Saturday, December 29, 2012

Please pray with us...

From the Joint Council Update:

In what we can only describe as a tragedy, earlier today President Putin signed the ban on intercountry adoption. The law goes into effect on January 1, 2013 and while some details remain unclear, it is being reported that the law supersedes the bi-lateral adoption agreement between the US and Russia. The status of the adoptions currently in-process is not assured at this time.

The news is all so overwhelming for us. How sad it is for the many, many children and families that are waiting for their forever home. There are simply way too many orphans in Russia that need loving families to go home to, for Putin to sign a ban like this. It is all so heartbreaking. The children will never survive in the country's orphanages without having the international adoptions -- there are too many children. Please pray for Putin - that someone would intervene and could make a difference - that Putin would have a change of heart. The numbers are all too saddening. The conditions of the orphanages are all too saddening. This is all so sad when there are children in the middle of a political game. It breaks our heart.

Please read the article below on "Russia's Adoption Ban is Cruel and Vindictive to All.":

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/12/29/russia-s-adoption-ban-is-a-cruel-and-vindictive-to-all.html

There are too many orphans and not enough families with the ban on intercountry adoptions...

Please join us and pray for a change of heart in Putin....

Please pray for the many children that need homes....

Please pray for the families that are waiting to bring their babies and children home...

Here is an amazing story of a letter written to Putin about his adoptive family....

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20121228-russias-ban-on-u.s.-adoptions-sends-chills-through-dallas-area-homes-agencies.ece

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Christmas Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We are so thankful to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We are so thankful for Your precious gift to us - the gift of Jesus - the gift of salvation! For it is Jesus that gives us hope and Light and a future. A future with You, Lord.

We are thankful for the family that could be with us today and fill our home with people, noise, love and laughter. We are also thankful for our families that could not be with us today. We pray for peace and love in their lives.

We thank You for the wonderful food and everything that You provide for us. Thank You for being alive in our lives and help us to never forget Your presence.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."

Isaiah 7:14

Immanuel - God with us

Click on link for "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus"

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=09BCCJNU

Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas and the brokenhearted

Giving, Not Getting

By Karen Ehman

"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families ..." Psalm 68:5-6a (NIV 1984)

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" The loudspeaker blared out the joyful lyrics of the familiar holiday song that snowy Christmas Eve afternoon.

Everywhere I glanced, people were searching for last-minute gift purchases, holiday baking ingredients or that one final string of twinkle lights that would make their Christmas downright Norman Rockwell perfect.

However, as I stood in line paying for the ingredients for my assigned Cheesy Potato casserole for our family gathering, a lump formed in my throat. Soon my lips quivered and hot tears fell onto my wind-chapped cheeks.

How can everyone be so happy? Why is the world going on as if nothing happened? My friend Julie died last night leaving behind a husband and eight children who need her. Doesn't anyone care?

I wanted to scream. And I wanted Christmas to be cancelled that year. There was no holiday cheer in me and I thought the rest of the world should follow suit and just 'humbug' the whole celebration.

Our family made it through that holiday. My young children, although sad about their friends' mother's death, perked up Christmas morning, eager to open their gifts. My husband and I carried on with our normal life and, over the next few months, tried to help lighten the load of our now widower friend.

Several in our circle of friends made meals on a weekly basis. A college girl offered to clean their home. One of Julie's sons joined our homeschool for kindergarten a few days each week. Although we still experienced great heartache knowing our friend wasn't coming back, lightening her husband's load and cheering the children made us feel as if we were fulfilling the mission God had for us.

Ever since that year, our family has become even more aware of the fact that for many, Christmas isn't the most wonderful time of the year. It is downright painful.

Loneliness looms. Depressions darken. Even suicides soar. While scores of us delight in the season, drinking the sights, sounds and smells, others are numb from pain and despise the season.

And so I'm reminded of what a sweet neighbor of mine once told me, "Christmas is an excuse for making someone's life better." She was so right! There are souls waiting to be encouraged and included at the holidays. If only we would cease our own sometimes self-focused hustle and bustle long enough to see!

After that sad season, we've made it our mission to reach out at the holidays more than we play the commercialized "gimmee game."

Christmas is not about getting. Its very essence is giving.

When our family has been intentional about being Jesus' hands and feet at the holidays, He has allowed us to brighten the lives of many. We sing Christmas carols to shut-ins, decorate homes and address Christmas cards for widows, shop for the needy, bake for the brokenhearted, and often include the lonely in our normal Christmas activities as if they were part of our family.

