January 26, 2009
Fun for the kids
While we were over at the house taking pictures of some of the more recognizable items that burned the kids came across an old Backdraft poster that was still realatively intact.
God's perfect timing
Since the last entry life has been hectic. Much of our normal routine went out the window - the only thing that remained was church and weddings. But God has been so very good to us and His timing of events is very very evident.... here are just a few examples.
1. I needed to go to the house to catalog all that was in the pile in the back yard. It was scheduled for Thursday. A friend was called to see about taking the kids. She said yes, though her day was going to be packed. A few moments later the day had to be changed to Wednesday. Call back to the dear friend - 'What about Wednesday?'
'Oh that would work out so much better since nothing is happening' was the response.
Wednesday cataloguing went well, but it didn't get finished. Had to go back on Thursday anyway.
Decided to call another friend that morning. 'Sure, bring um on over....we're going to the zoo'. The kids had been requesting time spent with this little group of friends and had been asking recently when we could visit the zoo. Thank you dear and faithful friends. Your availability and willingness is forever appreciated.
2. A co-worker at Tom's office requested to send an email to the other employees regarding our situation. Their kindness and giving hearts were overwhelming. God prompted their hearts to give us items that I never even considered that we needed till they were sitting in our hands. It was such an outpouring of help from people who barely even know Tom and don't know the rest of us at all. In fact, one sweet lady, Phylis, met us at the home of a lady who had just passed away. She was helping to clear out the home of all the possessions. We were given the liberty of going through the home and take anything that we had need of. A set of dishes, cooking utensils, food from the pantry, a blanket that wasn't pink for Harrison, a bedding set - just to name a few.
3. The strength and stamina to complete all the events that have been requiring my attention these past couple of weeks. After the last wedding was finished on Saturday I came home feeling fine. Sat down on the couch and felt a lovely cold coming on. The Lord knew that health was needed until yesterday. His timing is perfect. I couldn't do anything but laugh at His goodness with the sore throat. Complaining wasn't even a possibility. I am so thankful that He showed me his hand for what it was. I needed rest and He is giving it to me before things crank back up and the adjustors require our attention soon.
4. The items in the back yard have naturally become dried out from being burned. I was frustrated that pages from books were flying all over the yard and probably making a mess of more than just our yard. The Lord sent rain to soak everything again and now nothing is moving about. It is all plastered to the dirt.
5. I had been hoping that we would be putting in grass this spring. The Lord knew we needed humor during this time of upheaval. The chicken's feed was stored in the room that was damaged so badly. With all the rain, the now available sunshine, and the dirt (ash makes great compost) there is now grass growing in the family room - barley, rye, wheat, and corn....
1. I needed to go to the house to catalog all that was in the pile in the back yard. It was scheduled for Thursday. A friend was called to see about taking the kids. She said yes, though her day was going to be packed. A few moments later the day had to be changed to Wednesday. Call back to the dear friend - 'What about Wednesday?'
'Oh that would work out so much better since nothing is happening' was the response.
Wednesday cataloguing went well, but it didn't get finished. Had to go back on Thursday anyway.
Decided to call another friend that morning. 'Sure, bring um on over....we're going to the zoo'. The kids had been requesting time spent with this little group of friends and had been asking recently when we could visit the zoo. Thank you dear and faithful friends. Your availability and willingness is forever appreciated.
2. A co-worker at Tom's office requested to send an email to the other employees regarding our situation. Their kindness and giving hearts were overwhelming. God prompted their hearts to give us items that I never even considered that we needed till they were sitting in our hands. It was such an outpouring of help from people who barely even know Tom and don't know the rest of us at all. In fact, one sweet lady, Phylis, met us at the home of a lady who had just passed away. She was helping to clear out the home of all the possessions. We were given the liberty of going through the home and take anything that we had need of. A set of dishes, cooking utensils, food from the pantry, a blanket that wasn't pink for Harrison, a bedding set - just to name a few.
