Shane's Birthday Too

We love July because it is full of celebrations. Our Independence Day as a nation and Birthdays for two of our kids.

Shane turned 28! He doesn't like the number but I am grateful for each and every year of those 28. He has grown to be such a fine young man and we are so incredibly proud of him.

His dinner of choice was steak with a baked potato and corn on the cob (actually two).

After dinner the boys looked at a "red-neck" email sent by Jim Taggart. Laughter was all around.

Happy Birthday Jenn

It is so hard to believe that our little girl is 24! And to think there were times we weren't sure she would make it to 20 (just kidding sweetie).

We had a nice lunch together with Jenn and Shelby since Donald was helping out a friend who crashed on his quad. (Way to go Brandon-be sure to stop by so I can give you my canned lecture about wearing a helmet and being safe). Jenn requested homemade lasagne and garlic bread.

Shelby is officially crawling! Not at breakneck speeds mind you but enough that I will have to keep a close eye on her next Friday.

It is so fun watching Jennifer bloom as a mother while watching Shelby grow too. Blessings from Heaven.

Art has moved

I didn't want to take up any more of the family blog with my art so I started a blog just for that. If you are interested you can find it at the link to the right or at creative4him.blogspot.com

Just a few Questions...

When I was with my Dad last week, I gave him some questions that I hope I can get the rest of the family to answer. Why? I want to create a book for the grandkids that answers the age old question of "Who am I?". A part of that answer is the family we are a part of, for better or worse. The most important answer will be a "Child of God" and my daily prayer is that they will know that.

If any family memebers would like to send me their answers, here are the questions:

1. Just the Basics

• Name
• Birthdate
• Born Where
• Parents Full Names
• Grandparents Full Names
• Family Name Origin
• Siblings
• Other relatives you can remember

2. Childhood Stuff

• Where did you grow up-home locations
• Pets?
• Names of Schools attended
• Best Friend
• Favorite childhood memory
• What did you want to be when you grow up
• Favorite food
• Parents occupations
• Summer vacations you remember
• Goofiest thing you believed as a child

3. Adult Stuff

• Married-when, who
• How did you meet
• Childrens names
• Career(s)
• What was your favorite job and why
• What was your least favorite job and why
• Talents & Gifts-what are they and how do you use them
• Greatest Joy in life
• Greatest Fear in Life
• Most embarrasing moment
• When did you accept Christ into your life
• Biggest regret
• Proudest accomplishment

4. Favorite Things

• Color
• Bible Verse
• Song to sing
• Song to listen to
• Restaurant, and what you like there
• Movie
• Car
• Vacation Spot
• Food
• TV Show
• Book
• Subject in School

5. And Finally...

• What words of wisdom would you like to leave future generations of your family
• Something you want your kids to know about you.

***Makes you think, doesnt it?***

Happy Fourth of July

With the storms brewing here, I am sure these are the only fireworks I will get a picture of, so enjoy. We are so grateful to live in a Country where we have freedom. We are also grateful to those that are fighting for the freedom even now. God Bless America.

The Calling

"The Calling" was a musical presention by Saddleback that highlighted the needs in Africa. I was inspired when I returned home to paint these two watercolors. I plan on doing some more Africa paintings from some pictures that Kim Shott is going to share with me from her past visits to Tanzania. Please pray for Kim, she will be going back on a Medical Mission Trip this September. It has been pure joy watching how Tanzania has touched her life as she has shared her compassion and medical training to help the people in Kondoa and Mairowa.

Saddleback Final thoughts

There were two words that kept popping out at me by either the main speakers or in the workshops; Intentional and Relational.

Intentional-As part of our Spiritual Growth, we grow through commitment and use tools towards Christian maturity. It will not happen automatically but we have to intentionally build our relationship with Christ. This takes a daily choice of getting to know God.

Relational- In these times of technology you would think people are not alone, but we are. We need to get back to the basics of building relationships, being there for people, talking (not just texting), showing love and compassion. We were designed for community to share each others lives- not easy to do in the me-myself-and-I philosophy of the world. Reach out.

One thing that Rick Warren said in his session had to do with Seasons. We all experience seasons in our life but that there are seasons in spiritual growth as well. Spring/Summer when all is growing and moving fast-the growth is very evident in our lives. Fall/Winter is a time for consolidation, time to put down roots-it may not seem that there is outward growth but the growth is from deep inside. We need to be intentional in whatever season we are in. God will bless us for it.

The last evening was spent at the beach. While it was not what we were expecting (no music?!), we did get to see a beautiful sunset over the ocean, what better way to end the week than to see God's glory through His creation, with friends.

