The boys tested and graduated from Orange to Yellow belt!
Martial Arts Belt Graduation – Orange to Yellow
Nov 2nd, 2011 by leigharev2
A Letter From God
Oct 27th, 2011 by leigharev2
(This was something that the missionary Dan Derr read to our homeschool group. I am not sure who the author is to credit it…)
A LETTER FROM GOD
Hi,
As you got up this morning,
I watched you and hoped you would talk to me,
even if it was just a few words,
asking my opinion or thanking me for
something good that happened in your life yesterday –
but I noticed you were to busy
trying to find the right outfit to put on
and wear to work.
I waited again.
When you ran around the house getting ready
I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello,
but you were too busy.
At one point you had to wait fifteen minutes
with nothing to do except sit in a chair.
Then I saw you spring to your feet.
I thought you wanted to talk to me
but you ran to the phone and called a friend
to get the latest gossip.
I watched as you went to work
and I waited patiently all day long.
With all your activities
I guess you were too busy
to say anything to me.
I noticed that before lunch
you looked around,
maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me,
that is why you didn’t bow your head.
You glanced three or four tables over
and you noticed some of your friends
talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn’t.
That’s okay. There is still more time left,
and I have hope that you will talk to me…
yet you went home
and it seems as if you had
lots of things to do.
After a few of them were done you turned on the TV,
I don’t know if you like TV or not,
just about anything goes there
and you spent a lot of time each day
in front of it,
not thinking about anything –
just enjoying the show.
I waited patiently again
as you watched the TV and ate your meal…
but again you didn’t talk to me.
Bedtime – I guess you felt too tired.
After you said goodnight to your family
you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time.
That’s okay
because you may not realize
that I am always there for you.
I’ve got patience
more than you will ever know.
I even want to teach you
how to be patient with others as well.
I love you so much
that I wait everyday for a nod,
prayer or thought or a thankful part of your heart.
It is hard to have a one-sided conversation.
Well you are getting up again and once again I will wait with nothing but love for you hoping that today you will give me some time.
Have a nice day!
Your friend,
GOD
Visit with Missionaries
Oct 27th, 2011 by leigharev2
The boys and I were extremely blessed to be able to attend a lecture by retired missionaries, Dan and Elly Derr. A local newspaper ran an article on them Auburn Journal.
You might be aware of the incredible story about the missionaries Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian. In the mid-1950’s,these men, along with their families, traveled into Ecuador’s Amazon Rain Forest to share the gospel with an indigenous tribe known as the Waorani/Auca . This tribe was well known and feared by other tribes. They were fiercely private and attacked all intruders without provocation.
Mission stations had been established and other area tribes had built relationships with the missionaries. They traded medical care and services for local fruit and game.
Getting to the mission station from Ecuador’s capitol, Quito, used to be a two week trip, partly by truck and partly by hiking. Nate Saint was a pilot who build a small landing strip that cut the time getting to the station to 40 minutes by plane.
(By the way…this area has an average of 20 feet of rain per year! Yes, I typed that correctly….)
These five men began to establish communication with the Auca’s by flying over their land a few times a day, in the same plane with distinguishable markings. Then, after a few weeks, they began circling the area and lowered a bucket containing gifts. The Waorani received the gifts and after a while reciprocated by placing gifts of their own in the bucket. One was a roasted monkey.
After several months of these exchanges, the men decided to land their plane on a strip of sand along the river. They met a man and a woman and spent the day with them. Encouraged by this encounter, the men began to make plans to visit others when they were attacked and killed.
Life Magazine found out about the incident and had a 10 page photo essay printed by famous photographer Cornell Capa. (I’ve been trying to find these photos online, but have had no success. If anyone finds them, I’d appreciate the link.)
A movie was made about this, titled, “The End of the Spear.”
Incredibly, some of the wives of the slain missionaries decided to stay in Ecuador with their children, and continue the work their husbands had started. Elizabeth, the wife of Jim Elliott, wrote a couple of books and created a documentary, titled, ” Beyond the Gates of Splendor”. It was during this time that the Derr’s served alongside Elizabeth Elliott.
