Greetings! Hope you all enjoyed the snow/ice/freezing rain/more snow/rain we've had in the last week or so and survived the cabin fever if you were snowed in. Even if you were not snowed in, unlike me, hopefully you still enjoyed the snow and were kept safe. It was really interesting watching people in their cars trying to attempt to drive up our hilly street in the snow and ice, thinking they could make it up. A lot of them only made it up to the first street and went down that street instead of going backwards or continuing up. I, along with my sister, with my dad's help, made it out of our neighborhood Friday and took us to work. I also worked a few hours on Saturday before going to the Blazer game with my sister and niece that night, which we won 102-89 against Toronto. Sunday I went to church where a good message was spoken by one of our younger pastors in 2 Corinthians 5. It was nice to be at church again since the last two services had been cancelled because of the weather. I am hoping that what they had planned for this Christmas Eve service they will do next year. Oh, I also went in to work a few hours on Sunday afternoon as we had to get ready to transmit payroll on Monday. Because of the holiday tomorrow, we had one less day to get payroll in and done.
I bet you want to know how Christmas went. 2000 years ago, a baby was born to Mary and Joseph, to be named Jesus, Son of God. He would be the one to save the world and be known as the Messiah. Now, the present...we had our own family Christmas as we always do on Christmas Eve evening, only after watching the movie, The Nativity Story. We decided to watch that rather the read aloud the story from the Bible as that would be of more greater detail and visual of how it came to be. Christmas Day we had probably 10 different plans of how the day was going to go. It finally ended up as my brother and sister-in-law came as far as about three blocks away and then walked up to the house. Celebrating with my aunt and cousin will happen in January. A nice time was had by all that afternoon, and then we watched the Blazers lose to Dallas on tv. Hope you had a nice and blessed Christmas.
Work was crazy on Monday as we scurried to get all the branches done and ready to be sent. Last night, dad, my sister and I went to the Blazer game where we played the world champs Boston Celtics. Now, the first half, I don't think the refs liked the Blazers, although I don't think they really are to like any one team. Plus there was a lot of cheering and screaming at this game. Second half got really exciting and close. Guess what???!!!! The Blazers win, the Blazers win!!!!! You heard it correctly! Final score 91-86. You also know what? They won without Brandon Roy...he had an injury and didn't feel good enough to play. I must commend the Blazers for their teamwork, AND we outrebounded them 42-29.
Last, but not least, it is what it is! The Blazers are now 19-12 heading into 2009 with a win. Hope you all have a good and safe New Years!!!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
I would say 'White as Snow'
I say that because of what the weather has done this week and right now as I am typing this post. It is snowing and has been off and on all this week. Last weekend when we were having our Christmas choir/orchestra weekend at church, I was standing by the door looking at the snowfall. There were a couple of guys also looking and one of them said, 'He washed us white as snow' referring to how Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins and make us white as snow. To see that beautiful white stuff falling from the sky and hearing that comment, it really spoke truth. I am so glad that we had that celebration last weekend as we just found out that they canceled church service tonight and 1st service in the morning.
Speaking of choir and orchestra, as I mentioned before, we did Send the Messiah again this year. Saturday when we rehearsed it, it didn't go too well, and I had said a prayer that we would do better in service. Well, it was almost fine Saturday service and then we went through it Sunday morning before service and did a lot better. I hope everyone enjoyed the services that came and celebrated the season with us. The pastor told a Christmas story using a stuffed lion and lamb which I thought was cute for visual aids.
Two Saturdays ago, I went to my great-great aunt's 90th birthday party in Canby. She is on my mom's side of the family and I got to wish her a happy birthday, and she looks really good for being 90 years old. Actually, her birthday is right after Christmas and they figured that would probably not be a good time to get everyone together. On that same day was my great-aunt's birthday so it was like a double birthday celebration. There were a lot of people there I did not know at the party but there were people on the 'other' side of her family that we hadn't met. So, after the party, I left with Alyssa and went to the Woodburn outlets to do a little Christmas shopping. That was fun as we don't get to do a whole lot together just the two of us. I treated ourselves to pretzels before we left, which were really good. Once we got out of the parking lot and out of the traffic and taking a detour because of an accident, we got to church late. Service was good though and we had group afterwards. I taught in our group last weekend and I thought it went pretty good.
