Love's The Only House

Speaking my Faith

2012-01-07T21:51:00.005-09:00

I will say the words, God will do the miracles!

• Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. And if we know that He hears us, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (1John :14-15)
• As Abraham did, I speak God's promises over my life so that my faith is strengthened to posses all of God's promises. (Romans 4:17-23)
• I set the course of my life today with my words: I say to this day, "You are blessed." And I declare that I serve a mighty God, who, today, will do exceedingly and abundantly beyond all that I can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). I say you are a good God, and I eagerly anticipate your goodness today.
• I declare that I will not be defeated, discouraged, depressed or disappointed today.
• I have insight, wisdom, ideas and divine strategies; I have authority. I exercise my authority today with my words. I decree a thing, and it is so.
• Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. (1John 4:4) The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me. (Romans 8:11).
• As I speak words today, they come to pass (Job 22:28); they go before me, they bring things to pass that I desire and they stop all attacks, assaults, oppression and fear from coming into my life.
• I am dead to sin and have a victorious DNA inside me. (Romans 6:11, Romans 5:17)
• God is on my side today. Therefore, I can NEVER be defeated.
• I prosper in all of my relationships. (Luke 2:52)
• I consistently bring God-encounters to others. (Mark 16:17-18)
• His favor surrounds me today as a shield. (Psalm 5:12)
• I expect and receive favor in my home, favor in my job, favor in my business, favor in my ministry, favor with my finances and favor in every deal I am involved in.
• In Jesus I am 100% loved and worthy to experience all of God's blessings. (Colossians 1:12-15)
• I have the wisdom of God today. I have a sound mind. I will think the right thoughts, say the right words and make the right decisions in every situation I face today.
• My mouth speaks wisdom and my heart is filled with understanding. (Psalm 49:3)
• I ask for and receive an abundant supply of wisdom and understanding today from God. (James 1:5) wisdom from above that is pure, peaceful, gentle, unwavering, humble and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17)
• Wisdom and understanding are better than silver and gold. Nothing I desire can compare with them. Therefore, I make it my ambition and desire to have understanding and wisdom. I know I will have all of the other desires of my heart. (Proverbs 8:10-21)
• I hunger and thirst after righteousness. Therefore, I know that all of my needs will be met.
• My words go before me in securing my divine health and healing. I walk in ever-increasing health.
• I will not be sick today. I will not be sad today. I will not be broken today. I will not be confused today.
• I have health today. I have joy today. I have all the money I need in the name of Jesus.
• My steps are ordered by the Lord. (Psalm 37:23)
• I live under supernatural protection.
• I have a covenant with God and by the blood of Jesus I release my divine protection and divine provision.
• My family and those connected to us are protected from disasters, disease, divorce, adultery, poverty, false accusation, foolish decisions and accidents.
• The angels assigned to me are carrying out the Word of God on my behalf.
• I receive supernatural strength and encouragement from God and his messengers. The angels assigned to me carry out the Word of God, and every word I speak that lines up with the Word of God is being carried out by angels, even now as I speak. (Psalm 103:20)
• I expect to have divine appointments to day, to run into the right people and to be delivered from being influenced by those who are sent to divert me from God's plan for me today.
• Any adversity, attack, accident or tragedy that was headed my way is diverted right now through angelic protection in Jesus' name.
• Just as Jesus spoke to the wind, I speak to the raging waters in my life: "Peace, be still." To my emotions, “Peace, be still.” To my mind, "Peace, be still." To my body, "Peace, be still." To my home, "Peace, be still." To my family, "Peace, be still."
• Now I speak to every mountain (Matthew 17:20-24): Every mountain of fear, discouragement, stress, depression, lack, insufficiency, doubt, unbelief, lies, poverty and I say “Be removed and cast into the sea, in Jesus’ name!”
• I recognize and lol when I hear a lie of the devil. (Psalm 2:2-4)
• I expect the best day of my life spiritually, emotionally, relationally and financially today in the name of Jesus!
• I expect to have powerful, divine appointments today to heal the sick, raise the dead (Mark 16:15-18), prophesy life, lead people to Christ, bring deliverance, release signs and wonders and bless every place I go. (Acts)
• Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. And if we know that He hears us, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (1John :14-15)

I will say the words, and God will do the miracles!

Weddings, Weddings and Babies, OH MY!!!!

2009-11-29T00:00:00.003-09:00

Hello everyone!

Thomas and Catherine are going to celebrate their wedding on December 21st, 2009 in Alaska.

Jonathan and Laura just became engaged YESTERDAY!! Video of the proposal is on his facebook site. They will celebrate their wedding in June, I think.

Jacob and Jessica married in October, found out they are expecting a baby !!!!! I am just beside myself. My friend from Alaska reminded me that I was talking about being a grandma ever since she has known me. We met when Jacob was 9. !!!! lol~~!

Anyone who has been newly married, or newly married with kids knows somewhat of the road ahead. However, each one of these boys are in the millitary. This adds a new level of stress to the marriages. I ask that you pray for the kids whenever they cross your mind. Thank you very much !!

Blessings to you all!

Kim

Hits on my site

2009-11-08T18:40:00.003-09:00

Beautiful Autmn

2009-11-02T05:42:00.002-09:00

Autumn is just beautiful here!

I have had a lot of fun with friends and familiy lately. Grandma, Stella, Kathy, Mom, Laura, Lorinda and I went to a ladies retreat together. We stayed over night too! It was so fun !

Then we had a couple of get-togethers. Stella did a backwards day party for all the kids on Halloween, while the rest of us adults met at Alan's and played cards, talked and laughed.

Then next day was Larry's birthday - so we had a party at the church. Several people came and we played some fun big-group games like "Happy Family" and "Four on a Couch." We laughed till we cried! What fun that was. After that party, just the family went out to Alan's. We had a MARVELOUS dinner and played "Up and Down the River." I was the HUGEST loser! :( But we had a great time anyway.

Family's awesome. Wish Chris was here now, but he's coming down for Thanksgiving!

Planning a Move

2009-09-15T21:23:00.011-08:00

My family has been awesome to let me stay here in Othello while I got some business settled. But now it's time to move into something more permanent.

I've been applying for jobs over by my sister, Cheryl. We have wanted to live near each other since we left home, but that just never happened ! First she went to Korea, then when she got back from there, I moved to Alaska !

In my search for places to live, I tried an online "living arrangements" website.... to find people who wanted roommates. oh! boy!! I guess all my years in Alaska have made me awful naive.

I decided I would be in charge of my own search for a roommate or living situation. For those I have directed to my site with a living arrangement request, here is some info about me:

Keep a clean house
Enjoy a peaceful home environment
Prefer a certain level of autonomy - Separate entrance, kitchenette
Pleasant, friendly, optimistic
Have a small, house-broken Yorkshire Terrier (does not shed)

This is Rowdy. Actually, he's pretty mellow for the breed.

You can browse this website's archives in the right-hand margin to get a feel for who I am and what my family is like.

If you have any other questions, give me a call. (the number was included in the email)

Learning Something New

2009-07-01T20:48:00.002-08:00

Hi everyone !

This is what's new:

In my church back in Alaska I was on the worship team running the computer. They hit me up right away here in Othello to run the computer, too! How did they find out??

The second Sunday that I did the computer, I asked if they would teach me the sound board. So I have had 2 training sessions on the sound board. Tomorrow is mid-week practice, so I will be attending that for the first time. I'm enjoying learning something new !

Trip to Umatilla

2009-06-25T12:24:00.009-08:00

Dennis' son, Adam, is getting married this weekend. We took Chris to Umatilla to meet Dennis so that Chris could attend the festivities ! They have plans to go to a lake, do some water skiing and some 4-wheeling, I guess. Sounds like they will be having a GREAT time !

On the way, we saw these windmills. I thought they were pretty.

Taking up a new residence... for awhile

2009-05-26T21:52:00.004-08:00

I have been living several miles out of town with my uncle and aunt. This Saturday I am moving into town.

A precious lady from our church passed away and I am going to help the family get the house ready for the market. It is as their mom left it, and I need to just get in there and do some work. I'll be organizing, separating things, packing, deep cleaning, painting, repairing, yard work and decorating ready for show in order to get it sold.

Chris can stay with me while he's down. It's got plenty of room! A nice 4-bedroom, 2-bath home. Now that I have a bicycle (thank you Brad!), I'll be able to get around town real well.

What a neat opportunity!

Join in Life

2009-05-19T20:41:00.001-08:00

Wow

2009-05-19T19:23:00.001-08:00

It is the VETERAN

2009-04-28T14:09:00.016-08:00

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,

who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,

who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN, not the poet,

who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN who salutes the Flag

It is the VETERAN, not the community organizer,

who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,

who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN, not the politician,

who has given us the right to vote.

