Barb's blog

Lazy days

2009-08-22T18:46:00.000-07:00

No excuses...I've been lazy this summer.
It seems when I have a thought to share, I am too tired to put it to paper.
I've been thinking a lot about letting go. I put my son on a plane today for China. He's going to Xiagong to teach English for 10 months. An adventure for sure.

I was thinking about letting him head off (letting is not the right word, as he's 26), and thinking about how Mary had to "let go" of Jesus. Truth is, He was never really hers, he was on loan. Same with Matt. He's always been God's gift to me...on loan, to raise, as Mary did Jesus. Matt is gone, but not far away, thanks to email, facebook, blogs and skype.

And it's the same with Jesus. He's gone, but He's near. Difference is, Jesus is also HERE...with us. Look around...see His handiwork. Sing a praise song...worship Him with your voice. Read His love letters to you...the Bible.

I know I'm rambling...thanks for allowing me to do so.

Roll out those lazy hazy crazy days of summer....

2009-06-28T14:13:00.000-07:00

You have to be "old" to know that the title to this post is from an OLD Nat King Cole song. Now, I'm not THAT old, I just remember the song--probably from the oldies station, right?

I am feeling lazy today. It's been a tough month.
I remember when my grandma died, my mom would pick up the phone to call her, and realize she wasn't here. I'm experiencing the same feelings about my friend Marie.
I get a joke passed on to me, and I want to forward it to her. But she's with Jesus. I haven't deleted her email address...or her IM address. I log into IM and expect to see her online.

In three weeks, I'll be walking in the Relay for Life...a lap for each year I knew her...40 years If you know a lap is 1/4 mile...do the math..and I'll be walking 10 miles. I'm tired already! Oh how I pray this is not one of the hot years...where your shoes melt into the track!

I had the opportunity to get away to my heaven on earth place (Hood Canal) for a few days after I spoke at her service. Four days of sitting on the deck and watching the seals and bald eagles...of taking naps and not getting dressed all day. I actually read a novel! It was four days of resting in the Lord. He does indeed restore our souls.

If your soul is weary...I pray you will give yourself a time-out. Rest in Him.

Been a long time.

2009-06-08T11:50:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone.
It's been months since I've updated here. Seems like life has had me on the go the past few months. Lot's of speaking, working on page proofs for book one reprints, my son graduating from seminary and my dear friend Marie, who lost her battle with pancreatic cancer.

She requested I speak at her memorial service. I guess she thought she'd spring the last surprise on me. Well, I got the last word.

Many have asked to read what I wrote...so I will post it below.

My plan is to walk a lap for each year we were friend at our July Relay for Life. Yes, that's a TON of laps.

Here is the message:
Marie’s Memorial Message
We all have our Marie stories….I’d like to share some of mine.

Our JOURNEY began in Sept of 1969.
I met Marie the first day of college orientation at Western Washington State College. We were both in the same small group at the dorm, learning the do’s and don’ts of college life.
We both came from small towns; both of us were overweight and unsure about our surroundings and we became fast friends. The “don’ts” we were taught, soon became “let’s do it anyway.” College life was filled with parties and little study. Finding the dorm punch lacking, we spiked the bowl with vodka during the Christmas party. Everyone had an exceptionally good time!

Memories include all-you-can-eat pizza at Pizza Haven and all could drink for a buck keggars at the beach. I still have a souvenir from one of our weekend keggars…the keg. Don’t ask how that came into my possession.

Then there was the “laugh boxes.” Man did we have fun with those. We’d walk through a store or sit at the bus stop and push the button, turning on this obnoxious laughing voice. Never mind the one woman who said, “Where are the geese?”

After seeing the campus production of Cabaret, I tortured her over the course of our friendship with “a pineapple for me.”

With roommates, we played Jeopardy and had more fun with the clickers than we did the game. If we didn’t know the question to the answer, our stock answer was either, click, click, click -- “What is Boston” or “what is let them eat cake.”

