Porters Portals

My oldest daughter, Karina Rose turned 21 today. It's amazing. To look at these adult children and try and figure out how it happened. How did that little helpless being grow so quickly into an independent (almost lol) being. It only seems like yesterday at times that I was holding her tiny little body in my arms and yet sometimes it seems a lifetime ago. She was the precious little one who I prayed for before she was conceived and have continued to pray for her daily since then. I Prayed for a girl. Prayed for her health. Prayed for her future. Prayed (and still do) for her salvation. Prayed for her when she was in a 14 hour surgery for scoliosis. Prayed for her when she cried the first day of school (several years in a row). Prayed for her for the dark times. She has had many obstacles and has overcome. I have prayed many hours of prayer for her and it continues...with almost more desperation. Once they enter the adult world the worries are greater but it's still a joy to see...

Not much to share this week. Sick kids, appointments, housework, and etc. this week has been full and went by quickly. The Lord is stirring my heart....it seems to be in many directions. Not confusion, just knowing change is coming and not exactly sure what that change will be. Could be simply reorganizing our daily life, or starting a women's bible study, or participating in a different forum of worship, or....just don't know for sure. Seems to be soooo many things on my mind and heart. But right now...I know what my ministry is......wife, Mom, foster Mom, & Nana......all day today and God willing tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the next............

Do you recognize the fruit of a storm in your life? The storms, trials, are meant to teach us. Teach us many different lessons. Sometimes I recognize the reason, sometimes I do not. Maybe I don't always because it's not Gods timing for me to know what the storm was about. I may have even missed the answer because it was not delivered in the way for which I had asked. But as I age...or should I say 'mature' I learn...slowly, but I do learn. I know there will be fruit. I know it can manifest itself in many ways. All the lessons learned come by way of faith. Mark 4:37-41 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearfu...

Majestic Mt. Hood One of the GREAT things about living in Portland Oregon (and other surrounding cities) is the view of the beautiful mountain God created with his very own hands. It is Mt. Hood. I have this picture hanging by my pc because I just love that mountain. I snapped this pic one day about 3 years ago while looking for a Christmas tree. I love to look at this mountain. I love to watch it change with every season. It changes with ever passing hour. Different cloud formations around it. The different lighting. Different color depending on amount of snow and light. It's amazing and living in the East County I have a great view of it when I am driving around. Just wanted to share how thankful I am for this scenic blessing. If I had enough faith, I could move it so I could see it from my living room window. Attention: While I was still up late cruising blogs, I began to pray for a precious little princess named Abby. She is battling cancer. She is in the midst of a difficult ...

Many of you do not know I have had half of my thyroid removed about 9 years ago. It was swollen for some reason. They can't explain why but because of discomfort it was removed. I elected to keep the other half so I would not have to take meds. Well, the other side has been swelling slowly. It is very uncomfortable so I decided to see the doc. They tell me it is "rather large" like I couldn't diagnose that one myself. My blood work came back fine (always does). They did do an ultra sound and it is a goiter and it has multiple nodules on it. This post is more of a prayer request than it is an informational post. I don't want surgery. I don't want to lose what is left of my thyroid, BUT if they can't get it to shrink some I really don't think I can live with it like it is. It's quite uncomfortable. There is always a chance it is cancerous too. Though I am not worried it is, it still lingers in your mind. All of this is quite irritating because it...

The kids made it home from winter camp. They had a GREAT time to say the very least. I am so happy for them. They made friends and some exchanged phone numbers. It was a beautiful day. We were able to put the baby in her stroller for the first time. She LOVED it. We walked from one lodge to the other to get luggage and she was so happy and wide eyed. She has only been in a stroller strapped inside of an infant carseat so this was a new experience. The real 'McCoy.' She was quite the attraction. The girls were so happy to see her. S bypassed me to go and see the baby! Darn kids. :-) Last night my adult son J came over with wife and precious grandbaby. We sang American Idol Karaoke on his PS2. It was fun! They then took two of the foster kids home with them. That left us with just the baby. Wow...that was the first time since July we have had somewhat alone time at home. We watched a movie and then fell fast asleep. Quite the party animals. It was nice to have a quiet home on a ...