A Year in Review 2013

Reflecting on the year of 2013 as we move into 2014

December
When I think about the month of December I find myself writing about a concern that tuned into a joy. On Friday, December 27 at 9:30 pm we received a text from my son stating that he had found his son Beckett not breathing. Beckett's grandfather and Renee's uncle started CPR and brought him back to life. Today, just 5 days later they are headed home from the hospital .... God is a miracle working God and I am praising Him for the life of my grandson today! You can read the rest of the story here:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/beckettbrady






November
Joy; Christmas tree cutting as a family
Concern; Kelley's health (she is doing awesome now, thank you Lord)

October
Joy; My husband's health and ability to still work part time and we get word that our littlest is getting married
Concern; healing for our entire family

September
Joy; Gratefulness for the beginning of my 7th year at Edinbrook Elementary
Concern; Part time hours and no benefits (Praise the Lord I had benefits by the end of September)

August
Joy; An anticipated first family vacation at the Grosser's cabin
Concern: Ashley's collapse and hospitalization and my health and hospitalization at Mayo (we are both doing well now, thank you Lord)

July
Joy; The celebration of Terry's birthday and the birth of Beckett the very next day!
Concern; How would the delivery of the twins go for Kelley

June
Joy; Summer off from work
Concern; Safe delivery for both Renee and Kelley

May
Joy; the ending of a good year of Real Women seeing spiritual growth in each of the women
Concern; No real concerns because God is meeting my family and I in all of our concerns

April
Joy; Ashley returns from Afghanistan
Concern; Ashley was hospitalized in Fort Worth Tx ... follow-up here now in Mpls

March
Joy; Friends who sit at hospital beds
Concern; bronchitis, pneumonia, an allergic reaction that required an epi pen and a 911 call and a day stay at Maple Grove hospital for me

February
Joy; A new year has begun
Concern; just beginning to get physically sick

January
Joy; A full month of intentions started and kept
Concern; Longer recovery than anticipated from a student-related injury

It was a full year of sitting at hospital bedsides for our family. I am praying and hoping for a healthier 2014!

My favorite story read at a favorite time! Merry Christmas!

 

Luke 2

New International Version (NIV)

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Merry Christmas from the littlest grandson and I!

Pederson / Larson family pics

 Love Family!

His Power to Protect and His Grace to Restore (1000 gifts)

986. grateful for the Sati series for November on gratefulness 

987. my list lies open on the table as I count everything as gratefulness

988. the Word read aloud

989. the garland of grace I have put on

990. grateful to be preoccupied with Him this morning

991. a hug from the golfer before going off to work

992. the moments of processing aloud some hard stuff with a friend

993. Saturday morning: waking up in the golfers arms

994. This Scripture; "Praise the Lord; Praise God our Savior! For each day He carries us in His arms." Psalm 68:19

995. a caring call from our son-in-law Josh

996. grateful to be His daughter

997. grateful He is overjoyed with me

998. one new son-in-law to come .... Love you Dustin!

999. each desert I must pass through

1000. knowing His power to protect and His grace to restore both Kelley and I

# 9 Hey Dad September 7th 2007 (a great post for Veteran's Day ... Letter from one soldier to another)

Well, I'm sitting in class right now waiting for it to start. We just finished eating chow and now we have all afternoon for more classes. I'm looking forward to Sunday though we won't have any classes tomorrow either because we go to the range to see the set up and learn procedures. I'm really hoping to qualify expert with the pistol. I have to at least get sharpshooter in order to stay in "Best of the Best". Please pray that I'm able to get one of those two. How is work going? Soon enough it will be snowing so your'e gonna have to pull out that winter jacket! I hope there's not too much snow when I get home. Have you been looking at any cars for me? I don't really think I want a Saturn anymore. What do you think I should get? I know you were talking about getting a loan so I can work on my credit. Do you still think that's a good idea? How much is gas right now? I'm just curious cause I still really want an SUV :0p Have you and mom found a new RAV 4 yet? Well class has started so I need to go for now. I love you so much daddy and you have no idea how much your love and encouragement helps me through all of this. I miss you dearly. Talk to you soon hopefully. ;-)
Love Always, Ash # 5

Slowing Down

A couple of weeks ago I was able to take a drive out to Deerfield and enjoy space on a friend's farm for a 3 hour time frame, uninterrupted, to speak and hear from God.

