The Hope That Overcomes the World (John 16:23–33)

Hello Everyone!!!
          its only been forever since I have been a blogger! Its been a really busy year and has ended up with a Life Changing event of moving to another state.  I started this post way back when and saved it to draft.  Now I have a better computer I think I  can start writing again about stuff that has been going on in our life,....which lately has been a lot.
           The year started out the same as most other years with lots going on.  Teresa Jo and I went the last 2 weeks in January to visit Eric, Nicole, Jase, & Jayla in Hawaii!  Was a perfect vacation ever with her and we just had too much fun!  Little Jase is at a perfect age to have fun with and he was such a little cutie in all we did!  Many fun memories made and was very hard to leave!
         Then it was back to reality for us and when we returned home we went on a few smaller weekend trips throughout the spring and summer. In the fall (September) I went to Scotland with several friends from Paradise for 3 weeks.  What a trip of a lifetime we enjoyed and so thankful I was able to go and see the beauty of that country.  To top off the wonderful time there we went for a whole week to Denmark also and visited Patti Elkerton's very close friends there too.  They were most gracious showing us all over the countryside of how beautiful their country is.  It was just so marvelous I was in amazement the entire trip. It totally changed me in so many ways and I couldn't take enough pictures because I thought I would forget what I saw if I didn't keep taking picture after picture.....over 3000 I took.  lol.. I know it is overload.....but it was part of my experience and memory. Never do I want to forget all that I enjoyed.
      After we got home, it was pretty close to October and we started into our fall routine of getting ready for colder weather etc.  We thought the hottest part of the year was over, which it really was, but little did we know that the hardest day of many was about to approach into reality.
      November arrived and with my thoughts of how far behind Christmas shopping I was amazed me that I felt like a bad Grandma for running all over the place all year long and not being better prepared for December.  So I was starting to get a game plan in place and was working on a quilt for a friend that I had drawn a name for this year.  Was almost done with it when the Firestorm hit on November 8th, 2018.   We only had about 5 minutes to get out of the house with the cats, and what little we could grab and remember to scoop up and run out the door with.  I never thought it would burn the entire town, our house too, as when we were leaving, I looked in my sewing room and told myself," I'll be back, don't worry, we'll be back!"  I was so very wrong.  it is totally gone and we will probably never forget that morning for the rest of our lives.
     Took us 3 hours to get down the hill  to safety of Chico.  We slept in Mack's truck the first night and after that we were fortunate enough to live in a condo for several weeks before we decided to go to Arizona after we realized there was nothing else we could do even if we stayed there.
     So on November 29th we traveled to Arizona  with our 2 cats and 2 cars and arrived late that night at David and Irene's home.  They have a little studio apt behind their home that was available for us so that is where we have been staying since then.
     Before we left Chico I was given a sewing machine from a good friend in Bend Oregon that was able to send it down to me via other friends too.  She was so very generous to send me such a beautiful sewing machine, brand new, an material, and scissors, and  all the extra stuff you need to start fresh sewing again.  I was so very blessed by her generosity and love.!  thanks Eileen!
      Then before  we left California, I went up to say good bye to TJ and good close friends in Siskiyou. A quick 4 day trip and celebration of Thanksgiving.  Missed Macks Birthday but called him.  I got to see everyone and it all went according to plan and smooth no problems or upsets.  So thankful I got to go and the Turkey TJ cooked on the Barbecue turned out the best I have ever had!  She really did fantastically on the entire Dinner, being her first Turkey she ever truly cooked on her own and all I did was tell her how to do it!   Greatt visit and just a fun trip all around!
     So this is Part 1--of our exit from Paradise and all the energy I have tonight to write.  Maybe tomorrow night I will write more of some of the events that have happened since getting here to AZ., and the crazy stories of the people I personally know and their exits from the fire.  I just don't have the energy tonight to revisit the emotion of that day.  It really was kinda horrifying for everyone that lived through it.
   God was Gracious to us all and we came out on the other side alive, and Thankful to be alive. All the other material things are just stuff...and although some can't be replaced we can remember and write it down from what we do remember.
    Hugs & Prayers,  BJM   (I'll follow-up very soon)  thanks for listening!

