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Are You in Bondage, the Wilderness or Your Promised Land?

by Marnie Pehrson

In the book of Numbers we read about the children of Israel who had been promised a land flowing with milk and honey, but when it came time to possess it, as a nation they were not ready. Moses sent twelve spies into the land of Canaan (which was to be their inheritance). Ten brought back a report saying the land was overflowing with giants and walled cities. They said there was no way they could overtake the inhabitants. But two of the spies - Joshua and Caleb - brought back a positive report.
Caleb and Joshua spoke to the "company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey" (Numbers 14:7-8).
Caleb and Joshua exhibited faith, not fear. Not only did these two men see the good and trust in the Lord's deliverance, they also weren't guilty of the sins that plagued the rest of the children of Israel. Some of these sins included:
Murmuring (Numbers 14:2) - "Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!" they said.
Rebellion (Numbers 14:4) - "Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt."
Contention/Violence (Numbers 14:10) - "But all the congregation bade stone them (Moses, Caleb and Joshua) with stones.
Whoredoms (Numbers 14:33)
Lust (Numbers 11)
Besides these sins, the people succumbed to the destructive emotion of fear. Caleb and Joshua warned them, "Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not" (Numbers 14:9).
As a result of their fear and sin, the adult Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years until their generation died off. Of that generation, only Joshua and Caleb were allowed to obtain their inheritance in the Promised Land at the end of the forty years. God said, "But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it" (Numbers 14:24).
How can we apply this story to us today? Aren't we each seeking our own personal promised lands? We might be experiencing our own forms of bondage: financial, spiritual, physical, mental. We may be seeking freedom and a glorious promised land where blessings flow, and where the righteous desires of our hearts are met.
If arriving in your own personal promised land seems to be taking too long, if you're wandering in your own wilderness, you might look back over the sins and mistakes of ancient Israel for some guidance.
Each of us might do well to ask ourselves the following questions:
Am I griping, murmuring and complaining? Are my prayers more like whining sessions than prayers of praise and thanksgiving for what I do have?
Am I rebelling against God? Against His word? Pride is the root of rebellion. It is enmity toward God and our fellowmen. And so we might ask, Am I proud and arrogant? Am I so proud that I make up my own interpretations for God's commandments? Am I rationalizing in order to salve my conscience?
Am I prone to contention, anger or even violence? If I closely examine my conversations and interactions with my family, friends and strangers, are they contentious and angry, or are they loving, kind and pure?
Are my thoughts and actions chaste? Do I slip into lustful thoughts or actions? Do I covet what other people have - whether that is their spouse, their house, their money, their talents, or what I perceive as their "cushy lives?"
Not all delays in reaching our goals are sin-related. Things do take time and God does have His seasons for things. But, if we take this little self test (answering these questions in all honesty) and find that we come up short, then we know where to repent and where to seek God's help in changing.
I leave my testimony with you that God wants to bless you. As Jesus said, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:2). But all the faith and all the positive thinking in the world will not help you enter your personal promised land if you are rebelling against God's laws, if your attitude is contentious, or if your thoughts and actions are immoral. God's laws have consequences. There are blessings for obedience. But blessings are denied to the disobedient.
Of course, none of us is perfect and that's why God sent His Son into the world to pay the price for sin. But there is a difference between honest mistakes and human weakness versus willful rebellion and blatant disobedience. Jesus made it possible for those with a contrite heart and a broken spirit to repent and receive forgiveness (Psalms 34:18). He made it possible for us to be converted (or changed) by His infinite mercy and grace. Through His enabling power, we may abound in good works, and forsake the evil one (2 Corinthians 9:8).

I pray that each of us may have it said of us as was said of Caleb, she or he "followed me fully." Then like Caleb, we will be worthy to enter our own promised land.

Christmas Shoes

I was on peekvid tonight and noticed this movie. Now, as some know winter is my favourite time of year, I love the cold, snow, snowmen, hot chocolate with candy canes, mittens, rosey cheeks, curling up in a toasty house, baking cookies, and every other thing that comes along with it. My favourite holiday is Chirstmas and so when I saw this movie, it easily won me over. I watched the whole movie on peekvid, annoyingly in 10 parts but got the complete movie.



I must say, I have never cried so much in any movie. It was a wonderfully moving movie about love and living life to the fullest and such but it was the saddest thing I ever watched. And happy too. I think that I would recommend this movie... but seeing as I have become a non-crier in movies and I sobbed like a baby in this one, maybe be prepared for that if you watch it.

Other than that, I am very glad I watched it and now I am off to sleep my teary eyes away.

Numa Numa

Well, I was on You Tube listening to the Numa Numa song with that guy... you know the guy... that does it. He has a bunch of crazed fans and such too. Weird, so I thought I would look for the real deal. Here it is, never thought that a song in another language would take so much of my interest tonight. And the translation is not even meaningful or anything. Oh well. Check this out if you are interested in what they are saying.

