God's Work in Progress

The Long Way Around & My Crockpot God

2009-07-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

So, Toby has been preaching thru Exodus...and not boring as you would expect. Last week he talked about the fact that God knew the Israelites weren't immediately ready for the promised land when they first came out of Egypt, so He led them on the long way around to Israel before letting them in...also talked about how the manna wasn't really what they necessarily WANTED, but what they NEEDED at the time. We've been struggling along with not being on staff with a church anywhere-but kind of enjoying being a part of a congregation that acts, instead of fighting about what we should do as a congregation. Anyway...we came to the realization that we are on the long way around...that our current jobs, while good jobs, are what we NEED right now to survive. Can you see the parallels???
Then this morning, he made a comment about the fact that we don't serve a microwave God, but a crockpot God...one who doesn't always take care of our problems immediately, but makes us wait & learn along the road. Not that He doesn't ever do things on an immediate basis - He still does, but everything is on HIS time schedule, not mine. So, here we are, being patiently impatient while we can sometimes catch a sniff of the wonderful meal/plan He has cooking for us.

As for the summer, we are doing pretty well. The boys have yet to destroy the house while we're gone - and Bob was finally assigned a branch permanently - across the street from mine! Now, if we could get our schedules to match, we could ride together!

Moving across the country

2009-04-08T17:09:00.000-07:00

Wow...its been 6 months since I last posted anything...guess I've have had other things on my mind. In the middle of January, the church offered a package to Bob that would pay him thru the end of May and raise $5000 to assist us in moving to Texas to be closer to my family. So, his last working Sunday was February 15th, and we headed out March 5th across the country, stopping along the way to see Bob's family in San Diego as well as Vegas. So here we are, I just found a job only 23 miles away, but takes me close to an hour to get there if there's traffic. Bob is still looking furiously for employment-had an interview with a company called Joshua Expeditions-they aid churches/schools in executing mission trips-somthing he would LOVE to do. The boys are doing okay-Nat is at a school with only 5th & 6th graders...changing classrooms & has a locker already. Nick is in one of 5 1st grade classes of 20 at his school. They are getting settled, altho they still have their moments of missing friends back home.
It has been an adventure to say the least! We are living in a house owned by my sister and her hubby, so we aren't trying to have all 10 of us living in their house.
I'll try to post some more later, its time to get some boys to bed, laundry finished, and lunches made for tomorrow.

On death and birth

2008-10-01T16:39:00.000-07:00

So...Monday night at 11pm, Bob gets a text from one of our former youth who is still in the area - her dad has been battling stomach issues for close to 2 years now, only to be diagnosed about 6 weeks ago with pancreatic cancer. The text was simple, "Please pray for my dad. They say he may not survive the night. Please pray that he not have pain." Its Wednesday, and they are in the process of getting the house ready for hospice care as the doctors cannot do much else to help him, only keep him comfortable. The young lady who sent the text is not taking it well, as ultimately, she is a daddy's girl thru and thru - her older sister is being strong, but her kids are in 7th and 4th grade respectively and have lived w/grandpa nearly all their lives - this will be a rough one to say the least!
As for the birth - one of my former youth and now a friend had her baby on Tuesday -and he is precious...it was quite the roller coaster of a day since the above mentioned gentleman is in the same hospital - I saw them both Tuesday afternoon - elation of a new baby to the awfulness of just waiting for God to call one of His own home to heaven. This is one of those times when its hard being in ministry - going from one end of the spectrum of emotion to the other in very little time, while dealing with all my own stress.

6 long weeks

2008-09-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

EDIT: A good chunk of this post has been deleted after the wise advise of both my younger sister and my dad...lots of things going on at the church - not too many of which are positive...if you want the gory details - send me an email, I'll fill you in on more of what's happening, even beyond what was here originally...
The boys started school - and are doing okay - Nat's teacher this year is doing what he can to develop a sense of personal responsibility in his pupils - but from what I can tell, most of them are struggling with it. He currently has a D in math, not because he can't do it, but because it is the accelerated math program that he is supposed to do at his own speed. I'll admit, we've alway kind of corrected him and prodded him along to get things done, but a D is just unacceptable. We met with the teacher yesterday and included Nat in the conversation so he can be part of the solution - and knows that he needs to step things up - he can do the work - he just doesn't see the value in it...so why do it? Nick is doing great, reading better each day and having a ball in his class.
On the agenda today - doing laundry, taking Nat to a play date & Nick & I spending time just us two while Bob golfs in a tournament with a friend. Somewhere in there, I need to plan a get together for Nick's bday midweek...man...I'm busy....

Interwebness

2008-08-01T21:06:00.000-07:00

So, not too long ago, my best friend from gradeschool emails me to tell me I should join facebook, since there were several of us from our graduating class on it - I did, found them all and even had a mini reunion in March at CBU. I've since found some other people from our old church and been able to keep in contact with some former students. But, the other day, I get a "friend request" from someone that says "Is this the Michelle who's wedding I was in 20 years ago?" I 'bout fell off my chair. I haven't talked to Stephanie in literally years...we were good buddies at Magnolia Avenue, and drifted apart...now she's in Atlanta with 3 kids, an author hubby...and a facebook page! Whodda thunk it - I added her blog to my list over there >>>>>> go check it out as she processes thru parenting, ministry and life...

Out of the mouths of babes

2008-07-29T18:29:00.000-07:00

So, Bob came home from Brasil on Wednesday the 23rd, and left for camp at Jenness Park on the following Monday with the youth for Centrifuge...once he's home, he's home for good...at least not going anyway for long trips for awhile. Tonight he called here like he does every night from camp, and is feeling lousy - head cold has taken up residence in his precious head. He's telling Nick this on the phone tonight, and Nick says, "Do you want me to pray for you?" Bob says sure - so Nick does, right there on the phone with no prompting from me. Tears. Then I'm thinking, why aren't we all that way? I mean, when someone calls with a prayer need, why do we say, "Sure, I'll pray for you." Then forget about it till we see that person again. Instead of praying immediately with them, even over the phone. And he's only 6!
We are doing pretty good - I hate to say that we've gotten kinda used to Bob not being here, but we kinda have. Spent the day yesterday shopping for school supplies, and then swimming at some friends house...just hanging out. Gotta get 5 bags of stuff sorted - but we'll make it happen soon.
Dinner's ready - gotta run.

More prayer thoughts

2008-07-18T20:30:00.000-07:00

This blogging community can be so cool sometimes! Carlos over at ragamuffinsoul.com is conducting a "world wide prayer meeting". He asked for requests from the many of us who read his blog on a regular basis, and is literally just praying thru the comments live on his mac...when I signed out, there were 40 people all over, praying together at our individual computers for whatever was next. Posting prayers in the chat part of the video link, too...I had posted a request and ended up with shivers as I listened to him pray and knowing that tons of people were lifting little 'ol me up in prayer. I've never met Carlos, I've met his dad - but I feel like I do know him and his family - and we're part of this great community called the body of Christ together. I'm speechless.....

Prayer partners

2008-07-14T13:26:00.000-07:00

this morning has been cool - I met with a few people at our church to pray for Bob, knowing that literally around the world, others are praying too...west Asia, Africa and Italy, besides Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, Texas, Oregon...how cool is that!

the care of teenagers and their families

2008-07-11T19:07:00.000-07:00

So, last night I was logged into my facebook account and was chatting live w/one of my former youth. Seems she and her family are really having some struggles right now that seem to be centered around her parents' relationship. I know that they have been involved in marital counseling (from both parties), but I'm trying to find that line of caring for a hurting young lady and not making her parents look like idiots (they're not) to her. I also know that as a parent, our tendency is to make things look better than they are to protect our kids - but I think its past that for them...anyway...pray for them, and for me...I need to be compassionate, wise and a dispenser of truth in all of this.

What happens when Mommy gets bored

2008-07-11T15:21:00.000-07:00

okay, so the quality (the picture, not the drawing) isn't the greatest, but you get the idea - its too hot & smoky to go outside, and I needed some distraction - so there we have it! The belly button belongs to Nick, the other is Nat's knee - tried to do it so the face was smiling whether I was looking at it or he was - I had to bribe Nat to let me do it, he wasn't too keen on letting Mom have at him with a pen!

Life

2008-07-09T19:40:00.001-07:00

I realized just how depressed I probly sounded in that last post - I was in the dumps, and am dealing with it better now than I was. We found a replacement hygienist quickly, and she is a believer too, which makes things feel smoother already. As for the church stuff, I'm still not happy & my body knows it. For the last two Sunday ams, my stomach has rebelled with the runs - ya think its reacting to the stress factor of having to be in a place that isn't real supportive? We are petitioning our savior for clear direction and guidance - and unfortunately, because we're human, it isn't coming fast enough for us!
Nat got his cast off today - Dr said that because of his age, things heal quickly and thoroughly and all looks good. He is a little stiff & sore from not being able to move it for a month, but all is good. He is a brave little man - hopping right up to have it cut off, and laying his arm out just like they needed it for the xrays. Experience I suppose....
Bob is on his way to Brasil even as we speak..left town early this morning. I head down to San Fran w/the rest of the group tomorrow morning...pray for safety while driving...don't need another blown tire in the bus!

Firings and business meetings

2008-06-29T19:18:00.000-07:00

So, my boss decided to let go one of my hygienists - the problem, he didn't make any provisions ahead of time of what to do about the 8 patients I have scheduled on Tuesday morning. I was more than a little frustrated Friday afternoon, to say the very least. I enjoy my job and the girls I work with - but, on occasion, my boss, like all bosses can sometimes make decisions and leave the rest of us to deal with the ramifications. I appreciate the confidence in my ability, but don't like the assumption that I will just be able to make a licensed hygienist appear out of thin air (on my afternoon off)! :) Anyway, placed the help wanted ad, contacted the lock smith & got a replacement for Wednesday, but not Tuesday or Thursday. More jewels in my crown maybe?? As for the business meeting reference, a committee I sit on chose to meet informally, and make decisions,then let me know about it later. I did express my opinion on what they had chosen, but they chose to proceed anyway. Since I have agreed to NOT speak out in a business meeting about what we disagree about in committee - I just simply voted "no" today against what they were recommending. Due to the political nature of the power players (who happen to be opposed to whatever Bob or our pastor recommends), the motion passed anyway. We are waiting on God's leading - He still hasn't released us from this church yet, and Lord knows we've tried to find positions elsewhere, so here we stay until He says go. Pray for my hubby, he is discouraged and frustrated with all of this, and with watching me get stuck in the middle. It kills him that my opinion doesn't account for anything in a committee since I'm his wife, and thus any opinion is really his, not my own mind. Enough ranting - Bob & the boys had had a ball playing Wii at my sister's when we were there - so, since we had some extra funds left at the end of June, we bought one yesterday as a belated Father's Day gift. Bob spent most of the afternoon playing and the boys played for awhile after he left for a meeting. I want to find a Wii Fit so I can maybe get this 40 year old flabby body in shape. So far, everywhere is sold out - I'll just have to keep looking. Hey - my left palm is itching - doesn't that mean I'm supposed to get money soon??? :) That would be grand! Nat should be getting his cast off the 9th if all has healed correctly - lets hope so...its really hard to be a little boy in the summer w/a cast when everyone else is swimming. That's all for now - I think I've vented enough for tonight.

