One Last Look...

Before I say goodbye to 2011, I have to indulge myself in one last look back... Here are are a few of my favorite photos that represent some of my stand-out moments from 2011.

On a lighter note,  we added some furry creatures to Swanson Acres.  This is one of two bunnies that Abel brought home last summer--Cookie Dough.  This little guy has provided endless frustration by his numerous and unexplained escape tricks.  It's a miracle he's not been gobbled up by coyotes, since we often find him out in the middle of street or in the neighbors back yard after a night of bunny revels. His partner in crime (un-pictured) has been officially re-named Houdini by Abel.  

Family.  We had some fun visits with the cousins this year.  Laura and Ben came down for a Santa Barbara weekend and we got to have some beach time with the two of them.

 

We were so excited to meet Sophia for the first time in San Francisco! (left)

Our newest nephew was born Feb. 17th!  

Isaiah Johnson

Nizi and Isaiah on Dec. 31

Injuries.  Ciza's head concussion in March was a setback, and then he injured his ankle during the first week of practice in August.  He missed the entire football season this year.  A big disappointment for this young athlete.

On Alcatraz Island

Family Time. 
 

Together as family, we visited San Francisco

We frequented Universal Studios this year 

with our season passes.

My boys love the water!

Two weeks of togetherness in Hawaii.  Ahhh.  

The year's highlight.

Dale's mission trip to Haiti 

was an adventure that I missed this year.

Personal Challenges.  I had two challenges this year that represented something of my personal growth.  Our R.E.A.L Women's retreat in Sept. that I planned, organized, and presided over was a significant breakthrough for me.  This was way out of my comfort zone...

The feature article I wrote for Foursquare's publication was a 2nd challenge that I accomplished.  Reaching the Next Generation

Anniversary.  22 years of happiness...

and counting.

There is so much more.  These snapshots don't even begin to capture all the more subtle, personal, "inside" things that more truly represented my journey in 2011. But now, I'm determined to start the new year off on the right path!  In the words of Andy Stanley in his book, The Principle of the Path, I am re-inspired to commit myself to traveling with “direction, not intention” in 2012.

Traveling At a High Rate of Speed

What do Susan Boyle and yellow angry birds have in common?  They are both icons that have inspired me in 2011. 

A year ago, in January, I felt God impress upon me a challenge for 2011--to "travel at a high rate of speed."  In my mind's eye, I captured a picture of those yellow angry birds, hurtling through the air in a slow arc, until with one tap of a finger, they charge toward their mark with amazing velocity and power.  

Then half way through the year,  I ran across a video of Susan Boyle. I may have been the only person in America who didn’t know who Susan Boyle was.  That happens to me sometimes—I stumble across an icon who is popular in the mainstream of culture, only to realize that I’ve been obliviously unaware of something that has captured the attention of everyone around me.  But, now, I've watched Susan Boyle's audition on Britain’s Got Talent dozens of times.  I’m in love with the story of Susan Boyle.  She has represented for me something important that God's been working in my life in 2011. It  comes from Philippians 3:14.  Paul encourages, 

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

I press on... I strain forward… I forget what is behind… I strain forward to what is ahead… I hold true to what I have attained. In other words, the apostle Paul says, my pursuit of holiness is active and passionate: I desire to be more like Jesus Christ, and I press on to attain that.’

The Greek word dioko, "press on,"  means "hasten, run, press on"  This is the same word which elsewhere is translated "persecute, run after, pursue." It implies a kind of dogged persistency and urgency

Susan Boyle is a visual picture of that kind of living.  She is a woman who was not attractive according to the world’s values.  She was perceived as quirky among those who would judge by more sophisticated standards, yet…she is a woman who bravely strained forward.  She took a risk.  In front of a crowd full of strangers who are laughing at her, she accelerated her speed.  I don’t know anything about Susan Boyle’s level of faith, but regardless, she is one of my new heroes.

For all of 2011, I've had a strong sense of God, standing before me, urging me forward, cheering me on, calling me to stretch myself and build endurance in my faith, but it’s always my move.  I always have a choice to run forward with confidence or not.   

