GrandmaBeckyL

Father's Day Love

2013-06-16T13:50:00.001-07:00

Good day my friends. Stopping in to share tidbits from Pastor Jesse's sermon.

Psalm 127

" Unless the Lord builds the house,

They labor in vain who build it;

Unless the Lord guards the city,

The watchman stays awake in vain.

It is vain for you to rise up early,

To sit up late,

To eat the bread of sorrows;

For so He gives His beloved sleep.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

So are the children of one's youth.

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;

They shall not be ashamed,

But shall speak with their enemies in the gate."

(NKJV)

A man as a warrior/hunter---ready to engage and move on. As a young child, playing with a gun, he'd say "Ready, Aim, Fire!"
Ready-- to move on in life, have children, pay your dues. How do you engage without sincere regret when you do things that hurt your children (or other people)? Be ready to repent when bad things arise, ask for forgiveness from your children/wife/friends and God. Be free to unload and agree with God and go on.

Aim--what's your bull's eye? Go beyond just living for survival. If you aim at nothing you don't hit anything. Aim and dream for your wife and children. (family)?Find your fit in what God wants you to do.

Fire--what will you do? Are you free? Some people aren't free. Einstein said we were locked into our genes and can't be changed. But we can. Bible says we are not to be conformed to the world. But be transformed by the renewing of your mind.....Romans 12:2.

Can I forgive my dad? I know he fell short. People aren't free because of what he did. Can you before the Lord forgive what your dad did that keeps you from being free? Then we can move on.

Then we watched this YouTube video. Kleenex alert! But worth watching!

Late Wordless Wednesday

2013-06-12T22:07:00.002-07:00

Some sweet photos I captured on Easter 2013. Enjoy!

Defining Happiness

2013-06-10T22:54:00.002-07:00

This morning I was going through mail and paper work that needed downsized....trashed or filed. A paper that I'd written my to do list before trip to Nicaragua was in that pile. I opened up the folded paper to see if there was anything else written on it. I found I'd written something from a magazine while waiting for a dentist's appointment. It reads:

"Redefine happiness: By striving for 4 things in life: curiosity; hope of success in something you feel good about; being part of something beyond yourself; being connected with your loved ones and your community. True joy lies in this for adults and children." written by Rosalind Wiseman. (Rosalinewiseman.com) Nov 2012 Family Circle magazine.

I wrote in a note after it -- "true joy lies in knowing and believing in God as well. He is the real joy giver in my life". I hope in your life as well. He is the reason I live and have purpose...beyond my family who supports me. I am still curious about things and ask questions. I continue to learn and push myself in my photography and have fun with it. I feel part of a team at work and in my church where we help people....in their project/in their life. I like seeing people feel good about themselves, be happy and lift them up when they are down. Life isn't all about me and what I want. It's helping people along their life walk as well. Ensure they are finding some good in their life. We can redefine the world's sadness one person at a time. Give someone else a reason to hope for something better in their life. one.day.at.a.time. Show them Jesus through in life's actions. Give them Jesus.

Fruitful Times

2013-06-09T21:33:00.000-07:00

I visited my favorite farm fruit store on Friday. It was my next to last stop that day after a busy morning. I had a blood draw in the a.m. I stopped in at Subway for a bite to eat since I was fasting for the blood test.

Then went to visit my mom in the nursing home. I met up with her in the dining room, playing bingo with other residents. She won a single bingo and one black out. Sat with her at lunch and since it was such a nice afternoon, I took her for a spin outside in her wheelchair all the way around the building.

Mom is doing good, even though she'd like to move. The facility she lives in is the best that's close to me. She needed convinced it is the best choice for her. A few residents have left, some moving back home, some dying. So it's been hard on quite on some of the residents recently. I grabbed some lunch for myself after leaving the nursing home, then made a few stops on the way home, which included the fruit store.

My cart contents includes 2 quarts of strawberries, salad dressing, 5 plants and tomatoes. Oh, I can't forget the marionberry scones. I had 3 coupons from the flier from Baumans that achieved $7 in savings. I often forget my flier. I decided to use it all in one shopping trip.

This amazing planter was above my car. I really wanted to take it home with me but it wouldn't fit. It's basically up on a couple poles with braces, as you see on the left. Another support down further, horizontally. I can dream, can't I? Sigh! I just photographed it to remember it. It's amazing how there are so many beautiful flowers and eye catching displays here. It's refreshing and relaxing just to be there. A step away from the hustle and bustle of life.

Fast forward to this evening when I'm walking with my husband around the neighborhood.. I took this photo on my phone of this lily. So pretty. I emailed it to myself..(.I did the same thing with the other two photos in this post). Sometimes I don't have another camera with me. Just want to share what's happening in this corner of my world this week. I was gone Sat. and today in Portland for a Video Boot Camp for Photographers. I learned quite a bit. I took photos this a.m. when we were out shooting a video. What a process and can't wait to share it with you. Including the video itself after Victor, our instructor, edits and finalizes it. He was a great teacher for being 30 years old! I had a good time. Have a good week my friends.

