Words to a Vacant Blog...

This blog reminds me of my journal. Extremely vacant of entries. Today is a chill day alone at home. It's been two weeks since I've been able to do laundry so that is what is happening.

Church day! I teach junior high sunday school every other month and this is my month. I really love it but struggle with coming up with a lesson that engages them yet leaves them with a very strong message. Todays kids are our future and the world feeds them garbage. I want these kids to know the TRUTH! They are like sponges. Today's lesson: KNOWING THE ENEMY. A look at who Satan is and how to overcome him.

Our car broke down again. UGH. This is seriously the third time this month. The only positive thing about it is that it is giving William a chance to learn how to fix cars! I was close to my job and suddenly heard a loud clunk from under the car. A chunk of metal flew out and then there was no steering. :(. THANKFULLY I wasn't on the highway and was able to get to the shoulder. I am so GREATLY indebted to all my friends who keep picking us up and taking us place. Geez!

I wish I had more pictures to post but since our camera was stolen from the beach (I hope they can't sleep at night!) there won't be any for awhile.

It has been rainy. We hiked down to Jaws and watched the waves break. Awesomeness! I really can't wait to watch them surf out there. It is complete insanity.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD EMERSON LOREN MILLER!!! BORN DECEMBER 1, 2009 TO CAITLIN AND LAVON MILLER. HE WAS ANXIOUS TO BE BORN AND CAME A WHOLE MONTH EARLY, WEIGHING ONLY 4 1/2 LBS. MOM AND DAD WENT TO COLORADO TO SEE HIM AND HE IS GAINING WEIGHT, NURSING BETTER AND IS REALLY WIGGLY! I CAN'T WAIT TO GO AND HOLD HIM!!!

SMILE DAD!!

THE QUILT MOM MADE FOR EMERSON.

Thanksgiving 09

I decided to have thanksgiving at our house this year. My parent, Nick, Annika and Austin, and Grandma and Dave came. We had to set the table up in the li.ving room. It was squishy, but we managed to fit. There was not a single place left for anyone to sleep.
I love the picture with Austin and the Turkey! He was my helper that morning :/ .
I know that it is already past christmas, but I found a great way to post pictures quickly to my blog...
So I have a lot of catch up blogging to do....

Hey there!

I haven't posted anything for a very long time. I guess I've been so preoccupied
with other things. I have a hard time staying inside when it's been so nice out.

CHURCH
We are hosting church at our house tomorrow since 2 of the larger families in our group are going to Auburn for a baptism. Our house is so tiny, so it is a little bit impractical to have church here. If it's nice out I thought we could go to the park to have lunch.
WEATHER
We have been having alot of afternoon thunderstorms here. Nevada county has warnings for severe weather. I wouldn't mind if it would rain a little here, but PLEASE don't hail! I have been working way to hard in my garden and things are looking sooo nice.

MY BABIES
And my little babies are getting really big. They really are quite intertaining and are getting hard to catch. I let them out in the yard and they just eat bugs and things and sleep under the porch. Recently I needed to leave so into the box they needed to go. I caught all but the biggest one, Howard :). I simply could NOT catch him! Fine! so I left him for a short time seperated from his brother and sisters. When I came back outside he simply waddled up to me as if he were asking to be put into the box with the others! He did not try to run away this time. :) It was very comical.
As many of you know Will and I have not been able to have a baby yet. This has been somewhat of a struggle for me. Oddley, but standing to reason, hatching these little fellow seems to have satisfied that mothering instict in me. I would suggest to anyone who might be struggling with the same thing to try something like this. Maybe it's silly, but it sure has brought me joy!

MOM AND DAD
We also recently went up to Alturas to visit Mom and Dad. Their place is lovely. They work everyday planting trees and adding things out in the yard. Mom recently told me that she got a bike and has been riding it to work. Way to go Mom!!