The Derr’s showed this documentary and we saw how they were able to continue communication with the Waorani, then make contact and establish relationship. There is some sweet footage of Elizabeth Elliott’s little girl swimming in the river with some of the Waorani children. They had made friends with two Waorani women who had left the tribe. These women learned to communicate with the missionaries in either english or spanish (I’m not sure which), then went back to their tribe to explain why the missionaries were there.
The Waorani believed that everyone who was not a part of their tribe were cannibals and hence, had to be killed. When they learned that not everyone was a cannibal or a threat, they were open to establishing relationship with the missionaries and other local tribes.
The Derr’s shared their story and items that they brought back with them…
Dan Derr showing us the blow darts that the Waorani added poison to…
A headdress that a man would wear…
My friend, Shanti, “kissing” the shrunken head of a sloth…
These are earrings that the men wore. They pierce their ears and expand the holes to accommodate larger sticks, etc. These adornments are made out of beetle wings!
‘R’, modeling the headdress, earrings, and blow darts…
‘A’, doing the same…
More adornments: chief headdress and earrings
‘R’, with the shrunken sloth head…
Having fun with ‘K’…
‘N’, showing the handmade comb…
A picture of a Waorani man…
Grafting
Oct 26th, 2011 by leigharev2
Currently, our homeschool is learning all about farms and the methods that are used in farming and ranching. We just completed a lesson on fruit orchards. One of the techniques we learned about is called grafting.
Grafting is a horticultural term where the rootstock on one plant (our example was the apple tree), is joined by the shoot of a another plant. The two sets of vascular plant tissue graft together, creating a new plant that contains elements of two separate plants.
The reason for this is to create a plant that has desirable traits, such as disease resistance, tasty fruit, a long production season, etc.
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are also “grafted” by and with the Holy Spirit.
Grafting is initially painful to the plant, and to us. A cut needs to be made in the rootstock and a shoot needs to be cut off another. For us, sin (anything that we do that goes against God’s perfect will for us), addictions, self-centeredness, unhealthy thoughts and actions are cut, and the Holy Spirit takes its place. For me, this has been a long, painful process, and continues to be.
But, as the grafted tree heals and restores and creates a new tree, so does the Holy Spirit heal, restore, and create a new Me!
The scars of the grafts can be seen on a tree, and the scars of my past can be seen on me. But the vibrant, living Holy Spirit continues to knit together and bind my wounds, and I pray, pulse through my body, stronger every day.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Beautiful Napa Day
Oct 19th, 2011 by leigharev2
My cousin, Terry, came down for a quick visit from Washington state. We snuck away for a day trip to Napa Valley.
I dropped the kids off at a friend’s house, (thank you, Tina), and we were in Napa just before noon. Our friends Eric and Crystal were coincidentally in Napa, celebrating their anniversary. They joined us and spent the day with us.
First stop: Duckhorn
This is a favorite wine of a client of ours, so went there first to pick up a couple of bottles for him. They encourage reservations, but we were able to be seated without them. The property is lovely and the tasting room is bright and airy, with natural sunlight shining through the windows.
The path from the parking lot to the property…
Eric and Crystal in the tasting room…
David and me…
Next stop: Cuvaison
This property has one of my two favorite pinot noirs right now. They also have two tasting rooms. One tasting room is in the Carneros region. It is a beautiful, modern, room, with a patio that overlooks their vines. Gorgeous. The other tasting room is on the Silverado Trail. It is not as visually impressive as the Carneros room, but it is still nice, and bonus, you can picnic here. (Only select properties allow picnicking.)
If I can share two good Napa Valley tips, they would be these: 1) Share tastings. Not only do you save money, but you can also visit more properties. 2) Buy your picnic items at home and bring them, instead of waiting in the insane boutique grocery lines in Napa to pick up lunch.
I brought a picnic lunch for us to enjoy at Cuvaison. The weather was perfect, and we all marveled at the amazing day we were having.
Terry, me, David
David, Eric, Crystal, Terry
Heading to stop 3, we were behind a truck full of grapes!
Next stop: Darioush
If I had anything negative to say about this day, was that everyone else had the same idea to visit Napa. We were stuck in traffic everywhere. Something that typically would take 15 minutes was doubled. Oh well.
