Truthful Tidbits - Bits and Pieces of My Life

Six Word Saturday

2012-01-28T11:27:00.005-06:00

The Bee Population is Dying Off

This affects us all. Please click on the six words above and read the article. Then if you would like to join in today for Six Word Saturday, click on the button below and link up with Cate.

Awesome... Vince Gill Singing About Jesus!

2012-01-21T10:30:00.010-06:00

Today is Six Word Saturday...and my Six Words Are...

Vince Gill's Singing About My Jesus!

Click ^ on the Six words above and listen to an Awesome song!

Then come back here and click on the Six Word Saturday button and link up your six words with Cate today!

Happy Saturday everyone!

He Is My Peace...Poem

2012-01-13T16:16:00.010-06:00

He Is My Peace

Life is filled with stressful times, and we must find our rest...
In our dear Savior Jesus Christ...we can be so blessed
How often do we faint and fall...and struggle on our own?
When Jesus gave his life for us, and chose us as his own

Why can't we just rely on him and never fret or worry?
It is because we jump ahead... we're always in a hurry
We don't accept his peace and rest...but rush ahead in fear
When we should run into His arms, and know that He is near!

In this world we will have trials, and that's a guarantee
But Jesus hears our every prayer, and knows each desperate plea
Today I'm calling out to Him amidst my list of woes
And I will wait in quietness, and let him fight the foes

For I am weak, but He is strong...in Him I find release
And so I bow before His throne, and seek much needed peace
I know that it will come to me in His appointed time
He lifts my head and speaks to me with soothing words sublime

By Linda Hogeland Jan. 2012

I was stressed today and my blood pressure was up. I settled down and communed with the Lord, and wrote this poem. I know that he is in control...and I am trusting Him. He is my peace!

The beautiful sunrise is a picture from my daughter's house out in the country. They see the most beautiful sunrises! I look at this and it just reminds me of my Creator. He holds the whole world in His hands!

The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.

~ Psalm 29:11, NLT

I'm linking up with Barbie today for Fresh Brewed Sunday. Click on her button below and visit her and link up too if you like!

Brother Dan Came Home! But...he needs prayer!

2012-01-09T11:05:00.003-06:00

My brother Dan came home again from the hospital...thank you prayer warriors for all of the prayers.

Now we need more prayers. I told you all that he accepted Jesus on Christmas day...and he seems sincere and we have seen changes in his attitude, and he has been a better patient since that day...and even joyful at times. BUT.....
Dan is a gambler...and he goes to casinos...in fact he camps there in a motor-home van. He doesn't think he is addicted. (But he is.) He had a good day with his health on Saturday. He was playing hymns on the piano Saturday morning. He sat on the front porch for quite awhile in the afternoon and got some sunshine. He ate dinner upstairs with us instead of us taking it to him on a tray. He played Scrabble with us, and even sang along with the cd's I was playing. He seemed a lot better, and it did my heart good to see such progress.

Well...Sunday morning he and his fiance left and went to the casino a couple of hours away. He intends to stay there for a few days. This is so crazy! He is not well enough...and this is such a bad decision on their part. He has been a smoker for many years, and since his quadruple heart by-pass surgery he has quit smoking. Smoking is allowed in the casinos, so he will be around all of that smoke. I hope he will not get sick from it...or be tempted to smoke again.

He is a Diabetic now. He needs proper food, blood sugar monitoring, insulin and rest, and exercise...and regular check-ups. In fact he is supposed to be monitoring his blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight etc., and entering them into a device they sent home with him from the hospital. It goes directly through the phone lines to the hospital so they can keep tabs on him. (He of course didn't take that device with him.) He took his medications with him...but I am concerned for him, and just want him to see the wrong in this kind of decision. My husband and I have been taking good care of him for weeks now, and we hate to see him taking these risks with his health.

Everyone who comes to Christ must not only accept Him as Savior...but also let Him be Lord of their life. Please pray that Dan will do this. He is 58 years old, and we can't force him to do anything. We have to let go and let God work in him. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will convict him and guide him to more sensible decisions.

God does bring deliverance...even from addictions. When my husband got saved at age 49 he had drank for 30 years...and God delivered him and he never drank again. I know sometimes it takes time and not all people are the same. Every situation is different...and God is the one who delivers...in His way, and in His timing.

So if I may be so bold to ask you to pray...again ...please be in prayer for Dan...that he will not have a relapse. And that he will have spiritual growth and understanding. We love our brother and want God's best for him! Thanks so much!

My Brother is Back in the Hospital...Please Pray!

2012-01-05T12:20:00.004-06:00

This was one of our pictures this Christmas when we celebrated with our family on Dec. 26th. My brother Dan is sitting in the front in the red tissue paper crown. He had just returned home (to our house) from the hospital after a quadruple by-pass a week before. He had a good day with the family,...a great day really, as he accepted Jesus into his heart just the day before on Christmas day. (Something I have prayed for for many years. All of us rejoiced with him...and praised God together. There was joy and peace in all of our hearts because of this profession of faith.)

But since then he has had several issues. He is now a diabetic and his incisions on his leg were not healing properly, and both legs were swelling, and he also had fluid on his lungs. So, he has gone into the hospital again. I would ask you to please pray for my brother Dan. He is 58 years old and this is seeming like a long, hard road of recovery for him to walk. It is hard for him to not get discouraged sometimes. However, he is telling everyone that he is leaning on Jesus...and that is good. We keep trying to be there for him and offer prayers, and words of encouragement, and scripture too, as we care for his physical needs.

We know that with God as our source of strength we will all get through this.
And knowing that people are praying brings us all peace and encouragement. Dan thanks you...and so do my husband John and I!

New Life in Christ at Christmas....Poem

2011-12-28T07:57:00.004-06:00

New Life in Christ at Christmas!

At a time when things seemed desperate and we were almost in despair

My husband took my hand and offered up a special prayer

We laid our heavy burdens down at our dear Savior’s feet

There was nothing more that we could do, so we acknowledged our defeat

But the Lord took us in our brokenness… and gathered us beneath His wings

We felt so safe beside Him there…He’s the awesome “King of kings”

No trial is too much for him to take… no storm too strong to calm

Beneath his wings he soothed us with a natural, healing balm

We found rest for our tired souls…He hushed our worried peeps

And in the morning light we woke…refreshed from all the sleep

As if this peace was not enough… He gave us a great prize

The problems from the night before were no longer of great size

He had put them in perspective…and simply taken them away

This was an awesome morning…the start of a brand new day

We woke to find a miracle had truly taken place

A soul had found salvation…and true peace had filled this space

The struggles of the night before had vanished…they’d been replaced

The troubled one in so much pain had found the throne of grace

And so Christmas Eve had passed that night… and now it was Christmas Day

This soul had left his past behind and found the strength to pray

Dear Jesus thank you for the gift you’re handing out to me

I accept your love with all my heart…the love that sets me free!

We had a celebration…with the family gathered round

The new child of the kingdom wore a red tissue paper crown

It singled him out as the chosen one…the one who’d found new worth

The one who’d given up his fight…and surrendered to new birth

A miracle has taken place…no doubts to steal our joy

Our brother is now a child of The King…who came to earth as a baby boy!

Written by Linda Hogeland Dec. 2011

My Brother Accepted Jesus!

2011-12-27T15:05:00.006-06:00

(And he asked his lady friend, Doris to marry him...he is the guy in the front left of the picture in the red paper crown and Doris is seated next to him.!)

This was a very special Christmas for us! My brother Dan who just had a quadruple by-pass less than two weeks ago, accepted Jesus into his heart and shared it with all of us at our Christmas family gathering on Dec. 26th. He was in tears as he told me of the peace that he had now. He said he was so thankful for Jesus, and that this was his best Christmas ever! We are all rejoicing! And of course we are all praying for his recovery. He has had some very hard days...but we think he has turned a corner and is on his way to healing. Please continue to pray for his full recovery...and for spiritual growth in his new life with Jesus.

Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
(Luke 15:7)

Thanks!

And may God richly bless you all in the coming New Year!

Update On My Brother Dan

2011-12-19T07:48:00.030-06:00

On Wednesday my 58 yr. old brother Dan had a heart attack. On Friday Dan had a Quadruple by-pass surgery. On Friday night his son Donovan and his wife and kids came up from Oklahoma to stay with us and to be with Dan. We loved having Donovan and Linda and the kids with us.

During the surgery it is so hard to wait and wait and wonder how it is going. It took about 5 hours. But he came through it fine....and we are so thankful. Thanks to all who prayed for us and for Dan.

We went home to rest and enjoy time with the kids.

Donovan just moved to Oklahoma again. He is at Fort Sill. He was stationed in the Washington DC/VA. area...but now they are about 4 or 5 hours away.

What a difference a day makes! Dan looked so much better the next day...and he was so glad to see his son and daughter-in-law and the kids. Dan's girlfriend Doris has been there all the time with us...she has been sleeping in the chair in the Cardiac Intensive Care and helping him a lot.

He and his son both like to joke around. Donovan made him laugh a few times. Laughter is a good medicine. He tired out easily though. Both Donovan and his wife Linda served in Iraq. Dan is so proud of them! We all are.

Our daughter Lynnette and son-in-law Kyle came to visit Uncle Dan too. It was their 23rd Anniversary.

This was the first time Lynnette had met her cousin Donovan.

This was also the first time Dan met his baby granddaughter Madilyn. She is such a sweet baby girl! Great Auntie Linda enjoyed her so much.

Dan said we needed to get a picture of everybody...so we did. Then shortly after that everyone but me left so Dan could rest.

He has found out that he has Diabetes and high blood pressure and so that has complicated things a bit...but the doctors and nurses are taking good care of him. It is a long road to recovery, and yet each day there is some progress. Please pray for Dan, as I am sure he would appreciate it....and so would I. I will update again in a few days. We just called the hospital and they said they will transfer him to a regular room sometime today! Progress!!!!

Thanks so much for the prayers!

Please Pray For My Brother Dan!

2011-12-16T07:15:00.003-06:00

This a picture of my handsome younger brother Dan with my grandson Jared. (This is a few years back...I need more pictures of him!) Dan is 58 now and is facing Heart Surgery today. He will have a 4 or 5 by-pass this afternoon. Poor guy!

Wednesday evening he had a heart attack and also found out he is diabetic, and has high blood pressure and high cholesterol issues. Needless to say he will have to make some major life-style changes. Please pray that he will make it through the surgery, and that he will draw close to God during this long journey of recovery.

He will be staying with us when he leaves the hospital, so would you also pray for strength for my husband John and I as we take care of him, and try to help him with his journey back to better health? We will all need God's help.

Thanks so much!

Here's a quote from Dr. Charles Stanley that has helped me this morning:

"It’s actually when life gets rough and rugged that the sweetness of God’s faithfulness makes itself real in your heart. As you walk through those storms in complete reliance on His strength, your trust in His character becomes part of who you are and strengthens from within."

