Good, Good Father

I'm facilitating an online Bible study group - we call ourselves the Bible Babes and are studying Growing Through Prayer, a Love God Greatly Bible study. It's been such a joy to connect with these 24 women through the word on daily basis. M-F we read a short passage and SOAP (or SOAK*) in the Word.  I thought I'd share tomorrow's SOAK (SOAP whatever). 

Scripture
Matthew 7:11 - If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him.

Observation
Father gives good gifts to His children.

Part of the personal fun of birthdays and holidays as a parent is seeing my children's wish/dream list. Their heart is revealed by their wish/dream list. There is nothing wrong with ASKING for the things I desire, just as my children do at Christmas/Birthday. Father wants me to ask, knowing I may not get everything on the wish list, but the things I get WILL BE GOOD GIFTS.

Father God takes pleasure in our wish list as it reveals our heart. This is especially true when we ask according to His will and character (I John 5:14).

I'm reminded of John 3:16 - God loved; God gave. Love gives.

Application 
Can I see every answer as a good gift - even the ones not on my wish list?

Can I see every answer as a good gift - even in those times when the things I dearly desire on my wish list are not to be?

Can I trust Him?

I know my Father. He gives good gifts. I will look for the good gifts in the midst of the seemingly "no" answers.

Kneel in Prayer
I don't feel like sharing a personal prayer - but I wrote one out and you can be sure I prayed it.

I heard this song our first Sunday at The Rivers in Yuba City. I'm broken each time I sing it as I contemplate what I know to be true - He's a good, good Father; that's who He is and I'm loved by Him; that's who I am.   Everything else on the wish list is icing on the cake.  I will tell my soul to trust in this GOOD Father even when my dearest desires seem to be denied. I'm often singing this song to myself these days. I smile each time as I remember Arielle's disdain for songs (worship or secular) which repeat the same line over and over.....and sometimes I make up new words instead of singing the same line over and over.  ::snort::

 (Lyrics below)


Good Good Father

Oh, I've heard a thousand stories of what they think you're like
But I've heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night
And you tell me that you're pleased
And that I'm never alone

You're a Good, Good Father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am , it's who I am, it's who I am

Oh, and I've seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we're all searching
For answers only you provide
Cause you know just what we need
Before we say a word

You're a Good, Good Father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am , it's who I am, it's who I am

Cause you are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways to us (several times)

Oh, it's love so undeniable
I, I can hardly speak 
Peace so unexplainable
I, I can hardly think

As you call me deeper still (3x)
Into love, love, love

You're a Good, Good Father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am , it's who I am, it's who I am

You're a Good, Good Father
(You are perfect in all of your ways)
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
(You are perfect in all of your ways)
It's who I am , it's who I am, it's who I am

*SOAK - to those who know my Precept roots - yeah - well - this has been incredibly sweet to immerse myself in small chunks of the word daily with a group of women who are ALSO depending on the Holy Spirit to speak to them through the same verses.  Some days I add Interpretation, context, outlining, cross referencing and even commentaries (::gasp::)...and some days I don't.  My SOAK is more like SOIAK. God speaks - his methods differ. I've seen imperfections in every Bible Study method - as we are imperfect. Heart matters. I've seen this method work for searching pre-belivers and those studying for DMins....we can all share together. 

I prefer the acronym SOAK over SOAP (though Love God Greatly uses SOAP) as kneeling speaks of surrender to me,  my 2016 word, and I've liked the word picture for years of soaking in the word rather than soaping in the shower....same thing call it what you want. LOL  

Another Healthy Cookie (sugar free, gluten free, Vegan, DF friendly)

Heidi shared these on her FB. They are gluten free, SUGAR free if you use fruit instead of chips, and Daniel Fast Friendly. 

3 Mashed Bananas (ripe)
1/3 c Applesauce
2 c oats
1/4 c Almond Milk
1/2 c Raisins or dark chocolate chips 
1 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Bake for 15-20 minutes! Yummy!

Spectacular Tuesday

My favorite grain!

Refilled the bucket

It takes a bit longer to get our grain than I'd expected. We were all happy to see this shipment, and to refill the bucket. The bucket makes a 5th chair for our dinette and a step stool for me.....it works better when it's at least 1/2 full. ::snort:: 

I promptly made bread for lunch - the tops are flat where they smashed into the top of the oven....ah well. 

In other news today? We checked in with the VA (nothing), worked on collecting tax documentation, were inspired by Dietrich Bonhoeffer,  thrilled to hear Larissa's wedding planning steps, chatted with BreAnne, submitted camp host applications to ID and MT, were stymied by the WA camp host application, worked on trailer projects, made healthy "cookies" (recipe above),  printed up transcripts, laughed at best man speeches, previewed dance music for a mother/son dance, and read more chapters from The Cay.

There is also THIS......

Aren't they adorable?

32 weeks pregnant - Bella is going to be here soon. BreZaak toured a local hospital and our travel plans now include "How do you help a baby's ears when flying?"

JaRissa's* Proposal

Larissa's first guest post on Courageous Joy

I'm so excited  I am going to get to marry this sweet man! Here is the story of how he proposed:

He told me that we were going to go have lunch with a couple in town that wanted to meet me and I needed to get dressed up for it. As many of y'all who know Jared, it's not uncommon for him to want to dress up, so I didn't question him. ::wink::

Such sweetness

 He said that before we met with them that he wanted to show me where he goes to church. After looking at his church, he continued driving down the street where we saw a cute little pond. He asked if I wanted to get out and look at it.

