Home, Sweet Home

We slept in till 9:30 this morning and did not eat breakfast so we could stop in Abilene and eat at Abuelo's. I really don't know why the one in Abilene is sooooo much better than the one in Plano, but it is and I arrange my trips through Abilene so that I can get those great chili rellenos. The first thing we noticed when we got out of the car when we got home was the heat. For the past week we have spent days and nights with windows open and no air conditioning! 102 degrees was not welcoming. After 2,675 miles driven, we were glad to be out of the car and back home. I know tonight I am going to love sleeping in my own bed with my own pillows :)
Here are a few last pictures:
Me and My Brothers, Brent and Brad

Brad and my nieces Aly and Alyssa

My Niece Leanne and great niece Alyvia

Me and My Aunts


Just lucked out and captured this doe looking at me. Funny thing is that, he and his three friends were just in a gravel parking lot next to the bank?

Tomorrow I will tell you about our flood experience.

Homeward Bound

Steve and I are in Big Springs tonight on our way home! Woohoo! I am really ready to be home and stay put for awhile. We have had a good time, but it is true "there is no place like home". Didn't have internet access in Ruidoso so couldn't post about the floods, and am really too tired to do it now, but tune in. I will post some things in the next few days. In the meantime. These pictures were so typical of the drive today! Definitely not scenic from Roswell to Big Springs :)



But guess I can't complain too much since this is what God allowed me to see yesterday after the afternoon thunder shower.

It's My Birthday

If you have been noticing my countdown, you noticed that it said Lynn and Leanne's birthday. My niece Leanne is 27 today and she and I share the same birthday. We are leaving this morning on our way to Ruidoso where my brothers and their girls will join us as well as Leanne and her daughter Alyvia. So for the first time in 27 years I will spend my birthday with my niece. I also think this is probably the first time in at least 30 years that I have spent my birthday with my brothers, so that will be special as well.

Don't know that we will have wireless access at the cabin in Ruidoso, so wanted to make one last post here this morning. Last night after the storms cleared out I got up about midnight and the skies were just breathtaking. For the first time in my life I had a better understanding of the Tower of Babel, as I just wanted to reach out and catch a star. It almost looked like you could. I just started singing:
The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame
Their great Original proclaim.
Th’unwearied sun, from day to day,
Does his Creator’s powers display,
And publishes to every land
The work of an Almighty Hand.

Soon as the evening shades prevail
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly to the listening earth
Repeats the story of her birth;
While all the stars that round her burn
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole to pole.

What though in solemn silence all
Move round the dark terrestrial ball?
What though no real voice nor sound
Amid the radiant orbs be found?
In reason’s ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice,
Forever singing as they shine,
“The hand that made us is divine.”
Have to admit, I only knew the first verse :)


Then this morning I got up at 5:45 again to capture a sunrise which is a big deal to a non-morning person like me. It wasn't as majestic as yesterday's, but still pretty, especially to watch the fog roll over the valley. As I thanked God for His beautiful creation, I also had to confess that I should be more thankful for it all, and not just the beauty here. Kind of like life isn't it? We need to be thankful for the good and the bad for ALL of it is from our loving father, who loves us more than all we can ask or imagine and holds us in the palm of His hand. Yesterday's bible reading included "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands."
Isaiah 49:16

Another Great Day

I was so proud of myself. I rolled out of bed at 5:45 this morning to take a picture of the sunrise to post it for you to see. Then about 9:00 when I was up and around I saw a deer out front and took a picture through the window because I was afraid if I opened the door I would spook it. Well, later in the day I was taking bunches of pictures of hummming birds trying to get just the right one and then in deleting the ones I didn't want I somehow deleted the other pictures :-( Including a picture of a hawk or eagle. I was so sad.

Steve didn't know that Hummingbirds had feet, he thought he had been told they didn't but the way this one is perched on a branch, he now knows different.


But God did send me another hawk that I got a picture of, he just wasn't as close. I say God sent it, because this morning I asked Him if I could please see one and He sent it on the side of the house I specifically prayed for. I like them because they remind me of one of my favorite passages in Isaiah 40:30. Also saw a beautiful bird I have never seen, the owner of the condo says it is called a Groesbeck. I didn't have the camera out then, and haven't been able to find a picture of one on the internet. Can you see the hawk/eagle in the upper right?


