Being a Help meet.

My husband and I are self-employed and own three different businesses.  It is a little crazy all year around, but at this time of year it is absurd.  All of the sudden I am overwhelmed with numbers, sales tax forms, 1099s  and bank statements, computer print outs and my absolute distain for accounting.  I am just not good at the number game.  I have run the books for a number of years and God has always shown His faithfulness to me in this endeavor.  I am thankful God gives ability for the things we must do in life.

I am thankful to be a wife and mother.  My greatest joy is being my husband’s wife and the mother of his children.  The work involved with those two honors is for another post!  :)

I want my girls to know that God is going to take them to amazing places in their future and they can trust Him for their future.  They will have all the wisdom they need to help their husbands in the unique areas that they will be called to be helpers to them.  

I am a high-school graduate.  I have never studied for the titles that God has given me.  Business owner, accountant, Public Relations, Sales-woman, fisherman’s wife and all that that entails, musician, worship leader, Bible Study leader, teacher for my children, interior decorator, truck driver and fish delivery lady!   I handle computers that are security encoded, have learned to care for beautiful stonework and art pieces, care for beautiful gardens of exotic flora, and cook meals for clients who have traveled the world!  

I had no clue at 18 that I would have held all these titles and done these jobs in the 27 years of my marriage.  Yes, I married VERY young!  :)

As each need has come along in our businesses I have prayed for wisdom and then started the job needed.   Yes, in the middle of some jobs I have had to learn via books or researching for answers, and that is fun in itself…….. at least for me.  

God does not give us boring lives as women!  He wants us to be help-meets to our husbands and for  my own family  that has meant lots of involvement from me. It is fun to see all that He has taught me and the situations He has lead me through.  I just have to praise Him.

Don’t fear daughters.  Your life will be full and rewarding.  Your mind will grow and learn as you pursue knowledge for your life and the tasks that it brings.  God has great plans for each of you.  I am not God, I do not know what His plans are for your life beyond loving and enjoying Him and bringing Him glory.  I can’t wait to see what they are!

BY the way……………. there are things I have found that I cannot do!  I am not good at accounting and keeping the books, it takes me so long to do simple forms.  I can’t bake cookies to save my life, ( I think it is an ADD thing with me ).  I cannot hammer over 4 inch nails, make a straight plum-line or measure to hang pictures.  I am terrified of chain-saws, but enjoy cutting on a table-saw.  I can mow a lawn but not in a boring back and forth pattern, Rick never knows what our lawn will look like!  I can shoot a gun, but I cannot kill possums and other rodents that show up around here, too gross.  I cannot start a fire in the wood stove with just one match,  but I bet you can guess who can!  I cannot hang, or cut, or mow, or draw straight lines.  It must be the free-spirited part  that keeps that from working for me!  But, that is OK because I am married to Mr. 1/8th inch who is incredibly precise and makes up for all my crookedness!  :)  We would not have a healthy marriage if we were both that way, I am just sure of that!  We balance each other.  :)

Being a help meet is a rewarding place of service in the kingdom of God and He blesses us.  And,  we woman get to be amazed at all God enables us to do.

 

Blessed

Joyce

Our little Jazmin has been very clingy the last few days. She begged and when I let he on my lap she headed right to the desk top and sat between me and the computer. What a hoot!

Cozy way to spend the day, The Count of Monte Cristo, a pet, and a woodstove.

MATTHEW NEEDED A NEW TOY

So he bought himself a huge TV. He thinks it is probably bigger than his Dad’s, but he told me to make sure and measure when Dad is watching! I say we all meet at Matthew’s to watch the Super Bowl!

IN CASE ANYONE WONDERS IF NORTHERN WISCONSIN HAS HAD SNOW!

MY LITTLEST ONE!

MELODY COLOR-COORDINATING HANGERS AND KRISTI ORGANIZING SHOES, LOTS OF SHOES!

Kristi the reader (unabridged, The Count of Monte Cristo), and the texter! To each her own.

MATTHEW PUTTING IN A NEW DOOR HANDLE

MOVING MANDY WEARS A GIRL OUT!

HAVING FUN ON A COLD WINTER DAY

When it is -15 degrees in the North Woods, we get together and play games.

God Speaking

I often laugh when I read verses which say that God satisfies. Don’t get me wrong, I understand completely what that means. But… I am never satisfied…..
I want to hear more from God today.
I want to have Him lead me more today.
I want more of Him today.
I want more of His joy today.

I want more of His peace

 
And the list goes on.

I especially want to hear Him speak.

Jeni just gave me a CD by a worship leader from her church. One of the songs says -

I will wait with all my might
I’m crying out, Speak to me
I’m longing to hear
Your voice in the night
Calling out , Meet with me
You’re all I desire
For Your love is better than life
And all I need Is here in Your presence
Here in Your Word
Speak to me

I love this song, and so does Jeni.
It sums up my heart.

This week God has spoken to me many times, through His Word, a preacher, a daughter, a song, two different ladies, a parent, and through quiet.