Saddleback Part 2

Here is the schedule. Don't let the simplicity of it fool you. During each workshop time, there are 10 different tracks that offer at least 2 choices. And lunch time there were multiple concerts going on all over the campus, sometime it was hard to choose.

My Favorite? The worship times. It didnt matter if they were a recognized artist or someone from Saddleback; what mattered was their heart. The nice thing about being in a room with other Worship Leaders is they know immediately that it is not about the songs, how loud the music is or what to wear on stage-it's about communicating with God. "Let the Glory of the Lord, Rise among you!" We all just sang along, full voice, full heart, full soul. There is great joy in being a part of that.

Other favorites?

• Rooming with Tammy and Niki. What a privilege to be in a room with two Godly women who also have a passion for worship, family and friends. Yes, we lost some sleep but it was well worth it, and fortunately none of us snored!


• Building relationships with other members of the AM group. It was fun having such a wide age group from the high school students to the older ones (like me).


• I had great fun running into the PM group at San Juan Capistrano (and sharing a taco lunch together), driving them to the beach Thursday night and the wonderful brunch at Laguna beach Friday morning. Thanks for letting me tag along.


• The concerts. They provide new songs that make you turn to the next person and say "We should try that one", but also the worship just filled my cup to overflowing.


• The sparking of more new ideas. Blessing upon blessing.

Saddleback

I couldn't wait to get back to Saddleback this year since the amazing impact it had on my life last year. God used last years conference to re-ignite a passion for the arts and I still shake my head in wonder about all the things He allowed me to do in one years time.

Since last year;

• Painted live in Church - These Hands
• Painted Christmas backdrop of the Bethlehem country side and painted live, the Nativity during each Musical performance
• Drew the words to a song, while it was being performed on paper with chalk to highlight what was being sung - with Tammy
• Painted 8 Easter paintings used during the service that was highlighted with a dramatic reading.
• Started a Bible Study using "The Creative Call" for SBC artist, meeting once a month. Developed some wonderful relationships with fellow artists
• Discovered I like to use watercolors
• Most importantly, I have deepened my relationship with the Lord through the use of these gifts. I am so humbled and grateful for what He has allowed me to do this year, and my greatest desire is to please Him. I have found that art can open a dialogue with non-Christians in a way I have not experienced before. My prayer is that I will have more opportunities to use the art as a way of communicating about my relationship with the Lord.

Needless to say my expectation was fairly high before I got there. Was it as exciting this year? It was different. More of that in the next post.

San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano

I haven't visited this old mission since grade school. Since it was on my way back up the coast from Dad and Lena's I thought it would be nice to see if it was the way I remembered it.

I do remember being there one year for the return of the swallows. There is such a sense of awe that God would instill a calendar into these birds so that they know when March 19th is each year as the day they are to arrive. Check out this link for more information. http://www.sanjuancapistrano.net/swallows/index.html

The other pleasant surprise was running into Sunday Night Group who were also spending the day in this quaint mission. I think Brad even got some good video with Sean and Annaliese there.

A visit with Dad & Lena

June 21, 2008

This week is a busy week with the Saddleback Conference but I thought I would get a head start and visit with Dad and Lena since I was at least in the same state.

I flew in early, grabbed a rental car and showed up at their door by 10:30am. Lena made a special treat, homemade empenadas. They were fantastic! I hadn't had any that good since our trip to Argentina.

They are both looking pretty good but Dad still could use a few pounds. Later in the afternoon Lena got a call from her grandson Tyler who lives in Eugene, Oregon. He was able to get on stand-by and wanted to know if he could spend the night and then get picked up by his dad the next day. The answer was, "of course". It was so evident that Tyler holds a special place in Lena's heart but the way she lit up when she saw him. But then I'm sure that she does that for all of her grandchildren.

Tyler and I hit it off immediately. He reminded me so much of Daniel. After Lena and Dad went to bed, He shared stories about what he is doing in school and the direction he sees for his life. We talked until almost midnight, which was pretty amazing since I was up at 3:00am this morning in order to get last minute things done before I left. I told him many things about Daniel and the similarities I saw between the two of them - he said "I've got to meet Daniel." Perhaps someday Tyler.

The next morning we attended their church together. Tyler and I were probably the youngest people in the congregation but then we found out that the contemporary service was the second one and they have a lot of young people attend that one. We were done fairly early so we went to brunch at a restaurant that Tyler loves - it was kind of like Sweet Tomatoes. After seeing him eat a 2 huge plates of waffles with fruit and about a 1/2 pound of whipped cream (real stuff, not the kind in a can), and then another plate full of biscuits and gravy, I knew that he must meet Daniel. The two of them could clear out a buffet!

