Merry Christmas

The joy comes in the morning! I love watching my kiddoes get so excited! Yes, kiddoes. I drove to Dallas on Xmas Eve and picked my baby girl up. I could not leave her there. I am a dork I know, but I have 6 years before she is grown and I want EVERY HOLIDAY possible. My family just got done with a nerf gun fight. Maybe the kids are just reloading.

May you all have a blessed and beautiful time with your families! Love, Trish, Joel and Kids!

Toumani Diabate 'The Mande Variations'

I find this music extremely moving, thought provoking and basically a brain massage. If you have a few minutes watch this. If you have Pandora, listen to it. Close your eyes and let yourself feel the layers of generations and artistry unfold.....

Baaa Humbug?

I wish I had something sweet or significant to say. I have a hard time in this season. I don't know why. I hate Mia not being here. Bella was allowed by the other parent in this family to go to Dallas for Xmas. As if that would be okay with me. I have been a mess. I wish God would just transport me to the finished product of my heart without having to fumble through being a better person. I am impatient with the process of my heart today. I do not feel good. I know I am not the only one. God I just pray that you would lift the heaviness off of those hearts including mine.

FOOD NETWORK STARLg_Prog.mov

here is the video we submitted, maybe we'll try again next year....

Stars, Toilets, Love and Action

NO word on Food Network. Oh well. It is a good thing my husband has high self esteem. Kind of a bummer. Can't they see how much talent he has? Maybe we just entered too late. It probably got there at the last minute. It is okay because he still has work to do. He is still working with the high school to put in a salad bar. He is also working with Slow Poke to start utilizing the greenhouse. I will be posting videos soon. He is still doing cooking classes in Cisco for the Open Door. And we are planning my second trip to Cambodia and his fourth. I guess you could say I am his number one fan.

We are painfully remodeling our bathroom. It is only painful when it takes forever. I want a shower. I need some tile. Must have. I was hopeful and excited week one. Week two is a challenge. I hope we make progress this weekend or next week will be a bear. This is as close as I will probably ever get to building a house. If anyone wants to nominate us for some kind of house makeover project, I accept.

I had been going through the Yearn, faint, cry - power of a focused life that Francesca suggested. It was incredible, then I accidentally by the power of the Holy spirit, downloaded Song of Songs 20 by Mike Bickle. Whoa. I was blown away. I think I found my life calling. Or it found me. There are actually 20 parts to this study. SO I started back with the first. I am going to be hosting a Bible study on Friday afternoons to include this audio set. I would like to begin in January. My idea is to put an ad in the Journal and see if anyone is interested, of course you are all invited. I have never been this determined to sink myself into something. And if anyone is willing,I would take others on the journey. I know the Song of Solomon is odd. But the allegorical interpretation of it is amazing and exactly what I want to dwell on for the first few weeks of the new year.

The next action thing I am interested in is State park camping trips. I took my kids to Enchanted Rock last weekend. I want to go camping there. I was so excited I got an annual pass. Did you know that for 60 dollars you can take up to eight people to any state park in Texas as often as you would like for one year. AND you can fish in state parks without a license. Cool, huh? I would like to do some family camp outs and some ladies day trip hikes. I will also be posting these in the paper. I just want to connect with women in our community that I normally would not know or in ways I didn't know anyone would be interested in. Looking for like minded ladies in the Big Country.....loving God and his creation.
DO you ever think about the exciting ways of love? Lengths you go to to keep it alive, refreshed and real. Scents, cleanliness, view, setting up the context for the dance. I just can't wait to get deeper in this. This is going to be fun, not for the faint of heart.

My Prized

Wow! I just recently took Wendy up on her offer for portfolio adding. I was blown away by her gift! Don't my gifts look great?!
Thank you Wendy!!!!!

Anyway, I had not said anything lately, so I wanted to post. I am trying to get a plan for :

Mia moving back home- we are remodeling part of the barn as a mini town house for her. She wants to move back home and go to school. Yay! Jeff Hines starts construction next week! Then we can continue our in house remodel.

Expand our business to have a thriving catering business and a local restaurant. And yes we did submit to Food Network the Talented Chef Joel. If we hear anything we will let you know. He is afraid he is not young and buff enough- whatev....

Joel is also putting a salad bar in the High School! Way to go Joel!

Nash has a play off game on Saturday, if they win we go to Mighty Mite Superbowl!

God has continued to provide for us despite our human nature. Sometimes I wonder how he puts up with me personally. Maybe it is because no matter how wrong I am , I always talk to Him and he shows me I am wrong. I would think I might just have a beautiful heart somehow without the constant mirror of reflection. But I guess there is only one way to holiness, purification, like Ethan told Chrissy that day, "turn your heart inside out so God can clean it!!"

Anyway, if I have not spoken with you lately, just know that you are valued in my heart, whether or not I am capable of finding the words to express it.

VOTE

Just Vote.

OIKOS

When I first believed as an adult. They had what was called
OIKOS- it was your list. Who God called you to be family with
-but more in the sense that they did not know it. You knew you were called
to invite them into the "home" to do life with them. I
could not figure out what God was trying to say until now.

I have been hearing the movement and action theme for quite
some time. Some through my husband, my gift from God. And the
rest through His heartbeat in me.

You were created to ride His highway at His speed
with His Sounds.
Part of that includes what you are doing now. You are
serving the generations behind you until he releases you into the next
wave of what He has for you.
You are to give of yourself to
demonstrate to the children how to give of their own talents to perpetuate
the ways of God. It is the spiritual circle of life.

History Makers are Obedient and Intimate. Through their
intimacy in relationship with the Father they are urged into obedience.

Here is where OIKOS comes in......

Oikos means family, house, home, household- in modern
greek, the people you spend the most time with. These kids need all of
us to continually point them to the cross, they need the security
of that, like a night light as they fall asleep in darkness. As they
mature and grow they find comfort in the truth- the word.

No road is long with good company. Turkish Proverb

The Obedience part also comes into play as a challenge to
them to move as history makers. Not just in group, but in life.
Connect is putting shoes on kids feet. Infuse can take that and
multiply in times a hundred or a thousand for other service acts.

