Who am I, anyway???

I realize that a lot of you don't really KNOW anything about me, so I thought I'd just introduce myself a little bit! :D

But what do you want to know?? Or DO you? :D

Let's see. I'm the oldest of three girls, all spaced four years apart. Neither one of them wish to be "outed" online, so I'll respect their wishes. :)

I've lived all around the US, in each region, I think. :) I LOVE the Pacific Northwest, and it would be my permanent home if I were given a choice. But no matter where I go, God brings wonderful, special people into my life. My friends are very important to me!

I really like to TRAVEL, as in go to far places on a plane. :D I am a homebody, though, and on any given day I'd rather stay home and work than have to go out someplace.

I've worked in a lot of different fields! That old saying, "Jack of all trades, master of none"? Yeah, that's talkin' about me. :) Honestly, I think the thing that still gives me the most satisfaction is teaching - but NOT what I've done in the school system. I LOVE teaching people when they want to learn - like what I do with rubber stamping and scrapbooking. I love to hear people's reactions when they realize they can do whatever we're working on, and it's pretty, and THEY did it!! :)

I have a BA in communications, emphasis in interpersonal comm - which perhaps explains why my relationships with friends are so important to me! My minor's English lit - one of those truly USEFUL degrees. :D Did all that in El Paso, Texas. :D I've done community theater for YEARS, both on- and backstage duties. I love to be onstage, but it's a bit difficult when you look like I do. ;D

I still keep in touch with one of my best college friends - HI, RHONDA!!!!!!! :) - and she, besides my family, has known me the longest on this planet.

My parents have called me "Pooh" since I was about three. I still collect Pooh, and wear Pooh, and am called Pooh. :D

Then there are my best friends from Ohio I used to do theater with, Karen and Joe. I still have wonderful, cherished memories of our times together, and need to do a better job of staying in touch with them. Karen's husband is also a diabetic, with serious health complications. If you could pray for Doug when you think of it, we'd all be so grateful!

I met Kenn on the Internet, back when the Net was still in its infancy. We'll be celebrating 12 years of marriage next month! If you'd like to read more about that, go HERE and then read some of our writings - links on the right side. Karna actually knows us from the old days when we first got together! :D

I have a beautiful stepdaughter, Kaisa. She's happily married to Jeff, and they live in California. Children are in the PLANS, but not the WORKS. :D

I'm a type 2 diabetic, with eye complications. Speaking of which, I have another laser surgery on the 28th of this month, if you happen to think and would like to pray for me! :) I struggle with my glucose levels, but I know Who's got ALL of me in the palm of His hand, so I try to rest there.

I grew up in a Christian home, accepted Christ as my Savior when I was 6. There have been times of real stagnance (?? is that correct???) - but also times of great growth. God has been calling me to go deeper in Him for a few years now, and I feel like He has planned for this blog to play a role in others' growth, as well.

If there's ANYTHING you'd LIKE to know about me, please don't hesitate to ask. God's brought me through a LOT of trials, and has taught me that praising Him regardless of my circumstances is what He truly desires from me. It's not always easy, but I CHOOSE TO DO SO! :) Sometimes, praising Him is a sacrifice of our desires and will.

So, ask away. :D Tell me about YOU!!! Post to your blog, and let me know you did so!!! I want to know you, my friend. I care about you! I know our Father loves you deeply - so deeply, we can't comprehend it. I also know He wants us to live in His love, and to deal with others from there!!!! :)

Don't forget to enter the drawing for the book - scroll down for details. :)

Have a WONDERFUL weekend, dear one. Rest in Him!!!

Please Meet Rhonda!

Hi, everyone! Rhonda's not sure how to send me a pic, and I haven't seen her in person since my wedding 11.5 years ago. :) I'll try to find a picture of either her, or both of us, from our "way back when days" - Rhonda was one of my roomies in college. We have a very UNIQUE story about how we became friends, which perhaps we'll share sometimes. :D ANYWAY. I'm thrilled to introduce you to my friend!

UPDATE: This photo is from my wedding, obviously. :D Rhonda was my matron of honor.

