Christmas Day & Lopez Update

We gathered at the Heeremas for dinner, presents and a family photo.

Charity received an Alepeka original which she immediately put on display...

See Facebook for more photos!

Lopez Update: 2008 ‘Year in Review’

Christmas 2007: We were blessed to celebrate Christmas with the Las Cruces Heeremas and the extended family enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Day dinner and get-together with the Verbergs, who have become dear friends. The first big event after Christmas was the joy of being able to attend Esther’s THIRD birthday party on December 27th.

January (Praying for deliverance): Rick was having more and more challenges with his job at Alma d’ Arte Charter High School. I didn’t have any work at all, but got to spend lots of quality time with Esther and Henry.

February (A new job, unprecedented deliverance!):The first part of the month, I spent job hunting. I almost accepted a full-time nanny position for a family with an infant. Providentially, the job didn’t work out. The day I officially withdrew my application for that position, we saw an ad in the paper for self-storage resident managers. We applied and were hired to manage Discount Self-Storage.

The storage facility was still under construction, but the opening was anticipated for early Apri. Rick continued working at Alma, but knew his deliverance was near!

March (A road trip): During Rick’s Easter break, we took a road trip to California and then up to Washington to visit the younger Lopez family – at that time about to expand from two to three. It was a wonderful time to reconnect with friends and loved ones we’d missed since our move to New Mexico in July of 2007. We spent several days with our dear friends the Gochnauers, and also visited with Grandpa Richard Lopez in Chico.

We were blessed to spend several days visiting with our son, Chris, and his wife, Christina, and to worship at Bellingham United Reformed Church on Easter Sunday. On the way back through California after our Bellingham visit, we cleaned out our own storage in Paradise, packed what we could in our car-top carrier and trunk, gave the remnants to Goodwill and drove straight through back to Las Cruces.

April (Move, part 1): When we were hired for the position at Discount, we were told the facility would be open in April. Based on that information we gave our 30-day notice on our rent house in downtown Las Cruces. On April 1 – the day after arriving home from 2,500 mile journey – one of the Discount owners called me to say, ‘Come to work, right now!’

A new manager was being trained for Holiday Storage too, and I was told we’d be training together for awhile. I was very thankful to have a chance to learn the job this way, and spent the next six weeks working at Holiday every day. Meanwhile, since Discount was nowhere near ready to open, and we had to be out of our house by April 15. I made the owners aware of this little detail, and they kindly provided a temporary apartment for us. Affectionately known as the ‘dust bowl’, we lived in a humble cinder-block home that previously had served as the office for Fiesta Homes. But, hey, it was rent/utility free, and we were drawing our Discount salary too! What more could we ask?!

During this time, we were all blessed by a visit from Oma and Opa Heerema who made the trip from California to celebrate Hendrik’s FIRST birthday and Charity’s ??? birthday on April 11…they were among the lucky few to be invited to our dustbowl residence!

May (A beginning and an end): As a result of a bad case of stomach flu, I made an unexpected trip to the emergency room. After spending the whole day in agony, I began to feel better and once again realized I have much to be thankful for – despite the huge hospital bill!

Rick terminated his employment with Alma at the end of May and we began to work at the Discount property on a daily business tending to more pre-opening details.

June (More delays): But the work on Discount progressed sooooo slowly. There were many, many hold-ups and slow-downs. So, we did what we could and w-a-i-t-e-d.

July (Final Approach): And we waited…….THEN on July 23, 2008, Discount Self-Storage was granted a ‘certificate of occupancy’ and we began moving in to our brand-new apartment! On July 24, Discount Self Storage passed the final inspection and we opened our doors for business! After so many months, it all felt very surreal!

August (Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work): Response to the new business was good, and Rick and I began to ‘learn’ the ropes of self-storage and property management. Office hours are Monday through Saturday, and we answer the phone from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. It has been very challenging, but we have so much related experience, it’s been great to put all of that job knowledge to use in this new career.

God richly blessed Rick and I as we celebrated 35 wonderful years of marriage on August 11!

A much-anticipated highlight of the year came on August 31 with the birth of a certain precious new granddaughter. After the arrival of ‘Autumn Jude Hilligje Lopez’ we were anxious to meet her, but we had to wait another couple of months! And we had become very good at waiting!

September (We adjust to a new life): Discount has 389 ‘units, and they were beginning to fill up. Business was good and by the end of September we were about 25% occupied. Rick applied to work as a sub-custodian with Las Cruces Public Schools and the District began utilizing his considerable experience and talents immediately.

October (Anticipation): We traveled to Bellingham – joining Oma and Opa Talstra as well as other members of the extended Talstra family – to witness with joy the baptism of our dear covenant grandchild, Autumn. The weather was utterly gorgeous and the fall colors were breathtaking.

At the end of October, the younger Heerema family traveled to California and Washington-state to visit family and take their turn meeting Autumn Lopez. They were gone for three weeks and during that time, we had a chance to reflect how much our day-to-day interaction with them means to us. We have been given a marvelous gift in the closeness of our relationship, but how we miss our Bellingham family! Thanks be to God for the internet!

November (Stress): Work got pretty stressful for awhile, lots of pressure to ‘perform’ – many new ‘rules’ and ‘procedures’ we didn’t quite understand…we eventually learned the management team at our ‘sister’ location was under extreme scrutiny and we were just experiencing some of the fallout from that situation. The owners are actually very happy with our job performance. The Heeremas returned in time to share another holiday feast with the Verbergs, and we were more-than-ready to give THANKS!

