Flexibility and Balance

Over 30 years ago, when I met and fell in love with my future husband, we talked about a lot of things. We could talk for hours on end. We talked about ourselves, each other, our plans for the future and how many kids we would like to have. We talked about his call into the ministry. I was good with that as I had always felt called to be a minister's wife. I envisioned ourselves living in an attractive parsonage located in the suburbs of a big city.

But I don't ever remember talking about my husbands love of all things horse.

In fact, I can tell you that I had no idea at all that my husband was a "closet cowboy". I never guessed that he dreamed of someday having his own horse. I had no idea that he would love to get into breaking and training horses. For Pete's sake, I didn't even know he would like to have a pair of cowboy boots! I don't know why that never came up. But it didn't.

In the first years of our marriage we lived in cities. My husband was still in school when we got married and we lived in a dormitory where we were the Resident Director's. No room for a horse there.

We then moved to Kansas City to attend seminary. I loved living in the city. I worked right in the middle of the downtown area - and it was wonderful. For me. My poor husband nearly had a nervous breakdown trying to live and drive and survive in such a large city. He looked forward to the day when his first church would most certainly land us in a small, rural community.

It didn't happen. Our first church with attached parsonage, was smack in the middle of metropolitan Provo, Utah. Lots of people wouldn't think of Provo as a large city but it may as well have been New York City as far as my husband was concerned. We lived right off the interstate on a very busy street. Our apartment was attached to the church. There was ZERO privacy.

Three very long years later God finally planted us in a very rural, very unpopulated, very cowboy area. My husband thought he had died and gone to heaven. It took him all of about 3 months to acquire a horse. We have lived cowboy ever since!

I discovered that I can live most anywhere and be content. (However, I do need to be close enough to population that I can drive there in a reasonable amount of time.) I have learned to love and even crave the solitude that living in the country brings. I would miss it if I had to move away from it. But what I love the most is seeing how happy my husband is. He loves working with his horses. Many people in our church have working ranches where he gets involved with brandings and cattle drives and all sorts of western things. This last weekend we drove to the Oregon coast to watch a friend from our church compete in a Wild Mustang Challenge. The BLM gave him a mustang and he had 90 days to break it. All the competitors met in a large arena to show what their horses could do. There were also famous horse trainers there and we sat in on some of those sessions too. I really enjoyed myself. Of course I brought my knitting along so I could accomplish something too. My word, I think even I could break a horse now!

I guess I just say all of this to say that even though we don't know where life will lead us, there is much to enjoy along the way. If someone had told me that I would attend horse seminars and actually enjoy myself, I would have laughed in their face. I had no interest in horses or many outdoor activities. But it is what my husband loves. And because I love him - I enjoy watching him enjoy himself. He is a very busy pastor who needs a physical outlet to balance his very mentally straining occupation. I'm so thankful God has provided for him by where we live and who we live among.

I learned early that my husband would never survive in a city. He needs the outdoors. I surprised myself by learning that I can be happy living in a rural desert. My hobbies and activities can be done anywhere.

So last weekend as I was happily knitting away and at the same time learning from famed horse trainer, Craig Cameron, how teaching and requiring flexibility and balance in a horse is the secret to breaking it - I realized that maybe breaking horses and surviving a marriage aren't all that different. Flexibility and balance are the secrets to successful results both in horses and in people.

On our way home we passed through a town that has a fabulous quilting/yarn shop. My husband was more than willing to stop so I could spend as much time as I wanted browsing and enjoying myself. He shopped with me and even though I know he has absolutely NO interest in fabric or yarn or patterns, he asked questions and showed genuine interest in what thrills me. He even stood in line at the counter getting my fabric cut for me so I could check out the yarn shop. We had a great time.

I'm pretty sure there will be more horse events in my future.

I'm also sure there will be more quilt shops.

Life is good.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Monday, March 23, 2009...

Outside my window... Although there is a very cold breeze, splashes of sunlight are playing on the brick building across the lawn.

I am thinking... that after taking a nice four day road trip, I was really not ready to come home yet.

I am thankful for... get away times. They are so rejuvenating.

From the learning rooms... I am trying hand applique. I feel like a little kid learning how to color. It's hard to keep straight and smooth lines.

From the kitchen... there hasn't been much going on in my kitchen lately. Since the kids have left home - popcorn for dinner works for me.

I am wearing... black pants and shirt and a white and black sweater.

I am creating... a special birthday gift for my little grandson who will be an unbelievable ONE YEAR old in just a few weeks. It has to be special, something that makes him think of and remember us, and small enough to fit inside the flat rate box that is soon taking off for Peru. I think I have come up with the perfect gift. I'll share more about it later - as his mama reads this blog and I wouldn't want her to tell him what it is! Suffice it to say that we have all had a fun time watching it come to be.

I am going... to Subway for lunch.

I am reading... the mail.

I am hoping... for warmer weather and less wind.

I am hearing... the furnace running. I don't want to hear the furnace running. I would much rather hear the air conditioner.

Around the house... I am getting ready to clean and paint. I think I have finally decided on colors - that is always the hardest part for me.

One of my favorite things... is taking roadtrips with my husband. We just got back from the Oregon coastal area where we watched a friend compete in a Mustang Challenge (where he had 90 days to break a wild mustang. He placed 6th and he was very fun to watch), discovered some quaint quilt and yarn shops, and visited with family we don't get to see often enough. It was so fun to get better acquainted with our youngest neice and nephew who are 3 and 6. Sweet Molly, who is 3, wrapped my heart around her little finger by calling me "Red Robin" as opposed to Aunt Robin. Grayson, who is 6, was delightful as well. He is definitely 'all boy' while being very well-behaved and good mannered. We had a great time.

A few plans for the rest of the week: include some spring cleaning as I get prepared to paint. I would rather take a beating than paint - but I am getting closer to convincing myself to do it.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... can you believe I just got home from a road trip through some of the most beautiful country ever, and I didn't take one picture? Not even one.

I think that calls for a re-do!

Check out some more Daybook entries by clicking here.

