Millie's New Do

 

Millie spent a few hours at the groomers today! Oy Vey! I LOVE her dread locks. I like her longer, curly hair...but we HAVE noticed she simply behaves better when she's cut shorter. She was due for grooming. We had hoped not to go THIS short again...but her hair was one big matte. Literally. They kept it to show us, and it looked like one big bearskin run. 

New this time is her tail. I'll have to get a better picture. It looks like she has a duster on the end of her tail...and they left her face long rather than trimming it short like a puddle. I guess this is the classic labradoodle look. 

We were able to talk to the owner/groomer today.  We HAVE been washing her and brushing her....turns out that giving her a bath probably makes her hair matte more - unless we blow her out. Which we haven't. 

An Unexpected Day at Home

Happy 28th Birthday to Jared! 

This day did not go as planned.  We had three appointments scheduled, Millie needed to go to the dog groomer, Grandpa needed to go to the audiologist and Michael needed to go to Anchorage to the dermatologist.  We were going to fit in a trip to a store if we found one open. 

I woke up with a migraine. It took me a bit of time to figure out what was going on. First, I noticed I was nauseated, and my eyes were crossing. Eventually I realized my headache wasn't going away. I took some Naproxen, and it didn't go away. I took some Tylenol, and it didn't go away.  Michael wasn't going to be able to help as he needed to be in Anchorage. 

About this time the groomer texted to let me know they were still closed due to our storm. Next was the audiologist. Suddenly, the day cleared. Grandpa took a nap and I nabbed his chair. I spent most the day on the couch. 

Millie aims to comfort or snuggle - 📷 by Allie

Allie over-did things a bit yesterday. She was content to stay on the couch with ice. 

Stacia eventually decided she was going to go play in the kitchen. I've shared Krista and Bre made amazing cocoa bombs for all of us this year. Jamin hadn't heard about this phenomenon and didn't catch the instructions. He shared on New Year's Eve that he took a bite into one and nearly choked as all the powder exploded in his mouth and throat. I believe Stacia was inspired to create a bomb that would be safely edible by Jamin's story. She set out to make a cake bomb. 

It doesn't take long for things to come back to baking for Stacia. She baked a chocolate cake. Added to it to make it the consistency of cake pops or truffles. Melted chocolate and made molds. 

She topped the whole thig with another shell and wa'la a cake bomb. I've not tried one but those who shared one liked them. I would say they are far too rich and big for one person to eat them in one setting. Maybe a smaller mold...she may be on to something. 

It became apparent I was not going to cook what was on the menu. Allie suggested I stay on the couch and she and Stacia would make dinner. They began to talk about go to meals (divan, pot pie and stroganoff) while I shared what was in the pantry.  Allie had told us she didn't prefer stroganoff when she moved in. We haven't had it in eleven months.  We have moose meat. I thought it would work well with the stroganoff seasonings. We also had some yogurt to use up....I had a migraine and didn't remember it was one of two things Allie had told us she didn't prefer.  ::snort:: You SEE where this going? Allie ended up making stroganoff  with Stacia for dinner...she cooked...

Stacia measured and gave her seasonings and together it turned into a tasty pot of stroganoff.  Allie was surprised how much she liked it. I guess it is going back on the menu. Nolan still doesn't like it or Salmon, but we'll try for the meals on the 5 nights of the week he isn't home. LOL NOTE - neither Nolan nor Allie requested I NOT make specific dinners; I just try to prepare food people want to eat. ::snort:: 

By evening Allie was feeling better, my migraine was down to a dull roar, Nolan had finished the reading for two college classes, Alex was ready for a gaming break and Grandpa had slept the day away, so he was ready to be up. We enjoyed dinner. 

Michael got home LATE. He hunted down a few things I have been planning to get which we haven't found in the valley....a calendar with BIG squares, my Bare Minerals foundation and a specific gift for one of the "kids."  I had planned to take care of these on our thrice postponed shopping trip in Anchorage with Krista.  We sure appreciate the time he took to hunt the items down. 

