Day 12 L.O.V.E. Challenge -Something To Do on Vanentine's Day-

Summer's Challenge:

Extreme snowshoeing, (yes I love extreme sports), is something I would love to do for Valentine's Day. Maybe my kids and I will grab the snowshoes, jump in the truck and head up a mountain and hike. Oh yea, I better bring a couple of dogs!

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Shinzou Takara

Koji

Shinzou and Koji are Japanese bred Akita's. They love the snow and are wonderful for pulling a sled. Shinzou is 6 and Koji is 3, so they are both at a great age for pulling, now it is just a matter of training. :s

Isaiah 54:9-10 NIV

“To me this is like the days of Noah,
   when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.
So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,
   never to rebuke you again.
Though the mountains be shaken
   and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
   nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
   says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Blessings,

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Day 11 L.O.V.E. Challenge -Something Special-

We are getting closer to V Day! Ok, so Summer's instructions for today are....

"Post a picture of something you did that was really special for someone you LOVE during this MONTH or any month!!"

A little history first!! My family and I are not huge on giving tons of presents or doing big social things on special days as we believe every day is special. So for birthdays we don't have a big celebration but we do something with the whole family. When the kids were small we did little hikes and spent quality family time together. Now that the kids are in their teens we decided to do some major hiking. We tackled the hike to the glaciers on Joffery Lakes by Pemberton BC. Stunning, yet an easy hike. Later in the summer we hiked Mt. Begbie and Mt. Revelstoke. These are more challenging hikes but not very stunning until you reach the top, which of course I have no pictures for! :( I love to hike and when you combine it with glorifying God the experience is exhilarating.

Glacier in Joffre Lakes

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park

Joffre Lakes

Glacier Mountain that feeds Joffre Lakes

Hiking up the mountain

This was an amazing family time together to the point that my son wants to lean how to scale a mountain so we can make the complete hike up Mt. Begbie which requires an extreme 3hr hike up and then 2 hrs of face climbing. I am not sure that I am that brave but who knows if the wrists and toes are better by the early summer time I may just be posting some pics from hanging off the side of a cliff!!!!     

Song of Solomon 2:13-14 NIV

  The fig tree forms its early fruit;
   the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
   my beautiful one, come with me.”

  My dove in the clefts of the rock,
   in the hiding places on the mountainside,
show me your face,
   let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet,
   and your face is lovely. 

            
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Joanne Spoke! Praise God!

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I know, I know 3 posts in one day surely not my usual! :)   

All of you who are praying for Joanne, The Simple Wife you really should head over to her blog and read today's post. Our God is so good and amazing for Joanne spoke through an iPad. But don't take my words that belittle it go over there and read Toben's post for yourself and give praises to our Mighty and Powerful God.

Joanne

Please keep her in your prayers and pray BIG. 100% healing! She also has an infection so please pray against that.

Thank you!!
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Hypocrite! Who Me?

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Ephesians 2:1-3 NIV

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, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
A hypocrite is a person who pretends to be what they are not. If Jesus Christ is our Saviour and we have accepted Him into our lives then we are children of God and we have a new identity. The old self is dead and we have a new pure self who is one with Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Father by the sacrifice of the spilled blood of Jesus on the cross.
Romans 6:5-7 NIV

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, 

we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the 

body ruled by sin might be done away with, 

that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because 

anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

So when Sunday comes and we attend church we are acting like who we are supposed to be, Christians. We are truthfully being who we were made to be and are alive in Christ. But, when the week rolls around and we are not 'acting' like Christians because of where we are then we are being hypocrites. The word hypocrite is from a Greek word that means "play-actor". We are pretending to be something we are not. Our true identity is in Christ Jesus and when we forget who we are and we start living the way we were before we were saved then we become hypocrites.

Let's live a life that proves we are not hypocrites, don't let the old ways make us act like someone we are not.

Ephesians 2:4-10 NIV

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

 

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Amen! Hallelujah!!

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Day 10 L.O.V.E. Challenge--Valentine's Decor--

Summer's challenge for today is Valentine's Day decor. I am not the type of person that puts decorations up so if I did choose to do some decorating for V Day then it would look something like this.....

Google Image Rose Petal Heart

                                                                              ON

Google Image Table Cloth

                                                                          WITH

Google Image Cinnamon Heart Candies

Psalm 36:5-9 NIV

Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, 

your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, 

your justice like the great deep. 