Another Day in Nicaragua

2013-06-06T22:16:00.004-07:00

Photos in this post are of Tuesday, April 30. I'm at New Song Mission, Chichigalpa. In the morning we toured the clinic that has a pharmacy, a waiting room, a dental and orthodontist and medical offices for sickness and other issues. X-rays done as well. Specialists are scheduled when there is a need.

Hygenist doing a dental cleaning and there's some equipment...used and clean.

Linda talking about the clinic. Receptionist talking to a patient.

A display showing photos of dental work that's been done at the office.

Tree outside the office and close to the church.

Afternoon, the group hopped into a borrowed vehicle to head to the hardware store for supplies. Linda is driving and Ticklish is along for the ride as well. She was in my camera bag all the time. (Sometimes I let her out...tee hee!) We stopped at the mission house that was donated to New Song mission a few years ago. It is nice and it presently houses a couple people. Soon there will be a few people that normally live at the mission will move here. It's a nice place. Only a portion of it was redone before house and property were donated.

There's a room off to the left that's used as a bedroom for now. It is supposed to be the dining room. 4 windows to the right. Kitchen that has a door that opens to the outside.

Addition of a room that will be a bedroom with a bathroom and another in the hallway through the door on the left.

Windows with no glass. I like all the iron work here..

Linda at the front door as we are leaving.

San Cristobal volcano on our way to Chinandega. Sorry but the power lines were in the way. Shoot quick or lose the shot all together. Never did get a clear shot of this volcano the entire time I was here. Did see it clearly once, when I was on my way to Leon. A nice house below,,,,there's a statue of a bird on this fence. Nothing uncommon there. This is one of the nicer houses. Notice the tile roof. Most of roofs are corrugated metal. I'm sure this house much cooler.

We stopped at this mission to check email and to drop off some medical supplies. This mission was built before New Song Mission. Coconut tree.

Our vehicle and nice trees. Refreshing indeed. One of the bathrooms was open for use. I peeked into this room. It's a dorm for people who come and stay to work and other functions. Right now it's not in use. One side for men, other side of building, one for women.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27 NIV


Sugar cane fields that fallow right now. I've seen some with pigs and horses on the land and eating whatever	's growing.

The hardware store we stopped at. Nice sized place.

Shopping in the plumbing aisle. I enjoyed all the tile pieces available in the home decor section. One of these tiles came home with me. In the carry on, of course. I've got it framed.

Small paint section, compared to where I work.

Very small fastener section.

Don is checking out with Linda as interpreter.

All the items were checked to make sure they were all there. I assume this is done for every purchase, but exactly sure. I showed him my one purchase. Juan helped carry out some of the items.

Don loading the pipe into the vehicle.

This was by me...it was ok.

Back into Chichigalpa, I photographed some of the buildings of color. I liked this purple building. Notice the lions.

Repair store for batteries and radiators. Notice the clothing and they sell Claro cell phones and minutes for them as well.

school buses were parked here when not in use.

A small filtration unit that Candace put together. She put together 10 of them...they were to be taken to families in the area. Below the guys are putting a small swamp cooler together. It was a prototype of Don's. It worked ok but needed some improvements.

Sign outside the clinic. The clinic was a dream of Linda's since she's dental hygienist and wanted one here when they started the mission. So it's dental and medical clinic. The church is behind us, which was founded with Tommy and Linda's help.

Jovanni dancing. I enjoyed watching him dance. I have some of it on video that will come later.

Mango tree. If you look into the photo, you can see a white pipe up in tree. Candace is up there shaking/picking mangoes. Derek has them now.

Evening time was water tower work. Earlier in the day the tank was cleaned out real well after it was emptied. Then it was refilled. Sat for a few hours with chlorine to kill everything. Now it's being checked to see how low it's drained. Jerry is climbing up to check it out. Don and Jerry, a bit later or maybe b4 he climbed, with old and new filters.

The well we didn't get to work on since the equipment was held up in customs. Don will be going later to do the job, in a few weeks. Thank goodness everything was released even though there was much money put in to fees for attorneys, import agent, etc.

Derek and Don by the tower. New pieces to put on pipe once all the water is empty.

Young men playing soccer. They do this every evening. They have a good time.

Sunset comes. Another day is done. Some showers are taken then is off to Hollywood pizza in Chinidega that evening. It was delicious and the cool air felt so good. We were able to use the internet as well. Just put in the code for their hot spot/wifi and check/send email. We didn't have internet access at the mission. But that's okay since there were other things to do.

Only a few more days left. I have some more photos to post and hope you have enjoyed the trip. Ask me some questions about the trip and I will gladly answer them, at the best of my ability. If you want to see any of these photos larger, click on the photo and they will enlarge. Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate all your comments.( If you are a reader, I'd love to hear from you if you've never left a comment. Follow me.....by email or clicking on follow this blog.) God bless.

