10,000 reasons to praise the Lord

A few weeks ago....

Wacky Wednesday:Mom and Pop Business

National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day

Date When Celebrated : Always March 29

National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day celebrates small business owners. These individuals spend countless hours nurturing and growing their young enterprises. The workload demands, and lack of a hired staff, often translates into long and late hours, and many missed family and personal events. But, all in all, they love what they do. After all, they are their own boss.

New businesses have always been a vital, yet not fully appreciated, part of the U.S. economy. On they retail side, they bring different and unique products to the marketplace. They provide stellar and personal service support. When you call, you are more likely to get a real, live person. And unlike big national chains, they know their products. They are outstanding performers in niche markets. In manufacturing, they create many new concepts and ideas, making them creators of new products.

Origin of "National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day":

 According to the son of the "mom and pop" this day was created for:

" This holiday was created to honor the business that my parents started on 3/29/39 in Everett , MA —a hat shop called Ruth’s. It later developed into a woman’s specialty clothing store and moved to Medford , MA , increasing in size to 10,000 square feet with over $2 million dollars revenue until it closed in 1997."  

Rick Segel, Poinciana, FL 34759

(http://www.holidayinsights.com/)

Looking Back:Unexpected

I wrote this 2013. Unexpected

O Danny Boy On Pipes

Open my eyes of my heart

This young autistic boy already can see our Lord through  his heart.  Wow, if we can just put our self where he is, Lord, give me the faith of a child.

Guest Post- Sierra Sletmoe

                                                                                              

 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven.....

 Revelation 4:1

                                         

 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne     

 was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

Revelation 4:2

And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and sardine stone:

and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight 

like unto an emerald. Revelation 4:3

                                     

And round about the throne were four and twenty seats:

and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders 

sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they

had on their heads crowns of gold.

Revelation 4:4

And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings

and voices.....

 Revelation 4:5

I Hope You Enjoyed My Blog Post!

Having fun in Portland Mid Winter Meetings

For the first time in 12-13 years ...

thankful my cat has 9 lives

Don't get me wrong, I love my cat but.....

Wacky Wednesday: Good off Day

Date When Celebrated : Always March 22

Now here's a day that just about everybody can relax and enjoy. It's a day to do anything and everything.....except what you're supposed to do today.

Origin of National Goof Off Day:

Monica "Moeller" Dufour of Davison Mi. and her grandfather created this special day. Here's what she told us:

"My Grandfather, William D. Chase, created Chases' Calendar. When I was 10, (1976) I was listening to him speaking on a radio station encouraging people to call with ideas. I disguised my voice and called with Goof-Off Day (since I was goofing off by calling in). He said there wasn't such a day, but he thought it was a great idea. The next day, I confessed to him I called in about Goof-Off Day. He smiled, and showed me a local newspaper that said there was a need for a Goof-Off Day. I guess the reporter got wind of the interview. Anyway, that is how the holiday began...."

We could find no information to suggest that this day is truly a "National" day. We did find references to this day as International Goof Off  Day (on the same date). Again, there are no known records making it official. (ww.holidayinsights.com/) 

I like the Idea, Don't you?

Looking Back: Women Retreat

When I knew we were moving,

Musical Monday

Its past St. Patrick's day

I Hear The Chains Breaking

In 1995 my husband and I went to Newfoundland Canada.  We spent a month visiting our churches on the island. We were able to put new carpet in a new dedicated church in South brook.  It was a exciting time.  We enjoyed meeting new friends.  Eating new recipes.  I loved the singing in the church services. The chorus's were new to us. Sometimes we would repeat the song many times, clapping our hands. You could feel and see the joy of serving the Lord.

One of the songs we learned went like this:

       I hear the breaking of chains. Jesus you've done it again. Hallelujah !

I love this song.  Until a person comes to the Lord, Satan has chains wrapped around us.  He has many chains.  He doesn't use just one kind of chains. He has chains of hatred, bitterness and anger. He has chains of habits... the list goes on.
We can try to break the chains on our own. We are helpless against a power bigger than us. The chains just simply wrap tighter and tighter.

In Isaiah 55:6 we are told:
 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

When we come to the Lord surrendering those chains that bind and tie us down, we find a power still bigger.  We find a friend who wants us to succeed. A friend who gives us the power to leave those chains broken and gone. 

In  Revelation 3:20 we are reminded:

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Jesus is waiting to break those chains, come today... He is waiting to help.

Guest Post-Shells Sletmoe

Tuesday Tidings: Me and The Little Stream...

Hi, this is Tuesday Tidings by Shells

Today I am going tell you a story about how I was supposed to play in the snow...but I fell in a little stream...

