It has been some time since I have posted anything. My how time does get away from us. This past year has seen me get a little fatter, maybe a little lazier, and a little less hair. Now on the positive side, in this past year I have grown in the importance of keeping ones mouth shut most of the time, and listening constructively. It is surprising what one can learn when you truly decide to listen to what others have to say, and listening does take less energy than talking does. Have I smartened up or what. Glory! I do love my Savior and all his wonderful blessings. I guess I am rambling here just trying to maybe begin blogging again. Love ya all......ochoco

Once again a friend of ours brings home some bad news from an appointment with his doctor. Melanoma has surfaced on his nose once more. He has had several surgeries already on his face and ears and once before on his nose. My heart goes out too him and his wife, and the news will weigh heavy on it when it comes back. I to am a cancer survivor.....for now. I do not know why (I suspect only by the grace of God) when I first was told I had cancer it did not have some kind of terrible negative effect on me, neither did it have any really bad effect on me the second time around. But this news is bringing with it a heavyness that is almost foreign to me. It is becoming more evident to me all the time that as we grow older we become much more caring of others and less involved in ourselves. Is that God working in our lives, or just time wearing us down? One thing has become clearer to me however, God is always there, He does listen to our prayers, and He does care. So for this friend and all those out there that are battling cancer also....I pray God's loving hands upon you and may you always feel His love in your heart. ochoco

Wow what a different feel the air has, and seems like just last week we were close to 100 degrees. Won't be long and once again the leaves on our beautiful green trees will begin to change into their Fall clothing. I prefer the warmth of Summer over the chills of Fall and Winter, but I do realize that for some the up coming seasons are the greatest. And I have to admit that its mighty hard to beat "mother natures" beautiful Fall colors and her Winter coats of white. Remember to tell your children that while the frost on the mailbox is a tempting site....do not attempt to lick it off! But if they do, your local fire department has alot of experience separating children from frosty mailboxes. May the Father of our Universe richly bless you and yours....ochoco

A long, long time ago as a little boy growing up amongst those that had made a decision to leave the "dust bowl" area, life was good. We had a roof over our head, good home cooked food to eat, and solid Christian instructions to live by. Life back then was great for this mostly barefoot coverall wearing kid. Having the normal amount of curiosity, I enjoyed playing around the railroad tracks searching for what ever little treasures I could find. To find a piece of railroad flare was a treat, and once in awhile to find one that had not yet been torched was a real treasure. Wondering where these "choo choo trains" were headed was a constant question in my mind with the passing of each one of them. Yep life back then was good. I think that wondering where these trains were always going is probably what gave me that "born under a wandering star" part of my personality. Like the bear that went over the mountain to see what he could see.....thats me. I think being tied to a bunch of God fearing "dust bowlers" is the only thing that kept me from rolling along like a tumble weed with no barbed wire fences to get hung up on. So I thank you my Father in Heaven for the barbed wire fences you have put in my life, and the "okies" that raised me up till I was big enough to roll along on my own.

How many of you have logged personal time with a person that has given up on life? In some cases, outwardly they appear to be right on track. While inside, their is a vacant dark place that has a terrible grip on them. And I have seen more than one that has allowed this black hole to completely envelope them and pull them down to a point of no return. To love a person that has such a thing going on with them is not enough. Engaging them in an effort to steer them away from their destructive behavior can be a very frustrating experience to say the least. Personally I believe the best approach to dealing with such an individual is to not forget your prayers for them, maintaining a position of acceptance, letting go, and realizing that their is but one God and he is watching and in control. How will it all turn out...we shall know that by living life "one day at a time."