A day at the Cosley Zoo...and a perspective shift.

Any time that we get to be all together and do something fun, it is a good day!  Last Saturday was a that kind of a good day.  The weather was really nice - a pleasant fall day.  We were wearing some kind of outer wear, but it was really warm enough to have it unzipped - or in Zeke's case totally off!  That boy is always warm!  We have had this day planned for a really long time - think last Christmas when Gwen and Tim gifted this trip to Grace!  Finding a good day for all of us when there are no birthdays around is really tough.  And we actually planned this for the fall rather than go in the heat of summer.  Grace really loved it and Cosley is exactly the right amount of things for her to see.  She told me this week that her favorite thing was the Llamas.  I was surprised that she remembered seeing them. 

When we were looking at my pictures on my phone, she easily identified this photo!  As a matter of fact, I said "oh look at the donkeys" and she said "Grandma, those are llamas!"  So I guess she remembered them!  

The kids had fun playing in the natural playground area and on the bales of hay that were stacked near the pumpkins for sale.  And, of course, we took the photo on the steps of the caboose!  

This is a must get photo every time we visit Cosley since we have ALWAYS taken a photo here.  This is from a visit to Cosley in 1983!  That is Doug at about 18 months old and Gwen at about 4 1/2!  

They have made some changes to the caboose but it is still in the same exact spot.  The animals have also changed a bit over the years, but it is still pretty much the same as in those early years.  

There is something so wonderful about revisiting these places with the grandchildren and the adult kids.  I never imagined when I took that picture in 1983, that 36 years later I would be standing in that same spot taking a picture of our growing family.  This has certainly been a few weeks of these kind of memories.  First Brookfield Zoo and then Cosley.  So much fun and so many new memories.  

I have seen so many articles about the advantages for children who get to spend time with their grandparents.  This week I read an article about the benefits to the grand parent!  One noted result was a great decline in dementia in people who babysat their grandchildren on a regular basis.  I guess this is certainly something for which I can thank my kids!  I wouldn't trade this time with the  grand kids for anything!  

This week at my small group we were talking about just how HARD everything seems now.  While it is true that looking at social media or watching the news is very depressing, it is important to remember that Jesus reigns!  Spending time just in quiet, reading the Bible, listening to praise music or just resting certainly helps to change your perspective on things.  

 I just love when my devotional matches exactly where I am each day!  This one really hit home.  Even when it seems really hard, in good times or in those not so good times, Jesus is there with us.  Most of all, He is always waiting for us!  I love the first line of the second paragraph.  Which one of us doesn't doubt that God is with us at times.  What a great reminder that even when it might FEEL like Jesus is not with us, HE IS!     

Jesus, thank you  for speaking to us with exactly the words we need at exactly the right time.  Holy Spirit help us all to not get so caught up in our day to day activities that we forget that you are with us.  When times seem especially hard and we are struggling, help us to remember that you are by our side always.  Thank you for good times with family.  And thank you for Llamas!  Amen

Fall is here....free day at the Zoo

Last Thursday Ken and I met Gwen and the kids at the Brookfield Zoo!  It has been a long time since we have visited the zoo and it was a really nice day for us.  Cold but sunny.  Yet another perk of home school is visiting places like this during the week when there are no crowds.  There were a few school groups, but basically it was pretty empty.

The zoo was decorated for Halloween and the kids loved seeing all the various pumpkins - they could have done without the giant spiders, however.  We used the map "walking tour" that basically took you by all of the animals without back tracking.  I skipped the Australia House (bats that are loose and flying around) and I did not go in the bird house room with the flying birds everywhere.  As Lia will tell you, "Grandma has a bird phobia and doesn't like them!"  We saw all the animals that the kids wanted to see.  Most of the animals were outside, even the giraffes.  

 Gwen had promised the kids a special treat of the Dolphin Show.  Anna had no memory of ever seeing this, so it was especially fun watching her experiencing this.   The room was mostly empty and it was so much fun watching the kids during the show.  I managed to capture this dolphin hitting the ball in a jump!

