Does Anybody Hear Her?

 This week the women from my church head toward the weekend of our retreat.
Off to Calvary Chapel Conference center, just thinking about this beautiful place begins to relax me.
We all come together as a group to connect and to learn.
Learn we will see we have more in common than just our faith.
We live in the same day to day world with common concerns.

We may discover that the struggles we have as individuals are not so bad.
 God will surely put someone before us that has a much more difficult situation....He does stuff like that :-)
It is then we can take our eyes off ourselves and be a comfort to one in need.

My greatest hope for us is that not one woman goes unnoticed.
That not one woman feel alone this weekend.
That we have eyes to see the one that needs comfort and support.

The song is entitled, Does Anybody Hear Her?  by Casting Crowns.
It's good  to consider daily...I hope you'll watch.
I hope you notice the one....it's what echos from my heart today.

 
http://youtu.be/OEhRucEVzH8

Until ~

She was one of eleven children.
She faithfully sent nieces, and nephews, birthday cards (that's a lot of cards) each with a one dollar bill. 
When we reached a certain age the dollars omitted, the card still faithfully came to all of us.
She loved well, she lived her life fully.
She was full of humor and wit.
She loved God, and she is now in his presence.
How happy my parents must have been to meet her at the gate...oh, and her beloved, My Uncle Ray.
They were so in love....

My trip back to Montana was wonderful, all things considered.
Gathering with loved ones was so incredible.....so many cousins, so many childhood memories
that need reviewing each time were together.

The celebration of my sweet Aunt Wilma's life was so very special.  My cousins did an incredible job on all that it took to make it so!

 Above is the etching of the boat my Uncle and my cousin made....

Their wedding photo :-)

The 12th of September birthday of my Mom and my Aunt Marguerite her twin.  Several of us met for dinner to celebrate their birthdays which included some beautiful cupcakes! I think it meant a lot to my Aunt, who continues to remind us, " I always wanted a birthday of my own through the years, now I wish I had your Mom to share it with."  Just can't imagine the loss she must feel...

I spent sometime in downtown Bozeman where I was born.  I love it... it's such a beautiful town.  I feel so incredibly comfortable when I'm there... as if I belong.

Random photos from my trip ....smile ~

My sister Deanna and myself above :-)

This man played some beautiful  music for the  passerby's

My cousin Ray....also known as Santa to many every year ....

A final stop at the house of memories...once my Grand parents then my Aunt Wilma and Uncle Rays.

The back porch and cellar entry...this was the gathering place for our visits, so many conversations took place here...I can recall running down the "steep" incline off that cellar door as a kid....it seemed so much steeper back then.

Below a photo of what was they had hanging next to the door, if they missed you they would know you stopped by...I couldn't resist leaving one last note....

So many mixed emotions....all based on good things past and present..
Until we meet again Aunt Wilma...until.
The promise of reuniting in eternity, until then it will echo from my heart...

Destination Family ~ Under the Same Big Sky

The road to Montana feels longer than before...
My sweet Aunt Wilma will not be standing at her gate to greet me,
but many who loved her as I have will.

I'm struggling this morning to think clearly enough to get packed...
snow or no snow... a point of focus is needed  in this thought filled head to fill that suitcase..
I attempted to pack a balance, because it could be 80's one day and snow the next?
Varying degrees, much like the past few days emotionally.

Today I'm looking for a balance of my own.
Don't let the negative of this day be added to my baggage, I remind myself.
Today seems to be my day of saddness in regard to the loss my family is
dealing with. A bit more emotional as I prepare for my destination.
What is Montana going to be like without my Aunt Wilma?
Arriving without her there to meet me, the thought of it is like hearing the news again.
Only real, more permanent, final.

I'm asking God this day to fill me up, hold me up, to help me find joy in this day,
to have joy as I gather with my family to celebrate a life so well lived.....
I can sense Him reminding me now, it's only permanent and final in this world.
The real destination is called eternity, in heaven with Him.
She'll be there, yes, sweet Aunt Wilma will be at the gates to greet me when He calls for me to come!
Separation is temporary, I love that I know this to be true.

Destination, to my larger family, under the Big Sky of Montana where it all began for us.
There will be some serious hugging and loving going on, it's what we do....
A time of celebration,  in the midst of our loss and grief.
Despite it in fact, there will be a celebration!

No matter the emotion or it's weight, but God!
It's what echos from my heart today....

So I'm a Gatherer!

How does this happen, how do I have so much...excess crud?

I just laid down to catch a quick 20-30 min. nap and my sister Deanna called....she was cleaning out and getting rid of her crud..
Cleaning her office, bedroom and bath.  I failed to tell her  what we obviously have in common is "failure to stick to one room at a time" syndrome....
We quickly discussed our excess..such as our.purses, I have 7 total...generally use 2 btw.
This after getting rid of about 4 or 5 less than a year ago...uggh....
Why?

