THE JOY OF THE LORD...

is my strength .... WAS my strength ... through the blessing of family and friends on this trip.  Would love to have pictures of all the dear ones, but don't; will share what I have.

 Jennifer

 Susie

 A spiritual warfare friend in northern MN that I hadn't seen since the Fall, 2006.  We lost our connection for years and, amazingly, found each other on FB shortly before I was heading in her direction.  We had a lovely breakfast together as I was heading West after leaving Susie's. 

My Dickinson, ND, friends Dave and I met in Uganda in '94.  First time I had a chance to visit them since '05.  A blessed night.

I posted about this amazing meeting the Lord laid in both our lives.  We have continued to talk... and will continue to do so.

Darlene

 Gayle

 Jody

This, Part A, ends and then, next, will be Part B.  And story after story that has not been posted already, connected to these people, will have to enter your lives, too, in the next couple weeks. 

Through this am filled with JOY,

 overwhelming JOY, after seeing my dear ones

 and meeting more.  

What a blessing.



 

PSALM 33:4

For the word of the Lord is right,

and His work is done in

faithfulness.

 

The Book of Revelation is filled with His word,

 His Work,  His faithfulness.

[The bookmark was a Christmas gift from one of my blog friends.  I use it constantly, day by day, and keep her always in my mind and on my heart. 

 A true gift.  A loved gift.]

JEDEDIAH SMITH AND ME

 

 Jedediah Smith has been one of my historic heroes for some time.  The reason?  Even though he was a mountain man, mixed in with piles of less-than-righteous explorers and hunters, he focused on the Lord.  He was seen with a Bible, was known as pious and very straight.  He refused to have any sexual relations.  He didn't drink or smoke.  Rarely had a sense of humor that fit in with the rest of the guys.  He didn't cuss.  He did what he thought was his leading by the Lord.  And he was all over the west portion of our country.  He was going over hills, around rivers and lakes, imprisoned in California [since he was considered an invader], and chased by a variety of civilizations.  He drew maps and put pieces together for the future members who would be hitting the trails to expand the U.S. territories.

Was he perfect in terms of how we would recognize conflicting cultural issues today?  No.  But, if nothing else, he was  young-ish -- 23 when he began to travel and 32 when he was murdered.  Yet he did more in that short time than most of us could even imagine doing in our present days... and we've got cars to drive, good solid roadways, cell phones that help us contact others if we are in any kind of need, and credit cards if we are out of cash.  He [and the others who were hunters, fur traders, trappers, explorers] had very little on a regular basis.  Yet, they accomplished so much that prepared our future.  Some good, some evil... but much done.

I have a book about him called "Men Against the Mountains" that was published in 1965.  Interesting.  Well written.

When traveling across Montana this post is in a rest area and I've seen it a number of times.  And, considering the mountains, the rivers, the hills, the boulders, the winter storms [with strong wind, ice, and piles of snow], the conflicts, the danger of being attacked by animals [which often occurred] and having a lack of helpfulness -- no doctors, hospitals or clinics -- I'm always amazed that he and the others made it.

The only bit I would like to see on these history posts was his Methodist faith, which was very strong and intensely focused on worshiping and serving the Lord.  Back in those years, the denomination was fairly new and very missions-oriented.  Jedediah fit into it quite well.

When I was wondering what I could share today, when looking through my hundreds of photos from the trip, this jumped out at me.  Not filled with easy sweetness and light, but a good reminder of what was done for us to spread out and prepare as a nation.

... And, in my heart, how we as individuals and families can step out to serve the Lord in ways that will reach out and plant seed into the lives of those nearby and far away.  That's one of my main goals of life.  Has been for years.  Will be forever.



 

SKY-FILLED JOY FOR ME

This may drive some of you nuts, but when I was driving [or walking or watching], the sky sent me beautiful sights. Believe me, I often pulled over to the side of the Interstate to take photos or even held my camera up to the window. [THAT is not wise or bright, but I couldn't not do it.] And the sky kept me moving forward.  The states I don't have that I traveled through are my Nebraska and Susie's Minnesota.  A matter of timing. The photos are mostly shown in the order I traveled.  Too many pics in your face, maybe, but short and easy to view.

 

[I wanted to write a story today since I have so many on my heart from that trip, but I'm still too tired since my arrival home on Monday.  So this is what touched my heart to share today.]

"BUTTE-IFUL" SAVANNAH AND AUDREY

As is the case with most people in the world, I never know when the Lord is going to drop me into the "right place, right time."  This one touched me for hours [and days], however.  Still rejoicing.

