Jordan's Graduation and picnic

My dad, Seth, and Ben at the after picnic!

Waiting before the ceremony started. (starting from left to right: Janet, Howard, Jacob, and Caleb)

Jordan and Grandma Charlotte

Jordan and his parents (Howard and Janet Rodgers)

Jordan and Me.... I'm so proud!

nothing clever ;)

Greetings:

Kind of an odd day today... we only have three patients scheduled and it seems as though the sky could spit out a tornado at any minute! However... I am at work again... in our quaint little office, awaiting any poor soul who may have a foreign object stuck in his/her eye.

The summer is going super fast... I have some pictures to share but I apologize for not having them up yet... I have little patience when it comes to uploading pics. I am enjoying using my brand-new CAMERA which my husband picked out for my birthday in May! It really takes some GREAT shots so I'm excited to share!

Our summer really hasn't been all that exciting but it seems to stay busy. We haven't been to the lake or even one of Jordan's softball games due to weather or the fact that Jordan was fighting a nasty bug (he self-diagnosed it as viral meningitis). He is FINALLY better but is slowly getting his strength in the gym back. He's enjoying working full-days with Aaron Carlson! I have been working at least two evenings a week for Easter Seals as well as my full-time day job at the Optometry office. I have done a bit of applying for other jobs... but God must REALLY want me to stay here... I have not heard one word from any of these other businesses.

And so we keep on keepin' on!

During the slow days at the office and in my spare time, I have been doing some reading! (Reading is actually fun now that I get to pick exactly what material I get to read, I get to read at my own pace, and I'm not graded on the material.) I have read:
"Crazy Love" by Francis Chan
"Here Burns my Candle" by Liz Curtis Higgs

and I'm in the process of reading:
"When God Whispers Your Name" by Max Lucado and
"Pocket Handbook of Christian Apologetics" by Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli

(the apologetics one is REALLY stretching my brain - I'm glad I have a VERY logic driven husband who can interpret for me at times!) I have greatly enjoyed learning OUTSIDE of the college atmosphere... it is WAY more fun! God has been teaching me a lot of things through all this reading...

I've also found myself praying more throughout the day... just for whatever is on my heart. We have many friends and family members who are struggling with infertility and a few who have lost babies before they were born. My mom and sister are currently in Romania doing a missions project through the First Baptist Church Youth Group in Minot. Three of our 4 grandmothers are now widows... and I think of them often. There are many other things that come to mind... but I have just been overwhelmed by the fact that the God who created this WHOLE world and the universe in which it exists CARES about me and my family and my friends and the pain (either emotional or physical) that we face.

Philippians 4:6-7 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Peace... My heart longs for peace... there are moments that I feel it, but many times that I do not. SO - - - I keep leaning on Jesus and I hope I can continue this pattern of prayer throughout my days!

Blessings and Grace to you... wherever you are... and however your feeling...

p.s. I promise to get fun summer/graduation photos up soon!!! MUCH LOVE TO YOU ALL!

ZOOM... ZOOM... ZOOM!

So here it is.... June... officially the beginning of the summer months. May was full, fast, and furious. With Grandma Klingbeil's 80th birthday party, Jordan's College Graduation, Grandpa Klingbeil's funeral, my birthday, memorial day weekend... I am tired. But not physically tired... more emotionally tired... maybe even spiritually tired.

It has been so encouraging to have Jesus by my side through it all. Even though I am NOT fully focused on Him, He is near, holding me close and giving me peace when the rest of the world ZOOMS on! (hence the title)

In honor of my Grandfather, Howard Klingbeil (and the fact that we just passed memorial day weekend), I wanted to share a bit about this past weekend while singing at and attending Grandpa's funeral.

Grandpa Klingbeil went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, May 27th 2010. Although I am sad that we will never see him again sitting at the head of the table for HUGE family gatherings, I'm sad that I will never hear his warm voice and see his welcoming smile, and I'm sad I will never have to make sugar-free lefsa specially for him during the holiday meal prep... I am praising God that Grandpa is with Jesus... no longer suffering in a fragile, ill, worldly body. Grandpa is home.

However, he has left behind 9 great grandchildren, 23 grandchildren, 8 sons, his wife: Marion, and his mother-in-law: Great-Grandma Clarice Vinje. The hardest part of the weekend was watching the tears flow from Grandma Marion and Great-Grandma Vinje's eyes. They both know that Grandpa is with Jesus, yet, they weep over the loss. I had some time after the funeral to visit with my 101 year old, Jesus preaching Great-Grandma, who is 4'5" and shrinking.

Can you imagine the loss she has seen through her life? I like to call her the last of the Mohicans. There are very few people on this Earth who can relate to her and understand her current living situation and understand the world that she grew up in. She is the wisest woman I have ever met and she is deeply in love with Jesus. But... even at 101 years old she cried to Jesus asking, "Why?" Why must I watch my son-in-law (who was more like a son to me) be buried? Why do you still have me on this Earth, Lord? How much work could you possibly do through this old, body?

We will never fully understand why we must suffer or linger in this sinful world (no matter how old or wise we become). And, we are not guaranteed a life without suffering or pain. In fact, we DESERVE an eternity FULL of pain, despair, and loneliness. But what has Jesus offered us through His great and perfect sacrifice? Eternal peace, joy, and fellowship with the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth.

So while this life zooms around us and past us, do not miss the things (actually the one thing) that will matter when you are lying on your death bed. I hope and pray you choose Jesus and I pray that you share Jesus with others. There is no better way to say you love someone than to introduce them to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Before we meet our Jesus - we will have pain and we will have loss. I want to share this song with you that I sang for the funeral.... I pray it encourages you.

"See" by Steven Curtis Chapman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-25KlfLJOFg

Psalm 63:1-5 "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth with praise you."