Boise man reported missing
- Idaho Statesman
Edition Date: 03/09/07
A Boise man who recently had brain surgery was reported missing by his family, Ada County Sheriff's officials said.

Leroy Wooters, 35, was heading to work Wednesday for the first time since his surgery. He has not been seen since, Ada County Sheriff’s Lt. Pat Schneider said. His family is worried about his mental state because of the surgery.

Wooters is 5 feet 9 inches tall with blond hair and blue eyes and a scar on his head. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a Khaki colored Cabelas shirt with his name embroidered on it. He was last seen driving a maroon and tan 2006 Ford F-150 extended cab truck with license plate 74LXE.

Anyone who sees Wooters should not approach him and instead call Ada County Dispatch at 377-6790.

Playhouses & Castles

I spent some time with Dalynn, Laurie and Jarried this afternoon. The children, all younger than 3rd grade, who just lost their young mother last week to pneumonia and the enemy. Their house was full of loving relatives. And they were playing in the backyard.

After talking to Dalynn a bit, she said, "Did you know my Mommy is with Jesus?" I assured her that she was absolutely right and that that is why I was there. "How did you know where to find us, she asked? Do you wanna see our playhouse?" We played and played and played.

I told her that I had seen her Mommy's body at the funeral home, the body that she left behind so that she could be in God's big big house. Dalynn, Laurie and I sang the Big Big House song, motions and all. I explained that she could see her Mommy again someday because of Jesus.

After petting every dog, horse and cat that we could catch, Jarried took me to a most special place called the castle. The castle is a big pile of dirt that was dug from a pit for trash. I trudged the side of the hill and Jarried said, "Hey, here's the laddu." Oh, I'm sorry; “I'll use it next time around.” Then the highlight was sliding down the hill on some plastic thingiemabob.

It was hard to say goodbye...wait, no it wasn't because I'll see them again soon. I cannot imagine how much harder it will be for them to say goodbye tonight when they see her body for the first time or tomorrow when they put her in the ground. But, this I do know...today we played in a 'play' house and a 'play' castle, but she, Dana Beck, is playing in God's Big Big House where he had a room prepared just for her. It's not goodbye, just see ya later.

The Lighthouse

While on vacation I called my Mom. I was talking with her from the island of Oahu where we spent several days before the cruise. "Mom, it's sooo cool~yada, yada, yada." She began asking me questions like, "Did you see the Dole Plantation or the Polynesian Culteral Center?"

One of the neatest parts about seeing Oahu was the fact that all or most of the places I told her about she had already experienced. Ohau was where she stayed her entire Hawaiin vacation. Wow, I'm walkin' where she walked. As a matter of fact, she took the hike and saw the same lighthouse that I took a picture of and experienced it up close.

I had another phone conversation with my Mom yesterday. "Mom, they have moved us to the second floor surgery waiting room and Aunt Jimmie Ann is headed for surgery. So when you get here, come to the second floor not the fifth." And Mom asked me, "Did you lay your hands on her and pray?" Yes, Mom. She repeated, "Did you pray for her?" Yes, Mom. Again she said, "No, Tammie, did you pray for her?" Then it hit me what she was talking about...did I pray the 'don't-have-because-you-don't-ask prayer'. And yes I did, thank goodness, because I'd be in trouble if I didn't. I prayed that the Lord would remove the mass in her brain, dissolve it to the root, and that there would be no reason to biopsy something that was no longer there. I was desperate for God to recognize Himself in my prayer because He's a huge God and this is a little problem for Him and I love Aunt Jimmie and I'm still scared of crossin' my Mom. She can be a little S.A.L.T.Y.

Need A Vacation From The Vacation?

Aloha, Hawaii was awesome! The flight to Honolulu took 8 1/2 hours! Not just 8 1/2 normal hours, the last two were turbulant hours due to high winds. What a bumby ride, but Hawaii was well worth it. If Hawaii is a tidbit like Heaven, then our flight getting there is like living on earth; long, drawn-out and ruff at times. But, I know-that-I know that Paradise awaits me someday and it will be well worth the ride. Mahalo!

