Because You Come to Me

August 22, 1969
This was sung at our wedding (by my Uncle Grover Kahl) 38 years ago today:

Because, you come to me,
with naught save love,
and hold my hand and lift mine eyes above,
a wider world of hope and joy I see,
because you come to me!

Because you speak to me in accent sweet,
I find the roses waking 'round my feet,
and I am led through tears and joy to thee,
because you speak to me!

Because God made thee mine,
I’ll cherish thee,
through light and darkness through all time to be,
and pray His love may make our love divine,
because God made thee mine!

Music by Guy d'Hardelot and lyrics by Edward Teschemacher
With Russ Case and His Orchestra and Produced by Eli Oberstein
Sing Magazine "Record of the Month"
Recorded December 02, 1947, New York
Artist: Perry Como

It's still true today.

A Very Fun Rainy Day

Today was a lousy weather day, but a very enjoyable day of friendship! My friend, Karen and I had plans for something big that only comes around once a year, and she wanted to get a good early start. The wake-up call I had planned on didn't wake me up since the volume on my CD player alarm clock was set to a very quiet, soothing sound to fall asleep by. Larry came in about 7:30 to gently wake me and remind me of my plans for the day, since I had told him the night before that I couldn't sleep in this morning.

Actually, he came in to see if I had yet discovered the weather conditions and what impact they might have on my plans. Plus, I guess he realized that either I was accidentally oversleeping, or that I needed to call Karen and see if she wanted to postpone our big day.

It was raining--not just sprinkling (as the internet weather news stated), but an honest-to-goodness, steady, clothes-soaking rain. Even through my sleepy eyes, I knew it would probably prevent optimum enjoyment of our plans. So, I sadly called Karen to offer another day this week. Karen wasn't the least bit deterred by the weather! She had been lying in bed, awake since 6:00 or 6:30, imagining how great it would be to go in the rain, since few others would show up! Plus, she said that according to the weather man, the rain would probably let up within an hour or so. I thought, "Yeah, right -- that's not the weather report I read", but I didn't tell Karen that.

She arrived a little before nine o'clock so we could get "a good early start", on our little journey to the annual "Street of Dreams". As if 9:00 A.M. just wasn't quite early enough, she showed up ten minutes early--just couldn't wait to get our day started. Plus, she really wanted to get a good, close place to park, and be nearly first in line to get our tickets.

Our travel time didn't take us anywhere near as long as she figured it would, so we were there about 20-25 minutes early--according to her calculations. (I had let her do all the planning for this, without even bothering to read the information on the advertisement flyer, since I had already been there a week and a half ago with Larry.) When we arrived at our destination, we were delighted to find very fews cars, and ecstatic to be able to park really close to the entrance area, since it was still raining cats & dogs.

We stepped out of the car, onto the very wet field-parking lot, into the rain, quickly pulling on our jackets and popping up our umbrellas, laughing at the weather and marveling at our wise planning. As we approached the ticket gate, we noticed that, not only was no one else in sight, it wasn't even open yet. Well, we were really early, so obviously it was too soon for the ticket office to be open. Then, as we stood there wondering what we should do besides stand in the rain and wait for the next twenty minutes, we both noticed the sign. At the same moment, we turned and faced each other and dropped our jaws. The sign said the hours were 11:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M., which meant we were an hour and twenty minutes early -- and it was pouring rain -- way out in the country, in the middle of nowhere! We stood there in the rain and laughed at ourselves, and then drudged back to the car.

Someone who was there to work told us there was a little "coffee spot" just down the road at a gas station. Sure enough there was. Actually, we spotted a general store and just assumed that was it, so we parked and went inside, glad to be in out of the rain. Karen bought a cup of coffee while I found the employees' private restroom, usually off-limits to customers. I thought, "Well, as long as we buy coffee, from the proprietor, I guess she'll be okay with me using her private bathroom. However, when I came out, Karen quietly let me know that this wasn't really the coffee spot we had been told about. It was simply a general store, with no place to sit and drink coffee--except on the bench outside--in the rain. The little coffee spot was across the street, at the gas station. So, up went our umbrellas, and we quickly ran through the rain, across the street to the gas station, laughing at ourselves once again. There we drank coffee and visited with the proprietor until time to head back to the "Street of Dreams".

By the time we got back, there were lots more hardy souls like ourselves, filling up the parking areas, and standing in line to buy tickets--in the rain. We ended up sharing our umbrellas with two other women huddling beside us in the rain, while we waited once again for the ticket office to open. Then we were finally on our way to tour six fabulous, brand new mansions -- yes, huge, incredibly beautiful way-over-sized "homes" (more like private lodges). Oh, what a way to live!

It's terribly hard to remain content with what you have, after spending even a couple of hours in places like that! It is truly a dream world!

