Jeff

My post today is in tribute to Grant's longtime friend, Jeff. We just came home from his memorial service...remembering and celebrating his life with his family and many friends.

Grant and Jeff were childhood buddies, "joined at the hip", as Jeff's mom would often say. They did all kinds of fun stuff together, got into all kinds of trouble and stood up for each other at their 1st weddings. As life happens, they eventually lost touch.

God had other plans...April 2010, Jeff and Grant connected again.

We learned Jeff was surviving stage 4 lung cancer, diagnosed in 2007 and at that time only given 4 to 6 months to live. In May 2010, I met Jeff at the fundraiser his family hosted for him as a way to raise financial support for him. Grant & I were blessed to spend our 30th wedding anniversary with Barb & Jeff up at their lake home near Mille Lacs. This summer, Jeff & Grant planted 400 tree seedlings on his mom's property with the hope to replant them in the woods to grow up and become trees for eagles to nest in.

He was a man who lived life to the fullest. He had this great smile and laugh with this wonderful sense of humor. AND he loved coffee! He was a role model to many boy scouts. If he had an idea, he would pursue it - he didn't know the word "I can't". He loved nature and loved the land his parents built their house on in Randolph - the Property. That's where his service was at today. As we were just getting past Randolph, it started snowing - how beautiful it was. We were out in the woods - winding road with trails into the woods and benches to sit on. We raised the United States Flag - as he loved the USA. We said the Boy Scout Oath and Motto. Memories, tributes, and pictures were shared as we all sat outside amidst the large flakes of snow falling down. Oh, how he loved to sit and watch the snow fall. His ashes were buried up on the small hill to the side of the house. It was a day celebrated as Jeff would have wanted it.

Lord, thank you for the friends you bring into our lives to enrich our life.

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Jeffrey Scott Maltby Visit Guest Book

Was born on November 29, 1954 Passed away November 27, 2011 Jeff died peacefully after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Jeff was preceded in death by his father; Wendell Maltby. Survived by his loving mother, Patricia Maltby; his children, Jon and Melissa Maltby; grandson, Tyler Maltby; his significant other, Barbara Matthews; mother of his children, Susan Krohn; his siblings, Kris (Mick) Brogan, Greg (Judy) Maltby, Kathy (Neil) Scharmer, Steve (Jan) Maltby. Barb's children, William (Sonja) Matthews, Kerry (Isaac), and grandchildren, Adelynn and Nora Marsolek; and many family and friends. Jeff was a lifetime scouter, avid volunteer and leader with Kaposia District of North Star BSA. Jeff loved being outdoors working to educate children about science in nature and he had a passion for flying airplanes. His memorial will be held at 949 Sciota Trail, Randolph, MN 55065 on Saturday December 3rd, 2011, 2PM-4PM with a service at 2:30 PM. http://www.legacy.com/

One Day

The Power in One Day ~

I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection to bring glory to God.

Colossians 4: Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.

Romans 15: 5, 6 ~ Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 17: 17-19 ~ Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

Psalm 91:1 ~ He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 25:5 ~ ...guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long.

Our days are filled with so much activity & busyness. We, at times, just go about our day doing our thing and often times miss our opportunity to see God at work - to witness first hand His power. Each day holds "His Power" at hand for us to witness & experience. He Is!

~A life given to Jesus.

~A young woman touched because you noticed her new hair style.

~A cashier who is so appreciative that you acknowledged her working on Thanksgiving.

~The loss of a good friend, who touched so many lives because 'he cared'.

~A hug and 'I love you' from your dad - for the 1st time that you could ever remember.

~An answered prayer that testifies to God's greatness as only He could have brought the healing - the miracle.

What does one day hold for you?

Promises & Praises...

Psalm 66:19 God hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

I love God's Word. It is so full of hope, encouragement, and power. It tells of His love to me -- to everyone. It brings truth into my spirit. With truth comes freedom -- freedom to be who God created me to be.

God has attended to the voice of my prayers.

