Best part of any day is time with the kids!

I have been finding the blessings in each and every day.  It hasn't been difficult because I have had plenty of time spent with the grands.  Spring has come to Chicago.  My flowering tree has sprung into full bloom, in spite of freezing weather over the last week.  We even had a day with some persistant snow flurries,  But, in spite of that, I am filled with hopefulness and joy.  

Being with Grace one day a week has been so good.  She has changed from a toddler to an imaginative preschooler.  I love her ability to pretend and make stories happen no matter what we are doing.  She is very ready for her new baby brother, who she says will be coming in the "summer".  I have a feeling that in a just a few short weeks she will realize that summer has come a bit ahead of time in her house!

I love the fact that in addition to my weekly visits with Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna, I get some extra time when Gwen and Tim lead youth retreats for their church.  Over the years, it has been bitter sweet with each of the kids getting older and therefore GOING on those retreats with Gwen and Tim.  This year only Zeke and Anna were with me.  And during that time, Anna was lamenting the time when (very soon according to Zeke) he would also be gone and she would be the "youngest, only child".  I reminded Anna that I was also the youngest of my siblings and there were some perks to that.  I am sure that when that time comes, we will find plenty of fun things to make it not so bad.

We got to a couple of playgrounds during my stay.  Most were teeming with kids.  Such a wonderful sight and so unusual during the last year of COVID scare.  Zeke had a baseball clinic, and it was so fun watching him play.  He is surely an athletic kid that manages to do well at what ever sport he attempts.  

This was a short retreat, but these kids managed to try to squeeze in every activity that we could.  So a movie night was in order, complete with popcorn and warm blankets.  I reminded them that the summer mission trip is not that far away, so we will have plenty of time for all the fun things.  

My list of hope-giving blessings included so many things.  I had a special breakfast out with a good friend one day.  It was just so good to actually SEE her face and share a meal.  One day I met a new neighbor!  What a blessing it is to have someone who is near my age moving in right next door.  Very unexpected and so wonderful.  Recently I had dinner with some new friends and then attended their book club meeting.  It was so fun to be with new people and see my world expanding.  A few weeks ago, Susie and I spent the weekend away scrapbooking.  Both of us were glad to get some much needed progress on our projects.  It was also great to be away (even though it was local) and spend time together.  We managed to get in a couple of (socially distanced) swimming sessions, which I loved.  It has been so long since I have had a time away like this.  I truly cherished every second of that time.  One day, as I was recording my daily blessings, I added the school buses that I had encountered all over during my errands.  It is amazing to know that most of the kids are finally back in school, at least part of the time.  It is seeming very likely that soon, we could see even more of the restrictions around the pandemic being lifted.  I confess that I am waiting anxiously for travel and possibly some conferences to attend.  

I know that the Bible tells us to think on good things.  That when we do this, it will keep our thinking sraight.  And thinking about all of these blessings is certainly helping my thinking.  I have been reading through Isaiah for the last few weeks and I am always amazed by the new things that I see each time I do this.  There has been encouragment and help in this study, through a sermon series at Fellowship of Faith, led by Pr. Dave.  I have loved digging deeper into Isiah, even though I would have told you that it was my most read Old Testament book besides Psalms.  I know that so much of my renewed good thinking has come from this study.  So here is one more encouragment to make it a point to really read and study scripture.  There is no better time than now, to help renew our minds with good thoughts and more scripture.

Jesus, thank you that you left us all the instructions that we need through the Bible.  Holy Spirit, help us remember to keep our thinking straight.  Give us courage to delve into even the parts that we don't understand.  Thank you Jesus for providing good teachers through pastors and fellow "travelers" along our life path.  Keep those blessings coming to each day.  Amen

 

He is Risen! Wonderful Easter celebration!

What a glorious and wonderful Easter celebration my family had this year.  We were all very aware that we completely missed Easter 2020.  I found myself trying to remember what we had done for Easter last year, what the kids had worn on that day, where we had been.  And then, the realization hit - thanks to COVID we did not have any family time last year.  Quite frankly, due to Ken's illness beginning in January of 2020, most of last year is a bit of a blur.  Then you add COVID quarantine on top of that blur and it is possible to kind of lose 2020.  We certainly missed Ken during our time together this year.  The wonderful weather, amazing church service, and fun time with the kids made this a memorable time.  We will not forget Easter of 2021.  

The weather was just perfect.  It was sunny and warm, exactly like you would want an Easter to be.  We have had our fair share of very cold and even snowy ones.  This day was perfect for being outside and running around looking for those Easter eggs.  

All of us, even the adults had a great time walking around the yard, during the egg hunt.  This year the kids each had different eggs, so it was much easier to help them.  Tim did a great job making it extra hard for the older kids to find their eggs and it actually took them a fair amount of time to find them.  

Just being together was something to celebrate.  We are so thankful that we (the adults) have all managed to get our Covid vaccines before the arrival of Baby Boy Rowley (expected in late May).  And knowing that we are all safer now, sure makes our times together less stressful.  I am extremely thankful to NOT have to decide if it is worth the risk to go to the store for food.  I used a lot of food delivery and contactless pickup in the previous months.  Knowing that I am more protected is really a gift.  

The Easter morning church service was exactly what I needed.  I have been going to church via "live stream" for most of the past year. I am so thankful that this option was there.  It has allowed me to continue to worship, even though we were stuck at home.   Actually being in the church, surrounded by my family, and the bigger "church family", pouring out praise and worship to the Risen King,;;;;;;; well it filled my soul and my spirit.  It was an awe-inspiring service.  I encourage you all to watch it here - Fellowship of Faith Easter Service   I really feel like I have turned a corner.  I know that the last six months have been a time of adjustment to being on my own.  And, while I know that I will face continued times of grief and uncertainty, the path ahead seems much clearer now.  Certainly the spring weather, the increased hours of sunshine, the decrease in the fears and worry over Covid is a part of this.  But I am convinced that working through a Bible Study on "The Quest", has helped me break out of the standstill position I was in. That Bible study plus this Easter worship proved to be the catalyst for change for me.   I love feeling expectant for the year ahead.  I am not sure what it will look like for me, but I am convinced that I am moving forward and it is so good.  

We all need more good news.  Overall, this past year has been HARD!  The news was never good.  I am working to start and end everyone of my days finding the good news of that day.  All you have to do is look for it!  Good things are happening out there.  I plan to use the next few blogs, to fill the airspace out there with positive, helpful, wonderful things.  I would love to hear from all of you.  Help me fill the world with hope and positivity.  Let's all bring more sunlight, more good news to others.  

Jesus, thank you for being the Risen, Reigning King of Kings!  Thank you for loving us so much that you suffered and died for us.  Holy Spirit give us courage to see beyond the darkness and to find the light.  Thank you for filling our hearts with your love.  Help us continue to look for the "Good News".  Jesus, you are that good news!  Amen