Shells on the Seashore

2012-01-02T18:40:00.000-08:00

Remind Me Who I Am

By Jason Gray from the album A Way To See In The Dark

When I lose my way,
And I forget my name
Remind me who I am
In the mirror all I see
Is who I don't wanna be
Remind me who I am

In the loneliest places
When I can't remember what grace is

(Chorus)
Tell me, once again who I am to You, who I am to You
Tell me, lest I forget Who I am to You, that I belong to You, to You

When my heart is like a stone,
And I'm running far from home
Remind me who I am
When I can't receive Your love
Afraid I'll never be enough
Remind me who I am

If I'm Your beloved
Can You help me believe it

Chorus

I'm the one You love
I'm the one You love
That will be enough
I'm the one You love

Chorus (X2)

Sometimes I need to be reminded who I am in God, who I am in Christ.
Sometimes the world and it's cares beats me down.
Sometimes I beat myself down.
Sometimes I forget.

God is always for me.
He died and rose again for me.
I'm His beloved.
And that is enough.

You can listen by clicking the title of the song above.

Guinness World Records

2011-12-31T15:51:00.000-08:00

WE DID IT!!! It is official! 386 students, staff and parents from the elementary school that I teach at now are part holders of an official record in Guinness World Records. Over 300,000 people shattered the old record of 20,000+ doing jumping jacks for 1 minute over a 24 hour period. Last week I got an official email with certificate included. My students don't know the good news yet but they are going to be excited, so very excited.

I'm pretty excited too. Since I was a little girl I wanted to set a world record. In fact, setting a world record was (note: WAS) on my bucket list. Check!

images taken from Google images

The Kids and Me

2011-11-27T20:03:00.000-08:00

A tradition my family does on Thanksgiving weekend is to take family photos. Love these cuties.

Trinity-6 years old
Joey- 3.5 years old
Eric- 10 months old

Retreat to Lassen

2011-08-20T15:15:00.000-07:00

Last weekend and a few days into this week was my annual celebration of "the last hurrah" before summer vacation is over. Two wonderful friends from church were able to go to Mt. Lassen with me. Along with the getaway being "the last hurrah", it was also a mini personal retreat.

(At the top of Mt. Lassen, 10, 457' up. Took 2 hours 20 minutes to get up and 1 hour and 10 minutes to get down. Hike was 5 miles round trip with 2,000' climb. Absolutely beautiful up there. In the top picture, we are standing in the middle of the volcano crater, wind blowing like crazy and a wee bit chilly.)

(I am going to kinda skip around here in this post with the pictures. And who knows if it will format correctly. There were pretty flowers on the ascent to the summit.)

The weekend prior to this trip, I was up at Mt. Lassen with my dad. I had some wonderful reading time and I read this little book called Shopping for Time: How to Do It All and NOT Be Overwhelmed by Carolyn Mahaney and her three daughters, Nicole Whitacre, Kristin Chesemore, and Janelle Bradshaw. Suzy too had read the book and said our weekend away could be our own personal retreat, which was one of five tips given in the book. The book lists 7 topics for you to list your priorities and prayerfully consider how you are doing with each one (thank you Suzy for typing them out for us). They are:

Grow in godliness: How is my prayer life? Are my quiet times fruitful? What area is God calling me to grow in? What scriptures address this?
Love my family: What relationship needs more attention? How can I show more love to this person?

(In this photo I am taking the photo in the middle of the crater of Mt. Lassen and can see off in the distance another volcano, Mt. Shasta)

Serve in the church: Am I using my gifts effectively? Humbly? Am I too busy with good things? Am I too busy with worldly things to serve the body?
Fellowship with Christians: Is there a relationship I should prioritize? Is there a relationship that is hindering me? What specific practical changes do I need to make so that I am investing in the right people for the right amount of time?

Evangelize non-Christians: 'Each one reach one.' Who is one person I can develop a friendship with for the purpose of sharing the gospel?
Attend to my work: Am I doing the right work? Is there a way to be more effective or efficient in the work God has called me to do?
Care for my physical health: Am I giving too much or too little attention to this?

(I have never seen so much snow up in the park in August. Helen Lake was still snowed and iced over.)

In conclusion what one or two priorities do I want to focus on for the next three to six months? What steps will I take to grow in each area?

The time away was a good time for me to reflect on a few areas that I need to grow and improve in. The two areas that I want to focus on for the next 3-6 months are grow in godliness and evangelize non-Christians.

My quiet times have been stale and sometimes non existent. Part of making my quiet times with the Lord more fruitful and consistent includes
joining the 5am club and restructuring my time. I've been getting up at 5am pretty regularly (even during summer vacation) BUT I have been turning on the tv to watch the news. My first moments (turns into several minutes, even up to an hour) were not turning to the Lord. The routine now is to program the coffee the night before, get up feed the cats, shower, dress and then sit down with my Bible, journal, cup of coffee and ready to meet with God. What a nice and pleasant change this has been for my routine in the morning and for my time with Him.

Being a school teacher for the public school system, has frightened me away from sharing the gospel with students, co-workers and parents at work. I know all the red tape and all the possible consequences. I do talk of the Lord but I am not intentional with one or two people. I am specifically praying to develop a friendship with two gals that I hope will lead to gospel opportunities.

Looking forward to my next personal retreat.

Singing to Build Up

2011-08-20T10:14:00.000-07:00

I really enjoy Tim Challies blog and especially his daily "A La Carte" links that he posts. On today's "Weekend A La Carte" I saw the link to the hymn I last posted on and there is a link from 9Marks Blog on Singing to Build Up. Here is the post

Singing to Build Up

By Greg Gilbert | 8.15.2011

We had one of the best music days we've ever had at Third Avenue last Sunday. It was incredible--loud, heartfelt, worshipful, and exciting, even on the songs that aren't "naturally" exciting, if you know what I mean. I remember listening to the congregation sing behind me, hearing people say "Amen" at the end of the songs (a fairly rare thing at our church), and a couple of thoughts hit me. One of my goals at Third Avenue is to work against music ever becoming an "issue" for the church. It's always seemed to me that Satan must take a peculiar pride in the tactic of taking music---which God intended to be a beautiful means of worship to Him---and turning it into a line of division and battle among His people. So a couple of thoughts hit me, and I decided to share them with our church. Maybe they'll be helpful to you, too.

First, it fills my heart with joy (no kidding!) that the success or failure of our music on Sunday mornings depends on whether our congregation shows up ready to sing. It's amazing, really. When we as a church show up prepared to engage in the service, excited to worship Christ and hear from his Word, our music succeeds in a big way---the voices fill up our sanctuary like a flood, and it's beautiful to hear. When we as a church don't show up, though, when we're distracted, down, and thinking about anything and everything but the worship of God, our music is really bad. It's quiet, empty, and completely without energy. I realize it might be a strange thing to say, but I'm glad that's how it works! I actually think it's a very good thing that our congregation bears a good deal of responsibility for how our services go each and every Sunday. When I feel that kind of weight---that my attitude and state of mind affects not just me but the entire congregation---it makes me pay more attention to my heart and engage more with the service.

Second, and closely related, I think we ought to encourage every member of our churches to sing every song in the service with gusto, even if they don't particularly resonate with the song. Every Christian has a certain set of hymns and songs that deeply resonate with them---the melody, the words, an experience they had when they first heard it---and our natural tendency is to give those favorites everything we've got . . . but then sort of check out when the next song is one we don't particularly like. But here's the thing: When you sing in a congregation, you're not just singing for yourself; you're singing for every other member of the congregation, for their edification and building up in Christ, too. In I Corinthians 14:26, Paul tells us that when we come together, everything we do--including our singing--is done for each other. Singing hymns is not just an opportunity for each of us, as individuals, to worship God in our own way. It's an opportunity for the church, as a whole, to worship God together. That means that even if you don't like a particular song, it's likely that someone else in the congregation resonates with it deeply---they feel about it the same way you feel about your favorites---and so you have a responsibility to love that person by singing that song with all the heart you can muster. In other words, don't check out on songs that aren't your favorites; sing them! And sing them loud and heartily, not because you particularly like them, but because you may be helping to edify another brother or sister whose heart is engaged deeply with those songs. Worship isn't finally an individual experience; it's corporate. And everything we do--everything, Paul tells us, including our singing---should be done for the building up of the saints.