You, LORD, preserve both people and animals.
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! 

People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. 

They feast on the abundance of your house; 

you give them drink from your river of delights. 

For with you is the fountain of life;

in your light we see light. 

Loving Him,

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L.O.V.E. Challenge Day 9 --Favourite Candy or Flowers--

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My favourite candy and flowers would be Summer time candy!! (Pun intended)   :)

                  HAPPY BIRTHDAY  
             SUMMER!!!!

Today is Summer's birthday so let's all wish this really sweet girl a Happy Birthday. Here's hoping that this year will be pain free and 100% into remission!

Praying and praying for you Sums.




Ok, so what does Summer time candy and flowers look like to me?

Google Image Cotton Candy

Google Image Popsicles

Google Image Fire Weed

I know I broke the rules here and didn't follow the pattern of Valentines but.......I think it's ok! ;)


Psalm 136:1-9 NIV

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
            His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
             His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
             His love endures forever.  

to him who alone does great wonders,
            His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
            His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
            His love endures forever.
who made the great lights—
            His love endures forever.

 the sun to govern the day,
            His love endures forever.  

the moon and stars to govern the night;
            His love endures forever

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L.O.V.E. Challenge Day 8 --Unconditional Love--

Summer's challenge for today is a picture of unconditional love.

Annie

Annie is one of our orphaned calves. Annie had problems drinking milk from her mom and when we found her she was skin and bones!! It took us 2 weeks to get her to drink from a bottle. We tried and tried to get her to nurse from her mom but she refused so we ended up force feeding her from the bottle. Finally she got the hang of it as you can see from this picture. She is now with the rest of the heard, a bit on the small side as this is the case, I am finding out, for bottle fed babies.

1 John 3:16-18 NIV

 This is how we know what love is: 

Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. 

And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister 

in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 

Blessings in action and truth,
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Reaction: Negative OR Positive?

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Scenario:

Two boys raised in the same home by an alcoholic father. When grown they each went their own way, one became an alcoholic and the other a teetotaller. One was asked, "Why did you become an alcoholic?" The other was asked, "Why did you become a teetotaller:" Each of the men answered this question in the same way, "What else could you expect when you had a father like mine?"

Stuff happens, good and bad. We have the power and control to decide how we wish to react to these situations. It is easier to make sound judgements when you have been given a good start with a loving, caring family however there is still no guarantee that these kids will become model citizens. They too have a choice to make in how they are going to live their life.

When growing up in a poor home life there is still the choice to; feel sorry for ourselves, blame others, live life without a goal or purpose or you can forgive the parents, love them just because God gave them to you to honour, respect and obey. The choice is ours to make we can look at our cup half empty or half full. The cup and the liquid does not change it is our approach that makes the world of difference.

Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edge sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to who we must give account.

It is very difficult to honour a mother or father who is an alcoholic, an abuser, or an abandoning parent but the best way we can honour such a parent is to not let our past direct our future. What a great honour it would be for parents if our children would rise above their early setbacks and invest their lives in doing what is right and good for others.

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few fine it."

We all have "stuff" to deal with but it is how we look at this "stuff" that makes the world of difference. Here is a song by Paul Overstreet called 'Dig Another Well'. This kind of sums up this whole post. Enjoy!! 

Blessings,
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L.O.V.E. Challenge Day 7--Silly Picture--

Summer's Story Day 7 L.O.V.E. Challenge--Silly Picture--

Well to inform you all I, when starting this blog, promised my husband that I would not post pictures of the family so I really cannot break that promise. While looking for a funny picture that cracks me up I just couldn't find one of my own that I could post. So here is a pic that I LOVE and have seen many baby horses do this but never caught on film......

Picasa Picture

SO, cute!

John 13:34-35 NIV

“A new command I give you: Love one another. 
As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, 
if you love one another.”

Laughing in Him,

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L.O.V.E. Challenge Day 6 -Valentines Gift-

 

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11 lb Bernard Callebaut chocolate bar AND

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Red Roses!!

Song of Solomon 4:9-10 NIV

You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride;
   you have stolen my heart
with one glance of your eyes,
   with one jewel of your necklace.
 How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! 

My husband and I are not big on gifts for each other but every now and then he brings home some flowers, usually roses, and a BIG chocolate bar. I hear, from my son, there is another massive chocolate bar on its way here from the big ol state of Texas. Yumm!!