We made frequent trips to the Tudor Inn, just over the border into Canada on the truck route crossing where the drinking age was lower. A couple of years ago, my friend Carol and I were coming back from BC and got stuck in traffic right outside the Tudor Inn.. I called Marie…and asked her if she wanted to buy a tavern…the Tudor was for sale! We wondered if we could get Jerry the bartender to run it for us…if he was still around.

I left college early and moved three hundred miles away. Many weekends were spent at each other’s apartments…One of the funniest times was in Woodland, when it was our town celebration. We got on my Honda 175 motorcycle – these two big women--and rode around town, taking our act to the carnival and riding the bumper cars with our motorcycle helmets on.

Then of course there was borrowing my mom’s car …to “glean” cable spools for me to use as end tables. Wouldn’t quite fit in our Volkswagons.
We drove the coast line to California in my canopied Datsun pickup and played tourist and taster at every winery we could fine. We camped along the way, from Oregon to Nevada.

When I got married, Marie was one of my bridesmaids, and yes, I made her wear a dress. I also confess to you…we sneaked those small cans of Budweiser into the church and drank them in the bathroom.

The journey continued – she moved to Issaquah…and through the years, we never lost contact with each other—we just slowed down a bit. With the birth of my son, she became, “Auntie Re.”

And then our journeys took different directions.

I started attending church and one year, I invited her to our women’s retreat. I must have bribed her, or lied to her. Probably didn’t tell her it was a church event. And she came. She shared a room with my mom, as both were “noisy” sleepers. Marie took some raisins to play a trick on my mom…she left a trail of them in the bedroom, like mouse had been there. Strangely enough, they DID find a dead mouse.

At the retreat, she stayed in the shadows, pretty much looked like a deer caught in headlights.
It wasn’t long until I got the phone call. “You won’t believe where I’ve been.” “I went to church.”

And the path of her journey turned towards Jesus.
Psalm 16:11 (The Message), “Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way.”

The old friendship, which was based on having a good time, now grew deeper—more personal. Instead of serving drinks, we now served the Lord. Instead of waking up in the morning with hangovers, we now woke up with new meaning in our lives. We put down our bottles and picked up our Bibles. We went from partying to praising God.

Armed with computers, we moved into the techie world of email and instant messaging and we kept in contact frequently. Her messages were filled with “praying for you sister.” I heard a softer tone to her voice…to her actions… her quick smile and instant laughter was immediate.

She got involved at Our Savior’s. Thank you for embracing her…for getting to know the great gal that I’ve known for 40 years. She went to the women’s retreats. She even got me up to speak at one and I witnessed the love she received from you ladies. She joined a small group Bible Study, and was surrounded by a close-knit group of caring godly women, who helped her to grow in her relationship with the Lord. Thank you ladies.

Marie was a great cook! She fixed meals for events at the church….slipping in, fixing the food, and slipping out. No fanfare…this is how she served the Lord, by serving His people. I know. She would come down to our women’s conferences and without being asked, she made sure the coffee chapel was set up, refilled, and cleaned up. When I would say, “Oh I need to clean up the chapel before we leave” she would wave her hand at me and say in a clipped voice, “It’s done and ready for morning.” I love people like that…they see a need and just do it.

I was with her when she went in for surgery last year. She said to me when we were alone, “It’s not good.” And I said, “I know.” Not big on words, but big on understanding.

A week and a half before she went into the hospital in April, I went up to her house to spend some time with her. We are the kind of friends who don’t have to “do” we can just “be.” What did we do? We lay around and watched old westerns all day on the TV. It still seems weird to me to see a cowboy, on a horse, playing his guitar and singing…and his sidekick playing a fiddle. She loved these old movies…almost as much as she loved I Love Lucy…and the vita veeta vegamin girl with “it’s tasty too.”

With her last trip to the hospital, again when we had a private moment, she said to me, “I just want the pain to go away.” And I grabbed her hand and prayed that Jesus would indeed relieve her pain, whatever it took.

