Sometimes I live my life destination oriented; attempting to accomplish something physically or spiritually on the ever-on-going "To Do" list. But that isn't how I truly believe I ought to live life. Life is really more about a journey. The Bible tells us we are just sojourners, passing through, aliens to this world, awaiting our future home with God. We are supposed to live here with God, right now, as if we were on some backpacking adventure.

This picture to the left reminds me of that. If I were destination focused, I would choose the direction and do whatever necessary to get there (i.e: turn left, go straight just beyond the bend and STOP). I would also be more focused on getting there, that I would probably miss something along the way. To have, or to live, an eternity with God means I can slow down. The journey is something to be enjoyed. Eternity with God began for me 24 years ago when I came to know Jesus. My relationship with Him has been a journey. There have been plenty of forks, bends, beasts, flowers, vistas, valleys, climbs, rocks, communities, refreshments, scenic overlooks, not-so-scenic overlooks, thorns and briers. I have conversed with the Lord for 24 years along this path and I don't expect that conversation to end once this world is over. I'm just 24 years into my eternity with God.

Another interesting thing I have noticed in my journey is how sometimes one path actually meets back up with a path I may have passed along the way. Sometimes, I walk that path and end up back where I once was. Then I trod along a familiar path and sometimes notice new things. Maybe it's a different season, maybe I learned something new about the habitat and therefore see things in a new way or maybe I end up on the same path, but going to the opposite direction. Have you ever done that? Have you ever walked a path and then turn around and walk back the way from which you came? It's sort of a different view. Same path, different perspective. I rather like that.

I have also noticed that no matter how familiar I am with the path, the journey along the path is ALWAYS different! When I lived in the Woodlands, TX, we had trails that connected housing neighborhoods to each other as well as to schools and shopping areas and parks. There was a 3 mile loop near our neighborhood. I used to walk this trail or ride my bike along this trail. Needless to say, I was extremely familiar with it. I knew where the bridges were, the lakes were, the churches, the grocery store, the schools were. I walk that loop in about 35-40 minutes. But, every time was different. Sometimes I had company. Sometimes the weather was warmer or colder. Sometimes the foliage was different or there was a different season or light. All the variables changed but the trail remained a constant.

God knows the path I am walking. He goes with me. There is a destiny that He has in store for me. In the New Testament, Paul talks about laying hold of that for which Christ had laid hold of me. What is "that"? Must be my destiny in Jesus. So, I trust in Him, who is constant. And even though the variables in my journey are constantly changing and even sometimes the scenery changes, I trust God. He says He knows the plans He has for me , plans to prosper and not harm me, plans for a future (in the book of Isaiah). He gave David a beautiful psalm about being a sheep in the care of the Shepherd (Ps. 23). He also says he has new things in store for me that he reveals to me before they happen (also in Isaiah). As with everything God says, it always pivots on a relationship with Him. We weren't meant to go the journey alone. God always intended to be with us and even when mankind messed it up in the Garden, God made a plan to get us back into relationship with Him.

God is my trail guide. He's my friend. He's my good Daddy. He is my Saviour, my Redeemer. He's wild and He's good. His very creation speaks of that. I am happy to continue my eternal journey with God. So, I'll slow down and breathe, look around, be still, and listen. The destination part will happen because I'm on the pathway that leads there. The relationship and what I see on the journey is up to me.

Sucked Into Suburbia

My most recent musings are spurred by a question we ask at Life Group: How has suburbia sucked you in this week? Or, as I sometimes need to ask myself, "How has suburbia kicked my butt this week?".

I am speaking spiritually. We all know how we get sucked in physically. But, spiritually? Yes, it happens. Is it a bad thing? Well....let's think and talk about that.

Question 1) Is your worldview based on suburban mores or a biblical foundation?
BEFORE YOU ANSWER!!!... is your biblical foundation founded on suburban principles?

Question 2) Who is Jesus to you? BEFORE YOU ANSWER!!... I want to share a thought. Have you seen the modernist picture of Obama? The one with his mugshot in blue and orange and underneath, it says, "HOPE"? What if you put Jesus' face in that place? Shirt and tie and the whole shebang. Do you like that picture now? Did I just modernize/suburbanize Jesus?