December (Forty-plus): Even though our percentages dipped at the end of November due to many move-outs, we’ve made a great recovery with new tenants moving in every day, and our occupancy rate is now over 40%. We’ve been having FUN, too, as preparations for Christmas are made – lots of cooking, baking, present-buying and general mirth and merriment! Rick’s custodial skills are still in high demand, and he works approximately four evenings per week at one school or another. His P.R. skills have even netted us a few new tenants with his fellow school employees.

We thank God for His goodness to us and for our relationship with you all! We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sola Deo Gloria!

Snow in Las Cruces

It has indeed snowed in Las Cruces before! To the best of my recollection, this video was taken in January of 2007 by our son-in-law, Richard. Esther had just turned '2' and was suffering from a pretty bad cold. But, the family couldn't deny her the fun of playing outdoors in what might be the only snow she'd ever witness in her own back yard. The back-story goes something like this: Esther reference to 'blood' has something to do with a library book about a 'Baby Snowman'. Esther pulled a hang nail or something and got blood on the book. Charity wiped it off, returned it to the library and no one, but Esther and the family, were any the wiser. However, the incident made quite an impression on Esther and it's fresh in her mind as she sees her own 'Baby Snowman'.

Random Notes

Current activities: Rick didn't get a call to 'sub' today, so I'm enjoying having him home all day. We bought ourselves an early Christmas present, and he's been trying to set it up all day. We may have to bring in some technical support...I'll disclose what it is after he successfully completes the mission.


We've also been 'decking' the Discount 'halls'. I've had an apple/cinnamon candle burning and Christmas music playing to get us all in the spirit. When we went to the mountains with the Heeremas last weekend, Esther collected various greens, sticks, pine cones and various other forest-finds for me. I created a display that the customers have been enjoying.


Today, Rick, aka Mr. Grinch, cheerfully put up our little artificial Christmas tree in the office and I 'decorated' it with various merchandise trinkets we sell. The big boss-man just came in to pick up my daily bank deposit. He was ecstatic with glee at my 'cleverness'. Said he wished HE'D thought of it! Score one for our side!


Job Stress Level: After spiking Monday, the stress of our job is declining again - kind of like the stock-market in reverse! There is one particular person in the company who really knows how to push my buttons, (and I wish I knew how to keep it from happening or deal with it better, but it is what it is). Anyway, at our recent monthly team meeting, the bosses both had some nice things to say about our job performance, so it's all good until the next 'immunity challenge', I guess.


Special 'Grandma' Time: Esther and I have been having special outings for awhile now...she calls them 'Grandma Days'. Last night her poppa was out of town for work, so Charity and I though this would be a good opportunity. We all met up at Goodwill - which is actually within walking distance of where we live. After a few minutes of looking at all the cool toys, Esther and I set out to the adjacent Blockbuster to pick out a movie to watch after dinner. After she chose a 'Thomas the Train' video we proceeded to Carl's Jr. for a delicious, nutritious, artery-clogging feast. Actually, the fare's a lot better than some other fast-food places. Plus, the play area is better and more clean. There was one other family - a mom and 2 daughters in the room. One of the other girls was near Esther's age. It's hilarious to listen to kids talk to each other. And mind you, these kids have never met each other before.


LITTLE GIRL 'A' (to Esther) I have a shirt like yours. I got it at Old Navy...ESTHER: (to Little Girl 'A') I got mine at Old Navy too.

LITTLE GIRL 'A' (to Esther, showing her a purple sweater) This is my sweater, I got it at the Mall. ESTHER (to Little Girl 'A') I have a sweater almost like that, I wear it to church. I got mine at the Mall too.

LITTLE GIRL 'A' (to Esther) You can come to my birthday party. ESTHER Oh...

LITTLE GIRL 'A' (to Esther, conspiratorially) Come over here so I can tell you something...(Esther follows a few paces) Will you come with me to the restroom, I'm scared to go by myself'.

GRANDMA: Esther, time to go home!

The Person In My Life I'm Most Thankful For!

Rick and I met in 1970, just before he left for Army 'basic training' at Ft. Ord, California

We got reacquainted just before he shipped out to Okinawa for 18 months. After a year-and-a-half of communication only through letters and cassette tapes, we were married in August of 1973. The photo below was taken about 1980.

This photo was taken just a couple of days before our 35th wedding anniversary.

After 35 years, Rick is still 'my lover and my best friend'

and the earthly relationship I most cherish!

Thanksgiving Long Ago

Thanksgiving-time at our home in Santa Rosa, Calif. circa 1979-80, might have been our last holiday before we moved back to Glenn. Charity was 5 or 6, Chris was 3 or 4

Notice fall window-clings and a 'turkey' signed by Charity. The 'horsie' looks tired!

Grandpa Richard looks happier, probably had a nap after all that 'horse play'.

Now it's approaching Christmas...note the fabulous decorations in our dining room!

We're not sure why Chris is hiding his face...as you know, he's not usually shy! Charity speculated he might not want to show off his new shirt Grandma Esther (pictured) and Grandpa Richard brought him from their trip to Acapulco...

'Smoke and Vinegar'

We were very hopeful when we started our new job...The first year in Las Cruces was financially lean. So we were very thankful for the Providence of such generous compensation that included a beautiful new home to live in as well as a salary.

