Home Away From Home

We have arrived in Dallas, Texas!

Last Sunday morning (April 11th) we reached our destination, and bunked in with some friends here for the first couple of days and nights. Then we settled into our new "home away from home" on Tuesday afternoon--a cozy little one-bedroom suite (think apartment) in a long-term stay suites hotel. It's very nice, comfy, and complete in its accomodations, and works just fine for us until we find a house to move into.

So far, all of my time is spent in house-searching--first on the internet and then on the road, from early morning till mid-evening. What a life! Exhausting, but must be done! Although we are comfortable here, we're eager to find our house and finish our move to Texas.

We really like this new area, and are happy to be here. Yesterday we went to the church our friends attend and liked it just fine! We aren't 100% sure yet, but it would be so nice to settle into a church where we already know someone.

So, our new life in Texas has begun--now we just need to sell our home in Oregon. We know that this move is in God's plan for us, so we trust Him to take care of what needs to happen next with our house. When you think of us, please pray for us. Thanks!

Time to Replant

There is an appointed time for everything. And, there is a time for every event under heaven . . . a time to plant and a time to uproot that which is planted . . . (Ecclesiastes 3:1,3)

We are moving to Dallas, Texas!

Larry has accepted a wonderful job offer with FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation -- that which protects your money in the bank), and will start work in Dallas on April 12th!

Now, we have a house to sell--please pray for this - Thanks!


Here's a little information on the Dallas area:

"As the saying goes, "everything's big in Texas"… and the quality of life in Dallas is no exception to that rule. The area offers a wide variety of cultural, educational and recreational activities. In fact, the Dallas Arts District is the largest urban district in the US. Shopping venues are plentiful in the area, too, with Dallas Galleria, NorthPark Center, Valleyview Mall and more… along with a host of restaurants with atmospheres ranging from refined to rowdy, bistro to barbecue. Dallas' climate is another amenity to the area, with subtly defined seasons, sunshine and warm weather that allow for outdoor activities all year long, such as those of the various professional and semi-professional sports teams -- Dallas Cowboys' football or the PGA's GTE Byron Nelson Classic golf tournament. Plus, with 50,000 acres of public parkland and more than 60 lakes within a 100-mile radius, the opportunities to participate in the great outdoors seem virtually endless. Families enjoy the area's two Six Flags theme parks, the Dallas Zoo and Medieval Times, as well as down-home entertainment at the annual State Fair of Texas. For tastes that bend toward the fine arts or culinary delights, there's the Dallas Convention Center, Museum of Art, Farmers Market and GrapeFest to explore. It's Dallas' rich blend of cultures that enhances its diversity."


For more info:

http://www.visitdallas.com/visitors/about_dallas/dallas_today/

Shades of Fall

I love the colors of fall; they please me--one and all!
The orange and yellow delight me; the red and gold excite me!
Mixed with the various greens—what incredibly brilliant scenes!
I enjoy all those beautiful hues, for each of them I can use.
They blend with my hair, and make me aware that I am an autumn girl.
Born in September, so I’ll always remember that I am an autumn girl.

A Sense of Wonder

I love the wonderful, sense of imagination and curiosity so alive in kids!

This weekend, while hosting our other set of "grandkids", the youngest one (Kylan) discovered the loft in our den. It's small, but very exciting to an eight-year-old. Such a place held mystery and wonder that would not be satisfied until he could fully explore the secret delights of the unknown. Even though we explained that there was no way to get up into the loft, he could not let go of the determination to get up there. He thought, and probed, and suggested possibilities of how to get up there, until at last we relented and hauled in from the garage an extra tall extension ladder.

Just a small loft, but oh the wonder of it all, in the eyes of a child!

Why say "no" to such harmless fun!

Also, while playing in the den, he noticed the small space between the regular inside door and the outside storm door, and immediately decided to see what it would be like to get between the two doors with both doors closed. So, although he appears to be on the outside looking in . . . he is actually sandwiched (pancaked, rather) between two doors.

We should never lose the sense of wonder that is naturally built into a child, dontcha think?
This "grandma" evidently hasn't totally lost hers, and is enjoying that fun this weekend.

(Yes, one can still climb ladders after the big 6-0.)

The Birthday Girl Turns 60!

You know what? The BIG 6-0 really isn't all bad! It got me lots of attention and very nice birthday cards, and some nice presents thrown in too!It was a lovely day, a lovely party thrown by my husband, with many lovely guests attending! The fun went on all afternoon and on through the evening.

Even right through the morning of the next day (Labor Day), I was still reliving the event--the sights and sounds of my birthday were just too special to set aside quickly. Wow! This birthday girl is still a happy girl!

My New Job

Today was a good day! My new job is going well--a little tough at times, but it's a work in progress. I just realized I haven't talked about it here since I wasn't blogging at all for awhile.

On July 27th I began a new job as Office Manager for a start-up company. I already knew my two bosses as neighbors (one present and one former), so I don't feel like a stranger in the company. The "big boss" is someone I've been working for part-time since last January--working in his home office right behind my house. He kept telling me the day would come that he would be ready for me full-time. Sure enough--it finally happened!

