Giving Thanks

Thankful for family-
Thankful for health-
Thankful for a safe harvest-
Thankful that we are not in want-
Thankful for my job and students-
Thankful for my friends-
Thankful for my church-
Thankful that my life is so full-
Thankful for time to unwind, regroup and rest-

Thankful for puppies???

Thankful for all of you who stop by to check on me-
As you can see, I have so much to be thankful for, I am well, my life is full and I am blessed!

"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods." Psalm 95:1

Everything In Its Time

-Impressionistic view

Sometimes I wonder what lies ahead
How long 'til my hunger is fed.

-for Kensey

They say it's hard to make it in this part of town.
So many people on this merry go round.
Some folks try astrology, some turn to crystal balls
to find an answer to get them through it all.
-for Mama

I just fall on my knees and I try to pray.
In the silence I can hear Him say,

-for Jill

"The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky

I promise you, the answer will come.

-for Al and Jill

Hold on to patience and watch for the sign

Everything in its time"

I often feel like I'm two steps behind

Somebody must have moved the finish line

-for Daddy

There are a thousand reasons
Why I should give up

But I'm stubborn in the things I believe
The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky

-after Monet

"I promise you, the answer will come."

Hold on to patience and watch for the sign
'cause maybe there's another plan

One I still can't see
A little surprise, like Your love in my life.

-for Diane and Vincent

Funny how time changes how we see

The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky

I promise you, the answer will come

Hold on to patience and watch for the sign
Everything in its time


Everything in its time.

Check out this link to hear the song for today on You Tube.
You will be blessed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw-h8AQanJw
-lyrics by Corrinne May

-photos taken by me in Lyon County, Ia.


-Acrylic painting by me! "Beyond the Sunset"

"Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles-

It empties today of its strength"

Thanking God for the harvest- all in HIS time.

It's About Love

We thought of you with love today,
but this is nothing new.
We thought of you yesterday
and the days before that too.
We think of you in silence
and often speak your name.
All we have now are memories,
and a picture in a frame.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
but you didn't go alone.
A part of us went with you,
the day God took you home.

Happy Birthday Mom

This family shot shows 7 of the 9 children of Iver and Elvina. Kristy had to work at Walmart, so couldn't come when most of us could be together, but we enjoyed seeing her some over the weekend. Tom lives in South Carolina, so we were missing him too!

We gathered together Sunday to pay another tribute to this amazing Mom of ours. Sunday would have been her birthday. Susie came home to be with us. We placed red flowers on the altar. I think Dad was the one who loved red so much.

We worshiped, we remembered, we laughed, we cried, we prayed, we cared, we missed, we shared, we held each other up, and we sang, we ate, we welcomed more of this family together...time and distance does not matter...we are family.

We wondered why we still grieve and miss...time does not matter....the missing does not go away. Rev Ron said, "It's ok to grieve. It's ok to cry. It's about love"

I sang...."Life is hard. The world is cold. We're barely young and then we're old. But every falling tear is always understood. Life is hard, but God is good. He never said that this journey would be easy. He only said that we would never be alone....and when the last bit of thread begins to come unraveled, don't give up, He'll walk beside you on your journey home".

We had a "sisters" party.

As promised, we laughed, we cried, we shared, we cared, we missed, we held each other up, we remembered, we gave gifts, we stayed together through the night.....a slumber party....age doesn't matter...time and distance does not matter...we are sisters. We have had "sisters" parties for many many years. Part of missing mom is that she became one of the "sisters" too, sharing everything right along with us, so these parties are fewer and farther between AND a very important link is missing.....but her presence is very significant at the same time!


We "exercised" at 2 am. We shared, passing the feather boa for our "15 minutes of fame" and made a pajama run downtown, just like the kids do!

Brother Pat

Always has to be food involved with a gathering!

Mike and Peggy

Marissa has grown since Susie was home!

The boys are no longer the babies Susie met once!

Braylyn and I played dress up during one of our few quiet times at the farm.

We burned what is left of our old grove Sunday night.....an ending to a busy weekend.
Goodbye Susie. It was so great seeing you. Remember.....it's about love. Have a safe flight, keep in touch and remember your humble roots in a little tiny house in a little tiny town...humble beginnings, but overflowing with love........it's about love.

