Random Rambling

The sun has risen on yet another chapter in our lives - not an easy one - again. I often read II Corinthians 1:3-4 (The Message) "All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us." And then I tend to ask God why we have to have so many areas in which we can help someone else!

I do not feel like I can share this latest situation, but would appreciate your prayers for our "unspoken request." You have all prayed us through so much.

When I was living in southeast Kansas, teaching school and very lonely, I found this verse in Philippians and took it as mine, very literally - meaning the "state of Kansas." Yesterday for some reason it came to me again, and I have adopted it as my verse for this chapter of our lives, with the "state" being "state of being."

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11, King James Version.

Perseverance and Resilience

Remember my dahlia that we planted this summer? It was doing well and had its first flower when a gust of wind snapped it off at the base. I was sad, because I had chosen it for its beautiful deep burgundy color. Imagine my delight when I saw it coming back to life. It has taken all summer, but here it is - a bloom and many more to come - I just hope the weather lasts long enough to enjoy more. Such a life lesson!

There is so much on my mind, that rambling is a less than adequate word for this post. I should call it "brain dump," as my good blog friend, Becky, does. Hang on, and I hope I don't lose you part of the way through.

My sister introduced me to a new writer this week and I am so grateful that she did. Her name is Elizabeth Musser and the book I read this week is The Swan House.

This morning I was reading as I exercised on the elliptical at the gym. Then I was wiping tears from my eyes and sniffing as I came to the end of this amazing book. I was also listening to my Ipod, which I purchased so that I could cover up the music they choose and listen to my kind of music (after much difficulty figuring out how it works). Just at that moment, Alan Asbury began to sing "I Need Thee Every Hour." My goodness, I had my own little worship service right there in the gym - wondering if anyone was noticing and what they might be wondering! As I finished the book today, I was wishing it was a series, not a stand-alone. Then I found out - it is! There is at least one more. I can hardly wait to read it.

Hot Times in Colorado

On Labor Day, when we were heading home from our week-end at camp, we saw huge plumes of smoke over the mountains. We hadn't heard any news all week-end (glorious!), but when we got home we learned that there was a raging wildfire south and west of us in the Boulder area. The end result was 166 homes and other buildings were destroyed, plus many many acres of growing things.

Last Sunday when we got home from church, we learned that there was a fire burning just 8 miles west of us. We decided to go take some pictures - these I took from the road, looking west.

Then we decided to go up to the beautiful golf course in the western part of our town to get a better view.






I learned later that afternoon that a family in our church had been affected - the house just above the "7" belongs to the dad of some of our college students.


It was very close, as you can see, but it was saved. I read this morning that the fire was 35% contained, with a bit of concern about wind tonight. Only two houses have been lost (not "only" for the owners, for sure). Most of the fires are caused by human stupidity and/or carelessness. Sad.

Some Random Shots of the Kiddoes
Any suggested titles??

Entertaining at the grocery store

Random Pet Peeves

1. IMHO, one of the worst inventions EVER - text messaging.

2. Drivers who pull out in front of me - has happened virtually every day this week - taking my life in their hands - the lives of my grandkids - and strangely enough, their own!


Best Moment of the Week

Feisty, age 6, as the "Belly Fat" commercial was on t.v." "Grandma, you're skinny."

Me: "Thanks, Feisty."

Feisty: "Your shirt is too big."

What fun for her to notice!

A Beautiful Farewell

The eastern sky as the sun set in the west.