New Month -- Time to Update

January brought some changes:

1. Our house in Oregon sold and closed--money is in the bank!

2. A new opportunity to teach began--I am teaching the book of Philippians to a small group of women on Wednesday nights. We meet at church every week during the same time period as the AWANA program.

3. Larry has joined the Board of Directors for DaySpring--the assisted living facility where I work/volunteer.

Things that remain the same:

1. We enjoy living in Texas.

2. We enjoy our church and being actively involved there.

3. We enjoy participating in two small, mixed groups--every Sunday night, each group meeting on alternating Sundays.

4. We enjoy being a part of planning and participating in "Encore", a group for the "over 50" crowd, meeting somewhat monthly.

5. We enjoy spending every other weekend with our "adopted grandchildren" (pictured on my blog last month).
6. I enjoy spending two days a week at "DaySpring" Assisted Living.

7. Larry enjoys his job with FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation).

8. LIFE IS GOOD!

9. GOD IS GOOD!

10. I am joyful, despite circumstances that are sometimes not so joyful.

Last Day of the First Month

As I looked back at my first post of the new year, on the first day of the first month of the new year, I see quite a contrast!What a change one month can make! Winter to summer! But, alas, the change wasn't a lasting change. Winter weather is due back tomorrow--really cold temperatures--maybe ice, maybe snow, but downright cold for sure!

Makes me think about lasting change . . . Any changes we planned for the new year have had one month of practice. How's it working for you so far?

Another Beautiful Day!

Wow! Two gorgeous "winter" days in a row! Today's forecast called for 73 degrees and rain. Instead, we have 75 degrees and bright sunshine! My head said, "Get the ironing done and the kitchen cleaned up while Larry is outside working in the yard". My heart said, "Nah, that can be done in the evening after the sun goes down." Guess which one won the debate.
Obviously, my heart. I mean, really, who could resist sitting by the pool, in the sunshine, in the middle of winter, when it's 75 degrees outside? Actually, I was sitting on the diving board, with bare feet and my jeans rolled up, when I noticed the pretty water pattern in the pool.I just had to get a closer look, so I went over to the side of the pool to get a better close-up picture.But, once I got that close to the edge, I couldn't resist stepping into the water--up to my knees!My next debate was, "Should I get my swim suit on and take a dip?" It didn't take very long standing in the cold water for me to make my decision. Maybe another day.

Breakfast - Poolside - in January!

This morning it was just too nice outside to eat breakfast inside! Fifty degrees, sitting in the sun, felt more like 70-75, so out I went with my breakfast tray. I wasn't the least bit chilly in just shirt sleeves (well, plus the other necessary attire). In fact, by the time I finished my breakfast, I was getting downright too warm in long sleeves. If I had stayed out there much longer, I would have needed to change into cooler clothing. Ahhhhh, bring on summertime!

Oh, by the way, regarding the yellow Corvette shown at the top of my blog . . .
No, we have not suddenly gone hog wild on a spending spree, because of the sale of our house in Oregon. We happened upon this fine speciman at a car show when we went to the Texas State Fair last summer. One can dream big, right?

Time has passed since posting the above. Now it's 4:50 P.M. and I've just come inside after sitting outside again--for the third time today! When I ate my lunch out there it was between 65 and 70 degrees of wonderful sunshine and deep blue sky. (By then I had changed into cooler clothes and discarded my shoes.) Trying to read while I ate was almost impossible because I couldn't keep my head in my book! I kept looking around at the sky, enjoying the warmth of the day, and thinking, "This can't be winter--the end of January!" Later in the afternoon the temperature had climbed to 73 degrees, so I grabbed my book and went out for one more healthy helping of sunshine. With just the barest whisper of a breeze caressing my toes, bright, warm sunshine, and beautiful blue skies, I was magically transported into the most ideal summer day you could ever imagine. Then my cell phone rang.

How quickly I was brought back to reality when the caller gave me the news that a dear friend had just died. She was one of my favorite residents at the assisted living facility where I work--the first of those I know well and think of as my chosen friends. This is the only hard part of working in a place such as this. I know I will continually say a sad goodbye to one after another. It's all part of the "job" that I have chosen--or that God has chosen for me. His joy is my strength.

