do you hear what I hear?

Yesterday morning I met a lady, at Tim Hortons, who was purchasing some items from me off  Craigslist.  It wasn't a lot of money I received, yet I thought it would be great to enjoy a Sunday off from cooking so I tucked the money into my purse.  As I was preparing for bed last evening, I was elated that Sunday dinner was taken care of; no early morning prep work, no cooking, no big dinner; just a lunch of fast food.  During worship I felt the tug of the Holy Spirit on my heart to "give" put my after church lunch money in the offering.  I had quite a wrestling match with the Holy Spirit about this; you know the scene? "It's for lunch, God; we rarely get to eat out!" and I would hear God say, "put the money in the offering" over and over (well not in those exact words but the impression on my heart was profound).  As the offering plate descending upon our row, I slowly opened my wallet and took out the money.  When the plate came to our isle my "after church lunch money" was placed into the offering plate.  Honestly I felt no regret, I knew I had done what God asked and figured I would come up with a Plan B; sandwiches, left over chili, etc.  Once we got home I shared with Den about my quandary and told him how I had a little wrestling match with God about placing "my"money in the offering plate and why.  What a sweet man I married because he said, oh no problem we can get fast food......money is always tight in our home, I am careful to purchase anything because I know how many hours Den has to work to pay for something and when I realize this, I usually refrain from purchasing; most of the time we don't need the "said" purchase anyways.  I wonder how many times I pass up the tugging of the Holy Spirit? How man times I shrug off His leading.  Today I chose to listen and respond.

Majesty. . . worship His Majesty. . . .

We have had some of the most breath-taking skies lately, more than I've ever witnessed before.  I love looking at the sky, there is something wonderfully peaceful and serene.

new life, new beginnings

These two precious couples, Branden and Katie and Daniel and Elizabeth, are adding new life to our family this summer.  Their babies are due a month apart, Daniel and Elizabeth are having a boy and Branden and Katie will find out in February what they are having.  We are so excited.  What a blessing it is to see your children begin to fill their quiver and to see these young women pursue their dream of becoming a mom.  The next generation of "Lutz's" is growing; with these two makes 5 grandchildren!

Psalm 127:3-5a
"Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them...."

finally. . . . .

We finally got a beautiful snowfall today.  The snowflakes are amazing, in fact, only twice in my lifetime have I ever seen snowflakes like this:

simply breath-taking

a new beginning. . . .

I've been praying, for some time, that God would give me wisdom on how to manage my time more effectively; with family, school, quiet time, and exercise.  This past semester was really tough, I did not do any of those well, with the exception of studying.  I really want my focus to change this semester, more of God, more of family, begin an exercise routine and study (in that order).  I had a good handle on the first three, yet just couldn't quite figure out when a good time would be to go to the YMCA.  No time was ever "perfect".  I especially like early mornings, like 5am, but heading out in pitch-blackness to a frosted freezing vehicle was not an option.  So I began to ask God to show me what to do.  Last Friday I was talking with Daniel about this very issue and he suggested I get a bike trainer  like his! WOW! now why didn't I think of that? oh I know. . . .I assumed they were expensive, yet he helped me locate just the trainer and accessories and I placed the order.  Saturday I received the trainer, over night via FED EX! I didn't even order over night service, but hey I'm not gonna complain.  Den and Brett had it almost all set-up when I got home from the eye doctor.  Tori says, "mama we wanted to surprise you!" how precious!  I am excited to begin my 5am exercise routine!  and even more excited that Daniel said we can now keep each other accountable.  That's the key in being successful at working out; working out with someone; they keep you motivated and moving.  What a blessing to have "manboys" who encourage and praise!

My bike trainer; my bicycle's back wheel sits in this so I can bike inside!

Ingenious!

the "Lutztribe"

~Our entire family was home for Christmas this year, they came from North Carolina, Georgia, Illinois and North Dakota.  We "had" to capture our growing family in a forever memory~

Whew. . . .

This past semester was the toughest semester I've had to experience to date.  I never thought it would end nor did I think I would even pass half of the four classes I was taking.  One class, in particular, was extremely tough, causing much anguish and frustration.  Upon completing my mid-term (which I assumed I failed) I never looked at my grades.  I fretted and stewed until two days before Christmas when the grades were posted.  My daughter-in-law, Casey, even tried to get me to let her look on my behalf and I flat out said, "no".  I did not want to embarrass myself if I truly failed this one class.  Frankly, I was apprehensive about all my classes because they were all tough classes, on top of family life.  When I finally pulled up the website and saw that the grades were posted, I took a deep breathe and began to scroll down.  I was completely and utterly shocked when I saw that I not only had passed that super-tough class with an A- but had also passed the other three with amazing grades, keeping my overall GPA at a 3.71!  I honestly cried tears of happiness! It was a great Christmas gift to myself.  I could not have even been half successful in my classes had it not been for the support of Den and my kids.  I spent many hours laboring over the computer. . . .many hours away from my family, which only made me feel the weight of failure even deeper.  If I failed, in any course, all those hours were for naught.  I am so thankful God saw me through.

Now I am into my last semester at U of M.  I am transferring next fall to a private school out east where I will be able to finish my bachelors and masters and graduate, 2013!  There is a light at the end of the tunnel and I am beginning to catch a glimpse of it!

a Jacquie-ism

My daughter is the most modest young girl I know, she's always very careful with her appearance, which is why it was so surprising to see a wee bit of cleavage, this afternoon, as she was coming into the living room.   I said to her, "Jacquie your showing a little cleavage!" to which she replied, "where!"  Gotta love a girl who is modest and a bit naive!