We ended the evening watching the end of Season 3 of Lost in Space. I'm sad it's over. 

A bright spot every morning 

And so begins another week....

When I left off last night, we were going to watch an episode of Lost in Space...which we did...and the power promptly went out. It seems to do this just as we sit down to watch TV.  Sunday nights are ALWAYS ice cream nights - for as long as we've been married. No dinner - just ice cream. Who knows why?  Anyway - Michael and the girls were not about to let a little thing like no power derail the tradition. 

The power was out most of the night. I think it came on a couple of times - briefly. Michael is a champ and kept the woodstove burning. We were toasty warm.  The power came back on at 8 a.m. and has been on all day.  The weather advisory has been extended until Wed night. 

It was odd this morning - the wind was suddenly gone. It was quiet. I went outside and all seemed still. I could still hear the train sound off in the distance, but around our home after 2 days of howling, it was quiet. I'll never take that for granted again. Our temps have dropped. 

The girls woke with energy to jump on their chores. Allie felt well enough to do hers. They also cleaned and decluttered their room from top to bottom. 

We had planned to start school today, but we lost a week or more of our vacation due to strep, surgery and allergies. It seemed good to all of us to take another week off. And then the storm...

This is an amazing 2000-piece puzzle Nolan bought Michael for his birthday in November.  It's a puzzle of a puzzle shop...and there are hundreds of puzzles on the shelves....

They finished it. 

Dad has been busy making his "Monday calls" - he wants to know just what happened at "his church" each week...and what they are doing with this and that and shares his tidbits with the next person he calls....I know more about the church than I did when I lived there.  ::snort::

The second bloom is fully open. 

We had planned to have our household gift exchange tonight, but we are under a stay in place "suggestion" and some of us didn't get out to shop - so we think we'll open gifts on Jan 11th this year. Maybe. 

Michael has put the chickens in and everyone is ready for an episode of Lost in Space...maybe the power will stay on this time. 

Should I dump our collected water out? Is the power on to stay now? 

Stormy Sundays

 We went to bed last night with no power. Michael stayed up until 6:30 a.m. feeding the fire, our source of heat. 

The power was on when I got up. It went out within 30 minutes. I sat in the dark for a bit. Then I decided to light a lamp.  My thought was to pay our bills, but I needed the computer and there was no power for the router. 

 We still had no water so I began to melt snow to get the water for the animals. I got a bigger pot and it took three of them to get what I needed. I also made a piece of toast on the stove. LOL 

The power came back on around 11 and has flickered on and off but mostly stayed on. It is wild here. The sound of the wind is getting old. The doors and windows rattle. At times it sounds like a baby crying, or whistling, and at other times like an approaching train. Millie has gone crazy trying to protect us from all danger today.  The advisory has been extended to tomorrow. 

Inspired by a couple in our neighborhood who take a daily walk - regardless of the weather - I decided to do the same this year. I was NOT going to have my goal smashed on day 2 of the year. I decided I could at least go to the end of the block and back - 1/4 mile. I was feeling pretty smug as I started out. It was 4* and it felt much warmer to me than it has lately....but that wind chill factor they mention - whew - I felt it when I turned a corner. Next I noticed a creaking sound and decided it was trees. I slid my way back home...1/4 mile. I need to buy some yak tracks so I can wear my New Balance instead of snow boots. 

The power came back on and I raced for the shower. These disbelieving young adults didn't think it would stay on....I took an RV shower and got out with power still on. Next, I flushed all toilets. Then I filled all buckets with more water...and some drink containers. I am prepared if we lose power again tonight. 

Look at this brilliant flower! Two blooms. I am guessing we'll get four blooms. 

I have been trying to make a chewy sugar free cookie. I use monkfruit - they are always dry. THESE worked.  I suppose there is a bit of an aftertaste, but they are sugar free, and Dad keeps snitching them (he doesn't know they are sugar free) so I know they are good.  I need to write down the recipe before I forget what I did. Tomorrow. 

