Awesome Day

Stacia has composed, and loudly sings, a song about this day. "This has been an awesome, awesome, AWESOME day....."

Just what has brought out her latent "Disney Musical" gene?

The day began like any other....until Stacia came screaming into my bedroom, with a blood-soaked paper towel in her mouth and blood streaming out around the corners. She HATES blood. She tends to panic and we've been working on it.....What in the WORLD?

"Mom, I need you to pull my tooth. It won't come out."

I checked. Yep, over half of it was loose. It wouldn't come out and needed to be pulled.

Here's my deep, dark mommy secret.  I've had nine children and I have NEVER been able to bring myself to pull one of the kids' teeth.

I called for Arielle. She seems to have inherited my squeamishness. Nolan was still in bed. I was entertaining the idea of driving to base and getting Michael or one of the Chapel staff to help...... Then I had a brilliant idea.

"Zander, can YOU pull Stacia's tooth?"

"I've never thought about it. I suppose I could."  He seems a bit too happy about this situation.

This is staged. Are you kidding me? I was out in the hall way plugging my ears and cringing - with Arielle.  Zander's the hero. See the empty spot.....

It rained all day. I'm learning it's best to stay home when it is raining heavy in CA. It's not that I can't drive in the rain, I AM from Oregon after all.....it's that you can't trust the other drivers.  BUT Arielle had a driving test today, I needed to buy some things for the Christmas Tea......

The driving instructor was to show up at 0900, do a brush up hour with Arielle, and then take her to the DMV where she would take the test in HIS car at 1000. At 0915 he wasn't here. I called. They'd forgotten. He finally arrived at 0956. They went to the DMV and he wrangled a new appointment time - which kept changing. Arielle ended up driving around with the instructor for 2 1/2 hours.

Stacia and I went to Target and bought stocking stuffers and pretty plates and napkins for "the Tea." We arrived at the DMV just as Arielle was leaving for her test. It's key to know that the driving examiner was new to her job. Scott, owner of the car Arielle was testing in, sat and talked with me as they drove. He told her not to take out her anger at the missed appointment on his student.  Scott there at the back in, Arielle in the car.....

The first thing she did was fail to stop or signal as she left the parking lane. Um....Scott freaked out.

"That's an automatic fail. I warned her about that. She's a great driver. WHY is she doing this?"

"She's rattled, her appointment was scheduled for 3 1/2 hours ago."

"She doesn't SEEM rattled."

Yes, she DID pass!

I could tell she was when we saw her. We gave her a thumbs up before she left and prayed. It seems Scott had told her just before she got in the car that if she failed, she'd have to wait until April before there was another open appointment. Um....way to rile her up. ::snort::  There is a new state law here that will allow illegal aliens in CA to apply for driver's licenses. It goes into affect 1 Jan and the DMV appointments are full....there are also many new computers so one can take the test in Spanish.

They didn't turn back and so we hoped for the best. She only missed 4 points. She did great once she got out of the DMV parking lot and settled in to driving.

I was thinking this a.m. that I got my license and got into an accident the same day.....it was raining....she was tired....she suggested I drive. I did. This is rear bumper of my van....after being smashed into while at a stop sign.....just a bit of damage.

 

This is the front of her car after smashing into me....she said she was going 15 mph.  

I felt so sorry for her. The police came and we exchanged info. We shall see what happens. I was glad I was driving. It was deja vu.

We finally made it home at 3:30 p.m. and I had 2 hours to make some Lentil/Mushroom/spinach hot pockets and a salad before we headed for the 2014 Chapel Staff Christmas Party - that's another post.
Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Travel Day

Yep  - two beds - and still....I don't try to figure it out.

 

 

Up bright and early and on our way to church. It's always great to participate in worship at "home."

 

We said goodbye to BreAnne. Sunday is a work day for Pastor Bre. 

 

A funny incident was a woman from church telling me that she could tell I was the Pastor's sister. Um - the pastor is not my brother....she went on that we looked alike. I was puzzled. Finally, she mentioned the Pastor as "she" and I realized she meant Bre.

 

We met my parents, Lorri (cousin) and Rebecca (Michael's sister) for breakfast.

 

WE HEADED FOR CA..... and got home around 9:00 p.m. by the time we picked up Yuuki. 

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

More Celebrating

After the graduation, Kent, Dakota, BreZaak and the rest of our family went to lunch to celebrate!

...because some of us celebrate with our mouth wide open and my kids love it when I get caught. 

BreZaak took  Dakota home. They and my parents  had a wedding to attend. The rest of us went to see Krista's new home. We  spent a few hours at a park near her place....

No zip lines, but Stacia loved to spin in circles.

 

The webs aren't as amazing as they are in Japan, but the kids enjoyed

 

I got in a 50 min walk while the others played soccer

 

This teeter totter thing was fun....

 

We finally left the park and went for some frozen yogurt.

 

BreZaak joined us.

 

We went to pick up Harmony (grand-niece) and stopped by New Hope Eugene to see the lights....this is a great show. They give you free popcorn, cookies, and hot chocolate....you sit in your car and can listen to the music and the Christmas story. Very cool.  The lights blink and change...the music is pretty....very fun.

After the lights BreZaak went home. Krista and the rest of the kids went to the place we were staying. We picked up Will (my brother) and Sherri and the four of us went out to dinner. It was the first and only time this trip we snatched to just visit. It was good.

Michael and I took advantage of the drive across to Eugene with Krista to connect. Always fun.

We head to bed with the knowledge that we need to be up, packed and at church by 0830 tomorrow morning.

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

WOOT! Izaak Graduates!

In every life there are some moments that are HUGE, bigger than the norm. THIS was one of those moments in the life of our son-in-law, Izaak, and therefore, in our family life.