Oprah's On~

"In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on television, she said it is "exciting." Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first."

See, there's really no hope for me. At 70+, I'll still be saying things before I think it through. Sa-la-vee!

What A Heel!

Well, another source of torture for this trip has been trying to get my feet sandal-worthy. It all started with my Dad giving me a pedicure for Christmas. Another treatment later, I came to the conclusion that home therapy throughout the lifetime of my feet is unavoidable. (Wow, you would have thought that two pedicures would have done the job.) So, my home therapy (like the pedicurist) has been to get that cheese-grater-looking contraption after my feet 2-3 times per week. The bright side is that you don't run the risk of scraping your knuckles like with a cheese crater. And now with less than a week till the trip, I think my feet are flip-flop fine.

Oh, the high cost for tender feet! Last night I was scrapin' away and I thought about my heart. If it takes this much care and attention to tend my feet, how much attention should I be giving to keeping my heart in likewise condition. You know, I can tell when my heart is calloused over...for instance, when a harsh word spills over my mouth gushin' from my heart, or upon hearing or reading a touching testimony, no tears. I've taken a few layers of hardness off my feet and found a sensitive spot on my heel. Everytime I rake over or even past it, it sends shooting pain and even bleeds if I persist. Is there a spot in my heart that everytime the subject comes up-I cringe, bleed? Yeah.

Lord, some things are so deep or they happened so long ago that we aren't even aware of their existence or source anymore. Heal my heel and heal my heart.

Hawaii or bust!

God convicted me in a scary, private sort-of way today. Usually I like to blare things I learn on this blog but this might be too private, oh what the heck...

"For the bed is too short to stretch out on, And the covering so narrow that one cannot wrap himself in it." Isaiah 28:20

I have been laying in a tanning bed in order to get ready for this vacation to Hawaii, right? Well, my toes have burnt a little bit on the bed (I'm too tall), but the tuff part is that the bed is short in the width. Or rather, I'm long in the width. One of the embarassing reasons that I've not been pumped up about this vacation is because of the extra fifty pounds I've gained in the last couple of years. I pray that this will be the year for God's empowerment to radically deal with sin in my life. Maybe instead of laying my butt bare before the fake sun, I need to lay my heart bare before the real Son. Don't be embarassed for me, just pray for me, k? Thanks!

"The pure in heart will see the Lord" (Matthew 5:8).

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16b).

"A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways" (see James 1:8).

Lord God, I want to 'see' You and I want my prayers to be potent. Amen!

Movie Review V

Enjoyed this movie! Had a God moment. The coach's conflict between his dream job and his dad job was the plot. The newspaper article about his struggle to keep both teams on a winning streak was pivotal. Finally, his resolve, "If I don't get this right then nothing else matters." 'This' meaning his dad job.

It made me think of my first ministry to my hubby. If I don't get this right then nothing else matters. I may be amazing in the Childrens' Ministry, but if I'm mediocre at home then what is the point? O.C. (Oswald Chambers) rocked that same boat this morning during my quiet time..."The measure of the worth of our public activity for God is the private profound communion we have with Him".

So really, my pre-ministry is the private moments with Him. Excellence in intimacy with Him leads to an excellent wife, which leads to an excellent childrens' minister. "I have to get 'this' right or 'that' doesn't matter. And I have to get 'that' right or ministering doesn't matter."

The hubby just commented that he tried all day to put in a load of laundry for me. "You have a lot of catching up to do," he said. "Now, you are the one that let me go to New York," as I saunter from the room. And on my way to bed I do two loads of laundry, wash dishes, setup the coffee, put the phone on the charger, turn the heating down, put away my shopping treasures, turn out lights, let the cat in, take out my contacts, shower, turn down the blinds, and thought about thanking him for my trip. But, he was out like a light. He actually went straight to bed.

My Nother Wanna Be

My nother wanna be for this year is to exercise and eat right. I want to be healthy, have energy and be a witness for Him. Pray, Pray, Pray...be the steering wheel, not the spare tire! This reminds me of another spare tire in my life that needs to go! The one I want to work off, for laughin or cryin out loud. hehe

Wanna-be in '07

Spare-(1. not being used 2. held for emergency use.) Lately, my prayer life has had more in common with a spare tire than a steering wheel. Prayer, like a spare tire, is there as a back-up plan for emergency use and sometimes it's not in use at all.

