The Gray Sweatshirt

I have been away from my blog for a very long time. Much of my blogging has been along the lines of some very serious content, and today I return with a rather light-hearted post!

We live in the desert, and even though folks often talk about the horrible summer heat, there is something to be said for the winters. Not bad! Not like Buffalo NY or the Twin Cities in MN! Not like the brutal winds of WY or the bone chilling dampness of MO! Just 'chilly'! It is at this time of year that the gray hooded zip sweatshirt makes a real comeback!

When I first get out of bed, rather than turn on the heat, I zip up the hoodie. It's been with me since 2003 or 2004 and is holding up well! There is a logo on it that reminds me of Jesus, as it has crosses as the main focal point. I then live in the hoodie until it is time to run.

After I have my running clothes on I put the hoodie on top. It is there before I run and I put it on right afterwards to cover and warm the body that is sweaty. Thus, a sweatshirt! It keeps me warm and happy!

If I'm going about town on errands I use this hoodie. You see, when you are inside the stores it seems warm, so I take it off and tie it around my waist. The zipper is an exceptional feature because you don't have to mess up your hair by pulling it over your head. Just unzip and tie! Bam! It comes off and goes back on again while outside in the FREEZING TEMPS of the low 60's!! :D It then comes off in the car, which is plenty warm due to solar heating. Off and on...easily!

At night, when it's dark outside and I am in my home the hoodie makes it's last appearance of the day. It's my 'housecoat' over the pj's until I get in bed.

Just can't say enough about this dear 'friend' of mine, my gray zip hoodie!
Happy Friday to all!

A Long Dry Spell!

Greetings Readers!

It's been a very long time since I posted something on this blog. Sorry about the long dry spell. In fact, I have been trying for the last 10 min. to post a couple of pictures and it's just not working. I'll try again after I type the text of this post!

Here are some highlights to share: We had a wonderful trip to Ecuador in September with Compassion International. We got to meet the girl, Vanessa, whom we have supported for 11 years! She turned 15 in December! We also added a new girl to support, Karina, and we were thrilled to meet her as well. The trip to Ecuador is one we will always cherish. We've made some new friends who were also on the trip.

In November we found out that Nolan's cancer is back for a third time. This time, however, there can be no treatment. The tumor in his lung cannot be opperated on, and no chemo is being given. Nolan's prognosis is terminal. He is now 5 years old and attends Kindergarten. I write on January 23 and he is still doing OK, but some signs are beginning. Hospice is already involved and will be there to make him comfortable in his last days. We don't know when that will be, but Jim and I, as well as all of Nolan's loved ones from near and far, have spent as much time with Nolan as they can. We are thankful to have a home in Albuquerque so we can go over there often and spend long periods of time near Nolan, Eric, and sweet sister Claire! ( 16 mos) Jim is able to work from that location, which is an added blessing.

Jim's work: Going very well. He was so very busy and traveling most of 2009 and was the leader of launching the mines as an IPO. Rio Tinto mines are now available for individual investors to purchase shares under the code: CLD ( Cloud Peak Energy) There is one mine that was not 'spun off' and Jim is the president/CEO of this mine located in Colorado. We enjoyed going to Craig, CO, for the company Christmas party!

A blessing to see the following dear family of ours during the months of November and December: Jim's parents, Carole and Dwight. Jim's sister, Peg, and husband,Dennis; Ingrid, Drew and his wife Lindsey, Sarah ( all the way from Ukraine!) and Eric, Nolan, and Claire. Also a wonderful Christmas Eve service at Christ the Ray of Hope where Nolan was a shepherd and many family members from Harold and Sherry's gang were there! 19 folks in Nolan's family photo that night! Truly a celebration of the salvation we have which began in the birth of the Christ child. And Nolan knows his Savior! Therefore, all is well.

