Getting ready for summer

For Mother's Day, daughter Tammy gave me a certificate worth five hours of her help! What a gift for me! She did all of the planting for me, which is such a blessing.

A couple of weeks ago and I got my hanging pots at the nursery. They are unusually pretty this year, I think. The first one is from my son and his family for Mother's Day and I loved the pink of the Impatiences and was able to match the colors in the remaining baskets.

The sitting pots are all planted and dispersed around the yard and patio. This one is a sample. I will have to retake this picture in one month and we'll all enjoy how nature will have grown it!
This hanging wall planter is one of my favorites. Here it is close-up!
I have been in the process of organizing, tossing, etc. in my craft room.
It is slowly, but surely, getting done. I do run across things I forgot I had, so I have had to stop and make things along the way.

Below is a box I made, filled with cards, for a friend's birthday.

I had some ladies in for a birthday luncheon for my friend on Sunday, so had the box by her place at the table.
Having this luncheon was a huge boost for me psychologically, as I don't entertain much anymore because of my unpredictable back. I was thrilled to have it go off with very little discomfort and feel ready to try it again.

Always when I use my Mom's china, I feel close to her. I used one of Mom's recipes she often used for the many luncheons she used to have. My friends all knew my Mom well and it seemed right to use her things for this special group of friends!

Update

My doctor's nurse just called me and said that my CT scan showed no nodules present!! Isn't that amazing? I feel like I have had a wonderful answer to prayer. Thank you to all of you who prayed for me. Truly I am rejoicing. I had decided that I probably had the same lung disease that my Mom had, Pulmonary Fibrosis...not for now, at least.

Now on to new posts in the days to come!! ...and continued organizing!! which is coming right along. The trouble is I run into something I forgot about and stop and make a card, or a decorative box, or something which sidetracks me!

Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers!!

X Rays and other things

You know I am really scraping the bottom of the barrel with today's subject. I often think if I was still teaching and in the middle of raising my kids, I would have so much to write about..but those days are past..and so here I am....living a fairly quiet life without too much happening. (and loving it, I should add.)

For the past two months I have had a dry, involuntary cough, which has been sooooo annoying! After seeing the doctor on Monday, he sent me for a chest x-ray, and put me on a five day antibiotic. I thought I had had a miracle cure, until this morning when I woke up coughing again with a vengeance!

I received a call from the doctor's nurse this morning telling me that the chest X-ray revealed several nodules on my left lung and I need to have a CT scan, so I will have it tomorrow.

You need to know that I am a worrier plus!! In my mind this morning, I have had myself undergoing a lung biopsy, making decisions if I will allow surgery or not, wondering how I will tolerate Chemo, if "this" is what will take me. All borrowing tomorrow's troubles, of course.

My mother used to say, "Sufficient unto the day, is the trouble thereof."

So....I've explored all the options, have laid it to rest, and am waiting for the antibiotic to kick in and cure me of any spots in my lungs! (that is my hope)

These little blips in the road are wonderful faith builders for reminding ourselves of Whose we are and in Him our days are ordered.

So now, with all of this off my chest, I'm off to continue organizing my office/card room. I LOVE to organize!!

Thanks for listening!

Errands and Observations

Yesterday, as I set off to complete my list of things to do, I made my first stop at Radio Shack. I went in for a battery for my phone, my car key 'thingie', and my garage door opener, and a cheap new phone for my bedside. This turned into a twenty minute stop as my clerk wanted to sell me the store!! I nicely turned down the more expensive phone with all the bells and whistle I didn't need, turned down the insurance policies, rejected his suggestion that I get a new phone to replace the phone for which I was getting a replacement battery. We even had a discussion over my cell phone and what he could do for me with one of theirs. I finally thanked him and escaped to get to my second stop.

My favorite scrapping store was next on my list. The owner is always so helpful and always answers my questions and knows exactly where to direct me for some of my favorite papers. As I visited with her and took her ready help, I couldn't help but remember that this dear woman eighteen months ago, held her eleven year old son in her arms as he died, as they were rushing him to the hospital with flu symptoms. I marvel at her grace and sereneness after all of this...and I admire her courage to carry on and her faith in the Lord which surely must be the reason she is able to even breathe!

