I didn’t post an article last week — just too divided. A bit scattered. So many things to do. There’s something fun and positive about this and something negative. I’m thankful that I have numerous activities, projects, and interests. I’m thankful that I have enough strength and energy to pursue them! I’m so glad that the God-given sense of wonder at life and the joy of discovery have not died with long-gone youth!!!
On the other hand, Continue reading
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Here is a song I learned recently in church. I thought the words might encourage you as they have me! Rejoice in the Lord 1. God never moves without purpose or plan When trying His servant and molding a woman. Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long; In darkness he gives a song. 2. I could not see through the shadows ahead, So I looked to the cross of my Savior instead. I bowed to the will of the Master that day; Then peace came and tears fled away. 3. Now I can see testing comes from above; God strengthens His children and purges in love. My Father knows best, and I trust in His care; Through purging more fruit I will bear. CHORUS: O rejoice in the Lord. He makes no mistake. He knows the end of each path that I take. For when I am tried and purified, I shall come forth as gold. Lyrics by Ron Hamilton |
I told you about the teen girls’ all nighter I was to have last Friday night, so let me report. It went very smoothly. It ended up being the smallest one I’ve had with only five girls coming, but you put five teen girls together, and they have a grand time. I had lots of yummy food for them: Paul’s famous enchaladas, veggie plate, chips and salsa, banana bread, brownies….. The girls had plenty of room and gathered in several places to chatter, chatter, chatter. One girl played my piano for quite a while and demonstrated a pleasant and broad repertoire. One girl loves to sketch, and showed her stack of fashion drawings and made some more. They chose some games from my wicker game chest. They stayed up late and I went to bed, trusting them not to burn the house down. Continue reading
I’m hostessing another teen girls’ all nighter at my house this Friday night. I’ve been doing this about twice a year for the last 2-3 years. Often I schedule them when Paul is on a mission trip, but he’s gone back to work again, so he’s not flying off to Africa or some other place for a while. (He’s retired twice now. Third time’s a charm, and he seems to be in the charming work stage right now. That’s another topic for another time.) I have a theme for each all nighter, so this time, I chose my theme based upon the lovely, little chorus, “To Bless Your Heart” which is about blessing God’s heart. Oh, how could we ever bless The Blesser? Continue reading
I’m sitting on my swing in the front of my house looking out at the Bradshaw Mountains. The sky is filled with billowy clouds, and in the distance I occasionally hear some thunder. It’s the end of the monsoon season here in Arizona. We’ve lived in the Prescott Valley area ( 1 1/2 hours north of Phoenix) for five years now, and this is the most amazing monsoon season I’ve experienced. I didn’t know about North America’s southwestern monsoons before moving here. Continue reading
I enjoy playing the piano in my home for the pleasure of it, and it also is a lovely opportunity to pray and worship. Yesterday, I was playing the old gospel hymn,”Sweet By and By.”
There’s a land that is fairer than day, and by faith we can see it afar,
For the Father waits over the way to prepare us a dwelling place there.
Refrain: In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore.
That’s the first verse. I suppose many of you remember it, and the melody is now playing in your mind. These are precious words, but the third verse struck me. Continue reading
Welcome! We’ve been on summer break, and now it’s time to rev up this blog again! I hope you like JNC’s new appearance! I’ve been writing for Journey North Character under the leadership of Troy Christian Schools in Troy, Ohio. Since I am now “retired,” JNC was recently released to me to manage independently.
I hope that you will continue to join me on this journey. First, we want to make sure we know why we’re here.
JNC exists to encourage Christians to walk closer to Christ, becoming more like Him. Continue reading
The Grand Canyon: Sunset or Sunrise?
Journey North Character will begin a new chapter in August. When the school year ended, I did not communicate with you our summer plans because I did not know them! After prayer and after conferring with the administration at Troy Christian and with my technical assistants, we have finally made some important decisions.
First, we have decided to move the blog, Journey North Character, from the Troy Christian Schools website to Accentmarks.org, my personal website. Please note that I do not plan to post new articles until August in order to have the month of July to prepare.
I have Continue reading
When you’re raising children, no matter their age, every week is a big week.
“How’re ya doing?”
“Oh, we’re hanging in there! We’re busy.”
You hear that a lot, don’t you? I can imagine Continue reading
Approaching the end of the school year, we look back over the year, remembering where we were at the beginning, considering highlights — both achievements and disappointments — that changed us. It is good to consider how we are different today in comparison to last August. Are we stronger in our faith? Are we better in character: kinder, wiser, more Christ-like? Are our changes energized not from a prideful “I can do whatever I dream” spirit, but from the Holy Spirit? Continue reading
Journey North Character 