Another thing that God does quite frequently for me is give me a heart in the shape of cloud. So thought I would show you what He did today. Too cool!

We leave in the morning. We are going to Ruidoso and will still be in the mountains but won't have the view that we have had here and with 26 relatives going to bet there, we won't have the peace and quiet either. Thanks to all of you who have sent birthday wishes. My friend Bubba the dog here says "I can't believe you are 55"(and no that isn't in dog years :)

Mountain Storm

There is nothing better than a good ole' mountain thunderstorm! Steve and I enjoyed watching the clouds build up today and finally had to come in about 4:30 as it started pouring and then rained about 2 hours. It cooled things off so nicely and it smells fabulous! Made us doubly glad that we were staying an extra day!! Here are some pictures from our deck today. This first one I thought looked like a big rabbit in the sky but by the time I had Steve bring me the camera the ears had started falling apart. Maybe you can still see it?

The next two are from our deck before the thunderstorm rolled in.


Here comes the rain!

Steve let me take a picture of him on the deck as we watched the lightning, listened to the thunder and waited for the storm to come from one mountain side through the valley and to our side.

We both praised God for allowing us to witness such a majestic display of His splendor. Indeed the heavens do declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim the work of His hands (Psalms 19:1)

Blogging from Angel Fire

Steve and I had a nice visit with family in Denver. Monday night we had dinner with my brother Brent and his girls and their girls (yes, I am a great aunt)The pictures below are of my great neices Alyvia and Ella, and then Ella and her mom Christa.


This is my sister Caren, her daughter Danette and if you have been reading my blog very long you will recognize Talon. He is now 16 months old and is adorable! They were sweet and threw me an early birthday celebration including a piece of my most favorite Chocolate Brownie Sundae Cheesecake from Cheesecake factory. Yummm. Early in the afternoon we took a trip to Target and while there my sister found out they had three WII's. She has been wanting one for ever, so we had fun playing with it as well although most of the time we were just laughing at each other as we bowled, played tennis and baseball. However I was impressed that I threw a 89 mile an hour curve ball!!

Then we headed to Angel Fire, only a 5 hour drive today but it seemed an eternity!! I think we are just tired of being in the car. In fact we decided we would forego the sidetrip to Santa Fe on Friday and stay an extra day here just to relax an extra day before having to get back into the car. I will post pictures from here tomorrow. We were a little apprehensive when we first arrived because it ends up the cabin we thought we were renting is actually an apartment over someone's garage. But after getting in, it is really a nice little place with a fabulous view and lots of humming birds. The lady that owns it lives in the attached cabin and appears to be single with a beautiful dog named Bubba. So it should be a good restful place for a couple of days. She told us not to leave any food in the car because of bears, so it would be cool to see one. She also said the dog might wake us up in the morning because when she takes him out at 7:30 he barks at bears and elk. Something about the nature of God that is just absolutely fascinating.

Another Travel Day

We arrived in Denver about 2:00 yesterday afternnon. Who would have thought the ugliest part of our trip so far would be when we crossed over into Colorado? For almost 3 hours this is what we saw. Not my idea of Colorado!!


This picture was taken in North Platte, Nebraska where we stayed Sunday night. When Steve was young his dad was a International Harvester zone parts supervisor and he traveled all over and would always bring Steve back buffalo nickels, so Steve saw this and wanted his picture taken with it because of those memories. We also saw this war memorial there.



The final pictures are of Steve's and His mom before we left Nebraska. And the two of us and his brother at the reunion.

