tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19482693137612728742024-03-05T00:43:04.225-08:00Just Sayin'Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-77699474559403301762014-09-22T20:09:00.000-07:002014-09-22T20:09:32.625-07:00Exodus 15:2<br />
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The LORD is my strength and my song: He has become my salvation. He is my God and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him.<br />
<br />
From 1990 to 1994, my husband and I had the privilege of serving with Habitat for Humanity International in La Paz, Bolivia. Our two young children were also part of the adventure. The Habitat for Humanity project was a "project on paper." That meant it was brand squeaky new and we were brand squeaky new International Partners, sent to Bolivia to get the project organized and up and going.<br />
<br />
We soon learned that anxious landowners are eager, ready and raring to build. But first, materials need to be purchased, experienced local house-builders need to be found, local landowners need to be organized into groups to work on each other's homes and local families that qualify for Habitat materials need to be selected. This requires a local purchasing committee, a local money managing committee, and a local family selection committee, at the very least.<br />
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It took about a year to get all the committees organized and the materials bought. We organized qualified families into groups of four. The families worked on building each other's houses.<br />
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Towards the end of our time in Bolivia, the committees decided to celebrate the progress made by having a picnic for the committee members. The houses we built were in the area known as El Alto. El Alto is at 14,000 feet; barren, brown and cold. It is where the poor live. The better off Bolivians lived an hour down the mountain where there was grass, palm trees and balmy weather. It was a real treat to go down the mountain and there is where the celebratory picnic would be held.<br />
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The barbecue grill was actually 1/2 of an oil barrel. The park was unremarkable. There was a fenced off area to play soccer and relax. The picnic included barbecued chicken, local bread and pop.<br />
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I had picked my chicken bones pretty bare and was searching about for a trash can. As I was searching, I was enjoying the feelings of belonging, of accomplishing so much together, of making a difference.<br />
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I had no luck finding a trash can and decided to look for a deserving dog for my scraps. A member of one of the Habitat committees saw me searching about and said, "Why don't you give your scraps to that little girl over there by the fence?"<br />
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I know the pain the Grinch felt when his heart "grew two sizes." I had not even seen the girl, much less thought of giving her my scraps. I gave them to her. She eagerly accepted them. I felt like weeping for my bounty and my blindness.Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-33779869607653915752014-09-09T17:41:00.000-07:002014-09-09T17:41:12.011-07:00Psalm 9:10<br />
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Those who know Your Name will trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You.<br />
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My apologies for missing last week's blog entry! Monday was a holiday and suddenly it was the weekend! I nearly missed this week's entry due to battling a virus. Another school year, another blast of germs!<br />
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I have come to realize in reviewing my diary that I am weaving a tale. I will strive to share things with this purpose in mind. Therefore, how's about another diary entry from 1990? We left training in Georgia briefly to attend two weddings and visit family in Minnesota and North Dakota. Our time of training in Georgia was winding down... <br />
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07-09-90<br />
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We're back! We had nine days of weddings, dancing, GREAT FOOD, visiting, driving, being wanted, being loved, being cared for and cared about! Thank You Abba! I'm going to nod off. Thank you God for Your care of us. It is complete. Amen<br />
<br />
07-10-90<br />
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Today in training we will cover construction. I don't try to do all the readings. Naughty me. Hope I don't get "crawled." I feel a lack of pressure and worry and concern. Thank You Abba. I'm glad I'm going through training with my thorough, detail oriented hubby. He takes good care of me and the kiddies. Because God loves us, we will be OK. I like construction. I'll get a hammer high, I hope! I've cleared up my glasses, and hearing aid problems. For now. Which is enough! Thank You Abba! We talked with BD yesterday. He has been with Habitat for Humanity for two months. Everyone is new around here!<br />
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I'm looking forward to language school in Guatemala and settling down in our new home.<br />
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Fund raising should be enjoyable, too. Speak for an hour and be free! Hopefully with friends and family to enjoy it with us before we slip away.<br />
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I felt a welcome surge of "my parenting is just fine"yesterday. More! More! It was a good feeling. We all played Frisbee and swinging and sliding in the park. It was oh-so-good. A. and I are good parents. Thank you Abba!<br />
<br />
07-11-90<br />
<br />
Yesterday was construction. We learned about the Wood Mizer; a portable saw mill. Exciting idea and fun doing hands-on stuff.<br />
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Today we will be inside (Ah!). It was HOT yesterday.<br />
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A. is doing his "till the end of class"countdown. I'm enjoying each day as is. I know class will be over in a flash. I'm gonna miss these people!<br />
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Fundraising should be enjoyable and varied. I'm definitely looking forward to getting settled in our new home. With a routine and a stableness. And living happily ever after. I really feel good about Bolivia. I want <u>heat</u> for our bedrooms, though I hope I'm happy even without it. I feel we will have it pretty nice in La Paz, Bolivia, in a rental. All the HFH partners that I've heard about that had rentals seemed to think it was good.<br />
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My worst scenario? No heaters. Cramped and crowded. No place for the kids to play. Dark. Cloudy and windy everyday. Dirty. Smelly from pollution from the factories. And sewage.<br />
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My best scenario? Sunny. Big rooms. Heaters. Electricity. Water. Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-72913759088369327292014-08-27T18:49:00.000-07:002014-08-27T18:49:14.542-07:00Psalm 63: 7 - 8<br />
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Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.<br />
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By the grace of God, I have been married to A. for 34 years today. Where did those years go? Looks like it is time for a blast from the past. Here is a diary excerpt from 06-25-90. We were in training for HFH international in Americus, Georgia. We would be shortly returning to ND for some family matters.<br />
<br />
06-25-90<br />
<br />
Yawn! Been to daily devotions. I thought I was awake. Cool outside this morning. Construction today. Soil samples.<br />
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The devotion was if we are faithful in practicing the little things, the impossible becomes possible.<br />
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I, for one, am so sometimes overwhelmed by little things.<br />
<br />
I need to invite a couple over for dinner. I need to wash clothes. I need to write to my grandma. I forgot one of my hearing aides back in ND! I do have my journal, my shoes and my hat! Is my head screwed on???<br />
<br />
I'm getting excited about our trip to ND on Thursday. The drive back will seem unreal. Hope it goes fast.<br />
<br />
Hope we arrive looking not-too-wrinkled. Maybe even sharp? Alan will look great for the wedding. I love him in a suit!<br />
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06-26-90<br />
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Happy Birthday A.! I sure wish I knew how to make it special for you. Shut up and quit complaining, I guess. I hope he knows I love him.<br />
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I love the people in our class. Individually and together.<br />
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Boy, what I would give to see what Alan writes today in his journal!<br />
<br />
06-27-90<br />
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Abba,<br />
<br />
I glimpsed past journal entries while trying to find where I left off. How real my faith in You is, when I see it on paper.<br />
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You are alive and real. What more do I need? What could I fear?<br />
<br />
Today's daily group devotion was great, a potpourri: I am stained by the blood of Jesus. Forever. Everyday. Through and through. It is well with my soul. AmenJust Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-26111708530853437482014-08-19T13:01:00.000-07:002014-08-19T13:01:22.522-07:00Psalm 37:7<br />
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Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.<br />
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This has been a wonderful summer. I have dipped my toes into the following volunteer opps: Ministry in the Margins (Food Pantry), Abused Adult Resource Center and Circle C Ranch. There are the neatest people in our community a phone call away!<br />
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I am currently reading <u>A Beautiful Mind</u> about John Nash, mathematics and schizophrenia. What a world, what a world! I keep getting the impression that manic/depressive disorder and schizophrenia are kissing cousins.<br />
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I took a daring step in taking care of myself regarding a husband that loves me to pieces, provides for me in the nth degree, yet seems to be unable to articulate feelings, dreams, plans and thoughts. I had a walk in the cemetery (one of my most favorite places!) and a lunch with a past social work professor. I have always been intrigued by him. He is articulate, has worked as a counselor in many settings, seems open and has a great sense of humor. I pretty much asked him to be an example of an honest, decent man, who (by the way!) can talk, in my life. We had a lovely walk, a great lunch, lots of laughs and found we had sexually molested childhoods in common. And yes, my wise, wonderful girl friends, and my hubby are all informed of my daring-do. I would like to type my professor's memoirs and help him to self publish. We will see what develops.<br />
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Yesterday was my day for making connections. I came home from my above mentioned lunchy-poo and there was a voicemail from my darlin' cousin in Minnesota! We caught up on what our kiddies are doing. Her college aged daughter would very much like to join our medical mission trip to Guatemala next year. My cousin is o so not sure about the whole idea of letting her sweetie go. I shared with her my recent angst over my daughter's rejection of my personality and my religion. My cousin was very supportive of my parenting and I just feel blessed.<br />
