My Firstborn and Her Firstborn

Happy Birthday to My Firstborn

Today I'm taking a trip down memory lane--back to the day of Sherry's birth. How can it be that so many years have passed since that very tough, yet very exciting day in my life? I was only 20 years old when I became the mother of this little
6-1/2 pound bundle of joy. Yes, she truly was a bundle of joy! (Perhaps I have forgotten how tough those early days of motherhood were.)

I remember her enthusiastic little voice informing anyone she chose to talk to (total strangers were her favorite object of conversational opportunity): "My name is Sherry Dorris Ann." Perhaps she was trying to overcome her nickname, Bunky (decided by her adoring daddy). She was "Bunky" to everyone except me. I wanted her to be "Sherry", and I finally insisted that her daddy quit calling her Bunky, so she would become known by a real name. He complied with my request, but somehow he didn't get the whole message (that I wanted her to be called Sherry), so he began calling her "Suzie-Q" (sometimes "Suzie-Quzie", or shortened to "Sue-Q" or just "Suzie").

Looking back at my blog post on Sherry's birthday last year, I still smile as I read it. It's what I still feel today, and it simply can't be improved upon. (Click here to read it.) She's still a great source of pride and joy to me! Happy Birthday, Sherry! You are beautiful!
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P.S. Click on the word "Firstborn" in the title of this post to see the full picture of my firstborn with her firstborn.

Florida Vacation

Our vacation began at Marcia and Scott's house, about 25 miles north of Fort Lauderdale--on the Atlantic ocean side of Florida. We really enjoyed our stay with them! The temperatures were in the 80's and 90's everyday, with high humidity. There were only two days of rain (complete with thunder and lightning), but it certainly didn't put a damper on our fun!
On Monday morning we began the 4-hour drive down through the Florida Keys. Here we are at Key West--only 90 miles from Cuba! Can you believe it? This is the southernmost point of land in the continental U.S.--where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Atlantic Ocean.
Here's a fews shots of Key West:

Then, on Tuesday morning, we headed back "home" (to Marcia and Scott's home). Our days were spent mostly relaxing, including time at the beach and around their pool. We also had the fun of attending a Bobby Vinton concert--reminiscing that great ol' Rock 'n Roll music of our dating days.

T'was the Night Before Vacation

and, oh, what a sky!

This will be my last post for awhile, because tomorrow we'll be flying to Florida to visit our longest-known friends--Marcia and Scott Brown. Marcia and I have been friends since high school days, attending the same church, plus attending Prairie Bible Institute together for a year and a half. Scott and Larry were friends at another church, during their college years, which is also when Marcia and I waltzed into their lives.

Our friendship as a foursome was cemented as we double-dated our way through courtship and engagement, and continued our close relationship on into the years of marriage and parenting, still living near each other for several years. Through all of our moves around the country, we've never lost touch with each other, and have visited in each other's homes several times in the various places we've lived. So, this visit with them in Florida (their new home) will mark 39-42 years of friendship!

Wow! That makes me feel really old! Am I really old enough to have that many years of friendship since high school days??? Nah, can't be! You're only as old as you feel, right? I don't feel anywhere near that old!

If we take our laptop to Florida, I may check in here from time to time, but I don't know if we're taking it or not. We'll be gone for a week's vacation, in the Fort Lauderdale area, and down through the "Keys" to Key West, as well. See ya later, alligator -- Afterwhile crocodile! Toodles!

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow - Whenever!

This morning while I was in the shower (actually, it was yesterday), I remembered that I now get the fun of looking back at the today of yesteryear, in the archives of this blog. I suppose it seems silly, but that thought brought simple excitement! I was eager to finish up with my shower so I could go and see what I wrote a year ago today.

First, I was disappointed to see that I hadn't written anything on May 17th. (I was busy all day with teaching a ladies' Bible study in the morning and getting a perm in the afternoon.) Then an idea hit me: Today I could look back at what I wrote "tomorrow" (May 18, 2005), and then write tomorrow's post today, but publish it tomorrow! That way I get to experience "yesterday, today, and tomorrow" all in one day! So, today's post (actually written yesterday) will be published tomorrow--I mean today. Get it?

