Babysitting (for Gwen and Tim) from ONE to four to ONE!

What a fun time I just had with this cutie! There is nothing better than spending one on one time with your grandchildren. This time with Anna was a real treat. 

You can really get a clear idea of the passage of time through pictures.  The top picture is from this weekend - Anna and I together, having a great time while Gwen and Tim (and Lia, Ellie, and Zeke) are on a Youth Retreat.  The bottom picture is the very first time I watched Lia in 2008 when Gwen and Tim were on a Youth Mission Trip.  Since 2008, I have either been with on a Mission trip to watch a child or watched Gwen and Tim's children at home while they served on youth retreats/missions.  But this year marked an important change.  I am now back to only having one child to watch!  This was the first youth activity that Zeke could attend (he will be a middle schooler in the fall.)  So it was just a special Anna and Grandma time.  For the last 14 years, at least once a year (three times a year recently) I have done my own "mission" taking care of my grandchildren so that Gwen and Tim can serve where they are called.

Anna had a very special time all planned out for us.  This included a special "check in" to the "Johnson Hotel", where I was given a special guest room.  She had really gone all out and put special things I might need in the guest room (even a Bible) and extra things in the bathroom.  She was very excited.  

The first activity on Anna's agenda was for us to create another "needle felting" project.  If you missed a couple blogs ago, we learned this new craft.  I had purchased this project that day and Anna was waiting to complete it when I could help her out.  We managed together to create this wonderful kitty.  Anna was so happy with it and it was such a small project.  We had a movie night and Anna got to pick the movie.  In typical "youngest" fashion, she pointed out that she "never" (okay, rarely) gets to pick what movie is chosen.  I was a bit hesitant about her choice, but I have to say, I genuinely enjoyed that movie.  I can't remember the name of this kid movie, but it was roughly about some kids of Super Heros, who had their own special powers.  It sparked lots of good conversations and we both agreed it was worth watching.  

After a good nights sleep, we went for a "fancy" breakfast out in a restaurant.   Anna is a wonderful conversationalist and also noticed how hard the waitress was working. I am amazed at how aware Anna is and just how much she has to say.  What a pleasant meal it was! 

Anna has been asking to go shopping to spend some gift cards she has been saving, as well as some "tooth fairy" money.  So, we started out at the ever kid-friendly Dollar Tree.  She was able to get 6 very special items and spend her teeth money.  As a special surprise, I took her to one of the kids favorite playgrounds.  It had rained heavily all day on Friday.  So early on Saturday morning it was still a bit wet, but it was warm and the sun was shining!

Anna had a great time, running and playing.  She was surprised to discover that she has grown a couple of inches since her last visit to this play space and she could now reach one of those "rings that slide on a track". (I am not sure what that is called, but it is the top picture on the right).  So we both spent a wonderful hour in the much needed sunshine and fresh air.  

We visited a couple more stores for Anna to finish all of her important purchases.  She managed to easily spend her Easter Basket gift card from Aunt Susie and Uncle Doug on very "girly" purchases of hand cream, lip balm. hand sanitizers and a special holder for that sanitizer.  She was one happy girl for sure.  

No shopping spree with an 8 year old girl is complete without visiting Claire's.  She was able to find exactly what she wanted and we ended our shopping day with one very happy Anna.

When we arrived home, Anna was surprised to find her seed project on the ground, after it sprouted its first leaf and grew out of the ziplock that had been it's home.  It sure is amazing to see these Lima beans grow roots and then sprout and grow up toward the sun!   Even those seeds needed that warm sun today.  It was special that I got to see the growth of those seeds as I was thinking about just how much Anna has grown up. 

We did a bit of organizing in Anna's room and then had plenty of time to get outside and take a long walk.  We explored all over their yard and watched for any "wildlife" we might see.  We sure heard a bunch of frogs but only saw squirrels and an occasional bunny.  

On our walk in their neighborhood, the frog sounds were almost deafening.  We tried really hard to actually find a frog, but no success.  When we got back home, there was only a couple of hours left until the family returned home.  We played many rounds of "War" and I managed to actually win one. I read many stories out of some big "collection" books.  Anna would have sat and listened to more, but I got her to agree on another game instead. She decided on Blokus and we played a few games. 

I learned that Anna really likes Blokus. One of the reasons she likes this game is because she got to play it "every night" with Tim when he was working from home, due to Covid restrictions.  Isn't it interesting that something that we so often saw as hard and so bad, allowed for this special time with Tim when he didn't have a long commute.  It doesn't take very much to find good things from what was a very bad situation.  

So this grandma came home with a smile on my face.  Even though we are back to our (usual) April rainy weather, I still have that sunny feeling that this special time brings.  I have been thinking about the desire to always be moving forward.  I am not sure exactly where that desire comes from, but I know I have certainly felt that at times.  It is terrible to feel stuck and for so many of us, the pandemic has made us feel like being stuck in a nightmare.  We were isolated and limited and it was hard to not be fearful.  All we could do was pray to move on - to move forward out of this horrible situation.  Yet, in this event, in some ways, I am moving backwards to a time of one on one with my grandkids.  And in this case, backwards is not terrible.  I realized today that it is really important to move forward and find one on one time with each of the kids.  There it is - the moving forward that I am looking for. 

