Introducing . . . Mr. Shivers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carl, Elsie and I decided to build a snowman today - I havn't built a snowman in WAY to long! It was a blast. The snow was the perfect stickyness and the temperature was perfect! I was actually sweating rolling those huge snow balls around. :-)


Mr. Shivers and I


Elsie, Carl and Mr. Shivers

Not that You Died

~ Legacy Five ~

Familiar words so often seen

That precious truth...John 3:16

You loved the world,

You offered grace and what leaves me most amazed is ....



Not that You died for the whole world

that humbles my heart, brings me to my knees

Not that you died for the whole world

But Lord that you died for me



With trembling voice I confess

Your redeeming love my unworthiness.

That cruel cross, the nails the spears

Yet mercy flowed, I'm moved to tears...



Not that You died for the whole world

that humbles my heart, brings me to my knees

Not that you died for the whole world

But Lord that you died for me


HAVE YOU EVER JUST STOPED AND THOUGHT ABOUT THE AMAZING LOVE THAT NAILED CHRIST TO THE CROSS? NOT HIS LOVE FOR THIS WORLD - BUT RATHER HIS LOVE FOR YOU. YEAH, YOU, SINNER THAT YOU ARE. DON'T TRY TO DENY IT - YOU KNOW YOU HAVE DONE ALL MANNER OF EVIL - WHETHER IN ACTION OR ONLY IN YOUR MIND. WE ARE ALL EVIL, "DESPERATLY WICKED". AND CHRIST DIED FOR YOU. EVEN IF YOU WERE ALL THAT THERE WAS IN NEED OF SALVATION AND A SAVIOR - EVEN IF THE REST OF THE WORLD WAS PERFECT AND WORTHY OF HEAVEN, STILL CHRIST WOULD HAVE COME, SUFFERED AND DIED FOR YOU.

WHEN I THINK OF THAT, WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR ME, I WANT TO SIT DOWN AND CRY - I WANT TO GO OUT AND SOME HOW PROVE MY GRATITUDE AND COMMITMENT TO HIM. SHOW MY THANKFULNESS FOR HIS SAVING MERCY AND GRACE.

AND YET I FAIL.

AS SOON AS HE SENDS ME TEST, ASKS ME TO SACRIFCE FOR HIM, STAND FOR HIM, OR EVEN SHARE HIS LOVE WITH ANOTHER LOST AND DIEING SOUL - I CRING AND ASK HIM "ARE YOU FOR REAl?' THATS TO HARD!

WHO AM I KIDDING?

I AM A CHICKEN. NOT WORTHY OF ONE DAY IN HEAVEN LET ALONE AN ETERNITY THERE. WHY CAN'T I SHARE THAT WITH OTHERS? WHY CAN'T I SEE PAST MY SELFISH PRIDE AND BREAK THE UNCOMFORTABLE SILENCE. SHARE THE LOVE I DON'T DESERVE - AM I SO SELFISH THAT I CAN'T EVEN SHARE THE GREATEST NEWS IN THE WORLS WITH ANOTHER LOST AND DIEING SINNER?

"LORD, MAY I LIVE A LIFE FULL OF YOU, SO I'M SO WEAK AND HELPLESS THAT YOU CAN WORK THROUGH ME TO BRING HONOR AND GLORY TO YOUR MIGHTY NAME."

I know probably nobody even reads this blog thingy. But for those of you random people who might stumble upon it (and for posterity) I will update the world on "My Wonderful Life".

This last year has been so full and fabulous I havn't posted much - so i'm gonna play some MAJOR catch up right now!!!!!!!!!!

March/April

I suffered from a major crush on a youge man from our church. I struggled with how to respond to a wonderful man I knew I would love to marry and spend the rest of my life with - only problem was i was entirely commited to allowing God to plan and orchastrate this area of my life. I wanted so badly to show initiative and get "something" started - but God had another plan. And so instead I learned patience and to trust God.

May

Mom and dad took me into their room one evening and told me that Stephen (the guy I had a crush on) had been meeting with dad and had asked for permission to court me! I can't even begin to put into words the joy and wonder i felt at this news! My God had a bigger plan I could never have imagined!

June

Time goes by quickly! June saw our family take a trip to Texas for Nationals and Rian and Whittneys wedding.

