Cute Youtube video

Have you guys seen "Depression Cooking With Clara" on Youtube? It is adorable. There are about 7 short videos that explain how she remembered her mother cooking during the depression and experiences she remembers. May we each grow old as gracefully and honor God with our lives and lips! 

"The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:7

Unshaken amidst the changes in life!!!

We just never know what's around the turn of the road. After coming home from spending a few days with Mark's Dad in Arizona, we found Mark's job had ended. Now that's a big turn in the road considering Mark's worked there for the last 23 years. When I did the subtraction in my head, he was 33 when he started. EEEKKK Time sure does fly, doesn't it? Our oldest son is 32, so that seems really young to me now. I am so thankful to be serving a God who is never changing and all powerful. He reaches into each of our lives and ministers as He knows best. So the very first day as Mark was wondering around in shock and looking lost the Lord did something really special to encourage my heart. You see about 24 years ago as the farm problems raged, the bank closed down on us, we had no money, and we were very discouraged I opened the hymnbook to "Count Your Blessings" and started reading those famous words "When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost; Count your many blessings name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done." That was a real turning point for us back then. Well Monday, Josie was struggling with a song her piano teacher had assigned her and because of a lack of flats I didn't recognize it, either. She asked me to play it for her and sure enough, that was the hymn. What a blessing to my heart! The Lord is so good!!! He has since showered us with wonderful verses of reassurances that thrill our hearts. Phil. 4:19 "The Lord will supply all your need according to His riches in Christ Jesus". Isn't the Lord just wonderful!!! We have been thanking the Lord for the freedom Mark now has to farm, help me with farmer's market and do some farm help for neighbors. How great to wake up to the smell of coffee every morning (made by someone other then me), bike riding with my husband and just being around that wonderful man I married 35 years ago. What a blessing. The Lord will surely provide for our needs and we'll have to tighten our belt of spending. Here's a few pictures of Sedona, AZ. A gorgeous spot if you ever get a chance to visit. 

Best part seeing Jesse and Edna!

The best part of going to Puerto Rico was seeing Jesse and Edna. They ate out with us before the cruise, then spent a little time running us around after we returned. They both looked great and are going crazy studying in school. Wish I could spend a little more time in Puerto Rico and escape the dismal winter Iowa usually gives us, but after going there twice this winter ~ I'm not complaining. 

"Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually..." Heb. 13:15

Cruise 2009

Our first cruise turned out to be memorable! I highly recommend cruising, especially if you enjoy great food, being dropped off each morning at a beautiful island, not handing out money every time you turn around, being waited on hand and foot, etc. I could just rave on and on. Sorry about that. I've vacationed a lot for poor little old me and always planned, scrimped and saved on my own. If you know me, you know what I'm saying. We loved Hawaii, but hated eating mainly granola bars and staying in cruddy motels. Hawaii is just gorgeous, so I sure wouldn't complain, but a cruise is so00000 easy and fun. I now would recommend it over anything I've ever done. You do have to do your planning when dropped off on an island to not foolishly spend too much. If anyone wants my 2 cent advice, just call. Here's some pics of our cruise. 

Ooops, somehow the picture of Fatty didn't load. Let's try again.

While I was out looking over the divided goose situation I decided to feel Bullseye.

I better include what Fatty does most of the day, too, to give you a real picture of rest.

So my morning began reading in my morning and evening devotionsby Mrs. Charles Cowman about a woman that was very anxious and troubled even though she was a Christian. No one could convince her otherwise till one night she had a dream about a great crowd of people walking along a highway all tired and burdened. They were nearly all carrying little black bundles on their back that were weighing them all down. Looking up from her heavy bundle she saw a Man with a bright loving face passing hither and thither through the crowd comforting the people. At last He came near and she saw it was her Savior. She told Him how tired she was and He smiled sadly and said: " My dear child, I did not give you these loads, you have no need of them. They are the Devil's burdens and they are wearing out your life. Just drop them, refuse to touch them with one of your fingers and you will find the path easy and you will be as if borne on eagle's wings." From that day forward she was the most cheerful and happy member of the household. 

What a comfort this story is to me in these troubled times. Heb. 4:9 is one of my favorites: "There remains a rest to the people of God." 

Speaking opposite of rest, I just got a Polar heart rate monitor. It's been fun to figure out my exercise zone and try to keep it for 60 min. a day. Quite a challenge during the winter. Today instead of going to the gym, I exercised at home with the treadmill, stepper (I picked up at Goodwill) and a pilates dvd. Quite grueling but good for this nearly 55 year old body. 

One goose flew the coop. All of Jesse and my hard work to get them out of the farm pond has resulted in division for the two geese on our farm. I opened the fence and hopefully they won't fly off to the neighbors and get eaten by their dog.