Fridays Fave 5

Favorite things this week:

1. Last Friday evening, sweet Ava spent the night with us so her mama and daddy could spend some time together - like in the old days! We loved having her. She was so good and sweet and she slept until 4:00. Then I put her in bed with us and she snuggled up and went back to sleep. It was precious to just lay there and watch her to sleep. She is sooooo sweet!

2. My son-in-law Jayson is so thoughtful and sweet. He is always looking out for how he can help and meet a need. This week he heard me say I needed something at the store and the next thing I knew, he had left the house and gone to get what I needed. I didn't even ask! He is not just a good son-in-law, he is also a wonderful husband to my daughter and daddy to my granddaughter. He loves Jesus and desires to serve Him with all his heart. I am so glad he is a part of our family.

3. We attended a crisis pregnancy center fund-raising banquet this week. I whole-heartedly believe in the mission of this charity. I was challenged to knit some baby things to donate. I can't wait to get started!

4. A girl in our church had her first baby this week and I went to visit them at the hospital. There is simply nothing more precious than watching first-time mama's and daddy's with their tiny baby! It just melted my heart.

5. This post written my Beth Moore's daughter Melissa. It touched a chord in me and I printed it off to use in a deeper study. Lamenting to God is something we don't talk about much. I think we need to talk about it more.

Have a happy weekend! And if you want to read more posts - click on over here.

Turning 50 Isn't Always so Nifty

So after turning 50 a few months ago, I finally made myself make a doctor appointment. It has been so easy not to go all these years. My physician had retired several a couple years ago and I just hadn't gotten around to finding a new one. I struggled trying to choose the perfect one. I had been pretty impressed with the doctor who delivered my granddaughter, so I finally made an appointment with her. That was the biggest problem in my mind. It was a "her". Call me chauvinist, but I like my doctors and my airline pilots to be men.

I know. I'm old.

Anyhoo.

I finally went and found Dr. She to be very nice and caring and kind. And knowledgeable. She took the time to talk with me at great length about questions I had. She even took the time to discuss what was going on in my personal life. I can't say any Dr. He's have ever done that before. And what impressed me the most was that she actually remembered who I was from my granddaughter's birth. So I was really liking her. And then she gave me a list of tests a mile long that I need to have "now that I am 50".

Alrighty then.

So this week I underwent the first one. And without going all Katie Couric-y on you, let me just say that it wasn't as bad as one envisions. There is a lady in our community dying from colon cancer. I'm thinking the inconveniences I went through are nothing compared to hers. I was very appreciative of the fact that they gave me something to make me sleep "during the procedure". It worked really well. In fact, I was thinking that it might be something I should take the next time I have to get on an airplane.

Except my husband would have to learn how to do an IV. But he would probably be willing. Apparently as I was waking up, he was holding my hand, and I looked at him and smiled and said "You are my favorite person and I love your goatee."

He's been smiling ever since.

Friday Fave 5

This week seemed to fly by. I'm not sure why because I didn't really do anything. Nothing I wanted to get done happened - the leaves didn't get raked because of the RAIN and the WIND and the HAIL and the COLD spring weather we have been having. I had hoped to start sewing on Ava Claire's spring wardrobe collection - but I didn't seem to find the time to do that either. I didn't get started on any new books because I just haven't been able to concentrate on reading anything other than flyers that come in the mail lately. Looking back on this week, I'm not sure what I did - so it's probably good that I have this designated opportunity to review my five favorite things of all the "nothingness".

1. I have already mentioned our ladies retreat last weekend. It was a very relaxing weekend that I enjoyed very much. Staying in a place like this can't help but make you happy.



Every room has a fireplace and is decorated to the extreme. It is the most feminine place I have ever been. The staff go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Their food in incredible. And the prices are unbelievable. To stay in a room for 4 for 2 nights cost $100 and that included all your food. This place has been a God-send to our ladies group.

2. Ever since Angie declared that 2009 is The Year of the Scarf, I have enjoyed pulling out my scarfs and learning new ways to wear them. And this week Walmart had their scarfts marked down to $3. $3 is a price I think all of us can afford to add a little touch of beauty into our lives.

3. Reading your blog posts every day is always a favorite thing. I learn so much from all of you and besides that you make me laugh, and pray, and you give me such great ideas. You are definitely a favorite part of every week.

4. Every day my daughter Jess drops in to see me at work. She is a student here at the university I work at. What a delight to look up and see her coming through the door. She always brings a smile to my face.

5. This sweet little angel. 'Nuff said.

Thanks Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for another great reminder of all the good things in life. Go on over and join us!

Ava Claire and Her Little Dog Toto Junie

A couple of posts ago I talked about how my little granddaughter Ava Claire's dog, Junie, really seems to love her and posts guard by her crib when Ava is sleeping. Well last night we were at their house for '24' night (the night we get together and watch 24) although last night did NOT go according to plan-more about that later. Anyway, I took a couple of videos of sweet Ava with Junie - I thought it would be fun to share them. In this first video you can hear my preacher husband with his preacher voice discuss the finer points of a chuck roast. We are an exciting family to be around.

In this next one you hear my husband explaining to my son-in-law why he is attempting to grow the goatee again. He has a variety of reasons Including something about having the flu - but I know the real one. It's because Tyler didn't like it and wouldn't give him anymore kisses. As soon as that was realized, the goatee disappeared. But now Tyler is gone - and the goatee is back. At the end you hear him giving Andrea a "rice-cooking" lesson. He is a man of many talents!



We had a wonderful dinner of roast and rice. But we never did get to watch 24. After we ate, Andrea noticed that Junie was missing. We searched the entire house high and low. We searched the backyard. We even checked the freezer I'm not sure why except that we were getting desperate. We walked the neighborhood with a flashlight calling her and calling her. We knocked on doors. We finally made signs and hung them all over. We drove through a larger area of the community with our windows down calling and whistling for her. She never came. We finally had to give up for the night and it was very sad. We prayed together that she had found a warm home to stay the night in and that God would help us find her again. I can't tell you how sad it is to lose your dog. I hated leaving - but I knew there was nothing more we could do. I woke up in the night praying for that little dog.

Well the happy news is that this morning Junie is back home. Andrea said she was sound asleep and she woke up and she just knew. She doesn't know if she heard her barking in her sleep or if she just "knew" but sure enough - there Junie was at the back door wanting to come in. She is none worse for the wear. I think someone found her and took her in and as soon as she wanted out to go potty - she probably headed straight home again.

