June 30, 2005   We had a busy day yesterday... doctor appointments and tests and returned home safely to find that the cherry order had arrived and many boxes of Bing and Rainier cherries were waiting for us on the porch.  Many families had been here to pick up their cases and some remained to be picked up. 

So, yes... today, life is a bowl of cherries! And tomorrow will be... and the next day...  So, it looks like the work's cut out for the next several days... and the raspberries are coming on nicely, and so it's time to begin making raspberry preserves and freezer jam!  Every year we seem to run out of raspberry jam well before the season arrives again!  I think the favourite snack in the world for our boys is fresh potato rolls with raspberry freezer jam eaten while standing at the sink!  (I finally got some pics downloaded to my computer so now have pics---Joey's and my mom's birthday party!-------scroll)

Concerning the "good old days,"  Kathryn just now came to me and asked me to look up a verse, [Ecclesiastes 7.10]: 
 "Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this."

 

 une 29, 2005   I poured over pictures late last night... hundreds and hundreds of images of the last four years---and I marvel, knowing that in many of those days, the pictures don't adequately reflect the reality of the day; and then I considered that my perceptions of those experiences were often as limited as one frame of film could capture.  Sometimes, all I could see was the small square right in front of me---totally missing the enormous scope all around me and behind that frame.  

As I brushed through to the ends of her hair, I thought: four years' growth.  All the while, I was seeing images of days gone by.  All dressed up in the polka-dotty dress and bloomers, little pink shoes and jacket... skipping out the door to go on the birthday-breakfast-date-with-daddy.  It's... tradition(!) for each child to go on a birthday-breakfast-date-with-daddy.  So they drove off (after pictures, of course).

Today we celebrate our 'baby' Amelia's fourth birthday...  I don't think I had any idea that day, four years ago,  that she'd likely be our last baby.  I suppose along the way, I've known, Wes has known, and the family has known that she's quite unique---being the "last baby" and all.  So this little child's the only one to have stayed in our bed as long as she did, she's the only one to have had thousands of pictures snapped (okay, so they're digital pics), and she's the only one that's gotten the abundance of attention since the first few babies.  I didn't keep the first babies as babies any longer than their abilities indicated or independence demanded.  The first few babies held positions much like the last baby---lofty positions and huge amounts of love and attention, praise and admiration.  But I think, even they, did not garner the benefit of the unique arrangement of her life.  I loved them---adored them, but I think I didn't value things I highly value now.  I couldn't---I had little experience, no frame of reference and didn't understand the consequence or finality of decisions and days and actions.  I thought I understood when people would say *these* are the good old days.   Now I know... *these* *are* the good old days and those were the good old days.  Every day is a gift...

Several things written on the calendar for this day---just checked mail and wanted to finish this blog entry.  A friend's email was really timely to read before I leave for some appointments.  I know, I am abundantly blessed when I read mail such as that and then when I mull over the scripture verse she sent, I am encouraged more and more.

 

 

June 28, 2005  We've been working about; the dailies seem to consume a great deal of time no matter how many great systems we set up or how many time saving appliances we buy.  Sometimes I think that all the marvelous, time saving appliances are doubling the work load!  Even still... before I go to bed at night I tell my girls in the kitchen: thank you... now go to work, I am going to bed!  And they do... my girl, the washer;  my girl, the dishwasher; my girl, the dryer.  Now, I can't get some workers to do what they're employed to do. 

Take the cats, for example.  In the middle of the night I heard this creepy munching sound.  Immediately, so as to share the experience, I woke Wes and calmly told him a mouse (!) was eating things in the bathroom. So, we got up and as he went to check the cabinet, I ran back and jumped in bed so I wouldn't get in his way.  As I woke to the scratching sound in the morning, I realized that the mouse had to be under the floor or whatever and we were not going to actually be able to catch it----we, I always mean Wes.

Well... the mouse was never found and the cats brought no treasures to the porch, so I now think those cats are more useless than ever.  I contemplate nature and the food chain and wonder who the next participants will be... especially knowing that there are lots of animals out there at night.  That's my mantra to them... eat or be eaten by passersby and don't let mice chomp around under this old house! We have a bunch of sets of these cats... and I'm thinking they'd be very nice for someone else's home.  

For some reason, I keep having problems with this page... some strange corruption and can't figure it out.  Sometimes, I think it's the enemy trying to toss me off track or thwart efforts to post something about the persecution ---which I am planning to do today.  I find that the more I see and read about the atrocities around the world, the more I wonder if all who are signing on to the "One Campaign" or the "Make poverty history" campaign ever read about the sickening conduct and acts of violence around the world.  It may be said to be occurring in the United States as well---but only on a much more tame, seemingly civilized level.  Here, organizations are ousted or people are fired for Christian beliefs---but in other parts of the world, torture and death is common.  I wouldn't know much about this were I to rely solely upon American media for news and information, but fortunately, or unfortunately (as my self-centered sorry soul takes cover), mission organizations, and VOM, the persecuted church, tell the stories that need to be heard and make known the harsh realities of evil tyrants and dictatorial governments and their practices.  I guess this is why, more and more, I find the work of those who seek to free those who are oppressed by their government to be an arduous and perhaps impossible task---especially when the government supporting the effort is dismantling its own platform brick by brick.  Our country will very soon end up in the same place... unless the LORD intervenes.  But, when a nation turns its back on God, the consequences are dire, and our nation surely steps day by day further from the Truth.  "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10.31

It's commendable for the President to beseech the nation's patience, especially given the number of successes and the great price of freedom in Iraq, but it's increasingly difficult to unwaveringly support the campaign against terror.  I keep wondering what the real solution is or what "the end"  of this war will be or how will it be measured.  Is there a point where US forces leave or when enough is enough?  And considering the atrocities in other nations, how long will Iraq remain top priority?  I can't see it.  But---this is from an outsider--a bystander who daily reads mixed views and journals of current events. 

I shall not be surprised at anything after this past week's decisions by the US Supreme Court.  I'm baffled by the double-speak of the Ten Commandments decision(s).  And then the decision regarding private property(!) in the States... wow.  We already see that money talks when it comes to development of land, but now, the taking of land for money's sake gives property ownership a whole new definition.  I guess it's only a matter of time before a total revolt occurs in this nation.  Taxpayers will only take so much or be taken for so much, rather, before they snap.   I don't know how serious this piece is, but regardless, it won't be long before more people build buildings like this just to make a point... and all it takes is money.  Lots of money.

And finally....
Every now and then, a story comes out and I find myself wondering: how would I handle that?!?  I want to tell my children about it and then another part of me wants to keep it quiet so they aren't alarmed *or instructed* about something they never knew about.  I think fear paralyzes us parents lots of times---especially if we've had a prodigal or a child who's caused great grief.  So, needless to say, I talked to the children and decided to tell them the whole deal so that they'd be aware of the consequences of trying something that they might be told is totally cool and totally harmless.  Now, at this point in our life, our children aren't in any "youth groups" and don't hang out with people who stupidly attempt to lead them astray.  We talk and talk and talk and talk.  We hang out together and we work together.  We plan together and then we talk some more.  But I'm not naive and I don't live in a fantasy world with a belief that bad things can't/won't happen.  They've happened before.  I pray they don't happen again.  They happened before *in church* and so I am not deluded that isolation or  insulation prevents sin.  Anyway... so instead of canned whipped cream, model glue, aerosol pan spray, or some other parent's prescription drugs, now teens might be getting into canned air---and calling it "dusting."   I wonder... are we guilty of showing them things when we do things like inhale the helium from helium balloons or squirt whipped cream into their mouths.  Dust-Off, used to save dear computers just might be the source for death in dear lives.  And just like the argument that virtualsex is not real, or that there are degrees of sin or whatever.  Doing a little more reading about "dusting," I discovered that apparently, teens who know that "huffing" is dangerous are saying that "dusting is not huffing."    As I read, I immediately grieved for the parents of teens who get trapped this way.  I immediately thought of our sons and how I would handle such a tragedy and then I went to talk to them...