Early Church Small Group Bible Study by Ray Vander Laan - Faith Lessons ...

        Well all-- its been since November that I've entered a blog entry.  Haven been trying to just keep up with business of retirement.  We celebrated Christmas here in our new home here in Paradise ca and it was a good one.   Still adjusting to city life but am learning to love it!  Thankful for all the many unexpected surprises and blessing that God has showered on us.   Teresa Jo cane to spend a few days at Christmas with us, and we kept busy.  Was wonderful to spend time with her.  Miss her so very much-- so I visit every 2 months. Looking forward to seeing little Jase, Eric and Nikki and Jayla this June when they are traveling thru to Hawaii for their next station.  Great spot to end their tour of duty.   

So excited to see them I just can't wait.  

Little Jase will be 2 in July!!  They are excellent parents! 

     Fast forward to early April.....we got to enjoy a fantastic visit with Kristen , Troy, Piers & Jessica for a early Easter celebration. What a grand time we had together and made some great memories!  Fun times. Was a fun opportunity to celebrate, laugh, and spend quality time with family!  It's been a few years since this has happened!   Thank you Kristen for getting down here. 

     

  

    Today we got to participate in a multi-family Garage sale with our circle of friends here!  I made 1$ and spendthrift $2.00. Didn't have a lot to sell but everyone else did and made tons of money.  We had fun all being together! 

Since last October I have been busy. Helped facilitate Daniel (Beth Moore Bible study) with Patty Burell our fearless leader!  I could focus on not much else during these weeks because we had to put on our thinking caps and had lots of homework each day!  God blessed our hearts and minds and just fully grew our group together with so much love!  It's been an amazing journey!   From those 12 weeks of study-- we proceeded to 2 weeks lecture of " Bad girls of the Bible" & "Really bad Girls of the Bible" by Liz Curtis Higgs -- she is very captivating speaker and shed a lot of wisdom and unknown details in Gods Word we had all overlooked. We then we're blessed by my friend Kathy Presyler in Siskiyou county with another Beth Moore series on "Deuteronomy" but it was a lecture series and very detailed! 

We all enjoyed the time we spendt understanding a hard book I have ad voided because I didn't understand it enough. Now I feel a little clearer on what it entailed!!!!   So after we  did those journeys we are dedicating our remaining time to putting a church library together in Pastor Art Worthingtons old office!  It's gonna be cool!... So thrilled to be apart of this church excitement.  

Been working on the evolved "Bette Bag" projects. Have made 9 of them now and probably will teach the ladies at church to do them also in May.  I do have an original idea and they turn out beautiful!  

Love the purple ones best. 

  All and all life is full and good!  Miss my family so much and love them all so dearly,,!!!! 

,love you all-- BJM.  

  

Early December. Tutorial of scrap bag

Hi everyone...this is my first tutorial for SCRAP BAGS---
  it is for everyone to learn from..but mostly Rebecca Joy---::::

Ok. Rebecca joy-- here is my explanation of my new creation called a scrap bag tote.
I am working on bag # 3 already now  ....
  first step is to create alot of scraps strips--kinda same color turns out better...make them any lenght but mine have been from 6" to 18" long--- by almost 1 inch wide..

then add to your strips by overlapping the material on the wrong side of material...  1st row is a straight stitch with the cotton string in middle of the fold.

then the first few rows are tough to go around the corner --making it a full circle around the first row--see the brown left side here...ease in the ziz zag stitch at each end..  start zig zag stitch on row 2 .
   down below is the 3rd bag I started today..each one has been a different color.
great way to use up scraps!  it takes me about 4 hours to work on these from start to finish.
put the zig zag on 4.5 and 5.5 for lenght and width of your zig zag.

down below is the corner--a tight turn --go slow.--and it will work--ease it into the turn...after row 3 or 4 it will be much easier...  you want to catch the material flap...and the new strip with the cotton string int he middle too..  if you don't catch both sides you will have weakness in the strenght of the bag.

they turn out beautiful--any design you can figure out is fun!

so that is it...good luck...any questions text me or ask by IM on FB.
                  hugs. & Prayers,
                    BJM

Good Afternoon World!...

