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Showing posts from 2010

Freedom at what cost?

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Dad chickened out. The rooster will live on.

My gift to you this year

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I know that Christmas is over and it's passed the time that people will listen to Christmas music, which is why I'm not posting a Christmas song right now. This is a new holiday classic. It will spark the joy of the giving season and put you in the mood for sharing. The one thing I ask is please Don 't actually watch the video just listen . It's ridiculously stupid and makes the song look dumb and the song isn't dumb it's a new classic! Enjoy,

Texas Lights.

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In case you can't make it out to Granbury, Texas to see the magical music lights for yourself you can check it out here. It's true we do make things bigger and better in Texas.

The rooster is dead

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Okay, it's not dead yet but will be tomorrow. I know this might sound strange to some, this talk of killing animals for meat but while I was living in Tchad I became used to the killing of our animals. If we were to eat chicken for diner it had to come from somewhere, so it would come from our yard. If we were to eat our Christmas lamb it also had to come from somewhere, which was of course our yard. After that year of free range, organic meat I also decided that if I ever did eat meat in America then it would have to be of the free range variety. I would often help Clarice or Ama pluck the chicken in the afternoon before supper. It wasn't that bad, in fact I found it to be very educational. I learned about how feathers grow, where their joints are and how intricate the design of the chicken is. I never did the actual killing but I was there when the Christmas lamb was slotered. It was a new experience for me. Tomorrow I am going to do the whole job, partly because I want to p

Cinderella waits as does Principe Azul

She is out there. My Cinderella. She is real. She exists. I pray for her constantly. May God satisfy the desires of her heart, draw her close, consume her. May He claim her passions, her identity, her refuge, her hopes, her strengths and weaknesses, every fiber of her being. May she treasure and cherish her Savior more than anything of this world and cling to His will with every ounce of her stamina. By all that she is, does, and strives to be, may He draw near to her and she to Him. Written by Adam Young, of Owl City fame, on his blog .

Gone, burned up.

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GrĆønvold, my beloved Norwegian house. *My bedroom is the small window to the left. *This is my porch and kitchen and bedroom (back) window. *My living room/kitchen/dining room *My bedroom. My flat in Norway burned down to the ground early this morning (Dec 26). The whole building is gone. Gone. I loved that house. I know it's only a place but it was so cute, warm, cozy, colourful and it held so many great memories. Now that's all it is, memories. No one was hurt in the fire, most all the students were gone home on holiday. Aparently the fire started in the living room. As with most all Norwegian houses they are built completely of wood. This particular house was really old, they told me last year that it didn't even have indoor plumbing until the last 10-15 years. So the wood was really old and easily burnable. It's strange to think how this would effect me if it had happened 12 months ago.

25 Days of Christmas.

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H e r e 's t o C h r i s t m a s C h e e r ! 25 days of wearing Christmas joy. *it's hard work, I can't say I'm not glad it's over. Click to see a larger view.

Christmas Eve.

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Merry Christmas. Norway's giant gift of a Christmas tree to Berlin, Germany. Brandenburger Tor, 2009 I've grown so much in these last few months. My understanding of how people function has increased greatly, my knowledge of survival in the world, both wilderness and city, has grown and I've been challenged to see things from different perspectives and I've been stretched in my cooking skills. I've gained confidence in areas I have wanted to for a long time. like dirt biking, driving big yellow machines and stating my overall opinion. I feel like I really have been in the school of life. Thank you God for this gift. Thank you that I have friends to share life with. Thank you that you haven't forgotten about me or given up on me. Thank you for reminding me of all that I have been given and all the people who care about me. May they be blessed with more good memories than they can count and so many smiles their face hurts. Amen.

Games, it's all in the family.