She shared with me that she has a little grandson whom she adores. I rejoice with her for this child in her life. She showed me an adorable little scrapbook she had made for him. I liked it so much that I bought all of the trappings to make one!

After quick stops at the post office, the library, and Craft Warehouse, I was finally able to reach my final destination of the day---lunch out with my current book!!

And that is when I observed something which I hope isn't a new trend. At a booth across the room from me was a darling young couple. I glanced their way a couple of times when I saw what was occupying them. He had a laptop propped open on the table in front of him and she was totally wrapped up in a conversation on her cell phone! throughout their whole lunch!

Such is the electronic age! I guess I am way more comfortable with my nose in a book....but I don't think I've done that yet....if I have a companion with me!!

..and so my day went--interesting and productive!

Off the subject.....the Roadies are blooming and the sun is shining!

A Triumphant Week comes to a close....for now!

Some things I learned over the past few days...

In the phrase, "the old young people" the operative word is OLD!

Being raised in a marvelous, Godly, extended family was a blessing beyond measure!

I did not know my heart could be so full of love for all of my family.

I did not know the depth of thanksgiving with which my heart overflows .

I did not know the Peruvian flag could make such a beautiful center piece
when interspersed with gorgeous red geraniums!


Perhaps, most of all, I am learning that saying good bye to these precious friends, cousins, saints, and examples of Godly living, will be very, very hard,
as they plan to finish out their lives in their beloved Peru!
(I am hoping we can talk them into one more trip home....)

Saturday, May 2, 2009, Eastgate Bible Chapel, Portland, Oregon

I learned that time goes by so fast.
How did my dear cousin Jane and I get from this picture

to this one???

"Life at best is very brief, like the falling of the leaf....."

I know I have lots more to learn.

I have learned that life is a school with many
lessons and many blessings
along the way!

Here are a few pictures from the Open House on Saturday.

The honorary doctorate degree and the cap and neck piece
which hangs down the front of the gown.

Newlyweds, in 1949!

Interesting articles, pictures, and mementos on a bulletin board.

It was a wonderful afternoon, with a lovely program of remembrance. There was a video made, which I know I will enjoy watching.

...and I, who never allow my picture to be taken, had it taken twice!!

The Week Marches On...

The graduation is over, the honorary doctorate has been bestowed, and Bert and Colleen remain unruffled by all of the pomp and circumstance surrounding such an honor. Its been a busy week, with tomorrow bringing the Open House celebration. It will be a little bit like Heaven, I'm thinking, greeting so many we haven't seen for some time.

I am sharing what was read about the Elliots before the doctorate was bestowed. It is long, and my main reason for posting it in its entirety, was so family and friends could see it. (I know I could have emailed it, but somehow, having it on my blog is a good way to remember it.)

*********************************

Western Seminary’s Board of Trustees has the privilege of granting honorary degrees to individuals whose Christian service has been especially meritorious, and whose life and ministry epitomize what Western desires for its graduates. The recipient of this year’s honorary doctoral degree is Herbert Elliot.

In 1949, Bert and his wife Colleen arrived in Peru as newlyweds. There they implemented a church planting strategy that used their medical/dental training and evangelistic abilities to bring the gospel to many remote communities along major jungle rivers such as the Amazon.

In 1956, following the death in Ecuador of Bert’s younger brother Jim, the Elliots expanded their ministry to the mountains of Peru. This required additional adjustments to both a new culture and a new approach to ministry. For the next 30 years, they developed a network of churches in both the Peruvian jungle and mountains.

Bert and Colleen made yet another major ministry shift in 1988 when they moved to the coastal city of Trujillo. Due largely to their ministry (in partnership with Western graduates Jorge and Donna Osorio), the church known as Centro Biblico Trujillo has become a major church planting and missionary sending center. In addition, the Elliots founded the Jim Elliot Christian School, which currently offers a K-12 education to about 250 students.

No human can fully recognize the amount of heavenly good that has been achieved through the Elliots’ sixty years of faithful ministry. Yes, we can count the 115 churches that were planted; but we can only guess how many comprise the multitude of lives that were transformed directly and indirectly through Bert and Colleen’s ministry.

What makes this impact all the more incredible is recognizing the many challenges the Elliots faced in Peru, from contracting diseases associated with jungle life and medical work to opposition from cocaine dealers and Marxist terrorists.