When we are going to attend a worship service, we need to remember that we are going to worship the Living God with His children. We are fed by Him, we give back to Him (only by His grace and the blood that was shed for His own), and we edify and encourage one another. So often I forgot that church is not just for me to hear from the LORD but God has us gather together so that we may assist other in worshiping our Savior. One of the ways this is done is through our singing. My prayer is that I would go into church tomorrow to sing from the depths of my heart and that the congregation as a whole would be able to do that too. Another one of the ways to love one another in the body of Christ.

"I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me."
His Eye Is On The Sparrow by Civilla Martin and Charles Gabriel

Image taken from Google images

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

2011-08-20T10:08:00.000-07:00

This morning I came across a wonderful hymn that I am not familiar with. What an encouragement and reminder that He constantly is watching over me! The link is from Redemption Hill music and can be found here. The background to the hymn is very interesting and I have pasted it below.

His Eye Is On the Sparrow – Audio

Posted on Aug 4, 2011 in Featured Hymn, His Eye Is On the Sparrow | 2 comments

This free MP3 of His Eye Is On the Sparrow is brought to you by Redemption Hill Church.

>> Click to Download the MP3 now. <<

About the Hymn: His Eye Is On the Sparrow

Question 18 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: What are God’s works of providence?
Answer: God’s works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to his own glory.

Our hymn focus this month is His Eye Is On the Sparrow by Civilla Martin and Charles Gabriel. Civilla Durfee Holden was born on August 21, 1866, in Jordan, Nova Scotia, Canada, to James and Irene Holden. Civilla grew up to become a school teacher, and taught in her native Canada before meeting her husband, Walter Stillman Martin. Walter was born in Rowley, Massachusetts, and would go on to attend Harvard University where he studied for the ministry, and was later ordained as a Baptist minister.

Walter and Civilla came together through a mutual interest in music, and after they were married, they traveled extensively doing evangelistic work in the northeast. In 1904, after they had been married a number of years, and were living at Practical Bible Training School in Johnson City, New York, Walter wrote the tune for one of her poems, God Will Take Care of You.

The story behind this now famous hymn goes that one Sunday, Walter was scheduled to preach in a town some distance from where him and his family lived. Civilla had recently become ill, and he was contemplating canceling his preaching engagement to tend to her. While it was being discussed, their nine year old daughter said, “Father, don’t you think that if God wants you to preach today, He will take care of Mother while you are away?” Walter ended up keeping that preaching engagement, and when he returned that evening, he found his wife feeling better.

Civilla wrote a poem based on her daughter’s faithful remark, and within an hour upon his return, Walter had written a melody for it. The song would go on to be included in the hymnbook Songs of Redemption, published in 1905, and compiled by Martin and John A. Davis. As popular as that hymn would go on to become, it would not be Civilla’s most prominent work. Just a short time later, she would go on to pen what would arguably become one of the most famous hymns written in the twentieth century, His Eye Is On the Sparrow.

The hymn was inspired by some friends of the Martin’s, the Doolittle’s of Elmira, New York, who by all accounts had every reason to be discouraged. For twenty years, Mrs. Doolittle had been confined to bed as an invalid. Her husband, a partial invalid, managed his business from a wheelchair.

As Civilla would later recall, the train ride to Elmira, New York, would be the most important trip she had ever taken. Upon her arrival, she attempted to cheer her friend anyway she knew how. She read the Bible to her, and prayed and talked openly with her about her debilitating condition. In the end though, it was Civilla who was the one encouraged, humbled, and deeply impressed by the joyful spirit that the Doolittle’s maintained in spite of their severe adversity. In her own words, she recalls what happened that day in Elmira:

Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” was the outcome of that experience.

It only took a few minutes for Civilla to turn those words into the poem we know today as His Eye Is On the Sparrow. Walter tried writing music for the poem, but was never satisfied with it, so a short time later, he mailed it off to a composer friend of his in England, Charles Gabriel, who wrote the music and melody that we still sing today. Here are the lyrics she penned that we will be focusing on this month in our Sunday gatherings:

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

The hymn was sung publicly for the first time at Royal Albert Hall in England during the famous Torrey-Alexander revival in 1905. After it was sung in those revival meetings, the song quickly gained popularity and spread all over the world.

In 1916, the Martin family moved to Wilson, North Carolina, where Walter taught at Atlantic Christian College. In 1919, Walter served for a while on the staff at Standard Publishing, where he assisted in the production of the Christian Hymnal. Before the end of the year though, the family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where they continued their evangelistic work, teaching the Bible and sharing the good news of Jesus all throughout the country.

Walter Martin died on December 16, 1935, and his body was buried in the Westview Cemetery in the West End area of Atlanta, Georgia. Civilla Martin lived another thirteen years before she died on March 9, 1948. Her body was buried next to her husbands.

His Eye Is On the Sparrow is inspired by the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, referenced by Mrs. Doolittle:

Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? – Matthew 6:26

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. – Matthew 10:29-31

It was these passages that gave Mrs. Doolittle so much hope and joy that particular day. God was not a passive observer to her, he was personally involved in every of her life, including the adversity she and her husband faced. The Lord gives us no promise of earthly comfort or safety. Hard times will come. We will suffer. We will die. Like the sparrow, we will fall. But, as the sparrow flies or falls only by the will and providence of its creator, so we also live, suffer, and die in his hand. He has promised to be with us always (Matthew 28:20), to supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19), to limit our temptations and provide our escape (1 Corinthians 10:13), and to work trials for our good (James 1:2-4). He has promised, in the end, “the crown of righteousness…to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).

These are God’s works of providence: to carry us through, from beginning to end, in his hand. “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.”

About this Recording

Executive Producer: Shelby T. Murphy

Engineered and Mixed by: Jeff Carver and David Jackson

Vocals and Claps: Heather Jastrzemski and Elizabeth Sullivan

Acoustic Guitar: Gregory Jastrzemski

Electric Guitar, Claps, and Vocals: Gregory Jastrzemski and Andrew Walker

Organ: Elizabeth Sullivan

Bass: Steven Ovaska

Drums and Claps: Jonathan Tobin

Photo taken from Google images

God's Glory Seen in His Creation

2011-07-30T13:47:00.000-07:00

Scripture talks about the hills, rocks, trees, flowers, ocean, all of creation, shouts joyfully to the LORD for His salvation, for His glory and declaring His future judgement.

Psalm 96:11-13
¹¹ Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and all it contains;
¹² Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy
¹³ Before the LORD, for He is coming,
For He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness And the peoples in His faithfulness.

Psalm 98:7-9
⁷ Let the sea roar and all it contains,
The world and those who dwell in it.
⁸ Let the rivers clap their hands,
Let the mountains sing together for joy
⁹ Before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness And the peoples with equity.

Romans 1:20
²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

Not often enough, but many times I am in awe of the beauty that surround me. My little camera and my lack of ability don't really give justice to how incredibly beautiful the creation is.

Last night my friend Dawn and I took a walk around the Martinez marina. There are walking paths that wander around a protected marsh area and shoreline. Nice regional planning for people to enjoy the beauty.

One day, I want to take a photography class so I can capture God's creation better. I love posting the pictures on the blog not for anyone to see (I only have a few viewers-who have most likely given up on the blog because I don't post often, and most of my posts are not that interesting) but as a type of scrapbook for me. I like looking back at the beautiful things I have seen, most of which are almost right in my back yard (some are from my back yard!).

God is impressing on my heart now, that even plants that I would call "weeds" are beautiful. There is a spiky weed that grows on the walking path I walk on, that is absolutely beautiful right now. This plant has periwinkle blue flowers on it. Wow, it is incredible.

6 Months

2011-07-26T20:56:00.000-07:00

He is growing up so fast, I almost can't believe my nephew is already 6 months. He is such a joy and I blessed greatly that God has brought him into our lives and family. Amy and Eric are good parents.

