Snippets By Oma

30 Days of Gratefulness: Days 8 thru 10

Sorry 'bout the past few days - don't know why I didn't just sit down and write, I guess too many things pulling at me. That's the way it goes sometimes!

Let's see, I could go back and say something for each day, or I can begin with today, so....

 

TODAY I am grateful.....

 

 - that Christian Alexander White is 10 months old. He has gotten so big, but DOES NOT like to be separated from Mommy, or Daddy for that matter. Silly boy!

- for more RAIN. Isn't it this wet stuff that makes this side of our state so beautiful the rest of the year?

- for LEAVES. Yesterday I went to the library on my lunch break and the wind was really blowing. As I walked up the sidewalk I could not help but notice all the leaves. All the rich colors. On the way back to my car I partially filled a plastic bag with these precious jewels. Ok, to me they are precious. I feel like a moth drawn to a flame when it comes to leaves, just ask my hubby! We will be walking along and there I will be stopped, bent over, picking up the "perfect" leaf.

- that I have a great job. I love going to work everyday...ok, once I am up and out the door. The doctor I work for is a very kind man and lives by his Christian values. He is generous to his staff. Every Wednesday he treats the whole office to "Starbucks", whatever we want. "Humpday" is always welcome here at Vision Health. There are other ways he is generous, such as we get $50 every on our employment anniversary date, bonuses, and other little perks. Mostly, he is generous in "spirit" and treats each one of us with respect.  The rest of the staff is awesome too. We are close...there is mutual respect, and we all try our best to work as a "team". The other thing nice about my job is that I usually have the time to visit a bit with a lonely elderly person, or be an encouragment to someone going thru a tough time. One last awesome thing about working at Vision Health is that behind the sheetrock God's word is written. Yep, one day before the sheetrock was put up, invited those of us that wanted to to go over on our lunchbreak, as a group, and write Scripture on the framing of the building. So with bibles in hand we all spent the good part of an hour writing whatever verse God lead us to leave, the other part of the hour we prayed together over the building and the practice as a whole.  How many employers do you know who would give their staff the honor of doing something like this?

- for our daily bread....literally. I am grateful that both Rick and I are healthy enough to be able to work and that we have jobs that meet our needs and more. I am grateful for the food we have for our meals.....which, by the way, dinner is calling me from the oven.

Please share your gratitude with me, I'd love to hear from you.

 

 

 

30 Days of Gratefulness: Day 7

(taken from Fall at Tumwater Falls) 

Today I am very grateful for TECHNOLOGY.

Some of you may ask "why technology". Well, for many reasons such as home computer systems - for obvious reasons; television and DVD systems; cell phones; etc....I think you catch my idea.

However today my mind is more on technology in the realm of medicine....especially for MAMMOGRAPHY.

A month ago my sweet sister-in-law, Renea, went for her yearly mammogram. She didn't have any problems, she is just vigilant about having this done since she lost her mom, Pat, to breast cancer.

She was called back in a couple of weeks ago to go over the results and found out that she has "invasive ductal carcenoma". She is now facing surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and possible hormone treatments.

She never felt a lump, and as I said, no signs of anything. If it were not for technology in the world of medicine today, who knows how or when Renea would have been diagnosed.

I am grateful that Renea was faithful to go for her yearly mammogram....have you had yours? I did this past Thursday. Don't wait....don't wait to lose a loved one or have someone you know and love be diagnosed with the "C" word.

Renea is schedule for surgery this Monday, November 9th.....strangley, that day is the one year mark that her mom, sweet, wonderful, Pat Starr, lost her battle with breast cancer and was called home to be with Jesus.

Please keep Renea in your prayers.

 

30 Days of Gratefulness: Day 6

(September 2009 visit to Eastside) 

Today I am grateful for so many things, here are just of few of them:

My fancy mugs - there is just something so delightful and comforting about drinking coffee out of a special mug. Many of mine are from Starbucks. The first thing I do when the new displays are up is scope out the mugs. I only buy one if it jumps out at me. I pack them away according to what season is ending (I prefer to decorate seasonally, rather than by holiday, this allows me to keep things out longer). Maybe you could say I have a Mug fetish!

Rain - I know it sounds crazy, but as long as I don't have to be out in it too much, it is great. Laying in bed at night and listening to it fall is soothing. Besides, it is what makes our state, especially the westside, so beautiful.

My co-workers - I work with some of the best people. We all get along so well, it is actually a "joy" to go to work everyday.

Nachos - "Grateful for Nachos - What????" Yep, whoever came up with that idea is awesome. It is one of the simplest and yummiest meals EVER!!!

Redcup - You know the one - Holiday time at (here I go again) Starbucks. Getting an Eggnog Latte in one of those cups is just....mmmm?......Heavenly!