3. The strength and stamina to complete all the events that have been requiring my attention these past couple of weeks. After the last wedding was finished on Saturday I came home feeling fine. Sat down on the couch and felt a lovely cold coming on. The Lord knew that health was needed until yesterday. His timing is perfect. I couldn't do anything but laugh at His goodness with the sore throat. Complaining wasn't even a possibility. I am so thankful that He showed me his hand for what it was. I needed rest and He is giving it to me before things crank back up and the adjustors require our attention soon.
4. The items in the back yard have naturally become dried out from being burned. I was frustrated that pages from books were flying all over the yard and probably making a mess of more than just our yard. The Lord sent rain to soak everything again and now nothing is moving about. It is all plastered to the dirt.
5. I had been hoping that we would be putting in grass this spring. The Lord knew we needed humor during this time of upheaval. The chicken's feed was stored in the room that was damaged so badly. With all the rain, the now available sunshine, and the dirt (ash makes great compost) there is now grass growing in the family room - barley, rye, wheat, and corn....
January 21, 2009
January 12, 2009
Refining the Browns
The Lord never ceases to amaze me regarding all that He plans and orchestrates in our lives. Saturday morning began like any other Saturday morning. We got up, had breakfast, and sat and talked about the plans for the day. Tom intended to go to Lowes to find a new front door. The jam had begun to fall apart and it was time to replace it. I had a wedding that afternoon and needed to be at the church before 11. The kids were checking for eggs and meandering about waiting till they could 'play with Dad'. I left for church a little before 10:30 and joined the wedding staff in preparing for the coming nuptials. At 12:30 I received a call from someone at the fire department asking for my address. (I guess they don't bother explaining things before they ask since people tend to freak out when they announce that your house is on fire) After dancing around not giving him my address - I thought he was from the fire men's ____ fund asking for donations, the gentleman finally stated that he was on our street and our house had caught fire....could I please come home since no one is home? Sure, why not...but what about the wedding that I was coordinating? I called our lovely new coordinator and evidently didn't leave a very clear message - humorously it sounded something like "Hi, can you pick up if you're there. I have to go home because the fire department just called and the house caught fire. The sound technician is here and everything is set, so if you could get here sooner than later that would be good. Call me on my cell. Bye" And here I thought that I was composed and calm - giving the air of assurance that all coordinators need when something happens badly during a wedding.
Driving home took the same amount of time it always does - I think. I can't really remember much of the drive - I was just questioning what could have started it - did I leave my iron on in the bathroom before I left? And praying that God would give me the strength and grace to hold myself together when I saw the damage and needed to talk with firemen in the midst of not really wanting to talk with anyone. I arrived to a street lined with cars - evidently claims companies follow the firemen to 'tragic' scenes to get business - firemen refer to them as the vultures....and they were that. There were three engines parked in the street, water and hoses across the street, and the neighbors huddled together on our driveway. I remember meeting the battalion chief and a few others but not much other than lots of questions I needed to answer and reminding myself that it is all just stuff. ...I learned that humor in situations is fine unless it happens to be your situation and then they don't really look favorably at it. That is the only way I know how to keep myself from falling apart is to find the humor and joke a bit. The firemen continued to say 'wow, you're taking this really well.' Yeah, well what else are you supposed to do?
After they all left the house, then I fell apart. Tom & I have been impressing for years to the kids that you need to hold your stuff loosely and think of it as God's stuff he is allowing you to use. Reminding them that when we prize our items more than our character, our hearts, and serving others that is when He may choose to take it from you. I thought that I had this under control, but with this fire came the realization that I haven't really held as loosely to my 'stuff' as I had thought. I am reminded that God refines us and evidently He feels the need to do that with me with real fire. God gives us our joy in our knowledge of Him and our worship of Him. I am thankful that He gave me the strength to hold myself together when I needed it - I thought I was level headed. I know that God's hand is in even this event. I don't know what He has planned but I know that He is in control and I can and have been resting in that knowledge.
