Dive into the River

It's been really hot all week. The temps have been in the 80s. Yesterday we finally jumped into the river with some friends. The kids had a blast. The girls collected pretty rocks, and found a lady bug. The boys got a couple of tree logs and would pretend it was a canoe. They almost made it across the river, but there was high traffic with boats crossing. You really need to make sure you're wearing bright colors in the river so the boaters will see you in it. We know someone who was floating in the water with a friend and got hit by a boat and almost died! We were there for like four hours. The water was cold at first, but then warmed up with the son. I was just glad to chill out and sit in the water. You gotta get out and enjoy the hot sunny weather while you can because it goes quick. We're already losing daylight, and the trees are beginning to tint. Don't say that around people that live around here, lol. That is bad talk. They don't want to be reminded of the "S" word right now....snow. Sssshhhh...

While we hung out there, a bald eagle landed on the top of a birch tree. It was there for a while, and was just cool to look at. It was chillin out on the tree, and after a while it dived off the tree. I'm assuming it found what it was looking for. The strength of it's wings looked so cool. The wings looked long and wide for a covering reminding me of the verse in Isaiah 40:31:

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount
up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk,
and not faint.

God is awesome!

When God shows you things...

How do you respond?

I had the priviledge these past two weeks of hearing numerous testimonies of what God is doing in the lives of people that live in third world countries, and right here in the United States. When God shows you things, are you in awe? Do you marvel at what He shows you? Are you humbled? We were allowed to sit in the presence of five pastors and one music minister while listening to testimony of testimony of God's saving grace. This morning we were able to witness six people make a decision for Christ. I trembled. It was such an honor that God would allow me to witness such a glorious thing! And what an honor for Christians that came forward to be a flame for Christ! Lord, You are good. You have been faithful through all generations. Truly You alone are worthy and holy of all our praise and heart's devotion!

Little Boy On his knees

I can't believe nearly nine years ago, I sang that song at Tony's dedication with such a passion for my son to be 'all out for Christ'. Despite my failings, I see that God has given my son a conscience for who He is. Many times my son has expressed himself through his art of Jesus, and bible stories. Not my doing. God's doing in how He speaks to Tony through His word, fellowship of other believers at church, and circumstances. I have not prayed enough, or done enough for them, and time is passing me by. While I can wonder why God gave me three kids, I cannot stay there. I have to take up my cross and follow Him in the raising and admonition of them in the Lord. I am as mom and wife to these, Jesus 'in action'. Love, mercy, servanthood, humility demonstrated day in and day out before them. And that's only because God first loved me.

Lord, making me a mother and wife on my knees...for my family...for Your Kingdom to come. I wanna be like my Jesus. Help me to balance this life out.

"I have better questions than I have answers" Todd Agnew.

JOY
from Elizabeth George:

Reasons for Joy

Joy is important to Jesus and is an expression of godliness.

1. Our joy is permanent.
John 16:22
And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

2. Our joy is always available.
Phil. 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

3. Our joy is inexpressible (joy beyond speech).
1 Pet. 1:8
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

4. Our joy is not based on:
a. our circumstances, but on the spiritual realities of God's goodness. His unconditional love for us, and His ultimate victory over sin and darkness. Knowing God is good.

2 Tim. 3
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

b. our efforts, accomplishments, or will power, but rather on the truth about our relationship with the Father through the Son.

c. our emotions, but the result of choosing to look beyond what appears to be true in our life, to what is true about our life in Christ. "I feel" can be deceving. Build on truth.

5. Our joy comes from five sources:

a. God

Ps. 43:4
Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

b. God's Salvation - delight in God

Is. 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

c. God's Promises

Lk. 15:10
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

d. God's Kingdom

Ps. 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

e. God's presence

Heb. 13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.Remember where you came from, and what God saved you from.

Are we thankful for chronic hardships that have drawn us closer to God?

6. We cultivate joy by:

a. Offering the sacrifice of praise to God continually.

James 1:2
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

b. Praising God in adversity.

1 Thes. 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

c. Giving thanks in everything.

Phil. 2:14
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

d. Blessing the Lord at all times

Ps. 34:1
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

e. Focusing on the reality of God's promises.

Ps. 121:1-2
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.f. Looking to Jesus during suffering.

Heb. 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

g. Obeying His command to be joyful always.

1 Thes. 5:16
Rejoice evermore.h. Going to God to be filled with His joy.

Eph. 3:17-19
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.Remember to praise God instead of focusing on our problems so our joy is not robbed.

