All Finished...again!

Here is the sitting/ reading/ sleeping room or the kid's room! Freshly painted and all cleaned. The books are all sorted and put in alphabetical order by author. That's never happened before! Well, the top shelf isn't but the rest are. So it's ready for company! Lord, thank you for your blessings to us. Thank you for being our strength.

Improving!

The little three year old girl who was critically injured in a head-on collision Tuesday has improved somewhat today. She has opened her eyes! That's about all I know but that's something. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for being with this little girl. Please continue to touch her, help her little body to respond to whatever the doctors feel is right for her.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Sitting/Reading/Sleeping...I mean Kid's Room! Haleigh made this sign and taped it to the door. I think it's cute! She likes the room and she hasn't even seen it painted yet. I hope she'll like the color. When I told her we were going to paint the walls, she said, "Not white, Grandma!" So, no, they're not white. I've started putting the books back on the shelves but I've developed a back ache so I've quit for the day. Lord, thank You for all we accomplished today! Please touch my back so I can finish moving back in tomorrow. I praise You because You are my Healer.

Finished

We have finished painting the sitting/reading/sleeping room! It looks good! The color is called Gentle Doe! Doesn't that sound pretty? This afternoon we'll start moving things + books back in. That's a job in itself! Then we'll go to buy another klik/klak. We need to buy a new bed for the guest room so I think I'm going to insist that we also paint that room. I can sure tell we aging! Oh well... Thank you, Lord, for helping us get this work done. Thank you for giving us the strength to complete the task.

Door of Freedom

This evening at church we had a very interesting time. It started out with the Light team of which Haleigh is a member! They did a really nice job! Then we listened as four different people came and talked about their lives and how frustrated they are. Then each one walked through the door to spiritual freedom. It was very good. The first man is a policeman and was critical and had no respect for people with problems. Then he told of a boy who was brought in to the police department because he was causing a problem. When this policeman asked him questions like where he lived, who his parents were, should he call them, etc. He discovered the boy really had no one who cared about him. He felt God talking to him and he walked through the door and the Lord helped him to change into a caring person. The next was a woman who was a successful lawyer. She had everything she wanted and needed. But something was wrong...she was empty. Her friend was always happy and excited about life. She finally walked through the door and accepted Jesus into her life. The third one was a funny guy, always telling jokes and making people laugh. But he was empty inside. No one knew that because he was always the funny guy. Then he walked through the door and Jesus filled his life with joy. He was no longer empty! The fourth person was losing her dad and felt so alone. Jesus came along side of her as she walked through the door. It was a very effective lesson for everyone there.

A side line about the door. It has served its purpose well. It was our back door at our former house until we did some remodeling, here at this house we used it for the gazebo until we turned it into a sun room and put windows in and a new door. Now it was used to show how we can be set free by simply walking through the door when we hear Jesus knocking. Jerry had to do some work on it to make it presentable and durable to be opened and closed so many times. Thank you, Lord, for knocking at our heart's door and coming in when we respond to You. Thank you, for illustrations like we had this evening. Thank you for letting us be a part of this good evening, both ahead of time, behind the scenes, and being in the audience to see how You make us come alive as we respond to You. I love You, Lord.

Head-on collison

Yesterday I wrote about seeing and hearing ambulances. In today's paper it tells that it was a head-on collision. There's a photo showing the two cars butting up against each other. The drivers were taken to the hospital but they're okay now. Critically hurt was a little three year old girl. One of the cars was a Buick Rendezvous almost like ours! Lord, please touch this little girl. Help the doctors as they treat her. Give them wisdom. Help her body to respond to whatever treatment they decide on. Be with her family. Be with the others who were in the accident. I praise You because You are our Healer.

Accident

This afternoon we heard sirens going down the road that runs north & south. Three ambulances and one police car; they were really speeding, sirens screaming! We couldn't see them slow down any so we wondered how far they were going. Well, we finally heard from Betty, who has a police radio and hears all the news. She told us the names of the two roads that intersect that were reported on the radio. It's probably about eight miles from here so they had quite a distance to go. It must have been a terrible car accident. I always pray when I hear a siren; for whomever is having a problem, whether an accident, fire, heart attack, whatever. We'll probably know tomorrow what happened today. Heavenly Father, You know what happened today to need three ambulances! You know how badly folks were injured...or, maybe not at all. From our view point it sounds really bad. Thank God, You know all about it. Please be near whomever the ambulances were for. Be with family members who are hurting for the ones who were hurt. Please touch them all. Be their strength. If they don't know You help them to reach out to You. Reveal Yourself to them. Thank You, Father.

Winter?

Is winter back? We have a fresh layer of snow this morning and it spits more snow every little while. It's very cloudy and gray. The wind is blowing very hard and also gusting. We were so hopeful for spring. What a let down. This is the day the Lord has made...this is the day the Lord has made...I will be glad and rejoice in it...I will be glad and rejoice in it...

Easter Egg Tree

This is not a very good picture because the window is behind but you can at least see what the Easter egg tree looked like. The eggs have pictures of my kids, when they were kids, and my grandkids, inside them. Instead of going out and finding a tree that would work we simply used one of the Hibiscus plants. It'll get more leaves soon but for this it was perfect! Some bunnies even found the tree and climbed right up! The girls were supposed to take them home but forgot them when they got ready to go. They posed beside the tree but my camera wouldn't take their picture! It's becoming very tempermental! It also refused to take Tyler's picture after the Passion Play! He did such a good job and I wanted to take his picture while he was still dressed in his clothes as a shepherd. Lord, thank you for what Easter is all about: Jesus's death and resurrection! Thank you for Jesus. Help us as we try to teach our grandchildren. Thank you also, for fun times. Thank you for our grandchildren.

Where do I live?

