Updates for 2005Q3 can be found in   http://www.bolzern.org/journals/vj2005Q3.html

Updates for 2005Q2 appear below with the latest information at the top 

Thursday, June 30, 2005, 9:45 pm
Past time to go to bed but I thought I'd fill you in on my day.

I'd heard about a group of LaPine ladies who meet on the last Thursday of the month for luncheon and an inspirational speaker.  I'd been given the name of the woman who heads the group at the Stonecroft Speaker training I attended in May.  Although it sounds similar, it was totally different from the Girls' Night Out.  Stonecroft reaches out to those who do not yet know the Lord.  Marie Grant was inspired to start these luncheons to encourage ladies already involved in a church to persevere and not "weary of well-doing."

I was certainly encouraged.  I found a caring group of women who were willing to share their experiences and reach out to all.  At the beginning of the program, Marie read a passage from the Bible and then asked us to apply the principle to ourselves--then we were to share after the meal.  That was quite moving.  Many of the ladies shared events, good and bad.  I told them I'm seeking healing of breast cancer and am trusting God for this.  Several ladies told me they'd put me on their prayer list.

I sat next to a woman who volunteers at the LaPine Community Kitchen on Tuesdays.  Another woman who is also new to La Pine told me she is friends with the director and plans to start volunteering.  Yesterday morning, I baked another cake and took it in.  They'd had large bags of cake mix donated to them and need people to bake; I don't mind doing that.

Gina, a college student home for the summer, gave a testimony of how school had changed her life as well as relationship with the Lord.  That was the perfect preliminary for the main message. The speaker for the day was Cindy Jones of Prineville.  She encouraged the woman to realize that everyone has the need for God in their lives and to step out in faith to share when opportunity arises.   She had points and visual aids that were impacting.

We meeting ended right at 3 pm.  I called Carol at the office to let her know I'd be back as quickly as possible.  It was a warm day so I had to go home to change clothes first.  I appreciated that Carol was willing to stay so I didn't have to walk out during the time of sharing.

"We" had some excitement this evening.  About 6 pm, a sheriff's deputy stopped in and said they were looking for an ATV that had been stolen.  They'd tracked it to our road and wondered if we'd seen it.  A young man on an ATV matching the description came through the RV park about 8:15 pm as I was getting ready to close the registration hut.  I immediately tried calling the sheriff's numbers we had on the wall but nobody answered at the local office.  I finally got home to my phone book with other numbers.  Of course, the "perp" was long gone by that time.

It is taking me time to wind down.  It is bedtime.  Goodnight!

Monday, June 27, 2005, 2:47 pm
Got home from the La Pine Community Kitchen.  I made another cake with leftover cake mix and took it again this morning.  Turns out they had enough desserts for today so it went into the fridge. Bob Hughes who also lives at Cascade Meadows said he'd watch for the pan to come through the dishroom and bring it home.  Today was Sloppy Joes and Macaroni Salad.  Certainly not the best for my diet--but I did skip the dessert cakes and cookies.  No fruit today.

This weekend the RV park is offering a "garage sale" if people wish to put things out at their RV space.  Also there will be the continuing craft sale at the tent.  I'm experimenting with making some earrings with small pine cones attached to the fish hook earring. I think I've got the "how to" figured out; I hope to wear a prototype tomorrow to see what kind of reaction I get from my friends.  Today I spent some time in the woods detaching cones from the lodgepole pines. It's a "hunt" to find real small ones. The humity if fairly high today so I didn't "varnish" the pine cones already gathered as planned. Maybe tomorrow.  I want to have them ready for the craft sale this weekend.  I need to figure out how to make a display that will be eye catching yet inexpensive.  I don't expect to get rich from this idea but it would be nice to recoup expenses and have enough left over to purchase a cro-hook and yarn.  

I was able to get together with Chris and Pamela yesterday for a short time.  I'd asked if I could go along next time they went to Costco.  We let our membership expire some time ago as we just can't buy large quantities any more.  It still is nice to go on occasion to purchase a few items to which we are partial such as the salmon fillets.  Connie usually takes me to Costco when we visit in Aurora/Denver.

Speaking of Connie--tomorrow is the actually surgery to put the coils in the blood vessels.  They ended up not having the proper coils last Monday so did exploration, taking pictures inside her body at the site of the problem.  Isn't technology amazing?!  She has to be there at 6:15 am and they'll keep her overnight.

Friday, June 24, 2005
I was so tired yesterday evening that I could hardly enjoy the activity.  I had volunteered to be a table hostess so at least my duties were light. I wasn't feeling real good; for some reason my jaw had swollen up again.  I still don't feel like this is tooth related. Sue prayed for me and I began to feel better.

The theme for the evening was Hawaii as the decorations and special feature were provided by Bronze Beach, the local spa (tan, facials, massages, hair, nails and etc.) The swim suit models were late teens and early 20s.  They did a good job; it must be kind of embarrassing parading around a room in abbreviated bathing suits.  The store owner got a "regular" male customer to model.  I think he enjoyed being the token male at this all-women activity.  I was pleasantly surprised that most of our "guests" did come dressed in Hawaiian type clothing.  I wore a shirt that Mark purchased during his one trip to Hawaii in 1976.  He's filled out a little since then so I've had them in my closet to pull out on special occasions.  Look in our next newsletter for a picture of me and Sue Price decked out in our Hawaiian garb.

Thursday, June 23, 2005, 8:58 am
Just took the last cake out of the oven.  I had to bake each sheet cake separately since the roaster oven isn't big enough for two at a time. Baking took longer than the recipe said. I'll let the second one cool off a little before icing it.  Then I'll need to get my act together to take them into town. At least I only have to go to LaPine. I want to stop by the Wickiup Junction store to see if they have pickle relish as I expect it would be cheaper than the regular grocery store.

I've been working on our next newsletter.  Mark will be home tomorrow so will help me with the layout issues that I haven't figured out. I'm trying to learn how to do more of it rather than relying on him.