Two Boys

2013-06-04T08:20:00.001-07:00

Life has become interesting. It's amazing how many friends I've made just by blogging. These women are dear to my heart, even though I've never met them personally. Well, I've met one of my blogger friends and she is super special to me. Stacie....and we share things over email once in awhile.

A couple weeks ago a blogger friend, Lori, went into the hospital to keep from having her baby too early. She posted that her little baby boy was born at 31 weeks. Just yesterday she posted photos of him on her blog. He's doing fine, off oxygen and so cute! Baby is still in hospital in NICU, 45 minute drive away from mama, daddy and big sister and brother. It's a happy time and so thankful her little man is progressing. Praying he grows more healthy every minute to so he can go home to his sweet family.

This Sunday I read a post of a dear friend in Canada, We'd been praying for Austin for quite awhile. He's had a heart condition that nearly took him a couple years ago. This past Saturday he went home to be with the Lord. Devastating news of a dear young man, 19 years old, who loves the Lord. He's gonna be missed. Prayers for Camille and Howie and 2 brothers and a sister. She's posted comments on my blog. It grieves me, as a mother, to know someone who's lost a child. I can only imagine how it feels. Death is so harsh. Never seeing that person you love, this side of heaven. But am so thankful for the promise of heaven, all because of Jesus.

I hope you can find the time to remember these two families in your prayers. We are connected thru cyberspace and these are real families. Much appreciated.

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust." "

Psalm 91:1-2 NKJV

Children in Nicaragua

2013-05-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

Mid week posting of children that I enjoyed in my travels to Nicaragua. The 4 girls came to the mission after school was out in the afternoon. They were in the church building, which is open air on 3 sides with a roof overhead. This is a photo I took as they were walking away after being around. The second photo is then they returned and watched us do some work. There's a little boy as well. I had given the boy (whose name is David) a car and gave the little girl one as well and a hat...she was the one that grabbed it first. Too bad I didn't have more to give away. I'd already given two cars away to the cousins in Leon. Sigh. It was fun to see them laughing and having a good time. Ticklish is in the act as well. One of these days when I get my movies put together these girls are in it as well.

David, who is in the middle photo, standing up, came to me later and told me his name. Then he wrote it on the wooden car I gave him. I got a sharpie and wrote Miguel, on the other side of the car. He's my co-worker (Micheal) who made the car. Then I drew windows and doors and drew around the tires on both sides. David was so cute and loved the car even more. He introduced me to his brother and told me he had a baby brother too. He hugged me before he left. AWE, make me cry! And the girls were fun as well. Second girl from the right, came up and gave me a hug and then wanted to look into the camera and see what photos I was taking and I showed her the ones I took of them as well. What a fun afternoon!

These little boys were sitting by the road as we were coming back from a house visit in La Isla. They had been watching older boys, possibly their brothers, playing soccer in the field behind them. It was May 1 so it was a day off for them. I smiled at them and I asked if I could take a "photographica" and they laughed and smiled. Then I showed them the photo and they laughed and smiled. Sweet!

It's amazing that a month ago I was there and now I'm just reliving it as I go through all the photos I took. A good souvenir for sure.

Memorial Day 2013

2013-05-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

America....land of the free and the home of the brave.....many died fighting for our freedom that we know today. These boots are from a memorial service of a soldier who lost his battle with physical issues from a recent war. His family greatly misses him. Today we honor those soldiers who have gone before us and died fighting for our country. For that we are truly thankful. May we never forget. Remember our God still reigns and we can make this country great.

God Bless America. You aren't the country I remember when I was growing up and then went into the military myself. But we continue to pray for our leaders and our military and seek Him every day! "The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; thy steadfast love, O Lord, endures for ever. Do not forsake the work of thy hands." Psalm 138:8 (RSV)

My Leon Visit

2013-05-26T16:31:00.000-07:00

Another day dawns in Leon, Nicaragua. Sunday April 28. I am up, showered and dressed. Since Maria hasn't made my breakfast yet, where I'm staying at the Hostel Italian, I'm out with my camera just 1/4 block away at this cathedral.

Maria making my breakfast of fried plantain, fried cheese and eggs.

Adorable Laura at recepcion! She quite the girl at 6 yrs old.

We are ready for church and take a taxi to the church, 5 minutes away. Much longer to walk. This is the church Pedro pastors. He's not here today though since he's off with a group from church at a conference where he's preaching and a few of the men on the music team are there as well. I was a bit sad that I didn't get to see him today. Two photos below are of traffic in front of the church.

Rachel (left) Paola (with mic) and Laura at church. 3 dear girls (sisters). Photo below is window and wall of church. So glad windows were open and ceiling fans going since it was a hot day already at 9 a.m.

Congregation. Usually 100 people but today about 50.

Worship team. The little boy that played drums was really right on cue. He's gonna be a good drummer one of these days. He was fun to watch with his seriousness about this drum business.