Question 3) Do you ever wonder if you truly know Jesus or if you just know so much about him and his life that you think you know Jesus? BEFORE YOU ANSWER!!... There is so much sitting and listening in our suburban American churches that perhaps we have gotten "fat" in our spirituality ( perhaps a parallel to our physical life; mine at least). We hear what Paul says about us working out our salvation. What the ____ does that mean? I thought it wasn't about works?! Paul also talks about faith without works is dead religion. Hmmm.... And then there is all that stuff about Jesus and the cross and the work of the cross thrown in there. Which part justifies the other? What should come first? Why do we spend our time thinking about these ideas? Does it not just add more "fatness" to our life?

Now you see how suburbia kicks my butt in my spiritual life. I get so caught up in questions and doctrine and theology and asking what do I really believe and blah blah blah....

So, I guessed you got sucked in with me. It's so easy isn't it? The best thing to do now is to confess to God, and ask him about these questions. We should be still and know that He is God and listen for His answer, after all, His Word promises that he who seeks shall find. I want to know God and know Jesus; not just about them. And the best way to learn is BE in His presence.

Thin Places

I know a few years ago, during a small group setting, I talked about thin places. I had experienced a thin place at Ft. Worden beach in Port Townsend, Wa. back in 2005. It was real and life changing. I count it as a spiritual marker; a touchstone, in my walk with the Lord.

Here is what Marcus Borg in The Heart of Christianity says about thin places:

"Thin places (a metaphor found in Celtic Christianity) has its home in a particular way of thinking about God. Deeply rooted in the Bible and Christian tradition, this way of thinking sees God, 'the More', as the encompassing Spirit in which everything is. God is not somewhere else, but right here. In words attributed to Paul in the book of Acts, God is the 'One in whom we live, and move and have our being.' Note how the words work: we are in God, we live in God, we move and have our being in God. God is a non-material layer of reality all around us, right here as well as more than right here. This way of thinking thus affirms that there are minimally two layers of dimensions of reality, the visible world of our ordinary experience and God, the Sacred, Spirit.
But occasionally we do experience God shining through everything. Thin places are where these two levels of reality meet or intersect. They are places where the boundary between the two levels becomes very soft, porous, permeable. Thin places are where the veil momentarily lifts and we behold God, experience the One in whom we live, all around us and within us.
A thin place is anywhere our hearts are opened. To use sacramental language, a thin place is a sacrament of the sacred, a mediator of the sacred, a means whereby the sacred becomes present to us. A thin place is a means of grace.
What I wish to emphasize is how this notion helps us understand traditional Christian practices, both corporate and individual. My claim is that their central purpose is to become a thin place where our hearts are opened."


I have experienced that place where Heaven and Earth meet. I have experienced it in both a corporate setting and an individual setting. It truly is a means of grace. To see God shining through; to catch another glimmer of this multi-faceted God, is truly God gracing us. It amazes me how little I have to do with it. It isn't anything I can manipulate or control. If I just keep my heart right, He will surprise me with His holy presence.

Have you ever experienced a thin place?

poem: "Fire" by: Judy Brown

What makes a fire burn
is space between the logs,
a breathing space.
Too much of a good thing,
too many logs
packed in too tight
can douse the flames
almost as surley
as a pail of water.

So building fires
requires attention
to the spaces in between,
as much as to the wood.

When we are able to build
open spaces
in the same way
we have learned
to pile on logs,
then we come to see how
it is fuel, and the absence of fuel
together, that make fire possible.

We only need to lay a log
lightly from time to time.
A fire
grows
simply because the space is there,
with openings
in which the flame
that knows just how it wants to burn
can find its way.


This was a poem we read at our spiritual formation retreat.
How does this poem relate to your spiritual walk? What words or phrases speak to you?

Thankfulness in Crisis

Jesus.

I'm glad I know Him.

I read this article today about people who are killing themselves over this financial crisis. Some are jobless, have taken a big hit in the stock market, and are facing foreclosure of their home. And they killed themselves because of this. Have any of you read some of these stories?

I find the stories disturbing. It is sad. People who trust in this broken world's system. It's all they have (or had). I cannot imagine living without knowing where my trust lies. I trust in Jesus. I trust His words. I am thankful (the Bible tells me to be thankful in all things, for this is the will of God for me). I am thankful for my husband; he's my soul mate and best friend. I am thankful for my two children; they are healthy and bring such profound joy to my life. I am thankful for family; that there is such variety in personalities in one family is sometimes just plain astounding. I am thankful for friends; I get to choose my friends and I have quite a variety of them. I love having relationships. I think that is the key to a happy, successful life. Be careful how to define successful. In the end, most of the things in this world will burn as hay and stubble. There isn't anything that one can take with them when they die. Well, actually, one can take some things. They aren't tangible though. Relationships are the gold that Jesus talked about; the stuff that doesn't burn away or the moths eat. Relationships are based on love. And, well...love never fails.

