It's been awhile, again! What is hard, sometimes, is trying to think of what to blog about. I suppose it's the same as when we were in school and had to give a book report or write a paper, the first line is the hardest!
All is well in the Juoni household and in our ministry as well. Much of our time is spent like yours probably, just living day-by-day and seeing what comes of it. Sure there are times we have things scheduled; traveling, family events, or the grandkids school events, but most days it's the ordinary.
As of now I have an on-call part-time temporary job (actually after reading that line you might wonder if I really do work!!!) at a local hotel as the 'desk person'. (This hotel isn't very busy right now so I'm home more.) It's a fun job, though it can be boring at times. The hardest part, for me, is not wanting to make any mistakes at the 'desk' because this is my bosses lively-hood. Anyway the bosses are great and very understanding. So far I've probably worked a total of 3 weeks. Maybe they'll call next week as the holiday get closer!
It has been awhile since I've had a work schedule and I must admit I am tired after working from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm every day. I'm wimpy I know, but it has been even longer since I've worked a 40 hour week!!! Not complaining, for sure, just thankful I have that income and the opportunity to be where God wants me. The tiring part is that at any given moment the phone will ring and I have to run to the computer from the laundry room, or I have to sort laundry, or put the breakfast away and wash dishes, or check on the rooms people have reserved to make sure the heat is on and the room is cleaned, or have to reload the washer and start the dryer, or check to make sure the pool area is stocked with towels, or find the housekeepers the ask questions, or empty the dryer and start another load. [Remember, I'm not complaining, just stating facts.] I do love interacting with the other employees and the customers though.
For right now, like I said, I'm home...the motel business is slow!
When at home doing all things a homemaker would do. Normal, everyday things that all of you do. Cleaning, cooking, baking, relaxing, scheduling, office work, and being grateful for this life.
Though Thanksgiving is over for this year as a holiday, the spirit should never cease. Being grateful for everything, thanking God for each day's breath and the ability to enjoy whatever He has scheduled.
Also at this time of year we talk about Jesus' advent, the first time He came. Wonder what heaven was like as they were all preparing for that event? Did every being in heaven know what the Father and the Son had prepared? Did the angels know that the beloved Son would die? Were their thoughts only of Him and His return to heaven when it was all over? Maybe the years he was here on earth went very quickly in heaven and it was only a moment. Our celebrations have no comparison to His return to heaven, I'm sure.
Let's all remember to be grateful and rejoice, as we celebrate HIM!
I guess I thought of what to write!!!
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
We are still here!
It has been a while since I've blogged; and we have traveled many miles. From Florida to Kentucky to Wisconsin to Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, back to Kentucky, Florida (we attended our national convention in Orlando and stayed at our cottage), Ohio, and Wisconsin.
The days have gone by so fast since leaving Florida in August let alone April!!! We have been busy, but it has all be good. Our car has kept us going with a few repairs, and we did take vacation in June & July to go camping and fishing plus attend Bible camp.
We have had many opportunities to be with our sons and their families and with our extended family. There have been breakfast dates with friends and lots of conversation over coffee.
We have ministered in many churches: seeing friends from previous times and meeting new ones. It's always great to be at a church a second or third time; catching up with the pastor & family and seeing church folk again. But when we preach at a church for the first time it amazes me (but it shouldn't really) that we can "fall in love" with them so quickly. As if we knew them and were making up for lost time.
For instance: on our way to Florida at the end of July we preached at a church in Kentucky. We had never met the pastor or his wife or preached at their church. Immediately upon meeting them we felt welcome. We stayed with them in their home and enjoyed the fellowship. It was great; even though we had just met. Their home was warm and welcoming. The church folk were no different, everyone made us feel so welcome.
To say the least, we are truly blessed in the life we are living right now. As someone told me not too long ago, "the best place to be is in the Will of God". And I agree...it's not an easy place sometimes, but it is the best and safest place to be.
