Thank you Lord for taking care of the family and keeping me safe while I was away. It was soooo good to see my children on Saturday. They were glad to see me too. We all got together Saturday night and had Hawaiian Burgers. Hamburgers, topped with slice of ham, slice of pineapple and then swiss cheese. They were so good. And we ate in the backyard with Tiki torches all around. It was a bit cool though, nights are definitely fall..ish feeling. The days though are beautiful, warm and there is plenty of fall colors now. Thank you all for praying for the family these last two weeks. Laura and Kayla stayed at John and Ann's house; thank you. And Mary stayed at Nan's house; thank you. They had wonderful times.
My brother John finally got power back last Wednesday. He was back to school on the Monday before that but with generator fed power only. The real success story though was the fact that 37 other states sent power line crews to Houston to help with all the downed lines. What a great effort and meaningful way to help those in need. Johnny was very impressed and thankful. His house sustained about $700-1000 in damage. Not too bad considering.
Pray requests:
1) Kayla came down with Shingles, which is a form of the chicken pox virus but usually occurs in older people. It formed on her back about the size of silver dollar coin. She is on medicine and it is healing. Pray that no one else gets chicken pox or shingles. Our family has all had chicken pox.
She is doing well. She even ran her cross country race last Friday night and did well.
2) Hannah's nursing studies are going well. It has been challenging but she is setting her mind to doing well and we are so proud of her. Pray she would continue to enjoy it and be a blessing to her patients.
Also, Susan had borrowed a "Mr. Wonderful" doll (He always knows just what to say!) from someone several years ago. We are trying to find out who we got that from, so we can return it. If anyone has any leads, please email me. Thanks. We definitely had fun with this gag gift.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
ALOHA!
This photo shot from my sixth floor of the Quarters on Naval Station Pearl Harbor. This is the Arizona Memorial with flag flying in the wind.
And a beautiful sunset looking the other direction from my room. Susan loved coming over here just because it was so unique and tropical.
Just a few more days and I will be flying home. Will leave on Friday evening, fly over night, get home around 10:30 am. So pray for my safety and keep praying for the kids. They are all doing well. Time has gone by fast for me. Talk to you later....
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Rejoice Always!
"Rejoice Always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-22.
I have been talking with my brother on occasion down in Houston. He still does not have power. His neighbor has a generator, so he does go over and charge up his cell phone as necessary. No electricity, no water, bathroom? (use your imagination), but he does have a cell phone. There is comfort in that. At least he can talk to others that have all the comforts of home. People, we take so much for granted, don't we. Especially in this United States. Things are so comfortable. Our relationships are taken for granted also. Husbands, wives, children, etc. We have them and then we don't. That is why I keep going back to my Lord. He tells us to REJOICE always! In everything give THANKS!! I am not taking lightly what happened down in Houston, but my brother is alive, has his house and in time will get on with his life. I am grateful for that. After events like this, we do examine our lives and think about what is important and what isn't. We hold on to the important things.
I am currently over in Hawaii. Living on the Naval Base in Pearl Harbor. Working up at Camp Smith at the Pacific Command Headquarters, in the Joint Operations Center. This is my two week Reserves time. The children are safe back home, Mary, Laura and Kayla are staying with close friends. Leah is at home, keeping things running smoothly there with Jason and Aaron. I miss all of them. There are so many memories here in Hawaii of Susan. She was able to come over five times while I was on my reserve duties in the past here in Hawaii. So there are some things that are sweet, sweet memories but still hard to think about. I am working about 10 hours daily, so I am busy. Still with the three hours difference, it can get difficult talking with the kids while they are going to school and I to work. Been talking with them about every other day. Pray that they will be safe and that I will be too. Thanks to all that keep visiting us on this blog. I know that there are a few that visit but don't respond. That is just fine. My intent is that you can get caught up with what God is doing in our lives by visiting this blog. He blesses us in so many ways. I can't imagine life on this earth without faith in Jesus and the belief in the truths of God's Word. This is what Susan lived and she is right now in His presence. Amen!
I have been talking with my brother on occasion down in Houston. He still does not have power. His neighbor has a generator, so he does go over and charge up his cell phone as necessary. No electricity, no water, bathroom? (use your imagination), but he does have a cell phone. There is comfort in that. At least he can talk to others that have all the comforts of home. People, we take so much for granted, don't we. Especially in this United States. Things are so comfortable. Our relationships are taken for granted also. Husbands, wives, children, etc. We have them and then we don't. That is why I keep going back to my Lord. He tells us to REJOICE always! In everything give THANKS!! I am not taking lightly what happened down in Houston, but my brother is alive, has his house and in time will get on with his life. I am grateful for that. After events like this, we do examine our lives and think about what is important and what isn't. We hold on to the important things.
