InternationalParents's Xanga

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:30:09 GMT

We're resolving some health concerns. Larry wore a heart monitor for 24 hours and found that the irregular heart beats are nothing to worry about. I'm going in to see an ENT specialist about a stuffy left ear and balance. I really don't like that boat-like unsteadiness I'm experiencing with more frequency. Carolyn has some sore muscles from fitness class workouts. I continue to swim regularly and will go for my daily walk in a few minutes.

Mom sent us an awesome Creative Memories album filled with engagement and wedding photos for our 26th anniversary. What a delightful surprise. We will treasure it for a long time, especially since most of my wedding photos were ruined by Indonesian-tropical molds. I'm going to take it to work today for some of my coworkers to see (at their request)!

Here's a few photos from our trip last week to Santa Barbara. We had fabulous weather and loved visiting with friends, family and SBCC. I lost most of the photos of friends because when I took them, it was with an empty camera since I had neglected to install my digital card. Bummer! Nonetheless, it was wonderful to see Daniel and some of our support team and reconnect with SBCC.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:47:44 GMT

It's election day and we're enjoying our visit in Santa Barbara. We voted by absentee ballet before our trip and have been in much petition for our country to the Father. We're loving our time with Daniel and just saw where he's taking culinary classes with a fabulous view of the Channel Islands and the palm lined beach. On Saturday I got to hold my nephew Isei for the first time.... what a beautiful child!It was fun to see R & G too, even though it was too breifly. Also my long-time friend, Karen and I got free tickets to a fun Gladys Knight concert at the newly renovated Granada theater.We had a wonderful Sunday at SBCC and got to see lots of old friends and made some new ones! Mom and Dad, Roy M says hi and so does Annie Dup., Sandy McO. and Lynn R. I gave Annie your phone number so you can get a CD of Joan's joyous service. Yesterday was my sister, Cynthia's 50th birthday. Happy B day Cinky! I enjoyed talking with you on Saturday and was sad I couldn't reach you on your birthday. Hope you got our message. I'll call again soon, dear sis. Time to go. Don't forget to water the tree seeds, Michael.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:48:10 GMT

Carolyn's 4A soccer team won 3rd place in the State Championship tournament on Saturday! She was a good team player on and off the field. We're proud of you, Carolyn! Here are some photos. Hmmm. The soccer ones aren't opening up. But here's one I wanted to put up for Carolyn's 18th birthday and now is as good a time as any...

Happy belated 18th Birthday,

Carolyn Joy !!

You are a real jewel and

we love you so much!!!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:53:25 GMT

Last week Robert flew up to see us and brought along his girlfriend, Rebecca, to meet the family. We had fun floating down the Boise River on inflatable rafts, sharing life stories over meals, Settlers of Cattan board game, watching the Olympic games and then more laughter and shared experiences. We enjoyed meeting Becca and getting to know her while she was here. Toward the end of the week Robert took her up into the mountains for an evening picnic and photo shoot with Michael and Carolyn. Little did Becca know that they had an entire "princess rescue" to act out which culminated in Robert asking Becca to marry him. It was an elaborate plan that took quite alot of preparation on Robert's part (costumes, sparkling cider, a lovely diamond ring, timed for sunset and a family heirloom sword). She said "YES!" and so now Robert and Rebecca are officially engaged to be married. The date is not set yet... possibly next summer but perhaps the following summer. Here are some photos taken last week. Larry found a bib that Robert had as a baby and brought it out during my hair cutting lesson with Becca. Funny. Today Robert and Rebecca start college classes again in Texas. She said YES!

Indonesian SOTO AYAM dinner at our house!!!

Now they are both back in classes at LeTourneau University.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:54:26 GMT

Lots of photos to share... let's see, where to start...

God brought us to the best camp site a few weekends ago. It was past midnight and the ones closer to home were all full. But I LOVED the one we got on the back roads of Idaho. We hiked Crystal mountain, enjoyed the stream near our tent site, did a little fishing and star gazing. It was marvelous. We even drove to Warren (population 9) which is a historical gold mining town.

Then we were treated to a wonderfully restful week at Allison Ranch on the Salmon River. There are no roads that reach this wilderness area. So we were flown in by Cessna 206 after a lovely stay in Ashley Inn in Cascade with a lovely gazebo and flower garden ! The flight was into a grass airstrip... what memories! We were given our own cabin where we read, napped, did jigsaw puzzles and enjoyed the river view from our porch. We did a little hiking, panned for gold, and fished too. Such a relaxing time!