You can be sure there will be some repair work going on with the back yard fence.

For The Love of Books

Beth Moore has a fun post going on over at LPM. She has challenged everyone to leave a comment on their favorite book. Wow! Choosing a favorite book is super-duper hard. Nearly impossible. I love so many of them. But I finally chose Francine River's, Mark of the Lion series. And it is really three books - but they are all one story. Does that make sense? You could never read just one and not the others.

I am happy to see that "Redeeming Love" has been entered so many times as well. If you haven't read that book - you really, really, really need to.

If you haven't been over to LPM yet, get a pad of paper and a pencil and prepare to spend some time jotting down must-read books! And prepare to spend some time there - as of now there are 1094 comments!

I know this last weekend at our Ladies Retreat, we had the opportunity to purchase books from Robin Lee Hatcher. It was like Christmas! I'm dying to know how the reading is going? I think her favorite book of mine is "The Forgiving Hour" followed by "Firstborn". I bought some new ones that I haven't read yet and I'm looking forward to starting those.

Life is good when it is filled with books!

For Today...Monday, March 2, 2009

Outside my window... The sun is shining, the wind IS NOT blowing (Praise the Lord!), and it looks like spring could be here. I know better though. Spring is a big tease - it plays with your mind and just makes you THINK it's going to warm up. Then it dumps snow. Mean old spring!

I am thinking... that I enjoyed our women's retreat this weekend very much. Our speaker was Robin Lee Hatcher and she was wonderful. It was so interesting hearing how she writes her novels based on things that have happened in her own life. She loves the Lord so much - she was very inspirational to me.

From the learning rooms... I am learning that I am not finished learning. Or growing. The older I get, the more I realize I need to learn. And some of those lessons can be really hard.

I am thankful for... a dear friend of mine. Even though she is going through a hurting time in her own life, she never missed an opportunity to show love and kindness to me. She is a dear gift from God and I only hope I am half the friend to her that she is to me.

From the kitchen... my poor kitchen has been neglected lately. With all the kids gone - I just don't really cook. But I have found a great recipe for a Blueberry/Creamcheese Coffee cake that I think I'm going to have to try soon. I can't remember who's blog I found it on - I'll let you know though when I make it.

I am wearing... my new pink scarf. Big Mama featured it on her Fashion Friday post last week. It was from Target, it was inexpensive, it was just what I needed. So I bought it and it makes me happy.

I am reading... I bought 2 new Robin Lee Hatcher books that I haven't read yet this weekend - they are on the top of my book pile.

I am creating... baby hats. And more baby hats. I am entertaining a thought of selling hats to help fund my mission trip to Peru next February. Our church is sending a team down and I have been invited to go along. Of course, my purpose would be to spend time with my little grandson and my daughter and her husband. I haven't decided for sure if I am going yet, but if I do I'm thinking about selling baby hats. So I can go see my baby. And maybe even bring him a hat. Or two.

I am hearing... somebody practicing scales on the piano.

One of my favorite things... is red licorice.

A few plans for the rest of the week... cleaning the house, catching up on the laundry, sewing Miss Ava Claire's easter dress. And I really, really, really, want to get the rest of the leaves raked.

So Life Goes On . . .

We talked to the kids last night via Skype. They arrived in Arequipa yesterday and have settled into their "home". They are living with a Peruvian woman and her children for the next three months while they attend language school. It was nice to "see" them over the computer but I have to admit it was quite frustrating as well. Sweet Tyler kept reaching for the screen and I found myself reaching back. So much of a relationship with a baby involves physical touch and babies learn and grow tactically. I know that it's better than what missionary families had in past days, but I have to say I liked it better the way it was for us before, when we could hold him and play with him, tickle and kiss him. Ah well.

I was visiting with a student here at the university I work at. She is a missionary kid who grew up in Africa and just returned to the States to go to school 6 months ago. I was asking her about her relationship with her grandparents. Basically she told me that she never really knew them although the is getting to know her grandma now. Imagine!

She shared with me that she doesn't really feel "at home" here at all and longs to go back to Africa someday - even though her parents now live here. Imagine!

She told me that every single time her grandfather talked to her dad on the phone - every single time for twenty years - he ended his call by asking "Are you coming home yet?" It took twenty years, but they are home now. Imagine!

I am just going to take it one day at a time. And today there are only 1086 days until they are home to stay.

I've kept myself busy this week - I started working outside, cleaning up the yard and my flower beds for spring. We have had 50 degrees and sunshine and lots and lots of wind. Can I just say how hard it is to rake leaves in the wind?

I feel like I have been doing a lot of raking leaves into the wind lately, figuratively speaking. Hmmm....

I got the back yard done inside the fence but we also have property outside the fence that needs raked. And the front yard needs attention too. The flower seeds that I started indoors have all sprouted - except for the Petunias. I'm hoping they just need a little more time. I have 6 trays of 72! If they all do well - I'm going to be in business! Yesterday I planted 4 o'Clocks and Cantebury Bells.

I am also getting ready for our Ladies Retreat this weekend. Our speaker is going to be author, Robin Lee Hatcher, and I am really excited to meet her and hear what she has to share. Our numbers are down this year - the economy has hit our congregation pretty hard. But I feel confident that those whom God wants to be there - will be. It will be good to go away for a few days and focus on something different.

Sweet little Miss Ava Claire has a double ear infection. She was extremely fussy last weekend and running a low-grade fever. After a visit with the Dr. on Monday she is on antibiotics and last night we were at her house and she was very happy! Poor sweetheart. She is still so tiny - 5 months old and 13 pounds. She is very strong however, and jabbers and "talks" more and more. She is holding onto little toys now and grabs hair! I especially love when she grabs my hair and pulls my head down to hers and "kisses" me! I'm sure that's what she is doing! Andrea swears she has heard her say "mama" twice. I remain skeptical about that - but who knows? She loves eating her fruit and cereal - you can't spoon it in fast enough. Jayson and Andrea have two chichuahua's and last night we noticed one was missing. Andrea said "Oh she is upstairs sleeping in Ava's room". Apparently she loves Ava and whenever Ava goes to bed, little Junie goes up and sleeps by her crib. How precious is that?

