Pursue the Intentional Life by Jean Fleming
Jean Fleming is a Christian author & speaker who has gathered together many thoughts from her past several years, to encourage those of us in "that age" of life to finish well the course God has given to us! Given to me by Nancy Hendren, this was not a "quick read"; in fact, I am leaving it near my chair as a resource. She touches on slowing down, changing ministry focus, being a reflector of Jesus where I am planted, accepting changes....but mostly, continuing to nourish my love for God so that He can live in me when it becomes easier to live in my flesh....where selfishness, crankiness, ungratefulness and bitterness can so easily take up residence. Lord, walk with me.
Naked and Not Ashamed by Tim + Anne Evans
It was a real treat to read this book on our recent trip west, and especially great to lunch with the authors in Colorado Springs! What could be "new under the sun" in the realm of marital sex after almost 45 years? I actually learned a lot about the questions the younger generations are asking, and appreciated the honest candor of the authors! Since they are marriage therapists, they have heard it all...and the best part is the actual co-authorship. Unlike other co-authors, the Evans really do each share real life stories and their individual perspectives and counsel. It's personable and humorous. One application that I am working on is "blame and shame". How often do I feel a need to point out Bill's mistakes or omissions? -- sometimes it's as simple as whose fault it was that some item of food was left out on the counter...it sounds ridiculous on paper. So, closing my mouth when I catch myself ready to jump on the blame train is taking a lot of concentration and listening to God. Highly recommend.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Summer Reading: Fiction
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
This was our book club selection for July, and what an interesting discussion we had. No two opinions were the same! This African American author portrayed what a marriage can look like when someone is falsely accused & lands in jail...the anger, the loneliness, the unraveling. Because the couple had only been married one and a half years, it seemed like the wife was willing to throw it away quicker than the incarcerated (she had also put up with some unfaithfulness). I liked that the book was told from three perspectives, so it was easy to keep up with the characters and the story. I didn't love the book because I get angry at wrong, spontaneous choices --but I'm glad I read it as it gave me a whole new view on the injustices of our system and a little perspective on the black culture. Was there true love? Yes --but troubling circumstances and family dynamics certainly add so many dimensions to the final decisions.
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue
Written by a Cameroonian author, Mbue tells the story of how an African man gets to America, brings his wife & son and finds a good job as a driver for a Wall Street financial "bigwig". The hurdles, the fear, the supporting people, and then the breakdown of all of their dreams. I think I would classify myself as a moderate Republican who disagrees with much going on in Washington. I support a sane immigration plan: one that assists families to get thru the system in 3-4 years and pares down the ridiculous costs (it appears that only rich immigrants can get into America). So this book was hard to read with a Cameroonian family that worked hard, but in the end had to re-assess their situation and make a difficult choice. Sad.
This was our book club selection for July, and what an interesting discussion we had. No two opinions were the same! This African American author portrayed what a marriage can look like when someone is falsely accused & lands in jail...the anger, the loneliness, the unraveling. Because the couple had only been married one and a half years, it seemed like the wife was willing to throw it away quicker than the incarcerated (she had also put up with some unfaithfulness). I liked that the book was told from three perspectives, so it was easy to keep up with the characters and the story. I didn't love the book because I get angry at wrong, spontaneous choices --but I'm glad I read it as it gave me a whole new view on the injustices of our system and a little perspective on the black culture. Was there true love? Yes --but troubling circumstances and family dynamics certainly add so many dimensions to the final decisions.
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue
Written by a Cameroonian author, Mbue tells the story of how an African man gets to America, brings his wife & son and finds a good job as a driver for a Wall Street financial "bigwig". The hurdles, the fear, the supporting people, and then the breakdown of all of their dreams. I think I would classify myself as a moderate Republican who disagrees with much going on in Washington. I support a sane immigration plan: one that assists families to get thru the system in 3-4 years and pares down the ridiculous costs (it appears that only rich immigrants can get into America). So this book was hard to read with a Cameroonian family that worked hard, but in the end had to re-assess their situation and make a difficult choice. Sad.
Saturday, July 21, 2018
Final Thoughts from our Westward Ho Journey
Valuable Lessons Learned:
Future Van Travel will be mostly in the Spring or Fall...
Future Van Destinations will be east of the Mississippi...
Marlita should carefully watch tree branches when directing Bill in parking...
Maximum of 5 hours on the road daily or meltdowns will occur....
Leave by 6 am when a long day is anticipated....
Put more time in the schedule for backroads and spontaneous stops....
Make family portrait shots for 18 people more spontaneous ??!?..... 😏 (suggested by my family)
Laugh more with the grandkids...
Cry right in front of everyone when you say good-bye....