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Onward and upward!Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-3587723900812179102014-08-13T19:57:00.002-07:002014-08-13T19:58:37.308-07:00John 10: 10 - 11<br />
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The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.<br />
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Last weekend I went to Becoming an Outdoors Woman with my good friend of twenty years. BOW is provided by North Dakota Game and Fish. I learned how to use a compass, tie new knots and cook outside in a Dutch Oven. It is good to know how to make something over charcoal besides toasted marshmallows and hot dogs. The weather was lovely and new friendships were made. BOW really has women figured out. They gave us high quality cloth bags and then gave us other freebies to fill it! What freebies, you ask? A compass, a book on knots, cooking utensils, matches, fire starter, silk flowers, and a T-shirt!!!<br />
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As I have noted earlier, I am very grateful to God and my hubby for my new hearing. I find myself wondering what I will do to show my gratefulness. Which leads to the question of "What will I do with the rest of my life?" I know this is a common question of people of a "certain age." Ahem.<br />
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So, my friend and I mulled over this question into the wee hours of the night, instead of sleeping after a full day of BOW activities. I don't know if she had any "a-hah!" moments. The comforting thought that came to me was this: I don't need to answer that question right now.<br />
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Then, wouldn't you know it, the following Tuesday Bible study focused on Martha. You know, the hardworking follower of Jesus, the hostess with the mostest who got frustrated with her sister who didn't help her. It seems to me Jesus told her she didn't need to DO anything.<br />
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I guess Jesus did it all.<br />
<br />
How's about another blast from 1990? We learned our Habitat for Humanity project would be in Bolivia, South America:<br />
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06-20-90 Wednesday<br />
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I'd like to be happy. Move onward and upward.<br />
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Bolivia sounds downright cold and harsh and citified.<br />
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LORD, how did You manage to find the opposite of all I had hoped for? The other choices for projects are hot and isolated and countrified. I had hoped for beauty, moderate climate, flowers, birds and trees.<br />
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I feel lost. What do I want now? Are my priorities all screwed up and selfish?<br />
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<u>Boliva pro's:</u><br />
not hot<br />
no malaria<br />
hard working people<br />
politically calm (?)<br />
God's will (?)<br />
near to medical care (?)<br />
good food nearby (?)<br />
new project<br />
house-building materials handy (?)<br />
<br />
<u>Bolivia cons:</u><br />
cold<br />
city<br />
disappointing<br />
barren<br />
water not potable<br />
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06-21-90 Thursday<br />
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Dear Abba -<br />
<br />
Bolivia. Peace. Happiness. Gratefulness. Humbleness. Thank You for Your patience as I slowly let go of "I Want" and "Me." Thank You for the return of the feeling of rightness. Thank You that I can look my children in the eye and know I am not leading them into KNOWN problems like malaria, tropical heat (and all its charms) and isolation. Thank You for Your faithfulness for all Your people.<br />
<br />
The project hasn't been approved yet. That is in Your hands. If it is indeed Your will and we get this project, I rejoice in the fact that a woman is wanted there. I am an important part of the package. My husband and me and the kids together. You are so good. I will give You thanks with all my heart. I will tell of Your wonderful deeds. I will rejoice and be glad in Thee. I will sing praise to Your Name, Most High.<br />
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Lead me, Abba. Thanks for Your persistence. Let me and mine be Your hands and feet and voice. AmenJust Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-70783996093480442662014-08-04T20:19:00.000-07:002014-08-19T13:02:52.086-07:00Colossians 4:2<br />
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Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.<br />
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I am thankful for any interest shown in this blog. I want to be watchful in that I am "up front" about what will be shared. Therefore, I will reassess my niche in this world of blogging.<br />
<br />
What special something do I have to share?<br />
<br />
I was born in 1953 without ear canals or ear drums. At the age of 60, I am the happy owner of bone anchored hearing aids. I am hearing better than I have heard in my life. Every morning is like Christmas morning as I look forward to hearing things I missed before.<br />
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I was born in Alexandria Virginia into a family of origin that included the trials and tribulations of a father with bipolar disorder. My father sexually molested me. My mother died at age 38 from cancer. I was sent to live with her parents on a diary farm in Minnesota shortly thereafter. My grandfather died from cancer a few years after my arrival. I had a bit of an <u>Anne of Green Gables</u> upbringing as I competed with milk cows for my hardworking grandmother's attention.<br />
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I have generalized anxiety disorder, which is managed by Paxil and prayer. I love to go on "walk abouts" with my camera. I am very interested in geocaching. I am a voracious reader of biographies and autobiographies. I believe in the goodness of God. I have a ragdoll cat that I love with abandon. His name is Beamer because he often "beams in" out of nowhere.<br />
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The marriage I share with my husband of few (very few!) words has been a challenge to us both. We have two brilliant children. Our daughter lives far, far away in Germany. We daily learn from our son, who has Asperger's Syndrome. <br />
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During our marriage, we have lived in Australia, Guatemala, and Bolivia. We were in Bolivia, South America, working with Habitat for Humanity International. We had the privilege of helping 100 families build 100 homes. We travel annually to Guatemala with a medical missions team.<br />
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God willing, I hope to blog my memoirs and day to day treasures. Forthwith, here is some random loveliness encountered on today's urban walk-about, my son and my cat! <br />
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<br />Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-80432340449964042972014-07-29T19:20:00.001-07:002014-07-29T19:20:38.813-07:00Matthew 22:37<br />
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Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.<br />
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Just returned from a six day visit with my best friend forever in Duluth. Let me say it is ever so easy to love the LORD my God when I am with my friend. We both enjoy talking about how good He is. She is celebrating each day of being cured of Hepatitis C. I am celebrating my new life of hearing with ease.<br />
<br />
We rented a quad bike near Lake Superior, with her daughter. The three of us went down gradual slopes and back up, muscling along and doing the work of four. Her darling hubby came home from work the first day bearing wine and beer. Such a sweetie. Later on, we indulged in our ritual of eating smoked fish, cheese, crackers and fruit in her car, facing a fantastic view of the lake called Superior. My friend has a hobby of photography and a snazzy new camera. We committed our memories of Gooseberry Falls to film. Including a sweet pair of newlyweds. She in white and he in uniform. It was classic.<br />
<br />
We did devotions. We walked my friend's dogs. We talked. We laughed. We cried. We watched the "Joy Luck Club," "A Beautiful Mind," and "Shadow Recruit." She spoiled me rotten with her cooking and the use of their downstairs apartment. It was a lovely, lovely time. A taste of heaven, I am sure.<br />
<br />
God has a way of sending the right book my way. I am presently reading <u>The Map of Enough</u>, One Woman's Search for Place, by Molly Caro May. She is a philosophical young woman who sees herself as a nomad. This mindset began with her family of origin, with whom she frequently transferred from country to country. Her outlook remains the same as she travels through life. The main event her nonfiction book covers is the time she and her fiance built a yurt on her parent's Montana property. There is also a pre-existing cabin on the property with heat, water and electricity. The couple split their time between the yurt at night and the cabin during the day. The author savored the free time, once the yurt was built. But for her fiance, time "would open like a black hole beneath him every few days." I can identify with the fiance. And yet when she writes "I liked not having to respond to anything or anyone." I say "Amen sistah!"<br />
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Thank you LORD for this glorious, free summertime! Amen.<br />
<br />
<br />Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-85076507789582240672014-07-21T16:19:00.000-07:002014-07-29T18:46:38.691-07:00Isaiah 30:15<br />
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"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength"<br />
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The devotional book <u>Jesus Calling</u> by Sarah Young continues to surprise and amaze me. I am a week and a half into the "O LORD, now what" funk that usually falls upon me after Guatemala. How I love speaking Spanish and connecting people. During the trip I had the anticipation of perhaps coming to the rescue part time, with a hospice social work job in Williston, upon my return. How I love coming to the rescue! Turns out, they found someone who will work full time. Therefore, a double dose of, "O LORD!"<br />
<br />
Add to that a healthy dose of Midwestern work ethic and I do feel a bit sheepish lolly gagging about the house until school starts on September 2nd. So I'm told in today's devotion, "Chill, my dear." I also had a heart to heart talk with God yesterday. I poured out my longing to do what I love to do, and acknowledged that I must appear quite the ungrateful brat for all I already have. I seemed to hear Him say He heard me, He loves me and He does not judge me. Thank you God!<br />
<br />
So let's have a blast from the past from my journal of 1990 as we learn where we may go with Habitat for Humanity:<br />
<br />
06-18-90<br />
<br />
Good Morning Abba! Good, leisurely, orderly, loverly start today. Muggy. Cool. Birds singin'.<br />
<br />
Talked to my grandma El and by best friend. It's good to know they are still there! In the Other Land. This Land will end. Oh, so quickly.<br />
<br />
I hope the birds sing where we go.<br />
<br />
