Pets and things

 

Pets and other animals you might see along the way

Some folks liked it..... I did not ask....

Such a ride...even in Costa Maya

This is back in Miami.... ready to go home.

A cruise in the Caribbean

 

Yes, we were on the largest and newest cruise ship on the planet !

        MSC   World America 
           ( more to come, but first...)

The people

Bruce and Cindy... they came to our house last summer and told us about the cruise.... and we said, Yes !
They are on staff and were busy, but we chatted with them a few times
Then we saw their wedding photo
   ( we thought we sent ours, but..)
AND:  answered many questions and even left a "sweet" package at our door 

James and Margaret Lau, friends we have known for about 8 years and we knew they would be on the cruise.   It was great to spend time with them and enjoy two amazing meals with them.  We also walked about and attended some of the sessions together. 
AND:   A great encouragement to me, as well as several treats and gifts.

 

This deserves a story.... We had been ashore at the second port and when you get back on the ship you go through security.  While we were in line, I turned around and ... that face, I said " Do I know you?"   He smiled and I said, " Are you a Boettcher?"  He said yes, and then admitted that he recognized Darrell but could not remember his name.   So, we made a date and had lunch with Tim and Tracia the next day.   Probably 10 years since we had seen them, but long before Tim was at Shallowbrook camp, with maybe 4 other Tim's.
AND:  fun memories from the past 

Those are the older faces.... now to the new.

I wish I had taken a picture at our table.... the dining time was unusual.  We were at a table set for 8 ( 4 couples ).  One night we were alone,  one night all 8 were together...that was the formal night.
Each night was different. 

 Tony and Obi Oji...

Tony... possibly working with oil in Texas, father of 3 children 
Obi,  introduced herself as a business women, with her own company and a registered nurse.  They have a daughter named Michelle and they call her Mimi!

She asked if I was retired.   I said I am a homemaker.  She said, retired homemaker from your business?
I said, I was a homemaker for all our 50 years of marriage

Her hubby said  " That is the best profession, to stay at home and train up your children for the Lord"

( Lesson to me, I can say... I did not have the privilege of a college education, but I had the privilege of staying at home with my children )

AND: sharing God's word with genuine love and concern.

Another story:   Darrell was standing in line for the men's session and turned around and introduced himself to this happy "giant".   ( it is easy for Darrell to talk to just about anyone ).   This gentleman is a missionary with a group called.. One Nation 
 Oh, we know someone who is with a similar group... Every Nation.. Warren and Lydia... 
He said that sounded familiar, looked on his phone and there was a picture of Warren! They had been at a missionary conference just a couple weeks ago.  

AND: a small world among Christians 
and the Lord puts you in line where He wants you

Another story:   While gathering places are huge ( some accommodate 500 people ) there are no hand rails going down to the seats... maybe 30 rows and no hand rails.    Darrell experiences  an "unsteadiness" and was struggling to balance the stairs.  Jared came right up and took his arm and helped us to our seats.
Later, Darrell was in line with Jared and they chatted.
And again.
It will be hard to forget that helping hand... and smile.

AND:  an example to follow 

A few other conversations...
A lady was helping her husband who was in a wheel chair.
She said,,, 4 weeks ago, he had a nightmare that someone was attaching his granddaughter...He lunged out of bed and landed hard, breaking his hip.

...oops, will have to write more later.  Too much to remember for now

I live an exciting life

.

A brief encounter

 

or two or three.

Just returned from a beautiful cruise in the Caribbean 
( more details to come)

It is Monday night and we usually dine out on Monday.

To our favorite Greek Italian spot

   As we enter, the owner smiles and say
 # 1   " You got your hair cut"
I say " You noticed"
She says, " Yes and it's cute "

Our favorite server comes with a smile
 # 2  " How was your cruise?" 

She remembered and asked a few more questions

On the way home we stopped for a couple items at QFC
We were unloading our "goods"  and the checker said
 # 3  " Hi, good to see you"
 ( he remembered Darrell.  I am used to that.. a wood customer)

Darrell introduced me and this young man, took off his glove and extended his hand..." Nice to meet you"   
who does that? 

Three polite and thoughtful gestures... in one night !

Feels good to be home

I live an exciting life

.

A memory to hold

 

While I keep his name a secret, he will always be remembered in my heart.

prelude: For many years while our children were growing up, we had other children come to our home before and sometimes after school.  It was easy to add one more around the breakfast table and  our family enjoyed it       ( I think )  One of these days I will try to make a list of everyone who helped with this tradition. 

