Quest

Okay, once upon a time, I tasted a delicious dish which was basically like a 'chicken lasagna', and it was love at first bite.

Alas, I cannot remember who made it, but then it dawned on me that someone out there might have a recipe similar up their sleeve . (I love sharing recipes!)

I remember it having a lovely blend of white cheeses, basil, pesto, and tomatoes. . . mmmm

??? Anyone ??? ;)

On mornings like these . . .

Its quarter to 8

I still have to get out the door

Its cold

I'm sleepy

THANK GOODNESS FOR COFFEE!!!

Man Return

My man is coming home next Saturday


WOOO HOOO!!!!

Owl Play

This evening, late, I shoved the dog outside for his usual night-romp before bed. About ten minutes later as I was busy scrubbing the kitchen floor, it occurred to me that I hadn't heard a peep from my usual 'let-me-inside' now, dog.

Hmm. . . I peeked my head outside to see what the pup was up too. All I saw were a pair of glowing eyes staring back at me. I tried to keep my voice down, to not wake my poor neighbors, 'Hector, come on, get in here'. The beast stood there with his hair on the back all ruffed up, and he was intently staring at something on my neighbor's roof.

And there he was. A ginormous owl - peacefully perched on the corner, staring at my confused dog. Yes. I knew this one. He has been over in our neck of the woods (or lack thereof) the past three months, hooting, swooping, and keeping down the rat population. He has a friend owl too - only tonight, that one seemed mia.

The dog was excitedly pacing around the yard, keeping his eye on the owl and coming back to something in the other corner, which I couldn't quite make out, but judging by the soft squeaking, I was pretty sure it was a bunny. Maybe that was why the owl was so interested. It took some treat-coaxing to get my *expletive* dog back inside. . . sigh - sorry neighbors.

To bed we go - I dunno about this owl play.

For the one I love

J & J

Wish y'all lived closer!
So good to see you both - only wish my H could have been there too! :(

This is where I grew up, I think the present owner fixed it up . . .

Oh, little house on Bethany Drive

I spent 17 wonderful years in this cozy house of barely 750 square feet. Squished in a bedroom split down the middle with my brother, and one tiny bathroom with 4 others, the memories are many. My maternal great grandfather Obera originally built this cottage, and he left his prints all over (he planted the leafy green plum tree blocking the house :) That same tree saved my brother in the '89 earthquake). My great grandfather used to bury his garbage on the mountainside, and there were numerous times we would literally stumble upon it (in our bare feet, of course!). My dad added the spacious deck - we used to bbq and stargaze out there. The original windows were french, and I used to love swinging them open for the fresh mountain breezes to come in.


We were nestled in these beautiful redwoods, backed against a climbing hill, with a trickling creek just beyond this 'fort' I once had (below). Above was one of the coolest forts, which gave one the perfect 'spy' advantage because it was set on an incline overlooking the road.

You are probably still mouth-agape at the 750 sq. ft. right? ;)

There were good times, hard times, cramped times, sad times, angry times, and times when we all wished we could kick out the walls and move to a bigger place, but by the time mom and my sister and I moved from there in 2001, we really realized our 'treasure is in heaven' in a new way. . .

I am so thankful we grew up here - what awesome stories I have for my children someday :)

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

I recently saw this with the parents - beautifully done film & Cate Blanchett does a phenomenal job as Elizabeth :) The costumes and cinematography are also brilliant. Don't miss this one!

Counting the days

The last stretch is always the longest, the most trying, and the hardest to get through. . .

Just about one more week to go until H can finally come home. He hasn't been home in about a month, poor guy.

I miss him lots :(

We'll be together again soon - hurray for sweet reunions!

San Francisco Outing

Noni and I took the BART to the Ferry Station - what a beautifully refurbished building!

Bell Tower

Palm Trees and the Bay Bridge

Bus ;)
(Noni told me that the city features buses from all around the world!)

Rainy Day in the city

Inside the Ferry Station, they have an 'open air' market

*Kingdom of Herbs* - made me think of you, Missy! :)

Cold Front Alert

It seems we have skipped fall altogether. . .sad, it is my favorite season too. . .