My bed - All comfy, cozy....wait, I hear something....ah, gotta go you all....that down comforter and flannel sheets is calling my name....they know it has been a LONG week, that my legs are aching (they get that way when I am over tired), and that tomorrow is the weekend. Now, if I can just sleep in a bit!

Please share with me what you are thankful for - YOU TOO You LURKERS, I'd love to hear from you!

 

 

30 Days of Gratefulness: Day 5

Today I am grateful for WORSHIP.

I have always loved music.

When I was 10 years old I began playing the flute and continued playing it until about 5 years ago. For many years I played as a "skilled" musician.

A few years after becoming a Christian I was asked to play on a worship team. It was there that I was introduced to playing by ear which translated means "with no music". This was a very "humbling" experience since it went against everything I new as a "skilled"musician. Mostly, it was another lesson in relying on the Holy Spirit and not myself.

There is nothing like "pure" worship...where you just get lost in the presence of God. This is a place where deep healing can take place, where you can be consumed by the Spirit, and where joy is completely unspeakable.

It is a place of dance, of tears, of laughter, of reverance, and of awe.

There was a time in my life, that I have spoke of before, where being in a constant attitude of WORSHIP healed my broken spirit and made me completely whole again.

Worship is the most beautiful thing ever and the coolest thing about it is that it can take place anywhere and anytime, with or with out music. Many times when I have been walking, riding my bike, or hiking there are sights that take my breath away and my soul is filled with joy and awe of the beauty that God creates for us to enjoy.

So, today I am grateful for WORSHIP.

30 Days of Gratefulness: Day 4

Today I am grateful for the quiet beauty of nature.

How can anyone not believe in our Creator, God Almighty?

 

I stand in awe of you, O Lord.

 

 

 
 

30 Days of Gratefulness: Day 3

Today I am grateful for "creativity".

With the Holidays approaching ever so quickly I find myself pouring through my patterns and "project notebook" looking for gift ideas. Creative juices are oozing out of all of my being right now. Secretly I wish that I could just take a leave of absence for these next couple of month...hmmm, what would be my justifiable reason? - I guess I could say, "extreme ADHD - serious lack of concentration on anything other than my gift creations".

I LOVE to give gifts. Fortunately, both sides of our family and our friends, LOVE handmade things. A handmade gift is so precious. You just know that it has been made with so much love and thoughtfulness.

 

 Boxes of scrap fabric, a box of different notions/embellishments, a tin of ribbon and lace,  and a tin of paints sit in the closet...waiting, as well as my sewing machine sitting quietly in its place...mmm, guess you get the idea. I would tell you some of my project plans, but it would give away my surprises! 

Not only am I busy with my special projects, but my sweet hubby is busy planning some awesome things to make in his workshop. It has been so fun watching him get the small space in our garage set up for woodworking. Little by little he has gotten an adequate space for a couple of workbenches and his tools. I must say, I think his hobby is a bit more expensive than mine - at least the getting "set up' part. It is so cute how he tries to "justify" why he needs this saw blade, or that router bit. I just smile and say, " it's fine, Honey, I know you need it." Geesh, I'd hate to justify my yarn, fabric, pattern books, etc...so you might say we both have a healthy understanding of each other's hobbies.

I have to give a special thank you to those who have instilled this gift of creativity:

My great grandma Norma Amanda Lewis

My grandma "NANA"

My mother and father

My sisters

My daughters, it has been a blessing seeing them blossom as young women and the creativeness that they show.

My best friend, Peg, who abounds with this gift.

My husband, who is a "perfectionist" just like me.

 

 

What are you grateful for today? 

 

30 Days of Gratefulness: 1st and 2nd

Day 1 - I'm behind a couple of days, but everyday is a new day! That is what I am grateful for "God's mercies are new every morning", so when one day didn't go as well as hoped, there is a new day waiting to begin afresh! :)

Day 2 - FALL. Many of you know that Fall is my absolute favorite season of all...thus year being no exception. I am grateful for my sight. It is a blessing to be able to see the beauty of the colors, to watch folage be full one week and the next be stripped bare. To be able to see my breath on the cold, crisp mornings. To smell pumpkin candles and freshly baked Great Pumpkin Cookies. Mmmmmm!!!

Tell me, what brings gratitude to your soul these past couple of days.

Note: sorry no pics with these first couple of posts..I am using my iTouch and can't get pics to show up ;(

LIFE AS IT IS

I  just cannot believe that it is already the middle of October, just where does time go anyway?

Since I wrote last some deep things have happened which have made me question myself.

My sister, Kimm, reconnected with her ex-husband over the course of the past year and moved back to California with him at the end of May. Life was really looking up for her. She finally didn't have to work and try to support herself. She had all the time in the world to be "Susie Homemaker" quilting, making nice dinners, and was also getting back into her running. Her and Bob were planning where they wanted to settle down once he retired, which was to be this next summer.