If Joseph and Mary had Facebook!

2011-12-09T10:38:00.036-06:00

My husband's cousin Joe, posted this neat video on Facebook this morning and oh my goodness it REALLY touched me! I have been a Christian for a very long time...and yet watching this just touched my heart anew this morning with the story of Christ's birth.

They were just people like you and me. A couple who were about to start their life together....and then Mary became a vessel of God, and everything in their world changed! This video made it seem as though it were happening in today's world. Can you imagine what people would think...and say today if you were Mary or Joseph telling them this story?!!! It makes you imagine what it was really like for them.

When you watch this I think it will just bring a different look at the birth of our Lord. Like you are seeing it in a whole new light. If people relate to Facebook...like all of us do...this may just make sense to them all of a sudden! So share it with all of your friends and family by posting it on your Facebook wall....or on your blogs.

Thanks!

(For some reason I couldn't get it to load properly so follow the link below. After you watch it, come back and tell me how you liked it.)

Highlight the link and then right click, and click on open link to watch the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reMq5fM874k

"The Story" Tour... ~ ~ ~...Amazing!

2011-12-02T10:55:00.011-06:00

Last night my husband and I decided at the last minute to go to see "The Story" concert, as it opened its tour here in Wichita yesterday. We just went to the window, and thought they would take credit cards...but they didn't, but between the two of us we came up with enough cash to buy the tickets! (It was a "God thing" I'm sure!)

Once we got in line we saw 5 couples who have been our friends for years, but we hadn't seen them for quite a long while...so that was a special treat! All of these couples had prayed along with me for 15 years that my husband would become a Christian, and they all rejoiced with me 17 years ago when that finally happened! We are all family in Christ! Lots of greetings and hugs were going on in that line. It was beautiful. There is just nothing like sharing Jesus!

We all used to go to church together, but God has taken each of us in different directions over the years...yet we are still so connected by our faith, and our love for Him, and for each other. It was a joy to know that we were all there to usher in the Christmas season by seeing "The Story"...and by worshiping Him together. Although there were thousands in attendance there was a unity in Christ. Isn't that what heaven will be like? It was Glorious!!!

If "The Story" comes to your town or one near-by I hope you will go see it. It will be a Christmas blessing for you. If you know someone who needs Jesus but doesn't know Him yet, invite them to go with you. Max Lucado gives an invitation to accept Christ at the end, and we all prayed the prayer together either in affirmation or in new acceptance of Him.

Here is a list of the people in it:
Max Lucado, Steven Curtis Chapman, Newsboys, Francesca Battistelli, Natalie Grant, Selah, and Anthem Lights. All of them performed while on screen there are pictures and video that tell the story from Genesis to Revelation. It is so moving. What better way to focus on Jesus this Christmas?

Click on the button at the top of the post to see the cities on the tour!

And there is also an great CD and DVD available if you can't make it to the concert!

Our Family Thanksgiving Gathering

2011-11-28T08:49:00.022-06:00

Pumpkin Bread and a whole lot of food...but the best part was the fun and family fellowship!

It is such a busy life...and we don't get to gather together as often as we'd like too...so we make the best of it when we do!

Grandma always likes to hear the kids play the piano. 10 year old Silas is learning and he did a great job playing for us. And his teacher...big brother Jared played for us too. He is amazing!

Jonas is such a sweet boy! He is enjoying his meal.

Kyle and Abigail sitting together in the basement while we were opening birthday gifts.

I love this table full of kids. They are all growing up so fast!

The two oldest grandsons, Jared and Will...sporting their ponytails.

Momma and her silly girls...having some fun!

Uncle Brad at the girl's table! They love it, and so does he!

I love my girls!

Enjoying the food!

Sweet Harrison...the baby of our family!

Jared the 21 year old grandson.

Will the 16 year old grandson.

Caleb turns 15!

Granddaughter Bailey turns 19.

18 year old Abigail with her Aunt Lonna and cousin Adelynn. Addy is our baby girl and she is 12.

Sweet 15 year old Cecily with her Auntie Lisa.

I count all of these precious family members as great blessings in my life! I am truly thankful for each and every one of them!

Six Word Saturday! Hubby's Special Birthday!!!

2011-11-19T09:03:00.024-06:00

My Hubby Had A Special Birthday!

Those are my six words today. What are yours? You can join in by clicking the button above and linking up with Cate for Six Word Saturday!

This year was a special event for my husband John. He had his 66th birthday on 11-11-11. That will never happen again for him and he was excited about it.

I looked around and found this 11-11-11 shirt for him to remember it by.

He started early by going to a Nebraska game with his brother Bill, (Thanks Bill!), and then onto Alma, Ne. to celebrate with his brothers and sister and extended family and friends. They had a gathering out at the golf and country club. He really enjoyed that time with all of them.

He is the oldest of 7 kids. This picture is John with some of them, before the two youngest were born.

And here is a picture from a past cousins reunion. John loves his family so much!
Mom and dad passed a few years ago and now he is the oldest in his immediate family.

Only 6 of them in this picture because his sister Pam has gone to heaven too.

This is John with his sweet Aunt Gladys!

I stayed home this trip because I had tickets to a concert that I didn't want to miss. But he had a great time, and liked celebrating early. Then he came home and just he and I enjoyed his actual birthday, and when we have our family Thanksgiving gathering next Saturday we will celebrate his birthday with kids and grandkids!!!! So I think it turned out to be a nice birthday for him in many ways.

Grandpa always wants to get in on the fun! (This is an old picture and since then our sweet little Anna has gone on to be with Jesus. It has been 7 years today since her entry into the arms of Jesus...but we always carry her in our hearts. Grandpa loved her so much...as he does all of his grandkids!)

The older girls Abigail and Bailey are now 18 and 19...I know they will just be overjoyed that I'm posting this picture! ha!

John deserves the extra attention because he is just one of the greatest guys around! He is a loving husband, dad, and grandpa, as well as a great brother and friend. I thank the Lord all of the time for my wonderful husband. I was so blessed the day I married him!

We have both changed quite a bit over the years don't ya think? But we are still young at heart! Especially when our kids and grandkids are around.

Have a good Saturday everyone.

Blogging~~~A Poem by Linda Hogeland

2011-11-13T06:36:00.015-06:00

Here's a silly little poem about blogging!

Blogging ~~~A Poem Written by Linda Hogeland Nov. 2011

Blogging is a lot of fun
It’s something that is done by one

Yet you do it so that all may see
The things that happen regularly

Those who read become your friends
And you soon learn about their whims

It can be done by young and old
Sometimes the words are like pure gold

Sometimes it brightens up your day
When your blog friends come out to play!

And sometimes blogging is a way
To ask others if they will pray

Yes, if they will pray for a certain need
And lift up to Him your prayerful plead

They plead for an answer to your trial
And for Him to help you walk that mile

But other times when you share your heart
Other bloggers simply do their part

To comfort and encourage you
Because that’s just what bloggers do

Sometimes we blog and share a joke
Or in fun we take a little poke

But it is all in jest, and all in fun
We’re one for all and all for one!

We party and give things away
It’s something to do everyday

So if you don’t blog you’re missing out
Just type some words and send them out

Out there into cyber-space
And put a smile on someone’s face!

Bloggers even give each other Awards!!!!

I guess we all need pats on the back once in awhile!

Have A Great Day Fellow Bloggers!!!!!!

Please click on the link below (Rear Window) to join in my granddaughter Abigail's fun blog party. She is giving away a bunch of fun things!

Random Ramblings!

2011-11-06T16:01:00.063-06:00

Hello Blog Friends...Happy Autumn!
I thought I would show you a little of my fall decorations first of all...and then I will tell you what we have been doing recently. So since I went nearly a month without blogging..(other than posting a poem I wrote recently), I have a lot to catch up on. So, this will be a long one! I hope I don't bore you. I just had some pictures I wanted to post, so I thought I'd just "get 'er done!" (:>)

I saw these big sparkly leaves at a boutique here in town and added them to my table to make it feel fall~ish!

I had fun setting the table as though I was having dinner guests! Ha! I haven't had dinner guests in such a long while. Everything takes so much effort these days...and I just don't do as much as I used to do.

I set my pumpkins on the floor by the door to greet my visitors. I had fun painting a design on one of them.

I placed my two cute little turtles down there with my pumpkins, cuz I thought they were cute. (You can click on the picture to make it bigger so you can see them better.)

I sat a few little pumpkins on my sofa table too...but I don't really do a lot of decorating for the fall season.

My granddaughter Bailey walked her new doggy Duncan over to meet grandma. He is a cute 3 year old Corgi that someone gave them! They also have another Corgi named Riley who is 6 years old! They are good little dogs. The Queen of England has Corgis too.

Grandpa recently bought Bailey her first car! It's a little Ford Focus.

Bailey said she thought a small car would be good on gas mileage! Since she will be paying for her own gas, and also insurance she is wise to be aware of that.

We had 4 Autumn Birthdays to celebrate, so we finally got around to doing that. Here is Adelynn showing us her Birthday money. Grandpa gave it all to her in one dollar bills! He thought it would impress her...but she was quickly talking about getting it changed into bigger bills! (Oh and on the front he stuck a fake million dollar bill! He is such a jokester!)

Here's our daughter Lynnette showing us her birthday bucks too!

And here are all of the birthday people...Jared, Lynnette and Kyle, and Adelynn. We had birthday pies instead of cake.

We met our friend Toni and her youngest daughter Kerri at the airport in Springfield Mo., and then spent a week in Branson with them in Oct. They live in Arizona, and invited us to share their time-share condo with them for the week! It was nice, and we enjoyed time together.

We have been friends for 32 years, and we feel like sisters! And I am Auntie Linda to her girls, and she is like an Auntie to my girls.

Here is Toni and her daughter Kerri in a quaint little shopping village in Branson Mo. They have a Christmas shop in there and then a whole lot of specialty shops. The day we were there there was a man playing a saxophone and selling cd's. I bought one, cuz I love saxophone music.

This is the big Sight and Sound Theater where we went to see The Noah Musical. It was Awesome! Just an amazing production! It was the last week that it would be there and I had wanted to see it for years. Next season they will have The Joseph Story...and I want to see that too!

I just loved this statue of the lion laying down with the lamb.

This was a fun display of pumpkins at Silver Dollar City. Yes,...we went there again! (:>) We always get season tickets. And then we get discount tickets for guests. It was the fall Craft Festival, so lots of artists were there.

This is a glass chapel in Eureka Springs Arkansas, we took a little side trip to Arkansas one day. Toni and Kerri wanted to see this cool chapel, so we rode the trolley up the hill to see it. We stayed there about 30 minutes and also went inside. It is such a peaceful setting!

My friend Myrna's daughter got married there 5 years ago. It was a neat place to have a wedding, out there among the trees.

People come from all over the place to see this chapel, and to sit inside and pray. It is pretty in each different season. Eureka Springs is a tourist attraction...but it is a Victorian town and has several neat old homes nestled in the hills. They have turned several of them into Bed and Breakfasts.

