Silwee Berries

I'm one of those people who notices things that most don't.  If you are going to a National Park you would want to take me because I will be the one who points out animals that most people won't see.  

Yesterday I saw some things in my strawberries.  I can hear my niece, Morgandy saying, "Aunt Lana, that's silwee."

This berry is very patriotic.  It's the USA...well minus Florida.

 This one is a chicken.

This one is just a smile.  

I tried really hard to see Mother Mary in one of these berries.  But she is not here.  I would keep looking but I have eaten them all in excitement of seeing what is inside.

Snow.

I love the snow.  I know it can be hard to drive in and can cause school to last a long time but there are so many good things about it.  Here are some of my reasons why I love the snow.

Snow makes everything peaceful.  

                                            

                                           Candles smell better and feel warmer when there is

                                           snow outside.

                                           Brownies taste better(notice the cute snoopy plate)

Hot beverages taste better and warm you up.

I made this chai from scratch and it is so good!

                                        

                                          Snow makes everything look pretty.  Even the most

                                          common decorations.

Snow give you great memories.  This is Montana snow.

I loved coming here to cross-country ski.  It feels like your in a post card or Narnia.

Snow is fun to play in.

I feel like God gives us snow when we need a break.  So enjoy your day off(if you have one) and take time to rest, read, write a letter to a friend, or talk to God. I'm thankful for the snow and the day with Nathan tomorrow.

So cute...

Look at what I found!  These are too cute and kinda expensive but really worth it.

Who will be Jesus to him...

When I was younger I hear a song on the radio with the words, "Who will be Jesus to them. Who'll show the love that restores them again. They do not need a judge, they need a friend. Who will be Jesus to them."  I heard it once and never heard it again.  This was before internet was popular or at least in my life so I couldn't go look up the name of it.  Instead it has been forever engraved in my mind.


There are certain times when this song comes back into my mind.  I'm sure it's when God is trying to tell me something.  Last Sunday this song was playing loud and clear.  I had been flying home on Saturday and it wasn't until late that night that I heard about the Tragedy in Tucson.  Nathan mentioned it to me right before I went to bed.  It wasn't until the next morning when I realized what a true tragedy it really was. I felt so bad for the victims and their families.  I have been through a tramatic time before and I couldn't help but think that this was only the beginning of this time for them.  The nightmares and constant thought of that day will follow them for along time.  I hope that they will seek help and I pray that they have comfort that surrounds them.  


But there was one person in all of this that I'm sure God has put on my heart, the young man who did all this.  When I see his photo on the news I can't help but think, "who was Jesus to him."  I'm sure most people would think I'm crazy and that he doesn't deserve a thought.  However, he was made by the same God who made everyone else in this world.  He was made to be a child of God and to have a purpose in life.  Unfortunately, he was lost. As most of us do, he got on the wrong track but he stayed there.  He was obviously very sick and needed help.  


Nathan and I are in the process of becoming church planters.  But first we are Christians and children of God.  We were both made for a purpose, like Jared Loughner.  Our jobs are not with the school district, but with Jesus. We are here to "be Jesus" to anyone and everyone.  In the media there are so many "what if" questions about what happened in Tucson. What if someone had crossed that young mans path and showed him Jesus days before the shooting?  Would he have changed his mind and maybe even given his life back to Jesus? It most likely doesn't help to ask "what ifs" in these times.  But it makes me think of something that Paul said in Colissians 4:5..make the most of every opportunity.  Every time we see someone we need to be sharing Jesus with them in some way. 


It's not too late for this young man to find Jesus.  As we pray for the victims and their families we can pray for him and for his family.  We can pray that God will put someone in his life now and help him see Jesus.  We can pray that this won't happen again and that others who are also lost will be found.  After all, "he does not need a judge he needs a friend. So who will be Jesus to him."

Trying to be great for God

I'm so thankful that I got to spend the holidays in Florida with my family.  It has been very refreshing to spend time with them and get to see everyone.  I love coming here and always get sad when I have to return.
I've had some major anxiety about returning to Missouri this time.  I am looking forward to seeing Nathan after being away from him for a week.  But that's about it.  Every day there is a challenge in just about every area of life.  I've spend the last week praying about going back and asking God to help me live a life for Him.  Today I had a feeling that I was made to do great things for God and His kingdom.  But in Missouri I'm not great.  I'm depressed and sad and just trying to make it to the next day.  I do try.  I try very hard to fit into a Missouri life.  This is where I go wrong.  I need to try more to fit into God's kingdom instead of this place that is definitely not my home.
I still have some anxiety about going back to Missouri but I feel like I've also had enough rest and encouragement here that I can work hard to live a great life.

Morgandy Moran...Super kid!

I'm very impressed by this 4 year old, Morgandy.  She makes me very excited and full of hope that I can raise an awesome kid.
Morgandy is the least picky eater I have ever met.  Her mom tells me that it's because she doesn't get a choice.  I hope to teach my kids to eat or at least try everything.  I want my children to be as healthy as they can be and learn that very early on.
She also loves to help around the house.  Helping out is fun for her.  She loves to help cook and clean and she even was excited to put up the Christmas tree today(my least favorite thing to do).  She took off ornaments and helped us put them in a box.  It was so much fun to see her excited and not think that being helpful is awful.  She even gets excited and asks to help you in whatever you are doing.
I look forward to having my own little helper...in a couple of years of course.  Don't worry I won't make my newborn do the dishes.  But I will make sure he knows that being a helper is fun.