BITTERSWEET

Let's start with the sweet, shall we?


Today is my mom's birthday! And as I said on my Face book page, she doesn't seem to be slowing down at all!  (Yesterday was my sister's birthday - yeah, she was mom's little early birthday present!) We had a special day at church yesterday to both celebrate mom's sixty ninth birthday and to honor and thank her for being our pastor's wife. She was totally surprised which is what we were going after! As two of my little guys from our Children's Church class escorted her to the platform, she was weeping emotionally; then wept while on stage with the children as they sang to her; then wept some more while the kiddos presented her a huge poster board sized card they made for her; then continued weeping as her favorite soloists sang her favorite hymns/songs. After service, we had dinner on the grounds! (yep! We're good baptists and in the south! The only thing missing was the pimiento cheese! Hint, Hint Missy Bowden!)


Some things you should know about my mom:
*She loves God
*She loves my dad
*She loves hard work
*She has more energy than anyone else in our church
*She loves to organize other's homes
*She has been a faithful wife to a pastor
*She has moved all over the United States of America, alot
 (see point above!)
*She enjoys being invited to speak at ladies meetings
*She loves cooking for Ron and Ellie Kennedy
*She misses her great grand daughters beyond measure
 (they live in Paraguay)
*She misses her baby boy John, who lives and works in W.V.
*She still works full time
*She runs circles around me!
*She loves visiting with people
*She is very hospitable


Now just a few photos from yesterday---
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A few of my students from Children's Church presented their pastor's wife with a huge birthday card
 then sang Happy Birthday to her!
( Have I mentioned she wept?)

Sarah presented mom with a beautifully handmade scrapbook and a pretty bag full of birthday cards.

Tim confirms that this is indeed a special service to honor mom.

Some of my girls listening to Miss Stephanie sing.
(Steph is my teaching assistant.)

It was a blessing to our church family to see Becky Foust at services yesterday. She asked me to thank everyone for their prayers for her last week after an attack from a Chow Chow. The surgeon did an amazing job closing the tear in her face. A muscle inside also had to be repaired.

The pretty roses presented to mom yesterday.

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A closeup of the scrapbook and card bags presented to mom.

 Below, a tiny clip of Stephanie singing. I cut it short. I was sitting further back than usual and wasn't sure how well my camera was capturing her pretty voice.

Now, for the Bitter part of this post:


I was saddened to awake this morning to news of my niece Jackie experiencing a miscarriage this weekend. I had just recently blogged about her here. We rest in the grace of our Sovereign God who cares for each of us and knows what is best. Jackie and Brian are experiencing that amazing grace through this difficult time and rest in the fact of meeting their baby in Heaven.

Photo Montage for My Li'l Sister's Birthday!

THANK YOU GOD FOR BLESSING ME WITH A GOOD SISTER,
ONE WHO IS WILLING TO LISTEN!

I wish I could tell my little sister "Happy Birthday" in person, but since she lives on another planet continent, I won't be able to do that. So in honor of her birthday, please indulge me in posting this photo montage for her. We have shared many happy memories, she and I! Of course, some not so happy. Such is life. But for today, we will dwell on the happy ones! :)

I'm happy she has family members near her who will see to making her special day memorable. When I turned FIFTY (did I just say that out loud?) she surprised me and flew to the states. She showed up at a school reunion I was at. I was called out to the parking lot. In the parking lot, I saw a HUGE box with a tag which read "To Pam, special delivery". I opened up that box and guess what popped out? a red headed sister!!!  My sister, who is very claustrophobic, sat on a chair, inside a huge box for quite a long time waiting for me to get out to the parking lot! Now that is sisterly love if ever I saw it! You can look at photos of that spectacle here or watch the joy of the moment  here!

Now an' ad nauseum' collection of photos in no particular order because Blogger likes doing that to me when I upload!

My sister and I while living in Mexico
(and little Jackie Jo too!)

My sister and I in the refrigerator, er I mean AT the refrigerator @ my house in Wesley Chapel, FL.
(We were planning and prepping for her soon to be daughter in law's bridal shower that evening!)