I am currently over in Hawaii. Living on the Naval Base in Pearl Harbor. Working up at Camp Smith at the Pacific Command Headquarters, in the Joint Operations Center. This is my two week Reserves time. The children are safe back home, Mary, Laura and Kayla are staying with close friends. Leah is at home, keeping things running smoothly there with Jason and Aaron. I miss all of them. There are so many memories here in Hawaii of Susan. She was able to come over five times while I was on my reserve duties in the past here in Hawaii. So there are some things that are sweet, sweet memories but still hard to think about. I am working about 10 hours daily, so I am busy. Still with the three hours difference, it can get difficult talking with the kids while they are going to school and I to work. Been talking with them about every other day. Pray that they will be safe and that I will be too. Thanks to all that keep visiting us on this blog. I know that there are a few that visit but don't respond. That is just fine. My intent is that you can get caught up with what God is doing in our lives by visiting this blog. He blesses us in so many ways. I can't imagine life on this earth without faith in Jesus and the belief in the truths of God's Word. This is what Susan lived and she is right now in His presence. Amen!
Hannah sent me some pictures of Kayla's X-C0untry race at her school. I missed it but Hannah sent some pictures to enjoy and I will put several on the blog.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Watching IKE
Here is a link to the projected track of IKE as the hurricane approaches Houston.
Pray for my brother, John who lives in Houston, actually in the southeast part of Houston. He plans on staying and boarding up the house. Francesco, his son is off at college inland at Texas A&M. He is safe. The latest track shows IKE going right over Houston at category 3.
Here is a picture of Laura and Kayla on their first day of school. They are doing well in school. Kayla is taking cross country running for 4 weeks. She will be in 3 different meets. It is real low key, just a good excuse to do some running. Laura is taking violin at school. She is also doing 'Road Crew' which is a singing group at school. Mary is getting into volleyball.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Been a while, Sorry!!!!!
"The JOY of the LORD is your STRENGTH" Nehemiah 8:10
First, so sorry for not updating the blog for almost two weeks. Time has gone by so fast. With preparations for school, life, cooking, life, having fun, life, cranking out 4H Record Books, etc..... things just got wrapped up and I lost track of time. I do treasure the time to update the blog and I will be more diligent. I think now that school has started that life may slow a bit. Sure there are still only 24 hours in a day, but the days are more structured with school and where everyone is supposed to be, so I think that things will slow a bit. This will be a big update on what is going on.
First, the scripture out of Nehemiah. Our focus is and has been the JOY we have in our LORD. This is a JOY that is not dependent on our circumstances but a choice. We can not choose to be strong, but we can choose to be joyful in the Lord, and what follows is a strength that compares to none other. If we expect our circumstances to bring us JOY, we will always be looking for some magical moment (new car, new job, new.... NOT, won't bring JOY, maybe happiness, a happy feeling) but JOY is an attitude. Pray the JOY will continue like it has in each of us.
Leah is back at home with us. Right after the fair, she came home and last week, she started her orientation for Student teaching at Dalton Elementary. She will be teaching fourth grade for 10 weeks. Keep in mind that Laura is in the fifth grade and Kayla is in the third grade at Dalton Elementary. So they see each other all the time. So this time and scheduling is a blessing of the Lord. He is faithful. Also, Kayla and Laura's teachers are both strong Christians which is an answer to pray. They are doing well. Kayla signed up for cross country racing. Laura is signed up for Road Crew (singing group) and will get into playing the violin this year. So anyone know of a violin for sale or rent?
Hannah is now in Nursing school at North Idaho College!!!! She has been very diligent at studying. She passed her first big test on Wednesday. We are so proud of Hannah. This particular nursing course is for her LPN certificate (10 months). Susan was an LPN up until we started having kids 26 years ago. So this is a special career path for Hannah, honoring to Susan. She will then have the option to continue on with her studies to be an RN, down the road.
Prayer requests:
1) Hannah's nursing studies, balancing school and taking care of the home.
2) Nathan and Michelle flew out today for a cruise out of Miami, for 7 days. Pray that hurricane IKE stays clear of all their planned activities on that Carnival cruise. They will be back on Sept. 13th. Carnival deals with hurricanes all the time. So pray for their tolerance to heavy SEAS.
