Sunday, September 21, 2008
afternoon pages
One of my very favorite things I Love about Sundays is the fact that I have more time, to do what I love to do, read and write. So here I sit hoping to update you on my summer, my fall, and my life. It was a very busy (not like I like it) summer as I took on a full-time job for the months of July and August. It was of course, good for paying the bills, but as for having the extra time to read and write let's just say it did not happen. Although, I did have the privilege of being a part of a book study, so I can say that I did completely read one book cover to cover and I am currently working on finishing The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn for school. It is so fun to read these classics that I did not read when I was in grade school or high school.
I also had a summer of many physical tests because of my lack of appetite and loss of weight. What I loved about all the uncertainty through this time, is that God remained Faithful and Sovereign, even when I had no idea what was going on in my body, I was confident that He knew. Is it not true, that when our life becomes unmanageable by us, we run into the arms of the one and only God who can manage our lives? Well, come to find out that I am gluten intolerant ... this is new for me and I am learning just what I can and can't eat to remain healthy. I am so thankful for so many others who have gone before me gluten free that I can learn from.
As I jumped into fall these last couple of weeks I found myself in still another hard situation. It's as if I want to have control of people and circumstances that are clearly beyond my control. It would seem that I would have learned my lesson through my health issues this summer that were unmanageable but no ... not me. Because I am strong-willed and sometimes stubborn I have to be taught over and over the same lesson again and again.
Now having spent the morning (remember Love Sunday morning) with the 4th-6th graders who pray with faith I am reminded once again of my purpose to know and love the Bible and to glorify Him in all that I do, say, and am.
Going back to loving to read and write ... I love the book that was written to me by my Savior and Friend ... The Bible, and can I say too, that I love to write about what my Friend teaches me .... There is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother ... He continues to teach me to rest
In His Arms, B.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Monday, September 08, 2008
Monday September 8, 2008
morning pages
My first week of school as a teacher was the most difficult week I have had so far in my teaching career. So, because of this, let's just say I was less than excited to get up this morning and go in for my second week.
What was interesting to me though is that God has me in Matthew 6:5-13 a very familiar passage to everyone "The Lord's Prayer". As I was reading and praying this morning not really sure how to pray ... I thought about the phrase "my will be done". It occurred to me that I need not think or worry about school, the students, the teachers, etc. because if I leave all of this into the hands of my Father indeed His will will be done!
Remaining In His Arms today, B.
morning pages
My first week of school as a teacher was the most difficult week I have had so far in my teaching career. So, because of this, let's just say I was less than excited to get up this morning and go in for my second week.
What was interesting to me though is that God has me in Matthew 6:5-13 a very familiar passage to everyone "The Lord's Prayer". As I was reading and praying this morning not really sure how to pray ... I thought about the phrase "my will be done". It occurred to me that I need not think or worry about school, the students, the teachers, etc. because if I leave all of this into the hands of my Father indeed His will will be done!
Remaining In His Arms today, B.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Love Sundays
OK, so it's a week and a day late but still very important Loves about the last 2 Sundays
love family
love friends
love celebrations
love gifts
love smiles
love food
love cake
love Sundays
Sid opens Uncle Jake's, Aunt Carrie's and cousin Annika's
gift with the help of papa Pederson and daddy as mommy
and grandma take pictures. Happy 1st Birthday Sidney!
"This is kind of like my dad and mom's moped, do I need
a license to drive this in North Minneapolis?"
" I love Dinos"
"Hey Uncle Matt and Aunt Lisa if you had not eaten all your
Our new son-in-law, Matt
love family
love friends
love celebrations
love gifts
love smiles
love food
love cake
love Sundays
Sid opens Uncle Jake's, Aunt Carrie's and cousin Annika's
gift with the help of papa Pederson and daddy as mommy
and grandma take pictures. Happy 1st Birthday Sidney!
"This is kind of like my dad and mom's moped, do I need
a license to drive this in North Minneapolis?"
" I love Dinos"
"Hey Uncle Matt and Aunt Lisa if you had not eaten all your
wedding cake we could have used it for my party. What's up with that?
