Work hard.... & play hard

So I have spent the last few days doing repairs and maintenance around my place. One of the joys of ownership. I have recently learned a few things. I learned how to replace the inner workings of a toilet. (although one is not completely functioning -- luckily I have more than one) I have figured out how to rip out those ugly glass doors for the shower. Unfortunately I didn't have the strength to fix my dysfunctional shower head. (hopefully I can get someone to help with that in the future.) I have also learned how to change the water filter for the house. My neighbor helped me manhandle that device open. Even he struggled to get it loose. Thanks Mr Davidson.

I have also spent the last two days in the 90+ heat painting the exterior of the windows and doors. Two coats and considering a third coat on some areas. One window required using my collapsable ladder extended to its full 17 feet and standing on the second to the last step. (thats a long way down)Mrs Davidson helped me maneuver the ladder -- thanks guys!! And thank God for providing help when I needed it most. I have sprayed to kill about 7 wasps nests around my porches -- so far without having been stung. I also began to sand the ceiling in my basement bedroom tonight. It had about a third of the ceiling replaced after a leak and had the first coat of mud put up. After about 30 minutes of sanding I had to call a break secondary to inability to see and breathe. I did decide to use the old bed frame from the guest bedroom for my room. Its nice to have a bed with headboard and foot board. It's starting to feel like a grown up bedroom instead of a college dorm. I have also changed out the linens and curtains to a beige color which is pretty while feeling mature. The room still has completely unmatched furniture -- but it does have furniture...

Then I wanted to try something new again.

This seems to be my week to do new things. I went to swing dancing for the first time. I took a lesson with about 100 other people in a room that began at about 80 degrees and became unbearable by the end of the first 1/2 hour. You were sweating just sitting watching others dance. About an hour later they found a fan and started circulating a little air. At the end of the evening I was finally getting the rhythm -- step, step, rock-step with the turns and close holds. It was fun. I ran into several faces from salsa which was fun. At about 11pm walking out of the place into the 87 degree weather I found it was basically cooler outside than inside -- even when only 6 or 7 dancers remained. Hopefully it may be cooler and a smaller group the next time I can go. Entirely different muscles needed for swing than for salsa. And with a concrete floor I can feel the impact on my legs. It was fun and I hope to go back again.

This week has been satisfying in regards to getting some work done thats been on the list for about a year. I still need to work further with that bedroom ceiling. But must admit I'm not that motivated. And all my flower and vegetable gardens have become weed infested areas as I put household tasks ahead of them. One girl can't do it all is something I am learning well with this large place. But I am amazed at God's faithfulness and his assistance when I need it most. I have needed some social outings and have enjoyed this week. Well now I must get some rest. May God bless you and your activities this week.

How did you spend your day off ?

What do you do on your day off? Well now, why not plan an afternoon to be in a swim suit floating down a river on an innertube with a big group of complete strangers. And then have a picnic with them. -- worked for me. :) I decided to join a "Meet Up" group that does hiking and outdoor activities. I met them around 10am at Kay's cabin in Saluda. That's only 30 minutes from my house. She was hostessing the event. It was a cabin with a beautiful stream that ran behind it. You could sit out on the swing, around the home made picnic table, or kick back in a rocking chairs and enjoy the sound of the water as it tumbled across the boulders. Some of the gang showed up and ran back to town to grab a late breakfast since tubing wasn't available until 12:30. At noon we hit the road to drive down to the Green River Cove to rent tubes and hit the river. Apparently they release water from a dam around noon which helps create more current. We took the 3 mile trip which took about 2-2.5 hours. It was about 90 degrees outside. As we stepped into the water it felt a little too cool at first, but after sitting in the tubes for few minutes. It was the perfect temperature to keep us cool. David took the first splash into the water as we got started. In total we had 14 people in the group. Let see if I can remember everyones name -- Michael, Micheal, David, Steve, Tim, Brad, Shelton Teri, Kay, Tania, Charlotte, Janice, Wendy and I. I found it interesting how the current carried you at different speeds allowing you to chat with different people. Everyone was very friendly and willing to talk. Afterwards we drove back through the switchback road and made it to the cabin and had a picnic. We all brought food. Steve made a great spinach dip and brought panera bread. We also had toppings for hamburgers, a veggie tray,potatoe salad, & cheesecake. I really enjoyed chatting with everyone. There were so many different personalities and everyone had such varied backgrounds. I love learning about people and had so much fun. What are you doing on your next day off? Here are some pics of the picnic I hope to learn swing later this week....

My weekend

I had a fun weekend with friends and family.

Late Friday night Tim and Lindsay came down from VA with their 3 month old son Sammy. We sat around and chatted until late.

Then Saturday, Janelle & Josie came up from Greenville with Jayden. He got to meet Dassah & Tipsy -two dogs in one day. Jayden seemed to enjoy watching Tipsy. We played dominoes for a few hours. Later the Fawleys & Foskeys came over for dinner. We had fun hanging out and chatting and holding the new babies and older ones. We had 8 day old Kyrie, 3 month old Sammy, 18month old Olivia, and 4 year old Asher, 5 year old Christian. There were 8 adults to help keep track of all the kids. It was nice to sit around and chat.

Sunday we slept in and enjoyed chatting and hanging out over a late breakfast. Then Becca spent the day cutting and coloring our hair. Thanks Becca! You make the world a beautiful place. And I got to spend the weekend taking some pics. Check these cuties out.Pics of this weekend

A water pitcher... and a whale and God's perspective

I can't believe how good it feels to follow God's guidance. I am not perfect in hearing His guidance or being obedient even when I do hear it. Good thing for me, God created this thing called Grace & Mercy. This week I am living within his mercy and feeling so blessed right now. I listened and obediently stepped out in faith tonight. And can't believe the anticipation He is stirring in my heart for the future. It is bright tonight -like the twinkling stars on a dark clear night. It has captured my imagination to know His leading is endless like the universe around us and He has no limitations when planning our lives.

On Sunday, our pastor shared a reminder from Jeremiah when He used clay on the potter's wheel. And shared that God is the potter, we are the clay and God uses circumstances in the world around us to be the forces that help create our shape (like the wheel). At times it feels harsh and we may not appreciate the pressure. But having thrown a few things on a wheel I know the more equal the pressure on both sides the more control and the more defined the object will be.

In the past I felt God say he shaped me from a cracked bowl that was loosing its water and changed me into a vase. I liked that, I was someone that would display beautiful flowers. I would be someone that others would enjoy and held special sentimental value. This week I felt like God said he had re-molded me into a water pitcher.

At first I was disappointed to be changed from something that had honor and held beauty to such an ordinary object -a water pitcher. Then God said that the difference between a vase and a water pitcher is death. And I said "what?" God said a water pitcher can pour out water and maintain life to a whole garden if used properly. It brings nutrients that bring growth, development, fruition & blooms /beauty-- life to a garden. A vase holds the temporarily stolen/cut short blossoms that are beautiful but short-lived and if overlooked decay and die quickly. And he wants me to be willing to pour out what He has blessed me with to others in His timing. I am uncertain what all this means in the natural, but am excited to see him work it out.

The pastor also shared that God has blessings He wants to give us. And the resources for these blessings aren't far from us right now. Which I feel had significance for me. I can't wait to see what that means in the spiritual and in the natural.

He also shared that at times we don't see the big picture that God has for us regarding the specific blessings he wants to give us. We settle for Willy the Whale who is visible to us and we settle for it despite the fact that it is not exactly what we want. God isn't going to repaint the whole picture. He is just going to removed Willy the Whale and then our vision/view point will be restored. Tonight He removed one whale and now I can't wait to see the whole vision he has painted for me. And I really am praying for the whole picture -- job, relationship, friends, social settings, discipling roles, Barnabas friends and mentors.