Texas pictures

2008-06-23T22:15:00.000-07:00

Realized I hadn't posted any pix from our journey....the top one is four of the six kids around my sister's pool; middle one is the 4 of us at the Gaylord Texan; and the bottom is Grandma & Papa w/6 of the 8 "bubbas"....

20 Years

2008-06-18T19:19:00.001-07:00

While in Texas, Bob & I celebrated our 20 year wedding anniversary - Cass had enough points to gift us with a local hotel room to get away from everyone, he & Danielle kept the boys for us, and my parents kicked in some $$ toward a great dinner out. We wandered around Grapevine Mills (outlet mall) and just enjoyed the time away. Hard to believe that 20 years have passed since we married (can't say "since we said I do" since we never did - shhhhh)...its been quite the ride, graduations, kids, mission trips, church changes and lots of fun. I married a wonderful man who always cares about me & the boys - and puts up with all my crazy moods!

Texas Trip 2008

2008-06-18T19:10:00.000-07:00

So, we survived the week w/my parents and sister & her kids...Nick nearly drowned (bro in law Cass jumped in & rescued him - spraining his ankle in the process); and Nat broke his left arm 24 hours before we were to get on the plane to come home! One of my sister's friends is an ER physician at Cooks Children's Hospital in Fort Worth, and agreed to see Nat in his home first to determine if we really needed to head someplace for real attention - sure enuf, we did. Small favors like that helped the process go faster, that is for sure! Instead of waiting in a random Urgent Care for 30 minutes to only get a splint, we spent that time driving to the ER where he had called ahead for us, so we got in almost immediately. Two hours later, we were on our way home w/a Dallas Cowboy blue cast. He & Bob left for camp Monday morning, cast & all...Nick & I have been home, just hanging out being mommy & son, enjoying the relative quiet...we spent most of Monday, driving all over town taking care of Brazil business trying to get a few final things ready to depart...honestly, I was ready to come home just cause its hard to live out of a suitcase & the 5 older kids were just about to the end of good time together...tired of each other & the heat.

Graduations

2008-05-31T14:27:00.000-07:00

So, the Christian school where the boys attend do 3 graduations every year - kindergarten, 8th grade, and of course, high school....Nick graduated Tues nite (I'll post some pictures later), and one of our friends' daughters graduated from 8th grade today. I had to laugh, tho, 2 young ladies got up and sang "Friends" by Michael W. Smith...it was all the rage when I graduated from high school (are you ready?) 22 years ago this coming week! Nick was laughing cuz I was singing along! Bob is in Brazil, preparing for a busy week of meetings as he works with the churches getting things ready for July. Check out the Brazil blog to the side - he will update as he has time from there....

Busy-ness begins

2008-05-24T14:32:00.000-07:00

Well, life has officially gotten crazy - from Thursday, May 15th thru Wednesday, May 21st, we had: pastors wives retreat, Bob's family here, 4th grade campout, and a trip to Sunsplash water park. And it only gets busier! June holds: Bob's prep trip to Brazil, me & the boys meeting him in Dallas on the way home for a week at my parents, kids camp for Bob & Nat,VBS, and a youth trip to Sunsplash. July is the big Brazil trip and youth camp into August. School starts back on the 18th, then maybe, just maybe things will slow down, but I doubt it! Even numbered summers are heck on wheels - we just hang on and let God work! Somewhere in the middle of all this, I turned 40 - not sure I feel forty, I just feel old!

B..... slapped by grief

2008-03-30T18:45:00.000-07:00

I know - 2 posts in one weekend...but I figured I'd let you (all 3 of you) know what went thru my mind this morning... 1st - our worship leader picked "Because He Lives" to sing this morning...normally I'm okay when I know its coming (it was sung at Nicki's funeral/memorial service) and usually do okay - figured it wouldn't be any different this morning. 2nd - Her birthday is coming up on the 12th, so I was thinking about her as well...3rd - our Bible Study lesson for the youth was based in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 about being able to see those who have passed in heaven when we die ourselves. I just lost it completely by the end of the lesson. My wonderful praise team members humored me & let me flake at the last minute (10 minutes before taking the stage) and who love me anyway...

Life

2008-03-28T14:11:00.000-07:00

I know, I know its been forever - I'm a busy woman who spends time online, but don't always have the time to compose my thoughts enough for you all (the 3 of you who look here) to read. I'm running crazy like usual, and today, actually had some time to sit...I should be doing laundry, but not too desirable at the moment - especially since there are still 2 loads to fold & put away from last weekend's laundry doing!
We have made the hard decision to NOT have the boys & I head to Brazil with Bob on the prep trip...the economy has impacted everything, and we weren't able to raise the money to go...while it wasn't an easy decision, its the right thing for this year. I will be contacting those of you who donated to see what you want done with what you contributed - I can refund it to you if you so desire...or I can transfer it to the general account in case there is someone else who needs it, or for other expenses that arise.
I had the chance to get together with 4 of my high school friends while we were at Cal Baptist in March - kind of a mini reunion - it was great to see Mary, Lynda, Tiff, Jena again! We chatted just like it had been days instead of years since the last time we were all together.
Now, its time to run - gotta go get the boys, get some bottled water for Bob, and probly go watch the baseball game - although its now cold and windy - don't know how long we'll last outside!

Here I sit....

2008-02-22T19:43:00.000-08:00

You can finish the rest of that if you want....we're watching Indiana Jones #3 - Bob's at a basketball playoff game and we decided to stay home. More rain this last week, makes for muddy boys (including Bob). Headed to one of the local police departments w/Nick's kindergarten class today - his favorite part? The taser demonstration! They put handcuffs on one of the boys...we couldn't get them to let us have 27 pair! Nat got to sing at the pastor appreciation luncheon their school does each year - so we got to be "appreciated" and see him sing all at the same time. We've managed to keep fairly healthy this flu season, Nat spent 3 of 5 days home one week, but for the most part, we've been good. The dugouts still aren't done - but they're close - the season starts next week. Much ado about...seems like I'm always running - work, church, scouts, baseball - somewhere in there I sleep I think! I really should go clean up the dinner mess - I actually got to cook tonight - can't remember the last time I turned on the stove!

I dunno...I'm busy

2008-01-19T11:53:00.000-08:00

What a whirlwind the past few months have been. We headed to So Cal for Christmas with Bob's family since mine is all in Texas or Ohio now...had a great time staying at his brother's home and spending time with his mom. We did take just a Veach family day with Mickey...Nick finally got to ride Indiana Jones (he was 1/2 inch too short last year), they loved it! Spent 4 days in Long Beach for Tsunami (annual State Youth conference). The youth get freaked out 'cause we always run into all sorts of people we knew from college and our years in So Cal.
Now, we need to start focusing on this summer's trip to Brazil - God willing, we will raise the $$ needed for the boys & I to head south with Bob when he heads down to set things up in early June. Most of you have probably received a letter asking for at a minimum your prayers, and we do really covet those! And some of you have already even sent some monetary support - of which we are really grateful as well. I will do my best to keep you all updated on our progress - our next big step is passports for the boys, which we should be able to get going next weekend (both parents have to be present to apply). I was in Brazil 24 years ago now and am looking forward to going back!
Time to go switch laundry and make some lunch for the monkeys before they head out with Bob to help get a baseball field ready. I forgot to mention, we did survive the awful wind storm that hit 2 weeks ago - 65 mph winds are not normal in this area. Some people in the area went for over a week w/o power! We got lucky & only lost it for nearly 10 hours. So, the batting cages at the Christian high school were semi destroyed - nothing up here is made to withstand that much wind.
Have a great weekend!

One month later

2007-11-24T17:36:00.000-08:00

So, here I am at Jenness Park for our annual Thanksgiving trip - whaddya know, they've got wifi so I'm able to keep track of the outside world to some extent & keep you all updated with us - obviously, we are alive - there are now carbon monoxide detectors in all the sleeping quarters in all the cabins - after our little incident, those were installed & everyone is supposed to sign a release of liability waiver to stay here. Think they were a little scared??? The boys love coming up here every year, and Nat has had a ball showing us where he had Bible study and rec this summer at camp - and we went on a couple hikes as well as hit Wally world on Black Friday. Next year, hopefully some friends can come up as well & share the holiday with us. Its been cold at night, but we were actually kinda warm today while climbing around. When Nick saw the pick of them from a distance, he couldn't figure out where his legs went! The camo worked! Hope you all had a great turkey day!

Updates

2007-10-30T20:15:00.000-07:00

Fall in this household always feels like a merry go round that won't stop! I helped a friend lead worship at a women's retreat one weekend - headed to the Revolve tour with 5 teenage girls the next - Bob was gone for nearly a week at his own conference - one of these days I may actually get to rest with no commitments anywhere....in my dreams! Revolve was great - treasures, not targets - I managed to lock both sets of keys in the house when I left that Friday afternoon in the bus - praise God for male friends who have ladders and are willing to help little boys be little men & rescue mommy in the dark! Nick had to go thru an open window 6 feet up to go open the front door! My little hero! Some of Bob's family was evacuated with the fires in San Diego - all homes survived, but the clean up will take a while, to be sure.
Tony commented about my sister - one of these days I need to jot down my memories of her for my kids to read...and who knows, maybe I'll interview some of you who knew her too...
Off to do something more important than blogging - help Bob sort the bus paperwork for the CHP inspection tomorrow...fun, fun, fun!

Heaven's Very Special Child

2007-10-18T20:33:00.000-07:00

A meeting was held, quite far from earth
"It's time again for another birth"
Said the Angels to the Lord above,
"This special child will need much love"

Her progress may seem very slow,
Accomplishments she may not show
And she'll require extra care
From all the folks she meets down there.

She may not run or laugh or play
Her thoughts may seem quite far away
In many ways she won't adapt,
And she'll be known as handicapped.

So let's be careful where she's sent
We want her life to be content
Please, Lord, find the right parents who
Will do this special job for You.

They will not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for this gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge, so meek and mild
Is heaven's very special child.

