Christmas singing

Singing at the first of four nursing homes.

12 students lifting their voices in Christmas praise.

"I will lift up my eyes unto the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord who made Heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip or to be moved. He who keeps you will not sleep." Psalm 121:1-3

"Then you will walk in your ways securely and in confident trust. You shall not dash your foot or stumble... for the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught in a trap or some hidden danger." Proverbs 3:23,26

*The Great Mighty God that made billions of stars, the vastness of the universe, the tiny details of the atom, numerous pictures of beauty in the earth... cares about me! Little insignificant, unimportant, me! A sinner... one who sometimes wants to do wrong. He LOVES me! What's more He's helping me, protecting me, leading me, encouraging me, and guiding me ever onward to more Holiness. He keeps me safe when danger is near. He holds me tight when I feel like giving up. He doesn't let me slip. He doesn't let me fall. He is my confidence when it seems to me all is lost. He is my confidence when it seems victory is too hard, too far away, or too unattainable. When I can't He can!!! What more could a person ask for, really? He knows, He cares, He understands, and He loves me just the same. How could I not want to please Him in all I do, say, and think? Why would I not want to follow His perfect plan? My Father's plan is far more perfect then anything I could ever imagine. So we move on, praising Him for the strength and confidence He so abundantly pours upon us, because truly without Him, we are nothing.

My students

... lots of smiles in this picture, but that's not always

how it is in real life. They are mostly a good bunch.

However they are children, and need training and motivations

that will lead them in the right direction...

summer fishing

I've had the privilege of going fishing this summer, a new hobby I've definitely fell in love with. It's so relaxing and peaceful to be out in God's creation, with my brothers, watching the sun set, and maybe even catching a fish. A place to get away and block out all of the worries and frustrations of life. I may not be an expert at catching fish, but that doesn't mean I'm going to quit. Going fishing is not about catching fish.

Where's your focus?

Ok so I've been thinking... :) not always a good sign, but today it is... In the picture I just posted, you don't see the swarm of bugs that will attack you the moment you step outside of the car, you don't see the busy highway with large semi trucks zooming passed you at break-neck speeds, you don't see the VBS van filled to the max with screaming, kicking, not so well-behaved kids, and you definetly don't see the frenzied driver/photo shooter on her way to try and teach these marvilous angels about a God who loves them... no thats all in the background. So let me ask you something? Where's your focus? Are you looking at all the distractions around you? Are you seeing the bugs, and bad kids... the things that are trying to ruin your day, or are you taking time to focus on God. Cause when you take that precious time to be with Him, He totally changes your focus on life, and instead of seeing the bad, the ugly, and the horrible things about life, we begin to see, His love, His Hope, and the beauty of His creation. So keep that focus on Jesus, and He will give you a renewed view on life. Just some thoughts that have been going through my mind.... hope they make sense to you...

Truely a Minnesota picture!
The blue of the sky...
the reflection on the river...
the full lush green trees...
And to think that my Creator made it all,
simply for my enjoyment!

loving father take my hand oh god i come

lead me to that heavenly home oh god i come

walk beside me and guide me help me daily to be holy

lord i need thee yes i plead thee... let me walk in thy ways

"For I thy Lord your God, hold your right hand. I am the Lord who says to you, Fear not, I will help you."

School is over for another year!! No one could be more

excited then the teacher. :)

Girl's club

I just totally love this picture!! Morgan, Trista, and Erica at Girl's club.

ice fishing

We tried icefishing...... it didn't work!!!! I don't think I want to make a career of it. The youth went a few Saturdays ago. It was very cold, and no one caught anything. We left early :) Some of them are trying to convince me to try again.... we'll see.

Hannah and Becky's Birthday

Some of us girls had a surprise Birthday party for Hannah and Becky. They turned 21 on Jan. 21. We thought that was cause for celebration!!!! It was so much fun! We took them to Holiday Inn for supper, then gave them gifts. Becky was really surprised, but Hannah (always the curious one) sort of guessed there would be a party...

Dents

Ok What an unexpected day!!! My plans were to sleep in until I felt like getting up, and then head into the library, and do some research. Totally relax, and do nothing of great importance. Ralph calls at 7:00. He and Kyle were on their way to Duluth to go skiing for the day, and his car broke down... he needs help! So Mom comes and says can you go help him. Ok sure.... So I jump out of bed ready to make a dash for Virgina. Only to discover it's -35* and my car was not plugged in. So.... an hour later I'm on the road. I decided to go ahead and take them to Spirit Mountain, sit in the lodge with Jolene's lap top, and get my stuff done. When I finally get to Virgina I discover that they decided to buy new tires (they had two flats) and I didn't need to come down after all. (ok thanks!) But I'm this far and I have some other friends who are skiing so sure why not keep going, and hang out and have fun. We decide to leave his car, and take mine. While driving through a parking lot, I waited for this old man to cross the road when suddenly crunch!!!!! this truck crashes ino the side of my car leaving a large dent and a broken mirror. The driver was a very sweet lady, and she appoligized and gave me her name number and insurance card. So it should all turn out ok hopefully. It could have been worse, but if only I would have stayed in bed!!!