Filled With Blessings

Once a year, usually the first Wednesday in November, our church takes on the task of packing shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan's Purse.  Franklin Graham, son of the well known evangelist, Billy Graham, was the brains behind the idea, which began 25 years ago.  Our church joined the effort in 2001, packing a couple of dozen boxes.  Over the years we have gradually added to the number of boxes packed, and this year our total will be 9 dozen!

Included in the shoebox gifts are school supplies, (crayons, scissors, pencils, sharpeners, erasers, small tablets), hygiene items (washcloth, soap & plastic container, toothbrush & holder, combs), and many small toy items to bring joy to a child's heart.  This year's list includes a small stuffed animal, Nativity foam puzzle, 2 small color books, heart stamper, cross necklace, whistle, bouncy ball, plastic flute, matchbox car & small football for boys, and  jump rope &  hair accessory for girls.  For added pleasure, we include a few suckers, Smarties, and a pack of gum.

The best part about the shoebox gifts is the storybook which is added to each box at the distribution centers.  Written in the various languages around the world, the book tells the child about Jesus and His love for them.  Later, after the shoeboxes have been handed out, the communities sponsor classes similar to our Sunday Schools to teach the kids further.  Upon graduating from the program, they receive a Bible.

As I think about 25 years of these shoeboxes being distributed, I can't fathom the number of lives that have been touched.  I was able to find the following statistics:
  

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, the world's largest Christmas project of its kind, has collected and delivered more than 157 million shoebox gifts to children in more than 160 countries and territories.

In 2018, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach another 11 million children. Nearly 11 million shoebox gifts were collected worldwide in 2017, with more than 8.8 million collected in the U.S.

Now, think about the fact many of the recipients have parents, grandparents, and other family members who also hear about God's love through the gift their child receives.  That's a whole lot of lives impacted!

As someone who has watched shoebox gifts being assembled over the years, my life has also been impacted.  It is a true representation of how little it takes to make a huge difference in the life of a child. 

If you would like to learn more about this wonderful outreach, you can check out their website at this link:   https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

The Process of Participation

The premise of this blog post goes back to April of this year.  At that time, my husband and I journeyed across North Dakota to attend the 2018 convention for the Republican party of our state.  This convention takes place every other year, and is where the party endorses candidates for the upcoming elections. 

After attending, I came away a bit disheartened.  The number of delegates allowed from each district is based on how many voted in the last election.  I don't recall the exact numbers, but I believe District 2 here in the northwest corner of the state was allowed around 80 delegates.  We could only convince 15 to participate. 

Now I realize the political scene isn't for everyone.  It wasn't for me prior to the time my husband got involved in state politics.  As time goes on, however, I realize it is getting more and more important to do so.  When "I don't want to get involved in the process" becomes the attitude of the majority, what rises to power is people who have ideas outside the thinking of that majority.  Think back to our last presidential election, when many of us found ourselves not liking the prospect of either candidate.  This is what happens when everyday, ordinary people don't get involved.

A Scottish philosopher by the name of Alexander Tyler of the University of Edinburg noted eight stages that articulate well what history has shown as a pattern for the rise and fall of the world's great civilizations.  Listed below are the eight stages.  As you read them, think back on the history of the United States and follow through the pattern.

1.  From bondage to spiritual growth
2.  From spiritual growth to great courage
3.  From courage to liberty
4.  From liberty to abundance
5.  From abundance to complacency
6.  From complacency to apathy
7.  From apathy to dependence
8.  From dependence back to bondage

As I ponder this list, I find myself placing our nation somewhere between the complacency and apathy stages, perhaps even inching toward the dependence stage.  Many people just aren't interested in getting involved, and simply want the government to take care of everything for them.

But the heart of a nation is the people.  We are the ones who are supposed to be making our nation great, not any politician.  So how do we change things?  Perhaps by not being complacent or apathetic in our views, and by getting out to vote when the elections roll around.

Tomorrow is the day.  I will be voting.  Will you?

The Old Oak Tree

For the majority of our nearly 43 years of marriage, my husband and I have lived in the home we currently reside in.  The only exceptions were five months in a basement apartment while I finished college in Williston, and another span of less than a year in an apartment in Crosby while our house was being built.  In addition, we also spent a short time "house sitting" for my husband's grandparents who spent time in the winter visiting their son in Seattle, Washington. 

