No Longer in Service: ReSoNate

Hundreds Gather to Protest Global Warming

2009-12-18T15:08:00.000-08:00

Rescue of an Infant Boy from a Village in India

2009-11-30T19:52:00.000-08:00

This video, of my friends in South India, describes the account of the rescue of a very sick village infant. It's only 10 minutes long, so take a look. To learn more about Body of Christ Ministries, see the link on the side bar.

BOOK REVIEW - Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana

2009-11-27T20:00:00.001-08:00

Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana by Anne Rice

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Just as well done as the prequel. I was especially moved by Rice's perspective on Christ's 40 days in the wilderness where the devil tempted Him. These two books are well-worth reading!

View all my reviews >>

BOOK REVIEW - Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt

2009-11-12T16:49:00.000-08:00

Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Out of Egypt is one of those books that you can't get out of your mind when you're finished. The concept of writing a story about the Lord Jesus in first person is ambitious, to say the least - so I admire Rice's courage to move forward with such a challenging task. I'm glad I chose to read her personal notes (at the back of the book) first; it was helpful to understand how she came to write this novel, what her goal was, and that she was writing from a catholic framework. I felt humbled by the enormous amount of research that went into the writing of this book; Rice did not handle the subject flippantly, but considered it a sacred task to be treated with great care.

With that said, Out of Egypt is a tender, profound "what-might-have-happened" account of Jesus' childhood. Rice is clear that this is a work of fiction, so I was not offended by the liberties taken. It's the HEART of the book that is so profound: the consideration of Jesus' humanity, the incredible posture of TRUST of his family, the reverence for the presence of God at the temple in Jerusalem... the value of Out of Egypt is the potential it has to move its readers to WORSHIP. The truth of Jesus' fullness of both humanity and deity is clear. I closed the book with deep emotion, moved to tears at the remembrance of our Lord's great sacrifice - for us.

(Thank You Pastor Kevin for recommending this book!)

View all my reviews >>

The Butterfly Circus - an amazing film of hope

2009-10-10T17:02:00.001-07:00

Anniversary Flowers

2009-09-28T19:12:00.000-07:00

We celebrated nine years of marriage on September 16th. My anniversary flowers were way too gorgeous to not share with the blogosphere. Enjoy!

Worth the Wait

2009-09-26T16:29:00.000-07:00

This blog has been neglected and for a good reason. As we pursue adoption, a new blog has taken precedent. Please click on the link on the right side bar and follow our journey to adoption. The current season of our life will be chronicled there. Thank you for your prayers!

Postings to this blog will be occasional... for now.

A Day at the Fair

2009-09-09T15:04:00.000-07:00

We joined our friends for a day at the fair. It was the last day and the white-haired attendants must have been feeling generous because they let us all in on a Family Pass - 4 adults & 3 kids & 1 infant. Cool! I told them if I'm going to be a kid for the day, I want my turn in the stroller, but that never happened. Oh well. :) We had fun for several hours - pony rides for the kids, paint ball, baseball throwing for the men, logger show, and food until... the rain hit while we watched the pig races (which are really humorous, by the way). We tried to retreat to the barns and continue enjoying the day but we were all just too wet, cold, and miserable. The kids were troopers - and the adults too. We still had a 2 block walk to the cars and the rain never let up. Once I got home, it took awhile to get warmed up. What a memorable day! We love our friends! And we love being Uncle John and Aunt Rach.

Birthday Books

2009-09-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

After dinner at Claimjumper restaurant, where I indulged in Macadamia Nut Crusted Halibut with basmati rice & steamed asparagus, my in-laws gave me 3 books from my wish list. One can never own too many books! Click on any image for a summary.

Best Laid Plans...

2009-08-26T20:22:00.000-07:00

Passports in hand and GPS charged up, we had great plans to take a drive to Vancouver, B.C. We wanted to eat at a Greek Restaurant we enjoyed about eight years ago and then walk at Stanley Park.

The best laid plans of mice and men however... stopping for gas after a Dr. appt, the car would not start. The short version of the story is that we ended up having a new starter put in it right there at the station where it gave up the ghost. The Starbucks across the street gave us a place to hang out for an hour & a fellow-customer gave us the thumbs up for George the mechanic.

Undaunted by our little (albeit expensive) interruption, we turned our sights toward Seattle instead. Lunch at our favorite restaurant, Costas Opa in Fremont, was a fine substitute for Stephos in Vancouver. And Discovery Park was a beautiful substitute for Stanley Park. The weather was fabulous today and we enjoyed our date day together. Hold your plans loosely!

Enjoying the view of Elliot Bay.

God made this chair.

Finding humor in stupid people that ignore important signs.

New Background

2009-08-06T10:31:00.000-07:00

I've been on the search for the perfect background: simple, black/white, with a touch of red and a small touch of flair... and I've finally found it! The only problem is that on my laptop it looks great - there is a black/white checkerboard on the edges that looks really classy with the thin line of red and the single red daisy. When I view this blog on my desktop though, that has a nearly perfectly square monitor, I cannot see the checkerboard nor the red line. That's disappointing, but I'm going to keep it anyway. So, if you have a nearly square monitor, you're missing out! :) Oh well. Hopefully the content will keep you coming back.

Tis the Season for... Blueberries!

2009-08-05T11:09:00.001-07:00

My parents only have one blueberry bush, but it is large and heavily laden. We were given the go-ahead to pick as many as we wanted and so we did. Cleaning them is kind of tedious, but so worth the effort. I'm freezing most of them to consume at our leisure. Blueberry bread, blueberry pie, blueberry pancakes, blueberries alone - anyway you eat them, they're delicious and packed with antioxidant power. Yum!

Weeds

2009-08-04T19:58:00.000-07:00

This devotional is posted from my friend's blog, A Frog in my Soup. (She is a wife and mother of 6 boys.) It ministered to me today as I could relate on both the practical and the spiritual level, so I thought I would re-post it here.

This weekend as my husband (aka. the Frog Prince) and sons were working on the lawn, I noticed that they weren't mowing any grass, all there was to be mowed was weeds, the grass had practically stopped growing.
No, I'm not going to talk about the intricate ins and outs of lawn care; we have too much yard to keep it watered. But in that moment I had a bit of an epiphany...
Granted, some of you will think..."Well, Duh!" but for me, it was one of those moments that had me thinking for the rest of the weekend. The crazy thing is that it truly is a simple concept.
When it's dry, the good stuff can't grow and the weeds set in. I'm talking about our spiritual life here though. I'm not the kind of person that is going to prescribe a certain regimen for you to follow in order be a "successful Christian", but I have discovered that if things are dry in my walk with God, that's when the weeds start sprouting up.
My weeds tend to resemble discontentment, frustration, depression...you get the picture (and it really isn't pretty). He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs; (Psalm 107:35 NIV) I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah (Psalm 143:6 NIV)
There's a reason we hunger and thirst for Him...only He can quench our thirst and "turn parched ground into flowing springs"! Seek Him, spend just a few moments with God each day and watch the weeds get replaced with lush green gardens!

Temperature Wars

2009-07-29T11:54:00.001-07:00

How to properly place your outdoor thermometer First Alert Weather Seattle News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather KING5.com
As we endure a Heat Wave here in Washington State, our conversations resemble a competition of temperature status. Those who live in states where summer temperatures routinely soar above 90 degrees cannot understand our intrigue. Most of us do not have AC in our homes and therefore struggle to find refuge from the heat. I thought this King5 article regarding proper thermometer placement was interesting. If we're going to have this friendly competition, let's be fair about it. As for me, I left my house an hour ago at 11am, fleeing an indoor temperature of 85F and an outdoor temp of 91F - and rising. I'm taking refuge in the library, thoroughly enjoying the human refrigeration. When I return home... well, let's just say, I may be sleeping outside tonight.

