Madera

We have so many wonderful memories of Madera. One of mine is when I spent the weekend at my Mom's house with Ben. We decided to go on an adventure. The funny thing is, he didn't realize we were going in circles on my Mom's property. It's big enough when you are a little kid to seem like you are walking for miles.

Our adventure was this, we were looking for sticks, a tee pee, a car, and a hot dog. We found April's car and Ben pretended to drive. What a wonderful day that was, just me and my boy.

When we were done Bill took him for a ride on the tractor.

So Serious!!

Last summer we went to the Ocean Institute in Dana Point with Zack, Bonnie and the kids. Here is a picture of us watching as they fed the stingray, what an awesome sight! We all kept our distance....

Amazing GodChicks!!

I just returned from this conference in Pasadena, Okay so I didn't really know what to expect.

It was more than I could have hoped for... it was an empowering time of opening my eyes to the injustices in this world.

Debbie joined me and we both walked away with ideas of how we can do our little part and make a difference in the lives of women and children.

We get so comfortable in our corner of the world, we forget there are people struggling just to survive.

God's Word is clear about taking care of the widow and the orphan, and I intend to find ways to fulfill this command.

GodChicks!!

I am home getting ready to go to the GodChicks conference. I can't wait... the last couple of weeks have been so overwhelming for me and I am ready to rest and hear from God. Well, I don't know how much rest I will get... LOL

Life is a Roller Coaster

Sometimes I feel like life is one big roller coaster. Each day has twists and turns that are totally unexpected. Of course, in real life we know where the turns and twists are on our favorite ride. In real life they pop up unexpectedly with no warning at all.

I have just experienced one of life's "turns" that I not see coming. In fact I feel like this circumstance has turned me upside down.

I can't write about what it is yet, but I will as soon as I can talk about it in public. I will however write about how it has effected my life...

God has a plan for each of us and we have a plan for ourselves. Last week I was living my life according to my plan, in fact I had figured out the path I was going to take.
Wham... God put me in a circumstance that reminded me that He is directing and guiding my path.

I have been struggling against what He has for me and have been an emotional mess.
In my mind I say I can not do this... In my heart I say I don't want to do this...and I am afraid to do this...
and then a moment came when I submitted and said, "God show me your plan".

As I embraced God's plan for me and those around me I started to relax and accept this was something God was doing.

Yesterday, for the first time in days I felt the joy and peace of the Lord return to me. I saw something I didn't see before. I can do what God is requiring of me because of the people He has put around me to help me.

As I recognized I am not in this alone I found an excitement of what God is planning on doing in and through my life.

What seemed impossible a few days ago has now become an exciting opportunity to see God create something only He can.

I feel I am talking in code but I have to get my thoughts down before they leave forever... LOL

I want to remember this process that God is bringing me through so I can remind myself it is His plan not mine. Selah

Father's Day!

It's Father's Day and it's a little different when your Father has passed away. You don't spend time in the store looking for that perfect card. Sometimes a funny one, and sometimes one from the heart.

You don't spend a ton of money on a gift that he doesn't need.

Even Sunday morning in church isn't the same. You know how they like to acknowledge all the Dad's... well when your Dad is gone it can get a little emotional.

This sounds depressing and I'm not depressed. I'm just recognizing that life doesn't always go as you plan it.

So, I said all that to say this; I miss my Dad....

I miss him telling me to be careful driving in the fog.
I miss having WAY too many cups of coffee with him.
I miss him sharing his newspaper with me at the table in the morning.
I miss how he would irritate me by muting the t.v. :)
I miss driving his tractor wearing his blue hat.
I miss how he would collect bird nests for me.
I miss his smile and his hugs.
I miss his old truck. (I wish I could have bought him a new one)
I miss stopping by the store to buy him french vanilla ice cream and plain donuts.
I miss seeing him sitting at the coffee table in the den.
I miss the smell of his cologne and after shave.
I miss watching him load the wood burning stove.
I miss how he would tease me when I would wake up from a nap by saying "Sue came out of her coma" :).I love my naps!!!
I miss him saying good night at Mom's bedroom doorway or at the foot of her bed.
I miss the way he would always check the oil in my car before I would leave.
I miss seeing him standing in the driveway waving goodbye as I would drive away.


