2010 and F-I-F-T-Y

Well, on Thursday at midnight, we will all ring in a brand new year and I will be 50.  I was given an early present this past weekend in a gift bag that said "Fifty, the new F word".  I, for one, am not at all worried, depressed or consumed with turning fifty and even less concerned about saying it!  It is a cute gift bag anyway!

I've been thinking.......how do we address this new year?  Should we say ohh-10, or just '10 or should we say 2010?  Thoughts anyone?

What about resolutions?  Does anyone make them anymore?  I guess, more importantly does anyone keep them anymore?

And another thing......what the heck is a Zhu Zhu?

What happened to all the "God" billboards, I really liked 'em?

Just my thoughts for this last Tuesday of 2009!

Why?

This week has brought tragedy to a family in Fullerton..... one of Kayla's friends disappeared and hasn't been seen or heard from since 1:30 pm Saturday afternoon.  Kayla wrote on FB.... "its times like these when i just have to ask God why? please give me the strength :/ praying for James"

I guess it's natural to ask "why" when something like this happens, but I was impressed by Kayla's ability to ask God for strength as well as praying!  All too often we find ourselves asking God why and even cursing Him, but not taking action and praying.  I was also encouraged by the youth, specifically, James' friends gathering together and supporting the family by passing out flyers and just being there.

There is a rosary scheduled this evening at St. Jude's in Fullerton at 7:00 p.m. PST, please let's all pray together that James is found safe.

The Reason for the Season

Well, I have been absent in the posting arena for awhile (at least with my thoughts, opinions, etc), so as I jump back on the horse and throw my two cents into the ring let's talk about Advent.
Advent is a time of preparation, preparing our hearts and minds to receive the gift of Love delivered in the form of a baby child named Jesus.
Just as we would prepare our home for any guest, we should be examining our hearts, minds and will.  Are we ready to have this visitor be a guest in our 'home'?
We all get really busy this time of year with all the Christmas hype at the store, commercials on TV and kids 'can Santa bring me this toy?', but let's keep in mind why we are doing all this.
A friend of mine posted the busy-ness of Martha and the flip side, calmness of Mary.  Leanna posted about losing the true meaning of Christmas in all the hype, and a co-worker blogged about a 'simplier Christmas' (excerpt: My wish for all of us this season is that we are able to slow down, live healthier, live more “in the moment” as my colleague so aptly aspires, and to cherish what we have rather than what we would hope to have. We can start by not letting the season complicate our lives, but rather simplify them so I figure it's a topic that is on everyone's mind).
So, what is it that we should do?  Well, I believe it is different for everyone, but most importantly, let's keep Christ in Christmas - HE truly is the reason for the season!

Wedded Bliss

We attended the wedding of a friend's daughter this past Saturday, and couldn't get over how incredibly happy and totally in love with each other the couple seemed to be. When you saw the groom gaze into his bride's eyes, you knew this couple was meant to be together.  I know, because, my hubby of 32 years has that same look.  How I remember that look, the one that drew me in, to my now husband and then boyfriend.  That look is still the same, it is the look that says "I can see deep into your soul, I know you and I love you!"   It is the look that says, "no matter where we are and what our circumstances I will always love you".  It is amazing and crazy that after all these years he still has that look and he gives it only to me, his bride of 32 years!  I cherish and pray that the look remains forever for us as well as for the couple whose union we witnessed on Saturday!

This picture with John Jaques is from J and Corynn's wedding five years ago. 

Family

Just wanted to post this awesome picture of Otto's family - brother Tom, Otto, sister Charlene, his dad, Chuck, brother Tim and his mom, Ellen

Happy Birthday Otto

Wishing my hubby and best friend a wonderful birthday week!  Celebrated last night with taco salad, carrot cake, a glass of wine and a movie (Star Trek) with neighbors!  Now, off to Tucson!

O and Jess are riding the century at el Tour de Tucson!  Now, we've all done long rides before and I loved the experience but I don't think I ever said, "for my birthday this year, I want to ride 109 miles in a day"!  Well, that's what he and Jess are going to do!  We are preparing a 'carb up' meal Friday night, and grilling a celebratory steak dinner Sat night.  While the boys are riding on Sat, Cindy and I plan to work on our bible study music and address lists, stuff we need to do but don't seem to find the time.  We are staying at a resort outside of Tubac, so should be the perfect scenery for some meditation, soul searching and relaxing!

