Twenty eleven

Well now, seems it's been years since I took cursor to web page ("pen to paper" in modern day vernacular) and given a good story. I'am not sure this will be a good story but it will be an update.
I find myself alone with my megaerie in the ARK, looking out on the sliver of a moon, resting on desert hills, past twilight. The wind is a chilling reminder that it is winter and I am safely tucked in, thanks to a brand new heating furnace that was gifted to me by my generous brother - Two Christmas gifts worth... Humbling, to say the least. Last month iIhad over $1300 in repairs to not only the ARK but the Beehnd Runner had a starter and yes, a battery  also go kaput! The ARK had a furnace (heater), water pump and two batteries bite the big one..It's been an exercise in faith, humility, trust, eating crow and at least one opportunity to share the Gospel.. Made the last battery issue worth it!

His name is Robert and he and I had no idea we would meet, but God did. It was one of those days when the ARK wouldn't start, again and I knew I had to go and locate a new battery, a CHEAP battery...So, we charged her up and with animals all in respective places, headed out. The smart neighbor said to head for Wal-Mart so I called, they could put one in for me and I traveled the 20 minutes to the Big Store...
The customer tatooed, tooth-missing service technician who greets me with his hand held computer inputer says he doesn't know if they have the right type and can squeeze it in. Mind you, the ARK has three batteries and I have already replaced one ( $118) and the other was replaced right before I bought it. One to go!

So, I say to him, well, it shouldn't be too hard to take one out and put it in. He said he is a mechanic and wouldn' trust the guys off the street that they hire! They might screw it up. Oh, thanks! I see the wires and could do it me-self... So, the manager comes over and says they have a side plug version that the manual says they have to use and costs more.... Lots more... No go!

The hand held mechanic refers me to Superior Tire and says they have INTERSTATE batteries, same kind I have, It has to fit ...Oh, how hard can this be? It's a tight squeeze with three bateries but it isn't THAT big of a deal...Off I go to Superior Tire who wants $125 plus $25 install.. Nah!  I call Auto Zone and talk to Robert. He measures a battery, says it will fit, top loading posts and he will gladly install it for free. Off we go! Thank You, LORD for Robert!
The critters wonder what's up? Dog park? River swim? New RV park? Not so fortunate but in the spiritual realm, it's valuable!
I meet Robert coming out the door, 1/2 way through the parking lot. His chipper voice "YOU MADE IT!"  resounded.
and he set to work. He was clean when we started.....
He finally got the correct battery and tools in his cart. This is a business akin to Schuck's or Napa, mind you. His work seems to be the cherry on top. Above and beyond...
He sweats, grunts, groans, gets zapped a few times and finally ges the blasted thang in, afer taking off his ring, wiping sweat from his forehead and not even cussing once! Before we parted ways and I must tell you I was most grateful.... MOST grateful, I jumped into the ARK and grabbed a booklet ~ Yep, you guessed it, Gospel of John.
"Robert! I have a 'thank you' gift... The Gospel of John, the man who was Jesus' best friend." He grabbed it, tapped his chest with it three or four times, got teary and said " You have no idea how much I need this right now."..
So, my ears are on red alert. Really?
His girlfriend's sister was killed recently by a drunk driver and the family is really struggling with missing her. It's the holidays.. She was a mere 17 years old...Oh, Jesus! They have forgiven the man but the heartache is profound. he said "It's JUST what I need! I will read it tonight!"
My heart leaped for joy....  He said they were seeking a church.. Press on, then. Press on. I have been prayng for them ever since.
So, it was the best hundred bucks I had ever spent. Pretty cheap price to give hope to a man and his loved ones. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the LIFE and no one comes to the Father but by Him...
Hallelujah. We are charged up! Thank God for dead batteries. He can/will turn something bad into something good. I just need to see it and unwrap it.
Amen.................

I left my heart....

I Left My Heart…

Killing time waiting for prescriptions to be phone in and filled, I decided to go to the Avi. It’s an Indian casino on the shore of the Colorado River and you can get a dog and a beer for a buck, plus lie on the beach, if nobody asks what room you are in. I quietly wondered whom I would meet that needed some encouragement and chose to  leave my Gospel of John in the car. I could come back…Quick prayer for being in touch with the Holy Spirit.  I was going in with minimal supplies. AVI card, a few bucks and an appetite. When you wan a hot dog, you want a hot dog and theirs are plump and juicy. I ain’t getting skinnier, by the way. Taylors keep me well fed. I’ll work out tomorrow.

