Thursday, June 30, 2011

Journal 6/30/11

So much has been going on around here I've got to stop and journal. I'm tutoring Armon every morning for an hour, trying to get him ready for first grade. He's an intelligent little boy but he's very active and has a hard time focusing on the subject at hand. I do think he's improving. I just hope there'll be a difference in him when school starts. 


We have two dogs who go through our property on a regular basis now. We don't like it, but what can we do? Most people, now days,
keep their dogs tied or in a kennel. I think I know where these dogs live but I've never met the people. I love dogs, don't get me wrong. I just don't think they should be allowed to run free and make regular jaunts through our property. But what to do???


We're having beautiful weather right now. It's almost perfect! I had a doctor appointment yesterday. I'm well and fine. I do have a problem on my tongue. It's strange and I'll go back to have it looked at next month. 


Here's something so funny that happened today with the grand kids. I took them (3) to the fun zone to use up some energy. They were off playing when I saw three young black boys come running up to play. They climbed into a model truck. Armon came running to me to tell me something and noticed the three boys. When he came to me he asked why those boys were staring at him. I said something like maybe because you look like they do. He looked down at his shirt and said, "No, I don't. My shirt is different then theirs!" Ah, kids, I'm so glad color apparently means nothing to him. Me either.


A former neighbor of ours received a new heart yesterday! I wasn't even aware she needed one until I saw on facebook one day about her being in the hospital waiting for a new heart! That meant some one had to die. Well, yesterday someone did and Ruth was given her heart. So far Ruth is doing well, although it's too soon to know too much.


Lord, I praise You. Please help Armon and me with Grandma's School. Help him to be learning. Help me to be patient with him.
You know about my tongue. I praise You because You are My Healer. Please touch me. Please be with my friend, Ruth. You know all about her. Please help her to gain strength both physically and spiritually. Thank You for the new technology and capability of doctors today.



Monday, June 27, 2011

Happy Anniversary June 27

Happy Anniversary, Andrew and Katie! It's hard to believe a whole year has gone by since your beautiful wedding. We haven't seen you since then but we know you're very busy with work and studies. I love you very much and wish for you a wonderful day of celebrating your first year together as husband and wife.
Lord, I praise You because You are the Creator. You created marriage. Thank You for Andrew and Katie. Please be with them on this special day and every day. I love them so much and You love them even more.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Happy Birthday June 24

Happy Birthday, Miller! Fourteen years ago I flew to Birmingham, Alabama to stay with your older brother and sister for when you were born! How time flies! I'd sure like to have an ice cream cone with you! I like going for ice cream cones with you! It's sort of our thing, isn't it? I wonder how tall are you now? You were over six feet when you were here last summer! You're a fine boy and a fine grandson. I wish for you a very happy birthday, Miller.


Lord, Miller is growing up so quickly. Thank You for him. Please watch over him. Help him to develop good habits, good friends, a respect for others and a love for You. Please keep Your Hand of protection over him. I love him so much, Lord, and You love him even more.  

Monday, June 20, 2011

Awesome Good News


Armon and Elmise are about to become family...my grandchildren! They'll soon be official. Rob and Jessica got a call this morning that the adoption will be finalized within the month! It's been over a year since they arrived in the USA! They have bloomed and blossomed! 
Thank You, Lord, for answered prayer. Thank You for these two beautiful children. Thank You for Rob, Jessica, Tyler and Haleigh who have opened their hearts and their home.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, Jerry! You've been a good daddy to our five children and a good grandpa to our sixteen grandchildren!
This morning we enjoyed breakfast with Rob and Jessica, Haleigh, Elmise and Armon. Sausage and pancakes and fruit. It was very good. Elmise proudly made the pancakes!
For dinner I made pork loin, baked potatoes, green bean casserole, celery with peanut butter. Watermelon later... We ate dinner outside on the deck. 
It's a beautiful day! In the afternoon we went for a walk through Dow Gardens. It was very relaxing.


Lord, how I thank You for a Christian husband. His love of You shines through. As a father he was and is a shining example of what a Christian man is. Thank You.

