Give Thanks Always!

Vervain

2012-01-09T19:54:00.000-08:00

Vervain: (verbena officinalis) original flower essence.

I got this little bottle of vervain, which is one of those Holistic remedies they have for just about anything that ails ya. This one is for naturally occurring nervous tension. It's supposed to "help you relax when you are over enthusiastic or strongly driven." Worth a try, I thought a few years ago when I purchased it.

But here's the rub. The directions say, "Take 2 drops in water and sip at intervals... take a minimum of 4 drops 4 times a day." First of all, I don't sip water. I guzzle it. Mostly because if I wanted to sip something, it would be hot and tasty, like coffee. Not water. Water is to hydrate. And water only satisfies me when it's really flowing into my dry, parched mouth and throat. It's functional, not tea-time stuff.

Maybe the truth is, I am too over enthusiastic and strongly driven to sip a glass of water 16 times a day!

Well, today my Vervain-ian dilemma ended when I over enthusiastically grabbed something off the shelf and knocked said calming potion down, causing the calming fluids to flow all over my floor.

And the bottle was good til Dec. 2014! I had another 2 years before I had to throw it away.

Oh, Vervain, you were all in vain!!!

Courage

2012-01-07T19:56:00.000-08:00

I got to read Bible stories to the grandkids this week. This, by the way, is a great way to start a New Year!

In the Bible, God called Joshua to fill in for Moses and to take a new land full of wild animals and huge enemies. Reading it this year, I was reminded of the paraphrased, kid-friendly version we did of what God said in Josh. 1:9

"DON'T BE AFRAID, AND NEVER GIVE UP; THE LORD YOUR GOD GOES WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO." Joshua 1:9

Well, it seems that little Miles (2 year old) was listening. On leaving a restaurant, we ran into a very big sheepdog of some variety. The owner was insisting that it was friendly, as almost all owners do, but Miles was convinced of 2 things. This was a wolf, and it wanted to eat him. Miles was afraid of that with Shorty, Umpa's little dog, as well, but, well, I won't go there.

Anyway, this dog stands up and it's pretty much nose to nose with little Mi-Mi. It IS a big dog! Then Miles went toe to toe, nose to nose, with that hairy beast. Wagging his finger in it's face, Miles firmly said, "NO EAT ME, WOLF!"

You go, Miles!

TAKE COURAGE, DON'T BE AFRAID, AND NEVER GIVE UP, THE LORD YOUR GOD GOES WITH YOU, WHEREVER YOU GO!

Advent word...

2011-12-18T09:01:00.001-08:00

I got this passage in one of my advent readings this week. It actually wasn't a new passage to me, but it seemed as if, at the right time, God pulled it out of the recesses of my addled mind, dusted it off, and said- Now OWN it!

It turned out to be a Word for a small group at my house as well, as the message was in line with this- and so I was able to pass it on. If nothing in it touches you, I hope you can be encouraged by the fact that there is nothing you go through that God doesn't have a Word of life in it for you. He has a specific word for your specific situation.

That's why He came. That's why He died. And that's why He rose.

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF JESUS!

Isaiah 61:4-10

" Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed.

Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame;

For you will forget the shame of your youth;

And will not remember the reproach of

your widowhood anymore;

For your Maker is your Husband,

The Lord of hosts is His name;

And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;

He is called the God of the whole earth.

For the Lord has called you

Like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit,

Like a youthful wife when you were refused,"

Says your God.

"For a mere moment I have forsaken you,

But with great mercies I will gather you.

With a little wrath I hid My face from you

for a moment;

But with everlasting kindness I will

have mercy on you."

Says the Lord, your Redeemer.

"For this is like the waters of Noah to Me;

For as I have sworn

That the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth,

So have I sworn

That I will not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.

For the mountains shall depart

And the hills be removed,

But My kindness shall not depart

From you,

Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed."

Says the Lord, who has mercy on you.

Little brothers

2011-12-09T21:34:00.000-08:00

Jack and Miles were having a great time playing boy with kitty in tow one day. Jack was the boy and Miles the kitty. Jack calling kitty and holding the back of Miles' shirt while Mi-Mi crawled through the house by Jack's side. They were all up and down the hall and in and out of the room for a good 1/2 hour or so, which, anyone knows, is a very long time for a 2 and 4 year old to stay at one thing. Jack had a name for him, which I forgot, so I will say it's Timothy.

After a while, they were both sitting in the living room, Jack on the couch and Mi-Mi playing with bristle blocks. Jack called, "Timothy," as he'd been doing.

To which Miles yelled abruptly and angrily , "NO! Me NO Tim-thy! Me Miows.! ( 2 yr. old for Miles)

A quiet pause, then Jack in matter-of-fact tone stated, "So. You're not playing kitty anymore, then."

Jack and Miles!

What child is this?

2011-12-09T06:10:00.000-08:00

"...And a little child will lead them.." Isaiah 11:6

Luke 10:21 And Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit in that hour and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.

Is. 12:3 " For Yah, the Lord is my strength and my song;

He has become my salvation.

Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

I WILL GREATLY rejoice in the Lord;

My soul SHALL be joyful in my God.

For as the earth brings forth it's bud,

As the garden causes things that are in it to spring forth,

So the Lord will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all nations."

Spring forth, Lord. Stir up the innocent child within us. That part made in the image and likeness of God..

Let us rest on your chest as the lamb on the Shepherd's. And then lead me, show me, humble me to be like a child that I might enter in to the joy of Your kingdom, that kingdom which is upon us as we birth Your Son in us.

As Mary did on that first Christmas, may we say today, "I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me as You have said."

For in the birthing of Jesus is the birthing of true Joy!

Advent in Cell 92- Jay Cormier

2011-12-05T06:06:00.000-08:00

This morning's devotional had in it the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran preacher who was arrested and executed by the Nazis in 1945 for opposing their atrocities.

37 years old and engaged, he wrote to his beloved Maria,

"I used to be very fond of thinking up and buying presents, but now that we have nothing to give, the gift God gave us in the birth of Christ will seem all the more glorious; the emptier our hands, the better we understand what Luther meant by his dying words, ' We're all beggars, it's true."

The poorer our quarters, the more clearly we perceive that our hearts should be Christ's home on earth."

Jay Cormier, the author, adds this: " From a prison cell, a young pastor proclaims the uncompromising hope and unconditional love of Advent. ....

these days of Advent also invite us to embrace the poverty of the Christ Child who comes to illuminate the poor stables of our own lives with the light of God's hope and grace.

Come, Lord Jesus, and release us from our prisons of fear and disappointment; fill our empty spirits with your compassion and grace."

Advent & New Life

2011-12-03T06:40:00.000-08:00

My younger daughter, Rosie, is having a baby. She's ripe with life, a precious baby growing inside of her. She's an awesome nurturer, giving love and patience to her 4 and 2 year olds while trudging along with baby in belly.

I'm using this blog to process this morning. I read on FB about how much more important it is to focus on the 2nd coming of Christ. And I ask myself , "How important is Christmas, really?"

Got an Advent booklet in the mail. I'm thinking of the old man, Simeon, who waited all his life to see the Savior. When he saw the baby Jesus, he was filled with joy, prophesied over him, and was at peace.

Advent (from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming")

The subtitle of my booklet says, "Waiting in Joyful Hope."

Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy kingdom come..."

When 2 or 3 gather in His name, He is there. He comes. He is in us, but a special "visitation" of His Spirit comes."

In the birth of a child, His coming to us with that gift fills us with Joy.

Isaiah 11:6 says, "... and a little child shall lead them."

Jesus said, "Unless you become like a little child, you shall not enter the kingdom of God."

Our denomination- the Vineyard talks about the now and the not yet..."

As in His kingdom is upon us, but the fullness of that Kingdom, where ALL disease, suffering, etc. is abolished, is not yet here.

Might the looking back on the "Joy to the World" brought by the birth of Jesus, be just as important for what we need now- that Peace on earth in our hearts, that stirring of Good will to all men, and that Joy of a little child over this special Birthday Celebration- as the next coming of our lord?

"THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH.'

May He strengthen you with His joy, that you might enter into a true celebration of Christmas!

2011-11-25T22:16:00.000-08:00

Seeing as the title of my blog is Give Thanks Always, I feel remiss in having skipped so many Thanksgivings in my postings. Normally, I'd do a stint with guilt at this point, but that would DEFINITELY not be true to my title.

Instead, I want to give thanks that my life is so full, my family so big, that I've had the blessing of being surrounded by many of them and kept busy with them through most of my holidays!

For this I give thanks to the Lord!!

My kids are here, healthy, and grandkids are so ridiculously cute, that I again, give thanks to the Lord.

And though my daughter, Rosie, Justin, and my sweet blue-eyed grandkids aren't here, and I do miss them, I give thanks that I got to talk with Rosie, share my gravy-making ideas and hear her voice!

I am also thankful for all of you people who care about me and my life so much that you'd bother to read this. I really am! God's blessing to you all!

Lastly, I am so thankful that my family all pulled together to prepare a feast, and set the tables so well, trying to fill the void that GG has left, and for a dear sister-in-law, like a sister, and sisters with whom I could cry as we missed Mom. Thankful for the memories and spirit of love, respect, and forgiveness that she left us. Thankful for such a high mark to try to reach in terms of being a wonderful human being.

And thankful for her legacy of loving Jesus and living for Him. I love you, Mom!

Happy Thanksgiving, All!

Health Quote

2011-11-16T19:38:00.000-08:00

Our staff development meeting included a video on health.

Quote from the speaker, "Never touch anything that comes out of someone else's body."

I love it!

Reminded me of the kid's song, "poop goes in the potty, poop goes in the potty, ..."

Oh, and then, "And never let anyone touch anything that comes out of your body."

I think this might beat out " An apple a day keeps the Doctor away."

Of Minor Issues...?

2011-11-12T06:11:00.000-08:00

"Reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated."

I believe it was Mark Twain.

To Mark I say, "I hear you barking, Big Dog!"

Don't know why, but I've resurrected the latter phrase from the recesses of my addled memory.

Why do I say this? Everyone is making a big deal out of the fact that my blood pressure is high, that I got vertigo, threw up the school, and had to go to the emergency.

YEA, because there was no doctor on call on a Monday morning at 9, nor would there be any until 11:00!!! And there is no Urgent Care available on my insurance until after 6 P.M.

So poor Holy Cross is not only taking everyone, with or without insurance, but also being used as an Urgent Care for much of the Valley. I could go on about how other hospitals here have closed their emergency rooms and the unfair politics, and why you should support your local Catholic, other Hospitals, but I will spare those of you who haven't already hung up.

It's my blog and I'll vent if I want to. vent if I want to, vent if I want to, you would vent to if it happened to you!" (any of you who didn't get it- the tune is from song in 60's- "It's my party..")

Anyway I got to know a couple of very nice people in "emergency" and even saw the dad and brother of an old childhood friend.

I remind me of my Mom now, when I'd worry about her wheezing and shortness of breath.

She's sluff it off, saying, "It's only breathing."

IT'S ONLY MY HEART!!!

WHOA, better calm down, don't want the old ticker to get whacked out.

For those of you who are Everybody Loves Raymond fans, I'm switching Doctors, just so you know.

I'm Okay!

2011-11-09T12:44:00.001-08:00

When I called Marlene this morning to tell her I wasn't killed in the night, she laughed. Funny how news of one's survival can really cheer people up!

Then she told me that she figured that, because if I was gonna die I would've called to let her know.

Sisters really know us well, eh?

(If confused, see previous post)

Weird call....