Posted using ShareThis

It's a New Season

2009-07-14T07:48:00.000-07:00

July 12th was a monumental day for our congregation. We officially received Pastor Dustin & Misty and team from CCK to join us at CCM. Pastor Dustin will function as Associate Pastor until December when he will be installed as our Senior Pastor. Pastor Michael will continue to function as an integral part of our pastoral/eldership team. Truly - Together, We're Better! We have so much anticipation for the future. (Thank you to Hayley H for the pictures below - that I "stole" from FB.)

(my incredible Dad... and our elder)

With laid down lives, you’ve dared to dream big.
With eyes cast heavenward and open palms before Him,
You’ve declared in your hearts, “Lord, Your will is my desire.”

A city and a people have been prepared to receive you.
The foundations have been laid.
Now it’s time to demonstrate the vision.
For the King! For the Kingdom!

A new season.
A sovereign joining.
Two distinct groups becoming one destined team.
We’re “Doing life” - Together.

Together, we are going deep.
Like David, the one thing we seek
Is His face, His presence.
We are His bride, drowning in His love.

Together, we are stretching wide,
Reaching out with our lives
While the city waits for our incarnation
That they might see Jesus.

We’re a people of prayer, a people of faith.
Stepping out with anticipation and sowing to expectation,
Multiplied power by being together,
We’re believing for pervasive transformation.

(poem read to welcome the newest members of our CCM family!)

Words for Every Writer to Ponder

2009-07-02T16:06:00.000-07:00

A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word to paper. - E.B. White

Holiday by the Sea

2009-06-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a wonderful week on the Oregon Coast: 5 nights at a B&B in Yachats (pop.600) and 2 nights in Seaside (at an Inn on the North Promenade). We couldn't have asked for better accomodations and weather to get some much needed R&R. It was heavenly! John is back to work now, teaching summer school and I'm about to dive into some home projects. Summer in the Northwest is the best!

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE SNAPS:

Waterfront Depot Restaurant in Old Town Florence. So delicious we went there twice!

On a windy, high-tide evening. Don't jump John!

Yep - it's windy. We got wet taking this pic. Yachat's 804 Trail that follows the coastline for miles.

Cape Perpetua Lookout - the highest point on the Oregon Coast.

Giant Spruce Trail at Cape Perpetua State Park.

One of many beautiful sunsets as seen from our private balcony.

Minus-Tide exploration. We saw thousands of starfish and sea anemones. (Lowest tide in ten years.)

Picturesque, yes? This is just yards from our back door.

Last 2 nights in Seaside. I got a new hat, too!

Snapshot of our trip in words: sunsets, delicious food, quality time together, books, Mariner games (this is a treat for John because we don't have tv at home), hiking at Cape Perpetua, whale sightings, bald eagle sightings, tide pool exploration, walks on the beach, walks on the promenade, naps in the zero-gravity chairs, a bit of shopping (new hat for me, new running shoes for both of us - Nike outlet, no tax!), AND rest and rejuvenation that only the sights, smells, and sounds of the ocean can provide! We are so thankful for the Lord's provision to be able to have such an amazing time.

Chosen Leisure Material

2009-06-20T18:19:00.000-07:00

Chosen Leisure Material: Bible & Journal, World Magazines, iPod, All Creatures Great and Small DVD, Books - biography, novel, didactic. Anti-Gravity chairs are packed and we're ready for the oceanview!

Together We're Better, Part II

2009-06-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

On June 11th, we had our 2nd "Together We're Better" Meeting. We were privileged to hear from Pastors Michael, Dustin, and Norm. We are so rich! Here are the points that ReSoNated in me:

Pastor Michael

4 Things that get the world's attention:

1. good works (definition - deeds done in love that meet pressing needs)
2. loving one another
3. unity (one mind, one vision, one heart - holy emotion together around the things of God)
4. fragrance of Christ - His likeness, His character

Pastor Dustin
~ There's a power released when the generations are joined. This is a time when both sets of hands are on the baton at the same time.
~ The Lord wants us to be a mile wide AND a mile deep, stewarding all that our grandfathers have formulated. We have to be just as passionate about what our grandfathers have formulated as we are about what we're called to formulate.
~ The double portion is not an entitlement - it's what we NEED to accomplish all we're called to.
~ The prerequisite for fruitfulness is intimacy - both individually and corporately.
~ Our VISION = to be totally IN the world (in the community) and to be totally NOT of the world (we need to shore up our foundations)
~ We're never beyond the fundamentals.

Pastor Norm - "WE-ology"
~ Community is not an entitlement; it's a necessity. Independence will kill you and isolation will cut you off. Life flows through the connection of the body. In community is abundance, the fountain of life, the outworking of the supernatural.
~ Man was created with a connection requirement. Humanism starts with me and seldom gets any further. A Kingdom mindset starts with HE - goes to WE - and eventually benefits me. When I "get into WE," I get all I'm called to.
~ A South African saying, "A person can only be a person through others."

Together We're Better

2009-06-05T16:20:00.000-07:00

Pastor Michael & Yvonne are passing the baton to a son & daughter of the house: Pastor Dustin and Misty. We are living in an exciting time of transition and joining, as two tight-knit groups become ONE. Last night, the transition officially began with our first "Apostolic Foundation Meeting" - a day I have been anxiously waiting for. It's hard to put into words what I am feeling and what I sense the Holy Spirit is doing. I just know that it's BIG and all I can think to say is, "Wow!" It is such a privilege to be a part of what God is doing in our city through this incredible group of people He has joined me with.

My 3 favorite quotes (not word for word) from Pastor Dustin at last night's meeting:

Faith is a mentality that says, "There is no obstacle that can get in God's way."

God is a dreamer and He is "unreasonable" sometimes. Our vision (and our building) is too small for God's dreams.

The glory of the gospel is that when the church is radically different from the world, she invariably attracts it.

As my husband might say - Fasten your seat belts, we're about to jump it off the deck and shove it into overdrive!

Red and White

2009-05-21T15:53:00.001-07:00

I've been home sick for a week and have little to write. I have been admiring my tulips through the window, though, and finally drummed up enough energy to venture outside and capture the beauty on my camera before they're all gone. I love the red and white ones!

Summer Plans for the Oregon Coast

2009-05-17T09:08:00.001-07:00

Great Weekend: Sunshine, A Wedding, and Honoring our Mothers

2009-05-11T08:22:00.001-07:00

The tulips are blooming at my house and the sunshine made an appearance.

Mark & Jennifer's garden wedding was beautiful in every way.
After the wedding, treasured time with treasured friends.

On Sunday, Yvonne & Misty shared the pulpit for Mother's Day Service.

And, in honor of Mother's Day, John really enjoyed the motherlode sandwich at the Claimjumper restaurant.

BOOK REVIEW TIME: The Naming

2009-05-07T16:36:00.000-07:00

The Naming: The First Book of Pellinor by Alison Croggon

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Naming is a very descriptive fantasy - a traditional story of good and evil. It tells the story of Maerad, a reluctant heroine who embarks on a remarkable journey of discovering her true identity and calling. The author is admittedly influenced by the writings of Tolkien, and it shows, but the story still has an element of originality and contains many great merits of its own. I found myself taking notes of lines that struck me as timeless truths:

(Don't fear your enemies, pg 55) "They want our wills to weaken in fear. They feed on our fear. Starve them!"