 

  Gosh...a Wednesday flew by me fast!!! Ended up going to Chico with Mack to do errands, grocery shopping, and by the time I caught my breath it was 3:30pm.  Time for a cup of green tea...got some from Costco and decided to start trying to drink that more as it is suppose to be good for you. 
  Didn't go walking as I woke up @ 7:18 am and was suppose to meet Patty B.--and 4 others @ 7:30 and she cancelled too as she woke up late also.  I do think it is because it is still so dark even @ 7:30 am.  So that is all good--had a slow start day. 

  Thought I might get some sewing in today...but that went south too...I am really way behind in alot of projects to finish...but not gonna worry about it and will try to work alittle tomorrow on them.  Christmas and Thanksgiving will be here in a flash and so should seriously try to gear myself up for the season...mostly I plan to enjoy the season and feel so sorry for all of my old grocery friends that have to work a hectic schedule through the most wonderful season of the year.  I did for 30 years and now I just feel a huge AWWWEEE for all that have to push thru it without really taking a time for  any relaxation.  Please know I do think of you all often and how you work so hard to just keep a steady keel in life!!! 

  It's been since August that I last entered here and alot has gone on.  Was a busy summer here...we went swimming alot down at Dan & Patti's home..and seemed like we were always going to their house for dinner and potlucks--Lovely times and great food!.   They are the Hostesses with the Mostest? (SP?)  Always  now we are having a busy full weeks..,,enjoying living here--Mack is loving being close to everything, entertainment, music, friends, house projects, and not too many days are boring.  He had some trees cut down while I was Virginia visiting Eric and Nicole.  Looks alot different now. 

   In end of September, I went back to visit Eric & Nicole & little Jase and Marcus and Jayla in Virginia.  What a very busy full house they have now---- and we enjoyed each and every day.  Little Jase walking now and says "Dad Dad" "thank you" and probably more I didn't catch or pick up on--but manages to get his message across for what he needs and wants.  He was sick with a fever for a few days and went to the doctor (and ER middle of night once)and they put him on antiboitics and he was recovered quickly.  It is a helpless feeling to see  such a sweetheart sick, and lithargic.  Thankful he bounced back quickly.  He has alot of teeth now and eats almost everything pretty easily, cut up in little bites...and has a healthy appetite.

 
   The first Saturday I was there we went up to the Virginia State Fair and checked it out...was pretty big Fair-- and Jase liked the chickens..and Eric saved him from getting his fingers pecked by the chickens.  They saw cute little baby fingers for dinner and it could have hurt him.. Good Dad, Eric!    Jase also started going to Pre-School while I was there... He adapted pretty easily and yet when we went to pick him up each day he was so happy he could hardly stand it.  Eric and I would walk up there with the stroller about 1/2 mile from their house and get him and walk back --usually took freckles also, their doggie.  All of us loved that little excursion each day and it got us out of the house alittle.

 
  The hurricane was passing the east coast while I was there and we got just the tip of the storm with heavy winds and rain for 3 or 4 days.  One night we actually got alot of thunder and Lightning.   I appreciated having a strong warm home to be in during the harsh weather.

 

  All and all the trip of 3 weeks visit was great being able to enjoy Jase each day and help alittle with babysitting sometimes.  Nicole started a new job on base and loves it! We had alot of hands helping with all the cooking cleaning and laundry.  So very thankful I was able to be apart of their lives for that time. 