Hi everyone!
I am Rhonda. I am 41 years young. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.;) I figure if I tell myself I am young I might stay that way a little longer!!!

I have three children who can be blessings or burdens depending on the day! My oldest is Audrey who is 14yrs old. She had become my most responsible one. She has had to do a lot of growing up over the last 8 months and it is proving to be a very good thing! However, she can be a typical teenager complete with the attitude!!!

My second child cam shortly after her, 14 months after her!!
She is Amber and has 13 years behind her! She is my very quiet child, but when you’re not watching she can be quite loud! She and Audrey are as different as night and day in the things they like to do. Amber’s interests revolve around anything to do with the military!!!! The greener the better! Audrey is the Girly girl, no outside activities for her!!!!

Jeremy is my baby at 10 years old. Have you ever noticed exactly HOW different boys are from girls? I learn new lessons each and every day! He does keep me on my toes!! I am ever so glad that God gave him to me!

Our little family has had a very rough 8 months. Because of a situation that built up and basically exploded on Mother’s Day, the children and I had to move from our home in El Paso, TX. We moved to Alpine, TX in June, and then again to Big Bend National Park in August. God blessed me with a teaching position in a school set up for the park ranger’s children. It is a k-8 Texas Recognized school. We are VERY small a total of 27 students! I am teaching the Kindergarten and first grade class. This a chore for someone who has never taught either first or kindergarten!!! God has truly blessed me in more ways than I could even begin to tell you!
My children are much happier and are getting the educational attention that they need to have for their dyslexia.

The greatest trial for me is adjusting to not having ANY Christian friends near by to talk to. I do not attend a church because there isn’t one near where we live. It takes at least 45 minutes to get to the closest town!! (And that town doesn’t even have a Wal-mart, or a real grocery store! AAAAWWWWWW Is that ever a BIG adjustment!!!!)

There is a small bible study that meets on Sunday mornings and Tuesday nights. I am usually helping with the children on Sunday and it seems that on Tuesdays it is difficult to get there because of homework and everything else that goes on in a family!

My Greatest need right now is wisdom and direction in what to do concerning my husband. Yes, he stayed in El Paso. I am having some difficulty with him in some very important areas. I do not know what the next step should be. Please pray for me so that I will hear God clearly!

I am so very glad to be a part of this blog. I honestly look forward to it every morning!
I pray that God blesses each of you far beyond anything you could ever dream or imagine!
Rhonda


OK, ladies! :) Let's uplift Rhonda and the kids, now that you know specific needs.

Wednesday: Introduction Day!

Good morning, dear friend! Today's an easy day for me; I'm going to let Karen - aka Karna - tell you about herself.

I am Karen, old blonde woman going on Medicare this year WAAA WAAAA - it is hard to think I will be 65 years old next month. I feel like I'm 19 except when I go to get up off my sofa and the bones creak a bit or the body wants to stay in that position and not jump right up. I had two children, and two grandchildren. I was married for 35 years and divorced in 1999...so wow thats 9 years already.

Our family was fractured and blown apart in 1997 when my daughter accused my husband of molesting our granddaughter. That's like a time bomb going off and you hadn't read the book on how to survive.

So its been a long 10 years and a sad journey to say the least. In the midst of it all my son was diagnosed with MS - his wife left with their baby, and I was asked to come and be his caregiver. It was my joy and we spent 5 years together - he was brave and wonderful and passed away in June of 1996. He is safe with Jesus and I am left sad and lonely without him in my life. They say the second year after a loss is worse than the first one and I think I can attest to that.

Meanwhile I am remodeling his home and need to sell it pronto - of course I always buy in a high market and sell in a low, but this tops the cake right now -- couldn't be a worse time. I am just trying to trust the Lord to have a buyer out there so that it can be sold and I can pay my bills and move on.

Guess I'll stop cuz I could write a book - I have dreams and aspirations and know that the year 2008 (the #8 signifies 'new beginnings') will bring new journeys, lessons, and joy during the midst of all!

Thanks SO much, Karen! Ladies, let's lift Karen's needs, desires, and praises to God!!!