Same Old Nothing

2010-05-06T08:48:00.000-07:00

.

Good bye.

I have decided to discontinue this blog. It's been fun chronicling parts of my last two years. Thanks to those of you who checked my posts and gave me verbal or email comments. It's been a neat experience.

.

2010-04-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

On our trip to Houston in March we stopped in Oklahoma City. First we went to the History Museum, where we learned where the name 'Sooner' comes from. I enjoyed reading and seeing so much information about the various tribes of Native American Indians. Then we toured the state capitol and sat in on a live senate session. I was reprimanded by a security guard for standing up...so we ducked out the door quietly. Something that caught our attention was that the capitol was built in 1917 but didn't have a dome. The original blueprints specified a dome but budget constraints, politics and shortages of material due to the war prevented the dome from being erected - until 2002. We studied some beautiful artwork, then saw a portrait of this lady. You should read about her life and see if you are as impressed as we were:

Mrs. Lamar Looney became Oklahoma's first female State Senator in 1921 and was elected to public office before women had the right to vote. She was born Mirabeau Lamar Cole in 1871, named after the second president of the Republic of Texas. Prior to her political career, Mrs. Looney was a young widow with five children under the age of ten when she filed a claim for a quarter section of land near Hollis. She traded her organ for a team of mules and build her own sod house. With only the help of her ten-year old son, she planted her first crop of 20 acres. In 1912, Mrs. Looney was elected registrar of deeds for Harmon County and was later elected county treasurer. In 1916, she was elected Harmon County Clerk, and in 1920, friends persuaded Mrs. Looney to enter the Oklahoma State Senate race.

2010-03-23T15:57:00.000-07:00

The Iowa family came for their Spring Break. Usually there's snow to play in and sleds to slide on. This year was different with balmy spring temps. We sent some popsicle- stick boats down a swollen creek, and Zeke just plowed through the water with his winter boots. It was exciting to hear Isaac read books aloud, and see his homemade stories with illustrations. Claire and Maddie dragged me downstairs to play house. They were both the babies and I was the mom. Then about 7 minutes later one of them says, "ok now I'm 15".

2010-03-13T07:09:00.000-08:00

Before we arrived in Houston we stopped in the Dallas area to see my sister and her family. They have been called to minister to low-income Latino and African-American families. There is a little church started in their apartment complex, plus childrens' activities, English classes, and Bible studies. Jonathan and Hannah are also able to arrange food distribution, furniture, health services, etc. for needy persons. It's been some good stretching years for them, learning how to love unconditionally and even when you're exhausted. Mostly Jonathan realizes how vital it is to lean on God's strength, for it's difficult to minister in your own power.

We enjoyed two meals with our family, saw their homeschool assignments, and gave our niece and nephew their spelling tests. So great to see their environment and give hugs all around!

2010-03-06T18:57:00.001-08:00

We stayed overnight in Missouri at my friend Angie's house. Her three girls are interesting, funny, and kind-hearted. Melanie is a sophomore and is great in track, plays basketball, and has a horse (Chief) and a dog (Fly). I tagged along with her as she did her morning animal chores. Maria then came out to care for the two goats. John and I enjoyed a leisurely morning and a delicious breakfast as we chatted with Angie. We also got to observe the homeschooling routine of the younger two girls.

2010-03-04T10:39:00.000-08:00

A long driving trip to Texas. It was great to see friends and family, especially Travis! God allowed some awesome sunny weather over the weekend and we basked in the warmth (golfing, walking, sitting on benches). It was a joy to see Travis and his girlfriend Emily as they interacted. Love is in the air :)

2010-02-22T10:21:00.000-08:00

He's a starter for the local High School basketball team, and we know him from church. This is his senior year and he's a 3-sport busy guy. Mike even dealt with a broken arm during the football season. He and John like to talk basketball, and this is the second game we've attended this season.

2010-02-16T10:53:00.000-08:00

Forcing some spring bulbs always brings a 'green hopefulness' to these continually cold days. These paperwhites sprung up in a pot near my kitchen window. I wasn't very fond of the scent though.

2010-02-02T16:37:00.001-08:00

Drove to Cincinnati to see John's dad and enjoy his company. Talked, looked at pictures, went out to eat. The three of us played some Skipbo. (Surprisingly, this was John's first time playing!) Wayne did great and whipped us in the first two games. We are grateful that his dad gets assistance through his complex. John's brother Dave lives nearby and is a kind-hearted man who really helps out a lot.

2010-01-26T09:49:00.000-08:00

Some of the big trees on the land were pruned Friday. Some other trees were dropped. Dad has been steadily working on felling, cutting, and splitting. He's helping clear an area for us, plus he's providing wood to heat his house.

2010-01-21T19:54:00.000-08:00

The girls (and Zeke) were constantly applying clear lip gloss during their 5-day visit. Grandma had given each their own gloss to help with chapped lips, and they pulled the tubes out of their pocket every hour and applied the flavored gooey stuff. On Christmas Eve, during our white elephant exchange, Justin received some lipstick and he quietly handed it off to Claire, saying, "Hey, do you want this?". A few minutes later Claire and Lydia nonchalantly walk into the room. There was no way to go unnoticed with their ruby red lips!

2010-01-06T12:13:00.000-08:00

Most of the kids came inside with rosy cheeks and cold hands. They didn't mind letting me cradle their faces or enclose their fingers in mine. Usually they were smiling, catching their breath, and reporting on what happened outside.

2010-01-06T09:38:00.000-08:00

The day after Christmas brought a short visit from Luke. His girlfriend Cheyanne came along and we had some nice opportunities to visit. Cheyanne hopes to graduate this semester with a nursing degree.

