So, what are you looking forward to at your Thanksgiving feast???
This year, we will be celebrating at my Grandpa John and Grandma Lydia's house. I am looking forward to my Mom's famous pumpkin bars (delicious!), my Grandpa's homemade coleslaw (his mother's recipe), and my Grandma's rutabaga mashed potatoes and gravy (although all the rest of the food is spectacular, too!)
I am also looking forward to seeing family - haven't seen any of the Anderson sibs since July 4th and only saw the Johnsons for a wee bit in October! I will also enjoy seeing my grandparents, Auntie Johnna, Uncle Scott, and their little cutie Weston whom I am sure I won't even recognize!
I hope that you all have a great long weekend (those of you who have off of work!)
We'll miss and be thinking of and thankful for all of you who we won't be celebrating with!
I am SO thankful for the wonderful family that God has blessed me with!!!
~Amber
Monday, November 20, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Leaning on transparent walls: Becoming more like mimes
Have you ever been walking down a street somewhere and run into a street mime? They will mimic those around them, act out strange events, and the classic stuck in a box act. It always amazes me that they make you believe that they are actually touching or leaning on clear walls even though you know it’s just good body control.
As we walk through life there are many uncertainties. It even seems that the more we surrender our lives to God the more uncertain they become. I think that’s how God intended our lives to be though. Walking through life that way causes us to have total trust in God instead of ourselves.
Think of Job, and how everything was stripped from him, and he still clung to what he knew was truth, what he knew was solid. Everything around him seemed to be collapsing, yet he remained faithful, even to near death.
I know it’s a lot easier in these days to find assurance in the things that are tangible. We lean on our accomplishments, our financial statements, our possessions, and even our spouses as “walls” to support us. We lean on them because they give us pride, they stroke our egos, and they give us peace….temporarily.
I think our lives were intended on being more like a mime’s. I think we are supposed to lean on God, lean on the principles of truth (even though sometimes it doesn’t make sense) and trust Him to lead and guide us and give us true peace and contentment.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. Proverbs 2:6-9
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
God help us to trust you, even when we don’t understand your ways. Help us not to lean on things that can so easily be broken down. Help us to lean on You…
Thoughts from the mind of Jason….
As we walk through life there are many uncertainties. It even seems that the more we surrender our lives to God the more uncertain they become. I think that’s how God intended our lives to be though. Walking through life that way causes us to have total trust in God instead of ourselves.
Think of Job, and how everything was stripped from him, and he still clung to what he knew was truth, what he knew was solid. Everything around him seemed to be collapsing, yet he remained faithful, even to near death.
I know it’s a lot easier in these days to find assurance in the things that are tangible. We lean on our accomplishments, our financial statements, our possessions, and even our spouses as “walls” to support us. We lean on them because they give us pride, they stroke our egos, and they give us peace….temporarily.
I think our lives were intended on being more like a mime’s. I think we are supposed to lean on God, lean on the principles of truth (even though sometimes it doesn’t make sense) and trust Him to lead and guide us and give us true peace and contentment.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. Proverbs 2:6-9
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
God help us to trust you, even when we don’t understand your ways. Help us not to lean on things that can so easily be broken down. Help us to lean on You…
Thoughts from the mind of Jason….
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Design Intent: Intended for a purpose
I am a product designer. When I am asked to design products it is assumed that I am designing with purpose and intent. I try to attach reason and logic for the shapes and functions I come up with…otherwise the final design really serves no purpose. As I look out my office window at the sky, the grass, the trees…I am humbled once again.
Everything in this world…every creature, every plant, everything was designed by God not only to just exist, but to serve a purpose. God is the greatest designer to have ever designed. All the colors, the smells, the sights, and the tastes were designed with purpose and intent.