FF:  Last week, a man carrying a little one in his" front pack"  came to the door.  I did not recognize him, and he smiled and told me his name.

I called out his name and threw my arms around him.  He kept smiling.   He came inside and we had a great conversation, catching up, and memories

comments;
He recognized my voice
This was the only "religious" house he knew 
"You know when there is love in the house"
He especially remembered our son, about 7 years younger, and he said he had always wanted a younger brother  
He also remembered being in a math class with our daughter, Mimi, and that she was very kind.

His little man was a bit restless, he kissed his head and got up and walked around the living room while we chatted.   He also has a little girl, and he and his wife live in Oregon.  They came up here to help get his Mother's house ready to sell, and move her down to live with them.  So, he was out walking in the neighborhood and couldn't resist coming to our door.

conversation:
Sharing about the hard, very hard life he had...with a father who was very "difficult".  He was actually from the line of a Mafia family.   While the 3 brothers were in grade school,  dad moved out.  At one point he had a girlfriend, and set her house on fire.  He ended up in jail. Not sure of all those details, but he died over 20 years ago.    
The  damage this brought to the family was huge.   One of his brothers committed suicide.  The other has never been able to work or live a normal life.

This man, such a sweet man, spent many years abroad.  He studied many languages and religions.
  I let him talk, I was so surprised and had been out of touch for probably 35 years.   
While I was aware of his father's life ( much was in the paper )  I am not sure about the timing.  He made the comment that the neighbors must have known, but no one ever talked about it.

The following morning I felt a "nudge" to make some coffee cake for them and maybe see the rest of his family.
His wife answered the door
I identified myself.  She smiled and said her husband had told her about the visit, with tears, and how he appreciated it.
Soon our sweet friend was on the porch.  Their little girl was sick, so I did not get to meet her.
A few more details..
then his Mother came out
We had known each other ( sometimes coffee at Starbucks, sometimes Bartell's)
She gave me a big hug and smiles and thanked me for taking care of her boy.

Our whole family was touched by his story...especially Mimi.  She remembered him as a friend, being in a class together.  
It is hard to shake ( for lack of a better word ) 
Hard not to wonder if I could have said something to allow him to speak about his feelings.

As I continue to reflect on this very unexpected and wonderful time, I will just come back and add to my story if I can

But, if you feel the urge to pray, that would be very nice.
     The Lord knows his other name, we can call him "Sweet man"
I hoped he would drop by again before leaving town, I have a children's Bible and a gospel of John waiting for him.   
But, it is never to late to use USPS.

I live an exciting life

.

 

Just between us...

 

While the setting is the same 

My dear friend has changed....

We are all getting older and some show aging  in different ways

Her picture album ...

I arrived with dinner and before it was all ready on plates and in our favorite spot, she had asked me many times if I wanted some tea.  I do not drink tea. She was ready to make coffee, but no one drinks coffee in the evening.   We watched our usual Hallmark movies, while she asked over and over   "Have you seen this one?"  " Can I get you some tea?"   etc.
Harmless, just not our lady 

but more importantly..

Her love for the Lord and His Word, has not changed 

Shameless  photo memory... different, hard and sweet sleep over at this cozy "retreat"

I live an exciting life

.

ELF

 

It was an evening to remember.... 5 of us out to dinner and then... the 5th Avenue

Not allowed to take pictures during the play, but the theatre is very beautiful

Many smile at the fun event 

And many  dress for the fun event 

“We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup.”

And we helped ourselves.... as we said our good nights..

I live an exciting life 

A brief encounter

 

Meet Eric.... He held the needle as I was reclining and giving my blood for a good cause..It was a little longer than the normal... 13 minutes... so we had time to talk.

He has POTS.   I know someone who also has that diagnosis and was interested to hear more. His main symptom is dizziness. Thankfully, not when he is drawing blood.

He has had about 8 years of experience  ( I was comforted to hear that too )

He also said that he used to go to church with his Nana while he was growing up in Florida, but since he came to Washington, he has not gone.

As I left the mobile unit I told him "You  should go to church, it is Christmas, and call your Nana ♥"

He said he would call, and thanked me

This is the reason I donated today.   Little Charlie in the white boots has been treated for cancer for two years.   Now 6 months free !    She and her family are giving back to the community for their support during this time, so they have a blood drive...also a golf tournament...and a toy drive.

Enough said.

Gotta love the Stenson family

Oh, we are related.. Charlie's grandpa and me are first cousins.  Family is so precious to me.

I  live an exciting life