Pictures From Our Beach Vacation Part 3

Pictures Of Our Beach Vacation Part 2

Pictures Of Our Beach Vacation Part 1

A New Year's Prayer

O Love beyond Compare,
Thou art good when thou givest, when thou takest away, when the sun shines upon me, when night gathers over me.
Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world, and in love didst redeem my soul;
Thou dost love me still, in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.
Thy goodness has been with me another year, leading me through a twisting wilderness, in retreat helping me to advance, when beaten back making sure headway.
Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead;
I hoist sail and draw up anchor,
With thee as the blessed pilot of my future as of my past.
I bless thee that thou hast veiled my eyes to the waters ahead.
If thou hast appointed storms of tribulation, thou wilt be with me in them;
If I have to pass through tempests of persecution and temptation,
I shall not drown;
If I am to die, I shall see thy face the sooner;
If a painful end is to be my lot, grant me grace that my faith fail not;
If I am to be cast aside from the service I love,
I can make no stipulation;
Only glorify thyself in me whether in comfort or trial, as a chosen vessel meet always for thy use.

Books Read in 2008

At the beginning of 2008 I joined a challenge to read 10 books in 2008. I wasn't sure if I could read that many, but I made my list of books I wanted to read and set out to complete the challenge. I passed and I failed. I passed because I ended up reading more than 10, but I failed because I only read 3 that were on my list. I have included the books that I read here so that I would remember them for my own records. When I can't remember if I've read a book or not, it's nice to have a place that they are written down.
The 2 books that impacted me the most this year, were, The Gospel Primer (Vincent) and Safe in the Arms of God (McArthur). I highly recomend The Gospel Primer to everyone. New Christians all the way to those who have been Christians for 90 years. I liked it so much that when I planned the Ladie's Retreat this past fall, I asked the church to buy a copy for every lady that attended. It is an incredible reminder of what the Gospel is all about and how practical it is for our every day life. It is not just something that we learn about when we are first saved and then move past it. It is to be the center of our life. It is an easy read and can be ready devotionaly. I urge everyone to get a copy.
The other book, Safe in the Arms of God (McArthur), is one that I urge everyone who has had a miscarriage or lost a child to read. It was so healing. He writes with a Pastor's heart of compassion and brings you to a place of worship even in the midst of your pain. It had a definite impact on my life.
During this time of mourning and healing, while I was reading some heavy books, I also read the Little House on the Prarie series (thanks to my friend, Debbie!). It was so nice to read something so innocent and homey. Always a classic.
I quite enjoyed all the books I read this year, of course, Chris and Allen, your book was among the excellent ones! (Hunter Brown)
My goal for 2009 is to read 30 books. I'm not going to make a list of specific books, because as I learned this year that many more books come my way that I want to read. If anyone knows my husband and my Dad you know that they are recommending and reading new books every other minute. I do want to make it a goal this year to read more nonfiction.
This week, my parents took us to our annual beach house vacation. This is one of my favorite times to get some reading done, so hopefully I'll be able to start on my 2009 list soon!

(Amish Grace Babywise; Ezzo Betrayed; Windle By the Shores of Silver Lake; Wilder Empty Arms, Vredevelt Farmer Boy; Wilder Golden Wisdom for Today's Woman; Sims Hints For Parents; Spring Hunter Brown; Millers Little House in the Big Woods; Wilder Little House on the Prarie; Wilder Little Town on the Prarie; Wilder On the Banks of Plum Creek; Wilder Safe in the Arms of God; MacArthur Shopping For Time; Mahaney The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman; Gaines The Cross Centered Life; Mahaney The First Four Years; Wilder The Great Divorce; Lewis The Last Sin Eater; Rivers The Long Winter; Wilder The Inheiritance; Alcott The Gospel Primer; Vincent These Happy Golden Years; Wilder Treasuring God in our Traditions; Piper Young, Restless, and Reformed; Hanson When the Heart Cries; Woodsmall When the Morning Comes; Woodsmall)

Memories and Mergers

This past Sunday was our last church service at VBC. This coming Sunday is our inaugural service as a combined church. We have merged with another church and are moving into their building. This is a very exciting time! We have been praying about this possibility for months and seeking God's will. We have seen His hand in it. There are a lot of special things planned for our first service.
Sunday evening we had a special time of remembering and praising God for our years in the VBC building. It was neat hearing people share different memories. Several times I found tears coursing down my cheeks as I remembered along with them. I wanted to speak up and share memories, but I couldn't pick just one or two. That church was my home for the majority of my life. We lived in the parsonage, 15 feet away. Everyday I would wake up and look out my bedroom window and see the church. When I was a little girl I had my own personal skating rink in the fellowship hall. When I was a teenager and I slept in a little too long, my Sunday School class would come over and wake me up. When we had a huge storm and we lost power our family camped out in Dad's office for days, where the only source of heat was. I have many memories of youthgroup overnighters, Christmas programs, volleyball games, tree climbing. . . My bridal shower and baby showers were there. I remember the excitement I felt when we brought our babies there for their first Sundays in church. I have ministered there with my family, with my husband, with my friends. I have been greatly ministered to by so many people. They really are my family. I have so many "aunts", "uncles", "grandparents", "brothers", "sisters". So many people have mentored, discipled, taught me, both intentionally and without even knowing about it. I have learned from so many Godly examples. Of course I have had sound Biblical preaching by my Dad and husband and others. I have felt so much love and support. Our lives are intertwined. I am so thankful for my church family! I am so thankful that my church extends way beyond the building and is really the people. I am thankful that we get to all move together and add new people to our family!
I feel like there is so much more I should say, but my memories are coming in waves. . .

Funny Video

Go here to watch this tongue in cheek video, "My Wife is a Calvinist"!