2011-11-08T20:43:00.000-08:00

Just got a weird call that I think was gonna lead into obscene before I was able to knock it off it's tracks. What bothers me is that, thinking it was someone I knew, I'd already answered his question as to my being home alone. I'd had vertigo and was relating to his being sick. I'd thought that he was worried about me being home alone with dizziness. " Nice, thoughtful friend," I think. He then proceeds to start telling me about a dream he had with me in it. I'm starting to get very suspicious.

"Are you sure you're my friend, Juan, who is planning to be a priest?" I ask.

"Oh yes," answered wolf in Juan's clothing, or rather, bad voice. But after all, he did say he was getting over a cold and sore throat.....

When he got to the part about a short sundress, and asked how short I liked them, I then cut in with, "maybe you shouldn't tell me this dream, Juan. Maybe you should talk to some guys about it." Which is when his train track derailed- he hung up, with the phone making a couple weird noises. Which is when I suddenly realized that that wasn't Juan's voice at all, and became very spooked out!

Oh the depths of my naïveté! (Yes, I wanted to write that word, and so looked it up and it actually had the accent marks! But that's besides the point!)

I cannot for the life of me figure out how I, with 5 brothers who love to make up stories just to see if you'd fall for it, can be so darned gullible!!!!!!

In the end, I called Marlene and Tony, told them, and had Marlene pray for me. I locked up the house, turned on outside lights, and checked to see that I hadn't sent out my cell number with the invite to my house I'd sent via email to some 30 people.

Marlene did invite me to sleep there, but I opted for her keeping phone close so that, if, in the middle of the night I got attacked, I could call them.

So how's that for a change from Kinder stories?

Sleep safely, all! If you hear from me again, then I'm okay.........

A no-brain-er

2011-11-03T22:28:00.000-07:00

We have a time in our class when the children are asked to think, then share with a partner their thoughts on a subject. Today's was," what are some ways you can help at home or in your community?" Having already read the story which gave several examples, I knew most of them would steal from it. I'd also already talked about ways we help when we clean up, pick up toys, etc.

A no-brain-er, right?

One little angel surprised me with her sweetness when she says she helps her grandpa by packing a lunch and giving it to him before he goes to work. Too sweet, eh? Accompanied by a huge, dimple-bearing grin, you could feel the love she has for him.

But Andrew and his partner were silent.

When asked to share with his partner, Andrew quickly and in a very matter of fact tone, said, "I have no brain."

I know just how he feels!

Lucy and Me

2011-10-17T21:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, so she definitely has a different mouth, and other stuff, but don'cha think she looks a little like me. I found that I only call 2 of my grand kids "Little" at times. I didn't even know what I meant by it. The other one is Selah Paix.

Rosie said maybe it was a feeling that they are "Little" versions of me. I'm not sure, but I didn't even realize it 'til I said it when both girls were in the room and they both answered.

(Selah isn't pictured on this post in deference to parent's privacy concerns.)

I think I identify with aspects of both of their personalities, and they are my little sweetie-pies.

I know, this should really be on my other blog-site. When I find the password, okay?)

But really, doesn't Lucy look a bit like me?

I'm just sayin.....

Rainy Days and 5 year old arguments

2011-10-05T22:19:00.000-07:00

So I got 6 new kids today in my Kinder class. 2 more criers. It was so bad that it overloaded the skies and burst the clouds. Which made several of them extremely happy, especially when we had to walk across campus through the rain.
On the way to lunch the line- because of it's excessive length, the fact that a couple of kids were "sneaking" into their lunches as we walked, and the stomper-into-the-puddlers, was moving at an extra slow crawl.
When I turned the corner around the 5th grade classroom, I caught Mr. Rhymer smiling as he overheard me shouting to the end of the line, "Walk normally, children." Which is when the irony of my comment hit me. What is a normal walk to a 5 year old?
I then noticed that one of my main puddle-stompers, Giovanni, was causing a traffic jam because his shoe was coming off. So I grabbed his little foot, feeling a bit like the blacksmiths of old must have felt when fixing a horse's shoe.
"This won't happen if you stop jumping in the puddles," I counseled.
"But I like puddles!" he innocently responds. I actually relate.
"I understand, but you can't do that in school. You can jump in them at your home." (I know some parents wouldn't appreciate that advice, and they're probably right, it just seemed like a good response at the time.)
Giovanni thinks, then counters with, "There aren't any puddles at my casa!"
Outwitted at my own game! No wonder they demoted me!

1st Week of Kindergarten

2011-09-22T21:04:00.000-07:00

Day one- only 3 criers, 2 had to be pried from Mother's legs and held onto. Fortunately, the "Stockholm Syndrome" is still intact, and the same frightened little lambs were then clinging to me in the room.( In psychology, Stockholm syndrome is a term used to describe a real paradoxical psychological phenomenon wherein hostages express empathy and have positive feelings towards their captors, sometimes to the point of defending them. These feelings are generally considered irrational in light of the danger or risk endured by the victims, who essentially mistake a lack of abuse from their captors for an act of kindness)
Except Giovanna, who cried pretty much through the day.
Day 2 - 6 criers today. Starting with Giovanna, and after prying Kayla off Mom ma's leg, just before she tripped Momma with baby, when 2 boys saw 2 other kids from another class having a meltdown, which triggered theirs.
Again, once safely in room, with doors closed to prevent escape, Stockholm ruled until recess. Recess, new kid got lost- we never found out where, but showed up at our door 20 minutes later. (Help to find him showed up 30 minutes later....) once safely inside, the tears started rolling.
Then came a 2-for-one deal, as the twins came out of the Auditorium, after lunch and a movie (as it was 100 plus outside,) sobbing.
One twin had other by the hand, dragging him past all the lines, saying something in Spanish, like" You no gusta es escuela, yo quiero va mi casa!" between sobs. ( He wanted to go home.) Turns out, they were afraid of the dark. At least one of them was. The other wouldn't speak...
Day 3, back down to 2 criers again, with Giovanni encouraging herself through the minutes and encouraging herself and us when she made it an hour without tears. "Look, I'm not crying, "she announces happily, yet still shakily..
I had to lower the rules boom and get very stern with Maite, who wouldn't stop interrupting. "Wait your turn to talk, raise your hand..... Blah, blah," my lecture went. Finally Maite gets it. Her hand went up and there was no yelling . I gotta reinforce this behavior I think. "
"yes Maite?" I query.
"My dog used to poop in my room." she announces, somewhat proudly??!!
"Your dog pooped in your room?" I mistakenly respond.
:Yes and I stepped in it!"
I KNOW, I'm supposed to feel more sorry for THEM! But the truth is, they will never remember this week after a year from now. Just the impression of a good or bad kindergarten, (a good or bad prison guard who didn't torture us tooo much.
They all will find out that Mommy really does come back every day and gets them.
But me, well, let me just quote the Red Queen and her husband in Alice in Wonderland, "The horror of that moment, I shall never forget," says the Queen.
"You will, my dear, if you don't make a memorandum of it!!"

Aunt Cookie

2011-09-10T22:17:00.001-07:00

Everyone should have one. My sister-in-law, real name of Carol, is a gracious and friendly lady who seems to really get a kick out of the little ones. And they eat it up. Here's a few shots of her and Miles visiting. Lucy snuggled up to her also, but the older boys were busy chasing down bugs outside. She made fast friends with them, however, when they found her "pet" baby lizard that lives under one of her planted pots in the yard!
It was a lovely visit. I wish we could see more of our Paulson relatives.

Poppy's

2011-08-29T07:52:00.000-07:00

One side trip we made this summer was to the girl's Grandpa Paulson and Aunt Cookie in Santa Marie.
A dear man we love and don't see enough of.
Last year, Jack was so enthralled with his "Poppy,' that he kept smiling at him and jumping in his lap. This year, instead of stopping on the way up, we went on our way back. It had been a week and a morning driving, and Jacky was missing his daddy. So when Sarah told him we'd stop to see Poppy first, his response was, "I want to see my normal daddy."
This time, it was the 2 year old who spent time entertaining Poppy.
We had a nice visit with him and my sister-in-law, Carol, aka, Aunt Cookie. ( Pictures to follow on her.)
As Bowden once said about him and his siblings, "We love our 'chuthers."

Kim Walker - How He loves usDedicated to Lulu

2011-08-24T06:18:00.000-07:00

I've been drawn to this song ever since the week I posted this. It makes me fall in love with Jesus again..
When I was up visiting Rosie, we went to her church and they were playing this in worship. I again was feeling His love and loving Him, when Rosie whispered to me- "Diana was singing this to GiGi over the phone in the hospital." It was the hours of her last breaths.
Knowing how much my mom loved Lulu, and how much she loved Jesus and worship songs, I began to cry. What an exquisite gift! My niece, in her sincere, beautiful and sweet voice- a voice gentle enough for my mom to love, ushering her into the very presence of God on the Wings of Worship.
We both cried, but really these for me were tears of gratitude. For my mom, now in glory doing what she's always loved to do, and being enveloped in God's tremendous love. And for my radical, in-love-with-Jesus niece, letting her gifts draw others to that love, and giving back to a grandma who loved her so.

Finally got Pictures

2011-08-20T21:30:00.001-07:00

Sorry, all you millions of fans, for dropping the post ball once again.

I''ve spent this summer in and out of town, teacher trainings and vacationing with the grandkids.

Got close to 400 pics. Watch out world, Nanny-mania is here.

Fortunately for you, I cannot download very many at a time, this here machine's too slow for me. And Rosie's babies will be on my Nanny's blessing site, which, if you e-mail me, I'll add your address to that site so you can see them.

I'm starting with the travel. With 4 little ones up the spine of California. Bowden thought the hotel was "awesome" because of it's soap, shampoo, and conditioner dispenser-IN THE BATHTUB.! He said this was the best hotel room he'd ever been in-no offense to Gorman. (which was really pathetic) The kids cuddled up in bed after a chilly 1/2 hour swim in the pool on a very cold morning. But it didn't matter 'cause they got to swim in the pool!!!!!

Long trips are so much fun. (sarcasm) We navigated to find McDonalds with play areas to let the Tater tots work off some energy.
Lucy, my little princess, is a sweetheart!

Jack, on the Hiking trail

2011-07-23T22:46:00.000-07:00

"See that wood on the side? That holds up the trail. It holds us up. 'Cuz if it didn't, we would roll down the hill like a baseball."

Bill Cosby

2011-07-23T22:27:00.000-07:00

The first album I ever bought was Bill Cosby's.

First favorite quote, "Noah.... ( After Noah got mad and went into a complaint to God,)

" How long can you tread water?"

Tonight I saw a tribute to this great comedian. Heard another good one by Bill Cosby.

"Don't play the moment, find the honesty in the moment; that's where the humor is."

For example, when George Washington said, "Father, I cannot tell a lie, I cut down the cherry tree." Bill says, "They never give that Father credit, he let that boy live! "

And then, "Of course you cannot tell a lie, the tree's cut down, and you're the only kid!"

Honesty in the moment!

I think my brother Lem does this well. So does my cousin, John Butler.

I also think this can be a work of grace- the ability to lighten things up.

We need these people, just so we can keep treading water.

Got my grandkid fix!

2011-07-18T21:20:00.000-07:00

Spent about a week with Selah and Isai, Rosie and Justin, and then the next with Bowden, Lucy, Jack, Miles and parents. It was wonderful to see them all, been too long. Even though the little Paulson-Wentzel kids were sick, they still functioned pretty well in the daytime and were a real joy. Poor Mommy and Daddy. Remember those sleep deprived years? All I can say to you kids is that when you come out the other side, they're worth it!

I've got a million great shots, but need to download them from my camera, which means finding the connector. Technology can be such a pain in the rear. Or is it my bad memory??? I don't know, can't remember.

