Blast from the Past

I was going through some pictures the other night and found some OLD pictures. Kind of entertainting...

I can still pout like this.

Me and my pup dogs

Grade school photo - First Grade???
Cricket...my first "horse". Saved my whole life to buy her for $40. Took me 6 years.

My goats...I really dislike goats now :-D

Seek First...

"Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. Therefore do not be anxious..." Matthew 6:33

In the midst of transition and seeking specific direction for this season in my life, I am overwhelmed with the many "open doors" and paths that I could take. This verse in Matthew is often tritely quoted, but there is so much depth to it when embraced and applied. I am dealing with a holy frustration, and I truly want to be pleasing to Him as I make decisions and walk out this process.

Father, I pray for Your Kingdom to be established in and through me as I walk as Your daughter. My heart is set upon seeking You above all else. Even when things are uncertain all around me, You are steadfast and faithful. My hope, my purpose, my desires are all found in You. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Align my heart with Yours, may I find life and joy in Your presence.

Peach Freezer Jam

My friends have a peach tree that was LOADED with peaches this year. I didn't have tons of time to can them, but I spent all afternoon Saturday freezing them and I made a couple batches of yummy freezer jam.

Fresh off the tree...

Blanching... Ice cold water to remove the skins...
Sugar and pectin...
Jam!!! (Now I just need to make some bread...)

Room Mates

My friend, and Best Room Mate Ever, is getting married in less than two months. I am thrilled for her and her fiance. We have been here for almost two years. It has been a good season, but it is time for her to move on. She is hard to replace though. Finding a good room mate these days is kind of a challenge. I haven't really "advertised", but I have gotten the word out by word of mouth but the prospects haven't been to promising. I told my landlord too. She came over this morning and told me she "found a room mate for you, his name is so and so." I'm like, "who?". She said, "so and so". "Its a guy?" I asked. "Yeah, he is looking for a room mate cause his just moved out". I'm like, "I need a girl room mate." "O, but he is really nice." I'm like, "Uh, no thanks." I guess you have to be pretty specific with these things...

Trip To San Diego

Whew! What a weekend! Its been a while since I had a good ol fashioned road trip. My brother, grandpa, mom, and I all piled into grandpa's white Buick for a 1,ooo mile jaunt down I-15 for my cousin's wedding in San Diego. 30 hours in the car over the past three days - I think I am cured of road trips for a while.

We drove to Las Vegas on Friday and stayed the night. I had never been to Vegas before, so my brother took us on a mini tour down on the "strip" and Freemont street. (Not my favorite place in the world). We left at 6am on Saturday and drove the remaining way to San Diego.

The wedding was simple but very beautiful and well worth the investment of the drive. Ian's band played softly in the background and their pastor admonished them - "God brings two together so that they can do more for the Kingdom of God together than they could ever do alone"..., "provoke each other to pursue and cultivate the will of God...", "remind him of what God has placed in his heart.." They pledged their personalized vows under the glow of white lights adorning the willow tree behind them. The reception was on the basketball court that had been transformed into a cozy atmosphere by huge white ball lanterns strung across the court. I am so proud of my cousin and his new bride. I really felt like I could stand in agreement with their decision. It was such a blessing to spend a few hours see my aunt and uncle and other cousin that had flown down from Oregon.

Bright and early at 5am we packed back up the Buick and headed 1,000 miles north, straight home. I would have liked to have spent more more time in San Diego seeing some of the sights (primarily the OCEAN), but maybe some other time....

Congratulations Ian and Julie!!!!

Yellowstone with Friends

This weekend I have been graced with the company of some very dear friends that I met in Singapore two years ago. They are missionaries to southeast Asia and are based out of Singapore. Deborah and Cornelio came to see me in Blackfoot! And since it was Cornelio's birthday yesterday, we took a surpise trip to Yellowstone National Park. It has been over 8 years since I had been to the park, so it was blast to see it again myself and to show it to people who have never experienced it before. We saw lots of critters - more than I had ever seen in previous visits. Hundreds of buffalo, several elk, deer, cranes, and a coyote.

Cornelio, Deborah, and me - enjoying each other's company.

Enjoying pita sandwiches at Old Faithful

Powder Puff Derby

This is Barbie, er, I mean Jonnie. She is my sister...



And this is my dad...
And my "little" brother...

Back to Jonnie...
This is Jonnie's car. Well, one of her cars. The other one isn't so, um, pink. And it isn't so noisey.Wow, is that rust?
And this is Jonnie's multi talented husband - Kevin.
And this is Jonnie's first crash that she didn't get a ticket for :-D

Wow sis, all those years of backing into the trash can in the driveway and hitting parked cars in the parking lot really paid off! I had no idea you were practicing for your first demolition derby! She managed to get through without breaking a nail...You go Girl! I am proud of you!