Sunday, April 20, 2014

Odds and ends

So, yesterday I played the violin for a wedding of a friend. It was beautiful, outdoors, by a pond with an island and a bridge. The flowers were pretty and the breeze cool. I played a bit of music while everyone was getting ready and then played Pachelbels Canon in D, accompanied by a YouTube video arrangement by a guitar player. http://youtu.be/jXC9tuumjiA
Very nice. The ceremony included a traditional Mexican Lasso ceremony which was a new experience. And then after all was done, I played Trumpet Fanfare, I think, a couple times. Afterwards we put on some music using the iPad and then the iPhone using the Bose system, which was having its debut outdoors. 

Today, Victor took the Bose system to another park, for the church's Easter outreach for the community. He had to string extension cords clear across the park to power it because the power wasn't on in the outlets where they were using it. But it went ok.

Grandma is packing bit by bit, getting rid of stuff in preparation for moving in May. And we are slowly cleaning house and getting rid of stuff as well, thinking of possibly moving as well, if God says so. We are trying to get out of debt and so selling a few items will help with that as well. Sold the big freezer and the tv, speakers and now just a few others waiting to sell.

We got the garden started and things are popping up all over the place today. Beans and squash, some greens, and a few melons and even some asparagus finally came up. It's spring!!

We are looking at getting rid of the van and buying something cheap, so that we don't have a car payment, also to help pay down the debt that we do have. I would like a smaller car, but can't have that until after grandma moves and it would have to fit a least five. It would be something for the kids and I to run around in. Otherwise, we might get something with four wheel drive, maybe another pickup, which Victor could use sometimes for work when he needs to. I would prefer something with manual transmission, but we'll have to see what The Lord has in mind. It's His plan anyway.

I've been learning today about air and rest, in my medical missionary training. We need to have fresh air at all times in our homes, to keep from breathing poisons that are put out by our bodies and the environment around us. Even in cold weather we should have the windows and/or doors open a crack to let in fresh air. 
As for rest, the hours before midnight are the best, as that is when our bodies and brains detox. If we go to bed at nine o'clock and rise at 3 or 4, we would be much better rested than if we went to bed at midnight and got up at 9. Those 6 or 7 hours with some before 12 would be healthier than the 9 after 12. We are going to try to incorporate this starting tonight.

Anyway, that all for now.



Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Lessons in following God

Ok, so we are having to learn some more lessons in following God.

I made the mistake of trusting someone who turned out to be a fraud. Fortunately, he didn't get away with any of our money, and if he took any of our information, that is yet to be seen. We are making sure to monitor our accounts closely and are going to the fraud department to file a claim as this guy seems to be involved in a huge scam, so much so that the FBI May also be involved.

Lesson #1: if someone wants to help you pay off your debts, do not ever give him any information such as login information or account information. Have them give a donation to your checking account using an email or phone number which they already have if they contacted you.

Lesson #2: if in doubt, don't accept help. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Lesson #3: do not follow your feelings. Listen closely to Gods voice and your gut reactions to any red flags that pop up.

And Lesson # 4: always, and I mean always, check with your banker before making any moves with someone who may be a fraud. Do not ever rely on what he says as truth, even if he seems like a nice person. They can be very convincing. They will say things to make you feel guilty for not trusting them, will seem nice and talk about being cautious, not wanting to give you their information and then turning around and trusting you with it. The information he gives you may end up being false or ill gotten.

Like I said, fortunately, we learned from this, and also he was discovered to be a fraud before he got away with anything.

The last couple of days have been very stressful and we have a few more of those ahead as we make sure that this guy gets his due.

Yesterday, Victor and I decided we would give everything back to God, which we have been a bit lax at doing, especially since it was His to begin with. We are going to try to remember to consult Him in everything. What to do with stuff we intend to get rid of, if we should get rid of it, should we buy that, should we sell that, etc.

He is now officially our Manager, which He should have been all along.