In the midst of the smell, filth, mold spores, sweat, and snakes the Life of God is shining! The team is having a great time even though they have never worked so hard in their lives!
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Fun in the Muck
In the midst of the smell, filth, mold spores, sweat, and snakes the Life of God is shining! The team is having a great time even though they have never worked so hard in their lives!
Monday, June 26, 2006
Simplicity
James took me for our Monday java drive today. Its never long. We go get the best, cheap, white coca-mochas in town and head off on a jaunt into the nearby countryside. We talk, listen to ESPN, laugh, and stop to enjoy the scenery. We are back home in about 45 minutes to an hour, with empty coffee cups and full hearts. He said today that he is appreciating more and more what the simple times have to offer. Here are a few of the simple offerings of today...
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Outta Sight
Somebody's devestation. Somebody else's ruined life.
How easy it is to put out of my mind. At least it was.
Tofer is there. Heart of New Orleans. Standing Water. Mosquitos. Heat. Humidity. Broken homes. Mud - waist high.
He's working. Mucking. Gutting. Rebuilding. Touching lives. Bringing life.
My thoughts are never far from New Orleans. At least Now they aren't. Tofer is there.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Thursday, June 22, 2006
The Grape Vine
There will be no pictures with this post because, once again, blogger is going nutzoid.
I'll let you in on a little secret ~ I like wine.
As a kid, the smell repulsed me. As a teenager, the thought of drinking anything scared me. As a young adult, I was judgemental of it and protective of my children being around it. But now I am old. Aged like the wines I enjoy. I have actually only liked wines for around 5 or 6 years.
Funny thing is, we now live in wine country. In the 12 years since we have been home from college, our Walla Walla Valley wineries have become known world wide and are mentioned in the same company as The French wines who are so highly esteemed. I won't pretend to know a lot. "The fool who says nothing will never reveal her foolishness" you know.
We have been talking about doing a tour for years. But ~ its no fun by yourselves. You have to have people to talk about Tanins and Bodies, Bouquets and Nose with. You have to go with others who want to try new things. Any of our posse ready to ball up? Shout Out! We'll take you up on it!
One thing I have found, my tastes are expensive! I tend to want the most expensive wine a vintor ... um... vints. Here are some of my favorites (out of the 25 or so different wines I've tried, lol!):
Kiona Lemberger (it tastes like blackberries with a white peppery top note. It exudes a slight pipe tabacco scent. I love the way this wine makes me feel. Like I'm wrapped in cashmere! I have Dad turning 65 to thank for the pleasure of tasting this one. When I let James tasted it, he kept my glass and I had to get another.)
McCrea Cellars Mourvedre (it'll put hair on your chest... meaty, so purple it is almost black and oh so yummy. I had this at a BBQ and asked for the label as soon as it hit my pallet! At 69$ a bottle, I haven't tried it since.)
McCrea Cellars Syrah (There is no harshness to this wine. Its everything wonderful. 2004 is the year to have, but McCrea is a genius with Syrah. One sip is enough to evoke dreams of walking the Rhone Valley. Its amazing. My Canadian friends had me over for Roasted Pig and served this.)
L'Ecole N*41 Pepperbridge Apogee (intoxicating. It grabbed us at the nose and held us long enough to squeeze $49 out of our wallet! We weren't leaving without a bottle! Apogee means: The point in the orbit of the moon that is at the greatest distance from the center of the earth ~ In other words - it will send you to the moon! Annual anniversary trip; we drank it at our B & B while eating Walla Walla Onion Supreme pizza and watching an old Kojak epsiode. *sigh* Good times! We had to go get lollipops afterwards ~ gotta be like Telle!)
I'll let you in on a little secret ~ I like wine.
As a kid, the smell repulsed me. As a teenager, the thought of drinking anything scared me. As a young adult, I was judgemental of it and protective of my children being around it. But now I am old. Aged like the wines I enjoy. I have actually only liked wines for around 5 or 6 years.
Funny thing is, we now live in wine country. In the 12 years since we have been home from college, our Walla Walla Valley wineries have become known world wide and are mentioned in the same company as The French wines who are so highly esteemed. I won't pretend to know a lot. "The fool who says nothing will never reveal her foolishness" you know.
We have been talking about doing a tour for years. But ~ its no fun by yourselves. You have to have people to talk about Tanins and Bodies, Bouquets and Nose with. You have to go with others who want to try new things. Any of our posse ready to ball up? Shout Out! We'll take you up on it!
