The Stump

So now, the stump was taken out this morning.
I was the lucky one to watch the front desk this morning while they were doing this outside the front door. Everytime the door opened (it opens automatically as people get close to it) there was a dust and diesel fumes coming into the office. Oh joy, what a wonderful smell! (NOT!!)

All that remains is a pile of wood chips.
The front of the building looks really bare now.

On with our day! Happy Tuesday!

What's so fascinating about watching something destroyed

Today at work, a tree came down from out in front of our office building. All of us in the office were so fascinating with watching this big tree come down... branch by branch, log by log falling to the ground. Over the holiday weekend, we had some windy weather that apparently broke one of the longer branches, which was sitting atop our building... but still attached to the tree.

Apparently, they are taking the entire tree out due to rotting going on in the wood. We all figured they'd just trim the branches... not take out the entire tree.

It got me thinking... how we as humans, like to watch things being destroyed. Guyslove their car chase movies where there's a dozen or more cars that get totaled in a pile-up. Even I must confess, that I do enjoy watching bad guys get beat up in movies... especially if its a girl beatin' the guys up! That's Girl Power!! You go girl!!

There's that sense of justice being served when someone gets what they deserve. i.e. the times I've had drivers race pass me on the freeway, weave in & out of traffic, and I wonder... 'where is a copy when you need one?' (I'm sure that only happens in California, right??) :-) Then down the road a mile or two, I see them pulled over on the side of the road with cop behind them, writing them a ticket. That's sweet justice!

I'm so glad that God grants us the grace and compassion not to give us what we deserve. I'm reminded of the passage in the Bible that talks about us becoming a new creation - "the old has gone, and the new has come." In this Fall season, when the leaves are changing colors, and falling from their branches - and knowing that new ones will grow in it's place with colorful blooms come Spring time, I know this verse is so true! God cuts away our old past, our old sins, and renews us! Like a potter with his clay, God shapes us into something beautiful that He can use for His will.

So, in front of office, only a stump remains. In time, it will become a beautiful tree again, providing shade for us and will shelter us from the wind & rain. Until then, we watch it grow and sprout new life from its foundation which is grounded deep.

Has God been pruning you lately?

Counting My Blessings...

A favorite church hymn of mine says, "Count your blessings, name them one by one..", so I will.
First & foremost, I am thankful for:
God, my father
I am also thankful for (not in order of importance):
My wonderful husband, Troy
my family
my wonderful friends at home & all over the US -
--Theresa
--Malia
--Jennifer
--Thad
--Jim
--Megan
-- Kindra
-- Ellie
my health
my job
my home
my church
my music
--KLOVE
--Air 1
--KDUV 88.9 (Visalia, CA)
living in freedom
the Fresno State Bulldogs
Email
Internet
Myspace friends

and much, much more!

I pray that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and remind yourself of the many blessings you have. God Bless you all!

A Good-played game!

WE NEARLY BEAT THEM!!
Ok, so the Bulldogs did not win, but they did give USC a run for their money and it was really, really close!!!!

Final score: Fresno 42, USC 50.

The Bulldogs were ahead 21-13 at half time but the Trojans proved why they are the # 1 team by coming back in the 3rd & 4th quarters. USC has an incredible running back (to remain unamed) that our mighty defense just couldn't catch. I won't reveal his name because he's all the announcers could talk about and all who watched on tv pretty much got sick of hearing his name. We got the lead back late in the 4th quarter, but lost it again when USC got back-to-back touchdowns. A sold out crowd of over 90 thousand all cheered this incredibly exciting game.

We were the underdog, by far, by 23 points. Who knew that we (the FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS!!) could make USC work for their win and come as close to a one touch-down difference. Considering all who have played the 'mighty' Trojans have gotten blown away, I think it says a whole heck of a lot for our team that WE could nearly beat the # 1 team. It says a lot for our football program, our coaches, and our players.

Good game, boys! Always and forever, a Bulldog Fan!!

On to a new week.... a short week.... and Thanksgiving!
Have a blessed one!

The Next Big Game

Ok, so tomorrow is THE Day that all Bulldog fans have been waiting for.
The rematch of Fresno State vs. the No. 1 seated USC Trojans.
Not since the 1992 Freedom Bowl have these two teams met.... and the Bulldogs blew away the 'might' Trojans 24 to 7. They underestimated us!! Well, we're more prepared this time and I'm sure USC won't take us for granted this time.
Los Angeles Memorial Stadium will be a sea of Red - both Bulldog Red, and the Cardinal Red of USC.

The Bulldogs take their 'Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime' motto seriously, and so do the fans.
For fun, a local radio station made a special tribute song and have been playing it all week to get all of us fired up for the big game (Like we needed any help getting fired up!!!!)
Check out a special Tribute Song.

The game will be televised on cable (check your local listings). If you happen to catch it, say a little prayer and root for not-so-underdogs,
THE BULLDOGS!!

No. 20 Fresno State cruises past Boise State 27-7!

We won the # 1 spot in the WAC conference by beating rival Boise St. 27 to 7 in an exciting, but yet rainy game on Thursday night. It was televised on ESPN, so the whole nation (or all who watched) saw our awesome Bulldogs dominate Boise St. It was a sell-out crowd at Bulldog Stadium and no one could leave their seats for a minute!

Fresno State plays the USC Trojans next Sat., the 19th!! I hope the Trojans took notice and won't take us lightly! We're a serious team!! On second thought, I hope their conceated egos get the best of them... it'll be easier for us to come out with another Victory - case & point: the Freedom Bowl of 1992!!

GO DOGS!!!

The Farewell concert

This last Friday, we had an incredible opportunity to attend the Farewell concert for Petra, one of Christian rocks longest & best groups. After 33 years of rockin' for Jesus, the group is retiring their guitars.

It was especially a great pleasure for Troy, because Petra was the first group he began listening to when he became a Christian. He has been blessed by their music for years, and thanks to our connection with KLOVE and the promoter, we were able to talk with the guys and share Troy's story with them.

Besides getting a picture, we wanted something for them to sign.... the only thing Troy had on him was his KLOVE/Air 1 badge... so they signed the Air 1 side. It was very cool!

November 1st

Today is the 1st of November.
My, how the year has gone by. The leaves are turning, the weather's getting colder, and a nice, warm blanket now covers our bed! :-) I'm a happy camper. We've turned back our clocks, and we can put away all our Halloween candy for another year. We have just about a month to loose all the extra pounds put on by the candy, before Thanksgiving!

Of course, when we went shopping for all that Halloween candy, we couldn't help but find that Christmas decorations are already out. The holiday season comes earlier & earlier every year. I just pray that through all the busyness of the holidays, we don't forget that the reason we celebrate!

In our dry California, we can't freely use our wood-burning fireplaces (we have to make sure it's safe to burn first) More & more houses are being built with those fake logs! What's the point??? I guess you can still get the warm, cozy feeling with fake logs...

Have a Happy November!!