Junior Giants

2011-07-26T20:31:00.001-07:00

I'm a little late with the pictures of Trin and Joey playing in their little t-ball and hit, run, catch and throw baseball league they were in this year. They both were placed on Giant's teams. Very fitting for our family this past year with the Giant's winning the World Series!

Jen and I had to laugh seriously at the ball caps the league gave the kids. They are like some truck drivers hats from the 1980's or something Jen and I wore when we played on the elementary baseball league at our school.

Joe Joe was a crack up. He loved watching his sister play chanting, "Go Giants Go!" and "Here we go Giant's, here we go!" It was adorable to watch. He was pretty good with the orange and black pom pom.

What was super cute was watching a bunch of 3 year olds (but Joe Joe was only 2.10 yrs. old at this game) attempting to play the game of baseball. Most of the kids were watching the butterflies float on by, when running ran the wrong way to no base, and at the same time each thought they had the whole game down and that they were pro's. Hilarious!

Our little Junior Giant is baby Eric. He is such a cutie and loves to laugh. I really love his one-zie that Amy put him in, "My Auntie is #1".

Jen does this little gig and dance to baby Eric and he giggles and giggles. It is pretty cute to see him giggle. I can get him to giggle a little but not with the gig and dance Jen does. I try but he looks at me like, "nice try Auntie, you can't dance!"

Good One Girls!

2011-07-26T13:52:00.001-07:00

Great job Mom, Jen and Amy on pulling off this wonderful surprise for my dad's birthday. We did it good this time! Wonderful surprise. Three cheers for the women in my family!

My friend Nathan (thanks Nathan!) owns a plane and he was gracious to take my dad up for a ride for his birthday and it was a complete surprise for my Dad.

From the pictures you can see that we took off from a local airport, flew over the Carquinez Straight, over the San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, and up to Somona Valley to the Charles Shultz Airport. Nathan allowed my dad to fly the plane. What a thrill for my Dad. He flew the plane like a pro! Fun time. Amazing to see God's creation from 3,000 feet up.

Way to go girls with this wonderful surprise for Dad's birthday!

Summer Yum

2011-07-19T10:10:00.000-07:00

The last few years my garden lacked a good yield. Partly due to my lack of attention in the garden (sore back which leads to inability to weed, water, and tend the garden) and weird weather. I can't say the weather has changed much this year but my back is behaving better. For about a month I have been getting various types of squashes. They are yummy.

Finally, the tomatoes are turning red. Both of these in the picture should be ready eating (I mean picking) within a day or two. Last week I started eating my little golden cherry sized tomatoes- yum, they never make it inside.

The garden is very green and lush. My tomato plants are tall, maybe 4' tall. The one thing that is different this summer is I have been fertilizing the plants once a month. Ohhhh, they like getting fed. Now if the weather would turn a tiny bit warmer, the tomatoes will turn from green to yummy red.

My front yard is exploding with color. Anyone need some English lavender? I will harvest some soon. I love color in my yard.

The huge bummer in my garden this year was the NO fruit production from the apricot and plum trees. Both received a very good trimming in February. Maybe the trees needed a rest this year. I still have in my freezer fruit from last year. Time to jam and pie!

I so love daisy's. They remind me of God's unfailing and tender hearted love He has for me. Unlike what the world says about daisies, "he loves me, he loves me not. . . ." With God choosing me as His own, dying on the cross for me, it is, "He loves me, He will always love me. . . ."- and that will go on for eternity!

Small World

2011-07-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry in advance that I don't have a picture, it is on a few Facebook accounts somewhere (but currently I'm not on Facebook). Last night my dad and I went to a Giant's baseball game at AT&T Park. My mom told me before we left that her cousin Kerry and husband would be there and for me to look for her. I chuckled and told her, "might be close to impossible to run into her, but with God all things are possible". Little side note here, if you don't follow Giant's baseball, every game at AT&T Park has been sold out this year which is around 42,000 + people at each game.

The deal with my dad and I going to a ball game is that I purchase the tickets and he pays for the food and fun. Usually (I would say 9 out 10 times), we go to the Irish Pub and get fish and chips. Neither of us last night wanted fish and chips, so we headed out to the center field arcade for something different. On our way to check out food (and it was an hour and half before game time!) my dad says, "I don't think I will recognize Kerry", I said, "I am pretty sure that I will recognize her if I see her but I think it will be close to impossible to run into them here". Not but 30 seconds later I see Kerry and her husband Steve and I call out to her. We had a nice chat for 10 minutes and then were on our way. All of us were amazed that we were able to run into each other, especially since none of us knew where the other were sitting.

Small world, all things possible with God!

BTW- Giants beat the Dodgers 5-0!

Thanks National League

2011-07-12T20:43:00.000-07:00

The National League won the 2011 All Star Game. Second year in a row that the N.L. has won, seriously has turned the tide as how the games have gone in the recent past. Last year's win helped my Giant's have home field advantage in the World Series. Let's Go Giants!!! Repeat again this year.

It's All Worth It!

2011-06-26T19:28:00.001-07:00

My pool is such a hassle. Hassle is an understatement too. My pool needs constant love, care and so much time. Chemicals, brushing, filter cleaning, skimming, vacuuming, and the list goes on. I hate dealing with the surprise that it is green and cloudy. At some moments in time I have thought that I would like to be done with it and fill it in.
UNTIL, I have family or friends over and they truly are enjoying the pool. This past week was such and example. Jen and the kids were up this week and we were in the pool for 4 or 5 days straight. The kids seem to just love being in the pool. This past week, everyone was in the pool. My mom, Jen, Trin Trin, Joe Joe, baby Eric, Amy, my cousin Cheryl, Olivia, Angie and I have all been in the pool. What fun we all had. Today is the first day in 6 days that I have not been in. Think I will pull the cover back and get in (after the Giant's game).

So, even though the pool is a complete hassle and uses up a good amount of my time, when people I love and care about enjoy my pool, it is all worth it.

A complete side note here about the pool: on Tuesday Amy brought over baby Eric to get him used to the pool. He cried and cried just getting the tips of his toes in. The next day, Amy had him in on her legs, he fussed a little. On Thursday (and Friday and Saturday too) he got completely in the pool. He so enjoyed himself. He laughed at his cousins and did not mind a little splash on his face.

I thank God for the blessing of a pool and to use it for His glory!

image taken from google images

Happy Summer

2011-06-21T09:56:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st day of summer! Summer for me starts the first day I go on summer vacation from work and ends abruptly the day I go back to work in August. A sampling that it is summer for me:

I could sleep in if I wanted to, but I don't.
I stay up way too late for getting up at 5 am, but I don't have to go to work.
Getting up early is helping me to have a quiet time, my precious time with my Lord and Savior. So nice to do this over the course of the morning and not having to rush off to work, or anything really for that matter.
Walking with some dear women from church before the heat of the day sets in.
Tending my garden more faithfully. Have already eaten a few yummies.
Doing yard work.
Getting the pool ready for a few lessons and for leisure. A pool is a great way to be hospitable to people.
There is a big project to do list around the house. This summer I really need to clean out my bedroom closet.
Jamming!
Eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Swimming/floating around in the pool.
Watch the entire Giants game (or not).
Read a good book or a few at the same time.
Catch up with family and friends.
Cook something yummy on the BBQ, cook the whole meal on the Barbi.
Reflecting on the past school and preparing for the new school year.

Summers are just as busy for me but I don't have such a set schedule. Have a wonderful summer. May God be glorified!

