my dear readers. I don’t know if I really am the “Poise Points” type of writer. The Hearth&Home hasn’t asked me if I’m interested in that job yet, anyway. Maybe because I am too honest. This all begins with a status I saw this week. I will title this piece:

“ENTITLEMENT IN THE MIDST OF LOCK-DOWN”

Ah. Marriage. Something that eventually comes to every Mennonite youths mind. Some of those youth are getting engaged during this uncertain, crazy time. Some Canada/America couples have been forced to delay wedding dates. Some lucky couples have been able to get married, albeit with a smaller crowd. There has been food bought and unused, dresses that only a few close friends have seen, and disappointed friends and family who could not attend weddings of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and family friends. There are airline tickets that have been canceled, and honeymoon destinations changed. The list could go on. The couple themselves have had to put dreams aside, settle for less, and accept that getting married during a pandemic is less than perfect. Some of those couples have gracefully picked up their lives together and gone on.

I would have loved a small wedding but I was told not to say that because “it would offend some of the people who had to have them”. Well, I’m still going to say it. I would have loved it. I might have been weird, because more often than not, our Mennonite weddings could be described as the bigger, the better. That’s fine. Each to their own. I admire the couples who have had to settle for a wedding far smaller than they had dreamed of, yet they realize how little of a thing that is in the big picture.

Pandemic or no, there are still rules of social etiquette. There are still friends and family in the background, trying to pick up pieces and work with the change of plans for you. There are bridesmaids trying to keep the bride upbeat, and best men helping the groom change honeymoon plans. If they are able, people are still giving their guest houses or their homes for the family who has traveled for the wedding. Food is still being made and brought in. It is still a wedding, even though it is perhaps diminished in size. In most places the congregations are unable to attend the wedding, but they are still behind the scenes making sure your day happens. The couple and family need to understand this is a disappointing, stressful time for everyone, mentally and maybe financially.

All over the world, weddings and birthdays and holidays are passing in a completely different way than normal. People are not receiving and giving like they have been able to in the past, either due to financial uncertainty, or being unable to attend events. It is disappointing for the graduates whose end-of-school parties have been canceled, for couples receiving less gifts for weddings, for the grandparents whose 50th anniversary passed unnoticed. It is a disappointing time for everyone.

In the midst of being disappointed, we should look at the other side of things. Be thankful for what you as a couple receives, thanking those who put effort into the wedding, and move on. Be thankful for the school your children have been able to attend and now are missing. This means being grateful that we have the Church to lean on in these uncertain financial times. This means thinking of all those around us who have lost their jobs and are struggling to find work to support their families. This means thinking of the people who have lost loved ones during this time, unable to have a proper church service. This means Thinking of Others.

And you can be sad. Couples who didnt get to see their friends or have that “normal ” wedding. Grads that might not get to wear their matching clothes right now, or sing their song. All of us can grieve what life has tossed at us. But please. Don’t be entitled. We are Christians who have Jesus, more wealth than the world can imagine. We are entitled to nothing. Thank you.

