Where has October gone?

 Here we are, at the end of another month.  I am wondering how I seem to have "lost" October.  For sure, it has been a crazy, busy month - one filled with family, friends and activities.  More than than, it has been a time where I have been re-focusing on all that I believe the Lord has ahead for me. 

The beginning of the month, I got to have a "Grandma Lyn sleepover" with Anna and Grace.  These cousin girls have so much fun together.  This two night sleepover was not long enough for the girls, who begged for another time to be together.  This was a great opportunity to get the girls together since Gwen and Tim had the other kids on their church Fall Youth Retreat and for Doug and Susie who were celebrating their 11th Wedding Anniversary.  During this "too short" time, the girls played, did crafts, sang and danced, we went to multiple parks, ate lots of treats,  and we ended the time at The Rock (Sunday School) and church.  I loved seeing the girls together.  It made this grandma's heart so happy. Waiting is hard at any age, so these girls will have to have patience and perseverance until everyone's schedules allow for another sleepover.

Somewhere around the middle of the month, I had a surprise visit from Gwen and Tim!  They were in my area picking up their new minivan and decided to stop by for dinner.  It isn't often that I get to visit with the "adults", so this was a real treat.  I got a "viewing" of their new car (which has some really amazing features that would take me a long time to learn) and we got to eat our favorite Chinese food together.  They have been waiting a very long time for this new vehicle since their current minivan is almost as old as Lia!  The Covid delay in getting new vehicles caused perseverance whether you wanted it or not!  

A couple of days later, I watched Gwen and Lia run a half marathon and Tim run a marathon.  It was a beautiful fall day, a bit "brisk" at the start of the day but warming up as the sun came up.  I marvel at the perseverance of all these runners, who train  for weeks to prepare for this event.  The fourteen runners that I knew,  did an amazing job, completing this race.  I loved standing on the sidelines, cheering for all the runners while keeping on eye on the younger kids.  

Now that Grace is in school (I can't believe she is in Kindergarten!)  it's just Jimmy and I during my once a week care time.  After taking Grace to the bus stop, Jimmy and I find lots of ways to have fun the rest of the day.  At almost 18 months old, Jimmy is really starting to play with his toys.  He actually spent almost 45 minutes one day, "cooking" pretend food in his pots and pans!  He loves music and recently has started really "playing" his piano!

I can see the change in him each week, as he grows from a baby into a toddler and soon to be preschooler.  His vocabulary has grown and he loves to shout "BUS, BUS" as we wait at the bus stop for Grace.  He is persistent and never gives up with each new skill he is working on.  This perseverance isn't always welcome for this grandma, when the skill is a doorknob or a child proof latch on a cupboard!  None the less, his stick-to-it-ness will serve him well as he grows! 

Rounding out the month, I attended a four day conference called "Favor Fest". I have attended many conferences presented by Chicago HUB and they have all been wonderful.  This conference was, indeed, another wonderful time.  There was a continuity and connection from speaker to speaker that is sometimes lost at a big event like this.  Each message built on the last, adding another layer to the understanding of God's favor as well as how and why to receive that favor.  I have a notebook full of notes that I will be "digesting" over the coming weeks. 

As I was preparing to write this blog, the thought that flashed through my mind was the entire month was a "Favor" fest for me!  Every opportunity that I have to be surrounded by my friends and my family, covered by the presence of God, there is always favor.  The definition of favor that mostly applies, is a kindness beyond what is due or expected.  I am so grateful that my family is close by so that I can have these amazing times with them.  The amazing speakers, the wonderful long time friends, and the new friends I meet at these conferences make HUB Ministries an example of God's favor to me.  There were many more, small things that are really BIG things that have made this a month of favor for me.  The next couple of weeks will be just as full and busy as the past month.  I have a three day writers conference coming up that will hopefully encourage me to persevere towards my goal.  

