~Choosing Joy~

Touring Manassas

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:03:00 +0000

Yesterday, Susane and I toured Manassas and learned about First Manassas (Battle of the Bull Run) and Second Manassas. The weather was gorgeous and it was a great day for walking around and imagining. We did a walking tour, watched a movie, did a driving tour and visited with a gentleman who was a civil war buff and overheard our conversation at one spot.

Henry house in the background

Judith Henry (85) was the only civilian casualty

A legend is made - Stonewall Jackson

Stonehouse served as a Union Field Hospital in both battles

Stone Bridge - see the old and new on the arches

We also stopped by a Family Christian book store. Alas, I have very little room in my carry on....but it was fun to make a list to order online. LOL And just because I snap photos of amusing things in Japan - check this out.

Seriously?

Because nothing says grace and peace like chocolate

We also ate at Ruby Tuesdays and visited Target. Came back to the hotel to talk, snack and watch Anita Renfroe.

Off on another day.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Yuuki Photo of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:21:00 +0000

Just in case you think yesterday's photo was a fluke....here is Yuuki last week evidently doing Arielle's homework....a new twist on the dog ate my homework? ::grin::

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Missing De'Etta and Yuuki Pic of the day.

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:16:00 +0000

It has only been a day, but we are all missing De'Etta/Mom muchly. Looking forward to having her home.

In the meantime, the kids did school, scholarships, SAT, cleaned out the fish tank, and played in the snow.

Yuuki used the opportunity to get on facebook and do a little internet surfing - well we think she did; OK, maybe she did; alright, it looks like she could have... Anyway here is the Yuuki photo of the day.

Michael

Choosing Joy!

~Coram Deo~

Living all of life before the face of God...

Happy Medium

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:25:00 +0000

I really must work to find the balance between a running escort through immigration up to the gate and a 15 hour layover.

Narita EX was late....but I ran through ticketing, security and immigration - and on to the plane...amazing really how fast that CAN be done if you have airport employees with walkie talkies by your side.

Fun day of people watching

Safe in Dallas and waiting to board for the last leg of this trip. I think I'm home free now. lol

Edit - Susane picked me up as I walked to the baggage area....successful completion of travel day.

We spent the evening talking, went to dinner, and enjoyed an American onsen (aka hot tub).

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Fun Cookie

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 09:17:00 +0000

From a local vending machine....

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Yuuki Photo of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 09:06:00 +0000

Taking a nap on Stacia's futon. Yes, she DOES roll up in the blanket like this....and I swear she hacked up a giant hair ball this week.....strangest thing.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Where Have I BEEN?

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 09:03:00 +0000

No, not traveling.

In fact the Gherkins and I have been fairly well stuck in the house. It's been a snowy, icy week and the Gherkins mounted an insurrection. They let Michael know they don't want me driving on the roads and they don't want to ride with me either. ::snort:: I'm a kept woman, totally dependent on a man to drive me around....yeah - OK - I'll let them get used to being STUCK in the home for another week (while I'm in VA) and then I bet they'll be ready to take their chances with me again.

Worked GREAT for me. Michael drove us in on Tuesday and we did PWOC, meetings, hair cuts and Bible studies...and we were HOME the rest of the week. I love home.

We baked. We cooked. We got 3 weeks of school done in 3 days of school - how's THAT for child labor? ::snort:: I missed two events I really wanted to be at...but as I'm gearing up to be gone all this week - it was NICE to be grounded.

All this staying at home is hard work!

I know - I can hear the question...."If you were SITTING at home - WHY didn't you blog?" ::grin:: Well.....read above - 3 weeks of school with the younger set in 3 DAYS of school...gives me great peace as I travel. They'll do table school and we'll be fine with couch school.

