The Trailer

Well, just to keep you updated on what's happening here in AZ, the Stuck's are now the proud owners of a Jayco Feather 25ft trailer. We've been talking, looking, saving and talking some more about graduating from our pop-up to a bigger trailer for a few years now and I thought I would share our news. Otto's been looking for awhile, but we kept putting it off, saving more, but I finally gave in and went looking with him a few months ago. Whew, what a task, in and out of trailers, this lot, drive across the city to the other one, in and out of trailers, several times - not so smart in the Arizona during the summer!
We quit looking for awhile and then one weekend last month he convinced me again to head to the lot. Lucky for us someone just traded in a trailer that fit just what we were looking for.
A few days later, we were the proud owners, and we brought it home, spent the weekend cleaning it and putting the 'stuck' touch to it. We found a storage lot where we can 'house' it close by since it won't fit in our garage (bummer, but I do get to put my car in there once again!).
We are really excited about taking it out soon, may not be till beach camping in CA, but none the less, we are very excited!

God's Perfect Timing

Why do we try to undermine our Father? His timing is perfect, yet we try to manipulate and control things that are really out of our control ~ He has a plan for us, we just need to listen and wait.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

It is hard, sometimes to just sit and wait for the Lord. We want to jump in and help out wherever we can. I'm not saying we should always sit idly while someone is in need, but we don't always have to try to fix things! I am a fixer. I can't help it sometimes, I just want people to be happy and for some reason, I feel I am the person who will bring happiness. Wow, how conceited is that?

Really, I am inclined to jump in and help out whether that is what God wants me to do or not; it takes a lot of restraint not to just jump in and give my two cents (or more!)

My prayer for you today (and me, of course) is that we stop, wait and listen for the Lord, His timing is perfect and if we give Him the chance, He will work all things for good!

Update on Dean ---- He is being moved to a long term care facility where he will begin the process of physical and hopefully, some behavioral therapy! Tina, along with his parents are driving him there this morning. Kaya and Eden will be flying to Arizona to spend some time with Grandma, then Tree will pick them up and go to California for a few weeks - the kids need some vacation time and this will give Tina a chance to get things in order. I'll fill you in on his progress, please continue praying for his strength to fight this fight!

No Limits

There are no limits to the what we can experience through God!
"He is able to do far more, exceedingly, abundantly, above all we could ask or think..." Ephesians 3:20

Update on Dean~

He has regained most of his memory is talking, but tires easily. He now is dealing with the long road to recovering his motor skills. Please continue to pray for Dean's improvement and also for his girls, Tina, Kaya and Eden as well as the rest of his family.

Life Changing Events

just my thoughts....

Well, our family was hit with tragedy Saturday morning when my sister, Tina called from Minnesota to tell us that her boyfriend was airlifted to the hospital when she couldn't wake him up for work. Dean was on life support and pretty close to death the entire weekend. Talk about a life changing event. My mom flew out to be with Tina and the girls, Kaya (12) and Eden (9)late Saturday night. Wow -

Today when I talked to Tina, Dean had just woke up and had been breathing on his own for about an hour --- what a miracle!

What is going to change about their life as they knew it? What is going to be different about the way they live?

As I grow up (that's what I refer to as aging, growing up), I tend to look at things a lot differently... I relish in a beautiful day, take time to smell the flowers, use my china/crystal every day and even burn those fancy candles. I don't want to miss a minute of anything! People become more important than things, relationships do matter and boy do I want to be debt-free!

The Olivito-Karlen family is faced with this now. Will Dean look at his life differently? What can and will he change about the way he lives. How will Kaya and Eden change? What about Tina, losing a life-partner is a harsh reality, especially at 40!

I sure hope that this life-changing event will turn into a positive in their lives! It's too early to tell about the physical and mental state for Dean, but we are hoping for a miraculous recovery.

