A step back in time

The simple things that bring a smile.

Matt shared that his daughters' finance has been a true gentlemen from the beginning. This young man sought permission from Matt and his wife to court her, their daughter. He also sought permission to ask her hand in marriage with out her knowing either request.

As he was sharing about this, my mind drifted to the past of one of the most special memories of my own life: Joe and Angie

True to chivalry, he was a gentlemen through and through

May I . . . .

Allow me . . . .

wait a moment . . . .

After you . . . .

never eager to take what was not his to take.

Always a prince.

Dedicated to commitment.

He opened her door ALWAYS.

He took care of her

He treated her as a fragile porcelain doll or the most pristine bone thin china tea set, that was crafted with beauty and intent. A beauty never to be broken, chipped or shattered but gently handled and protected.

Devoted for over fifty five years.

Yes mama . . . .

I love you mama . . . .

I love you Joe-di . . . .

My Pompi; Joe, was the epitome's example of respect and shivery.

I loved what he showed and always led by example. He respected her. He protected her. He waited for her. He cherished her. Eventually he even treated me, his grand daughter the same way. He talked to me a few times about boys. He told me what to look for and beware of. He treated me exactly like he treated Lil' gram'ma. One of our last meals together, he took me out for breakfast, opened the car door and escorted me by hand both times to the car and from the car, then into the restruant. He sat me at our table and he carried on our conversation. He reassured me that a gentlemen is always a gentlemen, even until the day he leaves this earth to be with "The good Lord."

Thank You Matt for sharing your daughter's story that took me back to a very special man who was a gentlemen all his life, and the sweet memories I have of him from the time I can remember. A real and true gentlemen of character, moral, and ethics until the day the good Lord took him home. Why? Because your soon to be son in law shows that they ARE still out there. Not eager to take what is not theirs. I've met a few like him and knew the one who was a great example; Joe, my sweet Pompi!

I have prayed all of time for those kind of young men to be brought to our girls lives.

Few and far in between but they are there.

Those who establish a proper respect, not eager to move fast.

Those who care enough to wait long and hard for a gift that is only for marriage.

Unexpected praise

"Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the GLORY OF GOD! . . . " I Corinthians 10:31-ff.

It all began with a snow storm, then a phone call, and an open door. Isn't it amazing how the Lord works when we allow Him to. Two men on their way home could have been stranded, or a statistic on a highway. Then to pay it forward the Lord provides kindness this morning!

Here let me give you details. See the Lord is GOOD ALL THE TIME! ALL THE TIME! YES ALL THE TIME!!!!! Matt and Stan were on their way home from Joplin when they were caught in the Snow storm that dumped over 6.5 inches last night. They called us on our land line; which we just "reconnected" after not having it for eighteen months, for "just in case" measures. Praise the Lord, last night was one of those moments for these two saints. They called Phil and Susan Casey and asked for someone they might know. That is where the Lord provided our number that they last had record of. With out question we offered for them to stay here and how sweet it ended up being. All four our daughters received the joy of having to experience a spontaneous hospitality moment. With fun memories made, a warm meal, sweet home baked cookies and a few cups of Joe, and great laughter through out the night and enjoy fellowship with competition in the WII ~ it all brought us together. Rekindled ministry updates, a new brother discovered and forever reaching for the dreams for the kingdom. We were able to catch up on the needs for prayer for transitions for others from our past, rejuvenate the AWE and WONDER of God, and a new found passion to BE THE ACTS church for today in Sioux City Iowa through Stan's dream and conviction for outreach for our Savior! AMEN and AMEN

The fellowship and discussed many things and closed the night with an incredibly AWESOME God lead prayer over the ministries, RCC, our family and the GIRLS in all venues!!!

Then this morning they hopped in their car to return home. They and another anonymous giver shoveled our walk way in front of our home! I heard a motor ran to the door and saw a brother snow blowing our front way and our neighbors down the block. Stan surprised us by having our home walk and the walk way scooped/shoveled by hand up two homes side walks. Tears of joy sing in my heart when humanly God moves and we respond out of LOVE AGAPE STYLE. This led me to the joy of experiential UNEXPECTED PRAISE!