Well, I hope you enjoy the snow and be safe and warm these next couple days. I do have to thank the Lord as He kept my sister and I safe getting to/from work each day this week. Some days were not full days but I think our bosses were happy we made the effort to get in. Bad timing though as it was a payroll week at my work, but managed to get it done.
Speaking of choir and orchestra, as I mentioned before, we did Send the Messiah again this year. Saturday when we rehearsed it, it didn't go too well, and I had said a prayer that we would do better in service. Well, it was almost fine Saturday service and then we went through it Sunday morning before service and did a lot better. I hope everyone enjoyed the services that came and celebrated the season with us. The pastor told a Christmas story using a stuffed lion and lamb which I thought was cute for visual aids.
Two Saturdays ago, I went to my great-great aunt's 90th birthday party in Canby. She is on my mom's side of the family and I got to wish her a happy birthday, and she looks really good for being 90 years old. Actually, her birthday is right after Christmas and they figured that would probably not be a good time to get everyone together. On that same day was my great-aunt's birthday so it was like a double birthday celebration. There were a lot of people there I did not know at the party but there were people on the 'other' side of her family that we hadn't met. So, after the party, I left with Alyssa and went to the Woodburn outlets to do a little Christmas shopping. That was fun as we don't get to do a whole lot together just the two of us. I treated ourselves to pretzels before we left, which were really good. Once we got out of the parking lot and out of the traffic and taking a detour because of an accident, we got to church late. Service was good though and we had group afterwards. I taught in our group last weekend and I thought it went pretty good.
Well, I hope you enjoy the snow and be safe and warm these next couple days. I do have to thank the Lord as He kept my sister and I safe getting to/from work each day this week. Some days were not full days but I think our bosses were happy we made the effort to get in. Bad timing though as it was a payroll week at my work, but managed to get it done.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Winter is soon upon us
Wishing you December greetings! Here's a 'freaky cool' thing that happened. In my last post, I did my word study on manifest. In services at church the next day, the pastor talked about being manifested in the word and what it meant (to set open, understand). It's so cool how God works in that way. For instance, at the last Women's Bible study meeting, one of the ladies shared of when she was in Chicago visiting family. The church service that weekend studied the same passage from Romans that we were studying here!
'Tis the season for preparing the house for Christmas with decorations. We have been doing that since the weekend after Thanksgiving, and we got our live tree to go in the living room just this Monday. It's looking more and more like Christmas around here. Especially with what the weathermen are forecasting for this coming weekend with the super cold air coming in and more than possible snow showers. Winter is definitely around the corner! Speaking of this weekend, it's the annual Christmas choir/orchestra services. We had another rehearsal last night and it went well and at a faster pace as we had to get through all of the songs. Also this Saturday is the Tuba Christmas downtown which of course Dad will be there playing, so please pray for everyone's safety and health.
A couple weeks ago, my niece's school did a fundraiser/Christmas caroling event at a major bookstore in town. The family went and listened to the two ensembles play familiar carols and we sang along to them. It did make me get a bit teary eyed...I think because some of the words spoke to me and brought back the memory of when my family played carols at the center where my grandparents lived a couple years ago. The kids all did a great job, and there were other groups from the school as well.
Speaking of my niece, she has started basketball practice with the school team. I just found out that she will be a point guard on the team which will be a good challenge for her. I have enjoyed watching her play basketball in the past so any games I can go to this year will be exciting.