After ending our conversation, I of course had to get up and get rid of something!
Nap will have to wait.....
Started with my top drawer in the bathroom.
Here's what I got rid of;
Approximately 9 lipsticks I never use, and I kept  5 and use it maybe twice a week!
I know that's bad but I rarely leave the house!
 Deanna told me once, just because you caught the fish you don't quit using the bait!
I will put more thought into that later.
I tossed, 11 partially used mascaras???What the what?  Like was I worried the world may discontinue making it and then what?
I put mascara on about twice a week :-(

I threw out lots of samples, foundation, perfume, photos of hairstyles I like....for my hair, often in a clip is how I roll most days. Don't judge, it's been a dang hot summer!
Gathered about 6 pkgs. of floss, different brands and sizes... 4 almost empty travel size toothpastes...
Three pedometers :-) I do walk occasionally but, I would only wear one people....
Five tubes of lip balm with sunscreen...it's too hot to wear one....
 This all from a drawer in a bathroom. Very bad.

A long time ago I took everything out from under my sink. If I had duplicate products I got rid of them and that felt good, I'm happy to say it still looks good.

I think I may hit my closet tomorrow...I'm a little nervous about that..  It seems I go through it every couple months thinking, "there can't be much this time" as I fill  3or 4 bags of donations...

I really don't need all I have..... I don't.
This crud collection is much like my thoughts.....too many I don't needs...cluttering my home and my mind!

Small confession... it's bothering my right this minute that I have over 14 eyeliner pencils in the draw I cleaned out, and that's after tossing at least 5...all approximately an inch long...really? I'm wondering why I kept 14? It's only of 4 shades but I only use two of those shades? (when I put it on smile~)

I suppose it's a stretch but stranger things have been discontinued, like my favorite blush when I was 17.
My favorite perfume at age 42ish, true story. Okay, with those there were others of both to choose from.
Perhaps its made me a bit paranoid of possible discontinued items. ( did you just say, ya think?)

Hey, they do not make Jordache Jeans anymore! Fact!


Too much excess and still wondering why, and never got back to that nap, it's what echos from my heart today..

Monday Minute ~ Menopause Twice?

Oh let me get this off my chest (again)...

I'm over the heat Southern California!

It feels as though I'm trapped in someone else's  menopause, it's just not right.

 I've finished my hot flash phase long ago who needs to experience it twice?

It was 79 degrees inside my house at 6:45 this morning...stop it!!

Nuff said.

We celebrated Ellery Grace's first birthday yesterday, how is that possible?

Namaw and Ellery

Katie, Ellery, Khloe and Mike

Pa taking Roo for a swim :-)

Going in for the bite!

Apparently she loved it !

Pa and I with Ellery, Khloe and grandson Gavin..

We were super excited to see our daughter Jackie and our oldest grands!

Jackie and Khloe

Pa was in heaven having time with these three :-)

Khloe loves our little Aubrie

Pa and Aubrie are very much a team ....

Our eldest grand daughter Julia and Pa...

Uncle Brian with little Roo...

Despite this look, she loved  it....

Really fun day catching up with many, watching all the kids have fun in the pool.....but man it was hot/humid....whoops nuff said.. (again).

My Sweet Aunt Wilma is still with us and surrounded by so many that love her. Not a moment goes by she is not in my thoughts. Praying for her to be pain free as she prepares for her heavenly reunion with so many she loved that have gone on before her...that gives me reason so smile.

Please continue to pray for Pastor Mike who is 4 days into life after bone marrow transplant. He is now in a very sensitive place as he is very open to infection, praying that doesn't happen.  Still a long road ahead, moment by moment trusting God.  So thankful for any who have been and continue to pray for him.

Going to do my best to enjoy this hot day... its' what echos from my heart today.

Fresh on Friday ~ Encouragement...

Sometimes we gotta let it out!

This has been a tough week....filled to the brim I am.

I'm over the heat like I'm over fat....over it.
I don't know if it's age...but it just doesn't agree with me like it used to...kinda like garlic :-)

My energy level has been low for a good two weeks, a constant  reminder of what I have done

to my lungs.

I had a cold, which once was never a big deal.....now it's a very  big deal, another reminder

of what I've done to my lungs.

I rarely admit, but to my hubstir, it scares me.

What if this is the time I don't recover from it?

A daily worsening rather than, thus far of staying on an even keel.

So many what if's..try to keep them out.

I don't like going there in my thoughts, it's never good.
(I'm pray daily for my friend K.K.M. as she is trying to quit smoking.....you've got this!)

I let it out today because.....

Sometimes life seems to big to carry another moment.

The last two days have been rough.

My Sweet 86 year old Aunt Wilma is lying in a hospital under Hospice 1200 miles away, I'm here.

Here, wishing I hadn't canceled my flight in July to go visit her.