One of my blogging friends has asked a couple of times where I live now. So...let me see, how can I say without saying too much?! I live in our dream home. Eleven years ago our dream became reality! I live in a woods. I live next door to our youngest son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchidren. I live in the middle of Michigan. I live in the same small city I have lived in since I married Jerry almost 49 years ago! So, stop in and visit next time you come to Michigan! By the way, this isn't really meant to be a riddle! Lord, thank you for friends. They are one of your gifts to us!

Sunset in the pacific northwest!

When you open my blog now, you see a beautiful sunset! I took that picture from Lorraine's deck at her apartment when she lived on Camino Island, Washington last year. In fact, I took several pictures because the view kept changing every few seconds! It was like the Master Creator was at work as we watched! Heavenly Father, I praise You because You are our Creator.

What a job!

Are we nuts? I can't believe we're doing this!!! When we bought the new klik-klak for the new sitting/reading/sleeping room I regretted the fact that we moved it in without painting the room first. Oh well...I thought. We had decided to also buy a day bed for the loft. But...we like the klik-klak so well we've decided to buy another one for the loft, instead of a day bed! Well, yesterday Jerry got the idea to move the one downstairs to the loft while he had two strapping sons here to help! Actually it took Ted, Rob, Jessica, and Jerry to get it upstairs! So now the room downstairs is empty again! Well, I have to do it this time. I'm going to paint. Oh, what a job! You know I love to read...I've got two walls covered with book shelves, all loaded with books. Jerry looked in and just shook his head...again. I simply said, "You know I love books!" Well, they're all moved out...I'm determined! So we'll be all finished in a couple of days and have a second klik-klak and a very clean, newly painted sitting/reading/sleeping room! Dear Lord, thank you for your blessings to us. Thank you for helping us to get some heavy cleaning done this week. Thank you for sons and a daughter-in-law who were willing to help out when the work was too much for us. Please give us strength to do this extra cleaning and painting. Our house is Your house. I love You, Lord.

Initiation

Our new sitting/reading/sleeping room has now been initiated! Haleigh and Sydney slept in there last night for the first time! They laid in bed and watched a dvd before going to sleep. They woke up this morning feeling fine! The fish on Haleigh's blanket look happy! Lord, thank you for our granddaughter's. Thank you for the comforts we have in our home. We are so blest!

Easter week

This has been one of the best Easter weeks we ever experienced! It started out, of course, on Palm Sunday. After an excellent morning worship service we enjoyed the fellowship of the senior's from our church family at our monthly senior fellowship luncheon. Then to end the day, it was small group day. We meet twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. We have such a good time, discussing the sermon's our pastor brings and how they affect us. We pray together, laugh together, hug!, discuss together, and eat together! Wednesday we went to church and took part in a Bible lesson from Matthew on Jesus's last days of ministry. Pastor Shane is a wonderful teacher. Thursday we took part in a Seder Supper. It was as close to the Passover Supper as could be today. It had so much meaning. We left in awe. Friday was Good Friday. I already wrote about that wonderful service. Saturday we went to see the Passion Play. It was done so professionally and yet was performed by folks from our town! One of our grandsons was in it! Tyler did an excellent job! I'm very proud of him! We met our small group friends there and sat together. Ted and his girls came just in time so they also went with us. I had gotten tickets for them so we hoped they'd arrive in time. I really wanted Sydney and Bella to be able to see it so they'd know the full meaning of Easter...not just easter eggs and bunnies and easter egg hunts, etc. They're a little young, especially Bella, but we talked later and I don't think she'll forget it. When Jesus died on the cross the lightning flashed and thunder shook the whole building! It was so real! Sydney buried her head against Ted but Bella sat there and stared, taking it all in. I had my arm around her and I could feel her heart just pounding! She had a hard time separating reality from acting. So we had a good long discussion before she went to bed. Now today is Easter. Our pastor preached a wonderful sermon, as usual. Then we had a family dinner with Ted, Sydney, Bella, Rob, Jessica, Haleigh, and Jerry and me. Now it's very quiet...only Jerry and me here. It got very noisey and active for a while with Easter baskets and an Easter egg hunt. I decided to go ahead and have the hunt even with snow! It was okay and the girls had fun! Heavenly Father, I praise you! You are the same, yesterday, today, and forever! Forgive me for taking You for granted. I don't mean to but in the business of everyday, I forget. Help me. Thank you for giving Your Son for me. Thank you for this wonderful Easter week we've just gone through. Thank you for my wonderful family. Thank you for my good Christian husband. Help me to take time alone with You more. I love You.

Spring?

The calendar says it's spring. It has even felt a little fresh outside and not been quite so cold. Our snow is going down more everyday. We still have too much though to have an Easter egg hunt! Ted, Sydney, and Isabella were coming here today for the weekend so I've been getting ready for them. After lunch Ted called (he had to work this morning) and asked if it's snowing here! I said, "No, it's not snowing! Why?" Well, it was snowing where he lives and snowing hard! He didn't even want to try driving here. He said it's supposed to warm up tomorrow so hopefully it'll melt and they can come tomorrow. Well, I love snow, but not in spring! Now I want warm weather, flowers blooming, birds singing, etc. Lord, please help Ted and his girls to be able to come tomorrow and to get here safely. I praise you because You are In Control. "All things work together for good to those who love the Lord..." Romans 8:28 So if it's Your Will help them to come safely tomorrow.

