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Moving ....to another blog address!

http://:www.praises2him2.blogspot.com

Somehow my phone could get on my old blog...not sure how...but i have started a new one after several months of trying to log onto this blog....
Grrrrrr ..... Technology!

He speaks...in everything that has life...

My daily vision and commitment to seeing Jesus and God in my surroundings and my daily life and then to post it here 360 days may have been a bit more challenging than I had originally thought.  It's not that I haven't thought of things to write about....or I haven't been aware of His presence in my life...just the opposite.  I continue to see Him daily and marvel at the wonders of His presence in our world...even in the times of chaos, He is here...

Today when we were coming home from church I heard Chris Rice's Hallelujahs and was aware that in my mind, I was seeing the words and praising God for His creation!

A purple sky to close the day
I wade the surf where dolphins play
The taste of salt, the dance of waves
And my soul wells up with Hallelujahs


A lightning flash, my pounding heart
A breaching whale, a shooting star
Give testimony that You are
And my soul wells up with Hallelujahs


Oh praise Him, all His mighty works
There is no language where you can't be heard
Your song goes out to all the earth
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah


Oh cratered moon and the sparrow's wings
Oh thunder's boom and Saturn's rings
Unveil our Father, as You sing
And my soul wells up with Hallelujahs


Oh praise Him, all His mighty works
There is no language where you can't be heard
Your song goes out to all the earth
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah


The pulse of life within my wrist
A fallen snow, a rising mist
There is no higher praise than this
And my soul wells up, oh my soul wells up
Yes my soul wells up with Hallelujahs

Oh praise Him, all His mighty works
There is no language where you can't be heard
Your song goes out to all the earth
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Oh Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah


Thank you Chris Rice for reminding us that the whole creation cries out with praises and if we listen...we should be able to hear...Oh praise Him, all His mighty works  There is no language where you can't be heard
Your song goes out to all the earth   Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah  Today...listen and then sing with His creation!

 On April 21, I completed a dream.  Since I became a believer, my heart's desire was to go to a Bible school.  In 2004, when I retired from Bismarck Public Schools, I had searched for schools on line.  Then, in 2005, Steve and I moved to Ferndale WA.  Steve and I crossed the border to Canada to find out about the programs at Trinity Western University.  They said...no BA...no MA...go to the seminary.  I didn't want to be a pastor...I kept telling them that.  The registrar, Wendell Phillips, PhD., told me about a program, 31 hours and I would have a diploma from the seminary.  Didn't have to be a pastor...so, in 2008, I received my Diploma.  At the ceremony, I watched as students were hooded and told Steve, I want a hood.

So, I began to gather the required credits to get my MA.  (51 hours).  I took a couple of years off and this fall I realized that I was saying...I have 3 classes left to complete my MA!  I didn't want to say that the rest of my life.  So this fall, I took 1 class and this spring, I finished my MA project and a leadership class.

All requirements complete...I was able to walk through a graduation.  How I praise God.

 In October, I completed a 10K race in Omaha, NE.  When I was asked to provide a picture for the slide show with something that was meaningful I thought of this Scripture right away.  Then saw this picture...I knew that it encompasses what my family and friends have said to me.  Had Steve thought about it, he would have made a sign too!!!!

 I got my MA of Christian Studies and my HOOD!!!!!!!  For the past couple of weeks...I have been very emotional.  When the song Pomp and Circumstances was played as we walked in, I was very emotional...okay...I cried.  With each thing that was said, I cried.  Many of the speakers talked about the sacrifices that each of the graduates made, they also talked about the same sacrifices that our families have made.  I am so thankful to my husband who encouraged and proofread my papers.  I am thankful to our daughters and their families who encouraged me and who gave up time with me while I studied.  I am thankful to family and friends who prayed for me and encouraged me.  This hood that I received wasn't big enough to honor all of the people who helped and encouraged and prayed for me.

 YAY!!!  Thank you so much to each and everyone of you!!!!!!

And these are the friends that waited in line at the border to be at my graduation.  My sister and her husband came from Montana, gave up their grandson's birthday party to be with me on this special day.  There were 3 couples who because of other conflicts could not make the ceremony but I was overwhelmed with their love and concern and their request to be with me to celebrate this special day.

