To everything there is a season...

A Season of Rest
It's something I've been thinking about over the last month or so, and it's time to make the decision. My interest in the blog world has been waning. Perhaps my season of blogging has run its course. I've enjoyed it, but perhaps it's time for a season of rest--from blogging. There's so much more I want to enjoy in life, and blogging seems to keep me from it. For me it's all-consuming, and it seems that the only way I can get free of my "addiction" to it, is to make a complete break from it. Perhaps I'll return someday, but for now the sun has set in my blog world.

Reunited!

Together again at long last--sisters three and our dad. What a grand visit we had! What a wonderful week back in our home state of Michigan! What fun to visit with relatives on both sides of our family! But, today I'm glad to be back home! Going away is fun, and getting together with precious family is great, but nothing can compare to coming home!

My Day!

Today is "my day"! The sky is bright blue and nearly cloudless! The sun is shining and the temperature is very pleasant! It truly is a beautiful day!

I can choose for myself today--if I want to. So, for starters, I indulged in a little extra sleep this morning--sleeping in till 8:30. I had a very full weekend, with lots of fun stuff going on, and several very late nights.

A couple of highlights:

Friday night our house was full of friends for a dinner party -- 10 of us (5 couples). The ladies chose to "bless me" (as they put it). They came in and took over my kitchen, shooing me off to give house tours to those who hadn't been here before. The men all sat outside on the deck, discussing all the important matters that men discuss (like world peace and cars), while the women chit-chatted happily in the kitchen, surrounding the stove and snack bar, discussing all the fun stuff that women discuss (like food and family and friendship). We ate on the deck, enjoying some of Larry's recent salmon catch and other incredible culinary delights. As the sun set and the beautiful colors in the sky deepened, we drank in the awesome beauty of twilight and then finished it off with a yummy chocolatey dessert by candlelight. Laughter and conversation continued out there till about 10:00 or so. What a totally wonderful evening!

Yesterday (Monday) we went sailing with our friends, Bennie and Debbie. That is always such a fun treat! Each time we do it I love it more! There is nothing like being out on the water, in beautiful surroundings, soaking up the sunshine, letting the wind blow through your hair, nibbling and sipping, chatting and laughing, all while working all the riggings of a sailboat -- and doing it all in the pleasant company of good friends! Oh, did I mention the excitement of staying out of the way of the big (ocean-going) ships that cruise by occasionally, and then bouncing on the big waves they leave behind? Woo hoo - what a ride!

What a great weekend we had!

My next choice this morning was to spend some time with God, reading His love letter to me and letting Him tell me what He wants me to know and how He wants me to live my life. That is of utmost importance to me! You see, I like to make my choices for my life according to His choices for my life. I have found that it works best that way.

After that, my next choice was to spend some time with one of my favorite hobbies--the computer (Spider Solitaire and the blog world). I have visited many of you in your blogs this morning--always looking for new pictures and something new to read.

But, now that my pleasant morning is drawing to a close, I guess I need to turn my attention to the other stuff of my day--getting ready to go to Michigan for a week's visit with my sisters and my dad, and many others in my family. Included in the visit is an extended family reunion on Sunday (my dad's side of the family), and a visit with my aunt and uncle (my mom's sister), and some time to enjoy the beach at Lake Michigan (just my sisters and me!). WOO HOO! Can't wait!

Coming Soon?

A friend of mine, whose viewpoint and wisdom I greatly respect, posted something in her blog yesterday that seriously grabbed my attention! It is regarding the "rapture" -- a Biblical teaching that many Christians believe could happen at any time. If you're interested in this, click here.

I found it very interesting because this is something I have been casually studying for several years. What I read here lines up perfectly with what I have been reading (in several different sources) over the past several years. Yes, I know there are "scoffers" among fellow believers, but the Bible clearly teaches that there is great reward for those who eagerly watch for the coming of Jesus Christ. I am one of those who eagerly watch for the signs of His coming! The Bible also clearly states that we need not be caught unaware of His soon return, but that we can be alert because of all the signs and information that He has given to us, so that we will not be surprised as one would be by a thief who comes in the night.

My excitement has now heightened just a bit (okay, by a whole lot), and I just wanted to share this with you, just in case you are also one like me who eagerly watches for His return, anticipating it with great joy and excitement. Will this be the time? Only God knows, but why not enjoy the expectation and excitement? If it doesn't happen according to this time table of events in Jewish history, that won't diminish my eager expectation and excitement -- I'll just keep on watching for it!

