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.

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

Taking the Plunge

I finally did it--today I took the plunge! Well, actually it was more like taking gradual steps toward it, bit by bit, but I finally got over my hesitation and just did it! And, it felt good, just like I knew it would. In fact, it felt very good, and I'm so glad I finally got enough courage to do it.

I don't know why I've waited so long. We've been here for three weeks, and I just haven't been able to bring myself to do it. Every time I've thought about it, something just seemed to hold me back, like perhaps a fear of the unknown. Just the very thought of it seemed to be enough to send chills through me, so I just kept backing away from it.

Maybe it had something to do with the fact that we haven't completed our move here yet. Most of our stuff is still back in Oregon, so life here just hasn't felt fully settled. It's as though I'm still stuck in the day dream of it all, and can't quite break into the reality of living here. Maybe it will be different when our house sells and we move all of our stuff into this house. Right now it's just hard to let go and jump in with both feet.

Yet, this morning when I finally did it, it felt so good that I wondered why I had been so hesitant to do it before now. Every day I knew I should do it, yet every day I just couldn't get up my nerve. Until this morning...I knew it was time, so I finally did it. And, it felt so incredibly good, that tonight after supper I'm going to do it again. But, this time it will truly be a plunge for real--feet first, right off the diving board!

Exploring Dallas

This past weekend we rode the DART train into downtown Dallas. Larry wanted me to experience his daily commute to work, plus start our exploration of his area of town. (Larry's workplace is the brownish colored building near the center of this picture.)

First we headed off to visit the site of JFK's assassination.
I remember it like it happened only yesterday! My first shocking awareness of that tragedy happened while I was at school...

I was in Junior High School, passing between classes on an outside covered, curving walkway that connected paralell wings of the building. A girl ran past me in hysterics, crying and screaming out "Kennedy's just been assassinated!" I was stunned, but thinking, "It can't be true!" When I reached my classroom I realized I wasn't the only one in shock, and hoping the breaking news to be false. Then the announcement came over the PA system and the reality of it sunk in--hard and deep, as an eerie silence settled over the classroom. Everyone, including the teacher, was crying, and class was set aside, as grief invaded the classroom.

Here, on this pleasant parkway, is where it happened.

There's a large, white painted "X" in the street to mark the exact location of the convertible limousine, at the very moment when John F. Kennedy was struck by an assassin's bullet as the presidential motorcade passed through downtown Dallas. If you enlarge the picture you might be able to make out the mark, although it's very slight. Maybe this next picture will help.

Now, on to less noteworthy, but certainly pauseworthy places.

And who could resist stopping here? Well...we didn't order the "live boiled crawfish",
but we did enjoy eating here and watching all the horse drawn carriages pass by.
Next, it was on to the trolley stop for a ride back to the DART station.

This ol' gal "Rosie" is 102 years old, and has been restored back to her original condition, complete with rich bungundy velvet, ornate seats. Sweet!

All in all, it was a nice trip back in time!

She's Gone Country!

Hmmm, which one should I choose? I love this brown one with the pink flowers, but the black and pink paisley one goes better with my hat. Maybe I should get them both.

Thought for Today

"For the Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk;

it is living by God's power." (I Corinthians 4:20 NLT)

Yup, talking is easier than living!

"I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High." (Psalm 50:14 NLT)

Yikes! Does He mean I must actually follow through on whatever I tell God I will do? (Is there any loophole here?)

Strength for Today

This morning I was reminded that:

It is not our own strength that gives us victory.

It is by God's mighty power that we succeed.

(Psalm 44:3 - New Living Translation)

God is able to make you strong!

(Romans 16:25 - NLT)

YES! I need that reminder daily.

Home Sweet Home

This is where we get our mail now.And, this is where I received eleven new bug bites this morning, in just over an hour of raking the flower beds in this front yard. I had forgotten what that's like--guess I'll have to go back to using bug spray before working in the yard again.

Here's where I get to cool off during the hot Texas summers. Actually, even now for that matter. Our temperatures have been like summer ever since we arrived. Most days are hot and sunny--into the 80's and above 90 the last few days.

This is where we eat (looking out on the pool), and where the meals originate.








Here's where I am sitting right now as I put this blog post together.

Oh, by the way, the empty dining room shown above is where we'll have dinner with you when you come for a visit, and here's the guest bathroom that awaits your arrival.

One last thought:
See those French doors in the room past the fireplace? Those are the same French doors that open onto the pool area. Maybe you should take another look just to remind yourself what you'll be doing while you're here.

Y'all come now, hear?

Quick Update

We found a house to lease and moved in a week ago. We're still in the process of hooking everything up and getting underway with "normal life". Our internet service and TV service is scheduled to be hooked up on Monday, so use of the computer has been limited to time spent at the grocery store or McDonalds, by use of free wi-fi.

Larry is really enjoying his new job, and we are enjoying life in Texas.

I will post more of an update when I have internet service at home.

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.)