Westwoods

  A few things that bring me joy... Cozy evenings in the living room snuggled close to the fire...   These colors of green... And a few thoughts on what joy really is... The dictionary says it something a person delights in... Scripture says it something we find through searching and suffering... I always thought it was a bubbly happy way of being... until I was tested... It's been a very interesting study and I would love to tell you all I learned in the bible verses and other outside sources but I think the most fun for you would be to study it yourself.  JOY is attainable to all.  It seems to be much easier to achieve when you have less physical things. It seems that each person has different things that bring them joy depending on Whom or What they put their hope in.  The JOY of the Lord is my strength... The wise men were filled with exceeding great joy when they found the star which led them to Jesus where they fell down and worshippe...

I know its not very wordy but sometimes pictures say more than words. Not in this case probably. Just trying to make it OK not to write anything much. Our autumn went zooming by without a moment to catch our breath. I realized this morning that we got through when I saw snow on the ground.  Fall is over and Winter has started. I can't remember the details of it all, aren't you glad? Now I don't have to bore you with it.  Highlights are as follows: School starting.  Jeep transmission problems which took a month to figure out.  Buying a car. Taking a road trip to a wedding and relatives in OR. Putting the house for sale.  Selling the Honda. Training in a new sub for the mail job. Laife's baptismal. A 4x4 deer shot by Laife. School sale projects in full swing. And so much more I can't remember. Life. I haven't honestly liked everything in the last couple months but am thankful at the end of it I can say thank you to God w...

Thought for today... Forgiveness... A fall blessing... forgive those who trespass against you and accuse you falsely for My sake... Let ME be the color that is added to your life... God's blessing on me.  All around us God's blessings are falling on us.  Sometimes I'm like the little five year old that throws a temper tantrum when not given the long awaited toy for which she or he was longing.  I watched a grandpa one time build a dollhouse with great care for his granddaughter.  He spent many hours tweaking things so it would be just perfect for his precious grand daughter upon the opening.  His face was filled with deep contentment and peace as he painted each room and laid each little carpet.  When he was finished; he was pleased with his creation.  The little girl that opened the gift took one look at the house and promptly screeched out "but, I wanted the red one!"  I was shocked with her reaction.  I mean, really? My h...

Out for dinner last Sat evening with Danny and Kristy. We were celebrating Kristy's birthday and remembering our cruise to Alaska last year.  I asked April to come over yesterday and hang out with me while I attempted to make salsa and pickles and she made this... pickled peppers... or peppercini... I know thats not spelled right... or something fancy like that.  She's one of those gourmet ladies... And then Kristy came to pick my green beans which won't quit and of which she was ever so grateful.  Or not.  Who LIKES to do green beans? my great big salsa mess...We had such a fine time gossiping and sharing strong opinions...  

I have a whole summers worth of lessons floating around in my head' so beware.  No, I will not bore you with all of the clutter but a few basics that I need to say for the record.  Here goes... When I was young and immature, my sisters and I would make funnies about a man we knew, whom I will call "Mr. Monotone".  We would mimic him and his behaviour as we folded the couch full of clothes for our patient mother.  She would hear us and even laugh at us occasionally but more often than not she would say, "Now girls, that man is somebodies daddy and some ladies husband".  At the time I only understood that I felt sorry for the kids and wife.  Now I know what my mom meant.  The hard way.  God is good in showing Himself and His ways to us. Here is what I should have understood.  God blessed a union and called that married-in-love-couple, a home. He gave them children.  He said in His Word; "Wives see that you reverence your husbands." He ...

A year ago this is what we were doing... A little project made from treasured old china... Bruce says it looks like I hurried.  If you look closely you would see drops of epoxy. I did hurry. So it would be done by the time smart husband would see it. We had these cousins come visit us from Nebraska and we promptly sent them to work.  I think Zerrick never wants to visit Auntie Shilah again. For Shaunti's birthday, we had an outdoor pool party.  Lunch, water balloons, & gunny sack races. Ladies sweltering in the sun before Judy brought a lovely tent to shade us...   Happy 8th Birthday!   I was honored to be able to do Erika's flowers for her wedding...   All the bouquets finished in a bucket... Shaunti got to be flower girl... So precious... Sunday morning... After a midnight call or transfer that Bruce had... This fine morning.  Laife is in 8th grade. Toria is in 6th. Shaunti is in 3rd.  I cried this mornin...

  I think I posted these before. Maybe a year ago. I just spent the afternoon with Olivia and Jemima and was inspired to post them and their antics... Something about summer ending makes me love these old-fashioned times... Clotheslines... chickens... gardens...

    4th of July...   We took the boat out all morning... Photo shoot...   Laife 13... Toria 11... Shaunti 7...     Today I am reminded that missing my time in scripture is a sure way to lose my footing in practical living. I just finished studying for the Sunday School lesson and am praising the Lord, so to speak, with what I found after my first initial glance at the scripture. Thank God for commentaries and others who have gone before paving the way to understand more complicated scriptures such as Rom. 10. What I found today was encouragement. Encouraged that Paul cared enough for his own people to plead, beg, & cry to his people that they truly understand salvation. That his heart was full of love for them and that he was burdened enough to pray to God for them. I was convicted by his message to them that their zeal alone to obey the law was not enough. God wants more than my zeal. HE wants me. All of me. My ach...