Quick Trip to Cali

Michael and I woke up this morning and decided on a whim to go to Sacramento for the day. So, off we went.

 

 

It's really pretty scenery all the way to California. Here's some shots from the way there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gotta love a nice Harley Davidson!

 

 

 

All vehicles have to go through this inspection area before entering California. You can not bring certain plants, fruit, vegetables, nuts, or pesticides into California. It's strange though because on the way out of California, they don't check to see if you're taking anything with you.

 

 

 

7 lane Freeway going one direction!

 

 

 

He just happened to be on the side of the road...weird!

 

 Palm trees are so neat. Probably not for the locals, but they are to me :)

 

 

 

 

Beautiful flowering trees are everywhere

 

 

Our first stop was Chipotle for lunch...YUMMMY!

 

 

 

 

 

Even this little birdie likes eating at Chipotle :)

 

Then we were off to one of my all time favorite stores.....IKEA! The one back home in Minnesota at the Mall of America is way bigger and nicer, but this one will do.

 

 

 

 

I loved this cute little cabinet. Unfortunately, it didn't come home with us.

 

Seriously LOVED this kitchen!!

 

 

We spent 4 hours at IKEA so we decided we had better head home. We stopped in Truckee, CA and visited Donner Lake. It was just beautiful there. We would love to be able to live on the lake. Maybe some day?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rental house on the lake :)

 



 

Here is a video we took of the lake. (Sorry for the loud wind)

 

We seen a lot of these really thin, tall, trees

 
 

A fun Castle like theme park

 

This cross we seen on the side of the road was about 25 feet high and 15 feet wide
 

 Because of the steep inclines, they have quite a few of these

 

 

We were getting hungry, so we decided to share a burger and fries at In & Out Burger in Reno on the way home. We like eating there for two reasons. 1.) They are a Christian establishment. They have John 3:16 printed on the bottom of their cups, which we think is pretty neat.  2.) They have really great, fresh burgers for a really low price!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we were headed home. But, not before Michael spotting a C-140 cargo plane. He was pretty excited since had traveled to Iceland, Greenland, and Belgium on one when he was in the Army.

 

See the train?

 

 

We're hoping our next California trip will be to San Fransisco. That will have to be an over night trip though because there is A LOT to see! Until next time.......

 

Special Outing

Yesterday was a good day, a great day! I picked up Kaitlyn & Kristina and headed to Reno for the day. Our first stop was BJ's Brewhouse for lunch. They have really good food and a certain pregnant girl was starving (as usual) :)

 

Our next stop was Target. That's always a good place to go :) Then we were off to Bed, Bath, & Beyond. The girls found some good deals there and still had wedding gift cards to spend. Amazingly enough we ended up at Babies R Us. I have no idea who's idea that was! I can't believe I didn't take any pictures there. There were sooooooooo many cute things. That can be a dangerous place for an expectant momma to go. We all had fun "oooohing and aaaahing" over everything. Seriously though, they have so many things that a baby would never need or use. While we were in the store, it began to rain, actually pour. To most people, that's no big deal, but to people who live in the desert, that's a huge thing! We even had to take a picture of it!

 

 

Next stop, Wal-Mart, then Hallmark. We then headed over to a restaurant called *Claim Jumper*. Michael met us there after he got off from work. It was so nice having dinner together. We laughed, talked, and had a good time.

 

 

I asked the waiter to take a picture of us before we left. I took this picture of the girls walking to the vehicle. It's so sweet to see them so close even after they are married.

 

 

Then we headed to our house so Michael could drop off his truck and we could all go in one vehicle to bring the girls home. Before we left though, I had to have a mini photo session in our back yard.

 

 

I had such a good time with my girls today. I'm so thankful they still like spending time with their momma. I look forward to our next outing!

Weekly Visit

Yesterday was my day to go out to visit the girls. Before the girls got married, we decided that Wednesday's was a good day to get together since it's in the middle of the week. We see each other at church on Sunday's too.

I usually bring lunch for us. Yesterday we all contributed to the menu and we made Chicken Spinach Enchilada's with a white sauce. It was so yummy! Their husbands were able to join us for lunch too, so that was nice.

 

After lunch, the girls and I went into town so they could run some errands and get groceries. We also stopped and got ice cream cones :) We came back to their houses and got the groceries put away. Then the girls took me out to show me their baby chicks that arrived today. We raised chickens when the girls were home. They enjoyed caring for them and loved their farm fresh eggs!

 

 

It was time for me to get going home. So as always, I requested a a couple of pictures. I enjoy these special little moments with these two.

