sola gracia » Ramblings

Where I Am-written 2/3/2010

kelly — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 01:51:31 +0000

Lately I’ve been looking out the window and wondering, “will the grass ever be green again?”. While I’m stuffing 56 broken crayons into the coloring box and looking for another shelf to stash textbooks on I muse, “public school is not so bad?”. After the third load of laundry today I think, “are nudest colonies allowed in Montana?”. As my sweet children declare their battling cry “MINE!!” I ponder, “is it neglect to wear earplugs while watching my kids?”.
But, my dear friend’s mother past away last night and all of my worries and frustrations about my blessed life melt away. What cause do I have to despair or feel neglected? God has poured out innumerable blessings and I have chosen to find a way to ruin them.
So, when the snow seems unending, if the school supplies dishevel the house, as the laundry piles high, or when my children war against one another, will I chose to proclaim, “blessed be the name of the Lord”?

Christmas 2010

kelly — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 22:11:37 +0000

The Montana Swenson Clan
Year In Review – 2010
It’s always hard to recall what happened over a year’s time. These days I have a hard time even remembering what we did yesterday let alone 8 months ago. I guess that’s why it’s good to write things down. Although it seems impossible and trite to capture life in a short Facebook status update. We still do it anyways and have found it to be a useful tool when putting together Christmas letters.
We had a whirwind year of staying and going with many eventful visits from Sadie and her husband Todd and their two boys (and now one girl!) from Great Falls. Summer was a great time filled with hiking , fishing and barbequing. We were blessed to have the Lone Pine trail so close to our house. Nilla enjoyed her week long summer camp in August. We also went to see the Engstrom clan in Sidney , Montana for Kelly’s grandpa’s 90th birthday. The following week we celebrated Kelly and I’s 7th anniversary and took the kids out to Silverwood and visited Kelly’s cousin Rick and Savannah. Through our many travels we always hurried home to make sure our chickens hadn’t wandered into the neighbor’s yard.
Nilla is a 6th grader this year and has transitioned from piano lessons to learning the clarinet for band. She is an avid reader and has been devouring as much fiction as she can. She also enjoys all things 80s’ related. If it’s neon or pink, she likes it!
Abby is happily attending kindergarten this year and is learning ballet. She enjoys being the youngest and likes to do pretty much everything her big brother and sister do.
Isaac is our big 1st grader this year and he and all the kids are enamored with legos and the things they can build. He has been the chicken caretaker and is learning the responsibilities and wonder of raising food. He also lost his first tooth this year!
Kelly took this fall off from homeschooling the kids to focus on her health. She is using the time to go to the gym and help her mom Dee who lives in nursing home in town.
Joe is thankful to be working for NXGEN in Whitefish. On the weekends he is reading about conspiracy theories on the internet, playing video games, and finding new crazy music to listen to. His friends have been helpful him build a new shed/chicken coop in the backyard.
In trying economic times as these we are most thankful to God for you, our family and friends. We love you and wish you the warmest Christmas and New Years.
Best wishes,

Joe & Kelly Swenson
Nilla (12) & Isaac (6) & Abigail (5)

Hiking up to Lone Pine

joseph — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:06:55 +0000

Was totally out of breath…lol

Marriage Endurance

kelly — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:34:42 +0000

When I received my Spring TEACH magazine, I glanced at the theme, “Marriages Made Marvelous”. My first thought was, oh no they’re going to show me how I’m failing at my marriage! I was reluctant to read anything past the cover, but since I was on a 26 hour driving trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma I figured it was the best time.
As I was reading through I found much more encouragement and less scolding than I expected and was excited to read the next article or story. A particular favorite, if I had to pick one, would be the story “The Long Goodbye”. As my husband drove us through the long stretch of flatlands in Kansas, I asked him if he’d mind turning off the music and listening to a story I was reading. So, we both shared the wonderful story of a husband battling Alzheimer’s disease while his wife devoted her life to caring for him until he died. It was a story of great hardship, but a story of commitment.
Here is a quote made by the wife that really sums up the entire story,
“Decades ago I vowed I’d be there for him whether he was sick or well. It wasn’t always the easy thing to do, but it was the right thing.”
It is so moving to hear stories of marital endurance like this one. With the way our society is painting marriage so many people believe it to be an optional commitment instead of a lifelong one.
So, thank you Lord for that long road trip and the Teach magazine that was tucked in my purse. It was a joy to read stories of encouragement and words of wisdom from other daughters of the King!

To be counted worthy to suffer

Joseph — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:20:57 +0000

Prosperity Gospel

joseph — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:25:18 +0000

Mommy Patriotism

kelly — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:36:02 +0000

I was at a little mommy group the other day and the ladies were talking about how life was easier in another country that one of them had previously lived in. They were excited to hear how many services were provided by the government at little or no cost. “Wow!” was the general response. Then it was slipped in that the taxes were of course close to 41% of a person’s paycheck to cover those “free” services. No one seemed to notice and one mother casually said, “I’d love to live there.”

I thought I’d be more shocked, but I wasn’t. It’s so common place now to hear people talking about how they’d like to move to another country. Even I myself can think of at least one time when I wished I lived in this country or that. Shame, shame…. So, I’m frustrated that we as mothers aren’t living out our patriotic freedoms a little more. This is America and we are so blessed to have such a wonderful history of freedom! Not all may agree that we are truly free, but we have been and still can be free in this country. Not by daydreaming of living elsewhere, but by reminding our elected officials that we do have rights and we will fight to keep our rights!

So when Greenland’s icy shores seem to call your name, remember, the grass is always greener on the other side. And when you are disheartened about the United States of America, I ask that you pull out a copy of the Constitution and read it, maybe even to your children, and rediscover the rights those brave men fought and died for….even for people as disquieted as you and I. 

Ron Paul on Homeschooling

joseph — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 17:24:07 +0000

We were wrong about Ron Paul.

Joseph — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 05:52:56 +0000

A True Soldier

joseph — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 04:10:00 +0000