It was fun to listen to the kids sharing facts about all of the animals.  It is pretty clear that they have all been paying attention to their science lessons.  We stopped to have lunch and decided to eat outside.  We were treated to yet another "bird" experience with the  Peacocks and Peahens who were very anxious for us to share our food!  They parked themselves right next to me and the kids found this especially funny since I had told them how much I did not like birds of any kind!  I guess you have to expect this at the zoo!

This was another very thankful day for me.  Just so thankful to be outside in the wonderful fall weather, walking under the canopy of changing color leaves.  The air was crisp and the sun was warm.  So thankful to be able to be with the kids on these adventures.  And I am so thankful for zoos that protect and aid in the survival of so many animals.  It is such a blessing to be able to see animals from all over the world and to know that they are being helped.  

I was remembering how very grateful I was that my mom was able to finally travel and spend time with my kids after my dad died.  On one of her visits to our house, we went to the zoo.  She had never been and it was really exciting for her.  I love this picture of Gwen and Doug with my mom.  She loved tulips especially and I remember her saying how much she liked this picture.  Although she is not looking at the camera, you can just feel the love in this picture!  

Love must be the word of the day for me today.  My daily devotion was about the unfailing love of God for us.   That unfailing love is so needed in today's troubled news and all that bombards us on social media.  I love the Passion Translation of Psalm 23:6

"So why would I fear the future?  For I am being pursued only by your goodness and unfailing love.

Then afterwords - when my life is through, I'll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you!"

So today, I will bask in that unfailing love of God and by so very thankful for the love of my precious family.  If you are feeling a bit down or depressed today, take time to go outside and just breathe in that crisp fall air.  Or look up at the blue sky.  Or see the sun shining.  Or feel the rain on your face.  It really doesn't matter what the weather is like where you are, just be aware of God's unfailing love for you.  Things will look brighter when you let that really sink in to you spirit and soul.  Just take time to bask in His love for you today!

Jesus, thank you for the reminder that your love for us is unfailing.  Keep our minds, our eyes and our hearts turned towards your love.  Holy Spirit, remind us to take time to be with our family when those opportunities arise.  Most of all, nudge us to be out in your creation, soaking in some of your unfailing love.  Thank you Jesus!  Amen

Weekend being Grandma...

This past weekend I spent with these three cuties.  Gwen and Tim and Lia were away for their youth group Fall Retreat.  It is always interesting to have just three of the four kids. Ellie really rises to the role of "leader" and "helper" when Lia is not in the picture.  We actually managed to be up and ready for church with no problem.  We even got there with time to spare!  For these kids, if it is Sunday, then you go to church. 

There was lots of time to play games.  I don't remember exactly how many games of Sorry we played, but it was a lot!  Zeke and I played many, many rounds of Battleship and boy does he have a good ability to find those battleships.  Ellie and Zeke also played Battleship a number of times.  We finished off the weekend with a very long game of Monopoly.  We were still in the middle of the game when Gwen, Tim and Lia got home.  Again, even Anna was playing.  She had a hard time "reading" the dice but figured out that she could just count the dots.  So after that, we were not allowed to help her.  She was quite the Monopoly mogul and managed to purchase the most property.  She even had houses on several of her lots.  

I have mentioned that Gwen home schools the kids. I know that there is a lot of controversy over this decision - public school vs home school.  This weekend highlighted for me one of the very big advantages of home school.  These kids play together ALL THE TIME!  They are used to being together and they just include each other in whatever activity is happening.  Anna is only 5 and really might be considered too young to play these games.  But with help and guidance from her siblings, she did just fine.   I see how very different Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna view their friends.  There doesn't seem to be any division according to what grade someone is in or how old they are.  All of the ages of kids play together.  It reminds me of the old "one room school house" approach.  Even at their Home School Co-Op the kids are very loosely grouped - mostly by an age range.  Often the kids don't even really know what "grade" their friends are in!  It makes for a wonderful and fun time doing activities with all of the kids together.  