Stats on Skydiving

2011-07-14T21:50:00.000-07:00

Sorry to all my faithful readers. I was busy discussing skydiving with a friend who was asking about the death incidents and looked up this article. I then copied and pasted it here, omitting the reference and fact that it's an article. Plagiarism was not my intent, and I'm sorry to say I don't have the author's name. It was one of the first references on google search, though. And I presume you could look up the United States Parachuting Association to verify the info.

Then you can come diving with me!!!! ( bold print just showed up- no really!)

Risk of Skydiving Accidents

Skydiving is a remarkably popular sport. The United States Parachuting Association has 34,000 members. It estimates that about 350,000 people complete more than 3 million jumps in a typical year.

The big question is always, "How dangerous is skydiving?" Each year, about 30 people die in parachuting accidents in the United States, or roughly one person per 100,000 jumps. Look at the US Skydiving Incident Reports to get an idea of the types of problems that lead to fatalities. If you make one jump in a year, your chance of dying is 1 in 100,000.

How does the fatality rate in skydiving compare to other common activities? Since most adults in America drive cars, let's compare skydiving to driving. Roughly 40,000 people die each year in traffic accidents in the United States [ref]. That's 1.7 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles. Therefore, if you drive 10,000 miles per year, your chance of dying in a car wreck in any given year is something like 1 in 6,000. In other words, we accept a higher level of risk by getting into our cars every day than people do by occasionally skydiving. You would have to jump 17 times per year for your risk of dying in a skydiving accident to equal your risk of dying in a car accident if you drive 10,000 miles per year.

A logical question to ask here is this: Given these statistics, why do we think of skydiving as dangerous and driving a car as safe?

The first reason has to do with frequency. At 30 per year, fatal skydiving accidents are infrequent. That tends to make each one newsworthy, so you are likely to hear about them. On the other hand, there are about 110 fatal car accidents every day in the United States. In a city of one million people, 160 people die every year in car accidents. If you heard about every car accident, you would go insane, so you only hear about a few of them. That leaves you with the impression that car accidents are infrequent even though they happen constantly.
The second reason has to do with familiarity. Most people drive every day and nothing bad happens. So our personal experience leads us to believe that driving is safe. It is only when you look at the aggregated statistics that you realize how dangerous driving really is.

For more information on skydiving and related topics, check out the links on the next page.

Skydiving, my first time...

2011-06-23T22:05:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I didn't have a date. The guy posing with me was one of 2 British gents that sky dove with us in our plane. He was pleasant and friendly, and I asked him to pose with me as a memorial of having done it with the Brits. (NO,. not like that!) His name was, wait, I'm looking it up... Andrew.

To get pictures of me with the 2 friends I went with, you'll have to go on Facebook. They took them with their cameras, and I've yet to get them to my computer.

The guy flying through the air with me-Or, if you prefer, plummeting to the ground with me, was my "expert." His name is Josh and he was supportive and comfortable. Good thing, eh? It's called tandem and made for no worries for me. I didn't even have to open the shoot, although I did get to make it turn a couple of times, which was really fun! (My favorite word, girls- it had to get in here somewhere, eh?)
I cannot describe in words the absolute, hilarious thrill it was! I think I was screaming, and then yelling and laughing. I remember at one point, after the shoot had opened and we could actually hear each other, telling Josh, " Now I know why the birds do it!" When I landed I felt drunk with the euphoria of the experience.

I was initially chagrined at myself afterwards for not having worshipped on the way down. I just kept emoting and laughing. I wanted to take it all in. Like a child with their face pasted to the airplane window, only there was no window!

The interesting thing to me, when viewing the video, was that, when I landed, what I said was, "It was HEAVENLY!"

I wonder if I ever said, "Oh the Glory!" as I emoted? What do ya think, Josh?

UPdate

2011-05-15T20:01:00.000-07:00

Baby steps- I planted seeds, and found great deals at COSTCO for the avocado tree I've been wanting forever, and for an orange tree.

Figured with all the orange loving family members, and living in So. Cal, what the hey?

Just got back from my oldest brothers for a Fusano Gold Dig, or Odee weekend, whichever you chose to call it.

Crue and Betty, with help from my other brothers and others, did an awesome job in setting everything up, cooking, roasting a great pig. etc.

And the food was off the charts great, thanks to all the great Italian, and other cooks bringing, sending stuff. I'm afraid to list them, because I don't know the Italian spellings.

I was grateful to have Rosie, and to see Selah and Isai! Missed some others.

Hope somebody got pictures to post, as I didn't.

Thank God for family, for the comfort and understanding that only comes from a childhood shared, and Aunts, Uncles, Moms and Dads, Grandparents loved together.

Pray for Aunt Angie. And "Godda Bless!"

New life

2011-05-07T08:57:00.000-07:00

We're almost into the longest days of the year, and everything around me that's given a chance is growing.

I keep looking at the weed-infested pots that used to have herbs, plants or flowers in my back yard. I finally threw out a long, dead, ugly weed that I'd uprooted a couple of weeks ago and left.

Got the soil, the seeds, and even the flower food already. Do I have time to plant today?

Why am I sitting and looking at the old, dead stuff? Spring is here now, the season has changed.

Read these 2 quotes today:

"In this season, I can hear Jesus gentle rebuke for my all too human need for identification with sin and suffering. He wants me to partake of the fruit of His suffering, the joy of new life. Perhaps that is why St. Paul consistently reminds us that 'we too have been raised with Christ,' and as a result can and must 'set our hearts on the things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with God in Christ' (Col. 3: 1-3)

I pray for new eyes with which to see the fruit of His suffering. May we walk onto the new ground that Resurrection has won for us. "
Andrew Cominsky

'New life means that forces for life can now be seen within you, that something of God and Heaven, something holy can grow in you. It is no longer the sinful desires that have power, but Christ's resurrection, and His life, which leads you to wholeness. He has laid the foundation for a completely new life, a new order. In Him we can become completely different men and women in the very depths of our beings.' Christoph Blumhardt

It's Sunday

2011-04-24T21:05:00.001-07:00

Words to Easter Song:
"Here the bells ringing; they're singing that we can be born again;

Hear the bells ringing, they're singing Christ has risen from the dead;

The angels up on the tombstone said Jesus Christ is no longer dead;

Quickly now, go tell his disciples that He has risen just as He said,

Joy to the world, He has risen, Hallelujah, He's risen, Hallelujah;

He's risen, Hallelujah."

Got a new sympathy card last night.

On it was this:

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23 :6

Even now as I write what so comforted me this morning, the singing that made me feel the joy of my mom's resurrection, I watch the Passion.

Death and resurrection, mourning and joy, loss and gain.

The scripture God gave us for mom, before her passing, "To live is Christ, but to die is gain."

His blood given for me, for you, for all, that sins may be forgiven. The salt that would sting the wounds fills the tears we shed. I shed.

But if ever those words were true, they are surely true of my mom. Goodness and mercy did follow her, do follow her, all the days of her life!

And she now dwells in the house of the Lord forever.

And Jesus cries,"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing."

And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come."

Come to the cross, that you might know the resurrection.

Mom would want us to pray and not fight

2011-04-14T06:40:00.000-07:00

When my husband died, I prayed I would become a better, kinder person. And it seemed all hell broke loose.

It seems that certain people you lose rip your hearts out. It feels like Mom was our heart.

But Mom's heart, her desire for us to love, really does beat inside of us. Her upbringing formed us, and I can "hear" what she would say about things.

We've been reeling as a family. It seems as if all hell is breaking loose. so now we can see where we need to work. The gunk is brought up to clean it out.

The family priest and a dear friend of ours, asked me what my mom would want us to know about her. After much thought, I wrote this:

What Mom would want us to know about her. A very hard question, as she was so unassuming. It would be easier to list what mom wouldn't want made a big deal out of, but was: like the fact that she always smiled with such a loving look that everyone, from babies to old people, knew that she loved them. Or that she was always so busy looking out for other people's needs and trying to keep peace that she'd forget about herself. That she was a great card shark with an amazing memory, knowing how many of which kind of card was already played, and who drew or put down the last one.Or that she was a gracious loser but a terrible winner, as she'd laugh with glee over it.

That she was one of the most giving, forgiving, and life loving ladies I've ever known. That she was an excellent hostess and could make great spaghetti sauce as well as much more.

That she had a powerful childlike faith in a God who is Love, and out of that flowed a love and respect for others. I once asked Dad and her if they thought that God respected them. Someone had told me that, and I'd found it very hard to believe. Dad had the same look on his face that I had. But Mom spoke right out, “Of course He does!” Mom knew God in that way!

In terms of what I felt she'd want us to know, not about her, but it is what she lived, came to me the other morning as I was reading from 1 John,3:16 “In this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” She would want us to know that.

And v. 18, that we don't just love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. She would want us to know that her love for us wasn't just words, but actions and what she said was truth.

She would want us to know that she would help others willingly, cheerfully where she could, and that she lived a good life, and knew how to enjoy it. (Although she did fight with guilt over all kinds of things, usually stemming from her feeling like she could do more...)

She had a French saying she used quite often, “Se la vie.”

She enjoyed laughing, loving and eating. No wonder she did so well in an Italian family!

And when she got fed up, which she did, especially when her husband, John got into a teasing mode, she was know to throw an entire glass of water in his face. To which he would laugh, but also quit the teasing!

She would want us all to honor God, telling young newlywed women at showers, to pray, and to forgive.

She would want us to know that she always tried to not offend, and if she thought she did, or was told that she did, she did what she could to make it right.

She would want us to stop fighting, but remember, to keep in mind when others are crabby the pain that they're in and not take it to heart.

She used to remind me, when dealing with a person, or problem, of this slogan, “What's the problem, whose problem is it, and what can I do about it?”

Also, “Let go and Let God.” and for years, she would say, when dealing with a difficult situation, “PTLA.” which stood for "Praise the Lord, Anyway".

1 John 3:23 "And this is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His son, Jesus Christ and love one another as He gave us command."

Mom would want us to know that she loved us and that she wants us to love each other.

In Honor of My Mom

2011-04-05T22:41:00.000-07:00

Today was the day we had to let her go. What a very long day it's been. I think I imagine if I write long enough, or good enough, I can somehow rest.

Transitions, passings, seasons. The end of winter for her, and beginning of an eternal spring.

Being with her as she struggled for her last breaths, sad, but knowing she is out of her misery, and she will finally get the rest she so badly needed.

We love you, Mom. It was such an honor to have a Mother like you. One of the most loving, giving, and forgiving ladies I have ever known.

One whose faith is a shining testimony to us all.

One who prayed for us all, and believed that God's will is the best, and that He will bring all of her family to know Him.

Her beautiful smile and twinkle at silly jokes was a delight.

God bless you, Mom

May you sleep in Heavenly peace.

A Quote on the Real Battle

2011-03-17T21:42:00.000-07:00

The most terrible, persistent conflicts remain confined to our minds-the unseen warfare within. That is where our confrontation lies, where true liberation and true peace must come."

Jonathan Hunter, Pgs. 11,12 "Breaking Free Of the Spirit of Death."

And not enough time for some things....

2011-03-16T22:19:00.000-07:00

I just looked at my last post. For our fast-food society it is wayyyy to long, I'm afraid.

Sorry guys. It's a good thing I didn't read it at my talk at the weekend. Prayer words.

Unfortunately, you Bloggers got it. "Because this is my Blog"! I selfishly assert.

Anyway, as I delete 98% of all forwards I get, and don't have the patience for comments 1/2 as long at that last post, I feel like a hypocrite.

So, just know I agree with all who think I reallllly got carried away this time.

Lost sleep over playing with it, too.

So G-night, all- or none!

A TIME FOR EVERYTHING... in my words

2011-03-15T21:58:00.000-07:00

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

Scripture is in bold, my thoughts aren't.