After I polished off the hot dog, I made my way past one of the lounges enroute to the pool/beach area and overheard Tony Bennett – Must be a recording or someone is warming up for an evening show. I decided to peek in and see this handsome hunk on stage, crooning to many of he old favorites that my parents (all four of them) would sing. This guy has a voice! The crowd was about what you could count on one hand and I listened to him for a good part of an hour. The warm beach was calling so I went out, took a power nap, made a sand angel and headed back in. His voice drew me in again….

At the end of his several hours behind the mic, he asked the dozen or so folks if he could take a break. He has some neuropathy from a cancer he had in his foot and thanks to God, he proclaimed that he has been spared. They had given him 8 weeks to live.. Hmmm. I wanted to know more.

He came down into the lounge area and was telling his story to a couple and I butted in to say “I want to know what God did.” Well, he and I talked for quite awhile… He’s very grateful. Changed his life. Mark O ‘Toole is a new man, grateful. True, he is easy on the eyes, for sure! Well, he wanted to show me a photo on his phone that was taken in Hawaii recently/ He had a friend die from AIDS and went to pay tribute. He said he always felt a certain presence anytime he went over to the islands. The photo he showed me was amazing. It was just him and this shaft of light just adjacent to him, from head to toe and about as wide. It was the second photo taken as his mistakenly deleted the first one, which was of him but there were dots of light all around him. He looks at me. “What do you think it is?”  Uh-Like I know? I don’t know.

I asked if he attends church and he doesn’t but is eager to work on his relationship with God. Hence, the open door question “Can I give you a gift of the Gospel of John?” He was enthusiastic about it. He gave me his card, asked me to get in touch wih him on FACEBOOK.

I told him I thought it was Tony Bennett singing. He blushed. The story I relayed to him was about finding my birth family 7 years ago and though my mother is deceased, she loved to sing and would entertain the troops in SF. My sister and I went to see Tony sing a few years ago and she looked at me and said all teary-eyed, “Our mother must be looking down on us so amazed. If only she were here!”  

He gets up on stage and the audience is about 25 people by now and says “I want to dedicate this song to Susan.”   You guessed it…

When he got to the well known phrase, “I left my heart in San Francisco…” I couldn’t keep the tears back. I miss my mother, my sister…part of me is certainly still there.

Mark did an incredible performance on the song, looking at me like we were the only two in the room. A true crooner! He apologized after it was over saying “Sorry I couldn’t get the higher notes but it’s hard when I get choked up.”  He winked and smiled at me… my mascara was probably all over my face by now. My heart melted down into my shoes. I was like butter.

Sweet.

I hurried out to the 4 Runner and brought him back the Gospel of John.. the best gift I can give him. He was singing but had the bartender hand it to him and he put it on his table..If you think of it, pray for the handsome, talented Mark O’Toole who has been clearly given a second chance. He made a pact with the LORD that he would sing in children’s hospitals and old folks homes if God spared his life and He did. Mark can’t much feel his feet so it’s an item for prayer. He has a CD coming out next month. Yep. I

will be looking for it!

Ya never know what a day will bring. It was a good day, a good dog, a good song and a fine man. In more ways than one! Ha!

Go get ‘em, Mark. One step at a time.

An Afernoon on Highway 95

11/12/10 

Please pardon my writing if I have omitted a ‘T’… My laptop is falling apart and the T gets stuck. Ugh!

Usually I spend a wee bit of time praying before going out into a day, asking he LORD to lead me to people I can share Him with and to help me be attentive to their needs. I did have a special prayer that I would know more about a pain specialist I saw twice this week. He had some legal trouble in 2005 that made the news and he cooperated with authorities, blew the whistle on a medical fraud ring and recieved immunity. His license to practice was pulled and I just hope he’s an excellent physician now. I’m sure he’s paid that price a million times over. I never know what or whom I shall encounter on my outings but I DO know it’s almost always interesting.Take yesterday for example…

The major road I live near is one long strip of desert highway (95) and there are hundreds of businesses along each side. I have to keep a keen eye out for a place I may want to patronize. It’s hard paying attention as the speed limit is 55 (or something like that) so folks whiz past the dusty red 4 Runner, filled with wagging tails who think and hope to Doggie God that there must be a dog park among the store fronts and parking lots. All eyes are peeled. I look for words like ‘Spa’, ‘Baptist Church’, ‘Laundromat’.  To each his own. 

