Fall color

Happy Fall.
I love the changing of the seasons. The old ones mark is left behind as the new one ushers in an unexpected freshness. I know it's coming but it always brings me joy. Shuffling through the fallen leaves, checking out the changing colors, and even putting on a sweater. They all signal a change, a chance to enjoy once again, Gods' creation anew. I just seem to feel different about things when the seasons change, ready for what God has in-store.

YWAM revisited, well almost

I met these lovely ladies in Kona, HI in 2006. Amanda(long blonde hair)was our school leader, Tina(sassy new hair cut) was one of our staff leaders, and Alexis (cute prego one) was one of my fellow students. Alexis is now married, Tina is managing a Starbucks in Canada, and Amanda is making a new life for herself right here in Oregon. We all met up in Portland last week and had a fun time together. Ya, Bob was with us, but he took most of the pictures so wasn't in to many. Can't wait to meet the new little girl who will soon be joining us.

Seems like so long ago that Adam left for school and now he is returning from his externship. He was in Waterton Lakes Park, Alberta, Canada, working at the Prince of Wales Hotel. The food, of course, was excellent!!!
Bob, Eli and I went for a visit so I thought I'd show you some pictures. They really tell the story better than I can.



I think you can figure whats what!!! It was awesome to see so much wildlife. We saw bear also, but to far away for a decent picture.


Enjoying a little sun out on Waterton Lake. We were actually in American waters when this picture was taken. The park is part of an international Peace Park with Glacier Park in the USA.

Bob,ELi and I on top of "Bears Hump", a grueling uphill hike, but so worth the view.

Eli and I on the shore of Linton(sp)Lake(took about 20 minutes to hike around it)

This and that

Singing songs on a sunny summer Saturday.


A little tag football on a sunny summer day.


What to do on a rainy summer day...

Perspective

I was looking for a picture of Steph to put here (one she recently sent us)but I couldn't find it. Truth be told, I just didn't know how to get it from the email to here. This reminded me of her for many reasons. For those of you who know her, you can surmise for yourselves what they are and for those not in the know you can use your imaginations!!!!
"Perspective"
When God speaks to me I "hear" him in many different ways. Sometimes it's in something I see, like a beautiful sunset, the smile of loved ones. Other times it might be in what I am hearing; a song, the laughter of a child, even in the thunder. What kid, growing up in the Midwest, wasn't told it was God and the angels having a bowling match!!! The fragrance of a flower, the smell of a baby, arouse my sense of smell and remind me of the Creator of all things. And how can a stone be both smooth and hard? As I hold it in my hand and feel it's weight, it's softness and hardness at the same time, it's mind boggling. God also uses my sense of taste. That perfectly ripe strawberry, the steak cooked to perfection, that fresh picked ear of corn. Who am I to deny the existence of a loving God, I should daily be extolling his greatness, his majesty.
This past Sunday a man from our church spoke on the importance of putting things in our lives in the proper perspective. Do we live by fear, which usually involves our senses or do we look to God and see things in the proper spiritual perspective. When he spoke of David, the boy, going up against Goliath, he, David, had the proper perspective. When I go up against my Goliaths, do I?
This challenged me. We are flesh, we are full of senses. God uses those senses to speak to us, to me. Yet, they can be a stumbling block as well as a source of wonderment. How do I know the difference? How do I separate my feelings, my reactions in my senses, from what God wants from me or what the enemy would like me to do? I don't. Only "He that is in me", can. Only by putting things into their proper spiritual perspective can I be who and what God wants me to be. May God help me day to day, moment to moment, to see my situations through His perspective.

Rooster man...

After reviewing my last several post, I realized I hadn't really put anything about Eli on here in a while.
The many faces of Eli.
As the Rooster, in a fundraiser for our local animal shelter (they did the Tortoise and the Hare)
Hanging with his buddy Dallas.
In the music room doing his thing!!!!

"The Prince"

Adam is loving Canada and working at "The Prince." (Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton, Canada.) He is cooking up a storm and enjoying his surroundings as often as possible. We hope to go visit before his externship ends.

