Cast die; but dye not cast ...hmmm ... and more

Okay, to the side is a depiction of my fire roasted creation. I made it again - it is a hit in the household.

We are watching closing episodes of Stargate Atlantis. The other night we lost a beloved member of the Atlantis team. I was loathed that should happen while I was not quite yet dealing with real personal loss, but at least - my reality was not death. Yeah, I know, clear as mud and morbid. Okay, but the good news is that there has been a outcry from the fans, and they are going to bring the beloved team member back from what was beyond next to impossible odds. Remember the tune "I Write the Songs..." - well this is more "we write the words, that make the characters we love live" LOL.

I spoke to the Giant. He's fine. His room looks awfully empty.

Halloween is the worst traffic night of the year! Left work at 4:30 pm and got home near 7 pm. Set up to give candy out at the parsonage and Prayed Until Something Happened.

But the dish looks great doesn't it!

Okay so I rambled! I'll meander some more soon. Goodbye October. Night!

ginormous Giant 'mom' ent

Continuing in one's life as a mother has exponentially to borrow a word from a precious friend, 'huge' or his equally special daughter-in-law's 'ginormous' 'mom'ents.

My first baby boy is off to the military. Tomorrow the Giant embarks upon his naval career, leaving for boot camp in Chicago. Two months into two years, he's leaving and I will miss him. He is special and a joy to my heart. I'm not keen on this war, but I'm keen on him and, as I hum "His Eye is on the Sparrow", I am trusting him to God. We prayed over him at church this morning and the pastor spoke about the 30 men of God that surrounded David, James 5, and the Lord's hedge. Of the Giant's 30 or so crew, Lord let me be first in line!

My love for you goes with you boy! Do; learn; be what you've gotta- God's will be done; the Lord be with you in it all! May He give you wisdom and discernment, peace, and return you home safe and whole. And when ever you don't have the answers I borrow upon a friend's favorite shirt - 'Ask the Chief!'

Whenever I am tempted,
whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing,
when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him,
from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know He watches me.

Giant, I know He watches thee!

timeless love ...

thought of another really good one ... (besides my own ;-)) Timeline ! If you like history, if you like drama, if you like love - this is a definite one to check out! From the Michael Crichton novel it has Paul Walker from the Fast and Furious trilogy, and many others.

Movie Ministry on Why Married?

I was lookin' all over for this the other day and finally blogged without it - but here's what Movie Ministry says about Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?

...this year, on a trip to Colorado, one couple's marital problems explode, and everyone else becomes collateral damage. Director Tyler Perry explores betrayal, confession, repentance, and reconciliation within a circle of friends willing to go the distance for each other.
Big Ideas: Confession is the first step to forgiveness, healing, and restoration.
Topics: Confession Restoration Repentance Forgiveness
Scripture: 1 John 1:8-9 James 5:14-16.

It's a very good source for Christ-minded movie watching and related discussions; their theme is see the truth.

Fire Roasted Veggie Sausage & Meatball Yumm

Let me capture this while I can remember it. I made a dish tonight that was a grand success. I'm going to suggest it for an intimate dinner of 4; but use it as you like. I bought a little while back from Trader Joe's a 16 oz. frozen package of Fire Roasted Vegetables with Balsamic Butter sauce - sounds good, huh? It consists of red and yellow bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, haricots vert (green beans LOL), onions and whole mushrooms with a roasted garlic, peppercorn, spice infused balsamic butter sauce. I was moved by the description and so I bought them. Tonight it came to me - this is what you could do with them.... I actually made an intimate dinner for two, but I've adjusted this for four because it was too much food. Do the math if you just have two.

Okay, so what I did is I took four italian sausauge which we happen to keep around because we love it. But for this recipe here's the deal - use 1.5 to 2 sausage per person. What we had was frozen so I thawed it in the microwave. In a skillet I heated up some canola oil (use olive oil if you prefer) for stir frying. When it was hot I added the sausage. I seasoned the sausage shaking over the meat McCormick Grill Mates Garlic & Onion medley seasoning along with their Barbeque seasoning (we had picked these up in Hawaii), and a dash of powdered cayenne pepper. As the sausage begins to cook, I cut them in about 5 slices per link.

Then I added frozen meatballs (2-3 per person - I used the frozen italian-style heat & serve beef meatballs we get from Costco, continuing to stir fry. Near done, I add some chopped onion. With that I add 2 packages of the fire roasted vegetables. As it stir fries on high flame and nothing is no longer frozen, if you like add a tad of wine and, I sprinkled some white flour over the mixture and stirred. All the while, I'm covering with a lid in intervals to insure thorough though flash stir fry cooking. You should end up with a vegetable sausage and meatball masterpiece in a wonderfully tasty sauce.

