BUSY, BUSY TIMES here at the Alexanders...most days it feels like there is too much to do and not enough time to do it...thus, the delay in the postings! But here is a full family update:
**MIKAELA**
~She only has $200 left to meet her $8200 goal!! We are confident that this will be met by Friday...last minute donations are still coming in and Mikaela is for sure going! This has been an amazing adventure (more like a whirlwind) and a huge faith builder for not only Mikaela, but the whole family. Thank you to everyone who contributed financially, supported her in prayer and gave her just what she needed in encouraging words and notes!
~She will board the train this Sunday afternoon and travel down to San Diego with 5 other students from Portland. They will connect with the other 7 students and the 7 staff members on Sept 1st and then the real adventure begins!!
~Mikaela will create a blog soon (Ventana Ministries requirement) and I will post all the information here so you can follow her every move!
~All the students were sent a duffel bag and a packing list...whatever fits is what they get to bring. Earlier this week, Mikaela was so excited to find out that she did NOT have to pack her sleeping bag and pillow in the duffel bag!! "More room for clothes", was her quick and cheerful response!
**SPENCER**
~He is packing up and moving into his dorm apartment this Saturday and will start school on Monday, Sept 1st....a true Labor Day for him!
~He had a great time at Mt Hermon this summer, but was very ready to come home. He worked hard, learned a lot, met some great friends that he will keep in touch with, was asked to come back next year (I guess they liked him and his work) and is looking forward to his sophomore year at George Fox!
~Spencer continues to grow more handsome in appearance and kinder in spirit everyday. It has been a delight having him home and he will be missed as he heads off to school....but Isaac sure is excited to move into Spencer's room and claim it as his own!
**ISAAC**
~He has stayed very busy with football conditioning this summer and officially started team practice last week. He is very excited for the football season, misses his dad as his coach, but is carrying on and living out the legacy of 'BAND OF BROTHERS, WILL OF IRON and HEART OF FIRE' ! He has a jamboree this Friday to kick off the season and we will all go to watch him play!
~Isaac is all set to start his freshman year at Corvallis High School on Wed, Sept 3rd. This is his first school experience and is equally excited and nervous. He got the classes he wanted, has great teachers and is ready to learn and work hard.....I think the classroom is where he will get his hardest workout!
**PEARCE**
~He just finished the last of his antibiotic and is feeling stronger every day. He missed the first week of football but was able to go and observe this week's practice. He is so ready to go full force into everything, but he needs to pace himself and regain his strength slowly....a very challenging thing for Pearce to do!
~He is going into 7th grade and will be schooled here at home. Things will be very different this year with just Pearce at home during the day, but we are looking forward to a great year academically and spending quality time together....I'm sure that will involve lots of physical education and time at the gym!!
**MBA**
~Keeping it brief, this has been a crazy, busy difficult month for me in many ways...mostly just keeping up with the children's activities and meeting all their necessary needs and deadlines all at the same time....all by myself....very challenging physically, emotionally and mentally.
~I am looking forward to Sept, finding a routine that works for our new family situation and slowing down a bit....hopefully, that is possible.
~I want to get back to teaching at the club, but for many reasons, the time just hasn't been right. Hopefully, as we settle into a functional fall schedule, everything will be "just right" for teaching...and other things!
Please pray for our family, but especially for me, as we are entering into major family changes in the next few days and the weeks ahead. "Major changes" has been our family story the last year or so, and it appears to be the continuing theme for us. We are up for anything and ready for whatever lies ahead.....not only because we have a God who is FAITHFUL, CONSTANT AND NEVER CHANGES....but because we have such an amazing network of family and friends surrounding us. THANK YOU!
Love,
MBA
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
AUGUST 17TH
Today is Bruce's birthday. He would be 51 years young today! We are celebrating everything that Bruce loved...
~Had apple pie for breakfast
~Enjoyed a home matinee: Nacho Libre
~Snacking on bbq chips and dip while watching the Olympics
~Having a dinner of barbecued bratwursts and burgers, fruit salad and corn on the cob
~Will get a game of Risk and/or Scrabble in as we digest dinner
~Top the day off with rootbeer floats, fig newtons and strawberry ice cream
~Tomorrow we will go to the gym and burn off all the extra calories...and have fun while doing it!
This is yet another "first" that we are walking through....emotions are all over the place but we are focusing on love and the good memories and creating new ones!
**Other Alexander News**
~Mikaela is close to her support goal. Life has been too busy to post her progress, but she will update a bit later.
~Pearce has pneumonia. He was not feeling well and having a variety of different symptoms, was put through a number of tests this week, including a difficult CT yesterday to determine the suspicious shadings in his left lung ......let's just say we are thrilled for this "just pneumonia" diagnosis!
~Spencer comes home on Thursday..YEAH! We will all be together for a about 10 days before Mikaela leaves on Aug 31st and Spencer on Sept 1st.
More later....dinner is ready!