For Susan!!!!!!!

Hey Susan,
Here are some more pics for your enjoyment.
There's nothing like kayaking in the Caribbean. This picture is already hanging in our house.

Relaxing with my honey.....

Bob and I went to Cancun, Mexico in celebration of our 30th wedding anniversary!

Hope springing eternal...

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and cetain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1
They say it's spring, but the weather doesn't support that comment. So as we sit here in Oregon, chillin', waiting for the spring weather, we still proceed with hope. Gardens are being dug and planted. Flower beds are awakening with lots of "spring" color and hopes of summer glory.
I'd like to always live my life like this. Proceeding with the hope and assurance I have in Christ Jesus and being certain of what I do not see or know! When I do step out in faith, it is so awesome to feel God working through me. I don't always get to see the end results, in fact, that is rare. Yet I know He is doing something, even if that something is only in me and not in those I think I am reaching out to.
Yesterday at church, Amanda challenged us to see the individual, not just the need
"People with needs are always going to be among us, but can we see them as more than just a NEED?" To love as Christ loves. When we do that, we will often times not see the results of our actions, yet we can be assured that Christ in us, will do more that feed the hungry, house the homelss, heal the sick.
Proceed with hope. Go out with love. Spring is coming.....

Where I'd like to be somedays......

It's Official....
She's an island girl!!!!!

Adam at school in Portland

Adam getting ready to cook us a yummy meal at Oregon Culinary Institute

The "chef" visits our table
Adam is getting ready to head off to Banff Canada to do his internship.
He will be at the Prince of Wales Hotel for 16 weeks beginning June 5.

HAPPY GOLDEN BIRTHDAY ADAM-SWEET 19

Snow and such

Well the new year is well under way and I am just getting back to this blog.
I am thrilled to learn of another Holton family out there serving our Lord.
Not to much new yet this year. Eli is playing basketball and really enjoying himself. Adam is doing well at school and beginning to look at locations for his internship, look out world! Steph is enjoying life in Hawaii and still going through a little transition phase. She is currently living and working full time with a family that she nannies for. She is hoping to get a place with some friends in the near future, while continueing to nanny. Fall will find her going to school in Hawaii full time.
At this time Bob and I have no mission trips planned, though we are always open to what the Lord has for us. We do have a triped planned though. We are planning on spoiling ourselves this year in celebration of our 30th wedding anniversary!!
Just had a delightful visit from my sister Margo. It was great to have her here in Philomath and to introduce her to all the "church ladies" ( several, who have been my sisters for over 20 years) and my home schooling friends. My family doesn't get to see me in my own element very often. I hope she liked what she saw even if she didn't understand it all. Love ya sis.
We are looking forward to another fun eventful year. I'll try to keep you posted as things transpire.
The photos are out front of our house one wintery morning in January and Margo and I at the beach.

SEASON GREETING

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
TALK TO YOU ALL NEXT YEAR.
MAY THE LOVE OF CHRIST BE REAL
TO ALL OF YOU THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

Where we go.....

In response to my emotions brought on by my last blog entry I feel compelled to share my thoughts. Missing our kids is normal and healthy for both sides. It means they have moved forward in their lives and we can know look at them through the eyes of our memories without all the messy stuff. At least that is how I like to do it! We also get to see them in their new roll as independent grown ups (or almost grown up/almost independent). Yes we still supply support, but won't we always, as parents support our kids in some ways? Be it financial, emotional and always spiritual.
I was thinking about my mom the other day (she passed away almost 6 years ago) and I was missing her. I missed her alot the last 30 years. Not unhealthily, just as a daughter misses her mom whom she doesn't see often. I realized I am not unique in my family as the daughter who left the family "behind", to explore new worlds. Starting back with my Grandmother DeVictor, she left Italy on a boat, never to return to her family. She entered the USA through Ellis Island one day in the early 1900's as one of thousands. She must have felt lost and alone, yet ready for what the new world held for her. She was a strong woman and I loved her dearly, though we didn't see her often. My mom, her daughter, also left home. First to get her college education, she never did, interrupted by WWII. Than she married my dad and left her family and moved north. She was amazing in her own ways. Strong, like her mother, funny like no other, and all about family. Maybe being away from hers caused her to cherish us a little more. Then there is me, I moved across the country, got married, started a family and rarely visited. Not because I didn't want to, just because. Life keeps us occupied, I just always tried to be occupied with good things. God, my husband, kids, friends and even strangers at times.
Now my daughter has moved across an ocean. She is doing good things, serving God, making friends, blessing strangers and yes, she visits as often as she can. I know someday that may change. For know, I cherish every minute with her, for someday she will have another who will occupy her thoughts more than family does. And that is good and right.
It doesn't make me miss my kids any less, it's just nice to share my thoughts and feelings. May all who read this feel blessed this Christmas by the love of God, who never leaves us.
Moving onward towards...........

