Prayer

I just read a great post from the Desiring God blog. I get it every day in my email inbox. Really good stuff there. One of the entries from today was about prayer. And i quote . . .
"Pray. Tell the Father all your heart. Thank him for the Scriptures. Cast your Hebrew syntax anxieties on him. Marvel to him that he knows every star and tends his flock like a shepherd. Marvel that he really did choose you in Christ before the foundations of the world. Marvel that he was there the Friday Jerusalem fell dark. Marvel that he saw the empty tomb happen. Marvel that his triune glory will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea."

This picture is from our trip to the Grand Tetons. I took a lot of pictures while we were there, but how could i not! For Heaven's sake look at them! It was so beautiful. This is what i have as my wallpaper, or whatever they call it. I see this on my computer every day, every time i look at it before opening up something else. So i thanked God for this beautiful place. And that i got to see it. And that i got some pictures to remind me of the beauty. And how much He loves us. 

Summi

That post title is suppose to say Summit. I get to going so quickly from one thing to the next my typing is atrocious!
Yes, it is the week before the Summit. That's the Prayer Summit. It's the biggest part of my little job. I love the Summit. It is a chance for pastors and ministry leaders to gather at the coast and let down a bit. There's no congregation around, no one wanting counseling, or help. No one ripping into them for the latest decision made that someone didn't like. Just a time to worship in song and prayer and reading and talking to God. It's a lot of work, but soooo worth it. Pastors are just some of the most appreciative people!
My typing should get better next week!

Jack

Jack

See that guy in the picture. That is my husband. He's reading Scripture at "our" girl's wedding a couple years ago. When it comes to writing about him i am bias. No doubt about it, and with plenty of reason.

He helps keep me sane.
He doesn't worry about much, if anything.
He is funny.
He can laugh at himself.
He can carry a conversation.
He loves others easily.
He is so kind.
He is brave and strong.
He loves the Lord God Almighty with all his heart, and all his mind, and all his strength.

It's not his birthday, or our anniversary. It's just Wednesday. It's been a busy, tough couple of days. But you would never know it by talking to Jack. I am a most fortunate woman. I love you honey!

Definitely a case of thinking out loud

A lot of people died in the past couple of days. I know this statistically speaking. I didn't personally know any of them. I knew of two of them by their reputations only. Very good reputations. They each made huge, positive contributions to this world in which we live. And this world needs all the positive influence it can get.

One was known by millions nationally. The other by a few hundred locally. They lived good, long lives and did a lot in those life times. And the world has lost a little brightness today.

Joe Paterno coached football at Penn State for, well, forever. No other coach in college athletics has the longevity he had. He contributed to that school, and to that community, and to the lives of the men that played for him. In the end he was abandoned by the administration at that school. He was fired in November. Not because of anything he did. More because many, including himself, thought he hadn't done enough. And when the focus should have been on the guilty party, instead it was turned on to Coach Paterno. Hopefully all that will be forgotten in the coming days as many will be asked to comment on his legend.

Mario Pastega owned the Pepsi distributorship here in Corvallis for 50 years. In that time he became the philanthropist of Corvallis. His main passions were health care and education. He probably gave away more money then i'll ever make! And he was humble about it. He sold the company a few years ago. Even into his 90's he was in the office every day. One of the many endeavors he helped fund was the Mario Pastega house. It is near the hospital, and is a place for people who come from out of town to be near family members in the hospital. He stopped in every day. He chatted with different ones there, never telling them who he was, just giving them someone to talk to. Corvallis is a better place because of Mr. Pastega, and is a little sadder place today because of his passing.

Both men lived long lives, 85 and 95 respectively. Both were married for many, many years to their first wife. The world is a better place because of the impact they had on it. And today just a little sadness here because they are gone.

Thanks for the indulgence. Like i said, definitely just thinking out loud today.

January is half over almost

Happy New Year. And Martin Luther King day too. At this rate i'll be writing another Christmas post before long. OK, gotta get on to a better attitude about time passing by! Gads.

Not much excitement here. Just realize i need something new. So, here it is! Perhaps something better to report soon. What? Beats me. I'll come up with something.

Last year's tree, only Christmas pic i have!

Merry Christmas one and all!


This year we got the Christmas Giving Tree wrapped up at church without a hitch! And we know that there are 10 families that will be blessed. Jack has been able to talk to a couple of the moms. They have called because they hadn't heard yet from the delivery people and they are a little anxious that the kids won't have anything. He has had the opportunity to listen to them, give a little encouragement and pray with them over the phone. It does feel good to help those that need a little help. 


On the home front, i'm done shopping. Have been for a few days now. I get to bake!!! If i just get around to it. Christmas cards are still in the works. Sent a few yesterday though! That has been one part of the routine that has suffered the past few years. And i love getting them, and sending them. So, working on that next.


Hope you all have a very, very merry Christmas. Jesus was a baby. Not sure that He was actually born in December. Probably more like April. But it is right that we take time to mark the occasion. I heard the song about Mary knowing Who her baby was. One lyric says something about did she know that she was kissing the face of God? Wow. Makes me tear up just thinking about it. I love Jesus. And i want to celebrate His birthday. 

Merry Christmas

Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!