Next, we were off to lunch, back into the real world, at a wonderful little French cafe-boulangerie, complete with all the amazing breads and desserts on display. We both decided on the soup de jour--white bean in a tomato base with fennel and sausage, which came with some really good French bread. It sounded delicious to both of us, but as we began to eat, we discovered that the beans were hard--almost crunchy--totally not fully cooked! That almost spoiled our fun -- until they graciously offered us something else to eat and our choice of any of their French pastries for dessert--free! Mm Mmm MMMM! That saved the day. As we left the restaurant, to walk back to the parking garage--through the pouring rain--we laughed again at the weather and all the fun we were having out and about in it together!

After that we stopped at a couple of stores that are great to browse/shop in, until Karen suddenly realized what time it was. It was way past time to call it a day and head home, but it was such a fun day--totally enjoyable, despite the rain -- a far better way to spend a gray, rainy day, than sitting in the house, looking out the window, and bemoaning the lousy summer weather!

Next time the gray skies and pouring rain is getting you down -- get out in it

Almost Perseided

The date had been locked into my memory ever since posting it on my calendar a couple of weeks ago. I even arranged for an automatic reminder to be emailed to me so I wouldn't forget. It worked -- I remembered, and could hardly wait for the big event!

We got together with our "Home Fellowship" group last night, and arrived back home about 9:15. Perfect timing, I thought! (I hadn't yet told Larry that I was planning for us to watch the Perseid meteor show that night.) I had it all planned: We would dress warmly, pack some food and drink, load blankets (or sleeping bags), pillows, and chaise lounges into the back of our SUV, and head out to find dark skies -- far from the lights of metropolitan Portland.

Finally, I announced my plan to Larry, and we began to make preparations to go. Then our son called and said he was on his way home, but would I please look over some stuff for him to help him out. I agreed to do so, and invited him and Patti to join us for our meteor viewing excursion. He declined, saying he was really tired, and going to bed when he got home.

When he got home I was still busy with the favor he had asked for, so he got involved in the project, as well. That kept us busy until around 12:30 A.M.! (So much for him going straight to bed.)

Well, by then Larry and I decided to forego the long ride to find totally dark skies. So, we hauled chaise lounges up onto our upper level deck (from the patio down below), and outfitted them with blankets and pillows, and plopped down to watch, along with some toast to munch on. Yup, we were comfy and ready for the show.

We soon found ourselves annoyed by all the outside lights on the houses around us, so we found ways to block out the light from our immediate view, and then settled back in to watch the show. Okay, now we're ready! Let the show begin!

By then it was about 1:00 A.M. (at least), and we layed back comfortably, staring into space, expectantly waiting for the big show. Hmmm...wasn't this show supposed to start by 10:00? Well, maybe it starts slow and then picks up speed as the night goes on. The peak time was reported to be 2:00 A.M., so at least we won't miss it -- supposedly at least one meteor per minute! This aughta be good!

Finally, Larry saw one -- I missed it (looking a different direction). After a few minutes, he saw another one -- I missed that one too. The wait lengthened . . . then he saw another one -- I didn't see that one either. Then it happened -- I saw one! Fun! Then another one -- cool! Then another very long wait.

Both of us got very sleepy while we stared and waited. We were probably out there for about an hour or so, but finally agreed that the poor showing just wasn't worth the trouble of trying to stay awake. With much disappointment we got up, carried all our stuff back inside, and went to bed.

Maybe we each saw half a dozen meteors. It was supposed to be a meteor "shower", but I'd have to say it was more like a few sprinkles--with just a drop now and then. It was kinda fun to be sort of camping out on the deck, in the cool night air, just watching the night sky, with all the stars, but it certainly wasn't what we had imagined it would be. I guess we were almost perseided, but not quite.

Good News!

That's what Larry exclaimed as he came upstairs from his office this morning. His exact words were: Good news! I just found out I'm getting fired on August 24th! I replied, "Oh, good!" Then we both laughed at the absurdity of such a statement! Actually, we prayed for this to happen, and were delighted that God answered our prayer.

Three weeks ago I described how we are still "Patiently Waiting" for the outcome of Larry's uncertain job situation. Here's a quick update:

On July 24th he had his second interview for a job in the local area -- a job he would really like to get, and one that he seemed very likely to get. Last Friday, since he hadn't heard anything further, he called to inquire and was told that they had been a bit delayed in that decision-making process and that he would probably hear during the middle of this week. However, he still hasn't heard anything further, so we are still patiently waiting.

Things have continued to deteriorate in the company he currently works for, and bankruptcy still appears imminent. His severance date was originally set as September 21st, but the commonly held fear is that the company could be out of business before that date, and those employees who had been given such a distant severance date would never see paychecks to that date, much less receive their severance check. Of course we've been praying about that little concern.