Something I really like about coming home is the evenings. At my mom's house we always sit around the table and play a game. My grandpa, brother, mom and me. We play for hours and hours. Tonight the game of choice was golf. My aunt and cousin came over for early Christmas celebrations and the 6 of played two rounds of 9 'holes' of golf. It was great fun. I didn't win any over all games but I came close on the first hand. After the other family left my brother, mom and I played Settlers of Catan. I love that game. We played ALL the time in Tchad towards the end of our time there. So tonight I shared the Tchadian rules with my family. My brother won, but I almost did. If it hadn't been almost 1:30am I might have beaten him, but I was getting distracted by the clock. (a silly excuse I know) There have been times when I didn't want to play games in the evening. Times when I was not in the mood, I was on break from college or had just gone through an emotional time

Things I think about while en-route.

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The beautiful Sierras capped in snow, o ut the window of my plane. Things I think about or do when traveling. Sometimes I like to touch the outside of the plane as I step into it because it touches the air at really high elevations and some how it feels like that should be dangerous to touch. Sometimes I like to NOT get a drink from the flight attendant. I think that maybe I'm making things easier and that I'm brining the overall cost down one soda at a time. I used to imagine great stories to tell people about myself, but I've realized that the truth of my life is much more exciting. Talk to my neighbor On that note; let me tell you about the great conversations I had yesterday. On the first flight I sat next to a woman from Clovis, CA. We both chatted it up. It started as they usually do, with me talking about how I live in Yosemite and how awesome that is. We talked about lots. Yosemite, marriage, family, travel and God. While talking about church and how she fel

90's girl no longer.

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I have graduated from the being the self proclaimed 90's girl to a modern girl with a sliding phone. I almost had to travel from Fresno, Ca to Granbury, Texas without a phone ! How crazy would that be? As if people haven't been doing that for years and years before now. Sheesh. I was, however, kinda looking forward to it. Just think of the adventure, not knowing where my ride was, not knowing if I would ever be found because I had no way of calling anyone. It could have been epic. To bad. So now that I am a part of the Keele Verizon family I can call you if you have a Verizon number or after hours or on the weekend and I can text anyone I want as much as I want. Right now I'm at the Fresno airport and I'm excited to be traveling again. I've decided to make this holiday vacation be very good. To help keep me active with what I'm doing and makeing sure I am doing things that matter to the world, or at least are adventurous, or at least require me to get dressed I

Assistant Cooks log.

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Star date: 121920.10 We've entered into the monsoon season of winter months here at our base camp. The days have been getting drastically shorter and drastically slower. The troops, however, are holding it together boldly. These last few days we've seen many a bold and noble troops leave the base camp for outer societies. Our numbers wavered greatly the day most left, at midday it was just the Commander and Chief, Captain Handal and I holding down the fort. That day we lost half the servicemen and women. However by the next day we had gained the same number back in temporary troops. It's been interesting meeting so many of those passing through. There is a group of three going out to the outer country of Guatemala via a bo-bo bus. Their voyage will start before the rains stop, they leave tomorrow. The others passing through our humble base camp are the family members of the great Maintenance Director, Lieutenant Commander Gabel. They are gracing us with their stories of the

Shasta's moment to NOT shine.

Both the children unsaddled their horses and the horses had a little grass and Aravis produced rather nice thing to eat from her saddle-bag. But Shasta sulked and said No thanks, and that he wasn't hungry. And he tried to put on what he thought very grand and stiff manners, but as a fisherman's hut is not usually a good place for learning grand manners, the result was dreadful. And he half knew that it wasn't a success and then became sulkier and more awkward than ever. ~A Horse and His Boy. Oh how I hate it when that happens! I hate how things go down hill fast when I am in a sulky mood. I'm a tiny bit grouchy, perhaps I'm tired and people don't mean to say anything aggravating but it happens and then BAMB, I try to do something to make my situation better and BAMB, again! I've become sulkier and more awkward than ever. Oy. I do think however it's nice that when I'm at that point in the downward spiral God sends in help, sorta like a shooting star t

A woman dreamt in her sleep.

It was a bright starry night. The night air was good for sleeping. A woman fell asleep, and she dreamt. There were people at her childhood home. She was there with them. There was to be a wedding, her wedding. She was excited as were the people. As dreams go she found a change. She was pregnant. With twins. She even felt the two heart beats on her stomach. There were people that needed to be told. The fiance, the parents and the friends. It was a strange occurrence and she knew there had never been an act to cause a birth. The people were told, the parents were next. She, amidst the people, turned to her fiance and said, "I want the world to know I love you. I want to still marry you" The dream ended. The thoughts did not. The thoughts did not.