Because really, they are. Maybe it is your family God wants to set a lonely soul in this year.

Let's vow this Christmas to make someone's life better, richer in love, and fuller in the comforts of knowing they are noticed and cared for.

Dear Lord, at this time when You sent Christ to earth, may I too reach out to make someone's life richer, fuller and far less lonely. I want to be Your hands and feet. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Jesus is our Hope

How Do I Pray for the Families of Sandy Hook?

By Lysa TerKeurst

"Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off." Proverbs 24:14

There are things mommies aren't ever supposed to find.

They aren't supposed to find themselves in a firehouse frantically looking for their child.

They aren't supposed to find their child's name on a list of those who won't be coming home. They aren't supposed to find a dress to wear to their child's funeral.

They aren't supposed to turn their calendar and find a date circled for the birthday party they were supposed to be planning next month. The one that won't be.

Or walk to the mailbox and find their child's dentist appointment reminder card. The receptionist forgot to pull that one out.

Or find a book they know their child would love. Only half way to the checkout counter they remember, their child is gone.

They aren't supposed to find these things.

They aren't supposed to find that grieving for a child is like navigating a path with chasms so wide their continued steps seem impossible. Terrifying. Hopeless.

I know these chasms. I watched my mom stare at them. I saw her wish she could fall in them and never have to take another painful step. I wept over everything she found reminding her my sister was gone.

That's how I know what God would have me pray right now. For the families of the loved ones that lost so much last Friday. But especially for the mommies.

The mommies that even right now are finding things no mommy should have to find.

I want my prayers to slip into those chasms and somehow fill them. I am asking God to show me. Make me aware of the specific things those mommies might find in the months to come.

When the black dresses are hanging in the closets. The media has packed up and gone home. The cards stop coming. The neighbors' lives go back to normal.

And in the quietness of her own grief that mommy finds something. Something that breaks her heart all over again. And in that space of pure grief, she feels horrifically alone.

Please Lord, let my prayers go there. Prick my heart to fill that chasm with layers of prayers from my mommy heart. Let me take the deep grief of that moment so she doesn't have to be so alone.

Though she won't see me or hear my prayers, may she feel an unexplainable sense of Your presence. And know. You.

That's what I pray she does find. You. With her. Comfort. Peace. Healing. Hope.

Oh God, show us how to pray.

Dear Lord, thank You that Your Son and Holy Spirit pray for us when we don't have words. Please fill in the gaps of my prayers, but also help me respond when You prompt me to pray for the hurting. It's only by Your sufficient grace we can do this. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Sandy Hook

I don't know who wrote this.........

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38

When 20 beautiful children stormed through Heaven's gate.

Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

They were filled with such joy; they didn't know what to say.

They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"This is heaven" declared a small boy. "We're spending Christmas at

God's house".

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,

But Jesus, their Savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only Heaven can bring

Those children all flew into the arms of their King.

And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

One small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of Mom and Dad."
Then He looked down on Earth, at the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.

Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!
May this country be delivered from the hands of fools

"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools! "

Then He and the children stood up without a sound.

"Come now my children let me show you around. "

Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Praying....

We are praying for this hurting world.....

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Please continue to lift up Dan & Rachel Fitzgerald in prayer. Please pray for God's mighty protection over their family. Please pray for their house to be filled with the Body of Christ - that will be able to provide for all of their needs during this time. Please pray for their brokenness, their cries, their pain and the emptiness that they are feeling throughout their entire body of missing their little boy. Please pray for them!

"For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them."

Matthew 18:20

Please pray for the families of the victims of the Newtown School shooting.
___________________________

Today, Bradley remembered the year that Carter was missing two front teeth for Christmas, and he would sing the song...."All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth...." We laughed, with tears, missing our Carter.

Bradley followed up our conversation by singing....."All I want for Christmas is my Carter...." ----- "All I want for Christmas is my Big Brother....."

We look forward to the day when all the pain --- all the earthly pain -- will be removed, and we can enjoy the presence of our Savior, the presence of our Brothers - and - Sisters - in Christ, and the reunion of our loved ones, and give all the glory to God!!

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." Psalm 32:7

Link is to - "Mighty to Save", by the Newsboys:

God is mighty to save!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl2p1C2kbRs

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Proverbs 31 Ministries

December 14, 2012

A Gift for Him

By Suzie Eller

Blessings!

"Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God..." Psalm 50:14a (NLT)

I love presents. It's not about what is in the package, but unwrapping the surprise and knowing a loved one thought of me when they chose it.

I also love giving gifts. Recently I found a very old package of baseball cards at an estate sale. They were less than five dollars, and I know they will light up my son's face when he opens his stocking on Christmas day.

As Christmas approaches, gift giving is on our minds. We draw names. We plan out the Christmas list. Some of us get up before the sun to find incredible sales.

But as the actual day approaches, there is one gift we can give that is meaningful.

We can thank God.

Long before the cross, people labored to find the perfect gift to give Him. They brought sacrifices to honor God, but in Psalm 50:14a we hear a plea: "Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God..." It is a heart plea of a God who desires an intimate relationship with His people.

What could happen if this Christmas we offered Him exactly what is on His list?

I believe it would shift our heart away from our stressful to-do lists to thank Him for all the miracles around us.

God, thank You for my child who is healthy.

Thank You for my husband who loves us all so well.

Thank You for this hot meal prepared by hands of love.

God, have I told You how grateful I am for the warm home and covers to sleep under at night?

As we begin to offer our gifts of thankfulness, like layers of sparkling tissue paper, more is revealed beneath. We dig deeper to see all that we've received.

Thank You, God, that You saw me as a young teen and showed me love.

Thank You for that time at my son's hospital bed that You helped me make it through one more night.

Thank You for the time I needed mercy and found it in Your presence.

Christmas is a celebration of the ultimate gift, but family, finances, or just plain ole stress can cause this special day to dim. Offering up a gift of thankfulness has the power to give those things their rightful place as gratitude rises to the top.

Will you join me between now and December 25th to hold up a daily gift of thanks to Him?

Dear Lord, Christmas often gets lost in all the busyness and details, but for today I will stop and offer you a gift. I am grateful for all the good things You have given. Help me to celebrate this season with a heart of gratitude. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Why Jesus is Better Than Santa Claus - Thoughts about God

http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/christmas/jesus_better.htm

December 14, 2012

Santa lives at the North Pole...
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh...
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year...
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies...
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"...
JESUS knew our name before we were born. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly...
JESUS has a heart full of love

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO...
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry"...
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but...
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree...
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree...the cross.