The other day, as I walked past this house, memories entered my mind of our time spent there.  It was a cozy little house, with a large kitchen/dining room space, a living room, a den off the entryway, and bedrooms upstairs.  The main bathroom was upstairs, but there was also a small room by the front door with a stool and sink on the main level.  Under the stairs leading up to the second level was a cute little storage place, which had been a favorite play spot when the grandchildren were little.
 

 

The house has changed hands several times over the years, and several remodel jobs have made it into a different house than when we lived there.  One thing, however, still remains.  The old, oak tree.  They tell me my husband's grandfather planted the tree.  At the time it was one of the few oak trees in our community.  Today it stands tall in the corner of the yard overlooking one of the main roads going through the center of our town.

 



 

 

Earlier this fall, while out walking, I had noticed many of the acorns which had fallen from the tree, and picked up a few to add to my fall décor.  This salt and pepper shaker set actually came from a collection of a sister to the grandmother who lived in this house, so I thought it appropriate the squirrels could be part of the display.

 

 

I also did some research on starting an oak tree from an acorn, and now have a small plastic baggie in my refrigerator which contains some of the acorns in moist potting soil.  They are supposed to stay there for at least three months before the next step of the process.  How fun it would be, I thought, to start a new oak tree using an acorn harvested from the tree planted by my husband's grandfather!

 

On another walk this past week, I took note of the many oak leaves blanketing the ground in the area of the tree.  They have such a unique shape, and I even took a few home with the intent of doing a craft project with them.  As of now, they are still just reminding me of the old, oak tree and the dear man who planted it. 

 



 

Reminders. . .and precious memories.  One can never have too many!



A Dream in the Night

Science tells us we dream when we are in our deepest sleep.  Apparently, I sleep deeply quite often, as there are very few nights without some kind of dreaming activity.  The Bible is filled with stories of dreamers, and the meanings God attached to the dreams.  An interesting website which documents the dreams in the Bible can be accessed by clicking on this link:

https://overviewbible.com/infographic-dreams-bible/ 

 

Another interesting reference to dreaming is found in the Old Testament book of Joel, which is also referenced by Peter in Acts.  It tells of a time coming in the last days of this earth as we know it:

 

"In the last days, God says,

I will pour out My Spirit on all people;

your sons and daughters will prophesy,

your young men will see visions,

your old men will dream dreams."

Acts 2:17

(from Joel 2:28)

 

Although I am neither a young or old man, I do find it interesting to look back on my dreams and ponder any meaning God might have hidden in them.  Such was the case yesterday when I woke up from an interesting dream.

 

The setting of the dream was in a room which reminded me of the elementary school rooms I attended in Crosby, ND.  Yet, what was happening in the room was more reminiscent of my days in banking.  There was a computer system and large printer, and it seemed to be my assignment to get some important documents printed out.  In the dream were former co-workers of mine, and even the man who was my last boss. 

 

As I was frantically trying to get my printing done, there were constant interruptions by others who seemed to also need the printer.  None of them understood the fact there was a deadline by which my printing needed to be complete.  Adding to the difficulty was the fact the paper wasn't feeding through the printer properly when it was my turn to use it.

 

What could it all mean?  I suppose you could tie it to something I ate the day before, or a variety of my brain's memory banks being activated during the REM sleep.  But a simple prayer of, "What does it mean, Lord?" brought something different to mind.

 

It was as if God was telling me, in that still, small voice in my inner spirit, that there is indeed a deadline coming.  Scripture tells us there is coming a time when Jesus will call His people out of the chaos of the world, and when it happens there will be no "second chances."  Either you are a true follower of Jesus and will answer the call, or you will be of the group who is left behind. 

 

The interpretation of the dream also seemed to include the fact there was something I was supposed to be doing before the deadline arrives.  In fact, God has given each of us an assignment. . .something He has planted in us, which, if put into practice will bring Him glory and work to advance His Kingdom.  Unfortunately, there is an enemy at work trying desperately to distract us from getting the work done.