When the trolley returned for us we had it leave us at the top of the hill in town and we walked down through the town and shopped in different shops. This was a neat park in the middle of town, so we sat there for awhile and enjoyed listening to a guy play guitar and sing. It was a peaceful setting too.

We took some pictures and just enjoyed the park, and the beautiful day.

There were some neat old buildings in Eureka Springs.

John liked the old advertising that was painted on the side of one of the brick buildings.

We enjoyed our day in Eureka Springs Arkansas and then headed back to Missouri before it got dark, since there were lots of winding roads that we didn't want to drive on after the sun went down.

While in Branson we also saw several shows. One of them was the brother's group called SIX. They were fantastic. We bought a cd...but nothing is ever as good as it is in person. Six is good music and lots of comedy. We loved them.

When we got home from our trip, I felt like making a fall arrangement for a bucket I bought at my friend Rodgie's antique store. I have been enjoying it.

I got my haircut when we got home too.

And then a few days later I got it colored. It is darker, so I am having to adjust to it. It will fade and lighten up each time I wash it...but if I don't get used to it I may have to have it highlighted again! (I never seem to be content with it these days! But I think it's part of me just getting older and not wanting to admit it!)

Last night my daughter Lisa and I went to see Amy Grant in concert with Michael W. Smith. We got there early and got our seat. It was in a big church here in Wichita.

It was fun and we both enjoyed the concert and being together for a girls night out.

Just before the show was over we felt like someone was kicking the back of our seats and causing them to vibrate. But after the lights came on Lisa had a text from her husband who told us we had just had a 5.6 earthquake! I have lived in Kansas for 32 years and have never felt an earthquake here. It was a little unnerving. The son-in-law said that here in Derby, he felt the whole house shaking. The center of the quake was near Oklahoma City and it was felt hundreds of miles away.

I was born and raised in Southern California, and I grew up experiencing earthquakes. When I was a kid we always had earthquake drills at school. They would tell us to get under our desks or stand in a door frame.

I have forgotten the fear of earthquakes since I moved to the Midwest and tornadoes have taken their place. I experienced one of those and it blew out all of the glass in my car and the light pole next to my car crashed on the car right next to mine, as I worked in the mall and we all had to run to the inner hallways to take cover.

Life is full of unsettling things...but when you know the Lord he is our refuge and strength!

We enjoyed singing praises to God along with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith last night and while we were singing our Hallelujahs, the earth was moving and we didn't even realize it! Praise you King Jesus...You hold the whole world in your mighty hands!

In The Still of the Morning

2011-10-29T07:56:00.013-05:00

I woke up early and couldn't get back to sleep because my husband was snoring, so I got up and had quiet time and wrote a poem. It is funny how I was annoyed because it was still dark outside and I couldn't go back to sleep...but then God brought me some very special moments and then gave me a poem! I love it when that happens. (:>)

I hope you will have a good beginning to your morning too...and that you will have a wonderful day!

In The Still of the Morning

In the still of the morning when the world is still asleep
And you listen so intently but you cannot hear a peep

And the sun has not awakened, or made its first appearance
And you gaze at the horizon and you see no interference

Everything is mute and quiet, and you feel a sense of calm
And the cup that you are holding feels so warm it’s like a balm

So you sip the warm dark liquid and you bow your head to pray
Then you read a Psalm and meditate on what it has to say

There is nothing to disturb you so you soak in every word
And there is a new excitement as God’s voice is being heard

Yet you sit there in the silence and He speaks right to your heart
And you wonder why each and everyday can’t have this kind of start

It’s because we often hurry through the routines of our day
Or we get up late and worry that the time will get away

But in the still of every morning He waits there silently
Waiting for you to acknowledge Him in everything you see

For without Him there is nothing just a vast and empty void
But in His glorious presence we can never feel annoyed

There is peace and tranquil splendor, and it’s all so very real
We can never quite explain it, or describe how it makes us feel

It’s more like, an awesome “knowing” that He is there with us
And our spirit has assurance, and in Him we place our trust

And to think I almost missed it…this blessed time alone with God
But the stillness of the morning beckoned me with a gentle nod

Now the sun is slowly rising and the dawn has brought the day
And my hope is that tomorrow can begin in this same way

In the still of the morning!

Written by Linda Hogeland
October 2011

Psalm 92: 1,2,4 NLT
It is good to give thanks to the Lord
to sing praises to the Most High.
It is good to proclaim your unfailing love
in the morning,...

You thrill me Lord with all you have done for me!

Join in the blogging fun...link up with my friend Jenilee for her "Just Because... Blog Party" by clicking on the button above! You will have fun meeting new people and making new friends!

Blog Friendships ~Are Real Friendships~ Between Real People!

2011-10-02T14:26:00.005-05:00

This is such a cute picture of two of my blog friends...Kristin (on the right) and Veronica (on the left). They have been blog friends for several years now, and over the years they went from comments, to emails, to phone conversations, to meeting in real life. This past Thursday Veronica boarded a plane in California and flew to Texas to meet her sweet friend Kristin.

These girls met in blogland...and they found out that they had so much in common! They both have the three daughters. (Although when they first met Veronica only had two and then got pregnant and had her third...and now Kristin is pregnant with a boy!) They both enjoy crafts and have sold their items on their blogs. And they are both Christians and have shared their faith with each other and also openly on their blogs.

Blogs are a great avenue to be able to encourage others. Sometimes we just need to be able to reach out to others by promising to pray for their needs. Life is hard these days, and sometimes things you might not share with just anyone...you can share with people who blog and who keep in contact with you and become a pen pal of sorts! It is like a circle of friendships. In fact, I have become very close with these two girls and they call me Momma Linda, and I call them my girls. We constantly pray for each other.

While Veronica and Kristin were together they called me and we all three got to have a great conversation, and then I did a three way call and we added my daughter Lynnette into the conversation. Lynnette got me started blogging a few years ago and it was because of her group of friends that I was blessed to meet Veronica and Kristin. And we all have several mutual friendships with other bloggers.

Sometimes people who don't "get it", just think it is silly and a waste of time to blog with people that you don't know in "real life". But what they don't understand is that these people are "real people" and we actually get to know each other really well, and much better than people even know their next door neighbors these days, since so many people work and don't visit over the picket fence anymore.

I am retired and am at home everyday with my retired husband, and most of our neighbors are all gone to work during the day. Many bloggers are stay at home moms, and they love being home with their kids. Many of them homeschool. And blogging is a good way for them to post pictures and tell some of the wonderful stories that go on in their homes each day with their children. It is a way to store these memories.

I write poems and I like to post them and share the message of those poems with others. And I love to read blogs where other people write poems and stories. There is so much good that comes from blogging. And I get tired of people who act as though we are all living in a make believe world or something because we blog and have blog friendships. Kristin and Veronica are real people with a real friendship...and I am so thrilled that they finally got to meet up and share a few days together.

I think it would be wonderful to meet Veronica and Kristin...and many of my fellow bloggers one day. I already love many of them...and as I said before, I pray for many of them everyday.

I know that anything can become an obsession and there is a time and purpose for everything. But I choose to use my blog and my facebook page as a way to share the joy of Jesus in my everyday life. How about you? Have you found lasting friendship or been blessed by being active in blogland? Please share some good things with us...and have a blessed day!

Whispers of the Heart

2011-09-19T09:29:00.003-05:00

Whispers of the Heart

Whispers of the heart flow from our mouths directly to God’s ears
They come at times when wounded souls share with God their deepest fears

Whispers of the heart are also heard from hearts that are filled with praise
When blessings fill our lives with joy on ordinary days

They come from hearts when loved ones die and strength to speak has failed
The heart cries out in whispers faint as though it’s been impaled

Sometimes we lay upon a bed in pain that numbs our mind
And in those times of weariness our Lord is always kind

He hears those silent cries of ours, those whispered cries of hope
The times when we are falling fast down the crumbling slope

“Oh Lord help me!”…we call out when the earth begins to quake
Or times when the waters grow and swell as we try to cross the wake

But in times of calm and times of plenty, our whispers seem to fade
We think we’ve got it under control and the Lord we often evade

The world is a fast-paced, noisy ball, and our voices can be lost in the drone
But the Lord hears the whispers above the noise and assures us we’re never alone

When a baby is born it seems like a sign that the world should continue on
A “token for good” from a loving God who forms that special bond

We whisper our vows at a wedding…we whisper our love in a prayer
We whisper the words as we quote from a Psalm saying our Shepherd is there

We quote it beside the still waters, and in the valley of the shadow of death
Those vespers and prayers… to our God as He cares… when He doles out our very next breath

What are the whispers of your heart today... from your sick bed, or inside your car
From the same old routine as you toll and you glean…or you board a plane and travel afar

Are you speaking to Him in your heart or your mind, are the whispers of love springing forth?
If you know Him and love Him He’ll whisper to you…My child you are of a great worth!

Whispers of the heart!
Whispers of the heart!

Written by Linda Hogeland

Birthdays, Magic Show, Baptisms and a Visit to the Cemetery

2011-09-14T19:35:00.054-05:00

Another family gathering at the Pizza Hut Party Room!

Grandma turned 61.

This is William and he turned 16 on the day of the Pizza party!

Jonas was the other birthday boy. He turned 8.

All of the grandkids posed for a picture for Grandma!

We had a Magic Show!
The bunny was a hit! Here's Adelynn holding it.

The kids all looking at the bunny that magically appeared in the empty box!

We were all crowded into the party room, but it was fun.

The whole family was engaged in the performance.

Harrison and Jonas assisted the magician.

Abigail got into the act!

Granddaughter Adelynn volunteered to almost get her hands chopped off! But thankfully the trick worked! ha!

Here's the cute little rabbit again that magically appeared. Granddaugther Julia just loved it.

And this is our magician Shawn Reida! He really kept us all entertained.

A couple of weeks ago we were invited to our daughter Lynnette's church to witness two of our grandson's baptisms. These are her husband Kyle's parents who were there too. It was a happy day for all of us! And we also had communion and a meal together.

Abigail and Jared blessed us by singing a song that Jared wrote.

Jared played and sang another song he wrote.

Kyle played one of the songs he wrote too, and some of the kiddos sang it with him.

Five baptisms happened that morning! The dads did the honors and it was such a blessing to see all these yielded hearts outwardly expressing their faith in Jesus, and their obedience to Him.

Our Son-in-law Kyle praying at the baptismal service by the pool.

Our Grandson Silas' Baptism

Our Grandson Jonas' Baptism

September 4th was the one year anniversary of our friend Max Steinbuchel's home-going to heaven, so John and I visited the cemetery. We miss our friend so much. We used to go on trips with Max and his wife Toni. Next month we will take a trip with Toni and her daughter Kerri, and continue to remember Max fondly, and all of our good times together.

This is John with our sweet friend Toni at Max's memorial gathering last year.

