Lord, I Will Exalt You

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. — Isaiah 25:1 

The Lord has done wonderful things for me and for the world.

He planned these things long ago.

And His plans are awesome.

You are my God.

I will exalt you and praise your name.

In perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things.

We had a fun time at the musical MJ last night.

Wonderful music from the Jackson 5, Soul Train, and Michael Jackson.

The music and dancing was so animated.

What a fun evening.

A Child Is Born

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. — Isaiah 9:6 

On Christmas Eve Sunday we went to our church services - twice!

It was a great way to celebrate Christmas Eve.

With worship and song and candlelight.

And we had Kirk's family over for potato soup — which they cooked and brought over!

Delicious!

Today we had my brothers over for Christmas Day for ham.

And Steve made some delicious potatoes, which we finished off completely.

Plus he brought twice-baked potatoes for us to have later this week.

Wonderful days with family.

We are blessed.

You Knit Me Together in My Mother' Womb

You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. — Psalm 139:13-14

Flowers from Kirk

God created me from the inside out.

He knit together my bones.

And He created me according to His marvelous plan.

I praise Him.

He took care with His creation and has made me wonderfully.

All humans have faults, but God is perfect.

All His works are wonderful.

I know that full well.

Lord, You Are My God!

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. — Isaiah 25:1 

God is the Lord our God.

He is my God.

And my Lord — the Lord of my life.

I will exalt the Lord and praise His name.

In perfect faithfulness He has done wonderful things.

God is the Lord of today and of things planned long ago.

I will exalt Him throughout each day.

He is most worthy of praise!

To Us a Child Is Born

To us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. — Isaiah 9:6 

Jesus was born for us.

The government will be upon Him.

And He will be called Wonderful!

Jesus will be our Counselor.

He is the Mighty God.

His kingdom is everlasting.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

The Everlasting Father.

Open My Eyes

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. — Psalm 119:18

Each day, God opens my eyes to see His creation.

When I read His Word, the Bible, He also opens my eyes to His statues.

The Holy Spirit helps me understand the words.

And shows me the wonderful things in His law.

Then He guides me to obey God's will each day.

Often I miss the mark.

Those times, He guides me back to get me on the right path.

Without Him, I am lost.

With Him, I am secure and grateful.

I am loved.

 

I Praise You, God

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. — Psalm 139:14

God's works are wonderful.

I'm very aware of His goodness as our Creator.

I praise You, Lord!

I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

As are all of His creatures and creations.

His works are wonderful.

  
This is the Legend rose in our backyard.

The scent is amazing.

And the petals shimmer like velvet.

God's works are wonderful!

Your Perfect Faithfulness

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. — Isaiah 25:1

The Lord is my God.

I will praise His name.

In  perfect faithfulness, He has done wonderful things.

Things He planned long ago.

He is perfect.

I will exalt Him.

Watch over those in Ukraine.

Protect them and comfort them in their fear.

In Jesus' name we pray,  Amen.

Open My Eyes

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. — Psalm 119:18

God has opened my eyes to His Word.

His law is sweeter than honey.

It is my guide and path for right living.

It is my compass and the guidebook for my life.

God is opening my eyes to see more and more of Him and His Son, Jesus.

His law is perfect.

God's Special Possession

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. — 1 Peter 2:9

God calls us his chosen people.

We are a royal priesthood.

And a holy nation.

He has chosen us as His special possession.

Called to declare His praises.

He has called me out of darkness.

And He has called me into His wonderful light.

Everything Comes from the Lord

All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent. — Isaiah 28:29

Blooming Hillside

God's plan is wonderful.

His wisdom is magnificent.

He is above and beyond anything I can imagine.

Everything comes from the Lord.

He is Almighty and Holy.

Last night we had a fun zoom time with our friends  in San Diego and their college-age or college-grad kids here in San Diego and in Spokane, Washington.

We had a fun time laughing and reconnecting.

God's plan is wonderful.

God Teaches Us the Right Way

His God instructs him and teaches him the right way. All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent. — Isaiah 28:26, 29

Mother's Day with Gary at Siesta Drive 2013

God really does instruct us.

He teaches me the right way.

