A very Merry Christmas this year...

We are enjoying Christmas at our son-daughter-in-law's near Salem. Last night all the older children were here, except David and his family, Zyanya and Nathaniel. Today we were able to chat with them on Skype though.

Last night everyone presnt opened gifts together. We had a "secret" drawing, but a lot of people ended up finding out  "who got who" though.

A forever dear friend and his family stopped by to visit. They sang  Christmas songs for us.  I was amazed because it was mostly acappella and very good.

Gideon gave a lot of gifts that he had made in his sculpturing and photo class. The photos were all amazing, but the sculptures blew me away they were so good!  One was a clay-and glazed sculpture of Ginger, our dachshund. Another was of Abraham Lincoln sitting down, another, a sculpture of Gideon's head, very detailed and life-like looking.

Today Titus and Ruth went to visit her family and the rest of us drove to the beach. We took a lot of pictures and I picked up round black rocks, because there weren't any shells. The ocean air and sounds are always refreshing to me. This time I was actually warm wearing a soft sweater, light vest and hooded sweater and a light jacket with a hat and gloves!

I am thinking about making some gluten-free brownies (for everyone). They are going to be so good that no one will know they are gluten-free. (I'm being optimistic)

It looks like a Christmas movie is in the making for tonight...

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas. God be with you and your family.

Home again

We arrived home yesterday afternoon after a nice week with Titus, Ruth, Demetrius and baby Gabriel. I am so glad we were able to come and that I was able to be there for the birth.

Baby Gabriel is so cute and sweet. We all enjoyed him immensely. It's amazing how little babies are when they are first born. They have a special cry that only lasts for awhile, while they are really small.

I was also very glad Judah and Noel could come for dinner and I was able to spend time with G.

The trip home would have been OK, but I got really sick with a migraine, even before Hood River. Clemy kept trying to get me to eat so I could take some IBU, but I was too sick. Finally I took some (on an empty stomach) and found out that wasn't a very good idea.  Eventually my headache went away 80% and I was able to drive home and go to bed really early.

When we drove past the grove of hybrid poplars, it was so pretty because they all had frost on them and there was fog above them. For many miles we drove through a frosty land. Thankfully the roads were clear.

Today we're cleaning. We did one job together, then I came home so I could visit with my sister Laurie who came over. I feel pretty good, so will help with the afternoon jobs.

Ginger is getting into something in the kitchen, so I have to go...

Quitting blogit for awhile....

Since I'm quitting blog-it (for awhile) I hope to start blogging here more. I do hope to see some of my blogit friends here once in awhile though :)

Baby Gabriel is soooo cute. I forgot how adorable a newborn is. I even dreamed about a newborn last night. I feel really close to him and hope I can stay close in heart to him and Demetrius and my other grandson in Texas forever.

Had a very nice visit with G today. I'm glad he came to visit.

Not much more to say. I am glad to be here, but am looking forward to going home soon. 

Hearing God speak to me...

Sunday, July 24, 2011

How does God speak to us?

It was a nice restful day. In the morning some of us went to church. The message was very good, about expecting God to speak to you.

God can speak to us in many ways; through a sunset, enjoying life, a word spoken from someone, thoughts in our mind... Usually He speaks when we are not looking for it. Walking around, with our eyes open to the things in the spirit really help us to see God in our lives I think.

I am thinking today of some people still needing prayer. I think of Robert Park and wonder how he is doing these days. Then, there's a homeless man who I haven't seen in church or even around town in months. I'm hoping he found a place to live, maybe with his son. I'm hoping he's doing well.

I really need to focus on Jesus this week, and not just survive. I know it's possible. Resting in my spirit, I will try to live in the spirit and not just let the fast-pace world take me for a ride.

Work and other ordinary things...

It's been a fairly cool summer so far. We've had mostly 85 degree weather. Today was only about 70 degrees though. Life is pretty ordinary right now. We work a couple of hours in the evening with some of the family. Then, on Thursday, I clean houses. Friday night sometimes we clean extra businesses so we don't have to clean so many on Saturday.

By "we" I mean anyone in the family who works. When Levi was here, he could lead a cleaning crew. But now he's gone, it has to be me or Greg. Actually Petra or Gordon could, but they usually work with us.

Greg has been gone all day, stripping and waxing floors over in Monument and Long-Creek. I worked with Gideon and Susannah for 2 hours.

The only other thing of interest that happened is the neighbor yelling at Ginger for barking. He in not very tolerant of dogs. We try to keep Ginger quiet, but sometimes she forgets and acts like a dog, especially when she sees a cat.

