Withering Roots

Other seed fell on the rocky soil where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.  Mark 4:5 - 6

Sometimes things dry up and wither through no fault of our own. 

Via Google Images

However, shallow or unhealthy roots will always cause a plant to wither.

It's a theme I continue to see in Scripture. It is vitally important we take the time to disciple new believers. It is important our roots go deep into Jesus and His word.

What am I doing to strengthen my root system?

What am I doing to help others strength their root systems?  You say you aren't a leader? Are you married? Do you have friends? Do you work? Are there others in your workplace? Do you have a room mate? Do you have children? This is your circle of influence.

Are you root bound? Are you all tangled up in yourself and not giving a thought to those around you?

Yep, more on this tomorrow.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Most Excellent Day

By this time next week our little girl will be a MRS. Very exciting times. This is our second wedding in six months. No wonder its been hard to put down CA roots; we've been traveling a lot.

The wedding is exciting - but it's not our only excitement in February:

• 8 Feb Nolan turns 15
• 9 Feb Josiah turns 25
• 10 Feb - Grandma T turns significantly  more
• 11 Feb Alexander turns 12
• 14 Feb Will (my brother) turns 48
• 14 Feb John and Mary K's 32nd Anniversary
• 14 Feb OUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY
• 14 Feb THE WEDDING - BreAnne marries Izaak and becomes a Mrs. 
• 20 Feb Jamin turns 23

Today is our last day before heading to the wedding....we'll go as far as we are allowed without leave tomorrow and then on into OR on Monday.

Today is also Nolan's Birthday - or as Zander says, "Our Birthday Celebration."

We decorated bright and early

Years ago I invested in some birthday decorations which could be used repeatedly. There was a lot of talk around then in the home school community about creating traditions. We created some. I got a Birthday sign, seat back covers and a rug from Oriental Trading.  We pull it all out multiple times a year.

This PIG has always been a part of Arielle's (16.5) memory. It's the Party Animal hat! While in Japan we purchased Mini-Pig - knowing the Party Animal will eventually fall apart (held together with pins at this point). Mini Pig is special as his wings flap AND he's from the Y100 store. ::snort:: Both pigs were pressed into service for this day.

This errant balloon will evidently hang around a couple of more weeks....

The Birthday Boys are UP

Arielle and Nolan had Japanese mid-terms today. Their reading is really improving....and wow....they are learning a lot. Michael and I need to get back to this. Arielle made 97% and Nolan 86%.  They are both getting fairly comfortable with Hiragana. Nolan has recently moved into Katakana and Arielle has progressed to Kanji. 

Michael and I had a few expectations for the day: 

• GET THE 2013 End of the Year letter's mailed
• Get staff Valentine gifts assembled
• Buy trailer tire chains
• Take Yuuki to the Kennel 
• Pack
• CELEBRATE two birthdays

Everyone pitched in - this brought back memories of missionary newsletters - back in the day when they had to be printed, assembled and mailed - you know without electronics.  These two decided they could make money doing this - and were quite surprised when I told them many used to make money putting out monthly newsletters for missionaries and organizations. 

Arielle and I had so much fun with the wedding candies that we made more....and then she assembled all the pieces into these cute little gifts for staff.

 As we worked I commented, "How many families do you know that work on their Christmas letter at the same time as they work on Valentine's Staff gifts?"

Stacia replied, "Other than my family, I don't know of any!" ::snort::

Packing, packing, packing....we aren't hauling food this time.

Hair cuts and shoes and these two are ready to USHER. 

Getting the backyard onsen ready for our absence

I've not felt well today. Michael and the kids went out to dinner. Finally, time for gifts! LOL 

Nolan's main gift was a new Bible and cover. 

 Zander's main gift was two Wii games. 

Michael brought me flowers.....

Pretty flowers

Flapping Mini-Pig

Candles are arranged so they make a "N" or a "Z"

Nasty Tradition 

Three kids are playing Wii. Michael is vegging. Arielle is crafting. I'm blogging....we love our family room. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Nolan's Fifteen!

Nolan is 15 today. 

Nolan Christopher - Noble Christ Follower.....a prophetic name. 

Before beard trim 

Nolan has a gentle and valiant spirit. It has been fun to watch God develop the various aspects of his personality. He is a GREAT with preschool boys. He is great with Zander and Stacia. He's also a wonderful conversationalist and companion for Mom.  He is guarded about his words, but not because he has few words but because he is always thinking about things and always wants to be careful about what he actually says.

Nolan loves Jesus. 

He has lived much of his life smack dab in the middle of a crowd of Gherkins. He is learning to be a leader as he now finds himself alpha gherkin male...and number two in the crowd. It seems everyday he is becoming more the upfront person. 

And, yes, he STILL has marvelous puppy dog eyes and the longest eye lashes in the family. ::grin:: 

After beard trim

Note - while we celebrate Alex's (Zander's) birthday today as well, his DAY is 11 Feb and so we'll write a special post for him on that day. 

©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Withered "Hands"

He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered....He said to the man with the  withered hand, "Get up and come forward!"......He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. Mark 3:1-6

As the possessor of a black thumb, I know a thing or two about withered plants. 

Via google images

They usually start fairly healthy and green.

Due to neglect or heat or lack of water...they dry out!

With the proper care they can often be restored.

In this account we see a man with a withered hand INSIDE the synagogue. From the use of the word restore - which means to "put back to a former state" - we guess his hand was once useful.

He has only to obey the commands of Jesus and that which was dry and withered is restored to health and usefulness.

