Jesus Calling

Jesus Calling- Devotional Book by Sarah Young

I received this book from my sister (in-law) Linda when she invited me to her bible study group. Both her invitation and the book came at the most appropriate time for me...about a week before Michelle was diagnosed with breast cancer.

I wasn't able to attend each week's study but attended when I was in town.

Each morning I read the day's devotion and it is always right on.

Thank you Jesus for always looking out for me and providing me exactly what I need when I need it. And thank you Linda for being His messenger.

So after our girl's weekend, each of us has a copy and I hope you are all reading it each morning. Jesus' words fit every single morning no matter what we are going through. Just like this morning. Here is what Jesus said to me:

"Rest With Me A While. You have journeyed up a steep, rugged path in recent days. The way ahead is shrouded in uncertainty. Look neither behind you nor before you. Instead, focus your attention on Me, your constant Companion. Trust that I will equip you fully for whatever awaits you on your journey.

I designed time to be a protection for you. You couldn't bear to see all your life at once. Though I am unlimited by time, it is in the present moment that I meet you. Refresh yourself in My company, breathing deep draughts of My Presence. The highest level of trust is to enjoy Me moment by moment. I am with you, watching over you wherever you go. Psalm 143:8; Genesis 28:15

Psalm 143:8 - "At dawn let me hear of your kindness, for in you I trust. Show me the path I should walk, for to you I entrust my life."

Genesis 28:15 - "Know that I am with you; and will watch over you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you."

P*e*r*f*e*c*t
Does it apply to you as well?

San Diego - Girl's Weekend 2011

5th Annual Girl's Weekend

Each year for the past five years the women in our family have a weekend together, leaving the husbands and kids behind. It gives us a chance to catch up with no interruptions. We regroup, talk, laugh, pray, eat, shop....Julie, Frances, Veronica, Virginia, DeeDee, Michelle, Linda

(missing this year were Kori, Elizabeth, Chanin, and Kacey)

daughter/mother

cousins

mother/daughter

daughter/mother

sisters

cousins

putting together our girls weekend scrapbook

praying

eating in the first night.

We visited a farmer's market in Little Italy

there were so many goodies to sample

and lots of creative vendors

we visited a church and a mission

this one with beautiful stained glass windows and paintings

we had dinner and did more shopping at Old Town San Diego

Cheers!

We have Michelle to thank for these get aways. This was her way of spending time with her family in Arizona since she lives in California. She plans each year with a theme in mind, this year was how our attitudes play a role in our well being! What an example she gives us!

We go back and forth between the two states for our weekends. But next year we hope to spend our weekend in Washington State with Chanin, God willing.

Our previous years...

2010 - 4th Annual Get-Away in Los Alamitos CA

(above) Frances, Linda, Virginia, Kori, DeeDee, Julie, Michelle, Veronica

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2009 - 3rd Annual Get-Away in Glendale AZ

(pictured above) Virginia, Kori, Michelle (front); DeeDee, Elizabeth, Veronica (middle); Frances, Julie, Chanin, Kacey, Linda (back)

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2008 - 2nd Annual Get-Away in Prescott AZ

(above) Julie, Michelle, Frances, Kori, Virginia, Linda

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2007 - 1st Annual Get-Away in Palm Springs CA

(above) Veronica, Virginia, Kori, Linda, DeeDee, Michelle, Julie

Loving the Garden

David built a "rabbit fence" around my vegetable garden to keep those cute little rabbits from munching on my lettuce, carrot tops and radish tops, green bean seedlings and whatever else I was attempting to grow. As soon as seedlings started to sprout they disappeared. I have had bunny rabbits enjoying my garden in the last few years so they were getting blamed. But this time I hadn't actually seen one...I figured they were sneaky rabbits!
One morning as I looked out the window to make sure the birds were not finding their way through the netting on the peach tree as they had been doing, I saw this little guy! I didn't realize he was looking right at me until I zoomed in the picture. Now what could he be eating? And what is he?

Is it Alvin? or Simon? or Theodore?

And what is he doing in the arizona desert and in my back yard???

I had never seen a chipmunk in the desert.

I googled what chipmunks eat and sure enough they eat garden produce!

And I had been blaming the poor bunny rabbits!

I am so glad David built this rabbit/chipmunk/critter fence. So far our visitor has not dug under it. He must not be very smart...let's hope it stays that way!
So not only do I have to compete with critters dining in my garden... birds eating my tomatoes and peaches...but now I have 100+ degree temps to deal with. Gardening is lots of work...but I love it!

When I headed to Michelle's last week, I was enjoying peaches, green beans, carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, red and white onion, swiss chard, and too many herbs to mention. My lettuce and the collard greens were done for the season, but they were good while they lasted.
I'm hoping that when I return I find some squash, zucchini, cucumbers, edamame beans, and okra ready for picking.

This is my first try growing corn. I don't have much room so I put just a few seeds in. They still have some growing to do.

The peaches are almost all gone, but the plums might be ready for picking!

Even though I haven't been around much, the garden is still thriving thanks to David for taking the time to build the fence and put a net over the peaches.

My spring flowers will probably be toast when I return next week, but I'll be sowing seeds for summer flowers... mostly zinnias, portulacas, and marigolds. I have plenty to do when I get home.

"Build houses to dwell in; plant gardens, and eat their fruits." Jeremiah 29:5

Fight One More Round!

"Fight one more round~
When your arms are so tired
that you can hardly lift your hands to come on guard~
Fight one more round!
When your nose is bleeding and your eyes are black
when you're so tired that you wish your opponent
would crack you one on the jaw and put you to sleep~
Fight one more round!
For those who have the courage
to fight one more round are never whipped!"

James Corbin

I'm with Michelle right now at her last round of the "bad" chemo watching her as she sleeps and thinking about her life and the many struggles she has overcome. She is a fighter!

There is so much I want to say about her but I can't because every thought brings tears and as I try to write these thoughts, I am filled with emotion. Everyone one of you that knows her knows what she is made of and what an amazing woman she is. I am so blessed to have her as my daughter!

I thank you for all your prayers and support and for traveling this journey with her as she continues the fight.

And prayers for my best friend Sylvia's husband Bob as he begins six weeks of radiation for his fight with cancer!