Cabela's - a sportsperson's mecca

Today our car mysteriously headed towards Cabela's in Lacey. I have noticed this phenomenon often in the past.


There is a Cabela's airplane hanging from the roof near the entrance.


We saw lions and bears, oh my! The tigers were missing because they are endangered.


I preferred the living animals. There are all sort of game fish in the walk through aquarium underneath the stairs. By the way Jay, the fishing section takes up most of the main floor!

Not sure why there is a sculpture of a man canoeing hanging from the roof.

This can't be a bald eagle perching above the stairs, can it?

The first week of Advent already

Had a great Christmas at Thanksgiving with Dekkers from Yakima, Cousin Diana from London, John and family from LA and the local Requas as well.

Can't beleive that it's officially the Christmas season now. Very interesting reading at church this morning from Jeremiah which predicts Jesus' coming:

Jeremiah 33:14-16

The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah. In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land. In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure: this is what they shall call her: "The Lord our justice."

Happy Thanksgiving quotes

From Dear Abby:

Oh, Heavenly Father,
We thank thee for food and remember the hungry.
We thank thee for health and remember the sick.
We thank thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service, that thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen

From Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation:

It is more than good at this time to be reminded that this day was set aside to thank the Lord for what He has done on behalf of our nation, as well as personally, and to repent with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience.

May the Lord in His great mercy, pour out His Spirit upon you, your families, His church, and this nation this Thanksgiving Day.

Tis the season already?

Passed this car on our walk to Everett Station tonight. Must be thousands of Christmas lights on it. Think I saw a Christmas tree made of lights on top. Fun!

Wonder what the weather is like out there

Happened to go to the NASA website today for the first time. While we have been having a cold and rainy Saturday (after a cold and rainy week), the second space walk at the International Space Station was taking place. Don't often hear much about the space program so think I will go to NASA website more often. Saw pictures of the Mars surface taken by the rover also. Cool!

Sunday PM - Saw an update that astronaut Resnick just became a father while he was working. I'm sure he wishes he could be there but what a great family story to hand down for generations! Cigars all around in space!

Book Club meeting for November

Had a wonderful visit last evening with the awesome book club dudettes. We missed Carol, Pat and Laurie. We got so organized! We now have a phone number list and a birthday list. Thanks Jan.

I had the opportunity to meet Kathleen's son Jonathan and wish him a Happy Veterans Day. So happy that he is back safe and so proud of him. Know his mom is too!

We discussed the book of the month Water for Elephants a bit, but the conversation kept turning to other topics. That's one of the things I love about book club!

We planned future book club choices through March. I am putting them on the list which is on the right lower section of this blog. I am also going to start a suggested book section since we had so many great ideas yesterday which we will put in reserve for future reading.

Book club ladies rock!

Remembering John Nelson, PLU coach

My friend and co-worker Michelle has a son on the football team at Pacific Lutheran University. She has been sharing stories frequently about how awesome it is to be a part of Lute football. Sounds like they really are concerned about inspiring the young men to be the best Christian adults they can be.

Nellie the movie is the story of John Nelson, a man afflicted with a bone fusing disability. Nellie suffered terribly in his life but the end of his life was spent joyfully, helping the PLU football team, and helping the young men on the football team learn important lessons as they helped him with everyday tasks.

Recently borrowed the movie from Michelle. I think what really hit home with me was that Nellie was one person who definitely knew God's plan for his life. He was there to help the football team, on the field, but more importantly to teach them about life off the field.

Very proud of niece Brit's cool school!



Here's a quote from the memorial service: “Nellie always said ‘I want to play football someday, and I’ll play when I get to heaven,’” Westering told the crowd. “I’ll close with one last thing. Nellie, you’re in the game.”

Appropriate bible verse for today, I think

“And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.” (Ephesians 1:9-10) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica

His will really is a mystery. Taking my recent challenge of the flu :( as a chance to slow down and listen to His word. How can God talk to you if you are always running, hurrying, talking etc.?

Writing the earlier part of this post reminded me of my favorite bible passage of all time:

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

A very reassuring and loving verse I think. It means so much to me that I had Jer 29:11 a dove and an olive branch tatooed on my ankle this August. Maybe weird but I am so glad I did that.

By the way, does anyone else wish God handed out an "instruction manual" with His plan for our lives??!!

Sorry Emily - I "borrowed" your halloween picture

Jim's sister in Missouri sent this picture of Mac with all 5 of the great-grandchildren. What an awesome picture! I hear he got to trick or treat with the kids. We feel so blessed that Jim's dad is getting great family time like that.