Thank You Abba for being our JEHOVAH JIRAH! Holy, Holy, HOLY are you Lord God Almighty! I will PRAISE YOU and ask you to give us another opportunity to pass it forward and be hospitable AGAIN!

DADDY LIKE PROTECTING . . .

Okay I am so in a goofy giggle mood. This so reminds me of "BARNEY P", Kent's favorite character that all these years makes him laugh!

Hahahaha "The BOX" should have a new name

I discovered my girls call our 'mini van' . . . . . "THE BOX" and we are definitely not as "coo as the swagger wagon" Maybe we'll UPGRADE . . . some day HAHAHAHAAaaaaa

M.I.T.

God is Mighty. How refreshing to sit with three precious Saints and know our hearts are knit in one accord. Beseeching the throne of God for His Glory! To rest in the palm of his hand and know he IS ANSWERING to the prayers of submission of His will.

God is Mighty. How magnificent to rest assured that he IS our REFUGE in time of the present. To know that His best is in His plan. To know that we are joining Him with a desire to please him. The Awe and Wonder of HIM! God is so AMAZING!

God is Mighty. How humbling to know that he allows us Joy in the moment of now. To lift up the quivers filled from Heaven and know ultimately He is in control. To connect with the spirit by praying for purity, wisdom, discernment. To lift up fourteen souls to become the BEST for the KINGDOM knowing it is being accomplished for His purposes. Prayer to rely and TRUST fully!

God is Mighty. and AWESOME! Only He is accurately the one to be called that! He is the Almighty! He is the Alpha! He is the Omega! He is Jehovah Jirah! He is Savior! HE is the I AM!!! Praise His holy name.

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY are you alone Lord God Almighty.

So here is my prayer through your word. I Love you Abba with all my heart, Thank You.

"You, O Lord, are with Kent, Mya, Tia, Faith, Emily and Hadassah. You are mighty to save. Take great delight in Kent, Mya, Tia, Faith, Emily and Hadassah, quiet all of them with Your Love, rejoice over Kent, Mya, Tia, Faith, Emily and Hadassah with singing." Zephaniah 3:17 For Lord, I release all of them fully over to You! After all, rightfully, they belong to you and you alone. You have allowed me to temporarily Love them. To trust them because of walking with YOU and in YOU! Amen and Amen

When it is hard

1 Corinthians 12:12

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.

Lately the Lord has really been working on my heart in so many ways. Love, FORGIVENESS, TRUST, forgiveness, trust. Yes it is a ride that has and must lean only on the only one that truly matters. As I was Growing up, in a home that family meant everything for one side but full of a lost life and a dysfunctional habitual lifestyle in the other, understanding love had many questions. God, praise Him, was the seeker of my soul, heart and all of me. Hasn't he always been since the beginning of time, for everyone in creation and time? Okay I am rambling.

It has taken so much out of me to try and even understand the Grace and Mercy he extends to EVERYONE, and how much he loves me. When my own earthly father couldn't express love verbally, even emotionally and no where possible physically, because he didn't know how to experientially since he didn't "grow up that way", it was hard to understand that Abba could possibly love me. Oh but what a joy to discover HE does love me, YOU, all of us. So Little did I realize that it would be a hard and difficult road to accept true love from others, especially later in life after walking in Jesus Christ.

But the hardest part was when I was hurt by those in the flesh, after I put all of my heart into trying so hard to trust, love and forgive. I am reading a book right now that is rekindling some emotions and maybe some memories that have been locked away for a very long time and thought forgotten, tied to being protective to the point of not letting anyone in or even hurt me.

When it is hard to understand that "hurt people, hurt people" it took everything possible to love as Jesus was teaching me. Sometimes individuals hurt others and it is intentional, However other times it is very UN intentional. So I have come to my knees and bent them seeking the Lords' assistance to truly let go of experiential pasts; both before finding Jesus Christ and especially after discovering him and trying very hard at living with him. When we repent and come to a full understanding of forgiveness through Christ it is freeing because with out it, there is no trust.

TRUST. Wow it isn't easy to trust when the experiences have been difficult. When it is hard because we have been hurt by those we love so dear to us, I mean truly love. The kind of Love the world doesn't understand, that is Not an Eros love, not a Phileo love, but those we think we agape love. The word of God is LIVING and ACTIVE and now it has been made very plain and simple that I need to forgive a few individuals with everything I possess. Those that I didn't realize until recently, that it hasn't been done completely.

