March 20

March 20, 2011~

I believe God has so much fun as He creates beautiful sunsets for us to enjoy! I do believe sunsets are just as beautiful in the South, as they are in the Pacific Northwest! He must smile as He creates each one for the enjoyment of all! I always stand in awe and my thoughts go to Him as the scene changes before my eyes.

Happy For A Reason reason’s:

1.    A beautiful Southern Sunset!

2.    The variety of birds I have see while here. Blue Herons, looking for food, Swallows, Sea Gulls, Cow Birds, and oh, so many other varieties of birds. I have heard so many different bird calls, yet couldn’t see or identify them. The one that stands out the most is the Cardinal, and at times he sounds like a person whistling as you go by.

3.    Playing basket ball with La’Quon and his friends. Oh, what a funny sight it must have been each time I tried to make a basket from any distance away from the basket! My shoulder is healing and much better, but, there was no way I had the strength to toss the ball overhand. I dare, say, I started to get pretty good tossing it under hand! Strange looking, but, if it works, it works!

4.    Had a fun time shopping for new clothes for my boy!

5.    Last, but not least, another afternoon to be able to spend time outdoors with La’Quon! Saying goodbye will be difficult, but, the memories we made will be reasons to smile and we can look ahead to next time!

March 19

March 19, 2011~

Here I am in Tennessee, and this is the first time I have been here when the weather (in my humble opinion) has been perfect! What a blessing this has been. Believe me, for someone who does not do well in heat and humidity, this is a big reason to be happy! Yes, nice weather, blossoming trees and flowers, makes for a pleasant setting!

Happy For A Reason reason’s:

1.    The beauty I see all around me in Nature.

2.    The pleasant sounds I hear as I’m out in Nature. Sounds especially stand out to me today because I am noticing sounds of critters and brids that I never hear back home.

3.    An enjoyable Sabbath with La’Quon.

4.    Good reports from La’Quon’s teachers and staff.

5.    I’ve been blessed by the seminar speaker, Philip Samaan. The topic’s have been on Restoration and Jesus example of how Jesus helped families.

HUGS!

March 18

March 18, 2011~

What a beautiful day! By 11:30 am it is 75 degrees and we are off to see La’Quon! As we are driving along the river bank, the forest here is much different. Most of the trees are still without leaves, with an occasional pine tree, or a beautiful purple flower tree. We are getting closer! Look at those beautiful white flowers on those trees, that line the road, and flowering tulip trees! HERE WE ARE! There’s La’Quon!!!

Happy For A Reason reason’s:

1.    La’Quon!

2.    A hug from my boy!

3.    Cooking in the kitchen with La’Quon.

4.    A beautiful sunshiny day in Tennessee, not too hot and not too humid!

5.    Great staff at La’Quon’s school!

March 17

March 17, 2011~

Sleep, oh how sweet! Ron and I got the much needed sleep, last night! Actually, once we got to our motel around 3:00 pm, we were so tired we laid down and slept for about two and one half hours! I guess that isn’t surprising since we’d left home at 9 pm yesterday and have been traveling since. Went shopping for food, did a few things, and then were ready for more sleep. By the time morning came around we were both ready for the day. And now for my Happy For A Reason reason’s.

Happy For A Reason reason’s:

1.    Sleep, sleep, and more sleep!

2.    A nice place to stay, at a reasonable cost, a room away from the freeway, and next to a creek with a nice walkway.

3.    Picked up lunch at Subway, then back to a park near Chattanooga State for and enjoyable lunch with our friend, Jason!

Jason, we won't tell anyone how many tries it took to get this picture, will we? ~smile

4.    A wonderful day! While walking along the river near a dam, a young lady on her bike stopped to chat. When she found out we were from the West Coast, she started sharing places we should go see in Chattanooga, rather than all the “tourist” traps. She steered us to some very nice places! Not to mention the ones we will go back and see on another trip!

