Wasting Time

Have you ever thought to yourself I wish there were more hours in the day? Or wondered how you could get all these things done? I found it funny today, as I was putting off doing a few random things around my apt. and watching Garfield instead, the first cartoon they showed had Jon Arbuckle sitting in front of the tv telling himself of all the chores he should do today. And not moving from his seat to do them. Then a commercial came on for Supersonic Seymour, promising to help him get more done during the day, for a fee of course. Its so funny how cartoons mimic life. He payed this guy to tell him to do stuff instead of just making himself do what needed to be done in the first place. Some people really do make the most of their time, but I personally know I only don't get done what I choose to not do. If there were more hours in the day, I would just waste those too. I think we could all have a plan to help get more done in a day. Start doing something instead of nothing. And people say cartoons aren't educational.

Garfield and Friends

Cartoons today are getting dumber and dumber, but yesterday I got to make a classic addition to my DVD collection. I always enjoyed Garfield. But then again who doesn't like Garfield?

A Fun Eventful End to A Long Week

It was one of those weeks. Monday morning, I found myself thinking it was Friday. Wrong orders, picky customers, filling in for vacationing route jumpers, lack of sleep, and an account starting up again for fall, all added to the regular routine of work. I couldn't help but think of the sovereignty of God this week. I know how it seems that when something goes wrong allot of things go wrong. And when something good happens, most of life is going good. I started thinking about the fact that nothing happens without a purpose. Have you ever gotten out of bed and stubbed your toe just as a start to your day? Even that is for a reason. Its mind boggling, anyway now that I've finished my rant about the week, on to the fun stuff. Friday, after work, I went to the park. Buttered Corn Days was going on this weekend. I came to see The Zoo Man. He is also my trainer, and I had never seen his show. It was fun to see and hear about some reptiles I wouldn't normally see, and after the show he had me hold his 15ft. snake! That thing was really big. Sorry I didn't have my camera. I believe it was a yellow albino python of some sort. Anyway, It was very large and feels really weird when it starts to slither, but it was fun. Saturday morning was started with a 5k run. I would never have thought that I would be in a run, but I finished! And I wasn't even the last one. I now have a medal for running. That's pretty cool. After some mini golf came the main event. A boxing match between Brent and Joe (my trainers) and John Janke from SAM radio. It was a makeshift ring with sock 'em bop 'em gloves instead of regular gloves. 3 Rounds with no decided winner, it was fun. Especially since John's partner didn't show and I wound up filling in. :) The day was ended with some blue grass/gospel music from Stan and Connie Rasmusen, joined later by Leah Siefkes. All in all I liked the end of the week much more than the beginning.

Me and Betty Boop

-----------------Have you ever wondered what you would look like as a cartoon? Well yesterday, at work a lady came up to me and said that everytime she sees me, I remind her of Betty Boop. Something about my hairstyle and the shape of my face. I thought it was funny and decided to share it with you. So what do you think? Do I look like Betty Boop?

The Sovereignty and Omniscience of God, Topics for Kids and Adults

In the middle of a prayer I found myself saying "You know what's best for me, You know my heart and the end of my paths," and I was instantly reminded of a conversation with my niece Cassy. Back in June I had the opportunity to babysit my brothers three kids and their dog for a weekend. Instant family, just add me. Anyway, while I was there it started to rain, and Cassy told me that when it rains it is because God is crying. Obviously her thinking needed a bit of an adjustment. I told her that rain isn't God crying. That it comes from clouds, but God causes it to rain. That He is in control of all things, and that He made everything. This started a long line of did He make this thing questions, and eventually I told her not only did God make her but He knows her thoughts and He knows every word she will ever say before she says it. A look of amazement covered her face and then she asked, "what am I going to say next?" I couldn't help but laugh a little as I said,"I don't know, but God does."She thought very hard trying to come up with something unexpected to say and then settled for, "hi auntie Sarah." Its a cute story, but I find it funny that I can explain to a seven yr. old that God knows everything, and is in control of everything, and yet as simple as the concept is, it is one I have to remind myself of. When I think back over my life this far it is amazing to see how God has worked. The paths that God has lead me down are paths I would never have imagined. "He knoweth the end of each path I take" to quote a favorite song of mine, but even more awe inspiring He knows every possible path I could take and the ends they would lead me to. And He causes me to choose to path that He has planned for my life. The sovereignty of God, a complicated and yet simple concept. If you get the chance watch the expressions on a child's face as you explain that one.

