Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!!!
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Grandpa!! I love and miss you sooo much!! I love that you comment on my blog. THANK YOU sooo much!!! Thank you for being the best grandpa ever! Can't wait to see you again!! :-(But I suppose I will have to :) Here's sending birthday wishes your way!! Did I mention I can't wait to see you again? :D

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((HUG))

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

The Widow's Offering

Luke 21:1-4

As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

"We ought, once and for all, heartily to put our whole trust in God

and make a total surrender of ourselves to Him."

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The Practice of the Presence of God

Pictures from the lock-in!

The lock-in was fun, but very, very, extremely tiring!!

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The line-up.

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Pillow fight!!

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Their source of energy!! :D

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Notice another source of 'energy' in the background?!! :D

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A fun game where Trisha and I got to say (okay, yell :)) the wrong directions.

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To see more pictures of the lock-in, go to: http://209.243.19.90/pics/Lockins/2_24_07/web/index.html.

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By the way, school wasn't cancelled! :( what a shocker! :) Balderdash!

Snow!!

It snowed today and last night. It is quite an adventure to go from building to building! Maybe they will cancel school tomorrow... doubt it, but I can pray about it, right?! :D Oh, I am so anxious for spring!!!! [sigh]

Church Lock-in

My friend Trisha and I helped out at a lock-in at a church in town Friday night/Saturday morning. The kids were 6th to 8th graders. We played sardines and we had never been in the church, so we didn't know where we were going and bumped into quite a few things!! :D We also played mafia (so much fun!!) and, of course, we ate food. We also had a couple Bible study sessions.
We fell asleep during the movie around 5:30 (a.m.!!!) and were up around 6:30. So, needless to say, I am so tired!!!!!!!!!!! We got back to our rooms around 8:15 and crashed!!!!!!!!! I slept until 11:30 (?) and did some homework (and fell asleep doing some of it! :). And now I am going to eat supper! Adios! (I can hardly wait until bedtime!! :)))

The Good Life

Another Jesus Freak Friday! The following excerpt was taken from "Live Like a Jesus Freak."

Everybody wants a good life. We even joke about living "the good life." But Jesus promised His followers not necessarily a good life, but an abundant life. Webster’s defines abundant as "more than enough; amply sufficient; bountiful." Translated into Jesus Freak terminology, that means God promises to give us not only everything we truly need but also an endless well of peace and joy to draw from. If you are a Jesus Freak, the life God has planned for you goes beyond even your wildest dreams. He wants to take you on a wild ride that centers on trusting Him, obeying Him, and following His lead. What will it cost you? Everything—your heart, your time, your willingness, your money, your reputation, maybe even your life. But remember: In exchange for "losing your life," you get a major upgrade. You gain His peace, His joy, His supernatural power, His perfect plan here and now, and a never-ending future with Him in heaven.

Jesus knew when the time had come for Him to die. During one of His last conversations on earth, He told His disciples:

"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

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John 14:25-27,15:9-13

40 dumb things

Hey you! Yes, you!! Go over to Trisha's blog, A Blog!!! Especially if you want a good laugh!! She did a "40 dumb things about me," too!! Now stop reading this and go!!!!!!!!!

Psalm 113:3

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised.

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Psalm 113:3

Forty "Dumb" Things About Myself!

Rachel had one of these one her blog, This One Thing I Do, and I thought it would be fun to do it too! Here goes nothing:

1. FIRST NAME? Megan (Talk about giving my brain a workout! :)

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My middle name is Margaret (after my grandma and my mom just liked the name Megan and I a pretty sure that there are some other people with the same last name...for example, half the community of Lehr :)

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Nope! Unless I am typing. (Praise the Lord for the backspace key!! :)

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Unspoiled.

5. KIDS? Are so cute and funny!

6. WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I am not sure. Sometimes I annoy myself! I hope I would, but I guess I will never know!

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Nope! I am terrible at writing in journals. The closest I come to writing in a journal is my blog, which I love! Kind of weird. Maybe it is because I can post pictures.

8. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? No! Of course not! (Just ask my mom, friends, or anyone that's met me! :)))

9. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yup! Unless someone took them out in my sleep! (Which would probably be very hard! :)

10. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No way! Not if my life depended on it! Of course, I don't see how bungee jumping could possibly save my life! I would proabably scare myself to death, literally! :)

11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I don't know, maybe Honey Nut Cheerios.

12. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? I usually just slip them on--probably shouldn't, but I do.

13. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? No way! I am just barely strong enough to get myself out of bed in the morning! :)

14. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Anything chocolate! Or cookie dough. Or cheesecake. You know, I am going to get my freshman 100, not freshman 15!!! :D

15. SHOE SIZE? 10, kind of annoying because they don't always have a wide selection! :(

16. RED OR PINK? Pink, don't know why. But if you get to know me, you learn to not to question me, you learn that I have absolutely no reason behind my answers! :D

17. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Oh, where do I begin!!? I am about the weakest person on the planet!, I am always way to sarcastic, too silly for my own good, I type terribly, I procrastinate a lot, and a zillion other things. Really, it is exactly a zillion. I counted every single one! I just didn't want to bore you. Wait is that sarcasm?! I really need to work on that! But the one thing that I wish I could change the most, would definitely to not be so shy, so I could be able to witness to people. (I really need to work on this.)

18. WHO DO YOU MISS MOST? Why? Am I going somewhere?

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? I am wearing jeans, but hopefully I will be able to wear skirts soon (weather, get warmer, please!).

20. LAST THING YOU ATE? A crisp, delicious, Fuji apple. YUM!!!

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Nothing, but a couple of minutes ago, I was listening to Keith Green and Mark Schultz.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? I really don't have a clue! Oh, wait! Is there a goldfish color? (Story behind that)

23. FAVORITE SMELL? My mom's homemade cooking.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My mom.

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Probably if they are acting like how a Christian should act.

26. FAVORITE DRINK? I was going to say water, but truthfully it is strawberry pop!!! But, when I was little, I was a milkaholic.

27. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Unless shopping counts as a sport, I have nothing to do with them! :)

28. HAIR COLOR? Yes. As matter of fact, it is brown, was a blonde when I was little, so, unfortunately, I still have blonde roots! LOL!!! A couple months ago my friend dyed my hair red for me (don't worry, I gave her my permission! :)

29. EYE COLOR? Yes, I do have an eye color. Blue. Right, Trisha!? :D

30. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No way! I tried them and I always had trouble putting them in-- I lost one and I had to have one of my friends put in the other one, because I couldn't figure out how to do it!! :D Never ever again!

31. FAVORITE FOOD? My mom's homemade food!! And anything chocolate. Or cheesecake! There's that freshman 100! :)

32. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? My favorite "scary" movie is "Arsenic and Old Lace." It is with Cary Grant in the '40s. Okay, it isn't really scary, more of a comedy! I can hardly wait for the happy ending-- Christ's Second Coming!

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Orange, flowery, kind of '70s-ish (I love bargain shopping!! :))

34. HUGS OR KISSES? If you are talking chocolate, both! Probably hugs though. Otherwise, it depends who I am getting them from! For example, I would probably want a hug from a horse rather than a kiss!! :D

35. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Let's see... God's Word, Steadfast in your Word by Martin Luther, Growing Up as a CHristian 101, The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, 128 of the Greatest Bible Stories, Extreme Devotions (VOM), Everyday Blessings by Max Lucado, and Jesus Freaks Volume II... That's all!

36. FAVORITE SOUNDS? My stereo playing contemporary Christian music.

37. THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Hawaii. But I had to miss camp because of it!! I was so bummed! Yeah, my friends were really sympathetic!!! :D

38. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Ummm... I like photography. I don't know if it is a talent, but I like it! Wait, I've got it!!! It is either sarcasm or procrastination! Which do you think is a better one to have?

39. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? May 24, 1988 in the Ashley Hospital. I am sure you have heard of it! :) I was actually supposed to be born in the beginning of May, so when I was born I was quite troublesome! Actually, my grandma caught me not breathing, once! My guardian angel, now in heaven.

40. DO YOU WANT ANYONE ELSE TO ANSWER THESE DUMB QUESTIONS? Yeah, I want to see what answers other people can come up with!! :D

In focus

It took a long time to get this picture into focus. So, I was a little disappointed when I got it developed. I don't know what I was expecting exactly -- maybe I was thinking it was going to be an outstanding picture. It got me thinking, though. As a human, I am always expecting things to be 'bigger and better.' Why is that?!! Does this post make any sense? Sometimes I feel like I am just rambling! :) :(

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Focus on the journey, not the destination.
Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.
~
Greg Anderson

My thrilling weekend at home.