 

Since writing is one of the areas God has given me to promote His cause, the dream was a reminder to be more diligent about using my time wisely, and taking advantage of every opportunity He gives me.  Blogging is one of those avenues, and thus the reason for this post!

 

How about you?  What has God placed in your life which can be used to give Him glory and promote His Kingdom work?  If you're not sure, take some time to sit quietly before the Lord, delve into His Scriptures, and ask Him to point you in the right direction.  We have this assurance from God's Word: 

 

"Ask and it will be given to you;

seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives;

the one who seeks finds;

and to the one who knocks, 

the door will be opened."

~Matthew 7:7-8 

"To Tell the Truth"

It has gotten to the point where I really don't care to watch any news on television.  There is always someone claiming something another person denies. . .and who are we to believe?  Today, as I was doing my Bible reading for the day, I came across a passage in 2 Chronicles 6 which made me stop and think.  It is part of a prayer made by Solomon, known to be the wisest man who ever lived.

Forgive, and deal with each man according to all he does,

since You know his heart

(for you alone know the hearts of men)

2 Chronicles 6:30b

 

So, there you have it.  Unless we have been a direct witness to a case in question, there is no way of determining "truth" simply by basing our assumption on what is being said.  Because behind every person's outward appearance and speech is a heart that only God sees.

 

Where does this leave us?  How and when will truth prevail?  The answer seemed to come as I continued my reading and came across another verse in 2 Chronicles 7:

 

If My people, who are called by My name,

will humble themselves and pray and seek My face

and turn from their wicked ways,

then will I hear from heaven

and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

 

It seems my duty as a Christian comes not in proclaiming I know who is telling the truth.  No, my duty is to humble myself and pray, to seek God, and turn from wickedness.  In order to determine what is wicked in God's sight, I need to continually be reading His Word, which sheds light on every form of evil.  It sure would be nice if all those who are called by God's name would do the same.  The forgiveness is waiting. . .and so is the healing of our land. . .made possible by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the One who is the only WAY, the ultimate TRUTH, and the everlasting LIFE!

Lasting Impressions

The interesting thing about blogging is the fact sometimes you get an idea, but don't have the time to actually get it developed into an entry.  In my world, when this happens, I generally find a scrap of paper or sticky note and jot down what I think would be an appropriate title.  This is supposed to remind me, at a later time, of the full blog message I had in mind.

Factoring in I am now over 60, there are times I come across one of these notes and have no recollection of what it was I was going to write about.  Such was the case when I noticed the words "Lasting Impressions" scribbled on a small piece of paper and left next to my computer.  No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't come up with a story to go with the words. . .until tonight.

Our church has had a ministry to kids for as long as I can remember.  When my husband and I were first married, we called it "Children's Church."  This eventually turned into a program known as Missionettes for girls and Royal Rangers for boys, and several years ago we took on the AWANA program for teaching the kids.

Tonight was our "kick-off" event, which brought out around 50 kids ranging in age from about three on through high school.  I did see some adults who seemed to be having a pretty good time, too.  A church from Minot, ND has a ministry where they provide inflatables at these type of events, so we blocked off the street in front of our church and let the kids loose!  There were also fun treats like cotton candy, snow cones, and popcorn, as well as visits from the police, ambulance, and fire trucks.  Needless to say, there were lots of smiling faces!

 

So, what does this all have to do with my note?  As it turned out, when we came home, my husband decided to install a couple of hooks to hang my ironing board in our recently created laundry room.  While he was doing this, I downloaded pictures of the kick-off night from my camera to share on our church's Facebook page.  And there it was. . .the picture which inspired the "Lasting Impressions" note.

You see, I had purchased a new ironing board cover, and prior to throwing the old one I had to take a picture of it.  There was the outline of part of  a daisy seared into the old cover, reminiscent of the days I taught the "Daisies" group in the Missionette program.  The girls in this group were kindergarten aged, and at some point a daisy emblem ended up making a "lasting impression" on my ironing board cover.