Deaths Elsewhere

I always read the obituaries in our local newspaper (that's a sign of aging!) and I always check the 'Death Elsewhere' column. I seldom know anyone in that column but once in a while I recognize a name. Today is a name I know well. Jacob Daniel DeShazer, 95 yrs. I had already read about his death in the Missions News that I get on-line from our church headquarters in Indianapolis, so I wasn't surprised at his death but I was pleasantly surprised to read about it in our local newspaper. My parents and Jake and Florence were friends from clear back in the 40's. I remember praying for Jake when I was a child. He was one of the Doolittle raiders, and was in a Japanese prison camp for 40 months during WWII. Even though he was brought up in a Christian home he wasn't a Christian, himself, when he was captured by the Japanese. He hated the guards of the prison, he and the others were treated so badly. One day he was given a Bible to read, while he was reading God revealed Himself to Jake. He prayed for forgiveness for his sins and was changed into a new man. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come. II Corinthians 5:17. Jake was a new man. He now loved the guards! After he was released from prison he went home and enrolled in college. After graduating he took his wife and baby son to Japan as missionaries to the Japanese people. Now this little death notice in today's paper doesn't tell all that but it does say that he went to Japan to convert the people to Christianity. It also says that in over 30 years he started 23 churches. So it's an okay article. There is quite a story to Jake's life and it's been written in a couple of books and has also been made into a movie and is available on DVD. Heavenly Father, thank you for men like Jacob Deshazer. Thank you for your saving grace. Thank you for the ministry Jake had in Japan and for the influence he had on thousands of people, both in Japan, and here, in the USA.

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday. We went to church at noon. It was a very simple, yet effective, service. It was less than an hour long so working folks could come on their lunch hour. We sang some hymns and then the pastor simply read the story of the crucifixtion from the Bible while the dulcimer was played very softly as background music. It was very effective. The reading began with the disciples falling asleep while Jesus prayed and ended with the darkness as Jesus died on the cross. So we were kind of left hanging and that's how it should be today. Easter is coming! I praise You, Heavenly Father, because you are the Alpha and the Omega. You are Love. Forgive me for being selfish and thoughtless. Thank you for Jesus's willingness to die on the cross for me. Help me to be worthy of Your Love. Help me to show others Your Love. I love you Father.

Cook supper?

Can you believe it? I had to cook supper tonight! Saturday I made pizza; Sunday we went to the senior fellowship luncheon; Monday we went to the neighbor's for the St Patrick's Day supper; Tuesday we went to Logan's for their special. So today I had to cook supper! Oh boy, what to fix... I finally decided on salmon patties (they turned out perfect!), red potatoes that are cut in small pieces and baked or broiled with olive oil, salt/pepper/seasoning, so good! (I learned this from my friend, Kathy, last summer in Sask. I don't know what they're called); green beans, cole slaw and cake. It all turned out very good. God is great. God is good. Let us thank Him for this food. By His Hand we all are fed, give us, Lord, our daily bread. Amen.

St Patrick's Day supper

Yesterday we had a St Patrick's Day supper with the folks behind us and the folks who live on the other side. It was a delightful time. We started out with 7-up colored green! They also had beer but no one drank any! We had corned beef and cabbage, of course, cooked carrots and red potatoes, a special kind of bread (with raisins, I don't eat raisins). Cupcakes, decorated for the day, and mint chocolate chip ice cream, and of course, coffee. It was all very good and we all relaxed and enjoyed the company of each other. When we went over at 5:55 we just walked through our back yard and into theirs. When we came home it was about 8:30 and dark out. But there was a good sized moon, not full, but getting close, so with the moon shining on the snow we could see just fine! Lord, thank you for friends and neighbors and for good times.

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Jerry and I both have Irish in our genealogy on our father's sides of the families; Irish and Scottish. We've been invited to our neighbor's for supper. There will be 3 couples there. It should be fun. Neither one of us is wearing green, I hope that won't matter! Dear Lord, thank you for the Irish people. Thank you for Ireland and Scotland. Thank you for the bravery of our ancestors to cross the huge ocean, and come to America to start a new life.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Mother! Today you're 94 years old! Wow! I treasure the stories you have written about your childhood. I wish we had more, but I'm thankful for the ones we have. I hope you have a wonderful day with sons and daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I'm sure your brunch which Richard cooked up was delicious! I wish we could have been there to help celebrate your big day! Happy, happy birthday! Dear Lord, thank you for Mother. She's been a loving mother to all of us, through good times and hard times. Please keep your hand upon her now in her senior years. I love her but You love her more!

The Wrestling Match!

Bella, Sydney, and Haleigh are having a wrestling match with Matthew and they are winning! Can you see him? He's there! Only his hands show! Thank you, Lord, for good clean fun! For cousins and sisters and plain ole fun kids!

Tea bags!

Today Jerry and I went to a Chinese restuarant for supper. We ordered our dinner and then asked for a pot of tea to go with it. We've always done this. The waitress smiled and said, "Sorry, we don't serve tea with dinners anymore. I can bring you a pot of hot water and an assortment of tea bags, if you'd like." I told her I couldn't believe it! A Chinese restuarant doesn't serve tea? She apologized and said she knew what I meant but she couldn't do anything about it! Lord, help me to be patient when things don't go my way!

Cousins

#1 Sydney, Haleigh, & Isabella #2 Sydney, Matthew, Haleigh, & Bella. The girls love pestering Matthew! #3 All the nieces love Auntie Pam! Syd, Auntie Pam, Haleigh, & Bella.
Thank you, Lord, for happy cousins and a loving aunt.

Smiley Face

This happy, smiling cake was for Pam's birthday. I wrote about meeting them at Ted's last Sunday. We had a fun time together. Thank you, Lord, for birthday's and for family.

Modeling Malaysian gifts

Syd and Bella showing off their new shirts from Malaysia and modeling a Malaysian sun hat. You can barely see the embroidery work on their shirts. On Bella's it's kind of orange. On Sydney's the embroidery work is white so you can't see it at all, but it's very nice. Pam is also modeling the sun hat. It folds up small and can also be used as a fan! Very clever! Thank you, Lord, for good times.

Shoes

These four feet in these four shoes took these two girls to church last Sunday! There is such a contrast I had to take a picture! I laughed and laughed! Now, when my girls were young I would have had a fit and made them go change. But I've learned a lot since those days. I'm now free to be me. I don't have to have everything perfect...I don't have to worry about what other folks think! I now can enjoy life and my grandchildren. Some issues I stand firm on but shoes? No. Thank you, Lord, for freeing me. Thank you for my grandchildren. Thank you for their feet, which are normal!

Hide & Seek?