The retreat that Gwen, Tim and Lia went on had a focus on family legacy.  This is a subject that is near and dear to my heart.  During this weekend I found myself watching and listening to Ellie, Zeke and Anna, thinking about who they are becoming.  I love that Jesus has given me a prophetic picture of each of them even before they were born.  And now I can see glimpses of those characteristics in each of them.  Ellie is such a strong girl.  Diagnosed with Dyslexia and ADHD, she has had to overcome some really big obstacles in her ten years.  But she has really thrived.  I was thinking about the word I had for Ellie....

She is really growing into that Warrior!  It is a bit hard to see, but the words across the bottom say "stands on high places and takes back the land".  She has already climbed many mountains, just to read and be able to learn.  I can see Jesus' plan to use this in the future.  She is the most loving and caring girl and one of the most creative people I have ever known.  She really has a heart for anyone who has any kind of struggle.  I can't wait to see how her gifts and talents continue to grow in the years ahead.  

Zeke is such an amazing boy.  He is only eight but sometimes you can almost see the wheels turning in his head as he tries to figure out how something works. He is very good at math and seems to be able to do his math problems "in his head".   Looking at the words that are on this frame, I can already see coming forth in Zeke.  He is so kind and loving.  And more than once I have been surprised by the very insightful things that he has said.  He loves to sing and just this weekend it filled me with joy to hear him singing along with a Christian song on the radio in my car.  He certainly has the makings of a priest of the Lord.

 And then there is Anna.  She is such an interesting mix of both Gwen and Tim and I can also see bits and pieces of each of her siblings.  One thing is for sure, she is her own special person.  Because she is the youngest she is often left on her own.  And this doesn't bother Anna at all.  She plays by herself for hours.  She is wise well beyond her five years.  She has long, long stories to tell and often sings as she plays.  There is nothing better than listening to her chatting with her dolls and then singing a song to them.  I noticed this weekend how much she reminds me of my mom.  She was born many years after my mom died, but I am certain that Anna has that legacy of great grandma Nona within her.

I can't tell you exactly what it is about Anna that reminds me of mom, but there is just something there. When I look in her eyes there is a depth of understanding that goes way beyond her years.  I can't wait to see exactly how Jesus uses Anna in the kingdom.  

I am so blessed to have these weekend times with the kids to watch them grow and change.  I get to seem them every week, but those days are often filled with normal day-to-day things like school.  So I make sure to really soak up every bit of the time I can when I get to just be grandma.  

Jesus, thank you so much for revelation and words of encouragement for my generations.  Holy Spirit, remind us every day that you are speaking to us and want to speak through us to others.  Quiet our spirits Lord so that we can hear you.  Help us to make time away from the distractions of life to be with you.  Thank you for your legacy of love.  Amen 

When you touch a piece of your own history....

Our family spent last weekend in Des Moines, Iowa visiting with some of my extended family for a reunion.  It was so good to be with family that we haven't seen since 2011.  We gathered at a hotel meeting room and just sat and talked and shared so many memories.  Our kids camped at nearby campgrounds but still spent plenty of time at the hotel.  We had hoped to get as many of my mom and dad's descendants as possible in attendance, but schedules just didn't allow for some to attend.  We were missing one of my brothers.  We were missing three of the grandchildren.  And only 9 of the 27 great grandchildren made the reunion. And none of the 3 great-great grandchildren attended either.  

But those of us who were there sure had a great time.  None of the family actually live in Des Moines, but it was a really good meeting spot.  The majority of us drove about 4 hours to get there.  My niece Amy got the prize for coming the farthest... she lives in Arizona!  

It was so good to get to visit with my brother-in-law Roy.  At 86 years old  he got the "prize" (if you can call it that) for being the oldest member of the family.  I shared with him that I have very few memories that do not include him!  My sister Karen began dating Roy when I was only 4 years old.  So Roy has always been a part of my memories.  Roy has been working hard on our family tree and has so much information gathered.  He brought me a large portrait of my paternal grandparents that had been gifted to my sister Karen some years ago.  This is a much smaller image of that portrait of my grandparents, Axel and Betty Johnson.  