 

June 27, 2005  Last night, before and after  I wrote the following a couple of paragraphs, I was so troubled by the wellspring of activity and emotion being poured into the perceived plight of Africa.  I wrote the following, knowing that the world is being deceived---but also knowing that there are *many* who know the truth and the true condition in and of Africa.  So then, when I came to read mails this morning, I was comforted by a sister in Christ---who sees what's going and has firsthand knowledge...  (I will post her note at the end of what I wrote last night.

As I continue to mull over (and over and over!) the implications of financial and nutrition intervention in Africa... I don't have to look far to see why such intervention will not work or will not result in relief.  It takes very little examination of current events to see the evils and atrocities being committed  in various countries.  Just consider Robert Mugabe, president of Zimbabwe.   A long history of atrocities at his hand.  "It is estimated that in less than one month, Mugabe has destroyed 25 percent of the Zimbabwe economy. "  This, from Worldnet Daily.

It is thought that the G8 leaders have it in their (so called) power to "alter history" and to end poverty.  I wonder about this over and over.  Christian leaders are involved.. grassroots campaigns are springing up all over.  So the debts are cancelled... so the aid is doubled.  What of the tyrannical leaders?  What of the political corruption?  Will one percent more aid to these poor nations cause the corrupt leaders to cease their evil regimes?  Unless these nations turn to the LORD, they will in no wise change----perhaps they will receive *some* benefit--- but the proposition for eradicating poverty will not have lasting results if the powers that be remain as they are today.  The "One Campaign" makes incorrect assumptions... or infuses false hopes.  And this, from someone who ardently supports world missions and economic and nutritional relief---in the name of Jesus and for His glory.  Media has tremendous power... power to sway, power to shape.  Repeated often enough and with proper proportions of emotion and "fact," the media's resulting impact is staggering.  Consider the stated reasons for poverty and the solutions offered.  Those who seek to help are missing what the African people need the most... and they can't give anything of value until they have it themselves... they need Jesus.  The African people need Jesus.

Dear Pamela
 I share your thoughts on the Campaign to make Poverty History. I lived in South Africa from 1973 to 1986. My husband is South African, born in Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal. In those early years, many people, black and white, feared God. In every single town, no matter how big or small, there was at least one church ~ usually more. Over the years, we've watched Africa's people turn from God. A country rich in natural resources. So much so, that when the "world" instigated sanctions against South Africa, they feared not; they were self sufficient! Independent! In this very independence, they became independent of their Creator. We believe that this fact has now taken it's toll..... Many country's are following likewise. It's just time..... We don't believe that the world's help will reach the needy people directly (Robert Mugabe, PM of Zimbabwe is testament to the fact that real, practical help never reaches the people. Farmers of Zimbabwe ~ some who have owned land for generations and are now homeless are proof of greedy dictators, who care not for their own people. Africans have been driven from their homes, told that their shanty towns in Zimbabwe look too unsightly for "image-sake"). I still have two brothers in major cities in Africa. Recently, one had his family held up at gunpoint. The other brother trains people in the "art" of handling a gun for their own protection. Africa doesn't need glamour. Africa needs Jesus. Blessings! Helen

June 26, 2005   In less than a week the world will experience a media extravaganza of epic proportions... the heroic effort to make public the plight of Africa---to educate, influence and persuade world leaders to do what it takes to end poverty.  Impoverished people in a country very rich in natural resources. 

Every time I hear of the One Campaign, Or make poverty history I have this nagging thought and I can't articulate it... but it's a thought of anguish---anguish for the lost and anguish for the guides.  All the efforts sound sincere... so marvelous... so great, so charitable, so right.  But... I don't know.  It's a magnanimous effort, a marvelous gesture, really---but it's not the right one, I believe.   Ending poverty---for how long?  When the lights go out and the next big break comes for any of the musicians or 'stars' or 'religious leaders' or political leaders... will they remember?  Is the poverty a result of disaster and will this enormous bandaid allow for the healing and restoration of the country's poorest?  No... it will only look good, feel good for the dynamic force gathered, the impressive line-up of mega stars and mega-church leaders and will catapult the world into a frenzy of judgment against who they will be led to believe are the mean, prosperous countries who have been stingy with all their excess and have the power and money to end the problem that's causing the depravation, hunger and oppression of the poor.  Forgiving the debt is quite a high moral proposition.  Ending world hunger, a magnificent endeavor.  But will those two efforts actually help the very people suffering the most?   Is God using this whole drama to bring attention to the deeper needs of the world?  Is God allowing this massive problem and the enormous exposure it is receiving for His glory?  Will He be glorified in all of this?  Will people begin to once again call on the Name of the LORD?

I'm grateful to all the missions organizations and missionaries around the world who are and have been making a real difference for decades---saving a life at a time.  Bringing life giving bread and living water... setting people free from the bond of sin and death.  While an enormous outpouring has and will generate huge sympathy and a deluge of financial support, there is more to "world hunger" than lack of food and  money---those are symptoms of a horrific problem of sin and corruption.  The pitiful dear souls who need help the most will likely not get it---or the genuine help they need will be temporary.  Not really... I think just like the so called war on terror, the enemy is not understood.  The corruption and disease of government powers has been shrouded or undetermined----the power of the enemy has been misjudged and the consequence of sin and ignoring God has been underestimated.

The world hated Jesus...
and yet,
He is the only One who can save it.

An amazing line up for the campaign to make poverty history.  I'm sure I would be emotionally involved and stirred to a different action were I to be steeped in the Live 8 concert or the One Campaign or the Make Poverty History.... I pray God will hear the prayers of His people, I pray for repentance and obedience to the LORD... only then will there be genuine peace.

 

June 25, 2005   Today's Naomi's half birthday.  So, Halfy Birthday to you, Halfy birthday to you, Halfy Birthday, dear Naomi, Halfy Birthday to  Youuuu.  Six months from today will be Christmas.  Naomi was thinking about the things she’d like to have for lunch tomorrow… said she was “considering teriyaki chicken and rice and that salad with the cheese and croutons… not the spinach type, but the other type of salad.  That, or ---I know it’s too expensive, but… steak.  I’d really like steak...”  So… well, we’re not having steak. 

Had an IM chat with Timothy this morning.  ‘Said he was doing fine.  It was a blessing to be able to chat with him---I’m grateful for tech. that allows this---but I am realizing deep down that this may not always be the case as there will likely be places where such contact might not be possible.  Where he currently is in Mexico, the communication is good, however, nearby it might not be so.   

Timothy was happy to receive email from a friend of our family who is overseas.  We so admire him and so I know, for Timothy to hear from him, it was a great boost---I marvel at the great blessing of communication---the great privilege it is to be able to instantly communicate with people regardless of location in the world. It’s a marvelous time to be living---not so much for some of the extremely negative consequences of technology, but for the benefits of such.

All the planes taking off and landing here at the little airport alert me to the fact that it’s a lovely day and not much flying gets done in the hangar, so I need to get bizzy buzzing around here before I miss what could be done!

