Really, a year?

Whow, a whole year has passed since I last wrote. Yes, I have been a few miles since then.

Just a quick review of the year.
After my Brazil trip, I spent about a month in AZ. I flew to SD and visited my family for 3 weeks. Yes, I got a dose of snow. Mother flew back to AZ with me and visited family down here for a week. I think she loved the sunny days and spending time at our little campsite on the desert.

The middle of April I started my drive north. Cousin, Mary H, drove with me and we had a great time on the road. I stopped at Misty's in Boise for 10 days and then on to Shane's in Portland. I always enjoy parking in the kids yard and getting some "Nana" time. Everyone is busy with school and all their activities. Never a dull moment with grandkids around.

Sadie and I flew into Alaska on Carrie's Bday, May 10. I had more trouble getting used to all the day and night light than I ever have. It was bitter sweat to be home. Glad to be home but reminded that Fred is not with me here anymore.

I spent the summer finishing up projects that we had started together. Had a new concrete apron pored in front of the garage, put 6 gallons of stain on all the decks, had some cabinets built. One of the hardest things I did was sort through a lot of Fred's books. Anyone who knew Fred, knew that he loved books. Some of his wallet size senior photos fell out of one old paperback, yep I think it was a sci-fi. I have been taking care of his books for a long time.

Everywhere I looked there was stuff that needed to be sorted through. It had been 7 years since I have been home a whole summer. Fred and I were seldom home more than 3 weeks at a time because of his cancer treatments. I tried to just think about one thing at time or it could feel overwhelming.

I think I hauled off 8 pickup loads of stuff. Donated some to a camp, to friends, to a garage sale to raise money to adopt a baby, to a church goodwill store raising money for a new building and a couple loads to the dump.

The highlight of my summer was that Misty and Wade and their families came to spend time with me. There is nothing more encouraging than loving on grandkids. Life bounces along when there are little ones around. We made forts, went camping, and used Wade's old rope swings a lot. I got mud boots in several sizes and they were the shoes of choice. Carrie and I picked up some used bicycles that Peter fixed up and they were a hit too. My kids helped me build some new steps and boardwalk on my decks, fixed my roof and lots of other things. Altogether I think I had family for 5 or 6 weeks.

My children have really been there for me this year. I am so blessed.

Fall came all too quickly. In Alaska it was a nice long one this time, we relished every day. I flew out of state on Oct 14. Cousin Mary, who stores my camper and sub, came and picked me up at the Seattle airport. I spent 4 days with her and Paul and then headed out to Portland and Shane's. Both Shane and Kristi are taking college classes. So with 4 kids and 3 in school, their house is hopping. Spent about a week with them.

I stay in the same campground in Pendleton,OR when I pass through. Well, I stopped at my usual gas station. Of course Sadie was having a fit because of the attendant coming to our window for the ccard. I finally calmed her down and another attendant comes to the window with a dog biscuit. "Sure, she can have it", I say. Then he asks me if I have been in the area all summer because he remembers pumping gas for me last spring. "No, I was on my way home to Alaska." Turns out he had a summer job somewhere else and just wondered if I had spent the summer in Pendleton. It made me smile.

Stayed for about a week in Boise with Misty's bunch. Misty is taking college classes and their 3 kids are in school too. Whew, I know I was that busy too, back in the day. I took my time as traveled across Idaho. Stopped and visited old friends along the way. It was great to see: Rob & Carleen, Wayne & Ann, Kathy, Sarah, and Malia & Kids before heading into Wyo. Stopped at Kenny & Danna's in Neb for one night. Then Reta Fae and Ken's in northern Kansas, before landing for 3 weeks on Sandy and Rodney's farm outside of El Dorado.

Wade and family came and spent an early Thanksgiving with me. We spent time with Fred's family and my sister, Laila and family. The grandkids loved riding on the 4 wheeler and everything about the farm in general. We also spent a lot of time at the park near Fred's mothers house. All my grandkids are growing up tooooo fast.

On my way out of Kansas, I spent the night with my old classmates, David & Liz. The 3 of us together made 1/5 of out HS graduating class. It was a fun 24 hours before I hit the road again. This year I drove Hwy 54 through the panhandles of OK, TX spending the night in Tocumcari, NM. I love the sound of that name, Tocumcari. I stayed on 54 and spent a couple of nights at Carrizozo, NM. Another fun sounding name, just can't make this stuff up.

