So let's talk about words!

I apologize for not posting more often! And I can't use the excuse I'm too busy...there is always time to write a nice letter to my friends, right?

Actually we have been pretty busy since my last post from January!!! We had a great three months ministering in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and on our way home, North Carolina. We worked on our Florida cottage, took time to visit with friends, meet new friends; truly enjoyed our time south.

We have been back home (Wisconsin) since April! Since then we've been to many churches in WI, IL, IA, and MN! Busy!!! Had family gatherings, visits with my mom, and our oldest grandson graduated from High School. We had two weeks away from home. One was for vacation and one was to attend Bible Camp. We are both in good health and we are enjoying the warm 'up north' weather.

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Awhile ago I was challenged on a social site by a friend to find one word for the day that would sync with their word so the two words coming together would make some sense! As you know there are 365 days in a year; using one word for each day! That's a lot of words to come up with! And the challenge is to come up with a new word every day! No repeats!

I have two little sheets of paper that I'm using to jot down the words for each day. I look at it because at my age I can't even remember the word I picked for yesterday. Two little pieces of paper that have, oh about...after using the calculator...190 words. Not a lot at all! We probably use that many words when we first get up in the morning. My personal challenge is to find the word from my daily Bible reading, wherever I am in the Bible that day! Try to find a word; sometimes not knowing what my friend's word is!

Believe me it's not easy! Especially since I can't reuse a word! It is amazing how the two words do come together though! My list contains the usual words we might think of like: love, praise, grateful, thankful, wait, endure; words like that. Some were different: riddle, cost, me, lips, snares, buy. Depends, like I said, on what my friend uses. One day they chose that long word from Mary Poppins: supercalafrag...etc. (I'm not going to spell it out); that's when I chose the word riddle!

My word-for-the-day challenge is to have it make sense but for it to also have meaning. Not just a random word from my reading, but for the word to challenge me throughout the day, or encourage me. Words like wait, stand, and know.

During Pentecost the words flowed together for three days! 'With one accord' from Acts 2:1. On June 7 (Saturday) I chose 'with' and they chose 'commence'. Together the two words are: commence with. On Sunday the word I chose was 'one' and they chose 'consecrate'. Together it's: consecrate(d) one. On Monday I chose 'accord' and they chose 'validate'. Together it read like this: validate (with one) accord! Interesting.

It may seem like a silly challenge, but I'm committed to it. Maybe at the end of the year I'll write a story using the word-for-the-day list and see how it looks.

Hope you enjoyed the story of my little challenge. Maybe you will be challenged in your heart to find a word for the day that will help you and encourage you to be stronger and better for Him.

Psalm 119:11: Your word I have hidden in my heart...

We Made It!

Actually we've been in Florida for about 3 weeks; I should have posted earlier! Our trip down was delayed by three days due to weather conditions. When traveling to our southeast ministry we usually try to schedule a service about one-third of the way down so we don't have two 10-12 hr. driving days. Because of two snow storms in the mid-west our services were cancelled. [We enjoyed attending our home-church service on Sunday though.] Then, or should I say--still, the weather was a brutally cold -20 as a real temperature, then add a wind chill and the temps dropped to between 40 & 50 below. That delayed us another day. Besides that our usual travel route through Illinois was covered in snow, with major highways closed.

We changed our route by traveling west to near St. Louis, MO then back east again into southern IL (past the 10" of snow). We did encounter snow covered roads and a few patches of ice, but Bill was driving so it was all good!

All that to say we are in Florida and enjoying our version of the polar vortex. I know, "don't whine", but it's cold here, too (for Florida). Freezing temps at night, wind chills; crazy. Having to wear cold weather attire in the Sunshine State is not by choice! Bring on the flip-flops, shorts, and sleeve-less tops... Okay, I'll stop now! Believe me when I say, though, that I feel for all of our family and friends up north who are dealing with this winter. Be smart, stay safe, and travel only if you have to!