God has been so faithful to us. We are healthy and happy. We love our temporary Habitat home. It would be fun to show some family/friends around.<br />
<br />
Mark likes s-l-o-w starts in the morning. Bethany is heigh-ho let's go!<br />
<br />
Today we talked about sin during training. Cross cultural sin. Read an interesting blurb. The "yardstick" is "love one another and love God."<br />
<br />
The heat and mugginess is draining. The kids keep playing and laughing and smiling, though! Maybe the air is cooler down there!<br />
<br />
06-19-14<br />
<br />
Well. Yesterday Reality Struck. Right between the eyes. Our Habitat for Humanity project proposal says "Bolivia." OK. That's cool. Literally. Usual highs in the low sixties. Lows usually below freezing. No malaria. I looked further at the proposal. No sewage. No latrines. SQUATTER SETTLEMENT!!! <br />
<br />
I thought once again about sacrificial living. Making a sacrifice for God. Loving His people in need. We would indeed build relationships by living in a squatter settlement, if nothing else. Is that what You want O LORD?<br />
<br />
Hey, it sounded holy, but we've got two little kids for crying out loud!!!<br />
<br />
I raved. I ranted. I was mad. At God. Like, get with the program LORD!<br />
<br />
It's OK to be mad at God. He can take it.<br />
<br />
We called our Pastor back in Minnesota, just returned from Guatemala. We shared. They commiserated. We have their prayers.<br />
<br />
Our prayers.<br />
<br />
I let go. I feel better.<br />
<br />
Dear Abba,<br />
<br />
Your will be done. I lay the "where will we go" in Your lap. Where I should have left it in the first place. I trust You to place us carefully, healthfully, happyfully, safefully, purposefully. Amen.Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-62974177287577594592014-07-14T18:43:00.000-07:002014-07-15T06:53:52.580-07:00Psalm 25:5 Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long<br />
Psalm 25:5<br />
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<![endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for you
are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Okay LORD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now what?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I’ve just
returned from a medical mission trip to Guatemala.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband and I have been going yearly for
the last seven years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The team includes
medical providers, a pharmacy, a dental team, nurses, van drivers, and
interpreters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The medical team, with all
the supplies, fits into four vans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
stay at a church hostel in the city of Quetzaltenango and drive to five outlying
villages during the week of our mission.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The villages we visit
have been selected by a pastor/doctor in Quetzaltenango who is in contact with
our mission director.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we arrive at
the village, we often times set up our mobile clinic in an available school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Guatemala, the schoolrooms are usually
arranged around an open courtyard.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">During the
clinics, the people we serve go to various classrooms where they will
find:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Registration Station, the
Intake Station, Medical Providers, the Pharmacy, Nursing and then Dental.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be challenging to channel hundreds of
local people to their needed stations and difficult for the stations to
coordinate services.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If there are
people with medical issues that cannot be aided by our team, they are referred
to a specialist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pastor/doctor from
Quetzaltenango sets up the appointment with the specialist and arranges any
transportation needed by the patient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is all free of charge.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I am an
interpreter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love speaking Spanish,
interacting with the local people and helping the team and the patients to
connect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have worked with the nurses,
with the medical providers and even in crowd control.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This year, in
each of the five villages we visited, we did not need to set up the clinic in separate
classrooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In each case, we were given
the use of a large auditorium-like room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was much less confusion for the people we served because they
could see their next station, be it Medical Providers, Nurses or Pharmacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was much easier for the stations to
communicate with each other, also.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">While surveying
the action in the busy auditoriums, it struck me how the team was working
together as one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weren’t puzzled,
exasperated, uninformed stations struggling on our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nursing or Pharmacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Medical Provider or Registration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a short mental leap for me to go on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Patient or Doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guatemalan or North American.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Old or young.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Happy my blood sugar level is good” or “I need a referral for the lump
in my breast.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are all one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All dependent on the Holy Spirit, the Lord,
the giver of Life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I could clearly
see God is good.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now, back in the
U.S.A., I admit I feel a bit aimless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, I wait upon Him, the Three in One, for my next adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am one of the bloggers for the Joy International blog! That blog site can be found at</span> http://www.joyintl.org/web/columnid/6412/articles.aspJust Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-40302476602675969442014-06-25T17:58:00.000-07:002014-06-25T17:58:25.264-07:00Psalm 118:24<br />
<br />
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad!<br />
<br />
I haven't heard back recently from the folks who interviewed me for the social work job in Williston. They did contact me once to say they had received my online application. One of my references told me they had called. What he told them will be tough to "make so." He said I walk on water!!! Hoo Ha the kind people in my life! I know I trust the LORD for what comes of the interview. I also know I don't wait very well. Dear LORD give me patience. Right now.<br />
<br />
I indulged in my passion for geocaching the other day. I found the two caches I sought in the wilds near the Missouri River. Who a thought there would be so many burrs along a river??? My brand new tankini will never be the same. I suppose I can work those pulled threads back in, if I really try. Finding the caches was a blast. The treasure of that day was being nearby when a pair of Canadian geese and their two half-grown babies slipped into the river. That's living!<br />
<br />
Today I broke down and began washing clothes in preparation for our annual trip to Guatemala with the medical team sponsored by the Episcopal Church from Fargo. This will be my hubby's seventh trip and my fourth. I was a no-show one year when I fell with my motorcycle and broke my back. That's another story. Then a couple of times I stayed home because I did not feel needed.<br />
<br />
The team this year consists of 22 people acting in the roles of medical providers, nurses, pharmacology students, dental students and interpreters. We are a clinic on wheels; namely two vans. We are based in Xela, Guatemala and travel to five surrounding villages to provide medical care, medicine, vitamins, physical therapy, dental care and fluoride treatments. In past years we have served approximately 2000 people with medical needs.<br />
<br />
This will be my final post until I get back. I will keep a diary and share what develops. I will be acting as an interpreter and may help with crowd control. Whoop whoop!<br />
<br />
Let's return to Habitat for Humanity training, 06-13-90<br />
<br />
Oh I like strolling to devotions, chatting and drinking coffee! I love it!<br />
<br />
C.S. is so supportive and interesting and full of life. She says the Honduras have 30 Habitat for Humanity projects. It appears that Bolivia is beautiful and pristine, the people work hard, and it is not urban like we think of urban.<br />
<br />
I'm attracted to Bolivia having no malaria. Really. We could cope with the cold. 60 - 30 degrees F. Really.<br />
<br />
I'm intrigued.<br />
<br />
I love the people in my class.<br />
<br />
06-15-90<br />
<br />
Totally aggravated. Despite my early morning mothering efforts, the kids were not merry and gay when I left for devotions.<br />
<br />
They just don't like to see me go? They are sick of the whole routine? I'm making it worse than it is?<br />
<br />
I'm looking forward to being truly settled Somewhere. Our little family with people coming and going and getting to know the locals and maybe even building a house. Or two.<br />
<br />
I could be wrong, but other people in the class look a little peeved too.Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-84457699901840346702014-06-17T15:00:00.000-07:002014-06-18T11:10:12.629-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Proverbs 17:22<br />
<br />
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.<br />
<br />
Thank
you to everyone for your encouragement with this blog! It is a labor
of love with over-long acrylic nails, let me tell you! I will get them
shortened shortly!<br />
<br />
Since dipping my toes in the waters
of blog-land, I have decided to add to this blog once a week. Or more.
Depending upon this wonderful luxury called "a summer off." Goodness
gracious, the last time I was a teacher's aide with the summer off, I
had young'uns at home! Now I have an independent author-in-the-works at
home and a hubby that knows he may have to reheat something from the
'fridge for supper. I can do whatever I want!!<br />
<br />
So far I
have wanted to travel, apply for a job using my social work degree, go
for walks, play Spider Solitaire (I need to earn that third and final star, dangit), and clean up my backyard. I have amazed myself with how my
yard went from a weedy, shaggy, nobody-with-sense-lives-here wilderness
to a place of joy. A little bit of weed pulling here, a little making
friendly with the trimmers there and VOILA!<br />
<br />
I have
discovered something that is totally not rocket science. Prepare
yourself. It takes time to take time. White knuckle stuff, ain't it?
For many, many years now I have grabbed a little time to clean house, or
to wash dishes, or to shop, or to spoil myself rotten (and feel mighty
daring!) and then get back to business with paid employment. This summer I
have enough time for and, and, and instead of or, or, or. Man o man,
this is living!<br />
<br />
Today's treasures are the wildflowers I
saw on my walk today and the ridiculously gorgeous flowers in my yard.