I do the bookkeeping and all administrative tasks. The office is much closer to my house than where I was working before--about half the distance, and the people I work with are very easy to get along with. It's a good opportunity for me.

God is good -- all the time!

September!

Hey! Where did the "summer" go? -- Actually I'm still waiting for it, hoping it will arrive and stay for awhile! Well, perhaps it skipped us this year--sure seems so. Oh well! No -- it's not well! It's not good, and it's not okay that summer seems to have bypassed us this year! Today I wore fall colors to commemorate the unofficial start of fall, but it also made me sad to admit that it's time to move on and quit waiting for summer.

On the one hand, I'm sad, I'm disappointed, and I'm weary -- sad, disappointed, and weary because of unmet expectations in our weather and woefully inadequate summertime season. On the other hand, I'm tired, and sad, and heartsick over the way people so carelessly treat each other in this world of the weakened human condition. Where is the sensitivity to other's feelings and needs? Where is the sacrificial kindness toward our "neighbor" and "friend"? Where is the giving beyond ourselves and the extraordinary, unselfish act of denying one's own desires and preferences for the unselfish good of another?

"On the other hand...there is no other hand!" (Where did that phrase come from? Who will be the first to give the right answer?)

Do I sound a little down tonight? It was a rough day at work, after a rough situation last night with a neighbor and friend. Should I have handled it differently than I did? Shouldn't I be more capable of handling the tough stuff more perfectly by now? Could I, should I, would I, if I had it to do over? Will I ever be perfect in all my ways, and always careful with my tongue?

Yes! Someday I will be all done needing to say, "I'm sorry." But, for now, I must keep on trying to do it right.

Curve Balls

Life sometimes throws us a curveball! The wierdness of our individual personality quirks is something we all must face from time to time. Sometimes things just come out of "left field" and leave us wondering, "What just hit me, and where did it come from?" Well, it could be "testing" of our character and maturity that has been developing over time, or it could be simply an attack by the enemy of our souls!

It's all about continuing growth! Wow! My head is so full right now of all that has transpired in the last three hours! Testing is hard, and "victory" is not always sweet! Responding correctly to someone who is determined to "win", determined to be "in control" -- no matter how unreasonable or how ridiculous the point of view is . . . is definitely a fiery trial! No matter what the outcome is ("win or lose") . . . it's still painful!

The only sweetness is in the realization of: "I was victorious in what I have learned -- what I have been taught by God!" However, I still feel attacked and wounded! At this moment, only God's grace can make me smile, as I sense that He is pleased with my growth.

Wow!

40 Years Later . . .

A week ago we celebrated 40 years of marriage!

Today I am reflecting on how good God is, and how good God has been to us during the last four decades of life together. He is always good and His plan for His children is always right! No matter what circumstances surround us, we can rest in His goodness and trust that His plans are for our good and not for our harm. The key is simply to trust Him, even when we can't see Him or hear Him.

Faith is not in seeing or hearing -- it is in believing that God is always good to His children, no matter what!

Japanese Gardens in Portland

A Lovely Afternoon at the Japanese Gardens in Portland

Welcome November!

Halloween has come and gone. Now it's full speed ahead toward Christmas! Can you believe it? We'll now see the barrage of Christmas decor in all the stores, and be forced to realize that the end of this year is quickly closing in on us.

But, wait...there's more: We still have November! It began with the birthday of my twin sisters--today! Happy Birthday to the two of you! I love you! Next comes the wedding of my son-in-law's sister--this coming weekend. Woo hoo! It has seemed like a long wait, since we've anticipated it for quite awhile. But, it's finally here--less than a week away, and we are so looking forward to another little family reunion because of it.

Next on the calendar will be Thanksgiving--a full house this year with our son and daughter-in-law, and with my brother and his family. I'm so looking forward to that family time as well.

Near the end of the month (the 25th) I will complete the end of my 3-month probationary period in my job. I'm so looking forward to that successful completion! I really enjoy my job, and am so thankful for it!

Wow! As I stop and think through this new month we've just entered, I have a lot to be excited about! And, this new month starts with all the glorious fall colors still in full bloom! Our yard has been bursting with the incredible beauty of autumn, as we frequently stop and reflect on how God has blessed us and carried us through a very difficult year!

God is always good to His children, no matter how hard or how bleak things may look sometimes. Continuing to trust Him is the very best way! We truly have much to be thankful for as Thanksgiving approaches.

A MIlestone Journey

Last week my husband celebrated a new milestone:

THE BIG 6-0 !

It was a beautiful autumn weekend, so his choice of celebratory fun was to go for a hike through the back country of the gorgeous Columbia Gorge. Here's some pictures from our trek:

Larry's birthday was the 21st, so I'm a little late getting these pictures posted.

One year ago, during this very month, Larry was just beginning his recovery from quintuple heart by-pass surgery. I'm so thankful for his complete recovery and return to normal health and strength! That's the biggest reason of all to celebrate his birthday this year!