About


A rainy day in DeYang. China
Rhonda Sittig, wife, mom, friend, teacher, thankful blogger, child of God
WHY WOULD I EVER WANT TO BLOG?:
The blogs I like to read are mostly by young, bright, talented, inventive people.  They do brilliant photography, have fresh ideas and their writing goes for sassy to sparkling.  Oh, there’s the smartsy blogs too, clever people with deep ideas that set you to thinking.  So why on earth would I think I could write a blog?Here’s why:

To keep a record of all that makes me thankful.  It’s good for me to read back over years and be reminded of all that’s gone behind.

To send off recipes to friends.  This morning Christine told me she made the tortilla soup and Glenda asked where to find the Cherry oatmeal bars post.  I love that.

To remember worthwhile books.  Keep an account of some I’d like to go back to.

To have a little journal of events in our family–weddings, babies, holidays, visits back and forth.

To jot down memories and pictures of travels near and far– great fun to relive those trips.

To put a bit of me down in writing that perhaps my grand girls would see some day.  Maybe Charlotte would like her great grandma’s apple cake recipe or to read about how I love being her grandmother.

It’s not a place to bare my soul.  I have my friends I meet with every week to pray and share life’s ups and downs.  But I hope to keep a sort of record of who I am.  It will be lovely to read through all the years when I’m sitting in the old folks home someday!!

So if you’re reading this, thank you.  It’s a joy to write to you.

ABOUT MY FAMILY & ME
Larry and I live in a small house under the green maple trees. It is an orderly place, filled with books, chocolate cake and memories. We have four children, now scattered. Micah and his Jodi, in Shanghai with 3 dear girls. We dote on their every long distance video. Aaron & his adorable Jessica work at facebook and live in SF. Ani and Brian live in a pretty row house in SF. She spends her days at Seatme and Brian is an Apple engineer. And Laurel, after wandering the country, has settled in SF as well, adding her creative spark to Photojojo. My day by day job is teaching 3rd grade, satifisying when a child masters long division or reads through the BFG. But my vocation is the people I love, my family, (What a joy to set extra plates around the table when kids are home with us!) and the women I meet with to talk and pray each week— Joys, such as kid’s weddings, big accomplishments, new grandkids, insights from God’s word tie us together– as well as heartaches of unexpected surgeries, marriages gone awry, job problems. I thank God for the best parents, 4 dear children, friends I can grow old with and a home and life with my Larry. God is good.
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86 thoughts on “About”

  5. Hey, Rhonda. I realize that your blog is more designed for women than men, but this is a really practical, inviting, attractive and Christ-honoring blog. One of the best on the web. The layout and design are impeccable and the content is meaty rather than fluffy (coincidentally, the names of my two cats). Fantastic job! I’ll definitely visit often. I may be the wrong audience, but I appreciate good work.

    Reply

  6. How are you? – I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Award. Check out my post at marcellarousseau.wordpress.com Congratulations!

    Reply

  8. Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking the Spaghetti and Meatball recipe and the About page. I hope you have time to browse the archives sometime and try out a few of the recipes. Please let me know how they turn out! Thanks again for stopping by.

    Reply

  9. Rhonda – I have been directed to your blog by my dear friend and your (I believe she said) cousin-in-law, Brenda Lauer. I lived many years in Phoenix and became good friends with Derek and Brenda. My oldest son (16) is named Derek, after your cousin. Brenda and I aren’t in touch nearly as much as I would like but we have always referred to one another as “kindred spirits” and that is how she referred to you as well. Specifically, she pointed me towards your post about “Bird by Bird” by Anne LaMott so I will definitely check that out. Anyway, LOVE your musings, photos and recipes(!!!) Everything looks so tantalizingly gorgeous. I’ll be stopping by often. Thanks. I’m going to send my 13-year-old daughter, Clare, to check it out as well. She wants to blog about some of her teenage experiences, as a support to others and so I want to encourage her. Your blog is the perfect inspiration for her.

    Reply

  10. Hi Anne– Yep, don’t you think Brenda is a doll? How can someone be so spiritually in tune and so sassy at the same time? And she knows how to cook! I’m excited for your daughter to think about blogging. Would you send me the link if she starts up? It’s such a lovely way to keep track of all you’re thinking and so encouraging when dear people like you come along. And one “PS”– Anne LaMott is super, although a bit out of the box with her faith. Reading her sets me to thinking… So anyway Anne, thanks for reading here and for your kind words.

    Reply

    • I will definitely let you know if and when Clare is up and running – if you have any suggestions for her we’re all ears! She will be thrilled just to know that someone is interested enough to have asked to be kept in the loop. She has much on her heart and is always furiously journaling! I, too, have thought of blogging – it’s on the list, it’s on the list! Several friends, including Brenda, have encouraged me to write, thus her suggestion of Anne LaMott’s book. I wandered around last night online looking at her books and recalled that I have, indeed, read some of her work – an excerpt about the birth of her grandson. And yes, she is a wee bit out of the box in many ways. I was nearly wetting my pants for laughing though – always a good sign that you’ll enjoy the writer! Blessings on your day.

      Reply

  24. Hi Rhonda

    My name is Kevin Gillespie, I do, MUCH prefer to be called Kev though. :).

    I live in Wales, & am now Following your Blog back. :).