We knew the demands of the position would be difficult. We are on duty from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and must keep the office open six days per week. But, we have a lot of free time during any given day - time to read, study, watch t.v. and play on the internet. We can even take turns napping - which at our age is a big plus! And we can have the grandkids over pretty much whenever we want..an even BIGGER plus!

The first two months on the job were great, the bosses were pleased with sales and all seemed right with the Lopez world.

The bosses - a father-in-law/son-in-law partnership - own another self-storage property in town. There had been management turn-over at that location. The manager who started the same time as I did in April only lasted a couple of months. By mid-July - when our property, Discount, opened for business, yet another management team was just coming on board there.

As with any new job or similar transition, there's a learning curve. But I didn't realize how high the expectations were on our success at Discount. Our sales were great from the outset. Our numbers were phenomonal, in fact...way beyond expectation.

That's why we couldn't understand why the owner's didn't seem more pleased or complimentary. (Not that the good sales really have that much to do with us - the place is brand new and the features sell themselves.) But, we weren't getting any real feedback either way from the owners, and I sensed that they just weren't pleased.

This created tremendous stress - for me particularly. Because I'm the employee of 'record'. Rick, as usual, is EYE CANDY, the pretty face! The senior owner seemed perpetually irritated with me, and when he'd even walk in the door, my blood pressure would shoot up about 20 points. One day at a staff meeting, I was singled out for a critique of my 'phone-sales' skills...I was sick the rest of the day after that. I just couldn't seem to make anyone happy. And the stress got worse.

We came back from our wonderful visit to meet our new granddaughter in Bellingham dreading what might have happened while we were gone. I'm a great believer in the zen of 'Survivor'. It's a fact it doesn't usually go well for the player sent to Exile Island. Being away from the 'community' of the tribe is usually detrimental. "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer' is sage advice. So, coming back to the 'tribe', not knowing if our alliance was in tact, caused some anxiety. And the situation seemed to be deteriorating - again. We started to seriously pray about looking for another job. I just feel I'm getting too old for the kind of pressure I was under.

Then, late last week, things took a surprising turn. Without warning, we learned that there was to be a management change - not at Discount, but at the other self-storage location. The scrutiny and seeming-dissatisfaction was a whip-saw effect of the owner's building a case against the other management team. Without going into any detail, it was not a good situation, and a change was made...and the other team was 'out'. The heat we had felt was only reflective and not directed toward us. The owners are quite happy with our performance, but they were under so much pressure from the other situation, they acted suspiciously toward us too. The attitude changed immediately - like night to day.

The day I learned about the management change at the other property, I was finishing a lesson in Proverbs on 'Work', a topic I've found fascinating since beginning a study of the biblical doctrine of 'Calling' last year. Proverbs 10:26, in the ESV, says 'Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.' We affect others by the quality of our work. We vex and trouble our employers when we are not faithful as we perform our given tasks.

Matthew Henry's commentary on this verse is insightful: 'A slothful servant

is to his master as uneasy and troublesome as vinegar to the teeth and smoke to

the eyes; he provokes his passion, as vinegar sets the teeth on edge,

and occasions him grief to see his business

neglected and undone, as smoke sets the eyes a weeping.'

But the verse doesn't let the employer off the hook.

'Those that are guilty of so great an oversight as to entrust such with any affair, and put confidence in them, will certainly have vexation with them.'

I don't know how you can be 'sure' you've got a good person when you hire them. You interview, you check references, you might even do a criminal background check. But, you do have to 'trust' at some point they they will do the job they've been hired to do.

I just know that our owners have been been 'vexed' greatly with personnel issues lately. Providentally, they are Christian men and I'm sure that if nothing else, all these trials and afflictions are serving the Purpose of their sanctification.

I also know that we have been - at present -delivered from a great trial too. I'm so thankful I won't be packing to move again in the near future!

Who's Your Grandpa?

The 'Confessional Rev', whose blog I follow, is a young guy, but in his most recent post, he tells a story of being mistaken for someone's grandpa.

Earlier today I read about the '25 Hottest Hunks' and was extremely surprised at how many of them are rather mature in appearance...graying at the temples and in their goatees etc. Apparently, it's the 'in' look....and I for one am thrilled, considering MY advanced years...And, I was mistakenly identified as the 'mother' of my 6 mo. old baby brother when I was 10!

As I commented to 'Confessional Rev', 'It's not the years, it's the mileage'

Highlights From Our Day Off: O Day of Rest and Gladness

Since our one day off from work is Sunday, our 'free' time begins when we close the office at the end of the business day on Saturday...here are a few highlights from this week's 'liberty'...

• 5:15 p.m. Saturday, painted a 'Watch Your Step' sign in front of the office door...too many little old ladies are tripping 'up' the step
• 6 p.m. Dinner at the newest Irish pub...delicious Shepherd's Pie for me, steak for Rick and some Harp beer on tap...and since someone 'made a mistake' and poured two, he got a second one for FREE...
• 7 p.m. A short-lived shopping trip for Judi...too tired to 'play' and an unexpected hypoglycemic episode saw us arrive back home before 8 p.m. After I felt recovered, we watched 'Casino Royale' on DVD so we could be 'caught up' in case we get to see the 'new' Bond movie which just opened this weekend. At the rate we're seeing movies, we'll have to watch 'Casino Royale' again before we see 'Quantum of Solace'.

