Bloom Where You are Planted

I'm still alive

2007-05-22T20:15:00.000-07:00

So, it has been forever since I've updated this thing. I have a new blog now and maybe I will update a little more regularly. See you there! http://newtnewt.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

2006-12-28T17:47:00.000-08:00

We had a nice and quiet Christmas in Oregon. I heard a song on the radio last week that said spending Christmas in the Northwest is every child's Christmas wish. Sure it is .

Here are a couple of pictures of things I made as Christmas gifts. One is an ornament made out of a coaster you would get in a restaurant. I stamped my image and colored with chalks and then used clear embossing powder over the entire front.

And the other is a quilt I made for Conner. The quilt is named "Someday" because Conner is always saying, "someday when I have a dog..."

Freedom and Sonic

2006-12-06T04:55:00.000-08:00

School is over! I don't have to study another algebraic equation or forumula for another month. In the past week I spent close to 40 hours studying for the final (note to self: this isn't necessary if you stay caught up throughout the term). I'm not sure how I did, but it is over.

Sonic has finally opened in the Northwest. I decided after my test I needed a cherry limeade. After being open for a month there are still long lines and people directing the traffic. Crazy!! When it was time to pay, the numbers were still spinning in my head and trying to find a place to land I couldn't remember my pin #. I'm glad I had some cash so I could enjoy my cherry bliss.

Recycled Bottles

2006-11-09T04:28:00.000-08:00

Back in the summer my friend Propecia made one of these and filled it with different card embellishments. The wheels in my brain began turning and this is what I came up with. These are Starbucks Frappucino bottles which have been altered with paper and stamps and stickles. The bottles are filled with hot chocolate mix, marshmallows, peppermints, caramels and chocolate chips. Yum!

I did learn something in this...when you think you want to make something buy the supplies then. WalMart raised the prices by $1.50 in a week on these drinks.

24 Fans

2006-10-24T20:50:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this? Who is ready for January?

Shoebox Swap

2006-10-24T17:44:00.000-07:00

So on Saturday I went to a Shoebox Swap for SCSers in the OR/WA area. Each participant in a shoebox swap is to prepare a card or project and provide the supplies for all participants to make it. I decided I didn't want to make a card, so instead I made a genie bag which was originally inpired by genie1314. To make a genie bag you use a paper sack and cardstock to cover it and then add whatever images or embellishments you wish. They are lots of fun to make and can be used for a variety of different things.

More Cupcakes!

2006-10-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I was meeting a friend for dinner as well as her 4 children plus her cousin and the cousin's 2 children. I decided these would be kid friendly. After finally arriving after a small detour and scenic tour of downtown I finally made it. Thanks Cami and Sue for a fun evening.

I'm not sure what has gotten into me, but I'm on a cupcake kick. These are so much easier and more relaxing than making an entire cake. A few months ago I almsost sold all of my cake decorating supplies. Now I think I'm glad I held on to them.

Cupcakes!

2006-10-15T19:40:00.000-07:00

I've been craving cupcakes for months. And I've been wanting to make some with sunflowers. My friend Emily made some last week and I was inspired to get my cake decorating supplies from storage and dive in. Here is a picture of the yellow ones. I made way more chocolate frosting than yellow, so I have some chocolate sunflowers but they are not near as pretty as the yellows.

2006-10-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

School is in full swing. I'm only taking one class this term, but it is nice to be able to slowly adjust back into school mode. Just like I remembered from previous classes, math is gross! Just sayin'

Friends

2006-09-25T22:25:00.000-07:00

Friends are a good thing to have. In the movie "Anne of Green Gables" Anne Shirley has her bosom friend Diana. Some of you might be wondering what a bosom friend is. To me this person knows you and loves you anyway and tells you the truth whether you like it or not and they are always willing to be on "newtnewt duty". For the past 10 years I've been blessed to have Mandy, Josh and Parker and in recent years Lindsey and Briana as this type of friend. We all live in different places now and we don't get to talk often, but I know that on those rare ocassions when we do get to sit down together we can pick up where we left off the time before. This past weekend everyone was within 40 miles of each other and we got to spend an evening together.

