Eagle sighting today! So Cool!

Bryan and I arrived back "home" in Idaho on Tuesday, Oct. 1st.  This trip was l-o-n-g driving with three flat tires on the trailer, but thankfully we had Drew & Jenae & Katie along for the first four days of the trip, so that made it a bit more enjoyable being able to spend time on the trip catching up with them and sharing their launch to California (Jenae's next travel nursing assignment.)

Since we arrived, we have both been super busy unpacking boxes, going through the pile up of mail and re-acclimating ourselves to the new life here in Idaho.  It feels good to unpack boxes and get organized.  Bryan's racing the calendar to get the place ready for winter and the snow.  Looks like all will come together.  I am enjoying unpacking boxes and reacquainting myself with all of the conveniences of living in a house with full size, gorgeous brand new kitchen; bathroom; king size bed....Ah-h-h-h-h!  Life is good!

The highlight of my day today was seeing a bald eagle fly past my kitchen window as I was cleaning up supper dishes.  SO COOL!  He was so close as he soared through the sky, right by my window!  I was very excited and shouted to Bryan, "Look at that eagle, coasting right by our window."  He said, "Yes, that sure is an eagle. Nice!"

I'm still stunned every morning when I wake up and look outside and realize how blessed I feel to be privileged by God to be living this dream.  Things are not always rosy and peaceful and good...but today was a good day.  

May you all be having blessed days too.  

As soon as I'm more organized and completely unpacked, I'll take some more pictures and post them.

Seeing that eagle reminds me of Isaiah 40:31

 New International Version

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint

I'm going to remember that when I get tired of hauling boxes around and unpacking them.  I pray that you also my hope in the LORD and renew your strength.  Stop stressing and "soar on wings like eagles."  Say a prayer of thanks for your current freedom and blessings as well.  It's good for the soul. 

On Being a "Visitor/Tourist" in PA After Moving Away

Since moving to Idaho, Bryan and I are now back in Lititz, PA visiting friends and family and Bryan is completing two jobs that he contracted prior to our move.  It is interesting and fun visiting one's home town after all the big transitioning/moving process has been  completed of trucking one's earthly possessions across the country and getting somewhat settled into the new house.  (There are still projects and moving in to be done...but the biggest chunk of the building and move-in are completed, Praise The Lord!)

As we experience PA from the vantage point of temporary visitors, I have to say that it is quite a fun and different experience.  I am thoroughly enjoying myself as I reconnect with loved ones and am able to focus my attentions upon relationships and engaging in catching up on life with people I care about without the being distracted by my own "busy-ness/routine/life scheduled obligations/necessary-moving-transitions-&-preparations".  I can visit church and get together with friends and pop in on old work colleagues in a much more relaxed fashion. I enjoyed the Mt.Gretna Art Show last weekend and the flood of memories of other years' experiences attending that show and living at Mt. Gretna as a  child during a few summers.  I am enjoying visiting the Green Dragon and plethora of convenient shopping places in Lancaster County.  It is fun to drive around...knowing my way around...and reminisce over fond memories of this place called home for so much of my life.  It is a joy to experience the gracious hospitality of our friends over lunch or dinner or breakfast out and laugh together once again as we catch up on "the latest" in each other's lives.  Life is good!  God is GREAT!  I am extremely blessed!

We will be here in PA through September 26th...extended a few days to be able to see Jenae and Drew who will be returning to PA from their time of travel in Boston (for Jenae's Nursing Job).  Their next assignment looks like it'll be CA for the winter, so we will drive a portion of the westward travel together, which will make for another unique and more fun travel experience as we head back to Idaho. We look forward to seeing our daughter, Samantha, as she returns (at least briefly) to her Harrisburg apartment.  We look forward to connecting with our oldest daughter and Son-in-law, Bri and Joel who are also in Harrisburg. And we look forward to good times with the family as we are all in the state of PA at the same time.

I'm learning that being a "visitor/tourist" in my old home town holds a great deal of joy and fun as I learn to savor and seize the moments that God supplies to engage with people I love, from a freer/"undistracted" vantage point.

And, I smile at emails from my new friend in Idaho who misses me and is excited for my return.  While I too, though completely enjoying my visit right now, am simultaneously excited to return to my new home in Idaho to continue becoming more settled into the future life that God has prepared for me.

Life is good!  God is GREAT!

