Set your mind...

Thoughts to begin a new day. Deut. 4: 2 "For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? (v. 29) you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. (v 35) To you it was shown that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him. (v. 39) Know...that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other."

Pretty clear who's in control, huh? Great way to focus my thoughts for today. Off to public school, where to them, God is not "God in heaven above or on earth beneath". Sad. I'm glad for the scriptures and the grace of God that helps me to remember Who is Truth! Have a great day!

The ark of the covenant

Yes, I know it looks like a cedar chest. It is, and a very old one. But I call it the "ark of the covenant." My grandmother, my dad's mom, got it from her parents when she got married way back around 1921 or so. She told me years ago that as a young mother she knelt and prayed at this cedar chest until she found her peace with God. To this day, it reminds me of the blessing of the covenant family. I relish those promises. I kneel here at times and pray for my children. I know there is no special "power", but I like to think that special power is God's promise to be a God to me and my children. That's a pretty powerful promise! I hope you're praying for God to fulfill His promise to you and your children, too!

God's arms

Last week I was writing a note to local friends whose son is on his third deployment to Iraq. This verse came to me, and it is so encouraging. I think I am going to post it on my refrigerator door. Such peace and security!

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deuteronomy 33:27

The Sun across the wall

I was going to write yesterday, and it was the observation of the Sun and the first day of spring that inspired me. However, you see THAT didn't happen. And today there's no sunshine. Well, as in streaming across the floor and up the wall. It IS daylight!!! Gloomy, though.
I love noticing how the Sun moves across the wall as the seasons change. Yesterday being the first day of spring, it came straight into the east window and shone brightly on the west wall. Right on the happy hibiscus bush, which is getting a bud by the way. In midwinter in shines way in the northwest corner of the room when it rises. I'm glad I live where the sunshine can come into the house and it's not blocked by buildings! Another harbinger of spring, the robin, has arrived. I saw my first ones on March 8th. The next day as I walked along the bike path I saw nine of them in the field. I love the way they sound. I left the sliding door slightly ajar the other morning during my devotions so I could listen to their chirping. I'm hearing red-winged blackbirds, too, but I couldn't see where it was. They have a lovely chirp, too. The SOUNDS of spring are just as uplifting as the WARMTH of spring. Now I just need to get some energy....

He's reading my blog!

Obama in his live speech this morning is reading the part of Dreams of My Father that I wrote about in my blog the other day! Cool! I knew it was a great part of that book.

Wedding Feast

Perry and Kelsey's wedding was beautiful. What a celebration. The music was great; the service was inspiring. Weddings are good for old married couples, too. They sort of recharge our batteries. Committed once again to love and to cherish till death do us part!
Go here for the slide show. It will take you to Flickr and then click on "slide show".

Let the feast begin!

This is the weekend we've been counting down to, Perry and Kelsey's wedding. Perry is the "farmer boy" in those early photos I took on the combine. He feels like one of our kids even though we have known him only about five years. What a comfortable person to be with! And his bride is just as sweet, although maybe more fiesty! *smile* And a lovely soprano with whom I LOVE to sing!
I have the privilege of singing with a group of their friends and relatives during the wedding. Boy, I feel like I'm in the big league now. They are a bunch of very talented people! The two songs we're singing alone-and a capella-are the Gloria Patri and Be Still My Soul.
Last night we enjoyed the relaxed rehearsal dinner at Lake Manawa in Council Bluffs. It was fun to meet Perry's family and to catch up with
friends that we don't seem to sit down and talk to much, as well as get to know new people. I looked around and thought some people looked familiar, but then I thought maybe I just saw them at Ellen's wedding.
We look forward to the big celebration today! Weddings are so fun!!