I had several errands to do and the one little library and post office are just up the road so that one is easy. Side by side. I pop into the library and talk to Avis, the librarian. I met her the previous week and noted that I know one more Avis who was a librarian. How odd is that? Do you know any Avis librarians? Maybe it’s a pattern.

I turned in a few DVDs (you’ve gotta watch ‘The Curious Life of Benjamin Button’ and “Fireproof’ ) and wanted more since the price fits my budget perfectly. I recognize the man standing next to me at the DVD rack as an internist who was at a presentation I attended the previous evening on a Pain Pacemaker. It a unit implanted that can interfere with pain messages going from the spinal cord to the brain. Relief may be in sight.

I introduce myself to both he and his wife. He has a British/Aussie accent so I prod a bit to find out he is actually from San Diego but lived in the UK for awhile and is now laden with the Queen’s English. I have never met anyone who took it up like that. He’s a cheery chap, blond rustled hair, straight and strong posture, outgoing like an Aussie. His wife speaks Arizonian and is a bit plain compared to him. I’m sure she was hovering for a reason. Ha!

He asked what I was doing at the seminar and I told him Dr. Venger had recommended I attend. He quickly commented “He’s brilliant! Truly! Quiet a gifted and intelligent neurosurgeon!”  Really? I asked. I don’t want to be placated. He assured me. Good. Turns out they are people of faith. Curiously, though. As he put it, “LDS, Mormons and born-again Christians.”  Really? We chatted about that for a bit and who Joseph Smith was and who Jesus Christ, the only Savior of our souls is…Interesting people. Warm and kind.

So, off to the Valley View Hospital to talk to the finance department about payment plans since Dr. Venger wants me to have x-rays and MRI… Gotta pay my deductable, then squeeze blood out of the turnip. I had spoken with a receptionist the night before and she referred me to her boss, who referred me to Becky C. I must say it is very humbling to ask for a break but I know hospitals are willing to help out. After discussing the fees with Becky C., I decided to have the MRI off site at a place called “Wide Open Imaging”. For some reason, I can’t recall their name and my first inclination is to call it “Open Casket”.. I crack myself up. I have it written down so I don’t sound stoopid. 

The cost of the MRI at Valley View is $2800 and the cost at Open Casket is $500. Duh. I have to pay 20%. But the point of this is that as we talk, she had the same area of the neck fused by Dr. Venger! C 4 to 7. She said he is a great surgeon and she was very pleased. Had the surgery done in Las Vegas where he had his practice several years ago.  She still has cervical pain and now has problems in her low back, sciatica. I told her about the Pain Pacemaker and she was going to give him a call. Nice how that works. Turns out she is a Believer and attends a little Baptist church just around the corner from the hospital. Bible study on Weds nights. They had a revival and it was a packed house. People need the LORD. We are praying for each other. Sweet. She needs prayer. I could see the pain in her face. She said (like so many others) that pain has affected her marriage as her husband doesn’t understand. Yes, I know. It can be very hard on people closest to us.

As an aside, the night before at the Pain Pacemaker seminar, I purposefully visually checked out the audience. I counted about 45 people, many (if not all) older than I. Some came alone, some with a spouse. One veteran had gotten his leg blown off in Vietnam. I shook his hand warmly and was glad I had worn an American flag shirt in tribute to Veteran’s Day. God love him. Some folks came in bent over their walkers, but most ambulated in. First time I had been in a room full of people with chronic pain. All hoping this works. He’s put in 1500 and very few haven’t had some relief.

Now here’s the funny part…As the presentation came to a close, an elderly man got up and said in a loud voice “Doc, I’ve gotta go! My back is killing me!” Several others chimed in and I had to chuckle given the nature of the audience. They should’ve passed out pain pills with the cookies and soft drinks. “These cookies have Vicodin, macadamia nuts and M & Ms.”  About half of the group hobbled out of the room, the other half wincing, adjusting their bodies, rubbing sore spots to keep listening to what could be a way to reduce our pain challenge area. Two folks gave testimony. One man had his Pacemaker put in way back in 1992 and is still so happy. Another woman test drove the apparatus for 7 days and is awaiting approval for the permanent one.. She couldn’t stop grinning. She’s had pain for two years. Pain can be so challenging to live with.I’ve had it since 1970 in various intensities. It changes lifestyles, relationships, emotions and can certainly deepen our faith, if we let it. Bitter or better. Turns out Dr. Venger put one in Jerry Lewis when Jerry was suicidal. Saved his life, according to Lewis. I checked it out on a Larry King Show replay. This may be just what I am looking for. Hope is on the horizon.