When Randy Alcorn concluded his chapter in a recent volume entitled, Stand: A Call for the Endurance of the Saints, he used Bert and Colleen Elliot as his final example of long lives well-lived. After recounting a conversation he had with Bert that contrasted the ministry of the two Elliot brothers, Randy pens these words: “While Jim’s relatively short life was like a meteor that blazed dramatically across the sky, Bert’s life is more like a faint star that rises night after night and faithfully crosses the same path in the sky, largely unnoticed on earth.”

Bert, we have noticed that star; and in honoring you, we recognize that we are at the same time honoring Colleen, and ultimately the Lord whom you both have so faithfully served.

So, in recognition of his distinguished ministry in significantly advancing the cause of Christ (especially in the realm on global mission), Western Seminary is delighted to confer the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree upon Herbert Elliot.

The Old Young Peoples' Group!

With the arrival of Bert and Colleen Elliot on Wednesday, comes the revival of the old
young peoples' group! There will be get-togethers, visits, re-newing of friendships in
the weeks ahead, as we gather together to honor and refresh our enjoyment of these
two special people!



It will begin this morning with Western Seminary having a graduation in which Bert will be
honored with an honorary doctorate degree to commemorate his sixty years of
missionary work in Peru.


There will be a handful of brave 'old youth group' people who will attend this
graduation ceremony.



Since they are only to be here for three weeks, there will be lots of activities packed in.
On Sunday we'll have visitors from around town at our Fellowship, who will be there
just to get a chance to visit with Bert and Colleen.



On Monday I am taking them out to lunch so we can have a good visit and I can just
soak up the love of God they radiate! We will talk of many things, remember many
good memories together, and before the lunchtime is over, Cousin Bert will say, "So,
how is your walk with the Lord, Joanie?' ...and I will have to confess to just "coasting"
too much of the time.



On Thursday we will have breakfast with them with my brother and his wife joining
us. Again, it will be a time of warm fellowship and just loving each other.


Then on the second of May, we begin with an extended family breakfast together. (We
are a pretty big crowd when we are all together) Bert's sister, Jane, will be here from
Wheaton. Jane and I are exactly the same age and have been close friends since we
were toddlers, so I'm so excited to see her and spend some time!!

Joan,Jane-11 months old at back of Elliot home

Here we are at age four in front yard of Elliot home at 7272.

My brother, Bernie joins us.

Elizabeth Elliot and husband Lars, will not be able to come. They were in Peru in
February with Bert and Colleen so will not make the trip now. We had thought Jim
Elliot's daughter, Valarie, was coming, but the last word is that she will not be
coming. I was disappointed about that, as I haven't seen her in years.



In the afternoon there is to be an Open House at a local Bible Chapel, built to hold
several hundred people. This will be a time of celebration of Bert and Colleen's
sixtieth wedding anniversary and their sixtieth year on the field in Peru.



That's when the 'old young people' will flock together and have a rip-roaring time
revisiting the past with long-forgotten memories revived, laughed over, and
remembered with pleasure.
































We did have fun!! Hayrides and backyard cookouts! Simple, but such good times. That's me in the white 'pedal pushers' and plaid shirt in the barn!




I love these get togethers when we see friends and relatives we don't get to see too often.


So........for the next few days there will be lots of excitement in my life. I like that!

...and the decision is......

Staying put!!

Home Sweet Home

My offer was not accepted, but they countered back with a very affordable offer....however I discovered a lot of things about myself this past week as I had to decide whether or not to accept their counter-offer.

I discovered that I'm very attached to my 'things' and having to part with so much was really tugging at my heartstrings. I know "this world is not my home, I'm just a passing through..." but while I am here, parting with the things I've collected over the years would be hard.

I looked at things realistically and I can't do a move like this. I would have to depend on my family to help me get packed, sorted, sales, etc. and I realized the stress would do my back in.

My realtor was very understanding and its not on the market, I'm sleeping at night again, and just walking through the rooms of my house, savoring each one of them.

"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways" has been on my mind all week as I debated my choices. I don't think I'm unstable, but I am impetuous at times. I'm just praising the Lord they didn't accept my original offer, as that was how I had asked for specific leading. The counter-offer was a great one, but wasn't the original offer, so I felt I had my answer if I wanted out of the deal and as the week wore on, I had no peace about the second offer....so here I am, with my wonderful yard, my attached garage, my guest room, and still my family room.