What I wrote a year ago on May 18th was all about joy--the joys of yesterday, the newness of today, and the hope of tomorrow:

"There's always another new stage--another segment of our journey--things change, yet there's always new joy to be experienced! There is new joy to be found in every new day, in every new situation, and in every new stage of life. Finding joy in a new segment of my journey through life doesn't mean I have decided that this new stage is better or worse than what brought me great joy before, and it doesn't mean that what I experienced before is now just to be forgotten as I move into the next stage of my life. It just means that my entire life should be a joyful journey--whatever stage I'm in --whatever segment of the journey I'm on -- there will always be new joys just waiting to be discovered!"

Today when I think about joy, I realize again that joy isn't found in the circumstances of my life, it's in the peace and contentment that can be experienced in my daily walk with God, as I learn to find my joy in Him. Yesterday's joy and the newness of today are simply tomorrow's memories! The sadness of yesterday can be replaced by new joyfulness today, and the sadness of today can be replaced by new hope for tomorrow.

I find new hope in this old saying: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Perhaps, therein lies the key to contentment in the circumstances of my life. So, whether I'm parked in pleasant places or riding on rough roads, my goal is to experience contentment--that is, learning to be content, as I keep in mind that "the joy of the Lord is my strength!"

Something to Think About

From a book I'm currently enjoying, "Expresso for a Woman's Spirit" -- "Encouraging Stories of Hope and Humor", by Pam Vredevelt:

"I heard a story about a little girl who, on the way home from church, turned to her mother and said, "mommy, the preacher's sermon this morning confused me." "What was confusing?" the mother asked. The girl thought for a moment and said, "Well, he said that God is bigger than we are. Is that true?" "Yes, Honey, that's true," the mother replied. "He also said that God lives within us. Is that true too?" Again the mother replied, "Yes." "Well, said the girl, "if God is bigger than us and He lives in us, wouldn't He show through?"

Hmmm, I wonder if He shows through me.

Ta Dah! Today Marks One Year!

Exactly one year ago today, this blog began! It started as a thought in the shower -- a thought that didn't wash away! After I stepped out of the shower it took root and began to grow. (Yikes! I thought that taking root and growing required dirt, but I was fresh out of the shower!) Well, a whole year has passed since that day of new beginning, and now, I'm looking forward to looking backward! As each day goes by, of year number two in the life of this blog, it will be fun for me to look back on the things I wrote a year ago. I suppose there will be some tender touches and tough twitches along the way as I glance back, but I guess that's all part of the journey.

God designed us with memory. Sometimes memory is good and sweet, and sometimes memory involves sorrow and regret. I think that looking back can be a useful tool in my life. I want to smile in the sweetness of looking back, but I also want to sing for joy--even in the sadness of looking back. I want to learn as I remember. I want to grow, even as I groan. Someone has said that my history is really "His Story" at work in my life--what I have chosen to do with God's involvement in my life.

Will I continue this blog for another year? A year from today, will I have another year of journal entries to read back through? And, if I do, of what will they remind me? Only time will tell!

Come to think of it, blogging about my days isn't really as important to me as what I actually do with my days! Will there be anything in each day that actually counts for eternity? Will there be something in each day that matters to anyone besides myself? The more I think this through, the more I realize that another year of blogging isn't really of any great importance to me--whether I continue or stop. It's just a personal hobby, unless it blesses someone else.

As I look ahead, from this day forward, what I really look forward to--what I really get excited about, is that, any day now, God will decide it's time to call His children home. How I long for that day! May it be today...or tomorrow...or the next day . . . the sooner the better!
"Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"

Ah, what a nice day it was yesterday!

