Snow Excitement!

What can get two teenage girls out of bed at 4:15 AM? Snow falling, that's what! Yep, we got snow! This was quite an event because it doesn't snow here that often, and because it's the first time Natalie has seen snow *fall*! It was a first for Sydney as well. After tentatively checking out the cold white stuff on the grass, she quickly decided it was fun (Sydney, not Natalie. Well, Natalie kinda too!). Wishing for snow after watching White Christmas last night worked!

Becoming a Fan of the 49ers...

Well, it has finally happened. I am now a quasi fan of a Northern California team of some sort...in this case, the 49ers. The company tickets were available for the Sunday after Thanksgiving game, so we thought a rendezvous with Eric and Chelsea (who were in the Bay area for Thanksgiving) would be fun--plus we would then get to see them! That was a very long sentence to say that we met up with them for the game. This was my first NFL game and first time at Candlestick Park. We got there early enough to see the professional tail-gaters and observe the pre-game rituals of the parking lot. Quite enlightening and mostly just rabid fans! We can actually say we "tail-gated" too because Chelsea's friends came with a BBQ and lots of yummy food. It was a beautiful day and the seats were great. It also happened to be a game where they were honoring Hometown Heroes of all kinds: military, fire, police, and even Capt. "Sully" (the pilot of the plane that landed in the Hudson River) was there. Several Marine recruits took their oath on the 50 yard line in front of the entire crowd before the game started, and after the National Anthem, there was a "Fly-Over" -it was really cool. We had a great time watching the game and visiting with Eric and Chelsea. And, best of all, the 49ers WON!

Things I learned at the game:
1.)NFL stadiums may be the only places in the world where women have to wait for men when taking a bathroom break. (This is significant, coming from a family of girls...) At NFL games, there are l-o-n-g lines for the Men's Room--never had experienced that before. No, I wasn't in line for the Men's Room, but the lines ran out their door and down the hallway about 30 guys long, hard to miss. Mass quantities of beer---need I say more.
2.) Fans yelling "Pass" to assist the Defense really think they're helping the Defense. (perhaps this is related to #1)
3.) I'm not Fan enough yet to "high-five" with a stranger when the 49ers score.
4.) Why tickets to a 49ers game were available Thanksgiving weekend: end of 4-day holiday weekend, Bay Bridge, cars, cars, cars, moving inch by inch.....(tail-gating of a different sort). But we had a wonderfully fun day and when we decided to abandon I-80 and take the San Mateo Bridge route we knew we would get home before next Thanksgiving!

Merry Christmas to Our Troops

The girls from my writing class spent some time yesterday making cards to send to the troops. They were so creative and had such a fun time doing this little project! Aren't the cards beautiful? Hopefully the cards will brighten someone's day, saying Merry Christmas from home.

Advent: Preparing our Hearts

Advent

From the Latin: adventus, meaning "the approach" or "the arrival"

The verb is advenio: "I arrive. I come. I am coming."

Who is coming?

Who is coming? Who awaits him?

Who is coming? Who awaits him? And when will he get here?

Who is coming? Who awaits him? When will he get here? And how shall the people prepare?

The Son of man, he is coming. Jesus. That one. Him.
And we are the people who await him.
We watch and wait; we look heavenward in anticipation.

But until that glorious day, we will make ourselves ready by meditating on his first coming.


*Thoughts and excerpts from my Advent devotional, Preparing for Jesus by Walter Wangerin Jr.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

This Thanksgiving prayer by Holley Gerth resonated so with my heart, that I wanted to share it:

Lord,
Even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like day,
for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:12

There is no circumstance not in your keeping,
no life not in your care.
We trust not because we understand
but because we know--
that you are good always,
faithful forever,
molding, making,
turning all in our lives
into something for your use.
So this Thansgiving we praise--
for life restored from near death,
for hope that carries our hearts along,
for love that holds us all together
even as we are held in your hands.
Amen.

Holiday Packages for the Troops

I had the honor of participating in a "Packing Party" for the troops today. What a great way to spend a Saturday morning! It was sponsored by the Sacramento Blue Star Moms and held at the Veteran's Hall. Lots of volunteers turned out to take their place in the assembly line and pack a box for a soldier. It was amazing to see the huge numbers of items that had been donated.