Tonight is Girls' Night Out.  You will remember that I attended one on May 26th.  The special feature is personnel from the Bronze Beach Spa who will be modeling the latest swim wear.  That should be interesting since most of the audience is either too old or too fat to be seen in a bathing suit. Our lead organizer of the group is addicted to chocolate and always throws Bon Bons to the audience.  That's fun--I've managed to hide the ones I've caught in the refrigerator crisper. I plan to hand them out at the our Friendship Bible Coffee which Sue and I are planning for July 18th.

I'm looking forward to hearing the speaker his evening.  To see how she words her gospel message. I've been continuing to write on my testimony with the idea of becoming a speaker for these Stonecroft outreach meetings.  I sent my first draft to the speaker trainer and Tuesday received back her comments.  She was positive about what I had said but I need to flesh it out a bit. She made some good suggestions about what she thought was missing.  Also I need to put the normal ending where they tell the people at the outreach meetings to fill out the information cards.  I'll be listening for that tonight; I knew that was needed but didn't know what I should say since I haven't been to that many meetings.

Tuesday, June 21, 2005, 6:06 am
Mark just headed off to East Lake Resort for a full day of work. They have offered more hours so he may discontinue working at the wood yard.  It'd certainly be easier work.  Mark does enjoy being in the outdoors plus the vigorous activity of the wood yard.

Yesterday I volunteered at the LaPine Community Kitchen .  It was started at the VFW to provide weekday lunches to those with low incomes. Although low income isn't a requirement.  A number of senior citizens come on the days when the Senior Center is closed.  Monday is one of those days.  I started out bussing tables and ended up dispensing french toast as people came through the line.  

I also got volunteered to bake a cake (they supplied cake mix and eggs) for Thursday. They also furnished disposable pans for me to use.  I'll have to figure out getting that made, either Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.  I have space to cook only one pan at a time in the roaster oven.  Can anyone tell me if the second pan will be all right sitting there and then rise okay--or do I need to divide the cake mix and stir them up separately?

Sunday, June 19, 2005, 4:40 pm
We just had a wind storm and then a light rain.  Another part of La Pine was getting hail--so said a friend.  Glad we just got rain today; we did have small hail on Friday.

This morning I went to an interesting church service here at the RV Park.  A couple arrived the other day and said they are traveling ministers and would like to have a non-denominational service.  Al Ealum, the owner of Cascade Meadows, granted permission.  I decided to support their efforts rather than going elsewhere this week.  They like to do a Saturday afternoon concert (it was mostly secular songs) and then invite people to church at the end.  The husband and wife both performed yesterday--a lot of songs from the fifties and sixties.  The wife is actually the minister.  She played the guitar for the worship part of the service, a good mixture of modern and traditional hymns.  Then she did a scripture reading which led into the sermon about fathers.

I was most interested to see how someone handled a service in a non-traditional setting.  We discussed that I want to offer a Bible Study here at the park.  She encouraged me in that effort. 

Mark has been working hard.  He worked Monday and Wednesday at the wood yard and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at East Lakes Resort.  Obviously, he was offered and accepted a job there.  He is going to work long days three or four days a week so then he can have some weekday time to pursue other activities.  Neither the wood yard or the resort get decent cell phone signal.  He stayed home on Friday to take care of projects here.

Thursday, June 16, 2005 4:45 pm
Received an email from my friend Sue.  She's been planning to guide a Stonecroft group Bible Study.  However, the location has fallen through.  She was wondering if I'd given more thought to having a study here.  During my morning walk, I was praying about having a study here at the RV Park.  Please pray with me about the feasibility of our combining forces.  I don't know how many women (who attended the last Girls' Night Out) expressed interest in a Monday evening study.  I also will invite the women I've become acquainted with here at the Park.  From looking at the calendar, we'll probably have to wait until sometime in July to start.

Monday, June 13, 2005, 10:01 am
Greetings!  I got almost 4 miles in this morning.  I'll probably go out again later this afternoon to enjoy a second period of exercise.  I find my body likes that.  Right now my plan is to go to the grocery store to get things I didn't buy yesterday at the health food store.

Chris and Pamela invited us to their house for a barbecue.  That turned out to be lovely London Broil cooked on the grill.  We really enjoyed all the food she prepared.  And everything except the store-bought crackers fit in well with our diet.

Speaking of which...Mark and I finished the 40 days of The Maker's Diet .  We will continue to do it as it is easy and well-balanced.  It certainly hasn't been a strain to do.  You can read my Book Review of The Maker's Diet and my epilogue, The Maker's Diet (and Beyond) .

Sunday, June 12, 2005, 5:28 am
I woke up early this morning.  I was so tired after a busy week.  After I got off work yesterday, Mark and I drove up the Paulina -East Lakes Rd to the Newberry Caldera .  We wanted to check it out and go back on a warmer day.  (A couple of fisherman said it snowed up there yesterday.  Brr.  Their motor stopped; it was pretty miserable as they rowed across the lake.)  We didn't spend much time outside but walked around a little at the East Lake Resort and drove through their RV park.  It's pretty primative compared to Cascade Meadows where we are.  We also went to the Obsidian Flow.  They say the last volcanic eruption was 1300 years ago.  The craters from the volcano now are Paulina Lake and East Lake.

We plan to go to Bend today.  Chris and Pamela have invited us to a barbecue at their house this afternoon.  They've invited some of the guys who work with Chris.  We've met Mitch before but not Sam and his wife.  

So we'll visit a church in Bend, get an oil change at Walmart and go to the health food store. Pamela said she had room for groceries that need to be frozen or refrigerated.  It's 32 degrees this morning but it looks like it is clear outside so should warm up this afternoon.

Friday, June 10th, 2005, 5:50 pm
This was the busiest day yet at the RV park.  I rarely had a chance to sit down.  It was non-stop traffic with people arriving, propane customers, and an assortment of others wanting ice, directions, etc.