FYI: When you ask the deliver guy outside of Starbucks to take your picture there are no guarantees about what kind of picture you might get. He even took the time to tell Mandy and Josh to squeeze in on the ends so they would be in the picture.

A little something I made

2006-09-16T00:28:00.000-07:00

Here is a piece of framed art I made for a friend for her birthday. I used a frame I found at the dollar store and started stamping and coloring. I love being able to make something pretty. Because of the glare, these pictures aren't the best but hopefully you can get an idea of what they look like.

oh the pressure....

2006-09-07T23:28:00.000-07:00

...to keep this thing updated. Thanks for the prodding to those who will remain nameless but their names both begin with "J" and one ends with "ami" and the other "en".

Then there are the pressures I create for myself. I have a Stampin Up workshop tomorrow night and really have nothing prepared. All the ideas are in my head and have been there for 3 days now. Apparently, the time constraints have not created enough pressure for them to be released and actually put on paper. Why do I torture myself in this manner? And then I wonder does it really matter?

A new name

2006-08-17T22:19:00.000-07:00

I decided my blog needed a new name since I'm not in Brazil anymore. So bloom where you are planted. I feel this sums up things I've learned in recent years. I may not always like the situation, circumstances or people around me. But my responsibility is to not wallow in my misery but intead suck it up and allow God to be glorified.

In case you were wondering...

2006-08-06T20:09:00.000-07:00

...I am home and not wandering around the jungle of Brazil. I was told I needed to update, so there it is. Look for more soon.

2005-10-12T21:49:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a webcam at a national park in South Africa. Today I've seen elephants, a leopard, antelope, birds and water buffalo. Very fun and it can waste a lot of time. http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/webcams/default.php

Bittersweet Changes

2005-10-12T09:03:00.000-07:00

First, let me wish you a happy Children's Day. It is similar to halloween, but without costumes. The only difference is it is a federal holiday. Everything is closed. Another one of those things I just shake my head at and wonder.

I wanted to update you on my life. After many weeks of praying and waiting and thinking and waiting I have made the decision to return home to receive medical treatment. My doctor has possibly recommended a hysterectomy. My hope is that by having more modern options available for treatment at home I can avoid surgery.

I am so excited though about coming home!!! I am looking forward to driving on paved roads, washing clothes, no sound cars blasting their advertisements, and many other things. Most of all though I look forward to seeing people. I am also anxious about returning and seeing what I've forgotten and adjusting back to American culture.

On the other side of all this I am sad about having to say goodbye to people. I think the other things I will miss about Cerejeiras, I'm not aware of yet. It will be interesting to see what those things are and how I react.

So, I'm happy and sad all at the same time. Right now the excitement far outweighs the sadness though. I will be home the first week of November.

The Magic of Ziploc

2005-09-27T20:03:00.000-07:00

Who knew Ziploc could be magical. Apparently to people who live in the jungle it is. This morning I gave my students a bag to keep their flashcards in. They looked at them and exclaimed "how cute." Then they began their struggle to get them open. After showing the details, they were in awe. After several minutes of playing with their bags, they looked up at me, and one of them said "these are wonderful!"

I am again reminded of the many differences in the worlds we know and am amazed at how familiar this one has become to me. Who knew that something as small as a ziploc bag would mean so much.

2005-09-26T09:28:00.000-07:00

Last night as I was falling asleep, I heard the rains beginning. Today has broken as a cool, cloudy and rainy day. It is not too different than Oregon weather. I feel as if God is preparing my thermostat for a return home. I will visit the doctor again today. Pastor Richard and I are in agreement that it is best to go home and seek more modern medical care and plan to push the doctor for that today. I'm anxious to see what he has to say. Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragent through this.

The Unexpected

2005-09-22T20:01:00.000-07:00

I've had 2 experiences this week that have been a reminder of God's care and compassion for us especially at times when we are feeling alone. I'm still having health issues that are making it difficult to leave my house. It is probable I will be returning to the US for surgery.

