#WYFF - Being with Old Friends

Totally lifted a couple of photo from Facebook for this post as I didn't take the camera. 

 Dave and Hope are college buds of ours. Dave and Michael were roommates. Hope and I were Freshman the same year.  We later connected during our assignment in Alaska, they lived in the valley at the time. Now, they're settled in this area.  They bought a cabin on some land and have done a great job refurbishing both the land and the cabin.  Nolan spent a couple of days helping with work around their home this summer. One of the projects was a patio and a hot tub. Hope had promised Nolan a soak in the tub.....

Hope and Dave and a Large dog I don't know LOL 

Tonight we all had dinner - Hope is a great cook. She and I enjoyed wonderfully grilled portobello mushrooms filled with onions and garlic, drizzled with balsamic vinegar. The rest had grilled burgers and chicken.....and PURPLE potato salad, kale/carrot salad, squash fries (all from their gardens).

The kids enjoyed a long, leisurely soak under the stars and redwoods. We enjoyed a long, leisurely visit inside their welcoming and cozy home. It was good just to "be" with old friends. It was  helpful to discuss life situations. Our plates were full; our hearts satisfied and happy when we left their home tonight.

It was a very nice end to a busy week.

#WYFF is a hash tag sponsored by Fulltime Families. For more of our #WYFF entries, click the tab below the blog header. 

Getting to the Root of the Matter

Posted by Michael 

A redwood forest is a great place to find sermon fodder.  These massive trees are a powerful testimony to the necessity of community, balance and the awesome creativity of the Creator.

It only takes a moment among the Redwoods to see the immensity of these trees.  They do not lend well to people who feel they need to be surrounded by their noise-producing "things." Instead, there is an almost mystical feeling that permeates the air as you walk as an infant among giants, but these trees whose heights reach a staggering 380 feet tall are totally dependent on their community to stay standing - which is how their Creator intended them to live.  The root system of these magnificent trees does not include a tap root.  The roots go no deeper than 20 feet, but they spread out for a hundred or more yards in every direction.  As much as one tree reaches out, all of the others do the same so, underground, there is a tangle of interlacing and interlocking roots.  It is this underground network of roots that enables these trees to withstand the occasional 40-50 mph winds that roar up and down our valley.  They are completely reliant on community to survive.  This is also why a solitary redwood tree is a dangerous thing.  Without the interlocking roots of other trees to help hold them up, they are very susceptible to falling down and very great is their fall - believe me...  This is reminiscent of the body of Christ where we, too, must live in community dependent on others even as others are dependent on us.  It is the lone ranger, the one who feels they do not need community or fellowship. Thus they are very vulnerable to temptation and falling into sin.  Community provides that support to help us live a life of faith.

As for balance, consider how you have to adjust and lean into the windy on one of those blustery days.  Now, take a moment and think about how well you would do with keeping your balance if your shoes were stuck to the ground making it so you could not move your feet. This can be a challenge if you are only human height.  Imagine trying to do this if you were over 300 feet tall.  This is the everyday feat of the Giant Redwoods.  The root system referenced above is a major player in this amazing accomplishment, but there is more to it which highlights, again, our awesome Creator's brilliance. As much as most do not view trees as sentient beings, there is something within the Redwood tree that is able to sense when the tree is out of balance.  Should a branch be knocked off by a sudden gust of wind or some other event of life, the tree may easily find itself out of balance.  From somewhere deep in the tree, a decision is made to either begin growing another branch on the same side at super-duper speed OR on the opposite side, a branch will have all of the water and other nutrients cut off so that the branch falls off in a short amount of time. In this way, the Giant Redwood is able to stand tall even through 2,000 years of wind storms, falling branches and other calamities that easily should claim their lives. Balance is maintained through either adding or subtracting, but balance must be maintained.  In our own lives, balance must be maintained even when storms come along and knock branches off of us.  Sometimes we need to add something; other times we have to get rid of something, but balance must be maintained.  This is what is meant to walk as mature believers in the faith - not subject to wild gyrations in our personal lives. So, you must be firmly rooted... in Him and established in your faith. (Col 2:7)

Making Adjustments

Shew! Preparing for an extended time away from home - even if home is a site in an RV park - is a lot of work.  We will be leaving CA in a week and flying out of OR to TX in *8* days!  Then we'll hit the open seas for 7 days.  Our plans were set.  The kids would spend the week with BreZaak. Yuuki would spend the week with my parents.  We'd fly out the 11th and be back the 19th. We'd Thanksgiving back here with Mom G and then go to Eugene for appointments on the 28th.

 Plane tickets are purchased. Cruise transportation was booked from Houston to Galveston and back again. Shore Excursions are booked. We scoured the clearance aisles for a few pairs of shorts and capris to wear.  The VA called and added another day of VA appointments after Thanksgiving in Eugene.

I filled out the "application" to be accepted as a new patient at a doctor's here in town. Still waiting to hear if they've accepted me. I need someone to draw  labs and prescribe my thyroid meds. I had no idea how hard it would be to find a doctor in a small town.

We have been FLOODING in our spot. We have a moat on rainy days....and the spot we think we'd love came available today. We talked with the office and they will let us move into it when we come back in December. We'll go from a set electrical rate to a metered rate - but we'll be farther from the road AND the smell of fried chicken and jo-jos. We currently back up to a storage facility, which is in back of a gas station/convenience store.

Things got a bit complicated on both ends of our trip.  We are THRILLED  Michael's sister invited Mom G to spend our  time away with her.  We are working logistics. Mom G can't ride in either of our cars. If we get too many cars in OR, how will we get them all back down here? The car MUST go with her - or we can't transport her. What all do we need to do to make sure she is ready for her excursion too?