I found Isabella! She's hiding in the entertainment center! Always smiling, she's a little sweety! Thank you, Lord, for Bella! Please keep Your Hand upon her as she grows. I love her and You love her more!

Prayer

So many things are happening right now I find myself praying constantly. --Pam and her foot problems. --Tim and Rob getting teeth pulled. --Ted and his situation. --Christy and her family. --Three friends are in Haiti at the moment. Two just arrived and one is leading a group of 19 college students and will come back on Thursday. This is not a good time to go to Haiti: Mardi Gras. So they are constantly in my prayers. --Last week a friend died, I wrote about her in my blog. This week her son died, we think of an overdose. His dad is constantly in my prayers, as well as his aunt. --My sister was in an accident and her car is a total loss. She bruised her leg and had some shock but otherwise seems okay. She was alone in the car, thank goodness. So she has a lot to deal with now, and with no husband that's not easy. --My mom and her concerns. (She turns 94 this week!) ((Would you believe it's snowing hard out right now!!!)) --My younger brother has a mri this week on his neck. --Three friends, Lori; Kathy; and Joy. --Then there are some other things that I won't bother you with. The list goes on and on and on...

There are some good things happening too. --Jerry and Rob are getting a lot of work done on remodeling their bedrooms to make three out of two. A friend of Rob's, Matt, is also helping. This is in preparation for getting their two adopted children from Haiti. --Richard has two articles being published in magazines! Good Old Days April issue and later, American Legion Magazine. I'm going to Barnes and Noble tomorrow to buy Good Old Days. The other article won't be out for a while, I'll let you know when. I'm very proud of Richard! He's my big brother!

So, Heavenly Father, I praise you because You are Sovereign. You are all knowing. You are In Control! I praise You because of Who You Are! Please forgive me for worrying and fretting. Thank you for all You've done for me. Thank you for your Grace! Thank You for dying on the cross for me! Thank you for my family and my friends. What would I do without them? Thank you for helping Jerry and Rob and Matt to get work accomplished on the house. Thank you for the articles Richard has written and that they are being published. Thank you for his writing ability. Please touch Pam's feet and help her to get relief. Be with both Tim and Rob as they have teeth pulled prior to getting braces. Help Ted to lean upon You for strength. Bless Christy as she takes care of her beautiful family. Please be with our friends in Haiti, those who are Haitian, and those who have gone down to help. Please be with Bob, two deaths in the family within a week of each other is too much for a person to bear. Please wrap your arms around him and let him know You love him. Please be with Lorraine as she deals with bruises, etc. from her accident and all the details now of getting another car, etc. Help her to lean on You for strength and thank you for keeping her from being seriously hurt. Be with my mom, help her to have a good happy birthday. Touch her physically, mentally, and spiritually. Touch Bill as he goes to the doctor this week. Give the doctor wisdom to know how to help Bill with the pain he deals with almost constantly. Please be with Lori as she deals with a lot of stress. Lord, help Kathy to lean on you as she deals with situations and work, etc. Be with Joy too. Help her to lean on You for her strength. And then the issues I've not written about...please be in control and take care of them as You want them to go. Have Your way in all things. I love you, Father.

Weekend

Saturday afternoon we drove over to Ted’s, a three hour drive. We took Haleigh with us so she could have fun with her cousins and the rest of the family. Then yesterday Pam and Gene and Matthew also drove to Ted’s from the opposite direction but also a three hour drive! Yesterday was Pam’s birthday so we all wanted to help her celebrate and we did. We didn’t do anything spectacular but we were all together and that was good.
I’m always on the lookout for nature as we travel. Well, on this weekend I saw the usual: deer, turkeys, an eagle!... and hawks. Hawks aren’t unusual but I saw something I’ve never seen before. I’m even wondering if they were really hawks. You’ve all seen a hawk up in a tree or on a post, always alone, watching for some food to come along. Well, yesterday I saw two hawks sitting in a tree side-by-side! Now, that was strange! Maybe they weren’t hawks...but then... what were they? Well, I’ll never know...
Sunday morning we went to Ted’s church. It’s a mega church, thousands of members and attendees. We’ve been there maybe five times altogether and we love going there! The music is inspiring, the building, which is new is phenomenal. The stage is huge. A choir was behind an orchestra, which was in a pit that came to the surface and then went back down when they were finished playing! The drummer was in a completely glassed in box just for him! We could hear him but he wasn't too loud! Two large screens showed what was going on on the stage so everyone could see. We were in the balcony and could see fine. An assistant pastor preached and he was as good as if he was the senior pastor. It was a very worshipful service. The foyer of the building is huge, probably as big or bigger than our sanctuary! When we entered we noticed a grand piano sitting out in the foyer. Well, after our service a man played beautiful hymns on the piano between services! Two of our granddaughters got separated from us when we were going down the stairs from the balcony. We waited and watched for them for a while and then I finally went to the welcome center to report two missing girls. While I standing there a woman came up with Haleigh and Sydney. They had the sense to tell a man they were lost and he took them to a woman who brought them to the welcome center! They were as glad to see me as I was to see them! There is a bonus to this story! Because we were there longer than normal we got to hear the man playing the piano! I love piano music and he was sooooo good! Going to this church was a highlight of our weekend.

This is the first time we’ve seen Pam and Gene since their trip to Malaysia and so Pam brought gifts to us! Sydney and Isabella each received a white long sleeved shirt with embroidery on the front. Very nice. Haleigh was given a nice bracelet. Jerry got a clear glass paper weight with the Lord’s Supper inside. It’s very unique. He put it in the window so the sun shines through it. It’s very nice. They gave me...you almost guessed it! Three middle eastern wise men! They couldn’t find a complete nativity set but did find the magi. They are very nice. I’m very happy with them. Now I have three sets of just wise men! A tall white ceramic set, a small Mexican set, and now a middle east set. So you can see this was a very good day! Thank you, Lord, for family, for good times, for birthday celebrations, for safe driving, for good weather! Thank you, Lord.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Pam! We've both arrived home after spending a few hours together today on your birthday! Things didn't go exactly as we had planned...KFC instead of eating out! We were together, and that's what counts. You surprised us with Matthew being with you and we surprised you with Haleigh being with us! Meeting at Ted's is such a good half way meeting place! You are a very special aunt to all your nieces and today Sydney, Bella, and Haleigh loved being with you! Happy, Happy Birthday to you! Heavenly Father, thank you for Pam. She's a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, niece, granddaughter, and friend! Thank you for entrusting her to us as our first child. Bless her with your presence.