It is the veteran who serves under the Flag.

-Author Unknown

Trip to Chicago

2009-03-05T17:25:00.003-09:00

Chris and I will be leaving Alaska on the 10th, flying into Seattle to drop of my puppy, then go on through to Chicago, where we will attend Thomas' gradutation from Navy Boot Camp.

We will get to meet Jonny's girlfriend, Laura, too!!

Then we will retrun to Washington, where Chris will stay with me through Spring Break. He'll help get me settled and help me buy a car.

Chris will go back up to Alaska and finish his Junior year.

I will be looking for work and preparing for my (possible) part-time job which begins in April.

Wish us luck and say a few prayers for us. There are lots of changes ahead for all of us.

Thomas Leaves for the Navy on Monday

2009-01-08T09:46:00.002-09:00

Thomas leaves for Navy Bootcamp on Monday, January 12th.

He had a huge celebration in the hills over New Years with $400 worth of fireworks! Most of which, reportedly, went veritcal.

I will have pictures soon.

Emma's Quilt

2009-01-07T19:22:00.000-09:00

How cool is this??

Comments on Courage and Failure

2008-12-14T21:34:00.002-09:00

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer-of-deeds could have done better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course; who at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.

Theodore Roosevelt

Thomas Launches

2008-11-21T03:48:00.008-09:00

Thomas will be going to Navy Boot Camp January 17th.

One of my all-time favorite poems is George Gray by Edgar Lee Masters

George Gray

I have studied many times

The marble which was chiseled for me--

A boat with a furled sail at rest in a harbor.

In truth it pictures not my destination

But my life.

For love was offered me

And I shrank from its disillusionment;

Sorrow knocked at my door,

But I was afraid;

Ambition called to me,

But I dreaded the chances.

Yet all the while I hungered for meaning in my life.

And now I know that we must lift the sail

And catch the winds of destiny

Wherever they drive the boat.

To put meaning in one's life may end in madness,

But life without meaning is the torture.

Of restlessness and vague desire--

It is a boat longing for the sea and yet afraid.

Well, that describes none of my kids.

I'm so proud of each of them, stepping out of their comfort zones and taking life on - head on.

I love you boys.

Go Thomas!!!

So... I dyed my hair...

2008-11-04T09:54:00.003-09:00

I let it process a little too long in the back and it burned my hair... eek!! So I got brave and cut it all (myself). All this happening while I was hurrying to finish because I had company coming over.

It's a little blonder than I was expecting, but oh well. It's just hair, right? It'll grow back gray again and I'll ruin it a different way by being braver than I should be then too.

Funny thing about dying your hair blond. When you start messing things up, like at work, or you get clumsy or something; even if you made those same mistakes before when you were a brunette, people just look at you and smile... like they're saying "That's ok. She's just a blond." I just smile and move on. I kinda like low expectations sometimes.

And here's Rowdy waiting for his babysitter to come.

Her name is Claire and she babysits Rowdy for me. She is the girlfriend of a guy who works with me. He is on loan to us from London for 3 months. Rowdy has been coming home with a European accent lately though.... We'll have to get him to un-learn that when they leave.

Thanksgiving in Washington!

2008-10-14T10:43:00.002-08:00

Thomas, Chris and I are flying down to Washington to be with my family for Thanksgiving !!

We'll take lots of pictures. Read a story about my family's Thanksgiving traditions here.

JACOB OVERSEAS

2008-10-13T13:20:00.004-08:00

Jacob is on his second tour to Iraq. At Warhorse again like last time.

If you want to write to him or send him something I will be posting his address soon!

I spoke with him this afternoon. He really likes the unit he's with. It's a neat bunch of guys. He said it's hot and there's a LOT of sand.

... hmmm. :)

We'll be posting more soon. And some correspondence from Keith. (Kim's cousin, a Major stationed in Iraq as well.)

New Puppy

2008-08-27T11:23:00.004-08:00

This is my new puppy, Rowdy. He's a Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie).

He was born April 12. I got him when he was 4 months old.

Here he is before his haircut!

And after

This is Rowdy getting attention at work from my friend Tammy.

And this is his last trim job around his little face area.
(I did this one myself. I'm going to have to get better at it.)

For now, Rowdy stays in my car and anyone going outside visits with him, lets him out to run around. He thinks he owns the place! I am teaching him how to be alone for short and incrementally longer periods of time, so by winter he will be able to stay home till Chris gets home from school.

I'm pretty sure I will have more pictures of him in the future. Especially cuz I'm making him a sweater!

"jonny has a girlfriend, jonny has a girlfriend..."

2008-08-11T14:15:00.004-08:00

I remember hearing those silly little tauntings when the kids were young. I never realized then what a blessing all the girls they have brought into my life would be.

So... Everybody, meet Laura. Laura... Everybody.

I'm looking forward to getting to know Larua better!

Jonny's address is:

RPC Coreson, Jonathan
Chaplain's Office
320 Dewey Ave
Great Lakes, IL 60088

THOMAS MAKES A PLAN

2008-06-22T20:34:00.003-08:00

Thomas joined the navy !!!

He will be leaving in March. There is a possibility that he may leave early if he can get into a different boot camp which is scheduled earlier. He would prefer to go into an electrician type of occupation, but that boot camp was full, so he took an alternative and he's still on the waiting list for electrician.

We will be having a birthday party for him a week early. I will send his graduation invitations out if I can get my act together quick enough! :(

Keep him in your prayers. There are a lot of big things ahead for that boy !!!

GRADUATING : THOMAS CORESON 2008

2008-05-23T13:40:00.022-08:00

Gearing up for a rip-roaring party...

celebrating Thomas' graduation tomorrow.

Jonny was due to leave in just a few hours from this picture,

but he wanted to come up and wish Thomas congratulations.

" Power-lounging" it's called. What they seem to do best. :)

Party starts with food, but not soon enough for Chris.
He's getting right to the point -
Cutting out the middle man.

Hey! Let's play Soccar!

Volleyball?

Catherine, interested in this new version of Voccar Sollyball

... slash kick ball (Jacob's SPECIALTY!)

WOAH!!!! What happened here??

Mike knows, but he ain't tellin'.

Oops... Let's try that again.

Whew... Carol got all tired out.

"Now that you're standing still

You can pay more attention to what's really important.

MEEE!!" says Princess Yum Yum

Let's take a break and remodel the back yard.

Looks like we need to do some repairs on the deck.

We'll just take down this part.

Then we'll play a little roof-frizbee...

GRADUATION DAY

Yay Thomas!!

Proud Parents!

What Thomas found on his bedroom door

when he got back from the Senior Party.

Road trip and other news

2008-05-05T09:49:00.002-08:00

May 9, 2008

Rob leaves to visit Jacob in Kansas.

May 13, 2008

Chris flies down to Kansas to drive up the Alcan with Jacob. Jacob and Jonny will both be coming to Thomas' graduation

May 21, 2008

Thomas (and Catherine) graduate from High School

_____________________

IN OTHER NEWS...

Jonny will be stationed there in Chicago for 2 years, then travel to Italy with the Chaplain that he's on staff with.

Wow! That's when we need to go visit!!

Jonny - On the Road Again

2008-05-02T08:59:00.002-08:00

Jonny is on the road again. He has left his training area in Mississippi. While he was there he witnessed a tornado! But now he's leaving the state and heading to Chicago, where he will stay for I-don't-know-how-long. But that's what I'm learning with the millitary. Mom's are always the last to know.

Safe travel prayers.

Yeterday, I Was a Child

2008-04-26T13:00:00.022-08:00

Yesterday, I Was a Child

Yesterday, I was a child

But it's my first day of Jr. High.
Lockers, boys... and I look different.
Will they make fun of me as I walk by?

I'm scared to do this alone.
Won't you please hold my hand?
Into this place,

Afraid to show my face.
Go with me, Go with me.

Yesterday, I was a child.
Next month I'm having one of my own.
Diapers, bills, him looking up to me
Will I be strong enough or let him down?

I'm scared to do this alone.
Won't you please hold my hand?
Motherhood,

Doing what I should.
Go with me, go with me.

Yesterday, I was a child.
Today I will watch my aging mother die.
The pain of the process weathers my face.
Will I ever get over the loss of her in my life?

I'm scared to do this alone.
Won't you please hold my hand?
Memories

Of her praying on her knees
Go with me, go with me.

Yesterday, I was a child,
"And that's ok," to myself I say,
This moment is a gift God's given me.
What will I do with this precious day?

I won't be doing this alone
Because He always holds my hand.
Love so dear,

He's always near,
Go with me, go with me.

