Here I am Lord!

"Here I am Lord, speak to your servant"  Samuel's response to His Father's calling.  It only took Samuel three times to get it right along with a little help from Eli!

Today I am thankful for my brothers and sisters in Christ who sometimes help me discern the calling I've failed to respond to.  Just like Samuel, I run to what is familiar because I fail to listen.  It is so easy to fall into worldly traps and snares that keep us from responding to God's calling.

Otto and I worked the food pantry at OLG last weekend and committed to return next month.  We've felt the call but neglected to answer.  I am glad we finally responded, it feels great to be back in service!  We need to open our hearts and ears to hear what else God is asking of us and respond.  We need to be His hands and feet!

As St. Francis would say, "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

Family Christmas

We had a wonderful time in Minnesota, here's a few pics from Christmas Eve before going to church.  We feel so blessed to have had such a great visit with Leanna, Jared and the grandkiddos!  We sure missed the Olivito/Stuck clan, but enjoyed our time with the Hansons.  

Today, I am feeling reflective, yesterday I felt defeated.  It is somewhat boggling that I can change gears so quickly, but then again not so much.  When I spend time with the Lord, I feel that I can do anything, but when I leave it up to my own doing, I just can't do it.  So, why do I spin my wheels?  Human nature I guess. I think sometimes I just forget, so I've adopted this mantra, I can do all things, through Christ who gives me strength (Phill 4:13) I have to bring Christ back into the center of my thinking, make Him the reason I can do all things, not because of me, Cheryl, but because of Him.

This morning I feel renewed, let's see if I can keep my thoughts on Him today.

Cardinal in the Snow

This guy stood out so much today with all the snow - I spotted him out our back slider!
What a blessing for me to catch him.

Happy New Year - 2012

Well, for this first post of 2012 I want to start out by thanking God for all the blessings in our lives!  Wow, where to start.....I'm grateful that He knows what is in my heart because right now it is overflowing with all the precious and wonderful things that have been 2011 for us.  Of course, y'all know we made a cross-country move, our fifth grandchild was born, we visited the Hansons in Turkey and explored more of this great land.

Those were some of the BIG things but there were many more simpler God moments that have blessed us.  Getting a blowout on the freeway, and having Jesse with us who has mad skills at everything to help change the tire and drive us safely home. The Chamberlains being in PA when we made our relocation visit and getting to watch our nephew, Tristin play in the Pony World Series in Washington PA.  And, on this same trip a random FB post about New Stanton connected me with my elementary school friend, Mary Brunasso who was dropping her daughter off at Seton Hill in Greensburg.  We met for coffee, met her husband and we chatted for hours it seemed.  We've even gone to hear her daughter, Liz sing in the school's choral group.  Like moving to the same town as Joyce's sister, Judy and her husband  whom we've connected with.  Finding a new hair stylist and nail gal who just happens to coach travel softball, Otto and I both liked her right off the bat; we never thought we'd find someone like Becca.  Of course, no one will ever replace that sweetheart, but at least we found someone we have something in common with, and who does a good job.  Going to the University of Pittsburgh game and meeting the COO of the Westmoreland County Food Bank and we chatted about volunteering, sent my resume and hopefully made a connection for a job.  I almost stayed home and didn't go to the game, but Otto talked me in to it.  And just last night at mass, mind you the church was packed, the usher sat us next to a new friend from my bible sharing group, Rita.

There are so many more of these moments we call a God thing or God moment but just a few to help you understand why we are so grateful!

Otto and I are really looking forward to whatever 2012 has in store for us and we are hoping to find joy in each and every adventure, opportunity or challenge.

We sincerely hope that you recount your blessings from 2011 and find joy in the journey in 2012!

J's 30th birthday in Big Bear with Kirby, Troy and Kelly and Gabe

At Smyrna  in Turkey had the best time with the Hansons as our guides

J and Corynn's baby shower at the Mitchell's house
it was an awesome celebration

Four generations, Framma, Jason, me and Gianna - amazing!

Tony's 40th birthday celebration on the Big Red Trolley
through Long Beach - what a blast!!

On our houseboat with neighbors, Amy and Christine - what fun!

Arizona Discount ATV - ADA
We've played with these guys for 10 years!  gonna miss 'em

Legonier - our first small town Main Street parade - cool!

Our first Pennsylvania Thanksgiving, quaint and yummy!

University of Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse - explored the city
and enjoyed the game at Heinz field

Christmas Eve hike in Eden Prairie with the Hanson's - beautiful and wonderful!

Twin Lakes

Took a walk around the two lakes today, it was a chilly day but I think I got some really cool shots.