Felix, Pedro's brother, is preaching and Scarlett is the interpreter for English speaking people. Ticklish is there with me, with my tablet that has Bible (on Kindle) Hebrews 5:1-10. Behind the sanctuary, is another room that was the church's first sanctuary.

Fast forward to lunch, after Scarlett took me and the girls back to the Hostel. Paola went with me to the restaurant just a few yards away for my meal. I ordered corn tortilla with beef steak piece (that's what menu said in English.) I also ordered fries (since allegedly nothing else came with it..we asked). I knew I'd get some little girls to help me eat the pile of fries that I received as well. When I opened the box I brought back, there was plantain chips (soft) and beans. YUM! Yellow tomatoes inside the tortilla as well. Pepsi from a glass bottle (whose top cracked and didn't know it til I got my 2nd sip...what happened there?) SO I got another one...this was at hostel...oh well, I didn't know if there was any more glass in it or not. Maria proceeded to drink it! Sigh! Laura and her cousin helped me eat the french fries. They are giving Ticklish some loving hugs!

I'm out in the evening with Paola, after we all had ice cream. I didn't know all this was out there and so the 2 of us went a few blocks around the town before it got dark. Dusk is 6:30 p.m. there since it's going into fall or what they call their hot and wet season. Church behind me and photo below left is named after Senora de Merced, 1918 when it was built. I will share more photos of building later on. Paola, below, right, my great tour guide. She's 15 and such a sweet heart and very knowledgeable for her age.

Coconut tree and lamp in the evening light. It's a silhoutte! An ice cream vendor! Trees cut in an interesting shape.

Woman powered taxi. A green building. They like color! A phone that is no longer used. I picked up receiver and sure enough, no dial tone. There was about 6 of these on the same wall. Everyone has cell phones now. They have to call in to get more minutes, no cell phone cards to buy at a store either. Fruit and vegetables from a street vendor. Looked enticing but stayed clear of buying any. Not a good thing for a visitor to eat. Or make sure everything is washed and skin peeled.

We have come back around to Basilica Cathedral de la Asuncion, built in 1747. Painting and renovation going on. To the right of it is another church. It used to be a girls' reform school in years past.

Monday April 29, I have lunch that's a mango. rice, and chicken and fritos as well. I'd been taking notes as well while waiting for the girls to come home from school. Money to the left is other side of cordoba that I showed you a few posts ago.

I'm by this lion statue that I like. I think of "God's not dead, He's roaring like a lion" from a Newsboys song. This is afternoon when my friends come pick me up from running to Managua again and no equipment. Sigh. When Don was tying my 2 pieces of luggage on the roof of car, security came by and asked us to do something. No comprende.....turned out he wanted us to close the door that was open into the street. A funeral procession was making its way to the cathedral. That's why there were white flowers in there today that weren't there yesterday.

A store across the street from where we were parked. Then we headed to New Song mission, in Chichigalpa. It was good to see my friends again and experience a city's culture in another country. I was ready to get back with my group and settle back into my room at the mission.

Dinner that evening was leftovers. But it was good....spaghetti, iguana tail, ketchup and tomatoes. Linda eating at table with me. We've become good friends. My purple water bottle to the right, that got a lot of use this trip. I got it a week before I left and it held up well. Still have it! We had filtered water from the kitchen sink at the mission that we took with us wherever we were. Hot climate equals drink lots of water or pay the consequences of dehydration and hurting stomach. That's all for this post, more coming up. Stay tuned, my friends. Have a blessed week!

Tuesday what not thoughts....

2013-05-21T21:57:00.001-07:00

Another week to work, to enjoy the sunshine then the coolness and the rain. It's interesting how people can call a rainy day such a yucky day. Granted yesterday was warmer and people came in the hardware store to shop and made it a good day in many ways. But I think any day is a good day, no matter what the weather. Considering what the people of Oklahoma has been through these past few days, this weather is great! Nor is it hot and humid like Nicaragua.

I am so blessed to be loved by my family and this weekend we will be celebrating our granddaughter's 5th birthday. She's growing up so quickly and so loving to her little brother.
She enjoys drawing and being silly. I love her laugh. I remember when she was little and not able to talk. She come with her mom and dad. She'd sit in her highchair. While we were eating, she'd just laugh. She was happy. Even now, she gets a little sad when she has to leave our house. We like having her here visiting with us. I just love her so much. She's added another dimension to love in my life.

My daughter is looking for work, had an interview on Sat. for a nanny position. Today another job interview for a place where they make knives. The company moved the knife making from China back to the states, since it costs too much business to do it overseas! (That's good). A job fair on Thurs. So it's keeping her busy and excited that there is a job possibility soon. She enjoyed her job at the tulip farm but that season is gone now.

I have slowly been going through photos from Nicaragua. I am sharing a couple with you today...things I brought back with me to the states.

I bought these nice purses, made in Nicaragua, for $10 each, red striped one for my daughter and purple striped one for me. They are lined in black and have two zipped openings. Other side is just striped material. I've not used mine yet. Wanna wash it first, by hand of course.

