Yep, I still Love Sundays

OK it is the last day in February and with trying to stay on track with my intentions I will post today and that will actually make it 2 posts for February. I have been journaling weekly and I have more often then not been drinking the smoothie 5 days a week. I am on track with graduation in May. In fact, I presented an art project yesterday for my art course and the presentation went extremely well. I was excited to get all the positive feedback both from my professor and classmates. I actually have the kids at EB Kidstop and EB elementary and NHC prayer team to thank as it was their drawings that I presented in class yesterday. I find I am loving art and especially enjoying teaching art to the kids and want to go on to take more art courses ... in fact, I have, as intended, registered for a course with the Maple Grove Community Education (on track for that Life Long Learning intention). It is a watercolor landscape class and Terry will be taking the class with me. I'm thrilled to be doing this with him as he has a lot of art knowledge. I have enjoyed times of having Terry read though Proverbs at the dinner table with me many evenings. As for the walking let's just say I'm slacking there with the exception of all the miles I put on at work each day running with and after kids. Fnances ... well I don't always remember to pray before spending, but I have a written account of all money being spent, which should in the long run prove to be a good tool for setting a spending plan with Terry. I plan on writing down one more month of spending and then give an account and set up a plan. Bible reading is on track and as for EX 2:2 I have been tyring to read 5 pages a day but have slipped a bit this week due to the completion of my art project. Prayer day-aways ... tried to reserve Pastor Dave' s cabin for Saturday March 6th but it is not available. I may just look at Saturday March 13th more to come on that ... and lesson plans for Kidstop they are all done for the next 2 weeks Yea! Whew I have written and now I am off to read .... In His Arms, B.

Intentions 2010

January 2010 has come and gone and now February is upon me ....

After much thought and prayer I have narrowed down some categories and intentions for 2010 and they are the following:

Intention: to have something in mind; a design; a plan

Spiritual Intentions

• Finish reading through the Bible in a year " all scripture is God-breathed, useful for training, reproofing, ...."
• Four intentional day-aways (24-48 hours) of retreat, refresh, re vie, renew through prayer
• Bible reading most days aloud with my husband Terry
• Continue to "be" a disciple and know fellowship through Ex 2:2, Real Women, HopeWatchers

Intellectual Intentions

• Graduate in May with a BS in Elementary Education
• Take a class through Maple Grove Community Education
• Always be one week ahead with Kidstop lesson plans
• Read good books often
• Continue to "be" a lifelong learner seeking wisdom from the Lord as "anyone who lacks wisdom can ask of God ..."

Emotional Intentions

• Blogging monthly
• Journaling weekly
• Continue to share my heart with the Lord and with family and friends "a friend loves at all times ...."

Physical Intentions

• Walk 1-2 mile 5 days per week
• Smoothie for breakfast 5 days per week
• Continue to be conscious of my "body being a temple of the Holy Spirit"

Financial Intentions

• Give much to many " give generously ...."
• Keep track (written down) all spending
• Hope for a spending plan written down together with Terry
• Continue to prayer before spending and know that all I have belongs to the Lord.

Most of these intentions, goals are measurable. It is my prayer and hope for 2010 that I will be able to look back monthly to these intentions and know that I am staying on track. I publish these with the intention of having others hold me accountable for personal growth because of these intentions.

Always remaining in His arms, B.

Forgotten God by Francis Chan

January 30, 2010
early morning pages

I find it interesting to read what I have written years ago. As I look back on past journals I am amazed at what the Holy Spirit has done in my life.

In reflection of the post "Journals Past; Pictures Present" regarding my prayer for the Holy Spirit to fall afresh on my kids each day. Because of my learning from Forgotten God today I pray differently.

I pray that the Spirit of God would dwell in Terry, Lisa, Matt, Carrie, Jacob, Adam, Renee, Kelley, Josh and Ashley.
It is my hope that there will be a huge difference in their lives daily because of the Spirit of the living God within them.

My knowledge of the Holy Spirit is greater now than in the past.
My prayer is different now than in the past.

"We need the Holy Spirit in order to live faithfully. But we also need one another as we work out our faith." Chan

Family, I need you as i work out my faith and thanks for needing me!
In His Arms, B.

