Fairies and Pumpkins

Harvest has arrived in Santee.

As you can see, Faith has been busy. She planned and comprised her whole "Fairy" costume herself. Didn't she do a fabulous job?! She had a little more trouble planning her pumpkin. You see, we don't celebrate halloween here. We choose to celebrate the abundance of blessings the Lord has poured out upon us. In this season of trials, changes, and firestorms we had much to be thankful for. She wanted a pumpkin that showed her joy, her sense of beauty, and the reason for living. Her Jesus. Of course, putting flowers, hearts, and butterflies on a medium sized, orange, scored round object is delicate at best. Asking Dad to carve them is even more delicate. She auditioned many different choices. Many hours of research. We have on display, top of the crate, her masterpiece.

I believe it to be a huge success!

Since our church decided not to put on a Harvest Festival this year, Dad and Faith chose to drop in on the one at Sonrise Christian Fellowship. Take a peek at the fun they had:

It was a very fun night. Since we are running out of mini Oreo cookie packets, Faith has opted to give out the candy she received that her orthodontist would frown upon. I think the message of love and kindness on a night when evil would rather reign is truly living on in her heart.

Fairies are definitely ready for sweet dreams!

Giddy Voices

I just got the most excited phone call I've heard in ages...it was practically giddy! Heather's grandma just called to tell me that she had a nice, long chat with her this morning. I can't tell you what this has done for her. Her feet weren't on the floor...she hadn't had her coffee yet and I don't think she needs any now! She said it was marvelous to sit and talk like Heather had no where else to go, and all the time in the world.


It's amazing what the sound of a loved-one's voice can do. The sound of a child's giggle can light up a room. Daddy praying over the meal brings unity. Mama's voice singing a lullaby can still an emergency room.



Heather didn't have to call her grandparents. She could have chosen a letter or email. She could have chosen to call any number of people who love her and miss her. To be frank, she hasn't called a soul since she got there that I know of. I don't know how she worked this tiny miracle, but I am wholly touched. Thank you, Heather. You have blessed a multitude with your simple act of love and kindness, and time.

The Eye of the Storm

There's nothing like a fire to remind you of what's important in life.

San Diego county is engulfed in either flames, smoke, ash, or all three tonight. This isn't the first time this has happened. We went through very similar conditions almost 4 years ago to the day. The biggest difference is that last time, Santee was encircled by flames and covered in at least an inch of ash. Santa Ana winds and drought conditions make a perfect scenario for this mess. I have to admit to being a "nervous Nellie" yesterday, something I rarely feel, much less acknowledge. I didn't really get peace until I loaded up boxes of dry/canned food and left them by the door, ready to throw into the trailer for an immediate escape. We hooked the trailer up to the car at 9:00 last night...just in case. Now, today I find myself in a circle of almost clear air and no wind...something I imagine being in the eye of a hurricane must look and feel like. Kind of eerie...yet not. The rest of the county is inflamed. I am thankful to be prepared (almost), but even more thankful that I am the one making calls to see if my friends/family/Bible Study ladies are ok, instead of being the one in the path of destruction this time. I don't know why the winds blow the way they do, I don't know why one house goes up in smoke and one across the street doesn't. It isn't for me to know. It is for me to pray. To trust God. To offer any comfort and hope I have. To offer my goods to those in need, when called upon, to the best of my ability.

What I am finding, is down time. We are conserving electricity because SDG&E has cautioned us that we are short 40% of our normal supply lines. We are conserving cell phone usage so the emergency services get priority time. We are conserving energy, since going outside can really mess up your breathing. So...what are we doing? We are keeping each other company. We are praying. Faith is busy rediscovering friendships, and cementing a new one with the neighbor across the street. We turned a bedroom into a haven for girls and had a sleepover last night. We had a pedicure party in the living room. We are rediscoving the joy of conversation. We are realizing, again, what a blessed people we are.

I was watching the news yesterday, and one of the primary newscasters was watching his house finish burning to the ground. A home he had lived in for more than 25 years. I found it most remarkable that, while watching, he was realizing (partly) his loss, but kept commenting from the heart how happy he was that his family was safe. He truly had his priorities in the right place. His heart was sad..of course! But his life wasn't over. And believe me, that wasn't what others were saying. I heard one fool state his great loss over his favorite television set. I heard elderly people at Qualcomm stadium rejoicing over the comfortable sleeping bags they had, the abundance of food they were fed, and the overwhelming kindness of strangers. I heard today that they had to turn away the over-abundance of donations from individuals at the stadium. People are giving all they have for the needs of others. Churches have turned their properties into homes. Mall parking lots are housing horses, zebras, and donkeys. Hotels are sending chef-created hot meals to shelters. Off-duty medical personnel are ministering in abundance.

God is still on His throne. He's given us the opportunity to re-evaluate our prorities, our abundance, and His place in our lives. Our deep need for eternal hope and permanence, because one day all this will be gone. For good. May we be found sharing the gospel - the good news that never fails!

A good story

Just so you know, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

I have spent many uncountable days in this very place, doing this very thing. It is the essence of warmth, comfort, fellowship, friendship, and community for me. It brings joy to my heart, and a smile to my lips.

Thanks, Faith, for joining me on the couch for a good story, a good cuddle, and good conversation. Now, all that's missing is a good fire in the fireplace, the sound of rain on the roof, and Heather.

