edited post

I posted, then removed it. I should have another one up soon. Sorry for the mistake. Have a good day in the LORD!

Give Thanks

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:16-18

" Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks and praise His name. For the Lord is good, and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues throughout all generations." Psalm 100:4-5

HAPPY THANKS-GIVING!

I do not do really well in the category above: being always joyful, thanking God in ALL circumstances, remembering the Lord is good, His love endures forever, and His faithfulness and mercy continues throughout generations; I am often like the Israelites in the desert complaining and whining when God is abundantly providing more than I could imagine or ask for. However, I feel very much like I need to take a few minutes today to be thankful and hopefully, I will also concentrate more on having a grateful attitude more often! And cheesy or not, here is a partial list:

I am thankful:

--For Jesus and His saving grace

--For a Godly, loving, hard-working, fun, faithful, exciting, caring husband

--For five Godly, healthy, wonderful young adult children and a Godly, super son-in-law

--For my husband's job

--For being able to stay home and home school my childre

--For my teaching job and God's faithfulness in so many ways in it

--For my best friend and sister in the Lord

--For my other great friends

--For my daughter's new job!

--For my church family

--For my family family

--For my home

--For a country which at this moment at least allows many freedoms and has been very good to me

--For health

--For the ability to read and talk and share time with good friends and family

--For the beauty of the earth (I love to be outside!)

--For camping and hiking and biking

--For good food and drink

--For all of you

And much, much, more! I hope you all have a superb and fun and grateful Thanksgiving!

Where Right is Wrong and Evil Parades in the Streets

What is the world coming to? (Did any of your parents or grandparents ever say this?)
Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize? Is this an incredible joke or what? I am speechless and frustrated and angry. Skimming some of the news reports for some semblance of reason, I see comments about how the Committee awarded this prize prematurely and must be trying to encourage Obama to "continue" doing what he is doing and that he has brought so much hope to the world, a new aura of hope for the future of world peace, and they want him to continue....etc. He has done NOTHING. Nothing but alienate the people, increase our burdens, support legislature to take away our freedoms... Unbelieveable! Since when do we give a prestigious award to someone we "HOPE" will bring about something good?!! That is crazy! (Not that I have much or any respect for these Nobel Prizes as I consider the winners the last few years--Al Gore, Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela...) I am just aghast and want to try and express this churning sickness in the pit of my stomach as I watch what is happening all around us. Did the TenBoom family feel this way? Life just going along as normal in the family arena, making a living, feeding the children, going shopping, regular every day things, and yet all these unreal and crazy events happening. It's like I'm on the top of a wave, being swept along, no control over decisions my "representatives" (who are only representing themselves) are doing. Don't criticize anybody unless he is a Christian; you might be put in jail. I sound paranoid, but I have to wonder if my eyes are just being opened. It's like people all around are in some sort of trance, drinking the poisoned koolaid because Big Brother tells them to, believing and buying the lies, just don't take away my soma in my brave new world. Whew! Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. I know our God is in control; I don't doubt that. I pray He shows me what my role day to day is in all this. May He have mercy on us all and give us His wisdom. I am still aghast.

THANK YOU!

As some of you know, I have been struggling this fall semester with FEAR. Mostly it has been in my classes. I really felt oppressed. I mean, I taught one of these classes this summer (you'd think 2 sections 2 days a week after not being in the classroom for 20 years AND planning a wedding for 300 at my house would have done me in); however, this fall has just been a struggle, to the point of dreading having to show up. I imagined all my students just staring at me, thinking things like, "You are the dumbest, most boring, worst teacher I have ever had!" It made me nervous and then I really did look like a dummy as I stumbled over my words and information that I KNOW. Anyway, I began sharing this and asking you to pray, and because I so often forget or neglect to give God the praise and glory for His answers big and small, and because I want to thank you faithful friends for praying, I am posting now. Last week things went better; I wondered if it was because I was collecting assignments and listening to speeches and wasn't having to be in front as much, but no, it really IS better, praise the LORD! This week went very well. I felt I had a handle on my information, that it was coming out more clearly, and I may even be helping some students! It's Thursday and class is over till Tuesday, and I actually enjoyed this week! I enjoyed it this summer, and I was wondering what was going on. I think this may be and ongoing battle as I fight for joy and right and true thoughts and positive emotions in every day life, but what a blessing to have this gift of reassurance right now. Thank you, thank you, dear friends, for praying. Thank you, dear Lord, for being ever faithful and loving and merciful; when I am weak, You are strong.

Class is over!

(Don't I wish?!)

I would like to take wonderful pictures like the two A. H. girls, but I can't (so I just borrow them). This summer has been very FULL, as many of you know or can see....

.

CELEBRATE!

I taught two English 101 classes two days a week for ten weeks after not being in a "real" classroom for twenty years (yes, home schooling is real, I know, but I think you understand what I mean). Today was the last day of classes. We planned and held a wedding for 300 in our backyard. One of our daughters became a wife. We celebrated Independence Day with our best friends , and I rode a jet ski for the very first time, and we were treated to a spectacular display of fireworks by the river. Soon (I hope) we will vacation for a few days with family, and then go away by ourselves....and then it all begins again: home school, teaching two college classes, taking care of home and hearth...life is busy but good.

Wedding Bliss

Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. . .to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all genterations, for ever and ever! Amen."

There are no words to express how blessed we are. We love you all. We deserve nothing, but God gives us everything. I am too tired to express even partially the fullness in my heart, love of family, love of friends, thankfulness to God, but I wanted to say something. I hope to say more later!

Countdown to Married Bliss

There are so many ideas and thoughts swirling in my little, old brain.

***How does a darling baby grow so fast from needing me for even her very sustenance into an inquisitive, bright, cute girl who requires my assistance getting places into a beautiful, independent, Godly young woman with dreams and plans and goals and loves and hates of her own (who needs nothing from me)?

****How do I express all that is in my heart before she moves on? How much I love her and always will. How proud I am of her. How I will miss knowing she is just down the hall, a shout :>) away. How I am so excited and happy thinking of her in her new, adorable home as she begins her new journey with her one and only. How my heart will leap when she calls or stops by just to tell me something or to eat a meal with us. How her dad and I will always, no matter what, be here for her, and for her true love, but how we will not interfere....how I will pray for her and him continuously, that they grow together in love for each other and for the Lord...

****How do I get everything completed, or know what needs completing, and then just TRUST God. Actually, HOW do I trust God? Forgive me for being such a worrier. You are so faithful and merciful and true.

****How do I ever thank my family for all their HARD word to prepare? Each and every one has worked so faithfully and well. How I pray for you to have positive memories, gratified memories, knowing you have done the right things, knowing you have given of yourselves, not just to people, but to the Lord. May He bless you and teach you. May we all rejoice with the new couple and be thankful for them and excited and happy with them.

****How do I thank all my friends, and really, my family (which is my church) for all the support and help they have been? It has been so humbling and encouraging to see you at work. Please keep praying.

NINE MORE DAYS! May God be glorified on
that day and in their marriage. Amen.