Our new son-in-law, MattMatt and Lisa
Matt's 'so cute' nephew
Matt and his Dad
Jackie and David
Love wedding receptions in Iowa
Love our new son-in-law Matt
Love Jackie and David, and love their gift of hospitality
Love that we had opportunity to meet Matt's dad, Bruce.
Love the beauty of the lake and the enjoyment of time spent with new friends and family.
Always loving Sundays!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
The Fisherman
Sunday
August 17, 2008
evening pages
Yesterday, I decided it was time to get some exercise and go for a walk. I walked down and around to a near by park and pond area and ended up at Bass Lake, one of the 10,000 lakes in Minnesota. As I walked I came to a bench overlooking the lake where I stopped to sit for awhile. I noticed in front of me on the rocks near the shore a fisherman. I don't really know a lot about fishing but as I watched I saw this young man cast out his line only to reel it back in to see weeds on his hook. He cleaned off his hook and cast his line out a different direction. He watched with a careful eye and as soon as the little red and white ball sank he reeled his line back in once again only to find weeds on his hook. As I sat and watched he did this several times. All the time I watched he did not catch a fish. But as I sat and looked on I was impressed by how patient and persistent this young man had been while fishing. I thought of Jesus calling the disciples and asking them to put down their nets and follow Him. Jesus was teaching us about becoming fishers of men. I began to think about my faithfulness or better yet my lack of faithfulness in "catching fish" ie; praying for those who still do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I was reminded that I have not been patient or persistent as I believe Jesus would want me to be in praying for and reaching out to the lost. As I got up and continued my walk home I pondered on these thoughts and began to pray more and to pray harder for those who do not know Jesus. When I returned home I gathered my Bible, Journal and Pilgrimage of the Heart a Bible Study that I have been working through. My study for the day, you guessed it ... Matthew 4:18-5:1, Matthew 14:22:36 and Matthew 26:6-13. I love how Holy Spirit works through all things, my walk, the fisherman, and the Word.
Finding myself once again In His Arms, B.
August 17, 2008
evening pages
Yesterday, I decided it was time to get some exercise and go for a walk. I walked down and around to a near by park and pond area and ended up at Bass Lake, one of the 10,000 lakes in Minnesota. As I walked I came to a bench overlooking the lake where I stopped to sit for awhile. I noticed in front of me on the rocks near the shore a fisherman. I don't really know a lot about fishing but as I watched I saw this young man cast out his line only to reel it back in to see weeds on his hook. He cleaned off his hook and cast his line out a different direction. He watched with a careful eye and as soon as the little red and white ball sank he reeled his line back in once again only to find weeds on his hook. As I sat and watched he did this several times. All the time I watched he did not catch a fish. But as I sat and looked on I was impressed by how patient and persistent this young man had been while fishing. I thought of Jesus calling the disciples and asking them to put down their nets and follow Him. Jesus was teaching us about becoming fishers of men. I began to think about my faithfulness or better yet my lack of faithfulness in "catching fish" ie; praying for those who still do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I was reminded that I have not been patient or persistent as I believe Jesus would want me to be in praying for and reaching out to the lost. As I got up and continued my walk home I pondered on these thoughts and began to pray more and to pray harder for those who do not know Jesus. When I returned home I gathered my Bible, Journal and Pilgrimage of the Heart a Bible Study that I have been working through. My study for the day, you guessed it ... Matthew 4:18-5:1, Matthew 14:22:36 and Matthew 26:6-13. I love how Holy Spirit works through all things, my walk, the fisherman, and the Word.
Finding myself once again In His Arms, B.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Thursday
August 14, 2008
morning pages
I feel as if it is time to write an update journal entry on my ongoing health issue .... The following is an e-mail that I sent out just one week ago followed by a couple of prayers written and sent by friends ...
"Some know but for others I want you to know that I have not felt well since April of this year. My symptoms have been nausea, loss of appetite, and loss of weight, As I have gone to the doctor and then on to a specialist, one test result has lead to yet another test.
It seems they have found 2 cysts one 5mm and the other 2 mm on my liver and a spot on the tail of my pancreas which is somewhat larger than the remainder of the pancreas.
I will be going in on Thursday, August 7 at 10:30 am for an Endoscopic Ultrasound at Hennepin County Medical Center.