My marriage survived joblessness, no savings, months behind on mortgage, deep credit debt and emotional turmoil. My trust in Jesus has never wavered. If we lose it "all", what I have I really lost? Do I still have family and friends? Do I trust God's word that He loves me so much, that He will provide? It may not always look like the provision I am accustomed to or even think I am entitled to (entitled.... there's another fault in thinking), but He does provide. I can testify to that.

I am in no way meaning to diminish the heartache of what we term "crisis". I do know, that I am stronger than I was two years ago because of the "crap". I am also wiser and my trust in the Lord is deeper. I am thankful I had a chance to toughen up and press harder into Jesus. My relationships are stronger, too. And because life tends to be cyclical, we are now gainfully employed, re-building savings, renting, and are about to be debt free. We have experienced some emotional healing (our marriage is stronger and healthier than ever before) and we haven't lost a single friend through any of it. In fact, our friendships became richer and deeper.

I love knowing Jesus and knowing that He still works miracles.

cracking the code

Our friend and former Pastor, Les Herron, once talked about how all believers in Christ are missionaries. We are missionaries cleverly disguised as ___________ (nurse, teacher, stay home mom, soldier, etc.). Where we live and the people we are surrounded by are considered our mission field. We are to here to learn the culture and show God's love to the people. It isn't necessarily about fundraising, trip planning, skit performing heading-out-to-the-mission-field. It's really more about living your daily life, missionally.

My problem, or so I think, is that I live in suburbia. Suburbanites are a tough nut to crack. There's an unwritten, assumed code. Most people are comfortable with their lives. There really is so much comfort here in suburbia. There is an attitude of independence here also. We would all agree that we got here (in suburbia) by pulling up our bootstraps and working for it.

Suburbia looks so nice and clean and we can hide away in our nice houses and polished cars and busy ourselves with shopping, sports, entertainment and even work. We got here by ourselves (so we think), so we can take care of anything by ourselves. We know where to go and how to get there if we need something.If we get sick, we head to the Dr. If we're out of money, we ask for a raise or take a second job. If there isn't enough money for something right now, we can charge it on our credit card. Tired? Take a vacation. Bored? Go shopping, go to the movies, go hiking or whatever.

So, with all of this in mind, how do we "break in" to people's lives and hearts. How do we live with a missional purpose? How do we stand out as a peculiar people, as the Bible calls us to do? What does following Jesus and His ways look like in modern day suburbia? How can I not get sucked in to this suburban life; being "in" the world but not "of " the world?

I would think a good starting point is allowing ourselves to be vulnerable. I know, we don't have to be vulnerable. The beauty is, we get to choose to. What I mean by being vulnerable is allowing others to see who I truly am. To have a window view into my life. No, I don't have it all together. Yes, I'm still working through pain. I'm working through emotional issues regarding relationships. I'm nowhere near the financial goals I have set. Things keep breaking, including hearts and lives of people I know. These people I know...live in suburbia.

I would think, that wherever you are cleverly disguised as a missionary, there are people there who need a friend. A friend willing to love them enough to be vulnerable, so that they may feel safe and quite possibly loved and accepted. Because, you know what? Chances are they want to be found out and loved for who they really are. Are you willing to scale some walls and go in after some people? Jesus is. He's looking for volunteers to go with Him.

September Mornings

45 degrees is the low at night. We still sleep with the windows open. We freeze our patooties off. We like it. I'm digging out my flannels. The air in the morning smells of burning fireplaces or woodstoves from surrounding homes. That, mixed with the smell of pine and cedar trees. Ahhhh...

I have spent 37 years in Texas and this is typically a hot month (literally) for hurricanes. So the air gets really still, really humid and really hot and sticky. Sometimes, September is worse than July and August combined. So, my body is once again adjusting to the climate up here. I know I write alot about the weather and acclimating to the environment; but it really is one of the more significant physical changes with living somewhere that is in a different region all together.