God's Country

Just returned from a trip to Big Lake, located in the White Mountains of Arizona, about 15 miles from the New Mexico border. Lots of elk, critters and tall pines! Fishing wasn't too great because it was so windy, but still a bad day fishing beats a good day at work anytime! Right?

We left Thursday right after work and rolled in about 9:30 pm, we took the wrong Forest Road and ended up having to turn around with the trailer (oy). But, all in all, not a bad trip up there! We went through Globe this time and really enjoyed the scenery and took our time.

Friday am up early as fishermen do -- but not very lucky, the wind was howling and there were white caps on the lake. You could see the storm in the distance backed by the white-capped mountains. It was beautiful. Nothing like being one with nature. I finished a book I was reading and I think I went through about 3 lures in 30 minutes! Shore fishing sucks sometimes. Otto had a few bites, and our friend, Bob Rasmussen did catch one 13" from his canoe. So, like I said before, a bad day.....

Most of the campers showed up by Friday night and we gathered for our 'soup pot luck' yummy! Boy, it sure got cold quick. Trying to stay warm by the fire was difficult with the wind, but we managed some how. That night, our heater came on - it got in the low 40's --

Saturday brought some sunshine, but still cold we decided to hike with the Rasmussens and Gerhardts - ya never know what you're gonna get when the Ras lead the pack. The trail was about 8 miles, up and down, not too hard but so many fallen trees; took us about 4 hours! Not expecting the long trek, we were tired and out of water by the time we returned to camp! And, almost late for dinner - tonight, chili!

More campfire, then bed! Early for a Saturday night, but that hike wore us out. Sunday we got up and headed to group breakfast; pancake, sausage and egg cassarole, yum yum - followed by a prayer service by Deacon Ron and then packed up for home.

We decided to head North and take 40 to 17 through Flagstaff and hit Winslow on the way - we were Standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona!!! Check that off our bucket list!

What a great weekend and wonderful fellowship with friends!

Are You Looking at the Heart?

"The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. "
1 Samuel 16:7, NLT

This scripture was in my InBox this morning - I love how God works in my life, He never ceases to amaze me! I have had two encounters this week, just on this topic. First, I was having a conversation about how we are all quick to judge by outward appearance and when we first meet someone we think, she's pretty or he's handsome and start judging them before they speak a word. I'm guilty of judging the way people dress, talk, etc and sometimes catch myself getting caught up in the whole physical appearance. Second, I was sent an email story about a man who found some clay balls in a discarded sack on the beach. He examined them quickly, and looking at the roughness and wear decided they were just 'clay balls'. He started throwing them into the ocean one by one. As he was about to throw one of the last balls over the crashing waves, he dropped it on the sand and it broke open to reveal a valuable jewel. How sad he was when he realized he just threw away half of the treasure he found because he only saw what was on the outside! How many people have we tossed away because they didn't meet our 'physical' or outward appearance requirements? How many experiences have we missed out on because we didn't get to know someone better?

May we all take a moment when we have the opportunity to meet someone and get to know them for who they are and not how they look. Let's not judge and try to see the person as our loving Father would, as a treasure, a beautiful gem and valuable jewel!

Under The Sun

Have you ever used the phrase 'everything under the sun' to describe a lot of things? I am doing a bible study called "A Woman of Contentment", it is based on Ecclesiastes and the phrase 'under the sun' is everywhere in this book. Solomon looking for answers everywhere 'under the sun', fools gathering treasures 'under the sun'. Were they happy once they had everything 'under the sun'? Well, not really. Last night's chapter focused on 'fading glories'. We discussed chasing after everything 'under the sun' and how we should live thankfully for these gifts, but remember that our real life, the life that will never fade away is in heaven. Where are we headed and what do we want in this world? We know that we will not live forever, but we chase after things that will make us happy for a moment and then the moment is gone. What do we have left? This book has helped me focus on what is important to me and reminds me that all we have here on earth will be gone one day. The real treasures are in heaven and our focus should be upward. When you have a minute, thank God for what we have on earth, appreciate it, but keep your focus upward to where your real treasure lies!