Life does go on. It's different - and we are adjusting. I don't like it - but I can't change it. So I will just depend on God to get me through. I find myself drawn to the Psalms. David sure had a knack for putting his true feelings into words. I like that he felt close enough to God to tell him how he really felt. I like knowing that God is big enough to handle the way we feel. It's good to know I can be totally honest with Him and tell Him how I feel and He is not threatened by it. It comforts me to know that He knows my heart - He cares - and through it all He is accomplishing His will.

I'm glad He is so much bigger than I am.

Friday Fave 5

I have been tempted to skip the Friday Fave 5 meme again this week because of all the sadness, but something tells me I need to keep on keeping on. So that's what I'm going to do. Coming up with five favorite things about this week is a bit challenging - but here goes.

1. I went to the gardening shop and bought some little seedling trays to start my flower seeds in. This summer I want to really work on having beautiful flower gardens and I don't want to pay for the flowers. This seems like the most economical way to go. We'll see what happens. So far I have planted 36 Hollyhocks and 36 Wave Petunias.

2. The sun is shining again - literally that is. We have had horrible cold weather and been socked in with an inversion for weeks. Inversions create fog and dreary days like nothing you have ever seen. I have been so ready for warmer, sunny weather and this week has been wonderful. 50 degrees and sunshine. Tomorrow I am planning to start cleaning up my yard and my flower beds - lets get moving with Spring!

3. On Wednesday evening I just wasn't feeling up to going to church. Besides being sad I have been sick for weeks with a really bad cold. So my daughter Andrea and I curled up on my bed together and spent some girl time watching a cheesy Lifetime movie. Just what the doctor ordered.

4. My sweet little granddaughter Miss Ava Clair is just such a joy to me. This week I was holding her up to my shoulder and she put her little hands against my chest and pushed herself away from my shoulder and just stared into my face for the longest time. How I wish she could have spoken her thoughts- her expression was just sweet and serious.

5. Hope. Even in the most difficult of circumstances we always have hope. Thank you Jesus!

If you would like to read more Friday Fave's, just click on over to Susanna's at Living to Tell the Story.

Until next time.

Grief

Grief. A very real and tangible emotion that most of us try to avoid. Of course none of us ever get to. It's as much a part of our human lives as joy or hunger or air. Fortunately, for most of us, grief only shows up occasionally because our lives are mostly filled with good days. There are always the "bump in the road" kinds of things that happen, but real, deep, heart-wrenching grief, blessedly, is rare.

Yesterday we sent our kids off to Peru for three years. We will get to see them for short visits once each year. Saying goodbye to my daughter, son-in-law, and 9 month old grandson has nearly ripped my heart out. And although the pain is still raw and tender, I'm glad that much-dreaded ordeal is now history and I never have to live through yesterday again. I know there will be more good-bye's in my future, but at least this one is now behind me. I thought this whole thing was going to kill me. And then I was afraid it wouldn't. That's how grief works. It comes in waves. Just when I start feeling like maybe it's going to be okay, some little thing like finding a certain little boy's sock stuffed in the couch cushion, will cause the tears to begin flowing again.

Since October, when their decision to leave was made, I have been sadly counting the days down until they left. When it came time to turn the calendar page to February, I fought it with everything in me. But February came anyway. Now I can start counting down the days until they come home to stay. I'm on day 1093.

I want to thank all of you who have prayed for me. Many of you I know in real life. You have listened to me and comforted me and tried your best to convince me that I will survive this. Many of you I only know through blogging and you have been every bit as supportive and loving as if we lived down the street from each other. You people will never know how deeply I have appreciated your prayers and love to me. You have shown me the love of Jesus and I am humbled by your many kindnesses. Yesterday I found this post written by Bev at Life of GRITS. It was so helpful to me and it expresses my heart perfectly and exquisitely.

You may have noticed that I have placed some blog linkings on the sidebar labeled Peru Blogs. Michelle, my daughter, is the top one and she promised me she would do her best to keep it updated. She won't actually be set up in Peru to start blogging until next week - but I can't wait to read her words and see her pictures. They are spending this week with Tyler's grandparents on the other side of the family. I'm so glad they are having these days to spend together. Olivia is a friend who graduated with my daughter from college. And Wendy is a girl from our church who is leaving next week. Her mama and I have committed to meeting weekly to pray together for our kids. I would like to invite you all to read their blogs and support them in prayer as you have me during these days.

I know that somehow we are all going to adjust to this change in our lives. We are going to be okay.

I'll leave you today with this picture of my beautiful sweet boy in the airport yesterday. I can't possibly find any words that can come close to describing how much I want to kiss his sweet face.

Because Every Girl Needs a Valentine's Hat

I just couldn't resist knitting Miss Ava a hat for valentine's - it looks so cute on her - like she is ready to go snowboarding! She is 4 1/2 months now and really blossoming. Her little personality is showing more. I'm pretty sure she has figured out that she is a princess. She knows what she likes, who she likes, and how she likes it. And she isn't shy about sharing what she knows!
Aunt Jess gave Miss Ava and Tyler a bath the other night - what fun! Miss Ava loves her bath and she loves being na*ked, but when you go to put clothes on her, you better have some ear plugs! My stars, that girl reaches a pitch previously unheard of! Tyler just looks at her in wonder.

Just for fun - here is a picture of the babies with their great-grandma's. My mom is holding Tyler and my mother-in-law has Miss Ava. I love it!

Simple Woman's Daybook for February 9

For Today...

Outside my window... a very dreary, foggy, snowy/rainy day. I'm so ready for spring.

I am thinking... about planting my flower seeds indoors soon.

I am thankful for... my husband, who knows me better than any other person in the world - and he loves me anyway.

From the kitchen... trying to decide what kind of cake to bake Michelle for her 29th birthday tomorrow.

I am wearing... black jeans and a black t-shirt. And black shoes and socks. I guess it kind of fits the dreary day.

I am reading... a book called Parents of Missionaries. Lots of good advice.

I am hoping... that our family is finally over the cold/flu season.