Here this weekend...

Our "adopted" grandchildren

Rachel, 10
......Nik, 8





..............Josh, 7
Caleb, 5







We have them every other weekend, Friday at lunch time until Saturday afternoon. This time they were here until 9:30 PM on Saturday because we were celebrating Josh's 7th birthday. Mom and Dad (Tiffany and Erik) came for dinner and birthday cake. They are great kids, and what a crazy, fun, noisy time it makes for when they spend the weekend here!

Adjusting Our Focus

As I move into this new year, I'm thinking a lot about my focus--what it is and what it should be.

Last Sunday our pastor suggested that instead of focusing on what happens to us, we should focus on what happens through us!

It isn't really a new thought, but rather just a new twist on an old thought:

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!"

Or, as our pastor preferred, make lemon-pepper chicken.

Why not accept what happens to us in 2011 as an opportunity to make something good happen through us

A Better Focus

Once taught by a wise mother:

"It's nice to be important,
but it's more important to be nice!"

I heard this yesterday from a co-worker who hasn't forgotten what she was taught in childhood.

Oh, to think on that everyday!

Food for Thought

Happiness is simply an emotion -- usually based on our circumstances.

True joy (the joy of the Lord) is a "fruit of the Spirit".

(Galations 5:22)

Happy New Year!

Have you noticed my new profile picture yet? I was thinking that a new year needs a new picture of me. Why would I choose this silly picture? Because everything's bigger in Texas, don't ya know!

A very nice start to this new year is the fact that our house in Beaverton is finally sold! The deal will close on Friday this week. Yea! Thank you God!!!

It's snowing today--those big fluffy flakes that are so pretty! But, it seems so strange to look out at the pool and see the beautiful tourquois water surrounded by all the white fluffy stuff! Snow here is a rare treat!

Anyone for a dip in the pool?

That Time of Year

Just look at that sky! Today as I sat outside in 70 degrees of warm, bright sunshine, I thought, "Wow! What a life! It just doesn't get much better than this!" What a great day to work on Christmas cards.

Afterall, this coming Wednesday is December 1st. Yup, it's that time of year again.

So, here's where I sat to do it--in summer clothes--barefoot!

Thanksgiving

Hey Y'all...
I'm just popping in here to say a heart-felt Happy Thanksgiving to family and friends all over.

It has been such a wonderful day for us in our new home--so far from our former home. Even though we have no relatives here in Texas, we have "family" galore in very dear friends here. So, our first Thanksgiving Day here was not lonely like it could have been without our own family around. We have adopted two other families here as our own, and one of those families shared our home today. Each family (us and them) provided half of the delicious meal. When both halves were put together, it became a great feast of food and laughter.

Now that they have gone home, I'm sitting here basking in the afterglow of the enjoyment that was ours today. And, I'm dreaming of Christmas! I can hardly wait till next month when our home will be filled to the brim with the laughter of our own kids and grandkids. What excitement and happiness that will add to our holidays. WOW! It just can't come soon enough for me!

P.S. I love working (volunteering) at "DaySpring" Assisted Living! What a great privilege that is for me. I am incredibly blessed and thankful!

Finally Fall

I've been waiting for fall to arrive. Afterall, the calendar tells me it was supposed to start on September 23rd. In most other places I've lived, the autumn colors begin their beautiful display on or about that time. It must be different here in Texas, because, until today, I've seen no sign of its arrival. I walked out the front door this morning to go to the mailbox, and saw, right in front of me, directly across the street from my house--a huge tree completely arrayed in all the splendid hues of fall! Who planted it there overnight? Perhaps it was simply draped with a sheet until this morning. No, it couldn't be--surely I would have noticed that as I've gone to the mailbox everyday since moving here! Yet, there it is, in all it's glorious splendor!No wonder I've seen no sign of it anywhere else--my neighbor has it all captured! (Notice the overhang of tree branches in my yard--still all green.)

Isn't it funny how we can look at the same scene every day and not even notice something really big, in plain sight--like a gigantic tree that takes up an entire front yard!

