to still have the right to do in this country, so please take time to vote in the primary, and make your voice heard.  Thank a veteran for helping you to keep that right, as well. 


"Those who stay away from the election think that one vote will do no good: 'Tis but one step more to think one vote will do no harm." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption." ~ James Garfield

Music for Dance

I enjoyed this reading from the book A Gentle Thunder by Max Lucado, so I thought I would share.


Music for the Dance

Let's imagine that you want to learn to dance. Being the rational, cerebral person you are, you go to a bookstore and buy a book on dancing.

You take the book home and get to work. You do everything it says. The book says sway; you sway. The book says shuffle; you shuffle. The book says spin; you spin.

Finally, you think you’ve got it, and you invite your wife to come in and watch. You hold the book open and follow the instructions step by step.

You continue to read, then dance, read, then dance, until the dance is completed. You plop exhausted on the couch, look at your wife, and proclaim, “I executed it perfectly.”

“You executed it, all right,” she sighs. “You killed it.”

“What?”

“You forgot the most important part. Where is the music?”

Music?

We Christians are prone to follow the book while ignoring the music. We master the doctrine, outline the chapters, memorize the dispensations, debate the rules, and stiffly step down the dance floor of life with no music in our hearts. We measure each step, calibrate each turn, and flop into bed each night exhausted from another day of dancing by the book.

Dancing with no music is tough stuff.

Jesus knew that. For that reason, on the night before his death he introduced the disciples to the song maker of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. (John 16:7–9).

Of the three persons of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit is the one we understand the least. Perhaps the most common mistake made regarding the Spirit is perceiving him as a power but not a person, a force with no identity. Such is not true.

The Holy Spirit is not an “it.” He is a person. He has knowledge (1 Corianthians 2:11). He has a will (1 Corianthians 12:11). He has a mind (Romans 8:27). He has affections (Romans 15:30). You can lie to him (Acts 5:3–4). You can insult him (Hebrews 10:29). You can grieve him (Ephesians 4:30).

The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force. He is not Popeye’s spinach or the surfer’s wave. He is God within you to help you. In fact John calls him the Helper.

Envision a father helping his son learn to ride a bicycle, and you will have a partial picture of the Holy Spirit. The father stays at the son’s side. He pushes the bike and steadies it if the boy starts to tumble. The Spirit does that for us; he stays our step and strengthens our stride. Unlike the father, however, he never leaves. He is with us to the end of the age.

What does the Spirit do?
He comforts the saved. (John 16:7).
He convicts the lost. (John 16:8).
He conveys the truth. (John 16:12).

Is John saying we don’t need the book in order to dance? Of course not; he helped write it. Emotion without knowledge is as dangerous as knowledge without emotion. God seeks a balance. “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

What is essential is that you know the music is in you. “If Christ is in you, then the Spirit gives you life” (Romans 8:10). You don’t need a formula to hear it. I don’t have a four-step plan to help you know it. What I do have is his promise that the helper would come to comfort, convict, and convey.

So think about it; have you ever been comforted? Has God ever brought you peace when the world brought you pain? Then you heard the music.

Have you ever been convicted? Have you ever sensed a stab of sorrow for your actions? Then you’ve been touched by the Holy Spirit.

Or have you ever understood a new truth? Or seen an old principle in a new way? The light comes on. Your eyes pop open. “Aha, now I understand.” Ever happen to you? If so, that was the Holy Spirit conveying to you a new truth.

What do you know? He’s been working in your life already.

By the way, for those of us who spent years trying to do God’s job, that is great news. It’s much easier to raise the sail than row the boat. And it’s a lot easier getting people to join the dance when God is playing the music.

That’s what makes God, God.

Giving to Others

It is better to have God's approval, than the world's applause: there is a time shortly coming when a smile from God's face will be infinitely better than all the applause of men: how sweet will that word be, "Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matt. 25: 21). ~Thomas Brooks

Sometimes it's hard to remember that all that matters, truly matters, is what God thinks of our life and what we do with it. It can be difficult to put aside what others think, and strive only to please our Father. Sometimes, that means serving somewhere quietly, where you do not receive any applause from others. If we serve for the right reasons, we really don't need others approval or applause. When we live for Him, serve Him alone, there is a lot less frustration in our life, a lot less pressure because He isn't about putting on a big show and will not criticize us. He just wants us to serve with a cheerful heart.



My friend over at Aspire to Lead a Quiet Life had a vision to start a new ministry called For The Least of These. All proceeds go to help others. Please click the link and go check out the details. Please continue to check out the page, as it will be expanding, and if you can, support her ministry as she is doing it for the least of these. She isn't looking for the applause of men, she just wants to serve the Lord and help those in need.