 

June 24, 2005    Some of my most favourite books are old classics and many out of print books.  We were blessed to receive many hundreds of books from Wes's parents---as a pastor and missionary, his dad's library was extensive.  My mother-in-law, also, has supplied me with numerous valuable books and study tools over the years.  One of the great blessings of the "electronic age" is the availability of great classic that can be downloaded to individual computers. 'Course, there is *nothing* like holding an old book in your hands... or the musty smell of hundred year old books... but when you're looking for great encouragement and Bible applications,  Esword offers tremendous volumes of works by great men of the faith.  All you need is... space!  :-)

There have been two fires nearby our home in this past week----until the smoke cleared, we couldn't tell the extent of the damage of the fire across from us.  As it turned out,  it was the shop, and not the home, that burned.  Then a couple of nights ago, we again heard the sirens whirring through town and looked west and saw there was another fire.  This time, the flames were significantly greater and higher.  So, Wes asked who wanted to go see --- you don't have to ask me twice if I want to go check out a fire --- so Wes, Kathryn and I hopped into the van and took off toward the fire.  We thought it was much closer than it turned out to be.  As we drove across the flats (the farmland here in the valley), we could see that it was one of the old houses on Lowell-Larimer Road.  We knew (as we always know) that we weren't going to be able to see much, but that's part of the great thrill only people who jump at the chance to chase fires know.  I don't even know why I always want to go check out the fires---I always cry when I see the devastation and I always have that foreboding sense that the next fire could be our own.  Nonetheless, when I hear sirens, my first impulse is to grab my keys and head for the van.  Our children know that I will do this...  and I'm always profoundly aware that I need to find a roundabout way or an out of the way place to view the fire so as to stay completely clear of the routes used by Fire or Police or  EMT's dealing with the fire.  In this town, there are some interesting buildings of historical value and I suppose that that's part of the apprehension I feel when trying to pinpoint the location before leaving home. I never chase sirens, though... only fires.  I guess what sirens indicate hits too close to home and I never want to see the end of that line... I know too much about what might be there, I suppose.

I sort of watch for "Christian headlines" and who's making the news.  I think it's going to be interesting to watch in the days ahead what's going to happen to "Christian Leaders" and their activities in light of what other Christian leavers are doing.  When mega "churches" do something that "works" then the trend is followed by others who want to have a piece of the mega-pie.  When one writes a mega-book then other mega books come along to unseat the first.  So it will be with trends... not much is falling out now, but pretty soon the feed the world mantra will dominate and the fight for literacy will will the space that personal purpose once filled.  All the while, many in the world will be searching for someone to look up to... someone to thank and many,  someone to blame.   A few names come to mind... we'll see how it pans.

I was perusing the news.... More apologies are being demanded from senators who couldn't bring themselves to apologize for their own similar actions and sends up red flags for what smokescreens must surely be present. Then, there's the unending defense of Michael Jackson and relentless commentary regarding treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo.  As days go by, it seems that more and more, we're being inundated with such a glut of  "media waste."   For example, (and I now can't believe that I took the time to read it) a line caught my eye and I read a transcript of the dialogue between Matt Lauer and Tom Cruise---what amazed me was the amount of time spent saying nothing.  I guess we all do that, though... spend a lot of time telling people we're passionate about something and yet tell them little or nothing specific about that thing we're so passionate about.  Sad truth is, lots of times when we do share what we're passionate about, many couldn't care less about what we think or say because they're more concerned about defending their own passion.  So, in the end, we find ourselves rather alone in a state I've often quoted: "I have no mouth, and yet I must scream." 

 

June 23, 2005   So that happened... For over a month, the calendar seems to have been filled with doctor's appointments for various members of our family.  Today Hannah and I went to the eye doc.   When asked about the last eye exam, I replied that I couldn't really remember but that it was not too long ago... maybe 10 years or so.  Okay... so maybe it was 15.  A little more time has passed than I thought.   Well... so, both Hannah and I both went through the routine... better? how about now? One... and two, and one and two.  I was sitting there... thinking no, wait: I think one was better----or was it two?  So she consoled me by saying that at my age (!) this is to be expected and then the decline in vision would level off...  My decline will level off at some point, for certain.  I hope I live long enough to see it.  So we need to get glasses... Hannah and I attempted to make a selection while at the optometrist, but I couldn't really see the frames all that well and then when told the price of the progressive lenses, I thought: Omy, I'd better go home, make a mocha and think it over.  The eye doctor said one of the neat (!) features of progressive lenses is that the tell-tale-age-related bifocal line in the glasses is hidden(!).   Well, suchadeal.   I sort of nodded---my eyes already glazed over.  And then I considered my tell-tale-age-related hair colour just might be a dead give away that I'm not going to be celebrating number 29 on my next birthday, either.  I had yet another temptation to go out and make friends with Miss Clairol.

Hannah was gracious to walk with me out to the van while I was wearing the attractive cardboard and dark plastic sunglasses and very lightly blurred vision from having my eyes dilated---I really could see pretty well to drive but this sunny day was extremely bright!  Returning home, I couldn't wait to run upstairs to Wes's office to show him my new glasses... he was working intently on his computer and turned around to see me in my cool new shades.... he smiles and says, nice; very nice.  He took my picture.  My normally brown eyes are a deep black today.    Wes said he'd take us tomorrow to make our choices... you know, for those youthful progressive lenses.

I've been tagged... book-tagged, that is!  So... here goes:

Tagged by Carla
Joys in the Journey- http://www.joysinthejourney.blogspot.com
Homespun Homemaking- http://www.praiseherinthegates.blogspot.com

June 22, 2005    I think I know where I'd like to be this morning.  I'd like to be curled up in the chair beside Barbara's desk... taking in her tremendous view or looking on as she types away and maybe taking up that (June 22 '05) conversation with Sophia.  I guess I'd take up that conversation with anyone willing to have it---and I suppose most people who read this blog would be echoing the refrain that children are a gift of the LORD... and the people who reject that probably won't be reading this either.

We have the conversation many times in our home.  Not so much about gender selection, or even abortion but about determining family size or setting limits on God.  It seems to come up each time the next child comes to an age of reasoning and understanding that *they* were born into the family *after* many were already here---and that had we not allowed God His authority and sovereignty over the womb---and that does not mean we set out to have "as many "kids" as we could have," either,  because in our minds, that would also be attempting birth control.  Invariably, over the years, our children have also commented that they're glad we had them, etc., etc.   O, I've been jumbled humbled many times over the years as I have considered what life would be like had given into fear, or had we listened to the critics or had we believed the media and the anti-family rhetoric and the diatribes of those who live only for themselves and can't or, rather, won't trust the LORD for His ways.  This probably sounds gruff---base, maybe, about such a delicate topic---but is God's sovereignty such a delicate topic?  Is His Lordship over the womb a sensitive topic?  Or is is maybe a topic that strikes a nerve and that's what's sensitive about it.  Whatever the case, the Bible's clear on what God thinks of children and regarding His opening or closing of the womb.

When Kathryn was born (we had two sons already) ---people, well-meaning people, I suppose, would say: O, now you have your girl---now you can be all done.   I can hardly breathe when I think of what we would have done---who we would have missed---what lives would've been cut off had we not yielded to the LORD and had we given into fear or the overconfidence of the flesh.   Had we listened, we would have missed Timothy... and the next one, and the next one, and the next one, and the next one, and the next one, and the next one, and the last one... and more than that, we would've missed the Way and Will of the LORD.  Do you ever think about the things or ways you've chosen and considered or asked how the LORD would have used you had your whole life been yielded to Him?  I think about this and it is sobering, to say the least.  Where would He have taken me had I totally yielded my life to Him from the start?  I stagger.