Thanksgiving, Pennsylvania Style

This year, we found ourselves at home, just the two of us for Thanksgiving - I can't remember a time that we  celebrated this holiday without family or friends gathered around the table, sharing the blessing cup and stories and memories of Thanksgiving past!  Each dish, except the mashed potatoes, was a new recipe; I figured new town deserved a little adventure down the culinary path marked 'new'.  Success!  We enjoyed each new recipe, savoring the flavors that only Thanksgiving can bring all at once.  Cranberries sweetened with oranges, dressing with sausage and pecans, turkey stuffed with onion and rosemary and fresh green beans with garlic and almonds - what a feast.  We also enjoyed pumpkin and pecan pie, which I quickly wrapped and prepared for delivery to Otto's work the very next day.  Don't want to spoil the sweat and energy spent at the Y!  We ended the day decorating the house and putting up lights and our tree.

Saturday we headed out for a drive to a nearby winery, Glades Pike, which turned out to make some pretty good reds.  Two bottles purchased and a new destination plugged into the GPS - the new Memorial for Flight 93.

As we headed off for the memorial, we talked about the sadness that September day brought and how each generation has built memorials to those that fought for our freedom and rights on American soil; from the soldiers of the Civil War to the civilian heroes of Flight 93.  We bring our children and families to these sights to pay tribute to those who fight for us.  Are we saddened by how they perished?  Of course.  But we also celebrate the bravery and selfless sacrifice by honoring their actions. 

The marble wall below is in line with the plane's flight, at this angle you are looking in the direction the plane came from before it crashed into the field and each section of the wall is unique and bears each name of the 40 passengers and flight crew.  As you look into the field you see the rock that marks where the plane came to rest taking out rows of trees and settling in the woods.   The landscape architect and artist for this project used creative design to depict an airport and airplane concept for this memorial.  The black benches that line the field are shaped like an airplane wing and the seats at the entrance to the walkway look like an airport gate waiting area (I didn't get that picture though)  The one thing these pictures don't show is the emotion you could see in the eyes and on the faces of the onlookers as they walked the path along the field, peered through the fence at the rock and flags where a plane crashed smoldering the dreams of 40 families, or as they read the names on each of the marble slabs with the field reflected in their sheen.  It was sad, awesome and emotional to sum it up.  Glad we came.  Glad we were able to honor the people who had the courage to stand up to an enemy.  We pray we don't build too many memorials any time soon....

 

After leaving the memorial we saw a sign for a covered bridge, so we traveled a few miles to see the Glessner bridge built in 1881 and recently restored!  It was if I was transported back in time and could hear the clickity clack sound of wheels as they crossed over the bridge, the creek bubbling below and the wind wooshing through the rafters in days gone by! 

After the covered bridge, we headed to dinner at "Out of the Fire" a quaint little restaurant we heard about during our travels of the day.  We managed to get an early reservation and now have a favorite new place!  We had slider appetizers that were beyond words and sea bass with potato leek soup.  It was the perfect ending to our anniversary day on the road.  

And as we drove home on Claypike Road we passed Stone Villa winery, a destination for another day.....

Thanksgiving

Fall Sunset in Julian

Reflecting on the past few months, I am very grateful for all that we have.  Okay, so I gave thanks.  But, as I was looking at the title of my post I realized something that I've neglected to do for awhile.  I've got the Thanks down, what about the 'giving'.  I know, we are supposed to 'give' thanks.  What happens when we look at Thanksgiving a little differently.....  Advent is soon upon us and we are supposed to prepare ourselves for the Lord.  One way to prepare is to empty ourselves of what turns us away from God and another would be to empty ourselves of what others may need.

Since leaving our church community in Phoenix, we have not been tithing regularly or involved in any of the other programs that required us to give of ourselves, like Habitat (building for the less fortunate) or Andre House (feeding the homeless).

I am looking for somewhere to 'give' of myself and hope to start volunteering at Catholic Charities next week.  I hope that during this time of thankfulness that we remember the 'giving' in Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

BBQ'd Turkey - Lake Pleasant

In And Around

Well, my job search goes on and so does exploring and discovering things in the Greensburg area.  This tunnel didn't take too much exploration because the first time we came to the house our GPS gave us directions through this way.  We soon discovered another route, but this is one of the major thoroughfares to this neighborhood.  Now, mind you, it's not that BIG of a neighborhood, nothing like a CA or AZ neighborhood, but none the less this is one way to get to our house.  They do things different in the east, see, Greensburg is the county seat, that's where all the administrative services are for the county. We actually live in Hempfield Township, which is a part of Greensburg, but that's another story.....

Let me just share some pics for now!

Crow's Nest Tunnel
Here's the tunnel - I probably should have taken a picture of the sign that says "flash your lights and honk your horn as you enter".  I tell you, I have to laugh every time I drive through there, it's so crazy!

The Meadow
Here's the view from the townhouse that was taken shortly after we moved in......





...and, here's the view today.

 Our Home
Here's our living room....mostly decorated with the exception of behind the couch, still working on that.

The Five Point Trail

Here's a part of the trail that we run that starts/ends at Lynch Field and goes to Youngwood, a neighboring township.  There is an ice rink, soccer and baseball fields, a mile track and a workout center at the field.  This is where we workout sometimes.  We rode our bikes on the trail for the first time the other day, the trail runs up along the tracks and goes through the city along Hwy 119. 