Well, this is pretty boring and I'm embarrassed about anyone reading it. I really wish I had more time to write. I guess the truth is, I do other things, so my writing hasn't improved much.  I'll work on it...

Here is a link to another blog I subscribe to. Yes, it cost a little bit of money. So, why do I insist on writing on blogit? Because I like the feedback I get mostly. I know other people are reading my posts and some may enjoy them. There are a lot of blogs to read, mostly by people who like to write. If you write often and well, you will make some money from those who read you to offset the subscription cost. Check it out if you want to:  

http://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Affil/?329379

Music for you- Jars of Clay - Overjoyed

It's been a long day. We all cleaned the offices. We split up in 2 teams, which really made it go quicker. Tomorrow is a rest day (sort of). Sort of because we need to get OUR house clean and ready for Petra!

I thought some music might be nice. I really like Jars of Clay. The first few times I heard them I didn't, but their music grew on me. I also watched a net-flix movie tonight on the computer. It was called "The human experience" It was about 2 brothers who traveled and had 3 experiences. The first was that they lived like a homeless person in the winter in New York City for about a month. The second was they went to a place in Peru where to help with kids in a medical facility. The third was Africa and a leper colony. Really good movie, I would recommend it highly.

Getting over being sick....

I just got over being sick. I still am not 100%, but much better. Usually I am able to keep from getting a cold or flu, but this time I wasn't.

The Ranch reunion was great. It was cold, rainy and windy, but I enjoyed the company. Now it must be 90 degrees out, only 3 days later! This happened last year too.

Well, I can't write anymore, as Greg needs to use the computer. We are going to Portland, he will be visiting his sister and other relatives in Nebraska for awhile. I am glad I still have many young adults at home while he is gone.

I will try to write more when time allows.....

Why I still write on blog-it and not here (much).....

I have not been taking time to write here for a long time. This is due to the fact that I am busy and when I'm not, I'm not doing any writing. I also have been writing on "blogit" for some time. This has felt more secure for me, as the people on blog-it do not know me personally, so it has been easier to be real than with people that know me... isn't that sad?

Well, I have nothing to hide and nothing to fear, so I may be writing more here. If you read what I write, I would like to suggest you make a comment, even a 1-liner. That is what I love about blog-it, is the comments. It is a pay-site, which I don't like. I also found out a long time ago, that (for me) there is no money to be made on blog-it. Maybe for the home-bound or people who write on there every day and have time to write well and research. But, I have stayed at blog-it because of the friends I have made there. I have only met 2 who write on blog-it and it's unlikely I will ever meet any others face-to-face.

So, why am I writing about blog-it? Not to get you to join, but to explain why I rarely write here anymore.

If I know my friends and relatives are reading my blog and enjoying it (with a comment they make), it will encourage me to write here more.

I guess that's all I have to say. I'll try to stay on 1 subject, so it's not long and boring...

Great Anniversary!

First, I want to say that we had a wonderful anniversary. We rented a motel in Lincoln City on the Oregon coast for 2 nights. It was really nice, with a pool and hot-tub. One day we rented horses. I had never really ridden on the beach and it was really fun. The horses were nice, and not old plugs. I will try to post some photos later.

The weather was really nice also, with sunny days. That is unusual at the coast, so we were really blessed. Also, Greg's mom stayed with the kids. That helped us feel free to be gone for 3 nights. Levi is home now and so he and his other siblings cleaned the offices on Monday and Tuesday night.

On the way home, we visited Gordon who turned 21 today. We ate Chinese food together. It was good to see him again.

Now we are home and back to the routine.

Today I drove about 30 minutes away to clean 2 houses and an office. Clemy came with me and helped me with 2 jobs. After that she started feeling sick. It seems she is getting the flu or something. Tonight Greg,Levi and Gideon are cleaning the clinic. Greg and Levi both worked at other jobs today, so they are pretty tired.

Tomorrow I will be only cleaning one house and then in the evening I'll help with the offices. The more offices we clean Friday night, the less we have to do on Saturday!

I really want to have a table at the Farmers' Market this summer. I am starting to make crafts again. Clemy and I are both learning to make earrings. I made home-made soap once (and it turned out really good) The next project is candles. If I do this I'll try not to work on Fridays.

When your life is broken...God can repair it

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

What do you do when something gets broken and you can't fix it? Like your life? You've messed it up and now all those things you did in the past cannot be undone. What you said that hurt someone...and stupid things you did. You wish you could go back in time and do it over, but this time - right.