Mother's Day began with breakfast in bed, served by my dearest friend (and father of my children)--my loving husband Larry. Besides yummy food and coffee, there was also a present (something new to wear to church that morning), and a card (sweetly reminding me of his delight that, besides being his wife and the mother of his children, I am also his lover and his friend), plus a bouquet of flowers--yellow, of course. Not a bad start to a special day!

Next on the agenda was church, with an added bonus--our son joined us! The message given was one of the best I have ever heard for Mother's Day! Shortly after arriving back home, our "adopted daughter" and her family (Jen and Dave and their three young sons) joined us for the rest of the afternoon. On Saturday Larry and I had prepared a 20-lb. turkey, plus some of the fixin's to go with it, so it made for a quick and easy (and delicious) dinner on Sunday. We ate outside on the deck in the sunshine and comfortably warm temperatures.
After our company left, we decided that we shouldn't waste the remaining hours of sunshine, so we (Larry, Jim and I) headed out for a walk along the river, in an area called Kelley Pointe, where two major rivers, the Willamette and the Columbia, join hands and travel on together to the Pacific Ocean.


It's one of my favorite areas, but one I haven't been to for a long time, so that was a nice treat yesterday also! I assumed that would finish off the day, but, no, there was still more to come . . . Next, we went to my favorite fair-weather restaurant -- Island Cafe. Since none of us were hungry, after such a fabulous dinner, we just sat and sipped a cool drink on the dock.

We arrived home just as the sun was setting, painting a gorgeous swatche of bright crimson, streaked with shimmering gold highlights.
I thought, "What a perfect ending to a perfect day!"
However, there was still one more surprise waiting for me . . .

When I checked my email, I discovered that my daughter Sherry had sent me "virtual" flowers of bright yellow to let me know that she had thought of me while enjoying her own time of tranquility and beauty, off on a hike through the woodlands of Montana. (She knows me well.)

Finally, at long last, to finish off the day, Larry and I sat out on the deck, in the darkness, enjoying the stillness of the pleasant night air (with temperatures still in the 70's), and the twinkling lights of the homes on the surrounding hillsides. Incredible! What a view! What a day! What a family! I couldn't have asked for a nicer Mother's Day!

When God Made Woman

By the time the Lord made a woman, He was nearly through His sixth day of working on creation. An angel appeared and said, "Why are You spending so much time on this one?

The Lord answered, "Have you seen the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic; have 200 movable parts, all replaceable; run on black coffee and leftovers; have a lap that can hold three children at one time, but disappears when she stands up; have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart; and have six pairs of hands."

The angel was astounded at the requirements for this one, and replied, "No way!" The Lord said, "Oh, it's not the hands that are such a big deal -- it's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!" "And, that's just on the standard model?", the angel asked. The Lord nodded in agreement and stated, "Yup, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks her children what they are doing, even though she already knows; another pair in the back of her head are to see what she needs to know, even though no one thinks she can. The third pair are for looking at an errant child and communicating that she understands and loves him or her, without even saying a single word."

The angel said, "This is just too much work for one day! Wait until tomorrow to finish making the woman." "But, I can't", the Lord protested. "I am so close to being done! She already heals herself when she is sick, and she can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger, and she can get a nine-year old to stand in the shower."

The angel moved closer and touched the woman. "But, You have made her so soft, Lord. Will she hold up under stress?" "Yes, she is very soft", the Lord agreed, "but, I have also made her quite tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish!"

"Will she be able to think?", asked the angel. The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate!"

The angel then noticed something that appeared to be a flaw, and reached out to touch it. "Oops, it looks like You have a leak here. I told You that You were trying to put too much into this one." "That's not a leak", the Lord objected -- "That's a teardrop." The Lord went on to explain, "The tears will be her way of expressing joy, sorrow, disappointment, pain, loneliness, grief, and pride in her children."

"Lord", the angel said, You are truly a genius! You have thought of everything it will take for a woman to survive motherhood!"