Let all this maturity count for something, at least.
Don't let the pain be in vain.
Use it, Dear God, to help a hurting soul
Letting the hope of yesterday's child remain.

Word From Jacob & Jonny

2008-04-07T14:43:00.003-08:00

Word from Jacob.

Jacob is still in Kansas. He's coming up for Thomas' graduation. We will be super excited to have him home again, especially for such a special occasion as that.

We are really looking forward to having Jacob nearby in Fairbanks. Rob plans on making a few snowmachine weekends up his way. That will be so fun!

Jonny called this afternoon. He's put in for his orders and was told there may be an opening in Italy.

He has joined the scoccar team and the golf club... um... I mean the golf team. :)

He will be sending me his address soon, but reminded me that he won't be staying there long before he up and leaves again!

We love you and miss you Jonny.

Recees ~1994-2008

2008-04-04T17:56:00.004-08:00

Our family has had the sweetest shepherd/setter mix dog, Recees. She has been such a good friend and companion.

We found her at the pound around Christmas of 2000. They told us that her family had to move and if she didn't get adopted, they would fly her down.She fit in right away and has been a good addition to this family. We figured she was about 4 or 5 when we got her.

She died Wednesday, April 2nd.

We are going to miss Reeces very much.

Wonderful Visit Home

2008-03-25T13:20:00.004-08:00

I had a wonderful time back home in Othello. I told Cheryl that it was the first time that I felt like I was coming back to where I used to live, but that Alaska was really where my heart calls "Home."

The Besherse clan is starting a commentary blog, initally posted here.

More posting on my visit when I get time.

Jonny's new car

2008-03-09T22:29:00.002-08:00

Jonny in an accident

2008-02-15T14:31:00.002-09:00

So Jonny decided to run up and see his buddy in Colorado. He and a shipmate of his took off from San Diego headed to Denver. At Vale they hit some ice and snow and Jonny lost control of his BMW, rolling it twice. He and his friend are unharmed.

His friend from Denver came and got him this morning. He'll spend the weekend there and rent a car to take back to San Diego. He's going to send pictures for me to post. Meanwhile, just pray for him.

Home Sweet Home

2008-02-11T16:24:00.000-09:00

I'm headed home!!! Leaving here March 19th at night, arriving in Seattle that late night.

I'll be catching a ride from someone home to Othello.

Looking forward to the visit!!

:) <--- That's my Super-Happy face!

Kim

News About Jonny's SWCC Training

2008-02-08T18:57:00.000-09:00

This morning Jonny called telling me that he quit his SWICC training program.

He said they were doing a deep water survival test. They had to go under 15 feet or so, get beat up, turned around, etc. Then they get tapped and they have to go to another place to get beat up, then they go get air. He said he got done with the first one, got two strokes in toward the second one and he just cramped up into a ball and took in a lot of water. Next thing he knew he was on the deck throwing up and they were ording him back in the water. He said no 3 times. He said he just didn't have control of his body yet.

Well... what really happened was that it took them 2 min to revive him. They told him to get back in and he said no. Then they said "You DOL (or wahtever the acronym is for "quit") if you refuse to get in the water" and he said "no". Then they said, "This is your last chance. Get back in the water." He said "no". He said it took him some time to come fully aware and then he realized what took place.

He's got a good attitude about it though. You know his first choice was the Academy, but he didn't make the cut there because he didn't take Chemistry in highschool. Well one of his instructors knew that and when Jonny went to sign whatever form(s) he had to sign, the instructor came and found him and told him to get his paperwork for the Academy ready and he would give him a recommendation. I told Jonny that God has a plan and what has happend was meant to happen. He said he knows, and that he has mixed feelings. In some ways he's glad, in some ways he's devistated.

He said tomorrow he doesn't have anything to do, "So I'm gonna go play about 45 holes of golf."

My New Favorite Song

2008-01-11T18:25:00.000-09:00

Me at my job

2008-01-11T11:43:00.000-09:00

Verse For This Year

2008-01-05T10:16:00.001-09:00

Every year I ask the Lord for a verse or concept to focus on for the year. This year he gave me Phillipians 4:12.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Even this early in the process, the Lord is quickly beginning to put this concept in front of me repeatedly. A friend just forwarded me... you know... another touching story. (I have to confess that I don't read all the forwards that are sent to me) But at the end of this story was the following:

Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are.

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings.
Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are m any who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible.
Thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though ugh I huddle in my bed and put off rising.
Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud.
Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced.
Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous.
Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest.
Thank you, Lord, for life.

And I would add...
Even though our relationships with friends and family are sometimes strained, broken and unhealthy,
Thank you, Lord, for those friends and family. Many have nobody to love or to be loved by.

So when I find myself in want, hungry or in need - I can know that God has in mind a grand supply, because that's just how He is. Ps. 103:5 He satisfies my desires with good things.

Best-Ever Christmas Gift

2007-12-19T11:14:00.001-09:00

Jacob on American Soil

2007-12-17T14:32:00.000-09:00

We are so thrilled to have Jacob back on American soil. He will be coming home (hopefully) on Friday for Christmas and a bit of a stay after that.

Thanksgiving

2007-11-28T09:56:00.000-09:00

You'd never guess it's November in Alaska. It must be an el nino year. We cancelled our plans to ride snowmachines and ended up having Thanksgiving dinner with The Umstead family minus dad (who works out of town). It was fantastic food and fun. We ate, played games and watched movies.

We got a very warm storm that melted even more snow in the hills, so we decided to spend the rest of the weekend in the hills anyway! Except we would get there by 4 wheelers! We took a couple friends and went up and did it all again!! Next week, JOGGING!

Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful, full of food, familiy and fun.

God bless you and yours this holiday season.

Kim

Jacob on Web Cam!

2007-11-11T22:52:00.001-09:00

Jonny's Address

2007-10-31T18:43:00.000-08:00

CORESON, JONATHAN
BCT 59-1
2442 Trident Way
SanDiego CA 92155

2007-10-22T14:26:00.000-08:00

The future belongs to those who believe

in the beauty of their dreams.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Ronald Regan - Boy do we miss him

2007-10-12T10:13:00.000-08:00

We didn't realize just how much we missed him, until we read and remembered some of the things he said... and stood for. Enjoy.

"Here's my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they lose."- Ronald Reagan

"The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help."- Ronald Reagan

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so."- Ronald Reagan

"Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. Was too strong."- Ronald Reagan

"I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress."- Ronald Reagan

"The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination."- Ronald Reagan

"Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other."- Ronald Reagan

"The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program."- Ronald Reagan

"I've laid down the law, though, to everyone from now on about anything that happens: no matter what time it is, wake me, even if it's in the middle of a Cabinet meeting."- Ronald Reaga n

"It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first."- Ronald Reagan

"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."- Ronald Reagan

"Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed, there are many rewards; if you disgrace yourself, you can always write a book."- Ronald Reagan

"No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women."- Ronald Reagan

"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation goneunder."- Ronald Reagan

A Line Storm Song

2007-10-08T16:44:00.000-08:00

A Line Storm Song

The line-storm clouds fly tattered and swift.
The road is forlorn all day,
Where a myriad snowy quartz stones lift,
And the hoof-prints vanish away.

The roadside flowers, too wet for the bee,
Expend their bloom in vain.
Come over the hills and far with me,
And be my love in the rain.

The birds have less to say for themselves
In the wood-world's torn despair
Than now these numberless years the elves,
Although they are no less there:

All song of the woods is crushed like some
Wild, earily shattered rose.
Come, be my love in the wet woods, come,
Where the boughs rain when it blows.

There is the gale to urge behind
And bruit our singing down,
And the shallow waters aflutter with wind
From which to gather your gown.

What matter if we go clear to the west,
And come not through dry-shod?
For wilding brooch shall wet your breast
The rain-fresh goldenrod.

Oh, never this whelming east wind swells
But it seems like the sea's return
To the ancient lands where it left the shells
Before the age of the fern;

And it seems like the time when after doubt
Our love came back amain.
Oh, come forth into the storm and rout
And be my love in the rain.

-Robert Frost

Our Chicago Adventure

2007-10-05T12:56:00.001-08:00

Our Chicago adventure really began with my own plans to finish Jonny's quilt. Nancy (who I now call "Saint Nancy") spent many hours helping me sew the quilt and get it ready in time to take to Jonny. I was appreciative in a way that words cannont describe. Here we are working on it... again. Notice it's dark outside!

Seriously, this is all the farther I was on the quilt
just 3 days before leaving!!

But I (we) did get it finished. It's hard to see what it's like in pictures. This is the quilt folded in half. He wanted a scripture in the top and bottom of the inside white circle, and his signature diagonally in the very center of the inside white circle. I will have time to do that becasue he wasn't able to take it with him. I will do that before he comes home for Christmas.

