Trust

All I have seen has taught me

to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.

RWE

The greatest of these

...is love

He who has true and perfect charity seeks self in nothing,

but searches all things for the gloryof God.

Thomas a Kempis

Memorial Day

A day to honor those who have given their lives for their country. For our country.

Praise the Lord for freedom! Not only freedom here in America, but ultimately for freedom from sin. Freedom is not free. It comes at a price. Men died for the blessings we experience today. Christ died for the joys we will experience through all eternity.

"...One died for all...and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again."
II Corinthians 5:14-15

God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.
CSL

My Weekend

"Clear prop!" my brother Josiah shouted as we prepared for take off.

It was a beautiful Friday afternoon and Andrew, Elizabeth and I were headed out with Josiah, flying to Illinois for the weekend. Josiah needed some more flying time, and so we were excited to be taking a trip with him, heading out to our cousin's high school graduation.

Elizabeth and I all set and ready to for take off!

We had a beautiful flight. The weather was perfect for flying, and we all enjoyed seeing planet earth from thousands of feet in the air. It was very special to be able to take this trip, not to mention all the wonderful brother and sister time together!

The Mississippi river

We arrived safe and sound, and had a wonderful weekend with our extended family. The graduation ceremony was that night, and then they had an open house on Saturday night.

Helping my cousin Rebecca arrange flowers for her open house

In order to make it back to Nebraska for a church service, we got up at 3:30am Sunday morning.

Josiah fueling up the plane

We had a wonderful flight back to Nebraska, landing about 9:30. And sixty minutes later we were dressed in our matching clothes, sound checked, and praying as a family in preparation to minister together.

Ahh....it is good to be back!

An Illinois sunrise from 8,500 feet in the air --

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,

His mercies never come to an end!

They are new every morning -

New every morning.

Great is Thy faithfulness O Lord!

Great is Thy faithfulness.

The Great Commission

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..."
Matthew 28:19

We have all eternity to tell of victories won for Christ,

but we only have a few hours before sunset to win them.

Check out our waterballoon fun!

As you can tell by my inconsistent blogging, my life does not center around my blog! But here is a quote I was challenged with today, (although I had to read it through a couple of times to get the whole gist of it due to the old, old English!)


Stand still awhile, and seriously consider the noble end for which thou wast created, and for which God hath placed thee in this world! Thou wast not created for time and the creature, but for God and eternity, and to employ thyself with God and eternity.

And thou are in the world, to the end that thou mayest again seek God, and His countenance which giveth blessedness, from which thou hast turned thyself away by sin; in order that thou mayest become thoroughly sanctified and enlightened, and that God may have joy, delight, peace, and pleasure in thee, and thou in God.

Gerhard Tersteegen

Psalms 119:160

"The entirety of Your word is truth,

And everyone of Your righteous judgments

endures forver."

The scriptures were given not to increase our knowldege,
but to change our lives.
D. L. Moody

A questionnaire:

Hey ya'll!

Sorry I haven't blogged for a while -- I've been to busy enjoying 'home responsibilities,' which would include practicing harp and piano in preparation for lessons, trying to keep up with our laundry pile, taking a small turn in the kitchen, working on my Bible college correspondance course, reading through a photography course, and preparing for the children's camp coming up next month. And now I finally get to the computer to blog again!

And I've been wondering...

#1. How did you come to start reading blogs?
#2. What led you to start your own blog (if you have one)?
#3. What is your favorite subject (or subjects--feel free to name more than one) to read about on someone else's blog?
#4. What do you hope to accomplish by having your blog?
#5. What have you learned from blogging?
#6. How did you find my blog?

I know some of my readers don't have blogs, but I'd still enjoy hearing the questions that do apply to you!

My answers are as follows:
#1. - The Biblical Womanhood blog was the first one I read (or was aware of), and the rest is history! (grin)

#2. - I started my own blog primarily to post my pictures on the internet so my grandparents/friends could see some of my photography, but has also grown to include what the Lord continues to teach me, and quotes that have made an impact on my life.

#3.- I enjoy reading a variety of things -- what others are learning, spiritual lessons, homemaking, photographs of God's creation, and about virtuous womanhood and the like.

#4. My goal is to glorify God, as well as to encourage others to meditate on that which is lovely and pure. (Phil 4:8)

#5. I have learned so much! Not only does it help me articulate my thoughts, I also find myself evaluating 'why' I blog -- trying to remain "approved unto God," not approved unto man's opinion.

#6. - And since this is my blog, the last question doesn't apply to me!

Pride

"God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble."

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

I cheat you of your God-given destiny...because you demand your own way.
I cheat you of contentment...because you "deserve better than this."
I cheat you of knowledge...because you already know it all.
I cheat you of healing...because you're too full of me to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness...because you refuse to admit when you're wrong.
I cheat you of vision...becasue you'd rather look in the mirror than out a window.
I cheat you of genuine friendship...because nobody's going to know the real you.
I cheat you of love...because real romance demands sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven...because you refuse to wash another's feet on earth.
I cheat you of God's glory...because I convince you to seek your own.