 Again, this is typical of Jared, so I still wasn't suspicious! We are walking around the pond when he points towards the water and says "What is that right there?" I kept looking close to the water and the trees asking him if it was a squirrel or a fish he was asking about.

Photographer in place - check

This is it - now what is my line?????

 I hear him say my name and when I turned around he was on one knee! 

"Larissa,....."

"....Will you marry me?"

She said, "Yes!"

BTW - that stalker over there - our photographer

 A long time ago I had told him my dream proposal would include either my family being there or a secret photographer so we could share the moment with all of our family and friends! I am so grateful to have such a thoughtful man. Jared,  you are the best!! 

Radiant joy

Yep - it's on her finger. 

 Editor's Note: We're all excited Larissa is #GoingGherkin! Thanks for sharing your story with us! 

Larissa & Jared

We love this couple. 

JaRissa

Come grow old along with me, the best is yet to be!

*Note: JaRissa is the blog name we've assigned to Jared and Larissa. Photo captions assigned by editor. 

And They Lived "Happily" Ever After

It was yesterday, I tell you, yesterday.  This drop-dead gorgeous, stunningly wonderful woman said, "I do!"   So, what has it been?  A year?  Two years?  Maybe ten years? No, it has been 32 years.  I remember it well. It was a typical rainy February day in Oregon except that it was Valentine's Day and, more importantly, our wedding day.  We had planned on a Christmas wedding, but there were, um, complications.  So, we decided to get married on Valentine's Day 1984 instead.  De'Etta and her mom made the wedding come to life with only 7 weeks notice.  We sent out a boatload of invitations, bought, wrapped, prepared, planned and, well, truth be told, De'Etta and her mom really did handle the lion's share of all of this.  Add into the mix, De'Etta had surgery in early January.  We toyed with moving the date, but there was a determination to make it happen.  When the day arrived, it was rather unbelievable to us.  There were nearly 300 people who came out to share in this day of joy with us on Valentine's Day.  It was yesterday that I saw her in that beautiful white dress.  It was yesterday when we met at the front of Calvary Temple (later Calvary Open Bible).  It was yesterday when we pledged ourselves to each other and to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It was yesterday we heard those words - "I now pronounce you husband and wife."  But yesterday was 32 years ago.  Where does the time go?

So, how do we characterize 32 years of marriage?  Certainly, we have had our share of ups and downs.  We have had a chance to minister to people from Montana to Texas to Alaska back to Texas to Japan to California.  We have been blessed with nine of the most amazing children the world has ever known (modestly speaking, that is).  Now we are adding to this family - a son, soon a daughter and, even sooner, a grand daughter.   Who knew this was going to be such an amazing journey. 

That was then....

Feb 14, 1984

This is now.....

Feb 13, 

With surprises like this who wouldn't want to travel full time?


Written by Michael Goecker

Valentine's Day Kites

This is not an anniversary post (Michael is writing that one), but it is a post sharing part of our Valentine's Day.  Things are always SO crowded on Valentine's Day that we often celebrate our anniversary with dinner on a different day. 

Today, we enjoyed a great morning at church....came back to the trailer and grilled lunch and flew kites..... 

We love the "Beale Blackbirds RC club" air strip out here by fam camp. It's a wide open spot suited for flying Nolan's RC plane, and kites too. 

My Tie Dye kite from Florence - thank you again, Michael - it makes me smile

Spectacular Dragon Kite....takes way longer to assemble

Oops

Yuukie is more concerned with guarding this hole than the kites

Bi-plane Kite

Too much wind for the typical "stick" kites - the legs and tie dye are like wind socks....

These great tables are wonderful places to repair kites

The  "legs," a kite given us by my cousin, Launny, is the BEST kite of all.  It literally flies out of the bag...no assembly needed....it flies in little wind and in gusts of wind.....we need to find more like it. I enjoy watching others when they see a pair of legs in the sky. LOL  The others are awfully pretty, but they sure are challenging to keep in the air.

Couple Time

We decided to have a "no Parkinson/Arthritis allowed" day. The kids weren't interested in doing anything. This suited us well as we love couple time.  Michael has been suggesting for some time we ride over to the housing area parks....and I've been saying it's too far, with too many hills..... 

We took off for a ride to the "golf course" and before I knew it we were on the back side of the base looking down at an inviting bridge/river below.....I'll admit I was a pain...but once I caught my breath....we sat at the top, enjoyed the view and being together and I apologized for my attitude. 

I suggested we head down to the bridge. Michael reminded me this would take us to the "other side" of base and would  involve a ride back UP.....but as I said, I'd adjusted my attitude. Michael told me how to adjust the bike gears for the best climbing gear and that made a world of difference. ::snort::  We headed down to the bridge. 

It was a beautiful day so we continued on to the park and walked up the nature trail. By this point I was in search of a BATHROOM. ::snort::  It was a fun walk....up and back.....and I did find an outhouse that I'm quite sure I wasn't supposed to use....  :::shhhhhhh::::

We saw a few young friends on a local playground....and then it was time to retrieve our bikes and start the ride back to fam camp......up, up, up a very long hill and then down, down, down a lot of smallish hills.....it was a lot more fun going down the hills than it was going up them on the way to other side of base.

The main base is nearly deserted on the weekend; we had a lovely ride home and got back just as the sun was starting to set.

It was a wonderful afternoon. Sometimes one just has to "do it," even when you know you'll pay a price for it later.  I love Michael for many reasons - today, I'm impressed he was willing to "push" when he knew he'd pay for it tomorrow. I also love that he forced me to push further than I was comfortable. I'm a timid rider. I tend to fall. ::snort::

* Yes, we did take a selfie, but we'll use it in our anniversary post. LOL