My mind went back in time and I thought about the many children I had taught Bible stories to over the years.  Some have grown up and have children of their own.  In fact, one of these "second generation" kids was part of our group tonight!  I found myself wondering if I had left any "lasting impressions" on the hearts of these children.  For sure, the seeds were planted.  Someone will water them, and God will bring forth the growth!  Is it worth the effort?  You bet it is!  Eternally worth it!!

   

A Misleading Advertisement

Last Saturday my husband and I took a Saturday afternoon drive to Minot, North Dakota.  On his agenda was visiting a place called Val's Cyclery where he gets his saw blades sharpened.  I always thought that to be an interesting combination. . .bicycles and saw blades. 

As for me, there were no pressing items on my list, although with "Back to School" specials happening, it would be a good time to stock up on a few supplies to fill the Operation Christmas Child boxes later this fall.  We found a good deal on 24 packs of crayons at WalMart, and were also on the lookout for blunt-tipped scissors.  As we passed through the front of the store we saw a sign indicating bananas were on sale for 59 cents a pound.  Since they are usually 89 cents a pound in Crosby, I just about grabbed some, but then decided against it.

We also found a good deal on the scissors at Staples, but still needed a few more.  On to Target we went.  Headed to the school supplies, we saw another grouping of bananas, only this sign indicated 29 cents.  To me, that was a bargain too good to pass up, and a bunch was added to my cart.

The surprise came at the checkout counter.  It seems the 29 cents was not per pound, but per banana!  At this point, we wondered how good of a deal it would be, but purchased them anyway.  The next morning we decided to weigh the bananas, and figure out their cost by the pound.  Our "sale" was not such a good one after all.  It turned out the cost per pound was actually about 95 cents!  Next time we will be more careful to read the fine print!

As I was pondering the purchase, I had to admit the store had advertised correctly, but in a way which mislead the shopper.  Traditionally, bananas are sold by the pound, so naturally our minds assumed this was the case. 

Later, when my Bible reading brought me to 2 Timothy, I found a section with the heading, "Workman Approved by God".  As Christians it seems we have a job to do. Reading through the verses left me wondering how many times we are a misleading advertisement for the God we serve.  First of all, are we living the way we should, and secondly, are we fulfilling our duty to gently instruct others who have not yet found their way?

The passage warns against quarreling and "godless chatter." Christians are also instructed to correctly handle the word of truth, and not be ashamed of its message.  Turning away from wickedness and fleeing evil desires is countered with pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace.  Finally, we are encouraged to be kind to everyone, and yet be able to teach without showing resentment.

It all seems like a pretty tall order.  But it is what God is asking of us.  In the end of this chapter, God reminds us who we are ultimately up against.  Those who have not found their way to wholeness in Christ are trapped by the devil, and he is holding them captive to do his will. 

"Lord, in the midst of a society where what is wrong is promoted as right, and what is right is said to be wrong, help me to daily seek Your Word, so I will be able to handle it correctly as I work to gently teach those who are being held captive by the enemy.  Help me to avoid quarreling and meaningless chatter, and instead be bold in holding up the truths You have laid out for us.  As a representation of who You are to the world, may I never be a misleading advertisement!  In Jesus Name, AMEN!"

   

Cake Collaborators

Once every three months, our church holds a potluck dinner following the Sunday morning service.  We call it our "anniversary and birthday potluck" since the purpose is to acknowledge those who have celebrated during the previous quarter.  Since every celebration should have a cake, it has become a tradition to have a decorated sheet cake on hand for dessert.

Over the years, my husband's aunt has long been known for her pretty cakes.  Then, several years ago, she suffered a stroke, which affected the left side of her body.  She is a fighter, however, and didn't let anything slow her down.  She found she could still do some of her cake decorating skills, but didn't like actually baking the cakes and applying the base frosting.  That's where I came into the picture. 

It was decided I would be in charge of baking the cakes, and applying the frosting.  Then, the two of us would put our heads together to come up with an idea to "dress it up."  It amazed me how easily she would pipe out the shell edgings, and she had a vast supply of silk flowers and leaves which could be added if we didn't want to make frosting ones.

When my kids were growing up, I dabbled in cake decorating each time a birthday rolled around.  I found it fun a couple times a year, but decided it wasn't something I would want to take on as a side business.  Now I find it fun to collaborate with my "cake sidekick" each time a potluck rolls around.