Above all...I praise God for He has given me this support.  And He has given me the desire of my heart....Am I done?  What am I going to do?  I do not know...I know that God has a plan for my life...just can hardly wait for His direction, His plan and His goals...Praise His name!

Look...check...read...look...check...sleep....FOCUS

I went to class in Canada last week and on the way back across the border...there was a line.  For those of you who do not cross the border, we play a little game up here...guess which lane is going to go faster.  Did I make it before that car?  How many cars are ahead of me?  How many cars are ahead of that car? My competitive spirit rises to the top and that day the line was really backed up...it took 1 1/2 hours to go across the border.  You can get a lot done in that time...


I looked at the lines and watched as that car wedged itself across 3 lanes of traffic right in front of me.  I thought he was really rude and pushy!!!  So, I had time, took out my school book and read.   Then it started...I would look and find that car and read.  I kept a look out for him.  He was making way better progress than I was but by the time I realized he picked the right lane, he was across the border and I was still waiting.  So, I did what came next...picked another car to be ... that car!  At one point, I thought I would "rest my eyes" only to wake up and see 3 car lengths ahead of me.  I couldn't understand why the guy behind me didn't honk...checked the rear view mirror and he was sound asleep too!!!!  Mouth open sleeping.


This went on for nearly the full time...look... check on that car...read...look...check on that car until... I turned my head and my focus changed.  It wasn't a grey day any more.  It wasn't wondering if I would "win"!  It wasn't about someone else or ME! 


It had rained all day.  The direction I was looking was gray and colorless.  But out on the water, the sun was peaking through and there before me were millions of diamonds dancing on the water.  I was stunned by the beauty.  I loved watching the waves toss the gems from wave to wave and it suddenly came to me.  I miss so many of God's blessings when my focus is on the grayness of life.  


The writer of the Hebrews says: Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.  It is all about focus.  I could have kept my eye on the line and that car but praise Him, I changed my focus and enjoyed His gift.

Set a goal...dream a dream

April 21,2012....Graduation from ACTS Seminary....

May 26, 2012.......turn 62

July.....my first Social Security check

What is next Jesus? I can hardly wait...thanks Jen*...I love this!

*One of my MOPS moms sent this to me today...yep...LOVE her....

A gift not yet received...

The Gifts....oh, God is so great and He has given me so many gifts. I was wondering tonight if it is right to praise Him for something that I haven't yet received. It took overnight to figure out the answer because this morning, I know it is more than okay, it is anticipating the gift!

I am involved as a Mentor mom for the MOPS program that meets in our church. I love spending time with them and if they were to read this, it is NOT just because I get to hold their babies...but let me tell you THAT is a perk!

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of leading a Bible study for them. Devotions without guilt. I remember the times in my life when connecting with God was difficult. I remember days would go by when I would not spend time in the Word of God (and still do). I remember times dropping exhausted into bed at the end of the day and whispering a prayer, not finishing it because I had fallen asleep.

I also remember speakers and friends who put me to shame because I wasn't having a quiet time and instead of motivating me, I felt guilty. Who was I that I couldn't find time to worship the very God who created me and loved me and sent His son to die for me? I also remember the sweet times when I would hold my baby girl and sing hymns and pray her to sleep. I remember times when I was able to pray with our girls and show them that Jesus cares about every aspect of their lives. I remember the sweet Spirit that would fill the nursery when I rocked them to sleep and I still felt guilty.

Two weeks ago, we met and we will meet again today. I have heard from several of them. Potty training, illness, the busyness of life has made it difficult for these moms to connect with God and they desire to do it. I have also heard from one mom who changed kissing the "hurts" away to praying with her child in addition to the kisses. Focus...Fix our eyes on Jesus. Changing our vision from earth to heaven. This morning, we will meet again. God has a work to do in the lives of these moms. He loves them and He also desires to show them on a daily basis that He craves their attention.

My gift...today! Meeting with young women who want to be godly moms. Seeing encouragement change their lives. My gift today...MOPS moms. They are another reminder in my life that He has so many gifts for me and I just have to focus on what they are. Today is like Christmas eve! I know that the gifts that I will get will be fun and exciting. New things always are exciting. Today...God will work in a very special way in the lives of these moms. So, for this gift...I praise Him before He gives it to me...expectation, anticipation...His presence this morning is going to be amazing.