I was born in Lebanon, Oregon. My parents moved to Port Angeles when I was 5 years old to help start a Church or God congregation there. I graduated from PAHS and left home at 18. I went to college in Portland for a year and then left for Southern California in 1969; I didn't have a clue where life would take me.
From California to Houston, back to California, to Indiana, to Bangkok, Thailand, and back to Indiana...and then to Sunnyside, WA. Now I'm getting ready to move back to Western Washington in the summer-to Seattle, not Port Angeles.
If you had told me that I would end up back so close to where I started, I would never have believed you. I didn't plan this. But I have learned to trust that God has a plan, and that I really will benefit from listening to Him and following His leading.
I don't know every detail about what is planned for my life from here on out, but I know some things...I know I will get to visit my children and grandchildren more often. I know I have some friends from the 70s and 80s that live in Western Washington, with whom I am looking forward to re-establishing our friendships. Some of those folks I knew in Portland, California, and even in Thailand.
When I was 5 years old and my parents took us to Washington, I had no clue of the amazing beauty, the refreshing ocean breezes found here, nor how it would one day restore my battered soul. Now I'm coming full circle, and God has been faithful to me --- every single step of the way.
I hope you are trusting Him with your life plans...the adventures are endless when He's guiding.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Questions
As I begin the arduous task of sorting, throwing, selling, giving away stuff in preparation for moving, I know I will find surprises along the way. Questions arise from this kind of endeavor:
Q: What was I thinking, keeping that?
Q: Who would want this, and who can I send it to?
Q: How many of the same picture do I need anyway?
Today I threw away my hair! Really. My mother did not cut my hair until I was five. She liked to play with it, like I was a doll, putting pieces of it bobby pins so it would become ringlets. I had two golden curls on the crown of my brown hair. Those two curls and the ringlets have been saved for 60 years!
Q: Why did we save my hair?
I have photographs of people I don't know, will never know, maybe I've heard a story about, but I don't recall.
Q: What would happen if I just put them in an envelope and mailed them to a random address? Pay attention in case you get some pictures of unknown people in the mail!
For a long time I have resisted saving things simply from sentimentality, and yet...here I am with more than my share. I don't just want things that remind of people or places. I want to be with the people and visit the places!
What are you hanging on to?
Q: What was I thinking, keeping that?
Q: Who would want this, and who can I send it to?
Q: How many of the same picture do I need anyway?
Today I threw away my hair! Really. My mother did not cut my hair until I was five. She liked to play with it, like I was a doll, putting pieces of it bobby pins so it would become ringlets. I had two golden curls on the crown of my brown hair. Those two curls and the ringlets have been saved for 60 years!
Q: Why did we save my hair?
I have photographs of people I don't know, will never know, maybe I've heard a story about, but I don't recall.
Q: What would happen if I just put them in an envelope and mailed them to a random address? Pay attention in case you get some pictures of unknown people in the mail!
For a long time I have resisted saving things simply from sentimentality, and yet...here I am with more than my share. I don't just want things that remind of people or places. I want to be with the people and visit the places!
What are you hanging on to?
Thursday, January 30, 2014
A Jesus Touch
Last night after dinner I wheeled Marvin down to see the goldfish and bird in the lobby. It was abuzz with activity, so we didn't stay long. As we were turning to go, Ron came up the hall.
Ron pastored the Lutheran Church here when I was pastoring the Church of God. We spent much time in ministers' meetings. He knew my husband from his role as "minister's wife" - that's what Marvin called himself.
Ron is now the Hospice Chaplain in our town. He walked up to Marvin, who was drooling with his after-dinner drool. Ron placed one hand gently on Marvin's shoulder, and took Marvin's stiff, crooked hand in his other hand. He looked deeply into Marvin's face and eyes and said, "Marvin, how are you?" "Fine," was Marvin's answer.
Ron said, "I think of you two often." Then he gave me a hug, and left to his duties.
As Marvin laid down on his love seat, I said, "It was good to see Ron, wasn't it? He's the Hospice Chaplain here." Marvin quickly said, "That's what I need."
Those few moments were just that--- very few. But I am still feeling the warmth of Ron's reflection of Jesus to both of us. That's what it felt like...it could have been the Master who walked around the corner...in fact, it was Christ living through Ron.
Be Jesus to somebody today, please.
Ron pastored the Lutheran Church here when I was pastoring the Church of God. We spent much time in ministers' meetings. He knew my husband from his role as "minister's wife" - that's what Marvin called himself.