With regards to what burned. The family room - aka school room, aka storage room, aka Celena's precious bedroom is gone. There was damage to the kitchen and dining room as well. Everything in the house reeks of smoke and we will know more about the extent as the week progresses. We don't know the cause of the fire - though one of the firemen said that it appeared to have started in the far corner next to the fireplace (which was where the tv and other electronics were). The investigation is underway, so we should know more later. We ask for prayer that the investigation goes smoothly and they can find the reason. Since no one was home the fire is considered suspect. We know that God is in control of even this aspect of our lives and He knows the reason as well as the outcome. Remembering to rest in that is something that I have to call to mind frequently. Not knowing what happened is not easy for me - I like answers to questions so that I can solve the problem...evidently this is another area I need refinement in....
As to our needs - God is the one who knows them. Right now I can't think of anything and head still feels like it is in a bit of a cloud. I am so thankful that I have a husband who can compartmentalize to get things done. I know the hardest part will be the heap of burned wreckage we must go through and itemize with the claims department. They have warned us that it will probably be 4-5 days to finish doing all of that. I guess another prayer would be the energy to do that - and the ability to find the humor in the pile.
We have taken lots of pictures - something I know many will want to see. Since the energy to even look through them isn't even there it may be awhile before I even think about posting them. I was explaining to Shannon that going home is like going into some one's house that has died but you don't really know them, nor think you should even be there. The house doesn't seem like home anymore (recalling that Heaven is our home is another focus).
The knowledge of the Word and the promise of God are what we rest on. It is indeed true that when refinement comes you draw on the verses that you have studied and you lean on those promises that He is so very very faithful to us.
Driving home took the same amount of time it always does - I think. I can't really remember much of the drive - I was just questioning what could have started it - did I leave my iron on in the bathroom before I left? And praying that God would give me the strength and grace to hold myself together when I saw the damage and needed to talk with firemen in the midst of not really wanting to talk with anyone. I arrived to a street lined with cars - evidently claims companies follow the firemen to 'tragic' scenes to get business - firemen refer to them as the vultures....and they were that. There were three engines parked in the street, water and hoses across the street, and the neighbors huddled together on our driveway. I remember meeting the battalion chief and a few others but not much other than lots of questions I needed to answer and reminding myself that it is all just stuff. ...I learned that humor in situations is fine unless it happens to be your situation and then they don't really look favorably at it. That is the only way I know how to keep myself from falling apart is to find the humor and joke a bit. The firemen continued to say 'wow, you're taking this really well.' Yeah, well what else are you supposed to do?
After they all left the house, then I fell apart. Tom & I have been impressing for years to the kids that you need to hold your stuff loosely and think of it as God's stuff he is allowing you to use. Reminding them that when we prize our items more than our character, our hearts, and serving others that is when He may choose to take it from you. I thought that I had this under control, but with this fire came the realization that I haven't really held as loosely to my 'stuff' as I had thought. I am reminded that God refines us and evidently He feels the need to do that with me with real fire. God gives us our joy in our knowledge of Him and our worship of Him. I am thankful that He gave me the strength to hold myself together when I needed it - I thought I was level headed. I know that God's hand is in even this event. I don't know what He has planned but I know that He is in control and I can and have been resting in that knowledge.
With regards to what burned. The family room - aka school room, aka storage room, aka Celena's precious bedroom is gone. There was damage to the kitchen and dining room as well. Everything in the house reeks of smoke and we will know more about the extent as the week progresses. We don't know the cause of the fire - though one of the firemen said that it appeared to have started in the far corner next to the fireplace (which was where the tv and other electronics were). The investigation is underway, so we should know more later. We ask for prayer that the investigation goes smoothly and they can find the reason. Since no one was home the fire is considered suspect. We know that God is in control of even this aspect of our lives and He knows the reason as well as the outcome. Remembering to rest in that is something that I have to call to mind frequently. Not knowing what happened is not easy for me - I like answers to questions so that I can solve the problem...evidently this is another area I need refinement in....
