The DWIPS take Las Vegas.....

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Las Vegas Trip in Review

This past weekend, our small group, the DWIPS*, headed for Las Vegas for the Miss America pageant...we had a wonderful weekend. We got there Thursday evening after we ATE...we just explored the Luxor, the MGM, and the Excalabur. *DWIPS stand for Dangerous Women in Progress...we challenge one another to be dangerous in our walk with Christ. The next morning (Friday), after breakfast we set out. We went to MGM, saw the lions, and went to preview and evaluate a TV show...Pam left us and spent time with her brother which was an added bonus for the Las Vegas trip for her. Later that afternoon, after a fabulous lunch at Wolfgang Puck, we headed for the first show...Menopause the Musical. Only 5 ladies who are all in THAT stage could have enjoyed it as much as we did...and did we identify that. It was an early show so we ATE...and headed for the Cirque du Soleil, KA. WOW...the music, the performance...it was great. Late night...and home to bed. Saturday morning we were up and ready to explore more of the strip, eat, and then get dressed and ready for the Miss America Pageant, the reason for the trip. Miss Washington attended our church and was in Barb's small group. She was beautiful and although she did not place or win, we were so proud of her. All of the talent that we saw was good...the girls really do work at this. It was fun watching the live show...and of course, fun to see Clinton Kelley from What Not to Wear. After the pageant, we headed for the Bellagio and ATE. Do you see a pattern here? Sunday morning, we were up and packed and headed for a church in Henderson, Nevada. We came in pulling our suitcases, something that I thought would be normal for the church. Judging from the looks, not so normal! We were able to meet the 2 head pastors (who have done some consulting work with our church in Bellingham). Our dear Pastor Bob had alerted the pastors in Henderson that we were coming and had WARNED them to keep an eye on us...Hmmmmm... Church service was wonderful. I think, after the filth that was evident in LV and on the strip, it felt like a cleansing an a perfect way to end our trip. Overall, we had a great time. We laughed and talked. But we were also so aware of the life that goes on in LV which saddened us. We know we live in a lost world...and LV is called Sin City...and it certainly lives up to it's name. Our hearts cried for the young women, both the "working women" and those who were obviously visiting, who did not realize that they were and are a creation in the image of God. The Henderson Church has impacted the area. Last year 5,000 came to the knowledge of God and committed their lives to Him. In June, 1,400 were baptized over the weekend services. Praise God for the church for they have a vast mission field without leaving their homes. At the airport, we were blessed by meeting Miss America. What a beautiful girl and a sweet spirit. We were all excited to come home and be reunited with our spouses. One by one the spouses showed up...well, after all of them were there, with one exception, I called Steve...his response? I am on my way....True confessions...at 4:10 Steve closed his eyes...and then...fell asleep...woke up when the plane touched the runway so it took a few minutes to get going... The trip was wonderful...but it was good to get home....and to our own beds...and the smoke free environment. Many people, I am sure, do not leave the city of Las Vegas with a heavy heart because of the sin that they know goes on in the city...but...it is truly a mission field in our country.

Psalm 139...in my words

Today I am feeling quite insecure and in that insecurity, I run to the psalms. Psalm 139 has been one of my favorites so decided in my devotions to write it as a prayer from me. So I have taken David's format and used my words...

O Lord, You know me in ways that no human can even conceive. It is only You who know my innermost thoughts and my fears and my insecurities. You give me confidence when I struggle and humility when I become too proud.

You know when I get up in the morning and you know the totality of my day. It is laid out before you like a tapestry, woven with your love and your presence. You know the choices that I will make. You know what I am thinking and everything that I do is familiar to you.

I don't know what I will say, yet, before a word is even formed in my mouth, you know it. Help me realize that you can be the monitor of those words and that I will speak words of your wisdom and not words that destroy and are foolishness to you.

You have surrounded me with your protection. Your hand is upon my life. I can't even fathom the depths of this love and your presence in my life, but I am assured that you are present.

Where can I escape the presence of you, O God? Everywhere I look your presence is evident. If I were to go to the top of the highest mountain and search among the life in a tide pool, your fingerprint is established in those. The sunrise and the sunsets are painted with your brush and the stroke of your hands. From the first flake of snow to the last leaf that falls, your mark is upon my life and it surrounds me. I can count on you to guide me through the seasons of my life and the monotony of my days.

Even when I think of the darkest night in the most remote place in my world that I know, you are there. I cannot hide from you. You have known me from conception. You have known from that very moment what choices I would make. You would know of the choices that I would make and the decisions that would lead away from you. Each and every choice was written in the book of my life that you have for me.

Your thoughts, your Word, and your guidance are more precious than anything that I can conceive. You have given me Words to live by, to agonize over, and to encourage others. It is by your Word that I am sustained. O, God, my Father, my Savior, my Comforter, it is you that I can place my security and my fears. You wrap me in the blanket of your love...

Sometimes you just can't do better than David, for vv. 23-24 say:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts, See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting.

Father, thank you for your words that rush over me and calm me when I seem anxious, comfort me, sustain me. Your Word, O Lord is life to my soul and I want nothing more than you. Amen

A long and beautiful weekend....

Steve had Monday off and so we spent the weekend exploring a couple of places.

On Saturday, I was excited to show Steve the place that we saw all the eagles when everyone was here for Christmas... the trees were thick with eagles...I wondered if it was a gift or if that was where the eagles liked to hang out...well, it was a gift. Although we saw many eagles, they were not thick like they were during our drive on Saturday.

