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