Max, we will all be together again in heaven someday. You just got a head-start on us! We love you!

And ending on another sad note...John and I remembered the tenth anniversary of 9-11 on Sunday, along with the rest of the world. May God continue to protect and bless America. And may He continue to comfort those who lost their loved ones on that tragic day.

Six Words:

Life Is Sometimes Happy, Sometimes Sad!

(And God is always good!)

I Liked "Seven Days In Utopia" !!!!!

2011-09-03T17:04:00.011-05:00

Yesterday John and I saw the movie "Seven Days In Utopia" (<---Click on the title to view video preview.) It was about a young golfer with burnout, who's frustrations made him want to chuck it all and run away from life. He ends up in a small Texas town called Utopia where he meets up with a man who teaches him many truths. It was a good movie with Christian principles. It has something for everyone, and it is rated G.

So my six words today for Six Word Saturday are:

I liked "Seven Days In Utopia"!!!!!

Click on the button below and link up with your six words today!

The Birthday Boys!

2011-08-26T08:33:00.016-05:00

Today our grandson William is 16....and our grandson Jonas was 8 two days ago. We will be having a party for them tonight. When you have 11 grandkids it seems we are always having parties! (smile) Oh, and since mine was on August 19th we are celebrating that too.

(Jonas was born on Grandma Edith's Birthday Aug. 24th...We sure miss her!)

Life is filled with so many blessings! Grandchildren are such great blessings to our lives. John and I love them so much.

(We need an updated Grandkids group picture!)

Six Words Livin' is for lovin'!!!!

Yay!...The Grace Card Movie... Is Out On DVD!

2011-08-22T22:30:00.014-05:00

"Never underestimate the power of grace!"

Today is Wednesday's Walk...down Memory Lane
You can link up your memories by clicking on the button above....@ Get Joy! Tell us a memory...either from long ago, or last week! Mine is a memory from the first of this year when we went to see The Grace Card movie. It was such a good movie, that we all walked out of the theater feeling blessed and challenged to live like Jesus...and to love others, the way that Jesus loves us. It was like we had seen His love in action...lived out right there in front of our eyes!

Yes...we were blessed to preview this movie, and it was so good, we highly recommended it at the time, and told everyone they should go and see it when it came out to the theaters last February. Many of you may have seen it...but if not, I just wanted to mention it is now out on DVD and on sale at Wal-Mart, and other stores. Yay!!!

It is a life changing story. It makes you want to bestow forgiveness and grace to others... in the same way that God does that for us.

It is a realistic story of policemen and things they encounter, so it is probably too intense for small children, but teens would be blessed by it. It is rated PG-13

I intend to buy my copy and an extra one to lend to others, as a ministry tool. I hope you will too.

Six Word Saturday

2011-08-20T07:46:00.006-05:00

Dressin' Gaudy Was A Fun Store!

Those are my six words today!

We went on a little trip to Branson Missouri recently and stopped into a cute little shop called "Dressin Gaudy". My daughter Lisa and I LOVE jewelry and they had a ton of it. They also had a lot of fun clothes. But we each just got a fun necklace and earring set. This is a picture of Lisa's fun turquoise necklace with chains of different sizes....I loved it!

Want to add your six words? Just click on the button below and link up with Cate today!
And have a Happy Saturday!

Branson Trip August 2011

2011-08-15T18:19:00.045-05:00

Last Thursday morning we picked up our daughter Lisa and her husband Brad, and daughter Bailey, and we headed to Branson Missouri in our minivan.

We had all been dying for a little get away...and some cooler weather somewhere!

We all love Branson, and the hills and trees, and the lake...as well as Silver Dollar City Amusement Park.

We also enjoy the fun mini golf courses in Branson. This one was especially fun!

Grandma got a hole in one! And then Bailey accidentally knocked my ball with hers and I got another hole in one. (smile) But Lisa got two hole in ones all on her own! (smile)

Silver Dollar City has a waterfall and we all posed for pictures in front of it and then ate lunch right there so we could enjoy it!

We enjoy the shopping at Branson Landing...and the Dancing Waters Fire and Light Show!

They had a free concert that evening. We saw The Mark Chapman Band...and they were really good! I loved their song called "Fireflies".

You can walk along the river there too, and enjoy the scenery.

Lots of restaurants too, or you can take a boat ride.

I took a picture of King Kong outside the Hollywood Wax Museum as we drove by!

I like to eat at Ruby Tuesdays while we are there. They have yummy Strawberry lemonade!

Lisa and I went into a shop in Branson called...Dressin Gaudy! We both got cool necklaces and earrings!

We had a relaxing stay...and our condo was comfortable. They had a pool there and Bailey girl went swimming. Brad got sick, so we let him rest and recover, and the rest of us went to the Imax theater. We saw... Born to Be Wild...it was a story of people who help raise orphaned wildlife until they can be released in the wild again. I loved the huge screen!

We loaded up and headed home on Sunday. Only a couple of stops along the way home. It is about a 6 hour trip!

God was good to give us our little get away trip, and He gave us safety and many blessings together. Brad is over his tummy bug...and all is well! (smile)

Here is a link to The Mark Chapman Band

This song is called..."Where would you go if you couldn't go home?" And it is about tornado victims. It mentions Joplin Mo. and it shows some of the devastation. We saw some of it as we drove through Joplin on our trip. So sad!

Six Word Saturday

2011-08-06T12:50:00.010-05:00

Image credit: Getty Images

It's Six Word Saturday again...and my six words are:

BAD ALLERGY TUMMY ACHE LAST NIGHT!

I have multiple food allergies and food sensitivities, and I am discovering more issues all the time. I carry an Epi-pen in case it goes into a shock situation. If I catch it when it first starts and take some Benadryl I can sometimes calm it down and get over it. Well last night I had to send my hubby to the store after midnight to get me some Liquid Benadryl. I was so miserable. My stomach was all bloated and hard and hurting. I laid down and put the wheat heat on my tummy and drank some Natural Calm Magnesium. After taking the Benadryl, it eventually lessened.
Not Fun!

Today I am feeling better, but not wanting to eat, so that it won't return.

My list of things I am sensitive to continues to grow. Are any of you like me? Or am I one of the few with these kinds of issues? I eat healthy, and a lot of it is organic...but not always. I think GMO foods (Genetically Modified) are becoming a problem, and causing allergies and illnesses. They say GM corn and soy crops and sugar, and canola along with some others are in so many processed products today. I am careful...but not perfect about reading labels...and I guess I am going to have to be even more strict. Yikes! My episode wasn't fun...but like my Momma always said..."I lived to tell about it!" (wink)

If you want to join in and add your six words today, just click on the button above and add your link.
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Have a good weekend!

And please visit my friend Megan's Blog

And read about the Infertility Fundraiser someone is doing for her!
It would be a blessing if you would read her blog and pray for her, and help if you can. Thanks!

Grandma's Blessings~~~Poem

2011-08-01T19:07:00.045-05:00

Linking up with Christine today for Wednesday' Walk

Grandma’s Blessings

I’m so blessed to be a Grandma
Grandkids are such gifts to me
I bask in every moment
And commit them all to thee

Last night we had a party
And I got my share of hugs
I watched them with amazement
And my heart was full of love

Some of them have reached adulthood
And some are on their way
Then others are still children
Working hard at fun and play

Yet they each took time for Grandma
Hugged her tight and made her smile
Posed for pictures as requested
And just visited awhile

There I was in all my glory
Praising God for each dear one
Oh the love that pulls my heartstrings
Nearly makes me come undone

So much love I can’t contain it
Each one special in their way
Adults, and teens, and inbetween~ers
Each of them just made my day!

Thanking God for each dear blessing
As I name them one by one
Being Grandma is amazing
Half the work and all the fun!

Written by Linda Hogeland
July 2011

I love my family so much. I enjoy my three daughters and their spouses and my 11 grandchildren. I cannot even imagine not having them in my life. My heart goes out to those who want children and have not been able to conceive. My friend Megan and her husband have been trying to conceive for 8 long years, and they have been blessed to have someone special do a fundraiser for them. It goes until August 13th.

Please click on Megan's Blog, and read about the infertility fundraiser. She could really use your prayers...and your help if possible. Thank you...and
God Bless!

Click here on her name:

Megan

Random Things

2011-07-26T11:33:00.031-05:00

Well, here's a post of random things.

Yesterday was our 35th Anniversary, and I was sick with a migraine, so we didn't celebrate yet. It also would have been our sweet granddaughter Anna's 13th birthday here on earth....but instead she is celebrating in heaven with Jesus! We will see her again and that brings us comfort and joy!

This is a card our friend had made for us.

My hubby bought me two dozen roses, aren't they pretty? I love roses! What are your favorite flowers?

Right now all ten of my fingernails are the same length! And I did a manicure without messing them up! That doesn't happen very often. Usually I spend all of that time doing them and then I do something awkward and mess them up and ruin them.

Yay!!! I can't believe I haven't broken them yet!

But they are almost too long and I will probably cut them shorter soon.

This is my sweet honey. He is so good to me and to our kids and grandkids!

We recently got to spend some time with the four youngest Kraft grandkids...Cecily, Silas, Jonas, and Harrison.

We do a lot of family parties, but don't often get to have them to ourselves.

Their older siblings, Jared and Abigail were out of town, and their mom and dad went on a date.

So Grandpa went to get Pizza and we had fun laughing around the table with them, and then we took them to the movies to see The Zookeeper.

Then back home for some snacks and some time watching the boys wrestle and play together. And before too long their folks came to get them. It was a special evening.

Oh, and please click here to read about an infertility fundraiser for my friend Megan.

Then come back here and listen to this song by Christy Nockels.
By Our Love

Megan's Prayer! ~A Poem~ by Linda Hogeland

2011-07-22T16:10:00.016-05:00

Megan’s Prayer

There is a yearning in my heart Lord that just never goes away
I come before your throne of grace and bow my knees to pray

I know you see my longing Lord and you hear my constant cry
But Lord this empty feeling makes me feel so barren and so dry

I want to be a mother Lord and hold babies in my arms
To gaze into their faces and be won by all their charms

I need to feel their chubby cheeks as I brush them with my kisses
Oh Lord please hear my prayers to you and grant these heart felt wishes

I feel like Hannah of long ago who begged you for a son
She laid it all before you Lord, and you gave her more than one

She dedicated him to you…and I will do this too
For every blessing from above is sent to us from you

I know you have a plan for me…and may I be content
Not my will but thine oh Lord…I yield, humble and spent

Perhaps there is a child out there who needs me like no other
I am willing Lord to raise that child, and hear him call me mother

Whatever you decide dear Lord, I trust your perfect will
I just need grace from day to day to climb this rocky hill

For 8 long years we’ve waited Lord and looked to you for grace
We’ve prayed to see a miracle from the One who hung the stars in space

May I be a faithful witness Lord and share your love with others
Especially with those who just like me are longing to be mothers

No matter what, you are the King, deserving of our praise
So I will raise my arms to you throughout the coming days

You tell us to delight in you… and these things will come to be
Oh Lord I do delight in you…and may you be pleased with me

This is my Psalm, a song to you, my heart’s desire and my prayer
I know your peace will come to me, and I can find rest there!

