my 2013 list update

So in the last 7 days I am able to cross of a couple of 2013 to do's

1.  Visit Leavenworth Washington.   Not just to spend a hour or so but the whole day exploring the town

2.  Pedicure,    Have to change this one so I started bleaching my teeth today

3.  Travel to Seattle Washington just to wander and take pictures a few time during the year.

4.  Ride the San Juan Ferry and visit Friday Harbor.

5.  Hike the Lime Kiln trail out of Granite FallsDone  07-01-2013

6.  Visit the Big Four Ice Caves.  Again live here and never been.08-16-2013

    Went there today with Ann.   Nice hike on warm day.  How impressive to see God in His glory.  

7.  Hurricane Ridge.    Want to go on a clear day.

8. Ride the Seattle Great Wheel.  I would love to ride both day and night.

9.  Visit Butchart Gardens.  Not going to happen  Lack of money so new hike Padilla Bay Nature Reserve

10.  Visit Mt St Helens

11. Go to Multnomah Falls

12. See the Freemont Troll

13.  Go up in a Hot air balloon  We have scheduled 5 times but weather kept us from 4 times.08-10-2013

Last Saturday I finally go to go up in the hot air balloon ride.  It only took 5 times to go up.
I loved it.   The view was so spectacular.   We got above the clouds.  I love that my best friends agreed to come along.   Still on a high from this one.

 we laid it out and got read to blow air into it.  Then heat it up so we could fly

Our reflection.

A letter to my mom

Dear Mom

It been 30 years since you have been gone.   My life has continued on.   I have had ups and downs.   I miss you.

I wonder what my life would be like if you were still here.   Would we be friends and do things together?.  Would the grand kids have fun at grandmas? Would you have traveled to visit family around the country?

Well, Just so you know I have tried to be a good person.   I do think of others before myself and that is just the way of life for me.   I have some great people in my life to hold me accountable and love me for being me.   I know you would like them. 

I think about you often.   One of my favorite memories is doing jigsaw puzzles at the dining room table.  Now if I do a puzzle I have to make sure the cats don't get in to it.

Now at 30 years later I am trying not be poor me but be thankful for all you taught me.  It is hard to see my friends with their parents and know that I don't have that. I hate that jealousy gets in my life with that.  God will take care of me.   

Mom know you are missed and I love you.

I did a hike of my 2013 list to do.  I hike the Lime Kiln Trail 6.5 mile in about 4 hours.   I DID IT!
It was hot, and no breeze but friends put up my slow turtle pace but we had fun spending the time out there In Gods Country.

An update on my thirteen activites for this year


1.  Visit Leavenworth Washington.   Not just to spend a hour or so but the whole day exploring the town

2.  Pedicure,   I have never had one.   I don't like my toes and so I have stayed away. This year I will get one done.

3.  Travel to Seattle Washington just to wander and take pictures a few time during the year.

4.  Ride the San Juan Ferry and visit Friday Harbor.

5.  Hike the Lime Kiln trail out of Granite FallsDone  07-01-2013

6.  Visit the Big Four Ice Caves.   Again live here and never been.

7.  Hurricane Ridge.   What to go on a clear day.

8.  Ride the Seattle Great Wheel.   I would love to ride during the day as well as at night.

9.  Visit Butchart Gardens in Canada in the Spring and Winter..  My goal is to visit each season.

10.  Visit Mount St. Helens

11.  Go to Multnomah Falls

12.  See the Fremont Troll.

13.  Go up in a Hot air balloon.  I have the tickets just waiting for the day.April 14 in the morning.   I cannot wait.We have scheduled 4 times but weather kept us from 3 times.

So I know that Facebook is a social media and we all have different opinions and beliefs.
I posted this last night and made it my profile picture

I did this at night just before bed.  When I checked in the morning someone had posted something hateful.

I did not post this to judge others but to state MY beliefs.  I love that the Elders at my church have us every week the 

Apostles' Creed

 I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

 And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:

 Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:

 Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:

 The third day he rose again from the dead:

 He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:

 From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:

 I believe in the Holy Ghost:

 I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:

 The forgiveness of sins:

 The resurrection of the body:

 And the life everlasting. Amen.

As we celebrate the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ I will not be ashamed to post something I believe.  I am not judging anyone and I do not want to be judged.   I am a sinner saved by grace living a life I hope that shows other God in my life.   