Heart Attack Wilson

2011-05-20T16:20:00.000-07:00

Fans thought the torture was over with winning the World Series. The drought of winning a series yes was over but the day to day torture of day to day wins in the 9Th inning is not over. The torture is alive and well. My friends and family know that I call Brian Wilson, "Heart Attack Wilson". It almost never fails that when Brian comes in to close up a game and give us a win, that I think he is going to blow it big time. Somehow, he can still pull off a win even though he loads the bases, has a run scored or gets his home crowd going from screaming that we are going to win to complete silence (at opposing games, he gets their fans screaming that they might win). Brian is also known as "Fear the Beard". What I think of this is that fear the beard really means, when the beard comes in, he just might give me a heart attack. Come on anyways, how close can you get to the edge of the Grand Canyon and not fall over?

picture taken from Google images

Lunge

2011-05-20T16:11:00.000-07:00

One of the stretches I have the students do at work is the lunge stretch (but we do it standing more upright with our hands on our hips, unlike the photo-saves the back). I do the stretches with my students and I always do them in the same order. It never fails with one of my 1st grade classes (which happens to be right after my lunch time), when we finish our tricep stretch, I say, "Lunge". The students say, "Miss W. did you have a good lunch?" I reply, "yes I did thank you for asking". They then ask, "what did you have?" My usual response is, "a yummy healthy salad!" They make me crack up almost every time. Lunge and lunch.

image taken from Google images

Spring Break (Easter Break)

2011-04-23T14:43:00.000-07:00

Easter break always refreshes my soul, attitude, body, and God allows me to take a new look at what Christ did on my behalf on the cross. My precious Savior died the most horrific and painful death and took the full wrath of God for me, ME, my sins. Hallelujah what a Savior!

People ask me, "So, are you going anywhere on break" and the response I love saying, "Thankfully, I am just staying home and getting some things done and spending time with my family. Love Easter break!"

The week has flown on by and thankfully I have been able to accomplish a few things on my "to do list". My pool is looking incredible, the weeds are all almost pulled (weeds never end though), the ground is tilled and amended, and the summer vegetables are bought and awaiting to be planted. Cleaning my bedroom closet remains on the list to be done. Next vacation.

The end of my break has been spent with my family. All 3 of my "loves" are at Nana and Papa's house. Jen and Amy surprised Nana and took to her have the grand kids pictures taken.

Baby Eric is figuring out his smile (and oh is he a charmer) and can mimic your tongue movements.

Trinity and Joey are so adorable and love to play with their Aunties. Trin Trin and I would have been bossom buddies if we grew up together. She has collected all the slugs and rollie pollies in Nana's yard, she loves being outdoors and running around and she scored many goals with me playing goalie. Joe Joe is a love bug and is so funny. He loves running around outside and playing football.

Love these kiddos. Praying they will one day understand all that Christ did on the cross and that God will break their heart with His love and that they would call Him Savior.

My Loves

2011-04-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

Here are my cutie pies! The picture is about a month old and baby Eric has changed so much already. There might be a new picture taken this weekend as we all will be together. I think I will bring my camera this time. Love these blessings that God has given me.
Eric 3 months, Trinity almost 5 1/2 years, Joey almost 3 years.

Waiting to See the Doctor

2011-04-06T07:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I needed to go to the doctor to see if they could help me figure out what is going on with not feeling well for several days with a fever for 5 days. I don't want to discuss my health in this post but the wait to see the doctor in the exam room.

There are so many posters and fact sheets all over the walls of the exam room. I am determined they make you sit on the cold exam table until you have had enough time to read everything on walls. You have to leave more informed or more confused. Here are a few glimpses what passed from my eyes to my brain.

if I used an inhaler, it is much better to use an extender chamber
saw the differences between a cold that is bacterial vs. viral (my case could be either)
figured my current BMI
the hospital offers many classes for people with diabetes
and that if you have diabetes, you should have your shoes and socks off for the visit with the doctor
from now, age 42, until age 100, I know what appointments I should making (not looking forward to a few of the future screenings)
if I found myself in an emergency the sign by the phone told me how to call the nurse's station
what a fetus (little human being) looks like at 9 weeks past conception. I am always awe struck at the incredible complexity of the development of a human. Truly an amazing work of God

Pop of Color

2011-04-04T11:06:00.001-07:00

Happy Spring! My yard is filled with incredible displays of God's painting pallet. Boy I needed a pop of color today. I am home ill today because my strep throat has either lingered or has decided to re-visit my throat.

You seriously can't go wrong with planting bulbs in the fall that are going to brighten your yard in the spring. Costco sells bulbs in bulk, 100 in a bag. I bought a tool a few years ago that I attach to my cordless drill and it bores my bulb holes just like that.

The sad thing, that in about 2 weeks the bulb color will be gone and the stems will be drying up for their appearance next year. But I will enjoy it now while I can.

Let's Do It Again!

2011-03-30T21:06:00.000-07:00

This year, my San Francisco Giants, start out as World Champions! I don't think I will ever tire of celebrating what happened in 2010 with the Giants! I would love the orange and black to kiss the world championship trophy again this year. Tomorrow my boys are back at it and I am ready with my chant, "BEAT LA, BEAT LA".

GO GIANTS!!!

(image taken from Google images)

Picker Upper

2011-03-30T20:27:00.000-07:00

Sometimes after work, I need a picker upper, a Peet's coffee drink. Today was one of those days. First real day of warmth for 2011 (what a contrast from the gloomy last several weeks of rain, rain, rain). So, I stopped off at "Peete Boys" and got an iced half calf coffee, a less expensive drink. The barista handed me my drink on the counter right next to the tip container and then handed me my nickle change. Clunk, splash. "Did you see what I just did?" "You put your nickle in your coffee drink, didn't you?" "Ahh, I thought I dropped it in your tip jar".

Guess I really needed a pick me upper to think correctly.

Notes From Far Away

2011-03-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

Over the last several weeks, I have received an email and a hand written card from dear friends, one from San Diego and one from Canada. God ordains those notes to get to my mailbox right when I need them. There is something special when you hear from precious kindred spirits who I don't get to see very often at all. Thank you Jesus for the encouragement (they may not have even planned to be encouraging but even just sharing what is going on in their lives and what God is doing) you send through dear people.

I love this song too and it nothing to do with the notes my friends send except for the Savior that has saved us and has bonded our hearts together. To listen click here.

Jesus, Thank You by Pat Sczehel

The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me

Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You

By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end

Lover of my soul
I want to live for You

The Desire is There but Energy is Not

2011-03-26T11:50:00.000-07:00

I'm not one of those bloggers that blog every day, every week, or even every month. My blog is not the whirling of theological discussion but just what is going on in my life and what God is doing in my heart. To be honest, a thought of something to post comes into my mind every day but to sit and actually post does not happen (as you are well aware of).

The LORD has been refining me greatly with my new job. There are several refining rods He is using with this job but the one I will mention today is sickness. From September to a few weeks into January seemed like I was with a cold or recovering from a cold and this cycle seemed to repeat itself constantly. New job, new germs. Guess the saying could go, "what is yours will be mine". Last week the season of better health came to a halt with a positive test for strep throat. Thankfully, today I am past the feeling of swallowing dry gravel.

The last 2 days I have been laying it pretty low key. In times like this I have to fight the feeling that I am being lazy. Thankfully, I don't have children and a husband to take care of. So, I am thankful that in this round of sickness, I had the desire to spend more time with God. Yesterday I read a fiction book based on the life of Tamar. Today I read several chapters in Genesis to see how the author came up with her thoughts of Tamar's life. I was then able to spend some time preparing for tomorrow's sermon from John chapter 5 and to pray to my Father in Heaven.

Regardless of what goes on in this life, God will never leave or let you down. He is ever faithfully working out His plan. He is good. Need to wait upon the LORD!

Here is a song we sang last week in church. If you would like to listen click here.

Everlasting God
Chris Tomlin

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord (repeat)

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

My Home's New Look

2011-02-06T20:11:00.000-08:00

My parents and my grandma decided that I needed a serious update of my sofas. The old sofas served their purpose and I got 8 1/2 good years out of them and that was 8 1/2 years longer after my sister had them for a time and her college roommate had them before that. The pictures don't really put the new look in the best light, I took them early this morning before I went to church. They are so beautiful and completely change the look of my great room. I am so very blessed. Thank you Mom, Dad and Grandma, I love them!

Baby F!