But, I smile when I consider he doesn't miss this life on earth.
He is enjoying the hope we all have in Christ,
Life forevermore...

So, today I drink my coffee and remember what a wonderful man he was...and is to me!!!

A Little Deep!

What a wonderful weekend it has been! Manny and I planted some flowers, played darts, spent some time shooting the b.b. gun. (that was my favorite) This evening we kicked back in the spa and had a B.B.Q. dinner.

This mornings message at church was so powerful it shook me to my core.

So many times in life I just muddle through... those days are over. I need to change so many things, for one not to ever take God or His gift of salvation for granted.

Today:


I intend to live as a woman of purpose.

I determine in my mind to walk in integrity.

I choose to love unconditionally.

I will forgive those that hurt or offend me.

Today, I set my heart on God's will for me, and seek to live my life as if it were my last.

Tomorrow:

I will thank God for another day to live for Him and love those around me.

When I stumble, I will call out to the One who is able to lift my head and set me back on course. Selah

This picture was taken in San Diego. The ocean is deep, but not in comparison to the love God has for each of us...

Doobie Brothers

Okay, so I sound like I'm bragging every time I talk about my grandsons! Just look at these pictures and tell me they are not the most adorable boys you have ever seen...

Saturday... A Day Off!

I woke up early as usual... just me and the cats are early birds around here. :)

Gracie is in my makeup bag getting ready for the day, not really. She just thinks everything is there for her to play with. Then there is Rascal, she is just being that... a Rascal! :)... and the cats are just icing on the cake! LOL

Funny, when your children are young you write about them. When you grow older you write about your pets.

It's a beautiful summer morning here in the high desert. So I soak in the sunrise and count my blessings. God has been good to me, and with all the stuff life can throw my way I need to focus on that every day.

Manny reminded me of what is important in life last night on the way home from work.(I had been in the car for two hours and was ready to get out) He said, I know what you need to relieve your stress, you need a Doobie Doo.

It made me smile, because my Doobie Doo's are life's most precious gifts to me. How can I describe how three little boys can fill a place in my heart with such love, laughter and joy? There are no words, just pure bliss!

So now, as I start my Saturday... I will think of God's incredible grace and love to me to fill my life with the most precious family I could ever hope for in life!

Me And Frank

I have been going through boxes of pictures and I found a funny one.

I remember when I was very small going to the Wax Museum. I was so scared, but they made me get my picture taken any way...

I am sure that is why I have nightmares. LOL

Here's a picture of Brad and Bill with me and Frank... and no it's not a family portrait! LOL

Chapter Two

Well, I just finished Book One! I can't wait to see it! When I first started journaling I never thought I had so much to say... or write. But now that Book One has been published I can start on Book Two! I am so excited about this.. I want to have Memory Books for all to see what a wonderful family I have. One of the most important things for me is for my loved ones to know how much they mean to me... so here it goes... Chapter Two!

I am so blessed to have a Book completed, now I can look back and count my blessings, one by one!

There's Nothing Like A Good Laugh!

Today I was driving on the 605 freeway listening to a message by Pastor Mark. He is so incredibly funny that I realized I looked like a crazy person all alone in my car laughing my head off. So I got this bright idea to put my bluetooth in my ear so when people drove by and stared at me they would think I was on the phone. How funny is that? Worrying about people I don't even know...

(Pictures of Samuel and Benjamin when they were younger)

Anyway, his message was so thought provoking and insightful. I love hearing a Pastor that is so down to earth and real. I wonder if that's how the disciples felt when they listened to Jesus talk to them?

Everyone one around thought they were crazy, but they knew the truth!

I just thought of another time I laughed so hard I could barely breathe.

My Mom and I were in the den and we we trying to make a quilt. I started cutting the fabric, but she didn't think I was doing it right. She said "You have to cut it on the bias". I looked at her and said "I am cutting on the bias". She started to laugh and said "A bias amigo". We were on the floor rolling and couldn't stop. So from then on she would look at me and say "A bias amigo" and it would start all over again. For another 20 years we could look at each other and start cracking up knowing what was coming next.

Everyone around us thought we were crazy, and didn't think it was that funny, but we knew the truth! LOL