Today, Izaak graduated from New Hope Christian College. The path he took doesn't mirror the other graduates....but the path he took, when surrendered to God, has made him the highly determined, man of God we know him to be.  This is certainly not the spot to tell all of Izaak's story....but this is a young man who did not graduate from high school. He studied hard and earned his GED and when God called him to college - he went.

Today he stands before us as a graduate - WITH HONORS - magna cum laude. When God restores; He does it well.  It was SO WORTH it to race the storm from CA to OR to be there for this huge moment of redemption and achievement! We are bursting with pride over the way God is working in Izaak's life.  My new favorite family photo - though it's missing the three Gherkin males in TX.

front - Stacia; Middle - Dakota, me, Bre, Izaak, Krista My Dad
Back: My mom, Arielle, Zander, Nolan, Will (my brothers) Michael

 Being awarded honors!

 

Hugging Pres. Hidashi after being given his diploma

Professor Burke (Larry) is one of two of OUR professors still left at the college. He welcomes the graduates into the alumni association.

 

My Dad and Izaak

 

Dakota, Izaak and BreAnne

 

Miss Kutz (Trudy) is the second of our professors still at the college. I'm thrilled our girls were able to take classes with and be mentored by Trudy.

 

 

Izaak's middle son Matt (left) and parents

 

BreZaak!

 

Izaak's step-dad and Izaak

 

Dakota with the $50,000 balloon given to graduates ::snort::

 

Krista and Michael

 

Izaak and Dakota

 

All smiles!

 

Girls Dorm - ah the memories...

Expect more posts from this day.
Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Exploring Springfield

Michael began the day with a meeting with his endorser. John is always fun to visit with and they had a lot to cover. LOL

 

The rest of us worked on school and lounged around.

 

I did a bit of research to see if there were any restaurants in the area with good reviews. I try not to dictate life for those around me - but I've got to say  - if you are a vegan traveling and the only option on every menu is a "veggie burger"  or iceberg salad without the cheese and meat - it gets old. ::grin::

 

Arielle and I found several restaurants that looked "likely" and seemed to have salads for us....but then we found Laughing Planet Cafe. It had good reviews, REAL food for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores....bowls, burritos, soup made from scratch, salads with all the good stuff.

 

We met Mom, Dad and BreAnne for lunch at the Laughing Planet. The dinos on the table were a fun

addition. I had really good vegan chili and a kale salad that was amazing. They even had nutritional yeast to shake on the chili. The men were happy with their Bubba Burrito and Grilled Chicken burritos.  Michael and I were happy to feed all six of us for $34 - and it was REAL food.

It was a cheerful place to eat. I'd love to run a place like this (or at least find one) with a Christian world view....but I ignored all the propaganda and enjoyed my God-given and blessed real food. 

We had hoped to visit a Victorian house after lunch - but it was closed. Dad went home, but Mom joined us for a trip to the Springfield Museum.  It's a small museum but it was interesting and gave me a new appreciation for Springfield. It was also free.

 

Stacia and Alex went on a bit of "hunt" through the museum with a sheet they had for kids....

 

See the Simpsons on the back wall -  they were befuddled as to WHY something like that would be on the wall - they were not in tune with their Springfield culture.


We left the museum and walked around to view some of the recent murals painted on various old stores. They've spent a lot of time renovating the area since we lived here.

And here it is - the star of downtown - the Simpson Mural. Contrary to all the rumors - it's THIS Springfield the creator of Simpsons had in mind when he created the series. He lived in this area. THIS is the only mural that he and his team have approved and collaborated with to create in any Springfield.  THIS is the REAL SPRINGFIELD. All that aside, I've never watched a full episode of the Simpsons. They're values and behaviors were not ones we wanted the Gherkins to imitate. LOL

Bre, Arielle, Nolan, Zander and Stacia with the Simpsons

 

Around this time Krista called. She was finished with work and wanted to meet up with us. She came downtown and we toured the ART MUSEUM in Springfield. Also free.  It was a fun spot. I could find a lot to do in this area if we lived here again. LOL  This exhibit sort of topped off the day....

 

It's a woman with a bee hive above her head and honey dripping off her face......yep...sort of abstract.

 

Take a closer look at the hive....those are FLIES....yes, she glued lots and lots of dead flies on her painting.....

We met up with BreZaak to attend the college's President's reception for graduates. We picked up Dakota afterwards and then headed to grab some dinner at 9:00 p.m.  Another late night - full day - and our hearts are full.

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

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

This is a great gift choice for the theologian or history buff in your life.

I've long been fascinated with World War 2 history and am familiar with Dietrich  Bonhoeffer. Having not finished the unabridged edition,  I jumped at the chance to review "Bonhoeffer Abridged: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, " by Eric Metaxas. This edition is very readable - unlike many abridged books.

"Bonhoeffer is a story of moral courage in the face of .. monstrous..... (Bonhoeffer) became one of the first to speak out against Hitler. As a double-agent, he joined the plot to assassinate the Führer, and was hanged in Flossenberg concentration camp at age 39. Since his death, Bonhoeffer has grown to be one of the most fascinating, complex figures of the 20th century."

This story moved me. I  have long asked,  "Where was the German church when Hitler rose to power?"  Metaxas answers that question well  while illustrating the life of Bonhoeffer. I was forced to consider the role Allied Politicians had in NOT supporting those trying to over-throw Hitler. We wanted to believe, "There is no such thing as a good German." Dietrich Bonhoeffer disproved this notion.  I found it fascinating to read about this time period from the German point of view. This book has it all - theology, tough questions and answers, moral dilemmas, intrigue,  an amazing amount of new facts to digest and even a bit of unexpected romance.  I highly recommend it to history buffs, theologians, Christians who wrestle with the role of faith in social/political issues, high school students studying World War 2....you won't regret this read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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