Let's see, how to attach photos...<br />
<br />
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I know, I know. God had fun making flowers, didn't He? And animals. I mean, a giraffe? He was in a goofy mood that day. And according to hearsay, the day He made me. Mr. Giraffe, you and I are One and The Same. I think I'll buy one of those elegant, interior decorator-type giraffe statuettes for my house. At a garage sale. Or Pier 1. Today.<br />
<br />
Let's round off today with a blast from the past at Habitat for Humanity in Georgia, 06-10-90:<br />
<br />
Abba,<br />
<br />
Thank you for sending Your Son so that I might have life and have it more abundantly!<br />
<br />
I have had the most wonderful affirmations and made such great self discoveries these past few days.<br />
<br />
I took out a nail with no head on it. I clawed it out sideways with the hammer. I wouldn't have known I could do it if I hadn't tried!<br />
<br />
We did some group things already. Tower Building. I can be an organizer. An artist. The <u>labels</u> are a bigger obstacle to overcome than the <u>doing</u>!<br />
<br />
I tried and so I did! I've found out skills I have because I tried doing. My skills? I'm good with a hammer. I can organize. I can draw. I can encourage. Thank you LORD! Amen.Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-91568527744368492752014-06-12T11:31:00.003-07:002014-06-25T18:56:35.755-07:00Luke 1:79<br />
<br />
...to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.<br />
<br />
<br />
Did I mention that my friend of Missouri appendectomy fame is a little fireball? She had her appendectomy Thursday AM, and we returned to Bismarck the following Saturday. She allowed herself two, count 'em, two whole days off from work; therefore she was back to work on Wednesday. She proposed we go out to lunch on Thursday. Sounded like a great idea to me! <br />
We could reminisce about Missouri and maybe plan our next motorcycle ride. Oh yes, she has a motorcycle!<br />
<br />
Anyway, I picked her up and we were off to The Pizza Ranch. Then she says, "What is your health background as a social worker?" I stated I had more of a health background as a lapsed EMT than as a social worker. She informed me she had heard that a hospice organization in Williston was in need of a social worker with a Masters degree and wouldn't that be a fun summer adventure for me since I had the summer off as an Instructional Aide?<br />
<br />
Four years ago was the last time I was in Williston. I was pursuing my hobby of finding geocaches. A geocache is a container that has been hidden, without being buried. Each container has a
website with its GPS coordinates and a description of the container, as
well as a record of who placed the geocache and who has found it. Also, there is a logbook in each geocache for recording your name and the date of your find. If you wish, you can leave a little memento and take a little memento. Then you put the geocache back where you found it.
Geocaching is a blast! Different challenges come up for geocaching. The one that brought me to Williston was a challenge from North Dakota State Parks. There are twelve parks and each one had a hidden geocache within its vicinity. Finding the geocache is a challenge in itself, but the first five people to find the twelve State Park geocaches would win two nights of free camping in the State Park of their choice. So, I had found the other eleven geocaches and the one in Williston was the last one to find.<br />
<br />
I had found #11 in Bottineau, in the afternoon, and figured, well I can go south and go home or I can go west and then south to find that last geocache and then east to home. So, greedy to be one of the first five to find all twelve, thus I did. It was nighttime when I reached the Lewis and Clark State Park in Williston. FYI, there are no outdoor lights in a State Park. In spite of the fact I could not see my hand in front of my face, I gamely took by GPS (lighted) and soon found myself scrambling up a steep hill, through thorns and bushes. In the dark. Even I realized the absurdity of possibly tumbling head over hills down a steep, rocky hill all alone. In the dark dark dark. Sense finally dawned and I decided to return to my car and try to find this last cache in the morning. Another thing that motivated me to abandon the search was I had left my headlights on, so I could find the car! The thought of dilly dallying too long and returning to a flat battery did not appeal.<br />
<br />
I had not been in my car long when there was a rapping at my driver side window. In the dark. Turns out it was the Park Ranger. He really wondered what the heck I was doing there. In the dark. I explained I was geocaching and he wished me well. I started to get cold and thought I would try my luck finding a hotel room. Silly girl. I knew better with the oil boom craziness going on, but hope springs eternal. I was dead beat tired, and found myself going the wrong way on a one way road near Tioga (I thought it was a two way in my numbed state) and nearly got smeared by a huge oil tanker. I realized I needed to get off the road. I felt like I was in Hell with the various flaming oil wells in the night and the menacing trucks owning the highways. I pulled up near an oil well, and caught a few winks.<br />
<br />
A few winks was all I got because I was worried the oil well people would come and shoo me off. Around 2:00 AM, I decided to return to the State Park and sleep off the rest of the night in peace. In the morning I got my GPS and discovered two things. First, there was a perfectly civilized path wending about the hill; no need go bushwacking straight up the mini-mountain!!! Two, the geocache was not at the exact coordinates. A bright little something caught my eye, off in the distance from where the cache was supposed to be, a good 10 - 15 feet off, and there it was. I was one happy geocacher!<br />
<br />
I called my boss to say I wouldn't be in (and yes I told her why!) Then I treated myself to breakfast on the way home and spent the rest of the day worn out.<br />
<br />
So that was my most recent memory of Williston, going through my head when my fireball friend suggested a summer escapade. Torn up, truck congested, dusty roads, greed gone wild, and flames in the night. With no place to lay your weary head. I said, "Sure! Sounds interesting!"<br />
<br />
I called the phone number she gave me. The lady perked right up when I said I had a Masters in Social Work and had done an internship at St. Alexius Hospice. The following Tuesday (two days ago) found me tootling to Williston for a 1:00 PM interview. I was ready for the wild, wild West. The trip there was beautiful, with rolling hills alternating with valley vistas. I went through Minot, as had been suggested, and the traffic was not bad. I have a feeling the really crazy traffic goes through the alternate Watford City route. I never at any time felt like I would be squashed like a bug by a big bad truck. It helped that I was driving my sturdy, dinged up, I feel brave, '99 Toyota Sienna van. Last time I was driving my itty bitty, please don't hurt me, purple Porsche Boxster convertible.<br />
<br />
I have a habit of cutting it close time wise. My first mistake was thinking Williston was in Mountain time, not Central time. I lost an hour wiggle room there. I rebounded from that assumption and then ran into road construction and detours the closer I got to my destination. The kind people at the organization guided me to their office via cellphone. They were completely understanding when I arrived at 1:27 PM. Whew!<br />
<br />
We proceeded with the interview. I proposed I would need a place to stay, my mileage paid and I could work Mon - Wed or Tues - Thurs. I said I'd like to help them, if I could. They were oh so happy I am "Masters prepared." I was all ready to excite them with my internship at St. Alexius. I was taken totally by surprised when they became enthused about the year I worked for Visiting Angels as a homecare provider. It turns out, that was another one of the requirements for the position, since they work with a vulnerable population. Lord, You are full of surprises!<br />
<br />
The interview was soon over. They gave me a website address to fill out the online application and do an assessment. They said they would get back to me and sent me on my merry way. Lovely, lovely ladies.<br />
<br />
The drive home was as beautiful as the ride out, minus the anxiety of the interview. God is very good to me and mine and I pray His will be done! Amen.Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-25993009973149915832014-06-03T10:35:00.000-07:002014-06-25T18:50:09.250-07:002 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the LORD of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The LORD be with you all.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2 Thessalonians 3:16</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now may the LORD of peace himself give
you peace at all times in all ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
LORD be with you all.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Greetings!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully some faithful reader out there has
been wondering where the heck I’ve been!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just returned from a week in Branson MO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A dear friend and her hubby have a timeshare there and graciously shared
their three bedroom bit of paradise with my hubby and me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I had heard of people my age taking
their parents to Branson, so I figured I’d get to feel like a young’un in that
crowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out that Branson is in
transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A drive along the “yellow”
route or the “blue” route or the “red” route reveals grand, theatre type
buildings housing talents that are “hot” or “have had their day.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jim Stafford’s building is run down and
forlorn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Dutton’s theatre, hotel and
Tourist Trap are hopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To cater to
the kiddies, there are water parks, go carts (“Don’t act your age, just drive!”)
