Choosing at Christmas

Christmas brings out the best in people, and unfortunately, the worst.

I refer to all the goodness and generosity I see around me in dozens of cases. Sadly, I also hear about the terrible things, such as a Salvation Army volunteer robbed of the donations, and the stampede of shoppers at a store entrance killing a security officer, and not even being stopped by this tragic event.

I'm reminded today, this moment, that we all make choices of what we do during this season. Age has taught me well to know that it's not in the big things, but even the smallest gestures of kindness that we make differences in other people's lives. So I choose today, to be patient, no matter how long the line may be; smile at someone who may need encouragement today, and to be watchful in my attitude and how I react, even to those who are stressed, tired, and emotionally racked, because I don't know what difficult situation they may be in. But God knows- and I remember that it's His character I need to remember in all my dealings--not only throughout the Christmas season-- but every day of the year.

So here we are again, dragging out the boxes full of Christmas past...ornaments, Christmas cards and decorations. How fast these years go!

It's a shame that so much emphasis is placed on the material and not so much on the spiritual. Yet, this is really what the season is all about...

The birth of Jesus and more important his death on the cross, and resurrection is the ultimate gift of life-- one that will never end.

So, yes, it's fun to see the shining lights, enjoy the laughter of the children as they open gifts, and their excitement fills the chilly air. Coupled with the true meaning of the Christmas season, it gives us peace and joy.

'Tis the Season...

It's begun...pulling out the boxes of Christmas' past...strings of lights that get tangled just by looking at them...rushing and rushing...hoping to move faster than the counted days to Christmas Day with "x" number of items to complete.

But after it's all said and done, the wallets empty, and the weight gained, there is the satisfaction that smiles were exchanged with friends and neighbors, that we were able to reach out to those who hurt, and that Christmas is more than commercialism.

You just have to look for the good things of the season, and ruthlessly discard the rest. Have a special Christmas Season!!

Giving Thanks

This morning, we decided to gather pictures from last Thanksgiving to view with our family when we gather this Thanksgiving. It's a way of giving thanks. So often, the Thanksgiving Day consists of stuffing a turkey, then stuffing yourself and not remembering the real reason why!

Yet, the wisdom of the words ..."Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thess. 5: 16-18) is such a reminder of what Thanksgiving is really all about.

It's not just about giving thanks for the good stuff, but also for the adversity in our lives. This is because the tough stuff is only there by God's will and because He knows we're going to come out on the other side with more strength, more blessings, and shaping us into better individuals for having gone through it. More importantly, it's then that we can then reach out to those facing difficulties and challenges.

Happy Thanksgiving!

33rd Wedding Anniversary- Central California

Our wedding anniversary getaway this year was to El Capitan State Beach and Santa Barbara along the central coast. The vehicle we drove, a 36 foot RV, was considerly larger than the '69 Volkswagen Beetle we drove 33 years ago, but it was fun to remember our first trip as a newly married couple.

One reminder of our honeymoon trip was the strong winds we experienced last night that shook the RV, just like the wind blew against our Valencia hotel room windows 33 years ago on November 8,1975.

We enjoyed a challenging 33 mile bicycle ride to Santa Barbara, through Gaviota, along the coastal hillsides of Hope Ranch and the peaceful scenery from El Capitan State Beach south.

It's good to know that we still enjoy one another's company, and its challenges. More importantly, we enjoy Gods blessings- our children and grandchildren, that will make the next 33 years even more exciting.

Casting My Vote

Sending off my vote for the presidential election via absenteeism ballot made me think of how much things have changed over the years. It used to be that there was only one way to vote years ago-in person, on the first Tuesday in November, between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., at your designated precinct.

Not so these days, and I admit, I've come to enjoy the convenience of casting my vote ahead of time. Today, I saw on the news that the actual voting and registration for voting can be done at a make-shift drive through.

I had to smile as I thought of the drive through restaurant applied to the voting... "I'd like to order a McCain with a side order of Pallin.." or "Give me the number 4- The combination Obama/Biden."