Life is a Journey

This morning I read something in "The Message" (The New Testament in Contemporary Language): "Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God." That really caught my attention, so I sat and thought about it for a while. Since it has stuck with me all day today, I've decided to share my thoughts.

First, I thought perhaps I should look it up in a different Bible, because either I don't remember reading that before, or I simply didn't recognize it in the "Message" version. There are no verse numbers in the "Message" version, so I wasn't sure which verse it was -- only that it was somewhere in the first chapter of the book of I Peter. The closest Bible I had handy (in the office) was the old King James version that I grew up with (and used until 1980). I looked and looked, read and reread that chapter, but couldn't find it! Then I tried reading that chapter in the New Living Translation (my favorite for casual reading), and finally found it. It's the end of verse 17.

Here's what it says in the old King James Bible: "...pass the time of your sojourning here in fear". Is it any wonder that sometimes we miss what we really need to see when we read the Bible? I don't know about you, but I know this about me: I tend to just gloss over stuff if it isn't written in easy-to-understand, contemporary language. Maybe my brain is lazy, but I prefer to make sure I get all that I can get, and not miss a thing if I can help it! If I can glean a whole lot more by reading the Bible in the type of language my brain thinks in--so be it!

Now, back to my thoughts about my life being a journey that I must travel with a deep consciousness of God . . .

Sometimes my journey takes me to the beach -- I love it there! I'm caught up in the atmosphere of total fun, and I'm mesmerized by the sight and sound of the waves rolling in and washing back out to sea endlessly. Everyone is having such a good time in the sun and sand and water -- life is all about play and relaxation!

Sometimes my journey takes me into the woods -- I love it there too! I'm quieted by the stillness and aloneness that I experience back on an almost hidden trail where no one else (I hope) has ventured in at that time. My private thoughts are undisturbed except by the occasional flittering of birds or rustle of the ferns by an unseen little critter. (At times like this I always long to live in a totally safe world, free from all worries and fears for my safety.)

Sometimes my journey takes me to places of discomfort and distrust. I don't like it there at all, but it's there that I am most likely to completely depend on God for His help. It's there that I experience what God wants me to learn -- what I would choose to skip! That's where the most growth and maturity takes place -- not so in the comfortable, easy places.

Sometimes I find myself totally bored with my journey -- I want something new, something exciting and fun! But, when I'm the midst of fun and excitement, quite often I'm too distracted to spend time alone with God, and when that happens, pretty soon I've lost my hunger and thirst for that time alone with God.

Perhaps it's best that I keep this thought always in the forefront:
"My life is a journey I must travel with a deep consciousness of God."
I want to be fully aware of His presence (and my need for Him), no matter where my journey takes me, so that when the journey is tough,
I can be reminded that: "The joy of the Lord is my strength!"

Sailin' Through Life!

Yesterday was one of those favorite summertime pleasures -- sailing with our friends, Bennie & Debbie, on their 30 foot Catalina sailboat!
It was a gorgeous, perfect-sailing-weather kind of day -- beautiful warm sunshine with good wind! We've been friends for about 8 years now and we always have such a good time with them -- whether sailing or just hangin' out -- it's always a treat to get together with them!



Today marks our 36th anniversary of sailing through life as husband and wife - teamed together with God at the helm! WOO HOO -- What a ride! No regrets -- if I had to make the choice all over again -- I'd choose this partnership again! Larry is still the man of my dreams and the love of my life!

testing...testing...1-2-3...testing

Recently I got a new cell phone -- a camera phone -- WOO HOO!
Only problem is -- I still haven't put the time into figuring out how to use the camera feature! Right now I'm too busy playing with my new computer, trying to get it all set up, and make it feel like "mine"! The new computer was needed after both of our computers decided they no longer would access the internet! Who knows why!!! Even the tech support gave us very little hope of recovery! After 2 weeks of being without internet access, we finally got the desktop computer working again in a very temporary mode, but the laptop still refuses to access the internet. Well, now, at long last, I have a new computer and everything is working just fine!!

Now, if only I could figure out how to use the camera phone!! Well, here's a self-portrait, which is just part of the learning process.
P.S. No, my teeth are not "sunshine yellow!" It's either a reflection of my sunny personality, or the color bounced off the sunflower next to me! Nor is my shoulder black (burned to a crisp) -- what a strange camera!