I am missing my friends and family back in Texas. Really. I am having a difficult time this week. We've made friends up here, but there is just something terrific about having friends who know where you've been and see your faults and still love you. The getting-to-know-you part is over and you and they are fitted nicely together like pieces sewn into a quilt. It's comfortable. It's easy. It's cozy. You feel and know you are equally yoked and can therefore share each other's burdens with joy and understanding. I miss that. I miss camaraderie. I miss spontaneous get-togethers. I miss having tea or dinner with the girls. I miss girl road trips to small towns. I miss double dating with other couples. I miss my favorite restaurants (Ricos, Los Cucos, Pappadeaux). I shouldn't dwell on this. It makes it worse. If you are reading this, please pray for us.

The boys are still wanting to make a neighborhood friend. They, too are missing friends we left back in Texas. We ALL had such deep and meaningful friendships in Houston. *sigh*

Enough of this belly-aching'! I shall go occupy myself with a good book. :)

I was reminded today of something that happened to James and I about 2 years ago. We were on our way to the church facility one Sunday morning (I think we were in charge of something. What I remember is that it was really important that we be there on time, if not early). As we were driving, we passed a stranded car along side the road with a young couple looking distraught, standing beside the vehicle. He had tattoos and was smoking a cigarette. Their car was stuck in mud. We were in our Jeep with 4 wheel drive and a hitch. We could have helped. But, we were pushing it time wise to get the meeting. I cried. It was a sad circumstance. We were so busy going to church; we didn’t have time to be the church. Yikes! The popular acronym among Christians: WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) came to mind. I know what the Jesus I know would’ve done. He would have pulled the Jeep over and He and his disciples would get out, hook up the car, pull it out of the mud, say something profound and teach into the situation. That isn’t what James and Michelle did. No. We passed them, I cried, I pushed the responsibility onto Jesus to send someone with more time to help them. We were in a time crunch and besides, we didn’t have a chain. We would’ve been of no use. Interesting how we justify our actions. But I prayed for them!? (Sigh)
I am reminded also of a parable about the lost sheep. About leaving the 99 to go after the 1 lost one and how there is so much rejoicing in heaven over 1 sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. One could get busy tending sheep. I am reminded of another parable about the Good Samaritan. Notice the ones who passed by the certain poor soul: “a certain priest” and “a Levite”. Ouch! Could that be us? It took a Samaritan to show love and compassion to the poor soul in the parable. Samaritans were the least of all humankind back in that day (Perhaps they smoked cigarettes and had tattoos. They obviously didn’t look like righteous Jews) but, these Samaritans are ones Jesus used to teach us a lesson about loving our neighbors. He modeled love, He spoke of love, and He was all about love. In fact, the Bible says, “God is love”.
The lesson for me: Don’t forget to love my neighbor, even when I find myself in a time crunch. Being a follower of Jesus is more than just trying to make it to the church on time. It is more about being the timely church to a lost and hurting world.

WHERE DID THE SUMMER GO?

Hello?

Hello? Is summer over there? Here, it's 67 degrees and partly cloudy on August the 25th. I think I lost summer. I'm not too terribly busy anymore with guests and I'm wanting a chance for some summertime activity. I only went swimming twice (well, I didn't swim, the water was too cold). I haven't had any mixed drinks while lounging on my patio. I haven't read any magazines ( I bought some with good intentions). I've only worn sleeveless shirts for maybe 2 weeks total? My "what-little-tan-I-had" is now fading. It's sad. I knew not to expect a long summer season up here in Oregon. I was told 7 weeks. I just didn't want to believe it. Summer must have tried to tell me it was leaving after that 105 degree weekend, but I thought, it was telling me to come along and play. I cleared my week so as not to be busy. I know that once September gets here, it's time to crack down with school and fall schedules. So, I was getting my summer toys together and *PUFF*......summer left.

People tell me that sometimes, here in Oregon, we'll get an Indian Summer during September. Well, I'm going to take my mixed drink, sleeveless shirt and fading tan self outside and have a pow-wow and perhaps a dance around the fire tonight (they say it should be 48 degrees tonight) for a call out to Summer to come back, or at least send it's Indian cousin.

O.K., I read the Twilight series. My family survived my addiction. I survived as well. My favorite two books of the series are Twilight and Breaking Dawn. Period.

Other things I survived this summer: 80/85 degree days (a cinch ), my Mother-in-Law visiting (nice), our friends, the Reid's visiting (which was totally fun for me), my parents visiting (which was delightful and comforting), no swimming pool filled days (sad) , camping in Eastern Oregon (hot), a road trip to Bend with my parents (fun), no fajitas or ritas (disappointment).