The most important task was to slow myself down so I could find meaning in everything; every word I read, spoke, and wrote.

So when I started with 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" I knew how important it was for me to release my concerns, review what concerns actually led me into sin, and then remember God's faithfulness. These were the three areas, release, review, and remember that made it possible to slow down enough to find meaning in everything that day.

The view outside my window at the farm ...
breath-taking and peaceful

Nora is 2

Nora,

Oh My! It is hard to believe you are already two. It seems like such a short time ago that I met you as a baby and spent time rocking you in my arms.

I remember our first car trip together to go and see Aunt Ashley just before she left for Afghanistan. You were such a good traveler.

I remember going to the pool and holding you in the water as your sisters splashed around us.

I remember you liked to throw your Cheerios off your tray.

I remember you coming all the way to Minnesota this summer and how much you laughed and talked.

Tonight I remember how much I miss you and look forward to holding and hugging you again soon ..... Happy 2nd Birthday Nora .... I love you more, Nana






Nora is 2

When he was 5 and now he is 6

So when Sid was the first grandchild to turn 5 I started something new .... I remember when our children turned 5 they got a "table knife" for the first time. Seems odd but our younger kids always wondered when they would be old enough for a table knife so the golfer and I decided that 5 was the magic age for each

of the children to have a table knife.

 

When the grand kids started turning 5 I decided to start a rite of passage as a

5-year-old grandchild. I have prayer beads that I made and I use to pray for my immediate family members. When the grand kids would stay over night or when I would stay in Texas overnight they would ask me about my prayer beads under my pillow. I thought to myself it would be a wonderful time to teach them about my prayer beads and for them to get a set of their own. So .... the first grandchild to receive the beads was Sid and I included this card with the beads:

 

Dear Sid,

Many times you have slept over at nana's house and many times you have asked me about my prayer beads in my night side table. When You're mommy was little and she turned 5 years old she received her own table knife at the the table for the first time like her big brother and sisters. It was a "rite of passage" so to speak. For you because You're 5 Nana has made you your own set of prayer beads. You can keep them in your bedroom under your pillow, if you like, to remind you to pray for your daddy, mommy, you and your little sisters. Happy Birthday! I love you more, Nana

 

 

Sid plays on the teeter-totter ... the same handles from his mommy's teeter-totter (made by the golfer) and the same handles from the orginal teeter-totter

made  by grandpa Walker for Lisa (3rd generation backyard toy with a new board) 

 

 

Even though the motorbike says number 5 Sid turned 6 on September 10th 

writing between the lines of the message outline

They were not the blanks to be filled in on the message outline but instead they were the words written on the pages of my journal. They were the words my pastor used last Sunday that I have read over and over again. I’ve read them because they have touched me deeply during a time when I find I am captive by my thoughts rather than taking my thoughts captive to the mind of Christ. How do I take every thought captive to the mind of Christ. I do this by re-reading my journal pages from Sunday’s sermon as we looked into and learned for Genesis:

“May the word of God shape your view of circumstances.”

They were not the blanks to be filled in on the message outline. They were the words written on my heart and on my journal pages to be read, recalled and lived out … not only on Monday but throughout the entire week. A reminder that indeed He is in the midst of my circumstances and it is to His word that I run to for comfort, peace and hope! Praying now that the word of God will shape my view of my current circumstances. I am reminded today my circumstances are for His good and for His glory!

Linking up here ...

http://michellederusha.com/
 

finding joy in Friday night pizza

971. "In the beginning ...