Sunday Snippets

Well we were back in Omaha this morning for worship. We tried to talk Steve's mom into visiting a different church, but we had no luck and were back at the Pilgrim Christian Church. I was dreading going but found myself praying in the car on the way for the Lord to change my attitude. Worshipping God should not depend on where I am. I do think that God knew that fellowship with other believers is part of what builds us up. I did find it a little hard to focus this morning because the pews at this church have to be the most uncomfortable I have ever sat in. They are very low to the floor and seem to hurt my knees and make it very difficult to stand up from. I am used to using the pew in front of me to help pull me up and these pews are spaced so far apart you can't reach the pew in front of you (most people would find that leg room a blessing) Today a woman led singing, although I use that term loosely because basically she stood at the microphone and sang. She never looked up and did not really direct. We once again only sang 2 verses of each song. I have always had a problem with skipping verses just because I think the authors of most songs are telling a story and it is like skipping chapters in a book. You just don't get the whole message of a song when you skip verses. I did have a really cool experience as we sang "Open My Eyes Lord". I had my eyes closed and saw a silohuette of Jesus and He was reaching out and touching my face. I immediately started to cry.

The sermon was thought provoking. The text was I Peter 1:3-12. He started out by asking us what the biggest news story was this week. People from the floor said: Gas prices, the longest All Star Game in history, Obama visiting the Middle East, fires in California, and the Dark Knight breaking all movie records. He said we could take a vote and see which one would win the biggest news but they would all be wrong that the biggest news was in this reading in 1 Peter:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things."

I am not sure I have ever thought that the angels in heaven did not experience salvation. That they were in heaven watching as Jesus died, ressurected and ascended.
They are in heaven longing to understand what the prophets of old spoke about--our salvation. The preacher challenged us all to take inventory of what we spend our time thinking about. Are we more caught up in thinking about the things of this world or are we dwelling on our salvation?

Verse 8 says "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy" Am I? Am I so focused on the prize of of my salvation that I am filled in an inexpressible and glorious joy? I am afraid I have to confess that too many times my face relfects my focus on the trials of this life instead of bubbling over in joy because of what the Lord has already done for me. I can only hope that this is a lesson that will not be short lived in my life but I can truly keep my eyes focused on eternity. 2 Peter 1:5-9:
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins."

For me the key words here are in verse 8, "in increasing measure", I cannot stay stagnate or ever be satisfied, I must be increasing in each of the qualities until the Lord comes again. I am glad that I have others like you to help me along that journey. Would love to hear how the Lord spoke to your heart today.

Favorite Artists

Last night I was listening to my IPOD before I went to bed and just enjoyed going to sleep to three of my favorite male singers. Michael Card, John Michael Talbot and Dennis Jernigan. I thought I would tell you a little bit about them just in case you aren't familiar with them. The song from Michael Card was "I Left Everything To Follow You". I tried to find it on YouTube to post, but could not find it although there are a lot of other songs. What I love about Michael Card is he is a song writer who has written songs that tell the stories throughout the Bible. He has three albums of the Old Testament and two or three of the new. We have seen him in concert several times and he does not consider himself as a performer, but leads you in worship. He said one time that he submits his lyrics for his elders approval before publishing them. We have just found him to be such a humble man and enjoy the stories he tells through his music.

John Michael Talbot is probably one of the first people I was introduced to when I first began listening to contemporary christian music. He is a Franciscan Monk and his music soothes my soul. When we were in Eureka Springs early last May we saw in their newspaper that his headquarters was there and they had a fire that destroyed their chapel and another structure.

Finally, there is Dennis Jernigan. I like his music most because I know that he is a redeemed homosexual and his songs are mostly about redemption. I have also heard him in concert several times and again he would not consider himself a performer but a worship leader. He has given his testimony about his redemption from homosexuality and gives light to what it looks like when you totally surrender your life to the Lord. I don't know how many years he has been married, but he now has nine children! I found this testimony on YouTube and it is so sweet I could not help but post it for you to get to know him, if you don't already.

Anyway...you may not have time to listen to any of these, but wanted to post about them while they were fresh on my mind. If you look all three of these guys up in your hymnal you will find songs that we sing that are written by them. El Shaddai, When The Night is Falling, Nobody Feels My Heart Like Jesus, Jesus Let Us Come To Know You, You Are My All and All, and Thank You to name a few. I am thankful for the Christian artists who produce music from their own relationship with the Lord that makes it easier for me to connect to the Lord, draw closer to Him and lull me into a very peaceful sleep at night! (which can be very helpful in sleeping in so many strange beds in a few weeks time!)