I was able to go through and pack about 10 boxes, and in the process I was able to visit with wonderful people--mostly moms with sons over in Iraq or Afghanistan. There were quite a few people from the community packing too, just wanting to help and be supportive. By 11:45AM there were 750 boxes packed, taped, addressed, and on their way to soldiers!

Noah's Ark--Completed Before the Rain!

Since I am working on my next quilt project, I thought I'd better post a couple pictures of the finished Noah's Ark quilt. It was fun to do and turned out cute. There are lots of interesting things to discover on the quilt if you look at it closely!

Our Little Pumpkin - Sydney! And Other October Happenings

Natalie had her heart set on dressing Sydney as a pumpkin for Halloween---and what do you know? We found a pumpkin suit (for a dog) on sale at Target. Natalie was elated.... Sydney, not so much.

Since Friday (Oct 30th) was a practice day for Natalie's gymnastics team, the coach said they could dress up and have a Fun Day. Deciding what to dress up as is one thing, but choosing a costume that will accommodate gymnastics is even more challenging! Natalie and a friend decided they would come as Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber from Veggie Tales. Natalie, the taller of the two, was Larry. After dying tights green (such a lovely shade, too---will be able to wear these with ALOT of other things....NOT) and finding a green T-shirt she was set. They had a really great afternoon practicing as their alter-egos.

Here's a flying cucumber for you:




Kristin went to a birthday party as a "Go-go Girl." (Wow, kinda scary knowing I once owned and wore white patend leather boots...what can I say, it was the early 70's!)



And when the girls heard about Eric and Chelsea having a pumpkin carving contest, they cornered me and said "We have never carved a pumpkin!" So, this year, they have officially, popped the top off, gotten elbow deep in pumpkin goo, and (sticking to your basic triangles with the knife) carved their first pumpkin. A milestone for their baby books!

A Short Political Comment.....

As Americans we need to be well-read and well informed in order to intelligently participate in our democratic republic. This applies to Christians as well because our Christianity is not just a "compartment" that is accessed on Sundays; our Christianity should permeate and affect every aspect of our lives-including our citizenship. So, as a Christian who loves God, and an American who loves America, every once in a while, a political post may appear here on this blog, as I observe the current events and news of the day.


Challenge Question: Who wrote or said this quote?

"Men who look upon themselves born to reign, and others to obey, soon grow insolent; selected from the rest of mankind their minds are early poisoned by importance; and the world they act in differs so materially from the world at large, that they have but little opportunity of knowing its true interests, and when they succeed to the government are frequently the most ignorant and unfit of any throughout the dominions."



(I apologize if a certain person comes to mind when you read this quote)


No, it is not anyone from Fox News.....






It is a quote from Common Sense by Thomas Paine.

Isn't it interesting how truths from the era of our Founding Fathers still resound with clarity.

Apple Time!

After Apple Picking
by Robert Frost

“My long two-pointed ladder's sticking through a tree
Toward heaven still.
And there's a barrel that I didn't fill
Beside it, and there may be two or three
Apples I didn't pick upon some bough.
But I am done with apple-picking now….”

I thought this picture captured the beginning stanza of this poem so well! I had no idea that ladders for apple-picking have only two (3?) legs! yikes! OK, the one is pretty wide... but still, the other one is just a pole!

Natalie and I drove up just north of Placerville to visit Abel’s Apple Acres- the first of the beautiful fruit ranches along “Apple Hill Road.” Unlike the poem, however, we are not done picking our apples---we want to go back! As we toured through the orchards I thought of the scenes in Anne of Green Gables and the bushels of apples delightfully picked in the late afternoon sun. The day we were there still felt like summer, and was quite warm; summer’s last little dalliance with us, I guess. Since then, we have had some cool weather appear to reassure everyone that fall is still on her way. Maybe we can make the trip up to Apple Hill in a couple weeks accompanied by some authentic apple-picking weather!

I’ve been reading the book, Things Unseen by Mark Buchanan and really enjoying it. Again a book that puts life in perspective and lays out what we should have our eyes on as Christians. (hmm, there seems to be a pattern here in my reading …)
Here is an excerpt from the book. The chapter is titled, “Dead Already” based on Col. 3:2-3, “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

"Be in the world, just not of it. Make your mindset heaven, but don’t shun earth. Indeed, seek to live abundantly here and now---to savor earth’s good things, it’s sweet fruits and white waters and warm beds,…
Just never reduce your life’s purpose to the here and now. Earthly minded people do that….They never look up.”