and various putt putt golf options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Silver Dollar City is a theme park with Ozark crafts that appears to be
thriving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shepherd of the Hills stands
speaking of a past heyday with acres of blacktop, faded flags for the fifty
states, and nobody home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The weather and the people were
divine:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mild, warm and welcoming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The timeshare business is fierce with offers
of free show tickets and low pressure sales pitches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did we do while in Branson?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So glad you asked!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunday morning we went to the Grand Country
Gospel Jubilee, followed by wine tasting at Stone Hill winery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monday we had Breakfast with The Stars, where
performers gave us samples of their musical talents, to help us decide which
shows to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stormy Point resort (where
our friends have a timeshare) treated us to an outdoor BBQ, with music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That evening we saw The Duttons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mercy me, what a family!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all sing, dance and play the violin (and
tons of other instruments!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One young
fella, all of eight years old, played his violin (fiddle?), while bending over
backwards until his head touched the floor behind his heels!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One ubertalented family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several shows in town featured families that
had appeared on “America’s Got Talent” and “American Idol.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tuesday was spent on the pontoon on Table
Rock Lake, followed by a show by The Chinese Acrobats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wednesday we went to a sales pitch for a
timeshare, said “No, thank you,” got our free show tickets and fled the
premises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an hour and a half of
our time and easily $200 worth of tickets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And an education in sales techniques.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First, you meet with a friendly, open fella who visits with you as you wait for the group
presentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, there is the group
presentation with a charming, somewhat forthright sales lady, and then you meet
one on one with another sales person, trying hard to be your good buddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our good buddy didn’t know what to do with us
when we forthrightly shared we usually go on mission trips, not vacations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He called his boss over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His boss realized we had no “vacation
dollars” to “invest” in places to stay on vacation, rather than “renting”
places to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boss instructed our good buddy to proceed
with the pitch procedure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our good buddy
proceeded, we said No, and our good buddy was done with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Off to “gifting” for the tickets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mercy what a way to make a living!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good thing I hadn’t begun knitting a Christmas
sweater for our new, dear bosum buddy…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thursday was “Jonah” at the Sight and
Sound Theatre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The place is huge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought we took a wrong turn and had landed
at the Taj Mahal in India.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I expected
“Jonah” to be an IMAX production, with a drive-in sized video screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, they did incorporate the video screen
into the show, but most of it was live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a stunning presentation with a large cast, colorful costumes, and
an imaginative sharing of the whale and Jonah’s time within.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very original.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t give it away, but THAT’S 3D!!!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Friday was Ayo and George Dwyer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More singing, dancing and incredibly talented
families. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These shows played to audiences
of about 30 – 40 people each. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The performers
seemed like real folks like you and me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
happened to have been featured on American Idol and to have performed in operas.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, and did I mention, at the beginning of
the trip I bought a little sneeze along with me from Bismarck that tried its best
to become pneumonia? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And our hostess took
a little trip to the Emergency Room on Wednesday night, due to abdominal pain? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had an appendectomy on Thursday morning. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, our men remained healthy and all turned
out well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is good and it is good to be
back in Bismarck!</span></div>
Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-84855235524674803252014-05-20T18:28:00.001-07:002014-05-20T18:28:10.136-07:001 John 1:7<br />
<br />
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.<br />
<br />
From my journal 05-23-90<br />
<br />
Today we have an interview, like a job interview. Frankly I'm glad Alan and I go together. I find it hard to fret or fear with company!<br />
<br />
Monday was our first day of training. Talk, chat, pass out packets, evaluate, break for treats, get acquainted with our meeting place, and get job assignments for the week. Next week is Construction. That will be something.<br />
<br />
06-06-90<br />
<br />
I love B.'s humor! It's good to laugh! Today I feel "wondering." I wonder how the day in construction will go.<br />
<br />
If M. can be woken up with backrubs and leg rubs, he has a good start for the day. And B. needs to be read to. We took the car to Fair Dinkum (another HFH residence) and Mark gave J. a hug. A nice day in the making!<br />
<br />
We will find out potential project openings and descriptions soon. Excited!<br />
<br />
06-07-60<br />
<br />
Another morning feeling rushed. It started out nice, then I didn't get A. up at 6:30 AM. He wasn't too happy. Then waking M. up at 7:00 AM was nice. Read to the kids, that was nice. Then breakfast, then bath. THEN M. got ornery about the squirt toy THEN he whined, wiggled, squirmed instead of helping to get dressed. Finally got the clothes on, let's go, dishes left to wash, yah!! Then M. stands there and whines. I screech at him. He finally goes to his room to finish crying. I finish dishes. We apologized to each other. Had hugs. I hope he isn't warped for life. A: I should have got him dressed before breakfast. B: I should have said "OK, you're not helping me, so time out." I do what I do to start the day off calm, happy and feeling loved. It went down the toilet today. But I'm still lovable and loved. I'm still a good enough mom. Not perfect. But good enough.<br />
<br />
I guess one reason I was so edgy was M. was foiling my perfect plans for a perfect morning. Take it as it comes Suzie!<br />
<br />
06-08-90<br />
<br />
Excited! Happy! Competent! Today the list of project openings is posted. I feel that West Quetzaltenango, Guatemala will be there and waiting for us. After the hot day in the sun, the cool places, like Guatemala, might be the places of choice for everyone though!<br />
<br />
Well, tell us where You want us Lord. I certainly highly recommend and praise and applaud Your care of us so far!<br />
<br />
I'm so happy this morning! I had enough time to tell the kids I loved them. They (meaning M. especially) acted like a civilized person giving and taking. I'm on time! A real mission accomplished kind of morning! <br />
<br />
Thank you Lord for teaching me that today and Your grace are cover-all-my-needs-cup-runneth-over-I-feel-loved sufficient!<br />
<br />
Our present lifestyle is great for the kids. More outside play. More variety. But still a routine. More kid contact.<br />
<br />
It sure was hot last night. I am so grateful for the ventilation we get upstairs and the fans. And A. to co-ordinate it all.<br />
<br />
I hope we get some interesting mail!<br />
<br />
I feel real on top of the details today.<br />
<br />
<br />Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-67896485795544100132014-05-18T09:19:00.001-07:002014-05-20T18:30:28.563-07:00Isaiah 55: 8 - 9<br />
<br />
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.<br />
<br />
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."<br />
<br />
More from the 1990 journal as my family and I prepared to serve as missionaries with Habitat for Humanity International:<br />
<br />
05-15-90<br />
<br />
I read this quote from Martin Luther in the church bulletin:<br />
<br />
Many things I have held in my hands<br />
I have lost them all.<br />
<br />
That which I put into God's hands<br />
Are things I still possess. <br />
<br />
05-16-90<br />
<br />
"I will bless you and keep you. I will make my face to shine upon you and give you peace."<br />
<br />
Good Morning Abba -<br />
<br />
The reality of what we are living sinks in. Sometimes I truly believe You want us to be here. I'm truly ready to put my health, the kids' health and welfare and Alan's health in Your hands. I know You are faithful and true to Your promises.<br />
<br />
You have spoken to my heart and Alan's heart.<br />
<br />
Thank You for being here with us one day at a time.<br />
<br />
I get anxious and worried if I look to far ahead. I always have been that way.<br />
<br />
Into Your hands I put myself, my husband, my children. I pray You use me today. That's why I'm here. I ask for Your support and guidance. I trust You. I love You. I believe in You.<br />
<br />
Thank You for what I believe. The fact is, either I do or I don't and there is no in-between. You have put us int that position very vividly!!!<br />
<br />
I do believe You, Your promises and Your Word and Your still, small voice in my heart.<br />
<br />
Thank you for the gift of belief in You . Amen.<br />
<br />
Well. The house in Minnesota is sold TODAY. Bless the new family even as You bless us. Amen.<br />
<br />
05-20-90<br />
<br />
We saw Jimmy Carter today! We went to his Sunday School class at Maranatha Baptist Church. He taught eternal life begins now. Love is a moral commitment, not just an emotion. He taught from 1 John 5. We got to shake his hand and get our picture taken with him. He also said Jesus is our role model. I felt that with the goal of learning how to live my love for God, I can study the Bible and use it to learn more about Jesus. Jesus is really the guiding light to lead us thru the Bible. And life. And learning about God's love.<br />
<br />
Yesterday we went to Country Days in Plains, GA. Outdoor arts and crafts, food, entertainment. Nice and easy going and not crowded.<br />
<br />
We have learned things this week.<br />
<br />
1). Millard Fuller (founder of Habitat for Humanity) is more or less banished to Atlanta for liking or unintentionally liking the ladies too much. Five women have come forward with complaints of sexual harassment. This can happen with a man and his organization. The difference here is that it wasn't allowed to go on and on. So HFH has been dealing with this since March.<br />
<br />
2). We cannot be non-committal about discrimination. St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Plains is old, as I said, and WHITE. We want to shop around, try a Lutheran Church in Albany with black people and white people. Jesus would. <br />
<br />Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-70374822626774655402014-05-11T14:50:00.001-07:002014-05-11T14:50:20.803-07:00Philippians 4:6<br />
