From Striving to Thriving

Look what I happened upon in the Bible Study I'm doing? It tied right in with Mark 3 - Withered Hands. 

Thus says the Lord, "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord. For he will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes, but will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, a land of salt without inhabitant." Jer 17:5-6 

Via Google Images

Man 1 is striving; yet withered. He is  like a bush in the desert; living in stony wastes....a picture of a withered man.

How did he get this way?

• Striving....depending on his own strength
• Striving against the Lord  - he turned his heart from God
• trusts in mankind

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord, for he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but it's leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit." Jer 17:7-8

Man 2 is thriving! He thrives in the hard times; he thrives in the good times. He's ever fruitful!  

How did he get this way? 

• He trusts the Lord - trust motivates confident obedience in the hard times
• His roots go deep - into the water of the Word, the water of relationship with Jesus
• He's prepared for heat and drought! He's been feeding deeply. 
• His leaves remain green; he continues to yield fruit

Man one is trying to "get their on his own." He trusts in himself. I do this at times.The  Holy Spirit fingers a need for restoration in my life and I jump to action....am I partnering with Jesus? Sometimes. All too often I am trusting in my own strength; trying to fix myself, rather than trusting in Jesus.  Judy Rossi writes, in Enhancing Your Marriage , "The more we look outside the Source for answers, the more prolonged our search will be for the solution." I prove this over and over. 

A thriving man trusts the Lord.  I need to confess my sin, repent  and trust HIM to fix me, to clean me up. (1 Jn 1:8-9). I partner with Him in my restoration by, "Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, and making no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." Rm 13:14

A thriving mans spends time in the word, time in fellowship and time shut up alone with Jesus. A thriving man trusts deeply in grace! 

I want to be man 2.

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

We're At The Border

We are settled into a campsite in Yreka, CA.  We've been told for leave purposes the "local area" is the OR/CA border to Fresno.  We are technically still in the local area and will continue the trip when leave begins tomorrow. 

We had a huge dinner at Black Bear Diner. EVERYTHING from the breakfast burrito and pancakes to the chicken dinner was appallingly large. 

The only snag of the trip so far is the new Adventure in Odyssey CD is stuck in our car stereo. This is very disappointing. We are in the middle of Volume 53....the trip goes much smoother and faster with Odyssey playing.  I think I'll find some pliers in the a.m. and try to pull it out before we finish the trip. We've also discovered one item we left behind - praying that's all. 

Game time! Story Cubes

Michael "watches the passes" via live cam and checks weather forecasts - The weather advisory for travel north of Roseburg, OR (the last bit of our trip) has been lifted! 

 It should take 4 hours or less to reach OR - but since we are pulling a trailer we are required to drive 55 mph. In any event we'll be there tomorrow afternoon. 

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

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...