I updated our PWOC regional blog and moved it to blogspot.
I deleted thousands and thousands of emails from the yahoo group which was the main forum of Asia Region Board discussion from 2009-2011.
I added new board members to the yahoo list.
I hosted a Skype with Asia Region's presidents
Interviewed a new board member
Had several other regional ministry Skypes.....
Waded through email traffic you wouldn't believe
Sent in an International blog post
Collected, edited and sent in Conference testimonies and photos to PWOCI
Spent hours creating a Slide and graphic for Asia's TnT (which we didn't use in the end) ::snort::
Began making sense of 300 Conference evaluations (Conf and Workshop)
A host of local odds and ends
Played with kids
Built a sledding hill
Made dozens of English muffins
Continued reading the Word chronologically as well as the New Testament with family and region
Worked on grading
Updated Jared's transcript
Emailed friends
Wrote a board report for next week's International Board Meeting....and then had to pray through the fear of leaving home after remembering what happened soon after the LAST board meeting. ::snort::
Walked with Yuuki

Did I mention we did lots of snuggling, reading, schooling and living? And....Oh yeah.....

Jared got glasses!

Don't judge me....this IS my baking drawer...and it WORKS for me this way.....but I don't usually find Krista's (24) nerf gun in the drawer! Zander is thrilled she mailed this to him. Guess he figured it was a safe spot.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Mail Call

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:52:00 +0000

It's always fun when Michael comes home and needs help unloading the van.....and Tuesday was a good mail day.... Cards from G'ma Mary and G'Pa Earl.....a missionary newsletter (Love ya, Tammy)....

A package from Krista FULL of Cosmos Corn....really if you live where it's easy to get this stuff you need to try it. Even Zander can eat it. Nothing fake in it at all...not necessarily HEALTHY (does have needless calories after all) but not fake. There was also an ipod cover for Michael's classic ipod and a PURPLE survivor bracelet (do you know what those are?) for me....The bottle in the back is NAR. It's a pomegranate syrup from Turkey. Krista - did you say they mixed it with oil for salads and marinade for veggies and fish?

My Emeril Al Clad pans arrived too! They do everything but mix the dinner up. ::grin:: Yep - happy with the choice and glad Michael pushed me to order some regardless of the price....

NOW if he'd just push me to buy an ipad3. . .

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

School Daze

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:39:00 +0000

The older three children are pretty much doing "Straight up Tapestry of Grace" - which is an honors program if done as written.

The younger two are doing Tapestry of Grace - Tweaked. ::snort::

Two things we've added to our recent school schedule are:

Crunches, planks and bridges before couch school. Why? Because Zander and I can use the toning up, and it's never too early for Stacia to stay fit. Zander does twice as many as me - NOW. This also sort of helps Zander deal with wiggles and transition into couch school.

Stacia wants to learn the books of the Bible. Christie L sent this link to Go Fish's Bible Book Bop. I watched it, ripped it to my hard drive (is THAT the right terminology?) and we're listening to this each a.m. between table and couch school too. Stacia is winning this competition....seems she's had some outside help from Michael...memorizing old school. Memorizing Acts 2 is how Michael and I developed a friendship which turned into a 28 year marriage...and counting....the man is good at memorizing. ::wink::

Zander is doing GREAT after our extended traveling and Christmas break. I was worried he would have lost ground but he's actually reading BETTER.....I'm praying this is the light bulb moment we've come to expect somewhere between 8 - 10. Have I mentioned lately, "Better Late Than Early," by Dr. Raymond Moore lately? Wow - THAT'S an OLD book. I remember hearing he and Dorothy when we lived in Portland in the 80's. ::grin:: In any event he and his studies gave us the courage to "wait" for the moment with our children that didn't "take off" at 3. LOL

I do believe the older set are going to get a full week of school done....and the younger set are going to get 2 1/2 weeks done. NOT BAD for a 3 day school week! The older ones are caught up - younger ones and I are about 4 weeks behind due to our 8 week traveling/Christmas break....but we're closing the gap quickly.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Winter Warrior - Year 3

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:20:00 +0000

Two years ago, nearly to the day, the older boys were home and saw a news clip about the Winter Warriors of Korea. That led to this. They did the same in 2011, but I can't seem to pull up that post.

Yesterday, someone said, "It's about time for the annual winter photo." I knew...but was still surprised.....living life in the Testerzone.....with plenty of T-Poisoning going around....and think TWO of them are missing. LOL

The girls and I dutifully bundled up to brave the cold so we could document this....

Oops! No Flash (twice)... maniacal laugh

Zander even agreed to take his shirt off this year - Goecker Tough!

Love Zander's push up style....bet he and Nolan are wondering if growing up is all it's cracked up to be!

