1, 2, 3, Let's Go

Grandma and Grandpa are getting ready for you to come visit!

We've ordered cupcakes, and bought polka-dot material for a girl/boyish tablecloth/backdrop.

I'm making a paper chain and a banner out of old Bible story books I found at an antique store, which are too musty to read from.

We're going to fix a Saturday morning brunch (followed closely by a photoshoot) to celebrate your birthday's.  It's a little early, but your parents will throw the  "real" parties closer to the 19th & 23rd.

Great grandma Thelma & Great grandpa Lloyd will be home to help us celebrate, too!  I'm gonna get all the camera stuff ready and make sure I've picked out just the right spots to capture the day on film (which means on the digital camera, jump-drive, hard drive, etc.)

Did you know we used to take pictures on 35mm film?  After shooting 24 or 36 frames (with only seeing what we actually saw in the viewfinder) we'd press the camera unwind button--and a little lever popped up so we'd wind the film back into the canister, open the back of the camera, take out the canister, drive to the nearest camera shop or put it in a 'Skrudland' envelope, pay upwards of $10 and wait 2 to 3 weeks before getting the developed film back as paper photographs.  If we were lucky we got around 10 or 12 good pictures from one roll of film.  Since you're not into math yet, that's about $1 per photograph.

Thank goodness for the digital age, because I have about 3, 495 pictures of the two of you already.

Anyway, I just wanted you to know that we're getting ready for you to visit.  We're cleaning the floors, so you won't have dirty knees.  We're thinking of ways to keep you from climbing on the hearth and up the stairs.  We're getting age appropriate toys out.  We're practicing up on our grandparent giddiness.

You probably won't sit still to listen, this year, but I wanted to tell you that the end of March will always hold special memories for me.  Max, you've probably already forgotten, but you were supposed to arrive on the scene first. And, since a girl likes to have her mom around for times like this, I'll always be thankful for the support Grandma Martha gave when you, Lilly, decided to come around first. I felt buoyed by her strength and encouraged with the wisdom she imparted to me, after I first arrived to meet you.

And then came you, Max, through the Michigan snowstorm, and into the little hospital in a small town called Big Rapids.  

I've never prayed so hard in all my life as the text messages across those 4 days, at times, came in what seemed like weeks instead of hours apart.

And, I'll never forget seeing the dads motion me and Aunt Lissa, into those rooms and introduced us to you, as your momma's beamed. 

Your parents prepared, and prepared for your arrival. Your mom's were awesome and dad's were troopers, but God prepared for you to enter this world long before he even brought you parents together. 


"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart," Jeremiah 1:5

"For you did form my indward parts: You did knit me together in my mother's womb I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."  Psalm 139:13 & 14

It's always good to prepare, don't worry about it quite yet, because your parents will help prepare your hearts to learn more about God.  But I just finished attending a conference where the teacher explained about the Shunemite woman in the bible that prepared a place for the  Old Testament prophet Elisha (who, in the New Testament, is mentioned as prototype of Jesus).  She had her husband cut a hole in the wall and add an extra bed, table, chair, and candlelight so when the prophet came to town she could offer him a place to rest.  She prepared to receive the prophet. She didn't run all over town and worry about unimportant things. She was content. She determined in her heart to make a place for Elisha, to give of herself for others. It's always good to prepare a place for Holy One to rest in our hearts.  2 Kings 4:8-37

I guess that's enough for today, but I wanted to let you know a few things you can do to prepare to visit us. You can get ready to be hugged and bragged over.  You can expect lotsa love and attention.  If you wake up early, tell your parents to text us, and we'll hang out with you until a reasonable waking hour.  You can get ready to be kissed and squeezed in real time, enough of this virtual grand parenting.  

Get ready, get set, go!

Task At Hand

I'd probably have booked another wedding, if I woulda stayed off facebook today. Seriously. 
After vowing to give up political jibberish as one of my New Year's Resolutions, I posted this status update this morning, mind you it's only February 17. Fail. 
"Politics are not the task of the believer. ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Whether the quote is true or not doesn't it beg the question, "What is the task of the believer?" 72 comments, an afternoon visitor, 2 pots of coffee and a 1/2 bottle of wine later I've come to believe that some did not understand what I meant. 
Let me be clear---politics, nor a myriad of other distractions, should not be the main task of the believer. Does that make sense? 
Still begs the question, What is the task of the believer?
So I circle around, yet again and hunker down to do the works of my Father.  No more excuses, no discussion or distractions. And I promise, no more political talk. May have to drive up to MI for the primary, though. 