November

Yeah, skipping ahead again, I know! November saw me determined to NaNoRiMo (National Novel Writting Month) the idea is you challenge your self to write a 500,000 word novel in one month. Yeah right! I quite after 15,000 words - I know i'm a quitter. Sorry :-)

The 11th was more than the most beautiful day of the year for weather it was also the day that Stephen proposed - yep thats right - he took me for a walk and then when my back was tured got down on his knee and when I tured back around he took my hand, for the first time (we had agreed on having no physical contact during courtship. In so many ways it became a beautiful reason to find ways other than physical touch to express our growing love for eachother. As well as a way to gaurd against temptation.) and so any way . . . after a very romantic speech I told him i'd marry him (he made the romantic speech, I just said "yes" and took the ring)

So that's my life - all caught up to date.

We are working on wedding stuff - with alot of Christmas and baby planning as well (Whittney is due to have my nephew January 2nd)

The wedding is set for February 23rd, and neither Stephen or I think it can come soon enough.

I always new i served a God who made dreams come true - i just never imagined something as wonderful or as beautiful as this.

I know i dont' deserve such blessing or such an amazing guy. But than on the same hand I also know i don't deserve the love and mercy that nailed my savior to a cross and bought my eternal salvation. As Christmas draws near may we all remember that but for the babe in the manger who would grow up to be the perfect lamb upon the cruel cross, we would be nothing but lost miserable sinners heading towards our just reward in a place of eternal torment and misery. How can we ever thank HIM enough for all he's done?

Christmas blessings to you all. My prayers is that this Christmas season you will grow closer to your heavenly savior and if you dont' know him personaly that you will discover him for the very first time and begin the journy of a lifetime. What better time to turn your life over to the savior of the world, but at the celebration of his birth!

In Christ ~ Lydia

~ My Spring/Summer in Pictures ~

Stephen and I this summer . . .



Me in my Bridesmaid dress from Rian & Whittneys' wedding this June . . .






My family at the Alamo in TX this Summer . . .

At a Twins Game this May (Yeah, they won!) . . .

Stephen and I (again) this June . . .

The Heart of a River

My heart is like a river flowing to the sea, caught on every bend, delayed by every tree
Open up your eyes catch a glimpse of me, fighting like a fool to find eternity
Swing around the next bend, see what you shall find, another shallow hole, another loss of time
Cast by winds of doubt hit by rains of pain, can I even begin to find the truth that you now claim
Am I making headway? Can you even doubt, the pain that I am now feeling it makes me want to shout
My heart is heavy and hurting, my eyes are growing dim, this race that I am running, does it really lead to Him
Can this journey onward really be the way, perhaps I’m lost and lonely because I’ve lost my way
When I see a smile, or hear a word of cheer, my heart for a fleeting moment feels that you are near
In those times of laughter I forget my pain, but another rainy day is sure to call my name
The clouds are gray and lifeless, so now is my day, if I can but find you I shall get on my way
Why then Lord, I wonder, why for me this pain? What have I done to forfeit all your richest gain
Open your eyes now child, what now did you do? What indeed, but all that warrants death do you pursue
Oh’ this foolish child, aches because I choose to flow like a wayward river that is lost without a clue
My heart is hurt and broken only because I choose – to deny him the pleasure of fixing it anew
Take all that I am, ever ach and pain can be borne with pleasure in the prospect of this gain
Heaven and your smile, waits around the bend, now this foolish river will find true rest again

Could you Wait 100 Years?
By ~ Lydia Froemming

To day God gently whispered to my heart and asked me a question. Today, for the first time, I have a “true” perspective. While I was getting dressed this morning I was asked in a still small voice – “do you trust me?” Of course I answered, “Yes! Lord you know I trust you!” But the voice persisted, “Do you trust me enough to wait? To wait without knowing?” This time it was a little harder to answer, but I did, and the my response was from my heart, “I’ll wait Lord, I trust you enough to believe you know what is best for my life. You know how much I long to be married, but I trust you enough to wait.” Still the voice persisted, “Do you trust me enough to wait 100 years?” 100 years! You’ve got to be kidding, right? I mean, I’m already 19, in 100 years I’ll be 119 (if I even live that long) how am I supposed to enjoy being married, how am I supposed to have kids if I wait 100 years? I mean come on, don’t you think maybe God was pushing it a little too far? But again he whispered, “Do you trust me?” Weakly I responded, “Uh’ yeah, I guess so.” Again, that haunting question, “Do you trust me enough to wait 100 years?” Slowly I answered, I didn’t really want to but I knew I had to answer, and I knew what the answer would have to be, “Yes, Lord, yes I trust you with every part of my life, I trust you fully, I trust you enough to wait . . . to wait 100 years. In fact I trust you enough to wait 1000 years.” Then just to make sure God understood I whispered, “I trust you enough to wait 100 years, but I’d really rather not.” God answer was a surprise, “I didn’t say you would have to wait 100 years. I’m not promising you a husband now or ever. But I love you, and I am going to promise you a wedding.” A thrill went through my whole being; a picture was painted in my mind. In my mind’s eye I saw the bride of Christ, in all her glory – and I was there, I was a part of it. It was my wedding too. I would have a wedding, even if I had to wait 100 years.