We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas, Jesus is still the reason for the season.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
~~~~~

Would you like to know Jesus? You can have peace and find hope and know forgiveness through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here's a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to You and ask You to come in as my Saviour and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Bring peace to my world this Christmas. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

If this prayer expresses the desire of your heart, pray it right now and Christ will come into your life as He promised. If you invited Jesus Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Prayers for Dan & Rachel Fitzgerald

PLEASE, PLEASE join Chad, Bradley & I to lift this family up in prayer. Their 4-year-old, Collin, joined his sister, Zaylee, in Heaven yesterday afternoon.

We have come to know this family through our journey of pain -- and as we both keep God's promises close to our heart....."so you will not grieve like people who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13), they, too, love the Lord.

Please watch the first link below: it is Dan, Rachel and Collin in a video that they made for their daughter's (Zaylee), first year anniversary in Heaven. Rachel recently had a baby boy this past summer and named him Zane, after his sister, Zaylee. It may take some time to load, but please wait for it and watch it. It is so beautiful, and you get to see this amazing family.

http://video214.com/play/gN1rGDKII2u7fWylBGtCZg/s/dark

The second link is to Rachel's jewelry website: "Glory babies: a 2 z". Read their "Our Mission", and the "Rachel and Zaylee's Story". You can see Rachel's great big heart for God. It is another neat part of this family - and she has blessed us with some neat pieces of jewelry with Carter's name and dates on them.

http://www.glorybabiesa2z.com/

The last link is a video Rachel made to honor all babies and children in Heaven. It was posted on my blog awhile back.

http://animoto.com/play/1L9xAI4AFRZ00qX9YpGw9g

Our hearts are terribly broken for Dan & Rachel. We are calling out to Jesus! Please join us and pray for Dan, Rachel, Zane and their families - for God's loving arms to hold them up ........ minute by minute......

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." Revelation 21:4

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Psalm 56:10

A tribute to our babies in Heaven:
(07/27/01-11/16/10)

(12/04/07)

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=WDYG7NNX

"I praise God for what he has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised." Psalm 56:10

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Carter's Remembrance Ceremony

Carter's Remembrance Ceremony at Badger High School:

November 16, 2012

Click on the following You Tube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTb4BPWD53M

We watch the beautiful ceremony with tears, as many from Badger HS remember Carter, and take a moment to reflect on his life. This is truly amazing, with so much love in all your hearts. Your love and kindness is what God sends to keep us lifted and moving forward. To feel the love and laughter in our hearts when Mr. Giovingo spoke of Bradley and Legos - was also very warming to us! We love it!! And we know Carter would think it was awesome!!!

Following Link is "El Shaddai", by Amy Grant

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjykcRTPJow&feature=related

Carter's cross made by Mr. Geissler and Badger students.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Grandpa Ed...

The LaCrosse Tribune wrote........

Two centenarians memorialized as caring, thoughtful

And the Chippewa Falls, Wis., resident did, reaching the milestone Oct. 7, before dying at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Thursday.

Baecker, formerly of Independence in Trempealeau County, was one of two Coulee Region centenarians who died this week. Justina Paskaleff of Warrens died Wednesday at Agape Acres in Tomah.

Baecker, who farmed for 60 years, and his late wife, Romelle, raised Klimek after her mother died when she was 8.

“He was one of the nicest gentlemen you’d ever want to know,” recalled the 62-year-old Klimek, of Chippewa. “At 99, he still was running ahead to hold the door open for women.”

He also was a fiercely independent man who still hopped on his riding mower to trim the grass on his three acres at the age of 96.

Baecker was healthy throughout his life, she said, although he did get a pacemaker at a La Crosse hospital about 10 years ago.

“We don’t know if it was working because he never got it checked because he didn’t want to make the trip to La Crosse,” she said, adding with a laugh, “It must have been, though.”

He became a tad frustrated about not being able to do chores after moving to an assisted-living facility about 18 months ago.

“He’d say, ‘The bushes need trimming, but they won’t let me trim them, and they won’t give me a shovel when it snows,’” she said.

He recently contracted an infection and seemed to tire after that, Klimek said.

The other centenarian who died, Justina Paskaleff, turned 100 on Oct. 4. She grew up poor on farmland near Millston, said her nephew, Dan Smrekar, chairman of the Millston Town Board.

Smrekar said he didn’t know his aunt much while he was growing up because she lived in California for most of those years, working as a nanny for a family of entertainers.

She and her husband, John, also ran a restaurant in the Golden State, Smrekar said. John died about 40 years ago, so she moved back to Wisconsin to be close to family.

Despite being afflicted with scoliosis, Paskaleff “worked, and she worked, and then she worked some more,” Smrekar said.

He attributed her concern for others to her own illness.

“If she saw a child in church and something was wrong, she would say, ‘I hope their parents are taking care of that,’” he said. “Something inside of her made her care.”

http://lacrossetribune.com/news/two-centenarians-memorialized-as-caring-thoughtful/article_e2abb1d0-3076-11e2-8e55-0019bb2963f4.html

Grandpa Ed's obituary in the Leader Telegram:

http://www.leadertelegram.com/people/obituaries/article_eb2b0551-dacd-53b8-8b07-382dd5742147.html

........until we meet again, Grandpa Ed.......

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." Revelations 21:4

Friday, November 16, 2012

November 15, 2012

Jesus assures us of His never-failing love and care....

even when the paths of our lives lead through some rough places.

He walks beside us, no matter what.

~~~~

Goodbye for now, Grandpa Ed......

