a life well lived

 

Yes, Tom lived a long and full life.  If you knew him, you will have your own story to tell.  Our first memory was about 30 years ago when he taught our son Damon to fly fish, also how to make your own flies.  

He was  very music minded.  We have several copies of the first edition of favorite hymns

While we often saw him at various conferences, he spent most of life sharing his love for the Lord in small towns.  And he could be found rock hunting, prospecting and helping in his community, in Baker City.  He was a real outdoorsman.  

The gathering in Richland for his memorial was well attended and lots of stories were told.

And there is much more to his story, all additions and comments are welcome

to view the Memorial go to:   Richland Baptist Church
                                                     Watch Online
                                               Scroll to: Tom Clement  

Thankful to call him our friend,

I live an  exciting life

A brief encounter

 Almost too brief

Starting from the beginning... just a few days ago,

our neighbor was checking for a place for her mother's best friend to come and stay for a week.

We have 5 bedrooms.. no visitors this week. so

I said, yes, we have a bedroom available ( I did mention that I did not feel comfortable cooking for
our guest, but the sheets are clean and it is very private )

Bingo !

So, Elizabeth arrived and settled in and very quickly headed to her friends...just about 5 houses away.

'She had a cup of coffee each morning, but then she was off... walking, visiting her friend, shopping,
and then, back to her room

We smiled and chatted briefly, but her main purpose was to spend time with her friend who is on hospice care.  

All I knew for sure was her education in psychology,  helped to raise 3 children, and spent many hours and days and years with her friend.

The time was flying by and I had hoped to get to know her better.

It is Tuesday morning.. She leaves today about 6:00.  She remembered that I had wanted to have a visit with her, so she stuck around and we had a great visit with another cup of coffee.

Our conversation  was very rewarding... she had insight into a situation that had been haunting me. She was not hurried.  She was very honest.   I was very blessed by her observation.    No need to write about it now, but it is in my heart and mind. 

You can tell by her smile, that she is a genuine, and trusted lady.

While her insight and wisdom was the greatest gift, she also left behind another gift 

She had been listening to me...knew how much we enjoy Anthony's Homeport and gave us a lovely note and this very  generous gift card

And our brief encounter was the beginning of  a friendship, a very valuable gift.  

I live an exciting life 

,

More than a good neighbor

 We are thankful to be in a neighborhood that is safe, not really social, but you know that if you need a helping hand,  just ask.

In the month of November a severe wind and rain storm hit the Northwest... right here in Bellevue, also Issaquah, and south to Enumclaw, there was major damage.  One death.  Thousands were without power and many could not leave their homes due to blocked driveways and streets.

Here in Cherry Crest, we were in a little tiny bubble of  Power !  

Hubby loves to cut wood and help the neighbors.  For many days he was out the whole daylight hours doing just that..cutting wood.

Of the four driveways that were blocked, one family stands out.  Yes, all are good neighbors, 

But... Lui and his family... they did something very special

Lui helped Darrell load the wood as he cut the huge tree on Lui's driveway.  He also gave Darrell a little bag of treats and water.

Then, he asked to come and meet the family.

They arrived with a huge gift bag

First, an amazing and loving card

Then, inside the gift bag....

They picked a wool blanket from Finland, with pine needles, to remind us of the pine trees that had been removed. 

Lui, the photographer, captured this "scene" in their back yard, framed and signed the masterpiece.

They also stayed and visited us for about a half hour.  
That was a gift 

Enjoying our new friend

While this area was hit very hard, to the south our kids had no power

    So we had their company for three days

And to the north, they were also out of power, but had a generator.

   We still had some fun times ...when you can't go to work or school, you can just relax and eat and play games

Yes, we cozied up in our new blanket, and will repeat and repeat !  

BTW--- did the news travel?    My cousin called from Denver... she had no idea, she just wanted a recipe.   

And the family who bought  this home four months ago,  are now renting the house across the street from us.  

All  5 family member were in the home when the tree came down,   miracle  NO injuries !

I live an exciting life  

.

A brief encounter

 

that turned into a fun ongoing adventure...

so to speak

The winds that hit the Northwest were wild. Many homes and cars were smashed, power out for thousands and two lives were taken. 

News travels... I got a phone call from our cousin in Colorado.  But she  had no idea, she  just wanted a recipe

The worst "damage" to our place was leaves and more leaves
The grand boys take care of that 
and then
walk across the street to move even more leaves 

With power and smiles we were able to host some friends and family for three days.  It is fun to make a special breakfast for company.  

Second morning....

 ( even though it looked silly, it still tasted like a Dutch babies should )

We played some games....well,
practiced a new one... they each won one, I did not 

After three days, all our family had power, headed home, and we miss them.... but we are all so thankful for electricity.   

May we always be thankful for those everyday "good things, necessities, expectations"

I live an exciting life 

A brief encounter

 But, hopefully it is just the beginning..