THE LORD'S DAY

• 5:30 a.m. Up-and-attum to put finishing touches on desserts prepared for consumption by students at their Reformed University Fellowship luncheon after worship...
• 5:45 Coffee, breakfast and Sunday morning devotions
• 7 a.m. Rick checks the property to make sure all is well after Saturday night...the Discount property borders a rather rough neighborhood...
• 8:30 a.m. I'm helping with Sunday School, so we're loading the car and I realize I'm missing something - vital, in fact - and I can't go to church without it...we search and search and search...I pray, 'Lord, help me find this thing. I don't know where it is, but You do...' a few minutes I find 'it' under the seat of the car..hee, hee.
• 9:05 a.m. We're off, but now it's too late for me to help with Sunday School and the teacher recruited someone else. I feel bad, but what can I do, I was Providentially hindered from getting there on time.
• 12 noon. Home from worship...breakfast for lunch...mmm...I'm going to take a nap, Rick is (GASP) watching football while he enjoys his Sabbath rest...however, a tenant has other plans for him...
• 1 p.m. In a modern day application of getting the ox out of the ditch, Rick is called upon to help a tenant jump start his vehicle.
• 3 p.m. More cooking...this time for the church Thanksgiving supper at 5:30...first, a huge recipe of mashed potatoes. I mash, slather with butter and keep warm in my crockpot.
• 4 p.m. I decide it's time to un-mold my cranberry/raspberry jello salad...the ingredients are sure to please - apples, celery, walnuts and cranberry folded into a fabulous raspberry jello mixed with cream cheese and whipped cream...well, I've never made a jello mold before, but I've read you should unmold it by dipping it briefly in hot water. I over-do with the hot water and the thing begins to melt like the wicked witch. I quickly slide it on to the serving plate - and now it's sitting in a puddle of pink goo - and hope for the best.
• 4:45 p.m. Time is short and we start loading the car...I make sure I know where 'it' is, so we don't have a repeat of the morning's stressful search. Time to get the jello into the car...the puddle has congealed, but the jello mold looks like something the cat threw up...I scrape off the pink goo and eat it...mmmm, best 'cat puke' I ever tasted...but will anyone at the dinner be brave enough to try it?
• 5:30 The feasting begins...we share a table and some good conversation with a fellow member who's background is Church of the Nazarene - same as me. Brought back lots of memories...Sister Snider's inevitable weekly 'special in song'...Flossie McCorkle's spirited piano playing...inumerable testimonies from the (same) faithful declaring that they had been 'saved and sanctified' (again) (and again)
• 7:30 p.m. and we've packed up the leftover mashed 'taters and (only a small portion) of the yummy pink jelly...to my surprise and delight SOMEONE liked it, they really liked it...or some over-anxious child accidentally knocked the plate and spilled it off on to the floor in their frenzy to get to the GREEN jello...don't ask, don't tell...let me bask in my success.
• 8 p.m. Rick is back in front of the T.V. for (GASP) more football, and I'm upstairs cleaning up the kitchen. I decide to put the potato peels down the disposal...GIGANTIC mistake...I guess it was too much - even for our brand new disposal. First thing I know, there's water leaking everywhere and I turn off the disposal and open the cupboard doors under the sink. Water is gushing out of the pipe and the inside of the doors, not to mention EVERYTHING under the sink, is covered with potato-peel pulp. I almost don't call Rick, but I didn't want him to feel BAD that I didn't ask him to exercise his calling by helping me clean up. As it ended up, we BOTH cleaned up, but we can't fix the problem. I called the owners for service, but they didn't send anyone out today. I guess they had bigger fish to fry...but those 'fish' couldn't small any worse than my kitchen does right at this moment. The residual potato peels are starting to rot in the warm November Las Cruces heat...do you know what rotting potato smells like? I have a feeling it's going to get a lot worse...
• 9 p.m. The kitchen is as good as it's going to get and Rick and I both settle down for some (GASP) T.V.
• 10 p.m. We get ready for bed, but my stomach is upset from the Thanksgiving feast, so I end the Lord's Day in some discomfort...but it was worth it and I can't wait to see what our next day off has in store...only 6 days to labor until then!

Are YOU Unhappy? This Will Confirm It

Find out here if you're unhappy...time spent in front of the 'tube' reveals all...

Prayer and the Sovereignty of God

A great article by by Jeremy Smith, executive director of reformation21, and is a helpful follow-up to my last post.

All That Can Be Done

Like many Christian believers, we’ve been pondering the results and ramifications of the Presidential election. I don’t know that we’ll say anything in this short piece that someone else hasn’t already thought of and presented more articulately, but a couple of scriptures came to mind. They both have a theme of earnest prayer in the midst of a life and death situation.

In Isaiah chapter 38, King Hezekiah became mortally ill and was told by the prophet Isaiah that he would die. Hezekiah believed the prophet and set about to make peace with God. After a season of Hezekiah’s beseeching the Almighty, the Word of the Lord came to Isaiah, that he should inform King Hezekiah that his life would be extended for another fifteen years. Not only that, Hezekiah and his city would be spared from the hand of the king of Assyria. Good news, indeed! Hezekiah was delivered from his life-threatening illness and from the hand of his arch enemy in the same breath.