Love,
MBA
~Had apple pie for breakfast
~Enjoyed a home matinee: Nacho Libre
~Snacking on bbq chips and dip while watching the Olympics
~Having a dinner of barbecued bratwursts and burgers, fruit salad and corn on the cob
~Will get a game of Risk and/or Scrabble in as we digest dinner
~Top the day off with rootbeer floats, fig newtons and strawberry ice cream
~Tomorrow we will go to the gym and burn off all the extra calories...and have fun while doing it!
This is yet another "first" that we are walking through....emotions are all over the place but we are focusing on love and the good memories and creating new ones!
**Other Alexander News**
~Mikaela is close to her support goal. Life has been too busy to post her progress, but she will update a bit later.
~Pearce has pneumonia. He was not feeling well and having a variety of different symptoms, was put through a number of tests this week, including a difficult CT yesterday to determine the suspicious shadings in his left lung ......let's just say we are thrilled for this "just pneumonia" diagnosis!
~Spencer comes home on Thursday..YEAH! We will all be together for a about 10 days before Mikaela leaves on Aug 31st and Spencer on Sept 1st.
More later....dinner is ready!
Love,
MBA
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
A MIKAELA UPDATE
ONLY THREE MORE DAYS ...........
.......WILL SHE MAKE IT?
OK, so here it is:
**We had a garage sale on Fri and Sat and raised a whopping $1100! A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who made donations, helped us prepare, set up, take down, brought me coffee and prayed us through this overwhelming task! Mikaela was thrilled with the outcome and I am thrilled to once again have a clean garage!!
**Mikaela has been working very hard to raise her own money to help with the cost. She is currently nannying for a week up in Washington for some very dear friends. It has been a great opportunity for her to be a blessing to others as she is being blessed...this is exactly what Ventana Ministries is all about...this is exactly what Mikaela is all about!!
**As of this morning, Mikaela has received $2550 in donations from friends and family. Add in the $1100 from the garage sale and the $1500 from Mikaela and that brings her total to $5150....leaving only $3050 to raise by Friday, August 15th. SHE IS ALMOST THERE! THIS IS SO EXCITING!!
**IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP MIKAELA MEET HER GOAL OF $8200, please contact me at mb.alexander@comcast.net and I will email you Mikaela's letter and the tax deductible donation form. (it would be too much to post on the blog and I don't have the technical know how to create a link....)
Well, that's it for now. I will keep everyone updated so we can all share in the excitement of how things are progressing....kinda like watching the Olympics....WE ARE GOING FOR THE GOLD...HELPING MIKAELA'S DREAM COME TRUE!
Love,
MBA for the "A TEAM"!
NOT BY MIGHT, NOT BY POWER, BUT BY MY SPIRIT SAYS THE LORD!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
SOON, VERY SOON....
Okay, I was just looking at the last post and couldn't believe it was way back on July 17th. Time is going by waaaaay fast....and we have waaaaaay lots going on! I know I promised that Mikaela would post something "soon....very soon"....OOPPSS! Mikaela thought I shared specific details on the blog of what was happening with her and I guess I forgot to tell her that was her job....OOPPSS!
So, quickly, for those of you who have wondered and waited patiently, here is the condensed version. Mikaela, of course, will share more details and specifics in an email and letter that she will personally be sending out soon...very soon! (Yes, it will happen soon!)
While at Mount Hermon, we met Doug and Carrie Vomsteeg, the founders of Ventana Ministries, a 9 month program for high school graduates who want to find the heart of service and solidify their faith, vision and purpose before they go to college. This includes 3 months of intense life skill training, Spanish classes, Bible classes, and various mission work in CA, OR and WA and then 6 months of the same in Baja, Mexico. Mikaela was immediately intrigued by what she heard and saw and she could not stop thinking and hoping this could be a possibility for her. (For those of you who know Mikaela, she has always had a heart for missions and serving others.) So, we immediately started praying. When we got home, we investigated further, prayed, got input and feedback from others, prayed some more, asked lots of questions, prayed even more, sent in her application on July 25th and prayed, prayed, prayed! Well........
MIKAELA WAS ACCEPTED ON JULY 29TH AND WILL BE JOINING THE VENTANA TEAM OF 12 OTHER STUDENTS AND 7 STAFF ON AUGUST 31ST!!
Because of Mikaela's late enrollment (official enrollment deadline was June), everything is now in hyper fast forward speed mode....lots to do in very little time. There is much excitement and anticipation of how this is all going to come together....okay, and much panic!!! Mikaela is planning, preparing and working very hard to make money and raise all her support by August 15th. This is a big task that lies ahead for her but she has a big God and she knows that all things are possible with Him!
Again, this is a quick update with more details to follow. If you would like to know more about Ventana, you can visit their website at http://www.ventanaministries.com/ and view their promo video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=305VzcIJJlk.
Please contact us if you want more information on how you can support Mikaela and to make sure you are on her mailing list!
Thank you for your prayers.....we greatly appreciate them and need them greatly!