 

This is Eric's 36th birthday celebration! He wanted a dirt pudding cake with gummy worms!

 

 

     Next time they will be in hawaii and after they get settled 5 or 6 months in--- hopefully, we will be able to get on over there and enjoy the beauty of the Islands too, and see how much Jase has developed.   He is so cute when he walks now, he puts both arms out like a airplane and goes at a pretty good clip to his designated destination.  He is a strong walker and when we went for walks outside in their nieghborhood he did not really want to go home, and pulled strongly on our hands to keep going-- after we thought we should go in....so we would have to scoop him up and carry him inside.  I do think he will be a hiker...and he is defintely a outside type.  I am happy to see that...as Eric & Nicole will be very active outside I'm sure!  They are most wonderful parents together, and I just never thought I would see how they are such a Super Team together working towards the good of not only Jase's future, but Marcus (17 1/2) graduating HS this next year, and Jayla 14 who is entering HS soon also.  They are all doing so well and seem well and happy.   Proud of them all!

   I literally hit the ground while walking one morning 2 1/2 weeks ago and landed on the left side of my face in the red dirt here and did bite the dirt some (tripped on a small rock imbedded in the pathway we were walking).  It was the hardest I've hit in along time (at least a year), but besides my pride being bruised, I healed finally as of yesterday my last scab fell off.  I swear it could have been so much worse,--no broken bones, and no teeth fell out,...I just looked like I had been beaten up pretty good.  Never a dull moment with me it seems! 

good -second day                  

       So,  I  literally hit the ground running when I returned as we had some events planned at my Church and was apart of the planning.   We had an  "Encouragement Encounter" for the Ladies in our church, and it was well recieved!  We had about 25 ladies come out for the light brunch  and a great time of sharing and alittle talking of how our lives have gone from two special ladies for all  to see how their pathways have developed in their faith in Christ.   Also we started a Beth Moore Bible Study on the book of "Daniel" the following Tuesday morning...a 12 week Study and Patty Burell and I are co-faciliating the group.  Neither of us really have had too much serious experience doing this...but again it is well recieved and we are excited about learning with everyone too, all the lessons from this Dynamic book of the Bible that will truly speak to all our hearts and everyday lives-- in a memorable way. We are so thrillled to be apart of these events.

Larry at church is a artist and drew this on the board for us all to enjoy! he is talented!

 

     Also volunteering at Hospice Thrift Store is great fun, I sooo look forward to that once a week...and get my fill of working behind a register (it never leaves you once you have done it for so long), and dealing with great customers that come in-- also.  I love the people I work with and have made many great friends there already!.  I am so Blessed to be with everyone I have been fortunate enough to meet , and defintely feel  apart of the community now.   God is Good all the time and All the Time God is Good!  Much to be thankful for-- coming into this Thanksgiving and Christmas Season!   Thank Goodness for FaceBook I can stay in current contact with so many old friends in Siskiyou County also,...makes it alittle less painful for me starting fresh in a foreign land.!

(me and TJ when we both were much younger!)  

   Will try to post here more often now and will keep the family happenings more current for you to hear about.  I was trying to get my Christmas Card list together last night, and spendt most of the evening organizing years gone by...and reading some old greeting cards that I long ago recieved.  I do have to say I enjoyed reading most of them....and was inspired to start writing again much more by what Annalee wrote to me in her last letter before she died.  She thought I had a talent to write my heart...so I will continue to do so here.  She was my second mom  and always encouraged me to make my life and those around me--alittle better-- by using my talents .  Loved her muchly, because she was the guilty one that taught me to sew at the dear age of 6-- yes--SIX years old--against my mom's better judgement...But it was a good thing and  it saved me through alot of boredom and gave me a outlet to create some great projects.  I will always thank her for that quality of encouragement.  Miss her!  My mom and Dad loved her dearly also--she was adopted into our family!!!  Funny how neighbors sometimes become family...if you are forunate to be blessed by special ones!.  That will be the topic of my next entry...
   Well you all, take care and be good, and thanks for reading this blog! 
Hugs & Prayers
BJM

Good Afternoon World!...

