Never Thought I'd see the Day!

February Snow! That's the way it should be, right? 

I look out over the white landscape and wonder, how could it ever be more beautiful than this. The neutral colors of a winter's day give my mind a quiet background to work with! 

The only color break, is found in the exotic feathers of the Cardinals, Blue Jays, Purple Finches and various red and black woodpeckers that visit our backyard birdfeeding station. 

As my husband and I have discovered, there is great pleasure in simply 'watching' the birds swoop in for their daily fare. 

"Never thought I'd see the day", is a thought that flits through my consciousness.........

Never thought my husband and I would be content to simply enjoy nature without making any requirements on it.........

Never thought I would have a hard time getting up and down a flight of stairs.

Never thought after a half a day of wood cutting, we would need a full day to rest up! 

Never thought the simple tasks of daily life would wear us out!

These are the "never thoughts" of aging. Also, never thought THAT would happen! 

We planned to stay as young and active as when we were in our 30's! We could practically move mountains in our 30's! 

So, what has happened to us now that we are in our 60's has taken us both completely by surprise! 

There are some much more serious, "never thoughts" in our world today, though aren't there. 

I heard on the radio the other day that a Christian author has written a book with that title.

Without even knowing what it is about, I have some guesses that I think may be right or at least on the right track.

How about these "never thoughts".

Never thought I'd see the day when two people of the same gender would be able to get married.

Never thought I'd see the day when if one thinks that it is against the plan of God for them to marry, there would be people in the CHURCH who would disagree and tell you that you are not reading the bible correctly. 

Never thought I'd see the day when abortion was not only legal but funded by our government. 

Never thought I'd see the day when people in the CHURCH did not believe that the Bible is the inerrant word of God.

Never thought I'd see the day when a homosexual could be a pastor.

Never thought I'd see the day when I thought I must qualify that I am a Christian by saying that I am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, because to simply say that I am a Christian can leave a lot of room for interpretation. 

Just a few of the hundreds of never thoughts that might come to mind. 

But one thing remains the same no matter what we think. 

And that is our Sovereign Almighty Unchanging Everlasting God. 

I am so thankful that no matter what thoughts men or women might think........... we cannot ever, no never, undo or override the perfect plan of God! 

I take great joy and comfort in knowing that truth! Don't you? 

I know I will have to make peace with the "never thoughts" of aging, but I do not have to agree with nor condone the "never thoughts" of society. I can still pray. And so I shall. 

It's Summertime~
Time for picnics, lawn mowing, outdoor projects, baseball, swimming, fishing, tennis, golf, gardening,
water skiing, and anything else you can think of to do... outdoors!

We are so blessed to live in Iowa where we have such beautiful landscapes all around us. The trees are magnificent, the rivers flow lazily along verdant pathways , taking their time to get to their far-away destination.
The soil is rich, and the earth brings forth a delightful bouquet of wildflowers, grasses, and greenery of all kinds!
We love our sweetcorn and tomatoes, watermelon and cucumbers, and they provide a pop of color on most every summer dinner plate.

As you relish the beauty of nature all around you, as it vies to out do itself with becoming more and more beautiful each day, don't forget to take time to thank the Lord God, Creator of it all!

Scoop up your children, pack them into the car and explore some part of the countryside you haven't been to before. There are some wonderful places to visit....

Read a book in the shade of a giant oak, or play in a creek.... hunt for arrowheads.... make mud pies!
Summer is a time for kicking back, getting dirty, sowing some seed...

The harvest time is coming .... and you will be amazed at what a few little seeds can produce for you.

What a wonderful life lesson this can be for your children, grandchildren... or even as a personal reminder to yourself!

You sow some seeds.. tucking them gently into the soft earth. You water them carefully and watch them sprout.

And then, with tender care, the little plants are nurtured along until one day, you are able to see the fruit setting on.

Finally... the day comes when you can harvest.
From one tiny seed, you are able to reap sometimes a bushel or more of vegetables.

That same application is true of sowing the Word of God into the life of another person... with the sowing comes a sure harvest. Abundant! Beyond what you could ever ask or think.

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We hope you will look us up when you have a question about what's happening in the world of girls and women in our ministry.

This blog site is a "work in progress" , so please be patient as we learn how to make this user friendly and accessible to everyone!

God's Best Blessings to each of you.

Andi Fisher

Today is Sunday March 9, 2014

We had a wonderful and really historic Saturday at First Pen, as we hosted the 9th Annual Daughters of the King Conference. 

The speakers were wonderful and most wonderful of all, is that they all live right here in Ottumwa! Right here in River City! 
We are blessed blessed blessed to have these great teachers and leaders planted right here in our midst! 
It is not an accident.... nor is it "luck" that we are here together at this place and time. 
Thank you to the Daughters of the King Conference Board for putting together such an amazing group of women! 

Our Sunday morning message was so rich with instruction in the Word today. 
One message that really jumped out to me is that our God has another name that I had not "seen" before. I am sure I have read this scripture many times, and in fact recently read it in our daily bible reading. But today, Pastor Richard showed us from Exodus 32:14 that the Lord God calls himself by his own name... a different name than I had noticed before. 

"Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."

I have known and used the phrase "jealous God" but had not let my brain take in this Name.. very special name of God by which he calls himself. 

the Lord, whose name is Jealous....

He is jealous for YOU, beloved. He does not want to share you with anyone or anything else.... no one else can care for you and love you as He does. 

Let that wonderful truth sink deep into your spirit today!