HELLO Spring!

Hello everyone,

  It's Springtime here in North Dakota, USA. YAYYYYYY!

  As farmers, we prepare for Spring all Winter long.  Our men removed the worn out parts on our 36 row corn planter.  They replaced all of the worn parts, of which there were many, with new parts.  They worked in the few hours they had left at the end of the day after working at the seed cleaning facility.  They worked during blizzards when nobody would travel to get their grain cleaned.  They worked in the mornings, if sleep left them, before driving the 20 miles to clean grain. Finally the planter is nearly ready to go out in the field.

  It will still be a couple of weeks until seeding begins.  Today it is SEVENTY degrees so there won't be any snow left by tonight I would think.  After the snow is all melted, the Earth must drink up all of the melted snow.  We also had a tiny rain fall this morning which we welcome.  Finally, when most of the fields are dry, they will begin planting.  I'll show you pictures then as I love riding with Jacob in the tractor.  

  I have another prayer request.  I come to you with my needs and you pray and things become clear to me OR a mountain moves out of the way.  I feel your prayers and I bless you for each one!!!!

  So, as you know if you've read here long, I have struggled with multiple sclerosis for over 25 years.  I LOVE to garden.  It's such good therapy once I get there.  My garden is not far from my house but some days walking to my kitchen is extremely painful.  Last Fall, when I had no strength to clean my garden off, I made the decision that it was my last garden.  I was at peace.

  HOWEVER, all Winter I have been praying for the Lord to make it clear if He wants me to REALLY retire from gardening.  I have gardened all my life--first with my mother, then with my children, and finally all by myself.  

  The real complication is that my daughter is due to have her 5th child in mid July.  The last 3 have all been premie babies with 3 week NICU stays.  Although we're all praying that this baby goes full term, we have done so with the other children too.  

  Now, with this pregnancy my daughter has found a midwife who works with high risk moms.  She has Cora using more progesterone and more protein in her diet.  This, according to her midwife, has been helping her moms go full term.  

  If Cora were to go full term, she would probably only need me about 1 week.  If not, she will need me there, at a minimum, 3 weeks and possibly up to 5 weeks.  Can you imagine a garden without my care for that long?

  So you see my reluctance to take the time, money, and energy to plant a garden.  Yet, life without a garden seems like no life at all.  PLEASE pray that the Lord gives me peace.  It's almost time to plant the onions and potatoes.  HMMMMMMMMMMMMM  I really need peace and direction from the Lord in this matter.

  I love poetry and went in search of one for all of us to enjoy.  This one is very special as it captures the joys we feel as  brutal Winter leaves and gentle Spring comes in.  Happy Spring everyone.

  Dawn

 Welcome Spring!

“Let all who put their trust in You rejoice. Let them shout for joy forever because You cover them. Let those who love Your name be joyful in You.” (Psalm 5:11).

Welcome Spring! A thousand flowers bloom,
Radiant in vibrant hues unfurled,
Their fragrance fills the wakening world.
Swallows soar through morning’s room,
Heralds bringing tidings of delight
To every doorstep, every home in sight.
In peaceful gardens, freshly green,
Bees and butterflies dance between
The nodding blooms in joyful play,
While voices lift in songs that say
Welcome to this blessed Spring day!

Welcome Spring! My heart rejoices,
In the Lord whose blessings flow
Like streams that melt from winter’s snow.
Leaves and petals whisper voices,
Sweet spring fragrance fills the air,
Making sacred every path we share.
A song of praise I raise above,
Celebrating endless love,
For He who guides through passing years,
Brings joy and gladness, calms all fears,
His grace in every spring appears.

In His love, my spirit glows,
Life fulfilled in every way,
As countless springs pass, day by day.
Each blessing that the Father shows
I count in silence, treasure deep
Within my heart, forever keep.
Before You, Lord, I humbly bow,
Each spring of grace reveals somehow
Your love renewed in countless ways.
Forever in Your light I’ll stay,
Forever will my soul give praise.