Before his dad picked him up, Lena challenged him to a game of Trouble. I have never seen this competitive side of Lena before, but it was fun. Poor Tyler, he lost all four games. After Tyler left we settled into a quiet evening of news and 60 minutes.

The next morning we had another lovely morning on the patio with coffee and fruit. Dad had to get the car ready for travel since Dad and Lena were having to go up to Yucaipa to visit her brother Basil. Basil is dying of stomach cancer. He had surgery about 6 months ago but is on the decline and Lena wanted to have at least one last visit with him. In your prayers, please lift up Basil and the family.

Iris

Here is a watercolor I did this year. Hopefully, I will get better as time goes on.

Phil's Bounty

I picked a few items out of the garden yesterday and arranged them for a nice display. Phil has done such a great job on the garden and I am so proud of him for putting tomatoes on our table when we can't seem to find any in restaurants or stores (the e-coli scare). Thanks babe.

In the garden

Would you like some tomatoes, okra, plums, apples, more tomatoes, peppers (4 kinds), watermelon, cucumbers, beets, onions or carrots? Some of it may not be ready yet, but come on in an check it out.

Friday's with Shelby

Other than most of May, I have the joy of spending each Friday with Shelby. I know that I enjoyed growing up and being Mom to Shane, Jennifer and Daniel, but now I know why grandparenting is so highly desired. IT's FUN!

We get to wear each other out and then we get to send them home to mom & dad.

More and More May

Phil entered the Wester States Nationals and did well, but...
Squat - 276
Bench - 198, tried 237 and in his words "Oh, Mama!" he felt something go in his left shoulder. So he was not able to complete that lift. So what does he do?, stays in the meet so he can see if he can do the deadlift.
Deadlift-408
Yep, I am married to a weightlifting lunatic.

David and Kelly went to Italy for two weeks and had a wonderful time. Meanwhile back at the ranch Jim Taggart and I kept things going with the help of the rest of the guys. We were also trying to get their new accounting package ready to go for their return. We were moving from Quickbooks/Filemaker/Other to Microsoft Accounting; no small feat mind you.

The week they returned I helped the other Kelli with Music camp by running a drama class for 4,5,6th graders. I had 22 kids in my class but the remarkable number was that there were over 260 kids signed up for music camp this year. Partly because we ran it in the afternoons right after VBX. We had a wonderful program that Friday night with about 400+ kids on the platform. There was singing, orff instruments, stomp, dance, drama and more! The week just flew but there were many decisions for Christ, and that was what it was all about.

May

Almost caught up (sort of).

Phil added another project to the backyard in May; he planted grass!!! Yippee, hallelujah! (yes I can now hear the sound of Phil rolling his eyes...) For those of you who know, the dirt bowl has been there for quite some time and I for one, am truly grateful for the new beauty of our backyard.

CONGRATULATIONS SHANE!
Our dear sweet son Shane graduated from ASU with a degree in business finance. It was a long hard road for him, but we are so proud of his perseverence, and his accomplishment. Grandpa Howdy and Millie came to visit for a week. Shane unfortunately missed the deadline so he could walk the aisle for his diploma so we had a small party for him anyway. Now he is going to have to find something to do with all of his spare time - just kidding Shaner. He hopes to find a job in his new field so he can continue to Rock out with his band "Dust Jacket". Shane, we wish you lots of success, we are so proud of you.

April

April brough a lot of Spring Showers and a lot of work in the garden (for Phil that is).

I am so grateful that he likes to grow things because they are so yummy, not to mention cost saving. The fruit trees were starting to bloom. One of my favorite things to do in the morning is to take a walk in the garden and see how much it grew from the day before, I know it sounds silly, but its fun for me.

We also got to see some old friends. Willy and Marilina Vega were here visiting from Malaysia with their son Timo. It is always a blessing to hear about their ministry and to hear how God is working in mighty ways in their translation of the bible for the Bidayuh people. Our home fellowship group; Jim & Kelli, David and Kelly, Matt & Jodie along with Gary & Leah spent a wonderful evening together fellowshipping and enjoying getting caught up.

Matthew 4:4 Misia idoh di' idip da' pinguman sija', pak eh da' sitiap pingunang Topa'.

That was in the Bidayuh language, in English it means; "Human beings cannot live on food alone, but on every word of God."

The 5 Moore's

Praise the Lord! Noah and Tristan, Ashley's twin brothers are here!

Born on April 14, 2008 at 7:46 am within 30 seconds of each other.
This is such a blessing for Eric and Kathy Moore. We love Eric and Kathy so much for the loving parents they have been for Ashley and now God has blessed them with these precious boys.

It's hard to believe that we have four grandchildren now...go figure ; )

Check out their site to find out more about this precious family http://ashleyfaith.aboutmybaby.com/