'Tis the season for preparing the house for Christmas with decorations. We have been doing that since the weekend after Thanksgiving, and we got our live tree to go in the living room just this Monday. It's looking more and more like Christmas around here. Especially with what the weathermen are forecasting for this coming weekend with the super cold air coming in and more than possible snow showers. Winter is definitely around the corner! Speaking of this weekend, it's the annual Christmas choir/orchestra services. We had another rehearsal last night and it went well and at a faster pace as we had to get through all of the songs. Also this Saturday is the Tuba Christmas downtown which of course Dad will be there playing, so please pray for everyone's safety and health.
A couple weeks ago, my niece's school did a fundraiser/Christmas caroling event at a major bookstore in town. The family went and listened to the two ensembles play familiar carols and we sang along to them. It did make me get a bit teary eyed...I think because some of the words spoke to me and brought back the memory of when my family played carols at the center where my grandparents lived a couple years ago. The kids all did a great job, and there were other groups from the school as well.
Speaking of my niece, she has started basketball practice with the school team. I just found out that she will be a point guard on the team which will be a good challenge for her. I have enjoyed watching her play basketball in the past so any games I can go to this year will be exciting.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Manifest
Happy (black) Friday! Hope you were all safe if you went out shopping today. I am going to share with you now a word study on 'manifest'.
Manifest
1. readily perceived by the senses and especially by the sight 2. easily understood or recognized by the mind...obvious 3. a list of passengers or an invoice of cargo for a ship or plane. (courtesy of Webster's Dictionary).
John 14:21 'He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.' Another meaning to manifest in this verse is to reveal, which makes sense after knowing the definition of the word. I looked at the cross-reference in this verse and I have to include it since it is 1 John 2:5 and we have been studying 1 John in our group, Mosaic. 1 John 2:5 says, 'But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected (has been completed) in him, By this we know that we are in Him.' If you didn't love God, you wouldn't keep His word.
1 Cor 12:7 'But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:' The next three verses following tell of what is given by the same Spirit, such as the word of knowledge.
John 17:6 'I have manifested (revealed) Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept your word.' Hmm, another verse about those who are His, keeping God's word. I begin to see a theme here.
Okay, I looked at a cross reference to this verse in John 17 and it mentions John 6:37 which is where Jesus is telling the people He is the Bread of Life...'All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.'
1 Tim 3:16 (aww...a 3:16 verse!) 'And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.' I remember having this verse in a recent Women's Bible study lesson. Any verse that describes God is awesome!
Heb 9:8 'the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.' This verse was not listed in the concordance but I found it as I am currently reading through Hebrews. That's a bit odd it's not in the list under manifest.
To give a summary statement, like we do in Women's Bible study, let me think for a second. Okay...God makes His word manifested in us who keep His word and loves those who were given to Him by the Father to love and obey.
Manifest
1. readily perceived by the senses and especially by the sight 2. easily understood or recognized by the mind...obvious 3. a list of passengers or an invoice of cargo for a ship or plane. (courtesy of Webster's Dictionary).
John 14:21 'He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.' Another meaning to manifest in this verse is to reveal, which makes sense after knowing the definition of the word. I looked at the cross-reference in this verse and I have to include it since it is 1 John 2:5 and we have been studying 1 John in our group, Mosaic. 1 John 2:5 says, 'But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected (has been completed) in him, By this we know that we are in Him.' If you didn't love God, you wouldn't keep His word.
1 Cor 12:7 'But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:' The next three verses following tell of what is given by the same Spirit, such as the word of knowledge.
John 17:6 'I have manifested (revealed) Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept your word.' Hmm, another verse about those who are His, keeping God's word. I begin to see a theme here.
Okay, I looked at a cross reference to this verse in John 17 and it mentions John 6:37 which is where Jesus is telling the people He is the Bread of Life...'All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.'
1 Tim 3:16 (aww...a 3:16 verse!) 'And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.' I remember having this verse in a recent Women's Bible study lesson. Any verse that describes God is awesome!
Heb 9:8 'the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.' This verse was not listed in the concordance but I found it as I am currently reading through Hebrews. That's a bit odd it's not in the list under manifest.