For the last couple of weeks Larry has been pondering whether to ask that his severance date be moved up to the next round of final paychecks--August 24th. I've been cautioning him against making that decision too quickly, and rather, just waiting on the Lord to make it clear. On Wednesday (this week), during a phone call with his boss , the perfect opportunity presented itself and Larry confidently stepped into it, asking to have his severance date moved up to August 24th. His boss checked into that possibility, and then called Larry back to tell him that he could be "released" from further duties on that date, but the severance date was "locked in concrete" and could not be changed. That would simply mean that Larry could discontinue working on August 24th, but would continue to receive paychecks until September 21, at which time he would receive his severance check (if the company was still in business).

We immediately went to the Lord together on this matter, seeking that His will be done.

The next day (yesterday) his boss called back and said they had changed their minds, and were willing to consider changing Larry's severance date. This morning Larry received the confirmation that, indeed, his new severance date is August 24th. Now we're asking that God keep the company from going bankrupt before that date.

Praise the Lord, from whom all blessings flow!

What August Brings

April showers bring May flowers, but, look what August brings!

It must be true . . . it's on my calendars for August! Proof positive!
One can dream, right?

While you're dreaming, here's something worth thinking about:

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap,
but by the seeds you plant." - Robert Louis Stevenson

SURPRISE !

My pictures of our camping trip at the coast last weekend are posted on my photo page. (I even surprised myself by getting them posted so soon!)

Click here

Road Tripping

Last weekend we (Larry and I, and Jim and Patti) jammed everything but the kitchen sink into the car, and took off on an unplanned jaunt, of uncertain length, with an undecided destination, for a unknown adventure! We headed west and meandered down the coast, stopping wherever and whenever someone said, "Let's stop here!"

After finding all the campgrounds full, well into the evening hours, we finally found an RV park that let us pitch our tent on their overflow area. It was right across the road from the ocean, at one of the most perfect, most beautiful beaches we had seen all day! After getting camp set up, we headed back into town to get some take-out supper food, and then came back and set up our chairs on the beach to enjoy the rest of sunset and twilight, staying on the beach till about 10:30 P.M.

What a wonderful weekend was enjoyed by all!

P.S. I'll try to find time to post more pictures, but, as you already know, sometimes I never do get around to doing it!

Patiently Waiting

We have been living with uncertainty regarding Larry's job for over a year now. In July of 2006, continuation of the job he had for seven years became uncertain, and then finally ended in January of 2007, when the company was closed down.

In February he was delighted to learn that he would be kept on to work for the "parent company" of his former employer. The new position was on a three-month trial basis.

The three months successfully came and went in May, with no notice of severance.

However, the company was sold soon after that point, and the division that Larry worked for is in the process of being closed down. Larry was kept on through the first two layoffs, but finally received his notice a week ago.

That same day he learned of a job opportunity with another similar company in our area. He sent his resume in, had an interview a couple of days ago, and now . . . once again . . . we are "patiently waiting."

P.S. In answer to the question some of you have been asking -- no, we never did learn who TP'd our house, or why. We've just chalked it up to one of those funny things that happens in life

T P ' d

This morning I awoke to an unbelievable white wonderland! (Well, not when I first opened my eyes) At first sight of this new day, everything looked normal. However, as I walked out of my bedroom and down the hall, toward the coffee pot in the kitchen, the sight out the larger-than-life living room windows stopped me in my tracks! Everything was white! It was like "winter-wonderland", except, even in my half-awake, half-asleep state of mind, I knew it wasn't winter! It took a minute for it to register that...we'd been T P 'd during the night--toilet papered, that is!!

Who would want to do such a thing to us??? We have no known enemies, and no well-known, local teenagers in our lives at this place and point in time. But, someone obviously chose to give us many rolls of toilet paper (a kind-hearted gesture ?), while decorating our yard for us! Hey, Pam ("Super Mom"), I do recall you asking for a picture of our yard, after I spent many, many hours out there working on it. Well, here it is, in all its "loveliness":As I stood there staring, open-mouthed in disbelief, my husband came upstairs (from his office on the lower level), and enjoyed the shock on my face. Then he quickly informed me that it was starting to rain, so we'd better get out there and get it cleaned up as fast as possible, before the toilet paper became soaked, and nearly impossible to remove.

So, without another step toward the much-desired cup of coffee, I threw on some clothes and hurried out the door to help with the very speedy clean-up effort.

Fortunately, the weather cooperated and the sprinkles didn't turn into a down-pour until after we were finished grabbing/pulling/raking all the white stuff out of the trees and stuffing it into the trash bin. Unfortunately, it filled up half of the trash bin, leaving a very limited amount of space for the trash to be added over the next four days!Nonetheless, it was a very fun wake-up experience! We laughed and chatted with one of the neighbors who also enjoyed both the scene, and our reaction! Oh, such fun!

