Coeur d'Alene

It was just a stop-off - just a pause on the destination trail. Lake Coeur d'Alene had a beautiful natural glacier carved lake, a near perfect waterfront RV park, and a floating restaurant. National Geographic has referred to the lake as one of the five most beautiful lakes in the world.  It's certainly one of the top five these travelers have seen. 

Take a pause in your busy day today to

"Be still and know that I am God"

Psalm 46:10

Navigating

Navigating a road trip sure takes a lot of resources. Destinations, routes, waypoints, campgrounds, reviews, rates, exits, and the next destination all need a mountain of gadgets, gizmos, maps, and information. Then the next day the whole crazy process begins again. Today we reach uncharted territory - for us. A few have gone ahead of us. The first people groups, Lewis and Clark, the wagons on the Oregon Trail, and the railroads all blazed the way. Even the contributors to the travel advice sites were pioneers somewhere. It was all new territory for them.       

All to see some mountains on the west side of the continental divide. 

Most of life is uncharted territory that sometimes has to be navigated without many resources . Marriage, babies, toddlers, teenagers, jobs, houses, cars, and now we are about to navigate Social Security, Medicare, and dare I even say it - old age.

   

However, the one constant, tried and true device for navigating life is the Word of God. His WORD never fails.

  Isaiah 43:19 says, I [the LORD] will even make a way in the wilderness and, and rivers in the desert.

Stay tuned for more wilderness adventures as I try to navigate blogging on a hand held device.

Traveling to North Dakota

When you come to North Dakota, there are some things you may see that need a little explain', y'all. So here is a West Texas farm gal giving you the unofficial North Dakota Tour:

Lewis and Clark and Sakakawea - Remember studying them in the fourth grade? Remember their little expedition of the western frontier that took up the Missouri River right through North Dakota. Oh, well - you probably aced the test then promptly forgot about them. Some first peoples' language experts have decided that us elementary kids were taught to pronounce her name wrong - it's not Sacajawea, but Sakakawea. They are still around in North Dakota today.

Homesteads - The Homestead Act of 1862 gave 160 acres to anyone willing to become a naturalized citizen and stay on the land for five years (that's my simple interpretation). Singles, couples, and families left their homeland, sailed to New York, probably, and rode a train to North Dakota without knowing a word of English.  Some of their grandchildren are still here living on those homesteads - but in newer houses.

Shelter Belts - Another homestead act gave homesteaders 160 acres in exchange for planting a portion of the land in trees.  You will see rows and rows of trees that help slow the biting twenty below wind, I suppose. They call them wind breaks, hedge rows, and shelter belts.

Farm Dinosaurs - I don't know the names of the different species, but you'll recognize one when you see it.

Rock Piles - These are rocks that come to there surface with the spring thaw. The frost line is 7 feet here and I think the frost heave pushes them to the top.  The rocks are called glacial erratics because they do not match surface and are thought to have been pushed here by glaciers. There is a rumor that bodies are buried under some of the rocks.

Wildlife - There are robins, ducks, geese, swans, deer, antelope, moose, and eagles. If you think you see buzzards circling above, take it closer look.  It just might be an eagle. I haven't seen a moose yet.

Churches - North Dakota has more churches per capita than any other state. It's not unusual to see a church steeple rising to the sky in the middle of a wheat field. It seems to me that there are more Lutheran churches than any other.

Crops - Durum wheat (think pasta), flax, corn, canola, sunflowers, soybeans, and peas. Some of these crops have been genetically modified modified to resist herbicides. What that means is - when they are sprayed with round-up only the weeds die. Some farmers spray round-up on wheat so it will die uniformly and be ready to harvest. The farm news says that eternal sunshine yellow canola plants are on the loose - they refuse to die. Round-up in my tummy - doesn't that sound yummy? OK, I'm off my soapbox and back to being your tour guide.

Multiple Pump Jacks on one location - These are horizontally drilled wells. That means the drilling rigs drill down then out. They damage as little of the land as possible.  Wells go in all direction and lotsa, lotsa good farm folks get an oil check.  You know how in Texas everybody in the family gets a new house and a new car when Mama gets an oil well?  The only way you can spot fresh oil money in North Dakota is that Mama gets a new Buick. That's what the locals say.

Oil Trains - You just might see an oil train or two. There are no refineries in N.D. nor or there any pipelines heading south.  Trains are the only way to move the one million barrels produced every day to Gulf Refineries. 