As hard as I search the Word, I don't see much about politics.  Render unto Ceasar's what is Ceasars... is about it. 


Besides the Top Ten, there aren't a whole lot of commands/tasks in the Bible.  But when you do get to the biggies in the New Testament they come with authority and have the high price of Jesus suffering  attached. 


I ask myself yet again, WDIMWIS. (What Does It Mean When It Says) The answer comes back loud and clear.


1. James 1:27  Religion that God the Father accepts as pure and without fault is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help, and keeping yourself free from the world's evil influence.
2. Mark 12:30, 31  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength  The second command is this: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself. There are no commands more important than these.
3. Matthew 28:16-20  Then Jesus came to them and said, "All power in heaven and on earth is given to me. So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.
4. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22   Live in peace with each other. We ask you, brothers and sisters, to warn those who do not work. Encourage the people who are afraid. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.  Be sure that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to do what is good for each other and for all people.
Always be joyful. Pray continually, and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not hold back the work of the Holy Spirit. Do not treat prophecy as if it were unimportant. But test everything. Keep what is good, and stay away from everything that is evil.


These then, are the tasks of the believers.


Have a great week-end, Love ya Nic!


Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16


PS We saw a pair of robins today!

Country Mouse, Here

I really don't know what I want to be when I grow up. Do you?

Lately, well, since 2003, I've really wanted to become a writer.  So I've been scratching around in the archives for pieces to submit.  Not that it was lost, but I found an article I wrote called "Lost And Found."  It's pretty self-centered but while rereading it, I came to understand that God made each one of us with a heart for Him and no two personalites or look-a-likes.  How absolutely cool is that? When this life is over, we're even gonna get a white stone with our name on it and no one will understand the name except the one receiving it.*
Our creator is so creative.

I've heard that to be a writer, you have to write.  Here at Julee's Journal, or Grey Barn Farm Journal, or whatever I feel like calling it, most of the writing is about life. My life. It's a dichotomy for me, because I feel like the only way to walk in this life is to get your mind off of self and onto others.  But to keep this thing updated, I must talk about myself.  So therein lies my angst. Yadda, yadda, yadda, blah, blah, blog.

We (the Mr., Grover, Uncle Mark) recently spent a Super week-end with my niece and her husband. We had such a grand time, we didn't even think to take a picture.  So here's one from their wedding this summer.  I tell you, they're still on the honeymoon!

We cooked each other scrumptous meals, we laughed, we cried, we played multiple rounds of monopoly deal, we slept in, we walked their dog, we hunkered down, and we left our shoes by the door, all because that is what families do.

This house, where we watched Chelsea; play with our daughters, the baby kittens, open Christmas gifts and repeated swimming pool escapades.  This land where we took them on walks in strollers, laid pennies on the railroad tracks, and ordered Pizza King too many times to mention, These walls echoed once again with family laughter and medicine.  This family room which used to be strewn with legos, madame alexander dolls, and marbles, remained virtually clean while we scooted our chairs together to watch the big game and offered up prayers of celebration for Chelsea's soulmate and our nephew Derek #35 along with another great-niece baby K #40 in the extended family line-up.

A week-end we won't soon forget.

And then it was off to the city for some serious shopping, a much needed break, and  Francis Chan fuel forthe fire. The train into the city was my first ride on Amtrak.  I KNOW ... can you believe it? Crossing the country on that sucker went straight to the top of my bucket list.  One daughter met me at the 3-sided 4-season train station along side the tracks, another rode the rails from MI and met up within 20 minutes of our train, looking all grown-up and sophisticated. (the first of many times, I shed a few tears during our stay) Then we hiked it down to my sister's friends condo, it only sleeps 4 and 1/2 but it's on MI ave, for crying outloud. There we met up with my sisters, their aunts.  The whole thing orchestrated perfectly, with timed and divine appointments, quickly arranged meetings with a brother/Uncle, and son/nephew. More than one surprise encounter with HS/Chicago/SH friends and daughter/cousin/niece with her 4 grandkids/great neices and nephews.