Written for Megan by Linda Hogeland…July 2011

Please Meet My Beautiful Friend Megan! She Has The Most Beautiful Eyes...The Window To Her Beautiful Soul!

I have a sweet Christian friend named Megan, and she and her husband Kyle have been trying to conceive for 8 long years. My prayers are going up on their behalf...and I hope they will be able to become a family one day soon through conception or adoption.

A very nice lady named,Jen Young...who sells Thirty-One Gifts, has decided to do a fundraiser for Kyle and Megan, and it will go on until August 13th. (Thirty-One Gifts is a faith based company based off Proverbs 31. They offer stylish and affordable totes, purses, and accessories to help make every day life easier.)

You can win this purse! You will be entered into a drawing if you make a purchase!

I am so excited to join in and help, by making a purchase, and also by posting about it here on my blog, and on Facebook.

I would appreciate it so much if you would click on the link and read their story, and see if you are led to help out. And if you cannot make a purchase...please pray for them to be able to conceive or to adopt...and that God will provide the finances that will be needed.

Prayer is important...and prayer changes things! God wants us to bear one anothers burdens, and to pray for other people and for their needs. It would be wonderful help if you could share her link, or her Blog Button on your blog and/or on facebook. And would you please leave her a comment of encouragement and a promise to pray for her!

Thank You...And May God Bless You!

Click here to read Megan's story:

Megan's blog

And here is how you can participate:

* Click here: www.mythirtyone.com/JenYoung/
* Go to: "My Events" (Under her Picture on the top right)
* Look for: Megan Carlson's Fundraiser
* Select: "Shop Now"

My Six Words:

Please Help Megan And Kyle Carlson!

Church time!

2011-07-17T10:06:00.002-05:00

Off to church with love in my heart!

I hope y'all will have a lovely Lord's Day too.

I love you!

Linda

Rise and Shine Poem

2011-07-13T07:29:00.012-05:00

Rise and Shine ...By Linda Hogeland…July 2011

This morning when I got out of bed
I looked out the window and saw a big ball of red

It was the sun rising in the sky
Yet great drops of water were falling from on high

I thought to myself how can this be?
Sunshine and rain simultaneously!

We need the rain, so I won’t complain
But sunshine and rain were just messin’ with my brain

The rain usually falls on a cloudy day
When the clouds hide the sun till the rain goes away

But this morning none of that was true
The rain fell from a sky of blue

Do we shine for Jesus in that same way…
Are we rays of sunshine on a dreary day?

Can people see Jesus living in us…
When the rest of the world seems to argue and fuss?

Are we a bright ray of light when people are sad
Or a calming balm when someone is mad?

We can be rainbows after a storm
Or even in the midst, if our love is warm

We can be shelter, a place for people to run
When all of life seems to be coming undone

We can be an umbrella held out to a friend
A covering of mercy, a shield from the wind

What better time will there ever be
To offer help... than when people need me?

So as I poured my coffee I gave it some thought
And decided to try all that Jesus has taught

He showed us examples time after time
And He expects us each morning… to rise and to shine!

I'm linking up with Wednesday's walk today. Why not link your posts and tell your story!

Friday Fun... and Six Word Saturday

2011-07-09T08:39:00.017-05:00

A Fun Friday Planned By Hubby!
These are my six words today for Six Word Saturday!

I haven't done a lot lately because of the heat. It was a bit cooler yesterday and my hubby asked me if I wanted to go out and play? And then he planned our day. All things that I like to do. (smile)
What a guy!...he is so sweet to me.

First we stopped by to see my friend at her collectibles shop. I found this little metal container, and he bought it for me.

We went to another antique mall in Park City, and then we headed off to Cracker Barrel for lunch!

I had a gift card from my daughter Lynnette and her family, so I used it to buy this cute top! Hubby helped me pick it out. I was going to use it to pay for our lunch but he wouldn't let me.

I didn't eat chicken, because I am allergic...but this is the kind of food that they have there...down home cookin'!

Then he took me to see a movie at the Warren. We saw Larry Crowne and it was cute.

They had a Mater tow truck look alike from the movie Cars 2 out in the parking lot. I thought it was cute so I took a couple of pictures. We saw that movie when we took our Silas and most of his family on his 10th birthday on June 27th.

After the movie we went to World Market...cuz I love that place. I bought a six pack of my favorite Blood Orange Italian Soda that I love, and some English Breakfast Tea.

When we got back to our town we went to Kohl's and bought a few things on sale with a coupon, and a gift card...and then ate tacos at Taco Bell. I took a picture of us just for fun. John always thinks it is weird, but he was a good sport!

At this point he was probably ready to go home, but instead we took a little drive...and then finally we went back home. It was a lovely evening and I asked him if he wanted to take a little walk around the neighborhood...but he said NO! Can you believe it? I'm only kidding, I know I had tuckered him out...after a day of running around doing all of my favorite things! (smile) I am so blessed!

What did you do on your Friday, or Saturday? Why not link your post and fill us in.

Fourth of July Fun!

2011-07-06T13:19:00.028-05:00

We had a great fourth of July! First my hubby grilled steaks for 19 of us on his new grill... bless his heart! I fixed oven roasted potatoes, and cheese bread, and tossed together a green salad. I also made a whipped strawberry salad, and cut up some watermelon, and daughter Lisa fixed some wonderful baked beans and brought them. For deserts I made shortbread, and a chocolate cake and my daughter Lynnette brought a fruit crisp. So we had lots to eat!!! And lemonade, iced tea, and water to drink.

After dinner Lynnette and some of the kids ran down the street to Starbucks to get coffee! (Well they actually took a vehicle...but it is close enough to walk to if ya wanted some exercise!)

We also celebrated a couple of birthdays while we were all together....Grandson Silas turned 10 and Granddaughter Julia turned 13.

Before dark, Grandpa let the kids shoot off the firecrackers and the parachutes and other things that popped! Then after dark they shot off all of the pretty fireworks, and did the sparklers. Oh my goodness the whole neighborhood did fireworks...they were all around us.

I think pretty much everyone got into the act lighting them and enjoying them! Except me...cuz Grandma Linda doesn't like the booms! But I watched from the house, and also from the deck. And a couple of times I did try to go outside for awhile...but it's just not my thing. My heart jumps too much if I don't plug my ears! (One year I actually bought ear plugs and that helped...but I still "felt" the booms!) Ha!

Lynnette took all of these pictures as the fun was going on. I intended to take some pictures too...but my camera wasn't charged. So thank you Lynnette for capturing the memories! Those of you who follow her blog have already seen these pictures that I borrowed from her. (:>)

I hope that each of you enjoyed your July 4th celebrations and family times! God bless all of you bloggy friends...and God Bless America!

Outside fun!

Inside fun!

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I think we were all tuckered out...but it was worth it...and we enjoyed every minute!

Oh...Holley Girth had a wonderful post today. Please click here and visit her today!

Fill In The Blank Friday and Six Word Saturday

2011-07-01T13:07:00.015-05:00

Click here to link up with Lauren:
Lauren @ The Little Things We Do

Friday, July 1, 2011
Fill in the Blank Friday!

Copy the 7 questions below, then add your answers and link up so we can know more about you!

1. The best news I ever received was...

2. Something I'm looking forward to is...

3. Something I would never do is...

4. If I could choose someone to be my life coach (famous or not, living or dead), I'd choose...

5. If I had to put a label on my style it would be...

6. One should always...

7. I want to...

Here are my answers:

1. The best news I ever received was...The news each and every time I heard we were going to get another grandchild!

2. Something I'm looking forward to is...seeing my grandchildren again that have already gone to heaven...like our precious Anna!

3. Something I would never do is...I would never regret marrying this wonderful man 35 years ago!

4. If I could choose someone to be my life coach (famous or not, living or dead), I'd choose...Beth Moore...she has so much enthusiasm and she loves the Lord so much...I think she would be a good coach.

5. If I had to put a label on my style it would be..."I know what I like when I see it"...kind of style! I buy what I am drawn to no matter what style it is!

6. One should always...Walk and exercise! I love to walk with Leslie Sansone!

7. I want to...smile and laugh more! So, follow me and make me smile! Have a Happy 4th of July everyone!

My SWS is Friday's Blog post!

A Week With My Girls...Silas Turns Ten...We Go See Cars 2...and Lynnette's Book Arrives

2011-06-29T13:22:00.010-05:00

John and I with the Kraft Grandkids (Minus Jared) when we went to see Cars 2

Silas turned ten! What a wonderful boy! We will do a July 4th Party for him and also Julia who turns 13 on July 3rd!

Lynnette's preview book arrives! Excitement!

Our Sweet Anna is on the cover! She lives with Jesus!!! Her Story remains here on earth, to encourage people, and to lead them to God!

Vacation Bible School for the girls! And a program on Sunday!

Adelynn is between the two tall boys!

The girls' Uncle Brad, (Our son-in-law), was the "Beach Dude"!!! He is such a good sport...and this pastor loves kids!

18 year old Bailey loves kids too, and she helped lead recreation in VBS!

Grandpa and the girls went for a ride in the Mercedes on a summer evening!

Backyard fun with the Hula Hoops!

They played until it got dark!

I took the girls shopping while they were here. This is Julia's new top!

Grandma and Adelynn Rose!

Julia loves the slide!

Having fun with their older cousin Bailey!

Adelynn likes the noodles!

All packed up and ready to go.

It was time for the girls to leave me...after a week of fun! I cooked more and enjoyed every minute of it. We had fruit drinks, and ice cream sundaes, and watermelon...all those things that taste so good on a hot summer day!

Walk A Mile In My Shoes!

2011-06-24T10:21:00.005-05:00

Walk a Mile in My Shoes ...Linda Hogeland…June 2011

Some people say…walk a mile in my shoes… before you judge me today
And before that walk you take in my shoes…please take a moment to pray

Before you reach out…to remove the small speck… that you see so clearly in mine…
Ask the Lord to help you… remove the big plank… that distorts your vision sometimes

As you walk in my shoes, and the obstacles fall, across your path at every turn
Take a moment to pray for some grace in your day…use it as an opportunity to learn

Learn to be thankful for all that you have… and don’t covet what I might obtain
For the grass is not greener on this side of the fence…and my life has often held pain

If you jog… don’t get blisters…cuz my shoes are quite small, and I can’t afford to buy new
You may wish that you had not walked in my shoes at all…but the ones that fit better on you

And if I’d turn it around, it might just be found, that your shoes would be hard to fit too
So the mile that we walk, let’s take time for a talk, and be friends and decide what to do

Life is harder than it seems… and we all lose our dreams… and a shoulder to lean on is nice
So next time you hear, “walk a mile in my shoes”…may I give you a little advice?

