My weekend

This past weekend was our churches woman's retreat. Great place: Ocean Shores, nice home and view of the Pacific ocean.

What happens when 11 or 12 women of varies ages get together. Laughter, stories, crying and a whole lots of love and also snoring. : ) We had beautiful sunsets, walks on the beach, treasures found by some, alot of sharing and getting to know each other better.

I really enjoyed Cheryll Kelly asking each one of us our testimonies. To hear all the different ways God brought us to Him is so unique and special.

The topic that Jeanne spoke on was so good and convincing that I for one really was effected by what the topic Sin.

Yes we all sin and fall short of the glory of God,
and I know that Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.

So why do I continue to commit the same sin?

I am so very envious of most of my friends. I covet something that alot of them have and I don't. That leads to being jealous. Jealous that I can't and don't have what I would like in my time (like now) and not Gods time. I think why do I have to be the one who gets to watch others and never be the one out there.

I just want something and know that it has to be in Gods time and not my time. I am trying to understand why I have had a taste of it and yet never get all of it. Is it God teaching me a lesson or the devil tempting me?

I have to let go of the envy and jealousy and be content with what I have. I have the best friend that I could ever have. She knows me to well. I have family that I was born into and the family that I have picked and they picked me to be in.

I need to be enjoying all of this and letting go and replace the envy and jealousy that I have with ways to praise and glorify God.




Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

The unexpected

Have you ever gotten something in the mail, snail mail not email, that came from someone unexpectedly. I got a card from a friend who has known me since I was 14. Paula is like a mother to me. She and Doug have prayed for me since I have known them. I was the quiet, shy one in Sunday school who knew the answers and would not talk. See what answer to pray is I now talk. Ok write more than talk. So, 32 years later she can still surprise me and the card she sent says and means alot to me.

She wrote : You will probably never know just how many lives you touch by serving the Lord in the special way you do- but hope you know what a gift you are to us all.

I have struggled some with service for the Lord lately and this just gave me the nudge I needed to want to serve Him some how. Just knowing that God is the one we serve is a great privilege to work for Him, He is the perfect employer.


Blessed are they who serve the Lord. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people.... Hebrews 6:10

A Very Good Saturday

A good day mixed with Sunshine and friends and family.

All started with Ellie and watching a couple have wedding pictures taken in the bar parking lot across from church. It was still a little cool. The bride and groom only had eyes for each other.



Until the limo showed up. Then the whole bridle party was looking at the limo.





As they drove off Ellie and I talked about why take picture in the parking lot of a old bar? Did they meet there? Why would you want your wedding picture be in an alley in downtown Everett when there are many parks with flowers, trees, and mountains and water for background. But alley with dirt and grime?? They did look like the enjoyed it.

It was then off to Cameno Island and church picnic. Pat Raymond opens her house every year, ok I thinks her kids open the house to us every year. Timothy drove the bus and bounced us out of Everett.

Onward to Cameno Island. It was a kinda uneventful ride north except for Timothy rising in the drivers seat for no reason. So after a stop at Burger King we headed west to the beach.

Arriving at Pat Raymond's Ellie and some others headed down to swim and the rest of us just to enjoy the day. Perfect weather to just take a walk, a ride in a boat, wade in the water or hang out and chat.





So what is a potluck picnic without food? Some good choices came, and went fast by all of us going through line and then finding spots to sit and eat. Yummy



To end the day a bunch of us went to the beach and instead of rock skipping contest it was who could throw the tennis ball the fastest. Laughter was heard. Pictures were taken. An all around excellent day with a gorgeous sunset painted by God for us.

Weeks ending. Morning started with the bus I first got the copilot (computer) would not go online. So started my route late. But finished on time. I got done at 10:50 so weekend started.

The time between getting off work and a Dr appointment was spent in prayer, worry and sewing. Got a Christmas present for one of my nieces done. God and I talked alot. I got to the appointment and since it was a new Dr paperwork was filled out. Got the co payment paid and sat down to fill out the paperwork and was called back. Never did finish the paperwork but blood pressure and pulse were normal. Questions answered, information given and the wait was on for the Dr to come in.

He came in 15 mins before I was scheduled. I got to see my ct scans, He pointed out my appendix, gall bladder, and all other parts. Then said they all looked fine. No blockages, no inflammation. He said up on the table for the poking and probing. He found the area that hurts but not the cause. Gall bladder is the primacy suspect but pain has been decreasing so he will wait to do ultrasound. The secondary cause would be irritable bowel syndrome. Which he would change my diet for a few weeks to see if that cleans it out. If the pain gets to be unbearable then I get to do to the emergency room. Boy that sounds like fun.

I am thankful that the pain has gotten less, but would really like to know what is really causing the pain.

The joys of working with people.

It has been a long hard day. When I got to work and saw my route for the day I just wanted to start over.