    Thank You for Following my Blog also. :).

    Best Wishes
    Kev. 🙂

    Reply

  25. What an absolute wonderful introduction to your blog! I loved reading your reason behind starting this blogging adventure and I think it’s absolutely fantastic! I will be looking forward reading more of your recipes and posts!

    Have a beautiful day 🙂

    Elisa (Ely)

    Reply

  30. Pingback: Sunshine | Let's Have Another Piece of Pie

  35. Hi Rhonda, I just wanted to let you know that I have nominated your lovely blog for a Liebster award – http://wp.me/p3Nc97-sF. Participation is optional and there is no expectation that the award will be paid forward, even if you choose to accept it. Have a lovely day! 🙂
    By the way, your apricot almond muffins are a huge hit at my home. I have made it several times now.

    Reply

  46. Hi Rhonda! I stumbled across your blog while trying to navigate and learn about word press. I briefly perused through a few of your posts – the recipes, books, and thankful words you had to share – I was so encouraged and inspired. I just recently graduated from college with a degree in elementary education and I hope to one day go on the mission field to teach children. This summer I am going to Thailand for a mission internship for six weeks to work with children. When I read you are a teacher, I was so happy (I especially love third graders)! Your honesty, openness, and passions are something I identify with on a personal level. Thank you for sharing your life! I am excited to read what you have to say.

    Reply

    • HI ClaireElizabeth! Loved reading your note– and looked to see if you are blogging too, but couldn’t reach a site. You are in such an exciting place– so much ahead… I’d love to know more about your mission trip to Thailand this summer. We were missionaries to Spain for 12 years and for a couple of those years, I taught in a mission school. God bless as you take off this summer. Hope you learn so much and know God’s goodness and presence through all the ups and downs a trip like this has. Blessings, xo

      Reply

      • Thank you! Wow, I did not realize y’all were missionaries in Spain! Did y’all work with a specific agency/organization?
        I will be posting updates on my trip to Thailand via my blog. I’m not sure why it isn’t working…I’m obviously not very experienced and don’t know how to make it more accessible. This link should work, though: https://clairebruffey.wordpress.com/

        Thank you so much for the encouragement. It means so much to glean advice and support from other more experienced/well-seasoned people! Please let me know if there is any other wisdom or advice you have to impart. I would love to learn as much as possible.

        Reply

        • Hi again– so great to find your blog Claire Elizabeth– loved your post leading up to your trip this summer. Will be reading and praying with you ahead… We were in Spain with TEAM, worked mostly in and around Seville. I miss our people there. so exciting to hear all your have ahead… xox

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            • Hi Claire Elizabeth– We’ve been back a long time– since 1994. So our years in Spain were early in our marriage when our kids were small into high school. Larry pastored small churches and taught in a seminary there. I did women’s Bible studies, and a monthly big evangelistic breakfast with a team of Spanish friends. We loved our years there– I’m wondering about your time this summer. When do you leave? Where will you be teaching? I would like to pray with you the weeks you are there… I know God will use you in ways you can’t even anticipate. He is so able. xo

            • Hi Rhonda! That sounds like quite the adventure. I’m sure y’all have some really neat stories. I could ask you questions all day!
              I fly out this Saturday. I am not actually teaching on this internship. I will be working as a house mother at a children’s home and help with children’s ministry/VBS type outreaches. Thank you so much for offering to pray! Prayer is invaluable. You are very right…I really can’t foresee what will come about or how the Lord will work, but I’m trusting and having faith. He is I control of it all

            • Hi Claire Elizabeth– I will pray for you in the mornings when I pray for my own kids. It sounds like you’ll have so many chances to really care for people in that context. I’ll be doing VBS here too–teaching the missions story every day. And I always invite the kids from the school where I taught so it’s an exciting week. I’ll be praying for the children there to have open hearts and know God’s love through you Claire. I’d love to hear about it all when you get back! God bless and keep you as you travel and see his work through you… hugs hugs.

  48. Rhonda, I enjoy reading your blogs. I remember you from EV Fullerton, many, many years ago. Maybe when you and Larry first went to Spain. I was going through my recipe box this morning and came across “no sugar” recipes that I found in a World War II rationing cookbook, while we were living in Dallas. This was in the 1970’s and I didn’t think to write down the name of the cookbook. Anyway, I wondered if you might like having them?

    Reply

        • Great! I will be mailing the recipes to you in the next couple of days. Just have to pick a day when it isn’t so hot! In the I.E. this week, temps are above 100 degrees, so I try to get out early in the day. We are enjoying retirement and keeping ourselves busy. I enjoy your blogs, especially those about the Pacific Northwest. I grew up in Southern Washington, across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon. Take care, God blessing to you. xoxo

          Reply

          • Wow Kay! Keep cool… We’ve retired recently too and it’s been wonderful to be able to do all the things we’d wanted to do when we were working! Sounds like a beautiful place to grown up– do you have family up there still?? We were in Seattle this spring (I know, not close!) for the first time and really loved it. Thanks for the recipes– take care. xo

            Reply

  50. Oh yes…yes, indeed…I am going to enjoy reading your blog. I just loved learning about you from your About section. I’ll make sure to check in every now and then to see what’s new. Happy Blogging! 💖

    Reply

  51. Pingback: Week in Review 9/7/18 – BigAndPinkyToes

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