To give a summary statement, like we do in Women's Bible study, let me think for a second. Okay...God makes His word manifested in us who keep His word and loves those who were given to Him by the Father to love and obey.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Soon to be Turkey Day!
Hi Folks! Hope your week(s) have gone well so far since I last posted. I will indeed get that post out of my word study on 'manifest' this weekend. Work has gone about normal. I have news about work but I will leave that for a 'special' post later this week.
Church was good last weekend as it was Global Outreach time of the year. Afterwards, the group had game night and we played Sequence. I had not played it before but turns out to be a pretty fun game. There was only four of us then another showed up that we had not seen in a while. We went out to Applebees for dinner and had a nice talk.
We have had two rehearsals now for Christmas services. Both have gone fairly well, I think. Someone will be happy to know that...yes, we are doing 'Send the Messiah' again. Yes, you may jump up for joy now!
May you have a lovely time on Thursday with your family members/friends.
Church was good last weekend as it was Global Outreach time of the year. Afterwards, the group had game night and we played Sequence. I had not played it before but turns out to be a pretty fun game. There was only four of us then another showed up that we had not seen in a while. We went out to Applebees for dinner and had a nice talk.
We have had two rehearsals now for Christmas services. Both have gone fairly well, I think. Someone will be happy to know that...yes, we are doing 'Send the Messiah' again. Yes, you may jump up for joy now!
May you have a lovely time on Thursday with your family members/friends.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Pre-thanks givings
Greetings! Hope this post finds you well. After I wrote my last post, I remembered a couple of things that I forgot to mention. For instance, on my niece's birthday we , along with my brother and sister-in-law, went out to lunch at Chang's which I think...no, that is her favorite place to eat. Meat. Yep, that is all she gets there, and the only sauces/liquids she puts in the bowl is lime juice. She loves lime with her meat!!! Silly girl!
On the 9th, I went with my sister to her friend's house who was hosting a jewelry party. It was neat to see my sister's friend again as it is not very often that my sister and her see each other. It was a good and interesting time. That morning we had gone to second service at church because we had gone to the Blazer game the night before. The Blazers played the Minnesota T'wolves and we won, mind I forget the score. It was a good game, though. So was church, too!
Well, work is going about the same. We transmitted payroll today and got it sent a little earlier than last time but didn't get some of the processes done. I guess we can do some after we have sent it off. We've been getting more new hires come in, I think from the acquisition we made. Each time we do this process of payroll under the new company, I suppose things will ????? (can't think of the word, phrase again) under our belt.
Lately, in Mosaic, we have been studying 1 John. I have been noticing that the word, 'manifest' is mentioned a few times. I plan to do a word study on that this week so stay tuned. Speaking of study, I missed Women's Bible study tonight because of rehearsal which went fine. I hope WBS went well, and look forward to hearing about what was taught in the message.
This last weekend, I was home by myself as my family had gone to the coast. I watched the Lakers/Pistons game Friday night and 'twas fun watching the Pistons beat the Lakers...oh yeah!! Oh, and thank you Lord for watching over me on my way home from work Friday night, too!!! I can't say that enough...how great is our God!!! Saturday, I spent an hour and a half at the car dealership waiting to get an oil change done on my car. I ended up getting the brake flush, too, as it was one of two services needed at the # of miles I had driven on the car. Then I went and got my hair cut. I had thought about it for a while and just couldn't get in because of working, etc. Oregon State was playing CA in College football in the afternoon and I watched some of it...Go Beavers!!! Saturday night I went to church where a good message was spoken and then went to group. Sunday, I slept in and went shopping in the afternoon, after I went to hear a good friend do a presentation about where she has been a missionary in Africa. Good to see her and the work that she is doing down there, with God's help!
Here is Phil 3:9 which is what I mentioned in my last blog but didn't have my Bible by me to quote it.