I am creating... lots and lots of memories with my sweet little grandson who is living with us for this last week before they leave for Peru.

I am hearing... the hum of my computer, footsteps down the hall, my fingers tapping away on the keyboard.

Around the house... evidence of a busy weekend!

One of my favorite things... knitting hats for my babies!

A few plans for the rest of the week... no plans at all - just being together as a family for as much as we can.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Oh how I am going to miss them.

Friday Fave 5

I did something for today's Friday Fave post that I have been intending to do for a long time. I took pictures! So here are my five favorite things of the past week in photo and words.

1. I got a package in the mail this week. Nothing is more exciting to me than getting a package in the mail - especially if that package contains BOOKS! So here are most recent additions to the stack of books on my nightstand:

I've heard so many good things about the book with the strange name - I'm anxious to get going with it. The other is book number 5 in the Elm Creek Quilter's series.

2. After saving my pennies, I finally went to Costco and got a very much needed set of pots and pans. I think this stainless steel set will last the rest of my natural life and I may even be able to leave them in my will. All my other pots and pans were ones I bought at the grocery store - the ones where they add a new piece every week. The teflon was long ago eaten and they were pretty much worthless. It's amazing how this set of pots and pans has made it fun to cook and do dishes again! I wonder how long that will last?

3. On Wednesdays after work I go to my sister's house and pick up my sweet granddaughter little Miss Ava Claire and bring her home with me. Her mama and daddy always come to church on Wednesday nights so they give us the honor of having her with us for that evening. I play with her and then we take her to church and after church I get to give her a bath and put her jammies on her. Then she has to go home. I look forward to getting off work on Wednesdays!

4. Went to JoAnne's Fabric this week and spotted the sweetest little Easter fabrics. I couldn't resist. Looks like Miss Ava Claire will soon be sporting some new Easter fashion. I've heard that jelly beans and bunnies are all the rage this season.



5. Last night as I got home from work I noticed the first promise of spring. I cannot tell you how much I needed the first promise of spring. My Crocus are popping up! Hallelujah!

Pop on over to Susanne's Living to Tell the Story and check out some more Friday Favorite's. Or add your own. It's fun!

I Feel A Rant Coming On

The day is soon arriving when my little grandson and his mama and daddy are leaving for Peru to work in a mission organization through our church. They are leaving in less than three weeks.




For three whole years.




This is no more comprehendable to me now than it was when they first told me their plans three months ago. Probably because I have had three more months to love on and adore my sweet little boyfriend.




This whole letting go process has been excruciating. Grieving is very hard and very exhausting work. I absolutely don't believe I could have made it this far without the strong shoulder of my husband to cry on and knowing that my God knows my heartbreak and He cries with me too.





I thought I had handled the whole empty nest thing amazingly well. In fact, I have been known to brag about myself even. I never guessed that my little birdlings might consider flying to another country. It's a whole new deal now. I can no longer brag about myself.





I remember the evening that Michelle first told me she was pregnant. I looked at her and my first words were "It's a boy." She said, "I think so too". How did we know? I'm not sure - but I knew it. And when I saw on the ultrasound that indeed - we were having a grandson - I have to admit that I was the teensiest bit disappointed and as a mom of four daughters I thought to myself, "What in the world are we going to do with a boy?"





When little Tyler was finally born after hours and hours and hours of labor, I still wondered "What do you do with a boy?"



Silly me. We love that boy. He has changed our lives. Now I am asking "What in the world am I going to do without that boy?

Now I worry about things like: Since he will be learning to talk as his mama and daddy are learning to speak Spanish is he going to be able to speak english? Will I be able to talk to him? What am I going to do when I see him again when he is 18 months old and he doesn't know me? Will I be able to handle it when he hides his face in his mama's shoulder because he is afraid of me? When he comes to visit how will I know what kind of food he loves - I don't cook many Peruvian dishes. Actually, I don't cook any. How will I know what toys he likes and what games he enjoys and how he likes to play. How will I know what song he wants me to sing and will he even let me rock him to sleep?

As we have processed their leaving, we have had to realize that God speaks to our children and He doesn't have to tell us what He says to them. I'm tempted to think that's kind of rude. Afterall, haven't we invested a great deal of our lives in our kids? Sigh. As I said, letting go is hard.



I don't have a clue how we are going to survive the day they actually leave. I will miss my daughter. I will miss my son-in-law. I will miss my sweet little grandboy. The other day I half-jokingly told my husband that we need to find a support group. And then I found one. It's called Harvest Legacy and it is full of good information about how to deal with all of this. We even have a name. We are POM's. Parents of Missionaries. Who knew? I have to say this is a club I never signed up for.



Harvest Legacy is full of articles from parents who have gone through what we are going through. And guess what? I'm normal! That in itself made me feel so much better. It is normal to cry all the time and grieve and be angry. It is normal to feel abandoned and lonely and unimportant. It really is. Most every parent does. They also tell me that it is important to support my kids and not unload my feelings on them because they don't need to take my baggage with them. They won't be able to share their feelings with me if they think I can't handle it. Okay, I haven't done so well on that one. But I'm trying - I really am. And I intend to keep trying. If I really have to walk this walk then I want to do it right.



So the days are short now. God still has a lot to do to get them all ready to go. My kids' faith impresses me. They completely believe He will provide for their every need and will absolutely tie up all the loose ends at home here including selling their house and vehicles. I am showing Michelle how to "do" a blog. I want to read everyday what is going on in their lives.



I told my daughter that I have never once prayed asking God not to let them go. That is the truth. I have only prayed that His will be very clear to all of us. If He is asking them to do this, they will receive blessings and I don't want to be the one to steal their blessings from them. I want to let them go with my blessing and with open arms. It's just so hard.

My goodness. That really was a rant.

But I feel better now.

Thank you.

Worship Music and Marshmallows

So what does Worship Music have to do with marshmallows?

Click on over to the Praise Baby blog where I'm blogging today and find out.

A Beautiful Prayer

I was so impressed with Rick Warren's beautiful prayer he gave for President Obama's inauguration. Did you catch it? It was very clear that the words were spoken from his heart to his God. I had heard that there was a bit of controversy about whether he was going to pray "in Jesus' name" or not. Boy did he! Four different translations of the name of Jesus as a matter of fact! You go Pastor Warren! For people of faith - this was very moving.

