Keys

We got the keys to the new home yesterday.  Emma moved over the first part of the the "kitchen."  Last night I packed both cars door-to-door and floor-to-ceiling  :)

I will start working on the electrical changes tonight after work with the hope that I can start the painting on Thursday.

My Hope

One of the Air1 personalities (ok, it was Coppelia, she and Adam are awesome people) posted the following link to a song on the Owl City blog.  It was a great reminder today.  Remembering where our hope lies is crucial to surviving in today's society (or in any other for that matter).

It is easy to get caught up in the world.  For me it has been the new home we are moving into.   It has been all too easy to focus on moving and decorating.  As much as I love my new home it isn't sufficient to save me, encourage me or sustain me.  We can put our hope in things, in the church or in people.  All will  ultimately fail us.  In the end it matters not how strong our faith and hope but rather the object of that faith and hope.

My Hope Is Found 

Blessings on your day

Happy Birthday!

We had all the family over yesterday to celebrate Noah's birthday - he is in double digits now :)   It has been a while since we all got together.  Andy & Rae came up from Fresno and Nate spent the weekend with us.  After everyone left, Andy & Rae stayed for dinner with the Carnrike's.  I made a big pan of home made scalloped potatoes per Noah's request.   This morning, after she drops Noah off at school, Emma will pick up the keys to the new house.  Today we start the last step in the ordeal and begin shifting our belongings one more time.

Walk On By

Our walk-thru is done and we get our keys Monday before lunch  :o)    Tallifer and Mitch did an awesome job!  Most of the stuff is minor touch up work.  We also contacted the grout guy who will seal our grout Monday and an electrician who will hang our pendants over our bar.  I can't wait to start moving in.  We will load up the Pilot with the essentials so Emma can start organizing the kitchen Monday.  We might have enough stuff there by Thursday night to sleep - for sure by Saturday night.  November 6th is the day I will reserve a truck and get the larger furniture moved.

Watch for our house warming party (probably after the first of the year).

Revelation Song

One of my (current) favorite Christian songs is Revelation Song by Phillips, Craig and Dean.  In case it isn't obvious, this song is based on verses from the book of Revelation at the end of the bible.  It is interesting to note that Revelation has some of the most amazing worship lyrics in the whole of Scripture.  Nowhere else do we see the praises sung to God laid out in such a vibrant fashion.  The last book of the bible is most well know for containing the visions that Jesus gave to John chronicling the end of the world.  Very few people realize the depth and extent of the worship contained in those words.

Take a few moments today to browse the chapters and underline all the passages where God is worshiped in song and verse.  I think you will be surprised  :o)

Baskerville, CA

The Carnrike family are on vacation for a few days so we get to watch their dog.  I affectionately call him The Beast.  He is a lovable lunk with a heart the size of Colorado and a brain the size of a walnut  :)

The Last Hill

This is it - the last weekend that we will be able to walk around inside our new home before we actually move in.  We do our inspection next Wednesday at which point we will be locked out until we "accept" the house on the 26th.  During that time, they will work to address all the issues we identify during our walk-thru.  Before much longer I will be posting pictures of the move :)

Imagine

Imagine a world without cancer.  As I am sure most of you know, this is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Like you, the casual reader, I have lost family to breast cancer.  Like some of you, I am a cancer survivor.  It has been 4 years since my treatment and over 2 years since my tests came back clean and free of cancer.  I would be lying if I said it did not have an impact on my life.

We never know what the future holds.  There is no security outside our God.  No matter what plans we make, how well we take care of ourselves, save for the future - it is in His hands.  God's plan and purpose for our lives is to prepare us to be with Him for eternity.  Regardless of the challenges, the set backs or the cancers, we have a hope and assurance that will never let us down or disappoint us.  It matters not the size of your security - it matters the object of your security.

blessings on your day

Reflections

From time to time, our paths cross those of people that are from a different background, social strata, culture, religion or philosophical view.  It is interesting to me how little effort we make to turn those "path crossings" into relationships.  We seem to spend 99% of our time investing in people that are just like us.  I know that I am very much guilty of this.  While I work very hard not to be prejudiced and biased I also know that if people don't fit MY pattern, I tend to avoid them.

The problem of course, is that this very much contrary to the examples that Jesus gave us.  He avoided His "network" and reached out to the lepers, the outcasts and the social pariahs.   These are the people that we tend to avoid, ignore and gently move to the side.  Having a heart like our Savior means that we need to love the people that HE loves.  It means reaching out to the ones that are different, make us uncomfortable and that don't fit in our cozy little world.

Step outside your stained glass box and go meet some of the rest of the world today.

Chocolate Heaven

Becky, who works in our office, just got back from Las Vegas,  While she was there she picked me up some chocolate bars.  Visges makes a dark chocolate bar (55%) that has Ancho Chipotle chilis and cinnamon.  It is like a taste of heaven.   I understand that Nugget market is starting to carry them as well.  :D

Surviving

Over the last year, I have mentioned my desk calendar on survival.  Periodically I like to share a few of the gems.  In the last month I have learned how to survive:

• A UFO Abduction
• A Night in jail
• A Minefield
• An Elephant Stampede

I forebear to comment on any of these other than to say I hope the issues never arise  :)

Latest House News

It has been a while so I thought I would post a few pictures for those that don't visit my photo albums...

Master bathroom is almost done - just need a tub :)

 

Counter tops are in, you can see the color better in this one

 

Front yard is done, fences are up