On The Road Again

Steve and I are back in Salina, KS for the 2nd time in two weeks on our way back to Omaha for his mom's family reunion. We were stopped about 30 minutes outside of Oklahoma City while they cleaned up an accident. We saw two helicopters land and leave, so assume there were two injuries. From what we could tell it looked like a motorcycle accident. I do wonder if I will ever be able to pass an accident or hear a siren where my own memories don't just flood back.

Anyway...I have always wished there were more cops on the road to catch all the people who have no regard for speed limits. When the speed limit is 70, I just don't think people need to go faster than that. But I even want it more now that we are all suppose to be doing our part to conserve gasoline. If everyone would just go the current speed limits I doubt they would need to pass legislation to make us all go 55. Who is going to do that anyway??? The Leamings and a few others that believe that the God wants us to honor the laws of the land. So there you have it, now you all know I want people to get caught for breaking the law. I follow it and they don't and it makes me angry when they get away with it.

Mom's Favorite

We all know that mothers are supposed to love all their children equally.
Hopefully you never felt like this?



My mom and I had a special day today as she took me out for an early birthday celebration since I will be gone on the actual day. We went to see Kit Kittredge.We were both surprised that it was actually a good movie. However, I don't think it should be rated "G". The subject matter about the Great Depression and how Dad's left families to find work and people had to live in Hobo camps where they were looked down upon by others and accused unjustly. It had a good moral message, but I am not sure children under the age of 8 would have even understood? Couldn't help but wonder if the kids watching even knew what a typewriter was?

Then we went out to eat at the Cheesecake Factory. Yummmmmmm! We split the Country French Salad and the Chicken Alfredo with Sundried Tomatoes. Mother had the Chocolate Coconut Cheesecake and I had the Carrot Cake Cheesecake. It was yummy too, but have to admit I like my old standby the Chocolate Brownie Sundae Cheesecake much better.

I am blessed to have a mother that I enjoy spending time with. We are the best of friends and I praise God for her steadfast and unconditional love.

Wedding Weekend

As I mentioned yesterday, Steve and I spent the weekend in Stephenville to be able to participate and celebrate in Matt Tietjen's wedding. On Wednesday Nights for the past 10 years I have met a group of ladies at Wendy's (first it was Purdy's)for a time of fellowship, food and laughs. When they asked me to join them 10 years ago they were already going strong and called themselves the Supper Club. (Joyce and Randi Kerby and Tanya Lloyd are missing)

We headed down on Friday to help Deb set up for the Rehearsal Dinner. She had rented a facility called The Castle in Mingus, TX. You may have seen it on your way to or from Abilene up on the hill. It is a hunting/game perserve but was a really cool place. Unfortunately, on Friday the winds were whipping really bad up on that hill and they did not die down. We had a nightmare of a time trying to set things up. The tablecloths would not stay on the tables (we finally had them tied down), we couldn't hang the hurricane candles, in fact nothing was going really well so we decided we would just go check into the motel and come back later as the staff had told us the winds should die down about 4:00. We got back a little after 5:00 and there was no difference. We had bought double stick tape to try and keep the name cards on the tables adhered and even after placing them flat on the table the wind was blowing them away so we began straight pinning them to the tables except that so many had blown away we kind of lost track which ones went at which table. Doing our best to get it right we had 3 tables still to go when the wedding party started showing up. ooops. Then after all the trouble of setting up all the tables with floating candles and other candles everywhere not one of the stayed lit. We wanted it to be so perfect and it was not, but....the wind could not deter everyone from having a good time.





The food was really good. We got to chose from steak or fish, both were delicious and then the dessert was some sort of decadent chocolate mousse cake.