Good Night and God Bless,
MBA and Mikaela
So, quickly, for those of you who have wondered and waited patiently, here is the condensed version. Mikaela, of course, will share more details and specifics in an email and letter that she will personally be sending out soon...very soon! (Yes, it will happen soon!)
While at Mount Hermon, we met Doug and Carrie Vomsteeg, the founders of Ventana Ministries, a 9 month program for high school graduates who want to find the heart of service and solidify their faith, vision and purpose before they go to college. This includes 3 months of intense life skill training, Spanish classes, Bible classes, and various mission work in CA, OR and WA and then 6 months of the same in Baja, Mexico. Mikaela was immediately intrigued by what she heard and saw and she could not stop thinking and hoping this could be a possibility for her. (For those of you who know Mikaela, she has always had a heart for missions and serving others.) So, we immediately started praying. When we got home, we investigated further, prayed, got input and feedback from others, prayed some more, asked lots of questions, prayed even more, sent in her application on July 25th and prayed, prayed, prayed! Well........
MIKAELA WAS ACCEPTED ON JULY 29TH AND WILL BE JOINING THE VENTANA TEAM OF 12 OTHER STUDENTS AND 7 STAFF ON AUGUST 31ST!!
Because of Mikaela's late enrollment (official enrollment deadline was June), everything is now in hyper fast forward speed mode....lots to do in very little time. There is much excitement and anticipation of how this is all going to come together....okay, and much panic!!! Mikaela is planning, preparing and working very hard to make money and raise all her support by August 15th. This is a big task that lies ahead for her but she has a big God and she knows that all things are possible with Him!
Again, this is a quick update with more details to follow. If you would like to know more about Ventana, you can visit their website at http://www.ventanaministries.com/ and view their promo video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=305VzcIJJlk.
Please contact us if you want more information on how you can support Mikaela and to make sure you are on her mailing list!
Thank you for your prayers.....we greatly appreciate them and need them greatly!
Good Night and God Bless,
MBA and Mikaela
Thursday, July 17, 2008
HOME SWEET HOME!!
We got home Tues evening at 9:45pm....AAAHHH...10+ hours on the road was enough!! Our friend and amazing dog sitter, KC, brought Charlie back home right away and pure joy broke loose at the reunion of kids and pet! I think the kids were relieved that Charlie remembered them, the house and that he wanted to come back home! THANK YOU, KC, FOR TAKING SUCH EXCEPTIONAL CARE OF CHARLIE!!
We had a nice Wednesday of sleeping in, unpacking bags, lounging around (in between many loads of laundry), going through piles of mail, kids calling friends and making plans, etc.. We had a great vacation but there really is nothing like being home. Yes, it was very hard being on vacation without Bruce, even more difficult arriving home without him and being here without him...I'm certain that will be the case for a long time to come. I will post pictures from our trip when I learn how to download them from our new camera.
Spencer stayed very busy while we were at camp. We enjoyed seeing him every opportunity we could. He recovered quickly from his tooth extraction and there has been no problems. He really enjoys the team he is working with and he loves what he is doing (filming, editing and making a dvd every week along with other creative editing jobs for the two other camps). He does spend alot of time in the graphics office, aka "the dungeon", working long and late hours and is doing a fabulous job! He is ready for a break, though, and will fly home the last weekend of July for our yearly camp out with close college friends from OSU! We are all excited to have Spencer home again, even if for just 4 days!
We have some busy weeks ahead:
~Pearce is in physical therapy twice a week for some knee problems, is being tutored in math twice a week, is trying to get as much play time with friends as possible and attempting to keep up with things at home. I will home school Pearce for the 1st semester of his 7th grade and decide after that what will be best for him. I am looking forward to spending lots of 1 on 1 time with him...and I think Pearce is looking forward to it also! He is excited for football this fall and can't wait to be with his teammates again doing what he loves....smacking guys down!
~Ike is also in physical therapy twice a week for scoliosis, being tutored in math twice a week and doing other academic work in preparation for his freshman year. He will be going to Corvallis High School in September...he has a good dose of excitement and anxiety about his first public school experience. Football camp and daily doubles will be starting soon. I just want his body to be strong and ready for his football season...from a mother's perspective, one is never adequately ready for this type of abuse!
~Mikaela was ready to come home and prepare for her first year of college at George Fox......but it looks like she might be preparing for something else this next school year. When you ask God to direct your steps and lead you in His will......HE DOES!! Well, that is all I can say....Mikaela will have to share the rest. PLEASE PRAY FOR WISDOM, DISCERNMENT AND PEACE FOR MIKAELA AS SHE HAS A MAJOR DECISION TO MAKE WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO!! I promise, she will post something soon...very soon!
~Most days, I have way too much to do and not enough time to do it all. Again, I think it will be this way for some time. I have to take one day at a time, one step at a time, doing just the next thing....and then juggle everything else that comes my way that I didn't plan on! I am working my way back slowly into teaching cycling classes at Timberhill Athletic Club. I have really missed it and it is very good for me to be exercising again....I just need to be able to talk and ride at the same time...please pray that will happen soon!! :) I have joined a GriefShare Workshop this summer and that has been very good, very hard and very necessary! I try to purposefully take time to slow down, be still and process all that I am dealing with in the midst of our busy schedules and the workshop has been one great way for me to do that. It's not the easiest thing for me to do, but it is the best thing for me to do!