Tomorrow we were on the schedule to provide a cake, but this time my partner was unavailable to help.  Her sister was in town visiting, and she didn't want to take time out to work on a cake.  So it was, my project for the evening was decorating a cake.

What a blessing to have Pinterest to consult for ideas!  I found one with sunflowers, which I thought would be appropriate for this time of year.  Having to work with what I had on hand, the golden yellow sunflowers turned out more orange than I would have liked, but over all, I was pleased with the results. 

 

 

If you don't have your own church to attend tomorrow, and happen to be in Crosby, North Dakota, stop by the Assembly of God on Main Street and enjoy a piece!

 

 

 

"We must not quit meeting together, as some are doing. 

No, we need to keep on encouraging each other. 

This becomes more and more important as you see the Day [when Christ will return] getting closer." 

ERV (Easy to Read Version)

Back to Blogging!

Where, oh where, has the summer gone?  It has obviously escaped us without a single entry in my blog!  Perhaps it is time to get back into the swing of things!  So often throughout the "lazy days of summer" God would bring a thought to mind which said, "It would be good to blog about this!"  Yet, for some reason, it never happened. 

Today might be a good day to start again. . .but first I have to deliver some "Meals on Wheels".  After that, I need to pick up my great nephew (from my side of the family), who will be joining us as we take another nephew (from my husband's side of the family) out for supper.  This nephew has been working with my husband and son this week, and will be heading back to Minnesota tomorrow.

The great nephew will spend the evening at our house until later when his grandparents pick him up.  Meanwhile, the two of us will have a "Game Night".  I'm not sure who likes playing games more, but it always makes for an enjoyable time for both of us!

Perhaps TOMORROW will be a good day to get back to blogging!

The Many Birthdays of Daniel

Over the past two weeks, our youngest grandson, Daniel, has been getting a lot of attention.  It was his 6th birthday on the 26th, but circumstances stretched his birthday out for over a week.  First, he had a pirate themed birthday party with a dozen of his little friends on the Saturday before his birthday.  Grandpa Bert, Uncle Ryan and I, were on hand to help his parents pull it off, although it was more about seeing it unfold.  They do an awesome job making their children's birthday parties extra fun. 

Each year, the birthday child gets to pick a theme, and  mom creates a cake to match.  They go all out with decorations, and devise games to match the theme.  This year, Daniel chose to go with a pirate theme, and the cake was a treasure chest.  Isn't he about the cutest pirate ever?

 



Uncle Ryan even brought his Lego "Ship in a Bottle" to add to the decorations.  Dad and Mom dressed for the occasion, and party guest were given the opportunity to wear a pirate head scarf, if they so desired.  Daniel's siblings and even Uncle Ryan got into "pirate mode."

 

Games included keeping black balloon cannonballs in the air as long as possible, tossing gold coins into a treasure chest, going on a treasure hunt using various creative means of getting around, (plus even having to walk the plank!)  Water balloons were used to "attack" chalk drawn ships, and everyone got a whack at the pirate chest piñata.

 

 

 

 

Lunch included summer sausage and cheese cubes, and red and green grapes poked on pirate swords, as well as crackers and pirate themed cupcakes.  The treasure chest cake would be saved for a party on his actual birthday a week later.

 

It is tradition for the grandparents to attend a supper on the actual birthday, but this year it was not possible for us to attend.  So Daniel not only got a supper with the other grandparents on his birthday, but another "cake only" party when we were able to come a couple of days later.

 

He is one special boy, and we are so thankful he is part of our lives!  Here he is with the last of his presents, which included some "spiffy clothes" from us, and a new scooter from Uncle Ryan. 

 

 




We also got him a water rocket, which he and his brothers had fun breaking in!

 

"Happy Birthday, Daniel!  All done celebrating until next year!"



Mother's Day Blues

It has been one of those "frumpy" kind of days, and I couldn't quite figure out why.  Part of the reason might be the sun isn't wanting to shine today, but as I contemplated the possible reasons, I settled on the fact I once again have come down with a bad case of the "Mother's Day Blues".