<br />
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksksgiving, present your requests to God.<br />
<br />
I have been searching for the packet of letters I sent to my BFF regarding my family's Habitat adventures. She saved them for me and gifted them to me upon our return the the USA. Can I find them? Nooooo. They are in some perfectly logical spot, but this beany brain doesn't know where.<br />
<br />
I did stumble onto my sporadic journals (all the way back to 1972!). I want to use this blog to record my past musings, prayers and concerns. Let's begin with our arrival in Americus, Georgia, for Habitat for Humanity training.<br />
<br />
04-09-90 Wednesday<br />
<br />
On Monday we arrived at Americus, Georgia. After asking for directions, we found HFH. Americus may be small and rural but it sure is city-fied! We were directed to our house, named Verite, which is French for "truth." We have the upstairs with two bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen and dining/living room. It is really homey and nice with birds chirping outside.<br />
<br />
On Tuesday we were given a tour of HFH and informed of the kids' summer program. We were shown the supply house, where the mail arrives. We got mail from a family, serving in the Solomon Islands, that spoke at our church about HFH. I'm a little chicken because one of them got malaria. Later we got a letter from my brother, R., offering to buy out my share of my father's inheritance for $5000.00. What a jerk!<br />
<br />
05-10-90<br />
<br />
Today was floor scrubbing and a potluck. Tomorrow we will take the kids to daycare and make bricks.<br />
<br />
There is sure no hoopla. Lots of information, act on your own initiative, but no hoopla. We could be exploring HFH and Americus more, but we have little 'uns. We will make them our priority for now.<br />
<br />
M.has cheered up a lot with regular naps, special times, and having a home. And a time-out chair. Whew! His screaming matches were regular and hard to take.<br />
<br />
It's nice to have clean floors.<br />
<br />
05-14-90 Monday<br />
<br />
I was telling A. about my fears (malaria, illness) and doubts (can we really assess the HFH thing or will we just be swept along by the fact we sold the house, signed up for training, hi-ho away we go!). I was wanting a message from God showing we were part of His plan, not acting on a mistaken feeling on our part.<br />
<br />
B. made me a crown that she said started out to be mountains. Bit by bit, I felt this was my message. HFH will seem like a big, huge challenge (mountain) but it will turn into the best thing we ever did (crown).<br />
<br />
Neat! Thank you God! Keep those messages coming and don't give up on me!<br />
<br />
We have felt on the right track so far. So let's stay on here in Americus and do the training. Let's wonder if we are right or wrong for the job after we learn <u>where</u> we can go. Sounds reasonable to me! I'm willing to go onward or back to Plan B (hobby farm). God's will is what I want for me and my family.<br />
<br />
Last Friday the kiddies tried daycare and liked it. Saturday was tracking down and conquering work boots in Columbus, Georgia. Sunday was Mother's Day. I got two wonderful cards, Mexican food, a Habitat shirt and LOVE! We found St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Plains, Georgia. It is an old, small, quaint, stained glass congregation and church. Old families, old names, old people. No kids attended the service. It will be a change from our Minnesota church. I get a kick out of being in Jimmy Carter's hometown, too. Historical, you know.<br />
<br />
'Nuff of the old stuff for today. Today's treasure is God loves me and vindicates me and calls me righteous even when I screw up!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-45340085049187035342014-05-08T19:51:00.001-07:002014-05-11T13:17:56.534-07:00Isaiah 41:13<br />
<br />
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.<br />
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Hubby and I decided, when the daughter was 6 and the son was 3, to serve with Habitat for Humanity International. A. quit his job, we sold our two cars, sold our house in Minnesota and hit the road for Americus, Georgia for training.<br />
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We traveled from Minnesota to Florida (Disney World!) to Georgia via car. This took about four days of traveling, before and after Disney World. Our darling three year old, as yet to be diagnosed as autistic, screamed every morning, all morning. He could not be coaxed, coerced or calmed. He was potty trained, however, with several stops along the road with his plastic potty.<br />
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These Northerners lived in Georgia April - August. Not good. The temporary housing in Georgia provided by Habitat for Humanity had no air conditioning. Whip out the camera and picture Mom and the two kiddies passed out in bed. For the first week, anyhow.<br />
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Eventually the children attended daycare and the parents learned the history of Habitat, how to make roof tiles, how to make a kiln, acted in skits and were urged to bond with the other trainees. As trainees, we looked at each other and wondered why we should bond with each other when we would be dispersing to locations all over the world to build houses. The encouragements to bond were liberally sprinkled with exhortations by the Habitat community to forgive and forget.<br />
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Well, now, that's interesting. Forgive and forget what? It turned out there had been recent accusations that the founder of HFH had been sexually inappropriate with staff. So much for the support and comaraderie of HFH I had hoped would support us overseas. This cheery development was followed by grim news from back home.<br />
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Our church in Minnesota was small and family like. Daughter, B., was in the Christmas play when she was very young. I am hard of hearing and I told her usually I could not hear children when they did their parts. In her role as one of the doves in the manger with Jesus, she loudly and clearly assured us all, "I, SAID THE DOVE FROM RAFTERS HIGH, I COOED HIM TO SLEEP THAT HE WOULD NOT CRY!"<br />
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I had attended women's Bible studies there and felt comfortable with the other ladies and the pastor. It seemed that the church was excited and interested in our HFH venture. The news came to us in Georgia that our pastor had been sexually inappropriate with one of my friends from the Bible studies. Satan was surely busy clearing away our earthly cheerleaders.<br />
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Hubby is waiting for the computer. Today's treasure was meeting with our friends from church to study Romans 8 and to share our concerns regarding our families' relationships and health. We are God "with skin on" for each other. Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-47341167084983988892014-05-02T15:01:00.000-07:002014-05-02T15:01:51.994-07:00John 10:14<br />
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I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me...<br />
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I know that God likes to shower us with blessings, but yesterday He was just showing off.<br />
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First, I was asked by a second grade teacher to talk with two of her students that have not been getting along. I'm actually employed at the school as an instructional aide, not as a counselor. I was mighty thrilled to offer my social work skills. The teacher, the class, the aforementioned students and I all brainstormed together about the two students' strengths and how they can use their strengths to get along. Time will tell if the challenged students will make it work. As for me, I do believe I will take continuing education units and pay the fees so my social work license will not lapse. God may use me as a licensed certified social worker yet!<br />
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Then, later that day, who should greet me at Barnes and Noble but C., my supervisor from my former job at a half way house. The last time we saw each other was when I handed in my resignation as a case manager. Working at the half way house had become very stressful for me because the lady who hired me back in 2006 was gone, C. was promoted from case manager to supervisor in 2011, the half way house administrators in the far away land of Fargo were suddenly roaring loud and clear in our offices in the city of Mandan, and somehow I went from a valued employee to someone who "did not fit." Little ol' me did not have the wherewithal to deal with the complicated, opinionated, defensive clients of the half way house (people who were transitioning from prison back into society), and defend myself to an apparently hostile employer. So, I tearfully quit in 2012.<br />
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It turns out C. decided to quit her position at the half way house later the same year. If my understanding is correct, she also was made to feel inadequate. Anyway, at Barnes and Noble we laughed, talked about how very difficult it was to work at the half way house and reconnected as much happier human beings. We congratulated each other on moving on and finding better jobs in this big ol' world. I am mighty glad she saw me and stopped to say hello!<br />
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Then, finally, I was asked to be a greeter at a Joy International meeting called Java Joy. It was a pleasure for me to say hello, give people a name tag, and ask them to sign in. The speaker spoke on kindness, one of the fruits of the Spirit. Lovely, lovely ladies all!<br />
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Thank you God for everything! Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-69206639378357714892014-04-30T19:12:00.001-07:002014-05-08T16:09:41.875-07:002 Cor 12:9<br />
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But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.<br />
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So, how quiet is my darling spouse? He is so quiet that if we have only so many words allotted to us for a lifetime, he has another lifetime left! I mean, really, it only took ten years to learn his favorite color is blue. We've been married thirty years and these are some of the very few introspective nuggets that have slipped his lips: he does not like peanut butter, he does like banana cream pie, and he loves me. So, what up wid dat? Please allow me to speculate and stray momentarily off topic.<br />
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I may or may not have mentioned that I have two children who are the best children in the whole world. You maybe thought you had them, but no, I do. So sorry for you. Anyway, our first child was a daughter, B. She was a little surprise. A bonus, shall we say, from our second visit to J.'s cabin in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.<br />
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Her little face lit up at the sight of me. She made a sound, I made a sound. We moved on to talking, reading books, pretending to be peacocks and generally reveling in each others' company. The deceptive little thing deluded me into thinking I had this motherhood thing down.<br />
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The three of us, A., B., and me, moved our happy little family Down Under. A. was a programmer with Unisys. He told me Unisys had a contract with the Royal Australian Navy and programmers were needed. I knew A. was very good at what he did and I said, "Put your little hand in the air and WAVE!" We went to live Down Under for a year and a half. B. acquired an Australian accent and I acquired a baby bump. I tell everyone who will listen that he was conceived in Cairns. Pronounced "cans." I'm bad.<br />
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We arrived back in Minnesota in November 1986. Our souvenir from Australia, M., arrived April 1987. He did not turn yellow, like his sister. He did not require the movie star treatment under the bright lights. More about the daughter's dramatic delivery later.<br />
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We took this uncomplicated baby boy home on a lovely spring day. He did not want his pacifier for the ride home from the hospital. His sister worshiped at the alter of Nuk. I kept putting his in his mouth and later discovered it in my bra.<br />
