What do I treasure?

As I watched the movie The Nativity I was again awe struck by the miracle of Jesus birth.  What a tremendous gift we were given.  I decided to read Luke 2 several times in the weeks before Christmas.  What struck me as I was reading this passage over and over again was the verse that says and Mary  "treasured all these things in her heart".  I began to ask myself  "what do I treasure?"  What have I treasured in the past?   What things have often consumed my heart and caused me to miss what was most important.   This last year I began seeking a different treasure.  Sanfilippo entering our lives would  begin to change my heart and would remind me over and over what was most important.  I would receive the treasure of brokenness. This treasure would remind me that even when life was hard I could believe that God was still good!  I desire more of his treasures to grow in my heart in the year 2011!  So my prayer this next year is that I would truly discover more, much more of the treasures of God. 

Treasures ~ gold, frankincense and myrhh were the treasures brought to the babe who was wrapped in swaddling clothes.  Treasures brought by the wise men who came and worshiped Him.  As I thought about each of these treasures that were brought to the baby Jesus ~gold ~ which represents his royalty, gold was a very expensive gift, much like today.  Frankincense ~  a rare and expensive incense that had a sweet smell as it burned and was used only in worship to God.  Myrhh ~ an expensive perfume that was most often used in burials.  So it was possibly given to Jesus because he was born to die. 

So as I think about the treasures that were given to Jesus, the savior of the world, I wonder how can those gifts, impact my life today?  How can I be changed by these treasures?  I know that those gifts were given with hearts full of worship and praise for the new born king.  Maybe the gift for me and for us, is finding that same worshipful heart, seeking and praising him in new ways this year.  God bless each of you as you worship and seek after the babe who came wrapped in mercy and grace!  He who was given treasures and was Himself the treasure for me and for you!

Luke 2:19 ~ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Matthew 2:10-11 ~ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

a tree, a star and a little boy!

Jayden was curiously looking at our Christmas tree the other day.  I had just finished decorating the tree and it was the first time he had seen it.  Our tree stands about 7ft tall and was beautifully lit with at least 1000 white lights.  I had put a simple star at the top.  That morning I noticed Jayden staring at the tree.  He slowly raised his arms with wonder and awe as if he wanted to hug the tree or maybe he was wanting to reach the star.  I'm not real sure.  He had such a sweet, whimsical and somewhat worshipful look on his face, as he lifted his arms.  In that moment I was touched by his tender embrace and the sweet smile and look of astonishment.  The wonder on his face was completely the wonder and joy of a little child.  I know he doesn't understand that the star at the top of the tree reminds me of the star that shone so bright over Bethlehem the night that Jesus was born.   I know Jayden didn't understand the worshipful attitude he showed me that morning.  But Jayden reminded me in that moment of what was most important.   I sensed in my heart a deep desire to worship the babe that was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.  The babe who came wrapped in mercy and grace.

That simple star at the top of my tree was pointing and reminding me of the most important gift....the gift of a saviour, the gift of His presence.  So I have to thank a little 4 year old boy for reminding me and pointing me to that baby, the gift of God.   A moment I won't soon forget.  A moment that caused me to worship Jesus in a new way.   The wonder of a child.  I'm glad that I didn't miss the gift of a little 4 year old boy, in a tender, childlike way pointing me to the most important gift of all.   Thank you Jesus for a beautiful reminder of your love, your sacrifice, your grace, your gift for me, for us, for all mankind. 

Luke 2: 6-12

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Baby Jesus ~ wrapped in mercy and grace!

As I think about Christmas quickly approaching....I'm feeling a deep desire to worship in the stable, this babe who came wrapped in swaddling clothes and was lying in the manger.  My heart says to worship.  My mind says worry about all the preparations. I'm going to listen to my heart and worry less about the other.  The other will get done.  I'm certain of that. 