Join me, in praying for a safe ride for the two of them and a restful, relaxing weekend for Cindy and me!

Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart

How do you give thanks? Do you show others how grateful you are for them? Or, do we take all we have and those we love for granted?   I don't think I show enough appreciation for those I love and all I have.
As I think of the upcoming day of thanks I am searching for the right words to say thank you, but none come to mind. 

This month I hope you all focus on the blessings God has bestowed on you and show your appreciation for all you are close to. Give thanks with a grateful heart!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Cast All Your Cares

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.1 Peter 5:6-7

A good reminder, this popped up in my InBox today -

I've realized that my anxiety has often blocked what God has intended for me to do.  I get so preoccupied trying to work it my way, that I miss what it is He really has in mind for me.

Do you ever do that?  Well, this scripture is certainly a good reminder, first to be humble, second to remember that it is in His time, not ours will we be lifted up.  We may be going through a troubling time for a reason and must find a blessing in whatever it is.  Also, the final reminder in this scripture is to cast all our cares/anxiety on him, because he cares for us. 

Casting my cares on him is one of the hardest things for me, and I struggle with this daily.  I look at it like this.... I am fishing and I cast my line out and instead of waiting, I get anxious and reel it back in.  Otto always gets mad at me and tries to encourage me to be patient and leave my line alone.  But, time after time, I cast and reel it in without a thought. 

Well, I am going to post this message and commit it to memory to help me when I get frustrated and lack patience, or try to go off in my own direction instead of the one he wants me to!  Hopefully, it will help me with patience and waiting for God to do what he has intended instead of what I want.

Who knows, maybe it will help me on my next fishing trip as well!

Vacation

Just returned from a week in Florida on Cape San Blas ~~ what a glorious time we had.  First stop last Friday night was New Orleans, unfortunately our luggage was in Tampa - oh well, off to see the town. (our luggage finally made it Sat around 1:00 .m.) We headed to Bourbon St. for a Hurricane at Pat O'Brien's, dinner at the Old Coffee Pot for Jumbalaya and Gumbo, then on to Frenchmen St for some jazz.  Headed back to Bourbon St. for some live music at the Funky Pirate and saw Big Al (all 375 lbs. of him) sing some blues.  New Orleans is about what I expected, dirtly, rowdy drunks and lots of old, old bars.  Frenchmen St. did have some good jazz and clubs, but very crowded!  We had to listen outside some of the bars as they were so many people jammed in :(
Sat am - off to Cafe du Monde for beignets and cafe au lait - the site has been a coffee stand since early 1860's, such history!  That was awesome!  Still no luggage so we couldn't head to the beach yet, decided to check out some cemetaries, crazy they are above ground and sooo old!  we saw one gravesite that had over 12 family members buried there.
Picked up rental car and back to the hotel to wait for luggage and grab lunch before getting on the road to Florida!
Arrived at Mexico Beach about the same time as the Hanson's so stopped to pick up two kids for the remainder of the drive to the beach house for 7 days with the fam!  Wow, the kids are getting sooo big!

It would take a few pages for me to describe the fun the next six days held for us -- here are some highlights!

Beach, more beach, shelling, jellyfish stings, sting ray, bob fetching, dolphin and jumping fish sightings, bonfire on the beach w/ s'mores, raw oysters, great pizza, lighthouse, more beach, body surfing, more shelling, floating, family trivial pursuit, giggles and tickles, cribbage, steal my pile, fish, pictionary, scallops and fish tacos, early am beach runs, coffee w/ chicory, chocolate pancakes, skim boarding, fishing, catfish stings, sand dollar find, treasure island, rain, lightning, sunsets and sunrises.  But, the best of all the kiddos 24/7!!

We had a wonderful time with the Hanson's and Horel's at Pass View on the Gulf!  Thank you so much for all the memories!

Just for Today

Just for today, I will....
try to do better than yesterday
be the best wife I can be
be a good sister, aunt and friend
glorify God

This doesn't mean that I will only do this today, but today I WILL do these things!