2011-02-06T19:49:00.000-08:00

Wow, can't believe that Baby Eric Walter will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. Poor Amy had a hard delivery, 39 hours. Thankfully, she only had to push for 18 minutes. Baby Eric (I might end up calling him Ric Ric love- like Trin Trin love and Joe Joe love) is named after his daddy and Walter is after my grandfather on my mom's side. His name is real special for me. So, here are the details: Eric Walter, 6 pounds 6 ounces, 19 1/2" long, full head of dark handsome hair and so cute. What a honor to be present for the delivery. I don't think Amy even knows this, one of the items on my bucket list was to be in the delivery room for the birth of a baby of my family. Thanks Amy- check. I praise the LORD for the blessing of being an auntie again. My prayer is that I will be able to share the love of Jesus with him.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

2010-12-29T08:14:00.000-08:00

"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. " Psalm 139:13-16

Baby F is due in about 5 weeks. In December I was able to go to a few appointments with her. His little heart beat sounds like a horse trotting. The ultrasound images were incredible. I clearly was able to see all of his fingers, toes, spine, eyes, the 4 chambers of his heart beating and squeezing, the division between his right and left side of his brain, his femur bone and so many other incredible features.

Trin Trin and Joe Joe are up at Nana and Papa's for some time after Christmas. What is so adorable is to see them come up to Amy and give her tummy a big hug and how they talk to baby F. They even picked out some baby toys for him for Christmas.

I am so reminded of the text above when I think of what a miracle God performs each and every time a life is formed in a mother's womb. Soon and very soon we will be able to meet Baby F and find out his name that has been picked out for him.

I'm Around-Just Busy

2010-12-28T10:09:00.000-08:00

Posting has once again taken a back seat to my busy life and lack of energy to do so. Would love to say that posting has stopped because of the Giant championship that came to San Francisco that I mentioned on my last post but it truly has been busy. The blog will not go silent, it will resume soon. When I have trouble getting my clean laundry folded and put away and not spending as much time reading my Bible and praying, that is when I know I have no time for blogging.

My "loves" are in town this week and my time is spent playing, pushing swings, pretending I am the puppy vet, reading books, and so much more, all good fun!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends celebrating the birth of Christ, the Savior!

Here are a few family holiday photos.

The San Francisco Giants are the World Champions!!!

2010-11-03T06:18:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes, yes! The (my) San Francisco Giants have won the world series! History has now been made. First championship ever for San Fran in baseball history. There was some serious hooting and hollering inside and outside of my house when the game was over.

Call me crazy or call me loyal, but today is the big parade and I am going! Thanks to some hard earned bank days at work and the awesome feat of the Giants to win it all. The crowds are expected to be big today. Last time I was around this many people it was for the New Year's celebration going into 2000 in San Francisco, that was crazy crowded night.
Images taken from knbr.com

The Excitement is Growing- Magic Number-1

2010-10-31T21:33:00.000-07:00

Yaaaaahooo! Giants are up 3-1 in the series. There is great eager optimism growing. Tonight I found myself saying several times, "The Giants might (the might is with emphasis) win the World Series!" Tomorrow night might be a very sweet night. I want to dream already of going out and banging pots and pans when the final out is recorded but I know better to not to go there yet. Wow!

Please don't think my whole life is all about baseball right now because life has continued on. I am going to work each day, I went to church today, helped my mom out with some projects, even got the laundry done and folded! Giants baseball has been real exciting and this has been a great year.

In my excitement trying to find good graphics, I have neglected to give credit to the graphics. All the Giants images have come from Google images.

GO GIANTS!!!

Half Way There

2010-10-30T05:58:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a series so far for the San Francisco Giants. Let's GO GIANTS!!! 2 down and 2 to go.

Thursday evenings my community group gathers (a Bible study) and this week we had a fellowship meal. K & J were so thoughtful, they had their Ipad set up so D and I could follow the updates every 15 seconds. I was not able to let loose the excitement completely but some hoots, claps and jumping up and down did occur. Thanks K & J- love you.

This week at school, instead of warm up exercises, I've had the students do the chicken dance and shared with them how the dance has to do with the San Francisco Giants. Back in the Barry Bonds era, opposing teams would intentionally walk the home run king and the stadium would play the chicken dance on the jumbo tron screen and 40,000 people would be dancing the little jig. Here is an example of one of those walks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou7tqQ6EVZE.

Fun times.

GO GIANTS!!!

Wow! One Down 3 to Go

2010-10-27T21:57:00.000-07:00

What a fun and incredible ride this has been. Great win tonight for my San Francisco Giants in game 1 of the World Series. Would love if God's favor was towards the Giants this year. Incredible offense but we've gotta work on the defense a wee bit. Tonight I had a great time watching the game at a friend's home. She saw how pumped up I can get.

The kids at work have done some cute things over the last several days regarding the Giants. They've got the "fever" too! Last week Mrs. B's 2nd grade class did the morning announcements, a day when the principal was gone. At the end of their scripted announcements they cheered out, "Go Giants!" In another class last week, Mrs. A class had thought out ahead of time a way cheer the Giants on for me. After doing their 20 jumping jacks, they yelled out, "GO GIANTS!" They said they did this for me because I love the Giants so much. Today, 3 of us teachers had on Giants t-shirts. I started a chant with some of my students as we walked to the classroom and to lunch, "Let's Go Giants!" clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. Two of the 1st grade classes after recess chanted out in their line up lines (room 20)- "GO" (room 19) "Giants". That cheer was heard around the school. Today I gave out one of the SF Giant's pencils I picked up the last time I was at a ball game. The students were playing a game that involved putting on a orange or blue pennie to identify who was on each team. One girl refused to put on the blue pennie because she said it was not orange like the Giants. Every day, she shares her excitement of the Giants and how they are winning. After class I gave her a SF Giant's pencil that I had picked up the last time I was at the ball park. She loved it. I guess she shared that I gave it to her to another student. That student came up and asked if I had any more pencils and that he was a Giant's fan. I asked him if he was "a die hard fan" and he said he was. I asked, "for this whole season you have been a Giant's fan?" "Yes". I said, "who is the Giant's 1st baseman?" He could not answer so he did not get a pencil. I have one more pencil to give out and I know who it will be for tomorrow- a boy who runs up to me every day to give me a high 5 about the Giant's winning the game the night before.

I'm loving these fun days with the Giants! I told my students today that if the Giants win tonight, tomorrow night, Saturday and Sunday, sweep the series, that I will not be at school on Monday or whatever day they have the parade, that I will be in the city taking part in the fun celebration. They all want to come too. Not sure how I am going to work a field trip for all 500 out them.

World Series Mania

2010-10-27T06:34:00.000-07:00

The World Series starts today. Just 4 wins until a team is crowned the champions, my hope is that it is the San Francisco Giants (and the hope of at least hundreds of thousands too). I'll post more later as I have to go to work, wish I was going to the game though.

LET'S GO GIANTS!!!

Giants Are Going To The Series

2010-10-23T21:43:00.000-07:00

Orange October will continue for at least 4 more games! Yeah Hey for the Giants, they won the National League Pennant and are going to the World Series!!! This has been a great year for my Giants. One of my lifetime dreams (on my bucket list) is to see the San Francisco Giants win the World Series. Another item on my bucket list is to go to a World Series game with the Giants playing. Not sure, maybe this year?

On a side note, I am really tired of the media bias against the Giants. There have been several times I have had to mute the TV to silence the announcers and how they are talking about the Giants or talking the whole time about the Phillies (or the Yankees, Braves or almost any other east coast team). There is local announcer that should be taken off of the Giants radio broadcast station, KMBR 680, and his news sportcast. He has always been so anti-Giant, that I am sickened. Personally, I would like to stick with Duane, Mike, Dave and Jon and wish they could announce the series on the TV.

Orange October

2010-10-16T13:48:00.000-07:00

Orange October. Wow, so much orange in October. Orange has become my favorite color especially this October. Nothing better than an Orange October.

Every morning as I drive to work the east sky is a painter's canvas (God is the Painter!) with all the incredible hues and shades of orange. When I am running a little late, the sun has popped into the scene and is an enormous orange ball. Many of these mornings I am pleading with God to give me wisdom, insight, strength and love for my new job. Seeing the glory of the morning, the majesty and goodness of the LORD, my restless heart is reminded that He is with me, that He is faithful, He is working and that He is for me.

Every Friday I wear a orange shirt for two reasons. The first reason, it is spirit day at school and school colors are orange and black. The second reason, every Friday this baseball season is Orange Fridays, to cheer on the Giants.