Saturday at the Park

Ramsey Park, Redwood Falls, MNThe sounds of water flowing by. Beautiful paths lined with trees. Such a picture perfect bridge.

Paths to get lost by.

This one I took from a bridge.

This was on the other side of a dam. I climbed down a pretty steep not meant to be a path, path and climbed over some rocks to take this one.

I love waterfalls

All of man's inventions and "improvements" can't compare to God's creation.

I like to get close. Any further I'd have been at the bottom.

God Only Faithful. God Only Wise

When your all alone in darkness, and tears run down your face. When your heart is longing for a voice, or someone to embrace, When your sure the loneliness of the night will never end, and you will never find a way to being useful once again. When life’s cares surround and you lose sight, You are not left alone to fight this fight. God only faithful. God only wise. He is the one. Who will always hear your cries. Into the darkness He sheds His light, God only faithful, God only wise. He is the friend who’s there in the night. He is the one who causes fear to take flight. In life’s saddest moments, He has a perfect plan. He knows the beginning, and He knows the end. His truth is the light to take the darkness away. His truth is the key to finding your way. God only faithful. God only wise. Who shepherds the flock, and leads even through the night.

Air Conditioners

Old air conditioner: Big, heavy, ugly, loud. Keeps living room at 80-90 degrees on hot days and flips my breaker off at least once a day if you don't have the light on at the same time. Flips breaker every 5-10min with the light on.

New air conditioner: Small, light, nice look, quiet. Keeps living room at the temperature I set it for and doesn't flip my breaker even if the light is on!

Woo hoo! We have a winner!

Gifts From God

Thursday, my dad called to tell me he would be home this weekend. He is a cross-country truck driver, so we never know if he will be or not. Anyway, since he was gonna be home, and his birthday is this Wednesday, I drove down. Midnight on a Friday evening I walk through the door to find home-made pizza waiting for me. :) Always a good start. The whole weekend was nice, and it was good to spend time with my family, but what sticks with me the most was Saturday afternoon at the fair with my brother's kids. Charlie's big ketchup covered smile. Cassie, trying to keep her plate from blowing away when she picks up her pizza. Madison, bursting into tears at the thought of having to climb a net, and having the guy in charge let her out the back way. Both girls, sitting in bumper cars trying to figure out why they won't move. and Cassie spinning aroung in circles, once she found the gas pedal. Hearing my sister-in-law say that the kids get all excited when they hear we are coming over. Listening to Charlie walking around saying "hi' to everyone, except my dad, then its "Howdy Hi." The way he pronounces my name, "Sawah." And seeing my dad's face as he gets to hear Charlie say "grandpa." These are some of the gifts God gave me this weekend. We were not able to spend the past seven years with Joe and his family, long story, but what a blessing to be able to spend time with them now. I don't think anyone could top Charlie's gift to my dad. He sang"Happy Birthday." God made those kids very sweet, and if you were aware of the situation, that song coming from him was enough to melt your heart.

His Power In Our Weakness

II Corinthians 4:8-10 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

• Do you ever find yourself thinking I just can't do this anymore? I can't make it through this night or situation, whatever it is. And yet somehow the sun always comes up and you are still there. You did the thing you thought was impossible. The line is a fine one, but always perfectly drawn. Tested, stretched, put under pressure, and yet never more than we can handle with the grace of God.

II Corinthians 12:8-10 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

• His power is made perfect in weakness. How is this possible? When we have come to the end of ourselves, when there is no way we could possibly do what needs to be done, and yet we do. There is no doubt that it is God's work and not ours.

II Corinthians 4:5-7 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

• I am so thankful God does not tell us to be strong, but rather to depend on His strength.

Romans 16:25-27

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.