I know and believe that God can completely heal as He has in the past, yet I also know how important it is to pray according to the will of my Father who has given me such peace throughout the past 4 months. thank you for joining me in prayer on my behalf!"
Blessings, Beth
"But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more, my mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day for their number is past my knowledge." Psalm 71:14-15 ESV
Dear Gracious God, I pray for Beth and Terry and al the Pederson family today. May Your perfect peace which does pass all understanding be theirs as they await this next test. I pray that each moment that anxiety or fear tries to rear their ugly heads, that You will quietly calm their fears and strengthen their faith. You have graciously reminded us that Your ways are so much higher that ours and we rest in that today. In the powerful, precious name of Jesus, who will raise us up on tha tday, I pray. Amen. B.F.
Lord Jesus, you are the one we love, honor, worship and serve. your are our King and our Lord and the master of our lives. We acknowledge your ability to completely heal Beth in this very moment and we ask that you do just that. We ask for peace for Terry and Beth, wisdom for the doctors, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit to be more present that ever. In Your powerful name. Amen. Love you, friend. B.F.
It may seem like these prayers were written by the same person but these prayers came by e-mail from two different friends with the same intials. Have you considered sending an actual prayer like these by e-mail.?These have been powerful in fact ....
I am happy to report that my size and shape of my pancreas are indeed different but to no concern and they found a benign tumor in the surrounding area again of no concern. So you may be thinking how am I feeling? Well about the same so I am going to experiment with some changes in my diet and see if this makes a difference in how I feel. I will keep you posted.
In His Arms, Beth
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Love Sundays
Love Sunday
August 10, 2008
Celebrating 35 Years of Marriage
Love celebrating 35 years of Marriage
Love my best friend, Terry
Love that we celebrate our faith together on Sundays and other days of the week
Love the flowers, balloon, and coffee Terry brought to me at work today
Love sharing a steak together
Love that we enjoy the simple things in life
Love that we still kiss at red lights
Love that we like to hold hands and hug one another
Love that we know what one another is thinking
Love just silently spending time with Terry
Love you more T.
B.
August 10, 2008
Celebrating 35 Years of Marriage
Love celebrating 35 years of Marriage
Love my best friend, Terry
Love that we celebrate our faith together on Sundays and other days of the week
Love the flowers, balloon, and coffee Terry brought to me at work today
Love sharing a steak together
Love that we enjoy the simple things in life
Love that we still kiss at red lights
Love that we like to hold hands and hug one another
Love that we know what one another is thinking
Love just silently spending time with Terry
Love you more T.
B.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Love Sundays ... but dont' like how I feel !
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Afternoon Pages
OK ... so usually on Sundays I love to write about what I love about the day and I still intend on doing some of that but like the title of this blog says I don't like the way I feel physically. This is precisely why I have not written the last 2 weeks in addition to the fact that time has been flying by.
So ... I did love the prayer time with friends today and especially having Russ, Ken and Ginny pray over me for healing. This past week has been especially hard as I have had so much more nausea and lack of energy. In spite of this I loved singing worship songs today that remind me of Your faithfulness. Even when I do not feel good, You are good all the time, all the time You are good.
So ... I love when one of the children reminded me through her prayers that You are always by our side and then Pastor Steve confirmed this in the preaching when he said You would never leave us or forsake us.
So ... I love continuing my reading in The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
As for me "liver blog" dated back to May 3, my liver is still not quite working normal in fact not only my liver is involved but my pancreas is not doing it's job either. I mean really it's a Sunday and I don't especially like getting up and fixing a morning drink that includes, green food, fiber seed, yogurt, 1/2 banana and almond milk although this is what seems to agree with my stomach these days.
I found out through a series of tests that I now have 2 cysts on my liver and an abnormal spot on the tail of my pancreas. Although I am anxious to have the doctors get to the bottom of what is exactly going on in my body and making me feel the way I currently do, I have learned a lot of lessons along the way. I am also confident that this is not about the doctors but is rather about the Great Physician.
Here are just a few of the lessons I have learned
1) I have learned to control my appetite for physical food and replace this with spiritual food
2) I have learned that it has not been all bad losing the weight I have put on over the years. I'm just not sure I would have chose this way to lose it.