(Every person has value, pg 97) "You are in another world now, where it is considered that every human being is worth the trouble of being cared for." (and pg 104) "The law is that the hungry must be fed, and the homeless must be housed, and the sick must be healed. That is the way of the Light."

(Learning to live loved, pg 318) "One difference is that for the Dark, certainly, you are a pawn. For the Light, you are a free human being... free to choose. It is the difference between commitment and slavery... between working for what you hope for and believe in the depths of your heart, and what someone else forces you to do."

I look forward to reading the other 3 books in the series. The characters were easy to care for and the plot was not predictable. Adolescents and adults who are drawn to fantasy even a little bit, will enjoy The Naming.

View all my reviews.

From a Pig's Perspective

2009-05-01T17:34:00.000-07:00

Blog Title - Renewal of Vision

2009-04-28T15:22:00.000-07:00

My Mom sent me an email regarding my blog title. She said, "Change it back!" So I did.

The R, S, and N are capitalized because those are my initials. The Lord gave me the word "resonate" several years ago as a "theme" for my life - a way of defining my calling. (I had already established my url as johhnynrach, and decided to keep that instead of confusing everybody by changing it to resonate.) Oxford's definition of the word intrigued me, "To produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound; evoke images, memories, and emotions." I want my life - through both the spoken and written word - to "resonate" His life, His words, His goodness. I'm not sure what all of this will look like - but it is exciting and reassuring to hear God speak identity and vision into my heart.

This blog is simply a vehicle of expression to celebrate the goodness of God in everyday life, whether it be in literature, nature, relationships, history, or those funny things that happen to us. This is my life - and I love it!

Now that I have little bit more time, I'm going to concentrate on writing more stories and thoughts in the near future, so stay tuned. Note: the bridge picture was taken at Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island last summer. Bridges are also part of our identity in Christ - as the Lord spoke to my husband when we got married.

My new favorite snack

2009-04-25T11:58:00.000-07:00

I think they look like dried beetles, but they're yummy... and healthy too!

Clumsy Stellar

2009-04-19T14:18:00.000-07:00

Crash! Bang! Bump! What's all that noise outside? Oh - It's probably a stellar jay. The other day, for example, I heard some banging at the front door. Upon reaching the kitchen window, I saw a couple of stellar jays in the pear tree just as one of them flew awkwardly toward the front door, grabbed a moth off the side of the house, landed on the banister and finished off its breakfast. I stood very still and watched him do this several times. As expected, as soon as I moved to reach for my camera, he flew off in a dither. It is for this reason that I have borrowed a picture from Google images. These beautiful blue creatures, so common in the Northwest, are a privilege to look at, but they are the clumsiest, most skittish birds I have ever seen. If these birds could communicate, they would be nervous, fast-talking, and in constant motion. They would always be bumping into things in their clumsiness. I've always thought a stellar jay would make a great cartoon character.

Could it be that Spring has sprung?

2009-04-04T18:49:00.000-07:00

Could it be that Spring has sprung? The long awaited sun came out of hiding today, warming us to just above 50 degrees. The birds are feasting on unsuspecting worms. The quiet ringing of windchimes gently wafts through my open windows. Convertible drivers and motorcycle riders fill the roadways. Gardeners drag out their mowers and tools, and spray a bit of round-up. (Round-up was John's task today.) In the Great Northwest, we do not waste one ray of sunshine, because tomorrow it may play hide-and-seek again.

I love the beginning of Spring. It's a reminder that Winter does not last forever.
See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Song of Songs 2:11

BOOK REVIEW (& video): THE MASCOT

2009-04-01T08:32:00.000-07:00

The Mascot: Unraveling the Mystery of My Jewish Father's Nazi Boyhood by Mark Kurzem

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I saw this man interviewed on 60 Minutes (view it below) and I was so intrigued I immediately put the book on hold at the library and had to wait several weeks. WWII survival stories really fascinate me and Kurzem's experience is the most remarkable of all that I've read. Written from the perspective of his adult son, who Kurzem first disclosed his secret past to, the reader is also given a peek into the emotions of the son who struggles to understand why his father kept his past a secret for 50 some years. The Mascot is a heartbreaking story of a stolen childhood, a psychological drama of a fearful confused little boy, and a page-turning mystery to unravel the truth of the past. Well written and poignant.

View all my reviews.

Good Reads Summary: One man's struggle with memory and prejudice on the way to recovering his past Mark Kurzem was happily ensconced in his academic life at Oxford when his father, Alex, showed up on his doorstep with a terrible secret to tell. When a Nazi death squad raided his village at the outset of World War II, Jewish five-year-old Alex Kurzem escaped. After surviving the Russian winter by foraging for food and stealing clothes off dead soldiers, he was discovered by a Nazi-led Latvian police brigade that later became an SS unit. Not knowing he was Jewish, they made him their mascot, dressing the little “corporal” in uniform and toting him from massacre to massacre. Terrified, the resourceful Alex charmed the highest echelons of the Latvian Third Reich, eventually starring in a Nazi propaganda film. When the war ended he was sent to Australia with a family of Latvian refugees. Fearful of being discovered—as either a Jew or a Nazi—Alex kept the secret of his childhood, even from his loving wife and children. But he grew increasingly tormented and became determined to uncover his Jewish roots and the story of his past. Shunned by a local Holocaust organization, he reached out to his son Mark for help in reclaiming his identity. A survival story, a grim fairy-tale, and a psychological drama, this remarkable memoir asks provocative questions about identity, complicity, and forgiveness.

Watch CBS Videos Online

Fancy Mailbox

2009-03-30T10:53:00.000-07:00

This old rusty mailbox has served us well for 6 years. We "inherited" it with the house and it was in sad, insecure shape even then. We intended to replace it at that time, but one morning we looked out the front window and saw our new neighbors re-cementing our rusty mailbox for us. We were so blessed by their "neighborliness" that we just continued to use it. Until...

Timber!!! The rust at the bottom of the pole completely gave way. John headed to Lowes right away to purchase us a new mailbox. I told him I would be happy with a simple black one with a sturdier pole than what we had. Boy did he surprise me!

He came home with this beautiful white one with matching pole along with several bags of Quik-Crete to stabilize it. It almost looks TOO fancy for our "country road." But I love it! We laugh that it glows in the dark at night time, too! John had quite a time getting it installed - but he did it! With only one extra trip to Lowes for longer screws. Ahhhhh, small pleasures.

Soy Products

2009-03-11T20:02:00.000-07:00

My doctor has recommended that I add 3 daily servings of a soy product to my diet. I already have a soy protein drink for breakfast each morning (powder added to milk) so the thought of soy is not a big deal to me. But I haven't given much thought to other soy products on the market. I drove straight to Trader Joe's from the Doc's and purchased Vanilla Soy Milk and Chocolate Soy Milk. I wanted to buy plain soybeans or nuts as well, but they didn't have any. So I bought the next best thing: dark chocolate covered soybeans (endamame)! After all, a bit of dark chocolate is good for you too. If you have any further recommendations of soy products, please leave a comment.

ENCOUNTER

2009-03-03T18:59:00.001-08:00

I've had an encounter with the Most High.
Truly,
Nothing else matters
but
The Voice.

Home Upgrades

2009-02-22T16:05:00.000-08:00

Now that we've FOR SURE decided to refinance and stay in our current home for at least 3 more years, we can focus on doing a few upgrades. We both have our "wants," some are "needs." Now we have to come into agreement on how to prioritize said list. The biggies are:

Interior
Make the garage into a bonus room (pending Dad's assessment)
Hardwood (probably something more like Pergo) in the front room & kitchen
Recarpet 2 bedrooms
New interior doors
Repaint front room and change out baseboards throughout house
Granite on kitchen countertops
Replace stove/oven with a glass top
Install a standing propane stove

Exterior
Enclose entire yard with privacy fencing
Install a small brick patio
Add stairs off side deck onto new patio

I think we can, I think we can...