I DO stir up hornet's nests for myself from time to time.

So now, when you come see me, you will have a bedroom all to yourself...and your own bathroom. The door is always open!

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

I have come to the place where I feel a need to simplify my life.....and because of that I have put my house on the market and made an offer on a condo. I will be 77 this summer and I would like to make this move before it becomes a necessity.

(my home)

My Mom lived in the same set of condos where I have made an offer, moving in at age 75 and staying there for 21 years. They are one of very few condos built on one floor, are beautifully maintained, and have a wonderful clubhouse for large functions, as well as a summer time pool.

That being said, if my house does not sell, I, of course will stay right here. I adore my home, but I really don't need 1600 square feet, yard maintenance and the other things that go with home ownership. In the condo all outside maintenance is provided. The one thing I will miss is my garage. I love driving in, closing the garage door behind me and going straight into the house with my bundles. I will have a covered carport at the condo.

And so, I have "laid out the fleece" and I will be directed by what happens with my house, I have never had a house on the market for over 4 weeks, so we shall see what happens in this market.

I am motivated to be in Portland as most of my friends are there, as well as my church and my sister. It would cut down on the amount of driving, plus where the condo is located, I would have fairly close freeway access to Salem where my kids live.

This is the place I have an offer on. It is only two bedrooms and one bathroom, with 965 square feet. It is the one on the left.

The following two pictures show the front yard and circle at the end of the culdesac upon which the units are located.

The condo will need a lot of TLC, some simple rewiring, and paint and paper....but that is right up my alley--I love fixing up! Fortunately it has an updated kitchen, and bathroom. My second bedroom will be my craft room, so for the first time in 20 years I will not have a guest room. I plan to invest in a good quality 'hide a bed' for the living room which will fit in with my decor....and I will be without a family room, so the TV will be in the living room, but in a cabinet with closing doors!! I've never had a TV in my living room in all the years I've owned homes!

I will still have room for you to come visit--if you are older than I, then I will give you my room, but if you're younger, you will get the living room! Also, I will still have room for dinner parties.

If this all falls into place I plan to take a lot of before and after pictures. I'm already checking out prices, looking for things that I will need. The Internet surely cuts down on looking in stores. I'm going to have a ball getting things fixed up.

This will be a HUGE lifestyle change for me...and I realize that this will be a new chapter in my life. I hope that if it comes to pass, I will graciously adjust, make friends easily, and get involved in the activities.

Will keep you posted!!

Resurrection Day Greetings

Somebody Special

I would like you to meet Bert and Colleen Elliot, Missionaries, who have served in Peru since 1949. They will soon be home for a few weeks, with many special events planned for them. Since I will be writing of these wonderful family occasions, I thought you should be introduced to two of the dearest people in my life.

Where do I begin? Bert, I have known all my life, and Colleen almost as long. Even as young people, they were exemplary in their walk with the Lord.

As a very young couple, they were willing to follow God’s will in going to minister in Peru. Now in their 60th year of service, only eternity will reveal all that God has been pleased to do through these two dear servants of God.

They began their work in in a hot humid river town called Lagunas. There they shared a tiny cottage with another missionary couple. Their shared house had rammed earth walls and a dirt floor, without benefit of electricity, running water, bathroom - or privacy. They lived for several months, as newlyweds, in this situation. (Its hard to imagine isn’t it?)

They have lived in the high mountains, as well as on the jungle rivers where they spent time on their boat, the Maranatha. For several months of the year, they ministered to many little riverside towns and villages.

In their early years, part of their ministry consisted of Bert pulling teeth and Colleen delivering babies. As they begin to see fruit in their labours, little groups of believers began to form in Yurimaguas, where they lived for many years, and in the river villages. They grew into churches as they studied the Word and recognized leadership.

Since 1988 they have lived in the seaside town of Trujillo.

Elizabeth Elliot’s husband, Lars, wrote after a visit, “They are available for any who call or that ring the doorbell, whether expected or unexpected. Along with open doors there are the Bible Studies, their involvement in the Christian School which is part of the church that was started years ago. Plus there is an exceptional drug program leading addicts into a new life based on Scripture. Not all make it, but many respond to the Gospel.”