He's back!

Our son Jim has moved in with us. Actually, he did that two weeks ago, but spent only one night here before leaving to explore the east coast. Yesterday he returned and we spent the evening enjoying his tales and photos. We don't know how long he'll be living here with us (it's only temporary), but it sure is nice to have him back!

Just think . . . someday the Lord (God Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ) is going to return! I'm anticipating His return with great excitement! I'm longing to see His face for the very first time! He doesn't plan to stay here, nor do I! He's coming to get those who love Him and take us back home (to Heaven) with Him. The home He has prepared (for those who love Him) is way beyond anything we could ever imagine, and we'll live there forever and ever (with Him) -- life without end! But, only those who have given their hearts to Jesus will go there. Sadly, those who have rejected Him here on earth, will be left behind!

Do you love Jesus? Have you accepted His love and forgiveness? If so, you'll be going along. If not -- please, please, please, make that decision today!!! You're invited, but you must accept His invitation. Need more information? Email me: jeanniesear@gmail.com or you can just ask God! Tell Him you're interested in getting to know Him. Tell Him you're interested in knowing Jesus Christ! When you decide to give your heart to Jesus, you become a part of God's family! And, when He returns for those who love Him, you won't be left behind!

Someday, very likely in our lifetime, He'll be back, and it will be totally by surprise--no warning bells, no preliminary announcement! It will happen in an instant -- the Bible says "in the twinkling of an eye", and, at that moment, there will be no time left to make the decision! Are you ready to go when He returns? Now is the time to decide -- you might not have tomorrow!

Abundant LIFE!

Today I'm, once again, at the start of a new week, wondering what all it holds in store for me . . .

Yesterday (and the day before) I was at a Women of Faith conference called "Extravagant Faith" -- two whole days of joy -- exuberant joy -- hilarious, side-splitting laughter (mixed with a few tears), combined with making a loud (very loud), joyful noise unto the Lord (blended with a bit of "dancing before the Lord"), and having a ton of fun! I'm guessing this was my 5th or 6th time to attend one of these conferences, and decided that this annual conference is so good for me that I would go alone if I had to, rather than miss out on it! Thankfully, I've never had to go alone, but from now on, I will go alone if I have no one to go with -- it's that worthwhile!

Tomorrow (and today) I want the joy of Jesus to so captivate the inner me (and the outer me) that I experience (and radiate to others) -- abundant life! "Happiness" depends on our circumstances, but joy depends on what is deep-rooted within us -- that which overflows when we delight ourselves in the love of the Lord! Jesus said He came that we might have abundant life! Yes! That's what I want! For me...extravagant faith, which results in exuberant joy, translates into abundant life -- and I hope it's contagious!

My Answers to the List

Because I was "tagged" by my daughter to give answers to a list of questions that somebody thought would be fun to work on, here's my feeble efforts:

5 snacks I enjoy: I'm not a snacker. How about...
5 desserts I enjoy:
1. tiramasu
2. cheese case with fruit topping (especially strawberries)
3. strawberry shortcake
4. creme brulee
5. French pastries

5 bands/singers that I know most of the lyrics to their songs:
1. The Gaithers
2. The Beach Boys
3. Bobby Vinton
4. Ricky Nelson
5. Roy Orbison
(Actually, most of the rock 'n roll stuff from the early to mid 60's)

5 things I would do with one million dollars:
1. Allow my husband to retire right now (instead of waiting till age 65)
2. Give some to our church
3. Give some to our kids
4. Give some to an urgent need in someone else's life
(which I know God would present to us)
5. Enjoy a massage or a day at the spa once a month
6. Have a home in our favorite location
(Hmmmm....I might need more than one million!)

5 locations I'd like to run away to:
1. The Caribbean (either St. Thomas or St. Martin)
2. Tahiti
3. Hawaii (Kauai)
4. So.California (specifically right on the beach in Orange County or San Diego)
5. Heaven

5 places I'd like to visit someday that I've never been to:
1. Tahiti
2. Wales
3. France
4. Greece
5. Israel
(Actually, there are many, many more -- way more than 5!)