DVD

This evening our small group met again but the purpose of the seven of us (one was missing)getting together was so we could watch the DVD, The Star of Bethleham. We had all watched it at Christmas time but we watched it in two different evenings a week apart and we all wanted to watch it in one sitting. It's very good and makes a good deal of sense, but it's very overwhelming. But, as overwhelming as it is, it's still worth watching. If you have the opportunity to watch it, do! Then let me know. I praise You, Lord, because you are the Creator and You are In Control. Your timing is perfect and consistant. I'm in awe of Who You Are.

Hillaire

Hillaire is pronounced something like E laire (long e).
This handsome young man has been our boy, and Pam's and Gene's, since he was about 1 year old! He grew up in an orphanage in Haiti. We co-sponsored him and now he's all grown up. A doctor friend of ours goes to Haiti every year on a medical mission. She just came back and gave these pictures to me, she took them herself. She said he insisted on wearing his Sunday best. He's now 21 years old and is studying to be a lab tech. I went to Haiti to the orphanage where he lived when he was about 10 or 11. We spent as much time together as we could and cried when I left to come back home. He's a wonderful Christian young man. Thank you, Lord, for Hillaire. Thank you for the privelege of investing in his life. Thank you for the orphanage where he grew up. Please continue to be with him, guide him, give him a loving Christian wife, help him in his schooling, keep him safe and well and close to you. I love you, Father.

Love Lines

Seven of us got together this morning to make greeting cards. It was such a nice time together. From left to right: Naomi, Rose, Mary, Jane, Wilma, Marian, and myself. The cards are called Love Lines and are on a table in the foyer of our church. The cost is a donation of a dollar per card. All the money made goes to help Haiti babies. Heavenly Father, thank you for the fun of making these cards this morning. Bless these little babies with the necessities that they so desperately need.

Joe and Drougy!

A few blogs ago (a few days ago) I wrote about my grand-nephew, Joe. Here's a picture of Joe and my sister, Lorraine, his grandmother. Looks like they're having fun. If you didn't read about Joe treating Lorraine on her birthday, you might want to scroll down and read it. He's quite a boy. Thank you for Joe and for Lorraine. I love them but You love them more!

Chit Chat II

More chit chat! The Eastern Bluebirds seem to be gone now. They were migrating north so I guess they figured it was time to move on. We certainly enjoyed them while they were here! But this is the third day we’ve not seen them. They were here for about a week.
Yesterday we went to a memorial service for a friend, Marcelle, who died very suddenly, probably a heart attach. Her former husband and now best friend played the piano and sang, he also played an instrument that has a key board. He blew into it like a trumpet. I love to hear Bob play the piano. There were lots of folks there that we hadn’t seen in years. So the dinner afterwards was a very interesting time. Years ago I sang in a trio and Bob was our pianist. Well, yesterday all three of us were there, Ruth, Barb, and myself, and Bob. It was a nice reunion. The first thing Ruth said when I walked in the door was: “We’re singing today!” I said, “Yeah, right.” Barb said, “You’re kidding, right?” Yes, of course, she was but it was fun just to reminisce. And Bob was just as happy to see all of us too. Our pastor spoke at the memorial service and did a great job. He never knew Marcelle so he was honest and said he never knew her but he does know the God who knew her and he could talk about Him. It was really good.
This evening we had small group at our house. Seven of us discussed the sermons from last Sunday and today. It was very interesting and enlightening. We’re all at different stages of our Christian walk so we’re all learning. We’re also all becoming very good friends. Lord, thank you for Who You Are. I praise You because You are Sovereign. Thank you for friends.

Pilated Woodpecker

I was watching the bluebirds in the flowering crab tree when I noticed something large moving in a tall dead tree in Rob's yard . It's a straight shot through the woods from my window. I got out the binoculars to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was seeing. Yup, a Pilated Woodpecker! They are huge, 17 inches, according to my birdbook, black and white with a large, dark red crest on top of his head. I tried to zoom in with my camera but I couldn't get it. Maybe another day I can get a picture. It's a good thing we're retired so I have time for all this!!! Thank you, Lord, for the variety of birds we see every day! I praise You beecause You are the Creator!

Joe

I have a grand-nephew, Joe, whom I must write about! He’s 10 years old, a good student, not interested in sports but musically talented. Oh yes, he’s also a good looking kid! Joe was staying with Drougy, his grandma, for the weekend. Her birthday also came on that weekend. No problem...he’d take her out for her birthday dinner! When he arrived at her condo, he brought nice clothes for the occasion; extra money from his mom, my niece, Christine; and instructions to mind his manners! This was a real treat for Lorraine because Joe took care of everything! He made the reservations, seated Lorraine at their table, ordered their food, paid the bill, and left the tip! All she had to do was drive the car! Joe and the waitress even sang Happy Birthday to her! When Lorraine was telling me about it she said only once he looked at her and said he just might need some help...figuring the amount of the tip was tough...but suddenly he looked up with a grin and announced he had it! What a special evening for both of them! Lord, thank you for good times with grandchildren. Thank you for grandchildren! And thank you for grand-nephews, sisters, and nieces! Thank you for family! As Joe grows up, help him to know that You are real and that he is very special to You.

Bluebirds

This morning there were four Eastern Bluebirds in our Flowering Crab tree! Of course I took pictures! This bird flew over to a maple tree closer to our front porch so I was able to get a closer shot! Thank you, Lord, for the beauty of your creation. Thank you, for the technology of cameras. Thank you for bluebirds!