Lars goes on to write, “All this after 59 years on the field with no thought of rocking chair or hanging out a shingle saying, ‘busy, please call again.’ What a life of service!”

Bert said to Lars on their last day visiting that if he had been given paper and pencil and told to draw out the perfect wish and plan for his life, it would not have been half as good as what the Lord opened for them. He quoted from Psalm 16, “the lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.”

In looking back over their lives in Peru, Bert says, “It is like looking back from a moving boat. You see the beautiful patterns in the wake. We found God’s will and now look back with wonder and adoration to see what God has done.”

As I gathered data for this collection of thoughts, my own observations over the many years we’ve been friends, as well as cousins, are rich in warm, wonderful memories. They are such happy people, always smiling, and radiating Christlike love in all of their comings and goings. Several years ago, they both had bouts with cancer, a knee replacement, and they continue to live with the general problems of aging bodies.

Home on furlough, a long time ago, we were all at a family picnic and I asked Bert to look at my six year old Susie’s tooth which was growing in strangely. He asked our Uncle Ted for some pliers and calmly pulled her offending tooth before Sue knew what had happened.

From the time my Jonathan was about three, every time “Uncle” Bert came home, he would be just enthralled. When he was about three or four, whenever anyone came to our house, he would sit them all down, pass out “Bibles” to everyone, then announce he was going to preach to them like “Uncle Bert” does, and he would proceed to “preach” just telling Bible story after Bible story, until he ran out of stories. He would close his Bible, say “amen” and that was the end. I had a few neighbors that used to stop in just to hear him “preach”. Just a funny little kid story, but what an example Bert was to Jonathan....the beautiful part of that story is that Jon’s son, Elliot, is just as enthralled with “Uncle” Bert as his Dad was!

...and today, Jonathan, the grown man, preaches.

I cannot close this without mentioning their music. They sing together in beautiful harmony. Their melodious voices can lift the spirits like none I’ve ever heard! People were drawn to them in the town squares of the many little villages, they visited, by their singing, with Colleen playing the accordion. Bert then had the opportunity to preach.

Over the sixty years we’ve seen them every few years when they came home for furlough, we have spent many happy hours together in my home. I never let them leave without blessing us with a duet to complete the evening.

I want to close this with the meaningful words from a hymn I have heard them sing in duet many times.........

Because He Lives

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!
***
And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict'ry,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!

Stay tuned for more!

A Glorious Sunday

Today 'Mr. Golden Sun' is shining! It is a marvelous day. Seventy degrees and blessing us all! We have so many dark gray days in Oregon, that it feels like rebirth when the sun comes out!!

I feel like a different person when the sun shines. I've been just rejoicing since I woke up with renewed energy, and a happy heart.

This is indeed ' the day that the Lord has made'....and I am rejoicing in it! I hope it is followed by many more identical days!!

Just thought I would share our good news with all of you!!

Oregon's Columbia River Gorge

Some pictures from last week's trip up the gorge to enjoy the beautiful sights along our lovely Columbia River.

Here's Sophie, the Yorkie, looking around from some type of harness her 'mom' wears.

Grandson Elliot who declined my offer of a haircut very vehemently!!

Molly, looking a little windblown in front of Multnomah Falls.

High up on the old Columbia River Highway, sits the Vista House, from which the next few pictures were taken.

The far background in these pictures is the state of Washington
which borders the Columbia River on the north side!

Hope you enjoyed a few pictures from our beautiful Oregon!!

I Think I'm Back!

Its hard to believe it has been seven weeks since I last posted. I left you all with the list of things I had to do to "fix" my back......well, so far I have not heard from the rehab clinic!! So I have muddled on with the things they had me do at home, which only exacerbated the situation. Finally I stopped and things went back to my "normal".

I talked to them this week and they assure me it is just a matter of getting me in their schedule, but I'm out of the notion, I think. If I can keep moving with gentle exercise, i.e. my stationary bike, following a walking tape, and swimming, I think that will be as helpful as anything I could do by driving an hour each way to the rehab place.

Sooooooo......let's change the subject. I think I am going to come back to blogging, but hopefully with shorter posts! (I'm not sure that I can tell what I have to say with fewer words!!)