Steer-(1. to direct, set and hold to a course 2. to be subject to guidance or direction.) My new year wanna-be is to have my prayer life be more like a steering wheel than a spare tire. "Lord, direct and guide me!" Oh, that He would set and hold the course for all of this new year. I just gotta do some askin'.

Movie Review IV

Kidmo went to the movies! We took a group of twenty-one to C C's Pizza and to see The Nativity. It was a glorious trip. A big thank you to the sponsors, Tessa, Shannon & Heather, and Tessa's teens. Coach Shannon Waters and Toby are wonderful Godly male role models for our boys. Now, for the movie review...it was an awesome movie. But, beware, it isn't really appropriate for itty bitty ones. We had about four younger children that were frightened. The subjects that were scary for them were genocide, angelic appearances and, my favorite, circumcision. The little one who was sitting next to me asked, "What are they doing to that baby?" I himhawwwed around and finally replied, "Oooh-ummm, they are giving him some medicine!?!" And it does make sense that a movie portraying the birth of Christ would show the birthing process, but it still caught me off guard. And whenever angels appear in scripture, they do say "Do not be afraid" for a reason. So, other than a few little ones scrambling into loving arms, the movie was wonderful. I cannot wait to rent or buy it. It's a keeper forever and always.

Seatbelt Please?!

"Salvation is kinda like wearing a seatbelt," I explained. The kids just looked at me funny. "I ask you, as you hop on the van, to put on your seatbelt, do you?" Some of the kids said yes, others looked at the ground, and some said an honest no. "Why do I want you to wear it? Yes that's right, in case we were in an accident your life would be spared." I reminded them of the numerous times that I have encouraged them to give their heart to God. If they have done so, then they have put on their spiritual seatbelt. Safe and secure for all eternity.

Movie Review III

I give this movie three thumbs down! Kent and I just stared at the screen at its' completion. We really enjoyed the first in the series and were stunned after this one. Until...God revealed Himself to me. On Monday, I was preparing to share with the Kidmo Kids about Christmas and the fact that God wants our heart for a birthday present this year and every year. You see, the entire plot is about Capt. Jack Sparrow as he searches for a key that will unlock a treasure chest containing the villian's, Davey Jones, heart. If he can destroy Jone's heart, then he can break the curse that is threatening his life. At Kidmo, we watched the clip where Sparrow slides the key into the chest opening and exposing this guy's still beating heart. God revealed to me how we are living under a curse of our own, i.e. painful childbirth, thorns and thistles, sin and death. (Genesis 3) Jesus is the key that opens heaven. Each one of us must crack open the chest that encases our heart and give God access. He wants to save us from the curse of sin and death. That is the reason for the season! Without the birth in the barn, there would have been no death on the cross.

The Thunder!

Yesterday at Faithweavers, the kids were talking about powerful things. The kids brought up the subject of thunder being powerful. One child commented that they had been told that thunder was God moving His furniture. Another chimed in that it was the angels bowling. This morning, I came across this scripture..."Then a voice came from heaven, 'I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.' The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered..." (John 12:28-29) Boy, I cannot wait to tell them what thunder 'really' is!!!

You know Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and...

...Vixon, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blixon. BUT DO YOU RECALL THE MOST FAMOUS 'GIRLS DAY' OF ALL????

Good times and great oldies! We jammed to Air Supply, took two trips to Starbucks, tasted a treat at Olive Garden and moved into the holiday spirit with the movie Santa Claus 3. The thing that we have most in common is the Lord Jesus Christ. I love my frenz!

Want some mayo with that manna?