On another one on one moment after Pastor Larry had been to see her, she said, “I’m good to go.” And I said, “Oh Marie, you’ve been good to go for some time now.”

Marie knew where she was going after she died. She knew she was going to be with Jesus. That doesn’t mean she wasn’t just a bit afraid of dying. I think we all are. But she knew her future was secure.

I called her two days before she died. Her voice was weak and strained. She thought she was going to be released that day and go home to Anacortes. It didn’t happen. The last words I said to her were, “I love you.” I have learned…make your words count. You never know if they will be your last.

I have thought a lot about why she would ask for me to speak at her memorial service. She probably thought she was going to get the last laugh by putting me on the spot. She knew I would not refuse her. I loved her too much. However she also had to know that this was really my opportunity to get in the last word!
The more I prayed about it, the more I knew what she would want me to say. And she knew I’d do it. She would want you to know this. We don’t know how long we have on this earth. Our days are numbered and we aren’t let in on that little secret as to whether we live to be 7 or 97 or even 57. Our bodies and our lives in this world are temporary. The old song says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through, my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue.”
Marie’s journey has led her into the arms of Jesus. That is the goal of every believer. Marie believed there is a heaven and there is a hell. She believed that Jesus would indeed have a room for her in heaven. He said in John 14:1-4, “Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know where I am going and how to get there.” She knew that Jesus was the only way to heaven. “I am the way, the truth and the life” Jesus said. “No one can come to the Father, except through me.” (v 6) Her room was ready. She journeyed home—much early than any of us would have wanted.

Marie knew there was a choice to make and she chose to live her life for Jesus. She asked Him to take control of her life, to rule in her heart, to forgive her sins and be her Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” It’s not about being a good person. It’s about believing in Jesus. And with that confession, she received her passport to heaven. It was just waiting to be stamped.

I believe she would want all of us here to get our passports ready. We never know when we might need it.
I know I will see her again. Those of us who have placed our trust in Jesus will too. We will have a party in heaven. I believe she is cooking up a storm, waiting for us!

I asked Marie, “If you had the opportunity to write an endorsement for my book, what would you say?” Her response touched me beyond words and to her surprise; I included it in the book. She said,
“Through these stories God has given me a new life filled with unspeakable joy and peace and surrounded me with His love. You know why? My friend Barb never gave up on me.”

Pres. Obama in his May 17th graduation address to the Notre Dame class of 2009 said this, “Hold firm to your faith and allow it to guide you on your journey.”

Marie’s faith led her on her journey. And that journey on earth is complete.

Chris Rice sings,
“And with your final heart beat, kiss the world goodbye.
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory’s side, and
Fly to Jesus, Fly to Jesus, Fly to Jesus and live! (Untitled Hymn-come to Jesus)

She has heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I would suggest this, in memory of Marie, give yourself to the Lord. If you have already done that…the live it out loud! If there is someone you have given up on…call them. If you’ve had harsh words with someone, make amends. That would please Marie more than anything.

Roy Roger and Dale Evans closed each TV program with:
“Happy trails to you, until we meet again
Happy trails to you, keep smiling unto then.”
Interestingly enough…I discovered that song had a “religious alternative” verse. And I think it’s more appropriate for our friendship and the shift that took place once we both started the journey towards Jesus.
In closing, Marie, my friend, my buddy, my side-kick-- this is for you…

Happy trails to you, it's great to say "hello".
And to share with you the trail we've come to know.
It started on the day that we met Jesus,
He came into our hearts and then he freed us.
For a life that's true, a happy trails to you.

March roars in like a lion...

2009-03-04T20:54:00.000-08:00

Well, sorta roared in.
Kinda difficult to tell, living in the Pacific NW. Our weather can change from rain to sunshine...to hail....to thunder...FAST. You want snow...ok...surprise!

It seems like it's been that way with me too. My moods change as fast as the weather. I want sunshine and warmth, but I know we need rain for things to grow. There are four seasons and God brings them all. (Well, in Washington State we have two seasons..when it rains, and when it doesn't!)