Add to this some rice - I used left over chicken-flavored rice; you can use plain rice even; it should be fairly neutral as the dish is quite tasty, letting it simmer till warm. Serve in attractive bowls and you have a deliciously quick meal to delight the taste buds. The husband loved it and so did I! This was simply flavorably veggie yumm! The vegetables were equisitely delectable and the meat succulent. A Norman two thumbs up!

Requires:
Canola or Olive oil for stir frying
1.5-2 Italian Sausage per person
2-3 italian-style heat & serve meatballs per person
1/3 cup chopped onions
2 16-oz packages fire roasted vegetables with Balsamic Butter sauce
optional wine
1/3 cup flour
optional rice (up to approx. 1 cooked cup per person) - can be mixed in or served on top of.

Oh my goodness, did I come up with a winning recipe? Awww! What was I thinking? If I were the dahli, I would of captured it on film; sorry! It was a lovely sight as well - worthy of a potluck or special events. Me, I'm thinking finger food mid-eastern style with the husband over candlelight - yeah! Fire-side fire-roasted frivolity!

a temperamental journey

I've always been fascinated with temperaments - I've looked at Kiersey, Meyers, Briggs; Colors; even the Wizard of Oz! I found a chart comparing all against each other - even astrology which for me just doesn't fit the same temperament mold. If I followed astrology I would be a 'fire' sign - however my temperament aligns with the two on the far right. If you've found yourself to be a fox or an dolphin, or blue, or courageous; you just might find out a little more about your self or about others. Then when someone says why do you have to be so ... you can say because it explains it right here...!

Our womens study of Max Lucado's Cure for the Common Life looked at how people like to receive appreciation - temperaments come into play once again. When you look at the 1 Corinthians 12 body - well they eye needs the ear which need the foot, etc. And God know all this before time began. Wow.

Now I've run across this article that questions validity of temperament studies, and points to their origins and religious standing - woah. It even refers to Tim LaHaye's Transformed Temperaments. Well, this is all food for thought.

But I like what Max tells us - that God has given us gifts, yearnings to serve Him. From 'Cure' quotes, God gave you uniqueness, a talent, a skill, one that is yours alone to use in honoring Him - Cure for the Common Life can help you find that uniqueness, the "sweet spot" that puts it all into perspective, and show you how to live it everyday so that you aren't just existing in God's creation but thriving in His plan. Max explains to us, that we need to value what others 'bring to the table' as well. So, onward with the study!

So why haven't I talked about Why Did I Get Married?

Well as much as I've wanted to and am eager to support this, I haven't seen it yet. Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?, I fully expect to be as rewarding as all of Perry's work I've seen. If you check out his site, you'll see he has more work coming down the road - looks like next year Madea is going to jail!

The New York Times review says “Why Did I Get Married?” follows four couples who meet each year for a therapeutic vacation. Friends since college, they converge to discuss their relationships and address marital difficulties. This being a Tyler Perry film, there is much to discuss; we also know there will be secrets revealed, sermons delivered and forgiveness sought. Sounds like it would be a worthy couple's study's endeavor. I'll see it soon - and to be sure, you'll hear from me.

Meanwhile look what I came across - This Christmas! Moviefone says of the film, the Whitfied siblings have come home for the first time in years and they've brought plenty of baggage with them....secrets are revealed and family bonds are tested. As their lives converge, they join together and help each other discover the true meaning of family - in an all-star cast including some of my favorites -Loretta Devine, Idris Elba (remember him from Daddy's Little Girls), Regina King, Delroy Lindo, Mekhi Phifer.

finding love in time

(time/romance movies)

• Somewhere in Time
• The Lake House
• Kate & Leopold
• The Time Machine (1960)
• The Time Machine (2002)
• Frequency
• Time After Time

may require that you give love time!
And if that is so - does that mean that love is what you give to it - you get what you give?

"...Just give hope a chance to float up"

"That's what momma always says. She says that beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will, too..." _{Hope Floats}

Just to take a little more time with 'Hope', it's quite a story which I won't tell - but it deals with how we handle our failures, how we view relationships and how our view of ourselves can change. The whole concept of 'hope' itself spiritually just reminded me how we need God so and sometimes we don't understand what He is doing in our life and then sometimes we 'get it' like Sandra did with her mom played by the Gena Rowlands!