Greensburg, PA

This is a view of the city from the hill up above our townhouse.  Our neighborhood includes single family homes, then two sets of townhomes/condos.  The single family homes are Meadowlane Heights, the townhouses/condos are Meadowlane Village.  I walk this hill, then run through the township of Bovard for about a 3 mile workout.  This is one of my favorite views so I wanted to share it with you.  This picture isn't the best, the day was a little cloudy but I'll share a better one next time.

Fall Colors

So, by far, fall is the most beautiful thing here in the East.  I love the contrast of the bright colors against the greens and blues.  Here are some of my favorite things from fall here in Pennsylvania.

Shramm Farms 

Our trip to Shramm Farms was awesome.  We bought fresh veggies grown right there on the farm as well as picked out a pumpkin to carve.  The farm store is amazing.  So much great stuff to choose from.  Here is a picture of our first haul.

This is s picture of the pumpkins still on the vine, before they were picked and brought to the field.

Bovard-Luxor Road

This meadow is at the corner of Route 119/Bovard-Luxor Road, the other way to get to our townhouse.  We've figured out that this is the fastest way into Greensburg, and the Crow's Nest way is the fastest to Route 30 and Westmoreland Mall.   This meadow is absolutely beautiful and this was taken shortly after we arrived.  I haven't taken one recently to show the lack of leaves and color, but this is where we'd likely see wildlife!

Fox Den Acres 
Here's a picture of the breezeway at the campground we stayed when we first arrived in PA.
This will always be special as we were able to experience the countryside from a different perspective before moving into our home.

Open Space

It's amazing how much open space there is.  You can drive for miles and see a house here and there as well as sights like this car cemetery.  This field is about a mile from the Supervalu warehouse and one day after dropping Otto off, I drove around the little borough of New Stanton and just had to stop and snap this photo. 

I hope you can get a little flavor of what we see when we are out and about.  We are taking it slow so we can enjoy and receive the blessing of the new sights and views around town.  This weekend Otto is heading to AZ for the NASCAR race and I am going to check out another Farmer's Market at Lynch Field and hopefully do some sightseeing on my own.  

Verse of the day - 

"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.  He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'" Job 37:5-6

Pictures

Here's the first snowfall in PA!  I missed it as I was in CA, but Otto experienced it - this was taken on his way to church Sunday am.

On the way to church in Crabtree PA, this is just a few minutes

from the house on Bovard-Luxor Rd.

While in CA, Corynn, Gianna and I met Sandi, Robin, Linda and Kayla at Marie Callendar's for lunch, here's some pics!
Corynn, Kayla and Gianna

Robin, Cousins Sandi and Linda and Me!

That's all for today!  Just finished Yoga and meditation, going to get coffee and search for doctors and a dentist!
Finally hung up our pictures and decorated the walls a little, doesn't look so 'not ours' any longer!
Gonna lead bible study in AZ via Skype tonight - woo hoo, miss those ladies sooo much!

More pictures and adventures to come!

The Gift of Thoughtfulness

I'm reading a book on how couples that pray together notice the positive difference in their lives.  In the current chapter that I am reading, they are talking about how to think thoughtfully and couples are challenged for forty days to pray and thank God as well as being thoughtful towards your spouse.

Nothing reassures your spouse more than to see or hear you express your appreciation through thoughtfulness.  But, really how do we do that?  An example of the extreme is the Gift of the Magi - you all know the story. Della and Jim loved each other very much and wanted to buy a special Christmas gift that would express their love and devotion to the other.  Della had beautiful long, silky hair that she loved and Jim adored and Jim had a pocket watch that was handed down to his father from his grandfather.  Della knew how much Jim loved that watch and wanted to buy him a special chain so she cut and sold her hair to purchase the gift.  She wondered if Jim would still think she was beautiful with short hair as she headed home with her prized package.  She was so excited to give Jim his present, she forgot about her short hair and what he would think.  As Jim opened the tissue that revealed the present he had to laugh.  Della soon would see why Jim was amused as he presented Della with his gift; two beautiful tortoise-shell combs for her hair that he purchased with funds from his pocket watch that he sold.  Both decalred their love and appreciation by giving up their own prized possession.  They both laughed and embraced as the greatest gift of all surrounded them, their love for each other.

Okay, so I guess we don't have to go down that path, but what can we do?   One example in the book was one spouse greeting the other with a hug and a kiss at the door as they came home from work.  Simple, yet caring.  Another example was valuing your spouses opinion. Really listening to their complaints and changing something for them.  Easy things, not cutting your hair, or selling your favorite watch but giving the gift of time and taking the time to listen to your spouse and put something into action that they have an opinion on.

During this time of thanksgiving and the approaching season of advent, it is the perfect time to examine our actions and to make the necessary changes that will align them with our beliefs.  I hope to take a more thoughtful approach to the way I speak to and show appreciation to Otto.  What better way to prepare the way for the Lord than to be thankful for and to be more thoughtful toward our spouse.