This morning, as I thought about writing this new blog post, it suddenly hit me that reading the Bible is like that too. How often do we read the same section that we've read many times before, and suddenly see something "new", like it wasn't there before! Lately I've been reading in the Old Testament and seeing things I never noticed before--like they just showed up! The living, eternal Word of God is like that--new everyday, new insights, new encouragement, new understanding--every time we read it. (Yes, I realize that benefit is a result of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.) Isn't it great to know that kind of God!

P.S. Please continue to pray with us for the sale of our house in Oregon. Thanks!

TEN TEN TEN

10-10-10 Wow! It's a good day for an update here. Tomorrow will be the 6-month anniversary of our move to Texas. It doesn't seem possible that we have been here six months already. We like it here and are happy to consider ourselves Texans. Such a welcome change in weather, such friendliness in people, such a good church we attend, such goodness of God to bring us here -- it's all good!!!

Speaking of church . . .
We have decided to become members and will be attending the membership seminar on October 24th. It didn't take us long to get involved and feel right at home. Larry has attended a couple of men's breakfasts, the men's retreat, and a weekly men's Bible study group. Together we are a part of two mixed group Bible studies and are helping to start a new quarterly gathering of adults in mid-life for fun stuff! I am volunteering two days a week at the asssisted living facility next door to our church, owned by our church. Plus, I'm helping with women's ministry stuff, as needed by the Women's Ministry Coordinator.

On the home front . . .
We had a family friend living with us for two months, and then got to know his family after they all moved here. At first we were getting together here every other Sunday after church, for lunch and on through the afternoon. Recently that changed to having their kids here every other Friday afternoon and evening, spending the night with us and staying until Saturday afternoon. The kids are three boys and one girl, ages six through ten, and totally adorable! So, we have become surrogate grandparents to them and really enjoy the whole family!

Larry still loves his job! It has been an excellent change for him, and he feels that he has the best job in his whole career.

All in all we feel that everything here is a good fit for us and are so thankful for this move. It's clear to us that God led us in this new adventure and trust that He will continue what He began in us.

What could appear to be a glitch in the plan is the fact that our house in Beaverton, Oregon still hasn't sold. Yet, we know there are no "glitches" in God's plans for our lives. We would welcome your prayers for us as we try to understand the "why" and the financial burden of this situation. It is stressful both mentally and financially as we continue to pay all of the monthly expenses for two houses, and watch the bank acounts dwindle. It seems that God is allowing us to be tested, and we are having to continually seek encouragement and strength for this difficult and discouraging time of testing. Six months is a long time to keep on keeping on when God seems silent to our prayers for His help in this matter. But, keeping on we must, for it's in the hard times that our faith is tested and proven!

So, currently we are a bit "cast down", but we must believe that God hasn't forsaken us. He has led us here and given us a good life here. We know that He will complete what he began, for He is good to His children. He has a plan for us that is for our good--not for our harm!

We will stay the course and pass the test, in God's strength that He provides. Please pray for us, for continual encouragement and strength, and wisdom. Thanks!

Morning Light

7:30 A.M.

"Let the godly rejoice.
Let them be glad in God's presence.
Let them be filled with joy.

Sing praises to God and to His name!
Sing loud praises to Him who rides the clouds.
His name is the LORD--
rejoice in His presence!

Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior!
For each day He carries us in His arms."

(Psalm 68:3,4,19)

It was here that I sat this morning to awaken my soul and let in the morning light--the light of the sun and the light of the Son. In the stillness of early morning, broken only by the song of the birds, I read the ancient Psalm aloud--but quietly. When I got to the part about singing loud praises to Him who rides the clouds, I was tempted to raise my voice in joyful song, but then gave thought to my neighbors who might not be delighted with my early morning praise.

As I sat by the pool, sipping my coffee, I noticed the crisp, clear reflection in the pool. I almost waited too long to capture the scene with my camera. When I first saw the tree reflected in the water, the image was perfectly mirrored, unmarred by any shadow of light (like the slide in the above pic). It was captivating! By the time I came back with my camera, the lighting had changed, but the scene was still beautiful with the rays of light pouring into the pool.

What a way to start the day--sipping that first cup of coffee beside the pool (in p.j.s), soaking up the early morning rays of sunshine, and drinking in the light of God's Word...aaaahh.