My new answer to the BIG questions in life.

"Many are unable to make definite plans for the future. Their life is unsettled. They cannot discern the outcome of affairs, and this often fills them with anxiety and unrest. Let us remember that the life of God's children in this world is a pilgrim life . We have not wisdom to plan our own lives. It is not for us to shape our future. 'By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.' Hebrews 11:8. Christ in His life on earth made no plans for Himself. He accepted God's plans for Him , and day by day the Father unfolded His plans . So should we depend upon God, That our lives may be the simple outworking of His will. As we commit our ways to Him, He will direct our steps. Too many, in planning for a brilliant future, make an utter failure. Let God plan for you . As a little child, trust to the guidance of Him who will 'keep the feet of His saint

I think.

Woman yet as a petal you always tell the wind to sing beneath the moon as a mist blows me to death can i have the man i want love is frantic if you leave a void will take me to crush out spring winter drools white eternity ache not but dream easy live life here sea & sky a watery whisper a rainy garden of roses after bitter storm spray of summer light & shadow shine time. . . trudge. . . worship h e is a gift of love to suit your beauty I think. *written by Andrea and Sonya on the back of their door. **Sponsored by Magnetic Poetry, find your inner poet.

Red and Green day 4.

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Since college I've had a tradition of wearing Christmas colours everyday of December leading up to the BIG day, December 25. I find it a way to spread the Christmas joy and it's a time where you can wear red and green without feeling like a Christmas ornament. I also like the challenge of finding something to wear that hasn't been worn yet in the last 25 days. So far so good (however it's only day 4). Although I must say it's not as much fun when I know that there are only a small handful of people to appreciate my hard work on finding things to wear. This year however I discovered that my friend Kimberly is also celebrating Christmas with clothing as well. She inspired me to take a picture every day to post. She's inspiring like that :) Here's day 4.

Winter Snow with no Earthquakes.

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Yosemite Valley, November 2010 by Sonya. For Andrea. "It's snowing still," said Eeyore gloomily. "So it is." " And freezing." "Is it?" "Yes," said Eeyore. "However," he said, brightening up a little, "we haven't had an earthquake lately." ~The House at Pooh Corner Brighten up a little Andrea, at least we haven't had an earthquake.

I lied.

I've been thinking about this for over a week now. I lied. I didn't tell a falsehood, so to speak, it wasn't a 'story' that I made up to get out of trouble. It isn't an incriminating lie. I lied though. What is the lie? The lie is me. It is me hiding behind a mask. I've always been loud and proud about the fact that I don't hide my emotions. I am open and honest with what I feel. Which is true, but not really. I might be open with the emotions, only they are the emotions I choose to be open with. I don't always tell what I am thinking. No way. I definitely don't always show what I truly feel. I don't tell what I have going on inside and I don't let others in on the inside scoop either. I realized this recently. I don't know what I will do with this realization. I don't think I will change? Is it fear of rejections? Is it fear of pain? Is it fear? Yes. Yes. Yes.

Winter is a winner.

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Winter came down to our home one night Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow, And we, we were children once again. ~Bill Morgan, Jr.

The top 100.

Snow A stable job Family Nature/Yosemite Colour Memories Friends-near and far Sledding Laughter Hope/promise of a future with God Dirt bikes Playing with the boys The God connection-having friends world wide Skype Learning new things Rachel V. Andreak. Memories of my Grandma Tall socks Books French Spanish Rosetta Stone Cameras Costumes Swahili Camp (Summer & Winter) Vegan food Sneaky vegan food Paulette and her nice teaching skills Candles Scarves Mittens Tea Texas pride Heaven Giant Down Blankets Music Photos Trips Friends visiting Psalms Love Hope of Love Sweaters Christmas Snow (again :) Choices Flowers Hot Tubs Home-made Pop-tarts Cooking with friends Fatty Mariposa Trees Slippers Diversity Camping out Camp fires Umachas to sleep in at Indian Camp Contentedness Trains Stick-shift automobiles Games with family and friends Uno Battleship Sunlight Moonlight Night hikes Snow paths Stars Orion Pleides Dresses North Face gear Smartwool Boots Beaches No electricity Mi Hermano Dancin

El Dia de Action de Gracias.

