Our Times Are in His Hands

“The Bible tells us that our times are in God’s hands. That means that God is bigger than time, dates, and appointments. God’s plans for your life do not hinge on someone else’s schedule. God’s plans for your life cannot be frustrated by what others do or don’t do. God knows where you’ve been, He knows where you are, and He knows where He is leading you. His plans for you are made according to His wisdom, His love, and His power to perform them.

God wants you to move through this day with a quiet heart, an inward assurance that He is in control, a peaceful certainty that your life is in His hands, a deep trust in His plan and purposes, and a thankful disposition toward all that He allows. He wants you to put your faith in Him, not in a timetable. He wants you to wait on Him and wait for Him. In His perfect way He will put everything together…see to every detail…arrange every circumstance…and order every step to bring to pass what He has for you.”

From “Our Times Are in His Hands” by Roy Lessin, Co-Founder DaySpring Cards

Glen and I have been finding this writing to be so true as we pursue the next step for us. The questions are “Are we to live in Oregon or Colorado?? Will Glen have a job or will this be early retirement?” On May 14 Glen received his 60 day layoff notice from Tektronix where he had worked 25 years. In two weeks he turned 62. Three options seemed possible:
1. Find a job in Oregon and stay.
2. Find a job in Colorado … preferably in Colorado Springs. We lived in Colorado almost 27 years before Glen and I moved to Oregon as a transfer with Tektronix.
3. Retire early … preferably in Colorado Springs so we can be close to our son, Andy, in Denver (60 miles away)and closer to Peter and Rachel in Springfield, MO, and closer to the rest of our family… all east of the Rockies except Glen’s brother, Ken, who is on the CO/UT border in Grand Junction.

Our realtor friend, Linda Eaton, encouraged us to get our home on the market and to have staging consultants guide us in preparing to do so. We felt it was good to get the ball rolling whatever may be our next step. We did all the staging consultants (Presentation Staging) recommended which included all bookcases and books packed, personal items, etc. away with everything open and inviting. Linda recommended a neutral coat of paint .. Toasted Cashew. It all was/is awesome! It appears having your home look great on the internet is vital in this day and age … and economy. We put the house on the market June 26 (showed it once that day) and headed to CO for a planned family vacation the next day.  At two weeks we had a good offer on the house… God definitely at work for that to happen!!  We heard about the offer the day before coming home… to accept the offer and began the process of all involved to sell your home! 

Glen was not hearing anything from the applications he had out here in Portland. As we prepared to move out of the house our sights were/are on Colorado. This has been reasonable since two of our options are in CO and no news from the third – Portland. One week before the day we were to leave for Colorado Glen heard back from Maxim Integrated Products. www.maxim-ic.com  As I write this he is interviewing … 9:00-2:00 with six people individually.  After a phone interview on Monday and a call for in house interviews on today, Tuesday, came on Wednesday within 24 hours of the second POD being picked up. We still had to pack our extra stuff in a UHaul truck on Thursday and get out by Friday possession at 8:00 a.m. Long story… we had 15 minutes to spare. In the midst of everything we sat down and determined Glen would always wonder if he did not at least interview. We decided to delay our departure. Whatever the outcome is will confirm whether God’s plan is OR or CO!!

We had a restful weekend staying at our friends’ home (who also hosted a farewell party for us Aug 1) while they were gone for the weekend. It is a unique situation to be planning for two different directions. Yesterday we made an appointment to have a hitch put on our Jimmy so we can tow a UHaul trailer to CO and we also went to see an apartment very close to Maxim.

We are so thankful we have been reminded many times in this process to SURRENDER and TRUST and flow with the details He is orchestrating. It was wonderful to see this theme confirmed to us and others at church on Sunday.

May God be glorified through our lives. #1 has been the miraculous sale of our home… the lady is so very happy to have found our home and it is a blessing to her as we had prayed would happen.  #2 will be His direction in this next step and ”growing us” in this process.

Will let you know what happens!!  
 

Oregon winter/spring flowers 
… in purple and yellow 

Here’s a blog I have a way of reposting almost every year.  Last weekend+ was absolutely gorgeous here in Portland with temps in the 70s.  Now it’s a cooler Easter weekend. Nevertheless, it is still a good time to observe the beauty here in Oregon and be thankful for all that Jesus Christ has done for us.  Hallelujah!!  He paid the price for our sins.
 He is Risen!!

Random Thoughts ~ Feb 13, 2009

** Do I even know how to post at Xanga anymore?  Ah, it’s like bike riding, it will come back to me as I get on and shove off.  I have been on Facebook some, but not like I used to be at Xanga blogging.  There’s something about the format here that I still like to share my heart and photos every now and then. (I haven’t gotten the hang of posting photos at Facebook yet.)  However, I don’t think I’d like Xanga if I couldn’t go back to the old page formatting.