Some money I took photos of are 10 cordobas (50 cent) and 50 cordobas ($2) I kept the purple one since on the front it has pottery and that would have been hard to fly home with. The money looks like I'm rich but in reality, not. But I am in many ways as in, my lifestyle and my job. my car. I count my blessings in many ways. I hope I never lose sight of that. I'm rich in my relationship with God. And on that note, I'm closing this lap top and going to do my Bible study, fold some clothes, clean kitchen and go to bed. Hugs and blessings, my friends!

Thoughts on Sunday

2013-05-19T14:05:00.000-07:00

Life would be flat if there wasn't any music!

I've always loved music. Studied music for a year at Bible college. I enjoy singing and especially singing praises to God in church and on days I have Christian music playing in the car on the way to work, or working in my kitchen. So I was thrilled to see a church reader board in my town with the writing that I just shared. I love the "Sound of Music" and "Oklahoma" (which was the first musical I saw in junior high, many years ago!) I have asked a few people what it would be like to just start singing when I'm out in a store....would anybody think I'm weird? Would they sing with me or call security, give me weird looks? I have heard of flash mobs going on. A couple months ago my daughter and I were at a Fred Meyer store on a Friday. They had asked customers to come up front.....we continued to shop in the shoe section. About 10 minutes later, a flash mob dance was happening! Oh my...how funny, how fun?! Sigh! I like music. It's in my head and in my heart.

One of my favorites was sung at church today. We sang it beautifully. Then when I was leaving church after interlude of snack and visiting with friends, heard the song again as 3rd service was going on. "Beautiful Things" I found it on a Youtube to share with you. The music is playing while photos come up of
Finish the Wall project at New Song Mission, in Nicaragua. (click on link) We were there after the project. I enjoy seeing the photos of before and the new. We experienced the new. Enjoy! Find a good song for your heart to sing this week! God bless!

Released!

2013-05-18T08:30:00.000-07:00

As of Friday, May 17, the equipment that included solar panels and filtration units for New Song Mission have been released from customs. Unfortunately there was ALOT of money involved in the process and numerous trips to Managua for paper work and hopes of the release. But the saga has a happy ending! Thank you God for hearing our supplications and helping your children in Nicaragua have cleaner, healthier, purified water! Thank you, my blogger friends, so much for your prayers. We will now commence in the happy dance of joy and sing praises to our God, who reigns as our King and Lord forever!

Trees on Photographic Friday

2013-05-17T08:30:00.000-07:00

Coconut trees at New Song Mission. Top one has coconuts that are near picking stage, green ones, in photo below, have longer to go. Bottom photo is of tree branches shadows. Coolness under them for sure. It's was my first full day in Nicaragua. I actually ate some coconut from one of these trees on Thursday. Yum. Then later someone made coconut and sugar cookie balls....yummy as well. Have a great Friday and an even better weekend. God bless!

My Journey Begins to Nicaragua

2013-05-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

Aboard a Delta airplane out of PDX, flying above the clouds, Mt. Hood in the background.

Flying over the Wallowa mountains, eastern Oregon.

Ticklish (my stuffed, warm, cuddly travel companion) on board with me, my orange juice, and my hat. I ate my cinnamon roll I bought along with oj at Rose's cafe in airport. I was hungry cuz it was 2:30 a.m. when Don and Belinda picked me up at my house. Two and a half hours of sleep. Tired. Hungry. When I'm awake that early, my tummy says eat.

Fast forward to airplane from Atlanta, GA to Managua, Nicaragua. Ticklish and I are figuring out forms for temporary migration into Nicaragua. A whole new world for us!

Sunset out the airplane window.

Our taxi driver of van we rode in from the Managua airport to New Song Mission. He's explaining things about what happened at customs to Diego. Linda and Don listen in. Linda knows Spanish but not as good as the driver.

Sat. a.m. was staff worship time. This was scripture from Isaiah.

Later, I went out with Kay so she could remind some of the youth about the function happening later in the evening. Here's a dog at the first house we went to. I was a bit apprehensive about all the dogs running around loose. But never had one bother me. I looked at this one, he sniffed me, didn't bother me.

Wash hanging out in the afternoon. Everyone does laundry outdoors, by hand.

Drainage from the house.


This young man came riding by us. I was trying to get out of his way and vice versa. We nearly collided! He has a sack in his mouth that holds one shoe.

Houses in the area.

Kay getting some lunch after we got back.

Plantain, mangoes, melon in the kitchen.

My lunch....macaroni and cheese, broccoli, chicken and tomatoes.

Kitchen that was recently done, during build the wall project at New Song Mission. There is filtered, purified water in sink to the right of refrigerator. It was worked on Monday.

Truck at mission. We rode in this a few times. I rode in the front. A couple physical reasons.

A windy afternoon.

Bathroom at the mission. There is a toilet to left of shower. Because of the issues with septic tank, no toilet paper could be flushed. It clogs it up. Only cold water but that's ok. It felt good. But when I get out and dried off, I started to sweat again!

