This book is a collection of the writings, mostly in free verse, done over the last 40 years.  The writings are from those printed in the Lutheran Standard, the American Lutheran Church Women Scope, the Lutheran Ambassador, the Sioux Valley News column Country Style and for various church, family, or community events.  Her family encouraged her to compile all her writings into one book.  It is divided into six sections:  Country Days, Nature Entertains, Family . . . and Other People, Special Days, Unto Thee, O Lord, Do I Lift Up My Voice, Conversations With Eve.    

The pictures at the beginning of each chapter and on the cover are of Doris' grandchildren and great grandchild when they were children.  

PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR 

            O Lord, my God.....

            Were I a lady Solomon

            with any wish to choose,

            Before the new year just ahead

            I'd make this one request,

                        'HELP ME TO LEAN.'

            I stand upon this threshold strange

            and feel I'm but a child,

            Yet one who leans need not be strong,

            Be my support and guide,

                        'O HELP ME LEAN.'

            Yes, leaning is a simple thing,

            Yet my independent self

            may lead me from the path

            Thy Loving will has planned.

            So stay close by

            through each succeeding day

            And help me, Lord, to daily lean on Thee.

                                                            Amen

                                                    - Doris Stensland 

I  HEARD  MY  NAME 

            God's advances could not penetrate

            The shell around my heart,

            Till he placed in his bow

            Isaiah forty-three

            And aimed each verse at me.

            "I have called you by name" was the first arrow

                 to find its mark  (Isa. 43:1)

            And crack the hard surface;

            I knew God loved the world,

            But that day he made it personal.

            I heard my name

            And listened.

            "Fear not!"he said. (Isa. 43:1)

            I had held God at arm's length

            Because I was afraid to let him reign.

            But today he came with such personal love

            I wanted more.

            He whispered, "You are mine." (Isa. 43:1)

            Every heart wants to belong to someone

            Or something.

            And I discovered

            My Master

            And Redeemer.

            Purchased at Calvary,

            I was his costly possession.

            As one who would not leave his loved

            one's side, I heard him promise, "I will be 

            with you."  (Isa. 43:2)

            Through deep waters

            And fiery trials,

            Through good days and bad.

            As he was with Daniel,

            Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego,

            And Moses,

            And Mary.

            "You are precious in my sight.... 

                and I love you" (Isa. 43:4)

            pierced my shell in two.

            All the pieces fell from me.

            My bare thirsty heart

            Drank of this redeeming love.

            And life was new

            And abundant.

            For he gave purpose to my life.

            "I have created you for my glory." (Isa. 43:7)

            An earthen vessel

            For him to dwell in

            And transform.

            A Savior to love

            A Master to serve.

            A God to glorify.

            "You are my witnesses. (Isa. 43:10)

            Know me. 

            Trust me. 

            Share my first-name-basis love 

            So other thirsty hearts may know 

            And drink 

            And live." 

            I heard him call my name.

            That day my heart was conquered.

By Doris Stensland  

                   Printed in The Lutheran Standard - Jan 9, 1968