This baby Jesus came, not only wrapped in swaddling clothes but He came wrapped in mercy and grace.  A gift that was glorified.  His glory came down and offered us so much.  I don't want to miss the message and the gift He brings!  Even as the wise men brought gifts to him,  he came to give us himself.

Such treasures we find in Him.  He's given us His peace to rule in our hearts, joy to fill our souls, and a love that is so amazing.  What a gift He is to me!   I love a great treasure or maybe an heirloom or two, but much more than that, I desire to seek more of this baby Jesus who came wrapped in mercy and grace for me!

Like the song Heirloom ~ my precious Jesus is more than an heirloom to me!
by Amy Grant

Wisemen and shepherds,
Down on their knees,
Bringing their treasures
To lay at His feet.
Who was this wonder,
Baby yet King?
Living and dying;
He gave life to me.

Time never changes,
The memory, the moment
His love first pierced through me,
Telling all that I come from,
And all that I live for,
And all that I'm going to be.
My precious Savior
Is more than an heirloom to me.

My precious Jesus
Is more than an heirloom to me.

Happy Birthday Ty!

Then

and now!

It's Ty's 19th birthday!  I really wonder where those years have gone!  I thought after 3 kids that we were probably not having any more.  We were surprised and blessed when Ty was born.  Our family wouldn't have been the same!  I'm so thankful for Tyler!  He has blessed us for 19 years!  God has blessed Ty with a wonderful attitude and loving spirit.  We love you!  Happy 19th birthday!  You're the best! 

We're excited to watch you play volleyball this year!  Go Eagles!

Blessings of a thankful heart!

Thanksgiving gives us a wonderful opportunity to look at our blessings and to count them.  We stop counting the cost just count the blessings.  Even when life hasn't been so great, thankfully it didn't take long to see and be reminded of what is most important.  As I began to count my blessings, I was reminded that the blessings have been more than I could have ever believed.  They came packaged differently this year.  I think I could have easily missed them, but somehow God was able to cut through my stubborn heart and show me that He's faithful even when I'm not.  That's He's strong when I am weak.  That's He's good even when I'm lacking in kindness. That He's real, even when I'm feeling like a fake.  Thank you God for loving me and showing me yourself in new and powerful ways this year.  For giving me a heart that is full and that is truly thankful.  I'm blessed. 

My family is certainly the biggest blessing in my life.  Each one has blessed me over and over this past year.  I know that we've all learned incredible lessons and have learned to look at life differently, another blessing! 

A thankful heart is a wonderful blessing!

Psalm 100
His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

A Psalm for giving thanks.

 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

 Serve the LORD with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the LORD, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.



 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!



 For the LORD is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations

surprised again by grace!

I've realized lately that God doesn't waste our pain.  I'm surprised by that.  So again I'm surprised by grace.  A blessing that I would have never looked for.  God is looking for open hearts that are willing to be used in whatever way He desires.  I had the opportunity to share my journey of brokenness and blessing with my brother Bruce's Celebrate Recovery group.  I was the one who was blessed and again I just realize that God uses us often when we least expect it.  I'm learning that He uses our pain, trials, suffering, brokenness whatever you want to call it, to invite us to experience the grace of God.   Sometimes I can't believe it.  I've had many opportunities to share my story lately.   It seems to spill out of me when I least expect it.  So that's the gift, the treasure, the grace of God. 

He wants us to tell our stories.  He's not looking for perfect people.  He's looking for openness.  Is that a word?  Oh well, you know, having an open heart to let God move in.  He wants our raw, broken, gritty, gutsy stories.  We all have a story.  God is writing stories in each of our hearts.  He's writing His story in me.  I wonder sometimes exactly what He's wanting me to learn and do with it.   But I'm excited more than ever that He's up to something good.!  I'm being surprised by grace on a regular basis and that's a good thing.     

Cake Boss Night!

It was a Cake Boss Night!

  Rian and Bill made it up on the stage! 

We had front row seats!  What a fun evening! 