Now that I'm on the back side of summer, I tried the pool, again. Still too cold! Farewell to the lazy days by the pool. I have 4 more weeks until we start school. Just for the record, this was the fastest summer in my books.

I hope everyone else had a delightful summer (and hopefully it didn't go at lightening speed). Email me and let me know what you did this summer, I would love to read about it!

FREAK INCIDENT

O.K.

So Murphy, our miniature Schnauzer, came back from the groomers a week ago. He usually has a place where he incessantly licks. This time, being no different. He chose his left rear paw. No biggie, right? Well, as the week progresses, he keeps going after his paw. By Sunday, he was obsessed with chewing his foot. Walk, stop, chew. Walk, stop, chew. On and on it went. Vet is closed on Sundays and Mondays (of course). So, Tuesday, I take him in. I'm thinking of just getting him a space-age cone collar. The vet looks at it and says his foot is infected and she would like to drain it, see if there is anything in the wound and start him on some antibiotics. Murphy isn't a fan of people messing with his foot, so it would require sedation. Great. I leave Murphy in trusting hands and go on about my day. I get a phone call about an hour later from the vet. Guess what they found in Murphy's wound?! Grass seed. Yup. Really. How crazy is that? How disgusting is that? He could have picked that up anywhere! Do you know how paranoid I am now of letting him outside?

So, now he dons a space-age cone collar. (he loves it. not.) He mis-judges his space and bumps into everything. It's the funniest thing! He has pretty much mastered the stairs, though. It's still funny to watch. The funniest thing is when he goes outside. He can't quite get a good sniff of the ground to decide where the toilet of the day will be and you can just see frustration all over him! He also can't see the squirrels approaching or streaking by him on the fence. He has that Batman thing going on where he has to practically turn his whole upper half to see.

food for camping trip: $ 75
tank of gas for camping trip: $83
removing grass seed the dog hauled home in his foot from camping trip: $127
watching your dog move about in a space-age cone collar: priceless

Prayer

O.K., so James asks me this morning, "What have you been praying for?". Not a hard question. One so many times asked by him as well as other people. But, this morning it caught me by surprise. It was difficult to answer. I really haven't been "praying for" anything. My prayers have been more like running commentary on my day and thoughts and ideas and sometimes a little request for help in dealing with two boys and their antics. Sometimes, I would get a prayer request to pray for someone else and of course, I would intercede for them.

I remember a time when it seemed the only time I talked to God was to ask for something. Of course, there would be the usual comments and the gratefulness for what He has done and all of that, and then at the end, I would tack on a request (or two...or more). I thought about that time and wondered if James or my friends would like it if that's how it always was with me and them. I'd talk for awhile, maybe give them an opportunity and then, at the end of the visit, I would ask a "favor" or make a request that they do something. Now, I know God is way more patient than that and He endures so much from me. But this morning, my heart actually ached a little for Him.

I realized that during my time these past couple of months of not really making any requests of God on my behalf, I have been feeling...well, let's just say I've been feeling what the enemy would like for me to believe..."not spiritual". However, from God's perspective, it probably felt more like relief. Like His little girl was actually a bit content and satisfied, perhaps more trusting of Him and not so...worried. I wonder if I had actually been a little more "spiritual" than the norm in respect to mine and God's relationship. That whole trust thing. That whole praying without ceasing. I don't suppose my conversation with God should be peppered with "would you", "could I", etc. to be considered prayer.

Prayer is just talking with God. Sometimes it's me talking "to" God. Sometimes, maybe it isn't saying anything at all? Sometimes, I've noticed this too, that spending time with Him is sort of like laying under an umbrella at a warm beach, and not saying a word...for days (James & I have done that together)There is a comfortable silence and a special kind of knowing just being together. No words. Free and random thoughts. Sometimes, people come to mind and we talk. No big requests for immediate action. Would I consider myself out of relationship? So, what have I been praying for? hmmm.... it's a little hazy here at the beach, with God.

musings about this picture

I love that I captured this sunflower blowing in the breeze, with the river in the background. It's just a small, inexpensive Kodak camera that was used. Nothing fancy. I like that, too!

The flower, I'll call her Lizzy, really captures the essence of a sunflower. Here she is, in the sunny, warm desert, atop a hill overlooking the cool, blue river below. One can see that she enjoys the wind blowing through her petals. She's happy in the sunlight. She was created for this. That's why they call her a "sunflower". Yellow...the color of sunshine, of happiness, of freedom, of creativity, of free spiritedness. The brown in the center; solid, sturdy, dependable, anchored, thoughtful...not flighty.