To everything, there is a season,

And a time for every purpose under heaven;

A time to be born: to come to life, to live, abundantly, fully. To be born again.

and a time to die: A time to let the seed fall into the ground and die;

And a time to receive of the fruit of that seed's sacrifice.)

A time to plant: “Those who sow in tears...”

and a time to pluck up what is planted: “...shall reap in joy...”Psalms 126:5

A time to kill: to be crucified with Christ and to put on the altar stuff we need to offer up.

and a time to heal: to receive His beauty for our ashes, His Spirit of Praise for our heaviness

A time to break down: to pull down strongholds of lies , guilt, shame;

And a time to build up: to start over, to make of what we've got something new,

to build ourselves up in our faith.

A time to weep: to grieve, to look at the losses and be real with how we feel;

And a time to laugh: to get away and do something fun; to bask in His JOY:

to tell jokes and play;

A time to mourn: to let yourself feel what's beating on the door of your heart, to look at what comes up and cry out to Him with all of our negative emotions;

And a time to dance: to be happy again, to sing, to rejoice and party in His love.

A time to cast away stones: to cast your burdens on the Lord and let Him just carry you; to let go, and to let God.

And a time to gather stones,: A time to take inventory, to look at the hard stuff, and hold onto the good memories, what is helpful, peaceable,-to what really matters.

A time to embrace: to give and to receive the comfort of others; to embrace the pain and let the H.S. bring His Comfort and Love.

and a time refrain from embracing: to get to work, function and put the stuff on hold.

(Or as Ray Barone would say, “We all have feelings.. But there's a time to express them, and a time to keep all that crap inside.” )

A time to gain: to get gifts, to get stuff, relationships, families, identities, or careers;

And a time to lose: to lose it all only to find your life Hidden in Christ.

A time to keep: to keep things, to keep watch, to keep trying and praying and standing

And a time to throw away: To get rid of burdens that are not ours to bear, to throw off false responsibilities and the “garbage” in our lives.

A time to tear: to purge, to get rid of stuff ; to tear it up and throw it away;

To tear off the old garments: old mindsets that which will not be able to hold the New.

And a time to sew: to fix what can be fixed.

A time to keep silence: To stay out of it, to mind your own business, or to just sit with someone and listen without giving advice.

And a time to speak: to encourage, exhort, let the truth be known, stand up for righteousness, defend the poor, speak out the Words of life.

A time to love: to sit and love God and receive His love; to love our neighbor, the unlovely, and our enemies. To love ourselves.

And a time to hate: To hate the devastation Hell and it's forces have brought on those we love; to hate evil, to hate that which is evil in our own flesh enough to give it up.

A time of war: to do battle in prayer against that which is trying to steal, kill and destroy us and those we stand for. To take action against wrong and defend right.

And a time of peace: To seek rather to be loving than right in our relationships. To turn the other cheek, to bless and to understand, and to rest.

To receive the Peace that He gives to us, and to be at peace with our losses, with our God, and with ourselves.

9 What profit has the worker from that in which he labors?

( What's the point, what meaning is there in all of this? What do I really gain from all my hard work and all life's struggles?)

10 I have seen the God given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied:

(Let me see, Lord, what you want me to do, and what really matters)

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time......

(He's not going to waste a thing. He is in the business of redemption and can bring life out of death. He WILL work everything together for good.)

D-Day. (Italian for THE- day)

2011-03-11T05:56:00.000-08:00

It's March 11. 2011. 7 years and i still miss him. I still regret so much. I don't know about completion.Complete a phase, a leg, pass a baton?

But we won't be complete until we're with Him.

Dave is complete, then?

I hope so. This I know. He is comforted. He knows he is loved now.

I know this because of the comfort and love I have gotten from the Lord in these past 7 years.

I know this. Because as I kissed the cross; as offered up my pain, confusion, rantings, etc. to Him and chose to say that "this sucks, but You are Good. I don't get it, but I say, You are good, and I will praise you!" that elusive Peace that passes all understanding would come, and I would feel His heart of love for me, for David and for my kids.

Every good and perfect gift is from above. Children are a gift of God.

Today I reserve the right to ramble.

David was a gift of God. In the part of him that was made in the image and likeness of God, in the true self, he was wonderful!

And this year I realized something. He would want us to play Uno again!

"May the God of all peace fill you with all Hope and joy in believing so that you may abound in Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

I can't, He can, Let Him. Draw near to God in your pain, and He WILL draw near to you.

Overheard in a Kindergarten line

2011-03-07T18:41:00.000-08:00

"EEE, voo, EEE, voo, Rock you!" ( to the tune of, "We will, we will, rock you!" for those who don't speak Kinder-ese.)

One boy chanting to child in front of him repeatedly.

He taught it to me. It's "EEEE, VOO, EEEE, VOO."

All these years I had it wrong.

A time for War and a Time for Peace.

2011-03-06T20:11:00.000-08:00

For example. after church at Idyllwild Bible church, a hearty, multi-aged snowball fight erupted.

7 year olds against adults who had teens making snowballs for them.

And in between, a 19 month old would toddle up to one of our legs and let his little handful of snow rip. He would teeter off smiling after watching it spray!

And then there was Jack and his 3 year old counterpart, a sweet little blonde girl. They would clumsily bend down, scrunch up some snow into a, well, a snowball-ish thing, and then get up to 6 inches from each other and toss. Sometimes it would actually splatter against the target.

Very cute.

But the next thing I know, both were standing together, sucking on pieces of snow.

"What are you doing now, Jack," I ask.

"We're having a snow eating contest," was his reply and they contentedly sucked away.

A winner was never announced.

A Word Fitly Spoken

2011-03-01T07:07:00.000-08:00

In the beautiful journal Rosie gave me are little pearls of wisdom, hand picked and handwritten.

And always seeming to be just what I need.

Example:

I'd just written down this prayer:

" Pray and declare I will enter into the new God has. Pray that we would value life God is leading us into v.s. the life we are leaving behind."

And on the next page of my journal is a quote from EM Forster:

" We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us."

I'm keeping it short for ya, Sarah!

With Love to my kids.

My New Look

2011-02-26T22:40:00.000-08:00

Before, when I first moved in, this was how I found my backyard. SAD.

The "after" shots. A beautiful, quiet place complete with a singing aviary next door, friendly sparrows, hummingbirds, and the crowing of a rooster and clucking of hens from an adjacent coop. Soon to come, pics of my fountain.

My thanks, again, to my daughter, Sarah for helping me to give my blog a new look.

The picture is my backyard garden, which I love and need to spend more time in.

Here are some before and after pictures of when I moved in, and the backyard my gardener, kids, sister and I planned and put in. It was a great adventure! A wonderful transformation.

It's my oasis from life.

Almost March.

2011-02-22T20:35:00.000-08:00

Time is Marching on. I don't have much to say, but really wanted to get that sort of gross spinning picture off the top slot, even though it did convey the seriousness that I see displayed on some of said spinners.

It's almost March. 2011. 7 years. 7 is supposed to be a perfect number, a number of completion.

May it be so in our lives. New season, completed cycle, bring 8- the number of new beginnings on.

I'm supposed to speak on Ecclesiastes 3 at the upcoming women's retreat. On March 11th.

If anybody out there still visits here, please pray for me.

What are they thinking, asking me? Eccl. 3. The "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." passage.

Seeing as I don't really have any words to put to this,

I'll just quote it. And maybe you'll see something yourself.

"A time to be born,

And a time to die;

A time to plant,

And a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill,

And a time to heal;

A time to break down,

And a time to build up;

A time to weep,

And a time to laugh;

A time to mourn,

And a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones,

And a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace,

And a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain,

And a time to lose;

A time to keep,

And a time to throw away;

A time to tear,

And a time to sew;

A time to keep silence,

And a time to speak;

A time to love,

And a time to hate;

A time of war,

And a time of peace."

" He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end."

Spinning, not just an ordinary sport!

2011-02-02T21:52:00.000-08:00

I'm finally venturing into the torturous, but great workout- wise, aerobic spinning class again .

You know, the one where you spin around on a stationary bike like a mad hamster, going nowhere rapidly.

What I didn't know is that most spinners take this exercise VERY seriously!

I traipsed in 5 minutes late, adjusted my bike to the proper micro-size and got to "spinning." I even have trouble taking the name seriously. I either picture a bunch of grannys getting ready to knit or baby Miles and Isai when they spin around and around in circles until they lose their balance and fall with silly grins on their faces.

Back to spinning. Since I thought I would fall off the bike from sheer exhaustion last time after 30 minutes, I chose the empty front row, down on the bottom. Better to make an early escape, if needed.

The new "spinning" room is set up like a movie theater, with each row a step up and farther back so that we can all watch the video of a road flowing in front of us. Today's went beside a lake. In this way, you have the illusion that you actually ARE going somewhere. I think this is supposed to motivate you to go faster, thinking you're going farther. Or it's a distraction from the sheer boredom. At any rate, with the help of very upbeat music and motivational challenges from the instructor, I found that I made it the rest of the entire hour.

The video off, we all dismount and impulsively, I turned to 8 or 10 people behind me with the comment, "Don't feel bad that I won, I did have a head start."

The response was overwhelming in it's silence and the various looks I got. They ranged from disgust to confusion, with disdain, contempt, and disregard somewhere in the mix. I stifled my desire to announce that it was only a joke, and took a quick exit.

"That's a serious spinning class, " I told the guy at check out. He emphatically agreed, adding, "Yes, they are, and the early morning ones are the same way!"

So, FYI, don't mess with spinners, if ya know what's good for you!

Scarves

2011-01-26T06:08:00.000-08:00

I have a plethora of scarves. I almost have one for every outfit/ color. It's ridiculous!

Why am I blogging about this? This seems like the mundane kind of dribble usually thrown on Facebook, right?

Because of my blog's title.

This morning I started singing worship songs out loud, full force. I realized there's nobody else here, I can do this! (I sound really good by myself to myself. I love that illusion)

But it began to lift my spirits. As I glanced at a picture of my grand kids, I began to see each beautiful face and thank Him for them. Which turned into thanks for my kids, and wonderful sons-in-law, and home, and work and weather, and somehow ended up on my scarves .I love them! I love the warmth, the style, the absolute beauty of many! One was even MADE for me- thank you, Rosie! Others brought to me, from Israel, from India-incredible, intricate designs.

To quote Princess Bride, "Let me explain, no, it'll take too long, let me sum up."

I realized that I have never bought a scarf for myself in my life!

Every one of these was a gift! That many people love me and care about me!

I am very grateful this morning! The wind is calling outside, inviting me to wear another scarf!

Yeah, God!

Share me

2011-01-25T05:06:00.000-08:00

Share me

Grab ahold of Hope and secure it to your Heart

2011-01-21T06:16:00.000-08:00

" I will give her vineyards from there.

And the Valley of Achor (trouble) as a door of hope;

She shall sing there,

As in the days of her youth,

As in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt." Hosea 2:15

HOPE: tiqvah (teek-vah);

Strong's Concordance: Hope; expectation; something yearned for and anticipated eagerly; something for which one waits. Tiqvah comes from the verb qavah, meaning , " to wait for" or "to look hopefully" in a particular direction. Its original meaning was "to stretch like a rope" Tipvah occurs 33 times.

In Josh 2:18,21 it is translated "line" or "cord" Rahab was instructed to tie a scarlet tiqvah in her window as her hope for rescue.

Yahweh Himself is the hope of the Godly. (Ps.71:5) Here God's blessing on His land will transform the Valley of Achor ("trouble") into the "door of hope."

Grab on, make it fast

Lumbered

2011-01-17T22:01:00.000-08:00

I lumbered today. Took forever to get ever so little done. It was a lumbery, lumbery day.