As to our needs - God is the one who knows them. Right now I can't think of anything and head still feels like it is in a bit of a cloud. I am so thankful that I have a husband who can compartmentalize to get things done. I know the hardest part will be the heap of burned wreckage we must go through and itemize with the claims department. They have warned us that it will probably be 4-5 days to finish doing all of that. I guess another prayer would be the energy to do that - and the ability to find the humor in the pile.
We have taken lots of pictures - something I know many will want to see. Since the energy to even look through them isn't even there it may be awhile before I even think about posting them. I was explaining to Shannon that going home is like going into some one's house that has died but you don't really know them, nor think you should even be there. The house doesn't seem like home anymore (recalling that Heaven is our home is another focus).
The knowledge of the Word and the promise of God are what we rest on. It is indeed true that when refinement comes you draw on the verses that you have studied and you lean on those promises that He is so very very faithful to us.
December 22, 2008
Thankful
Today I am thankful for Facebook & AccuRadio. Over the course of one hour I had two lovely conversations with special people, booked a luncheon date with another, and got updated on the lives of those whom I don't see very often all while listening to a vast array of Christmas music.
December 18, 2008
Fire N' Ice
The adventures never seem to cease. On October 13th the hills in front of our home were on fire. Now, those same hills are covered in a dusting of snow. Granada Hills hasn't had snow since 1949. The kids were very excited to wake up this morning and see it. They are now singing 'White Christmas' and talking about how this will be one - or as close as its gonna get in southern CA
December 9, 2008
Girrrrls!
Chandler had the opportunity to attend the Sunday School Christmas Party on Saturday. Afterwards, her little friend Ceana came over to spend the night. These two little girls were in a world all their own for the entire day. We didn't see them unless they were going or coming through the back door, or if they needed something to eat or drink. The chatter was constant - don't have any idea about what. Towards the evening they decided to have a 'Beauty Parlor' and painted their nails and did each other's makeup. Wow did that bring back memories! Each little finger was painted a different shade of purple or pink. Their little rouge cheeks weren't little, but rather the ent
ire cheek area dropping down onto the jawbone and streaking toward the neck. They decided that they wanted extra lashes for their eyes and proceeded to draw them on their eye lids! After the makeup was done they dressed up and gave us a little fashion show. Upon conclusion the makeup needed to be redone ~ they gave each other scars and stitches. Clean up required 7 make up removal pads and lots of soapy water.On Sunday morning the girls announced that over night was WAY to short a period to spend together. .....that is up to the Mommies.
Thanksgiving 2008
This Thanksgiving we were able to host the meal. Family and Friends gathered around the tables and devoured the myriad of yummy dishes that each family brought.
The day after Thanksgiving Tom, his sister Shelley, and the kids took a hike. The pictures are definite proof that Harrison is taller than Shelley now.
November 25, 2008
Pictures from the Fires
Since the week is slower than most I am catching up on all the posts that should have been done over the past several weeks. The fires that happened in our area left the area looking much like the surface of the moon. Thankfully, rain is on its way and we should start seeing little shoots in some areas. The first fire in the beginning of October was closer to us than the one we were just evacuated for. There were several times where we had a small block party with our neighbors while we watched the large water dropping planes and smaller helicopter
s fly over our homes and flood the burning areas with fire retardant or water. Harrison wished that one of the helicopters would drop a load of water on us. Explaining that the perceived amount is much less than the actual amount that would most likely hurt you if it landed on your head he changed his mind.
PSP Homeschool Fair
This year our PSP Homeschool group decided to have a fair. The event was quite a hit. Most of the children participated by submitting something to at least one of the following categories: Baked Goods, Hanging Art, Model Art, Science, History, and Table Decorations.