An update on my thirteen activites for this year


1.  Visit Leavenworth Washington.   Not just to spend a hour or so but the whole day exploring the town

2.  Pedicure,   I have never had one.   I don't like my toes and so I have stayed away. This year I will get one done.

3.  Travel to Seattle Washington just to wander and take pictures a few time during the year.

4.  Ride the San Juan Ferry and visit Friday Harbor.

5.  Hike the Lime Kiln trail out of Granite Falls

6.  Visit the Big Four Ice Caves.   Again live here and never been.

7.  Hurricane Ridge.   What to go on a clear day.

8.  Ride the Seattle Great Wheel.   I would love to ride during the day as well as at night.

9.  Visit Butchart Gardens in Canada in the Spring and Winter..  My goal is to visit each season.

10.  Visit Mount St. Helens

11.  Go to Multnomah Falls

12.  See the Fremont Troll.

13.  Go up in a Hot air balloon.  I have the tickets just waiting for the day.April 14 in the morning.   I cannot wait.

Feb 24th    Prayer for health.  Lord we take for granted out health.   Thank you for slowing me down this weekend and resting but myself and in you.   Help keep me healthy to serve you.

Feb 25th    What a joy to have a job to go to.   Help me show you in my life today.  It is Monday and it starts early.   Thank you for the weather.

Feb 26th  Thank you for bringing my cats into my life.  My alarm clocks purr, and meow to get up in time for work.   That gives me sometime to spend with you.  Thank you for them

Feb 27th   I pray today for a friend who has more work at this time of the month. Be with her to help her function fully and clearly as she deals with the stress.   Give her times of relaxation and enjoyment.   Keep her safe in the long hours she will be working.

Feb 28 Thank for holding me up to praying for something each day this month.   I have seen your love and compassion.  Thank you for forgiving sins.

Feb 17    Oh Lord Our Lord how majestic is your Name.  It is in your name that I come today.   Healing and Your love for a coworker who is in pain,  Be with her and the Doctors and her family.    Give her piece and keep her not feeling antsy but to sit back and relax to heal.

Feb 18   God you are the maker of the universe.  Your Mountains and waters here in the Northwest show Your work so well.   Thank you for letting me grow up in this small piece of your universe.

Feb 19   God you are the one who gives and takes away.  There is time when we all loose a pet.  It is hard.   Be with a friend who had to say goodbye to her cat of 18 years.   Help her and the remaining cat adjust to life with a friend gone.   Let them be open to what you have in store for them.

Feb 20   Thank you for Wednesday.   Hmmm  the middle of my week.  Help me smile and be helpful to those I will encounter today.  Thank you for forgiving me for all my sins.

Feb 21  Changes Lord.   There are so many of my friends who are having changes in their lives.  You will be there for them, You will show them your love,  You will give them Your presence in their lives and decisions.  Be there and show them the way to your will Lord.

Feb 22   Thank you for two friends birthdays.   Thank you for two men who love you so much.  These men give so much to others in your love.   Bless them this year.

Feb 23  Thank you for health.  You give reminders to take it easy.  I really don't like to do nothing all day but to spend it with you Lord is good.   Thank you for feeling better.

Feb 10   Worship
 Lord it is so great to spend time today in church worshiping you.   From the organ playing prelude to the sermon and hymns all for your glory.  

Feb 11  For a friend in need.
 Lord hear my prayers for a friend and her family as they wait for medical answers this week.   Hold them in your hand and show them the Love you have for them.   Help them trust you for all the answers.  

Feb 12  For the people I encounter everyday/

Lord in life today I ask that you use me to show Your Love to them.   You know who I will encounter today that needs you to touch them.   Help me serve you in this way to be there for them.

Feb 13   Midweek

Oh my Lord it is the middle of the week.   The dread of days ahead to weekend.  May I find your joy in my day today.   Forgive me for the unpleasant thoughts I have had this week.   Jealous and envy have been on my heart.   Lord I want your Joy to fill me and get the jealousy out.    I need to find your will in my life.   I want to serve you and be satisfied with what you have given me.

Feb 14    Valentines day


Lord I thank you for all my friends.  You have given me such wonderful friends who have the most wonderful examples of love for each other.   I know you have plans for me and I just need to wait for your will.    Again  Thank you for the wonderful examples in my life.