It was a 3 and 1/2 day soul bender, with a side of mission accomplished. I highly recommend another one, soon.

You in?

And I figured out what I wanna be when I grow up. Me.

“I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” – Revelation 2:17

*The White Stone

Roots & Wings

My sisters and I spent 3 days in Chicago, converging on the city to hear Francis Chan (Crazy Love, Forgotton God) at the historic Moody Memorial Church.  Ephesians 3 tells the spiritual story of our time together, but check back to get the physical, emotional, and maybe the "mental" play by play of our reunion. 

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,  
that He would grant you, 
according to the riches of His glory, 
to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,  that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; 
that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 
may be able to comprehend with all the saints 
what is the width and length and depth and height 
to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; 
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Have a blessed Sunday and a Happy Valentine's Day.

Super Power

As I stumble my way downstairs early this morning  and stare out the kitchen window ... something is missing.  Even if daylight hasn't  broken, from this window I can see the lights of the town, the interstate, and the bustle of morning traffic down at the seed company corner. 
  
But this morning I see nothing.  Total blackness.  


Fog has fallen, in the night. Like a down quilt fluffed and then flopped down on the bed, the fog floats across the farm.  Like a weighty theatre curtain drawn between acts, it surrounds me on my private acre stage.


As I begin to peruse the internet, I see the fog has curtained most of NW Indiana and I think about the millions of people descending on Indianapolis for Superbowl XLVI. I want to haul out the Canon and head out to take some morning photographs, but one other facebook article catches my eye.


How did we get to this place? 
How can this happen in our heartland? 
This country where 80% claim to be christian?


Then I got to wondering how many believers will be in and around the Indy area this week-end. And I had another of my WDIMWIS (What Does It Mean When It Says) moments?  
Matthew 18:18-20 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.  Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

And so I pray against this evil phenomon. I pray this stronghold will be broken all over the Indianapolis area. I pray the Holy Spirit will move and fall over this city like a flood light penetrates the players. I pray that orchestrators of this evil will become confused and disoriented because of their lack of power to plan and make connections. I pray for a hedge of protection around possible victims. We, just like Tim Tebow, are on our knees, God, praying for Indianapolis.

And because of the above scripture I also pray for believers to be bold and share the gospel with everyone in their super bowl bubble. I pray the peace of God shines on their faces and the holy spirit  fills them with love, joy, peace, and kindness, and moves people into random acts of compassion. I pray that a spirit of revival will start to build and roll in like this morning's fog, and the light and fire from heaven will descend, chasing away the heavy darkness, on this city, in the heart of America. 


Amen

Year-In-Review

From "Because I'm The Mom Productions" 

and without further adieu ... 

Our Year-In-Review 2011

Ready Yourselves

Higher quality viewing at Julee Ann's Vimeo

Outtakes available upon request.

Defragging

For the better part of January, which is the better part of gone, I've been purging.


No, not the master cleanse, or the detox diet, but more like hoarders anonymous for the laptop.


To give credit where credit is due, I thank Apple for pulling their (my) iWeb and my (their) Mobile me gallery. You see, while everyone else was connecting and commenting and building their blog base through social media, I stayed true to my little 'ole easy to use website.  
It's like I wrote,  illustrated (with photos) and published  my own storybook from 2003 - until June of 2012.  


But now it's time to move on, and I do so with no regrets.   Time for another chapter. Turn the page.  Head out on the highway to clear my head and Macbook.  Seriously it's time to purge because of  years of internet bingeing.  If pinterest was food, I'd be a sumo wrestler.


It's so very embarrassing and exhilarating.  Last night, while Skyping with my friend Kate, I tried to find a photo I wanted to share with her.  It was hopeless, not to mention the fact that I do not can't multitask.  Try finding a photo amongst scads and scads of archived folders, events, scans, tiffs, and jpegs, all while balancing your laptop and a glass of wine.


Today, I'm still rifling through and trying to put finishing touches on the Year-In-Review, with apologies to my loyal followers for the delay, but by the end of the week-end, your and my wait will be over.