4-27. Tuesday afternoon Morgan loaded up the double kayak and Mom, Madison, Morgan, and I went to Levi’s and picked him up. We drove up to Shasta Dam and the guys spent awhile deciding where the best spot was to start their kayaking trip of the Sacramento River. Lots of roads were closed down so we finally found a boat ramp close to the dam where we unpacked their gear. It was so beautiful when we dropped them off. The night was completely still and the lake was reflecting the pines. All you could hear were the frogs and crickets. They are going to be gone until Sunday, but due to a twisted ankle of Levi, Madison and I went to the middle of nowhere and picked them up Friday night instead. Oh Friday. That day almost toasted me. I’ve frequented Target a time or two but hadn’t been to Walmart in probably two months. At Target, you go in and get stuff and leave. At Walmart however, such is not the case. You must stand in a line outside, six feet apart, in the ole California sun, until enough people have come out of the store for the next person to go in. Once you’re inside, their are arrows to try to stop you from doing the wrong thing. Then you stand again, 6 feet apart, in an even longer checkout line. Everyone wears masks and scurries away from you and is actually sort of rude because of fear or impatience? I’m not sure which. Anyways, this all just bummed me out that quick running in to the store is no longer a thing. You need to plan on a long trip. You need to wear a mask. You need to be prepared to spend lots of time. Anyways, I was telling Morgan about the whole process and how I’d lost faith in humanity and we were on our way out of the middle of nowhere with the kayak heading for the interstate when we came towards an intersection full of dust and a few vehicles with flashers on. Of course, I immediately thought it was an accident. As we got closer, we saw more and more vehicles in the ditches with lights off, and people wandering around. By the time we pulled up close to the intersection, we were in the middle of a crowd of 175 kids, with probably close to 140 vehicles sitting all over the place. The road was completely taken over by cars and people, but they waved us through with a flashlight and the crowd parted around us while we drove. Someone yelled, “Don’t call the cops!” and with that we became part of this crazy thing called “A California Street Race in the Middle of Nowhere Even Though There’s a Statewide Quarantine”. We pulled off to “check the straps” and watched souped up cars and pickups race through the still California night, and my faith in humanity and America was restored. There was no social distancing, no masks, and just a bunch of good country people having a good time. It was honestly the coolest thing.

Anyways, since Morgan was going to be away for a few days, Mom, Madison, and I spent night in Redding. Last time I had spent night in Redding had been during one of the fires up north there so it was nice to see the town in daylight, sunshine, and not covered in ash. Wednesday morning we drove out to the coast. Had we known how that road was, we may have changed our minds. It was the curviest, switch-backest, hairpin-est road I’ve ever traveled but when we could see the waves crashing and hear the seagulls talking and feel the happiness course through us, it was worth it. When they said Curve, 10 mph., they meant it. Then we drove through the Avenue of the Giants where some of the tallest trees in the world graced our views. We walked barefoot among them and felt them whispering to the earth, and heard their sighs as we sat on their age-old roots. The sea of clover covering the earth made the whole world into a green paradise and we worshiped God quietly through our praise. It was such an awesome thing.

This week has been busy with tutoring, printing more “Voices of the Quarantine” books, and sitting in the sun. The other night under the flower moon of May, Morgan took Mom, Madison, and I on a picnic. We sat in the warm evening around a fire and drank iced tea and watched the moon and ate fried chicken and potato salad. Yesterday Morgan, Madison, and I went swimming for a couple hours. Morgan worked on the bus early in the morning since it’s getting so hot here in the afternoons. Once we get insulation done and the A/C in, it will be easier to work in the bus more. It’s basically 10* hotter inside it than outside and it’s just a smoking tin can. We have the A/C on the way, and are going to order a couple more things this week! I’m so ready to live in it! Mom and Madison are flying home to Michigan soon to pack up and move their things here, where Mom will teach Grades 3 and 4 and live in a cute house close to me and school. Madison is sort of thinking of a teaching job again next year, so if your school needs one awesome teacher, text me for her number!

Today is Mother’s Day and wow. I have one awesome Mom. She’s honest, enthused, always up for something fun, creative, hilarious, and legitly the strongest person I know. I was reminiscing to Mom a couple days ago about my terrible teens and how thankful I am that her and Dad didn’t give up on me. She is my best friend. It’s an understatement to say I’m excited that she’s moving down the road from me this year. On the other side of it, I feel deeply for my friends who have an empty spot where their Mom should be with them too. I feel deeply for my friends who haven’t been able to have children and become a Mom. I feel deeply for those who have a Mom but who don’t have a good relationship with her. I am just so thankful for my Mom today. Have a Happy Mother’s Day. Wishing each of you lots of courage. xo chey

And life goes on. That’s the craziest thing about this whole deal. While we all are sticking close to home, people’s birthdays and weddings pass and babies are born and the simple way of life becomes more like I’ve always felt like life should be lived. But also I miss when humanity didn’t shy away from each other. Places here in California are making you go back to your car if you don’t have a mask on which I’m not a fan of. I try really hard when I’m out with my mask on to wish people a good day or be friendly verbally since i’m not sure they can see if I’m smiling or not. I like that I have to make an effort to visit with them instead of giving them that tight, awkward smile while I quickly try to finish my purchase. Most people want to visit and I have yet to meet someone rude during this ordeal. I figure if I’m the only person they’ll have a real conversation with while they’re out of their house, there’s a lot riding on my shoulders. It’s a nice challenge that get’s me thinking about others instead of worrying about myself.