972. Your word that displays wonder

973. the golfer and how he cares for me

974. Caribou coffee from Kelley, Ashley, and the Larson kids

975. unexpected struggles and fears

976. first days of school

977. my freedom in Christ and our countries freedom

978. His mercies new each morning

979. rest that leads to sleep

980. a job with benefits

981. that I am a sheep who belongs to the Shepherd

982. evening walks with the golfer

983. time away at Camp Shamineau

984. the thoughts, words and actions of my co-worker, Courtney

985. finding joy in what matters,

Friday night pizza!

 

 

 

 

Friday Night Pizza

Missing the Davis' and the Vanahn's for Friday night pizza times but throughly enjoying these cousins

loving on one another!

 

Not sure what this expression is except that Kelley I think was talking with Sid about how when Beckett opens his eyes they are so wide open so Sid I think said "like this?"

I am loving every minute of holding this little one and tonight when he was awake he was smiling and talking a bit.

It's an Ordinary Day or is it?

loving to participate in the 5 minute Friday link-up here:

http://lisajobaker.com/

no edits ... just one piece written in 5 minutes and I give it all I got ....

It's an ordinary day or is it? Is any day really ordinary? Has God not made every day extraordinary? Indeed He has! Some for me are filled with joy and expectation from the minute I open my eyes on the pillow while others are ....

The battlefield. And for me, the battlefield is in my mind and thoughts. It is then and not only then that it is not an ordinary day but rather another day to get dressed in my armor.

So ... as I shower and let the warm water and soap wash over my body I put on:

the helmet of salvation
the breastplate of righteousness
the belt of truth
the shoes fitted for the gospel
the sword of the Spirit
and the shield of faith

This is no ordinary day but rather a day I must fight against my flesh and spirit. It is a day I look up to the mount of Zion to see His arms extended high in intercession for me.

This is no ordinary day!

This is a day of His intercession for me and my intercession for the generations of Walkers and Pederson's now and to come.
It is a day to lift His banner high!

Indeed this is no ordinary day!

The Crying Out

Now under the covers of darkness I could let myself cry. I wiped the tears away on the pillowcase but the more I wiped the more they came. I pressed my face to the pillow. Finally my eyes cleared enough to fall asleep in my Savior's arms.

His words:

Seek the Lord while He may be found: call on Him while He is near.  

Isaiah 55:6

Jesus is my constant friend!

In a sense, sometimes the crying out is because I am being taken captive by my thoughts ... but then I wake in the morning knowing I stand in victory as I take every thought captive to the mind of Christ ...

So tonight under the covers of darkness as I lay my head on the pillow, may I be mindful of the truth that brings my thoughts into the light, into His presence!

Remaining In His Arms night and day! B.

A no family pizza week .... but tummy time in more ways than one!

We did not have our regular Friday night time of family pizza the last week in September so .... my lovely daughter-in-law invited us over for dinner fixed by her husband ... chicken on the grill and potatoes yum. Good food for the face and tummy! As usual, my daughter-in-law thinks of me, and she made gluten-free brownies for dessert. I am always grateful when she sends me home with left-over brownies for my school lunch.

 

But the best tummy time for the evening overall was spending this time with Beckett on his tummy looking at me with those eyes! He's growing so fast and was extremely alert this evening!

 

 

mercy

 5 minute Friday linking here on Saturday

 

http://lisajobaker.com/

 

 

Where does the practice of writing begin? Does is begin with a list? A list of goals for the day? It certainly can begin there and has in my Texas daughter's home as she begins the process of home-schooling. It did not begin for me until my twelfth year of school. That is when I learned that writing starts with reading. So today as I read this; is has become my writing (or rather copying) of what God came up with regarding mercy ....

 



What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!  For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.  For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

Where does the practice of writing begin? Does it begin with the forming of letters on a page or the typing of the words on the keyboard?

first days of school

Every year around this time I begin my first days of school.