Boy, that was an ear full. I do hope that my postings give a little insight into what we, The A Team, are doing and are helpful for those of you who are still praying for us. It is "tricky" sometimes:
~to know what to say and what not to say......
~to make sense "on paper" when things don't always make sense in my heart and my brain.....
~to take the time to share when there isn't a whole lot of extra time......
~to want this all to go away and know that it won't.......
~to be on the receiving end of so much support, love and prayers and not be able to reciprocate in the same way.....
~to be so blessed and filled with overwhelming gratitude and to know that "thank you" just doesn't adequately express all that I feel.........but I say it anyway,
THANK YOU!
MBA
We had a nice Wednesday of sleeping in, unpacking bags, lounging around (in between many loads of laundry), going through piles of mail, kids calling friends and making plans, etc.. We had a great vacation but there really is nothing like being home. Yes, it was very hard being on vacation without Bruce, even more difficult arriving home without him and being here without him...I'm certain that will be the case for a long time to come. I will post pictures from our trip when I learn how to download them from our new camera.
Spencer stayed very busy while we were at camp. We enjoyed seeing him every opportunity we could. He recovered quickly from his tooth extraction and there has been no problems. He really enjoys the team he is working with and he loves what he is doing (filming, editing and making a dvd every week along with other creative editing jobs for the two other camps). He does spend alot of time in the graphics office, aka "the dungeon", working long and late hours and is doing a fabulous job! He is ready for a break, though, and will fly home the last weekend of July for our yearly camp out with close college friends from OSU! We are all excited to have Spencer home again, even if for just 4 days!
We have some busy weeks ahead:
~Pearce is in physical therapy twice a week for some knee problems, is being tutored in math twice a week, is trying to get as much play time with friends as possible and attempting to keep up with things at home. I will home school Pearce for the 1st semester of his 7th grade and decide after that what will be best for him. I am looking forward to spending lots of 1 on 1 time with him...and I think Pearce is looking forward to it also! He is excited for football this fall and can't wait to be with his teammates again doing what he loves....smacking guys down!
~Ike is also in physical therapy twice a week for scoliosis, being tutored in math twice a week and doing other academic work in preparation for his freshman year. He will be going to Corvallis High School in September...he has a good dose of excitement and anxiety about his first public school experience. Football camp and daily doubles will be starting soon. I just want his body to be strong and ready for his football season...from a mother's perspective, one is never adequately ready for this type of abuse!
~Mikaela was ready to come home and prepare for her first year of college at George Fox......but it looks like she might be preparing for something else this next school year. When you ask God to direct your steps and lead you in His will......HE DOES!! Well, that is all I can say....Mikaela will have to share the rest. PLEASE PRAY FOR WISDOM, DISCERNMENT AND PEACE FOR MIKAELA AS SHE HAS A MAJOR DECISION TO MAKE WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO!! I promise, she will post something soon...very soon!
~Most days, I have way too much to do and not enough time to do it all. Again, I think it will be this way for some time. I have to take one day at a time, one step at a time, doing just the next thing....and then juggle everything else that comes my way that I didn't plan on! I am working my way back slowly into teaching cycling classes at Timberhill Athletic Club. I have really missed it and it is very good for me to be exercising again....I just need to be able to talk and ride at the same time...please pray that will happen soon!! :) I have joined a GriefShare Workshop this summer and that has been very good, very hard and very necessary! I try to purposefully take time to slow down, be still and process all that I am dealing with in the midst of our busy schedules and the workshop has been one great way for me to do that. It's not the easiest thing for me to do, but it is the best thing for me to do!
Boy, that was an ear full. I do hope that my postings give a little insight into what we, The A Team, are doing and are helpful for those of you who are still praying for us. It is "tricky" sometimes:
~to know what to say and what not to say......
~to make sense "on paper" when things don't always make sense in my heart and my brain.....
~to take the time to share when there isn't a whole lot of extra time......
~to want this all to go away and know that it won't.......
~to be on the receiving end of so much support, love and prayers and not be able to reciprocate in the same way.....
~to be so blessed and filled with overwhelming gratitude and to know that "thank you" just doesn't adequately express all that I feel.........but I say it anyway,
THANK YOU!
MBA
Monday, July 14, 2008
STILL VACATIONING!
This is a very quick update....I promise!
We stayed an extra night at Mt Hermon so we could spend more time with Spencer and other friends. Just like the beginning of our trip, we had dinner together on Sat night, the kids all hung out together playing frisbee on the meadow while I went to the Marty Goetz concert...another amazing performance! We checked out of our room Sun morning, went to church together, went out to lunch with Spencer, came back and visited with friends and then said our goodbyes to Spencer and friends....it was a hard goodbye! We stayed the night with our friends in San Jose and are just kicking back and resting up for our big drive home on Tuesday. The transition into "real life" is always a tricky one and a day of rest will help tremendously....esp for me as the driver!