A man felt like God told him to plow a field, so he prayed
for a tiller. The spirit of God needed the faithful to plow the
field.

Someone came behind the man and took a hoe and broke the
ground, the first man continued to try to figure out how to get a
tiller.

The man with a hoe found himself with neighbors helping him. The
first man began to form a plan to do a fundraiser to purchase a
tiller. The neighbors came together for the man with a hoe and blessed
him with a tractor. The ground was prepared because the spirit of God
is relentless. It will not rest or put its eggs all in one
basket. We must work with what we have until we have more and keep
moving forward to the call of God.

What we have to learn to do, we learn by doing. Aristotle

Serving others is the heart of God. Feeding the hungry,
taking care
of orphans, widows, motherless, fatherless, poverty
stricken, broken
hearted etc etc.

Only a life lived for others is a life worth while. Albert
Einstein


What is Oikos?



OIKOS= HOUSE=FAMILY

The following verses contain the Greek work oikos.

Matt 9:7 And he rose and went home.

Luke 10:5 And whatever house you enter first say,
'Peace be unto this
house.'

Acts 16:15 KJV ~ And when she was baptized, and her
household, she
besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to
the Lord,
come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained
us.

Luke 1:27 NASB ~ to a virgin engaged to a man whose name
was Joseph,
of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was
Mary.

Luke 9:61 NIV ~ Still another said, "I will follow
you, Lord; but
first let me go back and say good-by to my family.



O Obedience
I Intimacy
K Kingdom
o OF
S Service

Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that
build it.
PSALM 127:1




Through Oikos we advance the Kingdom, isn't that our
Goal.
If you
miss it, God will get it done, He still loves you, but He
is driving
in the fast lane.

Don Williams - Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good (1981)

Today, I had a blast driving the kids to school- that would be Payton and Nash. Payton probably thinks I am CRAZY. I was having my own sort of School of Rock and other music. It just so happened that multiple good songs of different genre provided optimal
teaching materials. Heart- girl rock. Van Halen, Doors, Motown, WIllie Nelson- "Mama's don't let your babies grow up to be Cowboys!" Of course Payton was wearing a Cowboy shirt, so it was funny. Then we had a little hispanic music, with a Tejano distinction. Don Williams classic- God I forgot how much I loved Don WIlliams. Trip huh?
Anyway, just wanted to drop a note to say I am alive. Hi.

Chicken Fish Sheep

She gathers them unto herself
She scratches the earth to find the meat buried within
something is uncovered to reveal what is to be given
as nourishment to the need of those unable to scratch
at least not in the right places
yet

He told them where to cast their nets
They could not see where the meat beneath the water was for them
He delivered them from the void into abundance
so that they might lead others

He said to feed his sheep

ears to hear
listen
eyes to see
wide open
not stuff
but children
all ages
all sizes
need to be gathered and fed

where will you scratch
where will you fish
where do you feed the hungry




trishtrueblood

illustrator
Patrick Latimer

Home update

Things are rolling along just fine. Marriage is good. Kids are a little on the bratty side sometimes, but generally evoke love and hope for the future. I feel very blessed to be in this peaceful time. I have had so many ups and downs in my life, it is nice to coast!
My husband is having a walk-in closet built for me. How cool is that? It is stage one. I have a renovation plan for my house. Over the next year I believe that God is giving me a physical picture of restoration, starting with my home. I should have my own little special place by the end of the week. Then I will be gutting my bathroom. Anyone that knows me, has known how much I have wanted to do that I am so excited. I guess I questioned so much why so many people so much younger than me had so much more ( materially) and it really bothered, and in some ways embarrassed me. I am ashamed to admit that. But it seems that my level of gratitude has been raised significantly. God really is after your heart. Transforming it room by room if necessary. Then granting the desires of each room it seems. As I have mentioned the last couple of posts this Bible study I am doing is exactly what I needed at this time.

"In scripture building a house means more than stacking bricks. It refers to family line. I am thankful Christ was a carpenter by trade. Even now he is preparing a place for us so that we will have the perfect house to occupy when we get to heaven.
Perhaps your home has been like ours- built on human strength or the pitiful lack of it. Either approach turns out to be in vain. Maybe God wasn't invited from the start to invade every part of your family life and you suffered the consequences. Maybe you feel much like your home is in shambles. In desperation I have cried out over and over to the only dependable home builder I knew, asking him to come to the rescue. At times I felt like he was late to work, but little by little I began to see his hand, pouring some new foundation and tearing down the walls the enemy had tried to erect between members of my family. As you continue to pray, trust and look for signs of His work in your family, keep in mind that Christ is a custom home builder. Your home is not going to look like someone else's. Free Christ to let him tell you how your home will look instead of vice versa. He alone has the blueprint."

Beth Moore

Any have a great day. I am on my way to work on the restoration of my body! I.E. exercise.

New Day.

I am so happy today. I got to snuggle longer than usual. I have my first full day off in 9 days. I know some people work much harder. But I am pretty much a wimp when in comes to days in a row. I headed up a wedding reception on Saturday at a beautiful ranch in Hamilton. I got to set up the flowers and food. How fun is that. Thank God for Kim Peters. She graciously helped me. Of course I could not have done it without Jamal, Kim, Tim, or Jeff. We laughed a lot and had fun. Sunday, I worked walk in. It was busy, I was already tired, but it was good work. I also realized I could not take a walk-in Job full- time no matter what they offered me. I know, I am a woman. I can change my mind. I am sticking with my current job. I am not doing anything different until God makes it very clear. My heart is with the staff and doctors I work with now and I am okay with that. It is still a good job and I can negotiate my hours, never on the weekends unless I want to. So I get to see my kids every night. I like it. I found my peace. I get to have lunch breaks. So I can have lunch dates- anyone?

I am currently doing a Beth Moore Bible Study- Stepping Up. It is a study in the Psalms, Cherith, get this study. That woman amazes me. Fran, you have that gift too. I can't wait to see what blossoms out of you.

Anyway. I just wanted to say Hi!
And Happy birthday to my friends Rachel (21) and Brandi (24). Those are the days not the years! I look forward to another year of friendship with you girls.
I love you both.

