What our life has been like...Part 1

I must say that I was surprised to receive so many comments on my last post, thank you all so much!

The Lord has been so good to us, He is faithful in all things just as He promises in His word. Patrick lost his job about a month before our wedding and has not been able to find a good steady job since, yet the Lord is our provider and He has never failed us. Time and again we have wondered how He would provide for our next need only to see His hand move in a mighty way. Our dear Heavenly Father is taking us through a trial of faith that we might be more conformed to the image of His son, Jesus Christ. What a wonderful thing to know that whatever He takes us through it is that we might be more like Him for His glory, this is the joy of our journey.

 O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer;
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I'll forfeit all of earth's treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee!
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
  Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

O to be like Thee! full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand'ring sinners to find.

O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer, others to save.

Our Lord has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us, we are His children and the sheep of His pasture, He cares, oh so tenderly He cares for His own. When I have times of doubt the Lord points me back to Matthew chapter six. What comfort is to be found in those precious words of our Lord Jesus!

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek;) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matt. 6:31-33)

We took a trip up to Wisconsin in June to get my dog Abby and some of my things as well as visit with the family. 

 It was wonderful to see everyone again!

We brought back tomato and pepper plants that I had started back in April, which we were able to plant along with beans and a few other things. It was a smaller garden, but a great blessing. It is so much fun to work the soil and care for the plants, then later to harvest and can. This time was especially fun as I worked alongside my husband! 

 We had to harvest the tomatoes while they were yet green because of caterpillars attacking them.

There are no words to explain the blessing and joy of having a godly, loving husband! When I think back over all the years that I prayed for him, hoping that he existed, I can see so clearly now how the Lord was answering those prayers. I used to think that maybe I was asking too much when I told the Lord what kind of a man I wanted for my husband. I thought maybe I would have to settle for less than what I prayed for, then after more prayer I realized that I did not want to marry a man who was not what I was asking for. So I began to think that I would never get married, since it seemed impossible that such a wonderful, godly young man existed. Please allow me to tell you that the Lord answered far above what I could ask or think! Patrick is so much more than what I asked for, daily I am brought before the Lord with thanksgiving for creating me for such a wonderful man!

Wedding

Wow, it has been a long time since I have updated my blog! It seems hard to believe that Patrick and I have been married for almost six months now! We are joyfully looking forward to the arrival of our little one who is due March 10^th! I am guessing that I have lost most of my readers, but I will go ahead and write a few posts to update everyone on what our life has been like up to this point. The Lord has greatly blessed me with a wonderful, godly young man as my husband. I never imagined that such a sweet and kind, compassionate man even existed, much less that I would be his privileged help meet. I am so very thankful to the Lord for teaching me to wait for the right man, the man for whom I was created. I cannot describe the joy it is to serve the Lord by serving my husband! Yes, there are difficult times and yes, we must deny our selves, but what a wonderful thing it is to know that God is using it to conform us more into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

We were married May 29^th 2010 in a beautiful outdoors setting in Ohio. The Lord blessed us with many people who poured themselves into helping set up, prepare the food and numberless other things. One friend made all of my bouquets (except for the bridal as that was real). Friends and family traveled from all over to bless us with their presence, it was a joyful time of celebration of what the Lord has done. Our ceremony was different than the traditional since we wanted it to be a symbol of that great day when Christ will come for His bride. We asked our preacher, Cal, to preach the gospel clearly and to explain to everyone gathered why we did things the way we did. The processional of Bridesmaids/Groomsmen Ring bearers and Flower girls walked to the tune “I Come to The Garden” .  Then, before Patrick made his appearance, both my parents walked me down to the tune of “Be Thou My Vision” , my Dad removed my veil and my Mom and I sang “Be Thou My Vision”. Then the bagpipes started up and everyone turned to a balcony from which Patrick and both his parents descended. Our parents greeted one another, then all but my Father stepped away. We stood on either side of him and he held our hands as he spoke some words of wisdom to us and told everyone how thankful he was to be entrusting his daughter to this man. Then he placed our hands together, the first time we had ever held hands, oh what joy!!! Cal then preached and we said our vows which we had written ourselves, exchanged rings, then gave to each other our first kiss. What a blessing it was to have saved that for my husband and to know that he saved his for me! 

 After pictures we had a time of fellowship, visiting and eating. We were so blessed by the people who came to show us their love. The Lord is good!!!