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sledding Hills, Snow Fortresses and Learning Ops

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:11:00 +0000

Wow - it simply snowed and snowed and snowed....and I don't know if we are expected to get more. It snowed so much that my CHILDREN, my DAUGHTER with NERVES OF STEEL, has asked if we can all ride in with Michael to PWOC tomorrow instead of me driving....and MICHAEL has said he'll bring us home after haircuts and go BACK to base to get Nolan after drama rather than have me drive. I AM a wimp....but this is beyond normal winter driving conditions. I know BRAVE women who haven't ventured out all weekend.

Today was Day 3 of a 3 day weekend. Day 1 we traveled home from Tokyo. Day 2 was chapel. Day 3 Michael had a MLK service, and some extra drop in appointments before he could get out.

The kids and I, however, played....baked...worked on turning this blog into a book....Good fun! We aren't sure WHERE this thing came from but a BIG, lit snow plow came by late last night and left a lot of snow at the end of our driveway.....the kids had plans to use it to add to our sledding hill and to build a fortress.

Digging out the entrance to the igloo at the base of the sledding hill

Woot - it's looking respectable after all this snow

Nolan says it's a great hill

I prefer to stay inside and make hot chocolate

Foresight to have left the planters out - chocolate coolers

A fortress

Also on the agenda today was the start up of "routines" involving a healthy life style. I made a great dinner too....and ate just the right amount of it.

I had a 2 hour long ministry skype.

We've had a situation here since we've moved in. A boy who simply likes to manipulate Zander's lack of social skills. The mom has been on my door step drunk and yelling before so really there isn't much that can be done here. We've tried. I was encouraged when he came today and started to taunt Zander. Zander did NOT respond. This is HUGE. Usually Zander either lashes out physcially or breaks down emotionally...neither great responses. I didn't realize this boy was out there. Later I heard that he had come over and begun to say that Zander needed to go somewhere else because he didn't want to play with Zander. Again - Zander didn't respond (which a few months ago made this boy and his mother mad because Zander won't respond to questions and "deadlines"). The OTHERS my kids and neighborhood kids told him, "This is Zander's yard. If you don't want to play with him, you can go play somewhere else." I felt like parenting is hard and I can't find the right balance in the situation...but friends helped me to see that it was GOOD for our kids to speak up and not let someone bully someone who interacts with society in a unique way (OK - already - my alphabet child). I think that's true. What this boy has been doing is not o.k. Zander has fought this battle (with the aide of Mike and I trying to talk with parents and give him pointers) for two years....it was nice for others to come to his aide today.....and we'll keep looking for ways to help Zander process the strange social cues coming his way.

I'm now blogging while coffee cake for tomorrow's PWOC bakes...then I'm sleeping.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Yuuki Photo of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:31:00 +0000

Yuuki is not 100% thrilled with the snow.....today Arielle took her out for a walk and she promptly fell into the deepest ditch out there. Arielle said she couldn't jump out...just the tip of her white tail was sticking out of the ditch....Arielle climbed in and pulled her out. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Yuuki Photo of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:58:00 +0000

Yuuki can be a bit of a distraction during Family Circle....Tonight Stacia asks us, "Pray Yuuki has a good day tomorrow." ::big grin:: This dog is a becoming a wee bit pampered, me thinks.

For the past couple of days Stacia has been worried that Yuuki needs friends. She used to LOVE to go get her hair cut so she could play with Reeses and Lucy, Barb's dogs. She told me again this a.m. "Mom, you need to call Ms. Barb, and ask her if Yuuki and Reese and Lucy can be friends. I'm going to have to tell Reese that I still love her but I have my own dog now. ....but Yuuki doesn't have any other dogs in our house to be friends."....Not sure if she's concerned for Reese's feelings or angling for another dog. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Snow and Quakes - We're Home!

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 22:09:00 +0000

Evidently - THIS is what light snow looks like here in Misawa... Little Home on the Rice Paddies.....

Still snowing.....

I have no idea how much we have.....but I know I had three clean steps off my patio last night....

AND an earthquake last night too....I woke up thinking, "I wish I lived on base so the roads would be clear,".....now I'm thinking, "I'm glad I live off base so I can shovel when *I* think it makes logical sense!" ::snort::

Guess we're going to have to get up and get ready to dig ourselves out for chapel.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Yuuki Photo of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 09:26:00 +0000

Since I was traveling and you didn't get Yuuki photos of the day......I'll post a few here....Yuuki playing with her new pink flamingo from Joyful Honda in Tokyo.