During a review, one of the faithweaver kids sent us into hysterics! We were recapping the journey of the Israelites from slavery, thru the desert and into the promised land. I asked who were the people that escaped Egypt that we have been following? A boy cried out, "The Mozarts!" I replied, "Oh, that's close...it was Moses that led them and they were called the Israelites." I held it together quite nicely, I thought. Until...I asked, "Now, they were hungry and God fed them, what?" Same boy shouted, "Mayonnaise!" At that, my side split open with laughter as did the entire room. I said something to the extent of..."a little mayo on that manna wouldn't be a bad idea."

The Persimmon Pucker

Have you ever been ‘had’ by a persimmon or a person with a persimmon? Have you ever been tricked into trying this passion fruit out of season? If you have, you will never forget that dry, drawled, puckered feeling! Or the vow that followed, “Never, (and I mean never) will I ever be ‘had’ again.”

Saturday I was mowing, last time of the year (I hope), and God spoke to me about the persimmon tree in my yard. Every year someone inevitably asks, “What kind of tree is that? Or a child might ask, ‘Is that a pumpkin tree’?”

Unfortunately, my husband was ‘my’ persimmon perpetrator. I didn’t want to have anything to do with that stuff ever again. As a matter of fact, I kept confusing the fruit with pomegranates. Until one day, my neighbor asked if she could pick some and I replied, “Sure, take all you want. And, by the way, what are they again?” She said thank you with a warm loaf of persimmon bread. It was wonderful and unforgettable!

Now back to God speaking to me… While mowing, my thoughts went to how we, as Christians, are like persimmons. People try us out, like a bite sized sampler of Jesus. If it is a bad experience, then they may never again “taste to see that the Lord is good”. Lord, have I left a bad taste in someone’s mouth? Would you be like a fresh peppermint that cleanses that experience from their taste buds?

Oh but, when we are ripe for the pickin’ watch out because we are sweet and sticky. Some have already fallen on the ground so watch your step. If you step in it, then we, Jesus and I, are stuck on you like your favorite candy.

PooPoo Camp

Well, well, well...I never thought in a thousand years I'd ever say this, "Thank you, Lord, for helping me pass my 'poopoo test'!" Yesterday I retrieved my test results and I passed, whew. Now why, in the world you might ask, did I have to become licensed in Wastewater Treatment? The City of Goree needs a licensed operator or they get in big trouble with the TCEQ. (a.k.a. the 'poopoo police')

Now here's my gripe...

I went to three days of "sewer camp" (thank you, Jill) and took a test (in which I barely squeaked by), and yet I remain clueless. The manual contained only four pages that apply to our type of system. And after questioning the instructor and TCEQ proctor, no answers were given to help me maintain healthy BOD or in laymen's terms, sewage strength. They just said keep your bugs happy. Well, hello, how? That's why I went to Poopoo School, to learn! In short, we are on our own. Pray that we are good teachers to ourselves and that we don't have to learn all of our lessons the hard or expensive way.

Sigh~

Home Alone I

Last week, Kent, Caroline and I went to Lubbock for Water and Waste Water School (don't get me started on that subject) and we left our kitties at home, all alone. This pic was taken by Amber, little did she know that this was the perfect kitty-view pic for this blog entry. She was also unaware that, somewhere in that yard, my kittens were partying like it was 1999.

No, we didn't hire a kittysitter this time and yes, I was nervous wreck. I was also fidgety about leaving the kids' ministry. But, all survived! The more alarming question is, "Did Tammie and Caroline pass their poo-poo water test?" (It was hard! The test, that is.)

One Night With The King

Well, Kent took me out on the town for our 10th first blind date anniversary. We watched a romantic movie and he tried to order hot chocolate at the restuarant for me, but they didn't have any. Bummer...but, that didn't spoil the movie.

I knew going into this movie that I was going to be spiritually 'moved' into the throne room of my King. The story of Esther is one of my favorites and God had already prepared me to look at this from a 'bride of Christ' perspective. Any and most woman can easily put themselves into the role of Esther, but to identify with the reality that I am the Princess that 'will' have Him, the King, someday is a much deeper truth. And that He lavishes me with beauty treatments, i.e. the Holy Spirit, in preparation for that Day. My words cannot touch how I really feel. I long for intimacy with my Jesus, beyond the veil moments with Him and Him alone.