Yesterday Mom, Madi, Morgan and I went driving up in the mountains. We found our favorite dirt road yet, one that went way up into the pines and looked out over valleys and green pastures and snow-capped mountains. It was glorious. Thanks to the late rains, everything is still so green and the wildflowers are just bursting out of every place they can find. By the time we drove down the mountain, the California poppies were closing up for the day and the sunset was beauty and the sheep were going to sleep. I loved yesterday. P.S. the picture at the beginning is a poppy in front of Mt. Vesuvius and it’s the poppy I thought of while I was writing about California poppies. Even though it’s in Italy actually.

This week has been full of getting our books made and we’ve been swimming a few times. One day a week Mom and I try to make 5 or 6 meals of food and take them to different seniors in the community. That’s been enjoyable finding out where they all live and chatting with them through their front doors. Morgan, David, and Paul got a bunch of electrical work going in the bus on Saturday and we are narrowing down our fridge and sink choices so we can get them ordered. It’s so exciting! Last night we listened to Ben Duhm’s report on Mozambique so we could maybe get more light on the country where Dillon and Renae are currently sitting in their house. They’re sad they are just sitting and unable to be missionaries really. Today I went on a job with Morgan for a couple hours. It was nice to sit in the pickup and watch the cows while Morgan was out working and have some alone time since it’s hard to come by living with folks in law, my Mom, and Madison. I love it, don’t get me wrong:) We have had a few bonfires this week as well since the evening are so nice. Dad bought some tiny half-dollar sized turtles for the little pond/waterfall in the backyard so I’ve also spent an embarrassing amount of time standing by the pond looking for them. When we went to Isle Mujeras, Mexico, a couple years ago, Morgan and I went to a sea turtle sanctuary and absolutely fell in love with them so these here are a close second.

I’ve been pondering this week with some of my friends accepting new teaching positions or giving their answers for next year. If a school board member has a personal issue with a teacher, is it fair for him to pass on how he personally feels to the next school board? That teacher wanting to be hired wouldn’t stand a chance against the chairman’s viewpoint if it’s biased. I guess I’d always hoped for the fairness but I don’t think that’s always the case as i’m finding out now with different friends. It’s been a lesson not to believe everything I hear and hopefully, most school boards handle things with tact. Luckily, I have nothing but wonderful to say about my school boards over my six years of teaching!

So another thing I/Mom are excited about is our “Voices of the Quarantine” books we have up for sale. They are pretty basic but they are quite funny and hopefully you will like to read to see what people are eating (menu ideas ladies), hobbies they are trying, or things that help them continue with courage every day. My secret is lots of sunshine. So click here for my Etsy store where YOU can go buy a booklet. Feel free to share with your friends. If there is enough interest, we may do a second volume in the future:)Wishing you all a good week!

Well, we are still quarantined over here. I honestly don’t know if there’s any more to write that would explain it any better and yet all of you can understand exactly.

A couple weeks ago? I haven’t written for awhile. Saturday was a bus day. I patched screw holes in the floor while Morgan, Dad, and Joe tore out all the useless and old wiring and tubing. Morgan finished the floor and was even able to start painting it with our first layer of rustoleum paint so we are definitely gaining on the project! We worked on finalizing our layout on Sunday afternoon and I think we have that mostly decided. Sunday we listened to church in the morning and called in the Shawn Becker/Gary Mininger talk in the evening. I enjoyed them immensely and was really impressed with the thought Gary had that maybe God is readying his Bride in this time. What a time to be alive, to watch nations reaching to help each other, and leaders of lands calling for cease-fires, and people the whole world over turning to Jesus for comfort in this time of uncertainty. I like to think that God is just smiling kindly down on this scared earth and rejoicing as people turn to Him.

