Red River

Here are some pictures from our trip to Red River....some of my favorites.

In front of the cabin...

...lots of beautiful wildflowers!

A glimpse into the "cabin"

The beginning of the color--when we got there.

I love the river!!

Ok...I worked for 30 minutes to turn this and finally got it, but let me tell you the story of this tree!  I just happened to take this pic--because I loved the texture of the tree.  If you enlarge it, you might be as surprised as I was when I saw it on my computer!!   Ok...it wouldn't enlarge after I finally got it turned.  It says:

A B

♥

Dietz

2002

Is that not CRAZY that I didn't even see it when I took the picture???  (Andy loves to desecrate trees for me.  He did another one this year!)

Fawn Lakes area

Wild berries 

Caught a butterfly in motion

Beautiful golden color---this just doesn't do it justice!

We both had cameras....

A little more color before we left..

Lots more color the day we left.  It still wasn't peak! 

We had a wonderful time!!

Surprise Celebration

These are some of the most giving people in the world!

What a great group of volunteers!  They make my heart happy.

There's a reason this is so small...who knew they made you wear sombreros for an anniversary??

I keep counting my blessings.  I know I'm one of the most blessed women alive...honestly!  I know I don't deserve any of it but what a sweet surprise tonight.  Larry Barnes and George Nies were aware that Andy & I were going to Red River for our 35th anniversary and they cooked up a surprise.  Actually, they included Andy in on it so he could get me there.  Andy told me last night that we were going to the Plaza tonight...so I wasn't to cook anything.  I asked him if I wasn't supposed to ask questions...or what...and he told me I couldn't.  I didn't think too much about it.  But when he told me it was time to leave tonight, I saw the Sherman's car in the Yarbrough's driveway and asked, "So we're going w/ the Sherman's and Yarbrough's, right?"  He just laughed at me.  Then we drove by the White's house and their car wasn't in the driveway, so I said, "It's the White's, isn't it?  They're already gone!"  Another laugh.

I couldn't have guessed what I saw when I walked in the Plaza---the whole Living Water gang!!  I was so overwhelmed.  They just wanted to honor us on our 35th anniversary and give us a send-off before we left for Red River.  It was amazing.  We had so much fun fellowshipping with all our sweet friends.  And I was reminded yet once again....I am truly, truly blessed!!  Thanks, guys, for a wonderful surprise!  I love you all.

Help me win an iPad!

This is the photo I've submitted for a contest.  Threads is having a contest over the words Michael Kelley discusses in Holy Vocabulary.  Would you go HERE and vote for my photo?  It's not about the quality of the photo---but the message.  This is food being given to Living Water which will go to feed the hungry.  The "church" works together in tandem to help the less fortunate each week.  A basket accidentally fell over and those closest to the mishap began helping to pick it up.  This was a great day for the church.  One where we were all so aware of what we were doing to help others.
By the way, you can vote daily for my photo!

1975--2nd post

What was going on the year Andy & I got married?

• The Vietnam war ended
• Gerald Ford was president
• Average income was $14,100 a year.  We made $2500 that first year of marriage.
• Patti Hearst was arrested
• Love Will Keep Us Together was sung by Captain & Tennille
• JAWS opened in theatres.  We went to see it in Santa Fe on our honeymoon.
• Trans-Alaska Pipeline was started
• The first disposable razor was created
• Watergate Scandal occurred
• The price of gasoline was 44 cents per gallon
• Saturday Night Live debuted on television
• Tiger Woods was born
• Motorolla got a patent for first mobile phone
• Jimmy Hoffa disappeared
• Operation Babylift--orphans carried out of Vietnam
• Oil went over $13/barrel
• Wheel of Fortune premiered
• Average monthly rent:  $200/month.  Exactly what we paid for our rent that first year!  (Makes you wonder how we made it on that $2500 income!!)
• Have You Never Been Mellow was sung by Olivia Newton-John

35 Years

Andy & I will be celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary this weekend.  We're headed to the hills!

...to these hills.  The "cabin" we'll be staying in is actually in Angel Fire, New Mexico.  And I use the term "cabin" very loosely.  It's actually the HGTV dream home.  (Not really--but it's hard to tell the difference!)

I've heard the leaves have actually started changing.  Thirty-five years ago, we went to the same town for our honeymoon.  Red River, actually.  And the leaves were glorious then.  We were married on Sept. 27, 1975.  And Red River was mostly deserted that weekend.  The town was shutting down for the season.  Everywhere we went, we were some of the only people being served.  And everyone asked us if we were newlyweds.  I wonder how they knew??  (At least that was my thought process 35 years ago!)

Red River is one of our all-time favorite places.  We've spent many family vacations there.  I can hardly wait to get to the mountains and curl up by the fire and read a good book.  Andy can hardly wait to throw a fish hook into the water.  You might think 35 years sounds boring.  I think it sounds...comfortable and warm.



TWO MORE DAYS TIL....