** I received a beautiful, Divine Valentine this morning through crossecards.  God’s love is the very best!!

** Glen and I are both nursing colds.  I’m hoping to not go the whole 9 yards of Glen’s version of a cold… I am a week behind.  So far mine seems like a different cold.  At his worst his nose and eyes just poured!  I can do without that, thank you.

** I’ve been busy volunteering to proof/light edit for the online evangelism/discipleship ministry, www.network211.com.  This ministry is really unfolding!  It is wonderful to see people respond in real time on Google Earth with an application.  www.project10million.com   The vision is to see 10 million people reached for Christ in the next 10 years.  The clock started ticking on October 15, 2008.

** This year Glen and I have been enjoying a season attending the Oregon Symphony.  We had only attended one time before… using an Entertainment coupon.  Now we even know where to park, etc.  The variety of soloists in the concerts has been really good: piano, violin, and classical bass (very interesting.) Of course, the variety of music has been great as well!

** We missed almost all of the snow in Oregon in December.  While they were having the balance of 19 inches of snow, we were only here for the first snow storm.  The rest was experienced vicariously as we watched news on TV or internet.  We were in Texas/Oklahoma and Missouri for 2 weeks+.  We got out just in time – Dec 17.  Was neat to attend a niece’s wedding, see Glen’s aunt who is 90, and hang out with our family of Andy, Peter and Rachel and Rachel’s mom, Pat.  There were flashes when I thought of our grandbaby, Grace, and missed her so much.  She is with Jesus instead of in our arms.  We all keep healing.  We had anticipated being in MO at Christmas with our almost 5 month old granddaughter.

** I am starting to bounce back from  having gallbladder surgery in June.  The actual incision heals readily; but it takes me a long time to feel like myself after having anesthesia and this surgery was 4 and 1/2 hours.  This fall I experienced what I have come to call “The Flatlands.”  I wasn’t particularly depressed for which I am thankful.  Some of that is because I chose to be patient instead of upset about the slow process.  I knew that season would pass. But it was odd for me to have no vim or vigor.  I did not blog.

** I am now getting back into the pool exercising.  It makes me sore, but my body will adapt soon.  The personal trainer, getting me started again, also gave me tips on bike riding at home on our recumbant bike.  I have also added the restarting of allergy shots.  I am trying to go 2 times a week now when you can do that to build faster.  Hopefully it can help some for the pollen season for trees and grass.

** I did a complete inventory of all my Creative Memories supplies.  Hooray!  I have enough of the page refills and page protectors … that are not the “New True” 12×12.  In the last year I have been able to find a better home for 2 albums I had bought.  I am trying to condense my expectations of traditional scrapbooking.  I still have lots planned and working on.

** For Christmas I scanned a number of photos from our sons’ first years of life.  I used www.shutterfly.com to produce photo books.  They turned out well and the boys were really surprised!! 

** I have a new focusing thought about decluttering and especially getting through our attics/garage.  Think of it as anticipating a move… whether we retire someplace other than the NW or not.  Ask the question: “What am I willing to pay to move?”  Also, “Only take what you love.”  First step is to discover my guest bedroom after the scrapbooking supplies inventory.

** My hair is getting more white.  Like Glen sings to me, “Silver threads .. the gold…”  And it seems like the current perm I get is making my hair a bit blonder.  Anyway, the photos taken at Christmas seem to me like my hair was glowing!!

** I have not physically been close to a person with cancer; but now through my sister-in-law and family in ND and a friend’s mother in CO…. well, now I understand why it is called “battle” with cancer!  It’s amazing what modern science can do; but it is still so devastating the toll C takes on a person.  I am praying for those I know/know of who are battling cancer…. that His grace will be sufficient.  The other night I heard about fiery trials on the Beth Moore video in Daniel study.  We are either
… delivered from them.
… delivered through them.
… delivered into the arms of God.