One thing I have found, my tastes are expensive! I tend to want the most expensive wine a vintor ... um... vints. Here are some of my favorites (out of the 25 or so different wines I've tried, lol!):
Kiona Lemberger (it tastes like blackberries with a white peppery top note. It exudes a slight pipe tabacco scent. I love the way this wine makes me feel. Like I'm wrapped in cashmere! I have Dad turning 65 to thank for the pleasure of tasting this one. When I let James tasted it, he kept my glass and I had to get another.)
McCrea Cellars Mourvedre (it'll put hair on your chest... meaty, so purple it is almost black and oh so yummy. I had this at a BBQ and asked for the label as soon as it hit my pallet! At 69$ a bottle, I haven't tried it since.)
McCrea Cellars Syrah (There is no harshness to this wine. Its everything wonderful. 2004 is the year to have, but McCrea is a genius with Syrah. One sip is enough to evoke dreams of walking the Rhone Valley. Its amazing. My Canadian friends had me over for Roasted Pig and served this.)
L'Ecole N*41 Pepperbridge Apogee (intoxicating. It grabbed us at the nose and held us long enough to squeeze $49 out of our wallet! We weren't leaving without a bottle! Apogee means: The point in the orbit of the moon that is at the greatest distance from the center of the earth ~ In other words - it will send you to the moon! Annual anniversary trip; we drank it at our B & B while eating Walla Walla Onion Supreme pizza and watching an old Kojak epsiode. *sigh* Good times! We had to go get lollipops afterwards ~ gotta be like Telle!)
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Ricksky-Roosker-Rono-Vitches
Her real name is Cricket-Quidah-of the Amber-Dropping Hair-Rumplesnout (or Cricket for short), but we hardly ever call her by either. Monkey Puppy, Monchichi, Rickey Roo, Munkster Roo, Igit, the list goes on... She answers to them all.
She has been a member of our family now for 5 1/2 years. We adore her.... and she adores us!
Sunday, June 18, 2006
The Man in Our Lives
There once was a day when they all would have fit IN the chair...
I fell in love with his voice. In 9th grade (he was in 11th) at a Jazz Choir performance when he sang Billy Joels' "The Longest Time" my heart was his. I didn't know his name, but I would have married him on the spot. Little did I know that the following year he would ask me to dance in PE class and we would be dancing together for the rest of our lives.
Since my initial meltdown in 9th grade, our lives have diverged and merged again, seen the rollercoaster highs and lows of becoming one flesh, held three newborn babies that God granted us the grace to create, and heard the 'song of redemption' sung over us, mercifully, infinate times. We have grown together. We have changed.
Yet, he still makes me laugh (if he catches me off guard), makes me feel beautiful, makes me weak, makes me want to spit nails, and makes me proud to belong to him alone.
He doubts his abilities as a Dad, but he needn't. He has three kids who want more than anything to see HIS smile over them. They feel secure in his love. If he is proud of them, they are proud of themselves. Their hearts belong to Daddy.
Happy Fathers' Day. To all of you papas out there, but especially to the man who accepted with joy a very broken, troublesome, hotheaded little Lass and believed in her enough to make her his "Paul Girl" for a lifetime.
I fell in love with his voice. In 9th grade (he was in 11th) at a Jazz Choir performance when he sang Billy Joels' "The Longest Time" my heart was his. I didn't know his name, but I would have married him on the spot. Little did I know that the following year he would ask me to dance in PE class and we would be dancing together for the rest of our lives.
Since my initial meltdown in 9th grade, our lives have diverged and merged again, seen the rollercoaster highs and lows of becoming one flesh, held three newborn babies that God granted us the grace to create, and heard the 'song of redemption' sung over us, mercifully, infinate times. We have grown together. We have changed.
Yet, he still makes me laugh (if he catches me off guard), makes me feel beautiful, makes me weak, makes me want to spit nails, and makes me proud to belong to him alone.
He doubts his abilities as a Dad, but he needn't. He has three kids who want more than anything to see HIS smile over them. They feel secure in his love. If he is proud of them, they are proud of themselves. Their hearts belong to Daddy.
Happy Fathers' Day. To all of you papas out there, but especially to the man who accepted with joy a very broken, troublesome, hotheaded little Lass and believed in her enough to make her his "Paul Girl" for a lifetime.
Friday, June 16, 2006
The Big Picture
Sagebrush, Cheatgrass, Foxtails, & Laxidazical Bovines ... *sigh*, what can I say, but "home sweet home!"
Something new I'll begin doing every Friday is post a "Big Picture". I'm a copy cat. Steve McCoy, Joe Thorn and some others already do this... nothing new under the sun!