Sometimes I wonder why was I born with curly hair, why I am a certain height, why is my personality the way it is, why is my skin so white…and so on. Today I was reminded that God designed every single part of my being down to each hair on my head. Every part of me was designed with intent. I was created for a purpose, and everything about me was designed to fulfill that purpose. How wonderful is that? I may not know all the details of that purpose just yet, but just to know that I was uniquely designed is simply amazing.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.” Psalm 139:13
God, help me to realize and step into the purpose which you have so carefully designed me for. Help me to not be afraid, but to boldly step into it.
Thoughts from the mind of Jason…
Everything in this world…every creature, every plant, everything was designed by God not only to just exist, but to serve a purpose. God is the greatest designer to have ever designed. All the colors, the smells, the sights, and the tastes were designed with purpose and intent.
Sometimes I wonder why was I born with curly hair, why I am a certain height, why is my personality the way it is, why is my skin so white…and so on. Today I was reminded that God designed every single part of my being down to each hair on my head. Every part of me was designed with intent. I was created for a purpose, and everything about me was designed to fulfill that purpose. How wonderful is that? I may not know all the details of that purpose just yet, but just to know that I was uniquely designed is simply amazing.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.” Psalm 139:13
God, help me to realize and step into the purpose which you have so carefully designed me for. Help me to not be afraid, but to boldly step into it.
Thoughts from the mind of Jason…
Thursday, November 09, 2006
And the walls came down...
Have you ever had days where you are excited, joyful, and have energy for no reason...all seems good, and you feel truly blessed? Then the next day you feel down, depressed, anxious, unsure? Well Amber and I had some of those days this week. Nothing really major caused us to feel those thoughts and feelings, but yet life in general seems to just bear down on us and sometimes overwhelm our thoughts and emotions. Early this morning I was reminded of the story of Joshua and the Israelites and the walls of Jericho. (Joshua 6) I couldn't have imaginged what they were thinking when they were told they would have victory if they march around the walls silently for six days and on the 7th they had to shout really loud. I could imagine on the first day all their thoughts, concerns, and doubts probably made them think it was a lame idea. But they acted in faith, even through adversity, and they did bring down the walls, and they did conquer.
That was a great reminder for us. I think sometimes we expect God to just make our lives easy and effortless, but sometimes we need to step out in faith and show Him we are fully surrendered. We hit one little snag, or compare ourselves to someone better and all of a sudden we don't have that joy. I'm glad I was reminded of that story, and that even though God's plans are good for me, and are plans to prosper Amber and I, we both still have a lot of patience, and faith building to do.
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:1-5)
I'll try to remember this passage next time I feel like I did. Just because we don't get the results we want in life instantly (or at all), doesn't mean we should give up, because God may be teaching us perseverance and character.
Jason
That was a great reminder for us. I think sometimes we expect God to just make our lives easy and effortless, but sometimes we need to step out in faith and show Him we are fully surrendered. We hit one little snag, or compare ourselves to someone better and all of a sudden we don't have that joy. I'm glad I was reminded of that story, and that even though God's plans are good for me, and are plans to prosper Amber and I, we both still have a lot of patience, and faith building to do.
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:1-5)
I'll try to remember this passage next time I feel like I did. Just because we don't get the results we want in life instantly (or at all), doesn't mean we should give up, because God may be teaching us perseverance and character.
Jason
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
VOTE!!!
Have you participated in your civic duty yet today??? It is your duty as a citizen of the United States of America to vote for those that will represent you and your values and beliefs.
I received this message in an email today and I feel it is extremely relevant:
"President Calvin Coolidge, known in his time as "Silent Cal" for his reluctance to speak publicly, nevertheless spoke volumes when it came to one topic: the duty of Americans to vote. In 1926, he said:
It is not in violence and crime that our greatest danger lies. These evils are so perfectly apparent that they very quickly arouse the moral power of the people for their suppression. A far more serious danger lurks in the shirking of those responsibilities of citizenship, where the evil may not be so noticeable but is more insidious and likely to be more devastating.
We live in a republic. A vital principle of that form of government is representation. More and more, as our population increases, it becomes necessary for the people to express their will through their duly chosen delegates. If we are to maintain the principle that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, if we are to have any measure of self-government, if the voice of the people is to rule, if representatives are truly to reflect the popular will, it is altogether necessary that in each election there should be a fairly full participation by all the qualified voters."