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." ~ Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

New Trimmer

Yesterday I had to go buy a new weed eater, a Grasshog. When we moved here four years ago, we needed a new one because the one we had before only lasted 17 years when it stopped working. It was a little yellow and green electric trimmer, and worked great for 16 years. After moving, we were on a very limited budget as we made two house payments for four months. So, I hit the thrift store, and found a weed eater. I hoped it worked as I brought it home. It was older, and definitely had been used a lot. We grabbed our extension cord and whirl...it worked! We figured we made a good investment. Well, that is until it blew to pieces last Fall when I was trimming around my flowers. I told my husband they don't make things like they used to. I mean, for $3, things should last more than three years! We laughed about it, and figured a dollar a year wasn't too bad. If this new one lasts for that same amount of time, a dollar a year, we will be too old to worry about if blows up into a bunch of pieces like our last one did! So, today trimming with the new GRASSHOG is on my list. So is getting compost into the beds, weeding, and planting. I better get busy!

What Are You Waiting For?

Frustration with your performance, the people you serve or the process needed to complete the task set before you will never be an acceptable excuse for direct or indirect disobedience to God's call in your life. ~Katherine Walden


When I read that quote first thing this morning all I thought was ouch! I've been there, and struggled with that, have you? I know it's not what God wants, however. It can be difficult to move past those frustrations when we keep our eyes focused on us, and we ask but what about me? Why didn't they notice what I did? How can they not see how much time I invested? Why isn't my project, my ministry being successful? Why?? Because it's all about me. If we put God at the center of our serving, our projects, our ministry then we take our eyes off ourselves. We look to Him, and follow His lead. We don't worry about the approval and applause of others, we just strive to be all that God wants us to be.

God wants us to step out for what He is calling us to do and to not be afraid, to not worry about what others will think or do. He wants our heart, our obedience. We may think we are not able to do what He is calling us to, because we don't have enough training, we aren't educated, we are scared, but if God is calling us, He's going to help us out and not let us fail. Jesus called Peter to walk on the water, and Peter was successful. Peter only fell when he took his eyes off Jesus, but Jesus was right there with a loving hand to help him up.

We are called to step out in faith, to trust Christ, and accomplish what His calling is for us. The only question is are you willing to be faithful and obedient?

Walk on Water by Britt Nicole
You look around
It's staring back at you
Another wave of doubt
Will it pull you under
You wonder

What if I'm overtaken?
What if I never make it?
What if no one's there?
Will you hear my prayer?

When you take that first step
Into the unknown
You know that He won't let you go

So what are you waiting for?
What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities try to alter you
You know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all
It takes in you
You can walk on the water too

So get out
and let your fear fall to the ground
No time to waste
Don't wait
Don't you turn around and miss out
Everything you were made for
I know you're not sure
So you play it safe
Try to run away

If you take that first step
Into the unknown
He won't let you go

So what are you waiting for?
What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities try to alter you
You know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all
It takes in you
You can walk on the water too

(Step Out)
Even when a storm hits
(Step Out)
Even when you're broken
(Step Out)
Even when your heart is telling you, telling you to give up
(Step Out)
When your hope is stolen
(Step Out)
You can't see where you're going
You don't have to be afraid

So what are you waiting for?

So what are you waiting for?
What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities try to alter you
You know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all
It takes in you
You can walk on the water too

Happy Mother's Day

My husband and I are blessed and grateful to have great mom's who care about us and love us. Today we want to wish both of them a very Happy Mother's Day and thank them for always being there for us, for their encouragement, support, and grace. We love you!

"What Is A Mother"

~ Helen Steiner Rice ~


It takes a Mother's Love
to make a house a home,
A place to be remembered,
no matter where we roam.

It takes a Mother's Patience,
to bring a child up right,
And her Courage and her Cheerfulness
to make a dark day bright.

It takes a Mother's Thoughtfulness
to mend the heart's deep "hurts,"
And her Skill and her Endurance
to mend little socks and shirts.

It takes a Mother's Kindness
to forgive us when we err,
To sympathize in trouble
and bow her head in prayer.

It takes a Mother's Wisdom
to recognize our needs
And to give us reassurance
by her loving words and deeds.

It takes a Mother's Endless Faith,
her Confidence and Trust
To guide us through the pitfalls
of selfishness and lust.

And that is why in all this world
there could not be another
Who could fulfill God's purpose
as completely as a MOTHER!

Summer Dreaming

It's been awhile since I shared some pictures, and I have made a couple trips to Manito to see the flowers. I decided to share some of the beauty, especially since our weather seems to be going back to winter, instead of moving ahead to summer. Summer dream as you gaze at the flowers!