The days have gone by so fast since leaving Florida in August let alone April!!! We have been busy, but it has all be good. Our car has kept us going with a few repairs, and we did take vacation in June & July to go camping and fishing plus attend Bible camp.
We have had many opportunities to be with our sons and their families and with our extended family. There have been breakfast dates with friends and lots of conversation over coffee.
We have ministered in many churches: seeing friends from previous times and meeting new ones. It's always great to be at a church a second or third time; catching up with the pastor & family and seeing church folk again. But when we preach at a church for the first time it amazes me (but it shouldn't really) that we can "fall in love" with them so quickly. As if we knew them and were making up for lost time.
For instance: on our way to Florida at the end of July we preached at a church in Kentucky. We had never met the pastor or his wife or preached at their church. Immediately upon meeting them we felt welcome. We stayed with them in their home and enjoyed the fellowship. It was great; even though we had just met. Their home was warm and welcoming. The church folk were no different, everyone made us feel so welcome.
To say the least, we are truly blessed in the life we are living right now. As someone told me not too long ago, "the best place to be is in the Will of God". And I agree...it's not an easy place sometimes, but it is the best and safest place to be.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
On being hacked...
Yes it's true; on a social media website. Some of you who are my friends will know which one!!!What to say? It's not a pleasant experience that's for sure. It doesn't even have to be on a social website, personal emails are always being hacked.
The English language is pretty mixed-up, you know! In the day, hack meant chop a tree or cough really bad. It also means an old, tired horse. But today it has a whole new meaning.
What does being 'hacked' mean? Actually the word means breaking into someone else's computer and becoming that person. I looked up "being hacked' on line, there are blogs and different sites that explain it. That doesn't help the feeling I have though, knowing that someone is pretending to be me. The term they use is 'cracking'; like getting into a safe I guess. Either way it's not very nice.
The problem is I have an old account that someone has 'assumed' and is using it to solicit emails and other information from some of my friends. It is a truly creepy feeling knowing my name is being used in this way. I've done everything I can think of at this point (with the help of many good suggestions from friends) other than deleting my profile and starting over.
I know a lot of people have more serious problems than this in regards to having your identity stolen. It has been reported in the news that many of these hacker/cracker types do this just to be malicious (out of a type of hatred). I ask the question, "Why?" What is the point?
Also, many of my friends and family are dealing with very serious life issues and my puny 'hacking' problem is very unimportant. My time can be better spent caring for them by praying, listening, and helping them.
In dealing with all of this and in other issues and problems that come up in life it is good to talk to people that can help us; but even better is to know that our Father in heaven sees ALL of our life's issues and problems as important. If He cares for a small bird He truly cares for our needs and difficulties.
Remember, He came here and knows what it's like! Really! He knows. The idea of Him being some type of god that left us here to fend for ourselves is ridiculous.
Think of it this way. If at any point in your life you had a father or father figure help you, discipline you, or 'be' in your life...that's what the heavenly Father is like...He is in our life if we know Him personally; just like a Dad. My Dad truly was in my life; just ask me sometime about how he was in my life! You would be surprised!!!
Leave it at this, for now! Regardless of our status on a social website, or how many emails we may get, or how many friends we have... all that really counts is what we do in REAL life. How do I handle the bumps, troubles, issues, hard things, and tragedies that may occur. I cannot handle any of that on my own and I don't have to. Neither do you.
We have a heavenly Father that will guide us, lead us, comfort us, and take care of us through all of the hard times. It won't be easy, but that is life on the world.
No matter our age, income bracket, or health God is there and knows.
The English language is pretty mixed-up, you know! In the day, hack meant chop a tree or cough really bad. It also means an old, tired horse. But today it has a whole new meaning.
What does being 'hacked' mean? Actually the word means breaking into someone else's computer and becoming that person. I looked up "being hacked' on line, there are blogs and different sites that explain it. That doesn't help the feeling I have though, knowing that someone is pretending to be me. The term they use is 'cracking'; like getting into a safe I guess. Either way it's not very nice.
