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

Nona is tired!

Yeah! yeah! what is the big deal? Everyone is tired at the end of a busy week. I had the grandchildren from Portland, while their mommy and daddy moved the household to Silverton. It was strange not really being involved in the moving part, but how better to help than to remove the constant clamor for attention. I am certainly not used to children 24/7. I find it very interesting when Popa says he doesn't know how the girls do it...I did it for him and the girls when I was their age and I don't think the work level was less back then...anyhow, it seems different when you are 50 something. The children are delightful and maturing way to quick. I can't believe the difference in their behavior in just a few short weeks...they have actually become little boys instead of toddlers. Yeah for Potty trained 3 year olds. Yeah for their mommy and Nona I should say. I have been so busy this week I only have a few spiritual thoughts to convey....God is never tired, HE delights in our growth, and HE remains constant in grace and mercy towards each one of us...May we as parents and grandparents mirror HIS example as we serve our families. Love to you all, the Nona of five.

Nona's back?

Don't faint, after an absence of more than a month I will attempt to blog and share my thougts. I have found myself in a deep profound sadness that I cannot explain. It is often difficult to share in the seasons of emotional and spiritual barrenness. Some say that there is not barrenness when we are still serving God and others. Yet, I find that the despair of the soul often has nothing to do with what we are doing but more to do with lack of satisfaction in our inner most being. I do not have answers to any of the above...I like you must simply trust in an all powerful God who first loved me. Maybe my soul is asking where do I belong? Have I run a good race? Is there still more for me to do for the Kingdom of God? Is the frustration part of God Almighty's process to provoke me on in the destiny HE has for me? My eldest daughter is moving closer to Popa and I, in fact she will be exactly 77 miles from us. We had her 3 children until last night when her eldest was overcome with a need to be with her mommy. Auntie drove her home and left us with the twin boys. They are a delight, loving to swim and eat, they can chow down for three year olds. So, I am busy, but busyness is not the answer to the longing in my soul....so I have decided like the Psalmist to encourage myself in the Lord. HE has all the answers to my longings and I will rehearse for myself HIS loving kindness and tender mercies. May each of you find yourselves basking in HIS love today. NONA