I know He's exaggerated our family size for His purposes---I often do not know why He's done what He's done---and I surely do not see how.  But I trust Him to keep writing the story and lighting the way.  And this I know: God *is* truly and utterly faithful and all His ways are good.  We do not have these children through any merit of our own or through any unique plan---it's all because of His mercy and His doing.   All that He has done compels me to love Him more and more and to serve Him more and more.  There is no place I could be where His love could not keep me and nothing could happen to me that His grace would be insufficient to cover.  I think of the news piece about a  little child just born with three legs and the hardships that child and that family will necessarily endure---was that a mistake?  Did God shift His gaze?  Of course not and surely not---I pray that the mother will see the Righteous Right Hand of the LORD in her life and trust Him for His work and walk with Him through the valley.   What blessings does the LORD have in store for that family?  Countless times we've seen the LORD work in marvelous ways on our behalf---you've seen this too in your life if you've walked with Him awhile.  "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD."  Proverbs 21.30

 

 

On a totally different note --- or line, as the case may be, here at our house movie lines make up 50% of some conversations.  There was a time, many years ago, that Wes had to practically "ban" movie lines from dinnertime conversations---'bout drove him crazy, poor guy!  Anyway, considerable restraint was exercised after that... at least at the dinner table.  Over time, I've come to see that movie lines served a very useful purpose and if I was going to *dialogue* with the children, I was going to have to come up to speed *or* bring *them* up to speed regarding what they were saying or what I was saying to them.  Different one-liners sort of form a cohesion around here and sometimes, the levity is needful.  I know... this has nothing or little to do with anything---but everything has something to do with something, I suppose, and so, in our home movie lines are bandied around or set up and lobbed back and forth like a volleyball game.  Each child having a particular line or series of lines from a particular movie and each delivers the lines with practiced perfection.  Where'd I come up with this line of thinking today??  O, it was in the news: Top 100 Quotes From US Films.   Sometimes our children will read a quote in the paper and wonder what movie or book it came from---sort of an innate sense that the line wasn't an original---not with them, anyway.  When it's time to get busy or have the boys do something... "Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary!"

Some lines that stick with us are used to finish sentences when we don't know what else to say... or to signal understanding: "I got da chipper paht" ("I got the cheaper part"- a line from father of the bride) or sometimes:  a nod and "grasshopper."  Or, if we want someone to stop immediately: "Don't eat it miss Stacy!" (Anne of green gables).  When asked where the treats are:  "I'd tell you but then I'd have to..."  Many lines come from movies never personally viewed... they're often from our older boys who probably misquoted or restyled the quote to fit the situation and that's the quote that stuck.  Whatever  the case...

 

June 21, 2005  The first day of summer and it's ........... stormy and earlier, all over the Puget Sound, we saw flashes of lightening and heard the rumble of thunder.  The rain and stormy weather sort of matched the mood as we drove away from Sea-Tac airport where we left Timothy at the C gates entrance. 

Because of the long lines, we were glad to have arrived early at the airport so that there'd be plenty of time to get Timothy checked through in time head over to his gate.   I was so glad he didn't have any troubles with ID, passport or tickets.  And so his bag was easily checked through. Our family was sort of huddled together as we watched him wind his way through the corded lines heading to the baggage scan and metal detectors.  We were watching with tear welling up in our eyes---still trying to smile and look encouraged for him as he moved through the line.

We noticed a woman in line several rows behind him had slipped out of line and we realized that she was heading over to talk to us.   Smiling, she inquired if we were part of the church....... and we smiled and said yes---we are believers in Jesus and we follow Him.  We told her that we met with other Christians in homes and that it had been about a year since we had been part of a Baptist church.   She then shared that she immediately noticed our girls' dresses and could tell by the way we looked and "how sweet the children were all standing---so well behaved" together that we just had to be believers... and she didn't want to miss the opportunity to say hello.  Turns out, she was visiting her parents here and was heading back to Texas where she works with Homestead Heritage.  She asked if I was familiar with An Encouraging Word and Skeet Savage... and I replied, yes, of course, as I had just received The HomeSchool Digest last week.  Well, turns out that they are friends and so that was an encouraging word.   It was a pleasant interruption to the moment... and after exchanging names, she returned to the ever lengthening lines. 

I've often commented, you never know who you're going to meet and what divine appointments you're going to experience.  I guess I consider that part the living out and of the meaning of the verse: 1Peter 3.15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"  Meetings like that make me all the surer that Heaven is going to be filled with beautiful music... for the lingering music of meetings the LORD's orchestrated has surely been sweet.

So we traveled a little bit and Wes answered the sniffles in the van with a question:  Who'd like fish 'n chips?!?!  Since the ever practical Timothy was on an airplane and not in the van, there were no dissenters and the unanimous I  dooooooo's convinced him to carry out his plan to stop by Alki Beach for their famous fish 'n chips.  Though the rain was now beating against the glass of the restaurant, by the time we split five 'specials' and were very full, the tears for Timothy had subsided a bit!   When we got to the van, 'melia said we ought to go back to the airport to pick up Timothy.  We told her we couldn't do that and she said okay and carefully enunciating every syllable: could we go to Guad--ah--la--harrrra, then?   Awwww.

Timothy has a seven hour layover in LA and then flies on to Jalisco to Guadalajara and will arrive in the morning at 6:30 and then will head to Tonala where he will have more language study and a soccer camp.  He was happy to be going again and was thrilled for the way the LORD is working on his behalf... showing Himself Strong and Mighty.

 

June 20, 2005   The days are moving so swiftly or I am moving so slowly that I cannot keep up with what I need to do---let alone finish the unfinished business of yesterday.  I'm beginning to see that once yesterday's gone... just be done with it.  There's no such thing as getting back to something anymore.  I used to go back and finish things or be able to walk out of a room and come back in to finish a conversation or whatever.  I'm not so adept at doing that anymore and ohmygoodness, I am beginning to understand why women my age slow down or stop having babies... not only would we set them down and forget where we put them, but when the youngest child starts saying mommy-gramma...

Yes, we had our grandchildren here Monday evening and it was nice to be able to spend a little bit of time with them and to have friends visiting, too, who had children about the same age.  I marveled as we stood in the kitchen... our family and theirs and between the two families, we have 23 children and 7 grandchildren.   Timothy will leave for Mexico tomorrow and so... we had today.  My husband prayed for our meal and evening together and as we stood there, I was staggered by a thought---O, LORD God, It's a marvel to me how the LORD has been gracious and so merciful to this pitiful vessel.  I don't share that to elicit sympathy or compliments---I say it bcz I am and was so humbled at the love of God... I consider my favourite hymn:  The Love of God... I consider the words I've loved so much they've become my own refrain.

That beautiful hymn resonates and echoes in my mind as I consider the wonders of the LORD, His matchless grace, His unbounding love and mercy in our lives.  We cannot begin to fathom what He's done for us. I marvel as I have been considering Job.  The book of Job is an incredible book---in gaining a right view of the Righteous and Holy God---above which there is no other.  Imagine Job---it's thought to be the oldest of the Bible books---and consider the honour and the humility and the right perception of the LORD.  I do long for a long walk with the Saviour... I long to know Him in that way... "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him..."  I long to know Him and will praise Him more and more.  He is the potter.  I am the clay.