Gal. 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Here comes the dark

Can you believe it? Today is Alaska's Summer Solstice, the longest daylight of the year. After that we will start losing daylight eight minutes at a time. I can't believe how quick it has come. Seems like they just did Spring Clean Up of all the highways before the tourists get in. It goes by so fast. School is out. VBS is here, and then there's 4th of July, hubbo's bday, and Fall begins. The days go quickly. We've been having some real odd weather. It's been boiling hot in the 90's, and then it will cool off and rain like Noah's Ark with thunder and lightening and then stop off. We haven't had that in a long time, but it's usually in August. I guess the animals, vegetation, and fires need it. The greenery is so beautiful this time of year. I'm so thankful for our windows where we can enjoy the green trees, various flowers and grass. Emily really enjoyed being outdoors today. She couldn't get over the beauty...and she was just out yesterday, too. It's neat to see the kids have such a blast in the Summer. I've gotta get the digital camera to work.

We haven't seen those moose around. They're probably waiting for the raspberries.

What does thunder looks like?

From wikipedia:

Thunder is the sound made by lightning. Depending on the nature of the lightning and distance of the hearer, it can range from a sharp, loud crack to a long, low rumble. It is produced by a sonic shock wave caused by the rapid expansion of the air surrounding and within a bolt of lightning.

The cause of thunder has been the subject of centuries of speculation and scientific inquiry. The first recorded theory is attributed to the Greek philosopher Aristotle in the third century BC, and an early speculation was that it was caused by the collision of clouds. Subsequently, numerous other theories have been proposed. By the mid-19th century, the accepted theory was that lightning produced a vacuum along its path, and that thunder was caused by the subsequent motion of air rushing to fill the vacuum. Later in the 19th century it was believed that thunder was caused by an explosion of steam when water along the lightning channel was heated. Another theory was that gaseous materials were created by lightning and then exploded. In the 20th century a consensus evolved that thunder must begin with a shock wave in the air due to the sudden thermal expansion of the plasma in the lightning channel. In a fraction of a second the air is heated to a temperature approaching 28,000 °C (50,000 °F)[1]. This heating causes it to expand outward, plowing into the surrounding cooler air at a speed faster than sound would travel in that cooler air. The outward-moving pulse that results is a shock wave, similar in principle to the shock wave formed by an explosion, or at the front of a supersonic aircraft.
More recently, this consensus has been eroded by the observatation that measured overpressures in simulated lightning are greater than what could be achieved by the amount of heating found. Alternative proposals rely on electrodynamic effects of the massive current acting on the plasma in bolt of lightning.[2]

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We've been having thunder showers last week, and there's a thunder storm in the weather forecast. Yesterday and today you could only hear it, and see the rain. Today it's like the eerie feeling before the storm.

Abundant blessings!

We are so blessed. The blessings are literally coming out of our ears. Today we received money gift cards in our mailbox for over $400.00!!! I dropped to the floor on my knees, we are so not worthy. Its been a few hard weeks trying to work hard at cleaning a couple homes for $15.00 an hour, mowing lawns to help make ends meet, and then the cleaning church job. WOW! At one point I'm blessed, at another I am sick to my stomach at the overflow. Last week we got a car and a freezer, and some extra food from a friend that's moving this weekend to NC. And now this. I cried all the way home thinking about our unworthiness. I don't know if it's because I just heard a sermon of some missionaries in the Philippines and their struggles, or if it's been the hard work week, and my body has been tired working crazy, and lack of sleep. I am in awe.

Help us to choose wisely, Lord. Wow. I am in awe of Your glory. This was very helpful for me and my family. I can use my money to pay bills, and use these giftcards for food. Praise You, Lord. Your generosity humbles me. I tremble.

Red Buggie Punch-no punch backs!

My son made a game on the road from some friends of ours. When you see a VW buggie, you have to say the color, that it's a buggie, then punch who's next to you, and say no punch back's. It was a little nerve racking to get socked in the arm unexpectantly. Thankfully, both Dad and son chilled down, and will tap instead of punch. The girls didn't like the game either, and made up their own game. When they see a taxi or a police car they yell, MOM, taxi, or police car, and blow a kiss. It's really sweet and unexpectant when we're on the road and a police car or taxi will pass us by and they will say that to me. That is one of the many treasures I enjoy of them. :)

Agloco finally Kicks In

The long awaited toolbar finally arrived via email yesterday. We downloaded it, and we're looking forward to making some extra money with it since we use our computer alot some days. Hope you do to! Give it a try!

https://www.agloco.com/web/guest/signup?referralCode=BBDC9694&lang=