Thank you God for Your Grace and Mercy. And for your continued desire to bless us, love us, and pour out your best on your beloved children despite our weaknesses, lack of follow through, disobedience etc. We are honored to have Your love.


Oh yeah and Congrats to new parents Kendra & Trevor on the birth of Kyrie - a beautiful baby girl
& to new parents Heather & Jake on the birth of Jake Jr and healthy boy -- my cousin. They both had their children on Friday

I'm celebrating!!

I can't belive it!!! I have every weekend off in July except for the last Sunday. I can have a life! This week has been great. I got to enjoy the the afternoon of the 4th off with my family. Later that evening I got to hear a symphony, meet several interesting people, watch two different displays of fireworks or three if you count the few someone else set off near us. Life is good.

And guess what! I am so excited to be able to take a series of salsa classes because I have them all off! What a great blessing! I am so excited about the salsa classes because I am looking forward to learning more -- especially styling which I don't know anything about. And I would love to learn a few more moves. Salsa has been so much fun to learn over the last few weeks. There is always so much more to learn which is what stirs up my curious and competitive nature.

Thank you God for weekends off! And I get to go to church and socialize and praise and worship with others-- several Sundays in a row! YEAH. (sigh) I've missed church the last month or so. Being out of town for births, funerals and support of friends and then work has been pulling me away from church and I can't wait to go this Sunday.

Destiny....

I looked up the definition destiny today. It was defined as "an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future". I've often wandered what my destiny is. I know what my destiny is, I guess what I've wondered about, is, what will happen in the near future. I know that my destiny is with my Father in Heaven. And I am thankful that my grandfather's destiny is there also. One thing that struck me was a memory my Uncle Lynn shared at the viewing with us. He reminded us that Grandpa would end prayers with something like "...and when our work here on earth is done, bring us all home to You without the loss of even one. Amen" I am thankful that despite our failures and the sins that have hurt us in our families that God's presence has existed. And I am thankful for the legacy that Grandfather and God did inspire in his children and grandchildren. To know God. If I didn't have a working knowledge of God's love I don't know how I would get through the ups and downs in life.

Some days I wander what course of events are in my future towards my destiny? When I was a child I would wander "Why does life have to change?" I always strugged to want change when things were just getting good at a social or work setting and having to start in a new setting -- a new school, or job, or city. Why did things have to change? I would wonder when I had a trial, like -- when a young boy I knew was killed, when I had to work with ladies who gossiped about me behind your back, when I had to change adult diapers for a job, when I had a miscarriage, when my dreams of a perfect marriage dissolved into a divorce, when I watched young people die or worse yet be forced to live in a body of shell kept alive by grieving family and machines. At times I still question why life has to change, but have come to accept that it does. Recently I started reading a book called the richest man who ever lived. It is about King Solomon's life. It challenged me to consider what visions and hope I have for the future. And to consider breaking down the vision into steps. These are steps of change to bring about your vision. It was a good time to remind me to be proactive about pursuing my future....

Here are some pics of the funeral

Reminder

Grandparents day is Sept 9, 2007.

Moments with Grandpa

It's almost Father's Day and I thought it fitting to write about my Grandpa. He's with our Father in Heaven now. I am happy for him and yet mourning his loss. As I crawled into bed tonight I couldn't help but think back on moments with Grandpa. So I thought I might share a few...

Some of my earliest moments I remember where of time spent during corn harvest at the farm. Hours spent in fields picking corn -- or should I say hours playing hide and seek in the fields as the adults picked the corn. Those rows were enormously tall to me and went on forever. I remember the sharp paper burn caused by the corn leaves as I ran. And if I got lost being able to call out and be directed back to the adults by their voices. And then hours husking, silking, splitting, boxing and freezing corn. And the incessant "Are we done yet?" that continued to flow from my lips. It was met by smiles, winks and at times that stern look quickly followed by a wink or a smile from Grandpa. And that mechanical contraption that would hold the corn and silk it for you that Grandpa made. He should have patented some of those inventions.

Then my mind slips to the times I used to help shovel and sweep out the pig pen. What fun! After working to clean out the barn, Grandpa would spray and spray and then brush out the floor. After a few more rinses, then the fun began. I was in boots up to my knees about 5 sizes too big and I would say "okay now, Grandpa?" And he would say "Just a minute", "Okay now!" He would spray water and I would run and then slide across the floor. And he would spray more and I would slide again - so fast the wall would come up too quickly. And then slide again - spinning this time. Until my world would be dizzy and the water was splashed everywhere, even up in my hair. I was laughing and covered in water. Dizzy from the pure pleasure of the sheer freedom of sliding and splashing in water that every young 4-5 year old dreams of. And he would let me continue until I tired from work, fun and laughter. We would tramp back to the house, hand in hand, because I was too slick to make it up the drive alone, and into the back porch. To be met by Grandma's voice "What in heaven's name have you two been doing" Only to be met with my giggles and Grandpa's hand squeeze to remind me to keep it our little secret. And then I was directed to the bathroom to remove those stinking, sopping wet clothes and straight to the shower to become a respectable girl again.

And then my mind skips to times sitting on Grandpa’s lap. "Read it again grandpa". He had one of those laps a child could just curl up in. And sure enough he would read what ever beloved book we had brought to him. Over and Over and Over again, without complaint.

Then my mind wanders to the time the grandchildren were all allowed to run the farm in freedom, during get togethers. Ah the fun of hiding in that old wooden box in the pasture while playing hide and seek. Ah, yes, we hid a little too long. The adults came frantically calling our names. While we debated revealing our location, Grandpa reminded them there was only so far we could go. There is no way we would get too far, and not to worry. So, on we played in our great hideaway house/box for a few more hours.

Then there were the drives down to the cabin. I often rode with Grandma to pick up Grandpa at GM and then on to Virginia we would go. During those trips Grandpa taught me about sun dogs, the sailors warning about red skies. Grandma taught us the joke about "some-er cows" one trip. She said "look, do you see those summer cows?" And I said, "How do you know they are summer cows?", "What are summer cows?". She said, "You just have to look, see -- some are white, and some are brown. They’re some-er cows." I must have repeated that joke to Grandpa about a hundred times during the next hour. Every time we passed a farm. This at that time was every mile. And each time Grandpa would give a hearty laugh at the correct time and smile.

When we reached the cabin, the first item of the day was to find each of the keys on the key ring to unlock the big door. Grandpa would describe them and let me try to find them, even if it took a few minutes, unless I gave up. And sometimes he would lift me up and let me turn the keys. Then, as Grandma unloaded groceries, Grandpa and I saw to the second order of business. (Meaning I would shadow Grandpa -- an important job you know.) Checking under the porch to see if the water line and the breakers were turned on, and the next order of business. A very important task indeed. We (meaning Grandpa) would carry the watermelon down the path to the creek and find a small pocket of water to float the watermelon. Mind you as Grandpa carried the watermelon down the path, I either skipped ahead or slid down behind him, grabbing his belt to stay upright nearly knocking him down on several occasions. I would be given the task of finding a spot where it couldn't float away, but would get cold fast from the water flowing off the mountain.

And I can still hear him and uncle Laben sitting on the porch whistling to the whippoorwills until they came right up onto the steps certain another whippoorwills was calling it.

And then there were the times of teasing him when you found him snoring asleep on the recliner or the rockers. And even mocking him as a young child pretending to sleep with the loudest snores we could muster and breaking into laughter together.

Later, there were times when he just took you aside. And would say "I am so proud of you" or "I want you to know that Grandma and I support you and are praying for you" Or "We miss you" or "We love you". I particularly remember when he took me aside during one of my breaks home during PA school. He just said "I know you can do it. We are so proud of you. We pray for you. And we know you are going to get thorough this".

And the stories he would tell... some sad, some funny.

