This and That

 Hi everyone - 

 

We've been keeping busy around here but thankfully there's been nothing too overwhelming.

 

Beth and I made cookies. Chocolate chip cookies! I usually keep them in a cookie jar and they become hard so I add a piece of bread to soften them up. This time I was too lazy to get the jar from the back of the cabinet so I grabbed a rubbermaid container, snapped the lid on... and those cookies have stayed so soft! Just how we like them! I guess the cookie jars just don't have a very good seal. Now I know!

This is all that's left today

We're already starting to decorate for Harvest Party on Tuesday. The last few years we've done a Trunk or Treat but this year we're back inside. When I first heard that, I was a little nervous thinking of all those people - the set ups, the mess - but custodians are able to come in on their day off so I've scheduled one custodian per floor to keep the trash cans empty and check on the bathrooms... and now I'm excited about it! Our theme is The Farm - can you tell? :)

 

I lowered our flags at work in honor of those killed in Maine earlier this week. It's so heartbreaking - another senseless shooting. My heart and prayers go out to all those affected by this.

 

Earlier this spring we started to hear pastors and speakers all over the country talk about a 'shaking.' Tim Sheets got a word from the Lord about 'shaking starting in 3 months.' That put it right around the end of September. One of our pastors got a word that said, "The time for preparation is over. The shaking as begun." Gina Gholston, Larry Sparks... so many talking about "It's time!" "The shaking has begun!" And across the nation and the globe:

 

San Diego had a hurricane

Eastern WA had devastating fires

Flooding in New York

Category 5 hurricane in Acapulco

Earthquake in Afghanistan

The war in Israel...

There was also this word: "The physical attacks happening to Israel will begin to happen spiritually to the churches." It seems the shaking really has begun. 

 

We had a Sacred Assembly this last Sunday, taken from Joel 2 when Israel was under attack and it's enemy seemed too great to overcome - "Even now," declares the Lord, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." "Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Gather the people, consecrate the assembly." And that's exactly what we did.

 

 

We combined both services into one, set up chairs in the foyer, in classrooms, the Commons, and got every person into the building for one service. We had a time of worship, of prayer, repentance, communion, anointing. There had to have been more than 2000 people there and every single person was anointed. It was such a holy time, repenting and calling on God. I truly believe He is in control and we don't need to be afraid. Just trust Him. He knows what He is doing.

 

Doing devotions in preparation for the Sacred Assembly

 

 I saw this on IG the other day -

 

 

I think about you often and hope you're doing well during this season. May you find the Lord's favor and may His goodness go with you each and every day.
 

Every Which Way

 Chuck and I did a day trip last weekend - a mini road trip. He loves to drive, drives a city bus here in Seattle, but of course that's much different than a relaxing drive through the countryside or the mountains.

 

 (Thanks Google - actual photos of Seattle)

 

 

We headed south through Seattle, through Tacoma and into Olympia. We stopped at the capital building and walked around. There were very few people around and we kind of had the place to ourselves. Found a WWII memorial that was so humbling to see. So many people have given their lives for this country. I wish we were more united for their sake.

 Goodbye Seattle

 

 

 

 

What looked like figures of soldiers turned out to be the names of everyone who had died. It was very moving.

 

 We turned west from Olympia and went up the 101 on the inside of the Kitsap Penninsula. I've lived here more than 30 years and had never taken this route before. (I'm sure Chuck has with all the driving he's done around here.)

We continued west for a little while then headed north and after a while found ourselves on a dirt logging road. Before we left the house Chuck was looking for places to visit and found the High Steel Bridge and we were making our way there.

Originally it was the tallest railroad bridge in the United States. It's now a roadway for cars and the Skokomish rivers runs under it. We saw a waterfall on one side, flowing down through the trees. I expect it's a lot bigger in the spring, once all the snow has melted.

The Skokomish river

 

 

The waterfall

 

We headed back out the way we came and continued north on the main road. We drove along the water most of the way home, stopped at a small diner for lunch, then took the ferry back across the water to Edmonds. 

 

 

The ferry heading toward the dock to pick us all up, with a cruise ship heading out to sea.

 

 

 

 

Can you see Mt Rainier to the left of the ship? (Downtown Seattle on the right, about 15 miles away.) Now you know that photos only give a small percentage of what the eye sees, right? Mt Rainier was about 60 miles south of us but was so bright and clear I felt like I could reach out and touch it! When the mountain is out here in WA state, it's breathtaking! 

 

The weather was beautiful, the scenery was stunning, it was exactly what we needed. We're already planning our next trip! 

 

Together, Friday Night Lights, Two

Beth was born on October 10 and two years later Sharaya was born on October 6. For Sharaya's birthday this year we went to a high school football game at her Alma Mater. Then we came here for cake and presents. I remembered to take pictures of the game but forgot at the house. :(  

 

 Then for Beth's birthday we took her to her favorite restaurant, Red Robin. And had cake and gifts here at the house. Both birthdays were pretty low key this year. 

 

 

Beth was just learning to walk when Sharaya was born. By the time Sharaya was two they were about the same size and about the same mentally. It was like having twins. Plus Chuck's mom and sister liked to dress them alike. :)  Chuck's sister never married or had kids of her own and loved buying our girls clothes! And we loved her for doing it!

Sharaya quickly became the best big sister to Beth, helping her in school, and teaching her how to do things at home. As adults Beth is quiet and a loner and rarely initiates contact so as a single mom who works full time Sharaya tries to keep their relationship close. Sometimes she'll plan the event and drive, and Beth will pay.  :)  They make a good team.

 

 

This and That

 I'm home from work today with a slight sore throat. It's not bad but I don't know what it is and don't want to spread it to anyone else. So I'll putter around the house, take some EmergenC and pray!

 

Chuck brought me flowers the other day, just because. I love that man!

 

 I hung a couple pictures of my granddaughters. Both on a swing as babies. And both with the greatest smiles! Allison (without the hat) will be 14 next month! And Adelaide is 9 months old now! She gets smarter every day. I love these girls!

 

 These pictures always make me smile!

 

 Allison

 

 

Adelaide

 I was thinking the other day - they are third generation girls. I'm the youngest of three daughters, I had three daughters and now my daughters are having daughters!

 

Me and my sisters Easter morning: L-R Kathy, Debbie, me

 

My girls Easter morning: Sharaya, Beth, Diana in front

And their girls. My heart 💗

 

 

Beth and I went to Michael's a couple weeks ago. 

You can probably guess which aisle she went to first...

 

 

Yep! I guess a girl can never have enough markers!

 

Then we get to the front and find it's all self-check out. We hadn't been there in a while and were a little surprised to see it. There was one checker down at the other end who would help if needed but they want you to do it yourself now. So many stores are going to this format. If stores are having a hard time hiring I can kind of understand the reason for it but I'm sure not a fan. It took us a few minutes to figure out the system but we finally did, and headed home.

I organized all our old home movies and reel-to-reels, and they fit perfectly in the photo boxes. The closet looks so much better.

 

We've put the oscillating fans back in the garage and now have the fireplace going most mornings. I'm loving fall!

 

 

That's about all from here. 

Have a wonderful rest of your week!