I feel so privileged to spend time with my boys. There's a time in everyone's life where they want to distance themselves from their parents and stay far away. I totally understand that. Our boys had those stages. Now, though, I am warmly blessed that our kids actually choose to talk and spend time with us. Just expressing my thankfulness...

2009-12-31T21:39:00.000-08:00

Family members came home during Christmas vacation. Not only did all three of my boys make it home, but my 2 sisters and brother were also in town. The nieces and nephews bundled up a few times a day to go outside.

2009-12-21T10:22:00.000-08:00

Travis recently finished his graduate degree and has decided to settle in Houston, TX...the main purpose being to pursue a future with a certain young lady. This weekend he brought Emily up to Wisconsin so we could meet each other.

Julie (Justin's wife) went on a missions trip to Peru about 16 months ago. Emily was in Peru for the summer as a translator for missions groups. They met and became fast friends. Emily flew to Wisconsin to see Julie and had a chance to meet Travis. I wasn't there but I guess something 'clicked.' Travis went to New Zealand for school and Emily returned to Texas as a middle school teacher. They communicated for 9 months and saw each other twice.

She is a sweet, kind woman. It's been delightful to see them interact and hear about the growth in their relationship. God is doing good things in their spiritual lives too. We will wait and see what happens (with a grin and raised eyebrows).

2009-12-16T11:25:00.000-08:00

It seems making cut-out cookies is a part of every December. Let the kitchen explode with flour, cookie sheets, sprinkles, and frosting! We had invited our friend Rain to come and join the fun. She was a good worker. Rain's dad stopped by to help, so afterwards we played some games around the table .

2009-12-12T18:51:00.001-08:00

Luke just went through an adventure. It involved securing a loan, buying a used car, the car breaking down, getting things fixed, the muffler dropping off, receiving estimates, and selling the car. It happened over a period of a few weeks. I was amazed with how calm he can be in adversity.

2009-11-30T13:27:00.000-08:00

I first met Beth 20 years ago, when she was six years old. I've enjoyed watching her change from a timid girl to a vibrant, confident young woman. She's quite a world traveler, loves acting in the theater, graduated from Asbury College, and is a leader in her hip, edgy church. During this Thanksgiving weekend she made one of our living room chairs her vacation spot...reading, visiting, and playing Nintendo DS. It was great having her around. I went with her to paint pottery, she shared some craft ideas, she made me laugh, and she wins my affection when she says, "nobody makes pumpkin pies like Aunt Sarah."

2009-11-19T17:58:00.000-08:00

Seeing their eye color sometimes makes me catch my breath. I remember describing Abe's girlfriend as having 'sparkly eyes'. Then he marries her and they have five kids. Three of the kids have blue eyes and 2 have (my brother's) green.

2009-11-06T20:33:00.000-08:00

Two cousins vying to catch the ball. So much pushing, strangling, yelling, laughing. So much energy.

2009-10-31T13:16:00.000-07:00

During our vacation in South Carolina, John and I toured an aircraft carrier. It was interesting to see all the parts of the ship, read about different duties that a sailor completed, see the planes (I never knew they 'folded up' the wings and lowered the planes into a lower level of the ship), and rehear John's story about his dad: Wayne was in the Navy and their ship was docked when the 'plane elevator' suddenly blew up. Wayne just happened to be on watch that night and was safe from the explosion. However, his buddies were asleep in the bunk room next to the elevator and all were killed. John's middle name is in honor of Wayne's best friend (William),who passed away in that tragedy. I came away from the museum with sadness for lives lost in all the wars, and a deeper appreciation for all our soldiers.

2009-10-24T18:54:00.000-07:00

There must have been a pasture on our land, because there are fallen fence posts and some rusty barbed wire traversing the property. John and I did some cutting and bundling of the old stuff. A bit of 'excavating' was needed to find the four strands of wire amidst the brush and weeds.

2009-10-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

A friend came to visit. I met her in 1988 when we were room- mates at a High School camp. Jennifer lives in Arizona but flew here to enjoy some fall colors, have some relaxation, and laugh about old times. She is a hoot! Jennifer can start laughing just THINKING about something funny, and keeps chuckling so she can hardly spill the story. It makes my face hurt from smiling so much. We ended up experiencing snow in the middle of October, which gave her a thrill.

My dear friend is also in the middle of her life turning completely upside down, so there were hours of talking, grief, tears, explaining, sadness, anger. I'm thankful that Jenn had this opportunity to 'get away' and reflect. I'm heartbroken over her pain. She is running to God and resting in His promises. It looks like a long road ahead.

2009-10-09T19:26:00.000-07:00

A great decision was made when I chose to wake early and go see the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean. God's majestic paintbrush was different each day. We enjoyed a week of vacation courtesy of my kind sister-in-law, and I relished the warm sunny days that South Carolina offered.

2009-09-22T14:20:00.000-07:00

Back when the nieces and nephews were here, John and I invited Isaac and Claire to our house for an afternoon. After playing with Legos & Polly Pockets and eating lunch, we walked to the river and jumped in to swim. Well, THEY jumped in. John and I cautiously waded out and flinched when our tender feet crunched on pebbles.

2009-09-22T13:32:00.000-07:00

Mom has a milestone birthday in October, and Rachel suggested the three of us celebrate by attending a Women's Retreat at a nearby camp. There was beautiful weather, so we did a pontoon cruise, trap shooting, biking, climbing wall, rowboat and hayride. It was a refreshing time to meet other ladies, hear encouragement from the Bible, eat yummy food, stay overnight in a tiny cabin, and bask in God's gorgeous creation. Some mother/daughter chatting encompassed most of the weekend too.

