March 8 Oregon Coast Getaway

The pics are from our Oregon "Getaway" brought to you by Ed & Chere, who introduced us to Yahatz, Ore, the first time we went to Africa. Now, it's the second time, and here we are "returning to the scene" of a wonderful weekend in September. Can you tell that I absolutely ove this place? The air is so very clear and clean. So iit rains and snows. Who cares with this kind of beauty. Like I said, if you don't believe in God, come to the Oregon coast.

Staying at the Shamrock Lodgettes, fire in the woodstove, snow, sun, and rain (typical Pacific NW weather) couldn't have been more romantic and just what we needed-a small breath before the storm of moving toward the end state of arriving in Conakry, Guinea, April 1st. Rest, refreshed by nature and each other, we are on the road again toward this week's goals: visit Ed, Chere, Cathy, Pete, Lavene and other friends, finish paperwork for Marathon, get some needed supplies at Ft. Lewis PX, get AAA to map our path to TN, work out, get my steroid (cocktail) shot in my right hip. So, there are many things to do to get to that end state.

I'll add the pics in a sec. we are getting to Marty's-got to stop.

Fast forward. We just left Marty & Hannah's visiting them along with son, Mark, his lovely girlfried who makes a mean guacamole. Marty is doing well considering the battle he is waging against cancer. Both he and Hannah as well as their doctor is optomistic that the treatments are working. We are keeping him in our prayers. Please, do the same. I mean, when we look at our situation, what we have endured is a "skirmish." What Marty and Hannah have endured is a battle! As I have said so many times, all we have to do is look around at others to know that our situation is not the worst thing that coud happen to a person-weird, yes, horrible, not by any means. I could kick myself for not taking pictures with them in their lovely home. We had champagne and toasted all of us-Marty's health, Mark's (their son's) new promotion at SAIC, and our trip back into the "Heart of Darkness." It was a grand visit with old DoDDS friends from Sicily who have been much much more in our lives.

Well, on our way north through sunshine, snow, and rain squalls to see our next favorite place in the world, and our home, Steilacoom, WA.

March 7 Heading to Oregon

Driving by Mt. Shasta, CA.

We are heading to my most favorite place on this planet-the Oregon coast. I'll post pictures once we get there. If you don't believe in God, go to the Oregon coast. That will change your mind! Chere and Ed, our dear friends, introduced us to the Shamrock Lodgettes on the coast in a lovely little artsy community called Yahatz. It's just wonderful! We'll have a fire in the fireplace as we look at the Pacific Ocean. This will be our mini vacation/honeymoon. We can just stop and take a small breath before moving on.

God has been so very good. Last night we used our Hilton Honors points-again generously provided by Marathon-to stay in the Homewood Suites. What a lovely place! Living room, bedroom, full kitchen with a big fridge, and nice bathroom. We can highly recommend this chain.

So, we are rested, fueled up and heading north in to the cold, but eagerly anticipating this portion of the journey. Lots to do when we get to WA-but the most important is to connect with friends who have become our quasi family.

Today is my son, Rich's 36th birthday. I had no idea that I would be homeless on my son's 36th birthday! Life surely is strange, isn't it? But, it's a nice homeless. And as I've said, for every challenge throughout this insanity, God has provided us with nice accommodations, nice gyms to work out (for free), wonderful friends and family, and most of all each other!

Oh, I ran into one of my old students from University of Phoenix. He's working at the front desk at the Homewood Suites. It's a very small world!


More later....stay tuned!

March 6 Farewell Pasadena

We came, we saw, we met, we negotiated, we conquered! Jim has a job! Yay! And this has been another of God’s many provisions throughout this insanity. I’ll try to recap as best I can. Since getting kicked out of EQ, waiting on Marathon to make a decision, and realizing our lives with that company were short-lived, Jim as been applying for any and every job possible to have income. Now as we recognize, this is NOT the time to be searching for jobs with a current 8.1% unemployment in the US (thanks to Obama)!

Anyway, no door has opened. Only one crack, and that’s in the Middle East and isn’t even on the board until July or August. We can live with mother’s, mothers-in-law, and children; however, we haven’t relished the status as “boomerang parents” as I’m sure our kids haven’t relished that idea either!