Adam's Princess Bride character

After refusing to do this, Adam gave in and here are the results...



Which Princess Bride Character are You?
this quiz was made by mysti

Kind of an unlikely pair we are, don't you think?

Not exactly what I hoped for!

Okay, I decided to do this little fun quiz thing as I went to Gwen's sis in law's page and saw that she get's the privalege of being Buttercup... I was not so lucky! hahaha I had to be the old witch lady. Oh well.




Which Princess Bride Character are You?
this quiz was made by mysti

Excuses Excuses!!!

I am so behind on the blog... now let me explain. A few years ago my brother in law in South Korea started a blog. It's purpose was to keep us and other family and friends updated on life. This was wonderful and then he convinced Adam to start one for us. So he did for the same reason. To keep family and firends updated. It was great too because my mom was up north and it gave her something to check often. So, then my brother in law moved to China where he soon discovered that blogger is illegal. So I neeed to start posting pics on Facebook so he could stay updated. It was nearly impossible to do both so guess what suffered. Although I prefer blogging than facebook. So, now Andrew is neither from South Korea or China... but will be moving to Oman. So, we will see if blogger is legal there and hopefully I will be inspired to keep this up more. So, there it is.

No, if you think great! She has updated, be prepared. I have put on about 6 new posts and they are all a little long. All the way to the one that says Annabelle my beauty! And by the way, I have not proof read anything because it took so long as it was to get this stuff on here so pardon any really bad spelling and grammer mistakes!

Enjoy all and God bless you!

Andrew's visit... so far

Well, Andrew arrived last week and I didn't get to take the kids up to the airport to see the plane come in because I didn't know when he would be in. So, later in the day I was told he was here and the kids and I went and saw him at Mark and Jen's house. Then he came and made his home, temperarily in our basement which was cozy enough, I was so glad it was finished in time! So, then the gift came out.I didn't get pictures of all of the gifts but the kids all got these stuffed animals in a can. Cute! Joshua's is a moose.
Joel's is a beaver... he was not really surer what to think of Uncle Andrew the first day but by the second had been won over. Twins are such a funny thing. I think that Joel just thought he was a not so good Daddy impersonator come to invade our lives.


Annabelle's was a polar bear.
Open the can and vwala... a bunch of happy kids!
For me... from China if you can believe that. The verse scrolls all the way around and it holds letter.
Here is pee pee boy. The kids loved this guy. As weird and obsene he looks, believe this... he is for testing tea water, straight from China. Weird things.

The day Andrew made Adam's life complete! To have his twin brother on the river with him.

Getting ready to fish.

Just Adam and Andrew went this night. The night before we all went with my mom and Louise and I caught a pink salmon, eggs still in her. It was a great time. 2 nights ago we went out, Adam and I with our kids and Andrew and then Mark, Adam's other bro went and got his licence, too. He and the kids came out, they are all under 16 so that was handy! There was lots of action right off the bat. Some humpy's on and lots of bites lost.
Aaron with a fish on
The boys just hanging out
Annabelle and I fishing up a storm.
And then the first fish was caught... no not just a pink but this beauty! A 12 pound Coho caught by Mark!!! As of August 15th the regs changed and said you can catch coho on the skeena so this baby was a keeper! Nicest Coho I have ever seen. Caught on an old old fishing rod with a "dam quick" reel that Adam had found at the garbage dump last year!!!

So that made Mark's night for sure!!! Congrats Mark.
Mark and his proud boys! They couldn't stop talking about how much bigger their dad's fish was from anyone elses. :)
Andrew with his first fish. He caught 2 but this was special because it was his first one caught since he was a kid. So I went to run down there to get a picture of the whole ordeal but not being used to running in my big wading boots, I tripped... how enbarrasing!!! I got about 4 really bad bruises but finally picked my butt up and made it to capture this cute moment. Uncle Andrew with his proud nephews.
Andrew wanted a picture of the place his first fish was "murdered". He was so happy to finally get one on.
Aaron holding his fishes eggsThe Boys all showing off their fish. Aaron has his one and mine. Every female pink caught and kept had eggs in them! Awesome, hadn't even spawned yet! The running total of the night... 8 pinks and one awesome Coho!Aaron and AndrewThe fish pileAaron's fish

Then Mark and the kids headed home. Little did we know, about 5 minutes later their car broke down on the highway and they had to call Mark's wife but the cell was dead so the text messaged her and thank God she had the phone on and came to get them. They were out there for about 1 hour on the side of the road. And here is Andrew fishing away. We caught a couple more before we headed home and it was a great time! Then brought timmy's over for Mark and family to appologise for them having to be stranded on the road. They were happy and just fine! Thank God again for His protection and goodness to our families!!!

Last night Andrew took our family and his momma out to the Coast for supper. What a nice time all together before he headed out on the plane to see his sister before he heads back to work. Goofing off with Annabelle.