I received word from the speaker trainer for Stonecroft that she received the rough draft of my testimony and will be getting back to me.  Jan is gone on a trip so it may be a couple of weeks.  But it was nice of her to let me know she got my email.

I did go to the Prayer and Planning meeting yesterday evening.  It is nice to be part of a group working with people in the community who need the Lord.  Going to these meetings is helping me see the bigger picture .

Thursday, June 9, 2005, 9:39 am
I'm going to have the day off today and will be working on Saturday.  We lost one of our Saturday people so Carol is sacrificing one of her days off (Thursday) to come in.  The schedule was reworked so Jan and I will alternate having Thursday off and and work a shift on Saturday. I'm sure hoping we can find some more workers so I can do the water aerobics.  It's been cold enough that hardly anyone has used the pool.  They pulled the cover off a few times on really warm afternoons.

Mark has taken today off from the pole yard so he can make phone calls and spend some time with me tomorrow.  We always have projects to do.  There's a Stonecroft planning meeting this evening.  I'm still debating about going.  I'd like to have the social time with other Christian ladies but I'm still not sure how involved I want to be.  

Wednesday, June 8, 2005, 8:52 am
We awakened to 27 degrees this morning with fog. One of our electric heaters  ceased to work during the night so our furnace kicked in.  During my morning walk, I got another heater out of the truck.  We learned during our first winter in the RV to always have a backup electric heater available.  

Although it was cold while I was walking, having the sun "up" makes the cold more tolerable.  Last winter when we were in Oklahoma, it was so hard to make oneself go walk in the cold and the dark.  It is getting light around 5:00 am now in Oregon.  I quite enjoy my walks as the day is dawning.  Even with it being below freezing, it wasn't bad today.  The fog has finally burned off so the sun is shining brightly. That will make it more pleasant in the registration hut today.

Today is Day 39 of our being on The Maker's Diet.  We will more or less continue with it.  By that I mean that we've done fairly well with staying on the foods as prescribed.  I've enjoyed the berries and fruits since this is the season for them.  The program got easier after Day 14 because a number of foods were added back into the diet.  Bananas weren't added until Day 29. We haven't yet bought potatoes but they are now on the list.  My plan is to not have "sweets" available at home and then not feel guilty if I have one at an outside activity.  Of course, something on needs to be aware of is that it isn't the obvious sweets like chocolate cake that gets a person.  

Have you looked at canned vegetables lately?  Mark and I were at the Wickiup discount grocery the other day and found very few canned goods without added sugar.  Although I prefer using fresh or frozen produce, I've found it helpful to have a few canned goods on hand.  I remember discovering the canned good dilemna in 1987 when I was on the Sugar Control Diet.  For years I didn't buy food in cans.  But I forgot the lesson as I've had to adjust to live in the RV.  Guess I'll have to re-adjust.

Monday, June 6, 2005, 6:39 pm
It's  been a wonderful day to stay inside out of the weather.  About 10:30 am, it was 36 degrees and sleeting heavily.  If only I had some hot chocolate in the house! (I don't think that's on my diet.) My neck glands are somewhat sore today.  It seems to be connected with this insect bite.  In case you are wondering.  The swelling has gone down enough that the bite area swelling isn't obvious to the casual observer.  However it has settled kind of on the jaw line that reaches into the gums.  So it is making my teeth hurt some; guess that area is still sensitive after having the crown put on.

Chris and Pamela dropped in to see us this evening.  It was nice to see them again.  Phones aren't always the best way to communicate.  Pamela concurred that my symptoms do sound like a spider bite since I ruled out actual teeth problems.

Sunday, June 5, 2005, 10:05 am

Wow!  What strange weather!  This morning the sun came out.  A few minutes ago I looked out the window and noticed it was snowing/sleeting.  I ran out to close the windows on our car which we had left open.  Now the sun has come out again.  It is 44.6 degrees.  I wonder what else will happen before the end of the day.  We'll be going out shortly; does one take a coat, an umbrella, or nothing?

I look forward to the new opportunities which will come our way this week.  I promised Sue that I would help her write an article about the Girls' Night Out and other Stonecroft activities to submit to the Newberry Eagle which is one of the local newspapers.  It comes out monthly.The deadline is June 15th.

The year is almost half over.  As you know, last year I read the Bible using The Bible in 90 Days program.  This year I've been doing the One Year Bible.  Since my One Year Bible is in storage, I got the reading list off http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com.  If you prefer to read while on the computer, by clicking on the links, the daily scriptures will pop up.  An added value is Mike's Blog at http://www.oneyearbibleblog.com .  You can sign up to receive a weekly "newsletter" on your email.  The Blog has daily commentary.  

Saturday, June 4, 2005 9:01 amww
So nice not to have to be in the registration hut today.  Three days off from there.  But I still have plenty to occupy my time today.  I washed a couple of loads of laundry this morning during which time I took my morning walk.  I've been trying to do three miles in the morning and hopefully get in another couple of miles sometime during the day.  Yesterday I made a crock put full of something I'll call chili using buffalo meat and a variety of beans and grains.  I've been experimenting in the kitchen since being on the Maker's Diet.  Right now I have cornbread in the breadmaker; we'll have cornbread and chili for lunch.

As far as the diet goes.  I'll lost 10 lbs and do feel less puffy.  I do plan to make this a way of life and then enjoy myself on the occasions we go somewhere and eat sweets.  Although I know from experience that once I get off sweets, I'll eat something and then think it doesn't taste as good as I expected it to.  I was really good at didn't eat any of the cookies and banana bread they had at the church we attended last week.