2009-09-11T06:11:00.000-07:00

Because of too much flower munching, we've been trying to trap rabbits and relocate them to a new area across the river. John has caught three, but the latest animal was a possum. He definitely played dead in the trap, but then would not leave no matter what angle or shaking John tried! We were laughing. The opossum would clutch the edges of the cage with his whole being, not willing to enjoy freedom. We ended up propping open the trap, leaving it at the park, then coming back to pick up the empty cage.

2009-09-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

Another visit to our favorite camping site. Simplicity is fun. Fun to cook food over the fire. Fun to wash the dishes in a bucket with minimal water. Fun to climb into a tent when darkness descends. Being on vacation gives me permission to sleep-in, spend hours reading on the beach, and exercise in an outdoorsy/casual way. We experimented making "fry bread", stayed at the deserted campground during a long rainy morning, and biked 22 miles to enjoy lunch at a restaurant. Of course it's always great to get home, clean up with a long shower, and sleep in our own comfy bed.

2009-08-29T08:36:00.000-07:00

Zeke usually just does his own thing, until he hears the 4-wheeler start up and then he drops everything and runs. His favorite word is 'no', except when it's time for sleeping...he easily comes into my arms, says 'night-night' to his siblings and sighs as he lays down in the portable crib.

Lucy is a sweetie who loves her bottle, crawls forward to grab a toy, is in the midst of starting baby food, and smiles when you greet her after naptime.

2009-08-23T05:34:00.000-07:00

Isaac is the oldest in his family. He's starting first grade next week. I loved seeing his inquisitive mind at work. Once we were sitting eating lunch and he asks, "how does it go from day to night?" and another time he had built a tall tower with legos and asked, "how do earthquakes happen?" He can ride the bike around the house in 24 seconds, he can give smiles to his baby sister, and he can figure out lego structures fast by easily following the directions.
(Note the dirty feet. Mom's house took a beating!)

2009-08-13T13:15:00.000-07:00

My brother's children are staying in town with Grandma and Grandpa. So that gives me oppor- tunity to drive out and play with them. Here are Claire (5) and Madalyn (4), two sisters who like to chum together: in the bathtub, at the fair, and at the picnic table.

2009-08-04T12:25:00.000-07:00

We had a big fun (busy) weekend enjoying a Reunion with my mother's four siblings and their extended families. It was great to catch up with cousins and aunts and uncles, plus interact with all the kids. We had a large amount of youth ranging from 2 to 20 years old. My uncle recently lost over 50 pounds, my cousin is restoring an environmental nature preserve, my other cousin's family is living with Celiac disease, my sister participated in a triathlon Saturday morning and placed second in her age division, another cousin is on home assignment from their mission work in New Guinea, my aunt told me that two cousins are expecting babies, another aunt shared the differences of living in Singapore, and my parents courageously hosted the picnic.

2009-07-27T07:19:00.000-07:00

Our church helps send Hmong students to a week of Christian summer camp. This was my third year in helping to organize the ministry. God allowed 14 Junior Highers and one High Schooler to attend. After camp one of the boys wrote: "God changed me by making me focus on God more and also I started to pray more and more each day and learning more about God, His powers and what He can do to be able to change my life." Another guy wrote: "My heart really opened this week to Jesus because He was the one who paid the price...So thank you Jesus!"

All the kids had a great time at camp. Jesus was spoken of, love was shown, friends were made. I am praying that some of these kids are 'good soil' and God will be glorified through them.

2009-07-13T21:18:00.000-07:00

Hot air balloon rally this past weekend. We stopped by in the early morning to see some of these beauties inflate and lift-off. Must be beautiful up there, in the fresh air and quiet breeze.

2009-07-11T13:42:00.000-07:00

Another summer picnic. This one was a neat bridal shower for my sweet friend Jessica. The hostesses really outdid themselves. Individual picnic baskets, gingham tablecloths, blankets on the ground, soda pop in bottles, homemade chocolate chip cookies, potato salad in tiny mason jars, daisy centerpieces. Ahhh..it was so cute. Here she is with her sister. Jess is special to me because we've met to study the Bible and pray together. She is truly desiring to be a godly wife and (hopeful) mom. The wedding is in September. I saw her wedding dress and she'll be a beautiful bride.

2009-07-05T20:45:00.000-07:00

The 4th of July had gorgeous weather. We were invited to a wedding cele- bration for John's brother and new bride. It was on the grounds of a farm that was established in 1856. We enjoyed touring the vegetable gardens and the old barn. The festivities included a huge tent, live music, tex-mex dinner, cupcakes, yard games, and lots of visiting.

2009-06-23T17:35:00.000-07:00

The other morning I went on a hike at a state park. It feels so good to be in an expanse of nature and yet so close to town. Towards the end of my hike I took notice of my boots. They are very comfortable and scuffed. I bought these hiking boots in 2000 before I went on the Grand Canyon trip. My first opportunity to view the canyon and I was able to totally experience it by hiking all the way to the bottom, camping for a few nights, hearing the raging Colorado River, and hiking to the top. It was a physically stretching journey, but exhilarating.

2009-06-17T19:32:00.001-07:00

Today as I was zipping around town I spotted a vintage truck for sale. My eyes are drawn to old trucks and old VW bug's. They don't need to be spotlessly refurbished, just in decent shape. I wonder if a pickup truck will be in my future? Someday we hope to live in the country, out amidst farm fields. Maybe I'll need to get a pickup to handle some of the chores...

2009-06-06T17:53:00.000-07:00

Rachel is 40 today! To mark this special year we did a small overnight trip in Manito- woc. Rach loves to ride bikes, so we planned to do some leisurely biking together (6 of us). The weather was drizzling and cold the first day, but that wouldn't stop a diehard like Rachel...she and Dad zoomed off for 45 minutes in the rain. She's already done many week-long biking trips in her life, and now a new road bike will give her some extra speed for those long endurance days.