This week, Kellie and Joe finally had their cutesy baby on Monday so we have spent this week holding Oscar or waiting on them to bring him over so we can hold him some more. I’m very excited to have another nephew. Mom and I did lots of hanging out this week. My favorite spot to be right now is out in the sun so we spent a lot of time outside. It feels like the only thing we do every day is cook and think ahead to the next meal and prepare for that. Mom and I actually did a bunch of typing for our “Voices of the Quarantine” booklet we are making. Thanks to a bunch of you, we have this cool little book full of what people have been doing, eating, making, and learning about themselves while we are all slowing down and living life at home. Last week I started teaching a couple of my previous students here at the house. They come over two days a week and we have a good time studying and working together. I think it’s a nice change for them to study with a friend, too. Thursday I went over to Hanna’s with Katie and they worked on masks while I did some drawing and it was so fun to be with friends again!

Yesterday we braved the outside world for our first trip out to shop in days. It was about 50/50 mask wearers vs. non-maskers at Save Mart. Luckily I had a run-in with this little man that made me giggle hysterically in the middle of all the panicked shoppers. I had gone down the cocoa aisle where he was, masked and gloved in long sleeves and a hat. I assumed we would walk by each other like the rest of the shoppers, but lo, as I walked towards him, he proceeded to back away from me with his cart, muttering under his breath. I stopped since I saw he was muttering, but I obviously needed to get cocoa so I just walked over and got it and he started running backwards with his cart to get away from me, but as he turned around to continue running, I guess, he ran his cart into another unmasked man coming from the other way. He hollered and shoved past the man and retreated to the end of the aisle where he eyed us suspiciously while unmasked man looked at me and shrugged and we burst out laughing. I sort of wanted to find the unhappy man again later and send Mom past him but I couldn’t find him which is good probably. So that was an interesting outing.

Today was another bus day. Morgan, Mom, and I spent the day outside taping, cleaning, and painting our bus windows black. It makes the yellow school bus look so classy already and I do NOT regret our decision to re-caulk and paint them, even though it all takes time. Morgan also got the emergency hatch removed from the ceiling where we are going to put in a skylight. Our next step is to get the wiring finished, then it’s time for insulation! One exciting thing we did this week (also the only exciting thing) was to start our appliance buying for the bus. We finally decided on a toilet, the Nature’s Head brand if you’re interested, and got it ordered! It’s compost which will take some getting used to but if that’s the worst thing about living on a bus, I’ll take it. We are so excited to be getting into the building stage!

Please continue to pray for Dillon and Renae in Mozambique. It’s very hard, as some of you with family in the mission field know, having them over there with no health care on a normal day, much less now. They worry about their families at home, and their congregations where they are. Just please remember them.

I also am going to request prayers for our little school in Honduras that we spent time at last summer. The island is in full lock-down, with people only allowed out of their homes on certain days. There are lots of the school kids that have no food, so Valerie has been collecting money and spending her day to go out buying and delivering food to different of the school children and their families. It’s hard for us to comprehend because we live here, where even in lock down, we have everything we need, while for them this could be a life or death experience. Valerie posted today saying “I had a call from a client who said he needed food this week. On my day to go out today, I called to see if I could stop by with food on my delivery, but a friend answered his phone and said he had passed away this morning. I know he had underlying health issues and he didn’t just die of starvation, but hunger and poor nutrition exacerbated it. Hunger will destroy this island before COVID does.”

We are so blessed. That’s all there is to it. We are pampered humans filled with sadness because we can’t go out for supper, or go shopping at TJ Maxx, or play volleyball, or be together for a huge Easter lunch tomorrow. I am those things too. But in the midst of our “losses”, don’t forget the starving, scared, souls around us. We have God, and that is everything, but what do they have? At this time of year when we remember how Jesus died for us, that it wasn’t so we could selfishly have whatever cushy materials we rely on. It was to live for Him and spread that love to those who don’t have Him to turn to. Let’s pray for the missionaries, the school in Honduras, the world, while we have the time.

Have a wonderful Easter, each of you. chey.