Future Van Travel will be mostly in the Spring or Fall...
Future Van Destinations will be east of the Mississippi...
Marlita should carefully watch tree branches when directing Bill in parking...
Maximum of 5 hours on the road daily or meltdowns will occur....
Leave by 6 am when a long day is anticipated....
Put more time in the schedule for backroads and spontaneous stops....
Make family portrait shots for 18 people more spontaneous ??!?..... 😏 (suggested by my family)
Laugh more with the grandkids...
Cry right in front of everyone when you say good-bye....
Homeward Bound: Final Days
All good things must come to an end~ we departed the Arnold CA cabin on Monday, July 9. Try as we might to keep it slower, gotta admit that we were pretty focused on getting home after six weeks! I discovered something that I hadn't realized about myself, although pretty sure it has been a part of me for a long time...I shut down during good-byes. I feel so sad inside, but determined to "keep a stiff upper lip" so I don't fully engage in lingering for final hugs and kisses and "I will miss you's". I don't like that about myself, although it certainly came down quite honestly through the Landes generation line! So the first days "on the road again" were rather melancholy as I realized this, and mourned the fact that we really don't know when we will all be together again- however, I am quite determined to be more intentional with good-byes in the future!!
Leaving California, we determined to take the least mountainous exit--and were reassured the travel would be fairly "flat". Us flat landers did not find it so!! Passed some beautiful large lakes as we hit the border.
We found Nevada rather boring along Route 80, since we had so enjoyed Route 50 on the way out. Things got a bit more exciting as we neared Utah and noticed the salt flats and the great Salt Lake.
Stopped in Salt Lake City for our first "break" from a long day of driving on Tuesday. We located our first Cracker Barrel in West Valley, where we determined to get a "freebie" stay--even when the manager cautiously agreed to our using their electricity for our fan, it was THE most terrible night! 80+ degrees with bright floodlights around the building. As my mom would say, "you get what you pay for!" 😩 Temple Square, the LDS owned area in the downtown area was interesting and the organ recital in the Tabernacle was inspiring. I kept picturing Dad Walker on that gargantuan organ, playing his heart away! Best breakfast at the Blue Lemon that morning before our sightseeing began.
We hit the Wyoming border on Wednesday evening, stopping at a KOA with a pool, as the heat had once again descended upon us. Since our refrigerator had bit the dust just before we had reached our CA destination; we had to be creative! Enjoyed Lean cuisine and Atkins dinners using the microwave! Since we hit a nice patch of "flat land" in Wyoming, we were somewhat dismayed, but extremely happy to climb one of the final ascents out of the state--it was probably one of the smaller inclines, but it really looked huge to our weary eyes!
Heading into Nebraska was a breath of fresh air as the scenery changed drastically -- mostly open green fields and rolling hills. Looked so much like Michigan that we began to get homesick! We didn't count but this state was full of trains, as many as 15-20 that we passed! As we looked ahead for camping spots, we noted a Cabela's Campground near Sidney! Quite a delightful spot. First come, first served for $30 with all the amenities. Most of the larger RV's there were working summer farming jobs before departing to do their retirement fun for the winter months.
Friday was a shorter day as we headed to Omaha, where we settled into an "Even Hotel" to rest & celebrate Bill's birthday. The new hotel chain was a "wellness" spot with weights, bounce balls and arm pulleys located in the room. This couple did not utilize the equipment! Ha! Instead we dressed for a night out in Old Market, a lovely rejuvenated area of Omaha. The actual Omaha steak that Bill savored at Omaha Prime Restaurant was a "melt in your mouth" experience! Our wonderful waitress also treated him to a slice of Gnocchi - flourless, sugarless chocolate dessert. I now have the recipe!! A great ending to the evening was enjoying the lighted water fountain in Heartland of America park.
Saturday found us putting the pedal to the metal as Bill suggested we get to Indiana to stay with our forever friends, the Mamminas.. through the greenery & picturesque Iowa we rolled, then crossed the Mississippi into Illinois's terrible roads (!), knowing we would soon enjoy a great meal, great conversation and a great bed!
Almost HOME!
We pulled into our newly sided home on Sunday afternoon--47 days, weary & grateful!
Leaving California, we determined to take the least mountainous exit--and were reassured the travel would be fairly "flat". Us flat landers did not find it so!! Passed some beautiful large lakes as we hit the border.
We found Nevada rather boring along Route 80, since we had so enjoyed Route 50 on the way out. Things got a bit more exciting as we neared Utah and noticed the salt flats and the great Salt Lake.