 

  Gosh...a Wednesday flew by me fast!!! Ended up going to Chico with Mack to do errands, grocery shopping, and by the time I caught my breath it was 3:30pm.  Time for a cup of green tea...got some from Costco and decided to start trying to drink that more as it is suppose to be good for you. 
  Didn't go walking as I woke up @ 7:18 am and was suppose to meet Patty B.--and 4 others @ 7:30 and she cancelled too as she woke up late also.  I do think it is because it is still so dark even @ 7:30 am.  So that is all good--had a slow start day. 

  Thought I might get some sewing in today...but that went south too...I am really way behind in alot of projects to finish...but not gonna worry about it and will try to work alittle tomorrow on them.  Christmas and Thanksgiving will be here in a flash and so should seriously try to gear myself up for the season...mostly I plan to enjoy the season and feel so sorry for all of my old grocery friends that have to work a hectic schedule through the most wonderful season of the year.  I did for 30 years and now I just feel a huge AWWWEEE for all that have to push thru it without really taking a time for  any relaxation.  Please know I do think of you all often and how you work so hard to just keep a steady keel in life!!! 

  It's been since August that I last entered here and alot has gone on.  Was a busy summer here...we went swimming alot down at Dan & Patti's home..and seemed like we were always going to their house for dinner and potlucks--Lovely times and great food!.   They are the Hostesses with the Mostest? (SP?)  Always  now we are having a busy full weeks..,,enjoying living here--Mack is loving being close to everything, entertainment, music, friends, house projects, and not too many days are boring.  He had some trees cut down while I was Virginia visiting Eric and Nicole.  Looks alot different now. 

   In end of September, I went back to visit Eric & Nicole & little Jase and Marcus and Jayla in Virginia.  What a very busy full house they have now---- and we enjoyed each and every day.  Little Jase walking now and says "Dad Dad" "thank you" and probably more I didn't catch or pick up on--but manages to get his message across for what he needs and wants.  He was sick with a fever for a few days and went to the doctor (and ER middle of night once)and they put him on antiboitics and he was recovered quickly.  It is a helpless feeling to see  such a sweetheart sick, and lithargic.  Thankful he bounced back quickly.  He has alot of teeth now and eats almost everything pretty easily, cut up in little bites...and has a healthy appetite.

 
   The first Saturday I was there we went up to the Virginia State Fair and checked it out...was pretty big Fair-- and Jase liked the chickens..and Eric saved him from getting his fingers pecked by the chickens.  They saw cute little baby fingers for dinner and it could have hurt him.. Good Dad, Eric!    Jase also started going to Pre-School while I was there... He adapted pretty easily and yet when we went to pick him up each day he was so happy he could hardly stand it.  Eric and I would walk up there with the stroller about 1/2 mile from their house and get him and walk back --usually took freckles also, their doggie.  All of us loved that little excursion each day and it got us out of the house alittle.

 
  The hurricane was passing the east coast while I was there and we got just the tip of the storm with heavy winds and rain for 3 or 4 days.  One night we actually got alot of thunder and Lightning.   I appreciated having a strong warm home to be in during the harsh weather.

 

  All and all the trip of 3 weeks visit was great being able to enjoy Jase each day and help alittle with babysitting sometimes.  Nicole started a new job on base and loves it! We had alot of hands helping with all the cooking cleaning and laundry.  So very thankful I was able to be apart of their lives for that time. 

 

This is Eric's 36th birthday celebration! He wanted a dirt pudding cake with gummy worms!

