December #1

To start the month on the right foot, on November 20 I had my left foot bone surgery after a 5 year wait. Since ProTech is moving to Pennsylvania, I want to get myself all fixed up while we have health insurance.
BUT this time, I am having extra care - complete with a personal ultrasound machine that insurance bought for me - I use it 3 times a day and it stimulates bone regrowth.
This time I was prescribed a knee scooter too - I end up sitting on it and Joseph or Julianne pull me ~ it goes super fast in Costco! hahaha


I was up and around in time for the Quantivate Company Christmas party. Yes, it is a family business, started by my nephew Andy, employing my other nephew Charles, and my two sons Jason and Jaron.



Moving on to Julianne's school program at New Albion Academy. I loved holding my grand nephew Abraham during the candlelight singing of Silent Night, where he whispered to me "This is so beautiful"


Last night was the Pro Tech very last Christmas party here in Washington. It was bittersweet - we have appreciated this wonderful company for many many years. Joseph got his game on against Roland in pool ~

A Beautiful time, wonderful people...the Lord is good to us.

Happy Thanksgiving 2009

With President George Washington,1782 - Thanksgiving instituted by congress: "Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, and request the several States to interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness."

On crutches, my family had to all pitch in like they never have before. I sat and told them each ingredient to bring to me, each utensil, each bowl or dish, where it is located...etc.

It was the best meal ever - (don't they say food tastes better when someone else makes it? Now I understand what my family has been enjoying all these years!) I have never enjoyed it more!

Julianne blessed us with a special poem she wrote for the day

We prayed for Jordan, who was in Ohio
Julianne - gotta love her

Just look at that turkey - in the pan, of course

Two New Friends

They say that friends can be good or bad. There can be an intense love/hate relationship with certain friends.

I have two new friends - really close friends. The bible says a friend sticks closer than a brother - these two friends do that for sure. I honestly could not get by without them - especially in the coming months.

My upcoming journey will require my two new friends to carry me through the tough times to come. Not carry as in lift me, but carry as in enable me to literally walk. Have you ever had friends like that?

Some may say that my new friends are lifeless, with no personality. I beg to differ! Their personality shines! They are two peas in a pod, lost without the other. When they are alone, they are not complete. The three of us make an awesome triple braided chord, able to stand.

A friend is someone who is there for you when he'd rather be anywhere else. These two new friends surely fit this bill - there are many places they may rather be, yet they choose to stay by my side.

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up." This is so true of my two new friends.

Nothing says it like this quote:
"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
Walk beside me and be my friend."

You KNOW they are true friends, when they allowed me to do a makeover on them, completely obliterating who they are - well, they are still recognizable, but very very different. They didn't even scream when they realized what happened to them!

OK OK I have been accused of using my friends as crutches....so be it.

Pictures of my two new friends:







I am having my second foot surgery tomorrow, and just wanted to lighten my fears a bit - now I am stuck with these hideous decoupaged and bejeweled crutches for 3 months. LOL

My Mom's 80th Birthday at Suncadia

My mom is now 80. All of her precious and darling children (and their spouses) got together for the first time in a long while. We stayed in a penthouse at Suncadia Lodge.



We took a zillion pictures to try to get just ONE good one - failThe outlaws did a much better job at cooperating than the siblings did
My moms sister, brother and his wife also joined the fun.
80 candles = well earned. We love you so much!

Because He Lives

Because He Lives

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.



Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.



How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.



Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.



And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.


Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!

~ William and Gloria Gaither ~

At my mom's church, this song was sang. My mom and I cried ~ in happiness, remembering how special this song was for us back in the day when we first knew of God's great love and sacrifice for us. Tears that tell a thousand stories of the journey of our lives as Christians. Tears of rejoicing of how God has seen us through the years....tears of wonder at the how's and why's of life. We KNOW these words are true -and that without God our life would have no purpose at all.

So my mom had a stroke and her life has drastically changed.....but there IS a purpose, God IS alive. Because HE lives, we CAN face tomorrow!

Julianne's 13th Birthday - 10/3

How fitting for our daughter's 13th birthday to post her devotional that was presented at her adoption shower, written by Angie O'Connell.

Adoption according to Webster's 1828 dictionary is "the treating of a stranger as one's own child and heir". It is also according to Webster "God's taking the sinful children of men into His favor and protection". Let me repeat these two definitions and this time I will follow them with Ephesians 2:19. Adoption is "the taking and treating of a stranger as one's own child and heir." It is "God's taking the sinful children of men into His favor and protection." "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are of God's household."

On May 3rd, 1997 Julianne Grace was, unknown to her, beginning the process of no longer being a stranger to her family. She providentially found favor in the eyes of her parents, Joseph and JoAnn, not because she was conceived by them and born to the but because of their deep desire to parent and God's leading them to her photo in the books containing the photos of many children needing homes. The love lavished on this particular child is a picture of the love God lavishes on us through the riches of His grace. The adoption metaphor is a compelling illustration of God's covenant love for His people. Through the adoption of Julianne the Tolentino's are experiencing a small piece of this. The transfer and grafting of this child into her permanent family is a wonderful image of our permanent place in our Heavenly Father's family.

First Peter 1:23-25 states "...you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God. For all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flowers of grass. The grass withers and the flower falls odd, but the Word of the LORD abides forever, and this is the Word which was preached to you." Some perceive that adoption is "second best" as a way to build or add to a family. Some even go as far as to say that an adopted child has no part of the covenant, but God's word clearly states that the physical is perishable. No matter who we are born to it is His Word alone living and abiding in us that causes us to have life eternal.