Photo by Lindsey Dietz

Can you guess?

The Last Christian by David Gregory

If Jesus were to tarry his return, what do you imagine would be happening in the year 2088?  David Gregory has a pretty big imagination in The Last Christian and it really made me think!  With the way technology and knowledge is increasing, can you imagine people being able to visit face-to-face anyplace in the world in a virtual reality world?  Can you imagine brain transplants that would enable people to live forever?

That's only part of the story in The Last Christian.  Now imagine a 34-year-old daughter of missionaries coming out of a remote jungle village in Papau New Guinea into this virtual technological world--trying to save her village from a fatal disease.  And Abigail Caldwell is also one of the last Christians in the world.  Her grandfather has left her a virtual message which catapults her into trying to be a witness for Christ in this new world.  Abigail finds 2 men who respond to her kind spirit and gentle ways and who help her navigate this strange new world.

I'm not a big sci-fi fan.  So it was hard for me to get into this book.  I would read awhile, put it down, and then pick it back up.  But towards the last half of the book, I couldn't put it down.  That's when David Gregory began preaching his message through this fiction book.  And it inspired me!  And I do believe it's going to help me live my life differently.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.  Maybe if I were a sci-fi fan, it would be 5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 

The Least Among You

The year is 1965, the place is an all-white seminary, and the main character, Richard Kelly (Cedric Sanders),  is a young black man on probation.  He's sent to seminary for 2 semesters as part of his probation....by his mother's recommendation.  It's a movie inspired by a true story.  And it actually contains all of the angst that happened during that time-frame.  Richard Kelly is angry.  But Samuel Benton (Louis Gossett, Jr), the school's handyman and gardener, guides young Richard to truth.  A professor, Kate Allison (Lauren Holly), at the seminary was a former missionary in The Congo.  The president of the seminary encourages Kate to help Richard deal with a hostile culture since she should have an understanding because of her past experiences.  Each person is dealing with their own pain and understanding of truth through the movie.  The acting is superb and it is a very well-made movie.  I'm not sure if I received an edited version, but it appeared that some language may have been used that was edited out.

I was actually 10-years-old in 1965...but even at that young age (and being white), I knew about racism.  Since that time, I've come to understand why there was so much anger, but this movie brings even more understanding.  And I believe it accurately portrays the feelings on all sides.  There were those who were actively racists...those who wanted to extend love to other races...and those who were persecuted.  But  you just don't expect to find it in a seminary or religious setting.    

I highly recommend this movie.  I give it a 5 out of 5 stars.  

Thank you to Book Sneeze for providing this movie for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 

I cleaned out my cabinet

My clean cabinet

Last night, I'd had it!  I went to make some coffee and opened my cabinet door and things fell out.  It's been bad awhile.  I was tired of trying to scoot things around to make the salt and pepper shakers fit in.  But there were things in there that had to go.  Why hadn't I gotten rid of it before?  I didn't want to be wasteful.  Maybe what sent me over the edge was watching Hoarders right before this happened.  A lady on this particular episode wouldn't throw away the cotton in medicine bottles because she didn't want to be wasteful.  Hmmmm....

So I began tossing.  There was a large container of Folger's Coffee---that we don't even drink.  Surprisingly, it all fit into a canister on my counter.  The Chinese tea was tossed.  Loose leaves?  Who willingly chooses to sift leaves through their teeth?  It was a romantic idea while we were in China, but it had to go.  The honey that had fermented went into the trash can.  And a myriad of unmatching coffee cups and salt & pepper shakers went into a sack to be taken to Living Water.  Then I cleaned all the coffee grounds off of my shelf.  I actually have room left over!!  And it's clean.  And you know what?  It brings peace.  I know that sounds crazy, but order brings peace.  (And I keep wanting to go take a peek!!)

I had no idea I was creating a visual aid for our prayer time this morning.  I love when God does that!  My prayer group has been praying for intimacy.  Intimacy with God, with our spouses, with our families.  We realized today that selfishness (the opposite of intimacy) is like my cluttered cabinet.  When we're demanding our own way and pushing our desires, there's no harmony and no intimacy.  We have to let go for order to come in.  Lies create disorder.  Our own agenda makes a mess of things. 

But when we submit to God, wait on His agenda and fit in with His plan, there's peace, harmony and a breeding ground for intimacy.  That soul peace leads to harmony with our spouses and families.  But we have to give up first.  We have to submit and serve.  Intimacy is a good and lovely thing---something worth looking at!

...I think I'll go take a look at that cabinet again and think about tackling a closet.

Cure to Boredom

Do you get bored?  When my kids were growing up, if they ever said that they were bored, Andy would say, "You only get bored if you're boring."  I would say, "Oh you're bored?  Chore time!"  Either way, it kept them from coming to us often with that phrase.

But I have to confess that I do get bored.  I've learned that I love challenges.  But once I conquer that challenge, I'm ready for a new one.  In fact, "that feeling" creeps over me and I start looking for something new.