And the twinkle he could make appear when you would catch his eye across the table or room.
Even one of the times I drove up and was in his room at Menno Haven. The other adults were talking about something. I had tuned out and thought Grandpa was asleep. I was just covering my yawn with my hand, when I saw it. Grandpa stealthily opened his eyes and glanced around and saw he wasn't seen by anyone, then felt my eye on him. His eyes met mine, then laughter flickered across his, as he saw I was yawning at the conversation. He smiled with a twinkle to the eye, then raised his index finger to his lips, with a silent "sh sh" and nod and closed his eyes again. I started to silently laugh. I laughed so hard I choked up a cough to cover the laughter. Which drew the eyes of the adults toward me and away from Grandpa. He opened his eyes again with a twinkle and snapped them shut quickly before the others noticed or could draw him into their conversation. When that conversation finished he perked back up again and got involved again. He was always good at making me laugh. And when he wasn't, I could usually make him laugh.

I also know he struggled at the end. It made me cry to see him struggle to lift his hand or his foot. The sheer frustration at not being able to deal with daily tasks with his own abilities was such a hard thing to watch. It made me wonder how gracefully I will handle that. Probably not very well, but then would I want to give in. One thing Grandpa had in abundance that I gained was his stubborn willpower. I am glad to know he is finally at rest, and will have a functional new body and new found freedom. I am sure he is pestering God with tons of questions, because I fully expect to be filled in when I reach his side in the future...

Did you see that sunset?

I love taking time to watch the sunset. Tonight I spent it flashing by the window as I prepared to do some stitches. Summer time has begun, as the campers floated by me today for cuts and sprains. The sunset contained the most brilliant red and pink colors after the rain shower. I wish I could have sat and just soaked it in. I never tire of seeing the colors slide shade to shade and then into shadows.

After noticing the sunset I was struck by the sweet open nature of two of my patients. One, a child seperated from his family who was so brave through stitches. With a sweet PA who held his hand while I injected the numbing medicine. And the other a beautiful young girl with the deepest green eyes. And realized the young girls innocence mirrored in her eyes was such a large part of her beauty. Ah to be young, I would have loved to be at camp this week. Unfortunately I am covering the other PA's vacation time and am stuck inside most of this week. Other than Thursday, which I have off and am preparing to go salsa dancing again. (thank God for per deim staff who can pick up at least one shift.)

Well, after working almost 13 hours I am ready to get some sleep. But I am excited we finally got our first rain since I planted the garden. It needed it. Hopefully things will start to grow better.

Memorial Weekend

Okay so this weekend was fun. I got to catch up with Janelle, Josie & Jayden. I had a great weekend and met some friends of the Wilder's. I also got to go out with some one really sweet. Everyone was so open and easy to communicate with. I really enjoyed the social interactions. I did want to show you some pics of my nephew. I did a quick photo shoot with him on Sunday and he was so cute and interactive playing peek-a-boo in the blankets. I had so much fun watching him and his expressions. He is growing up so fast. I can't believe how much he changes each time I see him. Check out these pics. I spent today in the ED and got sucked into a 12 hour shift since the doc promised to come take over and remembered an hour and a half later after he had caught up seeing several sick patients. I must say-- THANK GOD FOR GOOD HEATLH -- physical as well as mental. I just am so thankful for my life and the blessings of a great home and the ability to speak openly about God.

A visit up north

Happy Mother's Day -- thanks goes out to all those Moms who gave birth, fed, clothed and nurtured their children along the way. We all appreciate it.

I spent the weekend driving to Virginia and getting a sneak peak at parenting a newborn again. This time I got to do the night feedings and give the new Mom & Dad a few extra hours of well earned sleep. Since he takes the bottle like a champ it wasn't bad but I can see how night after night for a while would be exhausting. Check out the new pics

I also got a chance to watch Nicia play soccer for her green team--- Go Nicia!! They tied the blue team, but with a great coach they are all learning alot. Special thanks to Eric the coach who does a great job and for his additional love he pours out. I also got to run by the book fair and then visit the original Whitcomb family for a while and taught Nicia some additional note taking & investigative skills with a few rounds of the game Clue.

Then I took Tim and Lindsay out for dinner to celebrate their Mother's Day and his Birthday. YEAH for special occasions.

And I ran into a couple that I knew from my clinical position at UVA. Their son had a miraculous healing last Christmas from a brain aneurysm and it was great to catch up with them and hear things are still well with him. God is good!

Today I went to Alethia and saw some old faces and had awesome worship. Graham (someone new since I left) did a great job with worship. I love their style of worship and could participate in it all day. We listened as Pastor D shared from Timothy about the importance of having prayer, theology, male involvement and woman's involvement. He talked about the importance in woman allowing men to feel like church is their environment too to keep them drawn and to be careful of not allowing womans ability to administer or verbally lead to detract from the environment. A testy discussion for anyone to teach on. I did find his point that men have visual weakness while women have verbal weaknesses a good point to ponder.

After church I got to chat with some friends and hear about mutual friends as well. Congrats to Matt & Jenni on their upcoming birth. I got to see Amy & Jon's new son- Micah -- a cutie with tons of hair. That church has tons of babies being born! It's wild to see my generation bringing new life into the world and wonder how this new generation will develop -- what skills will they offer the world and how or who will serve God.

I pray a special blessing on the ones I visited with and the ones I missed. Lord-- protect them daily. Draw them into your presence with a new refreshing awareness of your strength and love. Help them to walk with You into their divine destinies and not fear them. Teach them to be obedient, lead them in truth and let them feel your guiding hand in their journey of life ahead of them. May they pursue you. Fill them with your joy during times of sorrow, your peace during times of trouble and your rest during times of storm and your contentment during times of want. And may we all meet again in heaven before you once again if not again here on this earth...
Love
K

Back on the water for ASA class 104

That means I got to be on the sailboat for three days!!! YEAH. We had a great trip. The sun was shining and the wind was blowing -- some of the time. Here are a few pics. We sailed from Wrightsville down the ICW through Snows Cut to Cape Fear River to Dutchmans Cove River to anchor. The second day we ran out the river to just about 3 miles off Bald Head Island and back to Dutchmans. The final day we left early 6:30am to catch the tide right to get back up the river and anchored for a while in the Wrightsville channel (near two bushes) to review systems and take the test.
I especially enjoyed sailing out passed the Bald Head Island out the Cape Fear River (avoiding the shoals off of Cape Fear). It was a beautiful day and while Paul steered I enjoyed time taking pics of the sails and sitting on the bow with my feet over the edge taking splashes on my legs. The temperature was sunny and 80-90 degrees during the day and would drop off to 50-60 degrees at night. PERFECT.
We did get to see the inside workings of a marine head as the brave Captn Ed did some plumbing. We also talked our way through the electronic wiring system and engine system and galley cooking/gas options. I got to play around planing with the dingy in the Dutchman's Cove River where we anchored for the night. I also got to swim for a few minutes and cool off after sailing back the second evening before the sunset. We had great meals prepared by Chef/Captn Ed including barbecued chicken, potato and onion foil packs, to shrimp, potato, corn on the cob and sausage boil to great om lets.
And again -- no seasickness for me. Yeah... (thank God) My nickname of "Nails" continued on (I earned that from Jim and Captn Ed the last trip while standing on the bow at sunset enjoying the wind in the low 50s degree temperature for about 20 minutes(in shorts, two tshirts and a vest) while they bundled up in long sleeves and pants behind the dodger. Paul thought I was crazy swimming in water with water temps probably around 65-68 -- but ya gotta enjoy it while you have the chance. :P Specially when you live so far away from the ocean.
Although it took about 4 attempts to succeed at docking with the wind at the stern and moving with the current -it did happen and I did learn from the experience and will be mulling over my mistakes and the forces involved for the next week before I totally understand it all -- thanks Captn Ed for talking me in and to Paul for being good at fishing in that midship spring line. And a special thanks to Kathleen for sharing Captn Ed to teach us and talk us through the last few days. And a gold star to Paul for tacking us quickly and efficiently and avoiding the shoal just outside the shipping lane. Good luck to Paul and his wife & family with their future sailing.
All and all a great learning experience.
I can't wait to get an opportunity to get out there again. Know anyone trustworthy who owns a sail boat and is willing to let me help sail or wants to charter? Just let me know. :)

A few hours in Wilmington

I took an extra day after my sailing class to wander around Wilmington. It has a historic section and a river walk and I enjoyed wandering around. I walked the river front and then around Front Street. I had fun playing with my camera taking pictures of the architecture and nature -- Spring is a wonderful time of year. They do a beautiful job with tons of trees and window boxes and vines and greenery throughout the city -- I love that! I found some beautiful flowers on a fence and as I left town I found these beautiful rows of poppies I had to pull over and enjoy. Here are some more pics I had a great time-- it is a nice city. And I enjoyed the old fashioned fronts to the buildings and the small boutiques and galleries along the way.

