The Difference is Like Day and Night

Here are a couple of photos of Laughlin, Nevada, just across the way from our camp site. The look of Laughlin during the day is a picture of a regular city with tall buildings across the river, but at night when the casinos are lit up and enticing it is quite a different view. The same place, the same view, same street. Day and Night.
I thought it was an interesting picture of my faith walk. Sometimes brightly lit and joyful. Other times, same me, same heart, same head, but quite a different view. I am thankful my salvation does not rely upon my own view but rather the blood of Jesus who views me as a dear child and worth the price of the cross. He feels that way about each one of us - both Day and Night.

Bananagrams!

This is a challenging game that I never win. Dave is quite astute at coming up with seldom-used words of vague origin. Bananagrams has moved from the game cupboard to the fruit bowl and always at the ready. Wanna play?

Thank you Fred and Karen for the great gift.

Memorial Garden

At Risen Savior in Chandler, Arizona, there is a Memorial Urn Garden. The statue in the garden is a reminder of where our salvation lies and the comfort of knowing our loved ones are in the arms of our loving Savior.

Thankfully, there is never a fence around the comfort Jesus brings.

Dazzo's in Wikieup Arizona

We spent two nights in Wikieup (Sounds like Wick - E - up), on our way to Bullhead City, which is just across the river from Laughlin, Nevada.
Dazzo's boasts of having Chicago dogs. So we had one "all the way," which means everything. Does a Chicago dog come with jalapenos?

I thought the "Stop Check" sign was funny - like Dave would not notice I was missing, how would he drive without me?

The campground was not much, but we enjoyed interesting characters, an outdoor laundromat, and Chicago dogs.

The extended Fitz Family

We were thrilled to present a few Christmas programs with the "Fitz Family." It was great to be honorary members. Mark's juggling and antics are wonderful and his love of the Lord and Gospel presentation is inspiring.

San Diego

Here are a few views of our campground in which we enjoyed a two-night stay.
Please note the semi-truck and red car are both traveling at approximately 65 miles per hour on I-5. Just so you know, traffic on I-5 is never, ever quiet when you are 30 yards away.

Sometimes websites and photos just don't tell the whole story or do a place justice. :)

Did I mention the commuter train runs on the other side of the campground?

The highlight of our stay was a visit to Pacific Beach, CA, a place we called home back in 1989 -1991. Dave served as a Navy Chaplain and at was sea most of the time - the kids and I became part of the St. Paul's Lutheran School family.
This picture shows the classrooms. When you open a classroom door - you are outside! Coming from North Dakota, this was mind blowing.
In August of 1991 our family moved to Juneau, Alaska. Change, what is change?



It was a treat to sing for the St. Paul's students and connect with friends.

The house on Blom Street

Our house in Pacific Beach used to have decorative brick on the outside wall (closest in this photo). Travis, our son, who was in kindergarten at the time said, "Mom, look the house wants me to climb it because there are places for my feet." The interlocking decorative brick made a nice pattern on corners of the house which said something completely different to a little boy: "Ladder!"

The house has been updated and the shrubs are much bigger, but the good memories remain. As I recall, the view was great from the roof of the house, or so I've been told - now how did I know that?

Rain and Hail in Fallbrook, California

It never rains in Southern California.... it hails, man it hails.
We enjoyed a refreshing, wet, rainy day. Fallbrook had not felt such relief since June 5, so November 28 was a day to give thanks.