Welcome Spring! My spirit soars,
Overflowing with divine grace.
God grants us spring in every place—
In life, in soul, behind all doors.
Peace flows like rivers through my days
While spirit sings its songs of praise.
The Lord still guides with gentle hand
Through seasons as they shift like sand,
Through all the years that lie ahead,
Till joy and happiness are spread
Like spring eternal, heaven-fed.

Claude AI
12/23/2024

Have you found THE CHOSEN?

 Robert and I have been watching THE CHOSEN for about a month--a little bit each night.  It is absolutely mind expanding to ponder the life of Christ from His disciples perspective.  Last night they watched Jesus raise his dear friend, Lazarus, from the dead.  You will be blessed if you watch THE CHOSEN.  I'll see if I can find a segment for you to watch.  Here it is on YouTube.  WOWWWWWWWWWWWW    

  Our faith pleases God.  Here's to the victories to come from our putting our faith in God!  

  Later,

  Dawn

I Hear His Whisper...

Faith is your victory.

Faith is the victory that overcomes the power of this world. Walk in the paths I have chosen for you, and no one will be able to hinder you for long. Faith opens the doors and sets you in the right place at the right time. You will be amazed at the opportunities that greet you as you’re led by my Spirit. Many are my servants who step out with small faith and witness me working a great work. Never measure your faith by your fears, but insist that your fears submit to your faith. Your enemies fight in vain. Do not be discouraged by what can be seen with your eyes, but be filled with faith as you set your gaze on me. Faith is the force that lifts you above your enemies, because it enables you to see clearly. Embrace truth as your best friend. Marry wisdom, for she will be your perfect partner. Cherish my peace, and you will be kept far above the fray. Root yourself in my love, and faith will be the natural result.

I Hear His Whisper written by Brian Simmons and Gretchen Rodriguez

1 John 5:4–5 TPT

Every child of God overcomes the world, for our faith is the victorious power that triumphs over the world. So who are the world conquerors, defeating its power? Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

JOY in THIS circumstance?

I don't know if any of you have ever poured yourself into a situation, aiming to be a blessing, only to have your intentions misunderstood ending in you being rejected.  Boy is that ever the story of my life.  

  I never really expected to find a poem about this, let alone one calling it a joy, but here it is.  Maybe someone will be blessed by it.

  

  I can honestly say that it doesn't feel like a joy.  NOPE.  I'm glad that Robert and I are watching THE CHOSEN right now so we see how God shapes us through times like this.  I hope he takes advantage of shaping me through this as it sure doesn't feel like joy.

  
  Dawn

PS  I just thought of this song.  It's the very first Booth Brothers song I ever heard and it seems appropriate today.

  

         THE JOYS OF BEING MISUNDERSTOOD

Being misunderstood is the epitome of my life, such strife!
It has caused. Oh my god! Good grief! I repeat and appear odd.
Good intentions misconstrued. I feel rude, call me a
scrooge, there’s no reason why I have this ‘tude!

For lack of understanding, I must plan—the
End and beginning. To be winning one must lose.
Do you choose, or shall I.  My, my, I wish we all can make it.

The joys of showing kindness—such blindness to harmful
others. Oh brother! Do you see what I am missing? Persistence
to aid and nurture. It’s a torture!

Elation-filled dreams without screams or cries!
Could I. Could I really have?! Do the math, it won’t
happen. One must go through pain to learn a lesson.

A Blessing or a Curse? I rehearse these words through
and through. Is it my fault my ideas and executions
are misconstrued? My, my, is it I
that is the cause of my own destruction? My head’s rushing.

A Blessing or a Curse? I rehearse these words through
and through. It must be true. It’s my fault my ideas and executions
are misconstrued. My, my, it is I that is the
cause of my own destruction. Listen close to instructions to relieve this mind concussion.

Being misunderstood is something good and will bring great
Joy! Oh boy! Be prepared, not scared, just aware
of the eyes.
A window to the soul, fall in, and it begins all over again.

So wait, should I stare?! There’s a glare
in my glasses. Reactions are destined to happen,
find joy.

© Mar 2015, Diamond Alexus Paulk   personal • conflict • life • life1   

 Like (1) 

God understands!