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As you can see, the comparisons of the daughter and son had begun. She thought I was all that and a bag of chips. He preferred to snuggle with Dad. She held a finger in the air, when asked how old she was, and declared "One!" Actually, she was eleven months. He seemed to see things in the dreamy distance. He did not talk until he was two. Then he up and said, "Daddy's home, get up now." If she was fussy, she could be put in her crib and soon she would calm down and have a nap. He would go in fussy, and escalate to wailing without end. She seemed to enjoy words; talking, listening, and conversing. "In five minutes we will be leaving to visit a friend," had meaning. Unfortunately for M., the aforementioned seemed to be noise. All he knew was: <i>hey wait, there goes the little cars I just lined up just right, and why the heck are they putting this coat on me, and whoa! this is when we usually eat, and now we are in the car, and I am hungry and I have a cold, and what is this place and who are these people and I AM HAVING NONE OF THIS!</i><br />
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I did learn my children are each precious and comparing does nobody good. However, the scenario above was repeated whenever our routine was disrupted. It seemed to me our little one was a titch unreachable. There was some undefinable something I could not explain. Looking back, it is possible for me to say that he seemed to be an independent creature living on an alien planet.<br />
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Imagine packing up our little family and moving to South America when B. was six and M. was 3. More to come!<br />
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Today's treasure was wearing my white spring/summer jeans even if it was only 45 degrees F. Tomorrow is May Day, dang it!<br />
<br />Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-91607102126438141232014-04-29T19:01:00.002-07:002014-04-29T19:01:50.183-07:00Romans 8:18<br />
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...consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.<br />
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That was part of the Bible reading in church last Sunday. My first reaction was, "Pffft! Suffering? I'm not suffering!" I know from traveling that I am a millionaire living in La La Land here in the good ol' USA. My health is good, the health of my family and friends is good. I've got a sweetie, a home, a job, two cats, and a good life. Nobody is persecuting me because of my religion. What do I know of suffering?<br />
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Then a teeny tiny bit of honesty crept in. I am suffering from the dissonance, distance and disapproval I feel in my relationships with my adult children. I have been battling mightily with the despair I feel with my daughter's estrangement from me. Then while I was eating out with my son, I expressed my displeasure to him about waiting such a loooooong time until the waitress came to take our order. He pretty much said, "Oh poor you! Have a little compassion Mom!" O dear. <br />
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I often feel like the "shoot Mom" hunting season is on and I'm the clueless bounty. I mean, shouldn't there be the ringing of a bell, or a "Ladies, start your engines," or something? This honesty bit then lead to the realization that a nasty little something in my head (where the heck does that come from anyway?) says, "Yeah, your relationships suck, you suck, it is all your fault and it will never get any better."<br />
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Thank goodness being honest didn't leave me with that cheery little bit. Because, my present sufferings will be completely blown away by the wonderful relationships, happiness, and God's faithful goodness that will be revealed. Suddenly, being honest with myself doesn't feel so hopeless anymore.<br />
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I had a good laugh yesterday. I just finished reading a nonfiction book with the outlandish title of "Love and Terror on the Howling Plains of Nowhere." It is about a mysterious disappearance and death in Chadron, Nebraska. In the book, Chadron sounds like a small, isolated place. Wouldn't you know, when I joined my fellow instructional aides at lunch, a gal was saying she was from Nebraska and loved everything about it. And, yes, she knew the location of Chadron! I love moments like that.<br />
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I am a voracious reader of biographies. I think I will call it a night with "Walking on Eggshells."Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-42788052607613891322014-04-28T15:28:00.001-07:002014-04-28T15:28:08.608-07:00Lamentations 3: 22-23<br />
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...his compassions never fail. They are new every morning<br />
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Going To The Chapel, continued. Surprise, surprise, my man of mystery said, "OK." We proceeded to go through the bureaucratic hoops for marriage, went to LaBelle's (anybody remember LaBelle's?) for the wedding rings, and set about finding a preacher man. A.'s roommate (and co-worker at Unisys) was dating a co-worker of mine at CCC. Small world, ey? Initially we planned to act as their witnesses and they would act as our witnesses of marriage. But upon further consideration the other couple decided they wanted the big wedding with all the hoopla. They did act as our witnesses, however, and we were married at their church on August 27, 1980.<br />
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My grandmother and my aunt graciously put together a quick wedding reception at my apartment. A total of eight people were present at the ceremony/reception and J. (remember J.?) was very cheesed to have missed it. The state of Minnesota whooped it up on our behalf under the guise of a State Fair. We went to the fair directly after the reception and celebrated our newly wed status with a bag of mini-donuts.<br />
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Thus began our marriage in the good ol' state of Minnesota. From there we have moved to Australia, Georgia, Guatemala, Bolivia, and for now, North Dakota.<br />
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We have had two brilliant babies, acquired Spanish as a second language, learned marriage is a lot of work, dang it, traveled to Europe, worn out one passport a piece, and have had the privilege to assist people. If this sounds interesting, please stay tuned. Habitat for Humanity, Asperger's Syndrome, medical missions, a Masters in Social Work, memories of a halfway house, a detached retina, Visiting Angels, and bone anchored hearing aides will be forthcoming as well.<br />
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Presently I am employed as an Instructional Aide at an elementary school. I supervise the playground, assist in classrooms, supervise in the cafeteria and wipe tables. This is my second go-round as an Instructional Aid. From 1994 to 2000, I worked as an English as a Second Language teachers' aide. I assisted teachers in grades K - 12, throughout the city. I learned diplomacy as each school is its own little world, with large differences in morale and "the way things are done." I learned time management as I drove from one end of town to another to spend perhaps 20 minutes with a student, then hopped in the car and did it again. I got to know the families of some of these children from the Ukraine, Cuba, Bosnia, and Haiti. I learned to be grateful I did not have to flee my home to save my life.<br />
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I had a good laugh when a student from Cuba was learning to count in English from 1 to 10. He did great! Then I asked him if he could count higher. He said he could. Then he raised both hands over his head and counted, "1, 2, 3..." O dear!<br />
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Today's treasure has got to be the following. I am in and out of approximately five classrooms a day assisting various students. Today a second grade student, with whom I do not work, was leaving class early. He packed his backpack, put on his coat, gave me a hug and said, "Good bye Mrs. J!" Just completely out of the blue!!! I can learn a lot about kindness from these kiddos!!!Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-83820619143630748712014-04-26T09:05:00.000-07:002014-05-08T16:11:26.307-07:00Psalm 89:15<br />
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Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.<br />
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Today's treasure, so far, is my confused cat, waking me around 9:30 AM, because the alarm did not go off at 6:30 AM. He kneaded my arm, sneezed in my face and tried to bite my nose. Ain't sleeping in grand?<br />
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So, Mr. Blue Eyes asked me the next day if I wanted to go canoeing. He silently rowed and I talked nonstop. Wandering in a meadow and along the shore resulted in two kisses. They say silent waters run deep. I say they run fast. It was quickly apparent to our cohorts that we were an item.<br />
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I don't remember with whom I rode to get to the cabin, but I rode back with A. on his motorcycle. J., the host, helped me don the required motorcycle helmet. I thought at the time, my he is sweet. With time I learned J. was actually sweet on A. Totally unknown to A. I was a means to and end. O dear.<br />
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My solitary existence suddenly exploded. This little nobody was fielding the amorous intentions of A., from the cabin, J. in pursuit of A., a much younger co-worker, and ? a fellow student from confirmation class. Mercy me. It is a shame I couldn't bottle and sell whatever was attracting them all! To top it off, a former flame met while bar hopping decided maybe he <i>was </i>interested in me.<br />
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How, you may ask, did I know J. was sweet on A.? J.'s modus operandi was to double date with us, try to wrestle with A. during group get togethers, to have a hissy fit if A. did not come to every one of J.'s plays, to tell me all A. wanted from me was sex and, paradoxically, to share with me his fantasies about the three of us abed.<br />
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A.'s modus operandi was to go to square dance classes with me every Friday night. And yes, dear darling J. would be there too. Square dancing is good, clean fun. I enjoyed buying the twirly dresses, fluffy petticoats, and ruffly. mid thigh, flirty undergarments. And gold dancing slippers. It didn't hurt that after the class there would be a pot luck with lots of casseroles and desserts. Every Friday night we had fun dancing, eating, and laughing with people about our age. A. and I tried to find a square dance group where we presently live, but, dare I say it? Everybody was so OLD!!<br />
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A year of dating and squaring dancing quickly slipped away. During that time I learned this fella really, really, doesn't talk much. One of the current popular songs was "He's So Shy!" That worked for me. More on his reticence later. It was hard to resist a handsome, blue eyed sweetie that kept coming back.<br />
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I learned that he was younger than me. I guess the Vietnam War picked off a lot of candidates my age. I was pondering my encroaching senility while we were driving to Rochester to visit his friends, and I heard A. propose some blueprints for a house. A house for us. I asked him if this was his way of proposing. He continued to concentrate on the road, and said it was. Visions of nursing homes fled from my head and I said, "Well alrighty then!" Or something equally emphatic.<br />
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I wanted to do the deed right quick. My romantic man wanted to wait until the following January for tax purposes. Many a time I filled the ear of any friend who would listen with, "For tax purposes!!! Can you believe it????" It dawned on me the person with whom I should be griping was A. I duly did so. He said, "OK then. When <i>do</i> you want to get married?" I replied, "In two weeks."<br />
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More later. Time to practice juggling.<br />