The home across the street needs a new family.  Today we walked through with Johnny. He is relocating from Taiwan, ahead of the rest of his family.   He asked questions, took some photos, was very polite and in his conversation, and respectful.   I think I heard him softly say  thank God.

The tour took less than half an hour and we politely said goodbye.   I was last to leave the house, turning off lights, etc.  Johnny was still in his car and rolled down the passengers side window.

"Thank you again",
 he said  and a little pause 
 I said   "Are you a Christian?"
He said no, he and his family did not practice any faith but
his 13 year old son has started to read the Bible.
He said "We are fine with that. It started a while ago and he is still reading."

Now I am saying to my self "thank you Lord"
for boldness to ask and 
for young Nathan reading his Bible

Only the Lord knows if the family will be moving in, but I can pray today for the salvation of a young man, on his own, reading the Bible

I am smiling

I live an exciting life

October 31, 2024

 Always interesting, but this year....gotta say, VERY interesting

Starting from the beginning... I make up little bags of treats and tuck in a little gospel story ( it's called a tract ).  Last year we had 166 visitors, so this year I went for 175.  With the forecast of rain, I was pretty sure that would work. 

When the little  people ( and sometimes bigger people ) come to the door, I take their picture and later I print them out and have them ready to post for viewing the next year ( years ) 

And I am ready !

The past few years I have worn my friend Judy's old bride's maid dress.  It is yellow and makes me look like Belle ...at least to the smaller visitors.

The first door bell ring  was at 5:30 and the last was at 8:30

But... wait until the end

First,  just a glimpse ..  ( only here, not on Facebook or Instagram)

Not the first visitors, and never a visit from the President !

These cuties live across the street. They came without a bag for candy, just wanted me to see their wonderful costumes.    

No Comment  ,,, just smiles 

Many with this headgear, but I have no clue...

Just as cute from behind.... 

It is alive... she has 7 more at home 

Another favorite... reminds me of the Milk carton Darrell made for one of the kids... a school project that turned into a costume for many years.    Love those creative and no cost ideas 

 Yes, it rained... but all smiles and umbrellas.  Only one visitor did not want a photo... 

Two reason why these are a favorite... the little lady said I looked beautiful.  The little fellow agreed to a cup of hot cider.  He asked if it had alcohol, first, and then said thank you.

Oh, his outfit was a blow up chicken, that lost it's "air"

The night would not be complete without a visit from our two ( the third is hiding ) young neighbor/friends, down the street. 

But that reminds me of Robin, who came every year, but this year she is in college in Idaho.  I miss Robin 

One of these fun groups had a Daddy in the background, and he said yes to a cup of Apple Cider.

By 7:50 all 175 bags were gone.  I was ready to turn the light out and a few more kids came and I just dumped a large bag of minis into a basket and said "help yourself".   I am pretty sure at least 25 more came.   

Wrapping things up,  a couple Moms came about 8:20 to take pictures of the pictures.  Their kids had told them about the display and they wanted to see and take pictures too.
Then the final visitor at 8:30, by herself,  

But wait... at 11:00 the doorbell rang.  What?   The porch light was out, but we have lots of lights around the roof.  
Two guys... one holding back, the other at the door.  " Trick or Treat"        
I said  " You gotta be kidding"... held out the basket, told him to help himself, did not take his photo... and that is my longest Halloween ever.         Oh, next year I will NOT open the door at 11:00 

And... here is the favorite from 11 years ago... it will always make me happy
                                  

I live an exciting life 

not likely to forget, ever

 But, definitely worth  writing about... a few details to keep in mind...

Starting on this beautiful morning at our friends home in Indialantic

We had a wonderful breakfast on the patio 

Our hostess asked us if we would like to walk around her garden.
I turned to hubby and asked him if he wanted to come too.

He did not respond.  I asked again, and watched as he was not moving and just a blank stare.
Anna and I both called out to him.  Roman came out immediately and shuck Darrell and called his name and told Anna to call 911.   
It looked to us like he was having a heart attack.

He was sitting in an armed chair. ( don't like to think what could have happened in a chair without that feature )
While on the phone, the lady said help was on the way. She said to make Darrell  as comfortable as possible.   He responded slightly and Roman helped him to the sofa right next to him.   Very soon the aid unit came with 4 tall dark and handsome men. 

 

some people take photos...just because 

They asked questions and found out that since Darrell had been in bed the prior day, with a headache, and not had more than a cup of water/juice and a small sandwich in the evening, he could be dehydrated. ( who knew you need to drink fluids AND each food to keep hydrated, now we know )

  An IV was started and off they went to the local hospital.   They do not allow anyone in the ER with the patient, so I stayed back.  For three hours.  Little Sophia entertained me with acrobatics and such.  I finally called Darrell. 
He was dehydrated. 
But, not anymore.

Roman took me to the hospital and soon Darrell was disconnected from all things, and we headed back to our host and hostess's home.  

 Time for supper, ice cream and a walk along the Atlantic ocean 

water, sky, sand, water, sky, waves,
endless Wonder 

She knows the way home

What a journey 

I live an exciting life