Our Rainbow

I've got to share about our Beth Moore Video Bible Study (Breaking FREE) last night.

Here's a few of the notes and comments that really spoke to our ladies. ( I hope you'll read to the end).

• God never allows or appoints a fire (trials & difficulties) unless He can bring beauty from the ashes.
• We cannot avoid fiery trials. Even faithful people have tremendous difficulties.
• What will we do with what has happened in our lives?
• One primary purpose of fiery trials is to surface the dross.
• The only discipline He allows are the ones which will bring our healing.
• Sometimes our fiery trials are absolutely necessary to fulfill our callings.
• We are better "healed" than just "well".
• Our passion will be birthed from our pain.

During the discussion following the video, the Holy Spirit ministered through our honesty, tears and desire to be "healed" (set free from our fiery trials). We discussed the beauty (or not seeing any beauty) from the ashes in our lives.

As we left the church it was raining. When I was almost home I saw the most beautiful, vivid rainbow.....it was actually a spiritual moment (I had to cry again). Several of the ladies from the class saw it and responded in the same way. I loved what Jami said. "On one side of the city there's a fire raging (literally) and in the middle of it all there's a beautiful rainbow." I felt like God sent that rainbow especially to remind US of God's presence and love.

I still feel his nearness today as I think back to our class and "our" rainbow.

Isa 61:3a

"...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes..."

"An unhappy woman usually needs a change of heart more than of circumstances."

(Beth Moore)

Good-bye June

I'm missing June (as in the month of June)....can't believe it's July already. Heading to Chena Lakes tomorrow for picnic and beach time. Hoping for sunshine!!

Some of June's Highlights:

• The trusses were up on the Martinson house the last day of June. The roof should be finished tomorrow!! It's fun to see how quickly their house is taking shape.
• We celebrated my Dad's 90th birthday with him. He enjoyed all those who dropped by to wish him a Happy Birthday and he received so many birthday cards and birthday wishes. I too enjoyed all the "memories" people shared with him.
• Charles Lamb, one of the boys from the Orphanage in Cleveland, TN, stopped by. What a great surprise!!! I haven't seen him in over 40 years. He and his wife are visiting Alaska and I'm so happy they looked us up. It was great to reminisce and "catch up". God bless them and protect them as they continue their travels through Alaska.
• Noel Cammack, one of my former piano students, visited and spoke last Sunday at LifePoint. He is still serving (7 years now) in Ireland as Worship and Youth Leader. He shared a video and slides of the work there in Port Laoise. I was blessed to hear his testimony and hear his heart for God. I think a seed to visit Ireland has been planted in my spirit. His parents were there as well and we appreciate their friendship and ministry so much.
• Things are going fine in the Welch/Covey/Martinson household. It seems we never catch up with the laundry, washing dishes, cooking meals, buying groceries and cleaning house, but that's our new normal.
• I have only one piano student this summer, which is working out just fine.
• I'm loving my window in the garage (our temporary bedroom). What a difference a 2x2 opening makes. I can now see outside, feel the breeze, see the trees, see the sunshine, hear the chimes and the rain. It makes me realize how important the simple things in life really are. Over the past month we've had to replace our microwave, a lamp in the living room, and our crock pot. If I could only have had one of those items, I would have choosen the window!!!!!
• Good-bye June, hello July!

Summer Solstice

I can't believe this is summer solstice weekend.....already.

21 hrs, 49 min, 15 sec of daylight today (6/19). This is a bitter-sweet weekend for me. There's lots of daylight, but I know that on Tuesday we'll start losing daylight. Even though it will be a gradual process, it's still a little sad.

I can't see any daylight in the garage (remember Dave and I are sleeping in the garage while the Martinson's are living with us). I haven't had any success yet, but I'm trying to think of a way to let some daylight in the garage. Any ideas, anyone?????

Tonight is the Midnight Sun Run - a 10k race starting at 10:00 p.m. I haven't participated in several years and Dave isn't running this year. Jami and Matt are walking and I'm dropping them off and picking them up. I'll probably hang around to watch the start of the race. It IS a beautiful sight seeing the "sea of people" running and walking by. Hope the sun keeps shining.

Monday night is the Solstice baseball game that starts at 10:30 p.m.....played with no lights. Thanks to Phil Barker and Phyllis Wright, Dave & I have tickets to attend. I've lived here 33 years and have never attended a game, let alone the Midnight Sun Game. This may be the beginning of something new for me.

Happy Summer Solstice to everyone and Happy Father's Day to my Dad, to Dave, Geoff, Matt and all you Father's.

Week's Review

Weather: Rainy with thunderstorms

New favorite iTouch game: Line Up 2

New favorite M&M's: Coconut

Latest Movie I viewed (rented on iTunes and watched on the Mac): The Spy Next Door (Funny)

Latest purchase: Microwave (our old one died).

VBS: Last Monday through Wednesday I helped with Vacation Bible School at LifePoint. I helped teach the 3 and 4 year's old.......4 little girls in my class each evening. They were so cute and could say "Zacchaeus" as good as I could. It was amazing how they could help tell the story and how well they could recite the memory verses. VBS is always so FUN, but very tiring.

Anniversary celebrated: Geoff (son) and Nicole celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary on June 7th. Hard to believe they've been married that long.

10th Birthday: On Thursday (6/10) our oldest grandson Andrew celebrated his 10th birthday. He's into double digits already. His favorite gifts were a PSP GO, a bean bag and gift cards for PSP games. It was fun celebrating with him.