 The most amazing thing Roy gave me is a letter that had been in my sister Karen's possession. He recently found this letter when he moved into a senior living apartment and he knew that it would be meaningful for me.  This letter was written July 25, 1916 to my great aunt Anna Toensing.  It was written by my grandmother, Nora - my mom's mother - who died in April of 2017.  Aunt Anna moved in to her brothers home after his wife died to help raise his four daughters.  She was the only "mother" that my mom ever knew.  

Holding this letter in my hands was amazing.  Reading it was incredible.  My grandmother talks about her illness, about the doctor visits and her hope that she will recover soon.  Sadly, that did not happen.  I love that it mentions "the baby is walking now"!  That baby was my mom.  I know that my mom would have loved this letter, although I don't think she ever saw it.  I love the very ordinary things that Nora shares in this letter.  She talks about needing to can the many blueberries that are on their property.  She has socks that need darning.  And she apologizes for missing the funeral of Arnold's (my grandfather) brother, Fred (who died in March of 1916).  She says that the winter was especially bad with lots of snow and very cold.  She sounds so desperate to just feel better and to be able to do all the things that a mother of four small daughters needed to do.   I can imagine Aunt Anna, reading this letter and wanting to help in some way.  Shortly after this letter was sent, my grandfather made the decision to sell his farm and move his family to St. Paul.  This was both so that my grandmother could get medical care, but also so that his extended family would be there to help with the four young daughters.  

This is the only picture that my mom ever had of her with her mother.  It was taken in the fall of 1916, not long after the letter was written.  You can see in the picture just how thin and frail Nora was as she looked lovingly at my mom who was about 15 months old..  Mom was one month shy of two years old when her mother died.  

Yet, here I am, in 2019, ONE HUNDRED AND THREE YEARS LATER,  holding four pieces of paper that Nora had once held in her hand.  The writing looks so similar to my mom's handwriting.  

I am feeling a connection to my grandmother that I have never felt before.  Tracing the words on the page, and knowing the outcome of her story, I am moved to tears.  It now seems so important to keep those handwritten notes from my children that are in my jewelry box.  It has also shown me, again, just how important it is to put words on a page.  While I know that these blogs are not "handwritten", I am convinced that they will live on, long after I am gone.  The journaling that I do in my scrapbooks, along with preserving the photos, has taken on a whole new meaning.  Someday, the everyday things that I am sharing might be especially meaningful to someone down my family tree.  

Sitting here, holding those very old, faded and yellowing sheets of paper in my hand, I am trying to imagine a time in the future when a great grandchild, or a great-great grandchild might be looking at these blogs and feel a connection to me that they had never known.  It sure gives a great deal of weight to the words that I choose to put on paper.  The most important message of all of this is that we ARE connected to our generations.  Those before us and those after us.  It gives importance and meaning to the idea that we need to pray for our generations yet to come.  I want to leave a spiritual legacy for my generations.  A legacy of loving Jesus and a life bathed in the truth of the Bible.  It is my hope and prayer that even the everyday words and the sharing give a clear picture of the importance of my personal relationship with Jesus.  Nothing else matters.  

Most importantly for all of us, it is not too late.  Draw your family close - it doesn't matter what might have driven you apart in the past.  Seek out ways to connect and share.  We can all begin today building that legacy for the future.  Each of us has the ability to impact those around us.  We can smile at someone, help a friend in need, or volunteer.  Big things and small things, it just doesn't matter.  Take even one small step today, thinking about your legacy.  Let us all make this world a better place - not only for us but for those who will come after...... 

Jesus, thank you for loving my family.  Holy Spirit, help us to see and know when our actions are influences in the world.  Thank you for placing reminders in my hands of your working in my family so many years ago. Give us courage and boldness to share our testimony with others.  Let us love the world with your love, Jesus.  Amen