 Hi everyone,

  I'm writing to ask you to pray for my daughter.  She's about half way through her 5th pregnancy.  Cora has had 4 c sections and faces another.  Something about her pregnancy seems heavy on my heart.  Please pray that she and baby will go full term or at whatever term will preserve both of their lives.  

  I am rejoicing that God gave them a woman to come into their home 5 days a week to help with the children so Cora can rest more.  THIS IS SUCH AN ANSWER TO PRAYER.  However this week Cora's helper has been sick and the heaviness I feel as I pray for my daughter has increased.  I know many of you are prayer warriors as things change for the better when I ask you all to pray.  May God bless you for each and every prayer you have sent Heavenward for me and my family.

  Maybe the pregnancy is weighing on me more since I'm dealing with cancer right now.  Over 30 times I have conquered cancer at home with herbs and many other tools that I have at my disposal.  However, this time it's lingering way past usual.  I would appreciate prayers too.

  This devotional blessed me and I pray it will bless you too.  Although your prayers have often gotten me through tough times, I have no desire to weigh you down.  I started this blog more than a decade ago to help my readers have hope.  That has not changed.  As I pondered how to bless you all today, the Lord led me to this email from THE PASSION TRANSLATION.  Now I'll look for an encouraging song too.

  I have a friend named Gail.  We grew up together and sang together in our church choir all the years of our youths.  Now we're both close to 70 years old and neither one of us is strong physically.  We both have large families with many grandchildren that we love nearly as much as we love our children.  Some days, when my spirits are low, Gail will send me a song.  I listen and am strengthened because praising God drives out the enemy who try to make us fail.  Here's to Gail and all of you encouragers out there.  I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

  I'll see what song Father wants me to share with you today but first these thoughts.  I'll close after I find the song we're to ponder today.  I hope it blesses you as it has me.

  Dawn

  

Encounter God’s Heart…

Divine Setups

Spend some time in Genesis chapter 24, and you will be amazed at the way God answered Eliezer’s prayer. Not only had the Lord given him a wife for Isaac, but he also led Eliezer to precisely the type of woman Abraham sent him to find for his son. Many times, we chalk up chance meetings or random conversations as nothing more than happenstance. We dismiss them quickly and therefore miss one of God’s divine setups. When we’re only looking for answers to prayer to come in expected ways, we risk missing the opportunities that present themselves. We stand back, scratching our heads, wondering why breakthrough hasn’t happened when all along God has been trying to get our attention, and we didn’t notice. Let’s keep our eyes open and our spirits in tune with the Spirit of God so we don’t miss the blessings that are right in front of us. Father, teach me to live in tune with your Spirit. Lead me. Don’t let me miss out on a single thing. Too often, I miss the opportunities you create for me, but I’m learning to be sensitive, to pay attention, and to not overlook your blessings. Grace me with the ability to become more aware.

From Firstfruits written by Brian Simmons and Gretchen Rodriguez

 Hello everyone,

  I love this devotional.  He IS everything that we need!!  

  I'm excited because Robert and I get to go visit our daughter, and her precious family, this weekend.  With planting right around the corner, we thought we would go and spend some time with them before things get crazy here on the farm. 

  Next weekend Robert and I are traveling again to attend the North Dakota Republican convention.  PLEASE keep this event in your prayers as there's a BIG rift forming in our party.  It's so big that it may split the party and, those of us who have been marginalized for decades, are of differing opinions on how to handle it.  

  Your prayers have helped me countless times!  I can't put into words how grateful I am for knowing that I can come here and ask for prayer support.  Then the Lord works things out for His glory and my heart sings for joy!!!  I pray for you often too!  That's why I like to share encouragement here for those of you who may be unsure of the next step.  May this song encourage you as it has me many times.

   May God bless you as you lift up others around you to the Father.  He knows what each of us needs and has GREAT provision to meet our EVERY need!

  Dawn

Encounter God’s Heart…

Provision and Protection

  When we are invited into the family of God, he provides what we need. There is more than enough grain to feed us, there is water to quench our thirst, and there is protection from the meddling of others. We have all that we need in the covering of Jesus Christ. He is both our provision and our protection.