The first motel I stayed at on my trip to the Northwest was at Butte, MT, on October 19th.  When I arrived, the desk clerk was a really sweet and obviously caring young lady.   I liked Savannah.  Due to some computer connecting issues, I'd pop out to the desk to see if she could help me.  We ended up talking for a while. [Who, ME??]  The Lord was dropped into the conversation and she showed a real heart for Him.  Savannah is 20, going to a nursing school, and has this desk job.  Her mom has been a spiritual guide for her and is connected to the Catholic Renewals.  Since I had/have a number of friends in that same spiritual group, we had quite a bit to talk about.  Overall, it was a really blessed evening.

When I was heading home, I-90 east last Saturday, and not far from Butte, I knew I could stop near the motel and have my gas tank filled.  Then I would drop in and find out if Savannah was on the job.

Well, she wasn't working; had called in sick.  The desk lady was very nice, but we didn't cover too much territory at first.  She gave me a piece of paper and envelope to write a note to Savannah.

During and after the "note" time, the clerk and I talked.  I honestly don't remember what direction we went, but I know I told her I was really looking forward to reaching home and being with my husband.  Somewhere in there I mentioned Dave's and my age difference and how the Lord had brought us together in spite of what anyone [including us] would ever have anticipated.

Suddenly, she, who I had no idea was spiritually-oriented, grabbed my arm and said, "God sent you here for a reason!"  Then she told me that her husband is 13 years younger than she is and, after several years together, he had just recently prayed for his salvation.  They weren't going to church, yet, but were listening to Joyce Meyers and other speakers on TV.  Her husband particularly liked Joyce, because she is so straightforward and blunt.  He didn't have to wonder too long if something was OK. Somehow, amazingly, just as he was trying to determine what was right or wrong, a topic would arise and she, through the Word, let him know. And he changed.

Audrey and I talked for several minutes.  She gave me a special tiny rock her father, a pastor, had given her shortly before his death.   I felt blessed, believe me.  It will be in a special place on my desk.

In the future, Audrey and her husband, on their way to Ohio to see her family, will try to drive on I-80 instead of I-90 so they can swing through Omaha and visit us.  Can hardly wait!

I don't have photos of Savannah or Audrey.  But I have LOTS of photos of the land surrounding the town of Butte.  And it's a gorgeous area.  Filled with boulders.  Now, wouldn't ya know that has "piles" of MY attention?

What a blessed few minutes at the motel.  I never would have guessed during that driving stretch that the Lord was pouring His blessing on and through me to bless someone else.

[I'm home now, and TIRED.  In the next couple weeks I'll be dropping into you story after story the Lord dropped into my life while on this trip.  5,018 miles was obviously worth RMN4GOD.] 

REVELATION 10:6

AND [THE ANGEL] SWORE IN 

THE NAME OF HIM WHO LIVES

FOREVER AND EVER,

 WHO...

  

[YES, HE DID ... FOR WHICH I'M ONE GRATEFUL CHILD.]

SEASIDE, OREGON

What a day!!!  Enormously blessed, put in a frustrating flooded highway and, later, nearly scared to death.

Drove from Clatskanie to Astoria, Oregon, and then headed south a bit, expecting to go to Cannon Beach, my favorite place.

My niece, Dimidy, was with me and we were having a nice time in the car talking about her spiritual and personal plans.  Such a nice time... driving about 50 miles each way.

Then, just south of Seaside town, road signs indicated that some road flooding had taken place.  A river connected to the ocean had spread across fields and the roads.  I drove behind a number of the cars and then the depth became way too dangerous.  I took a "U" and went back north ...

stopping at Seaside instead of Cannon...  and Dimidy and I had a wonderful time.  Ate lunch, then walked to the beach and loved it.  Here's some of the history.

And photos of raining, foggy, windy.  [One photo I wish I had was of the wave suddenly overwhelming us and hitting over the top of my boots.  It was funny... and my feet were COLD!] 

Overall, a couple hours of hitting the tourism-based stores was a blast. [I found a really neat local artistic piece for my husband. OOO-OOO! He'll love it!].

Then we started back to my sister's in Clatskanie.  It was much darker than I had anticipated and it was very rainy.  The roads were filled with curves... which wasn't usually an issue for me.  However, this time, with cars driving around curves and lights hitting me in the eye, I was frantic.  Couldn't see the road lines on either side of my lane.  Making it, but not relaxing at all.

Suddenly, Dimidy and I saw a large dead deer in the road covering my whole lane.  I had to cross the double-line; cars were coming, but I was able to swing out and back quickly, no damage -- to my car.  However, my heart was pounding and I was stiffened.  My left foot had been hurt when I accidentally smashed it at against the door during that fast switch. [It's OK now.]

Made it home, survived, loved the day, loved my niece.  Couldn't have had a more wonderful day, overall.

And am very grateful to my Lord for protecting and keeping me surrounded by angels and buried in grace and mercy.

AMEN!!