Darioush had been a place that I had wanted to go to for quite a while. I had heard that their tasting room is one of the most visually beautiful places to visit. The grounds are unique and gorgeous, and yes, so was the tasting room. Unfortunately, it was so busy, we decided not to wait around for a tasting. Next time.
Getting ready to go in…
Back on the road. We did not stop here, but this is a drive by shot of one of our favorite wineries for their quality wine: Chimney Rock
Final stop: Domaine Carneros
This is not necessarily a tip, but a preference. We always start or end our wine trail with a sparkling wine. This is our favorite place to end our trail. Domaine Carneros. I have posted about this magnificent property before. They have an incredible patio that overlooks the hills.
We were stuck in traffic most of the way home, but it was worth it.
‘R’ Makes Dinner
Oct 19th, 2011 by leigharev2
‘R’ was our chef a few nights ago! He did a terrific job following directions, prepping, making the dinner, and setting the table!
Separating his first egg all by himself!
On the menu: Southwest meatballs with black bean and corn sauce, and corn bread!
Prayer for a Friend
Oct 19th, 2011 by leigharev2
I was speaking with a friend recently who had asked me to pray for her. She has been going through some really big valleys with multiple family crisis. I wrote out my prayer to her and want to share it. Specifics of my friend has been removed.
I was praying over how I was to specifically pray regarding all that is going on. The Lord gave me a song to focus on. It’s “You Never Let Go” by Matt Redman. As I was singing and meditating on the lyrics, then going into scripture, here is my prayer:
These are the lyrics of the song. (My comments and prayer are in parenthesis)
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back, I know you are near
(Look up PSALM 23)
(Father, I recognize that we are on this earth for just a little while, and that our time here is minute and finite compared to our eternal life with You. Father, help us to shift our focus to the eternal and help us to remember that no matter what is going on with our lives here, that you have a place prepared for us, and that You are ever-present and ever-available for our trials on earth. You are with us on our peaks, and we praise You for that. You are with us in the valleys, and we praise You for that. May we never turn our backs to You. You have the only perfect love, and You give it to us freely. There is nothing on this earth, or anywhere else that can provide this. Today, I choose to trust You.)
I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear
*WHOM THEN SHALL I FEAR*
(Your Word, (Hebrews 13:5-6), promises that You will never leave or forsake us, so that we can say in confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Even though we may not understand or agree with what is happening, still, we will Praise You!)
(Look up Psalm 46 and 27)
CHORUS:
OH no You never let go through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go in every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go, Lord, You never let go of me
(Verse 2)
(Look up Isaiah 25:4. You alone, Lord, are our refuge and shelter from our storms. When the things of this earth wear us down, You are our hiding place.)
And I can see the light that is comin’ for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to the struggles
But until that day comes, we’ll live to know You here on the Earth
(Living to know You here on the earth includes the suffering, as You know suffering. Look up Philippians 3:10-11)
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear
*WHOM THEN SHALL I FEAR*
(Chorus)
*You keep on loving and you never let go*
(Chorus)
And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
and there will be an end to the struggles
but until that day comes
*STILL I WILL PRAISE YOU
STILL I WILL PRAISE YOU*
(REPEAT 1)
(Chorus) x2
(Romans 8:38-39 declares, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”)
I pray for those who are reading this . I pray that you turn over all your cares, worries, stresses, health issues, burdens to the only One that can hold them for you. Father, please help your children to rest in the comfort of knowledge that they wholly Yours, Your creations, and that You love them more than they could ever fathom. I pray you make these truths abundantly clear.
I pray for wisdom and discernment in navigating tough decisions with a peace-filled heart. I pray that choices are made that glorify You by doing the wise thing. I ask that You open doors that need opening, and close the ones that need closing. In all these things, with lifted hands and lifted heart, I pray all these things to You. Amen.
Chicken Curry
Oct 12th, 2011 by leigharev2
This is a delightfully mild dish that caters to young taste buds. Both of my boys enjoy this, and it makes the house smell divine!