Ron is now the Hospice Chaplain in our town. He walked up to Marvin, who was drooling with his after-dinner drool. Ron placed one hand gently on Marvin's shoulder, and took Marvin's stiff, crooked hand in his other hand. He looked deeply into Marvin's face and eyes and said, "Marvin, how are you?" "Fine," was Marvin's answer.
Ron said, "I think of you two often." Then he gave me a hug, and left to his duties.
As Marvin laid down on his love seat, I said, "It was good to see Ron, wasn't it? He's the Hospice Chaplain here." Marvin quickly said, "That's what I need."
Those few moments were just that--- very few. But I am still feeling the warmth of Ron's reflection of Jesus to both of us. That's what it felt like...it could have been the Master who walked around the corner...in fact, it was Christ living through Ron.
Be Jesus to somebody today, please.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
A NEW BOOK!
I'm supposed to be getting rid of books, so I bought another one recently. I am wishing I could afford to purchase copies for all of my WORD FRIENDS.
This volume is called, "The Pocket Muse; ideas and inspirations for writing," by Monica Wood. It is a beautiful book, filled with captivating photos, quotes, stories, and ideas and inspirations for writing.
I tried one of the exercises today. The topic was: "Write about someone who is pretending to be someone or something that he is not." It didn't take me long to think of someone, and the words just poured out onto the computer. (Don't worry; it's not any of you who read my blog or Facebook!)
I do love words, and I'm trying to be diligent to write more every day. There are so many things to write about!
What story do you need to tell?
This volume is called, "The Pocket Muse; ideas and inspirations for writing," by Monica Wood. It is a beautiful book, filled with captivating photos, quotes, stories, and ideas and inspirations for writing.
I tried one of the exercises today. The topic was: "Write about someone who is pretending to be someone or something that he is not." It didn't take me long to think of someone, and the words just poured out onto the computer. (Don't worry; it's not any of you who read my blog or Facebook!)
I do love words, and I'm trying to be diligent to write more every day. There are so many things to write about!
What story do you need to tell?
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Living in the In-Between
New Year's Day, 2014---I am reveling in having my daughter visit from Indonesia. Although her time here is short, it has been good. We have enjoyed each other's company so much. She is gentle, loving, and supportive. When she is here, I let down and feel myself relaxing a bit more from my responsibilities for my husband's care. We play word games, laugh at stupid stuff, joke with each other, share our grief and tears, and allow each other to be who we are.
We talk about the end of life, of her daddy's life, my life, and even hers. We know our wishes and desires. It doesn't mean we aren't enjoying the time we have together. It means we are living in the in-between.
We believe this earthly journey is not all there is. We believe that one day we will not have to say "goodbye" again. We believe that Jesus is the One who holds us all together, and that one day we will be free from physical limitations, disease, and pain. We will be with the One who gave His life to make it all possible.
We have much for which to be thankful, and much for which to pray in 2014. We will do both. Many today are wishing folks happiness and peace in 2014. I agree with those wishes. I also wish for all of us: the opportunity to grow and mature in our faith in the coming year...through whatever comes to us...and to know Christ better and grow closer to Him each passing day.
I am reminded of my former pastor and friend, Bud, who argued with God, plead with God, reminded God of His promises, and surrendered to the will of God in his life. That's what I want in 2014...a relationship with God like that. Then whatever life brings to us this year, we will face with grace, mercy, and an abiding trust in His plans.
So much for my New Year's meanderings! Blessings
We talk about the end of life, of her daddy's life, my life, and even hers. We know our wishes and desires. It doesn't mean we aren't enjoying the time we have together. It means we are living in the in-between.
We believe this earthly journey is not all there is. We believe that one day we will not have to say "goodbye" again. We believe that Jesus is the One who holds us all together, and that one day we will be free from physical limitations, disease, and pain. We will be with the One who gave His life to make it all possible.
We have much for which to be thankful, and much for which to pray in 2014. We will do both. Many today are wishing folks happiness and peace in 2014. I agree with those wishes. I also wish for all of us: the opportunity to grow and mature in our faith in the coming year...through whatever comes to us...and to know Christ better and grow closer to Him each passing day.
I am reminded of my former pastor and friend, Bud, who argued with God, plead with God, reminded God of His promises, and surrendered to the will of God in his life. That's what I want in 2014...a relationship with God like that. Then whatever life brings to us this year, we will face with grace, mercy, and an abiding trust in His plans.
So much for my New Year's meanderings! Blessings
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
SHOPPING and the Year of Small Things
This week a friend left a gift bag on my door. Inside were some Christmas dish towels and a cookie cutter. The cookie cutter looked like modern art, and I had to look at it carefully to see that it said, "JOY." I have to make some sugar cookies just so I can eat JOY.
