Bidwell Mansion

Today was our last field trip of this school year with our Beale group. We visited Bidwell Mansion in Chico, CA.  There were only two families plus one boy, but it was a great trip. Arielle was thrilled to get more highway time in.  

The day began in panic mode as we realized my camera bag (and wallet) were not at home. I didn't feel I could be the "licensed driver" for Arielle for a long trip without a license. We caught the M family before they left base and they swung by the lab to find Michael and get the keys. My bag was in the back of his car. We met up on a hwy heading out of town. I helpfully stood on the corner so April would see me...but um...it wasn't a great area of town....she pulled up and threw the bag out the window and drove off.  I jumped in our van and drove off. ::snort::  I was happy we always leave lots of margin as we ended up making it on time for our tour. 

The Bidwell mansion was the home of John and Annie Kennedy Bidwell, built in the 1850's. Their story was fascinating and the home is gorgeous. I love the cupola so John could see all of the 26,000 acres he owned from his lair. More info in the last two photos. 

The antiques were amazing.....

150 years old - Annie's piano took 6 months to ship from DC to CA

 John and Annie

Check this out. See the wheels? It converts from a high chair to a stroller! 

Annie was a suffragette

Gramophone in the library

Annie's dressing room - she was 4'8" and John was 6'1"

One of the first homes with indoor plumbing...check out the elephant toilet

Toys in the nursery

An 1850's laptop ::snort:: 

I loved the kitchen....loved it!

Not so crazy about the laundry room. ::snort:: 

Can you read the dinner menu? 

Like Downton Abby. ::grin:: They had handles on the walls in rooms to ring the various bells in the kitchen. 

I love how the counter slopes down to the basin.

A dream stove.

Can you guess what this is? Some guessed stairs for Annie....

 Pies would be put here to cool!!

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Today's Grace Gift

Moving and leaving dear friends simply STINKS! 

It does. 

I can share platitudes as well as the next gal, I HAVE been a military spouse for nigh on nineteen years.

But. 

In the quiet, brutally honest moments - saying goodbye to friends stinks. 

Today, God graced me with the chance of saying HELLO to a dear friend from Misawa. I needed this. Lacey and I  began to bond beyond the Tuesday a.m. PWOC greetings when we worked through the book of Ephesians with another gal one fall.  We were in a mentor group together next.  I was overjoyed when she catapulted out of her comfort zone to be PWOC's Spiritual Life Chair in Misawa this year. 

It was a blast to sit and hear how the year has gone for Lexie and Lacey  in Misawa. God has been so faithful and his ministry to women abounds. She shared one brilliant child care solution which I think deserves to be a "best practice,"  shared on the PWOC FB President's networking page. ::grin:: 

Beyond talking PWOC, it was just nice to sit with a friend and share HEARTS.  We sharpened each other - and it was sweet. I also got to meet HER MOTHER (who I believe must be fairly close to my age) and lives in Fulsom. 

And then we said goodbye. 

I was fine...until I pulled into the driveway and realized, at heart, I'm GREEDY.

I need more Lacey time. ::snort::

But still  - Lacey was my grace gift today.

I'm content.

It's more than enough.

PS - I haven't heard this song in months and heard it on my way home this afternoon and again on my way home from dropping Arielle off to baby-sit. ::snort:: 

Make me lonely
So I can be Yours
'Til I want no one
More than You, Lord
'Cause in the darkness
I know You will hold me
Make me lonely

 'Til You are my one desire
'Til You are my one true love
'Til You are my breath, my everything
Lord, please keep making me

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Gherkins in Mexico

Below is a letter from three of the Gherkins about their summer plans. I thought it would be fun to share their hearts with you.  I find myself wanting to go along. 

Dear Friends and Family,

I hope you are all doing well. It has been a couple of years since I have written so let me take a minute to tell you what I have been up to. This is my second year working for the Springfield School District. I’m a one on one aide for a young lady with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bone Disease, like from the M. Night Shyamalan movie Unbreakable). This amazing job allows me access to the elementary schools and next year to a middle school. I really believe  God has me working with this precious young lady for a reason.

Last year I had the honor to serve as the Children’s Pastor for my church, Lively Stone Fellowship. I also worked with our youth. Additionally, I was able to help with the Willamette Branch of Campus Life. I am currently taking a break from these ministries.