Spending the day at Apple Hill was a day well spent in savoring the earth’s good things.

A Brief Sojourn to LaJolla

After Timmy was off and running with freshman class orientation activities, Leslie and I squeezed in a quick drive to LaJolla to see the beautiful beach and coast, and watch the sunset. Then we went to our new favorite restaurant, The Islands, for dinner. It was so great to have time with my sister!

Getting the USD Student Moved In!

I flew down to San Diego to help Leslie and Kailee get Timmy moved in to his dorm on the University of San Diego Campus. I took a "before" shot of the room, but somehow missed taking the "after" shot. The room looked great after 3 young men, 2 moms, 1 dad, 1 aunt, 1 sister, and 2 friends got everything arranged and unpacked! The two shots of the campus are views from Timmy's door on the 3rd floor of his dorm. (Not bad, right?) The last picture was taken outside the Jenny Craig Pavillion.

A Few Photos from our Coast Trip

Here, finally, are some pictures of the visit to Willow Brook Farm!

The Coast Always Calls To Us

I must go down to the seas again,
for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call
that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day
with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume,
and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again
to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way
where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn
from a laughing fellow rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream
when the long trick's over.

~ John Masefield


It is almost a tradition: our annual summer trek to the coast. I think we have done it at least four different summers. So, in early August, Natalie and I made our way to Willow Brook Farm to spend a week delighting in the country life of our dear friends.

We had so much fun! We shopped in San Luis, fabric shopped at some quilt stores(a totally different kind of shopping...), drove the quad, rode horses, worked on a challenging quilt project, wandered in downtown Arroyo Grande, lunched at Branch St. Deli, rode horses some more, went to a Horse Show, went to a homeschool meeting at a church where we once did AWANAS (lots of dear memories there), celebrated a birthday, ate fresh warm Fruit Bake Over(yum!), had morning coffee and talks with my kindred spirit friend, went on a trail ride, went to the beach, drove to See Canyon, stopped by Avila Barn, woke up to wild turkeys, went to sleep watching the deer; it was wonderful and relaxing! All of this was delightful because we shared this time with a wonderful family- our very special friends. We cannot thank them enough for the fun summer visit!

*I'll post some more pictures soon.

Thoughts I Have Been Pondering...

Crazy Love is a challenging book... It causes you to stop and examine your life--(which is exactly the purpose of the book)--and to make changes, where God nudges you, in the way you live out your Christianity. Our American culture and lifestyle is so wealthy today, that it is easy to become self-sufficient. We lose the dependency on God and the devotion to God that He requires.

"Jesus came humbly as a servant, but He never begs us to give Him some part of ourselves. He commands everything from His followers." (p.22)

In the midst of my own struggles, I have often asked "Why?" and thought only of the destruction they have wrought. But, while the trials and difficult circumstances in my life have been painful, I know at least one good thing has resulted: they have served to make me ever more dependent on God and His Love, care, and sovereignty.

Early in the fourth chapter entitled, Profile of the Lukewarm, Frances recounts the parable of the sower and then cautions you: do not assume you are the good soil. Wow....talk about something that gets your attention! It is very interesting and convicting to read his descriptions on "luke-warmness."

"Following Christ isn't something that can be done halfheartedly or on the side. It is not a label we can display when it is useful. It must be central to everything we do and are." (p. 94)

It's refreshing to read a book that you know when you've finished it, you will be changed!

Wedding Bells

July 18th found us in Visalia celebrating the marriage of Leanne and Aaron, and we were blessed to be a part of their special day. A beautiful bride, a handsome groom (love those Dress Blues!), surrounded by loving parents, families, and friends--all gathered to witness their sacred vows and celebrate together. What a joyous occasion! May God richly bless Leanne and Aaron and their new life together!

Summer Reading.....

One of the blogs I follow alerted me to the fact that christianaudio.com posts a book each month that can be downloaded for free. This month the book is Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan. I had heard of Francis Chan because he had been a speaker at a conference here in our area. Currently, he pastors a church in Simi Valley. I downloaded the book (for free!) and then loaded it on my ipod. So, today while doing some housework, I started the book. I won't tell you anything about the book because I want you to check it out yourself. But I will say that this book has drawn me in from just the first sentences in the Preface--and not many books have done that. So, because the Free download is only available until the end of July, I wanted to get the word out.