I did not purchase big gifts for anyone this year...I did some special giving --- like massages for co-workers from a massage therapist, a few crocheted items, and some other small things.
Tonight...Christmas Eve...the news anchor reported that we aren't doing so well this year. We, consumers, aren't living up to the expectations of retailers. We're not spending enough. We're not going deep enough in debt. We're affecting their bottom line. Yeah for us!
I refuse to be made to feel guilty that I don't want to max out even one credit card. I don't want to buy stupid gifts that people are going to re-gift or put in the back of the closet. I don't want to worry about whether I will offend someone by not giving them a gift or giving them something they hate.
I refuse to allow anything to keep me from the truth of Christmas. Jesus, the Son of God, became a human being in order to die for the sins of the world. Truth and Life born in obscurity...Power and Glory living among us. And Immanuel, God with us in our midst. That's BIG.
I did not purchase big gifts for anyone this year...I did some special giving --- like massages for co-workers from a massage therapist, a few crocheted items, and some other small things.
Tonight...Christmas Eve...the news anchor reported that we aren't doing so well this year. We, consumers, aren't living up to the expectations of retailers. We're not spending enough. We're not going deep enough in debt. We're affecting their bottom line. Yeah for us!
I refuse to be made to feel guilty that I don't want to max out even one credit card. I don't want to buy stupid gifts that people are going to re-gift or put in the back of the closet. I don't want to worry about whether I will offend someone by not giving them a gift or giving them something they hate.
I refuse to allow anything to keep me from the truth of Christmas. Jesus, the Son of God, became a human being in order to die for the sins of the world. Truth and Life born in obscurity...Power and Glory living among us. And Immanuel, God with us in our midst. That's BIG.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
What Are You Doing for Christmas?
I was asked that question yesterday. People expect you to say, "Going to see my relatives," or "Hosting friends for a meal," or something. They don't expect silence. "Well," I said, "I think I will just go feed Marvin and be with him for a few hours."
If you know me, you know what happened to me after 11 years in Asia. Christmas changed forever. It would no longer be about decorations, lots and lots of presents, a huge dinner, and going home for the holiday.
I remember the homesickness that surprised me so much the first couple of years in Bangkok. I clung to everything from my past to try to create a feeling of normalcy.
We did eat dinners with friends there and with complete strangers, who happened to be traveling the world, stuck in Bangkok at Christmas. We did buy or make gifts --- simple, inexpensive gifts. Most of all we focused on the homemade nativity scene and thought of what a difference Jesus could make.
When we returned to America, I missed the simplicity of Christmas in Asia. I have even made other people frustrated by my unwillingness to throw myself into the decorating and shopping abyss. I sometimes struggle with church Christmas programs, where the focus is sometimes on the people involved more than in celebrating the Christ.
Oh, I still buy some gifts, hopefully ones that are meaningful. I still attend some functions. I just don't get the nostalgic feelings others treasure.
This year Marvin and I will talk about the Christmas story; we will give thanks for God who became flesh and blood so He could die for our sins, and bring redemption from this life --- of sin, diseases like Huntington's, and pain.
Above all else, Christmas means: THIS IS NOT ALL THERE IS because JESUS CAME.
If you know me, you know what happened to me after 11 years in Asia. Christmas changed forever. It would no longer be about decorations, lots and lots of presents, a huge dinner, and going home for the holiday.
I remember the homesickness that surprised me so much the first couple of years in Bangkok. I clung to everything from my past to try to create a feeling of normalcy.
We did eat dinners with friends there and with complete strangers, who happened to be traveling the world, stuck in Bangkok at Christmas. We did buy or make gifts --- simple, inexpensive gifts. Most of all we focused on the homemade nativity scene and thought of what a difference Jesus could make.
When we returned to America, I missed the simplicity of Christmas in Asia. I have even made other people frustrated by my unwillingness to throw myself into the decorating and shopping abyss. I sometimes struggle with church Christmas programs, where the focus is sometimes on the people involved more than in celebrating the Christ.
Oh, I still buy some gifts, hopefully ones that are meaningful. I still attend some functions. I just don't get the nostalgic feelings others treasure.
This year Marvin and I will talk about the Christmas story; we will give thanks for God who became flesh and blood so He could die for our sins, and bring redemption from this life --- of sin, diseases like Huntington's, and pain.
Above all else, Christmas means: THIS IS NOT ALL THERE IS because JESUS CAME.
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