Rachel is a good friend. Because she was my older sister, I couldn't help but look up to her, and she was a wonderful example for me. We have many things in common, and that's a good start to having a great pal! She actively listens and cares about what you're saying. She is kind-hearted and patient. God uses those skills in her job as a High School counselor.

A big round of applause for my lovely sister! HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!

2009-06-01T07:46:00.000-07:00

Virginia Olive (Warren) Gasper

January 18, 1923 - May 30, 2009

Cheerful servant,
Dedicated writer,
Wise listener,
Loving wife and mother.

Forgiven because of Christ's sacrifice,
Child of God.
Home with Him.

(photo taken 3-21-09)

2009-05-26T11:38:00.000-07:00

Justin is 29 today! He has extreme talent in computer programming, technology, and electronics. Pretty handy around the house. Knows the balance between serious conversation and 'being funny all the time'. Loves his wife. Helps at his church. Responsible. Loves God. A good worker. Generous to others. Just a really nice guy with fine character and true integrity. Love you Justin. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

2009-05-18T14:40:00.000-07:00

Cincinnati was the gathering place. A reunion for John's side of the family. God's Sovereign Plan allowed many of the family to meet this weekend, but there was an unexpected turn about 20 days ago when John's mother went into the hospital. We spent Saturday sharing memories, visiting Ginnie in the hospital, and saying our goodbyes. She is very sick. Dealing with pain and bad news, she made the choice to enter hospice. We are sad, but rejoicing that she trusts only in Jesus Christ as the way of salvation, and she is a child of the Almighty God.

2009-05-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

The leader for our Junior High girls group had a year-end hot tub party at her home. It was a chilly evening, but the girls were jumping on the trampoline, swinging from the tree swing, and chatting as they enjoyed the hot tub. Then some brave souls wanted to try out the pool (though Penny warned them it was probably only 40 degrees). It was 1) jump in the pool 2) scream and have startled faces 3) jump out.

2009-05-10T18:10:00.000-07:00

My mom and dad enjoyed being parents. They loved us so much they took the time to train, discipline, laugh, teach, have fun, listen, and play. The four of us kids were each unique and different. I know we caused exasperation and anxiety for our parents as we grew up. But I didn't doubt their love for us.

My mom is a great example to me. I am honoring her on this special day by standing up to say "She is a blessing in my life!"

This picture shows me as a newborn, being held in my mother's lap. My sister is inquisitively looking on.

2009-05-06T09:10:00.000-07:00

My nephew Titus turned 6 last week. I don't have any recent pictures of him, so these photos are about a year old. Titus is a kind boy, quietly compassionate towards others. Then, in a flash, he's darting around and yelling, playing exuberantly. He enjoys mechanical items, puzzles, and taking things apart, so we'll have to watch where his engineering mind takes him in life. He joins his brother in outside activities, finding bugs being a favorite. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TITUS!

2009-04-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

When I was in High School, there was a caring lady who invested in my spiritual life and mentored me in the faith. I was able to ask her lots of questions, be honest about my views, and learn from her wisdom. We've kept in touch over the years, with a visit once or twice a year.

Recently, she and her husband have taken up bowling. So they invited us to try it out with them on bargain night. It was my third visit and I'm pleased as punch to announce I bowled a 117! (This is much improved from my earlier 79).

2009-04-22T05:59:00.000-07:00

I've been picking up Emma and her 3 siblings on Wed- nesday evenings, to transport them to our kids club at church. Whoa. It's quite a different atmosphere in the minivan. Louder voices. Kids yelling "Sarah!" at any moment, especially when I'm in a conversation with someone else. Garbage on the floor. Not buckling seatbelts. Fighting with siblings. Potty talk. Tattling. Many times I'm praying for patience.

But little by little I have been encouraged by spiritual awakenings, or funny situations. Someone says, "listen to me say my verse." OR "I pray every night with my stuffed animals." OR "I want to sit by Moira. I like Moira." OR "these songs are great. Can we sing that one again?" I've been able to mediate a fight and talk about 'being sorry'. I've been able to comfort a crying girl with a skinned knee. I've been able to smile among the hard stuff and remind myself that their home-life is different. God keeps giving me new areas on which to grow my character.

2009-04-15T19:20:00.000-07:00

It was my grandma's birthday, so a few of us celebrated with her at a local restaurant. She's 88 years young! Gram was born in 1921 at home, with the family doctor in attendance. When it was time to call for the doctor, my great-grandfather traveled down the street to use a phone. Being the baby of the family, she ended up being daddy's little girl.

2009-04-07T13:18:00.000-07:00

Some of my kitchen cabinets are falling apart. After talking to the national and local cabinet representative, it was decided my parts are now extinct. So, Dad came to the rescue and agreed to try and fabricate my broken pieces. My dad has woodworking equipment in a small basement workshop, arranged in a similar fashion to my grandpa's workshop. Rather organized, but in a dusty cluttered sort of way. Dad did some great figuring and used 4 different machines to create the pieces. I bought some new screws, did some assembly, and my cabinet drawers slid back in perfectly.

2009-03-31T07:56:00.001-07:00

A young lady from my church is getting married next month and I attended her bridal shower this weekend. We met at a cool refurbished old auto garage. It was nice to chat with other ladies, see Destiny so glowing with excitement, munch on food, and play some party games.