The whole composition of this photo is just absolutely amazing to me. I feel encouraged when I see it. I'm going to enjoy it when it's January and it's dark and dreary outside, with cold rain. My picture of Lizzy will speak of another season; not just of summer, but of the heart and spirit.

Fairy Lanterns

Oregon is just fodder for my imagination. There are so many beautiful and interesting sites to see. So many smells, so many things to hear. Sometimes I feel how Dorothy on the Wizard of Oz must have felt when her black and white world crashed into the technicolor Oz. She slowly opens the door to her Aunt Em's simple farmhouse and there is all of this color and all of this overwhelming scenery that doesn't look like Kansas! I feel that way about Oregon. The colors up here are incredible. The smell of fresh air makes me dizzy and giddy. The sites are beyond words. I love Texas, just as I'm sure Dorothy loved Kansas and the farm, but, what a dream to experience Oz.

So, James and I were hiking up a hill next to the beach and I noticed these little flowers about the size of your baby toe's toenail. They looked like paper lanterns for fairies. Adorable, they were. Well, then, of course, I could just imagine little fairies everywhere along the forested coast using these flowers as lanterns. Then, a flood of ideas for a children's book overtook my mind. I really like how ideas come so easy up here.

By the way, the Tooth Fairy visited Autry last week and left a tiny, handwritten note:

"Dear Autry,

Thank you for the tooth.

Welcome to Oregon.

I am an artist and use teeth for my sculptures.

I live in the big tree on the shortcut to the sidewalk down at the end of your street. Say hi, when you pass by.

-Toothfairy-"

If you don't believe in fairies, then you may not want to live Oregon.

Things I love about Oregon

1. berries


2. 85 degree days


3. 60 degree nights


4. berries


5. large mountains


6. colorful flowers


7. sleeping with windows open


8. Burgerville milkshakes


9. Skyline of Portland at Twilight


10. Columbia River Gorge


11. sitting outside anytime on a summer day/night


12. the smell of the air in the morning


13. Oregon Coast


14. Farmer's Markets on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays


15. Esparza's Tex Mex on 28th and Burnside


16. seeing Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helen's on a clear day


17. A fountain RC cola at Helvetia Tavern (with their hamburgers and french fries!)


18. berries


19. hiking trails all over the place


20. Oregon wine

Dear Everyone,

It seems summer is here. Although, this is Oregon, and the weather could change in an instant. The rain has been gone for over a week now and we are threatened by 95 degree temps this weekend. I'll head to the pool. :)

The boys have enjoyed their first two weeks of summer by participating in some sport camps. Charlie played flag football and wants to play in the Fall. This week, they are doing Track and Field events. In addition, on Wednesday evenings is an "All Comers Track Meet", throughout July. The boys want to compete in that. In two weeks, they will benefit from a Skateboarding camp ("Finally, we'll learn how to ________!"). Then, Autry (and Charlie is still considering) will learn the game of Lacrosse. That should wrap up the month of July.

We are looking forward to visitors next month as well. We'll be celebrating the 4th of July with James' mom, who will arrive next Tuesday and visit for about a week. Then, at the end of July, my mom and dad will be visiting. We will also be squeezing in a church-wide campout in the middle of July.

Then, in August, we will resume our quiet little life of just the four of us. Ahhhh...still summer (school officially begins up here after Labor Day). Now you are aware of our plans. And I'll post some pictures as the days go on and as adventures continue.

I think of you all quite frequently and say a little prayer (sometimes) when I do. We miss everyone and would love to see you and hang out with you again. Someday...

I hope you have a marvelous summer and make terrific family/friend memories. Cherish those who are in your life and make it a point to hang out with them this summer, while you supposedly have time. Eat together. Laugh together. Play. Enjoy your relationships. This is my desire for "all ya'll".

With lots of Love,
m

a book titled "The Shack"

has anyone read it? Please let me know your thoughts on it. Thanks.

I DID IT!

I went to the pool yesterday! It was 75 degrees and sunny. It felt like 82. Still not quite hot enough, but I went anyway. Yes, I wore a swim suit. Yes, I put sunblock SPF 50 on me. Yes, I took snacks and a book. NO, I DID NOT GET INTO THE WATER! Are you crazy??!! My boys did, though.