On Monday night I was sitting in my house reading when I heard a bus outside of my house. This is not necessarily an uncommon thing to hear, but I hear people getting off. I went out on the front porch to see what was happening. It was the students from the seminary and a few people from the church. As they filed into my yard I wasn't sure what they were doing there, but as they circled around me one of them spoke, "We have come to pray for you." So there we stood on the porch in a circle and prayers were lifted to the Father. I didn't understand every word that was spoken, but this group had come to intercede. I'm so thankful that God hears us whether we are in a church or on a front porch fighting the mosquitoes and that we are to come as we are.

The second thing that happened also caught me off guard. This morning we had a guest speaker in chapel who thought he did not need to fit the time constraints. I only had 40 minutes left of my class by the time everyone got there. Class began as normally as any other with singing. After we finished I asked them to get out their Bibles and open to Philippians. They got their Bibles out, but were whispering among themselves. Finally one of them looked up at me with tears in his eyes and in English, said "This is for your life now." And he proceeded to read Romans 8 to me, still in English. Again I was surprised with the unexpected. And again I'm thankful that God uses the unexpected to minister to us at the moment we need it.

On a sidenote: I will be returning to the doctor on Monday and will probably know by the end of next week about a projected return date.

2005-09-19T06:09:00.000-07:00

September 12 -- BY SPIRITUAL CONFUSION

"Ye know not what ye ask" (Matt. 20:22).

There are times in spiritual life when there is confusion, and it is no way out to say that there ought not to be confusion. It is not a question of right and wrong but a question of God taking you by a way which in the meantime you do not understand, and it is only by going through the confusion that you will get at what God wants.

The Shrouding of His Friendship. Luke 11:5-8. Jesus gave the illustration of the man who looked as if he did not care for his friend, and He said that that is how the Heavenly Father will appear to you at times. You will think He is an unkind friend, but remember He is not; the time will come when everything will be explained. There is a cloud on the friendship of the heart, and often even love itself has to wait in pain and tears for the blessing of fuller communion. When God looks completely shrouded, will you hang on in confidence in Him?

The Shadow on His Fatherhood. Luke 11:11-13. Jesus says there are times when your Father will appear as if He were an unnatural father, as if He were callous and indifferent, but remember He is not; I have told you - "Everyone that asketh receiveth." If there is a shadow on the face of the Father just now, hang onto it that He will ultimately give His clear revealing and justify Himself in all that He permitted.

The Strangeness of His Faithfulness. Luke 18:1-8. "When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" Will He find the faith which banks on Him in spite of the confusion? Stand off in faith believing that what Jesus said is true, though in the meantime you do not understand what God is doing. He has bigger issues at stake than the particular things you ask.

—My Utmost For His Highest

These words of Oswald Chambers spoke very clearly to me last week. I honestly have no idea of what is going on in my life right now. My plans looked to me continuing working here for another year. It looks like this could all be changing very rapidly.

My health issues from earlier in the year have continued and worsened. The doctor, whom I do have confidence in, wanted to try hormone therapy first to try and shrink the cysts I have, but I have had reverse effects. Right now I am waiting for another ultrasound, but the doctor who does that is only in the city one day a week and last week he decided not to come at all. Most likely I will need surgery and plan to return to the US for that.

God has given His perfect peace to me. It is not just a feeling but also thoughts and actions and yet I am confused.

Pray for the doctors this week as they make decisions and that the insurance company will be on the same page as the doctors. And pray that in my confusion I will remain faithful to God's purposes in all of this.

2005-09-10T05:38:00.000-07:00

This week has been an emotional roller coaster. It ended yesterday with Marcela moving out 3 weeks early which surprised me a little. Also my refrigerator began making an unusual noise and by last night it was obvious it was not cooling, but the compressor was very hot and of course it is 2 weeks past the end of the warranty. Not knowing my future here, I can't commit to buying another one and I don't know about the practices of repairing things here. Finally at 2 a.m. I unplugged it and prayed. I told God I knew He was in control of every detail, even refrigerators and He was aware of my health and financial situation. This morning I woke up and plugged it back in and waited. It immediately began making the same noise, but then began to work. At this moment it is cooling. Thank you God. I know a household appliance may sound like a silly thing to pray for, but in every situation I've experienced here God is reminding me and showing me that He does give attention to every detail about us, not just what we deem as important. What a freeing realization to come to!