Stacia was trying to play with the flamingo and Yuuki.....

Stacia ran to tell me Yuuki was doing this....

I'm learning the video feature on this new camera.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

We Drove Into Winter

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 09:10:00 +0000

It took us 2 hours to get from Yokota AB to the Tohoku Toll Road....is this normal? We went down 16 to 3 to the Toll Road.... We did enjoy the scenery....

Can you make out the Katakana?

Lunch ....well.....we stopped at one stop and couldn't find "chicken on a stick".....we stopped at another stop and Stacia found some bread with "mystery meat" in the middle. She approved. Zander begged to try these from the vending machine. I gave in - but drew the line at hot dogs from the vending machine.

Complete with a salt packet

Mike and I settled for a box of Cherrios, cashews and yummy oranges....not really liking to try mystery meat.

As we drove along I began to dream of hikes, the beach, Shipwreck, driving up to Towada etc. I struggled to remind myself it was NOT spring even if there was no snow in sight, crops in the field.....but STILL it shocked me when 3 hours from home THIS showed up on the side of the road. The roads were still completely clear.

Isn't the snow man cute? I'm not sure what the sign says...."Beware of moving snowmen?" ::snort:: We assumed from the conditions it was warning us that there was snow ahead....which there was....1 1/2 hours from home.....

Our road - back in Oirase

We can tell from the size of our sled hill (turned igloo?) that it's been snowing the past three days. The warm spring-like weather of Tokyo is quickly becoming a fading dream.....

Yuuki welcomed us with jumps, howls, licks.....We always bring gifts home for the kids....but this time the star of the show was Yuuki. We got her a nice soft, furry, fluffy cushion for her chair...and a pink flamingo.....

It's good to be home. We've got a bit of dinner on the table. Michael went to base to pick up Jared and clean the rental van. We'll turn it in in the a.m. We DID buy Kung Fu Panda2 and Spy Kids 4 for the kids at the BX in Yokota....so we'll settle in for a bit of family movies....and try to SLEEP and get ready for chapel tomorrow. LOL

There were many highlights of the trip.....visiting Joyful Honda, seeing Mel and Tracy again, the retirement, Molten Lava dessert with the Moreys....but the best thing of all was 18 hours of discussion in a van with my boyfriend. I suspect we've used all our words up for a year or so...but it was GREAT.

Psssstt.....a secret....seeing the warmer weather of Tokyo is testing this tropical gal's resolve to love the Northern winter. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Celebrating in Yokota!

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:55:00 +0000

We had the joy of driving to Tokyo so that my husband could preside at the retirement ceremony of Chaplain Dan Morey yesterday. Tracy has served on both Asia Region's and Yokota's PWOC boards. Ch. Morey has been a PWOC Chaplain here in Yokota. I was struck (as were several others who commented) at the fun and excitement displayed during this retirement ceremony. Of course, it was a blast to reconnect with some of our Yokota PWOC members....but it was more. This was a true celebration of a family walking out a season of ministry faithfully! Twist and turns...but still walking faithfully....that example ministered to those of us who were privileged to hear the story.

Ch. Goecker, Tracy Morey, Ch. Morey

I woke up this morning wondering what it will be like to wake up retired...knowing that a season of service is over....Whatever God puts in my path to do, I want to execute faithfully and well for His glory. May we all wake at the end of our "season of service" - be that in the home, at PWOC, on a spouses group, at the end of a military career - and rest in the fact that we've been "good and faithful servants". We may not accomplish all we "could," but we can certainly do well and faithfully all HE gives us to do, which in the end is all we "should" do.

Well-lived Chaplain Dan, Tracy and Melody...our hats are off to you!

PSssstt.....Ch. G did an awesome job at conducting his first retirement ceremony. Well-done!

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Today's Adventure

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:38:00 +0000

Shew - that was a long 12 hours...but we're here. We went to bed last night to a winter snow advisory in our area and the thought that we had to drive the roads this a.m.

We left home and it was snowing....and more was predicted. It was COLD too. I wouldn't have wanted to drive on the roads, but Michael was fine. We weren't making great time...but we were safe.