Side-note: So glad a true friend doesn't delete you when you neglect to send condolences, and time and distance prohibit a non virtual get-together,   Ring me up, Scotty.


And so my detoxification process continues.
day before yesterday = my desktop, gossip, and ungratefulness
yesterday = iPhoto (you may question why I couldn't find said photo last night, and so do I)
today = safari bookmarks and bitterness
tomorrow = e-mails and american idol's preliminary auditions
the next day = pinterest boards, worry, and facebook subscriptions (did you know you can unsubscribe from certain fb status updates?)
sunday evening = Year-In-Review Movie and a lighter, happier me.


Cut-off.
Gone like yesterday.
Boom
Deleted
Free.
Pruned.

So I got to thinking about purging and pruning. Unlike the years with an iWeb journal, I haven't named 2012 yet, but thanks to blogger I have a new mantra/blog category entitled "What Does It Mean, When It Says ...?"  which I'll refer henceforth as WDIMWIS.


WDIMWIS ...


"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." John 15:4-6

Election Results

I could argue my view until the cows come home to the grey barn farm, (like for example, doesn't it point to a flawed IRS system, as opposed to a "republican fiasco" when millionaires don't pay their fair share in taxes?)  

It is what it is.


But, is it what the blue states say it is? Or is it what the red states say it is? Is it what rebublicans say it is? Or is it what democrats say it is? Is it what Jake says it is? Or is it what Julee says it is? Is it what Newt or Mitt says it is?  Is it what the president says it is, or is it what congress says it is? Now this verse is taken horribly out of context, but yet ridicoulously spot on, no?

People will grab something on the right, but they will still be hungry. They will eat something on the left, but they will not be filled. Isaiah 9:20

I heard a sermon at Melissa and Spencer's church entitled "It is what it is. Or is it what God says it is. By Angela Hughes at The Point

So in the spirit of the intro to the Steven Curtis Chapman's "Heaven In The Real World" song I give you my one and only 2012 post on politics. 

"Where is the hope? I meet millions of people who feel demoralized by the decay around us. The hope that each of us has is not in who governs us, or what laws we pass, or what great things we do as a nation. Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people. And that's where our hope is in this country. And that's where our hope is in this life." ~ Chuck Colson

So vote responsibly, vote early and vote often, but don't argue politics, people, tell everone what he has done and how great he is!

That's all she wrote folks. Selah.

At that time you will say: 

    "I praise you, Lord! 

       You were angry with me, 

    but you are not angry with me now! 

       You have comforted me.

  God is the one who saves me; 

       I will trust him and not be afraid. 

    The Lord, the Lord gives me strength and makes me sing. 

       He has saved me."

  You will receive your salvation with joy 

       as you would draw water from a well. 

  At that time you will say, 

    "Praise the Lord and worship him. 

       Tell everyone what he has done 

       and how great he is. 

  Sing praise to the Lord, because he has done great things. 

       Let all the world know what he has done.

 Shout and sing for joy, you people of Jerusalem, 

       because the Holy One of Israel does great things before your eyes.

Isaiah 13

Exchange Rate

I get a cold and rainy January day, you get yet another blog post.  



“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.” 
― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity


Sometimes I tune into the TV show Extreme Makeover. The looks on their faces right after they start to move the bus is enough to get me to stay tuned in until they've televised and traversed through every inch of the new house.


My dad is a king, and since I'm his daughter I live in the palace.  


My father, the king,  is good and kind, all the time.  When I walk through the halls, I feel warm and safe.  I feel like a princess. He is forever trying to get the point across to me that I am worthy of his love.  He imparts faith to me on a daily basis.  He  tells me how great I am.  He prepares feasts and is constanlty remodeling my rooms. He doesn't let me believe the lies and He longs for me to sit down by the fireside and learn of his ways and worship him. 


My father the king, hosts an extreme makeover every day.

His exchange program, is the likes of which I can't even begin to understand or fathom.  He takes my garbage and leaves me a banquet.  He wants to exchange my fear for faith. He wants to take my sickness and give me health. He wants my messed up check-book for financial freedom. He wants my lonliness in exchange for a relationship. He takes the curse and gives the blessings. He offers joy for sadness and peace for worry.