Then, in a real rush of joy for marking the beginning of summer, I turned the a/c on in my car when we were coming home. Of course, I had to freeze us out because to get it to "blow like we like it" I had to set it to 59 degrees!! The boys thought that was funny, because in TX, the lowest we could get it was 74 (it only cools 20 degrees less than the outside temp), and typically, it was more like 78 or 80 degrees inside the car ("blowing like we like it"). So, we get home and think we'll linger in the swimsuits for awhile and sip on some lemonade. Well, it was a little chilly for that, so we changed clothes and still had lemonade. No nap. The heat didn't "take it out of us".

Regardless, we, Michelle, Autry and Charlie can now say, "Summer is here".

Rites of Summer

New place. Familiar season. Confusion.

It's summer-time in Oregon (the Northern Hemisphere, generally speaking). It's 52 degrees on June 18th at 9:30 a.m. I have been wearing a light jacket or "hoodie" for about 2 months now. I suspect this will be case for most of the year. But, this very act is messing with my psyche. You see, I am accustomed to marking the beginning of summer (in Texas that would be mid-May) with a trip to the pool (outdoors, heated by the sun, with 90+ degree heat surrounding my body and sunshine beaming down on everyone). Then, summer routine sets in. Wake up, eat breakfast/brunch and head out to the pool about 10a.m., snack on berries and lemonade and nuts while reading for 15 minutes, dipping into the pool to cool off for 10 minutes (repeat as needed), go home about 1:30p.m, shower off and lotion up, put shorts and sleeveless shirt on, take a nap/do some school work/visit friends/go to mall or movies, prepare salad and some meat for the grill, eat dinner (with or without friends), head outside with the electric fan (hot patio and it keeps mosquitoes at bay for a little while), start swatting the mosquitoes after an hour ( they get hungry and persevere through the "fan wind") and head back inside, shower off (again, because of the sweat and general stickiness and perhaps the smoke from the grill is still stuck to your skin), slip into thin cotton gown, baby oil slathered on, watch some re-runs or a movie, head to bed about 10:30pm (the sun has been gone for an hour and a half!).

That was my routine. Everyday. It was great! I miss that. I don't know anything else. So wearing this blue "hoodie" is confusing for me. It is summer (the calendar tells me so), but there hasn't been a rite of passage into summer this year. I don't know what to do with myself quite frankly. Go to the pool? HA! It's 52 degrees, remember? Sip some lemonade? How about some hot cocoa, it's 52 degrees! I guess I'll go curl up on the sofa with a blanket and a book and a cup of hot (rather than iced) tea.

Okay, so here are some exceptional things about summer in Oregon (my mom says I should find the bright side): STRAWBERRIES (they taste naturally like a Welch's Strawberry drink),
CHERRIES ($1.99/lb woohoo), NO MOSQUITOES (that I'm aware of), FLOWERS ARE STILL BLOOMING (holy cow!! you should see some of the flowers you could buy at the farmers markets, which are an every Saturday occurrence at various convenient locations and I should say they make this "brighter side" list) NO HUMIDITY, NO STICKY, ICKY, SWEATING, and it's 52 degrees outside at 9:48a.m on a Wednesday morning in mid/late June.

nuances

So things here in Oregon are mostly like the rest the United States. But, it's when one moves and begins to live somewhere different does one realize there are just a few slight differences. I'm sure these things vary from region to region as well as culture to culture. Here are a few differences that I've noticed living here in Oregon as opposed to Texas:

• Parking lots - several ways in but two ways out (and it takes awhile to figure that out, put it to memory and retrieve that data when needed). You may or may not be allowed to exit the same way you entered.
• Bicycle lanes - yes, there on the right hand side just this side of the shoulder. And, what really takes getting used to is looking for the cyclists before you switch to the right turning lane, because the cycling lane divides the right turn lane and the straight away lane.
• Having someone else pump your gas. It is unlawful for me to do it. So, if there is a vacant pump and a time constraint and a slow attendant...well, there's a situation. At least it isn't hot out!
• There aren't any fried chicken joints. Well, KFC, but really, there aren't any fried chicken joints.
• Portlanders are proud of their beer. More proud than Texans.
• Dawn's light (in June) occurs between 4:45 and 5:05 a.m.
• Evening twilight continues until 10:15pm (will probably be longer in July).
• Movie theatre auditoriums are smaller. More compact. Stadium seating, yes. 2 story auditoriums, no. Big and wide auditoriums, no.
• Recycling receptacles are at the city parks.
• $.05 refunds on beer bottles.
• $.05 surcharge for every plastic bottle or can of soda (pop, as it is termed up here). Yes, you buy a 6 pack or a 24 pack, you pay the sale price + $.05/bottle/can.
• Not too many clover shaped on/off ramps at the freeways
• Purple houses up here don't look so bad and wealthy people just might live in one!
• Subaru's are the car of choice, so it seems. Not too many pickup trucks.
• Dogs rule. They can go just about anywhere here.