While it would be wonderful to have the sun shining throughout life, it's those stormy times that draw me closer to my Jesus. In the easy going times, I tend to rely on myself (bad girl). It's when the times get tough, I run, to Him. However...
I should be running to Him ALL THE TIME. He is there for the good times and the bad...for the sun and rain. He is after all, THE Man for ALL seasons.

And...
Today I feel the dark winter is over....BASEBALL SEASON IS HERE! Whooooweeeee.

On a Wing and a Prayer

2009-01-31T19:02:00.000-08:00

Greeting on the last day of the month. How did we get here so soon? I used to judge when the end of the month was coming by how much money I had left in my checkbook. (It usually ran out the week after payday!)

Just finished a story on hope. With the election of a new president, we kept hearing how people have hope. I'm really happy they feel that way...BUT...
our hope is not in a man, it's in THE Man. Our hope, is in Christ alone.

Have been busy packing books to send out to friends all around the country. Books for them to place in the hands of people who need to hear the message of hope.

Please pray with me to that end.

New Beginnings

2009-01-20T20:31:00.000-08:00

Today, is a day of new beginings. It's been exciting. I've been glued to the TV, watching history unfold.

A new president, new hope. It's an exciting time, for sure.

And while a nation celebrated,so did mommy, daddy, big sister and family and friends of Cruz Xavier Toves. Welcome to our world little boy. It doesn't get much better than this.

Designs for an Ark

2009-01-11T14:24:00.000-08:00

HI all.
In case you wondered...
Yes I live in Washington State.
Yes, we did have flooding.

We got more snow than usual over Christmas. The rain, then warmer weather.
The town received a "reverse 9-11" call for those in low lying areas, suggesting they evacuate. Well, having been in the middle of the flood of 1996, I packed a bag.
We could tell that the river wasn't as high as it was earlier..and unless the dam up river released a ton of water, we'd be ok.

There were slides, interstate freeway closures, and the mountain passes were closed.

We are fine.

I start speaking at retreat this coming weekend...and then it's a pretty full schedule through the spring. Appreciate any prayers you have to spare...that God would give me strength, wisdom..and that He would use me for His purposes...not for my own.

New Year Challenge

2009-01-04T21:44:00.000-08:00

New Year Blessings...peace and joy to all!

I challenge you this year, to read through the Bible. My friend Carol and I have once again challenged each other to read through, using the One Year Chronological Bible.

Get into God's Word. This is the third year we have read through together. I think sometimes the stories become so familiar, that we just skim over them. So, slow down and let the words speak to you. Look at the stories with new eyes. It's amazing what you will find.

Read on!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-23T19:28:00.000-08:00

Greetings!
Tomorrow is Christmas EVe and our traditional Candlelight Service has been canceled because of the snow. I can't remember the last time I have missed church on Christmas Eve. NOt to be this year...weather won!

The snow is beautiful, but everything comes to a standstill. My son hasn't been able to get to his apartment since Saturday. Guess he'll be home for Christmas...a week!

Tried to get out of my driveway today to go to work...and got stuck. I wasn't in the driveway, I wasn't in the street! Had to call my husband to rescue me in his 4-wheel pickup. So off to work I go....and stay until 6pm...got a whole lot done, because no one was out and about. Brought work home, so I could stay home the rest of the week! Yahooo. Is there any football on?

EVeryone...have a blessed Christmas...
and to all...a goodnight!

Catching up

2008-12-06T23:34:00.000-08:00

Ok, so today I was reminded that I haven't posted in a month. sigh sigh sigh.
Last time I posted I was at Hood Canal, just beginning my week away ALONE. It was wonderful! There were days I didn't even get dressed! I read four novels. Haven't read a novel in ages. It was truly a week of NOT THINKING! The woodpecker drove me nuts all week. I ended up writing a story about it. The rain just poured down the entire week I was there...and it was fine with me. Lost power one night..and that was fine too! My cell phone guided me to the candles!