Still on 54, I drove into El Paso and spent a couple of nights with Marty and Jenn. You may remember Marty, he was one of the speakers a Fred's funeral. We went downtown for the Christmas lighting ceremony one evening and I also attended a Christmas Tea with Jenn.

The worst roads I drove on this winter were just outside of El Paso on I-10. It snowed and blew off and on all day. I couldn't believe it I had driven through WA, OR, ID, WY, NE, KS, OK, TX, and now in NM less than 20 miles from Mexico and I have snow. One thing I knew for sure, this couldn't last too long in this part of the country.

Just one more day of driving and I was here in Norman's campground. I love this place. It was the first week of December and I was ready to park my camper for the winter. The trip had been great but, I was ready to stop for awhile.

I still miss Fred terribly but the pain is not as devastating now. We shared great life together and I enjoy his continued care.

Especially in his last years, Fred was always reminding me to celebrate the moment. He liked planning extra time to stop for coffee before we went on to the next appointment. He would ask, " What can we do to make this a good day?" I continue to ask myself this question and I continue to look forward good days. Enjoy life while you are at it.

One of Fred's favorite sayings was "Every day is a holiday and every meal is a banquet."

Just A Trip To Town

We went to town last Thursday. Left the dock at 10am, went by boat taxi 20 min. Then hiked up the long slippery clay river bank to a waiting car taxi. We crammed 5 of us in the little taxi and drove 45min to the Mission Headquarters. We had made arrangements to borrow a car for the day. Jim forgot and left with our borrowed car. Phil made some cell phone calls and decided to start walking in that direction. We flagged down another taxi. Finally we were with our car borrowed for the day.

We got 3 stops made before we met some friends for lunch. First stop the electric supply for parts, then fan repair shop and finally the most important- gas for the car. Lunch was fabulous. We ate at a wonderful buffet with all kinds of yummy meats right off the rotisserie grill, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and AIR CONDITIONING. The rest of the afternoon was spent walking the crowded down town streets shopping for all those important things for us and other staff members. Including the open air vegetable and fruit markets that are about a square block each. Oh the smells, mostly of produce in varying stages of decay.

At 5pm we were back at the MH meeting up with everyone and loading a van with everyone's valuables. Back we went in the van through the streets. This time we had a Brazilian driver in rush hour traffic. We had more than on close call with horns honking and inches from contact with buses and trucks. Back at the river bank 45min later, our boat taxi driver is late. While we waited we watched a huge truck of 28# propane bottles be unloaded onto a barge. They rolled them down a narrow ramp, banging and slamming into each other. Woh......OCIA would have a fit.

The taxi finally came. Of course by now it was raining and the river banks were as slick as snot. No one fell, but our shoes were gummed with so much mud I almost went down trying to get from one end of the boat to the other. There we were in the dark with no lights on the boat, trying to make it through huge patches of floating grass. At last we were flying along in the open water of the Amazon so close to home. The clouds had parted some and the moonlight was beautiful. I could see the stars and a big jetliner high in the sky. The warm breeze felt good on my face.

Across the water I could see a small light coming out to the dock. What a welcome sight, a flash light. Soon we were making our way across the dock and the narrow plank then up the slippery bank. I was so grateful for the HS boys that made all those trips to bring our goods up from the dock. Home again safe and sound. Thank you Lord. It was 7:30pm. Shower, supper and off to bed. I slept good that. night.

Memories Moving Forward

Past
I was so fortunate to walk the path of life with Fred for about 40 years. We had the privilege of raising 4 children together. Serving God, we endured all the normal trials of life together. We enjoyed great adventures with family and friends. Every season of our life together was cherished. We all have enough wonderful memories of Fred to last us a lifetime.

Present
Yes, I miss Fred by my side. I can still hear his subtle comments and humorous observations. He spent the last years making sure I was prepared to go on without him. Fred was a planner and wanted us to be prepared for the future. In his last weeks he was planning a trip to Australia. I found the file on his Ipad. I will enjoy the fruits of his planning the rest of my life. Thank you dear.

Future
My plan, at this time, is to keep my home in Alaska and travel in the winters. This winter I left Alaska Nov 30. I picked up my camper and Sadie (Fred's dog) and I headed out. Our first stop was at Shane's. He and Kristi are students at Multnoma University in Portland. I enjoyed spoiling those 4 grandkids for about 10 days. Then I drove over the mountains to Misty's. I spent Christmas there with her family. Carrie came down from Alaska and joined us. One day we had Shane and family, Misty and family, plus Carrie and I all together. We went swimming and out to dinner. It was a great day.