My father, the king, has new surprises for me every morning.   The price has been paid.  He bought me over 2000 years ago. He cared and loved me enough to send his son to take the punishment for me.  What can I do, but follow his lead and put on the robes of kindness, gentleness, love, faith, mercy and grace. I must not walk around with my head down.  I refuse to mope or complain. I won't worry or whine.  I can't, because my father, the king, has adopted me into his family. I'm the daughter of a King. I live in a palace.


Without fail, and absolutely WHENEVER I see a picture of Prince William and Princess Catherine, I think royalty!  They dress like Royals, they act like Royals, they smile like Royals, and they even wave like Royalty. 


So excuse me if I sound like a princess, but it's time to start living like royalty.

But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,

         My glory and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3

 Lift up your heads, you gates; 

   lift them up, you ancient doors, 

   that the King of glory may come in. 

 Who is this King of glory? 

   The LORD Almighty— 

   he is the King of glory. Psalm 24:7-10

Show & Tell

It was a dark and stormy night. No, seriously, it was a dark and stormy night. I was 5, maybe 6 years old. We were rounding dead man’s curve (I’m not making this stuff up, why just last year they straightened the road so it’s not a curve anymore) I’ll show you … it’s only about a mile from Great grandma’s farm.
The lightening struck and the thunder rolled.  I felt the car sway all over the road, thanks to the Wizard Of Oz type winds.  My mom was driving and as you’ve probably figured out she didn’t have a cell phone and we probably weren’t in seat belts.
Because of the curve, I knew we weren’t far from home and so my fears churned low in my stomach, paying enough attention to be called up with a whimper.
I trusted my mom to get us home.  Scary, strong, Indiana storms, the kind that turn day to night and carry freight train like noises, were not on my radar. Yet.


“Huh oh!” isn’t a comforting phrase to hear when you’re little and strobes of lightening reveal corn laying over on it’s side in the field, out your car window. The next flash lit up my mom’s worried face, as we slowed to a stop.  We had run out of gas. I was getting ready to call the fear troops up to active duty, when I heard my mom, quietly and calmly pray… “Dear God, please send someone along to take us home.”


A couple of minutes passed, plenty of time for my stomach and the storm to go into overdrive, until a neighbor pulled alongside, and as we jumped from our lifeless station wagon into his welcoming car, we hardly got wet.


In November of 2011, while sitting in great grandma & grandpa’s Florida trailer, my dad told me of another miracle of God, stepping into our lives and claiming, “I love you, you’re mine, fear not.”


After finishing the compelling Christopher Yaun book titled, “Out Of The Far Off Country” my dad, your great-grandpa Lloyd, experienced no Parkinson's symptoms for about 3 minutes.  He relayed it this way,
“After weeping about the events and circumstances in this true story, I jumped up off the porch sofa, and moved about the whole trailer with no weakness, no shaking, and no steadying myself to walk. I felt like I was eighteen.”  Funny man, Grandpa Grover, asked him why he didn't go shoot some hoops.


I don’t know how old you’ll be when you read this and understand but this letter will forever be a reminder of the power of prayer, miracles, and encounters with God in this earthly life.


Many years, prayers, stories, and miracles (they’re not all mine to tell) have passed between these signs and wonders from God. But these two; one miracle being forever remembered as a great sum of faith deposited into in my childhood memory bank. The other, keenly reminding me of a Father who never leaves us or forsakes us and wants to bless, heal, show mercy and favor.  Oh how he loves you and me, that he would reach down and whisper supernaturally, "I am with you always!"


I tell you these stories so you will remember the mighty hand of God is powerful to save. I lay these words on the altar of sacrifice to the one true God.  I also tell you to keep myself accountable.  There may be big faith gaps in my stories,  and there are other stories to be sure, but let these serve as a memorial between the two of you.


In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these words mean?’ tell them, “For a while, just as the Israelites of the bible, my Grandma’s pride took over and she strayed off course. She wrote these letters to us as the accounts of her road home.” 
Let these words remind you:  Your God and the God of the Bible, stands ready and waiting to do what he said he would do. Call on Him and he will show you things you haven’t even dreamed of.


