Catching up the end of 2013

Nope, we didn't fall off the face of the earth, nor did we run away (though at times it was tempting!!).  The last few months have been a roller coaster of emotions. 

Brian's father Don passed away in December after a courageous battle with cancer and heart issues.  The in and out of the hospitals, the hope, the discouragement, the fears and the tears.  So many emotions.  We rejoice he is out of pain.  Yet he is greatly missed. 

As only God can do there have been reconciled relationships.  God is the only one who can bring beauty from ashes.  He is the One who deserves all of our praise and honor.

Christmas was low-key.  We are planning on scaling back even more next year - focusing on what is important, relationships.

Brian, myself, Kara and Forrest had the opportunity to visit San Diego from the 26 - 29 of December (had to use those hotel points and free admission to Sea World before they expired!)

We spent most of Friday and Saturday morning at Sea World.  Saw lots of the exhibits, the Shamu and Clyde and Semour shows but the highlight for Forrest was meeting Elmo.  I have never seen such a big smile on his face!!

We visited the beach though the water was very cold.  We also took the ferry over to Coronado Island.  We had a very nice dinner over there.

Forrest was a trooper.  I don't remember being quite so tired with our children though!!

We are so excited to see what God is going to do in and through us in 2014.  We have the blessing of watching our children and grandchildren grow and learn.  We are blessed to have wonderful family surrounding us.  I have no doubt God is going to do great and mighty things.

God is amazing!!

Relaxing Sunday

I had planned on painting in the Play Room today but it didn't happen.  I am not so sure there is a conspiracy among my family to keep me off of ladders!!

Kara and Forrest (Tom was sick) came over as did David and Grace (Sarah was working).  We ended up just visiting and playing with the children.  It is so amazing to me to watch Forrest and Grace - somehow they just know they are cousins.  Kara and I put them in the bathtub as Forrest decided to wear much of his lunch!!

The children were having so much fun - not sure I have heard that many giggles in a long time.  Though they both seemed to think Quack Quack (the duck) belonged to them!!

Of course Brian decided to teach Forrest the fine art of eating cookies!!

We went over to Dillon's to grab something to eat - they have a shark tank inside and flamingos outside.  Both Forrest and Grace loved it - think there will be a trip to the zoo in our near future...

It is so good to have family around - being grandparents is such a blessing.  God is amazing!!

Turkey Hunting

Time just flies.   With a fractured elbow, well, that makes it just a tad more complicated.

On September 28 I (Vicki) missed the last step of the ladder while painting the Play Room.  Ended up with a fractured elbow (two places) and ligament damage.  So now I am in a horrible brace.

We did go turkey hunting.  David shot one, but it ran away....  next time.

It was much colder this year than in past years - but it was still an awful lot of fun!!

There is a part of me that thinks David just wants to get out there and chop wood - though we did use every pit of this pile!!

The hunters, while looking sad, did have a lot of fun.  Of course they found new places to go!!

And being in God's creation is always peaceful.  Can't wait until next time when I have the use of my left arm!!

God is so good!!

Neighborhood Teams

For many years we have had the privilege of being part of a mid-week Bible Study - currently these are called Neighborhood Teams.  They have been called Neighborhood Groups, Small Groups, Home Teams, Bible Study.... all the same thing - people who love Jesus doing life together. 

So we came up with the top ten reasons to be part of a Neighborhood Team:

10 - Team meets on the same night at the Homeowners Association (HOA) - what an excuse to not go to the HOA meeting and not feel guilty!

9 - Friends in the team will watch the dogs when you want to go out of town on  short notice.

8 - The computer geek who is wonderful to know when your hard drive crashes on a Saturday morning.

7 - Free roadside assistance when you break down, the best reason to have everyone's number in your phone.

6 - You get to love on children who don't belong to you - great when yours have moved out.

5 - You get to attend children sporting events (soccer, baseball, football) and show up when the game starts without snacks....you can even leave early if it starts raining.

4 - Ladies Night pedicures.

3 - Food - potlucks, snacks, s'mores around the fire (who cares it was May?)