Rian and Bill decorated some awesome cupcakes! 

 I was impressed!  So fun!  Thanks Rian and Bill !  I've never laughed soooo much!

And had so much fun!

Surprised by grace

I shared these words Sunday night at our church Harvest Banquet.  I thought I would share them here as well.   

As most of you know, this has been a very difficult year for our family. The words that I would use to describe this past year would be words like ~ brokenness, pain, struggle, darkness, sadness, even despair. Most of you know our story, but for those of you who don’t know me, let me just share, that in October 2009 our grandbabies Jayden and Brooklyn, who were ages 3 years and 3 months at the time, were diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Sanfilippo. It is a severe disorder. Our grandbabies will only live into their 2nd decade of life. They will lose all their abilities, and will not be able to walk or talk and in their final stage of life they will be fed through a feeding tube. And there is no cure or treatment. Those were the words that we heard one year ago. Those words would break our hearts. Those words would change our lives. Our journey had begun and it would be a journey of brokenness.

As I walked through those first few days and weeks I wondered “where was God?” and was God still good?” My faith would be shaken to its core. I struggled to help hold my son Justin and daughter in law Stefanie’s broken hearts. But it would be more than this mother’s heart could hold. I realized that this burden was too much for me to carry and I learned when you are in a broken and painful place the only place you can look is up. God reminded me that He was the great burden bearer.

I began to plead with God to show up in our lives. At first He began to show us Himself through the body of Christ. Our family and friends would show up in our lives in many different ways and they would uphold us in prayer over and over and over again. We were reminded often that people were praying. It was often that people would share with us with tears streaming down their face. I realized much later, that those tears that they shed for us were a gift from God and that gift began to heal our broken hearts You see the people of God were Jesus in the flesh to us.

As most of you know my heart would again break when my Dad passed away in January 2010. I didn’t think that my heart could handle being broke again. More pain, sadness, more darkness, but again God began showing himself faithful in those moments as well. You see I was learning that God is close to the brokenhearted. This wonderful promise found in Psalm 34:18 would become the anthem for my soul ~ “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and He saves those who are crushed in spirit”. Yes that was me and my family….broken and crushed!

I had read a quote in a little book called “Come away my Beloved” “that Jesus comes walking on the waters of the sorrows of our lives. Yes, above the sounds of the storm you will hear his voice calling your name.” So I began to listen, because He had my attention.

I began seeking Him in a new way and He began to show me what I would call treasures in the darkness. God’s word became a wonderful place of healing and source of strength. God began to whisper into my heart “Be still and know that I am God. I began to listen for His voice and I began to recognize it. Verse after verse would begin to flood my soul like torrential rain. In Deut. 32:2 it says “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.” That’s what God’s word began to do in me.

As God began healing my brokenness, I realized that the pain would never go away, but that God would instead use the pain in a new way in my life. As I’ve begun to sift through the difficulties and the ashes of this past year, I realized that I had been surprised by grace. I had found treasures in the darkness. In Isaiah 45:2 ~ it says “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” I began to hear His voice above the sounds of the storm calling my name. The promises of God would take my brokenness and show me blessings!

God was also showing me His grace in many new ways. It seemed as though God was offering me a gift and this gift would be new eyes to see, a new heart to love, a new mind to understand. Yes, it would come in the form of a severe mercy but His mercy was in the form of a beautiful, blonde haired, blue eyed boy named Jayden and a beautiful, golden haired little girl named Brooklyn. Who even if they only live a short life, their lives will not be in vain but will have caused my life to be changed and I know many others.

Our family has claimed a wonderful and powerful verse this past year ~

Zephaniah 3:17 ~ The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing

His word promises that He is mighty to save, that just might look different than what we thought.

Yes, my journey is of brokenness and blessing, I’ve found treasures in the darkness, and I’ve been surprised by grace and I will never be the same.

Join our family at Cafe Eutychus!