FRESH FISH AND LES SCHWAB
And William... is fishing. :) It is his new summer obsession. (I am glad)
He found a great fishing hole and has been bringing home loads of fish. I found a great way to cook them. Simply place cleaned fish in a baking dish, add a cup of water, slice some lemons and put them inside the fish with a couple slabs of butter and salt and pepper. Do the same on top, bake at 350 uncovered for 15 minutes and wallah!
Unfortunatly Les Schwab is low on work so they needed to lay the new guy, William off. Thankfully it gives Will a chance to get caught up with his window clients. And he is on call in case they get busy.
I am proud of his accomplishments. The other day a customer called just to thank him for the great job that he did on their windows. This really blessed me.

So that's about it for now... I have been trying to not download my pictures straight onto our computer and need to figure out how to get them on CD. So my apologize for not having to many new pics on. I have so many I'd love to share, but you'll just have to bear with me I guess.

Well, by for now...

Alexis

Another day...

Will and I spent the evening yesterday with his cousin Daniel and girlfriend Taegen. We went to her church at Living Stones in Reno. A converted Muslim man preached about the difference between trying to live our lives to perfection to please God or applying the blood of Jesus' Sacrifice, by faith and being perfect through Him. The muslim faith is about works, but Christianity is about accepting a "work" that was already done for us. The result of accepting this work is a life of love and sacrifice because of what he has done for us... if we love God we will keep his commandments, if we love God we will love the brethren.
We got somethig to eat and had a good time hanging out and getting to know Taegen. She is a very happy, talkative, lovely person. Daniel really lights up around her.
Came home and conked out.
And today.... guess I'll try to bake some cookies - ginger snaps! Don't really know what else I'll do, but am happy for the new day!

A Poem - by Sarah

Wonder

I can’t quite wrap my mind around
The story of creation.
Nor can I comprehend in full
Your wonderful salvation!

Too great for me to understand;
I read your wondrous story.
My God; you are my awesome God!
Died? For me to be set free?

I look at you with endless awe.
My thoughts are admiration.
Oh how can I express my thanks
For your most true creation?

I will live for your glory Lord;
And tell my friends and brothers:
Repent and serve the one true God,
Whose name’s above all others!

Oh, your love is too amazing.
Your love is so eternal.
I could try my utmost – best—
I can’t explain supernal!!!






Sarah Suzanne Greenwood

The Church at Beckwourth - Snapshots

A Letter From Grace!

This is not Alexis! I guess that is a fitting way to start!
This is Grace, I am Alexis' cousin-in-law!
I just uploaded all the new pictures from my computer. BTW Alexis is at my house. I did not somehow get her password and am writing on her blog!
My cousin is William. My mom and his mom are sisters.
Today I baked bread with Alexis, made peanut butter and did lots of laundry!
I don't know why or what else to write, so i will blog off now!
Here is some advice-----be friendly!
love Grace

My Wonderful Friend and Sister-in-Law!!!

Here's to Bonnie! My beautiful friend, Sister in Jesus, sister-in-law, enemy (just kidding) and shopping comrade! My life would be very, very dull without her. After all I wouldn't have anybody to tell me 4 hour dreams, anyone to spaz on me and give me bruises, anyone to read me really long poems about weird things, anyone to tell me all about the boys she likes, or have anyone to shop at night with.

I remember when William and I were dating and I lived with their family. Bonnie and I started out sharing a room and realized that it was not a smart thing to do. I ended up bunking with Bernice on the top bunk in the little girls room since that made for a little more peace and sanity. Boy oh boy am I glad that stage is over. We used to fight soooooo much. I am really glad that we both have matured and are able to be close as sisters now.

She is 17 and I am 26. It's weird to remember when she was a little girl and used to hug me after church. I wonder how the future will be for us? William was married at 18 and Bonnie is only a year away from that. I guess I don't really see that happening anytime soon, but I do hope she finds a great man. Someone who has a lot of time to listen and can put up with being "oodied"! :)

Caitlin...