Feb 15   Friday

Thank you for Friday.   The day to prepare for the weekend.   The day that I am able to learn more from You.  Thank you Lord.

Feb 16   WIC

Thank you for the Women in the Church.    What a great group of women who want to serve You.     We enjoy getting together to help the church.   Today Lord we helped supply the kitchen.   Our kitchen is used in so many ministries.   Thank you for that.

Feb 7     For patience.  

        Dear God I  need patience,   Patience with traffic, with people and with situation I can not control.    Help me relax in your Love and just take life as it comes and not hurry it out.


Feb 8  For the Northwest

Dear Lord      How magnificent is your nature in the Northwest.   How glorious are the colors of each season.   Your Hands have made all of this for me.   The blue sky, sunshine, clouds, the growth of the trees and plants.   You are awesome.

Feb 9

For a friend

Dear God   I pray for Rachael and Nate as they are trying to adopt a child.   You know their needs.  Both the money and support that is required from them.  They are both working so hard to help this child.   Their own children are also praying and helping to bring a child home.  Lord you can do anything.   Help them be strong and encourage them and be with them through this adventure.   Help them not have stress.   Leave them with peace and never let them waver from the goal you have for them.

Feb 6

Lord today I pray for my coworkers.   Be there for them.  They all have lives outside of work and with so many unspoken needs.   Help me not to be judgmental, or put them down.    Help me accept everyone as one who knows you are needs to know you.   Let your light shine thru me at work.   Let me demonstrate your love in my actions, and words.

So I thought of something to do this month and hopefully it will continue forever.  

I started praying for one thing, person, situation a day for the next 28 days.   Yes I started on the first but debated about posting it.  Then thought maybe others will be encouraged.

Feb 1   Prayer for myself.   Yes I know why me but I need God's help in seeing this thru.

        Dear God,   I just want to spend sometime with you today.   I am amazed how you have worked in my life and continue to.  Please help me to be more like you.  Help me show your love in all I do.   Help me to minister to those who need it.   Help me to forgive others.  I thank you for all you have provided for me.   I thank you for your Son and spirit.  I ask for your forgiveness.


Feb 2  Thankful for His Son.

         Dear God,   How can I thank you for the gift of Your Son.  Thank you for the example you gave for us.  Oh, to be like Jesus is a work in progress.   Help me show Jesus in my life.

Feb 3  Church

     Dear God.  Oh how I love hymns and the sermon.   How important is the church in my life.  To worship and serve you.  To see the older generation and the younger blend together.   To learn from the sermon as well as from others.  To have the faith of the senior ladies.  All things I am so grateful for.  

Feb 4 Family

Dear God.  Thank you for my family.    God you know what each of us need.  I pray for my family for health and for their needs both ones they talk about and the unspoken one.  

Feb 5  Friends
     
     Dear God.   Thank you for all my friends,    I am amazed on my friends.   You have people walk into my life at all times.  Thank you for the close friends.   I pray for there health and needs.   You know all the needs.   I pray for the  families of my friends.  


Well that the start   TO BE CONTINUED.

So many people will be having new goals for the new year, but I decide to plan to do 13 activities this year.  Just because it will be 2013.  

So here are my thirteen activities

1.  Visit Leavenworth Washington.   Not just to spend a hour or so but the whole day exploring the town

2.  Pedicure,   I have never had one.   I don't like my toes and so I have stayed away. This year I will get one done.

3.  Travel to Seattle Washington just to wander and take pictures a few time during the year.

4.  Ride the San Juan Ferry and visit Friday Harbor.

5.  Hike the Lime Kiln trail out of Granite Falls

6.  Visit the Big Four Ice Caves.   Again live here and never been.

7.  Hurricane Ridge.   What to go on a clear day.

8.  Ride the Seattle Great Wheel.   I would love to ride during the day as well as at night.

9.  Visit Butchart Gardens in Canada in the Spring and Winter..  My goal is to visit each season.

10.  Visit Mount St. Helens

11.  Go to Multnomah Falls

12.  See the Fremont Troll.

13.  Go up in a Hot air balloon.  I have the tickets just waiting for the day.

November

November is one of my favorite and saddest months of the year.

It is my favorite for my Dad and I would go to the Auto show in the Kingdome.   Hearing the ads this year just made me think of Dad.

1984   In the Kingdome walking among the new cars.   I was 20 years old and working my first real job.   My dad and I were just spending a Friday evening out.