On friends

Need more energy and to be PETER

Wow. Who would have ever thought having only two kids at home, being done with school stuff, working "part-time" would allow for less time to do free Trish stuff. Not me. I have been busy with work and football practice and bible study ( Beth Moore- Stepping Up) and youth on Wednesdays ( Helping Ira- I love those girls!) and shuttling Nash to Team Kids in between, working for Joel, barely cleaning anything but dishes and toilets. Of course I wish I could say going to the gym faithfully, getting healthy and fit, becoming the woman that exudes health. I seriously have tried several times to eat better. I do mostly organic, I rarely do hydrogenated, never do aspartame, seriously avoid high fructose corn syrups, begin part of south beach then switch to taco Tuesday at Rosa's with probably everything off the list, then back to vegetables only, then Nash's bday party and cake, then the Insulin resistance diet with balanced protein and carbs and just a small bit of Hansen's natural soda. Would you believe I lost four pounds and then they found me again. Basically, I feel like a reed in the wind with food. I need hope. I really want to look like the health I sell. Instead I am nearing needing medical attention for my fatigue and regular pain.

I am trying to drink 64 0z of water a day. I can do this three days a week and fall the other days.
I am now taking B-total sublingual, zinc, vit c, multi vites, Co Q 10, probiotic blends ad a couple of other things.

I am trying the least restrictive diet, which is the insulin resistance diet, the recipes are great and things I enjoy eating. That is the one with balanced carbs and proteins. The thing I liked about it is that it makes you think about your food relationship. WHy you eat the way you do. WHy you over eat the way you do. Stuff like that. Joel calls them "Food Memories".

I am focusing other thoughts on a clinic idea I believe God has given me vision for- for a long time. I will reveal more on that later.

I am trying to learn how to invite and keep peace in my life.

I am trying to fall in love again with Jesus. I don't want to treat Jesus/ God/ Holy spirit like an old blah marriage. I want to keep it fresh. God is so much bigger than simple relationships. I want to sit and be overwhelmed at the revelation in relationship.

I must sleep. Peace to you all.

voting booth is closed

I made a decision with the help of my husband. One week on, on week off. I am excited and nervous. I have been praying so much for peace, yet it eludes me. I think I might have been having some anxiety related to big decisions and a reaction to a medication I was taking for my dental issues. Anyway, I removed the last post, due to to much personal info. Thanks for the prayers and the words. Just thanks.

Thinking Naturally

Been reading books again. I am somewhat frustrated with the status quo in medicine. I am really looking toward a more holistic approach to care. One that would include naturopathic medicine. It seems that this brings a lot more peace and healing in long term ways. I will keep you updated on my findings.

Toothday

I drank Cokes. At night, while I was pregnant. Lots of them. It is amazing Bella is as calm as she is. I worked twelve hour shifts. By the time I had the money to try to fix my teeth, every dentist told me ridiculous amounts- 4-7,000 dollars. Even when I did have insurance, they had these rules like paying only part, or after one year of paying, due the preexisting condition.Blah, blah, SO again, I waited. It was easier and cheaper to keep paying for my kids and husband to keep their teeth, One day, I realized that I would have dentures if I did not fix my teeth. I started working on my teeth. It is painful and expensive, but I am working very hard to pay for it.

Today, I had a tooth pulled, it went something like this....

I was escorted in to the office, I was nervous. I hate dental work. It is the single most anxiety producing thing I go through. I sit in the chair and talk to the dental assistant, Lee Ann, about Joel playing ball with the Dentist's husband and about how hard it is to pull my teeth. The assistants switch places and Roseanna comes in. We joke a little bit about Roseanna, Roseanna, Danna. Old Saturday Night Live. Then the gas mask goes on.
The gas mask always makes me a little more nervous for a few seconds, then it settles. I am generally a pretty anxious person. I tense up pretty easily, I may not always show it, but at the dentist, it stands out. So when the shots went in, I tensed up. I hate that about myself. I took deep breaths and let go. I started to realize that she probably thought she was hurting me when I did the deep breathing thing.

My dentist, is a lovely lady. I really like her. I have never been treated with such courtesy and compassion. I even had a moment, where I was so proud of her. I was so happy that she went through the effort to become a dentist. I was so grateful. I even felt proud, being that she was a woman. It hurt very little, it was uncomfortable, lots of pressure. I thought about my roots. I am told they are curved. They are long and strong. Thus, it took a really long time to pull.

I couldn't help but start entertaining thoughts about a way to graft fake teeth to the roots. It seems a shame to waste them. In my mind I began to engineer a device that allows the root system to anchor the implanted tooth. Then, I am jolted back to intense pressure. It is kinda like having a baby with no prize at delivery. I breathe again, to cope, again I am quizzed about the pain. I wonder, is it part of the training to ask about pain every time the patient breathes deeply? Or is she just really sweet?
I felt like right in the middle of it God's peace just floated on top of me and I teared with joy. Mouth open, tooth almost out, peace that transcends. Thanks for praying Brandi. God is faithful.

For those of you still having kids- DO NOT DRINK COKES WITHOUT BRUSHING YOUR TEETH AFTERWARDS! And floss...

In the end the tooth was out, I was relieved. My sweet husband had retrieved my pain medicine and we were on the way home.

Its getting hot in here....

Well thanks to all that participated in my fun little party. Congrats to Payton, high bowler for the kid category! Congrats to Chad and Jennifer, male and female high bowlers.

But back to the topic, I have been expecting it, it has threatened once or twice, this time it was real. The AC IS DEAD! Yup. dead. But hey, there are still worse things. I have running water and a job. I had enough cash to buy a window unit to get me through until I have the rest of the cash together for the AC repair ( around 4700.00). A professional in the business told me to wait until the fall and the prices are cut in half. Anyway, feel refreshed as your AC bows strong and cool, our water bill is sure to go up.

Happy Birthday - The Beatles

Hey, if you guys are not busy on Wednesday the 20th, please join me at Prime Time to bring in my 38th year of life. You are invited!

Picture time

Wrapped in the pages was this moment in time.....

