Christmas lights... A few years ago when Grace moved to Fullerton she discovered a street where the neighbors hang some pretty unique Christmas lights every year. They make globes with colored lights and hang them randomly from the tall eucalyptus trees that line the street. The picture does not do it any justice (and my battery was dying so I only got one shot). But if you get a chance to see these unique lights in person it is worth it! If you are driving east on Chapman Ave. turn left onto Yale Street .... and enjoy!

Friday was a wonderful time of celebration as we all gathered to celebrate Abby & Michael's graduation. It has been a long hard road but the Lord is faithful. Abby's parents (TN), Michael's mom (FL), friends and professors were all part of this wonderful get together. Later we went out to have dinner. It was a great time of fellowship.

Christmas Cookie Exchange 2006

more pics here:

http://chiarapics.spaces.live.com/

Baking cookies... This morning after seeing an amazingly beautiful sunrise & getting up early to go for my 2 mile jog I went over to Abby & Michael's place for a "Baking Day". Abby and I spent most of the day cooking and baking coconut macaroons, chocolate peanut butter whoopi pies, sugar cookies, and a birthday cake. It was so fun to do this together while chatting and listening to Christmas music on the radio. I love baking!!

BBW Christmas Luncheon - Paula was the speaker at today's luncheon. I am so blessed to work with such a great group of ladies!

Sometimes God sends special people into our lives to bless us along the way. One of these dear people is Ruth Hoorn. I met Ruth a little over a year ago at a ladies tea at church. We happened to sit at the same table... well I guess it didn't just "happen". God put Ruth in my life to pray for me. Everytime I see her she lets me know she is praying for me (and asks if I have met a nice boy!). I saw her again yesterday morning at our Christmas tea. During the tea she shared about her life growing up in Germany and what traditions they celebrated during Christmas. She has had a difficult year with her invalid husband and has recently recovered from hip surgery. Through it all she was thankful of God's faithfulness. What an encouragement to me... It was so nice to talk to her and know that she is still praying for me.

The "udderly moolicious" birthday party for Naomi! A fun time was had by all as we celebrated with delicious "black cows", cow patties, brownies and black and white M&M's.

Monday morning was a gloomy, cold, rainy day. So what better way to counteract the Monday blues? Wear pink! Abby, Megan and I all showed up to work looking like triplets. I guess its true when they say, "Great minds run on the same track!"

Thanksgiving 2006 - Mom, Grace, Jon, Sara Patrick, Joy, and I all drove down to Yuma, AZ to celebrate Thanksgiving at Donna & Greg's. The food was great... although I do have to admit that the ham was great but I missed not having turkey! What a wonderful time we had spending time together. Alyssa and Joshua are growing so fast and are a joy and so fun to spend time with. We stayed until Saturday afternoon. I am thankful for the time we could all spent together as a family. I taught little Alyssa how to crochet. Gave Joshua piggy back rides and made endless funny faces at the camera! Helped decorate their tree and shared great moments talking, eating, drinking, eating... eating... ! The day ended with a beautiful sunset. As I reflect about the many many things this year that I am so thankful for it seems almost like an endless list. God has been so good and has brought so many people into my life this year! I have made many new friends this year who have touched my life and heart in a very special way! I would like to share a part of an email my friend Desiree sent me this Thanksgiving. It really sums up alot of what I feel... "I'm thankful for the sacrifices of the men and women who serve in our all volunteer military who have made it possible for us to gather this Thanksgiving Day without fear of religious or political persecution. Admiral Nimitz said of the Marines who fought on Iwo Jima during WWII: "Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue." We live in a society that perpetuates selfishness but you won't find that kind attitude on the battlefield these days. We continue to breed heroes, the kind who would lay down their lives for the sake of others. I've been there, I've seen it, I'm humbled by it. This Thanksgiving, please take some time to pray for those who are serving overseas, as well as for the families they've left behind." Thanksgiving 2006 has come and gone but my heart is still brimming with thanks for all of the wonderful friends, family and blessings the Lord has given me.

You can see all the pictures from Thanksgiving here: http://chiarapics.spaces.live.com

Fall colors... are something that I have not ever experienced. There are really none here in California and certainly none in Colombia growing up. Today at Sunset Beach I did see some amazing fall colors. I'd like to think of this as California fall colors... beautiful shades of gold and orange... Have I ever mentioned that I love sunsets?

A few months ago I was visiting with a friend when this song came on the radio. I am a pretty new listener to country music but I think what I like the most are the stories they tell. This one just touched my heart... In the grand scheme of things when I think I know what's best I need to remind myself that God is almighty and sees the big picture...

"Unanswered Prayers" sung by Garth Brooks

Just the other night at a hometown football game

My wife and I ran into my old high school flame

And as I introduced them the past came back to me

And I couldn't help but think of the way things used to be

She was the one that I'd wanted for all times

And each night I'd spend prayin' that God would make her mine

And if he'd only grant me this wish I wished back then

I'd never ask for anything again

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs

That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams

And I could tell that time had changed me

In her eyes too it seemed

We tried to talk about the old days

There wasn't much we could recall

I guess the Lord knows what he's doin' after all

And as she walked away and I looked at my wife

And then and there I thanked the good Lord For the gifts in my life

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs

That just because he may not answer doesn't mean he don't care

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered...