Maybe I am just a slow hearer, and undeniably slower obeyer at times, or maybe this was a very IMPORTANT message from God. All I know is that I have heard, and I will obey.

The lesson is staying, staying where God has put me. The text, James 1,…. for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Oh no, this is not the first time that I have read these words, nor will it be the last. But, for this time in my life they are God’s command to me.

We live at the end of a peninsula extending out into Lake Michigan. It limits a LOT of things, lots of choices. I have attended my husband’s church since I married him. It is really the only choice for about 40 miles. This church suffers and my husband is frustrated with the lack of leadership, lack of male leadership, lack of teaching, etc.. Despite all this we have stayed and served as God has allowed. We have trusted. We have searched and found great sources of teaching on the internet and we have purchased teachings. We have used our home to teach and have been blessed by dear ones that we have come to love. We have learned that Sunday service is not about us, it is about God. We have learned to love deeply those whose convictions have little similarity to ours. All this is for God’s glory, not ours. He places us here with an occupation tied to the Lake. He convicted us to home-school and live out our convictions here with little support and much condemnation. This is His plan.

But I have bucked it. I have wrestled with Him on this and He did not touch my hip, He touched my toe! He won the battle.

Now, months later, as my heart is ready, my will tempered, my passion energized, He speaks to me. Over and over again in a matter of a few days. I know He is good. My husband too is resolved to obey. To stay and be steadfast, trusting God to continue to give us the fruits of the Spirit to bless, the wisdom to speak Truth, the strength to stand against the dark tide in our County, the diligence to be set-apart by our convictions and the ability to love others and minister.

Steadfastness means to stay under.

We would not even consider staying under if we did not know that God promises to stay with us in that place. He never leaves us nor forsakes us,

Oh, He is so loving.

And best of all, He Speaks!

Blessed so much,
Joyce

Mark and Elizabeth’s wedding.

Yesterday we were invited to attend the long awaited wedding of our dear friends. Two young adults who love the Lord and love each other. It was so beautiful!
The service went very well. Rick ran the sound, Mandy sang and Matthew was the best man, yes, we were involved!
There is something very special about a unity being formed that we KNOW will honor the Lord. I believe that this one will do all of that, fulfilling it’s purpose.
It was also one of the first weddings that we had been to where the wedding was so much more about the marriage than the wedding itself. It was not the typical show that many weddings turn out to be. Even our son mentioned that as well.
I am glad that our pastor brought out the holiness of this ceremony, the sacredness of these vows.
The dinner was a simple and very good meal in our church hall. Matthew stood up to give his best-man’s speech and surprised us all. He and I had talked at breakfast about what he should say and I had written down some things on a card. He of course, being the independent man that he is gave his own version and it was well done! He and the groom had been friends for years and Matthew got the folks howling when he said, “Mark, you have been like a brother to me, especially because my parents couldn’t give me one!” Amidst the laughter someone shouted, “It’s not too late!” We all laughed. Matthew has such a great sense of humor and he is such a loyal and loving friend.
Because this was a church given wedding, we all stayed and helped clean up and take down decorations. It was a lot of work but so much fun as we talked together. Matthew and his sisters loaded tables to take down to the fish sheds and then headed home. Matthew left soon after with all the tuxes in tow. Part of his responsibility was to get them back to the store so he had to head home soon.
We came home tired. Everyone crashed until supper. After supper Mandy, Kristi and Annie bundled up and headed to our friend’s house to sled under the full moon. We have tough midwestern kids and 8 degrees with wind won’t keep them from having fun!
What a beautiful day.
Our prayers go with Mark and Elizabeth.

The wedding party.

Matthew and his sisters. He makes that tux look great!

Our beautiful girls, Mark’s “other” sisters.

Mark and Elizabeth leaving the church as husband and wife!

Mandy catching the bouquet.

Mandy hugging Elizabeth after catching the bouquet.

Kristi and I before the wedding. I was bored as I am usually playing the prelude at weddings. Now I know what people feel like when they are waiting for weddings to begin!

Mandy and I before the wedding.

My birthday breakfast

Birthday fun

Last Friday was my birthday!  I won’t tell you how old……. because it doesn’t matter!

I am old enough to have experienced many things, some lovely and some very hard.   I am old enough to have lived many years of marriage, learning to love my man and be loved in return.  I am old enough to have  birthed six children, to have walked a few into adulthood and to know a toddler throwing tantrums or three children throwing up are nothing compared to walking with older children through life.  I am old enough to love the music from everything from the Motown hits to the 70’s.  I am old enough to remember when manners were a normal part of society, and respect was given to anyone older, or in authority.

I am young enough to  know I have many more years of fun and learning in my future Lord willing.  I am young enough to still enjoy parties and get-togethers, playing games, and pranks!, have lots of fun, concerts and worshiping my Lord into the night. I am young enough to still love the beat of drums, good old rock-and-roll and electric guitars. I am young enough to know God has much yet to teach me,  I am young enough to still have hope.