Here we are at the Anchorage airport
waiting for our plane to leave.

Jonny's graduation.

The Navy is trying new things to lower the drop-out rate when boot camp graduates attend Special Forces training. They have begun a "special forces boot camp" which is geard to specifically challege the prospective special forces recruits - Jonny's was only the 3rd such class so far.

His unit 334 was one of 2 special forces units. There were about 12 other units in this graduating class. He said they started out with nearly 70 recruits and lost about 1/3 because they "couldn't hang." lol!

Our first chance to get to touch him!!

Here he is with Dad.

Jonny wanted to come to the hotel and watch a little football. Here are Rob and Jonny watching football. They didn't miss much, trust me. Denver lost :(

We went down to the waterfront to see if this guy would like to take us across Lake Michigan to see Cameron and Lisa. He said he's just here cleaning his boat. It's his day off.

Since he couldn't take us, we decided to visit the Navy Pier in Chicago. This is a building we saw along the way.

At the Navy Pier we saw the equivalent of the entire population of Soldotna Proper in one spot.

So Rob and Jonny decided,
"Heck.... let's just join in the fun!!"

Jonny and I sat down for a rest.
It was so good to have him right there next to me.

But then Rob and Jonny decided
it was funner to be next to this other chick,
so they started flirting with her.

This Farris Wheel looked inviting, so we went for a ride.

Saw that same building from up on the Ferris Wheel.

Looked over to Michigan and we all yelled in unison, "Hi Cameron & Lisa!!" See them?? Over there, slightly to the left.

Rob holding on for dear life (he's petrified of heights!!)
and Jonny enjoying watching his dad panic.

Jonny here posing as the captain of the pirate ship SHIP WINDY.

Rob says he remembers the first time he bought his folks' dinner, so he had to get a shot of Jonny doing that. I'm sure he's hoping this event will happen more frequently.

Jonny's Navy Boot Camp Graduation

2007-10-04T09:40:00.000-08:00

This is Jonny's graduation picture.

I will post more about our trip .

and pictures that we took.

Some Stuff I've Been Doing

2007-09-20T19:48:00.001-08:00

Working on Jonny's quilt, for one.

And I went to Seward last weekend to enjoy a nice ocean breeze.

Jan and I went together.

But we were missing someone. (Clue hidden in photo)

Then we went to do some very important business!!

We are going to have a Web Log class
put on by the Peninsula's Yellow Ribbon Club coming up in October.

"Spirit Week" and Homecoming / Brothers & Sisters

2007-09-20T19:16:00.000-08:00

This is what Thomas wore to

Wacky Wednesday Spirit Week

the week before Skyview's Homecoming.

(It's a giraffe costume!)

Here is Thomas with Catherine.

And Chris with Carol.

Some Fire / New Cabin Pics

2007-09-20T18:51:00.000-08:00

This is how close the Caribou Hills fire came

to Mike Sawyer's cabin.

My goal in taking this picture is to give you a look at the "before" of our new cabin.

We plan on doing a lot of clearing of the land, fixing up the cabin and building another outbuilding.

I have many before pictures. They will be posted at our snowbunnies site. It will be fun to see the progress.

Below are before and after pictures of the interior. The difference is huge, although it's hard to tell from the pictures. More indoor pix on snowbunnies too.

Jacob's IM Picture

2007-09-11T19:43:00.000-08:00

I talked with Jacob on the internet tonight. What a blessing to us soldiers' mommys that we have the internet. He's doing well. It was tomorrow morning there. But here it's still just today. :D

News From the Boys!

2007-09-08T11:22:00.000-08:00

Jacob thinks he will be state-side in April!!! That is so good to hear! He's hard at work in a new location than where he's been most of his deployment. In fact, he's at the same base that Keith was at while he was there. Unfortunately (fortunately...?) Keith is back home now. Left just before Jacob was stationed there. We are still deep in prayer for Jacob as he is moved from a successfully secured area into an area that's not so secure. God keep him safe and successful.

Jonny has written us several times. Of course, Jonny can tell us more about what he's doing than Jacob can. Jonny, you know, is at the Naval Boot Camp. He wrote that "Camp is GREAT!! We sleep in tents, swim in the lake on hot sunny days and eat smores at night while we sing by the camp fire!"

Then he went on to describe how it really goes. Long days of physical training, classes, eating then sleeping - lights out at 10 pm. They wake at quarter to five (they call that "O Four Forty Five" 04:45), and start it all over again.

He said it goes like this:

Learn to clean
Lern to run hard
Learn to shut up
Learn to pay attention to detail
and most importantly,
Learn to calm down.

Something I know about Jonny makes me get a visual picture of what he's doing there. Jonny counts EVERYTHING. I mean EVERYTHING. I can just see him standing there at attenetion fingers by his side, tappling his leg with his thumb, "one", index finger, "two"... all the way to the upper 40's as he counts how many times his angry drill sergaent says the "f" word during this particular conversation. he he... Oh, Lord... give him grace and endurance.

My Friends in Ministry

2007-09-08T10:27:00.001-08:00

This is my friend. He is a Wycliffe Bible Missionary. He goes to far-off places to a land with no Bible, lives with a people group learning thier language in order to create a dictionary from which to translate the scriptures. He sends us newsletters and keeps us up to date on his travels.

I have had a picture of him on my fridge for years to help me remember to pray for him. One time I flew home and saw that picture on my mom's fridge, my sister's fridge and my aunt's fridge. I decorate in rustic style, my mom decorates in southwestern, my sister in asian and my aunt in country - but we all have that one decor item in common. His picture on our fridge.
He's often in dangerous situations, so we are not able to talk about where he does his work. But prayer for him is very important, as well as financial support as you might imagine!
____________________________________

Another friend I have in a ministry is Kathy. Kathy and and her ministry partner Lois are about 67 years old who go around preaching to prisoners all over the US. I personally know someone who is the product of prison ministry and I have been so blessed to see God bring about such a beautiful redemption in his life. "Redeeming the years the locust have eaten."
____________________________________

I knew my first friend listed here growing up, so I learned about his ministry from talking with him as he prepared. I was in church when Kathy came to our service on a Sunday when she was ministering to our area prisons. The 3rd minstry I pray for, I learned about in an indirect way. It is the ministry of a friend's daughter. I have never met her, but as soon as I heard about her efforts, the Lord laid her strong on my heart.

My friend is Retired Army Chaplain Donley. His daughter's name is Laurel. Her daughter (and his granddaughter)'s name is Annie. I have posted a picture of Annie, but I will tell you about Laurel's ministry.

Laurel's ministry is to help rape and abuse victims on a college campus. She is younger than I am, but doing work that seems more fit for an old, wise, loving saint. I respect that tremendously.

One of the things that I feel so called to pray for is Laurel's health. She suffers from a rare disease that gives her a lot of pain. She's a young mother and has a second job beyond her ministry.

I've never met her, have never spoken to her nor emailed her, but I have spent many hours in intersession for her health and effectiveness on campus in the hard work that she is doing. I keep up to date on her (and Annie!) through her father, my friend, Chaplain Donley.

This is a picture of Annie catching her first fish with her Paw Paw!

A Sweet Prayer

2007-09-06T22:28:00.000-08:00

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

Love's the only house big enough for all the pain in the world.

Let me guess... Brothers?

2007-08-31T16:12:00.000-08:00

Click here to see this hillarious short movie

of two penguin brothers... at least that's my guess.

Braggin' on Emma

2007-08-28T13:52:00.001-08:00

This is my 8 year old friend, Emma. She is a quilter.

Recently she won a blue ribbon for her quilt and purple "best of show" ribbon.

And this is her new little brother Levi, who is letting dad ride the lawnmower with him.

Mountains of the Kenai

2007-08-23T22:14:00.000-08:00

The first thing that struck me
About the Peninsula’s land
Was the way that the Mountains
Consume the skies in angry demand.

"Angry," I thought at first,
For in the place I was raised
A person can see for miles away
From light wind, the sleepy grass wakes.

I used to find comfort
In the wide-openness like that.
Peace would flood my child-soul
As on grandma’s front porch I sat.

You could see where you were going
Long before you ever arrived.
There was no mystery of mission,
No place for enemies to hide.

At my first taste of Alaska
I felt walled in; beside, in front, behind
I could scarcely catch my breath
The prison of angry rock would blind.

But the family years went by.
Mountain vacations, sun, snow and rain.
Bonding to one another
As we mastered difficult terrain.

They were always a thing of beauty,
Though always respect was demanded.
At times consequences of carelessness
Would be leveled heavy-handed.

They would be there ever bragging,

As visitors come to see them grand.