My bed and Ticklish too! Window behind bed was opened at night for some ventilation. No a/c! Just fans. It didn't help me sleep much. In hindsight, I think I should have rested a bit during the afternoon so I wouldn't be so tired when I got home. Live and learn, especially at my age!

My taxi ride from New Song mission to Leon. I am meeting up with Maria and her girls for the weekend. I will be staying at the Hostel Italian, which she and Pedro manage.

Taxi driver and car...it's a BMW. But not real plush, no door handles inside. 4 windows open for ventilation. I'm so thankful to be here safely. The drivers are crazy here, so different from USA drivers. Stop is a loosely used term in driving....slow down, no stop or totally ignore it! Sometimes I just looked the other way instead of looking at the traffic when we were out somewhere! Kept myself more sane that way!

Relaxing in my room with my cold Pepsi and water bottle.

I turned on the tv. I changed channels until I could find a channel that had English programming. Wound up watching something with animated penguins. It wasn't Happy Feet. Later I turned it on and there wasn't anything good to watch, off it went, read a bit of Bible off my tablet, went to sleep then took a shower in the a.m. Didn't know how to make hot water come on. It felt good anyway since I was warn already!

Doors, one to hall other to bathroom

Air Conditioner.

Ticklish wants some Fritos that I bought at the Atlanta airport. Yes, we ate some cuz it was snack time.

Maria ordered pizza for us since she was busy at the hostel and couldn't go out. Just like a Sat. night at our house! Laura and Rachel look on, we're waiting for Maria. I had a good time with them, so good to see my friends again.

My room.

Painting in hallway across from my room. I liked it alot.

Nice little rest area in hostel. Beyond the door was a kitchen. This is the end of the day for me. Next will be Sunday, a new week in Nicaragua. Quite the adventure....hot days, every day. Beauty, old buildings, friends to help me through the days. Thanks for stopping by for a visit. Let me know you were here.

Equipment Update

2013-05-13T19:34:00.002-07:00

Yesterday my friend, Don, sent this email update to me. He was the leader of our team when we went to Nicaragua. Here's an update on the equipment that was seized at customs.

Just heard a word from our friends in Nicaragua. They are in the final stages of getting all the equipment released from customs. I don't fully understand the process. They got all the paperwork done to get it released without having taxes in 16 out of the 20 days, but the government says it does not have the time to do it's paperwork. So if we want the equipment, we will have to pay the taxes anyway. Makes no sense to me, but it will be good to get the stuff released.
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I pray that the equipment will be released on time, without having to pay taxes and that the government will do their part to get their paper work done. They've had it long enough to do it. Our God is a great God, creator of the universe, the Great I AM. He can change these stipulations for the good...helping His children out who brought it and help the people who will receive the clean well water. I'd ask you, my bloggy friends, to pray as well. I know you have been praying and it's worked to get the equipment released and much appreciated.
=====Becky

Mother's Day 2013

2013-05-12T12:41:00.002-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all my bloggy readers. Wishing you fields of happiness and good memories to last a long time. When I told my mom, Happy Mother's day a few days ago, where she lives in a nursing home, she gave this reply. "Thanks for having my grandchildren." Awe, isn't that sweet? I love my mom. She's been a praying mom and loving mom, growing a garden to feed her family on the farm. When we moved into the little town close by our farm, she still grew a garden. I loved the veggies so much. The meals prepared. She's a loving grandma and great grandma. Even in her late 80s she can find some humor to make people laugh. She's always loved flowers.

Megan and I love the tulip farm. Here we are a few weeks ago. She'd just got off work at the tulip farm and we spent sometime together before she headed home. Must take a fun photo! We had a good day yesterday. Enjoying friends at a bridal shower, 45 minute drive. It was worth it with delicious brunch. Then we stopped in a town that we always pass through to a destination for some shopping. Grocery Outlet and then Fred Meyer. Both of us scored at the last place, a pair of sandals for me and two pr of pants for Megan.....her's are going. Being between jobs, I felt I could help her out a bit. That's what moms are for. Daughter worn out clothes need replaced sometimes. She usually buys her own. We got a good deal with sales then coupons, saving $25....all that for $45. Amazing! It pays to be frugal! Enjoying my day and hope you are as well. HAPPY MOTHER'S' DAY! God's blessings be upon you, now and always.

Flowers on Photographic Friday

2013-05-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

Flowers are beautiful in Nicaragua. I am not certain of this bush's name with flowers. Almost looks like hibiscus as well but other ones weren't in a circle like these. Do any of you know what they are?

Both of these flowers are hibiscus. So pretty! I consider Nicaragua tropical! It's hot~there's volcanoes. Rainy season coming soon.