A Student Again

2009-02-21T20:08:00.000-08:00

Sunset at Magnuson

2009-02-15T19:21:00.000-08:00

LONG WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

SATURDAY DATE DAY: Our plans to spend the afternoon at Langley on Whidbey Island failed when we saw the never ending line for the short ferry. Instead, we swung a u-turn and made our way south to Seattle in search of a restaurant. We really wanted to try something new, but hunger fatigue compelled us to give up the search and take a quick turn into the Old Spaghetti Factory, a local favorite that neither of us had visited for years, for a 3:00 "Linner." We stuffed ourselves with lasagna & chicken marsala, plus mud pie for John and chocolate mousse cake for me (mmm mmm)! Then we headed to Magnuson park to walk it off. We visited the off leash dog park and John talked at length with the owner of a beautiful Bernese Mountain dog. (We are aspiring dog owners.)

SUNDAY: After church we ventured to Greenwood for the 90th birthday party of John's Uncle George where we listened to our elders reminisce. We tested out our new GPS on the way and laughed when the British voice directed us to turn onto the "motorway." I've heard a lot of British-English but "motorway" was a first. (My brother has Yoda's voice on his GPS - I think that would drive me to the funny farm.)

MONDAY: we will be having a stay-at-home day of R&R before returning to work on Tuesday.

I hope all of you were able to enjoy friends & family this weekend!

Judge Rach

2009-02-13T14:46:00.000-08:00

To start off my four day weekend, I volunteered at Ben Franklin (local craft store) to judge the entries for their writing contest. There were a total of 60 entries and we chose one winner for each grade level. Naturally, the younger kids provided much comedy relief in their answers to the prompt, "If I was President..." One entrant suggested a flat tax of $50; others recommended no taxes at all. Some wanted a law banning smoking and others would just provide more playground equipment at America's schools. A Kindergartner, if he was president, would provide help for the "extinct animals." :>) And in keeping with the tradition of unrealistic promises made by politicians, one Kindergartner promised to make candy fall from the sky. Some eighth graders submitted some very thought-out essays, but I have to admit, they were not nearly as fun to read as those written by the littlest Americans. You never know, one of them very well may be a future President. Happy Presidents Day and 3 day (4 day for me!) weekend!

2009-02-10T15:45:00.000-08:00

This morning, as I drove to work on the icy roads, annoyed that school was not two hours late, I was joyfully greeted by this sight of the sunrise over the Cascade Mountains. It was like the smile of God upon a weary heart and the picture taken on my phone did not do it justice. I was happy to find this pic on the King 5 website, sent in by another local resident cheered by the same beautiful picture of our world.

Good morning from the great Northwest!

Fire Extinguisher

2009-01-30T17:50:00.000-08:00

Today this fireman's daughter was reminded how important it is to have a fire extinguisher handy. I was sitting at my kitchen table when I heard a loud boom & felt the house shake slightly. At first I thought a tree had fallen on the house, then I heard a commotion at the next door neighbors and our neighbor yelling for a fire extinguisher. I grabbed the one we keep next to our fridge and headed to the front door at the same time the teenage daughter was running up my stairs. She grabbed the extinguisher from my hands and took off running with me right behind her. Her Dad then put out a fire on their back deck while the rest of us, hearts beating fast, breathed a sigh of relief. Their propane tank had exploded & flames were climbing up the side of their house. The crazy thing is that a different tank was being used than the one that exploded. It must have been opened a crack and caught a spark from the cooking food.

The mom just came over and hugged me with tears in her eyes. It really was a close call and quite scary. Another minute or two and we would have been calling 911 with a much differenct outcome. They're on their way to town right now to get me another fire extinguisher. Phew!

Thank You Mr. UPS Guy

2009-01-28T17:58:00.000-08:00

Thank you Mr. UPS Guy for bringing - on time - my new Belkin chocolate-tourmaline laptop bag. I've never heard of the color "tourmaline" but apparently it's a lovely shade of blue. It's pretty. It's lightweight. It's going to work perfectly. YAY for not having to send something back!

Job Interrupted

2009-01-25T13:47:00.001-08:00

...as winter continues, the raking of leaves remains undone.

Turning Point in History

2009-01-20T15:31:00.000-08:00

Jan. 20: President Barack Obama rests his hand on President Lincoln's Inaugural Bible as his wife Michelle Obama holds it as he takes the oath of office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (photo taken from Fox News)

Today, I watched the inauguration of President Obama in the company of my school principal and a handful of co-workers. We could not get any National news sites to bring up the Live feed, so I turned to BBC and, with halting newsfeed and British commentary, we joined the global community in witnessing this historic day. Today, I did not think about the issues that concern me, I just listened, prayed and soaked it all in. To hear Pastor Rick Warren praying without compromise through the speakers of a Public School computer was somehow very exciting. Today begins a new era for our country and for the Church. We must arise in prayer like no other era. We must dare to dream big and we will surely see His Kingdom come to our nation like no other time. I loved it that Pastor Warren ended his prayer with the Lord's Prayer, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..." This is truly a day to remember.

"Now, today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time. We celebrate a hingepoint of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the United States. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new President, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. " (from Rick Warren's invocation)

You are my Sunshine!

2009-01-19T13:29:00.001-08:00

John is taking down Christmas lights. Hey! What's that behind him?

It's Sunshine on January 19th!

"You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are gray
You'll never know dear
How much I love you
Please don't take my
sunshine away."

Remedy for Morning Fatigue

2009-01-14T19:51:00.000-08:00

The perfect remedy for morning fatigue is to have crossing guard duty at 7:30am in the middle of winter. Now THAT will wake you up in a hurry and make you fully aware of your extremities... until they go numb, that is.

Readin', Writin', and who-cares-about-arithmetic

2009-01-12T16:33:00.000-08:00

I just noticed I have 125 "to-read" books on my Good Reads account... and I could add more.

Plus, I am challenged by Bill Johnson's words in his book Dreaming with God, "The best novels are yet to be written." I must write... the ideas in my head must find their way to paper (or keypad). If I don't, I know - one day - I will regret it. A line in a recently watched movie struck me, as well, "The secret to writing is... to WRITE!"

An additional motivation is that my Dad sacrificially bought me this laptop, calling it a "tool" for me to finish my degree in English and to WRITE. May his sacrifice not be in vain.

New Year, New Technology & a Scandinavian Meal

2008-12-31T18:13:00.000-08:00

I write wirelessly, for the first time, from the comfort of my living room couch on my new laptop computer - that my incredible Dad so generously & sacrificially gave me for Christmas. Today I purchased (and successfully set up all by myself!) a Belkin wireless router, a device I never knew existed until this week. Now I can blog, surf and write from anywhere in my home while hubby is online in the office. This new technology will be an invaluable tool while we are in school at the same time.

On another note, we just consumed our New Years Eve Scandinavian meal, a combination menu of Swedish (John's heritage) & Danish (my maternal heritage) cuisine that I have been learning to prepare over the last several years. It turned out quite well, if I do say so myself. Although, we got the potato sausage from a different place and I'm still not sure if it's done... I kept waiting for the pinkness to go away and it never did, even after cooking it for twice the time I'm used to. Any Scandinavians out there know what I'm talking about?