** I have now gotten to see and go up in the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.

** Genealogy and family history is an ongoing hobby for me.  This year Glen and I ventured into studying his family.  Glen even had his yDNA testing done and asked a cousin to do it too.  The question of his grandfather being a “Dell” by birth was determined.  The answer was ‘no.’  Glen’s yDNA does not match with his cousin. They are only related on the X…. Glen’s grandfather, Claud, and Clarence’s father, Cliff, have the same mother.  Clarence was kind of sad.  Glen and he had ‘connected’ over the phone and C wanted Glen to be his cousin by both parents.  Nevertheless, the Dell family history is very interesting.  The ancestors came from near London and lived in New Jersey.  They were Loyalists and after the Revolutionary War somewhat persecuted.  They moved to Canada where Loyalists were given land.  There have been a number of Dells who have lived/live west of Niagra Falls.  On my side, I am trying to get a team together to put together the great number of documents a Munkelwitz cousin is willing to share.  I realize I am not getting it onto a DVD (by myself) as I had agreed to do.  Hopefully, another cousin (guy) can sit down with our Munkelwitz genealogist and figure out what can work. (They both live in MN.) He has put together a website, from scratch, with all his family history/genealogy info he has collected over the years.  The fun part is none of us currently carry the Munkelwitz name.  There is Tesh, Gage and mine which was Peter.  I’ve seen some info on Ancestry.com as that is where I have been doing the work on Glen’s family.  Interesting.  Very time consuming…. which is OK when you I am low key and trying to be patient to bounce back.

** On my mom’s side of the family we have had 2 deaths in the last several months.  Now there are no aunts/uncles left on the Mortenson side.  My Aunt Violet died in late October at the age of 90.  She was the last of the Mortenson siblings.  And now in January my Uncle Marvin’s widow, Lucille, died at the age of 97.  I am fortunate to have known Aunt Violet and at least had met Aunt Lucille … since moving to the Northwest.

** I think this is enough random thoughts.  Over and out.

5 years ago ~ Engagement Party

I enjoy remembering. Five years ago to this day and date was the engagement party for our son, Peter, and his bride-to-be, Rachel. They had come to visit us in Oregon so we could meet Rachel and get acquainted.  We knew Peter had a plan to propose while they were here.  He wanted his family to be there too….the media guy needed it all captured on video and photos.  Fun!!  I wrote a blog about this a long time ago.  What a special day that was! Our friends, Steve and Colleen, hosted the party at their lovely home. Friends joined us to meet Peter and Rachel and celebrate their engagement. Ray was our MC and interviewed them.  He had Rachel read the story Peter had given her to read… on the beach by Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach.  It was “The Tale of Two Lovers” and portrayed their friendship and emerging love… as Prince Peter and Princess Rachel. After all, their spring special party had a medieval theme. Their story was the written/printed pages with photos to capture it.  At the end of the book she was instructed to give the book back to the author.. and he turned the page to show the engagement ring and dropped his knee to say that important question and offer the ring.  Ah!! So fun.  A special thing at the engagement party is that Glen prayed a prayer of blessing over Peter and Rachel.  And Glen’s men’s quartet sang “He Touched Me”.  Because He touched them Peter and Rachel will be used to be the vehicle for God to touch others.  They were married May 1, 2004 and have been able to answer their callings with Rachel as a 3rd grade teacher at New Covenant Christian School and Peter as an internet missionary with www.network211.com.  God has definitely been at work!

On their engagement proposal day we went to the Oregon coast.  On the way we stopped to see the world’s largest/tallest Sitka spruce tree.  This winter in hurricane winds it toppled… so glad we enjoyed it while we could.  We slipped in to Seaside to allow Rachel to get her feet in the Pacific Ocean as soon as possible.  She had been over it and near it… but this was her first time IN it!  After a stop at the local Subway we checked out the Lewis and Clark stuff including the Salt Works in Seaside and the sign/statue signifying the end of the Lewis and Clark expedition.  Then we went to Ft Clatsop National Monument (at that time… a part of a National Park now) to see the Lewis and Clark fort/visitor center/canoes, etc.  Since then the initial (model) fort burned down and has been rebuilt.  Checking out Astoria was next on the agenda and atop Astoria Column Rachel called her parents to tell where she was… seeing both the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River!  They knew Peter would be proposing…. and did not let on though wondering if this was “the call”!  Next on the route was Canon Beach where we ate dinner at Dooger’s, fantastic chowder!  Though it was not the picturesque sunset we had hoped for…. it was still neat to head to the beach with Haystack Rock nearby.  Ah…. memories!  Aren’t they grand??  This week my nephew will be with us and we anticipate ‘doing’ this day over in sharing some favorite spots of ours here in OR. (I’ll share photos from these days when I can access those files on my computer.)  Meanwhile, a couple photos from my Xanga files.

Peter and Rachel’s wedding day, May 1, 2004.

 

     
  
  Peter & Rachel; my guys:Andy, Glen, Peter; Glen and Jann; and Jann with Rachel’s bouquet sharing about the lace from my wedding and the significance of their wedding being on May 1, my mom’s birthday.

Facing my Goliath!