I'm sooo excited!

I know...some of you are saying it doesn't take much to excite me! Well, bluebirds in the flowering crab tree in February excite me!!! I've been watching a bird that I wasn't sure what it was for a couple of days. Now, today I'm sure! Jerry saw them too. There were atleast two today. Eastern Bluebirds! I called our friends, Jane and Herb, he built and takes care of 70 bluebird houses up north every year! They believe me and are very excited too. They said the birds are migrating north. When they, our friends, go north in April the bluebirds will already be there! This flowering crab tree is the same one that a ruffled grouse was coming to for a while. Those little tiny sour apples must be awfully good! I wish I could get a picture but I know I can't. If I do happen to, you know I'll post it! Oh, thank You, Lord, for the beauty of bluebirds! Thank You for the wonder of nature!

Yesterday

I must write about yesterday. It was a very enlightning, interesting, and enriching day. Before I write any more let me thank those of you who wrote comments/e-mails. It showed me you really care. Hopefully some others were praying for me. Prayers were answered. During the sermon yesterday morning (which was very good) the Lord spoke to me and told me what I needed to do - forgive. With His help I have and the dark cloud is gone along with the resentment I was carrying. Last evening we had a service to receive communion. I was so glad I had listened to what the Lord had dealt with me on so I could receive communion with a clear heart. Pastor Dave had prepared the service in a different way. It was very good and effective. Instead of giving each one a tiny piece of bread or a wafer, he had plates of slices of bread. (Small loaves of homemade bread so the slices were small and soft...just right.) We always use grape juice instead of wine and he had dixie cups filled half way for us to drink instead of the tiny cups with just a swallow. He did it this way so we would have to take our time eating the bread and drinking the juice rather than just one swallow for each and going on our way. It was very effective! Thank you, Lord, for answering my prayer, giving me a clean heart, and preparing me for receiving communion and thereby, giving me a fresh touch from You.

Chit-chat

How about just some chit-chat. Spring must be coming...! We had to change the timers on our lamps! They were turning on about 5:00 pm but just lately that's too early. It's still light out so Jerry changed them to 6:30. This is a good sign to me that spring is coming! It's still cold out though and we have lots of snow, and it's still only February!
Our newspaper had pictures of the moon eclipse like the ones I took except theirs were with a much better camera so the entire moon showed. I scanned them into my computer and tried to post them here but they won't post. The pictures come up black! They look good on my computer! Oh well, I tried.
I'm making some more changes...in the loft this time. It's been like a show room of our antiques but we need more sleeping room (our whole family is coming here in June!) So I'm getting it ready for a day bed. It'll be a nice cozy room where one or two people can sleep at night and a nice cozy sitting room during the day. So, yes, Vel, the antiques are going back into our bedroom! Oh well...
I sure could use some of your prayers on my behalf. I've been on a real downer for a few weeks and I need some relief from this. I've prayed, I've talked to Jerry, I've read my Bible, but I've not shared with anyone else. If you're a friend and feel like you can help me, please pray for me. If you want to talk to me, call or e-mail. I've tried covering it up but I'm tired of that. By the way, I've not given up...I'm still free to be me!
Well, enough chit-chat for now. Thank you, Lord, for friends we can confide in and who help us bear our burdens. Please lift this dark cloud from me. Help me to praise You in all things.

freetobeme

Recently I heard about a book titled Free To Be Me! Then I saw an article by the same name! Before I chose freetobeme as my blog name I had never heard it used. I chose it because I had recently been freed from spiritual bondage. The chains had been broken and I was free to be me! Thus...freetobeme! The other day I wrote freetobeme in the google search to see what would come up...oh my goodness! A lot! Sad to say alot of the web sites were by homosexuals who think they are free to be themselves! Oh, if they only knew that true freedom comes from freedom in Christ by the Holy Spirit. Now, don't take me wrong, I'm not arguing against that life style. I don't understand it at all. What I am saying is this: For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16; If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! I Corinthians 5:17; I am come that you might have life and have it to the full. John 10:10b. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the freedom I have in You! I am free to become the person You intended me to be!

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday, Sean! I hope your family has treated you well today! I'm sure they have and I'm picturing your whole (extended) family getting together this weekend to celebrate your big day. Wish we could be there to celebrate with you. We hope to see you in June when everyone is coming for a great family time. We 're getting excited. Have a happy, happy birthday! Heavenly Father, thank you for Sean. Thank you for the beautiful family you've given him. Watch over him. Keep him healthy.

Lunar Eclipse

Did you watch the eclipse? I went outside to take the first picture at about 8:45. Then the rest I took out the loft window so there are tree branches but...oh well. The first two pictures are the beginning and the second two are the ending of the eclipse. The actual eclipse I just couldn't get my camera to take! But it was quite spectacular! The last picture I took at about 11:40. After it was all over the moon was so bright it was almost like daylight out! It's all pretty exciting to me. O Lord, Our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him...? Psalm 8:1, 3-4a

Winter beauty

Last night we got another fresh layer of snow. Everything is so clean and white. This pine tree is just off our front porch and looked so pretty this morning. While I was out I shoveled the front walk, so come on over! Lord, Thank you for the freshness of newly fallen snow.

Sitting/Reading/Sleeping Room

Here it is...all finished! Our new sitting/reading/sleeping room. I don't use my computer room any more, since Jerry gave me a lap top computer for my birthday/Christmas gift, except to do printing. We need more sleeping space when company comes so this worked out well. My new scanner/printer is on the left and the rest of the room is mainly for grandchildren when they come. It's a small room but we think it'll work well. We bought this klick/klack which folds down, one adult or two kids can fit easily. So come on over. Who is going to be first to sleep in here? I wonder... Thank you, Lord, for comfortable sleeping spaces. Thank you for company. Thank you for granchildren. We are so blessed.

Icy Outside But Warm Inside!