Link to latest house pictures

Here is the link to the latest house pictures that I posted.
House is nearly done.  Bryan still needs to finish off the hardwoods, the loft, guest room & bath flooring + fixtures, and stone work on the fireplace.
Next Spring/Summer he'll tackle the "man cave" above the garage and building the Bunny Barn.
We anticipate the final touches on the main house will be completed this fall.
We Praise God for the new house!

http://cmwestnest.blogspot.com/2013/08/nearly-finished-house-pictures.html

My First Rodeo

Washington County had their fair and rodeo this past week.  The Fair ran from July 31 - Aug. 4th.  Saturday wrapped up the week's events with a parade through town and the final night of RODEO!  (Did I mention that Rodeo is really, really, BIG out here in Idaho?)  So, wanting to assimilate to and understand the local culture better, Bryan and I attended the Cambridge Rodeo 2013 on Saturday night.

I am truly impressed with how the entire county comes out to support the FFA and 4-H groups and how everyone pulls together to celebrate a good time centered around the county fair and Rodeo.  It was a really good time!

To let you be able to savor a little taste of my first Rodeo, I shall post for you some video clips of some of the events.  A good time was had by all.

Oh, before I post the event clips...I have to tell ya...the "Pre-Rodeo Muttin' Bustin" event whereby little kids, both boys and girls aged 3 to 7, competed to see who could ride a sheep the longest.  All I can say is...OH MY!  (Bri, Sam, & Jenae...though a 4 year old little girl won the event...I would have NEVER allowed you to participate in "Muttin Bustin".)  Some of those little guys were nearly trampled by the sheep when it bucked them off.  Yeash!!!!  Those rides were literally only brief seconds, so I did not get video.  Anyway....

Here is some Cambridge Rodeo 2013 Event Video footage for your viewing pleasure.  Enjoy!

Well?....?.....?
Okay...never mind.  I keep getting error message...so I suppose my video clip files are too large and/or my connection isn't strong enough to upload them. RATS.  I know you would have enjoyed the rodeo footage I took.  Oh well, I tried.

I suppose you'll just have to ask me to show it to you when I'm in PA.  It's on my computer, so I will be happy to show you my videos of Bronc Riding, Tie Down Roping, Breakaway Roping, Team Roping, Steer Wresting, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding.  Oh yes, and I caught the "High Country Riders" impressive half time performance (to a Michael W. Smith song.)...And the little kids stick horse race was adorable too!  (They call all the kids down who want to participate in the race and they let them run with stick horses.  Very cute.)  I am impressed by the way the entire community truly supports and encourages the kids. The kids all looked like they were having a lot of fun. It was a good time!

This may be my last post from Idaho for the summer since Bryan and I are "heading East"  in a week.  Bryan has some contract jobs to complete, and then we'll come "home to Idaho", leaving PA end of September.

We're hoping to start moving stuff into the house on Wednesday.  Carpet goes in the Bedroom Tuesday.  Yeah!  The end is near.  (Although, "end" is not an accurate word as many dangling projects will need to be completed upon our return in October.  Sigh!  Thus goes new construction when you're doing it yourself and not taking a mortgage.)

Despite the hassles, all is well.  We truly are greatly blessed.
See some of you in a few weeks.

P.S. - Here's a link to the Washington County Website out here where you can get a little flavor re: the events and my week enjoying the fair and rode.

http://fair.co.washington.id.us/

A Perfect Sunday

Temperatures here have been in the 100 to 110 degree range for a few weeks.
We decided to drive up to the cooler parts (about 50 minutes away) and do some kayaking on Payette lake.
It was a BEAUTIFUL and perfect day.
Here are a few pictures of our lovely time on the backwaters of the Payette Lake.

Amazing Beauty.

Peaceful, enjoyable float.

God is great!

Live is good!!

First Night On our Propery

We Rejoice in God's faithfulness to us.

I smiled at this rainbow which God sent me as we arrived Thursday evening.

We moved onto our property on Thursday, July 11th.

The house is not quite move in ready yet, so we are still in the RV.

Though tight quarters, we rejoice to have our RV to live in on site as Bryan finishes the house.

Since the project has been intense and Bryan is working l-o-n-g hours, he needed to take a break.

So on Sunday, we drove up to Silver City in the Owyhee Mountains.  It is an historic and quaint, tiny town located way up in the Mountains with stunning views.  Here are few pictures from Silver City.