Copyright © 1981 by Edna Massimilla

32 years ago today, the special child in my life went "to have Sunday School with Jesus in heaven" - Nicole Marie Green - born April 12, 1972, called to heaven October 18, 1975. I was only 7 1/2 when she died, yet, she made a HUGE impact on my life. It is her name that inspired my Nick to be Nicholas...there are so many memories in my brain - and tears in my eyes now - I don't remember who gave this poem to my parents, but it goes on my Christmas tree every year as a shrinky dink. And each night, my boys say, "Good night, I love you, see you in the morning." Nicki was born with hydrocephalus, a birth defect not detected prebirth in the 70's, my parents were told to institutionalize her, they defied that & brought her home. We were told she wouldn't walk, wouldn't be able to say more than 3 word sentences. She ran, and she could carry on a conversation with any adult that was 3 sentences long! My brother was named after the doctors who cared for her - Anthony Lombardo and Eugene Schwenke. She is missed, yet always in our hearts and minds.

things on my mind

2007-09-30T18:11:00.000-07:00

last summer was the summer from heck with the child molester trying to come back to the church...we decided as a church that we needed a year to evaluate his behavior etc...well that year is up - so now we're back to deciding again about things. Bob & the deacons had an initial meeting yesterday to determine things, no results yet, so that's hanging around...some of our older friends have come to join the church and she is really struggling to deal with this decision as she is a survivor of molestation years ago. She told us in tears today over pizza that she will really need to do some praying as we deal with all of this.

On a positive note, my mom told me the other day that she is hearing good things about what is happening here...said she felt like Paul hearing good reports about the random churches he started. Made her & her friends (that she heard from) realize that maybe we did need to stay here even when it would have been easy to walk away.

Both boys are enjoying their new school years - Nick is doing great in Kindergarten, and Nat is doing well in 4th grade...can't believe they're that old already!

Warning - PMS/work rant

2007-09-25T14:34:00.000-07:00

Why is it that some bosses who are not detail oriented just expect those of us who are to know the details of something fairly new without them informing us of the details? Case in point - our new owner/boss/dentist does the implant process (where they place the titanium screw in your jaw, then later attach a crown to it) - we, however have never really done all of this process before. Our first implant patient was scheduled this morning for the 2nd step in the process - did any of us order the next step worth of parts? NOOOOOO, because we had no idea we needed to! So we get our backsides chewed because we had to cancel the patient until we get the parts here (because parts is parts - I digress). Once he arrives at one of the other offices, he calls here because he is missing the handpiece (drill) with which to place the implants. His patient is in the chair, numb, and no way to do treatment. Since we were the last office to use the handpiece, we get a new hole because we didn't make sure he took the equipment! ARGH!!!!!!enough ranting....

Oh - I forgot to say that Nick lost his 1st tooth the other day - he was all excited to put the envelope under his pillow & then look in the morning. The tooth fairy had to tape quarters to a sheet of paper since the smallest bill around was a $10!

Catching up

2007-09-19T20:08:00.000-07:00

Wow, we've been home quite a while & I have yet to post about the rest of our trip...
spent 4 hours in the second largest Cabela's in the nation - think Walmart sized store, only all dedicated to hunting, fishing, camping etc...even to the point of having museum style displays of donated "kills" from their customers. All 3 of my boys had a ball -
Nick started kindergarten the 20th - and is loving it! Already bringing homework home to do - simple stuff, but homework nonetheless. Nat just began playing the violin for band at the school - and seems to be doing okay so far.
As for Bob & I, we're just trying to keep our heads up to see the next event. I just spent the weekend at our associational women's retreat at Richardson Springs. A relaxing fun weekend, but hit the ground running as soon as I got back on Sunday. Bob posted about some teenaged fun that we were a part of a couple weekends ago - I had to take the boys home to bed, so I can't claim complete ownership...but I was in on the planning & coverup!

Texas in August, part deux

2007-07-31T15:28:00.000-07:00

Here I sit, at my mom's dining room table in beautiful Keller, Texas...been here since Saturday - enjoying some down time with the family. Headed to Texas Stadium (hence the picture), then to Dealey Plaza (Nathanael doesn't have a new theory yet)yesterday; and to the Fort Worth stockyards to watch the cattle drive thru the city today. Right now it is 90 degrees outside with humidity to match...dark thunderclouds, but no real good thunderstorm just yet...we shall see! We'll be doing stuff with my sister & her family later in the week - her 3 are a hoot!

Texas in August

2007-07-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

So...off we go tomorrow am...why Texas in August you ask? It was the only time we could squeeze in a trip & it was $1000 cheaper to go now rather than go over July 4th...the things we do. We'll be at my parents & my sister's homes in the course of the week - most likely laying around her new pool like slugs!

Banana mobile

2007-07-18T19:41:00.000-07:00

Almost forgot - some dear friends at church are letting us borrow a car while the van spends 3 weeks in the body shop - and it is pretty much banana yellow!!! Used to be a Servicemaster company vehicle - their name is off, but not the color. In fact, Servicemaster had it painted that wonderful shade, since the posts in between the doors is the original brownish gray still! Looks like they taped off the windows and went at it with a can of spray paint.

Chill bumps and first dental visits

2007-07-18T19:32:00.000-07:00

Chill bump story first - a new friend of ours is with Bob at camp this week, and kept just covertly staring at another youth pastor who was conversing with Bob about the knee injury from last summer. She finally questioned his identity Tuesday morning, only to discover that he was a dear friend of her parents who had both been killed in a plane crash when she was a child. An aunt was awarded custody and never followed up on the friendships the parents had made. This gentleman has not seen our friend in years! It gets better - her dad was still conscious when he made it to the hospital and asked the nurse to call 3 people for him - the first name was this gentleman - basically her dad got theses words out "take care of my girls for me". Since the aunt kind of walked away from all the girls knew, this poor guy has had no way of knowing how they were doing and such, and has been carrying all kinds of guilt for years about it. He is a school teacher & would only be at camp Monday thru Wednesday, and they not only were there the same week, but made the connection within hours of being there! Is that God or what?!?!
As for dental visits, I know, I know, I work in an office, you'd think I'd get my kids in when they needed to - Nat had been seen before, but not Nick - so, the hygienists had time today, and I had a car - so off I went to get them. No cavities for either, but pretty much a given that braces are in the future for both. They inherited my crooked teeth instead of Bob's! Nick actually has a tooth coming in behind his front ones and the one it replaces is barely loose....such is life in my household this week!

Vegas happenings

2007-07-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

So...we arrive Thursday morning in Sin City - its interesting, they're now marketing themselves with items that have those very words on them - anyway...that nite some guy decides he's going to open fire in the New York New York hotel. Noone is killed, but he sends 5 people to the hospital. Sunday am, Bob & I are headed to the strip when we notice black billowing smoke - the bus driver says its the Venetian hotel...construction accident, so the only injury is a fire fighter who got overwhelmed from the 120 degree outside temp along with his gear and the fire. And then, I keep getting 3 6's at a table game??? Maybe I shouldn't go back????? In spite of all this, we had a good time with the brothers, two sis in laws, nieces, nephews and Bob's mom. There were 15 of us all told...the guys tried to play golf Sat am, it was only 90 when they started at 8:30am...crazy heat!

Happy 4th!

2007-07-04T10:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day to you all! The boys are happily playing on the Playstation, Bob is in town, getting some last minute things together before he & I head to Sin City. We are meeting up with the majority of his brothers, two of the wives, the older grandkids, and his mom for the weekend. Should be fun! Have a great weekend....and since what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, I may or may not tell you what happened!
Bye!

Cars

2007-07-03T19:15:00.000-07:00

At 7:31pm last Monday night, my airbag in the driver's seat deployed after a huge THUD! Now, I was traveling about 65 mph on the highway, on my way home to Sutter...no one around me...yet I was fighting with the airbag & trying to get to the right side of the road - I figured I had a blow out on the left front tire. Nope - the belt (ya know, steel belted radials) had completely peeled right off the tire - kinda like an onion, but with much more force. The impact was enough on the side sensor to deploy my airbag. Just like you see in the commercials and is promised - Onstar called me immediately to verify that I was okay and to offer to call for help. None the less, I am fine, and since I was alone, so is everyone else. The van however is not okay. Drivable, but missing most of the bumper, a left turn signal, and quite dented along the front fender. The insurance has done their estimate and may go after the manufacturer of the tire since there was no evidence of a puncture. In fact, when my knight in shining armor showed up in his white steed (the 25 passenger bus) with his 2 princes, the remaining part of the tire was still holding air! It always seems that it is the left side of this vehicle that gets smashed (Bob was sideswiped about 2 years ago - same side). Oh well....the boys keep asking when its gonna get fixed...we will see since the insurance lady won't return my phone call now that the estimator is done! I'll keep you posted - meanwhile - the before pictures - sorry they aren't too clear, I was still pretty shaken up when I took them!

Baptisms

2007-06-24T17:02:00.000-07:00

Today, Bob had the privilege of baptizing Nick...the picture on the stairway was before he could see everyone out in the congregation, staring at him. See, he does okay if there is more than one person in the spotlight, even tho Daddy was with him. As soon as he saw every one, he started crying and telling me he was scared and didn't want to do it. We had practiced yesterday in a friend's pool, with Bob telling him everything that would happen and even dunking him backwards, just like he would today. It all changed in a heartbeat! Dad, once he got out and wrapped in his towel, he wanted to know if his whole body went under water! Anyway, it's done now and he was excited to get a new Bible with his name on it from the church too.

I'm safe with you, mommy

2007-06-20T16:20:00.000-07:00

Nick has done pretty good in his room by himself the last couple of nights...this morning he came in to my bed about 4am, said he had a bad dream. He wanted to be on my side of the bed - probably because its away from the door - told him no since then I'd have to climb over him repeatedly to hit the snooze an hour later. Anyway, he fell back to sleep, nestled up against my back. Later at breakfast when I asked him about it, he told me he came to my bed "because I knew I was safe with you" - how precious is that?!

Nat & Bob are surviving together - Nat fell out of the bed last night, sleeping bag and all...luckily he was on the bottom, so it was a short fall. Bob's learning to let him go do things alone, a hard adjustment for Daddy...and Mommy, but I'm not there to live it...

First camp

2007-06-18T22:15:00.001-07:00

Bob & Nathanael left this morning for Nat's first camp experience at Jenness Park. They called just after dinner, and he couldn't wait to get up the hill from the phone and into the chapel for worship - Bob finally sent him to go find the rest of the group. Bob did mention that he's having a hard time with the line of protection and letting him grow up! As in, "Dad, can I just stay here & play on the field while you go back to the cabin?" I wonder if it would have been any easier for Bob to not have gone...Nick is spending his first night in his room alone, took a little bit to get him down, but he's finally out. Everything for him right now is about being like his brother - and having Nat play with him - Nat is at the point where he likes to just be alone and read or whatever (sounds a little like me!), and so the battle ensues. We will survive!