Entering the Kingdome you see all the shiny cars, trucks and neon signs from all the dealerships.   We start walking.  Open car doors,  looking inside at all the 1985 new cars when my eyes landed on a 1985 Plymouth Voyager gray with blue interior.  I spend over an hour looking at everything about this car.    Mind you I was not out to buy but  dream yes.  

Why would a 20 year old female want a 7 passenger minivan?    I just did.  

We looked some more and came back to the minivan.   This time I left my name with the dealer and we went home.

The phone rang early Saturday morning.   The dealership,   The minivan was advertised in auto section of the Seattle Times and if I came down to the dealership I could test drive the minivan from the Kingdome.  My dad and I left for North Seattle.     I drove the minivan,   I drooled over the minivan and dad said to me " you can use the dodge dart for trade in, and I will cosign a loan."

I was in awe, I was going in debt, I was getting a brand new minivan.  

I had my brother's both say "Why did you get a minivan??"    My minivan carried youth group, moved many people, went on a trip to Colorado without me, and on many road trips.   Oh I miss my minivan.

I had it 11 years when it got totaled in an accident.

My dad use to like to go to the auto show and home shows.  Of course to tag along has given me some great memories.

As for the sad November is the month that my dad died.   In 1995 He went home to heaven to join my mom.  

Thank you Dad for the awesome memories.

It has been quite awhilte since I have been writing.    Spring and Summer flew by so fast.  What ever happened to as you get older things slow down?    My life has not.  Until last week.  I get to that later.


Not to much this spring happened.  I have taken some sewing classes and learned alot.  

Summer had a couple of camping trips and my birthday and a wedding on the first day of fall.

 A quiet lake,  Loved sitting there in the morning with my friends and just watch the fog roll by and lift.

 The geese running for the food.   So entertaining to watch.

 The brave or not so smart swimmers in the lake.   Brrr  it looked cold, but they swan and the went to the dock and jumped in.  

The Cascade mountain range.  



The next camp was our church family camp.    This one is so much fun.  I get to camp with my friends in a small tent city.   

 Setting up a tent, one of many.

 Fort Ebey State Park has twisted trees.  From years of being beaten by the winds of the Straight of Juan de Fuca

Brothers looking down the cliff 

 The sun setting the first night

 Looking down the cliffs.   It is so amazing the power of the water and the beauty of the area  God has made the Northwest a masterpiece of art.

 We hiked down the path to the beach.

 Some swam.  Others looked out for whales and other sea creatures.

 The whole Westminster Family campers and visitors.  2012

The Family.

After Family Camp we all helped get Hannah and Aaron ready for their wedding.

It was a beautiful night.   

So after all that my life has slowed down almost to a stop.   I had surgery last week.   A total hysterectomy, down by   Robotic da Vinci (laproscopic) hysterectomy! At Overlake Hospital. This was the first major surgery I have had.  I have day surgeries and oral surgery but staying over night in the hospital scared me the most.  I can never thank Jeanne for taking me to the hospital, staying overnight and then opening her home for me to recover at. Thank you so Much Timothy and Jeanne,   Gladys and Joe, Daphne and Eva, Esther, Hannah and Aaron. and Peter.  

I have to stop my self and remember that I had surgery.   I feel so much better over all. no more constant pain.   With only 5 , inch long incisions it is so easy to want to do more that my body is ready to do.  So to say my life has slowed downed.  

I guess I will have to accept it and enjoy because it will get to flying away from me soon.   I will be wanting down time.

Thank you all who have prayed and visited  and texted and called.

updates

So I have not written anything lately so here is some updates.

I finally got my tattoo.  I have wanted one for 20 some years.   I know I said I wanted a Winnie the Pooh but got my favorite verse in a banner on a cross.

My Tattoo upside down.

Celebrated the Fourth of July in Everett.   Started with breakfast with Esther. Then on to the parade.

 For the evening went to Snohomish and celebrated with my friends aka family.   All the good food and watching the games.   Found this flower just hanging around.

Sunset and fire works.

The 6th Lucky lounging in the sunshine.

Flowing Lake.   Came here for a picnic with friends.   Just to tire the kids and enjoy the sunshine.

So  onto the rest of the weekend.

After spending the day with my cats this hymn came to mind.

So I research a little.  Written by St, Francis of Assisi.  He had a great love of nature.   So many of the nature written in the hymn we have here in the Pacific Northwest.  