Here are some pictures: 

 

My Patrick :)

 What a joy to be his bride!

 Patrick and his parents

 My dear Momma and I

My dear Daddy and I

 My flower girls and I

 The girls :)

 The guys :)

Kristofer my nephew was also a ring bearer, but was unable to make it to the pictures.

 Bride and parents

 Groom and parents

 Family greetings

 Holding hands for the first time!!!

 Exchanging rings

 First kiss!!!!

Mr. and Mrs.! 

Bubbles!

 

Cutting the beautiful cake that my new mother-in-love made

 

 The wedding party with parents

Happily married!

Thoughts on Exodus

Patrick and I have been reading through Exodus and as we read through the law (in the last part of Exodus) that God gave to Moses, there are some interesting things that stand out...

We noticed that God's laws are direct instructions of how to live, down to the minutest detail. He did not just tell Moses, "Make a tabernacle, make an alter, offer sacrifices", He gave specific directions. With what metals to make exact utensils, what wood to use and what size boards of a certain number for the ark of the covenant. What kind and color of cloth with an exact number of
gems for the priests garments. What type of animals and grain to offer, and how to cut, wash, separate, and what parts to burn, what parts to eat, and what parts to cast without the camp. At that time Moses and the children of Israel obeyed the Lord and did all according "as the Lord commanded Moses." They did not question God's wisdom in using a vast amount of gold and silver to build His tabernacle, instead they gave willingly of what they had until they had to be restrained from bringing any more gifts. They found joy in obeying the Lord.

This makes me think of my life. Do I find joy in obeying the Lord my God? Are His commands precious to me? God has given us very specific commands for this life... we are told: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15) Have you thought about this? I mean Really thought about it. What does it mean to love the world? Some things come to mind immediately...immorality, profanity, idolatry, just godlessness in general. Of course these things are of the world and we should not love them, but does it stop there? How far does God take this? To the tiny details? I think so.

"I will set no wicked thing before my eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me." (Psalms 101:3) Do you love to watch TV, movies, play video games? Are you aware of the filth that you are allowing to come into your eyes, mind and heart? OK lets just say that you are very careful and only watch good movies without offensive scenes and language, or violence. Why do you watch it? To glorify God? That is the reason He gave you breath today, that should be our reason for living. It should motivate everything that we do. "For my own sake, even for my own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be profaned? and I will not give my glory unto another." (Isaiah 48:11)

We should ask ourselves, "Where is my heart?" We can find that out by asking "where is my treasure?" "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21) What do you think about all day long? Seriously consider that one. Because... "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts." (Psalms 10:4) Is God in all your thoughts? Do you find your thoughts soaring to Him throughout the day? Some would say, "you have to be able to think about other things, there is work to do." Yes, and no. Of course there are tasks that take concentration and there are things to think through, but in what context are those thoughts? Are you abiding in Christ? "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." (John 15:4) It is a moment by moment thing, abide in Christ. Rest in Him. "Pray without ceasing." (1Thessalonians 5:17)

What other worldly things can we think of that we may find ourselves loving and not realize the danger? The list can be pretty big. I pray that the Lord will reveal those things to me in my life, help me compare my life to His Word and make me sensitive to His voice. I want to follow Jesus...and he, "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;" (Hebrews 5:8) Jesus obeyed to the tiniest detail, He offered Himself willingly until it was enough. He tells us..."If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. (John 15:18)

Do you enjoy and are you entertained by the things that nailed Jesus to the tree?

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he who has called you is holy, so be holy in all manner of conduct; Because it is written, You will be holy; for I am holy. And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your exile here in fear: Since you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain manner of life received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1 Peter 1:13-21)

Announcing a Courtship!!!

On January 20th, 2010 my Dad gave Patrick permission to court me! What a day of rejoicing that was, and every day following continues to be!

L-R: Leah, Patrick, Michael

Leah, Michael, Patrick

Patrick

My brother Michael and I met Patrick on our mission trip to Las Vegas in July, but we barely got to know him. Later on, my Mom, Michael and I joined the social network called, Facebook, to keep in touch with friends and family. Soon we had friend requests from Patrick. It did not take long before we began to notice his love for the Lord Jesus in his posts and comments, it was refreshing to meet a believer who sought the Lord with all his heart. Over the chat we all became good friends and had wonderful times of fellowship encouraging each other in the Lord. From time to time Patrick would call to talk with Michael, and eventually the calls became more frequent. In time he made plans to visit us, and finally made his way up from Ohio to meet the family. And the rest, as they say...is history! Someday I am sure I will share more details....but now you all know why I have been quite absent from this blog. I had a good reason this time! :)

I am very blessed to be courted by such a godly young man! His fervent love for Jesus is very evident in his walk and talk. The Lord is so good, and His mercies are beyond comprehension!

