Update

School started back today. It came sooner than I wanted it too. Here is what I have been up to the last several weeks.

Josh's Grandma passed away earlier this month, so we spent some time in Idaho. I didn't know her well but she was an amazing and beautiful woman of God. Her and her husband pastored for over thirty years and while in Idaho I was blessed to hear many wonderful stories from people whose lives were touched by Darleen and John Kell. John passed away several years ago and I never had the chance to meet him. A picture of Grandma Kell is below. She is bottom row in the middle.

Also while there I had an epiphany. I was speaking to a friend of Darleen's and he mentioned that many of his friends had been passing, as he was at that age. At first it was sad to me but then I thought about how neat it was how we go through life with others. God brings us to others that are going through the same things. Currently I am in the marriage and baby phase. Many around me are getting married and having babies. I see others who are raising their school aged children together. My parents and their friends are all going though the empty next phase. It reminds me of this verse (one of my favorites!):

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Also I moved. Most of my house is still in boxes, but this new place will be such a blessing. Thank you to: Randy Rice, Sarah Howsen, Danny Stift, David Rude, Shawn Garrett, Alyssa Miller, Naomi Hunsaker, neighbor #14 in new apartment and neighbor #23 of old apartment, plus BIG thanks to Josh and my mom.

And I finished Harry Potter book 7 - not my favorite one, but still glad I read it.

Come one, come all . . .

To help me move!

The time has come for me to move! This saturday I am going to try to get the bigger stuff over to my new place. If you can help - load or unload that would be great! The rest of the week I will be moving stuff as well. Any help is much appreciated.


Go ahead and call to let me know if you can come anytime. Times are unsure at this time, and I don't know where I will be when - so give me a ring! Old place is out toward Gresham and new place is in Tigard

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down

Since I have had more time on my hands lately I decided to read a book. ‘The Spirit Catches you and You Fall Down’ by Anne Fadiman caught me when I saw it was on the required reading list for my social and cultural class this fall. (So not only did I read a great book, I also got ahead for next semester!)

Fadiman’s book contains the true story of the clash between a Hmong family whose daughter (Lia Lee) was diagnosed with severe epilepsy and the American doctors that treated the little girl. Both parties desperately wants to do what they believe is best for Lia Lee. Unfortunately both ideas are polar opposite and their lack of understanding of each other leads to tragedy.

It was easy for me to have a connection with Lia Lee, who was born in Merced California on July 19, 1982. I was born an hour north of Lia just about one month earlier. While Lia and her family were struggling to understand and compromise with the doctors I was growing up in a very white town where such conflicts did not even enter the minds of most of its citizens.

Fadiman’s empathic story telling leads you to more fully understand both sides of the story. Her dedicated work is truly magnificent, eliciting years of her time which she spend with the Lee family, Merced doctors, social and state workers and Hmong educators, interpreters and cultural brokers. This unique book is a part historical, part cultural, part medical and part therapy book. In the preface Fadiman states “I am sure that if I had never met Lia’s doctors, I would be a different kind of patient. I am sure that if I had never met her family, I would be a different kind of mother.” Having read this profound book has made me a different kind of person.

Sugary Sweet August

In the spirit of Jason Hill's monthly challenges , but inspired by my boyfriend I am not eating sugar this month. It is a challenge we are embarking on together. We know he can do it because he has done it before, me on the other hand . . .

Today is day six. The first few days I literally thought I was going to die. This did not happen. I am starting to feel better, but again it is only day six.

Note to the Reader: I am still using some artificial sweeteners. And, many foods contain sugars that I am still eating. So basically it's the candies, cookies, pop etc.