Christmas in Disney...

I haven't posted in a long while...and, after today, won't get to until 2010 - so here it is!

Merry Christmas to ALL!

We'll post on FB from Disneyland!

Blessings to you and yours!

The Value of Perspective

I saw a sign on a building in Dundee, Oregon today that made me laugh. It was an obvious protest to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and how it uses it's money on road construction and said something to the effect of "Third World Roads, First Class Money."

Really?

Do you think the person who designed this sign has even seen a "third world road?" Even though I am in agreement that certain stretches of the road between Dundee and Newberg need some work - they are terrific roads when compared to roads in less developed countries.

I looked for a picture of one of the many Ugandan roads I have traveled on so that there was a real comparison of what a third world road looked like, but could find the one I wanted, so the photo above will have to do.

Mission Trip - Before & After

In case you haven't seen them on the mission trip blog - here are the before and after photos of the houses we worked on during the youth group mission trip to Baker City, Oregon.

Enjoy!

Nathan

So this post is for the family --

I was always amazed that Nathan became a doctor. All I remember growing up is that he wanted to play football - and preferably for the Dallas Cowboys (at least that's my recollection). Now he is a wonderful doctor for women as they transition through all stages of life.

It totally made my day to see this video of him..so different from the last time I saw him. BUT - hopefully that changes next summer at the family reunion.

Watch for yourself!

Mission Trip Projects

These links will lead you to the 'before' pictures of the projects for our youth group mission trip.

Rest up - because we've got LOTS of work to do!

Johnson house

O'Hare house

Out of the mouths of babes...

Two girls in my small group taught the lesson last Sunday night and did a wonderful job! They didn't even shy away from the hard stuff - teaching about standards in dating situations. It was particularly great that it wasn't one of the adults (specifically me) harping at the girls to remember Godly guidelines for dating.

The best part of the evening was a quote from one of the girls that cracked us up - but we decided it to be especially true when deciding who to date or marry. It was:

"You can teach a guy to kiss but you can't teach him to hold a good conversation."

True. So true.

Basketball Playoffs

So the road to the Oregon High School 1A Basketball Championship goes through (of all places) Baker City, Oregon.

My family and I enjoy supporting the Columbia Christian School Knights throughout the regular season - but especially in their quest to win the coveted championship. We especially enjoy these last few games in Baker City because not only do we get to watch some great high school basketball, but we get to visit family and relax for a couple of days. On Thursday evening, dad and I will make our way east to Baker City to join the rest of the fans, coaches, and players.

This is your year, Columbia - time to bring home the big one!

Cake of 8

So - Peyton turned 8 last Friday. As part of the family tradition, she also got to choose the type of cake she wanted for her birthday. Her request? She wanted an 8. Yes, an 8. So her Aunt Gail complied! The cake showed up at the birthday party in the shape of an 8 - and lime green to boot!

Maybe next year the cake will be whittled down to 'normal' cake size. A cakes just a little too big when it's as big as the 6 month old baby of the family!

Restless

Restless
Time slips by
Thoughts meander
Wondering why
Wondering how
Wishing for more
Waiting for answers
Unknown outcomes
Unspoken desires
Memories disjointed
Silence beckons
Dreams await
Quietness looms…

and still
Restless.

25 Random Things

The few of you who read this blog probably have facebook and have already read this - but here it is again. If you've read this and haven't yet done your own list - consider yourself tagged...

1. I am an introvert. (Yes – really)
2. I have been collecting postcards since I was 7 years old.
3. My favorite types of food are Sushi, Thai, and Moroccan.
4. Most people think I am younger than both of my sisters. I am actually the middle child. Explains a lot, huh?
5. I love baseball. I can watch it in person or on t.v. – I’ll even listen to it on the radio. Let me reiterate – I love baseball.
6. It’s not that I don’t like salad – I like all the stuff that goes in salad – I just don’t like lettuce.
7. I believe every country should have a siesta time in the afternoon.
8. Car rule #1 got broken a long time ago (with this car and the last one).
9. I would prefer to have double-crust peach cobbler for my birthday every year rather than cake.
10. I believe that taking out the trash and mowing the lawn should be a man’s job.
11. I have had 72 stitches (or staples) in my lifetime.
12. I had a benign brain tumor removed in 1994. As a result I am missing about 30% of my peripheral vision in both eyes.
13. I should change dentists so that the office would be closer to my house – but I don’t - because my dentist is cute.
14. If I had a choice of doing anything I wanted with 2 or 3 hours of free time, I would sit and read a book. Well – maybe I’d go to a movie.
15. I have been on one blind date – a blind date I didn’t know I was going on until he showed up at the door (as set up by a ‘secret sister’ at church).
16. I am very allergic to cats.
17. I teach bible class for the 4 year olds through Kindergarten on Sunday mornings with my brother-in-law. On Sunday evenings I teach a high school girls’ church small group. Therefore – I have not been to an adult bible class in at least 11 years.
18. I would choose a SuDoKu puzzle any day over a cross-word puzzle.
19. My friend, Stacey, and I compete to see who can get the most points on their ‘Regal’ points card.
20. I am not a morning person - Best not to talk to me until I’ve showered.
21. I have 4 classes remaining to complete a Paralegal certificate. I’ve learned I’m a much better student now than when I was originally in college.
22. I love McDonald’s sausage burritos for breakfast.
23. I have white-water rafted down the Arkansas River through the Royal Gorge in Colorado (with Class 4 and 5 rapids).
24. My beverage of choice is generally a Diet Coke – unless I happen to be in Baker City, Oregon – then I want a Chai Tea Latte from the “Little Pig.”
25. I am the favorite aunt.

New uses for YouTube

So - apparently the Pope has his own YouTube channel now. Though this does not surprise me, does kind of entertains me. I mean - this is the church that notifies people of how the vote for a new pope has turned out by sending "smoke signals."

I guess this means that even the Catholic Church is having to catch up to modern times.

My YouTube favorite though has to be the sketches from Blank Page Productions. They always make me laugh! I highly recommend watching just a few. One of my favs has got to be "Don't Stop Bleedin." Go ahead - Watch!

Praise You in this Storm

Sometimes it's the words of the songwriters that say exactly what I feel. This has been true for me so many times throughout my life. It is the following lyrics from the song "Praise You in this Storm" by Casting Crowns that speak to me right now.

"Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now

God You would have reached down

And wiped our tears away

Stepped in and saved the day

But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear Your whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

And every tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

I remember when

I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry to you

And you raised me up again

My strength is almost gone

How can I carry on

If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

The Maker of Heaven and Earth

In Memory

Gwendolyn Faye Goodyear

May 29, 1949 - January 10, 2008

The only thing that helps the ache inside of me is to know my beautiful mother now sits at the feet of her Lord and Master on high. I love you Mom.