OUR MENU: meatballs, boiled potato sausage, sweet n' sour red cabbage, carmelized red potatoes, lefse, and rum pudding for dessert. (all but the lefse from scratch)

This is the first year I've made rum pudding and although it didn't set properly, the taste is delicious and I look forward to trying it again. If anyone has any suggestions for making sure a homemade pudding sets, I'm all ears!

Happy New Year to all! May 2009 be the best year ever!

Lewis Speaks

2008-12-30T10:31:00.000-08:00

"God is no fonder of intellectual slackers than He is of any other slacker." — C. S. Lewis

A reminder to not allow the student in us to die.

The Blessing of Family

2008-12-27T10:01:00.000-08:00

New Toys

2008-12-27T09:56:00.000-08:00

portable GPS from the brother (for both of us)

Dell Laptop from Dad (for ME!!!)

iPod from Mom & Dad (for John)

It's an electronic Christmas for this family.

We are s-p-o-i-l-e-d & very thankful.

A Father-Dog Moment

2008-12-26T09:32:00.001-08:00

Dad and Diesel, on Christmas morning, in utter amazement at the continuing snow fall.

(special note: Al Gore is notably silent this winter.)

Venturing Out

2008-12-19T17:11:00.001-08:00

On our third day of being snowed in, John & I ventured out to admire the blue sky and sparkly snow. We bundled up for the 22degree F weather and headed for the infrequently traveled county road near our home. In total, we walked about 2.5 miles. Along the way we snapped a few pictures. Hope you enjoy a peek at our journey.

Below, the clouds hide the beautiful Cascade mountains.

John ventured off the road a ways to test out the knee deep snow... 18.5 inches to be precise.

... and finally, a self-portrait - all bundled up.

My parents delivered a few staple food items for us (they have a truck) and stayed long enough for a game of Mexican Train. Now we're gearing up for the next round of weather due in Saturday night. We're hoping we don't lose power. I think the last time it snowed close to this much was the year I was born (1971), right Mom?

December Snow

2008-12-18T17:04:00.000-08:00

As of Thursday evening - 18.5 inches of beautiful snow.

Monday & Tuesday - 2 hr late start.

Wednesday & Thursday - No School.

What will Friday hold?

Brrrrr

2008-12-17T07:18:00.001-08:00

My indoor/outdoor thermometer read 15.4 degrees FAHRENHEIT on Tuesday morning!

For Washington State - that's COLD!

Brrrrr!

Christmas Brunch

2008-12-13T16:12:00.000-08:00

Every December, since my marriage in 2000, I have prepared a Christmas Brunch for my dear friends Debra and Rose. It has become a time that we all look forward to.

On the menu: bacon & mushroom quiche, sausage & spinach quiche, buttermilk biscuits, fried red potatoes, apple-cranberry pan goody (an addition from my new cookbook that was really yummy). This year, for the first time, we had snow on our Brunch day, so I had John stick around to take our picture. We got about 4 inches.

Rose's Lina, now 15 mos. old, is such a doll. She was fussy today with a cold, but here she was temporarily amused with a cell phone, a rocking chair, and 3 goofy ladies trying to make her laugh.

BOOK REVIEW TIME: The Hobbit

2008-12-09T18:21:00.000-08:00

The Hobbit: or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Excellent classic for adults and children. Tolkien was a master story teller. His characters have depth and his descriptions are vivid. The Hobbit is a wonderful combination of adventure & battles, as well tenderness, loyalty and friendship. This is my second reading (at least).

Bilbo Baggins is an ordinary character who takes risks and demonstrates extraordinary courage and loyalty. Some lines in particular are inspiring: 1) "He [Bilbo:] fought the real battle in the tunnel alone, before he ever saw the vast danger that lay in wait." So true for all of us - many times, real courage is demonstrated in private when we simply make the choice to hold our heads up and press forward. 2) " 'Never laugh at live dragons, Bilbo you fool!' he said to himself." We must not fear our enemy, but we must not underestimate him either. 3) "Somehow the killing of the giant spider, all alone by himself in the dark... made a great difference to Mr Baggins. He felt a different person, and much fiercer and bolder..." Again, most of our fiercest battles are won in private, making us stronger in the end.

View all my reviews.

A "White Christmas" Party

2008-12-09T13:21:00.000-08:00

The snowman needed a little help. He kept falling over and had to be reassembled for nearly every picture. He looks like he's melting in this one. In another, he looked like he shrank about 2 feet. Quite comical.

The SPAM carving contest was (fill in an adjective of your choice here)

and we ended up with a very interesting nativity scene in the end.
My very wonderful and beautiful mother whom I adore!

And my wonderful and handsome husband whom I love like crazy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

and Happy Birthday Jesus! We celebrate You!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-29T12:17:00.000-08:00

Diesel (da nephew) and I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and family. John & I spent Thanksgiving Day at the Nystrands where we enjoyed a yummy traditional meal. We chided the Seahawks and cheered for Gonzaga while stuffing ourselves further with blackberry pie.

On Friday, I slept in a bit, while John braved the Friday madness crowds at Fred Meyer... his venture proved successful with half price socks, candles & Christmas lights, along with a few secret items he's leaving in his trunk for now. Then we went to my Mom & Dad's where we had "Danish Train Soup" & leftover turkey on rolls. After the men rooted for Gonzaga, we had a cut-throat competition of Mexican Train where Dad came in from behind and creamed all of us. Joseph was making double-time at the hospital but we got to see him for awhile when he rolled in at 9pm and commandeered my camera to take pictures such as these of the spoiled pooch.

Today?? Putting up Christmas decor and baking bread. ** sigh... it's been a great few days. We are thankful for friends, family, the privilege of living in a free land, and the birth of our Savior.

Twilight

2008-11-26T16:02:00.001-08:00

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
Too sappy & sensual - leave out the middle 200 pages and my criticism might be lessened. Shallow character development to the point that I had to press through the boredom. (Adolescent literature doesn't have to be shallow to be at the targeted reading level.) Of all the wonderful pieces of literature out there - classics, and modern - I can't help but feel sad that young ladies across the world (observed first-hand at my middle school) are so enamored by a story with such repetition in word usage, such an inconsequential story line, and such unnecessary sensuality. Somehow, I get the feeling that Meyers is capable of better than this. (She's rich now, for certain, but there's much more to life than money.) At least I can tell my students I tried.

View all my reviews.

Hoaximanjaro

2008-11-20T16:48:00.000-08:00

Bloggers Block = post some videos. TRULY, though, this is a good one! I like Focus on the Family's humorous and simple way of addressing hot topics.

Merry Tossmas

2008-11-15T09:31:00.000-08:00

Thank You Veterans

2008-11-10T16:51:00.001-08:00

As we all enjoy a day off from our labors, we remember the men and women of all generations that have served our country so valiantly. We honor you and thank you for your service to God and country. This 2008 poster taken from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A poster gallery from 1978 to the present can be viewed there.

Inner Tube Robbery Update

2008-11-08T13:16:00.000-08:00

Remember a few posts ago? The robbery with a humorous twist - like something from a goofy tv show? Well, all humor seems to drain when it is discovered that the robber is a young man once known. I knew this "kid" when he was just a toddler, attending my childhood church. Their family is known and respected in our community. My brother went to school with his sister, even attended her wedding a few years ago. His picture is in the yearbook of the middle school where I currently work. What possesses a man, married with a child, from an intact Christian home, to stoop to such an idiotic level? To forever alter the course of his own life and the lives of those who love him? I'm sobered and my heart grieves for his family.

Home Ownership

2008-11-05T17:45:00.000-08:00

Here's one for those of us who made smart home purchases within our means:

Life's more fun with Fifth Graders

2008-10-26T13:30:00.000-07:00

Last week, John took his twelve fifth graders to a 3 night Science Camp on Bainbridge Island called "Island Wood." It's fun, educational... and exhausting. John totally loves his job.