They appeared as mini-superheroes
Through the mother's eyes
Her tired body, slumped in the chair of the coffee house
Weary for the anticipation of the drive
The boy's uncanny ability to breathe life to an inanimate teddy bear dressed in kacky pants and a fishing hat
He actually has a side bag and pockets you can stick your fingers into, the bear, that is
The girl is curious also
She, however, has moved slightly past that age, into another age of beauty
Uncanny, almost, untimely beauty that is too soon for a mother to want to see on her precious baby
The one her mother breast fed only eleven years prior
But here she stands defying time, with bangs dipped, reddish on brown
Porcelain skin, timely fashion, and pink lips money cannot buy
Then there is the eldest daughter, sitting humbly, asking for nothing
Apologetically posed against her seat of disappointment
Trying to not feel too bad for not doing the things her Mother expects of her
Ahhh Mother Expectation
Kin to Father Time?
Perhaps a sister to Mother Superior
Ruler slapping hands not mine
In her heart the mother wants to give her children everything
In her heart the mother cannot give her children everything
It is as though she is the gatekeeper, rationing out gifts
So clearly she saw it, in a dream
The Superhero Mother stance with arms outstretched at her sides
One hand receiving and one hand giving
One hand yielding and one hand open
The traffic controller to the influx
Never too much too fast
For lack of appreciation
Nor too little
For the pain of want
The mother wants, hopes, yearns for a life of goodness and mercy for her children
The mother prays always
For safety and health
The mother teaches gratitude
The mother gifts with love
If only the pages of this comic book drew the end
As happily ever after
The mother could fall asleep a little easier

It occurs to her the answer is in the Gift of Love
That should be showered and not
Rationed
No punch card required for a dose of
Patience, kindness, or encouragement
No waiting til next month for more
The shelves of Super Mothers' heart are always stocked
Especially when her kids are low
Thanks to the Endless Supplier
The Glorious Giver
The Lover of her Soul
Her Father in Heaven
That never counted her wrongs and His disappointment in her

Happy Anniversary to me!

I cannot believe it is twelve years! Wow. I am so mushy, I have this Barry Manilow, Looks Like we Made It tune running through my mind. We are going to www.theturtlerestaurant.com for dinner tonight. My husband, the terminal foodie. I guess I just wanted to say thanks to all of you that help us in life. Being married is not an easy thing. Being in love and married is awesome.
I recently had a revelation about how I love my husband. I was mad at him and felt like God asked me if I loved my husband. I thought sure I do. Then I felt like He asked if I was "loving him" like this...1 Corinthians 13:1-13 - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
I thought, nope.
I am far from the perfect wife, but I try to remember this when I start counting what he does "wrong". Anyway, back to happy, blessings to you all. I hope you all know the kind of love that endures all things.

Memory lane sort of

I have had so many posts that I kept in my head lately. I thought I would take you down memory lane today. This evening Joel and I had dinner with Jennifer Elva and her beloved Tony. I mentioned some unknown super powers I possess. She encouraged me to post a few things.


In 1980, I had a pretty major fascination with Wonder Woman. I think if it were not for the inspiration I would not have won the presidential seal of athletic performance that year. (I WON first place for the fifty yard dash, flexed arm hang, and sit-ups) too bad you can't live off the past forever.

Anyway, I was on the playground, some boys were throwing rocks at me. I. instinctively, lifted my hand and the rocks were deflected off of my wrist. I felt very much empowered, super-powered, maybe even a future wonder woman in training.

Of course this was also the year Roger Moreno asked me to "GO around". The note said, "circle yes or no".
My sweaty hand wanted so badly to say yes. But, I really did not know what that meant. "What did I have to do if I said yes? Is it like getting married or something gross like that?" I slowly circled no. Sigh.

I went home because my corduroys were too tight and my stomach hurt. After my dad picked me up he bought me some fried chicken and I watched cartoons the rest of the afternoon- stomach ache free.

This was also the year, I won the spelling bee, I know Erica and Pam, be jealous. And also wonder how smart the kids were at my school since I am a terminal mispeller.

I wrote a report on the TV show Dallas, I mean who really cared if Sue Ellen was a raging alcoholic and J.R. was having affairs with everyone. It was really good acting. I could figure out how the "Man from Atlantis," got on that show. (If you don't get that one, don't ask).

Anyway. 1980-81 was a good year to be a kid. Except when Reagan was shot.

What is next?

I can't wait til vacation. I am slotted for the last week before school starts. I am really excited that my cousin has a time share he is going to let me use for the time we are there at a seriously discounted rate. I am planning Orlando, Disneyworld! Universal Studios and fun! I am not sure why I wanted to go so bad, but I am excited that things are looking like they are going to happen. I am working lots of extra shifts to get this paid for. SO I am a little more tired. But hey, that is what vacation is for.

We are planning our family strategy for the fall. Nash Cornerstone, Bella Clyde, Nash Football in Abilene, Bella Soccer. This eats up serious amounts of time! I am nervous about Nash and football. I wish he just wanted to play tennnis or golf. I am going to cry.

Tru blu is working on Fall menus and strategy.
Chef Joel is working on Changing the way kids eat locally and a Food Network possible pilot show. Prayers welcomed.

We are working on how to move forward with our single parent budget. I was standing behind by a single dad in Abilene. He had been raising his kids for five years. His daughter was 6, and son 9. He became a dad at 15 years old. The mom got hooked on drugs and left him. He was talking about how he could not afford for both of them to be involved in something. I tried to tell him that I was not in line behind him by coincidence. I wanted to help him though the funds we had available. He was just "weirded" out. I think he thought I was a creep. I really don't know how to do this. I told him he did not have to do anything for it. He just could not grasp it. Please pray for me to have the ability to offer help without being scary. In the mean time if you guys are hungry around 6:30pm today, come over. Lots of food.

Off to the walk-in today so my house might be a mess, but we will be mostly outside anyway.

