My life is connected to several time zones: my son is 3 hours ahead of me; my father is 1 hour ahead of me; and my daughter is 14 hours ahead of me. It's that last one that gives me the most trouble. I have a clock next to my computer that is set for Indonesian time so I don't have to try to remember it!
Some states have more than one time zone, but not Washington. Why is it then, that when I think about calling a friend on the east side of the Cascades, my first consideration is, "What time is it there?"
It seems like a much greater distance than it really is --- from East to West of the mountains. It's not just the miles that separate us in this state. There are so many differences in culture, politics, and more.
It feels like I've moved to a new time zone. We are going to need a new definition of time travel!
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Friday, July 18, 2014
God Works Things Out
I wrote this yesterday, but didn't publish it.
On this day 43 years ago, I woke up in my parents' basement in Port Angeles and wondered if I was making a mistake. By the end of the day I would be married and stepping into a completely different world than the one I knew.
Today Marvin and I are going to be focusing on the funny stories from these years. Here are a few:
--- July, hot, and Marvin started out with long underwear on, as a joke, but had to take them off when it became stifling hot!
--- We went to church the next morning, and went to 3 campmeetings on our honeymoon. We also read Lillie McCutcheon's, The Symbols Speak, on that trip. Not to mention spending 3 weeks with his family in Kansas. What????
--- Baked 8 pies a day to sell at the college snack bar and transported them in our Austin Healey.
--- Moved to California and drove for miles in the desert sand --- because we did not believe the map was right when it said I-10 was not yet completed.
--- Hired as youth pastors and lived in the church nursery...had the biggest (3 stall) bathroom, and huge kitchen.
--- Moved to our own apartment and then the earthquake struck...Marvin thought I was shaking him awake.
--- Moved to Ontario and lived in a 100 yr. old house that was a parsonage. Marvin was a 22 yr. old pastor. We knew so little about what we were doing.
--- In Ontario Marvin not only blew himself off of an in-ground gas tank, he went sky-diving for the first and last time---on a dare from his Sunday school class.
On this day 43 years ago, I woke up in my parents' basement in Port Angeles and wondered if I was making a mistake. By the end of the day I would be married and stepping into a completely different world than the one I knew.
Today Marvin and I are going to be focusing on the funny stories from these years. Here are a few:
--- July, hot, and Marvin started out with long underwear on, as a joke, but had to take them off when it became stifling hot!
--- We went to church the next morning, and went to 3 campmeetings on our honeymoon. We also read Lillie McCutcheon's, The Symbols Speak, on that trip. Not to mention spending 3 weeks with his family in Kansas. What????
--- Baked 8 pies a day to sell at the college snack bar and transported them in our Austin Healey.
--- Moved to California and drove for miles in the desert sand --- because we did not believe the map was right when it said I-10 was not yet completed.
--- Hired as youth pastors and lived in the church nursery...had the biggest (3 stall) bathroom, and huge kitchen.
--- Moved to our own apartment and then the earthquake struck...Marvin thought I was shaking him awake.
--- Moved to Ontario and lived in a 100 yr. old house that was a parsonage. Marvin was a 22 yr. old pastor. We knew so little about what we were doing.
--- In Ontario Marvin not only blew himself off of an in-ground gas tank, he went sky-diving for the first and last time---on a dare from his Sunday school class.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
A JOY STRENGTH MORNING
I am finally learning to listen to Him in a different way...thanks to JOY STARTS HERE. Here's what happened this morning.
I have been crabby about some things, especially at the nursing home. I have struggled with changes and been frustrated. When this happens, I recognize that I do not have the peace that comes with remembering: God is with me. (That's what Jesus' name, Immanuel, means.)
This morning I sat outside and asked Him what my problem is...and He showed me these things:
---The sudden death of our friend with HD brought me vividly to the point that I will be facing the same thing in due time.
---My frustrations with the nursing home staff and issues are about trying to hold on to my husband. I want him to be comfortable, but that is not always possible-for me, you, nor Marvin.
---I can do only so much, and the rest is definitely in His hands.
After I grieved some, I wanted to play some music...and I came upon Carol Cymbala's, He's Been Faithful. One of my favorites. Here's the words to verse 1:
In my moments of fear, through every pain, every tear,
There's a God who's been faithful to me.
When my strength was all gone, when my heart had no song,
Still in love, He's proved faithful to me.
Every word He's promised is true; What I thought was impossible,
I see my God do.
He's been faithful, faithful to me, looking back His love and mercy I see.
Though in my heart I have questioned, even failed to believe,
Yet He's been faithful, faithful to me.
I am back to peace in my heart...thank you, Lord.
I have been crabby about some things, especially at the nursing home. I have struggled with changes and been frustrated. When this happens, I recognize that I do not have the peace that comes with remembering: God is with me. (That's what Jesus' name, Immanuel, means.)
This morning I sat outside and asked Him what my problem is...and He showed me these things:
---The sudden death of our friend with HD brought me vividly to the point that I will be facing the same thing in due time.