Saturday, we just hung out until it was time for the wedding. Amy Kay attended the Graham Street church of Christ in Stephenville so that is where the wedding was. Her family did a beautiful job of decorating. Her colors were black and a mint green. She was a beautiful bride. Matt had insisted that he not see her until she walked down the aisle (no pre wedding pictures) and I later told him I have watched a lot of grooms watch their bride come down the aisle, but never had one looked so sweet watching her as he did. Dan Stevens officiated and did such a wonderful job. He had been Matt's youth minister starting when he was in the 7th grade. We got a few laughs from the ring bearers who were Matt's cousins (3 and 7)the three year old starting making Incredible Hulk gestures and did not want to stay on stage, so they motioned for him to come down. Will stayed up there and did well until Dan told Matt he could kiss the bride and Will stuck out his tongue and said "oh yuck" to which all the groomsmen lost it. Matt's oldest cousin Betsy sang and did a beautiful job.


The reception was nice. I have to post the last two pictures because I think they are too funny. The bridesmaids jumped for the bouquet. The groomsmen just let the garter fall to the floor. What was that about?


All in all it was a GREAT weekend! Made me thank God for the blessing of friends!

Sunday Snippets

Steve and I returned this afternoon from a weekend trip to Stephenville where we had the joy of celebrating in Matt Tietjen's wedding. I will post pictures and stories about that tomorrow.

We got up and left this morning in time to stop at worship at the North Richland Hills church. We made it right when they began the first song. Not too visitor friendly as there was no seating left and no one to show us what to do. After walking several aisles down we tried to get to a middle of a row and fortunately the people were nice and just scooted over.

I don't know about you but from time to time a worship song becomes one of my favorites and right now one of my favorites is Had It Not Been, so I was so glad to be able to sing it this morning with another 1,000+ voices.
Had it not been the Lord who was on our side
Had it not been the Lord who was on our side
The anger of the enemy would have swallowed us alive
Had it not been the Lord who was on our side.

Had it not been the Lord who was on our side
Had it not been the Lord who was on our side
The waters would have engulfed us, we would have surely died
Had it not been the Lord who was on our side.

Blessed be the Lord who would not give us up
Blessed be the Lord for His unfailing love
The snare is broken and we have escaped
Our help is in the name of the Lord. Blessed be the Lord!

Our help is in the name of the Lord.
(Our help is in the name of the Lord)
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the Lord

Rick Atchley, their pulpit minister was on a mission trip so we got to hear Jonathan Storement, who is their young adult minister. We were so impressed with his sermon.
He spoke on Good vs. Evil and what that looks like when we live like Jesus in forgiveness. He used several scriptural examples, one being when Peter cut off the ear of Malchus. He pulled out his own sword on the stage to keep our attention. He mentioned that whatever weapon we try to use against others, someone will have a bigger weapon. He said that Peter escalated the situation and Jesus deescalated it. That Peter was willing to die for Jesus but not with Jesus. When it came to Jesus' ministry that the Pharisees were not angry with him for claiming to be the Messiah because there were at least 70 other contemporaries claiming to be the Messiah at the same time. It is because he referenced Daniel 7:13-14 in Mark 14:61-62, so He did not just claim to be the Messiah but quoted scripture and said He was the fulfillment of that prophecy. Jesus knew that his enemy was not Caesar, but Satan. Colossians 2:14-15 "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Jesus defeated evil by letting it do its worse to Him. When Jesus was on the cross and said "I'm thirsty" it showed His humanness. The actual victory over Satan came with His death on the cross. Rome used the cross as as their sign of victory as if to say "don't mess with Rome". The word excruciating actually means "out of the cross". The resurrection was proof of the victory. I John 3:8 "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work." Jonathan then went on to tell us how we can carry out that victory in the world. It seems so simple "anytime we act like Jesus" and yet all of us struggle in living this out moment by moment. He told a story about a man named James Vanderbrock who shot this ladies 18 year old son and then later killed her husband. They eventually arrested him and at his trial the woman asked to speak to the judge. She explained that she still had a lot of love to give and wanted the killer to come to her house twice a month so that she could give him a big hug and I can let him know that God and I forgive him. The court room burst out in singing Amazing Grace and James Vanderbrock passed out. He also told the story of Ruby Bridges the first child to be integrated into schools. He said that when she was walking up the sidewalk to school people were shouting out horrible obscenities to her and it required that she have bodyguards accompany her. The reporters noticed that she would talk to herself as she walked and one day asked her what she was saying to the people. She said "I am not talking to the people, I am talking to my God and saying 'Father forgive them'". Jonathan stated that the way to defeat evil is to not play by its rules. If we are to follow the way of the cross we must plug our story into His story.