When I go home on the weekends, not much exciting happens. Oh sure, I do my laundry and some homework. Okay, okay, I almost never get homework done. But that is an entirely different story. (Maybe if the label was laziness :) Okay, back to my exciting weekend!
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First (wonderful) surprise was that my cousins Gabe and Shanon came over to our house to visit (on Saturday) along with the cutest kids in the world!! I am not exaggerating at all, at least, not in my opinion. :) So that was really fun! Later, we went out to the puppies in the shop (sorry, I forgot my camera again!) -: When we came back, we discovered we were locked out of our house!!!!! :O That was a first! :D While we were out there (we have a room connecting between our garage and our house), mom put me to work putting away the nativity set. Anybody else still have a few Christmas decorations up?! (You can leave up the Nativity set longer, because the Wise men didn't get to see Jesus until January:) After that, I did my laundry. I know, exciting, right? And, no, the washer didn't blow up, ... my weekend wasn't that exciting or chaotic!
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On Sunday, mom and I went to a Baptist church in Jamestown. (My dad went to our home church and my brothers were at a friend's house) The sermon was really good!! I did a little bit of it on my last post. So that was fun, then we ate at Subway! Then (I always say/type then too often! Arrgh! :), mom dropped me off at school and voila, my weekend was over!!
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Exciting right? Well, to me, it was very exciting!

By the way, the weather is absolutely beautiful today!! Praise the Lord!! It feels like spring!! :)

AMAZING Grace

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....

I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
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T'was Grace that taught
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
the hour I first believed.
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Through many dangers, toils and snares
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far
and Grace will lead us home.
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The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
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When we've been here ten thousand years

bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
then when we've first begun.
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Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

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These wonderful and amazing lyrics were written by John Newton. John Newton went from slave to slavetrader to a gifted songwriter. My mom and I went to a different church today. The wonderful sermon was on grace. The pastor pointed out the line "Saved a wretch like me." He made the comment that many Christians (and non-Christians) don't see ourselves as wretches. Well, if we don't give our lives to Christ, we will be wretches forever!

Grace is amazing! We don't deserve it, God wasn't required to give it. The sermon was so good! Okay, a couple notes from the sermon:

No one is exempt from grace. But, God has provided righteousness by grace apart from human works. (Romans 3:21-27) Everyone needs grace and although some people abuse it it is always available.
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Distinctive marks of grace:

• Grace can be received.
• Grace is a means of salvation.
• Grace is the opposite of works.
• Grace is absolutely free.
• Grace sets Christianity apart.
• Grace is unaffected by sin's degree.

A "righteous" person needs just as much grace as a condemned criminal.

• Grace is always under attack.
• Grace is amazing and awesome.
• Grace is unconditional.

Let grace into your life:

Admit humanity
Attitude of humility
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Unfortunately, we had to leave early because my mom was singing with the group Alive! at the Jamestown prison today. By the way, pray for that today-- that the prisoners' hearts would be opened and that everyone singing, especially the soloists, would remember all the words. When we were leaving they were showing a video clip, my mom thought it was for the movie, Amazing Grace. Is anybody going to that? (You or someone that you know)

I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I want to be.
I am not what I hope to be. But still, I am not what I used to be.

And by the grace of God, I am what I am.

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John Newton

Psalm 71:3

Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

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Psalm 71:3

Extreme Assassin

Extreme Assassin -- Part Two (sorry, I don't have part one!)
Bangladesh: Andrew


The Muslim leader was shocked to find Andrew, the Christian evangelist, sitting in his living room with his own family, sharing a meal together!

He was shocked because he had recently offered a large reward to have this Christian killed. Now Andrew was in his home telling his own family members about Jesus. “What’s going on here?” he screamed. “What’s this man, this infidel, this enemy of Allah doing in my home?” His daughter-in-law began, “I asked him here because he, his Jesus, has healed your son—my husband.” Her story continued in a rush of words.

“He has been sick for eighteen years, but today this Christian, Andrew came and prayed for him. He laid his hands on him, and now he is well! Jesus has healed him!”

The man saw his son’s excitement as he told how he had felt the sickness leave his body. This was the first time in months that his son had gotten out of bed. For the first time in eighteen years, he felt no pain.