But there's MORE... I just ran out of time... time to go to Carolyn's soccer game. Robert has some exciting news. Check back later.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:24:36 GMT

Lots of highlights these past couple weeks:

~ Surprise party for my birthday ... really fun and a complete surprise! (Thanks, Michael and Carolyn!!)

~ Lots of flowers, cards, and phone calls from friends and family

~ Sunrise at Swan Falls and time alone with God on my birthday

~ Larry gave me a beautiful new Bible (NIV & the MESSAGE)

~ Fireworks on the 4th

~ Larry has been working on the Cessna caravan aircraft that will be going to the East Kalimantan program, installing the one-point fuel system, cargo pod and flooring. Yesterday everybody at the MAF headquarters circled around it and dedicated to God's purposes. It will be ferried to Indonesia on Friday and going to Tarakan!

~ Rafted down the Boise River as a family

~ Reached my goal of swimming a mile, 72 pool lengths . My next goal is to keep swimming a mile every M-W-F before I do my walking routine.

~ Biking 25 km. along the Boise River through lovely parks and residential areas

~ our garden: beans, corn, tomatoes and lettece are all growing great!

~ Michael got his braces off last week! Not only does he have a dazzling smile but he's quite handsome with his new mustache and goatee.

~ Carolyn and Michael taught us how to play "Settlers of Chatan"

~ Michael got his driver's license today, passing the driving test with flying colors.

~ Lots of new folks at MAF to help train and prepare for overseas assignments... being a mentor is a joy!

~ Got our IRS stimulous check finally and promptly used it to pay some medical bills

~ Daisies, Pansies, Sweet William, Marigolds and Roses are blooming at our house!

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:21:01 GMT

Happy 4th of July week! We're looking forward to attending the God&Country concert and fireworks event tomorrow night. My walking partners are taking me out to lunch at a yummy local Bistro on Thursday. Then on Friday we'll celebrate my birthday, starting with a reflective morning at Swan falls and then more fireworks in Boise. Should be fun. All is well with us in Idaho. We miss our boys in Santa Barbara and Rochester. Larry and I will be involved in the cross-cultural training of new MAFers who have been assigned to Africa, Asia and Latin America. Such a vital global ministry.

To God be the Glory, great things He hath done ( and is doing)!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:51:25 GMT

Summer has arrived in Idaho. We're enjoying the variety of t hings to do here in the Treasure Valley. Last weekend we took a picnic to a nearby lake and we tried our hand at some sailing. Late afternoon (after the photos were taken) a storm blew in and made it challenging to dock the boat without capsizing or colliding with the line of boats waiting to exit the lake too. Another adventure we live to tell about!

My flower garden is growing and we even got a small vegetable garden planted before the thriple digit heat that usually comes in July and early August. My new favorites: sweet william, dalias, cyclomen, cosmos and "Falling in Love" hybrid tea roses.

Ione, one of our Santa Barbara friends and supporters came to visit recently along with her daughter Debbie. We gave them the grand tour of MAF's facility and chatted a bit. Yesterday another SB friend and supporter, Terry, came to visit and treated us to a wonderful lunch. Our FIRST out of town visitors! Hopefully there will be many more to come.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:24:35 GMT

We went to the World Center for the Birds of Prey in Boise on Father's Day.

Pretty interesting place.

Last week we led a geocache MAF group to do some GPS treasure hunting in the Treasure Valley. FUN.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Thu, 22 May 2008 19:15:57 GMT

Last night was Michael's High School Baccalaureate service for all three public High Schools in this district. It was a nice service and what I liked best about it was the speaker credited Christ as the enabler to those who turn their lives over to Him as we try to swim upstream against worldly currents. Today is Michael last day of regular classes, then final exams next week. He's pretty jazzed.

We went geocaching along the Snake river last weekend and enjoyed a BBQ picnic too. Copper got FULL of burrs and thistles. So Carolyn and I took care of the problem by giving him a new summer hair cut. He was mortified for a couple days but he's back to his perky self again.

Michael participated in a local Veteran's day parade, walking several hours in the 90 degree heat along side the robot he helped design for First Robotics. In creating the robot, one of the tasks it had to accomplish during competition in Portland was to lift the red ball up over an overhead track. They were successful!

Here's Carolyn at her preschool students' graduation. It was sweet watching them interact. They love their "Miss Carolyn"!