My Birthday:

My daughters started my day by taking me to a local restaurant.  It was so much fun to be with my girls and it was a treat.

Mandy had invited some friends over to sled behind the snowmobile so I made some soup and Kristi made delicious rolls to serve.  As we were starting to sit down for lunch the phone rang and another friend and her two daughters were coming to see me for my birthday.  We ended up with 13 of us around the table.  The moms and I had coffee and talked afterwards in the living-room where it was quiet.   Other friends stopped in and brought gifts through the rest of the day. Rick, Matthew and Mandy headed to the rehearsal of our friend’s wedding.  I did steaks for dinner for us and then we watched a movie together.  We were very tired. 

It is fun to celebrate life and i am thankful for how mine has played out, for the days that God has ordained for me.  His name be praised.

Blessed

Joyce

The ironing girl! Melody has taken over the job of ironing napkins. I am using cloth more these days to lessen my guilt for not recycling more!

Melody’s Stained Glass jello

Ally and Kristi wrapping Yankee Swap gifts

Jeni’s birthday brunch, beautiful girls, beautiful fellowship. I am blessed.

Jeni and her birthday cake, and her little sisters

Jeni, pouting because her younger sister is in the driver’s seat!

New Year’s Eve

First off, we have had wonderful, wonderful days the last few weeks. Jeni was here long enough for us to celebrate her birthday before she left. There is something so special about being with your children on their birthday, or close to it! She turned 24. Beautiful 24. God has done so much for her the last year. He has protected her, guided her and rescued her. Oh how I praise Him. Although the time was very full and busy we had a few heart to heart talks, some with tears. I am always thankful that she is so open and my sister-in-the-Lord as well as my daughter. She is a blessing to me in so many ways, and she is funny, she cracks me up and makes me laugh. I miss her. She left to go be with two other very important people in her life, Jessie and Jason. I know where her heart lies
Amazingly we pulled together a pretty clean house for our annual New Year’s Eve extravaganza! It is WORK to recoup a house from to many parties and very little motivation for cleaning! But I made the list the day before and we went at it. Praise the Lord for girls, I am not sure what sons would do with a list and I have never in 28 years of marriage given my sweetie a list so I do not know if men know what to do with them………. but my girls do!
The girls baked and mixed and put foods together and moved furniture and wrapped Yankee Swap gifts! They entertained when company stopped in to visit and watched younger children who came to the house. Can I sing my daughters praises enough? It almost makes up for their behavior at the Christmas Eve service…….. almost!
Folks started arriving around 6:00 and the island filled with food which overflowed to the snackbar as well. We ended up with 32 for supper as illnesses had taken some out for the night. I am glad there were a few less as it made it possible to talk to more of my friends around the table.
After dinner we did the Yankee Swap and there were some nice gifts! They were brought in from our friends in California. Evidently in California they play the game differently! Some of the funny gifts this year were the set of Buns of Steel videos that always show up, unusual dolls that no-one has ever seen before and a box of chocolates with a bite out of every chocolate! There were others but I cannot remember.
I told our older daughters that their friends could come after the Yankee Swap and let me tell you, it was an invasion! Kids started piling in and I was amazed at who had heard of the party and decided to come along with cousins and friends etc.. I believe there was a group of at least 24 extra teens and young adults in the house by 10:00. We played games and kept the party going. At 11:00 our friend David told us the Fireworks were ready and we all headed out to watch. Well, some adults stayed inside. But NOT me! I love the night air, the cold and the clear sky. The mass of folks, well, mostly young folks swarming the road in front of the house. it is fun! David did a great job and the fireworks were beautiful, (even the ones that shot across the snow white fields, close to the woods, which made my heart race at the thought of the woods burning to the ground just so I could have fireworks), instead of straight up!
Some folks left after the show claiming sickness etc. but I know that it just boils down to some of our friends getting TOO old, but i won’t mention names here! Even with some leaving there were still around 40 in the house for the sparkling juice toast which we do at midnight. We count down with the crystal ball being dropped somewhere, while we hold the little antique glasses of juice. Even the littlest child is given an antique goblet to toast with and I always enjoy watching their faces as they anticipate the moment. It is good.
The party goes on, some leave, some stay, games are played and fellowship continues in various groups around the house. I always gather the antique glasses and soda cans from around the house knowing it will be two days before I find all the left behinds from the meal and the fun and games. It was almost two when I headed to bed this year, earlier then usual but content and blessed and full of thanks for God’s grace and unmeasurable love extended to our family in 2008.
Blessed New Year
Joyce

Johnquist, the Johnson and Seaquist girls who have been friends for many years. Aren’t then beautiful!

Melody delivering to the front door.

 

Melody delivering gifts!

My sweetheart delivering gifts on a snowy afternoon.

Christmas Eve

This is how Gills Rock folk get when they see smoked chubs in their house, excited! These were the first chubs we have eaten in years. YUM!

Sammy and Melody having a reading time

Grandma and Grandpa with Johnson girls