Today I had the unpleasant task of letting someone go at work.

It was very draining, but it was the right thing to do.

My employee had not been going in the right way.

It's hard to see someone heading down the wrong path.

I asked God for wisdom to handle the situation and He, of course, provided.

Now I'm exhausted but very thankful that he continues to teach me to do right.

Kirk made us a delicious chicken fried rice dinner — a wonderful way to end the evening.

His plan is wonderful.

His wisdom is magnificent.

To Us a Son Is Born

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. — Isaiah 9:6

Yesterday we celebrated the birth of Jesus.

Wonderful,

Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting father,

Prince of Peace.

We had potato soup after the Christmas Eve service, made by Liz. Delicious.

We used my grandmother's tablecloth and the tree that Abby and I made together at our church craft night years ago.

God Comes Near to Us

Come near to God and he will come near to you. — James 4:8

Our neighbors have now moved into their new home, and their kids have been working to put on a new roof, paint the rooms, and move out the furniture.

Today they held a garage sale to sell the remaining furniture.

They also put up the "Coming Soon" sign on the house sale. 

And the realtor stopped by to hand out the flyer showing their beautiful pool.

Lots of people stopped by for the garage sale.

Their kids have been hard at work to get the home ready to show.

They stopped by briefly and we had a chance to reminisce and let them know how much we love their parents and what wonderful neighbors they have been.

We miss them already.

But we know they are in a wonderful new home, and they will make friends with the others there.

They will also be able to welcome in their new neighbors as more people move in to the complex.

Declare God's Praises

That you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. —
1 Peter 2:9

God has called us out of darkness into the light of His glory.

He has called us to be one with Him through His Son, Jesus.

We can declare His praise for leading us out of the darkness.

And for leading us into His wonderful light.

God Is for Us

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? — Romans 8:31

After we hear that Jesus rose again from the dead, offers us mercy and grace, and loves us - even counting the hairs on our heads, what shall we say in response?

If God is for us, we can stand against anything.

If God is for us, who is against us?

No one can stand against our wonderful God.

I Will Live

I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. — Psalm 118:17

I will die eventually, but I will also live forever in heaven with my Savior.

In the meantime, I will tell of the wonderful things the Lord has done.

He has healed me of my cancer.

He has helped me share my story with others.

He has brought friends alongside me to support and encourage me and my family.
 

And He has given me the words to comfort others who are going through similar circumstances.

He has brought me alongside friends and coworkers who have family members struggling with cancer.

And He has shown me how I can encourage and pray for them and their loved ones.

He has blessed me with overwhelming goodness.

I will live and will proclaim what the Lord has done!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. — Psalm 150:6

Praise God for all the wonderful things has done.

In October, Kirk and I will celebrate 35 years together.

Our friends, Brad and Peggy, celebrated their 44 year anniversary last week.

Our friends, Wayne and Chrissy, celebrated their 40th anniversary this month.

God has watched over our marriages and has strengthened us during the difficult times.

The Lord has caused us to rely on him.

Here we are 4 years ago with Mickey.

Growing closer to God has drawn us closer to each other.

Praise the Lord!

Joyful in Hope

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. — Romans 12:12

We can be joyful because God has surrounded us with good things, wonderful people, and an awesome place in which to live.

Even more than that, God allows us to talk with him in prayer. About anything.

He loves us and hears us when we pray. He even knows our thoughts before they are fully formed.

And he loves us anyway.

How wonderful is that!

He Is Risen!

Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” — Matthew 28:7

Today we will celebrate Easter with our family and friends. On Saturday this year, so everyone can get to church services and musicals on Sunday.

There will be 21 of us from the Rogers, Johnson, Turner, Stalder, Baker, Ameng, and Nichols families plus a few extras will come together for ham, cracker corn, party potatoes, deluxe salad, veggies, appetizers and desserts.

Fortunately we have some great cooks coming and bringing their favorite dishes — and ours!

A great time to laugh and catch up with wonderful people in our back yard and front courtyard.

The roses are budding and the sun will be shining through the clouds. A perfect day to eat outside and gather with family and friends who are just like family.

He is risen! He is risen indeed.