Let me introduce you. His name is Samuel Stenger Whitcomb. He is so cute. And I got to see him in person last night. You know its amazing watching life begin. Makes you wonder...What does God have in mind to do with this new life.

A prayer for VA Tech and the witnesses of the event

My thoughts and prayers go out to those involved in the VA Tech Events. I pray that God will touch and protect the hearts of those who survived. I pray that He minister to the hearts of the families of all affected directly and indirectly. And that He lift them up with His strength to get through the process of continuing to live. I pray those that are not close to Him be drawn to Him. And Lord we ask for You to minister to them through Your Holy Spirit to touch and fulfill their deepest intimate needs in ways that only you can. We cry out for Your protection and Your understanding to comprehend the tragedy of so many lives cut short so early. We ask that You turn this tradgedy for good. We thank you for Your protection in our lives and that we have another day to thank you and live for you. Help us to recognize this gift for what it is. Guide us to see You and follow You in more obedient and honouring ways as witnesses to this event. And let Your love pour out on Your children.

A special prayer for Gil & Nell Marie who are recovering at home from this. Lord lift them up with Your strength daily and give them the resources they need in the upcoming months. Let Your love shine in their lives and continue to minister to them giving them rest,comfort, peace, and a strong tower to retreat to during this time.

Learning to sail

Sailing.... Ah to experience her heeling in the wind,learning how to cooperate with the wind and her sails; with the sun setting behind us; the ocean in front; and time controlled by the wind (not by any time table I can manipulate or be manipulated or ordered by). This is truly the life. There is no freedom to standing on the bow with the wind on your face and color dancing across the sky as the sun slips beneath the horizon. Chosing where you go and when. I am in love with sailing -- IT was AWESOME !! Not to say that I am a natural -- I have so much to learn, but I can't wait to get out there and be challenged again. I love rising to a challenge. And the sea is full of them. Now I understand the draw others describe. So I am praying to meet safe friends with sail boats to get more experience. I get to go back in a few more weeks to practice a 3 day live on board excursion. I can't wait. I am counting the days of work in between. After that I don't know, but I am praying for more opportunities this summer...

Spring has arrived...

I love the little things that change as spring comes... I have been indoors most of the week caring for those with sprained ankles, lacerations from falls while playing or working outdoors, and coughs and flus and was excited to get outdoors today. After church -- mind you RWOC was awesome today -- he reminded us of promises God made to Israel to restore to them what the locust had eaten and to never let it happen to them again. What a great promise.... And then after church I escaped for about two hours to wonder a trail in a state park. The sun was bright and warmed the clay and rocks I walked on. There were not many flowers in bloom in the park but the trees were budding. I love to watch the transformation from the brown drab winter shrouds to the crisp green budding shawls of spring. And I can't tell you the thrill I have had seeing my hyacinth bushes bloom their yellow display and my pear tree blossoms lighting up my front yard this week as I went to and from work.

Ah.. warmth is coming... time to get back outdoors and enjoy that sun. And today did not disappoint. The temperature rocked around 88 and the sun just wrapped you in its rays. I believe my high school term for today would have been "Sweeeet!!!!" I can't wait to see more flowers break through the ground. But things have begun and life surfaces again... And I got to spend a little time watching. I felt honoured. God makes this happen every year and every year it excites me. I had a great time wandering around and playing with my new camera. I even got to watch several turtles dive off the logs into the cool water to hide until I passed. This one group of three turtles stuck it out, not bothered by my presence, as they enjoyed the sun.

My nephew

No problem mon -- a description of a lifestyle to aspire to...

Okay so I have a day off. But I don't know how to put into words the extreme experience I had in Belize. First of all-- its a great place to really learn to scuba dive. The temperature of the water was about 72 at the coldest days and mostly stayed in the upper 70s despite the Northeastern storm we experienced for a few days. And the clarity of the water, the colors of the coral and sponges was unbelievable to me.

How can I express the satisfaction of sitting at the bow of the boat feeling the sunshine on my face and the wind whispering in my ears while occasionally looking down to watch the waves just appear to dance in sync with my excitement along the bow of the boat. Priceless yes, but beyond that it struck such a chord of contentment deep in my soul. Its that feeling of soaring as you look at the horizon. I've only experienced that feeling while standing on the back of a horse that was trotting and with my hands & face turned skyward, or the time I was bouncing back upward while bungee jumping. Such a release from this world. It was something I fell in love with. And that was just a small part of life on the boat.

The staff on the Sundancer II (a Peter Hughes diving company ) where fabulous at making us feel welcomed and so pampered I didn't know what to do with myself. The 5 course dinners were all varied and so tastefully spiced and prepared that we all enjoyed them. The snacks and drinks were always available. The time between dives seemed to disappear quickly leaving brief moments in the sun to brighten our spirits above board. And the times when it was rainy were filled with chatting with fellow passengers or staff about our lives and previous experiences. Dinner was always a fun time to share about each other. I greatly enjoyed getting to know Theresa, Reese & Christina Donner further. They are all great story tellers and have had such a refreshing view on life.

The land under the sea was completely amazing. My curious nature just found a whole new world to explore, learn about and observe. From watching lurking baracudas, rambling turtles, floating rays, resting nurse sharks, lobsters on the prowl, to christmas tree worms in rapid fire retreat to having my finger cleaned by a small shrimp. I will always treasure my firsts... My first time seeing them with the help of others and my first time finding some on my own. What a fascinating beautiful world of color so untouched by many. I am so priveledged to have the pleasure of observing their home.

I think one of the best things I took away from the trip was -- contentment. It was something I heard alot from the staff & captain and it challenged me. I fail so often in what God calls me to. I know I am a sinner and am further aware of more weaknesses than I knew before the trip, but God tells us to be content. I haven't been living a practiced life of that in my career. This week I realized that I love medicine and thats why I went to school to be a part of it. I know many abuse the medical system and there are many faults in the system, but this week I took time. I took time to meet peoples eyes, to observe them as individuals, to meet the medical needs I could meet and recognize when they were trying to manipulate me. To not harbor bitterness towards those attempting to manipulate me, but to instead better serve those in need with acts and words of kindness. I want to be content with the life God has me leading. And I am learning to not let others actions and emotions to steal my God given joy. "No problem mon" is a common statement in life in Belize. And its lived out in their daily walks. As a Yankee, I often get swept up into the busyness of life. I realized I can't manipulate life into becoming any faster with my stress levels increasing, so why waste so much emotion and energy. I'm going to remember "No problem mon" more often.... (mind you old habits are hard to break-- so if you catch me in a few months stressing out -- feel free to remind me. "No problem mon"

O yeah.. by the way

I PASSED MY BOARDS-- EARLIER FRUEDIAN SLIP ON THE SPELLING -- CAUSE NOW THEY ARE IN THE PAST. thank you God!! .. THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO PRAYED FOR ME.