Jim belongs to ASIS which is a profexxional security organization. He has used this network to get nearly every security job he has had since leaving the USMC. He applied with Intercon over this net, and also because it was the first company he had worked for when he got out of the Marines. They sent us to both Tunisia and Portugal.

This company is the only one that has showed any interest. Jim and I have been praying and trusting God for direction, but after this entire fiasco with Marathon and EQ, we have felt that the windows of heaven were shut. God was NOT answering our prayers. A wise man I once knew, Ed Wheeler, said that God answers prayers with either Yes, No, or Wait. We’ve been in the No and Wait potion of His will. No, we are NOT going back to EQ; we are NOT working for Marathon. Wait on the right answer. One thing I have learned is that if you are in God’s will, when He moves, it’s fast, all details are arranged, there is calm, peace, and order, and you feel as if you are riding the crest of the wave and not fighting to get air while drowning. That’s the best I can describe being in the middle of God’s will for Jim and me.

So, we came down to Pasadena for a job interview that neither of us were that excited about, but it was the only thing available. I did fight it, and at one point had begged Jim to forget it, I didn’t have any desire to return anywhere on the African continent as it has treated us so miserably! Jim was wiling to let it go; however, I saw the look in his eyes and knew that if he didn’t at least take the opportunity, he would always wonder. Also, if he stayed unemployed for an long period, it might break his wonderfully strong spirit. He gains strength from his role as provider, and I knew I must not take that from him. That’s when my heart was broken and torn, but that is also when I surrendered this entire mess to God to make some kind of sense out of this pickle we were in through no fault of our own.

Jim interviewed, and as I told you in previous blogs, all the pieces seemed to fit. Finally, the wisdom God gave me as I waited was for Jim to use his logic in making his decision. I do know that God has given Jim an extra dose of logic and intelligence and a sixth sense about so many things; I respect that, because it covers me and protects me against my sometimes foolish impulses. I also have that sixth sense in areas that he doesn’t; and when he chooses to listen to me on that level, I’m usually spot on. We make a great team in many ways, and our gifts seem to truly complement each other, especially during this trying time.

As Jim laid out everything logically, I felt a strong peace deep down in my soul. On the outside, it’s insanity to return to the “scene of the crime,” Conakry, Guinea, which caused me great heartache, stress, and nearly my life. (For those of you who don’t understand this, I got a very serious infection in Conakry and nearly died-again saying that was one place I would never return-boy does God have a sense of humor)! Jim will be working for a company that is rival to his old company; he will be working with a den of thieves and all sorts of neer do wells. The pressure will be unbelievable. On the spiritual side, God has given him grace with the top brass at Intercon. Why even last night, they put together their final bid for a huge project in Conakry; Jim worked till 200 am with his bosses. And the funny thing about that incident, is that for all of these people’s expertise, Jim was the only one that had “boots on the ground” in Conakry, knew the territory, and could pretty much write the proposal based on his experience. Now is that a God thing or what? When he was sharing this with me, it was just too eerie, and obvious that God wants us back in Conakry, and I am going to trust that no matter what the circumstances, He will guide us, protect us, watch over us, and get us to where He is going to use us for His kingdom.

Sometimes, life makes no sense in the flesh, and I am in the school of learning that no matter what control I think I have, God has a master plan that might not include what I want to happen. What do I know: I am Jim’s wife; Jim values his role as provider; I must allow him to do that even though it is taking us into some strange places that I prefer not to be; that as I allow Jim to follow his God given instincts, he grows stronger and more secure in his abilities and I learn to trust him even more as my husband.

The journey is not over; we have only begun to go in another direction, and finally after six weeks, I am resting in God’s provisions for us.

So, today, we are off to pick up our car in Fairfield, spend the night and head up toward WA to get our HHG .

March 5 Moving toward Guinea

"If I could define enlightenment briefly I would say it is 'the quiet acceptance of what is'."- Wayne Dyer


Beth, this is a good quote but somehow the quiet acceptance just doesn't seem like your personality, & I mean that in a good way.