We have TONS of stories from our time at Mt Hermon and hopefully over the next week or so, we can share them with everyone...like the one about Pearce wrestling an Oregon Duck alum and pinning him......in a packed dining hall!
Oh, just in case anyone was curious, the DVD turned out great. Bart, Ellen and Lauren all watched it last night and Lauren, a 25 year old business woman, said she wants to go next year and join in the fun!!! Great job, Spencer!!!
Well, keeping it brief. More later!
Love,
MBA
~LOVE ALWAY WINS~
We stayed an extra night at Mt Hermon so we could spend more time with Spencer and other friends. Just like the beginning of our trip, we had dinner together on Sat night, the kids all hung out together playing frisbee on the meadow while I went to the Marty Goetz concert...another amazing performance! We checked out of our room Sun morning, went to church together, went out to lunch with Spencer, came back and visited with friends and then said our goodbyes to Spencer and friends....it was a hard goodbye! We stayed the night with our friends in San Jose and are just kicking back and resting up for our big drive home on Tuesday. The transition into "real life" is always a tricky one and a day of rest will help tremendously....esp for me as the driver!
We have TONS of stories from our time at Mt Hermon and hopefully over the next week or so, we can share them with everyone...like the one about Pearce wrestling an Oregon Duck alum and pinning him......in a packed dining hall!
Oh, just in case anyone was curious, the DVD turned out great. Bart, Ellen and Lauren all watched it last night and Lauren, a 25 year old business woman, said she wants to go next year and join in the fun!!! Great job, Spencer!!!
Well, keeping it brief. More later!
Love,
MBA
~LOVE ALWAY WINS~
Thursday, July 10, 2008
MOUNT HERMON
Greetings from Mount Hermon! I haven't been able to post because of some computer problems, so I am in the Graphics Dept Office using a coworkers computer while Spencer is frantically editing this weeks DVD....shhh, don't tell anyone!
Quick Update:
Got here Sat afternoon, ate dinner with Spencer, attended the concert here on the grounds. The group, Christian Edition, is an amazing men's singing group and I couldn't help but think how much Bruce would have loved hearing them sing! I will post their website soon. I have a funny story about me and the boys meeting Keith, one of the singers, but don't have time right now...Spencer's coworker, Andy, might come back soon!
Sun was the 1st official day of Family Camp. The kid's friends from past years showed up and the fun began for them. The only time I really see my children is very quickly at meal time, at bedtime and when they want money for the fountain...the place to get drinks and snacks!
Luis Pulau and Bill Odelmon (not sure of correct spelling) are the speakers. Bill is sharing on Job and Luis is sharing on Joshua. Job, of course, was one of Bruce's favorite books of the Bible, especially this past year, so it has been extremely difficult but equally encouraging. Luis's message was all about The Promised Land....again, difficult, but so hopeful! More later on that!
We can never really go anywhere for any length of time without an Alexander Adventure....this trip is no exception. On Tues afternoon, Spencer texted me and told me that his gum and wisdom tooth hurt really bad and that he could not open his mouth. So, after numerous phone calls and a referral from the office manager, I took Spencer to Dr Stevens, just 5 minutes away, and within an hour and a half, Spencer was x-rayed, numbed, numbed some more and his tooth was extracted. He moved out of his dorm, into our cozy room, and with lots of ice, ibuprofen, a small dose of vicadin and a little mother's TLC, he rested and recovered for a few days and is back at work. So much for coming to camp and getting a small break from motherhood!! But what a treat for me to have the opportunity to mother my 19 year old....and I think he was kinda glad I was here to take care of him. Now, the real question is, how will this DVD turn out with Spencer on vicadin? I'll keep you posted on that also!
Well, I'm sure Andy will be arriving soon, so I need to end this quickly. Basically, in a nut shell, it has been very sad to be here without Bruce, it has been a joy to see my children having so much fun with their old and new friends, I have been deeply moved by the teachings and the music, I have experienced incredible fellowship with other single parents, I have been graciously received and enveloped by my returning friends and their families and I have been reminded once again that God is good, He is in control, He can be trusted and that He is good....ALWAYS!! It has been a full time here all ready...and we still have another full day on Friday before ending on Saturday morning!
Quick Update:
Got here Sat afternoon, ate dinner with Spencer, attended the concert here on the grounds. The group, Christian Edition, is an amazing men's singing group and I couldn't help but think how much Bruce would have loved hearing them sing! I will post their website soon. I have a funny story about me and the boys meeting Keith, one of the singers, but don't have time right now...Spencer's coworker, Andy, might come back soon!
Sun was the 1st official day of Family Camp. The kid's friends from past years showed up and the fun began for them. The only time I really see my children is very quickly at meal time, at bedtime and when they want money for the fountain...the place to get drinks and snacks!