I've taken on a job to make appointments for a business that sells a training course which is supposed to help people who have home businesses.  Since I haven't been through the program, I can't be specific.  I worked on it three afternoons this week; it's pretty slow going so far.  I'll make more calls today, hoping to catch people on the weekend.  I get paid if someone buys the course.  I'll give it a try for a couple of weeks.  Fortunately, it doesn't cost me anything except some time and use of my cell phone minutes of which we have plenty.  (I can make many of the calls at night or weekends during free minutes.)

We had a beautiful day outside today.  Mark fixed my bicycle (his needs a spring or something).  They've been exposed to the elements since we left Aurora so needed attention. My gears weren't working well when I tried to ride it a couple of weeks ago.  I'm planning to ride around the park to give some variety to my exercise routine.  If I can work up to 6 miles or more, I may try riding to Wickiup or maybe as far as La Pine. 

Friday, June 3, 2005 6:25 am
I had woken up Tuesday morning with a swollen jaw.  My first thought was "teeth" since the side where I had the crown put on is still a little tender.  Probably the bite still needs to be adjusted.  We decided to get through the day before making a decision as to what to do.  Mark looked me over when he got home and we decided that I must have been bitten by something when we were in the woods on Monday.  So I've been asking God to take away any toxins and putting ointment on my jaw.  It's been steadily getting better.  This morning the knot on my jaw is much smaller.   Fortunately, this problem hasn't kept me from doing anything I needed to do.  I have been going to bed early for several nights, knowing that my body needs rest to fight this.  

Well, I'm off for my morning walk.  Will write later.

Wednesday, June 1, 2005, 6:22 pm
It started out raining this morning but then cleared off and was a beautiful day.

I got word that my guide application has been sent on to Stonecroft headquarters.  I've been considering asking if I could offer a study to the RV park guests.  I can probably use the Club House or a tent has now been erected by the swimming pool.

I have in touch with the Pastor Don of Jubilee Church here in La Pine.  He has asked for prayers as they are deciding the new path for their organization.  They want to be an outreach ministry rather than a church.  We had expressed interest in what they are doing.  For the present, they have cancelled their Friday covered dish dinners.  We had attended one in March.

Tuesday, May 31, 2005 7:00 pm
My co-worker Jan said she freaked out yesterday when her husband reported that he saw our RV going off down the highway.  She was afraid that she was going to be left alone to do registration.  Alone wouldn't be it.  There are actually 4 of us.  But one lady works only on Sunday and Monday while Jan and I each work half time on Tuesday through Fridays.  The Saturday lady said today that her husband is complaining about her working all day on Saturday (as well as all the other hours she puts in) so it looks like they are going to rearrange the schedule again.  

I'm grateful that I had the experience of working at Fountain Creek last summer.  Otherwise I'd be a lot more uptight.

Monday, May 30, 2005 3:00 pm
We are back and re-settled into our space after taking Bussie for a drive this morning.  We made it down the Crescent and back without incident.  We were back into RV park and almost to our site when Mark needed to back up to make a turn--and Bussie wouldn't go into reverse.  So he had to do his McGyver act of soldering the electrical wire that had come loose.  Here we were stuck in the middle of the driveway. We usually don't have that many people come in during the morning  so figured we'd be repaired before we became a problem.  Wouldn't you know it?!  Someone insisted on being on the back row (after the original site they'd been put in wouldn't work for some reason) and there we were stuck in the way.  They were very nice about having to wait.  Fortunately it didn't take too long to repair. 

I made Sloppy Joes for our Memorial Day lunch.  My mouth seems to be hurting a little bit after chewing on a hamburger yesterday.  It wasn't that hard so I don't know what is going on.

Yesterday we visited the La Pine Community Church which is one of the Village Mission projects by Stonecroft Ministries.  In other words, Stonecroft supports missionaries that wish to go to small towns to set up a local church.  Since I have become involved with the organization, we wanted to visit one of the churches.  We found a friendly group of people, several of whom I have met at other activities.  We attended the senior adult Sunday School.

Saturday, May 28, 2005 7:14 pm
It's been a wonderful day.  I attended the speaker training seminar.  Jan Mathers is the Stonecroft trainer for the Oregon area.  She did a great job of explaining what is needed and getting the ladies to think, then to open up and share as we covered each area of a speech.  I have to say that I felt much better about my life and opportunities.  Makes me ashamed that I've spent so much of my life being negative when I've never had horrible things done to me.  I never was raped; my parents didn't lock me in closets, etc.   I appreciate the vulnerability the ladies showed in their quest to learn how to share with others in a way that will open the path to Christ for someone else.

I was blessed with being able to carpool with two other women and get to know them better.  We'd met at the planning meeting I attended on the 19th.  Everyone who attended the seminar today was friendly.  I enjoyed being around perky women who are still looking forward to the future rather than slowing down in retirement.  The age group varied but most of us had some maturity under our belts.

I look forward to writing my testimony and will share it with you when finished.  It was suggested that we will want to write up more than one testimony as we may want to vary it depending on our audience and the leading of God.

Mark took the diesel truck for a drive this morning and then has been working on our "big" computer that went down the other day.  Getting it back in working order.

This evening we attended a concert by Denny McRae here at the RV Park.  I made it home in time for the 4:00 pm opening.  This concert is an annual event.  He played his guitar (backed up by a CD), singing music from the 60s, 70s and 80s with a couple of current songs thrown in.  I was disappointed that attendance wasn't very good.  It did start raining heavily during the concert and even hailed at one point.  We were mostly dry under the tent.  A few people who  were sitting under the holes had to move.  

A number of reservations for this weekend didn't show up yesterday so the RV park isn't as full as expected.  Gas and diesel prices may be deterring some people from traveling.  And weather has been coolish this spring.  The last couple of days were beautiful; we had anticipated good weather but this rain snuck up on us.  The baseball team who is tenting probably aren't "happy campers" this evening.

Friday, May 27, 2005, 6:42 am
Woke up early this morning ready to start the day.  I got up and out at 5:00 am for my morning walk.  Did 3.35 miles according to my pedometer.  It's lovely out at that hour when the sun is just coming up and few people are out.  The ones that are up seem to enjoy talking.