3) Leah's student teaching, patience in the classroom. Also, focus on jobs/work after the 10 weeks is up.
4) I go on my reserve active duty for two weeks, starting September 15th. Leah is at home to take care of the home front. Mary, Laura and Kayla will stay with friends that also go to school with them. So that will work out. I will miss them dearly. Pray that it will all work out. Duty calls.
5) Sarah started her live in Nanny position over in Spokane, WA. She works for two doctors, with two kids. She gets full medical/dental benefits and an SUV to drive. We miss Sarah already, but she is having a good time.
6) Keep praying for all of the family. There are still plenty of tears in our grieving over the loss of Susan.
Praises:
1) Thank you Kelly M. and Lara S. for your willingness to pick up the children to/from school. What a huge blessing.
2) School is going well for the girls and Aaron (11th grade).
3) The 4H record books got submitted on time. Looked pretty good. Also, Laura's lamb that was underweight for the auction was brought back home. We found a buyer, thanks Ken and Shelley.
I tried to upload some pictures of activites but was unable. Checking it out. So be patient.
First, so sorry for not updating the blog for almost two weeks. Time has gone by so fast. With preparations for school, life, cooking, life, having fun, life, cranking out 4H Record Books, etc..... things just got wrapped up and I lost track of time. I do treasure the time to update the blog and I will be more diligent. I think now that school has started that life may slow a bit. Sure there are still only 24 hours in a day, but the days are more structured with school and where everyone is supposed to be, so I think that things will slow a bit. This will be a big update on what is going on.
First, the scripture out of Nehemiah. Our focus is and has been the JOY we have in our LORD. This is a JOY that is not dependent on our circumstances but a choice. We can not choose to be strong, but we can choose to be joyful in the Lord, and what follows is a strength that compares to none other. If we expect our circumstances to bring us JOY, we will always be looking for some magical moment (new car, new job, new.... NOT, won't bring JOY, maybe happiness, a happy feeling) but JOY is an attitude. Pray the JOY will continue like it has in each of us.
Leah is back at home with us. Right after the fair, she came home and last week, she started her orientation for Student teaching at Dalton Elementary. She will be teaching fourth grade for 10 weeks. Keep in mind that Laura is in the fifth grade and Kayla is in the third grade at Dalton Elementary. So they see each other all the time. So this time and scheduling is a blessing of the Lord. He is faithful. Also, Kayla and Laura's teachers are both strong Christians which is an answer to pray. They are doing well. Kayla signed up for cross country racing. Laura is signed up for Road Crew (singing group) and will get into playing the violin this year. So anyone know of a violin for sale or rent?
Hannah is now in Nursing school at North Idaho College!!!! She has been very diligent at studying. She passed her first big test on Wednesday. We are so proud of Hannah. This particular nursing course is for her LPN certificate (10 months). Susan was an LPN up until we started having kids 26 years ago. So this is a special career path for Hannah, honoring to Susan. She will then have the option to continue on with her studies to be an RN, down the road.
Prayer requests:
1) Hannah's nursing studies, balancing school and taking care of the home.
2) Nathan and Michelle flew out today for a cruise out of Miami, for 7 days. Pray that hurricane IKE stays clear of all their planned activities on that Carnival cruise. They will be back on Sept. 13th. Carnival deals with hurricanes all the time. So pray for their tolerance to heavy SEAS.
3) Leah's student teaching, patience in the classroom. Also, focus on jobs/work after the 10 weeks is up.
4) I go on my reserve active duty for two weeks, starting September 15th. Leah is at home to take care of the home front. Mary, Laura and Kayla will stay with friends that also go to school with them. So that will work out. I will miss them dearly. Pray that it will all work out. Duty calls.
5) Sarah started her live in Nanny position over in Spokane, WA. She works for two doctors, with two kids. She gets full medical/dental benefits and an SUV to drive. We miss Sarah already, but she is having a good time.
6) Keep praying for all of the family. There are still plenty of tears in our grieving over the loss of Susan.
Praises:
1) Thank you Kelly M. and Lara S. for your willingness to pick up the children to/from school. What a huge blessing.
2) School is going well for the girls and Aaron (11th grade).
3) The 4H record books got submitted on time. Looked pretty good. Also, Laura's lamb that was underweight for the auction was brought back home. We found a buyer, thanks Ken and Shelley.
I tried to upload some pictures of activites but was unable. Checking it out. So be patient.
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