Have compassion and care…take the time just to share, and to listen to what others say
But first and foremost…don’t ever boast…there’s plenty more trials on the way

Yes, we all need to care…when we see such despair and we need to help where we can
There once was a King who walked under a cross…shouldering that burden for man

He took our place upon that old rugged cross as He hung there in sorrow and pain
Yes He died in our place for our sins and disgrace so that we could be free from the shame

Talk about walking a mile in our shoes…He forged on to Golgotha for me
And for us He endured all the things that He heard as they mocked Him as He hung on that tree

What a blessing it is that He walked in our shoes to the death that we all so deserved
From now on I will talk of that life giving walk…and try not to be so reserved

Lord…may I walk in their shoes… and give them Good News… that you lovingly gave to me
And like you… may I give of myself everyday…to all the burdened people I see!

Birthday Fun!

2011-06-21T10:59:00.022-05:00

Lynnette was the hostess with the mostest! Kyle has a funny look on his face...but I am pretty sure it was on purpose! He is a Ham, and always keeps us laughing.

These smiling ladies finally got to celebrate their birthdays on Saturday night.

I don't know if Lonna is asleep and having a happy dream...or if she is happy to be sitting by her fiance...or if the apple crisp and ice cream was so yummy she is just savoring every bite! (:>)

Grandpa John always feels like he should pray again when we have desserts, cuz he is so thankful for them! (:>)

Happy Harry! He can't wait to dig in to the cake and ice cream.

Bailey enjoyed the treats too...and then she and Abigail went for a three mile walk!

Of course Jared could be found by the coffee thermos! (That blur in the background is Kyle...I'm not sure why he was in such a hurry!

Adelynn brought a friend!

Julia actually posed like this to look cool! Ha!

Oh...and I was there too! (:>)

We honored the dads at the party too, since the next day was Father's Day!
A good time was had by all!

Six Word Saturday!

2011-06-18T10:12:00.031-05:00

Here's What's Been Happening With Us

Those are my six words today.

I took a little blog break while we had company from Arizona for 3 weeks.

This is Julie and her little guy Ethan. Her husband Jason came too...but I didn't get any pictures of him. (My bad) Julie's mom Toni is one of my very best friends. We have been friends for over 30 years...and she is just like a sister to me.

Here we are at the Cracker Barrel with some of our company!

This little 3 yr. old stayed with us. Ethan is an amazing little boy! We got our 3 yr. old Harrison together with him for a little bit. Harrison was being a little shy, since they don't know each other.

Then my Bailey Bug had Graduation ceremonies at her church. Here are some pictures as some family and friends went to that.

This is Elizabeth in this picture with Bailey. Elizabeth is my other best friend Myrna's oldest granddaughter! She goes to Bailey's church.

Brad and Lisa with their "Adult" daughter Bailey! How time flies!

On our last trip to Nebraska to see my husband's family, we stopped to take a picture of this little Statue of Liberty that we saw just outside of Smith Center Kansas. I thought it looked neat sitting out there on the prairie all by itself.

And last week I got to meet the Kraft's visitor from New York....Ben! He was a fun guy. Here are some pictures from his week long visit.

They spent some time in Old Town!

Starbucks of course!

My handsome 20 yr. old Grandson Jared on the left...and his New York friend Ben on the right!

Abigail graduated at the end of May and she had an Open House, and I already blogged about that...and about the birthday she just had when she turned 18. Tonight we are celebrating her birthday with the family, along with her Aunt Lisa who had a birthday in May.

There are so many of us, it is hard to schedule times to do birthdays, so we do a couple of them at a time! We always have a ton of fun and there is always a lot of chaos going on!

I hope you all will have a good weekend too.

Love ya!

Yay! My Husband Fixed My Problem! (I think)

2011-06-17T13:18:00.011-05:00

I have not been about to publish my blog posts for nearly a month!!! I was really getting withdrawals!

When we had company from Arizona for 3 weeks I took a little blogging break on purpose. I wrote a post saying that I was going to take a little break...but it would not publish.

Then when I wanted to just pop in to do a post for my Granddaughter Abigail's 18th Birthday on June 4th..., it would not post!!!!

But my daughter Lynnette could publish those for me from her computer with my password?????? I just had no idea what was wrong!

But today...my WONDERFUL husband figured it out for me! He got me set back up with Firefox...and now everything seems to be working GREAT!
...(I hope!)

Leave me a comment if you are able to read this post. Somebody emailed me to say she was not able to be directed to my site. So let me know if it directs you here.

Thanks!

Granddaughter Abigail's 18th Birthday! Yay!!!

2011-06-04T09:12:00.014-05:00

Saturday was Granddaughter Abigail's 18th Birthday!

I bet Abigail doesn't like this thumbs up picture...but Grandma does!

Abigail took this picture of the pretty blue sky, fluffy white clouds, and the Redbud tree! She has an eye for beauty!

Abigail designed this logo and picture for their Epic Cheese Blog! She and her brother Jared do skits and sing and act on this blog, and post things on Youtube.

This is Abigail playfully singing as her brother plays the piano.

Abigail is a good photographer and this is a self portrait of her out in the snow in formal attire. She is so fair and so lovely!

Her mom is taping a segment for the Epic Cheese. Abigail and Jared are multi-talented.

Ab practicing her violin. She is an excellent violinist.

Abigail is also an artist, and this is a drawing she did of her brother Jared a few years ago.

This is one of Abigail's senior pictures. I love this one!

Abigail's mom is a photographer too, and this is one she took of Abigail. There are many sides to our Abigail. She is a wonderful young woman. I just want to wish her the loveliest of Birthdays as she turns 18!

So Abigail...when you read this post, I just want you to know how proud we are of you. Grandpa and I love you so very much! Happy 18th Birthday!!!

Love, Grandma

Blogging Break

2011-05-28T21:07:00.005-05:00

Taking a little blogging break to enjoy our company from Arizona.
I'll be back soon!

See you soon my bloggy friends.

It's Lisa's Birthday!!!!

2011-05-20T00:01:00.008-05:00

Today is my beautiful daughter Lisa's birthday! I thank God for her!

We all love her so much! She is a gift to our lives!

We are going to the movie in the afternoon to celebrate...and then will do a real party in a few days when we celebrate with my granddaughter Abigail who has a birthday on June 4th..

Lisa has beautiful eyes...the window to her beautiful soul.

We did a 50's party once, and I told Lisa she looked like Lucille Ball! But that's not Desi kissing her! That's her husband Brad!

And this is Lisa and Brad with their daughter Bailey. Such a sweet family!

Happy Birthday Lisa!
Momma loves you...to the moon and back!!!

Childhood

2011-05-13T11:48:00.016-05:00

Click on the button to link up your six word post!

My six words are:
My Childhood Was A Wonderful Adventure

Childhood

Once upon a time…when I was very small
I ventured out… all on my own and taught myself to crawl

And then I learned to stand alone…and take a step or two
Falling down…then getting up and starting life anew

I was brave when I was small…and went from walk to run
And then I learned to skip and play in the California sun

I also liked the drizzly skies when it began to rain
I’d splash in all the puddles…and sing a sweet refrain

I loved my little swing set… where I would swing each day
I’d climb upon the monkey bars and hang, and spin, and sway

The backyard was my haven…where I felt safe from fear
And this was my adventure land where magic would appear

My brother was there with me and we were quite a pair
We’d lull away the hours without a single care

Mom would spread a blanket upon the thick, green grass
And bring out yummy sandwiches, and milk in a tall glass

Sometimes we’d take a little nap…when our lunch was done
And turn a golden color as we lay there in the sun

We’d see a roly-poly bug all rolled up in a ball
Or try to catch a butterfly as it landed on the wall

I also liked the lady bugs and I’d hold them in my hands
And brother made a wooden gun to shoot his rubber bands

Sometimes we’d let our neighbor friends join in our special play
And we’d play games like chase, and tag, and hide and seek all day

We’d come inside for supper, take a bath, and off to bed
Where deep sleep quickly claimed us… and dreams danced in our heads

Summer time was very special, but we liked our school days too
And day by day the years slipped by and suddenly we grew

Now I find I’m 60, re-living...once upon a time
And loving every minute of it... in my aging mind

Written by Linda Hogeland
May 2011

Also joining Blog and Share today...Link your post by clicking on the button below.

And one last thing! I have a new friend this morning who has a wonderful post I think you should visit her and be uplifted today. Click here:
Malena's Musings

Come And See...Our Daily Bread

2011-05-10T20:48:00.014-05:00

Have you ever heard the expression..."Actions speak louder than words?"
I think we can talk until we are blue in the face when we are trying to lead someone to the Lord...but unless our actions line up with our words, people are not going to be interested in what we are saying.

And if we are not excited about our own Spiritual journey, then why in the world would anyone want what we have?

Today in the devotional Our Daily Bread... it just remined me that it is better to walk alongside someone and show them the way to the Lord, instead of just telling them about Him.

I truly have a desire to help people find Jesus...and I know His Word is necessary...but I just think they won't even want to listen to the talk if we are not walking the walk. And they also will be more apt to listen if we learn how to speak the truth in love!

SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE

Ephesians 4:15 NLT

..."We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church".

This devotional blessed me and refreshed me...and I hope it will do the same for you!

Come And See! click here to read today's
Our Daily Bread

Also...will you please be in prayer today for my grandson William? He will be 16 in 3 months and he got into some trouble last summer with some of his friends doing pranks, and has a court interview tomorrow morning (WEDNESDAY)...and then he will go back in June to hear what they decide. Please pray for my daughter as she goes with him. Please pray for grace...and for God's will to be done. And please pray for grandma too...that I can trust in God and rest in Him....cuz I love my boy so much! Thank you.

Prayer changes things!

Linking up with Blog and Share today...click on the button above and add your post if you'd like to join the blog hop!

Love Beth Moore Study...The Patriarchs

2011-05-06T00:55:00.007-05:00

Have you ever done a Beth Moore Bible Study? if so...which one has been your favorite? This is my first one...and I am loving it! She is so funny! And she keeps your attention the whole time she is speaking.

Thursday nights I go to my good friend Myrna's home... along with several other women, and we do a Bible Study together. Our friend Cheri leads us, and we open in prayer and then she explains what she has learned from the study preparation, and then we watch the DVD. It is so enjoyable, and yet it is deep and gives us lots of things to ponder and take to heart. Myrna gives us a treat and then we go home. How easy is that?!!!

We did an Answers In Genesis session with Ken Ham and that was a wonderful study. And we have also done a David Jeremiah study, and now we are doing a Beth Moore Study called The Patriarchs....and we are just about to finish it. It has been a wonderful DVD series and all of us have learned so much! Week after next we will start another one of her studies...and I can't wait!

If you have ever wanted to hold a study in your home, I would recommend getting one of Beth Moore's DVD Studies. She has really been a blessing to our group of ladies.

