quick post

Happy Belated Easter to you all. I am so sorry, in the last days we have been so busy. We have been to the nursing home to color Easter eggs with the residents. Then we had to do some shopping for Easter and my sister in laws birthday. We went to early breakfeast and church at Hillside church in Clarinda. It was amazing, and I hope to post on it more on Thursday or Friday. Then on Easter afternoon, Our family celebrated Easter and threw a birthday party for my sister in law and I. It was so awesome. We have had an awesome time.

Today however, Jeff, Luke, Melanie and I are going to Omaha. Melanie and I are going to a little conference call Bright Lights. I will inform you more on this. It is tonight for three hours and then all day tomorrow. So, Jeff and I thought that it would be really good to spend the time with the kids. Jeff is going to do somethings with Luke tomorrow while we are at the conference. So, we are getting ready for the day. I got sick yesterday and threw up a couple of times. I prayed so hard for healing and today I feel great. So we are going. I hope to sit down and write some more and visit all of your blogs when I get back. I love all of you and you have a great couple of days. Love Tanya

Ragbrai

I am not sure when Ragbrai comes into town the last time. I think the last one we had was twelve years ago. I remember the last one, I worked at Mcdonald's at the time and we got hit really hard. Ragbrai is several people who ride their bikes across Iowa and I think other states, and Red Oak is one of the towns who will host them. It really is fun to have all the people come to our town and we have a chance to get to know them. If you would like more information about Ragbrai, go here. I hope to get some pictures of all the bikers that will visit here. It looks like we are going to have quite a few people.

To all who commented on the last post about the book Shack. I would really like to say something about the book. I really believe that you need to know your bible really well before you read this book. If you do read the book and you are confused about some things that are mentioned, please e-mail me or ask your minister about it. I believe that people or authors are trying their best to present the gospel or the deity of God in a way that people would understand. But sometimes this can be dangerous, if someone is not versed in the bible. Read the word of God and let the spirit lead you. It is a good book and I see what the author is trying to do. Just make sure that you pray about it and let the word of God and the spirit lead you during your reading. God bless all of you and I love ya, from Tanya

The Shack

I have been told by at least three people about this book. I try not to run out and get a book if someone suggest it. But this book has been brought up in at least three different conversations. One of the persons who told me about this book, was my dad. And when he told me, he was crying. So, on Sunday while at Kmart, I spotted the book and purchased it. I have not been able to put it down. I had to make myself put it down to do some chores. But, I think I will have to pick it up later after Jeff goes to work.

I will not tell you about the book, I am only on chapter three and it seems to be a very long chapter. But, I will tell you what my dad said and why this sparked some interest in me. My dad, who I have to admit, I am not sure I really know. As I am typing this, I could not tell you where his faith lies or the relationship he has with God. I can tell you that he is a soft spoken individual, who I know loves me a bunch. He loves my sister also, but that is a different kind of relationship. Dad told me that after he read the book, he realized that God gives us free will, and he will not get involved with us. God loves us and he created each one of us for the purpose of doing his will, but if we choose not to do that, God is not going to get involved or make us do His will. Dad said that he had such a different view of God after he read the book. It really openned his eyes and his relationships with others.

This is what I need. I know God does not leave me, but I think it is really easy for me to walk away from Him. I will have to tell you, right now the book is effecting the mother in me. It is really raising all kinds of fears, but I know that in the end I am going to be different than I was when I started the book. I believe this is going to be some journey. I still am going to finish "Bad Girls of the Bible", but right now I am on a detour. I will let you know more about that book, when I pick it up again. God bless all of you and have a awesome day. Love Tanya

Our Teen Group

This evening I was blessed to be with ten kids who are just awesome. I do not know if they know Jesus as their savior, but it does not matter. These kids are just so great and I am so excited to get to know them. Our church, which is a home church, started a youth group tonight. The kids even gave their group an awesome name, they call themselves "Faith Flayers" I am not sure what it means, but they all liked it. It is better than the other name they wanted, which was Spit. I am not sure why they thought of that. Anyways, they really got into the singing and they had awesome questions. I hope to share more about them later. God is going to do awesome things for these kids. I just wanted to share that with you and ask that you would pray for strength and wisdom for the teachers and that you would pray for the kids to open their hearts for God's leading. I hope that you all have a wonderful day and I pray for you often. God bless you from Tanya.

Reality Check

The other night I was on my Facebook page and while I was there one of my High School friends Edie showed up and we spent time chating back and forth. She hates to type and I had her number so I called her. In high school, Edie was a punk rocker and she always dressed up in all of these funny clothes. But she was a great friend and we spent alot of time with each other and we also had some classes together. I never really knew specifics about her or her home life. So the other night as I was talking to my friend Edie I realized somethings about her and myself. She told me she was a christian and then recited several scriptures by memory. She also told me that she homeschooled her children. I was so marvaled and amazed. I had made a judgement on a friend from what I had known of her. I did not realize that people change and they are not who they once were. I started to think about others that I have recently contacted and wondered what their stories were? Had they changed?

And then I realized that I was a different person in High School then I even remembered. I remembered going to church with my parents, but I always thought I was one that ran from God. But recently I realized that only God got me through the high school years. I remember talking to him alot and pacing my bedroom crying out to Him. I remember really feeling guilty and asking for repentence alot. I have really loved the Lord more than I ever remember in High School. It just delights my heart to fall to Him and know that I love Him so, always.

So, my reality check is this, I should not judge a person by what I think they were. Do not judge at all. But, I should look at the person and let God show me their heart and love them no matter what. Also, I should not let guilt, shame and bad tapes in my heart make a decision on who I was in the past. Love myself and let that love flow through to other people.

It is an amazing journey with God, He is so awesome and I can not wait to see more. God bless all of you.

Love,

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