My sis entertaining  Georgianne and eating @ my house in Wesley Chapel, FL
She might kill me for this one!

Oh, these are all of our munchkins, several years ago. We both LOVE our kiddos!
Smyrna Baptist Church, Tampa, Florida

My sister at her son's wedding. (Doesn't she look lovely?)
She is playing with Abigail, one of her grand-daughters.
Condo @ Lake Tahoe, California

My sister with her 4 children, new daughter in law, grand baby, and hubby @
Lake Tahoe

My sister and ... oh wait, I don't see her in this photo, but I do see most of our kiddos and both of our husbands in it! :)
and our little brother Johnny down on the end showing off his arms!
Family Reunion @ Uncle Mack's "property" - ahem - West Virginia!

AW!! My sister and I just a few years ago! RIGHT!
 Fortuna, California

My sister, mommy, and I in our humble little house in Fortuna,California.

My sister on Christmas morning at our house in Arcadia, Florida.
(oh how I'd love to have that big farmhouse now! What I could do with it!)

My sister, in our yard (orange grove) Hillsboro Ave. Arcadia, Florida with one of our many pets over the years.
She always was the pet lover of the family!

My sister in middle school.
Aren't her freckles cute?
I'm not sure where we lived at this point in time. Our dad was in ministry, so we moved - ALOT!

My sister with friends Kim and Jessica at summer camp @
 the Bill Rice Ranch, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

My sister after high school graduation. I think she was actually teaching kindergarten at Arcadia Christian Center.
Isn't she pretty?

My sister on McDonald's playground in Arcadia, Florida with one of my students from Port
Charlotte who was spending the weekend with us. (Rita, do you remember Chrissy Zeeman?)

LOL! My sister and THE ENTIRE RIFFE FAMILY!
(yeah, back in the day!! This was our prayer card we left at churches, reminding them to pray for us as we traveled to garner support to help send us to the mission field of Australia.

My sister and her hubby Clint.
This was their first prayer card as they planned to minister in Venezuela.
The lived in New Hampshire as newlyweds.

My sister in high school, Cambridge, Ohio

My sister and I weeks after she had given birth to baby Jayde. She is holding an album I made for her.
@ our parent's home, Tampa, Florida

One last word for my little sister:

REMEMBER:

 and I love you very much.

Happy Birthday Rita!

P.S. -  the post I did yesterday was about her daughter, Jackie.

"My Dad, the Doctor"

Okay, so I want everyone to meet my niece Jackie! She is ah-may-zing!!! You really should check out her blog, Keepin' Sane.

Her talent and creativity with words and photography will pull you into her daily life in Paraguay, South America.

She recently posted the following story on her blog about a childhood memory of when she lived in the Amazon Jungle with her missionary family. The story brought a smile to my face as I'm sure it will yours. Of course I wish you could meet all the people she mentions, then you would be able to visualize what I was able to visualize while reading it.

Now without further adieu, I give you Jackie and her story!

                                                                Meet Jackie!!!

                                              

                               This is Jackie with her two year old, Lexi

 

My Dad, the doctor.

(Author: Jackie Vernoy McCobb)

She asked if my dad was a doctor.

Uhm...yes, well, kinda...maybe? Sorta.

Hm...I'll just start at the beginning.
When I was eleven we moved from a big city in Venezuela, Barquisimeto its called, to a small Indian village named Chajurana. It was a two hour plane trip. Not a big plane, a small one engine 206 Cessna. Like a sardine can with wings. We arrived in the village and began the long process of settling in. The bats didn't like that we were taking over their outhouse. And of course we didn't like going to the outhouse by ourselves. So who ever had to "go" also had to convince a younger sibling to accompany them.
Josh - "Hey! Jewel! You want to go to the out house with me?"
Jewel- "No."
Josh - "It will be fun!"
Jewel- "No, it will stink. The out house smells weird."
Josh - "Please???"
Jewel - "Uh...no."
Josh - "Uhm...Jayde! You want to go the out house with me??"
Jayde- "AAAA!! I hate bats!!!" (as she's running away....)
You get the point. Well, one day, right at dusk, the Ye'kwana nurse came to get my dad. He told my dad they needed his help. A little boy had shot an arrow into his shoulder. Could my dad help the men get it out? My dad was ecstatic to help, he grabbed his flashlight, because his idea of "helping" was holding the flashlight so they could see better while they pulled the arrow out. Wrong.

