God Is So Good

Once again, I have been struck byGod's Word and His expectations for His children. He has been remindingme over and over of the importance of obedience to Him. Family may causeus grief, friends may fail us, the world may shame us, but we must remain true. God put forth His demands of the Israelite people, and expected them toheed them. If they obeyed, God was with them and blessed them abundantly. However, when they failed to follow His commands, they found themselvesin a heap of trouble. It is always best to obey God! We have onlyone life to live; let us make it count for Him!

Another note, I just want to praise God publicly for helping Nathan through hisfirst surgery on his jaw which involved the removal of a wisdom tooth, a molar,and a very large cyst. Following the surgery, Nathan was uncomfortablefor a few days, but is doing well. He does complain about soreness nearhis temple, which seems a little odd to me since his actual surgery was on thebottom teeth. I have come to the conclusion that maybe it was how his mouth waskept open during the surgery or something. I am not sure. He willbe going to the oral surgeon this coming Wednesday to see how he is healing,and best of all he may be able to eat more than just soft foods. He isexcited about that! Following his complete recovery from this surgery, hewill be getting his other three wisdom teeth out. He definitely is notlooking forward to this. It is too bad that his other wisdom tooth on thesame side of his present surgery was not removed, then he would have had onlyone bum side next time. Oh well, I guess the doctor knows best. Sometimes I have a hard time understanding that though. (ha ha!)

Followingthe Spring quarter at G.B.S., I had three classes to complete throughout thesummer months. The expectations were to complete one class a month and befinished by the end of July. Well, that is probably not going to happen. Although, I feel like progress is being made, and things are coming alongquite well. I have completed one class, and am halfway through anotherone. So, we will see how the rest of it turns out. We are planning ontaking a week's vacation so that will put me back a bit. Oh well, I needto enjoy life just a little now and then.

Hopefullyall of my friends are having a great summer enjoying the beauty of this time ofyear (and the heat ~ ha!)!

God's Way

One of the writers in the "Pacific Garden Mission" newsletter made a comment which I have not been able to get away from for the last few days.  He said, "If God's people do God's work God's way He will provide" (P. Kwiatkowski).  What an inspiring and needful truth for today's society.  Too many people, even those who claim to be "God's people," are rapidly sinking into righteous neglect and shameful living by seeking their own selfish ways of attempting to accomplish God's work.  Time and again, I have witnessed people trying to be religious by fitting in with the church crowd, but adamantly disregarding God's Word in some areas of their life.  God will not put His sanction upon such an individual.  We must meet all of His expectations, or we will not make it at all!  People make too many excuses and disregard God's Word as the ultimate authority on how to live their lives in obedience to Him.  People claim God is merciful and He understands a particular situation or desire.  I don't believe this to be true.  God has struck many a person dead with a simple lie (Acts 5 ~ Ananias and Sapphira) or an act of disobedience (I Chronicles 13:7-10 ~ Uzza touching the sacred ark of the covenant).  We must be "true blue" in order to make it to Heaven.  We must live WHOLLY in obedience to His commands brought to us through His Word and through prayer.  Caleb in the book of Joshua (ch. 14) was given the land of Hebron because he WHOLLY and completely followed God's commands.  He was blessed because of his obedience.  We, too, can be blessed by following God all the way.  We cannot excuse anything in the sight of God.  Again, as Kwiatkowski put it, "If God's people do God's work God's way He will provide."  What a promise!

My 2012 Graduate

Alas, the time has come; the first three of my children are officially out of high school.  I never thought the day would arrive, but sadly enough, it is now passed.  Nathaniel James Baker graduated from the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow on Sunday, June 3rd, at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio.  Watching my son enter the large auditorium made me feel proud, but seeing him donning both an honor cord and a National Honor Society sash made me even more proud!  The honor cord meant he had attained a 3.5 grade point average or above throughout high school!  That is something to be proud of!  

The graduation ceremony is very long since every name of every present graduate is called as they march through a line shaking hands and receiving diplomas.  Over 1,500 students were expected to be part of Sunday's graduation ceremony, while over 2,000 students were actually 2012 graduates.  This is the largest graduating class ever from ECOT as well as in our nation!  Jack Hanna, the famous man who is head of the Columbus Zoo, was the speaker.  He had a very inspiring message for the young people, as did the Valedictorian speaker!  Following the turning of the tassels, confetti usually drops over the students.  This year was different, as green and silver balloons dropped down over the student body.  It was quite a sight to behold. 

 Graduation crowd

Again!

 Waiting for Graduates to come in.  The signs show the different counties in Ohio where ECOT students are represented.

 Ohio Education School Superintendent speaking (I think)

 Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem

 Again!

 Jack Hanna, head of Columbus Zoo

 Jack Hanna brought animals to display ~ This is the cheetah he brought

 Evangelyn and Joshua waiting for it to be over!

 Nathan in line to receive his diploma (with yellow sash)

 Receiving his diploma

 Following the ceremony

 Avoiding the sun

 With Grandpa and Grandma Rish

 Jerome Schottenstein Center, Ohio State (where graduation was held)

 Finally home!

 My handsome son at his graduation party

Love the smile!

 Three Baker generations ~ Grandpa Baker, James Baker, and Nathan and Joshua Baker (being silly)

 Heritage Park ~ Graduation Party was here

 What's a party without Corn hole?