Over the past year or so, I have been wondering if the things that I had thought I was to accomplish and haven't yet done, are really FOR ME.  Those things that I thought the Lord was directing me towards but somehow they have not come to pass.  I know I am not alone in feeling sort of "done" as we age.  I have entered a new season of life as a widow.  So in many ways, I have less keeping me from doing all of those things I once could say "I don't have time for this".  Over the last several months, I have been prayerfully considering a long list of "not yet accomplished" things.  I am convinced that this is something that we all should do often.  Sometimes we get so caught up in just doing things that we don't stop and reflect and pray about them.  Or sometimes we get so used to NOT doing the things that we forget to pray about them.  So, moving forward (there it is again - that moving forward thing) I plan to be more intentional about this list.  I will take time to prioritize each item and most importantly, this will help me remember to be in prayer about them.  Yes, this moving forward thing is good. 

Jesus, thank you for the revelation you bring to us as we reflect on our everyday activities.  Help us to hear your voice, Holy Spirit, as we encounter those long lists of undone accomplishments.  Give us courage and boldness to step into those areas that may feel scary or hard.  Thank you for the love and laughter of children.  Help us Jesus, to know you are walking with us as we move forward.  Amen

What a spectacular week - Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter!

Everyone knew that 2022 was going to be different than the last couple of years.  We finally had some sense that the pandemic might really end.  It also looked like it might be spring on the horizon (or so we thought).  For me the entire week, from Palm Sunday to Easter, was an unexpected, wonderful, amazing time.  Easter ended with about an inch of snow overnight.  So we might have to wait a bit for that springtime.  These sweet faces bring me so much joy.  It was truly a season to remember.  

This picture reminds me of some of the very high points of the week for me.  Beginning on Palm Sunday.  The top left picture might not look like a "typical" Palm Sunday celebration. You can't see any palm branches waving.  But what it IS, is so much more.  My church has always had a "Palm Sunday Pilgrimage".  The entire congregation is encouraged to walk to church on that Sunday.  This helps to appreciate exactly what Jesus and his followers were experiencing on that first Palm Sunday.  Jerusalem was seeing thousands (maybe millions) of people flood in for the upcoming festival.  It was a big party.  And that is exactly what we had that day at church.  After walking in with over 50 children, youth and adults,  the service was a true celebration.  The most meaningful Palm Sunday I have ever had. 

The top right picture is another "unusual" service.  In past years with Lia and Zeke's first Communion, I have blogged about this Maundy Thursday service that is like no other.  This year was Ellie's first Communion.  Every family gathers at their own table, and during the Communion time, the oldest at each table serves everyone.  So, this year, I got to give Ellie her first Communion.  A truly amazing and awe inspiring time.  

The bottom left picture was Good Friday.  Most people would recognize this service as what you would expect.  The story of Jesus' last week was retold and as the story progressed, candles were extinguished until only the Christ Candle was left burning.  As the service concluded, Anna sang "This Little Light of Mine" as she carried that candle out of the church.  We were left sitting in the darkness of the hour.  I have never felt the finality of that darkness more than that night.  But more importantly, as we all know, Friday might be dark, but Sunday is on the way!  The Easter Celebration began with Anna once again singing "This Little Light of Mine" as she brought the Christ Candle back into the Sanctuary.  And a wonderful celebration it was!  He is risen!  He is risen indeed!

The bottom left is, of course, my family.  Being together and being entirely us.  We had a wonderful day doing all of the usual Easter stuff.  

The kids had their traditional egg hunt but this year Lia hid the eggs for the younger kids.  After she was done, only her eggs remained (each of the kids gets a special color egg making it easy for them to find their own eggs).  Tim was busy cooking dinner, so I volunteered to hide the eggs for Lia.  When the egg hunt was done, Lia could not find 4 of her eggs.  And this grandma had no idea where I had hidden them!  I took special notice of the places I thought she would never look, and she easily found those eggs.  But the elusive four eggs were nowhere to be found.  Gwen finally decided that squirrels must have taken them!  Which, given their property, might actually be possible!  Maybe sometime over the next few months, those eggs might show up?  One thing is certain, Grandma will not be hiding eggs again!

On the drive home I was reflecting on the amazing week.  It actually took my breath away.  There were so many "God moments" and breath taking times that it was hard to take it all in.  I experienced this season in new ways that I am still taking time to digest.  It is  good to know that I am not too old to grow and learn.  The entire way home, I found myself singing, "This Little Light of Mine" and thinking about all of the verses of that song...