Gotta do a goofy face picture!

Dreaming with God - Pre-Review

2008-10-20T18:25:00.001-07:00

I usually post a book review after I've completed a significant book... but Dreaming with God, by Bill Johnson deserves a Pre-Review. I am only on chapter 2 and I am blown away by the amazing insights and profound truths contained within these pages. Listen to just a few quotes that have gripped me:

"While much of the church is waiting for the next word from God, He is waiting to hear the dream of His people. He longs for us to take our role, not because He needs us, but because He loves us." p.28

"We are to pay attention to our desires while we're enjoying the presence of God in prayer. Something happens in our time of communion with Him that brings life to our capacity to dream and desire.... Our dreams are not independent from God, but instead exist because of God." p.34

And I love this one: "Divine wisdom springs from integrity, and becomes manifest through creative expression with excellence as its standard." p.45

As I soak in His presence, as I LISTEN to His voice, and dare to dream... WOW... the possibilities are endless! Please leave a comment. I would love to hear what you are hearing at this pivotal time in history.

Remember School Pictures?

2008-10-18T09:23:00.001-07:00

Remember those goofy school pictures?

Here's me (from top left):
Kindergarten
3rd Grade
7th Grade
Sophomore (I had braces)

Well, I'm still getting those pictures taken... the "benefits" of working for a school district - Required for the yearbook and our staff badges. Some of our more rebellious staff have been known to make goofy faces, wear masks, or have the photographer snap a shot of the back of their head! Mostly, though, we just Grin and Bear it!

Fall Beauty

2008-10-14T18:09:00.001-07:00

The first tree is across the street from us. I enjoy seeing it every time I drive into my driveway or look out my kitchen window. The red leaf maple is in our side yard - as it looks today. The picture in my new blog header is this same tree - Fall 2007. I am so thankful the previous owners planted this tree some 7+ years ago. It has doubled in size since we moved here.

Getaway Vehicle: an Inner Tube?

2008-09-30T12:40:00.000-07:00

This is no joke. It happened this morning, in my town, at my bank. I guess truth is stranger than fiction.

A suspected robber may have tried to use an inner tube as a getaway vehicle this morning after he maced an armed truck security guard and made off with money at a local bank. A manhunt was unfolding today on the banks of the Sky. River. A police helicopter and tracking dog have joined law officers from around the county in hunting for the suspect.The robbery happened just after 11 a.m. Police were still trying to determine if the man robbed the bank or an armed truck outside the bank, police spokeswoman Willis said. During the robbery, the suspect apparently sprayed mace in the face of a security guard. The man was then seen running from the bank. Police believe he may have tried to escape on an inner tube on the Sky. River, not far from the holdup scene, Willis said. “He may be floating westbound on the river,” Willis said.The suspect was described as white, about 6 feet tall and 220 pounds. He was wearing blue jean cut-off shorts and a dark blue shirt.

September Wedding Marathon

2008-09-27T18:47:00.000-07:00

I've been to 3 weddings in 3 consecutive weekends and I didn't take one picture! What is the matter with me??! I know, it's fatigue. It has been fun, but I'm ready for a day off!

Congratulations to Ryan & Kaylee, Emily & Eric, Daniel & Kelsey!

Seed of Compassion

2008-09-19T15:53:00.000-07:00

Today, I reminisce. It's amazing how the experiences of our growing up years can continue to impact us. One look at this picture and the memories come flooding back: 1988, age 16, first mission trip to Mexico. I remember this little girl was named Maya. She followed me everywhere. I gave her my necklace.

To this day, I wonder where she is and how she is doing. I pray that she is loved and cared for and that she knows the ever-loving presence of our Father.

Twenty one years have passed and I am grateful that, as a young person, I had an opportunity to allow a seed of compassion to be dropped in my heart... a seed that, I pray, continues to grow. What experiences from your teenage years have had a positive lasting impact on your life?

Addicted

2008-09-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

I admit it. I'm addicted to Tetley's British Blend Tea. It's the first thing I drink in the morning. It's what I crave when I return home from work. I keep a ziploc full of Tetley bags at my desk and usually have a cup while shuffling papers for the school district. On average, I consume 2-3 cups per day. But, after 4:30pm, I must have Decaf if I want to sleep that night.
I first got hooked on tea (with milk & sugar) while living in India. We had a tea break every day at 3:30, which is about the time - still today - that I thirst for a cup of tea. I got hooked on the Tetley brand through British friends.
To Prepare: the water must be boiling hot, poured over the bag. I let it steep for four minutes, then add two spoons of sugar and milk enough to achieve the right color (making it very difficult for anyone else to make me a satisfying cup of tea). It tastes delicious and often stops a migraine dead in its tracks. In a pinch, I am content with English Breakfast Tea, but Tetley is the best. The company should hire me to do a commercial. I would be very believable.
What "addictions" do you have?

Tending Sheep

2008-09-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

I bought this print directly from the artist. Her inspiration was the country landscape of Serbia.

As a birthday gift to myself, I had it framed & matted. Now I'm enjoying it, displayed on a prominent wall in my home! :>)

Happy Birthday to Me!

2008-09-09T15:57:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm 37 now.

Thank you Debra for surprising me with a balloon and iced mocha at work today!

(John's working late so I'm taking pics of myself... we'll be going to Claimjumpers this weekend.)

Dex Trex is the Best!

2008-09-09T15:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you Dad and John for letting me come up with projects that you complete! Last weekend, we replaced our run-down front porch & stairs with Dex Trex. No more fighting with peeling paint and rotting wood. Below are before, during, and after pics. Hooray for Dex Trex!"I love it!"

Tuckered

2008-09-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

Sooooooo... I forgot how energetic middle schoolers are. Two days back in the saddle, and I'm worn out / tuckered / plum tucked!

Victoria, Canada - Baker's Dozen Favorites

2008-08-25T08:59:00.001-07:00

In beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, we had a grand time doing the "tourist thing" with John's parents. Here, I've chosen a baker's dozen of my favorite pictures from the trip.

The back of the Parliament Building on our way to the B.C. Museum, where we spent most of the day. Included in our admission price was an IMAX viewing - we saw the one on Whales.

John poses with The Babe at the Wax Museum.

Fancy dinner at Nautical Nellie's on Wharf Street in downtown Victoria.

This sign at Butchart Gardens caught my eye. Since when is "up steps" one word?

Maybe it's a Canadian thing.

The Fam. Beautiful background, ay?

I like this picture - taken in the Sunken Gardens at Butchart. Don't be surprised if you see this again in a Christmas card.
A short-lived rain brought out the hat and hood.

I love the close-up feature on my camera that enabled me to capture this bee enjoying some nectar on my favorite flower: the gerber daisy.

Beautiful flowers everywhere! (Once the hat goes on, it stays on.)

I love gates. Isn't this a pretty one?

John & Dad at the Wishing Well in The Rose Garden.

Mom & Dad N. Notice the Harbor through the peek hole.

And, to top off the day, John mimics a statue in the Italian Gardens. He was a good sport doing this for me, despite his ankle brace.

Fire Alarm

2008-08-23T09:51:00.001-07:00

We just returned from a 3 night trip to Victoria, Canada with John's parents. I will post pictures of our trip soon, but for now, I want to recount the events of our first night. I only slept four hours the night before our departure, we got up at 3am so we could drive to North Seattle to pick up my in-laws, then drive to Anacortes to get in line for the ferry by 7:30am. Upon arrival on Vancouver Island, we went straight to the city for lunch and a tour of the Undersea Gardens. We checked into our hotel at about 6pm and snuggled in for a good nights rest in preparation for two full days of sightseeing. It is usually a struggle for me to sleep in hotels, but I was hopeful for a good nights rest this first night because I was so exhausted.

