Here I sit finishing my breakfast at the kitchen table. I have been collecting things on the edge for a few days now. I am dreaming of my creative projects, but haven’t been feeling great yet, and then when I do get some energy, I end up working for hospice. So last night I got out a few more tools and started doodling on my previously collected paint sample papers. I planted the 3 tulips we bought at Walmart last night in my red polka dot mug. They are all sitting there calling my name this morning! Creativity here I come … Or here I AM!
07
Mar 2012
07
Mar 2012
Joshua continues in Houston, Texas studying Graphic Design … loving it, and we love him from afar! We stay in contact mostly by phone calls.
Josiah continues in Santiago, Chile, South America with OM working with orphans, people living on the street, and with his new community there … it is an awesome fit for him, and we love him from even farther! We catch each other occasionally with facebook notes or SKYPE chats.
Dan & I continue to be soul mates, best friends, and DUZIE partners. Presently we are home … It has been like “living on a box”, in that we are much more free in our gifts and abilities and life when we travel and have focused responsibilities. But HOME time is good for us. We just have to continue to learn how to do that, as the traveling part comes so much easier. But Spring is coming, and that means many exciting things … including kayaking. Even today we were thinking about how we could keep warm and kayak in the coming days. It’s OK to dream!
We have been mostly sick since home from our 6 weeks away in Brazil & Paraguay in South America and Lebanon in the Middle East. Tonight we got away to Sandusky to watch the Dr Seuss inspired movie, “The Lorex”, a great make you smile movie. They we had supper in OUR family corner booth (actually it became the booth of Josiah & I, as we went there after every visit to the orthodontist), and on to Walmart to buy groceries & 2 tents for our Merging Souls Road Trip in May. It was nice to get out and about again!
29
Sep 2011
Well, we are in our last few days of preparation for our trip. It is always a bit more than that, cause it is also preparing for us not to be here too.
This morning I went to my Hospice Team meeting, upon arriving home I began with one URGENT thing after another. Joshua got a huge bill from Ai due Ocrober 1. So hours later and about 5 phone calls later, we found out nothing is due there but the FASFA was declined back in July, and we didn’t know about it. Joshua will meet with the financial counselor on Monday. I did bills, researched South American flights, and read a bunch of e-mails.
Tomorrow I am on call, so maybe there isn’t too much prep day tomorrow. So Saturday will have to do.
I’m on my 19th day of my 21 day fast… It’s going good, I have learned a lot of self-control and exercised every day! I feel much better physically, but even more than that, I feel like I am more tuned into God!
Tonight instead of jelling out, Dan & I excersized on the machines in the basement while watching a movie. 1h15 min on the Nordic Track was great exercise. It’s 11:15pm now and I’m really tired! Enough random thoughts for this evening. Good night.
16
Sep 2011
JUDAH PAUL THOMAS was born @ 3:34pm on 16 SEP 11 . . . weighing in at 7 lbs 9 oz and 54 cm long. He is the first born son of my brother David (7 of 8 . . . I am 2 of 8 kids) and Mandy Thomas.
Thank you Jesus for the safe birth and delivery, 8 days “overdue”, and with the threat of a C-section because his heart rate was not good when she was pushing. But with prayer and by God’s mercy, he came out naturally, crying and flailing, and very much alive!
Judah makes my 11th nephew or niece on the Thomas side (Suzie’s side) and 3 on the Potter side. David & Mandy & Judah live in Lansing . . . where Mandy just became a nurse, and David is a Doctor (well nearly on his own).
We are excited, and looking for the chance to go for a visit as soon as they say we can come 
14
Sep 2011
It was finally time… And the sun was shining! We were off to go KAYAKING! Dan loaded the kayaks on top of the Rondezvous, snacks in waterproof box, swim suits on, and we headed to Caro. It doesn’t take long before we are in relax mode. The paddling begins and relaxation sets in.
We only passed one fishing boat with two waving retired people … the rest of the time we saw gorgeous multiple green bushes and trees and wildlife. There was a mother deer and her two fawns eating tree leaves and drinking from the Cass River, multiple cranes, birds, butterflies, a Hurd of turtles sunning themselves below the dam on logs, another mother deer and fawn, and near the end two ducklings.
I can’t explain why kayaking in nature is such a great get away… But it can always be described as: SOUL TIME. It’s like my soul can take a deep cleansing breath that revives! Thanks God for creating such beauty to be enjoyed! Thanks Dan for 25 great years together (so far), it just keeps getting better and better. In this new season of life, I am honored to share it with you!