 

 





     Next time they will be in hawaii and after they get settled 5 or 6 months in--- hopefully, we will be able to get on over there and enjoy the beauty of the Islands too, and see how much Jase has developed.   He is so cute when he walks now, he puts both arms out like a airplane and goes at a pretty good clip to his designated destination.  He is a strong walker and when we went for walks outside in their nieghborhood he did not really want to go home, and pulled strongly on our hands to keep going-- after we thought we should go in....so we would have to scoop him up and carry him inside.  I do think he will be a hiker...and he is defintely a outside type.  I am happy to see that...as Eric & Nicole will be very active outside I'm sure!  They are most wonderful parents together, and I just never thought I would see how they are such a Super Team together working towards the good of not only Jase's future, but Marcus (17 1/2) graduating HS this next year, and Jayla 14 who is entering HS soon also.  They are all doing so well and seem well and happy.   Proud of them all!

   I literally hit the ground while walking one morning 2 1/2 weeks ago and landed on the left side of my face in the red dirt here and did bite the dirt some (tripped on a small rock imbedded in the pathway we were walking).  It was the hardest I've hit in along time (at least a year), but besides my pride being bruised, I healed finally as of yesterday my last scab fell off.  I swear it could have been so much worse,--no broken bones, and no teeth fell out,...I just looked like I had been beaten up pretty good.  Never a dull moment with me it seems! 

good -second day   right afterwards yikes

       So,  I  literally hit the ground running when I returned as we had some events planned at my Church and was apart of the planning.   We had an  "Encouragement Encounter" for the Ladies in our church, and it was well recieved!  We had about 25 ladies come out for the light brunch  and a great time of sharing and alittle talking of how our lives have gone from two special ladies for all  to see how their pathways have developed in their faith in Christ.   Also we started a Beth Moore Bible Study on the book of "Daniel" the following Tuesday morning...a 12 week Study and Patty Burell and I are co-faciliating the group.  Neither of us really have had too much serious experience doing this...but again it is well recieved and we are excited about learning with everyone too, all the lessons from this Dynamic book of the Bible that will truly speak to all our hearts and everyday lives-- in a memorable way. We are so thrillled to be apart of these events.

Larry at church is a artist and drew this on the board for us all to enjoy! he is talented!

 

     Also volunteering at Hospice Thrift Store is great fun, I sooo look forward to that once a week...and get my fill of working behind a register (it never leaves you once you have done it for so long), and dealing with great customers that come in-- also.  I love the people I work with and have made many great friends there already!.  I am so Blessed to be with everyone I have been fortunate enough to meet , and defintely feel  apart of the community now.   God is Good all the time and All the Time God is Good!  Much to be thankful for-- coming into this Thanksgiving and Christmas Season!   Thank Goodness for FaceBook I can stay in current contact with so many old friends in Siskiyou County also,...makes it alittle less painful for me starting fresh in a foreign land.!

(me and TJ when we both were much younger!)  

   Will try to post here more often now and will keep the family happenings more current for you to hear about.  I was trying to get my Christmas Card list together last night, and spendt most of the evening organizing years gone by...and reading some old greeting cards that I long ago recieved.  I do have to say I enjoyed reading most of them....and was inspired to start writing again much more by what Annalee wrote to me in her last letter before she died.  She thought I had a talent to write my heart...so I will continue to do so here.  She was my second mom  and always encouraged me to make my life and those around me--alittle better-- by using my talents .  Loved her muchly, because she was the guilty one that taught me to sew at the dear age of 6-- yes--SIX years old--against my mom's better judgement...But it was a good thing and  it saved me through alot of boredom and gave me a outlet to create some great projects.  I will always thank her for that quality of encouragement.  Miss her!  My mom and Dad loved her dearly also--she was adopted into our family!!!  Funny how neighbors sometimes become family...if you are forunate to be blessed by special ones!.  That will be the topic of my next entry...
   Well you all, take care and be good, and thanks for reading this blog! 
Hugs & Prayers
BJM