Retreating

2007-05-22T12:46:00.001-07:00

So...me & 180 other California pastor's wives headed to Jenness Park for a weekend of commiserating and some pampering. Same place Bob heads to camp each summer with the kids - they just spoil us rotten. Got to head down the zip line twice - and did archery for the first time...got some pretty interesting bruises in the process, but had a good time none the less. Bob & the boys survived with out me, barely, but they did. Its fun for all of us to get away & be real without worrying about what the congregation will think, etc....theme this year was that we are the bride of Christ, beloved, betrothed, beautiful, your bridegroom cometh.

Birthdays & Mother's Day

2007-05-12T09:42:00.000-07:00

Well....I hit the last year of my thirties this week....and in the course of the day, felt like it was the last day of my 40's...such is life! Had a pretty good day, just a long work day. Off to a mother/daughter luncheon - I'm being adopted by one of the gals who doesn't have a daughter - then to spend my bday $$ on myself!

Came across an interesting passage of Scripture the other day - Hosea 6:1-3
"Come, and let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up. That we may live in His sight. Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth." See, it was Easter 2005 (late March that year) that was our former pastor's last Sunday with us. We voted for our new pastor almost 2 years to that date. I felt like God was telling me that He would "heal us....bind us up...revive us..." Hope is here.....

Nick graduated from preschool last night (again) - he was more excited this year than he was last year, but then he knew he had passed his entrance exam for kindergarten with flying colors on Thursday afternoon. We made the decision to keep him back last spring, and now I'm glad we did....

Time to finish getting ready for lunch....have a great day!

Saturday Afternoon

2007-04-28T16:10:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am, home with the boys while Bob has taken several men to Oroville for the associational men's BBQ - he'll be home probly while I'm at worship practice...went to Lowe's this morning so the boys could participate in their free building workshop - they got to make birdfeeder thingies today. We grabbed some left over paint from the church, and once Bob left, we painted the afore mentioned creations. Nat managed to get paint on his shorts that won't come out, but other wise, things are looking pretty good. Even got a little paint on his cast - but nothing major.

I should go fold laundry & clean the bathroom - but will I???? We shall see....

God sized dreams

2007-04-22T17:10:00.000-07:00

Todd (our new pastor) challenged us today as a congregation to set a God sized dream - I have to say I hadn't really thought about my dreams. I need to spend some time in prayer & study to figure out what that might look like for me. Pray for me as I head down that road - and I may need some input from some of you as to what you see my gifts as being.

Anyway - note the picture of the boys - Todd & his wife Dina sent Nat a goodie box the other day filled with stuff to help keep him occupied - practice golf balls too...so I took the picture for him to take home tomorrow when he goes back to SoCal. Pray for them too, they were told initially by the builder they would be in by May 1st, now it won't be till the 17th. Most of their stuff is packed & Dina is ready to be here, but alas God has other plans for them...

Off to make dinner for the boys - Bob had to head to a VBS meeting, then he'll be back to finish prepping the pinewood derby cars for Wednesday night. We've had to spray paint inside since the weather is not conducive of painting outdoors...smells like Earl Scheib in here!

Safety

2007-04-20T08:49:00.000-07:00

Well, the guy turned himself in last nite about 9:30pm to the county sheriff's office - but not before 2 counties cancelled school for today, as well as the private ones here in Yuba City. His pregnant girlfriend said that his words were twisted and he was despondent over a recent divorce. Either way, it made for a long day and a very anxious 8 year old. He's okay this morning, tummy ache yesterday afternoon tho. He couldn't figure out why they couldn't have recess yesterday, and why they were doing rainy day pick up (calling each kid from class as the parent arrived) when the sun was shining full bore. Bob told him a stripped down version, that it was for his protection, but he has his mommy's anxious heart. We're all good this morning, Bob is back at church finishing up some more painting. The boys and I will head in later to maybe do the grocery shopping and get daddy. Thanks for the prayers yesterday - they were felt!

Prayers

2007-04-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

Well, Yuba City has joined the bandwagon of having a meth crazed guy w/an AK-47 running around making threats. As much as I don't want to give in to making him more famous (infamous) than he already is, we need prayer. He confided in a local pastor, who called the authorities as he should - the secondary campus of Nathanael's school is next door to the church of the pastor. Anyway, things are tense here, schools locked down or evacuated, etc...
As for Nat's arm - new cast remodeling his "bent" arm, all signed by his class mates. No real pain in setting, just some wincing. Thanks for your concerns!

Our First Broken Bone

2007-04-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

Well, it was destined to happen with 2 little boys, I just didn't expect it to be Nathanael! Playing at a park in town, both boys running, Nick pushed Nat a little bit & down he went on the concrete. Bent his right wrist like he was trying to touch his fingers to the inside of his arm...more crying than was necessary for the skinned knee we could see - and more crying when we put pressure on the wrist. So, off to urgent care we go - an xray confirms it - a slight fracture on the arm bone just up from his wrist (toward the elbow). He has a splint for now - will see the orthopedic md next week for further evaluation and casting. Of course, true to form, it is his right arm & he has a written report due in 3 weeks! Anyway, when Nick realized that the injury was serious enough to warrant a trip to the doctor, he started crying from remorse - I told you he was compassionate - and Nathanael forgave him even before he said he was sorry! I'll post a picture later - Tony, he's got nothing on your broken arm...no setting required tonight, so I didn't nearly pass out & Bob didn't have to hide in the corner! Such is the story of my life on Friday the 13th!

Thankful for...

2007-04-07T09:47:00.000-07:00

I know, its not Thanksgiving, but as I was in the shower this morning, I was thinking of all the ways God has blessed me -
a husband who never fails to build me up in my sometimes depressing moods, but also never fails to call me on things I need to work on; his dedication to his calling in ministry is commendable; as is his calling to fatherhood (he spent most of this last week painting the children's center classrooms mostly alone, yet he spent an hour or so on the driving range with the boys & I yesterday afternoon instead of taking a nap).
my oldest son, whose intelligence astounds me sometimes - he answers some jeopardy questions before Alex is done reading them! He is a compassionate little boy who loves the creation God has made and often tells his younger brother while watching something on Discovery channel that they're wrong about some evolution theory they're spouting. He has a passion for learning that I pray will never go away. There are some college kids at church that sometimes fear his knowledge - because it is more than their own!
my youngest son, named for his late aunt - all boy, through and through, will try most anything at least once - determined like his daddy to do everything just right; but at the mere mention that I'm hurt (or pretending to be) he stops the wrestling and becomes my defender against all comers. The tears in his eyes as I defined hell on his level were real, and he has thanked Jesus each night since for coming into his heart. His Sunday School teacher tells me he always chooses the right choice when they discuss choices in class...I pray that he continues to make the right choices.

What blessings do you have in your life that sometimes you take for granted until Thanksgiving?

Salvation for Nick

2007-03-29T06:01:00.000-07:00

short version - "Mom....Nick said he's going to send me to hell." Me explaining to Nick what hell really is...does he want to go there? Does he know what he needs to do to NOT go there? Does he want to ask Jesus into his heart? Emphatic nodding. Go get the phone cause Bob is in Texas so Daddy can help him pray. Tears ensue...

My mother in law gets it

2007-03-14T18:10:00.000-07:00

Bob had the chance to chat with his mom earlier this week about how her life is going - she lives about 9 hours from us, so we don't get to see her all that often. She mentioned that one of his brothers had taken her up to church with his daughter and husband. Bob & I know the reputation of the church, in fact, we recommended it to them. Anyway, their worship is known to be quite contemporary and loud - to the point where they hand out ear plugs on the way in if you want them. So, Bob was curious to hear her thoughts on the matter, since she is nearly 81. She said that they really knew how to worship and that she enjoyed the sermon, all of it. He asked if the music was too loud or too much for her (she refused the plugs) - she said it was fine, she just enjoyed being able to worship with her granddaughter and son! Can I clone her?! We have been having this battle in our church for the 8 years we've been here! Bob nearly fell off his chair at work when he heard her answer. We will see how things transpire if/when we call the new pastor. The church if you're interested in checking things out is called Sandals. Right now they are meeting on the campus of Cal Baptist.

Oops - dinner is ready for my attention.

On Calling A Senior Pastor

2007-03-10T12:44:00.000-08:00

Many of you know that for the last 2 years we have been without a senior pastor, meaning Bob has been it as far as ministerial staff goes - this weekend there is hope! We have a couple here in view of a call - meaning they are here to check us out & we're checking them out - Bob & I are both in favor, and after 2 rounds of meetings (deacons & search team) things are opening up. I can't tell you who they are, since his church doesn't yet know he's looking. But, we like them, and the buzz is good. We'll do potluck tonite w/the whole church body, he preaches in the morning, open forum Sunday PM with a pie social (we're baptists & love to eat, can you tell?!) after. They will head home on Monday am to pray while we pray as well. Then we'll all vote on Sunday AM after our morning service. That will be the fun one - we have decided to do 2 votes - one to call him & one on what to pay him. We have to do it that way or it all gets political & a huge mess. Be in prayer - a weekend full of meetings is never fun and this type of stuff can get exhausting for all parties!

Kudos to my boys, however - they have been shuttled off to a separate room on their own with a TV and a couple movies for both meetings I've needed to be a part of. Bob has to go back earlier than I do tonite, so that's good for the kiddos, but makes for VERY long hours on Bob.

BTW - my heart rate is now back down after the telemarketer call at work, but then yesterday my CELL phone rings with a telemarketed automated call?!?! Since when can that be done?

Life goes on!

Telephone Solicitors

2007-03-08T08:30:00.000-08:00

I was just rude to someone & I feel the need to confess & RANT at the same time. Two days ago, I answered the phone here at work - a non-native English speaker tells me they need to verify the address & provider associated with the phone number. I verify the address, but then she wants to keep going with me verifying more info. ARGH!!! This is a business & I do not have the time to answer questions they already have the answers to! Besides, most often, this is how phone service etc get changed without you realizing it. I hung up on her then & I hung up again today when she called back with the SAME questions!!!! The girls here are laughing at me because my neck, ears & face are all red from getting so agitated with this. I don't like being rude, but when I hang up on you once because I tell you I'm too busy to deal with it, dontcha think I'll do it again?!

And thus ends my soapbox confession/rant.