We expect to have a busy day at the registration booth today.  I was told that 32 reservations were taken for this weekend, most to come in this afternoon.

Hope you have a lovely holiday weekend!  

Thursday, May 26, 2005, 9:22 pm
I just returned home from the Girls' Night Out.  Sue picked me up and Wanda who has offered to drive to the speaker training on Saturday brought me home so she would know where I live.  That worked out well.

I was impressed with the speaker,  Andi Buerger.  She told a compelling story of abuse during both childhood and marriage.  She heard during one of the few times she attended church during her childhood that God loves her.  This reached into her heart and she held onto that when she had no one to whom to turn for help.  Eventually her life turned around and she has become a happy and healthy woman.  I've been asked to write articles to submit to the local papers about the Stonecroft activities.

It has been a busy week at the RV Park.  We've been gearing up for the holiday weekend.  Tomorrow will be hectic.  We have lots of people coming in.  I'm scheduled to work until 3:00 pm that day but expect to stay late if needed.  We have a large group coming in that will be in both tent sites and RV spaces; getting them settled will take coordination.  I do hope they'll arrive in a caravan rather than one set of people at a time.

Monday, May 23, 2005, 8:59 pm
Mark and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary this evening by going to Gordy's Truck Stop for dinner.  We were out doing errands and decided this was the evening we needed to go out as I'll be going to the Stonecroft Ministries Girls' Night Out on Thursday.  Monday is apparently the day when most of the restaurants are closed.

Sunday, May 22, 2005, 7:57 pm
It was nice having today off after working six days.  Sunday through Wednesday were kind of preliminary training with shorter hours.  So we were asked to officially work Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  I'm going to be working the 10am-3pm shift Tuesday - Friday.  It will be nice to have three days in a row off plus I'll have the late afternoons and evenings to pursue my own activities.  

Since Mark was home today, I took the opportunity to go into La Pine with the car.  There have been a number of businesses that I've wanted to visit.  Of course, as it was Sunday, most places were closed.  That's another aspect of small town life to which it will take time to become accustomed.  (How's that for proper grammar?)

Our RAID array went down yesterday.  So Mark's having to deal with "computer problems" again. This is supposed to be a redundant array which shouldn't need backups and there isn't an easy and inexpensive way to backup this sort of thing anyway because of size.  Unfortunately, we had too many drives fail at once. We did lose some of our files but we will be able to resurrect a good bit of it.  It could be a lot worse.  We have a lot of our original files on our individual computers and of course our website is intact.

Friday through today has been the Music Jam here at the RV park.  A number of aging musicians get together a couple of times a year and play.  Each one gets a turn or two and then the others back them up.  It was mostly country and gospel; we went to the Gospel Hour this morning.  It was quite enjoyable.

Our nineteenth wedding anniversary is on Thursday the 26th.  Hard to believe so many years have passed--until I look in the mirror and see the graying hair.  I told Mark this is going to be a special anniversary week.  I made a nice dinner tonight and we watched a movie this evening. Now I'll have to come up with something special for each day, even if it's just something different in Mark's lunch.  We'll be pursuing our various activities for the rest of the week.  We got married on Memorial Day Monday--seems like there have often been scheduling conflicts for the 26th.  Sometimes, one or the other of us hasn't even been "in the state."  This year, I'm going to a meeting since presumably Mark will be working that evening.  So we'll probably go out during the weekend.

Friday, May 20, 2005, 7:44 am
Yesterday went fine.  Only called for help with one issue with someone on one of the special membership plans wanting to extend his stay longer that his reservation.

I'd been invited to a Stonecroft planning meeting for the Girls' Night Out (next Thursday) and the Friendship Bible Coffees.  Sue Price picked me up; the meeting was at the library.  (Which was nice that I could turn in the video I checkout out the other day.  I'd never seen the new Little Women with Wynona Ryder although I've read the book numerous times in my life. They did a good job with the movie.)

I turned in my application to be a Bible Study Guide (what they call a leader/facilitator).  I'm hoping that I can do a study some time here at Cascade Meadows.  However, I wish to attend a study first since I've never been through any of the Stonecroft studies.  Three are planned for the La Pine area.  I'll be praying about the scheduling and what God wants me to do.  I'd like to find someone here at the park would would be interesting in going with me.

Wednesday, May 19, 2005 pm
I've spent the last two afternoons at the registration booth.  They wanted both of us new people to work together with some supervision.  It actually got kind of confusing at times with three people in a small space.  But I think we covered many of the scenarios that may come up during the course of the summer.

I've been a little bummed.  Monday when I went in, I was asked to relinguish the plan to do the water aerobics for the moment and only work in the registration booth as we don't have enough people to work registration.  There wasn't really anything I could say.  Wasn't going to do me any good to fling a fit because we don't have enough people.  The hours have been cut down and we're going to have to "man" the store in the evenings as well as registration because there aren't enough people.  Not that that is a problem because most of the guests arrive before evening.  It's possible to do both jobs (I know that because I did it last summer); they just are accustomed to having two people.  

Jan expressed interest in working the later afternoon/evening shift and let me cover the morning/early afternoon.  I think I may go ahead and do that with the proviso that I spend some time learning the store procedures in case we need to switch shifts at times.  Tomorrow is our first day to work by ourselves; there are people to call if we need help.

Sunday, May 15, 2005, 6:46 pm
It's been a quiet day.  I went to the grocery store this morning.  Mark slept in.  He's been working so hard and keeping long hours.  I went for more training for the registration booth.  Then we've been doing things on the computer.  This evening we've been sending out the email notification for our April/May News Letter .

Saturday, May 14, 2005, 7:42 pm
Waiting for Mark to come home.  It's in the 60s outside.  I've got the vents open trying to cook the RV down a little.  We haven't yet taken our winter covers off the bed and I was hot last night.