Finally, the training which began in Aug. and ended 6 days ago on Jan. 18th with Team Diabetes. Our 4th year to train and fundraise for the American Diabetes Association. This year I was the top fundraiser with $7,200.00 and Jim was second with $4,100.00. All going for ADA! And our races....PFChang Rock N Roll...Jim did a great job on the full marathon and was pleased with his outcome, and I was SUPER excited that I set a personal record, my fastest half marathon out of 6 of them! My time was 2:37:19 and that's an achievement for me.

So, on this rainy Saturday in Scottsdale AZ I will sign off now, try to attach a photo or two before I hit the publish post button, and send you my love and the love of the Lord Jesus!

All is well.
Sue

June Joy

Hello Readers,

June has come and gone so quickly. Here are just a few highlights:

1. Jim and I celebrated our 19th anniversary in Scottsdale. The restaurant had beautiful views at the base of Camelback Mountain.

2. June 11th to June 27 were days away. The majority of the time we were in Albuquerque in our home there. We got to hang out with the grandkids and also take a few more steps towards the completion of a master bathroom renovation that Eric is heading up for us. Good times in Albuq. with running and some classes in the gym, too. We enjoyed the MUCH cooler temps. there.

3. Over Father's Day weekend we made a quick trip to Denver. Enjoyed spending time with Jim's parents and his sister Peg and her hubby Dennis. So glad we made the trip!

It seems we'll be sticking around Scottsdale in July. I have a 45 hour course I must take to renew my teaching certification. Glad my friend Susan is taking it with me.

See you next time.

May you know the JOY of the Lord!

Graduation Guy!

Hip Hip Hooray!!

We were so pleased to make a trip to So California this past weekend to celebrate the graduation of youngest son Drew. Jim and I traveled on Wednesday and Thursday and enjoyed time with Drew and Lindsey before the activities began on Friday.

Friday morning was Baccalureate on campus. What a joy! Singing, sermon, and commisioning of the graduates to go out into the world with the Good News of Jesus rocked my socks off! ( I was wearing sandals, but you get the picture!)

We enjoyed spending some quality time with dear friends Patra and Peter and their little ones. Then, it was off to the graduation where we met up with daughter Ingrid.

Commencement was also very good. We heard an inspirational message entitled, "The Worth of a Man" from baseball legend Dave Dravecky. He attributed his worth in life to his relationship with His Lord, Jesus Christ. The celebration of Drew's accomplishments at Concordia University were a moment that will become a joyous memory. As you see in the picture, our family of consisted of Jim, Sue, Ingrid, Drew's wife Lindsey, and of course, the graduate Drew!!

Cheers of you, Drew Berson, and God's most perfect joy and peace as you continue on to your 'next half', four years of Seminary in St. Louis!

Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Jacaranda memories

I will never forget the day I was on a walk in the area of my home in Sydney. I was in a neighborhood of small homes spaced closely together. As I walked I was approaching an open area and in just seconds I had a view that I will never forget. Below me was an area of homes that were built in a forest of jacaranda trees! Literally hundreds... all in full purple splendor! The sight took my breath away. The color was vibrant and the blooms were huge. I didn't know the name of the tree but since that time I have seen many jacarandas, although nothing has compared to that area of Sydney. (it would have been November, their spring)

The jacarandas are in bloom in Scottsdale. Even though we lived here before I never noticed them. Perhaps that is because they are not nearly as magnificent as those in Oz, or perhaps because I've gained new eyes for seeing things in a different way as I get older. Memories and present day all have their place in this complicated thing we call life!

Here's a post in memory of Sydney's jacarandas!

Cheers!

Triple Triumph!

Hello Readers!

Here is the triple triumph!!!

1. Jim set a personal record of his best time in Pat's Run out of 3 years (07,08,09)

2. I set a personal record of my best time in Pat's Run out of 3 years (07,08,09)

3. And the third accomplishment is the photo appearing on this blog. I received this picture from Coach Dave( our Team D coach)in an email and I figured out how to move it to my pictures and was then able to put it on my blog. A first! For those of you who know me well (tech. challenged) this is indeed a huge triumph!! Yippee!!