This year I was not the only one  in my family who enjoyed the first days of school ....

here's Beckett showing exactly how I felt after my first week of school

Here's my five-year old home-schooler from Texas

 

and here's my five-year old private-schooler from North Mpls (he turned six on September 10th and we will celebrate tomorrow)

 

 

here's lunch home-school style

 

 

 

 

and here's Pru ready for Pre-School

and as for Lenny ... she often gets to hang out with the "golfer" on Tuesday mornings while I work at school ....

need I say more?

The daddy's hands that hold tight!

The Next Generation of Pederson's

My Sister in Christ, a dear friend, and a bit of a daughter ... Andrea

She and I

She is quiet and thoughtful

I am more outspoken, sometimes without thinking

She loves well and so do I

She is compassionate and caring always asking tough questions

I too am compassionate and caring but I don't always go deep enough to ask the tough questions

          She is slight in frame and light in color of hair

          I am a bit bigger and the color Grey shows I am older

She is a bit on the unorganized side but always sees the big picture

I am sometimes obsessed with being organized and

I love to write and know the details


She and I love coffee that does not taste like coffee and we both are fans of carmel although She is a bigger fan than I

We both love to read

          She is content with being single

          I am very content being married

She has a spiritual depth to her learning and is athletic 

I have a love for learning and like long walks and bike rides

A few shots

 

A Morning in the sun

 

First Vikings Game for the "boy cousins"

 

Love this "little new generation" of Pederson's

 

 

Here's a couple of the big boys and the little boys in our family

 

Uncharted Territory!

I didn't understand the why of our daughter Kelley when she came to Terry and I more than a year ago and said she wanted to be a surrogate .... whoa ... totally new territory for both my husband and I but .... like some adventures we have been on with each of our kids, this one posed new territory that created reluctance in our minds and hearts . All we could think about was: we are going to walk through a pregnancy with her and not be grandparents? Was this the right thing to do? How would this impact her 3 children? We had a lot of questions and we were not necessarily embracing this territory. Yet with all uncharted paths and decisions our adult children make that we don't always agree with we give them over and over to the Lord!

And He has done great things through this experience!

Particularly in my heart .....as I trusted all my concerns to Him especially the concern of physically carrying twins, all the complications that come with that both for moms and children and quite honestly a lot of what if's? With some fear and not as much faith I went to a good friend and ministry partner and said, "I don't even know how to pray" .... this was a surprise to me, coming out of my mouth, the one who often prays and knows what it means to pray for:

His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven 

My friend suggested I pray a prayer of protection so .... that's what I began to do over 9 months ago and He has done great things:

Bristol: girl on the left you can tell by the bow

Miles: boy and the second twin born thought

 to be bigger and even looks a bit bigger than his sister but not  

more than 16 pounds of health, beauty, and a double blessing

 

 

Here's the story of what God did a bond between a surrogate mom and a birth mom ....
you can read Kelley's story here:


http://saidkelley.com/a-surrogates-birth-story/

This writing is not mine but every so powerful of a reminder to me!

This is not my writing but ... It's Ann's over here
http://www.aholyexperience.com/

I love what it says and I wished I had written it and I want to remember this about love especially when I think about how to love the golfer well and extra especially now this month of August 2013 when we will soon celebrate 40 years of marriage!

I know I don't always show this kind of love to my husband but it is a good reminder to me that I desire to serve him as I live out the gospel daily! Really nothing is more attractive than sacrifice!

"There are no standing lovers: the only way to love is to lay down.
Lay down plans.
Lay down agendas.
Lay down self.
Love is always the laying down.
This is how to make love out of a marriage: Love lays down it’s own wants to lift up the will of another.
Love lets go of its plans — to hold on to a person.
This is the passion of Christ.
Ours is the romanced universe. For God so loved, He gave….
A good marriage isn’t about reliving a good movie, but reliving the Good News.
Nothing is more attractive than sacrifice."

The Golfer and the Oldest Grandson

 

Salad in a jar

Ok here's me in the kitchen this summer. This is my daughter's idea and it's a great one for summer and for me who doesn't always like to spend a lot of time making lunch and / or dinner.