"and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, byt that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness whichs is from God by faith;" NKJV
On the 9th, I went with my sister to her friend's house who was hosting a jewelry party. It was neat to see my sister's friend again as it is not very often that my sister and her see each other. It was a good and interesting time. That morning we had gone to second service at church because we had gone to the Blazer game the night before. The Blazers played the Minnesota T'wolves and we won, mind I forget the score. It was a good game, though. So was church, too!
Well, work is going about the same. We transmitted payroll today and got it sent a little earlier than last time but didn't get some of the processes done. I guess we can do some after we have sent it off. We've been getting more new hires come in, I think from the acquisition we made. Each time we do this process of payroll under the new company, I suppose things will ????? (can't think of the word, phrase again) under our belt.
Lately, in Mosaic, we have been studying 1 John. I have been noticing that the word, 'manifest' is mentioned a few times. I plan to do a word study on that this week so stay tuned. Speaking of study, I missed Women's Bible study tonight because of rehearsal which went fine. I hope WBS went well, and look forward to hearing about what was taught in the message.
This last weekend, I was home by myself as my family had gone to the coast. I watched the Lakers/Pistons game Friday night and 'twas fun watching the Pistons beat the Lakers...oh yeah!! Oh, and thank you Lord for watching over me on my way home from work Friday night, too!!! I can't say that enough...how great is our God!!! Saturday, I spent an hour and a half at the car dealership waiting to get an oil change done on my car. I ended up getting the brake flush, too, as it was one of two services needed at the # of miles I had driven on the car. Then I went and got my hair cut. I had thought about it for a while and just couldn't get in because of working, etc. Oregon State was playing CA in College football in the afternoon and I watched some of it...Go Beavers!!! Saturday night I went to church where a good message was spoken and then went to group. Sunday, I slept in and went shopping in the afternoon, after I went to hear a good friend do a presentation about where she has been a missionary in Africa. Good to see her and the work that she is doing down there, with God's help!
Here is Phil 3:9 which is what I mentioned in my last blog but didn't have my Bible by me to quote it.
"and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, byt that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness whichs is from God by faith;" NKJV
Monday, November 10, 2008
Reminiscing Chocolate
Happy November! First of all, let me reply to a recent comment made that Jesus is the one True Perfect being. There are some things that some of us think are perfect...it would depend on one's perspective of it. Let's see...
The last time I posted, I mentioned I had a free weekend. On that Sunday, I went out shopping for a bit and then got a call from Carrie to go have some much needed chick time with her. I gladly accepted her offer of chick time and we went to a few stores, ate a good dinner at Elmer's, and just enjoyed each other's fellowship. The night before, we were at her house with our Mosaic group, carving pumpkins getting ready for 'that' day. It was good to see those that came!
Monday the 27th my sister and I had tickets to go see Amy Grant do a concert at RHCC. It was her 20th anniversary tour of one of her albums, Lead Me On, which came out in 1988 (hence the 20 years). She, along with Michael W. Smith were the first Christian artists I grew up listening to. It was a great concert, but we noticed that things have changed. Back in the '80s, when people went to concerts, they stood up the whole time and clapped or when it was a slow song, they still stood up or sat down, depending on the mood. Of course, those concerts I believe were in a non-church arena so we were more 'free' if that is the right word, to stand up and make noise and dance. This concert we were sitting most of the time, until the last two or three songs. It could be that because we were in a church setting this time that we should be more respectful (is that the right word?) of the surroundings. There was this one group of young ones, around my age I think, and they were sitting, or shall I say standing, in the middle of the auditorium, clapping their hands and dancing and having a good ol' time! Eventually they made it up close to the stage and were still dancing away to her music. She asked us to get up for one song for some audience participation which was reminiscent of the concert from that tour in '88. Oh, and she had conjured up her original band members from that time, some who now play with some major music stars such as Faith Hill, Keith Urban, and Trisha Yearwood. All in all, it was a great time, getting to hear those songs again and remembering the words to some of them, and singing along. Ahh...