I thought it was really cool the way Dave put the date/caption over the picture!
Thanks, Dave.

JOY for today!
sue

Jim's 55/10 day!

Today is Jim's birthday...he is 55 years old today! I've been hearing him talk about 55/10 lately and this day is a very big one for him because it is connected to his company's health benefits policy. If I am understanding this correctly, the health options become more secure if retirement occurs at age 55 and with 10 years of service. Jim has hit 55 and his years of employment with his company will be 18 on May 1st! So, this milestone is important to him, especially when you consider the weight of medical costs for his Type 1 diabetic wife! (that's me!)

We've had a fun day which started early and took us to a 7 am start time for Pat's Run, a local race which is done in honor of Pat Tillman. It's a short run, of only 4.2 miles which is in recognition of his jersey number(42) when he played football for the AZ Sun Devils. We finish on the 42 yardline of Sun Devil's stadium! We both ran well, we think it's our fastest in the 3 years that we've done this run. PR!

Next was our Praise Band rehearsal...which lasted 2 hours! Yikes! But our music tomorrow for 2 services should sound just fine. We're playing/singing with new people so the group was not quite as familiar with each other's styles. God be praised!

Tonight Jim is cooking a rack of lamb on the BBQ. That will be really yummy! It's just the two of us, a very small party! The special highlight in addtion to the lamb will be the bottle of wine from Australia. This wine is a Penfolds Grange. Many of you may know the label Penfolds, but this particular type ( Grange) is something very special. It was a going away gift when we left Australia and is expensive...like in the hundreds of dollars! First pour was 2007, but it's fine to keep it longer. It's a 1997 vintage/ bottled in 1998. I'm not up on all of that, but I do know we've been waiting to open this wine for a long time! We had planned to open it when Jim retired, but he's having a lot of fun in his job so that's a ways away...time to open the grange!!! And to you, Jim Berson, I raise my glass and say, "Cheers! I love you, and may God's grace and love overflow today and always!"

I Left My Heart...Again!

Jim and I just returned from a long weekend in San Francisco. It had been 18 months since our last visit to this city by the bay, and the one U.S. city that we never grow tired of. We have made many trips to that beautiful place, and with each return trip we find something new to see and do. Here are a few highlights:

1. We managed the BART transport(train) both from the airport and back. We had to link the BART with a city bus ( and one short taxi ride due to an error on our part) but for the most part it was smooth sailing to and from the city. Saved a lot of money on cab fares as well, and exciting to learn new things.

2. We enjoyed a couple new restaurants in the area. One was a fantastic Indian called Dosa and the other was Thai, also outstanding food.

3. We caught two Farmers' Markets, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. The hightlight of those was the freshly popped Kettle Corn. Yum!

4. Having received a tip from the concierge of our hotel we took the bus to the theatre district/ Orpheum and put our name in a lottery drawing to see the Sunday matinee of the Broadway musical WICKED. About 60 people gathered at noon for the drawing. If your name is chosen from the group of people you are then given the opportunity to purchase tickets in the 'limited view' seats. The seats are somewhat obstructed, so you miss about 20% of the scenes on the side where you are seated. But you can't beat the price...a normal ticket sold for $99.00 ( and they were sold out for the next 3 weeks) and a lottery ticket was $25 cash only. Well, wouldn't you know, our name was drawn and we had $50 cash so we saw WICKED on Sunday afternoon! GREAT SHOW! OH!! This was so cool, Patty Duke had one of the lead roles! AWESOME afternoon!

5. A lot of running and a very long walk...Jim and I had several runs on the Embarcadero and a long walk from Fisherman's Wharf to the Golden Gate. We had done that the last time we were there ( photo is from that earlier trip Oct. of 2007) but this time we stopped only briefly at the Golden Gate and then continued west to the Cliff House. Almost all of this hike was along the water/cliffs and the scenery was beautiful. The total trip was just shy of 8 miles! It was so much fun!