Sunset on trip, now it's memories

2013-05-09T20:50:00.001-07:00

My short work week is over. I have been home for 6 days from trip to Nicaragua. It was an adventure that I will never forget. Many good things happened. Interesting country but not sure I could live there. I got to eat some delicious foods, like fresh coconut, fresh mango, papaya pancakes and eggs in the mornings at the mission, roasted Igquana, cold showers that felt good later in the day (even though I started to sweat after I toweled dry.) I felt God in this foreign country, especially when I was worshiping on Sunday in our "sister" church. I felt Him in the hugs from children, hands held by older women at the mission and when I went house visiting (with interpreter) later in my trip. Now that my week is over, I still am processing how much more sleep I need to get me really feeling less tired. Maybe being hypothyroid doesn't help in this case either. Processing the day to day happenings of the trip. My God sized dream. He helped me realize this dream, by giving me an extra day a week, (since a co-worker left a yr ago Dec and my boss wanted me to fill the void.) He kept me calm when the van broke and gave me the opportunity to see one beautiful sunrise of blazing red sun over Lake Managua on our way to the airport. If we'd been on time, I would have missed it. So there are good things that come from the not good happenings. I hope that I blessed people along the way as they blessed me as well. Eyes wide open and surprises for sure. So as the sun sets here in Oregon, I will close with a scripture verse that works well with the trip I was on. Psalm 90 was read at church. The very last part is great!! "Let Your work appear to Your servants, And Your glory to their children. And the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us. And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands." (vs 16-17, NKJV) (photo is of young men playing soccer at the mission. When ball got out of bounds when I was there, I'd throw or kick the ball back to them. They even asked me to play but I declined! Volleyball would have been a different story though since I've played that! ) Have a good evening.

Nerves Of Steel Team (with text)

2013-05-06T23:02:00.000-07:00

Hello! Here's the first photo of our team that went to Nicaragua last week. We are in front of the cathedral in Leon. I'd been there for a couple days visiting my friends and went to our sister church there on Sunday. Linda and the team came by after going to the airport again, attempting to retrieve the equipment that was in customs. No equipment. Our team consists of Becky, Jerry, Derek, Don and Candace.


We've been called the Nerves of Steel Team because of the incident of customs holding our equipment and going through an interesting morning on Friday on our way to Managua, to return stateside. First we were pulled over by the local police, for an unknown reason. Checked out the driver's id, then around to open sliding door on passenger side. We showed our passports and officer looked at them 2x. Then handed them back to us, and off we went. Half an hour later, our driver stopped 2x to check the tire on the right side. Later up the road, a rough ride when the tire completely came off! Oh dear me! I'm thankful for a flashlight in my carry on luggage. Anyway, long story short, in the dark of early morning we sat in the van. I prayed and sang in my head. An hour later, another taxi van came and we moved quickly from one to other, with luggage. Off we went in a fast mode. Boy, you could never drive crazy in US as they do in Nica. But we made it, safe and got to airport with good timing, checking in, going through customs and security. 20 min. wait time til boarding call. Linda, from New Song Missions, where we were, couldn't believe all that happened that a.m. We just rolled with the punches, as they say. Moved on. She has called us the Nerves of Steel team because of that. So thankful everything turned out all right. Amazing! Thankful for a God who gives us His love and guidance in the hard times. Definitely felt Him with us. Thanks for your prayers. (Not sure what happened earlier, but only photos showed up, no words. Now there's words. There were words last night!)

Adventure Time

2013-04-28T19:56:00.001-07:00

Greetings from hot Nicaragua. Am staying wth friends at a hostel for a couple nights. Went to sister church this a.m. Felt blessed and welcomed. I've taken a lot of photos. Prayers for release of water filtration pieces from customs on Monday. Traffic is crazy. Food is good. Weather hotter than l experience at home but I knew that before coming. Drinking alot of water is the key. I've tried to ask what the temperature is and all I get is HOT! Showers are cold but feels good. In hostel there's supposed to be hot water. I think it's not quite as cold as it was at the mission Saturday a.m. Hopefully I can find something to occupy my time on Monday. I told Maria I'd do dishes at the hostel. She and her husband manage/rent hostel. 'Nuf said for now. I've got much to tell and show you. Many thanks for your continued prayers for my God sized adventure I'm experiencing half a world away. Or it seems that way. Back later, my friends.

Photographic Friday

2013-04-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

My one and only visit this year to the tulip farm. Been too busy with getting ready to go on my trip and working. Sigh. I couldn't decide which photo to use for my header. This one or the one with the pink tractor. So I decided to share this one with you as well....since I'm a lover of purple tulips and tulips in general. I was supposed to be sitting on the tractor seat (in header photo). I was climbing up and for some reason a leg gave way or just the way the "steps" are to get onto the tractor and my legs didn't work out. I ended up falling onto the tractor. Pain involved, with some tears. That tractor isn't soft at all! My girlfriend told me it was a sassy tractor, since it's pink so it got me! I incurred some bruises and soreness but able to walk after pain went away. I am smiling in spite of the pain! The John Deere tractor is painted pink in honor of Ken's wife, Vicky, who died of breast cancer a few years ago, during the tulip festival. Tractor was quite the conversation piece. You'll see it in a few more photos of it in another post of mine. Til next time, God bless and enjoy your spring weather, wherever you are. A blogger friend posted that it was snowing in Kansas! We're experiencing warm weather here, almost 70 today. It will be hotter where I'm going.....Nicaragua....in a few days! Ok, bye for now!