Here is the transcipt of the prayer:

Let us pray.

Almighty God, our Father, everything we see and everything we can’t see exists because of you alone. It all comes from you. It all belongs to you. It all exists for your glory.

History is your story. The Scripture tells us, “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God. The Lord is One.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.

Now, today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time. We celebrate a hinge point of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the United States. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new President, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.

Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race, or religion, or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all. When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us. And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes, even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve and to seek the common good of all. May all people of goodwill today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day all nations and all people will stand accountable before you. We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus (this one was pronouced in the Spanish language), Jesus, who taught us to pray: (Italics mine)

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

And We Have a Winner

Forgive me for falling behind. Again. Sigh. That is my life story.

Last Friday was supposed to be the day that I chose a winner in the Big Project 2009 contest. The Cowboy quilt won by a land slide. So that is the project I will be starting.

I counted the entries, put them in the random number generator, and the first number that was drawn belonged to:

My son-in-law Jayson. He was thrilled. However, he also said to draw another winner because he was pretty sure he wouldn't ever make the little felted heart kit.

So I drew another number. Number 6. And Wendy was #6. So congratulations Wendy for winning the little heart kit. I hope you enjoy it!

Friday Fave 5 - #20

This has been one of those whirlwind weeks in my life. Work everyday and meetings or some type of obligation every evening. I have just fallen into bed every night totally exhaused. So I find that it is a bit more challenging this week to come up with my 5 favorite moments. But here goes.

1. Well, falling into my bed every night has definitely been a favorite moment. There is just nothing compared to crawling into warm sheets and pulling them up to my eyes. Feeling my body finally relax. Listening to the sounds of the house quieting down. Hearing the dogs curling up in their kennels. Gazing at a sliver of moonlight make it's way between the cracks of the blinds. Pure bliss.

2. Watching the first shows of this season's 24! Yay! Jack is back! My whole family loves 24 and we dvr it and watch it together without commercials. So far, the first 4 hours have been phenomonal, and we are all looking forward to a great season.

Edited to add: Thanks for reminding me Becky! I knew Tony wasn't dead! I said it from the first minute that he "died". And I knew he wasn't a bad guy. I knew it - I just knew it!

3. Listening to sweet little Miss Ava Claire talk. She discovered that she has a voice and my word, that girl has things to say. We just can't decipher what they are. But we don't care. Her tiny little girl voice just melts my heart.

4. This week I had a meeting with my Women's Council. At the end of the meeting the ladies gathered around me and laid their hands on me and prayed for me. It was so special and sweet to feel so loved. It reminded me of how blessed I am.

5. I finished the book "The Runaway Quilt" which is a part of the Elm Creek Quilters series. I don't know why it took me so long to notice these books but I have truly enjoyed them. This particular book was about the history of quilts in the Civil War days. It was full of good historical information and a compelling story. I didn't want to finish it - it was that good. Thankfully, it was only book #4 and there are eight more to go!

My goodness - that wasn't hard at all! I guess when you take the time to think about all the good things in your life - you realize that we have so many blessings each and every day. God is so good - all the time!

If you would like to check out some more Friday Fave's or even become a part of this weekly fun - just go here to Susann'a at Living to Tell the Story.

Happy Weekend!

Big Project 2009 Contest- SCROLL DOWN for more recent posts

Win this sweet little felted heart kit by voting in Big Project 2009. I need your help deciding which project to do. You have until January 16th. And if you post about this contest on your blog, your name will be entered in the drawing twice. Go HERE and vote!

Scroll down for more recent posts!

How I Aquired the Book 'Knit Two' - or What Being In A Drug Induced Stupor Can Accomplish

You have all heard of my terrible fear of flying. And how I have determined to never let that fear stop me from going places with and for my family . In 2008 I flew three times. Across the country each time. For somebody who is afraid to fly, I think that's pretty impressive. I have tried many, many techniques to manage my fear and nothing really works. And sadly, the more I fly, the more fearful I get. It's really, really strange.



One thing I have learned is that if I am well-rested I do a much better job of keeping my fear under control. In fact, when I recently flew to Florida after Christmas, I made it the whole way there without medication. I was nervous and at times fearful. But I managed it. I even looked out the window as we landed in Tampa. That is huge for me. Huge. I was so happy that I didn't have to take any medicine. I thought maybe I had turned a page in this whole scary novel.





The return trip home however, was another story.





I wasn't as rested when we left for home. Due to the fact that we went to bed at midnight and got up at 4 a.m. to make it to the airport in time for our flight.





Note to self: Never schedule anymore early morning flights.





The plane began to bump around. The pilot announced we would have a rough flight. The fear began to take root and grow. And I wasn't managing it well at all. So mid-flight, somewhere between Tampa and Chicago, I took one of my prescription pills. A very common prescription that many people take without many side affects. But not me. Oh no. Not me.





First of all it makes me laugh.





Hysterically.





My family knows the symptoms well. As soon as they hear the first giggles my daughters know it's time for fun. They start saying things that they know will make it worse. The brats. My husband on the other hand is very protective. And he makes them leave me alone. Thank you honey.





I also have a hard time walking a straight line. So after sitting for a couple of hours on the plane, when it's time to get up, I tend to wobble all over the place. My husband escorts me down the aisle and through the cold tunnel into the airport. That's what happened this time too. And as we approached a bookstore in the airport my husband says I stopped dead in my tracks, pointed at a copy of Knit Two, and said:





"I WANT THAT BOOK!"





Hubby: "Okay Honey."





Me: "I WANT THAT BOOK RIGHT NOW! I read the first one and I need this one."





Hubby: "Let's go sit down first. We can get the book later."





Apparently that's what we did. For a while. It wasn't long though before I looked at my husband and said:





"I WANT THAT BOOK!"





Hubby: "You still want that book?"





Me: "Are you telling me I can't have that book?"





Hubby: "I'll go get it."





And he left me in my mother-in-law's care and went and paid $27 for a book. You need to know that I never would pay $27 for a book if I were in my right mind. And my husband wouldn't pay $27 for a book if I was in my right mind either.