This recipe makes 4 servings. I quadruple this recipe and freeze 3/4s
1T. olive oil
1.75lb. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 stick butter
1/2c. chopped onion (as a timesaver, I used frozen chopped onions)
1T. curry powder
1.5t. minced ginger
1.5t. minced garlic
1.5t. sugar
1.5t. chicken bouillon granules (I use ‘Better than Bouillon’ Chicken Base)
1/4c. flour
1c. water
1c. milk
Salt to taste
1.5t. lemon juice
1. Cut chicken into bite size pieces. Heat olive oil and cook in skillet until cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. While chicken is cooking, melt butter in a saucepan on medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring until soft, about 5 minutes. Add ingredients down the list through bouillon. Cook and stir for a couple more minutes. Add flour and stir. Will be like a paste. Slowly add the water and the milk. Continue stirring until sauce has thickened. Add salt to taste. Add lemon juice after the sauce has thickened.
3. Serve immediately with toppings of raisins and almonds. (There is a bunch of different toppings you can use…)
4. If you want to freeze, cool chicken and curry. Place the chicken in a gallon freezer bag and pour the curry over it. Freeze.
David quote: “It was so good, I am going back for a second bowl right now!!!”
Beef Barley Soup
Oct 11th, 2011 by leigharev2
‘Tis the season to stock the freezer with soups, stews, and other Autumn yummies. I will be making this some time this week. (I will quadruple this recipe and freeze 3/4’s of it.)
Makes 6-8 servings
1.5lbs stew beef, cut into bite size pieces
1.5c. carrots
3 stalks celery
1c. chopped onion (as a time saver, I use frozen chopped onion)
1 med. green bell pepper, chopped into bite size pieces
1 can diced tomatoes with its juice (14.5oz)
1c. traditional pasta sauce
1T. beef bouillon (I use the ‘Better Than Bouillon’ Beef Paste)
salt and pepper to taste
1/2c. pearl barley
To prepare to freeze: Combine all the ingredients in a gallon freezer bag, EXCEPT for the pearl barley. Place the pearl barley in a quart size freezer bag. Place both bags into another gallon freezer bag and freeze.
To prepare to eat: Place all ingredients, plus 4 cups of water in a crockpot and cook on low 8 hours. If you are using a frozen meal, you can transfer it straight from the freezer to the crockpot and add the 4 cups of water. You do not need to thaw!
Urban Cow Half Marathon 2011
Oct 8th, 2011 by leigharev2
I DID IT! I can’t believe I am saying this, but I just ran 13.1 miles!
It all started when a friend of mine was looking for women to sign up on her team to be placed in the lottery for the Nike Women’s Half Marathon in San Francisco. This is such a popular race that you have to be accepted by lottery. If a single person on a team is chosen, the whole team gets picked.
I agreed to have her put my name on the list even though at the time I was not running more than three miles per run. I also encouraged some friends to put their name in as well.
Well, we waited for months and then learned that none of us were chosen for the race. But, instead of us breathing a collective sigh of relief and staying with our little 3-milers, we all decided to commit to training for a different half marathon. We chose the Urban Cow Half Marathon in Sacramento.
We continued to run 3 miles, about four days a week, then started a Half Marathon training schedule that was posted in the Runner’s World magazine. It was a 9 or 11 week program (I don’t recall which one). Five friends came on board for the training, and we all stuck to the program.
The evening before the race, we all met in Sacramento and went to dinner at Paesano’s, a terrific Italian eatery. After a delightful dinner, we had booked two rooms at the Sacramento Sheraton. We all went down early, had a poor night sleep, but were up and ready to leave by 6:15am.
It was a beautiful morning. Perfect weather-wise. The route was gorgeous; through a fabulous neighborhood, two parks, Old Sacramento, and along the river. Crystal stayed with me the whole time. Tina and Elyse finished before us, Shanti and Carrie after us (both were nursing injuries). We also had the added bonus of seeing two friends run across the finish line that are in our Bible study..Heather and Betsy!
I ran well and strong for the first 10 miles. The last three were brutal. But, we did it. My final time was 2:49:53, but it included about a 7-10 minute bathroom break at mile 5…. (not that it really matters…)
The view from our 15th floor room…
Crystal and I running strong at mile 8….MOO!
Crossing the finish line!
The group shot! Elyse, me, Crystal, Shanti, Tina, Carrie
After a quick swim in the Sheraton pool, some of us went out for a celebratory lunch at Paul Martins in Roseville.
Yum! Salmon, with tomatoes!