Good weather, good companionship, good food, and a time with no schedule and only a few business calls that Jim had to take. Not too shabby!!

JOY!

Birthday, Balance, and Blessings!

Greetings to all of you,

Jim and I were so grateful to make a trip to Albuquerque the last days of February to celebrate Nolan's 5th birthday! The picture on the couch is in our home in Albuquerque, and was taken the day after Nolan turned 5. We are so thankful for his very life, considering the challenges that he has had to face in his short lifetime. And the recent blessing is that he is cancer free! The scans taken on March 3 came back clean. Praise God for that answer to prayer! However, the advice of the doctor was for him to undergo two more rounds of chemo, which he will have. So please continue to keep all of them in your prayers during these next two months.

The second picture amazes me! Beth has one posted on her blog that is very similar. This was taken on Sunday, March 1st in our Albuq. place as well. Claire was one day shy of six months in that photo. Beth has said that if it was anyone other that Eric doing this trick she would not allow it...but because it is Eric, we are all fine with this balancing act, as we know his capacity for balance and reflex!

One final blessing...Jim's latest job assignment to divest the coal mines in North America has one success to date. One of the coal mines has been purchased and he has succeeded wonderfully well!! We were in Gillette just a week ago today when it hit the headlines...Arch Coal buys Jacobs Ranch mine...front page Top Story!!

I write this blog with thanksgiving and send each of you love, from Jesus and me

Connections and surprises!

Greetings to you all!

Some little things of late that make me smile!

FINDING FORMER STUDENTS! Jim and I went to a musical production on February 7th because we were invited by one of the performers. Natalie is in 9th grade and goes to our church. She was excited for us to see this show and it was a dressy event, and had a silent auction to benefit the Christian Youth Theater so we thought it would be fun. The show was wonderful, and we had a very fun evening. But the really interesting thing was that the vocal director for this show is a woman in her late 20's. She is a former student of mine!! She was in the 5th grade when I taught a half a year at Christ Lutheran School in Phoenix in 1991. Isn't that just too crazy! Fun to reconnect.

That, then, led me to the quest to find another former student who lives in the area. I'm still working on that one. But if anyone out there reading this knows Joe Gullekson, tell him to call me, please!

MISSION/ OUTREACH/ RECONNECTING AGAIN! On Feb. 11th I was happy to reconnect with a dear friend from Salt Lake City who now lives here. Our younger kids ( Sarah and Drew) used to play with her kids...and Eric and Ingrid used to babysit Lisa's kids. Well, as it turns out now Lisa works for a wonderful non-profit organization called Food for the Hungry and I got a tour on Feb. 11th. We then went to lunch and we talked about the international kids...her oldest Emily in Africa doing nursing with AIDS/HIV patients, Drew just coming back from China and getting ready to go to Ukriane to see his sister. Sarah living in Ukriane now and will for two years teaching English for the Peace Corps. We are just amazed at the places these kids have been and will be going! Another friend of mine, Susan, has a daughter who just returned from Ghana. This is not what I would have pictured, but God's plan is always something to anticipate and celebrate!

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Tonight Jim and I went to help out at the International Friendship House. A group from our church was going to serve a meal that we provided. We made soup, salad, brought bread and cookies and drinks. Then we were given the opportunity to chat with the students from places all over the world. They gather to eat and then to practice their English with local folks. I was wearing a T shirt that said " THIRST" which was given to me by Ingrid for a District Youth Gathering a few years ago. A young man(not an international student) walked up to me and said, " Did you go?" as he indicated my t shirt. I said, "Yes" and his reply was, " I was a speaker there" and then the light bulb went on!!! "You're Sarah's friend! I remember you!!" As the conversation unfolded he said he had seen Drew just last Friday at Concordia. He spoke of his wife and their plans to go to South Africa for 16 months.
I can tell you why I didn't pick up on it right away...his name tag said "KEN" and if it had said "CHIT" I would have totally caught it!! Small world. We got to hang out with international students as well as friends of Sarah and Drew from days past!
And, another familiar face that I figured out was Lisa's aunt...the Lisa from the previous paragraph! I knew her when Jim and I attended Christ Church 18 years ago!