Houses to the left of middle are ours....little house in the paddies?

We stopped and enjoyed the great rest areas pretty regularly. We couldn't resist this picture......there was a 5.9 earthquake shortly after we passed through. I have amazing stories about my trips to Tokyo. LOL We actually didn't feel this one at all as we were driving.

I thought this sign to help you locate a vacant toilet was very helpful....

The GPS led us on a unique route....we eventually did end up right in front of Yokota....we'll have to remember to tell the men at the Auto Hobby shop that the man who told them "this thing led me all over town before it took me to Yokota," is RIGHT. ::snort:: Who would guess they'd have NO maps to YOKOTA AIR BASE in the Air Force rental van....directions to Army and Naval installations. ::snort::

We missed our planned entertainment for the night...but we're so tired it's probably best to get some sleep. LOL It took us 4 1/2 hours longer than we expected..... It's a warm 40* tonight down here....crops are still in the fields....totally different than Misawa. We'll have to remember this when the winter gets long.

OH - and for two years I asked for the bathroom with the wrong pronunciation....I was asking "Excuse me, Where's the chicken please?" Today I got to try the phrase with the RIGHT pronunciation....and it worked. ::snort:: No perplexing looks and instant help. LOL

We are in the same TLF that the regional board shared two years ago at WILD. Fun memories....sharing molten lava...sweet laughter and confidences. Making new memories with Michael and the youngest two Gherkins.

I found myself reflecting on the fateful drive to Tokyo last March....and the memories of FB messages, "Has anyone heard from my family. Are they ok?" And the fellowship with two dear friends as we tried to get back home...both of them moved on now....new memories to make.

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Yuuki Photo of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:42:00 +0000

Evidently neither of them are captivated by Pride and Prejudice

Yuuki and Jared take a bit of a school break. Jared cracked us up by writing that Jane Austin's works are "steeped in estrogen." ::snort::

Yuuki is JEALOUS of our pet FISH! Can you believe that? She was sitting nicely in the dining room. We finished dinner and kept talking. Arielle reached over and fed the fish and Yuuki began whining and whimpering. What a hoot!

Productive Day

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:19:00 +0000

BUSY day - ALL DAY AT HOME TYPE OF BUSY. The best kind of busy there is.

I took care of a few ministry things - researching an upcoming trip for the end of March, getting ready for a trip tomorrow, SCHOOL, baking, laundry...lots and lots of school. In fact, Zander, Stacia and I got a whole week of school done today. Everything just clicked! They've even asked if we can bring the school books with us to Tokyo. We will.

I have discovered it is much harder to arrange the details of a trip when you live this far off base, have an 18 yo that works ON base (but can't drive off base) and a new dog. LOL But I think we have a workable plan now. All the pieces are working together. We had envisioned a family trip to Tokyo - and it won't be...but those of us who go will enjoy the drive time to catch up with each other.

Rice is steaming, salad and fruit ready to go, Chicken Divan will pop in the over at 6:30 p.m. or when we get notice that Michael is on his way home.....

I just need to pack. Oh yeah.

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Cream of....substitute

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:47:00 +0000

Make a white sauce and substitute for "condensed cream of soups" in recipes... (Making Chicken Divan tonight).

Basic:
3 T Butter
4 T Flour
*1 C Milk (or 1/2 broth/1/2 milk)
Salt
Pepper

Melt butter
Add flour
Whisk in milk, salt and pepper

Stir until thickens.

*I think it tastes better with 1/2 chicken broth and 1/2 milk.....(which makes Cream of Chicken soup).

* I hear you can make big batches and freeze - I've not done so.

*Add sauteed mushrooms, veggies, chicken, bouillon to vary the types of soup.

This will make about 1 C of thickened soup - so I'd use it for a can. Eyeball it. It's an art not a science. The above photo is a double recipe and substituted fairly well for "2 cans of cream of chicken soup".

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Yuuki Photo of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:21:00 +0000

Don't touch my rawhide!

Recap

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:48:00 +0000

We're back in the swing of life....full force. LOL

Friday we got an incredible amount of school done.

Saturday I had a spouse's breakfast - sweet time together.

Michael had some suspenses he was working on both Saturday and Sunday. So...the kids and I got more school done. I also moved some posts over here that I wanted to have in our family journal.