5 bad habits I have:
1. wasting time on unimportant things
2. neglecting what must be done!
3. ignoring the needs of others when I'm lost in my own little world
4. interrupting when someone else is talking
5. focusing on myself too much

5 things I like doing:
1. traveling / exploring new areas
2. being at the ocean (sunbathing, beach combing, walking in the water)
3. going to movies
4. visiting (one-on-one) with a friend
5. walking in the woods (or driving woodland trails)

5 things I would never wear:
1. baggy pants
2. funky, fadish extremes (way out on the cutting edge of ugly or shocking!)
3. mismatched tops & bottoms
4. wrinkly (should-have-been-ironed-but-wasn't) shirts
5. totally out of date stuff (if it was just a "fad" to start with)

5 TV shows I like or liked: -- I'm not much of a TV watcher!
No current "likes", but did enjoy:
1. Emergency 911
2. Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
3. Cheers
4. C.H.I.P.S.
5. Happy Days

5 movies I like: -- Going to movies is one of my most favorite things to do, and I've loved a lot of them, but can't remember titles! (My favorites are the "feel-goods" -- romantic comedies and tense dramas which have a good outcome!)

5 famous people I'd like to meet:
1. The Smothers brothers -- no, wait, I already did that! (Oh what embarrassment and laughter that caused -- haven't lived it down yet!)

-- Can't think of anyone else at the moment! I guess fame just doesn't impress me. I'm much more thrilled to be with those I already know and love!

5 biggest joys at the moment: (in alphabetical order)
1. my family
2. my friends
3. my home
4. my relationship with God
5. the grand privilege of being a "stay-at-home wife & homemaker"

5 favorite toys:
1. the computer
2. Lincoln Logs
3. Hula Hoops
4. my mountain bike
5. our canoe
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's a few more items I found on someone else's list:

10 years ago:
"1995" (living in Southern California) was the year I "officially retired" from the work world! After a few months of "healing" (regaining my mental stability), I became a nanny for a 3-month old darling little girl, who became the delight of my life (pre-grandma days) for a year and a half.

5 years ago:
"2000" (living in the Pacific Northwest - state of Washington) found me busily involved ("head-over-heels"--don't know which end is up) in women's ministry at my church. It was my first year as co-director of "Quest", a women's Bible study program for about 70-80 women. That year also included the birth of my second grandchild, and the big change of life for me (menopause) -- truly opposite ends of the pole for the best and worst life experiences!

1 year ago:
"2004" found me living in an apartment after moving from Washington to Oregon (while waiting to move into our new house) -- a five and a half month span of life that was five and a half months too long! (Constant noise overhead, all hours of the day and night, allowed very little rest, plus we were very discouraged with our search for a new church, and had not yet found the church that we now call "home".) Also, one year ago today was less than one month after our daughter and her family (our two grandchildren) moved to Montana, after living close-by for the last seven years! It was indeed a tough time in my life!

Now, why was I dreading working on this list? Actually, it's been a very good thing to work on! Your turn -- TAG! You're it!

New Week!

Okay, y'all -- a new week has begun! What's in it for me? Hmmmm....

1. What do I want to be in it?
2. What do I hope is not in it?
3. What am I willing to put into it?
4. What am I willing to block out of it?
5. What am I willing to do?
6. What am I not willing to do?
7. What would make it a great week?
8. What would make it a lousy week?
9. What would please God? (instead of "What would please me?)
10. What would bless others? (instead of "What would bless me?")

A new week -- a new beginning! How totally refreshing!

A Fish Tale

Please permit me the pleasure of presenting my husband -- the proud fisherman! I'll let him tell his own fish tales!

Well, by popular demand (at least a few people wanted to hear about my trip), I will tell the story. Last Wednesday, as I was preparing for my boss to be gone on another "junket", he came up to my desk and told me several people had cancelled out of his Northern Canada fishing trip. To my surprise, he asked if I would be interested in going. If I could be in Vancouver, BC the next morning, I could go. "Sure" was my response. I have been wanting to go fishing for quite a while, but never imagined going fishing in the wilds of Canada.

We left Vancouver for Port Hardy - on the northern end of Vancouver Island.

From there, the only ways to get to the fishing camp, tucked back on River's Inlet (in the coastal waters of British Columbia's mainland), was by boat (probably a day's journey) or by float plane. We opted for the planes.
I went on a "Goose". We were talking to the pilot, asking him how old the planes were. He said we were on the new one. It was built in 1944. Most of the planes were several years older.

Some from our group went on the "Beavers" -- smaller planes, built in the 1930's.

We flew over such a beautiful part of God's creation. The islands were just scattered here and there, and the water wove a tapestry of green around them.
Rivers had carved their way through the rocky mountains as they worked their way to the sea.
Finally, we arrived at the camp that would be home for the next few days. The staff was ready to welcome us.