This summer, at the end of June, I will be leading my church’s efforts in Vacation Bible School. This year’s theme will be Minecraft and I am excited to see what the Lord chooses to do this year. Last year we had a Lego themed VBS and were able to reach many new children in our neighborhood.

Krista, Stacia - not going, and Arielle

At the beginning of July my sister, Arielle, and brother, Jamin, and I will be heading down to Mexico to spend 7 ½ weeks working at the Imuris Kid’s Kingdom Orphanage. This is an amazing ministry that is a part of God is on the Move, which is a ministry affiliated with Open Bible Churches. God is on the Move ministers to three different prisons, a men’s rehab, an orphanage, outreach projects, a church, a daycare, and convalescent care. The orphanage has mainly older children and ranges from 15-30 children at a time. Through this orphanage, they also run a daycare center for the mothers in the community as well as a feeding ministry. Additionally, they are building a church in the town of Imuris.

My name is Arielle Goecker, I'm Krista's little sister. My Dad serves as a Chaplain in the United States Air Force. In August, we moved from Japan to California. I've spent my time since then doing school, babysitting, visiting family and settling into our new home. In May, I will be turning seventeen and finishing up my third year in High school. I'm super excited about this opportunity to go to Mexico this summer.

Jamin 

Hi, I’m Jamin! I look forward to my time in Mexico because it is a chance to share the hope of Christ with people from another culture. Currently, I am a graduate student at Angelo State University and am preparing to be a diplomat or ambassador. This trip will be an excellent opportunity for me to not only represent my country and immerse myself in another society but also to be an ambassador for Christ. If I can be used to positively impact just one life on this trip, then I will consider it a success!

We are truly excited to see what God is going to do this summer in Mexico. It should be a

God filled time of ministry and relationship building. Please be in prayer for Arielle, Jamin and I and all the ministries of God is on the Move. If you would like to financially support us in addition to praying for us, you can send your tax deductible contribution to:

Lively Stone Fellowship

3791 Pattison St

Eugene, OR 97401

If you would like to follow us this summer, go to www.awalkinthewild.blogspot.com.

In Christ,

Krista, Jamin & Arielle 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Our Week

The week has been full. 

We are doing an amazing amount of school work for this time of year. It seems like the kids would like to keep right on going.  We'll officially end this school year in May - though I'm guessing most will be starting the new  year mid-summer. ::snort::  Monday and Tuesday were filled with extra school. 

Wednesday is PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel - women's ministry). We'd missed a week when I was sick, and then another week for spring break, so Stacia and I were happy to be back with our study groups. 

The 2014/15 PWOC Exec board had a meeting with Ch. G after study; followed by our first face to face board meeting. 

I met with new ministry team leaders to discuss their expectations and vision for their new positions.  This turned out to be quite a bit of fun for the kidlets.  Joy cracked us up when she called me not "Gemma," but GRANDMA and then LAUGHED because she KNEW I was going to freak out...or so my 16 yo insists. 

Stacia found a SNAKE on her way to check the mail - at the end of our driveway. She found an unexpected critter.  A quick google search convinced me he wasn't poisonous - but I hate him anyway - and do not want to share my home with him.

 He is even more disturbing when he headed for my flowers. 

Maybe you remember Jared was campaigning for an election on 10 April....and you may have assumed he lost as I didn't comment on election results.

That would be a false assumption. It would seem, at ASU, you can campaign, win an election, have the other side be shocked and complain loudly, make accusations (without proof) and wa la - the administration will call a SECOND ELECTION!!!!! With NEW and IMPROVED WRITTEN election codes which supersede the old election codes....  This led to new and improved restraint as Michael and I did NOT write a letter to either the school administration nor the local paper....it seems there comes a time when a letter from home is just not cool. ::snort::  I have no idea if Jared and Ross will win again - the element of surprise is gone - the competition now realizes they could possibly be beaten by two  normal guys. ::snort::  BUT the re-election has led to new campaign ads....these being some of my favorite. I think Jared and Ross should win for sense of humor alone.

Friday we explored Roseville. We had hoped to explore San Francisco or go hiking at Tahoe but it was raining - a lot. We went to watch the new Muppet movie and then went bowling and a very nice, clean, quiet bowling ally.