Mangoes!!

2005-09-08T17:52:00.000-07:00

I had my first mango of the season today. I had forgotten how sweet they are right off the tree. It is amazing to see these ripen. Some are ready to pick and other trees the fruit is barely the size of a pea. There will be fresh mangoes to pick probably until the end of December. Now I must again perfect my skills of getting them out of the tree.

Living Situation

2005-09-08T08:17:00.000-07:00

Most of you know I've had a roommate since March. I was originally told she would be leaving around the end of June, but she decided to stay. It has been a good experience having her here, but I am ready to be able to live in my house the way I want to and not have to answer questions about why I cook the way I cook or why I wash clothes the way I wash clothes. After several weeks of contemplating and praying I asked her to leave. She will have another place to stay at the seminary and with her not living here I think we will be better friends.

I think I have a visa!?

2005-08-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

I realized that in 2 weeks, I had spent 5 days trying to get the my visa renewed and gather all the required paperwork. I was beginning to be a little nervous considering that it expired on the 19th. I had visions of me trying to pack my house and move in a matter of days. But thankfully that was only a vain imagining. When I returned to the federal police last week, I went in and in 10 minutes they were finished. I was told to call in 2 months to check and see if the paperwork is back. So, that is why I think I have a visa. For now I am still legal.

Federale Frustrations

2005-08-11T20:47:00.000-07:00

I returned this morning to the federal police with the stack of paperwork that they needed. Apparently not enough trees had been mamed in this process, so I returned home without a visa extension and a list of more documents they need. These are not difficult to obtain, but will require going before the church again. Thankfully business meeting is scheduled for Saturday night. My visa expires in exactly 1 week. I am finding it difficult to not worry, but again all God is telling me is that He is in control and that is all I need to know today.

The pack mule arrived!

2005-08-11T20:34:00.000-07:00

OK, so maybe it didn't arrive by pack mule, but my biopsy results finally returned. The good news is I have no cancer. I did not think I had been worried, but when the doctor gave me the news I felt as if I let out a breath I had been holding since the middle of June. I will be taking hormones for the next 6 months to try and shrink the tumors and will then be re-evaluated. Thanks to all who have prayed for me.

Will I ever learn?

2005-08-04T10:58:00.000-07:00

I have been in Brazil for almost a year. I should know by now to never be surprised by the unexpected. Maybe I will always be surprised, but am learning to pull myself out of the emotion tail spin before it escalates into a full blown nose dive.

I have had two of these experiences this week. First, I went on Monday to the Federal Police to extend my visa. I had been told on three previous occasions that it would be no problem. I needed to wait until right before the visa expired. When I arrived on Monday morning, I was told no it could not be done there. I would need to visit a consulate's office which is a 2 day bus ride away. The other two girls in the office pulled out the manual and showed the chief where it was clearly stated that it could be done. Finally, after 30 minutes of them discussing everything back and forth it was decided that yes they could renew the visa, but first I needed to provide them with all of the paperwork I had given them in the beginning. I am in the process of gathering the paperwork and hope to go back next week.

Secondly, I am still waiting in my biopsy results from the doctor. The biopsy was performed the end of June. I was told it would take 15 days to get the results back. I am still hopeful they will show up, but realize there is a very good chance that the pack mule has strayed off course between Sao Paulo and here and I might have to have the test again.

School began again this week, but I don't have classes again until next week. Tomorrow is the birthday of the city, so we must celebrate. I will enjoy a few more days of holiday before I must resume getting up before the chickens.

I did it!!

2005-07-28T18:43:00.001-07:00

I have been thinking of starting this for several months and finally took the plunge. I can post more regular updates here for you all to see. This way I can share more of my experiences with you all.