Missing my kids.....

Can you fit all of you into this small a space?

All decorated for Africa! She got lots of strange looks when people saw her hands.

Adam in his apartment with roommate Jacob.

Fall leaves.

Stephanie stayed in Oregon for a few days after our trip to Africa to enjoy the beautiful Oregon fall.

more pictures of Africa

While traveling to Africa in October we saw the sun rise in London and set in Liberia!! We didn't even know we would be traveling through Liberia till we checked in in London! Go figure. This sunset is our last in Sierra Leone as we got off the ferry that took us across the bay to the airport. What a fitting end to an incredible time.
Life next to the church where we did most of our ministry. This was right outside the door, we looked into the neighbors yard, or should I say life. Most things take place around the water. It is also a pulic water source, so many came by regulary to fill jugs with water. We saw children bathed, dishes and clothing washed, puppies playing, and always, kids being kids. It was fun to engage them, usually the camera coming out of a pocket was enough to draw them to us.
These four boys lived near our hotel. Not surprising they loved having their pictures taken, almost to much. They would be goofy just to get our attention.
Construction at the hotel. So does this look up to code?

Sierra Leone 07

Stephanie and I went to Sierra Leone, Africa with a team of 9. What an incredible time we had. This was a return trip for me and a first for Stephanie. We went to support and encourage the local church. While there we ministered to one of the outlying village churches. We did 6 mini services and handed out worm medicine to over 400 people, mostly children, all in one day. Many were prayed for and many received Christ that day. We then moved into Freetown and held a three day pastors conference taught by the three pastors who we traveled with. During the day we where able to fellowship, pray with, and encourage many of those attending. Nightly services where held and attended by many. Stephanie danced a worship hula on Friday evening that was well received.

Saturday the five women on the team held a womans conference. The Lord wove together the theme of prayer and God's faithfulness. I believe we strongly encouraged the local woman as we ministered through our testimonies and dance. Barbara Schnake then taught the women how to use the Evangacube to reach out to their families, friends and neighbors. We had cubes for everyone, lovingly donated by Tom Doyle whom I had met while in Kona with YWAM. Thanks Tom.

The childrens rally on Saturday afternoon was amazing. We had over 170 kids packed into the church. Bible Stories, missionary stories, the Wordless book, songs, crafts, face painting and learning a hula were some of the highlights. Over 100 kids received the Lord or assurance that day. PTL.

The people of Sierra Leone are some of the friendliest, joyful folks I have ever met. They made us feel so welcomed, blessed and special. Not just the folks in the church, but at the hotel, in the market place, everywhere. People where willing to stop and talk and spend time with us. Yes, some wanted to sell us things or ask for money, but even when we said no, they stuck around to spend a little time with us. All had a ready smile and a friendly "How da body" greeting. We understood each other fairly well which made for easy conversations.

I'll post more pictures in the coming weeks as time permits. Please keep the people and the church of Sierra Leone in your prayers. They are the second poorest nation in the world, but hopeful for their future. In just the two years since my last visit I saw improvement in the sanitary conditions, though there is a long way to go. The resent election resulted in a positive outcome. Please pray the transition from the sitting president to the newly elected one will go smoothly.
Thanks for reading.