I came to see their beauty,

Mystery and magesty that they command.

And when my heart would hurt
I’d find myself drawn in daze
Not to the memory of long miles of field,
But to the Mountains my eyes would gaze.

Sitting sad in a lonely house
Reflecting, I’d sip my cup of tea.
The lazy snow would deftly fall

Leaving snowcapped Mountains for me to see.

I no longer find comfort, as before,
Where a person can see for miles
Light winds waking the sleepy grass
Like I did when I was a child.

Those Mountains are as a friend;
Strong and protective and forever so.
Yet offering comfort like a blanket
Promising peace for that little child-soul.

Our Familiy

2007-08-13T09:02:00.001-08:00

ADDRESSES!!

2007-08-11T19:39:00.000-08:00

JONNY:

SR Coreson, Jonny J.
Div. 334 Ship 13
Recruiting Training Command
3420 Sailor Drive
Great Lakes, IL 60088-3520

Gossip Corner

2007-08-03T22:02:00.000-08:00

Well... this is the latest on everything:

Jacob - Jacob is trying to get stationed in Fairbanks. He's real excited about being on American soil again.

Mikie - Mike is coming back to the Peninsula from Texas. He's going to get his first year of college at KPC then try to get into UAF (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

Liser - I'm not talking to Lisa anymore because she keeps bragging about swimming in an outdoor swimming pool. he he!

Spencer - Spencer is going to become an Eagle Scout. Our family was invited to the ceremony. What an honor. :)

Mom - My mom has decided that after she retires, she's going to do long-haul trucking so that she can travel and get paid at the same time!!

Me - I am SO loving my new job!!

Tell us your gossip and I will post it here for us all to know!!

Sad-Mommy Therapy

2007-08-01T23:17:00.000-08:00

Jonny packed up his things

getting ready to go on Sunday Morning.

He was told to only bring the clothes on his back.

I know he took his Bible, and Chris is pretty sure

he took his Ipod, too. :)
I think he was planning on inheriting that!

This is Jonny's empty room after he left on Sunday. I cleaned it all up and they layed there and took a nap, thinking of all the things I'm going to miss. Thinking of Jacob.. how much I miss him too.

So I decided to to a little sad-mommy therapy.

Yah, that's right.... I painted Jonny's room. Chris and I had a discussion about wether or not he was going to want to take that room as his. Since the green he wanted did not go with the floor that Jonny installed last year, he decided that he'd just keep his own room and let me have Jonny's as my sewing room.

Here it is in progress. I'll post pictures when it's done.

I don't think Jonny will be offended. He was in the process of redecorating it himself. He did a real good job of installing the flooring. He didn't finish because his destiny was quickly approaching and it just came quicker than he could wrap up the bedroom project.

And all my boys know that if my heart is hurting, all I gotta do is put some wet paint on a wall and my troubles seem to just go away. :)

You know... I'm doing this so that I can establish my sewing room so that I can finish Jonny's quilt in time for his graduation! It just HAD to be done!

Trip to Homer on the Wednesday before Jonny left

2007-08-01T22:52:00.001-08:00

On the Wednesday before he left,

Rob and I took a day to just hang out with Jonny.

We went to Homer and spent the day doing touristy things.

Jonny was especailly impressed with the Ninja-Bears picture.

The weather stayed really good until dinner time.

Perfect timing!

We went to Land's End for dinner and had a very good time.

On Saturday I stayed up late making a banner for us to decorate the truck in the parade.

"Peninsula's Yellow Ribbon Club" with two big flags out the back and magnetic "Support our Troops" ribbons all over. Jonny and his recruiter drove it in the Progress Day's Parade.

Rob was going to get a picture of the truck all decorated, but didn't make it to the parade.

Empty Nesting

2007-07-29T23:11:00.001-08:00

Today was Jonny's last day home.

We had a prayer time for him at church. Paul did a wonderful job of organizing that for him. He said, "This isn't just a good-bye, send-off prayer. When we pray for him we are BELIEVING that God will answer our prayers for his protection, strength and encouragement. These prayers are for Jonny and for Jacob as well."

Many people prayed for him and for Jacob. I couldn't pray out loud because I don't believe it would have been comprehendable, so I just prayed to God in my heart. That's all that matters anyway, huh?

Rob was there and Jonny's grandpa Ken and grandma Patti were there too in the circle of people praying for him. That was very special.

I just talked to Jonny a few minutes ago. He's in his hotel room in Anchorage and leaves early in the morning for Chicago. I will post his address soon.

Thank you all for your continued prayers for Jonny and for Jacob.

New new new

2007-07-17T21:03:00.001-08:00

I have changed jobs!!

After working for McLane Consulting, Inc. for 6 years, I have moved on. I now work at our local BP Research and Development Gas-to-Liquid facility. They are perfecting and refining the "product" shown above. This is a Gas-to-Liquid plant that customers world wide come to check out to see if they want to install it into thier own processing plant.

My job is to be an administrative assistant to all of the engineers and scientists that work on the project. I'm do looking forward to my time with BP!!

Stick To What Yer Good At

2007-07-13T08:55:00.000-08:00

News From the Escapees

2007-07-03T14:01:00.000-08:00

FROM LISA:

We got in to Traverse City Sunday morning around 10am and made it to church at 11am. As we walked in to the chruch we got a standing ovation. And then Cam was called up front and again the church went crazy clapping and hollering for us. We got a great welcome. They had 210 in service yesterday so the girls were out of their comfort zone. We love our small family at Sodotna.

We got a place to live today. They are still building it!!!! It is a duplex. It is 1500 sq feet with a 2car garage. 2baths 3bedrooms a family room and living room dining room and kitchen and deck. Brand new. It will not be finished until August, so we're still homeless... :)

The Last Remaining Aster Flower

2007-07-02T10:10:00.000-08:00

"...every man has his secret sorrows, which the world knows not; and oftentimes we call a man cold, when he is only sad." - Henry Longfellow

One of life's challenges: To not let circumstances consume you.

It's ok to take time to heal. I'm going to do that for a couple more days. Let the clock tick, mourn some losses... and some pending losses (Jonny leaving).

In a few days I'm going to get up in the morning, take a shower with a scrub brush like I'm scraping off layers of bad luck, bad timing and bad chioces. Then I'm going to set myself toward healing and progress.

I've got a family full of grieving hearts, so I can't just let it swallow me up. I need to pull out of feeling sorry for myself, comfort them, and take the steps it's going to take to get closer to real recovery and restoration. Some disasters are so messy, that the clean-up itself has to happen, and it makes for slow rebuilding. I hope to have the endurance. One step at a time.

The Last Remaining Aster Flower

Posses me like the very last flower
For one gentle, fleeting hour.
When my beauty is vivid and clear,
Smell the fregrance while I'm near.

Then when time takes me away,
Let your tears fall on that day.
Steal away to mend and heal
Grieve the loss, the pain you feel.

When the clock has ticked once more
Let your feet then find the floor.
Walk one step, then two, and three.
Restore your heart, but remember me.

All About People & Things That Go Away

2007-06-29T19:00:00.001-08:00

Challenge for Myself

2007-06-25T09:37:00.000-08:00

Matthew 6:19-21

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. "

Not that I shouldn't have things or like things. I just need to make sure that my heart is not invested in those things. That my heart belongs to God alone. The rest are blessings that come and go because they are part of this world where things come and go.

More about the Fire

2007-06-23T21:32:00.001-08:00

The fire has grown to 50,000 acres and is reported to be "zero percent contained."

If you click on the picture, you may be able to see... circled is our cabin just before the fire got to it.

The initial shock is beginning to wear off. Rob has enlisted Jonny's help to begin drawing up plans for a new cabin on a shoestring budget. I think it's very theraputic for all of us.

There are a lot of ugly realities coming, I'm sure. But for now we just live one day at a time.

Personally, I'm just eager to hear from Jacob again. The rest of it... I'm not sure where I'm stuffing the disappointment. I guess I'll deal with that later.

In the blue is the initial burn on the first day. The fire has grown to the red perimeter.

All those little squares are areas that are fairly sparcely populated, but they say there have been about 30 to 40 homes and/or recreational cabins burned.

Fire Update

2007-06-22T14:14:00.000-08:00

The fire got us when it was less than 100 acres. It's now 20,000 acres and raging out of control, fed by winds and a forest full of trees killed by the Spruce Bark Beetle.

Updates and more pictures are posted at our Borough Emergency Management website.

The fire burned on uninhabited land until it had consumed approximately 10,000 acres, then took a turn to head toward a more heavily inhabited portion of the recreational area, doubling in size by the next day.