It isn't easy but it is most definitely NECESSARY! Otherwise it gives a foothold that has no business growing a seed that can lead to death. I know this conviction is coming because He knows I am ready to go head on deal with it. I also know He is right here by my side, holding my life in his hand, ready to catch me especially when it feels like I'll collapse. I KNOW HE LOVES me so tenderly and never will leave me. So when it is hard I will turn to him, get up, smile and rest upon Him for strength so that I can be who I am with His purpose, living my life as He has always intended me to live. To laugh again, smile again, LOVE FULLY again while and after healing in forgiveness and beginning to trust once more, getting through the past of long ago and recently, to walk and enjoy the present even when it is hard. It will come.

Love, forgiveness and trust come and meet me with Wisdom, Discernment

even when it is hard. So I can live as Your Bride.

God is . . .

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Psalm 103:1

I know with all my heart when there is unity even with difference there is much to PRAISE the KING for!!!!!

I believe GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME! In the Valley as well as on the Top of the MOUNTAIN!

It is like I love the phrase, Better is One Day in HIS COURTS than a thousand elsewhere!

I WILL PRAISE YOU!

So much to be grateful for!

I praise You in the morning when the new day arrives.

I praise You in the mid day with each new breath.

I praise You in the afternoon knowing that you are with me!

I praise You in the mid afternoon for the quiver you honored to me.

I praise You in the evening for a fresh new outlook to know you never left me.

Goodness is before me in all circumstances, for you are with me!

So much to be grateful for!

God please . . .

"I cry as I try to wrap my mind around the generosity of a little country church Rosendale Christian. I am humbled how much my faith has grown by their faith to invest in Kingdom work.

"Lord, let me be this kind of giver in life. With wild abandonment to worldly standards. Let my giving and serving in EVERY area of my life go so far and beyond human comprehension that they could only look to YOU as the giver". Amen."

Carie Rogers-Bernard

humbled with these Sincere words~~~!

The Love and Cost to be a Parent

I have some friends who are sitting beside their prescious first born daughter who is fighting a very ugly battle with CANCER! I asked if I could write about them keeping their names private. Her response of coarse was sweet. "Dear Ana-Maria,

Yes, I would be honored to have her lifted up to the One who loves her, created her and will redeem her.
Love, . . . "

I HATE CANCER, but through the Glory of God and by living through the this kind of situation just months ago personally, and loosing Mom K on this side of Heaven. I can not imagine the ache as a parent. To pray her last moments are filled with her Maker. Wonderful Godly parents who raised two beautiful girls and experience a grandson's joy. Oh Abba be with them! Give comfort to this entire family that began as four and now are six. Take away the pain for all of them and fill it with your peace. The peace from you and heaven that ONLY YOU CAN GIVE.

Parenting. The LOVE. The Cost. The Joy. The Ache. On person told me once back in 1998 when mom K faced her breast cancer; As a parent . . . "When they are young your children step on your toes, when they are old they step on your heart. Whether with joy or with sorrow. You'll always be a parent" Parenting is one of the most loving, challenging and rewarding parts of life. Why is it some who have no business being a parent have wonderful children and some who have done absolutely the best in leading in Jesus Christ have some of the most rebellious children. Does it make sense that the pendulum swings so far to both extremes and then there are those whose pendulum swing consistently in the middle?

Shouldn't we desire from all that we are as a parent to raise our children to be human beings who are God Fearing? To raise our young ones to be those who stand for absolute truth knowing that they are loved. To raise them to become "Better Citizens, than I could ever possibly be." Why is it so hard to invest our hearts and not really know where the outcome really will lay? I have seen all spectrum's of the pendulum of parenting and I have lived in a home without Jesus Christ, knowing something was missing. Being brought up and Given the opportunity to develop and to be a person with a hard work ethic, High morals, manners and respect for authority. To be excellent minded driven. To use manners and respect, because it does matter; "Yes Mam, No Sir. Mr. & Mrs. _____. Thank You. Please. Your welcome. I'm sorry. May I. Excuse me. Treat others as you would want to be treated. (Thank You Mr. Balogney,) Give 100% and work hard. Give the elderly a helping hand. Get up and allow your elders to sit. Look people in the eyes when talking to them. Don't interrupt. Give a firm handshake. Will you forgive me. I was wrong (learned later in life). The list goes on and on and on. I am Thankful for you daddy and mommy for pushing me to be a learner, to be polite and one who is focused on proper respect, reguardless of age.

