Saturday, November 1

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.  The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.  Psalm 16: 5-6

We're so blessed to spend this time in this beautiful place.  Here's a picture of our house and our street.

Wednesday, October 29

Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today...The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.  Exodus 14:13-14

I thought you would like to see some pictures of the Flathead County Building and the park that surrounds it in Kalispell.  You drive around this beautiful building as you approach Kalispell's Main Street.  In just a few weeks Main Street will be festive with glittering lights on all the trees.  I'll post pictures.  The weather has turned colder and we're preparing for snow!

Sunday, October 19

The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.  Psalm 19:1

Yesterday the kids went to the Community Swing Dance which was held in a ballroom above one of the stores on Main Street.  Kalispell is so small town America - love it so much.

Today Den and I went to Glacier.  Tomorrow Going to the Sun Road will be closed at Avalanche so today was our last opportunity to get to Logan Pass.  It was a beautiful day and great to see our favorite spots again.

Here are a couple of pictures of Jessi, Nate and Travis and of our trip to Glacier today.

Sunday, October 5

For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.  Ecclesiastes 3:1

It's been a while since I posted to my blog;  this is mostly because our days have been so full and partly because my heart has not been in it.

Den and I have made the decision to remain in Kalispell until after our vacation with Penny and Francis next year.  Our RV has been winterized and is hibernating on Jack and Alice's property.  We moved in with Darcy, Jessi and Travis last Monday and are so much enjoying being part of their family.  We hope that we're bringing a bit of stability during a difficult time of adjustment for them.  Darcy is in process of filing for divorce and is working as a front office manager in a dentist's office and also at Sweet Peaks ice cream store.  Jessi is a full-time student at Flathead Community College and works at City Brew and Travis is finishing up high school and works at Crossfit Gym.  They are in and out of the house all day long and we love being here to hear their stories, and watching how the Lord is blessing them and growing them up through this tough time.

So you will just see pictures of the beautiful Flathead Valley for a while on my blog!  Fall has definitely arrived and it's so beautiful.  The fist 3 pictures were taken at Sweet Peaks yesterday and the last one is of Faith Covenant Church where our family attends.  We have been going with them lately - first service at Easthaven and second service at Faith Covenant!  It's a rich time for us.

Sunday, September 21

I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.  Psalm 89:1

Yesterday and this morning we celebrated Jessi's 19th birthday.  We are overwhelmed with God's goodness in the gift of our sweet girl and that He allowed us to be here at this special time.

Last night we had a little black dress party with her friends.  They were all so gracious to make this Nana feel so much a part of the fun!  (Josie, Suzanne and Lissa - I hope these pictures will bring a smile to your faces.)

Saturday, September 13

Behold, God is my salvation.  I will trust and will not be afraid.  For the Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.  Isaiah 12:2

Today we celebrated Ruth's birthday with a trip to Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park.  It was a beautiful day from start to finish.  Ruth's Mom Naomi and daughter Shelly came too.  I'm blessed to have such a special friend!

Lake McDonald is such a beautiful place and I was thankful that it is exactly the same as it was when we last visited - so good to have that comforting thought in the midst of a changing world.  God is good!

Saturday, September 6

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.  Proverbs 19.21

What an idyllic day as we witnessed the marriage of Jessica and Jarid.  Jessica is the daughter of Den's sweet friend Lisa.  Lisa was such a blessing to Den when we stayed at the church when we were here before.  The setting is Middle Thompson Lake.  This beautiful property was given to Easthaven Baptist Church for use as a conference center.  Den went to a Men's conference during the winter when the mountains were snow-covered and the lake was ice.  Is there any doubt that Montana is the Last Best Place?

Tuesday, September 2

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  II Corinthians 12:9

This day started out with a short visit from Darcy who stopped in on her way to her first class at Flathead Valley Community College.  Then after I did my hour of answering phones at Easthaven and visited Ruth for a little while, we drove about 6 miles out of Kalispell to Somers Bay, one of our favorite places.  We ate lunch at Somers Bay Cafe and sat by Flathead Lake for a while.  We have many memories of driving to Somers Bay after work and enjoying the peace of the beautiful lake and of taking Penny and Deb to the Cafe.  Here are some pictures so you can see why we love it so much!

Saturday, August 30

They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

Today we went to the Thunderbirds Air Show at Glacier International Airport with Tom and Mae.  We were right up front, center stage and were so impressed with the talent, teamwork and coordination of these amazing young men and women.  At the end we were able to meet them, including Jason Curtis, home town boy from Kalispell.  Seeing the gorgeous planes flying in our beautiful Flathead Valley was breathtaking!