 

 

 

As you can see I line up a total of 10 mason jars: 5 for the golfer and 5 for me. Prior to filling them I purchase a bunch of Trader Joe's boneless, skinless chicken breast. First, I wash it, poke it with a fork, and rub it with vinaigrette Italian herb olive oil, salt and pepper and sometimes a bit of bacon bacon and let it sit overnight in the fridge. Next, the golfer is kind enough to fire up the grill and cook the chicken. Then, it's time to get ready all the salad ingredients chopped and ready to put it.

Layer

dressing

broccoli slaw

any and every vegetable (no cucs or tomatoes they are too wet) you feel like adding

we both like red onions and the golfer likes mushrooms

hard-boiled eggs

cheese

spinach

romaine (pack it tight)

lid on the jar and presto

5 lunches / dinners for the week

 

 

 

1 hour later and in the fridge,

5 on top for the tall golfer and

5 on the bottom for shorter one, me ....

1 hour in the kitchen. Really. 

 

 



A couple of recent journal entries (take notice of the dates and times)

Sunday, July 28, 2013 7:30 am

Oh Father, thank you that Adam and Renee are in Your hands as you go before them in the birth of baby Beckett. We love You and we want the best for all, Give each of them peace, protection and health according to Your will. We rejoice that You have made each of us in Your image and You've known this day before any of us were born.

The Pederson Boys



 Also, Father be present with Kelley, as she is struggling physically and emotionally as she carries the twins soon to be born for Amy and Eric. I pray for peace, protection and health for Kelley and the twins. Help each of us navigate the emotions of carrying the twins and then passing them on to Amy and Eric. Father, I trust you! Thank You Father that everything comes from You; everything exists by Your power and is intended for Your Glory ....
Romans 11:36



3:30 pm

Bring Beckett safely from Renee's womb Psalm 22:9 and lead Beckett to trust you and know you. Be Beckett's God now from the moment he is born. As Adam and Renee walk with you with integrity; Blessed are their children after them. 
Proverbs 20:7

 

And then there were 3

Beckett Brady Pederson

6 lbs, 12 oz 20 and 1/2 inches long

at 7:19 pm Sunday, July 28, 2013

 

 

Tuesday, July 30, 2013 11:30 am

 

Oh Father, so many things going on in my head .... help me have the mind of Christ today. Thank you Father "that you do not ignore the suffering of the needy ... that You have not turned and walked away. Thank You that you listen to our cries for help. "

Psalm 22:24 



Gotta love date day!

 

 

One of the beautiful things I love about summer break is I have more time to spend with family and friends. This summer I made plans to keep most of my Friday's free so I could go for donuts with Kelley, Ashley and the grand kids.

 

At the end of donuts I usually take one of the 3 grand kids who live in the cities for the day. Last Friday was Pru's turn and we found this awesome sink to go with the oven we already had. As you can see Pru was enjoying her time washing dishes after we ate lunch on the little dishes.

 

Pru is the one who reminds me when I have all the kids that I am not babysitting but rather grand-sitting. This is a term I coined when I explained to the kids one day they were not babies anymore.

 

Although ... our family is looking forward to having a new grand baby (baby boy Beckett)soon. I am especially looking forward to time with all the kids and grand kids coming up in August when Jacob and Carrie join us for a week. We have been blessed to use the cabin of some good friends from church. Not that I am counting but .... it is just a month away! Yea!

 

 

 

 

loving the practice of gratitude numbers 963 - 970

 

963. The flowers the golfer planted in the backyard; breath-taking

 

 

 

 

 

964. a summer day to hang sheets on the line; finding ourselves

safe and comfortable

 

 

 

965. my favorite book; The Bible, a few other good books, 

a journal, colored pens,

a cup of coffee, and water; thoughtful

 

966. a quote heard today; "Leadership is an action not a position."

 

967. taco salad for dinner

 

968. text messages of encouragement received

 

969. text messages of encouragement sent

 

970. a friend asks for prayer after a recent

diagnosis and surgery for cancer