Ode to my Uncle Eddie

I think everyone should have had and Uncle Eddie. He was amazing. My uncle Eddie died Saturday night. I am here in South Texas (Mc Allen)getting ready to go to the funeral. I was thinking about his humor, (he even did stand up comedy). At the traditional Catholic Rosary last night they had a slide show of pics. He really was a nut. He could do the Donald Duck voice like no other. Except maybe Donald Duck. He was extremely articulate and intelligent. People usually thought he was a lawyer, just because he was so analytical and logical. Which leads me to another point. He loved Old School Star Trek, I am not sure if he liked Spock for his logic or Jim for his passion, but being who he was I am sure he liked them both. It seems part of their characters were part of his character. He had polio as a child, he married a beautiful lady in 1991, much younger I might add, but they never had children. He had children in his many nieces and nephews. He loved us with a grand love. He always encouraged, always leaned the glory fire of God into us. His goal was to light a candle into our lives. One of insight, passion, life lessons or just pure fun. I know that each and everyone of us has a story about Eddie. A joke he told, a first concert, the teaching of a the first chords on guitar. I like the example of that one. Uncle Eddie taught my brother his first few chords on guitar. My brother Matt does not make a living playing guitar, but the compositons that have stemmed from the inspiration will last a lifetime. I predict that some of Matt's Flamenco style guitar will be studied for its form. To me this is an example of the glory of God being in a persons live that honors another life with what they know. Eddie knew relationship. Son, brother, father to Aaron by choice, uncle, cousin, nephew, friend, co-worker, husband, but there were others, Eddie the philosopher, writer, poet, dj,comedian, inspirer, musician, worshipper of God. Multiple intelligences is what a personality test would reveal. But words cannot capture the man. I thank God for the experience of being loved and influenced in becoming the person that I am, in part to my Uncle Eddie. I love you. I will miss you.

Ready, Set, GLOB

I guess I have sort of felt like the opposite of BLOG. So my absence perpetuated the lull. SO to nullify the lullaby, I hereby update.
Joel went to the Grand Canyon with Aaron. It was the best long trip-away from the family without any mishaps ever. Joel did leave me a present. TWO parties to cater. BACKtoBACK! If it were not for my old faithfuls, ERICA, JAMAL, and the lovely AMANDA. I could not have made it. Well, maybe I could have painfully, gouging my eyes out made it.
Anyway, he came back a man that could not complain about TEXAS HEAT. Having experienced his own personal hell. I don't think hell has a 53 degree river/creek in which to cool off, or a waterfall in which to gaze at the beauty of God's creation. I hope hell does not have any of my friends there either. This includes you Aaron.
The garden is in full swing, as are other bloggers in the network. We have some gorgemousginormas sunflowers, some going to seed. I will post pics soon. Joel says we will grow hundreds of sunflowers next year. We do not have near the production level we need to survive the possible impending doom many predict for the next four years.
We harvested organic/pesticide free corn ( a little starchy), lots of okra, Salmonella free toms of varying types, some golden beets, lots of lettuce that has now gone to seed. Fennel, Basil, Lavender, Rosemary, Oregano, Cilantro, no dill. Lemon cucumbers. I have a couple of cantaloupe, watermelon, strawberries(low yield first year), asparagus( low yield first year). Got lots of new plants just for pretty sake.

Mia came for a visit. It was sweet to see my big girl carry herself with confidence, but come home cause she missed me.

I am liking my newer job, I have had it two months now. I am working for three family doctors part-time, covering vacations for them. It is good. I am free, have less expendable cash, no benefits at this time, but it is better than working so stressed that I need to use my benefits.

I am going to highlight health point of the month. WEAR SUNSCREEN! Malignant Melanoma is real. My Brother in Law is 39 years old. He is a STAGE 4, in Liver and Brain. Pray for my him, my sister and their family.

All you beautiful fair skinned people. Listen up. The ABCDE's of skin screening are as follows:
Asymmetry: If you were to fold your mole in half would it line up?
Borders: Are the Borders of the Lesion irregular?
Color: Are there more than 1 to 2 colors in your mole/skin lesion?
Diameter: Is it greater than five millimeters in size?
Evolving: Are there new lesions or moles next to it? Has it been changing, itching or bugging you?

Call your doctor or nurse practitioner and make an appointment!

I do not want to steal Erica's thunder, but my kids are going to be in a play next Thursday that Erica is directing, I will let her fill you in on the details, Fran's kids are involved also. I am going to have to have it filmed, because I work Thursdays, If we are slow I might try to get out to go watch. Insert small hopeful prayer here.

Joel is brewing up some serious stuff in regards to farm to table in our community. I am really excited for all of us. I might let him guest blog to fill you in. He is such a talker I might have to film it and post a video blog with real live interactions. I would like to do a documentary on the transformation of a school district before good food and after. We have dubbed the next generation, a really cool term. I can't tell you all of the stuff, but, my husband is sooo cool.

I am applying for a legislative intern position in Austin, 1-2 days a week from January through May. This may not seem like much to you, but it is so awesome. I used to want to be a lawyer, but I am not. SO this would be way cool to learn to read legislation and lobby for the rights of NPs in Texas. I WOULD LOVE, love, love it! Insert another prayer here.

I would say something about our fundraiser, but I don't want to . God taught me a lot about obedience through that situation. All I can do is apologize to all of you that read and say that I hope what we did to raise money for single parents was not divisive or offensive. I pray that you would forgive us if we offended you. We offended ourselves and will try harder to move when God says move. What happened was not our initial concept, yet it was blessed financially. We believe God did not empower those he wanted to empower through this. I believe He will redeem it.
If you would like to be part of how funds are invested in single parents, please call us. We would love to have anyone involved that feels called to be part of what we are doing. Everyone except Fran. By the way, my relaxation techniques will require you to get a babysitter and us to go to lunch or dinner and talk.

I guess that is all for now. Peace out.

Are we there yet?

So here we are at the end of June. I usually have fantasies of some magical trip I take with my kids and grand illusions of all of the projects that will be accomplished. Thanks to my friend Rachel, I actually do have a shelf put together. Joel might have helped a smidge. She is super-talented and well-planned, and appreciated. But back to the subjectS......I finally left the big city of Clyde to attend Mia's graduation! My niece, Sky also graduated at the same time. It is hard to believe, these two girls shared the same crib at times. They were born three days apart. Then they walked the stage together 18 years later. I was but a child when she was born, just in case you were thinking I was old. Ok so maybe to you young ones, I am old anyway, but it is okay- if you are very blessed you too will live to see your children graduate. Can I say that I have not been too mushy about the whole thing, but I have had some wow moments. It BLOWS me away.

