Graduation Day

                     Nathaniel's Graduation Day
  CLASS of 2011

  COUGARS IN
   THE HOUSE
 

May 25, 2011 was Nathaniel's high school graduation.  I cannot believe how fast it went.  First, my son graduated 30 years to almost the day from my graduation of 1981.  How stinking old does that make me feel?!  Very old!  My husband and I were talking earlier about when Nathaniel first went into kindergarten, and how I followed the school bus to make sure he was delivered to school safely.  There were other moms who were following the bus too; I was not the only psycho.  We have encouraged Nathaniel to pursue his dreams, though he has many, most artist do.  I know he will be alright with whatever endeavor he decides to take.  We will continue praying daily that God would give him favor and strength as he goes out into the world to find his way.

CONGRATULATIONS to our son NATE!!

Kissing Camels, tarnish and chicken salad

The beauty of Garden of the Gods; Kissing Camels. 

Back in 2000 after our plans for overseas missions fell through.  We decided to take our Nomad butts to Colorado.  We had nothing waiting for us in New Jersey anymore.  We had sold all our possessions, quit our jobs and said goodbye to our church.  It was time to go, time to start a new adventure in another state.  We needed to know what God had in plan for us.  We lived in a hotel for a week, determined to find a rental within that week; and we did.  Flew back to New Jersey, picked up the remnants we had placed in a small storage unit, drove back to Colorado, found jobs and have been in a constant roller coaster ride since.  We didn't think we would be staying in Colorado, thought about staying in Texas, but why?!  I believe we had to come to Colorado never realizing that we would be going through the Refiner's Fire.  We are still being polished so God's reflection can be clear to everyone we meet.

There were many times I just wanted to throw in the towel, but I met some very loving and wonderful people in Colorado.  People, who were strong in the Lord and had gone through the difficulties of life with grace and a plate full of chicken salad.  I realized that we are given choices on how we want to live and who we want in our lives to love.  It took me a long time, but my choice became very clear who I was going to serve and who would see me and family through the bad choices we had made and trials we had to go through.  I am writing to encourage whoever reads this posting; tarnish eventually comes off and we can either make chicken shit or chicken salad with our lives.  I personally love Chicken Salad!

Prom

May 6, 2011 was prom for my son's high school.  It was nice to see Nathaniel all dressed up for such a fun event.  Before any of prom festivities begun we had some drama.  Nathaniel had asked a friend to prom in April and she agreed to go with him.  About two weeks before prom she had to cancel with my son because she had forgotten that she had accepted an invitation from another boy in the beginning of the school year; naturally Nathaniel did not have any desire to attend the prom.  Well, as things go in the high drama of high school, this young lady let my son know that she was available to go to prom with him, (the other guy bailed out).  Nathaniel was on cloud nine again; the expenses began . . . but it was worth it according to my son.  Nathaniel was on a tight budget and he was truly blessed by a wonderful florist who works in Safeway.  Nathaniel and his date had a great time at the prom and then again at the after prom party. 

Nate and his date on prom night May 6, 2011