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
You like me because you think I'm always looking out for you. Untrue.

God has so much for you, I admit.
But don't worry...

If you stick with me, You'll never know.
-Broadman & Holman

Oh Lord, forgive my prideful attitudes and actions. I am so undeserving of Your grace. I'm trying to follow you and walk in your ways, but it isn't always easy. Before I know it I am walking in pride, losing the blessings you would have for me. And when I am prideful, You resist me! And if You resist me, Heavenly Father, then all the world might as well be against me.

Help me to be completely broken and usable for Your service and glory. I love you Lord!

Happy Mother's Day!

I love you Mommy!

Be Ye Thankful!

"O that men would give thanks to the Lord
for His wonderful works to the children of men."
-mentioned multiple times in Psalms 107

Daddy has told us children at various times that God only has to stay something once and it's true, but when God says something several times, we'd better pay attention! This morning I read Psalms 107, and this verse about thanking the Lord was repeated over and over again.

When was the last time you thanked the Lord for something? This morning I am thankful for lots of things! Things I rarely stop to think about, but at the same time I can't imagine life without them.

God's Word :: sunshine :: my family :: second chances :: a smile :: new life :: the cross :: music :: time :: flowers :: love :: the smell of a new baby :: colors :: friendships :: the joy in serving :: the smell of fresh bread :: the feel of my toes in freshly hoed dirt :: chocolate :: wind :: answered prayers :: tangy rhubarb on my tongue :: seasons :: Jesus Christ ::

What are some things that you are thankful for today?

Resting in the Lord

How's this for relaxed?
God won't put me in any situation that His grace won't extend farther still.

"Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him;

Cease from anger and forsake wrath.

Do not fret, it only causes harm."

Psalms 37

My Best Friends

One of the best things about having sisters is that I always have a friend.

I love you Rachel, Ruth, and Elizabeth!

Sisters share their inner souls,

Secrets, hopes, sorrow, goals.

Though time passes with joy or tears

A sister's love will last the years.

Obedience

I told you before my family and I left on our last trip that the Lord seems to teach me one big lesson during our various trips. This past time was no exception. Maybe I should have taken a hint from what I posted the day I left: "My blessed task from day to day is humbly, gladly, to obey." That is what the Lord impressed on me the past two weeks -- obedience.

The past several years my prayer has been from Psalms 25: “Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me.” How does one know which way to go? With so much to do, I don’t want my days to be filled with stuff, but rather that which God has ordained, that which will prepare me for His future work.

The past month, I’ve been feeling like I lost my vision. I didn’t know what I was supposed to be doing (yet had PLENTY of time fillers). I didn’t know what path I should walk, losing all focus. I continued to cry out to God, yet didn’t seem to get anywhere.

And the Lord showed me why.

Disobedience.

For what parent will lay further responsibility on a child that has disregarded their prior commands? What master will entrust much to a servant who hasn’t been faithful in the little things?

The Lord showed me areas in my life where I have not obeyed His commands. Therefore, He can’t give me any new directions when I am not following what He has already asked of me.

But it begins with taking that first step. Obeying. Look at Paul's praise of Philemon:

“Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you,

knowing that you will do even more than I say."
(Philemon 21)

Going that extra mile, doing more than is asked of us.

I think it can be summed up by a quote from G. C. Morgan:

Obedience is the one qualification for further vision.

Sometimes I look so intently toward the top of the mountain that I stumble over the steps leading to it. The journey begins just where I am, with blessings in every step.

The future lies before me now,

Vast and far it lies.

The months and years are plotted out,

Beneath a darkening sky.

I long to climb a mountainside,

To see what lies ahead.

Discover what tomorrow holds,

For all I've done and said.

Then I could see the end result,

Of the path I have to follow!

I'd gladly stand for truth today,

And have no regrets tomorrow!

The Master of this path of life,

Has formed the way with care;

He knows what trials wait for me,

For He has placed them there!

Although I long to run ahead,

To do, to work, to say--

He bids me trust in His guiding hand,

And wait on Him each day.

He sees beyond the dessert land,

The rain beyond the drought!

He sees much farther than I can,

My view is plagued with doubt.

He sees beyond the future's crest,

Right up to Heaven's gate!

His timing always is the best,

If I'd only learn to wait.

-Daniel Gardner

Lily of the Valley

We arrived home safe and sound! And guess what I found blooming?

I have found a friend in Jesus, He's everything to me,

He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;

The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see

All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.

He's the Lily of the Valley, my bright and Morning Star.
He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

Coming soon...

I haven't blogged for a whole week! But be assured that just because I haven't blogged, my life hasn't been quiet. (grin)

For the latest news, check my family's blog. Due to a lack of internet time, our family blog gets top priority whenever we do get online. I have gotten lots of pictures and lots of ideas to blog, but due to being on the road, they will have to wait until I get home!

So stay tuned...I should be back to the 'blogging world' by Monday!