In all honesty, this has also been a month of my procrastination.  I have found so many reasons to not write, as evidenced by the delay in this blog.  I have also been SLOWLY writing, when this should be a time when I work harder to complete my project.  A long time ago, a wise pastor once said "Busy is just another way of saying "Being under satan's yoke" - just being distracted from what God really wants you to do.  It is so easy to  find reasons and excuses for not doing the things that you know God is asking you to do.  In spite of my procrastination and my "busy-ness", God has been faithful to me and shown me favor.  Actually putting those words on paper has been exactly what I need to move ahead.  So I am setting out to make November a less busy and more productive month, and looking forward to continuing to see God's favor in the days ahead!

Jesus, thank you for your constant care and love for us - even when we procrastinate and fill our days so full that there is little room for the things you have asked of us.  Holy Spirit, remind us to set aside the things that distract us from your good plans for us.  Thank you for family and friends and time in your creation.  But Jesus, help us keep our eyes on you, the creator of all things.  Amen

Seeing the past and the future... one picture at a time.

 This photo of Doug was taken in at Ken's parent's house Christmas of 1986.  Ken's dad loved this organ and had learned to play after his retirement.  Doug spent many hours sitting here making "music", thankfully with headphones on to spare the rest of us!  When Grandpa Rowley moved to Florida in 2009, Doug "inherited" this organ.  It now sits in Doug and Susie's living room.  Lately, both James and Grace have been making their own special music at this same organ.  

Considering Doug's love of all things music, it is no surprise that the kids would love it also!  Grace is always saying she is going to be a dancer and singer when she grows up.  And recently Jimmy has found that two pieces of his wooden puzzle, slapped together, make very good cymbals!  

I snapped these pictures of the kids playing the organ yesterday, when I got to watch the kids for a few hours on Saturday.  Now that Grace is in school, I don't get much time to be with her.  So this Saturday visit was extra special.  Doug is out of town on a fishing trip, so Susie and I had a fun afternoon taking the kids to a special park to meet some friends. 

This park has a "Story Walk" which includes the pages of a book, arranged around a path surrounding the playground.  You get to read the entire book as you walk the circle.  Grace and her friend Maya had a great time hearing the story, while their little brothers just enjoyed the walk.  At 16 months, Jimmy is a runner!  When let out of the stroller, he figured out how to climb the stairs to the slide and went up the stairs and down the slide, over and over!  I don't know who was more tired after our two hour visit to the park - the kids or grandma!  

Earlier in the day while Jimmy was napping, Grace and I were "painting" some pictures from a paint with water book.  She was painting John the Baptist holding a dove in his hand and I was painting Moses crossing the Red Sea. We were having a great conversation about Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit.  And then Grace asked a really common question..... "If God is only one God, then how come we say that Jesus is also God?"  What a powerful question for a 5 year old!  I was able to use the water/ice/steam analogy with her.  There is nothing better than seeing the "light bulb" go off and that look on their face telling you that they understand what you are saying.  I told Grace that even adults can't really understand this, but we know it is true!  Later, when I was putting ice in my water cup to take to the park, Grace smiled and said "Are you putting a little Jesus in there Grandma?"  I knew exactly what she was talking about!  

These days with the grandkids are so special.  The pictures of the kids at the organ remind me of the connection between the past and the future.  Yes, it is the same organ in these pictures - 35 years apart.  But it is also that special heritage of music between the generations.  Gwen currently has possession of some sheet music that belonged to MY grandmother, Nora Larson Toensing.  She loved to play the piano and had a singing voice that could literally be heard for miles.  Gwen surely inherited that ability and has passed it on to her own children. Talking with Grace about the Triune God, is just another way that I get to share the Spiritual heritage of our family. I am so thankful that I have time to share with my children and grandchildren the things that are the most important to me.  

My best advice today is to take the time to be present with those around you.  Put down your phone and pick up a paintbrush, even it you just use water and a special paint-with-water picture.  Watch the little ones explore an organ or piano or dance with with them to a song on the radio.  Go outside on a beautiful fall day.  Walk that path and climb that slide!  Most of all, listen to the questions and have some deep conversations.  Share the things you love with those you love!  

Jesus, thank you for these reminders today.  Holy Spirit, give us all answers to those hard questions of faith.  Help us to enjoy every day with those we love.  Thank you for the change of seasons.  Give us strength to walk each day, drawing closer to you Jesus.  Provide the courage we need to share our faith with those around us.  Thank you Jesus for your love!  Amen