“For thy Maker is thy husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy redeemer the Holy one of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.” Isaiah 54:5

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” Revelation 19:7

A Testimony of God's Faithfulness
By ~ Lydia Froemming & Dionne Fisher


This last weekend God did amazing things at the 19th Bright Lights Strong in the Lord Conference. We (Lydia & Dionne) had the opportunity to lead a small group of 14, 11-14 year old girls – it was an amazing experience. God taught us that when we are at our weakest, he is at his strongest, as it says in 2nd Corinthians 12:9-10 “My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly will I therefore rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me … for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

Friday night we were a little worried because our teams was quiet and unresponsive, two girls in particular seemed unhappy to be there. Saturday about ½ an hour before we left we saw the one girl smile and willingly join in the activities; the other girls also seemed to be enjoying herself more.

We were both tired and didn’t really know what to say but God gave us the wisdom and energy to carry on. It was very encouraging when two of the girls said that the small group was their favorite part of the conference. The moms also seemed to really appreciate what God was doing through our small group. We are so grateful God was able to use us this weekend, as vessels to share his love with the girls and moms.

We were driving home on 394/12 and suddenly we were on 94 west. Now how did that happen? We just didn’t know, it didn’t help that the roads were very snowy and the there was lots of wind. So Dionne called Lydia’s mom, who after several minutes was able to determine our location. After determining where we were, we were able to determine where we should have been, that is a good thing to know. After following a snow-plow with blinking lights, for forever, we had severe head-aches and tired eyes. 4 ½ hours after we left the conference we arrived safely at the Froemming home (with out blowing into the river.)

Praise the Lord for his faithfulness! J

Kirsten

Please be praying for a friend of mine, Kirsten Leach (in picture) was in a very bad head on collision about a week ago -- she is in critical but stable condition in a hospital in Tennessee. Her parents are strong Christians as is Kirsten, the first words out of her mouth after she woke up after the crash and her mom explained what had happened were "God is Good" -- wow! What an example! Kirsten is 20 years old and a college student in Tennessee, her family and mine were very close when we were younger but time and distance have created a gap so I have not seen kirsten in several years. I hope and pray that she will be able to completely recover, but if not I know that God is and will continue to work in and through her.

Blessings ~ Lydia

It's been a while since I updated this (about a month - yikes!) I'm not sure any body really even reads it but I enjoy randomly posting nonsense so it's good for me :-)


I've not been up to a whole lot, dishes, laundry and preparing speech lessons seem to consume my days (and nights). I have had a chance to do some reading, I finished "The Last Sin Eater",
"The Veil" and "To Have and to Hold" recently. All of them are GREAT books!

Our first speech tourny of the year was on Saturday (the 20th) it was a blast and I had the opportunity to judge for the first time -wow- what an experiance! It was fun but a challange. Our club was awsome here are their placings for any one who cares to know -

Humorous

1st ~ Anders Langley

2nd ~ Tim Rydberg

3rd ~ Josh Peterson

Dramatic

1st ~ Josh Peterson

2nd ~ Joe Froemming

3rd ~ Marit Langley

Open

1st ~ Josh Peterson

2nd ~ Mitch Froemming

3rd ~ Some random person whose name I can't remember

Duo

1st ~ Joe & Mitch Froemming

2nd ~ Marit & Anders Langley

3rd ~ Jessica Stone & Elizabeth Borst

O.O.

2nd - Elizabeth Borst


All in All Life is GOOD! Thank You JESUS!