All Things Bright and Beautiful

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth.You have set your glory in the heavens.— Psalm 8:1

Last night our orchestra held a hymn sing in our sanctuary with our choir.

All things bright and beautiful.

All creatures great and small.

All things wise and wonderful, 

The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings,

He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings.

This was one of the hymns we sang .

It was a wonderful evening of music.

Today on 9/11 we remember those who gave their lives on that day 20 years ago.

We pray for their families and coworkers who lost those dear people on that tragic day.

https://livestream.com/fpcsd/events/9841958/videos/225805563

Those Who Bring Good News

As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” — Romans 10:15

While in San Francisco, Abby and I walked a lighted labyrinth at Grace Cathedral.

We also visited Hillsong Church for a modern praise worship service.

When we got home, Kirk mentioned what a wonderful sermon Jerry had preached while we were gone.

Each of these worship styles is completely different from the other, but we are thankful for them all.

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

The Gospel story transcends worship styles or buildings.

It is an amazing blessing to all who hear it and believe.

Make the Most of Every Opportunity

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity. — Ephesians 5:15

Today I am working at home and getting a lot done without constant interruptions and meetings.

I'm taking a quick lunch break to type this post before getting back to the work computer.

God has provided another beautiful day.

Tonight I will gather with friends to celebrate a friend's 65th birthday.

We will have a fun time over dinner with the girls, catching up and relaxing together.

Tomorrow City Tree School has their annual CHristmas program in our church sanctuary.

I'll join Abby for dinner afterward — they're serving lasagna — before choir rehearsal begins.

Kirk and I went out to dinner together on Monday after my doctor appointment.

She said I'm doing great. No residual signs of radiation.

Other than calcium and a multi-vitamin, I'm only on one medication, an Estrogen inhibitor.

And she signed an authorization form so I can join the LiveStrong program at the YMCA in January.

God continues to bless me. I am grateful.

A Time for Each Season

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. — Ecclesiastes 3:1

This week marks the autumnal equinox and the first day of Fall.

It seems way too early and much too warm, but God has planned the seasons perfectly.

Here's what fall looks like in Spokane, Washington.

It's mostly green here in San Diego.

But it's beautiful, never-the-less.

And we are grateful.

Do What Is Right

This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. — Jeremiah 22:3

Our neighbors just left for a trip to Hawaii.

Today they sent us some photos.

This one of the sunset over Oahu was from their trip a few years ago.

It's beautiful! Makes me feel like I'm actually there.

One of these days, we'll get back to the Big Island.

We can hardly wait.

In the meantime, we enjoy the sunsets here in San  Diego.

God has blessed us.

The True God

The Lord is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. — Jeremiah 10:10

Today Abby and I will take off from work so we can once again hit the beach before Kirk has to return to school.

Another gorgeous day in sunny southern California.

Here we are several years ago, enjoying the beach together.

I can't go in the ocean water yet, until my immune system bulks up a bit, but I'll enjoy a swim in the pool afterward.

The Lord has given us this beautiful day, and we are thankful.

He is the living God, our eternal king.

I Will Praise Your Name

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness. — Psalm 138:2

God is faithful. His love for me is unending.

Today I had my monthly visit with my oncologist.

She marveled at how well I am doing, and I mentioned that I am thanking God for this huge blessing.

Sunday we went to Windansea beach in La Jolla with Victoria and Max.

The day was beautiful, even though the water was still cold.

The Earth Is the Lord's

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. — Psalm 24:1

God created everything, down to the smallest detail.

Our world is an amazingly integrated place, where each creature is dependent on the others for life.

And it is also a really beautiful place with a huge variety of colors and textures.

We are blessed to be a part of it all.

And today marks the first day of summer. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year for all of us living north of the equator.

God's rainbow promise reminds us that even though we, as humans, cannot always keep our promises, God always keeps His.

What a wonderful reminder of God's faithfulness and love for us.

Welcome, summer!

A Candle for Gary

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. — Acts 2:21

Today we received this candle in the mail from the funeral home that we used here in San Diego. Very thoughtful.

Also very beautiful. It brought tears to our eyes.

Here's the poem:

When I'm Gone

When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile,
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile.
Forget unkind words I have spoken;
Remember some good I have done,
Forget that I ever had heartache
And remember I've had loads of fun.
Forget that I've stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way.
Remember I have fought some hard battles
And won, ere the close of the day,
Then forget to grieve for my going,
I would not have you sad for a day,
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay,
And come in the shade of evening
When the sun paints the sky in the west
Stand for a few moments beside me
And remember only my best.
— Mrs. Lyman Hancock

We Belong to the Lord

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. — Romans 14:8-9

Gary's Coffin with Flag at Riverside Cemetary

Today was Gary's interment at Riverside Cemetery in Iowa.

We weren't able to go, but Kirk's brother Kyle, Mariana, Michael, cousin Rick, and lots of friends and relatives made it.

The day was beautiful, with the sun shining down on the ceremony.

Here's a photo of the flag folded on the casket.

Rick even brought a box of Twinkies. When Gary worked for Hostess, he often dressed up as Twinkie the Kid to hand out samples of Twinkies and cakes.

A fitting tribute to our dad.

Rogers Family with Gary's coffin

Our God Reigns

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” — Isaiah 52:7

Today I had a chance to Facetime with my sister Becky in Austria. What a great time to catch up and pray together.

We both have a tendency to try to do too much, so we are learning to slow down and not take on as many new tasks and projects.

Very hard at times. But God is helping us to prioritize and focus on what His plan is for us rather than going ahead on our own.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news. Who proclaim peace. Who proclaim salvation.

