My Compass

While walking on the treadmill this morning, a thought occurred to me. (That is one great thing about the treadmill, it keeps my thoughts and my walk on track.)

So many days I walk through life as I see best. I charge straight ahead without much thought, only to realize later that I'd strayed off my path.

It is like walking in a field or the woods, or some other unfamiliar place. I could look at a compass and set out walking north. If I walked along and later checked the compass, I would probably find that I had veered off my original course, even though I thought I'd walked straight ahead. The next time I consulated the compass, I would probably find that I had done the same thing again, even though I'd made a conscience effort to stay on the path. I'd be leaving a zig-zag trail.

That is how I see my walk through life. Check my compass. Set out walking. Check my compass. Correct my walk. Move ahead. Check my compass. Correct my walk. Move ahead...etc.

That compass in life is God.

If I spend time reading my Bible and praying before I start my day, I have to spend a lot less time redirecting my path that day. My day has direction. It is not a straight path we walk in life. Don't get me wrong, our focus should always be straight ahead; however, we all fail.

My prayer is that all the zigs and zags in my daily walk would always keep me moving toward the Lord. The only one that never fails.

Caleb

Caleb is our other child who has always seemed to know what he wanted to do when he grew up. Caleb plans to be a pastor or missionary. Ever since Caleb was a small child, he has been very outgoing and open with people he meets. People began to notice that he seemed to have a gift of speaking with others, and they told him that he would be a good preacher someday. What those people did not know is that is exactly what Caleb felt called to do.

Caleb is currently helping to lead the junior high class at church on Sunday mornings. He and Moriah help out with our church's Wednesday night kids' program. He also helps lead (along with Moriah and two of their friends) a summer program for kids entering the youth group. In addition, he is also mentoring a younger boy from our church, and meets with him at least once a week.


Numbers 14:24 "Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly."


Caleb speaking with Evangelist Adrian Despres



Caleb is very much like most other teen guys his age.




He loves playing video games...




riding snowmobiles...




joking around...






helping out at church...




hanging out with his friends...




and lifting weights with his dad and buddies.



Caleb is a fine young man, and his momma loves him.

Noah's Arc

Noah is our child that has had ONE interest for as long as I can remember. Even as a toddler he was fascinated with anything electrical. As responsible parents, we tried to keep him away from such dangers. We soon found out is was a lost cause. That is all he thinks about in his spare time (and even while he is supposed to be getting his school work done). It is the "thing" that all his extra money (birthday money, money he's earned, etc.) goes towards. It is the thing he wakes up thinking about. It is just his thing.

Noah plans to name his future business "Noah's Arc." That is not a typo. Think wires shorting out, rather than a big boat. He is sure that he wants a career in electronics or residential electricity. He has made many friends in both fields that are a great source of information and advice for him. He is friends with our county's residential electrical inspector.

Noah loves to take things apart. I've told him, anyone can take something apart, I'm impressed only if he puts them back together (and it works). He has assisted a parent or handled entirely the repair or replacement of: our sump pump, dishwasher, garbage disposal, ice maker fill valve, dryer, Kitchenaid mixer, and light fixtures (I'm sure I've forgotten something). He's pretty handy to have around.

I have told Noah that God has gifted him in this area for a reason, and for His propose. Who knows where the future will take him. He knows that there are many villages in Guatemala or Mexico or another continent where the people are living without electricity. What opportunity.

Genesis 6:8 "Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord."




Noah received a hydrogen car for CHRISTmas. It literally runs on water. It is pretty cool.




He also received a "Learning Lab" from Radio Shack (His favorite store. The employees know him when he walks into the local store, and want to know what he is working on now). It has provided HOURS of experimenting, building circuits.



Noah's latest thing is his "Basic Stamp Kit." (Thanks Uncle Les for introducing him to Basic Stamp!) He has been using his computer to program different circuits on the stamp. He just added the LCD display. He loves it!







The LCD says it all. Noah program-med the message. No one was insulting him.

He's a proud "geek". His mom's proud, too.

We have so much to be thankful for

After complaining a bit Tuesday. This puts everything in perspective.

Meditate on These Things

Okay, I'll admit it. I've been a bit discouraged lately. Not depressed, but just a bit distracted. Discouraged about the declining value of our house, the fact that we could not sell it if we needed to relocate, whether my husband will have a job the next time there are cut-backs at his job, the current leadership of our nation, the declining morals of our society...even the lack of opportunities to snowmobile this winter :)

This morning I was reading in my Bible:

Philippians 4
8. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
9. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me (Paul), or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
11. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
12. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

My goal for today is to keep my focus, my meditations, on the "true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy" rather than the daily distractions.

Memory Lane Monday

8 is enough. This is Beth and her brothers...just a few years ago.

(I think you can figure out which one is Beth.)

Eric's family Christmas with his Grandpa and Grandma, and all his cousins.

Eric is second from the right.

Fun Foto Friday

Every girl's excited about a gift!

Any questions?

This was from VBS 2007 "Avalanche Ranch" ... "Cowgirl Rachel"

Our CHRISTmas tree hunting expedition...this year...at Lowes.
Not exactly the typical trip to the woods.