5.    A walk through the Artistic section of Chattanooga, across the river on a lovely old historic bridge fixed for foot traffic, checked out a sternwheeler, and watched trains go over the river, on an old train bridge with one of the original stone built piers.

March 16

March 16, 2011~

I have always enjoyed flying. Well, almost. These red-eye flights are a little challenging, but this time at least I was able to get to sleep during most of the flight! That may have to do with the fact that I’d only had a few hours sleep in the last 48 hours. When I landed and called our dear friends, who Ron and I were going to be staying with, I found out they had the flu at their house. So I started looking for a place to stay, while Ron drove. Less than an hour later we had a place to stay at a reasonable price, with everything we needed. I feel blessed!

Happy For A Reason reason’s:

1.    Safety while traveling! In the last leg of my trip, there was some liquid running across the window. It was not water, since we were at the 30,000 feet cruising level and water would freeze. The hint of orange suggests it was some type of hydraulic fluid. As Ron and I exited the plane Ron, let the crew know about the hydraulic fluid. They wanted to know exactly where we were sitting and promptly went into action to find out what it was since the plane was to be in the air again on the return leg of their journey.

2.     Airplanes, to fly us the many miles we need to go. Much quicker than driving! Not to mention statistics show us that flying is actually safer than driving.

3.    Pilots and airline attendants who make our flying safer and enjoyable.

4.    Hot water at the airport for oatmeal! A good “sack” breakfast!

5.    Made it to our destination! Yeah! We will see La’Quon soon!

God’s Protection Blankets Our Lives

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” – Psalm 18:2 (NLT)

March 15

MARCH 15, 2011~

My last night of work for 10 days, was a busy one! Slept 3 ½ hours woke up with a start, thinking I’d over slept, only to realize that I could sleep 2 more hours. Problem is one I was awake, there was no going back to sleep. So I am up and at um. Cleaned the house, fixed lunch, and then off for appointments. Ready to go!

Happy For A Reason reason’s:

1.    Safety while driving in the wind and drenching rian!

2.    I called and talked to my youngest son, one last time before I see him this week!

3.    My mother made Ron and I some delicious baked tofu leather to take on our trip!

4.    My sister Judy, being willing to take us to the airport!

5.    Ready to see La’Quon!!!

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.  ~Edmund Burke

March 14

March 14, 2011~

And then…Eighteen hours later…waw-law, there is electricy, shortly followed by working phones! Last night it took 1 ½ hours to get to work, usually only 35-40 min. I’d go one way and find the roads were closed, turn around, and try another. It seemed so odd to be headed away from work yet knowing that might be my only way to get to work and sure enough, it was the only way. Ron made it to within 2 minutes from home only to be turned back and have to find another way home. After sliding into the ditch, when he had to turn around, a nice volunteer pulled him out, he arrived home 1 ½ hour later! Enough said, I think I can easily make out my Happy For A Reason reason’s:

1.       Candles, for light in the dark and heat for warming hands during the day! It was a bit cold this morning in our house!  

2.       Electricity, which produces, heat, running water, lights, and so much more!

3.       The men and women who spent a very cold, wet night while they triaged the roads, cleared downed trees, poles, and wires from the roads, fixed downed power lines, replacing power poles that were sheared off from high winds, and keeping people safe in general. Yes, a special thank you to the County Deputies, 911 dispatch workers, Firemen, Paramedics, PGE line men and those manning the phones, ODOT workers, and the many volunteers who got out their chainsaws.

4.       A nice person behind Ron, who was willing to pull him out of the ditch. Too much rain makes for very soft slippery shoulders along the road!

5.       Neither, Ron, Juanita, or I had a tree fall on us while we were out and about! Not everyone was so fortunate in our area.

I realize that the weather conditions we had here in the last 24 hours is nothing compared to what the people in Japan are experiencing, with the earthquake damage and then tsunami. My prayers are with all the people affected by the damage done due to the tsunami in Japan.

I am only one, but I am one.  I cannot do everything, but I can do something.  And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.  ~Edward Everett Hale