Siesta Fiesta!

Here's a Mexico story for ya! We were down in Mexico last month during Father's Day. We had found out that there would be a siesta that night, close by the rancho. To give you a little info on what a siesta is, here ya go. A siesta is a short nap in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. Families would have a large meal at midday, and, being the hottest part of the day, a nap was a great sounding idea after a big meal. Those who worked would come home for a couple hours to spend time with family and friends, take a nap, and then go back to work until around 8 in the evening. I am sure if you want to know more about siestas, you can search it on the web.
Getting back to our siesta...
That meant there would be lots of noise (aka LOUD music) playing, possibly into the early morning hours. It's been said that times before, the music has played until like 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning. That also meant that we would have a little 'siesta' of our own. We decided that we would have a game night and stay up late. If we didn't go to bed late, the music would keep us awake. So, most of us got out the games and started playing after dinner. The rest of us just sat and talked. I remember cars going up and down the street for the majority of the day. Pickups drove by with big speakers in the cab. Most of us ladies played a dice game called 10,000 while others played chess or a game involving pigs (not real ones of course). I believe that we stayed up until about midnight or so. The music was still going. I had gone to bed about 12:30 and was lying in bed waiting until the music stopped (it could have gone on for another couple hours). The music had stopped just before 1:00 in the morning.
During that fun time that night, Cathy had asked who wanted to lead devotions in the morning. I was volunteered by her before a word came out of my mouth. So, I spent a few minutes that night preparing for what I was going to teach the next morning. The theme for our devotions was to be on the 'fruits of the Spirit' and I had started my study before the trip but it wasn't completely done. I had left the copy of the chapter at home but had what I had written down in my notebook. I used that plus the words to a song by Avalon that spoke to me before the trip. I thought it went along with what I was going to teach on (living at peace with others). The devotional time went well the next morning, and then we were off to another day's work!
"Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath, for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. Therefore 'if your enemy hungers, feed him; If he thirsts, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:17-21

Fish Down!!!

Hi! Since it has been a little while since I last posted, I will post some highlights and lowlights from the last couple weeks (otherwise, this would be a LONG post).

We'll start with the 4th of July weekend:
highlight: I got to spend some time with just my mother. We played five games of Scrabble (five only because we each won two games and had a tiebreaker which I won by a narrow margin). The rest of the family came Saturday.
lowlight: Mom and I drove into town on the 4th to watch the fireworks live at the beach. NO ONE was there. Okay, we were there, but we were the only ones there. We went back to the cabin and watched the fireworks on tv (the ones at Ft Vancouver).
highlight: Dad, my niece and I went on a boat ride. lowlight: the engine kept stuttering and dying on us on the river about a dozen times. highlight: we made it back to the dock safely.

Last weekend:
highlight: I went camping with my church group at Oxbow Park. It was such a blast! It had been a long time since I went camping, and I want to go again. The reason of my post title is that I had sat down, eating some snacks (which had some goldfish crackers in it), I accidently threw one on the ground...there ya have it...fish down!
highlight: my Mexico team report was that Sat night. It went well, although I was looking forward to doing our skit but not everyone was there and we were missing some of the props. It was good to see the teammates again! I hope to keep in touch with everyone.
highlight: I learned how to play a new game, which I hope to find at a store and buy it. I enjoyed the fellowship that was had the whole weekend and roasting smores.
highlight: I got the chance to go sailing with my brother and sister-in-law Sunday late afternoon/evening. I did not know we were going sailing, just having a barbecue. It was quite the experience!! The scenery was beautiful and the weather was perfect for sailing. Oh, and I saw a not-so-alive fish on top of the river as we sailed by.

Work is work. We got through month-end and payroll.

Thursday night I got to spend time with Care at her house. We grabbed a bite to eat and watched some tv and played a game. Today also I got to spend more time with her after lunch. We did a little bit of shopping and fellowship. We went to hear the Serbia team report during second service which was neat to hear how God worked among our team and the Serb-Christians there.

"I call to rememberance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search." Psalm 77:6 NKJV

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July, happy 4th of July, Happy 4th to you, happy 4th of July!!!! And many more!!!!

Yes, it is just 25 hours away from being the 4th of July, America's Birthday! We are turning a whopping 232 years old...wahoo!!!!

Hope you are all safe and warm and have a happy 4th with whomever you wish to spend it.

Pre-4th celebrations!