To all of you reading this, whether you're stateside or somewhere else in the world, I'm so thankful I had the chance to RECONNECT with you tonight! JOY, always, in Jesus!

January JOY!

Hello All!

There has been an amazing answer to prayer in January. Eric and Beth went to an appointment to get the results of Nolan's recent scans in order to decide the next steps. They were hoping that the tumor in Nolan's right lung would be small enough to operate/remove it. What they were told when they went was, 'There is no evidence of cancer in the lung!' The tumor is GONE! Praise God! NO SURGERY! Nolan will still have a bit more chemo, two or three more rounds. But this is wonderful news, a miracle! Thank you all for your prayers and support of this family.

In other news for January...Jim and Sue completed a FULL MARATHON yesterday, January 18th. We have been training since August with Team Diabetes and we both finished the PF Chang Rock and Roll here in town. It was the 4th marathon for Jim and my first. We are thankful that we only have sore muscles, no injuries. The weekend was especially fun because Ingrid came and had two friends join her as our houseguests for the weekend. Her two friends ran the half marathon, both of them running this distance for the first time. They did well! There was a lot of laughter, eating, drinking celebratory beverages, and just plain JOY! Great to have the company of Ingrid, Chris, and Laura! (and HONEY!)

Finally, we enjoyed the company of friends Phil and Donna from Gillette last week. They are dear friends and they were in town for a conference. We were able to spend some quality time with them as they were staying just 5 miles from our house. What a treat!

January JOY is the best way to put it!

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS from the Bersons

Greetings in the name of Jesus, our Savior born in Bethlehem. We wish you JOY in Him!

On January 18th of 2008 my mom went to her final address, heaven. It was a very sudden death and we are thankful that she went quickly and without pain. We think she had a heart attack after shoveling snow. Mom had spend about 6 weeks with us in AZ just weeks before, and we cherish those special memories.

Our family is ever changing as our children get older. There is another grandchild to celebrate, and we welcomed Claire Shelby Johnson into the family on September 2. She and her dad, Eric, mom, Beth, and big brother Nolan(4 yrs.) live in Albuquerque. Nolan's cancer returned in April and they battle on. Chemo and radiation brought some wonderful results, however, and healing is taking place. We thank God for that, and invite you to keep this family in your prayers. (check earlier blogs)

Jim travels a lot with his work. This past year it has been mostly within the USA, with an occasional trip to London. He was also given an additional responsiblity as CEO/President of Colowyo Mining Company in Craig, CO. Rio Tinto is shifting and redirecting its holdings as many companys are doing in this challenged economic time. We are thankful for this new opportunity for Jim. I am still subbing, but haven't had a lot of jobs this fall. I am hoping that picks up soon...love the kids.

Volunteer stuff includes: Music at church, Life Care message for me once a month, prayer shawl knitting ( you guess who does that!!), Jim is an elder, and we've served on various think tanks/ committees. I've joined the prayer ministry team. We are also both training for the Rock and Roll FULL MARATHON with Team Diabetes and raised money as volunteers to support the American Diabetes Association.

Summer brought about more change: Ingrid moved from CA to Albuquerque and is currently working for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of New Mexico. She enjoys being near the Johnson clan! Drew and Lindsey remain in So. CA where they both work and both attend school. Drew finishes at Concordia in May of 09. Lindsey is currently working on her degree as a Nurse Practitioner. Sarah made her final arrangments with the Peace Corps and awaited her assignment...Ukraine! She said farewell to us on Sept. 19th and has just received her two year placement assignment in Tartarbunary!
July also included a trip to LaCrosse, WI, to bury Mom's ashed next to my dad's. Jim and I also attended my 35th High School reunion in Fairmont, MN. Fun!

