Westwoods

Christmas thoughts... Sunday before Christmas... of course we studied Luke 2 this morning in Sunday school and the message was more about the Christmas story.  I think every year, how will we ever get anything new out of the same old story? This morning I noticed the shepherds again.  I love that God chose them.  They were doing a lowly, lonely job.  I bet it was cold and dark out on those hills.  I imagine they had boring moments.  I'm sure they got a little tired of the sameness of their job. I wonder if a coyote wandering into the camp was a bit welcoming just for a diversion.  And just because He can, God sends a whole bunch of angels to put on a magnificent show and tell them the good news first...and then... they spread the word so much so that Mary heard about it and treasured them and pondered them in her heart...  God is with us... He knows who to speak to... who will listen... who will share the story... who will ponder and treasure...

     Last week I spent many nights on the couch because of sickness which in my case brings on snoring. I don't believe I snore but Bruce tells me I do so I end up on the couch with many hours of thinking.  I compose books and short stories as I lay there; most of which are pure foolishness and make no sense by morning. On rare occasion something sticks and won't let me go till I write it down.     Here's my profound thought of the night which doesn't really match with how it got its start.  I usually ramble around the mulberry bush till I get my bearings in writing.  I was pondering what other peaceful homes look like and whether or not we ARE a peaceful home. The previous evening's family time was replaying through my mind.         First replay was a stormy thundercloud arriving home from school feeling "despairing" not a bad description for a ten yr. old girl. After convincing her that she was fe...

Sharing a pina colada... Grandpa bought I don't know how many... Nicole wonders whats up??? This is one of my favorite things about P.R. The vibrant colors are everywhere... I love vacation... A time of rest...  

 

 We've had a lovely Thanksgiving... A lazy morning for all.  Cinnamon rolls and coffee for breakfast were a great start.  While the children did their animal chores; I went on a walk and gathered all kinds of weeds and twiggy looking stuff.  For the big dinner we came down to Dad and Moms for our yummy traditional dinner.   If you were asked to say what you are thankful for in one word, what would it be?  Mine is "change"  I'm so thankful that God is still working on changing me into what I ought to be.  Change is a hopeful word for some of our relationships or the state of affairs in our nation today.  Change that is brought about by the Holy Spirit working in our hearts and minds is indeed something to be thankful for.   Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

     Things have been very good and very normal.  I have nothing interesting to say but know I should update.  Our life this month started with myself getting home from Nebraska and helping the kids with homework and preparing for the school sale.  We didn't do a lot of projects but had a lot of fun in between.  Our evening have been filled with the aforementioned homework and games or reading.  We visit the library often.  The kids have chores.  With the horses, chickens,  and hauling the firewood into the wood box.   Bruce has been super busy with his regular job and all his volunteer work.  He is now doing the EMT driver thing, fire department, and SAR.  That would make some families cringe but so far its been a good thing for our family.  When Bruce is home for an evening we spend it together instead of in front of a movie. I can't figure out why, but we seem to have better quality family time ...

                           It seems sometimes you have to go through the same things of life repeatedly to get the truth that God is trying to teach you cemented in your mind I spent hours yesterday standing over the sink, scrubbing carrots. What to do with all our bounty was a real thought. I was thinking about God’s blessings and provision. Those “sweet beautiful carrots” being one of them and yet at the same time they seemed to work against my lazy flesh. I liked the blessing but did not like the work that went with the blessing. How great is God’s way of showing us the greater purpose by giving us carrots to scrub. I scrubbed and pondered more. Suddenly the last four weeks of mind games and torture came clear. I might add they were mind games and a torture of my own making. I would like to blame someone else natur...

Our final port... Victoria, B.C. This is the front of our ship.  So nice to see it from land. We were all swaying by this time even on land.  At this port we only had a few hours so we trekked. The sights were beautiful... The famous Empress Hotel... Many beautiful pubs and storefronts... We didn't try out any of them...  Me and this Solly guy...  Monsters something or other... this was to prove to the kids that I can be silly. A photo shot through a store window.  It was a source of inspiration for me to go home on.  So serene and calming... so unlike my natural self... And now to recap the whole thing.... We had a wonderful time seeing new places and doing new things.   Having Danny and Kristy with us made the trip that much more fun.  The ship didn't feel so big and we broke up our times together enough that we came home still very good friends.         The most impor...

An evening walk and sunset around the ship. We had these people with us...    Wonderful memories... Just me and my man... Tracy Arm Fjord... This photo makes me want  write poetry which I am not able to do... Anyway, it makes me feel deeply about things.  The glacier... Breathtaking...   Killer Whales... Humpback Whales... My favorite part of the trip.  We were able to get a whale watching excursion for a good last minute price and were doubly blessed to see both kinds of whales.  We were told that they see the killer whales only about once a month. We also were able to hike to a glacier... This was the Mendenhall Falls and Glacier... A dreamy misty place.  I loved Alaska...  

A very dignified hamburger joint close to Seattle... Waiting in line... feeling a little apprehensive... Now I know why... This baby is huge... This is the back... Middle... The end... Do you see the mountain in the background?  Mt. Rainier We are now on board and still in port in Seattle... The boat provided many hours of endless entertainment...  This was a fruit and vegetable carving demo... Many delicious desserts and coffee always available... And for a change, the husbands were always available... The husband... He looks a little wicked me thinks...   First Formal Night...Scary Canary...   Sushi... Hmmm... Lamb? This is nothing more than plain vegetables... Fixed right purty don't ya figure... More dessert... Always after dinner a show... Ketchicam... Totem poles... rain forest... Bruce and I left the boat early and hiked the whole town pretty much... This is only the first part of the trip... More...