All every parent wants; or so I I would think, is to raise their children to understand that everything with excellence if filled with hard work and ultimately to have a Love relationship FIRST with THE CREATOR, our maker. Out of Love a parent needs to be a parent. Kent once told me and I couldn't agree more, "Rules without relationship leads to rebellion" but rebellion ultimately is a choice that we all can make on our own. Everyone wants to be loved. EVERYONE. So ultimately, our choices are just that. OURS. So where will ours lead us as parents? To a life that honors and upholds the value of LOVE.

When our children choose and make choices, and we have given what we felt best by parenting in the LORD, to be a follower of Jesus Christ, ultimately to walk differently - pure and holy (to be set apart) lives. We need to understand we can't make them do what we desire to be best, but they will have to live with the Blessing or the consequences of their choices. We are just asked to raise them in and with the Lord in a real relationship with Jesus Christ. "For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter though it . But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14 Therefore let us lead our children through our parenting to search for the narrow gate, open it and choose to walk through it.

See I was reading an article about a celebrity child's upbringing and the deterioration of a family because of wanting to be their friend and not a parent. At the end of the article it applies to all of us. So as Jim Daley wrote, "Very few parents are faced with the challenge of parenting a teen idol, a tough assignment to be sure. But what about the rest of us? Although we might not be trying to navigate stardom, we do have to navigate and manage human nature. Mark my words. Our kids will inevitably push the envelope and test the waters. It’s normal and natural to do so. Subconsciously many of us are wondering just how far we’ll allow them to go. Despite what they might say or how they might act, they want leadership.

Now a reality check. We all like to be liked. If it’s human nature for a kid to push, it’s human nature for a mom or dad to want to be favorably viewed by our kids. But here is the big question: Do we want to be their best pal – or their parent who often has to hold firm and say “no” when they desperately want us to say “yes”?

Here is your charge. Here is your challenge. Your kids have plenty of friends, maybe too many. But only two people in the world can really be their parents. Step up. Be parents today and the friendship with your children - a real friendship - will grow into adulthood and likely last throughout your lives." author from Focus on the Family. I agree.

The cost of a parent . . . really is redeemed through LOVE.


All I desire for our girls is the BEST, Not good. Not better. BUT BEST! My desire is for their best in this life. Not to be of this world but ultimately to live a life that is different and one that leads to HEAVEN and eternally with the MESSIAH. Here's to leading them to the Narrow gate, no matter how hard yet rewarding it truly is!

Valentines Day

Happy Birthday sweet brother,

Gabriel Nathan,

I LOVE YOU!

First thought with no thought

With out thinking here is what popped into the mind:

Value
Adorable
LOVER
Encouraged
Noble
Together
Inseparable
Nice
Everlasting

interesting this time

Love in it's truest form is AGAPE! No reciprocal measures. Able to let it go. To lay down ones life. AGAPE in it's purest for would love to the point of giving it all away and never demanding ANYTHING it return. To be a servant in the fullest form. To think of others FIRST with no selfish ambition.

But a whisper

People have heard of "The Horse Whisperer!" But our life is BUT a whisper. James 1:17 says this and it just thrills me! "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

So remember how preciously sweet your life is!

Josh Wilson - I Refuse

WIth this in thought, What is it you REFUSE?

Where is your walk?

Is it matching the TALK?

REFUSE making any more excuses or waiting for someone else to do what GOD has CALLED YOU TO DO?!!!!!!


Well, What exactly are you waiting FOR?

Techno zero

The world that became smaller through all our techno break throughs;in order to make life easier really only makes life sometimes more hectic. Maybe just maybe that is why the Lord has told us to "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10 WE (the world filled with humanity) say we want to make life better but sometimes I just wonder.