Since then, I made a trip to Sacramento to speak at a dinner event. Great fun. Ladies were wonderful.

Today I had a booksigning at a local mall..and then went SHOPPING!

My speaking schedule for next year is amazing. I still shake my head (and thank God) when someone calls me to speak. I keep wondering, what do I have to share? Thank You Jesus, for giving me Your words to share.

OUr choir is gearing up for the Christmas Program...which I narrate. I've revamped the narration...and it appears I'm also going to run the media system...so the narration will be a "voice" from the speakers. I think it will be cool. They won't see me...so hopefully the emphasis will be on the spoken words and not the person speaking them.

Ok..Groooooooooooooovyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy girl...we are updated!

In case I get spacey again....everyone...have a blessed Christmas!

All by myself!

2008-11-06T23:32:00.000-08:00

Here I am!!! At my favorite get-a-way spot..Hood Canal. If you've read my books, you know this is where I take my week away ALONE! It has been pouring down rain,which is fine with me. I didn't even get dressed today! A woodpecker woke me up with a rat tat tat on the side of the house. I had to shoo him away several times! I've been here one day...and have done nothing!!! It's great!

What a Fall!

2008-10-28T20:39:00.000-07:00

I wish you all could see what I see. The Fall leaves are in full color...yellows, oranges, reds. VIBRANT colors. Just beautiful. The skies are clear, the air is crisp. Reminds me of why I live in the Pacific Northwest.

This has been a busy month, gearing up to our community women's conference, which I pretty much oversee. My friend Carol takes care of all the music...and the admin stuff is my baby. Did my "song" this year. Oh yeh! Then Carol and Ruth surprised me with a song... "please don't sing," to the tune of "hello mudder, hello fadder.."
funny!

I'm gearing up for my week away alone. If you've read my books, you know I take a week off and head to Hood Canal...all by myself. I need it!

Catching Up

2008-10-09T15:20:00.000-07:00

So, what have I been doing since last we spoke?
Went to California to speak at a retreat with Lutheran ladies from Fresno. Great time, except with plane delays coming home. My luggage was 30 minutes behind me.

Next up...another retreat with Presbyterian ladies. Again fun time. Oh yeah...and I'll have fun fun fun till my daddy takes my Mazda away.

Now I'm gearing up at my own church, for our annual community-wide women's conference. It's always a fun time to gather ladies from other churches together to worship our Father.

THEN...and I am SO excited...I'll be off to Hood Canal for my week away ALONE! I am sooooo ready to sleep, sleep, sleep and sleep....and not get dressed if I don't want to!

I live in the Pacific NW and the leaves are changing colors. What a sight!

Happy Birthday to me

2008-09-23T20:04:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm a few days late.
Had a great birthday celebration on the 20th with husband, son, mom and good friends,Rod and Carol, at one of my favorite places...McMennimen's Edgefield, in Troutdale,OR.

My back is killing me...so I sit.I should be packing for a weekend retreat! I have a flight to catch at 6 A.M. in Friday morning. How many of you know that I am NOT a morning person? I may as well just STAY UP all night!

Girls Weekend

2008-09-05T18:58:00.000-07:00

So, I just spent 6 days with the girls at Cannon Beach Oregon. We had a wonderful house right on the beach...beautiful weather. I walked up and down the beach, singing.."who told the ocean it could only come this far..." from Nicole C. Mullins, "Redeemer." Here's a picture of the famous "Haystack Rock." This was taken from the front yard of the house we were staying at. (Thanks Marie for the pic)

Preach it my son!

2008-08-11T09:55:00.000-07:00

My 25 year old son preached in my church yesterday. He will be starting his third year of seminary next month. It is amazing to watch you little boy stand up there with Bible open and preach the word of God, with boldness and confidence. Amazing.