2009-03-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

I work with John, doing the administrative stuff and the bookkeeping for his software business. It's part-time, rather sporadic, and the majority can be done at home. One of my responsibilities is to send out mailings, and this week was an update to 80% of John's customers. CD's, stamps, mailers, labels, and instructions....but I feel accomplished when I throw the finished product down the mail chute.

2009-03-17T19:00:00.000-07:00

My brother brought his family to town for their spring break. My dad used an old "bobsled" (which my grandpa built) to give rides, and Isaac then took the challenge of trying to hang on while Dad whipped him around the yard. The bobsled tipped up on two runners, but Isaac was the conqueror.

2009-03-08T18:55:00.000-07:00

One of our adventures when we ventured off the ship was snorkeling. Not my best experience, and I'm afraid it has soured my dream of ever certifying in SCUBA to accompany my husband on a scuba-diving trip. The ride in the small boat, the waves assailing my ears, and the salt water all combined to make me queasy, and I opted out of the 2nd reef snorkel. I did enjoy having the fish come super close to me. And the color of the water (turquoise!) was delightful.

Our next adventure was a trip to an Eco Park in Belize. We took a bus ride through the countryside, used mountain bikes to traverse a narrow trail in the jungle, received information on local botany & insects & industry, saw 4 monkeys up in the trees, felt warm breezes while eating an authentic Belizean meal under a thatched roof, and ended our excursion rocking in hammocks in the shade next to a huge pool.

2009-03-03T20:09:00.000-08:00

Our cruise left from Florida and stopped at two towns, Cozumel and Belize City. It was a good mix of 'days at sea' and port days. John and I are glad we went, but we're pretty sure we won't become frequent cruisers. Some things I liked: being pampered, linens & menus & leisure in the dining room, sitting outside and absorbing heat, enjoying time with my husband. Two things I didn't like: the rocking movement of the ship, large condensed crowds.

2009-02-28T20:15:00.000-08:00

We arrived home this evening from a five-night cruise. It was WARM! And very relaxing.

2009-02-21T07:48:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when the snow is blowing and the temperature is frigid, it's good to remember what summer is like. Can you recollect the green grass? wearing t-shirts? walking and biking? eating ice cream while standing outside? Thanks Lord, for giving us four different seasons. I like the variety.

2009-02-19T18:21:00.000-08:00

Every Wednesday night I get to listen, laugh, and interact with Junior High girls. Our church has ministries for newborn to 12th grade on Wednesday evenings, and this is my first year working with the 7th and 8th graders. The teacher, Mr. D, is such a great guy and a wonderful speaker. (He is talking to their age group, and yet his points often hit me between the eyes.) After the lesson I huddle together with my small group of 6 for a time of sharing and prayer. It has been neat to see the bonding that's been going on since September. During gym time I usually listen to girls recite verses, then I can chat with kids and play Scrabble and watch them socialize. God has brought me to this point in my life and I'm enjoying where He put me. A few years ago I would have said, "I could never work with Jr Highers", and this past year I felt led to jump in with both feet. Lovin' it.

2009-02-17T20:30:00.000-08:00

Travis is in New Zealand. We took him to Minneapolis on Monday and he set out with four pieces of luggage and an adventurous spirit. He starts a graduate program at the University of Auckland, planning to complete a Creative Writing degree in 9 months.

Justin and Julie graciously offered him room and board (and more) for the past six months, and the three of them shared talents, opinions, fun, and patience. Trav enjoyed having that time with his smart (and playful) brother and kind (and listening) sister-in-law.

2009-02-13T12:33:00.000-08:00

Walking on a nearby path when the snow is softly falling down. Can you see the tiny snowflake on John's glasses?

2009-02-07T14:39:00.000-08:00

Before Travis leaves the country for ten months, we assembled the family at a huge indoor water/ theme park for a quick overnight adventure. Fun! I liked the ropes course, floating on the lazy river, eating out, and watching the six of them being entertained with arcade games. When we played laser tag, I had a startled memory of Nerf Wars at our old home. One of our boys had a large assortment of nerf guns, so during some holiday events with extended family, we'd turn off all the lights, pass out the guns, and use the two stairways to conduct a shootout. A dreaded heart-pounding feeling occurred when someone was sneaking through the dark to 'kill' me. At least in laser tag I could receive multiple hits and never be out.

2009-01-29T18:41:00.000-08:00

On Saturday we toured our state capitol. It is absolutely amazing! It took eleven years to build (com- pleted 1917), has granite, stone, and marble from around the world, and has the 4th largest dome in the world (volume). The mosaics, murals, and natural light prompted me to stare and say, 'wow!' Some estimate the building to be worth 2 billion dollars. The tour gal did her little recitation in each area and gave us an insight into the world of state government. I'd recommend the tour to any Wisconsin resident.

2009-01-26T08:45:00.000-08:00

Dad and I went on a trail ride. Covered about 35 - 40 miles, traversing over farm fields and through wooded paths. We ate lunch at a truck stop restaurant. The temperature was mild enough, not much wind, and I had purchased some hand and toe warmers (which really helped out!). There are certain snowmobile trails that ATV's are not allowed on, there are bunches of twists, turns, and intersections, and we cannot be on the trails when it's above 28 degrees, but my dad knows all this stuff and makes a good leader.

2009-01-23T12:15:00.000-08:00

Claire is FIVE today! HAPPY BIRTH- DAY, sweet niece! She attends preschool, can dance up a storm, and loves to laugh so hard that she becomes breathless. Her compassion for others is delightful to see. Claire likes to pick up her brother Zeke and say, "come here, baby". Now, at 18 months, Zeke isn't as cooperative. So it's great that Lucy has arrived and Claire can be the second mom to "baby Lucy".