There has been much more orange going on in October. Back in September, I had my toe nails painted orange to help push my Giants into the playoffs. The Giants won the National League West on October 3rd to go to the National League Division Playoffs (I will share about this game in another post- it was one of the most incredible games I have been to- EVER). The Giants won the NLDS and today start the National League Championship Series. GO GIANTS!!! There is a little baseball superstition in me, (isn't there a little in every true baseball fan?) not changing the toe nail color. I need a pedicure bad but have not been able to fit it in to get my nails done orange again. Every day the Giants win or the day after they have clinched, I am wearing orange. Last week, I had a whole load of orange laundry. Sure hope I can keep wearing orange until the end of the month (if need be, a few days into November!).

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

2010-09-16T17:11:00.000-07:00

Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, Who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
"Full atonement!" can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;
"It is finished!" was His cry;
Now in heav'n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we'll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Last week at church, we sang one of my all time favorite hymns, Hallelujah! What a Savior! by Philip P. Bliss written in 1875. The Bible that is still "lost" had this song written among the songs I would like sung at my funeral. So in life and in death this will always be one of my favorites, sung here desiring to see my Savior face to face and sung seeing Him in full glory!

Trekking

2010-09-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Labor Day!!!

The trekking through Broines Regional Park continues. By November 11th all the trails need to be completed. Today's hike was on beautiful trails with incredible scenery and sweet fellowship. I've been back at work with students now for 2 full weeks, it's been awhile since my "walking gals" have all been able to get together, but this morning we were all present. We had a good time laughing and talking while hiking 5.51 miles. I praise God for my dear sisters in Christ.

At one point, Kim asked me what theme my photos had for the blog. I have no real theme except documenting our trails, and I have noticed that there usually is some sort of gate and oak trees included in the photos.

Most of the trails were new today, only doing the first section over again. The trails on this side today were much more shady, scenic, and not so "heart attackish". The gals asked me if picture breaks were truly picture breaks or breaks for my heart to get back in my chest.

Our trek started on Bear Creek Road to the staging area, Old Broines Road Trail, Crescent Ridge Trail, Broines Crest Trail, Seaborg Trail and ending on Bear Creek Trail. The Bear Creek Trail was lush and woodsy, loaded with poison oak. If I don't get a patch of the oozy, itchy skin from the poison oak, I will be surprised. I should have taken a photo at one point when we were walking through the narrow trail. We all were walking with our hands in a pyramid shape above our heads. Our boots had about 16" to walk and the poison oak was reaching out to our boots, calves, arms and down to our heads. The others said that they did not think they were allergic to the poisonous plant. There were a few points on the creek trail that we had to crawl under or over a tree that had fallen down. In this picture the trail widened slightly and this path looked like fall has already arrived. The fall colors were sprinkled across the trail.

Right towards the end of our hike we came across Bear Creek. It was a pretty area and the water was moving ever so gently. I bet during the winter and spring time after a good storm that this creek is moving well.

The question was asked today, how the goal of doing all the trails in the park got started between Suzy and I. Suzy gave the challenge after our first hike, my first hike in Broines. Most of my entire life (except the 10 years in Los Angeles) has been in the East Bay and I had never been in Broines. What a blessing for me to be able to hike these trails. The trails display God's incredible creation, His goodness to allow us to enjoy His beauty, to allow my body to get some wonderful exercise (I don't like traditional gyms, only God's gyms in the outdoors), and to have some sweet fellowship with my friends.

The first time Suzy and I hiked on the Bear Creek side, we came across this area called Newt Hollow. I'm not sure if I commented in my post on the area the first time. Suzy thought Newt Hollow would be a wonderful place for me to be married one day, when God brings the man I am waiting for into my life. The area is so beautiful, so reflective of God, and would be a good place for my guests too. Not sure if this would work out when I get married, the Lord knows but it is fun to think about. If that day happens, I will not be wearing shorts and hiking boots!

I love this little old fence above Newt Hollow.

Another great hike, another step closer to finishing up the goal.

Broines Missing Links

2010-09-01T21:05:00.000-07:00

The last two Briones hikes have been somewhat familiar. Parts of the trails we have hiked before and other parts were connector trails. There is something nice about familiarity, you remember certain landmarks, steep uphills, slopping downhills, and which way the trail bends. With new territory, you wonder how high a hill goes, if the downhill on the other side of the hill will cram your toes in your boots, or if there will be a post marker telling you where to go.

Today's hike was the second shortest in distance, but took the prize for the hottest temperature hiked in yet. The temperature was close to 100 today. Thankfully, most of the hike was under the canopy of the trees giving huge relief from the blistering heat. Last time we hiked the Pine Tree trail, it was foggy and cold and we slogged through deep thick mud. Today the ground was nothing but leaves and fine dust.

The poison oak is alive and well this year. Oaks and poison oak seem to go hand in hand. Poison oak and I don't have a good relationship with each other. I have done a pretty good job this year to stay clear even though there has been a ton of the poisonous plants on every trail we have hiked. I have had 3 or 4 tiny isolated spots of poison oak this season. I do not want a repeat outbreak like I had in high school a few times. The leaves are real pretty at this time of year, especially when the sun hits the leaves from a certain angle.

On the hikes, we have discovered lush, green, protected areas and we have been out with the grass (very dead and dry at this time of year) with not a tree in sight. From the hikes, I have discovered that I like the lush and cool areas better than the open hillsides.

The second to last hike we took was on the last day of July. There was a flock of turkey's looking for food. There were two "Tom's" in this bunch. One was on the fence and the other is the one with his head up checking us out. The Tom's are pretty protective of their hens. They make a bunch of noise too.

Summer's Last Hurah!

2010-08-29T18:54:00.000-07:00

Once again, I am behind on my posts. What is even more sad than not posting is that I am procrastinating doing my lesson plans for next week to do a post!

Two weeks ago Dawn and I took a little day trip to Monterey. We brought our bicycles along and rode 25 miles up and down the coast. Honestly, it was nice to get out and do something different than the norm. The fresh air was good for my heart and mind with the new job and all that involved with starting up.

Check out my new bike, it is a nice upright hybrid by Trek. I love riding a bicycle but my back can not handle the strain of leaning over a racing or mountain bike. My bike is so cute, it is baby blue with dark blue Hawaiian flowers on it. My back loves it. I got a great deal on it too!

The old light house has been turned into a museum. On this day, the sun never really came out, it was buried deep in the summertime coastline fog.

Today's W's

2010-08-09T20:52:00.000-07:00

Whooping, Wasps, Work, Walk, Wonder

Whooping- got my whooping cough vaccination today. "This will be a slight prick", OUUUCH!
Wasps- sprayed them dead tonight at dust as they rest in their nest.
Work- will not be able to meet my new principal until 2 days before school starts, yikes cutting close.
Walk- back to the normal routine of my morning walk with the gals, was missing it.
Wonder- God worked in a wonderful way at last week's Vacation Bible School that causes me once again to be in awe and wonder of how mighty He is.

Summer Yum!

2010-07-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

The blackberry bushes are ripe and ready to be picked on part of the route where the gals and I walk each morning. After we walked our 5 miles, we grabbed our containers and bags and started picking. We picked about 4 quarts of yummy sweet juicy berries, got a few scratches, have purple fingers and the makings for some delicious food.

When I got home I made gluten free blackberry pancakes for breakfast. In fact, I was so excited about the blackberry pancakes, I forgot to brew my coffee. Quickly I discovered my loss and got some brewing.

For lunch, I had the rest of the berries with some milk. One of my favorite meals in summertime is fresh fruit with milk. I eat it like cereal and I can have it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, a snack, or for dessert.

God has been so creative in the foods He has created for us to enjoy in California.

YUMAHUH!

Briones- Getting Closer

2010-07-30T13:57:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, Suzy and I, took on another chunk of our goal to finish all the trails in Broines Regional Park by 11/11/10. By far, this was our longest and most time consuming hike we have done. We parked the car at the last staging area that we had not started a trail at, the Lafayette Ridge Staging Area. By the mileage on the trail map we did 7.03 miles and took a few wrong turns adding about .50 miles. Our feet hiked the Lafayette Ridge Trail, Buckeye Ranch Trail, Springhill Trail and back to the Lafayette Ridge Trail.