Remember how i keep mentioning that life just keeps happening? Well, it’s at it again. Which is good. Saturday the 7th, Morgan and I spent basically the whole day working in the bus and we got so much done! The floor is totally out, all the stickers are peeled off the outside for painting, and we have a wall panel that will take 5 minutes to finish taking out. We are so close to being able to start the actual building and its exciting!Sunday evening we had a couchsurfer come to our basement for night. His name was Etienne from France and we had supper and sat around the fire with him. We are hoping since it’s spring that more couchsurfers will be coming through again.

Monday morning, the 9th, Morgan, Dad, and I left for a job in Arizona. We stayed nights in Gallup and I had planned to do some walking around town but it rained the three days we were there. Tuesday at noon I walked to the bus stop and bought a $2 all day pass and rode the bus all over Gallup, looking out the window at rain running off the neon signs and watching the Navajos get off and on the bus. Wednesday and Thursday the guys spent an hour away at the job site. Their job was out in the Arizona desert, close to the Petrified National Forest. I went one morning with them to see where they were working but it had rained so it turned out to be not as simple as that. Morgan drove the 4×4 and dad and I were in the pickup and the red mud and clay made a terrible time of getting back two miles into the job. The 4×4 was stuck countless times with the three of us pushing it out and we finally gave up on working and spun our way two miles back out. When Morgan and I got back to town we went to a deli and picked up chicken and potato salad and drove out to Church Rock and ate at a picnic table while rain splattered on our brown paper bags and the wind blew through the pines. It was delightful. Thursday afternoon I drove to WindowRock to go see Tianna who’s the cutest pal from Pincher and she showed me around and I got to see some of those beautiful, dark-eyed children peeking at me from around the corners. Then Naomi from Westlock was suddenly there too and I hadn’t seen her for so long and shes truly a darling soul and so I left WindowRock feeling very blessed to have those girls in my life.

We got home Friday evening in time for supper and it was so good to be back in our little basement! Drew&Nic were out from Iriquois so they plus a few more were over for supper Saturday evening. Church was called off for Sunday so that left me feeling restless and uneasy with the state of things. We listened to some singing in the evening which was exactly what I needed.

This week has been crazy with everything up in the air with Jalens upcoming wedding scheduled for this weekend. Lots has changed with the protocols put in place for large crowds, but luckily we are still able to have a small wedding for them tomorrow! I’ve heard of different weddings happening this week and feel for all of the friends and family the virus has affected, wedding-celebration-wise.

I wasn’t sure I’d say much about the whole pandemic thing since I don’t have the insight some of you do. But I will admit I went through a couple days of unease and I was disappointed with how easily I let myself lose sight of Heaven. I muted some WhatsApp chats due to the constant flood of misinformation and doom that I kept getting. I’ve heard so many conversations about it all and so many opinions that I’m already sick of hearing the word coronavirus. But with the uncertainty surrounding us, I think that we have all been placed in this unique position by God to show the world exactly the kind of peace and rest they crave. He knew all this was coming long ago and that’s so comforting. He knew i’d be fearful and that I’d lose sight of what I’m here for. But He also knew I would remember I’m a child of the King and that maybe through it all, I can somehow point someone to the One who is in control. I hope so. Each of us is having this opportunity and I think that’s so amazing. Let’s be filled with God and Courage and the thought that we are here to lead people to Him. Lets please remember Dillon&Renae in prayer..all missionaries actually. They feel so alone with really no healthcare in many countries and also wanting to be home with family. Love to each of you.♡

P.S. if you are interested, add me to your contacts and message me so I can add you for status updates. Or just to message! I think I have friends who read this that I’ve lost numbers for or lifes just moved on…I want to hear from you! My number is 989-534-6178.

Yay! We are officially moved out of our house! Friday we finished hauling the last stuff, including our bed, and our darling school bus that just purred right on over to folks backyard, so we had our first sleep in “our” (folk-in-laws) new basement. Due to unfortunate flooding a few months ago, or fortunate, depending how you look at it, the basement has been redone and it is lovely. There isn’t a kitchen so we’ll be using the one upstairs but otherwise I think we’ll be pretty much set. We even have a private entrance! There’s also extra rooms if you want to come visit. The train runs behind the house so we fall asleep to the train whistle and the wheels on the tracks. My dreams are full of free spirited hobos with rucksacks and bandanas riding west in an open boxcar. Does life get any better? ♡ I’ve decided that sounds fun. Too bad I’m so far west there’s really nowhere I can go.