(For more clarity, though I don't promise a lot- see my previous post)

MY class

2011-01-13T20:53:00.000-08:00

Me: The vocabulary word is "lumbered." To move slowly with great effort.

"The lion lumbered to his den at night after a long, hard day of hunting."

Child: My Dad does that!

Me: Does what?

Child: He lumbers!

To See Him is to See Love

2011-01-08T07:32:00.000-08:00

Quote from a reworded part of the Love chapter, 1 Cor. 13:

"LOVE DOESN'T WANT WHAT IT DOESN'T HAVE.....

We don’t yet see things clearly. We are squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing Him directly just as He knows us!

But, for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation:

“Trust steadily in God;
Hope unswervingly;
Love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.”

My revision:

"Love is so enamored with God and others that it cannot be jealous because it is so happy for the one who received the gift; and is so content in the arms of the Beloved that it can be satisfied within the wait for what the good Giver chooses to give."

Me quoting myself. Can you do that?

Beauty for Ashes

2011-01-07T07:53:00.000-08:00

I'm sharing my morning devotion, hot off the press.

After my last lament, I pushed myself to do my daily reading. I'm in the gospel of John, chapter 16.

And what verses jump out at me there? Our dear Lord Jesus saying:

" Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.

A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come, but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.

Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your joy no one will take from you....

" Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you,

... Ask, and you will receive, that your joy will be full."

A verse I got when David died was, "Unless a grain of wheat fall to the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain."

If we ask according to His will, He will do it. Father, I ask you to RESTORE.

I ask for resurrection to come and redeem the years the locusts have eaten.

You who are the resurrection and life, rise again. Give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

And make us repairers of breaches in other's lives. RESTORE O LORD, RESTORE!

Thank you for speaking to me this morning.

Sometimes a memory slugs you in the teeth...

2011-01-06T21:46:00.000-08:00

And other times it ambushes you and knocks the air out of you.

Sometimes a blog is just a blog and the title of the site cries out for more.

So I stop and think. And there is more, thank God, there's more.

"You give and you take away and I will bless your name."

Overheard at CHP office

2011-01-04T22:11:00.000-08:00

I don't know if you can plagiarize a concept, but if so, sorry to Josh Tate. He's the true inventor of the "overheard at" blog post.

Anyway, I overheard at a California Highway Patrol office these 2 gems:

" Now this is really a conflict of confusion here." Man arguing with desk officer about the handling of his problem.

Then, a woman to another clerk, " No, I just want you to throw him in the slimer."

Dec. 23- Christmas Grace

2011-01-03T07:57:00.000-08:00

I did get my tree up. "Just so you know." ( Quote from Everybody Loves Raymond. Just so you know.)

No, actually, my tree-up day was amazing. Of course amazing as in filled with grace!

I was able to deliver an important gift in the morning, one of those gifts that is so perfect it seems hand picked by God, to one who is so deserving and appreciative that it makes giving a pure joy.

Then I had the rest of the day to: finish shopping for Christmas gifts, wrap 'em, find a tree, get lights on, decorate the tree, clean house, and bring baked item to Christmas program at church by 6:30.

I also played this game I like, called, "Make 'em smile." As I went, I said "Merry Christmas" to as many people as opportunity afforded. Seeing their smiles and return greetings is great. At one point when I jumped out of my car, a disgruntled lady was laying on her horn trying to get some people to move faster. Her window down, her face frowning, I went for it. I waved heartily and yelled, "Merry Christmas." It was delightful. Her look changed immediately from anger to confusion, to resignment, and then, the smile!"

"Merry Christmas, " she responded, grinning foolishly and shrugging her arms with a wave!

When I hit Costco, it was already 11 and I felt a little befuddled and tired. Lost my card, had to get another. Terrible, fuzzy picture. Oh well. Holding the card, I mumbled out a prayer. "Dear Lord, help me to use my time efficiently and get everything I need to done." Then I tried to focus on the 3 or 4 things I needed there. Driven by hunger, I quickly went around a few main aisles looking for a sample to munch on. Found it, then went to the lines.

Being the 23rd, the place was buzzing. But good ole' Costco was up for it, and had about 10 check stands open, each manned with a Checker and Bagger.( not a word?)

I picked one, plopped items on shelf, and went to pull out card.

Not there. Pocket? Nope. Wallet? Nope.

"Is this your card, " I hear a voice. I look up, and the Bagger was holding my card. "Yes, where did you get it?"

"It was over in produce, I found it on the ground."

" But...how did you know? You were here before me!"

" Yeah, and I just saw you looking so I thought it might be yours."

"This is a God- thing!"

And we marveled at the odds. Then I remembered my mumbled prayer and told them and thanked them and God.

Ran out the door, jumped in car and off to the tree lot. Walked in, and told the guy I needed a 5 foot tree, cheap. (Hey, it's for 1 week at this point, 2 if I milk it.)

Guy leads me to a tree, first one he picked is beautiful, "I'll take it. "

Paid him, then realized what had been a very long, painstaking process for me in the past had just been done in less that 5 minutes.

So, I told the guy my prayer and added. "What do you want prayer for, I'm on a roll!"

To which he smiled.

'NO, serious, really, it's not luck. I have a relationship with Jesus Christ and I'm so excited that He answers prayer and I really want to pray for you."

We had a great, but brief, conversation about his needs. I gave him some input, told him to watch what God would do, and how I would pray. It was really cool.

Then he says, "Where are you parked?"

"In the back."

"Bring your car around, I'll put it in for you."

I whipped the car around, he had me roll down a window, and I was off in no time. It was 6 feet but Ulisses managed. God bless you, Ulisses.

Home again, tree up and complete by 4, and I realized I had a plate of fudge leftover to take to the Church.

But one more Grace was poured out that day. In the middle of working on getting lights on my tree, I feel this small urge, a little voice saying, call your neighbors, invite them to Church.

"But I gotta get this done, "I argued. But I knew Whose voice it was. So I did. Almost 3, way too late, I thought. That night my neighbor sat next to me with her 3 children and mother-in-law. When it was over, she couldn't stop thanking me. The kids had a great time and her mother-in-law, who only spoke Spanish and cried through the service, kept thanking God and telling me thank you for the beautiful invitation.

THAT was a great Christmas day!

New Year's Quote

2011-01-01T21:58:00.000-08:00

Latin: " Sub specie aeternitate" In the light of eternity, will this really matter?

Wrote it down in November, found it today, after a talk with my sister and a friend about having this little space in time in which we can offer Him our pain and praise Him. And in doing so, finding out that those adversities will make us better instead of bitter.'

May it be my question in this year.

"Sub specie aeternitate."

I Pine for a Tree

2010-12-18T10:35:00.000-08:00

Why all the fuss about Christmas trees? Because of the Joy they bring to little children. ( and to big ones, too)

Because of the creativity and beauty they display.Because of the warm memories that they illicit.
And, if you're like me, because of the precious gifts from years past of my smiling 3, 4, 5 year olds in hand-made ornaments. But also, of the memories of special gifts of love, reminding me that so many more care and of so many more that I will always treasure and care about. Aunt Connie's hand knit Mr. and Mrs. Santa, the Peace Dove given to me by Carol Arsaga, in a gesture of love and support during a difficult time, the angels crafted by my dear high school buddy, Chris. And on and on.

And because it's one more venue in which I can show off my grandchildren!
Mine's not up yet. I miss it.

Great Giving Quotes

2010-12-08T06:41:00.000-08:00

These are quotes from Dallas Willard, who quoted Erich Fromm. ( I also threw in quotes from my favorite, God!) We did a study on Renovation of the Heart and were privileged to have the Doctor come and talk with us afterwards.

So, in keeping with Christmas:

" Giving is more joyous than receiving, not because it is a deprivation, but because in the act of giving lies the expression of my aliveness." Eric Fromm.

God is a giver, from the get-go. He gave creation, life, and His Life for us. "For God so love the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son..."John 3:16

Jesus said , "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. " Luke 12:32

"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Rom. 8:32

And finally, from Dallas himself,

"It is the love of God, admiration and confidence in His greatness and goodness, and the regular experience of His care that free us from the burden of 'looking out for ourselves.'

He goes on to say that, "Self denial in Matthew 6:24 and elsewhere, is always the surrender of a LESSER, dying self for a GREATER, eternal one; the person God intended in creating you.

Confidence in this is the occasion of great rejoicing with joy unspeakable and full of glory."

Jesus does not deny us personal fulfillment, but shows us the only true way to it."

P. 62 in Renovation of the Heart.

Enjoy Christ in Christmas this season. GIVE!

Quote of the Day (or week)

2010-12-07T06:24:00.000-08:00

Frederich Buechner put it like this:

‘The child born in the night among beasts. The sweet breath and steaming dung of beasts. And nothing is ever the same again. ... Nothing is ever the same again for those who believe in God, and nothing is ever the same for those who do not believe in God either.’ [The Hungering Dark.]

Be blessed this Advent. EMBRACE GRACE.

The Problem with the Baby

2010-12-03T06:27:00.000-08:00

There was a scene in a movie where Will Farrell prays at meal time to Little Baby Jesus. Will ardently opposes calling Him anything but that. It made me laugh, but in the Christmas season, it began to feel, well, almost sacrilegious. Not that I can't joke around. But something about the lack of awe for God becoming Flesh and dwelling among us can get lost at Christmas. Not just in the world, but in me.

I just received a little Advent devotional and it gave me the words for my discomfort.

It's also my new quote, as Fr. Rohr. nailed it so well!

"Jesus identified his own message with what he called the "reign of God" or the "kingdom of God," whereas we had often settled for the sweet coming of a baby who asked little of us in terms of surrender, encounter, mutuality, or anything of the study of Scriptures....

.Sentimentality, Defined as trumped-up emotions, can be an avoiding of and a substitute for an actual relationship.... We... must admit that there is a constant temptation ..to avoid the lectionary and Word of God for private and pious devotions that have little power to actually change us or call our ego assumptions into question. The Word of God, however, confronts, converts and consoles us- in that order.

The suffering, injustice, and devastation on this planet are too great now to settle for any infantile gospel or any infantile Jesus.

'Jesus is Lord!' of all creation! .... It is to this adult and cosmic Christ that we are saying, "Come, Lord Jesus" (Rev. 22:20 ...

This makes our entire lives, and the life of the church, one huge 'advent.'..

Remember, Advent is always-until the end of days."

from Preparing for Christmas with Richard Rohr. ( Go, Franciscans! )

Did I ever tell you about the time? or: MY Very Way-cool Bro!

2010-11-05T00:44:00.000-07:00

So my family and I are out camping at Ice House- this beautiful forested lake with no house in sight. My very way- cool bro, Joe is cooking up a storm for some 25 or so family members with his very way-cool special- built- for- him -barbecue. (He's the one in the very way- cool hat and chef's apron- no shirt of course. What do ya want, it's hot out!)

By the way, he's here talking to my little way-adorable granddaughter, Selah Paix. But I digress. ( Love that phrase, try to slip it in whenever I can. But I double-digress! HA!)

SO, we're all out visiting and having a good time, when BANG, down comes this BIG ole'pine
cone making a thud and raising a small cloud of dust! We jump, look around, see it, and go on visiting. Then WHOP- down comes another! People start looking up at the really tall tree above us. THUD! Down comes another. And another. And, you guessed it- another. As one lands near someone, at great velocity as it's coming from a very high place and is on the heavy side, family members start moving chairs and calling out warnings.

Pretty soon small children are being whisked away to safer places, like inside of vans. Now, at this point my memory of the sequence of events blurs, as I'm sure most people who've been in a siege of some sort experience. (take THAT for my best excuse yet, you memory-police.) But I remember people calling out from far corners of the campsite things like,

"It's a squirrel."

"Look, he's on the other side,"

"Watch out, he's on the far branch!"