Friends flew in from Alaska and drove with Carrie and I to Arizona the first week of Jan. My camper and dog are happy back in Uncle Norman's camp spot southwest of Phoenix. I have been enjoying lots of time with all my aunts and uncles in the area. We have a great time together.

The past couple of years Fred and I came to Brazil to visit his sister, Cindy and husband Phil, here on the Amazon. So I decided to come down again this year. I have been here for about 10 days already and have about 2 weeks left before I head back to AZ.

Thank you
I just want to say thank you again for all your prayers and support through the years. God has blessed me through you.

Our house of 20 awoke to fresh snow this morning. Shane, Carrie, Wade, Misty and a lot of family were here to celebrate the life of Frederick L. Lambing. Fred passed away on Sunday, October 24, 2010 at 4:55am. Shane, Carrie, Wade and Misty were by his side for the final 32 hours of life.

Doctors and Nurses marveled at the calm, peacefulness in his room as we celebrated all the wonderful memories together. At times there were up to 30 people sitting around Fred, laughing, praying and just saying goodbye.

Please go to www.fredlambing.com to share stories, memories and thoughts.

Sunrises and Snow

The sunrise was beautiful over the mountains again this morning as I drove to the hospital. Summer has slipped into fall and soon the snow will be down the mountain.

It is always hard to give everyone bad news, but it is time for me to share with you about the past couple of months. July was good for Fred. In August he was showing signs of discomfort. Labor day he was in the ER with shortness of breath. The next week we had body scans again here in Alaska. There were 3 new big tumors. Fred was too weak to go the DC and we were able to arrange for radiation treatments here. He had 18 treatments over the next 30 days and did very well.

October 15th, just two days after he finished with radiation treatments he was taken by ambulance to the hospital. He had emergency surgery for a perforated bowel. He came through the surgery well but has been in ICU for a week now. It has been pretty touch and go. Please pray for peaceful rest for him in these difficult days. We trust God completely. Fred is in His hands.

There has been a lot of laughter and some tears too in these past months. We have gotten to share some good days with Fred's mother who has been here for about 5 weeks now. We have also enjoyed visits from both of his sisters. Family has always been so important to Fred.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support.

May, June, July, Oh My!

May 22, Fred and I arrived back in Alaska, just about a month later than we planned. The word I came up with for being here was overwhelming. Overwhelming in every way.

Fred was pretty wiped out from the radiation treatments and the bad cold he got right after he finished the radiation treatments.

We hired a young man, Hayden, to help us catch up on all the spring clean up. I spent the first 3 weeks keeping ahead of him. We raked and cleaned the driveway and yard, stripped and stained deck, cut and stacked trees that had fallen. Our goal was to get things rid up before company started arriving.

Home just 3 weeks and the fun began. Barbara L arrived from Texas first. The next week Misty and family arrived from Boise. We had a great time even with all the rain. The twins turned 4 the week before they arrived, that made all three of the kids 4 and 5 years old. They loved swinging on the rope swing and exploring in the woods around the house. Sadie loved all the excitement. Go to Scrubbydeer.com to see photos.

Time went by too fast and it was time for everyone to head home. It was great blessing for Fred and I to have this time with everyone.

July 5. Two days after everyone was gone Fred and I headed out for DC and Doc appointments. Fred had body scans and appointments in 3 different clinics in 3 days. The good news is we adjusted and changed a few of Fred's meds. Now he is doing much better, with more energy and less pain. All the Docs were impressed with how well he was doing. His numbers are down and his bone strength looks good. He does have a small tumor that has some muscles in his tush inflamed, but we are hoping that things will settle down soon. If not we will have some treatment done on it.

July 9-11. 41 years, can you believe it. That is how long it has been since I graduated from high school. Fred and I stopped in the Black Hills on the way back home and attended my class reunion. It was so fun to spend time with people that I shared my life with in boarding HS at Sunshine Bible Academy so many years ago. Hope it will not be so long before we gather again.

August, we plan to take some B&B guests.
September, we are headed to DC.
October, we are plan to head back to the lower 48 for the winter months.

Once again thank you for your prayers and support. We are so blessed by you.

Fred's glowing

Fred getting his morning dose of radiation. Today was the half-way mark.