Onward I went. Did my first 2 pickups and went to the Lynnwood park-n-ride to transfer and the other company was 40 minutes late, that took care of one of the people I have problems with.

Continued on started running later. I just kept moving along. Got to lunch and had it Mill Creek with a couple of guys from PUD. You know the big vehicles all park together. Not to bad for lunch entertainment. Continued on. Did great until 3:30.

When I got to a church to pick up a guy, He was standing there with his pants down to his ankles. Can you gross. I did. He pulled them up and then they fell 3 more times before getting him on the bus. Yuck. On the bus he started talking dirty. I told if he could not talk clean then don't talk at all. (waiting to see if I get in trouble for that). He was quiet the rest of the way.

When getting to his place he is door to door because he is blind. He stood up and down went his pants. He finally started walking to the door holding my arm. At the door he said that he wanted to show the world his whole body. I told him not in my world.

The rest of the day I was in and out of pain. In a way I cannot wait until Fridays appointment with the surgeon. I just pray they find out why. It is the not knowing that has me upset and afraid.
So starting humming this and then singing it. I know I need to trust and I will !!

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”
Refrain

God's Wonder

I was out running errands today. Out to Monroe on Highway 2, just past Roosevelt Road traffic stopped. I looked down at the temp and it was 85 degrees at 11:00 am. I knew it was going to get hot but was not looking forward to running the errands in the heat.

Grumbling to myself I looked up. There in the bright, clear blue sky was 7 bald eagles soaring and playing in the wind. Their bright white heads just glowed so clean looking. I just thought about how God sends entertainment and lessons all the time. So grumbling stopped and this song got stuck in the head that I just started singing it.

To God Be the Glory.


To God be the glory, great things He has done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.
Refrain

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

rambles

Here it is Thursday and I am getting very nervous or even scared. I have pains back since Tuesday and going to Doctor in hour. I pray that they find out what is causing it or they go away.

Really having to trust God on this. I don't know His plans but hopefully I can serve Him through this.

Arrggggggh.

Been awhile.

So not much going on right now.

The past two Monday nights my great nephews and Heather came over and we went recycle bin diving. They are collecting can for church. We have gotten over 3 bags full each time. We also have been talking to people in the alleys of Everett.

Other than that Friday was great. Got to spend some time with friends. Dinner, shopping and talking. Fun

Saturday night was a Slurpee date with a coworker. We do this once a month. just hang out and gossip and drink slurpees. Still love the coca cola the best.


Pain has been better actually went 28 hours without pain and then have had 3 time it hurt. Just not as bad. Hopefully something will finally show up and then can be taken care of or disappear completely. I rally don't want to do the next step. Consult with surgeon and possible exploratory surgery. Yucky.

So not much happening. Just depending on God for guidance.

Wednesday note

Got results from Dr yesterday. Everything they looked for came back fine. One spot of fat on the liver less than mm. and small spot of arthritis on the lower back. Neither of these are the cause of pain.

So today at work I had three sharp pains in about 4 hours. I really don't want the next step but if it continues then maybe. Next step is consult with surgeon for exploratory surgery. I really don't want this but if the pain continues I just might have to.


It is time like this I really want a shoulder to cry on or a really good hug. Someday.

Decisions of getting older.

This week I have seen my friend and mother figure have to make decisions about her mom who has fallen in the month a couple of times (with many more before). She has broken a vertebrae and they are fusing it with super glue (ok surgical super glue) on Tuesday.

Paula had to make decision of where mom was going. Back to her apartment in Crista West, Crista assisted living, or nursing home. Grandma Pfaff hates the nursing home and is taking it all out on Paula.

Decision was made to assisted living. Paula never asked for help just asked Nancy and I if we wanted anything from the apartment. Nancy and Elizabeth went over on Thursday and picked up some stuff for Elizabeth as she prepared to head to college next year.

I told Nancy the I planned on being over on the peninsula on Saturday and if she wanted help then we would.

Nancy said the she saw Paula relax when she said I would give up time to help. Is something that others would not do? I feel that if I am able then help I will do.

So Saturday we aimed for the 8:40 ferry from Edmonds but was in line for the 9:40. Got to Poulsbo just after 10:45 and to the apartment we went.

So for 4 hours 4 of us moved the bed, dresser,table and chairs and a mess of boxes.
It was not a far move just across the parking lot. I was in pain alot of the time but I needed to keep busy.

After we got the last over we went to Red Robin. We talked about the decisions that are made to parents when they real can not make their decisions anymore.

I one sense I am relieved that those decisions were made years ago.

Family is important in many ways and decision about other family members they need to be united as one and not fight.

Nancy and I have the decisions concerning Doug and Paula as they get older and I have started talking to them about it.


After we were done Fort Worden was a goal. Then ferry ride to Keystone and south to home via Clinton.


Nice day.