"Another one's coming- dive for cover!"

We even had sentry posted on a high rock, although it was soon determined by said sentry's parents to not be a safe lookout after all!

And then it happened. (flash back to old Sea Hunt series-for those of you who are old enough. I remember the early stuff, memory-police)

And then we saw it! My baby sister, Marlene, was hit. The squirrely shot was fired and her cry was heard. On the back of the head, and being quite a large cone, thankfully not in a crucial spot. Enough of a graze, however to leave her dizzy and disoriented, bleeding and needing pieces of cone to be removed.

Folks came running to check on her, all gathering under the tarp serving as a patio cover- the one in the first photo with Brother Joe. All seeming to forget that Attack Squirrel was still gunning for the Fusano clan. I looked with concern at that canvas tarp and stepped back to see the whereabouts of our enemy's next target. Found the little varmint, (and he was a very little one) near the end of a branch, working on loosing another bomb- cone. Followed the branch down from said branch to the spot that it would land, and sure enough, it was over our little crowd under their canvas roof! A suicide bomber couldn't have planned it better!

"Everybody get out of there, it's gonna land where you're standing!" I yelled. To no avail. They seemed lured into the false security of that cover. But I overcame my usual quiet nature, and persisted until they did all clear. And to the relief of my reputation, but the unfortunate destruction of Joe and Jen's RV patio cover, down it came. Ripped through the cover, and thankfully, found no more victims.

Now you may think this great story ends here. But no. We're now to my favorite part!

While everyone stared in disbelief up at the brazen little fuzzy creature, another sharp, loud, echoing BANG sounded, causing all of us citified (is that a word? If not, can it be?) parts of the clan to jump! A very way-cool, protective and tough old younger brother- who shall not be now named, had pulled out his gun- yes gun- like the wild, wild west- and let 'er rip! It echoed through the chilly quiet of that beautiful forested mountain lake. "That squirrel ain't gonna hit my sister and get away with it!"

With that, another BANG! I looked over and there he was, bracing that pistol between his two hands, out and up toward that rascally varmint.

I think he would've kept going, if it weren't for all us squeamish city folk. Or maybe the little terrorist got away. I don't know, you'd have to ask him. Very way-cool brother, who cannot be named!

Enemy's camp.
Pile of missiles gathered after attack.

Grace and Truth

2010-10-05T17:52:00.000-07:00

My quote for today is from one of my very favorite theologians, one who doesn't just talk it, he walks it!

Andy Cominsky said this about those who want to throw out moral values in the name of love:

Holy love is transformational; God inspires the sinner to fulfill the moral law by persuading him/her that His love is better than one's old life. Jesus manifested that love in the vast amounts of energy He spent drawing the immoral to Himself. He offered Himself as the target for their turning; in His very being, He fulfilled the Law and the deep longing of wayward hearts.

Robert Gagnon says it best in his masterpiece The Bible and Homosexual Practice: 'Jesus balanced the Father's ethical demands with God's self-sacrificing outreach to transform sinners - His ministry proves that the Church can practice radical love without sacrificing God's demand for righteous conduct.'

Okay, so there's a quote within a quote there. You get 2 for the price of one. But I find both to be priceless.

Mom, Sarah and Me

2010-10-02T16:52:00.000-07:00

Here's the 3 generations again, featuring Sarah.

We love R'chuthers!

Food for thought

2010-09-16T21:17:00.000-07:00

I got inspired by my son-in-law, Josh's quotes. There are some that really grab me, and I'm going try to start sharing them.

Tonights zinger (for me, at least) was this:

Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything.

It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evening, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything. -- Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J.

God is love, and in His kingdom is peace and joy. I want to live there. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on eerth, in my heart, O Lover of my soul!

You look like your mother!

2010-09-12T21:29:00.000-07:00

As we took these shots, someone told Rosie how much she looked like me. She said that she didn't used to be told that as much.

But after she gained some weight, she heard that a lot! Ummm, thanks, Rosie. Mom loved it!

On Ground Zero.

2010-08-31T22:28:00.000-07:00

I have some thoughts, but haven't really solidified them. So, I'm just going to go there. This is the thing. In thinking about them building a Mosque where the Twin Towers left a space, a scienctific principle came to mind. If a space is left void, it will get filled with something. If we are upset with what is filling ground zero, then maybe we can look at this as an object lesson.
What kinds of voids do I have in my life, and what's filling them? Booze, TV, food, overuse of Internet stuff? Even work can be a mosque, a kind of worship to another god, rather than the one who died and rose for you, and who gave His Holy Spirit, so that we might be filled with Him.

Ephesians 5: 18 " And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit."
V. 19 "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."
V. 20" giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
How could I not KNOW that verse, eh? (see title of this blog- my mom says I have to tell people when I'm joking)
My old Pastor, Jack Hayford taught that wine could mean the wines of the world, ie. becoming intoxicated with a woman's love.
There are many counterfiets, but only one Holy Spirit. And He loves to fill us. Especially those holes left by the devastations of life.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." He who beiieves in Me, out of his innermost being will flow rivers of living water." Be filled, wait under His fountain and be filled with that which alone can satisfy!

Poppy with great grandkids

2010-08-23T21:54:00.000-07:00

Sarah, the kids, and I went to see Poppy Paulson, her grandpa and their Great grandpa.

It was great to see him and Aunt Cookie. (She was too shy to pose :<)

They loved seeing him, but Jack was the funniest. He was delighted to find this Poppy of his. He kept hugging him and smiling at him. He talked about him for days and the kids prayed for him each night.

Jack later told Selah, "I have a Poppa. His name is Poppy!"

WE love you Dad- it was great to see you!

Bobsledding in Jamacia, Mon!

2010-08-06T21:21:00.000-07:00

I've decided to post some more of this year's pictures in part because Sarah's out of commission!
I will start with my January trip. Earlier this year I posted pics of the Panama Canal. These are from the same trip.

This was one of the most fun things I did on my trip in January. It wasn't the fastest roller coaster ever, but it was fast. And it was long and it was beautiful!

The whole idea that we were on these rickety wooden stilts on the side of a mountain where the safety regulators in the good ole' USA don't have access also provided a bit of a risk factor. Which, for some reason, added to the thrill of it for me.

Choose Joy

2010-07-14T07:48:00.000-07:00

I got this in my e-mails today, from an old friend.

It struck me with it's truth and simplicity.

Here it is:

DAILY VERSE

Be joyful always.

1 Thessalonians 5:16

DAILY QUOTE

I choose joy. I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical, the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

Max Lucado

DAILY THOUGHT

What will your attitude be today? Positive or negative? Dissatisfied or grateful? Optimistic or cynical? Unhappy or joyful?

All good gifts come from God, including joy. But God still invites us to participate in receiving His gifts and blessings through our own free will. We can't save ourselves, but we must say yes to salvation. We can't walk worthy of His calling on our own, but we can say yes to His strength through simple obedience. And we can't force ourselves to be joyful. But we can say yes to God's kind and delightful offering by saying yes through our attitudes.

Have you chosen joy for your life? For today?

Heavenly Father, I say yes to You and Your gift of joy today. Amen.

He answers prayers.

2010-06-16T22:37:00.000-07:00

I love that God answers prayers. Even the little ones.

Yes, you could argue that He sometimes says wait and other times no.

But He hears. He sees. He understands our struggles and He really, really cares.

And even in the apparent "no's", He's working in the dark, to bring something of value in us.

And He woos us. He calls on us to ask, that we might receive. He tells us to call on Him and He will show us great and awesome things that we can't even fathom.

This week it's been the little things. Like the grace to get everything done at work, PLUS make an award for each child in my class. I prayed for help, and a 3rd grade teacher walked in after school, asked how it was going, and sent 4 great little workers who helped me for a few hours this afternoon. And the prayer for my backyard sprinklers to work, and having my brother from Northern CA show up and adjust some wires.

Little prayers, unexpected answers, are like a love letter from God. The whiff of the jasmine flower from my bush, and feeling so grateful for what He's given.

And big ones. Like the upholding of the rightness of a union of father and mother for the good of children. So important and so little understood. Yes, He loves everybody. But no, not everything we want to do is good for us.

May we never cease to pray.

Insomnia

2010-06-05T01:45:00.000-07:00

Can't sleep. It's 1:45 and I can't sleep. Got a great Jacky story on my other site- Nanny's little blessings. But still can't sleep.

I tried to grade papers, but was falling asleep on them. So I went to bed, and ended up awake.

This goes on and on. Read until book's falling out of my hands, then put it down to sleep and find myself awake 1/2 hour later.

I call it, "can't sleep syndrome." Aren't I creative? Ya don't have to answer that.

The worst part is that the next day I'm dragging.

THIS TOO WILL PASS. I'm remembering the title of my site, and have challenged myself on seeing the bright side. I have a computer on which I can see my grand kids and read about family.

I have a house in which I can putter in the middle of the night.

I am not in any mentionable pain.

And most importantly, this too will pass.

Maybe this is a time to redeem by praying for someone. A couple of names come to mind.

Sorry this is so trite. Maybe I can bore myself to sleep with my own post.

This too, will pass!

Night, all!

From Passivity to Passion

2010-05-21T21:13:00.000-07:00

My pastor recently did an excellent sermon on moving from Passivity to Passion. It was based in Phil 4, but, ( as usual), is chock full of connecting scriptural references, which I won't go into. (If you want his messages, you can go to the Reseda Valley Vineyard's website- good stuff.)

But one thing that stuck with me was his talking about how, as a new believer, he wanted the Word so badly that he would read it and not even eat breakfast until he'd done his readings.

And how much he grew in the Word. But he talked about how, after some time, it can become less of a passion and we can lose our focus. It can go from that to reading the Word AND eating breakfast, then to reading the Word while checking e-mails AND eating breakfast, and so on.

I sadly related. I have been losing my focus.

Which leads me to Andrew Murray. He is so amazing, but I have been trying to read this powerful little devotional called "Abiding in Christ,"f or months, yet losing focus.

This morning, I didn't. This morning I told myself that I didn't need to put away that stuff, or check anything, or move off the couch for more coffee until I'd read my Andrew Murray and prayed about it. And it turned out to be a very blessed time.

Very direct and powerful scriptures about how God is establishing me. How it is His work. He began it and He will complete it. How he loves to do it, and to do it forever. And it's ours to trust and surrender.

I found myself consciously singing the words to the worship songs in the car. Meaningfully.

And I found myself having a much better day.

Rosie wrote about the interest and power of quotes. I've been pondering that, thinking about quotes that I like.

This one's from Bill's sermon quoting Jonathan Edwards. "Posture your life so that you may be easily enticed by the beauty of Christ."

and Bill's action plan,

"Decide to live a life of 'planned neglect.' Determine to do the most important things whenever possible."

Giving thanks and Selah's birthday!

2010-05-13T19:51:00.000-07:00

Enough woes on my blog dedicated (loosely) to giving thanks! There is always a reason to give thanks. Right now I sit in my S. Cal living room with the front door and window open at almost 8 PM and it feels so good. A light breeze and a lovely serenade by the birds next door. The guy sort of has an aviary going on. I love it!

Yes, I have to do some more work tonight. I can't seem to get caught up on it this year. But

I have a job! No, really, in this day, that's big! A home.

But the biggest thing tonight is the birthday of my beautiful granddaughter . Selah!

Selah is such an exuberant, creative, thoughtful, and PASSIONATE child!

How that looks at 2 is all over the place. And invigorating. I just love to hear her talk. On Mother's day, one of her imaginary friends had gone to school. The other one didn't because she needed a break, as she'd already gone 3 times that day. Their names elude me now, but are very creative.

And I'm happy to know that one of her goldfish is still named "Ha-ha!"