Well sorry to disappoint every one, but I am NOT pregnant... Yes I have been sick, but only with a weird respiratory thing! But... Caitlin is! This is very exciting, but very scary. She seems to be doing all right and is excited. I told her that she needs to really try to have a positive outlook. I am a believer that how we view things mentally can affect our physical body.
The reason this is such big news to us is that last year, in October, Caitlin gave birth to Gavin, a very small but beautiful little boy. He was too premature to make it through the birth. This was a very sad time for our family. She is not 100% certain as to what caused her to go into labour at 51/2 months, but is going to go to a better doctor. I pray that this pregnancy will go smoothly. So... this is the news. But when I do get pregnant, do know that I will tell... :)

La De Da....

Sure isn't much going on today. I am home and Will went to church. I haven't been feeling the greatest so here I am!
I went to a woman's retreat at the Baptist Station yesterday. Was very enjoyable and I was glad to get to know some other women.
It is raining. I love the rain!
Oh and our turkey started laying eggs... quite a surprise! Not sure what turkey eggs taste like...
And that is about it...

Oh and I do have other news....
But maybe I will wait a few days to write about it.... :) ????

Good Bye Yellow Truck, Good Bye!!!

I am amazed at God's timing in our lives. Today I was just pondering how to pay our 226.00 car insurance payment (don't ask) and a man called who was interested in the junkie yellow truck that is sitting in our yard. Whoopie! They came out to look at it and offered a hundred bucks. RIGHT ON! A hundred bucks sure is better than having to look at that thing everyday. I probably would have just given it to them for all that, but we did put some money into it... and we do have bills....

We bought that yellow bannana when our car was broke down and Will needed a truck. It did run great until... an oil leak that was worse than realized caused the engine to run out of oil! Bang, Bump, Stop!!! That was not fun. Another one of our vehicles on the side of the road!

I think our landlords will be appreciating this.... :)

So farewell, adeiu, adios and GOODBYE old yellow truck!

WHY THE WIND??

In the Sierra Valley we are plagued with perpetual wind. I am really starting to get annoyed. In the winter freezing cold wind finds its way into every little crack and cranny of the house. Tarps get blown off of things, and shed doors get blown open. We are always cold. In the summer hot, dry winds make it almost impossible to keep things watered. Everything is STATIC! Laundry gets blown off the line and it certainly does not help to keep wild fires in check. And then in Spring, like today, I finally think it's going to be a lovely day after being cooped up inside for 2 days(Because it's to darn windy and cold outside!). By the time I get around to getting in the garden to plant some seeds the winds picks up. Who wants to be outside with freezing gusts blowing at your back? I wouldn't be surprised if our neighbors think I am insane for yelling at the wind! "GO AWAY!!!! WE DON'T NEED YOU EVERYDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
I suppose there must be some practical reason for it.... I'm not seeing it.....
I am trying to think of somewhere to live that does NOT act like this... Any suggestions?

Riley Dog!

When Will's family dog Blue had puppies I just had to have one. Of course I really didn't need a dog over that time. I was teaching school and living with a family, but nevertheless I picked one out. He had to have blue eyes like his mama. I named him Riley and he lived with Will's family until we got married. And today he is very much a part of our little family. He really is a good dog. Every now and again he'll cause some trouble (like impregnating the neighbor dog, or having our neighbor man call the sheriff on us, or falling out of the truck bed!) but for the most he really is a "good boy". This morning I found him just chowing on a ground squirrel! Nasty, but at least I don't have to worry about them eating my garden! I hesitated to let him in the house, but he didn't seem to have any adverse affects from eating it. No wonder he seems to be getting a little fatter. Yuck!