This weekend Mike&Maxine and Destinee Schartner stayed here at folks’ too. Destinee is marrying Ben Curran from Ballico so they are out visiting so the house has been a busy place. Yesterday morning I went to a bridal shower some ladies had put on for her. It’s a good time for a bridal shower because the almond trees are blooming everywhere so it makes everything look quite romantic for a change with the little white petals covering the ground and falling with the slightest breath of air. To quote Anne of Green Gables, “dearest Snow Queen. I accept your token offering. Had I a book, I would press these sacred blossoms between it’s pages…” That being said, it’s been 80* here for a couple days already so winter and spring were short-lived much to my dismay.

Last Sunday afternoon Morgan took me on a drive up into the foothills. It’s very dry already so it wasn’t green really but we still had some good views. We went and checked out a place beside a river where we want to camp in the next couple weeks. I feel like I should clarify that “camp” in this case means to throw sleeping bags on the ground and sleep under the stars since the vanagon is still a work in progress. Anyways we found a good place so I’m looking forward to it. It seems like a place that could have seedy people camping there too, but also that would mean they probably have guns and torches to scare the wild things away.

Today I went with Morgan to the Bay area where we had a job so while he surveyed, I sunned myself on a warm bench and watched smart, Silicon Valley people scurry around. It was intriguing because those people are a different type let me tell you. They didn’t seem like the type to laugh if I went up to them while they were getting into their Tesla and kidded them about their hairstyle. I made up stories about them while I sat in the sun. The job didnt take long and then we came home and ran errands like tax stuff and haircut and post office. This is why our bus might take awhile because LIFE. Morgan had fire meeting tonight and I am trying to get my thoughts out here. Due to living in one room in a basement, my housekeeper status is basically non existent. I honestly hadn’t thought about that aspect of living in our bus but cleaning will be a breeze. The two of us and one room just doesnt take much to keep up which I’m fine with because that leaves me time to do cool things like write letters or get a job. Haha

I wish I could hear from each of you whether I know you or not. Im considering putting my phone number on one of these days so you can message me and also get notified by my status if I have a new blog post. Have a good week! Chey.

1•28•20.  The plane is stuffy and smells like hard boiled eggs. The captain says we’ll be fighting headwinds and honestly, I’m not surprised. I fight those alot. Especially flying to Alberta for a funeral. Luckily I’m flying with Dan&Natalie so I have my peeps alongside. Mitchell picked me up late Tuesday evening and took me to Gene’s at linden where I was until Saturday. Mark’s, Grant’s, and Mike’s were there too so I had some of my people around me for a few days which was so awesome. Thursday was Venice dears funeral at Swalwell and while I could go into detail, I dont think this blog is the place so i will say two things. One is that I will strive to gain more of the calm, gentle spirit Venice had. And two, pray for the family, especially the girls who dont live near home or their family.

Saturday Vj and I went and spent the day with Cheney at Edberg and then they took me to Grandpa Gary’s out on Red Deer Lake. Uncle Jared and I went snowmobiling one afternoon out on the lake and I absolutely drank in all that pure white snow. I miss the Alberta winter so much. And grandma made good food and we had good talks and it was just super relaxing. We went into Edmonton for a day for grandma to work so I finally got to see Pura Botanicals and all the work that goes into it! For those who dont know, my Aunt Lane and Grandma Cathy are the owners of this amazing skincare business. I got to do some labeling and see the inner workings one afternoon and it was so cool. If you go to Edmonton, look up their little shop. It’s the cutest. And if you’re far away, go to their website and look around. Their products are made with the cleanest products and are so light and non greasy.


I also got to spend some time with Uncle Brydons and the cousins which made me happy. So after spending some time with family, I flew home to Morgan♡ I missed that guy alot while I was gone.