About this time of year, everyone starts posting pictures of their mom, along with memories they have shared.  Today on my Facebook page, the memory which popped up was a picture of me with my mom, grandma, and daughter, likely taken on a Mother's Day in years gone by.  Memories are wonderful, but having them with you in person is an extra sweet blessing.

The little girl in the picture grew up, got married, and now is a mom to four wonderful children who call me grandma.  Hopefully we will be able to spend a little bit of time with them on Sunday, although most of the day will be spend in the car on our return from South Dakota where we are celebrating the college graduation of our nephew.

At the age of 68, my mom passed away from a brain aneurysm. I was 35 at the time.  Grandma lived five years longer, and made it to the age of 100, and was blessed with a clear mind until the end.  Lots of years have passed since then, but I still feel their presence with me, especially on days like today.

Come to think of it, I just might whip together a batch of "Della Bars" as my friend, Charlene calls them.  They are a yummy concoction of graham cracker crumbs, miniature marshmallows, and nuts with a butterscotch/peanut butter frosting.  My mom used to send them to us when we spent our first semester of college together at UND in Grand Forks. 

"Thanks for the recipe, Mom!  Give Grandma a hug, and imagine me there with you!  Looking forward to the day you will both welcome me to my eternal home!"

The Process Continues!

There is one main reason to only tackle a major remodel project once every 40 years or so.  It's called keeping one's sanity!  Actually, things are moving along quite nicely.  The spaces are all now defined.  Half of the perfataping and texturing is completed.  And, as I type, I can hear the washing machine and dryer doing their work in my new dedicated laundry room.  For all the clutter and mess, life is good!

Yesterday, we spent the evening shuffling furniture and "stuff."  It had all been crammed into the new second bedroom, (created from two original, smaller bedrooms) while work was being completed in the expanded master bedroom, office space and sunroom.  To make way for round two of the texturing work, everything was moved into the master bedroom.  Next week, the workers will return to work on the now empty bedroom, and finish up the two bathrooms and laundry room.  This lines up nicely with our upcoming getaway to Arizona to visit Bert's uncle.

 

Soon, the office space I have used over the years will be dismantled, and my computer world will be reduced to the use of the iPad and iPhone for a time.  Since it will be awhile before the new space will be ready, it seemed only fitting to sit here one last time and blog.  Last night, I spent some time looking over the many encouraging words surrounding the computer desk, and realized it had been some time since I actually read them.  Still, they were always there handy, should I need a reminder of God's faithfulness in my life.

 

 

It has also been fun working our way through the layers of wallpaper, and removing the trim to reveal the original colors of the rooms.  It kind of made me think, "What were we thinking??" as I found the "lovely" striped wallpaper in the bathroom, and the very green color which was originally in the smallest bedroom.

 

 

 

The old school clock on the wall is certainly a reminder of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 which tells us there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.  Especially fitting for our current situation are the examples of "a time to break down, and a time to build up" in verse 3, and "a time to keep, and a time to cast away" from verse 6.

 

Throughout this crazy remodel time, it is good to look ahead to a time of completion, and the opportunity it will give to offer our home as a place of fellowship in our community.  Until then, we'll endure the process!

 

 



 

Mixed Emotions

Today is a sad day, as we learn of the passing of a powerful man of God, Billy Graham.  At the age of 99, God has called him home, after a lifetime of pointing people to Jesus.  Only eternity will reveal how many lives were changed because of the influence of his life.

Today is also a day to rejoice because Billy Graham is now in the presence of Jesus.  He is free from the challenges this life gave him, and free from the evils which seem to prevail here on earth.  All of heaven is rejoicing over the arrival of a dear saint called home.

Lastly, today is a day to be challenged.  As a fellow believer, I am challenged to step up to the plate, and do a better job of reflecting Christ's love and forgiveness in my life, as Billy Graham did.  I am praying for a new level of boldness in sharing my faith.  It's time to wake up, church.  A hurting world needs what we have to offer!

Giving Hearts are Growing!

From last year, and brought forward to bring attention to the fact it is once again "Giving Hearts Day" in ND!  Take time to be one of this year's givers!! ❤️

It has become a tradition at our house to participate in the annual "Giving Hearts Day" in North Dakota.  Once a year, thanks to three foundations hosting the event, (Dakota Medical Foundation, Impact Foundation and Alex Stern Family Foundation) donations are matched dollar for dollar, and many charities get a real boost.