2009-01-20T20:18:00.000-08:00

We are friends with a 5th grade girl. She comes to our weekly kids club at church, and we provide her transportation. It's interesting to hear her comments on school, home-life, sisters, boys, the kids club, etc. Julie can really make us smile, and many times we laugh out loud. She and her family are Hmong (a people group originally from southeast Asia). I've known Julie's older sister, Daly, since 2002, when she was attending our kids club and other youth events. In December Julie handed us a gift bag and said, "Here's a present for you. Don't open it until Christmas." It sat in our living room for 2 weeks, unopened and a mystery. Imagine my surprise on Christmas when I pulled out a beautiful applique' wallhanging. It is amazing. I've since found out it's called a "Paj ntaub", or flower cloth. It's about 17 inches square. Julie's mom did most of the intricate handwork, but Julie and her sisters helped with it.

2009-01-12T15:41:00.000-08:00

When we started the new year in Iowa, it was to gather at a hotel with my parents and my siblings (and their families). Due to the distance for Hannah's family and the preemie arrival of Lucy, this holiday was different, but fun. John and I stayed two nights. The hotel pool was a great place to congregate. The nieces and nephews tiptoeing around the shallow end with their necks craned and faces turned upward. Some were celebrating how they can go under water. The boys were playing basketball, dunking and practically strangling each other to try to snatch the ball. Bekah and I choreographed a little dance in the water. Kids dangled off of adults shoulders in the deep end. Everyone enjoyed the whirlpool. Since the hotel had LOW occupancy, there was plenty of space and availability for our little group, which made it extra special.

2009-01-09T10:35:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CALEB! He's Hannah's oldest boy and he turned eight years old on Wednesday. Caleb is an active boy, enjoying exercise and movement. His father has taught him many things about insects and bugs, so Caleb enthusiastically searches for critters and reptiles. He's also sensitive to God's leading. I can remember a time when I was visiting their house, and a possibility of something huge was in the air for their family. Caleb was asking questions and becoming excited about this change, so immediately he just prayed out loud, "God, help us to know what to do. If you want us to or don't want us to, show us." A young man depending on the Lord...continue on, Caleb! Love you.

2009-01-05T11:49:00.000-08:00

After seeing my siblings and my parents in Iowa, John and I traveled home on Saturday. There was freezing rain, the type where you can't keep your windshield wipers from chunking with ice. We saw 6 cars in the ditch, drove about 45 mph, and had to stop a couple times to scrape the windshield and the blades. Of course we arrived home later than expected, but happy that we made it safely.

2008-12-31T12:10:00.000-08:00

Luke, Travis, Justin, and Julie were waiting for me to set up my camera for a family picture. This shot captures them all having 'true smiles'. More than that, maybe it shows the camaraderie, the family bond of humor, and a developed appreciation of each others' quips and comments. I remember when Julie was first dating Justin, and I could hear her laughing so much in the living room. I figured Justin was absolutely smitten, having a girl admire his amusing wit. And so it is with all my men...

2008-12-24T07:53:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

This year it seems I'm being bombarded/ reminded of the prophesies about The Messiah. Throughout the Old Testament and in Jesus' teachings there are predictions that God would offer Himself as a servant who would come to earth, die for the sins of all people, and raise back to life.

Last year we attended a concert with multiple Christian artists, one of whom was Andrew Peterson. Here are the words to one of his songs.

Behold, the Lamb of God
Who takes away our sin
Behold the Lamb of God
The life and light of men
Behold the Lamb of God
Who died and rose again
Behold the Lamb of God who comes
To take away our sin

Broken hearts--behold our broken hearts
Fallen far--we need you
Behold the Lamb of God

Son of God--Emmanuel
Son of Man--we need you
Behold the Lamb
The hope of man
Behold the Lamb of God

2008-12-20T17:39:00.000-08:00

I watched kids meeting Santa the other day. I have no recollection of my visit to Santa in the mid 1970's. However, since my grandma bought a photo of my sister and I sitting on Santa's lap, there is proof that I did. I'm surprised to see that I'm not teary-eyed. The fact that I'm smiling is because I was a "good little girl". You can see I was scared and DID NOT WANT SANTA'S HAND TOUCHING MY ARM!

2008-12-15T17:45:00.000-08:00

On Thanks- giving weekend, my Gram invited the extended family to meet for a potluck. She has a great gathering space in her apartment building, so there's enough space to hang out for a few hours and catch up with aunts, uncles, cousins, and second cousins. I enjoy talking with Clint because he is SO resourceful and full of information about building, and projects, and machines. His wife Heidi shared about a new venture this summer with a wedding location and a garden she planned. My Uncle Dave gave me hints on how to help my two apple trees, as he is the entrepreneur of his large apple orchard. The little ones were running around, playing games, or just being cute.

2008-12-10T20:01:00.000-08:00

This cold weather is convincing me to stay inside. I look outside, see a temp- erature of 1 degree, and recall how I shiver in the bitter cold. But I need to tell myself, "Do not hibernate for the entire winter." When I bundle up and finally get outside, I like it. I wonder why I don't come out more often. It's all about the layers...and being comfortable (not always stylish).

2008-12-07T18:47:00.000-08:00

Seventeen years ago we were married. Said our vows, made a covenant, exchanged rings. I was young. I didn't know much. But I did love John, and I knew he loved me. I am so grateful that God allowed marriage (and motherhood) to stretch, convict, teach, and mold me into a more mature woman. One of the greatest things I have seen displayed in John is unconditional love. He cares for me beyond my expectations and is patient with my faults. John's best feature is his desire to follow Our Lord. We both agree that our love for each other grows deeper with each passing year, and that is attributed to God's amazing grace.