Coffeehouse, Live Music, Food, & Great Cause!

You are invited to attend a night of live music!



CAFÉ EUTYCHUS &

Build with the Boyce’s Presents:

An Open Mic Fundraiser



Saturday Nov. 13, 2010 7p-10p

*Featuring: Randy Nelson Jazz Ensemble, Ben De Los Monteros, Mark Malone, Gino Garza, Brad Henry, Amy Oxendale, Desiree & Friends, Tommy Bakken, and more.

*Open Mic appearances subject to change





Edgebrook Covenant Church

6355 N. Spokane Ave Chicago, IL 60646



How can you help?

Besides attending,

We will need donated baked goods!





For more information contact Keith Bakken

klbakken@comcast.net cell 224-612-2086

www.buildwiththeboyces.com

www.edgebrookcovenantchurch

What a blessing my family is!  Thanks to my neice Ashley for taking our family pictures.  What a great time we had and the pics turned out good!  Yay!

Grace ~ a beautiful thing

God continues to remind me that He is in control.  My heart seems to fluctuate from doubting His goodness to embracing His heart. But as I seek Him, I quietly hear His voice. God is still good.  I've had so many opportunities lately to share my heart with people.  It just seems to spill out of me when I least expect it.  I can only pray that God will be blessed.  And that people will be affected and changed by our story.  That is really what it's about.  So as I continue to look for opportunities  I think that God is saying that He isn't going to take the pain away but He will use it instead in our lives. Maybe that's what grace looks like.  I wonder sometimes what grace means.  Maybe grace is when I can embrace who I am and find peace.  And maybe grace is finally letting go of my own failures and then realizing that God has already done that, that He never did keep score.  Grace,  it's a beautiful thing.  I'm glad that God loves me enough to trust me with sharing, extending and living out His grace. 

Mary ~ she chose well!

I realized recently that God has been showing up in my life in amazing ways.  He continues to teach me and remind me He's close to the brokenhearted.  Yay!  I'm so glad!  Lately I had been thinking about the story of Mary and Martha found in Luke 10.   I had always thought how easy it was for women to relate to Martha.  Martha is busy serving and I think if we're honest we understand Martha, she's like us.   As women we love that about Martha and she's real!  She's a doer, she might complain a bit.  But she's busy, serving, fixing.  Doesn't she sound so familiar?   But Jesus says to her "Martha, Martha you are anxious and troubled about many things."  Wow, I really relate to Martha.  I could put my name in place of Martha's and I hear Jesus speaking that to me.  But......I really love Mary and I've always admired and desired to be a Mary!  Don't we all.   Jesus said to Martha "but one thing is necessary and Mary has chosen the good portion which will not be taken away from her."  This past year I believe that God has invited me to be a Mary.  I guess in a sense He let me sit at His feet. He gave me a wonderful gift.  I didn't always understand this gift.  I pray that He continues to show me how to be a Mary. And like Jesus told Mary, He won't take that away.  He continues to whisper into my heart and in fact I believe He's been writing it on my heart.  I guess I need it in writing, so I can really get it! 

Luke 10:39 ~ She had a sister called Mary who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to His teaching.

freedom ~ another treasure

It seems quite often as women we spend so much time fretting over things and carry burdens we were never meant to carry.  We are so good at making others feel guilty.  I'm learning that often the things we feel guilty for or allow others to make us feel guilty for is just false guilt.  As women we are born nurturers and often we have the gift of mercy and it can sometimes get us in trouble. Knowing to look at the difference is so valid and can be absolutely freeing.  There is good guilt that brings us to repentance when we've looked at it from the standpoint of God's word.  I think I've wasted so much of my life fretting over silly things that God never meant for me to carry.  I'm glad that God has been patient with me and has lovingly given me new eyes to see, new mind to understand, new heart to love.  I'm learning not to allow others to define me.  Unfortuneately it took sanfilippo entering my life to really force me to take a good look at  my unhealthy way of thinking.  God desires us to be set free and live life abundantly.  I guess I'm just beginning to understand what that looks like in my life.  I'm discovering each day God's design for me.   I am so thankful for a God who continues to surprise me with new truths, new understanding, new perspective and freeing me from false guilt to live life in a spirit of freedom.  He loves us that much!