I know she is surround by people who love her to bits.

She's been a constant in my life since a very young age, never a me without her.

I generally go visit her every summer...until...I didn't.

I can't imagine Montana without her in it, I don't want to.

Though I know she is ready....those of us that love her aren't.

Love is selfish that way....

I let it out today because....

Sometimes life seems just to big to carry another moment.

I like many others are struggling with this dark beast they call ISIS.

Beheading people because of their faith?

Beheading American's...well, because they are Americans.

Beheading anyone who is not like them. Them....

Animals that walk on two legs, cowards with faces hidden.
Hidden from us, not from the One.....

Though they are many, they are few in comparison to those of us who are not!

My heart is heavy because I don't see enough action to stop them.

Fools believe it won't happen here is what I'm thinking.

Somebody better wake up!

I let it out today because....

Sometimes life seems just to big to carry another moment.

One of our Pastor's has been battling leukemia since February and hospitalized the majority of that time.
We have been praying for a bone marrow donor to save his life.
The donor was found in Germany, marrow transported here in the states.
I figure German bone marrows gotta be good and tough...us with German in us can be!
I have been so inspired by Pastor Mike as he has journaled his experience almost daily with us.
He is suffering, away form his family at times fearful  of what is to come... and then he reminds us always what God's Word says....and it's trusting God.
Yesterday the bone marrow transplant began....It's a long process, with many risks.
I've been through this with my friend Sandra when her sister Lu Lu went through the same.
I'm so sad he is having to go through this....so blessed he has shared it with us....
He reminds me just how pretty I'm sitting in this world just now....
He reminds me, oh yes, you do this and here's how.

I let it out today....

Yet I'm reminded....reminded not by chance..... (thank you Julie Munchie Camel)

That I serve a big God, bigger than illness, bigger than ISIS, bigger than addiction.

The same God that will welcome my sweet Aunt when He calls her home....

Julie shared  this on her wall yesterday, it got my attention.

 

I let it out today because....

Sometimes life seems just to big to carry another moment.

It's in that same moment God reminds me He's got this, all of it.

I don't need to carry it at all.

I let it out today because....

Sometimes God uses other people to lift us up, to open our eyes, to remind us....

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with

all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

Proverbs 3:5 

 But God......It's what echos from my heart today......

Wednesday Hodgepodge ~

1.  What's something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to actually doing?
   Where to begin... I planned on cleaning out my office and rearranging it...didn't happen.
   Planned on finishing up a writing project of almost 8 years....didn't happen.
    I meant to Just Do It!  (sad face)

2. Share a favorite memory of your own back -to-school days as a child.
  My elementary school was right across the street.  My sister and I would go up a couple weeks prior to school starting to  meet our new teachers and help them in there rooms.  Fun memories!!

3.  What's one chore or daily task you prefer doing 'old-school' ?
  It would be hanging clothes on a line if I had a clothes line...but only for sheets and towels :-)


4.  Share something you've learned in life through the 'school of hard knocks'.
   That is such a long list, lordy be! I suppose the main thing is that we all have something to work on, all of us!

5.  As a child, did you mostly bring or buy your lunch for school? What was your favorite thing to find in your lunchbox?  Mostly bought which we loved.  We were friends with the cafeteria lady...she was a neighbor.  Made for extras on our plates!

6. Football season is upon us which has me wondering... how big of a sports fan are you (not just football) ? On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being 'I scream at the players through my television screen' and 1 being 'is knitting a sport?' where do you fall in fandom?  I do love NASCAR a 10 and do speak to the drivers (Kyle Bush, I mainly yell at him)...I also love football, Niners and Chiefs, Baseball Dodgers and of course our Los Angeles Lakers! I grew up watching all sports with my Mom and my Dad when he wasn't working. I don't have to see every game like I used to but do enjoy them very much when I watch!

7. Share a favorite quote you think might inspire students of all ages at the start of a new school year. 
I don't know a specific quote..But know this, No one is more important than another regardless of looks, clothes, number of friends,address or who gets picked first....students can be so mean and uncaring.  Be the one that isn't! Be confident in who you are!

8. Random thought;
I'm the lead on our Women's retreat team and planning has been going on forever for our October retreat. I swear this is like planning a wedding without the nervous bride....or is that me????
 Truth told my friend Lori (the Snicker of Snicker Doodle) is my co lead and she is an enormous help to me, she makes me look good always :-) The remaining team members are equally important, super organized and so fun to work with.  I have zero doubts in what they have signed on to do, they are that good! Each is so very important to the success of this event. I will spend a lot more time praying this next month...specifically for the women attending and our speaker. I want so much for each to feel welcome, loved and for them to come away different women as they return to  the routine of life after the weekend.  
Stronger in their faith and more secure in just how much they are in fact, His Beloved.

It's what echos from my heart today.