The man’s anger was replaced with a sense of relief and happiness. He didn’t choose to accept Christ that day, but he has become an ally to the Christians in that area and has helped many avoid jail and persecution. The man who once put a contract on Andrew’s head now welcomes him with open arms.

Christianity is a “see-for-yourself” type of experience. When the Muslim father walked into his home, Andrew was not preaching a three-point sermon on the triune God. He was not berating the man’s wife and children for formerly believing in Allah. He was having a meal after praying with the Muslim family. They had an empty sickbed to prove God was real. Likewise, we must remember that God’s truths are self-evident. The pressure is not on us as the messengers, if we will say and do the right things. We do the right thing whenever we proclaim the gospel to others. Jesus will draw their hearts to him. We must let the evidence of Christ’s reality speak for itself.

This excerpt is from the Voice of the Martyr's book Extreme Devotion.

Goldfish

You may have or may not have been wondering why I changed my display name to 'goldfish.' Well, because I felt like changing it. Why goldfish? you may ask. Really, you may! Well, sometimes I have the memory of a goldfish, so one of my friends sort of nicknamed me a goldfish. Actually, sometimes we are both goldfish!, but that is another story!! :D

I'm Not Cool

Scott Krippayne - I'm Not Cool
From the album All Of Me

Some people tell me that I look kind of funny

My nose is red and the braces don't work at all

They say that the clothes I wear are all out of fashion

I don't fit in and should be shopping at a different mall

I studied classical piano

When I could've been playing guitar

I used to drive an el camino

And I'm not even sure it's a car
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Chorus:

I'm not cool but that's okay

My GOD loves me anyway

I'm not cool but that's alright

I'm still precious in His sight

I'm not cool but I don't care

How I'm supposed to do my hair

I'm not cool but that's okay

My GOD loves me anyway

It doesn't matter if I know all the lingo

He doesn't mind if I'm not hanging with a certain crowd

Some people still believe in building an image

But I am finding that's a worry I can do without

I used to wish I was athletic

But football was never my game

I made some friends in mathematics

But no one can spell my last name

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Chorus

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He says that I am one of a kind

And I don't have to try to be someone else

He believes in me and says that I'm free to be myself

I can be myself

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Go to this link to hear (most of) the song: http://www.scottkrippayne.com/music.htm.

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I just love this song!! It's such a fun(ny) song. Isn't it great that we don't have to be "cool" to be precious in His sight!? People usually can spell my name right. Notice I said people and not businesses that send out stuff! :D Anyways, I just like this song alot, what do you think?

A poem

We are all valentines in God's sight,
He loves us every one with all His might,
He's better than chocolates tied with a bow,
He loves his children and lets them know.

Give of yourself to someone today,
It's more lovelier than a bouquet.
Don't wait till another year,
to bring someone you love, a smile, some hope, and cheer.

Mary Eldridge

St. Valentine, the martyr

St. Valentine was a priest near Rome in about the year 270 A.D. At that time the Roman Emperor was imprisoning Christians for not worshipping the Roman gods. During this persecution Valentine was arrested. Some write that he was arrested because he was performing Christian marriages, but others say it was for helping Christians escape prison.

During the trial they asked Valentine what he thought of the Roman gods Jupiter and Mercury. Valentine said they were false gods and that the God that Jesus called Father was the only true God. So the Romans threw him in prison for insulting the gods.

While in prison Valentine continued to minister. He witnessed to the guards. One of the guards was a good man who had adopted a blind girl. He asked Valentine if his God could help his daughter. Valentine prayed and the girl was given her sight. The guard and his whole family, 46 people, believed in Jesus and were baptized. Because these people had come to know Jesus, Valentine praised God right there in his prison cell. When the emperor heard about this he was furious that Valentine was still making converts even in prison, so he had Valentine beheaded.

(This was the closest I could get to a rose)

Valentine knew that he might get caught in his Christian activities. He knew that if he told the court the truth about the Roman gods that he would be thrown in prison. And he knew that if he continued to witness to Christ in the prison he would make his captors angry. But he continued, because he loved the Lord and his fellow humans. He was willing to risk his life to free the prisoners and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to those who needed to hear it.

God showed us this love by coming in Christ to die for our sins. And St. Valentine demonstrated this love when he died for his friends. This is the kind of love that Valentine's Day is really about.