Our Easter Fun

2013-04-21T15:26:00.000-07:00


After church on Easter, our family got together for an Easter lunch. Can you tell who arrived at the house and promptly made a pile of stuffed animals on a chair? The adorable grandchildren.

Dining room table with places set for everyone. Eggs are decorated wooden eggs I picked up at World Market...one of the favorite stores of mine. Added some candy whopper eggs my daughter bought for us to eat!

Our lunch consisted of ham with pineapple, homemade biscuits, salad, mashed rutabaga (last two brought by Justin and Erin) and cranberry sauce. I was skeptical of the mashed rutabaga but it was actually alright. Tasted like cauliflower! So thankful for them sharing....oh I made pies....that we ate. Sorry, no photo.

Adorable grandchildren with their chocolate bunnies I "hid" for them and Ticklish. Mel wanted to know when the egg hunt was! I told her the bunny was the hunt. Oh.

Grandma and her adorables. Never can get everybody looking at camera at the same time....oh well!

Grandson and grandpa after lunch.....snooze time.....

Megan and Melody "snoozing"......not!


Ah, a parting shot of our son's family....I always feel a bit sad when they leave. I love them so much! Can't complain though since they aren't that far away. Have a good week, my friends.......God's blessings.

tulip book

2013-04-16T22:50:00.000-07:00

I just finished a photo book. It's of last year's trip to the tulip farm with my dear friend, Tamara. It needed done tonight before I go to sleep. I have a Groupon to use up before tomorrow when it expires. Always something to push me to get something done! (Remember, this is copyrighted work! If ya know what I mean!)

http://d3gtjm45qo2xw3.cloudfront.net/share/album.html?&album=1d0ac9430bb0456c839b6ce2ccdd94d3b8a23c82a1c549bf9da9ec4a502a65de&idEmp=3&lang=en_GB

Eventually I will load my Easter and tulip farm photos onto my computer in the next few days. I'm behind but it will get done.

Single digit number of days til Nicaragua trip! Last night of my typhoid pill as well! Yippee! Now the packing will commence soon! Take care!

Fantastic Item for Travel

2013-04-14T21:44:00.000-07:00

I recently ordered a sleeve for my tablet. I had my friend, April, at Marine Parent's Blog make it for me.She has an Etsy shop. Mine doesn't have a ruffle for space limitations in my camera bag. I felt I needed a bit more protection for the tablet, even tho it came with a hard case. Never can be too careful when traveling. So I hopped on board and April stitched away and sent it to me. I was so excited when it arrived. Neither of us could believe it only took 3 days to get from Japan to Oregon! Fastest shipment yet for her. It normally takes 8-10 business days to ship to the states.

The fabric is Japanese patchwork. I am enjoying it already. It's lined as well, with light green lining. No photo cuz it came out blurry.

Little goodies including a couple candies and little paper clips.

Ticklish came to see what the fuss was about. She decided to take a nap on the sleeve. "Just my size!" she said.

Tulips that Megan brought from the tulip farm...the first ones. These were in my kitchen. Of course, I had to do another photo shoot.

last but not least, my list I wrote up months ago for my trip to Nicaragua. I have all my shots, got the IBU travel bottle. Not sure about mosquito repellent. I took the 3rd of 4 typhoid pill tonight. It's not been bad, actually. First was a bit worse, some cramping, other stuff that's minor. So thankful for that. Now it's down to thinking of packing. I bought a few things to take to the mission this afternoon. Hoping 2 pillows will squish well into the luggage and be ok. They don't weigh much. I ordered a 3 pack through Groupon last year. One we use on the couch and others not used yet. Why not put them to better use. Now under 2 weeks away!

A wee update. ...

2013-04-10T23:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, an update from lil' ol me. My cousin, Laurel died late Tuesday afternoon. My uncle called me right before Phil and I went on a walk. I'm glad we made the trip down to see her, even though she wasn't awake. It wasn't easy saying goodbye since I knew it wouldn't be long before she died. I don't know how to tell my mom on Fri. She already knows Laurel and her brother have cancer. Mom is concerned about her brother, my uncle. He didn't look the best on Sunday.
Another rainy day that was windy and daughter coming home early from tulip farm. She got school work done and did laundry. Now I'm off to kitchen to eat some yogurt. An hour ago I took my first of 4 typhoid pills. I think yogurt would help the possible side effect of diaherra a lesser chance of getting me? Will see. Pray I do well through my 3 other pills. I take one every other day. Done next Tue. Pill form half the price of a shot. Am counting down the days. Checking off things to purchase. How to take money and not lose it. Good night, my friends.