 

Earlier that day...
When I was writing last night about the day we'd spent, I guess it might read strange.  It was just a very surreal day.  A day I am treasuring and "pondering in my heart."  Since many of the families we ordinarily meet with on Sunday's had different plans, we had decided to meet on Saturday instead---and we did.  So, that left yesterday to unfold as it did.   As I share about the oddities or the 'first's' or whatever, I share because it helps me get a better handle on what it is to be the body of Christ and what it is to be the church and what it is to be a believer traveling the journey in this way---that, and invariably, I will write about something that's the very thing someone else is going through.  It's not the way I grew up... (not in church) and it's not the way Wes grew up (always in church), and it's not the way we spent the first 25 years of our marriage (very involved with the churches we 'attended') and yet, now I see how God was preparing us for "such a time as this."  Trusting Him fully in all that we do, resting in His promises and waiting on Him as we walk with other believers. 

Yesterday was an important day as we reflected on what God is doing, how He's leading and seeking how we might be an encouragement to others.  I think the thing we've been praying about the most is unity---unity in the body of Christ and the need for believers to be candid with one another and before the LORD.  It can be real easy to live a life void of transparency and yet still be 'going to church' and doing all the stuff.  I came to realize that it's pointless to attempt to explain what we're doing and why and why we are "out" of the church (denominations, etc.) and it serves no good purpose to attempt to validate churches meeting from house to house----------------for the one will always attempt to justify and the other will always have to defend.  And that, to me, falls right in line with the enemy's strategy to "keep 'em busy" so they have no time to serve the LORD.  If we are so busy defending what we do... then, what we do will be compromised.

June 19, 2005   We have a new phrase here... this blog's now my autoblography.  So... here's today's writing of my autoblography.

If you don't read much else today, take a moment to read Amy's blog... It's great... I'm referring to her Father's Day blog.  Her writings never disappoint --- and this one is no exception.  I miss those "guess what, honey" days and the sweetness of anticipation of what the LORD was doing.   I miss the early years... I surely did not have what Amy has today---and perhaps never will have the tremendous advantages she enjoys: walking with the LORD with great encouragement, insight, training and inspiration that is so evident.  But... one thing we share is sweetness of the "guess what, honey" days... hers now... mine, then.

We did have a sweet Father's Day... another "first" in our life.  This was the first Father's Day that we didn't spend at a church.  Wes played tennis with Kathryn as I prepared a surprise breakfast for when they returned.  It was a blessing to be quiet together.  Quiet.  Home.  It was a blessing to just be home.  We spent the day together and it was a precious time.   Precious, for many reasons... it was Father's Day and all that means, it was Sunday and all that means, it was a beautiful day here and it was peaceful through and through.  I don't know if I have ever been to a hardware store on a Sunday morning---but this morning we went... I wondered if the LORD would go to a hardware store on Sunday.  Would He buy wood?  Would He repair and  build a deck?   On Father's Day?  Would He?  Well... as the family was swimming and playing, daddy built a deck.  As the family sunned and played, daddy built a deck.  As the family weeded and played, daddy built a deck.  As the family loved the daddy, the daddy smiled.  As the family commented many times how nice the day was... and how fun it was to have daddy home... daddy built a deck.  After reading to the family tonight, and after everyone went off to bed, daddy smiled.  Happy Father's Day, Daddy.  You're the best.

 btw, more later.

Happy Father's Day
Every day is The Father's Day
for every day is a day that He has made!
and this weekend, we celebrate and honour our earthly fathers
and we pray that God will indeed bless and equip them for the tremendous responsibility that rests on them as heads of homes.
For those who have abdicated their role we pray that God will work in their hearts, that they will turn from their foolish ways and selfish ambitions and give their hearts to the care and tender training of their children and to being the attentive, loving heads of their homes that God designed them to be---may He be their strength and guide.

May God bless fathers this father's day.

 

My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me,
I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily.
Oftimes He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper and I, the underside....
The dark threads are as needful in the Weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.
(Author unknown)
(Thank you, Bessie Joy for sharing this poem)
 

It's coming up to Father's Day...

       Most all the plans I ever had seem to have been unraveled by the LORD and then have been rewoven by Him in a perfect way.   When in faith I began to weave with no visible thread, it was my Heavenly Father who provided all that was needed and only now can I look back and now have a beautiful tapestry that for years I could not see.   Even those parts that I don't particularly care for have been used to form the background---the dark parts that make the light parts even more significant.  So, this Father's Day, I celebrate what He's done.   I trust Him for who His is, what He's done and for His merciful, steadfast kindness to me.  No matter what earthy fathers have done, my heavenly father has picked up all the threads and has woven them into place so that they all are used to form the fabric of my life.  The coarse threads give me strength today; the broken ones have been blended with His cords of three strands and now are the strongest of them all and the black ones define the areas He's worked to conform my character into His image and all the glittery and glossy threads are for His glory---for He alone is Worthy.  I praise the LORD today... as I look to celebrate Father's Day, I celebrate the great gift of my Heavenly Father who sent His Son to be my salvation, my High King of Heaven, my LORD, my Jesus: my all in all. 

     I'm not all I ever hoped to be, but praise the LORD He didn't leave me where I was or with the plans I had.  I don't have what I prayed for (praise His Name!) but I have more than I ever dreamed... and amazingly, I never knew I wanted what I have today --- I have the LORD and in Him I lack no thing.

Nothing I have today could ever be replaced by anything I'd love more.
Happy Father's Day, all.


Happy Birthday to Thumbkin and Pinky

 Pictures of Joey's and my mother's birthday!

 June 16, 2005  Happy Anniversary today to my sweet mother-in-law.  Now married for four years after the passing of Wes's father.  It's a tremendous blessing to witness how God has worked and has faithfully and mercifully prodded such a loving companion for her.  We're thankful for that.  And then we're getting ready for the thumbkin and pinky (Joey and my mother) birthday party tomorrow night, our family celebration of Father's Day and whatever else we can fit in tomorrow night!  It's sure to be a fun evening together... so, I'd better get cookin' ---literally!

'Received this piece this morning from Vision Forum and want to share with you... it's a blessing for Father's Day --- how much more so when the father of the home/family hears God's call.  And obeys.

June 15, 2005   It seems as though something ought to be happening today---that, or something did happen on this day---I must be forgetting something... I must be practicing 'senior moments' or something.  Did I graduate on this day?  Should I be sending a greeting card to the IRS or something?  O, I don't know what it is.

Well... so, as if we haven't been celebrating enough, we're working on the plans for a big family birthday party here on Friday night.  With Joey's birthday on the thirteenth and my mom's on seventeenth, it's a great party time.  As if that's not enough, we're also going to celebrate Father's Day (since number one son won't be home on Father's Day) that night.     I need to get busy on my Father's Day plans. I wrote about blessing husbands and fathers in last week's letters. Blessing Husbands and Fathers Everyday  and The Welcome Home Good Things and Recipes special annual Father's Day message.

I'll be sharing more on this later.