Today - we aren't motivated at all - and we need to GET MOTIVATED. Michael preaches tomorrow. I need to cook for the chapel potluck.....I want to sleep.

Here I am at the end of the day and we DID get motivated. We even got our van tire replaced and grilled dinner. Stacia asks nearly every day if we can make s'mores.I thought tonight would be the perfect night. THEN discovered we only had 4 graham crackers left....I heated up the toaster oven and she enjoyed the bite.

Evidently, she's the front person and they all are CRAVING them. LOL

I need to replenish the stock of approved graham crackers now that summer is on the way. There is an organic brand that tastes good and has no fake stuff or BHT.

Arielle is finishing the night watching Henry V. The others kids opted for quiet times in their rooms. LOL

I'm torn between the hot tub or a book after I click publish. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Crispy Baked Asparagus Fries (Vegan)

Via Closet Cooking

Ingredients:
1 lb asparagus, trimmed 
1/2 C flour 
2 flax eggs* (or eggs)
3/4 C panko bread crumbs
1/4 C cashew cheese (Parmesan, grated)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425*.

Mix crumbs and "cheese."

Dredge asparagus in flour, then egg, then crumb/cheese mixture.

Place in single layer on wire rack on baking sheet.

Bake until golden brown - 7 - 13 minutes.

Notes: The flax egg really works and is tasteless.

The second time I made these I used my homemade left over Shake and Bake....dipped in "egg," then shake and bake...proceed and we liked it a lot.  I believe I will be doing this with many veggies in the near future.

*flax eggs - 1 T of ground flax seed, 2 T of water - mix equals one egg

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Resurrection Day 2014

I wanted to get some photos before we left the house this morning. Fancy outfits were easy this year - not that we usually do them - but THIS year I told the kids, "Pick one of your wedding outfits." 

While Michael finished getting ready, I grabbed a few shots. Unfortunately, Stacia insisted she could not open her eyes outside...this is the best shot...though I have lots of blackmail material for her future life. 

I figured out the self-timer and grabbed this one inside....

Michael joined us for a shot. 

Of course there are many fun outtakes. 

The kids put on a great skit this a.m. at Chapel. Arielle was the voice of Mary Magdalene....and Stacia was Mary Magdalene, Zander was the disciple John, Nolan was Jesus.....and we had angels, disciples and crowds. They all did a great job. 

Niki loves to speak Japanese with us...and these two speak some each week. This soothes deep places in my heart...and I think it does the same for Niki. 

After chapel we grabbed lunch. It was Nolan's week to pick and he chose Subway down on Plumas Street. There was a big greed fest Easter Egg Hunt going on across the street which was interesting to watch. 

We watched Heaven Is Real - good movie - then came home and watched a Jerry Lewis movie. Movies are about all we had energy left for after the busy week. 

We Skyped with BreZaak again tonight - great way to end the day or begin a new week! So happy about the scholarships Izaak pulled down for his last semester of Bible College. 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

An Observation From Easter Morning

As I read through the  accounts of the crucifixion and the resurrection, one thing consistently showed up

Via Google Images

between the varying accounts.  When the women returned from the empty tomb trying to tell all of the disciples what they had seen, there was much confusion - the men regarded what they had to say as nonsense (Luke 24:11) but not all of the men.  Peter and John took off almost immediately to check this out.  The two of them found the tomb empty.  Peter went in and looked everything over very carefully.  Peter did not understand as of yet what this all meant, but in John 20:8, John saw and believed. 

There were two different groups of disciples that day: the first group was stuck in the paralysis of analysis.  They all stayed behind and hid in their upper room hiding place,  fearful of even their shadows, trying to understand what had happened; the second group was Peter and John - they heard the report of the women and went to check it out.  Merely reasoning it out in their minds would not suffice.  They had to see. 

I wonder how many times we get stuck in the same paralysis of analysis instead of "checking it out."  It was Peter and John that saw the stone rolled away- not the nine that stayed behind.  It was the two that saw rolled up grave linens - not the nine.  It was these two that saw the empty tomb - not the nine.  They had the joy of bringing the news of the risen savior back confirming what the women had said earlier. 

Just wondering...

By Grace
Michael
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...