Friday, June 09, 2006
24 on the big screen?
The real-time TV thriller 24 is headed to the big screen under a deal between movie studio 20th Century Fox and the show's producers. click pic for story...
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Cultivating Individuality
I'm reading a book right now, and it is teaching me so much about being a wife and mom. The title sounds like that is just what I should be learning from it, but it isn't that KIND of book at all! Its an interior design book called "Creating a Beautiful Home". I picked it up at a garage sale for free.
When I was in highschool I really didn't want to go to college. I hated the atmosphere of school. It didn't seem much different from the prisons I'd seen in movies. But the thing that got me on the road to going to college were the correspondence art classes my mom signed me up for through the Illinois Institute of Art Chicago. If I had to train for a career, I would train in design!
We all know from my previous post that God had a different dream for me to live out. It is one that I adore, and am so thankful to be fulfilling. Ever since I had our 1st daughter I became a Stay-at-Home Girl. I wouldn't trade it for the world. However, living on one income doesn't accommodate the designer side of me! I have sometimes been frustrated by the necessity to eat and pay bills even though I would love to put a new wall treatment in the livingroom, or windowboxes overflowing with a bower of blooms at our front windows. I have concentrated on my kids, and becoming someone in whom my husband's heart can fully trust in and rely on.
That brings me back to the book I'm reading! The author has been expounding on her own journey as a designer and how she has come to a place where she sees her role as someone who brings light and beauty to darkened homes, while still cultivating the individuality of their owners, & teaching them how to propagate that themselves. I sat there a stunned realization that that has always been my role as well. I strive to instill The Light and beauty of God into my children, & the atmosphere of our daily lives while allowing them to show His Light and beauty in their unique ways and encouraging them onward. I'm an interior designer! God builds the house, and I get to decorate it!
We took a drive and hike yesterday. The kids' cultivated individuality showed throughout the day! Cassia was tired, but she was the lover of beauty and tranquility. The peacemaker. The one who takes everyone into her heart and wants the best for them even when she is exhausted. Christopher was dealing with allergies, but he was alert for what would look cool in a video and taking pics. He is an appreciator, and likes to be appreciated. Sensitive and quick witted, while growing in keeping his feelings in check. He is striving to learn balance. Minda had a toe bugging her, but we didn't hear about it until the end of the day (and it turned out her sock had a wrinkle!). We turned bends to find her in trees or at the top of hills looking down and waving wildly. She collected ~ Cotton, blowing in the wind; fungus, growing on the side of a trees; tiny rocks, smoothed by the river... she climbed onto nearly sunken logs, pointed out strange sounds and laughed unrestrainedly. I love who they are, but I have plans to bring even more of The Light into the darkened corners!
pics below...
When I was in highschool I really didn't want to go to college. I hated the atmosphere of school. It didn't seem much different from the prisons I'd seen in movies. But the thing that got me on the road to going to college were the correspondence art classes my mom signed me up for through the Illinois Institute of Art Chicago. If I had to train for a career, I would train in design!
We all know from my previous post that God had a different dream for me to live out. It is one that I adore, and am so thankful to be fulfilling. Ever since I had our 1st daughter I became a Stay-at-Home Girl. I wouldn't trade it for the world. However, living on one income doesn't accommodate the designer side of me! I have sometimes been frustrated by the necessity to eat and pay bills even though I would love to put a new wall treatment in the livingroom, or windowboxes overflowing with a bower of blooms at our front windows. I have concentrated on my kids, and becoming someone in whom my husband's heart can fully trust in and rely on.
That brings me back to the book I'm reading! The author has been expounding on her own journey as a designer and how she has come to a place where she sees her role as someone who brings light and beauty to darkened homes, while still cultivating the individuality of their owners, & teaching them how to propagate that themselves. I sat there a stunned realization that that has always been my role as well. I strive to instill The Light and beauty of God into my children, & the atmosphere of our daily lives while allowing them to show His Light and beauty in their unique ways and encouraging them onward. I'm an interior designer! God builds the house, and I get to decorate it!
We took a drive and hike yesterday. The kids' cultivated individuality showed throughout the day! Cassia was tired, but she was the lover of beauty and tranquility. The peacemaker. The one who takes everyone into her heart and wants the best for them even when she is exhausted. Christopher was dealing with allergies, but he was alert for what would look cool in a video and taking pics. He is an appreciator, and likes to be appreciated. Sensitive and quick witted, while growing in keeping his feelings in check. He is striving to learn balance. Minda had a toe bugging her, but we didn't hear about it until the end of the day (and it turned out her sock had a wrinkle!). We turned bends to find her in trees or at the top of hills looking down and waving wildly. She collected ~ Cotton, blowing in the wind; fungus, growing on the side of a trees; tiny rocks, smoothed by the river... she climbed onto nearly sunken logs, pointed out strange sounds and laughed unrestrainedly. I love who they are, but I have plans to bring even more of The Light into the darkened corners!
pics below...