The day of action of thanks. I like the way it goes in Spanish. I have my personal traditions of writing my list of 100 things I am thankful for. It all started when I was living in Honduras. I wanted to share Thanksgiving with my German friends, so after the meal that the Hogar made for the Americans and the rest of the home, the 6 of us SMs went and sat around and shared our lists of at least 10 things. Since then it has been a tradition! I've spent Thanksgiving in many different place with many different people but I'm always thankful for so much. Here is my list from last year, 2009 . I have lists that go back to Honduras in 2003 but not with me. I just love taking some time to think about what I am thankful for. It's important. Also this year I was thinking back to where I was for the last few years at Thanksgiving time, here are a few stories from last year and when I was in Tchad . So many stories and so many things to be thankful for. We really are blessed. I know i

Guns, Liz and Snow.

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Awhile ago Liz came up for a visit. Jerrod and Anthony said they would take us shooting out in the backwoods, so we went into the Sierra National Forest and played in the snow. It was a fun adventure and the woods are simply beautiful. Since words are cheap I'll just post a few pictures from Liz. Yes I have a gun in my back pocket. Liz shows a little fear, but I show confidence. After the evening adventure, we pause for a moment to . . . show our best side. A magical place, a magical sunset, and a magical frien d.

Frozen atmospheric water vapor!

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Taken on Tioga pass. Snow, snow, snow!!! Snow, snow, snow! The holiday season can start now! The sledding season can start now! Snow! I love the look of white covering everything. I love the crunch of it under my feet. I love the way they flutter to the ground, cover my hair, tickle my eyelashes. I love snow. I'm from Texas, we didn't have things like this when I was a kid. So give me a break and send in the snow! On top of this mountain across from my house in Norway.

Saturday night stories.

Anthony Handal met The Faculty. Then Anthony announced, "I have rabies!!!!!" The Faculty responded unanimously, "We will be your loyal subjects". Then they danced a jig at the barn party.

So much time spent well.

Oh boy. What a weekend! Liz came up to Yosemite to visit, Eunice and Ali B came to visit and Paster Don came to visit. I like it when people come and find rest here. As I knew would happen my weekend with Liz consisted of many good things. Reminiscing about Tchad, baking, from the heart conversations, insight from God and of course laughter. We baked apple muffins, Friday, and a vegan quiche, Sabbath. Both of which turned out yummy. (did you expect anything but yummy?) Liz is my kitchen inspiration. She always knows what to do for a substitution or to make something better or even just random recipes off the top of her head. We took a long walk to the library to return my books, climbed up the Chillinaunadkvionsdov falls on a grand adventure. Jumped from rock to rock, shimmed up cracks between rocks and enjoyed the overall beauty of my little Wawona vally. We forged a swollen south fork of the Merced balancing precariously on the edge of rocks. Stepping unknown onto a rock covered in i

Letting Go.

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Why is there fear in the letting go? Am I afraid of the lack of control? That's it, I have to do this. I have to let go. No more plans for my future, No more pleas for my way, I want to let go and live in today. The truth brings hurt, She causes me pain. She doesn't match up with my 'dreams' I kept waiting for the wake up jolt. The wake up came and Stabbed me with pain. I'm letting go and living in today. No more plans for my future, No more pleas for my way, I have to let go and live in today. God now has free reign of my plans. I won't be the back seat driver, The one who makes the calls. It's not in my hands anymore. I've let go.

Revisiting secret places in the heart.