In the last three years, donations (and people's generosity) have consistently grown.  In 2016  there were 37,109 donations made to 326 charities and causes, raising $8.3 million.  Last year, the total grew to nearly 10.7 million, and so far this year the total is up to 12.8 million.  Perhaps by midnight we can boost it to 13 million? 

In the eleven year history of "Giving Hearts Day" $41 million dollars has been raised, benefiting nonprofit organizations and charities across North Dakota.  What a blessing to see so many people sharing, and at the same time so many wonderful causes reaping the benefits!

There are over 400 different benefactors listed as options. . .check them out at this website, and join the band of North Dakota "Giving Hearts."  The minimum donation is $10, and you can choose as many different charities as you like.  https://giving.impactgiveback.org/#

These were our picks for the year:

     Williston Trinity Christian School (our grandchildren's school!)
     Adult and Teen Challenge (for recovery from drug and alcohol)
     Anne Carlsen Center (help for handicapped children)
     Gateway to Science (fun "hands on" learning center)
     GiGi's Playhouse (Support for Down's Syndrome)
     First Choice Clinics (Pregnancy Support)
     Upper Missouri Ministries (Bible Camp)

Do What You Can

My husband and I have lived in our home for over 40 years now.  Other than putting in a few new floor coverings, little has changed.  So never have I had to experience a remodel project. . .until now.  It has been an interesting and challenging project, one which is far from over.  It is exciting, but such a mess!

First of all, there is the 40+ years of "stuff" to contend with.  Suddenly rooms and closets are having to be emptied to make way for the changes.  I do believe once it gets out in the open, some kind of internal combustion takes place and it multiplies in size.  Or else we were just very good at "tucking things away!"

One day this week, I walked into my bedroom after breakfast and thought to myself, "Is there any sense in even fixing the bed?"  There are random boxes all over the house, and did I mention there is a mattress and dresser in the middle of my living room?  Yes, things are in disarray, and there is no hope of maintaining any sense of order.

In the end, I did fix the bed, and have been trying to make a point of doing so each morning.  It is the one small thing I can do every day to maintain a piece of "normal" in my crazy, mixed up world.  As I have been doing so, God seemed to whisper a little message to my inner spirit.

"I know how you're feeling," He said.  "I've got my own remodel project going on in the world, trying to make it a better place.  Sometimes it seems for every step of progress made, we're taking two steps back.  But the good thing is, in the end, it will be such a great new world!  So if things are in a mess, just do what you can each day, even if it's just making the bed, and before you know it, in My time, everything will be fresh and new."

It's amazing how beneficial a little conversation with God in your head can be!

Exposed!!

Most of us, at one time or another, have seen an episode or two of the show "Hoarders."  Watching it always makes me feel a little bit better about my own house.  It's certainly not THAT bad!  There have also been times when I have been witness to real life examples of a hoarder's home, and it makes me want to pat myself on the back.  I could never let things get to such extremes!

Having lived in the same house for some 40+ years now, I have often told my husband we should just pretend to move, without actually moving, so we could purge some of our accumulation of "stuff."  With a sunroom addition underway, we reached a point this past week where I was informed we would need to empty out some rooms prior to the point we tear into the existing house to connect it to the new part.  That's when the real truth was exposed. . .we ARE hoarders!

Although not quite yet worthy of an episode of the show, I am finding out there is an overabundance of, shall we say, "unnecessary items" in our home.  But when it comes to weeding through them, and making the hard decisions of whether to keep, throw, or sell, there are far too many things I want to keep.

In the past, I have often called myself a "sentimental saver."  Added to the challenge in our home is the fact my husband and son both fit the category, as well.  An item may have no current purpose, but "It used to be Grandma's" or "I remember when Dad used it," and the next thing you know it has been stashed away in one of the "save it piles." 