Plugging Away

2007-02-21T17:40:00.000-08:00

Bob is in the middle of a stewardship team meeting, the boys are munching on pizza fresh from the microwave & me, well, I'm just biding time..enjoying a few minutes of peace before I need to head to a "town hall" meeting for the church. The congregation here feels the need to have a monthly meeting to review the monthly financial report, altho several months ago we voted that we would only have "business meeting" once a quarter. A good chunk of the people here must have been burned sometime in the past by a church staff who "took advantage" of being staff and making money decisions without consulting the congregation first. Don't know if it happened here or in their church experiences elsewhere, but it makes life hard now. It feels like, on some occasions, that we can't spend more than $10 on anything without having to get full congregational approval! I'm exaggerating about the amount, its more like $150 I think. Anyway, Bob has graciously allowed me to not have to be present for the business meetings since its not fair to me to have to listen to him be pulled down for decisions that the leadership team is trying to make. Tonight I probably will go, since its only supposed to be an informal informational kind of thing.

Mom & Dad's house in Texas is progressing - you can check the progress here - Dani & her husband have been keeping the pictures up to date when they can get over to the build site. Bob will probably be helping them get vehicles across the country sometime in mid-March, we think. I do okay most days about it, but I do have my bad days...not that I think they need to stay in California just for me...but it is still hard. Anyway, I need to pay attention to my boys, they're making a mess with the water and pizza...such is life!

Things about growing old

2007-02-02T09:49:00.000-08:00

More from my friend Heidi...

GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD
1) Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
2) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.
3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down there.
4) You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.
5) It's frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.
6) Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.
7) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.

Ya know, I'm not even 40 & some of these apply! Such is life...

Things I have learned

2007-01-30T14:16:00.000-08:00

okay - credit my old boss, Heidi for this list...just to make you laugh (or at least giggle)

GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:
1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.
4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
10) The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap.

Tomorrow I'll do more from the email she sent me....

Most of my fellow team members are on a cruise to Mexico w/the boss...I chose not to go, but they are in San Diego today & the weather sucks! Ha Ha Ha!!!

Lego's are from HELL

2007-01-21T14:08:00.000-08:00

This "little" picture does no justice to the 1367 pieces it took Bob & I THREE yes 3 hours to assemble last night! I have re-assembled it at least 5, maybe 6 times in the 2 hours since we've been home from church today. Nathanael is not happy with himself for the fact that no matter how careful he's being, something comes apart. He just came in to tell me it had broken again & was laughing at my title - I told him to just leave it sit for now, we'd figure something out when Bob gets home.

Good sermon this morning, I know I needed the reminder that "Without the Head, the church is dead", but so do a lot of people at our church. One of the search team members gave a report & basically said, if we don't get unified and our "Head" on straight, we will die out, and nearly in tears, that he didn't want that to happen. It will be 2 years the end of March since our pastor resigned...and while I know God's timing is perfect, humanly I want Him to hurry up!

By the way

2007-01-20T10:29:00.001-08:00

I changed the setting so anyone can post a comment, you don't have to join if you don't want to......

A Weekend with no commitments

2007-01-20T10:05:00.000-08:00

Wow, first weekend in quite some time that other than men's bible study this morning, and the normal church thing tomorrow, we didn't have anything planned! Woo Hoo! Nat didn't even have school yesterday. If we'd had our brains about us and some money, we could have actually gone somewhere overnite - oh well. So, we headed to the Sacramento Zoo for the day yesterday - had a couple by the adult get the kid in free coupons - it's not the best zoo in the world, but we watched some lemurs jumping around for a while, then the otters...shopped at Arden Fair Mall, then Roseville Galleria and ended the day with dinner at Spaghetti Factory. We hadn't eaten there in a while and it was gooood. Today, grocery shopping, laundry, and that's about all I need to put my foot down about doing. Its 10am & the boys are still in their jammies (Nick actually in his clothes from yesterday since he crashed on the way home). They're watching Curious George and playing with the stuffed otters we bought yesterday. Still fighting this awful snot nosed cold I've managed to catch - Bob called me Rudolph the other day! Anyway, I should run and get the aforementioned laundry started and the grocery list made so we at least have some purpose to our meanderings around the store!

A Few Minutes

2007-01-15T13:58:00.000-08:00

So, here I sit - having run to the mall to have 3 watch batteries replaced...finished inhaling my lunch, and not enough time to really do anything all that constructive. Besides, I can't breathe thru my nose right now and my ears are plugged...darn winter & chronic sinusitis. Lots of things floating thru my head right now...mom and her stuff, my parents leaving, still not having a senior pastor...one of these days, I'll find the time to vent it all when I don't have to necessarily look pretty for the next patient who walks in the door. As for now, I need to blow my nose real good, re apply the mentholatum under it, and get back to work, the schedule for tomorrow is relatively empty & its my job to fill it....wish me luck!

Too Much Going on!

2007-01-12T13:44:00.000-08:00

Jeepers - its been a long time since I've blogged! Life has been nuts - left for So Cal Dec 21st to spend Christmas with the families; Bob & I headed to Long Beach on the 27th for Tsunami (State Youth Conference) - boys stayed with my parents; boys arrive back with us on the 29th; do the pirate dinner show thing with all the youth on the 30th; and then did Disneyland on New Year's Eve. Anyone tired yet? It gets better! New Year's Day we drive home to Yuba City. Bob & I dismantled the tree & decorations in 45 minutes flat before collapsing completely. Oh and on the day after Christmas, one of our kids calls from the church because the youth building and Bob's office are under 1 inch of water due to a broken pipe in the men's bathroom! I worked for the next 3 days, then flew back to my parents on the 5th to help my sister prep the house to be on the market (they're moving to Texas). Flew back home on the 7th, and back to work I went. Had a great time with our respective families - my boys are the youngest of the Veach cousins, and so get spoiled pretty rotten - they had my parents to themselves this year, since my bro moved to Ohio & my sis is in Texas...I need to finish sorting thru all the gifts piled in this back room; pay bills; and maybe start the taxes.

More later! Chelle

No White Boxes!

2006-12-11T13:05:00.000-08:00

So, Saturday night, we are spending quality time as a family wrapping the extended family gifts...Nick (5) says that he doesn't want any white boxes when he opens presents on Christmas morning. His reasoning - last year Nathanael told him that when he sees a white box under the wrapping paper, it means its clothes inside not toys! He's only 5!!! I think I'm gonna wrap a couple of his gifts in white boxes, just to play with his mind a little - hee hee hee! Am I a bad mom for that thought? On that note, Nathanael forgot his science and history books over the weekend - he only needed them to study for a test today - am I a bad mom for hoping he does bad just to make him learn a lesson?! I know he won't, the kid has a mind like a steel trap and will probably ace it with no problems. We've been dealing with him complaining of being "distracted" so he doesn't finish his class work, or his tests in math. It's a challenge since he's a bright kid and learning so much, he just doesn't want to do the tedious stuff. So, we struggle on...

Christmas Craziness

2006-12-07T12:59:00.000-08:00

The season is upon us, and with it, the commercial part of it that we fight so hard to counter act. Nick nearly drove us nuts with "when are we going to put up our Christmas lights?" every morning, every night...every hour if he could have I think. He bugs us if we don't do the advent calendar each night. But yet, he doesn't hesitate to tell us exactly what he wants to find under the tree Christmas morning.
On another note, we are getting ready to head south for the holiday, doing the driving thing like we always do. We've only not gone home one year while up here & it nearly killed us (not to mention the parents!) to do so. I envy those who get to live near enough to parents (and grandparents) to see them more often during the year. And now that my mom is having some other issues post-stroke that are affecting her memory & such, it makes it all the more important for the boys to get to spend time with her.....

Alas, I am at work, and shouldn't get into emotional topics like this one! Just to get you even more emotional - head to Tony's blog or Carlos Whittaker's - both nearly made me cry all over my desk this morning!

Raccoons, Coyotes and Squirrels Oh My

2006-11-28T13:08:00.000-08:00

The weekend was good - we saw a coyote not 10 feet outside the windows of our cabin, 2 raccoons raiding the trash at another cabin, and a couple of different squirrels stockpiling their nut supply for the winter. We saw the coyote the day AFTER we were letting the boys play outside unattended, but within view. Got to do some hiking, and managed to get the 5 younger cousins all bought for for Christmas. Now I only have to get the stuff packaged and shipped - that may take longer than the shopping did! Came home Saturday instead of Sunday, Bob is fighting a cold and the park had burn piles going all over, one 50 feet from the cabin. We've always enjoyed heading up there, and actually probably would have gotten snowed on if we had stayed the extra day. I'm at work at the moment, will post pictures later when I get home, if I have time and energy!

Leaving town

2006-11-21T13:49:00.000-08:00

we're headed away for the holiday - just us 4 to Jenness Park - camp for the youth in the summer time; and the place where we all nearly died from carbon monoxide poisoning 4 years ago. (I'll share that story later) Anyway, the boys are looking forward to going away with their daddy this time - no phones, no real tv (just movies we bring) and going hiking all over the place. Bob & I can work on our marriage & ministry presentation and just relax!

Have a great thanksgiving all 5 of you who read this!

Long time - no post

2006-11-13T22:17:00.000-08:00

Wow. Just realized its been 10 days since I last put anything here....sorry. Life, as usual has been busy - I just spent Friday nite with 5 teenage girls and 1 other adult at the Revolve Tour.
Got to see Natalie Grant, Tammy Trent, Chad Eastham, Zoe Girl, KJ 52. The girls seemed to enjoy it - hearing from a guy's perspective about the fact that how they dress directly affects the way he will treat them "if it ain't for sale, I don't wanna see it." "Modest is hottest"....some cool and touching testimonies - Natalie struggled with bulimia, Tammy lost her husband while he was free diving in Jamaica on Sept 10, 2001, she ended up stranded since no one could get to her. All focused on the fact that no matter what you feel like inside, God is always there, ready to take you in, ready to be the support you need right then.
Bob is gone again - Bakersfield this time, but only for 2 nights, then we aren't apart again till....not sure, but its after the new year! Yeah!!!! The boys will stay with my parents during state youth conference, but otherwise, we're done for a while!
I'm 'bout ready to fall over in sleep - although I think the big bad wolf is outside trying to blow my house down! They were predicting 100+ gusts in the Sierras. Maybe I'd better find the travel alarm clock in case I lose power.....
See you!

watching my boys grow

2006-11-03T22:04:00.000-08:00

Today I watched Nick take a power ranger toy and do the complete air guitar thing while listening to one of those Kids Bop worship cds - even had the facial expressions going on - he's getting too big too fast - can't believe he's 5. Nat changing quickly as well - challenging me to think through things I never thought he could even begin to fathom. "Mommy, when I was in your tummy, why didn't the stomach acid eat me up?" My best answer (since I'm gonna hold Bob responsible for "that" chat, was that God protected him. But yet, they are still my little boys, still wanting to climb into my lap at different points in the day because we missed our normal morning snuggle time. That won't happen too much longer!