We are enjoying the quiet nights; brilliant stars!; wildlife; and gorgeous views.  Last night,

Kelby barked frantically at two large mule deer buck who meandered over the hill in front of our house.  We're becoming familiar with the resident mule deer and a coyote that we often see in the fields just below our property.  I am praying that I WON'T see any rattlesnakes.  (Our neighbor found one near his house in the back yard.  Yikes!)

Yet, as I wrestled with this fear of rattlesnakes, (ever since Dan told us about the one in his yard), the LORD kindly directed my attention to Acts 28:3-5 in my daily scripture reading.  As I read about Paul's encounter of being bit by a poisonous viper, and how Paul "shook it off and suffered no ill effects", God sweetly reminded me that He is more powerful than venomous snakes. Just as God had specific plans for Paul's life and saw to it that Paul arrived at his destinations (despite shipwreck snake bites and plots against his life)...This same God watches over me and protects me from harm and will accomplish the plans and purposes that He has for me. I must not fear!

Oh yeah, and on Sunday night as I read 1 Chronicles 17:9-10 which says

"And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. ...I declare to you that the LORD will build a house for you:"

My heart rejoiced and I smiled as I looked out the RV window at the log house. In 2008 those words spoken to king David in the O.T. became a personal assurance to me that my house would be built.  I thank Him for the reminder and repent of my impatience.  God is faithful.  Praise Him.

.

My First Porcupine Race

Hi All,
Just a short while ago,  Bryan and I returned from our first ever July 4th parade in our new community of Council, Idaho, along with the "World Famous" porcupine races.  I bought a T-shirt (pictured below) to commemorate this momentous occasion. (Sorry  I forgot to rotate the photo before posting it, but you can read it okay either way.)

So the proceeds from this event's T-shirt sales helps the local chamber of commerce fund their fireworks display.  There is also a Breakfast, a Free Bounce House at City Park, an Art Show, a Quilt Show, and a Beer Garden in downtown Council, along with various food vendors.  Bryan and I ate a delicious Beef Barbeque lunch prepared by the local Sr. Center.  Following the Porcupine Race, the Lawnmower Drag Races take place.  (We did not stay for the Lawnmower Races.  Maybe next year. :-) )

So here's the back story to the Porcupine Race, as told to us by Justin, one of the men helping Bryan build our house. 

Every year, the night of July 3rd, teams who are sponsored by local businesses go out and catch a porcupine.  (Apparently, porcupine's are docile creatures and they don't "throw" their quills like I thought they did.)  They name their porcupine.  Some of this years contestants were "Cuddles, Type O, Buddy, Tiny, Brutus, Fire-Fast" etc..  These porcupines ride through the July 4th parade so folks can get a first look at them.  Following the parade, folks gather at the school's football field and there are auctioneers who "auction off" the porcupines and their handlers.  Average price for a porcupine this year was between $125.00 and $225.00. The business sponsor of the winning porcupine receives the $ raised. From what I am told, he generously tips the porcupine "handler" team who caught and raced the porcupine.  There are rules to this race.  Porcupines are treated humanely.  One handling team was disqualified, despite their 2nd place in their heat run because they apparently "shoved their porcupine over the finish line.  The handlers are not allowed to mistreat their porcupine in any way, and pushing or shoving is a major "no-no".  (I was told that the crowd boo-ed very loudly last year when one team seemed to be rough handling their porcupine.)  In any case, six porcupines are run per heat.  The porcupine "handlers" start at one end of the field with their porcupine underneath a garbage can.  When the starter says "Go!" they lift up their can, and then they need to coax their porcupine to run to the other end of the field using their garbage can as a means to keep it from running backwards, and a broom to "gently guide" it in the proper direction and keep it from climbing the fencing.  I was surprised at how entertaining and fun it was to be at the race.  The first & second place heat winners from the three heats then run in the final Championship Race for the prize money.  

The porcupines are returned to the spot in which they were captured.  

I wanted to take video and post it here, but my video camera's battery was dead...and I had not remembered to charge my phone overnight, so it too did not have enough battery to record the race.

Here's a link for you to read a press release I found for the Idaho Statesman Newspaper from  today's race.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/07/04/2643201/not-so-fast-porcupines-raise-dough.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw7wFfEF1vM

The youtube link shows the 2010 race, so you can get a flavor of my race experience today.

Enjoy!

I'll post more later.  Just wanted to get this out for your July 4th pleasure.