Galatians 5:1 ~  It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

 

Hey Bubba, it's your birthday!  We all wish you a happy birthday!

more treasures in the darkness

As I walked through the last few days, I have felt again completely defeated.  It was a pretty rough few days.  I expected as we took Tyler to college that it might be somewhat emotional, but I never believed it would turn out so raw and humbling. It seemed like everything that could go wrong, went wrong.  From no place to park, to anger and frustration,  to a change in rooms, to Ken leaving me in Chicago to get a ride home.  Well, all that to say, that we did work through all the mistakes, frustration and hurt and we went back to Chicago the next night to see Ty. We were able to enjoy a wonderful Chicago evening with no stress and no agenda.  Ty seemed happy and was pretty excited about his upcoming year.  I pray that God will show Himself real to Ty this year.  Life has certainly brought many changes in our lives.  It seems that God is reminding me again that I can choose to see Him even in the hard and difficult places.  When I choose to see.....He shows up in unexpected places and I am blessed!  He simply continues to show me treasures in the darkness.  Treasures that are beyond my understanding for sure! 

tears and crazy love

Sometimes I wonder what I'm supposed to be learning, I don't want to miss what God is teaching me.  Does He use brokenness, hurt?  Does He use loneliness, how about change, or how about when I give up on believing in myself?   Those were the thoughts that have been settling into my heart the last few days.  These thoughts kept intruding into my soul like a thief in the night.  Does He sometimes take away, like literally strip all of who you are and or who you thought you were, to bring about change in your life?  I know that God is doing a stripping away in my life.  It seems so much of what I've lived for has been taken away in some form or another.  Even my heart for ministry has changed, I don't know where I belong anymore.  Today I brought Jayden to his bus stop and we had such a sweet time together as we waited for his bus to come.  But when the bus came and I gathered Jayden and his book bag in my arms to put him on the bus, he began to cry.  He broke down in sobs, so I carried him to the bus and put him in his seat crying all the way.  I kissed him and told him goodbye and then blew him a kiss as I walked off the bus. As the bus pulled away, I saw him in the window and he had already stopped crying.  But as I walked to my car, I began to cry and then my tears turned to sobs.  I could hardly stand leaving him like that.  As hard as it was, I wondered when God sees the pain of his children,  does he feel for them the way I felt for Jayden.  I'm pretty sure He does.  I sensed in that moment God's arms holding me.  God needed to reveal to me His immense love..... And maybe the only way He could show me of His crazy love for me was by comparing it to my love for Jayden.  I'm glad that He loves me that much, that he would show me in a most unique way.  He shows up in places of my life when I think He's most absent.  He continues to use Jayden to remind me of whats important in life.  So today I pray that I would know when to hang on and when to let go.  I pray that I can wait quietly for Him as He continues to show up in places that continue to amaze me.   I pray that I can let God prepare me for whatever, that I can just simply praise Him even when the storms are raging.  That I can let Him fill my heart with His thoughts not my own.  I pray that I will let God have free reign in my heart to accomplish His purpose.