The problem is I have an old account that someone has 'assumed' and is using it to solicit emails and other information from some of my friends. It is a truly creepy feeling knowing my name is being used in this way. I've done everything I can think of at this point (with the help of many good suggestions from friends) other than deleting my profile and starting over.
I know a lot of people have more serious problems than this in regards to having your identity stolen. It has been reported in the news that many of these hacker/cracker types do this just to be malicious (out of a type of hatred). I ask the question, "Why?" What is the point?
Also, many of my friends and family are dealing with very serious life issues and my puny 'hacking' problem is very unimportant. My time can be better spent caring for them by praying, listening, and helping them.
In dealing with all of this and in other issues and problems that come up in life it is good to talk to people that can help us; but even better is to know that our Father in heaven sees ALL of our life's issues and problems as important. If He cares for a small bird He truly cares for our needs and difficulties.
Remember, He came here and knows what it's like! Really! He knows. The idea of Him being some type of god that left us here to fend for ourselves is ridiculous.
Think of it this way. If at any point in your life you had a father or father figure help you, discipline you, or 'be' in your life...that's what the heavenly Father is like...He is in our life if we know Him personally; just like a Dad. My Dad truly was in my life; just ask me sometime about how he was in my life! You would be surprised!!!
Leave it at this, for now! Regardless of our status on a social website, or how many emails we may get, or how many friends we have... all that really counts is what we do in REAL life. How do I handle the bumps, troubles, issues, hard things, and tragedies that may occur. I cannot handle any of that on my own and I don't have to. Neither do you.
We have a heavenly Father that will guide us, lead us, comfort us, and take care of us through all of the hard times. It won't be easy, but that is life on the world.
No matter our age, income bracket, or health God is there and knows.
This is from the Message (by Eugene Peterson).
"Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. " Philippians 2:5-8
"Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. " Philippians 2:5-8
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Living Life At Our Southern Home!
We have been enjoying our first few weeks at our 'southern home' here in Durant, FL. Our cute little cottage is our home for the next two months. We are busy cleaning, fixing, and doing general house things that we don't have to do for our apartment up north.
Since my last post we traveled to Mount Washington, KY to minister at First AG with Pastor Phil & Dellinda Walton. After traveling over 8 hrs. on Saturday, we settled into our hotel for the weekend. Sunday brought us to the church to do our normal routine of setting up our display and book table, and for me to get a sound check at the piano. Most of the time what I do on a Sunday is sing and play the piano or keyboard. It does bring joy to my heart to have this small part in what God is doing in His Church.
It was so great seeing our friends there, including Pastor Phil & Dellinda. Our story of meeting Phil is really a miracle; sitting down at a random table at a banquet during our General Council (the Assemblies of God national conference held every two years) which "happened" to be the same table as Phil. After introductions and talking he invited us to his church for ministry. We have ministered at First AG for several years now and enjoy each time.
Also that Sunday, my cousin Karen was in the service. She lives not too far from Mt. Washington and came for the morning. It was so great seeing her and having a few minutes to visit. Her dad and my dad are brothers. We had a lot of fun whenever we had the chance to be together as cousins.
We left Kentucky on Monday to travel to Troy, AL for the night; breaking up a 26 hr. drive into thirds (KY-AL-FL). On Tuesday we arrived here, at our cottage about 6 pm. It sure looked great! We were glad to get here. Began unpacking, putting food items in the frig and generally moving in. One of our neighbors here, Leo, had the cottage electric, water, and frig going. We had called him earlier in the day to ask if he could do this for us. We had given him a key to our cottage so he could keep an eye on it for us while we are up north.