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Part Of A Family
Marriage changes your life in many ways. You have to share a bed with someone who steals your covers, you learn the best way to clean mi-nute beard particles from around the faucets, you also learn the best way to fold really large whitey-tidies into pockets so that when he is digging through his drawers they don't come unfolded, and last, but not least, you get to be a part of Memorial Day. Before marriage, Memorial Day just meant sidewalk sales and a visit to the cemetery - maybe. Now I'm a member of the Paul Clan and we celebrate life and the memory of it by gathering for 4 days at James' Folks' House. There were around 60 of us this year. We play games most people have never heard of ~ Pickle Ball, Woofle Ball, Throwing Elbows Basketball ... We challenge each other to chess, sudoku, & crosswords ... We kiss the babies, "catch" worms with the toddlers, and keep the teenagers cool with ice chests stocked with sodas and water... There is catching up on life, remembering the ones who won't join us any longer, and getting to know the ones who are joining us for the first time. There is the yearly Indy 500 Poole, Grampa's famous breakfasts, Phil winning the 10k for the last 4 years in a row ... and food, food, food!!! I am so blessed to be 'one of the family', so thankful that this was a priority to Mom and Dad all those years before I came along, & excited about all the changes this year will bring that will make next year even more special than this one.
I'll have to post pics seperately... Blogger isn't cooperating.
I'll have to post pics seperately... Blogger isn't cooperating.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Expressing Unknowns
I have wanted to post several times this week and just have not been able to put my feelings into thoughts that can be expressed in words. We have had some things change in our home this week and they have me reeling. I am fighting to not be angry, to accept, to show mercy, to be gracious and give love & not hate. After being a Christian for nearly 20 years, you would think I would have more of the image of Christ imprinted on me and His love shed abraod in my heart... not the case it seems. I struggle. 
Why, if Christ is alive inside of me, is it so hard for me to take on His compassion or at least sympathy. Why can't I be like Him? Will I ever be like Him?
Pray. Please.
For ~
*a quick change in this situation(expedited, with all haste... and really fast too)
*room in my heart for more than an allowance, but acceptance
*more of Christ - less of me (this should have been #1)
*unity on decisions
*understanding the secret code messages that pass when you 'can't say' what you would like to say, because *cough* so & so is in earshot. (or it just isn't edifying!)
Next time I'll post about our wonderful Memorial Day family tradition. As soon as Cassia uploads the pictures...
Why, if Christ is alive inside of me, is it so hard for me to take on His compassion or at least sympathy. Why can't I be like Him? Will I ever be like Him?Pray. Please.
For ~
*a quick change in this situation(expedited, with all haste... and really fast too)
*room in my heart for more than an allowance, but acceptance
*more of Christ - less of me (this should have been #1)
*unity on decisions
*understanding the secret code messages that pass when you 'can't say' what you would like to say, because *cough* so & so is in earshot. (or it just isn't edifying!)
Next time I'll post about our wonderful Memorial Day family tradition. As soon as Cassia uploads the pictures...
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
We love you!Sunday, May 21, 2006
You Gotta Have Friends
We have had a busy week. With Tof having fundraisers for his two trips this summer, Cassia having friends who came all the way from Seattle just to see her, meetings, worship practice, women's group, kids spending the night, etc.. etc... etc... 
We had more friends in last night. Peter and Kimberly came over from Bellingham for the weekend. We haven't seen them for a year, but it felt like we had just been on 'pause' and when we saw them we just hit 'play' and cotinued right along with the story of our lives. I don't know why they like us,
but I'm so glad they do. God always stirs, blesses and convicts me when I am with them yet I know that they expect nothing of us... they just love us.
We had more friends in last night. Peter and Kimberly came over from Bellingham for the weekend. We haven't seen them for a year, but it felt like we had just been on 'pause' and when we saw them we just hit 'play' and cotinued right along with the story of our lives. I don't know why they like us,
but I'm so glad they do. God always stirs, blesses and convicts me when I am with them yet I know that they expect nothing of us... they just love us.
Monday, May 15, 2006
What's a Deeapaulitan Made Of?