Luis Pulau and Bill Odelmon (not sure of correct spelling) are the speakers. Bill is sharing on Job and Luis is sharing on Joshua. Job, of course, was one of Bruce's favorite books of the Bible, especially this past year, so it has been extremely difficult but equally encouraging. Luis's message was all about The Promised Land....again, difficult, but so hopeful! More later on that!
We can never really go anywhere for any length of time without an Alexander Adventure....this trip is no exception. On Tues afternoon, Spencer texted me and told me that his gum and wisdom tooth hurt really bad and that he could not open his mouth. So, after numerous phone calls and a referral from the office manager, I took Spencer to Dr Stevens, just 5 minutes away, and within an hour and a half, Spencer was x-rayed, numbed, numbed some more and his tooth was extracted. He moved out of his dorm, into our cozy room, and with lots of ice, ibuprofen, a small dose of vicadin and a little mother's TLC, he rested and recovered for a few days and is back at work. So much for coming to camp and getting a small break from motherhood!! But what a treat for me to have the opportunity to mother my 19 year old....and I think he was kinda glad I was here to take care of him. Now, the real question is, how will this DVD turn out with Spencer on vicadin? I'll keep you posted on that also!
Well, I'm sure Andy will be arriving soon, so I need to end this quickly. Basically, in a nut shell, it has been very sad to be here without Bruce, it has been a joy to see my children having so much fun with their old and new friends, I have been deeply moved by the teachings and the music, I have experienced incredible fellowship with other single parents, I have been graciously received and enveloped by my returning friends and their families and I have been reminded once again that God is good, He is in control, He can be trusted and that He is good....ALWAYS!! It has been a full time here all ready...and we still have another full day on Friday before ending on Saturday morning!
I will do my best to sneak in to the office again and post once more before we have to leave....or before they kick us out!
Love,
MBA
DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART!
Love,
MBA
DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
OUR TRIP TO CALIFORNIA
As many of you know, Spencer has been working on the media crew at Mount Hermon in CA since June. This is the Christian Family Camp that our dear friends, Mike and Michelle Ower, introduced us to four years ago. We have made it our family summer vacation for the last 3 years and this will be our 4th year! We drove down to San Jose yesterday (loooong drive) and spent the night with our friends, Bart and Ellen Irick. We are heading out this afternoon to go see Spencer (Sat is his only day off), check in, have a relaxing dinner and concert tonight at Mt Hermon and then officially start our Family Camp time together on Sunday afternoon. We are able to attend this year because of the generous gift from Mt Hermon donors and we are very excited...the kids especially!! Of course, it will be very different and very difficult for us to be there without Bruce, but we are looking forward to seeing and experiencing what new things God has in store for us this year!! I'm looking forward to lots of R&R, being together with all my kiddos and doing whatever it takes to refresh and recharge. The kids are thrilled to see Spencer, reconnect with friends and just play, play, play! Check out the website www.mounthermon.org to see where we will be and what we will be doing. I will try to update the blog while we are there so please check back.
Love,
MBA for THE A TEAM!
Love,
MBA for THE A TEAM!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
REMEMBERING BRUCE ON FATHER'S DAY!
Keeping up with the blog has been harder than I thought. Hopefully, like everything else, it will get easier as time goes on.....
Well, today is another "first" that we are facing and it has been tricky, to say the least. We had plans to be up in Seattle this weekend for a graduation celebration and spend this special day with family....everything is always better with family...but we are home with the flu! Bummer, huh? We have been given another opportunity to be flexible, come up with a plan B and make the best of things in a different way. We've had lots of practice doing all those things and are becoming quite the experts! It's not always easy or fun, but we do it! So, watching Disney, lounging around all day, being together, looking out for one another and remembering "Daddy" is our day...not bad!
I wanted to share something the kids did for Bruce's 50th Birthday Celebration last August. It is very precious to me and a great way to celebrate Bruce today...and every day!
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
IT'S BEEN AWHILE
Yes, it has been awhile since I've posted something on the blog. I often think of writing something, I go to the computer and.....that's about it. I'm not quite sure what to write...but, mostly, it has been too difficult for me. It dawned on me this evening, the best thing I could do is just let you know a bit of what is on my heart...that is what I've always done and that is what keeps us connected. If I have ever had the need to stay connected, even in a small way, it is now....I'm thinking that might be the same for some of you, right?
All the cards, letters, blog comments, surprises and financial gifts over the last 4 weeks have been overwhelming and amazing and have blessed me and the children in so many ways. Thank you to each and everyone of you for the tangible touch of God's love and faithfulness to us.
We have had many big events since Bruce's passing (still haven't gotten used to saying that): our 22nd Anniversay, Mikaela's 18th, Isaac's 14th and MB's 4?th. We were very sad not to have Bruce with us, but at the same time we were happy to be together, remembering Bruce all the time, making the days extra special and continuing to make memories.