<br />Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-76832623080862848852014-04-24T15:27:00.001-07:002014-04-24T15:49:34.039-07:00Psalm 46:10<br />
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"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."<br />
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Time to catch up a bit with the past. I met my North Dakota man by one of the lakes in The Land of 10,000 Lakes. I had just broken off a relationship with a man from Northern India, and I was done with men. When I received my hand-me-down of a hand-me-down of a hand-me-down invitation to the lake cabin, I went for the lake, not the social experience.<br />
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To explain the "hand-me-down" bit; I was part of the Josten's Catalog Card Company (CCC) group of single people. The other local groups were the Concordia College graduates group and the Unisys group. Some people belonged to two of the groups, thereby creating an overlap. For example, V. belonged to the Concordia group and the CCC group, and J. belonged to the Concordia and the Unisys groups. J. was going to use his parents' cabin in northern Minnesota for a weekend with his friends. He invited people from the Concordia group and the Unisys group. M., who knew J. from Concordia got invited, but she could not go. She recommended that J. invite V. V. could not make it, so she suggested that J. invite little ol' me, from the CCC group.<br />
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We, the invited, were to rendezvous at M.'s Minneapolis apartment and then head to the cabin together in a caravan. All in all a pretty amazing event in the days before cell phones. We waited and waited, but ended up leaving Minneapolis for the lake sans one invitee. It was dark and the mosquitoes were ferocious when we arrived at our destination. And there was the missing member of our merry band. A. said he had been at M.'s apartment and he had rung the bell several times and nobody answered. He made the executive decision to head north alone. We caught him just before he was going to give up and go home. Turns out the doorbell was broken. O dear.<br />
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Since we were all present and accounted for, our next goal was to transport our luggage from our vehicles to the rowboat to the cabin. This took some teamwork on all our parts. I knew everyone else from the group except A. I was totally done with men and wanted to get any introductions over. As we passed one another, hauling and loading our gear, I said, "Hello I'm Susan, who are you?" I said this with all the warm, engaged, excited interest I would presently grant a vampire bat. No, I am not fond of bats. He said his name was A. and we continued our quest.<br />
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Eventually our meld of Concordia, Unisys and CCC people were settled into the cabin. Turns out they all were avid card players, except me. I perched on top of a nearby bunk-bed and watched the action. How very odd. A. was winning all the games. He had a haircut that faithfully mimicked the bowl someone must have place on his head and used as a trimming guide. A. had long bangs that came straight down to his blue eyes. Despite winning every game, he still had time to peek up at me. Pretty often, too.<br />
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To be continued!! Today's treasure was any part I played in helping an autistic second grader to stay in his classroom, rather than running in the hall, out to the playground, or, heaven forbid, away from the school.Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-92055136290728843772014-04-22T14:45:00.000-07:002014-04-24T15:37:28.808-07:00Proverbs 19:21<br />
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Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. <br />
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Today's entry is about my relationship with my adult daughter. She will soon be thirty. Beyond thinking it would be impossible to have her be that age, I thought we would enjoy an adult closeness. I thought we had been close when she was growing up. In mid- 2013, it was my shock and dismay to learn from her that she has never felt close to me and she had a horrible childhood. I had sensed that she had become distant to me beginning with college and especially before and after her marriage in 2006. I really thought time and a life on her own would soon set things "right." In 2013, I asked her what I can do to improve the relationship. It is my understanding I can do a better job of listening. She lives far away in Germany with her husband, and does not contact me often. Most likely I can always listen better than I do.<br />
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In February 2014, we as a family had a long awaited time together. For my daughter and I there were times of civility, verbal vomit in Macy's and then civility. She made me aware that she finds me judgmental, harsh and self centered. She was abundantly clear that she prefers not to be alone with me.<br />
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I am frankly one hurt, astonished and totally puzzled mother. I ventured to ask my son, three years her junior, if he had any idea what has been going on with my daughter and me these many years. He asked, "How honest do you want me to be?" I said that since I asked, he might as well be as honest as possible. He shared that it is his understanding she cannot stand my personality or my religion.<br />
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First, I was stunned. Then, I felt like laughing from relief. I was all set to work hard on my various sins, but heck, my personality and my religion are bedrocks!!! Not a whole lot of options for change there, even though I would like to make plans and take control of the situation and make myself "right." I think this is why my mind returns again and again to this unhappy situation. Frankly, all I can do is hand our relationship over to Jesus and say, "Here. My trust is in You. You love us all and I trust Your will. Amen." Again and again. All I know for sure is I love her very much and hope to be closer to her someday.<br />
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I also take comfort from some parallels I've stumbled unto. In the book <u>Falling Into the Fire</u> a psychologist relates her emotional upheaval when a patient with a history of appearing to "fake" seizures "fools" her too. The psychologist's inability to correctly diagnose and treat the patient made the psychologist doubt her capability as a physician. Also the psychologist resented being intentionally "deceived." The psychologist focused on her own feelings of inadequacy and resentment, rather than on what the actions of the patient declared. My daughter's thoughts and feelings are her thoughts and feelings. They are not a reflection on my actual capabilities as a mother. They are not intended as attacks.<br />
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Which leads to another analogy that has proven helpful to me. It was might corny at first. A rose is fragrant to smell and beautiful to see. It also has thorns that can prick very painfully. The rose does not intend to attack, it is simply prickly. Just as it is lovely. All of this is a rose being a rose. I can give thanks to God for the rose or bemoan the thorns. Thank You God for my daughter, son and husband. And all my family and friends!!! Amen.<br />
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I try to record and savor each day's treasures. Today's treasures have been the lovely weather, good health and this blog!!Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948269313761272874.post-71138757644823617682014-04-21T17:51:00.000-07:002014-04-24T15:32:46.703-07:00Introduction - 04-21-1404-21-14<br />
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Genesis 1:27<br />
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So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them.<br />
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Hello world! This is my intro blog. Stay tuned to read the ramblings of a newly 60 year old female who presently resides near an oil boom city in the Midwest of USA. There is only so much Spider Solitaire a woman can play before thinking, "Hmm, what else can I do before I die?"<br />
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This blog is an attempt to get going on my memoirs and share whatever I may have to offer. Memoirs would be a bit of today and a bit of the past, right? My today included the smiles and laughter of the locals as I walked my Himalayan Rag Doll cat in an infant stroller in a local park. I tried the Pet Smart pet stroller, but found myself wishing I was 4'4" instead of 5'4". I guess only kiddies walk their cats? Anyhoo, since the cat likes lying in the sun and I enjoy walking, a good time was had by all. Today was also one of the first days to frolic outdoors without a hooded parka, scarf and snow-pants. Whoo-hoo!<br />
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I suppose a good intro blog would intro the author somewhat. I was born in Alexandria, Virginia in 1953. I made my appearance sans ear canals or ear drums. My mother said I was popular with the doctors. Most of my childhood was spent in Fairfax, Virginia. My mother's boss was Sargent Shriver of Peace Corps fame. My mother was the secretary of the Peace Corps payroll. My father was an auditor with the U.S. Navy. He kept things lively for our family with his version of a person with bipolar disorder. My mother passed away from cancer at age 38. She was from Minnesota, and I went to live with her parents there on a dairy farm whence my father sent me during one of his "episodes."<br />
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A cousin of mine was already in residence on my grandparents' farm. I soon wormed my way into the daily chores. My uncle, his wife and their baby girl lived in a trailer on the farm property. A fairly good time was had by all until my grandfather died from cancer and my cousin was killed in a car accident. Soon enough it was my grandmother and I doing the daily chores and my uncle handled planting, harvesting and keeping the machinery running.<br />
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My grandmother was a stoic German and kept her grief to herself. I didn't think I said so much, but she often insisted I stop "babbling." One day we were cleaning the barn. She did her gutter and I did mine. I said something. She said, "Stop babbling." Next I know we have the tines of our pitchforks aimed at each others' eyeballs. I gritted my teeth and said, "I Am Not Babbling!!!" Whew. The pitchforks eventually, slowly lowered and we got back to business. I don't recall ever again being told to stop babbling. Much better memories include the way my grandmother would make me laugh with stories about her eccentric mother in law. And the joy we would share over the treasures we found scouring garage sales. A blue light special at K-mart would make us giddy.<br />
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My grandmother's further acts above and beyond the call of duty include getting me enrolled in confirmation in ninth grade and driving me to the not so nearby Vocational/Technical Institute after high school graduation. In confirmation I learned to think deeply about God's love for me. In the Vocational school I learned accounting and computer operating.<br />
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After vocational school my grandmother and my aunt valeted me about town until I aced an interview with Josten's. The next ten years were spent editing orders for catalog cards for books, keying the orders for catalog cards and then actually operating the computers and printing the catalog cards. All in all these were pretty good accomplishments for a hard of hearing, near sighted, sort-of-shy female of the 1970's! Whenever a relative commented to my grandmother on my prowess at school or at work, she could have taken the opportunity to say how hard she worked to get me where I was. Instead she would always say, "That is just the way she is." Bless her heart!<br />
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So, of course there is more to tell in future posts. Getting married. Having babies. Traveling. Other occupations. Better not spill all the beans today! Stay tuned!Just Sayinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408686403579779213noreply@blogger.com0