Stopped in Salt Lake City for our first "break" from a long day of driving on Tuesday. We located our first Cracker Barrel in West Valley, where we determined to get a "freebie" stay--even when the manager cautiously agreed to our using their electricity for our fan, it was THE most terrible night! 80+ degrees with bright floodlights around the building. As my mom would say, "you get what you pay for!" 😩 Temple Square, the LDS owned area in the downtown area was interesting and the organ recital in the Tabernacle was inspiring. I kept picturing Dad Walker on that gargantuan organ, playing his heart away! Best breakfast at the Blue Lemon that morning before our sightseeing began.
We hit the Wyoming border on Wednesday evening, stopping at a KOA with a pool, as the heat had once again descended upon us. Since our refrigerator had bit the dust just before we had reached our CA destination; we had to be creative! Enjoyed Lean cuisine and Atkins dinners using the microwave! Since we hit a nice patch of "flat land" in Wyoming, we were somewhat dismayed, but extremely happy to climb one of the final ascents out of the state--it was probably one of the smaller inclines, but it really looked huge to our weary eyes!
Heading into Nebraska was a breath of fresh air as the scenery changed drastically -- mostly open green fields and rolling hills. Looked so much like Michigan that we began to get homesick! We didn't count but this state was full of trains, as many as 15-20 that we passed! As we looked ahead for camping spots, we noted a Cabela's Campground near Sidney! Quite a delightful spot. First come, first served for $30 with all the amenities. Most of the larger RV's there were working summer farming jobs before departing to do their retirement fun for the winter months.
Friday was a shorter day as we headed to Omaha, where we settled into an "Even Hotel" to rest & celebrate Bill's birthday. The new hotel chain was a "wellness" spot with weights, bounce balls and arm pulleys located in the room. This couple did not utilize the equipment! Ha! Instead we dressed for a night out in Old Market, a lovely rejuvenated area of Omaha. The actual Omaha steak that Bill savored at Omaha Prime Restaurant was a "melt in your mouth" experience! Our wonderful waitress also treated him to a slice of Gnocchi - flourless, sugarless chocolate dessert. I now have the recipe!! A great ending to the evening was enjoying the lighted water fountain in Heartland of America park.
Saturday found us putting the pedal to the metal as Bill suggested we get to Indiana to stay with our forever friends, the Mamminas.. through the greenery & picturesque Iowa we rolled, then crossed the Mississippi into Illinois's terrible roads (!), knowing we would soon enjoy a great meal, great conversation and a great bed!
Almost HOME!
We pulled into our newly sided home on Sunday afternoon--47 days, weary & grateful!
Saturday, July 14, 2018
Walker Fam VACA: Part 2, Arnold CA Cabin
We left CA on Monday, and here I am on Saturday morning trying to catch up with the last week together--hard to find WIFI service while making our way through mountains, then farmlands!
Our time at the Hendren's cabin was spent playing games (even the 5 year olds learned "spoons"), hanging at the pool and the beach area, making dinners together, and just trying to catch up on life. Besides the Variety show, another favorite evening was having the adults share with the kiddos some crazy story from their childhood. Lots of laughter!
Of course, in the midst of so many active days,
Boppa and Lita were caught snoozing a few times!
The guys took a morning out to enjoy breakfast! Love to watch their interaction together.
Bill was in his element working on some projects with Ben and Keith: floating shelves & a special table to finish off a wall in Jenny's dining area (she has picked out a pretty blue paint to finish the table off--but they ran out of time!) and a compost box for Ben; then a deck renovation at the cabin. LOVE his servant gift of using his talents to love on the kids!
The one thing that resonates with me about this trip is how much we love our kids, and how proud we are of their diligence in parenting. So grateful to God that they have built their marriages on a sure Foundation, and they equally share responsibilities to support and love one another. THEY ARE THE BEST!!
Our time at the Hendren's cabin was spent playing games (even the 5 year olds learned "spoons"), hanging at the pool and the beach area, making dinners together, and just trying to catch up on life. Besides the Variety show, another favorite evening was having the adults share with the kiddos some crazy story from their childhood. Lots of laughter!
Of course, in the midst of so many active days,
Boppa and Lita were caught snoozing a few times!
The guys took a morning out to enjoy breakfast! Love to watch their interaction together.
Bill was in his element working on some projects with Ben and Keith: floating shelves & a special table to finish off a wall in Jenny's dining area (she has picked out a pretty blue paint to finish the table off--but they ran out of time!) and a compost box for Ben; then a deck renovation at the cabin. LOVE his servant gift of using his talents to love on the kids!
The one thing that resonates with me about this trip is how much we love our kids, and how proud we are of their diligence in parenting. So grateful to God that they have built their marriages on a sure Foundation, and they equally share responsibilities to support and love one another. THEY ARE THE BEST!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)