It's been a while.......

I just realized it's been over a week since I have filled anyone in on what we are up to at my house. Life here has been interesting, to say the least, but not as busy as in the past ~~ I think a lot of that has to do with our weather. It has been so COLD (if you figure in our wind chill, we haven't been above zero in weeks) and more snow than we have seen in the last few years. Weather like that makes you want to snuggle up in your warm living room and only go out when absolutely necessary.

My blood sugar levels are back under control ~ for which I thank the Lord!!! Other than that we are all healthy and happy. The kids are all doing great in school and enjoying building snow caves and snowmen (and sipping hot chocolate when they come in to thaw out!!)

Last week Nick got the privilege of performing at the Belle Muhus Theatre (a classic music hall here in Bismarck.) We loved it!! They had an orchestra and a concert band performing some of the most beautiful music I have heard in ages. I think I could have sat there all night!!



Then there was yesterday - a very special day for me. Yesterday Jeff and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. I cannot believe how fast time flies. It seems like we just got married! So much has taken place in those 20 years. Jeff and I reflected over those years while we enjoyed a romantic afternoon together. The Lord has truly blessed us more than we could have ever imagined. I can't wait to see what the next 20 years holds for us!!!

Saying Goodbye To A Friend.....

What a week this has been for me! I have been dealing with some tough issues since the beginning of this week - and yesterday I finially discovered part of what was causing them. So, in order to get some things back on track in my life I am going to have to say good bye to a friend ~~ a friend that I have grown closer and closer to over the last few months....and now I know we've grown too closer.

Who is this friend, you ask ~ and what has happened to turn the relationship into one that is no longer a healthy one? Well, I will tell you......

My friend is Coffee-mate Flavored Coffee Creamers!! Oh, how I have grown very attached to them over the last few months, so attached that my coffee intake has increased greatly. Now that isn't much of a problem because 75% of the time I am drinking decaf coffee anyway.

I discovered there was a problem on Wednesday though, when I tested my blood sugar levels. I was diagnosed with Diabetes alomst 4 years ago, but I have always been able to control my levels with proper diet and exercise. I've never even had to take medication for it. Over the last 6 months or so I have to admit that I have really slacked off on even monitoring it anymore, because it hasn't been an issue in so long.

Lately though, I haven't been feeling that great and I have been EXTREMELY thirsty. Finally, on Wednesday, I checked it ~~ 244!!!!! Wow, it has never been that high in my life. I immediately cut all carbs and sugars out of my diet, increased my water intake, and made sure Jeff and I were getting our 2 mile walk in each day.

Since then it still hadn't really come down much and I admit that frustrated me. I wanted it fixed immediately ~ but I think God wanted me to do some searching and get some things fixed...that probably wouldn't have happened if my levels went down right away and things went back to normal. Last night I did just that.

While talking with a friend on the phone, her and I began talking about what could have changed to cause my levels to change so much. I started going over a typical day of eating and that was when I realized the coffee creamer problem.

Coffee-mate has come out with some GREAT flavors - especially over the holidays!! I have been drinking (on a average) about 10 tablespoons of creamer a day. When I grabbed the bottle and looked.....that was at least 50 grams of carbs a day ~~ just in creamer!!!!!!! That didn't even count food throughout the day!!!

That meant for months I have probably been averaging anywhere from 70 - 90 grams of carbs a day - that is horrible, since I know I shouldn't have any more than 25 - 30 a day!!

So, today I bid a fond farwell to my friend - GOOD BYE COFFEE CREAMER. YOU WILL BE MISSED, BUT MY HEALTH IS MORE IMPORTANT TO ME THAN YOUR WONDERFUL TASTE!!!

I had to share this......

I received this in my email today. It spoketo my heart somuch that I just had to share it!!

GRATITUDE-DRIVEN LOVE

"Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much:but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven." Luke 7:47-48

Ever feel washed up, like you've made too many mistakes? Perhaps you are in mourning over wasted years? You believe that God only uses perfect people and your past disqualifies you from any future blessing.

We often misjudge God. We project our own humanness onto His face. After all, we only give people so many chances. We have our limits. "If he does that one more time, I'm through!" we declare.

We perceive the heart of God is like ours. If I fail too many times, God is through with me! If I get my act together too late in life, then it's just too late for me. If I commit too grave a sin, God disqualifies me.

Scripture showcases the relentless mercy of God. The Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ, was born from the line of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The four eldest sons of Jacob fell under great sin. Reuben and Judah committed incest. Simeon and Levi were murderers, yet they were patriarchs. And from Levi descended all the priests.

The bottom line issue with God is repentance. Because He has a heart that longs for intimacy, when we sincerely repent, there is restoration. God can use you in His kingdom, with all the scars, war stories, and places of shame. In fact, the more deeply you have been wounded, the more mercy you will show others. You can make a great imprint of grace in the kingdom.

Bow your head and dare to receive the lavish mercy of our Father, the One who asks you put your past behind you. I have repented of my sin. Give me the courage to look in Your eyes and see the forgiveness that is mine. You hold nothing against me. Amen

Christine Wyrtzen

Founder & Director

Daughters of Promise

For my sister.......

Everyone has someone in their life that holds a very special place in their heart- for me, it is my sister. There is a bond between my sister and I that not everyone is blessed enough to have ever experienced. Yes, she is my sister, but she is also so much more. To say she is my best friend does not fully describe the relationship we have always had because it is so much more than that.

You see, there is 12 years difference between the two of us, yet we have always had a very unique connection. Our heart strings are tied together in a way that no one could ever undo.

Now my sister is all grown up - and that has been very hard for me. I had a hard time letting her go, but time has helped me to see that even though she is all grown up and living thousands of miles away from me, we are still very close ~ because no one can separate that special love that her and I share.

I talked to her the other day and promised to post some current pictures of some kids that she loves very much, but hasn't gotten to see in a couple of years ~~ my children. So these pictures are for her. I love you Margaret - and you will never now how much you mean to me.


Jeffrey is working at Sykes (for those who don't know what that is...it is a computer tech support company.) It's hard to believe he is almost 20 years old!!










Nick wasn't around for a current picture, but other than being a few inches taller than he is here, he still looks the same (I'm think he is 6' 3" now!!) He was marching in a parade when this picture was taken, but his all time favorite thing to do is still basketball ~~ although he loves baseball too.



Elisabeth (or Bob as you call her) and her crooked ponytails (heehee). She's still just as tiny as ever. She continues to get taller but can't seem to get past 48 pounds. I told her we'd throw a party when she finally reached 50!! It's hard to believe this little girl will be 9 in just a few months.

She loves to read and thinks figuring out square roots is FUN. (A girl after her mom's own heart!!)


And last, but not least ~~ My Mooser Man ~~ the baby, Brett Samuel. Doesn't that face just melt your heart?? I could just squeeze his stuffings out!!!

He outweighs his sister now, but isn't as tall (yet.) He loves kindergarten and has the prettiest cursive writing you will ever see!! He reads like a pro and thinks he can do anything his brothers and sister can do. That is actually a scary thought, because he is quite a daredevil. His last stunt was to see if he could ride his bike out of the back of Nick's truck!!