Open Prayer

Being away from home on this last deployment to the gulf of Mexico came with an awakening of the place all things fit in this world.  I know that my family is my heart and that more than anything I need and want them in my life.  Many nights I sat on deck listening to the sounds of the water, the wind, and the wild life.  My only companions through the dark hours.  The sounds were comfort and serenity keeping time with my heart.  Every dawn brought a balze of glory to the eastern sky and the promise of renewal for the world.  Each day many people put their lives on the line to protect the natural resources of this area.  Its not just the military that puts their lives on the line every day for this country....its everyday people who just want to make a difference.....people like me who want to be of service in any way they can to make the world a better place.

Here is my prayer for family, for friends, for the world.

Heavenly FATHER, in the name of JESUS, I pray for healing in my family, for salvation of my siblings, my parents, and extended family. I pray that you would heal my Family physically and emotionally in JESUS' holy name. I pray that you would give me a loving family and heal all that you know is ill in my life. I pray for salvation of all of my enemies and that you would forgive me for being unfaithful to you and that you would take away the pain of loneliness....I'm asking for your clear, in my face, leading and guidance. Please show me what you want me to do LORD. I'm seeking, knocking, and crying out with pain in my heart...I want to help others but don't know what you want me to do. I have been criticized and ignored  my whole life... please let me continue so that I can overcome. I know the enemy is using family to pull me away I PRAISE YOU AND THANK YOU LORD AMEN

Adventure Of A Lifetime!

The moon on the water the last night I was on board.  It is a beautiful part of the world and I have been blessed to see it.

Dawn on the deck of the floating city.  This is in the river delta with the deep channel shipping lane to the west of us and the ocean to the east just past the barrier islands in the pix.

Home Sweet Home.  Looking at the floating city and getting our first look at where we would be living and working.  Isn't much to look at.  The city consisted of 6 flat barges tied together with tin buildings built on top to form the housing, galley, offices, etc.  This city averaged 200 to 250 people housed and fed there each day.  Most went out on boats every morning to lay boom and skim oil.  12 hr shifts 7 days a week.

Taking off across the Mississippi river to the Babtist Collette channel where we would be living.  This is one of the huge oil tankers that are all over the river.

The back dock of the team houseboat.  It sat on one of the side channels of the mississippi river.  A lot of the shrimp boats used this tributary to get to the delta. 

Flying into New Orleans.  The cloud formations off the wings of the plane were amazing.  Wish the pix showed it better.

Finally Deployment!!!

Finally the orders to deploy have come through.  Catching a flight out of Las Vegas in the morning....a couple days to aclimate.....then off to the next adventure.  Love you all and stay safe.

Ode To Spring

This is the hat that was decorated for the Easter Bonnet girls day out.

It turned out so cute and the colors so perfect, that it will now be part of the decor in my new home.

Nothing like cornflower blue and sunflower yellow to say spring and brighten a day.

Thanks for your help Mom....not only with the hat, but with all the many things you do for me and for so many.....oh and thanks for being the model for the hat.....Love you bunches!!!!

3 Days and Counting

Saturday is D Day with work starting on Sunday.

The RV trailer is almost packed and ready to go.  I am almost packed and ready to go....all except for the snow part....LOL
 This will be the 9th time since this time last year that I have gone through winter type weather.  You would think by now I would plan my adventures with warm places in the winter and cool places in the summer....well at least I got part of it right.  At 9000' it will be pretty cool this summer.
Watch the blog for when the orchestra of the canyons will be doing their annual concert.  If you would like to attend, let me know and I will see about getting rooms if needed.  Otherwise, if you just need a getaway for the day to escape the heat....love to have you come up.  Most days you will probably catch me at the front desk.....yeppers.....that is my job up at the Rim.  Managing the front desk or hanging out in the RV park doing BBQ or just chillin'!

Dad The Fisherman and His New Boat....Fun in the Sun!

 Mom helping Dad get suited up for a day at the lake. What a beautiful couple they make. Open your eyes now Mom. ;)

 Dad taking his new toy for a spin at Sand Hollow.

It was a really fun day.  Dad got to figure out how to work his new boat and not row it around in circles.  Mom got to roll up her pants, kick off her shoes and catch a few rays.  All topped of with the famous tuna sandwich picnic with all the trimings.  Even though we got sunburned...except for Dad who is always fully clothed, and didn't catch any fish, a good time was had by all.

      

Still A Winter Wonderland at 9,000'

Well everyone.....this is what the North Rim Grand Canyon looked like as of Monday morning, April 19th.  I will be taking my new RV out with me to live in but have been seriously wondering if they have cleared enough snow off the highway to get it through.  Have to see what the next 10 days brings....hopefully warm weather and no more snow for the rim.  9,000 feet here I come.... : )

I can not tell you how excited I am at the prospect of going back into winter to start off my summer season of work.....that would be NOT!!!!

For those of you who have been out of my loop, Haiti is still in the negotiation stage and just waiting for contracts to be signed and then deployment orders.  Hoping for the first of May but who knows for sure when there are so many chiefs and very few indians making the decisions.  Yes I will be going if and when it comes down the river but until then.....one has to go where the money is.

Tears For The Children

I know that this graveyard is located in Hildale/Colorado City but have yet to find its exact location.  It is the Baby Cemetery.  After doing some research in to why there is a separate cemetery for the babies, I was filled with sadness.  The FLDS will only place the bodies of active members into the city cemetery and because the babies have not been baptized and  are not active members, they have no place to rest with the "righteous" of the community. 
It really hit me hard to think that people can be so narrow minded in their beliefs.  I have always felt that babies were the purest of spirits, special gifts, and the closest to the Father having just left his presence.  Instead of being treated as such special beings, they are discarded into a piece of ground that is neither marked or cared for by the community.  They are not mourned, they are not visited, and there is barely any recognition that they were here on earth.  There is a song called "Cry for the Children".  I can only believe that it is applicable here.  Bless these children Father and take them sweetly home to your loving care.