Vacation Days

We've just returned from a little vacation in California, and it's time to admit -- it has finally happened! A move back "home" to California?
No, not yet. Instead, it's the thing we've dreaded might happen to us, ever since moving to Oregon (3 years ago this month). We've become

tree-huggers!

We knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. But, it didn't happen in Oregon as one might expect.

It happened on this visit to California. As soon as we arrived at the Redwood Forest, Larry stopped the car and ran for the nearest big one! What could I do (as a good wife) except follow my husband's lead!

Hugging this baby bunny would have been much more delightful, but it preferred to just sit and visit with me, keeping a wary eye open for any movement that was too close for comfort.

Our time away was very nice -- beautiful scenery, wonderful relaxation, and perfect weather -- sunny and warm, with cloudless azure skies!

More pictures to be posted soon . . .

Today it's time to return to reality -- life on the edge in Oregon, where everything is beautifully green, and the skies are white.

Exhausting Rejuvenation

Is it possible? Yes! Cutting away the dead stuff and eliminating the excess is painful and exhausting, but, oh so rejuvenating!

Yesterday I worked in the yard for the entire day! By the time I called it quits (about 7:00/7:30) last night, I could barely force my legs to walk into the house. It took sheer will power just to put one foot in front of the other. First I went into the garage and peeled off the dirty clothes, dropping them right where I pulled them off. (They were not suitable for the dirty clothes hamper!) Then I headed straight for the shower and let the hot water soothe my soreness before I could even begin to scrub away the filth. Washing the gunk out of my hair was the biggest challenge--it was full of pine sap, and shampoo could not remove it! I began thinking I would have to cut it out, but a bar of of soap finally did the trick.

Next stop was the sofa -- somehow I made it that far and stayed there for a long time! Larry was still outside working. (He hadn't started yard work nearly as early in the day as I had.) When he came in, although he too was very tired, he drove to get some "fast food" for us. Otherwise, we may have gone to bed hungry!

This morning I keep walking from window to window, inspecting and admiring the loveliness of our yard. The exhausting labor was well-worth it! Although my body is still weary, and some spots are expressing their disapproval in what I did to them yesterday, I feel rejuvenated--glad for the exercise and fresh air that my lungs took in all day long yesterday!

Oh, and my trees and bushes feel much better today also -- I think.

Reflections

Reflecting on how much I've learned in life by way of the ever-present trials and tribulations . . .

Yesterday morning as I was driving to church I was thinking about the "school of hard knocks" -- a learning institution that every one of us has attended, and will continue to attend throughout our entire lifetime. It's one school that has no commencement exercises because no one is ever graduated from it! Just think how boring it would be to be all done learning!

It's the hard things of life, the difficult times that can provide us with the greatest opportunities to learn what not to do, what not to say, what will cause hurt to others . . . what will actually help or hinder others, what will encourage or discourage others, what will build others up or tear them down, what will benefit or harm the well-being of others.

As I thought this through this morning, I suddenly felt thankful for the hard things I've experienced in my life. I felt thankful for the difficulties I've experienced with people. God was (and still is) in it all! He knew what I needed to learn, and the best way to teach it to me. He knew what I could handle, and what I could learn to handle--with His help.

Life is all about people! I love being personally involved in their lives, and helping with their needs! I love listening to their hearts, and communicating the love of Jesus to them. I love having opportunities to reflect the character of God as He develops that in my life, and to provide for others the care of His hand, as He also does that for me through the hands of others that He brings into my life.

Doing unto others (and speaking to others) as I would want done and said to me is a good rule of thumb! Hey, maybe we could call it "The Golden Rule"! What a great way to live! That's how I want to learn to live.

Too Busy for Blogging!

Life has become really busy for me! A few weeks ago I spent some time dialoguing with God regarding ministry. It seemed to me that the gifts He gave me were mostly just sitting on the shelf, not being used much. That has really bothered me for the last couple of years (ever since moving from Washington to Oregon). Well, lo and behold, God showed me how He desires to use me, and even gave me a name for it!

D' VINE CARE

What is "D' VINE CARE"?

It is giving care to others, as God's hands and feet, helping with the needs of people, as God brings them to me. It's whatever is needed in the lives of other women, such as: meals during difficult times, hospital or home visitation, "Kitchen Table Counseling", mentoring, one-on-one discipleship, transportation, practical help during a crunch time for someone . . . whatever is needed!

During the last four weeks, I have been so busy with opportunities for service, that I hardly think about the blog world anymore. What a huge change for me! I'm usually quite tired out by the end of the day, but loving every minute of the ministry God has given me!