God has been whispering to my heart about this problem in my life.  And I'm going to tell you what I believe.  (Like you thought I wouldn't!)  I believe it's because I've pursued my goals...and reached them...that I get bored.

Jesus gave us the cure to boredom in John 5:19-20.  "So Jesus answered them by saying, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His own accord); but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way [in His turn].The Father dearly loves the Son and discloses to (shows) Him everything that He Himself does. And He will disclose to Him (let Him see) greater things yet than these, so that you may marvel and be full of wonder and astonishment."  (God created the first "Take Your Child to Work" program.  heh-heh)

If we're self-seeking, we'll eventually run dry or burn out.  We'll get bored.  But...if we wake up each day and ask the Father, "What is YOUR plan for this day?  I want to do what You're doing!," we'll never be bored.  Why can't I get it?  This life is not about me!!  (A great blog I read about this)  It's about God.  It's His plan.  And He's so creative that He never runs out of new ideas.

I wouldn't tell you something I haven't tried.  I woke up yesterday (yep, got a lot of experience under my belt! ehhhh....) and fixed my focus on God and His plan.  I went to my same ol' job with a new spirit...an expectant spirit.  And I'll do the same today.  I want to see what God wants to do.  And I'll do what He's doing.   I bet I won't be bored.

Young Mothers Unite!

Lindsey and daughter, Addie

I encourage young mothers everywhere to read my daughter-in-law's blog.  (Lindsey--David's wife)  You'll be encouraged.

Andy's Surprise!

Our friends had a 60th birthday party for Andy tonight.  We have the best friends in the world...they spoil us extravagantly.  Tonight was no exception.

When we arrived, there were appetizers on the patio.  Do you see those armadillo eggs?  And the cheese ball in the shape of a pumpkin?  Oh my goodness!

I got a call this week asking what Andy's favorite cake was.  Here he is with his red velvet cake.  He was a happy camper---especially after a steak dinner--with mushrooms, no less.

They gave him this leather note pad.  Notice the key taped to the top?  That's significant.  But he missed it.

Maybe because of what was taped inside...

But he was asked to take a look at that key.  He took it off and was told to close his eyes.

Then this was brought into the room and he was told to feel of it and see if he could figure it out.  He first guessed a "suitcase."  Nope.

Oh yeah!!  A Takamine!  I think he was saying, "WOW!!!!!!!"

And, of course, he was talked into playing a few praise songs for us.  And now we're home and he's in the basement playing his heart out.  He may have to build up calluses again.  But at the rate he's going, it may not take long.  Not long at all.

Competition

Have you noticed how many competitions are on television today?  I think it started with American Idol.  And boy--has it grown!!  Not only has it grown, but I've gotten sucked in.  Give me a good competition any day.

In fact, I'd like to join this competition.  I don't know that I'd be very skilled at it, but I'd like to try my smarts in it.  While we were in China this year, Ember & I decided we'd take on Andy & Derek in this race.  We think we could take them!!

This is one of my favorites.  I love watching the white box challenge the most.  And I really loved it when anyone could join---now I think they have to have some design background.

I guess by now, you see which channels I watch the most--HGTV and Food Network!  (Is there anything else on tv that is decent anymore??)  I'd like you to know that I called the winner of this competition the first night this year!

And currently, I'm watching MasterChef.  If you haven't watched it, you can catch it on Hulu.  (And if you don't know about Hulu, you need to check it out!  You can catch all kinds of tv shows and movies on there.)  And oh...I really hope Whitney wins!!!

I'm not sure what all these competitions tell us about our society right now.  What do you think?  I think it's interesting that adults are watching these competitions while we're teaching our children in school that there are no winners, we don't keep score, and everyone takes home a trophy! 

But more importantly, why am I watching?  

And what do you watch? 

(I may need one more competition in my life...)

Celebrating Andy's 60th Birthday

We took advantage of the Labor Day weekend to get together to celebrate Andy's 60th birthday.  Here are some of the guests...

Addilyn Belle

Ryan Elijah

Aunt Shanna & Hey (Mumzie, Zach)

David (Chief steak griller) & Addilyn

Granny (back--my mom) & Mama (front--Andy's mom). 

They don't seem too impressed with the comedians... 

Lindsey made 2 delicious chocolate pies for Andy's birthday...

And then Zach blew out the candles before Andy could.  So they made him re-light.

Another try.

Shanna's pregnant!  We had to post some pictures for Jay & Amy to see.

There is a bulge!  And Baby Dietz is the size of a lemon this week.  We got to see pictures!!  And they said Baby Dietz was quite the acrobat as they watched him/her (I'm betting on "her") in the sonogram.  (And no, we don't know if it's a boy or girl yet--5 weeks to find out!)  Of course, with the activity this baby was displaying, it could very well be a boy---just like his dad!

And, of course, Andy had to compare bellys...

Happy 60th, Andy!!