The first major chunk of the trail seemed to not be scale according to the map. The map has it at 2.85 miles but it seriously took us over two hours. The ridge trail was the first ridge trail we have taken in the park, and I now understand better why it was a ridge trail. Most of the trail was up and down, up and down, steep downhills on either side. The trail was very deceiving, when you got to the top of one hill, you thought you were done with uphill for awhile, but you saw a down and then up again.

Both Suzanne and I were tired and did not think we could make it up another hill top. We must have done 20 hill tops and it was taking a very long time compared to other hikes we had taken. Finally, we saw a trail marker that gave us good news, we did not have to hike up the next hill top which was big and steep. "Oh we are blessed, blessed indeed", was all we could utter.

At one point, we decided to change the Law of Newton to, "what goes down must go up" and called it Newton's Reverse Law of Gravity. The trail looped at the end of our time on the ridge and we knew that we had to go back the way we came to get to the car. On the side of the hill we saw distinct deer trails that cut off the top of the hill and kinda leveled out the up and downs, so we decided to take the deer trails. NOTE TO SELF: Don't take the deer trail again, scratched legs and a tiny bit of poison oak is not worth it.

The last point of worth noting about this hike was confusing guideposts or missing all together guide posts. There were several trails we took, thinking we were going the right direction because the sign said so or we guessed when there was no real clear sign. The sign here to the left is one such example of the confusion, every side of the sign had different arrows point which way to go. So, we know for next time but it was trial by error this time.

Got a blister on my right heel bone again this time. Need to get some new socks I think.

Another great hike. Think we have about 6 left, maybe we will hike a small one to tie up loose ends in the morning.

I'm loving exploring God's amazing and beautiful creation.

Papa's Birthday Weekend

2010-07-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

For the last 4 year's, since there have been grandkids, Papa's birthday has been celebrated over a weekend with the entire family. There is a BBQ swim party at my house and Dad takes all of us to a Giant's ball game(this year there were 10 of us, 11 if you count Baby F., from my 95 year old grandma to my 2 year old nephew). Papa had a great time in the kids lot helping Joey bat, run the bases and play the outfield with the kids. Dad really enjoyed himself. I love the first picture, Trinity has her hand on his leg for security. Joey a little bit later had to play right where the outfielder is on the painted wall. It was pretty cute. When my sister passes along a photo of all of us, I will post it up.

At the swimming party, Trinity showed off her new skill of swimming and jumping off the diving board. Actually, we could not keep her off the diving board, she was so excited to jump off my diving board. Mom, grandma, Amy and Jen cooked up some yummy food for the party. Yumahuh food indeed! In my family, yumahuh and good times go hand in hand.

Before the game got started we were able to go down to field level right by the Giant's dugout and look around and take some pictures. Me and my loves!

The only thing missing was a win. Funny has it, everytime we have all gone, the G's have not won. This time we should have won but the ump blew a call in the bottom of the 9th. We'll try again next year.

A Teacher's Dread, A Parent's Excitement

2010-07-30T13:16:00.000-07:00

Two more days until I turn my calendars to August. Every teacher's longing is to keep the calendar in July, every parent can't wait for August to arrive. August 1st marks the final countdown of the days left on summer vacation.

Not exactly sure, but I think I have to be back August 18th and the students a few days later.

I am excited for my new job, my new mission field but I do like my summer vacations.

Job Placement

2010-07-30T12:47:00.000-07:00

Waiting on the Lord has great reward. I don't think in this lifetime I will truly understand the fullness and complexity of waiting on God's perfect timing for a perfect answer to my prayers. He is faithful to give me glimpses of the rewards in this life. Last week I found out my job placement for this upcoming school year. To my great surprise, I actually had a choice of 2 jobs. Option 1 was being at 3 separate schools each work week, 2 days, 2 days, 1 day. Option 2 was being at a single site, a site that is going through major overhaul to improve test scores. My choice- option 2! What an honor to be offered option 2, to be part of the rebuilding process, to Lord willing, assist a struggling school to become a successful school. God gave me a little reward for causing me to wait upon Him.

For me, waiting on the Lord is not so easy. Daily I need to go to Him, begging Him to help me wait on Him, to trust in the sovereign plan He has for my life. The duration of the wait this time on the Lord was short compared to other things I am waiting on the Lord for (20+ years). There is still much waiting on Him with this job, there are so many unknowns at this point. And then there is the science test.

Waiting and trusting. He is so good all the time.

Psalm 100
Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with
gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the LORD Himself is
God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the
sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with
praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the LORD is good; His
lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all
generations.

The Kids

2010-07-11T20:58:00.001-07:00

I have not updated pictures of my "loves" recently. Trinity is 4 3/4 and Joey is 2! They grow up so fast. I love them so much . Children are a blessing from the Lord.

I already love this little "love". Baby F is due on Feb 2, 2011. I'm going to call this embryo "little scoop". At almost 10 weeks, it has a strong heart beat, and 10 toes! God is amazing!

Trin Trin played on a little "hit, catch and run" team in her home town. Guess what team she was put on? You got it, the Giants!

Joe Joe loves his doggy Harley Jean.

Kids, water and fountains. There is something that is so fascinating to them.

Having fun at the zoo!

Bucket List- check

2010-07-11T20:23:00.000-07:00

CHECK

One of the items I was able to check as completed on my "Bucket List", was Opening Day with the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Everything lined up this year for me to attend, I was on spring break from work, I actually was able to purchase tickets the first day tickets went on sale (part of checking off this item on my list), they were not expensive and my dad was able to go with me.

What a beautiful day in the city. The weather was perfect, perfect baseball weather. There was something special in the air this day, the Giant's won!

Dad and I took BART in and walked by the waterway to the ballpark.

It was pretty incredible to see the huge American flag at the start of the game.

Dad loves his fish and chips and tradition has it about 9/10 that we get fish and chips from the Irish Pub on the 3rd level. We walked out to the seats to hear the national anthem and to see the fly over. From our vantage point, we saw the fighter jets come in through the Golden Gate Bridge and under the Bay Bridge.

Something special about the feel at the yard on Opening Day.

On an exciting side note, my mom has really taken to the Giant's this year. She has enjoyed the Giant's but she is really getting into the games this year. She listens to all the games and is following how well the individual players are doing. On a regular basis she either calls me or I call her to talk about something that just happened in the game or to talk about the game afterwards. Both of us are on a first name basis with the players. By far, without a blink of an eye, her favorite player is Andres Torres. He is "her boy" and the best player on the whole team. The "boys" are even getting nicknames in her book, and mine too, there's Huff Daddy, Buster Boy, UuuuuRibe, Whitey, Eye Candy, Panda, Ichy, Freddy Boy, and Boch. I'm having fun talking baseball, mostly Giant's baseball with my mom. Love her dearly.

Next weekend we are celebrating my dads birthday and he is taking the whole family to the game. We have done this for the last 4 years. Fun time.

Briones Goal Update

2010-07-11T18:47:00.000-07:00

Even though I have been behind on my blogging, I still have been keeping up with finishing all the trails in Briones Regional Park. Suzy and I have walked 3 separate hikes since my last trail update, Kim and Freddy, her American Bulldog, joined us on our last venture. From my estimation of the map, 2/3 of the trials have been completed.

Part of the enjoyment of the hikes is to see how the scenery and landscape changes with each passing month and season. The first hikes were in late fall, the weather was turning cooler, the hills and trees were going into dormant state, then we hiked in the cold and fog, to bright and vibrant hillsides in the early spring (early spring here is late winter in anywhere but California), to a few months later- California's golden hills, to our last hike, dry, dusty and hot.

Each hike has brought some new sighting of wildlife and changes in the oak trees.

Another thing that has increased is the amount of mileage hiked on each hike. The hikes started out smaller and now are getting progressively longer (just a head's up Suzy, the next few I have planned are in the 6-8 mile range).

The three above pictures were taken on 3/7/10 on a 4.7 mile hike. I love this picture right above. On an earlier post, I have this same tree and fence post in the fog. This day the sky was mostly clear and you could see Mt. Diablo in the background from the top of our hike.