Rob said that the FIRE realized that our friend had some of his equipment and said to itself, "I gotta go get Rob's dune-buggy. I certainly can't leave him with any posessions! (evil laugh)"

I've heard reports that it has now consumed over 40 cabins. I was so hoping that nobody else would have to suffer.

To put this in perspective, folks... Jacob is fighting in very bad conditions now. Please be in prayer for him. There aren't enough cabins in the world to compare to just my one Jacob. FIRE can do what he will to our possessions, just so that we have our loved ones.

Cabin Debris Photos

2007-06-21T08:39:00.000-08:00

Our cabin before...

This is all that remains of our cabin.

It's strange to look at. I recognize things...
like mutated versions
of something I've been very familiar with.

A snowmachine. We lost 3 snowmachines.

A four-wheeler. We lost 2 of these.

Our neighbor's cabin.
God has spared them the horror of losing everything.
I am so glad.

Brave fire fighters.

Loss At the Coreson House

2007-06-19T23:19:00.000-08:00

We had a terrible loss happen today. Our beloved cabin in Caribou Hills burned to the ground from a forest fire.

An emotional and financial devistation all at one time.

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Even now... especially now... we look to the One who holds our world in his hands.

So tonight I am thinking about all the things I do have. I have 4 young men that I am so very proud of. I have a husband who is strong in his love and his will power. We have a nice home, cars to drive, a nice dog and a mean cat. We have employment and health. Even without our investment and our favorite get-away that held a lot of very fun memories, we are blessed beyond what we deserve.

And if all that should pass away, I know I will see my children in heaven.

3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Blogger Buddies

2007-06-14T14:44:00.000-08:00

What can you get at Moose is Loose??

You can get some wonderful coffee made by cute little barista girls or a big, tall barister boy...

You can get muffins, doughnuts and cookies...

You can get specialty cakes and eclairs...

You can get fresh made bread and rolls...

And...

You can even pick up a friend or two!

Here is my new blogger friend, Amber and her husband Jeremiah who I met at Moose is Loose. She took this picture of me to put on her blog, igloodwellerz. Check it out!

Today's Challenge

2007-06-08T12:00:00.001-08:00

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.

Proverbs 3:5-12 MSG

Breaking News

2007-06-08T09:20:00.001-08:00

Jonathan is trying to get into Navy Boot Camp early. He might get in as early as July 3rd. We'll keep you posted.

What Life's All About

2007-06-07T13:10:00.001-08:00

This is what life is all about; Lovin' on the little ones.

This is my friend Chaplain Donley and his granddaugher, exhausted after her 4th birthday party.

I'm jealous. I want a grandbaby!!

Jacob, look what book he's reading!

Jacob knows that I can't get through that book without weaping shamelessly!

Memorial Day Pictures

2007-05-29T22:07:00.000-08:00

Friday night, Memorial Day weekend,

here we are loading up, getting ready to go.

Rob in the back, Ryan and Thomas.

Chris, Jonny & Ryan loading up the boat.

Here are Rob and me.

The boys went to get us some lunch, so we waited for them
in the parking lot of the Nazarene church.

Here's Ryan watching the guys play catch.

This is Joel Smith and Jonny

On the way to Homer, something happened....
A car passed us and motioned to us to pull over.

Surprise!

We talked to Terry and he said he'd be glad to take a

second trip over to help us get across. We have a lot

of stuff that we just keep in our boat year round.

We could hardly leave the stuff in the boat

on the side of the road. So we loaded it all up in the truck.

Then unloaded it at the dock in Homer.

Now in Jackolof Bay we started to set up.

Here's Dick Smith trying to get a burner working.

Garret and Eric getting warm.

Nate White, his wife and son.

That little guy was just super the whole time.

Lavona Smith cookin' up a storm,

Rob, Terry and Dick Smith in the back.

Steve Staton's wife. Very sweet girl.

I hope to get to know her better.

Beautiful view of the bay from our camp spot.

Tremendous scenery.

Dick, Terry and Rob. Looks like Dick's telling a fish story.

Chris and his Siamese twin Aubrey.

Dick Smith and Dave Chesney.

Steve Staton and his wife.

Rob and Nate in back.

Joel, Terry, Austin Staton and Jonny.

Kyle Cassidy and Joel Smith.

Jonny risking his life for no particular reason.

Jonny and Teagun (taking the picture)

went exploring in the next bay. They found this platofrm.

Notice the snow on the mountains in the background.

This will become significant.

Rob in his element.... but not in his own boat. :(

Dick Smith

Austin, Steven and Steven's wife.

John White and one of Nate & Valerie's foster children.

She had a little blister on her foot and John

is tenderly administering first aide.

Terry pulling Teagun and Jonny on their platform-turned-raft.

Little did we know, Jonny had already fallen in by this time.

Remember the snow. Yah... it's COLD.

Here they come!

See Jonny freezing his hiney off?

Teagun hauling his hypothermic partner in toward the fire.

Jonny thawing, saying to himself "What was I thinking??"

I was worried about a privie... but we had a

First Class Privie provided by the men in the group.

Lori made this sign. If occupied....

If unocupied. How cute! And we loved having that sign

since there were about 30 people at camp!

Aubrey proving that she's made out of the same cloth as Grandma Peggy.

Sunday afternoon, time to pack up and go. This is Chris,

always able to find a way to be helpful.

View across the bay just before the harbor at Homer.

I took this one just for Jacob. He knows where this bouy is.

We miss you honey.

Our boat caravan headed into the harbor.

Loading up. Jonny and Rob the tie-down master.

More stuff.

The view from above the harbor.

We had one more day, since Monday was a vacation day,

so Rob and I went to the cabin and had a wonderful,

relaxing time, played cards, went for a 4wheeler ride.

Graduation 2007 - Jonathan Coreson

2007-05-24T09:22:00.000-08:00

Jonny graduated last night. It was a very nice graduation with good speakers and a wonderful slide show of all of the graduates... "then and now."

There are more pictures on the "Snowbunnies" site.

MEMORIAL DAY PLANS

2007-05-22T14:16:00.000-08:00

MEMORIAL DAY PLANS:

We are going to Jacolof Bay with a group of Terry Coreson's friends for Memorial Day. I've been told there will be about 30 people there. I looked it up to see if there were any hotels, hot tubs, spas, massage therapists or shopping malls there for us ladies...

Well... accoring to the Alaska State Community Information Summaries web site, Jackolof Bay has an estimated population of 39. Not 39"thousand," not 39"hundred".... 39 individual human beings. But that's just an estimate. What? You can't count exactly 39 people? If you say "give or take a couple", that's like.. what? a 15% margin of error? I guess our vacation party is going to nearly double the local population. Imagine that.

Anyway... the Alaska State Community Information Summaries web site goes on to describe the following category of the community:

"Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
The majority of homes haul water and use privies. A few residents have individual wells and septic systems. One-third of homes are fully plumbed. Many homes in this area are used only seasonally... "

"Privies??"

This is not all that unusual for us Alaskans. I just hope I can stay warm, dry, have a privie all to myself . I'd like to get a chance to read in a folding chair with the salty smell of the bay on the breeze, listening to people talking and laughing... enjoying time around a campfire.

This is going to be our last excursion with Jonathan as a member of our household. I plan to take a lot of pictures and I will post them when we get back.

My Hero, the Sloth

2007-05-19T14:40:00.000-08:00

The kids at school now call Chris "Sid the Sloth" because he reminds them of Sid on "Ice Age." Well, my little Sid is my hero lately and I'll tell you why.

I have a scanning business, and recently I have started offering 35mm slide conversion to digital. It is very cool because all those old slides of the kids sitting there waiting to be looked at again can now be digitized, made into dvd's that can be put right into your dvd player and give you a slide show on your tv instead of having to pull out your old projector and slide screen (assuming you still have those!).

Well, this contract is for 17 carousels of 140 slides each. (a couple were 80 slides per carousel, actually) The conversion equipment is slow, so it takes about 5 minutes per slide. So with the compilation of dvd's at the end, we're talking about a job that will take me about 200 hours worth of work.

The way the equipment operates, I load the slide carrier with 4 slides. Then I have to be at the computer the whole time in order to click through each element of the conversion process for each slide. There are about 5 or more elements of conversion for each slide, so I have to click through them... wait, click again, wait... etc. Then go to the next slide... click through, wait, click again, wait...

Chris found a program on the internet that automates all of that redundant clicking. Now I only have to be at my computer once every 20 minutes. That has freed me up to do things like housework, cooking dinner, argue with the kids, sell stuff on ebay, do my church music stuff, sew on Jonny's quilt.... I feel like I have my life back again!! This was a contributing factor to the desperation I felt when I posted my last entry.

I have my life back, my family is getting fed again and we don't have to shovel a path through the house anymore now... I'm getting that all cleaned up finally!!