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Home, but missing that open sea already...

Home late and will right more -- for now the words --- AMAZING NEW WORLD!!! and "I'm a new addict" Anyone wanna go scuba diving?? Here are a few pics will upload more later....

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!! THIS WILL BE ME AGAIN IN A FEW DAYS -- ONLY IN 70 DEGREE WATER NOT 58. I CAN'T WAIT.......

Its all over...

Its all over (clap clap clap,clap,clap) Its all over (clap clap clap,clap,clap) (repeat ad naseaum) I'm done with the boards!!!

And the weather is nice outside for a few days.

And best of all -- my vacation is almost here. LIFE IS GOOD!

Road trip to Lindsay's baby shower

Here is a link to some pictures from Lindsay's baby shower I'll write more later, but I hitched a ride with the Foskey family back to Harrisonburg VA to go to Lindsay's baby shower for baby boy Whitcomb. We had an uneventful ride and I had a great time hanging out with friends & family. Stephanie & Rachel Langhans' did a great job hostessing the shower. Thanks you two for all your hard work!

brief update & prayer request

A hello, to friends and family. I may have not been keeping up to date with everyone much and will probably get worse in the next three weeks. So this is an acknowledgement and request for thoughts and prayers and more time to get back with you all. I am cramming for my boards -- it has already been 6 years I have been practicing and unfortunatly forgetting things I was taught in school. These things will be retested on, when I have to go and re-take the boards on Febuary 22. This unfortunate reoccurrance is difficult enough but will also tax my short attention span by requiring me to test for about 6 hours so I can use all the prayers I can get. Then I have a week to pull myself together and then off to vacation on my first scuba trip to Belize. My first time on a boat, so pray for calm waters and a strong stomach. And a fun and safe trip. I am excited and looking forward to this as a well earned break after studying indefinately during free time for the last month and a half.
love you all

I am blessed

Ever need one of those rejuvenating weekends? I had the best one. It's amazing how just having some good quality time with God and with friends or family can bring you such joy. I had the most fabulous weekend.

I studied on Friday then took Dassah to the kennel and went to Greenville for the weekend. I got to go to the singles bible study again. A better experience this time. Heindrick challenged us regarding our purpose in life during the bible study and something that struck me was his challenging statement. "When we don't recognize God's purpose in someone, is when we tend to abuse or neglect them". That can be in respect to ourself or in regards to someone else. It was a challenging statement to live by. And I had fun chatting with Tyra and Jazmine.(Good luck at school girls!)

Saturday was a fun filled girl's day out with my sister. I went with her to the hair salon and while she got her hair done, I got my nails done. (The first time I have had a parifin wax treatment on my hands-- fabulous :)- I recomend it to everyone as long as they have clean procedures. It helped soften my chapped, cracking cuticles and hands) Then we made some freezer meals at Supper Thyme. A place that pre slices/dices and cuts meat to appropriate proportions and you just measure things out for preselected meals. These are then frozen in packages so that you can pull them out to crockpot or bake at your convience. (A healthier alternative to fast food for those of us who work long hours). Yeah!!! I need all the help I can get there. I enjoyed it and in two hours the two of us each had 9 meals to take home with us. I can't wait to try them out.

Then we were off to shop since my wardrobe needed some help as did Janelle's. We found we are the same size right now which made it fun to grab similiar things and just switch them back and forth in the dressing room. It helped so much to have someone else's opinion too. Then we headed back to the house to allow Janelle & Josie to get ready for a date on the town while I got the evening with Jayden. He is so interactive with his laughing and cooing and such a happy baby. He is such a joy. And I find it such a blessing to be a part of his life and get his smiles of recognition when he sees me.

Sunday we went to church, grabbed lunch, took Jayden to JCPennies for pictures, then back to church for his baby dedication. The service was great and Apostle Ron did an excellent object lesson. He pulled out an umbrella and said that when we are under God's vision and protection "It doesn't mean it stops the raining" "It just keeps the rain off of us". What an exciting and vivid picture of God's protection. Thank's God for revelations and teachers to share them with us. I am so thankful for His ever loving protection in my life.

Then I came back to Hendersonville. Since my evening plans changed secondary to the rain and dropping temperatures I grabbed some wine (found my favorite year and winery!!) I had time to chat with family. Started a warm fire and enjoyed listening to the popping logs while watching a movie and drinking my wine. Ahh so relaxing.

I am so blessed. So if you get nothing else out of my rambling. I pray that God' bless you with His protection and love in your week.

A break in the woods

Yesterday, I took a break from trying to study. (Notice I said trying, I am struggling to buckle down and study for my PA boards I have to take next month) But after putting in a good 3 hours of reading I decided an outdoor excursion was needed.
I put Dassah, my trusty hiking partner in the Xterra and off we headed in search of some water falls. I had learned last summer that there were several hiking trails to waterfalls up in the Dupont Forest - about 45 mins away, so off I went. We enjoyed ambling along the stone roads and short forest trails to the falls. And I enjoyed wandering alongside the one fall. You could walk up the rock and observe striation and mineral deposits from where water had flowed over it in the past but was dry now. Moments like that make you realize how short my own lifespan truly is. To see how water had carved the rock into a smooth surface reminded me of the scripture of how we as believers sharpen each other. And I am more in awe of My Creator. I also enjoy watching water falls and the sheer power and force that water has. Not because of its own abilities, but because of its movement and location. If God can do that with water, -- What can He do with me if I am in the right location and moving in the proper direction?
I also have been enjoying watching the sun rise on my way to the gym the last few mornings. The other day I took a few pics. There are a few of the sunrise s well as several from the falls.

Have you laughed today

So the New Year... 2007.
Eleven days into my fast from chocolate. Attempting a 37 day fast from chocolate. Pray for the will power. So far I've been blessed with enough :) (Go God! Cause if you know me, you know I love chocolate.) Josie challenged me to 37 instead of a month because its one tenth of a year. A good tithe to God as well as a good way to be learn self control as I try to get back into shape. It's nice to have people who can challenge you physically as well as spiritually. If you can remember pray for continued perserverence and for me to get my butt into the gym more often during this time.
God has already blessed this with more awareness of His presence and challenging me to spend some time in the word. Something I have been struggling to do over the last few months. I hope He will start revealing more of His plans for my future because I need His guidance more than ever right now...
After recovering from the flu over the last day and a half I made my way to Asheville. I bought a hood and some gloves for my scuba trip and priced out some further equipment. Ahh why do some of the fun things cost so much?
I got to explore Asheville after checking out the scuba shop. It really is eclectic. A art exhibit with pictures costing about 2 grand is within a block of Mass General. It is within a few blocks of a store that sells odds and ends including the belt with bells used for belly dancing, followed by a store that sells paper star lights.... Truly an interesting bizzare place. At least I found some interesting resturants and after wandering aimlessly exploring was able to relocate my car twice. And arrived home to study for an hour and watch Grays Anatomy. I know its a hopeless medical soap opera but when you make a heroine snore so loud her boyfriend can't stand it--- it makes me laugh. Have a good laugh today with me.

And check out my nephew laughing with me. He's such a charmer.

Suddenly its 2007

Happy New Year to all.
As I started the New Year sleeping in, I enjoyed the fact that I have a warm bed to sleep in despite the barking of Dassah (my dog)who insisted in going out this morning on her regular schedule. I spent the day doing some small things around the house including taking down my outdoor Christmas lights (tonight I glanced around the still lit up neighborhood to realize I must not be trying hard to fit in) I will update you regarding when their lights disappear (hopefully before Valentine's day) I also lit my first fire in the fireplace tonight. (I will need to practice further cause mine wasn't nearly as nice as Janelle & Josie's but it did warm up the living room and it was fun to hear the wood popping and crackling.