We have other big events coming up in the next few weeks: Spencer goes to CA on June 6th for a summer media job with Mount Hermon, Pearce's 12th is on the 7th, Mikaela's graduation is on the 9th and then Father's Day on the 15th. These will be more opportunities for us to celebrate Bruce and each other in the midst of our grief and loss. Please remember us in your prayers.
Every day is different....not sure what to expect..never sure of when certain emotions will flood in and flow out. Some days are good, some not so good....but mostly good. Some days are too busy and zip by too fast, some are too slow and drag on endlessly...but mostly they are always 24 hours. Some days I like how things are going, some days I want things how they used to be...mostly I just like that I have a new day.
We are learning what it means to go forward as a family even though we do not quite feel like a complete family...everything is different in a weird kinda way. The things that used to work for us or help us are just not working the same anymore. Thank you for understanding and being patient with us as we deal with lots of uncertainty.
There is one thing I am certain of, though, and that is: "God is near"; that "surely goodness and kindness will follow me (us) all the days of my (our) life"; "in His presence is fullness of joy" and He will "uphold me (us) in His righteous right hand"...I know, that is more than one thing, but that is what I know to be true! That is how I know we are making it! That is how I know we will make it!!
I'm sure that each of you is feeling a loss or a void with Bruce gone. Please know that I am praying that God will comfort you as He is comforting us and that in the midst of your sorrow you will find hope and great joy as you think upon heavenly things...and that now includes Bruce!
I do hope to post more frequently, so please keep checking in with the A Team Blog!
We are so loved....and we so love you!
MBA :)
~LOVE ALWAYS WINS~
All the cards, letters, blog comments, surprises and financial gifts over the last 4 weeks have been overwhelming and amazing and have blessed me and the children in so many ways. Thank you to each and everyone of you for the tangible touch of God's love and faithfulness to us.
We have had many big events since Bruce's passing (still haven't gotten used to saying that): our 22nd Anniversay, Mikaela's 18th, Isaac's 14th and MB's 4?th. We were very sad not to have Bruce with us, but at the same time we were happy to be together, remembering Bruce all the time, making the days extra special and continuing to make memories.
We have other big events coming up in the next few weeks: Spencer goes to CA on June 6th for a summer media job with Mount Hermon, Pearce's 12th is on the 7th, Mikaela's graduation is on the 9th and then Father's Day on the 15th. These will be more opportunities for us to celebrate Bruce and each other in the midst of our grief and loss. Please remember us in your prayers.
Every day is different....not sure what to expect..never sure of when certain emotions will flood in and flow out. Some days are good, some not so good....but mostly good. Some days are too busy and zip by too fast, some are too slow and drag on endlessly...but mostly they are always 24 hours. Some days I like how things are going, some days I want things how they used to be...mostly I just like that I have a new day.
We are learning what it means to go forward as a family even though we do not quite feel like a complete family...everything is different in a weird kinda way. The things that used to work for us or help us are just not working the same anymore. Thank you for understanding and being patient with us as we deal with lots of uncertainty.
There is one thing I am certain of, though, and that is: "God is near"; that "surely goodness and kindness will follow me (us) all the days of my (our) life"; "in His presence is fullness of joy" and He will "uphold me (us) in His righteous right hand"...I know, that is more than one thing, but that is what I know to be true! That is how I know we are making it! That is how I know we will make it!!
I'm sure that each of you is feeling a loss or a void with Bruce gone. Please know that I am praying that God will comfort you as He is comforting us and that in the midst of your sorrow you will find hope and great joy as you think upon heavenly things...and that now includes Bruce!
I do hope to post more frequently, so please keep checking in with the A Team Blog!
We are so loved....and we so love you!
MBA :)
~LOVE ALWAYS WINS~
Monday, May 19, 2008
BIRTHDAY Girl!
Happy Birthday greetings go to Mary Beth today...
This young pup loves to pamper others; she looks for ways to be a giver of God's love. She can give so freely because she has tasted the fruit of others giving to her (& her family).
God is good. He has blessed MaryBeth with a very loving family, and every one of them have such a great sense of humor! MaryBeth loves bringing joy and laughter to people.
Along with MBA's humor is a genuine deepness for things in life that really matter, such things as knowing God and living completely for Him.
If you have some thoughts to share about Mary Beth, I encourage you to send them to her, so that you may be part of God's blessing on her today.
~Melinda
This young pup loves to pamper others; she looks for ways to be a giver of God's love. She can give so freely because she has tasted the fruit of others giving to her (& her family).
God is good. He has blessed MaryBeth with a very loving family, and every one of them have such a great sense of humor! MaryBeth loves bringing joy and laughter to people.
Along with MBA's humor is a genuine deepness for things in life that really matter, such things as knowing God and living completely for Him.
If you have some thoughts to share about Mary Beth, I encourage you to send them to her, so that you may be part of God's blessing on her today.
~Melinda
Saturday, May 10, 2008
A Bruce story - "Washing My Wheels"
MBA's brother Mike shared a Bruce story that belongs on the blog...