Before I get to my point, though, you may be asking, “Did God change His mind….based on the merit of the King’s prayers or for any other reason?” The short answer is NO. It would be totally against God’s character and revealed attributes for that to happen. However, since finite, mortal creatures do not know the mind of God, it may appear that He has made an exception. I feel assured that’s not the case. In commenting on this passage, Calvin observes that from Hezekiah’s perspective, God may have changed His mind or relented the decree of death, but, in fact, God had ordained the circumstances and events for His divine purposes.
Another biblical example of fervent prayer in the midst of crisis is David’s prayer for his firstborn child with Bathsheba.

From II Samuel 12, “Then the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s widow bore to David, so that he was very sick. 16 David therefore inquired of God for the child; and David fasted and went and lay all night on the ground. 17 The elders of his household stood beside him in order to raise him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat food with them. 18 Then it happened on the seventh day that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was still alive, we spoke to him and he did not listen to our voice. How then can we tell him that the child is dead, since he might do himself harm!” 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; so David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” 20 So David arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he came into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he came to his own house, and when he requested, they set food before him and he ate. 21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” 22 He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows, the LORD may be gracious to me, that the child may live.’ 23 “But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” “
David sought the LORD as long as there was the tiniest shred of hope left that the child might recover and live. His prayer was fervent, earnest, and heartfelt. As the life of this helpless infant hung in the balance, the father cried out to God with the anguish known only to a parent when faced with a tragedy of this magnitude.
However, the child died and when David became aware of the outcome, he immediately went back to a normal routine. Not that he didn’t care or was unmoved by the loss. But I think David was aware that he had done the most important thing he could do by submitting to God’s gracious will.

In these two accounts, I see some implications and examples for the church as we attempt to cope with the events of the past couple of weeks.

If we believe in Divine Providence, we should be convinced that however troubling to us, God’s Purpose has been served by the election of Barack Obama as our President. However, because of this man’s stand on abortion and stem cell research, we know the lives of countless unborn children hang in the balance. And there are other related and concerning issues that threaten the practice of biblical values and the observance of God’s commands. In the foreseeable future, the practice of orthodox and biblical Christianity could well be outlawed!

If we as Christians are concerned about losing freedoms we have enjoyed – but possibly taken for granted, more than just a little - the most important thing we can do is engage in heartfelt, fervent, earnest, as-if-our-life-depended-on-it-because-it-does PRAYER! We must keep on praying and beseeching God until He delivers us – as in the case of King Hezekiah or until death – as in the case of David praying for his son!

But we mustn’t give in and we mustn’t give up. We must not assume there’s nothing that can be done or that God can’t or won’t intervene. Let us not live to regret not doing the least and the most we could do.

Let us not be ‘faithless, but believing’ – not in a human political leader, system or particular ideology – in the ability of the Supreme Ruler of all.

How Are You Spending Your 'Extra' Hour?

POSSIBLE WAYS TO USE YOUR ‘EXTRA’ HOUR:

Sleep off your Halloween hangover
Cram in a year’s worth of flossing and impress your dentist at your next check-up
Beat your personal best at Sudoku
Get a head start on your Thanksgiving menu
Do like Oprah and make a vision board
See how many tequila shots you can do
Throw a “bonus hour” party and then kick everyone out when 60 minutes are up
Hit the post-Halloween candy sale at Rite-Aid
Sharpen all your kitchen knives
Make a playlist of all your favorite Prince songs
Back-up your software
Get in touch with your inner self
Make a collage of Sarah Palin/Barack Obama quotes
Push back your cuticles
Give your dog a bath
Make a batch of oatmeal cookies
Take a yoga class
Learn to count to ten in Japanese
Take an online Mensa quiz
Holla atcha boys

Fall Back Moms: What To Do With Your Extra Hour
by Jen Singer
Before I had kids, I knew what to do with the extra hour that Fall Back provides each October. I slept in. I read the newspaper over a mochachino at the corner Starbucks. I took a long, hot bath. I napped. But now that I spend upwards of 14 hours a day taking care of two little boys, an extra hour is the last thing I need. I usually spend it doing more of the same thing anyway: wiping glitter glue off the refrigerator handle, extracting graham crackers from the VCR and breaking up fights over a Batman doll that has just one leg and half a cape. Yet, after several years of Fall Backs, I have come up with some clever things moms can do with their extra hour. Here are a few of the activities that have kept me busy year after year:
1. Explain to your two-year-old why 4:30 a.m. is an ungodly hour to wake up for the day.
2. Memorize the dialogue in "Finding Nemo." Then stage a reenactment of the movie for your husband when your toddler wakes everyone up again at 4:30 the next day.
3. Write your resume with the plastic alphabet-shaped magnets on the refrigerator door while you let the kids play the drums on your Tupperware because, darn-it, it's only 3 p.m.
4. Make a big pile of leaves. Hide in it.
5. Play the Wiggles' "Nicky Nacky Nocky Noo" over and over backwards, searching for hidden meaning.
6. Send out a distress signal using the pans from your kid's Easy-Bake oven and the sun, since it's up earlier now. Just like you.
7. Let the air out of your husband's car tires, so he can find out on Monday what it's like to "Fall Back" into an extra hour with the kids.
8. Send your brood into the garage -- where hubby is putting air in his tires -- with the toy kazoos your mother-in-law gave them, and call it "quality time."
9. Count the hours until Spring Ahead mercifully makes you lose an hour. Just 3,864 hours to go!