Lindsay and Tim came down for a day this weekend. It was fun to see them and hang out with Kendra and Trevor and get my butt wipped yet again in Trivial pursuit. (this years personal flub duh... Intel Inside is the logo for Pentium -- at least I can still remember Hyper tech markup language is what HTML stands for from last year)

But on another note I thought about what I had heard on Sunday. They challenged us to praise God for what He has already done for us in 2007. Since God has this impossible to understand talent, of existing outside of time, He already knows what will happen this next year and has already prepared things for us to do and blessings for us to have. I considered the fact that as I praise for these now, I have to have Faith that he knows the difficult things as well as the blessings He has for us. I have to trust that He will do what is best for me in the best timing as long as I am obedient to him. ( On that note of obediance and faith, God help me to be more like Daniel than Jonah or the Isrealites in the desert.)
Starting off the year with a great big worship party and a teaching on Elisha and the well to do lady who served him. She was blessed with a son, his miraculous resurection, the Godly warning to leave the land prior to the famine, and the return of her land plus the income from the land while she had been gone was a great lesson full of challenges to act out in faith/service and to pursue God for those things we desperately need.

May you all have time to recognize what God has done for you and praise Him for what He is going to do.

A special prayer goes out to Ryan and Jen. May God surround you with His peace, his wisdom, His presence, and His balm of Gilead... Here's a link to their blog for updates. Please keep them in your prayers.

the last blog of 2006

So this has been my first year of blogging. As the year closes I must finish it out blogging. So Happy New Year to you all.
Today at church I chose to become a member. The pastor prophecised that this next year would be a of suddenlys. God was going to answer requests suddenly. And not just one but a series of suddenlys. So I am speaking and praying for several suddenlys. I will also be going to the New Years Eve service tonight and since its the first hours of the New Year I am interested to see what He will do.
See you all in the next year

Lessons from the ER -- reason #98 why not to use drugs

Logic somehow reverses when you use cocaine, alcohol and a few other drugs.....

For example, Where is the best place for firewood to be found?
- logically the answer would be --wood is found on the ground or if a tree is cut down.

I have learned that with drugs & alcohol, the mind can be brought to believe that firewood is found in a tree 10-15 feet up. And lead to falls.

Do you trust your mind and body to something that can twist anything to feel logical?

Christmas in the Emergency Dept.

Today I spent the day celebrating Jesus birth serving the sick that poured into the ER. I guess God might have chosen that as a place or maybe in a bar ministering to the lonely or maybe on the rainy street serving the homeless.

I was humbled serving people today. I treated 47 people over the 11.5 hours I worked today. Many sick with flu, strept or pneumonia or a combo of the above. We seem to have hit a peak in the flu season here. Although most are doing a good job staying hydrated, they were feeling miserable. A few I was able to pray over while examining them, but mostly had to stay busy seeing people.

Thank God for a healthy body. I really felt His presence around me today and knew I was in the place He wanted me to be. I wonder what destiny I fulfilled today.

This week I watched the movie Lady of the Lake -although a weird movie, what struck me most, was questioning my destiny. And has brought me into a reflective contemplation of what it is I do for God daily. Do I miss out on the opportunities or am I just unaware of the destinies I have fulfilled. I pray I am following through and that God will forgive my weakness that has failed Him. This week at church Apostle Ron prayed over the congregation that God has marked us with his mark so that any labels that are curses have been broken off. We are not bound by the worlds labels -- God doesn't see us through those and we should not operate in them, being bound by our own fears and insecurities. I pray that I can walk forward with His mark and not bring disappointment, but instead bring favor to Him by my life.

Today I gave a single mother a gift for her son, as they have not had money to buy new clothes. She was touched and I was warmed to know that I had served someone in need. I pray that God use that opportunity to touch and bring healing to their lives and draw them into an further awareness of Him. Is there somone in your life who needs a gentle word, a pat on the back, a hug or a wink that You can touch for God's glory?

I pray that God be with you and warm your heart during this holiday with a new awareness of his love.

I wish you a Merry Christmas

I have uploaded some pictures of Christmas in South Carolina this year. see link

Can you tell Jayden tended to be in the center of all our attentions. He is growing so quickly. Matt & Kristin made it in from LA and Mom & Dad flew in from PA. We got to talk to Larrian & Teri Justin, Josh & Walker via phone as they opened their gifts. Mom has been around for the last week and a half teaching Janelle all sorts of ways to use up left over chicken and turkey. I was pretty impressed with all the great cooking they have been doing as I dropped in on several occasions to test taste and prepare some baking (although I ended up watching more than helping with the baking).


But since I have to get up in 6 hours to go to work I will keep this brief --- but for all those other ED staff around the world here's a few pieces of advice.
Don't drive sleepy or distracted or drunk. Don't pry cans open with knifes. Don't drink all the wine prior to your first attempt to carve the turkey or the ham. Don't force the dishrag or dish towel down into the glasses as you clean them. Make sure the meat is cooked the whole way through. Have plenty of fun and guard your tongues and thus keep the peace and enjoy staying home And finally don't eat the left overs if they sat out all day. And a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT. MAY GOD'S PEACE BE UNTO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.
love you all

A girls day out at Grove Park Inn

I recently spent the afternoon with Kendra having lunch at Grove Park Inn. The inn had these huge fireplaces roaring with log fires (logs that were at least 5-6 feet long) and huge trees throughout the hotel each with different themes. We wandered through the hotel looking at the national gingerbread contest winners. It was an amazingly beautiful hotel. I also decided to take notes for my next attempt at Gingerbread houses, but don't have a clue what they even used for product for many of these amazing mastepieces. Check out this link for further pictures.

I get to babysit my nephew for his first time away from Mom & Dad tomorrow. But I got a chance to hang out with him on Sunday and again on Monday. He has gotten so big. And check out that cute toy from Aunt Teri and Uncle Larrian and cousins Justin, Josh & Walker. It plays music which he seems to listen too. A pictures worth a thousand words they say.... Doesn't this just seem to say "No worries Mom and Dad I'll have fun with Aunt Karla"

Homeowners lession #63

Waiting until temperatures are freezing is too late to clean out gutter. As the leaves decay and freeze into a mass that cannot be removed prior to thawing.
Note to self: Make time in October or November to remove leaves from gutter prior to freezing weather.

My new Christmas door

I have a new front door! My Christmas present to myself. And it opens the opposite way -- a much more inviting way. (And will be better for airflow if I put up a screen door in the summer.) Trevor came over and had to saw into some of the logs to get it in. Apparently they had sawed off the bottom of the last door to make it fit. One more reason it was probably leaking air around it. It now looks like a front door instead of a back door. It is white with an oval window. I now am motivated to paint the other windows and doors another color than that ugly mustard yellow -- unfortunatly its cold and rainy and will be delayed probably until spring. I also got a basement door that locks securely and opens properly. Hopefully no more leaking down there.

I also went out in the pouring rain yesterday in search of a tree. Luckily Lowe's had one I liked and I didn't have to wander the countryside in search of Christmas tree farms. Although that is a favorite memory making experience, I enjoyed only being drenched from the mid thigh down (I had planned enough to grab my oversized raincoat.) I was able to fit it inside the SUV instead of slipping around and getting drenched further trying to tie it to the roof. I took Dassah with me who still has not released the concept of car chasing while in the car. So I had a ringing in the right ear from her deafening barks and a sore arm from blocking her from jumping at me despite her seatbelt.

I love the smell of cedar in the house. This is the smell of Christmas. I also have my food dehydrating some lemons, limes and oranges to hang on the tree and it smells like citrus in the house too. Another year has come and almost gone and more memories to store. Thank you God for your blessings of this new house and new location. May God bless you all with His love and protection during your holiday plans.

