Why I am deactivating my facebook account

It seems that whenever the LORD wants to make a point that HE really wants me to heed, He lets me know it in at least three different ways (I must be sort of dense).

So over a period of two days, I read these two blog posts:

Saying farewell to facebook.

Your digital life is not your real life.

And then saw this quote on, of all things, a friend's facebook status:
One of the great uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that prayerlessness was not from lack of time." - John Piper

Ouch.

So, I have deactivated my facebook account. I figure I spend 20-30 minutes nearly every day checking facebook statuses (but primarily looking for cute grandbaby pics).
That is over two hours a week! I can think of dozens of other ways to use that time...maybe even sending actual letters to people! Or yes, praying.

What about you? Do you have a facebook account? Do you need one? I think it can be a great tool. I love seeing my youth pastor sons using it to communicate with their students.

But as for me and my house? We're not gonna have facebook anymore.

just plane travel

Although it seems like I just got home, it is time to leave again. I have flown more in the past 2 and a half years than I have my entire life.

This trip is serious in nature, although we will have time with the kids and grands (yippee!!!), which will definitely lighten the mood.

Pat and I are heading north together. Since we are flying a carrier that charges for checked bags, we will be only taking carry-ons.

Last time I was up north, (two weeks ago) I was discussing with a friend how I was able to pack for 6 days with only a carry-on. This was a new concept for her and in case it is new for you, here are a few links that will inspire you to travel light:

Miss Minimalist travels with only a large purse for a long weekend.

Or is she is gone longer than a week, she takes a carry-on.

The everyday minimalist packs a duffle bag for a month long trip to Asia.

Wiki-how tells how to pack your carry-on.

And... four shirts are all you need.

When we travel by car, I like to be prepared with food, beverages, blankets, etc. When I travel by air, I like to, and am learning to, travel light.

How 'bout you?

time to laugh

We have reached the stage where, though we are still faced with difficult situations round about us, we notice that life goes on.

Floors must be washed. Laundry done. Tax information must be gathered.

Today I'll be attending to some mundane tasks like that.

And smiling at a friend's sense of humor.

He posted this on facebook:

1. Go to Google maps and get directions.
2. Write USA as your starting point.
3. Write Japan as your destination.
4. Go to the 31st point on your route.
5. Enjoy.
6. Now you'll be in shape for #46.

trust

Thank you all for your kind words. It certainly is comforting to know that you are praying.

The situations that we are faced with are long term. Not easily or quickly solved.

Not like the other day when I drove across the railroad tracks and my hubcap went flying off. . Not like the day before yesterday when the fax machine quit functioning. Those are easy fixes.

The long term situations with which we are faced must be bathed in prayer. Our 'patience' muscles strengthened . Schedules readjusted. Financial belts tightened . Compassion increased.

Trust in God must be fortified by prayer and Scripture.



I find it especially soothing to sit and sew. As the needle carries the thread in and out of the fabric, the design becomes more apparent with each stitch. My confidence grows that GOD will use these difficulties to conform us and our loved ones to His design; His purpose for our lives.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, for he trusteth in Thee.

Isaiah 26:3

waiting

taken at the Central Wisconsin Airport as one flight was delayed...

then cancelled and another flight was delayed.....then cancelled

one begins to wonder when they will ever get home

We have had several bone jostling bumps in our family over the past week. The details aren't mine to share, but things are hard and our hearts are heavy. One situation in particular will involve some traveling for us, so my postings will continue to be sporadic for the next little while.

The above picture captures what we feel now. When we look at the circumstances we feel lonely and it would be so easy to give in to despair. But circumstances change. Sometimes they are great...sometimes (now), not so great.

We are not alone, however, and we will not give in to despair.

Meditate with me on these verses, would you? These help me take my eyes off the circumstances and place them on the author and finisher of my faith.

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of GOD, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Hebrews 4:14-16

"But He said to me, " My Grace is sufficient for you, for My Power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

I Cor. 12:9

and

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."

Philippians 4:8

pampered

One of the evening meals at the retreat was not served at the camp dining hall with a hundred or so teenagers.

It was served in a more intimate setting at the Forest Center where we held all our meeting. Roaring fire in the corner, beautifully set tables, delicious food shared with wonderful friends.



I felt so pampered and blessed and filled up with God's Word and His love and love of my friends.

Good thing too. Over the next week, the pampering would end and life's realities would be bumping up against us.

But He is Faithful and True. So Faithful and True.

scattered thoughts

Sometimes I fail to blog because I can't think of anything to say.

Sometimes I fail to blog because there is just too much to say and I don't know how to organize my thoughts.

Today, the latter is the case. So much to tell.

But, in the interest of not wanting to lose the few readers I have, I'll try to be brief.

Below is a picture of our ladies' trio with our former pastor and his wife. There are many stories I could tell you about each one of them. Kim and Joyce have been such good friends throughout the decades. They are a blessing!

Byron was our first pastor when we moved to the Northwoods in 1978. He and Bibbie had been missionaries to what was then called Zaire for many years. They brought their love for people and their fascinating stories from Africa with them. Byron's daughter told us that one of the church hierarchy said of him, "Byron, you are not much good in the pulpit, but you sure know how to love your people."

We always felt their love. For God and for us. To this day.

Bibbie was Nathan's first Sunday school teacher. She made the Scriptures come alive for him. One day, I had Jon and Nathan outside with me while I was hanging up laundry. Jon was just a few months old and I had placed him in a laundry basket with dry clean blankets. Nathan was playing with toys at my feet. The sheets I had hung on the line kept blowing in his face and when he had had enough, he stood, raised his hands and shouted, "Peace, be still!"