How I spent my extra hour

My View

Marc Kozak
Issue date: 10/30/06

While many students used Saturday night to celebrate Halloween, I was busy getting ready for a more important holiday: Daylight Savings Time. I like DST better than Christmas, particularly the fall version where we gain a seemingly magical extra hour. As great as it is, I kind of wish that we'd mix it up every once in a while; how fun would it be if the next time we're supposed to turn back the clocks, we turn it back like nine hours? This way, when you get done with class or work, the sun is just coming up. And you wouldn't have to worry about creepy people following you when you're walking home from a party because it'd be light out.If you ended up forgetting about the time change on Sunday and woke up early for work or something, you totally could've slept in an extra hour. You blew it. However, you can live vicariously through me and how I spent my bonus hour of life.Sat., Oct. 28, 11:58 p.m.: Woke up from my nine-hour nap that was taken to prepare for the extra hour. Hey, when I went to bed on April 2, I lost an hour while I was unconscious. You better believe I'm going to be awake in order to get it back.

Sun., Oct. 29, 12:03 a.m.: Subtly mentioned to my roommate that I had just seen a news story predicting worldwide computer and electrical failure when savings time struck at 2 a.m. He seemed mildly concerned but went off to bed. I wished aloud that I could have his extra hour too, since he didn't seem to care about it.

12:37 a.m.: Reviewed my itinerary of things to do in the extra hour. Made a last minute change by replacing "prank call Dominos" with "throw vegetables into traffic."

1:25 a.m.: Watched some Star Trek episode about going back in time in order to get in the proper state of mind. I'm not sure that things I do in this extra hour will alter the space-time continuum, but if they do I hope the parts of high school where I was shoved into lockers are erased.

1:57 a.m.: Used the lavatory. Even though I hadn't eaten or drank anything since Friday, I had to be absolutely positive that not a single second of my extra hour would be wasted in the bathroom.

Zero hour - 2:00 a.m. / 1:00 a.m. again: Did a brief dance, followed immediately by listening to Cher's "If I Could Turn Back Time." Nodded thoughtfully during the instrumental breakdown.1:06 a.m.: Called friend overseas in Japan to tell her I was calling from the past. She said that they didn't use daylight savings time and that because of the time zone difference they were already 15 hours ahead of my time anyway. I hung up and asked myself why I was still friends with her in the first place.

1:17 a.m.: Giggled to myself as I shut off the main power breaker to the house in order to scare my roommate about the power failure I mentioned earlier. Quickly realized that he was asleep in a dark room and wouldn't even notice. Found some solace in the fact that at least now he would have to reset all of his clocks, but then remembered he would've had to anyway because of the time change. Kicked a trash can out of disappointment.

1:22 a.m.: Mailed my aunt a thank you card for the ugly sweater she got me for Christmas last year. My parents had been bugging me about doing it for months, but I told them I didn't have the time. Unfortunately now I did.

1:34 a.m.: Used the bathroom. I knew I should not have had that Gatorade last Thursday.

1:41 a.m.: Watched a little of an episode of Nip/Tuck to see what the fuss was all about since I never have time to watch it when it regularly airs. Quickly became angry and lit my DVD player on fire.

1:50 a.m.: Read four pages from the DaVinci Code because I never have time to read books for leisure. Quickly became bored and decided to rent the movie later instead.

1:55 a.m.: Finally ended hunger strike by eating an enormous burrito.

2:00 a.m. (again): Went back to bed after realizing that I had to go to work in a few hours. Suddenly wished that the day had a few more extra hours in it.So while most people were enjoying the extra hour of sleep, I was up getting things accomplished. There aren't many times where you can have a free hour of time to use as you please, and I totally took advantage of it. Of course, now my sleeping pattern is all messed up, and I'll have to spend the next few days catching up, but that's beside the point.

What Reformation Day Really Is

Good post on the Heidleblog today....you can read by clicking on the title in the left-hand column...

'Apple of My Thigh'

I love to make desserts, but due to issues with my blood sugar, I can eat very little of the 'sweet stuff'. That's why I love to have the chance to cook for company, church dinners and any other opportunity that presents itself. With the holidays approaching, I'm looking forward to all the delicious and delightful upcoming occasions.

I have two functions coming up this weekend.

If you haven't seen this already, I thought I would share a recipe I recently came across - in case any of you are looking for something easy and delicious for a Reformation celebration treat. (I'm also planning to make an 'Upside-Down Apple-Pecan Pie', and I have a wonderful recipe for 'Microwave Carmel Corn' )

'Heavenly APPLE OF MY THIGH Dessert' - first on my list to prepare - is a cute and descriptive name for this tastefully-decadent fall fruit dip...

Ingredients:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
3(1.4 ounce) bars chocolate covered English toffee - Heath, Score, etc. - chopped
5 apples - any variety - , cored and sliced

Directions:

1. Mix together the cream cheese, sugar and 1/4 cup of the caramel sauce in a medium bowl. Spread onto a serving tray or plate. Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with pieces of chocolate covered toffee. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then serve with apple slices.

Prep time: 10 minutes Ready in: 40 minutes Yield: 8 servings

Monkey Business

Esther and Henry spent the evening with us yesterday. Anyone who knows Esther, knows how much she loves her footed pajamas - AKA 'monkey suit'. Esther put hers on and 'brother' wanted to wear one too...yes, these are the very same I purchased at the Bellingham Goodwill.