I had the honor of being trustee of Mom and Dad's trusts. They were distributed by the beginning of August and after we considered our options Jim and I decided investing in a property rather than the stock market seemed wise. We were able to buy a small home in Albuquerque. We continue to keep our Scottsdale home as our main residence. It's nice to have a place to stay when we visit the grandkids...and this summer it will offer an escape from the desert heat for a week or two at a stretch.

A momenteous occasion was celebrated in Denver the weekend of Aug. 8th...the 60th wedding anniversary of Jim's parents, Dwight and Carole Berson!!It was a great party and such a wonderful tribute to two people who have been dedicated to their union and family for so many years! We are thankful and blessed.

Full circle..January 18th, 2009 is the date of the Rock and Roll Marthon...Jim's 4th and my first. Being the one year anniversary of mom's death you can bet I'll have have a HUGE smile as I think of her and her enduring spirit. JOY!

May the Peace of God, the Love of the Christchild, and Hope in the Spirit be yours, today and ahead in 2009.

Much love,
Jim and Sue

STRENGTH!

It is with great joy that I write this entry. The picture you see in this blog was taken almost a year ago, Thanksgiving 2007, in our condo community pool. I am choosing this photo because I want you to join me in giving Thanks to God for His strength being poured out on Nolan, Eric, Beth, and little Claire. Here's the latest, greatest news:

Eric called today with the best news we've heard in a long time. The area in the upper leg that had the turmor removed last summer has NO SIGN OF CANCER! The tumor in the lung has shrunk by nearly 50 percent!

The next steps are: Do two more rounds of chemo and then the doctors will look at removing the lung tumor. After he recovers from the surgery there will perhaps be two or three more cycles of chemo. But the bottom line is this: HEALING is taking place and cancer has been defeated in one area. God be praised!

As Eric said in his email, Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I concur, and ask that you would please continue to pray. It was amazing just how strong Nolan was through all of this recent chemo and radiation, and I know that's because so many were storming the gates of heaven!


Philppians 4:13 I can do everything though Him who gives me STRENGTH!

Not Even A Month!

Hello Readers!

It hasn't even been a month since my last post. That's pretty unusual!

I'm going to steamline my bits and pieces of news and hopefully post a couple of pictures, maybe even three:

. Sarah made it to Ukraine safely and she's loving the experience so far. She lives with an older woman who teaches English. They still try to speak Russian in the home, as this will move Sarah along more rapidly in her grasp of the language. She attends formal classes in Russian as well. Her attitude is positive and happy.

. Nolan has had two intense weeks of both chemo and radiation. Trips to the hospital Monday through Friday for two weeks straight took the entire afternoon. He has a break from chemo now for two weeks, but the radiation will continue. Beth is a trooper and Claire cooperates by being an easy baby. Nolan's spirit is strong. He takes it all without complaint, and he enjoys playing a lot! Even his appetite remains good. God is pouring out His strength on Nolan and the family. Keep praying!

. Jim and I are running in the Long Beach Half Marathon this weekend, Oct. 12. Then we'll reunite with the Team Diabetes training group to prepare for the Rock and Roll Marathon that will take place in January of 09. I am fundraising like crazy. I have set a personal fundraising goal of $5,000.00 for the American Diabetes Association. My sincere THANKS to all of you who have donated so far. If I reach my goal I'm hoping to run/walk the FULL marathon this time, with my doctor's permission. If you haven't donated and would like to, I'd appreciate it! The donation link is:

http://www.active.com/donate/teamdiabetes/SBerson1

May you know the Joy of the Lord, today and every day! sue :D

Peace in the Core

It seems that lately the excercise experts are recommending strengthening your core muscles. If the core is solid and well, your body will be much healthier overall.

