Happy Birthday to You

My sister's birthday falls on Thursday this year. I scanned a special photo from my album - I was amazed once again at what a cutie she was (and is :))






This sister has been a great blessing in my life. Here are just a few snapshots:

She practiced and played the organ in our church after school. I recall many days of enjoying the music she played before we headed home. I also was an active listener at her weekly piano lessons.

We were roommates at one time, after moving away from home, and went through several experiences at that time...but my most memorable was my attack of appendicitis, and her nursing care during my recovery - not an easy time.

Learning that I was to be an aunt --- on my wedding day. My sister was one of our passengers on an extended road trip honeymoon following the wedding ;) We were also together when she went into labor with that beautiful baby girl I learned about on my wedding day.

Perhaps the most poignant time we shared, was sitting next to each other in church, and listening to my son give his testimony. Her tears that day during his testimony moved me, because I was once again reminded of how much the Lord's saving work in our lives moves her.
...and here are two of the latest - last Labor Day - a fun time with all the sisters, and her second "beautiful baby girl's" wedding day.

The month of May brings two special events to my mind. One was my high school graduation in 1970 - I believe May 10th(?)

The second event occurred about a week prior to that graduation - it was the SEARCH, a high school religious retreat. Here is a picture of the students (mostly/all seniors)from three local high schools, and the adult leaders who were in attendance -
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When my older sister came home after attending her weekend SEARCH a few years earlier, I noticed a change in her, and I knew that it had to have been something that happened at the retreat. At least in my circle of family and friends, it was unheard of to share all the details of what happens during that retreat, so it remained a tantalizing mystery to me.

Although I still am not willing to share what details make up that weekend time, a special memory is the quiet, prayer and meditation time spent in the school chapel...in front of the cross.
“The cross which is the object of faith, is also, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the cause of it. Sit down and watch the dying Saviour till faith springs up spontaneously in your heart. There is no place like Calvary for creating confidence. The air of that sacred hill brings health to trembling faith.”- C. H. Spurgeon, All of Grace

Now, back to the picture....as I was looking at it again awhile ago, I wondered, by looking at people's faces and remembering the events of the weekend, if any/some/all of these attendees, were impacted in their faith life -- and, if so, if that transformed the years between then and now.

Something In The Water???

"God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform...."

As I marvel at how the Lord draws two people from different backgrounds, regions, life experiences, I give Him praise for just such a work.

Adam and Hannah (about to be) Porcella


Jay R. and Molly (about to be) Friesen

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Catching Up

My apologies for anyone who still visits this place --- expecting to see an update:)

Here is just a little of "what I've been up to" for the past two months ---

THE BOY WHOSE NAME IS TRASK

Crawling at Easter


Experiencing what 6'4" will be like with Uncle Kirk


Favorite place at Grandma's




Keeping Trask happy ---- and more teeth on the way

A Mother's Challenge

I loved this post by Justin Buzzard I can't say that I had a similar experience with my son at that tender age -

but I can share a great highlight for any mom, when my son gave the following testimony a few years ago:

Discipline comes to all of us in life. Usually we cringe at the thought. As children when we do something wrong and our parents find out, fear comes to us, knowing discipline is coming. Church discipline seems even worse then, doesn't it? When you think of the wonderful worship and fellowship you have with your brothers and sisters in the church, you don't usually include church discipline but I believe it should be a part of each church's foundation.

In my life discipline has been key to the man I am now. As a youth I was taught the principles of the Bible. Without a father around I had to learn a lot of things for myself. I was very blessed to have men in my church who would include me in different activities and who became father figures to me. Being around these godly men strengthened me in my drive to grow in my faith. When I was 13 I became a communicant member of our church, not knowing what a blessing this is.

As a teenager I began to stray from the church. Around the time I was 16 I began to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Pretty soon it took hold of my life and my faith became nonexistent. Right away the elders of the church noticed a change and began to meet with me. I thought they were telling me how to live my life and judging me when in reality they were expressing their concern and providing wise counsel. After that I got a job where I could work on Sundays so I wouldn't have to go to church. I was controlled by my drug and alcohol abuse and it became an idol. I cut off almost all contact with everyone in the church but my own family. Eventually there was a meeting where the church decided to review my membership. I was invited to speak on my behalf as to why I should not be removed. I saw this as a way out and ignored it. In 2000 I received a letter from the church telling me I was removed from membership.