A month ago things took a "horrific" turn....Both Kimm and Bob got really sick with the flu. After spending 2 days or so in bed Bob decided to go to get some antibiotics. Instead of sending him on his way the doctors admitted him into the hospital with possible Pneumonia. A week later he was dead. One thing lead to another, but the recent autopsy report stated that he died from complications of the "Swine Flu".

This is just horrible and scarey. Kimm said that when she was with him at the hospital the nursing staff took her temperature and it was 102.7. She was fighting the same thing, but for some reason her lungs were healthier.

Who's to say why things went the way they did? God knows why he took Bob when he did. The positive that comes from this story is that Bob reconciled his life to Christ, made amends for some terrible wrongs, and most importantly, he and his children's relationship was restored to a place it had never beenfor which I give much praise to God.

What has been hard for me with all of this is I have felt extremely "indifferent". For those of you who really know me, you know that I am a very compassionate person who has been known at times to wear her emotions on her sleeve.

I have been wrestling with these feelings since Kimm called to tell me that he was in the hospital. It has been made clear to me that I never really knew Bob. What I did know of him I didn't like. When they got back together this past year, after being divorced for 12 yr, I really leaned on God to help me show His graciousness, and to be able to see Bob as He sees him.

While listening to the song "Thief" at a recent "Third Day" concert God made these words real to me:

Thief says: "....My time has come and I'm slowly fading, I deserve  what I recieve, Jesus when You are in Your kingdom could you please, please remember me?

And he looks at me still holding on, the tears fall from his eyes and He says, "I tell the truth, Today, you will be with Me in Paradise."

Do you notice that Jesus didn't remind the thief of his past wrongs, he didn't reprimand him....instead, He looked at him with tears of love....

Why don't we, as Christians do the same?

Scripture says in ! Corinthians 13:5 "...it (love) keeps no records of wrongs." We are guilty at one time or another of doing just that.

It is hard to live in this world, yet not be a part of it. It takes a conscioius effort to live a Christ-like life. It takes dying to self. That is a difficult thing to do when we live in a self-satisfaction day and age.

There is truth in the fact that we are to take care of ourselves - mind, body and spirit - but the enemy of our souls decieves us by taking this measure of truth and distorting it to a belief that we "deserve" this and that.

Psalm 103:8-12 says this,

"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love, Hewill not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him: as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

There was a time in my life that was not so pretty. I was a Christian with a very "broken spirit". For reasons that are personal and not necessary to bring onto this written page, I moved out into a place of my own.

Some have accused me that I  "abandoned" my children...God knows and they know the truth.

Some accused me of pretty much being an adultress-whore......again, God knows the truth.

All of which has been thrown in my face more times than not. In all honesty, that not-so-pretty time was just that. I did live an ungodly lifestyle....and because in my heart I loved God and truly wanted to please him I can tell you this......God's holy spirit hound-dogged me EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! That brought me more misery than anything.

People do things when they are broken, whether you are a Christian or not. I want to share this scripture from Titus 3 with you which I am writing in the first person:

"I too was foolish, disobedient, decieved and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.....But when the kindness and love of God by Savior appeard, he saved me, not because of righteous things I had done, but because of his mercy. He saved me throught the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on me generously through Jesus Christ my Savior....."

God knew where I was at mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. He was gracious to pick me up from everything familiar and set me apart for a time. He took me out of that lifestyle through a set of unpleasant circumstances, set me down in a place far away and left me there....for as long as it would take....

Rather than pick up where I left off, just in a different place, I chose to let God have His way. Allowing God to heal my brokenness was excrutiatingly painful. I can almost know what it was like for Jesus in the garden praying. I can clearly remember one day literally crying out, "God, if it be thy will TAKE THIS CUP FROM ME!!!" He didn't and today I am grateful....SO VERY GRATEFUL.

When I left for this healing journey (not realizing at the time that is what it would be) all three of my children went to the airport with me. My oldest handed me a card before I boarded the plane and said, "Read this when you are in the air."

Amongst other things, she wrote this scripture which became a "living word" to me. It is from Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you, delcares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Some of you may be asking, "why is she sharing this?" My answer is I want to encourage each and everyone of you who have read this post to be gracious and show mercy. Matthew 7:1-2 says this:

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

In God's eyes SIN IS SIN, plain and simple. It does not matter what a person has done, it is what is in the "heart" that God cares about, and HE sees our hearts.

I want you to know that I sincerely don't claim to have gotten this lesson completely down in my life. What I do know though is this, I have been on the recieving end of lies and accusations, and I know what it is like to have a broken spirit. I also know the beauty, the peace, and the freedom of being shown grace and mercy.

I would encourage you my dear friends and sisters/brothers in Christ to pray to see others as Christ see us.