Hi all.  I have been out of commission!!  I am home from the hospital now after gallbladder surgery this past Tuesday.  Below is a copy of an email I sent our pastor yesterday afternoon.  To view more about the series “Heart After God” see www.pcctoday.com  With a very thankful heart, it is great to be back!!

Friday, June 20
Pastor Ray,

I want to say thank you so much for listening to the Lord closely and sharing His word with us.  I have thought many times to email you regarding any/all of your sermons since you have been here to say …. “another home run!! – PTL!”  (So here is an email finally!!)

This week God used a surgeon to cut out a Goliath of mine.  As you know, I had extensive, emergency gallbladder surgery on Tuesday.  Usually gallbladder surgeries take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours.  Mine took 4 and 1/2 hours!  My surgeon was determined to do the technique that would give me a speedy recovery of 1 week + vs an old, ‘open’ way that would take 6 weeks+ for recovery.  Wow!!

The first two sermons of the “Heart For God” series have hit the mark for me!  I stood the first week believing for God to intervene in my health.  Within 10 days of the “A Bold Heart – Facing the Giants” sermon, my Goliath gallbladder is no longer!!!  I know this will be making a significant difference in my health.

The fun part is that for Father’s Day a gift I felt impressed to give Glen was the book (not the DVD) “Facing the Giants”.  That is the book he read while in ER Monday night and during the long day Tuesday!!  I LOVE how God works!!!

Again, thanks for being obedient to share what God puts on your heart and praying for us.  Please feel free to share my testimony in whatever way would bring glory to God the most!! Also, please thank people (for us) who have been praying for me/us.  It is making a tremendous difference!!

  
35 years ago today

On May 6, 1973, my mom, Myrtle Helena Mortenson Peter, went to her heavenly reward.  I still miss her.  Every now and then as I enjoy a cinnamon roll, I relish the smell of cinnamon and think of Mom. That’s because she made the greatest cinnamon rolls!! I was only 23 years old at her passing. I had been married 6 months; she had already transferred her care for me into Glen’s capable hands.  I was young.  However, I have come to realize for a ‘child’, at any age, it is always too soon to lose your parent.

Today, I stop to remember and savor her legacy of faith she shared with me. She was my main mentor in guiding me to walk with the Lord. By her example, she also taught me to listen to God and obey His instruction in caring for another in a simple, special way. At these times, it has been my joy to experience the adventure and beauty God has in mind for walking alongside other pilgrims on this journey called life. 

+ This photo of my mom was taken by one of my siblings in the back yard of my folks’ retirement home in Valley City, ND.  In the background is the HiLine Bridge which Valley City is very noted for.

Tulip Fest
Wooden Shoe Bulb Co.
 Iverson Farm
Southeast of Portland, OR

 



      
   
      
Photos by Jann ~ April 26, 2008

What a gorgeous day!!  68 degrees. The Tulip Fest was extended to this weekend because we have had such a cool spring.

 

My brother, Carl, sent me an email this morning with a great writing by Paul Harvey. He sure tells it like it is.  Since Carl and I are farm kids from North Dakota, we definitely relate to “Dirt Roads”.  Enjoy.

http://famguardian.org/Subjects/FamilyIssues/Articles/DirtRoads/DirtRoads.htm

A personal update…

What I just blogged on my page at SparkPeople.com

Today I started my Spark People plan for sure.  I adjusted my weight and weight goals.  I updated my goals, program, personal information on my Spark Page.  I invited a few friends to join me with Spark People.

Today I also started a new Ladies Bible Study at my church.  It’s Beth Moore’s “Stepping Up”.  It looks like it will be excellent and timely for me.

Today I also heard from my doctor’s nurse the results of my knee xrays taken last week.  Good news is that the degeneration in my knees is minimal and sounds like it has not increased in the last 9 years… last time I had xrays.  (May still call it degeneration instead of arthritis.)  The nurse said he wanted to make sure we weren’t missing something so he wants one more xray.  May do that tomorrow.  He has referred me to get a patellofemoral brace for my left knee which has the most pain and swelling intermittently.  I will continue to pursue progress with my knee by getting referred to physical therapy to strengthen my quad muscles and establish a new water exercise plan.  I still want to get an MRI and sounds like that would come after getting referred to an orthopedist as the physiatrist I saw last week could not do that.  The journey continues.  Meanwhile my motto has become

“Be kind to my knees, lose some weight!!!”

(I find it is fun to sing this phrase to John Phillip Sousa’s rousing “Stars and Stripes Forever”.  What other words can I come up with after this first phrase?  If anyone is a poem/song writer, please jump right in!!)