Mom's Day Off

One day a man came home from work to find total mayhem at home. The kids were outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud and muck. There were empty food boxes and wrappers all around. As he proceeded into the house, he found an even bigger mess: dishes on the counter, dog food spilled on the floor, a broken glass under the table, and a small pile of sand by the back door. The family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing, and a lamp had been knocked over.

He headed up the stairs, stepping over toys, to look for his wife. He was becoming worried that she may be ill, or that something awful had happened to her. He found her in the bedroom, still in bed with her pajamas on, reading a book. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?" She again smiled and answered, "You know everyday when you come home from work and ask me what I did today?" "Yes", was his reply. She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."

Growing Pains

A couple of weeks ago Larry and I began the project of planting lots of new flowers and bushes in our yard. It was great fun going from place to place, choosing what we liked best and planning where those beautiful plants would be placed. However, when we brought everything home (over a 3-day period) the enormity of the project was almost over-
whelming! Obviously, it would take some time (days) to get everything into the ground, but we kept everything well-watered while it was waiting it's turn to be planted.

Five bushes were selected to line half of the border between our backyard and the house behind us--chosen not only for their beauty, but also for their winter hardiness. They have glossy, dark green foliage, with tiny pink flowers. The best part was that they retain their follage and blossom year-around. According to the tag, they are extremely hardy, unaffected by the usual winter temperatures of our climate. Wow! What a find!

Those bushes were the last of our treasures to be planted--nearly one week after their purchase. Last Saturday morning when we got ready to plant them, we discovered they looked like "death-warmed-over". I said to Larry, "Oh no--they're dead!" He said, "No, they'll come back once they're in the ground and get over the trauma of replanting."

Today, nearly a week later, they still look like death-warmed-over, and Larry has finally conceded defeat. Perhaps they are winter-hardy, but evidently they were not hardy enough to last a week in their buckets, even though they were regularly given water while they awaited planting. (I guess they "kicked the bucket"!)

This morning I read, "Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from Him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done." (Colossians 2:7) Isn't it funny how you can read something in the Bible and just gloss over it until it suddenly connects with your own life circumstances? This verse grabbed my attention as I immediately thought about the withered bushes sitting in the ground in my backyard.

Those bushes were vibrantly adorned with pretty little flowers and dark glossy leaves, when we first brought them home. Now all appearance of liveliness is gone. The flowers have died, and the dark green glossiness has faded. The leaves hang limply as though they have given up all hope of ever flourishing again. Evidently, their roots were deprived of the nourishment they desperately needed, for too long. I guess water wasn't enough to keep the plants thriving. Our intentions were good, but not good enough to keep our beautiful bushes from withering.

How like that are we in our spiritual lives? Do we sometimes seem strong and well, yet oftentimes we are totally withered and feeling like death-warmed-over? Maybe it's because our roots aren't growing down deep into the One who provides the nourishment we need to live the Christian life. Maybe a "drink of water" now and then just isn't enough to thrive on. Maybe we need to feed regularly on the Word of God, in order to retain vitality in our daily lives. That thought was confirmed to me as I read on to verse 19: "...we grow only as we get our nourishment and strength from God."

Good intentions simply aren't good enough to provide growth and strength! Without proper nourishment, our spiritual vitality will simply wilt, then droop, and then fade away completely, until we look like death-warmed-over. The good news is that, unlike these bushes that will probably have to be dug up and thrown out, we who have a connection to the living God, can always regain our liveliness and begin to thrive again, simply by drawing on the nourishment that our soul craves! As soon as we begin feeding on God's Word again, we begin to experience new strength and vitality once again! And, the more we receive that nourishment, the stronger we get! And, the stronger we get, the more beautiful our lives become once again. And, as we become strong and beautiful again, "...our lives can overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done."

Do you feel like "death-warmed-over" today? Are you withered and dry, and feel like you will never flourish again? Does it seem like your spiritual vitality is gone, and you're wondering what on earth happened to cause this change in you? Maybe your soul has run low on the proper nourishment it needs, or maybe your roots have become "root-bound" from sitting in the bucket for too long! Remember this: "... we grow only as we get our nourishment and strength from God."