During the week I cleaned and even hung up the bed blankets to air in the FL sunshine (sweet). Two of the things we get to do here during the winter season is to use the clothes line and to use our grill. Actually, up north during the summer we grill a lot, but can't hang our clothes outside. Nice to do it here. Also had to take some time to get food and supplies...but oh so much easier here. No freezing temps or snow banks!
Our next ministry was in Crawfordville, FL (in the panhandle, just south of Tallahassee) on Sunday, January 13. That's about a 4.5 hr drive from our cottage. The church we ministered at was Good News AG, with Pastor Jerry & Virginia Fielder. We had an excellent time of ministry there, too. It is truly wonderful how we can connect with pastors and spouses and create lasting friendships. We appreciate each one so much.
Back to our cottage on Monday afternoon, by 1 pm. Had plenty of time to unpack and do some extra cleaning in our bedroom. I love what we do...traveling, meeting people, even hotel living. One thing I do though, if we are going to be somewhere for awhile, is unpack my suitcase, makes it so much easier. At our cottage it took me until this Monday to unpack my suitcase because I had to clean the dresser from dust and bug remains! It felt good to finally put my clothes away.
During that week Bill started a project to repair some rotten wood in the eaves (overhang) area of the cottage. That meant a trip to Lowe's for lumber and supplies. We also had to get more food by then...seems we eat a lot!!! I continued cleaning, doing laundry...you know, just normal house duties. Difference is we also were able to do all this in the warm sunshine, tropical breezes, and sunny days! Sweet!
The following Sunday we were at Northside AG in Lakeland, FL with Pastor Eddie & Joyce Tanner (about 45 mins. from our cottage). It was a great day of ministry and catching up with so many friends there, too. We have ministered at Northside many times over the years. When my parents wintered here this was there church. When we started coming to FL we stayed with my Dad & Mom and attended Northside when we weren't traveling. An added bonus was that my sister, Beckie, and her husband, Al came for the morning service. They are able to spend a couple of months here, too! It was GREAT seeing them both. We had lunch together; then they came over to the cottage for the afternoon. Nice...
That brings you up-to-date. Like I said, it's normal life for us. Just the added bonus of working on a home and being in the warmth during these winter months. And to our freezing family and friends up north...hang in there, it'll get better soon!
In the weeks ahead we'll continue to travel in Florida and also South Carolina. If you are interested, connect with me on Facebook (Beth Ann Murray Juoni); my posts are usually a lot more current than this blog!
That's about it from here...our southern home.
Since my last post we traveled to Mount Washington, KY to minister at First AG with Pastor Phil & Dellinda Walton. After traveling over 8 hrs. on Saturday, we settled into our hotel for the weekend. Sunday brought us to the church to do our normal routine of setting up our display and book table, and for me to get a sound check at the piano. Most of the time what I do on a Sunday is sing and play the piano or keyboard. It does bring joy to my heart to have this small part in what God is doing in His Church.
It was so great seeing our friends there, including Pastor Phil & Dellinda. Our story of meeting Phil is really a miracle; sitting down at a random table at a banquet during our General Council (the Assemblies of God national conference held every two years) which "happened" to be the same table as Phil. After introductions and talking he invited us to his church for ministry. We have ministered at First AG for several years now and enjoy each time.
Also that Sunday, my cousin Karen was in the service. She lives not too far from Mt. Washington and came for the morning. It was so great seeing her and having a few minutes to visit. Her dad and my dad are brothers. We had a lot of fun whenever we had the chance to be together as cousins.
We left Kentucky on Monday to travel to Troy, AL for the night; breaking up a 26 hr. drive into thirds (KY-AL-FL). On Tuesday we arrived here, at our cottage about 6 pm. It sure looked great! We were glad to get here. Began unpacking, putting food items in the frig and generally moving in. One of our neighbors here, Leo, had the cottage electric, water, and frig going. We had called him earlier in the day to ask if he could do this for us. We had given him a key to our cottage so he could keep an eye on it for us while we are up north.