We woke up to ice coating everything. We could hear it raining most of the night. We drove to church very slowly! Our road is all ice. Attendance at church was way down. We had a good service just the same. Rob shared about the chili supper on Friday. He did good. Then he said how when the pastor preached a few weeks ago about being obedient he wondered how that would impact him. Rob named a few ways God calls us to obedience: missionary, pastor, teacher, etc. but none of those fit him. He never dreamed it would mean for them adopting two siblings from Haiti!
Another man and his wife shared how they are now one spiritually. Nanciann shared how the Lord dealt with her on two issues: reluctance and stubborness. She refused to read her Bible ever and it had hindered her spiritual life and their marriage. Kevin said he prayed for 25 years for their marriage to be oneness. Finally last October the Lord began to deal with Nanciann. She finally broke; their marriage is healed, her spiritual condition is healed; their family life is completely changed-their two teenage children can see a real difference and it has impacted them!
Then the pastor preached from Matt. 26:1. I won't go into that but it was very good. I took lots of notes.
We're cancelling our small group tonight. We can't ask folks to drive out here in this weather. Heavenly Father, thank you for the good service this morning. Thank You for keeping us safe as we drove in to town and back home. Please, keep others safe as they drive. I praise You because You are Sovereign and In Control.

Good Evening!

Well, the chili supper is now history! Was it a success? Oh yes! There were well over a hundred folks, approximately 150! Maybe later we can come up with an accurate number.
A lot of them I didn't know, friends of Rob & Jessica. A lot of them I did know! There was such a good friendly atmosphere, it was truly wonderful! Folks donated over $2,200.00! Now they can get their home study done! Oh yes, they have a blog: http://www.robshaitikids.wordpress.com/ So check it out. Thank you, Lord, for this evening. Thank you for being there! I know you were! Please continue to lead and guide Rob and Jessica. I love you, Father.

Chili Supper

Today is the chili supper! 6:00-8:00 PM. I've got three crock pots going in my kitchen to take later to the church. It's going to be an interesting time. Rob and Jessica will be showing pictures of the kids they're in the process of adopting and sharing their hearts behind this huge undertaking. Elmise and Armon, 3 and 4 or 4 and 5 years of age! They now live in an Orphanage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It takes over a year to adopt and thousands of dollars! Don't ask me why! Father, please meet with us this evening. Help there to be a good turn out of interested folks. Bless Rob and Jessica as they strive to do your will. This is huge, Lord, we need the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Elmise and Armon

Here is Armon with is new-to-be mom! She had just arrived at the orphanage along with the rest of the team. Kids came running to greet them. This little boy hung on to Jessica, after she held him for a few minutes, she tried to put him down so she could find Armon. But this little guy wouldn't let go! She finally asked for help to put him down, then she asked his name...Armon! This was her little guy, Armon! What a precious story!
I tried to post a picture of Elmise but it wouldn't post. I'll try again. Heavenly Father, thank you for these two precious children! You have a plan for them. Bring the little children to me and forbid them not...

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Lorraine! Well, now you're the same age as Jerry! We've been sisters a long time! We've shared dreams, ideas, secrets, paper dolls, school books, and lots more! Sisters are sisters! Have a great day today. I hope your daughters and their families treat you well today. I love you! Heavenly Father, thank You for Lorraine. Give her understanding and wisdom and love and peace and joy and...

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! Do you feel loved? Jerry and I gave each other a Valentine this morning. Mine has two very cute, sweet puppies on it! I thought maybe he was giving me a little puppy, but he said, "Don't even think it!" To all my friends out there: Happy Valentine's Day! You are loved! God loves you and so do I! Thank You, Lord, for friends. This is one of your richest blessings to us: friendship!

Snail Mail

Here's something interesting! Saturday we received a Christmas card from good friends in The Netherlands! Here is what makes it interesting: It wasn't sealed, it said 'air mail' on it, it had no post mark on it! But it made it here...that's what counts! Who cares if it was two months late? Thank you, Lord, for the mail system. What would we do without it? I praise you, Lord.

Senior Luncheon

This valentine bouquet was given to Jerry yesterday at our Senior Fellowship Luncheon! He was told he could share it with me! The reason he got it was because they asked three questions: 1) Who has been married the longest? Herb & Jane-54 years; 2) Who has been a Christian the longest? Lena-approx 75 years; 3) Who has attended our church the longest? Jerry-72 years! Each was given a bouquet that was on the serving table. It was very nice. Because so many folks are either gone, sick, or had other commitments the number attending was down but it was still very nice. One of our pastors crashed our party along with his wife and son! That was good! We always have a really nice, relaxed time of fellowship. Thank you, Lord, for these senior luncheons when we meet together for good food and sweet fellowship.

Malaysia

Today and next Sunday Malaysia is being represented and displayed in the foyer of our church. My good friend,Pam, did a great job today with her display featuring Tim, Shauna, Annie and Kaleb. (Please, don't ask me why the print turned blue and is underlined. I have no idea!!! Kaleb must be important!) Pam has pictures running on her computer and good food in her crock pot! It's some kind of a curry dish to eat over rice, which she also has. It's quite spicy and delicious! It smells good too! She attracted a lot of attention today. The second picture here shows pictures of Malaysia, like you would see in a travel agency. They were loaned to her by some friends. Thank you, Lord, for folks who are trying to tell the world about Jesus. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you, for Pam, she's doing a great job of representing Malaysia!

Sledding!

Today I took Sydney, Isabella, and Haleigh sledding on the big hill here in our town. They had lots of fun, along with a lot of other folks. Bella ended up with a bloody mouth. We're still not sure just what happened. I think she's going to lose one of her upper front teeth. We saw one teenage boy land hard and possibly broke or cracked his tail bone. But most of the time folks, including my three girls, had fun, fun, fun! It's hard to see them in these pictures and it was hard to take the pictures! They go so fast down the hill and I had a hard time keeping up with them! Lord, thank you for fun times and memories they will have forever. Please touch Bella's mouth and help it to heal and her tooth to come out normally.

