WOW! IT'S BEEN 40+ DAYS!!!

I just couldn't believe it when I saw my last post.  To be sure, San Francisco was a great break ... but life has truly moved forward since that week!  We've gone through a termination process (and are still going through it);  been to Iowa to see Mom for Mother's Day;  returned home to work on Community Garden projects, as well as our own back-yard projects!  

So where do we start?  As most of you know, Karina and Portland Providence parted company after 24 1/2 years of service;  with all the heartache that accompanies such a life-change, we are determined to believe that it is for the better ... even though we don't always see it, there is a light shining far more brightly than we can imagine, and times of refreshment can be found in these days of "unemployment" as a new direction is found for life.  We really aren't sure what's next.  What we do appreciate is the time spent at home - which though Karina says seems "so unlike everything I have ever done before" - it will provide time and space to figure out what is next.  There's no hurry in filling the "void" because there isn't one!  The Lord will be with us as we make any decisions for the future.  And we have a future in which to make them.

Then to Iowa.  What a treat.  You saw some pics/vids of our time together with Mom.  What a blessing to have such a gentle spirit as a matriarch!  Never knowing how much is comprehended; never knowing how many are recognized - we are so thankful when the smile broadens, the twinkle in her eyes re-appears and she seems so at peace.  She still sings with great gusto those wonderful hymns of faith!  Thanks, Mom, for teaching your kids so many verses of so many songs through so many years of Sunday School!  Though I never liked it then, it's gatherings like these that show the importance of such rote learning.  So that, one day, even if it seems like my mind is gone, I hope the music stays and sings such beautiful songs of praise.

And then the gardens.  We were blessed one Sunday with a representative of Wheat Ridge Ministries - the service agency that provided a $2000 grant to help develop the Community Garden at Prince of Peace, and we even received some pretty great publicity for the efforts!  Click here to enjoy: Community Garden.  The rep was Mark Schoepp - a former DCE that was in the Midwest(?) and toured with his family as part of the "Fitz Family" back in the 80s-90s.  Anyway the first time I ever met him, he was riding a unicycle in our sanctuary while juggling, jumping rope, and presenting a Gospel message is a very entertaining and unique way!  

And our own back yard get's it life from Karina's hand as well.  She is truly in her element with dirt in her fingernails and mud on her knees!  I on the other hand am perfectly content to watch her do all the things that need doing to keep the garden beauteous and upkeep free.

So, how abut some pics??? 

from Iowa ...

 "now that I've got your attention ..."

"... I'm bored to death.  Goodbye."

Why it's HANDSOME and DELIGHTFUL!

(in reverse order, of  course)

great smile, Mom

 so whatcha thinkin'?

"are we done with these pictures, yet?"

then we got home ...

 tomatoes, anyone?

 how about peas?

 eggplant and peppers?

 of course the roses are in their beauty!

 and more roses ...

 oh my, even more ...

 some are just perfect works of art;

 some steal your heart!

By the way, JDW -  if you ever take a fancy to enjoy

a drink, here is the "look" and the recipe for a delightful

"Lemon Drop".  "Cheers to you!"

And here we are, the proprietors of this blogspot!

 Love ya all!

from the left coast,

Karina and Dan