As for me, I'm randomly regaining my voice - sounded like Kim Carnes the other day - I was surprised patients would even talk to me! Bob is in Anaheim, at the National Youth Workers Convention. I've gone with him before, but no $$ this year for me and that means we need to find someone to come stay with the boys. He gets to hear all kinds of youth ministry gurus as well as some top bands. People like David Crowder, Chris Tomlin...which makes me jealous, but I'll survive.

Remembering

2006-10-29T11:56:00.000-08:00

Just found one of my many cousins from my mom's side of the family on blogger....his link is over to the left there....it's cool to find people when you aren't looking! The title is because in the last couple of weeks, I've been doing a "heritage report" for Nat for school. We had to interview my parents and such - one of the things that my mom wants Nat to remember about her mom is how she always said (she' s in a care facility w/Alzheimers) that God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. Interesting that Michael's mom (my aunt) has taught him the very same thing! My grandma is a woman of God, who has passed on her personal faith to all 9 of her kids! My other grandma is much the same way - she still has her mind tho, and so prays for all of us grandkids, our kids and her own kids by name each day - amazing for 90 years old. I think that verse in 3 John applies to both: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

It is my prayer as well, as I raise 2 boys to walk with Christ in their own lives.

Long week

2006-10-14T20:21:00.000-07:00

I know, its been at least a week since I last posted - things have been crazy. We've dealt not just with the church stuff, but also a bully situation w/Nat. There is one young man in his class who loves to antagonize kids until they react physcially, then when they respond or tell a teacher, he lies about what has happened & the other kid gets in trouble. Nat lost recess privileges one day this week over just such a situation - I wrote a note to the teacher in response to the discipline notice & she & Bob then had a good conversation after school one day. Seems we're not the only parents to actually write to her about this young man, which made me feel a little better that Nat isn't the only one getting picked on. We did assure her that we are teaching Nat that hitting is not the preferred method of getting back at someone, and she was very understanding. She said she didn't blame Nat at all for his response, only that it was physical & raised a welt on the young man's hand when the pencil made contact! In fact, she said that maybe just maybe it taught him a lesson!

Anyway - my parents up & went to Hawaii w/o us....oh well, I guess after 40 years of marriage, they can take business trip & turn it into pleasure if they want!

Chelle

Alone again

2006-10-06T19:44:00.000-07:00

Well, Bob is off to Promise Keepers for the weekend...I'm getting used to being just me and the boys....

Been busy working for my friend Millie the last few days...she & her buddy run a business that lets people come in & prepare meals to freeze & cook later....aldentedinners.com.
The advertising department from the local paper was actually hosting their Christmas party this morning & letting each of them create one entree. We served breakfast, then did all the clean up. Been a long time since I did any catering - mid high school I think - but it was good.

The boys are watching "The Wild" - cute little movie if I must say so myself.

Had an interesting conversation with my coworkers the other day. Seems a patient had basically told one of the hygienists that she was going to hell because she didn't have a personal relationship with Christ. And that when it came to be judgement time, God would remind her of the time that he had told her & she refused. Along the way in the conversation (before she stuck all the sharp instruments in his mouth), he also made a comment about one of the Drs being "born again" - she says, "I thought he was a Baptist". He responds that no, he's born again. So, here we stand in the middle of the office with me explaining about how the whole Protestant movement began and where the term born again even comes from. I have one Lutheran, one Catholic, one believer, one who was raised Mormon, and one who isn't quite sure...anyway - tried to do the best I could - don't know that I did any good. They then were discussing Christian music - I happened to have the van, so I went out & got the Audio Adrenaline Adios CD....its a little harder than I think any of them expected. Oh well, we listened to Christian music all afternoon after that.

Having a hard time keeping my eyes open & its barely 8pm...time to lay down on the couch I guess....and have the boys wake me up when the movie is over!

Biopsy results

2006-10-05T08:44:00.000-07:00

Got the results this morning....margins were clear, slightly abnormal tissue, which means that it was nothing now, but if I had waited much longer, it could have turned nasty. She wants to see me again in 6 months......

I've lost my oomph

2006-10-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

its gone, bye bye.....all of a sudden, I hit the wall of not having the oomph to do much of anything...which is NOT a good thing when you're at work & will need to head to church in an hour or so.....

Suture removal

2006-10-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

Or at least that's the technical name for getting one's stitches out....all five externals out today, hardly felt a thing. Biopsy had just arrived at the office & the Dr hadn't had time to look over the results, so I'm still waiting. Will let you know when I know.....

Trees

2006-09-30T07:44:00.000-07:00

About 11:30 last nite, Bob is asleep on the couch, I'm dozing thru the news while on the floor, when I hear a sound like ladyfinger firecrackers outside. The family across the street is known for being loud & all, so I peek out the window & realize something is in my view that usually isn't. So I turn on the porch light to get a better view. I can now tell that what I heard is the branch of the 100yr old acacia tree cracking and falling. Whowee fun. Woke Bob up from his stupor to go investigate. It landed about 6 feet from the house, so no damage there. Bob stopped by the land lord's house on his way into town to see if he was even up (he's working on building a house for themselves) and let him know. Crazy stuff - I'm sure we'll be working on it later, although all Bob has is a little hack saw, nothing big enough to get all the way thru the big part of the branch.

As for my arm, it is beginning to itch...a good sign I know, but I can't scratch it since the stiches are still in it till Monday. I should get the biopsy results then. Nat's regualr MD doesn't think we need to do anything just yet w/the thing on his side - keep an eye on it for now - call if it changes kinda thing. Still no definitive answer. Nat is adamant that he doesn't want to have it cut out, so I guess we'll wait a little bit longer.

The situation at church isn't getting any better. Had a phone call last night that someone will be printing up a motion to be brought at the next scheduled business meeting to vote the guy out. So, now Bob needs to get his written statement going that he as the pastor is not in support of the motion and will not be voting on it at all. It is really our only course we can take to help our side of the case should the guy decide to file suit. Not that it will completely protect us, but at least its on file. Bob was talking to the gentleman who has been counselling him thru this and he can't believe the whole thing.

Anyway, I need to go find myself some breakfast, maybe shower so I can be ready to work when Bob gets back from Bible study........

Healing Process

2006-09-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

well, so far, my husband has pushed hard on my shoulder & 2 of my 6 coworkers have...all accidental of course...but still enough to cause some slight discomfort. I left the bandages off today, the rest of my skin is all red & angry from the adhesive in the bandaids I was using. Oh well - life goes on and my skin is changing.
Scouts tomorrow nite, md appointments Friday am, nothing else major going on - yeah!!!! Do need to plan something for me & the boys to do in October while Bob heads to Vegas again with his brothers. Nat happens to be out of school the same time, so I may take off work one day to spend with them.

Chelle

Stitches

2006-09-24T17:05:00.000-07:00

As in I have 3 internal and 5 external. A neat diagonal scar right across the point of my right shoulder. No real pain unless me or someone bumps it - I go back in 10 days to have them removed - hopefully I'll have a biopsy report prior to that and I'm praying its clear. As for Nathanaels' mystery bump, she measured it & told me to bring him back in a week to see if things had changed. Not a whole lot more than I already knew, but that's all she had to say. It could be that since she was only working by the light from the window, she didn't have many options (the wind was blowing 30-40 mph that day & the whole building lost power). So, next Friday, when Nick has his 5 year old check up, we'll check Nat too. Such fun.

Church was interesting this morning - all the people not happy with the plan of restoration boycotted - made it hard to focus on leading worship when I know that God is not being honored by all who call themselves part of this particular congregation. Bob was preaching & did a great job - focusing on bringing in the lost - something that this church needs to get back to doing instead of worrying about themselves. He did go spend quite a bit of time w/both the boys Thursday morning - and offered to be their transportation to the church when that time comes.
On a positive note - today is Nick's bday - a big 5 years old! We spent most of the afternoon assembling the 4 power ranger toys he got - discovering one I need to take back tomorrow cause it doesn't make the sounds it supposed to. Such is life as a parent.

Bob's ability to control his tongue

2006-09-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

Well, the meeting last night went for 3 (yes 3) hours before my husband came home. I left after the first hour because I needed to get the boys into bed. Its crazy, there are people who are dead set against any form of restoration - people who are supposedly leaders of the church. Bob was prepared at one point for one person to stand up and ask for his resignation, but it never happened. He explained that he & the deacon body had set up the procedures/precautions and that the offender had agreed to those as well; but people were still on a vendetta. And now, 5 years later, they are suddenly worried about the boys who are his victims! Haven't been all this time, but now that they can be used as a tool to get rid of the offender since they can't be anywhere near him. Anyway - he did have several people tell him they were proud of the way he managed to keep his tongue & not fly off the handle. So, keep praying that things will go as God wants for this church.

On another note - Nathanael has a really weird thing on his side - looks almost like a bug planted an egg sac under his skin! WEIRD! He has an appointment tomorrow morning with the doctor - he doesn't like needles, it could get interesting. My appointment about my shoulder is tomorrow afternoon - 3:15 to exise the small mole/freckle on my right shoulder. We both may have stiches tomorrow nite....I may post pictures, we'll see.

Gotta get back to dental business.....anyone need a crown done? :)

Chelle

Retreating

2006-09-15T17:00:00.000-07:00

no, I don't mean from a situation, altho that would be my option of choice right now, I am about 20 minutes east of Chicofor our associational women's retreat. I want to just hide from everyone, and study God's word, but I do need to eat & part of refreshing my spirit will need to include some corporate worship, so I will at some point need to leave my room! I've already headed farther up a trail than I should have, if only because I was alone & noone knew where I was headed (heck, even I didn't know where I was headed)! So, once I passed the mountain lion scat (I think) I figured I needed to head back to the land of the living. This is where I was when I wrote about my paternal grandmother's influence on my life, and I was reminded of it again as I passed the streams by. I had written that her influence was like a stream, deep and still in places, but rushing and noisy in others. Kinda like God - the still times are good and refreshing, but its the rapids that make the noise & the glory! Anyway, only spotted a little lizard on a rock wall, but I'm sure I will see the deer family that resides within the preserve sometime tomorrow. Its cool & a little breezy here right now, but its supposed to heat back up tomorrow I think.

Nick was cute this morning, last weekend when we left, he didn't fuss or cry or nothing. This morning when I was leaving, he got all clingy. Sometimes little boys just need to love on their mommies. I hugged him close & we sang "you are my sunshine" together before I got in the van w/my friend to leave. He'll be okay - Daddy took him to lunch somewhere I'm sure, then he probly watched cartoons till time to go get Nathanael from school.