Since I’ve been home we have been packing our house up slowly and are going to rent a tiny storage unit for our table and keepsake boxes etc. that we will keep in storage while we live in the bus. We are moving into folks basement until the bus is livable which hopefully will be May ish. I absolutely cant wait! Wednesday I had to get a tooth pulled of all things. In hindsight, i would not have had this occur the day before we went away for the weekend. Truly a rookie move. But its been going ok and just to keep you informed, the going rate in california for a SINGLE tooth implant is 5,000 dollars. Yep. Guess who will just stick a marshmallow in the gap if I need to smile for all those pictures? Me, because our car is not even worth that amount of money.


This weekend we drove down with folks to Yuma for their annual school fundraiser. I had never been to it before but Morgan and folks have came for a few years. We got there friday morning and spent the day setting up, hauling pies, decorating, and grilling with everyone else. They were so organized after years of putting this fundraiser on that it didnt seem like much work although the people in charge would probably disagree. The people, mostly old, started arriving at 3 to eat and by the time we finished serving at 7, over 800 people had gone through the line. Morgan and i got to serve tables and it was quite interesting. We one hundred percent will come back next year because the whole thing was fun plus the nice Yuma people and the visitors like Dad Davon and Mom Darla and Ron&Delores and Brian Baerg from sweet home Linden and Mick&Cynthia and Van&Gayla from Michigan just made my whole evening even better. Benny&Marj, who have made my Top 10 Couples List (yes its a thing for me to have lists) opened their hearts and home to us haha so we spent some quality time there. 10/10 would stay with them again, and I will spare the details on how Morgan and Benny act when they are together. Marks, Luke’s, Benny’s and us went for tacos Saturday night to some little house that was also part open air kitchen and they were also placed on a list of Top 5 Taco Places. Good evening being with friends!


Today we are on the way home with Jalen in tow and we’re stopping in LA to do some suit shopping because since I last wrote, I am getting a new sister in law in March thanks to Ja. Her name is Danielle From Geiger and I’m pretty excited to have a bud along when we go weekend tripping with Ja. She will do just fine sitting in desert hot springs and riding in the vanagon with us♡ but back to LA. After the whole suit deal, we ate at the Grand Central Market and if you go to LA and eat anywhere else, you’ll regret it. Its this giant, dirty building packed with messy tables and like 20 food booths. Like gourmet-y food. I had pasta, morgan a 5 layer chicken sandwich, jalen a rice bowl, mom in law a ramen bowl, and Dad a hot ham sandwich.


Then we got iced coffees. It’s a gathering of literally everyone and some people eat standing or sitting. I could have people watched all day but we had other stops like fabric shopping at a couple stores and driving through Skid Row and counting our blessings. Go read here about how Skid Row came about. Its fascinating and also really moving to me because I get so caught up in what peoples lives were in the “before”.

Also, my mom had a birthday yesterday, the 15th. Thank you to the little group in Michigan who made her day awesome since we couldn’t be there. You know who you are! This week will consist of Morgan working and me packing and organizing and getting distracted for an afternoon by things I find while going through boxes. Like I got sidetracked when I came across our wedding book and had to read through and reminisce because honestly our wedding was tops. Then I found my Tintin books so you can see how packing takes time if you’re easily distracted. So have a good week everyone. Hopefully I can get more blogging done this month than I did in January!    Chey

Oh, Christmas. It honestly was so fun. My mom and sister (also Madison’s dog, Shasta, who I have no words for, first, cuz she’s cute, but second, cuz she’s a loveable nuisance) blessed us with their presence and our house was busy the entire season! Morgan made supper for the 4 of us the 23rd for our little Christmas. He made lamb chops and potatoes and raspberry brownie and ice cream desserts that was all delicious. We missed dillon&nae so much but we called them and talked for awhile all of us, which made it better. Then we had the Bronson Christmas here on the 24th and went to folks for the Orville Christmas the 25th. I think we had company almost every day though. We cooked and decorated and had such a good time being together and also making new friends and connecting with the old ones. Like some really darling new friends too. Not just normal ones. Haha I drove up to Scio with Mom and Madison and spent a couple days there before Mom left. Madison took us thrift shopping and we had supper at mike&val’s one night. Remember in a previous post when I resolved never to take the train again? Well, Saturday night I spent eating my words while I brought it home to Merced where Morgan picked me up Sunday morning. It wasn’t a whole lot better than my last experience but I’ll just leave it at that.

