This week's religious adventures included a trip to a Jewish synagogue and Bat Mitzvah on Friday and Saturday (as you saw in my previous posting), followed by a visit today to a Buddhist Temple, then a Tongan LDS service.The service at the Buddhist Temple was all conducted in Thai Pali, a language I can neither read or speak. But at least they had English translation in a booklet, so that helped. After removing my shoes, I entered a carpeted room where about 35-50 adults sat on the floor (and thankfully there were a few chairs at the back for some of us!). Most of the service was melodic chanting led by a Buddhist nun, while the 3 Buddhist monks served themselves food and ate it while seated cross-legged on a platform at the front of the room (there was even a life-like statue of a monk in the same position - I had to look at it long and hard to make sure he wasn't alive!). Even during the 5-10 minute silent prayer (I think they were praying, they all had their eyes closed) the monks continued to munch on their chow. It was explained to me that this service takes place every day, because the monks only eat once a day, between daybreak and noon, and they can only eat food that is offered to them. They shouldn't be bothered with buying or preparing food, so that they can focus on their religious work. After each monk finished serving himself, the food was passed out of the room to a table outdoors where everyone joined in for a lunch after the service. (Perhaps you'll see the fish heads on the platter. I skipped these and headed straight for the Krispy Kreme donuts!) Then I drove to an LDS church building and was so pleased to walk in on a Tongan Ward in the chapel just sharting Sacrament service. They were singing a gorgeous song without benefit of a piano or organ. The music leader stood up front, sang the first few words of the hymn, and everyone joined in, a cappella. They sang loud and clear and beautifully, and I enjoyed it so much. As it was Fast and Testimony Sunday, about 30 individuals bore their testimonies in front of the congregation. About 15 teenagers took part, speaking English. The rest were adults, who addressed us in Tongan. A couple recently returned missionaries also included Spanish and Tagalog in their testimonies. It was fascinating to me! I was able to snap a photo of a young man wearing traditional Tongan attire, surrounded by some of his friends in "standard" church wear, I guess you might say. Now, let's see, for next week, I think I saw a Muslim Mosque nearby.......

Here are some photos I took this morning when I attended a Bat Mitzvah (my first) at a Jewish synagogue. It was for a girl who turned 13 and is considered an adult now, and worthy of religious responsibilities. The hall was decorated as if it were for a wedding, or a fancy quinceañera, with a catered middle eastern meal for 150 guests! I found it very interesting. I also attended at Torah Study and a Shabbat service last night - all fascinating. Actually, attending these services made me appreciate my own church even more! And since 75% or more of these services were conducted in Hebrew, with MANY different Hebrew prayers sung to music that is memorized because no notes appear in the song books, it was kind of hard to follow unless I wanted to read it all translated into English. But I did enjoy the desserts afterwards, and the candied almonds passed out while the rabbi and the bat mitzvah girl were at the pulpit still conducting the service! All in all, it was fun and informative. Now I wonder where the Buddhist temple is around here....... ha ha!

Chris has been helping with the cabinets out in the guest house - we're having them painted this week.

Michael's hair is getting a bit too long, I'd say. He shakes it like a dog and considers it combed!

Michael is almost ready to join the Scouts tomorrow for a campout in the snow! They went up to the camp last weekend and built igloos to sleep in. They're only going for one night, but his backpack must weigh a TON!

Tommy is acting goofy (as always!) at the dinner table!

We've been having some fun lately. Tommy decided to start giving himself a haircut the other day. The results? See for yourself!

Michael and Tommy think it's fun to get their faces painted whenever the opportunity arises!

Tommy was thrilled about his new camo jacket and his giant stocking for Christmas!

Michael bought a new mountain bike with his Christmas money, and decided to use a helmet camera (that he and Jack rigged together from a bike helmet and some straps!) to video his trek through the "snake trails" of Grants Pass.

Christopher planned a service project to pick up Christmas trees from some Church families and deliver the trees to JoGro, which mulches them into fertilizer.

There were some pretty tired boys around after all the activity ended.

How is the New Year for all of us? Great!

Marilyn & Jack, on Jan. 5, 2009 (we look like Farmer John and the School Marm!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS, 2008

The McCarty Family has enjoyed many elements of 2008, while sadly bearing the grief of Marilyn's mother, Velma, passing away on January 30. At age 84, she passed away in her sleep, after many years of battling cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, and many other physical problems.

Marilyn's father, Rod McRae, continues living in the apartment he and Velma shared in Claremont, CA, but has just recently made plans to move closer to daughter Trudy and son Ed in Alta Loma in early 2009.

Chris is a sophomore now at Grants Pass High School and enjoying (?!) early morning seminary along with many of his friends. He continues earning merit badges and is currently a Life Scout in the BSA program. He has become an aficionado of XBOX Live and has many friends around the world that he games with.

Michael home-schooled for the first few months of 8th grade, but just returned to North Middle School last week. (After only 2 days back in the classroom, he was glad to have 2 snow days right before the Christmas Vacation began!) He sport of choice this year has been BMX racing on his bike. He is happiest when he can go to the track 3 times a week. He also had a newspaper route this year for quite a few months, but resigned just before the elk hunt in October. He went with Jack to Utah for a "guy" family reunion and hunt for a couple weeks.

The newest addition to our family is Tommy, who just turned seven this month. He is our foster son and has been with us since Aug. 1st. He has kept us very busy and entertained for these 5 months! We've noticed a lot of improvement in his behavior and learning and we hope the trend continues!

Jack still suffers from extremely poor vision, but tries to make the best of what he has left. The retinal specialists have attempted to slow the deterioration of Jack's eyesight with some laser surgery and injections, but his vision actually seems worse since the surgery, so that's discouraging. Jack keeps busy with monitoring Tommy, who is home from his special school by 1:40 every day. Jack also tries to keep busy outdoors when possible - he admits that he finds the gray skies over Oregon depressing in the winters.

Marilyn is counting down her 28th year of public school teaching. How can that seem possible, when she keeps assuring her students that she's only 29 years old!! ha ha She is enjoying the other members of her department and staff. She had the opportunity to travel to Oaxaca, Mexico this summer and visit a friend (see her blog at http://www.marilyninmexico.blogspot.com/) and had a great time. She keeps threatening to move to Mexico if she ever retires, so the kids make sure she has no retirement savings built up, because they like their life here north of the border!!!