I think I'm gonna nap for a few before its time to head down for dinner.

lynch mobs

2006-09-14T21:41:00.000-07:00

Well, that wonderful possible legal situation is only getting worse. According to California law, we MUST give 2 weeks notice before a called business meeting (the one they're planning to oust the man); our 50 year old outdated bylaws make no such stipulation, so now the group is willing to forego the law to meet anyway. The biggest personal problem I have w/all of this is that if any lawsuit arises out of an illegal meeting, ergo an illegal vote, the church leadership is almost always the ones who end up taking the full brunt of said law suit. Since Bob is the only staff member right now, that means us. It didn't make things any better that 2 of the people calling for the meeting told Bob that the outside advice he got to hold off, announce legally, etc was probably the right thing to do. By Wednesday's council meeting, they had decided to go ahead & proceed as they had originally planned. The doubt about if its time to leave is getting smaller & smaller by the minute. This is NOT how anyone should leave a church! I'm headed off to a women's retreat - I had decided to go last week or so, just to get away to feed my own soul - now I'll probably spend a lot of time in prayer about the whole thing. Bob will be meeting w/the deacons, then all of them w/the offender & his wife to try & deal with all of this. So, not only does he have that stress, he'll have the boys as well. Keep all of us in prayer...tears are welling even as I type...I know God is here, He has promised that, but it sure is hard to imagine that He is in this situation! People who claim to be godly are being punitive and judgemental; not allowing the healing Spirit to be in control at all - and it is going to tear too many people apart.

Last weekend

2006-09-12T13:23:00.000-07:00

Bob & I had a great time - just the two of us, rattling around w/no real plans....it was a good thing! Saw some incredible redwoods near Santa Cruz, crawled inside one, then watched a herd of 6 deer walk no more than 15 feet from us - incredible! Headed up highway 1 north, stopped at a beach & hiked down from the parking lot to climb on some rocks & investigate the tide pools - very cool. Found a little gobi fish about 3/4 inch long that was so well camoflaged (spelling???) we nearly missed him. We will need to take the boys back sometime so they can see it all too.

Keep praying about the other situation - we're now having to deal with the fact that he wants to be part of the fellowship again, but people have already burned up the phone lines that we're going to vote him out. All this probably within the time frame of noon (when he went forward at church) to not even 1pm Sunday afternoon. Why is it that we Christians can be so vengeful and spiteful?! Yes, as a parent, and someone who is very close to the situation, I would love to see him attend someplace else. But, yet, Christ in me says that we need to give him a chance to repent and re-establish the trust. Anyway.......

Time to go eat my microwaved frozen dinner that I brought from lunch....patients will be walking in very shortly!

Dental life

2006-09-07T22:41:00.000-07:00

well...it has been a week of wanting to pull my hair out.....patients just don't want to come in, not that its my fault, but I still feel responsible when everyone is standing around with nothing to do. Anyway, Bob & I are heading away for the weekend just us - no kids. We need to just be us for a few days.

Things aren't slowing down in any way - started cub scouts again tonite...Nathanael & I are doing this together, which doesn't make it too bad, but when I'm the leader and have had a long day, its just makes it hard to contemplate leading 2 very active little 8 year olds!

Gotta go finish packing - have a great day everyone!
Chelle

Let us pray, part 2

2006-09-02T10:50:00.000-07:00

Things went okay last nite....the person in question is prepared for the fact that there are people who will not be thrilled that he is back. He just doesn't want to make a spectacle, etc. He is very aware of the limits of his parole & is ready to cooperate about that. As for the repentance issue, that's a hard read still. He's only been out at the most a week, so still a little rough around the edges after 5 years in prison. So, we will still be praying for a smooth morning.....

We've got a long weekend with no real plans except to sort of clean out the garage that we bombed w/spider killer. Its no fun to find black widows 2 inches across in there w/all our stuff!

Chelle

Let us pray.......

2006-09-01T19:24:00.000-07:00

Bob is headed off to a confrontation he knew would eventually happen, but has been dreading for 5 years. Long story, but the short of it is that a person who is (was) a member of our church has been incarcerated since summer 2001 for inappropriate conduct w/kids was released this last weekend. He has made it known that he is expecting to walk onto the church grounds Sunday am and not be hindered at all. Bob checked w/the local PD and while they cannot hinder his religious freedom, by all means we can to protect the children that God has entrusted to our care. Soooo...Bob and a few deacons are headed to the hotel he & his wife are staying at (2 of the victims are the grandkids they have custody of, although they're both in juvie -don't ask right now) to confront him about openly repenting, etc...we shall see how it goes. Bob said this afternoon that he's dealt with more than he ever expected in the 7 years we've been here. In just one kid, we have atttempted suicide, drugs and cutting; molestation issues from the above mentioned situation....lots of things that the college level degree does nothing to prepare you for! Anyway, God has been good in equipping those He calls, namely....us! I'll let you know how things go later....Chelle

Hormones

2006-08-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

Let's just say that my hormones are in rare form this week - breakdown Monday morning before we even leave the house....giving and giving and giving...'bout ready to break is what I felt like. Things are much better now, but still a little touch and go. I may head to our association's women's retreat just for my own sabbath if I can get and afford a single room. I won't mind going to the general sessions, they will probly be good for me, but I just need some time to myself to rejuvenate - feeling quite spiritually dry at the moment. It doesn't help that I'm feeling like I'm coming down w/something - scratchy throat only now. My coworkers have all been fighting it as well, so it's probly my turn. They're blaming it all on me since I was sick at the beginning of the month, but their symptoms are different than those I started with. Anyway.......

Birthday Parties

2006-08-27T15:25:00.000-07:00

Well, we survived.....5 little boys on a sugar rush in the small confines of the van is quite an experience! Didn't think about that when we ordered the party platter pizookie from BJ's - a hot chocolate chip cookie the size of a large pizza with close to 1/2 gallon of ice cream on top....delicious, but quite the sugar filled treat! Anyway, we had a great time, the boys had fun & we're safe for now, at least until Nick's birthday in September.
Headed over to the church picnic/swim party at the local park....could be interesting since very few people know about Bob's tatoo...they will now! I'll have to post later what the reaction is...he designed it himself

Chelle

Rambling along

2006-08-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

I can't think of a title, so I'll ramble for a bit & see what happens.
Had an appointment w/a dermatologist Wed afternoon - mole on my shoulder has changed recently, and after my brother's melanoma diagnosis this last spring, I figured I should have it checked out. She's concerned enough to schedule me to have it removed, but not overly concerned if that makes sense. Given my fair skin, light eyes & tendency to fry myself, I am the walking poster child for skin cancer. I also had my annual woman check up - weird feeling since his daughters are in Nathanael's class...he wants me to see a regular MD about the vertigo problem I'm dealing with. Then we see each other in the school parking lot picking up kids.....very weird. so more appointments to come. Nick wanted to know if I got any shots....
Headed to see "Barnyard" with the boys and 3 of Nathanael's friends today - first time we've done a party that included some school friends - should be interesting...

Chelle

School is starting/20 years w/Bob

2006-08-19T08:02:00.000-07:00

Nat starts school next week.....1 day before he turns 8. Scary to think he's growing up that fast, starting 3rd grade already. We decided to hold Nick back a year for Kindergarten....some days I think that's the right decision & others I don't. Guess that's what parenting is all about, isn't it? Went supply shopping yesterday - I'm glad I've got a Wal-mart nearby, that's for sure.

20 years ago this month, right around this week I believe, Bob & I met.....wow, I've known him more than 1/2 my life! Hard to believe, but true.

Speaking of being near 40, I've got to go get out the box of stuff that keeps me from looking 80 - I'm just not ready to go fully gray ala Taylor Hicks!

Chelle

Flying during an orange alert

2006-08-11T18:20:00.000-07:00

Well, of all days for Bob's 81 year old mother to fly home, it was yesterday! So, she & Bob headed to Sacto airport 3.5 hours before she needed to be there just to be sure she could get thru & he could get a security pass to take her to the gate. The plane left about 45 minutes late, but she did make it home in one piece, with all her liquid stuff checked in the belly of the plane.
I'm still dealing w/a little vertigo - seems to be the worst at nite when I'm tired, but not as debilitating (did I spell that right?) as it was. We'll see how things go from here. Feeling a little sinusy tonite, but last Sunday when I took a sudafed for the same feeling, I felt quite loopy & had to help lead worship from a bar stool so I wouldn't fall over on stage. So, took a couple advil to see if that helps.......

Have a great weekend!

Vertigo

2006-08-06T17:25:00.000-07:00

Well - things are going pretty well - Bob's mom is here until this coming Thursday - the boys are enjoying having her here & she enjoys it too.
I spent most of last week sick in bed & now I'm having some real vertigo issues - scary - when all I do is roll over in bed & feel like the ceiling is spinning! I've done some quick research online & it seems to be an inner ear problem that can come on after being ill, but I will probably see an MD here soon to get myself checked out. As for the sick in bed, probably my body's reaction to finally having Bob home for more than 7 days straight - telling me to slow down & all that! I lost 5 pounds in 2 days, not a fun thing to do by any stretch!
Took Pat to San Fran on Friday, fairly walked her legs off - but we had a good time at Pier 39. Went to the aquarium & had dinner at Bubba Gumps....a good time was had by all, but we were all pooped by the time we got back home.

Chelle

He's Home

2006-07-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

Well, he made it home in one piece. At least the trip home wasn't as eventful as the trip down....he was pooped, but glad to be home. The boys were excited to see their daddy again....

The photo on the left is a banner that Bob's church gave him...they had all been praying and when they opened their eyes, this was in front of them. In case you can't read it "WORDS ARE NOT ABLE TO EXPRESS NOW MUCH GRATEFUL WE ARE FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE HERE". The one on the left is the crowd waiting to come in & register for VBS. Bob said the line would spill out on to the sidewalk, die down into the corridor, then build back up again. The pastor told him the total attendance for the week was 1600+. He didn't yet have a salvation count, that will come later, I hope. All in all , things went well, he didn't leave anyone behind (wanted to, but didn't), and they all came home wanting to go back again in 2008.

The weather has finally cooled off here, enough that I'm not worried about Bob ending up w/heat stroke while he mows the lawn this morning! We're gonna head out somewhere as a family, not sure where yet, but together & that's all that matters!

Chelle

Heat

2006-07-23T18:47:00.000-07:00

Yes, its hot here - 111 degrees & its 6:40pm! Argh! The power flickered a little bit ago and so the AC lost its momentum. The inside temp rose 5 degrees in 5 minutes - not a good thing! I hear they shut down a skilled nursing facility in Stockton - one of the residents died over nite as their AC failed completely. They were transporting the other residents elsewhere to keep cool.