Biblical Retaliation or Theology of Charity

Ever since I started to study the subject of biblical 'calling', I've been wrestling with how to 'love and serve' my neighbor. For someone who does not naturally like people, this is a massive and frightening consideration. (The Heidelberg says we're 'prone by nature to hate God and our neighbor' and if you deny that, I'm sorry to have to tell you that you're either deluded or lying). Clawing my way out of the oozing muck and mire of selfishness and self-centered focus continues to be difficult and at times painful. But, it seems the Holy Spirit is giving me the desire and the assistance to progress.

The other day - while corresponding with a Facebook friend - I remembered the book referenced below. Jonathan Edwards', Theology of Charity (my term) is part of what has been rolling around in my brain lately. The seed that was planted by my first reading about four years ago sprouted and continues to grow. You can read the entire volume on Google Books...

From ‘Charity and Its Fruits’ by Jonathan Edwards

‘Charity Disposes Us to Do Good’

First, We are to do good both to the good and to the bad. This we are to do, as we 'would imitate our heavenly Father, for " he (Matthew v. 45) maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." The world is full of various kind of persons ; some good, and some evil ; and we should do good to all. We should, indeed, especially, " do good to them that are of the household of faith," or that we have reason, in the exercise of charity, to regard as saints. But though we should most abound in beneficence to them, yet our doing good should not be confined to them, but we should do good to all men as we have opportunity. While we live in the world, we must expect to meet with some men of very evil properties, and hateful dispositions and practices. Some are proud, some immoral, some covetous, some profane, some unjust or severe, and some despisers of God. But any or all these bad qualities should not hinder our beneficence, or prevent our doing them good as we have opportunity. On this very account we should the rather be diligent to benefit them, that we may win them to Christ ; and especially should we be diligent to benefit them in spiritual things.

Second, We should do good both to friends and enemies. We are obliged to do good to our friends, not only from the obligation we are under to do good to them as our fellow- creatures, and those that are made in the image of God, but from the obligations of friendship, and gratitude, and the affection we bear them. And we are also obliged to do good to our enemies ; for our Saviour says (Matthew v. 44) : " But I say unto you, love your enemies ; bless them that curse you ; do good to them that hate you ; and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you." To do good to those that do ill to us, is the only retaliation that becomes us as Christians ; for we are taught (Romans xii. 17, 21) to " recompense to no man evil for evil," but on the contrary to "overcome evil with good ;" and again it is written (1 Thessalonians v. 15) : "See that none render evil for evil unto any man, but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves and to all men; and still again (1 Peter iii. 9) : "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing ; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."

And, Third, We should do good both to the thankful and the unthankful. This we are obliged to do by the example of our heavenly Father, for he (Luke vi. 35) " is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil ;" and the command is, that we "be merciful as he also is merciful." Many make an objection against doing good to others, saying, "If I do, they will never thank me for it; and for my kindness, they will return abuse and injury :" and thus they are ready to excuse themselves from the exercise of kindness, especially to those who may have shown themselves ungrateful. But such persons do not sufficiently look at Christ ; and they either show their want of acquaintance with the rules of Christianity, or their unwillingness to cherish its spirit.

And what are the implications of the Theology of Charity in light of the current political season? If you're grappling with the same issues, look for an upcoming edition....

NEXT: Toward Developing a More Biblical Approach to Social Justice

'Food' For Political Thought

As we come to the end of the current political campaign, I'm sharing a couple of articles that have been meaningful to me as I consider a biblical response to my civic responsibility and privilege. First, a thought provoking article by Ronald J. Sider, professor of theology at Eastern Seminary, http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2005/03/Evangelical-Voters-Practice-What-You-Preach.aspx. While I don't necessarily agree with every word in this piece, it contains much to be considered.

The second is a piece by Michael Horton with a compatible message, entitled, 'Just How Pro-Life Are You Really?'

Both articles challenge Christian readers to test and try their convictions and their understanding of biblical worldview.

Family Time with Autumn

Gems from Proverbs

A group of our UPC women are going through a study on the book of Proverbs.

'Proverbs: The Way of Wisdom' is one of the Living Word Bible Studies. The author is Kathleen Buswell Nielson whose husband, Niel Nielson, is the president of Covenant College. The study is inductive, and the emphasis is solidly reformed and orthodox. Last night, among other things, we studied some passages that tell us what God is like and also what man is like. It's good stuff, so I thought from time to time, I might share some of the points that have been meaningful to me.

One point that stood out in particular speaks to me in the midst of this current political season. (Some time I might write more about all that...)

Many Christians think/feel/believe that if only the 'right' man is elected (and this goes for all party affiliations) our national troubles will be ended and our 'mourning' will be turned to 'dancing'. And on the other hand, that if the 'wrong' man is elected, the apocalypse will be ushered in the day after he takes the oath of office.

Proverbs 21:1 tells us that "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;he turns it wherever he will. A note from the Geneva Study Bible explains: 'Though kings seem to have all things at commandment, they are not able to bring their own purposes to pass unless God has appointed.'

I don't know about you, but this brings me tremendous comfort - no matter who the 'king' happens to be, his heart is in the hand of our Almighty and Sovereign God, who divinely appoints all things!

Getting Back to It

I have a dilemma when it comes to blogging...it has to do with self-disclosure. To me, writing a blog post becomes intensely personal. I pour my heart and soul into every post...and I may be overestimating my visitors , but I assume they preceive the real me as they read. This may or may not be a good thing. The other day a Facebook friend commented about feeling you already know someone after reading their blog. I agree, completely...putting my feelings out in cyberspace exposes me to the whole world. Well, maybe that's the point of blogging, eh?