So there you have it - North Dakota tourism in a nut shell. I guess I'm the nut! These are just a few of the things I might forget to tell you as you travel along the highways and the back ways of North Dakota. I hope you enjoy your visit.

And to my 24 Godly Girlfriends, who are on your way as I type - 

Welcome to North Dakota Y'ALL!!!

Miracle Rain

The news headlines said that the

Lake Sees Miracle in May

This lake that provides water to 350,000 thirsty folks in

 West Texas has received a Miracle.

Four years ago we were meeting on the court house lawn

 for corporate prayer.

We carried umbrellas as an act of faith.

We acknowledged our sin before God.

We humbly asked Him to open he skies.

We sang rain songs and read rain scriptures.

We acknowledged that He is the one in charge.

The prayers have continued.

Water rationing began.

Thirsty non-native trees and lush lawns turned brown and died.

Some homeowners drilled water wells in their back yards.

Others replaced the dead turf with artificial turf,

and rocks, and cactus.

A few weeks ago, these homesick grandparents went back to Texas just in time to witness some spring rain, water running into the lake, and blooming wildflowers whose seeds had long been dormant in the hard packed dirt.

   

Four walls couldn't keep us and we drove 

the country-side 

to witness this great green rejoicing of nature.

When the mud dried a little, 

we ventured to our own back yard 

- our pasture, 

my happy place.

How long has it been 

since we've seen these yellow flowers?

In April 2011, we were praying for rain.

In April 2014 this lake held less than 1% capacity.

In April 2015 this lake held 44% capacity.

Today

May 9, 2015

This murky watered lake

that provides life for so many, is 

73% Full

Yes, 

we have seen a miracle.

HE gives rain on the earth

and sends water on the fields.

(Job 5:10)

May HE come down like rain on mown grass.

Like showers on the earth.

(Psalm 72:6)

Drip down O heavens from above, 

and let the clouds pour down righteousness;

Let the earth open up 

and salvation bear fruit,

and righteousness spring up with it.

I the LORD have created it.

(Isaiah 45:8)

Things That Aren't What They Seem

Things are NOT always what they seem.

It sounds like a mamalie doesn't it?

You know, something your MAMA would have said to you.

Camera and map in hand, 

we took a little road trip to visit our western neighbor 

 - Montana.

Montana hosts 100 mountain ranges. Wow!

There is also a herd of around 200 wild horses

 in the Pryor Mountains that with their unique genetic code, 

have been rescued and reclaimed from extinction.

But those are not the Pryor Mountains in the background, 

nor are these wild horses. 

In fact, they are horse statues created from scrap metal -

rescued and reclaimed junk.

Things are not always what they seem.

On this trip we watched one "homeless man" on the corner,

hand off his cardboard sign to another "homeless man",

grab his backpack and walk on down the street.

It seemed like shift change.

Maybe those things aren't what they seem, 

because we don't know the rest of the story.

An event center seemed plenty big for an event called

"Rescued and Reclaimed".

But the reality was that the building was shoulder to shoulder 

full of junk shoppers like me.

The road less traveled, however, seemed much shorter 

and more scenic on the map. 

The reality is that is was ranch country 

and it was a long, lonely road.

Thursday before Easter Sunday is Maundy Thursday, 

and back in North Dakota, we gathered together at the church 

called Zion for an informal meal, some visiting,

 and to remember the Passover 2000 years ago

 that was not what it seemed.

We remembered that Jesus broke the bread and said,

"This is my body." 

He gave them the wine and said, 

"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out

 for many for forgiveness of sins."

(Red because Jesus said it - Matthew 26:26-56).

We remembered that He and His disciples

 sang some hymns

before they left for 

 the Garden of Gethsemane 

and prayer and His arrest.  

He sang. 

We sang. 

We sat at the round tables and with our little group, 

 broke the pierced

unleavened bread

and drank the dark blood red grape juice together.

And we remembered.

Two thousand years ago,

the empty cross seemed to be the end 

for his followers. 

But things aren't always as they seem.

Because on Sunday morning, 

the tomb was empty too.

For those who have believed that Jesus is the son of God, 

born of a virgin, died on the cross, 

and was raised to new life in three days

 - circumstances of life are not always what they seem.

Because He lives.

Those of us who have believed, have also received this great salvation.

Not just forgiveness of our sins (which is huge),

 but Yeshua (Hebrew word for salvation - Jesus).

In that word, Yeshua, 

we have received deliverance, help, prosperity, security, and victory.