Oh me, oh my. . . as I stepped outside this morning, at 4:30 am the sky was soot black yet calm. I drove into San Antonio, with a cold front following me. When I stepped out of my car at our BSF meeting location, the gusts of wind nearly swept me away. COLD AIR folks, here FINALLY.

No more AC? Snuggly sweaters weather? Am I speaking too soon? We shall see, we shall see ;)

Places are places I am when I'm not where you are . . .

In a whirlwind trip, I was able to make a little journey back to California, my birth state. For some strange reason, a lot of emotions, mainly melancholy swept my heart up during this time. Perhaps it was also, intensified by the keen sense of 'missing my husband syndrome' which tends to happen a lot more when I am away from our home.

Anyway. I flew out on Friday, and was again captured by the lovely places where I used to go. I stayed with my precious grandparents in Walnut Creek, and got to see my cousins and aunt, take a quick trip to San Francisco to see the new Ferry Station Building (I will post some pictures next time around), and have some really good 'Noni time' over coffee and pastries.

Saturday, the Lord blessed the day with stunning weather, perfect for a wedding - Nate and Jenny's to be precise :) What a special event - the bride was so beautiful that the groom cried at the altar when he saw her walk down. . . now, how often does that happen? :) Fall colors covered the tables in flower arrangements, centerpieces and tablecloths. The cake had polka dots, and the bridesmaids wore flip- flops ;)

As I soaked in the lush landscape of seascape gold resort, and chatted with dear friends, I thanked the Lord for allowing me to make a quick escape out. It doesn't exactly happen everyday that I am able to go back to where my roots first started. It always makes me so aware of what a blessed phase of life it was to live in such a paradise.
But, as I drove back to the airport this morning, on a dark highway now unfamiliar to me, it dawned on me how God has made such a place for me in Texas now. I am not ashamed to say that I am a Texan anymore. Maybe not a true one, but one enough to want to be back where the gas is cheap and the drinks are big.

I truly do miss the California ocean breezes, the tall redwood trees, and the rugged mountains. Like I said here, you can't take that out of me. But in the end, these are just places, and God can put His children anywhere and He always blesses them wherever they go. I feel that blessing each time I walk in the door of the house He provided. I feel that blessing every time my husband hugs me, I feel that blessing in the embrace of our church, and just overall, in every area of our lives here in Texas. God is so good.

So, I thank the Lord, for giving me such a creative heritage. . . I am excited to see the other places He will bring us in the life Haven and I have together. . .

To all the dearly loved friends and family in CA - I love you all and wish that we could be closer. . . but until then, thank the Lord for Southwest airlines! ;)

Flip sides and mixed blessings

Over the past three months, I have been sort of keeping a list of the pros/cons, negatives/positives, bright sides/down sides, etc. of H's new position as a site manager.
When we began down this path, it excited both of us. We looked at it like the time when we were looking for a house, and how thrilling it was to finally find one with our name on it. This job had the shine of a new penny, full of great prospects and promise. Over prayer, and over seeking the Lord's wisdom, He confirmed the decision with great peace. And so began the journey, both emotional and physical. This new phase has required a great amount of patience, endurance, and trust that the Lord will bring us together after periods of being apart.

And the Lord has truly been faithful through this different time. Its a time that we didn't plan for really. We didn't really expect to be in places where we are now, but then again, do we ever find ourselves in places we expect? Life would be so extremely boring if we always knew what would happen next. Nothing is as perfect as it sounds either. But such is life here on earth where no person, job, career, or situation ever satisfies the way the Lord can.

And so, let me count the ways the Lord has been good to us, through the good and the hard times that have come with this new phase:

things that are hard (not necessarily 'bad') & things that are good

Getting up in the morning and not seeing my husband's
face resting on the pillow next to mine.


Waking up to see my husband's text message on my cell


Not being able to cook dinner every night.