I've often sat in church with withered areas in my life.  These areas were once thriving and are currently dry. By faith, I believe these areas are not DEAD - just dry - and with the proper touch from the Master Gardener, in His time, these withered areas will be restored. I'm aware some things are for a season and are meant to wither permanently. I trust His pruning.

Withered hands, withered plants  - what about withered finances, relationships, marriages, health, ministry, relationship with Jesus?

We have only to bring these areas to Jesus...listening and obeying his commands...He is in the business of restoration.

Today, I'm thankful for restoration. I journaled three areas which I know have either recently been withered or are currently dry. I realize each area -  a relationship, a ministry, and health - were withered due to my lack of boundaries.  I've committed to listen more carefully to the Divine whisper in the future. I've also committed to be more aware of those around me with withered areas in their lives. The very least I can do is pray for restoration.

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Girl's Day

This was really simply a day when Michael and  I divided the list and went separate ways - but Stacia has been pining for a girl's day and she declared that's what this was. While we had all this fun, the boys got a new trailer tire, picked up the trailer, got stamps so we can mail our Year in Review letter, LOOKED for tire chains (didn't find them), and bought a few odds and ends at the commissary. 

On Monday, when Stacia and I were desperately shopping for a dress, we discovered a great area of Yuba City which we hadn't explored.  We headed back there to visit the Christian store - shopping for Nolan's birthday. SCORE....and they give a 10% military discount. We loved it.

Stacia had lunch at a Greek Deli on Monday. I skipped lunch but observed a rather sad, upset looking woman.  We headed back to the Greek Deli again, I really wanted to see if I could find the sad lady. We all ate - and I struck up a conversation with the lady. It turns out she is the head of the downtown association and I now know lots of stuff coming up.  I also know what is bothering her the most and will be praying for her. My favorite event is going to be the weekly  "certified" farmer's market starting in May.

Our next stop was Target. We were on the hunt for birthday gifts for Nolan and Zander. We took time for a bit of fun.  Texted Mom and Lorri and they picked up some shoes for the boys at the Walmart in Eugene  - they were out shopping.

I saw these and texted a few friends...."Are these nude shoes?" I have been told taupe hose and nude shoes will go with any of the dress options I pick.

Yes, these are nude.....I got them and some ballet flats. I tried the pair on below too. I liked the way they give you attitude....I took off down the aisle to see if I could walk in them...by the end of the aisle I was crying to Stacia, "Get them off, get them off."  I think going from never wearing heels to 4 inch heels is a bit too much of a jump. Maybe I'll  find some shorter heels. LOL

Not to be outdone, the girls tried some high, red heels!  They decided to stay with the flats BreAnne has chosen for the wedding party. 

We finished our shopping and are thrilled to have all the gifts we need for all the upcoming birthdays. We celebrated with a soft pretzel and a drink.

Yuuki wasn't able to come with us; but we didn't forget her. She hoped this was for her....

 We had to convince her it was hers. Stacia  put her  blanket on the chair and she hopped  up....

Michael says when the boys got home she didn't run to greet them. She stayed right in her chair and wagged her tail. I think she wanted to be sure they knew this is HERS and she is ALLOWED on it.

We ended our day by soaking in the rain.....

The guys got home and joined us. Zander doesn't do the hot tub.....he started pizza AND opened a bottle of sparkling cider for us. Sweet.  It was our celebration for finally having all the wedding shopping done. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Bring Them to Jesus

And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four friends. Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him, and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, "Son your sins are forgiven."  Mark 2:3-5

Picture this. 

Via Google Images

Four friends who cared deeply for their paralytic friend. 

Their friend had a need. They couldn't meet his need. Their love motivated them to act. 

They BROUGHT HIM TO JESUS.  Arriving at the house where Jesus was teaching,  they find the crowds too dense to push through. 

They climbed on the roof and removed the roof.

They dug an opening in the roof - wouldn't you have LOVED to hear this conversation???

They let him down - in front of Jesus. ::snort:: 

Jesus saw the faith of the four friends who had brought their friend to him. 

The friend, brought to Jesus, receives salvation, wholeness - physically and spiritually. 

How determined am I to bring my friend to Jesus? 

Am I passionate enough to push through the obstacles to introduce my friend to Jesus?

Do I care enough to REMOVE the obstacles to bring my friend to Jesus?

Do I have the faith to carry my friend to Jesus?

Do I believe she will find eternal life, wholeness ONLY in Jesus???

Why do I fear being pushy?

Why do I fear labels?

 This is life and death.

I dare not love half-way...Jesus calls me to love courageously.

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Shrugs, Candy, Books, Sweats and Ice Cream

We have been BUSY - and I think we are going to get another two full weeks of our core curriculum done before tomorrow is over. 

I ordered three shrugs in various colors and had them sent to Krista's. I still cannot find nude shoes around here....maybe tomorrow. We still need to go find a barber or something too. 

Today is gloriously rainy. 

I began the tedious job of bagging and tying all the wedding candies...and Arielle came down and RESCUED me. It's much more fun with a partner. 

Sometime in the midst of school and such I realized we have TWO birthdays coming up - SOON. As in Saturday and Tuesday. YIKES.

It only took six months for me to adapt to America. I headed to walmart in my SWEATS with my tie dyed Sweat Shirt, no make up, hair up in a clip and crocs. ::snort:: Arielle said I would fit in and not to worry about it. I didn't find the birthday gifts I wanted - but I did get the ingredients for an ice cream cake, I also got more ribbon and plastic bags.

Arielle took over making the ice cream cake! I got busy making dinner. Now? Since Michael won't be home until late, and we're all tired from studying so hard.....we're going to go relax in the backyard onsen. The perfect way to enjoy a rainy night.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...