We are rescued and reclaimed.

When our crazy lives are just too, too much, 

we can just hide behind the cross. 

The cross of forgiveness,deliverance, help, prosperity, security, 

and victory.

We can know that the heavy price has been paid.

We can hide behind the cross

and we can stand. 

BECAUSE HE LIVES.

And we can know that

Things are not always, what they seem.

Now, I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you,which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, less you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures., and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. (words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved: for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation (Greek - soteria - deliverance, preservation, safety). For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." (Romans 10:9-11)

And this salvation is exactly what it seems. 

Everything Esther

She is everywhere I turn.  Last month she was at a ladies' retreat in West Texas. Monday she was in the news. Yesterday she was at school.  Today is her celebration day. She is going back to North Dakota with me.

Esther was a young Jewish orphan being raised by her cousin in Persia, where Jews had been taken as captives. She became queen through a beauty pageant and kept her ethnicity a secret - until she was made aware of a plot to kill all Jewish people. She called her people to fast before she revealed the plot to the King. She saved her people from destruction by the king's edict allowing them to defend themselves. The king had the Jews' enemy, Haman, hung on the very gallows meant for Esther's cousin, Mordecai. (Esther 1-10). Her bravery saved her people from death.

The Old Testament Book of Esther is the only book in the Bible that does not mention God.  But He is there.  He. Is. There.

Godly Girlfriends Retreats 2015 retreat theme is Esther. Her story was told beautifully through, song, dance and each of the speakers. She inspired us to rise above our circumstances, our pasts, and our pain to become the women God created us to be. We were reminded that as daughters of THE KING, we are royalty and are called "for such a time as this". To visit Godly Girlfriends Retreats, click HERE. While you are there, visit the blog for a few pictures of our weekend together. I am packing my bags with everything Esther to take back to North Dakota. Twenty-five Texas goldy girlfriends will join me there in May to share Esther's inspiration and the love of Jesus at another retreat. 

Three days ago, Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, referred to the story of Esther in his controversial speech to Congress. The connection? Ancient Persia is modern day Iran. Prime Minister Netanyahu sees Iran as a grave threat to the peace of Israel and the entire world. 

Today is March 5th. Every spring, Israel celebrates Esther's story during Purim. This year, Purim is celebrated from sunset March 4 to nightfall March 5.  Her story is read in synagogues from The Scroll of Esther - the megillah - in Hebrew. The celebration takes on a carnival atmosphere which includes Esther costumes, hissing at the name of Haman, traditional foods, and drinking wine.  In fact some drink until they can't tell the difference between the phrases, "cursed be Haman", and "blessed be Mordecai".  

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

 May those who love you be secure.

 (Psalm 122:6)

May you live to see

your children's children - 

peace be on Israel

(Psalm 128:6)

One Snowflake at a Time

It makes me smile - the sound of that snow thrower blower thingy running out there.  It is seven below zero. The real feel is seventeen below. I can't help it.  I just have to go look.  

The first time we lived in North Dakota, neighbor Smitty, advised us that we could not survive a winter without one.  We bought it across the border in Montana because there's no sale tax there. Then the first snow came in October before we were ready (as if anyone is ever ready) while the magic machine was still in it's box under a blue tarp. That first dreaded snow was measured in feet, not inches.  Three of them. 

Before we could uncrate it, south Louisiana called. Warm winter called. Palm Trees called. And we loaded the big box in the back of the truck, hooked up the trailer and headed south with a brief stop at the home improvement store to return our precious unused merchandise

Less than a year later, Louisiana ended with Mardi Gras, and North Dakota called again. In a new town, new neighbor Bruce offered a broken snow thrower blower thingy to my handyman. Handy man had it running before another snowflake could fall.

So there's my handyman out there, clearing the snow from around the house so that the basement will stay dry during spring thaw next June. He is cleaning neighbor Clarice's drive and sidewalk, blowing Gloria and Joe's walks, and making a path for the snowbunnies who cut the mustard across our yard on their way home from school. 

He starts on the northside neighbor's walk, but the mama sends the boys out with shovels to help before he is finished. He is cleaning up the neighborhood, one snowflake at a time. It must be that North Dakota Nice thing where everybody really does watch out for their neighbor. Maybe he just really likes his machine. Maybe both.

There's this crazy thing my crazy handy man likes to say:

"If the women don't find you handsome - they had better find you handy."  

"...and love your neighbor as yourself."

because Jesus said it.