The "excitement" began at 1:30am when the power went off and continued to go on and off the rest of the morning, waking me each time. About 5:30am, I finally drifted back to sleep until leaping out of bed at 6am to the sound of the FIRE ALARM and John's voice yelling, "Let's go!" John calmly gave instructions - "get our passports, get your wedding rings, pants & shoes on... okay, let's go..." Ashamedly, this fireman's daughter had faithfully read the emergency instructions in the hotel's patron notebook yet, when faced with an emergency, failed to do every important instruction listed. We left without our room keys and did not feel the door before exiting... I'm still kicking myself about it.

The sound of the alarm was deafening and the hallway was empty. An emergency door had closed half way down the hallway, blocking us from checking on John's parents. All we could do was exit the building and hope that they were outside already. As we exited the side door, we faced a dark rainy sky and heard the sirens of the approaching fire department. It was surreal.

Soon, we found John's parents amongst the pajama-clad strangers. Dad was barefoot. One woman was wandering through the wet parking lot in a light weight, knee-length nightie with no shoes. I found myself wishing I had a blanket to give her. It was weird standing among so many people in pajamas and messy hair. Everyone was pretty calm... I guess because there was no visible smoke or signs of a real emergency.

Good News: It did not take long to realize this ordeal was a fire alarm malfunction due to the power outage, but the firemen had to conduct a time-consuming search of the building, anyway. I was annoyed at the lack of preparedness on behalf of the hotel. When the fire marshall arrived, there were no staff members to meet them. When a young Asian girl finally did come to the front lobby, I overheard her say that she is new and doesn't know what to do. (!?!) When another employee arrived, she acted all panicky and wasn't much help either. Finally, the firemen told us we could return to our rooms. BUT, the manager/owner told us that they were still searching for the key to the generator and could not turn off the alarm until they found it. Good grief! We endured the sound of the alarm for another hour, shortly followed by the return of the electricity. What a first day in Canada!

What has this fireman's daughter learned from the ordeal? Hotels are not prepared for emergencies. We need to be prepared to take care of ourselves. From now on, I will set purse (including room key and cell phone), shoes & valuables in an easily accessible location - just in case. I was sobered by the fact that if there had been a fire in the hallway, we would have been trapped and unable to return to our room.

The next two nights were uneventful - just the way I like it. I slept really well and we enjoyed 2 days of sightseeing. Today, I'm really happy to be home.

Family Camp 08

2008-08-18T09:49:00.000-07:00

Family Camp Week this year began with a Master's Commission Grad Retreat. The messages by Pastor Norm, from both the Retreat and the main Family Camp services, were off-the-charts, life-changing, pivotal. I will be listening to them on CD many times over. The presence of the Lord was indescribable and we are forever changed. Now I'm catching up on some sleep and getting unpacked so I can re-pack for Victoria, B.C. Soon, we will be starting up a new school year. It's a new season!

Here's one crummy picture of John & I ...

Oh well, I was definitely not focused on taking pics this year.

(notice our friend JoshO - sleeping in a hammock behind us.)

New Bloggin' Buddy

2008-08-05T11:09:00.000-07:00

Cheri is in Kisumu, Kenya AFRICA. Her parents are pastoring a church there and Cheri is serving in the Arts Ministry, with the Youth and as a teacher in the school. She is an outgoing, very smart, wonderful young woman. I am privileged to know her. She has just started a BLOG (click here) to replace her email updates. It is a work in progress... but you should check it out & keep checking it! For pictures, you can go to the Picasa link on her side bar. To view more information about the Kisumu Sponsorship Program follow this link.

More Sheep

2008-08-03T16:55:00.000-07:00

I recently purchased a copy of this painting directly from the artist. I stumbled upon "Melissa's blog" and saw this picture on her sidebar. Upon inquiry, I was able to learn that her inspiration was from the countryside of Serbia where she had been teaching. I was thrilled to be able to buy a copy from her and even more thrilled when I received it in the mail a few days ago. It will be beautifully framed and prominently displayed in my home. Melissa now lives in Chennai, India where she has taken a new teaching position. I am enjoying reading of her first impressions of Chennai (formerly, Madras) because that is where I resided as a young woman in 1992 and 1993. Click here to view her blog.

Ebay Find

2008-08-01T17:52:00.001-07:00

I love black & white toile.

Thought I'd share my latest ebay find (not that I purchase from ebay very often.)

BOOK REVIEW TIME: The City of Ember (and upcoming movie)

2008-07-29T16:42:00.001-07:00

The City of Ember is a fast moving tale of 2 young people who "discover the way out" of the city of darkness. With riveting characters that the reader will care about and a believable plot with a few wise lessons for living, Jeanne Duprau has given us a timeless story for all ages. One very profound statement is when mentor-like Clary says to the protagonist, "There is so much darkness outside in Ember, Lina. It's not just outside, it's inside us too. Everyone has some darkness inside. It's like a hungry creature. It wants and wants and WANTS with a terrible power. And the more you give it, the bigger and hungrier it gets."

2003 - adolescent literature, fantasy

Drum roll please... for The Dynamic Duo & The Red Jet'

2008-07-28T19:31:00.001-07:00

"Out with the old, in with the new." This week has been a time for upgrades in our home. We traded in our relic washer/dryer that we purchased as a refurbished model in 2000, the year we got married, for a NEW front-load washer & dryer - the MAYTAG EPICz duo! Now I can wash and dry in half the time! (The delivery guys actually laughed in amazement at my ancient stackables - they'd never seen anything like it, they said.)

AND,
after hours of searching, numerous phone calls, and a few disappointments, the Lord has blessed us with a new commuter car for John. (We feel like we're experts on how to conduct a search and make a purchase from Craig's List - it's quite an exhausting experience.) This faithful Honda Accord, with 248,000 miles on her, has had a good life. Now, we say goodbye to our old friend...
... and say hello to our newest family member, this red 1998 VW Jetta. We stayed in budget and John got a car he loves to drive.

We're very happy with our newest purchases... and now we start saving our $ again.

5 miles... and Counting

2008-07-23T12:57:00.001-07:00

I'm up to 5 miles in 30 minutes on the elliptical.

Goal: 10 miles in 60 minutes by the end of the summer.

I think I can... I think I can

BOOK REVIEW TIME: The Shack

2008-07-21T07:17:00.000-07:00

I would call Shack a "50-50" book. 50% thought-provoking and 50% slow-moving plot mixed with some strange ideas about Father God. The premise of the storyline is somewhat unique and evokes deep emotion at times. The lessons on forgiveness vs. revenge, judgment (that we cast on others), casting ALL our cares on Him and "learning to live loved" - were impacting. However, Young's theology regarding the Trinity, Submission & Authority, etc. were unbiblical. Endorsements by well-known people were a surprise; to hold this book next to Pilgrims Progress is a huge stretch, in my opinion. Conclusion: some nuggets challenged my paradigm & made it worth the time to sift through the bones... but there definitely were some BIG bones. (If you're looking for a lengthy review, click here for one individual's insightful comments about The Shack.) Caution: This book has just enough truth to hook a reader, and enough lies to trip people up. If Oprah read this book, she would probably love it... and that's not a compliment.

recommended for those want to be a part of the public conversation and are willing to take the time to sift through the bones...

not recommended for those who just want an entertaining read and will not approach the book with their "spiritual radar" in active mode

Car Hunting... exhausting

2008-07-21T06:29:00.000-07:00

Goal: replace John's Honda (250,000 miles on it) with another commuter car

Completed: review consumer reports; establish what we're looking for; establish budget

Plan of Action: search Craig's List, Auto Trader, and Little Nickel

Time Involvement thus far: countless hours on the internet, who-knows-how-many-phone-calls, and 2 trips to Seattle (once to West Seattle)

Unexpected Realization: car searching is like a race... first one to call, first one to arrive on site with money in hand gets the deal. (Several times now, we have been just moments too late to obtaining a great car at a great price.) It has almost become a game of sorts... almost.