Hi all! Hope you had a great weekend! I was celebrating the 4th of July early as I do just about every year. I LOVE the 4th of July so much that I guess I can't wait until the actual day to celebrate. I just had a thought that this holiday is one that you should celebrate everyday. I am proud to be an American! But, on the other hand, what makes the 4th so spectacular is that it does only happen once a year, and the fireworks are just that and more spectacular! Getting back to the pre-celebrations, I played a part in the orchestra for our annual patriotic services held the weekend before the actual holiday. We do this to honor and celebrate those who have served this country and are serving currently around the world. The song that I have had in my head since is Battle Hymn of the Republic. We ended each service with that hymn and confetti coming out of two pipes on either side of the stage (I being right by two of them). It is always good to see those men in uniform and the presentation of our American flag and say the pledge of allegiance.
Mosaic on Saturday was spent with Mure and I talking about our trip to Mexico and how we were stretched by God. We finished up by talking about our upcoming camping trip...oh and we had a couple 'newbies' come to our group which is good as we could have more people in the group. We went out to Wong Kings for dinner, which was pretty good.
Sunday afternoon I picked up Care and we went bowling for an hour. My work was having a bowlathon/fundraiser to raise money to send teens to leadership training. We both had a good time bowling, and then went out afterwards to a couple places and I also showed her where I work. It was good to spend time with her after not seeing each other for three weeks.

It's NBA Draft Day!

Hola! I'm home! Yes, I have arrived safe and sound from the depths of Mexico. All in all, it was a good trip. Don't worry, I will have a post featuring just things about the trip before the month is up (hopefully).
Today is Draft day in the NBA. Being an avid TrailBlazer fan (and basketball fan), I am excited when this day comes around. So, I apologize for breaking news if you haven't heard yet. At our pick #13, we selected Brandon Rush who we all assumed was going to go to Charlotte as we had acquired their #9 pick of DJ Augustine. That was for sure who we thought we were getting, then it turns out that no, that's not the case. Mr. GM said that no, we are getting Indiana's #11 pick of Jared Bayless, who is who Portland wanted. So we are sending Jarrett Jack and possible Josh McRoberts to Indiana for him. All has not been confirmed yet, but I am sure we shall hear soon. Oh, then our next pick was #27 (I had missed something when New Orleans picked at 27 with Darrell Arthur who was sitting in the green room by himself waiting to get picked up). He possibly could be a Trail Blazer also, and then our next pick was #33 with Joey Dorsey from Memphis.
Feel free to make comments on your thoughts on the Blazers' picks and what you think will take place. I already thought that either Sergio, Jarrett, or Steve was going to go somewhere else. So now that it's Jarrett that's leaving, I may still cheer for him as he is one of my favorite Blazers. It's sad (most of the time) to see someone traded to another team, but it's usually to better the team (at least, that is the goal).

Destination: Mexico

Hola! Hope you have had a good week. My week was busy while it was month-end at work. I got there a little bit early each day so I could make sure I get my work done and I stayed late a little each day too. I am ready for a vacation. Oh, how nice...I do get to go on vacation to Mexico...tomorrow! Actually in just a few SHORT hours, I will be getting on a plane with 14 others (the 15th is coming later) to Mazatlan. Oh, and it's not really a vacation...it's a mission to serve God and His children at an orphanage. I appreciate all your prayers as we are down there. Please pray for safety, good health, Godly wisdom, and endurance, plus whatever else you can think of.
Hope you have a good weekend and a week ahead. It will be a few days 'til I blog again, but I'll have stories to share. Until then, God bless!

His Providence is Apparent

Hola! It's been a week full of busyness, news, blessings, and service. Let it be known that in less than 7 days I leave for Mexico!! WOW! That translates into some 150 hours until I get on a plane headed south. Tonight, I went over to a house where we prepped for a garage sale that is happening tomorrow. We are raising funds for the orphanage that we will be working at down there. We hope for good weather and a good turnout. I went with a teammate tonight and helped put out signs for the sale. You can just call me the 'arrow gal' as I put well-seen arrows on the signs. I typed up the songs we are going to be singing down there last night as well as our team song...which I had in my head tonight. I think we are all getting very excited...at least I hope we are, anyways. Oh, I got word over email that our team has just over three-fourths of our support raised...wahoo!!!
Tuesday night was our first orchestra rehearsal for patriotic services for church. I am a bit amazed at how well I played that night, considering I am a little out of shape. I am once again, playing my clarinet and look forward to that weekend. The choir has been practicing now for almost a month but they have to have their words and notes memorized. I always look forward to the 4th of July as it is one of my favorite holidays. (I know I will say this again when it gets closer to the day).
Saturday I had the privilege to go to a wedding of a good friend of mine (Cheryl) that I had somewhat lost contact with. Everything about and in the wedding was beautiful, including the bride and groom. It was so good that we got to see and talk to each other, and almost make the other cry because of a good thing!!
Work has been busy as it was a payroll week and the first couple days I spent catching up on my filing that was getting piled up. On Monday, a meeting was held after work with some big news being announced. None of us knew (we thought) what the news was going to be. (Drum roll, please!) There will be a merger between the company I work for with two other companies. They hope to have the deal closed by September, and we have to get approval from suppliers to close it. They could only tell us what they know thus far at the meeting...hmm, very profound. There are still lots of unknowns yet, but there was a little blurb on it in the paper on Tuesday and then a bigger article in Wednesday's paper. I am shocked, but I think it's going to be a good move.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
"For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,' Eph 2:14