 Michael has been in discussion with a couple in FL since July. We waited for finances to line up. We contemplated our needs and if this would work. It made it through the hurricane. We contracted with an RV inspector to drive over and inspect it. He sent us a 45 page report  yesterday afternoon. He found things we'd expect to find on a 2008 motor home. He is running a test on all fluids - that will be back at the end of the week. Pending a favorable outcome, we've put down money for a purchase option/deposit on THIS big, reddish, brownish baby! It's bigger than I'd hoped for, but that comes with extra storage.

It's a Damon Astoria. It has bunks. We're looking for ways to modify or add a third bunk. We are sad to lose the back bedroom in the Caboose - but this is one I can drive - or so I've been told. I'm not a fan of RV interior design, but we can live with it for a bit.  It DOES have two couches AND the driving seats, so we'll all be able to have a comfortable seat in the living area. This will be nice for all sorts of reasons.  We'll post more photos and info when we take possession of it.

Looking from front passenger side

Looking from the front behind the driver - bathroom and beds are in the back 

We purchased our tickets with points. We'll probably have to forfeit the return trip and purchase new tickets from Houston to FL.  We'll take possession on the Monday morning after our cruise, and begin a race across America to OR.  So sad we won't be able to fill in all those states on our map!!!!! We think it will take 5- 12 hour days. It may well take longer. Michael is counting on me being able to be a great Motor Home driver. In any event we have to be back in OR for VA appointments on the 28th of November.  NOW we have to work details of insurance, rework plans for the kids, figure out what we need for that trip.  And we're dreaming in the midst of it all!  I know some will think this is frivolous - but we WANT to travel America and Michael says we've reached the point where I need to be sharing driving honors. It can't be much different than a 15 pass van.  Michael's 2 1/2 year search has come to an end.....now we need a name.....

Bella - Our Rainbow

Tonight was AWANA costume night for Kids on the Rock, where Bre serves as the Children's Pastor.

Here is a shot of Bre two years ago.  She's blingy and perky and in pain.  She had recently endured her second pregnancy loss.  Can you see beyond the smile to the pain in her eyes? I can. She was in a tremendous amount of emotional pain.  A reminder to look beyond the surface in our daily interactions.

Look below! God's redemptive restoration!  Bre serves tonight with a most darling little Bellaphant on her hip. 

After the pain, after the storms, through the storms - God faithfully watches over his promises to us. The rainbow follows the storm. Praising God for Bella in our lives. Bella is now 6 1/2 months old. 

Arielle's Bridal Shower - #WYFF

Staica took this while I drove - she did a good job

This Friday finds Stacia and I on a ROAD TRIP. We are heading up US 199 and I 5 to Eugene, Oregon.  It's Arielle's Bridal Shower Weekend! BreAnne planned the event, and assigned us all various things to bring and parts to play. 

The shower was beautiful. It was held at Krista's church, where Arielle cleans on Saturdays. The room was decorated with sparkles, snowflakes, snowballs and photos.... 

 

Me and Baby Girl

It was so special that Cory's mom, Tracy,  drove all the way from WA to be here for the shower. 

A great idea Bre had was for everyone to address an envelope when they arrived. Arielle later used these to mail Thank You notes.

Stacia

Bella (our grandblessing) and Bre

Guests brought home made cookies and/or bars to be used at the Wedding Reception on the cookie table.

Donna's a surrogate aunt or gma - we've not settled it. 

Bre, Donna and Bella

Krista helped to man the food table

There was also a journal for everyone to write advice and well-wishes in. 

Grandma Jan

Sherri (near L), Harmony, Stacia, Lorri (Cousin), Mom T, Me and Bella 

Arielle and Alaina - one of the bridesmaids 

 Shower games? Fun? BreAnne had some fun ones planned. This was a Disney Love song quiz. Some of us need to brush up on our Disney trivia - others rocked it.

In this game BreAnne asked Arielle a set of questions. She had asked Cory the same questions earlier. Arielle was to answer as Cory did. For every question she missed she was given another piece of bubble gum to chew....

Poor thing - it got pretty bad. She reported it, "Feels like a hamster in my mouth!" Ewww.  Bre asked me to share some words and a blessing with Arielle. I was happy to do so....and then called all up to pray over CoRielle.

At one point, as I prayed, the emotions of the past 6 - 12 months slammed me....it was when I prayed "And in the hard times...." everyone switched gears and prayed for Michael and I - which I felt bad about as it was ARIELLE'S day....but it was helpful.

Sharing a teary Mom Moment

Then it was time for gifts - Arielle was a great sport

Explaining what the "kitchen thingies" are and what they're used for! 

We gave her this sign....which we knew she'd love

And a tent - which we knew Cory would love. 

An Olaf snow cone maker....

Stacia got them duckies for the tub - it was ON THE LIST

Beautiful bed set from the Squires

 It appears this may have been snuck onto the registry - but a nice fuzzy Frozen blanket. 

Me and my daughters and granddaughter

Stacia, Krista, Arielle, Me, Bre, Bella

Mom with us all 

Stacia, Krista, Me, Arielle, Mom, Bre, Bella

Mom with Sherri and I, the girls and the great granddaughters

Harmony - F
Stacia, Krista, Me, Sherri, Arielle, Mom, Bre, Bella

Mom, second cousins, granddaughters, daughters, neice and great grand-daughters. 

F - Harmon, Bre, Bella
Sarah, Stacia, Krista, Me, Sherri, Arielle, Mom, Lorri