Maybe it's time to kick out of that bucket, and let your roots grow down deep in the soil of God's Word, drawing up new nourishment from Him.

Wednesday Weekly

Anyone remember the old "Weekly Reader" from grade school days?

I'm thinking of trying something new here, called "Wednesday Weekly".
So far, I'm still trying to decide what it would be:

1. A weekly favorite picture
2. A weekly complaint / pet peeve
3. A weekly update on what's going on in my little world
4. A weekly devotional
5. A weekly joke or funny story/anecdote
6. A weekly favorite something I've read somewhere
7. A weekly prayer request
8. A weekly goof-up report
9. A weekly _____________________________________(?)

Got any suggestions? Tell me your preference in the above list or suggest something else.

On a side-note, as I looked back at my original blog ("Rascal Jack Stew"), I saw that one year ago today, this is what I posted:

P.S. While I was waiting for your suggestions, I came up with a way to use all of the above ideas, but I'd still love to hear your suggestions. Thanks!

Blog Green Accent Color

The right green accent color for my blog: border

A Little Update

It's been a beautiful day here today. I spent several hours outside, working in the yard, soaking up the warm sunshine. It's quickly becoming my new favorite pastime. Once I get outside doing yard work, enjoying the fresh air and warm sunshine, I lose all track of time and simply don't know when to quit--especially since there is no end to yard work! So, whenever you don't find a new post here, just figure I'm enjoying being outside too much to come inside and sit at the computer.

We've enjoyed having Patti (our son's girlfriend) here for the last three days, but now they're headed for the airport for Patti to catch a plane back home to San Diego. It's been such a treat for all of us to have her here, and she hopes to be back at the end of June to go with us to Penticton, B.C. for a family wedding/reunion.

It looks like we may have found a new church home, after seven weeks of visiting around. We've been there for the last two Sundays and feel very comfortable with everything so far. The people are warm and friendly, making us feel right at home very quickly. We plan to continue attending there, unless God directs otherwise. It's called Harvest Community Church (in the Conservative Baptist Association), and is located in the community of Hillsboro--about a 20-minute drive from here. We were hoping to choose a church closer to home, but we both like it enough to make the drive worth it. This past Sunday we had the pleasant surprise of finding that someone Larry works with (and his wife) also attend that church.

This morning we had the unpleasant surprise of finding a water leak in the ceiling of our finished basement, probably indicating a problem with the shower in the master bathroom above it. Oh yikes! It has already caused some damage to the ceiling (and perhaps the floor above it) which will have to be repaired, plus fixing whatever is leaking--not sure how that repair takes place since the source of the problem is under the stall shower!

Well, I guess that's it for a little update from my house.

A Preface to What Comes Next

Warning: The post that follows this note has caused some confusion today. It evidently seems to have a negative connotation -- an edge of edgy edginess! So, I want to put your mind at ease even before you read it. I have no idea why it came off the way it did, because I wasn't feeling the least bit down when I wrote it. The thoughts expressed were the result of a statement made to me last week: "It isn't about you--it's about them." This statement was made during a really good, thought-provoking discussion with my son (regarding my difficulties in seeing, or hearing or reading about violence and brutality). It was really a very worthwhile discussion! But, that statement has "haunted" my thoughts for many days, and has come back to me from other sources several times since my son said it. So, I finally decided to blog about it. That's it in a nutshell! Nothing gloomy or depressing in the writing of the following post.

It's Not About Me . . . (Is it about you?)

This has been a recurrent theme in my life lately. I keep trying to push the thought away, but it keeps getting said by someone (either in conversation or in something I read), that, "It's not about you, it's about them!" (Who's "them"?)

It's supposed to be all about others, I guess! But, is it ever about me?
I guess it's only about me when I am included in the "them" category in someone else's life. Does this mean that I only matter when I'm an-other? Should anything about "me" matter to me, or should it always be "all about them"?