So, back to the people of my Friday ~ I left Becky’s office to check for get x-rays at the hospital and as I was waiting, I spent some time reading the  2 books of the Bible; Ezekial and Hebrews, focusing on how God feels and deals with sin in a nation and individual. I am aware of  the TV in the background and it’s Oprah (naturally) who is interviewing an audience of 200 men who had been molested as children. Breaks my heart…Same thing I am reading about.  Sin. Self. Judgement,. Mercy. The Cross.

My x-rays get snapped and I smiled really pretty for the camera. I am sent out to the waiting room and the constantly on flat screen TV to wait for them to give me a copy. INSIDER is on and they are interviewing Cher. The host is reading down a list of male Hollywood stars to her and she is saying whether or not she had sex with them and some she elaborated on – “Only once.” Or ‘It was really good!”.. I am disgusted and see there are two young children with their mother watching this garbage on TV.. I make a comment about the USA going to down the tubes morally.

Next to me sits a small gray-haired Polish man who encourages me to write to the station. We talk. He was four years old during the war, his mother and he had to hide since they were Jewish. He said he remembers going past an open grave and watching the soldiers open fire on crowd of people who fell into a large pit in the ground. He’s rubbing his sore knee as he speaks of memories 70 plus years ago. His eyes are distant, pained. They visited the site four days later and you could see the ground moving because some people were not dead. He noted with teary eyes that people in this country do not appreciate the freedom and blessings they have. Yes. I agree. We part ways with a long handshake. I’m praying for his heart and knee to heal.

So, what do I know? Looks like Dr.Venger is a good and knowledgeable physician. Pain is pain, anyway you cut it and it affects us deeply. Our country is in need of revival. I have no idea what you think about as you read this but I’m sure the people of your days can be meaningful, if you ask and seek God’s purpose for your encounters.

Well, I’ve gotta head out and get to the Laundromat. See what the day has to offer.

Better get prayed up. Don’t want to miss anything. What will Higway 95 bring us today? Maybe a dog park after all?

Warm, good days..

Finally I have fixed my Internet connection and can write more. IT took the computer guy about 1 1/2 minutes to click on this and that and there ya go. I am hooked into a neighbor's service and you can't beat the price. $5 a month. Wahoo. Verizon was $60 and they don't serve this wee little pocket of the US.

So, life at the Taylor Ranch is good and fine. It's warm, usually up in the 70-90 range and though it can be cool at night, it's not damp, snowing, fixin' to storm or any of that nonsense that wrecks havoc with my body.
My hands don't hurt much and my knees aren't nearly as sore. My neck is till pretty messed up and I am seeing a pain specialist just up the road.. Hoping he can help me get better relief. We'll see. He was a neurosurgeon and messed up his shoulder so he can't do those long surgeries anymore. I'll know more in a few days.

Last Friday was nice and hot here so we took the motor boat down river to "The Gorge" and it is so bee-utiful. you can't believe it. Filled with interesting peaks and fractures of rock and formations. We found a tiny beach big enough for Dean, Judy and I and our picnic stuff and rested up until the sun went behind a ridge.
The speed limit is about 5 mph so it's nice and quiet. Dean hooted and the echo rebounded four times! It was a great day. We made it back to the landing in Needles just before it was too dark. It did get a bot chilly on the river once the sun went down. We saw a water snake, heron, hawk and a very large fish of some sort.

So, Iam adusting to being an Arizonian - Got my driver's license and license plates. Found a pharmacy, Mexican market, casino (for cheap breakfasts!), hair salon...and I am church hunting. We live out in the countryside and there are roosters, barking dogs, goats and cows, horses and crows. I enjoy Dean and Judy everyday and feel so blessed to be here. They are  most gracious and alot of fun. Fun is therapeutic. God knows I need it!

The LORD is good and faithful...
Until next post. I have a few stories to compose.

The Ark has landed...