Journal 6/19/11

Today is Father's Day. We just came home from next door where we had breakfast with son, Rob, Jessica, Haleigh, Elmise and Armon. Elmise was making pancakes when we arrived! She's a good cook! We also had sausage and lots of fruit. It was very good. They gave Dad - Grandpa candy and a picture of the four grandkids, next door. It's very nice. Pam called Jerry while we were over there. Her timing was perfect because he had just finished eating so he left the room for a few minutes to talk to her. It's a beautiful day today. 


I miss my dad. He died six years ago and I still miss him like it was yesterday. 


I was asked by a friend, just the other day, if I ever think about quitting writing the newsletter I'm editor of. This is my fifth year of writing it. I told her, when I do a bad job according to my brother, then I think maybe I should step down. But otherwise no, I'm not ready to quit yet. But, this morning, I suddenly remembered something for the newsletter, that comes out today...I never mentioned Father's Day! What on earth was wrong with me? Old age? It has to be. I always highlight any special day or holiday. Oh the poor fathers... I wonder how many folks will notice. I usually get comments when something is wrong. I wonder how many I'll get today?


Lord, thank You for my dad and my husband. They were and are special men and special dads. Thank You for creating families. Help me to know when the time is right for me to step down as editor of Prime Time News.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Helping Grandpa

Elmise is a good worker. She wanted to help wash our outside chairs. We were having company for supper and the evening. So she came over to help Grandpa scrub the lawn chairs. They were clean and dry when the first guests arrived. Click on the picture to see it close up.


Lord, thank You for good weather for our cookout with friends. Thank You for willing grandchildren to help out with big jobs.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Journal 6/15/11

I got up at 5:30 this morning, enjoyed some quiet time reading in Exodus and then Charles Swindolls remarks about it. My prayer time is mainly spent in praise because I have so many requests I don't know where to begin! I am praying for certain friends and family. A young friend wrote asking me how to know when and if God is calling him to be a missionary. I asked him some questions in return, among them: is he educationally prepared? (I know he's taking some classes) Is he a missionary where he lives and works now? (my guess is yes but I don't really know) My siblings all need prayer and my children and grandchildren. My mom...
Today Jerry and I went to the funeral of a friend who died last Friday at 91 years. It was in another town so most of our day was taken with the trip. It was near where we met 53 years ago at a camp ground. After the funeral we drove out into the country to find the old campground and we couldn't find it. We drove down several gravel roads looking for a woods with a big oak tree that looked like it could have been a camp ground but we never found it. That was a little disappointing.
I tutored Armon this afternoon instead of this morning so we could go to the funeral. It wasn't quite the same. We need to get back to our routine. First thing in the morning is best while we're both fresh. 
So tomorrow will be a new day with a new start. I can't wait.
Lord, thank You for this day. It was off kilter but still it was a day to live for You. Help me tomorrow to wake up praising You because You are In Control...even when it doesn't look like it! 

Monday, June 13, 2011

Happy Anniversary June 13

Happy Anniversary to Jerry and me! 52 years! I can't believe it! We had a good day today. We went to our favorite resturant for breakfast, Lanny's. We came home and I had Grandma's School for Armon. Then we drove to Frankenmuth to meet friends, Barb & Tim, at Zehnder's for dinner at noon. Barb & Tim celebrated their fourth anniversary today! Jerry had beef tips over noodles, I had crab cakes. Very, very good. Zehnder's is known for chicken but ... oh well. Then we walked all over town looking in shops. We even went to Bronner's Christmas Shop. It's open 361 days a year! We watched the German Glockenspiel, I got some good pictures of it. I'm not sure what I'll do with them though, it's such a sad story of revenge. 
Thank You, Lord, for 52 golden years! I'm so thankful for a good Christian husband. I have so much to be thankful for...my heritage, my children, my grandchildren, my extended family, my friends, most of all my personal experience with Jesus. Thank You, thank You, thank You.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Journal 5-12-11

It's been a while since I've written here so today is a good day. This morning I went for a manicure and a pedicure, compliments of Pam! This makes me feel so good, so clean, so special! 


I had a super Mother's Day! We had breakfast with Rob's family, Rob, Jessica, Haleigh, Elmise and Armon - Tyler. Puff pancakes with sausage and peaches! Very good! We had dinner with Ted's family, Ted, Sydney and Bella . Cornish hen and salads! A surprise and so good! Supper with Pam's family, Pam, Gene and Matthew. Chinese! So delicious! All so special and all my favorites! The best part was being with three of my five children and six of my 16 grandchildren all on Mother's Day. Then I had telephone conversations with Mother, daughter, Christy, sister, Lorraine, sister-in-law Vel, and very special friend, Ramses. What a wonderful day! Thanks to all who made it special. 