This quote was given to me by my cousin, Alice Loveless. She sent it on the Facebook yesterday. Thank you, Alice. It's a good one, and your observation about me is pretty spot on. I usually go kicking and screaming into any type of change from my comfort zone. And, oh brother, am I out of my comfort zone. I mean, I gain such satisfaction from being at home, having a little routine, growing flowers, hearing from family, working out, watching Christian tv and HGTV, and taking care of Jim. And here I am sitting in motels, living out of suitcases, eating free breakfasts at motels, and looking forward to living like this for a long time to come. But remembering the Bible Study lesson last week-I cannot complain; God hates complaining-remember his giving Miriam leprosy due to her complaining and criticizing.

So, this am I was flipping through the channels, and lo and behold, there was Creflo Dollar. I found him while living in EQ Guinea. I had never heard of this man of God. What a teacher he is! His insight into the Bible and into God is remarkable and just speaks to my spirit. Each time I listen to him, I've always gleaned something to carry into the day. Today's message was taking authority over Satan. The gist of the message was that Satan is raising an army in these last days to go against anyone who professes to be a Christian. When I look back at our brief time in EQ, I know we were gaining spiritual strength. I was listening pretty much exclusively to TBN, we were giving money to God's work in a big way that we hadn't done before. So, I really think that this thing that happened has been an attack from Satan and his demons to thwart Jim and me, to discourage us, and to keep us off our focus of doing God's will.

One of the things I am sure of is this (and I've said this in previous blogs)-this is either a whole series of bad circumstances that happen regardless of whether I believe in God or not, or this is part of God's bigger plan to draw Jim and me closer to Him. I choose to believe the latter rather than the former. I thought I understood suffering, but I don't think I really did. In my charmed life, I've only suffered maybe a couple of times in my life (and that's pretty good considering). As I look around at the people God has brought into my life, many people have worse challenges than I have. I mean daily we seem to be encountering people who have overcome such horrendous obstacles.

As Pastor Dan said, "it is our season." And seasons do come, we go through them, and then they are over and we move onto the next season. These are very simplistic insights, but nonetheless, insights that are making their way from just platitudes to realities in my soul.

Yesterday both of Jim's bosses took us to lunch and dinner. That was a pleasant surprise. And Jim's immediate boss, Wout from Brussels, was so kind. He told me that anything we needed within reason to make our lives more comfortable in Guinea, just to let him know, and he would make it happen. He asked me how I felt about going back, and I very honestly told him how I felt, but that I would go, because that's where Jim believed he needed to be. He was very very kind. Of course, I know that they need Jim's expertise in this "snake hole." And again, this is a business, and their openness is only contingent on the work Jim produces. Then, last night, one of the VP's from Intercon took us to dinner at a lovely restaurant run by Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute. The entire restaurant is run by student chefs. This was a lovely place, beautiful China, magnificent presentation-I mean, considering Jim and I are homeless, we have lived very well, don't you think?

Things I'm thankful for today:

1. Good grade reports from two of my granddaughters-in a long line of grandchildren succeeding, healthy, and seemingly happy in this bad world-thankful for the good parents my children have become.
2. Family who continues to love us throughout our seeming insanity as we listen to God's voice.
3. Friends who are there to love, advise, and "house" us during this time of transition.
4. Health f0r Jim and me, especially during this time. (both of us have been attacked by Satan when we were low. It's as though he knew we were down in our spirit and wanted to attack us in our bodies-Jim's knee, my stomach and hip.
5. Balley's giving us a free 7 day pass to work out! Yay!
6. Computers that allow us to connect to the world!
7. Jim's hard work ethic and willingness not to give up in the face of uncertanty and his belief in his God given talents and skills.
8. Jim's love for me.
9. Preachers who preach the gospel.
10. The wonderful comforts and ease of living in the United States.
11. Marathon's severance package.
12. Hope!

March 4 Back To Africa

"Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring.
Psalm 27:14

Today's devotion-it seems that each day when I read one of these, they apply to my life at that moment.


Well, it's a done deal! Jim met with Intercon CEO's, VP's, and whoever else has some kind of title; he negotiated pretty strong (as well he could as he knows the territory). They pretty much rolled over on everything (as they should, because we are going into a nest of vipers), and they know that Jim knows more about this contract than any of them. Heck, he was telling the owners of the company things that they didn't know One thing about Jim that I love is that he does his research, and he doesn't go into anything blind. (I say that, then why did this mess happen? I honestly don't think it was caused from Jim's lack of planning and research-again, I have to say if I truly believe in God and that He has a purpose for everything, then all of this is for a reason, even our returning to Conakry).