I spent most of the day exercising.  Just worked out that way.  I walked some and then decided to try the bicycle out.  Mark's been saying he needs to oil everything and check the tires.  I thought I'd see how long it took me to ride down to Wikiup Junction which is 3.5 miles.  The gears wouldn't shift so I turned around after a mile or so.  I expect my leg muscles to be sore tomorrow.  Especially since I walked just 3.55 miles.  Also went over to Dee's with the water aerobics tape and we went through the exercises to see if we agreed on what it was saying.  I have to say I'm pretty bushed.  It's easier to do the exercises in the water rather than on land.  We're all looking forward to when they start heating the pool so we can begin the classes.

Yesterday I went to the first training session for the registration/security booth.  Doesn't seem like it will be too hard.  Although if I hadn't done it last year at Fountain Creek RV Park in Colorado Springs, I'd probably feel boggled.  Tomorrow I'm supposed to go in for some one-on-one training and to discuss the schedule.

I have done stuff around the house so it's not like I haven't done anything today.  I keep going through cabinets and drawers figuring every little thing I get rid of is one more thing that isn't taking up space.  I have trouble applying the "if you haven't used it in a year, get rid of it" rule.  But that's what I should do.  Of course, then I'd be left with only my fat clothes.  I have lost 8 lbs on The Maker's Diet so far so I'm hopeful.

Thursday, May 12, 2005, 4:08 pm
I've been working on addressing envelopes for the printed newsletters.  We thank those of you who allow us to send by email.  Mark has been coming home late from work and hasn't yet gotten the email notifications out.  So, if you don't normally receive a notification or haven't yet gotten one yet, click on April/May Newsletter .

Wednesday, May 11, 3:30 pm
You will remember that I went to the Stonecroft Ministries meeting last Saturday.  Sue, who is the local chairperson called Monday asking if she and her husband could come by to meet us Tuesday evening on their way to an activity at their church.  We told them, "Y'all come!"  It's always motivating to me to have company.  I spent yesterday morning working on envelopes addressing (for our next newsletter) and the afternoon picking up a little.  The suitcases from our trip were still sitting in the hallway.  I carted them out to the truck and empties all the trash.  It was nice to meet Sue's husband, Bob.  Mark didn't make it home until later; I'm sure he'll have the opportunity to meet them.

I upped my exercise program today.  I had been walking two miles daily but I got it up to 3 1/2.  Then I came inside and did some extra exercises for the abs and arms.  They say cardio burns fat while weight resistance tones.  Guess we'll see.  I'm eager to get into my smaller jeans.  I probably could get them zipped up now but I'd have to wear a loose shirt to cover up excess flesh pushing above the beltline.

Monday, May 9, 2005, 8:35 am
I've told you about The Maker's Diet by Jordan Rubin .  Today is Day 10 for me and Mark. So far we are really pleased with the results.  I actually woke up early this morning feeling energetic.  So I got up and after puttering around for a few minutes (email always beckons), I went out for a mile walk.  It was on the nippy side and I had put on my jacket instead of ski coat so I gave up just short of three miles when hot herbal tea started sounding good.

I have written a review of The Maker's Diet if you would like to find out more about it. I plan to write an "Epilogue" after Mark and I have completed the 40 days.

I talked to Otto Christiansen this morning.  He's the emcee for the Music Jam's 2005 which will be here at the Cascade Meadows RV Resort on May 20-22.  All musicians are invited to participate.  He invited me but I think I'll just watch this year and if we are in Oregon next year at this time--maybe... 

We've just discovered that Athletes Abroad for Christ website on which I found the Read the Bible in 90 Days program is no longer active.  I have typed up a Read the Bible in 90 Days web page for your use.

Sunday, May 8, 2005, 1:19 pm
Happy Mother's Day!  This is a bittersweet day for us as both Mark and I have lost our mothers.  I will call my two aunts to wish them well.

Saturday, May 7, 2005, 9:33 pm
Today was a long and interesting day. Both Mark and I went into town.  I had the seminar to attend.  Mostly it was a workshop to update the local people on developments at Stonecroft Ministries headquarters in Kansas.  And to encourage those who have been thinking about becoming Study Guides.  Many of my questions were answered.

I was able to spend the afternoon taking in the sites of Bend and going to the health food store. Before my seminar, I stopped at the Visitor Center.  They told me the Spring Festival was going to be in Downtown Bend.  That worked out great for me to visit later in the day.  I had planned to go to the Bend Public Library to get a library card which will give me access to all five libraries in the county. The Library was around the corner from the Festival, so I was able to find one parking spot and walk. I drove around quite a bit, got lost in the Old Mill Section of town.  I was only lost in that I was trying to turn back around since I missed the entrance to the highway and couldn't do so with a one-way street and had to drive around a bit to find a street that had an outlet to get back to the highway.  Actually, I finally gave up and drove north which got me to a street I recognized.  Bend is small enough that one doesn't have to worry too much about getting lost.

As you know from reading our last newsletter, finances have become pretty tight.  We've prayed for direction on that.  Mark began to look for work after we returned from our trip.  I already told you that in the last message.  He accepted a position on Friday afternoon with a car dealership.  He immediately began with training.  Then he reported for work yesterday.  In the morning he scraped stickers off windows and put up balloons for their weekend sale.  Then, despite being a raw recruit, they put him out on the floor.  Two sets of people came in just "to look" and ended up buying without any real effort on Mark's part.  Mark says "It was God, not me."  We thank God that he has already shown Mark favor.  The commission will be split with the other salesman who helped Mark with all the paperwork; but even so, Praise God!

Mark was a tired puppy when we met up again at Barnes and Noble.  We'd agreed that I would wait there for him.  He had planned to call me but instead walked the block to get there.  We're glad that he can rest instead of working for the next couple of days. He is currently scheduled with Sunday and Monday off.

