what God has joined together

From the first picture you may have thought that this was a shotgun wedding.  Definitely not, father of the bride just has a sense of humor.  I met Alycia a couple of years ago at our home school end of the year picnic after she had graduated and wasn't sure what was next.  We talked about many things and when I mentioned that I was starting a Keepers at Home group for some of our young ladies she asked if I could use some help.  The girls love her and so do I. 

Alycia's Maid of Honor said, when she spoke at the wedding, that her friend is an angel who showed up at just the right moment.  I agree.  So, it's only fitting that an angel should find a saint~

I'm so happy for them both.  God offers true riches to those who are faithful!

Blessings, Debbie  

my nephew is a nature journalist!

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Wishing you a lovely weekend!  

Blessings, Debbie

nature journal wannabes

This is a sampling of some of the flora and fauna of Central Oregon.  Erin took these when she and Audrey went scouting for sheds with their dad a couple of weeks ago.  Of course I was playing hooky and didn't get them posted at the time but I thought they were worthy of a day showcased in this prestigious blog spot!  ;)

Thanks to everyone who left such empathetic responses to our Memorial Day Weekend trauma.  I shared them with the girls and we are all grateful for such sweet friends.  I pray rich rewards for all of you who take the time to share here regularly.  I am so blessed by each and every one of you !

Hugs and smiles, Debbie

the good, the bad, and the ugly

Yesterday's post continued...

We've been attending this Memorial Day weekend conference for the past 7 years.  So many wonderful things have come from our times here, the very best being a husband for my oldest daughter!  Erin and Audrey always had a wonderful time running with the littles, Larry and I were edified by the teaching and met some dear people.   But always, the teen thing was if-y.  We were first invited to the conference by a couple that we know through home schooling and we had no other affiliation with the churches that attended (some from Oregon and Washington), about 200 - 250 people.  I won't bore you with long details but just suffice it to say that last year wasn't quite as free and easy for Erin and Audrey and there were some rough moments when we had to pull them back to our sides, sometimes to rein them in and sometimes to comfort hurt feelings... teen stuff.

This year we were immediately concerned because once we got settled in it became apparent that there was a ringleader already sitting on a self appointed teen throne and the groupies were gathering.  After a day of this, the girls began sharing little snippets of actions and conversations with my husband and I and we became even more concerned.  The moment of decision came when I witnessed an exact replay from the previous year, an action that I knew hurt down deep.  We had an ah-ha moment realizing that it was time to be done.  The bad outweighed the good and we want our girls to grow up kind and trusting too in the kindness of others.  There are situations that require us to tough up and press through but this just wasn't one of them.  We could leave.

The part that was truly difficult was leaving my son, daughter and son-in-law, and my daughter's in-laws with whom we don't get to spend enough time.  We enjoy their friendship and the girls too are friends with their children.  

So, we spent a couple of hours with the adult kiddos and left at 9:00 at night.  At 2:00 a.m. we pulled back up the drive that had sent us off the day before.  As I mentioned before, there were tears (some of them pretty serious) for the first twenty minutes or so after taking to the highway.  But shortly after, as we discussed the whys of staying or leaving we had found things to giggle about and everyone began to breathe easier.  We've only been home for a week and the girls are showing more confidence in their friendships and their opportunities to reach out to others.  I remember being younger and how confusing it was when people were unkind, I want them to have the courage to walk away from unhealthy situations and to recognize opportunities where they can be Jesus to people in need.  So that's it... the good, the bad and the ugly. Thankfully, God is always good.  The bad and the ugly seem to creep in where you least expect them, therefore we must be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Blessings, Debbie  

        

a change in plans

This was our beautiful day at the beach.  Usually there is mostly rain for Memorial Day weekend but this day was so pleasant.  I'm posting this late because something turned our plans upside down and I'm still sorting through it mentally.  We packed to stay for 4 days, drove the 220 miles to Tillamook, spent one night and this lovely day, then made the decision to come home at 8:00 that evening.  It was a hard decision but it was the right one.  And we are already seeing the fruit of growth and maturity for doing the hard thing. Yes, it was hard.  What amazes me is how doing hard things feels so good once you finally take the step. Tears turn to laughter and a feeling of freedom knowing that we are in fact free; free to do what is right even if it changes the plan.

To be continued...

Blessings, Debbie

recital

When I'm not sleeping (which is still much of the daytime to make up for the nighttime) I'm busy chasing Erin around.  I would say my teens but so far Audrey is content to chase Erin too.  This weekend we followed her to Bend so we could join the seniors who would be enjoying her recital.  Erin belongs to a dance company that practices through the school year to perform for retirement homes.  They know where to find an appreciative audience.

Years ago we had a decision to make.  We have a very professional dance company here in town and all 3 of the girls started dancing there when they were 3 or 4.  The recitals are fabulous affairs with elaborate, expensive (I know, because I had to purchase them) costumes.  The real problem that my husband and I had wasn't so much the expense but the realization that came while sitting through the recitals.  The hours long program began with the cute little ballerinas and tap dancers awkwardly stumbling through their series of steps while sucking on their fingers, sticking out their tongues or waving at the audience, much to the delight of all. They danced to Shirley Temple ditties and the ever popular; 

You know what? You know what? 

I go to dancing school.

You know what? You know what?

I'm learning every rule.

Stand up straight, concentrate, don't chew gum and don't be late.

You know what? You know what?

I love my dancing school!

As they got older the dancers really showed progress.  There were no more tongues or waves and the steps were more precise.  Unfortunately gone too were the cute little ditties, and the songs (and costumes) became more and more suggestive.  Not all of them, but many of them and you don't get to choose what your child performs (or wears).  By the time each of the girls were 7 we made the decision to look for an alternative. There were years with no dancing and then several years with a young teacher in Redmond.  When she got married and moved away we were once again in a quandary.  A few years ago Ann began teaching in Bend but also opened up her home to the few older dancers that lived near her.  Both Erin and Audrey danced with her for a couple of years.  Then both took a couple of years off and just Erin decided to dance again this year. The price is very reasonable and we don't pay anything beyond the monthly lessons.  The girls perform to praise songs for people who are thankful for the gift that the girls offer in their performance.  Ann is a gifted dancer and her heart for the Lord is what keeps us there.  The dancing is a ministry, not a showgirl extravaganza and it suits us better.  

Blessings, Debbie