I did the "front end" of the first service so I got to introduce him. During second service which is more casual, I stood up and also introduced him, "this is my son, in whom I am well pleased." Great kid.

He just got back from two months in South America. He went down on a grant, to study the growth of Christianity in South America. I asked him in a sentence, why is it growing? He said, the churches are looking outward, instead of inward. Boy, do we have a lot of work to do!

Here we are (before he shaved!_

Godtube

2008-08-06T15:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I am really pumped. I had an interview with Godtube while at booksellers convention. Just got word it was loaded.

You can view it at

http://godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=2a07f22e4b09edd675e5&page=1&viewty
pe=&category=

and they said I was one of their FAVORITES! SWEETIEDEE!

Orlando and Booksellers Convention

2008-07-27T19:40:00.000-07:00

WOW! Nothing like heat, humidity, thunder, lightning and rain. Ok, so that was the downside.
How about this? DisneyWorld, Cracker Barrel Restaurant, Outlet Mall AND, the International Christian Retail Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

Along with all of that, my dear friend Carol went along with me. THAT all added up to a GREAT TIME! Carol wears many "unoffical" titles for me...business manager, publicist, encourager, rooster (she crows if I get out of line) and a new title of bag lady. You will have to ask HER about that one. I helped her, by building her self-esteem. I LET her win at gin rummy! Ok, so it was like Oscar and Felix do Orlando!

Purpose of the trip was to attend the convention where bookbuyers from all over the world were in attendance. I signed and gave away 150 books at the new book release party.

Here is a picture of me with Rachel Eggum-Cinadar.

Signing books. You better talk to me, cause I'll climb out of the booth after you!

Sunday morning, Anne Graham Lotz spoke at the worship service. Oh man! She packs a powerful punch!

I had interviews with radio stations, TV and two internet programs. Soon, you will see one of those interview on godtube.com. Click "ministry" and "ICRS." When the interview is loaded, I'll put the link here.

I even got "makeup" for one of the TV interviews. I mean, someone, sat me down in front of a mirror with those HOLLYWOOD lights and applied makeup! That was UNREAL!

Get this, I even ran into a woman who I used to babysit! She works for a west coast publisher. Her dad was my track coach. (It's a small world after all! X 50 million.)

Carol is from the south, so we had to hit the Cracker Barrel Restaurant, for some "southern cooking." Yum!

We spent one day in DisneyWorld, dodging kids, and riding the rides. Loved the the lazer gun in the Buzz Lightyear adventure. (Carol kept trying to make me miss. Payback for rummy I guess!)

Can you pick out the real Goofy?

All of that being said, we had a great time. And..we are still speaking to each other! I pray you have someone in your life who you can laugh and cry with. Who will pray for and with you, and hold you accountable...and encourage you to be all God wants you to be. If you don't, pray He will send someone your way.

2008 Relay

2008-07-27T14:39:00.000-07:00

Oh man! Am I tired.
Relay was great. EVeryone should get involved in this fun event, to raise money for cancer research. You can find a Relay event near you by checking www.cancer.org.

I raised over $1000 this year, so was treated to a breakfast this morning. That meant I had to get up at 6:30 a.m. and drive 20 back to the Relay. I was there until almost midnight last night. Back in my "younger days" I would have spent the night...but my bed is much more comfy than a lawn chair or the ground.

Here's a picture of my luminaria bag for this year. Yes, I have unashamedly advertised!

I'm a Survivor!

2008-07-17T17:36:00.000-07:00

Celebrating 8 years of being cancer free! I will be participating in the Vancouver WA. Relay for Life July 25-26

In the beginning...

2008-07-17T16:48:00.000-07:00

...my publicist, business manager, part-time editor, baglady, and best buddy...helped me create this blob, I mean blog. Where is the editor when I need her. Oh wait, she's sitting right by me, with a ruler, smacking my fingers when I make a typo. My fingers are bleeding.

And so we begin the blob, I mean blog. Onward and upward...and I will quit now to go get bandaids for my bloody fingers.

More later