Our group is about 10 or 11 of us at times. Sometimes less. I am thankful for my friend Myrna who opens up her home...and also for Cheri who leads us...and I am thankful to God for Beth Moore who has learned so much through her trials over the years, and from her study of God's word. She shares her love of the Lord with us, and she inspires us to study on our own and to draw close to the Lord everyday.

Because it is such a casual meeting, we have some ladies that come, who do not go to church. So it has been a ministry outreach to some who would never have heard these truths. Over the years I have attended many studies...but they were mostly in a church setting. But I have to admit that this casual atmosphere has been very comfortable and I have loved it. I am doing this post to encourage you ladies out there in blogland to consider starting your own "in home" studies with a group of friends or neighbors. I know you would be blessed.

My Six Word Saturday:

Love Beth Moore Study...The Patriarchs

Marie Osmond Re-Marries Her First Husband

2011-05-04T21:18:00.006-05:00

I always loved watching the Donny and Marie Show! I just thought they were both so cute and so sweet. Over the years I have continued to enjoy them.

When Marie's son died last year I felt so sad for her...and so I am glad to see that she is happy again, and has found love again with her first love.

She wore the same dress nearly 30 years later! It had a simple elegance...(like Kate's) She is still so pretty. I wish them well.

Miscellany Monday

2011-05-02T08:22:00.021-05:00

Today for Miscellany Monday I thought I would share some things that have been happening. If you want to link up, just click on the button above.

1. My girls are graduating! Abigail is on the left and Bailey is on the right. My two oldest granddaughters. I love them both so much!

Abigail had her open house on Saturday, and a good time was had by all. She played two beautiful pieces on her violin at the party, and she was accompanied by her brother Jared on the piano. It was fantastic!

2. I met Courtney Becker at Abigail's party. He is the 911 operator/dispatcher who took the call the morning our 6 year old granddaughter Anna passed away. His life was forever changed from that morning on. Courtney has told his story, and my daughter Lynnette has written it all in a book, called "He Heard Hannah!"... adding his story to her story of how God has brought her through the loss of her daughter, and how He used Anna's death to save this 911 dispatcher. Being Published by Comfort Books...coming soon!

This is a picture of Lynnette and Kyle, and of Courtney and his daughter Hannah, who is holding a picture of our precious Anna who went to be with Jesus. God has brought blessings from our time of sorrow.

3. Our Grandson Caleb is driving! Well he is learning. He just got his learner's permit. I cannot grasp this and you can be sure that Grandma will be praying! (:>)

4. Branson Landing Floods! Here is Caleb again sitting on a bench at Branson Landing in Missouri. We went there last year right after school got out, and took our daughter Lonna and her four kids. We love that area, and saw a great Dancing Waters Light Show along the lake, Well that area is flooded right now. I am hoping the waters will recede and that they can repair the damage. Branson Landing is a nice area with Hotels, Restaurants, and Shopping and Entertainment for families. Near by homes were also flooded.

5. The Royal Wedding was something to behold. I loved Kate's dress...and I thought they looked so sweet together. I hope they will live happily ever after!

I Hope It's Happily Ever After!

2011-04-29T10:46:00.021-05:00

Here I am with My Prince Charming...Once Upon a Time!

Every little girl dreams of marrying a Prince and becoming a Princess. At least I know I did when I was a little girl. So, this 60 yr. old "antique little girl"...was delighted to be able to watch this fairy tale wedding. I thought it was wonderful. They looked so happy, and fairly relaxed. I loved Kate's dress, and the simple elegance of it, and her veil too. She has such a natural beauty. And every time I look at Prince William I see a little bit of his beautiful mother. I am hoping they will live happily ever after aren't you????

Today Is Six Word Saturday:

I Hope It's Happily Ever After!

Wednesday's Walk Down Memory Lane

2011-04-27T07:46:00.009-05:00

Today for Wednesday's Walk I thought I would show you all a picture of me and my three girls back in the early 1970's. This is one of the very few pictures I have from this time of my life, because there was a break in, and among the stuff that was stolen were albums full of pictures. Most of my kids baby pictures were gone! So sad.

The girls were about 6, 5, and 1. And I was in my early twenties. And even though I loved my children very much, this was a very hard time of my life, and I was seperated, working, on assistance, and barely getting by. Hard times indeed.

But I know that the Lord kept us and brought us through, because He had a wonderful plan for our lives. Even though I was not living for Him at that time....He knew that we would all commit to Him in the future. Thank you Lord for watching after us!

Today is the last Wednesday's Walk...and I would like to thank Jenilee for hosting this memory blog hop. If you would like to link up a memory, just click on the button below.

Six Word Saturday... Dangers Of Soy

2011-04-23T08:59:00.010-05:00

Soy Is Not A Health Food!
These are my six words today.

Please read this article...and all other links too...and save your family from the dangers of soy....especially your babies from soy formula. You will be amazed. "Genetically Modified" are two words to fear! Soy is a brain toxin! And can cause so many health issues.

Eat whole foods...because soy is in pre-packaged foods! Read labels!

Click here:

The Dangers of Soy

Don't remain in the dark...we need to know what is happening in the food industry.

Then come back here and click on the button below to join in with Cate with your six words for today! She'll tell you what it's all about.

Watch the Lamb

2011-04-22T12:01:00.004-05:00

The message is still true...even though I have found out since I posted this that the messenger (singer) has gone astray. Pray for him...and keep your eyes on The Lamb!

Have a Blessed Easter!

What Is On Your Bucket List?

2011-04-16T08:06:00.012-05:00

What Is On Your Bucket List?

What is on your bucket list
Of things you'd like to do?
Before you pass from this old world
And heaven welcomes you

Do you want to share your faith
And lead someone to God?
What keeps you from reaching out
The fear they'll think you're odd?

Have you reached your hand out
To someone who's in need?
Or does something always hold you back...
Something known as greed!

Sacrificial giving...
Can make you feel so good
Is it on your bucket list
To give the way you should?

What about forgiveness?
Are there people on your list?
Those who need forgiveness...
But you constantly resist

What about commitment?
To others and to Him...
Are you afraid to surrender?
Do you live life on a whim?

Do you find that you are faithful?
Or do you let things slide?
Sometimes the lack of faithfulness
Can be the result of pride

Do you practice kindness?
To your children and your mate?
Or does selfishness detour you...
Always making others wait

Would the things on your bucket list...
Show what's really in your heart?
Would God be disappointed with that list
Right from the start?

Why not crumple it...And toss it...
And start your list anew
And when you write your bucket list
Think of what God wants from you!

Or better yet...let Him write it
No bucket list could match His plans
He has thrills, and chills, and amazements
All gifts from His loving hands!

Written by Linda Hogeland
April 2011

(I want to thank Debra for giving me The Versatile Blogger award! Click on her name to give her a visit!)

Wednesday's Walk/ Everyday with Jesus!

2011-04-13T08:56:00.011-05:00

I just haven't been doing anything very interesting since my last post, so I haven't been blogging for a few days. I thought to myself..."Nothing much to blog about". Then I saw Jenilee's Wednesday's Walk, telling us what she and her hubby do when they go on dates. She said she even considered "exercising together" or "reading together" a date of sorts.....just meaning it was time spent together.

Well that made me think of all the things that my husband and I do together. Since we are retired, they are just everyday things...and yet some of them are so special to me.

I get up earlier than my husband, so each morning he comes in and finds me on the computer. He comes over and gives me a morning kiss! I love that he does that. It's like he makes me feel loved right from the start of the day.

Then he goes in to get coffee and usually brings me a cup too. I will ask him how he slept and if he is feeling good...and he does the same with me. (Some days we just wake up not feeling well.... or we are stiff or sore. Or we may not have slept well, so we just want to check, to see how we feel before we plan our day.)

After breakfast we try to do morning devotions, and read the Bible and pray for people. (We miss a few days here and there...like when he goes out to play golf or when one of us has a morning appointment.) But when we do them we pray for our kids and their kids, our extended family members, our friends and their families, and for the people on our Wednesday night prayer list from church. We also have a list of missionaries we pray for, and especially for 6 girls who are in ministry in various parts of the world.

Sometimes he prays and sometimes I do the praying, and some days we pray together, going back and forth. I also pray for the needs of my blog friends...and many of you are on my list permanently...while others are on the list as the needs are made known.

Sometimes we just spend time thanking the Lord for all of the answers to our prayers, (we have lots of answers), and for all that He does for us everyday. When we count our blessings it sometimes becomes so emotional when we dwell on God's goodness. It isn't uncommon for both of us to have tears in our eyes when we are done praying. That may sound corny...but it happens sometimes. God is just that wonderful. Anyway, that is just my very favorite time that we spend together.

This morning we had to take John's van in to get new brakes first thing, so we missed our regular devotion routine. I met up with him and we had breakfast at McDonalds and we just sat there and enjoyed chatting together over our coffee. You would think that retired people who are with each other 24/7 would run out of things to talk about...but surprisingly it is not true with us. As people grow older with each other, their love and friendship grows. It is such a comfortable feeling.

I depend so much on my husband. He is so good to me, that I sometimes wonder how I would ever get along if he were to go to heaven before me. I have even said that I hope I go before he does!

Don't get me wrong, I know the Lord would take care of me and help me...but seriously, I cannot even imagine my life without my sweet husband.

Jenilee...you really got me to thinking this morning about my wonderful husband... and I just kinda get carried away! But you see our lives have not always been like this. We had a time in our lives when we almost got a divorce. Yup..it's true. It is a time I don't like to dwell on. A time before my husband became a Christian.

John and I have been married for 35 years this July...but he has only been a Christian for the last 16 years. And I can truthfully say that after John got saved, he became a new creation in Christ. (We pray for those who have unsaved spouses, because we know that with God...all things are possible!) And these 16 years of having a "Christian" marriage have been so good. Even when we went through really hard times, and the times when we lost our grandchildren, we faced those times together through the power of Christ. What a difference it makes to have Christ as your strength when hard times come!

Yes, we have lost many loved ones in our lives, but especially over the last 6 or 7 years, and we still feel those losses very deeply. But God has been good to hold our hands and walk us through the valley of death. Not our valley of death of course...but the dark valley of the death of those we love. It helps so much to have a partner to share the load with. Not just the heavy burdens, but the everyday stresses of life too.

Well, I guess that is my Wednesday's Walk for today. But I do want to leave you with this thought. Everyday with Jesus, is sweeter than the day before!

Six Word Saturday

2011-04-09T15:02:00.031-05:00

It's Six Word Saturday again and I thought I would tell you about my pleasant Friday afternoon...and post some pictures of my ride around town.

A Pleasant Friday Afternoon In Derby!

(Lots of small pictures...you can click on them to enlarge!)

One of my favorite things to do is hang out at the Library, so I returned some books and checked out some more, and also a DVD and some CD's.

I went to Sonic and got a large Lemonade, popped the CD's in the player and went for a ride around town.

I was enjoying the neighborhood lakes and the flowering trees.