I'm 1/2 Scotch Thistle
&
1/2 Black Russian
It's my heritage, not different kinds of alcoholic drinks!
Søren Kierkegaard: "And now, with God's help, I shall become myself."
But, here are the recipes if you wish to see what You are made of!
Scotch Thistle
1 1/2 oz Scotch
1 1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
2 dashes Bitters
Ice
Black Russian
1 1/2 oz Vodka
1 1/2 oz Vodka
3/4 oz Coffee flavored brandy
Ice
Neopolitan (Deeapaulitan)
1 squirt Lime Juice
1/2 oz Cointreau
1 1/2 oz Cranberry Vodka
1 splash Raspberry Liqueur
1/2 oz Cointreau
1 1/2 oz Cranberry Vodka
1 splash Raspberry Liqueur
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
The Sum of Me
at least right now...
"Sometimes I think the people to feel saddest for are the ones who once knew what profoundness was, but lost or became numb to the sensation of wonder."
~ Doug Coupland, Life After God
"We live in a time when faith is thin, because our aching for what is above and beyond us has been anaesthetized and our capacity for wonder reduced to clever tricks." ~ Alan Jones, Passion for Pilgrimage
"We cover our deep ignorance with words, but are ashamed to wonder, to dream, to utter the word 'mystery'." ~ AW Tozer, Knowledge of the Holy
"Sometimes I think the people to feel saddest for are the ones who once knew what profoundness was, but lost or became numb to the sensation of wonder."
~ Doug Coupland, Life After God
"We live in a time when faith is thin, because our aching for what is above and beyond us has been anaesthetized and our capacity for wonder reduced to clever tricks." ~ Alan Jones, Passion for Pilgrimage
"We cover our deep ignorance with words, but are ashamed to wonder, to dream, to utter the word 'mystery'." ~ AW Tozer, Knowledge of the Holy
Monday, May 08, 2006
Telling the Culture the Truth
When I was little (in the 70's) Gloria Steinham was all over the news, the fight for women to get equal salary for equal work was the current fight in congress, and bra burning was a show of whether or not you were truly committed to the cause. Imagine my teacher's face when in 3rd grade social studies I answered the question "What would you like to be when you grow up?" with "A wife and mother." I was told that was what any woman could do and that wasn't a career. I had to come up with another answer or get demerits.I was brought up in a one parent household. A latchkey kid if there ever was one. I saw my dad once every few years, got presents that were too big or too small, a letter or phone call occasionally... the same story many of the offspring of the Baby Boomers have to tell.
When I came to know Christ as my Father (a long process) I had already become a mindwarped child of the culture. When it came to men I believed the old song, "Anything you can do, I can do better. I can do anything better than you." It was going to take someone strong and powerful to wrangle me in as a wife. When it came to being a mother, I didn't mind being one, I just didn't want to be like my mom or grama (though now I see what incredible odds they overcame). But remember when I told you about Nigglers? My spirit didn't believe what my mind & culture were telling me. It really began to niggle when a guy, who was an unashamed Christian, with a singing voice that made dreams come true in young girls' hearts, began to pay special attention to me. The dreams that came rushing back to the surface were of belonging to someone who loved me - only me, and having a big family that would grow up knowing and loving God. The dreams of being a wife and mother.
I had set in motion all the necessary cogs and wheels for going off to college. I had won two scholarships that would pay for 4 years of education at NNU, I had been accepted, had sent in my dorm fees, and shopped for a new wardrobe (the first time I could ever remember doing so in 18 years... or since for that matter). A wrench was thrown into my well oiled machine, however. THE guy moved to my town, began taking me to a church that changed... no, changed isn't the right word... Refocused, yes that's it, refocused my priorities and I announced to everyone that I was staying home. One month later I was engaged, 2 months after that I was married, one year later I was a mom...
I have had much criticism, and apologetic headshakes from ladies who still believe the cultural brainwashing. I was one of the lucky (or rather... Blessed) ones. I found The Truth & the truth. God's grace & the truth that The Meaning of Life is Love. In Loving God, Loving others, and Loving who I am when I am Loving. I am valuable. That means able to be valued... I have worth because of Love.
A study that came out at the beginning of the month brought this home to me. It's a secular study... One from the culture!! Another Article deals with the same issue here. 20 years after all the bras in America were burned to smithereens the smoke is clearing and a new generation (mine! woo hoo!) is writing a neo-creed and stiching up some newfangled braziers!
This site gives a monetary value to what we do every day! I'm worth $197,213 annually... I can't even imagine. I don't need it though. I didn't get into this line of work for the money. I do it for the Love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)