So, we're zipping right to the halfway point of the year.  It's sometimes as depressing to me to come to this point in the year as it is thrilling to me to get to the twenty-first of December.  At this point of the year, I recognize that the daylight hours will once again grow shorter and the inevitable longer hours of darkness will soon be upon us.   I don't know which is more difficult---rain or low light.  Hmmm... must be low-light rain.  Or, low light-rain.  I know, I know... what a sorry soul I can be sometimes.   This is an annual realization, mind you, and one would think after 21 or 22 years in a swimming pool biz in the Northwest, that somewhere along the way a personal resolution would have come to pass: a resolution that this is the way life is for us and that's that.  I know... it's a kwitchergripin' sort of deal... get over it.  But, ~sigh~ it seems that soon it'll be time to bring in wood and keep the stove going nonstop till April-mid.  It'll once again be time to be alert for the floods and all that.  But... would I want to move from here?  No-way.

 

June 14, 2005   As we pulled into the parking space, his eyes lit up --- he'd never been to Penney's in town before.  Our children are not all that familiar with much of the retail industry and so it's fun to occasionally treat them to something new.  So, something new was yesterday.  As I walked through the door being held open by our little Joey... I couldn't help but admire the young man he's becoming. Not only had Joey not been to the Penney's in town, I can't recall the last *new* pair of shoes he had.  I found myself wondering: had he *ever* had a new pair of shoes??  He was wearing a pair of shoes that had seen way too much fun and when the salesperson asked his size, he slipped off (and I held in my gasp---wondering if his socks were clean!) his shoe and suggested maybe he wears "an eight or a nine or whatever."  She graciously took out the instrument to measure his foot to determine his proper size and she came up with a 5.5 or 6.   You know... eight or nine --- five or six or whatever.  It's all good. 

I'd asked the LORD to help me find a pair of cool shoes for this boy that wouldn't require me working there for a day and a half----and the LORD did indeed answer my prayer.  As we looked to the display on the wall, I spied a pair of Nike's that looked so similar to a pair I'd gotten for Daniel many years ago and suddenly memories of shoe fittings and showing off how fast they were and all of that flooded my mind.  As we approached the wall, I saw that that pair was, ta-da! on sale---Joey was delighted!  The sweet sales person said she believed she had his size---and she did.  Oh, the delight of the new pair of shoes made me smile at the now not such a little boy anymore.  I asked him if he'd like to wear them home, his beaming face answered me before the "yes" came out!  As I paid for the shoes, the salesperson commented how handsome he looked and I told her it was his tenth birthday and we were out celebrating.  I told her that since our boys all share shoes, I could not remember if Joey had actually had a new pair... so that explained  much of the appreciation he was expressing---that, and we were out on an adventure ---alone!  He knew that following that stop we would be going to a neat little store in town... everyone's favourite: Weed's Variety.  Weed's is a store (a very small store) that sells old fashioned things---toys, paper dolls, simple games, all sorts of Usborne books and kits, kites, models and "old time" crafts and gifts.  The little store did not disappoint and he was delighted with the little plane he bought.

I try to take one child with me alone from time to time just so they can have my undivided attention and I can have theirs!  Shopping's rather a perfunctory thing, however.  Our younger children know very little of stores outside of Costco, Cash'nCarry restaurant supply, Walmart and Lowes... and beyond that, clothes come to them from the older's drawers, or in big bags from other people or from the thrift store.  They rarely choose their own clothes as I attempt to avoid taking them with me when looking for specific items to fill gaps in their wardrobe.  I pray before I go that the LORD will lead me to just the perfect things that will fill those gaps.  I don't want to feed the greed and I don't want to have them think that just because things are available they need them, too.  I think that's why they are pretty content with "such things as they have." Life is much simpler if we just stay out of the stores... there's much more there than too much to look at --- sometimes what's there is too much to be looking at.    Then, I think it's pretty important to not get sucked into the bigger-better-more of this life.  Sometimes the bigger-better-more squeezes out the best thing.

Now shopping with one of my older's is a whole different story.  When we go out shopping... we see every single thing the store offers... she's a real shopper... extremely sensible, careful and lots of fun.  That's a story for another day.
 

As this website belongs to the LORD, we seek to use it to serve Him in many ways.  It's always a privilege to make other's requests known and to provide links to websites, ministries, and articles.  Check out the prayer request regarding missn'ys in Ethiopia---the request just came from parentingwithpurpose  Please also remember the Liberian orphans (WACSN) http://www.wacsn.org More on this ministry and an opportunity to serve... later.  (sorry for the botch job on this as it was posted earlier)

blog blah blog blah blog ...

    If you receive a mail regarding PDL heads or puddleheads... it's a spoof.  While it's easy to believe and actually seems probable... it's nonetheless a spoof sent to you by someone who got tagged.  It's in larknews.com/may_2005.    I truly believed it---though it seemed a bit far fetched.  It seems that there is an equal number of those who are PDL'ers and those who disparage the whole PDL extravaganza and all the staging, covenanting, seeker sensitization and repackaging and rewriting the Bible.

A subject very near but not at all dear to my heart is the matter of  sexualabuse of children and teenagers.  There was a time when I thought sexualabusers of children should be shot.   It came to my attention that there is a book being sold on Amazon --- a book that not only endorses adult male/male child relationships but seems (from description and review of  the book) to legitimize and normalize the heinous atrocity---the most repugnant aspect of homosexuality.   David Foster sought to implore Amazon to stop selling the book.  Now, this reciprocal letter writing apparently took place some time ago---but Amazon is still selling the book.  David Foster encourages letter writing to Amazon---and not doing business with them.       In one of the replies to Mr. Foster, Amazon replies: "Dear David, Hello again from Amazon.com.  First, I would like to thank you for your heart-felt e-mails.  I understand that you feel very strongly about this issue.  Let me assure you that Amazon.com does not support or promote perverse or criminal acts; we do support the right of every individual to choose his or her own reading material."  I thought it interesting that Amazon would agree that they would not support a book that endorses or promotes criminal acts, or at a stretch, instructs how to blow up Amazon... but they're selling a book that legitimizes the destroying the purity and innocence of a child or teenager by a depraved individual.   Despite the consequences, their stand to "not engage in censorship, regardless of our own individual tastes and beliefs" is shameful.  Shame on Amazon for its shortsightedness. 

Speaking of Michael Jackson...  yesterday, in my email, i received a letter regarding his "suicide attempt..."  I did *not* click to read more as the letter instructed.  And now, I'm glad I didn't for it was a message containing a virus. Read more.

June 10, 2005  I'm cleaning the house... as always there're things to tidy everywhere---everywhere throughout our home there is evidence of living... notice I didn't say life.  Sometime ago I managed to instill this truth into our children that *people* live in homes and every other living thing lives outside.  Though you know I have not managed to convince them that cats are simply bigger mice or rats and no one should buy food from Costco to feed rodents.  I'm not so sure they will ever buy this mantra---they never have. 

So.. I'm cleaning along and it strikes me that I am making decisions that seem rather ridiculous when held next to decisions, say, Liberian women are making or conditions they face everyday.  These days I am wondering about a lot of things I've never considered before. 

These (from just this morning alone) are some comments I've made---verbally.  Should I get rid of all the bowls that don't stack neatly in our cabinet?  Should I get some more *divided* plates to make mealtime serving a little easier?  Isn't it much nicer to have two refrigerators and one large freezer than to have one refrigerator and two large freezers?!  Maybe it's time to replace this sweater with one that's not so faded... I sure liked the deeper colour better.  I wish the laundry hamper was a bit taller so that all the day's laundry could fit into it---thus the trips downstairs could be minimized.  I sure think it would be neat to have a better espresso maker... 