Thinking about Grandpa's reunion with

Meme and Carter

brings a smile to our face, through the tears.

~~~

A fun memory of the kids at Grandpa Ed's house on Grandma Deb's scooter.......

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM GOD'S LOVE

"What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?..... No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:31-35, 37-39

Grandpa is with Carter now and they are sitting right at Jesus' feet! The peace that only Jesus can give us, fills our heart.

The link below is for:
"Our God (Is Greater)", Chris Tomlin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AQ0Dv7kzoA

Monday, November 12, 2012

Simple blessings...

Dear Lord, please turn our "bad" days into praise. And help us notice Your blessings all around us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

November 12, 2012

Turning Bad Days into Good Days

By LeAnn Rice

"It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night..." Psalm 92:1-2 (NIV)

As a widow with a child, I have experienced many "bad days" in the last fifteen years.

Some days, I thought I wouldn't make it another 24 hours without some help. Other times, all I could find to be grateful for was that I actually got myself out of bed.

The sadness loomed over me and cast a dark shadow over my attitude and mood. I knew I didn't want to, or couldn't, live like that forever. Something had to change.

Scripture has the best remedy for us to help overcome the dark days. Psalm 92:1-2 tells us that "It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night..." (NIV)

Over the years I took this verse to heart and made an effort to praise the Lord for the blessings each day held. Moment by moment I forced myself to count the big and small gifts I had and eventually, I started to see them all around me.

Do you need to see some "good" right now because you're going through a challenging time? Or do you also struggle to notice the simple blessings in the midst of your hectic days?

Here are some tangible ways to purposefully see God's blessings, His goodness and His steadfast love - even on those "bad" days.

Keep a Blessings Journal
If it's a rough day, I read my Blessings Journal. Each night before I go to bed, I record several ways I noticed God's love and faithfulness to me that day. Rereading the journal refocuses my thoughts toward God, instead of my hard situation.

Make a Good Night Blessings Journal
When it's time to tuck your kids in at night, ask them to tell you one good thing about their day and write it in their journals. This ends their day on a positive note and gets them in the habit of praising the Lord too.

Create a Blessings Chain
Cut up strips of construction paper, write down your blessings and praises on the strips and staple them together to form a chain. Place your Blessings Chain somewhere in your home you'll see it often. It's a great conversation piece, and provides the opportunity to share God's goodness with company.

Design a Blessings Box
I keep a Blessing Box in the middle of my kitchen table. Inside are strips of colored paper and a pen. Throughout the year, my son and I write down things we're grateful for and place them inside the box. Together, we read the strips in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.

Give a Treasury of God's Promises
If you know someone who's going through a difficult time, create a gift box filled with God's promises personalized for them. Imagine them opening the box and reading this note, "My plan for your future, Gabriel, is filled with hope" or "Give thanks to the LORD, Jackie, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!"

Raising a child as a single parent hasn't always been easy. There have been weeks and even months that have been "bad." But as I've chosen to praise God for the good, the bad days turn around. Today, let's begin to look for the blessings He's given us and praise Him for them.

Dear Lord, please turn our "bad" days into praise. And help us notice Your blessings all around us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Following link plays, "Banner of Love", by Luminate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw6gwV7jVsU

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Thank You, Jesus, for Heaven...

We don't know when God will call us home, but we do know this: Each day is an opportunity to leave a testimony worthy of our faith.

-Dave Branon

Link below is to, "Revelation Song", Newsboys:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml9on19xxFA

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Praise God

What started out as an exciting field trip to the

"AgriScience Department" at Badger High School......

for Mrs. Anderson's 3rd grade class

at Eastview Elementary.........

A very special student in that 3rd grade class,

I got to see.......

.....and could hear telling friends and all,

as he was coming down the hall....

"My mom teaches here!!!!"

With a great big hug and a warm, "Hi mom!!" It was Mr. Carter Dorwin, showing me all the great activities on his AgriScience fieldtrip to BHS! From one little Styrofoam cup of planting a "Wandering Jew" that Carter did do...

He never did get to see the beauty that God made

from his planting....

God blessed us with His protection over Carter's little plant that now grows...and grows....and grows...

And we are able to gift to others as we remember Carter and his love for Jesus. And so we also remember - John 14:6 "Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."'

Carter's love for Jesus is even being gifted all the way up in Amery, WI! My good friend, Heather, keeps Carter's plant in her classroom - and as her students have birthday celebrations, they each get to make their own flowerpot and take a piece of Carter's plant home. Mrs. Hahn doesn't hold back on sharing her memories of the special things about Carter - like his favorite color being orange, and how much he liked going to church activities, playing outside, playing with his brother, being a Cub Scout, play Lego Star Wars on the Wii -- all that cool stuff when you are in 1st grade!! Thanks, Mrs. Hahn (1st gr. teacher) - we love you!!

The link to: Chris Tomlin's, "I Lift My Hands".....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of4fvzKnId0

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Jealous of the Angles

My good friend, Heather, sent me this beautiful video in memory of Carter:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBg9btpGqKU

Thank you, my dear Sister-in-Christ!!

We will walk with the Lord one step at a time, staying within the Light of His presence and trusting where He leads.

"You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny." Psalm 73:24

When all our hopes are gone,

It is best our hands keep toiling on

For others' sake:

For strength to bear is found in duty done;

And he is best indeed who learns to make

The joy of others cure his own heartache.

"Streams in the Desert", L.B. Cowman