I got the above information at: http://www.just4kidsmagazine.com/stvalentine.html



If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

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I Corinthians 13:1-3

Gentleness

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

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Galatians 5:22-23

Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

~

Max Lucado

North Dakota funnies

I needed a laugh today :-(not the greatest grade on a paper)....

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Be of good cheer!

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John 16:33

If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 18 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by, ..... you might live in North Dakota.

If you're proud that your state makes the national news 96 nights each year because Grand Forks is the coldest spot in the nation, ..... you might live in North Dakota.

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March, .....you might live in North Dakota.

If someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work there, ..... you might live in North Dakota.

If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of his forehead, ..... you might live in North Dakota.

If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time, ..... you might live in North Dakota.

If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, .....you might live in North Dakota.

If you know how to say Bottineau, Burleigh, Monango and Wyndmere, ..... you might live in North Dakota.

If you think that ketchup is a little too spicy, ..... you might live in North Dakota.

If you can't enjoy your patio during the summer for fear that the mosquitoes will carry you away, .....you might live in North Dakota.

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You know you're in North Dakota when:

you wave to someone on the freeway because you recognize the truck.

you can talk about a combine, and people don't wonder what you're putting together.

the car in front of you is weaving, it's more likely to be an old farmer than a drunk.

you define summer as three bad months of sledding.

you have no problem spelling Wahpeton.

people borrow things to you.

you drive to town during a blizzard just to see if the weatherman knew what he was talking about.

You know four seasons, winter, still winter, not winter, and almost winter.

You lie awake at night trying to think of uses for leafy spurge.

You assume everybody has seen the Northern lights and sundogs.

You understand "Yah, You betcha" means either 'I agree', or 'you're full of it', and you can tell the difference.

You can leave your keys in the car, and it's still there when you get back.

The Real Deal

I almost forgot that today is Jesus Freak Friday!!!
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The Real Deal

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Most people have had happy times in their lives. And many would describe themselves as basically happy individuals. But did you know there’s a big difference between happiness and joy? Happiness is a feel-good feeling. It ebbs and flows with the circumstances of our lives. We land that job we’ve been trying so hard for. But then . . . A close friend gets killed by a drunken driver. Often our happiness depends on how we’re treated by those around us. She loves me, she loves me not! He wants me, he wants me not! No wonder happiness is such an elusive thing. Just when we think we have it in our grasp, it slips through our fingers.

Joy, on the other hand, is a deep sense of peace and well-being that lives in our spirit. True joy—the kind that comes only from God—doesn’t come and go. It lodges within us and holds us steady on our course. It’s our "true north" as we navigate through life.

Happiness shows on a face, but joy emanates from the spirit. You can see it in a Jesus Freak’s eyes, since eyes are the window of the soul.

On the night of January 6, 1850, a blizzard hit England, causing a young man named Charles to duck into a tiny church close to his home rather than venture out to the church he usually attended. Inside, a handful of people stood around the stove, huddling close for warmth. A man read from Isaiah 45:22—"Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth"—and the words found their mark on at least one person that night. When the tiny gathering broke up, the young man headed for home, his heart blazing with a strange new fire.

Years later, the young man—now the great preacher Charles Spurgeon—wrote, "As the snow fell on my road home from the little house of prayer, I thought every snowflake talked with me and told of the pardon I had found." When he stepped through the door, his mother saw his countenance and said, "Something wonderful has happened to you!"

Jesus Freaks can’t keep their joy hidden.

You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:14-16

News Article

I found this article on the Wissmanns through Alethia Liberty. However, some names are misspelled!!! Here is the link.

You Might Be From North Dakota if...

I figured that this post would be appropriate for the weather that we are having! :D This is kind of long, but well worth the laughs (whether it is laughing at North Dakota or laughing because it is true, or both)! Feel free to add your own (about any state).

You Might Be From North Dakota...