Ok, a geography lesson for those of you who are "Guinea challenged!" There are four Guineas on this planet:

Guinea (near Sierra Leonne and Liberia) this is the first place we lived in 2005-2006 and where we are returning in April. This was a former French colony. They just had a coup d'etat after President Conte died a few months ago-so now the new government is "honest!" Ha, Ha, Ha!!!!

Equatorial Guinea (near Cameroon and Nigeria) where we just got kicked out-lived there 4.5 months. This is a former Spanish colony whose president Obiang is considered one of the top ten corrupt leaders on this planet.

Guinea Bissau-near Mali, more inland; their president was just assassinated this week. Never been there, never want to go!

New Guinea-in the Pacific, and in my opinion anything is better than any of these old Guineas!

Then there's the Guinea Pig which Jim and I were in Equatorial Guinea when the evil little Vice Minister decided we were threats to his uncle, the President!

So, there's your "Guinea geography lesson!" And you can believe me when I say that I had no desire to learn this, and I wouldn't know it if I hadn't lived it.

Now, we are going back to Guinea (or our second time in prison, if I read the story of Joseph correctly).

Now if I also follow this train of thought, after Joseph's second time in prison, he was released and became 2nd in command of Egypt. So, does that mean....Jim will be second in command of Guinea-God, please, forbid this!!!!!!!

So, today we will remain in Pasadena. Last night we went by Bally's and got a free week's pass. God has blessed us so that we can workout during this stressful time, and He knows we need it! Yesterday, I got a pedicure and hair wash and style. Considering it was Pasadena, it was really cheap-13.00 for a pedicure! It's a lot cheaper than Houston!

We had a delicious hamburger at a place called-would you believe-Houston's. Seems we cannot get away from Guineas and Houstons-strange!

Now, we have to start planning our return to Guinea by April 1st. So much to consider: do we drive across country, do we fly? Oh, I did get to schedule my orthogram (steroid shot) for my hip to hold me over until I have time to get my hip replaced. We will have to be back in Travis AFB on the 12th. Visits to mother's, Jim's mom, our kids and grandkids, VISA'S, purchasing things necessary for survival in Guinea-ugh! But, I cannot complain, according to Numbers. This is leprosy enough just going back. I don't want any other scourge!

Please, keep us in your prayers, and thanks to everyone for your concerns. Hasn't this been something else? Just following the madness makes me crazy!

March 2 Hello Pasadena

Dear Beth and Jim, Thanks so much for your letter! You are and will continue to be in our thoughts and our prayers! What happened with the interview for a position at Marathon headquarters - I think I remember you saying something about that? Oh boy, we will definately pray that God will give you HIS wisdom in this new decision! We understand how you must be struggling with this Beth! God knows and He also KNOWS how much you can bear and what your health can and can not handle! Of course we would love to see you again and have times of fellowship with you but we sure DO NOT want you to have to live in a place where you would be stressed out all the time! GOD KNOWS THE NEED (your need) AND HE ALWAYS SUPPLIES! I stand on those words over and over again! He is faithful. I believe that He is pleased with you Beth in the fact that you want to stay with Jim and would be willing to return if it was necessary, but maybe He is just putting an Abraham/Isaac thing before you to see if you would be willing to do what you really don't want to do - just as Tom felt about applying for the mission director position. He showed God he was willing but then God gave him the desires of his heart and allowed us to stay in Guinea and work there. God KNOWS what is best for each of you individually and also what would be best for your as a couple and for your marriage. CHOOSE to TRUST Him in this uncertain time and see what he will work out. Remember always Jeremiah 29:11. "He knows the plans He has for you....plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE!" We love you guys! Let us know what unfolds!

With love and many prayers,Sherry and Tom

This morning we awoke to rain and the devil whispering discouragement in my ear. Fear of today, fear of tomorrow, and our circumstances were overwhelming me-“there’s no way out” said Satan. And I let him keep talking to me. Tears broke out once more. Jim refuses to look anywhere but up and forward. At 530 am walked over to the gym and worked out. Before loading up and heading out, I checked e-mails, and there was the wonderful e-mail above from Tom & Sherry Moore, saints and warriors of God in Conakry, Guinea. God knows just what we need and when we need it, doesn’t He?