The below three photos were taken on 5/30/10. More critters. I think this fat lizard just ate it's breakfast, he was just sunning and taking in a little Vitamin D. The snake was seriously in the middle of the trail and I almost stepped right on him. I think I let out a little yelp. My curiosity won the best of me and I had to poke him with a stick. Somehow he had just died recently, don't know how but he was soft and not moving. When we got back to the trail head there was a sign telling the difference between a rattle snake and another snake (I think it was a whippet snake). The snake we encountered did not have a diamond shaped head so it was not a rattle snake.

The hills were turning golden or as my sister says, "brown". She and I have had the debate of the color of the hills in California for some time now. I insist since California is called Golden State(that comes from the color of the hills) that even though the hills are brown, they are golden. This hike started on the Bear Creek Trail Head, a side we had not hiked before and was about 3.71 miles (2nd shortest hike)

The last hike we did was 7/7/10 and I did not have my camera. Not sure what I was thinking because I have been taking pictures each time out. I think the reason was because we did this hike as part of the normal morning walking routine. Thankfully, almost each week day morning a group of ladies from church have been getting up and walking 4.5-6.5 miles each time. A month into my summer vacation and we have already put in some serious miles, getting close to 80-100 miles if I was to count them up.

Thankfully, the weather was cooler and there was some fog off on the coast, which traveled up to the hill tops we climbed. The first 30-45 minutes was pretty much all up hill and my heart was jumping out of my heart. We ascended about 1000' getting close to the highest peak which we climbed on another previous hike. Of the 5 trial heads, the Gloria Terrace is by far the steepest uphill at the beginning and the steepest downhill at the end. I actually prefer the steep uphill to the steep downhill. My knees and feet take a beating on the steep downhill. There was a little extra unplanned chunk of trail that we also did so that we would not have to come back to it later to finish the goal. When all was said and we got back to the car, we hiked about 7.25 miles. The hills were really dry now and the wooded areas on the west side of the hills were lush and green.

Maybe we'll get another hike in this week, if not this week, maybe next week. The adventure and hiking goal continues. Thank you Suzanne for the challenge, thank God for His beautiful creation to be able to explore.

And For the Exciting News

2010-07-11T15:33:00.000-07:00

Amy, my sister, is 9 weeks pregnant! Amy and Eric are going to have their 1st baby and making me an Auntie for the 3rd time. We are excited for a new baby and this little one is already in my prayers.

Jammin'

2010-07-10T15:55:00.000-07:00

Soon as a cool and free day comes around, I'll be making jam, jelly, and syrup. My freezer is packed full of prepared strawberries, apricots and plums. Not all the frozen fruit will be used for jam and such but will kept frozen to make a crisp or pie. YUMMY! In this picture you can not even see the 3 gallon bags full of strawberries, they are behind the apriocots.

It's A Post!

2010-07-10T06:50:00.000-07:00

So, I guess I can say that I am a fair weather blogger. My last post was on March 3rd, quite a long while ago. March 3rd started "Operation Trust in the Lord". The Lord has been so gracious to me, as He always is gracious, to lead and direct my way. God has faithfully brought trials my way to refine and perfect me, to make me more like Christ. My trials have been light in comparison to what others have been through. I am grateful for the trials and thankful that God is faithfully always by my side. God so faithfully worked to prepare me for the future.

Here is a mere glimpse into some of what God has revealed to me since March 3rd.

March 3- my PE department plans a meeting with school administration to talk about master calendar issues that relate to PE and the school. To our huge surprise, the administration notified the five of us that the district was eliminating one whole PE position out of the next year's master calendar line. Class size would go from starting at 40 students/class to 55. The administration told one of our dear male PE teachers that he would be placed at another site for the next school year, because he was lowest seniority with 9 years in the district. This would leave us with 3 female teachers and just one male teacher. God started to work in my heart that very moment that I thought I might be the one who would be placed in another school (even with 11 years at the same school, I was the lowest seniority female in my PE department). The issue is that the locker rooms have to be supervised and one male teacher can not possible watch, supervise and be free from possible accusations with over 100 middle school boys in one small area at a time. Will I trust God?
End of March- my district is in the process of doing massive cut backs to balance the horrible state budget. The decision was made to lay off PE teacher up to 8 years 10 month seniority in the district. Next year's anticipated cuts look to be even more harsh on physical education for the students. God starts the process in my heart to prepare for possible cut backs in the future that would cause me to be without a job. My mind starts thinking of all the possible routes that I can take to help insure I have a job next year. Crazy times. God is faithful.
Mid April- pink slips are given out to some 20 PE teachers. I have decided that I want to pursue a science teaching credential, since the district is not laying off science teachers. Not sure if I want to take college courses or take the CSET test. God is sovereign and He is in control.
April- May- refinement period. God brings on smaller trials, but trials no the less to continually cause me to go back and rest in my faithful God. Even when my heart was weak, He encouraged my soul. Here is a list of a few of the trials: Easter Sunday my beloved Bible was misplaced and has yet to be found, a roommate situation was not working out the way I had hoped, my grandfather clock (made by my grandfather), earth quake strapped to the wall and all, crashed to the ground and sustained some damage, one of my cats decided to start marking his territory on my carpet and wall and my back completely "went out". It is well with my soul and God is good.
June- I am called into the principals office and told what I felt deep down in my heart since March 3rd, that truly it was I that was leaving the school and being placed at another school(s) due to cutbacks and needing to equalize the locker rooms. My co-workers, myself and the entire school are saddened. Praise the Lord, I have worked hard at this school for 11 years and this has been my mission field. It was hard to go but God has been yet again so faithful and so good to me. He alone is my rock, my fortress and my deliver.
To this point- the district is a little overwhelmed, if I can say, with all of the massive cut backs that they have done, they have not figured out the placement of everyone yet. The Lord knows where my new mission field will be, looks like it will be elementary PE. The last 15 years have been teaching middle school and now I will start elementary. As to the science credential, honestly- it is not something I want to pursue but I still feel God wants me to be faithful in this area. By His grace alone, I am studying to take the CSET exam in either September or November. I am having a hard time sitting down and studying, for now it is chemistry, it will get to physics, astronomy, biology, earth science, genetics and evolution. The test material is like getting 6 BS in the different science areas. The test and how I do is in God's hands. He knows, He is sovereign, He moves the way He wants. All of my days, I will trust in the Lord.

Thanks for your patience, I'll try to keep you updated but from my history as a blogger, I know better. There's more I want to share but that will be for later posts. Hope all is well with you and that you can say with me, "It is well with my soul".

Update on Photo Contest

2010-03-03T20:11:00.000-08:00

When my March issue of Sunset arrived in my mail box sometime in late February, the first page I look at is the inside back cover revealing the "The First Glimpse of Spring" photo contest winner. With hopeful anticipation, I see that none of my photos were chosen. But the paragraph below mentions my photo at AT&T Park, "This month, we were looking for the first signs of spring, and you responded with a flood of gorgeous images: tulips, hummingbirds, snow-covered crocuses, even a hopeful shot of the empty scoreboard at San Francisco's AT&T Park." Can I say I made honorable mention?

The deadline for May's contest is March 12th, and the theme is "the highest, lowest, northernmost, southernmost, or westernmost part of the West you've been to?" At this point I don't know if I have any worthy photos for the contest. The one I am considering is the photo below at the base of Mt. Lassen. Not the best shot but it is all that I have.

This shot was taken at the base of Mt. Lassen at Helen Lake. The peak of Lassen is close to 11,000 feet above sea level and Helen Lake sits around 8,300 (to my memory that is what I recall but I could be off on both of those). For the record, I have climbed to the peak 2 times and want to do it again real soon, and I have not swam in the lake but one about 1/4 mile away when it was half covered with snow-another story for another time.

I am slightly considering this shot from San Diego but I think the photo is nothing special.

The photo and below are from my recent trip to Cambria (cute little town between LA and the Bay Area). The one highlight of either of these photos is the elephant seals that were onshore to have their pups and this happens in January so it does not really fit in with the May issue. For that matter, the picture of Lassen is not part of May either. You can not get any where near Helen Lake in May, still too much snow. The peak trial does not even open until July.