Even though we had power we spent the afternoon in the living room, mostly reading. Stacia is reading "A Separate Peace," by John Knowles, Michael is reading "Spawn of a Recluse," by Stacia, Allie is reading "Maze Runner," by James Dashner, Alex is playing video games, Grandpa is reading the newspaper, I am reading "Enemy at the Gates (Vince Flynn series)," by Kyle Mills and Millie is reading over our shoulders. 

It was nice to spend a quiet afternoon together even though we DID have power. No one was rushing to turn on the screens...well, I guess Alex was on a screen, but he WAS upstairs with us. 

Michael ran to the church to drop off some heaters for Shannon and Lindsey, while I made some yummy cauliflower soup and Allie made quesadillas. The girls have to taste test for me. It seems since covid I don't taste the finer hints of spices. I kept putting nutmeg in and couldn't taste it. They finally told me it was ENOUGH. Salt is about the one spice I taste well. LOL

We are going to attempt an episode of, "Lost in Space." Last time we tried this the power went out for hours and hours. LOL 

The Elephant in the Room

Allie Joy and Anastacia Joy (Stacia) continue to explore things they enjoy doing together. Running doesn't seem to be a winner, painting has potential... Allie has been with us for nearly eleven months. 

We certainly never looked to be Bonus Parents in 2021. When Allie moved in, we expected her to be with us a few weeks or months. I think we all guarded our hearts in the beginning. As time goes on, we've decided to live out our family vision to love courageously, and we will deal with goodbyes when/if the time comes. The joy and love of connecting will outweigh the pain of goodbye - it always has before. We've never regretted connecting deeply with others - even knowing a goodbye may be in the future.  

For now, we love. Allie blesses our family in many tangible and intangible ways.  Stacia loves having a "seester" to share her room, Allie moved in February 15, 2021, just a few months before Krista's wedding.  The grands find it great fun to have a new Auntie.  Together, the girls have the courage to conquer social awkwardness and have started organizing youth group social gatherings. Together, they've battled anxiety and are both becoming beautiful young ladies.  It has blessed our hearts to see the elder Gherkins unquestioningly embrace Allie. 

Moving in with a multi-generational family like ours can be daunting. Allie has done so with courage and a determination to move towards what God has for her life. Her drive to catch up in school has given all of us new zeal for home education.  Her courage to continue moving forward, forgiving, loving, healing has inspired us all.  She is a young woman of integrity. Many I've known in 30+ years of ministry wear injustice as a badge and share their grievances far and wide.  Allie doesn't because she has a vibrant relationship with her heavenly Father and seeks to please Him even with her pain.  Allie is quite simply precious to us, not because of a single thing she does, but because of who our loving God created her to be. 

We are aware we bless Allie. What people don't seem to grasp is Allie blesses our lives.  Loving her is not noble, it's not an outreach project or missional ministry. Loving Allie is a response to God unexpectedly placing her in our family through a phone call one Saturday morning in February. We have no idea how long Allie will be in our home, we KNOW she will always be a part of our family. We have given her our hearts; she has trusted us with hers. 

Our family vision - "Love God Wholeheartedly, Love Others Deeply," in other words Love Courageously. It's been our vision as a young family, through our military ministry, into civilian ministry, and God simply put us into a new classroom in 2021.  It's been a blessing to see how well our Gherkins, both young and old, have caught the vision to love courageously. 