Summer's Story

Summer has been such an amazing hostess for this 14 day Love Challenge. Thank you Summer I think you are awesome!

Peace in Him,

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L.O.V.E. Challenge Day 5 'Love Song'

Oh, The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus, by Selah

One of  my favourite all time Love Songs is this one, but sung by one of my favourite artists my nephew. He sang it acapulo at his sisters wedding and I cried and cried. He has the sweetest tenors voice that I have ever heard. Now this isn't my nephew singing but this still sounds great. :) I wanted to re-post my favourite Love song but I just put it up a few days ago. Check it out....Jesus in His Glory...'See His Love' by Kim Walker; Jesus Culture.

Psalm 23 NIV

 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
  He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

He leads me beside quiet waters,
  He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
   for His name’s sake.
 Even though I walk
   through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
   for You are with me; 

Your rod and Your staff,
   they comfort me.

  You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.
 Surely Your goodness and love will follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
      forever.

MERCY; JESUS FORGIVES

                                                     EVERYTHING IS IN HIS HANDS

The wind blows and we are gone as though we have never been here. 

But the Love of the LORD remains forever. 

His LOVE.....

Remains.....

Forever.

Taken off of the video clip

Peace in Him,

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L.O.V.E. Challenge Day 4--Treats

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I have a horse cake mold and I have made many cakes with it but I have never taken a picture. This is something that I would love to make for my family but I think I would add in a whole bunch of hearts.

OR

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I would love to make a cake like this but my talent is not in the kitchen. Give me a wild bucking horse to work with any day over trying to tackle a beauty like this. But I can dream.

Song of Solomon 2:1-2, 10-13 NIV

I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.

Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the young women. 

My beloved spoke and said to me,
   “Arise, my darling,
   my beautiful one, come with me.  See! The winter is past;
   the rains are over and gone.  Flowers appear on the earth;
   the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
   is heard in our land.
 The fig tree forms its early fruit;
   the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
   my beautiful one, come with me.” 

God bless,
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L.O.V.E. Challenge Day 3-- Favourite 'Love' Movie

The Passion

John 15:12-14 NIV

My command is this: Love each other

as I have loved you. Greater

love has no one than this: to

 lay down one's life for one's friends.

You are my friends if you do what I command

My favourite movie is 'The Passion' and I believe this is the best love story ever told. Why would the Creator of the universe send His one and only Son to this earth to die for us sinful people? We didn't even love Him and chose not to obey His commands. His love for us blows me away and sometimes I just cannot wrap my mind around it. Agape love is the love of the Father, a love that I would like to claim and say I too have this love for His people. A deep, true love shown even when your neighbour, friend, sibling, child or spouse does nothing but hurt you and we, out of agape love return goodness for evil just like the Master Creator does. That, my friends, is what will win souls for Jesus; agape love.

Romans 5:6-8 NIV

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.   

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L.O.V.E. Challenge day 2

Prince & Lobo

Leviticus 19:18

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge

against anyone among your people,

but love your neighbour as yourself.

I am the Lord.

14 Day L.O.V.E Challenge

Summer's Story

Summer over at Summer's Story is hosting a 14 Day of L.O.V.E. Challenge and I thought I would join this sweet girl. Join in if you feel so inclined....below are the rules for this challenge......

'Anywho the idea of my 14 Day of L.O.V.E. Challege is to post a picture that reminds you of love, a photo of your love, a photo of your kiddo dressed in cuteness for love month, someone you want to remember who you love, a quote of love, a picture of randoms that remind you of love, your valentine's decor, anything really and you can link up one day or all 14 days of my challenge.... Just include a different picture for each day you link up and you can 'splain about it or not it's totally up to you....just have it related to L.O.V.E....LOL :)'

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 Song of Solomon 1:2-3, 9-11

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
   for your love is more delightful than wine.
 Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;
   your name is like perfume poured out.

I liken you, my darling, to a mare
   among Pharaoh’s chariot horses.
 Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings,
   your neck with strings of jewels.
 We will make you earrings of gold,
   studded with silver. 

What god is as great as our God?

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Psalm 77:13-15 NIV

 Your ways, God, are holy.

What god is as great as our God?

You are the God who performs miracles;

You display Your power among the peoples.

With Your mighty arm You redeemed Your people,

the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.