When they got to the small, smokey little hut one of the men handed my dad a scalpel and said, "There you go." My dad asked them just what they thought he was supposed to do with a scalpel. "Pull the arrow out."
"I don't know how to pull the arrow out. You're the nurse!"
"Yeah, but you're the missionary."
"So....?"
"All missionaries have to do medical stuff." Of course this conversation did not take place in English, it supposedly took place in Yekwana, which my dad knew very little of at the time. So for all we know the conversation that really took place was...
"Pull the arrow out"
"Hi! How are you? What is your name?"
"What? I asked you to pull the arrow out. Here's the scalpel."
"We will be here for three months, and Jesus loves you."
"You missionaries get weirder and weirder."
Most of our early conversations in Yekwana went like that, and I must admit that my grasp of the language never really got past that point! ;-)
Long story short, my dad pulled the arrow out, and he was hooked. He loved medical work and went on to deliver babies,treat burns, stitch, pull teeth, etc. Just about anything you could think of, he could do. Of course his children did not put as much trust in him as the Ye'kwanas did. We were afraid to tell dad we had a toothache, cause he would want to pull it. Practice, he called it. We were not very excited about being his dental guinea pigs.
The Ye'kwana parents would threaten their kids..."If you don't behave, the missionary is going to give you a shot!" Ahh...the good old days. When penicillin could fix everything!

The End!



Jackie recently found out she is expecting baby #4. Enlarge this photo to read the sweet note she wrote her new baby!

Bonding

I'm so thankful for the relationship my husband has with his sons. He has been an active, hands on dad since day one!  I think it is so sweet to watch Shane and his dad refinish Shane's bedroom furniture together. It certainly has been some quality bonding time for the two of them as they have planned their days, shopped for materials, and worked on this project. It has taken a couple of weeks, as they only work on Agustin's day off. Shane has made practically all the decisions concerning his new room in this house.


Ideas of Shane's which we've used:

*use lime green/black/silver for decor
*refinish his existing furniture rather than buying new
*paint said furniture black
*attach new hardware
*chose contemporary brushed nickel handles
*picked out new brushed nickel lamps
*chose black lamp shades instead of white
*brushed nickel ceiling fan/light

Ideas of mine which we've used so far:

*purchase thermal draperies to block out some of this hot Florida sun! (his bedroom window gets full morning sun and by the afternoon his room is too warm to enjoy)
*use black floating shelves in lieu of a bulky two piece cabinet/bookshelf

I can't wait to get it all pulled together with lime green accessories. I promise, I will take pictures to share here!

FYI: This furniture has been in our family for many years. It was used throughout the childhood of my cousin's son, Ted. Ted grew up to be an Army Ranger. After returning from his tours in Iraq, Ted accepted a position as instructor at West Point!!! Yeah, awesome I know! :) After a few more years in Germany, Ted has now retired. We have used Ted's furniture for both of our sons. It has been an honor!

Here is the cabinet and bookshelf that is part of Shane's bedroom furniture. I'm going to steal use it in my kitchen I think.

This is one of the small drawers of the above shelf. Can you read what it says?  My cousin Ted must have been saving money to purchase a frog?? I just shared this photo on his Facebook page, asking him to indulge me by explaining. I think it's a nice little piece of his youth.

Back to Blogging Revival

Okay, day two of my "back to blogging" revival!!!

Great news today, the hubs got a text while at work which read: "Congratulations! The job is yours if you want it. Dave was impressed with you in the interview today. I'll call you tomorrow to talk about the money/benefits package."