Pastor Dan said something to us yesterday about the “seasons” of life. In Tennessee we call it things happening in threes. Whatever it is, we are most definitely in a “season.” Actually, my 90 yr old Aunt Irma and my 88 yr old mother just finished their “season” with my aunt spending nearly two years in the nursing home near death’s door at least three times. Today as I pen this missive, not only is she home, but she actually went to the grocery store! This is a miracle! And this is the beginning of a good season for both these ladies who have endured a long, cold two year winter. (just an aside thought as I write).

Now the little details of life lived in a car. I told Jim we should be truck drivers. That way we would have our bed, fridge, microwave, tv and everything in the truck! And since we are currently “homeless” why not? Anyway, we pick up our loaner car at the Honda dealers while our car is being repaired. And would you believe, they gave us a lovely Honda Accord with XM Radio, leather seats, the works. God knew we needed to have a nice “home” while traveling.

So, here we are about an hour outside LA. The weather has varied from pouring rain-in sheets-to overcast. But the drive was gorgeous as you can see from the pics. Fields and fields of dogwood or cherry blossoms-just beautiful! Dark green, to light green, to yellow colors in the fields. God’s color splash is truly magnificent!

Intercon is going to put us up in the Pasadena Inn. We’ll either be here for two days or three-four days depending on whether Jim accepts the job or not. My prayer is that God will give Jim the wisdom he needs. The dilemma in the flesh is that we are not in economically good times; a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush; neither of us is thrilled about living back in Conakry; logic, not emotion must prevail. That’s where I have to trust Jim. His thinking overall is much more logical than mine; however, my intuition sometimes is stronger, and we are trying to learn to listen and respect each other’s strengths and weaknesses more each day.

The Pasadena Inn was definitely NOT the Hilton; oh, it's not bad, but my heart broke for Jim when we checked in, and I saw the look in his eyes. I honestly don't care where we stay, but one of Jim's continuing mantras is that he wants to provide for me; it's who he is, and he was so proud to be taking care of us as he perceived he should. I keep telling him he has taken care of me in ways he doesn't know. As long as I have him, the other things truly aren't that important I have lived with Jim, and I have lived without him. I have lived without him and had plenty of money and a secure job; I have lived with him and now have no job and lots of uncertainty. I still prefer being with him and the uncertainty, because together, we are powerful. Jobs and money have never ever made me secure and content. And we have both again learned many of life's lessons-probably we have been naive. But some of the lessons are that corporations don't care about you. Marathon raised us to the highest level and provided us with a life beyond anything I could have imagine when they thought we were beneficial; they plummeted us to the lowest level when we were no longer of any use. This truly has been an eye opener in that respect.

Again, as in God's usual methodology throughout this ongoing saga, He provided another Angel. Jim had unpacked, and his suit for tomorrow's interview was wrinkled. He was so tired from the driving, it was 530 pm, we were hungry, and now the wrinkled suit. I felt so bad when Jim pulled out the iron. I told him that we were going to look for a laundry. Of course, at this time of the day, the chances of getting the suit pressed were slim to none-but one can hope! Two laundries and two rejections later, we decided to find a place to eat And lo and behold, there was another laundry right beside the "to go" Taco stand! When Jim explained that he needed the suit pressed (by now it's 630 pm and the laundry closes at 700), the "angel" said, sure, come back at 7:10 and the suit would be pressed and ready for Jim's interview! Can you believe it!

So, we were able to get our "to go" Tacos, grab some wine, and get back to the room, so that Jim could do his "prep work" as he says for tomorrow's interview.

The day which had started so low, truly ended on high. In fact, my devotional said something to this effect:

"Many people never have a decent finish to their day ecause they let the enemy keep them from starting it right. Satan tries to capture our thoughts early in the morning. He wants to get us thinking about all the wrong things as soon as we wake up. His intent is to steal ou peacy y upsetting us as soon as our alarm goes off. He is always woking to set us up to get us upset." (boy have we seen this take place)!

It's important that I start my day with God, not Satan. It's a choice, isn't it?