The weekend before Bruce entered the hospital, brothers Matt and Mike came down to organize the Alexanders' garage. While doing this task, Mike had a strong desire to serve Bruce in a special way; he wanted to wash Bruce's feet. He shared this desire with MBA, who said there would be time for him to do this before the two brothers left for WA. As life typically is in the Alexander home, a lot goes on and it turned out Mike would have to wait for another day to carry out his service to Bruce.
The day Matt and Mike said goodbye, Mike asked, "Where is Bruce?" They found him outside washing Mike's tires with a brush! Mike immediately asked MaryBeth if she had said anything to Bruce about him wanting to wash Bruce's feet. She hadn't said a word.
When Mike asked Bruce what he was doing Bruce said, "You have new tires; they should have washed the wheels for you. I will wash them for you."
As hard as Mike tried to keep Bruce from washing the tires, then tried to join Bruce in washing them, Bruce insisted he wash Mike's tires alone... Can you imagine Mike's astonishment in this selfless act by Bruce? This happened two days before Bruce entered the hospital for the last time... Wow!
Mike did get to wash Bruce's feet, though, the night before Bruce passed away. He told Bruce, "You can't get away from me now, Brother. I'm gonna wash your wheels." What a precious memory for him to hold.
Blessings in abundance.
~Melinda
The weekend before Bruce entered the hospital, brothers Matt and Mike came down to organize the Alexanders' garage. While doing this task, Mike had a strong desire to serve Bruce in a special way; he wanted to wash Bruce's feet. He shared this desire with MBA, who said there would be time for him to do this before the two brothers left for WA. As life typically is in the Alexander home, a lot goes on and it turned out Mike would have to wait for another day to carry out his service to Bruce.
The day Matt and Mike said goodbye, Mike asked, "Where is Bruce?" They found him outside washing Mike's tires with a brush! Mike immediately asked MaryBeth if she had said anything to Bruce about him wanting to wash Bruce's feet. She hadn't said a word.
When Mike asked Bruce what he was doing Bruce said, "You have new tires; they should have washed the wheels for you. I will wash them for you."
As hard as Mike tried to keep Bruce from washing the tires, then tried to join Bruce in washing them, Bruce insisted he wash Mike's tires alone... Can you imagine Mike's astonishment in this selfless act by Bruce? This happened two days before Bruce entered the hospital for the last time... Wow!
Mike did get to wash Bruce's feet, though, the night before Bruce passed away. He told Bruce, "You can't get away from me now, Brother. I'm gonna wash your wheels." What a precious memory for him to hold.
Blessings in abundance.
~Melinda
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Mikaela is 18 years old TODAY!
There are a number of "Firsts" the family must face without Bruce, and Mary Beth asks us to pray for STRENGTH, as they celebrate each special day together. The following dates are worth noting.
5/3/08 - Bruce & MBA's 22nd anniversary;
5/7/08 - Mikaela's 18th birthday;
5/17 - Isaac's birthday;
6/7 - Pearce's birthday;
6/15/08 - Father's Day...
This Saturday Mary Beth and Mikaela will be speaking at sister Marcie's church during a Spiritual Transformation Seminar. MBA and two Arbonne friends will be pampering the women in attendance, and Mikaela gets to share from Colossians 3:1-17 on what it means to have a changed (transformed) life. Please pray that God's love exudes from them.
5/3/08 - Bruce & MBA's 22nd anniversary;
5/7/08 - Mikaela's 18th birthday;
5/17 - Isaac's birthday;
6/7 - Pearce's birthday;
6/15/08 - Father's Day...
This Saturday Mary Beth and Mikaela will be speaking at sister Marcie's church during a Spiritual Transformation Seminar. MBA and two Arbonne friends will be pampering the women in attendance, and Mikaela gets to share from Colossians 3:1-17 on what it means to have a changed (transformed) life. Please pray that God's love exudes from them.
Spencer gets to work on the video crew at Mt. Hermon for the summer and leaves the beginning of June. This is a GREAT opportunity for him.
Feel free to encourage the family via comments on the blog, email or snail mail. :)
Address: 5938 SW Amberwood Avenue, Corvallis, OR 97333
Email: mb.alexander@comcast.net
Blessings,
Melinda
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Bruce's Obituary and Alexander Family Memorial Fund
Bruce's obituary is on the McHenry Funeral Home Site if you are interested in reading it and leaving a message for the family.Click here: McHenry Funeral Home
Also, many have asked about how to make donations to the family.
These can be made out to the Bruce Alexander Family Memorial Fund at:
Central Willamette Community Credit Union
555 NE Circle Blvd.
Corvallis, OR 97330
Please specify “donation account” in the memo field of the check.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Slide Show...
Mark Worden provided a website for anyone to see the 15 minute slide show that was shown at Bruce's Celebration of Life at LaSells Stewart Center. Great memories...
http://web.mac.com/wordenmark/Marks_site/Bruce_Alexander_Slide_Show.html
~Melinda
http://web.mac.com/wordenmark/Marks_site/Bruce_Alexander_Slide_Show.html
~Melinda
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