Quilt of Holes

A precious sister back in Menomonie sent this to me and I thought I'd share it.



As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the
bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up
their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me,and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes,
creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with
warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

This sums things up for me lately

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Hang on tight as the storms spins around and you feel like your right in the eye of the storm. Then you look around and see several others right in the eye of the storm. You're all bearing your personal pain but you're reaching out to each other. Riding the storm together. Waiting for the storm to calm, but while it is raging allowing God to calm you in the midst of the storm. Then it begins to rock you again and you drop that anchor down in Christ and you know with Him aboard you'll make it and so will everyone else that has their anchor secure in Him.

He truly is "my Rock of Ages" and "my shelter". Though my mind has major arguments with my soul, my heart is settled in Him so my soul will win and I thank my God for the decades that He been with me through the fire and flames. I love Him so much!!!

What an Awesome God we Serve

First He was in our SS class with a very active and personal discussion on sanctification that almost everyone participated in. Then we went from there into a FANTASTIC service as the Lord moved during our worship and the Spirit broke out and moved upon individuals reminding us He's there for us and lifting us from a place of burdens to a place of worship. The guys and gals broke off to pray together. When the ladies got done we began to sing and we watched the Lord move mightily on ALL the men as prayed one for another, linking arms together in a circle (it reminded me of a football huddle) praying for one another and worshipping together. What a glorious to sight to see these young man with pastor broken before God and not embarrassed by it. These are TOUGH guys but they know how to be sensitive before their God.

We had moose roast for dinner and then I went to play frisbee golf with Matthew, Nathan and couple of Matt's friends and one of their wives. It truly was a lot of fun. My body feels so old though. I stopped throwing at the 9th hole as my bad arm was beginning to really hurt and lost what little strength it had. I continued to walk the rugged course though. I enjoyed my time in the sun and with these people. They seemed like real good people.

Then we had another good service and Jessa shared scriptures on being a servant of the Lord's. Brother Nowling then preached the message he didn't get to preach this morning on the covenant. We then had a time of worship in song and a time at the altar.

So to sum it up; my body is old and tired, but my soul and spirit is refreshed and light. Now I'm going to bed as the "tired" has won. I just hope my aching body will allow me to sleep.

Another Beautiful Day in Alaska

It is almost a perfect day here in Alaska. The sun is out and there is a breeze. The skies are still hazy over the mountains due to the 70 or so fires. The air has been so heavy it has been difficult to breathe. But all and all still a gorgeous day.

Have a wonderful weekend with a Glorious Lord's day tomorrow.

Interesting analytics

June 7-July 7 (Cool but scary)

United States 706 (only 13 states haven't been to visit me)
2. Canada 9
3. South Korea 2
4. Malaysia 2
5. Italy 1
6. Romania 1
7. Spain 1
8. Australia 1
9. France 1
10. Indonesia 1
11. Japan 1
12. Brazil 1
13. United Kingdom 1
14. Israel 1

It looks like the out of the county ones came either during Jessa's wedding time or my 4th of July Valdez trip

Our Trip to Valdez = AWE!!!!

We had a glorious trip to Valdez. It seems like forever since the two of us have truly been alone to talk with no people, no computer and no tv to distract. We left at noon on Friday and were headed to Kenny Lake (outside of Copper Center) to a B&B. The drive there was beautiful and we stopped several times for pictures, bathroom breaks and souveniers(I got this carved bear holding salt & pepper shakers that is so cute). We got to the Copper Moose B&B at 5:15 pm (I had figured between 5 & 6 pm so perfect). The place was a gorgeous log cabin. C.D. the host took us downstairs to choose a room and then showed us around. It was a 3 story log home with the downstairs having 4 guest rooms and 2 bathrooms. The main floor the kitchen, living room, dining room and a bathroom. The loft was the where the owners bedroom, bath and office was. The carvings the decor, the deck, the view, the hosts, couldn't have been any better. Jody had worked the night before so after the long drive he wanted to sleep for a couple of hours. C.D. and Kathy offered for me to stay upstairs and visit with them. Then as they began to get their grandson some moose stew they insisted I have some. It was delicious. I visited with these two as if I had known them forever. We talked about the Lord even. Then their guests from Scotland came in and oh how I loved visiting with them. When I went to London, I was only 6 hour drive from them (that would've been so cool). Then I played bowling on the WII with Jude their grandson. Then some more guests arrived. I got Jody up and then several of us went on walk down a trail that led to a gultch that was beautiful. It was just a great day. Weather wise it would rain, be sunny, sprinkle, pour, and more sun. We actually got up to 80 degrees. God was so good.

This morning we got up at 7 am, showered, and went up for coffee, french toast, bacon and fruit. The food was great and what made it even neater was sitting with all the guests enjoying it. We left at 9 am and then headed to Valdez. Oh what a beautiful drive. The weather was perfect again. I stood in AWE at God. As we saw glaciers, waterfalls, mountains, canyons. Every corner was a different view. It was so glorious. We got to Valdez at about 11 am. Drove down Allison Point in hopes of seeing bears. We saw the ocean, ships, seals, a sea lion. Once again another glorious view. We then ate at this little shack called Old Towne after asking a young couple at a coffee shop that argured between them as to what place would have the best burgers, and the young man won and he was sooooo right. The best burger and the best halibut & chips. We then headed out at 1 pm to head home and got home at 6:15 pm. We stopped just a couple of times coming back so we made great time so that we can be ready for church tomorrow. Here's some pictures, though good, it really doesn't show how big and glorious the sights were. Everyone have a great time with the Lord tomorrow.


The Copper Moose B&B ~ I recommend it to anyone headed to Valdez



The view from the B&B


Our room

Allison Point and the Prince William Sound (part of the ocean). At one time we counted 12 seals out there feeding but my camera would snap fast enough for me to catch them when they came up.


Keystone Canyon


Worthington Glacier

Driving to Valdez over the 4th

I'm excited for just my husband and I to get away over night. We were going to fly to Kodiak (although he wasn't to anxious to FLY) but AK Airlines cancelled one of the flights on the 4th so we would just get there to only turn around and come back. Don't think so. Some day before we leave Alaska I want to see Kodiak.

So we went back to our original plan to drive to Valdez. The problem was he has to work Thursday night so he has to sleep in the morning. It's about a 6-8 hour drive depending on how much stopping you do. He said he'd still like to take a road trip so I got online to see what towns were part way there. We are actually going to stay at the Copper Moose B&B in Copper Center. I've never stayed at a B&B and I've really wanted to. The chain hotels were booked and Copper Center is about 2 hours from Valdez. We'll get up and a full spread breakfast with blueberry pancakes and all and head to Valdez (this part of the drive is the best so I've been told). We'll get Valdez probably in time to get lunch and make the 6-8 drive back to Anchorage as to get ready for church Sunday. People at work on one hand think we're insane but at the same time helped me to figure out how to make it all work.

I'm excited to spend some quality time with my husband, enjoy a road trip, get to stay at a B&B, and see another part of this gorgeous state that I can't get enough of.