She was in my belly, she crawled, walked, talked, cried, lied, tried, fell, grew, played, prayed, danced, pranced, chanced circumstance, drove, strove( is that a word, word police?), reasoned, worked, earned, turned into a young lady. I miss her face. I can stare at it all day in pictures. But it never quite satisfies the itch of feasting my eyes on her. My brown eyed girl. ( Insert long sigh here).

Work is good. I like what I do. I am pretty good at it most days. Is it okay to say. " I still haven't found what I don't know I am looking for, but I will know when I find it?" me, 2008

Some days I get close, usually in the garden. Usually with the love of my life when he is not being a macho man. I don't much like macho. Speaking of macho, he is going to hike the grand canyon soon, cool huh?

I gotta get some sleep, I am driving to Austin in the AM, going to pick my Sweet Bella up from my sister's home. Hugs and Kisses, pictures soon.

King of the Jungle

Sorry this is so late. If you have 5 minutes to enrich your life with the joy of parenting a star!

update

I know it seems as though I have abandoned the entire blogsphere, but fear not, I have been lurking. Usually at odd hours when my thinker is creatively tapped. Today, I have a brief minute to let you know what is going on.
Tru Blu is in the busiest season ever! I am now a Sous Chef/ Event Manager/ part-time nurse practitioner. I am also able to go to ball games, and occasionally have friends over. The rest of the crowd regularly at our house are family, spiritually speaking.
Nash was the star of the second grade performance of "It s a Jungle Out There." I am pretty proud. He kicked some serious jungle jams.
My garden is growing, slowly but surely. And can I just say thank God for community! You never know who God is going to put in your life. They could be the most extreme out there hippies to the most conservative and yet still, with Jesus as the common denominator, they will be in the backyard with you gardening. They may not like it, they may play with their IPHONE for 99.5 percent of the time, but does that really matter? Their spouse is there, kids are there and love is in the air. Ahh the joy of community gardening. This year it looks like our main crops are to be tomatoes, lettuce and corn. Oh wait onions too, golden beets, cucumber, okra, a few melons. Lots of herbs, strawberries, asparagus. Lots of sunflowers!

Mia is graduating June 16th! yeah! She is still not decided about what to do next, so pray for wisdom for her! I also would like to have a party for her.

Bella is going to sixth grade, I want to home-school, only I stink at home-schooling so maybe ABeka will bail me out. Nash is probably going to Cornerstone. But he is having reservations, as are we. Are we doing the right thing? I am praying for peace about the decision.

My new job is most awesome. 2 short days a week! Can we say Amen?! I also have to cover vacations and days off for three doctors, but it is ok. I am loving the freedom.
Okay, so I am going to confess again that I will be trying to get into shape this summer. So anytime anyone wants to do anything physical, except that, call me! I would like to walk the track, pretend to play tennis, go to the gym, I am going Hendrick, I will probably not "diet" at first. I will try to eat less sugar. I will drink more water. I will drink rejuvelac, "living water" a fermented wheat berry water that cleans out your digestive tract and has lots of nutritional qualities. I know TMI.

I am going to be an Aunt again! And no Rachel is not PG that I know of. My Sweet Sister-in-lay Sara is going to have her baby in mid July! Third boy, sound familiar anyone?

BFW this weekend, Three more parties for Tru Blu on Friday night. One on Thursday! Crazy busy!

Single Parent Fundraiser is 4 weeks out we still need invitations completed and more auction items. I have lined up amazing talent. Chef Joel will be preparing a superb menu as well. It is going to be the coolest night Clyde has ever seen.

I don't think I should spend anymore time on here. Next time, medical van and def poetry, peace out.

ten-in-the-summertime

ten in the summer time
at the pool by grandma's house
and grandpa-in-the- garage, waiting
to make you a hamburger and the best red kool-aid ever
green grass
merry go round
finding the quarter underwater after the life guards blow the whistle
to get back in
blue skies
with white cumulus nimbus
running with cousins
with arms way out
circles until we fall
the raspa man with the mustache and smile
more quarters from grandpa-in- the- garage
to buy whatever color sno-cone
hide in the closet and hope mom and dad leave me here
just a little longer


trishtrueblood

Randomonium update

I just drove in from San Antonio. My Big Girl ( Mia) sounded so sick I had to go check on her. Please pray for healing and strength. She has a super cute apartment, with very hip decorative abilities. Obviously- not my influence. It was good to see her. Just proves, not matter how old they are they are still your babies- especially wihen they have sore throats and raspy voices.


We have a young man living with us. He is a most amazing young man. We met him through Mia. They were dating. Then they broke up, but still talk everyday. Go figure. He is from Liberia. If you do not know the history behind Liberia, please look it up. This young man is going to be a great leader one day. Probably even the President. Please think of him as you pray also.

Okay so what is up with all the prayer requests? I am out of the prayer closet. I pray. I love to pray. I am gifted with a desire to war for others, for nations, for cities for regions, against principalities. For my family. For my home and my patients. For the Glory of God on the Earth and in people. SO while you are at it pray for me! Our women's retreat is not much of a retreat. There is never any pedicure time. It is all about getting rid of stuff and intimacy with Jesus Christ.

Nash ran his first 5K on Saturday, that has to be the coolest thing my eight year old has ever done athletically. One, because he came in 5th in the under 12 category and he is EIGHT! Two because it inspired and encouraged me to be a fit mom. I am running with him next year. I have been trying to convince Mayor Hawk to do a 5K in CLyde. - That would be cool! It is a walk run in Abilene, Moms and Dads with kids in strollers, all shapes and sizes of people. Even the old guys with short shorts and no shirts were there. Yay.

Bella is ridiculously older looking. We went to the Rangers game on Saturday. I just do not like her looking so mature. God help us- yes another prayer!


I am too tired to talk about the Taste of Abilene or my fantastic new job. I will have to do a part two. I have got to sleep some.