We echo the words of Isaiah, "Our God reigns!"

Marvelous Things

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. — Psalm 98:1

Last week I thought our roses looked beautiful, but this week they have budded and blossomed even more!

Both rose trees look like this. What a fabulous view from our living room and even from the street.

The flowers are so heavy that the trees are leaning a bit under the weight of them all.

I am singing my heart out to the Lord.

What miraculous ways he reaches out to me in love. He surrounds me with good things to see, taste, and hear.

He has done and continues to do marvelous things!

My Hope Comes from God

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. — Psalm 62:5

Sunday we went for a walk by Lake Murray and saw lots of blooming cactus and wildflowers. What a beautiful day.

The sun was glistening off the lake, the ducks and geese were enjoying the water, and lots of people had the same idea we did.

Such a relaxing way to spend the afternoon.

My soul finds rest in God. My hope comes from him.

Running with Perseverance

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. — Hebrews 12:1-3

Today I did not take any nausea meds, for the first time since my chemo began on Friday. I made sure to eat small meals or snacks throughout the day but did not feel any stomach upset. Hopefully that will be a trend. We'll see.

Our sweet neighbor Leslie brought us a healthy chocolate brownie dessert, which tasted really good with vanilla ice cream.

I'm enjoying having and appetite and taste buds, especially since I know both will be going away over the next week or two. 

The good news is that both will also come back again in about five months when my chemo is over.

I will speaking at our women's retreat this weekend, talking about our beautiful feet and how God equips us for the journey so we can tackle the mountains and valleys that come our way.

This is one of the photos I chose to convey the image of mountains before us.

Running the race with perseverance!

 

Wonderful Neighbors

I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. — Psalm 123:1

This beautiful flower arrangement was sent to us by our wonderful next-door neighbors, Ralph and Wanda, when they heard about my surgery and cancer diagnosis.

They were the original owners of their house, and they have been a blessing for us to get to know over the years. They introduced themselves to us as soon as we moved in and then invited us to one of their parties, making us feel especially welcome.

They helped us repair our shared fence and shared their fruits, vegetables, wine, and jams with us. They also shared lots of laughter.

When Abby was young and dressed up for Halloween, they would have a special treat ready for her. They remembered her birthday, graduation, and other special occasions. They were always there to lend a hand and to pray for us when they heard about my diagnosis.

Now they are beginning to plan a move closer to their children in Temecula, and we will miss them terribly.

God has blessed us with wonderful neighbors. We lift our eyes up to the Lord and ask Him to guide them to their new home, just not too quickly.

Los Peñasquitos Canyon Hike

He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. — Psalm 121:3-4

Los Peñasquitos Canyon

Yesterday some friends and I headed out to Los Peñasquitos Canyon for a beautiful morning hike. 

The bridge was out so we were not able to cross the river, but with all of the rain we've had recently, the grass and plants were growing tall and green. And the water was higher than it had been in a while.

The day started out chilly and cold, but warmed up as the sun came out and we started moving. 

One friend who joined us had had a lumpectomy last summer followed by radiation and is doing well. Her cancer is gone for now, and we are rejoicing.

Another friend's mom has been diagnosed with non hodgkins lymphoma and is undergoing chemo now. She will have her second treatment this week while I have mine. As we walked we talked about how it's especially hard because she lives halfway across the country and has been having a rough time of it with lots of nausea and fatigue. 

There's really nothing her daughter could do if she were there, but it's hard to be so far away and watch your mom suffer. It's hard to be close by and watch your mom or mother-in-law suffer, too.

God is watching over each of us, and He will not let us slip out of His reach.

He will neither slumber or sleep. When we turn to Him, He is ready and able to respond. What a comfort!



 

Hiking In San Diego County

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. — Psalm 121:1-2

Today some friends and I are heading out to Los Peñasquitos Canyon for a beautiful morning hike. We'll see if we make it all the way to waterfall. I hope so! 

We have had a lot of rain for San Diego this year (over 11 inches). Most years, we have only 10 inches of rainfall for the entire year.

Here's a photo of the preserve taken in October 2016 by Alexandre Buhov. I'll post one after our hike so we can compare. My guess is it will be even more green than this. We'll see.

What a treat to get out into God's creation, lifting our eyes to God our Maker, where our help comes from.

God Reigns

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” — Isaiah 52:7

Today as I walked around our neighborhood, I was joy-filled to see the birds flying by, the roses and daffodils and Birds of Paradise blooming, and the sun peeking through the snow-white clouds above me.

This Bird of Paradise plant at the foot of our driveway hasn’t bloomed in years. But after all of the rain we’ve been having, it finally blossomed. 

Now its brilliant colors are finally shining through.

Sometimes the rain in my life helps me to be able to bloom as well. I become dull and move away from God until pain and problems come my way. Then I start to turn to God and He in turn helps me shine the light of Jesus in my actions and words.

Thank you, Lord, for your omnipotence. You reign in power and glory.

Our God reigns!

A New Day

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.  
— Psalm 34:4

The sun is shining again. Still. And it's a new day ahead.

Still no pain, and most movement is back in my arm. I'm amazed.

This beautiful orchid is a reminder of the thoughtful friends and neighbors who have surrounded our family during this time. 

Our neighbors brought it over before the surgery to brighten my spirits, and it did!

I opened my door yesterday to a beautiful floral arrangement from my Bible study friends and another arrangement — a combination of plants and flowers from our next-door neighbors. What a surprise!

We have been showered with blessing upon blessing. We are grateful.