Circle of Friends

It is so weird how things happen to me.

It HAS to be a God thing!

My children's sermon Sunday was on the "Circle of Friends" and how blessed I am to have such a strong group of friends. I had the children form a long line and told how very far apart one might be from someone on the other end, but if that line comes together, it forms a circle and we all stay connected. We can help people in that circle, we can encourage others into our circle and we all have to remember that God is in the very center and he can see and support all of us!

I sang a song, "All of Me" and reflected on where I was 5 years ago. I was in a dark place, barely able to put one foot in front of the other, but by turning it over to God, giving Him "All of Me", plus with the help of my amazing circle of friends....I kept on keeping on. I am more healthy, happy and well today because of the grace of God and lots of prayers and support.

Anyway....today I opened up the paper and there was Karyn Brinkmeyer, a friend from my old College Days. She was the tiniest, cutest, sweetest little southern gal. Looks like she still is!!!! She is singing and traveling and preaching and writing songs to the glory of God. She wrote the theme song for the "Circle of Friends" promotional video. It is not the same "Circle of Friends" version I know sung by Point of Grace, but Karen's own rendition. It looks like she will be singing in Rock Valley at the Pioneer Methodist Church on Saturday November 14 at 7 p.m. I am so blessed to have all of you in my circle of friends!!!

Check out the site and enjoy Karyn's song!

http://www.circleoffriendsministry.org/

Sister Susie

I put the song, "Coat of Many Colors" back up for Susie. She just loves Dolly!

I am teaching my 4 and 5 year olds in Sunday School..."God gives us what we need". Really...this is so true!!! Look what God provided for me today!

I opened my book, Seasons of a Woman's Heart today, opened up a section called Childhood and there was the devotional for the day....

A Child's Cry by Shirley Dobson
(please forgive me, Shirley, I made a few changes in your devotional to fit my family situation)

I was the daughter of a confirmed alcoholic. I could never ask a friend to spend the night for fear my father would return in a drunken stupor. He would stumble home, belligerent and foulmouthed. We would be awakened by his shouting and hide to avoid his wrath.

It was through the wisdom of my mother that I survived the emotional pressure of those years. She was a strong woman and marshaled all of her resources to hold our family together. More importantly, mom convinced her 9 children that she loved us. She had the wisdom to know that she needed help in raising that many kids and people from all around came to the aid of our family.

An area congregation brought church to our one room schoolhouse in our little town. In that little building, I was introduced to Jesus and invited Him into my heart and life. He became my special friend, and I've never been the same since.

As I look back on painful experiences of childhood, I am overwhelmed with gratitude to God. He heard the desperate cries of a family who could offer nothing in return. We had no status, no special abilities, no money to contribute, yet the Creator of the universe entered that little room and communed with us about the difficulties we were experiencing. It is awesome to realize that He loved us just as we were, and our pain became His pain.

In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into his ears. -Psalm 18:6

5 sisters, 4 brothers and a little bitty mama...
We have been though so much together....as well as apart....

Susie- God allowed your past to strengthen your present. Receive His healing and use it to help others!


Susie came to South Dakota to say good-bye nearly 5 years ago. The sisters did make a trip to Texas to see her once since then, but she has not been home in a very long time!


We never could track down Kristy for a picture of all 5 of us while we were visiting in Texas!

Sister
A sister is a reflection of us in the mirror,
And as the years go by, similarities are clearer.
For sisters have a tie that is bound with love,
Sharing, caring and blessings from above.
Giggles, secrets and lots of tears...
Sisters and friends throughout the years.
The bond of sisters stands the test of time.
And I'm so blessed that you are mine

We have been missing sister, Susie.
She's leaving on a jet plane!
Can't wait to see her and "hug her neck"!

Praying for a safe flight to South Dakota!!!!! Oh, and give us strength for the journey! It should be lots of hugs, lots of tears, lots of laughs, lots of memories, lots of nights with little sleep, and lots and lots of coffee! Thank you Lord for this opportunity to see sister Susie!