Just Thoughts!

For those of you who read my blog on a regular basis, pray for us while we are in China October 1 through the 13th. I won't be blogging while we are gone. I have left a complete itenerary with my daughters. I returned my son-in-law's pocket knife to his wife tonight, met her in Salem for dinner and a quick visit. She gave us each one of her (first) professional business cards. It is hard not to be a little overbearing in our proudful boasts about her pursing her PhD. Not sure I will blog much before leaving for China as Popa and I have lots to get done before we leave. Daughter #3 is taking us to the airport...yeah we get to fly out of Eugene. I need to get in some extra visiting with the two grandsons here in town, we are pretty use to seeing each other everyday. Got a good revelation from my favorite book today....ask me about the "goodness of God"! Hint: it has to do with Moses wanting to see God. God allowed HIS goodness to pass before Moses! God is so awesome! I marvel at HIS great deeds in our lives. I submit to HIS plan when it is different than my own and I allow HIM to restore my soul...to plant new hope within and that causes me to want to see HIS glory. NONA

God Thoughts!

It is late on Saturday night, almost Sunday morning and here I am sitting at the computer thanking God for HIS faithfulness. HE alone is the answer to life. Was invited to a 40 year telephone company reunion in Myrtle Creek, Oregon today; for some of you who don't know I worked at the telephone company in Myrtle Creek as a service representative in the business office for the first four years of my married life. It was a wonderful experience and it provided some lifelong friendships. I was aware all day long of how wonderful it is to know Jesus and how empty life can seem for those who don't know HIM. I am grateful for HIS care and direction in my life. Yes, we got our visas for China and will be leaving in eight days. What is in store for all of us? Part of the attraction is our total trust in God orchestrating our days. We trust HIM to provide opportunities and divine appointments. I plan to keep a daily journal of events and will record some of my thoughts right here on Nona's Thoughts when we return. I pray each of you will celebrate the goodness of God in your lives on a daily basis and will take hold of the opportunity to worship every chance you get. Good night after a very long day, which followed a rather long week. NONA

Scattered Thoughts

We are less than two weeks away from our departure to China. I can hardly think of anything else. Went to see my Mom on Sunday, spent the night and took her to a doctor's appointment on Monday before driving home in three hours of stop and go traffic. I have been making a little jewelry with daughter #3. Oh happy Day! Going tomorrow to Silverton again to help daughter #1 with some move in projects while Popa helps son-in-law build some shelves in the shop so they can get the barn stuff organized. Moving is a lot of work!!!! Found Popa the "CROC's" he wanted for the trip to China, he has not felt well for the last couple of days. Tomorrow will be better I'm sure. Hosted two young couples groups this week and am amazed at the wonderful friendships I see God building. Had a wonderful meal with some of them tonight and enjoyed every bite. Grandchildren are doing grrrreat! More when my brain can focus. Nona

Thoughts of days when all is done!

Spent a couple of days in Silverton with daughter #1 and her lovely family. I had the privilege to repay some long overdue wallpaper stripping, ugh! Popa and son-in-law took the twins to the farm for what we called "only for boys days" and it gave daughter and I some needed time to attack the five layers of paint and wallpaper on the entry way. We rented a steamer....not sure where to weigh in on it's effectiveness. The 1st part of the task is done and now paint and some redesign are next. Ate good food and enjoyed being with Violet. Interesting how life repeats itself in our children and grandchildren. Popa and I came home last night and crashed and spent most of the day resting. Little grandson from up the street came for a little while before school and after school today; he and I sat in the hot tub for a little while...it felt so good. Then off to Costco to spend money I should be saving and home again for another nap. Next subject....if you know me at all you know I love to jump subject frequently without any precursor....Feeding on the faithfulness of God means to rest in the fact that HE is in control, that HE will provide and that HE knows our names and where we live. Oh God help me to taste and see that YOU are good! nona

Excited Thoughts!

Booked tickets today for a trip to China beginning Oct 1, 2007. I cannot believe it is actually in the works and we are going with wonderful friends. God wonderfully connected us a little over a year ago to a new friend in China, actually she is an old friend of one the ladies we are traveling with. Anyway she teaches English in Beijing and we will be visiting her in her fine city for 12 days. The best news is we get to fly out of Eugene...no overnight in Portland in a Hotel the night before departure. I looked up tours of The Great Wall, it is very convenient out of Beijing and only about $20. I do not know what all awaits us but I know the ONE who does and feel this is the beginning of something....what does something look like? I don't have a clue; I just feel a strange anticipation. It is exciting to see God fulfill HIS word over my life...HE spoke to my mother 48 years ago about my going to China! Isn't HIS faithfulness awesome? Tomorrow is a day of work as we go to the Salem area to help clean out "the barn" at "the farm". My joy will be seeing the three grandchildren who belong to daugher #1. More later. God spoke to Popa and I and said to "feed on HIS faithfulness"....so far it tastes exquisite. Nona

Late Night Thoughts!

We had a very busy day. Church in the am, friends over for lunch, then a jewelry class for me while Popa watched a tennis tournament. Then we rode like the wind down to Rosebury to attend church with some old friends. It was a "body building" service and very profound for us. We got to minister to others but were very blessed by their ministry to us. The prophetic voice of God restored hope and vision and brought peace to the anxious areas of our lives. Popa was especially enriched by the healing power of God as it flowed over his emotions and spirit. A visiting pastor gave us a word out of Psalms 37 and there were several confirmations regarding what God is doing....God has been forging us, not a pleasant process but one that produce what the forger desires!!!!! Onward in God we go. Then Pastor C said he wanted to "honor us" before his people and before God. Rich deposit as those words flowed from his lips. God is so very faithful! It is now after 1 a.m. and I should go to bed...am still trying to warm up after the ride home on the motorcycle. Plan to be in Salem a couple of days this week as Popa helps son-in-law move the barn contents from the farm to a shop in town. It will be fun to see Violet, Big Weld, and Herbie. More thoughts later. Nona

Random thoughts or should I say ramblings?

We spent four days in the Salem/Portland area with family friends. Popa and I took the twins home on Saturday, then traveled to a Federal Prison to visit a longtime friend. Sunday found us in morning worship with our Indonesian friend and pastor, who had asked Popa and I both to share and exhort his congregation...it was a wonderful worship service, followed by communion and the word of the Lord. How blessed we are to be honored by just a delightful body of believers! The church always serves us a customary Indonesian meal and we were privileged to visit with Pastor O and his family. Back to Silverton with daughter #1 and more unpacking and yard work. Monday was a little more laid back and we did some organizing then Popa and I drove home at separate times. Yesterday we spent most of the day laying around trying to catch up on our rest. Today found us going to doctor's appointments and keeping one little grandson, visiting an old friend and getting some veggies from her garden. It has been a quiet and peaceful day. We are waiting on God and expecting to see HIS plan for our lives unfold. For some of you who may not know, Popa and I some friends are pursuing going to China towards the end of September/the 1st of October. Please be praying for us. God is faithful and good, HIS mercies are new every morning. Nona