Sunday we were back at Sunday School...we'd been off for the Christmas/New Year's Break. Michael spent the day at chapel and we puttered.

I moved Asia Region's off-site blog from wordpress to blogspot...not seamless but I've got the majority of things moved or linked. Maybe.

I'm trying to learn how to do a few new techie tricks....booked some airplane trips.

LOTS more school today. We're moving at a rapid clip....trying to make up for the long Christmas break we had as well as get ahead for some spring fun.

Nothing earth-shattering or a lot of fun....but needful. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Yuuki Photo of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:30:00 +0000

Yuuki really loves her toy

Secret Place - 2012 Memorial Stone

noreply@blogger.com (De'Etta @ Choosing Joy) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 06:18:00 +0000

Nearly every year for quite a few years God has graced me with a word. One word (sometimes a short phrase) which clues me in to the conversations and paths Jesus and I will share in the upcoming season. This has become more meaningful to me than New Year's Resolutions (though I do love me some goals). I have come to term these Memorial Stones - you can read the list at the tab above. You can read more about this here as well (no reason to write it all again).

Abba, Daddy God, has already been meeting, encouraging, challenging, motivating me around the word for the year. In theology speak it would be "sanctuary"...in De'Etta speak God has been sharing with me about a "secret place" or "secrecy".....

For an extrovert, who has lived most of life in front of public scrutiny (PK, MK, married a pastor) and has embraced the fish bowl, I was astonished in September of this year to find I was CRAVING solitude. I wanted to find a place where NO ONE knew my NAME, NO ONE knew my POSITION, NO ONE knew my FAMILY, NO ONE NEEDED me or had EXPECTATIONS of me.... I wanted to be anonymous. This became a near driving need. Those close to me heard me say several times, "I want to go hide in a cave," or "Nov 14th, I'm crawling into the cave." (Yes, I've heard my hubs speak on Elijah in the cave and THAT is what I craved. I understand Elijah). I was o.k. with the idea of solitude. In fact I was counting the days until my leadership position would end and I planned to crawl away to rest - for a good long time. Into this countdown, my wise husband calmly asked, "Have you PRAYED about whether you are to be willing to serve another term?"

No, I hadn't. It took a dear prayer warrior and three weeks before I was ready to say, "OK - show me a verse". I got the water in the desert and my plans aren't your plans verses (as I studied the SERMON ON THE MOUNT with Precept). Those are always trouble. Each verse also had a promise of joy - and going forth with dancing and shouting. God began to give me glimmers of vision for another couple of year's of service...BUT I was MOVING in 6 months....I couldn't get away from it and submitted an "application" and decided the selection team would hear from God...I just had to obey. I told them we were scheduled to leave in July 2012....but we'd asked for an extension. They selected me. I cried, I really, really , really well.....it was simply hard. I wanted to hide and God was requiring more leadership. But the verses assured me there would be joy!

I left for 4 weeks of travel in the states....God lovingly began to speak to me...Sweetly...dearly....You can read more about this time in the post - Hidden Treasures/Rest. There has been so much...but secrets are intimate and confidential...and I'll share as I feel released to do so. The bottom line is that God met me and has lovingly showed me things I've known for years at a deeper level about resting, hiding, the Secret Place.

The following is from Dr. Zodhiates' Complete Dictionary of Word study in Pocket Bible.

"secret/hidden" - Strongs 2927 - Kruptos - hidden, concealed, secret, in secret where one cannot be seen by others, to be covered.

"sanctuary" - place set apart and consecrated as holy - also served as a refuge and asylum....

If I MUST choose one word - it would be sanctuary. I tend to like "Secret Place" or "Secret Sanctuary" better. LOL

As I shared in Hidden Treasures/Rest - "In the midst of a public season, taking time to be hidden with Christ in the secret place is my lifeline, the solace and rest I crave. This is the "cave" Abba Father lovingly grants in this public season where I'm not allowed to "go anonymous". I can be hidden/anonymous every time I enter the "secret place" with Him."

I've gone there often these past two months. My journal pages are full of sweet lessons. He is becoming my secret place, my sanctuary in ever-deeper ways....the great thing is He was before...but His mercies are NEW to us every morning. I'm refreshed. I'm peaceful.

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...