Happy Easter

Happy, Hoppy Easter everyone.

Be safe!

A Day In The Life Of My Cat....Skittles

Today Skittles crawled into his cat carrier to go to the Vet.  He is being fixed and declawed....hopfully to help him become a more behaved young man.  It has been so weird all day not having him around.  Running for the door and trying to escape into the living room (he has gotten pretty cagey and fast with that move), meowing loudly when he thinks he has been alone long enough, crawling up on my chest when I watch TV and giving his special Kitty Kisses.  I will be so glad when he comes home on Wednesday.  Called the Vet tonight and they told me he is doing great, just a little sleepy still.  I think if I was him, I would be hoping to be really dopey for a while after all he has gone through.  Isn't it funny what a big part our animals play in our lives and how much we really don't realize it until they are not there....for a while or for forever.  He is so much my little white angel.

Things I learn about life from my CAT. Chapt 1

When you are bored, there is always something going on just outside your window.

When you are tired, you can always curl up with a buddy.  They keep you warm and cozy.

If the buddy thing doesn't work out, you can always kick them to the side and hog the whole bed for yourself.

I love being a CAT!

Spring Break......NOT!

Its a SNOW DAY!

Check out the water in the pasture....Another couple of inches and Dad will have a private lake to put his new paddle boat into...just need some fish.

Court of the Patriarchs in Zion

Angels Landing in Zion

Isn't this the week that spring break started???

You have got to love it here..... :0

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!!!!!

Hope your day is filled with love, hugs, kisses, and beauty!

Momma's Day

 

Happy Birthday Mom

Thank you for being the loving, kind and beautiful person that you are.  You have taught me so much from cooking to auto mechanics and about a million thing between.  Every day your smile reminds me of a beautiful sunflowers, of love, and of thankfulness.

I love you with all my heart.

What Will Today Bring?

I had been having a pretty craptacular day today.  Uncertain about the future....about a place to live....about an income....you know the kind where you feel like just going back to bed and pulling the covers up until tomorrow.  Something happened tonight that really made me stop and think about life.
About 8pm and older couple pulled in, came into the office and told me that they wanted to pay for a room for a young couple they had found broken down on the road.  I just kind of nodded, gave them the lowest rate possible and as I was checking the young couple in the older woman said that she had had a beautiful day and that this was her pay it forward.  I smiled and told her I totally understood.  They left, the young couple went to their room and I thought my night was probably done....I was wrong.  About 30 minutes later another older woman came in with a young woman and asked if I had a room.  She explained that she had found the young woman shivering and crying in the park and after talking to her, found out that she had been recently raped and that the people that was suppose to meet her here and take her on the next leg of her journey had not showed up (it sounded like an underground railroad thing where people help others in abusive situations get to a safe house).  She wanted to pay for the womans room for the night and asked if I would keep her safe until it could get all figured out.  As she paid and left her last words were "the angels will watch over and pay it forward when you can".  I am thinking wow this is not a usual night at the Inn.  Just before lock up tonight I had a mother and daughter come in and ask if they could park in the parking lot and sleep in their truck so at least they wouldn't be in a truck stop etc.  Well to make a long story short....2 people before that had paid for rooms and all they asked was for it to be paid forward....what else could I do but give them a room that was warm for the night with the same admonition....pay it forward when you can.
This experience had really made me feel small for feeling down about my own situation.  I have pulled up my boot straps and to coin a phrase from Mom "put my big girl panties on".  I  don't know what the next few days. weeks, months and years will hold for me but I do know that I have angels watching out for me....that prayers are answered....and that my life is by gods will and not by mine.
Thank you father for the examples of unconditional love, selflessness, generosity, and knowledge that you have given me....especially this day!

3:10 to Yuma

Early years

Adulthood

I was watching the movie 3:10 to Yuma last night.  I have seen this movie a few times but last night it hit me how much Aaron and Christian Bale looked alike.  Not in most of his movies, just in this one.  I knew that I loved the movie and maybe now I know why I enjoyed it so much.

(This post is not meant to offend anyone....just sharing some thoughts)

Maybe its because I miss my family so much lately especially my children.

 

This is one of my favorites.

I think that Aaron would have been alot like this character if he had lived during that time.

If you haven't seen the movie....do!!!

Its a great movie.

My beautiful Momma

This wonderful woman is my Momma.  She can do it all.  From raising an amazing family to driving the boat while dad fishes.

She has a great sense of humor....

She loves the outdoors and taking the road less traveled!!!

She loves my Dad with all her heart....can you believe that they have been married 57 years?

She loves us all unconditionally, has taught us so many things about life, and has always been there for us through laughter and through tears.

This is my beautiful Mother and I love her with all my heart.

Right now she is facing some challenges with her health.  We need to stay close to her, let her know how much she means to us and how much we love her.....And we need to pray for her that she will be held in the healing hands of the father, have his comfort and protections, and that she will be blessed with health, happiness, and love.

I am here for you if you need me Momma and I will be home soon.

Walk Away

This is just how I feel today.  I am getting tired of just having to swallow things and walk away though.

I guess over the years, I have had  to learn to follow where I am lead to go.  Its hard to have blind faith and just answer the call often without knowing why.  Perhaps this time it is just that I need to be closer to home.