This little light of mine!  I'm going to let it shine.  All around the neighborhood, I'm going to let it shine. Hide it under a bushel -NO!  I'm going to let it shine. Don't let Satan blow it out! I'm going to let it shine,  Let it shine till Jesus comes! I'm going to let it shine.

That is is good way to begin this new season.  Letting my light shine.  What a great reminder for all of us.  Let us shine more and argue less.  Let us shine more and worry less.  Let us shine more and take sides less.  Let us shine more!

Jesus, thank you for continuing to challenge me and encourage me to grow and learn.  Holy Spirit help us all to live in the joy and wonder of Easter as we move ahead.  Remind us that Sunday is coming when we are stuck in the darkness of Friday.  Give us courage to shine when we are faced with tough situations.  Give us boldness to shine in the strongest opposition.  Jesus thank you for you love!  Amen

Is it really April or is it still winter?

The first weekend of April, I finally got to help Doug celebrate his early March birthday!  It was a tradition for Ken and I to take Doug out for some good barbeque on his birthday.  Ken's favorite spot was Uncle Bub's and Doug also enjoys this.  It is a bit of long drive for us, but it is worth it!  However, on this day in early April, IT WAS SNOWING!  Not at all what we expected.  Still, so good to finally taste the wonderful food.  This was James first time in a restaurant and he did great!  As Doug said, "His head is on a swivel!"  He looked around and happily ate whatever small bits he was given.  Grace loved her food and even got ice cream for dessert!  This was my first time back at Uncle Bubs since Ken died which was a bit bittersweet.  It was a wonderful dinner and so fun to be together.

While my weeks are always busy, I usually have my weekends free.  But since April 1st, that has changed.  I realized that my Saturdays are booked until June 25!  I really don't know how that happened, but I am gearing up for some good times.

I got invited to accompany Ellie's Girl Scout troop on a recent excursion to a sheep farm and needlecrafting store.  I think that I had as much fun (or maybe even more) than the girls did. Anna got invited on the trip since the troop leader's younger daughter was also joining the fun.  Again, it was not typical April weather - it was cold and windy!  Cold enough for winter coats, hats and gloves.  

Esther's Place, in Big Rock, Illinoi is quite an amazing place.  They have a yarn store "in town" (I use this term very loosely since Big Rock is very small - think population of 1,000 and most of that is nearby farms).  They own a sheep farm nearby and actually process the wool from the sheep into this amazing yarns which are sold in the store.  All of the yarns are dyed with natural materials. The store is an explosion of color and textures.  Simply amazing. The activity includes going to the farm and meeting the sheep! 

Both Anna and Ellie had fun feeding the sheep some grain.  These sheep are wonderfully cared for and you can tell they are well loved.  The Ram was bleating away at us the entire time we were there.  Several of these sheep will soon be new mommies and you could recognize their waddle! The sheep also are wearing their "big coats" and will soon have their yearly shearing.  Really neat to see the farm and the other animals also (a very friendly chicken, some not-so-nice ponies that were rescued, and one special sheep that was hand raised after being rejected by her mom).   We also got to see the greenhouse where all of their organic vegetables are getting their start.  

Then it was back to the store to complete a really fun Needle felting project. Part of the package deal included a very fancy hot cocoa treat served in fancy teacups.  Anna said it reminded her of Fancy Nancy. 

When the projects were completed, they were amazing.  If I hadn't done one myself I would not have believed how easy this was.  It is really different holding materials that you know came from the very sheep that you just fed! 

We finished off the day with a wonderful lunch at a nearby kid-friendly fast food.  Time spent with the grandkids is simply the best.  Hands down.  

The timing of this trip was perfect.  Just as we approach Easter.  I can not stop thinking about those sheep.

During a recent Bible Study, we learned that the "headers" in our Bibles are very different in our western countries than in Eastern countries.  The headers are the extra titles that break up the text throughout the Bible.  Luke 15 begins with the header "The parable of the lost sheep".  And that story of the shepherd leaving the 99 to find the 1 lost sheep, is how most of us know that story.  We see that story about US.  In the Eastern mindset (how Jesus thought and taught) this story is the story of the "Good Shepherd".  It is all about who God is and his character.  Jesus is the good shepherd.  He does care about the one who is lost.  This one powerful truth - just thinking about the perspective of a story - has changed the way I read my Bible everyday.  I am now reading to find God's character first and then seeing how that might apply to me.  Take my word for it!  It is worth trying!

Those sheep I saw that day, have a very good shepherd who tends well to them.  They are happy and well fed and well cared for.  A visit to a sheep farm after this powerful Bible study was just what I needed.  And the Good Shepherd knew that!  

Jesus, thank you for time with family, for cuddles with grandchildren.  Thank you for good food and fellowship around a table.  Thank you for farms and animals and those who tend them.  Holy Spirit, remind us to shift out thinking, to seek a new perspective.  Give us eyes to see and ears to hear what you might be saying to us.  Thank you for being our good shepherd.  Amen