My prayer for you, my dear grandchildren, is that you will have a long list of 3-minute miracles and may you see and experience even greater signs and wonders.

Lady Ga Ga Is Right

Recent events from my former life and, holy cow the book of Genesis have caused me to think about sin. Yeah, that's right I said the "S" word on my blog. There's a truckload of sin goin' on in Genesis.  Eating from the wrong tree, deceit, sleeping with young-girls & housekeepers, gluttony, sister-wives' baby making competition, murder, jealousy, anger, laughing at God, etc. etc. etc. Then, as my YouVersion reading plan takes me through Genesis and Romans at the same time, more sins are discussed and strike closer to home.

evil
selfishness
hatred
jealousy
fighting
lying
thinkin the worst about each other
gossip
hate
rudeness
conceited
brag about oursleves
disobedient to parents
don't keep promises
show no kindness or mercy to others....
Romans (Paul) goes so far as to say "they invent ways of doing evil."
Sin is like a snowball ... it gathers momentum, and grows bigger as it rolls along, unchecked it can turn into an avalanche. 
People are tempted when their own evil desire leads them away and traps them.  This desire leads to sin and then the sin grows and brings death.— James 1:14-15


We WERE born this way! Adam and Eve sorta got the sin ball rolling, so we get to deal with the sin nature they left to us.  Nonetheless we were also born with a free will to choose.  To decide. To repent. So first off, and at the risk of appearing judgemental; let's get January's sermon on the blog out there.
#1.  Our sin nature isn't, but sin is a choice. Isn't everything?
#2.  All have sinned and therefore all need a Savior.  "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned"— Romans 5:12

"Sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and make you pay more than you want to pay-" not neccessarily biblical but spot on.
What are there, 7 billion people on earth now?  And no two, exactly alike.  Sit and think about that for a minute or so.
Our Creator, created us, in his image (stop and think about that for an hour or so)  We were created so He could give us his inheritance, help him bring the kingdom to earth ("on earth as it is in heaven...") and we could fall in love with his son. And we were created, creatively, so we could share this good news with others--so that all might know and believe.  We were born this way, too!


So I blame myself.  I don't know what I was doing, maybe sitting in church or arguing politics, when those terrorists were learning how to fly and not land planes in Sarasota, FL.  What was I doing while hollywood produced 82 films and tv shows on the occult and paranormal activities. (2011) ... reading Harry Potter and the Twilight series? What am I doing while children are being turned into sex slaves?  Teaching a sunday school class or taking the teenagers to Cedar Point? What am I spending time doing when my neighbor is thinking of suicide? Surfing the internet? What am I doing while the next generation may be the last? Trying so hard to see the tiny speck in someone elses' eye that I can't see the log in mine? What was I doing to spiritually influence those I entrusted my children to? Worrying about audition results or what part they would get in the play, if they had the latest fashion, or if they played on JV or Varsity?

Great news, there's a point #3 

As far as the east is from the west,

         So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

—"Psalm 103:12

“I, even I, am he who blots out 

   your transgressions, for my own sake, 

   and remembers your sins no more. 

—Isaiah 43:25

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 

Acts 17:24-28

I was created for more than this. I was created to love Him with all my soul, heart, and mind. Tim Tebow, me,  and you, were created to praise Him. What if everytime I booked a photo session, I fell to my knees gave thanks to God for supplying my needs?  If I'm a believer and can write, I must write to honor Him.  If I'm a believer and can paint, I should paint so others can see his handiwork.  If I'm a believer and work in a factory, I should work so my co-workers and boss see Him in me. If I'm a believer and making comments on facebook, I should build-up, not tear town. Get creative, someone's life depends on it.


Coming soon: "Living In A Palace", "3-Minute Miracle" "Dear Max & Lilly" and "Ready Yourselves" the Year-In-Review video. I'm serious this time.

Egads

Read through the Bible
Read my book list (at the least)
Write a book(s)
Get healthy
Keep a thankful spirit

2x a month cooking

Stay off facebook

Start a non-profit

Enjoy Max & Lilly 

Save the Depot

Pray without ceasing

Mentor someone

Build the business

Be bold in my faith

Do the dishes

Go to bed early

Get up early

Think outside the box/bin (hence the photo, courtesy of Mother Earth News)
Plan the "studio", the "trip", and the "party" (more on this later)

Make the bed

Feed the cats
Restore the barn
Capture the brides
Give it away
Put it away

Throw it away

Dream dreams

No excuses

Take the blame

See miracles
Prayer Walking

          Today ~ Praying for: my niece Ariel, with  YWAM.