Michigan Winter Wonderland!

This morning we woke up to a Michigan Winter Wonderland! I had to take more pictures! These are in daylight. The last post was in the dark! I wonder when the snow is going to fall from the archway?! The picture of trees is from the front porch looking west. Heavenly Father, I can't help but marvel at Your Creation!

Phenomenon!

The wonders of winter and snow and ice! Jessica stopped over last night and told us about the snow hanging from our trellis archway. She said she even ducked as she ran under. It's kind of a phenomenon. This morning it's hanging even more! The ice on the railing is hanging on an angle! It's really weird! Lord, I thank You for the beauty of Your creation! You are the Creator!

This & That

Life goes on from day to day...everything that goes on doesn't get posted. I'll try to mention a few things here. Jerry's doctor appointment went well. His cholesterol is down! Maybe that's because I'm cooking a little more healthily these days!? (Is healthily a word?) We got our income tax made out and sent in. That's always a relief. I left my winter jacket down at Christy's house...so I bought a new one this week. I got in on a 70% off sale, since winter is winding down! Then because I'm a senior, I got another 15% off! I love the jacket, it's fleecy on the inside and on the outside and is very light weight! It's also very warm! It's black with a hood. I talked to my mom last night. She's doing well considering her age. Jerry and Rob got us all plowed out today. Rob's and Jessica's adoption plans are moving along. It's so exciting to hear each new detail and answer to prayer! I've taken the first step in our plans to go to Malaysia next year...I got the papers to fill out and send in to renew our passports! That's the first step. Next step will be to fill them out, get our pictures taken, write checks and send them in. Well, I guess that about does it for now. I praise You, Father, because You are always with us, in the small every day details and in the big important events that happen. I love You, Lord.

Winter Wonderland!

We have about a foot of snow. Today is a snow day for the kids! The sun is shining so I waded out and took these pictures. I think they are self explanitory but #1 is the front of our house. #2 is the back. #3 is looking through the back yard and through the trees. Heavenly Father, thank you for the four seasons. Thank you for the snow and for the sun shine

Snow

We're getting lots and lots of snow! I actually love it. All activities are cancelled for this evening. It's supposed to stop snowing about midnight. The wind seems to have died down, it was like a blizzard for a while. We've got a fire in the wood stove and we just finished eating bowls of chili. We're very warm and comfortable! Thank you, Lord, for all the seasons and for the beauty of snow. Please, watch over folks who are traveling.

Things To Do...

We received a postcard in the mail from a real estate friend. The message on the card is so good I thought I'd pass it along to you! Thanks, Carol! Things to do in 2008! 1) Visit a nursing home.
2)Make a meal for someone in need (someone you don't know). 3) Laugh and love more.
4) Rekindle an old friendship. 5) Visit a family member you haven't seen for a while. 6) Don't be afraid to hug. 7) Say you're sorry if you've offended someone. 8) Never forget to thank God for all you've been blessed with. Thank you, God, for all that I've been blessed with. Thank you for my friendship with Carol. Help me to do these eight suggestions, not just once during the year but over and over again.

Walk Through Inspection

We had an interesting day yesterday! Some friends are buying a log home and asked if we'd go with them to their walk through inspection! Because we live in a log home they thought we might notice something they would miss. What a beautiful home they're buying! It's the same age as ours, in the middle of a woods, has an attached garage, and it has a loft but that's where the similarities end. It's made of pine logs, ours are cedar. Being pine the logs are anywhere from 12 to 18 inches wide! They have a full basement, we have a crawl space. Theirs is twice the size of ours. Two bedrooms both on the main floor, we have one up and one down. Their loft is big enough for a separate room but it's all one: a great place for all the grandkids to sleep! Their stairway is very plain, ours is log and spiral! So we came home after inspecting a big, beautiful log home and discovered once again that we love our little log home! It's right for us. The other one didn't have the warm comfortable feeling when we walked in. I think ours does (I hope ours does) and I think, when our friends move into the other one that they'll give it a warm comfortable feeling. The folks who live there now really didn't have it furnished in a homey way. They did have some interesting antiques but it was more like going through a show piece, not an inviting home. So it was a very interesting day and we came home, not feeling envious of our friends, but happy for them, and feeling very good about our own home and loving it even more, if that's possible! Thank you, Lord, for the blessings You give us. Thank you for our log home, for giving us the strength to build it. Help us to keep it as a blessing to You. Help us to be hospitable and for folks coming in to know that we love and serve You. We love You, Lord, and we Praise You.

Small Group

This evening was our small group. Six of us met, two couldn't make it. We really missed the two absent ones. But we had a really good discussion. Our Pastor is such a good preacher. He brings things out that we never think of. Today his sermon was on Zacchaeus. Luke 19:1-9 Oh yes, we all know that story! Well, instead of looking at Zacchaeus Pastor had us look at Jesus! (1) He had a habitual awareness of lost people! (I need to be less selfish) (2) Jesus sought out the hungry. (I pick the easiest people to reach out to) (3) Jesus lived the anointing. (I'd rather try harder) Anointing is required for me! (4) Jesus lived his role. (I am here to be a disciple of Christ. I must be full of His Spirit. I must be aware of others around me.) Learn from Jesus. Yes, we had a good discussion but it goes deeper than just discussing. We ended our time with each of us deeply touched. Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your Word. Lord, thank you for Pastor Dave and his ability to speak your truths. Bless him with Your Anointing. Help me to receive Your Anointing. Use me, Father, to reach out to folks for You. I love You, Lord.

Off To...

Here's little Maddie off to preschool! She's 14 months old today! She seems so little to be going off to school! She only goes one morning a week, I think, and that's good because it gives Christy a little time off to do whatever she wants or needs to do. On this morning the three of us went birthday shopping for Megan. Thank you, Lord, for Maddie. Thank you for this preschool, provided by their church, where Maddie is well taken care of .