This spring when Allie began showing up on the blog many of you assumed she was "just" Stacia's friend. You have seen her at weddings, around campfires, learning to drive, at lakes and dip-netting. It was a fair assumption; one we were happy with as we thought she would be with us short-term.  We barely knew Allie - I'd say we were acquaintances. By fall, many were asking questions for which we simply didn't know the answers, nor did we know how to address the questions. This was part of the reason we quit blogging for a few months. For those who have been concerned we have put ourselves in legal danger - thanks for your loving concern. We did not coerce or "rescue" a child. We agreed to welcome a young lady (16 at the time) into our home when her mother called and asked us to do so.  We have not kept her here against anyone's will. We have had several sessions with a lawyer to make sure we are not doing anything illegal. We seek to honor the legal rights of all involved parties. 

We have been reluctant to share much of our recent family life, but it's time to live unapologetically. Our goal is not to hurt anyone - but this is our life. This is what it looks like in this season. Yes, you have noticed correctly, our family has grown this year.  I noted as I published the fall months that Allie is HERE, and I can't post without posting Allie. As with any of our children, you can be assured she will approve what I say about her and/or her situation. She has also been given FAIR warning - "Smile when the camera comes out because if you look goofy in the only photo - it's fair game to post." ::snort:: In other words, we've discussed the blog thing with her, and how we handle it safely. 

This is Allie's story. She will decide how, when, and where she shares her story. If you are local and have questions beyond this, ask Allie. Of course, she has the freedom to decide if you are invested in her life and need answers or if you are simply curious and she would rather not provide details. I've watched her navigate this maze with wisdom and grace.  If you've not had a personal talk with Allie in 5 years (or ever), you are probably not invested in her life. 

This is my attempt to explain how Allie's story intersects our story, and how it has produced blessing to both her story line and ours. 

This post started to be about two young ladies working together on a painting. As I observed them each painting the numbers on their side, staying in the spaces mapped out for them before they began to paint, contributing their part to what turned out to be a beautiful painting, this post wrote itself. Michael has encouraged us often this year to "keep the big picture in sight" and "play for the big picture."  The purpose of this post is not to share every detail of Allie's life or every detail of why she is living with us. The purpose of this post is to address the elephant in the room. The photos illustrate what has been happening on a larger scale with Allie and us. We are painting in our spaces; others are painting in their spaces, and we believe God is going to make something beautiful from all these strokes within the spaces where we each paint.  As I began to back publish blogs, we began to receive even more private messages. 

"Who is Allie, why is she living with you, how can we pray?" 

"What a blessing you are in Allie's life."

And most recently, "Why are you consenting for surgery?"

Allie is a young woman for whom we were asked to provide a home. We have.  

You can pray Jesus uses this situation for His purposes. Isn't it true His working doesn't always look as we expect it to look? 

I consented for surgery as her parents had the foresight to give us a medical consent ten and half months ago. We contacted her parents when we were aware this would be more than a routine doctor visit. 

 Yes, we are humbled to be called to love and bless Allie, but it is also true she loves and blesses us daily. Allie is not a project, she's a young woman we love.  We are playing for the big picture. 

Every Good Story Begins with a Storm

Every good story begins with a storm, it is fitting for 2022 to open with a storm. I believe 2022 is going to be part of a very good story.  

And we have a storm! 1 - 2 inches of snow was predicted. This is what we woke to, significantly more than 2 inches, 7- 8 inches.  In addition to snow, we have ice and wind gusting to 75mph. 

On days like today, I am grateful for all the windows Wayne and Cynthia built into our home. We sit inside, warmed by the woodstove and watch the snow blow and swirl from every direction. It is the closest we will come to living inside a snow globe. It's magical. 

The white swirls are blowing snow

Michael is slated to preach tomorrow. He was heading into the church to find a quiet place to put the finishing touches on the message when we got a text from Pastor. The parking lot was an ice rink.  The snow and wind is predicted to continue and so we are not going to meet in person this Sunday. Sanding is pointless - it would blow away. 

The power flickered on and off all day, finally going off in our area around 7 p.m. We are well prepped for power outages.  I have several kerosene lamps - one from when we lived in Liberia.  They are not simply decorative. 

We have a woodstove, candles, flashlights and headlamps. Our only real concern is our well water pump requires electricity. We have a few cases of drinking water and are heating snow to get water for flushing. Showers are non-essential. 