 

Angry Birds and Susan Boyle have both served as potent reminders to me in 2011 that I can run the race at a high rate of speed and with confidence—confidence that he who began a good work in me will be faithful to bring it to completion; confidence that I can approach His throne of grace (Heb. 10:19); confidence in my approach to others (Hebrews 13:6); confidence, that just like an underrated Susan Boyle, I am responsible to use whatever gift I have received to serve others, as a faithful steward of God’s grace (1 Peter 4:10), believing that He who began a good work in me will bring it to fruition!   And just like Susan Boyle, I can stun the world with the deposit that God has entrusted to me (2 Tim 1:14).  Not me, but Christ in me, “so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”  (I Peter 4:11)

Sun Cooking

Thanks to some inspiration from Kate and Phil, I am now the owner of this awesome solar oven!

Lentils are cooking away....

My first full fledged meal that I cooked this week in my new oven was this Lentil Stew:

Sun Oven Lentil Stew

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
3 cups celery root, peeled and chopped
2 cups rutabaga, peeled and chopped
1 pound brown lentils, picked over and rinsed
1 tablespoon herbes de Provence
8 cups vegetable broth
1 bunch kale, ribs removed, leaves coarsely chopped

Preparation
Set Global Sun Oven out to preheat. Remove the leveling tray and place a rack or trivet on the floor of the cooking chamber.
Heat the oil in a large (6 quart) light weight, dark pot. Add the onion, carrots, celery root, and rutabaga; sauté until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lentils and herbes de Provence. Add broth and kale. Cover and transfer pot to the Sun Oven. Cook until the lentils are tender, about 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Makes 8 servings.


Instead of herbes de Provence (what are those anyway?) I threw in some cumin (my favorite spice) and oregano, along with some cinnamon and salt and pepper.  With the low winter sun, my oven isn't heating up over 250 degrees, so after cooking for 4 hours, I had to bring the pot inside and finish it up in the oven, but it was delicious, non the less.  Abel has dubbed my oven as "mom's toy."  And  he's right--this is going to be a fun thing to play with all year long. 

A Christmas re-Cap

Christmas, Santa Barbara style.

As 2011 comes to a close, and the flurry of December activities is almost over, I am finally finding time to record an update of all our  activities this month.

We began the month of December with our 2nd annual neighborhood Christmas tree lighting ceremony and outdoor concert at our church.  This was a wonderful way to say Merry Christmas to all our neighbors and usher in the truest meaning of Christmas.

Next,  I put all my energy into our annual ladie's Christmas brunch, which turned out beautifully.

Before

After

And then my birthday!   Dale took me to the Four Seasons Biltmore for a delicious lobster and seafood buffet.  Yum! 

Our December did include a couple quiet nights by the fire--my favorite times this month.

And a few sunny beach walks.

And the culmination was a beautiful Christmas morning at the Mission

Two Pastors--Same Address

Swanson Acres

Van Bogelen's Turf

Today, our good friends and new fellow staff members at church are moving in--across the street.  We recently hired Chris to join us on staff at New Life Church, and as part of the transition, their family wanted to find a new (lower rent) home.  That new place just happened to be across the street--caddy corner from Swanson Acres!  We are super excited for us and for them.  Our kids are already loving the close proximity and convenience of living on the same street. How odd and hilarious-- both pastors at New Life Church now share the same street address.

Forget Thanksgivng. It's All About Christmas

At least according to Abel.  He told me last week, "Mom, I'm more of a Christmas guy."  He's been talking about Christmas since before Halloween.  From the moment school let out on Tues. this week, he's been hounding me to get out the Christmas decorations and start working on putting up lights around our house.  His own room is already decked out with colorful lights and his small artificial tree and ornaments.

And today Abel started his first job--at a Christmas tree lot.  He'll get his fill of Christmas trees--8 hours worth!  He had to be at the lot today bright and early, and will spend all day moving trees and helping customers.  He's very excited.  And nervous.  Dale and I put the fear of God (or his boss) in him this week. Abel's parting comment this morning:  I will move ANYTHING or GET FIRED! He's taking his job seriously. ;-)  Ciza will be working at the same lot. His first day is actually tomorrow.   He's a wise boss who scheduled two brothers on separate shifts. 

First day on the new job

Growing Up

That little boy in blue and yellow airplane pajamas is nearly all grown up.  Last weekend he dressed up in his fancy digs and my handsome young man went to his first high school Homecoming dance.  Ciza wasn't too impressed with this milestone.  He told me his reason for going--curiosity.  His future plan--wait until senior prom to attend another school dance.  That's just fine by me.  I'm in no hurry to have my boy grow up.