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Emily is in Tchad and she finally posted something . I'll be honest when I was reading it my heart started racing and I was instantly transported there. I know what it's like to return to a place like that. Six months after I left the Hogar de Ninos in Honduras I found myself on a plane going back to visit for three weeks. There really is nothing better than going 'home' to a place you had thought you would never see again. I remember the feelings of wanting to jump off of the plane and run through the airport to find my friends. Then once I was on the REACH bus headed to el Hogar, I remember talking the WHOLE 2 hours with one of the girls from the home, the excitement was oozing out of me, and once the bus pulled into the gate of the hogar I ran out and up the hill into the arms of all the beautiful children. The feeling was amazing. Something akin to what I think heaven will be like. It was magnificent to touch and talk to all the kids again, to see their faces, when

Am I crazy? I might just be. . .

Sometimes I'm just happy. For no real reason. I don't know where I'll be in a year, I'm not in love, the work day starts early, I still have lots of loans to pay, I live in a tiny square and I still have to go into the walk in freezer. Yet I'm happy. My heart is full and I have a song in my heart. How is that? How does it happen that more often than not I am simply happy? Is it a deep choice? a result of B-12? It is something complicated that I clearly don't understand. Honest, I'm happy without a monumental reason. I love life, I have an exciting unknown future, a job I love, fun coworkers/neighbors, I live inside a beautiful forest saturated with evidence of God's love for me and I wake up everyday. Sometimes I think I'm on drugs or crazy. How is it that there is so much chirpiness inside wanting to burst out of my every pore? I must be crazy. Does this happen to you? Am I alone in all of this?

A trip away from the homestead.

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Dear Diary, Strange things are happening. We went to Bodie to visit all of our friends and when we arrived not one person was there! Sister Annabelle and I looked all over the town for our friends. I looked at the mercantile, I looked in the sage fields, up and down main street, I even looked in the church. Turns out Bodie's now a ghost town. What was once a very large booming 'metropolis' with about 10,000 people is now a dusty old ghost town population 0. Sister Annabelle and I were disappointed that all our friends were gone from Bodie. We had wanted to visit the one armed Sheriff, Dog Face George, Anne, the nice lady who married the Butcher and left her life of sin on Virgin Alley and so many other lovely people. But alas we at least got to wander around town and wonder what life must have been like 100's of years ago when gold was flowing out of the california hills.

Sister Clare Mae

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One day I hope Sister Clare Mae can come visit us on the homestead.

A diary entry from the Homestead.

Dear Diary, Tomorrow Sister Annabelle and I will journey from the homestead. We are going to visit our friends in Bodie, California. I hope to see all our friends and to buy some new ribbon for my bonnet. We shall travel by our favorite mode of transportation and go through the valley, over the mountains and arrive in only a few hours to the town. I haven't heard from our friends in a few weeks but they know of our coming, for I have been planning this visit since I first came here from Texas a few months back. I am so excited about sitting down and sipping tea with Sister Annabelle and our friends in Bodie. Well I had better go off to bed now so that I can be plenty rested in time to leave for my great adventure! Here's to visiting friends in Bodie, California. Goodnight Love, Sister Josephine

Wawona Lore.

The legend of Open Hand. Long ago in the land of the Miwok The youngest maiden of the land. Was honestly named for her truthful talk. They called her Open Hand. She wasn't afraid to say What her heart deemed to be true The people believed, come what may That she would keep her heart from few The days went by like a tanning hide As she walked and talked with the people of the land She opened their minds to what was inside. As no other, they loved Open Hand One day as she was exploring the trails She happened upon the Bewilder Bear. The people for years had told her the tails Of the Bewilder Bear and the mysteries that it would share. Never before had the people found this bear To meet him and ask him a question Was to be done cautiously and with care For Bewilder Bear could become an obsession. As the question formed in Open Hand's mind She spoke with what she hoped was truth For she had always wanted to befriend his kind And find depth to talk with the other youth. Then Bewilde

Heaven and a Disappointment.

The Chowchilla church is here this weekend. It's also my weekend off. I was able to go to a church service today. The children's story and sermon got me thinking about many things. 1. Heaven. Wow, that's going to be great. Besides all the amazingness of the obvious-Heaven. Just think I can catch my Grandma up on all that she has missed out on since 2006. I can tell her how God has been helping me grow, even if it has been rather painful at times. I can chat up a storm with Moses and get the scoop from Joseph on how badly 'his bowls did yearn' . I can snuggle with a lion, boogie with a penguin, fly with a humming bird. I can talk to 'my kids' from Honduras, fluently in a common language, I can dance with my famil from Tchad . There are just so many things that I want to do. Mainly I want to sit with Jesus. I'm not even sure if I will want to start talking right away. In fact I'm sure I won't. I think I will need some time to just sit. To just b

There are days. . .