New Year 2010

Yep its true it is a new year and as of yet I have not set completely my intentions for 2010 ... having said this I am thinking and in prayer about what I want to accomplish in 2010. One reason for having not written thus far into the new year is because one intention would be to graduate in May and this is my excuse for not taking the time as of yet to write and publish intentions for 2010. My written work is school work, EX 2:2, and Real Women which is comsuming most of my present "extra" time in the day. So .... keep visiting my blog and you shall see that by the end of January 2010 I shall have my intentions for the new year posted.

"Journals Past; Pictures Present"

I am hoping to have an edge on Christmas blogging this year and be the first to post ...

One of the main reasons I am able to do this is because Terry and I plan to spend our first Christmas Day quietly with each other. A very different Christmas for us and yet a realization that our family is growing bigger in a very special way where the kids are spending time with their extended family and friends.

Yet for us Christmas would not be Christmas were it not for my Christmas' past where our family of 7 children (yet my older brothers and sisters remember 8) would celebrate Christmas around the manager scene my father built which I now have in my home.

Christmas would not be Christmas without the "Walker" side and the "Pederson" side of the families and now added to Walker Christmas is Van Ahn, Davis, (although they were with us for Adam's wedding but not Christmas this year)Pederson, and Larson! I love that the cousins get to see cousins and now second cousins get to see and play with second cousins.

Christmas would not be Christmas without the reading of the story of Jesus' birth happening thousands of years ago from Luke. This year Terry did this at Kelley's house where we celebrated the Pederson Christmas after the Walker Christmas.

For me Christmas is just not Christmas without times of reflections on Christmas past and present .... so I leave you with pictures present and journals past (as recorded with pen and paper and now recorded electronically ....

12/26/82 Lisa went forward and said to Pastor that she did not want to live a “boring Christian life” in her child-like way. Ruth went out and prayed with her and Lisa now has an interest in being baptized. Lord, I just pray that as parents, Terry and I instruct Lisa in a biblical way. Guide us as we talk with Lisa about baptism.

12/20/83 Lord, as Terry goes back to BSF after the 1st of the year I ask that you might help him to make a New Years commitment to be in the Word each day and completing his study on a daily basis.
12/20/83 Be with Terry during this busy season of year. Have him keep his eyes upon You for complete guidance.

December 25, 1984
It's Christmas day and I just feel that I have received so many gifts all year long. Lord, so many blessings have then poured out onto us as a family.

My prayer tonight is for Ken Meschad--this person that Janine works with. I pray that Janine may have more opportunities to speak with him and that he may come to know You as his personal savior.

My scripture reading today is Psalm 106.

December 26, 1984
Lord, I am thankful for my children. I love each one of them and they are special in their own way. Thank You Lord.

My prayer today is for vacation. I thank You For this time to enjoy all my children together. I pray that You might give me patience when I am having a hard time. I pray that you might make this a time for Lisa and I to share.

My scripture reading today is Psalm 107.

December 25, 1992
Lord Jesus I don't want to follow a format ... I just want to write, It is Christmas day and this is a special time of year. I am so thankful that I, as a Christian can have God's gift of His son with me all year. Lord Jesus, thank you that all went well on Christmas Eve as the Walker families came here. Lord we are moving into a new year. Help me to make some changes in my life that will make me a better Christian, wife and mother.

Christmas Eve Day 2007
Father as I sit before the candle light once again this morning. This Christmas Eve day I am reminded that I am to share the Light of the world with my family .... Oh Father, help me to do this today. Luke 10:17-24 vs 20 Oh Father, I do rejoice that my name is written in heaven ...
Oh Father, how I love to worship with You and Your disciples at New hope Church. I love the fact that a good part of my life is worship and spiritual celebration. I will never be good enough for heaven but because of the cross I enjoy the CRADLE the CROSS and the CROWN!

Christmas Day 2007
Oh Father how thankful I am that you came to serve not to be served. Thank you for allowing me to serve my family (Walkers) in my home last night. Oh God how I pray for Terry, Lisa, Matt, Carrie, Jacob, Adam, Renee, Kelley, Josh and Ashley. I pray that in 2008 the Spirit of the living God will fall afresh on each of them. I thank you Father for the love they have for one another. I pray for Sid and Annika that they will know you personally as their Savior. Thank you for Your grace and mercy.