Okay, I can't resist, here is a little excerpt:

We are going to look at how the Bible calls us to live our lives. It is important that we not measure our spiritual health by the people around us, who are pretty much like us. To begin this journey, we'll first address our inaccurate view of God, and consequently, ourselves.

VBS Week

This week Natalie and I are serving in VBS at Bridgeway. The theme is "Camp Kidsway" and is really cute. I am the crew leader of 8 1st thru 5th graders. Yesterday was a bit chaotic, but when you have 450 kids registered, that's what a normal 1st day is like! Today was really great. The Game Time involved water--which most of the kids loved in our 90 degree heat. It has also been really great getting to know some more people at the church!

On Friday we will head to Visalia for the wedding of Leanne Befort and Aaron Dunn on Saturday. We have reservations for Sydney at a really nice pet resort and are hoping she will do OK for the three days she is there. (worry, worry)

All for now, this camper needs to re-group for tomorrow!

Happy Birthday America!

"...When we consider the magnitude of the prize we contended for, the doubtful nature of the contest, and the favorable manner in which it has terminated, we shall find the greatest possible reason for gratitude and rejoicing..."~George Washington, 1783

"...the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people."~ George Washington, First Inaugural Address, 1789

One of the many things I have discovered as a Mom of a son in the Army, is that you get to sort of "adopt" the friends that are serving alongside your son. And that includes their families! What a special blessing it is to pray for them and support them as they are working to bring liberty and order to evil and chaotic parts of the world. With equal importance prayers are also said for the wives and children separated from their loved one and on their own until their soldier returns.

I have had the privilege of praying for Eric's buddy Gabe while he is in Iraq, and for Mari (his wife) and their girls here at home. I met Gabe and Mari at an ROTC dinner back when Eric and Gabe were in college at Azusa Pacific. Both Eric and Gabe were on the APU football team, and Gabe was a groomsman in Eric and Chelsea's wedding. Gabe and Mari were married later that same year. It has been interesting to follow the "boys" through college and on into their military service. When Eric deployed to Baghdad in 2007, Gabe and Mari helped Chelsea with many practical household things and were just there for her in many ways. (That is a special attribute you find in military people that the civilian world could take some lessons from...)

Mari and the girls were in Rocklin last week for a wedding and squeezed in a stop at our house! It was really fun to see them. Gabe's parents were with them, so I had a nice visit with them too. I will have to find out how Kathy liked shopping at The Galleria! Natalie had a great time with the little girls--she loves getting the chance to be a big sister! Mari has done a fantastic job throughout the deployment and is an amazing young mother! It was special to be able to give her a hug.

Gabe is due to come home in two months, and we are counting down the days with Mari and all of Gabe's family--what a great day that will be!

A Very Special Father's Day....

One of the many great things about living where we do now, is that it is only about a 2 hour drive from Chris' folks house. So, we were able to have them here for Father's Day weekend. It was really a fun time. We talked, laughed, played Canasta (Dad and I had some great cards and beat Mom and Natalie---just had to brag since they really skunked us the last time we played! Some of you may be thinking that they let Dad win because of Father's Day, but let me assure you, Mom and Natalie are way too competitive for that!!) and just enjoyed being together. Chris BBQ'd hamburgers on Saturday and yummy chicken (thanks for the recipe, Tom!) on Sunday. The weather even cooperated and kept the temperatures quite comfortable. It was special to be able to honor two wonderful fathers.

Honoring the Dad in My House

Thirty-one years ago I was blessed to find a man to spend my life with that had all the qualities of my Dad (and with Dad, the bar was set high!). Not only has he been a wonderful godly husband, but he has loved being a Dad. Loving, laughing, leading, guiding, sacrificing, praying, providing, are all adjectives that describe Chris. Chris, I love you---you are a man among men, and a father of honor. Happy Father's Day!

Only a Dad (by Edgar Guest)

Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd,
Toiling, striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent whenever the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a dad but he gives his all,
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing with courage stern and grim
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen:
Only a dad, but the best of men.

*The picture is of Chris holding Michael--- who, like any younger brother, is wearing Eric's hat!