pursuit of God

As I was thinking about the pursuit of God just recently,  it seems that God was reminding me, He has been pursuing me all along. Often I missed it and or didn't recognize it.  But his heart had been drawing me to Himself all along and probably when I felt the most abandoned.  As I look back on the last year, so often in the darkness, He would give me a verse, a song, an encouraging word, a beautiful smile, a sweet conversation, a hug, a tear.   I can possibly think that those were all coincidences, but really.....those moments I have to believe were God pursuing me. I had heard people talk about that, but I can't say that I had recognized that in my own life until recently.  I'm glad that God shows us Himself in many unique ways, but we're so busy with life that we dismiss it.  But He comes pursuing us, like a bridegroom his bride.  What a blessing that has been to recognize His pursuit of me.  That his spirit wants to indwell in me.  To take up residence in my life.  Wow what a blessing and what comfort that brings me. The latest book that I've begun to read is The Forgotten God by Francis Chan.   It's about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives that has been forgotten.  Another great book, I highly recommend. I'm still working my way through this book and desiring to learn more.

some summer pics

Enjoying my sweet g babies!

favorite summer read!

As I reflect on some of our summer memories, we can be thankful for the times that we were able to get away. To be still, to enjoy a different view, to do different things!  We enjoyed family, boating, seado's, grandbabies and books.  Lots of books.....I finished a great book and highly recommend it. It's by Mary Beth Chapman called Choosing to See.  She shares her story of tragedy, struggle and hope.  If you're looking to be blessed, this book might do that.  I kind of dared myself to read it, quite frankly I wasn't sure I could handle reading about someone elses tragedy and hard stuff.  But she shares from such a vulnerable place that I began to relate in so many ways to her brokenness. I couldn't put this book down.   In fact I almost wanted to adopt a little chinese girl!  So as I reflect on this book and what God is teaching me,  I looked at it as a gift in a way.  To somehow to choose to see God in the hard things,  to see the treasures in the darkness. One of the things she mentions is that we are sometimes called to do hard and so we are learning what that looks like and by God's grace are seeing God in the hard places. I have many more books that I'm reading right now.  I can't just read one book at a time.  I'll share more of my favorite reads here. 

purpose and prayer!

As I reflect on my thoughts of the last few weeks, I'm again surprised by what God is teaching me.  Sometimes I wonder why He would even use me, let alone teach me new awesome things.  I am praying that He would show me more of Himself, that I would continue to sense His spirit working within me.  I'm praying that God would really show me His purpose.  I wonder at times what His purpose is for me now that I'm staring down an almost empty house.  I can hardly imagine that this day has come.  Tyler leaves in a about a month.  He's ready, but I'm not.  So in the mean time I'm praying that I will know God's direction in this part of my life.  I know it involves my grandbabies in a big way.  But I believe God has positioned me and is placing something new in my heart.  I'm still asking and seeking His direction.  I know that His spirit will breeze the path that I'm to take.  It might be that I have to take that step of faith.  So I pray for guidance, direction and new purpose.....!  Pray with me if you will!  Pray for my beautiful grandbabies, they occupy most of my heart and mind these days!  Pray for strength, wisdom, courage and peace of mind for Justin and Stefanie!  They are doing an awesome job.  They may not feel equipped, but they really have heart!  Amazing heart!  God is using them and doing great things in and through them.  Isn't that what it's about!  That's all we can ask.....that He use us, just as we are!

a day at the beach

A beautiful hot day!With my sweet grandbabies!My niece Ashley and Brooklyn

Happy Birthday Chad

Chad and Ty

Chad flying high!

August 8th was Chad's birthday!   24 years ago this past Sunday was a special day.  Chad entered the world with gusto!  He's lived that way ever since.  He doesn't worry too much about what others think.  I appreciate that in Chad.  I love that Chad is who he is!  He marches to the beat of his own drum!  I have to admire that about him.  He's grown up a lot this past year.  He's had to.   Chad makes me smile and laugh!  Love ya Chad!  Happy 24th birthday!