The New House: The Martinson's house is taking shape. Exterior and interior walls are standing on the first floor. Today they're getting things ready to start putting joists and decking on the second floor. Hopefully the rain will hold off.....

Scrapbooking: I scrapbooked with friends Friday night. Actually I did a LITTLE digital scrapping, some knitting and mainly had fun hanging out with friends.

Births: My cousin Paulette's daughter (on my Mom's side) had a baby boy on June 4th.....Colton James Giles - born in Ohio.

Deaths: I just found out that my cousin, John Strike (on my Dad's side), passed away on May 1st from complications from a surgery he had April 4th. I think he was about 10 years older than me.

Favorite Bible verse this week: Zeph 3:17

God is with you.

He is mighty to save.

He will delight in you.

He will quiet you with His love.

He will rejoice over you with singing.

First Week

It's been a week since we've been sleeping in the garage (since the Martinson's moved in with us)....and all is well.

This week's highlights:

• Dave installed a fan to pull the hot air out of the furnace room which makes the garage cooler.
• Maddy spent a night with us in the garage.
• I've been able to do a few more things alone, because Jami is here and graciously takes care of Grandpa.
• Jami and I take turns cooking so I don't have to cook every night. I love that!!!!!
• The same applies to cleaning the house.....I don't have to clean it ALL.
• Andrew and Kaiden are so helpful. I have them doing all sorts of chores.
• We helped Geoff celebrate his 34th birthday. We took Oasis cheeseburgers and dined in his office.
• Geoff shared a story* with me from Runner's World about a runner while struggling to care for his ailing and unruly father finds an escape in his daily runs. His four mile runs eventually turned into a marathon. I'm not a runner, but this article did encourage me to find "my escape". (*Mark Levine, "Slipping Away")[-
• It's been a hot week, so I've enjoyed lots of "outside" time in my new favorite chair the kids gave me for Mother's Day. The hammock is taking 2nd place to the chair right now.
• I've planted flowers and a few things in the garden. I still have to get some cabbage plants (my cabbage seedlings didn't make it) and a few more flowers for my 3-tier planter out front. So far, I haven't found the right plant that will flourish in the 3-tier planter.
• Enjoyed lunch on the deck at Pike's with Sandy & Marcia.
• Attended the monthly Beth Moore video class (Breaking Free) at LifePoint. I just learned that Beth Moore is a guest speaker at Catalyst in Atlanta in October.
• God, through the power of Your Holy Spirit, help me to live in harmony with others, be sympathetic, love as a brother or sister, be compassionate and humble. (1 Pet 3:8)

Moving Day

Jami, our daughter, and her family are building a house this summer and are now homeless because they've sold their house where they've lived for seven or eight years. We've worked it out and they will be moving in with us - tomorrow.....five additional people. I'm sure it won't be long before they say, "What were we thinking"?

Dave & I have converted the garage into our bedroom. Wayne & Karen loaned us a piece of carpet, Mike and Ashley loaned us a bed frame.....we're about set to move in. We'll have a small desk, table and lamp, a TV. The only thing we won't have is a window, but watch out if someone hits the button for the garage door. :) Note: The garage door will be disconnected and locked. We'll move Grandpa's TV & recliner out of the den into his room, so Andrew and Kaiden can have the den for their bedroom. Matt, Jami & Izzy will occupy the downstairs, with a mattress on the floor for Izzy.

Fortunately we have three levels where we can all spread out, and I'm hoping for a nice sunny summer so we can eat lots of meals outside. Jami & I are trying to figure out how to trade-off with the cooking duties.......every other day or weekly??

I told Grandpa Covey what was going to happen and he just nodded. I hope he understands.

Geoff, Nicole & Maddy live less than a mile from us. I'm sure we'll end up on their doorstep, when any of us need a break. We appreciate their offer to help and I'm sure we'll be taking them up on it in various ways this summer and fall.

This will be a busy, crazy summer, but I'm hoping it will be one full of good memories.

The Senior Center

I take my Dad to the Senior Center once a week for lunch. Today we had spaghetti, green beans (too tough to eat), garlic bread and a big piece of chocolate cake. I take Dad so he can be around people his own age. He seems to enjoy going, but he's usually very quiet and I'm the one who winds up talking to everyone. I enjoy hearing bits and pieces of people's history, and I have learned that big gaps of silence in the conversation is perfectly acceptable and it's becoming more comfortable for me.

Some never say a word, others enjoy seeing their friends and have lots to say.

Many are stooped over and move very carefully and slowly.

Walkers and canes are visible at most tables.

Eighty-three year old Mary is still very spry, speaks her mind and is still full of life.

Donna (in her 80's) may tell the same stories over and over, but she still loves to help others get their food and clean off the tables.

You can see the light of life in some of their eyes, while others have a blank stare.

When someone doesn't show up for a couple weeks, you fear the worst.

I look at the variety of people in the room every week and wonder....

What careers did they have?

Where are their families?

What goals did they pursue?

What have they contributed to society?

What passions still burn in their hearts and minds?

Do they still feel useful and needed?

Even though I'm usually the youngest one in the room, I realize it won't always be that way. One of these days I'll be the one with the cane, I'll be moving slowly and my words won't come out correctly (that's happening now!!!!). I pray that age will not.....

steal my zest for life.

kill my purpose and passions in life

devour my abilities to love and serve others

leave me lifeless and bored

deceive me into thinking I'm no longer needed and useful

Oh to be like Caleb.... "So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day....but, the LORD HELPING ME, I will drive them out just as he said." Josh 14:10-12