Gena is one classy 'Barbara Stanwyck' kinda lady. Her role in this movie reminded me of the one she had in Something to Talk About with Julia Roberts. The little girl in 'Hope" has done quite a body of work herself - Mae Whitman has been a daughter in

• an all time favorite and tissue frequent viewer with Andy Garcia and Meg Ryan - When a Man Loves a Woman
• with Will Smith and Bill Pullman (who has played alongside Bullock in While You Were Sleeping) as the president's in Independence Day,
• with Michelle Pfeiffer as George Clooney's in One Fine Day,

and as a young lady her work continues as the daughter roles fade. Did you know Forest Whitaker directed 'Hope' - he's a blog post in and of himself; winning an oscar this past year with quite a compelling speech

"Thank you. Thank you. Just a second, just a second. OK. Take it. OK. I wrote something down, because I thought if it would happen that I would be a little overwhelmed and I am. So, OK.

When I was a kid, the only way that I saw movies was from the backseat of my family's car. At the drive-in. And, it wasn't my reality to think I would be acting in movies, so receiving this honor tonight tells me that it's possible. It is possible for a kid from east Texas, raised in South Central L.A. in Carson, who believes in his dreams, commits himself to them with his heart, to touch them, and to have them happen.

Because when I first started acting, it was because of my desire to connect to everyone. To that thing inside each of us. That light that I believe exists in all of us. Because acting for me is about believing in that connection and it's a connection so strong, it's a connection so deep, that we feel it. And through our combined belief, we can create a new reality.

So I want to thank my fellow believers in The Last King of Scotland. I want to thank Peter, Jeremy, Andrea, Lisa, Charles, Kevin, James McAvoy, Kerry, Stephen, Fox, DNA, Channel Four. I want to thank the people of Uganda, who helped this film have a spirit.

And here's my favorite part...

And finally, I want to thank my mom and my dad. I want to thank my wife Keisha, my children, my ancestors, who continue to guide my steps. And God, God who believes in us all. And who's given me this moment, in this lifetime, that I will hopefully carry to the end of my lifetime into the next lifetime. Thank you."

Okay I've rambled enough; until next time.

From Pastor's sermon last Sunday: And He said to me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, Our bones are dried and our hope is lost; we are cut off by ourselves. Therefore prophesy and say to them, So says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, and will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am Jehovah when I have opened your graves, O My people, and have brought you up out of your graves. And I shall put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. And you shall know that I Jehovah have spoken and have done it, says Jehovah. _{(Eze 37:11-14)}

Wait...!

This is to my friend Nicole! Remember 'Somewhere in Time'. Well I don't know if you've seen the movie with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock (yeah I recall Micah doesn't like her! ;-) - its called 'The Lake House'. Gyrl you gotta see it. The book they shared. The waiting.

For the rest of you, there's some good oldies music - a nice soundtrack - songs like almost like falling in love, I wish you love. Anyways I just saw it - had a terrible day - but now I'm enchanted.

There is something about time and love that always gets me. I'm glad the each of us have a love for all time, Nicole - Sandra or no; Micah ;-)!

Guess what came on after that? Hope Floats LOL! Mommas are smart; aren't we? You know what her momma says ...she tells to her granddaughter -

about how when she was little her brother once kicked and stomped on an anthill, destroying the ants’ home. She yelled for her mother, who came right away and calmed her down. They watched as the ants scurried to rebuild their “home”. The grandmother relays that, as a little girl, that seemed hopeless in her mind; they were just little ants. But her mother had explained, “Yah, if it’s just one ant. But there’s lots of ants down there. And they’re all relatives. They’re family – just like we are. That’s what families are for. That’s why they invented families, so hopeless wouldn’t get the last word."

Whew, I really need a tissue now. Night, my friend!

Who's favor'n Who?

well thanks to Kendra and Nicole - I checked this out - kewl!



Eldest favors her dad by 6% and the giant looks 3% more like me!

You Are Worthy Doe

I'm often prompted to pray for the people in an accident when I hear of or pass one by - the people, their families and friends. That is not the case here, although I was driving home the day of this accident and heard about it on news-radio. It had happened earlier but traffic on the freeway in that area was still disrupted. But the fact that I received no prompting doesn't mean that God wasn't at work - He doesn't really need me anyway! This accident didn't effect me, bother my traffic conditions, nor require my prayers - or did it? What is surprising all the time is however remote to my own life something may seem to be, the fabric of it may be stitched more closely to me than I think. I take that wee bit of information and apply it to everything I observe.

Today my sister in the Lord, colleague, and fellow-commuter, shared with me about her nephew. Her sister had been called back from a cruise because her son had been in a serious accident and not likely to survive - the earthbound powers that be were going to try and keep him alive about 48 hours to give her time to get back.