When the family farm loses, America loses.  This, from the "Save the Family Dairy Farm" site: "Recently the USDA issued a proposed ruling that puts milk producer-handlers at risk. A producer-handler is a dairy farm that processes and distributes its own milk. This rule would change regulations that have existed for over 70 years. Large national and regional dairy cooperatives and milk processors are the driving force behind this proposal. Their purpose is to drive family-owned producer-handlers out of business or to restrict their ability to operate efficiently. "  We know that local dairies are closing because they cannot keep up with the "big boys' in the dairy business as it is.  Oppressive regulations in our area are choking out the small enterprises... some of which have been multi-generational farms/businesses.

June 9, 2005  So then at the Above Rubies retreat last Saturday, I bought some copies of Debi Pearl's book, Created to Be His Help Meet and I've been contemplating just what the LORD would have me do with them.  I knew I needed to hand back to my friend, the well read copy she loaned me.  So, now I have one of my own to mark up and some to give out.  Now, at this point I am going to resist interjecting a popular disclaimer statement. You know how it goes in circles... something like: I like so-n-so, I don't agree with everything he/she teaches, but for the most part, they're very good... blah, blah, blah.  I say this with first hand knowledge and from personal experience.  So, I'm not going to do it.  I do it more than is appropriate and determine to not do so.  I'm going to just toss out the suggestion that the book be obtained, read, digested and... let the LORD make application.  I only hope it doesn't remain a stand alone book --- meaning, there's a whole lotta 'splainin to do regarding the trash and Mr. Command Man, and perhaps a whole lot more.    I'm just glad there's an undemanding commanding steady  visionary in steady command here in our home.   If that's going to make any sense at all, you're gonna hafta read the book.  This book's making rounds.  It sort of reminds me of the Prayer of Jabez when it first came out and people were flocking to grab a copy to read.  Conversations sort of went something like: "Have you read the book?" "Yes! It's incredible!  Have you read it?" At first, I had to say, no... I hadn't read it. I *had* read 1 Chronicles 4.9-10---but not the sensational version.  Anyway... eventually, I read the book.  And that was that.

---

The culture.  Even in the remote parts of the country, culture has its affect on people.  Just try to shop at Wal*Mart or Macy's for a modest blouse, dress or undergarments.  Try to find jeans that *look* new---or that fit properly *over* the undergarments.  I know I'm stretching a bit, here, but you get the point. The degradation of society and the influence of those who have power is astounding.  Try to walk through a shopping area without being visually distracted.  Try going  through the public library or bookstore and see if you can do it without seeing huge cultural influences---the kind of influences that reveal they've turned their backs on God.  The daily news... grocery store tabloids strategically placed at eye level---no matter your height (or your child's height).  Cultural dregs everywhere.  I know I'm not the only mother to wring hands over this.

Like an elephant in the living room.  We could continue to try to walk around it, to step over it, attempt to think it's not so big or intrusive and we could act as if it's droppings don't produce for us a mess  or a stench wafting through our other rooms in our homes.  But, fact is, the elephant of culture permeates everything---much as we try to live counter to the trends and influence of our culture... there *is* an elephant stomping about and we're to one degree or another affected by its presence and by its droppings.  I watch with guarded interest from afar the trail and now trial of Michael Jackson.  I found rather intriguing a Stanley Crouch article in the NY Daily News today.  Here's a sampling and an interesting point: "We saw revolutionary social changes that made for a much better society, but nothing ever arrives alone, especially in America. Our enormous latitude for invention, lunacy and profit always allow the worst to come along almost immediately following a set of innovations."  The 60's.  I quote that portion of the piece bcz it's illustrative of the life and times of Michael Jackson.  While I disagree with the author's assessment that the advances of the sixties heralded the betterment of society, I sure agree that America is abounding in invention, lunacy and profit.  

This is where the elephant comes in... much of the time, things we think we can tolerate today were absolutely repulsive to us at one time or, things that are repulsive to us today, we once embraced.  Much of our societal trends are being orchestrated by celebrities -- celebrities, who make a living acting like someone else, are shaping the scope and the scope is amazingly not broad as they'd purport it to be---because there's no script for it (for them)!  The scope is on self---the corrupt, egocentric, voracious demanding self.   There *is* a script, but they reject it.  One day they will not.  One day even the staunchest egocentric liberal will see.  They will see---I pray they will see before it's too late.  More than history shapes the future---in That Day, all will see His-story shapes the future.

June 8, 2005  Today's been such a dreary looking day.  I've had to fight hard the tendency to allow the dreariness to determine or direct my thoughts and sap motivation.  It's so chilly, I needed a sweater---in June!  I guess even after living in the Northwest for twenty-seven years, I'm still surprised at the cold weather----my California upbringing never leaves me, I suppose.  I guess the adage is true: you can take the girl out of California, but you can't take California out of the girl.  There's something very peculiar about being from California... it's like another country, really---another country with its own rules, its own outlook, its own agenda---there's an ambiance that can't really be defined or quantified.  It's sort of bizarre, I always wonder how anything really ever gets done in California... I remember everyday sort of seemed like it ought to be a vacation day---I don't mean it was necessarily always fun, but it never seemed like it was time to work.  Work had to be done, but it felt like it was time to play.  Productivity was necessary to allow for "playtime," I suppose, and in a way,  that general feeling of recreation sort of permeated work.  Work was sort of incidental---sort of like cleaning toilets and sweeping floors---necessary, but not all that important.   That's how things seemed... but then, I wasn't paying a mortgage or buying groceries.  I was just along for the ride... or on vacation. 

June 7, 2005   Well, that all happened.  Today's been sort of a catch up day---I think all days are becoming catch-up days lately. The two steps forward, one step back is starting to show evidence of my being about a decade behind.  Now, were that only true!  I sort of missed that decade.  The Above Rubies Retreat was such a wonderful time---really, it was a sweet day.  Wonderful times to visit old friends, to personally meet women who've read things here and to hear Nancy Campbell again.   She's such a skilled orator and so effectively conveys each important point so perfectly.  What an encouragement and marvelous advocate for the home, motherhood and marriage.    I'm left with one of her comments floating around my thoughts: "Make every meal into a love affair."  I think back on her words and my instant mental picture of some of the recent meals practically served on Frisbee's and flung to the table here in our home.  So... a love affair.

We traveled to the camp a day early so that we'd not have to do the traveling so early in the morning on the day of the retreat.  I think it was also so that we'd have a good night's sleep to be rested for the long day ahead.  We'd brought our little coffeemaker for hot tea/coffee and visited in the sitting area of our delightful cabin until it was a tad bit late.  Kathryn and Lisa and I collapsed into our beds and instantly drifted into a coma after our enjoyable day of travel, "shopping" and dinner at Ikea and our endless chatter!  The sleep was good and the LORD surely multiplied the benefit of the hours we slept.  I know He's always done this and so I'm a firm believer that He will equip and will provide what's needed---this was especially true in the early infancy days for each of our children.  Things were a challenge until I began to grab hold of that provision of the LORD---that He never gave me what He didn't also help me care for or complete.  His provision has always been perfect.

Nancy's talks were once again very inspiring and I was heartened to press on and to embrace the next thing the LORD has for me to do.  I think so much of the time we push for a short haul instead of tracking for the long haul.  I wish I'd known, in the beginning, to pace for a long haul and to keep training and striving for excellence --- some of the things that seem a bit lacking now. 