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Please remember to say thanks to our veterans and keep all of our men and women who are serving in your prayers!

Remember to vote! It is an honor, privilege and duty that we should exercise.

I took this picture early this morning. It was so clear you could see the downtown LA buildings.

A prayer found in the official Marine Corps Field Devotional Book, p. 17.

It is called "My Morning Offering" ... O God, for another day, for another morning, for another minute, for another chance to live and serve You, I am truly grateful. Do...this day free me: from all fears of the future, from all anxiety about tomorrow, from all bitterness towards anyone, from all cowardice in the face of danger, from all laziness in the face of work, from all failure before opportunity, from all weakness when Your power is at hand. But fill me with Love that knows no barrier, with Sympathy that reaches all, with Courage that cannot be shaken, with Faith strong enough for the darkness, with Strength sufficient for my tasks, with Loyalty to Your Kingdom's goal, with Wisdom to meet life's complexities, with Power to lift me to you. Be with me for another day, and use me as You will. Amen.

Dinner at Adam's Last night Adam invited Grace, Jon and I over for Korean BBQ at his place. Mmm...everything was so good! We had mung bean pancakes, spicy tofu, sprouts, lettuce, mustard greens and sesame leaves to make wraps. He BBQed the beef strips, mushrooms, onions, fresh garlic. Then we topped off the wraps with a delicious red sauce. It was great to try so many interesting new flavors... everything was very good.

Over dinner we all reminiced over all our world travels. Grace & Jon brought almond biscotti and a very special dessert wine they purchase in Italy, that topped it all off perfectly. Ever dipped your biscotti into your wine? You should try it!

The latest little addition to our Grace Group is Jack Rosencranz sleeping peacefully beside his big sister Elizabeth.

"...The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep."
Robert Frost

For some reason part of that poem is what came to mind as I was driving to church this morning and my odometer turned to 50,000. I thought of all the places I have been in fifty thousand miles...and all the places yet to be...where will the next fifty thousand take me?

As I watched the sunrise this morning I thought of Psalm 121... I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip, he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you, the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

This psalm always reminds me of my friend Robert. He has been in Iraq one month today. Praying for you every day!

WELCOME HOME GRACE & JON!
This afternoon I drove to LAX to pick up the traveling duo. Thankfully, traffic wasn't too bad... Grace and Jon had a wonderful time in Florence & Paris... many stories to tell... even more pictures to see! I want to go again! You can browse the hundreds of photos and memories here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gresu/sets/

Watching the sunset today...

Bright and early this morning my former landlady and friend Charlotte came knocking at my door. She was going to squeeze pomegranates, collect the juice and make jelly. This is a yearly tradition that I had helped her with last year. It is messy but fun! First we cut them in fourths then squeeze them with a citrus juicer. Then transfer the juice to a jar. I had a nice time visiting with her and her daughter in law as we squeezed away. I love doing this kind of thing!

A community of Grace...
Sunday morning we had a combined service outside on the future site of the building project. About 700 came. Mom and I grabbed a bit to eat at Panera and then headed over to set up the refreshments for this event. Lots of helping hands made it easy. We served about 1500 cookies and gallons of lemonade. The music and singing were wonderful and Erik Thoennes brought the message. A wonderful day of uniting together as a body. Growing together in fellowship and grace.

Miramar Airshow... what can I say... wow...amazing...incredible... It started off with a little rain but that soon cleared as we walked to the stands. Our seats were right up near the runway and right in the center. From the incredible civilian acrobatic pilots to our amazing military the whole program was wonderful!All kinds of aircraft...Harriers, the Stealth Bomber, all kinds of fighter jets and helicopters, The Golden Knights, Marines and of course the amazing Blus Angels. What an experience ... it makes me so proud of our brave, courageous military men & women. More pictures from the airshow here: http://chiarapics.spaces.live.com

Sunsets from my deck... Everyday I am amazed and look forward to the beautiful sunsets. What a little gift from God... so peaceful and beautiful... And not one of them is the same. All unique and perfectly painted by an awesome creator!

We have an amazing God.
His protection, leading and direction have been so evident in all the events leading up to the surgery. I know He will provide for all of Abby and Michael's needs. Abby's surgery went well and she is improving everyday. Megan, Jeri and I went to visit her in the hospital on Thusday night after work. Hang in there Abby, there are many many people praying for you! Love you!

the time in Bagdad...half way around the world

Driving home tonight I saw a beautiful sunset. By the time I got there and grabbed the camera it was almost all over. An end to one day but the beginning of another for someone else around the world. So is it an ending or a beginning? It made me think about how sometimes I am sad when good things seem to come to an end, but that ending is the beginning of something else... something that we can't comprehend or see yet, but He does. Robert left for Iraq today... the ending of one thing... the beginning of another. All I can do is cling to the Lord and trust "... the beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him; and the Lord shall cover him all day long..." Deuteronomy 33:12 You are in my prayers always.