On this Thanksgiving Day I praise Him because HE IS! I have so many blessings, so much to be thankful for. They are from my heavenly Father, the God of this universe, who is in control of my circumstances. I give Him the Glory & Praise. When I wanted to give up on God because I couldn't see a way out of our circumstances -- my Lord heard my cries, reached down and brought me encouragement -- through His Word, through various little miracle 'God-incidences', through friends, family and much prayer. He would not let me 'give up'.

Praise The Lord! God has attended to the voice of my prayers!

See God's love & blessings bestowed on you today - no matter where you are in life.
Blessings to you on this Thanksgiving Day!

Yes To God

Hi friends,

Need some encouragement today? Click here on this link.

You'll go to Lysa TerKeurst's website where you can watch the webcast, "Yes to God". It aired on Tuesday, however, it's available to watch on demand thru 11pm CST tonight. Lysa TerKeurst and Anne Voskamp both share their thoughts and insights to encourage us in our daily walk with the Lord and in saying "Yes to God". Lysa has written a book entitled, "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God?". Anne has also written a book entitled, "One Thousand Gifts".

On a personal note...I almost missed it. I was thinking...I've heard it all before...what more could be said that I haven't heard...I just don't have the time being at work, etc.

I listened to that still small voice...and...said... Yes, to God.

God is faithful. When we say "yes", He fills us. Encouragement. Refreshing joy. Confidence. Freedom.

Say "yes" to Him. Enjoy! Love, Jodie

Freedom Friday

Today is the Friday going into the weekend of July 4th celebrations -- Freedom Friday!!

May your celebrations be festive & enjoyable as you reflect on the freedoms our country, the United States of America, is built on. Blessings!! ~Jodie

Where's Jodie? & SSMT Day

Hi my bloggy friends~

Yes, it's been a while since my last post. I am here. The days come and go by so fast...filled with lots of activities, daily routines, challenges, and answered prayers!


The Lord is showing me much as I read His word and reflect on it. He continues to fill my days with His faithfulness and greatness as I sit in awe over His love for me. One of my favorite devotionals to read daily is Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. I also receive an on-line daily devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries which the Lord continually uses to open my spiritual eyes with. My newest on-line devotional is from David Wilkerson Today. David Wilkerson passed away in April. He's the author of The Cross and the Switchblade, which is an awesome testimony of transformation in the lives of some New York gang members. David Wilkerson Ministries continues to publish his writings - past published and those not published. From reading his devotionals, I know he was a man of God who had a tremendous amount of faith -- you know he spent time in the Word and listening to the Holy Spirit. In his obedience to God and stepping out in faith, transformation occurred in the lives of many. The Lord has been ministering to me on a deeper level with regards to unwavering faith & trust, believing the Lord will make a way. We are to go to Him first with everything, not worrying or fretting, but knowing He's got it under His control.


This brings me to my June 15th SSMT verse.
Jeremiah 6:16 (NKJ) "For the Lord says: Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls."

Some versions say 'stand in the crossroads' and 'ask for the ancient paths' . This verse caught my attention as Grant & I are at a crossroad. We are looking at possible foreclosure for our house. In the short version of this journey, the Lord is asking us to trust completely in His provisions for us. This is not about 'the house' it's about our walking in unwavering faith believing our God knows the outcome and we are not to worry or fret. We have tried our 'own' way of fixing this, but, it wasn't His way. Do we choose to follow His way or our way? The ancient paths refer to the ways of God -- prayer and obedience to what He shows us. He is asking us to cry out to Him with our requests, in thanksgiving. It's all to His glory!!

Isaiah 12:2 "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 'For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become salvation.' "

Blessings on your day ~ Jodie

Freedom Friday and more...

Hi Everyone, Today is Friday -- Freedom Friday and also SSMT Day! My verse for today is Psalm 86:11 "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." (NIV) Oh, Jesus, how I need an undivided heart to follow hard after you to learn your ways vs. my ways. Also, this Jesus girl is taking a 5-day Journey with Jesus. Making an extra effort to focus my attention on Jesus for the next week. Read about it on Lysa TerKeurst's website. Join me as we travel to depths unknown. Blessings on your day! ~Jodie