The last couple of days I've had to exercise my emotional core, that being my heart. Sarah is heading overseas to Ukraine for 27 months with the Peace Corp. We had to say goodbye to her early this morning at the airport here in Phoenix and send her off for training, and then she'll be sent on her Peace Corp assignment. The reality of the loss in closness to her physically hit my core very hard. Tears were shed, and are flowing freely now. But not tears only of loss and sadness, also tears of pride and joy and love! In fact, mostly tears of pride and joy and love!!

My mind has worked on exercising my core with positive thoughts; memories of years long ago and recent memories made in these past two days while she was here. I've thought of the positive impact Sarah will make on so many lives. And she will grow in this experience. I've prayed, a lot! I am thankful to God for His Spirit giving peace to my core.

And to you, Sarah:

Bless you, Sweet Sarah.

May the peace of Christ dwell in you richly.

Peace in the Core!

Another LONG dry spell!

Hello Readers,

What can I say, it's the desert, the desert has a lot of dry spells.

Today is Sept. 15th and Jim's father, Dwight Berson, is 83 years old today! Hooray!

Another announcement...drum roll please...the arrival of our second grandchild, this time a girl, to parents Eric and Beth and big brother Nolan. Claire Shelby Johnson. Claire arrived on Sept. 2 at 5:17am and is in excellent health. Jim and I were in town the weekend before her arrival, over Labor Day, and I was just dropping him off at the Albuq. airport at 4:45 am when I got a text message from Eric telling me to stay in town. ( I had the car packed and was about to drive back to Scottsdale.) So, the Lord blessed me by being able to meet Claire the day she was born. Jim needed to make his trip, so he caught his plane and I made my way to the hospital. Both of us were able to make the drive to Albuq. this past weekend and attend the baptism.( Sept. 14) We celebrate Claire's birth and baptismal RE-birth in Christ!

Nolan continues to undergo treatment for his cancer. He has had chemo, and is on a break from it now. They were able to successfully take the tumor in his groin out on August 27th
and there were good margins. They are hopefull that they got it all. There is still cancer in his right lung. That will be treated with radiation. Those treatments were supposed to begin today, but had to be postponed. Today brought another medical treatment, however, in the fact that he needed surgery on his stump. The first surgery on his stump (July 28th)was to trim it up a bit so it worked better with his prosthetic. It was just not healing up correctly, so they had to go back in and rework that area.

I know that many of you, dear readers, keep Nolan in your prayers. Thank you for that. I'll try to do a better job of keeping you informed. But over all I can tell you that Nolan is full of LIFE! He just goes and goes and goes. He loves playing and is 'all boy'!! It's just a joy to see him in action. God's love is evident in all.

Time to try to attach a few photos. I'll give you more on the rest of the family another time.

God's blessings to all,
sue

Father's Day

I am pleased to be back on the blogging. There were some very difficult days since I last wrote,as well as wonderful days. Even though I'm not going in to a lot of detail, perhaps a time of reflection would be in order:

1. Mom died on January 18th and my life as the trustee of the estate and also the named personal representative has become one of duty, honor, and somewhat of a time commitment. What I've found to be a bit surprising is how much RESPONSIBLITY I feel towards their estate. I want to do it just the way they would want, and I'm happy to do it for them. Glad I'm a product of both as I'm using my dad's business sense and my mom's careful watching of the pennies. It's almost done, and I thank God for His speedy timing in the house sale and other things. I missed my mom a lot on her birthday in April and Mother's Day in May. And my dad today. But the Lord is enjoying them and they are celebrating each day with Jesus. Praise Him!