                          :for my niece Angela, with her online magazine  launch

                          :for my friend Kate, as she lays her wonderful FIL, Bill, to rest.

Pray, Read, and Write some more.


Call me crazy, but I think this list is doable. God help me.

In A Relationship

It’s well after midnight, as I lower the west shade, and set the automatic timer on the lamp with the energy saver light bulb.  The neighbors’ rooflines still glow with the colorful Christmas bulbs as they peak through the woven blinds (the lights, not the neighbors) and warm my heart, even on this seventh night out.

One more sleep here and then I’m off to 2012.

I vow to change.  Again.  Set in motion and pushed forward by an urgency to get it right this time, I leave myself room to breathe as I go through the mechanics of closing this space.  I’m sorry about the trashcan full of regrets and wasted chances.

He whispers, as I fixate on sweeping up the crumbs, “I’m so proud of you, for turning around and changing directions, you’re forgiven.”

One never knows when the 'lasts' will occur.  Oh sure, you can count the biggies; last time I’ll walk these halls, last day on the job, etc. etc.

Sometimes, a 'last' sneaks around the corner and startles you.  What if Friday evening Dec 23rd becomes the 'last' family Christmas in the house where we raised a family?

The voice is stronger than before, “You are mine, and I am totally in love with you. Follow me.”

I head upstairs to close furnace vents, curtains, and chapters.  The scrapbooks line the shelves and a few toys have resurfaced. I make beds, put away some childish things, and leave the mementos’ to their fading.

His encouragement is now palpable, “Stay focused on the goal, keep your mind fixed on me, don’t waiver. This world is not your home. Be strong and courageous.”

I gather random items to take with me, a basket of old love letters, a box of family photos, and a well-intentioned study bible. To everything there is a season and a purpose under heaven … a time to plan, so I’m not sure what I’ll need in 2012.

The voice grows stronger, “Don’t worry about anything. I do not have plans to harm you in any way.  Let me take care of you. I’ve paid all your debts. I see to it that even the birds have a nest and flowers have their dress. Lean on me.”

As I close up this house for the last time in 2011 and make my way south, I leave behind the past and press on towards a higher calling. I do so with authority and resolve to concentrate on my relationship with him.

Now the voice is audible, “Who do you say that I am, Julee? Fall in love with me.”

Friends and relations, send salutations              


I'm writing this, curled up by the fireplace cueing up christmas vacation while home alone. Waiting for family to arrive, and the economy to recover, I’m haulin’ out the MI holly for a mere 12 days of christmas, until the 23rd when the wilke’s will celebrate a wonderful life. I pledge allegiance ...


Most of you may already know this, but I’ve no time to publish two different versions;  The Mr. and I sorta moved to Indiana over the past 3 years.  There’s more.  Thanks to the economy and God’s perfect timing in our lives we still have our Muskegon home. Last August, while sitting on the porch having coffee, Melissa introduced us to Spencer, and we fell in love with him, almost before she did.  Wait there’s more.  On March 19 we became grandparents to the lovely Lillian.  Wait for it ... on March 23 we became grandparents AGAIN to the extraordinary Maxwell.  


Want more?  Feel free to follow along here, and do comment, if you wish.   The 20ll Year-In-Review, Ready Yourselves will be up soon. Read: Probably around Jan 5, when I'm back in the land of internet connection.


But wait, there’s so much more... Did you know the God who created heaven and earth wants to have a personal relationship with you? He loves you so much and does not care what your past looks like, or what present state you’re in,  but cares deeply about your future plans.  


This relationship can’t be a casual fling like I have with you and Christmas letters.   He is the designer and  creator of EVERYTHING.  Even though it’s unimaginable in our little finite minds, He made us joint heirs with him by sending Jesus to earth to die in our place. When Jesus ascended into heaven (a historical event people! which hundreds witnessed) he said the Holy Spirit would come and comfort us, guide us, seal us, protect us, and when this vapor of a human life is over, we’ll get to carry on with the 3 of them (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) forever and ever, AMEN. Wow, oh wow, oh wow!