So it’s the New Year. We didn’t make resolutions at our little house. I mean I made some in my head but that doesnt really count. If 2020 brings us any of the happiness 2018 and 2019 did, we will be set. I am curious, though, how many of you made resolutions, and what did you resolve? One of my resolutions last year was to become more minimalistic in belongings and we definitely carried that one out. I love knowing exactly what I own and where it is and the things I have saved, I love. I haven’t kept anything I thought was gross. It’s great. It will make moving a breeze since March 1 is looming and I have to get in gear and pack my house up yet again. Anyways, I’m hopeful each of you take time sometime this year to get rid of things you literally don’t even know you own. It will make you feel so on top of life.

We have been fielding off a lot of “bus” questions, but not because we hate them. There just isn’t much to report. Morgan got SO much work done in it over the holidays, probably because Mom, Madison, and I were in the house and he didn’t have anywhere else to go. But who cares because the bus interior is looking worse, which is a good sign more things have been torn out of it. We are still working on deciding the interior layout, but have decided on things like, A. We’re going to have a little wood stove. B. Also an outdoor shower. C. We are literally so excited about our bus. Once the demo is finished, it feels like we will be able to get started on the actual build. Since we have to be out of our house sooner than we’d originally heard, we won’t be able to have the bus liveable by March 1 and will have to find something else for a couple months, which is disappointing but hey, that will have its own adventure too I suppose. We are also trying to decide on a good color to paint the outside of the bus. I’m into darkish greens and Morgans into slate blues so maybe you can message us if YOU have an idea because we sure need some!

Uncle Orlan and Aunt Judy from Enderby were here for a couple days this week so we loved being with them again. Morgan and Dad left for Kingman to do some work there the rest of this week so not sure what my week will hold. I went out for lunch with Natalie yesterday and listened into Ballico this evening since they’re in meetings. This Friday evening we start revival meetings at Winton too so keep us in your prayers. Happy week to you ♥

I’ve been thinking alot about family, specifically, at this time of the year. My dad is gone, and Dillon&Renae are in the mission, which leaves Mom and Madison who are coming out on Sunday and I am overjoyed to have my family sort of here. Today is my dads birthday even. My day was sort of long and I’m excited for mom and madi to get here. Luckily I have the best husband in the world. Not even kidding. He is my complete soulmate. So that definitely helps the long days♡

Everyone goes to their families house for Christmas somewhere. Some travel away from home, some to Grandpa’s down the road, and others host in their own cozy house. This Christmas is the first one together for some new couples (it’s our third 😌), or it may be the 43rd Christmas at the old home place. Regardless, lots of traveling and eating and gifting and sledding and caroling is done around the Conference at this time of year. It paints a beautiful picture, doesn’t it?

Then there are the people of the different congregations who can’t afford to go to Mom’s this year. There are older couples whose children can’t make it home for Christmas. There is the single Mom with children that really doesn’t have a place to go for Christmas Day because the rest of the family is in Manitoba. What do all these people do for Christmas? Do each of us think of them in passing and then push them out of our minds with the thought that ” I just want to be with my family alone for Christmas because we are finally all together!” We live at a time when more than ever we should be sharing our blessings with our friends and neighbors, yet this Christmas, there will be the “poor” people from this congregation or that congregation who are just home because we are too busy or too full or too selfish just to invite another few people into our private “family deal.”

I remember living in Center when it was still a small congregation and Thanksgiving and Christmas would find a potluck lunch at school for everyone so there would be no one left out. That’s a pretty amazing benefit of a small congregation where you are a melting pot of people and don’t have 4 family Christmases with all sides of the family that you are with all year long already. I loved those days at Center because lots of people had young families and everyone got together and had a good time. Happy Days.

So now, I ENCOURAGE you to use this Christmas how God used it, and give the best gift you have by reaching out and sharing with those who just need loving. Do it. It will be the most beautiful feeling. And what a way to start the new year for the people you DO invite into your “family”. They will feel loved. And that is why we are here. Merry Christmas.