I love my girls!

Autumn Vacation

Well, we decided it was time to get out of Dodge..so we headed to our favorite camping spot: Silver Strand State Beach. Now, I know that most people don't think to go to the beach in the fall. And I certainly don't want much competition for my favorite campsite...but I have to tell you how absolutely lovely it was. When we arrived (very late on Friday), it was partly-cloudy and cool. We pulled right into our spot alongside our very bestest friends, Janice and Richard.
We had a lovely steak dinner (around 8:30..ugh!), roasted a few marshmallows, and put the whole family + 1 to bed. Awakened in the morning to the sweet sound of rainshowers on the roof and very wet surroundings. NO problem! We cooked up breakfast and headed into the large RV next to us for a lovely showing of the original "The Parent Trap". Lovely therapy! Afterwards, the sun came out, dried us out, and we were ready to hit the sand for a great time of relaxation and refreshment.

One of the most marvelous things I saw this weekend was a clam...returning to it's natural habitat. I have to tell you, I've been to the beach A Lot! Yet I have never seen a live clam dig itself back into the sand to hide. It was fascinating and wonderful...God is so very creative and amazing!

Of course, you can NEVER miss a beautiful Ocean sunset...

Dinner was marvelous! After several strolls around the campground, we settled down for some S'mores, Campfire, and a rousing game of 20Q!

Don't you know it, the day you have to leave is always the most beautiful. Makes you want to run home and plan the next camping trip...right away!

I'm so glad we took some down time and just relaxed. It was wonderful.

Firsts

We have had a series of firsts around here. Let me share them with you.

First of all: Faith went to an overnight birthday party with someone she hadn't known terribly long. Now, this in itself is unusual. Faith likes to spend the night with someone in her own house. Safe and secure, all things in their usual places, all sounds and lights as they should be. Parents in their proper beds, dog preferably in hers. Well, she has been becoming buddies with a girl from class last year named Alyssa. Alyssa is in her class again this year, and invited Faith to her party. She came home from school positively alight with delight and joy. After talking to Alyssa's mom, we gave hearty approval. Now, Faith has attempted to spend the night before, with great trepidation and death-grips around my throat as she kissed me good-by. Only to call hours later desperate to come home. Or, if she did manage to stay, it was because some loving woman had the determination to keep the child from calling home all night long. This time, there was less nervousness, no clinging, happy children who greeted her at the door and ushered her into joy and kindness. No phone calls. No choking tears. No regrets for having gone.

The next first: Chuck and I had an evening all to ourselves, no children anywhere in sight! The obvious reason: Heather is in England, Faith was partying. Oh, how sweet it was to know that the girls were in God's capable care and we could just let our guard down and relax! It was a night of remembrance: old movie, pizza and salad, snuggling on the couch. Of course, mom that I am, I fell asleep on the couch waiting for the phone to ring, summoning me to pick up my sensitive child. I stumbled to bed at 11:30, surprised and pleased.

The last first: I made a pumpkin pie completely from scratch! You see, I love autumn. Autumn is crisp, cold at night and warm during the day. Autumn is falling leaves, warm sweaters, and anticipation of holidays to come. We had just returned from Bates Nut Farm, and the thought of pumpkin pie was just too much temptation for us all. So, feeling domestic, I bit the bullet today. I cut open a pumpkin, skinned it, pared it, and plopped it in a pot to boil. I mashed it, then added the wonderful seasonings that make Thanksgiving so much fun. After we had a lovely bowl of hot soup for dinner, we drooled with delight as we sat down to warm pumpkin pie with Whipped Cream. YUM!

Good Firsts. Good memories. Great God.

* don't worry Heather, I saved some pumpkin filling for when you get home!

A Good Day

Well..the annual family trek to Bates Nut Farm was today. It's something we look forward to every fall. We love the wind, the trees, the leaves landing on our heads, the sights and smells. We love the color orange...everywhere. This year, we had a new "fourth" to our group: Faith's new friend Mikaylin took over Heather's seat in the car and kept the chatter up the whole way. It was a lovely day...a slight cool breeze reminded us that Autumn had arrived.

They started their time in the corn maze. Friendly competition and fast feet began the journey to find all 8 stations. Faith finally found the path and got all her stamps, Chuck had to help Mikaylin a little bit.

Next stop: to get faces painted. It's always good to have a reminder of your day when you get home..something to show off to the neighborhood. What a decision! So many choices! A taste of the holiday to come: Harvest

Of course, you must have your picture taken in original, farm attire!

Of course, what is a trip to a farm without a Hay Ride??? We got in line with the other excited travellers, anticipating a wagon pulled by lovely dapple-gray draft horses. A swift change, and we got to experience what Festus on Gunsmoke lived on a day-to-day basis: a Mule ride! Somehow, it just wasn't the same.

And then, for the finale, picking out the pumpkins. I have to tell you, I really missed Heather at this point. She has such an artistic eye, she can find whatever pumpkin she is looking for, no matter what shape she has in mind. It's a true gift. The pumpkins were a bit different this year, more uniform in shape. Not as much variety in size. However...persistence definitely pays off!


Mission Accomplished, thanks to Daddy. Another memory for the books. We took our weary feet, and extra-large bag of Kettle Corn, home with a smile. While we missed Heather today...it was good to keep the history going and the memory books filled for Faith.

A good day.