John Calvin states "God's covenant was not made to last only fro a few days, or for a short time. When He adopted the children of Abraham, He took them under His keeping forever." Romans 8 in discussing those who are the descendants of Abraham says "It is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants."

What a cause for joy to know that in God's love in choosing us that places us as heirs in His eternal family with all the rights and privileges! As we watch Julianne grow in her new earthly family she is a tangible picture of these spiritual realities.

JoAnn, we rejoice with you in the addition of Julianne to your family. We thank God for His abundant blessing to you. He has provided for you above all that you could ever have asked or dreamed for. Let us be diligent to pray for the Tolentinos that by His grace God would lavish His adopting love on their new little daughter and that they would be faithful to raise all their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Our God is an awesome God and we rejoice to see Him move and work in our midst in such a joyous and marvelous way!

Love in Christ,
Angie O'Connell
July 12, 1997

And now, this sweet little crazy baby is 13 years old! She is sweet, caring, unselfish, rambunctious, and loves truth.
This video is her and her friends singing "Praise to the Lord All Ye Nations" in the hot tub! How fitting!

Psalm 19 - Evening Sermon

Psalm 19 (American Standard Version)

Psalm 19
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament showeth his handiwork.

2 Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night showeth knowledge.

3 There is no speech nor language; Their voice is not heard.

4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoiceth as a strong man to run his course.

6 His going forth is from the end of the heavens, And his circuit unto the ends of it; And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

7 The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring for ever: The ordinances of Jehovah are true, and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: In keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors? Clear thou me from hidden faults.

13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me: Then shall I be upright, And I shall be clear from great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in thy sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer.

short synopsis:
Verses 1-6 describe how the creation SPEAKS of the glories of God, and testifies to man of God's power and wisdom, transcending all languages and peoples.

Verses 7-11 David uses synonyms to describe the law: perfect, sure, right, pure,clean, and true - then lists the effects that the law has on God's people:
restoring the soul, making wise the simple, rejoicing the heart, enlightening the eyes, enduring forever, and righteous altogether.

Verses 12-14 Because of this: we should desire the law of God more than anything!
The law of God opens our hearts, we see our sin in full light of the gospel, are drawn to God in repentance. The Law of God converted King David's very soul.

To the believer, the law of God brings life. To unbelievers, it brings death.

Which are you?

9/11 Never Forget

Excerpts from President George W. Bush's speech to congress on 9/20/2001

Read in full here: http://www.september11news.com/PresidentBushSpeech.htm

"Tonight, we are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom. Our grief has turned to anger and anger to resolution. Whether we bring our enemies to justice or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done."

"On September the 11th, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country. Americans have known wars, but for the past 136 years they have been wars on foreign soil, except for one Sunday in 1941. Americans have known the casualties of war, but not at the center of a great city on a peaceful morning."

Americans are asking, "Why do they hate us?"
They hate what they see right here in this chamber: a democratically elected government.Their leaders are self-appointed. They hate our freedoms: our freedom of religion, ourfreedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other.


"From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime. Our nation has been put on notice. We're not immune from attack. We will take defensive measures against terrorism to protect Americans."

"We're in a fight for our principles, and our first responsibility is to live by them. No one should be singled out for unfair treatment or unkind words because of their ethnic background or religious faith."

"And finally, please continue praying for the victims of terror and their families, for those in uniform and for our great country. Prayer has comforted us in sorrow and will help strengthen us for the journey ahead."

"I will not forget the wound to our country and those who inflicted it. I will not yield, I will not rest, I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people."


God Bless America~ and never forget 9/11

Here is another excellent link: http://www.libertylive.org/blog_main/post.php?post_id=1592

Happy Birthday Jordan! 8/31/86

You were born with dimples, a smile, and constantly humming You have always been the nurturing type, from little brothers...
to your bear
You have always liked cool sun glasses

and have always had the gang mentality
I love you! Have a wonderful birthday and may God bless you! (Please graduate this year)I pray that this will be your life song!

Camping 09

We went far, far away. I had the wrong address in Mapquest, so Andy's family and our family went on an extra long route, winding up in the middle of nowhere, only to discover that our real destination was actually also in the middle of nowhere.
The beauty of that grassland was breathtaking. There were fun and games, and even the littlest ones could hold their own against my 3 sons

Went shooting with the guys - and now think I will give up ballroom dancing for shooting
Wakeboarding, swimming, rattlesnake hunting, laughter galore = great vacation with the Anderhoff's, Rorberg's, and Tolentino's

Wild Bunch If Ya Ask Me

I am scanning and photo-shopping all of my parents pictures of their entire life. This one particularly caught my eye - it is my mother's mother, her 2ND husband (her first drowned) and her parents(plus some randon dude). They seem like a party group - it almost looks like bootleg days - gotta research that.

Needless to say, the story plays out in my mind with each scanned photo. So much to wonder about, such a different era. I am so thankful that I have deep roots of family and traditions, handed down and modified to suit each new generation.

Life is amazing.

Happy Anniversary! 29 Years!

We decided that 29 years is a long time - and was appropriate for a picture with our own caption. "The secret to a happy marriage is that the woman gets the biggest gun"
Joking - I love my husband!

Morning Drive

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

This is an amazing sight - sunrise over fog in the valley! I don't think I have ever seen anything like this - thankfully I carry my camera with me.

I am reminded of God's unfailing love. The fog, to me, can represent the inescapable muck and mire that we live in. Sometimes we can feel engulfed with worry, cares, and battles of this world. It can seem hopeless at times, with no (cliche) light at the end of the tunnel. However, what we sometimes do not see is God's light shining on us, in us, and through us.

Thank for God, for each new day and for every breath you give me.