Friday, May 6, 2005  2:20 pm
Mark and I have had an interesting morning.  Yesterday Mark put out some more job applications and had an interview and another one scheduled for today.  We spent the morning organizing files for his job search.  This morning he went to a town south of La Pine called  Crescent to find out about a job doing pole cutting; we also know a young man who sometimes works for Chris who might be interested in that.  That would certainly be exercise and could be considered like the Apostle Paul's tentmaking.  It is hard labor but the pay isn't bad if one diligently works.  

I got up early to go to the Meat Bonanza at Ray's Super Market.  They were actually selling big hunks of meat and cutting them up (right there in the aisle) for the customer.  I'd never seen that before.  Each piece of meat was much bigger than I could put in our little freezer.  (I could have used a friend with whom to split).  However, they did have some unadvertized specials that were smaller pieces of meat so I still was able to buy beef.  Also got some reduced ground buffalo and chicken pieces.  I'm pleased to find this store as they have an organic produce section and also have a some organic products in the freezer section.  They will stretch the time between necessary trips to the large health food stores in Bend.  

Bend is about 25 miles north of where we are.  So it's not like I'll want to run up there every day.  We'll stack up our errands.  I do plan to go tomorrow to a seminar being hosted by Stonecroft Ministries.  I'm looking forward to being in the larger town on my own.  (As much as I love Mark, I do enjoy shopping by myself occasionally.)  I've printed off some Yahoo maps to get to several places I want to go while in Bend.  Of course, I already know how to get to Wild Oats.

Wednesday, May 4, 2005 2:26 pm
The weather is really strange here.  It rained heavily about lunchtime, then the sun came out.  Now it looks again like rain.  Mark and I have been going out every morning to walk several miles.  It's a half mile around the perimeter of the RV park.  There is also a nature trail that connects with country roads.

We're working on our next newsletter.  I hope to have it out by early next week.  We're finishing the last of the writing and graphics.  Then we have to work on actually getting it onto the web and printed copies for those who do not have web access.  

I've been writing on a Book Review of The Royal Law of Liberty by Darwin Chandler.  This is a scholarly work that takes time to read and digest.  However, if you have grown up in a legalistic church, this work is one that will open your eyes to what the Bible does and doesn't say about obedience to God and His love for us.

I have signed up for a day seminar with Stonecroft Ministries to be held this coming Saturday in Bend.  This is a preliminary to a speaker training seminar at the end of the month.  

Tuesday, May 3, 2005, 4:14 pm
Yesterday was my sister's birthday.  Also, my friend Connie finally had the procedure done on her heart. (see April 20th entry).  Well, actually, they didn't do the procedure because they didn't find a hole in her heart after all.  Now they are saying there's an artery in the lungs that shouldn't be there that is pumping unpurified blood.  I'm sure that's not the best of explanations.  I just pray that they figure out the exact cause of the stroke and determine how to solve it.  Better yet, I'm praying for complete healing.

It's taken a while for us to get over being tired.  In addition, we've started The Maker's Diet popularized by Dr. Jordan S Rubin who recovered from Chron's Disease.  "They" always say that changing dietary habits affects the body for a few days.  In this case, we have eliminated all the sugars and many starches and carbohydrates.  After the first couple of weeks, foods will be gradually added back.  For instance, white potatoes cannot be eaten until after 20 days.  It does make shopping simpler when there's only so many things that can be eaten.  I've been wanting to do this as I know I should be more careful with my diet than I have been.

Saturday, April 30, 2005, 6:52 pm
Weather sure is interesting in this part of Oregon.  This is supposed to be the dry side but we've seen lots of precipitation since we've been here.

We arrived Thursday evening.  Made it to the restaurant (on the premises) before it closed for the evening.  It was nice to not have to cook--even though we stopped at Wild Oats on the way into town.  We needed fruit and vegetables; some meat is in the freezer.  I've been wanting to try The Maker's Diet so thought this would be a good time to adjust our eating habits after almost a month on the road.  I need to be more careful about what I eat anyway.

We didn't do much besides go to bed that evening.  Friday, Mark decided we should take Bussie for a drive so we could move to our new location in the same RV park.  When we checked in they only had the section near the office open for the winter.  We only got so-so cell phone signal; usually had signal but often was roaming instead of Sprint.  We walked all over the area and found a space 103 that is 30-50 amp hookups and so far I've never seen it go to roaming signal and it's never dropped the call.  They like having their employees near the front but graciously let us come to the rear of the park since we told them we have to have signal with our various business stuff.

When we got home, our main computer that is our network server and runs the satellite software wouldn't come up.  We spent yesterday afternoon excavating our truck looking for a video card.  Hard to believe out of all the computers we own, not a single one had the video card we needed for that particular machine.  We'd hoped to not have to buy a new one at this time.  However, after driving back to Bend and checking several stores, we finally found what we needed at a reasonable price.  The salesman opened the box for us so we could check the card to make sure it had the slot on the correct side--and he assured us that we could return it if it didn't work.  Obviously we are up and running or you wouldn't be reading this.

This morning was overcast.  I woke up before 6:00 am and took a long walk around the RV park.  I bought a cheap pedometer which seems to work fairly well when I attach it to my shoe. It rained part of the morning and then the sun came out.  I worked on the computer this morning; it got hot inside our aluminum box so we opened the vents.  My eyes finally got tired and I took a three hour nap and awoke to rain.  Personally, I am happy about the rain as it makes everything nice and green plus decreases the need for water rationing.

I've finished up telling about our adventures on this latest trip.  Enjoy reading about our latest mission trip in my Oklahoma/Texas Trip Diary .

Tuesday, April 26, 2005 10:25 pm
Sitting in the Flying J parking lot in Cheyenne, Wyoming at the moment.  It has been a great trip.  A few snafus along the way but many positive experiences, new friends and contacts plus many educational and growing experiences.  Since this paragraph isn't long, I'll just ask you to click on the link to my trip diary in the entry directly below this.