I will tell you more about THE JOB if he decides to take it. He has been to three interviews for this new challenge. It really suits him.  For those of you who know my husband, here is a hint about the new opportunity - he can be on the beach daily!!! You all know how much he loves the sun and water! :


"Thank you Lord for your faithfulness which encourages us daily."

A Few of My Musings About...

this very blog - "Midnight Musings". To blog or not to blog-that seems to be the question. If I do continue this blog (or revive this blog!), I'm thinking no more mediocrity! I want to go beyond cutesy and family pictures. When I began this blog adventure, it was well before Facebook was known to me. Now that we all facebook,( because FACE it, FACEBOOK is so easy) I really don't need my blog to keep up with family on far away continents as was my original intention for starting this it. However, in my time of musing, I discovered I do desire a place to express myself in more detail. I think a blog is great for that. (ok, I just heard a my sons and a few of my nieces and nephews groan!) I feel this blogging is something I need in my life right now. Perhaps I need to fulfill that desire to have a record of my thoughts during this stage of my being! I need a record of all the many changes we are going through. I'd love to be able to write in long hand all the wonderful memories we are making and about all the changes in our lives, but with chronic pain and RA-well writing just isn't an option for me. I'll just type my musings here and if someone happens by to read those musings, then so be it. If not, I'll still have a journal of our lives! :)

I think I've pinpointed a couple of obstacles to my blogging.
1) I don't feel I have anything of interest to share. I mean...have you seen all the creative people out there? Hello!! I'm not one of those!
2) I also LOVE LOVE  comments! I fear I can't produce a blog style that will cause other bloggers to want to return.

Soooo... here is the conclusion to all my musings...I'm going to blog for ME!!! Oh and for my cousin Ron. He admitted to being a lurker!

Now... I'm off to visit some blogs!

Concord’s Justice, Greenway achieve WVIAC year-end awards

I wanted to share some good news today! So many blessings are being bestowed upon our family that I don't know which one to start with! Let me share this news of one of my cousins first.

Garin, your family members here in Florida are all so proud of you!! Job well done!

Concord’s Justice, Greenway achieve WVIAC year-end awards

Perfect for me tonight!
Thank you Lord for your Word.

Psalm 71:20-21



Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.

A Day Out With Kristin

One of my favorite days while in West Virginia this summer was the day I spent with Kristin. She drove me into Beckley where we got mani/pedis and ate at Texas Steakhouse. That evening, we met up with her grandparents at church for the last night of revival services. Kristin is a young lady desiring to be as close to her Savior as possible. She has a dynamic testimony for God, His  love, and protection. When visiting with Kristin, you sense a calmness and easiness about her.  I love you Kristin and would sure love another day out with you!


Delightful Kristin, my cheauffeur!


                                        

                    A beautiful drive to Beckley, West Virginia.

         .

This is the road to nowhere. Literally! the highway ended right here so we took a right turn. There is talk that the highway may be complete ONE DAY!

                                     

                                     I love the shaded, country highways!


A little coal camp we had to drive through.



You can see how the road was carved out of a rocky mountain!



Granny Susie Reincarnated??

While visiting in West Virginia this summer, I met this dear lady at one of the churches I attended. I have to ask all my Riffe cousins out there; do you see a resemblance to our Granny Susie in her younger days? Aunt Catty was the first to point it out. After my aunt introduced us, I knew I just had to have my picture taken with this lady. Shamefully, I can't even remember this sweet lady's  name right now, but I was thinking of my sister Rita and cousins Roy, Beki, Deb, and Ron when I asked for her picture. I knew you all would get a hoot out of it! Or am I way off base here? Maybe there is no resemblance at all!! Let me know what you think!

Surprising My Cousins at School

I'm re-living my early days of summer. Shane and I flew to West Virginia the first week of June. The day after our arrival there, my Aunt Phyllis and I drove to the local elementary school which is where both of my parents and most aunts and uncles attended back in the day! I loved walking through the halls and imagining my parents walking in those same hallways in years gone by. First we stopped by my cousin Alicia's first grade classroom. EMPTY! We then meandered down to another cousin's classroom, EMPTY! A few more steps down the hall revealed that most elementary children were outside on the playground, It was afterall, just two days before summer vacation was to start! Out the double glass doors we strolled, I with video camera ready. I just knew I'd see a few surprised reactions. In the video, you'll see them too. What a great memory for me to re-live!