Later on, after the medication had somewhat worn off, I looked on the table beside my chair and exclaimed:





"Oh Look! I've been wanting this book for a long time!" "Where did I get this book?"





My husband just rolled his eyes. And my girls split their sides laughing at me. I have no memory of any of this. For all I know this never happened.





Except that there is indeed a hardback copy of Knit Two sitting on my night stand right now.

Clearly I need to find a new medication or else remember to schedule future trips around the release dates of books I want to read.

More Hats for Miss Ava

So I think I am addicted to knitting these sweet little baby hats. Little Ava and Tyler have quite the hat wardrobe - one for every occasion!

I just finished two more for Ava Claire. Here she is to model them. The first one is a bunny hat - made of beautiful angora and mohair yarn. Tara was going to knit it for her but she got to busy in her master's program so she asked me to make it. And I did - it was really easy and fun to work with such soft yarn.

I also have had the yarn to make this sweet little upside down daisy hat from Itty Bitty Hats. I tell you, that book has the sweetest patterns in it. And it took me two evening to make this hat. Just two evenings while my husband watched tv.





When you have a bald, little head like Miss Ava does, you really appreciate having these warm little hats. I used a cotton yarn for this hat and it stretches really nice. I think she will be able to wear it well into the spring.

Clearly these children are going to have more hats than they will ever wear or I need more grandchildren to knit hats for.

Do you hear me kids?

p.s. Don't forget to vote here for my Big Project 2009. Right now it looks like the Western Wallhanging Quilt is ahead. You have until Friday to vote.

This is my first daybook entry.

FOR TODAY January 12, 2009

Outside my window I am watching the progress of our new Science Building being built on campus. I am at work right now :)

I am thinking of how much I wish I could be a stay-at-home grandmother.

I am thankful, however, that my job provides a college education for my daughters.

I am wearing black pants, a long sleeved black tee, and a white fleece vest. It is cold this morning.

I am creating many schedules today for students who are returning for second semester.

I am going to JoAnn Fabrics during my lunch hour to buy patterns since they are all 99 cents today.

I am reading The Elm Creek Quilters series byJennifer Chiaverini . I just finished book four "The Runaway Quilt" which I enjoyed thouroughly. Book #5 is in the mail to me now via Amazon.

I am hoping today just flies by. The beginning week of a new semester can be quite stressful.

I am hearing my phone buzzing me a text message.

Around the house I still have Christmas decorations to put away. How come it's never as much fun to put them away as it is to bring them out?

One of my favorite things is playing with my sweet grandbabies.

A few plans for the rest of the week include putting those pesky Christmas decorations away, having some church folks over for dinner, and make it through a challenging work week.

Here is picture thought I am sharing

My little granddaughter - Ava Claire.

Click here to read more Daybook entries - or do one yourself - it is really fun!

Friday's Fave 5

This is the first Friday's Fave 5 of the year for me. As I think back over this week I realize that I have experienced a little bit of post-vacation letdown. And strangely my family has not been able to overcome the 2 hour time change from our trip to Florida! About 8:30 in the evening we fall asleep and I wake up every morning about 4:00. We didn't struggle with it during our vacation - just when we got home. I've always said a person needs a vacation to recover from their vacation!

Here is my list for this week:

1) This week I put up the card table and got out a jigsaw puzzle for all of us to work on. There is just something so cozy about sitting around the card table and searching through all those little similar pieces to find just the right one. We have already had lots of fun with it.

2) I am so thankful to be able to park my car in the garage every night. I go from my house to my car never realizing how cold it is outside until I get to work. I don't have to scrape ice from my windows or warm up the car for 10 minutes before I leave. My husband on the other hand does, because he let's me have the garage.

3) After our plane arrived home this week, we immediately jumped into the truck and took my mother-in-law back home. She lives about 100 miles away in a little mountain town. So we went that day from 80 degrees in Florida to 10 degrees in Idaho. The next day she made us her famous spaghetti so it was totally worth a 70 degree temperature change and the risk of getting pneumonia!

4) I have thouroughly enjoyed looking through our vacation pictures all week. Digital cameras are such a wonder!

5) My little granddaughter, Ava Claire, is finally growing! She went to the doctor this week and she has gained 2 pounds. She is such a tiny little girl. At three and a half months she is still only 11 pounds. She is smiling and "talking" and becoming so much fun. It is such a blessing to have a grandson and a granddaughter!

If you would like to read more Fave Friday posts, check out Susanne's Living to Tell the Story Blog. You might even want to join in the fun!

BIG Project 2009 and a Contest!

Still being on the quest of "Big Project 2009", as promised I have pictures of my options. Study them carefully and then vote on what project you think I should attempt.

But first, I wanted to share a Christmas present I was given by a dear friend. It is a most amazing book of Christmas crafts, recipes, and millions of ideas. It's called Gooseberry Patch - Christmas All Through the House. It is so large I can only browse through a few pages at a time before I get "idea overload"! I have already earmarked a few pages that I am going to save for next this Christmas.

The recipes have beautiful pictures and easy to follow directions. Just look at the presentation - it's all so beautiful.


These truffles caught my eye - I think they will make beautiful Christmas gifts for friends at work.


This red/white quilt jumped off the page at me. Definitely going into my "future project" pile of ideas.


Every time I browse through this book I think of Barb. Barb, I think you need a copy of this book.

Okay, onto "BIG project 2009".

Choice Number One - Western Wallhanging
This actually isn't a BIG project but a couple of years ago my husband bought me this quilt/wallhanging kit. He never buys me quilt/wallhanging kits. Obviously the western decor spoke to him. My plan for it is to change the cowgirl into a cowboy. Because I am not the roper in this family and everyone would be confused if they saw a wallhanging with a cowgirl on it. Since the cowperson on the quilt is just a silhouette I think it will be an easy thing to do. Also, you may notice that the border has different blocks of brands. I thought it would be fun to collect all the brands that belong to our friends and church people and applique their brands onto the wallhanging. Then I would give it to my husband to hang in his office. Because everyone would be confused if I hung western decor in my country french decorated house.