Work has been quite busy still but has slightly calmed down. We transmitted our second payroll last week, which I think went a little better than the first but still some 'hiccups' getting it ready to go. In all of this merging business, we are acquiring another company of about 300 employees. That brings the total to somewhere around 2600 employees.
Bible study has been good, even though I come straight from work and get in late. I still enjoy being with the group and having that fellowship. Next week, we start orchestra rehearsals for Christmas services so I will miss Bible study next week but will still do my lesson. I have enjoyed this week's lesson as it talks on justification in Romans chapter 3.
Another big election day has come and gone, and we have a new president, and also a new Senator from our state. I was listening to Pres-elect Obama's acceptance speech in the car on the way home from Bible study last week. Even if we may not like those that get elected, we must remember that God is always in control!
OH! I must mention the chocolate part of my title. My niece had a birthday recently and guess what kind of dessert she wanted?? Dark chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate ice cream! Is that enough chocolate for you??! That's almost too much for me! She had a great birthday, with her uncle and aunt-in-law over to help celebrate it. And what's amazing, is that she liked all of her presents she received.
So, now you are caught up with what I can remember of the last couple weeks. Hope you have a great rest of the week!
(please read Phil 3:9)
The last time I posted, I mentioned I had a free weekend. On that Sunday, I went out shopping for a bit and then got a call from Carrie to go have some much needed chick time with her. I gladly accepted her offer of chick time and we went to a few stores, ate a good dinner at Elmer's, and just enjoyed each other's fellowship. The night before, we were at her house with our Mosaic group, carving pumpkins getting ready for 'that' day. It was good to see those that came!
Monday the 27th my sister and I had tickets to go see Amy Grant do a concert at RHCC. It was her 20th anniversary tour of one of her albums, Lead Me On, which came out in 1988 (hence the 20 years). She, along with Michael W. Smith were the first Christian artists I grew up listening to. It was a great concert, but we noticed that things have changed. Back in the '80s, when people went to concerts, they stood up the whole time and clapped or when it was a slow song, they still stood up or sat down, depending on the mood. Of course, those concerts I believe were in a non-church arena so we were more 'free' if that is the right word, to stand up and make noise and dance. This concert we were sitting most of the time, until the last two or three songs. It could be that because we were in a church setting this time that we should be more respectful (is that the right word?) of the surroundings. There was this one group of young ones, around my age I think, and they were sitting, or shall I say standing, in the middle of the auditorium, clapping their hands and dancing and having a good ol' time! Eventually they made it up close to the stage and were still dancing away to her music. She asked us to get up for one song for some audience participation which was reminiscent of the concert from that tour in '88. Oh, and she had conjured up her original band members from that time, some who now play with some major music stars such as Faith Hill, Keith Urban, and Trisha Yearwood. All in all, it was a great time, getting to hear those songs again and remembering the words to some of them, and singing along. Ahh...
Work has been quite busy still but has slightly calmed down. We transmitted our second payroll last week, which I think went a little better than the first but still some 'hiccups' getting it ready to go. In all of this merging business, we are acquiring another company of about 300 employees. That brings the total to somewhere around 2600 employees.
Bible study has been good, even though I come straight from work and get in late. I still enjoy being with the group and having that fellowship. Next week, we start orchestra rehearsals for Christmas services so I will miss Bible study next week but will still do my lesson. I have enjoyed this week's lesson as it talks on justification in Romans chapter 3.
Another big election day has come and gone, and we have a new president, and also a new Senator from our state. I was listening to Pres-elect Obama's acceptance speech in the car on the way home from Bible study last week. Even if we may not like those that get elected, we must remember that God is always in control!
OH! I must mention the chocolate part of my title. My niece had a birthday recently and guess what kind of dessert she wanted?? Dark chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate ice cream! Is that enough chocolate for you??! That's almost too much for me! She had a great birthday, with her uncle and aunt-in-law over to help celebrate it. And what's amazing, is that she liked all of her presents she received.
So, now you are caught up with what I can remember of the last couple weeks. Hope you have a great rest of the week!
(please read Phil 3:9)
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