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Praise the Lord for His wonderful works among the children of men!!!

Radio Station in Duluth Bans Pro-Life Van

Radio Station in Duluth Bans Pro-Life Van from Parking Lot By Jim Tuttle

A local "christian" radio station in Duluth MN has told us that we cannot park our Pro-Life van in their parking lot because they do not want to be associated with what we do in front of planned parenthood. Please take the time to read this article by Pastor Tuttle, then contact the station manager. Please note: the station manager has claimed that he is receiving many hateful and unkind phone calls so please be as respectful as possible when you call. Thank you!

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I have very sad news to share. A local Christian radio
station’s new manager, Scott Michaels, has banned my pro-life
van from its parking lot because our weekly ministry to expose
Planned Parenthood’s wicked practices is too controversial and
threatens the radio station’s ministry.
For the last several years we have parked in KDNW’s
parking lot. Then we walked up to PP’s location, using signs to
expose what it does. Up until now, the radio station stood with us
in the battle. But now, all that has changed. The new manager
called me to his office only five days after he started in his new
position. (I must have been a very high priority on his list of first
things to do.) In the brief meeting we exchanged our ideas about
Christian ministry. But he held firm, not wanting to be identified
with what we do at PP.
After this meeting I called on my pastor, Duncan Ross,
and asked for his evaluation about our ministry to make sure I
had not missed something. Mount of Olives Church and Pastor
Duncan have always stood with me. In that meeting Pastor as-
sured me that I was on biblical grounds exposing PP in the man-
ner in which we do. I then asked him to come with me to make
another appeal for the use of KDNW’s parking lot. He agreed.
But Scott Michaels was not willing to meet with Pastor and me. It
is only a minor inconvenience for me to find someplace else to
park but the loss of KDNW’s partnership grieves me.
We are in a battle for the lives of unborn children—
God’s Heritage. To ignore this reality is to ignore the admonition
of Scripture. Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say,
"Behold, we did not know this," does not he who weighs the heart
perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,
and will he not repay man according to his work?
(Proverbs 24:11-12)
I am not asking my brother to stand out on the sidewalk
with me, nor am I asking for air time. (Although this would not
be an unreasonable request considering the enormity of PP’s sin-
ful practices). I just ask that he be willing to show his support to
this ministry by allowing us to park in his parking lot. And, yes,
he would have to defend what we do to a few angry people who
may call from time to time. Is this too much to ask considering
the river of innocent blood and sexual wickedness that flows out
of Planned Parenthood nationwide?
You may wonder about his reasons for his actions.
When I asked him if I could quote him, he said, “No, I do not
want you to represent my position.” So let me paraphrase—he
wants to reach people with a positive message. He doesn’t want
to risk the radio station’s reputation with a protest. He wants to
build a relationship with the lost and draw them to
Christ. And I think he wants to get the radio station on
better financial ground with these new listeners. He
said in an e-mail to me, “As I communicated during
our meeting, I cannot allow the brand and reach of the
radio station to be hurt in any way by the actions of
another ministry.”
Tragically, he is willing to live with the ugly
reality of slain children and Planned Parenthood’s vile practices in
his quest to strengthen KDNW’s role in the Christian community.
To be fair to Mr. Michaels, he did tell me that he was pro-
life. (I am sure that the millions that have been aborted and the mil-
lions that will be aborted will find great comfort in this fact.)
Potentially the radio station could have a profound impact
for good against those that hate righteousness and love death. But
as it stands now—it is silent no matter how vast the coverage. I be-
lieve God is looking for the Daniels and Esthers of our generation
to make their stand, to raise their voices, to run to the roar as
David’s men did.
Call, write, or e-mail Scott Michaels and
respectfully let him know what you think. His e-mail
address is smichaels@nwc.edu or call at 218-722-6700. Write to:
KDNW,
1101 East Central Entrance, Duluth, MN 55811

This is the van that was "banned" by Scott Michaels from KDNW's parking lot

This article is posted with the permission of Jim Tuttle.