Horray Sid!! My favorite kid!!

Something Isn't Working

2007-05-15T13:49:00.000-08:00

Everything in this picture looks right except for two things.

One: She's thinner than I am

Two: She's smiling

Being too busy is not fun. I did get several things off my to-do list last week. That was a great relief. To accomplish that, I actually was able to be in two places at the same time last week. I don't know that I'm doing too much or that I'm just not managing things well. I seem to be managing my time ok, but I think it's the paper that gets away from me the most. I'm calling in help with that at the end of this week or beginning of next.

I have a couple things that I have had to put on the back burner while I get some priorites taken care of. Those are usually things that I enjoy doing most.

Small World

2007-05-08T09:49:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of Maj. Keith Besherse (second from left) and someone who has family in Othello (third from left). She sent this photo to Larry & Stella. The picture was taken at Anaconda, where Jacob goes sometimes to work on vehicles. I wonder if they've run into eachother. I didn't get permission to use her name, so I won't. It's little things like this that makes me think that God's just up there looking for ways to bless us.

When you're up against more than you can handle on your own:

2007-05-07T13:11:00.000-08:00

Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet.

Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare.

Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:13-18 (The Message)

Breastplate

Do you ever struggle to forgive yourself? I know I have. There have been times I’ve been so overcome with my faults that I literally pictured my hand with a knife, stabbing my heart. Perceived failure hurt so badly it seemed my heart deserved such assault.

Thank God, He’s showing me how to don the breastplate of righteousness. Much of the enemy’s attack on our souls comes in the form self-doubt and self-hatred. Satan comes against our identity as a Saint saved by grace and tells us we’re full of blame and deserve death.

Before we received Christ’s salvation that was true. But it’s not any longer. Christ’s salvation took away all need for punishment. The breastplate of righteousness is an important part of our armor because when we are hopeless against our own failure and shame, we are given Christ’s imputed righteousness.

Imputed is an old King James word that many today don’t understand, but I just love. It means, when used this way, “to attribute (merit) to a personas transmitted by another.”* We don’t have to despair because Christ gave us HIS righteousness.

The enemy wants us to kill off the heart that loves Jesus. He wants our hearts deadened. Shutdown. Afraid to love, serve, and believe passionately. Satan wants us full of self-doubt, failure, and shame. He assaults our heart.

But Christ died to take away all condemnation. Jesus says, “Don’t worry, I’ve given you my perfection. You meet the standards of all that is good because I put my righteousness into your heart.”

I love the way Matthew Henry says it. “The righteousness of Christ, imputed to us, is a breastplate against the arrows of Divine wrath. The righteousness of Christ implanted in us, fortifies the heart against the attacks of Satan.” **

These days God has given me a new picture. As I receive Christ’s gift of salvation and understand that His righteousness is now mine, I put on the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate is impenetrable. If I give into the temptation to pick up that knife to punishment my heart, the knife can no longer meet its mark. It clangs against the steel breastplateand falls harmlessly to the ground.

Next time you are tempted to punish yourself for your failures, remember that Christ has given you His imputed righteousness. Picture the breastplate protecting your heart and let the self-condemnation fall away, never hitting its mark.

Stand firm then . . . with the breastplate of righteousness in place. Ephesians 6:14b (NIV)

~Paula Moldenhauer

*The American Heritage Dictionary
**Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on theBible

Jonny's Going Away Present

2007-04-30T09:33:00.001-08:00

Jonny came up to me and asked me to make him a quilt for when he goes away. I'm now about 1/3 of the way done with it. I have had to put other projects aside to work on it, but - as you can see by the countdown... it's getting very close!!

Jonny's birthday is on the 5th. He wants to have a lan party here at the house - a big sleepover of all his buddies. That will be fun.

I'll get a picture of the quilt in progress soon. Jonny will be 19. Can you believe it?! Wow. I got married when I was 19. I'm proud of Jonny and how he tries so hard. All my boys are a blessing to me; far more than I ever anticipated.

Jonny & Jessica before Senior Prom

2007-04-22T08:21:00.000-08:00

This is Jonny & Jessica before Senior Prom. It wasn't easy to get a natural smile outa' Jonny!

Jessica's grandparents put on the most beautiful pre-prom dinner complete with gourmet food, elegant atmosphere and waitresses.
I was blessed with an honor not many moms get in thier lives; I got to see Jonny say grace in front of a room full of his peers. It just warmed my heart. I'm so proud of my boys, all of them.

I've posted some pictures of Jonny and Thomas on the snowbunnies site. (Link in the right margin or here)

Springtime In Alaska

2007-04-14T20:29:00.000-08:00

This has been the smoothest breakup I have seen here in Alaska in my 14 years of living here. For you non-Alaskans, "breakup" is when the snow melts. It can get especailly ugly because the ground is still frozen and not able to absorb the water. Then it can freeze again and create lakes of ice. It usually takes awhile and it's very muddy.

But now it gets light in the mornings and doesn't get dark till night time. What a nice change of pace! We're seeing birds, green grass and tourists. It's like the town is waking up from a long sleep.

Jonny went to a Navy meeting today. They practiced standing in formation, walking and marching. Then they taught them some excercises that are kind of unique so that they wouldn't have to be introduced to them at boot camp. What a good idea!

Military to Military Correspondence

2007-04-10T11:48:00.000-08:00

Coreson,

Thanks for helping me clean the M4 when I visited the other day.

We had a dusty day about a week ago. I took an hour to clean my weapon instead of just walking around with it dusty like a garrison-bound, FOBIT, slug, excuse for a trooper --- it sounds smmoooooth!!!! :)

Thanks for reminding me to be a Soldier with standards instead of just a paper (digit) pushing staff geek!

Keep up the good work, I am proud of you and what your team does every day.

Very Respectfully,
Keith E Besherse Major,
Aviation G3 Aviation Plans
Personnel Recovery
Army Airspace Command and Control
25th Infantry Division COB Speicher,
Iraq

_______________________________

For my non-military mind, after reading that I just wanted to say...

"..... what did he say?"

But the last sentense says it all.

Sometimes Good Friends Have to Say Good-Bye

2007-04-04T18:40:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of our good friends, the Dockery's.

Lisa is my best friend and our families have been friends since shortly after we moved back up here about 14 years ago. Lisa has provided a canvas for me to get my painting fettish out of my system every so often, and she's been one to challenge me to live what I believe.

Cameron pastors the church we have attended since the year 2000. They have just accepted a position at another church in Michigan. Their kids are all grown. Katie, the youngest, will be graduating this year and moving outside with the rest of them.

Cameron has been a close friend and associate of Rob's. What I appreciate most about him is his dedication to the Word of God when he preaches and how he lives it in his family, church and community.

We know this God's will for them, but we sure hate to see them leave. Lisa may not have to see me every week, but she's still going to have to put up with email and phone calls.

We love you guys. God bless your new ministry.

Gotta Love Our Veterans

2007-04-04T12:31:00.000-08:00

This man, 73, wore a protective flap over his ear while

Senator Ted Kennedy addressed the Veterans of Foreign Wars

Love's the Only House

2007-04-03T16:51:00.000-08:00

http://www.starpulse.com/Music/McBride,_Martina/Videos/288290/

As soon as I learn how, I'm going to put this in the left-hand column. :)

Handful of Hopes

2007-04-01T17:16:00.000-08:00

Jacob filled out one of those forwards that kids send around to each other asking trivial questions like what's your favoirte color, who were you named after... that kind of stuff. One of the questions was "Where were you born?" He said, "My body was born in Nampa, Idaho, but my heart was born in the snow-covered hills of Alaska."

Handful of Hopes

I have the day off today
Sitting in the barracks, I rest
Till I am called out again
To fight this war and give my best.

My make-shift home, a tent
Where I live, sweat, wake and sleep.
Plywood floor, wind blows hot,
Lonely hour, then day turns into week.

I sit outside the tent door flap
And sift the sand with my hand.
I pick it up and let it fall
Imagining I am home again.

The sand becomes a snowfall
That I saw there just last year.
Riding snowmachines in the hills,
Who ever imagined that now I'd be here?

I let myself go back there for a ride.
In my mind's eye I see the snow
Clinging to the exact leafless shape
Of every other tree along the road.

The rest are evergreens, holding piles
Of snow like a Christmas card scene.
Those memories and hopes to return
Are the contents of my each and every dream.

The dry, brisk cold of the air
Invigorates my skin and burns my eyes.
I plow thorough deep drifts of snow
Riding on trails that I have memorized.

The beauty of the landscape grips me.
The temperature, now minus 10, no breeze
Looks like someone carelessly cast diamonds
On the ground and in the trees.

