creative collaboration

What a great idea!! My sister and her family (husband and 4 children) relocated last year to Minnesota from California. Our hearts were ripped out as 3 sisters and 10 cousins had to say goodbye. After about 6 months in Minnesota, it was clear that things were not working out and they moved back to California. How exciting and how hard...all in the same breath!
They were able to pack up some essential belongings and head back to California in January. However, most of their things are still in storage in Minnesota. Jenny and Joe have come up with a very creative idea to get their stuff back to California. They both paint and will be selling their original art work here for only $40 each. Please take a minute to check out their blog (you can click on the button to the right) and order a painting. These items will be available starting August 1st.

growing pains

Well, It seems as though God has some stretching and growing in mind for some of us. I'd love to convince Him that "I was fine the way I was." But, He doesn't seem to be buying that. I have spoken to many dear friends and loved ones lately...and even read some blogs that belong to folks I've never met and it seems like there's just a lot of harship going on right now.
I hate that. I want to fix it for everyone. If I could just win the lottery several times, I could save so many from financial trouble. If I could only heal, if I could only encourage, if I could only change things....ahhh! I certainly would if I could. Let me tell you, I'd change a few things in my own circumstances right now, too.
But, for whatever reason, God is allowing some heartache right now. The people I'm currently thinking of all love Him tremendously and persue him actively. I don't dare ask the question I'm thinking, "Why does He allow suffering?" I've read Oswald enough to know that one answer to that question would be, "God allowed His own son to endure suffering, why should He spare us?" Oh, I don't know. I just wish He would.
There's an incredible blog I'm following right now, Journey through fire. It is a sad story of a young man who was recently burned through electrocution. He is healing in a local hospital and I feel so connected to his family as they write. I have never met these people, but we serve the same loving, healing, promising God. (Please take a moment to click on the blog and pray for Jacob!) I wanted to share with you something that was written there because it really spoke to me today as I'm trying hard to live this life Spirit-led. I'll leave you with these thoughts:

None should diminish our own difficulties, challenges, pains. Cancer, financial, employment, relationships. It is not a matter of degree or comparison. It is more a matter of what we are becoming through the process. Through both the times of blessing and times of heartache are we increasing more in love, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control, love, etc or are we increasing in bitterness, anger, resentment, selfishness.

For those of us who claim we are Christians are we growing and taking on the character of Christ?

home again, home again....

wow! what an exhausting drive it is from portland to marina! we are one wiped out family. my girls went to camp the week before, then it was 4th of july, then...off to oregon. oops...forgot that the entire 5th of july, my maggie girl was sick on the couch with tummy issues. poor punkin! we enjoyed lots of fun with my husband's side of the family. i loved seeing the cousins all playing together. i am home now and have SO much to do! i want to escape again...but, reality calls.

just wanted to post a quick note about what we've been up to. i'm feeling a little pooped, though. maybe more writing and photos coming soon. that'll be my goal. among so many other things.

i will just say that i am extremely grateful for amazing kids and an incredible husband.

life is good.