3) It could be expensive to lose weight because it requires a new wardrobe but my daughters have taught me to be a thrifty shopper and shop at second hand stores and thrift stores.
4) I have learned and have chosen to eat organic food which overall is so much better for me.
5) I have learned that suffering causing me to lean hard into the arms of Jesus.
6) I have learned the peace that comes from having friends and family praying.
7) Once again I have learned that it can be helpful to write as I contine to journal about the faithfulness of God.
Remaining In His Arms, B.
Afternoon Pages
OK ... so usually on Sundays I love to write about what I love about the day and I still intend on doing some of that but like the title of this blog says I don't like the way I feel physically. This is precisely why I have not written the last 2 weeks in addition to the fact that time has been flying by.
So ... I did love the prayer time with friends today and especially having Russ, Ken and Ginny pray over me for healing. This past week has been especially hard as I have had so much more nausea and lack of energy. In spite of this I loved singing worship songs today that remind me of Your faithfulness. Even when I do not feel good, You are good all the time, all the time You are good.
So ... I love when one of the children reminded me through her prayers that You are always by our side and then Pastor Steve confirmed this in the preaching when he said You would never leave us or forsake us.
So ... I love continuing my reading in The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
As for me "liver blog" dated back to May 3, my liver is still not quite working normal in fact not only my liver is involved but my pancreas is not doing it's job either. I mean really it's a Sunday and I don't especially like getting up and fixing a morning drink that includes, green food, fiber seed, yogurt, 1/2 banana and almond milk although this is what seems to agree with my stomach these days.
I found out through a series of tests that I now have 2 cysts on my liver and an abnormal spot on the tail of my pancreas. Although I am anxious to have the doctors get to the bottom of what is exactly going on in my body and making me feel the way I currently do, I have learned a lot of lessons along the way. I am also confident that this is not about the doctors but is rather about the Great Physician.
Here are just a few of the lessons I have learned
1) I have learned to control my appetite for physical food and replace this with spiritual food
2) I have learned that it has not been all bad losing the weight I have put on over the years. I'm just not sure I would have chose this way to lose it.
3) It could be expensive to lose weight because it requires a new wardrobe but my daughters have taught me to be a thrifty shopper and shop at second hand stores and thrift stores.
4) I have learned and have chosen to eat organic food which overall is so much better for me.
5) I have learned that suffering causing me to lean hard into the arms of Jesus.
6) I have learned the peace that comes from having friends and family praying.
7) Once again I have learned that it can be helpful to write as I contine to journal about the faithfulness of God.
Remaining In His Arms, B.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Love Sundays con't
Totally forgot to put these pictures from our fun time with my neice on my first Love Sunday post. Again Catherine, thanks so much for planning this outing with first and second cousins ...
Love Sundays
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June 29, 2008
Sunday evening pages
LOVE Sundays when I can reflect on the past week and wow what a week it has been. Carrie and Annika were here for a visit and even though she came to help Kelley who is now pregnant (LOVE that I will be a grandma again) some family members made plans to visit with us. She came in late Monday night and Tuesday morning my niece, Catherine planned a get-together with the cousins and now second cousins. We LOVED seeing Catherine and Jackson along with my sister Mary Catherine and sharing Annika with them. On Wednesday, I LOVED that we met up with Ashley at work, had coffee together, and went to her apartment and then back to our home and just hung out as girls with Sid and Terry close by. Thursday was the day that papa enjoyed the US open so Carrie, Annika, Kelley, Sid and me hung out at Kelley's house. LOVED the opportunity to grocery shop and cook dinner that evening for Terry and Josh. Friday was such a fun day as we were able to hang out as a family because Adam was home for several hours.
LOVE family time
LOVE Friday night pizza
Usually Love eating all the chocolate goodies Carrie made
LOVE watching the babies
LOVE playing Apples to Apples and winning
LOVE that we took so many pictures to remember these times together
Don't love it when we have to say goodbye to Carrie and Annika but I do know how much Jacob will LOVE to have Carrie and Annika home.
We miss you big, We love you big, and we are praying for you lots.
LOVE that we are all constantly In His Arms, B
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