The next thing you know, you'll be able to text your vote-- kind of like voting for your favorite celebrity on 'Dancing with the Stars'. I think I'll limit my drive-through ordering to a Double-Double at In-n-Out.

Back to Work and Such

Getting back home to work and daily routine has been a stretch. It seems that our jobs, and daily responsibilities don't take a vacation when we do, and the work piles up. However, being away on vacation only makes me appreciate my job, home and neighborhood even more.

It's good to be content in whatever state I'm in- whether in work or play!

We're Back

Had a wonderful trip and could have stayed on the road longer, if time had permitted. The last leg of our trip included some very scenic pine forest mountain roads in eastern Arizona and included driving through the Salt Canyon, City of Seneca (abandon ghost town) in Arizona. We also visited the Very Large Array- one of the largest radio telescope facilities in the world which is located in New Mexico just east of Socorro.

Good to be home and look forward to our next trip.

Day 4- 5 "Launching Dreams"

The Balloon Fiesta is amazing and we will have plenty of memory photos to share with the family. It is impossible to describe the beauty and the uniqueness of the balloons. We also had an opportunity to visit Old Town Albuquerque that was established in 1709. Having a great time!

Day 3- Train Trip to the Grand Canyon

David and I started out the day, after a brisk 33 degree cold night, to see a Wild West Show complete with horse thieves, a marshall, and a bang-bang shoot-out. We then climbed aboard a vintage Santa Fe train, complete with singing cowboys, story telling conductor, and awesome scenery on a two hour adventure to the Grand Canyon, South Rim. We spotted a herd elk running along side the train- what a sight! When we arrived, the sight of the Grand Canyon, one of God's greatest creations, was amazing. We hiked down about a third of the canyon along Bright Angel Trail to get a closer look and were even treated to a view of a condor with wing span of over 8'.

All in all, the Grand Canyon Train Ride was well worth it. We hope to do it again. Next stop, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta "Launching Dreams" New Mexico.

Day 2- Get Your Kicks On Route 66

Had a nice day of travel from Laughlin, Nevada to Williams, Arizona. Drove portions of Route 66 and had lunch at a cool diner called the "Copper Cart" in Seligman Arizona. Food was great. Also had a chance to take a Kodak moment with Danny & Sandy from "Grease".


Plans for today, Day 3, will include a train trip from Williams to the Grand Canyon. Will update you on our trip.

Day 1- Laughlin

Laughlin is our first stop. We enjoyed a concert Saturday night by Malo and Tierra, two 70's groups that took us back in time with lots of songs of our youth. While the groups were older, their music sounded just like it did when we first heard it. It was also fun to see a one of Malo's band member share the stage with his adult son. They worked out some pretty good dance moves together, with the son saying, "Hey, my dad can still move pretty good, huh?" (To which the audience responded with thunderous applause. )

This morning, we'll head out to Williams, Arizona- a two and a half hour drive after taking a bike ride along the Colorado

River.


The desert scene is incredible. The majestic land formations touched by the sun's rays show a vast array of color hues. Enjoying it all~~

Hi Brayden, Ady & Camryn :) Grandpa

On Our Way to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

We are on our way to Albuquerque NM for the Balloon Fiesta via the Grand Canyon. Look forward to updating our blog as we travel.

Hi Kids

Havasu- May 2008

Memorial Weekend began with rain and cold weather that followed us from Riverside and continued through Saturday, but Lake Havasu's beauty wasn't diminished, and we still enjoyed boating with friends Jenny and David and their family.

The London Bridge still amazed us as we rode our bikes aover it and were awed by the historical architectural features of the columns and the original English lamp posts. We are camping on the the lake and watched the many variety of boats, ranging from sleek racers to slower house boats.

Anza Borrego

Our recent trip to Anza-Borrego was a great adventure! To see waterfalls and and palm oasis in the middle of the desert was quite a surprise, but we enjoyed it immensely.

We plan on returning to the site with our grandchildren in a couple of weeks. There's so many historical spots to see, from old Indian villages, to the original Butterfield Stagecoach Station. There were even pictographs on flat stones left by Native Americans.