For the next couple of years my lifestyle continued until I had a run-in with the police. I was arrested for DUI. I completely ignored the consequences. I never paid the fines or went through the treatment. On Christmas night of 2001, I was arrested again. The police looked at my record and noticed there was a warrant for my arrest and that ended up equaling a month and a half in the county jail. During that month and a half, I began to think clearly for the first time in years.

Without the influence of drugs and alcohol on me, I began to think where my life was headed. I met with my mother and asked here if I could move back in with her and she told me there needed to be a change first. It wasn't just about quitting my abuse but more about attending church and seeing where my relationship with God was. I began to read from a bible that was in my cell. I was convicted by Psalm 30:9 and I realized how I had been wasting me life.

The first Sunday after I was released from jail I went to church for the first time in more than five years. It was the total opposite of how I had thought the church was viewing me. Instead of their judgment I felt a wonderful welcome from many of the families I had known so well. In the following weeks and months, I even began to enjoy being in a church. Each week I met with our pastor and we discussed things I was thinking and any questions I had.

I knew I needed to share my story with the whole church. When I started to write out my confession my pastor gave me a Peacemaker Brochure and suggested I frame my story around the Seven A's of Confession. On June 9, 2002 I was set to give my confession. The funny thing about that Sunday is that we had an intern who was giving his first sermon the same day. I got to the church early and there he was, pacing nervously. I felt a little more at ease that I wasn't the only one who was nervous. I stood up at the pulpit and confessed my sins to the congregation, trying to hold back tears.

The reaction was nothing I expected. I heard "Amen" after "Amen" and the whole congregation applauded. As I stood there I saw how God's forgiveness is expressed through his people and church. The tears were just waiting to get out. I remember the first person that came up to me after the service - he shook me hand, gave me a big hug and said, "Welcome home, Kirk." For the first time in years I cried. These weren't tears of sadness but of joy.

With everything I have experienced, I believe discipline is a vital part in each church. Discipline is usually seen as a bad thing, but I consider it a blessing. The fact that members of my church loved me enough to discipline me and show me that the life I was leading was disobeying God made me eventually see a need for repentance. Without repentance there can be no reconciliation, and through discipline a person sees the need for repentance. If I ever stray away again, I am thankful I have a church that loves me enough to correct me.
Kirk Thornburg Billings, MT

Kirk with his nephew, Trask, at a church softball game - Summer, 2007

Blogs I Visit

I recently attempted to categorize the blogs I read. One of those categories is "Personal/Family." Molly's blog is one blog I check daily, and she fails to disappoint. I really like the way her posts link a life application to Christian teaching. I also enjoy the personal snapshots that show her loves of family and friends, travel, and her dogs.
There are several others I read regularly, in this same category, that you can link to from my page.
I also have a category called simply "Montana." I appreciate Ed's journalistic take on local and state news; it's timely, and provides some interesting discussion. Another blog has amazing Montana pictures.
And a third category I call "Nature/Birding." Julie Z's blog has it all - birding pictures & identification, paintings, birding events, rock music and the famous suet recipe for Zick Dough. I discovered Mary from Julie Z's blog comments, and followed the weather forecast for the Charlotte, North Carolina, prior to our Peacemaker Conference held there in September 2007.
Finally, I have a category called "Ministry/Christian Faith." I found several that cover medical trauma; the most inspiring is Ian and the Murphy family. The blog I've read for the longest time in this category is Carolyn M. She's also timely, encouraging, and provides great links to other blogs and good books.

Starting over again

Recently, I was able to research blogging for our Emerging Technology Committee at work. As I was reading through the variety of blogs out there, I was inspired to try the process again for myself - mostly as a journal to share ideas, stories, pictures of interest to friends and families. It may morph into more later, but I want to keep it simple.

Welcome to my world! Here are some recent photos taken around Christmas:

I love this picture, and am so thankful my oldest sister suggested it. It shows 10 of the total 15 grandchildren, 1 grandson's spouse, and two out of the total three great-grandchildren seated with my parents.

My daughter and grandson - front and back pictures showing one of his Christmas sleepers.