Selah! She loves her mommy's hair! She loves to go outside. She loves life!

And I love her!

I am so grateful that I got to be with her and the rest of the family this weekend.

I was going to post more...or the woes of E-Harmony.

2010-05-05T21:17:00.000-07:00

First of all, I guess I don't have much pride- announcing to the whole cyberspace world that I have tried E-Harmony- again!

I would like to rename it- How to get rejected twice a day for 2 months in 5-7 different ways.

They have had these pre-programmed responses as to why a "match" would close on you.

My favorite reject is from guys who have never even communicated with me, but to say ,"the chemistry isn't there." WHATEVER! Does that mean my pictures turn them off? How do you know if there's chemistry if you've never met?

Then there's, " you live too far away." This is bogus because we put in the range of distance we are interested in when we set up our profile info.

Or, how 'bout, "I am now seeing someone else." Could actually be valid....

Or, I have to paraphrase here, but the one that says something to the effect that, 'based on your profile, I'm not interested." Okay, can't argue there.

Then there's the nebulous "Other." That's it. Just, "other."

I think the one I respect the most, and am even complimented by at times, is ,"Our difference in values are too great." This is because I really put my faith out on my profile, and the importance of putting Jesus first.

You have to be very thick skinned to handle those places.

Why am I posting this? Because, a major reason I haven't been posting is the monster called E-Harmony. Maybe I could call it Out- of-Balance -omony. or Dis-harmony. How bout Reject- armony.

(Is this reminding anyone in the family of St. Gray Squirrel???)

So to end this, I am posting some of the pictures that I put on that other place, which I will now call, "Site-Which-Shall-Not-Be-Named-Omony."

And I will remind myself and the world of THIS truth: "Seek you first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." ( forgot address, but Jesus said it!)

I labeled this one: Me from the back. Clever, eh? And I wonder why no ones interested!

Going through the Panama Canal

2010-03-29T22:07:00.000-07:00

Running along each side were train tracks. Our ship was attached to 4 of these engines on each side with cables. They slowly pulled us through as we entered each section of the canal and watched the water pour in from the section ahead of it. Then, when the water level was even with the next section, the gate would open.

See the double gates. Our very heavily accented guide who was on the ship's speaker divulging information that most of us couldn't decipher, due to the accent and lousy speakers, said something very clear on this note. It was something like this, "The two gates are there for SAFETY. They are there for the purpose to keep you SAFE."

Oh, the things you can learn!

A view from Central America

2010-03-23T20:22:00.000-07:00

I felt a need to post a few pictures as I actually have a ton and have done nothing with them. Life has felt like a whirlwind of activity for the last year, and not much let up in sight. Everyone says I am too busy. Maybe I am, if the Cruise I took in the beginning of the year is just now making it's debut.
Enough of my dribble. The photo of me is overlooking the lush lands and lake on the passageway between canals in Panama. it was really remarkable. I hope to get up the photos of the Canal crossing in our 14 story ship. It was a very tight squeeze.
The ruins were an old convent/ seminary kind of place in Antigua, Guatemala. It was fascinating to me. There really are underground passageways from one church, convent, seminary, to another. Antigua was once the center of training for Priests, Monks, and Nuns in the Americas. They sent out many missionaries.

Fellowship with Butternut Squash soup!

2010-03-12T23:14:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Rosie for teaching me how to make her amazing butternut squash soup! It was great and my company raved about it. (All except the couple that didn't eat it...)
But It was so good that John Klein, an avid cook, had to have the recipe! I had to have 3rds. I am so grateful.
And again I found myself surprised and blessed by just the right people showing up to worship, share, eat, hear the Word and pray.
Tonight Juan San Martin, a dear friend and amazingly talented musician, brought his cajon ( a wooden box which serves as a kind of drum. I pulled out my rainstick, castinets, and an array of exotic other instruments that Rosie or myself has bought in various places around the world. I handed them out and we made a joyful noise with poor Juan, the professional trying to lead us in some kind of rhythm. It was fun! The Word that John felt he was to give was about being faithful. He had a ton of scriptures on it, but we didn't get through them all because he had this great idea for prayer. He'd put various scriptures on pieces of paper and placed them in a box. then he had the men draw one first, give it to a woman, and the women each took a man to pray that scripture into their lives. Then the women got one and the men prayed for them.

Mine was "And let us not be weary in well doing : for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.' Gal. 6:9
Last week's sermon, and before the sermon, the scripture that hit me was in Phil. 1. "He who began a good work wiill be faithful to complete it!
God is good!

New Year is way here

2010-02-15T21:45:00.000-08:00

I just noticed that I haven't posted since last year- and this being Feb. and all. Well, first of all, I celebrated New Year's onboard a ship in the Carribean. Took a cruise that was great with a good friend and some family, through the Panama Canal. That is a fascinating feat, and amazing to see!
Then back to work and zip- a month went by.
Work has been, as for us all, well, work.
Highlights of the past month would be: seeing my grandkids- got to see them ALL today. Rosie went to Sarah's and I just got back from being there the weekend.
Tony Rini's birthday-big 50- at the bowling alley.
And hosting John and Michelle Klein for a Bible study, prayer night at my house. My talented and wonderfully helpful sister made pesto for it- and it was great!!!
I am trying to get back into posting groove. So I will attempt to do it again good. HOw's that for commitment?

Priceless gifts under the tree!

2009-12-24T14:25:00.000-08:00

Paulson- Wentzell gifts to be displayed on Nanny's Little blessings. (see my link. To view that site, just ask me and get me your e-mail. If we know you, we'll sign you up!)

Christmas Trees

2009-12-24T14:05:00.000-08:00

Reason # 6
I love the trees. My tree is not just a fancy decoration, it's a display of heartwarming memories.

Many of the angels came from my mom, the pictures of the girls, the crochet Mr. and Mrs. Santa that our dear Aunt Connie made us. The "joy" pillow, a gift from a very special director, who saw how much I loved it at the church boutique when I was too broke to be able to buy such things. The unique and beautiful ornaments Rosie brought me back from her travels, The special treasures from Sarah, and the list goes on.

The Gift of Giving

2009-12-17T06:17:00.000-08:00

I sort of messed up on my list of "Reasons I love Christmas", because I keep going back to the the Carols.

We'll call this reason # 5

Finding just the right gift for just the right person!

For those you love, AND for those who are so needy that the love of Christ compels you.

I have a little girl in my class who is currently suffering with a brain tumor. A poor family, Spanish speaking, hard working, full of faith and struggling with the constant visits to Children's Hospital. (without a car)

Sweet, respectful, and eager to smile, Jasmine has touched many hearts.

Please send up a prayer for her. I told the mother I'd be praying and she cried and thanked me.

I told another teacher about her, and her son, (I think about 12 years old,) went out and bought some Christmas gifts for her!

That's another reason I love Christmas!

Joy to the World

2009-12-15T22:33:00.000-08:00

While feeling sort of stressed out with all I had to do, I suddenly heard this Carol:

"Joy to the world, the Lord Has Come,

Let Earth receive her King;

Let every heart, prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing."

And it just gets better- the song's stanza's, that is.

Go there, not to all the stress factors- Look up and see if you can imagine that first Christmas when the whole of a midnight sky was torn apart by a MULTITUDE of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST,

AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL TOWARD MEN.

Think of it: multitude. hosts.

That's all I have to say about that. Except for this. That's why I love angels on my tree.

Joy

2009-12-13T20:53:00.000-08:00

Reason # 3 of why I love Christmas:

The joy you can bring to others by bringing cookies, giving food and a prayer to the needy at the Church food bank, giving a call, singing, even just saying, "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hanukkah!"

I did the best thing I could, and it got me out of a bad holiday funk. I went with my group to the convalescent home and sang carols. Sweet old women were crying and laughing over hearing those tunes. Many joined in. We gave them each a pair of rolled up socks tied in a bow with a little card attached.

When I went I was stressed, when I was done, I was humbled. And blessed. And I got back in touch with the true meaning of Christmas.

JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD HAS COME- LET EARTH RECEIVE HER KING!

Christmas

2009-12-13T20:48:00.000-08:00

Reason 2: ( really more of reason 1)

'The Little Drummer Boy" and the poverty of Spirit it represents- which leads to a richness of Love.

And the sweetness of children entering in and giving their best gifts- the gifts of their talents, love and efforts!

Maybe that's why I love homemade gifts.

The Thrill of Hope...

2009-12-13T00:28:00.000-08:00

Why I love Christmas:

Reason # 1 - the power of the Carols to re-connect me with the Wonderful Gift of God in Jesus's coming.

"The thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices,

for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel's voices-

O night divine, O night, when Christ was born."

"How silently, how silently- the wondrous gift was given,

So, God imparts to human hearts, the wonders of His heaven.

We hear the Christmas angels, their great glad tidings tell,

O come to us, abide in us, Our Lord, Emmanuel."

Happy Thanksgiving to All

2009-11-25T19:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving everybody out there!
I thank God for all of the good that comes out of this cyberspace-world. I thank God for being able to see pictures of my grand babies and hear from family and friends. And for all my many readers- both real and imaginary. ( only kidding, no really)
And for my daughter setting me up on this. And for food and health and a new dryer. And vehicles and a JOB!
I thank God that my grandchildren have such caring and competent parents, so that I don't have to worry as so many do.
And I thank God for my and for their health- such a precious gift. I thank God for my family, for the beautiful climate I enjoy, and so much more.
And I thank God for God. A God who is there with His comfort and love even when some of these other blessings are taken away. For a God who so related with our pain and failures that He became flesh and dwelt among us. I thank Him that as I worship Him, I too behold His Glory, and receive grace upon grace. And it makes me fall in love with Him more!

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
V. 16-17 And of His fulness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the Law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

We went to the zoo!

2009-11-16T21:37:00.000-08:00

I loved it! This video was a favorite of Selah's. We all agreed that it was, "A very unpleasant sound." ( for the best effect, imagine Selah's little pixie voice saying that slowly and distinctly.)
I went a little crazy with the photos, but am taking more time than I can afford to download this one pathetic little scene. I hope that their noise comes out- it was so strange. At one point they were carrying on with constant shrieks. Turns out it was only their lunchtime cries of anticipation. Talk about overreacting!!!
It was great to be with Rosie and the 2 little ones!. I LOVE THEM!

November's Journey.

2009-11-16T21:19:00.000-08:00

Well, in an attempt to not become totally obsolete, I am forcing myself to inform anyone who might care and has not been swallowed up by that newfangled invention- FACE BOOK- about my current journey.

I went from my best class in 18 years in 4th grade to the "Kindergarten from Hell," (spoken by one with 9 previous years of Kinder experience in a very hard area) in a month.

And yet, I felt like God had ordained it for something really good for me. Well, it was good for my seeing some personal progress. Even though I didn't do it perfectly, as I did put in some time for groaning and complaining, I was able to be gentle and kind in lowering the boom on the little, wild, um, how-do-you-say, monkeys. I swear, God makes them so darn cute for a reason. It's so that they survive.

After many parent communications, new, creative forms of time outs and multiple compliments and rewards when they were caught LISTENING, walking, and staying where they were supposed to be- my little class began to emerge as teachable.

I have to say that I was blessed with an amazing assistant for almost 1/2 of the day, and the teacher whose class I was given was there as a "floater," and was also constantly involved in the clay forming process as she was able.

So, after 2 and 1/2 weeks, the higher powers said,"Okay, we can re-open first grade.

And they did. And I took it. I took it, leaving the former teacher with a smaller and better class.

( The extra kids from the Kinder they closed were sent back to their jungle- oops, I mean other class with a teacher with different standards....)

And I ended up with that which God had promised, A REALLY GOOD first grade class.