The Hope-Factor: God has the perfect car for us and all of this work is "giving Him something to work with"... this too shall pass and soon I'll be posting a pic of his new car.

Garage Sale Fun!

2008-07-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

Our church's annual Garage Sale went well. We made lots o' money, blessed lots o' people, and enjoyed working together. We're all tired and dirty after several days of work, but thankful for another successful year. The picture below is only about half of the tables and on the second day after much was already sold!

Below is a picture of an upside down Christmas tree with an upside down person in front of it!

(Thank you Alecia for your willingness to fulfill my crazy idea.)

Three of these upside down MACY's trees were donated for our sale and a man actually took 2 of them home. (And yes, they're designed to be upside down; the stand only works with the tree that way... weird.) If we could have had a video camera set up next to the display tree, it would have been hilarious to capture all the strange looks we got from people... quite a conversation piece, too. I definitely wanted to snap a picture of this crazy sight and thought it would be more interesting to have a person in front of it!

"Spring" Cleaning in the Summer

2008-07-16T08:49:00.000-07:00

Polish Silver Pieces - check!

Jonathan Edwards: A Remarkable Life

2008-07-14T10:26:00.000-07:00

With the completion of an Author Analysis paper on Jonathan Edwards at 10:19 this morning, I have now completed this semester!!! Wahoo! Now I can tackle my summer-to-do list, do some pleasure reading, hang out with friends & family, and enjoy the summer sun! It has been a looooooong few months - now I feel like I can breathe again. I give thanks for my husband who has helped me so much with making dinners on occasion (or fending for himself), editing all of my papers, and just being an all around gracious and awesome husband. He has played a huge part in enabling me to be successful in this endeavor. Even when I wanted to quit, he would remind me of the value of pursuing our dreams and encourage me to persevere.

I close with this quote from J.Edwards that I used in my paper,
"My heart panted after this, to lie low before God, as in the dust; that I might be nothing, and that God might be ALL, that I might become as a little child."

Here's to Friends!

2008-07-12T17:38:00.001-07:00

I couldn't resist posting these pics emailed to me by my dear friends on their recent family vacation. (We recently went to a ball game with them and had a great time - but didn't take any pictures... shame on me.)

I love you Gray, Kate & adorable boys! You're the best!

Their youngest is so cute I can hardly stand it! Aunt Rach loves you!

BOOK REVIEW TIME: Auralia's Colors

2008-07-10T08:33:00.001-07:00

by Jeffrey Overstreet. Rich in poetic language and character development, this work of modern day fantasy is a treasure. I find it difficult to put into words just how this book made me feel... for one, I wanted to turn right back to page 1 and read it again, because I know that I did not grasp all that the book has to offer. More than a classic story of good versus evil, Auralia's Colors is about pursuing your dreams (regardless of the consequences); it's about profound loyalty in relationships; it's about faith - in the deepest sense. I don't read a lot of fantasy - I guess I'm more of a realist - but I decided to give Auralia a chance, and I can now say, this new work will draw you in, and change you - if you'll allow it.

click on my GOOD READS box on the sidebar for more book reviews.

Sacrifice for Civil Rights

2008-07-08T20:41:00.000-07:00

Today I finished an eight page research paper on the "Grassroots Movement for Civil Rights." I focused on the involvement of "regular people" from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s - people who actively challenged the Jim Crow laws of the South and demanded equal rights be given to ALL. These courageous people risked their lives, in many cases GAVE their lives, to participate in sit-ins, freedom rides, and voter registration campaigns. They've made America a better place. I am humbled by their sacrifice.

One more paper to write on Jonathan Edwards and then I'm freeeeeeee for the summer!

Eight Hours, Eight Pages

2008-07-03T15:58:00.000-07:00

Eight hours of time in front of the computer today and I've completed an 8 page paper on Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter. I entitled my paper, "What do we do about Sin?"

Here is an 1860 painting (by some guy name Matteson) depicting the story of The Scarlet Letter.

Favorite Summer Study Spot

2008-07-01T13:14:00.001-07:00

Cup 'o tea, foot rest, chirping birds and sunshine = peaceful atmosphere for in depth study of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. (Fifteen more days and I'll be engaged in casual reading in this same spot!)

No Smoking

2008-07-01T09:14:00.000-07:00

One more from Friday Harbor: It seems the city of Friday Harbor is taking the No Smoking law to another level... and using a bit of humor to get their point across. Similar signs were posted throughout the city.

Friday Harbor - Deception Pass Take 4 (and the last)

2008-06-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

We took a day trip by ferry to Friday Harbor as walk on passengers.

It was a beautiful day to enjoy the breathtaking views through the San Juan Islands.

At Friday Harbor, we enjoyed window shopping, an outdoor lunch overlooking the harbor, and perusing a quaint bookstore where I bought a large antique style map of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands (I love maps)!

This concludes my postings for Deception Pass 2008.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hike to Goose Summit - Deception Pass Take 3

2008-06-29T19:46:00.000-07:00

One day, we took a 4.5 mile hike to Goose Summit. It's quite exhausting but worth the effort. As you can see, we were rewarded with a view of the San Juans, Cranberry Lake, and the mountains. It was spectacular. On the way back, we walked across the bridge and took some pics there too.

"I'm melllllting!"

2008-06-28T06:33:00.000-07:00

Ninety degree weather, forecasted for this weekend, is noteworthy in this part of the country. It is quite an event that warrants strategic preparation in order to keep the house as cool as possible. Check List for "pre-heat" days:

Caught up on laundry - check
Cook food ahead of time
Cover the skylight
Leave windows open all night - check
Pull down shades on East side of house in AM
Make iced tea
Turn on all fans - check, check
Water the lawn in the early AM
Exercise BEFORE noon - almost check
Warn Mom I may be over on Sunday afternoon to sit in front of the portable AC - check

By the Fire - Deception Pass Take 2

2008-06-28T06:14:00.000-07:00

John made a fire every morning, where we would drink coffee with fancy creamers, read, and decide what we wanted to do that day. John had his "smoky clothes" that he did not bring into the trailer... by my request, of course. I know - I'm kind of picky - but he graciously humors me. We now have a "Home Upgrades" fund in our personal budget... can you tell by what John is reading? It's not the Sports page!

On the Beach - Deception Pass Take 1

2008-06-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

We're back from our one week at Deception Pass State Park. We're thankful to our Lord for blessing us with wonderful weather for the entire time. The forecast was glum but - surprise! - summer arrived just in time for our trip. Not quite "shorts" weather on the coast, but for us Washingtonians - beautiful and WELCOME! We had a fantastic & restful time. I will post pics from our trip for the next several days. First up: On the Beach - reading, meditating, talking, walking and snoozing. I read Auralia's Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet - personal review coming up on "Tween the Pages" and John read C.S. Lewis' The Last Battle as well as bits and pieces from other books - and, of course, the Sports Page.

Note: Propping up the camera on a piece of driftwood sometimes works [above] and sometimes doesn't [below] - a bit too much sand and sky, but you get the idea.