Shadow of the blinds
a lady in the cloth
she smiles
in the curved lips of the sun's afternoon light
blue rhythms on green curtains
a mild avocado shade
delicately offering love
no mocking today
the rot of the apple cored
one bad spot
does not spoil the whole
of your soul
the pain of the carve
does bring sweetness after the yield of the cut
one seed
saved
one seed
prayed
one seed
paved
one love
founded in truth
salvation
redemption
temptation captivated
for realization of


everlasting rhythms
of movement
in loving


trishtrueblood april0508

How to build community

I found this post card in Santa Fe thought some of you might appreciate.


Turn off your TV
Leave your house
Know your neighbors
Greet people
Look up when you are walking
Sit on your stoop
Plant flowers
Use your library
Play together
Buy from local merchants
Share what you have
Help a lost dog
Take children to the park
Honor Elders
Support neighborhood schools
Fix it ieven if you didn't break it
Have pot lucks
Garden together
Pick Up litter
Read stories outloud
Dance in the street
Talk to the mail carrier
listen to the birds
Put up a swing
Carry something heavy
Barter for your goods
Start a tradition
Ask a question
Hire young people for odd jobs
Organize a block party
Bake extra and share
Ask for help when you need it
Open your shades
Sing together
Share your skills
Take back the night
Turn up the music
Turn down the music
Listen before you react to anger
Mediate a conflict
Seek to understand
Learn from new and uncomfortable situations
Know that no one is silent though many are not heard
Work to change this.


Text by members of SCW community (Syracuse cultural workers)www.syrculturalworkers.com

Things that make you go hmmmm

I am still employed.
It is interesting that this coveted position I so desperately thought I wanted has turned into such a hard situation. It has revealed many areas of my shortcomings. I can't really say too many specifics, just trust me.

Joel is going to be 40! so save the date- party at the Warehouse- Friday March 14th 7:00 pm live music, food, fun. Bring something to roast him with!

I am getting the feeling God is releasing me from my current situation as my life is sort of falling apart outside of work and in desperate need of my attention.

MIa will be moving into her own apartment on March 7th. It was not the- I am crying country song about a daughter leaving with front porch swings and driving away. I guess everyone gets out of the nest in their own way. I just pray for protection and prosperity all the days of her life.

I want my own clinic- not so much my own- but a people's clinic. I want my patient's to have somewhere to go when I leave. I feel like I do a good job. I care. But I can't pay their bills and my bills- I dream of change for people that do not have insurance- God use me in this, so pray for vision and provision to move toward a people's clinic. Now I am not talking about people that can afford to pay, but expect to be "blessed" but people that really don't have it. I paid and am still paying for my education. If you could contribute to the clinic costs, you should- thus sliding scale.

My "baby" is hard work. I have to get him in puppy class. His name is King Midas by the way.

Our fundraiser for single parent families is April 19th another date I would like you to save. Also please get your crafts for donation ready. We will have a silent and live auction for some big ticket items. Leah has promised to make some jewelry for me so get ready ladies!

Have a great day and pray for me I got this report back that basically points toward Lupus. Systemic Lupus Erythematous- google it. I hurt alot but I don't really believe it.

" Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world."

Busy in America

Okay so American busy is different from Cambodian busy. But it still feels busy to me. I miss you guys.
Someone gave me a line to reply to people when they ask how you are." Living the dream!"

I think maybe if I say it enough- I might believe it. I love what I do . I love seeing patients. But I MISS being home. One day I can do both. God will give me the perfect hours and perfect job. I do feel as if this is training for that time.

"For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared." Proverbs 3:26

connect the thoughts

ENTPs are idea people. Their perceptive abilities cause them to see possibilities everywhere. They get excited and enthusiastic about their ideas, and are able to spread their enthusiasm to others. In this way, they get the support that they need to fulfill their visions"
- Portrait of an ENTP (The Personality Page)

"It is so natural for these individuals to practice devising gadgets and mechanisms, that they start doing it even as young children. And they get such a kick out of it that they really never stop exercising their inventive bent"
- The Portrait of the Inventor Rational (Keirsey)

"ENTPs are usually verbally as well as cerebrally quick, and generally love to argue--both for its own sake, and to show off their often-impressive skills... argument as a sport."
- ENTP Profile (TypeLogic)
"ENTPs contribute an innovative, versatile, and enterprising approach to work. They view limitations as challenges to be overcome and look for new ways to do things. They need to find a niche for themselves in order to be free to maneuver. They prefer the start-up phase of a project rather than the followthrough or maintenance phase. Once the project is designed, they prefer to turn it over to someone else."
- ENTP - The Innovator (Lifexplore)

"...attention seeking, experience junky, insensitive, adaptable, not easily offended, messy, carefree, dangerous, fearless, careless..."
- Jung Type Descriptions (ENTP) (similarminds.com)
Famous ENTPs

Real ENTP People

Alexander the Great - king, military commander Gotta love this one!
Alfred Hitchcock - filmmaker (The Birds)
Celine Dion - singer
David Spade - actor, comedian
George Carlin - comedian, actor, author
James A. Garfield - American President
John Adams - American President
John Candy - comedian, actor
Julia Child - chef, author, TV personality Joel might appreciate this one.
Lewis Carrol - author (Alice in Wonderland)
Marilyn Vos Savant - author, lecturer, playwright
Matthew Perry - actor (Friends)

Nikola Tesla - inventor, physicist, engineer
Richard Feynman - physicist
Rodney Dangerfield - comedian, actor
Rutherford B. Hayes - American President
Sir Walter Raleigh - writer, poet, explorer
Suzanne Pleshette - actress
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt - American President
Thomas Edison - inventor
Tom Hanks - actor I can't believe I have a similar personality to Tom!
Valerie Harper - actress
Walt Disney - filmmaker, entrepreneur
Weird Al Yankovic - musician (satire/parody) Okay- this is funny.

Hey take this test, I want to see what you guys and gals are.

My new baby!

Single Parent Ministry

We had a GREAT life group! We had so much fun. Stevie B joined our group. It was a cut up. Our focus this semester is Singles- mostly single parent families. But anyone is welcome. We are trying to figure what the "church" looks like when we do what we are supposed to do. Take care of each other. We decided it will be called SPM. We will have a supermanish logo. Our slogan might be, SPM, it is better than PMS! Would that be too ridiculous? We might even go cheesy and make a video commercials, I don't want to give too much away but it is going to be good.