My 5 day Thanksgiving journey

So, beginning around 8pm Tuesday night and ending 11pm Sunday night my journey covered 1400miles. It's a great thing to be thankful for -- a reliable car. With the addition of an oil change a headlight change and a break light change the journey was a complete success. Yeah God.. and special shout out to the charge nurse that let me sneak out for the lights from Advance auto before they closed prior to the trip. Ah the joys of being single -- is flexibility to attempt to get so much in during one trip. This could become my thanks list. Thanks to God for the great memories and the protection on the road. Thanks to everyone who prayed. Thanks to family and friends who gave me warm beds for free and a special thanks to my family for the three --- count them, because I know you are jealous ---- THREE THANKSGIVING MEALS. (Aunt Sue, Uncle Lynn, Teri, Rachel & Reatha you all rock as cooks and as meal planners-- I got ham, smoked chicken, turkey, pork and smoked duck during my meals and unbelievably the only dish repeated was the mashed potatoes -- a must for thanksgiving. I got several new ideas for vegetables --thanks again.)

The best part was being together and creating memories.
I got to play games including twister and spoons in Virginia. Check out my previous blog.
In Philadelphia I learned a few tricks in Happy Feet, the game boy addition, with my youngest nephew Walker, as well as learned how creative my oldest nephew is. Stay away from Justin's personally illustrated encyclopedia of the weird -or one of those monsters will get you. And learn that I am a bad driver especially of remote control cars per my middle nephew Josh. And of SUVs in city traffic, per my brother who swears a man jumped back on the curved sidewalk as I reverted into Boston type driving while getting through a mess of Black Friday traffic.
In Harrisburg I learned how to make gingerbread houses out of graham crackers. Mine was the mini sized house. (It suited me) While I think I succeeded at making a dog, my house left a lot to be desired, as did the adjourning dog house. I also got a chance to see cousins I haven't had much time with in ages. I got to check out missions trip pictures -- go Ryan and Jen. Get a ride in my cousin's Saturn -- and be reminded that it gets 38 miles per gal compared to my 20-21 miles per gal SUV. Thankfully he didn't give me the math on the amount of money I lost during that trip in my vehicle. A peek at his fill up at the pump cost vs mine was enough. :P Be teased with Heather's announcement -- o yeah its her birthday -- thats right. Happy Birthday Heather! Next year -- the big 30. Are we getting old....? Naah especially when you decide to revisit 27 a few times. Heather I highly recommend it. :)

On the road I learned how well my Mom is doing recovering from hip replacement surgery. Go Mom. I am so proud of you. I got to harrass dad about his projects and plans for retirement. I got to chat and just be with grandma.

Then back in the burg I got a chance to visit old ones from Alethia. God's blessing on you in your continued mission to reach the campuses. Thanks for the kind words and thoughts. And a chance to change clothes. Pick up gifts to be held til Christmas for me and for others. Return with a cool wagon from my brother to my sister. And I got to open my "Merry Birthday, Happy Christmas" present from Reatha, Rachel Mom & Dad -- a food dehydrator. (PS I am running my first load of apples I started this morning with it. I was so excited to try it. Thanks again guys.)

During my 6 hour return drive that turned into 7. I got caught up to speed on my soap opera -- Grey's Anatomy. Yeah. Got a chance to chat with Marissa, Aunt Debbie, Janelle, Charity, Lindsay& Rachel. Some for hours others for a few minutes. It was great. Thanks for all my chatty friends and family that kept me awake on the way back. And another thanks to God for not allowing that tractor trailer to catch fire on my side of 81 near Wytheville. In fact I saw traffic backed up for about 15 miles at a dead stop as they had both lanes clased to deal with it. And today learned there was a multi-car pile up as a result of the truck on the on ramp behind that truck. Thanks God for making my way safe, rain free and for the most part (besides the Staunton through Roanoke/VA tech region of 81) speedy home.

And last I learned... It was nice to sleep in my own bed again. Thank you Lord for warm and comfortable and quiet beds. Hope your holidays were as blessed as mine. See some pictures below



I am thankful for a warm, quiet home. Unlike this poor family of birds who built a nest on a diesel sign at a Sheet's store. Destined to deal with loud noises, horrible fumes and not a nice worm in site. Destined to feed off the trash of others.


Ever heard of what goes around comes around? It came back around on me as my nephew Justin returned my earlier bunny ears approach to pictures

And you thought you were hungry? This 5 yr old put us all to shame...


Both in the eating catagory as well as the push ups -- one-handed variety mind you...


My sad, first attempt at gingerbread houses. But the dog is cute. :)


Chillin with the mother to be.

Check out the web album for further thanksgiving pictures posted.

There is a time for everything....

A time to laugh....
Over the last few days I have caught up on time playing Games. I learned a fun one -- "boxers or briefs"-- a great one to play with friends you already know. And the old classic "twister" and"spoons" were on the agenda. Twister is an interesting game with two friends that are 6 feet or close to it and I am only five feet. I held my own for a couple spins but fell over repeatedly, but not before doing and impressive swing of my foot over the body and head of another player to get the last remaining circle (mind you this guy is 6 foot tall). The laughing alone almost wiped me out on that move.

In spoons, I held out with only getting "s" in spoons with seven players until the final face off with my speedy friend Lindsay who entered that final face off with "spoo" I thought it would be an easy win. She had slacked off during the game-- probably as intentional bait. She whips me each time I've played her. But this time I figured it was a no brainer. Luck had to be on my side at least once in four rounds, boy was I mistaken. She whipped me with 4 straight rounds of getting a set of four cards first and grabbing the spoon therefore winning the spoon finale.

I also got to watch Nicia play basketball in the local league. She played hard and dribbled well. She is so fast and has improved in her dribbling skills by leaps and bounds from last year. Go green!!

I had a blast playing Thanksgiving through. Although I did burn the gravy -- sorry guys. I'll practice more for next year. Thanksgiving meal was delicious. Thanks for hosting and inviting me to come be a part of it with you Whitcomb family!

--- 3 States traveled through 3 more states to go tomorrow. I can't wait to see my nephews and family. Mom's doing so well working hard to recover from surgery. And I am hand delivering a copy of some home videos of her new grandson.
Here are few shots of the day






A game of spoons... (Nicia's running around blinding everyone with the camera. Guess who is not winning)


A game of twister after I fell out...
Nicia's cheering squad for her basketball game.


Dad listening to the guys impromptu jam session.



And you thought your babysitter looked a bit hairy....

Ahh good old Virginia....

I arrived around 2am safely despite the drissling rain in Virginia. Thanks for any prayers for safe driving. I have just finished baking apple/ cranberries, a blackberry, and a blueberry pie. And gathered stuff for greenbean casserole. I will be spending thanksgiving day with the x-in laws here in the burg. Its good to see them. Then Friday I am on to Pennsylvania with the pies... to see my nephews. I can't wait to see them and my sister in law and brother and parents. Then on to spend the day with the extended family/cousins. I gotta run and catch up with old family now.

Happy Thanksgiving.

This week I have decided to drive the east coast. I will stop briefly in Harrisonburg, Va. Waynesboro, Pa, just outside Philadephia, PA, Harrisburg, Pa, back to Waynesboro before heading back for a brief break in Harrisonburg, VA and then a drive back to North Carolina. If I don't have a chance to say hi this holiday- sorry. Next holdiay I am not traveling so far. But can't wait to see and hang with everyone I can along the way. I miss you all. Pray for cheap gas along the way and God's angels to protect all sides of the vehicle and me.