about praise

As I sit here this morning, I realize that it's unusually quiet.  I'm sometimes starved for the quietness, other times I'd rather not feel the eerie silence.  But when it's quiet, I long to hear the soft sounds of sandaled feet.  I don't often sense that Godly presence, but I welcome it like a good friend.  I'm thankful that He shows me Himself in the quietness of my own heart.  I often miss those times, I'm too busy to listen, too busy to hear His voice.  But isn't that what God longs to do.  He speaks to us in various ways.  I know He longs to develop in me a heart of praise.  So today I welcome a heart of praise even in the midst of struggle and heartache.  I'm reminded that He inhabits the praises of His people. I want to be able to praise Him in the storm.  He reminds me that He instills peace and joy.  Ive been listening to a CD of a Haitian man who experienced horror during the recent hurricane that hit and destroyed so much in his country.   He writes and sings a song about praise....."what can stop me from praising Jesus." It inspires my heart to just praise. 

Psalm 66 ~ (vs 6) Praise our God, O people let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. (vs 12) But you brought us to a place of abundance.  (vs16) Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.

Bakkens and Baseball!

We watched the Lake County Fielders last night.  It was a lot of fun.  We went as a family in honor of our Dad.  He was excited about the Fielders coming to Zion.  He had planned for us to all go as a family when they finished the stadium.  Even though Dad wasn't there to watch with us, we know he would have loved every minute of it.  Baseball was one of his great loves.  So it was fun to be able to honor his desire to watch the Fielders play and we did!  We loved every minute of the 3 and 1/2 hour game! 

a few pics with my sweet grand babies!

We celebrated 34 years of marriage yesterday.  What made it really special was that we were invited to a wedding.  What a great reminder as we listened to this young couples vows, of the vows we made 34 years ago.  The vows that were said were very sweet, especially when the bride said she promised to always do all the laundry.  I don't often hear brides offer that in their vows.  But it was especially sweet and very honest.  What an encouragement to be reminded of whats important in life and the vows we made so many years ago, are still what we believe.  I'm thankful for 34 years of a strong marriage.  Not that it's always been easy.  Certainly, difficult times have come, I assume no marriage is without struggle at times.  I'm thankful that God has been the center of our marriage.  Along with lots of laughter, honesty, being best friends, and most importantly Date Night.  Date night for us was something we started early in our marriage.  It's a great way to reconnect.  It's hard in the beginning to find the time, but so worth it.  So we continue to date on a weekly basis, even after 34 years! 

We have just returned from a week away at Table Rock Lake.  What a lovely week we had.  We were able to just kick back and enjoy beautiful weather and a beautiful lake.  It is always a place of rest and relaxation.  I am always reminded of the verse in the Psalms when I'm there....He leads me beside still waters and He restores my soul.  It's a place to have your soul restored.  We enjoyed lots of laughter, along with family and friends.  I have a few pictures to remind us of a great week.  Thanks Sue for your generous heart and allowing us to all invade your space! 

Memories of growing up at Beach Church

We just celebrated our church's 80th anniversary and so I wrote a few thoughts about what the church has meant to me and Pastor James read them .......


In 1957 I started attending Beach Bible Church.  It was because my parents had recently come to Christ and wanted to raise their children in church. So some of my first recollections of Beach Church were when I was about 5 or 6 years old. When I first prayed to accept Jesus as my savior.
In the early 60’s one of my fondest memories were the “Sunday night drive-in Services”. They would only happen during the summer months. We would pull up to the church parking lot and sit in our cars and listen to Pastor Diehl give a message from the cement platform outside on the west side of old Beach Church. They would have an old sound system set up to hear the preaching, I remember a lot of crackling sounds but I loved those old “drive in services”. I don’t think I paid much attention to the messages but remember fondly, Danny Diehl playing his trumpet and singing. Many times I would beg to sit with my friends in their car! I remember those hot and humid Sunday evenings so well. They were pure joy!
In the winter months, we would once a month on a Sunday night have "Singspirations”,  I loved those “hymn sings”. That’s where and when I gained a great love for old hymns. We would invite other Bible churches in the area. The church would be full to overflowing and the music and voices would fill the sanctuary. We would probably call them praise services now…..but the joy that filled that place, I can still feel in my soul today. We would sing for well over an hour, one song after another with much enthusiasm….many times every verse was sung. It was pure joy to hear, as they say, "the song of the redeemed!"
I grew up going to Beach Church. I never questioned that, it was part of my childhood. I grew to love the church and ministry. I also met my husband Ken through this church. We grew up together, with Beach Church being a huge part of our lives. We share so many stories with Beach church serving as a back drop to those memories. We were married by a former Pastor Ron Petrick. We also raised our family here. I would often pray that what was taught and shared with my children through those years, will stay with them and continue to be a strong and firm foundation in their lives.