We all have the same twenty four hours in a day and It came to me ro See that I have been without my cellular device for over eight hours due to making adjustments. Creating my phone to be able to use for new operations making things "easier" for work. However, without it, my life enjoyed a fun time playing with Princess number four & five while sitting with my spouse watching Super bowl number forty five; which by the way was our twenty fifth one together

It was kind of nice to be without the device that was just introduced to me eight years ago. Why? Tonight made me laugh with three of our seven family member home. Princess five found one of the girls roller skates and we giggled. We were entertained in so many ways it brought joy to my heart.

Really all the technology in our home has just come in the last decade. Amazing.
But it is a thought, maybe there should be a time when we drop technology and leave it at a zero.
No entertaining conversation.
no texting,
no IM
Just a written word,
a time to reflect on what is really important.

When was the Last time we really applied;
"Be still, and know that I am GOD; . . ." to our life?

Up to February First 2011 = Fun Family MeMoRiEs

Awwwhhhhhh Snow, Well . . . I still love SNOW and how it warms my heart that the CREATOR made it so BEAUTIFUL, and warming to every part of my being!

So many times I have endured the Winters wonder of Joy in the precious flutter to SNOW flakes. "Auntie Joan" used to call me in the early '90's to say, 'Ana, look outside it is doing one of your FAVORITES, look at what's happening!' and I would instantly warm to the core of my being!

Oh the memories of the many snow and ice drivings to and from Home while in college. Oh the wonder to ponder if we would make across the 619 miles far enough in front or behind a storm. As we were trying to stair step up to the far NE corner of NE to settle in with my college friends. Or the times all of us girls would get together, lock arms then to hold one another to the next building trying to make it to the cafe for our meals. Aha memories!

I remember the first Christmas break that Daddy and Pompi had come to pick me up. They were thinking they were prepared for the "cold of the mid west." We giggled with the few of us left to leave campus and as we watched them both step out of Pompi's truck, then watch them laughing at how they would only move quickly back to the truck and jump back in the cab to put on MORE winter clothing! That was a site, and another warming moment.

The wonder of February first

The joy of January 31st ice


I remember the many drives with Kent over MANY winter wonderland adventures; How about the one that was a BLIZZARD that hit the ENTIRE Denver Metropolitan area and suburbia, literally shutting down Denver on a SUNDAY - December 27, 1987!

I remember many memories of the White Wintry Wonderland bliss beauty of snow. It carries me all the way up through out our life and to THE STORM of February 1, 2011, covering over 1/3 of our nation.

The snow storm on The Birthday of our first born as she experienced her first BLIZZARD away from home that left her over 18" and a failed attempt to surprise her through a college tour and staying to support her for a BBall game the same evening. ;'-(

Fantabulous February second FUN with college Friends @ OCC


Awwwhhhhhh Snow, Well . . . I still love SNOW and how it warms my heart that the CREATOR made it so BEAUTIFUL, and warming to every part of my being!

The love of two very special ladies

*****Bonded by life that started in Kansas!*****
" My-Nickel & Beffy " The two now bloomed beauties in a day called a photo bliss:

May 1988 created a friendship turned family. 1991 Cemented the bond through a step of faith. 1992 It all began and NOW the Day before her BIRTHDAY the two unite in a moment that shares two kindred spirits with this beautiful misty morning:

as written by BCPHOTOGRAPHY:

"Thursday, February 3, 2011

my my mist
Mya was my victim of the day;) She toughed out the misty weather. OK it was rather wonderful really. She is a trooper though, I feel like she would literally do anything I tell her to!! Ha she is so hilarious and is so beautiful.
Ive actually known Mya since she was born, her parents lived with us for a while when I was little and then well they started making babies and had to get their own house;) Mya was the fist of five girls in this loving, gorgeous, Godly family. I love them, and that is that. Mya is now (making me feel old) at OCC. I stole her away before she had to go to basketball practice. I didn't know she was playing, hope I can go see her play...it'll bring back memories from when I went to basketball camp there when I was in jr high....and when both of my brothers played. It was good times. I don't really have a zest for words so enough talking.....thanks again MyMy!!

xoxo
BA"






The photographer behind the lens, our Beffy:

Now recognize the hat?