So..last month we got some a lot of snow. Our papa asked our mom if we could go to our grandma's house. And mom said, "Yes!" So we went.

We (Sierra and I) slid down a small hill or two. And we had a lot of fun!!! And here is the water part...

We were sliding down a hill close to a small stream.

Sierra was pulling me, and I was
riding.Sierra turned too fast accidentally and I went straight into the little stream!

So I guess you know what happened next....I went inside! Well... that was that.I stayed inside almost the rest of the afternoon. I went outside again towards time to leave.
But I sill had fun!

Well I think that is all...

goodbye for now!

p.s. Here are some pics.

Enjoy!!!

Happy St Patrick's Day

“There are only two kinds of people in the world, The Irish and those who wish they were.”(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/17/irish-sayings-25)

Walking With The Lord

This afternoon

Wacky Wednesday: Dumbstruck Day

Dumbstruck Day

Date When Celebrated : Always March 15

Dumbstruck Day is a day to be totally dumbstruck over the things you see, hear and read. You may easily be dumbstruck to read that someone created this special day. Some people are dumbstruck on a regular basis, day in and day out. The events in their lives and the world around them are overwhelming. Fortunately, that's not you (we hope).

However, everyone has their chance to be dumbstruck once in a while. If you are normally embarrassed to be dumbstruck, then today is truely a special day. Today, you can be dumbstruck like the rest of us without guilt or embarrassment.

Origin of "Dumbstruck Day":

We are totally dumbstruck that no one has stepped forward and claimed to be the creator of this day.(http://www.holidayinsights.com)

Looking Back; Kenz 13 Birthday Visit

When we lived  back in Wisconsin

Musical Monday: Jesus Take the wheel

I love this song mainly because I am so thankful I asked Jesus take the wheel in my life.  It has made the difference in my life.I wake up to the song on my alarm. I want to remember to let my Heavenly Father be in charge of my day.

Covered Bridges

A covered bridge is a timber-truss bridge with a roof and siding which, in most covered bridges, create an almost complete enclosure.^[1] The purpose of the covering is to protect the wooden structural members from the weather. Uncovered wooden bridges have a lifespan of only 10 to 15 years because of the effects of rain and sun.^[2]

Bridges having covers for reasons other than protecting wood trusses, such as for protecting pedestrians and keeping horses from shying away from water, are also sometimes called covered bridges.(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covered_bridge)

I Have always been drawn to covered bridges,  It takes me back in history when time was so much slower. We still have some in Oregon and I do enjoy seeing them once again.  Today John and I went out to the old mining  town of Golden. Got a picture of a covered bridge near by.

After spending 10 years on a school bus with John, I miss going on rides. I now go out the door to my job and He goes out the door to his job. Today, We both had the day off, so we went for a drive.

Guest Post Heidi Sletmoe

Blast From The Crazy Past- My Brother...

Welcome to memories...my memories....welcome to a Blast from my Crazy Past!

I only have one sibling...

I was blessed to have have a baby brother come along right before my 2nd birthday. I have no memories of when we were tiny like the picture seen here. However, I have fond memories of loving my brother with everything in me.

We didn't always get along growing up. He was always
accusing me of being his mother. Looking back, I probably
"mothered" him too much. It's in my blood. My husband Peter says that I can't help but mother anything that comes along, that I was born with more mothering instinct than most women. And.....he's probably right. And maybe it started with my baby brother. I mean, look at how cute he is in this picture!

Some of my memories involve us sleeping out in a tent all summer long, talking about what we were going to do when we grew up.

As we got older, we got closer. When I turned 16, he decided that I was no longer the annoying older sister and rather someone that could take him places and get him out of the house. I will never forget the time we were driving along in my beat-up truck and he said, "Heidi, if I have to drive around with you, there has to be a decent stereo to listen to."
Since he didn't have his license yet and more money to spend than I had, he equipped my truck with a sound systm that pretty much shattered windows from a block away!

Another thing when we were teenagers was that he wouldn't tell me if I looked good in something, instead he would tell me if I didn't look good in something. For instance, I once got a new skirt and showed him how it looked. I remember exactly where we were in our old house. He was brushing his teeth in the bathroom with the door open. I walked out of my bedroom and he looked at me and said,"That skirt makes your hips look big." O-kay then....that skirt was given away. The crazy thing is, it probably did. It was when those "broomstick" skirts came out in the 90's. Yeah....not a pretty sight.

When we were teenagers, he became my "big" brother and defended me from some jerks. I remember one time at youth group, this boy Jason wouldn't leave me alone. My brother shoved him up against a wall and gave him what for!