Annabelle wouldn't stop eating her ice for a nice pic so this is as good as I could get.
At the airport with Andrew and his mom. Mark and Jen and family come also.

Joel helping Andrew check his bags. Yes, I was told not to take picture after. I had no idea, whatever though, it was a cute moment.

Mommy and her twins.
My mom had bought this cake the night before for all of us to feast on but we were not home till late so she saved it and came over last night to share it with us. Just our family and my mom were here but it was great anyway. What a cool cake!
Yummy yummy!

Nana's lap, favourite seat in the house.

Joel is pretty happy hey???!

Adam took Joshua out for a quick stroll on his bike. Yes he wore a helmet. So, here it is! AWESOME!!!

Hope all you are having a great summer too! God bless!

Joshua my big boy!

Well, Vacation Bible School was a complete success!!! Joshua loved it and on the last day they had a parents day where we could go, hear the songs they sang, bible verses and then the pastor did a little preaching. The the kids won their gold for all their hard work through out the week. Also, some kids won extra little gifts. My nephews went for one day with Joshua and they had won 2 of the gifts for best coloured pictures! There were a couple treasure chest with special prizes for the 2 kids who got the top amount of points... bringing friends, memorizing verses, bringing your bible got you points. We were told afterwards that Joshua was the 3rd for points!!! What a great kid we have. So they got to take all their gold to the "country store" and spend it there. What FUN!!! One of the most fun things for Joshua was that the pastor... faceless in this picture, ooops... would come to our door and pick Joshua and any other friends up for bible school. They took a big bus. So cool for the kids!!!

The parents night. Uncle Andrew got to come too. What a fun time. You can hardly see anything but Joshua is up there, singing his little heart out!
The pastor preaching a short message, primarily for the parents.
Joshua with his bag of gold. Ready to get some treats. How fun!!!
This is the outfit Joshua asked me and Nana if he could have for his first day of school this fall. He loves to dress up and I coudn't hardly say no, accept that we didn't have the money. My mom asked me if she could get it for him so I said yes of course. He was so proud of it. Cute hey??? And then, for a great gift from Uncle Andrew, he got Joshua a bike that looks like a real motorcycle!!! Pictures to come of course. Joshua has a Harley Jacket that Andrew bought him last time he was in town and now the bike. It is awesome! He is going to look so cool when I bring him to school in his fancy duds with his leather harley jaket and riding his motorcycle. What a blessing it is to have family who really love our kids! Thanks Mom and Andrew!

SOCKEYE!!!

More fish!!! Adam's first Sockeye! Yummy
If I knew he was going to photograph it I wouldn't have tested the meat first. But it was cooked and it was YUM!!!

The meat that our 2 Spring salmon gave us. God always provides!
The next day after all that excitement, Adam, Lawrence and Nick went out and Nick caught a couple nice pinks. Fun time they had except the lack of sunscreen... Adam came home with a burn on his legs, face, arm, and feet. YIKES!!! And it is still peeling to this very day... almost 3 weeks later!
Nicks fish. One fish!
2 Fish!
And here is Annabelle's sad finger. This was about 4 days ater the cut happened.

I have got terribly behind on blogging. Let me explain. My brother in law, a few years ago, started a blog. The purpose was to keep us and other family and friends up on his life in South Korea. So, shortly after he got Adam to start a blog so that we could do the same. Since then

Chinook!!!

OKay, Adam already posted some of these but they are good enough to post again with a little more about them. We went out fishing one odd day... somewhere close to or maybe exactly August 4th. So, we just thought we would go out as a family, my mom and us and then Adam figured we would invite Lawrence and he had a friend with him who we know from years ago, Nick. So, we went out and were enjoying the scenery and the time together...
Annabelle showing Gabe how to use her princess rod... and then ringy dingy... my line had hooked a fish. This was my first time actually getting the fish in and it was so excting!
Here we are with my first edible fish... a 12 pound spring. 70 cm long so for those of you who are saying, that looks like a jack, you are mistaken... it is a spring! So, just after this pic was taken and I was excited in the moment, Annabelle went into my mom's fishing bag, pulled out her fillet knife and sliced her finger, actually very deep. She came to me crying and appologizing and showed me. I was so scared that she had damaged the muscle or cut right to the bone but stayed calm. My mom and I dried it and got the bleeding to stop and then bandaged it up. The update is, because of the way it cut the doctor said that it wouldn't have needed stiches because the skin would just die anyway so I had done right by not taking her to the hospital. We kept it bandaged and had polysporin on it for a week straight and it healed awesome. Just a zig zag scar. But not too bad and I say, Thank God for taking care of her as it could have been so much worse! And she has earned something that, with her would only be learned this way. About an hour later Adam got this one on and Nick helped by netting it for him. It was awesome and made mine look like a minnow!!!
34 pound spring. His biggest fish yet!
Trying to weigh it was tough but it was in fact 34 pounds!!! What a great night. Mom didn't get any but there is still Coho season to come!!!