Bibbie had taught him that Jesus could calm storms. Nathan took the lesson to heart.

wonderful, wonderful people

While I was in the Northwoods I was also able to meet with with the 'Bible study babes'. :)

How I miss sitting on Katie's brown couch in her cozy house, opening the Word together.

It was so wonderful that Jan was able to meet us at the airport. The two hours that we spent lunching and chatting together flew by:

And completely unrelated to any of the above, I forgot to show this little wallet I made for my niece for Christmas. Mary Englebreit Moda fabric, lined with some musical fabric. I tucked some spending money inside. She loved it!

friends

I had pre-arranged for Joyce to pick me up from the airport. Joyce and I make up two-thirds of the trio. She no longer lives in our former community, but the airport was on the way from her current home to the Northwoods.

It would be good to have that extra time with Joyce. We only get to see each other once every one or two years (not enough!). Another mutual friend of ours lives in the community where the airport is. I shouted out to her d-i-l on Facebook to let Jan know that I would be landing in Mosinee. But since I thought Jan was coming to the retreat, I didn't think any more about it.

Joyce was late getting to the airport, but my plane was later. Joyce rushed in to the baggage claim area looking around for me. She saw a familiar back of the head, but thought it too gray for me (but not by much!). Turns out it was Jan! Joyce and Jan had a lovely 20 minutes together (so I am told) while that waited for me.

Jan was not able to come to the retreat after all, but the three of us went to (a two hour) lunch together and got caught up on kids, grands, work and ministry opportunities. What a blessing!

The moral of this story, for me, is to do whatever you can to get together with old friends. Drop everything. You will be blessed. I still feel bad that I did not get to see everyone I wanted to see when up north, but that was due to lack of time, rather than lack of 'want to'.

It was great to reminisce with Jan and Joyce, as well as to catch up on the present. We could see God's faithful Hand upon each of our lives.

Now we look forward to the future together; excited to see what He has in store for us.

home

I'm home. Wonderful word 'home'.

Home is where your heart is, where your stuff is, where your people are.

I'm so, so blessed to have my heart and my people in a few different places.

• here, where Pat is and my folks (and my stuff)
• in the Northwoods where I have so many wonderful friends (big regret of the trip? didn't get to see everyone I wanted to see)
• where our kids are
• where my sibs are

But most of all, my final destination is heaven...where my heart will at last be home in the Presence of my King.

In the meantime, though, God allows me little glimpses of heaven and this past weekend was one long (though not long enough) view into the portals of forever fellowship with dear saints.

I'm so thankful for all those who took time and effort to hang out with me this past week. It was beyond wonderful. I feel so blessed.

The speaker, the time with girlfriends, the time in the Word, the food (the food!), prayer time...the only way it could have been better would been if more friends would have been able to come. I was inspired, challenged and comforted.

I'll share little pieces of what I learned and experienced in the days to come.

opportunity knocks

Once upon a time, three young moms attended the same church.

They sang in the same choir.

And one day, they found that if they sang together as a trio, people liked it.

The three young moms liked singing together, too.

So they practiced a lot, with nine kids amongst them, practices were never dull or quiet.

It was great fun.

Fast forward almost 25+ years. The three young moms are now....um...not so young. In fact they are all mothers-in-law and two of them are grandmas.

They haven't sung together in years. :(

They don't even live near each other any more. :(

But someone remembered that once upon a time they used to sing together and invited them to come sing at a ladies' retreat. :)

And so, with great joy, they accepted the invitation. :)

The (formerly) young moms will be able to sing for their former, dearly beloved, pastor and his wife.

They will be able to see other formerly young friends. And go tubing and laugh together and make wonderful memories.
~~~~~~
I'm beyond the moon excited about this opportunity. I fly to the Northwoods in the morning and will be back to blogging, LORD willing, in a week or so.

Please pray for the speaker. She is also a formerly young friend. Her husband has been having some heart problems this week and she may not be able to come. If that is the case, I will really miss seeing her. Also, if that is the case, I have semi-volunteered/agreed to speak at one of the sessions.

Yikes ( and yay - I'm excited to share some of what I have been learning)! Prayers please.

Happy New Year!

The end of one year and the beginning of another. A time for reflection and evaluation.

We had several milestones last year:

• Our youngest graduated from college (and got a job!)
• Pat retired
• God blessed us with our second precious grandchild Sadie Elizabeth

I got to see all of my siblings (and assorted nieces and nephews) at least twice and I got to see the kids 4 times (never enough, but I am thankful for that many because of the distance). We also got to see cousins and aunts.

2010 revolved around family. We are so blessed and so grateful.

Our Christmas was wonderful, though we did not exchange gifts. It is not about the presents, but the Presence. Of the One who came at Christmas. And the presence of so many loved ones made it even more precious and memorable.

~~~~~

This morning's pre-dawn walk was beautiful with a little hint of danger. There was not a cloud in the sky and the stars were magnificent. I even saw two shooting stars and marveled that the GOD who created the limitless expanse of space cares about me. That knowledge makes me ready to face 2011 no matter what it brings.

As I was resting safely and securely in that knowledge; I heard the eerie howling of a pack of coyotes. They were close - perhaps in the field adjacent to our subdivision. I could not see them, but I could definitely hear their bone chilling cries. Danger lurked for the cattle in that field - especially the calves.

I thought of my neighbor - her 2010 was filled with difficulty and tragedy. We spoke yesterday and she remarked that she was so thankful that she did not know what the year held at the beginning.

We do not know what 2011 holds, but we rest secure in the everlasting arms of the One who holds the future.

Hoping 2011 brings lots of visits to and from these cuties:

Josh anticipating the new year

Sweet Sadie, apparently worn out from the old one

Photos stolen from Jon (without permission - hope it is okay Jon!)

all worn out

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