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"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit,

but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves"

~Phillipians 2:3

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I have to admit that I have been suffering from a mild case of "poor me" syndrome over the past while. Sometimes life just seems to get busier and busier and gets to be too much too handle. Well, at Bible study this morning I suddenly realized what was wrong with my crummy attitude. I have been making it all about me. In my mind I was thinking that this is my life and I wasn't enjoying it as much as I thought I deserved. So as I was reading through Philipians 2:1-11 I was seriously convicted as I saw how Jesus lived His life. He emptied Himself and took on the form of a bondservant.

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He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,

even death on a cross. (Phil. 2:8)

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Well that really put it all into perspective! I can be so selfish sometimes. And you know, I am finding that the more I serve others with a grateful heart, the more I find joy and satisfaction in life. True joy and fulfillment isn't found in a day filled with serving myself, it is found in a day spent serving Jesus and investing in eternity.

I guess that is a foundational truth but sometimes I just have to re-learn the obvious!

Musical Blessings...

It was great having the Wissmann Family stop by on their way up to Canada this Monday. They even sang and played some songs for us. Our very own private concert...it doesn't get any better than that! If you would like to get to know this delightful family better, go here.

Jamming in the living room

We also had the priviledge of hosting the Dan Utz family at our house this week. They ministered at our church on Tuesday and refreshed our spirits with their sweet voices and servant's hearts.

Dan with all his girls...cheerful morning faces!

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth:

make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise." Ps. 98:4

Vacation Bible School in Ponemah Minnesota

This last week I was blessed to be able to join a group of believers up on the Red Lake Indian Reservation teaching VBS. Our theme was the Lord's Prayer and we studied all of God's amazing attrributes.

Carli, from Michigan, sharing the wordless book with a group of children

My little buddies helping with flag duty

You never know how the seeds will grow that were planted. Pray that they would flourish and be fruitful in the lives of those precious children. Each one it seemed had a sad story to tell whether is was a divorce in the family or drunken parents or abuse. They really need the love of the Father to survive up there.

"...Be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things."

~Joel 2:21

The Best Dad in the WHOLE World!

I have been supremely blessed to have been given such an amazing father. He loves and honors God with his life and lives his life above reproach. He loves my mother dearly and serves her and us so faithfully and without complaint. When I think of the many late and long hours that he has put in so that he could provide us with a comfortable and cozy home, I am amazed and so thankful. He has always been willing to sacrifice his own comforts and desires in order to put others first.

One example can be found in the picture above. "Hate" may be too strong of a word, but Dad really doesn't like puzzles. The logic of spending hours and hours placing a bunch of small pieces of cardboard together and then eventually putting them all back into a box, escapes him. However, my mother really enjoys puzzles--because of the wonderful times of fellowship and togetherness that puzzles often encourage. SO, Dad, sat down with Mom and put in some pieces just so that they could be together. Of course he did make a big deal of it and we were all aware of whenever he found a match, but regardless, he did it and that was pretty sweet. So maybe that wasn't his crowning moment of self-sacrifice, but that is just one small example. Anyway, I think that he definately is the greatest dad in the whole world!

Happy Father's Day Dad!

I love you,
Melanie

Be Real

God has been teaching me about the importance of being consistent in my life. Not only in my quiet time with Him but also in my heart’s condition. So many times I know that I have given the appearance of a good “sweet” girl all the while my heart is in a nasty and dreadful condition. What hypocrisy and a stench it must be to God—it is nothing but noise.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Cor. 13:1)

“God needs me to be real. He can’t change me into someone I am already pretending to be.” ~Jim Newsom

A Trip to The Cabin

Our whole family was blessed with the opportunity to spend Memorial Day weekend at a remote cabin up north near Voyagers National Park in northern Minnesota. The only way to get in to the cabin is to take a boat across a large lake, up a river, and through another lake. There it sits, high above the lake on a rock over-looking the wonder of God's amazing creation. It was a wonderful, refreshing time to spend together as a family and in the presence of God. He is so great and mighty!

Mom and Mindy waiting for the guys to return

with the boat so that we can begin our journey in.

A dragon fly drying out his wings.

We caught a lot of small-mouth bass. They are a super fun and amazing fish to catch because they really like to fight and "dance" above the water, putting on quite a show. I think it was the most fun I have ever had catching fish. I am definitely "hooked" now!

"As the earth bringeth forth her bud

...so the Lord God will cause

righteousness and praise to spring forth."

~Isaiah 61:11

Mother's Day Weekend...

We had a wonderful weekend with Melissa and Sam and the whole crew. On Saturday the guys went fishing and caught a TON of walleye. Dad cooked them up and we feasted in true northern Minnesota style. I have to say that there are very few things as fine as a delectable walleye dinner cooked by my dad. He is amazing.


Then on Sunday, we all headed over to Ben and Mindy's to celebrate Mother's Day. They had a house-full with 32 people total. I think that may be a record for them so far. Karen, Mindy, and I had fun cooking up a Mexican meal so that all of the moms would be able to relax and enjoy the day. It was a wonderful day of just being together and enjoying one another's company.

Lo, children are an heritage from the LORD:

and the fruit of the womb is His reward.

Psalm 127:3

This is Erina Peace, one of my sweet neices. I have been abundantly blessed by my neices and nephews. They are each one so unique and such a joy to be around. We have eight of them coming to visit us tomorrow so this house should be a happening place in about 24 hours!

A Beautiful Minnesota Morning

"Say among the nations, "The Lord reigns!...

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

let the field exult, and everything in it!

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy"

Psalm 96:10-12

Aunts and Dishes and other Blessings...

My great aunt Mary (on the Berge side) and aunt Bernadine (on the King side) are good friends and like to go antiquing and treasure hunting/selling. They have all kinds of adventures together and find some pretty amazing things. Recently they came upon a beautiful set of china from an estate sale that they were in charge of organizing. It was all going to be sold for $50 and they called here wondering if someone would be interested in it.


So, long story short, I am now the owner of a 12-place setting of china! It has a delicate flower pattern and silver trim. The cups are sturdy but elegant. I am very blessed and I praise the Lord from Whom all blessings flow.

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" ~Psalm 34:8

A little miracle is on the way!

My little sister is going to have a BABY!!! I rejoice at how the Lord has blessed Mindy with an awesome husband, a beautiful home, and now a baby. Ben and Mindy are going to be amazing parents and I just can't wait to see them in that role.

The most exciting thing?...I felt Mindy's baby move! It was Easter Sunday and Mindy had me hold my hand on her tummy and sure enough--a little kick! What a miracle...I can't wait to hold that sweet little blessing in my arms. August seems like an eternity away!!

Home again, home again, jiggidy-jig.

I've plunged right back into the thick of it today after arriving home from Texas at 1:00 AM. I am a bit groggy but happy for every moment spent with my wonderful brother and his sweet family.

Hey! I am posting my very first post from the state of Texas! It is beautiful here. I am staying at my brother Matt's house and am having a great time. We are getting ready to barBQ in a minute and my neice Katey wants me to go outside and swing with her on the tire swing, so I better run.

I will try to get on here as much as possible but with two jobs and going to school...well, I'll try anyway. God bless and say hi when you get a chance.