I mustn't leave Tim's family out. They live in Canada so we skype and I received a beautiful card from his family.

Oh my, God is so faithful. I have had three friends on death's door this past week. Today they are all showing a little bit of improvement! All three are out of ICU. Esther is in Washington, Gerry is in Indiana and Judy is in Michigan. God is everywhere!


I praise You, Lord, because You are All Knowing and You are Omnipresent. Thank You for family and friends.





Thursday, June 09, 2011

Journal June 9, 2011

I'm tutoring Armon every morning for an hour Monday through Friday, this summer. This is to help him be ready for first grade in the fall. He's a very intelligent little boy but has a difficult time concentrating on learning to read. We brought in an old school desk we've had since our own kids were kids. After cleaning it up it looks great and he's pleased to have his own special place for learning. He's here every morning right on time, sitting at his desk, ready to study. I love it.


I have two things that are really bugging me right now. One is that we had baby robins in a nest beside our front porch we were keeping track of and today... Jerry saw a lot of activity, adult robins flying in the tree and out, etc. He went out to see what the problem was...a large bird was after the babies. I don't know what the bird was, I only got a glimpse. He won. The babies are on the ground now...dead. It's so sad. 
The other thing that's bugging me...the yellow Marigolds on Eastman Avenue. We have a program of beautifying our city. A Saturday morning in May one lane is blocked off and people plant flowers all along the curb of Eastman Avenue. The city provides the flowers. Most years Petunias are planted. They are so pretty and they fill in so nicely. All summer we have beautiful colorful flowers lining the street all the way from the expressway to downtown. This year we have yellow Marigolds. I suppose they're cheaper, I don't know of any other reason to plant these in place of Petunias. I'm the only one I've heard complain about it. Do other folks really like these yellow flowers in place of the beautiful multicolored flowers?


Well, enough complaining. Let's see...there is this work in nature of keeping a balance in nature. Animals and birds living off each other. I don't like it but it's not up to me. God is our Creator and He knows best. He also created the Marigold's as well as the Petunia's. But I also have the belief that if we're going to do something, do it well. So, City of Midland, you disappointed me. But, I say, who asked me? 


Lord, I praise You because You are All Knowing. Please forgive me for complaining. Thank You for the flowers and the birds. Please be with the Robins who lost their babies today. Please help those Marigolds to bloom and blossom all summer and provide beauty along Eastman Avenue. Help me to adjust my attitude and be thankful for the flowers.



Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Keeping Cool

Temps in the 90's but the kids know how to keep cool. Squirt guns don't look like the squirt guns we had when I was a kid! This is Haleigh, Elmise and Armon having fun! Be sure to click on the picture to bring it up close.
Lord, thank You for fun! I love You, Lord!

Thursday, June 02, 2011

Journal June 2, 2011

I'll try writing again. I got really discouraged with blogspot when I was told I couldn't put more pictures on. Why didn't they tell me there was a limit to the number of pictures? I would have been more careful to only put the best on and not so many.
     Well, I've had some things happen to me I'd like to write about. I'll start with today...would you believe I left my purse in my shopping basket at Meijer's! I didn't miss it until I got home and was unloading the car...no purse. I ran inside to tell Jerry, then ran back out and started to back out of the garage. 
     Oh no. I forgot the back door of our mini van was still up...! It hit the garage door! I stopped quickly and in time before I did any major damage! Then I drove like mad to get back to Meijer's before someone found my cart out in the parking lot with my purse in it. I could have gotten a ticket, I'm sure, but I didn't. I got to the parking lot...on no, my cart was gone. I hurried inside and was told to go to the service desk. I did. 
     The girl asked for my name and got a smile on her face. "Is this your purse?" she asked, as she held up a small black purse with a little fuzzy monkey dangling from the zipper!
     " Oh yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you." Whoever had found it had turned it in.
     I drove home slowly, thanking God all the way for taking care of me and my purse.
Thank You, Lord, for taking care of us..of me. I realize I was careless and never should have left my purse in the shopping cart. I didn't mean to. I praise You for Your Constant Abiding Presence and Peace.