If you can walk on water without falling in.
If the idea of snow in June doesn't surprise you.
If you remember trick-or-treating in the snow.
If you think a light dusting of snow is anything under three feet.
If you are elated when "spring thaw" happens before June 1st.
If the phrase "a mite brisk (or chilly) outside" refers to a temperature that is ONLY -20.
If you've scraped frozen rain off your car windows with a credit card or spatula.
If you drive your 4x4 around in a blizzard looking for stranded motorists.
If you drive to town during a blizzard just to see if the weather man knows what he's talking about.
If you consider the wind "calm" from 0-15 mph, "kinda breezy" from 15-30 mph, and "kinda windy" for more than 30 mph.
If you consider the temperature "OK" down to -10 F., "kinda chilly" from -10 to -20 F., "chilly" from -20 to -30 F., and "kinda cold" for more than -30 F.
If you've spent the last 15 minutes getting your child dressed to play in the snow only to have him tell you he has to go potty now.
If you design your Halloween costumes to fit over snowmobile suits.
If you know the four seasons--Winter, Still Winter, Not Winter, and Almost Winter.
If you find -40 degrees only a mite chilly.
If somewhere in the state is a piece of frozen metal with bits of your tongue stuck to it.
If snow tires come standard on all your cars.
If you have ever been frostbitten and sunburned in the same week.
If your Easter bonnet had ear flaps.
If you think the first day of winter is the day your tongue first sticks to the clothesline pole.
If you recognize the 4th of July as the only day of the year warm enough to light firecrackers without gloves on.
If you wonder why other parts of the country complain about it being 20 F. in the middle of winter.
If the whole state doesn't shut down the minute there's a foot of snow on the ground.
If you're not afraid to walk across the lake in January.
If the forecast is for 60 mph winds, 3 feet of snow, 60 below wind chills, and the highway is full of people from any small town going to any big city, even if it's 120 miles, just to shop, or for the absolutely necessary reason of attending a basketball tournament.
If you consider any temperature above 32 F. a heat wave.
If your home town has ever had the nation's high and low for the exact same day.
If you take a trip to the deep south and people see your license plate and ask you if you live in an igloo.
If you don't think it's cold unless your eyelashes stick together when you blink.
If you say, "It must be a nice day, it's above zero."
If you check the condition of your winter boots in August.
If when the wind blows 20 miles an hour, it has died down to a breeze.
If you think snow is supposed to fall horizontally.
If you describe July as the worst sledding month.
If when the temperature gets up to 20 degress without wind, you still put on a coat but don't button it and don't bother with the hat or gloves.
If white is the color or your world 6 to 7 months a year.
If there is no question of having a white Christmas; the question is whether you'll have a white Halloween or Easter or even Memorial Day.
If you name blizzards.
If you carry an ice scraper in your car year-round.

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

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Psalm 121

Prayer request

I just read the Wissmann's blog and they just experienced a miracle from the hand of God!! Rachel did a beautiful job posting it. Go to their blog and read it!!

Genesis 2:9

"And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—

trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food."

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Genesis 2:9

Proverbs 22:5

In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares,

but he who guards his soul stays far from them.

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Proverbs 22:5

Three weeks!

More pictures of the puppies!! They are sooo much cuter!!!

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Moon pictures

Okay, last night I was going to attempt to take a picture (well, pictures :) of the moon, but my mom said I could only do that if I took less than five minutes (time it takes to get frost bite!). And I knew I would take longer than that!! So, maybe tonight I can attempt to take a picture of the moon. Notice I said attempt, not take a wonderful picture that isn't blurred! Any suggestions for taking pictures of the moon [Bethany]?

Persecution is a reality

Another Jesus Freak Friday!!

This was posted on the Peresution Blog yesterday:

Persecution is a reality

I read a news article that warned the government in Burma (Myanmar) is trying to abolish Christianity. The article reported that an internal government document laid the foundation for abolishing Christianity and that anyone caught evangelizing would be arrested. The striking thing about this article was the spirit of Christians living under these stringent conditions. They are strong, on fire for God and they continue to spread the gospel.

Just like other restricted nations, Burma gives the impression of freedom of religion, but in practice, Christians are persecuted, churches are shut down and the government restricts the number of Bibles imported. The printing of Bibles and Christian literature is also restricted.

In the midst of the government crackdown, I was blessed to read about believers who are evangelizing, even though it is against the law, visiting Buddhist villages and sharing the love of Jesus. For these precious Christians, persecution is an unavoidable reality. A Christian quoted in the article said, “We will press on despite the risk of hostile crowds or government arrest, but God gives us strength deep inside and boldness to move forward.”
Burmese Christians are an example of the courageous believers who face persecution around the world. Pray God protects them and other believers in restricted nations, and ask Him to show us how we can pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters.

A question

Are you on the right path?