When we are following the Lord, he will give us directions to help us on the way. There will be people he sets in our path who will help us to know which way to go. The community of faithful lovers of God who are already working to bring in the harvest will cue us in where to go when we have no idea otherwise. The Spirit is our Living Water, the source of our refreshment and rejuvenation. There is more than enough in his presence to satisfy us whenever we are weary.

Spirit, you are my abundant portion at all times. Thank you for your presence and your power in my life. I love you!

From Courage to Conquer written by Brian Simmons May

YOU'RE A HERO!!!

 Hello everyone,

  How can these days keep flying by?  

  Since I had time to write, I was able to go to the home school convention with my son and his family.  I was able to help with the children so that my daughter-in-law could participate in the workshops and learn more home schooling skills.  

  While there, I got to spend 3 nights with my life-long friend, Anna.  She shared an amazing product with me which I want to share with you.  It tastes like hot chocolate but is loaded with health giving ingredients.  If you're not able to get ahead of your health challenges, I urge you to try this amazing product.  You can order some here:  https://cocoringa.com/

  What else is going on in our family?  My daughter turned 39 years old this week.  That means that I've been a mother for nearly 40 years.  How can that be?  I remember her birth as though it was a couple of months ago.  Now she is a mother and is home schooling her children to learn about how very much God loves them.  

  My grandchildren being taught at home, by the people who love them the most, is one of my greatest joys.  To see my children following in Robert's and my footsteps is such an amazing victory.  Who would have thought that us wanting to keep our children close to us would make such a HUGE difference in their lives?  

  I heard an old song this morning that speaks on this.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.  It takes so little effort to be a hero in a child's life!  Let's all open our minds to see ways that we can bless the little people around us.  There are so many things in this evil world that are pulling them down.  Let's take the time they need to lift them up.

  Later,

  Dawn

  

Love ALWAYS wins!

 The 2026 Winter Olympics are over.  I'm sure you all know that but, if you've been like Robert and me, you have enjoyed seeing the athletes who are THE BEST IN THE WORLD competing with each other. 

  Pairs skating remains, and probably will always be, my very favorite event to watch.  How absolutely beautiful a couple is who has trained together for months to be totally in sync as they listen to the music together and cover the ice as easily as we walk.  So many times I just gasped as their hard work drew the crowd into what they were feeling together.  It is just sooo beautiful and, if you haven't seen it, I'll share a video below of one of my favorite couples.

  I must add that my husband and I drew a lot of pleasure from watching the event called curling.  Oh my goodness--the precision required is breathtaking.  We learned since then that our capital city, which is 60 miles away, has a curling team.  OH BOY  I wonder if we can stay away.  lol

  This devotional today is so awesome and so what we all need to remember.  When God's love flows through us, His peace fills us completely.  It's the only way to live.  

  I need to get going but I hope you are blessed as you ponder how easy it is to let God's love change everything for the better.

  Til next time

  Dawn  

I Hear His Whisper...

Let love rule.

The revelation of truth can only come through my love. As you live in my love, I will show myself through your life and through your words. Many are those around you who need me; love them, and they will see me. As my Word says, I have not given you a spirit of fear, but the spirit of love. My holy presence will spill from your heart as you overflow with my love. Many will attempt to distract you from this treasure, but your eyes are fixed on me, and I will hold you fast in my love. Let all other things become supplemental to love. Love must rule your life, words, actions, and mindset. Loving must become the primary motive of your life. The deepest desire of your heart must be to know and love me first, then to pour that love out to others. Let love compel you. Let compassion lift you. Let wisdom lead you, and the enemy will never be able to trick you into guilty service. See what I’m doing and remain in sync with my Spirit, and you will never be sucked dry or step outside the healthy boundaries of love.

I Hear His Whisper written by Brian Simmons and Gretchen Rodriguez

1 John 4:20 TPT

Anyone can say, “I love God,” yet have hatred toward another believer. This makes him a phony, because if you don’t love a brother or sister, whom you can see, how can you truly love God, whom you can’t see?