Alex and Grandpa went to bed. Nolan was still working. The girls, Michael and I sat in the living room until around 10 and shared memories inspired by other weather events. Michael stayed up to keep the stove going until I got up at 6:30 a.m. (Jan 2nd).  The lights came back on for 30 minutes, went back out, came back on....I suspect Jan 2nd is going have a lot of flickering. 

Michael reads Stacia's novel 

What about that first line? Will 2022 be a good story? Yes, it will.  It's started not only with a storm but with our long-awaited Amaryllis blossom. 

Was 2021 a good year? Yes, it was.  

Was 2020 a good year?  Yes, it was.  

God has been sovereign in every year. All years have valleys and mountains, challenges and celebrations. God has been faithful, His presence is constant, He is the good shepherd who goes before us in all terrain. 

Stacia points out there was an entire generation that lived through World War 1,  a pandemic, the Great Depression and World War 2....and kept a sense of optimism alive. 

We've had years before with miscarriages, earthquakes, death...and not felt the doom and gloom which so many freely express about 2020 and 2021. 2021 was HARD. We lost family members to Covid. Inflation is up, supply chains are stressed. We feel all the stresses the media gleefully or reluctantly reports.  I think, collectively, we have focused on the bad, the hard, the challenges to the exclusion of the good and the faithfulness of God. 

In 2021 we lost family members. We also gained family members. We had 2 weddings. Krista and Jamin both took big career steps. Nolan began college and is knocking it out of the park. All our grandkids are healthy. Dad caught Covid in 2020 and hasn't caught it since. Michael's Parkinson's is stable. 

So much of our outlook is determined by what we choose to focus on. I made a conscious choice in September to quit focusing on my fear and to instead believe God holds and counts my days and knows what each day will bring. 2021 was not bigger than God. I will walk with him, in wise, discerning faith-not fear. I will step away from the media reports, the Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds and focus on what I know to be true. I will take every thought, or at least more thoughts, captive to the Lordship of Jesus. God writes this story, He is not frustrated or surprised by the plot line or twists... He works in ways which often surprise. When I am frustrated, frightened and surprised by the plot twists, I will consciously choose to seek His presence and to observe where He is at work in the situation. 

I am confident 2022 is going to be a great chapter in God's story. As all good stories do, this one begins with a storm. 

It's ironic our power has gone out again and I will not be able to save or publish this. ::snort:: 

Our Amaryllis - Uncle Bill's Treat

 My Uncle Bill loved Amaryllis'. He bought a bulb every Christmas season and we'd watch to see if it would bloom before Christmas. When we moved to Hardin, he began bringing us a bulb each year. One for us and one for "Grams." We all loved watching them. 

Uncle Bill died the day Arielle was born...obviously, years ago. I found myself this year missing him, those days when we lived in Hardin, the brief time when Mom and Dad came home and lived there before Grams passed away. 

Michael came home one day in November with an amaryllis bulb. We kept it moist and watched as it grew and then began to bud.  It didn't bloom by Christmas - but look - a bit of color. 

I don't think any bloom could be watched for and waited for more eagerly than this one has been. 

Dec 25th 

Dec 27th 

Dec 28th 

Dec 29th

Dec 30th - getting close! 

Dec 31st

We woke this morning to the first bloom! Happy New Year! Welcome 2022. 

Jan 1st

I expect it will be spectacular in a few more days...and maybe I'll have to add a few more pictures...but I had to share this sight today. 

Jan 2nd - I think we're going to get four blooms

January 3

January 5th 

Look at this...four blooms on Epiphany. It's now fully blossomed. 

I'm so glad Michael bought this this year. It's been fun to remember past Christmas'. It's been a silent memorial to Grams and Uncle Bill.  AND it's such a bright note of color and hope as we went through the New Year's storm....I won't update this post again now that it's fully blossomed.