Both Harrison and Chandler entered something in every category but Science and History. The weeks prior to the fair were spent creating, practicing, and fine tuning the submi
ssions. For Model Art they both entered items they built from Legos. Harrison built many vehicles that are from the Star Wars series, while Chandler built a garden scene. They both won first place in their divisions.
ssions. For Model Art they both entered items they built from Legos. Harrison built many vehicles that are from the Star Wars series, while Chandler built a garden scene. They both won first place in their divisions. For the Baked Goods category Chandler made a Lemon Meringue Pie and Harrison made a 
Pumpkin Caramel Cheesecake. About 3 weeks before, Chandler got to practice by making one as our evening dessert. She can proudly say that the pie for the fair she made all by herself - Mommy just read off the ingredients, turned on the oven, and supervised the process so she wouldn't burn herself. After the pie was finished Chandler decided that "Eggs are harder to separate than it looks".
Pumpkin Caramel Cheesecake. About 3 weeks before, Chandler got to practice by making one as our evening dessert. She can proudly say that the pie for the fair she made all by herself - Mommy just read off the ingredients, turned on the oven, and supervised the process so she wouldn't burn herself. After the pie was finished Chandler decided that "Eggs are harder to separate than it looks".Harrison made the cheesecake the day before the fair all by him
self. On the morning of the fair we pulled it out of the spring form pan and it was perfect! While in transport it slid from his lap and landed against the front seat. It was now less than perfect. We had a wonderful conversation about God still being in control and that even though he would most likely not even place in the ribbons we knew how great a job he did and that the Lord knew too. The important thing is that even in a difficult or frustrating time we still have a good attitude and a thankful heart. When we got to school we worked on fixing the cheesecake as much as possible.
self. On the morning of the fair we pulled it out of the spring form pan and it was perfect! While in transport it slid from his lap and landed against the front seat. It was now less than perfect. We had a wonderful conversation about God still being in control and that even though he would most likely not even place in the ribbons we knew how great a job he did and that the Lord knew too. The important thing is that even in a difficult or frustrating time we still have a good attitude and a thankful heart. When we got to school we worked on fixing the cheesecake as much as possible. Remembering that the Lord knows all outcomes it was such a blessing to see them both win 1st for their pie and cheesecake. It was such an encouragement for Harrison to win even after all that had happened to his cake.
For the Table Decorations Harrison wanted to center his theme around dragons. After discussing the wish to paint mom's plates we decided on a different approach. He cut out small ro
und discs of paper and drew his dragons on those, then placed them under the clear, glass plates. He used all his dragons for the centerpiece, and tall red glasses with black napkins. He even found a piece of rough, red paper that he tore to look like a dragon's scale. Proudly, he place first in that too.
und discs of paper and drew his dragons on those, then placed them under the clear, glass plates. He used all his dragons for the centerpiece, and tall red glasses with black napkins. He even found a piece of rough, red paper that he tore to look like a dragon's scale. Proudly, he place first in that too.Chandler chose to have a candy theme for her table settings. Using felt and pens she created napkins with lollipops on them. For her napkin rings she used ring pops. They were tooo cute. For her centerpiece she and mommy created a candy topiary out of lots of lollipops and other candies all glued to a foam ball and mounted (rather pr
ecariously) on a wooden dowel in a pot. She placed 2nd for her entry and received the reserved champion Director's Award too. After the fair was over we passed out all the candy.
ecariously) on a wooden dowel in a pot. She placed 2nd for her entry and received the reserved champion Director's Award too. After the fair was over we passed out all the candy. For the final category they entered paintings in the Hanging Art. They both painted Pokemon characters. They did a wonderful job and worked hard all week perfecting the strokes and filling in the gaps. Chandler placed 2nd.
During the fair the kids got to walk around the exhibits and look at them all. Harrison's favorite entry was a friends diorama on World War II which received 2nd place. Chandler's favorite was a picture of a Killer Whale.
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