When it comes to blogging, it's usually all about me. That's what blogging is, right? It's a journal of my thoughts and my feelings, a report of my activities and my plans. But, it's also about you too, isn't it? Isn't that evidenced by the fact that it includes an invitation for your comments, which means I'm genuinely interested in your thoughts and feelings?
But, of course, that's also about my own desire and need to receive feedback--to hear your thoughts and feelings in response to what I say. It's about my desire and need to have two-way communication with others--to have a frequent connection with you. (But, isn't that also about you?)

When I call others on the phone, just to chat, is it about me or about them? Was my phone call prompted by my concern for another's need to receive some attention from someone? Or, was it really prompted by my own need for relationship and fellowship?

When I'm giving thought to someone else, were my thoughts prompted by genuine concern for that person's needs, and because I'm wondering what's going on in that person's life? Have I truly given any consideration to whether that person is feeling a little neglected by me? Or, were my thoughts really prompted by my own need for attention--perhaps because I'm feeling neglected by the other person?

So, bottom line . . . is it really about others or is it really about me . . . or should it actually be about us? The more I think on this subject, the more difficult it becomes to sort it out! I'll let ya know when I get it all figured out.

On second thought, it might not be about me getting it all figured out -- it might be about hearing your thoughts on this subject. So, when you get it all figured out, would you let me know?

My guess is that the answer lies somewhere in mutuality. The Bible says, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4) That seems to indicate to me that it isn't wrong to look out for my own interests and concerns, but it is also a reminder to look out for the interests and concerns of others as well.

Happiness and Joy

This morning as I was reading the Bible, I took notice of both of these words: "happiness" and "joy." I've always heard it said that "Happiness depends on our outward circumstances, but joy comes from deep within ourselves, especially related to the spiritual condition of our heart--our relationship with God.

So, I wasn't surprised to read this (in Habakkuk 3:17): "Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Sovereign Lord is my strength!"

But, I was very surprised to read this (in Psalm 119:35): "Make me walk along the path of Your commands, for that is where my happiness is found." My heart responded, "YES! That is where my happiness is found -- it's found in walking along the path God has chosen for me -- the path of following His commands -- His ways and His will for my life!"

How much clearer can it get than this? For those who claim to love the Lord, and claim to be His children, and claim to be His followers -- our happiness lies in walking with God -- along the path of His commands! Now I see clearly that happiness and joy do go hand-in-hand!

Life may not always be fun, but when my heart is right with God, and my ways please Him, He will provide a jug of joyfulness and a heaping helping of happiness!

The LORD is my strength…I trust in him with all my heart…He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy." "He renews my strength; He guides me along right paths…" (Psalm 28:7 & 23:3 New Living Translation)

In Good Hands...All the Days of My Life

Lord, what's up for today? The sky is pure blue, without a cloud in sight. The temperature has already climbed to 70 degrees (F) at only 11:00 in the morning. My heart is quietly at rest, savoring the beauty of my surroundings, both inside and outside my home. There's so much I could do today that I hardly know where to begin. I'm filled with the sense of You at work within me, yet I'm unaware of what you have planned for this day of my life. So, I'll just enjoy this peaceful feeling and soak up Your presence as I go about my day. My life is in Your hands -- use me as You will. Amen.

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. . . Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23:1,6 - NLT)

April showers bring May flowers

and May flowers bring achy-breaky backs!

April showers did, indeed, lead to flowers; however, they didn't just magically appear as a result of the April rains. The work of my hands and the sweat of my brow, together with Larry's toil, caused them to reside in our yard. We devoted much of our time to the project on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday -- and now I have the aching back to go with all that work! So far, about 75-80 flowers and 6 bushes have been planted, plus 5 more bushes, 2 poinsettia plants (still thriving since Christmas), and a climbing rose are waiting to go in the ground. Hopefully, all the hard work and sore, weary bodies will be worth it, but right now I'm thinking...
next time hire it done!!!