                Cousins! I surprised Donna and Alicia by simply walking onto the school playground!

Some of Alicia's first grade students. They were the sweetest children I'd ever met!

Was Donna surprised???

SMILES ALL AROUND!

Dad's cochlear implant surgery this past Thursday went flawlessly. We are so thankful for all the prayers offered on his/our behalf. We've been through so many surgeries with dad that our trip to the hospital Thursday seemed like nothing more than a nice lunch out! (Well for mom and I. I'm sure dad has another opinion.) He was released to go home only two hours after the surgery. His biggest complaint now is the itching as the incision behind his ear heals. Praise God for that!

For now, Dad is deaf in his left ear. We can't really tell much of a difference because he only had 5% hearing left in it anyway pre-operation. He can still wear his digital hearing aids for the right hear which helps a tad. I think his last test revealed only 35% hearing in that ear.

Dad will be allowed time to heal, then phase two of the implant begins; attaching the outer device. We are all excited with the prospect of him being able to hear better and able to join in our conversations. He only hears roars in most social situations. This has caused him to withdraw quite a bit. If this left implant is successful, plans are in the works for the right hear to be done too.

We've been forewarned by the Dr. to be patient. It will take six months to a year for dad to start recognizing us by our new digital voices. Sounds of doors shutting, phones ringing will all be different to him now.

We have a wonderful God who is taking care of Dad, and us.

Enjoy the photos of his cute, new getup!

Pilot Jack!

Smiley Stickers were awarded for good behavior!

Thanks to some dear friends who brought over this delicious cake Saturday afternoon!

Shane's First Karate Lesson

Well, we're back from our 2 month long vacay in W.V. where Shane enrolled in Karate lessons. My cousin opened his school in the small town of my birth. We've had many wonderful experiences this summer. I'd like to share them with you here on my blog in small doses. I took photos ad nauseam (Latin for "to the point of nausea")!

For starters, I'm posting the below photos for family members who have been begging for pictures of Shane in his "Gi". So now I proudly present to you my handsome son, Shane Rios!

First Night of Class. Instruction on proper way to tie the belt.

Stretching.

Instructor G. Justice




Sensei Justice welcomes his cousin John.


Some of the head gear Shane looked forward to using.



Below, some of Shane's drills a couple of weeks into lessons.

(before earning his gold belt.)

Back to my Childhood

I'm in the mountains where I was born! Childhood memories are always stirred when I visit here. Memories such as the feeling of being accepted unconditionally. Memories of good ol' country homemade meals. Memories of having too many relatives to spend enough time with each of them!

There is a twofold reason for Shane and I being here. Shane is taking advantage of Karate lessons in the Dojo one of my cousins recently opened and I'm here visiting relatives. I also wanted Shane to spend some unrushed time here, breathing in the mountain air, walking on the railroad tracks, being loved on by some of the sweetest people I know.

I snuck off for five days and spent a most wonderful time at South Lake Holston in Tennessee. I really enjoyed my cousin's boat and reading in the middle of the lake while she sunbathed. Oh except for that day we RAIN BATHED!!! My Aunt Virgie, her daughter Alicia, and I got caught in a dreadful rainstorm, but pulled into a cove for some respite from the pelts of heavy rain. With the help of life jackets and beach towels, we actually found ourselves to be quite comfortable and shared many laughs and stories as we also hid under the cabin's awning. Alicia took some great video of us. Hopefully I can post it soon!

My husband and mother are to arrive in July just in time for the big annual family reunion.
I've taken loads of pictures but forgot to pack my cord to upload them on this particular computer. I'll be on the prowl for a way to upload at least some of them.

I hope you all are having a wonderful summer so far. I hope to check in again soon. Ta Ta for now!