But, when we did see them...we stopped and they posed for a picture or two...

What a blessing for our Christmas visitors that they were able to see that amazing sight.

Since we were on Mount Baker, we headed up to Nooksack Falls. One of the first times that Betsy and Jon came out, Jon taunted Betsy until she followed him up the rocks for quite a ways (if you look at the rocks that are far back in the picture, that is where they had climbed) ... that wouldn't have been possible on Saturday. The stream was roaring...It really was a testimony to the power of God and that just a very small part!

During the "dry" season, the falls usually has only one path...on Saturday, the falls split and roared down to the pond at the bottom of the falls...I never cease to be amazed at the power of waterfalls and I could stand there and watch for such a long time..it is usually Steve who calls me away from them! That is really how we ended our Saturday! Well, we did the usual, we did some errands...but that isn't near as exciting as watching God's wonders of nature.Monday came and it was Martin Luther, Jr. Day.

5 years ago, Steve started work in Bellingham.

Since he had the day off, we headed out for the day...not really knowing where we were going...

Before we left for the day, we went to see a very special lady.

(History: Steve and Carol are brother and sister;

Carol is married to Allan; Elsie is Allan's mom)

Elsie was 102 years old last September...yeah, she doesn't look like it OR act like it. We love visiting her and so we had coffee before we went on our merry way on Monday..

We decided to head for Mount Vernon and exchange a couple of things at the outlet mall. BUT...that didn't mean we had to stay on I-5! We took Chuckanaut Drive. With the road right along the water, around every turn was another view that took your breath away. There were little parks, spots that were photo ops and we took many of the unbeaten paths. Some we had taken before, others were new...it was all beautiful!

We had to stop at the grocery store on our way home and we found our little primroses outside calling to spring...but we had to remind ourselves that it was January 18th.

And then we got home and realized that our tulips and other spring bulbs were up! (okay, so if you look, the weeds are up too....)

5 years...a beautiful weekend...and praises go to our Heavenly Father who chose that we were to move here. Praise Him that we were obedient....

Pray

There are so many areas where our prayers are needed, take some time to pray today

For our country, its leaders, and its direction

For Haiti for the people, the destruction, the help that is needed and for the many children who are now trapped in the country who were waiting to be adopted.

For missionaries who were and are in Haiti

For our troops in harms way in our world

For families torn by multiple addictions which create distance instead of love.

For ourselves and our commitment to doing what is right

For today, God desires that we bow our heads and lift our voices for the multitude of injustices in our world.

God, there is no way that we can even begin to pray for the injustice in our land and in our world. Give us the words to pray and the desire to come to you with our heart-felt needs. Keep us focused on the others in our world and less on ourselves. Humble us, give us a submissive spirit, and drench our world with your presence. In your Son's name, AMEN

More smiles.....

Since I wrote the blog the other day, I have been very aware of what makes me smile so I thought I would add a few:

Blueberries

Raspberry canes in the winter...every field I see, I smile

Sun...just its presence makes me feel happy

Rain...in the NW this is a good thing that I still smile

Mount Baker

My Husband...after 35+ years, I still get excited when he comes home from work or I see him during the day

My daughters' voices when they call me

Betsy's ring tone...okay it is Mazie yelling, "Hi Nana. Hi Ampa. I wuv you. Bye" But right before she speaks, Betsy says, "Go" I love it. I always let it go through the entire "ring" before I answer - no matter WHERE I am.

Talking to my grandchildren on the phone and watching their serious portrayal of Mary and Joseph...

Skype

Talking to my sister with Skype and checking her kitchen counter each time...

Meeting with God in the early morning

My alarm...especially when there is a song that reverberates in my soul and carries me through the day

Friends...new and old

A clean house...especially if it is arranged differently.

Surprises...of any kind

Chats with friends

hugs

But last night we had our monthly refuge service (our communion service for our church) and what I saw there, made me smile through tears. Men kneeling at the cross, humbled and seeking Him and His presence, taking communion.

What makes you smile?

Today, I began my day with that question on my mind. So, I had the whole day to think about it. So I began my day at a meeting, then went to spend a couple of hours with some fun ladies...MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). I loved being there. I am there to encourage them that there is life after toddlers. I was excited to share that I did have 2 toddlers...but they were my grandchildren. And they make me smile!!!

This little guy and the rubber band make me smile. After Mazie and Simon have come to spend time with us, I usually find these hair bands all over the house...and each time I see one, I smile.

Mr. Squiggles, this Christmas's hottest toy, was lost this Christmas. Well, personally, I think he ran away...I found him yesterday under the laundry room sink and behind the garbage can. Let me tell you, he makes me smile because I knew that when Simon found out Mr. Squiggles was found, he would be happy...so I smile.

This morning this was all started when my alarm went off and the song, "I can only imaging" was playing. The thought of standing before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Creator and sustainer of all...I thought...what makes Him smile? I know what makes me smile, all day I was aware of things that make me smile. Text messages, people, friends, phone calls...but what does He smile about in my life?

Then I realized that even if He never smiled at me because of something I have done or said*; what He did when He sent His son to die on the cross was enough. It is enough that Jesus died for me. It is enough that because of that selfless act of love, I am forgiven. It is enough that He has given me His Word to guide my days and to quiet my fears at night. It is enough...

*I do believe that He smiles at us...and maybe sometimes He cries!

When do you smile? Have you ever wondered and were aware of it for a day? Now, when do you think God smiles at you?