2008-12-04T19:17:00.000-08:00

Every year at the family gathering we have a fun 'white elephant' exchange. Each family brings a bag of small wrapped gifts, totally anonymous, to pass around the circle. Some are bad (floral shower cap), and we try to market their usefulness so that another person might take it off our hands. Some are good (bag of candy), and are received with appreciation. Luke opened one gift of a temporary foam visor, then later lucked out with a yo-yo. He started doing round-the-world tricks in the living room, with a large glass oil lamp behind him. It was suggested he try it in the garage! My parents (and his brothers) remembered when Luke was a young boy and he broke the hall light fixture with a yo-yo.

2008-11-30T20:17:00.000-08:00

Mom and Dad invited us to a Thanks- giving meal at their house. Eleven of us gathered for a traditional meal, and there was an abundance of food and desserts. A fire in the wood stove, nice conversations, a reading of Scripture, games of round robin ping pong, and just some sweet family time.

2008-11-24T19:41:00.000-08:00

Last winter I went on a trail ride with my dad. It was a bitterly cold, sunny day. It was fun to drive fast, see the beautiful countryside, mosey through some woods, and eat lunch at a truck stop. Dad is passionate about ATV's and motorcycles. He loves driving them. I recently came across this picture of me as a youngster on a three wheeler toy. I had no idea it started that young! All the years since have provided lots of adventures and recreation on some version of an all-terrain-vehicle. Thanks, Dad, for giving us those experiences.

2008-11-22T16:52:00.000-08:00

We only have one pet. She's been with us for 10 years and her name is Bug. When we first met her at a country home, she was a tiny kitten. The owner's son said she looked like an Ewok. Bug is nice to have around. She's not clingy, but she's not a recluse. She's mostly quiet, except for feeding time. I like her contented purr when she sits on my lap. I like that someone greets me when I walk into an empty house. The best thing about Bug is she provides happiness for my husband. She and John are close buddies.

2008-11-17T17:01:00.000-08:00

The kids club at our church held its annual 'car race'. Each student had to handcraft their own car from a block of wood, then add weight and aerodynamics to achieve the highest speed. Besides the speed contest, there was also a design competition. I was asked to judge, along with a friend of mine. Boy, it was difficult! We wavered between MANY good designs, but in the end finally handed in our top 3 in both categories.

2008-11-10T12:43:00.000-08:00

Jumping on the trampoline in their backyard. I even got on and jumped (about 15 times) before the neighbor kids rushed over, climbed up, and said, "Let's all jump together." I said, "I'll get off," and scrambled to the edge.

2008-11-03T18:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my newest niece, Lucy! She was born early, on October 27, weighing 3 lbs 6 ounces. John and I had a chance to see her in the NICU in Des Moines. Lucy seems to be doing well, but we pray that she'll continue to grow and develop and stay healthy. Mom Jessie was on bedrest for over 3 weeks, while Dad Abe kept the household running, squeezed in his work, and cared for Lucy's four siblings. It is so fun to see my brother being a GREAT Dad, playing with his children, disciplining them, ministering at church, loving his wife. Enjoy these young & precious gifts, Abe and Jessie!

2008-10-26T21:25:00.000-07:00

Here's John teaching and explaining his computer software to his customers. A long day of being on his feet, talking non-stop, and answering individual questions. He started the morning sharing the MOST IMPORTANT news -- the gospel message that Jesus Christ is the only way to bridge the sin gap between Almighty God and us. He encouraged people to search for themselves by reading God's Word, and we were glad to see sixteen people take a Bible.

2008-10-24T19:43:00.000-07:00

Travis invited us over for a yummy lunch, then we walked around the local lake on a leaf-strewn path.

2008-10-20T19:01:00.000-07:00

My 23 year old cousin got married this weekend. Caiti looked radiant and the groom was extremely happy. It was a neat opportunity to see and chat with other relatives. The reception was very well done...hors d'oeuvres, champagne fountain, linens, crystal, waiters, meal courses...quite a special event.

2008-10-17T18:29:00.000-07:00

The driveway has a fresh black coat after John labored for many hours last Saturday. He had talked about sealing the driveway for the majority of the summer, and on the last possible weekend, it was completed. Thanks, honey!

2008-10-15T08:11:00.000-07:00

Two couples from church invited us to "do a getaway". We attended a neat dinner theater, with a lovely meal and a humorous enter- taining 1960's play. The guys went golfing on Monday, while the ladies break- fasted, shopped, walked, kayaked, and lunched. John had decided to add some business visits since we were in Southern Wisconsin, so we stayed an extra night. The city of Lake Geneva is darling, and coming in autumn was a beautiful, relaxing vacation. I'm not sure that I'd like it as much in the crowded summer season.

2008-10-11T12:55:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we were in Cincinnati, Ohio! John moved to Cincinnati as a sophomore in High School, and his parents still reside there. It was nice to sit and chat, play a game of Dominos, go out to eat (twice!), look at photos & letters, and attend their Sunday morning worship service. Wayne and Ginnie are prayer warriors and encouragement givers. They raised 5+ children with love, discipline, and lots of neat experiences. Now in their 80's, they stay very busy with different activities.

2008-10-01T20:22:00.000-07:00

Some other things I've been involved with in the past 12 days: Doing a walk/run with Julie at a rustic county park. She ran 4.4 miles, while I walked. It was a great temperature, and the trails were hilly and scenic.

Watching and listening to a See You At The Pole rally for our area's Christian teenagers. A few churches

banded together to worship, hear of the morning events, and encourage teens to stand up for Christ.

Assisting with a service activity for Middle Schoolers. We helped clean the house/do yardwork for a widow who is moving out of town. The seven kids were very willing to work, but we laughed together as we discussed, "I don't want to clean at my house, but I like cleaning at someone else's." I said, "Join the club."

