Sunriver Vacation

Perry's folks, Paul's girlfriend Jenn, Paige, Perry and I are in Sunriver enjoying some R&R. We have been vacationing in Sunriver for many years. Our relationship with Sunriver began back in college when we would come for retreats. I was remembering a trip here with Rich Rollins for an IFC retreat. We got here in the evening and I remember driving around all those circle intersections kind of lost trying to find our house in the dark. It has been vintage Sunriver so far: Tuesday - Paige and I took Jenn on her first horseback ride, hot tubbing. Wednesday - went into Bend and watched "The Prince of Persia" - two thumbs up. Thursday (today) - riding tandem bikes. We also catch up on cable TV while we're here since we don't have it at home. I like the "Overhaulin'" show. We've been watching movies, eating a lot, and having fun. Now, the question is, "Do we plan to be on vacation during the basketball finals." Well, not really but it is a bonus. Still to come - trip to Goodies ice cream parlor, trip to thrift store, guys bike trip to Benham Falls.

Thankful:
June 5 - I was stressing a little about Wedding, VBS, and things in general and God really impressed on me, "I got this." Thanks God.
June 6 - Had some enthusiastic people for our VBS meeting. Thankful for our worship team.
June 7 - I got to read a chapter book to the family while we drove up to Sunriver. They still like a story.
June 8 - Horseback riding. I have always loved horses. It was fun to go on a beautiful ride down by the river.
June 9 - Nice relaxing today.
June 10 - Nanny went into the ER last night with a nose bleed. She needed to be picked up this morning early. Pattie went to pick her up for us. Thank you Pattie. Another thing I am thankful for is that Zach went with her. Thankful for that guy.
General thanksgiving - Nanny went into the ER earlier this week with a nose bleed that couldn't be stopped. Mike Gallagher went to visit her and ended up bringing her home for us. As Nanny reminds us, God is so faithful to care for her. I am thankful to have Jenn with us for the whole time this trip. I am thankful for how much Paige makes me laugh, my responsible husband, and loving family. I am enjoying reading Acts together. Turn to Jesus so that times of refreshing may come.
Netflix movies - "Greener Mountains" - This is the story about a young man who grew up on a resort but pretends that he is a New Yorker when he meets a lady from New York that he wants to impress. This is definitely made for TV quality but had a touching ending.

School's Out for Summer

Wow, I guess it's been a while since I blogged. Well, school's out for summer, so I will have some more time. I've been thinking of some summer goals. Paige and I want to go to the lake every Tuesday - that may depend on the weather. I would like to do a multi-generational Bible study, reflect on what I am thankful for each day (I can blog that), watch some of the top 100 movies, go to the Grand Canyon, dance at my daughter's wedding, get current on some children's novels, read a new author each week, fix breakfast for my kids, and be available to help others.

Thankful:
June 1 - We went to Micah's graduation. He and some of his classmates played a song that they wrote. The song was awesome. It sounded like a movie soundtrack. The commencement speaker was pretty hilarious too.
June 2 - I was thankful for the nice bridal shower that Kim, Jordan, Rachel, and Hailey did for Pattie.
June 3 - I finished checking out at school today. I went out to the Lake Club with Paige and Brenda to check out the kitchen. I was thankful to find out that there are some things we can use at the Lake Club that we won't have to rent for the wedding. Our rental bill went down about $600 dollars - thank you, God. I was thankful to get to visit with Pastor Greg at school. It was neat to hear what God is doing in his life. He and Dixie said some nice things about me and encouraged me.
June 4 - I was thankful to get to see Pattie and Zach's apartment today. We helped move some things into it and got it ready to live in. I enjoyed reading about Cabo in Barnes and Noble today. It's nice to get an idea about where Pattie & Zach are going. I enjoyed my phone visit with Delouris today.
General thankfulness: I have enjoyed the unseasonably cool weather and the beautiful clouds. I am thankful for all the things Perry does to care for his family - from washing laundry to filling up the car with gas. He is so thoughtful.
Movie pick: "Charlotte Gray" - I believe it was based on a true story. Charlotte Gray (Cate Blanchett) is recruited by the Secret Service in England to be a courier in the French resistance in World War II. She hopes to find her boyfriend that has been shot down in France. I really enjoyed the cinematography.

Happy New Year

As I prepare to say good-bye to 2009, I ponder what the year brought us. I began 2008 still morning the loss of my mom. I think I will always mourn that loss, if not so intensely, the rest of my life. In 2009, however, I began to see the good things that have come out of that mourning. God has renewed a thankfulness in me for the ordinary. I also have a newer compassion for those going through loss. My heart is a little softer. I thank God for that. I counted it a privilege this year to walk through death with my cousins as my aunt left this world to go to be with Jesus. To witness their love for her and her love for them was a precious gift. I was able to comfort them with the comfort God has given me.

We are also seeing our family expand. Pattie got engaged to Zach and we eagerly anticipate their wedding. God had a wonderful way of showing us what a great husband he will be for her, and we are getting a pretty amazing son-in-law out of the deal. I have wondered how this part of life would feel when our children start to leave home and marry. It has felt pretty good so far – not like part of our family is leaving but that it is just enlarging. That is pretty awesome.

Paul’s girlfriend Jen has also become a special part of our family. We are glad she feels so comfortable with us. We are touched by her sweetness daily. Paul has gotten his first job and is pretty excited to be employed. He will begin working after the first, and we are thankful for this new adventure for him called a paying job.