Oh praise to God for all nature.

All Creatures Of Our God And King Hymn

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

Refrain

O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

Refrain

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light.

Refrain

Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them His glory also show.

Refrain

And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!

Refrain

And thou most kind and gentle Death,
Waiting to hush our latest breath,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou leadest home the child of God,
And Christ our Lord the way hath trod.

Refrain

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!

Refrain

Reading and thinking.

Have you ever read something that just made you feel that it was written just for you?   I have.  

I am reading The God who sees you by Tammy Maltby and Anne Christian Buchanan.  

There is a chapter that really hit home.   That even in the darkest moment of my life  God was there.  God constructed my life but gave me choices.   We all make wrong choices but for me, my wrong choices really bug me.  How could I have not seen how my choice was going to play out.  I know that God is there at all times.  He sees what no one else sees.  

We all hide things from others.  I know I do.  God knows it all.   He is always prepared to be there for me.  Nothing I do can be kept from God.  

Does God sit back and shakes His head at our lives.  No He is there with open arms to give the best hugs.  He forgives us for all our sins.

I have been so looking forward to the rest of the book until I saw the next chapter.  Just the title put tears in my eyes.    You're Worth It.   This is what the Gospels are about. The God of the universe see me as someone worth it all.  Even death of His son on the cross.   The chapter ends with this "God really does see you - your past, your present and your future, your possibilities,He is painfully aware of your sins and failures but rejoices over you hidden good deeds and best intents."

Wow think about this.   As the Father He made you and adopted you into His family.
As the Son He thought you were worth dying for.   As the Spirit, He chooses to live within you.   Wow.

It has been awhile

Oh blog I have ignored  you.  It has been awhile since I posted anything.  It is not that I don't have anything to say but what do I want to say for others to read.

I have been out around the county taking pictures.  I have been home sewing and playing with Katie Ann and Lucky,  my cats.  I have been going to doctor appointments.  I have been worshiping my God who sees me for what He wants me to be. Ok that came from the devotional I have started reading.

It is one of the best times in the Pacific Northwest.   We get to see blue skies, snow covered mountains both the Olympics and the Cascades.  Throw in Puget Sound.   So many different shades of blue, with white caps on the water at times.

Now add the brilliant colors of the trees and grass.  So many different greens.  Some dark green others yellow light green.  With the flowers colors that add an assortment of colors,   Red, purple, blue, yellow.  Light or dark.  Others mixed colors.  All painted by God.

There is so much I want to take pictures of.   I have been trying to take more people pictures.   I just am not comfortable with that but people have been encouraging me.

I have been out walking more but still have pain.   I really hope that I get results from tests soon.

So back to real life.    Trying to live for God, serving Him and showing Him to others.

Is normal ever gonna come back?

I so want to feel normal.   I have been home sick since Monday afternoon.   Any time I look up or sit up I get dizzy.  Went to Urgent Care on Tuesday on the advice of my Dr. and He was the attending Dr. Ok he is a PA but having my dr leave He is the one assigned and I do like him.   So an inner ear problem diagnosed and pills to not make me dizzy have left me feeling so different.   I don't like it.   I have no energy, and naps are looked forward to.

Now it is Thursday and I had to call out for Friday so wanting human contact.   My cats have been entertainment as well as heating pads during naps.    I want to be normal.   I want the world to stop spinning around when I get up.     

Ok rambling done.

A day of the year I just don't like

Have you a day that you just don't like?   April 5th is that for me.  Ok  the good is my nephew Ben was born on the 5th of April. 30 years ago.

The not so good.   When I was in first grade I hurt my ankle playing on a log with the neighbor boy.  I got off and it rolled on my ankle and a knot went down to the bone.  So 7 internal and 7 external stitches later I got to hop around for a few days.

Then in 1982 on April 5th I was playing basketball at youth group and came down on the side of my ankle and pulled the ligaments.   So crutches for a week and then a walking cast for 5 weeks, and graduation coming up I hated the cast.   The old plaster one.  

Then in 1996 again on April 5th my Plymouth Voyager, my first new car.  Even though it was 10 years old got totaled when a man hit me.  Oh how I miss the van.


Last year on April 5th   I had to put my kitten Kyzer down.  The first pet I had to make the decision to put down.    RIP Kyzer.
 

I really don't hate the day just don't care for it.