Dashing back to the winter cabin,
My brothers and I, we race.
We head inside, take off our gear,
See the smile on my mom's face.

"Hey guys, d'ya see moose along the trail?
Was it cold? How was the ride? "
Putting aside her book she asks,
"Who's up for hot chocolate, soup or pumpkin pie?"

The whistle of mortars brings me back.
Dashing to protect from shrapnel rain,
Instinct kicks in - I drop my handful of sand
And I become an American soldier again.

Special Warfare Combatant Crewman (SWCC)

2007-03-27T21:38:00.000-08:00

Special forces training Jonathan will be going through after boot camp.

Thank God for Technology

2007-03-27T15:37:00.000-08:00

Wow. We are so fortunate to have technology.

This is a soldier in Iraq viewing his newborn child.

This is not Jacob, by the way.

If it was, you would hear this first-time grandma

screaming in joy from all corners of the earth.

Birth Announcement

2007-03-23T09:49:00.000-08:00

Levi Paul Lyons

March 19, 2007
7 lb 13 oz 20 " long
blue eyes, lots of black hair

Weapon of Choice

2007-03-23T08:19:00.000-08:00

Which is the very best weapon?

GOOD:

(names of weapons from bottom to top -

M240B, M4 A4, M2 50 cal, M16 A4, M9)

Better:

BEST:

Ps 20: 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Eph. 6:10-18 (The Armor of God)
v.17b "...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Delightful!!

2007-03-22T13:18:00.000-08:00

My best friend Lisa just informed me that she needs help painting her house next weekend. I can't think of very many things I enjoy more than painting. (I'm trying very hard not to use exclamation points.)

I don't know what it is about painting that I delight in so much. I love to feel the bristles of the brand new paintbrush, lay the preparation tape just in the perfect spot, see the first dramatic roll of paint go on the wall... It's all just so wonderful. And the finished product is always so inspiring. Clean, fresh, lively and new.

___________________________________________________

Lisa gave me a pretty mug for my birthday. On it there's a verse. Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart."

I thought on that quite a bit last week. What is "delight?" Delight... Before I looked it up, I defined it as being drawn to something you extremely enjoy out of adoration. Webster.com defines it as:

1 : a high degree of gratification : Joy; also : extreme satisfaction
2 : something that gives great pleasure

Do I delight myself in the Lord? There are some things I delight in that I can name right off. Painting is one, music is another. I'm drawn to both of those for all the happy feelings of pleasure I get from them. Thinking of what it must be like to be a grandmother brings me enormous delight. Do I think and act the same way toward the Lord?

I know for a fact that I delight in some things that are sin. Sometimes I get angry at someone and think it would just be nice if they received justice one day. I would delight in seeing that person get justice after wronging me. That is sin, but I am drawn in nonetheless. Other wanderings of my heart and mind into revengeful and other sinful playgrounds... Learning about this word 'delight' has helped me be able to fight that on a new front.

When I find myself delighting in something, good or bad, I try to pinpoint the motivation, the feelings, the attitude. What brought me here? What did I do to seek it out? What did I change in order to make it happen? Now, how can I learn from all those things and teach myself to delight in the Lord? I have asked the Holy Spirit for help to teach me these things.

Then I think of the promise of that verse. After I learn to delight myself in the Lord... what happens? "He shall give you the desires of your heart."

I considered how the principle works now, as I see it in my current situation. I delight in painting. One time Lisa saw me delight in painting, so she asked me to help her paint! WONDERFUL!!! Then I painted with her and had more fun than a person should be allowed to have! (ok... go easy on the exclamation points...) Anyway... What did I get when I delighted in painting? I got to paint even more. Painting, strangely enough, is not just something I delight in... but it's also one of the desires of my heart.

I wonder if, when I delight myself in relationship with the Lord... will one of the desires of my heart come to be to have a deeper relationship with the Lord? Then, when I delight myself in him, will he then reward me with that desire of my heart? I'm wondering if the desires of my heart will change when the focus of my delight changes.

As much as I delight in those bad things, they just bring ugliness into my life. Does the principle hold true with bad things? Will the satisfaction of vengeance bring more need for vengeance?

But God? He wants only good things for me - all the time, every time. Christ, the delight and desire of my heart, and only blessings from him to follow; the benefits of that are so much more than good music and the joy of painting. Why are our spiritual sensors so dulled? I want to be compulsively, unabatedly drawn to him.

"Gourmet" is my middle name

2007-03-14T20:21:00.000-08:00

Now I'm not particularly known for my cullinary skills. But tonight I did a pretty dang good job, if I do say so myself.

My dad sent me this recipe - from Rachel Ray's show "30 min. meals" episode "Its dinner, Not a Workout." (wow... no KIDDING?)

Parmesean Crusted Chicken Breast with Tomato and Basil served with Potatoes, Peppers & Onions.

Here's the recipe in my own words:

1 1/2 to 2 lbs potatoes, cut into 4ths long ways
1 small red (I used orange) bell pepper, seeded, cut into thin strips
1 Italian mild green pepper (I didn't use this)
1 medium yellow skinned onion, thinly sliced
4 large cloves of garlic (I minced it)
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (I just used a pepper mix)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Coarse salt & pepper

2 cups shredded Parmesan, shredded, not grated (what the heck's the difference?? I used the stuff you put on spaghetti)
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 plum Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped (I didn't seed them)
Basil leaves (I used real basil leaves and I used real cilantro)

Preheat oven to 500. Grease cookie sheet, put potatoes and all the ingredients in the first set. I also added cilantro. That was really delicous! Roast for 20-22 min.

While potatoes cook, heat olive oil in large pan. Season with pepper (no salt) then roll in Parmesan. Cook 7 min on each side. While chicken cooks, combine chopped tomatoes with basil (this is where I added cilantro, and also some of the left over onion and garlic) Top chicken with the "raw sauce," as they call it.

It was delicious. The kids all made one exclamation or another when they saw it. (When they left the room I just giggled. They had no idea I had it in me!)

My only complaint is that it was all nearly the same color. Maybe I SHOULD have used the green pepper or maybe serve with green beans too. Oh well. Nobody complained!

Here's to shocking people once in awhile! Cheers! ... and Bon Apetit!

Savers Digital Archiving

2007-03-13T17:59:00.000-08:00

Familiy and Friends! Savers Digital Archiving is expanding services to include the digital conversion of film slides and 35mm negatives.

My standard rate is 75 cents per slide, but for any of you who mention that you saw it on my website, I will do your scanning for only 50 cents a slide. I will do this for anyone who has a family images to convert. (Businesses will pay normal rate.)

I will also give churches a break on the price for their church-related film.

(Offer good till March 31st.)

My equipment is specifically designed to convert slides and negatives into a digital format. This is not a document scanner with make-shift conversions.

Give me a call if you are interested! Kim Coreson 907-262-5223

www.saversdigitalarchiving.com

savers@acsalaska.net

Guitar Played Like You've Never Seen

2007-03-13T08:56:00.000-08:00

Mute my piano selection at the right and listen to this guy!

glumbert.com - Guitar never seemed so hard

Wartime Gift - Jacob's Home Away From Home

2007-03-07T21:38:00.000-09:00

This is a picture of Jacob's quilt that I made for him. It sure did brighten up his space. He just loves it. It does my heart so much good to see that on his bed. I know how much love I put into it; prayed for him the whole time.

One day while I was making it I wrote a poem about it. Here it is:

Wartime Gift

I’m creating a late Christmas gift
For my boy who’s overseas.
He wasn’t able to come home then
Which made Christmas so hard for me.

I’m making a quilt for him,
Of patches I’ve had for some time
Other priorities got in the way,
But now I’m making this mine.

Nothing is coming between
My finishing of this quilt.
Yah, I should have done it long ago.
So, I’m hurrying – partly out of guilt.

But when I told him of it,
That I was going to have this gift
In time for his return back home,
I heard his tired voice lift.

“Oh, mom!” He cried, “That’s awesome!!
I would love to have that near!”
“Son, do you think you could take it?
Or shall I keep it here?”

“No way, it’s going with me,
If I have carry it instead of lunch!
I’m so glad you’re finishing it, mom.
You have no idea how much.”

As I stitch, I pray for him.
I pray for wisdom, safety, his friends.
I pray that they would find success,
Then that this war would finally end.

I wonder how he’ll use it.
Will he just lay it on his cot?
I’m not going to make it heavy,
Because I know that he’s already hot.

I wonder if he’ll show it off,
I wonder if he’ll smell our house.
I wonder if he’ll fold it in his trunk,
Now and then getting it out.

And I wonder if one great day,
All dismantled but a flag unfurled.
Will he pack this quilt, board a soldier’s plane
As we finally find peace in our world?