Not having to cook EVERY night

Having to walk the dog all by myself

Hector's better behavior, and the quiet times I
have on those nightly walks

Sundays - missing our sabbath breakfast tradition, our leisurely mornings over the paper and coffee and going to church together

Going to church and being blessed by others, served by others and loved by others

Sleeping in a large bed by myself

Being able to spread out a little bit

Not having man messes to pick up

Not having man messes to pick up

Taking care of the bills, garbage and car maintenance

Developing a greater appreciation for the things
he takes care of when he is home

No Snuggling :(
No Kisses :( :( :(
No Hugs :( :( :( :(

How much I love him and miss him physically - and how
wonderful it is to see him again

When he is down and not being able to be with him

Learning that God is the only one who can truly comfort him

Learning how to be an encouragement across many miles

How God has given us strength to encourage each other
and how that surpasses the distance

Being apart from the man I love so much.

Cards, letters, emails, and long phone conversations
from the man I love so much


There are many other things that I have left off, but I am finding that the pros outnumber the cons. . . everytime I think of something hard or negative, the Lord gives me a reason to thank Him for that thing.

&

Thank you, all you who have prayed for us, thought of us, and loved us through this time. We feel it!

Praise be to God for the way He blesses us!

Weak Spot

Its been a week of trying to push through the days to get to the end of the month, the end of this chunk of separation . . . and, I've hit a that proverbial 'weak' spot.

Its the spot where I've been down on my knees, because the strength is sapped, the emotional fortitude is gone, and joy is just so hard to come by. I have no other place to run except my Father's arms.

I choose to be light Lord, because You are the Everlasting Sun - You whisk away the darkness with one quick sweep of Your hand.

I choose to be Joy Lord, because You are the satisfaction of life, the Filler of empty vessels.

I choose strength Lord, because You are the Power to get through the difficult days, the times when I don't understand Your will, Your plan.
I chose to be content in what You have brought us. Even if its hard. Even if I am kicking and screaming, and even if I don't like it all the time. Your will supersedes mine and I will trust it.

Central Park

Knots

Thought I'd take a little break from picture posting to just, well, WRITE ;)

As I have been preparing my Bible lesson on Matthew 4 for my jr. highers this week, the subject matter could not be more appropriate for me to learn myself.

Oh the way the Lord convicts and humbles through His Word!

In Matthew 4, Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit to be tempted by the Devil. He knew full well that He was going to be tempted too. After 40 days and nights of fasting, He was at His physically weakest moment possible. That was when Satan tempted Him. But how ready our Saviour was to reproach his evil intentions! Instead of succumbing to the temptations, Jesus rebuked Him with the sharp Word of God. It was His Shield and defense.

As I read this passage, I became sorely aware of how quickly I fold into temptation, giving in to sin. I too often do not prepare myself for temptation’s strike, and, as a result, I give the devil the victory. Oh to be strong like Jesus, and shield myself with the mighty Word!

Its so hard live in the light of the fact that we are already victors in Him; that HE HAS ALREADY won the battles for us.

Why is this so? This mortal life is so twisted, and our hearts are so inclined to sin.

May God extract every single strand of black thread from my heart, that I may be pure!

Have it Your Way

In Lights

Or on Broadway

New York, New York, What a Wonderful Town . . . ;)

Here is a cluster (or, more like a CLUMP) of pictures from our first day trip to Manhattan.

We started out with a ferry ride from Staten Island into the city - we saw the lovely Lady Liberty from the boat and the spectacular city in the distance.

We landed in Battery Park - featuring Statue of Liberty mimes

Oh yes, and a Thanksgiving turkey strutting his stuff.

Lamps at dusk

This was a statue of an eagle, dedicated to all those who had died at sea

I think that I remember this was an art museum - bordering the park

This mission was crammed next to a high skyscraper and it just made us smile -

Times Square -

we passed by where they shoot "Goodmorning America" :)

This store CAUGHT my EYE - GREAT AMERICAN CHOCOLATE COMPANY?! YUM!!!

We walked by this little church that seemed the only serene spot in the bustling city - it also had this weird 'root' sculpture that didn't seem to go with the rest of the architecture. . .hmmm

Umm . . . roots can't grow in cement. . .

Here we are on Wall Street - Haven is posing with Washington ;) I personally think my husband is better looking ;)

I loved this particular scene of Washington praying. The fact that it was such a central part of the Wall Street square really stood out to me -

And we wandered by Carnegie Hall - awww, shucks, didn't have golden tickets to get in though ;)

And, speaking on golden things, well, and diamonds . . .

Gotta take the dog for a run - more to come . . . stay tuned ;)