I will leave you with one last scripture taken from Psalm 139:23-24

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and leadme in the way everlasting."

Note: All scripture was taken from the New International Version bible.

 

TOO LONG

 (This is our mascot "Baxter, whom we got a few years ago in Yosemite. He goes everywhere with us. This was taken on our vacation to the Oregon Coast last summer.)

 

 SO SORRY friends for the lapse in my posting...I cannot believe it has been SO LONG since I have been in touch.

I am not going to write to much tonight, just wanted to let you know that I am still here, just been incredibly busy, and slightly lazy in getting on the computer.

I will promise to do my best in getting back to blogging....

SOON!

 

New and Exciting!

Good golly, I know that it has been WAY TOO LONG since I have written. So sorry.

All has been well with me and Rick. Life is life sometimes and as most, we get caught up in the humdrum of daily routine.

So what is new and exciting you ask?

For starters Andrea and Eric are moving into a new home (to them) in a couple of weeks. Amanda and Phil have just bought their first home. I don't yet have a picture of it, but will soon. It is a real fixer upper, but that is the kind of work Phil does and the place has SO MUCH potential. Caleb has pretty much moved out...well, he still has most of his stuff here. He moved in with his girlfriend, Jamie, and her place is really small...they hope to get something bigger once he lands a day job. He has had the most difficult time getting one....he has had several resumes sent and with the economy the way it is, well, need I say more. I have told him to hang in there, God has just the perfect thing for him. I pray that somewhere in his heart and mind he can believe that, it is hard when you wait for so long, get bites only to have them get away!!

A couple of weeks ago Rick and I started making Sundays "our day". We plan to go hiking most of the time.It is a great way to get away and do something we really love to do. There is nothing like seeing nature, up close and personal. It is also a great way to "decompress" before the next work week.

 Our first trip was to the Long Beach area. We have a book titled: Best Hikes with Dogs and had picked a hike from that book. The driving directions took us towards Montesano, which after looking at the map, silly me, the Navigator in our family, says, "we are going here, why go all the way to Montesano and cut down? It doesn't make sense!" Well, later we found out the "hard way" that it really did make sense. You see, we drove down I-5 to Longview, went thru that city and when we got onto the road that takes you to Long Beach, here was a sign saying "Long Beach 75 miles". "Seventy-five miles!!!!!" I gasped!!!. Rick just looked at me. We ended up laughing about it and just drove to where the road cuts off to Raymond and turned there and made a long loop drive thru Raymond, PeEll, and back to I-5 and Olympia. It would not have been so bad if we had gotten a much earlier start, but we'd been at Lowe's earlier in the day ordering stuff for the bathroom (tell you 'bout this later)!
Any way, here are a couple of pix from this trip:



Such a happy girl!!!

A week ago we picked another hike, this time from a book of Hikes in the Olympic Mountains. The one we chose started a Staircase and was a 7.8 mile round trip hike. When we got to Hoodsport we stopped by the Ranger Station and found out that we would have to hike 5 miles just to get to the trail head since the road to Staircase is closed until May 1st. "Hmm!" we said, and headed up anyway. It was such a beautiful day, we had been all jazzed up for a hike, so once parked we set out up the road. We ended up hiking the whole way to the trailhead to our intended hike, turned around and hike the whole way back. It didn't really seem like 10 miles, but we were gone for a bit. We had such a great time together.
Let me share some pix of this trip:






This photo is taken at the end of the lake on the other side of the land bridge. As you can see most of the lake is dried up here. We found some great walking sticks, which were rather nice to have on our way back.

This where the river goes into the lake by the bridge. There were two Canadian Geese here, but as you can see, one didn't quite make it into the photo shoot!!!

This is the beautiful site we had on the way back.

This past Sunday was Easter, and besides it was raining pretty bad. Don't know where we are going this coming Sunday, but we're going somewhere in the Olympics. All the hikes we'd like to do in the Mount Rainier area say the best time to hike is mid-July to October, so they'll just have to wait. We do, however, have some days off in late July that we are going to camp up at Rainier and one day hike to Camp Muir and back.

Our last, most exciting news is that we are totally remodeling our bathroom. It has been a real thorn in our side for several years and we decided that NOW is the time!!!!
The stuff we special ordered at Lowe's has come in. Rick has the first week of May off to do this remodel. He has started with some of the demolition, so I will share a few of the pix of that...but May 1st begins total gutting process, except for the water heater. Unfortunately it will have to stay until we have the money to have a "tankless" water heater installed.
I will end this post with the few pictures of what we have begun in the bathroom.

I will also say I will do my best to not let so many weeks go by without being in touch.





(There used to be a wall in front of the water heater and beside that was a floor-ceiling cupboard - Rick took those out a couple of weeks ago)