So, that's been my problem and why I don't post more often. But, on the other hand, lately I've been thinking I have things to say...thoughts and feelings that crave expression...why not this medium?

Eons ago, when I was still in my 40's, I was dealing with the mental and physical decline of both my parents. As I pondered the issues of aging parents, I began to realize that I, myself, was (and am) an aging parent. And I began to feel sad that someday my children would probably have forgotten the younger, more vital, 'with-it' Mom...and the old, infirm, impaired version would crowd out all the better memories of ME in their minds. So, that's another reason to put down some cogent thoughts now...I can read my posts and 'remember' a time when I could still 'think' and 'reason' and my kids and grandkids can read it too, and recall that their mother/grandma hasn't always been so O-L-D and decrepit!

So, if you read my posts, you might say to yourself, 'Who does this old bird think she is?' or, you might like what I have to say. If you do, forgive me for trying to leave some written legacy of my diminishing intellect, and keep reading!

Grandpa's Helper

Almost Home!

Thanks to everyone for your prayers these past, LONG, three months in the dust-bowl! After today's re-inspection, we have been given the green light to move into our new apartment. Providentially, we got a call that our new furniture will arrive at the local Ashley store tomorrow and will be delivered to us on Saturday! Now when you all come to visit we can offer you a seat! Since we now have a guest room, we can offer you travelers a bed, too!

A second inspection for the storage units themselves should happen tomorrow...Lord willing, our dsl line will be installed too....then we can do business...It's an exciting time in the NM Lopez family, but not without a bit of stress. With everything happening at once, we appreciate your continued prayers that the moving/grand-opening will go smoothly, 'decently' and 'in order'.

Visit From an Old Friend

Not much progress and we are not moved in or open for business...we do have a cool new ride though. Robert VanTol even came all the way from California to check us out. He spent the night with the Heerema fam. We all enjoyed a nice meal at a local restaurant and then the grand tour of Discount Storage. The next pic shows what he got for his trouble - a gaping head wound sustained when he failed to clear the jagged, pointy edge of the cart's shade roof. I anticipate a lawsuit! He was a good sport, but that's real blood folks!

Lookin' For a Home

The apartment where we will live - some day - soon - we hope. Hooray that we passed today's Fire Safety inspection. The owner called for the 'final' inspection for tomorrow...Lord willing we could possibly move in this weekend!

The 'Already' and the 'Not Yet': Final Approach

Since March when we were hired, the move-in date has continued to extended to the future. Now, when asked, my standard answer is: TWO MORE WEEKS. We might actually make it this time. The office/residence building is looking good and the sign lettering on the 'fake' front wall is completed. The owner brought in 'literally' TONS of gravel to make the front 'dirt' look more presentable and less like a used car lot. It's all about 'curb appeal'! The landscaping is mostly finished and although we lost some of the shrubs in June's HOT spell, you can see we have flowers! Hopefully, phones/internet will be installed tomorrow.

Next time: Apartment Update!

Wildest Dream - Worst Nightmare

Yesterday I was having our car serviced in preparation for our upcoming 4000-mile road trip. I took it to a dealership, and was ushered into a very nice waiting room. There was a lovely coffee bar, but there was NO coffee in any of the 6 gleaming carafes. I'd just met Rick at his work for a coffee break, so I didn't feel in dire need - but many of you know of my passion for FRESHLY BREWED coffee...I especially love 'Kenya', but off the supermarket shelf - give me good old Folger's...

I went outside to enjoy the beautiful, mild Las Cruces morning. I read for awhile, and came back inside to observe a man MAKING COFFEE. I watched him brew carafe after carafe of FRESH, HOT, TANTALIZING F-O-L-G-E-R-S....A 'dream' come true...gallons of 'Joe' - all for MY enjoyment...

The wonderful aroma was wafting in my direction, as I anticipated the glorious opportunity for indulgence....but then I realized I must be in HELL or at the very least, in the midst of my worst nightmare...my stomach churned and I suddenly felt nauseous. I had to turn away or risk chucking on the waiting room carpet...I realized - to my horror - I would be incapable of partaking of the caffeine 'feast' set before me. At that moment, I couldn't think of anything more disagreeable than drinking coffee...I sat there for another hour, and eventually began to feel better - must have been something I consumed for breakfast - but not before the coffee 'rotted' in the container (many of you know it's widely held that the properties of the coffee break down after 20 minutes and it begins to 'turn' in taste quality, even in a thermos).

So, what did I learn? What application do I bring away? None at all, really, just a random irony...but I have to go back to the car place today...they make the coffee at 10 a.m. I'd better get a move on...

Welcome to Epiphany!

Epiphany is the Greek term for 'appearance' or 'revelation'. Dictionary.com defines 'epiphany' as...'A comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization', or 'a sudden revelation or realization of an essential truth or reality.

As I mature (read 'decline'), I have fewer and fewer moments of clarity. So, I decided to start this blog in order to have a 'record' of some of the things I learn in these latter days of my earthly existence... so I'll 'remember' them if I want or need to...Also, for anyone reading this (like kids - or eventually grandkids) who cares to remember me when I had more brain cells!

Be assured, I'm not giving up on learning or growing...I want to be fully submitted to the Holy Spirit's process of sanctification.

I recently read Jonathan Edward's 'Resolutions' for 1722-23. One especially speaks to this 'aging' issue..."I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age."

Onward!