If you’re reading here, I pray this kind of peace over you for 2012. Whether I see you everyday, a few times a year or only as a passing glance on facebook,  may God bless you in Jesus name to live the life you were created to live.  If you’re looking for happiness, companionship, problem solving, health, healing, and miracles, why don’t you give this Jesus a try? Whether it’s your first attempt or you’ve considered yourself, saved, baptized, confirmed, christian, catholic, bar/bat mitzvahed or just a really really good person... please make sure to sign up for the ever after. 
Because, there’s more.

The end-zone scripture, 

John 3:16, says it perfectly

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Time Line

Oh facebook, some of us have had Time Line for quite some time now... they're called blogs, and I've had one since 2003.


So, before Apple obliterates iWeb & my 8 & 1/2 year time line here's a link to past photo albums, year-in-review videos and blatant commercial plugs for the family businesses.  


Click Here-->Family Photos,  Family Videos, and Family Companies

Sneak peak photo: "Ready Yourselves" 2011

Sneak peak trailer: "Ready Yourselves" 2011

Last Christmas I Gave You My Heart

2010 Trailer

2010 Year In Review

Coming Soon:  

"Because I'm The Mom" Productions presents: 

2011 Year-In-Review

Ready yourselves.

City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalks

Our small town Christmas celebration is this week-end.  I'll be seeing most of it through my viewfinder, but hope to meet up with ya downtown and share some Christmas cheer!  Maybe Dollar General'll put in a soda fountain.  

Mom's Diner 

It's a place they say no longer exists, 

I traveled and looked along Route 66. 

Some try to emulate restaurants of old 

Ed Debevics Chicago is one, so I'm told. 

Authentic here's the operative word 

Please tell me I'll find one, don't say I'm absurd. 

Checkerboard floor and "Eat Here" neon sign 

Red vinyl booths,  jukebox, and no fancy wine. 

Meat loaf, cheeseburgers, and crinkle cut fries 

The 'must haves' continue with sweet apple pies. 

Chrome swivel stools and fountain poured Coke 

Guest check for less than ten bucks, no joke. 

Blender milk shakes made in front of your face 

Starbursts, boomerangs make up counter space. 

Sassy wait staff, snaps their gum, knows your name 

Bowling alley adjoined; throw some darts, play a game. 

Housewives sans aprons with kids on their laps 

Blue Ribbon farmers in John Deere baseball caps. 

Impromptu dancing, 2-step, jitterbug 

Steaming hot coffee in a big white fat mug. 

Give me the feeling of riding a train 

Film Bounty commercials and souvenirs' reign. 

Where angled signs flash their neon galore 

Americana is what I long for. 

I've not left hungry, my search goes on still 

Cracker Barrels appear at each exit and hill. 

Comfort food, nostalgia, I want to enlist 

This place, I fear...only in my mind does exist. 

Downloading The Days

As The World Turns

Days Of Our Lives

All My Children

Stories From The Grey Barn

Grey Barn Farm Journal

Julee's Journal

That's What I Thought.

Notes From The Porch.

Julee's Jambayla.

10.10.10

1.1.11

9.10.11

11.1.11

11.11.11

10.11.12

12.12.12

11.12.13

12.13.14

Where am I going with this?  I don't know.  I miss the kids.   I regret a few things, but am I brave enough to blog about them? No. It's a big 'ole house and I ramble around in it as my thoughts and dreams bounce from wall to floor and my questions echo in silence.  

The days go by. 


The good intentions sometimes sustain me, often not. I'm with Paul in Romans when he says, "For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate." 


The years go by.


I don't want to be debbie downer. I know, too late, right? And can you tell, I'm working on my year-end slide show?  I should be happier. This damn praire weather has me in a funk. Am I alone?


Sometimes I wonder if we've missed something.  What exactly does it mean when it says,

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

  “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me."

"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you".

Sermon on the blog.


It's '11, soon to be '12 no time for small talk today. I'll probably be back tomorrow, hopefully uploading.


It's a journey all right.


2 Peter 3:7-9 "But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."