Many things are important but one thing is essential: Jesus

In His Arms, B.

To Believe

A picture thought I leave with you tonight ... it's hard to believe but the laundry is done temporialy...


It's hard to believe that another month is yet to begin. I find myself busy with lesson plans, wedding plans, graduation plans, (the need to finish classes at Crown strong), Bible Study plans ... which has left me little time to do what I love write ...

...yet I still believe that my purpose is to teach to read and write which finds me constantly reading and writing to teach ....

Remaining In His Arms, B.

flu yuck!

morning pages
October 29, 2009
one month from my last post

Illness .... Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick ...But He, being full of compassion ... for He remembers that they were but flesh ... therefore I take pleasure in infirmities ... for when I am weak, then I am strong.

School

September 29, 2009
Morning Pages

Wow it's hard to believe that summer is over and fall is in the air. I do not want another day to go by without doing what I love to do writing and following blogs. One of the main reasons I fall behind is because when school starts I hit the floor running.

This year I am running into school at 6:30 am after waking up at 4 am to the alarm of my husband kissing me on the cheek as he goes off to work.

I love my alarm (my husband) and I work with an awesome bunch of k-6th graders from 6:30-9 each morning.

This year I am running to the computer on Monday evenings for one of my last few classes at Crown College in the hope's of graduating with my teaching degree in the spring of 2010.

I love learning!

This year I am running out the door after a quick dinner to EX 2:2 an awesome "school" of the Bible.

I love my "girlfriends" at EX 2:2

And right now I am running down the hall of Edinbrook Elementary to a K class.

I love serving alongside of seasoned teacher, Susan.

Have a great day or not it's completely up to you! B

Real Women and Mentors

About one year ago to the day I was personally invited to a meeting regarding the ministry of Real Women. The Real Women Mentoring Ministry exists to train up women as disciples and leaders in the church who are committed to following Jesus and helping others to do the same. It is an opportunity for women to connect across generational lines to learn from the Word, one another, and good books what it means to be and live as a godly woman for God’s glory and our good.

I found myself attracted to the ministry because I desired to learn from “older” women who had walked in their faith as followers of Christ longer than me. Instead the night of the meeting I was one of the “older” women. I began to sense that I may end up as a mentor in the ministry rather than having a mentor which was my personal desire.

I am happy to say I indeed served as a mentor this past year in Real Women and can I just say that being a part of this ministry transformed my life. I cannot remember, since I became a Christian 32 years ago, a year where I have grown so much in my faith. As I had opportunity to pour into other “younger” women, the “younger” women poured into me through the teaching of the scriptures, praying for and with me, and holding me accountable.

I now know the importance of a ministry that crosses all generations of women who have a desire to disciple and be discipled. If you are seeking a ministry for women where you can be encouraged with real love, have a safe place to share real issues and be lead to grow in the knowledge of real truth … Real Women is for you!

and to those who have mentored me over the years and at present ....

Esther

Eva

Donna

Barbara

Kathy

Joni

Pam

Mary Beth

Andrea

Lisa

Carrie

Kelley

Ashley

Kaye

Kim

I thank my God for you everytime I remember you in my prayers ...

In His Arms, B.

A Simple Prayer While Waiting

This is me with my co-teachers from last year's class at Edinbrook ... I love these kids!

Oh Father,

Help me not to be a complainer and / or a questioner but rather a faith filled Worshiper of You.

May I know that prayer is a call from you
a
Consecration to you
Communion with You
Conversation with You
and
Cooperation with You

Oh and Father I am ever so thankful that your, Holy Spirit intercedes for me, that You help me in my weakness ... for I indeed do not know how to pray especially regarding a job. you know my heart is to be at Edinbrook for 6 hours or at the very least to be working a job that includes benefits ... would you make a way in this wilderness of not having employment for Marshall, Reed, Stephen, Dean, Tom, myself and others ... Surprise us Lord .... surprise me!

Always remaining in Your arms, B.