Friday, February 29, 2008

TGIF


Today was one of "those" days for me. It seemed like Murphy's law was in full swing and just when I had limited time to get a million things done, several things fell apart and I felt like I spent the whole day "fixing" things and not truly accomplishing much of anything. I am usually a fairly patient and cheerful person, but by the end of my day today, I was feeling like I might unload on the next person I encountered. Everyone wanted a piece of me while I already had a full plate (is that a collection of cliches or what?!) On days like today I get frustrated, feeling like my service to the Lord becomes unproductive and unmeaningful. It felt to me like ministry got lost in the mundane.

However, as is often the case when I take the time to pray and surrender all those pent up feelings, the Lord brought me up short. Just when I was feeling like I just wanted to have a big pity party for myself, a dear friend had a crisis of sorts within her family. She just needed a hug and my presence - no words were really necessary or helpful. I had to ask forgiveness for my petty perspective and remember that you have to know trials big and small to know true joy. I was reminded how many things I have to be truly thankful for and that so many things are so much bigger than my bad day.

With all that in mind, I am looking forward to the newness of a new day tomorrow. I can go to bed, say my prayers, go to sleep (hopefully - my age and Tamoxifen give me fits in the slumber department) and get up tomorrow my cheerful self, grateful to be alive, and looking to do something meaningful in God's kingdom. My schedule includes some time in the gym, cleaning my house, chipping away at the giant snowbank in our driveway......not exactly things that will make an impact. But somehow as long as I leave myself available, God will use me in ways I don't plan for or expect. And I have to believe that it will be a whole lot easier for Him if I choose to put my Frustrating Friday behind me and begin anew.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Hints of Spring

It's a feeling more than a date on the calendar. It's a lightness of heart, a renewed ambition to clean and organize, a transition from heavy sweaters to lightweight ones, a taking advantage of the longer days. Ahhh, spring - it's just around the corner.

We still have piles and piles of snow and ice in the yard; it still freezes every night; I still have my studded snow tires on. But in my heart it FEELS like winter is wrapping up. It's the time of year I live for when I can actually anticipate long walks in the sunshine, doing my Precept studies on the deck, donning short sleeves and no coat, switching from hot lattes to icy green tea lemonade.

I'm thankful for the seasons even though winter is not my favorite and I KNOW I could be happy living where it's always summer! If not for winter, I couldn't appreciate spring. Bring it on!!!!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Happy Birthday, Whitney and Travis!

Hard to believe that my baby girl is turning 24! I'm not that old, am I?!?

Travis had his birthday yesterday and he and Whit spent it at a big youth conference in Pendleton, Oregon as leaders for our church. He had a chance to celebrate early with his parents as Dan and Karen were here last week. Dan shares a birthday with Whit, and will have his birthday in China this year!

Whitney's big day will be Wednesday. They are both so busy that the whole thing may kind of come and go unnoticed. But I notice! I can't help but reminisce about the 63 hours of labor and the exhausted rejoicing when she finally arrived! A teeny, tiny little pink bundle. So many years of joy, so much to be proud of, such an incredible person she has become.

Whit and Trav, you are a wonderful couple and bring so much happiness to our lives. We couldn't be more proud of the two of you and I know that you will give us amazing grandbabies...... one of these years. :)

Happy, happy birthday!!!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Maui Memories

Yep, the water is THAT blue...
Seven sacred pools near Hana.

Just ONE of the amazing Maui sunsets.
This was about as close as we got to rain.
Taking in the Aquarium.

Sunset from the condo.

Kihei Sands from the beach - a GREAT place to stay.
Our very first morning on Sugar Beach.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Back to Reality

Our ten days in paradise went WAAAYYY too fast and we are back in the Great White North. We came home to two feet of snow, local schools closed, roads impassable. Fun!!! Gotta love winter (NOT).

I will have some pics to post, but at the moment am looking for the download cord to my camera. I think it went to Maui and maybe didn't make it back. I would happily make the trip to go look for it, but, I guess that's not going to happen. Anyway, one of these days I will put up some pics. They won't do justice, but you can at least get the idea.

I'm convinced there is no more relaxing vacation than Maui. We stayed at a new condo this year (Kehei Sands) and enjoyed it just as much or more than Kehei Kai. We figured out that it's the best location on the island as there were clouds and rain all around us, but it was always sunny on Sugar Beach. We enjoyed having our coffee on the beach each morning while watching the humpbacks play just off shore. We usually spent a few hours on the beach, then headed out for some sort of excursion and returned for sunset on the beach. We took in all the sights and it was so fun to watch Gail and Roch be amazed by all they saw and did. We took in the famous Road to Hana with its spectacular scenery, sunrise on Haleakela crater, a whale watch boat excursion and a snorkel sail to Molikini along with assorted shopping and mini trips around the island. The boys body surfed at Big Beach and we spent a lot of time just floating in the water next to our condo and taking longs walks on the beach. There is just no way to be in a bad mood on Maui! I thought we were going to have to drag Roch onto the plane as he had decided he wasn't coming home. We are planning a return trip in two years so we have something to look foward to. Whit and Travis want to join us and Alex is figuring out how he can save up for a plane ticket. Sharing the costs makes it affordable, so we won't have to wait five years like we did last time. We're already plotting how to make it 14 days instead of 10! Personally, I could be happy spending the whole month of January there.

On the home front, we have much snow and more to come. It's a record year for snowfall - aren't we lucky?! Alex is a happy camper, though, and getting great use of the Schweitzer Mountain season pass we gave him for Christmas. He usually goes at least twice a week. Hopefully he's also getting an education somewhere along the way!

Maui was worth the wait - the time just went too fast. We made many happy memories that we hope to revisit sooner than later.