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My main reason for this blog, though, is to say with utmost humility and sincerity that Bill and I have been on the Daniel Fast from January 1-21. Which means we did not eat any meat, bread, or sweets. Actually it's the Ultimate Daniel Fast (feel free to search under that name for more information). We fasted from many of our favorite foods such as coffee, dairy products, soda, processed foods; normal food for most of Americans! We did eat though! A lot of beans, rice, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Lot's of new recipes that I will incorporate into our normal daily diet.

How people fast is altogether up to the individual of course and there are a myriad of different ways to fast. Because of health issues, people who need to eat to take medications may fast from caffeine, soda, social media, TV, etc. It's not necessarily just food! Like I said, how people fast are as varied as people.

The purpose of fasting is to get closer to God by voluntarily depriving ourselves and showing Him we are sincere and committed to getting closer. The focus of fasting is not the deprivation, but the time of prayer that replaces the eating (or the 'giving-up'). The praying is how we get closer to God. And it's not to be confused with, "well I gave this up for you, now what are you going to do for me?"--NO! With a humble attitude we are thankful for the opportunity to show God we are sincere and willing to 'give-up' for His sake. Look at what He gave up for us!!!

What have I learned? That it's not easy, but it is easy!!! Make sense? The not easy part was knowing my dependency on certain foods had to be replaced by being dependent on Him. Not easy was taking the extra time to humble myself and pray during the day, instead of eating or snacking. Not easy was trying to fast but also trying not to be obvious about it when we were invited out to a meal. [As a side note: when driving down here we had a little difficulty finding places to eat that met the requirements of no bread, no meat, no sweets! On the two occasions when eating out we had to veer a little to accommodate the menu!!! Ask me about that when you see me next!!!]

The easy part was shopping and making the recipes for the foods we could eat. All these years of eating rather plain, everyday meals; it's not that hard eating healthier! Easy was doing it together as a couple, I didn't have to make two meals. Easy was meeting with God in prayer, being in His presence; realizing His love for me. Any denial or effort on my part is not to be applauded, it's just something you do. It's not to be compared to anything earth shattering or for accolades. It's to bring me closer to Him who loves me, regardless. That's just the way He is! His promises are true!

Here is a scripture from Matthew that may help. Jesus had just given the Sermon on the Mount and was talking about fasting.

• Matthew 6:16-18, "...when you fast...your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

We are grateful for the opportunity and experience of this adventure and we look ahead to all that will be accomplished because of it. Not of what we did, but because He is faithful.

Blessings!

It's a New Year and it's time to go South!

Happy New Year 2014!
 
We often say, 'how time flies', but it really does as we get older. 2013 was exciting, yes; but probably not too much different than yours. It was a normal year!!! Actually we are grateful it was normal. With all the miles we drive and places we go, we are truly thankful that no harm has come to us.

It's been an exciting and rewarding 2013 with all the thrills and chills we had, but maybe didn't expect. From January to December we have experienced so much that we are grateful for, that it out-weighs anything 'bad' that happened.

In comparison to others, though, our 'bad' experiences are nothing. We have so many friends that are dealing with cancer, illnesses that won't go away, deaths, and relationship difficulties. In all these situations we know that the heavenly Father is right there with them, helping them to deal with their pain.

Anyway, this time of year we are preparing, cleaning, packing, and getting ready to head out to the South for our winter ministry in Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, & North Carolina. We'll be busy with ministry, yes; but will have some free time to work on our cottage, visit with friends, attend services at our home church (Pleasant Grove Assembly), and maybe do some sight-seeing.

We'll miss our family here, of course, but with today's technology we can keep in contact easily. A bonus again this year is my sister and her husband will be in Florida for a couple of months, too! That's always fun!

So begins 2014! A clean, new calendar. Every date that's important like birthdays and anniversaries are already marked. Sunday's are filled with services. Some special events are already scheduled.

As the year progresses, though, there might be some erasures of dates or plans cancelled or white-out when a service has been rescheduled to another date. Or that special event has been changed. Things happen, we know. Things change and we go with the flow.

It helps when we can go with the flow and be flexible. Less stressful that way. It's helpful not to be too controlled by our schedules and look for the opportunities to help one another in some way.

For me, that is a good start to the new year: look for the opportunities to be of help to someone.

My how time flies...

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!!!

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.

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.

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

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.