Easter Morning

Tears were welling up this morning as I said, “Alleluia, He is risen.  He is risen indeed!”  Tears of joy for how God has directed my life and given me very good things in the months since my big disappointment in not being able to move to Seattle.

My heart is filled with gratitude for all my wonderful Chicago friends who have said things like, “I’m sorry for your disappointment, but happy that you’re still here.”  This is where I belong right now, I am sure!

I have resumed church commitments, am trying to keep up with my busy friends and just enjoying each day as it comes to me.  It is so good to feel the love and care of good friends.

An Unexpected Direction

It has been a hard winter here in Chicago, with tons of snow and cold air.  Yet, I was somewhat hopeful that lowering the price on my condo would attract a buyer.  It did not happen.  After disconnecting myself from commitments at church and elsewhere because I thought my move to the West Coast was imminent, I’ve spent the last few months trying to figure out how I might start to repair all the disconnects.  As soon as I had accepted the inevitability that I could not fulfill my commitment to move to Covenant Shores in Seattle, my life started changing…again.  Service opportunities popped up out of the blue (not by coincidence, I believe) the seeds of a new friendship,  and other activities to show me that I can reconnect with life in Chicago and even add some new things to my life that would not have been possible a few months ago.

A clear reason for the Seattle door being so firmly shut is not clear.  A sobering thought came to me not too many weeks ago: “What made me think I could leave all my friends so easily?”   God knows my needs better than I know myself and is surprising me daily with blessings of many kinds. So, I have learned that God very much wants to give his children good things, and that involves waiting for his timing and then running with what come along.  I’ve gotten the shoes out of the closet and have put them on – I’m ready for what comes next!

My Life Goes in a New Direction

I haven’t forgotten I have a blog, but time to write has been scarce in the past few weeks.  The phone call that changed my direction came mid-March from Covenant Shores Retirement Community.  ( I have been on a waiting list there for three years.)  My last visit to “the Shores” was in September 2009.  There were several one-bedroom apartments available to me at that time, but nothing really interested me.

Then, I was offered an apartment with a view of Lake Washington! (The others I saw did not have a lake-view.)

I didn’t have to think long at all and sent my daughter over to take some photos.  After I saw the outlook, I called to confirm my interest and was told it was mine if I wanted it.  Never expected that!  All the questions started coming to my mind — Is it too soon to move?  How could I sell the condo in Chicago in these economic times?  Was I ready to do this?  Well, I only slept on it for one night and then made the call to say “yes.”

On March 30, I got on a plane and went to see my new apartment.  After all the paint and carpet colors were chosen,  I flew back home and knew it was the right decision.

The lake was beautiful and flowers were blooming at the Shores on  Mercer Island.  It was lovely!

So…the condo goes on the market this week.  I’m told the first two weeks on the market (especially on the web site) are the busiest and most crucial to find a buyer.   God has worked out everything else, so I’m sure the right buyer will come along at the right time.

There is furniture and “stuff” to be sold, old documents to shred, keeping the condo straightened for those “spur of the moment sales visits,” and lots of waiting around to be done

Watch for the next chapter of this life-changing saga very soon – I hope!

Good Memories via Photos of Maui

I think the colors of the Pacific Ocean will always be in my memory when I think of Hawaii.  I watched a lot of people doing water-sports during the week.  There was kite-surfing, para-sailing,  surfboarding and snorkeling.

The whale-watching tour was two hours and was an exceptional day to see the 80-ton animals cavorting.  I feel very fortunate to have seen so many tales, heads and breaches.

Pacific Whale Foundation whale-watching tour is the one I would recommend . The staff on board and captain were very knowledgeable and answered all kinds of questions about whales.  The staff people were very excited to see so many whales on this trip, as were the “watchers.”

I have never seen such beautiful beaches and experienced wonderfully warm water in the middle of winter before.  Sitting here looking out at the snow (in Chicago) it all seems a little strange — was I really in this paradise for a week?  But, I have the photos to prove it!

The sun was wonderful and the surf warm and bubbly.  A great morning here at this beach.

Sunsets were enjoyed from the lanai with the sound of a conch shell being blown until the sun actually disappeared over the horizon.  A nice tradition.

Maui is truly a paradise of flowers, trees, blue ocean and lush rainforest.

A day did not go by without eating seafood of some kind.  Fresh-caught fish by locals.  Outstanding!

A trip of a lifetime.

Just Plain Fabulous!

I can’t stand it any longer–just have to post a few photos from Paradise.  Maui, that is.

Every morning the sun shines, every evening the sun sets in shades of pink and orange.  Color is so vibrant here that it takes your breath away.  The ocean has an infinite number of shades of blue and turquoise.

Eating as much fresh fish as I can.  It is a unique opportunity that isn’t available where I live.

Here is the first sunset taken from our fifth floor balcony.

Kite-surfing at Ho’okipa Beach

More later

I Love Winter, but…

Okay — got the camera, bought some new shoes for walking, found the sandals and flip-flops, got a wide-brimmed hat with 50 SPF for the sun.  Need to dig out the shorts and bathing suit and see if they fit (oh, dear, I’m nervous!)  Whew! It should be fine.

Too early for that, you say?  Oh, no it’s not if you have a plane ticket to Maui.  Can’t wait to feel that warm breeze and watch a sunset from my balcony (lanai).  Just a few more weeks and I’m out of here for a while.  Goodbye, Chicago.  Hello warm weather, sunsets over the ocean, relaxed living and lush landscapes.

Can you tell I’m ready?  Can’t wait! I’ve waited most of my life to see the beauty in Hawaii that captured the interest of my parents back in the 70′s.  My Dad played Don Ho’s records for weeks after they made the trip and wore his Hawaiian shirt often.   I’m taking that same shirt with me to wear on the beach and I’ll think of my folks and how much they enjoyed their visit to “paradise,” as I take it all in.

The Occasional Visitors

I like to wash dishes in the morning so that I can look out my window and see the forest and whatever is happening out there.  Here’s what I saw yesterday and managed to grab my camera in time.  I guess they find it hard to find their favorite foods covered by snow.

River’s Edge deer family

Sheep and a Donkey in our Church?

From the choir loft I could see the shepherds and holy family waiting for their cue.  But, what were the shepherds holding in their arms?  Could it be real sheep?  As the entourage made its way down the aisle to the front of the sanctuary, I saw the sheep struggle in the arms of the shepherds and, oh, yes, a donkey was also led in.  The children ( and most adults, too) were so excited to see a “live” nativity scene…right there in the church.  The congregation craned their necks to see the sight.  We all celebrated the birth of Jesus last night and held our lighted candles as we sang “Silent Night” and felt the wonder of that moment.

Something different for Christmas Eve in our church in 2009.  A very special 5 o’clock worship service for all ages and a wonderful, celebratory experience, that will be long remembered in our congregation.

May the peace of Christ be yours today and throughout the year to come.

December 13 – Sankta Lucia Day

For all my Swedish friends!

Puppy update for my friends

All but one of the ‘Doodle puppies have gone home with their new families!  Just thought I would post a plug for my daughter’s  business venture of breeding Multigenerational Labradoodles.  Here’s the sweet little girl that remains with her mama.

She was born in  September and was the largest girl of the seven puppies born.  If you want to see more pics of the puppies, go here www.soundlabradoodles.com.   You can learn a lot more about Labradoodles from the site.

I saw the puppies several days after they were born — and helped to take care of them all for a few days.

It was fun to see the development of all these cuties!  I’m glad they have found caring families to play with.

I believe there will be another litter in Spring/Summer  2010.