Just a brief news cast from Mohave Valley. The ARK has finally landed! Guess we've put in about 2000 miles and praise God, we all made it. Adventures, yes! Blessings, yes! Leaks, YES! Today's leak was laundry detergent under he bunk! How do you soak that up?? A least it is a clean Ark.. I decided ha he money I am putting into her is for restoration.. Hahaha! The big girl hung with the Big Boys on the road and hauled butt across the desert....Thank you for prayin'...He is good.

Now I am missing Cuatro, my black cat who made it all the way here. She'll come 'round shortly, I'm sure.
We thank you for your prayers. Stories to follow in a day or two but for now, I'm blessing God for His kindness and Deano and Joody Taylor for welcoming all of us! Oh, i was 91F here today and my hands don't hurt!

Time to rest and relax..
Anchor down.
Sooz and crew

Drinkin' from my saucer

The Ark made it successfully to a sunny day, finally! Phewie! Millerton Lake State Recreation Area is a wonderful place and suits us'ns just fine! The KOCH BEARS are great hosts and it's always a welcomed sight to see family. I wanna grow up and be like them.. always have, always will.

If you haven't been here, it's a lovely and peaceful reservoir and during this time of year, it's rather low, of course but the scenery is dramatically d with boulders and leveled shoreline.. The campground is quiet and replete with a resident owl, lots of birds, mountain lion, bobcat and raccoons.
I'm unsure as to the elevation but I'd guess between 1500 and 2500 ft. max.

The Bears and I squeezed into the ARK to celebrate not only being together but Millie's 5th bday. We all had pumpkin pie and ice cream. .Isaac nearly dove head first into the ice cream - He loves a good party.  I watched a DVD last night that the Bears loaned me - "Paulie" - About a talking conure and little girl. I don't know if it was supposed to happen, but I got teary-eyed several times and had some great laughs. Picture me laying on my bed wih my laptop on my knees - Isaac sat on my chest and spent half the time watching the DVD and half watching me. WHen I'd laugh, so would he... THAT in itself was prety funny. Anyway, it's a cute movie and I recommend it for a light evening of entertainment.. Isaac liked it.


We attended the Trinity Presbyterian Church today, one of the Koch's fav fellowships and I can see why. The worship was excellent, the message powerful and the coffee and donuts worth the drive. No, really... One of the benefits of being on the road is getting to meet Believers from all around the country and experiencing worship together. IT is a 'sweet aroma' as the Scripture says. I know God just loves it when we gather. I hope your Sunday was just as great. Don't know how it could be - We had Subway sandwiches, great fellowship and watched the birds, the sunshine shimmer on the lake and just enjoyed the pure beauty of the day and being together. I'm drinkin' from my saucer 'cause my cup overflowed...http://www.mamarocks.com/drinking_from_my_saucer.htm   

Two nights here is not enough but that's how it goes. I'll be pulling up the anchor tomorrow morning and heading closer to our destination where the report is that it is about 80-90 F! Not sure I'll go all the way but we'll give it a good try.

Check out this online radio station http://www.ktlf.org/showplayer.htm  Keeping The Lord First (KTLF) 
Great easy listening Christian music with few interruptions.
Pastor said "Man knows how many seeds are in an apple but only GOD knows how many apples are in the seeds."

God is good, He is good all the time.
Blessed.
Sooz

Time doesn't fly when you are freezing!

Well now... I spent most of the week at the Deaver's Ranch in north Redding and though their hearts are warm and welcoming, as of Tuesday, the weather turned and it's been so cold, so wet that I had to flee today. I'm one of those late snowbirds, I guess but I am seeing others on the road so I don't feel too stoopid. I was waiting on THE CHECK, you know, like senior citizens do - but couldn't hold out any longer. Off we go on the next leg of our adventure.

Tonight the ARK is off I5 near the 12 Lodi turnoff and it looks promising for us to go to Millerton Lakes, east of Fresno for two nights and spend precious time with our Bears (Anne and Bernie Koch). Loooong time extended family. They are campground hosts and live in their RV den..Then off to Mohave Valley Monday.

All did well today, kitties in respective places and dogs eager to hit the highway. No leaks. Nothing new broke. I'll write a story about Jason Deaver that touched my heart but I ain't writin' tonight because I'm pooped. Had a meal with my papa at Woodland. He's very sweet and it was good to hug him goodbye. We will probably meet up in Las Vegas would be my guess. He loves to travel.

So, goodnight for now. I'm a heat seeking missile on cruise control.
The LORD bless,,,
Snoozen