Beauty in a Sunset

Can You Feel It?

"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. "
Philippians 2:13

This is an ongoing discussion at our weekly Bible Study meetings, Can you feel it? 'It' is actually God. We often get sidetracked in our discussion about a scripture or topic during the study and go the route of 'how do you know when God is talking to you or which path to take or what is the right thing to do'. Well, what we have determined so far is...

1. Lightening probably won't strike you and you won't hear 'Cheryl, this is God'
2. He often speakes through others, in readings and nature
3. We can see Him in everything if we just take the time to stop, look, but most importantly, listen

How do we know when God is working in us? How do we know that our desires are the desires that He has set in our hearts? How do we know what path to follow? Well, that my friends is something that when we are at the 'pearly gates' may be answered. But, for now, we have to trust our judgement and our feelings to follow the right road that will lead us to Him. Stay in touch through scripture and meditation. Seek Him, you will see Him if you look for Him!

I am sure you all have seen the email, or heard the story about the man who was trapped on the roof of his house during a flood and prayed to God to save him. First, a boat motors past the flooding house and the guy refuses to get on board waiting for God, then a helicoptor flies overhead and drops a rope and the guy refuses again. Finally, after the water has overtaken the house and after the man drowned, he is face to face with God. He is angry and yelling at God for not saving him. God says "I sent a boat and a helicopter for you, what were you waiting for"?

Since the Lenten season is approaching, I hope that you all take the time to reflect, renew and refresh your faith. Take the time to stop, look and listen for God!

See you at the finish line.......

I've been reading a short book by Lincoln Murdoch who is an endurance racer, "See You at the Finish Line" and am again reminded how God works in our lives. I have been struggling with motivation and direction lately and it seems that others around me are as well. You see, this book wasn't on my bookshelf, in fact I don't even know where it came from or how I got it. I stumbled across it when putting away the Christmas decorations. I don't know about you, but I heard God speaking to me "stop what you are doing and look at this book". Now of course, Otto would say that was my ADD and inability to stay on task, but I know it was God. So many of us miss His calling because we are pre-occupied and don't stop to listen. So, blocking out Otto telling me to 'stay on course', I picked up the book and read the Introduction....

In the Introduction, Lincoln speaks to his endurance racing and how he is able to compete because he has set a plan and stayed the course - he talks about how football or basketball teams fall apart in the 4th quarter and lose because they didn't have the same level of endurance and conditioning as the other team. Well, just as in athletic performance or life, we need endurance in our spiritual walk.

Luke 21:19 says "By your endurance, you will gain your lives."

I am drawn to what the author is saying, whether we are battling relational struggles, burnout, financial problems or an attack by the enemy we can not abandon our faith just because the race is too hard. We must stay the course and press on. I am looking forward to reading more of what Lincoln has to say in his book and will keep you all posted and hopefully bring some helpful tips on not giving up when the going gets tough! As well as our spiritual lives, we can apply what he is saying in our daily lives and other goals we may have set and struggling to complete.

Two weeks ago, I signed up for two classes at the local community college with the goal of getting my degree (finally). I gave up pursuing my degree about 20 years ago; there were many reasons that justified my decision at the time and even since then. But I have always questioned my decision and whether I should start school again. Over the past few years my job has taken many twists and turns, all of which I had no control over and many times I thought about going back to school to see what I wanted to do when I 'grow up'. Well, finally, after much soul-searching and praying, I made an appointment, met with a counselor and requested my transcripts from 1987. I know this road may be a tough one to travel, but I am keeping an open mind and pressing on toward the goal to get my degree.

I hope that if any of you have set goals and not accomplished them will consider looking at them again, coming up with a plan to meet your desires and pressing on to completion!

Oh yeah, and one more thing.... GO CARDINALS!