Friday, August 29

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Philippians 2:4

Today we visited our friend Don who had hip surgery last week.  The directions were to go three miles and take the second driveway following the ugly truck; there would be four black and white steers in the field in front of their little white house that would have a red pickup and a white car in front.  No GPS necessary here!  Here's a picture of the ugly truck.

Also, particularly for my friend, Ann; here's a picture of the yarn shop on Main Street.  They always have a spectacular array of flowers in the front of the store.

Have I mentioned how much I love Kalispell?

Tuesday, August 26

Your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, "This is the way, walk in it, when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.  Isaiah 30:21

Today I worked in the church office for the first time; a dream come true for me!

Afterwards we went to visit a friend in Whitefish and then we were able to cross two items off our list of things to do here - lunch at Amazing Crepes and an afternoon reading our books enjoying the scenery at Whitefish Lake.  It was a gorgeous day and Whitefish was simply breath-taking, as usual!

Tonight we have been out for an ice-cream at Sweet Peaks - don't know if the big draw is the ice-cream or the sweet person serving it!  Anyway, it was a great date.

I am so enjoying being with Den and I think he likes me too!

Here's the new view we have from our RV:

And here's a picture of our fun lunch date and Whitefish Lake:

Sunday, August 24

Strive for peace with everyone and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.  Hebrews 12:14

Here we are back at home at Easthaven Baptist Church.  We moved over on Friday in the middle of a thunderstorm, but the Lord held back the rain just long enough for us to unhook and hook the RV and Darcy and Jessi came over to help us which was wonderful.  I get to lock up and security arm the church every night and to answer the phones on Tuesday mornings while the staff has a meeting.  (My Alliant friends will know to pray for me because I am transfer challenged!  Hopefully I will catch on fast!)

We had a full, rich and fun week, which included two Silver Sneakers classes, two Bible Studies, a very lovely dinner out at the Bigfork Inn and West Side Story at Bigfork Theater, dinners every other night at Darcy's, shopping trip with Ruth and girls' movie night with Darcy, Jessi and Hannah.

Here's a picture of Den in Silver Sneakers class and of Hannah and Jessi the night we watched the movie.

The joy that I feel in being in this lovely place and surrounded by such wonderful family and friends cannot be expressed in words!

Wednesday, August 20

You shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.  Isaiah 58:11

Today we visited our friend Eloise whose property is right in the middle of the forest, some distance from town.  We enjoyed each one of the beautiful flowers in her garden that she pointed out to us and ended the morning with tea and cookies.  Such peace surrounded the morning and she was a blessing to our hearts.

Tuesday, August 19

Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.  Psalm 103 2-5

Today we received an invitation to relocate to Easthaven Baptist Church.  This is where we stayed during the summer when we were here before.  We are so appreciative of the generosity of Pastor Daniel who said "Do not pass Go - get your RV over here as quickly as you can!"  This will save almost enough money to pay for the repairs on the jeep.  We will be moving over there on Friday!  We will miss our beautiful campsite but are excited to be back in the middle of things at Easthaven.

Here's a picture of the morning view from our campsite one day last week and a picture of Den enjoying retirement!

Monday, August 18

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.  Romans 15:13
 
This is the week of fixing things - both our RV and our jeep (Jenny 2) need work.  Jack and Alice have loaned us one of their cars so that we can still have fun in the midst of it all.

So today we ran some errands which included enjoying a frappe at my favorite coffee house - City Brew - even more of a favorite now that Jessi works there.  I think she added a little extra whipped cream just for us!

Saturday, August 16

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  Psalm 23:6

Easthaven Baptist Church is the particular house of the Lord that I love!  Just walking through the doors makes me happy.  The last two days I was able to spend some time helping get ready for the annual Giant Sale.  So much fun to work with friends setting everything up so that it looked attractive to the shoppers beating down the doors this morning!  And since the workers had first dibs on the merchandise I have a whole new wardrobe!

Here's a picture of how it looked.  If you look really carefully you can see my little white head in the background on the left!

Also, Thursday night we attended a wonderful classical concert at Easthaven.  It was so good to witness the talent God has given to the violinist, soloist and accompanist we heard.  We also had a special treat when they also played at the shop where we had coffee with Jack and Alice Thursday morning.  Wonderful talent living right hear in the Flathead Valley and using their gifts to glorify the Lord.  

Friday, August 15

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  Psalm 119: 103

My absence from the blog has been because of much activity!  There has been time for renewed friendships and for needed repairs to our house and the jeep and of course for being with the family.

Tonight, in the middle of a thunderstorm we visited Darcy at work - Sweet Peaks in downtown Kalispell. What a treat to enjoy the best ice-cream in town and a brief visit with our girl!