I am not sure I did his sermon justice, but it was powerful.

At the end of the sermon we sang Dennis Jernigan's "Who Can Satisfy?"
Who can satisfy my soul
Who on earth can comfort me
And love me like You do
Who could ever be more faithful and true
I will trust in You
I will trust in You my God
There is a fountain
Who is a King
Victorious warrior and Lord of everything
My rock my shelter my very own
Blessed Redeemer
Who reigns upon the throne
Who could ever be more faithful and true
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
I will trust in You my God
Who reigns upon the throne

The service could have ended then, but it didn't there was still communion in which we sang the combination of "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross" and Chris Tomlin's "The Wondrous Cross", it was again moving. Then to top off the morning, there was a baptism of a man (probably in his 30's). It was very touching and after he was baptized and the congregation applauded they sang to him "I love you with the love of the Lord". It was very sweet. Altogether a blessed morning. Hope your day was blessed as well. Would love to hear some of your Sunday snippets and how God spoke to you today.

The Shack

Today I finished reading The Shack by William P. Young. I started it Tuesday evening. I don't think I have ever read a book so quickly. I didn't know I could read in the car, thinking it always made me car sick, but I did. This is an amazing book. If you have read it I would like to hear about your take aways. If you haven't read it, get a copy, I don't think you will be disappointed. However, I will have to tell you that Steve had read it some time ago and he did not particularly enjoy it, so I guess it is not for everyone. Since it is about how God speaks Truth out of tragedy, I think the take away for each person would be different depending on your circumstances.

While it is a work of fiction, there is a lot of Truth in it. Let me share some of the quotes that particularly touched my soul.

"You mean," Mack interjected a little sarcastically, "that I can't just ask, 'What Would Jesus do'?" Jesus chuckled, "Good intentions, bad idea. Let me know how it works for you, if that's the way you choose to go." He paused and grew sober. "Seriously, my life was not to be an example to copy. Being my follower is not trying to 'be like Jesus',it means for your independence to be killed. I came to give you life, real life, my life. We will come and live our life inside of you, so that you may begin to see with our eyes and hear with our ears, and touch with our hands, and think like we do. "

"Mack, just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn't mean I orchestrated the tragedies. Don't ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purpose. That will only lead you to false notions about me. Grace doesn't depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors."

"You see, Mackenzie, I don't just want a piece of you and a piece of your life. Even if you were able, which you are not, to give me the biggest piece, that is not what I want. I want all of you and all of every part of you and your day." Jesus now spike again. "Macky, I don't want to be first among a list of values. I want to be at the center of everything. When I live in you, then together we can live through everything that happens to you. Rather than a pyramid, I want to be the center of a mobile, where everything in your life--your friends, family, occupation, thoughts, activities--is connected to me but moves with the wind, in and out and back and forth, in an incredible dance of being."

I was thankful for this book as it helped me work through some of my own questions that I have had for God during the last few years. While I know that if I would have let Him God would have spoken to me through His Word, but instead He spoke to me through this book and I am thankful and I can honestly say I am at peace because I know in my heart God is good all the time!

If My People Pray

This morning as I was reading our Daily Bible Reading in II Kings 17, I could not help but think of our country and 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." Is it even imaginable that we could actually do as the Israelites and move so far away from God that we would be as described here?

"All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshiped other gods and followed the practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced. The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city they built themselves high places in all their towns. They set up sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree. At every high place they burned incense, as the nations whom the LORD had driven out before them had done. They did wicked things that provoked the LORD to anger. They worshiped idols, though the LORD had said, "You shall not do this." The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: "Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your fathers to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets."
But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their fathers, who did not trust in the LORD their God. They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their fathers and the warnings he had given them. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the LORD had ordered them, "Do not do as they do," and they did the things the LORD had forbidden them to do.
They forsook all the commands of the LORD their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshiped Baal. They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger."