Well we can't do it over, but we can start today and start over. I don't even think we can change ourself with all the will-power in the world ... without the help of God. We may be able to change the things we do, and that is good, but to change ourselves at the core of our being... well, that's a different story.

I was cleaning house for a lady about 2 months ago. I rarely use oven-cleaner, but needed to. I was careful as I could be, but after it was all done her linoleum floor was "pitted" in the areas where I hadn't put protection down. I tried to scrub it off, but it was not on the surface, but had eroded the linoleum. I told the lady about it. She wasn't too upset. It was an older floor. It had looked pretty good everywhere except in one place (there was a hole) under a rug. But, if you didn't move the rug, it looked nice.

I came back the next week and when I went to look at the damaged floor, it was normal. There were no "pits" in it. I couldn't even tell any difference. I was shocked. I asked Vadis if she had scrubbed the floor where I had cleaned. She said no, and after you left I looked at it and couldn't see anything wrong. It took me 2 weeks to tell her about what happened.

It doesn't matter to me if nobody believes me. I cannot prove that this happened. But, I know it happened and believe there is a reason for it. I'd been pondering it for a long time and I thing that God was trying to tell me something.

Things that are ruined and cannot be fixed... God can fix them! I don't know how he can, but He can. So, if you feel that your life is ruined in any area, I hope this gives you a little faith to believe that God can repair your broken and ruined life.

I've been in the village all week cleaning & sorting stuff. Clemy & I have played some games & watched some movies. Mostly, We are enjoying the warm sunshine!

I'm not sure if this will get to my blog, but it won't hurt to try. I'm in Mexico, in the village where we used to live. I've been cleaning & organizing.. It's 80 degrees here.

Week at the "deaf" School

I just "lost" the post I did! frustrating!

We have been at the "deaf" school all week. Mostly I have been resting, helping with laundry and helping the girls with their school work. Laurel, Susannah and Clemy have helped a lot in the kitchen and teaching some.

Hope you can get a better picture of the school through my photos!

girls on beach

Beach in Bandon

This is only a test

Third test. I can now send posts from both my phones. (This one I use in Mexico, for texting. It has a USA number) So, if I'm ambitious, I'll send a post to my blog when I get to the village and won't have internet.

In Sinaloa at the "deaf" school

Petra, Susannah, Clemy and I arrived at Petra's friends house Sunday afternoon. When we pulled in, the oil was draining out the bottom of the car! I hadn't noticed anything unusual earlier. I know we went over a couple of bumps, so figured that was the problem.

Petra's friend know a mechanic. He came over (he spoke English) and took the oil-pan off, took in home, welded it. The next day the Previa had new oil and seems to be fine. In all it only cost $800 pesos, which is under $80. I am thankful, as the motor could have been ruined.

We spent the afternoon and evening visiting with Petra's friends. I rested while they all went out. In the evening we got a ride to the "deaf school" with our stuff.

Monday I had a headache all day, and so rested a lot. Today I felt fine, so did our laundry and helped with theirs. Susannah did her on-line school and Clemy did Math, a typing class, wrote in her journal, did e-mails and helped teach the little kids. Laurel A. who is also with us helped teach Petra's class.

I helped mix up a machaca-oat-bread-egg mix for supper. It's going to be hamburger-type patties.
I asked Michelle B. where the machaca came from? Sinaloa or Sonora?

On our way to Mexico

So far our trip has gone very well. We started out with Petra, Susannah, Clemy and I.The first day we had lunch with Greg's dad and aunt in Portland. After that, we drove to Judah and Noels for New years eve. They had a lot of friends over, many I knew. The highlight of the evening was when many of the brave ones jumped in the freezing pool at midnight. Luckily, Judah and Noel have a sauna, so they warmed up quickly after the dip in the pool.

The next day, we drove to Bandon to visit close friends. I enjoyed my time on the beach taking photos,(which I will try to post at a later date when I have more time). After 2 days in Bandon, on our way out, at the last minute we took on a new rider, 16 year old daughter of our friends.

We stayed at a motel in Williams, CA. It was OK, but not great. Clean and nice, but small and no extras. The next night we stayed in a fabulous motel in Palm Springs. I had a coupon, so it actually cost less than the previous motel.

We arrived in Catalina, near Tucson on Wednesday. We have been here 3 days and plan on leaving really early tomorrow morning to reach the village before dark. Then, Sunday we will go to Los Mochis, to the deaf school. The girls and I will stay that week.