2 - A safe place to share life - the laughter, the tears, the fears, to know a bunch of people have your back.

1 - Unconditional love, encouragement, support and prayer.

All of the above make me wonder why everyone isn't in a Neighborhood Team!!

God is good.

Missed Opportunities

The last few weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions.  Dealing with family and expectations.  I have come to the conclusion most people don't take the opportunities placed before them.  That is what I will have to explain to God someday.

I watched a young man, who said some extremely hurtful things, step way out of his comfort zone in an effort to restore a relationship.  He was totally ignored. 

There is a young woman who deeply wounded her father.  She won't reach out though she knows the love is there.

A brother who had the ability to help decided not to because things weren't done his way.

Why are we so judgmental?  Why do we hold onto hurts?  Why are we so full of pride?

Jesus says in the Scripture, our Lord's Prayer, "...forgive us our (debts, sins, trespasses) as we forgive those who (owe us, sin, trespass) against us".  Those are pretty important words.  If I refuse to forgive, then God does not forgive me.

How much time do we lose with others because of pride?  How many experiences are missed because of pride?  Why are we so unwilling to take the first step?  Or sometimes why are we so unwilling to accept the olive branch?

For those of us who love Jesus - we must remember - we are going to spend eternity with some of the people who have hurt us.....

Missed opportunities - so sad.  God is good.

Spiritual Attacks

Today I (Vicki) spent the day taking my Mom to the back specialist. Looks like she will be having surgery in a couple of weeks.

As I was driving over to get her I was asking God why we continue to be under such attack?  It seems to never end.  We are weary. 

Going Jesus on you - the Holy Spirit gently said to me, "Vicki, if the demons are focused on trying to get you and Brian to fall, then they are leaving others alone." 

The subject of spiritual warfare is fascinating to me.  I know from Scripture there are a finite number of angels and a finite number of demons.  Both are working for who they worship.  Angels worship Abba Father so they serve Him.  Demons worship Satan so they serve him. 

As I continued pondering this came to me (the Holy Spirit again!) that we love Jesus, we have His strength.  We will survive and even thrive through these attacks.  In other words, the attacks will backfire on Satan.  Meanwhile, others who might have been attacked while we were being attacked, are free to grow and learn more about Jesus.  So bring on the attacks!!

God has already won - we have that assurance. God is greater than anything we can think of or imagine.  We MUST NOT limit Him. 

Our greatest desire is to bring God glory, praise and honor. He is worthy.

Feeling Like a Sandwich

It has been an interesting week.  My (Vicki) Mom was in Seattle visiting my sister.  She fell and broke her back and her foot.  Ouch.  Two days later she flew home.  Brian and I picked her up at the airport (missing a night of bowling with our Neighborhood Group). 

On Wednesday I took her to the doctor.  On the way over she said she was hoping he would have a magic wand to heal her....  How honest, we just want the pain to go away.  As one would expect - that didn't happen! 

Her back is fractured at the T12.  The doctor said it could start feeling better, if that was going to happen within a week she would be 50% better.  He could also send her to a back specialist.  She made the decision to wait a few days to see what would happen.  So far the pain is staying the same....  I do appreciate the doctor making her promise to call him on Monday to tell her what direction she wants to go.

I am sure in the back of her mind is her impending trip to Nepal/India.... 

The Sandwich Generation has new meaning for us.  Checking in several times a day to see how she is doing, monitoring to see she is eating - she is quite blessed as several family members have stepped up to bring her food and friends have offered, just the worry. 

David spent Thursday with her doing "stuff" around her house.  She was refusing to wear her boot and he convinced her to put it on (that would have been great to witness!).  He even ran to McDonalds because she wanted a burger!! 

Then we have our children.  Thank you Jesus David starts a good job on Monday.  But the on-going concern we have for all of our children...we want them to have full productive lives. 

So today I am feeling weary. The pressures of family and work seem to be pretty intense.  But I know where my strength comes from.  Going to let Jesus carry the load while I rest.

We have been blessed with a wonderful family and friends.  God is so good.