 

 

 





Table for Two

 



(I had this on my old blog and thought I'd re-post it here in hopes of it blessing someone)

Our family loves to thrift shop and find special little treasures. Once a month a fun shop about two hours from us called Gypsy Lea's, opens her doors for all of us. Her store slogan is; Antique, Unique, Vintage, and Shabby Chic...Recycled Repurposed, Repainted, Revamped...Something for Every Room, Mood, And Decor!! A couple of months ago, I found this little table. It was tucked away in the back room with things piled high upon it. My eye spotted it, and I knew it had to come home with me! Then last week, we went back again, and there, in that same back room, were the perfect chairs to go with my little table. They came home with me as well :o) Anyway, as much as I love this store, the owner, (Jamie), and my new little table & chairs, I am reminded of a story I read awhile back that is also titled *Table for Two* It speaks of our relationship with Jesus. Are you meeting with Him on a daily basis, or are you always putting Him off? I have to admit, I am not always as faithful at spending time with Him like I should. Maybe now that I have this little table & chairs in my kitchen, I will meet with Him more often and have a cup of tea and a nice chat with my dearest friend. I hope you will do the same! Here is the story. I pray it speaks to your heart.

Table for Two
by Kirsten Burgess

He sits by himself at a table for two. The uniformed waiter returns to his side and asks, "Would you like to go ahead and order, sir?" The man has, after all, been waiting since seven o'clock--almost half an hour.

"No, thank you," the man smiles. "I'll wait for her a while longer.

How about some more coffee?"

"Certainly, sir."

The man sits, his clear blue eyes gazing straight through the flowered centerpiece. He fingers his napkin, allowing the sounds of light chatter, tinkling silverware, and mellow music to fill his mind. He is dressed in a sport coat and tie. His dark brown hair is neatly combed, but one stray lock insists on dropping to his forehead. The scent of his cologne adds to his clean cut image. He is dressed up enough to make a companion feel important, respected, loved. Yet he is not so formal as to make one uncomfortable. It seems that he has taken every precaution to make others feel at ease with him. Still, he sits alone.

The waiter returns to fill the man's coffee cup. "Is there anything else I can get for you, sir?"

"No, thank you."

The waiter remains standing at the table. Something tugs at his curiosity. "I don't mean to pry, but..." His voice trails off. This line of conversation could jeopardize his tip.

"Go ahead," the man encourages. His is strong, yet sensitive, inviting conversation.

"Why do you bother waiting for her?" the waiter finally blurts out. This man has been at the restaurant other evenings, always patiently alone.

 Says the man quietly, "Because she needs me."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Well, sir, no offense, but assuming that she needs you, she sure isn't acting much like it. She's stood you up three times just this week."

The man winces, and looks down at the table. "Yes, I know."

"Then why do you still come here and wait?"

"Cassie said that she would be here."

"She's said that before," the waiter protests. "I wouldn't put up with it. Why do you?"

Now the man looks up, smiles at the waiter, and says simply, "Because I love her."

The waiter walks away, wondering how one could love a girl who stands him up three times a week. The man must be crazy, he decides. Across the room, he turns to look at the man again. The man slowly pours cream into his coffee. He twirls his spoon between his fingers a few times before stirring sweetener into his cup. After staring for a moment into the liquid, the man brings the cup to his mouth and sips, silently watching those around him.

He doesn't look crazy, the waiter admits. Maybe the girl has qualities that I don't know about. Or maybe the man's love is stronger than most. The waiter shakes himself out of his musings to take an order from a party of five.

The man watches the waiter, wonders if he's ever been stood up. The man has, many times. But he still can't get used to it. Each time, it hurts. He's looked forward to this evening all day. He has many things, exciting things, to tell Cassie. But, more importantly, he wants to hear Cassie's voice. He wants her to tell him all about her day, her triumphs, her defeats....anything, really. He has tried so many times to show Cassie how much he loves her. He'd just like to know that she cares for him, too. He sips sporadically at the coffee, and loses himself in thought, knowing that Cassie is late, but still hoping that she will arrive.

The clock says nine-thirty when the waiter returns to the man's table. "Is there anything I can get for you?"

The still empty chair stabs at the man. "No, I think that will be all for tonight. May I have the check please?"

"Yes, sir."

When the waiter leaves, the man picks up the check. He pulls out his wallet and signs. He has enough money to have given Cassie a feast. But he takes out only enough to pay for his five cups of coffee and the tip. Why do you do this, Cassie, his mind cries as he gets up from the table.

"Good-bye," the waiter says, as the man walks towards the door.

"Good night. Thank you for your service."