Choice #2 - Felt Advent Kits


I purchased these this year with my two sweet grandbabies in mind. They really won't be able to use them themselves for a couple or three years so I don't feel like it is a big rush to get them done. But I wanted to buy them because they were on sale and I didn't know if I would be able to find them again in two or three years. I love that they have the nativity scene on them - I like to try to keep as much of Jesus in Christmas as I can. I would change the pattern a little bit and make pockets for each of the little figures to fit into. It seems that it would be easier to keep track of them that way. I know if it were my house I would end up losing one or two of the little figures, or the dog would eat them. Definitely pockets.

Option #3 - Prayer Quilt/Wallhanging

This was a gift to me from the ladies in my church. I have seen it finished and I just love it. It is a beautiful wallhanging that has lots of little prayers embroidered into several of the blocks. If you click on the picture I think you can read the prayers. The colors are so fun and I can't wait to see this hanging in my living room.

Option #4 or #5 - Cross Stitch pictures


Many years ago I collected every issue of this wonderful cross-stitch magazine. Every single issue had at least one thing in it that I wanted to make. Over time the magazine sold out to a bigger company who started running advertising in it and the quality of the magazine decreased. Now they are out of business. But I held onto every issue - they are some of my treasures. My mom made the Santa Bowing at the manger picture and I have always loved it. The baby in the washbasin is absolutely adorable and I would love to make it and hang it in my bathroom. Of all the projects, I believe this would be the BIGGEST one. The colors are muted and similar and I think it would take me quite a while to finish it. But it would be worth it because I just love it. If you think I should do the Santa picture vote for #4 or if you think I should do the baby picture vote for #5.

Okay, now it's up to you. I'm going to let you vote on what project I should do. And I'm even going to make a contest out of this. If you vote on the project that gets the most votes, I will put your name into a drawing to win a sweet little felted heart kit. I forgot to take a picture of it - but trust me it is sweet and easy. If you post about my contest on your blog I will enter your name again. Let's leave this open until next Friday, the 16th. At that time I will count the votes to see what project I'm doing and I will draw a winning name for the felted heart kit. Just in time for Valentine's Day!

I Need A Big Project

I'm in the mood to start on a big project. A quilt maybe, a large cross-stitch perhaps, a challenging sweater to knit? That's the problem, I can't decide what to do. I think it has something to do with the snow and the cold. It makes me just want to hunker down in my "cabin" and create. I want to do something that is going to take time and thought and deliberation. I want it to be really involved.

I have several projects to choose from. Maybe tonight I will take some photo's of them and post them tomorrow and ya'll (I'm pretending I'm still in Florida) can help me decide.

Warm Memories

Last night as I lay in my bed and listened to the wind howl all night, and this morning when I had to trudge through 6 inches of snow to get to my car to drive to work, and as I had to drive 30 miles an hour on sheer ice, I stayed warm just thinking of where I was last week – in 80 degree Florida!

It’s always so amazing how you spend so much time saving and planning for a vacation. It seems like the day you leave is never going to arrive. And suddenly, just like that, it’s over.

That’s how it was for this vacation. We planned for over a year. We saved and researched and thought out everything we wanted to do. We anticipated for months having this week together. And now it is a wonderful, warm memory.
We rented a large home in the Clearwater, Florida area. It had a large pool and hot tub and a dock in the back yard for the guys to fish off of. We didn’t have a boat – that would have been nice. Next time we will plan to rent a boat. It was nice staying in a home instead of a hotel. We cooked some of our meals. Why is it that cooking and dishes don't seem like work when you are on vacation? We each had a room to stay in that gave us personal space when we needed it. Except for poor Tara. She got the sofa in the “Florida room” and it was all glass windowed walls. She didn’t get a lot of personal space. Next time, Tara gets her own room.





We didn’t do a lot of tourist-y things. We mainly wanted to just be together. We drank coffee on the patio every morning and we went to the beach. We ate some great seafood. We did set aside one day where some of the group went to Disney World (I am such a Disney girl!) and the other half of the group went deep-sea fishing. All the girls treated ourselves to pedicures and the guys spent lots of hours fishing off the dock. We made popcorn in the evenings. We spent time (although it wasn’t enough) with Chuck’s sister and family who live in the area. We marveled over the fact that it was balmy and warm while at home it was COLD and SNOWING. Every morning as we drank coffee by the pool we laughed about how we could never do that at home during the Christmas season. We would be walking down the road and notice how out of place the Christmas decorations looked. I’m sorry but Santa in a sled being pulled by reindeer just doesn’t blend with flamingos and seashells LOL!
Jess got to go parasailing and she loved that. My mom collected seashells and she loved that. The babies got to put their feet in the ocean and they loved that. I got to live in the same house with my four sweet girls and my two sweet grandbabies and I loved that. I love when my four girls are all together. I just enjoy watching them interact with each other and studying their personality differences. I love how they love each other. That doesn’t mean there aren’t times of inevitable conflict, but their bond is tight and they are sisters in every sense of the word. That just fulfills my heart. I love watching two of my girl’s mother their own babies. It just melts my heart to see the love they have for their own little ones. There truly is nothing sweeter than holding hands with your husband as you gaze upon the people that matter to you more than anyone else in the world.

These girls are my very heart.


And being with my sweet grandbabies each day was just the icing on the cake!




Chuck and I took both our moms with us. They have always been friends and since they are now both widows it was a real treat for us to bring them along on our vacation. They were so good we told them they could come with us next time too!


One of the highlights of the trip for me was finding the house my grandparents lived in. When I was a little girl my family used to make the trip from North Dakota to Florida to visit them every year and I have so many fond memories of it. We used a gps system to find the house and the people who live there now came outside. I told them it used to be my grandparents home and they were so kind. They even invited me inside! They didn’t know my grandparents but they told me the neighbors still talked about my grandfather and what a kind and helpful man he was. In fact, he was known in the neighborhood as “the sprinkler man” because he was always helping people fix their sprinklers and plumbing. I loved hearing that.



So this vacation was everything I hoped it to be. If I could have changed anything at all it would have been to make it be just a little bit longer. I feel deep in my spirit that this is going to be a year of difficult challenges for me. I believe that I will be drawing on the reservoir of memories we built for many months to come. And I am so thankful for this week we had. We plan to do more things like this in the years to come, God willing.