Paige was not flourishing at Foothill so we decided to home school her this fall. It turned out to be a great decision for her. She enjoys the flexibility and smaller classes. We are reminded again how different all three of our children are from each other. We are thankful that God opened up a place for Paige at Charlotte’s home school. I am thankful for all Perry’s running around this year, but even that is time well spent with his daughter. He has enjoyed getting a work out partner at the gym. Our warrior princess is back.

As this year started, I was in the middle of a school year with many different staff changes. I am so glad that those new staff have become part of the reason I love to teach. I love working with teachers who love their students and inspire me each day. What a synergy. And the students are beyond a gift. They are so precious. I find myself at points during the day when I can’t believe I actually get paid to be with these kids. Their integrity, faith, curiosity, and love are such a blessing. I love coming along side them in their faith journeys and living life together. I anticipate more in 2010. I miss them even as I write these lines.

We’ve been blessed to have a small group again this year meeting in our home. Josh and Jenn Bartlett are leading it, which is pretty cool to see. Monday nights are a time to worship and encourage one another. It has really been that to me – a time to receive courage from each other and to give courage. As we go through ups and downs, it’s nice to know that there’s a group of people you can share anything with and they will pray with you and be there to love unconditionally. Thanks for all those great questions Josh. It’s been very rewarding recently to see God freeing people in our church of unforgiveness and things that have held them under control. We pray for more of God’s freedom this year, for those in our church and for those in our community. God is increasing our vision of the church from four walls to our whole community. Come Lord Jesus and fill our city, free it from the chains that bind, and may your glory flow in the streets and fill the homes. We are seeing God provide in areas of leadership, and He continues to remind us of His love for the church.

As 2009 closes and we look into 2010, I am reminded that sorrow lasts for a night but joy comes in the morning. I am thankful for the full and abundant life God has given. I look forward to growing in my knowledge of God and experiencing more of Him.

Moving My Mother's Things

Everyone was up early to get ready to go to my Mom's and move some of her things to my brother's cabin. We are calling it Granny's Cottage. Our youth mentors are having a retreat there so that is motivation for us to get it ready. Mark did a lot of work to get it ready - everything from installing a sink in the kitchen to moving the wood stove. We also did a lot of cleaning to get it ready. Today we met Mark in Red Bluff and drove down to mom's. When we got there we found that it had been broken into. Someone had gone through looking for valuables. Thankfully, we had moved most of the worldly valuables out. There wasn't much left that a theft would want but there was plenty of value to us there - like my Mom's paintings, photos, things she had made, her collections of Hummels, old bottles, milk white glassware, etc. We moved some furniture and things to supply the cabin. We got everything up there in one piece. It looked a little like the Beverly Hillbillies' car. We got everything into the cabin and came home. Mark's wife Judi is going to do some decorating and arranging tomorrow. It felt good to get it done. I wasn't emotional today when we were doing it - too busy working. Tonight I am feeling pretty melancholy. I have a jar my Mom gave me the last Christmas she was alive. It has a bunch of wishes to a daughter in it. When I miss her I take one out. I have started writing God blessings on the back of each one. I probably did about 10 of them tonight. God is so good, even when you're feeling blue.

Random Thoughts

Starting to have school dreams.

Great sharing at Aunt Pearly's funeral today. She had such a big heart and was loved by so many.

Couldn't talk Paige out of the remote control tonight. Time for her to leave home - not really.

Perry bought me chocolate cake to eat while I watch my movie.

Enjoyed getting to visit with my family today. Why is my brother so funny?

Naps are glorious.

We are buying a shock collar for Quin.

Reunion

This is a week of reunion. Friday our good friend Julya and her son Chance visited in Anderson. I felt a little bad about Chance having to hang out with us. He did pretty well. I appreciate Julya's ability to listen and her love for God. She's very intuitive. Julya and I visited another high school friend, Charlotte, on Monday. It was fun to catch up and realize how much we have in common because of age, common values, and parenting. On Wednesday Kim and I drove to Sacramento on the first leg of our road trip to Tahoe. We have been staying with Pattie. It's so good to see her and spend some time together. We also got to visit with Zach and see Adam very quickly. We had coffee with the Streeters today. Always fun to see what God is doing in their lives. The girls were with them and they are getting so big. Tomorrow we head to Tahoe and will spend some time with four friends from college. I've had some good laughs with Kim. My stomach hurts from laughing so much. I bought a sketch pad and have been doing some drawing and I painted a picture for Pattie's apartment. The art has felt therapeutic.

Rattlesnake Strike

Yesterday was like a rattlesnake strike.

My friend who lives in Missouri was struck by a rattlesnake on her back porch. I can only imagine the terror. One minute you’re in your home, comfortable, and the next minute you step outside and smack, venom is spreading through your body.

I felt like that when I got news yesterday that my aunt has cancer. Perry & I had just spent a few terrific days at the coast celebrating his birthday. When we came home I got the news that my aunt has cancer and is undergoing chemo and radiation at the same time. First you’re numb and then you start talking to God. Shock, sadness, heal her, give my family strength, helplessness, anger, submission, hope. I struggled with the most basic issue – do you trust me, Peggy? With life, death. Am I still good when someone you love dies? I thought of Job. He was no fair-weather follower. I hope the venom doesn't spread. Trust is the anti-venom.