During the week I cleaned and even hung up the bed blankets to air in the FL sunshine (sweet). Two of the things we get to do here during the winter season is to use the clothes line and to use our grill. Actually, up north during the summer we grill a lot, but can't hang our clothes outside. Nice to do it here. Also had to take some time to get food and supplies...but oh so much easier here. No freezing temps or snow banks!
Our next ministry was in Crawfordville, FL (in the panhandle, just south of Tallahassee) on Sunday, January 13. That's about a 4.5 hr drive from our cottage. The church we ministered at was Good News AG, with Pastor Jerry & Virginia Fielder. We had an excellent time of ministry there, too. It is truly wonderful how we can connect with pastors and spouses and create lasting friendships. We appreciate each one so much.
Back to our cottage on Monday afternoon, by 1 pm. Had plenty of time to unpack and do some extra cleaning in our bedroom. I love what we do...traveling, meeting people, even hotel living. One thing I do though, if we are going to be somewhere for awhile, is unpack my suitcase, makes it so much easier. At our cottage it took me until this Monday to unpack my suitcase because I had to clean the dresser from dust and bug remains! It felt good to finally put my clothes away.
During that week Bill started a project to repair some rotten wood in the eaves (overhang) area of the cottage. That meant a trip to Lowe's for lumber and supplies. We also had to get more food by then...seems we eat a lot!!! I continued cleaning, doing laundry...you know, just normal house duties. Difference is we also were able to do all this in the warm sunshine, tropical breezes, and sunny days! Sweet!
The following Sunday we were at Northside AG in Lakeland, FL with Pastor Eddie & Joyce Tanner (about 45 mins. from our cottage). It was a great day of ministry and catching up with so many friends there, too. We have ministered at Northside many times over the years. When my parents wintered here this was there church. When we started coming to FL we stayed with my Dad & Mom and attended Northside when we weren't traveling. An added bonus was that my sister, Beckie, and her husband, Al came for the morning service. They are able to spend a couple of months here, too! It was GREAT seeing them both. We had lunch together; then they came over to the cottage for the afternoon. Nice...
That brings you up-to-date. Like I said, it's normal life for us. Just the added bonus of working on a home and being in the warmth during these winter months. And to our freezing family and friends up north...hang in there, it'll get better soon!
In the weeks ahead we'll continue to travel in Florida and also South Carolina. If you are interested, connect with me on Facebook (Beth Ann Murray Juoni); my posts are usually a lot more current than this blog!
That's about it from here...our southern home.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
On Our Way!
A quick post today!
We'll be heading to our Florida cottage starting Saturday. Though we won't get there until Tuesday evening, we are really looking forward to it! The temps there are in the upper 70's...can live with that.
We'll be ministering in Mt. Washington, KY on Sunday, then traveling south. We try to schedule a service part way south, then part way north to break up the long travel time.
On Monday we will stop for overnight in Troy, AL; that's why we won't be to our cottage until Tuesday.
If you want to read more about our little cottage read the March 29 post. It's a cute little, thing; just right for us.
We won't have a lot to do to the actual structure this year nor buy appliances, etc.; maybe we'll have more time for entertaining and visiting.
We'll be ministering in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina while we are south returning home the first week of April.
That's it...short and sweet.
We'll be heading to our Florida cottage starting Saturday. Though we won't get there until Tuesday evening, we are really looking forward to it! The temps there are in the upper 70's...can live with that.
We'll be ministering in Mt. Washington, KY on Sunday, then traveling south. We try to schedule a service part way south, then part way north to break up the long travel time.
On Monday we will stop for overnight in Troy, AL; that's why we won't be to our cottage until Tuesday.
If you want to read more about our little cottage read the March 29 post. It's a cute little, thing; just right for us.
We won't have a lot to do to the actual structure this year nor buy appliances, etc.; maybe we'll have more time for entertaining and visiting.
We'll be ministering in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina while we are south returning home the first week of April.
That's it...short and sweet.
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