---My frustrations with the nursing home staff and issues are about trying to hold on to my husband. I want him to be comfortable, but that is not always possible-for me, you, nor Marvin.
---I can do only so much, and the rest is definitely in His hands.
After I grieved some, I wanted to play some music...and I came upon Carol Cymbala's, He's Been Faithful. One of my favorites. Here's the words to verse 1:
In my moments of fear, through every pain, every tear,
There's a God who's been faithful to me.
When my strength was all gone, when my heart had no song,
Still in love, He's proved faithful to me.
Every word He's promised is true; What I thought was impossible,
I see my God do.
He's been faithful, faithful to me, looking back His love and mercy I see.
Though in my heart I have questioned, even failed to believe,
Yet He's been faithful, faithful to me.
I am back to peace in my heart...thank you, Lord.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
BIRDS
I've been sitting outside mornings with my journal and books...partly because the air is so fresh, and because we have so many funny friends in the trees and yard.
There are some resident squirrels, and many transient birds. I have been trying to pay attention to what's going on back there!
Some time ago I watched a PBS special on crows which delighted and surprised me. When a crow comes swooping into the trees, it is never a quiet arrival. Often they sound angry and at other times, bored. After learning a bit about them, I would really like to know their language!
Today a robin flew in. I was hoping he would stay awhile, but he was hyperactive. He landed on the bark and looked for food, then bounced to a tree branch, before hopping up on the fence and flying away.
I try to let my mind wander for awhile when I'm "communing with nature." Today a question arose: where do these birds sleep? I know the nests are not for sleeping. I had to look it up online, and the results were fascinating.
I especially liked the part where some birds can sleep "with one eye open," a unique gift from their brains. In a big flock of water fowl, the birds in the center are able to sleep normally because they are safe, but the ones on periphery are vigilant and sleeping with an eye open for predators.
Where are you safe? Where can you really get rest? Who is on guard in your life?
There are some resident squirrels, and many transient birds. I have been trying to pay attention to what's going on back there!
Some time ago I watched a PBS special on crows which delighted and surprised me. When a crow comes swooping into the trees, it is never a quiet arrival. Often they sound angry and at other times, bored. After learning a bit about them, I would really like to know their language!
Today a robin flew in. I was hoping he would stay awhile, but he was hyperactive. He landed on the bark and looked for food, then bounced to a tree branch, before hopping up on the fence and flying away.
I try to let my mind wander for awhile when I'm "communing with nature." Today a question arose: where do these birds sleep? I know the nests are not for sleeping. I had to look it up online, and the results were fascinating.
I especially liked the part where some birds can sleep "with one eye open," a unique gift from their brains. In a big flock of water fowl, the birds in the center are able to sleep normally because they are safe, but the ones on periphery are vigilant and sleeping with an eye open for predators.
Where are you safe? Where can you really get rest? Who is on guard in your life?
Thursday, July 3, 2014
A Nudge
Someone asked me recently, "Are you still writing on your blog?" "Not much," was my response. It has been awhile because of life circumstances, moves, retirement, and more. Today I decided to work on it a bit.
I write every day in a journal. Some people want me to digitize everything so I can be free of paper. Perhaps they don't want to help move my journals again, or they just want to save the trees, which is admirable.
But typing will never replace writing by hand. When I use my hand, it feels like emotions drip right out of my pen. Whatever angered me the day before is released into the very ink on the page. The frustrations flow, and my log-jam is broken. When I finish "throwing up" on the page, I often end with this prayer, "Lord, now I need to hear from You!"
I don't just open the Bible to any old place. I usually am doing some kind of systematic book study. It doesn't really matter where I read. If I sincerely want to hear from Him, something in the Word speaks. It may be a desperate story from the Old Testament, a comforting word from the psalmist, or an amazing prophecy from Isaiah. The words of the gospels inspire and ignite ideas, as well as demand my serious attention.
One of the amazing promises God made is this: "If you seek me, you will find me." God's not hiding; He is dogging our every step. If we would just stop running from Him and turn around, we would smack right into Him!
I write every day in a journal. Some people want me to digitize everything so I can be free of paper. Perhaps they don't want to help move my journals again, or they just want to save the trees, which is admirable.
But typing will never replace writing by hand. When I use my hand, it feels like emotions drip right out of my pen. Whatever angered me the day before is released into the very ink on the page. The frustrations flow, and my log-jam is broken. When I finish "throwing up" on the page, I often end with this prayer, "Lord, now I need to hear from You!"
I don't just open the Bible to any old place. I usually am doing some kind of systematic book study. It doesn't really matter where I read. If I sincerely want to hear from Him, something in the Word speaks. It may be a desperate story from the Old Testament, a comforting word from the psalmist, or an amazing prophecy from Isaiah. The words of the gospels inspire and ignite ideas, as well as demand my serious attention.
One of the amazing promises God made is this: "If you seek me, you will find me." God's not hiding; He is dogging our every step. If we would just stop running from Him and turn around, we would smack right into Him!
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Full Circle
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.
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, 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?
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