2008-09-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

A walk through the woods, crunching over dried leaves, and viewing the changing colors. Rachel and Paul drove to our area for a day trip, and this was one of the group activities that we enjoyed. We caught a glimpse of the departing harvest machines, so this was freshly cut corn.

2008-09-22T18:00:00.000-07:00

It must be at least 12 years since I've visited Point Beach State Park. I was first introduced to it when I was dating John, so of course it's remember- ed as a beautifully romantic setting. We stopped there for a few hours last Thursday, since we were in the area (visiting two of John's customers). Lake Michigan is so pretty...like our own small midwestern ocean.

2008-09-19T19:42:00.000-07:00

John does a lot of driving around Wisconsin to visit his customers. I joined him on Thursday and after his visit we lunched at the local diner. So quaint! I ordered the Lunch Plate Special of meatloaf and mashed potatoes. The other special was liver-n-onions (no temptation on that one).

2008-09-16T10:17:00.000-07:00

John and I have agreed that we love camping. Things are always better, though, when the weather is beautiful. The first night we scrambled to set up camp as dusk was settling. Then it started to mist and drizzle as we heated soup on the Coleman stove, but we were protected with our huge tarp. As we were just about finished with supper, the

poles, straps, and bungee- cords 'gave way' and the tarp crashed down on top of us. We laughed and sloshed through the puddles and dodged raindrops in the dark as we tried to correct the problem. Friday proved to be a glorious day, both in weather and relaxation. The last day was cloudy and grey, but we went on a great hike to some other lakes and made tin foil dinners before the drizzle started again.

2008-09-13T19:16:00.000-07:00

Last night.
Camping.
At the lake.
John standing at waters edge, soaking in the calmness after the sun set.
Aaaahhhhh...

2008-09-11T08:57:00.000-07:00

My good friend Karen and her husband Pete went before a judge on Monday and legally adopted their son Zaldy. Last July they had picked up 8 year old Zaldy in the Philippines. Karen and I have been getting together for coffee for YEARS and this past year she has shared how her life has been turned upside down. She and Pete have experienced laughter, joy, bonding, and love with their new son, mixed in with some rough adjusting times. I have loved seeing growth in all three of them. God had been molding and shaping and bringing them together as a true family. Congratulations friends!

2008-09-08T17:40:00.000-07:00

We ended our summer with a Family Fun Day, trying out the roller coasters at Six Flags Great America. The six of us, plus Luke's girlfriend Niki, traveled to Illinois on Saturday and wandered the park amidst a perfect weather day. I was so pleased to watch everyone be flexible, understanding, and accommodating. (My boys are so grown up!) My favorite coaster was Spiderman, and my least favorite was Raging Bull. I discovered that I'd rather do twists and loops than super-high straight-down drops. A tiring day, but a great adventure.

2008-09-01T18:55:00.000-07:00

A nice, big, fun cele- bration yesterday. Travis and Luke share a birth- day...born exactly two years apart, they turned 24 and 26 yesterday. It was great to have relatives and friends to share in the party. We watched old home videos and laughed and laughed. Julie made a decadent chocolate/ peanut butter layer cake. The guys shot off lots of fireworks while the girls watched and clapped.

2008-08-29T19:51:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we spent our first overnight on the land. It was beautiful and quiet...for the most part. As we sat by the campfire, we heard a pack of coyotes howling to each other (or making a kill). The night was brisk, we were serenaded by crickets, and I slept great.

There was an antique tractor show in a nearby rural community, so we joined thousands of other people and took a peek. There were LOADS of tractors and steam engines; even a parade where the tractors puttered around a set route.

As we walked through the huge flea market area, John pointed out an old station wagon and said, "This is like the car we had when I was growing up. A Vista Cruiser." John doesn't remember much, so it's always fun to see him reminisce.

2008-08-27T14:28:00.000-07:00

A big 'Hooray' for Isaac who turns SIX today! He has already started kindergarten and is riding the bus to school. Quite an active little boy...he reminds me of his father who was always busy and moving and running. Isaac is a fun one to tickle, with his authentic smile and giggly laugh. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISAAC!

2008-08-24T18:47:00.000-07:00

We had a Womens Retreat on Friday and Saturday. It was a spiritually refreshing getaway that focused on enhancing our personal worship of Almighty God, drawing near to Him, and reading Scripture. Connie welcomed us to her farm with views of the beautiful country- side, and the majority of our group slept in tents. There were strong winds, then a 2:30 am pouring rain, but we awoke to sunshine and a shared adventure. It was great to gather together for sessions in the barn...also to spread out individually for time alone with God's Word. Connie's daughter-in-law (Amanda) was praying in the hammock, but she heard my camera clicking and gave me a smile.

2008-08-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

My sister and her husband live in the Oshkosh area. We visited with them on Friday and Saturday, and stayed in their guest room. They both work in the education field, so have some time off in the summer. Rachel has participated in two huge bicycle rides this summer (Colorado mountains and across Iowa), while Paul has continued his woodworking and other projects. When we saw them, he was nearing the end of a beautiful built-in hutch for their living

room. Rachel justs hands him a photo from a catalog and Paul goes to work designing and customizing and using extremely fine details to create a masterpiece. He's also done most of the other furniture in their home, along with MANY projects for the Middle School. He's very talented!

2008-08-13T14:59:00.000-07:00

In our town we have a whitewater course. They've diverted a channel from our main river and set it up with boulders and drop-offs. Then at certain times in the summer the electrical company opens up the small dam and there's BIG water for kayaking and canoeing. John and I had a leisurely morning a while back and stopped to watch the adventurous ones.