I saw some Garage Sale signs and decided to stop. I found a Pier One Tuscan looking yellow pitcher for a couple of dollars. It was marked 20.00 originally. And I bought some magazines for 25 cents.

The sky was such a pretty blue color and the clouds were white and fluffy! The Christian CD's were making my heart sing out to God as I was enjoying nature on my drive.

I decided to go to High Park and sit and enjoy the lovely weather and read those magazines, watch the ducks...and the people who were out and about.

Then I continued driving around our old neighborhoods where there are lots of mature trees...and I was sad to see that the people who lived in our house from 30 years ago had cut down the huge Sweet Gum trees that we loved so much.

Can you see them lying there in the front yard all chopped up? That made me sad. People used to walk by and admired them in the Fall and always asked me what kind of trees they were because they were so pretty.

Then I drove by our second house were we lived for almost twenty years. It was on a corner lot with lots of trees. It was a two story house with nearly 4000 sq. feet, including the basement. But after 20 years of climbing the stairs and keeping that clean and doing all of the yard up keep, we decided to build a smaller house with a smaller yard.

*****************************************

So we picked out a lot by the golf course and built this house 4 years ago.

I enjoy the creeping phlox. I love my rock that says..."Jesus Is My Rock!"

We still need to do some more outside and hope to do some more trees and landscaping this Spring, or Fall. But we are Happy in our Home Sweet Home.

We love our town of Derby. And I like the retired life. I especially like to enjoy these special days when I can just appreciate life and count my many blessings!

What are your Six Words for this Saturday? Click on the button at the top and link up with Cate!

I Got A Lisa Rinna Hairdo!

2011-04-02T17:00:00.001-05:00

I went to the Salon today and took pictures of Lisa Rinna's Hairdo with me...and this is what I came home looking like! I also got it color weaved with warmer browns and a little bit of golden highlights! I like it...and now I just have to see if I can make it look this way when I do it!

Maybe this is what Lisa would look like if she was 60 and over weight, with glasses! Ha!

FLOWERS IN THE RAIN by Jaci Velasquez (with lyrics)

2011-04-02T11:51:00.004-05:00

Six Words Saturday:
Flowers In The Rain~Jaci Velasquez

Take a moment to listen to this song and read the lyrics...and think of our wonderful Creator!

Happy Saturday!

Kari Jobe: You Are For Me... and Beautiful

2011-03-31T13:32:00.007-05:00

I love how these songs speak what's in my heart today!

I wish that I could sing like this to the Lord...because the words are so meaningful and so real in my heart. But I can't sing like Kari Jobe...not even close! *smile*
But I can play them for Him and tell Him it's how I feel too!

Lisa Rinna's Hairstyle/Top 2 Tuesday

2011-03-29T09:37:00.011-05:00

Why is it that we always want what we don't have? I wish I could wear this shaggy hairstyle..but not sure if my natural wavy /curly hair would do this. I am going to ask my hairstylist...but it probably ain't gonna happen! (:<) I know it will have to grow longer before it would be this length...but I am liking her sassy, shaggy layered look. Don't you think it is cute?

I also like this hairstyle but would want a shorter version. I love the color weave here too.

Joining up with Top 2 Tuesday today. Click on the button and join in the fun. Maybe you will find your new hairstyle!

I have never used a flat iron straightener. Have you? I'm not sure if I would like it or not?????

I'm kinda tired of my bob hairstyle.....

This picture is when my hair was more layered...but wavy. I don't know why, but my hair just hasn't been working for me lately. And I am wanting something easy to do.

Six Words Saturday: Let's Give The Lord A Handclap!

2011-03-26T12:44:00.010-05:00

Today for Six Words Saturday I am posting the words...
Let's Give The Lord A Handclap!

My sister simply loved the beauty of creation. When she would see something like a beautiful tree, or the vast ocean, or a snow topped mountain, she would say..."Let's give the Lord a handclap!" And then we would clap our hands and praise the Lord.

Yesterday as my husband and I were driving through town we saw so many beautiful Bradford Pear trees in bloom, and some of them were just breath taking...so I said..."Let's Give The Lord A Handclap!"...and we did. We gave praise to the Lord in memory of my sister who went to heaven two years ago.

She left me a gift... her legacy of loving and praising the Lord by appreciating His creation! Now she sees the beauty and glory of heaven and I am sure she is praising the God she loves!

Amy Grant - Better Than A Hallelujah (41st Annual GMA Dove Award)

2011-03-23T08:31:00.010-05:00

You can read the words on the slide show.

Today for Wednesday's Walk I thought I would share my love for Amy Grant.
She has gone through some hard times in her career and in her personal life. Haven't we all had trials and disappointments in our lives too? I don't believe in divorce and yet I ended up getting one after 9 years of marriage. At the time I wasn't living for the Lord...but I had been raised in church, and I knew it hurts God when we break our vows of commitment. Amy struggled with the same thing. But praise our merciful Lord that He didn't give up on us!

This second marriage of mine has lasted for nearly 35 years (this July), and now that we are both Christians we know that it is until death we do part! (:>) Amy and Vince Gill have been married for about 11 years now, and I wish them a long and happy life!

It is so easy to judge others when we haven't walked in their shoes isn't it? God doesn't throw us away when we sin. When we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

When we are humble and broken before the Lord, He forgives and forgets. It all depends on our hearts. Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. I think that's what this song is all about!!!

I love Amy Grant! I love this song! How about you?

Miscellany Monday: The Old Geezer Blog

2011-03-21T10:46:00.011-05:00

For Miscellany Monday I decided to share The Old Geezer blog with you. Click the button above to link your posts and to join in the Monday fun, after reading Ron's post today.

Meet Ron...The Old Geezer

(He had this little saying on his blog and I thought it was so cute...cuz I too feel like several of my friends live in the computer too!)

I follow this blog called...The Old Geezer...and today's post was so good I thought I would link you up to it. Ron is a Christian and he always has something encouraging to share. Please click over to Ron's blog for a visit. It will touch your heart today.

The "Soul Surfer" Movie Preview

2011-03-16T17:14:00.016-05:00

Six Words:
SEE SOUL SURFER MOVIE APRIL 8th

Soul Surfer Movie
click here

Last night my husband and I, and some other family members and friends were blessed to pre~screen the PG rated Soul Surfer movie here in Wichita, Kansas. It was the true story of Bethany Hamilton...the teenage girl who lost her arm in a shark attack in Hawaii while surfing.

Although this is not actually a "Christian" movie, the story shows her close knit family, and also her circle of close friends who helped her through the tragedy. And her strong faith in Jesus Christ is her true strength. And this is evidenced as they quote scripture, pray together, and live out their faith before others.

After the tragedy her father is sitting in her hospital room reading the Bible and she asks him if she will surf again, and he says he knows she "can do all things through Him who gives her strength." Philippians 4:13 The real Bethany and her family insisted that the scriptures be in the movie. They are a family of faith and this is a big part of this movie.

Annasophia Robb plays Bethany. Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt play Bethany's parents, and Carrie Underwood plays her church, youth leader.

The scenery is outstanding; as are the surfing scenes. I thought of the power of God with each pounding wave!

This movie encourages us to cling to our faith in God during our trials, and to try again each time we fail...until our faith brings the victory, as God strengthens us.

April 8th is when Soul Surfer opens, and I hope you will all go and see it. You will be so touched by her story.

I could relate to the loss of her arm in a personal way, because my own mother lost her right arm in an auto accident as a young wife and mother of one small child. She went on to raise 4 children, having to learn to do everything with one arm. The words that I use to describe my mother are Fortitude, and Faith. And these are words that could also describe Bethany Hamilton.

Changes...Six Word Saturday!

2011-03-12T00:01:00.002-06:00

My six words for the day are:

We All Have To Change Sometime

What six words describe your life today? Link up with Cate by clicking on the button above.

Do any of you feel like me when change comes into your life? Does it take you awhile to adjust? I mean I am one that even hates it when they change the grocery stores around. It takes me more time to shop when they do that, because I can't find anything.

I don't like it when they change the time of a favorite TV program, or when they cancel the show or change the host. Or when they have a sequel to a favorite movie come out and they have changed to a different actor in the lead role...that drives me nuts! ha!

Changes on facebook,or blogger get to me too. But I finally figure things out. (:>)

Just about the time I finally start liking the changes in styles...they change again. I never thought I would adjust to wearing smaller glasses and then when I do, the frames get bigger! (Not that I am fad~ish, but I do have to wear glasses and don't want to be the only one wearing an out of date style!)

Technology keeps changing too...and I don't even claim to understand most of it. It is hard enough for me to figure out the process that is involved with simply playing a DVD! Ha! I know...I'm pitiful! In fact most of my movie library is still on VHS!

My youngest grandson is 3yr. old and he figures out how to play games on his mom's phone, and he can even get himself to the games without help! It took me years to even touch a computer! And when I did, it would say Fatal Error...and it scared me to death! (:>)

I never dreamed that I would be on a computer everyday checking email and facebook , and posting blogs...Nope...never dreamed I could do it! I hate certain things about the internet..but love other things. And I am glad I didn't miss out on the good things, by being afraid of the bad parts.

I usually adjust...eventually...to the changes in life. But sometimes it takes the nudging, and prodding and the encouragement of the younger people in my life, to get me there. I mean, last night I even ventured out to join in a "chum chat" from my daughters blog. I enjoyed reading some of the funny remarks...but it did feel like everyone was talking at the same time, and it was hard for me to make sense of it! So after a few minutes I said my good-byes and toddled off to bed.

I turned 60 last August and I can honestly say that this year has been the hardest one of my entire life to accept. I mean I am glad to be alive and I appreciate my life...but I have been feeling so old. Maybe by this coming August I will be over it. Maybe I will see that I made it through the first year of being in my 60's and I will let go of the stigma attached to it.

Some people freak out when they hit 30, or 40, or 50...but I never did. Nope I waited until 60 to freak out. But maybe I am getting over it. Maybe!

Just thinking of these things inspired me to write a little poem this morning. Maybe you can relate.

Changes

Changes are a fact of life… they happen everyday
They keep us on our toes, and send us on our merry way

I balk against them, fuss and fight…
And resist the change with all my might

But it’s a fact…we will survive
Yes, changes make us grow and thrive!

Yet it takes awhile to change…
I don’t like to re-arrange

I fit nicely in my rut…
But change…it socks me in the gut

And knocks the wind out of my sails
It hardly listens to my wails!!!!

How about you? Do you like change?
Do you think that I’m just strange?

Maybe you are flexible…and don’t mind the twist and turn….
I guess I’m stiff, and sore and old, and find it hard to learn

But none-the-less…the changes come and I must tow the line
And in the end the truth-be-known…I will be just fine!

This old dog can learn new tricks, though it might take awhile
But in the end I will adjust…and may even crack a smile

Change is good…that’s what “they” say, so I guess that it is true
Just bear with me and I will change…along with each of you!

Written by Linda Hogeland
March 2011