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Ann

I am here for Friends and Networking

About Me

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"In-process" always-- is the best first phrase I can think of for a "blurb". I am utterly practical and driven by a desire not to be, all at once. ...........I'm a wife, Mom and still working. We've an empty nest now, as I have 3 adult children, grandbaby :) and two wonderful "World Vision/Compassion" girls in Africa..............My career in forensic science has spanned almost 30 years. It's been a great career. I never imagined I'd end up in this field, but it has opened many doors and opportunities for service, that I am thankful for. It helps me keep a balance of things I can identify as evil and dark, versus the difference in life with charity and light on board. The need for the latter...huge. As this career cycle gets closer to an end, I'm trying to focus on making good use of time, and paying attention to what God has next,whatever or wherever that may be............I'm into playing, (whenever there is time)and love being outdoors; finding new ways (challenges) to see and enjoy creation. I enjoy bike touring; a good glass of wine; cooking and serving courses of Italian food;the comeradery of good friends, and the "companionship" of my dog-buddies. Soon, I hope the three will meet, that is: play, work and purpose...........I’m afflicted (or affected) by a disease, a passion I can't rationally explain - not a physical one; it is one of the mind. It's the continuous wrestling with life's journey and just how God is in it all. I know Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Wanting to know more of Him isn't easily satiated...it's just been that way from the start. Even if I could, I wouldn't stop the wrestling, because knowing more of the LORD, and being one of His own, is the best!One of my favorite activities is escaping to the mountains or the beach .....to reconnect and get the BIG picture in focus.

My Interests

Books and study of history /people and interaction w/ God; travel;Gardening and photography Disaster relief volunteer;Steeler fan; walking/hiking outdoors with my dogs;I'm a member of several forensic science and law enforcement organizations as professional interests. Tried my hand as a vintner for several years; Most important, I try to remember not to take myself too seriously...! I'd give up chocolate....but I'm no quiter.

I'd like to meet:

Besides the LORD, face to face?......Some of the people who have pointed me in that direction, like;.....Beth Moore; She teaches the WORD in truth!....... And I got to meet Margaret Becker, whose books and song lyrics have been mixed in my inner prayers and part of my practical spiritual growth for years.Brennen Manning: I'd like to talk with him again, after I grew to understand:"I could more easily contain Niagara Falls in a tea cup than I can comprehend, the wild, uncontainable love of God." quote by Brennen Manning...he helped me start to see.......CS Lewis - in the pub at Oxford, "There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way." C. S. Lewis makes me think........Corrie Ten Boom: A beautiful saint who said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” She set the example......Mother Teresa: "We can do no great things - only small things with great love", and she did, always for God's glory........... All I want to say to them, is THANKS..... Code

Music:

Gospel and Christian music with solid lyrics: I've listened to all kinds of gospel music since I was 16....looking for music that I really liked. The addiction didn't start until Margaret Becker hit the Christian music scene, then it grew to many more, like;....Nicole Nordeman, Denise Williams, Susan Aston, Out of the Grey, Point of Grace, Chris Rice, Sandi Patty, Avalon, Selah, Kim Hill, Staci Frenes, Kelly Minter, Steven Curtis Chapman, MW Smith, The Winans and an iPod full of many more. Also like Andea Bocelli, Ottmar Liebert, CSN&Y, Fleetwood, Loggins and Messina, Jesse Colin Young, Roberta Flack, The Supremes, Billie Holiday

Movies:

Under the Tuscan Sun, Tortilla Soup, movies that change things: Hotel Rwanda BROADWAY is the best! Les Miserables and Rent are favorites

Television:

Not much..."24" sometimes. Generally keep away from forensics shows. (They solve the crimes toooo fast)

Books:

Recent...The Bible/studies.. the early Christian contemplatives, (Foster's Devotional Classics), Christain books: Coming Up for Air (Becker) The Celebration of Discipline and Prayer (Foster), Believing God and When Godly People Do Ungodly Things(Moore),New Seeds of Contemplation (Merton), When the Soul Listens (Johnson), All Things New (Nouwen)The Ragamuffin Gospel, (Manning) CS Lewis - many books Fiction: Mountains Beyond Mountains, Cold Sassy Creek, Angle of Repose, Snow Falling on Cedars, The Queen's Fool, Secret Life of Bees and The Kite Runner.

Heroes:

Real people with real love for a real God....who take their gifts and use them

My Blog

Second Languages

pardon the font and such...I can't get the advanced editor.....Some of you may know I've been in England for the past 5 weeks. I retired (not for long) and came to visit my son, his wife and their ne...
Posted by Ann on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 07:34:00 PST

Baby Marianne is Here !

Today is a special day.  Sam and Rachel (my son and daughter-in-law) welcomed a beautiful 8.5 pound baby girl into their family.  She was born in London, at 0800 this morning. Her name ...
Posted by Ann on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:30:00 PST

Sorrow and Joy

This past month has been such a redefining time, I thought I'd share a bit of what's been going on. There's a certain power in the clarity and finality of loosing loved ones, and leaving others. ...
Posted by Ann on Mon, 12 Nov 2007 04:59:00 PST