The ugly, small, sharp & weak package object lession

Last night as I ran from my house to my car in the nippy air I paused. (Actually I was waiting for my dog to come bounding up behind me). But God used that moment. I just stood and looked at the stars. The beauty of bright stars on a crispy winter night while listening to the creaking bare limbed trees wrestlessly swaying in the night breezes struck me. God has created all this for my enjoyment. I need to take more time to stop and acknowledge and absorb the wonder in his creation. To realize that those stars have existed years before my existance was even considered; for me to enjoy them. Even if only for a second, in the cold of the night, to see them and thank God for their beauty. Their brightness at times put on by their death just acknowledge God's cycles of life. At the death of something is not the end of its usefullness. And as I looked down to look at what my feet were crunching I saw another aspect of life and death. As the trees loose their leaves they also blow seed packets from my maples. They are sharp and have been annoying me for the last few weeks as I run around barefooted. But God gave them that protection to give them a defense mechanism to survive its predators and have a chance of penitrating the ground to create another tree. The fact that something of such strength and beauty develops from such an ugly, small, painfully sharp, and weak package struck me. God does love to bring beauty from the ashes and strength from the weak. Thank you God for that soft spot in your heart to still desire and long to change those parts of my life that are weak and sharp and ugly. I can't wait to see what you will develop of strength out of those areas. Your beauty astounds me. Your love and mercies are new every morning.

Counting the Moments…

I have observed recently that counting is a integral part or parenting.
It begins from the moments of planning to have a child. Counting the days each month for the highest chances to become pregnant. Waiting each month to find out if you might be pregnant. How many days, weeks or months must we wait? And then the day comes. Your confirmed pregnancy! The celebration begins. You begin to count again. Did we call or email everyone who would want to know? You know you missed some, but how can you remember everyone? And then in the back of your mind you also have to begin to count money. Are you spending too much, because now you have a child to save for? Its not only you. You begin to count the days and then the weeks of pregnancy. Then you may get a chance to hear and count your babies heartbeat during your check up. Is it too fast or too slow? “No”, the doctor says, “It’s just fine, it is meant to be fast”. Then the months of pregnancy are counted. The counting begins to pick up. How many diapers must I have to be prepared? How much is this going to cost? How many bibs do we need or socks? How many nasal suctions does one child need? (none if you ask my sister, who still refuses to suction her infants nose).

And then the time may come for an ultrasound check. How many fingers, how many toes? Does my child have each arm and leg intact? How many chambers in the heart 1,2,3,4 and do each beat as they should? And if I must know –is it a boy or a girl or two or three? The counting increases. Have we gone far enough in the pregnancy for our child to be safe? How much is the birth going to cost? How many weeks until I can see my toes again? How many more weeks must my back ache and my balance be off? How many degrees is it outside? Can it be any hotter around here? Can it be much longer till this child comes? Birth classes are counted. Breathing is taught –in and out—can it be that hard? Hold you breath how long? Is it breath and then exhale or inhale and then exhale. How many seconds between the two?

Time begins to change… This child must come out now! I can’t go a moment or a day longer more. How many moments, hours must I wait in this waiting room to see my OB/GYN.? How many times do I have to get up to pee? How many hours did I get to sleep before I must awake to pee again? Only to be told by the doctor, “Everything is fine” “Come back and see me next week”. 'What! another week?' your body screams, 'and no change!'. 'You have got to be kidding me!', and 'Why are you smiling? -You nasty, nasty doctor. Examine me again! You must be wrong. Something has to be happening with all this pain'. Each moment drags by as time slows down. How can each day be so long? The contractions begin. Are they true or false (Braxton hicks). Do they come regularly or slowly? Does it count if two are close, but the next two are far apart?

And then through the magic of labor, time speeds up and slows down on its own. The water breaks and the contractions become regular and there isn’t time enough. Do we have everything with us? Are the diapers packed? Do we have the breathing exercises memorized? Are we ready? A hint of a thought begins to float in your mind. And then, how much longer till we reach the hospital? How many cars could possibly be on the road at a time like this? How many cops are there out tonight? How many mph can this car go? Wait, how much time was there between that contraction and this one? Where is the watch? How can this be happing? Wait, how much is this going to cost? How long until we get there. Oh, there is the entrance. How many feet must I walk? How many steps can I take until the next contraction hits? How many wheelchairs does this hospital have and none are available right now? Where is the nurse? How much longer can this check in take. How many pages of information must they make us fill out? How much worse on a scale of 10 can this pain be? Finally the bed is reached. How many contractions until the baby is here? How many minutes between the contractions? How many centimeters dilated? How long can I take this pain- or- How many minutes until the anesthesiologist can make it with the epidural? How many breaths can I take? How many hours can this pain go on? How long until I hold my baby. The minutes of agony drag on like hours and the minutes of rest between contractions fly by like seconds….. And funny, how now, looking back, the memory begins to blur of those moments as if they occurred years ago. How does the magic of labor and time do that?

Time jumps back to reality as the child emerges. How many seconds until you hear a cry? Is the child okay? The seconds hang suspended like a grass blade in a spider web. As if no one noticed, the questions hangs, unanswered in the air. And then the cry is heard either struggling or screaming the sound echoes in the silence of the parents ears roaring back life and breath into your lungs. The pain no longer importantly takes every second of your thoughts. The image of your child alive breathes to life a vague acknowledgement in the back of your mind. Something big, monumental is happening. But then time speeds forward and you have yet to acknowledge it.
You get to hold the baby. Your first look. You may get to cut the cord. Then baby is whisked off for the staff to perform apgars test. How does your child score on activity, pulse, grimace, appearance and respiration? 0-10. Oh, let their first test score well. And then further to the nursery for footprints; their first shots, their first height, weight and head circumference measurements. Their first pediatric exam and their first baths. The first are far outnumbering us now. Their first pictures, the first phone calls to relatives and friends and their first starring role in home videos. All have been noted and stored as memories as that monumental thought grows. But no time for that .

Now the child needs fed. The nurse explains and steps away. The first attempts they all fail. Who’s to blame? – the child, the mother the nurse, experience or time. Ah, good old time is to blame. It’s been confirmed, for who could blame a soul?, now looking back. Each did their best and yet time had not past enough to make it smooth. And then the cries are counted. The tears from mother and child are counted. The head rubs and shoulder pats from father are counted. Ah, good old time is to blame. It’s been confirmed, for who could blame a soul?, now looking back. Each did their best and yet time had not past enough to make it smooth. What’s that thought that grows? No it can’t be true and yet it consumes every moment that ticks by. WE ARE NOW PARENTS. How can that be? How did nine months pass by so slowly and yet quickly.

We don’t know how to be parents. How could this have happened? The years are counted. Its official we can’t be old enough to be parents, and yet our parents had us when they were younger than we are. How did they do it? There aren’t enough moments in those years to have learned all we need to know. What does God the Maker of the Universe expect us to know about raising one of His children. Ah, yes, now we have it. The answers exist in the help of our Father. And the prayers are sent up quickly. Praise for the blessing of a healthy child and wails of fear and uncertainty for the help and knowledge for the next moments and days and years to come. And it is answered with peace that passes the understanding for the moment. Faith must carry the parents forward for now.

As the days pass more things are counted….
Numbers of fingers
Numbers of toes
Numbers of feedings.
Hours between feedings
Seconds and minutes until the child stops crying
Number of wet diapers
Number of dirty diapers.
How much money have we spent on diapers?
Time child sleeps
Time child is awake
Time parents are left to sleep and wishing for just a few more seconds, minutes or hours
Number of wet and dirty diapers again
Time till the feeding needs to occur
Time till the crying will stop
And then number of wet and dirty diapers again
Ounces or pounds of weight gained
Number of shots for immunizations
Dollars paid out to the hospital and doctor
Number of diapers to be bought at the store
Sizes for clothing to be worn for the moment or worn for the future.
Months in the future are counted out –will it be hot or cold for those future clothes
First smiles
First hair cuts
First teeth
First time the child bites someone
Number of steps tottered as they hold on to someone
Number of steps done on their own
First time they say da da
Number of times they say ma ma…..

I will add to the list as I have time to consider it further.