"You're welcome, sir," says the waiter softly, for he sees the hurt in the man's eyes that his smile doesn't hide. The man passes a laughing young couple on his way out, and his eyes glisten as he thinks of the good time he and Cassie could have had. He stops at the front and makes reservations for tomorrow. Maybe Cassie will be able to make it, he thinks.

 "Seven o'clock tomorrow for party of two?" the hostess confirms.

"That"s right," the man replies.

"Do you think she'll come"" asks the hostess. She doesn't mean to be rude, but she has watched the man many times alone at his table for two.

"Someday, yes. And I will be waiting for her." The man buttons his overcoat and walks out of the restaurant, alone. His shoulders are hunched, but through the windows the hostess can only guess whether they are hunched against the wind or against the man's hurt.

As the man turns toward home, Cassie turns into bed. She is tired after an evening out with friends. As she reaches toward her night stand to set the alarm, she sees the note that she scribbled to herself last night. "7:00," it says. "Spend some time in prayer." Darn, she thinks. She forgot again. She feels a twinge of guilt, but quickly pushes it aside. She needed that time with her friends. And now she needs her sleep. She can pray tomorrow night. Jesus will forgive her. And she's sure he doesn't mind.

 



Doctrines of Grace ~ T*U*L*I*P

T. U. L. I. P.

First, let's look at a foundation and starting point:- the will and decrees of God. It's important to remember that all God designs and determines will happen. Nothing can stop Him or stand in His way. He is sovereignly in control and it is not just that He desires to bring our salvation to pass, but will ultimately accomplish it.

So says God: "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." (Isa 55:11) and "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." (Isa 46:10). It is in light of God's eternal decrees and knowledge that Paul tells us "in him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will...." (Eph 1:11).

What about man and where does he stand in relation to a holy God? This is where we start, with the "T," total depravity. What total depravity does not mean is that man is as bad has he can get, but rather that man's spiritual and moral nature is totally dead as a result of the Fall of Adam. We have inherited Adam's spiritual nature of death. In that state, we do not desire to even want to know the true God, are at war with Him, and can only be so¹. For we are told of the unregenerate person "the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so." (Rom 8:7). Adam, as our representative, sinned against God and brought about our just path to hell. Each and every one of us then, as part of our human nature, will have nothing to do with God even to our eternal peril.

Since we will have nothing to do with God and it will take no amount of persuasion, we are hopelessly damned unless God Himself will do something for us and in a sense to us. He must, by His own grace and power choose some to eternal life². He will make that choice independent of any other reason than His good pleasure (as far as is revealed to us). For "he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--" (Eph 1:5). There is no other condition (the "U," unconditional election).

Praise God! He has decided to save some who deserve no mercy! How does He do it? The only way that loving salvation can be bestowed is if a perfect human sacrifice is given to atone for our sins. The answer of course is in His Son, Jesus Christ. Since the Father has chosen some, then it is only for the some that this sacrifice is needed. And so Jesus came, not to offer salvation to everyone, but to accomplish salvation for the elect (the "L," limited atonement)³. Jesus himself says "just as the Father knows me and I know the Father -- and I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:15). Jesus' death was to definitely accomplish what was intended - the salvation of his people. Matthew 1:21 tells us, "she will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

The means by which God chooses to bring his elect into relationship with himself is through the preaching of the word of the gospel. At some point in time the individual who hears will have his heart changed from stone to flesh; from death to life. That person will gladly trust in the person and work of Christ Jesus because God's grace will accomplish it (the "I," irresistible grace)⁴. Jesus encourages us with "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:44). What He has decreed will happen and even our rebellion is not enough to stop Him. Praise God for His holy grace.

Lastly we come to our hope for the future, the "P," perseverance of the saints. Since God has chosen, and God has provided, and God has irresistibly changed our hearts, then it only follows that God will keep us. He has promised to bring us home to glory⁵. "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand." (John 10:28-29). And again, "And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day." (John 6:39).

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1 Rom 3:10-11. As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. (NKJV)
John 5:40. yet you refuse to come to me to have life. (NIV)
Eph 2:1-5. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, .... Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, ... made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-- (NIV)

2 Rom 9:11-12. Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad-- in order that God's purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls-- she was told, "The older will serve the younger." (NIV)
2 Tim 1:9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, (NKJV)

3 Gal 1:4. who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, (NIV)
1 Peter 2:9. But you are a chosen people..., a people belonging to God (NIV)

4 John 5:21. "the Son gives life to whom He will. (NKJV)
John 6:37. "All that the Father gives me will come to me. (NIV)

5 1 Peter 1:4-5. and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-- kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (NIV)
2 Tim 4:18. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (NIV)

 

Larry Wing ~ FiveSolas.com - committed to the Doctrines of Grace