Today is the last day of Spring Break here in Oregon. I have had grandson, Elliot, for part of the week, and then his parents came yesterday with Molly, and have done some exploring. Today they are in downtown Portland, riding our Max train and having a good time in "fare less" square. I fixed them a good lunch, so hopefully there will be a dry part in the day where they can enjoy the lunch on a park bench.

It has been good for me to plan for them. I did some cooking and baking ahead of time and put in the freezer, so meals have been easy, but delicious!! They are all good helpers, so kitchen clean-up is a breeze.

I'm enjoying the quiet day with their doggie, Sophie, a little black Yorkie. She loves her "grandma" and comes to find me from time to time. She always looks as if she is saying, "What doing, Gram?"

In the garage is a guinea pig that Molly brought home from school for the week!!

Tonight we are planning to rent Fireproof, the movie starring Kirk Cameron.

Until later.......

Farewell for now...

Its with a real sense of sadness that I say good bye to blogging on this blog for now, as other things in my life will be taking up my time in the months to come. I have loved your visits, your loving and encouraging comments, getting to "know" many of you and just the fun and challenge of thinking of things about which to post!

As many of you know, who have followed my blog, I suffer from chronic and, at times, acute, pain in my upper back of over thirty years duration. The acute phases are happening far more frequently and I'm sitting more and more. A terrible cycle has continued in my body over these many years, in my muscle skeletal system and the time has come (way over due) to start repairing the damage that has been done.

Yesterday I was evaluated at a very long session (six hours) at a Rehab Institute which has had great success with pain management. Long story short, my life style is going to change dramatically in the next few months.

I will be meeting at the rehab institute one day a week for several hours of therapy.

I have therapy to do at home with "rubber bands".

I must ride my recumbent bike daily.

I will be in a specialized aquatic program three days a week.

I must keep a food diary daily.

I must get to bed between eleven and twelve p.m., instead of between two and four a.m.

This is a drastic life style change for me. I am hoping that I will have time to still make cards! I am going to continue with my card blog, hopefully, for now.

If you ever think about it, I would so appreciate your prayers, as this is going to be one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. The consistancy is a necessity, which will be difficult for me. (I am making a spread sheet for some accountability)

I plan to keep up with your blogs, but will not be as faithful at leaving comments because of these new time constraints.

Good-bye for now.

Its been a great ride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Here's a night shot taken recently during our big snow event, no idea who took it, but to get that much clarity and depth of field they were good!! The Hawthorne Bridge is one of the several which crosses the Willamette river through the heart of the city. The river is very still in this shot, which is unusual, but for the small hours of the morning when river traffic is nil and the wind is quiet.

Enjoy!!

"Daddy's here."

Several years ago my grandchildren were baptized by their Dad one Sunday after the morning service at their church. As grandson, Elliot, stepped down into the water to join his waiting Dad, he was visibly shaking and his nervousness was very apparent. As soon as he was in the water, his Dad gathered him close to himself and through his mike we could hear him say to his son, "Its okay, buddy, Daddy's here." And with that Elliot's body relaxed into his Dad's.

As I heard this, of course, I was moved. I almost immediately thought of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. We tremble and shake over the courses of events which fill our lives, and yet when we will relax in Him, can't you almost hear Him say, "Its okay, child of Mine, 'Daddy" is here."

How often I forget the beauty and simpleness of it all. My Father, God, has everything about me wrapped in His love and in His presence. What a wonderful comfort!!

five pounds of stew meat

Some time ago I bought a package of stew meat at Cosco--five plus pounds to be exact. Usually I divide it into four-five packages, but for some reason (laziness, probably) I did not divide it and there it has sat--big huge package in the freezer.

Then I came upon this recipe at Patty's Pantry, and I knew I wanted to make it. Patty has some wonderful recipes which I have used before. Her two sites not only feed the soul, but also the body!

I decided to make Patty's Barley-Mushroom soup! That would take one and half pounds of the mountain of meat!


Next I decided to make a double recipe of my son Jon's favorite recipe--Beef Burgundy. I am going to give you the single recipe I usually make--as you read through it think 'doubled!'
This is super easy and sooooo yummy!

Beef Burgundy
1 1/2 to 2 pounds stew meat
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
2 envelopes of Lipton Dry Onion Soup Mix
2 cups of red wine (alcohol cooks out)

Put in a soup kettle, dutch oven, or something with a lid. Put in oven and cook at 200 degrees for eight to ten hours!