Yes, piles.  As in plural.  Lots of piles.  Some of them are orderly, and some not so orderly.  Every once in awhile we get inspired and decide to organize our "keeper places."  The main one is a room we call the "freezer/storage room."  It also houses our electrical box, the water heater, and the workings of our central vacuum system.  Over the years, it has become home to all those items we feel we can't live without, even though they haven't seen the light of day in decades.

It used to be we would store all of our Christmas décor in this room, under the basement stairs.  In later years, however, I learned it was much easier to store some of the totes and boxes in the guest bedroom closet, and leave the rest in a more accessible area of the "freezer/storage" room.  Over time, shelves have been added on all available parts of the walls, and now there are also rows of boxes in front of the filled shelves.

Did I tell you we still have most every toy our children had growing up?  Our daughter will turn 39 tomorrow, and her brother is 36.  But now there are four grandchildren, and it wouldn't be fair to break up the collections of Barbie dolls, GI Joe sets, and miscellaneous odd toys which fill the toy box, which happens to have been build by my carpenter husband.  (Who could part with that??)  There is also a "kitchen set" with stove, oven, sink and cupboard in one unit and refrigerator in another (also built by him).  These are treasures.  But more often than not, they are so buried under the rest of the "stuff" our grandkids don't get a chance to play with them.  Besides, the Lego collection seems to take first place at capturing their attention on most visits lately.

Getting back to the reason I am blogging about our accumulations, our sunroom project is requiring we clear out some areas to make room for the electrician and plumber to work.  This means the Christmas things can't be in either the guest room closet OR the "freezer room."  Because of this, it is currently taking up a huge corner of our TV room.  When it's all piled in one place, you realize how much of it there is! 

Then we move on to the "office" where photo albums and books need to be boxed up for the time being.  Lots of photos, and lots of books.  It was like the "Fibber McGee's Closet" of another era. . . layer after layer of things in need of a new place to hang out. 

It actually has been kind of fun.  I've discovered lots of things I haven't seen in a long time, and lots more I didn't even remember we had.  I've come to the conclusion we have so many memories stashed away, we could live another 40 years and still not get through them all!

Someone recently asked me why, after our kids are grown, we all of a sudden decided to add on to our house.  Truth be told, it was either add more space, or get rid of "stuff."  And you know how I feel about that!

Week-end Recap

It has been an exciting week-end for Vikings fans.  My husband has been one ever since I first starting dating him.  After so many unsuccessful years, it has been fun to follow the Vikings road to a last second victory tonight. 

This blog post, however, isn't really about the Vikings and their win.  It's about recapping an event I attended earlier this week-end at my daughter's church.  Every year the ladies of their church put together a fun night for women with fancy tables, a good speaker, and lots of fun fellowship.  I was especially proud of the two beautiful tables put together by my daughter and 8 year old granddaughter:

The first table utilized my daughter's beautiful white "wedding china" and had a "silver and gold" theme.  She borrowed placemats, napkins, and goblets from her mother-in-law, and the gold ornament tree from me.  She says she's not very good at this sort of thing, but I beg to differ!




 



 

The response from ladies wanting to attend led the organizers to ask if anyone would take on doing a second table.  This one was simpler, using paper plates and disposable utensils, but was every bit as appealing in a different sort of way!

 

Prior to eating a delicious meal of lettuce salad, lasagna, veggies, and garlic bread, my granddaughter and I made the rounds of the tables, "oo-ing" and "ah-ing" over the creativity displayed.  Here is a little peek at what we saw:

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The organizers were clever in serving the meal on clear, plastic plates so we would get the effect of eating off the pretty dishes without dirtying them.  Pretty lemon cupcakes finished off the meal as our dessert. 

The speaker for the evening was a young woman who recently returned from traveling around the world with an organization called YWAM (Youth With A Mission), and she gave a challenging message, along with sharing pictures from her journey.

Since the weather has been extremely cold, and we wouldn't be getting done until after 9:00pm, I opted to spend the night at my daughter's to avoid traveling after dark.  This gave added "Grandma Time" with my granddaughter and three grandsons.

So, there you have it.  I didn't enjoy the excitement of attending a Vikings game in Minneapolis, but still experienced a winning event!  Who knows?  Perhaps this could inspire some of us to do a similar event here in Crosby!  Let me know if you would enjoy helping organize one!