12
Sep 2011
Yesterday I began a “21 Day Fast”. We are home now for the rest of the month of September. While at the GO conference prayer day last month, praying at the “fruit of the spirit” station, I knew the one I needed the most help with at the moment is SELF CONTROL. So was thinking and praying about what it would look like.
Yesterday as I began the 21 day fast i did a bible study on my iPhone by reading Daniel 10. It reminded me of how some things take awhile in the spiritual realms to break down, 21 days is a period of time that is significant. I have 21 days now at home … It’s hard to be in control of things often when we travel.
So this morning (day 2), I was reading from 1 Chronicles 21:24 (NLT): But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it for the full price. I will not take what is yours and give it to the Lord . I will not present burnt offerings that have cost me nothing!”
The challenge was to build an alter and lay on it something that would cost you something. There are two things in my alter for these 21 days:
1. Cappuccino – no drinking it
2. Exercise – I will do it every day
These 2 thinks are part of my time of Self Control & discipline & setting this time aside for God focus in me!
Dan just came out to the back porch where I am and said, “did you know there are a couple of things out there on that rock?” I said, “yeah come with me, I left them there because you need to witness this…” I explained it all to him. He said I also have to get on that alter, so I did, and I prayed, committing myself to this time and self discipline / control. It has been witnessed, and he will help keep me accountable!
Yes, God I DO commit myself anew to you for the rest if this month in this way!
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:1, 2 NLT)
08
Sep 2011
Yesterday we sent Josiah off to Chile for 9 months, then on to Equador for 3 more months. So begins a total new “age and stage” or “season” in our life. Some call it “empty nest” … Which is kind of wrong since the nest isn’t empty cause we are still here… So why do they call it an empty nest?
Speaking of an empty nest, the morning before we took Josiah to the airport, Dan found an empty nest lying on the ground next to the hot tub. There were once eggs laid there, that hatched into baby birds that the mom fed for a period of time, taught to fly, and when ready … Were off flying on their own.
That is exactly what has happened with us, except that we didn’t have birds, we have BOYS! Joshua was the first to fly … Off to Doulos + Young Hope for 2 years, and now back in Houston for 3 years at the Art Institute (AI) North Houston for his degree in Graphic Design. It’s a blessing to him and us that be can be in he “nest” of the Gibson family there for this season of his life. What a wonderful thing to chat with him on the phone (when we are home) on his drives to or from class.
Josiah is now in the “nest” of OM Chile under the mentoring of Yerko & Corine Clavero, who lead the Intensive Training team of 7 internationals. Is he in that “nest” or out on a limb? We can’t wait to see what God does in and through him in this coming year … Yet at the same time I / we are sad without him and really miss him!
So, now with our “empty nest” we have space for more or longer trips. So, we are praying, dreaming, and waiting to see what this “age and stage” or “season” looks like for us.
We were listening to Rob Bell’s podcast called “2 kinds of New”. It’s interesting how one “new” is chronologically new the other “new” is new because it is redeemed or getting better and better as with age or experience. We are in the season of the second “new”. We have much more wisdom and experience now in our life than ever! It is not time to discard us, as we have at least 20+ more good years, Lord willing, of life and ministry before us. So what will those years look like? We wait, we pray, we dream, we have a glimpse … Let’s go!!!
So, in the sadness of Josiah “flying out of the nest”, we also have great expectations for what God will continue to do in and through us in this season.
02
Jul 2011
We arrived Wednesday morning, and are just ready to travel 2 hours north from Brisbane to Warwick in Queensland (eastern) Australia.
Our speaking team for TS is (pictured top left) Sarah, Suzie, Dan & Joe!
Andrew Carnell is the director, and we have had great chats, dreaming and hang out times together too (including Mongolian Sizzler
It has been a fantastic few days here wonderfully hosted by Natalie (Nat) Burstow. We had fun times, brainstorming and told mentoring stories, prepared programs, hung out, had great chats and recently added Denise Healey on Saturday! It is always “home” to be with Denise:)
It’s been an awesome few days here! Now we head on for TeenStreet preparations on the site, tonight and in the morning! Our first main meeting is at 11am on Monday morning Aussie time.
P.S. How do you like Dan’s hair? LOL
26
Jun 2011
Today is the mega pack day for our trip to Australia, leaving tomorrow. We go for TeenStreet in Warwick, Australia… Flying into Brisbane. Uggh, I really don’t like the packing days but they are necessary! Wish I was kayaking with Dan instead!