This is a sneak preview of the assessment tool. Just to try to figure out what the needs are. We want to give out tool boxes to moms and teach them how to use them, we want to give first aid classes, cooking classes, pay medical bills, treat babysitting with certified babysitters, etc. I am excited. We are hoping to have a fundraiser at the church in March with permission. Hopefully it will rock. Live music, good food auction items for our cause to move forward.
If you know of anyone that might donate a item for auction please let us know.

Candle for Miles

Hey all, I have a favor to ask. I have this amazing friend. She is the encourager of encouragers. She is the most amazing mother to a son that has not yet been healed of physcial ailments caused by a near death experience. Her son is in the hospital, he is getting well. Please keep praying for complete healing with all of the faith you can fathom. In the meantime, until he rises up from his situation, burn an online candle for him. Please post a picture of a candle on your blog or just agree with me today. I just want to show her how much I love her.

Here is to Miles complete restoration.

Mia

(This is Mia with her short wig on- one of the many fun things she likes to do. She was in a play and had to wear this wig, but don't you think she looks cute with short hair?)

SO, lots has been going on. Some things I can talk about here some not. Crisis #? Mia left for San Antonio yesterday. She will be finishing high school in San Antonio. Interesting that I moved my senior year in HS to San Antonio, but I was moving back in with my mom so I would not have to pay bills the rest of my senior year. Hmmm, long story. I had a kind of bad day until I knew she got there. My mom was trying to meet her by Comfort (town close to Frederiscksburg). Mia, however, went all the way to her house in San Antonio. Meanwhile, in the fog and the rain, we were panicking, just a little. Okay, more than that. Weather was bad on the way down. Anyway. It was a rough day. And a rough night. As it is three AM and here I sit. I know, I have prayed pretty much without ceasing, except I am blogging.

Work is better in many ways, still hard in others. I am learning a lot. I suspect I would in any place I worked. But I really am beginning to like my doctor. He is odd, funny, intelligent,one of those MENSA types. It is good brain food.

I am still working on research and Medicare stuff. It pretty much sucks and I can't wait to give it away.

Joel is getting busier, Erica is still helping him, thank you thank you thank you. PLEASE DON'T QUIT. If you would like to suscribe to the Tru Blu Newsletter, email us at trublucatering@mac.com. It is beautiful piece that is evolving to include, a wine article and recipe and general goings on at Tru Blu.

Wednesday is our first life group of the semester. If we had known Fran was having one, we might have just quit ours and gone on over. But I guess not the plan of God. We are focusing on single parents. We have four single parents with 2-3 kids each. Pray for us. We are excited about the implementation of God's blueprints in this area.


I guess I should try to rest a couple of hours. I have a very busy day ahead of me.

Cancer Humor?

Okay, so this end of life stage has been quite eye opening. Conversation like this....
"Where is the doctor?" cancer patient
"He's not here." me
"l need to go to the hospital." c p
"Okay, I will start the orders." me
She said, "I didn't know you had so much power."
I assessed and interviewed her, as well as her husband.
As I am walking out the door, her husband looks at me and says," I guess sex is out of the question tonight?"
I said, "Your goanna have to ask her!"

And they say kids say the darndest things!

Timeless

His unshaven face, weathered
Slumped in the wheelchair
The wind from his sail gone
The clock ticked as the papers rustled in his chart
His wife passed only 18 months ago
He loved her very much you know
He cannot live without her
He dare not drink
He dare not eat
The cancer can ravage his broken body
He is broken
Only half the man he used to be
She was the other half
How do you walk?
How do you talk?
How do you live?
Half a body without love
You can almost see the years of love in his old blue eyes
He turns his head and looks in your eyes
You share the common knowledge of knowing true love
The kind that forgives all things
The kind that bears all things
The kind that joins two as one
How many mornings did they share?
How many nights did they spoon until sleep set?
How many times did he run his fingers on her bare skin?
Young tan skin to weathered covering of the beauty within
I love you
I can't live without you
He turns his head after that one deep look into my eyes
I understand
I have a love too
In youth love is timeless
Timeless is a season
Try to eat a little, okay?
Goodbye now
Call me if you need anything....
He is wheeled down the florescent hall
To the end
May the wind of peace be upon him
As he sails in the face of death



trishtrueblood

In the Shadow of Plenty

This year I would like to actually get somewhere spiritually. Last year was about finishing something I had started. Then starting something new. These were desires God was faithful in giving me. But they were not 100% dedicated to the Lover. I would like to say they were. I am seeing some things very differently right now.
I feel this year is the year to be obedient. This year is to draw nearer than ever to my God. To stop feeling sad or mad or disappointed or tired. To just start moving the direction of the Spirit of God- wherever that may lead. Jobs really hinder the free form of the Spirit unless the Spirit actually gives you a job/task.
I figured something out that might seem very basic to many of you. Questioning and wondering as necessary I feel it is, is a hindrance to the relationship of a believer. It may allow for strengthening at the end, but it causes a loss of momentum in the present walk. In addition, the longer one takes his/her eyes off of the Lover, fleshly responses become more exaggerated. Emotional lows, anger and bitterness thrive in the face of doubt. Children do not understand a waffle other than eating it. Stand firm. That is scripture, despite doubt. It produces fruit in children. There is security of the spirit in parents that are oak trees. Kids can climb and play and rest in the shade. This year I declare strength in firm stance. Faith like never before. Stability of mind, will and emotion. I was watching "Strong Man" on TV, I could see some with smaller muscles and stronger stance carry more weight for a longer period. I looked over at the husband and suddenly became an expert in the judging of the competion. He laughed, but agreed. If you can plant firmly, you can endure and perservere. Faith, Peace, Love, Hope and Joy abundant. I pray this for you and me.
Joel and I are reading this book


It is amazing. It has given us the kick in the teeth we have needed to get serious about our role in this life. I will give you more details later. B- we can't wait for your return. If you have not read this, put it on your short list. Anyway, gotta go, lots to do.