As we all know, we had difficult times in the church as well. But I have learned even in the darker moments, God used them to show me more of Himself. I learned that as I stayed connected to Jesus and to the body of Christ, He would in His time grow me in ways that I would never have imagined. I’ve learned that God didn’t call the church to be perfect but to be faithful. That’s what Beach has modeled for me. So this church has certainly impacted my life. It is, in a crazy way, a way of life. So I’m thankful for the many memories of Pastors, Sunday school teachers, youth group leaders, Bible study groups, Gull Lake trips and The Awana Club. All who have, in some way made an imprint in my life, large or small, good and bad. I’m thankful for the memories. They are precious beyond words.

Happy Birthday to Jayden and Brooklyn

      An awesome celebration!Enjoying cake!

Everyone swims!  Even Daddy!Nana with Brooklyn and Jayden!  Mommy is silly!Jayden after the big day! Brooklyn after the big day! 

Simple thanks!

I'm learning to be thankful for simple things lately.  As I was driving back and forth to the hospital the past couple weeks, it always seemed as though I left at the most inconvenient times.....I must like rush hour.   I often thought wow.....some people do this all the time.  But I began to be thankful for the drive, it gave me soul time.  I tend to thrive on what I call "soul care".   I could think and pray!  And really get honest with God.  I'm glad that He can handle my honesty.  As I prayed and poured out my heart to God, I began to be thankful for the journey and began to look for the hidden joy.  I began to look forward to the drive and learned quickly how to maneuver my way into the best lanes.  It began to be a challenge that I loved!  I learned in those drives to praise Him even in the darkness.  He began to show me those hidden treasures.  The treasure of finding joy in the journey.  That a heart of praise begins to take the uglies from my soul.  The uglies sometimes take over and spill out.  Hhhmmm.......!  That's not what I desire.....but the flesh sometimes takes over and out it comes.  But God is patient and reminds me that the journey is where we grow, where we struggle, where we find ourselves most often.  He wants to come and meet us right there at the point of our need.  So, I can only say thank you Jesus. 

I'm thankful for my friend Patti, who came over the other afternoon.  She seemed to know that I needed a friend at that moment.  She reminded me of her prayers for me. I'm so thankful for the prayer warriors among us!   But as I remember,  I only asked her to pray for Jayden, but she took it further and reminded me of her prayers for me as well.  I was overwhelmed because I really needed prayer.  Then on Sunday much needed hugs came from my friends!  So I'm again reminded of God's faithfulness!

Jayden's home!

We can say thank you to Jesus!  Jayden's home!  We missed that active little boy!  But all that activity is back and he's on the go once again.  What a blessing that activity is!  Be thankful for your childrens energy.  It really is a gift from God.  The many trips I made to Childrens this week,  powerfully reminded me to keep life in perspective.  You are sooo reminded of how fragile life is!  To be thankful for simple things......like being able to walk, talk, smile, hug.  Loving unconditionally!  I can't seem to get enough of Jayden's ability to make me smile, to embrace life, to make others smile, to remind me again and again of what's really important.  Thank you Jesus for teaching me new stuff!  Thank you Jayden for reminding me to keep perspective....to love with new fervor....to embrace life.....to really love active little boys named Jayden!  (That's not hard!)

Hooping it up at "Hoops and Dreams"