He was at work driving what they call a light truck when the big rig jack-knifed in front of him and he was unable to avoid slamming into it. His vehicle became engulfed in flames and he was trapped inside for at least some 20 minutes. Although ladies, unable to themselves extricate him from the vehicle - the steering column had come forward and pinned him inside - screamed to nearby officers for help. A passerby who walks with the Lord heard the screams of the ladies and clearly the directive to circle back and assist the person he saw was trapped, and was able to remove him from the inferno. Immediately thereafter there was a final explosion - and if the picture is still with the story under the link, you can see how the vehicle faired. He, himself, had 3rd to 4th degree (to the muscle) burns and was rushed to UCI burn center where he is now under the care of the chief of staff.

He, himself, had a relationship with the Lord where he felt unworthy; after all, he had mis-spent times of his life. At UCI he was given his prognosis, and he gave a call to his brother and one more person - he was urged to have a good talk with his Maker. Now in the midst of organs shutting down, smoke burned lungs breathing being assisted, skin grafts healing, comatose, among a myriad of symptoms, he hangs on with a wing and a prayer of many. A police officer, maybe one of ones standing by possibly following procedure, came by to share with the mom don't think me a hero 'but I was able to pull your son to safety'. However, the ladies who screamed for the young man's life, the gentleman who obediently came back for him, and his mom constantly, are often there in support.

Who is to say that this young man in the prime of his life is in God's plan to go on with his life which will include months and months of healing or to go home to the Lord. Only God knows. But the Lord brought those ladies, and that man, and has miraculously sustained him to date.

Because of the HIPAA laws, the hospital listed him with a fictitious 'Doe' name to protect his privacy. Not ficticious to God, this man who felt unworthy of the Lord, by the grace of God was called 'Worthy Doe'.

My prayers are with you Worthy, and with your family! God bless the agape obedience of those who were there for what He considers of worth!

a litany of love

We had a pastoral installation service this Sunday - there was an air of excitement all around. Along with the litany, the message - "Can These Bones Live?" Ezekiel 37, and the sacrament of communion, it was particularly special in light of it being pastor appreciation month; with cards, Pastor Dale received a special plaque and his wife Connie (she likes to help things grow) received a plant, I believe the Phalaenopsis - Moth Orchid.

We had cake after the service, and then some of us were able to continue the celebration at Red Robin's for lunch. The RR staff sang a 'happy birthday' song loudly in honor of Pastor's birthday next week!


Quickened with a sobering message, it was a delightful day in the Lord. We will look deeper into 'dem bones' from the pastor's message today at the morning bible study before service next Sunday - I'm looking forward to it!

field trip nature'ly

It only seemed natural since I was off to go on the young one's school third grade field trip. They walked to the nature center (great for my steps which have been lacking of late). We left the school for the Mary Vagle Museum & Nature Center about 8:30 a.m. and returned around 2p.m. in the afternoon - a five mile trip (12400 steps including all the activities. If you like getting goosed; snake'n through trails at a turtle's pace, you'll enjoy it.


Former ranger Rick very animatedly guided us through activities through out the day. Rick introduced is to a Rosy Boa and a California Kingsnake, and a box turtle. We learned about words like native, chaparral - did you know some seeds need to burned to live, and arachnid - you probably know spiders aren't insects, but did you know they are related to crabs?


What's really great - us parents who volunteered for this arduous ambulatory endeavor have first dibs on the next field trip, which I believe is the San Diego Animal Park ! Alright! It is truly a blessing when your child has a wonderful teacher. I want to thank her, Mrs. Rangel, and Mrs. Delgado too. It was a pleasure to spend the day with them, the other parents, and the children.



The Center has some upcoming events that might be of interest (see the link) - one in the near future particularly, a Halloween Haunted Hike, Friday, October 26th 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. It just happens to also be our voting location. How kewl!

husband's ETP progress

On another note - so proud of the husband; he's nearly completed the 3 year evangelism training program. About that long ago, not long after ordination and subsequent assistant pastorship in our former church, having come to our present denomination, he committed himself to completing this program. He has done well according to the 6-month review he had yesterday. The light is not only at the end of the tunnel but glowing inside. It was just about a year or so ago he got 2 inquiries (one out of state and one not far from us) about assistant pastorships within our denomination because he was in this program. Now he has almost completed it. There is a realm of possibilities out there, and we are seeking God's leading - so goes the adventure of ministry. His dedication has been admirable and I think the program has taught and confirmed much. Praising God for the blessing of it all.

touch and agree

while I wallow in a sea of inadequacy, please pray for the childcare situation which needs to be resolved in the next few weeks ... thanks.