Sunday, November 30, 2008

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, a surprise visit from our daughter Lu and husband Matt and little Maggie and a scrumpcious Spanish turkey dinner tweaked by Chris and Tomoko from Food and Wine magazine.

Two days before, Neil's mom was sent to emergency room with renal failure and now very slowly recovering in the hospital. God's timing was good for her to see her great grandchildren and her grandchildren that she doesn't see very often.

I know we are to praise and thank God in all circumstances so we are trying, along with praying for her recovery and wisdom regarding our planned trip starting Thursday. Sorry for the short blog without picture.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

What's happened to the blog?

We are back in the San Juan Islands for a few days after our fun travel to California for Maggie's baptism and to see her parents as well. We've been on the go this and next month too, so I can't seem to get caught up and may not.

The pictures Neil took last week, when we were visiting our granddaughter and her parents, were accidentaly deleted (not again). I had hoped to get them on the blog. I think I will have to get my old camera up and running again and take more time to write. But perhaps it is time to take a break and change gears on this bumpy road.

We are thankful this season to have good health to travel, as well as some funds for now, and a family that we enjoy. Thank you for checking in on us even though this spot is under construction with road blocks.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

In California

Grandaughter Maggie on day of Baptism
We are in California for Maggie's baptism today, a wonderfully memorable day where the parents and congregation confessed Jesus as their Lord and Savior and committed to helping raise Maggie in a way honoring God. It was a fun filled week getting to know her better. This is a clip from my video camera as all the other pictures were accidently deleted.
Memories are made and memories deleted, unable to retrieve. We spend most of our lives trying to delete the unpleasant ones and retrive the pleasant ones. I have been learning lately that when emotional pain is connected to memories, it is not caused by the event itself, but the lies we believe about ourselves in relation to painful events. As these memories are retrieved and the emotions felt, Jesus personally gives us truth in place of the lies and we are set free from the connecting pain surrounding these events. I've experienced it recently and am learning to quietly help others so Jesus can set them free from the pain and be transformed as well. How wonderful to be available to Maggie and other grandchildren in the future to help them connect to Jesus who will also give them insight through tough times as well.
John 8:32 "Then you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free."

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Peace

We are away in Victoria BC this week. The heavy rains have hastened the colorful leaf drop leaving a carpet of color under the bared trees. So today with a rain free walk in Buchaart Gardens, and sun peaking through, we enjoyed the peace and beauty of less crowds and the changing seasons, my favorite time of year.
Perhaps tomorrow I'll have a chance to put some of the pictures on this spot.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Autumn color

Neil at Buchart Gardens


Until I get my camera and my brain working again, the posts are sparce.
This week I noticed the brilliant autumn color here in the Pacific Northwest, more beautiful than I remember it for a long time. It is my favorite time of year and as the leaves let go of their attachments, so am I letting go of the too many things I have crowded into my life, not bad things, but too many interests and not enough focus. So bear with me in this season of change.