I am in awe. I don't know how I could get 2 such classes in 1 year.

The transition was exhausting and wore me out, but the light is shining already.

And I carry a deeper sense of His working in all things, forming something of His character in us- forging something in the dark to be used for the Light.

Double Bumped

2009-10-21T18:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I was teaching 4th grade, but then we didn't get enough kids to justify the 5 4th grade classrooms. So I was chosen, the excuse was that I have the least seniority of them all, to go to Kindergarten. At which point my work and home computers both died. And I began moving all my stuff and entering a tiny and very undisciplined world where normal 1 minute activities take 15 and simple directions often need to be mimed. And I got the classroom which has the bathroom for the other Kinders to come through all day long. Did I mention that many of them don't speak English?
So project training began. I had great help- for which I am very grateful. But I have been exhausted and bummed.
So, after all of that, we found out that we can bring back the Kinder's original teacher- who has been a "Floater" and in and out of my room testing. She is sweet, patient, and bi-lingual. The title is actually wrong- I didn't get double bumped, I volunteered to take the re-opened 1st grade and give Mrs. "Mary-Poppins" Falcon her class back. While I have to move again, I will be getting a much better class, without a public bathroom, and children who are already, in part, trained.
I also have been told that they are a really good group and I will be working with an awesome 1st grade teacher-team.
It feels like Joseph, finally getting out of prison-and entering into a place of leadership and blessing. I hope my feelings are right.
This morning I read, "Don't grow weary in doing what is good." I needed that- it's getting tiring. But, one day I hope to get this message right: I CANT COMPLAIN!
I have a job, a great school, beautiful grand babies with great parents, and so much more!

Rose's shower

2009-10-06T06:06:00.000-07:00

Rosie's shower with her Quaker friends and a few of us from her housing was very fun!~
Did I mention that the lady who owns this beautiful place was once a pilot and loves rabbits. Her house is extremely clean though- they're house trained. The big grayish pillow in the one ladies' lap is one of them!
That scene is out of her living room window. Her backyard is just gorgeous, with a large meadow behind.

Rosie's Shower!

2009-10-05T21:33:00.000-07:00

It was really a delightful affair! It was so comfortable and fun! There was delicious finger foods, chicken wings, vegetables, humus, dips and fruit., and more.
But what stands out was the warmth and friendliness of these virtual strangers to me and to those of us who didn't know these lovely ladies before. I ended up just loving Barbara, and the rest of them. No wonder they're called the "Friends."

I almost forgot I had a camera- and at one point I got to hold the star- little Isai, which was so precious, so between eating and holding, I think I just had too much fun.
They were also very generous! And they love Rosie! Of course!! A very gracious bunch of ladies.

100 Year Reunion

2009-09-14T20:49:00.000-07:00

Really it was just a Mudugno/Fusano family reunion, which we've not had with all of my Dad's extended Italian family in a long time. But at the planning committee, my Dad pointed out that it is, indeed the 100 year anniversary of my grandpa's (Papanan) arrival to the USA.
This is not my usual kind of post- just that I'm excited to see everyone and it's been fun working with a group of cousins on it.
I wonder what we've done to make America a better place.
I think the thicker skin, the ability to laugh at our own ethnicity and the humor has been a boon. We are not a needy special interest group. Maybe not so interesting to many- period. But "thatsa alrighta" Cause we like ourselves.
On a more serious note, I grew up listening to my Nana pray, and when she was old, she told me once, " I worry about the kids, that they don'ta know God. I pray that they know God every daya."
Okay, so my accent isn't so great, but it really impacted me. So I feel like those of us who DO know God have a legacy, and a responsibility to pray for our cousins, nieces, nephews, etc., so that Nana's prayers will be fulfilled.

In Revelation, it talks about "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." Rev. 4:8
Then again, "... Another angel.. came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar , which was before the throne.
An the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God.
Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth." Rev. 8:3-5
May we fill up the bowls in heaven with our prayers for our loved ones, knowing that they go before God! And may we see His kingdom come and His will be done as the filled bowls get ignited with the fire from heaven and comes down to earth.

In My Backyard

2009-09-03T21:31:00.000-07:00

I have a garden in my backyard. I sit on the porch and listen to the chorus of birds, the occasional rooster crowing and far off dog. And I meet with God. I love to sit there.
But my meditations were interrupted by any interesing scene the other day.
And I decided I have a new pet. I've named him Napoleon.
Napoleon is one of many sparrows that come and eat at my bird feeder. I'm happy to say, after many weeks of being absent, they still come, shortly after I refill the feeder.
And then the adorable little leader, Napoleon, lands and proceeds to spin and peck and chirp in the loudest possible chirp for it's tiny size at any other sparrow that tries to land on that feeder.
Eventually, I think he gets hungry enough to ignore a few that sidle their way discreetly down the chain and allows them to eat while he's eating. You really can't eat and guard at the same time, and I'm sure he must tire of his selfish game at times.
But even then, he'll make a surprse attack on any other tiny creature brazen enough to try to make a frontal attack on "his" food. How adorable! (Yes, my tongue is in my cheek)

In the one picture I am holding a feather. While sitting, reading and feeling God's Peace, I saw a feather float from the tree straight to me, sitting in my chair. I just reached out, opened my hand, and it settled. I don't have a great analogy for what it means, but it was really cool.
I really love my backyard!

Hiking above Flagstaff!

2009-08-16T21:58:00.000-07:00

I took Selah and went with a friend of Rosie's, and now mine, Uli on a hike at the area called the Snowbowl. There are many beautiful trails up there. And this one was pretty much level, allowing us to get pretty far with a very curious 2 year old. Maybe over 1/2 mile!
But we saw every bee, bug, spider web, and interesting rock there was along that path!

Looked up, and down.

We explored the insides of anything that was hollow-ish!

Got up close views of every kind of flower that we loved.

And walked on every accessible fallen log as well!

My LATEST grandchild:Isai!

2009-08-16T21:21:00.000-07:00

Esai Leal! Born Aug. 14, exactly one month after his cousin Miles. ( I already accidentally called him that once!)
But he is beautiful, as you can see, and very quiet. He looks around a lot, doesn't cry much. Loves to eat. Good baby!
His sister adores him, wants to hold him, and "pet it" a lot. She noticed today that his eyes "came out" Momma explained that they opened. We love him!

Go to"Grandkids are the best"

2009-07-30T16:26:00.001-07:00

I have just taken over an hour to get a 1 and 1/2 minute video posted on my other blog. Ideally, it was to be all about my grandkids, leaving this one to my other, adult life.
I know, the two have meshed.
But I really love the last video, and recommend it and that site to all of the Tate/ Paulson baby fans. Just look to the right of this and find "Grandkids are the Best" under the list of links. Click on it for a little fun.
I'm currently getting ready to go welcome grandbaby number 6 in Arizona. Part of the prep. is to clear out my camera to make room for the new arrival.
How's that for a boring post?

My newest Grandson!

2009-07-20T16:32:00.000-07:00

Here he is-not even a week old- Miles Bradley. He was a big baby at over 8lb., but is so tiny, so light and delicate. Already has a good back arch, though. And a nice healthy cry!
I think it's because we're used to baby Jack- who, at 2, is now a big brother!

Camp Maranatha & 4th of July Parade- last deposit

2009-07-10T15:09:00.000-07:00

The other title for this post could be, "Why most of the posts don't have videos in them-THEY TAKE TOO LONG TO UPLOAD!"

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The Glaciers

2009-07-08T21:03:00.000-07:00

Glacier bay was a bit disappointing at first because of my memory of it from 35 years ago, when I only caught the tail end as we were pulling out. (Just ask Marlene why...)
But as we traversed it, some other glaciers in their enormity, and the sun breaking through, gave off the brilliant blue water reflecting blue sky reflecting white ice with occasional crashes and streaks of a surreal bright blue as streaks of underwater and over water streams showed through.
The picture of the waterfall gushing out of the middle of this glacier was incredible. It was at least 2 stories high and gushed out with force.

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There were seal sightings at the glacier, but I didn't see them, so you get the ones on the bouy from the whale watching trip. I think bouys have a chain across the world for seal resting, sort of like Starbucks for people.

2009-07-04T20:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth

2009-07-04T20:02:00.000-07:00

The bagpipe band in the Idyllwild parade was at the top of the audio treats. They were awesome!

Alaskan Animals

2009-07-03T09:42:00.000-07:00

Having just gotten back from Alaska, and wanting to share some of my 300-something pictures, I was overwhelmed as to where to start. So I decided on the animals.
Every land excursion offered included a lure of seeing one or more of these animals.
I was able to see many of them, some on the ship.
I will start with the American Bald eagle. Part of this set is dedicated to my grandson Jack, who likes his animals in familial sets.
So, I have Mommy eagle, and baby eagle. It is in it's eagle nest,peering over.
The flying one is harder to distinguish, but I'm pretty sure that it's Daddy eagle.

Guess which bear is real?
Really, real bears wandering along the coastline while searching for fish are hard to see. Especially from 3-9 stories up in an Ocean Liner. It's like the sighting of the Pope in St. Peter's square. He is actually about 1/4" from the distance we're at. But believe me, that brown spot moved!!! I think I have a better picture, when I blew it up, you could actually see the whole outline of A BEAR!!!

The whale sightings can't be done a service here, because of the fact that they are so far away and it just seems like puffs of steam. But the sound and the size, when on the water, are inspiring, to say the least. We saw a few "breaching." This is when they leap out of the water, displaying their vast selves and then land with a loud crash. It is truly awe inspiring, but happens pretty fast, and so is hard to catch on film.

And last,but not least- the Towel Creatures!

Fisherman' Wharf

2009-06-23T22:35:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I don't know exactly which day we went to the beach, but these are from Rosie's Birthday beach week. It was so good to have Justin. Selah loved looking at the crabs and the birds, of course.

Happy 30th, Rosie!!!

2009-06-23T17:06:00.000-07:00

Finally, I got my pictures downloaded.
I will now show you a taste of the fun of my beautiful daughter's birthday, at the
ever famous Oxnard house! It was low key, good time, great to have our "other daughter," Kristy.
Rosie has been a tremendous blessing to me-
I am very proud of her.

And then comes the rain

2009-06-17T22:10:00.000-07:00

It's been a long, dry season of trying to remember enough to get through.
But today was a breakthrough.
It started Sunday. It really started when I prayed. Funny thing, eh..
It got jump started, after my battery died, about a week ago when I had some people over to my house for dinner, songs, fun, sharing out of the Bible, and prayer.
I got prayer for my memory, for my need to function.
And then tried to believe until I forgot that we'd even prayed about it.
But I've been noticing that I'm remembering where I left things better. And I'm getting my moving organized. And most of my end of the year paperwork is done, and the year didn't end yet! THAT'S A FIRST!
But today, suddenly, I'm getting stories of answers to prayer, and requests for prayer- at work- at my public school.
One teacher,"Hey Anita, do you have a prayer list at your church? Will you put my friend on it?"
Then, "Hey Anita, remember my ankle you prayed for? It's better- it was supposed to take 2 weeks."
Another co-worker, in the same room chimes in with, "Yeah, Anita, my mother in law isn't sick any more- she got better after you prayed." One even said I was a miracle worker.
I quickly explained that the Miracle Worker is God.
And then confessed, in the form of another testimony, what my prayers can look like. I told about the neighbor whose truck I offered to jump. He told me, no- it was a worse problem than that. And so I said that then I'd pray for it. My prayer stumbled out somehting like this. "God I just told this neighbor I hardly know that I would pray for his truck to start, so could you please do something, cause I feel like a bit of a fool, etc."
And the guy, Eric, came over a couple days later and told another neighbor and I how it just started right up when he came back out.
And so, I let them know, it's really not me, it's God doing these things!