That's just off the top of my head. I know there are more things, but I'm out of time.

What I'm Thinking About Right Now

• My sweetie.
• Our 15th wedding anniversary (May 29th)
• Our weekend away from two boys (May 31-June 1st)
• The beautiful scenery we'll see here in Oregon
• The pleasant 70/75 degree weathe (all weekend)
• Jake's seafood restaurant ( the "best" in Portland)
• A beer inspired by a type of rock (obsidian)
• My parents coming to visit in July/Aug.
• How the Villa's weekend will be with my two boys
• A warm beach would be nice
• 15 years with my sweetie, my best friend, my favorite person on the planet, my lover, my biggest fan

Annoying emails

you know the ones... the one I'm referring to, today however, is the "Don't-vote-for-Obama-do-you-know-who-he-is-it-is-scary-etc. " email that most of my Christian friends have forwarded to me in the past friggin' 8 months!!! Now, I love my friends. But, just let me rant a moment about this. IS THIS REALLY THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN? God is aware of the entire world and what is going on. In fact, He pretty much has set the days and times to his timepiece. The Bible predicts the end of the world and there is absoulutely NOTHING we can do to stop it. If Obama being prez means we are now at the "end of the world", just like the Bible predicts, then GLORY TO GOD! JESUS WILL BE RETURNING VERY SOON AND THIS COULD BE THE VERY BEST THING THAT HAPPENS!!

I love America. I love the church (those who are part of the body of Christ). I love people. I don't like that we, as Americans, have had it far too easy compared to the rest of civilization on this planet. Don't get me wrong, I like it easy. In fact, I looooove easy. But, easy doesn't cause us to grow. Easy breeds selfishness and so many times, lack of compassion. We have to be jarred awake to have compassion. I"m only talking about me, of course. I have it so easy that I have to be shown or told about someone suffering before I will feel empathy (just simply knowing in the back of my head that there is human suffering doesn't motivate me, sadly. Perhaps I feel like I can't make a difference, so why bother). Then, there is this whole filter of thoughts to bring about pity or compassion. Compassion is when I actually DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Pity is when, I feel bad that "they" don't have it as easy as me and so I will say a prayer for "them" and maybe throw some change in the coffers and then go about my merry way. This is pretty much how I live my American Christian life. I have a hunch that most of us live this way, also.

So, how does having Obama as president change things? Well if you've ever read any of those "alarming" emails, it apparently changes everything we know to be "American way of life". Maybe that's God's plan? Hmmmm.... maybe it's time to take persecution seriously. Maybe we will pray more fervently. Maybe we would repent and not be so prideful. Maybe these hard times will really cause us to press into God in a more real and substantial way. Maybe our hearts toward our fellow man would be affected in such a way that we would start to show love. Maybe that's the difference it could make. Things could be so bad, that we band together and as Jesus said, it's by our love for one another that they will know we are His disciples. Not love of ourselves and our easy American life. But, our love for others and being motivated by this love to reach out with compassion, not pity. We, perhaps will come to understand God in a whole new way and allow His love to flow through us to others for the world to see.

I by no way mean to discredit the gravity of this presidential election. I am aware that there is a spiritual war going on in the heavenlies and I know how leadership can affect the country. I also know the power of prayer, and the contentment of knowing that God is in ultimate control and it is ONLY HIM THAT GIVES PEACE in such an unsettling atmosphere. We should all look to Him and truly trust that He knows what is best. He promises to never leave us nor forsake us. If you know, and I mean really KNOW those truths, then, really, is having Obama for president really the worst thing that could happen?

picture

This is a park about 3 miles north of us. We discovered it Monday on a family bike ride. It is near the library. I'm sure the boys and I will frequent this park this summer when we ride our bikes to the library, select some books and go picnic at this loveley park.

new virtual digs

Here I am. I moved the punchbowl to blogger. Hopefully, this will be easier for me as well as my guests to use. Please let me know if you like the new location. This is the end of this post.