Forth and Back

When Karen and I first started this blog we intended it to be our diary, or journal of the adventure we were having here in the Northern Plains. I wanted to keep it in a chronological order as well. But, that didn't exactly happen and thus I got a little lax in doing any new posts. My desire now is to get back to blogging regardless of whether it is in order or not. I will be jumping around, forth and back, until I finally get caught up (if that ever happens). I invite you to follow my blog if you wish. If you don't, well that will not offend me in the least. For those who wish to follow it I have suggested that you take my link and save it to your favourites or bookmarks or your desktop, whatever works for you. Then check in every once in a while to see what is happening up here. I thank all of you for your support and care.

Campground changes

The PAPA/NANA Campground of Butte, North Dakota has undergone a change. With the trimming of a few branches, removal of a bush and the relocation of the fire pit, the campground can now accommodate three, maybe four campers. (Family reunion, anyone?)

In the photos, I have my camper parked next to the "guest" camper (AKA camper for the grandchildren) and another one can be parked on the other side of the flagpole where my pick-up is. Another one can be placed in front so as to "circle the fire pit" and with a little maneuvering, another camper can be worked in.

Water is available and coming soon, 30A electric hookups will be available. So far, sewer is not available but a dump station is two blocks away. Also, bathroom facilities are available in the house. And best of all, THE PRICE IS RIGHT.

The invitation is always open...just call ahead to see if I will be around. If not, the campground is still available and a key to the house is not far away.

A monumental day

Today (September 2009) was a "monumental" day for me. (See, I am getting my sense of humour back. And Karen would be proud of me for my play on words. We always tried to out-do each other in that respect.) Today the monument co. called and said they had it ready and would I like to be there while they placed it? So even though I had a ton of stuff to do I went out on the prairie to the Butte cemetery to watch it being set. I hope you guys approve of it as I put a lot of thought and prayer into it. As it turned out, the monument co. had this stone in stock and since blue and grey are our colours, I just knew that it would fit us perfectly. And I wanted to honour our grandchildren as well with the names by which we so dearly love to be called. Even though it kind of "creeps me out" to see my name on it, I guess it just makes me look more forward to the day I see her again in glory. But more importantly, I look forward to the day that I can sit with her at the feet of our sovereign God and worship Him forever. So why Hebrews 4:9? "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God." First of all it is the scripture verse engraved on the headstone of my great-grandfather, Lorentz Petersen. He was the first person to be buried in the Bethel Cemetery by Powers Lake, ND in 1904. Secondly: I use, as my daily devotion, Charles H. Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening". I feel that his commentary on that verse (January 18th, AM) not only fits the believer of God in his eternal hope but is SO appropriate for the way Karen lived her life and the example that she set for ALL that came in contact with her. This commentary gives me so much assurance that Karen is now resting in her labours and those labours are now perfect. I thank God for this assurance and I look to the day that I too will take part in God's perfection. Here is Spurgeon's commentary:... "How different will be the state of the believer in heaven from what it is here! Here he is born to toil and suffer weariness, but in the land of the immortal, fatigue is never known. Anxious to serve his Master, he finds his strength unequal to his zeal: his constant cry is, "Help me to serve Thee, O my God." If he be thoroughly active, he will have much labour; not too much for his will, but more than enough for his power, so that he will cry out, "I am not wearied of the labour, but I am wearied in it." Ah! Christian, the hot day of weariness lasts not for ever; the sun is nearing the horizon; it shall rise again with a brighter day than thou hast ever seen upon a land where they serve God day and night, and yet rest from their labours. Here, rest is but partial, there, it is perfect. Here, the Christian is always unsettled; he feels that he has not yet attained. There, all are at rest; they have attained the summit of the mountain; they have ascended to the bosom of their God. Higher they cannot go. Ah, toil-worn labourer, only think when thou shalt rest for ever! Canst thou conceive it? It is a rest eternal; a rest that "remaineth." Here, my best joys bear "mortal" on their brow; my fair flowers fade; my dainty cups are drained to dregs; my sweetest birds fall before Death's arrows; my most pleasant days are shadowed into nights; and the flood-tides of my bliss subside into ebbs of sorrow; but there, everything is immortal; the harp abides unrusted, the crown unwithered, the eye undimmed, the voice unfaltering, the heart unwavering, and the immortal being is wholly absorbed in infinite delight. Happy day! happy! when mortality shall be swallowed up of life, and the Eternal Sabbath shall begin." I have since place a 'shepard's hook' next to our head stone from which I can hang a boquet of flowers. I vist her grave often and feel so blessed that the Butte Cemetary is within walking distance of our house.