Talked to Bob last nite, things are wrapping up for them. They were supposed to do the "Grateful" service tonite - where the churches thank them for coming and all that. Probably a lot of tears - the Brazilian people are always soooo appreciative of people coming. Bob said he & another missionary were "mobbed" for their autographs yesterday - had to have "crowd control" and everything!

Just found out that Bob's best friend Vinny is on some island in the Indian Ocean flying his B-1 bomber. He went straight into the AF from the academy, and has never yet had to deploy until now. His wife and 3 kids are in Texas, anxiously waiting for him to come home. Scary to have someone I know so well to be over there in danger.

The boys & I went to a minor league game last nite in Sacramento - I was literally dripping in sweat......no breeze or anything to help out. My boss had bought 40 tickets for all of us in the 3 offices so we could all get together & have some fun. One of the girls even caught a fly ball. I was walking along the concourse & heard someone yell my name, it was the brother of an old friend of mine from grade school! I knew he was in Folsom, but never imagined I'd see him anywhere! Crazy small world.

Chelle

Busyness

2006-07-21T15:17:00.000-07:00

So, I haven't exactly been a busy bee all week, but seeing as how I didn't pry myself from bed until 10:30 this morning, you'd think I didn't sleep all week. I don't sleep well when Bob isn't home, so that may be part of it....

I have managed to get 2 loads of laundry done, the media ready for Sunday am and feed both kids off and on, but not much else today.

Bob told me that the church he's at actually had to turn people away for VBS on Tuesday because they max'd out the capacity of the church. This was because 500+ people showed up! What an incredible indicator of how hungry these people are for Christ. On top of that, they had 120 volunteers from the church coming every day to work - more than they needed. If only Cooper members could be that way - not caring about the property, the money or what type of kids are we drawing - just focused on sharing Christ with those who need Him. He's doing well, the knee gets stiff at night; and his throat is sore from all the talking/preaching he's doing, but nothing major. I don't have reports yet from the other churches - I'll share those when I get them.

Chelle

Restful Sunday

2006-07-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

Well, I didn't mean to, but I ended up napping most of 2 hours away this afternoon once we got home from church. I don't sleep well at night when Bob's not home, so the naps become vital - wonder if I can work one in tomorrow at work?!

Bob emailed me this morning - things are going pretty well so far, he preached tonite, will again Wed nite & Sun night. The rest of the week he'll be dong home visits & helping teach VBS with the other missionaries at the church.

The boys are doing okay, the longness of this trip hasn't hit just yet, but I know from past experience that it will. Nick will especially get really clingy and whiny by about Wed or Thurs. I'll be about ready to throttle him, I'm sure.

Chelle

Slugs

2006-07-15T20:09:00.000-07:00

Well, for basically 2 days, we (I) have been slugs around the house. Today, I did actually get the boys outside for awhile while I was trimming my rose bushes - something I've needed to do for quite some time. Chatted w/the new neighbor in the process - his wife's great grandmother pulled a hand cart along the Mormon trail years ago to help settle Mount Pleasant. They are an interesting couple. He said his grandfather was a Baptist circuit preacher - and that growing up, he had gone to the local Baptist church every Sunday. Yet, they did their "mission" doing sight seeing tours along the Mormon Trail. He must have converted to marry her years ago.

No word from Bob today, I'm assuming that all is going well. The recording says that his other bag was found and was supposed to be delivered this afternoon sometime. I'm sure that will be a big relief to him.

I discovered Wednesday this week that I will be the only youth teacher for the next 2 Sundays - Bob & Stanley are in Brazil, and Pete is doing his Nat'l Guard thing, as well as vacation. My luck all the kids will come & I'll have 20 instead of the normal 10. Oh well, God will take care of us!

Chelle

Found Bags

2006-07-14T17:42:00.000-07:00

Well, he has one of two bags - at least its the one w/his clothes! The other one has pencils/bubbles/give away stuff for VBS next week.

Have spent most of the day just hanging out here at the house. Worked on a power point thing for Tsunami in December about balancing ministry & marriage. I included our calendars for the summer months this year - more of an example of what NOT to do!

The boys have watched all 6 Star Wars movies in the course of the day....the box has been king. I am sitting where they can come interact w/me - we've done some star wars trivia online & they've even talked to Daddy at one point when I called the pastor's house in Brazil trying to track him down.

Talk at ya later!

Chelle

Lost luggage

2006-07-13T22:06:00.000-07:00

So, Bob finally arrived in Rio - after getting rerouted to Sao Paulo - they had to circle the airport for awhile, until they nearly ran out of gas, so the plane heads to Rio to refuel, basically passing time until Sao Paulo is ready for them. Even tho Rio is their final destination, they are not allowed to deplane, but go back to SP, then run to the flight to Rio! Needless to say, his bags are no where to be found at this point. I just called the hot line & they haven't located his bags. He has no clothes, shampoo, etc.....so his life has not gotten any easier by any stretch!

As far as I know, the other group left on time this morning, I haven't heard otherwise. It is quite possible that the missing bags are on their flight since that was the original flight plan, but who knows right now.

The boys are doing pretty good, it hasn't completely sunk in just yet since he's only been gone 3 nights total. Next week could be a different story.

Time to sack out again!

Chelle

God is good

2006-07-12T19:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I admit it, I was beginning to doubt that this would get pulled off....9:30 this morning, I get a call at work that the visas have been approved, I just needed to get someone to drive the 3 hour 1 way trip to San Francisco to pick them up. Thankfully, a couple people had already volunteered to do that for us - a couple phone calls & it was taken care of. I didn't get personal possession of them until 5:30 tonite, but I got them! As for Bob, mechanical plane difficulties caused him & Stanley to reroute thru Sao Paulo to Rio instead. Not what he wanted to do! He said that he had written in his journal that for a control freak and perfectionist, this was driving him absolutely crazy! He will live, and he knows he just needs to relax & let God take control. I just need to worry that the emails I sent to the pastor in Rio will get there so he knows to not show up until 2 hours later than originally planned.

As a result of the great stress release this morning, I managed to get nearly nothing accomplished all day at work...and it didn't help that I needed to be at church tonite in case any youth showed up. Luckily, I don't have a DDS in the morning, so I will have some time to recoup & finish what I need to.

I'm gonna go veg out for a while - my brain is quite tired!

Chelle

ARGHHHHHHHHHHH

2006-07-11T22:48:00.000-07:00

WE STILL DON'T HAVE VISAS!!!! Can you tell I'm more than a little ready to call it quits with this whole trip?! The lady is supposed to head back to the consulate when they open at 10 am tomorrow morning to try & push things thru so she can somehow get them to me in time for me to get them to the missionaries before they have to leave for Sac for their 8:30am flight out Thur am.

Other than that, I'm doing okay - dropped Bob & Stanley off at the airport so they can catch their flight in the morning - this is the last stretch of time he'll be gone this summer. This will make 5 of the last 8 that he hasn't been home. That's probly the biggest thing I'm struggling with right now - I don't like him gone, but how can I tell God that He can't have my husband? I usually do okay, but its the boys that have the hardest time with all of it. Nick even prayed one nite that Daddy wouldn't have any more goings away. That was in early June I think. Boys need their daddies. Stanley told me tonite that the men's prayer group has been praying that next summer won't be so busy so we can spend time together as a family - we're praying that way, too. Maybe we'll all go to Brazil on our own. Think I'll start the visa process now!

The pic is from last summer at Fort Bragg...the boys were really boys that week!

Its nearly 11 - I need to get to bed before heading back to the office in the morning....night all!

Chelle

Sundays

2006-07-09T18:15:00.000-07:00

What a morning - helped lead worship at church w/both my boys singing along - cool! Bob was supposed to preach, but since he had our youth speaking about their camp experiences, there was not time for a message, but what the kids had to say was incredible - about not being ashamed to share Christ w/their friends anymore, about trusting God, about accepting His control. It was cool!

Chelle

Schedule

2006-07-08T12:02:00.000-07:00

Got to thinking that some of you may want to know the travel schedule for Brazil - Bob leaves on Wed the 12th w/one other missionary, arriving in Rio on Thurs the 13th. The other 12 leave on Thurs am, arriving on Fri the 14th. They all start the trek back on Tues the 25th, arriving back here on Wed the 26th. The plan is to do some evangelistic visits, along w/VBS in the afternoons, alongside w/the existing church members. All this at 3 different churches in a town called Sao Jao de Meriti outside Rio.

Bob's knee is doing okay, he says he can put some weight on it, but not much. He comes home from camp today, so we'll see how things go once he gets here.

As for the visa situation, I got a call from the lady again this morning, stating that the consulate called her late yesterday that they can't read one of the birth certificates I faxed 2 weeks ago & so I need to refax them. I'm waiting on a phone call from Bob to see if he still has them in his office or if I need to make 4 more last minute phone calls. Good news - Bob just called, he still has the birth certs in his office - so I don't need to call anyone, just the fax, ma'am, just the fax...

Keep us all in prayer, its particularly hard on the boys to be w/o their daddy for so many days in a row.....

Hey, my mail is here :)

Chelle

frustrations

2006-07-07T16:59:00.000-07:00

okay - so I'm back from my trip to So Cal w/the boys - all that went quite well, they had a great time w/the grandparents and flying there & back.

I had to call to check the status of the visas for the Brazil trip next week - 12 people have raised money to travel to do VBS for a week, share Christ, etc, and we didnt' have their travel visas yet when I left town. I call today, and they still are not ready. The flight leaves 7/13 at 8:31 am from Sacramento - the contact keeps telling me its not a problem, but I'm more than just a little stressed about it. I can't take off work to go meet her to get them, and Bob in the course of standing still at camp has reinjured his bum knee, so I don't know what his driving status will be either. Can you tell I'm a little stressed out about all of this?! On top of it all, of course the boys want dinner, to watch a movie, etc - I go out to check our personal mail that I'm pretty sure I requested to be delivered today, and its not there. I head down the street to the post office, where they don't have it either. Not that I'm expecting anything, but its a little disconcerting to not have mail you know you should have!

I need to just calm down, eat & remember that God is ultimately in control of all of this & it will all work out to His glory. More for me to learn about serving Him wholeheartedly.

hey everyone

2006-07-02T15:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I figured I'd join in the craze - didn't want to do myspace, so here I am. I'm gonna try to use this to keep everyone posted on the boys, ministry and generally anything else I'm dealing with.

Right now, we're getting ready to head off in directions for the week - Bob to camp with the youth from church & the boys and I are headed to SoCal to see the extended family while he's gone. Then we're all back home for a couple days till he leaves again to Brazil for 2 weeks. Thus will end the massive amount of time away from home for him this summer. I won't lie, it ain't been easy on me or the boys.....pray for us!