Serve over brown rice! Delicious

Its right out of the oven. Rich brown gravy, and the smell is marvelous!


Here it is in a bowl--I always serve it on a dinner plate with the rice and then the gravy and meat over that. I don't have any rice made as this is going into the freezer in two big batches.


Enjoy!

Farewell, Mr. President

Although I voted for you.... twice..... I did not always agree with your decisions....... however, whether I agreed with you or not, I will say that you have always been a “class act”. You and Laura have displayed amazing dignity under the vitriolic hatred that has been spewed at you over the last eight years.

It can be said, without fear of serious argument, that no previous president has been treated as brutally, viciously, and as unfairly as you were.

You have endured a deliberate and planned assault on everything you stood for, everything you were involved in, and everything you tried to accomplish. Your enemies were willing to risk the country’s safety, its economic health, and the very balance of the democratic system of government in order to get at you. They have been out to bring you down at all costs, or at the very least, to destroy your personal and presidential reputation.

As the New York Times began jeopardizing national security by publishing secret security documents it had obtained, the fact that you were able to curtail any further attacks while the media, as a whole. was working to undermine your efforts, is a little less than miraculous.

In all of these attacks, you have exhibited nothing but serenity. You will be viewed by history as a man who picked up the worst hand of cards dealt to any president since Roosevelt...and you played it out better than anyone had a right to expect.

Other presidents may encounter the same level of mindless hatred and suffer comparable abuse--but we can be sure that no one will ever meet it with more equanimity than you did!!

Your breeding was never more apparent, than when you were under attack.

Your graciousness to the Obamas in helping them with their transition, has been admirable. I have appreciated your positive words, for the Obamas. I believe you show a genuine warmth for President Obama. I suspect you admire his sense of family, his relaxed and easygoing nature, and his character.

With this, I wish you well. .

I believe history will treat you much more kindly than your contemporaries have.

Farewell, George and Laura--God speed!!

Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory
that far outweighs them all.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4 : 17-18

********************************

I wrote this because, for the past eight years, the hatred I have heard expressed toward George Bush was more than anything I have ever experienced, having lived through many presidents. We have all had problems with presidents and their decisions, but this raw hatred, expressed by many of my liberal friends and acquaintances, wore me down. Along with this hatred was the implied stupidity with which the Republicans were viewed. If you didn't agree with "them" you were stupid and uninformed...and several of my friends seemed to be consumed with their hatred. It has not been a comfortable eight years for those of us who aren't liberal in our thinking. I have a right to my beliefs, as do they, without hatred and derision being so blatant!

As I watched the inauguration, hearing the jeering and cat calls towards George and Laura Bush made me sick...so if you have read this far, you know what brought this post on!!

. This will be my only post with political overtones, I promise. I am committed to praying for President Obama and supporting him in all that I can. The last eight years have taught me something--respect for the Office, regardless of what I may or may not agree.

The last scrapbook from the cedar chest!

...."and so 1956 begins"

is found on the front page of this scrapbook which contains a history of a very tragic event, yet a very triumphant and very meaningful part of our Christian history.


I began this scrapbook the day our daily newspaper had a headline about a Portland man, Jim Elliot, missing with four of his companions in Ecuador, as they were trying to meet with a stone age tribe of Auca Indians with whom they desired to share the love of God, through Jesus Christ.

Articles soon began appearing in periodicals and magazines--also the program from Jim Elliot's memorial service is on the left page.

LIFE magazine did a very large spread about the situation. I have chosen a few pages below to photograph. (double clicking gives you a better view)

'Letters to the editor' of Life on the left side and an article from Christian Walk on the right.

Moody Monthly covered the story with many pictures and personal stories
of the families involved.

Aviation Fellowship had a whole magazine dedicated as Nate Saint was one of their pilots. (I see the picture from the front had been cut out--probably for some report one of the kids did on something from that era)

Readers Digest had a condensed version of "Through Gates of Splendor"

And last, an article from The Sunday School Times--I don't even know if
that is around anymore.

This scrapbook went to school with many of the fifth graders in my home, as that is the year they studied South America....so the scrapbook is tattered and torn, but has been read and read by many, many people!

If you are interested in reading further how my own life was changed because of this event in our history you might want to read this post.