How do a people that saw God do so much and watched Him save them time after time, war after war, turn their back on Him to worship gods who can do nothing for them? But believe them even to the extent that they would sacrifice their own children to them by fire?? I just find that amazing. So I begin to think of our country and will we ever get to the same point as the Isrealites? Not if enough of us will take 2 Chronicles 7:14 to heart. And then there is God's anger. We don't talk about that very much. What does it look like in our day and time? Not sure, but sure don't want to experience it.

Sunday Snippets

Hope you all had a fun 4th!! Steve and I had a great time at his aunt and uncle's place in Central City, Nebraska. They have a nice 3 acre place in the country. The weather was wonderful and we were able to sit outside in the shade all day long with a cool breeze. Then we watched as neighbor after neighbor shot off fireworks. I forgot how fun that could be to be somewhere where fireworks are no prohibited. Then the fire dept. put on a big show that we could also see from their yard. When is the last time you saw someone playing croquet?? I couldn't play but had lots of fun watching.

This morning we went to church at the Pilgrim Christian church where Steve's mother attends. There was a whopping 41 people there last Sunday, probably about the same today. The minister is a one man show. He made the opening welcome, announcements, took prayer requests (from the floor) and then led the prayer, led singing and preached the sermon. Two other men did do the communion. It did feel rather homey to just open the floor to prayer requests and hear men and women say what needed to be prayed over. Did think it was interesting that when the prayer was led after the requests that most of them were not mentioned in the prayer specifically. Guess everyone is suppose to do that on their own. Sang several hymns I had never heard before with a piano and a violin. But every song they skipped the 2nd verse? His sermon was on the blessings that we have being priviledged to live here in the United States. Because of those blessings we should have hearts of gratitude and the blessings and gratitude lead us to be obligated to live out God's purpose for us which is to spread His message of reconciliation to all people. Not the most profound sermon I have ever heard and not a lot of "a ha" moments, but nevertheless a good reminder.

Steve's mother wanted to eat at an older restuarant in town equivalent to the Golden Corral. She enjoyed the salad bar while Steve and I worked very hard to cut and chew the very tough steak. When we got home it was drizzling and then there was a power outage for about an hour. So I read a book by flashlight while Steve looked at the weather forcast on his blackberry and his mom lit a candle and listened to the weather radio. Sound like an exciting time to all of you??

Here are a couple more pictures from our trip up. You know you are from the big city when a John Deere tractor flying the Flag gets your attention to make a u-turn and take a picture.


We saw this property where an obvious tornado had wrecked havoc. The pictures didn't do it justice. Particulary notice how the tin roof piece got wrapped around the tree. We saw two other places along our journey as well, but did not stop and take pictures of them.



Then it was just amazing after we crossed the Nebraska state line how there was mile after mile of corn fields. They said the blessing to all the rains that they have had is that they will have a bumper crop this year.


Hope everyone makes it back into your workweek okay after the long weekend. Us? We will still be on vacation :)

Fun Travel Day

Today we left Salina Kansas, heading for Central City, Nebraska. It was only a 3 1/2 hour drive. We saw in the little travel book that when we went through Concordia, Kansas there was the Orphan Train Complex. I had no idea what this was, Steve did and thought it would be interesting to stop. Indeed it was. Did you know from 1854 to 1929, 250,000 orphaned, abandoned or homeless children were relocated from New York city to cites throughout the Midwest? Some were blessed to end up with loving families, many were used as farm laborers and treated inhumanly. I found the exhibit particularly interesting because it was the beginning of child placement in Social Work as we know it. Here are a few of the pictures I took.





These toys are from the 1900's and belonged to Mabel. It was all that she had and at the time they cost 15 cents.



We entered an address into the GPS once we got to Central City for dinner. We had decided on Woody's Bar-b-que. It took us to Hordsville, population 164. When we pulled up to the restaurant it was actually house with a catering truck in the driveway (Woody's Bar-b-que). When we went back to take a picture for the blog the truck was gone (we thought it would make a funny post) So we ended up eating at the Lincoln House the only restaurant in Central City. We actually picked a restaurant that Steve felt right at home in because 90% of the clientele had grey hair :)





Some more pictures to post tomorrow. Let's just say I now know why they call Nebraska the Cornhusker State :)