Accommodations were what you would expect back in the bush, except for the food. The chef kept delicious food on the table for us at each meal.

We took the 17-foot boats out Thursday night for a few hours, and my partner and I didn't find any fish. It was nice to get out in nature, but we were there for fish.

Friday morning found us already finished with breakfast, and out on the water, as the sun came up. (That was the last time we saw the sun while we were there.)
A beautiful new day was dawning--one that would be filled with fish!!! (or so we hoped)

We took the boat out to the other side of the inlet (about seven miles). We watched sea lions pass near the boat. We were afraid they were beating us to all the fish. Before long, I felt a tug on the line, carefully let out a little more line, then pulled hard to set the hook. There it was, my first catch - a pink salmon. I had Chuck take a picture, just to prove that I really did catch a fish. (It might be the only one I catch, so I am certainly going to get proof.) After lunch the rain began. The rain slickers kept us dry, but the hands get cold and water-logged. By the end of the day, Chuck and I had each caught two "pinks".

Saturday, was spent in the rain, sometimes pretty hard. From the boat, we watched two bald eagles eating their catch on the rocks. As we got a little too close for their comfort, they took off for a nearby tree. We watched them for 5-10 minutes and they watched us even more closely. Chuck got some good pictures of the eagles, so as soon as I can get them, Jeannie will post them. We had to stay somewhat close to camp, as there were gale warnings out for the inlet. Chuck got one "pink" on Saturday, and I only had the memories of the two that got away.

Sunday morning found us out again with the wind whipping! The fishing had been best on the other side of the inlet but the water was choppy. We followed one of the guides out, and after a four-foot swell, he said if conditions didn't improve, we would head back closer to camp. The water did not get any worse, so we spent the morning fishing in the "rich" fishing spot. Chuck got a couple coho and a pink. but again, all I had was the sight of the one that got away. I was a little disappointed, but glad for Chuck.

Bad news - The float planes could not get out of Port Hardy to come and get us Sunday afternoon because of the fog. The weather at the camp was marginal, but it didn't matter since the planes couldn't get airborne. This had only happened four times in the 22 years the camp had been there (three of them while my boss was there, so he got the blame).

There was only one thing left to do and that was to go back out in the rain in search of the "big one". Five boats went out to one of the close-by spots. The other four boats had professional guides in them, and then there was Chuck and me--neither with any real fishing experience. As we slowly trolled off "The Wall" (so named because of its sharp 75-foot cliff that went right into the water), I felt a tug on the line. I let out a little more line, gave a hard pull to set the hook and BANG-- there it was! The fish took my hook and began to run. You know it is a big fish (not the small pink) when they start to run. He took off like lightning. I reeled him back in some, then off he went again. The game had begun! I worked hard to keep the line tight, and not lose him. A few more times of back and forth, and he was close enough to the boat for Chuck to get under him with the net -- a 20-pound Chinook salmon! The boats with the guides got zip - zero - nada! What a way to end the trip!

The staff there cleans and fillets the fish. When I got home Monday afternoon and opened the box with the fish that had been flash-frozen, I felt like my grandson Tano when he saw Grampa Smith's deer -- "We are rich!" What a great way to spend a long weekend!

Patiently waiting . . .

New posting has been postponed while I patiently wait for a special guest poster to pop into this page (a particularly special person in my life). He was away for a period of four and a half days, for the purpose of pulling in the plunder of a 28-people fishing party (a nice little "work-perk"). Since returning, he's had the predicament of having to work late the last two nights (the price to pay for being at play -- "Play first...pay later!"), and when he finally gets home at night (quite late), he's too pooped to post! So, I'm patiently waiting for my partner to plop down and poke away at this keyboard, providing his fishing tale for your pleasure. (Perhaps a little applause will bait the hook and reel him in posthaste!)

Vacation Photos

Two weeks ago today, I was getting ready to leave for our vacation -- Vancouver Island (British Columbia). Just a day and a half after returning from vacation, we picked up our grandchildren to keep them for a week. Yesterday I returned them to their mom and dad, so now (better late than never), I finally get to post pictures of our vacation.
If you look close you'll see our ferry boat coming into the "Inner Harbor" at Victoria. (This picture was taken from our hotel balcony.)

Can you find me? Perhaps I'll just leave you guessing!