My brother is a very talented piano player. I don't know how he does it....the notes flow from his fingers much like water flows into the ocean. He can spend years away from a piano and as soon as he sits down to play, it's like he never quit. I could quite honestly spend hours listening to him play. Especially when he plays the old hymns that I love so much...

I have enjoyed watching my brother raise his family of kiddos. He's a good dad and he would do anything for his children.

My brother has been through some rough stuff. Things I have not personally dealt with and wouldn't know how to deal with. We have had our moments over the years where we have had a chance to talk and be like those young kids in the tent planning their world.

One time last spring we were going through some tough things with our foster son that we had at the time. I will never forget my brother calling me and letting me know that he loved me and was praying for me. Those words meant more to me than all the words a million other people could have said to me...

One thing I absolutely treasure today is when my little brother gives me one of his bear hugs. Sometimes I miss when we were kids and would talk for hours about how we were going to change the world....we were two innocent kids....planning out our future with no ideas on where we would be 25 years later...

John....I love you more than words can say....you're my only brother....my only sibling...I don't know how long I will have in this world...whether the Lord calls me home before you or not...but I know one thing...I will always love you and the place you have held in my life....

Your mean bossy sister....
Heidi

Grants Pass Church's 75th anniversary

John and I went out to Golden, Oregon off Coyote

Thankful for God's Plan

I am so thankful for my friend and loving husband.  He is so much fun to be with. Just getting away and having fun doing nothing. This is the most relaxing activity we do.  No plans, no schedules, no deadlines. It doesn't get much better. Well, Heaven would beat it. We love driving, exploring, going down that road less traveled. I love spending time with him.  Having God ,a part of our marriage is what helps strengthen it. This is what puts joy in our relationship.  Sharing the gospel with those we come in contact, is what we love.

Wacky Wednesday : Irish American Month

May the sun always shine on your windowpane,
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain,
May the hand of a friend always be near you,
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you!
-Irish Blessings ( http://irishsayings.net/)

Lookng Back: How Close Can Get??

I originally wrote this in 2014. It was

Musical Mondays: Its About The Cross

Musical Mondays: Who Prayed for me

I love songs about people praying for others.

He Who Dwells In The Secret Place

Happy Sunday, I pray your having a blessed day.  Psalms 91 is my guide in this life we live.  May you be touched by this video

Just A Couple things I love in Oregon.....

Just a couple things, or two or three....

youth Reset

Last Friday we had our bi-weekly youth reset. Sister Emily led us in some lively praise singing followed by Brother Jim and Sister Cheri serving hot dogs and chips,and ice cream.  After our appetites were taken care of, the real fun began. Sister Janie had some group games and not to be done,Pastor John kept the action going,with more games.  Brother Peter led us in a devotional from 2 Corinthians 13, here we learned about the difference  between real love and fake love.

Its a thrill to see everyone enjoying and participating in the games. Hope you enjoy the pictures

Thank You Lord For Everything

God is so good. So many songs go thru my heart when I stand at the ocean, "Our God is a awesome God"," How great Thou art" and my favorite "It Is well with my soul "

John and I were able to go to the coast for a few days.  It was so nice to not have a schedule. Nice to be able to enjoy God's creation. How could anyone say there is no God? I saw his power thru the waves crashing down. I felt the breeze against my face as my Lord gently touch my face.  I saw saw God's creation in the changing of time and seasons as the tides went back and forth.

We are given a free gift, that sometimes we take for granted. The gift of  life, peace and silence. The gift of God.  We can get so busy in this life..... this life God gave us.  We get so busy being busy that we can miss the peace that can be found in silence.  Silence that brings forth the sound of birds, trees rustling in the wind. As we silently use our eyes to see that beautiful sunset break across the sky. Our ears taking in God's creation.  We can see and hear all this when we stop and push away the busyness and focus on our creator.

Stand Up For Pigs

National Pig Day recognizes and gives thanks to domesticated pigs. For some unknown reason, big, pot-bellied pigs seen in zoos, are often the symbol of the day. Pigs are clever and intelligent animals. But, most people are unaware of this high level of intelligence. They can be taught to do tricks. Some people even keep them as pets. Today is a day to give pigs the respect that they deserve.

National Pig day is celebrated by zoos, too. Activities include Snort Offs, Pig Outs, and online Pig Chats. However you choose, do not miss celebrating this day.

Ellen Stanley, a Texas art teacher created National Pig Day in 1972. Her intent was to to recognize and be thankful for pigs as intelligent domestic animals.

There is no evidence to suggest that this is truly a "National" day, which requires an act of congress.(http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/pigday.htm)

Book to read: Three little pigs