Please vote today - vote with your hearts - for the candidates and principles you know are right and true. And remember, if you don't vote, you have absolutely no right to complain about ANYTHING!
Have a superb election day!
Amber
I received this message in an email today and I feel it is extremely relevant:
"President Calvin Coolidge, known in his time as "Silent Cal" for his reluctance to speak publicly, nevertheless spoke volumes when it came to one topic: the duty of Americans to vote. In 1926, he said:
It is not in violence and crime that our greatest danger lies. These evils are so perfectly apparent that they very quickly arouse the moral power of the people for their suppression. A far more serious danger lurks in the shirking of those responsibilities of citizenship, where the evil may not be so noticeable but is more insidious and likely to be more devastating.
We live in a republic. A vital principle of that form of government is representation. More and more, as our population increases, it becomes necessary for the people to express their will through their duly chosen delegates. If we are to maintain the principle that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, if we are to have any measure of self-government, if the voice of the people is to rule, if representatives are truly to reflect the popular will, it is altogether necessary that in each election there should be a fairly full participation by all the qualified voters."
Please vote today - vote with your hearts - for the candidates and principles you know are right and true. And remember, if you don't vote, you have absolutely no right to complain about ANYTHING!
Have a superb election day!
Amber
Thursday, November 02, 2006
After..sorry you had to wait so long for these photos everyone...and sorry we've been slacking to all our faithful readers. We have been rather busy lately, and have put blogging on the low priority list. In case anyone is wondering...the blue we picked out is called "Metropolitan". It isn't baby blue, and it isn't country blue, but a modern blue with a gray undertone. Sorry the picture is fuzzy...I think digital cameras sometimes have too many settings...which allows me more opportunities to screw the picture up!
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Get Well, Britt!!!
As some of you know, and others of you don't, my dear little (well she's almost 17, so not so little anymore) sister, Brittany, was in a car accident Sunday night. Her head was injured and she suffered a concussion. Thankfully, I am able to report, that due to God's grace she is doing well!!! She had a ct-scan today and it showed very good results. She has an enormous headache - and probably will continue to have one for some time. She will have to lay low for quite a while and needs to continue to lay and rest at this point. So, pray that her recovery will continue to go well and praise God for protecting her during the accident. If she would have been struck even a foot or two closer to her door, she could have suffered even worse injuries or death.
We praise God for you, Britt and are so happy that you are doing well!!! Hang in there and know that we love you and send our love even though we are so far away!
Brittany is a very social and involved high school-er. I am sure it is hard for her to be sticking around the house when she'd rather be dancing, singing, and hanging out with friends! I keep telling her that at least she's a junior and that anything she misses she can make up for next year as a senior!
That is about all for us lately... I have been feeling very badly lately that we're so far away! Encouragement to go ahead and just make the 6 hour drive more often - it is worth it to see all of my young and beautiful sibs! They grow taller and beautiful, and more clever and witty every time we see them!
Love to all of our family members and friends out there! And thank you to those that have already been praying for Brittany!
GET WELL BRITTANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
~Amber (& Jason)
We praise God for you, Britt and are so happy that you are doing well!!! Hang in there and know that we love you and send our love even though we are so far away!
Brittany is a very social and involved high school-er. I am sure it is hard for her to be sticking around the house when she'd rather be dancing, singing, and hanging out with friends! I keep telling her that at least she's a junior and that anything she misses she can make up for next year as a senior!
That is about all for us lately... I have been feeling very badly lately that we're so far away! Encouragement to go ahead and just make the 6 hour drive more often - it is worth it to see all of my young and beautiful sibs! They grow taller and beautiful, and more clever and witty every time we see them!
Love to all of our family members and friends out there! And thank you to those that have already been praying for Brittany!
GET WELL BRITTANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
~Amber (& Jason)
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