We have one more stop in Nebraska and then plan to seriously head west, our ETA for Bend is Thursday afternoon.

Tuesday, April 20, 2005, 10:57 pm
Time keeps fleeting when you are enjoying life.  We left from Tulsa Sunday morning.  We opted not to go to Grace Fellowship but to head directly to Amarillo.  We spent the night with my sister and then went to Lubbock to see my father.  Yesterday morning we left again for more travels.  I have posted some additional data to the Oklahoma/Texas Trip Diary .

Monday I found out that my friend Connie is in the hospital in Denver.  She had a "weird episode" on Sunday.  Tests have reveiled that she has had a couple of small strokes, apparently resulting from a valve in her heart that isn't closed and has let blood clots through.  So now she is anticipating heart surgery.  My prayers will certainly be with her in the upcoming days as they make plans.

Saturday, April 16, 2005, 3:15 pm
Mark and I are back in Tulsa to wind things up here.  We're at Kinkos; wanted to post to this journal and the trip diary.  We left Branson about 11:00 pm and made good time returning.  We came back by smaller roads which were curvy but evidently cut off a few miles.

 It's been a good trip.  We did a lot more running around that I would have liked.  But then again, most of the places we went were things I wanted to do.  And everything takes longer than one expects.  We've gotten to talk to a number of people about our ministry and what God has done for us.  That's one thing about a resort town--they are always asking where you are from.  Most of townpeople work for the tourist industry in some way.  Branson also caters to families.  They say that all shows and entertainment are suitable for all family members.  I assume some shows could be "over the head" of children but it's "clean."  This is also a Christian community.  Many of the shows include Gospel songs.  The Hughes Brothers (a show we went to) even told about some of the blessings in their lives that they attribute directly to God.  It was a good example to see celebrities praise God on stage.

We're not sure exactly what our schedule for the next two weeks are as we head back to Oregon. We'll post as able.

My Oklahoma/Texas Trip Diary can't possible cover everything we'd seen or done.  But I've tried to include everything of note through last night.  Happy reading!

Wednesday, April 13, 2005, 3:59 pm
Greetings, Friends.  Mark and I have been on the move.  We enjoyed several days of travel from Bend to Oklahoma and on to Branson, Missouri where we have been having a few days of much needed rest as well as continuing to further our education for future ministry.  If you would like to read my trip diary, please click on Oklahoma/Texas Trip Diary .

Sunday, April 3, 2005, 10:40 am
Turns out we don't have to move to a different RV spot in the section of the park that isn't yet open.  They wanted us to park elsewhere to free up a space since we technically won't be needing it.  Yesterday they said we didn't have to move.  Which allows us to spend the time we would have been using to move to wrap up.  We had hoped to leave this early afternoon.

However, Mark got a call from someone wanting to meet him about a job possibility in Sunriver. So we decided to go with our original plan of leaving tomorrow, packing the car tonight so we can be ready to leave right after getting up.

I wanted to let you know that we'll be out of pocket for probably three weeks.  I plan to write a trip diary and somewhere on the road we anticipate doing an upload.  So be sure to check back to see what has been posted.  So until next time...

Friday, April 1, 2005, 9:39 pm
It's been a long but good day.  I got up early today to do two loads of laundry before the day got too far along.  It's was beautiful outside.  Just perfect for being outdoors.  Mark worked with Chris again in Sunriver.  I took him to work today so I could do some errands.  I didn't actually get to do everything I had planned; but what I did do was certainly enjoyable.

There's a membership store in La Pine called Bi-Mart.  They might not appreciate being compared to Walmart but we think it is similar to the regular ones.  The membership fee is only $5.00.  The prices seemed pretty normal.  I needed to look for a wedding present for Falecia Hinton and Justin Lindsay, whose weeding is next Friday.  So I chose to check out Bi-Mart.  They let me in as a guest this time since we'd never been there to shop.  I did find a gift that was on Falecia's registry list at Walmart.  Hopefully no one else will buy the same thing.  They pretty much need everything.  She's  has lived with her family and I gather he is bachelor who mostly owned tools.

For there, I went to visit Pat Abernathy.  Brenda from Washington State told me she had a friend in La Pine.  Turns out Pat is a regional coordinator for Stonecroft Ministries .  This is a group that seeks to win people to Christ by relating to them on basic levels of interest.  Many towns have monthly activities, asking people to invite their friends.  The meeting is usually has a fun activity such as a fashion show and also some testimonies where someone tells about their relationship with God and offers salvation.  

Stonecroft is planning a training session for people who are interested in becoming speakers for Christian Women's Club or their On the Road meetings.  I asked to be put on the list for notification of the date for the class. It's supposed to be some time in May. In the meantime, I'm going to start writing on my testimony.

After leaving the Abernathy's house, I went over to the La Pine house that Chris and Pamela are renovating.  Pamela has said she was going to spend the day there painting  the kitchen cabinets.  I helped her sort out which doors went to which cabinets.  The man who took them off didn't mark them and we can't find the hinges, only the knobs/handles.  We came up two doors missing in the master bathroom.  Hopefully those are standard so they can find ones that match the other four cabinet s.

During the afternoon, I got a call from the pastor of Jubilee Church inviting us to a potluck dinner at the home of their worship leader.  We decided to go since it was fairly close to us.  I say that because it was on the north side of town.  La Pine is quite spread out and the homes are on streets that are carved out in the woods.  It's quite a challenge to find things because there aren't always street signs and yahoo maps isn't always correct.  

After I picked up Mark, he showered and then we ran out the door to go to the potluck.  I had expected some sort of study so we took a Bible.  But it was just food and fellowship which was okay, too.  It was nice to meet some local people.  One lady regaled me with info about shopping in  La Pine vs. Bend.  Apparently La Pine is more expensive which is to be expected as a smaller town.  La Pine has about 10,000 people where Bend is almost 70,000.