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There are days in my life that are hard. that I want to plead with God to show me what my future holds. that I need to be told I am wanted, that I contribute to my friends life Most recently though, There are days when I cry. However it might be because I've been chopping onions. I think it's a bit of a sad deal that I get so teary over onions. After all my mom's maiden name is Loignon. Which in French is L'oignon and that equals onion. Maybe it's all part of my genetics to sob when I chop onions. Maybe my ancestors were given the name Loignon because they cried when they chopped onions? Perhaps I am simply fulfilling my role in the Loignon clan and crying when I chop. Either way, There are days when I cry.

Small Steps for Compassion

Here’s the deal, I’ve always wanted to help start something big. I’ve wanted to do something bigger than myself, to contribute to an organization that is making a difference. And now I’ve got the chance, now you’ve got the chance. Small Steps for Compassion is building from the ground up an orphanage in Tanzania. They are in the beginning phase of construction. Step one is get a functioning well dug so the home will never run out of water. Their goal is to have the money in to start digging the first of January. As a member of the starting committee they have asked me to pledge $2,000 to go towards the well. I think it can be done. I want to ask you, my family and friends, if you will help me raise that portion of the money. Without this well there will be no home for the children; there will be no opportunity for the children to grow up in a beautiful Christian home much like you and I did. They need your help and I need your help. If you are interested in making a tax deductible dona

Change is in the air.

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Ansel Adams photograph Autumnal Nightfall Round Autumn's mouldering urn Loud mourns the chill and cheerless gale, When nightfall shades the quiet vale And stars in beauty burn. 'Tis the year's eventide. The wind, like one that sighs in pain O?er joys that ne'er will bloom again Mourns on the far hillside. And yet my pensive eye Rests on the faint blue mountain long; And for the fairy-land of song, That lies beyond, I sigh. The moon unveils her brow; In the mid-sky her urn glows bright, And in her sad and mellowing light The valley sleeps below. Upon the hazel gray The lyre of Autumn hangs unstrung And o?er its tremulous chords are flung The finges of decay. I stand deep musing here, Beneath the dark and motionless beech, Whilst wandering winds of nightfall reach My melancholy ear. The air breathes chill and free: A spirit in soft music calls From Autumn's gray and moss-grown halls, And round her withered tree. The hoar and mantled oak, With moss and twisted i

I, myself and the ugly ME MONSTER.

How often do I talk about . . . myself? I was watching Brian Regan today and was reminded to work on my listening skills. Sure I've got fun stories, adventures and my own tale to tell. But what about you? You also have a story to tell. I want to listen, I want to be actively listening to what you have to say. In order for me to become a friend, a true proper friend I need to listen. I want to be the person who can ask you a question and you know that I really want to know the answer. I want to have some light conversations but then I want to dive deeper. I want to know what makes you tick, what makes you laugh and what hurts. If I want to be a friend on the inside scoop I need to be willing to do what it takes and not always talk about me but listen to your body language, your non verbal cues and respond to them. Today I will listen. Today I will ask questions. Tomorrow? Tomorrow I'll do it all over again.

Math

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Four people are making tamales, two groups of two. If Delia can make 4 tamales in the time it takes Rachel to make one and Andrea can fill tamales twice as fast as Sonya. How long will it take the four of them to make 425 tamales? * Knowing that Deli and Rachel are making the outside of the tamales and Andrea and Sonya are filling them. If you know the answer post it in the comments. Perhaps you will win a prize.

Photo shoot, bang!

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This pioneer photo shoot reminded me that I love taking pictures. I think I'll be taking a few more this month. Any volunteers? This one (above) is my favorite because it almost looks legit . This one is my favorite because it captures a great emotion .