Photographic Friday at Flour Mill

Photo of Thompson's Flouring Mill, Oct 2009.
Phil and I visited here on our anniversary.
My dad used to work here. It's now an Oregon
State Historic Site. This place brings back memories.

Where's Your Focus?

Last night we had a wind storm. It came up all of a sudden. I was in the living room and I heard a noise I couldn't distinguish. At first it sounded like running water. My daughter was in the laundry room but she said she was just putting stain remover on a piece of clothing. No running water. So I opened the front door and the wind was whipping up the air out there! It howled around the house most of the night. Thank goodness I slept through most of it. This a.m. I looked around, while going out for the newspaper,to see what I could spy that fell from the high wind. Nothing but some pine cones and a few fir branches in the street. Later, on walk, prior to the coming rain from the south, the end of the street west of us was littered with alot more pine cones than here. The weather man said at noon forecast, that we'd get more wind later this afternoon but not as heavy and wide spread as last night.


This got me to thinking about how we look at our life. We have these sudden storms that come up that are on the horizon, looming. We know life is full of good and bad situations. My family has had it share. Most of it wasn't anything detrimental but hard to go through just the same. I was reminded recently of life and it's outcome at the end by a church's reader board. It said "Whose your final Authority?"


I have believed in Jesus most of my life. I have had some great teachers these past few years at church that have deepened my walk with the Lord. Getting the background of Genesis in a 6 month class is quite interesting and thought provoking. It's the beginning of the world and how God created it and the people he loves so much. We don't have to be a perfect people for God to use us. Adam and Eve, Noah, and Abraham and David, to name a few. I am thankful for that. God is a forgiving God. The Bible is full of good and bad and how the bad is overcome by living right with the Lord. History is good to read so we don't make the same mistakes ourselves.

Acts 11:19-26 New King James Version

"Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch."

Antioch was the third largest city in the world at this time of history. It was a pagan society. But there was hope in that believers in the Lord shared the word. Some shared only to the Jews. Others shared with the Gentiles. The church in Jerusalem heard that God's word was spreading and sent Barnabas to find out how things were going. He found faithful believers spreading the word correctly. He encouraged them to continue the work of the Lord. We are to have the heart of the Lord as we go about. Not to just walk the walk, but talk the talk as well. Spread the news of God's love to every one. In your daily walk with friends, neighbors, people you meet and chat with.

When our life is over and we are at the entrance to heaven, we will be found faithful in the eyes of our God. That's where our focus should be. Eyes on Jesus, throughout our lives. Don't let the focus become blurry or pixelated. Finish well, my friends!!

January Birthday Celebration

Erin opening her birthday present from us. Earlier, we ate lunch at Pizza Hut, thanks
to Uncle Vernon, who gave us a gift card for Christmas!!

Oregon T shirt.

Melody with a silly grin and her mom looking at a photo book.

Erin and Becky.

Aunt Megan holding Melody with her new coat Grammy gave her.

Melody checking out a stuffed bunny.
We were in the living room while the other 4 people
were playing a card game in dining room.

Melody wears these beads when she has a chance.

Melody loved this angel.
I thought she was playing peek-a-boo til the scent hit me!!
Diaper changing time!

She liked this bell til she got her finger stuck in it.

Christmas tree delight through the eyes of a child.

Chocolate Brownie Dessert to celebrate
Erin's 25th birthday, a few days early, on Jan 10.

Grandpa and Grandma getting Melody's shoes back on for her trip home with mommy and daddy. Melody piled the toys on the couch. I should have had her help put them away. Next time I'll remember! Last month was,also,Phil's birthday. Just the 2 of us had lunch at Denny's prior to him going to work. Next month is Becky's birthday, then March is Justin's birthday. Melody's is in May so we have a few months of no birthdays. But there's always an excuse to get together. We have to eat and it's fun getting together with family since we live close.