2. Nolan, the wonderful grandson, has cancer again. I think many of you have linked to Ingrid's or Beth's blog to read about him. If you haven't, I'd invite you to do so. The bottom line is this: Nolan has cancer in two places in his body, a tumor in his groin and a small area of this right lung. He has begun chemo again. It has been such shocking and awful news that I really can't put my feelings in to words. But I have watched his parents, Eric and Beth, carry on with more strength than I could ever imagine. I am so proud of them and the way they continue to parent Nolan. And there is another baby on the way...a girl due in early September. JOY! Please, please, keep praying for all of them. God is faithful and He is able. I am trusting in Him and therein is my peace.

3. Sarah!!! She has found out that she is going to be placed in Ukraine with the Peace Corps. I wish I had her blog link on this blog, but you should be able to find her through Ingrids. ( I don't know how to add names and when I first set this up, Ingrid put the two on for me and Sarah didn't have one yet...hope you find her!) She is making all the necessary preparations to make this happen. She's be missed greatly, but I KNOW she'll make such a difference in the lives of all those she encounters. You make me proud, Sar!

Jim and I continue to live in Scottsdale and right now endure the heat. We get up at 5 am most mornings in order to run outside before it gets too hot. Jim is traveling a lot, and he was gone about 75% of the months of April and May. We enjoyed visits from our CA offspring...Drew and Lindsey, ( a quick trip to the Grand Canyon) as well as a fun, random visit from Ingrid! We have lots of room if anyone wants to come see us...we'll share the heat!

This week I'll be joining Jim in Montreal, Canada, on a business related trip. Fun for me, work for him.

That's the news from the desert for this round. Hopefully it won't be such a long DRY spell before the next time...a pun IS intended!! Bless you! Sue

Fairmont Friends

Nancy and Shelley are friends from childhood. The three of us lived next to each other on Day St. in Fairmont, MN, and were very close from elementary school through high school. Nancy was two years ahead of us in school, but we had so many things in common that it was bound to be a friendship that would last over the years.

As young girls we played dolls together, snuck lemon drops and pink peppermints from Nancy's family candy jar, and spent countless hours on our bikes, riding to 'the lake' to spend the summer afternoons swimming and just hanging out together. In later years we all played clarinet, we were all twirlers, and were a part of the marching band that went to California and performed in Disneyland, the Angels stadium, and Knots Berry Farm. There are many memories of a wonderful childhood with wonderful friends.

On March 18th we were togther for the first time in 32 years! We had seen each other on separate occasions but not all three of us at the same time. We are in touch at least a couple of times a year, so the information on each other was fairly current. But what was clear to me is that girls who play dolls together and raid the candy dish and make each other laugh so hard that one of them has to run to the sink because milk is coming out of her nose are friends for life!!

I raise a glass of milk to you, Nancy and Shelley. Cheers to our forever friendship!

Superhero Friend Turns Four!

Well, the Superhero had his fourth birthday the end of February. Jim and I were able to drive to Albuquerque the weekend before Nolan's birthday and celebrate an early birthday with him.

We got there late Friday afternoon and in less than an hour after our arrival this is the scene you would have seen at the Johnson household:

Nolan and Grandma Berson wearing superhero capes ( blankets tied around our necks) carrying the toy guns I had used as a child...cap guns that have lost the ability to work properly but not the ability to entertain and captivate the imagination of an almost four year old! We were the SUPERHERO FRIENDS and we were hunting the Monster.

Yes, you guessed it, Jim was the Monster. He hid and we searched. Nolan and I would hunt room by room to find that monster, but when it was a little bit dark the smaller of the superheros would duck behind the larger superhero and the monster would jump out and scare us. And it would start all over again...

After about a half hour of this game I plopped down on the floor in the livingroom with my cape still in tact and my capgun/pistol in hand. Jim said, " Oh, I wish I had a picture of this!" Sorry, no picture to share, only the memory of a great time with our grandson! Sharing another photo instead, and so thankful I have the picture of an event called SUPERHERO FRIENDS FIND THE MONSTER in my head and heart!