Hasty Words - an article from Above Rubies

Psalm 31:22, "I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee." How easy it is to say things in haste! We spout off before we think. And usually when we speak hastily it is out of reaction. We often don't even believe the words we say! But sad to say, we have said them, and words have power! They have power to hurt our husband and hurt our children. Charles Spurgeon says, "Hasty words are but for a moment on the tongue, but they often lie for years on the conscience." I remember with shame an incident that happened in the early days of our marriage. I felt hurt by words my husband spoke to me and hastily retorted, "You should have married someone else!" Fortunately I have a husband who doesn't let things go uncovered. He came to me a little while later and said, "Do you believe in the power of words?" "Yes," I muttered. "Well, you better take back what you said," he stated firmly. I realized he was right and I had to retract and confess my hasty words. Hasty words are often words of doubt because we have not given time for faith to grow or to wait for God to move. We often have to wait for God. David cries out that he is cut off from the Lord, but he soon finds that they were hasty words as God had heard his cry all along. We must give God time to answer. His timing and His way is always the best way. I cringe when I hear folk speaking derogatively against the Lord because things are not going the way they want. Again Spurgeon says, "Unbelief will have a corner of the heart of the firmest believer, and out of that corner it will vent many spiteful things against the Lord if the course of providence be not quite so smooth as nature might desire. Forever be such dark suspicions banished from our minds." Proverbs 29:20 is also a challenging Scripture, "Seest thou a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than him." And Ecclesiastes 5:2, "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few." How true it is that the more words we speak the more opportunity to sin. (Read Proverbs 10:19; 17:28) So, how do we stop these hasty words? James 1:19 says, "Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." Yes, we want to be "slow to speak" but how do we do it? I believe we have to get into the habit of doing it. Each time that someone (especially husband or children) rubs you up the wrong way, shut your mouth. Wait before you speak. If you can't think of anything positive to say, don't say anything. That's what Jesus did. When they accused him, He answered nothing. He didn't even open his mouth. (Matthew 27:13-14) Is that the hardest thing you've ever tried to do? You can do it if you will to do it. And especially as you pray about it and ask the Lord to help you. Yes, you will fail. But keep working on making it a habit of your life. Some people say it takes 30 days to break a habit. Some say it takes 21 days to establish a habit. However, some habits may take a lot longer. Never despair. Keep trying and keep looking to the Lord who is your source. He lives in you and He is full of self control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Continually ask the Holy Spirit to work in your heart and your tongue. He will work His grace in you. Proverbs 4:23, "Keep thy heart with all diligence: for out of it are the issues of life." Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER: "Lord, please help me not to be hasty in my words. Help me to trust you in each situation rather than reacting out of my emotions. Amen."
AFFIRMATION: My words determine the course of my life and my family. Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font. If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to subscribers-on@aboverubies.org

My Mom and Dad

My mom and dad are coming today! Yeah! They moved back to Alturas a few months ago, so now it's my turn to be near them.

My nephew, Austin (Nick and Annika's boy) spent a week with them awile back. Dad told Mom to forget any notion she might have for adoption! :) Since Mom works at the hospital, Dad had the brunt of entertaining him. He is a lively guy who likes to talk! Dad said he couldn't go anywhere without him trailing behind him. Even to the bathroom! "Grandpa? Grandpa?"

So tonight I guess we'll barbeque and just hang out.

EPEDEMIC

I just heard about the flu in Mexico City that left some dead. Many schools, libraries, museums etc were closed. "Health officials around the world are concerned about an epidemic". Wow. Read this, the words of Jesus when His disciples asked him what would be the signs of his coming:
"Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilence, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows...they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake...the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. " Matthew 24:4-13 NKJV

I wish I could write it all here, but I guess you'll just have to read it yourselves.:) When things like this come up it's always a reminder to look up for our redemtion draws nigh!
I have this verse framed in my living room that reads, "Be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace - without spot and blameless!" 2 Peter 2:14

To be at peace with Jesus! and without spot and blamesss! We must daily cleanse our lives of sin and go on to perfection! EVEN SO COME LORD JESUS!