See, I needed then what I have in my hand right now!  The Mommy Manual by Barbara Curtis.  Now, all I need is a day to saturate my mind with what Barbara's written.  The book came in the mail today---much to my delight (along with another package: my birdhouse gardening jumper, an ebay purchase)!  Anyway, I need to grab the book and stash away alone for a few hours.  Different lines are grabbing my attention: "see it their way" and "get the big picture" and "sowing seeds of order" and a few more that have captured my interest.   It's a beautiful book and I sure look forward to being inspired by chapter titles such as, The Keys to Joyful Motherhood and The Keys to Joyful Childhood.  So, many thanks and blessings to Barbara for being used of the LORD be a continued inspiration and blessing once again.   I must also mention, I love the Elisabeth Elliot piece that Barbara put on her blog.

Well, Nancy Campbell dedicated her final talk of the retreat to the orphans of Liberia.  With first hand knowledge and empathy, she described the war torn nation and the little children who have nothing.  What a sobering matter it is to consider the abject poverty and desolation of that country and the tens of thousands of orphans and ravaged families and the horrific conditions most of the people and orphan children of Liberia endure until their death.  It was timely to hear of the Campbell's and one of their daughter's (and her family) decision to adopt children, as our friends are finalizing preparations for the adoption of two little boys from Liberia.  I decided to post a page dedicated to adoption and will add links and resources ASAP as time allows.  I feel like I am learning a whole new language---a situation I never understood existed has been suddenly in the last few months brought to light from a few different angles.  It's remarkable.  And I fret over shelves and socks and stacks of stuff.

I came home with a stack of pictures of the little children, magazines, booklets, and Debi Pearl books.  And sweet memories of the retreat and conversations I so enjoyed linger in my mind as I have been going about my work here in our home.  So, in my best Nancy Campbell, I greeted my husband: hehlllloo, dahling, I've bēēn waiting for yeuoo!   Ah yes... and that love affair.
 

June 3-4, 2005  The Above Rubies Retreat...  and my first trip to Ikea on the way down through Seattle today.  The only thing better would be a trip to Harrison Hot Springs---but Wes is digging around in a pool, so... that trip will have to wait!   O, what a blessing it would be to have time... lots of time together and then I'd even like to have a few hours to catch up on a good deal of reading that's in the stack and then net time... the Mommy Life blog and other links that've stacked up and then: correspondence--I'm sorely lacking in this area.   But for today, I have a few minutes to spend with the children, to cut some roses to bring inside and grab a few things before heading out.  It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

June 2, 2005  Many doctor's appointments and house keeping needs prevents blogging.  I was just remarking to my mother... what a remarkable time to be alive.  The advances in technology are astounding.  As Naomi sat with the audiologist, the wires inserted in her ears were transmitting different sorts of sounds and her hearing was measured and recorded on the computer and a printout revealed the results.  As I have each time, I swallowed hard at the results and recognized that God in His wisdom has created her wonderfully, marvelously and perfectly just as He planned for her life.  He gave her two beautiful ears... one is silent and one that must listen very carefully.  I loved seeing her exuberant expressions as she sought to indicate hearing.  There were long pauses with no indication... I covered my ears for the sound was piercing... but it wasn't to her.

  naomi and her starfish...

     I've been mulling over all the messages we heard throughout the conference in Oregon.  Sometimes there are so many good messages, the information/inspiration overload begins feel sort of like a spiritual or blessing avalanche.  Is that possible?  A blessing avalanche.  I guess "flood" sings better than avalanche---but the blessings were more than a flood---and I sure needed them---or perhaps I need them more now.  There's always a bit of a risk involved in journey's like that.  The risk is worth taking even though there's always the inevitable low following such a time.  Not negative, draining sort of low, but a longing for more of whatever it was that was experienced.  One thing I am coming to recognize about retreats and vacations and conferences is that what's learned or shared or decided there is infinitely worth more than whatever difficulty or obstruction that may have thwarted the occasion.  So it was, again this past weekend, during the good messages and wonderful music.  What a blessing it is to take time away.

      As if last weekend and the previous retreats weren't enough... I'm sure looking forward to attending the Above Rubies - Nancy Campbell ladies retreat this weekend.  I'm looking forward to time with Kathryn and time with friends.  I'm humbled at God's mercy and His graciousness toward me in the gifts He's given.  One, in particular, this precious daughter and friend---truly, my dear friend.  Her middle name is Grace---and I'm increasingly aware of the gift she is and how her life and influence on mine becomes more meaningful with the passing of years. 

      So, we'll attend the retreat... and it'll likely be a very important time of instruction and encouragement---not only for us, but for all who attend.    I know many women are so looking forward to spending time there as they seek to better know the LORD's will for them and for their role in the home.  There are controversies or conflicts that might make women wonder if they ought to attend retreats or conferences... and as I've considered some of the comments I've encountered, I guess I've just come to believe that there are many valuable lessons in the messages that are shared at women's retreats.   Often, significant decisions or resolutions are made in hearts---sometimes women hear things for the first time.  I mean they've perhaps "heard" the words before, but never have their hearts been receptive to the Truths of God's Word and suddenly it's as if scales are removed from eyes and faith becomes sight.  We all need good strong teaching as we seek to serve the LORD as we serve our families and keep our homes.  One thing I do know is that the world is sure not going to inspire us to do what we ought and our nature is not necessarily going to compel us toward excellence---at least not with, or because of, a meek and humble spirit----pride maybe, but not humility.
 

June 1, 2005   Well, so, all that happened.  After a wonderful weekend away, we're back home getting settled into the "normal" routine.  Normal brings changes all the time... and that's what normal is for us.  Normal changes.  It's normal for children to have many clothes changes every day.  It is normal to have many changes in the appearance of the home from hour to hour.  It's also normal to have many schedule changes during each day----so it's been a very normal day.  We loved our time in Oregon and the wonderful visits with friends, but it's also such a great thing to be home and to embrace and tackle those things we were glad to leave for a few days---for we know: no matter where we roam, there's no place like home.  In addition to the buckets of sand in the van and in the clothes, we brought home many memories and great stories, and the washer has been going non-stop, thanks to Hannah.

It was terrific time traveling to the Oregon Coast for the Shield of Faith conference at Twin Rocks which is a Friends Camp and Conference Center---though Shield of Faith is not directly affiliated with Friends---it's where the conference is held each year.

We packed and left our home in near record time as the sun was coming up
and we enjoyed a virtually "traffic free" ride down the coast!  Be fore we actually
got to the beach, we made a stop in Astoria where we climbed the 164 steps
to the top of the Astoria Column.
 
Some of our boys were 'holding up' the canoe... then up the tower steps we skipped...
The view was spectacular!
   
When I got to the top of the Column, I looked down and was so glad
Wes called the aid car!  ;-)   At about the 120th step,
I thought I'd never make it to the top!
 
Then it was time to make our way down the coast (in our van, not in the aid car!) and to make a stop for lunch and playtime at the beach! No one minded that the water was cold...

 
After  windy, fun beach play, we loaded up the cooler, the baskets, and a couple of bucketfuls of sand (for the floor of the van) and we headed for the campground (and showers!)  Hundreds of pics were taken... and many would be fun to share, but there are too many for me to choose just a few... so I've decided to only include these few.

On the last day of camp, we all enjoyed a barbecue picnic lunch.  Wes talks with an especially dear missionary friend...
and we all enjoyed the visit and lunch on the lawn.

'melia and nathanael (our grandson)


a time for Kathryn to see some special girlfriends...
 
everyone had a wonderful time... poor little 'melia hardly
made it through the meal before dropping off to sleep!


 back home again.